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ae ee Sere eS ee eT eT ea ne 64 pages Wednesday, November 30, 1977 aren of Colour Comics enetonguishene eizen . 10, No. Ne 20 cents The Penetanguishene arena is rapidly taking shape. Last week workmen finished laying the cement floor and this week they're busy Trestle fight Toronto bound About 30 local residents braved the wind and the snow Saturday to attend a mock funeral, held in honour of the soon to be demolished Hog Bay railroad trestle. The funeral was complete with a pine casket bearing in bold black letters "Heritage Canada", a bugler sounding the "Last Post", and a tongue-in-cheek eulogy delivered by Midland lawyer and pro-trestle organizer John Gorman. In his eulogy, Gor- man condemned the trestle's owners , CPR, for what he takes to be the company's lack of respect for the heritage it was instrumental in creating. Although a funeral has been held for the trestle, the fight to save it from demolition is by no means dead. Board to decide future of park The Huronia Trailer Park on Fox St. may become a town park when the present operator's lease runs out in October of next year. The Arena, Parks and Recreation Board will be weighing the pros and cons of operating town-run trailer park or turning the land into a recreational park, it was revealed at the last board meeting. The town has leased the land to Gus Desjardins for the past 20 years. That lease, calling for a token payment of $100 per year, runs out next year. Yvon Gagne, Penetanguishene clerk- treasurer, said the town has been losing $900 per year for the last 10 years because of a change by the provincial government in property tax exemptions. For the first 10 years of the 20 year lease, the law stated municipally owned land not used for municipal purposes was exempt from property taxes. When that exemption was lifted the town was obliged to pay $1,000 per year in taxes while retrieving only $100. "Tt was one of our early charity deals," id board member Hubert Charlebois. tt The town has asked the board to examine .. all the options before deciding whether or not to renew Desjardins' lease. The board must decide if another public park is needed in the area or if they're willing to operate the trailer park themselves rather than have it run privately. The board must consider the master plan for the Penetanguishene Waterfront Park calls for the town run campground on Robert » St. to be made a public park. "All we need is another park on our hand- s," said Charlebois. '"'We're not capable of taking over another park." Frances St. Amant disagreed: make money there,"' she said. The Parks committee will be meeting tomorrow night and will likely examine each park and determine priorities. A decision on the future of the Huronia Trailer Park could be made as early as the December 21 Arena, Parks and Recreation Board meeting. "We could Arena taking shape putting in the boaras and hooking up the cooling pipes to the engine room. The floor, left with a thin film of water to prevent Last Friday Gorman travelled to Queen's Park in anattempt to persu ade the Ministry of Culture and Recreation to designate under the Ontario Heritage Act the bridge as an historic site. Gorman said he spoke first to the legal department at the Ministry, and upon receiving what he called an "unsatisfactory"' response to his inquiries, approached the Minister himself, Robert Welch. Welch approached In Gorman's interview with Welch, he asked the Minister to intercede in the Hog Bay issue by telephoning Tay Township Reeve Charles Rawson, assuring him that the Ministry would cover any costs incurred by the township in designating the trestle as an historic site. Welch hedged at this request, said Gor- man, and again not satisfied with the response he received, went to the legislature, where he cornered Premier William Davis and Opposition leader Stuart Smith in the hallways. Gorman said that "both men indicated an interest in the fight to save the trestle', with Smith promising to bring the matter before the legilature during the question period Monday afternoon. Premier Davis noted to Gorman that he has a cottage in the Midland area, and ex- pressing an interest in the Hog Bay trestle, indicated 'the would probably send a letter to CPR" concerning its impending demolition. On Monday Gorman travelled to Toronto again, where he spoke once more to Culture and Recreation Minister Welch. Gorman said that as a result of Monday's interview, Welch contacted his solicitor who, in speaking to Gorman, indicated that as far as he in- terprets the Ontario Heritage Act, a municipality is not liable to a structure's owner simply for filing a Notice of Intent indicating that it intends to designate the structure as an historical site. On November 10, Tay Township council denied a request made by the Midland Historical Society asking it to file a Notice of Intent to CPR, on the grounds of a possible liability to the township should it later with- draw its Notice. Teskey will be contacted Welch's lawyer told Gorman that he would contact Tay Township solicitor Gordon Teskey, explaining his interpretation of the Act. Gorman also spoke, he said, to NDP leader Stephen Lewis, and to Opposition Industry and Tourism critic, John Eakins. He said both men showed an interest in the pro- trestle movement. Also contacted by Gorman was author Pierre Berton, who said that he has sent a telegram to Opposition Leader Smith en- dorsing the fight to save the trestle from demolition. Although the matter of the Hog Bay trestle did not get discussed during Question Period, as had been promised on Friday, Smith told Gorman that the provincial Liberals plan to issue a press release on the trestle issue Wednesday. Ten cuts only MHC layoff situation stabilizes While close to 100 workers at the Penetanguishene Mental Health Centre were demonstrating against Ministry of Health restrain ts, the centre's administrator was meeting with William Jappy, Director of the Psychiatric Hospitals branch of the ministry, to iron out exactly what the government position is concernding layoffs at MHC. Administrator Les Moricz emerged from Wednesday's meeting with a new outlook on a situation which appeared critical just a few weeks ago. "There will be 10 cuts, Moricz. that's all," said On October 27 Moricz was approached by Jappy about the feasibility of cutting 24 workers from the staff. The possibility of such a major cut now seems remote. "The way I see it the situation will be eased up," Moricz said. "'It's not as severe as it looked a couple of weeks ago." Only way is up Jappy said we've reached the lowest we can go (in staff numbers) and the only way to go now is up-." The 10 cuts were based on the number of cracking while it dries, will,be ready in for use in approximately three weeks. Staff photo vacancies at MHC as ot September 30. At that Jappy confirmed last week there are no time there were 10 vacancies and those, said _ plans to cut personnel at the centre but added Moricz, won't be filled. This reduces the staff from 563 to 553. 2 his department must authorize any contract renewals of part-time staff. Bi 'Morale on the upswing' Tiny Township, unlike its neighbor to the south, was prepared for last week's an- nouncement from Queen's Park that funding for the Ontario Home Renewal Program would be cut short. Flos Township was informed at the beginning of the year it was eligible for a grant of $62,000 to provide residents with funds for improving their homes. Flos promised almost $40,000 to home owners in order for them to bring their homes up to acceptable municipal minimum standards. Flos has now learned the $31,000 cheque they Blackout shuts Decor plant An unexpected hour of free time surprised the workers at Penetanguishene's Decor Plant three on Monday. The stores and soap operas no doubt enjoyed their extra customers and viewers. "The whole industrial court was affected by a partial power failure', said Ernest Lalonde, manager of the Penetanguishene Water and Light Commission. Though he stated that "it was not a regular occurance"' it was an appreciated interlude for the workers. "The power failure lasted approximately one-hour beginning at-2:45-p.m.,"'-said- Mr, Lalonde. The day shift at the plant was out at 3:00 p.m. instead of 4:00 p.m. "Only one of the three phases was af- fected,"' stated Mr. Lalonde. "It was one of the line fuses that blew." © ae So on a * Enough snow for winter fun The snow was barely on the ground Friday before youngsters hit the slopes with toboggans, sleighs or, in Jean-Claude's case, nothing at all. The seven year old wore a path down this hill in downtown Penetanguishene. Staff photo Between Poyntz and Robert Council considering Main Street parking ban Penetanguishene Council will be ap- proaching businessmen situated between Poyntz and Robert Streets to determine their reaction to a propsal that would eliminate parking on the east side of Main St. in this area. Councillor Ray Baker said the Ministry of Transportaiton and Communication had pointed out now that highway 27 was four lanes coming into Penetanguishene, a bot- tleneck was being created by parked cars narrowing down the road north of Pyntz Street. "All it's doing is curtailing the flow of traffic,' said councillor Ken Tannahill. A number of councillors expressed their concern about the problems incurred making 7 OHRP grants cut in half received recently will be the only money they'll get this year. The government informed townships throughout the province that due to lack of funds, the second half of the OHRP grant wouldn't arrive. Tiny Township officials learned their lesson last year when the same thing hap- pened. "We don't make promises,"' Maurice, Tiny Clerk-Treasurer, year." The township was informed in January it was eligible for a grant of $82,000. A cheque for $40,000 arrived in September and that will be all the township will receive. "We didn't commit ourselves over $40,000," said Maurice, although he admitted a number of other homeowners were told they'd receive grants if additional funds materialized. Now these people will have to be told that their applications were accepted but they won't get any money. Embarrassing "It's embarrassing," concluded Maurice. "At the beginning of the year it appears the sky's the limit and then this. I'm very disturbed." George Taylor, M.P.P. for Simcoe Centre, has asked the government to reconsider the cuts. "Tt's an embarrassment to me and to the townships,"' he said. Taylor blamed the~problem~--on~a- break~ down of communication. The letter in- forming the townships they were eligible for a grant was: "vague and didn't read properly," he said. This led townships to believe the money was promised to them. said Guy "after last Moricz elaborated: "He (Jappy) said we should go ahead and renew if there's an absolute need."" As a result of these latest revelations, morale at the Mental Health Centre appears to be on the upswing, according to Moricz. "There are ups and downs... at the moment there are no major complaints."' Pin plan approved by Town Council Penetanguishene Council approved in principal Monday night a_ proposal by Toronto developer Natale Pin to construct two apartment buildings between Don and Yeo Streets. A motion to contine with the project and enter into detailed discussion with Pin was passed unanimously by the seven councillors present with only a few questions raised. Council's action resulted from a recom- mendation from the Planning Board that the land be re-zoned so as to accept the con- struction of apartments. Monday night's decision means council agrees with the board and will now work with Pin in ironing out all the details of the project. These include payment of an imposed fee to the town, an agreement on the supply of services and a decision on who will pay for sidewalks proposed for Yeo Street. The proposal will come back to council, likely early in the new year, when the actual re-zoning bylaw will be dealt with. This meeting will be the last for the public to register their disapproval before the plan goes to the Ontario Municipal Board. The OMB may call a hearing if enough com- plaints are received. Councillor Lionel Dion raised the question of whether the town had adequate f ire fighting equipment to battle a blaze on the top floor. It was pointed out the buildings would be only four stories high and actually only three stories at the back where the apartments would be built into the hill. Dion was assured plans for the structures would be approved by the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office before construction was initiated. Before co uncil voted on the motion, Ray Baker, council and planning board member, let his feelings be known about the project. "T hope this one works,"' he said. "'This is Penetanguishene's' first attempt ata reasonably large apartment block." But it's not the end," he added. "The re may be social, traffic or even safety problems that will have to be looked into." Newsbriefs Conflict alters broadcast time A live phone-in show to assist people who have questions about the Co-operative Evaluation Review survey will be broadcast tonight. The show was initially scheduled for tomorrow night but moved ahead so as not to conflict with the concert by Lougarou at the More questionna The switchboard at the Simcoe County Board of Education has been lighting up lately with requests from Penetanguishene and area residents for co-operative evaluation questionnaires. As a result, Irving Harris, chairman of the Internal Evaluation Team, has requested that anyone who didn't receive a question- naire telephone Marsha Smith or Liz Style at Pen Theatre. "Our audience would have been zero," Irving Harris, chairman of the Internal Evaluation Team," with the concert hap- pening the same night." The show will be broadcast on Cable 12 be ginning at 9:00 p.m. ires available 526-9316. Apparently a number of university students or former students who are now working weren't on the assessment lists from which the destination of questionnaires were determined. And in some cases a wife received a survey and her husband didn't or vica-versa. said SCBE supports bid to repair Robert Street West bridge At a meeting of the Simcoe County Board of Edication last week, a motion was passed Supporting the combined efforts of Penetanguishene and Tiny Councils to persuade Simcoe County Council to declare the removal and realignment of the ap- proaches to the wooden bridge at the end of Robert Street West a top priority item. The Board based its decisior on a letter written to Area Three Committee member Alvin Grayelle by Penetanguishene clerk Yvon Gagne, outlining the reasons both Penetanguishene and Tiny township are appealing to County Council for quick action regarding the bridge. Besides the fact that the bridge is unsafe for travel, the letter noted, approaches to either end of it are dangerous inasmuch as they are on too great an angle tor sate con- duct over the bridge. Both Tiny and Penetanguishene Councils want the bridge itself removed and the ap- proaches to it realigned so that there is less of a chance that cars would miss the bridge. While agreeing with the basic concerns of both councils, the Board was also motivated to voice its support of the request to County Council on the grounds that since the bridge has a five ton weight limit, school buses cannot pass over it, and instead have to take a circular route around it to pick up passengers. This practice, argued Gravelle, is costing the Board extra money, as it adds about 15 minutes to the schedule of that particular bus route, and increases the bus' fuel con- sumption. turns onto Main St. in that area or going _ straight through the lights at Poyntz St. when a car is making a left turn and there are parked cars on the right side. However another concern was also voiced. "'We're throwing them (Motorists) out but where are they going to go," said Clerk- Treasurer Yvon Gagne. "The town may have to get involved with parking."' Councillor Ron Bellisle agreed: "We don't have any off-street parking. Why do you think people go to Zellers and Dominion to shop? It's strictly because of the parking." Council passed a motion of intent and will ask for representation from businessmen and the Chamber of Commerce ai the next council meeting December 15 when the matter will be discussed further.