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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.