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BLYTH CARGILL 523-4241 366-2225 WINGHAM 357-2700 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 26, 1993. PAGE 15. Loyal friends fight to save Centralia College Centralia College has loyal friends and they aren't about to take the proposed closure of their college and veterinary laboratory services without a fight. These 'friends' formed a group called 'Friends of Centralia' which was organized following a large public meeting at the college May 3, where more than 800 showed support for the agricultural college and lab which was slated to be closed in the NDP government's April 23 announcement. The Friends of Centralia have been meeting regularly to develop alternative plans to keep the college and the vet lab services open, and still reduce the government deficit. Stephen Township had shown their support for the college by giving Friends of Centralia office space in the township's municipal building in Crediton. George Thompson, a Clinton area farmer is co-ordinating the group's efforts, along with Mary Alderson, a former communications instructor at Centralia College. The Friends of Centralia plan to continue lobbying MPP's and collecting names on petitions. As well, they are preparing a proposal on the various alternatives and solutions that can be offered to reduce costs and create income at the college. "It was never the college's mandate to bring money in -- but faced with the alternative of closure the Friends of Centralia feel strongly that these things should be considered before the college is closed," Mr. Thompson says. The group also points out that Premier Bob Rae has never offered to meet and discuss closure of Centralia. "It was a unilateral, hastily made decision," Ms. Alderson says. "We hope they will now take time to talk to those who are involved and reconsider. Huron County Warden and Stephen Township Reeve Tom Tomes is also upset by lack of consultation. "We should have been consulted on such an important local issue. We know cost cutting measures must be made, but it should be done in a Brussels Livestock Continued from page 14 Bob Farrish, Goderich, averaging 1133 lbs. sold for an average of $75.92 with sales to $87. Two cows consigned by Patience Holstein Ltd., Mildmay averaging 1755 lbs. sold for an average of $79.33 with sales to $84. Three cows consigned by Larry Carter, Ripley, averaging 1337 lbs. sold for an average of $78.18 with sales to $81. One Charolais cow consigned by Paul Aldwinkle, Varna, weigh- ing 2060 lbs. sold for $80. There were 123 veal on offer selling from $75 to $96 to the high of $118. Three veal consigned by Ron Smart, Mount Forest, averag- ing 510 lbs. sold for an average of $105.97 with sales to $118. Two veal consigned by Roy Aitkinson, Palmerston, averaging 665 lbs. sold for an average of $103.82 with sales to $112. One veal consigned by Murray Clarke, Kincardine, weighing 610 lbs. sold for $111. Lambs under 50 lbs., sold $95 to $110; 50 - 80 lbs., $95 to $123; over 801bs., $118 to $124. Stockers: steers, 400 - 500 lbs., sold $117 to $142; 500 - 600 lbs., $107 to $128; 600 - 700 lbs., $102 to $117; 700 - 800 lbs., $102 to $114; and 800 lbs. and over, $92 to $112. Heifers, 400 - 500 lbs., sold $112 to $127; 500 - 600 lbs., $107 to $117; 600 - 700 lbs., $102 to $112; and 700 lbs. and over, $92 to $107. fair, consultative and well- considered manner," Mr. Tomes says. The group is also concerned about what they call the 'misinformation spread' by the provincial government when the closure was announced. "They the government) said that Centralia was under-used, quoting a figure of 174 students and 400 beds," says Barbara Shipley, an alumnus of Centralia, who was formerly co- ordinator of the Huron Literacy Project working out of the Continuing Education section of the college. The college has beds for 200 in Huron Hall residence, but it has been described as comfortable with 174 students, letting mature students have rooms to themselves without sharing. Another 112 bed residence, Bruce Hall, has been converted for convention and meeting facilities, and it's kept busy with outside groups. The college was meeting a rural need, and showed foresight by creating the conference facilities in the late 80's, Mrs. Shipley adds. Two old buildings that were part of the Air Force base and were once used as residences have been torn down for safety reasons. The group points out that over the past five years, Centralia has had more graduates than agricultural colleges at New Liskeard, Alfred, Ridgetown, and Kemptville. "The public perceives Centralia as a small college and that's not the case in comparison to other agricultural colleges," says DEAR MR. KLOPP, Regarding your comments to the "Lakeshore Advance, May 5/93" with respect to the "Friends of Centralia" meeting held at the College Recreation Centre on May 3, I quote, "People were saying there will be no research in Ontario and that's crap." Had you listened to what people were saying, you would have understood the grave concern for the termination of research in this area of Ontario. We have the heaviest white bean crop production, a great percentage of the soybean crop, and nearly all of the rutabaga crop production in Ontario, growing right here in this area. I'm enclosing a copy of the research programs carried out from the Centralia Research Farm. We alumnus Mario Lesvesque of Lucan. Donna Stewardson, second vice president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, says she is upset about the lack of rural community development. "We're really concerned about rural services being cut back. What are we going to lose next, and where's it going to stop? We refuse to just stand by while the government hacks away, without a long term plan. We have to keep reminding the government about the importance of agriculture to our economy." Stewardson's son and daughter-in-law are both Centralia graduates, and now operate a dairy farm. "It's the next generation of farmers we have to be concerned about," she adds. The college offers three programs: Agricultural Business Management, Food Services Management and Veterinary Technology. The Friends of Centralia point out that location of the college is an important factor in all three programs. Students in the agriculture program are from the seven counties served by the college: Huron. Grey, Bruce, Perth, Oxford, Middlesex and Lambton. They want to learn about farming practises that they can use in their own area, and they want to be within an easy chive of home so that they can go home weekends to work on the farm. Many of the students in the Food Service Management program are mature students who have family also co-ordinate the lupin research for all of Canada. For a government which seems to be so concerned over the dollars and cents of everything, and rightly so — you are missing the economic importance of this research and of this College. To quote from Kathy Biondi, (information from a meeting she attended with Norris Hoag and other ERD (Education and Research Division directors)," ... the possibility/feasibility of another college picking up mx or all of the agronomy and water quality research was briefly discussed. Basically if another college is interested in any of these activities they must find funding within their current budgets to maintain these projects." Continued on page 22 obligations and can't move to attend other colleges. The Friends of Centralia also cite the Continuing Education program, the conference and meeting facilities, and the veterinary laboratory services as essential to the rural community. Anyone interested in joining the Friends if Centralia is asked to contact them at the Stephen Township office at (519) 234-6331. Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision! Let us help you make the right one! GARRY WOODCOCK Quality Cars & Trucks We Can Save You Money [Drive A Little - Save A Lot 5-K-'0LNTGOmEny; LUCKNOW --,-1O 528-2813 - 40> '',.... - Reader angry with Klopp over closure of Centralia BRUSSELS Division of UPCOMING LIVESTOCK Gamble & Rogers Ltd. SALES TUESDAYS THURSDAYS FRIDAYS , 9 a.m. Finished Cattle & Cows 11:00 a.m. Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs BRUSSELS 887-6461