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Whitby Free Press, Wednesday, June 30, 1993. Page 9 qqllmooo lu w mp- -muop wom Conditions placed on Kurz Foods plant expansion By Mike Kowalski A M tle Station meat process- ing pl ant cannot be enlarged until problems stemming from its sewage system are corrected. Town council's planning and development committee has recommended that the Kurz Foods plant be allowed to expand from its current 10,764 sq. ft. to 24 722 sq. ft. but a building permit will not be granted until owners comply with Ontario Ministry of Environment demands for proper disposal of sewage produced by the Baldwin Street factory. The committee's recommenda- tion was to have come before council on Monday. Owner Karl-Heinz Kurz has filed a rezoning application to permit a two-phase expansion. The first phase is the result of an Agriculture Canada directive that a separate room for curing salami be provided. In order to comply with the federal regulations, a 6,045-sq. ft. addition is required. The second phase comprised of 4,387 sq. ft. wili allow for expansion of the plant's packag- ing and shippingroom. During a public 'meeting held in March, a number of area homeowners expressed reserva- tions about the Kurz proposal. While most praised the Kurz family as good neighbours and did not want to hinder their business, many were worried about the impact of a virtual doubling of the factory. Complaints about odours and effluent leaking from the plant's septic tanks were the chief con- cerns of residents. Architect Joe Steinhagen told committee at the time that lar- ger storage tanks will be instal- led on the property, but the effluent will still have to be hauled away every day. Although not advertised as an official public meeting, councillor Ross Batten committee chair allowed residents who attended last week's meeting to ask ques- tions. Rae Stone, owner of an apart- ment building located south of the Kurz site, said residents were still concerned about the sewage and odour problems. He was assuredby Batten that the expansion "hinges" on the ministry's approval of a satisfac- tory sewage disposal system. However, Stone and councillor Dennis Fox were also worried that the plant will be allowed to expand in the future. (In 1988, council approved a 2,084-sq. ft. addition to the ori- ginal 7,266-sq. ft. building.) "Are there any limits in the size to what it can grow?" asked Fox. "Obviously there is a limit," replied planning director Bob Short, but what the "magie num- ber is," he could not say. As technology changes it may be necessary for the owners to consider modifying the operation, Short said. "They could add a warehouse that's not refrigerated and which dosen't depend on the septic sys- tem or need additional parking for employees," he explained. "We can only recognize what is applied for, we can't prejudge it," Short added. Batten said that in 1988 coun- cil suggested there should not be any further expansion. "But this is due to Agriculture Canada requirements,"he said. "They either had to expand it or close down and move some- where else." Batten areed that there's "no question"of an odour in the area. "We see this as an opportunity for the Ministry of Environment to see that .it's corrected," he added. Steinhagen told committee the company was expecting provin- cial approval, within days, of its plan to continue having the effluent hauled away by a licensed contractor. Representatives of the Whitby and Oshawa chambers of com- merce were scheduled to address the Fair Tax Commission last ni gt (Tuesd.ay) in Whitby. Te commission is a task force established by the provincial government to look at taxation and equity of taxation in Ontaro. Ian Bergin, chair of the government relations committee for the Whitby chamber, and Ed Lukow of the Oshawa chamber were to make a deputation to commission members. BROOKLIN BLACKSMITH Stephen Brak heats up an iron rod in his forge. He's set up his own shop and does everything from repairs to special order ironwork, using Photo by Mark Reesor, Whitby Free Press 'Brak 'smithing more than just horseshoes By Mark Reesor Brooklin resident Steven Brak was bitten by the blacksmi- thing bug while still a child and has never recovered. It's a fascination he finds a little difficult to put into words. "It's really hard to describe the interest in it... I like how you start off with a shapeless piece of metal and end up making something look so beautiful.... "A friend of mine says the thing that attracted him to smithing (when he was a kid) is that it's the only place where you're allowed to smoke and get dirty and swear and play with fire all at the same time and no one yells at you." Brak set up his first smithing operation -- "a very, very crude charcoal forge" -- when he was in Grade 7, using an old cast iron barbecue and an large set of bellows from his parent's fieplace. He reralls making some simple fireplace pokers, "but they didn't end up turning into much of anything.' He began smithing in a serious way after taking a course from Lloyd Johnston, a professional blacksmith who has a shop near Beaverton, and getting a job SEE PAGE Il The Region of Durham recently received five awards for excellence at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) annual Ontario Marketing Awards competition. The Region captured three first-place and two third-place awards, announced at EDCO's summer meeting in Thunder Bay June 10. The program recognîzes superior performance in literature, advertising and marketing programs, with awards in 16 different categories. The competition aims to support and strengthen marketing efforts undertaken by economic development profes- sionals in their communities and to complement other national and international award competitions. First-place awards were received for: • 'Joint Venture Opportu- nities Booklet' in the category of research paper. The booklet, designed to encourage strategic alliances, is distributed worldwide and provides a detailed profile of Durham Region companies seeking potential joint ventures. • 'In'rastructure 2000' in the category of special purpose brochure. The brochure gives a detailed summary of infra- structure improvements and expansion projects to the yeart 2000 and beyond. • 'Shop Durham' in the radio advertisements category. The series of advertisements encourages local shopping and was broadcast by two Durham radio stations. Third-place awards were received for: • 'A Case for Durham Region.' The community profile provides a detailed overview of the Region and is distributed to prospective investors. It is designed to provide an insight into the advantages to be gained by living and doing business in Durham. • '1992 Durham Region Business Directory.' The directory lists all Durham Region manufacturers and services related to the manufacturing sector. The lazy days of summer are for you...not-your money. Interest rates have CRASHED! Call now to find out about secure, higher paying investment alternatives. Con laiG Cali 666-7777 for a free financial review. -lut, DEREK DUTKA