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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-08-17, Page 1Cr' u\ U .-a CL O CO CQ incorporating THE BLYTH STAND cents —No. 33 Wednesday, August 17® 1983 118t year Sod is turned for new township complex Enthusiasm shines on Stanley By Shelley McPhee While skies overhead were overcast, a sunny mood of optimism shone on Stanley Township on August 11 as local politicans and dignitaries took part in the official sod turning ceremony for the new township complex. Actual excavation work on the project is already being carried mit, but Reeve Paul Steckle, Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell and Huron -Bruce MP Murray Cardiff turned the first official sod for the new complex in a brief, but jovial outdoor ceremony. Officials and guests then went to the 108 - year -old Varna Community Hall where those who are involved and interested in the project made comments of praise and enthusiasm for the new $601,820 township centre. An evident feeling of pride and encouragement filled the hall as Reeve Steckle noted that the sod turning ceremony was, "a first for Stanley Township." He noted that concrete plans to build the new township centre, to include municipal offices, community hall and work shed, only began little over 12 weeks ago. "It has meant quick decisions but wise decisions," Reeve Steckle said as he praised council and the clerk's office for their cooperation and support. He also commented on the progressive nature of the township, calling Stanley "a leader in many areas," and thanked pint reeves for the work they did in initiate` the project several years ago. Reeve Steckle alSi noted that t building will be for all township reside and no one person will take credit for s . completion. • , MP Murray Cardiff said that the new complex would serve the community and the township better. He also noted, "It will be a building you'll be proud to have in the township." He said the project was a worthwhile venture because it will employ many people from the area and as far away as Belgrave. MPP Jack Riddell said that the governments have been somewhat lenient in giving out grants for similar construction projects and difficulty has arisen when there aren't sufficient funds to maintain them. Concerned with the foreign land ownership issue, Mr. Riddell urged that local people must continue operating the land. "We need to have the people to continue to live in the area to support these buildings," he said. Mr. Riddell commended Stanley council on the manner in which they presented their proposal to the government for grant funding. He admitted that he wasn't initially optimistic because of current restraints and the number of applications that are now under study. "This seemed to spring up rather hurriedly and I didn't think we'd get approval that quickly," he said. Mr. Riddell added, "The complex won't put an undue financial hardship on the people here. It will be a real asset to the community, a pride and joy for people of the township and for future generations." Engineer Ken Jarvela, of Letham, Jarvela and Robertson of Sarnia, echoed Mr. Riddell's comments when he said, "We saw 1984 or 1985 as the starting time of the project. We were surprised that it went this fast. We completed the drawings in less than six weeks, that was quite a job." Jan Richardson, Canadian Ontario Employment Development (COED) Program co-ordinator for Huron County said she was extremely impressed with the optimism shown by the council. Ms. Richardson is responsible for helping to provide COED funding in Huron County. The program is a joint federal -provincial effort that helps to provide work for unemployment insurance exhaustees. Stanley will be hiring 35 unemployed people to help with the complex project and Ms. Richardson said she had already seen a great deal of hard work and dedication. Inspiring words came from Rev. Wilena Brown of Varna and Goshen United Churches. Rev. Brown said that she was interested in the project and wanted to be involved. She explained that ministers get a chance to see how a community works and that in Stanley Township, people work together and accomplish what they set out to do. "You have a tradition here of taking a community project and having the people work together," she said. Rev. Brown went on to say that Stanley Township has a strong religious base of moral standards that are truly honored. "There's an awareness that the past has values and it is respected and the future is filled with promise and change. This is an example of a community moving into a new era," she enthused. "There's a sense of community growth and solidarity through this," Rev. Brown concluded. A luncheon at the Captain's Cove in Bayfield concluded the sod turning ceremony. As former reeve Tom Consitt said at the ceremony, the decision to build a new township hall has been a project under consideration for several years. Over four years ago he was part of an original investigation team that viewed other municipal buildings. The new complex will replace the old Varnahall, build in 1875 for a cost of $750. It will also replace the present public works shed and will remove the municipal offices from the home of Clerk Mel Graham. To be built on the west limits of Varna, near the ball diamond, the complex will include a five bay garage and maintenance shed, community centre with kitchen, cloak room, portable stage and ample room for indoor sporting events. The hall will provide facilities for a variety of activities from basketball games to community showers and receptions. Seating capacity of 300 will be available. The new municipal offices will have washrooms, lunch room, offices and council chambers. Two foreman have been hired to supervise the project and Nancy Flynn of RR 1, Bayfield was recently hired to look after the bookkeeping duties. A plumber, six carpenters, eight bricklayers, two roofers, two electricians, one instrument person and two part time heating and ventilating workers have also been hired through the COED program. A $296,000 COED grant will pay the labor costs of 35 people sharing 740 work weeks. Other funding will come from the township's $200,000 reserve fund, an anticipated Wintario grant of $51,000 and a ministry of transportation and communication grant of $56,000. Politics hasn't spoiled MP Murray Cardiff or MPP Jack Riddell. The federal and provincial government members of parliament joined Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle, left, for a sod turning V ceremony for Stanley's new community centre on August IL The three officials attempted to show off their rural strengths by seeing who could dig up the most soil. Cardiff claims he won. (Shelley McPhee photo) Employment for 18 may be offered COED grant projects to provide jobs in area By Rod Hilts Shocked tand surprised were the reactions of Huron County COED grant recipients after learning last week that the Provincidl and Federal governments had allotted them funds to create new works projects. On August 9, the Honorable Eugene F. Whelan Minister of Agriculture, announced on behalf of the former Minister of Employment and Immigration, Lloyd Axworthy, three new work projects in the Clinton area through the Canada -Ontario Employment and Development (COED) program. The projects are expected to generate 18 jobs. According to Mr. Whelan, the COED program's main objective is to provide work for unemployment insurance benefit exhaustees for a minimum 12 week period. The Clinton Public Hospital, Hully Gully Sports and Recreation of Varna and the Salvation Army in Bayfield all received the grants. The shocked and surprised reactions came about after the above groups had given up hope of receiving the COED funding, which had been applied for in the spring. According to Jan Richardson, the project officer for the program in Huron County, the extreme popularity of the program resulted in the $200 million funds provided by the provincial and federal governments to become exhausted. She said the London office was "swamped with applications for the program." An extra $20 million was made available after further negotiations between the federal and provincial governments. Doug Coventry, the administrator of the Clinton Hospital, was surprised that the grant of $48,000 came through and said that he had "just about given up hope." Mr. Coventry said the hospital applied for the grant on April 19 and had hoped to start a renovation project on May 30. On August 15, Mr. Coventry informed the Hospital Committee, that the hospital had received the grant. The committee was pleased with the news and will recommend to the Hospital board at their September meeting, that the Clinton Public Hospital participate in the program. The total budget for the project is $82,566, $34,566 of which is to be provided by the hospital itself. Mr. Coventry said renovations would be made to the former Turn to page 3 The Huron County Health Unit says that the Bayfield beach is safe for swimming. Health officials warn that swimmers should take caution while swimming. (Shelley McPhee photo) Tests indicate Bayfield beach safe for By Rod Hilts Unlike Goderich and Grand Bend where the beaches along the shoreline have been deemed "unsafe for swimming" Bayfield swimmers can still safely swim at their beach but a Huron County Health official warns "the swimmers should use caution." According to Ed Harrison of the Huron County Health Unit, recent testing done at the Bayfield beach revealed that the pollution level "has been a little bit higher than provincial guidelines but the water is acceptable." Despite the safe level readings at Bayfield beach, Mr. Harrison urges all swimmers to be wary while using the beach. "Swimmers shouldn't swallow water or 'play whale'. They should not get water in their mouth,"he said. Although the beaches in Goderich and seven spanning from Grand Bend to Sarnia Township haven't been closed, the health unit said that the high bacteria levels found in those waters could cause skin and ear infections, diarrhea and vomiting. Health officials in Lambton County report the pollution levels at the Grand Bend beach are more favorable than last week. Grand Bend Reeve Bob Sharen announced on !August 16 that swimmers may be able use the beaches by Thursday. The provincial guidelines state that the minimum criteria for posting warning signs of high pollution is for the bacteria level to be in excess of 100 fecal coliforms per 100 millilitres of ,,w er. Mr. Harrison said readings at the Ba field beach have averaged under 100 fecal coliforms per 100 millilitres of water over the past two months but recent tests indicate comparatively higher counts. On June 15, the readings at the beach were less than two fecal coliforms. They remained consistent until August 2 when the count jumped to 240. Heavy rainfall (118 nun) during the week of July 26 could arguably have caused the increase of pollutants in the water. Heavy rainfall has been known to wash pollutants off the land and into the water. "To this point the water is acceptable and we have no plans to post the beach at Bayfield. There's no reason to post it, it's not consistently high," Mr. Harrison said. According to Mr. Harrison, a number of factors can influence the pollution level in swimming the lakes. He said animals and humans who urinate and defecate in the water increase pollution levels. He further explained that boaters who empty their holding tanks into the lakes, contribute to the pollution problems. Mr. Harrison cited sewage problems as a possible reason for the increased pollutant levels at Goderich and Grand Bend beaches. "The problem is associated with sewage. It could be animal or human but it's more likely human sewage. We're checking into it, there's definitely sewage pollution," Mr. Harrison said. On August 12, the Health Unit took tests at the Goderich beach revealing a reduction in the number of pollutants in the water. Further tests will be carried out this week. While the businessmen in Grand Bend have been incensed because of the damper the beach postings have put on tourism, some tests on their beach have been as high as 1,000 fecal coliforms in the water, Mr. Harrison said. Mr. Harrison explained that the high number of swimmers in Grand Bend and Goderich contribute to the high pollutant levels being recorded there. He said that, Bayfield doesn't get as many users as those two,, .beaches, -therefore . pollutant levels aren't as high. Harold Rankin of the Bruce County Health Unit said that beaches in his area . haven't had any high pollutant levels indicated through their weekly tests. Mr. Rankin said that the northern Lake Huron beaches don't usually have problems with the pollutant levels when the weather is dry. He says they usually experience problems with heavy rains. "We don't have a lot of sewage systems or big rivers that accept sewage into Lake Huron. A lot of the reason that we aren't having pollution problems is the fact we haven't had much rain." Mr. Rankin said. Sauble Beach, the largest beach on Lake Huron, was tested last week and tests revealed favorable results. While the Health Units in Huron, Lambton and Bruce continue to investigate what the sources of the high level of pollutants in Lake Huron waters could be, Grand Bend Reeve Bob Sharen is working to develop a "search and destroy operation that will pinpoint the cause of the pollution." Clinton puts controls on garage sale fever By Shelley McPhee Garage sale fever will no longer run rampant in Clinton. Town council has passed a new bylaw controlling the free enterprise businesses in Clinton. The bylaw attempts to control the "general proliferation of garage sales," a concern that has been discussed at the Clinton council table for several years. The bylaw does not apply to non-profit group sales at churches, arenas or schools. As a regulation bylaw for others, Mayor Chester Archibald explained, "Some people are conducting garage sales regularly, weekly. They should have a vendor's permit and a sales tax permit." Councillor Rosemary Armstrong agreed, saying, "Some people have turned them (garage sales) into a business, they go out and buy items for re -sale. Normally people don't need more than two garage sales a year." Clerk Cam Proctor drew up the bylaw, taking it from examples in other municipalities, particularly Kitchener, London and Midland. He noted, "People holding garage sales are doing downtown merchants out of business." It does state that no person may hold more than two garage sales per year. Every person wishing to conduct a garage sale musttpply to the clerk for a license. The fee Fe; the license is $2. The license limits the garage sale to one location and restricts it to two days, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. Licenses must be displayed at the location of the sale and are subject to inspection on demand by a peace officer or bylaw enforcement officer at any time during the sale. Any license issued may be revoked or refused by the clerk or other person designated by him, if the application submitted by the applicant or license holder contains any false, fraudulent or misleading statements. A joint application for a garage sale may be made by up to four applicants, provided that the sale takes place at the address of one of them named as the principal applicant in the application. The bylaw also states that a sign advertising the garage sale is permitted only at the location of the sale and not at any other location. Signs are not allowed on the town road allowance, but must be placed on the private property of the licensee. The sign can be no larger than six feet by four feet and must be removed immediately after"he last day of the sale. Any person convicted of an offence under the bylaw will be prohibited from holding a garage sale in Clinton for two years. Those contravening the bylaw are also subject to a maximum fine of $500 for "Turn to page :l Weather 1983 198 HI LO AUGUST 9 23 13 10 21 5 11 17 13 12 23 8 13 25 8 14 26 10 15 25 14 Rain 35mm HI LO 23 14 18 12 19 7 20 5 23 9 25 7 27 9 Rain 6mm