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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-10-13, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Regional wrap up Alliance hosts info session CLINTON — It seems the Huron Perth Health Care Alliance is caught between a rock and a hard place as provincial rules decree budgets must balance. The Clinton News - Record reported the alliance hosted an info session at the Clinton Legion Oct. 4. On dis- play were four scenar- ios the alliance can use to lower its deficit. Chief executive offi- cer Andrew Williams said the alliance was supposed to sign the agreement by Sept. 30, but was given an Oct. 15 extension. He noted new fund- ing will not flow until the agreement has been signed and the hospitals have com- mitted to balancing the operating budget by 2005/06 and for each subsequent fiscal year. Council to proceed GODERICH Goderich residents shouldn't expect dras- tic changes pr a land exchange to take place on Goderich's har- bourfront — at least for now. The Goderich Signal - Star reported after several special meet- ings of council and hours of debate a motion put forward by Reeve Ellen Connelly was conceded on Sept. 28. Connelly was emphatic as she put a motion on the table to move forward with infrastructure improvements at Goderich's Main Beach. Ratepayer meeting SEAFORTH — More than 100 people packed the Ethel Hall Sept. 28 to discuss the issue of whether or not Grey has benefitted from joining the amal- gamated municipality of Huron East. The Huron Expositor reported the meeting was planned by council after a dozen Grey ratepayers began exploring the idea of deamalgamating from Huron East. While councillors fielded questions about the Vanastra daycare centre, road mainte- nance and the funding of recreation facilities, Calvin Semple — one of the organizers of meetings in Grey to explore deamalgama- tion — wanted to know if Huron East would hold a referendum on the issue. Birch Bark expansion decision deferred By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — The Birch Bark Trailer Park is going to have to wait a while longer before learn- ing if it can expand. South Huron council deferred a decision on a zoning bylaw amendment request Oct. 4 pending a traffic impact study the trailer park's owners are required to get done. Planner Claire Dodds - Weir said she supports the proposed expansion in principle, but recommend- ed the deferral until a traf- fic study can help answer the concerns of Huron County's highways depart- ment. She also recom- mended the municipality place the property under site plan control to ensure the site is developed in accordance to regulations. The proposed expansion would see the trailer park on Hwy. 83 expand to allow a maximum 150 trailer sites. There are now 100 developed sites on the property. Owner Randy Glazier told council last week he plans to have 142 developed sites on the 24.84 acre (10 hectare) site. If granted, the expansion will allow the use of "park model trailers" on the property, which Dodds - Weir defined as a trailer built "on a single chassis mounted on wheels .. . designed to be moved from time to time. A park model trailer is designed and constructed to be sea- sonal." Dodds -Weir noted the proposed sites will be large (55' by 85') and occupants will have open space around their trailers to meet their recreational needs. Since the rear portion of the property is designated as natural environment in the South Huron official plan, an environmental impact study was done by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. The study showed there has been substantial clear- ing and drainage of the area which has had a sub- stantial impact by reduc- ing interior habitat and increasing forest edge. Dodds -Weir's report stated "a transition area will act as a buffer between the proposed trailer sites and the remaining mature forest." The county's highways department raised con- cerns because of safety issues in entrances to sim- ilar developments in the county. Glazier will be responsible for the traffic study and any necessary entrance improvements. Glazier said there will be less traffic flow going in and out of the trailer park after he expands, adding there will be more seniors living there. He said he has been planning for the expansion for 13 years and the new permanent trailers will generate prop- erty taxes for the munici- pality While council eventually agreed to defer a decision, Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin said he doesn't think the traffic study is necessary. "I don't think it's right," Urlin said. Coun. Oke said he thought Glazier was a vic- tim of the highways department's decision. Other council notes: Planning update Huron County planning department director Scott Tousaw gave his annual report to council. Included was informa- tion on a water protection steering committee that has been formed as a response to concerns about water quality. Tousaw said the commit- tee meets quarterly and he's pleased with progress so far. The committee includes a wide variety of groups and stakeholders who work to protect groundwater and surface water. The University of Guelph and Ryerson University are both interested in get- ting involved with the committee. The steering committee makes no decisions itself, but takes recommenda- tions to county council. When Tousaw asked if any South Huron council- lors had questions on planning issues, Coun. Harvey Ratz said he'd like to see the municipality get more information on Huron Park's airport. He described the airport as HospiceAwareness week Oct. 10-16 EXETER — According to a national poll released in September by Ipsos Reid, while more than 90 per cent of Canadians want to die at home, 75 per cent still die in hospitals. Only 15 per cent of Canadians receive quality end -of - life care. And six per cent of people who care for family members facing end -of -life believe they could care for their loved one at home without service. These numbers, as well as Canada's aging demo- graphics with increasing incidence of cancer, lung dis- ease and other diseases, provide a stark picture of the growing need for care. Compassionate care offered by hospices/palliative programs such as the VON Palliative Care Volunteer Program are a valuable service as well as a resource for caregivers. Hospice Awareness Week started Oct. 10 and extends until Saturday. It has never been more important to rec- ognize the gift of time, care and humanity that hos- pices/palliative care provide in more than 450 communi- ties throughout Ontario. In one year alone, the VON Palliative Care Volunteer Program has provided over 1,200 hours of visiting by caring volunteers in South Huron. Helping people means providing ongoing emotional, psychological and spiritual support to people who are dying. For family members, it means being able to have someone relieve them of their caregiving role. It also means being there in bereavement for caregivers or family members. A hospice volunteer may share a cup of tea while chat- ting about the news of the day with her patient. Living fully with a terminal illness is the goal of the palliative care team. "As a society we often fear death more than we recog- nize the richness of life at end -of -life," noted volunteer co-ordinator Karen Lehnen. "We each have the right to die in dignity, free of pain, surrounded by loved ones in a setting of our choice. Hospice/Palliative Care provides the practical, emotional, spiritual and bereavement care necessary to assist with quality of life through the final stages of life. Hospice Week 2004 marks a celebration of life, recognition of the many gifts caring for one another holds." Vehicle catches fire EXETER — On Oct. 7 at 3:30 a.m. an employee of the Municipality of South Huron reported a vehicle on fire. The officer was told the employee was working on the Main Street when his attention was drawn towards the community centre. He drove to the location off Victoria Street in Exeter Parenting session coming Continued from front "We are particularly concerned about our teens and the lack of par- ent programs and services for this group. Offering these sessions is a first step to ensuring that par- ents understand what their teens are faced with and how they can effec- tively respond to situa- tions they will encounter." The series of seminars is called "Who Stole My Teenager." Guest speakers from local agencies and an OPP officer will make presen- tations at the sessions and will be available to answer parents' questions. Pre -registration for the sessions is required. You can pre -register by calling Jennifer at the Huron County Child Abuse Prevention Committee at 482-8777 or 1-800-479- 0716, ext. 201. BOUND BY DEBT? Debt Freedom Canada Inc. saves homeowners, on average, $900 per month. Book your FREE, no obligation financial analysis today. Eliminate debt. Build wealth. Live Life! CaII (519) 263-2613 and saw a truck was on fire behind the agricultur- al building. Officers contacted the Exeter Fire Department, who quickly attended and put the fire out. The truck was a red and grey 1989 Ford F150 belonging to Southwestern Sign Maintenance. Someone stole the truck in the night from the place of business on Victoria Street. Officers found that the thief had been doing power turns on the base- ball diamond lawn when the axle dropped out of 4: fg1W Gaiser + Knkeale er Inc. EXETER --22335-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 the vehicle, causing a fire in the engine compart- ment. Officers looked for the suspects, but located no one in the area. "an asset" to the munici- pality and said perhaps the Chamber of Commerce could use information on the airport to promote the area. Dodds -Weir, referring to the announcement in the summer that the province is selling the industrial portion of Huron Park, said a buyer is being sought for the airport. Building report Twelve building permits were issued in September representing a building value of $636,600, and $4,545.40 in permit fees. One demolition permit was also issued for $25. So far in 2004, 99 build- ing permits have been issued in South Huron for work valued at just over $6.1 million At the same time last year, 127 build- ing permits had been issued for work valued at $15 million. 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 Bloemens Clock Repair & SALES Gifts & Art Lingerie & Nail Spa (519) 238-1508 13 MAIN ST. GRAND BEND NOTICE TO RETAIL BUSINESSES Municipality of South Huron at the November 15, 2004 Council Meeting at 8:00 p.m. South Huron Council will consider a By-law to allow Businesses in the Municipality to be open on Victoria Day, Canada Day, and Labour Day You are invited to attend. Written comments will be received until 4:30 p.m. on October 18, 2004 by: Sandra Strang, Clerk Municipality of South Huron, 322 Main. St. S., Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 s.strang@town.southhuron.on.ca