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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1978-03-02, Page 17Huron plow group highlight convention The Huron County delegation provided the highlight of the Ontario Plowmen’s annual meeting in Toronto last Tuesday. Nearly 200 strong, the Huron group was led into the concert room of the Royal York Hotel by the Seaforth District High School band, and completely circled the perimeter of the vast room. This is the big year for Huron County. The Inter­ national Plowing Match, with a probable attendance of 250,000, will be held im­ mediately east of the town of Wingham on Highway 86. Host farmer is Jim Arm­ strong, who acted as master of ceremonies for Tuesday’s presentation. Lining the rear of the platform were the chairmen of committees which are responsible for the 1978 match, members of parliament and legislature, Mayor Bill Walden of Wingham, Reeve Joe Kerr and Deputy Reeve Harold • Wild, each of whom were Call For Professional LAND CLEARINC Bulldozing & Heavy Equipment Rentals WESLAYNE Company Ltd. 294-6933 Parkhill, Ont. —J JIM SIDDALL &SON LICENSED & INSURED TRUCKER • LIVESTOCK • GRAIN • FERTILIZER • FARM SUPPLIES KIRKTON 229-6439 7 introduced to the gathering. As was Laurie Stafford, Huron’s Queen of the Furrow. Howard Datars of Dash­ wood chairman of Huron’s local committee for the IPM, outlined the progress of organization to date and he was followed by the vice- chairman, Roy Pattison of East Wawanosh, who detailed the work of the committees for which he is responsible. He introduced Ray Scotchmer, Goderich, chairman of the publicity committee and Barry Mulvey, Belmore, chairman of the lands committee. Gerry Ginn, warden of the county, issued a warm in­ vitation to attend the 1978 International and voiced his pride in Huron County as a great place to live and to visit. Don Pullen, Clinton, Huron’s agricultural representative, was the featured speaker and did an excellent job of describing the county’s history, in­ dustries and attractions. He listed the many agricultural products in which Huron is the highest or second highest producer in Ontario, mentioning the outstanding record of one of the delegation on the plat­ form. Russel Bolton of Seaforth, has won the premier award for hay in world competition for six consecutive years. Pullen described Huron County as the last bastion of pure agriculture in the province. He also paid tribute to the late Gordon McGavin of Walton, for his contribution over the years to plowing competition and the Inter­ national. Gordon was named chairman of the publicity committee for the 1978 match when the original organization was established by the local committee four years ago and his death saddened his many warm friends in the plowing fraternity. The speaker described the soil at the match site as excellent for this purpose, providing the best of conditions for plowing and with good drainage HOWARD DATARS, chairman of the Huron County Local Committee, the active body spon­ soring |he 1978 International, addresses the annual meeting of the IPM in Toronto. He is flank­ ed by the Ontario Queen of the Furrow and Laurie Stafford, Huron Queen. Should be assessed on productive value as a farmer and a council official” said Ginn. Hobby farmers were also a subject of conern. The definition of a farmer is anyone producing over $2,000 in one year is elegible for tax rebate. “I don’t know what the government has in mind but they should raise ‘costs’ and have other criterial for determining farms” said Hannam. “The OFA is using scare tactics on the farmers” said Eilleen Palmer who of Goderich who represented the urban resident. “I support the market assessment and feel that the farmers are capable of forming a decision and making up their own mind- s.” Merle Gunby summed up what many should be thinking about. “This is the best we have come up with yet. Whats the alternative?” said Gunby. “None have been suggested yet.” The OFA needs to know the impact on the communities and has to date not replied characteristics. He con- taxes. Thjs is, known . as . seen as government and formally to the governipejit. eluded with an invitation property tdxJor land use’and —“Ma mnm from all the people of Huron to attend the 1978 IPM and enjoy the hospitality of the county’s friendly residents. The International Plowing Match will be held Sep­ tember 26 to 30. Interior Barn & Shed Whitewashing FORD PAINTING RR 4 Denfield 666-0789 Disinfects, Controls Insects & Disease Have yours done before spring heat. Fully insured. Happy Gang meets Times-Advocate, March 2, 1978 Page 17 The combined fears of government takeover of land in the future and urban residents viewing grant system of taxation as han­ douts to the farmers, were not soothed Monday night. Peter Hannam, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, spoke to a concerned crowd of over 200 people at the Clinton High School, Monday night to explain the OFA policy on the property tax reforms being proposed by the Ontario government. Mr. Hannam and Bill Benson, 2nd vice president of the Federation went over the history of tax reform which started in 1975 with the proposal that government pay 100 percent of the taxes and a leip be put against the land and be payable by the farmer if the farm is taken out of productivity in the following ten years. The Blain report came next and suggested that there were too many uses for the tax funds. Therefore reduce-the needs and then that in turn would lesson the people ser-people tax for vices. A long term would see the education tax from property tax and would involve reform in income tax, property tax, sales tax, corporation tax and everything would have to be assessed and re-divided up. This would take years. “Until people services are taken off of property tax there will remain many inequities”' Hl—“ tax solution removal of said Hannam, Therefore the OFA has suggested a short term alternative until that time.” The OFA wants the farms assessed on productive value determined by the gate to gate sales. This land would be defined as tax free. In farm financial matters farm experience matters . . . and that is just what you can count on, farm financial experience, when you team up with the Royal Bank. Here is FARMPLAN . . . the Royal Bank's financial services package that provides Line-of-Credit Financing including Credit for operating, expansion and improvements. Here is FARMPLAN Creditor Life Insurance, the FARMCHEK Business Record System, FARMPLAN Income Opportunities and total AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT Services. Here too is the ROYFARM MORTGAGE Program. Your Royal Bank manager will be pleased to discuss FARMPLAN and the many other Royal Bank services with you. ROYAL BANK serving Agriculture J.R. (JENE) SELLER Manager, THE ROYAL BANK OF CANADA AGRI-BANK Exeter, Ontario (519)235-2111 The municipality would then take a mill rate for the land total land declared tax free and submit a bill to the province for the taxes. With this proposal there the farmer is not identified with the farm land. One cheque to each municipality would cut costs. Having the land legislated as tax exempt would make it free from being changed by the whim of the government. The farm residence would be taxed just like (everyone else) urban homes with consideration made to location and services. The Rural Ontario Municipality Association assessment department can produce productive values for all farms and can be brought into place as quickly as market value assessment. Benson told the crowd. In Nova Scotia and some of the states have already made farmlands buildings exempt,” Benson said “As long as I pay taxes like every other householder thats ac­ ceptable. Tax exemption is ’ prdvihee^settihg^pribrity in food policy. To the urban consumer this is acceptable only as long as it doesn’t cause a stir on the shelf.” Benson pointed out. The questions from people there ranged from why the need for tax reform to trespassers being hard to take care of. Some people felt there was a thin line between a grant and taxes and felt that in years ahead they would lose ownership of the land. Mr. Hannam pointed that the precidence in courts concerning payment of taxes is lowest indicator of owner­ ship. “Land belongs whoever is named on deed” said Peter. “As to the future, government could take over your land tomorrow. We can anticipate all kinds of fearful possibilities in ten years time. But who’s to say what can happen” Hannam told the crowd. Gerry Ginn, warden for Huron County, was present to comment on the need for grant reform in so that townships would not be paying more. “The OFA proposal is acceptable to me and Mr. out the tee the to the the Church news from Granton At the United Church Rev. Elwood Morden was in charge of the Sunday morning service, which the youth groups attended, Scout, Cubs, C.G.I.T. and Explorers and their leaders. Preceding the children’s story, scouts Jim Kelly and Sandy Westman and Cubs Benny Baker and Steven O’Sullivan took part in a dialogue entitled “something to read.” The scripture lesson Was read by Scout leader Wesely Stanley. Rev. Morden took his sermon from the scripture lesson and entitled it “Never too Late.” The promise from the Cross means life goes on after death, and God’s Kingdom is not something we enter after death, but it is keeping God’s laws and His Love in our hearts and it is never too late to begin now, said the minister. At St. Thomas Anglican Church, Rev. Mary Mills conducted the Sunday morning worship, continuing with her Lenten Series of Sermons on the Book of Revelations. The World Day of Prayer will take place in St. Thomas Church, Friday March 3 at 8 p.m. “No more compromising'' assured Hannam. “We are open to the direction of our membership.” The Huron County Federation will take a vote at a later date as to how they support the proposals. Ask all Wl's to review bylaws By MRS. E. SUMMERS GRANTON Mrs. Gordon Dann kindly offered her home for the February meeting of the Granton W.I. Tuesday af­ ternoon, when Mrs. Austin Hobbs who was tojhave been the hostess was tenable to have the meeting. Mrs. Gordon presided and opened with the Institute Ode followed by the Lord’s Prayer and the Mary Stewart Collect. The roll call was answered with a valentine verse. A letter from the F.W.I.C. vice-president Mrs. Florence Diamond was read. It stressed that all branches review the by-laws and the importance of a unified family structure. It was decided that the W.I. would again be responsible for the Cancer fund canvass in the village of Granton in April, and to hold a pot luck supper and euchre on the evening of March 16' a committee was named to look after arrangements. In place of a program, progressive euchre was enjoyed, prize winners were the following members , high score - Mrs. Norman Riddell, lone hands - Mrs. Henry Wissel, and low score - Mrs. John Stevens, for crokinole Mrs. G. Dann high score and Mrs. R. A. Carson low score. Mrs. A. Hobbs and Mrs. R.A. Carson assisted the hostess to serve lunch. Dann Happy Gang meet The Happy Gang met at the United Church Wed­ nesday evening with Mrs. James Kerr presiding and conducting the business, followed by a sing-song with Mrs. Chas. Gowan at the piano. Euchre and crokinole were enjoyed. Lunch was served by Mrs. C. Gowan, Mrs. Wissel, and IV McRobert. 4-H news T|ie third meeting of “Leisure Ladies” 4-H club “Focus on living”, was held at the home of Rosemary Giesen, Thursday evening. The meeting opened with the 4-H pledge and the roll call was answered by telling “what leisure time activity or interest I would like to develop ,” all 14 members were present. There was a discussion on what color to have the book covers and yellow was the decision. Plans were made to and showed them how to have a field trip to Jack plant and care for it. Miner’s bird sanctuary at a Following this the members cost of $4.50 per person for settled down to finish their bus fare. At the last 4-H Club “The Cereal Shelf" the members had an exhibit at Achiev- ment Day, “Featuring Wheat,” and this has been chosen to be put on display at the farm show in London. 1 Mr. & Mrs. Geisen showed members all the beautiful plants in their home and Mr. Geisen gave each girl a slip quilting, and get started on their crochet. The next meeting will take place at the home of Cathy Riddell, March 29 at 7 p.m. Personals John Herbert, Glyn Knapman and Chad Anderson were guests at Teddy Hall’s birthday party Friday evening. Mrs. Ethel Squire who I celebrated her 80th birthday, February 12 was honored with a dinner party by her grandson and family, Mr. & Mrs, Grant Hodgins, also a dinner at the home of her granddaughter Mrs. Larry Kilpatrick and family, and by other members of her family and friends at her home in London. Peter Westman is recovering from an injury to both his feet as the result of a fall from one of the metal silos at the fertilizer plant. r FRIENDLY SERVICE QUALITY CARPETS, VINYLS AND CUSTOM DRAPERIES WILLINGNESS TO HELP AND GOOD AFTER SALE SERVICE That’s how we compete with the big “discount” carpet chains with all their fantastic claims. 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Thur*., March 9*h 1:30 TO 4:00 See the equipment and enjoy coffeo and donuts. • TILL ? Enjoy the films, see the equipment and have lunch. BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY