The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2007-10-25, Page 33Glenn Ross, an agricultureenvironmental officer with theMinistry of Environment tried to puta friendlier face on the job often referred to in the rural community as “the manure police” when he spoke to Morris-Turnberry council, Oct. 16. Ross explained he’d grown up on a farm in the Teviotdale area and after working for the MOE for years, switched over to the agriculture program in 2006. He works out of the London office, covering Huron County and is trying to get around to councils as well as the county’s Water Protection Steering Committee to make local officials aware of his job.Under the Nutrient ManagementAct the Ontario Ministry ofAgriculture, Food and Rural Affairsis in charge of administering theprogram and MOE, of enforcing it. Ross said it is not MOE’s intention to inspect every farm with an NM strategy or plan. Earlier that day he had visited three livestock farms in the area, he said. He hadn’t spent more than two hours on any farm yet. “What we want to achieve is meet with the farmer and find out do they understand their nutrient management strategy,” Ross said. In each case he had made an appointment in advance. “We felt we needed to preschedule the inspection,” Ross said, because oftenfarmers might be at work in thefields or elsewhere and not availableif they pulled a snap inspection. Aswell, with notice farmers are able tobe prepared with their paperwork.“The key is we understand farming is different than other businesses.” MOE inspectors take a risk-based approach, with contamination of surface water being their main area of concern. They also try to pick a cross-section of farms by type and geography. The biggest problem with non- compliance is that virtually no one understands they must do a yearly review and update to their NM strategy, Ross said. Another significant non- compliance issue is the requirementfor a minimum 10-foot buffer stripalong waterways to filter out runofffrom fields, he said.“I think most farmers just need ahalf hour with someone like me,” hesaid. “In most cases farmers have got it (the NM strategy and plan) because they had to, not because they want to.” They got a binder from the consultant who did the NM planning for them but don’t follow up. Another problem, he said, is that when he has made an inspection and found deficiencies, often farmers don’t follow up to report that the work has been done to resolve thedeficiencies.Still, he said, the compliance ratehas been high. In an inspectiontargeted on 16 livestock farms in theBayfield River watershed, there wasalmost 100 per cent compliance, he said. Ross said he hoped there would be an attitude change between farmers and the MOE. “For 30 years the only time farmers had contact with us was when they were in trouble (such as after a manure spill),” he said. “Now we’re visiting farms that have spent a lot of money to have everything right.” THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007. PAGE 33. At its Oct. 2 meeting, Huron East council accepted the tender from McLaughlin Chevrolet Ltd in the amount of $29,536 for a new 2008 3/4-ton extended cargo van for the municipality’s water department. The tenders were initially called in May, with a possibility of three different options. However, in June, council motioned to re-tender, specifically for the 3/4-ton extended cargo van. *** Council accepted the tender put forth by New Holland of $69,895 for a new 2007/2008 rubber-tired tractor loader backhoe equipped with four- wheel-drive. Tenders were received with a deadline of noon on Sept. 25. New Holland’s was the lowest of the five tenders. Council had already budgeted for this item, setting aside $60,000, which at the time, was an estimate. *** Council approved $532,617.76 in accounts payable. *** In a letter to clerk-administrator Jack McLachlan, the municipality of Central Huron withdrew from the Seaforth fire area agreement. This will be effective Dec. 31. They will be entering a new agreement for the provision of fee for fire service to the area. Central Huron council also suggested that Huron East consider a similar reciprocal agreement themselves with their fire area. *** Ownership of the Walton ball park was transferred from the Walton area sports club to the municipality of Huron East in late September, with council receiving notification, and accepting the committee’s request at this meeting. M-T hears from MOE’s ag environment officer Business Directory Offering a full range of services: auditing, accounting, business planning, income tax planning, personal financial planning, computer and management services. BDO Dunwoody, LLP Chartered Accountants and Advisors Alan P. Reed, CA P.O. Box 1420, 152 Josephine St., Wingham, ON N0G 2W0 areed@bdo.ca 519-357-3231 Offices throughout Ontario and Canada Frank Workman Electric 20 years serving Brussels & area •Farm •Home •Commercial R.R. #3, Brussels 519-887-6867 PAUL COOK ELECTRIC Home, Farm & Commercial Wiring BELGRAVE 519-357-1537 Affordable CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS Large & Small Trucks fridgecarts - piano dollys- moving blankets Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement Passenger Vans full size or mini STRICKLANDS 344 Huron Rd. 519-524-9381 GODERICH 1-800-338-1134 P.O. B OX 127 145 MAIN STREET EAST LISTOWEL, ONTARIO N4W 3H2 PHONE: 519-291-3040 Fax: 519-291-1850 Email: wuca@w-u.on.ca Visit our website www.wardanduptigrove.com TRUCK & TRAILER SERVICE Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7-5; Sat. 8-1 • Fully Licenced Truck & Trailer Mechanics • Truck, Trailer & Bus Safety Certifications • All Heavy Truck & Trailer Repairs BLYTH 519-523-9681 1-800-276-4163 24 hours 519-524-0599 Truck & Trailer Repair Facility Supplier of quality parts for trucks, trailers & equipment ~ Light truck & car parts ▼▼▼▼▼▼ 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 404 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 Drop by our offices and see our wonderful selection of books. NEW CONSTRUCTION AGRICULTURAL RENOVATIONS RESIDENTIAL C a l l 519-527-1538 Tarion Home Warranty Builders “Locally owned & operated” P.O. Box 69 470 Turnberry Steet Brussels, ON N0G 1H0 (519) 887-6100 Fax: (519) 887-6109 e-mail:dsholdice@himginsurance.com There is something for everyone The Citizen COURTNEY & DELIVERIES CourtneyMoving &Deliveries Clean and reliable delivery and moving service for Blyth and surrounding area. Hourly and flat rates available. Call for a free quote 519-523-9108 519-440-1108 We have solutions for your storage needs. Great for home, office & business. Ask for Ken at LAKESIDE 519-524-1740 Storage Solutions In stock used Pallet Racking, used decking steel & 4'x8' T&G fir plywood.Store:519-524-1024 Office:519-440-0290 pupilspurchase@hurontel.on.ca Fax:519-524-1023 36 North St., Goderich By Keith RoulstonThe Citizen Huron East council briefs Council accepts tender Morris-Turnberry councillors decided to delay approval of the tiered-response agreement with the Blyth and District Fire Area Board at their Oct. 16 meeting. Councillor Bill Thompson said he didn’t like the idea that some departments serving the municipality were offering services that others didn’t (Wingham does not have first response for medical emergencies). “It would be a hard thing to take away from those who have it,” warned councillor Paul Gowing. Councillor Lynn Hoy pointed out that people served by the Blyth department are in a much different situation than those nearer to Wingham which has a faster response time by ambulance because of having a station located there. Councillors eventually agreed to defer approval until after its meeting with Jamie Zimmerman of the Ontario Fire Marshall’s office which had been planned to discuss redesignation of fire area boundaries between the Blyth, Brussels and Wingham fire departments. M-T councillors delay tiered-response approval By Keith Roulston The Citizen CCllaassssiiffiieedd aaddvveerrttiisseemmeennttss ppuubblliisshheedd iinn TThhee CCiittiizzeenn aavvaaiillaabbllee oonn oouurr wweebbssiittee aatt wwwwww..nnoorrtthhhhuurroonn..oonn..ccaa