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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1987-03-11, Page 01Application granted despite planning -reco mendatimon In a 21-10 recorded vote Thursday, Huron County Council went against a planning department recom- mendation and gave its ija insteal to an application for an official plan amendment. The amendment would allow the creation of three extra lots on two parcels of property near the Goderich, airport in Colborne Township. The properties are currently designated as "Restricted Agriculture" and "Natural Environ- ment" on the township's secondary plan. The applicants, Karl Campbell and. Anthony Vandersteen want to create the lots — two on the Campbell property and one on the parcel owned by Mr. Vandersteen — but would be unable to do so under the present designation. The application requests the designation be changed to Rural Residential which would acom- modate that wish. In its report to county council's March meeting, the planning and *development committee recom- mended that the application be turned down. When asked to elaborate on the recommendation, Planning Director Gary Davidson said several issues were involved. One factor was the opposition of the Town of Goderich to the ap- plication, mainly because of the lack of compatibility between residential development and an adjacent air- port. Colborne Township Reeve J. R. Kernighan, said the council of his municipality had approved the application at that level. Admitting he preferred to remain neutral on the matter since he had been out of the country for the past several weeks, Mr. Kernighan nevertheless said his council was "over- whelmingly in favor" of the ap- plication when it was dealt with there. Referring to a letter Mr. Campbell had sent to all members of council before the March meeting, Zurich Reeve Bob Fisher said he agreed with a portion suggesting that most of the resonsibility for such decisions should rest on the wishes of the local municipality. In his letter, Mr. Campbell also asked councillors to take several other points into consideration before making their decision. Approval of the application would mean enhancement of the tax base, achievement of in -filling and im- provement of esthetics. All three are principles of the official plan, the letter adds. Compatibility between airports and residents is also possible, the letter said, if a laissez faire attitude and rule of law policy are adopted by the Town of Goderich. Colborne Township has voted in favor of the application, Mr. Campbell says, and county council must decide whether it sides with Barry McArthur. receives.. Ont. Junior Citizen Award Barry McArthur, .18, of Wingham two children from drowning at the was one of a group of very special Gorrie dam. Such heroic action is young people presented with Ontario commendable at any time, but Junior Citizen of the Year awards at especially in Barry's case. Mildly a convention last weekend in mentally -handicapped, Barry Toronto. learned to swim while a student at Since 1981 the Ontario Community the former�Golden Circle School in Newspaper Association has honored Wingham, winning various awards' the "cream of the crop", those at Special Olympic swim meets:, young people whose good deeds Last weekend at Toronto, Barry make them as agset to their com- and the other nine -young people; `n receiving awards` s well as the munity, their province end Their ' g country. group award winners, stayed at a In September of 1985, Barry saved downtown Toronto hotel. Barry was JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARD — John Black Aird, former lieutenant -gover- nor of Ontario and a strong supporter of the Ontario Junior Citizen pro- gram, presented Barry McArthur of Wingham with his award last Friday of a luncheon M Toronto. Barry saved two children from drowning at the Owls dam In September of 1985. accompanied by his father, Ken McArthur of Wingham and his stepmother, Dianne. They met with Ontario Lieutenant - 'Governor Lincoln Alexander at a "an elected government of the people" or an agency of government which "has to deal with our primary objector, the Town of Goderich, every day." He suggests that if Goderich feels strongly enough about the ap- plication it can request an Ontario Municipal Board hearing. "So I am asking you to side with Colborne on this matter and let the Town of Goderich fight ( its) own battle." The town should also bear the costs of any OMB hearing, rather than the county, Mr. Campbell feels. Bayfield Reeve Dave Johnston agreed that county support should go with Colborne Township. "Are we here to plan for the minority or the majority," Mr. Johnston asked. The township council supported the application as well as 132 people, he said, with the sole objection coming from the Town of Goderich. "I can appreciate that the plan- ning department is looking at it from the planning point of view, but thee people who we represent are asking us to please consider over -turning that recommendation,." he said. The planning department report on which the committee based its recommendation included seven issues and considerations sup- porting the application: --It is not a large scale development proposal, but the creation of three extra lots from the ( Continued on Page 8 ) a LITERARY CONTEST WINNER — Tara Newell, a student at East Wawanosh Public School is presented an award by Wingham Legion President Bert Morin for winning the district level of the Legion's National Literary Contest. The daughter of John and Virginia Newell of RR 5, Wingham, will now have her essay judged at the provincial level. To win the district level her entry was selected as the best of those submitted by 53 other. branches. Her achievement marks the first time a Wingham Branch entrant has gone this far. Also taking part in the presentation ceremony are: Don Farnell, left, Branch 180 education chairman; and Al Harrison, Tara's teacher and also a branch member. Library committee reps make. pitch to local councils Representatives of Wingham's ani the second or third-highest cir- a new library at Belgrave? hoc library committee met with four culation, he noted. It services a While he admitted that was a good area municipal councils last population of 6,600 and an estimated question, he said he could not speak Tuesday in an effort to solicit sup- 54 per cent of the people in the for Wingham council as he no longer port for the town's new library. Wingham area use the library. is a member of that body. Although the group received polite Near the turn of the century, . In Turnberry, Reeve Brian, hearings at East Wawanosh, Wingham missed out on a golden McBurney questioned the com- Howick, Morris and Turnberry opportunity, Mr. Currie said. mittee's claim that 100 per cent of councils, it did not receive any firm American steel magnate and the township's population is served commitment for financial support. ;hilanthropist Andrew Carnegie by the Wingham library, especially reception last Thursday at his While most council members h would have provided funds for a new when there are smaller libraries in Quden's Park suite and attended Police board sympathized with the need for a new library. Wingham, they free-standing library for the town — he did in Bluevale and Belmore. "I don't think being another reception that evening with, at. pointed as many other communities much of asked OCNA and Canadian Pacificadots pn ew out that all the smaller communities are served by libraries their own. — but Wingham's town fathers chose not to accept. (for a contribution) after the bills in," he Airlines officials. While the of are coming continued, newspaper association co-ordinatesJames CP Air is its corporate 0 _ n"r i ng� T U � Currie, chairman of the ` committeevndA4argaret^Dayfieatk-. When it was learned last year that the -goner nnej- would-pruvide•-50- particularly since, "our (Tur- - ,nberWy )- ebigaest -employer, was, the program, librarian at the Wingham Library per cent funding on a library given pretty shabby treatment at a sponsor. Friday's main event was the an- Wingham's' board of police com- and committee secretary, went out restoration project, Wingham meeting by your committee." nual Junior Citizen awards lunch- missioners has adopted a new set of last Tuesday afternoonto . East "jumped immediately on the ban- Mr. McBurney was referring to eon. A stirring and emotional event, guidelines for tendering procedures. Wawanosh Council. They were dwagon", Mr. Currie said. He Royal Homes, which submitted a the luncheon pays tribute to these The rules were accepted during joined in the evening b Sheila g y stressed the lack of consultation plan for a new library at public p y exemplary young people. the in -camera session at last Clarke and Wingham Councillor with the neighboring municipalities meeting last spring. However, town . Among this year's recipients, four Wednesday's meeting and will be Ward Robertson. was not meant to offend anyone, but council chose to give approval in involved in officially adopted at next month's Town council gave approval in merely was in the interest of ex- principle to the restoration proposal. were courageous the others do out- regular g g' principle to the $400,000 project last pediency. While Mr. Currie said he is sorry . rescues, while standing work in their own com- Board member Fred McGee, who year. Half the total cost is available According to a fot°mula worked out about possible misunderstandings in munities or have a drafted the guidelines, said he felt through,a restoration grant from the by the committee, Turnberry's the past, he said, "We bow to your physical limitation. The award was the board's policy needed some provincial government as the group suggested contribution to the project sense of fairness, realizing your group presented this year to the South "tightening up", so he drew up is restoring a building with would be $22,050; Morris', $12,600; (financial) commitments and Fredericksburg Teen Committee for several suggestions. historical significance. Howick's, $11,655 and East obligations." its creative approach to developing First of all, he suggests the board Wingham has agreed to under- Wawanosh's, $8,325. The figure rep- "The donation suggested by the activities for young adults and for should decide if tenders will be open write up to $150,000 of the remaining resents the population in each muni- committee is not a request so far as or invited and it also must make cost, meaning the committee must cipality served by the library it is a figure," he said, adding he stimulating community spirit. certain that specifications are in- conduct fund-raising for $50,000. multiplied by $15 per person. hoped council would give the request As Mr. Alexander could not attend cluded on the tender form. Finally, However, Mr. Currie said, the Following the presentation at East thorough consideration. this year's awards presentation, the the quotations may not be opened $50,000 figure is a bare minimum Wawanosh, Councillor Fred Meier "Well, you're lucky it's budget popular former lieutenant -governor, until they come before the board. and the committee hopes to raise asked Mr.�Currie if Wingham would time and we'll be looking at these John Black Aird, took his place. Mr. McGee said he feels the much more to reduce the burden be willing to contribute some day to things," saidMr. McBurney. No stranger to the Junior Citizens program, Mr. Aird said the awards still mean a great deal to him even though he no longer is lieutenant - governor. He praised this year's recipients for their contribution to their communities and to the province. Although he was decidedly ner- vous, Barry made it through the luncheon with flying colors. He and his family then had the remainder of the weekend to themselves. It is very likely they went shopping, however, as Barry said he wanted to put the $200 cheque he received toward a television set. In addition to the cheque, each of the award winners received a lapel pin and plaque, as well as a family portrait with the lieutenant - governor. Council agrees to name street after first settler Wingham Town Council gave its approval to a recommendation that a proposed new traffic lane be named after Winghnm's first settler. The finance and management committee recommendation was presented to council at its March meeting and resulted from a request submitted by the Wingham and District Heritage and Historical Society. in a letter from its secretary, Scott Reid, the society proposed that the proposed access, which will run from Victoria Street to Diagonal Road, be name4 Farley Ione, in recognition of Wingham's first settler, Edward Farley. Councillor James McGregor, finance and management com- mittee chairman, told council his committee had considered the request and was recommending its acceptance. guidelines will make the tendering facing the town. procedure more competitive. Mr. Currie provided a brief his- PUC will consider using In a related item, the board has tory of the library in Wingham. accepted the quotation of Cullen Originally known as the Mechanics' .new water purifying system Chev-Olds in Wingham for a new Institute, it moved into its current, police cruiser at the tender price of 800 -square -foot location at the town The Wingham Public Utilities of the Environment, the new 511,447. hall in 1891. Commission has decided to further chemical poses no health risks. The new vehicle will be delivered The Wingham library is the investigate the possibility of using a However, the MOE also points out later this spring. smallest in Huron County, yet it has new t of chemical in its water Town will seek provincial funds10 build facility The Town of Wingham will make application for a provincial government grant to build a multi- purpose facility at Cruickshank Park. At its March meeting, town council approved a property com- mittee recommendation to under- take the project and to request funding under the Community Faci- lities Grant Program. The Cruickshank Park facility is one of two multi-purpose buildings the town hopes will be erected this year. The other is proposed for Riverside Park. In addition to washroom facilities, each complex also will include a storage area and additional space which potentially could be used as a food and refreshment booth. During discussion on the recom- mendation, Deputy Reeve Bill Harris said he had been approached by at least one ratepayer who ob- jected to having a refreshment booth in the Cruickshank Park facility. However, Councillor Ward Robertson, property committee chairman, said if the refreshment booth were used at all, it would only be during special sporting events held at the Josephine Street Ball Park and not on a regular basis. in related business, Councillor Ron Beecroft reported that the Wingham Optimist Club has pledged $25,000 toward the total cost of the two mufti -purpose facilities. Mr. Beecroft, one of council's representatives on the recreation committee, also indicated that the total project could be eligible for additional grants.. Huron PCs set April date for naming candidate The Huron Progressive Conser- vative Association will hold its nomination meeting Tuesday, April 14 in the Huron Central Secondary School at Clinton. In making the announcement, Dnnna Wood of Clinton said there are at least three potential can- didates for the nomination as the Tory standard bearer in the next provincial election. However, since they have not publicly declared their candidacy, Mrs. Wood would not release the names of the potential candidates. All nominations must be received by the association secretary, Jane Webster of Vanastra, no later than 48 hours before the meeting date. There are 26 municipalities with the new provincial riding of Huron, created when new legislation in- troduced electoral boundary changes in Ontario. Instead of being divided into two separate ridings of Huron -Middlesex and Huron -Bruce, the county is now all one riding, Huron. ype purification program. At the commission's March meet- ing Manager Ken Saxton gave a report on the results of a series of tests he had conducted using "Aqua - Mag" on town water samples. In each of four cases, Mr. Saxton said, the new chemical appeared to be more effective than the sodium silicate process currently used by the PUC. The tests were. for the removal of hydrogen sulfide, suspension of iron particles, corrosion resisting qualities and the removal of oxidized deposits. Based on the test results, Mr. Saxton recommended further study be given to using the new chemical, even though it is more costly than the sodium silicate process. He estimates the cost for using Aqua - Mag would be about $11,000 per year, compared to $3,000 annually for sodium silicate. However, if the k** piC.C%ew d, ^w rreve to he more effective it actually could be less costly over a period of time. Commissioners Rod Wraith and .inrk 1Cnnnn hnfh an—A —.fk 1.1. suggestion to use the new process on a trial basis in Wingham for a period of eight months to a year. Putting the new purification process into effect means no more than ordering the chemicals once the company has made an assessment of the water to be supplied to determine quantities. The PUC could try the chemical for about a year without an increase in water rates. Following that period, if the commission decided to continue its use, it could result in a total monthly increase of about So cents per customer, he said. According to the Ontario Ministry that it does not endorse the product. In a comparison of Aqua -Mag with sodium silicate in the suspension of iron particles in water, Mr. Saxton said the new product is claimed to suspend the particles indefinitely while sodium silicate's suspending qualities last only 48 hours. Mr. Wraith asked if Aqua -Mag would have any effect on the quantities of chlorine now being added to the water, but Mr. Saxton said he could not be sure about that answer. "All I know is whet I read and the indication is that by using this (Aqua -Mag) you may even be able to cut back on the chlorine." Mr. Saxton has been authorized to approach the manufacturer to conduct a test to determine how many gallons of the chemical would have to be added to the Wingham water system daily in order to produce effective results. Council makes appointments The appointment of John Schedler to the Wingham Museum Board was approved by Wingham Town Council at its March meeting. Councillor Don Carter, the town's representative on the museum board, told council Mr. Schedler's application had been discussed by the board which was now recom- mending his appointment. Later in the meeting council also approved the appointment of Marg Beard to the Wingham Recreation and Community Centres Board. Mrs. Beard replaces Sheila Ritter who has resigned.