The Citizen, 2001-07-11, Page 20You Can Make
a Difference
HUNTINGTON
DISEASE
*tiffp11y1 TINGTON
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Morning mishap
Blyth's Emergency First Response team from the fire department responded to a serious car
crash which occurred shortly before 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning south of Blyth. They adminis-
tered first aid to Bob Diebold of Vanastra who was later airlifted to hospital in London with
injuries to the chest and ribs. According to Fire Chief Paul Josling a car driven by Jamie Taylor-
of Blyth was turning left into Sparling's Propane. Diebold who was northbound, didn't see
Taylor because of the bright sunlight. Josling said Taylor (being administered to in the car) was
taken to Clinton hospital. OPP are investigating.
PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 2001.
Complex disappoints Wescast officials
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen staff
Head office people from Wescast
didn't mince words when they
attended the July 3 meeting of coun-
cil to express their displeasure in the
new community complex.
Dick LeVan, chair of Wescast, said
he was at the meeting to tell council
that having seen the North Huron
Wescast facility, "I was ashamed our
name was on it." Adding that it did
not meet the standards that the com-
pany has come to expect, LeVan said
he was disappointed to see the com-
plex wasn't finished.
"I complained to Ray (Finnie,
CEO) that it didn't seem the commu-
nity was doing its share."
This comment was based on
LeVan's understanding that Wescast
agreed to build their new plant out-
side Wingham, in part because of a
commitment from the communities
to construct a recreation facility.
Wescast pros ided financial support
while fundraising was done in the
area. LeVan said he was under the
impression that whatever shortfall
there was would be looked after by
the community.
"It looks rundown before it's even
started. We want to find out what the
town is going to do to bring it up to
the standards we expect and what
can we do to help."
Finnie said that he had met with
some members of council earlier
asking what could be done. "From
our perspective we would like it fin-
ished to the level of completeness we
expect. We are here to indicate how
important this is to us."
Reeve Doug Layton, noted that the
community has put tremendous
effort into the project, but financially
the work needs to be spread out.
"There is a difference in what we
collected and what we are building,"
he said, adding that when talks
began about the facility it was
stressed that it not affect residents'
tax bills.
When Layton said that there had
been a number of improvements
done recently to the interior, LeVan
argued that that was not the problem.
"The outside is a disgrace in terms of
landscaping and the way the finished
project looks."
Layton said that the land would
soon be levelled and the new drive-
way completed. But when LeVan
questioned if there would then be
landscaping done, the reeve replied,
"Noeunless someone comes up with
some money."
"I'm not sure what you're saying
but maybe we should take our name
off it."
Councillor Arnold Taylor attempt-
ed to explain the predicament by
reminding LeVan that Wescast had
initially waited to begin construction
on its new plant because of an "eco-
nomic downturn".
"We are in financial straights now.
We have hit taxpayers about as hard
as we can and had hoped to do this in
stages."
LeVan agreed that certain things
can wait, but felt the exterior was a
priority. "It's an eyesore. I don't
think anyone in this room can be
proud of the way it is. It looks like a
rundown facility and you need to fix
that or it will always be a rundown
facility," he said. "I think you agree
if something starts as a shithouse it
will always be a shithouse."
Councillor Jeff Howson suggested
that they talk to the members of par-
liament regarding any available
funding and devise a plan. "We want
to keep moving on this, certainly
sooner than later."
Layton agreed adding that there
has never been any intention in leav
ing the building as it is.
Asking what amount would be
needed to finish the landscaping,
LeVan was told $150,000. The origi-
nal plan included $20,000 in land-
scaping, which all agreed is limited.
"What's the problem with $150,000?
You can borrow can't you?" LeVan
asked.
Layton said they needed to put a
cap on what has been borrowed.
Howson stressed. again that there
might be a solution once they discuss
things with the government officials.
While not prepared to have the
company invest any more capital
into the facility, LeVan said they
would loan the money to North
Huron interest free for three years if
necessary to get the work done.
Before leaving, Finnie compared
'to the situation to building a dream
home then not having any furnish-
ings, draperies, or lawn. "It would be
great to have the vision completed."
A business plan is being devel-
oped.
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