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Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-04-13, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • wed option 1 113 2011 ashore Aulvanco PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O. 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Nati (CNP) lot out puhhehlnK activities. Canada M.mb.r d m.11.nad o,mnu *y Aoaia NowtPapia Association the Ontario a fralocisilun isil column Ben Stein's last column talks about what really matters Lynda HIIIman-Rapley Lakeshore Advance Evet gone should read Reil Stein (Alllericitn acini; writer, lawyer; and com- mentator on political and eco- nomic issues) last column, 1le takes a reflective approach to what is important to hint and what should be our Locus of the world atemnd us. i le's tight o11 so llliltly levels. Are We the hest Mother, father; sister, brother; daughter son -that we can be? i le talks about the stars in 1 Iollywood who slake insane amounts ot•dollars to remember lines and stand on a stage while at the same time, those fighting for their country take backstage with little fan- fare. Again he is correct. Last week we published the Sun- shine list. 'those people who make huge amounts of dollars and for what- teaching us or our children, looking after our healthcare, running the corpo- rations that govern where we live, work and play, fighting our tires, Lighting crime. Apples and oranges. Stein is right. 'those people on 1 lolly - wood's stage or even in the sports world making crazy amounts of money are not the people who are important -in the scheme of things. 'the Sun- shine list is a means for the province to be transparent and open regarding the civil serv- ants we, as tax payers foot the hill for. Can our hospitals, (:I l(:s, education facilities, police, fire, ambulance or gov- et'nillents tint without them? Not likely. leaving said that - there are people who are bringing home boatloads of cash and we have to shake our head. But when i see a doctor, see the education our children receive, or even pay my taxes -1 want the best possible people at the helm. Stein talks about values. Ile talks about hems and he talks about devotion. We need the BeIi Stein's of the world to put reality into focus. letters to the editor Beach draws people not the events, reader 'Ibis letter is in response to every- one who thinks that having events on the Grand Bend beach is good for economic development. l beg to dif- fer, but the reason that people want their events on the beach, is because that's where the people are, not the other way around. The beach draws the people, not the events. People conte to the (rand Bend beach when the weather is warm and sunny, 'they want the sand and water to he clean. 'they appreciate clean bathrooms, garbage cans, the security of life guards who can help if someone gets Into trouble in the water and it place to park their vehi- cle within easy walking distance of the beach. As far as food is con- cerned, they can bring their own or enjoy the vast variety of opportuni- ties to eat on the Main Street and elsewhere. Any food offered on the beach, including the concession stand, is in direct competition to our businesses in town. People do not want big tents set up on the beach, taking up valuable sand space, amplified noise to inter- rupt the peaceful enjoyment of the day or people running around trying to catch a hall that eventually goes astray, hitting them or their things with the inevitable sand being kicked up and having to he dealt with. i lave your "events", including serv- ice club events, not for profit events, and commercial events and their economic spin offs, but have them somewhere else in the Bend other than our precious, sand beach! Sincerely, Sandra Crook, Long time cottage owner and life- time user of the Grand Bend beach. www.IakesI1 , t)a(Iv,lnct3.cnln With development comes needed serviceD it is like a catch 22 at Lamb - ton Shores council. As budget talks continue with a thesis' by some councilors of bringing corporate tax to this munici- pality to relieve the residential tax payers from tax hikes, also comes the realization if you want development- you better have services. "Let's demonstrate we are open for business," was what Gonne. Doug Bonesteel said lit last Week's meeting. It was discussed by deputy nuryor Elizabeth Davis 1)agg that maybe this would he an opportune time to bring those displaced from Japan here to l.ambton Shores to set up shop. Good economic idea. Bonesteel said it was time to be creative and Counc. John Russell said it was time to rock the boat and maybe change the law this one time so Win'1'ru could develop the Canadian Tire on Main Street east. All good ideas for the future. But---toallow development to forge ahead- doesn't that show need for a sewage treatment plant? 'there's a hole in my bucket dear Liza! It was 1994 when the MORE realized there was more capacity in the lagoons than they thought. This was great - because now every development in Stephen Township and Grand Hend that had been put on hold for the five previous years could now be built. The commercial development, the seven property owners at the end of Lake Road and a couple on Shoreline (Southcott Pines) could join the sewage collec- tion system- a request that had been in the works for a long time. That was a great spring day in 1994 when that lost capacity was found. '1)tx dollars could now sprout because all those developments would get the capacity green light. Stephen Township was taking half of the new found capacity. A short term solution, said the Ministry of the day. Me MOI;I? said that 22 per cent of the plant's unused capacity would now be used for new or proposed subdivisions. 'chat left 2h per cent to divide between Stephen and Grand Bend. The question of the day- for Jane 1994 was "Can that amount he sufficient for the two communities for the next 20 years? So, let's see, what has been built since that fine day in 1994, 17 years ago. In the past 17 years Grand Bend and Stephen have added or added capacity for: Shoppers Drug Mart, Sobey's and the rest of Rocco'Rdlios' development, Grand Rend Community I ieealth Centre, New Grand Bend School, 'Tint I lortons, The Village Gate Subdivi- sion (Phase 1 only), The I larbourside Village Subdivision, Beauty and the Beach, Growling Gator, 'ileo Oakwood Resort expansions, POG, Motorptex, 'Ihe' 1luron Country Playhouse expansion. That takes us to today and the flow capacity. In a report that came to council last week it was detailed that there is no free and available flow/capacity in the current sewage treat- ment facility, and so new development cannot he approved or proceed. An important part of any municipal economic development strategy would include municipal infrastr' tore capable of supporting development now and in future, says the Planner who also says being able to provide sanitary treatment for the Grand Bend area and being capa- ble of supporting existing future development should form part of any Municipal economic strategy. So, kudos to the councillors who want to chase big busi- ness to make I.anlhton Shores a mecca for commercial taxes- but- without it treatment plant big enough for that growth- it is just a pipe dream, Sands of Time Lynda HIIIman-Rapley Editor, Lakeshore Advance