Meaford Council News
Council supports return of photo-radar
By Chris Fell - Express Staff

Council received a resolution from the Township of Essa at Monday's night's regular meeting that calls upon the province and Premier Mike Harris to re-instate the controversial photo radar program to combat speeding drivers.

Harris eliminated the photo radar program shortly after his election in 1995. The scheme was the brainchild of the NDP government under Bob Rae and Harris claimed photo radar did nothing to deter dangerous driving and was mainly a hidden tax measure to raise funds for the provincial government.

Councillor Sam Luckhardt led the charge at Monday's meeting in favour of lobbying the government to bring back photo radar in an effort to curb speeding drivers.

"Almost every week we see the carnage on our highways and unfortunately our police can't be everywhere. It's a tool that helps prevent some of these speeding incidents like last week when on the 401 people were caught doing 160 km/hr and 180 km/hr. I drove on the 401 when photo radar was in place and you stayed within reason," said Luckhardt.

However councillor Harley Greenfield disagreed.

"I don't condone speeding on our roads, but the best way to reduce speeding and traffic infractions is to have a constant and visible police presence on roads and that means cruisers and officers, I have trouble with photo radar," said Greenfield.

However other members of council were on side with Luckhardt and passed the resolution supporting photo radar 6-1.

Councillor Diane Hurlburt said in the perfect world there would be enough police officers and cars to control traffic flow, but that wasn't possible and photo radar could be used to help police.

"It is a deterrent and it's quite a cost to have extra cruisers and men and women out there," said Hurlburt.

While Deputy Mayor Robert Reid said he was in favour of any program that could calm the driving habits of people using larger highways.

"The traffic on the 400 highways is nuts. If this works, I'm all for it," said Reid.

Meaford council has decided to follow the City of Toronto's lead and will whine to the provincial government about possible property tax increases in an effort to get extra government funding.

Council approved a resolution circulated to it by the City of Woodstock demanding the province forward proportionate funding to Ontario municipalities to assist with budget requirements to help offset possible tax increases.

The City of Toronto decided the best way to limit its tax increase to only 5% was to not actually cut city spending, but to complain to Queen's Park about funding. The provincial government caved in and provided Toronto with an extra $50 million in funding.

Now other Ontario municipalities are joining the bandwagon and want money too.

"It's not only Toronto that is having trouble with it's costs, it's all over the place. The town of Collingwood is concerned about Toronto getting $50 million and the rest of us are left with nothing," said Mayor Gerald Shortt.

Meaford council will continue to support the Take a Kid Fishing Derby and the efforts of the Second Meaford Scouts to send a contingent to the Canadian Jamboree.

Two delegations attended council's regular meeting Monday night to ask for support. Noel Crawford represented the Fishing Derby, while Al Craig represented the Scout group.

Crawford explained that the Take a Kid Fishing Derby had been ongoing for 19 years and annually involved more than 400 kids, hundreds of volunteers and more than $10,000 per year was raised for prizes.

This year's Derby runs from June 30 through July 2 and every child participating receives a prize said Crawford.

Council agreed that the Derby was an important part of the area's summer activities and passed a resolution to donate $250 to the Derby.

Craig addressed council next and explained that Second Meaford Scouts has attempted to send a group to the Canadian Jamboree in Prince Edward Island that starts on July 10. The Jamboree is the signature event for Scouts across Canada.

"It's the pinnacle of the career for senior Scouts," said Craig. "For some reason we're having a lot of difficulty fundraising, we're trying different things, but it's just not clicking," said Craig.

He said the local Scout organization wants to send three senior scouts and two leaders to PEI for the Jamboree which lasts eight days. The total estimated cost is $5,000-6,000. More than 14,000 Scouts from across Canada attend the event. In 1997 Second Meaford Scouts sent a group to the Jamboree and at the time Meaford council donated $800 and St. Vincent council chipped in $200.

"As a former Scout I'm a little biased, but this is a tremendous opportunity for these young people," said Deputy Mayor Robert Reid.

The rest of council agreed and passed a resolution to donate $1,000 to the Jamboree efforts.