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The Rural Voice, 1989-11, Page 74HURON 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 ANNUAL MEETING Huron County Federation of Agri- culture Annual Meeting, Thursday, October 5,1989, Varna, 7:00 p.m. — President Chris Palmer called every- one to dinner at 7:00 p.m. Hank Bin- nedyk led a toast to Canada, 0 Canada, and Grace. Fieldman Blaine Stephenson and Huron County Agricultural Representa- tive Don Pullen were in charge of nomi- nations for president and 1st and 2nd vice-presidents and collected ballots for the vote. Bob Harrison introduced the head table guests and other guests to the crowd. Presidents remarks were given by Chris Palmer. The election of president was held. Chris Palmer was re-elected. Brenda McIntosh then introduced our guests from the Advanced Agricul- tural Leadership Program — Pat Down, Bill Wallace, and Brian Vincent — who had been on a three-week tour to Brazil. They showed slides and made very interesting comments. The group was thanked by Bob Down and presented with a donation to their group, Founda- tion for Rural Living. Jack Riddell, our MPP for Huron - Middlesex, spoke briefly. He thanked us for inviting him and for our support in letters and phone calls after his demise as Minister of Agriculture. He intends to support us in agriculture in his riding. Doug Garniss replied appropriately to Jack's remarks. The election of the 1st vice-president was held, with Brenda McIntosh being the new 1st vice-president. The minutes of last year's annual meeting were accepted as printed in the Survey Paper on a motion by Paul Klopp, seconded by Bob Harrison. Carried. Huron County agricultural represen- tative Don Pullen commented on some of the winter courses being held at OMAF this year and talked about the OMAF display in the Survey Paper. Fieldman Blaine Stephenson gave a short report on membership in the county. In 1989 there were approxi - 72 THE RURAL VOICE mately 1,700 members in the Western Ontario region. Blaine feels this is quite good considering the increase in the membership fee as of January, 1989. The 1988 Financial Statement was passed as printed in the Survey Paper on a motion by Chris Palmer, seconded by Paul Klopp. Carried. The position of auditor for next year was again given to Stephen Thomspon. The Huron County Award was pre- sented to Don Lobb. Doug and Gerry Fortune made the presentation and the flowers from head table were given to Don's wife, Alison. The election was held for six direc- tors -at -large. Due to the fact that seven were nominated, a motion was made by Bob Harrison, seconded by Hank Bin- nedyk, to let the seven stay on as direc- tors -at -large, to avoid having an election as well as possibly to draw more people out to our director's meetings. Carried. The seven directors -at -large are: Paul Klopp, Harry Dougall, John Gaunt, Walter Mcllwain, Larry Plaetzer, Ralph Scott, and Bob Jefferson. Nancy McGill from the OFA Execu- tive was present, bringing greetings from the OFA. The Resolutions Committee, which consisted of Paul Klopp, Jim McIntosh, and Doug Fortune, presented the two following resolutions to be sent to the OFA convention. "Whereas farmers want a tax system based on ability to pay and people pay for services to people, property pays for services to property, and whereas the previous rebate program was accepted in lieu of such a system and recent gov- ernment action has left it insecure, un- fair, and unacceptable, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Huron County Federation of Agri- culture strongly support OFA in its ef- forts to press the Ontario government to re -introduce a fair and equitable prop- erty tax system or re -introduce a prop- erty tax rebate on all farm land used in agricultural production." Moved by Jim McIntosh, seconded by Jeanne Kirkby. Carried. "Whereas the Ministry of Transpor- tation 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, for the sake of safety, that the OFA pres- sure the MTO to request the relocation of these signs back from the comers and also at a greater distance from the edge of the road. Moved by Paul Klopp, seconded by Hang Dougall. Carried. Door prizes were drawn throughout the evening — donated by CG Farm Supply, Zurich; UCO, Belgrave; Bob and Marion Harrison; and by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. Adjournment was at 10:15 p.m.0 A TRUST FUND has been set up to support Jack and Shirley Wright in their defence of a court appeal. Contributions are payable to the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. The money collected will be used only toward the court costs for the defence against the appeal. Send to: Huron County Federation of Agriculture Box 429, Clinton, Ontario NOM 1LO.