Ramara Secures a $495 000 Provincial Grant

This grant will allow the township to expand the Conc. 1 bridge, in the south end of the township, from 1 lane to 2. I have been advised by the township staff, that the $262,500 originally budgeted for '07 would have allowed the township to fix only the existing single-lane bridge.

With the influx of provincial cash, the township can now release these fund for other purposes. One proposal, by the Works Dept. would direct the full amount of $262,500 for road improvements.

Securing these funds is great news for the township's ratepayers, and I congratulate the township in their efforts. Unfortunately this amount is only a drop in the bucket, given the demands for new infastructure, (ie Brechin Sewers, replacing the existing municipal water network, dysfunctional drainage networks).

When the decision is made to proceed with these items, funding for them will come from: user fees, upper level government grants, or rate-payers taxation.

We a provincial election due for Oct. '07 and the possibility of a federal election before this date, rate-payers should be contacting potential candidates, asking them what they can do for our community.

Ratepayers should definately contact their councillors demanding them to publically define their position, on these issues.

Do you want a repeat of the 41% pay raise surprise. Remember in a democracy we get the government we deserve.