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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1983-09-28, Page 14AGs GEM SOCIETY PAGE 14—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28,1983 Neighb : r was n it t° t. f r i e He 1 sail ease tests new By Elsa Haydon Ontario's new Planning Act came into force on Aug. 1. On Aug. 18, the Huron County Planning and Development Com- mittee, sitting as the consent granting authority under the new Act, made its first decisions and promptly found itself in the middle of controversy over a land severance approval. An objection has been filed and the mat- ter goes to the Ontario Municipal Board. In addition, it appears that there will be some form of appeal to the provincial govern- ment to have the new Planning Act amend- ed. The controversy combines elements of private human drama, individual rights, bureaucratic procedures and the role the governments and their agencies are ex- pected to play (or not to play) in our private lives. The land severance in question concerns the property of Pauline Ingram in Hay Township. In August this year, Mrs. In- gram proposed to sever approximately acres of agricultural land from one acre on which her son, Rick Ingram, had built a house a few years ago. The Planning and Development Com- mittee minutes read: "This application is being presented on compassionate grounds, since the son had built a home on the property with the idea of some day pur- chasing the property from the father. The father passed away suddenly at age 46 leaving the spouse no alternative but to sell the property and the son is unable to raise the funds to buy the entire farm at this time." The committee granted the severance as follows: "This application conforms on compassionate grounds." Second time The committee members and all other persons involved were aware that in July last year (1982), Mrs. Ingram had made an essentially identical application for the same property ( only reversing the parcels of land to be severed and to be retained) and that the Huron County Land Division committee had turned it down because "the application does not conform to the Secondary Plan for Hay Township, as the severance would create an incompatible non-farm use in an agricultural area." It was also understood that the 1982 reasons were equally valid in 1983. What the new committee did not know in August was that the 1982 severance ap- plication had a potential objector (as the application was turned down for other reasons, no actual objection had to be fil- ed) who was represented by a lawyer men - toned in the file. The el ' ctor is Adrian Bayley whose home is next to the property in question, who has lived there for over 10 years and •• • • • • • •' • • • • • • • j who was not notified of the severance ap- plication. Grey Township Reeve Leona Arm- strong, Chairman of the Planning and Development Committee, stated in an in- terview, "I was very upset when I found out later that Bayley had objected last time and had not been notified.' Mrs. Armstrong is not sure whether the knowledge would have made a difference in the decision, but she feels that the infor- mation should have been brought to the committee's attention and "we would have been more cautious, had we known." Goderich Deputy -Reeve Jim Britnell, also on the committee, agrees with this opinion. According to the County Administrator Bill Hanly who is secretary to the commit- tee, the omission was "simply an over- sight." Although Mr. Hanly, Warden Grant Stirling, and County Planning Director Gary Davidson share the view that "com- passionate grounds", among other things, must have been considered to some degree in many past severance decisions, they agree that it is the first time that, in the absence of other reasons, such grounds were officially stated in so many words by a Huron County land division committee. When one speaks of "compassionate grounds", it must be taken into account that - quite understandably - there is reluc- tance to reveal personal and financial family matters to strangers. It is difficult for people to understand that if such private matters are part of public situa- tions and form the basis of official deci- sions by elected persons, it is inevitable in our system that questions are asked. As quoted above, the death of the father of the Ingram family has been referred to in connection with the new application of 1983. It must be noted that this tragic event had already taken place before the 1982 ap- plication was made and turned down. Connected with finances When Warden Stirling was asked whether he can foresee cases where com- passionate grounds could be extended to cover all kinds of financial hardships many people have situations where a severance could mean simply more money in the property owner's pocket, his answer was that all severances are always con- nected with finances one way or another. Is there concern that once a case has been decided on purely personal and com- passionate grounds, the system would leave itself wide open to all kinds of ques- tionable interpretations and perhaps abuses? Neither the warden nor the planning director anticipates a problem. As Mr. Davidson puts it, "No matter what kind of system is used, if one wants to abuse it, he • • • • • • • • • • CtiCk 44413 Y� Vey • IP A'S • SHOD—' 4Y5 � �r • :WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES • • LADIES' & TEENS' S,M,L • • • • • SWEATERS • 100% ACRYLIC • •V Neck *Solids • • Canadian made • • 3 STRIPE ..514 BOYS • • RUGGER S,M,L,XL : • PANTS MEN'S 4 • S, M, L, X L • • • LADIES' 100% POLYESTER • :PULL -ON :PANTS • SIZES 10-20 38-44 $' • • • • • • MEN'S SIZE 28-38 • • NO. 777 STRAIGHT LEG Aft im • :LeeJEANs • • MEN'S OR YOUNG MEN'S :DRESS SOX • WOOL BLEND OR • • • • :SPORT • :sox 3 PAIRS 4•• FACE CLOTH 2 For $1 • : DISH CLOTH 3 For $ 1 • : :TTOWELTIERRY $1 • • LADIES' OR MISSES' • ONE SIZE FITS ALL • PANTY HOSE 2 For ' 1 • • EA. • • • Prices In Effect TIII 6:00 PM • TUESDAY. OCTOBER 4 MANY MORE IN STORE SPECIALS • HOURS: MON,-SAT. 9-6 - THURS.-FRI. 9-9 • • TAYLOR'S • • DISCOUNT HOUSE • * 11s KING ST. 262-3338 HENSALL • ••••••••••••••••• • • • • Home hints Flavor Loss To prevent flavor loss when barbecuing, use tongs instead of a fork to turn the meat. Every time you pierce the meat with a fork, meat juice is released. Use Leftovers Use leftover fruit juice for glazing ham and pork. lannin will fired a way; there is no hard and safe policy to prevent it. One has to rely on the judgment of people or a group of people. And the security is provided in the right to appeal. PP However, to be able to appeal or to ob- ject, one must know about the case. This eads to the second major point of alarm. This time it was Mr. Raley who was not notified, some day it may be any of us who finds major changes next to his property without any prior knowledge. Further- more, under the new Planning Act, an ap- peal may be filed only be a person who has requested "notice of decision". Right - but how do you request it, if you have no prior notification? The ministry regards severances as essentially administrative tasks. The Act also allows the consent granting function to be delegated to just a single person (in the Waterloo Rggion, for instance, the Planning Director alone has this power). The Huron County Council has chosen to create a committee of six elected representatives. Notification policies differ The Act leaves the county the choice to establish (or not to establish) its own notification policy. The committee members interviewed are, without hesita- tion, in agreement that there should be prior notification and to establish such a policy is now the committee's top priority. Reeve Armstrong and Deputy -Reeve Britnell feel that an amendment to the Planning Act would be in order. Warden Stirling and Administrator Hanly have no wish to see mandatory notification re- quirements m the Act, out prefer only op- tional local policy. Mr. Davidson points out that when the new Planning Act was being prepared, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the planning profession made strong recommendations to the Ministry to have mandatory notificiation requirements in- cluded, but the Ministry refused because it would involve costs and delays. Mr. Davidson, who is personally in favor of notification, mentions that most municipalities do not notify in case of severances. Mr. Bayley has now been in touch with MPP Jack Riddell, with the aim of taking whatever steps are necessary, to have prior notification made mandatory under the Act, an action from which many On- ct tario citizens stand to benefit. The county's most recent voluntary notification policy under the old Planning Act was to have signs posted on the proper- ties for which severance applications were made. Last year the Ingram pro;' arty had a sign posted, but for this year's application not even that was done. Mr. Davidson's ex- planation is that as the old signs referred to the outdated Planning Act and a new policy was not yet in place in August, he decided to omit the sign in this case. Questions and controversy It is an unfortunate situation. The In - grams are bewildered and mildly resentful about the controversy. They Bayleys feel that their rights have been totally ignored and the case has been handled badly, to the point where some of the relevant reports carry later dates than Aug. 18 when the decision was made. Mr. Bayley takes the stand that the Planning Act treats us poorly, but he also asks - is a reeve elected to represent all citizens fairly and equally or is it right for him to appear at committee meetings in support of some property owners whilst completely ignoring even the common courtesies towards some others? Since the municipalities had known for more than six months when the new Plann- ing Act would come into effect, was the county well prepared in Aug. when it let a severance case fall through a hole between the no longer existing old notification policy and the not yet established new one? Reeve Stirling and Mr. Hanly feel that any new system has wrinkles at the start. What is our reaction to "compassionate grounds" for property severances? There is a feeling on some occasions that govern- ments are without compassion for human conditions and only go by the letter of the law in a bureaucratic machinery style. Can a government take a different ap- proach without being accused of unfairly taking sides and having regard for con- siderations for which it has no mandate? How well informed are the county coup. cil members? How well informed do they want to be or do they rely too much on the administration? How much interest do we take in our government? These questions are valid. If we want good government and fair treatment, we must ask them. Construction work on Matilda St. is finally in progress as a worker bends down to remove large boulders trapped in the corner of this curb. (Wendy Somerville Photo) Buy a ticket, win a quilt By Bertha MacGregor HENSALL — Rev. Kenneth Knight conducted service in Carmel Presbyterian Church on Sunday, with Doug Klopp of Zurich presiding at the organ. Com- munion will be held at the morning service at 9 a.m. Oct. 2nd. The ladies of the Church are invited to be guests of the United Church Harvest celebrations, German style By Margaret Hoggarth KIPPEN - Kippen East W.I. had an interesting meeting at the home of Mrs. Charles Eyre in Egmond- ville when Thea Wisch described the customs of the people off Germany during and after harvest. She demonstrated the making of a harvest crown the symbol of the completed harvest which is made from all the grains that have been gathered. Each members received a corsage made of grains and straw flowers, as well as a sample of bread. Margaret Hoggarth outlined the harvest festival as it is celebrated in England when each person takes an article from the garden to decorate the church. Hilda Payne described her village customs in England when the fish nets were hung in the church at the harvest festival. Thea concluded her demonstration by saying that the people thank God for the harvest for without Him and His blessing of sun and rain there would be no harvest. Dorothy Bell gave a thought-provoking talk on the Dignity of work and the necessity for discipline with love and fairness. Mrs. Wisch was presented with the Institute pin by Mrs. Drummond. Mrs. Grant MacLean took the roll call. Mrs. Alderdice gave the treasurer's report and Mrs. Pepper gave the Sunshine Report. Ladies are invited to Elimville on Oct. 12 and to Seaforth on Oct. 11. Mem- bers are providing a prize for the best loaf of bread at Hensall Fair. 4-H News The Kippen Kuties meet again! Hi, I'm Diane Van- neste, press reporter for Kippen 1 4-11 Club. Ifit's from Anstett's it says, `you're special' For Your ELEGANT MAST... an important diamond ring. How large should the diamond be? That depends on just how important he is to you. Tell your man what you think of him without saying a word. He'II get the message. OUR MEN'S DIAMOND RINGS START AT 269. COLLAR PINS 10kgold A 7 9 Plain, no diamond, from •t J5 GOLD TOOTHPICKS 10 kt. gold - from TIE PINS gold 3 62.75 3 Initial - from TIE BARS 10 Kt. Gold from 69.96 These items are all special designed and fabricated Manufacturing Ltd. by our Layaway now for Christmas. order - custom at Anstalt own craftsmen. A Albert Street. Clinton 26 Main Street South. Seaforth 2&141 Main Street, 'safer 203 Durham Street East, Walkerton 139 Queen Street East, St. Marys NSTETT JEWELL _RS MEMBER AMERICAN Prior to the business and discussion on exercise and nutrition, the Kippen Kuties joined forces with gals from Kippen 3 Club up at Vanastra. There they were put through an extensive half-hour;ofex,ercises guided by Blrbi4 _ de. Kipp en 3 served ref eSh lents, then the Kuties drove back to Hoggarth's to finish off the meeting. The next time they meet will be at Hoggarth's on 29 September. All the Kuties are to bring two towels, a face cloth and a mirror. United News The service at St. Andrew's Church, Kippen was held on Sept. 25, with Pastor Don Moffat of- ficiating. Mrs. Gerald Moffatt presided at the organ. Music included a piano instrumental by Joan Binnendyk and a solo by Hank Binnendyk, ac- companied by his daughter Joan. Awards for Sunday School. attendance over the past year were presented by the Sunday School superin- tendent Robert Cooper, assisted by Pastor Moffat. Shop and Compare on your next furniture purchase Compare price, seloc Hon and service. You II find the best for less, In Clinton at Ball & Mutch Home Furnishings 71 Albert Street CLINTON 482-9505 Open she days a week 9 •, Friday till 1 pm. J ladies' in Zurich October 6th. The Three Link Seniors have plenty of tickets for purchase on the quilt they have on display in the Hen- sall Flower Shoppe. The draw on this quilt will be made at the regular meeting on Oct. 11. All tickets are to be handed in to Mrs. Dorothy Brintnell by October 7th. Mrs. Don Flear of Grand Bend spent several days last week visiting with her mother Mrs. Jessie Arm- strong. Mrs. Leslie Jupp, Calgary, and Mrs. Wm. J. MacLean, Exeter were recent visitors with Mrs. Bertha MacGregor. Lodge to hold installation The Amber Rebekah Lodge meeting was held on Sept. 21 with Vice Grand Mrs. Margaret Upshall presidiiag;;i .theksence, of Noble Grand Mrs.Margaret Consitt, she was assisted by Mrs. Leona Parke acting Vice Grand. Mrs. Upshall reported that cards had been sent to shut- ins and reported Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Chipchase were taking up residence in the Senior Citizens Apartments. A letter was received asking for volunteers to collect for the CNIB and Mrs. Edythe Bell and Mrs. Leona Parke volunteered to canvass for the Lodge. D.U.P. Marion Rose and her installing staff of Edelweiss of Seaforth will be guests of the Lodge on Oct. 5 for the installation of the new officers. All members are in- vited to be present at this meeting. UCW meet Helen MacLean welcomed everyone to the UCW Unit 2 meeting, held on Sept. 12. Mrs. Jean Wareing had as her devotional theme Foun- dation Blocks. Rev. McDonald showed a film Beginning The Faith and led a discussion on the journey into faith. The Unit is to help at the Queensway service Oct. 11. Oct. 3 is the date of the General meeting. Oct. 6 members are invited to the Zurich UCW meeting and Oct. 18 to the South Huron Regional meeting in Exeter. Plowing Match Queen Congratulations to Lynne Dodds of R. R. 1 Seaforth who won the title of Huron County Queen of the Furrow. Lynne, the 18 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Dodds, was crowned at the 56th an- nual Huron County Plowing Match held at the farm of Claire Deichert, Zurich. The Seaforth area girl won over six other girls competing. Lynne is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sim Roobol, Hensall. IT'S W RTH THE D° VE TO THE NEW MATTRESS THE DRIVE SHOP at Featuring Simmons Serta Sleepmaster Main St., Dublin OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY NIQHT TILL 9P M Closed Mondays Waterbeds also available 345-2250 A fine appearance In spite of all the dust, in- convenience and a summer's noise, the Hensall Main Street Construction has been completed by the Lavis Com- pany of Clinton and the sod is completed by the landscap- ing company and the brick- work and asphalt, the street as a whole, presents a most appealing view. The Hor- ticulture Society is to be commended for planting the flowers and the roses in front of the library which Douwe Rozendal has watered so faithfully all summer. They have enhanced the Town Hall along with the flowers appearing around the area. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Noakes have returned home from a three week vacation in British Columbia where they enjoyed near perfect weather. The first part of their stay was with Mr. and. non, the second week on Van- couver Island, the third in the city of Vancouver. On Sept. 5, their son John was married to Colleen Nikon. The setting for the marriage was the little chapel on the O'Keefe Ran- ch, which is a pioneer village. The Chapel was built in 1867 and seats approx- imately 55 persons. Colleen was attended by her sister Pamela and John was attended by Wilfred Ratcliffe of Calgary. Brian and Robert Nikon, brothers of the bride were ushers. Following a honeymoon in Banff, John and his bride returned to London where they are residing. While in Penticton, Leonard and Minnie visited with Don and Carole Kyle and Leon Cook. They spent time recalling old times when Don and Leonard and Leon worked together. On the Island they stayed at Bazan Bay, Parksville, Uculet, Nanaimo and several places of interest. On their return to Van- couver, Leonard and Minnie stayed at The Shato Inn in the vicinity of English Bay and Stanley Park. They found that the pace of living out there is much different than at home. However, the mountains and scenery are beautiful and well worth the trip. United news The United Church was filled to capacity on Sunday morning when Baptismal Service was held for Ben- jamin Richard Parsons, son of Rick and Shelley Parsons and Craig Douglas Traquair, son of Gerry and Linda Tra- quair. Paul Alexander greeted the congregation and John O'Brien, Darren Moir, Scott Jamieson and Scott Jesney were ushers. Rev. McDonald spoke on the subject of bap- tism and emotions. The choir, under the direction of Susan Nagtegaal, sang a special anthem. This Sunday will be World Wide Communion Service as wellas transfer of member- ship from other churches. Mrs. Edith McDonald of Senlac, Saskatchewan visited her nephew Rev. Stan McDonald and is also visiting with her sister Mrs. Mark Whitney and Mr. Whitney of Highway 21. Ac- companied by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Thompson of Listowel, they attended the morning worship at Hensall United Church on Sunday morning.