Clinton News Record, 2014-06-18, Page 17Wednesday, June 18, 2014 • News Record 17
Landowners concerned about Central Huron man facing numerous drug-related charges
proposed G2G Rail Trail
Dave Flaherty
For the News Record
Owners of lands adja-
cent to the proposed
Goderich to Guelph (G2G)
Rail Trail voiced some
concerns at last week's
county council meeting.
Larry Plaetzer, who
owns land near the pro-
posed trail spoke on
behalf of the group. Rep-
resentatives from the
Huron County Federation
of Agriculture were on
hand as well.
The G2G rail trail is a
proposed recreational
trail between the two
municipalities.
Plaetzer said their con-
cerns are not a case of
"not in my back yard" but
as farmers, they believe
could affect their
livelihoods.
He also questioned why
they had not been con-
sulted about the trail.
Specific concerns from
landowners include tres-
passing, theft, crop dam-
age, liability, vandalism
and other illegal activities
amongst others.
He said there have been
cases of people trespass-
ing on farm properties,
injuring themselves then
filing suit.
He asked whether farm-
ers would be exempt from
liability for trespassers
injuries.
As well, he said there is
no crop compensation for
damage caused by
trespassers.
Plaetzer has said they
believe the trail could
open up farmers to
"undue criticism" for eve-
ryday operations.
Other concerns raised
where right of ways for
where farmers need to
cross the trail, parking,
access for emergency
vehicles and the safety of
wildlife.
Litter and noise were
other highlighted.
Plaetzer said fencing
has been mentioned as a
protection for farms, but
raised the question that
fencing is used not only to
keep something out, but
to keep something in,
adding it could be very
expensive as well.
He said they cannot
support the proposed trail
until their concerns are
addressed.
County director of plan-
ning and development
Scott Tousaw expressed
confusion that the farmers
hadn't received a letter
from the county regarding
the proposed trail.
Tousaw said there was
an approval in principle
only from the county to
allow them to research
more into the specifics of
the trail.
The landowners had
asked for a specific meet-
ing with county staff about
the trail.
Bluewater Deputy
Mayor Paul Klopp said
there are 126 landowners
in Huron County along the
proposed trail who need
to be happy and going for-
ward it should be remem-
bered that "these land-
owners are the ones who
are directly affected."
Tousaw told Klopp he
could not guarantee that
provincial and federal
funding that went to the
G2G would be used to
consult with landowners
but city staff would be
preparing a report for
council in the fall on the
consultation process.
Huron East Mayor
Bernie McLellan said he
wasn't sure the justifica-
tion for some of concerns
came, such as users start-
ing campfires.
Plaetzer said users of
the trail will likely stay
overnight on the trail.
He also said he was con-
cerned about the "bias" of
a public meeting held in
Blyth earlier this year and
the side of those in favour
of the trail was more prev-
alent at that meeting.
Bluewater Coun. Tyler
Hessell said as a "business
owner who is a cyclist as
well" the some people
using the trail will riding
bikes worth thousands of
dollars so dropping $100
on a night for a hotel
wouldn't not be a
problem.
Hessell said from his
experience of using trails,
they are often well kept
because the people who
use them take care of
them passionately.
Warden Joe Steffler
assured the landowners
the trail will "not be
rammed down their
throat" and their concerns
will be given serious
consideration.
A 49 -year-old male from
Central Huron is facing drug
trafficking and possession
charges as a result of the cul-
mination of a recent drug
investigation.
Just before 10:00 a.m. on
June 11, the West Region
Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP) Organized Crime
Enforcement Bureau - Drug
Enforcement Unit (DEU), Pro-
vincial Weapons Enforcement
Unit (PWEU), Community
Drug Action Team (CDAT) and
members from the Huron
County OPP Detachment
executed a Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act (CDSA)
search warrant at a Huron
Road residence located on the
east side of Clinton.
As a result of the execution
of the search warrant, police
seized cannabis marihuana
bud, cannabis resin, Oxycon-
tin, Hyrdomorphone and
offence related property that
consisted of trafficking para-
phernalia and cash. Addition-
ally, a prohibited weapon
commonly known as a butter-
fly knife was seized.
The estimated combined
street value of the controlled
substances is just over $19,000.
The accused male Central
Huron has been charged
under the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act with:
.Possession of a Schedule II
Controlled Substance for
The Purposes of Traffick-
ing
rafficking (Cannabis Marihuana)
.Possession of a Schedule II
Controlled Substance (Canna-
bis resin)
'Possession of a Schedule I
Controlled Substance
(Hydromorphone)
.Possession of a Schedule I
Controlled Substance
(Oxycodone)
In addition, he has been
charged under the Criminal
Code with Possession of a Pro-
hibited Weapon.
He has since been released
from custody and his next
court appearance is scheduled
for July 7, 2014 at the Ontario
Court of Justice - Goderich on
July 7, 2014.
Any person with informa-
tion regarding this crime
should immediately contact
Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122
or (519) 524-8314.
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