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'v_. 12--Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, September 10, Mayor reports on 1974 statement In the near future, an advertisement will be published published in the newspaper, showing the Auditor's Report and Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 1.974, the first year of operation operation of our Municipality. 1 would like to make mention of one or two salient points concerning the details of our financial operation: In the main, all departments operated within their budgets, which, in the first year of operation, is a commendable achievement. The total Budget was $6,390,600. The largest department department is that of Public Works with a Budget of $1,184,000. .This department ended the year 1 percent below budget figures. The Public Works Department in the first year, co-ordinated into one what was previously operated by four municipalities. The program program in 1974 had been expanded over what had been done by the four former municipalities and this program program was all financed out of current revenue. No debentures debentures were issued for Public Works by the local Municipality. Municipality. The Department of Recreation, Recreation, with a budget of $264,000, underspent their budget by a little more than 1 percent. This department included; many new programs in 1974. The same holds true for the Fire Department and practically practically all departments. During the year I was constantly requesting the Chairman of Finance, the Department Heads, the Treasurer and Chairmen of Committees for reviews of their spending. I realize that I did a great deal of questioning. Now, I would like to congratulate them all Council splits on gas issue Coun. Ken Lyall's opposition opposition to extending the franchise agreement with Consumer's Gas company to the Town of Newcastle drew support from three of his fellow councillors. Coun. Lyall said he had to oppose the idea of natural gas moving into the area because of the uncertainty of its supply in the future. "Ten years from now natural natural gas may not be available," Coun. Lyall said. "Those who rely on natural gas for appliances and heating may find they have been inconvenienced," inconvenienced," he added. Coun. Don Allin did not agree with Coun. Lyall's decision. Counc. Allin felt if the people of Newcastle wanted to use natural gas they should. "If we do not allow the gas company the franchise the people in the area have been denied their right," he said. Mayor Garnet Rickard agreed agreed that all people in the area should have the same options open to them. Natural gas is now available available in Bowmanville and Orono. Coun. Lyall said he was just relaying the feelings of the people in his ward when he suggested council oppose the franchise extension. for the diligence and the prudent manner in which they have conducted the affairs of their departments. The first year of operation, with no particular guide lines to follow, was not an easy one. I recognize that I have demanded a lot of some people, but 1 believe that we have established an excellent precedent for Year One of this Municipality. The transition from four municipalities to one and a complete audit for 1974, has taken until now to be finalized. finalized. This Audit shows an operating surplus of $109,527 for the year 1974. I would recommend that this money be used to reduce the tax levy in 1976. The inflation factor in 1974 was approximately 16 percent and this has had a profound effect on our budget for 1975. The dollar requirements for 1975 are slightly less than those for 1974 for General Municipal Purposes, which entails the provision for services in the four municipalities. municipalities. However, due to the variation in Assessments and services in the four municipalities municipalities and in the period of transition, we find tax rates fluctuating. We hope that these will level out within few five year period, (we are now in the second year). This, coupled with increased levies for school purposes, is the main reason for increases in the mill rates for 1975. Included in the 1975 Tax bills are notices illustrating where the tax dollars go. If any one wishes to ask any questions regarding the 1974 Financial Report or other matters pertaining to our Financial structure, I am sure the Treasurer's Office or any member of Council will be willing to oblige. Garnet B. Rickard Mayor This little piggy is sneaking a snack while all his brothers and sisters are sleeping in the back of the pen. The sow and a group of little pigs were part of the show at MacDonald's farm. The show included a pony, ewe and lambs, four young goats, a calf, rabbits, baby ducks with a mother hen, ducks, chickens and pigeons. Bill Dans,dean npywirArts. The Davis government has cleaned up a few things in its time. Take, for example, conflict of interest. Mr. Davis came down hard on some of his cabinet ministers who were exposed as having conflicts of interest. Now we have guidelines to steer our politicians. Or there was the case of corporate contributions to election campaigns. Again, Mr. Davis responded. He cleaned up that legislation. But the government has sadly neglected the rights of 60,000 citizens. It has forgotten its own employees. Crown employees and civil servants have practically no political rights. The Public Service Act and the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act spell this out clearly. We can't canvass on behalf of a candidate. In fact, we can't even speak or write publicly on any topic that is part of any party's election platform. This is a denial of our basic democratic rights. To change this costs taxpayers nothing. We have asked Mr. Davis to clean up these two acts. He has refused. We hope you will vote for democratic justice... for everyone. These are two hard acts to swallow. Whose rights go next Z Civil Service Association of Ontario Æî