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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-08-05, Page 1Gthe'erich t39YEAR -31 GODERIC'U, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY; AUGUST 5, 1987 60. CENTS PER .COPY Huron County Museum Committee Chairman, Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell (centre) greeted Minister of Citizenship and Culture Lily Munro (right) at a block -laying ceremony for the Huron County Pioneer Museum, Wednesday, July 29. At left is Huron County Warden Brian McBurney. (photo by Patrick Raftis) Pioneer Museum called one of Ontario's best BY PATRICK RAFTIS "The Huron County Pioneer Museum is one of Ontario's finest community museums," 'said Citizenship and Culture Minister Lily Munro, during a visit to Goderich, July 29. Munro was in town Wednesday for a ceremonial laying of the datestone for the multi-million dollar expansion to the musuem, toward which her ministry has contributed a $1.1 million grant. Also attending the ceremony were: Huron County Warden Brian McBurney, County Museum Committee Chairman, Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell, Goderich Mayor Eileen Palmer, Huron County Museum Co-ordinator Claus Breede and Jim Fitzgerald, representing Huron MPP Jack Ridell, who could not attend due a prior committment. Worsell thanked Munro for her ministry's contribution to the project. "I'm sure you'll all agree it will be a fine facility when completed," said Worsell, who also expressed appreciation to the other committee members, McBurney and Hullett Township Reeve Tom Cunn- inghain, as well as project architect Christopher Borgal, of 131yth. "I would like the minister to know we ap- preciate all the interest she has taken in our museum and in this project," said Palmer. Munro said she is a "strong supporter of the whole concept of •community museums". "They are what culture in Ontario is all about," she added. The minister complimented the museum administration and staff on their committ- ment and determination to see that the museum's "unique collection expands and grows and is in a position to be enjoyed". The new renovations, she said, "will allow the professional competency of the staff to be shown to best advantage:" Munro also'made some comments which paint an encouraging financial picture for the museum's future, notingthat it is still under consideration for federal contribu- tions to the current project, although no federal funds have yet been committed. Also, she said, "I'm quite confident you ( the museum) will, be receiving some of our on-going monies for museums". The minister's visit concluded with a tour of the construction site and viewing of the model and blueprints for the renova- • tions. Later that evening she attended a performance at the Blyth Festival. Minister of Citizenship and CultMe Lily Munro took trowel in hand to lay the datestone for the Huron County Pioneer Museum renovation project, Wednesday, July 29, as Harry Worsell, county museum chairman and reeve of Goderich, looks on. (photo by Patrick Raftis) Commercialization of new beach area denied at present BY PATRICK RAFTIS Visitors to St. Christopher's beach and -- -the-new--beach- area—south-e€-the—water treatment plant will have to continue mak- ing the trip to the main beach, if they wish to purchase food, for the time being. No commerical operations will be allow- ed, other than the existing ones at the main beach until further plans for development of the two newer beaches are prepared, it was decided at a special joint meeting of the Parks and Waterfront and Administra- tion Committees, July 29. The issue was referred to the joint meeting by Goderich Town Council, with power to act, following council's receipt of a letter requesting permission to set up a mobile food wagon in the St. Christopher's area at their July 20,.meeting. After discussing the matter, the joint committee.,,received and filed the letter from Norman Leddy. A motion to have all correspondence on the issue referred to the Parks and Waterfront committee for them to examine and make a recommen- dation back to council was also passed at the. meeting. PASSIVE AREA "I think it should remain a passive area at this time. The beach is not fully developed yet," said Councillor John Str- ' inger, who seconded Councillor Peter Mc- Cauley's motion to receive and file the let- ter. Stringer noted that a policy concern- ing development at St. Christopher's Beach and the newly -developed beach, tenatively referred to as St. Christopher's Cove, should be in place by next spring. McCauley pointed out that plans are in the works to put in a grass area, with trees, and a parking lot at the cove next year. "We should be a lot more organized and we can take a look at it (food concessions) next time,",he'said. "To allow any development down there at this time would be premature," Said Mayor Eileen Palmer, pending approval • of an application for development funds by Parks Canada. An application was sent to them in May, and a reply is expected in the near future. "I think we have a resource down thei that is unequalled, unparalleled on Lake Huron," Palmer said. "When we do it (develop the beach) I want it to be done in the best interests of everyone," she added, noting that public meetings would be re- quired to obtain input from beach, users and surrounding landowners. SPECIFIC PURPOSES Reeve John Doherty, who had spoke in favor of allowing a mobile food wagon to serve the beach area at the July 20 council meeting, reiterate -d. his_ position, it, .wotildke_. a good idea on, busy weekends. "On busy weekends like we've had in the past, a mobile unit might be alright for specific purposes," he said, adding that he was not advocating construction of a per- manent food stand at this time. However, Doherty said he would not object if the committees decided not to allow food sales at the beach at present. Doherty ad raise the question of en- forcement of the ban, asking if council could stop a food wagon licenced for the town from going .down to the beach. Adminsistrator Larry McCabe explain- ed such wagons could not operate at the beach under the present zoning, traffic and parks by-laws. - Larry Jeffrey, owner of the Beach Hut at the main beach, told the committees he was opposed to the idea of any additional food sales outlets at the beach, but said he would apply to be involved, should any new concessions be permitted. "I am prepared to put up the best look- ing building, of the type council requires," he said: "However, at the same time, I would rather leave it the way it is," he added. MANY CONSIDERATIONS Councillor Bill Clifford, Adminstration Committee chairman, presented a .list of factors he considers pertinent to the discussion of commercial operations at the beach. In addition to the Natural Environment zoning at the beach, Cliffords report pointed out several other considerations. "Limitations:. If food concessions are allowed, should other goods and services concessions be allowed i.e. shirts, sunglasses, beach balls, souvenirs, paddle boat rentals, amusement area, water slide etc: How many food concessions should be allowed? Should food concession be a mobile unit or sltiold the municipality build a 'shell' and lease it out..." Other concerns pointed out in the report include: services, hours of operation, tender process for applications and business fees or taxes. Public Works Commissioner Ken Hunter said the whole issue of beach development will be considered over the coming winter, including the holding of public meetings, and a development plan should formulated by next spring. Leadership, local development major campaign issues, Riddell Leadership and the revitalization of the local economy will be major issues in the provincial election campaign, says Jack Riddell, Liberal candiate in Huron. An elec- tion has been set for September 10, 1987. Riddell, who is also the Minister of Agriculture and Food, said he looks forward to the campaign as it will give voters a chance to discuss the future of Huron Coun- ty and the province. In announcing the election date, Premier David Peterson said, "Ontarians are entitl- ed to pass judgment on the leadership we have provided, for the past two years, and on the directions we believe are necessary for the years to come." Riddell said Peterson has proven to be a strong leader, who is willing to tackle tough situations and come up with solutions that are best for the province as a whole. Riddell said the campaign will also focus attention on some of the economic develop- ment problems facing Huron County. "It's going to take the combined efforts of all levels of government and the people of Huron to ensure that we get the type of healthy growth necessary to 'make jobs available for our young people," he said. Riddell- noted that Huron County has received numerous grants from the provin- cial government to provide services and in- frastructure necessary for industry. In addition, Riddell has regularly arrang- ed for meetings between government ministries and various local businessmen and municipalities -in order to help existing and new businesses. "With his solid business background, David Peterson understands the concerns of the business community," Riddell said, "We have taken some important steps to help this essential sectors." Rotary plans to develop local mineral springs BY YVETTE ZANDBERGEN The Goderich Rotary Club's mineral springs project and local beach develop- ment were the topic of discussion at a re- cent Rotary Club meeting ~held at St. Christopher's Beach with guest speakers Goderich Mayor Eileen Palmer and Com- missioner of Public Works lien Hunter. Rotary Club President Gary Sholdice said the club was looking for a major pro- ject in Goderich and consulted the town about ideas and in turn, the town sug- gested the club attempt to develop the mineral springs located on the property of CP Rail. "The mineral springs havebeen running for years and it seems to have lost significance," he said, adding plans for the project havealready beep drawn up by an architect, and the Rotary Club had a car draw last year to raise funds to begin the work. According to Sholdice, the plans include building a fountain and a park -like setting around the fountain which is ideal for relaxation or can be used as a setting for wedding pictures. It is expected to be com- pleted sometime in 1988. • si.:. At a recent Rotary Club meeting held at mineral springs were discussed. Here, a sioner of Works Ken Hunter show the plan. Hunter said the town has been negotiating with CI' Rail for two years to take over the CP RaWstation and currently have an unwritten deal. When the station is St. Christopher's Beach, developments of the Rotary Club member helps Goderich Commis - (photo by Yvette Zandbergen) closed, ('P Rail will sell the station for $1. Hunter expects the deal to be closed within the next six months. "They have to go through the legal pro- cess of closing it," he said. Hunter said the station has to close before the Rotary Club can obtain the piece of property needed for the mineral springs. Improvement of the beach in general was also discussed. Mayor Palmer said St. Christopher's Beach was originally a swamp. In conjunction with the federal and provincial governmeflt's, the town was able to get $100,000 from Parks Canada and they also tapped into the Ontario Neighbourhood Improvement Program (ONIP 1. To impliment the work, the town received help from the Unemployment In- surance (UI) 38 program,with the govern- ment paying for labour on the project. She said they hope to develop the area between the water plant and pollution plants in the same manner as St. Christopher's Beach. An application was sent into Parks Canada to make the area known as "St. Christopher's Cove." "Council is interested in ka'eping it a passive area and we get the feeling this is what the taxpayers want and like," she said, adding there will be public meetings in the future to. discuss this. Premier visits in area today Premier David Peterson will attend a barbecue hosted by Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell, MPP for Huron -Middlesex Riding, Aug. 5 (today ). Peterson is expected to be at the barbecue, held at the Riddell farm on Highway 83, between Dashwood and Ex- eter, between 6 and 7 p.m. Rain location is the Dashwood Community Centre. Din- ner is between 5 and 8 p.m. Minister of Transportation and Com- munications Ed Fulton will will also at- tend the barbecue after touring parts of Highways 4 and 8 and meeting with local and county municipal officials in Blyth at 2p : . Tickets are available from Liberal Municipal chairpersons or executives. The event is sponsored by the Huron Municipal Liberal Association. ODC meeting in Bayfield The Ontario Development Corporation ( ODC) and its directors are taking to the road' in an effort to raise the profile of the funding and industrial development group, and a two-day meeting of the Board of Directors in Bayfield last week was the -first steee-p-in- that direction_ ..--. The ODC, responsible for handling a portfolio of loans and government finan- cial assistance packages through the Ministry of Industry, Trade. and Technology, mainly provides and insures loans for secondary manufacturing con- cerns in the province; it helps finance the development of offshore markets and substantially aids the province's tourist industry. The ODC is an umbrella group for regional divisions of the corporation and includes 16 directors, all from the private sector. The Northern Ontario Develop- ment Corporation and its Eastern Ontario counterpart, have 14 directors each. In- novation Ontario Corporation, 'w th 15 directors, is helping compatri" s' with development in the high tech area. Owners and managers of two industrial parks in the province, one near Cobourg and the other in Centralia, the ODC has been somewhat passive in its development role, a shortcoming ODC's Chariman, Doug Johnson of Kenora hopes to alleviate. "We own and manage both industrial parks, which were military bases, but we have been passive managers," Johnson explained. "We need to be more pro- gressive and try and get more industry there. In the case of Huron Park, that would help this whole area." Johnson views the ODC's mandate as a clear one that demands economic develop- ment, expansion and the creation of per- manenet jobs in the province. It is a man- date, he believes, the corporation is living up to. "We have created over $125 million in in- vestment in Ontario and that has provided over 3,000 jobs in the last five years," he said adding that the corporation often augments financing or,acts as a guarantor for a manufacturing concern, rather than a last resort. Formally created in 1965, the ODC has been instrumental in providing $36`million Turn to page 2 • INSIDE THE SIGNAL -STAR Dunlop days The weekend was full of activities for persons of all ages during the annual Tiger Dunlop Days Celebration. Despite the rain, the weekend was a success. Once again, the Signal -Star recorded events on film and for a pictorial display of the weekend, see the front page of the Community section. Horse racing Last Thursday evening was Champion and Blanket Night at Goderich Raceway. The winning horse of each race was presented with a blanket. For pictures and story regarding race night, see the Sports section.