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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-02-01, Page 6Making plans Mike Thomas and chairman John Harrison, seated, discuss the plans for the proposed ball diamond and soccer field, to be located behind the BMG arena, with those in attendance at the public meeting last Wednesday evening at the Legion. Invest In Your Community With A CREDIT UNION Your RRSP deposits are used to assist our borrowers who are your friends and neighbours in the community. RRSP Loans Available at Prime Rate RRIF's also available Each RRSP & RRIF contract is insured individually for up to $60,000.00. CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION 48 Ontario Street 118 Main Street North CLINTON 482-3467 EXETER 235-0640 OPEN: MON. to THURS. 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. FRI. 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1952 PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1995. Small turnout to hear ball diamond plans By Bonnie Gropp If attendance was any indication, opposition and support for the pro- posed recreational development in Brussels is lackadaisical to this point. Fortunately, committee members representing a cross-section of organizations and groups in the vil- lage, have plenty of enthusiasm for the project. John Harrison, chairman of the Park Recreational Development Committee said to the 25 people present, "This is a community pro- ject and we hope to have the com- munity involved." The plan is for the development of the seven acre lot behind the arena, land that was purchased in 1990, with the Agricultural Society paying over half and the remainder being split between the municipali- ties of Grey, Morris and Brussels according to the percentage of usage. The completion of a new fastball diamond and a soccer field is to be phased over a four year period, though, Mr. Harrison said, it is hoped that the diamond can be used for day games by the second year. The area will also include a pavilion, which should get the before and after game socializing away from the pool and populated area around the present diamond, Mr. Harrison said. According to the design of the field the six tower lights will be installed so that there should be lit- tle impact on the neighbouring resi- dents. The plan for this year is for the leveling of the land, the installation of drainage tile, fill of the ballpark THE EDITOR, I found last week's lead editorial 'Spare that tree?' to be dismayingly ill-considered. It is simplistic to characterize the proposed logging of the Morris Tract as a clear-cut rural vs. urban controversy. Genuinely environ- mentally-concerned people also reside in rural Huron County although some may be afraid to speak up for fear of ostracism of ridicule. The editorial fails to consider some verifiable facts. For example, a forest cover of eight per cent is regarded as a necessary minimum for a healthy environment. Some townships in Huron and adjacent counties has as low as three per cent forestation. Most of what remains of the vast forest of Southwestern Ontario consists of small, fragmented, non-continuous strips of privately-owned woodlots and equally small tracts of bush operated and managed by local conservation authorities, all of which, incidentally, are potentially open to logging as is the case with the Morris Tract in question. Forests constitute an essential protective habitat for a number of endangered plant and animal species as well as being vital for the maintaining of the priceless and fragile biodiversity of any ecosystem. A forest is certainly not neatly-planted rows of carrots and tomatoes as the editorialist suggests. The analogy of prun;iig to justify the selective logging of this bush is, therefore, a spacious one. infield and seeding. The estimated cost is $14,500. The field will drain into the Nichol Drain. It is hoped that in 1996 the com- mittee will be able to proceed with the installation of backstop and fences as well as the construction of the dugouts, bleachers and start of the pavilion. The estimate for this phase is $26,000. Year three is set for the comple- tion of the pavilion and bleachers, the installation of a septic system and the running of water and hydro lines at an estimate of $19,500. The most expensive phase has been left for the fourth year — the installation of lights at an estimated cost of $40,000. Mr. Harrison said though the estimates had been worked out with current prices, a cushion was added on most of the figures. It is hoped that most of the work will be done by volunteer labour, Mr. Harrison said, adding that the engineering work was done at no cost and an electrician has offered his services as well. Several fundraisers are being planned, including a casino night, slowpitch tournament and silent auction. "It is a lot of money and we realize we are going to have to come up with some ingenious ways of (raising) it," Mr. Harrison said, adding that work would no proceed if the funds weren't there. Though the property owners in attendance had small concerns about noise and trespassers who might climb the fence, they raised no serious objections. Mr. Harrison said there will be a security fence around the field with a gate on the north east corner for access. Recreation has agreed to In the forest, even a dead, otherwise ugly tree may provide the perfect home for a bird or small mammal. The suggestion that what hikers and recreational snowmobilers "really want is for the forest to be left to their own use" (or, 'misuse' as the writer implies) is something of a cheap shot. What the writer and the former Huron Tree Commissioner seem to be 'really seeing' is strictly the dollar value of the forest at a time when hardwood lumber prices are currently so attractive. In a short 200 years of settlement, we have managed to practically deforest Huron County. If anything the county and the province must make a concerted effort and find the finances for reforestation and increased roadside planting. As for the matter of the $175,000, I have no knowledge as to how and why such an agreement was made, but it stands as yet another example of how unwilling we are to pay for the preservation of the environment, especially in times of economic distress. I conclude with a question. Who was responsible for forest management before we cleared the land for agriculture? The answer of course is nature herself. She did an admirable job and I would entrust this responsibility to her any day before I would hand over complete control to her short-sighted-human inhabitants. Randy Banks, Walton. maintain the field, just as they do the existing diamond. Mr. Harrison said the committee believes strongly in the need for a new ball diamond. "Brussels is well known for its ball tournaments. In the past we have had to turn teams down from participating. With a new diamond we can increase the size of the tournaments which will bring money into the village." Also, Mr. Harrison explained, the number of teams playing in the vil- lage's leagues has increased to the point where they have to set a time limit on games. "Some of the Minor Ball teams were only getting a few innings played which is frus- trating. Imagine driving your kid from Goderich to a ball game, then having that game stopped at three innings." "We have to get the pressure off the existing diamonds and let the kids play ball again." Grey ends year in good shape Grey Township council held its regular meeting on Jan. 23 and received the 1994 fmancial state- ments from township auditor Michael Meyer which indicated an accumulated net surplus of $79,647. Council accepted the 1995-96 insurance package at a cost of $23,239 which is approximately 30 per cent higher than the 1994 premium. Ron Harrison was added to the Ethel Minor Ball Committee. The next regular meeting of council is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 6 at 9:30 a.m. DHC names exec. director The Huron Perth District Health Council introduced its Executive Director at its monthly meeting at the Mitchell town hall Jan. 26. Mr. Fraser Bell will leave his post as a Hospital Consultant/ Inspector with the Ministry of Health and commence his work with the council on Feb. 13. Mr. Bell holds a Master of Business Administration (Health Services Management) degree from McMaster University; a Bachelor of Sciences (Biology) degree from McMaster; and a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) degree from the Wilfred Laurier University. In addition to his work with the Ministry of Health, he has held a senior consultant position with Price Waterhouse Health Manage- ment Consultants and has worked in hospitals in both London and Hamilton. Letter to the editor Editorial stance ill-considered, says Walton man