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Council gives itself a raise The ratepayers of Penetang will have to bag their leaves for removal this year, contrary to what they were told earlier. Council has decided to tell people to bag their leaves as before since the vacuum machine is not expected to arrive before thc snow comes this year. In order for the town to dispose of its leaves, they must be free of road salt, hence the need for bagging. The machine was due this past September, but the company responsible has experienc- ed some problems. 'IT understand they've had some financial difficulties, which has slowed things down,' explained clerk Yvon Gagne. There was no down payment made on the vacuum, which prompted Councillor Bob Cascagnette to suggest a change in the arrangement. Musical money Mike Duquette of the Penetang IGA presents a $900 cheque on behalf of owner Gerry Light to Julie Hollingworth- McCrone, vice principal at James Keating Gregoire would Public School. The James Keating students saved cash register tapes since 1987 and were given a percentage of the total. They - used the money to buy two electric pianos. ask for a tower Waxy Gregoire, running for a spot on Penetang's Water and Light Commission, believes he make a strong contribution to the job if elected. Employed as the mechanical foreman at the Mental Health Centre, Gregoire said a new water tower would be an immediate goal. "There's a definite need for a tower. If dur- ing peak periods there is a fire, we have to ensure we have a ready supply," he said. He isn't sure if the peak periods are respon- sible for low pressure in some areas, but said the tower may also solve that problem. Candidate questions capacity John McBride enjoys working in the com- munity, and said there is no better opportuni- ty to do more for it than to be a town councillor. McBride has worked for 10 years with the Simcoe County Separate School board, both as chair of the custodian committee and on the equal opportunity committee. He said two issues he would like to work on are the parks and water treatment plant. "The park areas are not being kept up, especially there by the trailer park," he said. "There's a lot of garbage, especially during the summer." With the many new buildings going up, McBride questioned the capability of the waste treatment facility. "It's an outdated water treatment plant that's at capacity right now," he declared. "If we add 200 to 300 homes, who knows what will happen?" 'I'd like to get an extension or the warran- ty since we're not using it th year.' Gagne said ifthe town does _ . get satisfac- tory answers to their questions, they will cancel their order. In other business council voted to give itself a 5.25 per cent raise in salary at Monday night's meeting. The increase brought the mayor's renumeration to just over $10,900 and the Cascagnette Former Penetang councillor Bob Cascagnette believes experience makes him a better choice for deputy reeve. Cascagnette said he'll be able to perform at 100 per cent right away since he has been on the council before. "The job needs somebody with experience, since it takes a year or so to be able to unders- tand everything properly," he said. Cascagnette was first elected as a coun- cillor in 1980 and was defeated in 1983 by councillor's to $5,347 each. The council did not view the increase as excessive and said it was as much as its other town employees were getting. 'We're low in comparison to others, as we have been all along,' said Deputy Reeve Don McNee. Midland councillors receive an amount in the $9,000-$10,000 range annually. expresses concern for road safety Frances St. Amant when he ran against her for deputy reeve. Cascagnette's main concern is the safety of Penetang's roads, such as at crosswalks near homes for the elderly. "Many of the problems have been around for longer than we have. They keeps talking about, 'Well, we need a grant for this and a grant for that.' I say we forget the cost in . some cases and just do it." Student bosses The students council at St. Anne's School in Penetang was elected earlier this fall. They are (from left to right): Jeff Quesnelle, oe * Owy 110 44 a. secretary; Nolan Dubeau, vice-president; Jason Duquette, president; and T.J. Des- jardins, treasurer. .