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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1984-12-05, Page 32maas-Auvocate, December 5, 1984 May sookin Only a handful of people came to the information cen- tre set up in the South Huron rec centre for five hours on Thursday by Ontrario Hydro personnel to discuss the new study being carried out to determine with the public's help the best route to bring power from the Bruce power station to southwestern Ontario. One interested citizen who did attend was Phil Durand, RR2 Zurich, who has tangled with Ontario Hydro before. In / 1974, when the power monopo- ly proposed building a coal- fired generating plant at Blake, Durand helped organize 16 agriculture - related groups into the Huron County power committee. Durand credits "the noise" made by that committee for the formation of the Porter LittIe i in r commission, which r plan area o ver mended that no power plant com- be built on the eastern shore hydro din of Lake Huron south of route session Kincardine. *1r HORSE AND CARRIAGE parade with their Huron — Gerry Thiel and Kelly rode in Saturday's Santa Claus Haflingers sponsored by the Hensall Co -Op. The realization that Hay can not exceed a debt capaci- ty of $700,000and thus can not itself debenture the cost of a water system along highway 21 has not dulled the township council's determination to ex- plore every avenue that might lead to providing good water for the majority of af- fected ratepayers who in- dicated by their ballots that they were in favour of paying for the project. Nigel Belchanber from the provincial ministry of in- tergovernmental affairs and engineer Burns Ross attend- ed the first regular December meeting of Hay township council to discuss the propos- , ed waterworks. Belchamber said the borrowing ceiling was based on Hay's tax base and was "a numerical calculation, not something you did; your debt charges are relatively low." The township first tried to obtain financial assistance from the ministry of the en- vironment. When turned down by Andy Brandt, they were going to borrow the $1.4 million needed and issue debentures, until they discovered a municipality is limited to borrowing no more than 20 percent of its tax base. All were agreed that even- tually the line will be built. Ross said the ministry of health will not accept the pre- sent quality of water for new subdivisions, but won't close down existing users. Reeve Wilder pointed out that as old systems become antiquated, owners are reluctant to spend thousands to replace them as f they don't know when a new line is coming. a Wilder also thought it t strange some individuals Iiv- r ing in the township would he allowed to borrow more tha a million, but the municipali ty could not obtain govern ment backing to borrow money for a water system to be paid for entirely by the property owners. After some discussion. Belchamber said the only way he could see around the OMB guidelines would be to ask all who will be getting the water to pay their money in advance, and then approach the OMB "Money is better evidence than a written commitment, given the number of ratepayers", Belchamber remarked. Wilder was concerned that some ratepayers may change their vote from yes to no, but concluded paying now or six months later should make no difference to those sincerely wanting water, if that water was guaranteed. floss and Belchamber drafted a letter to be sent to all affected property owners explaining that the lake Huron water pipeline can't proceed unless a substantial number of the ratepayers pay the up -front costs to make up the debt shortfall. If the reci- pients indicate they favour the project. they will be ask- ed if they are willing to pay in advance. The amount for each ratepayer will be includ- ed, based on the frontage of that property. If the answer to the second question is also in the affirmative, the ratepayer will be asked if he or she is willing to deposit the money n an interest-bearing trust und. No money will be required t this time. An answer will �e requested 10 days after eceipt of the letter. Wilder emphasized that n council has not given up hope _ of getting a grant. He is waiting to hear confirmation of a meeting that Liberal leader David Peterson and MPP Jack Riddell are trying to set up with environment minister Brandt. In other business, Wilder in- formed council that amend- ` ments 77 and 78 concerning the Gary Masse property and the St. Joseph Shores subdivi- sion will have to be recir- culated as only one represen- tative of the county planning department was present in- stead of the required two at the public meeting last month. W.G. Bartlett engineer Bruce Holdsworth gave coun- cil a revised preliminary report on the Datars-Logan drain. Modifications had been agreed on at a special meeting of council with Holdsworth and landowner Glenn Hayter on November 23. Wilder had declared a con- flict of interest. The report on the drain will be read on Monday, December 17 at 10:30 a.m. in the council chamber. The estimated cost of im- provements is- $H;3-1-0. Holdworth suggested waiting until early spring to call tenders. Eric Freiter attended coun- cil to ask for support in efforts to alleviate some of the suffer- ing caused by the famine in Ethiopia. He had collected 350 bushels of corn in a one and one-quarter mile span along his concession. Harold Hen- drik had volunteered to truck the grain to the Kerwood home of Don Langford, former CCAT teacher, where it was cleaned and bagged by volunteers. then sent on to Windsor to be shipped to Africa. Freiter explained that for every donated bushel of corn the government adds two more bushels of grain, and also pays three-quarters of Perth NDPp ick election candidate the transportation and shipp- New Democrats have to work to humanize the technological revolution says provincial deputy leader Jim Foulds. Port Arthur MPF' Foulds spoke on jobs. technological change and the economy at the Perth New Democrats nomination meeting. Warren Ilam of HR 2 Staffa was nam- ed as the party's provincial candidate. "While i1 is true that technological change can relieve mankind from a lot of mind -and -soul -numbing labor, it is also true there's not much use in replacing one kind of soul-destroying labor with a different kind." said MPP Foulds. He said society has to use technological change to free humanity rather than having society chained to these changes. "To do that. we as N1)}' must keep our concerns for the rights and dignity of the individual constantly- before us at all times.- the deputy house leader said Foulds said reduced work ing time is a serious issue that the NDP has to put on the legislative and political agen- da. Ile says technological t change allows for the reduc- tion of the work week. "We know what the arguments against us will be. The argument will he very simple - there is no way to pay for reduced work time." said the MPP. Ile believes it can be paid for from increased produc- tivity and increased profits which comes from introduc- ing such changes. the reduc ed work time can also be paid for from savings from welfare and unemployment payments that are eliminated by job sharing and creation 1l can also he paid for by col lecting the $:3 billion in unpaid corporate sector taxes owed to the provincial government said Mr. foulds "Our program of shorter work time. voluntary earl retirement. bridging pen sions. retraining and advance notice of technological change is a start and necessary must." he said ing costs. Wilder assured Freiter of council's moral support. He said it was not their mandate o tell people to give corn, but to make flay residents aware of the need. Ile promised all would go home, talk to their neighbours, and see what could be done. Ile said he would gladly give 50 bushels himself, but someone would have to coordinate the collec- tion, cleaning, bagging and shipping of the corn. A tile drainage loan ap- plication of $2,700 was authorized, and tile deben- tures totalling $62,000 were approved. Hay registered no objection to a Tuckersmith zoning hylow designating 1.79 acres at Kippen on London Road Survey concession, part lot 15 fronting Highway 4, village commercial A union hall and associated facilities, with the possible addition of a credit union. is being considered. Councillor Murray Keys reported that Hay's share of the 1984 Exeter and area's fire board budget is $7,326 plus fire calls. ELECT SLATE — The Huron -Middlesex Provincial Progressive Conservative Youth Association held their election of officers on November 25 at the Stanley Townsh'p Community Complex. The new executive consists of, front left to right: Steven Sparl- ing, of Blyth, vice-president of policy; Mike Coleman of Clinton, secretary -treasurer; back left to right: Paul Castle of Clinton. vice-president of social; Kate Doorly, of Goderich, north regional director; Dove Elliott of Centralio south regional director; Tom Kneale, Exeter, south regional director. (Anne Narejko photo) Durand does not want to see a power corridor cutting through this area of prime agricultural land. "It's not the power line itself, it's the overall resource expenditure and the effect on the environment", Durand said. Durand is opposed to chan- nelling Ontario power into in - ways around fdIn dustrial Michigan and Ohio, which in turn creates acid rain and air pollution brought north by the prevailing winds to the richest farmland in North America, he said. In Durand's opinion, good planning would entice in- dustry to the power source, instead of spending millions to bring the power to industry. The Exeter information TALKING IT OVER — Lloyd Willert, Dashwood, (centre) and Zurich farmer Phil Durand discuss power corridors with area Ontario Hydro manager Gordon Yohn, Clinton, at a one -day information centre set up in the South Huron rec centre. More information may be obtained at the Hydro office at Vanastra. centre, the sixth of 10 schedul- ed during late November and early December, was one of the most sparsely attended so far, according to Clinton - based area manager Gordon Yohn. Yohn said for many, this was the second time around, and Ontario Hydro representatives have explain- ed the route study and elec- tion process to most municipal councils in the area. "In May, when people who may be affected get personal letters, there will be more ac- tivity", Yohn said. An area study map, project newsletters and pamphlets on such associated topics as pro- perty and compensation policies, the effects of power lines on livestock and crops, and constraint mapping to limits take into consideration agriculture, heritage, col- onization routes and other factors will be available at the Hydro office m Vanastra. Yohn is keeping up to date on Hydro's progress, and is willing to answer any questions. NEAR COMPLETION Work on the expansion of Exeter's sewage lagoon pro- ject and the William St. pum- ping station is expected to be completed next week. Contract calls for the pro- ject tb be completed on December 14. Expenditures to date have been ;842,984.43 and the town has not been required to undertake any bank financ- ing. BEST RATES Short Harm 1 0 3/4 1 yr. 11% $ yr. ABC ANNUITIES 53 WEST ST. 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