The Citizen, 2007-07-26, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2007.
The issue of ATVs in North Huron
continues as council heard from the
other side at the July 16 meeting.
Brad Foxton and Chris Gibbons
attended to ask council to consider a
corridor that would allow them to
ride their ATVs from their homes in
Wingham to the trails.
They also expressed a concern that
riders from outside the area were
unable to access food and gas.
“Are they expected to leave their
vehicles at the trail and walk
into town? Why is the exception
made for snowmobiles in the
winter.”
When Foxton mentioned changes
to the bylaw regulating ATV use,
councillor Greg McClinchey said,
“As I understand it there is an
absence of a bylaw. If we wish to
allow ATVs in North Huron we have
to enact a bylaw. You can name
parameters, but these would have to
be enforced.”
Clerk-administrator Kriss Snell
agreed saying that enforcement
could probably be done by the
Wingham Police Services.
Questioned as to whether there
was a public trail system for ATVs,
Foxton said that currently they use
the snowmobile trails, a comment
that brought its own debate.
“I have spoken to snowmobilers
about this and I’m sure if you asked
them ATVs aren’t allowed on their
trails,” said councillor James
Campbell.
Councillor Archie MacGowan said
that council wishes ATV users would
do what the snowmobilers did and
organize.
Gibbons said they were not asking
for permission to ride on the roads in
town, but simply an access route,
such as snowmobilers have.
“But their trail system is much
better organized,” said MacGowan.
While that was true, McClinchey
wondered what the rationale was for
allowing the snowmobiles on town
roads. Snell said that they were
supposed to only be in town to get to
the trails or to purchase gas or
food.
McClinchey empathized with the
men. “I can’t say I oppose this or
support it. There are major problems
with ATVs, but it doesn’t mean that
everyone who owns an ATV is
irresponsible.”
Deputy-reeve Murray Scott agreed
when McClinchey suggested the
matter required perhaps more
investigation. “I do understand your
problem, but I have to think about
this.”
Gibbons said he had seen the
damage done by other riders, but
asked council not to paint all of them
with the same brush.
Councillors agreed to get more
information and consider options.
However, Foxton and Gibbons were
warned that a decision would not be
swift.
“We ask for your patience so we
can look into this further,” said
McClinchey.
A recommendation to hire
engineering work for two road
reconstruction projects split Morris-
Turnberry councillors at their July
17 meeting.
Public works co-ordinator Barry
O’Kraftka had recommended that
Gamsby & Mannerow be hired to do
preliminary work on Helena Street
in Lower Town Wingham and on
Brandon Road east of Belgrave.
The Helena Street project
caused the most controversy.
O’Kraftka said geotechnical
exploration is needed to see what’s
under the current road to see if the
material is stable enough to support
the heavy truck traffic in the area to
and from Wescast and Canadian
Crane Rental.
The road is currently rutted and
has holes.
Engineering is also required
because the road is in the flood-plain
area and must meet strict
requirements from the Maitland
Valley Conservation Authority. The
work would cost $24,590.
But councillor Bill Thompson
warned against ripping up the
pavement to replace it because
there’s a possibility swampy ground
underneath might require a huge
investment on a short stretch of road.
He suggested just putting another
layer of asphalt on top.
Mayor Dorothy Kelly worried
that with engineers involved, the
project might spiral into something
much bigger.
“I’m certainly not prepared to
just pave it,” said O’Kraftka.
Jim Nelemans, deputy-mayor
agreed. “If we don’t do it right, we
end up with a mess,” he said,
pointing to the headache the
municipality had on Salem
Road.
“We’re just asking for
engineering,” said councillor Mark
Beavan. “They may say it’s going to
cost $1 million — then I’m against
it.”
“If that is swampland under it
you have to know what to do to let it
carry the heavy trucks,” said
O’Kraftka.
In the end, the motion to hire
engineers passed with councillors
Edna McLellan and Thompson
opposed.
The engineers will also be asked
to help with sight-lines for the
eventual tar and chipping of
Brandon Road.
O’Kraftka said the project will
involve 6 km of road with special
assistance needed to solve problems
at the western approach to Bodmin
bridge.
Meanwhile councillors agreed to
take money from reserves to pick up
the municipality’s $57,897 share of
the $91,495 cost of extending water
mains and sewers as part of the
reconstruction of Dinsley Street in
Blyth by the Twp. of North
Huron.
The road would be continued 200
meters into Morris-Turnberry and
finished with curb and gutters.
“To me it just makes sense” (to
do the work while North Huron is
doing it’s part) said Jim Nelemans,
deputy-mayor.
ATV debate on again in N. Huron
The OPP are still investigating a
double homicide that occurred in
Stephen Twp. around July 23.
Police have named Jesse Norman
Imeson, 22, as a person of interest in
this investigation. Imeson is wanted
in a case of first degree murder by
Windsor police from last week.
The identities of the two victims in
Huron County are being withheld
until next of kin can be notified. The
bodies were found in their residence
on Bronson Line in Stephen Twp.
Last Thursday, the body of 26-
year-old Carlos Rivera, was found at
Imeson’s Windsor apartment, just
over a day after he was reported
missing.
Rivera’s car, a silver two-door
Honda Civic was then found
abandoned in Grand Bend, leading
police to Huron County to
investigate.
Imeson is now said to be driving a
2006 GMC Sierra pick-up truck,
silver, with an Ontario license plate
reading JK8 334. The truck
belonged to the slain Stephen Twp.
couple.
Imeson is 22-years-old, 6’1”, 200
lbs, with very short, nearly shaved
brown hair with several tattoos on
his arms.
Imeson is considered to be armed
and dangerous. The OPP urge Huron
County residents to keep their
homes and vehicles locked and to
call if anything suspicious should
arise at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Joint production
en Masse opened at Blyth Festival Art Gallery on Friday
night. Visitors were invited to meet the artists at an opening
reception at 7 p.m. The exhibit features oil and acrylic
paintings by Irene Hartwick, right and Madeleine Roske.
Hartwick resides in London, while Roske is a resident of
Goderich. en Masse will be at the Gallery until Aug. 8 (Vicky
Bremner photos)
Doublemurderin Huron
County of Huron
2007
Huron County’s
FREE Septic Reinspection Program
offers property owners:
• A grant of 50% of the cost of a septic tank
pump-out (up to $75) through the Huron
Clean Water Project;
• GPS mapping of your septic system;
• Education on how to operate and maintain
your septic system properly;
• Awareness of the location and condition of
your septic system;
• Technicians are available to meet with you
weekdays, evenings and weekends.
TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE
CALL THE HURON COUNTY SEPTIC REINSPECTION INFORMATION LINE
519-482-5119 Ext. 2303 or
if calling long distance 1-877-837-6143 Ext. 2303
www.huroncounty.ca
By Bonnie Gropp
The Citizen
By Keith Roulston
The Citizen
Morris-Turnberry
hears road report