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Some of you may remember a much earlier report about the days ago, Municipal Affairs Minister Dave Cooke and Community & Social Services Minister Marion Boyd announced that our government and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) had reached a draft agreement on a trade-off of respon- sibilities between the two levels of government. Disentanglement is scheduled to take effect on January Ast of next year. The process seeks to untangle and realign the roles and responsi- bilities Lala municipalities = wil Noel Duignan MPP Halton North the province. Di help people understand who eo: vides what services and who can be held accountable for them. It also addresses which level of govern- ment should set policies for a par- ticular program or service, which is best suited to deliver it, and which should fund it and how. What is the agreement? 1. The province will pick up the full cost of general welfare allowances. Municipalities now pay about 20 per cent of these costs. 2. In return, municipalities will: - pay for property assessment ser- vices the province provides for free if of provincial policy and program changes made in the previous year. Does this mean that municipali- ties will no longer deliver welfare tvices? No. People who receive welfare will continue to receive the same level of service, from the same peo- ple, as they do now. Why is the sore interested in this agreeme! For years, mocial activists and anti-poverty groups have urged provincial governments to pay the full cost of welfare allowances and this government is actually doing it. - pay for the mai of cer- tain provincial highways serving primarily local traffic - receive a reduction in their annual unconditional grants 3. Municipalities will receive greater control over the setting of municipal police budgets — a long- standing request. 4, An annual joint planning meet- ing of key Cabinet members and AMO representatives will be held to discuss the cumulative impact on can concentrate on budgeting for local priorities with- out having to worry about welfare expenditures over which they have no control. An income distribution program like welfare shouldn’t be paid for through property taxes which don’t consider people’s varying abilities payers’ dollars through more accountable, efficient and accessi- ble service. If you’re a rail commuter, you might interested in knowing that GO Transit is carrying out an envi- ronmental assessment study for the proposed expansion of the Georgetown line. The plan calls for service improvements to be under- taken in stages. GO Transit has also proposed a new site for overnight train storage in Georgetown. An information open house will be held on Tuesday, February 16 from 5 to 9 p.m, at Sacre Coeur Hall located at 39 Guelph Street. Representatives for GO Transit and its consulting engineers will be there to answer your questions about the plans to supplement existing rail service to and from Georgetown. OFFICE MAGit: ‘tationery, Furniture) Office & Art Supplies, 265 Guelph St. Georgetown 877-2300 2A GINNY'S DIAPER SERVICE Only $12.95 (+ GST) por wook & We also carry Ni pee nn Die tel Call for more information! m a [ep be » Bermuda, ~® Barbados, Pebags Down-Rite (ig to Kokomo! Halton Hills. This Week, Saturday, February 6;.1993 — Page.9 3 Call Peter Norton or Tony | Potter for free Florida Keys Introductory Special... StainMaster Saxony Textured ~ Available in 38 colours (Underpad & Installation included.) $19.93 ei Free Goh: win $500. pureneeel Enter our draw for a Trip for Two - Flight & Lodging provided (Meals extra). Draw Date: Nov. 15/93. Ballot must be taken into store -$500. min. purchase. Name: Shop-at-Home. Service 5 Address: Phone: Down-Rite Flooring & Carpet & 87763955 # 348 Guelph St., Georgetown RRSP Check with State Farm A Competitive Rates on Individual Retirement Annuities. A Guaranteed Lifetime Income. A Waiver of Premium for Disability Option A “Good Neighbor” Service. LORA GREENE Agent Visit Your Local “Good Neighbor” LORA GREENE 72B Main Street N. Moore Park Plaza Georgetown 873-1615 Like a good neighbor,