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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-07-19, Page 22 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, July 19, 2006 Farmer builds trail forABCA's 60th anniversary CLANDEBOYE — `Build it and they will come," says watershed farmer Paul Hodgins who has taken some of his farm land north of Clandeboye and turned it into the beginnings of a walking trail helping to celebrate the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's 60th Anniversary this year. Hodgins, a Lucan Biddulph councillor, has received some teasing from friends and neighbours over his lat- est project, a walking and nature trail called Old Farmers' Park and Walking Trail, but he says he does- n't mind. "People ask me why I do it," Hodgins says. Hodgins came forward with the idea for the trail when he joined the ABCA 60th Anniversary Committee as a community member last year. Municipalities and schools have undertaken steward- ship projects as part of the year-long celebration. The new trail will take several years to complete but Hodgins has surprised even himself with how much progress he has made already. "It's all fallen into place in five or six months," he says. "I haven't got as far as I want to but I am farther than I thought I would be at this stage," Hodgins adds. Over the winter Hodgins built a white bridge which is now at the entrance to the park and has drawn the positive attention of passing motorists. Hodgins used a roto -tiller to create an even trail surface for walkers. The trail will be developed over the coming years as newly -planted trees grow and the trail is expanded. Residents of the Clandeboye area have expressed appreciation that they have a new local opportunity to walk and experience nature, in addition to Lucan Conservation Area. Hodgins stresses the land is private property but peo- ple who would like to walk the trail are welcome on it. He encourages walkers to be responsible and safe and enter the land with a walking buddy and a mobile Minister impressed with hospital Continued from front particular drug was funded. Coleman and several others from the area collected many signatures for MPP Carol Mitchell to take to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. "I worked with our multiple myeloma support group out of London and District," says Coleman. Coleman is pleased with the announcement of the funding of Velcade and although he doesn't need the drug right now, says, "I can assure you someday I will." Smitherman also touched briefly on the family health team initiative and the Local Health Integration Network which he encourages communities to ask about. Smitherman was presented with a report on where South Huron Hospital ranks in comparison with other hospitals in the province. The report, researched by South Huron Hospital Dr. Ken Milne states that the hospital is five to ten times better than the provincial average, exceeding Canadian Triage & Acuity Scale (CTAS) times in a Rural Emergency Department. The hospital also exceeds all five CTAS benchmarks. Smitherman was impressed with the report. Council supports Team Canada trip Continued from front page Davis Municipal Drain Low bidder Marquardt Farm Drainage Ltd. was awarded the tender for work on the Davis Municipal Drain for $58,747 excluding GST. The municipality received five bids, with the highest quote at $67,009. The estimate for the project was $70,810. The project is paid by the affected property owners. The agricultur- al/municipal drain is in the former Usborne and Biddulph townships in the Whalen and McTaggart line areas. Clerk Sandi Strang reported the 40 -day appeal period for the pro- ject expires July 31 and work can start in about mid-August. JuniorTeam Canada Council is donating $500 to Elimville's Chad Swance's August trip to China as part of Global Vision's Junior Team Canada. As the Times -Advocate reported in its June 28 issue, Swance was one of only 32 youths from across Canada chosen to go on the eco- nomic mission. The 22 -year-old University of Ottawa student will represent southern Ontario, rural affairs and the agricultural industry on his trip. The group will help facilitate Canadian exports and encourage foreign direct invest- ment. Members will meet with high levels of government and business leaders. Swance's primary goal wil be to establish foreign relations and gather important contacts on behalf of businesses and groups in the region. Swance has been an employee of Municipality of South Huron for a few years and will take with him South Huron promotional items, such as pins and a letter from the mayor. His trip will cost about $4,500, with Global Vision picking up half the cost. Morley said millions of jobs are expected to move to China in the next several years, which repre- sents a threat to Canada's econo- my. He said he's proud of Swance for representing the area. He said the municipality's $500 donation to Swance's trip is "a very good investment." Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin also paid Swance a compliment. "I've seen your work ethic and if you take it to China with you, we'll be well represented," he said. One of the goals of Global Vision is to develop leadership among Canada's students. Global Vision was established in 1991 by Order of Canada recipient Terry Clifford. TrivittThanksgiving Council agreed to close Baldwin Street Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 so Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church can hold its second annual Community Thanksgiving Celebration. The only resident of the street, Bart Devries, has no objection to the closure of the street. Lions commended Mayor Rob Morley gave credit to the Centralia -Huron Park Lions Club for paying for new doors for its clubhouse at the Centralia Community Centre. "The old wooden doors are out- dated and in need of repairs and are not wheelchair accessible," Lion member Harvey Hillman wrote to council. The new doors will be wheelchair accessible and a ramp will be built at the front door. "As this is our club house, it is our way of giving back to the communi- ty," Hillman wrote, adding that the job has been quoted at $2,100. "They should be commended," Morley said, adding that the club is contributing more "all the time" to the community. Coun. Harvey Ratz agreed, noting it is a small club. Fish killed in St. Joseph manure spill Continued from front page Contaminants that have reached the lake are expected to dissipate. Although according to all agencies involved in the manure spill investigation, they have done everything they can do to ensure the safety of the resident and public, people who were on the beach July 14 disagreed. One man, who wished to remain anonymous who was with a group of people from both Michigan and California says he will "never come back to this area again." "My parents have been coming up here since the 1940s. "This will impact tourism and property values," he added. Another man says he is upset with the steps taken to ensure safety. "My daughter's been swimming in it," he exclaimed. Jim and Joan Hoefler, who have owned a cottage in St. Joseph for about 18 years, were also not pleased, saying there was a definite lack of informa- tion and public safety. And when asking 15 -year-old Kristyn Mathonia of Zurich how she felt knowing she was swim- ming in the water, despite the fact that it has been considered safe, she said, "It doesn't mat- ter; it's disgusting." An investigation is under way by an officer at the Ministry of Natural Resources, dealing with an apparent blockade the public has put up in an attempt to ensure the water they consider dangerous, does not spill into the lake. Acting area supervisor for the Huron/Perth branch of the Ministry of Natural Resources Mike Malhiot did not have any information regarding the block- ade as the T -A was going to press but says he has never seen a group of people take this type of situation into their own hands. phone. He said the trail is still a little short for serious walk- ers but someone walking the length of the trail and back could walk for 20 minutes to half an hour. Hodgins and his fellow committee members have spent the past 10 months planning the 60th anniver- sary celebration for the local Conservation Authority, which was Ontario's first. If you would like to begin an individual conservation project during this celebration year contact Tim Cumming at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) at 235-2610 or 1-888-286-2610 for information. The ABCA is hosting 60th Anniversary celebration events Sun., July 30 at Morrison Dam Conservation Area. There are free shuttle rides every 15 minutes and free guided walks every half hour between Morrison Dam and MacNaughton Park between 2 and 3:30 p.m. and free live music at Morrison Dam. The ABCA 60th Anniversary Barbecue is from 4 - 6 p.m. at South Huron Recreation Centre in Exeter. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for youths seven to 12. Children under 7 are free. Tickets must be bought by Friday, by contacting the ABCA at 1-888-286-2610 or 235-2610. A short formal ceremony takes place at 5 p.m. fea- turing special dignitaries from across the province. Clandeboye farmer Paul Hodgins has designed a walking trail on his farm land north of Clandeboye for the public in commemoration of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority's 60th anniversary. (photo/submitted) REGIONAL WRAP Estimate called `ludicrous' TORONTO — Renowned United Kingdom -based forensic pathologist Dr. Bernard Knight said the original pathologist's findings in the 1959 murder conviction of Steven Truscott are circumspect, reported the Clinton News -Record. Knight testified during the final day of an 11 -day Ontario Court of Appeal hearing before a five -mem- ber panel of justices reviewing Truscott's convic- tion. Knight said original pathologist Dr. John Penistan's statements, which played a pivotal role in Truscott's conviction, could be "wildly incorrect." He said pathologists are only able to estimate a range of the time of death, not a precise time. He said Penistan's estimation that the time of Lynne Harper's death took place within a half-hour time frame is "ludicrous." A decision on the Truscott review isn't expected until 2007. The justices can either acquit Truscott, dismiss the appeal, suspend the proceedings or order a new trial. House arrest for Chisholm GODERICH — A 28 -year-old high school teacher with the Avon Maitland District High School was sentenced to 18 months of house arrest after plead- ing guilty to impaired driving causing death, reports the Goderich Signal -Star. Eric Chisholm was sentenced recently in Goderich court. According to a court transcript, Chisholm, another passenger and Aaron Cousins were driving south- bound on Porter's Hill Line when the car lost con- trol, rolled over and came to rest on its roof. While Chisholm and the other passenger were able to escape the car, Cousins was trapped inside and was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash happened Oct. 16, 2005. Alcohol readings done on Chisholm showed 160 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. A blood sample later showed 228 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.