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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-05-07, Page 1818 News Record • Wednesday, May 7, 2014 MacNaughton-Morrison Section of the South Huron Trail ATVs and dirt bikes no Golf tournament in recognition of Ionger allowed 011 ABCA trail sections 10th anniversary Special to the News Record The MacNaughton-Morrison Sec- tion of the South Huron Trail is cele- brating its tenth anniversary in 2014. A charity golf tournament has been supporting the trail's development and maintenance for almost all those years. The Friends of the South Huron Trail Golf Tournament takes place on Mon., June 2, 2014. This is the ninth year for the tournament, which has raised more than $37,000 over its his- tory in support of the trail. This is to be the fourth year the tournament will be hosted by Ausable Bayfield Con- servation Foundation, with the help of community volunteers. The Friends of the South Huron Trail Golf Tournament takes place at Ironwood Golf Club, 70969 Morrison Line, just two kilometres east of Exe- ter, Ontario, off Highway 83. The golf tournament is a `FUNdraising' event, with emphasis on the fun. The popu- lar annual charitable golf tournament has made a successful switch to a morning tee -off. Bob Radtke, Chairman of the Ausa- ble Bayfield Conservation Founda- tion's Board of Directors, said the golf tournament is only possible thanks to "golfers, donors, and community volunteers:' The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation was incorporated in 1974 as a registered, charitable, non-profit organization that promotes accessible trails and other conservation projects in Ausable Bayfield watersheds. The annual golf tournament is a Texas Scramble format and begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and a 'shotgun' start at 9 a.m. Single players are welcome and will be placed on a team. The cost to register is $80 per person and that includes golf cart and 18 holes of golf and lunch. Golfers will also receive a charitable gift receipt for income tax purposes, by mail. The event is a no -prize tournament but the first 60 paid registrations will receive a complimentary bottle of wine. Members of the public who want to attend only the lunch can do so for $20 and RSVP is requested. Lunch is at 1 p.m. If you, or someone you know, would like to take part or be a sponsor of this event, please call 519-235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610. You can register for the tournament by contacting Sharon Pavkeje at spavkeje@abca.on.ca or by downloading a registration form at southhurontrail.com AMGH Invites You to an Important Community Meeting You Will Not Want to Miss! Monday, May 12 2014 - 7 to 8 pm Knights of Columbus Community Hall, 390 Parsons Court Goderich We know that the choices and plans we make today define our future, and in this quickly changing healthcare environment, it has never been as important as it is now to be the creators of our own future. The Alexandra Marine and General Hospital recently undertook a journey to revitalize the hospital's vision, strategic priorities and clinical areas of focus that will drive optimal patient care, and position us to meet service goals and needs. We talked with a lot of people and asked a lot of questions. We engaged our staff and physicians, community and service partners in helping shape our future healthcare together. AMGH is now at an important juncture in the journey where we would like an opportunity to share with you the results of this planning, and discuss what it may mean for you and your family's healthcare now and in the future. It will be an opportunity to report back on information of interest, and to keep you informed on the challenges and pressures facing healthcare in small rural communities such as ours. Please join us for a conversation about healthcare in your hospital. Karen Davis, President and CEO AMGH - Best of the Past ... Innovative Future areas and lands Officials made the decision due to irresponsible riding by some users Special to the News Record The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has decided to say no to all -terrain vehi- cles (ATVs) and dirt bikes in all of its conservation areas and conservation lands. ABCA had been one of only two conservation authorities in Ontario that allowed off-road vehi- cles in certain restricted areas before announcing the prohibition. The conservation authority announced the change in policy based on damage caused by off-road vehicles, especially when trails are wet. According to a press release, Recent studies showed that a number of species at risk are found in the areas where some ATVs were previously permitted. Off-road vehicles had been permitted in Parkhill Conservation Area and the Sadler Tract, since 1997, for members of the Ausable River Riders Club, through an agreement with the club. The ABCA had a positive working relationship with the club, said Kate Monk, ABCA's stewardship, land and education manager in the press release. ACBA officials said the club was responsible for maintaining the trails but Monk said that having trails open for the club members meant that other off-road vehicle riders entered the areas during wet conditions and the off-season. "This created rutting and mud holes and destroyed the efforts of club volunteers," she said in the press release. Monk also said that even with responsible rid- ing, there could be damage to areas that are eco- logically sensitive. The make-up of local conserva- tion areas, including sandy soils, makes the terrain less than ideal for off-road vehicles. Recreational riding can impact woodland species. Erosion, caused by riding, can impact aquatic species. "We just don't have ecosystems here that can support recreational riding," she said. "We thank the Ausable River Riders Club for all their positive efforts since 1997;' Monk said. "We believe it is now time, with what we know now about species at risk and the impact of ATVs and dirt bikes on trails and conservation lands, to keep off-road vehicles out of all our conservation lands:' This will help protect natural areas, plant and animal species, and trails, according to ABCA officials. Off-road vehicle riders will have to use alterna- tive riding options such as their own properties or sites where ATVs and off-road motorcycles are permitted. In the press release, ABCA officials said they will conduct a public education campaign about the policy change including direct mail to neighbours of the affected sites, signs, flyers and online infor- mation. Staff members are blocking entrances used by the off-road vehicles. Anyone riding illegally on conservation lands can face multiple fines under the Trespass to Prop- erty Act and the Conservation Authorities Act and those fines can add up, according to Monk. "Our original decision to allow ATVs in certain areas was made in the hope that it would keep off-road vehicles out of our other conservation lands," she said. "That did not happen." The new ban on off-road vehicles in all conser- vation lands is clear, the ban is not open to confu- sion, and the ban will be enforced, she said. Anyone who sees ATVs or dirt bikes on conser- vation lands is asked to call Ausable Bayfield Con- servation Authority at 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@abca.on.ca or CrimeStoppers at 1 -800 -222 -TIPS. A list of permitted uses at conservation lands is located on the conservation authority website at abca.on.ca. Simply type in 'permitted uses' in the search box at the top of the home page. Goderich man and woman facing charges of possession of weed, coke and meth A 35 -year-old man and 21 -year-old woman from Goderich are facing numerous drug-related charges. On Friday, April 25, Huron County OPP and a number of other OPP teams executed a search warrant at a residence located on Newgate Street. Police said the officers seized marijuana, meth- amphetamine, cocaine, and offence related prop- erty that consisted of trafficking paraphernalia and cash. The estimated combined street value of the con- trolled substances is $1,180. Police said they also seized suspected stolen property and two replica firearms that are being analyzed as part of the ongoing investigation. Both of the accused were each charged under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with possession of a controlled substance for the pur- poses of trafficking (marijuana), possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Both are also facing charges of fail to comply with a probation order contrary to the Criminal Code. The 35 -year-old man was scheduled for a court appearance in Goderich on April 29. The 21 -year-old woman has been released from custody with a court appearance scheduled in Goderich on June 9. Any person with information regarding this crime is asked to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310- 1122 or (519) 524-8314.