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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1993-03-31, Page 17Budding scientists Sarah Cowan peers into this hand-made pinhole camera, the subject of a science fair project by Amanda Young (second from left) which won her first-prize in the Grade 8 division of East Wawanosh's Public School's science fair competition. Other first-prize winners are (left to right) Sjaan Gerth, Grade 6, for his project on bridge designs and Sarah Cowan and Kendra Folkard, Grade 7, for their project on raisins. Beach clean-up grants given LIFE R. John Elliott (519) 523-4323 GENERAL J. Richard Elliott (519) 523-9725 NAME AGE ADDRESS PHONE ELLIOTT INSURANCE BROKERS Insurance In all branches Established 1910 BLYTH, ONT. NOM 1H0 523-4481 Contest Details on Page 3 NAME AGE ADDRESS PHONE BLYTH !PRINTING INC. Contest Details on Page 3 AGE NAME AT -T -3'(-1 r :FATF jr< .; I 0 z ADDRESS PHONE WILSON'S HEALTH & GIFT CENTRE Blyth----523-4440 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1993. PAGE 17. Crop insurance failed miserably, say farmers Huron M.P.P. Paul Klopp got an earful about the failure of the Ontario Crop Insurance Commis- sion to react quickly to last year's crop disaster when he took part in the annual Members of Parliament Dinner of the Huron County Feder- ation of Agriculture Saturday in Clinton. "I think Crop Insurance failed farmers miserably last fall," Bill Wallace, president of the Federa- tion charged. The Commission, he said, didn't change its approach to deal with the extraordinary condi- tions. While there were signs of a crop failure as early as September, it was December before the Com- mission reacted, he said. ''Nobody looked farther than the end of their noses. They have no idea that they are there to help farmers. Their main effort has been to cover their own asses." Mr. Wallace said the frontline representatives such as the agents and adjusters seemed to recognize the problems but it was their bosses who failed to react. "You can't deal with a year like last year based on rules derived in years with different conditions." Tom Cunningham, reeve of Hul- lett township and head of the coun- ty's Agriculture, Planning and Development Committee, said peo- ple like Crop Insurance Commis- sion chairman Bill Jongejan, a Goderich-area fanner should have known about the problem and pushed for a quicker reaction. But John VanderBurgt, a Dash- wood area farmer said people in the higher reaches of the Ontario Min- istry of Agriculture and Food also failed to realize the seriousness of the situation. By contrast, John King, a Wingham-area farmer and seed dealer, said the seed company agronomists had recognized in August that there was going to be severe problems but there was no consultation on the part of Crop Insurance officials. "It comes back to a commitment to agriculture," Mr. Wallace said. "There are people deriving their income from agriculture who don't have any knowledge of farming." There was also a concern that the new automatic renewal process for Crop Insurance may not allow agents to catch mistakes made by people entering information at the Crop Insurance Commission office. With the new system, there is no duplicate application that goes to the local agent. Often in the past the local agent caught mistakes that had been made by head office staff, said Brenda McIntosh, past presi- dent of the Federation. MVCA warns of danger Paul Klopp, MPP Huron announced March 26 payments over the past week totalling $86,732 to the Ausable-Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities to help clean up rural beaches. Mr. Klopp made the announcement on behalf of Ontario's Environment and Energy Minister, Bud Wildman. The payments represent continued funding under the ministry's Clean Up Rural Beaches (CURB) program. "I am very happy to be able to support the Ausable-Bayfield and Maitland Valley Conservation Authorities in their determination to make Lake Huron's beaches clean and safe," Mr. Klopp said. "I know we were all disappointed to see some of our beaches declared unfit for swimming last summer. Clean beaches are a vital part of our local economy, and they play a very important role in the enjoyment of daily life." The CURB program is providing $6 million per year for 10 years to rural communities to clean up beaches in 17 Ontario watersheds. The Ausable-Bayfield Conserva- tion Authority will channel $48,000 to local landowners to ensure environmentally sound manure storage; $15,000 to improve the disposal of milkhouse/parlour washwater; and $1,382 to remediate local septic systems. The Maitland Valley Conserva- tion Authority will channel $14,352 to local landowners to curb barnyard runoff and $7,998 to improve local septic systems. For further information: Gerry Merchant, (416) 323-4333, Public Affairs and Communications Services Branch; Keith Willson, (416) 314-7917, Water Resources Branch. The Maitland Valley-Conserva- tion Authority (MVCA) would like to remind everyone about the hazards posed by streams and rivers as warmer weather approaches. Parents are urged to warn their children of the dangers of playing along frozen or flooded watercourses. Warm temperatures make ice on streams and rivers thin and weak. It becomes unsafe for walking, skating, or snowmobiling. Melting snow leads to high water levels and fast-flowing water. Even small drains and creeks can become deep and dangerous. The temperature of water at this time of year is between one and three degrees celsius (34 to 37°F). In water this cold, hypothermia can occur in just a few minutes. To help make for a safer springtime, the MVCA suggests everyone stay away from watercourses, both large and small.