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Clinton News-Record, 1986-05-14, Page 1Disappointiflgcrowd of eight turns out fore industrial mall meeting By Anne Narejko CLINTON - "The town has its opportunity Mr. now. It's in front of us but we just need a type h "' d Charlie Burgess during the ment public meeting concerning the proposed in- dustrial mall. Only eight people attended the May 8 meeting at the town hall, disappointing organizers. "I was hoping to see a few more faces from the Town of Clinton here," said in- dustrial co-ordinator Mike Falconer. However, he did say he knew of a few other people who were interested in the project but were unable to attend the meeting. The purpose of the public meeting was to find people who are interested, or know of people who would be interested, in investing in the mall which has an estimated cost of $150,000 to $200,000. Renewed Industral Interest In 1971, the town's industrial committee had a building erected at the north end of town which was occupied for a time by Wildex. After that project was completed, the committee became defunct. "Then there wasn't too much interest in setting up here. The bad economy played a roll in that," explained Mr. Falconer. "But during the last few years there has been a pus , said Funding Falconer is hoping to receive some of funding from the federal govern - if the project takes off. "There was a meeting with Murray Car- diff last week and we hope to get some fun- ding. We don't know how much, but they have given the Town of Kincardine some," he said. As for the construction of the building and the arrangements for the land, Mr. Falconer would like to establish a commit- tee, made up of investors, who would help with the fine detailsand then run the in- dustrial mall like a business. The Town of Clinton cannot donate the land but is willing to make arrangements to lease the land for the purpose of establishing an industrial mall. The town will also put in a road whether the project goes ahead or not. A tentative starting date has been set for this summer. Looking -in Clinton's Direction According to Mr. Falconer, people from the United States have been inquiring about industrial buildings in Clinton, "but it's hard to sell without a building," he said. Mr. Falconer also believes that many US companies are coming to Canada because come back." they can produce their products mut Several years ago, 33 acres of land was cheaper here. "Many companies are looking to locate in purchased along the Bayfield Road and the Canadian National Railway (CNR) tracks a 150 km radius of the larger companies at the south-west corner of town. There is aide an optionwhich Ontario has landed recently. They tracks. to purchase land on the other feel they can come to Canada and produce side hthe easytheir product for one-third,of the costs," he "Tia location givesaccess from explained, adding that some people in town Highway 21 as well as Highways 4 and 8, have also expressed interest in the mall. said Mr. Falconer. During the meeting, it was also pointed Industrial M Successfulout that Clinton is the only municipality in Ken Bawdon, of thhee Minnistryyof.Trade and Huron County with industrial landd Tourism, has met with the committee on Huron oualthough the town has land,it several occasions and has encouraged them availahas no vacant buildings. to go the route of an industrial mall. The town of Kincardine is presently undertaking this project, Wingham is also trying it and . Strathroy and Exeter have been successful with their industrial malls. "The communities are now taking it upon themselves to set something up," said Mr. Falconer. The main reason for building an industrial mall is to attract businesses which want to rent instead of build. According to Mr. Falconer, the majority of businesses prefer to go this route. The type of industrial mall Clinton is look- ing at would accommodate dry industries. The proposal has a building size of 30,000 square feet, with four units. The largest unit is being proposed at 15,000 square feet and another at 7,500 square feet and two at 3,750 square feet. The mall will also be built with one detachable wall so it can be expanded if it proves to be profitable. . . , Sjecialeducation available Tier One One factor that may discourage com- panies from setting up in Clinton, or Huron County as a whole, is the tier one standing. This means that no grants are available for businesses to set up in this area. Previously, Huron County was in the tier two category which provided grants, therefore attracting businesses. "One business was looking at the building at the north end of town but they decided to go to Brantford because they have grants available," commented Mr. Falconer. Before the meeting closed, Mr. Falconer once again expressed his disappointment with the turnout and said "I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is. Industry means more money, more jobs and more business." Another meeting will be held to further discuss the fate of the proposed industrial mall, but no date orloation has been set. ta�� 1' tt n pn..: �I .�w. I tT att7a1l to tt9�n, ctn n nn. n HUGS, 6, klp&1�9 {r �eU a �Qn: a 1 1."' IDLYIll TAN rau�lu,) u lFll'. t1'iA ai u' Gu'Al,Q:A! rir�lLJGSe�4:a NO.20 121 YEARS WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986 By Shelley McPhee -Mist CLINTON - More than 1,600 students in the Huron County Board of Education system utilize the services of special educa- tion and Paul Carroll, Huron's Superinten- dent of Student Services wants to further "beef up" communication to the parent community of the special education services that are available. He told board members at their May meeting in Clinton that it has taken five years of building and study to meet the re- quirements of the special education legisla- tion Bill 82 and he noted, "we're bringing things together after a five year building period and bringing consistency to the system." Mr. Carroll explained that special educa- tion needs and staffing requirements are be- ing regularly monitored and delivery of the program is adjusted according to the cur- rent needs. teachers at the elementary level, 30 teacher aides, as well as secretarial and ad- ministrative assistance. Mr. Carroll explained .to the bdard members that the "school principal is the key factor" in the administration of special services. He said that the child is the central focal point and all resources are brought to bear to the child and the classroom needs. Every school has a core group that regular- ly meets to identify and monitor the special education caseloads. He said that future directions for special education services are leaning towards greater program expertise for all staff members. "Additional time is , being assigned to behavioral needs and specialized assignments. Support for enrichment and gifted is being broadened to every staff member," he reported. His report further stated, "In the secon- dary panel, the evolution of independent study options, small tutorial groups and specialized curriculum for exceptional pupils at all levels of ability is particularly noteworthy. A study is currently underway to determine links among truancy, drop-out rates and special education history. The education additional approaches for troubled adolescents will be explored." Work with adolescents has also been ad- dressed at the community level with a special committee brought together with various social service, health and educa- ' tional agencies and law enforcement taking • part. Mr. Carroll further noted that progress is being made in the speech pathology h Currently more than 1,600 pupils are in- volved in the special education services. In- cluded are 740 exceptional students, 300 remedial pupils, 300 requiring additional speech and language training and 300 in- volved in enrichment courses. diThe program's cost in Huron County is $3.4 million, approximately 8.5 per cent of the board of education's total budget. A major portion of the cost goes towards the additional staffing requirements. In each classroom every teacher. to some degree, must provide special education training. As well, the program involves 16 itinerant staff members who travel to hools throughout the county, 30 school 50 CENTS based special education teachers, six vices, and while help is available throug des members, specialfive ource teachers for education class staffthe Home Care, he noted, "the hospital network secondary schoolsthree program resource is still very short of staff." Board members oppose early primary education There were some opposing voices to the proposal for the early primary education project which was discussed at the Huron - Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board meeting in Dublin Monday night. John McCauley, Superintendent of Educa- tion, introduced the report and outlined the Allk response of the board's six -member com- l. mittee named to study the project proposed by the ministry of education. McCauley said there are some real gaps in primary education and the ministry's task force carne up with some suggestions to eliminate them. Trustee Gerald Groothuis of Seaforth sug- gested the project was "stupid at least", while Trustee John Devlin of Stratford said he would "oppose soundly a junior Kindergarten". Trustee Ernest Vanderschot of St. Marys' asked that the report be held over for a deci- sion to be made at the next board meeting, Board chairman Ronald Marcy said the contentious issue was the junior Kindergarten concept. Groothuis said he was concerned about the increased costs, stating "We have troth ble getting enough money now for things we need." Marcy said, "I feel parents would con- sider the junior kindergarten a substitute for a day care centre, which it is not. Devlin questioned whether there was tangible proof of benefits for students who have had early education and 1VlcCauley in- dicated the researchers are divided on this. However, he said there are those resear- chers who claim for this period from three to eight years of age with parents working, it is helpful and - hence there is a greater need for early childhood education. William Eckert, Director of Education, suggested, the decision be held over for the next meeting to give the trustees More time to study the lengthy report. In other business, the board accepted the contracts for renovations at St Michael's School annex in Stratford from the pith Valley Construction at the tendered price of $110,98$, including a 400' amp, electrical ser- vice. This was the lowest of five tenders received. The board accepted the resignation of Doreen Nogalo, kindergarten teacher at St, Joseph's School in Clinton. She is retiring at the end of the,schoos term in Jrine. Looping, walking and cooling off Tim Beard and daughter Kendra, above, were two of approximately 100 people who took advantage of Stanley Township's hike through Bannockburn Conservation Area on May 11. Mother Nature's generous helping of sunshine made the sesquicentennial event that much more enjoyable. At left, two- year-old Ashley Stephenson takes a much deserved drink which went down quickly. The youngster finished the hike on her own steam. Below, Brian Webster (front) and his mother, Janet, cross one of the many bridges with Ralph Stephenson close behind. The hike was a huge success. ( Anne Narejko photos)