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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance Times, 1995-04-26, Page 3,o Airport `a burden on taxpayers' Commitee hears at Morris session MARGARET STAPLETON As host municipality of the posed Wingham airport, M Township will bear no Financia sponsibility for the faciltiy, rate ers were assured at an informa meeting last Monday night at grave. Reeve Bert Elliott of Morris the meeting was called to pro township residents with a chanc provide input into the airport ject. Although there were a few cal opponents of the plan, the c sensus of those present .appear generally favorable. Bernard Schropp of Paragon En- gineering in Port Elgin gave a brief synopsis of the project to date. In 1993, an aiport committee was formed in Wingham to study •the possiblity of constructing a munici- pal airport locally. Since then, a sit;, near Bluevale was selected, but proved unsuitable. More recently, a new site has been secured in Morris Township near Bridge Motors. The 4,000 -foot air strip would run parallel to High- way 86. The majority of the airport property could remain in agricultu- ral production. Schropp is proposing a "lean an mean" operation with no one em ployed, full-time, on-site, at least • the start. The total cost of the pro ject is estimated at $2.39 millio After the provincial contribution, it is approved, the total cost to th town would be $526,000, of whic Wescast Industries has agreed t pay 60 per cent, leaving Wing ham's share at $200,000, whic currently is held in reserves, ac cording to Wingham Councillo Ward Robertson. During the question period, Mor ris resident Debbie Himmelman stated her opposition to the airport proposal. She called the construc- tion of an airport locally "a burden on ithe taxpayers of Ontario," espe- ciaily when airports already exist at Goderich and Hanover: She also had questions about zoning of the proposed airport lands and .con- cerns about "landlocking" the white pine crop at the hack of her farm. Ian Moreland, chairman of the airport development committee, said Wescast puts $22 million into the community each year in direct and in -direct benefits. Moreland was unapologetic in the .commit- tee's desire to see the industry grow and flourish and if an airport is re- quired to meet that end. then so he it. He went on to say the province is committed to building an airport in this area sometime in the next three years and Wingham might as well get it as some other community. As far as Mrs. Himmelman's tree crop is concerned, Moreland pledged that the committee would work with her or any other nearby landowners with similar concerns. • One man claimed a municipal airport built at Huron Park has done nothing to attract industry to that. community .and another. Alex Mac- dougall. said he believes such gov- ernment largesse is the recipe for fi- nancial ruin and will eventually . bankrupt Ontario and its citizens. However, John Schenk, a mem- her of the airport committee. said he believes there is a difference in t pro - orris 1 re- pay on Bel - said vide e to pro- vo- on- ed d at n. if e h 0 h - Airport information meeting...An infor- mation meeting was held last Monday evening at Belgrave to discuss the Town of Wingham's proposal to build a municipal airport in Morris Township. , money spent to enhance the infra • structure of the province. In response to a claim that Wes cast is "pushing around" town council. Wingham Councillor De- nise Wilkins -Treble said she is proud of the attitude of council and its far-sightedness. "Wescast didn't hold a gun to our head," said Wilkins -Treble. "We've never seen a,private sector contribution (like. 'the one, Wescast is committed to making toward the airport). We're looking far into the future...We can't sit in a vacuum." FAVORABLE RESPONSE Wayne Phihbs of Wescast spoke in favor of the airport proposal. In a global economy, any advantage in business is seen •as crucial. If Wes- ' cast can get people into town and out again quickly, it gives the com- pany a definite advantage. Richard Ross of Fergus, repre-,,, senting the International Flying Farmers, spoke in favor of the air- port concept. saying that livestock is unbothered by airplanes, just like they are unbothered by farm imple- ments or traffic. Carol Little, Kincardine airport manager, said 43 companies fly into that airport. as well as recrea- tional . and tourist flights. These people bring a lot of money into the' community and create a considera- ble spin-off in the area. she added. Steve Peyton, a commercial Fly- er, claimed that community airports help develop "a sense of communi- y". - Mrs. John King, on whose Mor- ' ris ,property the airport will be situ- - ated, noted that Wingham is losing its Zehrs storebecause the compa- ny expects local residents to drive to Goderich to shop. ``This is all part and parcel of keeping things in our community." Robert Armstrong said he is a pi- lot, but his support for the airport comes from the fact that Wescast is "putting its money where its mouth is". He also pointed to spin-off eco- nomic benefits as another reason he favors the ai rport. Ron Schefter, who lives near the property airport site, said, "Why should I oppose it, I drove for them (Wescast) for seven years." Allan Bridge said he will start a daily car rental business if the air- port goes ahead. Morris Deputy Reeve Keith Johnston had the final word. "Peo- ple (in the township) may have mixed feelings (about the airport), but no one has said they don't want it." Next Week: *news from Huron County Council; *Wingham Town Council news Knights plan to build hall Continued from front page Such land uses serve the needs of the residential, commercial and in- dustrial activities and must be lo- cated in acceptable locations." He added, "Policy 3.3.4of the Official Plan notes that community facilities should be located where they can best serve the public. Those which serve the entire com- munity should be centrally located while those that play a more local- ized role can be decentral- ized...Policy 3.3.6 notes that com- munity facilities should be of a similar scale and character to the area in which they are located." 'in his recommendations to coun- cil, Treble said they should consid- er site plan control procedures to ensure the proposed development adequately addresses all of the sit- ing issues and attempts to minimize compatibility concerns with neigh -a boring property owners. His report states that the county planning department has no objec- tions to the approval of the zoning by-law amendment, but that a site plan should be completed before a final decision is made. Council received three letters from neighboring land owners in opposition: almost all pointing to the noise levels and traffic flow. Of those in attendance, Jim Beat- tie also raised concerns over the drainage of water from the proper- ty. Knights representative Bill McGrath said the building plan would address the drainage issue – as was also pointed out in a re- sponse from the Ministry of Trans- portation. Ontario -- and that the club had also some intentions of landscaping to create better runoff. McGrath said the club had looked at other properties in the community before making a deci- sion on the current location. The club is limited under new legisla- tion to developing in an urban loca- tion. In addition, Ministry of Health concerns eliminated potential sites in Lower Town. "We feel strongly .something is needed in the 'town. I've had people ask why there isn't (a facility) and why they always have to drive to Belmore, Brussels or Teeswater," McGrath said.' "We can guarantee that the building will take the neighbors concerns into consideration," he added. The site is approximately 700 feet long, running north to south. McGrath said they planned to leave buffer area of 338 feet between the most southerly neighbors and the proposed hall. In addition, there is no intention to develop an exit onto Hwy. 86. The club itself will con- trol what kind of functions are per- mitted in the facility and that the bar will be operated only by Knights members certified to do so. orris appoints Johnston as deputy reeve Continued from front page Council was forced to appoint a deputy reeve after reeve Clem McLellan resigned his seat last month, and, Bert Elliott was ap- pointed reeve. Coun. Pletch made a motion that the person with the most votes in the fall election — in this case Coun. Keith Johnston — be nomi- nated to fill the seat of deputy reeve. Johnston said he didn't want to second the motion because he fin- ished in first place. Coun. John Duskocy reluctantly seconded the motion because he said there should have been some consideration to the number of years on council. "We've already wasted enough time (on this matter)," he said. Coun. Pletch then nominated Johnston for the position of deputy reeve. Coun. Duskocy seconded the nomination and the motion carried unanimously. "This is a situation that just came up. I'm not trying to railroad myself up," said Johnston. "I would like move up in the future. This is a good chance to move up„ After the council seat was .de- clared vacant during the regular council meeting, there was some discussion on the vacancy would be filled. Clerk treasurer Nancy Michie said there were three options for council. Council could appoint the person who finished fourth in the . council election race, or advertise 'for the position, or there could be another election. She noted that if the person is appointed, they have 46 days to make the. appointment. • Coun_, Duskocy said the next person in line should be appointed to fill the vacancy. Coun. Pletch said what ever was in the past, is the way it should be done again. Council agreed to defer the mat- ter until the May 2 meeting in or- der to talk to constituents. • Order by April 22 deliver May 19 Order by May 20 dejver June 9 Meat birds, Layers, Ducks Geese, Turkeys LUCKNOW FARM SUPPLY 644 Campbell St., Hwy. #86 LUCKNOW 528-2331 TIIE w1NcriiMADVAl EEINE$' .rnbe Township tomes up 5.5% thanks to schools Ratepayers in Turnberry Town- ship can expect a 5.5 per cent in- crease in their property taxes this year, thanks exclusively to school board hikes. What this means'° to a Turnberry public school supporter with an as- sessment of $100,000 is a $55 in- crease in property taxes in 1995. The township and county both came in with': zero per cent budget increases. The fast property tax installment in Turnberry is due May 26. In light of inquiries from township residents, the Turnbeny municipal office has not moved to the new shed location; but remains and will remain in Bluevale. HOWSON MILLS tSLYTH WINGHAM NOM 1HQ NOG 2WO 523m9624 357-2700 1-80O-663-3653 1995 CHICK DAYS Order by May 5 for May 26 Pickup Mixed Chicks Hens Only r.----. Roosters Brown Egg ;,..'�4i'%i�' _ _� Layers ' Turkeys 1,1bw Minimum Order 25 Chicks Howson & Howson Limited FLOUR & FEED MILLERS COMPLETE FARM SUPPLIES WINGHAM & AREA SENIORS DAY CENTRE Local businesses are the threads that' tie ' the Community together. That is why the Wingham & Area Seniors Day Centre would, like to thank the -following local businesses for their support by donating door prizes for our '95 Spring Fling Dance. McDonald Home Hardware Brussels Country Inn Ewe & Me & Co. Howson's lc The Country Shop Lucknow Co-op Hanna's Men's & Boys Wear Stainton's Hughe's Ready to Wear Bell's Pizza The Flower Nook Kim Souch - Neon Blue Band Just For You Token Treasures Doreen Mali Canadian Tire Bluewater Office Equipment Donut Delite McPherson's Home Furnishings Maclntyre's Bakery Barmy Tech Godfather Pizza Snyder's Studio The Golden Lantern Snowden Insulation Blyth Festival Theatre The 2 Step Brussels Variety Charman's Letteau's Todd's Bakery Bateson's Dairy George of Brussels Lloya's Dolls Plus 30 Minute Photo & Trophy Umbach's Pharmacy The Workshop Lois Anderson Lucknow Village Market Belgrave Co-op 'The Toy Shoppe Lila Rinteuf J.R.'s Shake Shoppe Brussers Pharmacy May McPhail Token Treasures Margie's Specialty Shoppe . Bang's Service Centre Irwin Small Engine Wawanosh Chest Company Bakelaar Jewellers Mayfair Restaurant • SirlAPSW4iriire MENS SHOP Spring Sale 30 %0 Entire Stoc All Great Spring Fashions with Names You Can Trust. % Point Zero, B�itches ffalo Jeans, London Fa PLUS Many Other Fashion Names April 18 - 29, 1995 *All Other Discounts Do Not Apply Ws: Tuesday - Thursday 9 - 6, Friday 9 - 9, Saturday 9 -5C( 252 Josephine Street, WINGHAM 357-4221 0