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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1985-3-20, Page 1WNWO INCORPQRATiNG-TU]E BLYTH STANDARD -THE I3 YEiELD BUGLE 5 CENTS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20,1985 120T11 i' F A ll - NO. 12 • Landowners study Hydro route nr Area landowners attended an Ontario Hydro open house on March 13 to discover the provincial company's intentions on a possible power line route through the county. Most were unhappy about the proposal. The Foodland-Hydro Committee of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture plan meetings for landowners to discuss possible action. (James Friel photo) "Good farmland seems to be a low priority" By James Friel CLINTON - Area landowners and.. politi- cians .filled the auditorium at the Clinton Arena on March 13 to learn of Ontario Hydro's plans for a potential hydro tower route through Huron County. Most agreed that the need to transmit power out of the Bruce .. Nuclear • Power Development (BNPD) is important, but the "not in my backyard syndrome" as Hullett Reeve Tom„ Cunningham called it, was strongly evident. The open house was held by Ontario Hydro to solicit public input for positioning the potential line throughthe county with a minimum amount of disturbance to prime agrieulturai land. Most area politicians are waiting to learn the direction affected landowners will take after the planned meetings at South Huron Secondary School (SHSS) in Exeter on March 21 and F.E. Madill Secondary School inWingham on March 22, both at 8:30 p.m. Hullett Township Deputy Reeve Joe Gib- son said there was a lot of concern at the meeting about the proposed line. "They don't want it. Most people hope Hydro will go back to the scheduled nor •thern route," said Mr. Gibson. 'He said county councillors had wondered about the influence he would have as tree commissioner for Huron County, because several woodlots would have a swath cut through them, no matter which route was chosen through the county. However, the tree cutting bylaw has few teeth in this respect. "The majority of people I've talked to have said they don't want the line. Some say that if Hydro pays enough, they'll take the poles but there aren't many of them," said the deputy reeve. "If landowners voice their concerns and voice them strong enough, perhaps they won't „put it through here," suggested'Mr. ' Gibson, who has two properties on proposed routes. Another Hullett .council member went to the Wingham open house held on March 11,, because the Clinton meeting conflicted with a county meeting. . Reeve Tom Cunningham said people were concerned but the township council still has not discussed the issue. • The reeve has a personal interest in where the lines go. Like his deputy reeve, he has two properties which could be. affected in the event a line goes through the county. "I'm 'personally concerned because it's going to affect two of, my properties," he said. "But we have to look out for the good of the province, as well." "Power has to come out of Douglas Point after spending all that money there," he concluded. • Mr. Cunningham finds it difficult to understand Ontario Hydro's priorities. Land used for wildlife areas, for example, "they don't even want to get near." "I don't know who set up the criteria for some . places being more important than others, but good farm land seems to be a low priority." • Although Mr. Cunningham could be in- volved with his two properties, experience from the last provincial hearings, to which he was devoted a great deal of time, has made him feel a little reserved about much active work following the landowners' meetings later this week.. The more radical leanings of some of those he worked with made him feel reticent about further work. "I personally have a little trouble with some of their attitudes. They seem to be try- ing to stop it completely. At least, it maybe in the back of their minds," he suggested. Like the two Hullett politicians; Tony Mc - Quail of the Foodland-Hydro Committee is waiting to find out the response of Ian-. downers at the two meetings to be held later this week. "A number of people have expressed con- cern. At the meetings we'll find out where their interest lies and what should be done to organize to defend rights," he said,. The Turnberry Township farmer said there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the proposed lines and phenomena, "voltage tingle" for example, acquainted with hydro lines.. "A line can lose up to 10 per cent of its power during the period of travel from the Bruce to its destination." Some of the discussions Mr. McQuail has had with concerned property owners has 'been on providing professional representa- tion during the provincial hearings. "A lot of people have said we have to get enough money together to be effective at the hearings. "We've got to be prepared," he said, com- paring the phalanxes of legal talent larger municipalities had at their disposal, during the 1982 hearings to the enthusiastic, but not technically .knowledgeable volunteers representing Huron County landowners. ayfield Boats back in business By James Friel BAYFIELD - Bayfield Boats, of Vanastra, may be down but they can't be counted out, says .Jake Rogerson, part owner of the company. The boat manufacturer has been attempting to continue production of its world-class vessels since a fire in late January which destroyed most of the factoryand equipment. The company is now working out of temporary quarters at Turnbull Marine in Bayfield. "Orders have been cancelled almost daily, but we're also taking on orders. Last week we had nine new orders. "I guess people have faith in us. They think we're going to get back in business and produce a quality product, just as we always did," said Mr. Rogerson on March 18. The man was discussing the orders while watching a crew of employees working ori a 30 -foot craft within five days of being completed before the Jan. 20 fire. The boat was due in Texas almost three months ago, but still has a month of work left on it, as does a 29 -footer. There have been some problems in resuming production. It is taking the insurance company responsible for the manufacturer's coverage more; time to conclude the investigation and honor the claim than originally anticipated. However,, the continued sale of vessels is still providing the finances needed to continue the operation. The Ontario Development Corporation has agreed to lend money to Bayfield Boats to facilitate rebuilding and at a more favorable rate of interest than available at a bank, but Mr Rogerson still has a "pet peeve." While at a boat show in Quebec, the Montreal Gazette ran an article about a boat builder from France setting up shop in that province. According to the story, government grants from both federal and provin ial levels will help offset half the costs inch ed in starting up the business. The French company will employ about the same number of people as Bayfield Boats - basically direct competition for the Museumgets go ahead, of sorts Huron County council gave an approval of sorts for the go-ahead of Huron County Pioneer Museum but whether or not a new museum acttally gets built depends on the council elected this fall. Close to 50 people heard county council decide in a 16 to 12 recorded vote td put $300,000 in a reserve fund this year for the museum project. Later, taking slashes at 40 its 1985 budget, council reduced the amount to $250,000. In the same motion, council agreed to recommend that the next council also set aside $300,000 a year for the years 1986,'87 and '88. Although council agreed in principle with a museum in Huron County with a 27 to 1 vote, the amount of money to be spent was a point for debate. Reeves from Ex- eter and Hay and Morris Townships ques- tioned the size of facilities needed for the museum. Exeter's Reeve Bill Mickle and Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller called for reducing the size of a future museum, thus lowering the cost. "Can 55,000 people support a building of this size on a year-round operation?" ask- ed Reeve Mickle. "We need to think seriously about how much we want to spend on this building?" Morris Township Reeve Bill Elston said his council was only willing to commit the county to a total of $500,000 for the museum project. Support of the motion is only putting money aside for a start at the museum, said Bayfield Reeve, Dave Johnston. "The 6 draft copy is not set in stone but we need to start planning now. We're not being asked to store artifacts; we're being asked to preserve them. There's a difference," he said. Reeve Johnston said the people of the county are in agreement with the museum project because no one has asked members of county council to vote against it. Howick Reeve, Jack Stafford, chairman of the museum committee said the project has to get underway. "Rome wasn't built, in a day but it got started. We're just asking to get started. We hope to have it open this year with monies from Goderich and the county. But, if we don't get the operation up to ministry standards, they're going to close the museum," he said. In an address to county council; Goderich Mayor Eileen Palmer said the museum would benefit the entire county, not just Goderich. "The tourists that come to the Town of Goderich, don't leave monies just in Goderich. Unless they come in by boat or air, they have to come through some of your municipalities and leave money there as well," she said. Mayor Palmer said the county had the responsibility of "guardian and protector of the county's history." Colborne Reeve Russel Kernighan said he would support tie museum even though it was a tough decision because of the financial hardships being felt in the rural coriimunities. If the council elected this fall approves putting more money in the reserve, a total of $1.15 million will be raised in four years, the anticipated share of the museum for the county. It is hoped grants will be, available. Those voting in favor of the reserve fund • for the museum are West Wananosh Reeve J.R. Aitchison, Grey Reeve Leona Arm- strong, Clinton Reeve Ernest Brown. Seaforth Reeve Bill Campbell, Hullett Reeve Tom Cunningham. Goderich Depu- ty Reeve Doherty, McKillop Reeve Marie Hicknell, Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston, Colborne Reeve Russel Kernighan, Hen - sail Reeve Harry Klungel. Brussels Reeve Cal Kreuter, Howick Reeve .Tack Stafford. Stanley Reeve Paul Steck le, East Wawanosh Reeve Neil Vincent and Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell with two votes. Voting against were Ashfield Reeve .I.F. Austin, Hay Deputy Reeve Tony Bedard. Tuckersmith Reeve Bob Bell, ;Morris Reeve Bill Elston, Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, Zurich Reeve Isadore LaPorte, Turnberry Reeve Brian McBurney, Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle, Usborne Reeve Gerry Prout, Stephen Reeve Alan Walper, Stephen Deputy Reeve Ralph Weber and Hay Reeve Lionel Wilder. Absent for the vote were Blyth Reeve Tom Cronin, Wingham Reeve Joe Kerr and Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirl- ing. s business. At the same time, the Vanastra company's management has "applied, asked and shopped around" for some kind of program which would assist getting the boat builder back into full production as quickly as possible, but has had little luck. "It's upsetting that our taxes are going to help with half the start up costs" of the French firm, said the businessman. And he noted the loan "doesn't compare to out and out grants." Another problem is that half the boat molds were lost in the fire. In order to replace those molds, boats which had been nearing, completion or completed have been dismantled and copies made of their bodies. "We're almost finished with three of the molds," said Mr. Rogerson, nodding at three women finishing one of the parts. Half the boat molds were lost, but all of the tiny molds used for different functions throughout the various craft were burnt in the blaze. While there have been some problems including inaccurate press reports, and just the fact that most of the plant's "good people" are on unemployment, ,some positive aspects have surfaced. The people at the plant possess most of the skills to do the work of getting boat production back on line, saving the firm from bringing in outside help. And in the spirit that seems to be a basic part of the industrial and residential population of Vanastra, General Crane offered Bayfield Boats the free use of one of their unused buildings, satisfied to ask that the building and upkeep be kept going. Unfortunately, the boat works had to turn down that offer and others from places in Vanastra usually because of the heating systems. Open flame heating is unsuitable for the volatile work done during boat construction. Mr. Rogerson said Bayfield Boats should be going back into production in a limited way in about three days. It won't compare to the former capability of about 150 boats a year, but the company will attempt to meet as many of its orders as possible. Crews are working to clean up this 36 foot craft following a debilitating $1 million fire at Bayfield Boats, Vanastra, in late January. The boat was within five days of completion before the fire. (James Friel photo) Lookingfor 6 per cent By Stephanie Levesque ' • Representatives of the Huron County Board of Education and its secondary school teachers met on Wednesday, Marf;h 13 to negotiate further without a mediator. At' the March 6'school board meeting, the board withdrew three items from the terms of employment set up earlier this year. These three items, said teacher negotiator Shirley Weary, were withdrawn at the re- quest of the teachers because they had not been discussed at the negotiating'table. Mrs. Weary said the board agreed to amend the three items and the teachers agreed to drop charges of negotiating in bad faith. The changes mean teachers don't have an individual choice to participate in their federation levy, the administrator on the staff improvement plan doesn't get a vote and the joint workload committee is able to assign the number.of staff to teach schools. Negotiations continue By Stephanie Levesque The Huron County Board of Education ex- pects to bring its 1985 budget in at a six per cent increase or less. Although no specific.information has been released, the board's executive committee says preliminary expenditure estimates show that six per cent is a "reasonable cur- rent projection". The board's 1984 budget was $37 million. The executive committee has considered T(YNIC TIME It's a dirty job, but somebody's gotta do it. David and Mike Pullen spend a couple of weeks during spring to collect and boil down maple sap into spring's sweet tonic - maple syrup. It means spending most of the day in a steamy, smokey room outdoors, but the two enjoy their springob. For more on maple syrup produc- tion see page 23 a tentative list of capital projects amounting to slightly more than $550,000 in total. No date has been Set for the board's special budget session because up to last week the board had not received informa- tion from the ministry of education in- dicating now mucn money ine Huron school system will receive from the province. Last year, this information was received by the second week of January.