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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-08-31, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, August 31, 2005 Regional wrap up Huron OPP seize restrict- ed estricted weapons HURON — A team of Huron OPP offi- cers seized a collec- tion of weapons resulting in 17 charges being laid against the owner. According to The Goderich Signal - Star, some weapons were illegal to pos- sess. The Morris- Turnberry resident had a number of guns. A restricted SKS rifle designed for military use and complete with a bayonet was the most unusual weapon found. Family still needs closure in drowning death GODERICH — The police investigation into the drowning tragedy is now complete and the incident has been determined as an accident, reports the Clinton News - Record but the Reid family doesn't feel they have the answers needed to move on. On July 2, six-year-old Tyler Reid drowned at Rotary Cove Beach in Goderich. Anyone with infor- mation that would help the Reid family find closure, call Jean at 482-1587. Crow tests positive in Clinton CLINTON — A dead bird has test- ed positive for West Nile virus according to the Huron County Health Unit. The crow was found in Clinton. In the past there have never been West Nile positive mos- quitoes in Huron County, reports The Citizen. This year though, 12 of 37 health units in the province have reported positive mosquito pools. Three candidates contesting Bayfield byelection By Pat Bolen TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF BAYFIELD — Three candidates will contest the Bayfield byelection Oct. 13 to replace for- mer Coun. Joshua McClinchey. With the nomination date closed as of Monday, Dave Johnston, Tyler Hessel and Geordie Palmer are the announced candi- dates for the position. Here are two of the three candidates for the byelection. Tyler Hessel will be profiled next week. Former Reeve Johnston spent five years with the Royal Canadian Navy and 15 years as a police officer before coming to Bayfield in 1975. He has been in business in the community for 25 years. "I believe Bayfield has some very pressing issues and I believe with my experience and my background I can address those issues." Johnston said development in the commu- nity is a key issue, as well as taxation and municipal water. Johnston said he didn't feel development in Bayfield is more difficult than in other com- munities. "Bayfield does have a zoning bylaw that is recognized by the municipality." Johnston said he is pleased with the sup- port his campaign has received. "People want to see someone with experience and the time to commit full time to it." Although approached to run in the last election, Johnston said he chose not to. "I believe I can contribute to the Municipality of Bluewater...I've been in busi- ness for 25 years and I can read financial statements. I think I bring a good common sense and a steady approach." Geordie Palmer has lived in Bayfield for the past six years after living and working in Alberta as a corporate special projects man- ager in petro chemical and metal mining. Palmer said he had been considering run- ning since before the last election but the opportunity didn't present itself until McClinchey resigned. After spending a large amount of time at council meetings, Palmer said he has a good understanding not just of Bayfield issues, but the community at large. "Bayfield has unique needs," said Palmer. "The growth that is forecast for Bayfield is phenomenal. I hope what doesn't happen is we get ourselves trapped into a corner. Similar to some of the problems Grand Bend has. Not just water and sewer problems but traffic problems. Those things have to be addressed as well." With increasing ice pad capacity in several communities around Bayfield, Palmer said although the amount of hours rented at the Bayfield arena weren't bad, the amount of money spent on the facility is a concern. "It's not to say it isn't needed, but when you don't have the revenue coming in and you spend a quarter of a million...that has a drain on your revenue.' But he added recreation was never meant to be a source of revenue generation. "It's called services and it keeps people off the streets,' he said, pointing out the events in the building that take place while there is no ice in, such as the antique fair that bring in a large amount of revenue. With the municipality almost four years into amalgamation, Palmer said there are ratepayers unhappy with increases, some of which have been outside the control of Bluewater. "But some of those people are not in a posi- tion to absorb those additional costs...some have moved out of Bayfield because of it." Palmer said he is fully retired with no busi- ness interests and no conflicts with his only remaining directorship that of the Bayfield Ratepayers Association, a position he intends to withdraw from if elected, although he will remain a member. Expanded hours for Hensall library begins in September HENSALL — The Hensall Branch Library is offering new expanded hours starting in September. The library will be open 20 hours a week, an increase of five hours per week. The library will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. as well as Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The additional hours will give patrons an extra day to visit the library. The morning hours may give people normally unable to visit the library in the afternoon or evening a chance to drop in. The Hensall Library offers free Internet service as well as computer games and activities for young children. All Huron County libraries offer DVDs, videos, CDs and books on CD and cassette. Books can also be renewed and returned at any branch in the coun- ty. All branches have book return slots. In late October, patrons will be able to renew books and place holds on books via the Internet from home. The Hensall Library can be reached at 262-2445. Check out the county library website at www.huroncounty.ca/library/for more information. Huron County libraries in Clinton, Goderich, Exeter, Seaforth and Wingham will resume Sunday hours Sept. 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. All five branches are open Sundays from Labour Day to Victoria Day. Drop in to read the paper, use the Internet, do homework or check out the latest bestseller. Frustration and anger growing over Huron Park delays Continued from front page Brown said the municipality decided to have the infrastructure on the residential side of Huron Park done first because, unlike the businesses on the industrial side, basements flood in the homes during heavy rains. Gnutti general manager Paul Buchanan, though, said his plant floods during rains and he's worried about workers being electrocuted. Brown said that was the first time he's heard such a complaint about the industrial side. "This is a very serious concern," Buchanan said. But since the province owns the infrastruc- ture, Exi-Plast owner Frank Zawalsky won- dered why the province isn't doing its part to fix it, something echoed by others at the meeting. Huron Business Development presi- dent Pamela Stanley noted the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC), the arms -length organiza- tion that manages land for the province, has maintenance problems across Ontario. The idea of having the province replace the infrastructure before privatizing the park was also raised, something that would affect the price of the individual properties. Hannigan said Dunline has put "hundreds of thousands of dollars" into its building, including $50,000 for a sprinkler system. He said he doesn't think ORC understands that Huron Park businesses have sunk a lot of money into buildings they don't own. "We're dealing with the province and they haven't got a clue," Glen Latour of Glen's TerryAir said, adding the businesses would be "further ahead" if the province fixed the infrastructure before Huron Park businesses buy their property. Another issue that arose Monday night was whether or not the municipality is doing enough work on behalf of the Huron Park businesses. "What do you think I've been doing for five years?" Morley asked. Concerned resident W. Peter Fydenchuk, who has been vocal on the Huron Park issue, said the municipality needs to "pound the table" and make the province notice Huron Park. "Maybe we need to become a squeaky wheel," he said, adding everyone needs to work together. Buchanan said Morley and the rest of coun- cil have put a lot of work into the Huron Park issue, but, "I don't feel like we have a cham- pion who is championing our cause. We just want the right to buy our property without a bunch of hassles." In light of the constant delays in the privati- zation, Buchanan also brought up the issue of Gnutti leaving Huron Park. "Why don't I just say, `screw Huron Park' and move?" He said three months from now, the province could tell businesses they've decided not to privatize Huron Park because there are too many problems. "They've been told a dozen times we want to buy," Latour added. Stanley said the possibility of businesses leaving the park is "a huge fear." As previously reported, the existing Huron Park businesses have the first option on buy- ing their property and land, but ORC wants to find one large buyer for the empty buildings such as the former Centralia College. An owner is also needed for the airport and run- ways. Morley, who said Diamond Aircraft has inquired into the park, said the province doesn't want to be left with vacant property after privatization. "There are some positives to (having) one buyer," he added. "It's not all negative." Fydenchuk said he wants other members of council to be more involved with the Huron Park process, causing Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin to say, "We are involved ... we're 100 per cent behind the mayor. We're working at it." "Do something for these people, please," Fydenchuk said, adding economic develop- ment in the county needs to be improved. "Reassure them." The issue of the municipality buying the air- port was also raised, but Morley said the municipality isn't interested. While at one time Morley said he thought it would be a good idea for the municipality to buy the entire park, a 2002 report determined it would be a financial burden. (The municipali- ty has not made that report public.) While dissatisfaction with the governing Liberals was raised throughout the meeting, Fydenchuk brought up the idea of bringing Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory to Huron Park. Morley later said the municipality has to be careful about playing party politics. "We're 595 people," Buchanan said of Huron Park's industrial side. "And if you don't start getting involved in party politics, maybe your politics are over." He said businesses want to stay in Huron Park, but if they don't start getting help, they may leave. "You've really got to get behind us," Buchanan said. Zawalsky said Huron Park businesses have been caught in a vicious circle of different governments and bureaucrats "who don't give a shit." Within months, Zawalsky said businesses will start pulling out of Huron Park if things don't change. He added if Huron Park businesses were dealing with an individual and not the gov- ernment, they would have already launched a lawsuit. Members of ORC were scheduled to once again meet with Huron Park businesses start- ing yesterday (Aug. 30) to ask them if they are interested in buying their properties. Morley said the province will put Huron Park on the open market Sept. 6 for 30 days to determine the fair market price. Once the fair market price is established, Huron Park busi- nesses can buy their land as long as it's with- in 95 per cent of the established value.