NEWS | 1
The Observer | Saturday, June 28, 2008
Mexican film takes a different look at Mennonite culture........................ »22 Florida Keys no match for local swimmer
»15 VOLUME 13, ISSUE 26
Residential living pitted against extraction
SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2008
www.ObserverXtra.com
Township puts ball hockey facility on hold
School’s out for summer!
Council wants more information before deciding fate of St. Jacobs proposal
Woolwich gets plenty of input as it reviews policies for evaluating gravel operations
STEVE KANNON
See GRAVEL page 02
photos | Vanessa moss
STEVE KANNON A future where gravel pits are as plentiful as Tim Hortons restaurants awaits us unless the township tightens restrictions on such operations, says West Montrose’s Tony Dowling. He and a group of other residents were in council chambers this week pressing for tougher controls as Woolwich reviews the aggregate extraction rules in its official plan. Earlier this year, township launched a policy review in advance of new applications for gravel pits, including two near Conestogo and expansion bids for a pit north of Floradale and near West Montrose. Those living nearby are naturally not eager for the changes. As was the case when the review was announced in January, they voiced their concerns to councillors at Tuesday night’s committee-of-thewhole meeting. “There is a possibility, a risk that Woolwich Township could become the gravel pit for southwestern Ontario,” said Dowling, calling on the township to look at the big picture in evaluating applications for aggregate extraction. “We could have a sightline running through the Grand River val-
PRICELESS
OlD-SCHOOl TRACK AND FIElD linwood public school’s mennonite students enjoyed their annual linwood summer celebration June 20. top, front row: ion martin (left), mennon martin, Daniel martin, owen martin. middle: irvin martin, John martin. Back: alvin Bowman. left photo: nathaniel martin edges out William hoover in the sack races. middle: thomas Bauman lends abram martin a hand with the wheelbarrow races. right: sidney Bauman and tilman martin battle to the finish line. Starts
July 5th
$449.95
$179.95
A ball hockey facility proposed for St. Jacobs finds itself in limbo, as Woolwich councillors neither endorsed nor rejected the idea. Instead, this week’s decision sent the applicant back to the drawing board. Council deferred the matter to a later date, requesting Jim Ranahan provide them with more information – including a noise-impact study – before making a final call on a plan that’s met with opposition from some residents. Ranahan plans to build a year-round facility on a long-vacant piece of industrial land in the north end of the village. To do that, he needs a zone change from the township. The facility would feature two playing surfaces – rinks bounded by fibreglass boards and covered with shock-absorbent sports flooring tiles – a pro shop and parking spaces. The 1.5-acre site is located where King Street meets Northside Drive, backing onto Arthur Street. Neighbours are worried the facility would be noisy, increase traffic and cause other disruptions in the area. “It will create problems that don’t exist now in our quiet residential neighbourhood,” said Susan Schieck at Tuesday night’s committeeof-the-whole meeting. “This is infringing on our rights to have a quiet neighbourhood,” added Sharon Charter, who said she moved to her Northside Drive home for its quiet surroundings. Those concerns were enough to split council and override a staff recommendation in favour of the zone change. With Coun. Sandy Shantz absent, the vote was 2-2; councillors Mark Bauman and Ruby Weber were opposed, while Mayor Bill Strauss and Coun. Murray Martin See HOCKEY page 02 $269.95
‘Mylock’ Serger
$379.95
,i« >V } Óä{
`i
" iÊ7ii Ê" ÞÊUÊ/ iÃiÊ«À ViÃÊÜ Ê ÌÊLiÊÀi«i>Ìi`t
ÀiiÊ>À ÊUÊ* ÀÌ>L iÊÊUÊ ` i ÕÌÌ iÀÊUÊ-ÌÀiÌV Ê-Ì ÌV ið°°
"ÕÀÊLiÃÌÊÃi }Ê >V i v ÀÊÌ iÊÃiÀ ÕÃÊÃiÜiÀ°
10lb Powerhouse ÀiÊ >V iÊv ÀÊ iÃÃÊ iÞ
ÎÉ{Ê/ Ài>`ÊV>«>L Ì ià iÃà ÃÊ V Õ`i`
Janome SE313
Janome DE5018
Janome 660LXE
Janome 660D
" Ê Ê- Ê"1, , Ê 7Ê- "7,"" t IN FREDERICK ST. MALL, KITCHENER
PHONE: 519-884-6981
M `>ÞÊÌ Ê/ÕiÃ`>Þ°°°°°°°°°°°°°° \ÎäÊ>° °Ê ÊÈ\ääÊ«° ° 7i` iÃ`>ÞÊÌ Ê À `>Þ°°°°°°°°°°° \ÎäÊ>° °Ê Ê \ääÊ«° ° ->ÌÕÀ`>Þ°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° \ÎäÊ>° °Ê ÊÈ\ääÊ«° ° -Õ `>Þ°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° Ãi`