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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-02-17, Page 3Wednesday, February 17, 1999 Exeter Times–Advocate 3 Durrell wants lease transferred GRAND BEND --- To Robert Durrell, 10 feet of land is a big deal, especially when it's along the Ausable River. Durrell appeared before Grand Bend Council Monday night concerned that a 25 square foot chunk of land leased to the current owner of 71 River Road may not automatically be trans- ferred to him when he buys the property. The land is owned by the fed- eral government and leased to the Village of Grand Bend. The village subleases it for the opera- tion of fishing vessels. The current owner, Joe Green, has operated fishing ves- sels from the 10' portion of the federally -owned river frontage in the past. The lease lasts five years and won't expire until 2001. Mayor Cam Ivey said pleasure boats have used all or part of the 10' and that two or three years ago he received orders from Small Craft Harbours to get the situation "remedied." Small Craft Harbours is the federal branch that provides funding to dredge the harbour so that the fishing industry can use the area. The dredging also ben- efits recreational boaters and the village's economy. "Small Craft Harbours is here because of the fishing industry, riot because of recreational use," Ivey said. The problem with the rec- reational boat use of the site is compounded because the owner of the next site has a 75' fishing vessel and only 75' of dockage area. If there's a current, it's very difficult to dock the vessel safely, Ivey explained. Ivey asked Durrell how im- portarft the 10' lease was to him and if he was open to some form of compromise. "From May 1 -Sept. 15 it's very important," Durrell replied. He said he could understand the stance of the fishermen and didn't have a problem with them using the area when he didn't have a boat there. "We're available to work any kind of compromise,". Durrell said. "That's what life's about." However, Durrell also said the 10' lease is a condition of him buying the property and thai condition may or may not be waived. Durrell said he would proceed with making a formal request for the lease transfer and that he had onlycome to the council meeting because he had been under the impression a lawyer had already made the written re- quest. Goderich gets involved in derby Paul Maguire of the Grand Bend Salmon and Trout Derby committee told council 10 spon- sors from Goderich want to get involved in the derby. The spon- sors will donate $250 each for daily prizes to be awarded at the Goderich weigh station. Maguire said this will allow the derby to give away more 'prizes and raise more money • which will be reinvested in the community. Last year, the derby was suc- cessfully expanded to include Goderich and will do so again this sMaguire said the in- creaseir base makes the event more favourable to sponsors. He assured council the name of the derby will remain the same. Council agreed with the con- cept and directed village ad- ministrator Paul Turnbull to communicate with Goderich's administrator to ensure in- surance details are ironed out. Parking and signs Coun. Bob. Mann. reported the Parking and Bylaw Enforcement Advisory Committee .was re- viewing the issue of parking on River Road. He said the com- mittee's suggestions will be pre- sented to the Harbour Committee and River Road businesses for their input before it is brought to council. Mann said the committee also studied the draft sign bylaw and wanted the council to examine it closely to ensure it was going to aLhieve what council wanted. He recommended public input be so- licited as well. Council opposes new liquor licenses By Kate Monk •TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF GRAND BEND — Grand Bend Council will not be supporting any new applications for liq- uor licenses until it re- ceives public input. "Let's take some guid- • ance from the people who elected us," Coun. Brian Knightssaid when making the motion at Monday night's council meeting. The discussion began when Robert Durrell, who wants to purchase 71 River Road in Grand Bend, appeared . 'before council concerning a liq- uor license for a res- taurant. Mayor Cam Ivey told Durrell the village has an obligation to sign the ap- plication which will be sent to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission for approval. Ilowever, the village will also send a letter to the commission stating it does not support the ap- plication. The Grand Bend area has 5,800 licensed spac- es to serve liquor, nearly six times the population. Coun. Bob Mann said this is a concern because it means a heavy police presence and a high cost of policing. Coun. Phil Maguire and Knights said they have also heard concerns from rate payers. "I believe this .council can do better and have to find a way to do bet- ter," Maguire said. A public meeting be held in the Spring to see what rat- epayers think. Ivey added there are con- cerns with Durrell's res- taurant pro- posal because it has no park- ing facilities and is in an open area with idences nearby. will Mann emphasized Dur- rell is not the source of the problem but . is a "continuation." In his defense, Durrell said his restaurant will be "off ; the beaten path" and will be open 12 months a year. "It's damn hard to sell a restaurant meal if you can't sell a beer," he said. "I can't see this license for 40 seats in that area as be - "I believe this coun- cil can do better and have to find a way to do better." - PHIL MAGUIRE GRAND BEND COUNCIL res- ing , the black mark you're making it out to be." Council was somewhat surprised Durrell was proposing a restaurant (or the site. Iveysaid the last time Durrell ap- peared • before council, he had proposed a ma- rina for the Ausable Riv- er site. Durrell said his plans had always in- cluded a restaurant. The motion to place a moratorium on the sup- port of new liquor li- cense applications passed unanimously. South Huron needs three more doctors By Craig Bradford TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF. ' EXETER — The South Huron area' can now post a help wanted sign to attract three doctors to the area. Provincial Health Minister Elizabeth Witmer sent a letter to South Huron Medical Recruitment Committee's Maureen Cole and the heads of South Huron municipal- ities earlier this month telling them South Huron • has been approved to be desig- nated for eight general practitioners (GPs) or family practitioners (FPs) through the Underserviced Area a Program (UAP). Exeter currently has five GPs and Witmer said the Exeter area can now participate in the UAP's recruitment pro- grams . such as the Community Visit Program and the Health Ministry's Annual Health Professionals Recruitment Tour to attract three doctors to move to the area. Witmer was careful to point ,o'utin l3er, letter that while South Huron may acquire some bene- fits to attract doctors from being. designated underserviced, "the community does not require designation for the recruitment of physicians." "Exeter will be identi- fied as requiring a total complement of eight GP/FPs and recruiting three physicians on the Underserviced Area Program's -next List of Areas Designated as Underserviced (LADAU) as well as on the Ontario Medical Association's Physician Job Registry on the Internet," Witmer said in her letter, adding the LADAU is widely distrib- uted to doctors and medical facilities across the province. Witmer added that South Huron would become eligible for an incentive grant to attract a physician to move to the area if the area is unsuccessful in recruiting a doctor over the next year. The letter was for- warded to Exeter Mayor Ben Hoogenboom, Stephen Reeve Harvey Ratz, Usborne Reeve Rob Morley, Hensall Reeve Cecil Pepper, Hay Reeve Jim , Love, :Huron MPP Helen Johns and Grey Bruce Huron Perth DHC chairperson Bob Caesar. Women's Lecirning &Support romp For Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Tuesday evenings March 2 - May 18 • Group meets in Goderich • Child Care Available 'FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL For more information call 524-5333 or 1-800-265-5506 Women's Shelter & Counselling Services of Huron T 1 Invest in what you value most Commitment To me, commitment is an Investment Executive who pays attention to my investments 365 days a year -- not just at RRSP time. Commitment is taking the time to ask my opinion, and answer jny questions. Commitment. It's a value I share with ScotiaMcLeod. Michael Skochinski Investment Executive 660-3254. 1-800-265-1242 ScotiaMeLeod it a inembdr of The Scotiabank Oroup. Member CIPF