The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Now...every dollar counts This week, the Ministry of Culture and Recreation announced that Midland could receive $478,756 towards the construction of the new arena facilities, if a substantial public contribution can be made. If the public money, on which the Wintario grant depends, Arena to get Wintario funds Town officials have labelled "misleading" a press release issued early this week by the Ministry of Culture and Recreation, stating that Midland will receive a grant of $478,756 towards the construction of the new arena and com- munity hall facilities. The release reads: "A grant up to $478,756 is to go to the Corporation of the Town of Midland to assist in the costs of constructing an arena and community hall to replace a facility con- demned by the Ministry of Labour."' However, town clerk Bill Hack explained Tuesday that the figure cited in the release is the maximum _ possible amount the town could receive from Wintario for the building of the new arena At the moment, said Hack, the amount of Wintario granting ac- tually available to the town is $114,000, based upon a two-to-one Win- tario funding scale for funds raised through public subscription. To this point, he said, the town has received $57,000 in publically raised funds. Hack explained that the remaining $354,576 promised in the press release is available from Wintario on a one-to-one matching basis--mea- ning that Midlanders would have to raise that amount through their own efforts in order to receive the maximum possible matching Wintario figure Midland mayor Moreland Lynn, although hopeful that public subscription will raise the amount necessary to receive the maximum Wintario support, said that the figure is "pretty optimistic, adding that a total of a further $118,000 raised by the public is probably more realistic."' He said he expects that about $18,000 more will be raised through public subscription and donations to round out the already existing fund to $75,000. He noted that that figure is the maximum amount allowed by Wintario for two-to-one funding. The further $100,000 is expected to be raised by the arena fund Monster Draw, scheduled to take place when the new arena opens. Although Lynn said Monster Draw organizers are hoping to raise $200,000 from the draw, he is estimating a con- servative figure for the time being. Lynn went on to explain that it is important that maximum public support in the arena drive be enlisted, in order to defray the long-term costs to Midland tax- payers of debenturing the remaining portion of the arena construction bill He said that when the costs of issuing a debenture are calculated, it becomes apparent that each dollar raised by the public towards the arena is actually worth four dollars. He went on to give a breakdown of the way the funding stands at the moment, for the arena, including what is ex- pected to be the necessary debenturing costs The cost of constructing the arena, said Lynn, will be $1.4 million. A large portion of that figure will be absorbed by the insurance from the old building, which totalled $540,000 The expected $75,000 raised by arena fund projects will be matched on a two-to-one basis by Wintario, meaning that a total of $225,000 will be cannot be raised, the town stands to face a considerable debenturing cost. Meanwhile, the arena construction continues, with no specific completion date yet announced. forthcoming. If $100,000 is raised by the Monster Draw, the figure will be matched on a one-to-one basis, adding a total of $200,000 to the fund. When all the publicly raised and Wintario matched funds are added together, a figure of about $900,000 is reached. As a result, the town will probably have to issue a debenture of $500,000 to cover the remaining costs of con- struction. The debenturing of half a million dollars, said Lynn, will cost taxpayers a significant amount of money. If a 20-year debenture is issued at 10 per cent interest, the yearly cost of repaying the principle and the interest will be $58,730. Over a period of 20 years, this means that repayment costs borne by the town will total $1,174,600. The fact that the half a million dollar debenture will cost the town well over a million dollars, said Lynn, is why -any public _monéy raised beyond that which is Staff photo already anticipated is so important. Since any dollar raised publicly will be matched by Wintario, and since it will be a dollar that won't have to be debentured and ac- cordingly, won't require the payment of what amounts to over 100 per cent interest, that dollar in fact is worth four dollars. towards the arena. Lynn went on to urge that Midlanders par- ticipate to the best of their abilities in the fund- raising activities that are still planned. He noted that besides the Monster Draw, tickets are still available for the final Arena Fund Lottery, and that another arenathon telecast is planned for the spring, as is another fund raising walkathon. County employee firing debated by Terri Howell There's some disagreement between the members of County Council over the firing last month, of the maintenance supervisor, Russell Canning, and his son Vernon. At Tuesday's meeting of County Council, Midland's Deputy Reeve Bill Ogilvie served council with a notice of motion asking that the Ombudsman's office be asked to investigate and report on all the aspects of the dismissal of Russell Canning. Following Ogilvie's notice of motion a vote of confidence for the property committee, chaired by Councillor Al McLean, Deputy Reeve of Oro Township was called by Warden Allan Glassford. Glassford claims that Ogilvie was the only one who voted against he vote of con- fidence however, Gordon Priestman, Reeve of Matchedash Township and Bruce Tinney, Deputy Reeve of Tay Township, both con- firmed that they opposed the vote of confidence as well. The whole thing began about a month ago, when the property committee sent a report to Council Council informing them of their intention to fire Russell Canning and his son. The report said the maintenance department needed _ reorganization, "including some changes in personnel." It finished up by saying the com- mittee had determined that it would be more beneficial to increase the evening maintenance men than to continue the day time position of Assistant Maintenance Superintendents. Different, he says Russell Canning claims the reasons he was given concerning his firing differed from those given to County Council. He says he was called into the Treasurer's office one afternoon, and without any forewarning was told to hand in his keys. He was told that it was to his benefit to resign rather than to be fired, since he would then be able to collect | Unemployment Insurance benefits. The property committee told Canning they were firing him because he couldn't get along with his staff and the washrooms weren't as clean as they should be. Canning says, he refused to resign, and was fired. Canning had _ been working for the county for five years. His job was overseeing the cleaning of the Simcoe County of- fices, snow shovelling and gardening. He says he had no prior indication that anyone was not satisfied with his work. He also stated that he got along with all of his staff. He says the only people that he didn't get along with were on the Property committee, which fired him. Canning would not disclose their names. Canning says he worked for the railroad for 26 years. He quit and came to the County because he needed light work. He has always been in the maintenance line, he says. Canning says the firing was "'a pretty big blow," and he can't explain how he felt. He and his son Vernon are still out of work. Priestman agrees Reeve Gordon Priestman of Matchedash township agrees with Deputy Reeve Bill Ogilvie. He feels that some sort of investigation on this 40-pce. service for 8 "Empress" White Ironstone Dinnerware Reg. $79.99 NOW°2Q9 29 to our many good friends and customers THE PLACE SETTING 711 YONGE STREET MIDLAND, 526-8523 1% blocks east of the Park Villa Motel 526-2219 $ 0." May the feeling of peace be with you throughout this holiday season and for all of the years to come. We give you our thanks and the best wishes for a great holiday! From the Management & Staff Therrien's Furniture & Appliances Midland 526-7833 hristmas Blessings into the firing should be done. He suggested that Canning should have had a chance to defend himself in front of County Council, and said "'I would support a motion that gave him a hearing."' He explained that the details surrounding Canning's firing are sketchy and that there are rumours circulating which should be brought into the open and cleared up. Deputy Reeve Bill Ogilvie received an anonymous letter from one of the other men on the maintenance department confirming selections from Huronia Office Services Ltd., 259 King St., Midland Town Centre some of the rumours. The letter stated that although Canning's son was fired because there wasn't enough work for him, - another man was hired almost immediately. The anonymous letter also said the man who stepped up to replace Canning was a friend of two members of the Property Committee and the man who stepped in to replace Canning's son was a personal friend of the Warden, Allan Glassford's family. Warden Allan Glassford had no com- ment to make on the whole issue. He said there has been no public statement on why Canning was fired. Enjoy our spec beautiful Open for 12 noon Sunday: 12 (Only Restaurant €& Bavarian with a Canadian Taste excellent Dining Facilities overlooking Contemporary German Disco Music by Helmut 2 Tietz and His Studio 67 Located two miles past Martyrs Shrine from Midland, Hwy. 12 and Con. Rd. 4 Dancing Fri. & Sat. 9 pm. to 1 am. Book "Where to eat in Canada 76-77) 534-3202 House | of German Cuisine . Georgian Bay meals daily: - Midnight noon to 10 pm. in area mentioned in VILLAGE OF Port McNICOLL ONTARIO CANADA Due to the higher cost of providing service Port McNicoll P.U.C. finds it necessary to increase retail rates effective January 1 / 78in accordance with the schedules in this notice. As a result of the better than expected operations of Ontario Hydro in 1977, this utility will be receiving an anti-inflation discount on bulk power pur- chased from Ontario Hydro during 1978. The exact amount of this discount will not be known until early 1978, but it is currently estimated that it will reduce our total revenue requirement by approximately 4.78 per cent. Your bills during 1978 based on metered consumption will reflect this special anti-inflation discount. The net effect will be an overall average increase in rates of approximately 6.07 per cent rather than 10.85 per cent which would normally have been required. Village of Port McNicoll P.U.C. A.J. Hancox Clerk Treasurer CASTLE VILLAGE GIFTSHOP BALM BEACH ROAD -- MIDLAND Ya sue West of Hwy. 27 and Yonge St. Distinctive Gifts with a Craftman's touch. Canadian furniture, wicker, lamps, brassware, cast Iron, copper' ware, paintings, fireplace accessories. Greatest Selection of Candles in Area Hours: Mon. fo Fri. 10a.m.-9p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday afternoon 1-5 p.m. ' DesRoches (705) 526-9683 Page 2, Friday, December 23, 1977 : OPEN YEAR ROUND Owners Paul and Julie Con of Midland ONTARIO MIDLAND TRANSIT REVISIONS 1. The Midland Transit buses will not be operating on the Mondays following Christmas and New Years Day., 2. The diversion into the Huronia District Hospital is now included as part of the West Route, effective immediately. 3. The buses will turn around on Manly Street at Midland Mews off William Street instead of Bayview Drive, effective January Ist, 1978. 4. The regular Midland Transit fares will be: Adults 40c or 5 tickets for $2.00 Children 25c or 4 tickets for $1.00 Senior Citizens 25c or 4 tickets for $1.00 Midland School Buses: Students 25c or 4 tickets for $1.00 effective January Ist, 1978. (sood Music All The Time Presenting the Holi A Stereo Christmas and for the New Year CHAY'S Big Band Dance Party. ay Spirit: and special occasion; Comn of Midland ONTARIO PROCLAMATION Whereas the Town of Midland is in the Year of » Our Lord 1978 celebrating its 100th Anniversary of its first incorporation, and Whereas the Council of the Town of Midland wishes to continue encouraging the full par- ticipation of all its citizens in these celebrations, Whereas the 1978 Midland Centennial Committee has struck a quantity of nickel metal content coins, to be known as the Midland Centennial Dollar as a souvenir commemorating this NOW THEREFORE THE COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDLAND PROCLAIM THE ISSUE OF THE 1978 MIDLAND CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE ANNIVERSARY COIN TO BE KNOWN AS THE CENTENNIAL DOLLAR FOR USE IN THE TOWN OF MIDLAND DURING THE PERIOD JANUARY 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1978. Let It be known that the 1978 Midland Centennial _ Lommittee has guaranteed to redeem any of these legal tender coins Dollar on or before December 31, 1978 at any Chartered Bank or Trust of Midland. ; at face value of One > Company in the Town Moreland A. Lynn Mayor Town of Midland. ti |