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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-03-04, Page 1139 YEAR - 09 GODERICH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1987 A-1-1-1-1right GDCI Senior Viking guard Bob Barwick proudly displays the gold medal the team won Thursday after winning the Huron -Perth League basketball championship For the second, straight year. With a clenched fist and raised aria, Barwick let out a whoop and holler after the Vikings edged Stratford Northwestern Huskies 42-41 here Thursday to win the best -of -three championship in two straight games. Details of the series and pictures of the final game appear on the sports page. (photo by Dave Sykes) lMiilisters: are optimistic on Highway 8 proposal Though he gave no firm commitment to widening Highway 7 and 8 from Kitchener to Stratford, Ed Fulton, Mint'ster of Trgnsporation and Communication went as far as dubbing it the "408'{ when five Huron and Perth mayors met with him Feb. 19, in Queen's Park. The mayors who represent the towns of Goderich, Clinton, Mitchell and Seaforth and the township of Wilmot, voiced their support of a City of Stratford'petitibn for the completion of widening Highway 7 and 8 between Kitchener and Stratford. They also requested that by-pass improvements through that city be made, as soon as possible. - Seaforth Mayor Alf Ross, who acted as spokesperson for the group, told Fulton the flow of trdffic, agricultural and industrial products, and consumer goods and ser- vices is two-way, and municipalities such as Seaforth, Mitchell, Clinton and Goderich, represent markets for Toronto based suppliers and distributers,. just as the wider Toronto centred region represents a primary market for this area. "The two-way exchange is directly dependent on the quality of highway ac- cess to the 401," he said. "The main problems with this link at present are the time it takes to get through the City of Stratford and the difficulties, real or perceived, experienced along Highway 7-8 between Stratford and Kitchener." Ross said the key is competitive advantage. "Although part of the problem is ease of access and the time required to cover the disrance,the major problem is this area's market proximity relative to that of other communities in southern Ontario who are directly linked to the Toronto centred region by the Highway 401, 400; 404, 403 or • QEW corridors." Ross.said .improvements to the bypass . route through the City of Stratford is view- ed as essential to the long-term economic stability of the communities further to the west of 'Stratford. "The Towns and Townships west of Stratford have been .experiencing a lengthy period of economic stability verg- ing on slow decline with the current in- stabilities in the ' agricultural industry forecasted to continue at least into the next decade, so , alternative directions for economic, growth and development must be explored, he said." 'If four lane access to Highway 401 is important for the continued growth and development of the City of Stratford, it is absolutely critical for the long term economic prospects of the municipalities west of Stratford, added Ross." The delegation got strong support from Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell and Perth MPP Hugh Edighoffer. Edighoffer said a widened' highway is needed to promote agriculture -related in- dustry and get off -farm jobs for young. farmers just starting out. Riddell said highway access is really needed to strengthen the economic development in southwestern Ontario. The Huron -Perth delegation intends to keep pushing for a "408" highway until Fulton makes a commitment to it. Even if it is five to seven years down the line the towns can go out and encourage industries that access to the 401 will be improved. The next step will be the preparation of an economic development plan for each of the towns represented by the delegation' in Huron• and Perth Counties. Co mittee 60 CENTS PER COPY transmission line route chooses to appeal the Hearing Board, decision, the committee would undergo a "re -organization of its structure" which, after the appeal is exhausted, would turn the attentions of the committee to aiding the individual landowner's in receiving fair treatment from Ontario Hydro, seeing that Hydro's line construction is carried out properly and that the farmers get fair compensation for the land. "If it :comes to a line being built, the members will be well informed which will ensure that the individual landowner isn't, lost when dealing with the huge .utility," he said. Mr. McQuail said he "was disappointed but not surprised" by the Hearing Board's recommendation of the Hydro route • through the farmland of southwestern On tario. However, he believes the committee did receive some cbncessionsfrom the hearing board which did listen to some of the concerns of the farming community."; , He said Hydro originally wanted two lines from the BNPD to London, but were only awarded one line by the board. He • also said the board 'also recommended 'more extensive use of the single -based towers which would have less of effect on agriculturerThesetype of towers would be used when' crossing the field of specialty crop class 1 to 4 land when feasible and on property borders on land which is actively, being farmed. • "There's going to, be greater use of .the single -based towers than Hydro had originally envisioned. The organization did effectively represent the landowners as Hydro didn't get everything they wanted ••on the Bruce to London line.," he said. An upcoming meeting in Exeter of the Foodland Hydro Committee will decide whether the committee will appeal the Hydro Hearing Board's approval of a Hydro transmission route from the Bruce Nuclear Power Development (BNPD), to London, says the Chairmanof the corrunit- tee in a recent interview. Tony McQuail, the Chairman of ,the Foodland Hydro Committee, said the membership will meet in Exeter at the high school on March 11 to give the members "a chance to discuss various op- tions of how to proceed". However, Mr. McQuail said it was still premature to tell if the 1,600 -member com- mittee opposed to the Bruce to London Hydro route will go ahead with an appeal of the route, but said that the upcoming meeting will result in "a good indication of the way we want to go". "It's hard to be sure of the Mood of the Membership." said Mr. McQuail. The Foodland Hydro meeting comes on the heels of the announcement by the Con- .solidated Hearings Board on February 20 to recommend a transmission.. corridor be established from the BNPD through southwestern Ontario to Hydro's London Generating Station. The line would in olve a 500 Kilovolt double circuit line t ough' Bruce, Huron and Middlesex Counties. Also at the meeting, Mr. McQuail said the membership will be given an explana- tion as to what the board's decision means. The committee's legal council will also be `on hand to respond to the board's decision as well as to answer questions on ex- propriation or any other concerns regar= ding the proposed route. • ` Mr. McQuail said if the membership Council spends over $4 9 attending official functions Members of Goderich .Town Council spent a total .of $4,573.55 attending meetings, conferences', seminars, workshops and other official functions dur- ing 1986. According to a summary of ex- penses and remuneration presented to council. by Administrator Larry McCabe, at the Feb. 23 meeting, the expenses were divided among five of 'the eight council • inembers, with three councillors submit- ting no expense vouchers at all last year. Mayor Eileen•Palmer's expense account was the highest, totalling $2,172.27 for .ex- penses- incurred while attending such events as: the Ontario Good Roads Con- vention, Municipal Police and Police Governing Authorties meetings, meetings with other municipal mayors and other of- ficial functions. The mayor returned $188.37 in unused advance money, lower- ;ng the final tally to $1,983.90 for 1986., ' Deputy Reeve John Doherty was the next most travelled council member, com- piling expenses o£ $1,223.62 along the way to such functions as the Bay City Celebra- tion and the Ontario Parks Association Convention. Reeve Harry Worsell sole sojourn was to the, Pollution Control Association' of On- tario conference, with registration and ex- penses totalling $485.85. ' Councillor John Stringer spent $631.81, minus $173 in money returned for total ex- penses of $458.81 in 1986, while Councillor Peter McCauley billed the town $60 for at- tending a new councillors seminar. • Councillors Jim Searls, Stan ,Profit and Glen Carey attended no functions.. for•." which expenses' were filled. Among town employees, the expenses of Administrator Larry McCabe were the highest at $2,911.94, minus $79.07 in money returned. Deputy Clerk -Treasurer I,ee 'Ryan incurred expenses of $349.32, less $29.40 returned. Commissioner of Works Ken Hunter ran up a tab of $1,459. In total, general administration expenses came to $5,091,45. Building department expenses totalled ' $3,507, including the expenses of depart- ment head Building Inspector Doug Har- rison, which carne to $1,875.52. Tourist Promoter Robin Stuart's ac- count came to $2,218.98, less $96.38 return- ed. Total tourist department expenses came to $2,848.79. Total Police Commission and Police Department expenses were $5,834.92, in- cluding $1,814 for Chief Patrick King, less $56.10 returned and $1,400.50 for Commis- sionerDavid Gower and $1,130.50, less $113 returned, for Chairman Alvin McGee, as well as expenses incurred by other police officers and members of the corn.rnission. In other departments: total expen- ditures by the Day Nursery staff were $697; Works and Property expenses, $924; environmental expenses, $1,114. 20; 'Parks and Waterfront, $971.20 and Airport Com- mittee and Managment expenses were $2,298.19. Gt'i/14t d e ri ch n wing MO, .1"0 Don McDougall, of RR 2, Goderich, has won $10,000 in the Ontario 1,ottery Cor- poration's instant game, Match 3 Sweeps. Match 3 Sweeps players win if they scratch their $2 ticket and find the same prize arriount three times. Instant prizes available are: $10,000; $1,000, $100, $25, $10, $4 and a free ticket. Players who find the word 'Sweeps' three times becor f inalists in the sweepstakes show, which features the $1 million top prize, with every finalist guaranteed $10,000. The Ontario Lottery Corporation operates six lotteries in the province. To date, more than $1.9 billion has been raised for distribution by the government to a variety of projects. Protest decrease in road. funding A notion to "strongly protest." the decrease in funding' to municipalities for road construction and maintenance by the Ministry of Transportation and com- munications was passed by Goderich Town Council at their Feb. 23 meeting. Works Commissioner Ken Hunter reported to council that the average in- crease in road grants over the past 10 years was6,3 per cent. However, he noted, rhe average increase over the last four years has been only 2.45 per cent: During that same period„ the ministry' also ended the expemption from the seven per, cent provincial sales tax for municipalities and a partial subsidy of truck licensing, Marina users • p lan . re, eete The' operation of the municipally -owned Snug,Harbour Marnia has been the subject of much consideration, since high water levels and increased pollution in the vicini- ty sparked an exodus of boaters from the marina over the past few years. Despite the problems, Goderich Town ' Council has accepted a recommendation 'from the •Parks and Waterfront Cornmit- tee, that an offer from a group of rnarnia patrons to assume responsiblity for the operation. of the facility be turned down. The group of boaters, headed by Bob Allen, had offered to aid the"tdwn by handling the day-to-day running 'of the marina. After reviewing their. proposal at their Feb. 11 meeting, the committee concluded it is best for the. town to.conti.nueoperating the marina as there is no advantage to having the boaters do it:. • The committee authorized the operation. • of the marnia in the, follbwing manner in 1987: that dockage besold_ for seasonal and monthly periods only; Marina Supervisor Bruce Aplin be put on the Parks staff at his regular arena rate and, if the marina goes back into full operation, Mr: Alli' wouldbe placed at the Marina at this regular • Marina rate; gas will be sold at the marina on an call-outbasis; there will be no per- manent maintenance staff, fee collectgion, gas dispensing, and so en,` will be done by Parks staff. Rabies incidents- double More than 92 cases of animal rabies have been reported ,in Huron County in 1986 compared to 36 in 1985. As a result, 50 people have received the anti -rabies vaccine after coming in con- tact with a rabid animal, Dr. James McGregor, medical officer of health for the Huron County Health Unit said today. McGregor said that, under a provincial regulation that has been adopted in Huron County, it is compulsory for all dogs and cats three months of age and over to be vaccinated against rabies. The regulation is intended to protect people from the disease, he said. Most cases of human anti- rabies treatments result from contact with cats and dogs which have been infected by a, rabid wild or domestic animal. Although vaccinating domestic animals is the only barrier between rabies and peo- ple, only 40 per cent of dogs and 15 per cent of cats in Ontario are currently immuni2- ed. More than 50 per cent of the human ex- posures to the disease occur from contact with owned, unimmunized dogs and cats — often one's.own household pets. Special low-cost clinics will be held and pet owners will be charged only $6.00 per animal for the rabies vaccination. Owners also have the option of going to their regular veterinarian. An immunization certificate will be issued to the owner, indicating when and Turn to page 3 • County decision on airport area rezoning expected By LOU -ANN HOPE A Colborne Township resident is upset with the way in which his application for an Offical Plan amendent and zoning bylaw change to allow severance of some property is being handled by Huron County. Dr. Karl Campbell, of RR 5 Goderich, applied for an amendment and zoning bylaw change on his property located on the airport road., neighbour, Tony Vandersteen has also applied fol' the same changes. Dr. Campbell wishes to have the land changed from Agriculture - Small Holding, to Rural Residential. He is asking for veranee of two loth from his 2.6 hectare property - a 0.83 hectare lot and a 0.76 hec- tare lot - to allow for the construction of new residences. Vandersteen's recjuest is for the severance of a 0.63 hectare section of his property for the -same reason. The Goderich Airport Committee and Town of •Goderich have opposed their applications. A public meeting held January 21, allow- ed opinions concerning the application to be aired: Rej7resentatiyes of the Town of Goderich, Airport Committe, Colborne Township Connell, the Huron County Plan- ner and Huron County Planning and Development Committee,.as well as eoh- cerned'citizens attended the meeting. At a regular council meeting, after stn - dying the issue and receiving letters of support from 130 Colborne Township residents, Colborne Township Council ap- proved Dr. Campbell and Mr. Vanders- teen's request for the rezoning of their land. "The township had no objections with the rezoning of the land," Hudson Milburn, clerk of Colborne Township, said. Next it line to make a decision was the Huron County Planning and Development Committee (who decided at their Feb. 19 meeting, to oppose the application based on a report from the Planning and Development Departm 1, followed by Huron County Council (whites meets Thursday, Mardi 5). Dr. Campbell is upset with the report prepared by Huron County Planner Cindy Fisher, who does not support the applica- tion, and the decision made by the plann- ing and development committee. "There are no hard planning reasons to disapprove our planning application. It is good for the township since the tax base will be enhanced, infilling will be achieved and the esthetics will be improved," Dr. Campbell said. In the County Planner's\ report, seven issues and considerations supporting and not supporting the land use designation change are listed: Supporting issues include: the fact that Turn to page 3 • Vikings win title The Goderich Senior Vikings bn^sketball team captured its .second straight Huron - Perth league championship here last Thursday defeating the Stratford Nor- thwestern Huskies in two straight games in the best -of -three championship series. For story and pictures, see the Sports section. GLT play review The Goderich Little Theatre (GLT presented their spring play last week. "The Effects of Gamma Rays of Man -in - the -Moon Marigolds" was a success due to the talents of, its all -female cast. For a , review, see inside this section.