The Times Advocate, 2006-06-14, Page 3Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Exeter Times–Advocate
3
SPCA dinner raises $55,000
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — The Huron County Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty (SPCA) to Animals dinner
auction was another big success Friday night at
the South Huron Rec Centre, raising over $55,000
and beating the goal of $47,000, according to vol-
unteer organizer Kate McKenzie.
McKenzie said when the first dinner was held
last year, the SPCA had two goals which were to
be able to move to a bigger location and to raise
awareness of the services provided by the SPCA in
Huron County.
McKenzie said the organization has met those
goals by moving into a new location in Goderich.
Since the move last fall, their adoptions are up
almost 35 per cent and they have responded to 54
per cent more animal cruelty and neglect com-
plaints.
McKenzie said the SPCA has taken in 133 dogs
and cats and has found homes for 103.
According to McKenzie, the winner of the 50"
television was Les Coleman with a ticket sold by
Jerry Elmquist and Deb (Merner) O'Hagan.
The dinner, which was emceed
by Jeff McArthur from FM 96,
was attended by 382 people.
The increase over last years
total of $47,000 was due to an
extra $3,000 from more raffle
tickets sold this year, said
McKenzie.
She added an autographed
Steve Yzerman print, valued at
Tabetha Burley (right) and Marsha
Grassie of Grand Bend were
among the 382 people who
attended the SPCA dinner auction
Friday night at the South Huron
Rec Centre.The event raised
$55,000 for the SPCA. (photo/Pat
Bolen)
Huron Park a "complex issue": Mitchell
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
HURON PARK — Huron -
Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell
admitted last week the priva-
tization of the industrial side
of Huron Park "has been a
struggle."
Despite this, Mitchell told
the Times -Advocate Friday
she is hopeful there will be
announcements soon that
several industries in the park
have bought their properties.
The planned privatization
of the industrial side of the
park was announced by the
province in August 2004, but
that was followed by delays
and growing frustration and
anger by some of the park's
businesses.
Exi-Plast owner Frank
Zawalsky recently spoke to
the T -A, explaining that he is
considering moving his busi-
ness to Stratford.
Mitchell said the Huron
Park `file' has been closely
watched by her office and
the privatization is a compli-
cated matter involving a
large, complex property.
But she said she's working
to see the privatization of the
industrial side move forward.
"I believe Huron Park has
the potential to be a strong
economic driver for South
Huron," she said, adding she
"never dreamt"
the privatization
would take as
long as it has
when the govern-
ment made the
announcement
nearly two years
ago.
"I still believe
we made the
right decision (to
she says.
Mitchell said she is pleased
the residential side of the
park was recently sold for
$8.5 million to WCP Holdings
Limited, a subsidiary of
Parkbridge Lifestyle
Communities.
She said the new owner
understands the needs of the
community.
"We had a very good
match," Mitchell said of the
sale.
A statement from the
Ontario Realty Corporation
responding to Zawalsky's
comments in last week's T -A
was not received in time for
that week's issue. The state-
ment reads, "The ORC con-
tinues to work closely and
diligently with the tenants of
Huron Park to provide
them a fair opportunity
to purchase their
respective leased prop-
erties. The purchase
process overseen by
the ORC is fair and
competitive. The ORC's
responsibility is to pro-
tect the interest of tax-
payers by seeking the
maximum price for holdings
it is discharged to dispose of
on behalf of the government.
The purchase price for prop-
erties was based on the aver-
age of two independent mar-
ket appraisals."
The statement further
reads, "We understand that
this process may be frustrat-
ing for tenants, and the ORC
will continue to work with
tenants as the ORC offers the
remainder of the unsold
properties in the industrial
park on the open market."
"I still believe
we made the
right decision
(to privatize),"
CAROL MITCHELL
HURON -BRUCE
privatize),"
Motorcycle found
EXETER —A motorcycle stolen
June 1 was found June 7 on the
MacNaughton-Morrison trail
behind the South Huron Recreation
Centre. The green 2004 Kawasaki
ZX1OR was stolen from the parking
lot at 65 Victoria Street in Exeter. It
was found with all of the parts
stripped off the bike. If you have
any information that can assist
Police with this investigation, call
the OPP or CRIME STOPPERS at 1-
800-222-8477 (1 -800 -222 -TIPS).
Tools stolen
LUCAN BIDDULPH — Tools were
stolen from a vehicle on Francais
Street in Lucan June 3.
MPP
GRANT/MEND RV
BY cuLF STREAIN® 1
Fully
equipped
24'
travel
trailers
starting at
'14,900
Hwy 21 north Grand Bend 519-238-2445
$1,300, went for $1,845 as well as a framed
London Knights stick that went for $500.
"Those are things you can't perceive a value on,
that's a fan thing."
The funds raised by the auction, said McKenzie,
will go towards sustaining the shelter.
"With more animals that come in, our veterinary
fees are higher and with more inspection our
legal fees are higher."
With next year's dinner already scheduled and
the event taking most of the year to plan,
McKenzie said she will start to plan the next one
as soon as the thank you cards are out.
"I've already got my first donation, she said.
McKenzie also thanked all the volunteers. "It
wouldn't happen without everyone pitching in."
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