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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1972-05-25, Page 26741U1)1MICN8IGNAI-R7'AR, THURSDAY, MAY 85, 1973 .. Positive ,worth riv e d frorn 4.,'.,citilepOotropert.of Continued from Page 413 the feasibility and likelihood of salon on the part of 'the Province. to meet 'specific needs that had been identified. - The results simply cannot be treated as a reliable base opinion • for use in the preparation of a development plan for the region .The final"list of revised tables of needs and priorities, furnishes no adequate grounds for establlstiing priorities in a provincial program of regional growth and expansion. The ',important 'prollleni issues" believed to be -the -most pressing by the diseussants in the review sessions ar•e, the following 1. Increase the nrutiber• of urban centres which are large enough to permit self -sustained growth in various economic activities. 2. Improve! °highwav5, from Stratford to Hwy X101 and to The Kitchener -Waterloo area: 3. Provide adequate supply of water and --sewage faci,lrtr'es: 4. In the field of social and economic welfare. service provide multi -service centres. accessible to s -wide a. range of people as ,possible.- 5. possible.-5. "Increase ..the number of doctors and dentists in rural areas; 6. Increase concentration of adult educafion in the region: 7. Develop recreational resources ttr t are -either undeveloped or not available. In view of the disappointing results from the review of the Phase 1: %Analysis. ,the Development Council undertook • to car t.Lu..ly re-examine the' regional needs and' general 'priorities indicated' in their report of 1968 "Midwestern V• Ontario Development Area Recommended Program for Development 1969-1973". The findings of that. report were Considered, to be tie best available statement Of -conditions in Midwestern Ontario. An up- dated and revised -lilting of needs ageneral priorities is provided in this report, v"eith the, r•ecorrrmendation that the Province give consideration to the results as comprising a body of information and opinion on the region that is both accurate and representative of views across ,the region at the present 'time. �r- REVIEW OF POTENTIAL ,CENTRES O,F OPPORTUNITY From they Phase 1: Analysis, from other Government reports, and from statements by government personnel' it is clear that the geowth centre concept is to,.he introciuced,by the Province to this region in the not too distant future The basic objectives in establishing this policy and the ensuing program of encouraging • •decentra-ized- - 'nodafiza 'tion ' k ' are, of course. to increase the range and number -of employment opportunities' throughout the region. to create additional clusterings of personal and social services. and thereby. to ,create extended or enlarged urban se.racice ar»as' , • • It was suggested that any policy of growth 'assistance to be included in the Province's Design. for Development Program should• be extended to include non- industrial centres such as tourist communities: it was felt that communities of this and perhaps other types wild benefit from NOW as high as Put your money into our guaranteed invest"iTicnt certificates now paying seven al -id three quarter per cent interest. • 71/4%p FarTwo Years VG 73/4% For Five Years W14 and GREY TRUST COMFHNY' SINCE. 1889 9:0.0 to 5:00 Monday to Thursday''' .._.x:03. to .2.00 Friday • •• 524-7381 , Lealand Hill, Manager Elgin and Kingston Streets, Goderich; assistance, and would respond to -an appropriate form of growth ttimulation. Looking only to ' forms of industrial growth Might be to take ton altogether too narrow view of the ,future Prospects for urban expansion.) Nearly all° the municipal representatives at the different study sessions expressed a desire for local economic improvements, to be achieved throughadditionah growth. At the same time they registered very strong feelings about the rate and -scale of expansion. Growth was content of the growth " centre program in Midwestern Ontario — how many growth centres can the Province reasonably afford across Ontario?) Is the implementation of '•the concept financially and politically.. feasible on the scale that the Phase 1: Analysis, seems: to suggest? - 1 Are the specific results 'Of applying this concept predictable,. and nif so; to what degree? Are there thresholds or -Critical levels of required expenditures to achieve specific results? • When , the difficulties, of comprehending and responding to the Phase 1: Analysis were fully ,recognized, and when no clear, satisfactory answers could be supplied by Regional Development Branch personnel to questions regarding the Structure .and process of the Design for .Development Program in Onta.riii ..not a few participants suggested, that the Government was involving the general public- of ublicof Midwestern Ontario in a sort of meaningless, intentionally unproductive;,"Gante'' of, token • lathe minds of a large number of people the Development - Council is linked directly 'or indirectly to the authorship of the, Government's report. Often the Development Council was -strongly chastised fol the poor quality of the document. This "guilt by association" may or May not be widespread in the region, but the frequency with which suchuninformed' statements were voiced has generated a measure of undesirable, publicity for the Development Council; ` viewed in this context as being Will there be several types,,,ef citizen participation. The many problems a n d acceptable and desirable only if It groSvth centres it the region?': • ;Regardless; of The' degree to difficulties experienced with the ''was to occur at an appropriate Will some centres be selected which that particular conclusion review of the Phase 1: Analysis rate and to an appropriate scale. for immediate growth' stimulus' might be valid or invalid, the fact necessitated a n entirely Some of the discussants were and others' for staged remains that disillusionment and unforeseen delay i n . t h e concerned about •the type of "assistance" at' later dates? alienation have been enerated p g completion of this report, which,., growth that might begenerated — ,The growth centre concept is ' across the region, first by the apart from the quality of the growth which could be very recognized by the Development absence and unavailability of , results obtained, has created a disruptive , in to r d u c i n g . ,Council as being the key element . fundamental information relating certain amount of anxiety.. There substantial changes to existing a,)d dynamic factor in any plan for - to "the- provincial Program, and is some . u n d er s t a n d a ti l e physical and social. 'structures; the regional. economic expansit'n second, by the use of a•report with apprehension that the delay will, they were emphatic in expressing of the four counties of Midwestern basic deficiencies and an inherent itself have softie negative effects opposition to a development plan Ontario. One outcome of the unsuitability for use in a public on the eventual outcome of the that would aim at stimulating region's experience . with the examination of. regional Design for Development Program growth centres to population Phase 1: Analysis has been the conditions, needs and potentials. in Midwestern Ontario. x levels in excess of 3'5,000. — creation of a high degree of wide- Although it has been said that - In the opinion o f the .. 3f1.000 people. , . 7„ ' 6 read roterest�and concern -with .thea.,1?e•sponse�•-to-,the -Phase =1..._�Develeprrrerrt- , Council-; . _the - It is clear, fr m"tte ev ence at r'Va "n""to"'tfr°r"ri' t't s -e s '-€o"" fr "` Kntrilts'rs" ` h°a's—been't('- Treat }~-I1tt rste' - tr-'7e4tperi•ence 'fin hand, that the number and oaken by the Province in the disappointment — whenviewed•-in Midwestern Ontario with the distribution of growth centres preparation of Phase 11. , the context of the Regional Phase 1: Analysis -.review and the here and elsewhere in Ontario - The participants believe that D e v e l o p m e n t B r a n ch ' s disappointing results -in no way will be very much' influenced by there is a pressing need for an expectations and requirements — negate the value of citizen the availability - current and Rarly appraisal of the concept, its the experience has not been, an participation in the Design for future of adequate water and o n s t i t u e n t el e m e n t s. a n d entirely negative one. Development Program rather, --sewage• r-•eatnien 'ser-wices: -1 he- -idles-tiers— qts--well-as--a-amore--M. w.- This•-ubrirission-_ cot tains----•a-•--••theirtrnclerseore--tile•-creed-for ,-.--- existing potential for growth of understandable • afid fruitful large number of comments, thew potential benefits of public ° most urban centres is largely • examination of the entire question suggestions and .questions involvement in the • planning determined by the potential for of evaluating the future growth relating - to study materials, • process. • ` providing these basic services.,potentials of existing urban / procedures and both key areas of That .process must : be so The greatest difficulties are.centres in. the region. They 'the Regional, Development structured anti directed, as to likely to be encountered with believe that there should be a Br nch's study — mt�st of which. achieve the best possible results limitation imposed by the ,,thorough discussion of all the should be constructive and helpful from • citizen involvement: restricted capacity of local relevant issues with the people of to the Government in preparing accomplishing this without watercourses to dilute treated Midwestern Ontario before the and introducing similar reports jeopardizing the successful sewage effluent. Although a , publication of a Phase 11 report to this and other regions of completion of_. constituent_ technological , break -through on the region. Ontario. elements and stages in that (providing economic treatment Much of positive worth has been process within reasonable time p ience. A limits. There is presently in the systertrs releasinghigh, ei`fluent to watercourses), purity SUMMARY number of other positive results region a high level of interest in change existing conditions , ;, The Phhse 1: Analysis is a came out of the meetings and the Province's future 'plans for sutSstantially. the present preliminary research document discussions from the dialogue economic development, and a prospects are not promising, ' that is totally unsuited for use in between individuals, ., interest willingness to participate in The financial implications of ' this manner and forthe purpose " groups and municipalities in the public discussions that hold a using the growth centre -approach intended by the Province. It is region. -'reasonable promise of producing in regional development planning regrettable that it was introduced For example, the Ph.` e 1: positive results. ' are. also important to consider. ata stage in a provincial planning Analysis served as an educative , y . M If the Phvince will heed the lessons that have emerged from this present examination and • critique of both the Phase 1: Analysis and the procedures that attended its presentation to the region, the public ,review of the Phase 11 report can be entirely successful -- to the benefit of the Province and Midwestern Ontario. In looking back over the various circumstances, and factors that culminated ill the quite unsatisfactory results NO f the Phase 1: Analysis review, several cohclesions relating to 'citizen participation.rnay be put forward for consideration. Theyare listed briefly below: a clear perspective and understanding of the task: an appropriate set of procedures and sequence,of inputs in the process; a sense of the dalue and (worth of. the task, and of the potential benefits of participating; trust in the sponsoring . agency capable leadevrship; 'effective communication; ' appropriate study documents,, supplemented with detailed b ,kground data and studies; participation by a wide range of 4nterest groups and - individuals, flexibility in• approach - to review format; reasonable time limits and scheduling; accurate reporting 'sand recording; an opportunity for review and revision of findings, and follow-up , program - re: utilization and effectiveness of results. • ONLY YOU CAN GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE! _J As indicated e,a/rlier, the progrhm at which citizen' . toolforthe people of Midwestern, successful implemehtation of the • participation and subsequent concept in the region .will require responses to -G'overnmefi clata Fla n►, i ii g -arid e -c -o -no to i c investment from three •.sources: and_analyse's were the principal development. The participants ;`)+the provincial, government. -2) elenent°s-axr 1 ttre-_r ajorufocias o were ii-1=-very-much•-i•nv©lviced• in - the local municipal governments, ,•attention in the region. the process of learning at the and 3) the ,private 'sector. Some • It became evident to. the conclusion of the review; and people appear to'' have assumed • Development Council, early in the ' although it was not .intended to he that the growth centre concept proceedings , that one so used, the report of necessity could be developed, introduced particularly important • and ,became the background and point and financed by the Province unfortunate outcome of the of -departure for discussions alone, with few, if any, demands general public's assessment of covering the planning process, upon 'other jurisdictions and , ,the Government's study stemmed planning concepts, policies,... interests. • ° `directly from; the nature 'of that .procedures,, •c,i t i:z e n It was suggested that firms report.` A reaction that was participation, • the provincial could be attracted to locate in deeper, than simple frustration planning program, etc, communities where they was generated by a report that In 'many • respects, 'the "couldn't be properly. serviced was regarded by its readers as examination of the report helped and where they likely would not, complex, confusing: containing to provide the preparatory remain", Other were concerned outdated statistics lacking. "education': that properly should that a situation could be created in : essential information. and... ' have preceded its release to the the .region in which industries frequently using va1ue region; in this situation, the would ° relocate to designated judgements in plate of hand facts. Development Council found itself growth. centres ..from existing attempting to provide a slow -growth communities, thus In looking beygng the immediate • framework and perspective that further increasing existing problems and frustrations that the Province should properly economic '.`'imbalances. Also, e fierged from the Phase 1 stage have supplied months before. there might be the very real report to the overall Design for The .R, egional Development possibility • o f business Development Program of the Branch's report no doubt has enterprises shifting, their, Province, many participants value — for the right purposes location from one community to concluded that the Government and for the proper audience. Itis a another once initial location doesn't know where it's going with potentially useful and informative grants and other • financial regional development in Ontario, source of background information incentives have been exhausted.' : or how it intends to get there. on many facets of Midwestern Some of the questions raised at Thus, the lack of direction and Ontario, and conceivably could the public meetings and charity, and the consequent sense form . the basis dor certain discussion sessions that,r.:elate to ; of confusion that attended.._, the discussion and debate relative to the...growth .c,entre,,,co' pt• are', Phase 1: Analysis review, was particular aspects of the region, listed,beipw: f ' extended:4in the minds of the . 'as well as proposed methods for The provincewide diStribut o participants) from that document evaluating f u t u.r e growth of region 1 needs and:pJ rite z` tb the planning process and potentials of urban communities. will directly affect tile,, ,t e ,provincial• pr`dgram. in :gel eral. The inability of the Phase 1: xa Analysis review , to produce sufficient and usable results was, and continues to be, a matter of deep concern to the Development Council. Even though no question remains as to why this occurred the consequent problems for Province and region remain:" The very 'difficult task confronting the • Devtelopmeft Council was that pi:salvaging' the best it possibly could. from the experience and the results obtained: first, by preparing a submission for the Minister that was balanced', fair, candid and constructive; and second,`, by furnishing the Province with the best available and most helpful information, observations and lftnestioris relating to the two Major issues raised by the report — regional needs and priorities and the urban growth centre concept. Ontario in examining regional stock r�duttii EverythinIn .The Store OM1; p �w• Cash sales only Nig -bilxes AO sales roil, Nwlr ontle ie t r r,f*r s OFF N T. Orm'andy -Jewellery - Goderith • Thi Ll el merit C9ui qi1 , '•believes that its''i -examination and revision of the regional needs and ,generalized priorities presented. in its, 1968 , report, Midwestern Ontario Development Area 'Recommended Program for Development 1969 — 1913, provides a sound and reliable body of public opinion and°fact that can be used by the Province in its further planning studies aria in the preparation of Phases 11 and '111, for the region. The Phase 1 stage of the Design. for Development Program for Midwestern .Ontario has .been Meeh more of a hindrance than a help to the Development Council. • „ STILL AVAILABLE HISTORICAL AT HURON COUNTY, ONTARIO Originally published by H. Belden & Co. in 1879 ___..-��....T..he__i_I�ustraterd-Atias�._af.'_H�rOh _�CoiJrifji is one a 29 county atlases published in Ontairio between 1875 and 1881. 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