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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-09-13, Page 10Taking it back Participants in the fifth annual Women's Take Back the Night March met in Goderich, Sept. 6. The event, which was also held in conjunction with the International Day of Women's Equality, is designed to raise awareness and encourage women to organize, speak out and fight back against all forms of abuse. (Advance Time photo) nak t:t. CHOICE A ...# 4"%f Brussels Locally Grown Custom Killing by appointment A4.1,t, --': .41, t.V Beef & Pork Mondays 1/2 or 1/4 Beef i 89 Freezer Ready lb. 1/2 or Whole Pig at Market Price Lean Ground Beef 99 Ground Fresh Everyday lb• Sausage Plain or 99 Honey Garlic per lb. Our Own Hamburger Patties Pkg. of 10 - $4.80 Pkg. of 20 - $9.60 Pkg. of 50 - $22.50 Straight Cut Fries 00 5 lb bag FRESH THANKSGIVING TURKEYS Order Size You Want By The 22nd of Sept. for _„ delivery by the 6th of Oct.'1- - CALL TO PLACE ORDERS TODAY 519-887-6294 PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1995. Twister twists positions on Morris Tract debate When a violent July 13 wind- storm swept through the Morris Tract near Goderich, more than the trees got twisted. After months of berating Huron County council for considering log- ging in the county-owned wood, the Friends of the Morris Tract now want the county to take immediate action to salvage the trees damaged by the storm and re-open the walk- ing and snowmobile trails through the property which have been closed because of safety concerns. Meanwhile county council, involved in appraisal of the mature timber value and an ecological inventory of the tract studies under- taken after the Friends protests over a proposal for selective logging, is in no hurry to reopen the public trails. A motion passed at the Aug. 8 meeting of the Agriculture and Public Works committee and approved by county council Thurs- day, calls for the trails to remain closed while the studies continue. The Friends, an umbrella group for such groups as the Menesetung Bridge Association, the Huron County Medical Society, the Mait- land Trail Association, the Huron Fringe Naturalists, the Colborne Continued from page 1 sites." But while several other council- lors supported the idea of incinera- tion, Davidson warned that isn't an easy solution. The criteria for siting an incinerator are very different than those for a landfill, he said, and while incineration may be a popular idea now, when an inciner- ation location is proposed there is generally as much adverse public reaction as for a landfill. Also, he said, if the county starts looking at incineration, the Ashfield site could be on hold for years, continuing the disruption in the lives of area resi- dents. Bailey, who has been arguing for Blyth council declares Legion Week Continued from page 3 Wingham regarding the airport pro- ject. The week of Sept. 17 to 23 was declared Legion Week. The Lions Walk-a-Dog-athon received a $25 donation from coun- cil, on behalf of June Foran. Wayne Rouse expressed concern that the hydro lines for the sewage treatment plant located in the Gypsy Lane road allowance, were buried only 18 inches to 24 inches deep. Heavy rains had cut into the land which is farmed by Murray Siertse- ma, and there were concerns farm machinery could damage the cable, possible causing property damage or personal injury. After suggestions from council- lors that the land should be seeded with grass, the final decision was sent to the road committee. C.*** Blyth Public Works now has a beeper number for emergency requests. It is 1-416-553-4081. This is not a long distance call. Snowmobile Club and citizens at large, wrote a letter to council Aug. 31 calling for immediate action to Friends want immediate action cut downed timber and "include rehabilitation of the two major trails only (walking and snowmo- bile)." The July storm, which also did heavy damage in the Town of Goderich, damaged more than 500 trees, said R. W. Bennett, area supervisor with the Wingham Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Bennett estimated the value of the damaged timber at $40,000 or more and urged the county, in a letter dated Aug. 15, to put a plan in place quickly to har- vest this timber this fall before heavy snowfall begins. He warned that the value of the saw logs would decline next spring and sum- mer when warmer weather causes staining of the wood. a second look at alternatives since he took his seat on council last December, said that while he was encouraged that there had been a change of attitude by councillors he hoped they wouldn't zero in on incineration as the only alternative to landfill. With the growing value of recyclables, he said, there are private companies interested in get- ting garbage and the best alterna- tive may be having one of these emerging companies take the coun- ty's garbage. Meanwhile Pamela VanDyke, impact committee chair of the Con- cerned Citizens read a letter to councillors denouncing the prelimi- nary impact study being conducted by Keir Consultants Inc. Only 10 families, residents located within 1,000 metres of the proposed site were included in the questionnaire. People were allowed to study the questions in advance, and some of the questions were very personal, VanDyke argued. Most residents refused to co-operate in answering the questionnaire under the circum- stances, she said. Craig Metzger, master plan study co-ordinator said this was the first of a number of studies and would be used primarily to discover how large a community was involved. The survey was to determine where people shopped, where they went to church and where children went to school so the size of the affected community could be judged. But council is in no hurry to act, despite the urging of West Wawanosh Reeve Bob Hallam who said the salvaging of the lumber should be undertaken before the snows settle in this winter both for ease of the harvest and to lessen environmental damage. "I believe we should get on with it," he said and suggested council should aban- don the studies and mark the timber and get bids on its removal. In an interview later, Norm Fair- les, reeve of Howick and chair of the Agriculture and Public Works committee said the timber and real estate evaluation will likely be completed by the end of September and the ecological inventory in October. Council authorized the hiring of Karl A. Douglas for about $3,000 to value the timber. Councillors were more concerned with increasing security to make sure the ban on public use of the tract is observed. An unknown tres- passer had been into the tract, said Fairles, and cut five-foot pieces out of some trees that were laying across the trail, severely damaging their timber value. Some of the trees were of veneer quality and Already, he said, the consultants had decided that there would have to be 100 families involved in the coming surveys instead of the 50 that had originally been estimated. Brian McBurney, reeve of Turn- berry, felt the one kilometre radius of the site was too small but Met- zger said originally the master plan study criteria called for only 500 metres but only one household would have been included so the area was doubled. Coming studies would include a wider area, he said. VanDyke illustrated the stress area residents have suffered when she said there is great fear, uncer- tainty and anger in the community. She related how her young daugh- ter had come to her crying wonder- ing if they would have to leave their home. "When there are fair alternatives to a landfill site, isn't it just common sense to choose one of them?" she asked. Meanwhile one farmer living in the area claims he is already affect- ed by the site. Ted Vandervelde told the Planning and Development committee Aug. 14 that he wanted to sell his farm because of his health but no one wanted to buy it because of the possibility of the dump nearby. He has requested that the county compensate him for any reduction in the final selling price. The county has a program in place to compensate for hardships such as this and Vandervelde was invit- ed to submit a written request. now that value will be lost. "It's dangerous," said Brian McBurney, reeve of Turnberry about the tract. Not only are there trees down but there are damaged trees leaning across the trail. ''It's just a hell of a mess." He urged the Friends to pass the word not to use . the trails. Jack Coleman, reeve of Stanley wanted compensation for the dam- age done by the unknown trespass- er. The value of the timber ruined should be evaluated, he said, so that if the culprit is found the loss can be recovered. Davidson warns councillors incineration not easy solution rr JOHN McKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. • backhoeing • bulldozing • loading & hauling • sand, gravel and topsoil R.R. #2 Bluevale 887-9061 if busy 887-9999 •