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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-10-29, Page 22Page 22 Times -Advocate, October 29, 1997 _COMMi J -T Y Lucan Library provides heat during all -candidates meeting Debate centred on downtown revitalization, community development and the ,tcrary improvements controversy By Craig Bradford T -A Reporter LUCAN - The issue of bigger digs for the Lucan Library still has a • few embers smouldering as wit- nessed at the Lucan all -candidates meeting on Thursday at the Lucan Community Memorial Centre. • About 80 people attended the meeting meant to showcase the 10 candidates for Lucan council:- in- cumbents Reeve Rob Brady (real estate agent and bus driver), Dep- uty Reeve Harry Wraith (owner Wraith Family Pro Hardware) and councillors Martin Chittenden (London post officer worker), Reg Crawford •(building contractor) and Rosemary Gahlinger-Beaune (run- ning for deputy reeve, author and community development • con- sultant). Those running for Lucan council for the first time include: council seat hopefuls Perry Cask- enette (London high. school teach- er), • Mary Lynn- Hetherington (South Huron Hospital registered nurse) and Glenn Silver (University of Western Ontario building super- . visor): Dave Pike who -is running for deputy reeve •(retired ac- - countant):Robert Benner for reeve (Lucan lawyer). Silver brought the library issue up when he asked Brady on an up- date on the past movement to move the library into a larger space. Sil- ver posed. his question during the last part of the meeting set up for . candidates to field questions from the audience. ttrady• said the movement to move the library into a larger spot "died" due to a number of factors including increased per square foot costs associated with a larger build- ing and the unavailability of such a building in Lucan. Gahlinger-Beaune. who is seek- ing the deputy reeve post and is a founding member of the Friends of. the, Library, countered Middlesex • County has already earmarked mo- nies for a larger Lucan Library. She, added there is a need for a larger li- •hrary since she herself is forced_to use a London literary -tt? her re- search since there isn't enough space in the Lucan Library. 'Lucan , resident Larry Hotson. also - Biddulph :Township's •ad- ministrator.'argued moving the Ii • hrary• to a larger building will cost taxpayers more at a time when tax- • payers can ill afford a tax hike. Gahlinger=Beaune reiterated the county hat put aside funds for the move. - Moving the library to a larger 'Iuilding won't necessarily cost •Lu - can taxpayers, any more. but the cost will he absorbed _ by •the entire • county tax base. County council may , also decide to shift monies from another branch of its library ' _system .to make the Lucan Library enlargement possible. Council candidate and Friends of • Lucan Library president Mary 'Lynn Hetherington made an impas- sioned speech about what the group • • has done for the library since the li- brary enlargement issue arose. She -added people either want improve- ments to library services or they don't. " "It's water under •the bridge• now." she said, urging people on ,• both sides of the issue to move on. Other issues discussed during the open session dwelled on downtown revitalization. Lucan • Business As- sociation president Doug Cassan asked what the average Lucan cit- izen gets•out of community growth. . Reeve hopeful Robert Benner•said "the more, homes and Lucanites there are. the larger the tax base which probably means Tess cost per taxpayer, for village services. A bigger community also means more political. clout when dealing at the county and provincial levels and when seeking grants.. • - "Growth in of itself isn't good.' Benner said.. , "It has to be planned...we would have to take a look at it to see if it is beneficial." • Lucan developer Cecil Lewis asked Brady what the village does to attract business and why council doesn't promote the village's avail- able private property. Brady thanked Lewis for bring- ing businesses to Lucan and said village administration answers any' inquiries interested parties have and a catalogue of Lucan's assets is available for viewing at the Mid- dlesex County building. "it's not council's- job to promote„ private property to anyone," Brady said:. • Lewis didn't agree. / "I beg to differ, Rob." Lewis said. "It's council's business to pro- mote Lucan." • Brenda Atwood said she wants council_ to solicit more feedback. from the public• and for the dates and times of council meetings to be posted more prominently some- where in the village. Council meets every first Tuesday of each month at 7:30. p.m. •in the council cham- bers next to the municipal office. If need be. council meets on the third Tuesday of each month also at 7:30 p.m. Benner fielded a question on what council will do about pro- vincial downloading and the almost certain municipal tax hike to deal with it. Benner said councillors won't know how to deal with the downloading or how much taxes - could rise- till all the details on downloading are released by the -province. . The first part of the meeting was structured with each of four -panel- ists posing one question to can- didates. Here's how each candidate .responded to the questions: ' 'Why run for council and what will you do for Lucan's youth that don't play organized sports? Silver: He said cutbacks to the village's recreation programs have meant escalating costs for sports like minor hockey and many fam- ilies can't afford to have their kids play organized sports. He said all' interested parties. includingchil- dren hil dren shoutdineet to i•ome u a plan for a youth community club. He's running for council because he's "pretty proud to be a citizen of Lucan." . • Caskenette: "I think I .can do good job and if I didn't think so I wouldn't be up here," he said about. running for council. - "This is really an issue near and dear to my heart." he said of find- ing things for youth to• do who are now - hanging out •on Lucan's - streets. He added the village ret; de- partment sould look at more than just , what happens. at the coin- ' munity centre. • Hetherington: ''Everyone should work together to get these kids off the street." she said on the youth is- sue, adding kids not into sports can use the library. Chittenden: "It's given me a bet- ter understanding on what's going on in the community," Chittenden said of his council experience. He added he wants to keep taxes down to "a reasonable level" and he'll look into "keeping children busy." Crawford: "This next term' :of council will be a tough - one." he • said touching on provincial down- loading and pending amalgamation. "I would like to be involved in that because I -think I've done a good job." He said he isn't sure how to deal with the youth issue but he wants to work on it: • Brady: On finding Lucan youth things to do, Brady said council has been working on it and he has been pursuing setting up -a 'skateboard/ rollerblade park at the community centre. "the logical place to put the (skateboard) area." "I think Perry's idea (about a children's club) is a good one if we can find money in the budget for another department," he said. compete. He's' in favor of spending weeds at the former. Grand Central Benner: "Politics is a lot of fun;" some village money 'on advertising lot are being investigated but he said on why he's running for but said he is unsure how to do so. -there's little the "village cap do ex - reeve. "Like everyone in this room with provincial downloading. cept ask the property owner to i want to feel useful." ' Chittenden: ..He: wants to see clean the lot up since it is private On finding youth something to small industry brought into Lucan property, something" village ad - do, Benner said council needs to sit "and' is in favor of spending some ministration often does. down with kids to find •out what money on promotion. "Everyone in Lucan- should be they want. He added he has helped -Hetherington: "To make money supporting the (Business. Associa- set up a computer/craft/homework you have to spend money," she . tion) and the businesses here,'' he. program' at area schools . through . said, adding the economic develop- . said. "We've, got to get people to School Advisory Councils. • ment committee could provide the . buy things at businesses here in- • • Wraith: "I wantto make Lucan a. village with a vision and should be stead of spending the,$I5 on gas nice place to work. and play," he • the next strongest committee next (to drive to London to shop)," -- said.on why he's running for cowl to council. The new Donnelly. film 'Benner: He sees possible growth cit again. "will- put Lucan on the map" and in the _village to the north and On youth; Wraith said: "Pa. council should take advantage of south, • renting is the key. •1 disagree with - that, she said. "If you don't have a plan you extending funds to .(programs for) Caskenette: "If Lucan grows as don't know where you're going," children.' I think it's -up r to.the par- everyone implies, Lucan will. not be he said. en's to help out. G's .always pm- the village we know now and we 11 Benner said the weeds at the tter than the grams. programs, programs. I think 'have to be careful about that," he bummed Cut shelentral l thae t�was there be we should take the time and let par- He' said 'perhaps Lucan should . fore demolition and the vacant Pe- ents•do some cif the work." " look into a similar. promotion cam- fro Canada station property is just Gahlinger-Beaune: "Wow, ,this paign as the '25 per cent more life' as much an eyesore. He proposes to village. is. ready to explode," she radio promotion St. Thomas has- .get Petro Canada to sell the prop -- said to herself when she first used in the past and. existing com- ertv to either the village or private moved to Lucan. "It has everything- -mittees like the Lucan Area Her- ,enterprise and make the lot :a -park needed. It just needs direction. ' • nage committee can promote the to •'give kids. a place to go." He • Gahlinger-Beaune on finding ac- village. - ' also wants the Grand Central lot to tivities for youth: "My first thought - , - "I don't know if it need' to cost a he turned into a parkette. is we should be working -with . Igt of money," he said; adding pro- • Wraith: ' into ' of my Ms - youth. Tomorrow's youth 'will he . motion could be done by ,vol- , appointments is not being able to our leaders." • unteers. • . ' ' help the library. museum and Busi- Pike: "In,my 22 years ,here i have Silver. "i definitely feel we need ness ,Association' when they came criticized council several times,". he to advance, .set up a -vision, he tows 'with: all their enthusiasm." he said. -"They told me to put up or said, adding council needs input said. Cleaning up the weeds at the shut up. so (•decided to put up." , from taxpayers, businesses and de- Grand_ Central lot would' be a good • welopers. Those .businesses and de- project for those out of work or dis- velopers could front the village, the - ahled• , he said. , promotion costs which they could. - Wraith said' he would like to"see recoup later by the village waiving ;vacant storefronts downtown he. the sewer surcharge ;or other fees . filled but making a ego at small on their subdivisions. , , business, is tough in today's market. •What is -the biggest • issue/ "It's nice to dream but you have -challenge? (Asked to councillor, candidates.only.) to. face reality," he said: • `'The biggest issue is His dream scenario to make • Silver:e we're going in the future," downtown, vibrant'. Lucanites giv- he said,_adding council must .build ing up their cars. - a vision through teamwork and Gahttnger-Beaune: . '"I,. , liken (downtown revitalization) to a pia community involvement. He listed ,zte with council as puzzle shapers." amalgamation as another hig issue. she said. with village committees ing any .money on promotion; add- noting Middlesex municipalities and citizens'pie ees of the puzzle. . ing it's up to the businesses to pro- .with an over 4,000 population, get She said Lucan's businesses have mote themselves. • two votes'on cnunty. council. Lucan He said youth have told him they want a place to hang out and that place doesn.'t necessarily have to have adult supervision. "It's hetter.to give kids a place to hang out so we know where they are,". he said. •How will -you promote the vil- lage and 'would you support council earmarking funds for ec- onomic development if businesses also chipped in? -- . Pike: He said, councillors. should always promote the village in their travels hut isn't in favor- of spend- • c i - 'Gahlinger-itteaune: As founder of . now has only one vote on 'county to be more competitive. Lucan's community and economic . • council.•with a,I,900 population and - ';I don't see,London as,a threat to p with development committee. she feels -• an amalgamation '.with •Btddulph shid'--i-`ice-it-as-an'asset ; council should tie ' working with -Township and/or other nearby mu, Pike: "If the availability of things schools and businesses to ftnd'what nicipalities would give the new en- were here people would buy them." direction Lucan should 'he heading lity an over 4,000 population). , , :• he said. adding many people either in and what should be promoted. Caskenette: While he. agreed - ,don't or can't go to Lpndon. With the 2001 Canada Games com- 'amalgamation and provincial Business :owners and employees _ing to London and Grand Bend, Lu- downloading are big issues, be is - have to stop parking in front ,of can should take advantage of the. more concerned with ,internal is- their workplaces sa.., to ease the traffic that wiU l flowing down sees. Of note: Caskenette is de- Main Si.. pariatrg;availability prob- ' Itwy,. 4. Council should- also tott4.-ti veloping a •Lucan Hydro webpage lem, he said. Large vehicles- block the new Donnelly film by Colin which he said could be expanded to the view of downtown shops from Brunton titled Vigilance that will , include information . on other vil- commuters. ; 'That would he one of'the things I would attack." he said. "Make our businesses more visible." Lucan adininistrator Ron Reymer said while many long-time . Lucan residents attended the meetipg, "it's , a shame" more newer residents didn't make the meeting. • The village advance poll is Sat- urday from 10' a.m.-8 p.m. at the Memorial Community Centre's community. room. For more in- formation on the election. call the village office at 227-4253. be ready for. the '99 Toronto Inter-- lage committees/community, national Film Festival. • ' groups. • "If we don't promote these and Hetherington: Amalgamation and spend some money there won't be downloading are tops with Hether- anv development," she said. ington. Wraith: Because of the village's "There's a lot marc in this picture • capital infrastructure programs. .than water, sewers and intra- Wraith said Lucan is ready for .structure, she said, adding' down more development and council loading will affect health care. po- licing,should "work together as a team" to : education and other issues. accomplish their goals. "1 think'(taxpayers) should be real - "I might spend some money if [ ly worried about whether essential thought it was reasonable." he said. services will be there." Benner. Cm quite willing to cam Chittenden: Amalgamation is mit village money to promotion." "going to happen," he said, adding• he said, as long as it advances the he is more concerned with pro - community as a whole. not• just vincial downloading of policing business. posts in '98. - • ' He added councillors are "on the Crawford: Downloading topped same team but that doesn't mean ,his list of concerns with his calcula- we all have to go the same way." tions resulting in a total S289.000 Brady:' He said a. teak part of shortfall' for,the village in '98 with • Middlesex County's strategic plan highway downloading an added ex - is to promote the area around Lu- petise for Lucan and the county. can and Strathroy and because of "Where are we going to get the the village's infrastructure ','we are money•" he questioned. "I guess . poised to take tremendous ad -w'e'll have to increase taxes." vantage to what (the_ county) will He feels a commissioner is going undertake." to he assigned to settle the amal- Brady. added he "doesn't have • gamatSon issue and the county's much faith • in advertising" - and municipalities should be merged "probably the biggest bang for the into three or four large municipal - buck is using the Internet" for pro- hies.• motion.. • •Is it up to council to jump start Crawford: "Whether we like it or 'downtown revitalization? (Asked not Lucan is a bedroom community to reeve/deputy reeve candidates of London," he said. adding it's only.) "tough" for local businesses to Brady: issties like getting rid of It 's time to honor our youngest heroes • A violent collision injures three people and sends the car bursting ' into flames. But what could have been tragedy turns into triumph. Gritting her teeth against the pain •of a•broken nose and ankle. 13 - year -old Christina Dudman of Ti= • verton pulls her badly -injured grandmother and uncle from the wreckage and saves three lives that night. Samantha Walker, 12, does her part to ensure the sacrifices of war . are never forgotten. The Pe- terborough'resident brings her school and community together to plant a Tulip Tribute Garden as part of "Canada Remembers" re- membrance ceremonies. There are other children like Christina Dudman and Samantha Walker out there. Each day, some- where in Ontario, a young person displays courage in the face of ad- versity. performs an heroic Act or Offers a simple gesture of kindness. It's up to youto put these young heroes in the'spotlight. Nominations are now being ac- cepted for the 1997 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards pro- . gram, sponsored by this newspaper and the Ontario Community News- papers Association (OCNA). • Since -1981, the program has paid tribute to young people between the ages of six and 18. Some are recognized for the ser- vice they perform in their com- munities or for their heroic re- sponses in times of crisis. Others display courage and tenacity as they strive to overcome the chal- lenges ofliving with disability or illness. Or they may exemplify the qualities and characteristics of a "good kid." Up to 12 people are chosen to re- ceive the award, presented by On- tario's Lieutenant Governor during a special ceremony held in Toronto. Recipients also participate in a re- ception and group portrait held at Queen's Park, and receive $200 and a Junior Citizen pin. This isn't a competition. There are no winners or losers because each nominee - and there are hun- dreds each year - is a "star" in his or her own right. Allnominees are presented With a certificate stating that they were nominated for this distinct honor and have.conttibuted greatly to their communities. Here's an opportunity to search out of.the stars in your own com- rpunity.at•d give Ontario's -young people the recognition they de- '. serve. . Talk to neighbors, ask around at your church or neighborhood gro- cery store or contact your school's principal or teachers. Nominations have been received from service clubs. schools, volunteer:group' . churches, sports organizations individuals. • • Nominations for the 1997 s will be accepted until Octe Forms and further inform' about.the Junior Citizen p can be obtained frdm•the Advocate. 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