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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-03-16, Page 1vat OW SENTINEL Lueknow Jamboree 83 angle copy 3Se Published hi l.u+ kuow, Ontario Wednesday, March 16, 1983 Skaters do well at Interclub. Members of the Lucknow Figure Skating Club participated in the Interclub Figure Skating Club held March b at the Mitchell Arena. The day long competition was hosted by the Mitchell Figure Skating Ctub this year and saw 13 dubs from Huron and Perth counties participate, Lucknow skaters taking part includ- ed Janine Helm and Shauna Andrew who skated in the ladies similar preliminary dance event; Dana Hum- phrey and Jill Clmpbell, ladies similar pairs preliminary dance and Heather Priestap and Tracy Steer, ladies similar pairs preliminary dance. Dana Humphrey and Tracy Steer also skated in the juvenile ladies interpretive freestyle event, Dana placed ninth in her flight and Tracy placed sixth. Leisa Rau participated in the junior ladies prepared freestyle event taking first in her flight and first in the finals to win the Junior Ladies Prepared Solo award. She also skated in the junior ladies interpretive freestyle event taking second place in her flight and first in the finals to win the Mary Barth Interpretive Freestyle award. The presenter of the award, Shirley Barth ol: Kitchener, a former Interclub chairman, also presents bouquets of flowers to the first, second and third place winners in the interpretive event. Federation opposes tax rebate proposal By Stephanie Levesque The Huron County Federation of Agriculture is opposed to the proposed farm tax program, although not unanimously. A lengthy meeting was held in Blyth on March 3 as county federation members spoke for and against the provincial government's proposed tax rebate program, Effective in 1984, the program would enable farmers to apply for 100 per cent rebate of their farm land, while paying 100 per cent tax on their homes and farm buildings, The pro- posal also allows for a 50 per cent rebate for the land on which the buildings are located, At present farmers may apply for a 50 per cent rebate on their entire propery. Wingham area farmer Jim Arm- strong said he is opposed to the principle of the tax rebate. He called farmers "stewards of the land" and has fears for the right to private land ownership if the program becomes fact, "I want to Clear a point," added Armstrong, "at no point did 1 want to divide the federation (of agriculture), But I am very, very concerned that the federation has gone along with this program." OFA regional director Merle Gunby of R. R. 1 Dungannon said he resents charges made that the federation is putting something over its members, He said the question of farm tax rebates has been discussed at least three times in the past few years. "The government is not paying our taxes. 1 don't consider it a privilege to pay taxes, but an obligation," said. Gunby. "I agree it is a privilege to live in this country and pay a fair share which this policy allows," Gunby added that voting against the farm tax proposal will "discredit your organization in the eyes of the govern- ment". Numerous farmers said they were willing to pay their fair share to the government for services they receive, but don't want the government to have control over their land, Adrian Vos from the Blyth area said he sensed the discussion at the meet- ing was more emotional than rational, He suggested that those farmers who don't want the rebate shouldn't apply for it, Huron federation president Tony McQuail caled for the farm community. to work together and not spend a lot of time arguing amongst itself. "I think our strength as farmers depends on our ability to work to- gether," said McQuail, After considerable discussion, a re- solution was approved calling for the Huron federation to establish a task force to set up an alternative to the present 50 per cent rebate. Federation members were asked to indicate a willingness to sit on the task force which will Ile getting under way in the near future. Concerned about farmers' credibility Merle Gunby, Ontario Federation of Agriculture director, is concerned that the Huron federation has decided to oppose the proposed farm tax rebate program. He resents the implication that the OFA is trying to put some- thing over on its members, The federation has been negotiating for a more secure method of fairly levying municipal taxes in rural Ontario for close to 10 years and Gunhy fears that the "vocal fringe" will destroy the federation's credibility in the eyes of the government. Gunby says the federation has looked at the proposal long and hard and if the government throws up its hands in despair because of the reaction from the federation members, it will mean another long 10 years of negotiating. Effective in 1984, the program will enable farmers to apply for 100 per cent rebate of their farm land taxes, while paying 100 per cent tax on their homes and farm buildings. The propo- sal also allows for 50 per cent rebate for the land on which the buildings are located. At present farmers may apply for a 50 per cent rebate on their entire property. There are several advantages to the proposal, says Gunby, The proposal will reduce market value effect on farmers' assessment, according to Gunby, because the assessment crit- eria of market value is farmer to farmer sales only. Assessment should be based on the productive value of land, says Gunby, but taking produc- tive value as being farmer to farmer sales, this will reduce the market value effect. Secondly the proposal will equalize farmer to non -farmer payment for services, Without the rebate, a farmer with 100 acres is paying more for basically the same services as a retired farmer who lives in a house on a two acre lot, The proposal when passed into legislation will give the security of legislated policy that the 50 per cent rebate program did not have, because it was an order in council which must be renewed each year and could be changed or discontinued at the whim of cabinet. The 50 per cent rebate was orginally introduced as a temporary measure because the O1 A was able to persuade the government that farmers were paying an inordinate share of Turn to page 7• Parrish is key to Leafs'piayoffdrive Editor's notes The following story about Dave Fairish was published in the Saturday, March 12 issue of the Toronto Star, Featuring two photographs of Parrish, it was prominently displayed on the front page of the Star weekend sports section. Parrish played his minor hockey in Lucknow and Kincardine before play- ing in Sudbury. The Sentinel pub- lishes the article here so that Dave's fans at home can read about his success before returning to the NHL ranks this season. Parrish Key Man In Lears Playoff Drive .1 he championship ring sits prom- inently on Dave Farrish's finger, a testimonial that in one season of his roller coaster career as a professional hockey player, he was one of the best. " The merit of that ring - presented to the New Brunswick Hawks, kings of the American League in the 1981-82 season - could be questioned by a cyn- ic, of course, but Farrish wears it as proudly as an Olympic gold medal or a Stanley Cup memento. To him, what the ring really represents is a ticket back to the National Hockey League, although the train was derailed temporarily en route. But in painting out specifics in Maple Leafs' overall improvement in a modest resurgence towards respccta• Farrish's recall to the team's defence from the miinors and the stability, positive attitude and gungho he added to the team is on equal footing with any other factor. Veterans Lase Out Parrish was dispatched to New Brunswick after training camp in '81 because the Leafs wanted to re- construct their defence with teenagers - ,lim Benning. Hob McGill and Fred Boimistruck. That meant the veterans - Parrish, Dave Shand, Slava burls and, eventually, lan Turnbull - were moved out. The Leaf thinking was that while the young players would have growing problems, they upgraded considerably the club's long-range potelitial. Turn to page S• +t1 paw V gamfi. a •Wcs.,'\' . :Zk` Atiatt Leisa Rau of Lucknow won two awards at the lnterelub Figure Skating Competition held March 6 In Mitchell. L,teis* won the Junior Ladles Prepared Solo trophy for plseing first in the event and the Mary Barth award for placing Bret to the Junior Ladles interpretive Freestyle event. A bouquet of spry flowers was presented to the first, second and third place winners in the Interpretive event by the presenter of the Maty Barth award, Shirley Barth, a former Chairman of lnterelub Skating Group. Leisa Is the student of Kerry Leitch and Lott' Baler of Preston and skates out of the Lueknow Figure Skating Club as her home Club. (Sentinel Staff Photo) in the news Bowis in Toronto Tracey Livingston of Ashfield Township competed in the Junior Girls division of the Ontario Youth Bowling finals on the weekend. The event took place at the Parkway Bowlarama in Toronto. Tracey bowled a 571 triple flat and reports having a great time. Fire destroys barn Fire destroyed a hog barn on the farm of Allan and Debbie Rhody, concession 10, Kinloss Township, March 9. No one was injured in the blaze which also destroyed some hugs and a truck parked near the barn; Lucknow District Fire Department was called to the scene but could not save the barn, They did prevent the fire from spreading to the Rhody house and another barn close by. Cause of the fire is unknown and the estimate of damage is not available. Try Harris play Buichers This Saturday will see the Holyrood Butchers and the CKNX Try Hards match up again for their 3rd annual hockey game, in the Lucknow Arena, sponsored by the Aluewater Shrine Club. Dr. Mark Raithhv is the president and this year's game is spearheaded by Ron Forster, 1981 Tammy. 5 -year-old Debbie Boyce of (loderich, will he in attendance at the gatre. There will be door prizes and a draw for a hind quartet of heel. Come out and support this worthwhile cause. Proceeds go to hospital for crippled and burn children supported by the Shrine club.