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Times Advocate, 1991-09-18, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, September 18, 1991 wrap u. Suicides blamed on crisis in agriculture LUCKNOW - A capacity crowd of farmers representing Huron, Bruce, Grey and Perth counties, crammed the Lucknow arena Wednesday evening, de- manding assistance by the end of the month. Over 1,000 farmers turned up to protest, vowing to put more pressure on governments if they continue to ignore new calls for financial help. They also prom- ised to lead a march of 10,000 farmers on both Toronto and Ot- tawa. Bad crops and low prices are being blamed for three suicides in Lambton county and two in Kent county over the last 10 days. Farmers were urged to watch their neighbours closely for signs of despair. Teachers agreement approved by board CLINTON - The Huron County Board of Education has ratified a tentative agreement with the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation District 45. The agreement affects 300 Huron County teachers who have been without contract since the school year began. Teachers will vote to ratify on September 19 leading to an eventual con- tract. Should the agreement be turned down, both sides will re- turn to the bargaining table. PRIDE application approved for Tuckersmith SEAFORTH - The township of Tuckersmith was one of 11 PRIDE applications to receive approval of the 48 submitted throughout the region. The grant over a three-year pe- riod totals $200,000. Tucker - smith council will now make a list of priorities requiring the distribution of the provincial grant money, which will be dis- cussed later at a public meeting.. A change in the program will enable the municipality to re- ceive 33 percent of the grant up front, instead of the normal 15 percent. Parents say busing policy discriminates MITCHELL - The Perth County Board of Education was met by a delegation of parents and students who challenged that the board's policy towards the busing of students is discrim- inatory. Students arrived at Mitchell District High School in an at- tempt to board the bus which takes them to their schools in Stratford, but were informed that such busing was available to stu- dents enrolled in the elementary gifted or basic level programs. BEST RATES on your G.I.C. Exeter 235-2420 (akar-Kneels Grand Bend 238-8484 Committee endorses expansion of Grand Bend Continued from front page lamb," claimed Hitchcock, who said that he favoured municipal amalgamation, a ward system, or regional government to annexation. Brian Hall, representing the Southcott Pines Park Association, applauded the committee's decision to exclude the Bosanquet portion of the subdivision from annexation, but said he was concerned that the village would control die subdivi- sion's entrance road. Hall did endorse the committee's recommendation that boundaries no longer determine the limit of mu- nicipal services. "We commend the committee for its response to a difficult task," said Hall. One Southcott Pines resident said he questioned the validity of a sur- vey which showed residents were opposed to annexation. He said the percentage of responses to the sur- vey was too low to give an accurate picture of the subdivision. Laurie Mannell, a Southcott Pines resident on the Bosanquet side said he saw no good reason for annexation, but praised the commit- tee for its report. "I can't see any reason for a change, but then no one's going to shut up until something's done," said Mannell. "I say let's get on with it." Another Bosanquet man said he doubted the ability of Grand Bend to govern any more land than it presently has. "I don't think the Village of Grand Bend has the corporate abili- ty to deal with any more land," he said. Les Hosier of Bosanquet read from a prepared statement, and he questioned the committee's sugges- tion that the decision to expand Grand Bend to take in the whole ur- ban lakefront area - including Southcott Pines and Oakwood - should have been made 20 or 30 years ago. Hosier pointed out most of that land wasn't developed at all at that time. Stephen, Grand Bend and Bosanquet residents attended Saturday moming's presentation of the Lambton Boundary Committee's reports. He said an argument could be made 20 years from now that those areas should have been annexed in 1991. Nevertheless, Hosier attributed the attempts to prevent annexation to a "general disdain" for the vil- lage and its reputation. He said tourism has its upside for business, but down side for those who live in the area. "Just what happens to the money from transient tourism that the committee feels is so important?" asked Hosier, adding that it is most- ly spent elsewhere and not re- invested in the community. "Just boldly accepting the bigger the crowds the better is not good enough," he said. Hosier also suggested that the "party animals" were the ones who called the shots in spurring Grand Bend development, and not the res- idents, which is why surrounding subdivisions do not want to become associated with the village. Grand Bend councillor John McDowell said that annexation ought to be considered an opportu- nity for former township residents to get a say on Grand Bend issues. He said many village committees already have members from the townships and have proven the communities can work together to- ward common goals. "I think we should plan to make this a better community," said McDowell. Group proposes sewage treatment plant in Grand Bend � GRAND BEND - A delegation representing the Devlon Group came before Grand Bend council Monday evening, to discuss their plans for the construction of a pri- vate sewage treatment plant in the southwest corner of the existing Yacht Club Woods. The group had planned to build either cluster homes or a five - storey apartment building in the area, but is unable to go ahead with construction until Grand Bends sewage system has been expanded, a project which could take another four or five years to complete. If approved, the plant could be com- pleted in about 18 months, thereby speeding up construction on the site. Council plans to visit existing plants and speak with nearby resi- dents, before granting their approv- al. "We want to know some of the effects such a plant will have in terms of ponding and odor," said councillor Dennis Snider. "Some of that area already experiences ponding." Council also expressed concern over cost of dismantling the plant when the sewage system is ready to be hooked up. They were assured that the owner would assume re- sponsibility. Jim Heevey is the principle own- er in Devlon, and also owns the lot on the south side of the Beachplace condominiums which was a major topic of concern this past summer due to its unkempt appearance. "We don't want another fiasco like we've had this year with the lot at the end of Main St.," said Snider. "It left a bad taste in everyone's mouth." Two current Zurich councillors ready to stand for re-election ZURICH - When Zurich reeve Bob Fisher asked his present councillors at Mon- day's regular meeting about their intentions of qualifying for the upcoming election, two said they were ready to go and the other two were un- decided Fisher made his political plans known more than a month ago when he was the first to enter the race for the county of Huron warden. Councillors Keith Semple and Barb Jeffrey said Mon- day they were ready to stand for another three year term. Councillor Marg Deichert said, " I am still undecided" and councillor Doug Thiel added, " Right now I am re- serving my decision". Lucan may sponsor a day to get rid of hazardous wastes LUCAN - Council meeting on I Spetcmber 9 decided to inform the county of Middlesex that the vil- lage would be interested in spon- soring a Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day in 1992. Reeve Larry Hotson, a member of county council said it was hoped to have three locations throughout the county next spring with Lucan being the farthest northern point. He said Strathroy had already agreed to provide a location and a•. third could be probably set up in the Delaware arca. A day of this kind would allow residents of Lucan and neighbour- ing municipalities to bring in haz- ardous materials to be taken away in a safe manner. Hotson said mate- rials could include paint, chemicals, DDT, oil, etc. While the county would cover ail costs of the operation, the village would be expected to supply a loca- tion and about 15 volunteers. Ater some discussion on whether to offer to hold a day in the spring of 1992, councillor Bryan Smith said, " Let's put our name in." Hotson agreed saying, "We can go ahead if there is no cost to us. We could use the village shed or the shod at the arena. With paper work taking probably half an hour, it's estimated that the cost to Mid- dlesex will be about $100 for each person's consignment. Pool plan underway When asked Monday night about • the proposed refurbishing of the Lucan public swimming pool, councilkx Tom McLaughlin, a member of the arena board said, " Plans are being put together." McLaughlin went on to say, " The Lucan Arena Booster Club now has over $40,000 for this pur- pose. We should have $50,000 by the end of the year. We will be con- tacting as many service clubs as possible and probably do a door-to- door canvass." He went on to say, " We will put up a sign at the arena telling every- one about the project as to how much it will cost, the amount of grants and the amount of public money we have." Bus coming back Councillor Bryan Smith reported that he had been in touch with Chatham Bus Lines and an official of the company assured him they would be re-establishing bus ser- vice to Lucan, Huron Park and Ex- eter. Smith also reported that only one street light was working in the Langford Drive subdivision. He added, " It's dark and dangerous in that area. Okay recycling agreement On a motion proposed by deputy - reeve Harry Wraith, council okayed a recycling agreement with London and Lobo townships. Tom McLaughlin agreed saying, "Let's go with it for now. We can make some changes if necessary a year down the road." CNR land problems A resident adjacent to the former Canadian National Railways tracks, Jan Brower, visited council to com- plain about the condition of the progeny Brower said , "It's a great mess now. Garbage is being dumped, weeds are growing up and it's being used as a speed track by bikes and three-wheelers." With the tracks gone Brower said, " I have no protection at the back at all. A fence should be put up or signs for no trespassing." He was told by council to send a letter with his protests to CNR with copies to council and MP Terry Clifford. • When Brower asked , " Who would be responsible for any acci- dents?", reeve Larry Hotson re- plied, " the CNR". Councillor Bob Taylor said, " We have had other complaints and nothing has transpired in two years since the tracks were abandoned." At the same time, Brower asked council to consider his plans for an artistic museum to showcase the history of Lucan going back much farther than the Donnelly's. His plans would include a build- ing to house a painting 120 feet in diameter and 20 feet high to depict village history in a three dimen- sional panorama. Brower said grants of up to 5300,000 are available from the Ministry of Culture for such a ven- ture which he claims would be a definite asset to Lucan. ARINVI ',CMF NTS r�Y 23aP,_!'naz V__T©ff ITV CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kime, Mills, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Dan/el B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. Manager 412 Main St., P.O. Box 2405 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. Norris CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT 497 Main Street South, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1 S 1 Tel: (519) 235-3240 Fax: (519) 235-3246 AUCTIONEERS FILSON & ROBSON The Experienced Auctioneers that Guarantee You More SS Considering A Sale or Need an Appraisal 666-0833 666-1967 Call Collect Supplying You with 30 Yrs. 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