From the Advocate – 100 years ago (1914)
Wellington will consider raising half a regiment of soldiers, consisting of 500 men, and fully equipping them for war service. Warden R.F. Bale has given the matter serious consideration and will soon recommend it County Council in the current session. He estimates the scheme will cost $90 per man, amounting to an expenditure of $45,000.
From the Advocate – 45 years ago (1969)
A fight is shaping up over a $3 million plant Canada Brick plans to build near Cheltenham on the Credit River. Chris Yaneff, who owns 140 acres next to the proposed 254-acre site, and a neighbour, David Buxton, say they are ready to fight Chinguacousy Township, whose planning board has already approved the project. Other residents are complaining about possible pollution of the Credit River, noise and dust, and the cost of rebuilding roads. “It’s zoned agricultural and estate residential and on the official plan this area is designated green belt,” said Buxton. “It’s inconceivable the township would allow spot zoning for industry and that the wishes of so many people can be ignored by council.”
A report to the Ontario government recommends purchasing 610 square miles of Niagara Escarpment lands for $31 million, leasing other nearby lands and restricting development through zoning controls on another 300,000 acres. New gravel pits would be banned within 2 miles of the escarpment face, while old pits would be restored as parks. Premier John Robarts said the government has not necessarily accepted all the recommendations, but agreed that escarpment lands are a recreational wonderland that should be preserved.
From the Advocate – 35 years ago (1979)
Erin Village’s 100th birthday celebration got off to an enthusiastic start Saturday. On hand to unveil a plaque on The Founding of Erin were Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon, MP Perrin Beatty, MPP Jack Johnson, Township Reeve Bert Wheeler, Ruth Schatz of the Ontario Heritage Foundation (which provided the plaque), and Erin Reeve (County Warden) Larry MacKenzie. Sarah Kiteley, President of the Shamrock Senior Citizens group, presented Mrs. McGibbon with a porcelain doll dressed in a 19th century costume made by former village resident Vera Brown.
Laurie Graham, 19, of Inglewood, daughter of David Graham who owns Graham Fibreglass in Erin, had a third-place finish in a World Cup ski race at Val d’Isere, France.
David Graham told village councillors and Stanley Park residents protesting noise levels at his plant that he hopes to reduce the levels to within Ontario environment standards within a year. Councillor Evelyn O’Sullivan said she has been forced to sleep at a friend’s house to seek relief from the noise, and others are concerned about property values.
From the Advocate – 25 years ago (1989)
Village Councillors had many questions and reservations about a proposed four-storey, 120-unit retirement home on Dundas Street in Erin. Sanvac Investments urged them to approve the project, but they deferred the decision. At a recent public meeting, area residents said it did not fit the neighbourhood. Councillor John Pritoula said firefighters would have difficulty fighting a fire on the fourth floor. Councillor Deborah Sutherland said the building would be too far from the downtown core. Councillor John McDougall was concerned about increased traffic, and Deputy Reeve Carolann Osborne said water problems in the area would be made worse, and Reeve Terry Mundell said there was not enough information to pass the zoning bylaw.
The Belfountain Task Force residents’ group is working with Caledon’s mayor, members of the Niagara Escarpment Commission and Credit Valley Conservation to oppose a 600-acre housing plan by the Enterac company. A 10-day hearing at the Ontario Municipal Board is planned for March, and the residents group has hired a hydrogeologist, a planner and a lawyer to present their concerns. Issues include threats to Belfountain’s rural heritage and existing wells, to the Credit River, to farmland and environmentally sensitive land near the escarpment.
