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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1986-11-26, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1986. Support Federation, Pyke tells McKillop Twp. farmers In order to have an effective voice in the future of Canadian agriculture, farmers must be prepared to commit their support to their Federation of Agriculture, as well as to be prepared to endure a little short-term pain for long­ term gain. That was the message from Brigid Pyke, first vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agricul­ ture and contender for president Harry Pelissero’s crown at this week’s OFA convention, speaking to a packed audience at the McKillop Federation of Agricul­ ture annual meeting and dinner in St. Columban on November 18. Speaking without notes, she told the predominantly farmer audi­ ence that although the OFA can count only 24,000 members, it continually lobbies on behalf of all Ontario farmers, and needs the support of them all in order to wield the maximum clout with govern­ ment. “Some people think the OFA deals only with farm problems and problem farmers,” she said, ‘‘and when you get into this sort of bunker mentality, it’s hard to see anything hopeful at all.” ‘‘Butthatthe Federation exists, and that so many are willing to give so much time to trying to find solutions, is an indication that there are solutions (to farm problems.)” As an example of how the Federation works for all farmers, Ms. Pyke told of the organization’s recent meeting with federal fin­ ance minister Michael Wilson, lobbying for the retention of the Investment Tax Credit legislation. McKillop Federation names executive The executive and line directors of the McKillop Twp. Federation of Agriculture were elected at the organization’s annual meeting in St. Columban on November 18. Past president of the Huron Federation Doug Garniss conduct­ ed the election. Leon Maloney of RR 1, Dublin was elected president, replacing Bill Murray, of RR 5, Dublin, who declined to stand for a second term. Ken Scott of RR 2, Seaforth was re-elected to the position of first vice-president, and will serve as the township’s delegate to the county federation. TomRyanofRRl.Dublinwas elected second vice-president after Francis Hunt of RR 4, Walton declined a nomination from the floor. Christa Eckert of RR 1, Seaforth, was re-appointed secretary­ treasurer by the new executive. Line directors were elected as follows: Concession 1, McKillop Twp., Kevin Kale, RR 5, Seaforth, and Andrew Davidson, RR 2, Seaforth; Cone. 2 and 3, Ken Scott and Bill Murray; Cone. 4 and 5, Leon Maloney and Francis Hick- nell, RR 5, Seaforth; Cone. 6 and 7, Tom Ryan and Brad Campbell, RR 1, Dublin; Cone. 8 and 9, Art Bolton, and Wayne Hoegy, both RR 1, Dublin; Cone. 10 and 11, Bruce Whitemore, RR 4, Walton, and Francis Hunt; Cone. 12and 13, Bob Robinson, RR 4, Walton; and Cone. 14, Mervin Smith, RR 1, Walton. Brigid Pyke, first vice-president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and contender for the president’s seat at the election this week, was the guest speaker. She congratulated the township feder­ ation on an excellent turnout to its annual meeting, saying “It’s good to see an organization this active.” “Hehasa'hitlist’ of options, with an ‘either/or’ choice attach­ ed: would you rather lose this or that? One of the things on this list is the ITC,” she explained. She said that since Canadian farmers use 80 per cent of all the ITCgranted, ifthelegislationis cancelled, it will “suck $100 million a year right out of your pockets. ” Later.inanswertoa question from Walton-area farmer Mervin Smith about the distribution of $1 billion in farm aid recently promis­ ed by federal Minister of Agricul­ ture John Wise, she said that the OFA had come out strongly in support of aid to all grain farmers, including feed producers. ‘.‘I think our position on this really shook him,” she said. She warned farmers that if the OFA was to continue as a powerful organization, it would have to receive better funding from its members, in terms of a higher annual membership fee. She said that the OFA is facing an overall deficit of more than $200,000 this year, brought about by $33,000 less income and $153,000 more in expenses than had been projected, but added that if the membership fee had been raised by only $5 per member for the past two years, the revenue generated would have surpassed $237,000, more than enough to cover the present debt. She also told farmers that the Ontario Farm Machinery Agency, a subsidiary wholly owned by the OFA for the purpose of supplying machiner parts to members at a competitive retail rate, currently owes the OFA more than $115,000, and that members had a “use it or lose it’’ choice in regard to the service. If elected president at this week’s convention in Toronto, Ms. Pyke indicated that she would support a resolution from Essex County calling for a major re-struc- turing of the OFA by calling for the organization to select only three major issues each year to deal with, delegating lesser issues to commit­ tees. That resolution, she pointed out, is an indication of how frustrated farmers are with the present structure of the federation. “They 1986 Marquis, 4 dr., V6, air conditioning 1985 Pontiac Parisienne, 4 dr., air conditioning 1984 Buick Park Avenue, 4 dr., loaded 1983 Ford Crown Victoria, 4 dr. 1982 Cutlass Supreme Brougham, 4 dr., air 1982 Ford F150 Super Cab 1982 Chev. 1/2 ton pickup 1981 Dodge 1/2 ton, 6 cyl., with 0/D trans. 1981 Datsun 510 Stationwagon 1979 Cutlass Station Wagon 1979 Ford LTD II, 4 dr. 1979 Olds Regency 98, 4 dr., loaded Hamm’s Car Sales Blyth 523-4342 feel we are spread too thin - that we are unable (under the present structure) to hit the topics that count with enough strength.” She also said that she would fully support the debt review issue, insistingthatifthe government Debt Review Board proves ineffec­ tive, the OFA “would have no choice but to continue to press for changes to the Federal Bankruptcy Act, to change the way people go broke.” ‘ ‘I find it unacceptable that farm assets can be sold at 50 cents on the dollar, with the bankrupt farmer having no opportunity to buy these assets back at that level,’’ she declared. Ms. Pyke made no apology for openly running for election against the incumbent president, an action that has caused some controversy at the federal executive level. “1 think that people have to realize that (an open election) is a good thing, so they can talk about the issues and decide which direction they want the federation to go, not just get down to it the night before the election.” The OFA convention takes place November 24 - 26. Christa Eckert, secretary-treasurer of the McKil­ lop Federation, said Friday, her directors have not expressed a preference for either candidate at this point. 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