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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1991-03-20, Page 15THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1991. PAGE 15. $2.45 interim bean payout coming-Cardiff Ontario’s white bean producers will get a $2.45 interim payment on last year’s crop to help them get planting done, Murray Cardiff, M.P. said Saturday. Speaking to the annual Members of Parliament dinner of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture the assistant to Don Mazankowski, Minister of Agriculture said he had taken part in a meeting Thursday between government and Bean Board officials at which the deci­ sion had been made to make the interim payment. He said the government is working on a solution to the current shortfall in the tripartite white bean plan. “It’s our ambition to keep white beans in tripartite program in 1991,’’ he said. There would be a slightly higher premium and the shortfall would be addressed at the end of the program to decide what share of the deficit would be picked up by the federal and provincial Blyth office renovation generates heat Bill concerns farmers governments. In the meantime the shortfall will be picked up by the federal government. Huron M.P.P. Paul Klopp said it sounded like the situation was MURRAY CARDIFF Bean payment coming. Continued on page 2 asked about farmers’ concerns. The OFA had decided to try to work with the government to try to get farmers’ concerns across. When she first met with the committee that included 20 environmental lawyers she worried but she found the others always included con­ cerns for the farmer in their discussions. Still, she said, she was dis­ appointed to see that Simcoe county had organized a protest against the bill when it hasn’t even been drafted. “It’s premature” she said of the growing opposition. Still, she said, she had been asking the government for a delay in sending the bill to cabinet to allow for more consultation. Mr. Klopp said he had been worried about the bill, worried that the radicals from business on one side and environmental groups on the other were scaring people in the middle with exaggerated stor­ ies. Replying to the Properties and PAUL KLOPP Farmers need more to help environment. Land-use committee brief he said that the environment was like the saving of farmland. “If you want to save land let farmers make money. If you want farmers to help environment let them be able to afford it.” 450 feeders at Friday sale Continued from page 14 Two cows consigned by Lloyd Whytock, Lucknow averged 915 lbs. sold for $70.69 to the high of $76.25. One cow consigned by Rick Jones, Holyrood weighed 1020 lbs. sold for $75. Three cows consigned by Clarence Bishop, Ethel aver­ aged 1017 lbs. sold for $65.16 to the high of $71.50. One cow consigned by Hank Haasnoot, Brussels weighed 1200 lbs. sold for $71.25. One cow consigned by Neil Dol­ mage, Walton weighed 1580 lbs. sold for $67.75. At the Friday, March 15, Stocker Sale, there were 450 feeder cattle on offer. Steers under 400 lbs. sold from $105 to $126 per hundred weight; 400 - 499 lbs., $120 to $127; 500 - 599 lbs., $102.50 to $118; 600 - 699 lbs., $108.50 to $125. Heifers, 300-399 lbs. sold at $103 to $120; 400 - 499 lbs., $95 to $118; 500 - 699 lbs., $90 to $100.50. Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. a sale of slaughter cattle was follow­ ed by cows; Friday, March 22 at 1 p.m., pigs and Stockers will be sold. Saturday, March 23 at 1 p.m. is a special lamb and goat sale. Renovations totalling $31,000 to the Blyth municipal office were approved at the March 12 meeting of village council but not before some heated words were exchang­ ed. The renovations will make use of the former library space to an expanded village office and an Extended Service Office (ESO) for the Ontario Provincial Police. The centre wall between the old office and the library will be moved to expand the space in the office. A new office for clerk-treasurer Helen Grubb will be created in the library side of the building and her old office will be used as a file room. There will be renovations to the washroom as well. A major part of the expense involves installing new windows and doors and insulating the building. Clerk-treasurer Helen Grubb pointed out council had set aside $15,000 for office revnoations last year plus $2,000 for the ESO. Reeve Albert Wasson said this was a one-time renovation so the money was justified. “I feel it’s more than I was first thinking about,” he admitted but he said he was not looking at the installation of new windows and doors which add about $8,000 to the cost though when the work is being done it made sense to do the work now. “Dollars and cents wise it is possible (to do the improve­ ments),” he said because the village has money left from last year. But Councillor Dave Lee was not so ready to go along with the plans. “When did we decide we were going to do all this?” he asked. “1 haven’t seen any plans. What are we doing with our $31,000.” Saying he first heard about the plans at a social event he said, “1 don’t think we should find out at a curling bonspiel that we’re buying $5,000 worth of oak trim.” he said. "I’m (expletive deleted) off. I'm not saying it shouldn’t be done, just that I didn’t know plans were being made.” When library re­ novations were planned all council­ lors had a chance to have input, he said. Reeve Wasson suggested the plans got to their current state through a chain of events. He said before further plans could be made it had to be determined if the centre wall was a load-bearing wall and so a contractor had to be called in. When the contractor was there the proposals developed, he said. Mrs. Grubb said there was really little work being done, just the centre wall coming out and some new walls being put in. Councillors took a break from the discussion while they went on a tour of the offices and listened to Mrs. Grubb explain the plans but Councillor Lee wasn’t in any more a compliant mood when they resumed the discussion. Reeve Wasson offered an apology saying he was sorry if staff and he went ahead and made the plans but “we had to start some­ place.” But Councillor Lee argued that far from starting the plans they were all made and decided and the contractor was hired and dates set as to when the work would be done. He questioned how accurate the estimate of cost was. “Don’t we have a responsibility to tender?” he asked. “We’ve been through this a thousand times before,” said Reeve Wasson who argues that preparing specifications for tender­ ing is too expensive. The project could be thrown open to others but if so thg contractor involved should be compensated for his advice, he said. “I don’t remember asking him to come in and give his guidance,” Councillor Lee said. Mrs. Grubb said that with the library planning, before councillors even got involved there had been a meeting of staff of the library and village staff to go over ideas. “1 don’t see why it’s offensive for the village staff to layout a sensible plan for the office ... a place where we spend eight hours a day. five days a week.” The building inspec­ tor had been involved to give advice, she said. Councillor Lee said it appeared everybody but council had been involved in giving advice. He said he had still never seen a floor plan. “If you’re paying someone $20,000 wouldn’t you like to see a piece of paper? How are you going to know it’s not going to cost $60,000?” he said. Reeve Wasson said in such a case he guessed he would have to resign. Mrs. Grubb said the small amount of work didn't w arrant the contractor having to make detailed designs. The contractor could be asked to sketch a plan of the new layout, she suggested. Councillor Steven Sparling said his company had had experience in eventhing from architect-designed projects to somebodx building an entire building from a sketch on the back of a cigarette package. “If the person wanting the work done has a real idea of what they want done I don’t think detailed drawings are necessary,” he said. He said he didn’t think it would have worked out well if the entire council had tried to come up with a plan. This proposal was simply a recommen­ dation to council, he said. “If you don’t like it, reject it.” Reeve Wasson said any council­ lor wanting input could still have it. Councillor Sparling tried to con­ vince Councillor Lee on the impor­ tance of council being united behind the project. “1 can’t see that what is gong to happen is outlandish or reckless or foolish with the ratepayers meeting,” he said. “If you think what we should have is a second quote or if you want to make a proposal you can. What would you like to see?” Councillor Lee wondered how much it is going to cost to move the centre wall for the small amount of space that will be gained. “I’m not saying it won’t end up that way (as the present plans are) but I’d like somebody to convince me it’s the best deal.” Councillor Lee said he was going to vote against the proposal on principle. After other councillors were unable to get him to change his mind, the vote carried 2-1 (Councillor Shirley Fyfe was absent). Bruce quilter wins top fair award Shirley Grubb’s nimble fingers have won her $1,000 in the 13th Anniversary Canada Packers Quilt competition. The Mildmay resident received the Grand Champion prize for “Peace Baskets” at the Ontario Association of Agricultural Socie­ ties annual convention held in Toronto. February 20. There were 14 champions repre­ senting Ontario Fair districts. These finalist quilts were selected from approximately 234 w inners at local Agricultural Society Fairs across Ontario w here approximate­ ly 4.000 quilts were entered. Also at the convention. Canada Packers announced that after 13 years they will no longer be sponsoring the annual competition and formally transferred the collec­ tion and administration of the competition to the Ontario Agricul­ tural Museum. SAVINGS BOOKLET HENSALL LIVESTOCK SALES LTD. REPORT The market on Thursday, March 14 met an active demand with choice steers and heifers selling $2 to $3 higher. There were 281 steers and heifers on offer. Thirty-eight steers consigned by Larry Ballintyne averaging 1326 lbs. sold for $95.50 with a top sale of $104.50. Purchased by St. Helens Meat Packers. Four steers consigned by Dennis Robinson averaging 1312 lbs. sold for $93.90. Purchased by Dominion Meats. Seven steers consigned by J.L.W. Campbell averaging 1231 lbs. sold for $93.25. Purchased by Corsetti Meats. Fifteen steers consigned by Ken Beares averaging 1350 lbs. sold for $91.50. Three steers consigned by John McKay averaging 1330 lbs. sold for $91.40. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Five steers consigned by Harvey Hodgins averaging 1336 lbs. sold for $90.80. Twelve steers consigned by Murray McKague averaging 1329 lbs. sold for $90.65. Forty-two heifers consigned by Lome Ballintyne averaging 1144 lbs. sold for $93.05 with a top sale of $105.25. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Five heifers consigned by McNain Farms averaging 1076 lbs. sold for $94.80 with a top sale of $97.50. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Three heifers consigned by Dennis Robinson averaging 1081 lbs. sold for $91.75. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. Seven heifers consigned by Brent Robinson averaging 1105 lbs. sold for $91 10 with a top sale of $94.25. Purchased by St. Helens Meat Packers. Fourteen heifers consigned by Bill Stephens averaging 1122 lbs. sold for $90.25 with a top sale of $97. Purchased by St. Helens Meat Packers. Four heifers consigned by J.L.W. Campbell averaging 1073 lbs. sold for $93.90 with a top sale of $96.50. Purchased by Corsetti Meat Packers. 262-2831 OWNER MANAGER BARRY MILLER 235-2717 SALES REP. JOE ZEHR 887-9599