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The Times Advocate, 2004-12-29, Page 33 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 29, 2004 FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 4 • Residents of Snider Crescent are overwhelmingly against a proposed subdivision in the area. A full gallery attended South Huron council's meet- ing, during which council was asked to consider a plan of subdivision for the project and two zoning bylaw amendments. After hearing objections from neighbouring residents, council deferred the deci- sion and will discuss the proposal again within the next two weeks. • Lucan Biddulph council heard from Middlesex County economic development officer Jay Brown on the direction that could be taken in the municipality to promote business development at a council meet- ing Monday night. Brown said his position is to assist community members throughout the county in their economic direction. FEBRUARY 11 • It cost taxpayers about $105,000 to pay for South Huron's council and police services board members in 2003. Remuneration for members of council and the police services board was included in the agenda for South Huron council's Monday night meeting. Councillors are paid by a combination of a flat annual payment and payments per meeting. • A group consisting of Heather Redick, Steve Haberer, Bill Wagner and John Consitt has been formed to ensure on-going financial services for Zurich and area. The group is working with two specific institutions with the hope that either one will fill the void that will be created when the Bank of Montreal pulls out of town. FEBRUARY 18 • The municipality's 2004 insurance costs are going up a hefty 27 per cent. Chief administrative officer Larry Brown presented the numbers to council Monday night, noting compa- ny Jardine Lloyd Thompson's quote for this year is $163,399, up from last year's $128,202. Deductibles also increased to $7,500 on liability and property and to $2,500 on automobile. • Despite much opposition from neighbouring property owners, South Huron council has given its blessing to a proposed subdivision between Snider Crescent and Mary Street. A special meeting was held Feb. 11. The issue was deferred from a previous council meeting during which a full public gallery consisting of Snider Crescent residents voiced their opposition to the project. The project plans 20 units on six townhouse lots and one single family residence. The development is geared towards seniors. FEBRUARY 25 • Dennis Valenta has been knocking on doors in Exeter and Wingham with the purpose of attracting new members to Fathers Are Capable Too (FACT). In the past six months Valenta has logged approxi- mately 20 hours a week going door-to-door letting people know about FACT, a group that proposes to change legal and social attitudes and promote shared parenting and formal equality between mothers and fathers. • The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) board of directors elected its first female chairperson at its 58th annual meeting Feb. 19. Teresa Ondrejicka, representative for Lucan Biddulph, was elected unanimously after Bob Norris, representative for West Perth, stepped down from the position after two years. Dont Miss These Great Buys. • 25.75, SAVINGS STOREWIDE Bakelaar ti tv. ABCA board grants leniency to permit holder By Mary Simmons TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF AUSABLE BAYFIELD — The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) board of directors decided to be lenient with a permit holder after a residential expansion was constructed approximate- ly three inches lower than the permit allowed. The decision was made after Barbara Evans appeared before the board Dec. 16. The permit was issued after the board upheld a staff decision at a hearing in September. At that meeting Planner Kelly Vader told the board staff denied the application to build an addition to a bungalow at the same level as the cur- rent structure. Since the residence is in the Thedford-Klondike flood plain area the addition has to be elevated 0.8 metres above the rest of the house according to provincial regulations . The permit was then issued on the condition that it would meet these standards. At the December board meeting Regulations Co- ordinator Andy Bicknell told the board a site inspection took place and staff discovered the addi- tion was approximately three inches lower than it was supposed to be. The board decided not to take action against the permit holder since the members did not feel the error was made inten- tionally. The board also dis- cussed how to avoid this G.I.C.'s 875% t1 J Gaiser Kneale 1 EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 BOXING WEEK SPECIALS CHRISTMAS ITEMS MARKED DOWN B 500 \i7 Jewellers v EXETER SMALL SELECTIONS OF GIFTWARE MARKED DOWN BY 75% 421 MAIN ST. S. EXETER 235-2720 sort of thing from hap- pening in the future. Staff was asked to bring a report to the board at a future meeting. Source protection General Manager Tom Prout updated the board on the conservation authority's role in source protection planning He said the provincial regulations and legisla- tion are expected to be adopted in June. A source protection committee will have to be established, but Prout said the process has been stalled by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA), which has decided it wants to form its own committee. For the purposes of source protection plan- ning, the ABCA has been grouped with the MVCA and any funding the regional group receives will have to cover both committees if the MVCA forms its own rather than joining with the ABCA. The management com- mittee, which consists of the chairpersons, vice - chairpersons and the gen- eral managers of the ABCA and the MVCA con- trols the distribution of funds and Prout said he will keep the board up to date on the situation. He said the manage- ment committee has hired a project manager who will start at the end of January on a three-year contract. Conservation education Conservation Education Specialist Erin Dolmage updated the board on the conservation authorities educational programs in 2004. She said 5,616 people have participated in spe- cial events, school and community programs offered by the education department, an increase of 1,100 people over last year. She said the largest increase has been in the school programs, which went up 180 per cent this year. Dolmage said she had to ask other staff members to help in the education department due to this increase and recommend- ed the board adjust its standard fee of $60 to cover increased costs. The proposed fees for 2005 will include an indi- vidual fee of $4 per stu- dent and a minimum fee of $60 for a half-day pro- gram at a conservation area. A full-day program will cost $7 per student with a minimum fee of $120. Y 005 BIKINI BOB'S Retro Ball Ilea" Zlesn. d Eue 9.,uieet Pa4r4 Dinner and Dance Dinner & Dance Tickets Includes: 4 Course Meal, 2 beverage tickets, Midnight Toast & Cold Buffet, a chance to win amazing door prizes. 6:30 pm - $50 pp / $90 couple Semi Formal Attire. Limited # of tickets Dance Tickets Include 3 beverage tickets, Midnight Toast, Cold Buffet and a chance to win amazing door prizes. 9:30 pm - $20 pp / 835 couple Semi Formal Attire. Limited # of tickets. Call 238 - 2235 Grand Bend Door Prizes: Heineken Beer Fridge, Keith's Cooler, lounge chairs and umbrella & $250 trip voucher. s • HAPPY NEW YEAR * r 2005 • TIMES ADVOCATE 424 Main St. Exeter, ON NoM iS6 235-1331 books for all ages