Peabody irked by comments at joint meeting on airport future
BROCKTON – Mayor Chris Peabody said in an interview on April 23 that his council “will not be as open to dialogue” regarding the future of Saugeen Municipal Airport following the joint meeting of the councils of West Grey, Hanover and Brockton on April 17.
“The outburst (by Hanover Coun. Dave Hocking, chair of the airport commission) against Brockton will make it more difficult … to look at all the options. It will do nothing to further the dialogue. … It was Brockton getting called to the principal’s office!”
Peabody went on to say that if all three councils agree on an option, the next steps regarding the airport will be easy. If not, “we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Peabody said his immediate focus is on the building report in the Brockton council agenda package. Higher interest rates have had a clear impact on construction in Brockton – projections indicate a 60 per cent drop compared to the previous year. However, the mayor noted the numbers don’t tell the whole story.
Site plans submitted
Site plans have been submitted for one apartment building, and possibly a second. He said he also said he remains hopeful that there’ll be a site plan for the building trades training centre that’s been discussed for Brockton, something he’s supported and promoted, and continues to push for. There’s also the gas station for East Ridge.
“Those would put us right on track for a third record year in construction,” Peabody said.
He went on to say that while “interest rates have been biting a bit,” the next couple of months should see a change. “It’s going to be OK,” he said.
With construction about to begin for a county project – the Durham Street bridge repair – Peabody said he’s looking forward to the May 1 public meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall between Walkerton and Mildmay. There’s an open house scheduled for 7 p.m., with a formal presentation at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting will update residents on the current status of the project including the proposed repair and rehabilitation work. There’ll also be an update on the Class EA process that’s been underway and a timeline for its finalization.
Following the meeting, input into the project will be accepted until May 19.
Pauline Kerr, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Walkerton Herald Times
