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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1970-02-26, Page 2Reaction of Hallett farmers to the government's wildlife project ranges from bewilderment to anger to helplessness. Most of all, they want answers . "I don't know what to think" This new barn is under construction on the farm of Norman Dale, RR 4, Clinton. Mr. Dale has 100 acres in the area believed to be intended for the project. Mr. Dale hopes some of his questions will be answered at the ratepayers meeting, March 5. The low, flat land that comprises much of the area can be seen stretching away in the background. - staff photo OPNOTCH TOPNOTCH FEEDS LIMITED SPECIAL! Amonium Nitrate 34% in 4-ply 50-lb. paper bags $56200 per ton off car TERMS CASH Delivery $2.00 per ton• extra — LIMITED QUANTITY - Order Now! Phone 527-1910 Seatorth .News-Record, Thursday, FP.bru.ory. 26, 1970 WED. CLINTON !CLINTON FILMS - EVERYONE SNOWMOBILE SPEAKER WELCOME MARCH TOWN SNOWMOBILE CLUB HALL 4 - MEETING AND SERVICE A WITH FOR OIL OR FURTHER WRITE LONDON LEASE BF' OR In YORK CALL BAYFIELD SNACK TO: 14 DETAILS LTD. ST. SALE 432-1887 STATION BAY BAR I . FOR LONDON TWO BP 380 C0•OP District Be Arena AT 8:00 OF November for Davidson, for for the that taken held by-laws inspection OF Schilbe ',le Will of Article Co-Operative changed in District Davidson, Mousseau, Statement Malcolm Reserve. from Dashwood. Williain Held THE a the by on VI Co Heri.sall; INCORPORATED 312nd ANNUAL OF THE Hensall ON WEDNESDAY, 1. To present the vember 30th, 1968, 2. To elect three terms of Malcolm Schilbe have Pepper are not years, 3. To appoint auditors 4, The Board recommends be transferred 5. To confirm the their regular meeting That Section 1 Hensall District the following requirements be of proposed change Office of Hensall Hensall, Ontario, Annual Meeting. ELGIN HENDRICK, President, Dashwood, Valuable Door Prises PRESIDENT—Elgin . . _ _ VICE-PRESIDENT—Earl DIRECTORS--Malcolm Dashwood; Donald Gordan de Jong, Brucefield; Geiger, Zurich, Hensall PURPOSE Annual to directors expired. eligible to General action substituted for BOARD Hendrick, therefore MARCH re-election ensuing Incorporated Refreshments DIRECTORS Brueefield; Co in the P.M. for 30th, term of Clifford the Board February of the $50.00 will be -Operative for 10 .... Bayfield. Dowson, Auditorium MEETING Davidson net savings ',That BERTRAM Alfred the 1969. year. to MEETING 11, three Pepper having 12, general posted days Secretary, fiscal of be -Operative 1970, $200.00." will Clifford Ross, Varna; and of at Incorp:orated 1970 years. Directors repealed member prior KLOPP, year, No- The and Earl Clifford served six $11,139.00 at namely: by-laws of and loan Copy the Head at to the Zurich. be served Pepper, Dublin; Delbert OPP reports Wednesday, February 15 PP Hi ghway . north of the ,nction ,of Huron Road 24 Stewart Dale doesn't know what to think of the province's proposal for a wildlife sanctuary in Hullett. "The trouble is I don't know enough about it one way or the other to make up my mind," he said. He owns 100 acres in the area in question and can't understand what the government means when it calls the land marshland. He says a small patch of three Ask John Wubbs for his opinion of the proposed wildlife sanctuary in Hullett and he starts shaking his head in wonderment. A burley dutch-Canadian, he moved to Hullett only 'four years ago from . near Mitchell. He stands to lose 150 of his 250 acres to the project including his home farm. But more than the land is involved. "As you can see," he said Tuesday, gesturing around his Bob Storey, RR 3, Seaforth has a lot to lose if the sanctuary goes through. Mr. Storey owns 300 acres in the area in question. His business is holstein dairy cattle and he - has some of the best. "According to R.O.P. records this is the best herd in the county" he says. "They've been tops for four year." Unlike many of the others who could only lose part of their land, Mr. Storey has no other land to fall back on. If he loses his land he'll have no place to feed his 40 head of cattle. It also might endanger his 1500 Re: proposed wildlife dam project of Hullett township. For those who perhaps do not know the cost of the past to improve the proposer dam and flooded lands, I lived there for over 50 years and have bylaws No. three and five which have the names of all land owners and cost to them in townships of Grey, McKillop, Hullett, Logan and town of Seaforth to improve land and drain what is known as the Kinburn Swamp which composed that portion of river and creek branches known as A, B and •C, which empty into river just above the proposed cram. The councils of the past all saw fit to improve the land and the present one did not. The earliest known Was in 1894 at a cost of about $9000.00. In 1916 Hullett council passed bylaw number three for land improvement and drainage system. Total assessment was $25,634.50 and was prepared by the late John Roger OLS dated at Mitchell October 24, 1916. The contract was let and a coal fired steam powered dredge was raised and went right down the middle of the river. Coal was drawn in and dumped' at different places. On May 9, 1935 bylaw number five was prepared to borrow $5,240 and was adopted by the late George McCubbin, OLS, of Chatham. The cost in 1917 exceeded the :..5stiinate by 24 percent, The cost of bylaw number five Was estimated at $72,000.00 and outlet liability against Sealotth was $70.00, Tuckersmith, $102,00,. Grey, $665.00, Logan, $1583.00, McKillop, $21,216,00, Mullett, $3,673.00 for a total of $27,310,00. acres of young bush on one corner of the farm is the only waste area he has. The thing that really makes him angry is the lack of notice about the whole thing. "I've just put in a new furnace," he said, "and last summer I put heavy wiring all through the house. If I'd known this was coming I wouldn't have gone ahead." stable which was only partially finished, "I'm in the middle of remodelling my barn. Last summer I put in a new liquid manure tank outside for my pigs. It's reinforced concrete and costs more than $2,000. Are they going to come in with a bulldozer in a couple of years and push all that in?" Mr. Wubbs can see no reason for the project. "I don't know," he said shaking his head, "I don't see how they can make pound-a-day bulk milk contract, a contract which is valued at $20 a pound. He has $30,000 on the line. That's what makes him feel so helpless. He can't see any way out for himself. Even if he is paid what his farm is worth how can he hope to find three more farms that close together. Other members of his family are in the same spot. His sister and her husband own a jersey herd with a 1000 pound milk contract. Mr. Storey said about 100 acres of his land is not worked. The rest is under cultivation. For those who think the Kinburn Swamp as a mass wilderness filled with lizards, snakes and frogs they should have driven to lot 13 and 14 on fifth concession last year and seen one of the best crops of grain in Ontario, the owner spending thousands of dollars to bring the land back to agriculture completely draining it all into branch B which will be flooded as water backs up. In this so called democratic country of ours I wonder why the land owners now who paid into what is known as Kinburn Swamp Drain and River Improvement bylaw were not consulted before the local papers had the announcement of the dam project. Thanking you for space in your valuable paper. Lorne Lawson * * * The editiot, Once again, we have been able CO enjoy a most successful winter carnival, We feel that a vote of appreciation should be extended to Mr. Thorndike and his carnival committee; also the service clubs, merchants, GM recreation director, and everyone who played a part to Make it so much fun fm everyone, It was very well organized, and We Wish to lel, these people know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we Will be looking forward to next year's Winter Carnival, Many thanks, Marie McDonald, (Secretary) 00W Moro*, unit, Wealey-Willia United Church more from tourism than the area is making now in farming." He rejects the government's claim that most of the land involved is sub-marginal. "Over at Mitchell I was farming on what they call top Perth clay, some of the best land in Ontario. But here I have been getting yields just as large or larger in corn as I was in Mitchell." John Wubbs is worried what The editor: Upon reading the February 19th edition of the Clinton News-Record, I found that you failed to show a picture or make much mention of the winning float in the Winter Carnival Parade. The thousand students in our school (C.H.S.S.) I am sure are disappointed by the lack of this information, Hours of nerve wracking work were involved, many hours of two people's free time were taken up. These two people, the 'master minds in our entry are Mr. Bill Craig, tech, director and Martha Newland, head of the float committee for the carnival. Myself and a few others lent a A meeting of the Huron Unit or the Canadian Cancer Society WitS held at the Victotia and Grey Trust, office building in Goderich, Mrs. Gerry Ginn welcomed members on behalf of the host branch, then Itirned the meeting over to Wits, M. W. Durst, acting president. She paid high tribute to Miss Katherine McGregor, late president, and held a short meinorlal service in her memory. troolrWS report, showed total receipts of $2,222.03, and the campaign chairman announced the 1070 objective for Homo as $18,500.00, with plans tinder way, tor the campaign Canvass in April. price the government is going to be willing to pay for the land. "What price do they think `marshland' is worth?" he wonders. "Just because they call it marshland doesn't mean it is no good. Marshland in the Holland Marsh and around Leamington sells for as high as $1,100 an acre." And, he warns that the government will have to pay for the improvements he has made hand to complete tile job and the rig on the road. So, if our own home town newspaper won't slap us on the back, I sure will. Way to Go Central! Yours truly, Joe Lobb * * * The editor: On behalf of the Women's Auxiliary to the Clinton Public Hospital, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the excellent coverage you have provided us during the past year. Yours sincerely, M. E. Willson Corresponding Secretary A letter was man from Ontario Division reporting a bequest to the society of $7,420.38 from an estate in Goderich, Service to Patients reports from the various branches pointed up the Worthwhile work being earned on.. especially the volunteer service at the cancer in TO keep abreast or 1,110 films being shown in our sehools, a new film strip "Assignment" was viewed. In enntent, it dealt with a school project, on cancer with students studying various types of cancer with latest methods of control, Al, the close of the meeting refreallinenta Were served by the ladies of (Todericit branch, (Township Line), . Donald Douglas Tipert, RR 3, Goderich, was involved in a single-car accident resulting in darnago to the vehicle he was driving. Friday, February 20, on Highway 21 south of Dunlop, Colin Kennedy, Clinton Street, Teeswater, and Joan Crawford, Auburn, were involVed in a two-car accident resulting in damage to both vehicles. Driver Colin Kennedy received injuries. Saturday. February 21, on County Road 25 east of Highway 21, Ronald Glousher,, 201 South Street, Goderich, and. Arthur Roy Whitesell, 20 Hyman Street, Tillsonburg, were involved in a two-car Accident resulting in extensive damage to both vehicles, Passengers Arnold and Janet Belore, Mt. received injuries, Friday, February 20, on Highway 21 south of Dunlop, Mary MacArthur, RR 5, Kincardine, was involved in a single-car accident resulting in minor damage to her vehicle. Storey's '30,000 milk contract worries him . I Am ) 111 a 1 J.- xii L.-- xi digholiall Mall Mill - 17111111914:' 4; 111.5146I 15 , VIII A M. ,I1 20 15 VII 'S5 10 Constance ' ifs 4L- 5 -10-4 . ° r # ' 41 ....... - 0/ 1 . 1 ' aillir.ilindi Ili Or I Sog° I I I I Pr, a °.--4 re.-- '.- 0; 01 - • ocr , „......0, ,....4 \ -- $0)141 ......, --1, ..,„ _ 0 1111 =Pr' 1.....„ 9 ,•• .,••.-,.., z, . •-, ' illoomm, ,,,-- tNirs I 71- O 9. 30 125 20 . JL1 II , . ''! ..._ -. s. IA ,,,, NI,-----Th c o --. .6 . ,, 0 ck , 0 to , ..i... , .,_ . - 4 \ ‘ ‘14 .., . 'Y' 12 , kla .01 This map shows the approximate area to be occupied by the government wildlife sanctuary. However, government officials emphasize that' this map, published first in the Huron Expositor, is not official. • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR — Huron Cancer Society meets in Goderich in his farm since he took over the slightly rundown homestead four years ago. John's father Meeme is also involved in the area. His farm with the barn fixed up for broilers -is right in the area designated for the reserve. John says the land isn't so important to his father as the buildings. "It's just an old barn," John points out, "hut it would cost a lot to replace it. A neighbor put up a new broiler barn and it cost more than $20,000. Is the government willing to pay for that?" Even without the money factor, Mr: Wubbs doesn't like the idea of moving. "Moving a house is one thing," he said, "but moving a farm is something else. When I moved from Mitchell I had less than I have now but it took me three months to get everything moved." "What's going on?" Jack Medd, RR 2, Clinton, wants to know what's going on. He owns 250 acres in Hullett 1,••:ToWnship, 1'50 ''or•therd in the "area understoo'd to be designated as the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests' wildlife sanctuary. Mr. Medd isn't dead against the proposal. "I don't know enough about it to make a decision one way or the other," he said Tuesday. "That's why we'd like some facts." Although he isn't totally against the sanctuary, Mr. Medd sees problems for himself if the plan goes through. "We had planned to ,set up our son on the other farm (the farm included in the project)," be said. "It has a house and barn arid was so close to our home place. Where else can we get a farm that close if we lose that one?" The Medds have the barn on the farm that would be affected full of pigs. On their home farm, across concession six from the boundary of the proposed area, they keep 89 head of cattle, cattle that feed on the pasture on the farni that would be lost. Mr. Medd said that despite the wording of the press release from Charles MacNauehton's office which described the majority of the • area,• as marshland, he .,use$:. almost all his land. "Sortie of it would have to be drained to be worked," he said; "but we grass our cattle on it and it's some of the best grassland in the country. It doesn't dry up in the summer like a lot of pastures on high land do so it means we have grass all summer long." Mr. Medd would like to know what's going on so he can make plans for the future. "1 had already made arrangements for a ditcher to come in next fall after harvest so we could put in some new drains," he said. "Now I don't know what to do." It isn't only the land which he might lose to the sanctuary that has him worried. He's worried about the effect on his home farm which drains into the river which will be dammed. "I recently put 11,000 tile in the front of this farm," he said. "Every time that river reaches the top of its banks, my fields will not drain properly. What's going to happen when they dam up the river and flood the whole area?" "Will the government pay for improvements we've made?"