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Zurich Citizens News, 1972-09-07, Page 1NO. 36 FIRST WITH THE LOCAL NEWS Meet your new principals THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1972 LOUISE - ST. BONIFACE SCHOOL RON JEWITT - ZURICH PUBLIC SCHOOL FRANCOIS LAVICTOIRE - ST. MARYS SCHOOL RON McKAY - HENSALL PUBLIC SCHOOL 100 PER COPY Zurich residents view plans About 40 or 50 residents of Zurich were given a thorough briefing on a proposed plan for future development of the vill- age last Thursday night, at a public meeting held in the Hay Township hall. The present- ation was given by two members of the Huron County planning department, Gary Davidson and Nick Hill. Mr. Hill, who has done most of the work on the plan, out- lined details of their proposals to the meeting, with his com- ments. He emphasized that they were most anxious to get some reaction from the people in the community regarding their proposals. The main thrust of the plan- ning department's sweeping proposals is to activate corn- mercial potential in the village and take advantage of the rush of tourists and cottage -buyers into the area. The department's presentat- ion also included recommend- ations for developing Zurich's residential and industrial cap- abilities, which are expected to skyrocket when sewage and water services go into operation possibly by next summer. The over-all picture calls for a 12 -acre industrial park, planned residential develop- ment of 200 lots in the four corners of the village, and a facelift for the commercial core area. Mr. Hill explained in his presentation that before transp- ortation and communications in the region became efficient, allowing shoppers to drive to the bigger centres, Zurich was a booming village. For resid- ents in the area the community provided a wide range of serv- ices, including shopping facil- ities, a grist mill, saw mill, cheese factory and a canning factory. Hill also added that Zurich of 1972 has only one important industry, Zurich Wood Products Ltd., and a stagnating com- mercial core. For motorists travelling on Highway 21, the only indication that the village exists is a tiny road sign with an arrow saying "Zurich, 4 miles." Many of the village's resid- ents work elsewhere, in centres such as London, Goderich, Clinton, I;Iensall and Exeter. According to a survey made this summer by an opportunities - for -youth group there is a def- inite need for new jobs in Zurich to keep young people from leaving and to keep the com- munity alive, Zurich merchants, according to the survey, have reported significant increases in tourist business, in some cases claiming that as much as 75 percent of their sales are to seasonal visit- ors. The survey showed that 88 per cent of area cottagers travel less than 30 miles to shop. But as an attraction for the tourist dollar, Zurich is well behind Grand Bend as a com- mercial centre. Survey statistics say 55 per cent of tourist shop- pers in the area travel to Grand Bend, 25 to Zurich, seven per cent to Hensall, four per cent to Exeter and the remainder elsewhere. To increase Zurich's comm- ercial attractiveness, both for tourists and year round residents, the planning department recom- mends these steps be taken: *Erection of larger, more noticeable highway signs adv- ertising the village - "Home of the Bean Festival" - and community shopping facilities. * Extensive planting of trees and development of green areas to enhance the village's rural atmosphere and character. *"Infilling" of Zurich's com- mercial core area rather than random growth of shops through the village. The planning dep- artment says core -area vacant lots are available for at least six shops and one large super- market type store. " Creation of an open-air summer market on the west side of Victoria Street which would involve limiting the street to one-way traffic. "Building of a pedestrian walkway between Victoria and Goshen streets to provide store Four new principals With the opening of school on Tuesday morning, four new principals made their first appearance at schools in this area. At St. Boniface School Zurich, the new principal is Sister Louise, who replaces Sister Lorraine. Sister Louise is a native of St. Thomas, and prior to coming to Zurich serv- ed as principal of Sacred Heart School in Windsor. Prior to being in charge at Windsor, Sister Louise was principal of St. James School at Seaforth. The new principal at the Zurich Public School is Ron Jewitt, who replaces Don O'Brien in that capacity. Mr. Jewitt comes to the Zurich School from Clinton, where he has served as vice-principal for the last five years. He also taught at Clinton for seven years before he became vice- principal there. Mr. Jewitt received his degree from Wat- erloo University. He plans to continue living in Clinton and commuting each day. St. Marys School at St. Joseph will have a male princ- ipal this year, in the person of Francois Lavictoire, a native of Ottawa. A graduate of Ottawa University Teacher's College, Mr. Lavictoire taught at schools in Eganville and Douglas before corning to this area. St. Marys will be the first school where he will serve as principal. Mr. Lavictoire is making his home on the Blue - water highway. At Hensall Public School the new principal is Ron McKay, who comes there after four years as principal at the Hullet Cent- ral School in Londesboro. Prior to that Mr. McKay taught at Clinton Public School for a number of years. Also a graduate of Waterloo Lutheran University, Mr. McKay lives in Clinton. frontage and easy access for shoppers. *Extensive repairs and a general facelift for the clutter- ed, run-down commercial core area, Mr. Hill said the general philosophy of the plan is to attract tourism with shopping facilities while retaining the rural and historical character of the village. A final part of Zurich's tour- ist appeal is the annual bean festival, which attracts crowds of up to 20, 000. In residential development, Mr. Hill said Zurich has the potential of doubling its present population. Of the land within the village boundaries, 42 per cent is laying vacant. This land, mainly located in the four corn- ers of the village, is ideal for phased residential development. The planning department also recommends that a 12 -acre site in the southeast corner of the village be developed as an industrial park. Mr. Hill said the site is close to Highway 84, a heavy truck route, and has ample bush area between it and the residential section to act as a buffer. The plan also suggests heavy planting of trees along Highway 84 where it cuts through the village would be "dry" ones, such as mobile home manufact- urers or wood product firms, which do not require large quantities of water for product- ion or waste disposal. The planned sewage system will allow residential lots to be smaller and more competitive in market pricing that the half - acre minimum -size lots now required to allow installation of septic tanks. The planners suggested, in (continued on page 8) Goderich woman NDP candidate In a prepared statement issu- ed Tuesday, Shirley Weary, Goderich resident, and second- ary school teacher at Central Huron Secondary School, Clin- ton, announced her intention to seek the party nomination for the Huron NDP in the Oct- ober 30 federal election. She indicated that she will contest the Party nomination at the local convention for the Huron New Democratic Riding Assoc- iation which will be held in about two weeks time. Riding officials indicated that other names will be forthcoming for the position as well. The Riding Association met Tuesday, September 5, to consolidate plans for the nom- ination meeting and discuss in- itial strategies for the election plan. It is anticipated that the NDP will launch their camp- aign officially at the conclusion of their nomination meeting. Meanwhile, plans are unfold- ing for the type of campaign that will be waged and key par- ty workers and potential cand- idates will participate in the Federal NOP kick-off meeting to be held in Toronto this weekend. David Lewis, Nat- ional NDP leader will be the keynote speaker at that time.