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TOWNSHIP OF AMHERST ISLAND STELLA, ONTARIO, KOH 280 (613) 389-3393 Fax No. (613) 389-0040 Dear Fellow Islander, This tax bill is the last you will ever receive from the Township of Amherst Island. On January lst, 1998, we will become a part of the new Loyalist Township and will be administered from the Loyalist Township office at Odessa. The good news about this tax bill is that we have managed to maintain the local taxes at last year's level in spite of $10,000. being set aside for transition costs. Education taxes for Public and Separate Schools are, decreased, respectively, by 0.47% and zero. County taxes, however, over which we have no control, have been increased by 5.7%. The six week secondary school teachers' strike did result in a payback to the municipalities of the money saved by the Board of Education. This, for our Township was $16,153. To remind you, the distribution of taxes in 1996 was: Total raised in 1996 $482,589. For Township use $168,861. For County use $ 41,533 Board of Education $272,193 The past year has been an exceptionally busy one for Council. If one word may be used to epitomise the year it is MEETINGS. Never, we believe, in the history of Amherst Island, has a Council been required to arrange and/or attend so many meetings. On a positive note, the amalgamation meetings have proceeded and are proceeding in a very efficient and amicable way. We, as Council, feel extremely fortunate that we are amalgamating with Bath and Ernestown. With the uncertainties of the future, we are indeed fortunate to have such good neighbours and partners. Would that the ferry negotiations were proceeding so efficiently and amicably. Negotiations are underway as dictated by the Ministry of Transport. A short term business plan is being submitted this week by the firm of Totten, Sims and Hubicki. The next stage in the MTO's "request" is a Transportation Access Business Plan Study to be submitted by September 30th this year. We trust that at some point of the proceedings common--sense will prevail. I With our best wishes, as we go down in history as the last Council of the Township of Amherst Island. Yours sincerely, Reeve Duncan Ashley Councillor Lynn Fleming Councillor Alex Scott 774.04% Councillor Jim Whitton I, 96'. Iv" Councillor Ralph Woods r L =