Clinton News Record, 2014-07-30, Page 5Wednesday, July 30, 2014 • News Record 5
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letters to the editor
Reader opposes off -leash dog parkin Bayfield
Letter to the Editor:
Re: Location of Off -leash Dog Park
We are residents of Bayfield. Our home is located directly
across from the proposed "off- leash dog park': If allowed,
there will be a chain-link fence approximately 66 feet from
our property.
The proposed area will need the removal of old growth
trees and undergrowth. Several times over the years these
trees have been saved. Indeed, when building began for the
first house in this section of the street, the road was moved in
order to accommodate the non -removal of these same trees.
They were saved again, approximately 10 years ago, when
there was an expansion of the park property. Finally, one
more reprieve for these trees, when 2 years ago, the water -
run off lines (located in front of them) needed replacement.
The municipality work crew at this time took special care
not to disturb these trees. Now, they once again face the
"chopping block."
ALL neighbours close to this off- leash park are opposed to
this idea. They want the trees and undergrowth saved. All
want an alternative site found. With a little determination, it
can be done.
Those proponents of this "idea" ironically do NOT live
directly around the park. For them, it is merely out of sight,
not our trees, not our noise problem, not our increased traf-
fic problem, not our parking problem etc.
Understand this, we are pet owners ourselves, we will
always be supporters of animal welfare and nature concerns.
It is Not about the dogs in this case. Wrong location and poor
planning.
We sympathize with our Bluewater Council Members.
These individuals will have the "unenviable" task of choos-
ing between the people that are directly affected by this pro-
posal or the proponents that are not.
Robert and Colleen Devine
CAA Connect: Keeping you safe and helping you save
CAA Insurance Company
(Ontario) is recognizing and
rewarding good drivers. CAA
South Central Ontario (CAA
SCO) recently launched the
first phase of CAA Connect
with its usage -based insur-
ance program.
It is a free and voluntary
program which uses per-
sonal driving habits to help
promote safer driving at
reduced insurance rates.
It is simple and easy to
use. Once the device is con-
nected to their vehicle, cus-
tomers can begin viewing
their driving activity, score
and safety tips online. Driv-
ers will also be able to track
their vehicle's health and
fuel efficiency, as well as set
service reminders.
"What makes us stand
apart from the competition
is our commitment to safety.
With the data at their finger-
tips, this technology will
allow and encourage drivers
to become more aware of
their driving habits, provide
up-to-date vehicle diagnos-
tics, as well as offer our
members the continued
peace of mind they have
come to expect from us," said
Matthew Turack, VP, CAA
Insurance Company
(Ontario).
Drivers will receive 5 per
cent off their premium just
for signing up and up to 15
per cent in discounts on
renewal as a result of good
driving behaviours. The sav-
ings are in addition to dis-
counts CAA already offers.
CAA Connect will benefit
those who drive approxi-
mately 12,000 km per year,
don't speed and avoid driving
between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.
"The program offers cus-
tomers more choice and con-
trol over their savings. It will
be of interest to those who
currently demonstrate safe
driving behaviours or those
who simply want to play more
of an active role in insurance
savings," added Turack.
Eligible drivers must be a
CAA Auto Insurance policy-
holder and drive a 1997 vehi-
cle or newer.
Later this year, CAA SCO
will introduce the second
phase of CAA Connect. Dur-
ing phase two, we will con-
tinue to develop diagnostic
capabilities to enhance the
member experience. The
new technology will help the
auto club respond to road-
side assistance calls more
effectively through GPS loca-
tion services and remote ser-
vice capabilities.
EARLY FILES
July 24 1969
Neighbours spotted smoke pouring
from a two-storey frame house next
to Central Huron Secondary School
early Sunday and awakened the six
persons sleeping inside in time for all
to escape safely. Flames heavily dam-
aged the roof, attic and part of the
second floor of the Ken Overboe fam-
ily's house at 177 Princess Street.
Smoke and water damage throughout
the house was extensive. Fire Chief
Grant Rath estimated loss at about
$7,000. Asleep when the fire was
noticed about eight o'clock were Mr.
Overboe, his wife, Doreen, their three
children, Lorraine, Andrea and Jim
and Lorraine's fiance, Richard
Ostrom of Varna. Several neighbours
across the street reportedly saw the
smoke at about the same time. Mr.
Overboe said it was Mrs. Thelma Cox
who arrived first and knocked at the
door until he awoke. The family was
soon roused, the Fire Department
summoned and a quantity of clothing
and furniture salvaged. The Overboe's
pet dog and cat also escaped safely.
July 26, 1979
The 20 employees from Clinton's Bell
Canada office worked only three days last
weekinthe continuing rotating strike and
lock -out action between the Communica-
tion Workers of Canada Union and the Bell
company. Peter McFalls, Bell steward for
local 46 out of London, said that the rotat-
ing strikes, which began in later June will
continue until the union and company
reach a contract agreement. There has
been no indication that the Bell employees
will stage a full walkout. Presently, the
employees serving the Clinton, Goderich
and Exeter area, servicing and installing tel-
ephones out of a central workshop in Clin-
ton, strike one day and Bell retaliates by
locking them out the next, according to Mr
McFalls. Bell's reasoning behind the lock
out is that they don't have work for the
employees to do.
July 29, 1987
A 13 -year-old Clinton girl recently
received recognition for being nominated
as an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year.
Nicole Garon, the daughter of Ray and
Mary Garon, along with her nominator
Rose LaCroix, have received certificates
recognizing their involvement in the
awards. The Ontario Community
Newspapers Association with Canadian
Airliness International Limited have been
sponsoring the Junior Citizen program for a
number ofyears. Those nominated, like
Nicole, must be involved in worthwhile
community service, have overcome disa-
bling physical or psychological limitations,
or have performed acts of heroism perhaps
endangering their own lives. Nicole began
helping Mrs. LaCroix with her yard work
approximately three years ago. It was at this
time that Mrs. LaCroix first became
impressed by Nicole's work as the then
11 -year-old Nicole offered to cut her 165 by
66 foot propertywithout a complaint.
July 20, 1994
The Village of Bayfield has been turned
down in their application for traffic con-
trol lights by the Ministry of Transporta-
tion (MTO). In a June 6 Council meeting,
Bayfield Council addressed the concern
of the high volume of traffic and pedestri-
ans at the intersection of Highway 21,
Huron Rd. 3 and Cameron Street. The
weekly flea markets at these comers pro-
duce a large number of pedestrians on
the weekends in the village and council
was concerned for the safety of the visi-
tors and wanted something there to
ensure their safety. Council approached
the MTO in the form of a letter,
requesting a study of that intersection for
the need of traffic lights.
July 24, 2002
Work completed at the Clinton Race-
way, community park and pool area will
be celebrated this Sunday, July 28. The
Superbuild project, which had a total cost
of about $250,000, according to Central
Huron Reeve Carol Mitchell, was funded
by both the provincial and federal gov-
ernments, along with Central Huron and
the Clinton Raceway. Undertaken as a
health and safety project, Mitchell said
work included fencing, asphalt work,
sidewalks, curbs, installing new play-
ground equipment, repairs to the pool
and pool house, all new doors on the
grandstand, painting of the grandstand
and the purchase of new tables and
chairs. Clinton Raceway General Man-
ager Ian Fleming, commenting on the
improvements, said, "It was long overdue
to get spruced up a bit:' Permanent
fences are adding a new measure of
safety at the raceway and community
centre, he noted, stating, "For safety,
more than anything, it's a lot better:' Visi-
tors to the area have been favourable
comments on the changes, Fleming said.
"People who haven't been here in a while
are surprised how it looks:'