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l l lWAl'lzhliX) CHRONlCLE -Wednesday, laiiuary 20. 2010 {I l 0 0 i , l' Regional tax morease set at 2.5 per cent for 20 1 0 budget i 1 4 l l By GREG MACDONALD l'hat will equal just over $50 on social services. employees} for 10 more police ol’fi- l 1 y 't_fiironu'le.Sta/7r each bill, l’hat didn't sit well with Cam- C815." he said. I i ‘ n'7N 7 Councillors spent most oi bridge mayor and regional coun- But Coun. Sean Strickland | t egional councillors have Wednesday‘s final budget meeting cillor Doug Craig. He noted that believes the region struck a fair 1 L approvedaZfi percentproper- trimming the budget to mitigate ., . . Cambridge has kept its staffing budget. with each area cutting ,: , ‘tax increase for 2010, citing the tax increase, ThlS IS (I prlldenti levels even since 1990. while the back where it could. l l the need for fiscal prudence during The main savings came front a responsible budge[ region has added more than 700 “l believe balance is the name 1 tougi economic times reduction in the budget for the . employees. ofthe game," he said. . t, The increase equals a $40 hike Waterloo Regional Police Services. glue” the "Clearly. in this troubled econo» Though this year's budget 1 i on the average tax bill. which is scaling back its plan to circumstances." my there is absolutely no justifica- process is done. there will be , | “This is a prudent, responsible hire officers next year from 20 to tion for these additional employ- issues for council to deal with in 3 budget given the circumstances." 10. â€"Mlchae1 Murray ees," said Craig, who voted against the future, Murray said. ~, said chief administrative officer There will still be modest Region OWN-"1003 the budget. “Costs are up in many areas l Mike Murray expansion in services at the region. Chif'fAdminimflfil'e 0.0566” And if the region was going to and revenue is down in many “ Overall. the impact on Waterloo The municipality is planning to spend money on new hires, Craig areas," the CAD said. “There are a ' taxpayers will be approximately hire 12 new employees to run a would like to see it in a different lot of issues left in the long-term, l l four per cent when regional and variety of different programs, from A, area of the budget. including childcare...and infra- ! city increasesare factored in. Grand River Transit initiatives to ' ( “I’d rather trade these (12 new structure." U l O o o o i | ; Region rejects livmg wage plan 3 1 . i BYGmG MACDONALD A living wage is “the ahead with a grander l l O'NEleS‘a/f amount a single adult work- scheme and more partners," 3 . 7,-1â€" . ing full-time. full-year needs said Cori. Doug Craig. l com 0 ?[I'xt5 . proposal to implement a to remain above the verty Proponents of the plan . l P0 . i Gig neg-5'â€" - . , ' ' matthe Region of line," according to a regonal. weren't happy with the dect- i y Fl'RNlTURE s MATTRESSES Waterloo was shot down last staff report. Locally, that sion. “I‘m disappointed," ‘ ,. ‘ week amount is $13.62 an hour. said Cheryl Ives. a ; I _ ' \~. Councillors initially Proposals for implement< spokesperson for Opportuni- . I ‘ intended to defer the motion ing the living wage ranged ties Waterloo Region. the 2 for the next council to deal from requiring regional con- organization that pushed for y t 55 IA" “ARV with, but decided after years tractors to pay that amount the region to the study the v ' v. of deliberations, it was time to staff's eventual recom- livingwage. . l a I for a vote. “Tonight is the mendation, which was to “I wasn't exactly expecting l right time to make a deci~ have contractors voluntarily this, butlwasn'tsurprised." sion." said Coun. lake Smola. enforce the living wage. Despite the decision. lves 1 “We have the ability, we have Council voted 12-4 to take said they’ll continue to fight. l the knowledge and we have no action on the recommenâ€" “Only living wage jobs are I all the information to make dation. “When we move going to build prosperity for t s thisdecision.” ahead, we have to move thiscommunityfshesaid. . _____._â€"__.__â€" , ' Event rs TAXPAYERS or WATERLOO as f' M We. ' (Let’s keep Waterloo on the map) . . . ' Enjoy big sayings as we clear BE THERE. out discontinued merchandise Monday January 25, 2010 at 6:30 pm. and selected floor models W t I C 1 Ch b ounc1 am ers to make room for new a er 0° merchandise arriving dafly 99 Regina Street S @ William Have your say! ' “Nay for Amalgamation". Waterloo does not need the “antics of politics" from the City of Kitchener to maintain its recognition on the national and intematitinal scene with global impact. UP 0/0 ‘A recent Conference Board of Canada survey ranks Waterloo as a To leading Canadian city to attract skilled workers" BIG COSTS MORE! it's a known fact that amalgamation with the City of Kitchener will require a hefty property tax increase, a larger bureaucracy. with a super city mayor and councillors demanding larger On selected display models While they last salaries and frills. and to pay for it. increases in taxes and user fees; and hm! f ‘ lfmfizflt . 1” service cuts will be made. Q My urminrr...a“ ( putts. .. g “A ~.; . r ,t i» a“??? Democracy is “We. the people. for the people, by the people". Cornf‘ort 4’qu ~~ if? t 3“; y' A 1 Do the math. Amalgamation : increased costs + Less representation ‘ ‘ a 1, -4 g , . - , _ . . . . ~ +1 llvld it 'ndhentaedndmot lall-‘llv tatt. “3mm?“ “Anni!“ ’ E ! if} oss o oca l en | y a Q g s o c , s l\ a m A concemed Taxpayer. W STAN REK TOR A V\ A A lIl'.ll lllllltllltltllllll ll'lllll IAHII'JlVl HA Ill llll‘JIIl lllllll’i’l',“ no U“ “a 190 m m _________._____â€" ii“- and