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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-01-05, Page 1Ag. rep says farmers unshaken ‘X A BUSY SHOVEL — Snow shovelling was a common chore on Exeter's Main street Tuesday morning. Hidden behind a huge chunk of snow is Bea Carpenter. T-A photo PUC will reconsider snowmobile The Exeter PUC which earlier turned down a request from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority for a snowmobile trail across their property at the springs pumping station west of Morrison dam, will reopen discussion on that decision next week. A trail for cross country skiers has been approved. Commissioner Bruce Shaw said Friday that authority manager Don Pearson had contacted him following the Commission’s earlier decision and suggested the PUC had more to gain than lose by permitting the snowmobile trail. He contended that it would be better to have snowmobilers Using that area than racing d^sround town streets, ‘and- also no ted the authority would be responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the trail and would be making a check at least once a week on the PUC property. “Would he know a broken in­ sulator when he saw it?” questioned manager Hugh Davis. He went on to explain that if damage did occur, it would be a major problem to get equipment into the site as it would have to be lugged in because a truck can not get to the site in the winter. The more people we get in the area, the more susceptible we are to damage,” he contended. Commissioner Chan Livingstone commented that the authority had curtailed snowmobile access to their property at the Morrison dam previously due to tree damage. It was agreed to have Pearson attend the Commission meeting next week to present his case for opening the snowmobile trail. Deficiencies are outlined Thefts, collisions up in December There were no major crimes in Exeter during the month of December, but several petty thefts were reported by Chief Ted Day in his monthly report to council, Tuesday. Day noted there had been a total of 13 thefts with the loot being $349.15. None of that has been recovered. Other statistics for December were: 22 accidents with four injuries and $18,540 property damage, seven charges and 13 cautioned under the Highway Traffic Act, 17 parking tickets issued, 15 charged under the Liquor Control Act, three places of business found insecure, one disturbance investigated, one person charged under the Nar- ^cotic Control Act, seven animal '^•omplaints investigated. In an inspection of the South Huron Rec Centre in December, building inspector Doug Triebner listed several deficiencies and suggested some of them were the result of errors made by the engineering firm of Cambrian Facilities. Deficiencies outlined this week in a letter to council included an improper furnace, a wall at the north east corner leaking water, several cracks in the walls and floor, an overhead door that didn’t fit its opening, glass around the ice surface not completed, and electrical work not completed. Mayor Shaw suggested that the matter be held in abeyance until it can be discussed with the rec centre building committee. He also noted that he had asked the PUC to check out the situation which resulted in the wiring for the kitchen having to be replaced. Shaw said he wanted to know if this was an error in the original plan. “There concern,” Despite a trying year during 1977 Huron’s Agricultural Representative Don Pullen predicts county farmers will “remain valiant and unshaken”. Pullen said he was told by one farmer who failed to harvest 200 acres of white beans and did not have crop insurance, “well, it’s my first crop failure in 16 years.” The ag rep added, “Most of our farmers are eternal optimists like myself or they wouldn’t be associated with an industry where there are so many risks which include weather and variable market conditions.” The very wet fall weather cut Huron’s white bean production by more than 50 percent. Despite this Pullen says, “I don’t think this will have any appreciable effect on the amount of bean acres to be planted this year. We hope this was a once in a lifetime situation.” He continued, “The weather this spring will dictate whether more corn or beans will be planted to make up for the drastic cut in fall wheat planted last fall.” Talking about the white bean crop Pullen said, “the weather certainly turned one problem into another. At a crops day at Cen­ tralia early in August everyone was wondering what would be done with all the beans from an expected bumper crop. Ger­ mination was the best ever and the beans came on very even. That is, until* the rains came.” Next to 1975 Pullen said this past year’s corn crop was the best on record. He continued, “With the exception of some acreage to the north most of our corn was harvested with the help of some late Indian summer weather.” “Ironically, silage corn yields were great but when field con­ ditions became so wet, the silage became too dry. Corn prices have now risen to about $1,90, but, this is still below the cost of production of about $2.20”, added Pullen. Some farmers especially in the northern portion of the county who specialize in livestock are finding a shortage of hay and straw. About hay, Pullen said, “quality of the first cut was dandy, but, due to dry weather was not enough. There was an abundance of second and third cuttings but they couldn’t be harvested because of the weather. A lot of hay went down the drain.” Quality and quantity of pasture was the best in many years. “We had reports of hefty gains of cattle out on grass”, said Pullen. The ag rep said Huron farmers are showing more awareness to soil erosion. More sod crops are being used to help soil structures, especially on heavy land. The year 1977 will remembered as the year phasing out can-shipping dairymen. On the subject of dairy Pullen said, “There will likely be some frustrations when'some run out of quotas by the end of the year.” The beef cattle situation which has been “not so good” for the past three years is expected to take another three years to recover. Pullen said the poultry industry in Huron was “stable” with broilers much better than several years ago. Some forecasters are suggesting hog prices may be a bit easier in 1978 because of higher production in other areas. The Huron Ag. rep. said some Huron hog operators are con­ solidating their operations to include farrowing to finishing. Bad years like 1977 point up the changing role of the agricultural office. Credit counselling and farm management advice is a bigger part of the ag. rep’s and three associate ag. rep’s jobs when an average 100 acre farm may have an investment of a quarter of a million dollars. Pullen says farm people in this county are very innovative and some of the best farm managers in North America are right here in Huron. “They are not afraid .of risk.” Farmers have made more gains in productivity than any other sector of society “but they are fairly quiet about it” and get animosity from consumers when prices go up. “It’s one of the agricultural ministry’s jobs to make the cities understand what a small per­ centage of the increase goes to farmers,” says Pullen. He admits, “It’s an uphill battle since farmers are only about six percent of the population and most MPP’s represent urban ridings, but, OMAF is trying." The four men who work at farm management counselling in Huron, Don Pullen, Stan Paquette, Dennis Martin and Mike Miller are always available when a farmer looking at a major new investment wants to try something new. They can help with cash flows and debt planning that can be crucial in a year like this. Short farm management courses are offered at Centralia College and there is more and more demand for intensive, one to one coun­ selling since each farm family has its own goals and objectives. Don Pullen and his staff are always updating their management knowledge and he says “from exposure to farmers I’d say we often learn more from them than vice-versa.” Land costs and huge in­ vestments in farming make this year’s extreme weather con­ ditions a lot more significant. The ag office is worried about the young farmer who has been in the business only three or four years and has the highest costs. More established farmers can usually wait out a bad year. The big change in Huron from mixed farming to cash cropping also makes a year of bad weather more serious. Mixed farmers could hope to “tread water” during a bad year. Right now, the ag. rep. suggests, “Huron *s economy is like a car in neutral. The big effect of 1977’s disastrous weather and commodity prices will hit when the debt comes due. The pain will be more ex­ cruciating next spring.” But with reasonable plans and documentation, he says farmers should get a sympathetic ear from the Farm Credit Cor­ poration and other lending agencies. And he and his staff will make time to help Huron farmers do this type of planning. It takes a special kind of person to cope with the stress and un­ certainty of farming these days and Pullen says he is amazed at the optimism and reso resour­ cefulness of farmers who are facing big reverses this year. There will be more stresses in the future with more people looking for off-farm employment in a job market that’s tight, even in Huron. Pullen says he has heard some predictions of land prices doubling in the next 10 years. He added, “Some established far­ mers see the purchase of another farm as a good investment.” are a few areas he advised council. of be of for imes -Advocate Serving South Huron, North Middlesex ■:.......:*...:■ ■■■ \:<'U:*•>•:■£ vS??- ' s’Sill '.S WaS SSSSSSSSSS*Sa® One Hundred and Fifth Year • ■■ ■ ■ - & North Lambton Since 1873 EXETER, ONTARIO, JANUARY 5, 1978 Price Per Copy 25 Cents Board chairmen see need for some frugal thinking Both the outgoing and incoming chairmen of the Huron County board of education predicted Tuesday some frugal thinking will be needed if trustees are to cope with the difficult financial year ahead. Herb Turkheim stepped down at the board’s inaugural meeting after two years as chairman and trustees elected R. J. Elliott to replace him. Turkheim said the education bill sent to municipalities has increased 100 per cent since 1973. He said the country faces a similar financial strain but that doesn’t make the board any less responsible to taxpayers. “Somewhere we have to take a long, close look at our expenses.” Turkheim said the board has the additional problem of declining enrolment which results in lower provincial grants. While it may be logical to close schools ‘ to keep costs in line, Turkheim said: “Last year in­ stead of closing a school we opened one. We may not have done the right thing but I think we did the right thing politically.” He later explained he was speaking about the Vanastra school which opened last Sep­ tember. He said 500 ratepayers turned out to a meeting and influenced the board to open an old army building for a school even though it would have been cheaper to bus students elsewhere. He said the Vanastra decision was “foolish but political.” He stopped short of saying the decision should be reversed and told reporters trustees have a responsibility to the people of an area even though it may cost the county more in the long run. “Unfortunately, we are still politicians,” he said. School enrolment in Hensall is declining but Turkheim said as the representative for that area he is responsible for keeping the school open. “As long as I am trustee of Hensall. . . it will be over my dead body school. Turkheim said there are other ways of reducing costs such as ending courses with low student enrolment. Elliott said he wasn’t sure opening the Vanastra school was financially or politically wise. He agreed with Turkheim that the taxpayer must be willing to support board decisions to make cuts. “This board Will endeavor to keep costs down. It depends on how much is demanded (from the public),” he said. Elliott feels the main thing is communication with the public. He said while taxpayers may not always agree with decisions made by trustees it will be easier to accept them understand why done. Alex Corrigan earlier as vice-chairman of the board. The chairmen of the four new policy committees are: John Henderson, fiscal and property; Shirley Hazlitt, instructional personnel; Dorothy Wallace, school programming; Dorothy Williams, student policies. Mayor is optimistic routine events only that their term of Although he suggested Exeter council memb^fs may wish to give some consideration to pay hikes this year, Mayor Bruce Shaw said Tuesday night that they will probably end up overpaid. He noted office will only be for 11 months this year, as the date for municipal elections has been pushed back and the new council will assume their duties on December 1. However, Shaw said that this year’s budget established by the current council would be for the you’ll close that Value of permits nears $3 million The total value of building permits issued in Exeter last year was $2,817,854. The major portion of that -- $1,184,500 -- was for new residential dwellings. Other permit totals as outlined by building inspector Doug Triebner were as follows: residential renovations and additions, $252,440; mercial renovations, pools and government stitutions, renovations, and garages, $40,250; tool sheds, $14,300. There were 265 permits issued by the building inspector. Permits approved in December included a new house to be built by Frank Van Den Akker at 146 Huron W. Residential renovations were approved following: Robert Brand, repair porch at 41 Sim­ coe; Wayne Truemner, renovate at 321 Huron W.; William Poulton, erect foundation at 75 ^jhames Road W.; Jessie Ross, '^Mlpair house at 162 Andrew; ^Savid Hann, install fireplace at 103 Main. new com- buildings and $783,835; swimming fences, $27,450; buildings and in­ additions and $515,079; carports Junior grade students at Exeter Public School were making use of summer ■J > fi i 'i ' .1 u N I' WINTER CLIMBERS — -------- „------------------------- -------- -------------------- .... „ playground equipment despite Tuesday's cold temperatures. From the left are Kim Crawford, Shawn Moody, Dennis Crawford, Karen Hoffman, Shelly Black, Dwayne Coolmah and Todd Jones. T*A photo Decision is profitable A decision to recall tenders for a line truck turned out to be a profitable move for the Exeter Public Utilities Commission. In November, only one bid was received for the purchase of the truck, which will be replaced, and it was for $600. Com­ missioners felt at that time the truck was worth more and decid­ ed to advertise again. This week, they received a bid of $1,800 from Pfaff ElectricJ’his was accepted, although manager Hugh Davis said he felt the vehi­ cle was still worth more than that. The Commission also agreed to write MP Robert McKinley to enlist his support for the removal of federal tax on equipment and supplies purchased by Com­ missions. The move is being promoted by the OMEA on behalf of Utilities across the province. Bruce Shaw said he supported the removal of the tax, noting that the federal government had a broader tax base on which to generate revenue than Utilities. He also suggested that there was more waste at the federal level. However, Chan Livingstone said he wasn’t in agreement because the money had to be paid one way or the other, although he finally did agree to the motion. In other business, the Com­ mission: Approved increasing the rent for the apartment above the of­ fice from $117 to $125 per month for the coming year. Set their next meeting for Thursday, at which time they will elect a chairman and vice- chairman. Learned that the employees had approved the wage offer as submitted by the Commission. It basically covered the request as submitted by the employees. Asked manager Davis to ap­ proach Harold Wolfe to ascertain if he would be interested in tak­ ing over the cleaning of the of­ fice. Foreman Bob Pooley has been doing the work but has ask­ ed to relinquish those duties. entire 12 months. Shaw also hinted that coun­ cillors may be overpaid in view of the light work load they should face this year. He facetiously suggested that he expected 1978 to be “the year of the bookkeeper” in which council would handle only routine matters. Noting the many interesting and controversial issues which faced council in the past three years (rec centre, race track, town hall, shopping centre) he said there couldn’t possibly be any more problems that could arise. “We’ll just coast through this year,” he predicted, although there was an expression of doubt on some faces around the council chamber. In his brief remarks at the initial meeting of the year, Shaw said committee chairmen should be prepared to give their annual reports at the next meeting and suggested they may wish to make some recommendations regarding the reshaping of committees. He also encouraged members to supply him with names of citizens who may be interested in serving on some of the boards to which council makes ap­ pointments each year. Those appointments will made at the next meeting. if taxpayers something is was elected DECORATIONS DOWN — What goes up, must come down. Above, Dennis Hockey of the Exeter Public Utilities Commission brings down the Christmas decorations on Main street. Windows smashed by bat and bullets be One theft and three incidents of vandalism are under in­ vestigation by the Exeter OPP this week. At 1:30 a.m., January 1, the police were advised by a motorist that a 1978 Lincoln was in the ditch along Highway 83 east of Exeter. Upon investigation they found that the vehicle had been taken from the showroom at Liz Bell appointed new clerk-treasurer Two Exeter employees were given promotions by council this week. Liz Bell, deputy treasurer for the past clerk- three Liz Bell years, was named as clerk­ treasurer to replace Eric Car- scadden, who will retire at the end of the month. The recommendation to ap- point Mrs. Bell came from the executive committee and when the motion to approve the recommendation was made by Reeve Si Simmons, almost all the hands in the council chamber went up to second the motion. That prompted Mayor Bruce Shaw to suggest that wasn’t even necessary. “We know you’ll do job,” he said to Mrs. congratulating her on pointment. At the same time,council named Brian Parsons as the new deputy clerk-treasurer. He’s from Thorndale. Council also approved a recommendation of the executive to suggest to the local committee of adjustment that they appoint Laurie Richards as their secretary. The other promotion approved by council this week was naming Jim Barnes as a first class constable with the local police department. His probation year was com­ pleted in December and the additional salary will be retroactive to December 1. a vote a good Bell in her ap- Hensail Motors Ltd. The thieves, who gained entry by forcing a door, also took a small amount of cash from a coffee dispensing machine. Constables Jack Straughan and Al Quinn are investigating. About $600 worth of damage was caused to a truck owned by William J. Finch, RR 4 London, after it was shot up while parked at Cann’s gravel pit in Usborne Township, Tuesday Five or six .22 calibre bullets were fired through the rear window, the windshield and the dashboard. Constable Ed Wilcox vestigating. On Friday morning, were advised that nine glass windows at Thames Road United Church had been smashed. A partial baseball bat was found at the scene. Damage was estimated at $150 by Constable Wally Tomasik. Constable Frank Giffin is in­ vestigating a wilful damage complaint received from the Huron Industrial Park, Tuesday. Six windows in the old chapel were smashed. The vandals apparently threw spikes through the windows. is in- police plate ONLY TWO IN COURT Two persons were fined in Exeter Justice of the Peace Court, Tuesday morning by Justice of the Peace W. D. Wedlake. Mary Ann Crossan, Huron Park was assessed $28 for making a left turn not in safety in Huron Park, November 5, 1977. Fined $20 for driving a vehicle at 97 kilometers in an 80 kilometer per hour zone was Oliver McIntosh, RR 1, st. Marys.