Prince Edward County awaits provincial relief

By Brendan Burke

Prince Edward County is awaiting government relief to cover emergency costs related to December’s ice storm that walloped Southern Ontario, after submitting an application in mid June.

Prince Edward County council hoped to recoup some of the $570,000 the county spent cleaning up after the December 21^st squall that downed trees and hydro lines alike across Ontario and Quebec.

Council met a June 16 deadline to appeal for aid from the provincial government.

Director of Finance James Hepburn said the storm was costly.

“It would be for the county,” he said. “To cover costs associated with the storm, including tree removal, clearing roads, paying extra workers and additional sewer and water expenses.”

“We operated three warming houses,” Hepburn added.

These expenses, he said, resulted in a steep bill for the county.

With over half a million spent on post-storm recovery efforts, Provincial backing would help the county regain some of its loses, he said.

While the harsh winter has put extra pressure on the province, Hepburn said the lengthy process has progressed at an expected rate, adding that he has no complaints about the Wynne-government’s reaction to the disaster.

“ The province has been fairly responsive,” he said. “ Reps were sent after the storm hit.”

While Hepburn acknowledged the bureaucratic red tape associated with government handouts can make for a slow process, questions nonetheless remain regarding when and if the funds will be distributed; Questions that have not yet been answered by the province.

As Hepburn explained, the application process is a step-by-step procedure, and the county has done its part.

“We submit an estimate of our damage, then in August they will be supplying additional forms,” he said.

As to whether or not a date for aid distribution has been established, Hepburn concluded that the outcome remains unclear.

“Nothing I’ve seen has shown us when we’re going to get that money,” he said.

A media spokesperson for the provincial government could not be reached for comment.