Originally written for Port Rowan Good News during Noel Haydt’s 2014–2018 term as Ward 1 Councillor. Published here from the original archived document; spelling and wording have been preserved.
The Capital budget was presented to council in October. On the list for Ward 1 were, new drawings to improve the Façade on the Port Rowan Community Centre for $10,000, Engineering for a seawall in Clear Creek for $50,000, improvements to the road to the water tower at $30,000 and a multi use sports pad for $40,000 in the Port Rowan Skate Park. A total of $130,000 and the sports pad are to be funded from community raised funds that have been sitting in a reserve account for years.
There were several small ticket items including an HVAC upgrade at the EMS station and maintenance type items to the water and waste water plants. It appears as though the Causeway rebuild project and Big Creek bridge has had a budget increase from the original price of $3.8 million to $10 million and as such had been pushed off by staff until 2024. Some of this can be explained by delaying this project from its original time line. We all know that prices go up as years go by because of inflation and that needs to be factored into our capital budgets. That practice is not currently done and should be if we are to get a better look into future costs. On our second day of budget discussions, I sought to move the Causeway road rebuild back into the 2018 budget and was able to obtain council’s support for the $3.5 million dollar project. An environmental class assessment is still in the works with the final report coming to council this spring. Depending on those requirements, this project could change in scope and the timeline. I’m hoping that at that time, the bridge costs of $6 million will be reduced so that project can be included in the 2019 budget.
I was very disappointed by the disproportional spending when you compare the budget by ward throughout the county. This year’s budget is $37,713,000 with only $327,000 (0.87%) being spent on projects in our area. Of course, there are purchases such as vehicles and the tar and chip road resurfacing program which will benefit us but I still feel that it is not fair. At the end of the two days, I was able to increase funds being spent in our area for some very important projects that I have been asked for. $3.5 million for the Causeway road rebuild, a picnic pavilion for the skate park - $40,000 and $75,000 for a sidewalk extension on the south side of Lakeshore Road at Ducks Landing subdivision to the entrance of Bayview Cemetery in front of Bird Studies Canada.
The total approved budget for 2018 ended in the amount of $38,834,000 with $3,942,000 (10.15%) being spent in our ward. I’m very grateful to council to have backed my recommendations to see some of our tax dollars being spent in our area. I did put forward quite a few motions to defer or delete items I considered frivolous but many were defeated including a $65,000 beach surf rake for Port Dover.
The budget deliberations did take an interesting turn when looking into the 10 year plan. The Port Rowan Medical Center is in need of a refresh and staff has budgeted $660,000. (The highest price of the 3 options). Timing for this is very good because in November a staff report will come forward regarding the merger of the Port Rowan fire hall with the St Williams fire hall. It has already been determined that should the St Williams fire hall stand alone, it will be combined with an EMS station. After hearing about the renovations to the Medical Center, council wisely asked staff to approach various pharmaceutical companies for interest in a public private partnership where a combined Fire/EMS/Medical center could be built. How’s that for one stop shopping and operational efficiency at its finest? The combined budget amounts are $1.5 million, $800,000 + $660,000 for a total of just under $3-m. All 3 facilities could be sold off and operational costs reduced from managing 3 building into one new one.
An unfortunate situation has materialized with the Houghton Agricultural Society and the Houghton Hall last month and I am hoping that there are people who can help resolve this issue. The Houghton Hall has a rich history in our community starting with the securing of the land for the new Town Hall in 1886. The land was purchased in 1891 and the Town Hall built in 1892. The Cenotaph was erected in 1920 and later repaired in 1961. In 1977 the Houghton Agricultural Society purchased the town hall from the County and it was later designated as a historical landmark.
Since 1962 Mr. Stanley McIntyre has been taking care of the hall and managing rentals so that members of the community can use the hall for weddings, funerals, family events or anything of the sort. I even rented the hall for use during my 2014 election campaign. The cenotaph hosts the Remembrance Day ceremony for Houghton students and families. The Houghton Fair is also held on the land surrounding the Hall and managed by the Houghton Agricultural Society.
Mr. McIntyre has also held title of President since 2004 but has decided that after 55 years of service to the Hall and community that it is time to pass the torch. Unfortunately, no one is there to pass it to at the moment. The complete Board, made up of Stanley McIntyre, Beverly McIntyre, Cathy Evans, Trevor Evans, will be retiring after many years of service to The Houghton Agricultural Society, managing the Houghton Fair, the Remembrance Day Service and a Port BBQ and the hall, will disband and be no more if volunteers are unable to fill a new Board of Directors and take on the managing of events. I would hate to see such an important part of the west disappear after so many years of service. I ask that if you have some time and think that you might be interested in helping that you call Stanley 519-875-4858 or Cathy 519-875-1379. The current board meets on a monthly basis but that could be reduced to whatever the new board members decide. I applaud the board for all of their hard work and dedication over all of these years for their efforts. I would also like to thank Paster Ted Smith for taking over the chairman position during this difficult time.
Halloween will be upon us soon so please watch for children when they are out trick or treating as well as the farm equipment on the roads as they harvest their crops.