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Vol. 128 No. 43 PORT PERRY, ONTARIO - TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1994 Would fund fairgrounds improvements Meeting called on Blackstock park By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Blackstock residents will have an opportunity to express their views on a township plan to sell off parkland and upgrade the fairgrounds at a public meeting scheduled for tomorrow night (Sept. 14). Flyers have been circulated to homes in the village outlin- ing plans to rezone and sell a parkette at the north end of the village, and bank the pro- ceeds for a $300,000 improve- ment effort at the fairgrounds. Work would include installa- tion of toilets and lighting for the ball diamond. Creation of three building lots on the property, owned by Scugog Township, was recom- mended by the parks and recreation committee. It's a concept that contains ood and bad points, said Ponnalee McKenna, whose family purchased a lot backing onto the parkette a little over a year ago. "It's going to make every- body happy, but it's going to make us miserable," she said last week. "When they put three hous- es in there we're going to have arear view of these three lots... had we known ahead of time, we never would have bought this property." Ward 4 Councillor David Dietlein and Joyce Kelly, who has announced her intention to run against him in this fall's municipal election, both said they would be at the meeting tomorrow night at Blackstock Rec Centre Hall. And both said they'll reserve a decision on the issue until after they hear the people speak. "I was wrestling with it for quite a while," said Councillor Dietlein. "...I could bend either way, according to what the community wants." Mrs. Kelly is also waiting to judge the community's opin- ion. "I have no position at all at the moment. I want to hear both sides before I make a decision," she said. Mrs. Kelly said that at first glance improvements to the fairgrounds appear attractive, "but on the other hand, once you sell parkland you can never get it back again." The meeting, at 8 p.m., is being organized by Blackstock resident Fred Ford. He said he wants a discussion on alter- native approaches to fair- grounds improvements, with a focus on community com- mitment. "I'm opposed to the sale of the park, and yet I'm for the upgrading of the fairgrounds," he said Friday. "It's just a very short-sight- ed approach to what could pe a long-term project." He said, though, he would abide with the will of a major- ity if they indicate sale of the parklands is favorable. "I could live with that, because at least people have been asked," said Mr. Ford. Councillor Dietlein said township council has a rezon- ing for the property on the books awaiting approval; so far, funding through the provincial jobsOntario grants program has been applied for. The remainder of the funding for the $300,000 project would- come from Blackstock Recreation Centre reserve funds. Neighbors drop objections Councillors learn town fire truck has been declared unfit for use Scugog Township is facing a huge -- and unexpected -- expen- diture after it was discovered one of the fire department's trucks will have to be taken off the road. The news came Monday after- noon when councillors sat down mayor. : "It is a situation that has come up rather suddenly," said Mayor Hall. "It (the truck) is completely unsafe. It can't be restored." Fire Chief Don Steele is searching now for another suit- placement vehicle, but not near- ly enough. The council set aside $80,000 for improvements to the exist- ing vehicles, said Mr. Cuddie. He added, though, that town- ship requirements for a new umper would be in the EN mm rr T_" BT Traum Sy pa------ ast to Legion Park Manor for their first meeting after a able truck, and in the meantime : : 175,000 to $200, : : mn summer break. Mayor Howard Whitby has been lending Scu- $200,000 range A hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) has y1,}1 5514 an emergency meeting gog a oper, said Mayor Hall. He added used trucks from | been averted after neighbors and the local Royal Canadian of the township fire committee But itby needed its truck city five dovariments might not Legion branch settled a dispute over a proposed seniors' apart- 4p oen called Sept. 2 to dis- back after another vehicle was foot the bill, because they are ment building. cuss the situation. involved in an accident. Since Notlarge tankers. The Legion has agreed to some minor design changes to the A 1980 Ford pumper truck then, Pickering has come to the "We really nec * the water car- building site, just south of its existing parking lot, to accommo- that was to have been sent in for rescue, lending Scugog a pump- rying capacity," he said. date concerns expressed by a number of neighbors, architect retrofitting was found to be er. The mayor noted that the fire Barry Knowles told Scugog Township councillors meeting structurally unsound because Town administrator Earl committeeistomeet this Thurs- Monday afternoon. its chassis had been extended Cuddie said there is some mon- day, and promised to update some years earlier, said the ey in the bank to pay for a re- council on new developments. Turnto Page 12