HomeMy WebLinkAbout766"Article copied from The Pickering News, Thursday, January 9, 1964, page 1.
Ross A. Murison Elected Reeve Of Pickering Village Council
Ross A. Murison was elected Reeve of the Village of Pickering Council, at the Inaugural
Meeting last Thursday evening.
Mr. Murison will hold the post of Reeve for 1964 completing the term left vacant,
by the resignation of Reeve C. E. Morley
Following the swearing-in of Mr. Murison as Reeve, Clerk B A. Hogarth swore in
Mr. Victor Dingley as a member of Council for the year 1964.
Reeve-Murison in his inaugural address said that he accepted the position with
pride and felt that, with the help of Council, the village should have good government
as in the past.
""In taking over this post, I have a large pair of shoes to fill,"" Reeve Murison said.
He reviewed some of the accomplishments that have taken place in the village
during Mr. Morley's reign of office such as the purchase of the Hydro System,
water services installation: building of the new fire hall, buying a garage for the
Works Dept.; building a new Municipal Office; street paving and new street lights.
Mr. Murison said the village is well within the 1963 budget and may end up with a
small surplus.
He said, in comparing 1962 with 1963, there had been an increase in assessment
of $41,111.83, and the population had gone from 1777 to 1816, an increase of 39.
Nearly 90% of the 1963 taxes have been collected. The total tax arrears amount to
$27 203.02.
The Debenture Debt outstanding is $335,819.00. Of this amount $600 is for the
hospital and is assumed by the county. $151,582.00 is for the Hydro and Water,
and the balance of $183,637.00 is for the schools.
The final payment of the hospital debenture will be me in 1964 and the final payment
for ""waterworks"" will made in 1969 and the Hydro in 1977.
""I think we are in very good shape,"" said Mr. Murison. He said Council would be
discussing the ""sewer question"" in the near future.
It ""was a first"" for Mr. Morley who, after eighteen years of public service,
sat in the audience, instead of the Reeve's chair. Mr. Morley said—it was with some
regret that he stepped down from the Reeveship. He congratulated the new Reeve
and Councillors. He expressed personal appreciation of the assistance of Clerk B. A.
Hogarth and Mr. Hogarth's courteous manner to both Council and the Public.
He said he had always received co-operation from the village people, and hoped the
same spirit would continue to prevail.
Councillor Len Burningham said that 1200 feet of storm sewer had been laid during the
past year. He said the payment had been held up, pending a decision on ""sewers"".
He said the Road Dept. would end up with a small surplus.
Councillor Bas. Kearney said that last year the village signed a contract with the
Township Police, and expected it would be renewed in February. He said he felt it
has worked out well. He said some new street lights had been installed in the south
end of the village. A contract signed with the Twp. Dog Control Officer and the
Building Inspector was re-engaged for another year.
Councillor Ron. Watson said he was sorry to see Mr. Morley vacating the Reeveship.
He said the rink house is now being used. He has been chairman of this Committee
for the past two years. He said ""Welfare"" in the village is down a little from 1962.
Councillor Dingley said he was glad of the opportunity to be of service and hoped he
could prove himself during the year, so that, at the next election, he could get in by the
""front door instead of the back"".
Rev. Dr. H. S. Shepherd, of St George's Anglican Church, Pickering, conducted the
Induction ceremony at the Inaugural Meeting, above.
REEVE R. A. MURISON
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