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The Rural Voice, 2001-09, Page 6BARN RENOVATIONS • Renovations to farm buildings • Concrete Work • Manure Tanks • Using a Bobcat Skid Steer w/hydraulic hammer, bucket, six -way blade & backhoe BEUERMANN CONSTRUCTION R . #5 BRUSSELS 519-887-9598 The Clear Choice For,Unmatched Trenching Power and Productivity. • 13 h.p. • trench 3' deep 6" wide • perfect for drainage tile, hydro lines, water pipes ra Ditch Witch. Sfc. % RYS RENTAL 19 Industrial Rd., St. Marys S (519) 284-4544 2 THE RURAL VOICE Feedback Gay Lea Foods committed to rural communities On behalf of Gay Lea Foods Co- operative Limited I would like to respond to Keith Roulston's column, "Paying the price for reorganizing society", July 2001, about the "changes that are taking place" in our small-town society. There are a few errors contained in the column. First, the head office for Gay Lea Foods Co-operative Limited is located in Weston and not in Mississauga as stated. Second, Gay Lea Foods is committed to its rural roots and its producer members. Although it is true that the majority of our production facilities are located in Metropolitan Toronto and Guelph, we still maintain a viable and important operation in Teeswater. Gay Lea Foods, as the third owner of the Teeswater Creamery, continues the tradition of being the oldest operating creamery in Ontario. We continue to make considerable capital investment to our facility as an ongoing commitment to this site. We provide employment and career opportunities all at fair wages. Third, Gay Lea Foods is committed to our rural communities. As a co-operative, we are not part of the "big -box" invasion. We are owned and operated by our local producer members who possess a high level of commitment to their communities. Whether it's through support of local sports teams, donations to community projects, the sponsorship of awards at countless farm shows, the supplying of door prizes to local fundraising efforts, or our ongoing support to 4-H, Gay Lea Foods consistently demonstrates our commitment to our communities. Lastly, our producer members, our elected delegates, directors and chairman of the board are all a viable part of our rural community. Through their leadership at Gay Lea Foods, or in other local co-operatives or other organizations they continue their, and our commitment to our community. The concern that you raise with regard to the changes in our small - towns is a real one. Many of our urban communities face the same challenges as larger and larger organizations invade and destroy the sense of community. Gay Lea Foods is committed to a viable rural community, and we will continue to be part of the solution through our investment and support.0 Michael Barrett Vice -President of Human Resources and Member Relations Research extensive on Bt effect on Monarchs Jeffery Carter is misinformed about Bt corn. Mr. Carter (August 2001) implies that the current University of Guelph research is the first study of the effects of Bt corn on monarch butterflies. During licensing of and registration of the Bt trait, the effects on these insects were extensively studied and the conclusion at that time (early to mid -80s) was that any possible negative effects were negligible. The current U. of G. research (and many other current studies being done at the university and government levels) was initiated after a Cornell University (1999) study that said there were possible major effects on the monarch butterfly. It is unfair of Mr. Carter to imply that the current studies were the only studies that had been done and that researchers are late in looking at this issue. Mr. Carter completely ignores the data produced at licensing and registration (before Bt corn was released) regarding this possible problem.