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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-02-15, Page 22 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, February 15, 2006 Fanning income crisis the focus of Presidential Tour From left are Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) president Ron Bonnett, Huron County Federation of Agriculture president Nicl<Whyte and OFA vice- president Paul Mistele. Bonnett and Mistele listened and answered farmers' com- ments and concerns in Hensall Feb. 10. (photo/Nina Van Lieshout) By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HENSALL — The farm- ing income crisis was the topic of discussion for the Hensall stop of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture Presidential Tour Feb. 10. OFA president Ron Bonnett and vice-presi- dent Paul Mistele addressed about 40 farm- ers with questions and concerns regarding agri- culture issues in Ontario. The meeting at the com- munity centre lasted two hours. Bonnett and Mistele began by presenting their overall view of the Ontario agricultural situa- tion. Farmers then asked questions which both Bonnett and Mistele answered. Bonnett began by saying he has been touring the province looking for an overview of agriculture issues, asking farmers for their feedback. He says farm income has been the biggest problem. "Could you live on a 1979 paycheque," he asked reading one of the many signs placed in the community centre. He went on to say that the sign raised a good question. Bonnett talked about Nutrient Management and the farm income cri- sis issues surrounding grains and oilseeds. South Huron passesVisouvath rezoning By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — Despite opposition from some neighbours, council has passed rezoning allowing for a single detached dwelling and an auto repair shop. The matter of Kon Visouvath's property on Highway 83 just west of Exeter was first visited by council in September, to much opposition from neighbours con- cerned about the appearance of the property. Council made no decision at the time and instead directed staff to meet with the neighbours and Visouvath to work out their differences. That meeting was held in December and planner Claire Dodds said no resolutions were reached. The zoning changes the property from General Agriculture (AG1) and Restricted Agriculture (AG2) to Agricultural Small Holding (AG4). The zoning allows the six acre property to have the single detached home and the auto repair shop without it being an accessory to agriculture. As was discussed before council in September, Visouvath had already been operating an auto repair shop from the property, which needed to be rezoned so he could continue to do so. At the time, neighbours complained about the number of derelict vehicles on his property, a makeshift fence made of pallets and old satellite dishes, constantly -crow- ing roosters, loose dogs and fears of soil contamination from radiator and gas leaks from cars. There were also complaints about garbage being burned in the back- yard. Since the September meeting, some modifications to Visouvath's rezoning request had been made. Originally, the rezoning included a maximum of eight vehicles related to his repair business that he would be allowed on his property; Visouvath asked that maximum be removed since that stipulation doesn't exist on other AG4 properties in the municipalities. However, in her report Dodds said he won't be allowed an unlimited number of vehicles — "Under the home industry provisions that exist in the Stephen Township zoning bylaw, the applicant would be subject to the provision 'such home industry is clearly sec- ondary to the main residential use and does not change the residential character of the dwelling.– She said the character of the property would be changed if Visouvath kept more than eight vehicles related to the business on his property. She added he can only have two unli- censed derelict vehicles outside on his property. Dodds recommended council approve the rezoning, as she did in September. Referring to concerns of the neighbours, she said many of the issues can be enforced through municipal bylaws such as the property stan- dards, burning, zoning and dog bylaws. Neighbour Alvin Campbell described Visouvath's fence as "horrendous looking." He said the municipality should have a fence bylaw put into place to deal with the issue. He said he's been told by property assessors that his property could see its assessment lowered because of the state of Visouvath's fence. Dodds said the municipality's bylaws only require that fences provide "visual screening" and don't speak to the height of the fence or what it's made of. While there were comments from neighbours com- plaining about the property, Visouvath's brother Sai Visouvath showed support for Kon, suggesting Campbell pay for half of a new fence if he wants one put up. Campbell responded that he's lived on his property for 17 years and has never needed a fence because he's never had a neighbour who had junk in the backyard. He said he shouldn't have to pay for Visouvath's fence. Coun. Ken Oke said neighbours were concerned about the fence, not the actual rezoning. He suggested the municipality look at its bylaws to see if it can do any- thing about having the property cleaned up. Coun. Harvey Ratz wondered if the municipality could place the property under site plan control, but Dodds said it's generally not done on agricultural properties unless they are very large operations. Also, she said if council put such controls on Visouvath's property, it should be prepared to do so on other AG4 properties. Responding to a question from Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin, Dodds said the municipality would probably lose its case if it rejected Visouvath's request and it went to the Ontario Municipal Board. While council did approve the rezoning, neighbours have 20 days after notice of the approval goes out to make an appeal. Negotiations on Huron Park continue Continued from front page website. Huron Park discussion South Huron resident Wally Fydenchuk appeared before council Monday night, asking if the munici- pality would consider hosting a pub- lic meeting for the residential side of Huron Park. He noted the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC), which manages provincially -owned land, doesn't seem interested in such a meeting, similar to a communications meet- ing the municipality held for the industrial side last summer. Mayor Rob Morley said he's not sure council wants to "get roasted" again like it did at the industrial meeting, but added he's not opposed to Fydenchuk's request, he just thinks it may be premature. As previously reported, the ORC announced in January it is looking for one buyer for the entire residen- tial side of the park. ORC community liaison officer Charlene Deyarmond told the Times -Advocate Monday negotiations are continuing on the sale. Morley told Fydenchuk he doesn't want to have a public meeting until he has something to tell the public. "Let's see what happens in the next month to six weeks," he said, adding that while he doesn't get told a lot of information from ORC on negotiations, what he hears is posi- tive. As for ORC looking for one buyer for the entire park and not allowing residents the option of buying their homes, Morley said he feels sorry for the 20 per cent who would like to buy their homes, but glad for the 80 per cent who don't want to (he admitted his numbers are esti- mates). Responding to questions from Fydenchuk about the future of the airport in Huron Park, Morley said he's heard "positive things" about the runways and hasn't heard any suggestions they will end up as farmland. He also explained the importance of farm orga- nizations using one voice to get their message across. Another area Bonnett went into detail about was the $300 million promised by the govern- ment which was delivered inadequately, according to Bonnett. Bonnett ended by saying the goal is to get the money out to farmers as soon as possible and that he wants a program in place so next year he doesn't have to tour the province talking about the income crisis. Mistele talked briefly in comparison to Bonnett, touching on the frustra- tions of the income crisis and energy issues. He spoke about the smart meters, saying the OFA thinks they are a dumb idea. Mistele then went back to the income issue say- ing, "I don't want to be a welfare recipient. I want to be an independent business person. "I'm not going to sit back and wait for a gov- ernment hand out. That is not my nature." Questions were asked by several members of the audience surrounding several issues. Farmers also shared their comments and expressed their concerns on various areas needing improvements. The Huron Federation of Agriculture held a rally yesterday in Guelph. They are scheduled for another rally Feb. 21 in Ottawa. The OFA also made stops in Dublin and Blyth. Boil water precaution ends after repairs Continued from front page Park. Staff hand -delivered notifications Thursday to all residents involved in the precaution. The health unit advises residents in such cases to boil water intended for consumption for one minute. Staff also flushed the watermains. Water sam- ples were taken Thursday and Friday. Monday after- noon Giberson reported the results were good and showed no signs of bacte- ria. "We're just erring on the safe side," he said before the precaution was lifted. "There's no evidence of any contamination or any health risk, it's a precau- tionary thing." Residents noticed dis- coloured water Thursday, but once staff flushed off waterlines, the water cleared up. REGIONAL WRAP UP • Bookshop celebrates BAYFIELD — A Scholarship Award commends the fifth anniversary of the Village Bookshop in Bayfield, according to the Clinton News -Record. Businesswoman Mary Wolfe says, "Literacy is imperative in our world; reading and writing skills are integral to a successful, productive life." Eligible applicants must be graduating from a sec- ondary school in Huron -Perth with plans to attend a post -secondary institution in the 2006-2007 year pursuing English literature as a major. The winner receives $250, a $50 gift certificate for the Village Bookshop and two tickets to The Bayfield Writers' Festival. Pool repairs SEAFORTH — The Seaforth Lions pool might not open this summer. The Seaforth Lions Club is hoping for public assis- tance in raising $225,000. Lions Club member Bob Beuttenmiller says the deck has dropped eight feet at the deep end causing a bulge in the wall and crushing the pipe underneath the pool. The Lions Club hopes to make improvements and new renovations, like adding stairs into the pool instead of the ladders. Middegaal Pools and Seaforth- area tradespeople were asked to make the pool changes. Save aTape GODERICH — The Goderich Zehrs are encourag- ing their customers to save their receipts. The program, Save a Tape benefits local non-profit organizations. According to the Goderich Signal -Star, for every $450 worth of receipts collected, $1 supports a local group. The donation box holds 30 organizations hoping for community assistance. McMillen says there is a significant waiting list of organizations so the store allows a group to be a part of the box for a year.The vacated group can re -join the waiting list if they want.