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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-04-25, Page 1Teachers’ Art Day Blyth to host PD Day on arts See page 18 Crusaders saluted Congratulations to the champs See page 1445 Funny Potatoes Potato People bring laughter See page 27 Move away from returnables angers municipalities BY BONNIE GROPP Area environmentalists and poli­ ticians are frustrated and disap­ pointed by Environment Minister Jim Bradley’s recently announced plan to get rid of a requirement that says soft drink bottlers must pro­ vide 30 per cent of their product in refillable bottles. A lawyer for soft drink compan­ ies stated that consumer demand shows a preference for cans and the Ministry says with the success of recycling people are not as con­ cerned about using them. But. as Grey Township Clerk Brad Kfiight points out what choice does the consumer really have. “You can't find anything returnable in an individual drink,” he says. “There’s no way they can meet the refillable contract, because they have nothing to offer.’’ With landfill sites inundated with glass and market demand low, recycling committees are not happy with the plan. Mr. Knight said when they heard about the dropp- K mg of the quota, they contacted Katherine Simpson a waste dispos­ al advisor with the Ministry about the concerns, and she reportedly stated that it was a little prema­ ture. The ministry has not yet ironed out details as the govern­ ment still plans to require bottlers to use some refillables. It was under the advisement of the pro­ vince’s recycling advisory commit­ tee that Mr. Bradley accepted in principle the recommendation to drop the ratios. ' - . “The government’s original poli­ cy on waste management was reuse, reduce and recycle, says Brussels Clerk Hugh Hanly. “By telling the soft drink producers there is no quota, they are rever­ sing the three “R’s”. The result is that recycling is going to become a costlier venture. “The net energy cost of reusing is far less than the net energy cost to recycle,’’ said Mr. Hanly. “The manufacturers just don’t want the hassle involved on returnables, so from their view it’s cost saving.” Mr. Knight agrees that recycling is only going to get more costly, if the small groups are expected to be responsible. “To pay three people to shovel glass for four or five hours is expensive and if one thing is wrong the whole load can be rejected. The way it’s going we’ll oon get only $25 - $30 for eight ton < A glass. In dropping the quota require­ ment everyone agrees that the only one to benefit is the soft-drink manufacturers. “The soft drink companies paid one-third of the blue box program initially, so Mr. Bradley says let’s forget the 30 per Continued on page 25 Firemen battle fire Exhausted Blyth firemen battled a large grass fire south of Auburn for three hours Monday afternoon working to keep the fire from getting into a nearby cedar bush. Blyth Fire Chief Paul Josling said the task was made particularly bad because the firemen were unable to get their trucks to the site of the fire and had to beat out the flames with shovels and whatever else they could use. Local farmer Garnet Wright finally plowed fire­ breaks around the area to bring the fire under control. The fire was located on a farm off the Base Line south of County road 15. About 30 to 35 acres of grass was burned in the blaze. Serving Brussels, Blyth, Auburn, Belgrave, Ethel, Londesborough, Walton and surrounding townships. VOL. 6 NO. 17 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 1990.50 CENTS Learning young Blyth Cubsand Scoutsgot an early start on Earth Day Saturday planting trees on area farms. Here with the help of leaders they untie bundles of cedar and spruce seedlings to be planted on Herb Shannon’s farm in Blyth. All this week area schools are taking part in Earth Week activities. One ratepayer protests zone change While almost everyone in Brus­ sels would agree that a 12-unit apartment complex would be a positive step for the village they would also agree that not everyone would welcome one in their back yard. That was the major concern voiced by one ratepayer at a public meeting held in the Brussels Library last Wednesday evening to discuss the proposed zoning change that would see the tennis courts on Elizabeth St., moved to the east side of the Community Centre in order to make way for a two-storey walk-in apartment com­ plex geared to mature families. “Just to voice an opinion, I would rather see two nice homes built there than what you are proposing,” said Jane Draper, who owns a neighbouring property. Wayne Caldwell of the Huron County Planning Department ex­ plained that the re-zoning would be from institutional to high-density residential to allow for the com­ plex. Developer Rob Lawrie, who owns a similar unit in Blyth detailed the plans to the gathering and present­ ed blueprints for their perusal. He stated that the brick structure would be built on the paved area where the old arena had stood and would be a foot longer and wider than the one in Blyth. The front of the building will face east, while the parking lot will be in back off Alexander St. and will accommodate 12 vehicles, though there will be space for additional parking in front, according to Mr. Lawrie, who added his intention to gear the complex to the mature renters. Mrs. Draper asked him at this point if it wasn’t a fact that there is a law that states you can’t refuse to rent to couples with children. Mr. Lawrie stated that while this was true, the rent of $550-$600 is one few families could afford. In response'to a question from Mr. Caldwell concerning the space outside the structure, Mr. Lawrie explained that there would be 12 feet on each side of the building. Mr. Caldwell explained that according to an existing by-law Tor the municipality there is a provi­ sion included for a planting strip between areas zoned low density and high density residential. This Continued on page 8