The Rural Voice, 1990-02, Page 67HURON
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0
519-482-9642
* The Rural Voice is provided to all farmers
in Huron County by the HCFA.
Huron County Federation of Agri-
culture Board of Directors Meeting,
January 10, 1990, Central Huron Sec-
ondary School, 8:30 p.m., 33 present. —
President Chris welcomed everyone
to the meeting. All present broke up into
committees to discuss plans for the
coming year as pertaining to their com-
mittee. Anyone present who was not on
a certain committee could sit in on a
committee of his or her choice or join
one for the year. After45 minutes we re -
adjourned to the board meeting format.
The minutes of the last board meet-
ing were read by the secretary, approved
on a motion by Bob Harrison, and sec-
onded by Paul Klopp. Carried.
Bills: Clinton Commercial Printers
(office supplies), $107.37, passed on a
motion by Alan Willits, seconded by
Harry Dougall. Carried.
Correspondence:
1. letter from the Maitland Valley
Conservation Authority informing us of
a public meeting in Seaforth on January
31 — on long-term studies of pollution
levels and sources: private septic sys-
tems, cattle access to streams and rivers,
manure spreading and storage, and
milkhouse waste disposal.
2. reply from the OFA as to the two
resolutions from Huron County that
were passed at the OFA December
board meeting.
1. "Whereas the Ministry of Trans-
portation for Ontario has erected large
green signs marking township conces-
sion roads and other highway informa-
tion, and Whereas these signs are so
close to the corners that they create a
blind spot for drivers attempting to cross
the provincial highway or to turn onto
the highway, THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that, for the sake of safety,
the OFA pressure the MTO to request
the relocation of these signs back from
the corners and also at a greater distance
from the edge of the road."
2. "Whereas farmers want a tax sys-
tem based on ability to pay, and people
pay for service to people, property pays
for service to property, and Whereas the
previous rebate program was accepted
in lieu of such a system, the recent gov-
emment action has left it insecure, un-
fair, and unacceptable, THEREFORE
64 THE RURAL VOICE
BE IT RESOLVED that the HCFA
strongly support the OFA in its efforts to
press the Ontario government to re -in-
troduce a fair and equitable property tax
system or re -introduce a property tax
rebate on all farm land used in agricul-
tural production."
3. letter from Murray Cardiff's of-
fice with copies of "Growing Together"
booklets to pass out.
4. letter from Brigid with the de-
scriptions of duties of the three OFA
presidents.
5. letter from Wellington County ad-
vising us of their support to the Wright
situation. At this time they have no extra
funds but intend to forward a donation as
soon as possible. Two resolutions from
Wellington County were also intro-
duced in this package. Due to some
changes in the Wright situation, these
resolutions will be dealt with at a later
date when more details are released. We
are at present waiting details, but New
Life Feeds has settled. Monies donated
to date will be returned with an explana-
tory thank you letter. Motion by Bob
Harrison, seconded by Larry Plaetzer.
Lobbying Seminar: Thursday, Janu-
ary 18, 1990 at the Clinton Legion, 9:30
to 3:30.
John Gaunt was appointed as the
representative from the HCFA to the
Huron Soil and Water Conservation
District, replacing John Underwood.
This involves approximately three
meetings a year.
MP Dinner: Carol is to check with
Jack Riddell and Murray Cardiff to see
if March 10 or March 17 would be
suitable for them for the annual dinner.
Crop Insurance: A resolution was
presented on crop insurance. After
much discussion a motion was made by
Paul Klopp, seconded by Bob Down, to
refer it to a future board meeting after the
main Crop Insurance Committee has
met. Carried.
Reports from Committees:
Membership Committee: Chair-
person Jeanne Kirkby • it is important to
retain members • it is important to in-
volve members • it is important to thank
members for help of any kind. The
committee feels that if the regional di-
rector from each area chooses one town-
ship to stress membership in, having a
lineman on every line, the lineman
should know what to do — a yearly visit
to every member in the township and it
is hoped that the county will be able to
provide the finances to supply brackets
to give each member an OFA gate sign.
Trade and Finance Committee:
Chairman Paul Klopp • will be looking
at GST • will study free trade • interest
rates • bank charges • new long-term
plan similar to OFFIRR
Environment Committee: Chair-
man Doug Gamiss • municipal waste •
agricultural pesticides • packaging
changes to improve recycling and re-
using • soil erosion and nutrient loss
Properties and Land Use Commit-
tee: Chairman Chris Palmer — Topics
discussed: • urbanites coming to farm
communities • severances • right to farm
legislation • code of practice • urban
influence in local politics (non -farmers
versus farmers) • HCFA Land Use Pol-
icy to be revamped (last update 1978) •
define absentee/foreign ownership •
conservation -erosion control • will
sponsor a monthly meeting this year. A
possible speaker was discussed —
George Penfold from the University of
Guelph. He is well -versed on zoning
and planning (study on urban planning).
Program and Public Relations
Committee: Chairperson Brenda Mc-
Intosh • next members meeting will be
hosted by the Program Committee —
the Goods and Services Tax with John
McNeilly, CA, Exeter • Environment
Committee will host the March mem-
bers meeting • hope to have four mem-
bers meetings before seeding time • will
plan annual meeting in fall and assist
regional directors to plan regional meet-
ing in September.
Adjournment was at 10:55 p.m.0
HCFA MEMBERS MEETING
Wednesday, February 7, 1990
8:30 p.m. at the CHSS cafeteria, Clinton
TOPIC: GOOD AND SERVICES TAX
Guest:: John McNeilly, CA, of
Norris, Homuth, Taylor, Pinder and
McNeilly, Exeter
Everyone Welcome