The Canadian Champion, Friday, January 28, 2005-3 ýMuzzle appeal cost set at $100 after Iengthv debate By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion Il took four different motions and about an hour of debate, but Milton counicil managed to reach a compromise and approve a $100 fee to appeal an interim muzzle order Monday night, down from tbe $501 staff mnitially proposed. The cost becaine a hot topic around town after the administra- tion and planning committee endorsed eiminating the fee alto- gether at its January 17 meeting. Several counicillors said tbey've had calis since then from many concemred citizens. "It's pissing people off, quite franly," said Ward 4 Councillor John Challinor, apologizing after to counicil and an offended resi- dent for using linparliamentary language. He noted tbat he was contacted by six people on the issue. A lengtby discussion and a standoff at the council table ensued, witb two motions being defeated in a tic. Mr.oealine gt the bail rolling, asking that the $501 appeal "Tbere's a cost of doing business in this community - that's wby we bave an appeal cost," be said. "This is the fairest form of taxation." But Ward 2 Councillor Mark Curtis argued $501 was a stcep fe and suggested bringing it down to $ 100. "It seemed like it was a higb penalty for an appeal process," be said. "1 think dog owners would fmld tbat ($100) more reason- able." Ward 3 Councillors Jan Mowbray and Cindy Lunau also spoke out against the fee, both Iabelling il "punitive." Mr. Challinor then said be'd be willing to reduce the fee as a compromise, suggesting $250. "Too mucb lime bas been spent on tbis already," be satd. But Ms Mowbray said tbat's not mucb better than $501. *'The problemn of tbat is, what if it tumns out on appeal that dog didn't bite tbe person?" sbe asked. "If tbey succeed in their appeal. then tbey should be given tbctr money back." Town Clerk Troy McIHarg said there wouldn't be any refunds in tbat sttuation, noting tbe fee would cover staff and committee's JrU iS tar[:e FOR 1Vo:ME7w- Nutriton & Fitness Centers 575 Ontario Street (The corner ot Derry Rd.) WATCH FOR... Our Post Ut Note on the Front Page in today's issue of... Cafapun ttmc, tactlity charges and staff overhead. Counicil also heard from Milton resident Carolyn Caldwell, who pointed out the financial hardship the fee could cause sume resi- dents. "This fee that is imposed on you, if you wish to go the appeal route, would mean to some families the choice between groceries for the next month or the $501 appeal fee," she said. "To someone who is well off, $501 could be as insignificant as a lost nickel. Appeal fees will cause people to be very unequal, by means of their income." A vote was called on the motion for a $250 appeal fee, but it lost in a tie. Ms Lunau then suggested council go with committee's recom- mendation to eliminate the charge, but that lost 7-3. Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Ron Furik put the original $501 rec- ominmendation back on the table, but that alto lost on a split vote. Fsnally, Mr. Curtts $100 suggestion was approved, with Mayor Gord Krantz, Mr. Challinor, Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton, Mr. Curtis and Ward 1 Councillors Rick Day and Brian Penman voting in favour and Mr. Furik, Ms Mowbray, Ms Lunau and Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau opposed. Wards 1 and 3 CounciUlor Barry Lee was absent. While this wasn't the outcome Ms Caldwell was hoping for, she said it's something that will have to be accepted for now. "Having it changed to, $100 is still a bitter pilI to swallow," she said. lnterim muzzle orders were recently approvedi in the Town's animal control bylaw and can be issued to owners of dogs that have bitten or attacked a person or other domestic animal. Melanie Hennessey can be reaclted ut mnhenncsseYc@milton- canadianchampion.com. qn. Ad~ buwuêon * * Mfflf Mme UF *eSCO> wo, I3 *6Y0M EpUt tcadq ;f; CD> Paer k)O&G aW;nm* KtiM er*y~ &~w MM ~ Recinm but budoet Seas * tseevUV rqX0K mate . IL 9O-8 SIJ%É ww.ltooo t o R EA L P EOPL E SE L LIN G GR E AT C AR Se - - "Test drive your favorite .- Services on-site Toyota for a Weekend". U Il r