The Rural Voice, 1997-01, Page 55RAINY RIVER
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Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER ' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
December 7, 1996.
By the time you read this, Christmas
festivities will have come and gone, but
at this moment everyone is rushing to
get their shopping and special baking
done. Let's not forget the real meaning
of Christmas, and hold it throughout the
year to come. Christmas is the day that
holds all time together.
The December meeting for the
RRFA was held at Morley on Monday,
December 2. Amos Brielmann
presided, with Secretary Judy McCoy,
Bill Darby, Gordon Hoskins, Stan
Armstrong, Rudy Sinninghe, Brent
Miller, Kim Desserre, James Gibson,
Linda Armstrong and Shirley Morrish.
Gordon announced that the annual
appreciation dinner for the past and
present directors would take place at
the Emo Inn on Monday, December 16.
It will be a good chance to relax and
unwind.
After going over the list of names on
membership, it was noted that RRFA
was not included in the Ag Awareness.
Kim is to look into this matter, as our
group is very active and up to date.
Kim talked about the budget and AITC
will be cut in half this year. 4-1-1 will
get their allowance for new beef
members. Each year, they receive a calf
halter presented jointly, from the RRFA
and the R.R. Cattlemen. This will
continue.
For the second time, the- group of
four known as the KWLS, have
presented a proposal to rent and set-up
the booth material at the Farm Progress
Building and other events in the area.
The group would keep a percentage of
payment for themselves. At $40 per
booth rental, the group would keep $25
for their labour. The committee,
Gordon, Rick and Brent are to present
their decision at the next meeting.
Amos has many goals for the new
year and with the directors' help and
enthusiasm, they could be reached.
It is hoped that a farmer can obtain a
seat on the Fish and Wildlife board.
Since the farmers provide the habitat, it
only seems fair they be represented.
The board is mainly hunters and
anglers at this time.
Some time ago, Mike Neilson
approached the RRFA on a Prairie
Farmer Rehabilitation Program. The
headquarters are situated in Regina and
more information is needed. It will be
another project that the committee will
work on this year.
Crop insurance is another issue.
Amos feels it is like a bureaucracy and
cannot be attacked. We need someone
who can get to the head office and
make them listen to our concerns.
Hydro has been another problem
this year, with so many outages and at
such unseasonable times. Is it a local
issue or is it the same all across
Ontario? Why do they save switchover
times when the power must go off and
some people depend on the electricity
for heat, milking cows and feeding
cattle. A letter will be sent to Hydro for
some answers and solutions.
OMAFRA is another concern. Will
we get an Ag Rep? It has become clear
that we need someone who can cover
all fields — a generalist, not a
specialist.
We've lost an Abattoir. We hope we
can save the Research Station. The
word is that we have it for one more
year. Then what? "You don't miss what
you've got until you lose it," said Bill
Darby. With a number of dairy farmers
selling quotas, we cannot, as a farming
district, afford to lose much more.
• Linda arrived towards the end of the
meeting, to give a report on her recent
visit to Toronto. She said that Noble
Villeneuve gave a heart-warming
speech, patten himself on the back and
skipped the home issues. She has great
admiration for Hazel, mayor of
Mississauga, who is busy saving
farmland and the farm tax rebate, and is
very much in our field. There was a
round -table discussion on marketing.
The budget is almost gone. Joanne
High's budget was used up on mileage.
It is hoped that some of the budget
could be directed towards travel for the
locals to get together. A proposal will
be made up before January 23. Field
staff equipment has all gone back to
Michelle's office. Linda also mentioned
that she will be accessible to the other
communities; that is Dryden and
Thunder Bay. If you have any further
problems, Linda can direct you to the
right person in Toronto. A number of
questions and heavy discussion
followed.
Second annual birdcount takes place
Saturday, December 21. Call Roger
Simms at 274-7758 or 274-7219
evenings for more information.
A Factsheet on "Roles &
Responsibilities of Organization
Directors" Agdex 057, is available
from the OMAFRA office or talk to
Gary Sliworsky at 807-482-2310.
The Fairboard will hold its annual
meeting on Tuesday, December 10 at
8:00 p.m. at the Emo Legion
Auditorium. It is hoped for a large
turnout and continued support from all
members, old and new.
Rainy River District Cattlemen will
hold their annual meeting at Stratton
Separate School, on Wednesday,
January 22, 1997 at 8:00 p.m. Kenora's
annual is the 21st and Thunder Bay's is
the 23rd, so bundle up and come on
out, to assist the ones who are working
hard to make the Association strong.
Rainy River District 4-H Assoc-
iation will have their annual supper
meeting at the Emo Inn, January 17,
1997 at 6:30 p.m. Call President Carol
Angus at 807-487-2353 or secretary
Shirley Morrish at 807-486-3622 to
confirm attendance by January 13.
Rainy River Rural Safety reported
slow moving vehicle signs, the red and
orange triangles, are to be used on all
farm vehicles and tractors. Vehicles
that cannot maintain a speed of at least
40 km/h must use these signs, including
road building equipment, horse-drawn
carriages and farm and antique
vehicles. Religious (Amish) will be
exempt, but must have reflective tape
outlined on the rear of the vehicle (not
the horse) and be visible from 150
metres.
Some residents are using these
triangular signs for driveway posts,
mailboxes and other fixed objects that
can be seen from the road; they must be
removed.
"Every man has three characters:
that which he exhibits; that which he
has; and that which he thinks he has".
— Alphonse Karr.
May your hearts be filled with
warmth, as you cherish all the special
memories you have made this past
season.°
Shirley Morrish
JANUARY 1997 51