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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2015-06-18, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015. Return of ARC process feared Ag. Federation expresses concerns with trail Swing into Summer Sixty students at Maitland River Elementary Student were part of a total 40,000 students province-wide that were part of the “Swing into Summer” event at the school last Wednesday. Through the program, students were encouraged to plan for emergencies with their families. The students and families received pizza from New Orleans Pizza for their efforts and students received a package of Blue Jay player cards and either a Blue Jays shirt, hat or plastic glass. Grade 3 students were also entered into a draw for four tickets to a Blue Jays game. The Fire Department of North Huron was one of five fire departments chosen across the province to run the program, seen here carried out by North Huron Fire Chief David Sparling. (Photo submitted) THE EDITOR, On behalf of affected adjacent agricultural landowners, the Huron County Federation of Agriculture (HCFA) wishes to express the frustration being felt over the actions, lack of transparency and press release of G2G Inc. regarding the proposed Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail. The HCFA has tried to work with agricultural landowners adjacent to the Rail Trail in an attempt to have their concerns and issues addressed. These concerns include adverse impacts which could result in economic losses to agricultural operations. There are very strict regulations on crops being grown for seed contracts and a number of things that G2G Inc. have not demonstrated any knowledge or understanding regarding however the trail would eliminate the possibility of these crops being grown adjacent to the trail. Many of our identity preserved food grade grains and oil seeds also have contract regulations which may be problematic for growing these crops adjacent to the trail. Bio-security (A set of measures to protect a property from the spread of pests and disease) concerns affect most agricultural landowners along the proposed G2G Trail. Bio- security and contracts in the swine industry are also being jeopardized by the close proximity of some barns to the trail. The current Avian Flu experiences of a number of Oxford County producers in the feather species further demonstrates the requirement of agricultural producers to have the ability to have proper distance separation from the Trail. In some situations, the location of both the farm buildings and the Rail Line are already established in very close proximity to each other. Proponents of the G2G Rail Trail have been promoting the economic benefits to communities along the Trail, however, the potential direct economic losses to agricultural landowners along the Trail could far outweigh any total economic benefits achieved through tourism. We support the benefits of active living however, there are many local underutilized facilities and grounds available to serve the purpose. The Ontario government has proposed a “Supporting Ontario Trails Act – Bill 100 (a full copy is posted at www.ontla.on.ca )which includes amendments to the “Trespass to Property Act” , however, the amendments do not sufficiently address the issues of concern to the adjacent agricultural landowners. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) has been lobbying since 2005 for amendments to the Trespass to Property Act. The May 15 OFA Commentary “New trails legislation does little for farmland trespassing” by Eleanor Renaud, OFA Board Member, states “OFA wants government to take a much stronger stance on trespassers on farmland including bigger penalties. We will be advising policy makers on how to minimize potential conflict between farm property owners and rural trail users. We want a minimum fine of $500. imposed for trespassing and broader police enforcement of the Act to address farm safety and bio- security concerns related to trespassing.” The HCFA asks that the rights and concerns of the Adjacent Landowners be protected and addressed. There has already been too much misinformation, lack of transparency and disregard for the property owners resulting in a strong atmosphere of distrust and opposition. Sincerely, Joan Vincent, President Huron County Federation of Agriculture. THE EDITOR, “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” – Lily Tomlin. After reading Brock Vodden’s June 4 letter to The Citizen “Future school plans may not benefit Blyth”, I wondered why this certain “Early Warning” alert regarding schools in Clinton and Hullett didn’t garner more public/parent reaction. Or maybe it did? The reference in the letter to “keeping a bead on Clinton and Hullett schools” reminded me of the process here in 2012. Those who should have stepped forward didn’t, and those who did were outmanoeuvred by the processes of the system. I’m pretty certain relatively few knew what to expect from the Accommodation Review Committee (ARC) process, but now we do. The process happened repeatedly across the province. The Ministry of Education often cites value for money, which is a term more commonly referred to commodity procurement – in other words, the lowest cost can be said to provide ‘value for money.’ So if these schools begin to be neglected from a maintenance or capital cost point of view, then you can be assured that they will be on the next ARC list. You see, school maintenance costs are a local school board budget responsibility, while the busing of students and the building of new schools are a provincial budget responsibility. So, it makes fiscal sense, from a school board point of view to let targetted schools run down to the point that they become uneconomical to repair and then petition to have the province fund a new school (with lower maintenance costs), while busing more and more students further and further. Pretty slick this process … except the ‘value for money’ paradigm still hits us taxpayers – just spread over many more of us. So parents, taxpayers, home owners…actually anyone with a stake in the communities which are going to be affected, take notice. Brock Vodden has shared an “early warning”. Greg Sarachman, Blyth. The Citizen Offices will be closed on Wednesday, July 1 for Canada Day The deadline for the July 2 paper will be Monday, June 29 2 pm in Brussels and 4 pm in Blyth 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 Please note that because of the Wednesday holiday most subscribers will receive their paper a day later than normal. Ask A Financial Advisor What does it mean to be an executor? Brian Hilt - Financial Advisor 19 Main St. N Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0 (519) 565-2700 brian.hilt@edwardjones.com Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund Someday a family member or friend may ask permission to appoint you as executor of his or her estate. Before you take on the task, be sure you know what's involved. An executor is a legal representative named in a will to handle an estate when someone dies. It's not a simple job. Here are a few of the duties of an executor. Find, read and interpret the will. • Consult with a lawyer and arrange court validation of the will, known as probate. • Help with funeral arrangements. Locate and deal with beneficiaries. • Prepare an inventory of the deceased's assets and liabilities. • Deal with financial institutions. Distribute assets as specified in the will. • Pay debts and estate expenses. • File the deceased's final income tax return. Some of these duties can require considerable financial acumen. And at the very least, people skills may be involved at a time when relatives are bereaved. If you're not up to the job, don't take it on. Have a question you want answered here? Ask Brian by phone or email. Shade Trees • Fruit Trees • Spruce, Pine, Cedar • Shrubs MARTIN’S NURSERY EMANUEL E.M. MARTIN 42661 Orangehill Road, RR #1 Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 1 Concession North of Wroxeter on Belmore Line Container and Field Grown Trees and Shrubs Shade Trees 3 feet to 12 feet in pots Choose for specimen and windbreaks • Maples • Oaks • Elderberry • Sycamore • Honey Locust • Apples • Pears • Cherries • Plums • Ginkgo Biloba • Blue Spruce • Green Spruce • Cedars • HedgingAND many, many more varieties! Letters to the Editor