The Citizen, 2002-07-24, Page 20Out of the running
Tom Heffron, left and Bruce Papple post the tickets drawn
at the Blyth Legion's elimination draw on Saturday night.
The big winner was Dave Nogh from Illinois with the 400th
ticket drawn. His prize was $1,500. All proceeds from the
event go towards the Blyth arena project. Other big prize
winners were: Hugh Cook, $500 and Brian Westberg, $250.
(Vicky Bremner photo)
Community
i7.7 Living In support of
people with an intellectual disability
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2002.
N. Huron gets Canada Day celebration grant
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
In his report to North Huron coun-
cil at the July 15 meeting, Director
of Recreation/ Facilities Dan
Cousins provided some good news
with regards to grant money.
However, it wasn't all good news.
Cousins told council that of the
$3.900 requested in the Canada Day
Celebration grant, the township had
'rebeived $3.500. There was also a
$205 contribution from the amuse-
ment ride owner.
As well. $1,450 has been received
for trail enhancement.
Cousins also informed council that
the Wingham Playground
Improvement Committee was apply-
ing for a Trillium grant. The town-
ship will be responsible for looking
after the playground, insurance.
maintenance and inspection.
The committee requested a five -
year agreement. Cost of phase one is
$105.000.
Council was then told of a meeting
Cousins had had with a representa-
tive from the Wingham Lawn
Bowling Club. He noted how
Huron County OPP officers have
noticed a recent trend where misin-
formation about the operation of all-
terrain vehicles on highways has
been circulated.
Bill 11. the Red Tape Reduction
Act 1999 received royal assent in
December of 1999. That bill con-
tains changes that will increase
access to roadways by all-terrain
vehicles, however these proposed
changes have not yet been pro-
claimed into law.
"I have spoken to ATV owners
who were under the impression they
could start riding on the'roadways
now. The simple answer is no they
can't. A response to a few common-
ly asked questions will hopefully
impressed he was with the way the
organization looked after the land
and the building, which are, it is
believed municipally owned.
However, this year, the Club has had
some extra bills and the added
expenses .are going to burden the
club somewhat.
The request was for any assistance
the township could offer.
It was noted that a few years ago
the Club had put a new root' on the
building, which had received some
municipal support.
Councillor Arnold Taylor stated
that this is not the way things should
be done. If the building is owned by
the township. then no work should
be authorized without council's
approval.
Councillor Archie MaeGowan
agreed saying that there are people
on staff who could perhaps do some
of the work that the Club has been
hiring people to do. MacGowan
pointed out that council is running
on a tight budget and people can't go
ahead with the work then ask coun-
cil to pay.
"However, if we can utilize staff to
help them out I don't have a problem
assist area ATV owners and opera-
tors to understand the current situa-
tion," said Senior Constable Steve
Starr.
A portion of Bill 11 will authorize
municipalitie,s to pass bylaws to per-
mit ATV use on selected roads and
highways under their jurisdiction..
This will assist in linking trails and
allow access to amenities such as
fuel, food and lodging.
Starr said, "I can understand why
owners of all-terrain vehicles are
anxious to see changes in the law
that will allow them better access to
selected public roads, but until those
proposed changes become law, it is
status quo. Essentially, driving an
all-terrain vehicle on a roadway now
with that."
Cousins said that he might be able
to find $500 in his budget which
could be used to help the Club. He
was advised to investigate.
Taylor. however, stressed again
the need for understanding of how
these things should proceed. "I think
we have to have a follow-up on this
and make sure work is not done
without approval from council."
Cousins then moved on to the old
centennial pool, which, he said,
Reeve Doug Layton had suggested
should be tidied up_ before the
Communities in Bloom judges
arrive, July 30. Engineers said that to
fill the hole would require 630 cubic
yards of grandular fill for a cost of
about $5,000.
Council questioned the need for
such high-quality fill. Councillor
Jeff Howson said that good pit run
fill should work as long as it's com-
pacted well. "We put four-storey
silos on pit run," he said.
They also questioned the need for
urgency. It was noted there was a
category for projects to be finished
and that it wasn't expected all work
be done.
would be no different than operating
an Unregistered, unplated car on
public roads."
To make matters worse, he said,
an all-terrain vehicle is currently
viewed as a motor vehicle under the
Highway Traffic Act. Therefore,
unlike a motorcycle, it requires the
same equipment as a light truck or
car.
Bottom line is that registration,
insurance and equipment charges
could keep an officer busy for some
time. The civil ramifications if
involved in a collision are a whole
other area.
"If it was me, I'd wait for the pro-
posed changes in the law," said
Starr.
Layton, however noted that the
pool was a liability problem for the
municipality. He also expressed
frustration that it had taken this long.
"We talked about this a year ago, and
when I think of all the fill gone out
of this town in the past year, and
we're going to turn around and
spend $5,000 it doesn't wash with
me."
Cousins said he only had the engi-
neer's advice to go by, but would
continue to look further into the situ-
ation.
He then told council about a prob-
lern• with the septic system at the
Wingham Municipal Airport.
Apparently the system when
installed was capable of handling the
waste of three to five people.
However, there are now 10-20 using
the facilities and the system is weep-
ing out.
It has been suggested that the sys-
tem be doubled in size.
Cousins added that at this point he
was not looking for an answer to this
from council but was simply inform-
ing them of the situation.
OPP remind Bill not law yet
Number of water deaths
has OPP concerned
The OPP are concerned over the
increase in boating fatalities which
have occurred this summer.
At this time last year 18 people
had died -in 15 fatal marine inci-
dents. Not wearing a personal
floatation device and alcohol were
the major contributing factors in
these tragedies.
Startling statistics show that so far
this boating season, 24 people have
lost their lives in 18 incidents. More
than 90 per cent of these fatalities -.-
22 lives -- could have been saved
simply by wearing a life jacket.
"These statistics are quite alarm-
ing to us and we will be focusing on
significantly reducing the number of
marine incidents involving drinking
and ensuring that everyone has a life
jacket when on our waterways. This
needless loss of lives has to stop,"
remarked Commissioner Gwen
Boniface.
Proper boating equipment, life-
jackets and no alcohol consumption
when on the waterways can
help prevent a tragedy from occur-
ring.
All boaters are reminded to be
extra careful and to ensure everyone
is wearing life jackets. Check
weather conditions before venturing
out and be alert to others enjoying
water activities.
Officers from the OPP's Marine
Units and SAVE (Snowmobile, All-
terrain vehicle, Vessel Enforcement)
Teams will be: out on Ontario's
waterways conducting increased
enforcement to ensure waterway
safety.
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