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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1986-11-19, Page 1INDEX Births /A14 Brussels /A9 Classifieds /A10, 11, 12 Dublin /A7 Entertainment /Al2 Family /Al2, 14 Hensall /A4 Legion /A14 Obituaries /Al2 People /A14 Sports /A5, 6 Walton /A9 50 cents a copy Council briefs Plans underway for Senior games. See page A3. Huron ,t •A xposit Serving the communities and areas of Seaforth, Brussels, Dublin, Hensall and Walton. SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1986 Residents opposed to proposed . St. closure Seaforth Town Council has received a number of letters opposing the town's proposal to close the' northerly section of Gouinlock Street. adjacent to Victoria Park. The proposal, made to council by its transportation and environment committee, recommends a portion of the street adjoining Victoria Park be closed in February of 1987 with approximately 150 feet of the closed distance being used for parking and the remaining portion as improved green space. The Huron County Roman Catholic School Board has expressed an interest in entering into a permission agreement for the use of the proposed area, as an extension of the St. James School playground, subject to the town's approval of the fencing and placing of equipment in this area. The proposal has not. however. gone over very well. "in the past number of years. heritage organizations and committees have been set up to protect and maintain town properties for their historic value, and Victoria Park surely falls into this category." said James A. Stewart, a local merchant. "Victoria Square. as it was called for many years. was established in the spring of 1875 on land granted to the Town of Seaforth by Mr \1' illiam Gouinlock. to be used as a public park in perpetuity. The park and street layout. therefore, has a history of over 110 years and that certainly must be protected and maintained." he said. Mr. Stewart added Seaforth was very fort until to have a park so centrally located in the town, one that provided a perfect setting for the war memorial and one that has provided a gathering place for many public occasions "For these reasons." he said. "council is urged to protect and keep Victoria Park as 0 stands, and to give serious thought to providing much needed new sidewalks. park side curbs, and full width paving of both branches of Gouinlock Street " "i'm not against parking areas," stated D' Odeon Sills "They are quite nc'tessary for Main Street survival. However, 1 am against street closure, especially when it allows a resident (St. James School) to use a portion of the closed street - in this case giving a private entrance to Victoria Park at the expense of Seaforth citizens and the attraction to the park by visitors." Mr. Sills said he felt the school board was not using effectively all the property they now have for playgrounds. "Let them make use of the McMillan property and if necessary, move the garage and cut down the three fir trees. For protection of children they can fence Victoria, north Gouinlock and Chalk Streets," he said. He questioned closing the street for parking when both des of the park have been used for that purpose for several years, and with good results. "Just do a little maintenance, straighten up the cement curb blocks or even move them in two feet towards the park and grade the parking space." he said. " Il' you desire more space for parking only - remove the sidewalk on north Gouinlock street and use your 66 -foot road allowance - park on both sides for 175 feet from west to east but leave the street open. This allows you to plow the street with your own equipment rather than pay fora loader at $40 or more per hour tp remove snow from a closed space." Mr. Sills added it would also make more sense to close off south Gouinlock Street as opposed to North Gouinlock, if it was necessary for any street at all to be dosed. "If you look east down south Gouinlock street you would notice a drop of three to four feet in the last 75 feet to Chalk Street. From looking east on north Gouinlock there is not much of a grade, thus it has more traffic - especially in the winter months," he pointed out. Mr. Sills. like Mr. Stewart, commented on the uniqueness of the park, and said it would he used more if only a few improvements were made. As well, if the street remained open. the police could still circle the park when necessary. i DON'T LIKE SPIDERS AND SNAKES — was a statement Angle Harrison didn't voice Saturday, but one she might have. Here she looks none too happy to be touching a Blminl Boa Constrictor, The snake was part of a Jungle Alive presentation made by J)m Lovelsek of the Toronto Nature Centre, to children at the Seaforth Library. (Mcllwralth photo) Wilson says government wants broader BY PATRICK It1vrii Federal Minister of Finance Michael Wilson. pmmn(tng his government's pro- posed tax reform ',inlet Ives. made a visit to limn ('aunty last Fnday The minister spoke to about 65 area citizens. mostly members of the business community. at a dinner meet ingattheCandlelight Restaurant to Goderich Mr Wilson said the "broad objective" of the tax reforms which the government began in their March 1985 budget is to "reduce individual tax loopholes and hmaden the tax ham, so we can hnng down the basic tax rales " He also said the government wants to reduce the incidence of "wide disparity" between the amount of taxes paid by people in the same income bracket "Fairness is first and foremost in the guidelines-" for tax reform, he said. Mr. Wilson pro-nised to reduce the percentage of personal income tax as a percentage of overall taxes and "spread the load," between other elements of the tax system, such as corporate and sales taxes. The intended result of the reform, said Mr. Wilson. is to "leave more money in the pockets of Canadians," so they can spend it in areas that will get the economy moving. "We've had a pretty bouyant economy over the last while, which has provided a basis for continuing projects," Mr. Wilson said. One of the govemment's objectives Is to remove government from the decision- making process in industry. "So far. the private sector has responded very productively," said Mr. Wilson, who pointed out roughly 600,000 private sector jobs have been created over the past year. "We make it quite dear that we (the federal government know we didn't create these jobs. They were created by the private sector," he added. Tax reform is a potentially volatile procedure and the minister emphasized it must be handled carefully. "It's important to find the smoothest way possible to change from our present tax system. to whatever system we eventually choose." he said. During a question period following his address, Mr, Wilson was asked if the government had any plans to change the current $3.500 annual limit on Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP1 contribu- tions? "i'm afraid rm going to have to disappoint you there," he replied. While "there has been an awful lot done on pension reform," there are no plans to change the current RRSP limits, he explained. Questioned on problems with capital gains taxes, Mr. Wilson said a capital gains exemption for qualifying sellers currently in effect is the best way to handle the situation. "1 am confident the capital gains exemp- tion is the right way to go and provides an incentive to encourage new businesses. it's tax base something we're pleased with and will stay with." he said. Bruce Sully. chief executive officer of Champion Road Machinery. Goderich, asked the minister if research and development lax credits would be as accessible to smaller manufacturers Tike Champion as to "glamor high tech industries?" "We're gambling (by doing R and D work) but we dont know if were going to get credit for it," said Mr. Sully "We did broaden the definition of research and development in the '85 budget, making the application more generous as far as small companies are concerned." replied Mr. Wilson. Paid Klopp, of the Huron chapter of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, made a plea for a four or five per cent interest rate reduction program for farmers, to help them recover from a rough year. "We need eight per cent money across the board for every farmer," stated Mr. Klopp. Mr. Wilson reolied that the national deficit must be lowered in order to make interest rates fall naturally. "If we have programs for everyone, we're not going to get that deficit down," he said. council to consider request A request from the Mainstreet Canada committee that it be given authorization to purchase an electronic data processing unit has been referred by council to its various sub -committees for discussion. The town of Seaforth has been awarded a community planning grant from the province to prepare a downtown improvement strat- egy. This study will involve a consumer survey, a merchant survey and a downtown physical assets inventory. Because of this the Mainstreet committee said it felt an electronic data processing capability would help in carrying out the analysis portion of the study. "The advantage of buying the equipment is that it would provide the opportunity to develop and manage a data base right here at the town hall. Once established, this data base could be improved, maintained and WHEELCHAIR CLINIC — Representatives from Dean Russell Limited of London were at the Huron Day Centre on November 15 to carry out repetition 24 wheelchairs for Huron County's first wheelchair clinic. These Gunton Scouts, Mark Walker, left, and Andrew Walker were helping to clean up the Chairs for this event that was Sponsored by the Huron Day Centre and the March of Dimes. (David Efnelie pffeto). used during the three year Mainstreet Canada program and afterwards," said the committee. The committee said the alternatives to outright acquisition are to use the equipment of the Huron County Planning Department or to lease equipment. The big advantage of buying the equipment is that it would be immediately available and by the end of the three year period, outright acquisition would cost no more than leasing. The committee further stated that an in-house capability would also provide the opportunity to do other functions, as well, such as maintaining lists of BiA members, businesses in town, property owners, desig- nated properties, the competition in other towns, community associations, events. and calendars. it would also, they said. be helpful (Continued on Page A3 Santa Claus is coming to town Saturday. December 6 has been chosen as the official date for Seaforth's Santa Claus parade. Sponsored jointly by the Seaforth Recrea- tion Committee. Seaforth Lions Club and the Seaforth BIA the parade will leave the community centres at 1 p.m. and travel a route along Main Street ending up at the Victoria Park. There is no particular theme for this year's parade and local merchants, service groups and sports and other organizations are being urged to participate. The pa,ade crolunittee is hoping to attract at least 25 to :to floats to the parade. To date there is one . hand scheduled to appear. that being the Seaforth District High School Girls March- ing Rand. Other bands are welcome as well. Once flie parade has finished the children are invited to visit Santa Claus at the Mclaughlin Chev-Olds huilding until 3 p. m. at which time Santa will make a visit to the' Horsing and rest homes in town. Anyone interested in entering a float in the parade can call Irvin Johnston at 327-47113. The deadline for entries is December 1. W ILLCANVASS Seaforth Town Council gave its permission for the Southwestern Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada to conduct a door-to- door campaign during the month of March 1987.. Funds raised will be used for medical research, patient services, blood pressure clinics and the community needs. 25'1'11 ANNIVERSARY Council also adopted the recommendation from its finance and general government committee to purchase a hall' page congratu- latory ad at the cost of $60 in a special brochure being published in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Father Stephen Eckert Council. NO ACTION Council adopted a further recommendation that no action be taken on the drain agreement with Lyons Food Market until it has finalized plans for the property to the south of the paved parking lot, The recommendation came based on a report of the clerk that he had met with Mr. Lyons and had been told Lyons was in the process of negotiating an easement for the drain, but that the exact location of the placement of the catch basin would not be decided until spring. At that time Mr. Lyons will have decided the future plans of his building to the south of the parking lot, The clerk further reported the only problem incurred during the recent heavy rains was on a parcel of land owned by Lyons to the west of the building where water ponded. The problem was corrected by Lyons with the installation of a catch basin connected to the High Street drain. SPONSOR AD Council adopted a recommendation that until further notice, the Town of Seaforth sponsor an advertisement requesting citizens and merchants to recognize Remembrance Day by closing retail outlets between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon. An ad had been placed in the November 5th edition of the Seaforth Huron Expositor. A PPRO V A L FIRST Members of town council's Protection to Persons and Property committee expressed displeasure with the Seaforth Police Depart- ment's request of service clubs for funding the purchase of a video cassette recorder and camera. Councillor Bob Dinsmore said he was upset at the approach to the service clubs for monies for the equipment when the commit!, ee had not approved such. The committee was advised Chief Hal Claus, during budget discussion, cited other municipal police forces had approached service clubs in the community for funding of such equipment when these items were cut from the police budget. Chief Claus said the equipment was necessary in teaching programs such as Values, Influences and Peers, which Con- stable Dale and a teacher from the Separate School have completed a two day course of instructing such a program at the Grade 6 level. While noting the program was important, the committee cited the letter sent requesting funds from the service dubs should have been approved by the committee first. The committee instructed Chief Claus to continue with the approach to service clubs for monies and to use school video equipment until funds are secured. The Legion. one of two local service clubs approached. said they would be interested in funding the equipment on a cost sharing basis with other service dubs. SUBJECT TO AGREEM ENT Seaforth town council approved construc- tion of a loading dock on the easterly end of the Eagle Cycle Industries lld. huilding. formerly the Topnotch research building. subject to certain agreements. Council is requesting a written agreement stating that if reparations are necessary to the storm sewer in the area where the loading dock is constructed that the necessary digging cin occur with removal of any part of the dol(. its repair will be solely the responsibility of the occupant -owner of the building. Upon investigation it was found there is an easement for a 60 inch storm sewer in the area where the dock Ls planned to be constructed. The agreement will be in effect with the current tenant only. Upon his moving or the business closing. the tenant will he respon- sible for the demolition -removal of the loading dock. NEW LOCATION Subject to approval from the arena board, town council has approved the transfer of the recreation director's office to what is now the "store room" located inside the entrance to the community hall. The reason for relocating the office is to keep the recreation depart- ment a separate entity from the arena. The cost of relocation is estimated at $750 for a partition and flooring. The cost will be borne by the recreation department and paid for by readjusting that part of its budget pertaining to office supplies. M Eei1 BER -AT -LARGE Rod Lyons has been appointed to the Mainstreet Canada Committee as its mem- ber-at-large. ember-at-large. Nominations or suggestions for the posi- tion were sought at the October council meeting. The opportunity was also an- nounced in the recent BIA newsletter and discussed by the BIA executive. Based on received input, the Mainstreet Coordinator approached business people on the Main Street and Mr. Lyons agreed to sit on the committee. ENDORSE RESOU''1TO NS The Town of Seaforth has endorsed the resolution submitted by the town of Onaping Falls concerning the proposal to transfer lottery funds to general expenses for the provincial government rather than the original recreation expenses. The town also endorsed a resolution from the Village of Millbrook that the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture be petitioned to extend the Building Rehabilitation and improvement Campaign IBRiC) beyond December 31. 1986 and further that the resolution be circulated to the Office of the Premier, LACACs, Heritage Canada and designated property owners in the municipal- ity for endorsement. Also endorsed was a resolution from the City of Brampton that the Provincial government be petitioned to increase the present allocation of grant funds for new and conservation capital projects for fitness, sports. recreational and cultural facilities in an amount equivalent to the existing profits from W intatio and Lottario programs, or alternatively, in an amount sufficient to finance all eligible grant applications submit - (Continued on Page A3)