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Inside
Tractor pull goes Sunday
EVENTS
By TARA GESNER tgesner@perfprint.ca
EMC Events – The Almonte Truck & Tractor Pull is fast approaching. This year’s pull takes place Sunday, May 26, at the fairgrounds in Almonte. “Our event gets bigger every year – both participants and visitors said Bryan Brydges. “Last year was our biggest year.” Brydges has been organizing the pull for the last eight years; however, the event has been around for a very long time. “It’s one of the larger pulls in the Ottawa Valley,” he said. In the fall of 2011, a new track was built in front of the grandstand. “It’s what our pullers wanted,” said Brydges, “and it’s a good track – compacted clay that’s like concrete.” The pull runs rain or shine; however too much rain can quickly make the track greasy. Weigh-in commences
E Enjoy sweet smells ll at FFranktown k Lilac Festival this Saturday. — Page A/CP1
SPORTS Photo by LAURIE WEIR
Shimmer and shine EMC News – Heather Stanley-Smith and Jo Stinson show their Dangling Delights during the Carleton Place Farmers’ Market official opening on May 18. At the market, the browneyed susan was chosen as the official flower for Carleton Place. For more, see A/CP4.
Town rejects Downtown Development Group proposal By TARA GESNER tgesner@perfprint.ca
OOttawa IInvaders d to make k BBeckk with Park home this season. — Page A/CP21
RELAY FOR LIFE
EMC News – In the words of Howie Mandel, “Deal or no deal?” This was the question Carleton Place developer Volunder (Wally) Thorbjornsson wanted answered last Tuesday night, May 14, at the town’s policy review committee meeting. Having pitched a major downtown development proposal ($80 million), Thorbjornsson and his team, the Downtown Development Group (DDG), wanted to know if the municipality was onside. The DDG has offered to purchase municipal property and undertake significant commercial and residential development in the downtown area, involving re-facing, renovating and demolition and construction. Unfortunately for the group, council carried the following motion on a 5-1 recorded vote: “That Volunder Thorbjornsson
be advised that the town’s due diligence analysis has shown that numerous issues need to be resolved before the projects described in the April 21, 2013 offer can seriously be considered and therefore the town will not be accepting the April 21, 2013 offer.” The town was pleased when the group submitted its “exciting” proposal, which included a number of conditions, and although many of the items were agreed upon, three main issues remained. The DDG asked all properties involved in its proposal be exempt from development and building permit fees, as well as all other fees normally charged for similar projects. The town recently provided an exemption to development charges in its downtown (strategic properties) to encourage new projects, but some of the group’s proposed undertakings are outside the boundary. Provincial law does not permit municipalities to exempt se-
town core,” she added. “ I have to agree with what’s being said,” stated deputy mayor Ed Sonnenburg. “Adjusting the boundaries to suit one project made me nervous. We have to look after the town as a whole.” Last Tuesday council approved a recommendation to determine if the area of the downtown, exempt from development charges, should be expanded, and if so, that the development charges issue be considered as a separate issue at a meeting with the topic identified to stakeholders.
lected projects from fees. “You can redraw the map, but you just can’t exempt things,” said Paul Knowles, chief administrative officer (CAO). He said development charge exemptions should be discussed as a separate issue and approved only if they are equitably applied and will accomplish a desired goal. “Looking back at when we were talking about waiving development charges, we didn’t have a really good idea of what area was covered,” said mayor Wendy LeBlanc. “At least I certainly didn’t, and I know it came as a surprise to a number of us sitting around the table that we weren’t going to waive development charges on the upper end of the old Canadian Tire site.” “I am willing to take a look at it and see if there is any merit in expanding the area that we have already identified, and not just because of the projects in front of us, but to see if there are some areas where we could spur more interest in building in the down-
Properties in question The second element was about the two principal projects: Beckwith and Allan streets. “We are just premature,” said Knowles. “We have a drawing and some plans for Beckwith St., but this involves two private properties where See PROPOSAL page A/CP6
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at 9 a.m., followed by the pull at 10 a.m. Classes Stock 4x4 Truck Classes: stock gas truck under 6,000 pounds (lbs); stock gas truck under 7,000 lbs; stock gas truck under 8,000 lbs; diesel stock truck under 8,200 lbs; diesel chipped stock under 8,200 lbs; and diesel pro sheet truck under 8,500 lbs. Tractor Classes: antique tractor under 3,500 lbs; antique tractor under 4,500 lbs; antique tractor under 5,500 lbs; antique tractor under 6,500 lbs; antique tractor under 7,500 lbs; antique tractor under 8,500 lbs; farm tractor under 10,500 lbs; farm tractor under 10,500 lbs; farm tractor under 12,500 lbs; farm tractor under 100 horsepower (hp); farm tractor under 130 horsepower (hp); farm tractor under 160 horsepower (hp); and 4x4 farm tractor open (no articulated tractors in this class). Antique is defined as before 1960. Entry fees for pullers are $5 for tractors, $10 for trucks and $10 for trucks to move up to the next class (not diesel trucks). Brydges explained the prize purse is $1,800. First place finishers receive $50 and a plaque, second place earns a $30 payday and third spot is worth $20. Event festivities include a beer garden, barbecue (Lanark County 4H) and 50/50 draw, and there is plenty of free parking. “It’s affordable, good fun for the whole family,” said Brydges. Admission is $8 per person. Kids under 12 get in free if accompanied by an adult. A heavy and powerful motorsport competition, truck and tractor pulling involves pulling a heavy sledge along a prescribed course. Eventually momentum and torque is lost, although a rare few might reach the end of the track. The distance from start to finish is measured, and the truck and tractor that pulls the sledge the farthest distance is declared the winner. For additional information, contact Brydges by calling 613805-3326, visit www.almontefair.ca/tractor.shtml or email truckandtractorpull@almontefair.ca.
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