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Zurich Citizens News, 1971-09-23, Page 40PAGE 20 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS • County study use of CFB Clinton (by Shirley J. Keller) Members of Huron Coup, ty Council admitted Thursday they are interested in the Crow': Assets Disposal Corporation offer of the utility services - free of charge - at Canadian Forces Base, Clinton, but also expressed doubt that the tax- payers of Huron County could afford to operate the facilities after receiving the gift. The offer was made to the county by A.B. Hamilton of the Lands and Building Division of Crown Assets Disposal Corp- oration. In a frank discussion with county council, Hamilton trac- ed the chain of events since the federal gomernment announced in 1969 that the base would be closed in September 1971. Hamilton said the first step was to try to find some other use for the base on a govern- mental basis for the desire of government was to produce a minimal amount of detrimental effect on the community. Hamilton reported that the base is self-contained with the services there all centralized so that no part of the base is really functicnal unless the central utility system is operational. "The base can't be subdivided stated Hamilton. "There are any number of types of organiz- ations that can use parts of the base,." "Can the people of Huron County take on and operate the municipal services?" asked Hamilton bluntly. "We would be prepared to turn over all these facilities without charge, to the county of Huron if you would be interested in taking over the utility services on the base. " Hamilton said that when no government agency expressed interest in the base --although there were hopes of some sol- ution along these lines at one time - the property was offered for sale to the public. Bids are to be into the Crown Assets Disposal Corporation by Oct- ober 14 and would be opened the following day. Hamilton strongly outlined his position, that of disposing of the base at the best possible price so that the people of Canada would recover as much money as possible from the sale, but also to have concern for the type of use to which the base would be put following the sale. He indicated that if private bidder offered a fair price for the entire base, and his intent- ions for the facilities looked solid, reputable, and of value to the people in the community of Huron, the deal would likely be closed. If, on the other hand, the bid was not too high and it ap- peared as though the base might be turned into a waste area of no particular value to anyone, it would be highly doubtful if the bid would be seriously cons - OLIO F Sat.2 idered. Hamilton stressed the fact that the federal government was anxious that the base be put to some useful purposes and that the buildings and facilities already established at CFB Clinton be properly utilized for the benefit of the people of Huron County and the province of Ontario. When questioned by county councillors concerning the cost of operating the base, Hamilton said the cost factor would depenc upon who operated the base and to what use it was being put. He said he wasn't hedging on the issue, but added that it would not be a fair comparison to estimate the cost to the fed- eral government for maintaining the base while in full operation. "When the federal govern- ment operates a base, it oper- ates a base, " said Hamilton. He suggested that the services provided on a government mil- itary base were different than those provided in the average municipality. Also present at the meeting ,was Don Southcott, executive secretary to Hon. C,S, Mac - Naughton who was unable to attend because of a bothersorne feat injury. Southcott claimed that Ham ilton's presentation to Huron County Council was fiat. How- ever, Southcott went on to explain the Ontario govermment§ position in the matter. After the Ontario govern- ment's involvment in the base at Centralia, South cott said, MacNaughton had written to the federal government urging them to give ample warning well in advance of the closing of a military base so that the community would have an op- portunity to make alternate plans. He said the provincial govern- ment was pleased when the announcement of the closing of Clinton came about two years before the actual shutdown. From experiences at Centralia Southcott continued, annual operation costs amounted to almost $600, 000 annually as well as an additional $500, 000 to $600, 000 to repair some facilities. He said that when a purchase price was tacked onto this amount of money, it be- came a sizeable project and one which was not all that at- tractive to the provincial govern meet. He said the base at Clinton could still be of interest to the provincial government, particularly in the area of recreation and youth training, but that the province would expect "some consideration in the purchase price comparabld to what has been given to other provinces." "It is not unfair that at least Huron be given an opportunity to indicate its preference of the kind of use to be made of In Bajo Rio, Today, they'll they pay to see pay to see = a man kill a bull. amankill = another man. jOHNNV CASH = "A GUNFIGHT" AIN COLOR A PARAMOUNT PICTURE il:erus AT HI \4' RAMc �1 ENTERTAINMENT) -. IN011t 1TA1lT AT ,, EONS N DOUGLASMUM PjtoorJtl Prr top, Prp,�. •,. A DINO DE LAUREN IUS 0100.60~ deserteti DRIVE-IH . GODERICH .i -II 0001IIII00000001 0 0111111111100 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII00iiIiIIIIII111100 IIIIIIIIIIill001F4 this facility, " said Southcott. He said that Hon. C , S. MacNaughton would be eager to serve on a three-level com- mittee of federal, provincial and municipal representatives who would consider the bids that came in on the property at CFB Clinton. It was noted from the report of the Huron Development Com- mittee that the county officials have already requested a meet-' ing with federal and provincial people to discuss the Clinton base question. Robert E. McKinley, memb- er of federal parliament, said he was sincerely sorry that the "federal government took so long to say no" with regard to whether or not some federal government department would utilize all or part of the base at Clinton. He said the Clintonhase had not been offered to the Ontario Development Corporation free of charge, and if it had been it might have been of some int- erest to them. McKinley pledged his full support to a continuing effort to find a proper solution to the dilemma at Clinton. Another speaker, Major Frank Golding who is charged with the responsibility of the caretaker staff at CFB until the premises is disposed of, said the buildings are partially heated and that a staff of about 36 people is keeping the base in good repair, Deputy -reeve Gerry Ginn, of Goderich Township, said that he felt the county should ack- nowledge the proposal of Crown Assets Disposal Corporation with interest, He said the mat- ter should be thoroughly studied by the County Development Committee and that the proposal THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1971 should not be dismissed lightly as too costly. Reeve Elgin Thompson, Tuck- ersmith, the township in which the base is located, agreed but urged county council to get behind the provincial govern- ment in its desire to have comp- arable assistance from the fed- eral government as has been given in other provinces. lllililllllllilllllllllllllillllllllilllllllllllllllllllillllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllg an ort.ag fi0.0%1 Fri. 1 Sat. 2 Saturday Matinee 2 = InelOmm.andsttreaplronicsouna: = •-• - DMD aSEluua.MUp. c. t111tl11(111111111IIIUIIlt111t1 ..GONE WITH THE WIND" c1.AilEGABI,E L .AviviEN Luca' 4a a 1ESLIE 1101\ARD 9 0L1\1Adc1L1\1L1.ANU w:.,.w....,. DUE TO LENGTH OF FILM ONLY ONE PERFORMANCE Oct. a r Sun. 3 Mon.4 Tue. J1 When was the cast time you were afraid? Real t afraid? The Waltz 11.k1(011 A ,. uak.t b* � „t. Wed.6 only MRS. 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