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The Westport Library is reaching out to the com- munity to avoid cutting the library's existing pub- lic opening hours in the face of an operating deficit. "We aren't going there until we absolutely have to," said Councillor Jacka- lyn Brady of the potential cuts to service. The long time Library board member and coun- cillor reached out to the Westport council last month in an effort to get an advance on the payment of a grant to the library by the province. Fundraising efforts in the last couple of weeks have helped to bring down the library's deficit to around $4,000. The library's shortfall comes in part from the board budgeting for fund- ing from the province which was not realized. "We counted on grants from the province," said Brady who is looking for support from other local organizations to help ease the library's financial woes. The annual budget for the facility is $25,000 an amount fundraising, dona- tions and government grants have usually cov- ered. The library has 507 patrons include 351 West- port residents and 156 non-residents who pay a $35 per individual or $45 per family annual fee. Both memberships The Township of Rideau Lakes 2017 OPP billing statements repre- sents some relief from double-digit OPP costs which have hamstringed the township's budget over the last two years. The 2017 estimate of $2,180,847 represents a 1.046 per cent increase over 2016. The $22,585 increase can be further reduced by a 'Court Secu- rity Prisoner Transporta- tion' grant which for 2016 was estimated to be $8,081. Changes in the cost of the service depend on a complex relationship between the number and types of calls for service which are called for with- in the municipality. Even if the number of calls decreases the cost of the 'call' portion of the billing could increase because of the nature of the calls. An additional portion of the costing is related to the cost of service across the province. Mayor Ron Holman justifiably sees the bill as good news for Rideau Lakes taxpayers. "I hoped we shouldn't be facing the same increase and we could keep our tax rate at a rea- sonable level this year," said Holman. The township raised taxes 16 per cent in 2016, with property owners pay- ing $984 per $100,000 of assessed residential value, up from $937 in 2015. The OPP's annual bill went up by about $300,000 in 2016 and in 2015. The increase will include the OPP's mediat- ed settlement last month which gave police a raise of just under two per cent per year through 2016, 2017 and 2018. Mirror The Review Thursday, October 13, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 41 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Township gets a break from double digit OPP increases •Continued on page 3 Erratic rainfall means drought status continues Page 3 Canal closed for 2016 Page 3 Reverend's efforts to support local food banks Page 5 St. John's rewarded for 15 years of Relay for Life Page 6 At Home in Tay Valley up for history award Page 6 Rideaus host division-leading Arnprior Friday Page 9 Friends of the Arena seeking votes in Aviva contest Page 9 R.O.L.L. Aid food drive Saturday Page 16 INSIDE Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Self Clean 30" Range •5.4 cu. ft. •Warmer Zone •Hidden Bake •Self Clean (2 & 3 Hour) Reg. 1099.95 $ 849 95 18 cu. ft. Fridge •Half-width Deli Drawer •Side Controla •Cluster LED Lighting •Door Alarm Reg. 1199.00 $ 949 95 FALL VALUES Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available Model FGTR1845QP Model CGEF3030PW 24 Family Lane, Smiths Falls Hwy. 15 S. & Bay Rd. 613-205-1212 streetmotorsales@cogeco.net streetmotorsales.com Charlie Franklin Sales Representative 2013 Ford Escape SE Eco Boost 1.6L, 52,000 kms, Green $16,995 Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. & Sun.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Westport Village Pharmacy 3 Church St., Westport, ON 613-273-2922 westportvillagepharmacy@gmail.com COMING SOON COMING SOON Community pitches in to help library The face of Westport's library changed last week with the removal of some large shrubs, a paint job on the stairs and ramp and the addition of a bench.