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The Huron Expositor, 1988-05-25, Page 5Grand Bend ready to join Huron County BY BILL HENRY Grand Bend is getting too big for it's boundaries. Solving the space problem may mean moving the village into Huron County, Reeve Harold Green said last week. The village's two-year struggle to annex some of neighboring Bofanquet Township appears far from over, and Bofanquet's sug- gestions that the village . and the rural municipality amalgamate under one council have irritated Grand Bend, Green said. "We feel we'd be losing our identity, and we don't want any part of having our council 15 miles away," he said Thursday. "We're a hands-on village. That's all there is to it." Grand Bend's permanent population of 700 wants to retain its own identity, and the question of moving to Huron County will be posed in a referendum on next fall's municipal election ballot, Grren said. The issue began when the village ran out of space. Currently, there are 14 developers building about $67 million worth of con- dominiums in or near the village Land values have soared, and there is nc ire property Heft to sell. "There's not a piece of land avian said. "Anything on the water is gone long ago." Coucll's impatience over the annexation talks has Green and his council considering "other avenues," including leaving Lamp- ton County and joining Huron, especially after recent talk that Lampton may restruc- ture it 21 municipalities into eight. At Huron County Council's May meeting members said the change would make sense, 'since Grand Bend's tourist -based economy has much in common with Huron County's. Council agreed the plan is worth pwuln ButLampton Warden Fred Thomas said last week his county would be unlikely to agree to the threatened change. "I'm sure the county isn't going to allow that without having something to say about it," said Thomas, who is also the Reeve of Bofanquet Township, into which Grand Bend is trying to expand. Saying Grand Bend is "a bit like a spoiled child," Thomas said he has little concern the move to Huron County would ever hap- pen. "1 think it's premature to worry about anything like that." If Grand Bend were to change, it would be the first time an entire municipality had switched counties in Ontario, said the •.m.� THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MAY 25, 1988 —,SA) Municipal Affairs Ministries' Nevin McDiarmid. But since the new Municipal Boundaries Negotiating Act replaced the lengthy, legal and expensive Ontario Municipal Board pro- cess for dealing with such disputes in 1: i 1, McDiarmid said there have been over 100 municipal boundary changes. Of those, 16 were negotiated under the terms of the act, which lets local politicians work out their own agreements with help from McDiarmid's office. McDiarmid would not say why Grand Bend and Bofanquet have been so long in negotiations, and neither reeve would com- ment on the in -camera discussions. But Green said Grand Bend insists on maintaining its autonomy and will resist amalgamation with its neighbor. "We just feel that would be completely wrong. e're a completely urban municipality, and they're 90 per cent rural." McDiarmid said that under the new boun- daries act, the dispute must be settled by both sides agreeing on a solution. Similarly, both counties would have to agree if Grand bend were to become part of Huron County, and while that's not impossi- ble, it Would probably be a very long process. Former Brucefield man honored posthumously Malcolm Lodge Davidson, a former Canada in 1958, studied at the University of Brucefield area farmer, was honored Guelph, and by 1960 was farming 600 acres posthumously by the Ministry of in Huron county. Agriculture and Food, during this, the Mr. Davidson was a purebred farrow -to - Ministry's Centennial year. finish operator. He also finished beef cat - One hundred 'individuals and families tle, grew corn and helped set the pace for were honored for their contribution to the white bean Huron County. He was one Ontario agri-food industry. of the first Canadians to use dual wheels on Mr. Davidson, killed in a farm accident tractors. on November 3, 1970, was one of Canada's In 1966, Mr. Davidson was named to the most respected farm thinkers. Born in Ontario government's Farm Income In - England and raised on a farm fn Scotland quiry Committee. He played a major role he spent summer vacations on Canadian in drafting the committee's report, farms from the age of 14. He came to "Challenge of Abundance" which became a blueprint for the future of agriculture and predicted that North America's future crisis would be enormous farm surpluses. His belief in the need for unified and well-financed farm organizations resulted in the formation of the General Farm Organization and eventually a completely restructured Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He served on the federation's executive and also advised the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and the Federal Minister of Agriculture on farm programs. He was also an advisor to the Minister of Finance, Donald MacDonald. Huron County plans to dose two branch libraries BY BILL HENRY Branch libraries in Dungannon and Molesworth, both with only a handful of re- maining regular users, have been set for closure by the Huron County Library Board. Circulation at both branches has declin- ed drastically and supervisors at the two locations are past retirement age, County Council learned last week. But the libraries cannot be closed without the consent of West Wawanosh and Grey municipal councils, which have yet to respond. I guess the handwriting is on the wall, but we'll maybe stall it for a month or two," Grey Reeve Leona Armstrong said Monday. A library board recommendation to close both branches as soon as the local townships give the approval required under the Public Libraries Act, was defered at Armstrong's request at last Wednesday's county council session. Armstrong said she wanted time to com- pile comparitive statistics about circula- tion trends at similar -sized facilities throughout the county. The proposal to close the two branches would reduce the mumber of libraries in the county to 26. The Kingsbridge branch, which was also underused, closed earlier this year without "a whimper" of protest from the com- munity, Chief librarian Beth Ross said last week. Ross also said six members used the Dungannon library in 1987 and only 363 books were taken home. That cost the county $3.25 for each book lent, in staff costs alone, Ross said. At Molesworth, 763 books went home, costing about $2.00 each time in staff costs. By comparison, it cost the county 56 cents and 38 cents respectively fon/books taken from the Goderich and Bayfield SLICED -. BLADE or SIDE SHORT RIB BACON ROAST LB.239■ LB. 1.69 CANADA PACKERS COUNTRY STYLE DELI SLICED STRIP LOINPORK RIBS COOKED MEATS STEAK ;404 14 nied4 s Seaforth YEA ..-.: E D CLEA'A IC,; SALE MAY 25 TO 31 ALL SUMMER STOCK s 5' 4' 0" OF, • libraries. Ross said the library board agreed that residents near the two libraries set for closure regularly travel to either Goderich, Lucknow, or Wingham for shop- ping and most other services, and that us- ing libraries in larger centres would not be inconvenient. Instead of one day a week, larger libraries, such as Goderich are open six days weekly, offering better service, Ross said. "If I were on the library board, I'd have voted the same way," agreed Reeve Arm- strong, adding the $40.00 per resident hi the annual library budget is "a fairly significant cash outlay." Ross said she could not say if the board's plan to close Dungannon and Molesworth branches Is the beginning of a trend. "I have no idea what the board would be likely to decide on any.nthers." - 5' 4. 5. Dance for Heart to repeat performance The Second Annual Dance for Heart will take place Thursday, June 9 at the Seaforth And District Community Centres from 7 to 9 p.m. This event helps promote fitness in the area, and at the same time acts as a fun- draiser for the Huron Chapter of the On- tario Heart and Stroke Foundation. Last year Dance for Heart raised $2,200. Everyone, young and old, is encouraged to participate. Fitness instructors will Lead the program of exercise and fun, with fre- quent breaks for rest and refreshment. Everyone is encouraged to participate fn as little or as much of the program as they feel comfortable with. In addition, there will be demonstrations of fitness activities during the break periods. Sponsor sheets are available at various stores around'town. If you have any other questions call Drusllla Leitch at 527-1182 or the Seaforth Recreation Department at 527-0882. ONE WEEK ONLY Shop Early For Best Selection! A LARGE CROWD came out to talk about changes to Main Street at the Streetscaping workshop held recently at Seaforth Town Hall, among them Jim Sills, Dan Pearce and Donna Pearce. There were videos and pictures for the public to view and decide what they liked and what they would like to see in Seaforth: submitted photo. ALL STYLES 11 4J PURINA DOG CHOW 15°x'0 $2 85 OFF ■ Reg. 825.70, 20 Kg. While Supplies Last �.. GLENDA FEENEY is pleased to announce that GLENDA FEENEY,-has joined our staff of professional Hair Stylists. Glenda would like to take this opportunity to extend a friendly welcome to all her friends and customers by offer- ing a $40.00 perm for $35.00. Give Glenda a call! 3 DAYS ONLY GLENDA'S WELCOMING SPECIAL PERM SPECIAL Setting the Record Straight Is Freemasonry A Secret Organization? Absolutely not. Where and when Masons meet is public knowledge, as are their objectives and activities. The only "secrets" are the ways in which Masons recognize each other. Is Freemasonry Some Sort of Religion? It is not a religion and the subject is never dis- cussed at Masonic meetings. A Mason must have a belief in a Supreme Being, but his particular faith or creed is a personal and private matter. Are Masons Obliged to Help Each Other in Business? No, Freemasonry is not organized for member profit, career enhancement or political advantage. Its purpose is to teach morality, encourage charity and practice worldwide brotherly love. Do Masons Ever Discuss the Order with Nonmasons? Yes, Masons welcome opportunities to talk about Masonry. As a policy, they do not solicit new members but are always ready to respond to those interested in becominv member. If you have other questions or would like to know more, talk to a Mason. Or write to our Grand Lodge Office on King Street West in Hamilton for a pamphlet outlining our activities, objectives and history. The mailing address is: 3590 Our :40• Perm MAY 26, 29 & 28 ALL STYLES 11 527-1910 Unisex Hair Styling Crombie St., Seaforth Ralston Purina MON. 9:00 - 5:00 TUES. 9:00 - 6:00 WED. 9:00 - 9:00 THURS. 9:00 - 9:00 The Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario Box 217, Postal Station 'A Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3C9 This message courtesy of: FRI. 9:00 - 6:00 SAT. 9:00 - 1:00 34 MAIN ST. SEAFORTH 527-0780 BRITANNIA LODGE No. 170 A.F. & A.M. MAIN STREET, SEAFORTH, ONT. NOK ?WO