From the pages of the Wellington Advertiser 25 years ago – February, 1995
Puslinch protests split between federal ridings
Puslinch residents are raising a stink over plans to split their township between two new federal ridings, with voters south of Highway 401 lumped in with parts of Burlington and Ancaster, and those to the north remaining with the city of Guelph and the townships of Eramosa, Guelph and Erin.
John Greisbach is spearheading the protest, saying Puslinch families identify with the Guelph area. He believes the electoral boundaries commission’s goal of 100,000 people per riding does not allow for traditional community identification, and fears the split will lead to the demise of the township.
Puslinch Reeve Brad Whitcombe said the municipality would lose effective representation in Ottawa if it had to lobby twice for federal programs. He does not see any great objection to all of Puslinch staying in the Guelph-Wellington riding because of the small population involved.
The riding is currently represented by Liberal MP Brenda Chamberlain. She was elected in 1993, when the Liberals under Jean Chrétien took all but one of Ontario’s 101 seats.
Erin reeve Mundell backs planning reform
Erin Reeve Terry Mundell says it is essential that Wellington County update its official plan to conform with Ontario’s new bill 163, if it wants to remain a progressive upper tier government.
The legislation brings in new regulations on environmental protection, control of growth and a significant decrease in the number of severances that will be approved on farm lots.
Mundell said it is important for the county to maintain control over subdivision plans, rather than allowing the province to make decisions on local issues.
Elora Reeve Mary Dunlop questioned how the county could revise its official plan while several municipalities, including the village of Elora, were still waiting for provincial approval of their local official plans.
Planning director Gary Cousins said the cost of updating the official plan will be $50,000 to $75,000 per year for three years.
Rock-a-long members meet
The February meeting of the Rock-a-Iong Women’s Institute was held at the home of president Myrtle Mitchell with six members present. She opened the meeting with a verse “Riches” and also provided an interesting history of playing cards.
As February is the month of love, Ruth Bayne used “love” as the theme for meditations.
Members are invited to a March 16 meeting at Wellington Place, Fergus on agri-food education.
Photo health cards coming soon
NDP health minister Ruth Grier has announced that Ontario will issue new photo health cards to preserve medicare and “protect our system against fraud”.
Existing red and white health cards will be replaced by cards with a digitized photo and signature, and measures to prevent counterfeiting.
Over the next few years, eligible residents age 16 and over will receive notices from the ministry of health and will have to register in person.
