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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-06-27, Page 20PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2013. REPRINTS OF PHOTOS taken by Citizen photographers are available to purchase. ALL ARE IN COLOUR 4x6 - $4.00 5x7 - $5.00 8x10 - $8.00 Phone to order ~ 519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114 Answers to Crossword on Page 6 Queen of the Furrow proud to run her own farm Continued from page 15 visit the family farm, but this is not the case any longer. There is a real need for us to be proactive in the agricultural industry to keep our consumers educated on our farming practices,” Bishop says. Most people involved in agriculture are passionate about what they do and want to see that way of life continue for the next generation.” Bishop was crowned the 2012- 2013 Huron County Queen of the Furrow at last year’s Huron County Plowing Match. Through being in parades, speaking at different venues and being out in the public, she says being queen is one of the best opportunities she has had to really help her promote agriculture. Bishop currently runs 60 Suffolk and Texel ewes on her farm. “My family does a lot of showing whether through 4-H or the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair,” she says, adding that both breeds allow her family to be competitive in the market lamb classes. She keeps busy with her farm as it is a work in progress. She has cropland in addition to the sheep which are on pasture. She says she just graduated from the 4-H program last November. She now helps her mother, who is a 4-H leader, with the local sheep club. She attended the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus and graduated with two diplomas, one in Environmental Management and the other in Agriculture. She was an ambassador at the college as well as co-president of the Spring Expo, on student council and had the honour of being the valedictorian for her graduating class. Bishop is actively involved in the community. She says she has been involved with the Huron County Junior Farmers since the county club started back up in 2009. This year she is the club’s treasurer. She is also the organizer of the Dungannon Fall Fair Horse Show which she ran for the first time last summer. She hopes to host another successful show this year. In her free time, she says, “I curl in the winter and play ball in the summer and play my violin in a band when time permits. “I like seeing the development of [agriculture], and how quickly it changes.” Having the ability to embrace change is key for the future as it is a constant in life, she says. It is impressive how swiftly agriculture has progressed in the past 10 years. “It is the life for me,” she says. She plans to keep building her dream while following her passion to continue to educate people about agriculture with every opportunity that she gets. Continued from page 14 theme may be elaborated on was talked about in Kathy’s message to the adults as well. In the supporting scripture passage, Luke 7: 11-17, the story is told of a funeral procession Jesus and His disciples encountered along the road to Nain. Christ showed compassion. During His ministry Jesus did physical, mental and emotional healing and the writers who recounted these acts called them compassionate. In this case Jesus broke religious and cultural rules of the times to offer hope, new life and compassion for this widow who was dealing with the loss of her only son. The scripture, taken literally, suggests that the son was restored from the dead. In her message Ms Douglas noted that many speakers at the graduations, etc, that take place at this time of the year encourage the students who are facing the next stage in their respective lives to act with compassion, to work for the common good. Karen Armstrong, who founded the ‘Charter of Compassion’, reminds people to put themselves in another’s shoes to learn compassion. This religious leader suggests it is necessary to move from the literal to a more mystical and liberal faith. All religions of the world preach/teach compassion. Kathy finds her work with the youth will have reference to this ‘Charter of Compassion’. A summer day camp for ages eight to 12, Kids in the Kitchen, is happening in Blyth United Church July 22 - 26 organized by Kathy Douglas. Call her for more information at 519-523-4380. The senior choir sang the very familiar, “I Believe”, as their morning anthem. Members of the official board are reminded of the very important special meeting that is called for this evening, June 26, regarding the changes at the front of the sanctuary. A quorum of people is essential for this meeting and the project. Ball’s Cemetery Decoration Service takes place Sunday, July 7. Rev. Allan Livingston of St. George’s Anglican Church in Goderich will be the guest speaker. The Harbouraires will offer special music. ‘Kids in the Kitchen’ camp set for July 22 Decoration The Brussels Cemetery was the site of a special annual decoration service held by the Brussels Legion on Sunday. Punctuated by warm weather, drums and bagpipes, the event was hosted by Legion Padre Sandra Cable and Legion President Jo-Ann McDonald. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Barnim against dropping appeal prematurelyContinued from page 19opponents that has reportedlycollected more than 500 signatures, Hemingway asked council continue in its quest with the appeal. He also said he knows of an experienced planner who believes Central Huron can win. During a question period, Councillor Metzger questioned how Hemingway’s expert could have a differing view, which Hemingway said was likelycaused by the fact council goes bythe “cheapest bid” when hiring consultants. Councillor Barnim contended the “biggest problem” is council has not been able to sit down with a lawyer or planner to describe what it wants. During a later portion of the meeting, Metzger said he was willing to reconsider his motion.Barnim also suggested dropping theappeal at this point is “very premature.” “If we drop it now, we won’t have any bargaining power. Period,” said Barnim. Councillor Alison Lobb, who requested a recorded vote on the original motion to drop the appeal, reminded council it has been given “professional advice that we aren’t going to win.”Barnim urged council to hold offon its decision. “I think we’re doing a huge injustice,” he said. “This doesn’t have to be right now.” After some debate, councillors agreed to hold off on asking for an end to the hearings and to instead invite an independent planner, recommended by ratepayer Dave Hemingway, to appear beforecouncil and to give herrecommendations as to whether the OMB hearing could have a positive result for Central Huron. Metzger added that his willingness to hold off on a decision is limited. “This is not going to be the beginning of the eternal hunt to find someone,” said Metzger. Council approves two Blyth BIA grant applications North Huron Township Council supported two moves by the Blyth Business Improvement Area (BIA) that will involve the BIA requesting funds from the Huron Economic Development Partnership (HEDP). BIA Chair Rick Elliott addressed council during the Jan. 17 meeting and explained that due to a scheduling mishap, the applications for funds for a marketing co- ordinator and a business expansion video were submitted before North Huron had given them the go-ahead. The video requires no investment on North Huron’s part, as the BIA has it in the organization’s budget to proceed with it. The marketing position originally came with a $2,500 price tag for North Huron, however Elliott explained that a sponsor had been found for the majority of the price of the position if North Huron couldn’t support that initiative. “We’re all volunteers and it’s hard to keep all the information going,” Elliott explained. “This position is part of the business retention and expansion report (BR&E) last year... We have found a $1,500 contribution through Sparling’s Propane and if North Huron can’t help, I’m sure we can find a few more people to donate.” Councillor Bernie Bailey wasn’t against the idea of the position, but wondered how it would integrate and/or overlap with economic development officer Connie Goodall’s position who works closely with both the Blyth and recently-formed Wingham BIAs. “As I read through the duties, I see that it follows a lot of what Connie is supposed to be doing for the township,” he said. “If you hire this person Rick, do you think it would be better for Connie to back off the BIA and have her skills applied elsewhere?” Elliott said that he saw the positions as more of a collaboration than a duplication. “I would like to see this as a complementary thing,” he said. “There might be some redundancies but they would likely be few and far between. I would imagine that, in situations like that, Connie wouldn’t be involved.” Goodall said that while the new hire would definitely do some economic development work, her position with regards to the BIA was more about maintaining a connection with the businesses in the area and she felt she should maintain that connection. “I’m very excited about the potential with this position, but to lose the communication with our business associates is something I don’t think we want to do,” she said. “I don’t see this as duplication at all.” Councillor Brock Vodden said that dealing with Goodall’s position in such a manner was micromanaging and that isn’t council’s role but the role of Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long. Vodden went on to move that council support both applications and give the BIA the $2,500 necessary. Elliott explained that this is a great move because it will help create continuity. “At this point, we need all the help we can to get us through the summer months and do some short-term and long-term planning to see what we can look at,” he said. The motion passed unanimously. STAINED GLASS Blyth 519-523-4355