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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-02-04, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, February 4, 2004 Regional wrap up More layoffs expected GODERICH — As many as 45 employees at Volvo Motor Graders could receive layoff notices as the company continues to reduce their build rate slightly. The Goderich Signal - Star reported the first quarter of 2004 looked better than the the last quarter of 2003, so there is hope the layoffs won't be long -lives, according to Brian Lowe, Volvo product and communi- cations manager. Lowe said production at the company did resume following an extended Christmas holi- day shutdown between Dec. 9 and Jan. 18. Meeting SEAFORTH — The London, Ont. invest- ment group proposing a new Junior D hockey team for Seaforth will be holding a public meeting at the Seaforth Community Centre Feb. 10. The Huron Expositor reported anyone inter- ested is invited to attend the meeting, meet the board and find out who the mem- bers are, why they want to set up the team and what they are all about, according to Rick Agar of the McGafka Pro Group in London. Agar said none of the 15 people in the invest- ment group have per- sonal connections to Seaforth or have boys that are eligible to play in Seaforth, but are investing in the team for the pure love of hockey. Delegation WINGHAM — A dele- gation of about 30 peo- ple from Pine Echo Camp attended Howick Township council Jan. 20 to hear Chuck Egener of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) provide an update on recent changes in assessment. The Wingham Advance -Times report- ed the delegation was the largest to ever attend a meeting of Howick Township council. The campers' con- cerns focused on the decision to assess cer- tain trailers as taxable property and the way the assessment was done at Pine Echo. Apparently some trailers were assessed because they passed an MPAC permanency test — for example, over 8'6" wide or over 300 square feet of living space and the removal of a hitch. Snider residents oppose development Continued from front page pieces of information. The new subdivision would require a new internal road that will loop north- ward and connect to Snider Crescent. Also: • the development will be con- nected to full municipal services, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and water; • no parkland is provided in the subdivision plan and Dodds -Weir said it is expected the planner and property owner, Joe Durand, would negotiate with the munici- pality to provide cash in lieu of parkland; • the subdivision would also require a planting strip such as a fence, trees or landscaping to buffer neighbours; • concerning stormwater man- agement, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority requires an upgraded stormwater plan for the area. The ABCA had no objec- tion to rezoning the properties in question. Dodds -Weir said council could either defer the zoning decisions or give first and second reading to them. Once the authoritative body, the County of Huron, made its decision, council would be able to give third and final reading. As already mentioned, council deferred all decisions on the issue. Building and development man- ager Wayne Dale, speaking on behalf of road superintendent Mike Alcock, outlined concerns about increased traffic at the Snider/Huron intersections and the possibility of requiring turning lanes. He also mentioned the pos- sibility of having the developer pay for a traffic study. Snider Crescent resident John Hagarty spoke on behalf of Snider residents and stated bluntly, "We are totally against this plan." A petition from 19 of the 20 households on the street was sub- mitted objecting to the proposal. Residents also submitted letters to the municipality. Hagarty said he had no com- plaints with the property develop- er, but was concerned about the lack of a thoughtful development plan for the area. He said council needed to give the developer direction instead of offering up "carte blanche." Another concern is the nature of the homes being planned — multi -unit dwellings. Hagarty said he and his Snider neighbours feel they were misled years ago when they were told future develop- ment would only hold single - dwelling homes. Safety is another concern, as Hagarty said 30-35 children use the street and heavy construction equipment is left in the area overnight. Also, there is no park, no sidewalk and snow removal is a concern. Hagarty also said drainage is another major issue. He's worried water will drain onto the Snider Crescent properties. Additional development will mean there will be less land to absorb water. "The plan is a bad one and should be rejected from council. Can you guarantee our homes won't be flooded?" Hagarty asked. Durand said he and partner Doug Geoffrey have built 100 homes in recent years. He said their single -storey homes are built with seniors in mind and are wheelchair accessible. He added the multi -unit developments planned for the Snider subdivision won't increase the population anymore than single -dwelling homes would because they will primarily consist of seniors who won't have families living with them. Durand said his homes are not low-income housing and routinely sell in the $150,000 to $175,000 range. "Every development we've done has been successful." He added there is a need for housing for seniors while, in con- trast, he is approached by few people looking for single-family dwellings. Answering concerns from Snider residents that they were led to believe future expansion would only be single-family dwellings, Dodds -Weir said the municipality never approved such a project and just learned about the new proposal in November. After 90 minutes, council decid- ed to defer the issue and will schedule a special meeting to deal with it. Study to help SH take active role in economy By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — An economic development study is in the works to give the municipality a better idea of what kind of shape its economy is in and what to do about it. Rick Hundey, who's working on the Municipal Economic Development Readiness Initiative (MEDRI), spoke at South Huron's Monday night council meeting to pro- vide an update on his study. The study exam- ines six of Huron County's nine municipalities and was started by the Huron Business Development Corporation. Huron County and OMAF are partners in the studies and South Huron kicks in $3,500. The purpose of MEDRI is to help munici- palities take a more active role in the local economy. Once South Huron's study is done, Hundey said the municipality will have a better understand- ing of the local economy and will know its strengths and weakness- es. An action plan will help set priorities and identify county and municipal programs and initiatives. Hundey gave a quick overview of the county, saying it includes 734,000 acres of prime farmland, 60 miles of Lake Huron shoreline and a popula- tion of 60,000. There are many small business and the county is a national leader in farm revenues. Tourism and the retail sector are healthy. One in Meetings to bring doctors to rural areas Continued from front page The departure of Dr. Lam will leave South Huron with two vacancies in its designated complement of eight doctors for Stephen, Usborne, Hensall and Exeter. Cole said the new clinic was a factor in the recruit- ment of Dr. Bihimai, and also because the area was underserviced they could offer the tuition funding as well as a stipend for going into underserviced areas. She added Dihimai liked the proximity of London and the turnkey operation of the clinic. "A lot of the physicians that come here now want to be able to do emergency work rather than family practice. And that's our model here, they do one day of emerg coverage, one day of inpatients and three days of office and they like that mix. They get to keep their skills up in a hospital setting," said Cole. With the continuing shortage pf physicians Cole said one of the worst things she could see happening was the competition between small areas for doctors. "Communities aren't connected in our recruitment efforts. Areas as close as Grand Bend, Hensall, Dashwood and Zurich, it seems to be a competition and it is kind of sad." five workers are self- employed, double the provincial average. Also, the unemployment rate is low, between two and three per cent. On the negative side of the coin, population is stagnant, and a big con- cern is the out -migration of youth and families. In fact, half of the county's youth are leaving. While unemployment is low, there is a serious labour shortage in most sectors and Huron County families earn on average $10,000 less than the average family in the province, although Hundey added the cost of living in Huron County is lower as well. Hundey said MEDRI will provide a report on South Huron's economy and will hold workshops with the municipality, including report cards and presen- tations. Hundey said the munici- pality will get six tools at the end of the study: a report on the local econo- my, a report card includ- ing advice, a best prac- tices report, an options report, an economic opportunity team and an economic development action plan. i17 Gaiser ‘11111.1n Keale Broker EXETER --235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 GB carnival this weekend GRAND BEND — If it's February, that means it's time for the Grand Bend and Area Winter Carnival. The majority of the events take place in Grand Bend over the next two weekends — Feb. 6-8 and Feb. 13-15. The carnival is sponsored by the Grand Bend Area Chamber Tourism. As always, weather is a factor, but look for snow sculptures all over town. Events that take place during the festival include dog sledding, winter olympics, turkey bowl, youth darts, snow golf, a snow pitch tournament, talent show, skating and the popular waiters' obsta- cle race. Things kick off this Friday at the Grand Bend Legion with the meat draw from 5-7 p.m. For students in Grades 6-8, there's the Pirates Youth Dance at Grand Bend Public School from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Cost is $3 at the door. Gordy's Beach Club will host a karaoke contest from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday's busy schedule includes the Pirates Parade down Main Street at 11 a.m., the turkey bowl at the Oakwood Inn lower parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dog sledding at 1st & 2nd Mortgage MONEY AYAILABLE at 6.5% interest or less Personal Loans Totally Unsecured if you qualify, Monthly payments as low as Amt. App. Mthly Payt. $5,000 $27.68 $10,000 $54.16 $15,000 $81.25 UP TO $400,000. We Specialize in difficult mortgages. Local 364-0448 1 (800) 387-1932 Astral Funding Inc. the Oakwood Driving Range from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The men's league pool tournament takes place at the Legion at 10 a.m, and the 2nd annual Abominable Snow Golf tournament starts at the 19th Hole Pub and Grill at 11 a.m. The winter Olympics are at the Riverbend Bar and Grill from noon to 7 p.m., while the Pirates Snow Soccer tournament is at Grand Bend Public School from 1 to 4 p.m. Also, look for entertain- ment throughout town. Dog sledding and the turkey bowl continue Sunday during the same times. Sunday's events also include the women's league pool tournament at the Legion at 10 a.m., the Pirates Youth Dart tourna- ment at the Legion from noon to 3 p.m. and the Stars of Tomorrow Talent Show at Finnegan's Irish House from noon to 4 p.m. Kids Karaoke is at the Oakwood Pub from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Business Directory REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS to all makes Free estimates 90 Day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660