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Times Advocate, 1989-01-11, Page 3Development in Grand Bend Continued from front page Several residents expressed opposition to the pro- ject because all areas -around the site are single-family units and they didn't like the impact an apartment might have on the area, calling it a major infringe- ment on quality of life in the area. Because of the opposition to a high level apart- ment, Hevey was asked about replacing the proposed apartment with more single family dwelling units and to do that the developer said he would have to cut down more of the existing trees and he wanted to leave the area in as much a natural state as possible. Other people voiced objection to the project be- cause of the extra traffic flow it would create. Under the current plan all of the traffic from that area would exit onto Lake Road and they felt that the traffic was already bad enough during summer months. Beach owners in the area said they were against the proposal because of the extra people that would be using the beach, having an extra 130 families mov- ing into the area. 1t was suggested to have signs in the area to point to what parts of the beach were pub- lic and which parts were private. - The development will be completed in phases, if given approval. The first phase will construct the cluster houses, then townhouses, followed by the apartment. One resident was told that if after one , phase was completed, Hevey could decide to abandon the rest but Sharen told him if that happens another developer would likely buy the site and take over. The restaurant was brought into question by Sharen and others because of the the noise and air pollution it would create on Alberta Street. The original plan was for a fast-food type restaurant but Hevey said he would consider making it exclusively a sit-down type which would eliminate the excess car exhaust and lit- ter that is created by fast food establishments. Another issue raised by residents was traffic safety. Children use the area everyday to go to school. Hevey said he was not prepared to install a traffic light at the intersection of Lake Road and Highway 21. Sharen said the village has applied to have another set of lights installed at the corner of Highway 81 and 21 and if that happens the current lights at that corner would be moved to Lake Road and Highway 21. Other minor concerns also surfaced and Hevey said he would take them all into consideration before com- ing up with a final solution. He said his original plan was to start selling the units this summer, with a -fall start on construction of phase one with hopes for a summer of 1990 occupancy. Sharen told residents that council has three options on this issue. The first was to pass the amendment as recommended. The second was to turn down the pro- posal and face the possibility of being overruled by the Ontario Municipal Board, because the official plan does allow for multi -family dwellings and future development. Finally, Sharen said council might do nothing, but Hevey still has the option of going to the OMB. "The present council has h4too short of time to make any affirmative or negative decision on this is- sue," said Sharen Talks stall HENSALL - Strikers continue to walk the picket lines around Gener- al Coach, while negotiations be- tween the company and union have yet tobegin: Adam Salvona of the United Car- penters and Joiners Local 305 dis- puted the company's earlier claims to be seeking a quick resolution to the strike. "I haven't heard a word from the company, not a thing," said Salvo- na, who said that as of Friday he had been told General Coach's posi- tion had not changed. Workers found themselves locked out from work nearly two weeks ago after rejecting a two-year con- tract offer that included a six-month pay freeze, a 250 an hour increase in April, and another 200 in April 1990. The workers voted against the offer by a margin of 94 percent, and the union described the offer as not keeping wages in pace with in- flation. Salvona said the 209 picketers were "determined" to see the strike through to a contract "that's reason- able and we can live with". "Morale on the picket line is ex- cellent," he claimed. "It would ap- pear the company is testing the unity and solidarity of the union." New policing system proposed for Hensall HENSALL - Hensall council at their January meeting Monday evening dealt with two delegations, the first of which was an OPP pro- posal to create a community-based policing system for the village. Exeter OPP Staff Sergeant Don McInnes and Sergeant Wayne Burke attended council to outline the new system. "It's no secret to anyone in this room that the OPP have been per- ceived as a drive-through police force," said McInnes, explaining a lack of portable radios ties officers to their cars. A new province -wide S128 million portable radio system is expected to come on line by April 20, when the, Exeter OPP hopes to begin its community- based policing with an officer per- manently assigned to Hensall and Usbome Township. McInnes said the police only have problems with three to five percent of the population, and com- munity-based policing aims at get- ting the other 95 percent to help deal with them. "What we perceive as the prob- lem may not be what you perceive to be the problem," said McInnes, suggesting a local problem with a rash of stolen bicycles might affect the quality of life in Hensall more than a bank robbery. The idea is to get a pul' is com- mittee to evaluate and highlight problems with policing in Hensall, relay those concerns to their liaison officer, Burke, who will in turn in- struct the assigned officer. "It's basically working smarter, that's what it boils down to," said McInnes, noting the committee should consist of a cross section of the community at all age levels. He said a 13 year old might be able to fill the police in on more prob- lems than many adults. A represen- tative from the local student council often works well. "It's the old cop -on -the -beat scen- ario again," echoed Burke, saying that the portable radios will give the OPP the chance to get out of their cars, walk the street and meet the community. The greater pres- ence is often a good deterrent for crime, even if a permanent office is financially out of the question at the time. Similar community-based polic- ing arrangements are planned for Zurich and Hay Township, and Grand Bend and Stephen Township. Council listened to the proposal and agreed to discuss the appoint - BOB hent of a committee within the next two or three months. Another delegation presented an eight -name petition to council, rais- ing concern over a neighbours' bark- ing dog. "I didn't move to Hensall to hear dogs bark,", said Larry Wood, who has only lived in the village for a month and a half. His complaint is a neighbour keeps a pair of dogs in a pen outside, and they keep him awake at night with barking. One of his neighbours said the dogs have been a problem fOr about two years, but no one has discussed it with the dogs' owner. Councillor Cecil Pepper, chairing the meeting in absence of reeve Jim Robinson, said Hensall does not have a noise bylaw and that council could be of little help except to bring the problem to the attention of the dogs' owner Picketers dig in HURON PARK - Ninety work- ers at the EMAB plant are still walking the picket line after going on strike a week ago. Local 1620 of the Canadian Auto Workers re- jected the chainsaw manufacturer's contract offer of 400 payraises for two years. "The company is not prepared at this point to change its mind and the workers on the picket line aren't about to change their mind," said union president Bert Rover. "We have a stalemate at this point and no meetings arc scheduled." Rover said the strike might need time before EMAB feels its effects. Last week, management was tak- ing inventory and no shipments were leaving the plant. At EMAB, Mau Berg said his company is trying to retain a posi- tive attitude. "We hope that a settlement will be reached soon," said Berg, adding the company plans to ship its in- ventory out and begin a limited production schedule. He said this meant trucks would have to cross picket lines. "We are definitely not looking forward to it," he said. The average wage of the EMAB workers is $9.20 an hour with ben- efits. Times -Advocate, January 11, 1989 Page 3 Saying goodbye - With a new fire truck in the bay, Exeter fire chief Gary Middleton (right) turns the keys for the 1961 pumper over, to Webbwood fire chief Dan Hill (seated), and mayor Ray Ken- nedy. Webbwood is a small community west of Espanola, where Exeter's old pumper will replace their aging 1958 model. Council Briefs EXETER -Town officials are re- minding local residents that dog tags for 1989 must be purchased prior to March 15. If the status of your dog has changed since 1988 , a call to the municipal office at 235-0310 would be appreciated. * * * * As the result of a notice from the county of Huron that a plan- ning application fee will be in- creased by $125 to include a charge for an OMB hearing, coun- cil is recommending that the local planning advisory committee re- view Exeter's fees for processing applications for official plan amendments, zoning bylaw amendments, severances or minor variances. * * * * At the request of the PUC, council will writeoff 18 uncollect- able sewage surcharge accounts in the amount of $310.53. In reply to a councillor's ques- tion, Mayor Bruce Shaw said," Some of these accounts may still be collected. If anyone wishes to return to town and be hooked up for water and sewer services, these bills must be paid first." * * * * In reply to a copy of a brief from the town of Goderich con- cerning the possible county ad- ministrative move to Huronview at Clinton, Reeve Bill Mickle suggested all council members should read it and have their views and Concerns ready for the next council meeting. The brief from Goderich indicat- ed the county seat had been there since incorporation in 1841 and if this historic relationship is to be severed, it should be done only for the most compelling reasons and -for major and lasting public advan- tages.. It continued, " If the county of- fices would move to Huronview, who benefits and who loses? Since all the county's municipalities would pay for the related costs, what would be the advantages and benefits to them and to Huron county in general. * * * * While discussing attendance at annual Small Urban Municipali- ties section of the AMO confer- ence in Toronto in May, Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller urged all councillors to attend at least one conference or convention. She add- ed, " It's not only the convention that is important, but the informa- tion one receives from respresenta- tives of other municipalities in be- tween sessions. a men's slyoppe Main St., Exeter 235-0991 SALE STARTS THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1989 AT 9:00 A.M. must be bold OvPr 1/4 million dollars Famous Brand Names * Hathaway * Sans A Belt * Progress Brand * Cardin * Cline Fixtures for sale STORE HOURS: Thur. 9 - 9 Fri. 9 - 9 Sat. 9 - 5 of quality cY1 t •- S .• I I -. 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