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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-03-04, Page 13Declining enrolment examined at Grand Bend, Bosanquet, Kinnaird School study group hears future growth report to impact lengthy the when Bosanquet school district study clerk Robert McCordic said committee, on future growth that only three building of the area by Thedford permits have been issued lawyer and developer Philip this year. Walden lost some of its Walden described plans for development in several through all the official subdivisions along the west channels for the area from coast of Bosanquet township, Kettle Point to the and in the Grand Bend area. Bosanquet - Plympton He said that a subdivision border. He said that by 1996 has been given the go ahead there will be 349 permanent A BUNCH OF SMURFS — Junior girls taking part in Sunday's Zurich -Grand Bend figure skating carnival as Smurfs were DeAnn Foreman, Tina Grainger, Tana Geiger, Tracy Jeffrey, Jaime McGee, Jodie McGee, Jennifer McGee, Danielle McKin- non, Jennifer Overholt, Wendy Overholt, Dona Regier, Kim Scotchmer, Sandra Steckle and Jayne Westlake.Staff photo March 4, 1981 Serving South Huron, North Middlesex dvoc & North Lambton Since 1873 Page 1 A Giant waterslide for resort, tower to be 32 feet high Grand Bend may have a giant wateralide this sum- mer. Ron Martin and Sharon Uttley came before village council Monday evening with extensive plans to erect a waterslide on the vacant lot they had just purchased adjacent to RD's Hotel. Martin is a partner in the Beach Gold miniature golf which is located nearby. Martin and Ms. Uttley said that they had researched the waterslide plans very carefully. Their plans also include a ticket booth, and a change and washroom for both men and women. They will have a small parking lot, and a viewing area, so that friends and relatives can watch people coming down the slide. The tower of the slide will be 32 feet at its highest point, Martin said. He said it will be attractive, and fully landscaped. Both Martin and Ms. Uttley said that they had talked with neighbours in the area, and no one had any objections to the slide being constructed • Council asked if they knew about plans for a waterslide at Knapp's Amusement Park. Martin and Ms. Uttley replied that Knapp's plans were four or five years down the road, while they planned to set up for this season. Council told them that since their proposal required no zoning changes, they shouldn't have any dif- ficulties. They were in- structed to send full measurements of the lot and parking spaces to planning board. A bylaw was passed by council to the satisfaction of another delegation. Mac Moloy, Shane Burley and real estate agent Edith Coyle appeared before council concerning zoning changes to the Moloy property. The amended bylaw will be circulated to the neigh- bours within 400 feet. Council told Moloy that there should be no problems, since no objectors attended an earlier public meeting. In a third delegation before council, Cam Anderson of the SETOC (School Is essential to our community) committee came before council and outlined his committee's work in preparing reasons to keep Grand Bend School open for the school study committee. Anderson asked if council would consider offering the Lambton County Board of Education $5000 to cover the costa of sewer installation at the public school. After a lengthy debate, council decided that they couldn't make such an offer, since more than half of the taxes collected already goes to t education and it would be double taxation on the rate payers. Some council members were also concerned that such an offer might look like a bribe to the school board. Anderson responded that his committee had done everything they could think of, and that they had to make some concessions to con- vince the board to keep their school open. Anderson said that he wanted council to make a "gesture" to show their concern about to the school to the board. Councillor Keith Crawford suggested that a letter be sent to the board, saying that council would bewilling to negotiate with the board, for a mutually beneficial agreement concerning the sewer hook up. Council told Anderson that his committee is doing ex- cellent work. In other business: A request for a zoning change to allow for the ex- pansion of Knapp's Amusement park was referred back to planning board for further con- sideration. A request from Stephen township for water for residents of the township on property adjacent to Grand Bend was turned down. Council decided to tell the township that they would be receptive to annexation proposals. A newspaper recycling company was given the go- ahead in principle to collect newspapers in Grand Bend. The company agreed that they would suspend collection if local groups Dr. Jennie Smillie dies at 103 years Dr. Jennie Smillie Robertson, one of Canada's first woman surgeons, has died at 103. Robertson, who was born and raised on a farm near Hensall and who lived in a nursing home in her later years, died February 26. On her 100th birthday she said she had everything money could and couldn't buy during the last century. "I'm spoiled and the Lord has been good to me," she said in an interview, though reluctant to talk about her achievements and ex- periences "because there's nothing special about me." She traced her early fascination with the medical profession to the country doctor who looked after her father, Ben Smillie, when he was dying of consumption. He died when she was six, leaving her mother to raise seven children. After teaching school for several years in Huron County, she became one of the first women accepted into medicine at University of Toronto and graduated at age 31. She retired in 1948at age 70 and married Bob Robertson, a friend from her teaching days. He died 10 years later. homes, and 286 seasonal units in that area. At present there are only 93 homes. Walden also described plans for two large hotel conference developments. One will be just south of the United Church camp on the Lakeahore road, while the other will be on the Brand Farm. Walden said the hotel developments have been approved by the various levels of government. "We're serious about this, we've already contacted the various hotel groups,"' he added. Walden told the study committee of plans for growth in the Indian Hills area, Port Franks Estates, Defore Estates, Ross sub- division, Armstrong sub- division, Walden Sub- division, Lee VanDangen and Joe VanDongen sub- divisions, Southcott Pines, and Green Forest Estates. He added that the town of Forest was making plans to develop an industrial park. He said that it would be a mistake for any schools in the area to close down at the present. "A farmer doesn't sell his equipment just because he has a bad year," Walden said. However , later in the evening the school study committee asked Bosanquet clerk Robert McCordic about the number of building permits issued in the township. McCordic said that five building permits were issued in 1980, and only three have been issued so far this year. Also at the school study meeting which was held Thursday at Bosanquet Central school, reports were heard from concerned parents of both Kinnaird and Bosanquet schools. Lynn Wilcox spoke on behalf of the Bosanquet parents. She said that parents who lived in the area of the Ausable River Cut don't want their children switched to Grand Bend school to boost enrolment there. She said that Thedford Huron leader in assessment By Sharon Dietz An overall assessment of Huron County was com- pleted in 1979/80 based on 1975, market value. The assessment report was brought to county council at their February 26 meeting by M.K. Bowen, assessment commissioner for Huron - Perth Region. Bowen said it was the right move for Huron County Council to undertake a reassessment program because some of the assessments in the county ranged back to 1930 and 1932. Bowen said Huron County Council has been a leader in assessment reform which is now being adopted by many other Ontario ,were having a paper drive. municipalities. He added Councillor Dennis Snider that Huron County has the reported that Bosanquet most up-to-date assessment Reeve Carlie Srokosz had base in Ontario. agreed on the fee of $16,000 Along with the reassess - for use of the Grand Bend ment program, an annual waste site, open house or information Snider pointed out that sessions hay' been held in new storm windows had been each municipality to keep installed in the council taxpayers informed and chambers. "I'm thankful the make corrections where cold weather's back to necessary on the spot, justify them," he said. thereby enabling the assess- ment office to return the most accurate Assessment Set soccer Rolls possible. Bowen said the assess - signing dates ment officers will spend two days in each municipal of - At the February meeting fice next year providing tax - of the Grand Bend and payers with an opportunity District Soccer Association, to look at their assessment discussions were made on card and make corrections if registrations, coaches and necessary. the dance. Registration for the 1981 to season will be held Saturday co March 14 and Saturday st March 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 tr p.m. at the Grand Bend fo Legion Hall. re Registration is open to up everyone, girls included ages 6 years and up. Players a s are asked to bring their birth $94 certificates or a photo -copy up of it. There is still a need for cr more coaches and if you are die interested in coaching or as assisting a coach, please a s contact Tom Vlemmix at 238- bu 2798. p r April 4 is the date for the bu annual dance to be held at Th Gord andJean's banquet hall ass in Grand Bend. Doors will be 540 open at 8:30 p.m. with music V bei Bowen said reassessment kes about four years to mplete. To prepare udies and inspect proper - es takes approximately ur years before another assessment can be done. The 1980 assessment was $1,325,678 from the evious year. Residential sessments increased 9,163., commercial was $198,285., and business in - eased $178.230. Assessment growth as in- ated by supplementary sessments, additional sessments for new ildings, additions and im- ovements and new sinesses. declined in 1980. e total supplementary essment was down $732,- a1uation ng supplied by, "Loose Change". Lunch will be provided after the dance and tickets are available from com- mittee members and coaches. DANCE'OF THE SCARECROWS --Dancing as scarecrows at Sunday's Zurkh-Orand Bend figure skating carnival were Terri Farquhar, Angela Fisher, Christi:, Keller, Colleen Keller, Kim Reddick and Kathy Schenk. Staff photo manager Staffa By MRS J TEMPLEMAN Mr. & Mrs. Bob Norris, visited Saturday with Mrs. Bessie Meir, Windsor. At time of writting Carter Kerslake is a patient at University hospital, London. Mr. & Mrs. Clifton Miller are holidaying in Texas. Visiting Sunday at the J. Templeman home were, Mr. Dale Martyn and girls, Russeldale, Mrs. Dave Capling, Mississauga, Darlene Templeman, Exeter, Ruth Templeman, Dublin, Marla, Breanne and Brian Mayer, Chatham. Our sympathy to the Dearing, Chappel and Norris families, in their recent bereavements. Mr. Ross McNicol, Hensall visited Sunday with Mr. & Mrs. Bob Norris and family. WWI 4: 0 f Asif just at ott►ttl the Corncr - Kenneth Fagan said while commercial and industrial supplementary assessments were up by $69,160. in- dicating new businesses and industry had been created, business assessments declin- ed by $17,955. This decline is reflected by businessess which cease to exist. Fagan said there hasn't been a sharp increase in operations going out of but it is noticeable when businesses created show an increase and businesses in operation still shows a decline. Bowen said the number of building permits issued has declindd steadily over the past several years and this is also reflected in the assess- ment. is the focal point of their community, where their children attend Scouts and use the arena. She said that because Bosanquet is a larger school, it can offer their children a better variety of activities, such as ice skating at the arena, more field trips and more equipment. Pauline Matheson gave a report from concerned parents at Kinnaird school. She quoted from the Bureau of Municipal Research Study on School Closures which was released in Mid -January 1981. This study stresses that school closure can create more problems than it solves. "Financial ones (problems) are not solved since there are real in- dications that costs are ultimately not saved by closing a school," the study reads. The Kinnaird committee presented a resolution from Bosanquet council saying that any closure of schools in the area would be premature due to the projected growth of the area. Superintendent of education for the Lambton board Doug Barber made the tongue-in-cheek comment that Education Minister Bette Stephenson would like to hear that everyone is so happy with the quality of education in the schools. In a later question period Cam Anderson of the Grand Bend SETOC (School is essential to our community) committee said that the quality of education would suffer if schools were closed, because at present spare classrooms are used for such things as French and Music. Anderson also told the committee that declining enrolment had bottomed out, and that if the facilities were maintained for five years, the enrolment would soon increase. Barber asked if the board should continue maintaining the schools with a low enrolment for the next five years. A voice from the hack of the room asked, "Do you want to take a vote?" After a round of laughter, Barber said he didn't mind being the butt of jokes. Board trustee Ken Gray said later in the meeting that the board looked "dumb" because they put an addition on Kinnaird school in 1976, and now they were looking into closing it. He said that he doesn't want the board to look "dumb" again, if we close it, and have to turn around and re -open it." The possibility of people in the area purchasing Kin- naird school and setting up a Christian school was also discussed. The next meeting will be held tonight, (Wednesday) at Bosanquet Central school. The school study committee, made up of three board trustees, and three ratepayers, hopes to make its own decision on the declining enrolment problem tonight. Another meeting will be held March 11, at which time the committee will present their proposal to the concerned parents groups. Then the decision will be taken to the board March 30. ADMIRATION SOCIETY — Debbie Regier Dwano Foreman appeared in the "I enjoy being a girl" number in Zurich -Grand Bend figure skating club car - Staff photo Sunday's nival. and IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT fOR GROWERS OF COLOURED BEANS WILL BE HOLDING A SPECIAL MEETING FOR ALL GROWERS OF COLOURED BEANS ON WEDNEDSAY. 18th MARCH At The PINERIDGE CHALET R. R. 2, Hensall BUFFET LUNCH, REFRESHMENTS FROM 1 1:30 a.m. ONWARDS, TO DISCUSS - NEW RECEIVING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1981 CROP # FORWARD CONTRACTS FOR COLOURED BEANS AND - Your chance to win a Sunshine Holiday for two next Winter! Don't sign anything - until we've told you about OUR DEAL FOR COLOURED BEANS! HENSALL 262-2410 CENTRALIA 228-6661 KIRKTON 229-8986 •