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Times Advocate, 1993-07-07, Page 12Page 12 Times -Advocate, July 7,1993 Crime IP% StoPPOIN CRIME OF THE WEEK CLINTON - On May 27, 1993 a light blue (dull finish) 1978.10 1982 car, similar to a K car style pulled into the UCO gas bar at 192 Huron Street in, Clinton and purchased $5.00 worth of gas. While the attendant pumped the gas, a male person, 11 to 12 years old, 4 foot tall with long sandy coloured hair entered the station and went towards the ice cream cooler. When the attendant had filled a 5 gallon Jerry can with gas, the youth exited the station and gave him $5.00 for the gas. The vehicle was occupied by a female 28 - 32 year with short auburn (reddish) blonde) hair. As the vehicle left the pump area to drive away the attendant heard the woman ask the youth if "he got it" and the youth replied "yes". When the attendant went into the office he thought it strange that the youth had not made a purchase of ice cream and about 15 minutes lat- er noticed that a large amount of cash was missing from an unlocked brief case that had been left sitting on a chair in the office. If you have information about this or any other crimes call CRIME STOPPERS OF HURON -COUNTY 1.800.265-1777 and you could receive a reward of up to $1000. REMEMBER CRIME DOESN'T PAY DOES Capital budgets used to pay land taxes EXETER - In a concession won by Ontario's Conservation Authori- ties from •the provincial govern- ment, the most environmentally - sensitive conservation lands will -temporarily be spared from the auction block. After weeks of negotiations, the Ontario Government has now agreed to allow Conservation.Au- thorities .to use a maximum of $2 million from their capital budgets to pay this year's .taxes on their conservation lands. "This is only a six-month re- prieve before the 1994 tax year," said Vicki Barron, spokesperson for the Association of Conserva- tion Authorities (ACAO). "This concession from the prov- ince is a one-time, stop -gap meas- ure which allowslts to re -allocate our own funds from other projects to pay taxes on some of these lands," Barron added. "But, this still leaves some con- servation lands open to possible sale. And it also leaves unresolved the question of whether environ- mentallyisensitive lands will be protected in the future." Hundreds of thousands 6f hee- lers of protected wetlands. areas of the Niagara Escarpment and envi- ronmentally -sensitive lands have been in jeopardy since the prov- ince slashed its funu,,,b to Conser- vation Authorities by 22 percent earlier this year. The cuts have left some Conser- vation Authorities unable to pay taxes/on these public lands which haver been acquired over 50 years. Others have been forced to cut ser- vices and lay off staff to pay their tax bills. The $2 million still falls short of the total $3.6 million Conservation Authorities would have received this year through the Conservation Land Tax Rebate Program which was scrapped in the funding cuts. Here at home, the ABCA will still have a long-term liability as this concession only provides a six-month break from the taxes. As well, the rebate this year will create a short fall of $13,000 in funds. Though the rebate does not cover all expenses, it will enable the ABCA to pay their tax bills with- out down -loading onto the munici- palities. As well, operating grants were originally reduced by 5143,000. However, this -reduction has now been revised to $71,500. Some program cuts which oc- curred due to the scrapped Conser- vation Land Tax Rebate and re- duced operating grants may now be replaced. Tom Prout said that due to the new rebates the ABCA "may be able to provide other aervices that we had originally cut out of our budget" The Conservation Au- WM hosts Penny Walk' rBeatd-of Directors will be deelditpg, jn .the near future, which of these cervices will be reinstated. "We're also concerned that tight now there is no policy in this prov- ince for the protection of environ- mentally -sensitive lands," Barron said. However, at a meeting with the minister Conservation Authorities were asked to help him work out a long-term solution which wilt en- sure environmentally -sensitive lands can continue to be protected in Ontario. Whipple Tref camping isn't just for kids GRAND BEND - Whipple Tree Riding Stables, the riding facility, beside Pinery Provincial Park, has undergone a :::250,000 expansion. Whipple Tree Camp is the name given to the new facility, which of- fers overnight camping facilities for boys and girls ages seven to 15. The expansion includes two 4,600 square foot buildings and an out- door swimming pool. One build- ing includes eight large rooms with an overnight capacity of 40 people. "There's a need to continue the growth of family attractions" The second building includes a recreation hall, kitchen, tuck shop Ind office, with all of the new fa- tiilities being wheel chair accessi- ble. Last year Whipple Tree, owned by Leo Ducharme and managed by Don Masse, added a petting farm, and a day camp facility, building .on to the stables that had operated mon the 55 acre site since 1986. "The expansion emphasizes my belief that there's a need to contin- ate the growth of family attractions in the Grand Bend Area," said Du- ..charmme, "We have a large number of quality tourism businesses in this area, and we see Whipple Tree's.expansion not only benefit- ting, oar business, but also enhanc- ing theattractiveness of the whole area." Lindsey Ashworth, a partner in Whipple Tree Camp, says the new camp will offer a variety of activi- tiessuch as visits to area attrac- tions, crafts, swimming, badmin- ton, volleyball, and environmental education programs, in addition to horseback riding. "One of our goals is to,extend the season for Whipple Tree by using the site for family reunions, retreats, parties, and school outings," said Ash- worth. Jocelyn LaMarch, of Sarnia, was the first overnight guest to arrive on Whipple Tree Camp's opening day last Sunday. Jocelyn seemed very comfortable in her new quarters, and with the help of counsellor An- drea Jaques, was getting to know the animals. Ashworth is expecting August to be a busy month, as she has a fami- ly reunion booked already. Al- though it will take a, year or two to put the fmishing touches on, the camp has most of the construction completed. Jocelyn LaYVlareh, above, was the first overnight camper at Whipple Tree. To left, Andrea Jaques shows LaMarch that goats are friendly.. The Petting Farm is: Just one part ofthe •.Camp's extensive facility. CENTRALIA - On Monday eve- , ning, June 28, Women's Ministries f hosted a "Penny Walk" from Cana- dian Tire to Highway #83.4td back. All walkers were sponielfed in pennies which will be added to WM's monthly collection Of pen- nies towards dishes for the fellow- - ship hall. Thy 26 participants en- joyed the walk and/or ride! Next Monday night will be the first "fun night" for the summer for the Sunday School, meeting at the McCurdy School at 6:30. A gem of -soccer-baseball will be played followed by hoidogs and pop for all ages. Don't let aiiOthei year pass you b\ . [or o limited tin c, oiurc' mita Aug. 14) take advantage 01 Our St M M1;K SAIL; and get Ricilnu)iici 8 Armstrong floors at great savings at 467 Main bttee'. (Vt. J -.1 Exeter, 935-0173 (! ,i,,,,„„„„,, 1cs f<,c>'r i,�,{r cr►art 11'tllCfuii� /cis{�iu>'l '