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Huron Expositor, 2015-07-29, Page 1212 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, July 29, 2015 Landowners continue to feel in the dark regarding G2G Trail Dave Flaherty Goderich Signal Star Adjacent landowners to the Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Trail are still looking for answers. County council chambers was packed with landowners at the July 8 meeting. Representatives of the landowners said they had brought their concerns to council over a year ago and feel they still have not been addressed. "Why have landowners not received information," asked resident Neil Mitchell. The landowners brought a lengthy list of concerns including but not limited to safety, liability and protec- tion of their business interests. They told council that the trail could lead to impacts such as the loss of contracts or damage to personal property or land, claiming that several farmers in Huron County had already received notice that they would have to increase their liability insurance due to the public access the trail would create. Mitchell questioned how trail users would be pro- tected from wild animals or other dangers on the trail. He also questioned whether the organization behind the trail, G2G Inc., actually has the resources to make the trail come to fruition. He claimed when land- owners have requested the financial statements or poli- cies of G2G Inc., they have used "delay" tactics. Paul Vander Molen, Huron County representa- tive for G2G Inc., said they have never been asked to provide their financial infor- mation and "we've never used any delay tactics." Currently, the County of Huron has no formal role with the G2G Trail, although it is expected they will be asked to take on the lease of lands within the municipality in the future. However, Mitchell said it is imperative for the county's role to be determined before the trail moves forward. Scott Tousaw, director of planning and development for the county, said landowners have been engaged in meetings with the county's working group for the trail. However, one landowner, who claimed she is part of that group, said she has con- stantly left the meetings ask- ing herself why she even attended. "They are not listening to the landowners," she said. "People on the working group have a vested interest in the trail." Vander Molen said they have attempted to work with the adjacent landowners to address their concerns. "I think they have brought their concerns to the work- ing group and we have dealt with most of them," Vander Molen said. "We feel that we have been very forward with everything we've been doing." Despite this, Vander Molen did acknowledge the idea of the G2G Trail has not been received very well by that specific group of adja- cent landowners. Vander Molen pointed out that there are landowners who have voiced their approval of the trail. He explained there are "already systems in place to deal with most of the concerns." "We are trying to take a real positive look at it," he continued. "We believe it's just an unbelievable eco- nomic development opportunity:' Tousaw said the last meet- ing held by the working group focused on improving communication. Goderich Mayor Kevin Morrison asked if the meet- ings are actually advertised, drawing cheers and claps from the gallery. Tousaw noted when the working group convenes it is technically not a public meeting, but a "meeting that is open to the public." Warden Paul Gowing noted that it was county council who gave direction for the working group to been created. In April, G2G Inc. sent out a press release that stated that G2G Trail would be offi- cially opened on July 1. Huron East Mayor Bernie MacLellan said the wording of the press release confused many landowners and LET'S ALL DO OUR PART! AM PLEASE RECYCLE THIS � 4-4 NEWSPAPER dor ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm ikon Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS fuelled their feelings that their concerns were not being addressed. MacLellan told his fellow council members that G2G Inc. representatives had come to the July 7 Huron East council meeting and admitted the wording of the press release was incorrect. He later told The Signal Star that while it is an appro- priate first step for G2G Inc. to acknowledge their mis- take, the concerns of land- owners remain. Vander Molen said the intent of the April press release was to get out news that the trail would be mov- ing forward. "At this point in time, the trail is closed and we are going to be posting signage on the sections that we have leased," he said. "There seems to be some confusion. We can't tell landowners what is going on," he said. MacLellan said he believes it would be benefi- cial if information from the working group meetings are forwarded to lower -tier municipalities. He also put forth a motion, which was passed, request- ing that G2G Inc. be asked to address county council at their earliest convenience. North Huron Reeve Neil Vincent said the G2G trail could have an impact on the ability of adjacent landown- ers "to make an income." "This group is talking about their way of life," he said. He further criticized G2G Inc. as being very "wishy washy" when it comes to their regulations and that the trail shouldn't be pushed ahead for the gain of one group against the detriment of another. Art Versteeg, Reeve of Howick Township, said council should have made its decision on whether it wanted to be involved last year and he feels it is unlikely the county will play much of an important role in the future of the trail. He told The Signal Star he feels the trail is a good idea but wants to see that land- owners' concerns are dealt with in a "reasonable fashion." Scoreboard 4 Shuffleboard Scores July 15- July 22 Corbett, Hoy, Cor De Corte, Catherine De Corte, three wins Tye Hem, Harvey, E. Matgold, Vantyehem, four wins Clinton Dental Clinic Please join us at the Clinton Dental Clinic for a "Welcome" Open House on Friday, July 31 from 9am to 12pm. The office is located at 218 Ontario St. in Clinton. We are so pleased and excited to have Dr. Melinda Lee joining our outstanding team this summer. Take this opportunity to come by the office, enjoy a snack, enter your name for our many prizes and most importantly meet Dr. Melinda Lee and Dr. Veronica Lee New patients are welcome to tour our clinic.