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Home My WebLink AboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1983-07-13, Page 4news a, Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, July 13, 1983—Page 4 Huron county council support farm tax rebate alternatives By Stephanie Levesque The approval June 27 of a report by the Huron Federation of Agriculture's task force on the farm tax rebate wasn't without tense moments as ' name calling and restrained tempers surfaced. While numerous topics were discussed at the meeting of federation directors, the audience was waiting specifically for the directors to deal with the tax report. The report was amended and approved, but first federation president, Tony McQuail had to clarify that the task force was formed after the March members' meeting at Blyth Public School. The main objective was to look for alternatives to the government's proposed 100 per cent tax rebate on farm land and buildings. It was also noted that the task force was a separate entity from the vote taken in the spring whereby the majority of Huron federation members voted in opposi- tion to 100 per cent farm tax rebate. The thrust of the task force's report is the idea of legislating the present 50 per 'cent farm tax rebate until a program, can be developed which would include either the rebating or removal of education taxes on farm land and buildings. The report also calls for a farm house to be assessed as a rural residence, farm land and buildings to be assessed on their productive value, and farm residences to be taxed on the same basis as other rural residences receiving the same services, including educational taxes. The concept of an acre of land under a farm residence being assessed separately for tax purposes is considered "unacceptable" in the task force's report. The original report called legislating the 50 per cent rebate a "satisfactory alter- native". This was amended at the directors' meeting to say the rebate would be satisfactory until a program incorporating the other suggestions previously mentioned can be developed. Federation member Doug Garniss said he was concerned about the original wording. "We're putting ourselves in the position that that's all we'll ever get," said Garniss, who initially called for omitting the legislating idea. But amending the report was considered better than omitting the idea. George Underwood of Wingham, a strong opposer to the proposed 100 per cent farm tax rebate, thanked the federation for the opportunity to prepare the report. "Our concern is reflected across Ont- ario," said Underwood. Once the report was approved, Clete Dalton of R. R. 3 Goderich called for the directors going to the July meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture in Toronto to vote in opposition to the government's proposal. The OFA will be holding a vote on the proposal during which time votes such as the one held in Huron this past spring will be considered. McQuail explained the county federation could not dictate to the regional directors, noting that they are accountable to federa- tion members at the regional meetings. The regional directors will be elected at a meeting September 8 at Londesboro Public School. Dalton continued to press for stipulating how the dorectors should vote and suggested the Huron federation get to other counties and speak in opposition to the proposed tax rebate. Merle Gunby of R. R. 1 Dungannon, a regional director, admitted Dalton was probably referring to him when he asked for stipulations on how directors should vote at the July meeting. "If you're going to direct the directors, you don't need a provincial organization," said Gunby, adding that the issue will be debated in Toronto and a decision to either support or oppose the government's propos- al will be made. Debate ensued with McQuail concluding time shouldn't be wasted now that the task force's report has been accepted. "I'd hate to see us get back into divisive, negative debate," said McQuail. Federation approves report from tax rebate task force By Stephanie Levesque Huron County Council, in a 16 to 12 vote, has agreed to support the farm tax rebate alternatives as presented by the Huron Federation of Agriculture's task force. At its July 7 meeting, coun- ty council agreed with the six recommendations which include legislating the pre- sent 50 per cent rebate or in- corporating a program of sr ggested alternatives. The vote was close as council representatives from Huron's urban centres ex- pressed concern for the wor- ding of the following recom- mendation: "Educational taxes on all farm land and farm buildings should either be removed or rebated." "I see a shift from rural land to urban homes and businesses," said Exzter Reeve Bill Mickle. "Being from an urban centre I will vote against this. I have not been shown that to remove education taxes from farms would not increase it (the tax) to urban ratepayers." Hay Township Reeve Lionel Wilder suggested Reeve Mickle look at recom- mendation number four which indicates rural residences will be paying education taxes. Reeve Mickle pointed out that the farm buildings are a part of the industry of agriculture and if education taxes are removed, urban in- dustries will want the same consideration. "It's an alternative that could happen," said Reeve Mickle, adding, "the word `removed' scares me." Those voting for the recommendations were: Ashfield Reeve J. F. Austin, Colborne Township Reeve Russell Kernighan, Goderich Township Reeve Grant Stirling, Grey Township Reeve Leona Arm- strong, Hay Township Reeve Lionel Wilder, Hay Township Deputy Reeve Tony Bedard, Howick Township Reeve Bill Newton, Hullett Township Reeve Tom Cunningham, McKillop Township Reeve Marie Hicknell, Morris Township Reeve William Elston, Stanley Township Reeve Paul Steckle, Stephen Township Deputy Reeve Ralph Weber, Usborne Township Reeve Gerry Pro- ut, East Wawanosh Township Reeve Neil Vin- cent, West Wawanosh Township Reeve James Ait- chison and Blyth Reeve Tom Cronin. Those voting against the recommendations were: Tuckersmith Township Reeve Robert Bell, Goderich Deputy Reeve Jim Britnell, Clinton Reeve Ernest Brown, Seaforth Reeve William Campbell, Exeter Deputy Reeve Lossy Fuller, Bayfield Reeve David Johnston, Wingham Reeve Joe Kerr, Exeter Reeve Bill Mickle, Zurich Reeve Don Van Patter, Stephen Township Reeve Alan Walper and Goderich Reeve Harry Worsell with two votes. Absent when the vote was taken were Hensall Reeve Harry Klungel, Brussels Reeve Calvin Krauter and Turnberry Township Reeve Brian McBurney. A Glimpse of the Past available now... •from page 1 The historical book contains 275 pages of history of Lucknow, both early history and updated history of the last twenty-five years since the last history book was printed on the occasion of Lucknow's Centennial. There are 175 pictures in the book, many of them of school classes and sporting groups in the last thirty years, as well as other of an older vintage. The mail orders should be sent to Don Thompson, Box 38. Lucknow. Ontario. NOG 2HU. The Mayfair Lottery Club won a 1983 Ford Escort in a recent Super Loto draw. Four club members, from the left, Ron Alton, Stu Reavie, Brad Petteplace and Al Hamilton are shown with the car which the club plans to sell dividing the proceeds among the members. Hospital must sell need for expansion •from page 2 Since things are slow economically, some have questioned the timing of the project, he said. However, it is precisely because things are slow that this is a good time to do it, he explained. Contractors are "hungry" and it is possible to save 25 per cent or more on construction costs. He also said the survey report is quite positive that, if the board can make its case in the community, it will get the required support. "It isn't that its not there. I think there is a lot of support there if we can find out how to tap it.'' He said he expects the management committee and the board will meet during- the uringthe early part of the summer to discuss the report and decide on the next step. Normally the board does not meet during the summer, following its inaugural meeting. The hospital board has been counting on raising at least $300,000 from the community toward the expansion project, which it is estimated will cost about $1.4 million. Additional funds will come from the Ministry of Health ($250,000), Huron County ($93,750), Bruce County ($23,450), the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation ($50,000), with the balance to be provided by the hospital through its capital reserves and a bank loan if necessary. The expansion, a single storey wing at the south end of the building, and renovations to . the existing building, would enlarge and update the facilities for the emergency, outpatient and x-ray departments. Pick a Panel and dit PRE-FINSIHED WALL PANELS 1'111(1. PM 4 ' 8 P.V I.1 Knotty Oak OVERLAY PANELS $ 1 4 95 ALSO COLOURED NAILS ANO MATCHING VINYL MOULDING • ert ti vrk d' lrra�f�6. 11 PER PANEL 1 w HENDERSON r 1 • • SAKRETE READY TO USE CEMENT MIX Concrete Mix - Mortar Mix - Sand Mix Care BUILDING CENTRE JOHN W. HENDERSON LTD. LUCKNOW ONT BUSINESS HOURS MON. TO FRI. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. SAT. 8 a.m. TO NOON 528-3118