The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-08-14, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, August 14, 1991 Charges laid Jet ski misuse close to danger point in 'Bend By Adrian Harte GRAND BEND - At fust they were a novelty, but now they are becoming something of a nuisance, and as Grand Bend's Harbourmas- ter describes it, something of a dan- ger. They don't have an official name, and are only known by their brand names: ,, Jet Ski, WaveRunner, or Sea Doo; but apart from a few de- sign differences, they are all the water -going equivalent of a motor- cycle or a snowmobile - and like their landbound counterparts, there are some places where they are just not welcome. Grand Bend those areas in - In elude the river mouth and the desig- nated swimming areas. The latter is obviously off-limits to all small craft, and the river channel is only for harbour traffic. "That's not a playground. You're either entering or exiting that area," explained Harbourmaster Steve Lingard, but said he has occasional- ly watched jet skiers pursue boats through the channel just to jump through their wakes. On the holiday Monday, Lingard was alerted by a boater that a jet ski was entering the swim area of the south beach. Within 45 minutes, Lingard had seen the operator both go through the swim zone and buzz the channel, using the marker buoys for a slalom, despite the fact he was upsetting approaching boat- ers. The police were contacted and the Sarnia -area man was charged under the municipal bylaw for vio- lating the swim zone and for not wearing a personal floatation de- vice. The more serious criminal charge of dangerous boating was considered, but not applied. Lingard said these aren't the first charges laid against a jet skier in the harbour, and in light of last weekend's tragedy elsewhere in On- tario in which two teenage girls were killed when their canoe was hit by a jet ski, these charges may not be the last. "I'm afraid there's going to be someone killed out here someday," said Lingard. While the Sarnia man pleaded ig- norance of Grand Bend's regula- tions, Lingard said it is not just those from out of town who trans- gress the boundaries of the swim area or buzz past boats. He said many local owners of Jet Skis and Sea Doos are just as guilty. One key to the problem Lingard believes, is that many don't see their vehicles as being subject to regulations. "They don't classify themselves as a boat," - said Lingard, pointing out that small craft under 5.5m are required to have a fire extinguisher, oars, a bilge pump, and other safety equipment. Naturally, these seafar- ing snowmobiles are not so equipped and the regulations are not yet updated to encompass these small pleasure craft. Two weeks ago, Lingard saw a near -collision between a jet ski and a boat, as a result of an attempt to jump the wake of the larger craft. "The whole thing is attention. They like attention," said Lingard, but then added that not all owners or operators of jet skis are irrespon- sible. "They are a lot of fun when they're operated safely. My qualm is they're not always being operated safely in this harbour." Greg Sturm and Byron Kivell, beach lifeguards, say they too have had their share of problems with Jet ski operators who have entered the swim zone, either as a bid to attract attention on the beach, or to Jump through the waves as they break close to shore. They also said it was about time charges were laid. "Hopefully, it will drive home the point they aren't allowed in here," said Sturm. While Jet Skis, Wave Runners and Sea Doos were relatively rare on a few years ago, the beach patrol say they can spot up to 10 or 15 out on weekends nowadays. "The numbers are going through the ceiling," said Kivell. The lifeguards praised the opera- tors of the Jet Ski rental, saying they tightly control the use of their machines and don't hesitate to call in someone who is misbehaving. They agreed only a small percent- age of jet ski users cause problems, but they are causing worries for those patrolling the beach area. "They don't really realize what they are doing," said Kivell. Clearly marked - Despite these buoys which clearly indicate what is off limits to boats of all kinds, some jet ski operators have been seen dangerously close to the beach. Danger zone - Grand Bend Harbourmaster Steve Lingard Is worried that too many jet ski operators are taking liberties with restricted zones around the harbour and the beach. In an attempt to prevent acci- dents, offenders will be charged under the law. Sea Doo - The only powered craft allowed in the swimming area off Grand Bend's beach is this Sea Doo, used by the beach patrol as an emergency response vehicle. On board is lifeguard Greg Sturm. Threeconvictions in JP Court • %on EXETER - Jeffrey Stritzel of Rexdale pleaded guilty to speeding in Justice of the Peace Court at the Exeter Legion last Tuesday. Police testimony said that on June 18 on High- way 83 Stritzel's car was clocked at various speeds up to 126 km/h before the radar gun locked in at 100 km/h. Stritzel was fined $78.75 and paid the fine be- fore leaving court. No insurance card Michael Venner of Exeter pleaded not guilty for failing to have proof of automobile insurance with him while driving on April 15 in Exeter. Police told the court they pulled Venner over after he went through a red light at Huron and Main Streets. Venner couldn't pro- duce proof of insurance at the time. Venner admitted to going through the red light, but claimed he sometimes had to wait five minutes for it to change. He later brought proof of insurance to the police station. JP Wedlake fined Venner $53.75 for not having his insurance card with him in his car. Another charge for running the red light was withdrawn. Safety test Scou Merner of RR3 Zurich was fined $78.75 for failing to submit his vehicle to a safety inspection on May 1 in Exeter. The court heard that Mcrner's 1979 Volare was pulled over on March 22 because of its poor shape, including a broken windshield. Memer was asked to report to the May safety lane at the South Hu- ron Recreation Centre, but never arrived. JP Wedlake fined Merner $78.75 and gave him 15 days to pay the fine. Correction In last week's report of the July 30 session of Justice of the Peace court, the address of one of the defendants was inadvertently omit- ted. Julie Webster, who was fined for a traffic violation, is a resi- dent of Exeter. As one reader pointed out, there is more than one Ju- lie Webster in the T -A's coverage area. The Times -Advocate regrets the omission. Lucan levy on increase Continued from front page us, and this isn't carved in stone, we're not going to get the grants in a set of rough figures to council on how much each new lot would have to pay in development charges. Although reeve Larry Hotson asked the exact figures be kept quiet for now, it is expected the de- velopment charge will at least dou- ble from it curtain 53,300. "The developer and the owner arc going to pay the bill," said council- lor Tom McLaughlin. Presentations were also made to council by the hydro commission, fire department and works depart- ment on their increased needs if Lu - can was to grow in population. "This is for development charges for future expansions. They (pro- vincial government) all ready told the future," said reeve Larry Hot - son. "The government said if you're creating these expenses in water, sewer, etc...the growth you're per- mitting in your municipality should pay to fit the bill," said Hotson. Lucan has had a self imposed de- velopment freeze on for about four years because of the limited capaci- ty in both their water and sewer systems. When these are completed, Lucan has the potential for 757 more building lots which could double the town's population. "The developers don't pay the new development charge, the homeowners do," said Plctch. "I think once there's development charges in place, developers won't be getting as much profit." Charges laid after fatality EXETER - Over the Civic Holi- day weekend the Exeter OPP re- sponded to two traffic accidents which resulted in fatalities. The first occurred Sunday at 9:10 p.m. when William Partridge of Es- panola was killed when the vehicle he was driving collided with the flat bed trailer of a transport truck. The collision occurred on Highway 21 north of Grand Bend when the transport truck, driven by Allen Hendrick of Dashwood was back- ing up into a private driveway across the highway. Partridge was taken to South Hu- ron Hospital where he was pro- nounced dead. Hendrick was not ured in the incident, but was lat- �r charged with dangerous driving. On the holiday Monday at 2 a,m, a vehicle driven by William McSte- phen of RR 1 Crediton left Stephen Township Road 6-7 and went through a fence around the property of Brian Muller of RR 1 Crediton. An autopsy conducted at; Stratford General Hospital indicated McSte- phen likely died of a heart, attack while behind the wheel., , ,,i in- cluded* Accidents later in, a collision 1 d j at in- tersection of County Road 4 and Concession 2-3 of Stephen Town- ship. Vehicles driven by Alan Pen- nie of Goderich and Arnold Morley of Huron Park received light to moderate damages, say police, but there were no reports of injuries. This Saturday, however, three people were injured when vehicles driven by Lillian Hearn of Huron Park and Eugene Glavin of Credi- Zurich handicapped housing Continued from front page dentes are not group homes, then the purchase could go ahead. When reeve Bob Fisher asked 'if a public meeting would help explain the program, Grey said he would like to avoid a "neighbourhood meeting" because past experie has shown that mast are not con- ducted on a rational basis. "All you have to do is mention the word 'mentally handicapped' and property values diminish for some reason," said Grey, but said studies prove that group homes do not cause property devaluation, but often inspire increases because the group homes are better maintained than others on the street. "I don't make any promises that people who are mentally handi- capped are model citizens. They're not," said Grey, but argued that oth- er factions of socicty cause their own problems. Grey said the SIL program was a better way to help these individuals assimilate better in society, and at less cost to the taxpayer. "What we're doing is putting our money into the people rather than the bricks and mortar," said Grey, who said the • govemment views SIL residences and group homes as being quite different because super- vision can be as little as two or three hours a week in for a SIL ten - `After Grey- left the meeting, council decided to gather more in- formation before ruling on the SIL designation at their September meeting. They noted that while most SIL residents require little su- pervision, Grey's description sug- gested the tenants he had in mind would need much more, almost as much as a group home. Council agreed there was a "fine line" between the two designations in some instances, and it may be difficult to distinguish between the two. Zurich's current zoning bylaws allow group homes only in R1, sin- gle family dwelling areas. South Huron Community Living would like SIL residences to be allowed in R2 and R3 areas in duplexes and apartments. ton, collided at the intersection of County Road 21 and Algonquin Drive in Stephen Township. Both vehicles were damaged extensively. PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AFFECTINGTHE TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE TAKE NOTICE that trio Council of the Corporation of the Town- ship of Usborne will hold a public meeting on September 3, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ausable Bayfield, Usborne Administra- tive Building at Morrison Dam (R.R. #3, Exeter), to consider a proposed Official Plan Amendment under Section 17 of the. Planning Act. The proposed official plan amendment would change the poli- cies of the Township of Usborne Secondary Plan as they apply to lands designated Agriculture and Restricted Agriculture (see attached map). The amendment proposes to permit the estab- lishment of a single family residence on all existing separated lots of 20.2 hectares (50 acres) or more. The subject lands must be designated Agriculture or Restricted Agriculture, and also contain more than 18.2 hectares (45 acres) of lands availa- ble for cultivation or available to be cropped or seeded to hay or improved pasture or wood lot, following the construction of the proposed residence. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make writ- ten or verbal representation either in suppo if Or in opposition to the proposed official plan amendment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating 10 the proposed official plan amendment is available for inspection during regular office hours at the Usborne Township Municipal Office, (235-2900) or the Huron County Department of Planning & Development (524-2188). DATED AT THE TOWN OF GODERICH THIS 31st DAY OF JULY, 1991. I Subscription Renewal Rates Due to Postal Surcharge Increases Beginning March 1, 1992 As of March 1, 1992, the Canada Post Corporation will no longer subsidize news- paper delivery in areas that are X40 mile radius of Exeter or those areas who have door to door mail divert Below are monthly pro rated postal charges that will be added b the oust of a subscription ($30.00) to the Exeter Times - Advocate. Pro -rated Charges Plus Annual Subscriptions expiring Subscription July '91 $10.00 $30.00 Aug. '91 $12.50 $30.00 G.S.T. $2.80 $2.97 Please Pay *42.80 $45.47 Sept. '91 115.00 • $30.00 $3.15 $48.15 Oct. '91 117.50 $30.00 $3.32 $50.82 Nov. '91 $20.00 $30.00 $3.50 153.50 Oec. '91 $22.50. $30.00 $3.87 $58.17 Jan. '92 125.00 $30.00 Feb, '92 $27.50 $30.00 Mar. '92 $30.00 $30.00 $3.85 $58.85 $4.02 $81.52 $4.20 $84.20 SCHEDULE "IV Amendment No. 220 TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE SECONDARY PLAN 13 34 33 32 71 30 21 20 .27 r 3 4 Nigel Bellchamber Clerk Administrator Court House Goderich, Ont. N7A 1M2 0- 0 1 2 4 5 MILES 0 25 KIIOt1ETRE5 5 111041 CO 1E31 CK w w iu • 10 11 WAD C I3 10 30 N 03 to t t 27 33 1 11111 -as 1■r•tti•:fillti/A Ile! *tit181iaPAS kI11rti►f.O .r lttttlf•it►t� 11111111 rillMENIM" ONNINIMINUMMI NIMMIAMIN 11111111W Nirimisrf TM/ Lands subject to this amendment Include uN lands designated Agriculture and Restricted Agriculture WOMAN T tND . :t , " Exeter Taxes h'' Due August 15th Town of Exeter Elizabeth Bell Treasurer M11 Charges laid after fatality EXETER - Over the Civic Holi- day weekend the Exeter OPP re- sponded to two traffic accidents which resulted in fatalities. The first occurred Sunday at 9:10 p.m. when William Partridge of Es- panola was killed when the vehicle he was driving collided with the flat bed trailer of a transport truck. The collision occurred on Highway 21 north of Grand Bend when the transport truck, driven by Allen Hendrick of Dashwood was back- ing up into a private driveway across the highway. Partridge was taken to South Hu- ron Hospital where he was pro- nounced dead. Hendrick was not ured in the incident, but was lat- �r charged with dangerous driving. On the holiday Monday at 2 a,m, a vehicle driven by William McSte- phen of RR 1 Crediton left Stephen Township Road 6-7 and went through a fence around the property of Brian Muller of RR 1 Crediton. An autopsy conducted at; Stratford General Hospital indicated McSte- phen likely died of a heart, attack while behind the wheel., , ,,i in- cluded* Accidents later in, a collision 1 d j at in- tersection of County Road 4 and Concession 2-3 of Stephen Town- ship. Vehicles driven by Alan Pen- nie of Goderich and Arnold Morley of Huron Park received light to moderate damages, say police, but there were no reports of injuries. This Saturday, however, three people were injured when vehicles driven by Lillian Hearn of Huron Park and Eugene Glavin of Credi- Zurich handicapped housing Continued from front page dentes are not group homes, then the purchase could go ahead. When reeve Bob Fisher asked 'if a public meeting would help explain the program, Grey said he would like to avoid a "neighbourhood meeting" because past experie has shown that mast are not con- ducted on a rational basis. "All you have to do is mention the word 'mentally handicapped' and property values diminish for some reason," said Grey, but said studies prove that group homes do not cause property devaluation, but often inspire increases because the group homes are better maintained than others on the street. "I don't make any promises that people who are mentally handi- capped are model citizens. They're not," said Grey, but argued that oth- er factions of socicty cause their own problems. Grey said the SIL program was a better way to help these individuals assimilate better in society, and at less cost to the taxpayer. "What we're doing is putting our money into the people rather than the bricks and mortar," said Grey, who said the • govemment views SIL residences and group homes as being quite different because super- vision can be as little as two or three hours a week in for a SIL ten - `After Grey- left the meeting, council decided to gather more in- formation before ruling on the SIL designation at their September meeting. They noted that while most SIL residents require little su- pervision, Grey's description sug- gested the tenants he had in mind would need much more, almost as much as a group home. Council agreed there was a "fine line" between the two designations in some instances, and it may be difficult to distinguish between the two. Zurich's current zoning bylaws allow group homes only in R1, sin- gle family dwelling areas. South Huron Community Living would like SIL residences to be allowed in R2 and R3 areas in duplexes and apartments. ton, collided at the intersection of County Road 21 and Algonquin Drive in Stephen Township. Both vehicles were damaged extensively. PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AFFECTINGTHE TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE TAKE NOTICE that trio Council of the Corporation of the Town- ship of Usborne will hold a public meeting on September 3, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ausable Bayfield, Usborne Administra- tive Building at Morrison Dam (R.R. #3, Exeter), to consider a proposed Official Plan Amendment under Section 17 of the. Planning Act. The proposed official plan amendment would change the poli- cies of the Township of Usborne Secondary Plan as they apply to lands designated Agriculture and Restricted Agriculture (see attached map). The amendment proposes to permit the estab- lishment of a single family residence on all existing separated lots of 20.2 hectares (50 acres) or more. The subject lands must be designated Agriculture or Restricted Agriculture, and also contain more than 18.2 hectares (45 acres) of lands availa- ble for cultivation or available to be cropped or seeded to hay or improved pasture or wood lot, following the construction of the proposed residence. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make writ- ten or verbal representation either in suppo if Or in opposition to the proposed official plan amendment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating 10 the proposed official plan amendment is available for inspection during regular office hours at the Usborne Township Municipal Office, (235-2900) or the Huron County Department of Planning & Development (524-2188). DATED AT THE TOWN OF GODERICH THIS 31st DAY OF JULY, 1991. I Subscription Renewal Rates Due to Postal Surcharge Increases Beginning March 1, 1992 As of March 1, 1992, the Canada Post Corporation will no longer subsidize news- paper delivery in areas that are X40 mile radius of Exeter or those areas who have door to door mail divert Below are monthly pro rated postal charges that will be added b the oust of a subscription ($30.00) to the Exeter Times - Advocate. Pro -rated Charges Plus Annual Subscriptions expiring Subscription July '91 $10.00 $30.00 Aug. '91 $12.50 $30.00 G.S.T. $2.80 $2.97 Please Pay *42.80 $45.47 Sept. '91 115.00 • $30.00 $3.15 $48.15 Oct. '91 117.50 $30.00 $3.32 $50.82 Nov. '91 $20.00 $30.00 $3.50 153.50 Oec. '91 $22.50. $30.00 $3.87 $58.17 Jan. '92 125.00 $30.00 Feb, '92 $27.50 $30.00 Mar. '92 $30.00 $30.00 $3.85 $58.85 $4.02 $81.52 $4.20 $84.20 SCHEDULE "IV Amendment No. 220 TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE SECONDARY PLAN 13 34 33 32 71 30 21 20 .27 r 3 4 Nigel Bellchamber Clerk Administrator Court House Goderich, Ont. N7A 1M2 0- 0 1 2 4 5 MILES 0 25 KIIOt1ETRE5 5 111041 CO 1E31 CK w w iu • 10 11 WAD C I3 10 30 N 03 to t t 27 33 1 11111 -as 1■r•tti•:fillti/A Ile! *tit181iaPAS kI11rti►f.O .r lttttlf•it►t� 11111111 rillMENIM" ONNINIMINUMMI NIMMIAMIN 11111111W Nirimisrf TM/ Lands subject to this amendment Include uN lands designated Agriculture and Restricted Agriculture WOMAN