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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-02, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2003. Stu ff it Volunteers were busily stuffing envelopes for this season’s brochure mailouts at Blyth Festival’s administration office last week. Clockwise from bottom left: Laura Clark, volunteer co-ordinator; Isabel McClure; Harry Lear; Artistic Director Eric Coates, who offered a helping hand; Sheron Stadelmann; Darlene Shobbrook; Gordon Shobbrook. (Bonnie Gropp photo) Official plan meeting in Brussels At the Branch Legion holds general meeting By David Blaney Special to The Citizen On March 27, Huron East held an information session at the BMG Community Centre regarding the municipality’s draft official plan. Approximately 35 people showed up to question county planning staff and local politicians about the document. Nearly half of those present came from the former Grey Twp., which a number of years ago became the first rural township to develop and implement an official plan. The remainder came from Brussels, McKillop, and outside the municipality. According to Cindy Fisher, Huron County planner, an official plan is a statement of where and how development should take place. Huron East’s plan is intended to draw together the official plans of the five former municipalities that now make up the new town. The questions and concerns expressed by the audience clearly reflected those expressed by councillors during several long council meetings primarily devoted to the topic. As could be expected most of the questions dealt with agriculture in one form or another. The plan itself states, “The basic principles of this plan revolve around the recognition . and reinforcement of the rural areas of the Municipality of Huron East as an agricultural community.” The problem for the councillors is that this seems to mean different things to different people. The arguments at the public meeting and during previous council meetings were principally about two items - lot size for new severances and the disposition of surplus farm dwellings. The lot size issue is generally between those favouring 38 hectares (94 acres) and those wanting a 20- hectare (50 acre) minimum size. Two or three people at the meeting suggested even smaller severances as a means of increasing the tax base rurally and allowing people who did not farm to live in the country. Those favouring larger-sized lots point to the need to prevent cutting up the countryside into small parcels that are not economically self- sustaining as farms. Others on council suggest that as the cost of land increases small lots may be the only way for a young farmer to get a start. Councillor Ferg Kelly asked at an earlier council meeting, “What’s wrong with a young couple starting to farm on 50 acres while they both hold off-farm jobs?” “At least they can get a start.” Others including councillors Joe Seili, Greg Wilson, Graeme MacDonald and Alvin McLellan have expressed worries that smaller severances would leave the municipality open to an influx of hobby farms and others interested in country estates that would be fundamentally different from the current situation. Fisher also indicated to councillors that the Ontario Municipal Board, which is the final authority in these matters, has clearly indicated that it favours larger lot sizes in agricultural areas. The issue of surplus farm dwellings has arisen as farm operations get bigger. As single farm businesses enlarge from 100 to 200, 300 acres and more the houses on the original 100 acre parcels become surplus to the owner’s needs. As the average size of farms in Huron County is now well over 200 acres the issue is more pressing than it might seem at first. Currently surplus residences are allowed to be severed only in Tuckersmith ward. Approximately 40 such severances have occurred in the last 30 years according to county planning staff. Seili has repeatedly expressed the opinion that the severed residences would eventually become the property of those both unfamiliar with the realities of farming and unwilling to accept the noise and smells that sometimes are an integral part of a farm operation. Wilson, McLellan and MacDonald have advanced similar fears. . At the public meeting Seili cited the case of a group of cottagers who used the courts to hold up the establishment of a hog barn despite the fact that the operator met all the criteria for establishing the operation. He has also suggested that the municipality might be open to suits from unhappy ratepayers. At the public meeting Neil McGavin wondered if it might be possible to add some form of notation to deeds or sales agreements requiring a purchaser to acknowledge they were living in an agricultural community. Deputy-Mayor Bernie MacLellan, the meeting chairman, said he would take the suggestion back to council but did not believe they could force residents to put restrictions like that on a deed. Fisher also suggested that such restrictive covenants were not very effective. Many of those in favour of severing surplus houses cite the loss of tax revenue caused by farmers destroying the unwanted dwelling. They suggest that farmers don’t want the hassle of being landlords and therefore simply leave the houses to deteriorate until they are tom down. Councillor Bill DeJong of Tuckersmith, where severances are allowed, noted that in all his time on council he couldn’t remember a serious complaint caused by the sale of surplus homes. At an earlier council meeting he had said, “I can’t understand it. You all talk about the need for maintaining the tax base but every time a house comes down you lose that assessment.” Murray Bray, a ratepayer at the public meeting noted that any restrictions the house might place on adjoining farms would be the same whether the property was part of a farm or simply a residence on an acre or two of land. Bray spoke on the social consequences of what some see as rural depopulation. “If you don’t allow some people to live in the country you are missing the people who support the small towns - the stores in places like Brussels,” he said. Someone later suggested that if more people lived in the country there would be more kids going to school and the local board might not be so quick to try to close rural schools. The issues will go back to council and there will be one more public meeting prior to the plan being adopted. GRANT GNAY Certified General Accountant Accounting & Tax Services 93 Wolfe St. Goderich 524-5113 By Jo-Ann McDonald The week at the Brussels Legion Branch began with the general meeting on Tuesday evening. There were nine comrades present. Sports Chairman Comrade Gary Dauphin reported attending the meeting held at the Blyth Legion, March 19. He listed the events for the 2003/2004 year and Brussels will host the team darts on Dec. 6. Comrade John Harrison, membership chairman, reports there are 13 members with dues in arrears and notices will be sent. Comrade Lisa Glanville, cadet liaison, reports that the corps is doing well and that the parent support group is hosting a roast beef dinner on April 6. Comrade Jo-Ann McDonald, PRO chairman, is working on the newsletter to be sent out next week. Information and pledge sheets for the silent auction will be sent then also. The Branch was asked to do a fish fry for Mitchell Legion Branch 128 for their anniversary celebrations in July. The Branch is available to do fish fries for any groups. For information call the Branch. Elections will be held April 22. If there is anyone wishing to become more active and involved in the Branch, now is the time. Contact Comrades Rick McDonald, Gary Dauphin or John Harrison if interested in an executive position. The Cadet Parent Support Group also met on Tuesday evening to finalize plans for the dinner. The Thursday night dart winners were: Julie Harrison and Sandra Josling. Coming in second were Bill Kamerman and Bob Cochrane. The high shots of the evening were by Bob with 147 and Kathey Cochrane shooting 114. The Friday night supper of cabbage rolls was a real treat. A good crowd enjoyed the meal. This week is turkey. Saturday was very busy at the Branch with three events being held. The day started with the Bluewater Ladies darts. The ladies auxiliary prepared lunch. Downstairs the Saturday euchre was held. There were 17 tables of avid players looking for top prize. The lucky pair was Sally and Maxine with 86 points. Coming in second was Jim Coultes and his friend George with 77 points. Third place was taken by Tom and Eileen Sloan with 73 points. The low prize ★ CRUISE SALE ★ Goderich' Holland (^ America FLEET OF DREAMS CRUISE SALE March 29 * April 26 BOOK by April 26th & receive FREE 2 category upgrade or up to $200 U.S. shipboard credit | valid on select sailings and categories - contact us for details > Valid on new bookings and select sailings with Encore Cruises only Upgrades apply to outside staterooms Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel Exeter 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 Goderich 524-8692 or 1-877-847-1272 open Saturdays and evenings by appointment www.ettrayel.com email: vacations(S)ettravel.com of the day went to Bruce Noble and Marjorie Cudney with only 48 points. The lone hand winner for the ladies was Marg Carter and the men’s name was unavailable. Later on Saturday evening was the anniversary celebration upstairs for Neil and Joan Beuermann. A large group of family and friends gathered to celebrate and wish them many more years of happiness. Congratulations to the Beuermanns. More congratulations to two Brussels teams who have been playing Huron County darts. Their team playoffs were held this past Saturday and the two teams captured both the A and B championships and the grand championship. . The grand champions and A winners were Eric Ross, Bob McDougall, Jerry Coombs and Pat Langer. The B winners were Mike Dauphin, Andy Overholt, Ron Schmidt and Jason Breckenridge. Congratulations. The Sunday night singles dance crowd enjoyed the music of Blue Diamond Trio. With a crowd of 80 the dance floor got a real workout. The Legion is still collecting pop tabs for wheelchairs. Lodge meets The regular meeting of Morning Star Lodge took place on Tuesday, March 25 with Noble Grand Sister Gertie Kellington presiding. Sister Elva Brown gave a report of the District meeting held in Exeter on March 12. Plans are being finalized for the 70th anniversary celebration to be held on May 21. The next regular meeting will be held on April 8.