Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-03-03, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday,March 3 2004 Regional wrap up Cruise ships GODERICH — Plans to promote the port of Goderich, Huron County and the surrounding communities to passen- ger cruise ships on the Great Lakes took a major step forward Feb. 16 when Goderich town councillors unanimously approved a $6,000 con- tribution towards the project. The Goderich Signal - Star reported Goderich resident and Inbound Ontario president Judy Crawford said the $10 million spent on cruise ships in 2003 is just a sign of things to come. Since 1980 the industry has grown 10 per cent annually. Jr. D. franchise SEAFORTH — A group of Seaforth investors wants to keep junior hockey in local hands. The Huron Expositor reported Jason Papple, former Centenaires coach, told the Seaforth arena board Feb. 19 that seven Seaforth- area investors are scheduled to meet with the Ontario Hockey Association March 21 to present their bid for the Seaforth Jr. D. fran- chise. Message for county BLYTH — Huron East council had news for the county and they're hoping the rest of the municipalities feel the same. The North Huron Citizen reported at the Feb. 17 meeting Coun. Mark Beaven present- ed a resolution essen- tially telling Huron County councillors a big increase on the county share of the levy is not acceptable. His recommendation is being circulated to local municipalities for endorsement and sent on to the county. Though a proposal for a 35 per cent increase in taxes was sent back by county councillors, Beaven said he has heard the latest proposal is a 25 per cent increase. Hospital gets funding CLINTON — Clinton's public hospital is receiving $200,000 thanks to new capital funding announce- ments made by the Huron Perth Hospital Alliance. The Clinton News - Record reported the new money comes out of a $193 million provincial grant. Seaforth and St, Mary's hospitals also received $200,000 each. Satellite health centres proposed for Bluewater By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF VARNA — The administrators of the Grand Bend Area Community Health Centre (GBACHC) have requested the support of Bluewater council for the GBACHC's proposal to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care to provide medical service to Dashwood and Zurich. GBACHC executive director Dan Steinwald was at the council meeting Monday night to brief council on the proposals of the GBACHC. Steinwald said the centre has sent a letter to the MOH on the upcoming departure of Dr. Y.M. Lam from Dashwood. He said it will leave an already underserviced community with an additional 4,000 residents without medical care. The letter proposed the best option would be for the GBACHC to staff and operate a satellite centre in Dashwood and that a funding request for the proposal had been submitted. The letter also referred to the Nurse Practitioner program in Zurich funded by the centre through the Underserviced Area Program. With only partial funding cur- rently provided, the letter asked that a satellite service also be established in Zurich. Steinwald told council the avail- ability of medical personnel in the area was an issue of great concern in the municipality. He added the GBACHC was the best option for hiring doctors and nurse practitioners. Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said he has met with Dr. Charles Wallace of Zurich and Dr. Michael Hurley and both have given their approval to the plan. Dr. Wallace is planning on reducing his practice and feels the proposal would provide cov- erage as he does so. Steinwald finished his presen- tation saying GBACHC wants to be seen as part of the solution and not not part of the problem. "Our interest is seeing more medical personnel in the commu- nity no matter who they work for." Playground Program The Bluewater Playground pro- gram has been renewed for another year despite the recom- mendation of facilities manager Tom Dickins it be discontinued. Dickins said the program lost $6,277.68 last year and the num- ber of children attending has been dropping since rates were increased to balance year end losses. Coun. George Irvin asked if it was something that could be cov- ered by the Trillium Fund. Finance manager Terri Brandon replied the criteria had changed for Trillium grants and it was something that could be looked at. Coun. Marg Deichert said the children who use the program get a great deal out of it and askedwhether it was possible to go halfway and keep the swim- ming program. Dickins said it could be done but he didn't know whether it would be cost neutral. Coun. Jim Fergusson said once word got out about the program possibly being cancelled, some groups might be interested in partnering with the municipality to support it. Dowson added the municipality couldn't sit back and wait for the phone to ring to make use of its facilities."We have to get out and sell them." Dickins said price dictates how many children will attend the program. "If you're a working parent, you're looking for a cheap,afford- able program." Coun. Josh McClinchey said even if the program lost $6,300, "it was still an investment in our children." Council passed a motion renewing the program for anoth- er year and establishing a com- mittee that will look at options for the program's budget and report to the finance manager. Lucan Biddulph council sets conditions for motocross track By Mary Simmons TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN — Luc an Biddulph council agreed in principle with a tempo- rary rezoning bylaw application by the Garrett family to run a motocross track on their property in Granton. Before voting on the application Monday night, council set a number of conditionsrecommended by county planner Ted Halwa. The temporary rezoning bylaw will be in effect for a maximum of two years. One race will be held per month, on a Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Practise times and all use of the trails will be restricted to three days a week from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dates and times for races will be confirmed by April 1 of each year. Access to the track will be restricted to Observatory Line except for emergency vehicles. POLICE BREIFS Stolen ATV found off snowmobile trail BLUEWATER — On Feb. 23 at 5:15 p.m. an employee of Cobble Design reported finding an ATV submerged in water just off the snowmo- bile trail south of the business. The officer attended and the ATV was pulled out of the water. The officer learned the unit was a 2002 gray Polaris Magnum 4x4 that had been reported stolen from the Lambton area last Sept. 30, 2003. The owner has been contacted and the unit will be returned to the victim. Huron OPP will continue to investigate the discovery and assist Lambton OPP in finding out who stole the unit. If you have information on the crime call the local OPP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Dust control measures will have to be taken and the boundaries of the Garrett property will have to be signed and tagged to keep people from straying onto neighbour- ing property. Although it will not be included in the bylaw, council will expect a report at the end of the first year. Mayor Tom McLaughlin said communication is the key and he hopes the Garretts and their neigh- bours will be able to dis- cuss any issues they have and work things out. The bylaw will be voted on for final approval at council's next meeting March 15. Conservationist of theYear Council decided to nom- inate Shadyside Farms for the Conservationist of the Year Award given by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). Over the past 16 years Shadyside Farms has planted 20,000 trees in 35 acres of reforestation. The owners also fenced off a creek which runs into the Ausable River. The natural habitat has attracted wildlife such as the white owl to the area. The award will be handed out at the ABCA awards and board of directors meeting March 18. Green light to plant spruce trees Continued from front page spruce trees along Hwy. 83 hi front of the Exeter landfill site. The trees have been ordered through the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and will cost $2,405. Operations manager Dennis Hockey said the trees are necessary because it has been decided the landfill site should not be seen from the road and the new trees, once they fill out, will offer screening. He added the white spruce trees will be able to withstand the road salt during the winter unlike other tree species. The spruces will eventually grow to 70-80 feet high. Also, flower tenders for the Exeter Cemetery were awarded to Plant Paradise for $6,119 annually from 2004- 2006. Of four tenders requested, only two responded for the work, with Plant Help Support the South Huron Medical Centre $450,000= $400,000- 5350.000-- 5300,000 -- S250.000- 5200,000 5150,000 5100,000 = (ax.C'Qu/ awz ...' rr zl' Paradise providing the lowest quote. Cemetery foreman Dwayne McNab said the cemetery has a good history working with Plant Paradise. Drain collection Council didn't just spend money Monday night, it also passed a bylaw to collect the costs for the maintenance and repair of municipal drains. The municipality is seeking about $63,800 for 13 drain projects. Rezoning for drive-in Council has set March 22 as the date for a public meeting on a rezoning applica- tion for the Starlite Drive -In Theatre. The rezoning seeks a severance of a 1/4 hectare portion of the property to be used for a permanent residence for the the- atre's operator and owner. The drive-in will remain as is. 'Poppy fund he s4 The new South Huron Medical Centre received a $3,000 boost last week when the Exeter Legion donated proceeds from its poppy fund.The money will help buy a new examination table for the centre. From left are Legion president Bill Wilds, poppy chairperson Glenn Robinson, South Huron Hospital regis- tered nurse Sherri Leis and Legion assistant sec- retary Vera Armstrong. (photo/Scott Nixon)