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Page 20 Galt resignaiiLiri"Liiori:unatet, but MPP can't help By Bill Eekhof -----v Apple Route won't focus By Eileen Arggris The Apple Route will "not be strictly tied to apples" said Cramahe Councillor Howard Whaley last week. Northumberland MPP Joan Fawcett calls Doug Galt's forced resignation as warden "unfortunate," but says she can't do much to challenge it at Queen's Park. . Whaley is Cramahe's repre- sentative on a committee that is working on developing the concept of a tourism route through eastern Northumberland, similar to a Wine Route that has been suc- cessful in the Niagara Region. By Bill Eekhaf The-province's pain sure isn't the county's gain. - - “The fact Doug doesn't want to pursue It makes tt tough for me to." she said in an interview last week. -Burak said in ad interview Galt's political activities had Whaley told council that the people involved with develop- ing the so-called Apple Route are seeking primarily to create a tourist attraction and will use any device that looks promising. with apples as the cutbacirrlara/ced by Queen's Park are likely to cost Galt resigned Tuesday as county warden on the urging of deputy minister of agriculture Ruth Burak. Cuts in provincial grants cause pain at county The Ch tolborne Chronicle, Tuesday, May 11, 1993 focus, but not overlooking her- itage and other attractions that may be available. _. _ A At its initial meeting April 28, the committee laid out the route, beginning at the Big Apple in the west and itnishing at Highway 33 in the east, or vice versa, depending on the flow of trafilc. Dana Johnston of Colbome has been selected as chairman of the planning committee. he added. If the flow of the traffic is easterly, motorists will be able to hook up with the Loyalist Parkway and continue east. To the west, there will be a branch trip running from Colborne through Wicklow, become too time consuming for him to fulf1ll his duties as head of the Agriculture Ministry's veterinary lab in Brighton. As a provincial employee, she also found his job as head of the county government had placed him in a conflict of interest with his professional activities. ipaicettes ufitce has received inquiries about the Agriculture Ministry's ultimatum __ that Galt says he ls between a "rock and a hard place" and has no wish to pursue a confrontation with his employer. Northumberland $67,000 in provincial grants, forcing it to look at even more belt- tightening measures. "rhe prGvincial government's sweeping measures to control its spiralling deficit include where some of the area's sig- nificant orchards, such as Deleeuw's and Knight's, are situated. "‘We hope to have people attend the committee if they In an interview, Agriculture Minister Elmer Buchanan hinted that Galt's role as warden might have been freer from conflict under the proposed law. Galt could not remain warden and a government employee - but said she really can't do much. The Public Services Act is quite clear in what constitutes coninct of interest, she said. _ - New legislation which would give more political freedom to public servants may not be passed in the current session of the legrslature. Fawcett said, 'Northumtaerland was counting on $612.000 this year in those grants. but cuts in most areas. including unconditional grants to municipalities. only on apples: committee A brochure outlining the attractions of the area is planned, as well as cassette tapes that will be avaliable to want a place to be designated on the (tourist) map: Cramahe administrator Gerry Morrison said Gait is still technically reeve because his resignation was never accepted. Council won't replace him until it gets a The $67,000 cut roughly equals the amount another one-per-cent tax increase would have brought in. He subsequently chase td quit as Cramahe reeve. saying he felt he could not rulitll this function properly without violating conilict of Interest restrictions. That figure islone O'Neill has based on reliminary documents from ueen's Park about the mini-bu get. "They're d wnloading everything onto t e local tax base," he said in a recent interview. "WeNe cut back the fat, muscle and now we're down to the bone." It isn't known yet where the county will make up for the shortfall, O'Neill said. This year's county budget, completed last month, increased taxes by six per cent on average. In the meantime, Cramahe Township has sent a letter to Buchanan and Burak. demanding an explanation as to why Gall was forced out as warden. That figure is has based on I documents from g about the mini-bo county treasurer Don O'Neill says the province' "big hit" is likely to reduce Lth by 11 per cent. buide motorists along the route. from west to east, or east to west. Depots for the cassettes will be at the Big Apple and at a Trent River lock building in the east, said "We are trying to keep everything going efficiently with the least amount of money. but In the meantime we must cut $67,000," he said. Angus suggested this could be achieved by cutting out a county council session in the fall, or reducing the frequency of committee meetings. County politicians get paid a per diem rate for attending those meetings. The at 1n grant money also means going back to various departments and cutting out “$3,000 and $5,000 amounts" here and there, he said, 'They can add tap." County finance committee chief lan Angus says the budget cannot 1.38 re-opened. Already lean county departments wlll have to become a little leaner in spots, he advised. T Acting warden Bill Petherick said the county considered the possibility of not accepting Galt's resignation. but rejected the idea when Galt made it clear he wouldn't return as warden. A new warden is scheduled to be selected Wednesday to fill the balance of Galt's term. It expires in December. "Galt feels there isn't any use In fighting this," Petherick said. "His job is at. stake otherwise. It's unfortunate." response from the mihistry, Morrison said. The next meeting of the Apple Route committee will be held in the municipal building in Brighton beginning at 7 pun. Wednesday, May 26. “galley. Fawcett: can'I help Gait gather for their alumni ride for charity. Pmteedx from their ride go mums helping people all was: Gama, All mm the (chantry. rmotorcyclrsrs TAKE OVER This mm ls part ofa movement mm mm change the worm POSITIVE RULES AS ANARCHY Chu: wnple an " I am: EIKERS