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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1984-08-29, Page 1c• G G z -THE BAYBAYFIELDTG3THE 13.L. incorporating. 30 cents No, 35 , Wednesday; August 29, 1984 Candidates meet in Londesboro D 119th year Farm topics under. fire By Stephanie Levesque About 250 people, mostly farmers, came to hear the Huron -Bruce candidates in the upcoming federal election speak on farm issues. Jointly sponsored by the Huron and. Bruce Federations of Agriculture on Aug. 22 in Londesboro, the issues at the meeting centered on agriculture related topics such as capital gains tax and agribonds. Each of the candidates - incumbent Mur- ray Cardiff for the Progressive Con- servatives, Liberal Bruce McDonald, New Democrat Valerie Bolton and Libertarian Joe Yundt - outlined their respective par- ties' positions on various issues. MP Murray Cardiff said his party's posi- tion on the capital gains tax, introduced in the 'fall of 1981, is to completely abolish it. Ms. Bolton took a similar stand adding that her party's commitment is to "equality and fairness' for the family farm. Liberal candidate McDonald said there's "no question" - that the capital gains tax has "affected farmers drastically". However, he reminded those present that the Liberal government addressed the issue by allowing 80 to 90 per cent of the sale value of a farm to be put into a Retirement Sav- ings Plan (RSP). Mr. McDonald said "he fully intends to speak out and work hard for farmers" if he doesn't agree with party policies brought torward. Mr. Yundt cautioned farmers by saying that putting money into an RSP doesn't eliminate tax, it only defers the tax. Three of the four candidates spoke in favor of agribonds. Libertarian Yundt, whose party advocates less government, doesn't support' the government being in- volved in agribonds. MP Cardiff said the agribond issue had been introduced into the House of Commons earlier this year. It had gone to the finance committee and returend to the House for ap- proval but the House recessed before deal- ing with agribonds. . Mr. McDonald and Ms. Bolton also agreed with the agribond concept. The Liberal can- didate said that minister of agriculture Ralph Ferguson "supports in principle" the concept of agribonds. Ms. Bolton said the idea of agribonds is "a good one". There were a variety of answers when all candidates were asked which was a more serious issue, high interest rates or low com- modity prices. New Democrat Bolton said the two pro- blems go `hand in hand. In her opening speech, Ms. Bolton said to solve the pro- blem, the NDP would set the Bank of Canada rate at one per cent above the infla- tion rate, support the dollar by taxing away the gains from speculating in Canadian dollars, change the bank act to require banks to 'loan a portion of their money to farmers, small businesses and home buyers at the same rate they lend to big business, and continue to press for legislation to pro- tect farmers from bank foreclosures and in- crease the role of the Farm Credit Corpora- tion in loans to farmers. MP Cardiff said high interest rates slow down the entire country. Lower interest rates, said the PC candidate, would make the entire country thrive. The Liberal -candidate said both issues are a concern. He suggested that Canagrex, which assists in marketing agriculture pro- ducts, will improve commodity prices. Mr. Yundt agreed interest rates are slow- ing down the country. Liberal candidate McDonald was ques- tioned on his involvement in the $17 million project for the Goderich harbour. He said he makes no apology for being involved as a private- citizen. The candidate said he had recognized the potential of the project for the Huron -Bruce riding. MP Cardiff said he too had worked on the project for 4'/2 years and will be pleased to see "ocean-going vessels fully loaded" leav- ing the Goderich harbor. School enrolment likely to drop There were 71 students in these schools last year and tie number is expected to increase to 73: The Catholic school system , in Huron- Ferth is, a ''cipating a student -growth rate '; about ; er cent. Superintendent Jack ore students are projected to. crit separate school this. yeai'� compared to the 1983-84 school year. There were 2,567 students in the.board's=19 schools last year and 2,602 are projected to turn up next week. The doors of schools across the province school students are expected next week, will be opening soon. compared to 6,139 students last year. This is On Sept. 4, students will be flocking to a difference of 75 students. Huron schools to start another. year of At the secondary level, 73 more students cracking the bo.oks open. are expected this year compared to last And for another year, as has been the case year. Enrolment for Sept: 4 is projected at for several years, etirolxnent at Huron. Counr`44'3,676 in the.county's five high schools.,T,here ty public schools is down from the previous wer63,603 students last year. . school year. Enrolment is also projected for an in - Huron Board of Education's financial crease at the county's three TMR assistant Paul Castle said 6,064 elementary (Trainable Mentally Retarded) schools. Two yoitngsters,impatiently await the start of one of the children's rides at the Bayfield Fair. The fait benefitted from the sunny ' weather Saturday as, large crowds lined the parade route and strolled the grounds. See inside for more fair photographs. (James Friel photo) ,L • ,. Voung,gardenerdinsshoi4"...• CUNTON - One of the youngest members of the Clinton Horticultural Society's, senior division, *year old Gwen Tolland took top awards at, the crab's annual Flower Show on August 24, Gwen earned the show's highest prize, the Clinton. Horticultural Society Award, given to the exhibitor with the highest.nttmber of points - Gwen also won the Simpson -Sears Award for displaying the best arrangement in the show. She also earned top honors for her prize gladioli, by winning the Stewart and Grace Middleton Memorial Award for the best arrangement of gladioli. The second best competitor in the showing was Jean McEwan. Miss McEwan has often been in the show's winning circle and this year she captured the Clinton News -Record award for the second highest number of points in the show. She also won a cash award, donated by ,i velyn nide, for showing the best dahlia and a cash awarciMonated by Bev Wiiliscraft, for the best gladiolus in the show.- As well, she shared cash awards, donatedby. Florentena Marquis, with Roberta Plumsteel, Dorothy Williams and Jean Barnett. Jean Barnett, another familiar name in Clinton Horticultural Society competitions, won the Verbeek Farm and Garden Award for the third highest number of points.in the show. She was also the winner of special award, donated by the Horticultural. Society, for earning the highest number of points in the arrangement classes. Another young gardener, Karen Whit- more, took part in her second flower show, and earned the fourth highest number of points. She received the Anstett Jeweller's Turn to page 2 • Judge Shirley Robinson of St. Thomas (right) and her assistant Society's annual Flower Show featured 201 entries, shown by 27 ex - Marion Gorrie of London (left) had a long afternoon on August 24, hibitors. Young competitor Gwen Holland won top honors. (Shelley choosing the best blossoms in Clinton. The Clinton Horticultural McPhee photo) owitioraititi noryet YblAe By James Friel BAYIIIELD .— Hearing officer Charles McKenzie, \presiding over the hearing of necessity in the village of Bayfield express- ed his concern about the expropriation and ownership of the -land. According to Mr. McKenzie, the Bayfield expropriation is the first, after about 25 others he has 'overseen, in which the owner- ship of the land may not be clear. The com- ments were made during the hearing of necessity held August 24, at the Bayfield Municipal Office. He said the Gemeinhardts the previous owners laid claim, "as squatters essential- ly", to 300 feet of riverfront but the inquiry concerns 450 feet of frontage. Andrew Turn- bull, the present owner of the land, may be able to establish ownership of 300 feet but may not of the full 450 feet of frontage. For the purposes of the report, however, the hearing officer said he would assume Mr. Turnbull is the owner. Mr. McKenzie stressed' 'tie is to sum- marize the hearing and make recommenda- tions to the expropriating authority, in this case the village of Bayfield, but be does not make any decisions. "My inclination is to recommend against the expropriation proceeding because the inquiry raises more questions in my mind than answers," said Mr. McKenzie.'He said the following submissions could change his mind. The hearing officer also felt the inquiry a necessary exercise, "so there can be some reasonable way for the ratepayers of Bayfield to determine the ultimate cost to each ratepayer of acquiring, the riverfront. property." . "The cost is not insignificant, it is very significant. The owner, in effect, has free run before the (Ontario Municipal) Board." He explained his preface to counsels' sub- missions was not intended as a, "scare tac- tic to frighten anyone, but it is always pru- dent not to write a blank cheque." Mr. McKenzie also suggested during Earl Cherniak's submission, (Mr. Cherniak is Andrew Turnbull's lawyer), that 'a com- promise be made. He noted the cottage plan- ned by Mr. Turnbull has access to the road and that the public could be allowed some kind of approach on the level part beside the river. Erosion control costs could be shared by Mr. Turnbull and the municipality. "There is a tremendous danger in polariz- ing the positions of the village and Mr. Turn- bull. I don't want to act as a catalyst," said during his attempt at an agreement. Both lawyers tentatively agreed a corn - promise could be worked out and assured Mr. McKenzie their clients would carefully consider the idea: Village. representative Peter Hockin followed Mr. McKenzie's preface with his submission. He opened his remarks stating the basic tenet governing the hearing, to determine whether the expropriation is "fair, sound and reasonably necessary in the objectives of the expropriating authori- ty," should be assumed and beyo,corm- ment. According to the village's lawyer, Mr. Cherniak attempted to demonstrate that the village has no need for additional parkland through witness Donald May. Parkland is not the issue, said Mr. Hockin, the inquiry is to establishthe soundness.of taking the land. Mr. • Hockin reintroduced his witness' testimony saying, "their evidencecomes from experience and love of the village." Based on a rule of thumb of five per cent of the total acreage of the village, Mr.- May said there is no need for more parkland, but longtime residents disagree, Mr. Hockin pointed out. One of_thereasons.the village of Bayfield is unique is the river and the opportunities it affords, continued the lawyer. The north side has been completely developed by. private interests, barring a boat launch, and the land in contention is the last ,section of the south side. "It would not only be wrong but scan- dalous if the citizens did not have access to this river," he stated: The issue of ownership was also address- ed in Mr. Hockin's submission. He said a hearing under the auspices of the Certifica- tion of Titles Act is presently underway and will decide the question. - "Only after both hearings are completed can the village council make a decision,", he said. The lawyer asserted that in Mr. May's evidence there seemed to be an implicit ac- ceptance of a passive park. He maintained the slope, which concerned Mr. May and engineer Dennis Kerr, could be fenced off to eliminate erosion from use by the public. He also noted that neither mentioned reserva- tions about the heavy machinery required for construction or the continual use as a residence. Mr. Cherniak suggested during his sub- mission that the hearing officer advise the village the expropriation is "unfair to the private owner, unsound with no redeeming features, and that no necessity has been demonstrated." Mr. Cherniak also suggested the village can't afford the cost of the expropriation and that the action was apparently taken to prevent another marina being built. The London lawyer said the only interest councils had since the late 1970s demonstrated in the land was for erosion control. Minutes from meetings held during that time do not show any references to the development of a park, just as the Official Plan and current zoning bylaw are without those same references. He said the matter discussed was, "about one of the most important objectives, accor- ding to Mr. Hockin." "If it is an objective, then it is at least curious there is no mention in the minutes," he continued. "The village council knew they .couldn't justify expropriation for erosion control. because Mr. Turnbull has engineering plans with his permit (request)," said Mr, Cher- niak. Erosion control was not mentioned in the' grounds for. expropriation after being discussed for years by the village. Mr. Cher- niak also noted that there have not been any studies made to determine the feasibility of the proposed passive park and suggested the land does not lend itself to the idea of a park. The lawyer concluded that the long-term Plan of a park in this area was, "a crock and an afterthought because it (the expropria- tion) cannot be otherwise justified." Mr. Cherniak-returned to the cost factor of the expropriation. He said the $200,000 Mr. May suggested as a minimum cost of the project as . an "unfair, unsound and Unreasonable" sum to saddle the municipality with. The town did not outline how this sum was to be paid, said Mr. Cherniak. The lawyers exchanged barbs again over the intent of the municipality with its first expropriation attempt. Mr. ,Cherniak said the fact a hearing of necessity is required should have been brought to the attention of council by council itself. He asked the hear- ing officer to, "explain some of the facts of life to this council." Mr. Hockin retorted that the expropria- tion brought before the Supreme Court of Ontario was quashed by consent after he ex- amined the document and discovered the bylaw could not achieve what it was design- ed to do. • Mr. McKenzie's report will be given to council within the next month. Council may then release the report with their decision, if custom is followed. Damages total X56,000 BAYFIELD - Goderich OPP estimated damages in the Bayfield Fire Department - tanker collision on the Bayfield River Highway 21 Bridge on August 18 at more than $56,000. The fire department tanker truck receiv- ed $45,000 in damages when it slammed into the bridge. Two cars were also damaged in the accident and damage to the bridge was set at $4,000. The Goderich OPP reported that the tanker was responding to a late afternoon , call to a barn fire at the Don Middleton farm in Goderich Township when the accident oc- curred. The northbound tanker, driven by volunteer fireman Bradley Bagot of Bayfield and a stopped vehicle, a 1982 Volkswagon driven by Barbara Deahn of London, Collided in the middle of the bridge. The force of the collision pushed the Deahn car into a third vehicle, cosi'. en by Graham Bielby of Ajax. The tanker, carrying 3,000 gallons of water, toppled on its side and slid into the east side of the Bayfield River Bridge. Barbara Deahn sustained minimal in- juries in the crash and the driver and passenger in the tanker truck miraculously escaped injury. On August 20, Bayfield Fire Chief Don Warner said that a press release from his department would be made this week, but it was not available at press tune. Fire departments from Goderich and Clinton were called in to assist the Bayfield brigade at the barn fire. Tanker trucks and emergency vans were sent to the scene of the blaze, but fire fighters were unable to save the structure. Lightning was blamed as the cause ,of the fire.