CBC IDEAS WARRIORS IME 4 * ISSUE 1 DECEMBER 1 STRATFORD 4 A BERGER % PLUMBING 519-274-0160 North Perth deputy | mayor acclaimed as | Perth County warden | for 2025 GALEN SIMMONS sal Editor North Perth deputy mayor Todd acne has been imed as Perth County warden, t n and current Perth nee I Wo one-year terms in the pose ellum, who has served on county council for a de- | cade, including most recently, as deputy warden, ie his oath of office and accepted the warden’s chain and hgoetz during the annual Perth County warden’s election Dec. 5 at the Arden Park Hotel in | Stratford. “T am delighted and honoured to serve as the aoe | | warden for Perth County this year,” Kellum said. “ appreciate the trust you've placed in me as I step ie | this important role. ... It’s an exciting time to step | into this role in Perth ‘County. This past year, we’ve achieved some significant milestones. The new offi- | cial plan is complete and it has been submitted to the | Prov ince for review. | “This is a big step forward for the county. Once ap- proved by the ministry, it will mean great things for | the future growth and development of our region.” Kellum also spoke about the near-complete connect- ing-link addition at the country courthouse campus in Stratford, which will connect the recently renovated Perth County courthouse with the renovated former land-r ry office at 5 Huron St, into one unified Perth County headquarters building. “This renovated space will provide nd ex- an panded home for county staff,” Keligeantncd c DTOPAGE 6 Breakfast Q Seti: al PANCAKE & BREAKFAST HOUSE ROYA for People = a LLEPAGE Baiiltag ey imam ae Real Estate Broker email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca Direct: 519-272-3578 THE BIG MAN IN RED Santa caps off the parade, speaking to the crowd before countin the Tom Patterson Theatre is lit up. See more photos on page 7. (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO) g down to when the large, outdoor Christmas tree just in front of Council gets philosophical before pausing budget talks at 6.5 per-cent tax increase CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The 2025 draft budget, with the approved expansions and removals counc made, is ‘ tax rate increase of 6.53 per cent — but there i more work to be done before any incre: Both finalized. or Martin Ritsma and Coun. Mark Hunter, and labour committee council approves the budget, said they had hoped to bring the rate increase who serves as chair of the finance that does preliminary work befo: MON - FRI 9AM Dine-In Only “south of five per cent,” and reiterated that comment at the most recent budget meeting on Dec. To get there now would take considerable cuts to ser- vices —a tall order according to Coun. Lesley Biehn. Ae need six people to agree on which services to .” Biehn said. “And from everything that I've seen shihe through the budget and all the questions I've lee asking over this last month, I don't think there is a single baris that we will cut or anybody would be willing, to CONTINUED TO PAGE 2 925 Ontario St Unit No- 5B, Stratford Open Everyday | 7AM-3PM Uber