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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-10-25, Page 2• Page 2 Times -Advocate, October 25, 1995 Regional wrap up String of car thefts continue in Clinton CLINTON - A string of recent vehicle thefts in town continued last week with the report to po- lice of three more stolen vehi- cles, reported the Clinton News - Record. The morning of Oct. 1, a Rat- tenbury Street West resident re- ported his company vehicle, a 1995 Dodge Caravan was stolen. The key had been left cov- ered up on the floor of the un- locked van which was later found abandoned on Highway 8, with minor damage and several items missing. A youth has been charged with two counts of theft after a 1991 Pontiac was reported sto- len from the parking lot at Cor- rie's Valu -Mart on the night of Oct. 12. The vehicle was also unlocked with the keys left under the floor mat. The Pontiac was later found upside down and badly damaged in a ditch in Tucker - smith Township. A 1985 Plymouth was stolen on the night of Oct. 13. The ve- hicle was unlocked but the own- er told police the keys were not in the vehicle. The Plymouth was laster recovered in London with a full size rotting deer in its trunk. Investigation into this theft is continuing. Food Production Branch may consolidate in Mitchell MITCHELL - The Ministry of Agriculture Food & Rural Af- fairs is looking at Mitchell or Seaforth as the potential location for the amalgamated office of the Food Production and Inspec- tion Branch, reported the Mitch- ell Advocated. • The ministry is proposing to amalgamate the Stratford, Sea - forth and Exeter offices and lo- cate it in either Mitchell or Sea - forth, where most of its clients are located. Sue Novosad, project manager for the district office consolida- tion project told the Advocate the plan is not going to cost jobs. She also said farmers should not experience any lack of service as a result of the amal- gamation. The biggest change will be the distance inspectors drive. Town loses valuable resident CLINTON - A valuable town resident was lost when former mayor and councillor William Harold Lobb died Oct. 11 in his 80th year. Born in Goderich Township on July 12, 1915, he was the son of the late Wilbert Roy and Ada Melita (Harris) Lobb. On Aug. 31, 1938, he married Julia Caro- lyn (Carrie) Joan Rice. Lobb was self-employed and workcd in several locations throughout his life, according to the Clinton News -Record. In 1967, he began his political career when elected to Clinton Town Council. In 1977, he was elected a mayor and served in that capacity until 1980. Along with his wife Carrie, Lobb is survived by his children Fred and Kathy Lobb of Clinton, ' Phyllis Lodge of London, Rich- ard and Carol Lobb of Clinton, Bernie and David Pugh of Clin- ton, Joe and Janet •Lobb of Brucefield and Burt and Hope Lobb of Clinton. uture of and Central Hotel uncertain Local artlst Jim Scott sketched this earlier version of the ho- tel. Brenda Burke T -A staff LUCAN - The Grand Central Ho- tel may be demolished if the Lucan and Area Heritage Committee doesn't take possession of the es- timated 130 -year-old landmark by Oct. 31. On Oct. 3, a tentative deal was reached by Committee Chair, Mike Anderson, that the committee ac- quire the hotel from its owner. The conditions of the deal include agreements the committee pay the owner $70,000 and take immediate possession and responsibility of the building and the owner supply an agreement from State Farm In- surance to allow clear title to be given on Feb. 5, the date of closing. The committee hopes to raise $70,000 through fundraising plans in- cluding $30,000 through the sale of cash cal- endars, an Art in the Park event, museum do- nations, raffling works of art by local artists, town tours, publication of his- torical material such as updates of The Luck of Lucan and The Historical Walking Tours, live theatre productions and selling of shares in the venture. The committee also suggested the building's tax arrears could be ad- dressed in the form of a $38,000 grant from Lucan at a cost of $20 per person. This proposal, which had a decision deadline of Oct. 31, was reluctantly turned down by council on Oct. 17 partially due to the committee's failure to provide a business plan as well as an estimate of renovation costs and in- vestigation of alternative sites. "I really don't know enough about this proposal to buy into it," said Reeve Tom McLaughlin, add- ing, "Certainly I don't want to see the Grand Central tom down." But council's biggest concern was lack of grant money for the project. Due to a major financial crunch expected next year as a re- sult of provincial grant cuts, coun- cil is not in the position to fund any fear will the bu see poi every not mo new projects. To grant $38,000 to the committee would mean an aver- age tax bill hike of $60 per house- hold. "There's a lot of houses for sale," said McLaughlin. "If we start jack- ing the taxes up, there'll be a lot more for sale." McLaughlin felt $108,000 was too much to pay for the hotel in its burnt-out state. "I think we're far better off trying to rebuild a new building," sug- gested Councillor Rob Brady. "The inside was just a tavern and it's no- where near what is was." "I don't know if there'd be enough room in that building for a library,' added Coun- cillor Harry Wraith. "I bet you the ren- ovations would cost more than putting up a new building," said Councillor Reg Craw- ford. Although Anderson admitted council is "not in a legal position to assist" and stressed the issue "is not a con- flict between the Her- itage Committee and council," he 'did tell council, "Sometimes the money has to be sec- ondary...Everybody on the Her- itage Committee understands these concerns but we're talking about our heritage...We're talking about the death of a village...(The hotel) will revitalize the entire area. It will make it so that people can come to Lucan and buy a pair t. socks again." "I know we don't have a business plan," continued Anderson, "I know I made an offer to (the own- er) out of desperation." In May, when Anderson himself was considering tearing the build- ing down and recreating its front, he approached the owner with an offer and was refused. During the summer, Anderson realized the building was salvageable. In late September, he approached the owner and his demolition crew while they were tearing down the My biggest is that he demolish ilding. It ms at this nt he has right to, rally but legally... Playhouse application for variance deferred Applicants will look at alternatives to provide wider emergency lane CREDITON - Members at the regular meeting of Stephen Town- ship Council, held on Oct'. 17 in chambers, carried a motion by Wil - mar Wein to defer a minor variance application from the Huron Coun- try Playhouse until Nov. 7 pending the applicant's resolution of emer- gency lane concerns. Shirley McIntyre and Brian Beat- tie were present at last week's meet- ing representing the playhouse. Reeve Weber introduced the ap- plication and Larry Brown pre- sented letters from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and Huron County Health Unit, in- dicating no objections. Also pre- sented were letters from the Chiefs of the Grand Bend, Bosanquet and Stephen Fire Departments and the Huron County Planning and De- velopment Department indicating concerns the proposed rear yard of eight feet may provide inadequate emergency vehicle access. The applicants suggested they would look at alternatives to pro- vide a wider emergency lane. In further council business a mo- tion was carried to approve tile drain loan applications from W. Finkbeiner, Lot 12 Conc. 17 in the amount of $11,200, A. Kester, Lot 14 Conc. 15 for $20,000 and M. Nichols Part Lot 7 Conc. L.R.B. for $5,200. In a motion by Harvey Ratz, sec- onded by Wilmer Wein, the Town- ship of Stephen accepted the com- pletion of the Oakwood Sewage service line, effective Sept. 13, 1995. The Huron Park sewage repair tender is to be awarded to Robert Nicholson Construction at the total bid price of $102,242.03. A motion was carried in the event the construction of the water line on the 2nd Concession is moved from the east side of the road to the west side. Those proposed service connections on the east side will be charged the additional cost of the necessary bore or be allowed to de- cline the service connection. The proposed township connection stubs at Sideroad 15 and 20 are to be installed without any extending bores. Bylaws Bylaw Number 53-1995, a tem- porary bylaw affecting Part Lot 20, Concession 11, was adopted. Bylaw Number 55-1995, t tile drain rating bylaw in the amount of $9,000, was given three readings and adopted. Lucan homes spray painted LUCAN - Houses on Wellington, Francis, Alice and Main Streets were spray painted Saturday night. A Wellington Street residence was spray painted and had its gar- age door kicked in at approximate- ly 1:50 a.m. At about 2 a.m., garage windows were smashed at a residence on Alice Street. In a separate incident, a vehicle was also spray painted and dented. hotel's top wall and beginning to tear apart the second floor. Ander- son offered $75,000 for the build- ing on the condition it was not to be demolished any further. The owner bargained the price up to $108,000 and has halted, for the time being, the demolition of the building, which was damaged by fire in Feb- ruary. "People have told me that's a ri- diculous amount for a burnt-out building. In my mind that's how important the heritage is," said An- derson, who's main concern is to save the building. One important step in doing so includes closing in the building for the winter at an estimated cost of $10,000. Because it's been left open to the elements since the fire that severely damaged the top floor and caused smoke and water dam- age to the remaining floors, a com- bination of rain and freezing tem- peratures occurring between now and spring could result in struc- tural damage. According to lawyer Robert Ben- ner, the hotel owner holds a dem- olition permit that can't be revoked because the work has already be - "Unless he's creating an unsafe condition or building contrary to the codes, we are stopped," said Benner, explaining the owner has the legal right to tear the hotel down. "My biggest fear," said Ander- son, "is that he . will demolish the building. It seems at this point he has every right to, not morally but legally...I don't think it should be torn down for the sake of tearing it down. I think it should be proven to be unsafe." Anderson asked council on Oct. 17 if he could view the building en- gineer's report. Council didn't have the document. It had issued the owner a demolition permit by tele- phone because one wall was deemed unsafe at the time. "They have no documentation whatsoever to prove that the build- ing should be torn down," said An- derson. In order to get an engineer's re- port, Anderson needs permission from the hotel owner who has al- ready refused to pay for such a re- p The Heritage Committee also met with Biddulph Council on Oct. 16 to ask for financial help but council would not make a commitment at that time. "(Biddulph Council) gave me the same wide-eyed response you peo- ple gave me," Anderson told Lucan Council. "They just didn't know what to say." Anderson believes the acquisition and preservation of the hotel would save an important part of the com- munity's history. "To the best of my knowledge," said Anderson, "it was the only ho- tel between here and Gode- rich...when it was built...That's why, in my mind it's the corner- stone of our heritage. That's why it's worth saving." Because the approximately 5,000 square foot building "has changed hands so many times," he ex- plained, "the history's been lost." Anderson believes it's possible to save and revitalize the building us- ing a network of volunteers. ' "People have already indicated they're more than willing to donate time and effort," he said. He is inspired by the building of Lucan's first arena in the late 1940's, which was created through community volunteers and dona- tions. "It was more akin to a barn rais- ing than anything else," said Ander- son. "It was a great community ef- fort." A one -day leap -frog fundraiser that may be undertaken by area stu- dents is already in the plans for Nov. 4 in an effort to raise funds for the hotel. If the hotel is preserved and plans go ahead for restoration, it will house a library and museum com- plex, which Anderson estimates will cost a quarter of a million dol- lars, plus a community theatre and eventually resource and meeting rooms. "The concept of the museum/ library complex is certainly sup- ported by the area," said Anderson, adding the Lucan District Lions Club has already committed to help fundraise. Anderson sees the proposed com- plex as a draw for tourists and thus a financial, educational and cultural boost to the community. Even if the hotel restoration project doesn't be- come a reality, he stressed, fund- raising for a future museum/library complex will continue. "I'm very confident that this pro- ject will go ahead," he said. "The biggest thing right now is the time frame." But any immediate plans for the hotel lie with its owner. "With all the difficulties of nego- tiation we've had this far, the own- er had shown an interest in getting the building off his back...He's looking at it as a way to get his money out of building he's not sure what to do with," said Anderson, adding,, "He may be fed up and drop the whole thing over a week- end because it wouldn't take very long to demolish it." Mike Anderson, chair of the Lucan and Area Heritage Commit- tee, is determined to save the Grand Central Hotel, which, at approximately 130 years old, predates many hotels in the area. New fire chief assumes duties + Continued from front page and people just don't have the time. If we get eight years out of a firefighter we're doing pretty good," Morgan said. According to Morgan, his biggest challenge will be building up moral among the 24 volunteer firefighters currently serving with the department. They practice twice a week and in the cold and rain, sometimes motivating their volunteers can be difficult. "Building moral is very im- portant. Sometimes we go months without a call and the guys get restless," Morgan said. "We're not glorifying fires but responding to a call really gets them going. Practices can get bor- ing but once they start using what they've learned you can really see them gel," added Middleton. He admits it won't be easy leav- ing the department. Middleton dreamed about being a firefighter since he was a child and he has developed many friendships dur- ing his lengthy service. "This is a closely knit group. We're all very close like broth- ers," said Middleton who plans on brushing up on his golf game with his spare time. However, he firmly believes its time for a new and younger generation to carry on one of the most important ser- vices a citizen can give their com- munity. "Firefighting is a young per- son's game. You have to be in good shape, one hour of fire- fighting is like a 40 hour work week," he said. The volunteers of the Exeter Fire Department held a small re- tirement party for Middleton at the fire hall Thursday night and presented him with a plaque. Each firefighter signed a fire- fighter's helmet as a memento for Middleton who will have no problem remembering the many friendships he has made. "It's hard to leave after all these years, I'm really going to miss it," he said. Delayed option for developers •' Continued from front page it is actually needed, relieving the owner of the up -front expense. "Perhaps it should be left up to the applicant. They may want to pay the estimated $2,000 right away or pay it later," said Posliff. "Big commercial developers may want to pay up front before the cost goes up but a smaller develop- er turning a house into a small store could get up and running fast- er if they didn't have to pay it right now," he added. Mayor Cam Ivey said the pro- posal was just a matter of giving the developer the option of ful- filling the site plan agreetnent right away or dedicate the 10 feet road widening requirement later, how- ever, there could be some prob- lems, Ivey said. "How do we deal with the other commercial property owner that have not turned over the 10 feet and have already put a parking lot or a building in that area?" asked Ivey. Turnbull said it is easier to col- lect the $2,000 under the current policy because developers can't continue with their plans until the village signs the land agreement. "If we go through the delaying process, five years down the road wis may lose this leverage [to get developers to comply] and the vil- lage will have to absorb the cost of development," said Turnbull. Councilor Bob Mann said he he could see problems following through and obtaining the lands when they are finally needed es- pecially if the property has gone through a number of different own- ers. "People can complain as loud then as they will today," said Mann. Posliff said future problems can be avoided if. the 10 foot dedica- tion is included in the site plan im- mediately and the agreement is registered on the title. Council agreed to adopt the change and give developers of commercial property on Ontario Street the option of paying for the costs involved with transferring the 10 feet road dedication to tl vil- lage now or later. The obligation, however, will be registered on the title and the 10 foot dedication will be shown on the site plan and regulated in ac- cordance with it. The policy will apply to all com- mercial properties on Ontario Street regardless of the develop- ment in question.