ON OCTOBER 27
ELECT
BONNIE BRYANT
MAYOR Woolwich Township bonniebryant@outlook.com | bbryantformayor.com
10 | 04 | 2014 VOLUME 19 | ISSUE 40
EDSS STUDENT IS WELLESLEY'S NEWEST IDOL LIVING HERE PAGE 27
COMMENT PAGE 8
YEARS OF MEDDLING LEAVE NO QUICK FIX IN MIDDLE EAST
Woolwich mayoral debate a low-key event
PRESSING UP A GOOD TIME IN WELLESLEY
DEBATE | 4
Gas bar OK’d for Heidelberg site Wellesley council approves expansion project over objections and concerns raised by those in the neighbourhood SCOTT BARBER
WHITNEY NEILSON This week’s Woolwich mayoral debate wasn’t much of a, well, debate. The four candidates agreed on almost every question thrown their way, on subjects like population growth, amalgamated fire services and infrastructure funding. About 60 people filed into the community room at Woolwich Memorial Centre on October 1 to see what the candidates had to say in response to questions drafted by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, which organized the event moderated by Glenn Pelletier of 570 News. It was the second such public forum for Bonnie Bryant, Todd Cowan, Doug Hergott and Sandy Shantz. Like the first, it was a sedate affair. Not surprisingly, a number of the questions had a business flavour to them. For instance, the candidates were asked what they would do to help bring in new business and investment to the township. “What I’ve done and what I will continue to do is, first of all we can’t just attract new business, we have to
www.OBSERVERXTRA.com
Doug Richard worked the apple corer at the apple fritter booth during the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival September 27, where good weather prompted a strong turnout. [SCOTT BARBER / THE OBSERVER]
Dismissing objections from concerned neighbours, Wellesley council has cleared the way for a new gas station in Heidelberg. Meeting Tuesday night, councillors approved the zoning bylaw amendments needed for the project to move ahead at 3015 Lobsinger Line. The amendments put forward by township planner Geoff VanderBaaren in response to an application from property owner Ahmed Haji to add a gas bar to the permitted uses of the space, drop the required parking spaces from 16 to 12 and mandate the structure’s set back and height requirements. The proposal also calls for a fence along the west side of the property, which is currently home to the Forwell Variety store. But concerns remain for Crystal Steenson of 3025 Lobsinger Line. “When sitting on my front porch, I do not wish to be looking at or listen-
ing to the noise that will be produced by a gas bar,” she stated in a letter to VanderBaaren. “If council approves this zoning change I would like to request that there are regulations put in place to insure privacy (like a 15 foot fence without changing my landscaping), courtesy of his neighbours, posted signs reminding his patrons of this, (and) a respectful closing time at no expense to us.” Lynn Huehn and John Huehn also submitted a written statement to council outlining their apprehension. “Prior to the last meeting (August 19) I advised Mr. Haji that I was opposing the gas bar noting a decrease in property value. ... I have now confirmed with my home insurance carrier that my property (and surrounding properties) will be classified “high exposure risk” with a gas station (nearby).” The Huehns also pointed to parking problems as well as traffic issues related to GAS BAR | 5