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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1993-07-21, Page 1PUBLISHED IN LUCKNOW, ONTARIO Wednesday, July 21, 1993 550 D.S.T. Included Maurice Strong 1ikeswhat he sees at BNPD by Nancy Harper Shoreline News After a brief visit to the Bruce Nuclear Power Development (BNDP), Ontario Hydro Chairman Maurice Strong said he likes what he sees. , Strong was in the area last week to meet with community represen- tatives and local politicians in an effort to address their concerns about the future of the BNDP and surrounding communities. "I come away from here very hopeful for this community," Strong told approximately 50 community representatives at a July 15 luncheon at the BNDP information Centre. "You've got my interest., you've got my commitment and I look forward to working with you," he said. In his address, Strong focused briefly on the future of the Bruce. Energy Centre (BEC), the Heavy Water Plant and the possibility of a retubing project at Bruce 'A'. Admitting he was "deeply impressed" by the BEC; Strong said he wants to see it expand and become a viable source of both economic energy and jobs. Strong said in his tours of similar centres around the world. he had "never seen a better example" of sustainable development than the initiatives being undertaken at the BEC. "I like people who get up and hustle," Strong later told a group of media representatives, referring to the many individuals who have worked hard to ensure a solid future for the station. Strong said h'' was impressed with this area's "tough-minded" residents who know what they want and who "don't just harass us but roll up their sleeves and get at it". BNDP workers and community representatives have been working diligently for months to convince Hydro decision -makers that the BNDP - and in particular, Bruce Generating Station 'A' - is a viable, long term producer of energy. "This has been a very revealing, very positive experience for me," Strong said, adding the visit to the Bruce has given him a "personal appreciation of the area". Strong assured his audience that nuclear energy will remain a central facet of Ontario Hydro's operations. "We've got to. have a balanced mix," Strong said, "(but) nuclear energy...will remain the base of our energy supply." In reference to the uncertain future of the Heavy Water plant, Strong added, "we've been working our butts off..:to try and ensure we close both those deals with Romania and Korea". If the deals are accepted, the Heavy Water plant will have found •turn to page 2 Hydro chair hears voice of community by Nancy Harper Shoreline News A meeting between various community representatives and Ontario Hydro Chairman Maurice Strong was both positive and productive, according to South Bruce Community Futures Committee manager Barb Fisher. "We could not have come out of this any better," Fisher said. "It's really nice to see (our efforts) paying off." Fisher and several South Bruce residents have been lobbying for months to prove that a closure of Bruce Generating Station 'A' would devastate the area. A small delegation also travelled to Ottawa recently to push for the renewal of Bruce 'A's operating licence. Fisher said the purpose of the July 14 meeting, held at Sutton Park Inn in Kincardine, was to "have the community in a working committee scenario express its position with regard to Hydro in the community". Fisher said two important goals were reached. First, she said Strong recognizes "the importance of Ontario Hydro not only to its workers but to the community" and that he understands the "sociological/econoinic impact (on the area) in the event of any negative decisions at Hydro". Fisher said the tone of the meeting was very positive and that she felt Strong portrayed a sincere commitment to working with the community. She added that learning how to work with Hydro in times of financial constraint, pushing for the continued support of Bruce 'A' and promoting the Bruce Energy Centre as a viable means of diversification must be priorities for the community. Participating in the round table meeting were local mayors and reeves; impact advisory committee members; public utility managers; private sector representatives; a tourism committee representative; the Chambers of Commerce; a Boatd of Education representative; native leaders; the Bruce Grey Health Services' and Walkerton's Canada Employment Centre manager. Lucknow's Christian Reformed Church vacation bible school got underway on Monday, .July 19. The day started with a sing along led by BHI Chaulk, of Wingham, followed by an Local OMB ,meeting is open to public Kinloss Township --An Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) mediation meeting, to discuss the Donegan matter on Wed., August 4 in Kin- loss Township council chambers, will be open to the public. In an earlier report from Kinloss Township, the meeting was said to be closed. The hearing will be held in con- nection with objections filed against an application by Donegan's Haulage to rezone 15 hectares located at Lot 16, Concession 5, from Agriculture 1 to M2 Extrac- tive Industrial to allow for a gravel pit. The application, filed in late T991; mete w'hnsiderabie op-. Introduction and hello from Pastor Ron Luchles. (Debbie position from area landowners. Davidson photo) Council voted no lb the proposed rezoning and Donegans subse- quently appealed to the OMB. Involved parties have been waiting ' since January 1992 for the hearing. New look for Wingham Jr. C Ironmen • by Cameron Wood It will be a new -look Western Junior C Hockey League this season when teams return to the ice. Last season, seven squads battled for the championship honor. This year, only five municipalities will ice teams. The Grand Valley Harvesters have left the division to join the South Central league with teams from Fergus, Action and Oran- geville. T,he move, according to Wingham Jr: C Ironmen coach Bill Brown, will mean less travel for the Harvesters. "I can understand their decisions," Brown said last week. . He did express disappointment, however, with the uncertain future of the Goderich Jr. C Sailors. "I haven't heard the whole story, but "I hope they stay in. With Grand Valley out, there's only five teams, which means you may play each other eight times. I think it's better to have more in the league." The future for the Sailors looks very cloudy. With an accumulated debt of $13,200, the Goderich recreation department has called in their ice time loans. At a special recreation department meeting on June 24, the Goderich committee decided not to extend the, June 24 ,payment deadline for the hockey team. At a previous meeting in February, the plan of action for payment was: all 1992-93 debts must be paid by June 24, all 1991- 92 debts must be reduced by half by the same deadline, the balance of the debt reduced by 25 per cent by September 1 and any future facility rentals bythe club were to be paid within one week of the event. At the June 24 meeting, the recreation department was told the Sailors had lost money on poorly attended fundraising functions. t In an article plblished by the Goderich Signal -Star on June 30, Sailors coach •Dale Duncan was quoted as saying "We're going to take a leave of absence from the league. If you fold, you have to •turn to page ,2