Wednesday July 9, 2008 ◆ PARRY SOUND NORTH STAR - 3

BY STEPHANNIE JOHNSONNorth Star Staff

PARRY SOUND – Parry Sound Mayor Richard Adams said he is against an 81-unit, five-storey condominium project on Tower Hill.

Last Wednesday council members heard a developer's plans to build the high-rise condominium on the west side of Tower Hill. The building, just off of Great North Road, would include indoor parking and units measuring between 1,000 and 1,500 square feet, some of which would overlook Georgian Bay.

Before the meeting – a public meeting required before council approves zoning changes that will allow the development to go ahead – the mayor said he worried about the height of the building.

T h e P a r r y S o u n d F i r e Department’s ladder truck only reaches five storeys, while a section of the proposed building, built further back into the hill, reaches about seven storeys high.

“To buy another truck would cost upwards of $500,000,” Mr. Adams said last month. “I don’t support seven storeys or the 81 units. They originally had an application for five.”

The developer's representative said project designers decided to add more units because of the aesthetics of the building.

“What we have for you is a 81-unit proposal,” said project planner John Jackson. “The reason for the 81 units is actually more to do with the

nature of the site, the nature of the design that we’re proposing and certain marketing aspects that the proponents would like to achieve. The leap from 73 to 81 units, I don’t think is a fatal proposal in terms of not complying with the spirit and intent of the Official Plan.

"It’s also been identified that the proposal is for what appears to be seven storeys and the fact

is it’s going to be sitting on an uneven topography up against Tower Hill,” Mr. Jackson said. “The actual front will be five storeys and the actual back will be five storeys, but because it’s stepped up, it’s going to have a frontal appearance of seven storeys. It will be the largest, tallest building in Parry Sound. I think that it’s important to appreciate with the backdrop of the topography behind it, it won’t have the significance of a seven story building.”

Mr. Adams had also expressed concern the new condos, with the lowest-priced $350,000 units overlooking the train tracks at the rear of the building, will do little to help the town with its affordable housing woes.

Mr. Jackson said the new condos would ease the overall housing shortage, despite the price.

“I think everyone is familiar w i t h t h e t ow n ’s h o u s i n g

situation," Mr. Jackson said Wednesday. "I believe we have some need for additional homes. We’re not talking particularly about affordable housing with this development. They’ll range based on the size and how high up you are, but I believe that any good housing in this town should be welcomed. It will have a general benefit for the housing stock. It will have a trickle effect. We’re all getting a little greyer and a little longer in the tooth. Many of us would like to have the opportunity to benefit from this kind of housing, of which there is a very limited supply of in the town. They would like to start construction of this project before the winter, i f at al l possible. We’re hoping that the municipality can see its way to support the application.”

No members of the public attended the meeting.

Iain Laing, town director of community operations, said staff will write up a report and recommendation for council in the near future, but is waiting on engineering information from the developer.

The owner, Jim Sturino, recently renovated Greystone Manor on the same piece of property on Great North Road. Condos in that building are still listed for sale, with a one-bedroom, 459-square-foot unit for $129,900 and a larger, one-bedroom, 498-square-foot unit listed at $139,900. Two-bedroom units measuring between 625 square feet and 1,065 square feet, are listed between $154,900 and $194,900.

Mayor opposes high-rise

"It will be the largest, tallest building in Parry

Sound."– John Jackson, project planner

Bill Allen, left, Metroland North Media's regional general manager for Muskoka, Almaguin and Parry Sound, announced the appointment of Doug Pincoe, right, as the assistant general manager for the Parry Sound and Almaguin region last week.

New manager for North StarPARRY SOUND – Bill Allen, regional general manager for Metroland North Media in the Muskoka/Parry Sound/Almaguin area, announced the appointment of Doug Pincoe as assistant general manager for the Parry Sound and Almaguin region, effective July 1.

Mr. Pincoe has an extensive background in advertising with over 20 years in electronic media. In 1999, he, his wife and two daughters purchased Pickerel Lake Cottages in the Almaguin area. For the past three years, Mr. Pincoe has been sales manager for the Almaguin Forester and the Almaguin News. With his new appointment, he now takes on the role of manager on site, looking after the day-to-day operations in the Almaguin and Parry Sound offices, which produce both Almaguin papers, the Parry Sound North Star and the Parry Sound Beacon Star,

among numerous other publications."Doug has a proven track record in Almaguin

and I'm confident he will do an outstanding job as Metroland North Media's most northern publications continue to lead the way towards a new era for community newspapers,” Mr. Allen said. “Doug will ensure the publications meet our organization's needs as well as the needs of all our area readers and businesses."

Mr. Pincoe said he looks forward to working with staff in Parry Sound and Almaguin.

“There are award-winning teams of enthusiastic staff in Almaguin and Parry Sound,” he said. “I’m excited about having the opportunity to work with them and look forward to forging ahead with some new initiatives, while maintaining the integrity and quality these publications have had over the years in both communities.”

Cooking up tastiness and centennial festival fundingBY SARAH BISSONETTENorth Star Staff

MACTIER - Gregory Young used his nieces as 'guinea pigs' to determine the meat preparation method and recipe he'd use during the Barbecue King Cook-off Family Fun Day Saturday.

Their taste buds and his skills at the grill earned him third place, behind first place winner Bill MacLeod and second place winner Lori Ransbury. Contestants had three hours to cook mouth-watering, melt-in-your-mouth ribs and steak, plus a side dish.

Th e f i r st a n n u a l eve n t ra ised about $800 for the village's upcoming centennial celebrations and included the cook-off, kids' games, and a mini-baseball tournament.

While preparing his niece-c h o s e n f a r e e a r l y i n t h e competition - which included

lavender as both an ingredient and garnish - Mr. Young said he wasn't nervous even though it was his inaugural cook-off and was up against four competitors.

"(Barbecuing) is my creative outlet," said the local cottager. "I'm not a creative person, I'm not artistic."

The youngest person manning the grill was 12-year-old Brianne Stibler, of MacTier, with her m o m N i c o l e su p e r v i s i n g . Brianne put what she learned from watching and helping her mom into her offerings to the six judges. While cutting mini-potatoes to roast with butter she said she enjoys eating food more than cooking it.

Cody Lemieux, 15, of Barrie, also put his barbecuing skills to the test. Admittedly more of a baker, he said he called his restauranteur grandfather for cooking tips before the big day, but didn't try them out

beforehand."We figured, if we want our

best one, we'd better do it here," he said. "If we did our best one practising, that's not good," he said.

M a c T i e r C e n t e n n i a l Committee event organizer Michelle MacLeod said area

residents were pleased with the day.

" I t h i n k i t t u r n e d o u t amazing," she said. "I think it was a good success for a first go."

M a c T i e r c e l e b r at e s 1 0 0 years with several activities on August 1, 2 and 3.

Sarah Bissonette/North Star

Harrison Cousineau, 5, gets spiderwebs painted on his face during the first annual Barbecue King Cook-off Family Fun Day.

Gregory Young cuts up sweet potatoes for fries to serve alongside ribs and steak. Mr. Young took third place in the barbecue cook-off.

Sarah Bissonette/North Star

continued from front

Ms Bloom knew the three victims and the survivor, all of who were from Toronto, where they went to private schools. She said that Mr. Mintz had a cottage in the area and had started a business running errands for other cottagers.

She'd last spent time with Mr. Mulcahy and Mr. Mintz four days before the accident.

Fun-loving guys

"They were such fun-loving guys," she said. "I can only imagine what their parents are thinking."

Near where she stood, the vehicle's licence plate sat, twisted and torn, on a portion of the ripped-back guardrail, with a headlight on the ground nearby.

"It creeps me out," Ms Bloom said. "As soon as I heard it was this bridge, I had a strange feeling. The licence plate is freaking me out quite a bit. They were good, smart guys, definitely had futures."

Bouquet of flowers

John Weir, of Toronto, placed a bouquet of carnations and baby's breath in a silver vase on the roadside Friday morning. The card read, "Rest in peace Tyler. I'll always miss you buddy."

He and Mr. Mulcahy played AA hockey together two years ago and had remained friends. Mr. Weir, who is working at a nearby resort, said he was shocked to learn Mr. Mulcahy had died in an accident just down the street.

"He's just a good guy, never rude to anybody, pretty quiet," he said. "He's just a great guy, I'll always miss him."

Bracebridge OPP Constable Skeeter Kruger said he'd never seen a more

graphic accident scene, with golf clubs, clothing, golf shoes, electronics, wooden posts from the guard rail and the lining of the trunk washed up against the shoreline near the vehicle.

"Pol ice , emergency services ,

including the fire department, and cit izens jumped into the water, one occupant had got out and was flagging down (passersby)," said Mr. Kruger.

The victims were removed from

the vehicle and CPR performed unsuccessful ly. Autopsies were p e r f o r m e d S atu r d ay, b u t w i t h toxicology results pending, it could be a couple weeks before the cause of death is known, said police.

Funerals for Mr. Totonchian and Mr. Mintz were held Sunday.

While police were investigating Thursday night, a blue Buick trying to turn around at the scene hit a roadside guardrail, catching the attention of Muskoka Lakes Fire Department firefighters.

Bracebridge OPP officers left the accident scene and caught up to the vehicle in Port Carling, where they arrested the driver, Matthew MacDonald, 25, of Niagara Falls, on charges of driving while impaired.

He was taken to the Bracebridge OPP detachment for breath tests and is scheduled to appear in court on July 22 to face the charge.

Friends grieving

Sarah Bissonette/North Star

On Friday morning, surrounded by media, John Weir, of Toronto, places a bouquet of carnations and baby's breath in a silver vase on the roadside where his friend Tyler Mulcahy, 20, of Toronto, died in an accident Thursday. The card read, "Rest in peace Tyler. I'll always miss you buddy."

"He's just a good guy, never rude to anybody, pretty quiet.

He's just a great guy, I'll always miss him."

- John Weir, a friend of Tyler Mulcahy

Cody Storm Cooper/North Star

Town approves new spot for farmer's marketBY STEPHANNIE JOHNSONNorth Star Staff

PARRY SOUND – The town hopes a farmer’s market setting up shop in Market Square Park will boost downtown patronage this summer.

Each Tuesday in July and August, about 30 vendors with the Parry Sound Arts and Crafts Association will sell their wares inside Market Square Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The same group has set up at the town dock for a number of years, but has found it needs more space.

Town council approved the request at its meeting last week, but had concerns that the prolonged use would destroy the park’s grass, especially with repair and upgrade work going on at the cenotaph.

“I think it might be wise that we approve this now for just this year so we know what the impact will be on the ground surface there,” said councillor Paul Borneman last Wednesday. “I think with the work that’s going on at the cenotaph, it’s quite important that we keep that property up to snuff. I also wonder if there’s a way to negotiate with the group – I know the idea of moving around may in some ways reduce the harm done to the turf, but I’m also wondering if restricting (the tents) to one quadrant (in the park) might restrict the harm done to one smaller area rather than having less damage done to a broader area.

Brian Sheridan, town director of operations, said not only would the use likely destroy the grass, but that it was an inappropriate use of the turf area.

“There is no reasonable way (the) parks (department) would be able to maintain the conditions at this site with such a frequency of use,” Mr. Sheridan said.

Town Mayor Richard Adams agreed, saying he preferred to see the market set up in the parking lot outside the Bobby Orr Community Centre.

“I do have concerns with respect to the turf,” Mr. Adams said. “The cenotaph is being rebuilt and we should ensure that the grass is in good shape. Another thing we have to remember is the use of pesticides will cease next year and when turf is destroyed it’s a haven for weeds. I personally won’t support it at that location, but I’ll certainly support it at the arena or at some other spot.”

In her report to counci l Lynn Middaugh, town director of economic development and leisure services, said the market is a very positive init iat ive to draw people to the downtown core.

“They have indicated that they are not interested in asphalt,” Ms Middaugh said. “It’s too hot, it’s too tough for the vendors to stand on for that period of time. So they’re looking for a grassed area.”

“Further, parks are in place to be used by people and this passive use will see the park used more,” she said in her report. “Staff is recommending that council support this request for 2008 and that a review be conducted at the beginning of September to determine the impact of the event on issues such as park turf, impact on downtown, (and) vendor satisfaction.”

To minimize turf damage, Ms Middaugh said vendors can vary their booth locations each week, if needed.

“This is a positive initiative, which will create an added attraction in our town centre,” she said. “Further, it will allow our local (and) area artists to feature their product and grow.”

Despite the mayor's concern, council members unanimously approved the proposal.