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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1967-04-20, Page 1EXETER, ONTARIO, APRIL 20, 1967 Ninety-third Year Cents Price Per Copy 15 A Airfield will remain to take advantage of the increu ,Ing use of business flying executives Main industria ar• ea includes seven hangars located at western section of facilitie s C Former instruction; al facilities and officers mess will sly be an educationoL — area, •capable of t ?"*". handling up to 50b`_ f!et 'rodents Ct di inig rink, arena mid swimming pool part of 1;d1/l iitional Wet) D Industrial ex.pon- Sion possible in area of track and ball diamond E Exioing residen- tial area remains intact with 363 family units an .1' ,rkno i J . This map shows tfte proposed five-zott' development plan ed for CFB Centralia Plan industrial-education complex at Centralia gional promotion program and it's directly related to the goy, ernment's 'Design for Develop- mentt policy announced last year considered a "pilot project" in regional development. "This provides us with an- other facet for our extended re- 'f.C.40,1*.e...04MNOX'4•Wk ODA manager is anxious to move by economics and development minister, the Hon. Stanley Randall." The consultants investigated several U.S. Industrial parks, created out of abandoned, defence establishments, and their report was enthusiastic over the pos- sibilities of similar promotional Centralia. They said the governtrient'S development corporation was the only agency which could under, take the project, The report proposed a five- zone development for optimum land use, promoted by a full- time manager and superintend- ent: • An airfield of 375 acres, with the existing three runways, to handle small business and private aircraft and to take ad- vantage of the increasing use of flying by business executives; • An educational area in the northeastern section, containing the instructional facilities of the former base, the officers' mess (for a student-faculty recreation- al centre), and the arena, curling rink and swimming pool in the nearby industrial area, capable of handling 400 to 500 students; "We're ready to move inas soon as we get clearance." That was the statement by A. Etchem, managing director of the Ontario Development Cor- poration, when asked Wednes- day by the T-A when his group would start development of CFB Centralia. He said the ODC would like to start developing Centralia within a matter of weeks, and explained that the only delay will be in getting approval from the federal government. Mr. Etchem indicated the provincial cabinet ministers involved in the project would meet federal officials as soon as possible and attempt to re- ceive a letter of intent from them so work can commence. The legal details of the agreement could then be work- ed out later without delaying the program. Noting that the only thing that could stop the program would be the federal govern- ment, Mr. Etchem said he had a feeling provincial authori- ties would "get nothing but excellent co-operation and a favorable response" from • Main industrial are a, ba- sically the western half of the property up to the airfield, which includes seven hangers with 42,- 000 square feet of floor space each, for light manufacturing and warehousing; federal officials. The ODC manager has visit- ed Centralia several times in the past few months and in- dicated he was optimistic about the possibilities and was certainly in agreement wit h the predictions made by Ste- venson & Kellogg Ltd. report. He said the key to the pro- gram would be in developing the education aspects and also expressed optimism in this regard. It was indicated that education minister William Davis planned to visit the base in the near future to explore the possibilities. Mr. Etchem said his depart- ment considered the project to be a major milestone in regional development, serving as a pilot project for future development of other areas. "We're very interested in the challenge and prepared to put all we've got into it," he concluded. Noting that some two dozen firms are already interested in Centralia, he predicted that more would become interested upon hearing that the pro- vincial government planned to purchase the property. • Industrial expansion area, south of the sewage treatment plant on the east side where the track and ball diamond now stand; '-'" A The Ontario government will negotiate to buy Canadian Forces Base Centralia for the purpose of developing an industrial-educa- tional complex which will serve as a pilot project for regional development. The announcement was made today by Provincial Treasurer C. S. MacNaughton following cab- inet decision. The 767-acre former RCAF base has the potential of pump- ing a minimum annual payroll of $11,000,000 into the rural econ- omy of Huron, Middlesex and sur- rounding counties, according to a management consultants' report on which the cabinet decision was based. Federal authorities will be ap- proached immediately for pur- chase of the base. Negotiations will be undertaken by the depart- ment of public works in collabor- ation with the departments of treasury and economics and de- velopment, Mr, MacNaughton said the pro- posed industrial-educational park will be operated by the On- tario Development Corporation, a provincial crown agency. The treasurer said that al- ready some two dozen companies have shown an interest in locat- ing at Centralia and that several government departments are considering part of the base for educational facilities. Earlier this year, treasury board authorized Toronto man- agement consultants, Stevenson and Kellogg Ltd., to conduct a feasibility study on the base, which was de-activated July 13, 1966. The report strongly recom- mended purchase of the base by the provincial government to capitalize on its potential for improving the economic status of the area, which is primarily a farming community. "The county of Huron, north- ern part of Middlesex and sur- rounding districts have not shared In many of the advantages that have accrued to other sec- tions of Southwestern Ontario", said Mr. MacNaughton, Huron MPP. "Careful estimates indicate that the economy will suffer a loss of some $5,000,000 annually by the de-activation of CFB Cen- tralia." • The existing residential area of 135 acres which contains 363 family dwelling units and the J. A. D. McCurdy School. ALL FACILITIES The consultants say the first major occupant of the complex should be a large and attractive firm which would serve as a lead company to set the tone and draw other desirable tenants. The base at Centralia, the report noted, offers the major facilities for development of in- dustry, including housing, water and sewage systems, rail and road transportation. The consultants stressed that the Centralia park could provide a growth centre for the area, which would assist in regional development in the most prac- tical way possible. Tens of thousands of Western Ontario residents became fa- miliar with the former RCAF Station Centralia when it held spectacular air force day demon- strations for the public. CREATE JOBS The treasurer said the propos- ed industrial park would help to balance the local economy and provide a growing source of em- ployment for people in the area. Even at a low-level develop- ment, the consultants estimate the park has the potential of creating 2,250 jobs. Treasurer MacNaughton said the plan for Centralia is being NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS START REPAIRING HOME OF GLENN BELL Help comes quickly for area tornado victims C. S. MacNaughton, who was in Fort William at the time. In addition, the provincial gov- ernment is making representa- tion to the federal government to participate as they did in 1944 and 1953 when tornadoes swept through this section of the pro- vince. Officials of the department of agriculture have been asked to bend every effort to those who suffered damage. Engineers and agriculture of- ficials are expected to be in the area to advise farmers regard- ing damaged buildings. Help came quickly for victims of Monday's tornado. In a matter of hours after the shock of the event started to subside, friends and neighbors started to converge on the scene to ascertain what could be done to help the victims. Accommodation was offered for those who had lost homes or had them badly damaged. Farmers arrived to see if live- stock and grain could be protect- ed with tarpaulins they had avail- able. The area was a hive of ac- tivity, Tuesday, as cars and trucks lined up in front of most dam aged properties as men started the job of helping neigh- bors clean up. A new roof had been partially put on the home of Glenn Bell before nightfall, Several tract- PLAN DRIVE After news of the government offer, area officials were con- tacted to see if any relief funds would be set up. At noon Wednesday, the Rev. John Boyne, who serves church- ors and men with chainsaws cut up trees at most properties and the air was filled with burning trash. Some hooked tractors onto fall- en timbers from barns and pull- ed them out of the wreckage so it could be cleaned up. The work continues with some property owners not even know- ing the names of some of those showing up to help. The provincial government took quick action to offer assist- ance to victims of the tornado. The Hon. W. A. Stewart, min- ister of agriculture and food, announced in the legislature Tuesday that the province will match—dollar for dollar—every dollar raised locally for the pur- pose of rehabilitating the dam- aged properties. The offer was supported by the provincial treasurer, the Hon. Left trail of destruction their shattered trees and barn. After cutting a swath of as much as 300 yards through the bush, the tornado then moved onto completely flatten barns on the properties of Grant McLean and Harry Smith, the latter hav- ing only bought his property east of Hensall about one month ago. Huge evergreens lining the laneway at the McLean farm were flattened. Moving on, the winds ruined the barn of Bob Bell and ripped the roof off the barn of neighbor Ernie Whitehouse. Again, trees in the area were downed. es in Exeter, Hensall and Crom- arty, reported that a meeting was called for last night in the Hensall town hall to discuss such a project. He had talked the matter over with Tuckersmith Reeve Elgin Thompson and the two arranged the meeting. Rev. Boyne also contacted bankers in Exeter and Hensall and was advised that they would act as collection centres for do- nations. P ersons wishing to assist vic- tims of the tornado may leave donations at any of the banks in these two communities. Rev. Boyne said he hoped a tornado relief fund committee would be set up at last night's meeting. Rev. Boyne said township of- ficials, church leaders and ser- vice club members would be in- vited to attend the meeting. To assist in the campaign, The Times-Advocate will pro- vide free advertising space for any groups who wish to announce events being held in aid of the tornado victims. Our columns will also be avail- able if a relief committee is formed and wishes to publicly list donations received. One of many demolished HIT HARDEST The next victims were among the hardest hit of the Tucker- smith residents. Bruce Arm- strong saw his house and barn destroyed, while Ken McKay lost a barn, shed, colony house and back kitchen from his house. The house was also shaken to the point Where the family had to Move Out until it can be deter- mined whether or not it is safe. The tornado then hit inter- mittently until it dropped down again to continue its complete devastation in the area east of Seaforth. Damage throughout the area effected has been variously calculated at from one to three million dollars. This it the garage and restaurant operated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Elliott south of Henn% It was yanked apart by the ferocity of the tornado and debriS from the building, was scattered for more than half a mile. A car near the building was tossed and badly smashed. Mrs. Elliott is shown here in the remains of the restaurant on the right. Photographs depicting damaged homes, schools and farm buildings in the' district are printed on page two. T-A photo Harry Smith, RR 1 Hensall, thought he heard a train passing his Highway 4 property around 4:00 p.m., Monday. What he realized seconds later was that the noise was really that of a devastating tornado which ripped through portions of Hen- sail and the Townships of Hay, Tuckersmith and Hibbert before continuing on its path of ruin into the Dublin area. The tornado left in its wake a trail of flattened barns, homes, trees, poles and anything else that stood in its path. Estimates of damage continue to mount as reports filter in about the losses suffered by Huron County residents and their neighbors to the east. One man in the Dublin area was killed when trapped in a barn, but miraculously no one In Huron was reported to have been injured, although many still can't understand how they es- caped without any bodily harm. The tornado touched down in the eastern section of Bey Township and ripped portions off buildings belonging to Ken Elder and Don Munn before creating major havoc in Hensall and points to the east. The wind narrowly missed hit- ting Hensall Public School and the math portion of the village when it swooped down to destroy the garage and snack bar of Har- old Elliott on the southern limits of the town. A car at the Elliott property and one belonging to Mrs. John A. McEwan were picked up and badly smashed, while trees around these properties and that of Clarence Reid were quickly felled. Debris from these properties, including a furnace from the El- liott garage w a s carried well over half a mile as the storm moved onto its next victims. These were the properties of Glenn Bell, Bert Branderhorst, Marcel Vanneste and the SS 1 Tuckersmith school house which had been vacant for some three years. A recently constructed shed at the Brancierhorst farm was com- pletely demolished and dumped onto the front lawn. A Volkswagen was picked up and sent sprawling into falling evergreens, some of which were pulled up by their roots. The barn roof was also ripped off and windows broken in the house. The roof on the Glenn Bell barn and house were ripped off and the school was completely demolished. A large freezer was yanked Out of the Vanneste house and scattered among the debris from NO INSURANC E Some of the property owners had partial wind insurance on their buildings, but many did not, so they will face the entire cost of replacement. In view of this, many were doubtful that they could continue. Understandably, they were wor- ried. it was heartbreak for some, such as Bert Branderhorst, who had just built a new barn, and Harry Smith, who had only one Month ago bought the property east of Hensall on which the barn was ruined. If a local committee is set up to collect funds, every type of donation received will be match- ed Mier for dollar by the pro- vincial government. There is hope the federal gov- ernment may make a similar offer. The torninittee would then have 'to administer the allotting of funds to the victims to reestab- lish theillSelVeS, The matter Is expected to be discussed at today's session of county Council. Following the 1053 storm, the county donated $10,000 to the relief futid.