HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-04-19, Page 1See page 9 See page 19
Ag. Hall of Fame
inducts R. Peck
A long-time resident of East Wawanosh
Twp. was honoured by the Essex County
Soybean Growers for his contribution to
the seed industry.
Robert Peck, 80, of RR3 Blyth, was
inducted into the Essex County
Agricultural Hall of Fame, on April 13, in
Harrow.
In recounting his involvement in the
soybean industry, Peck's first planting
occurred at the age of 11, as a school
science project.
This early interest developed into a
career of producing seed beans and
competing in local and international fairs
Growing soybeans as a protein
supplement for livestock, Peck continued to compete in contests when
he earned his first award at the age of 22, a second, at the Royal Winter
Fair.
A year later in 1937, he entered the International competition, Chicago
Grain and Hay Show, bringing home a first for his soybeans.
Further entries brought Reserve Champion in 1946 in Chicago,
Champion of Seed at the Royal in 1947, the first Canadian to capture the
World Championship at the Royal and the first to win the Victory Mills
Trophy.
Peck broadened his vision, joining the Canadian Seed Growers
Association and playing an active role for 45 years. In 1954, he was
elected to the CSGA Robertson Associates position for 25 years of
service to the association.
He became a member of the American Soybean Association board of
directors, in 1947, the only Canadian.
The Pecks "retired" from fanning in 1976, when they purchased land
west of Blyth in East Wawanosh Twp.
Here, some 30,000 white pines were planted, which Peck still
personally tends. Thee trees are pruned to a height of 18 feet to produce
knot-free veneer.
Their community and church involvement continued n their new
home. Peck was the treasurer for the Blyth Theatre from 1979 to 1981
and held the same post for the East Wawanosh History Book project
from 1989 until 1991.
Peck's wife, June, hosted a reception for 30 old friends and family
members, at a Harrow restaurant on the evening of the induction.
"That was the icing on the cake," says Mrs. Peck. "We saw friends we
hadn't seen in 20 years."
Locals attending the event included Ron and Bev Walker and Tammy,
Sylvia and Jack Nonkes and Norma and Dick Moore.
Since the Pecks left the family farm, son James has continued the
operation while daughter Brenda is a physiotherapist in Strathroy.
Vol. 11 No.16 Wednesday, April 19 1995
61(4+4CST 650
A spring in their step
It maybe wasn't one of the hottest Easter weekends on record, but the warming weather
and sunny skies on Sunday definitely gave a lift to the spirits of Mark and Aron Nonkes
when they took to the outdoor trampoline in the backyard of their RR1, Auburn farm.
Sports
Blyth Midget Bulldogs
show fans in Lake Placid
how to play hockey
See page 7
News
Liberal candidate opens
campaign headquarters
in Clinton
Entertainment
Blyth Festival unveils
its 1995 summer
season poster
The North Huron
itizen
Morris Twp. man
killed on Hwy. 4
Wingham OPP believe that
Edward Cummings was lying in the
southbound lane when he was hit
by the tractor-trailer, which was
driven by John Minke, 46 of
Hanover.
A 77-year-old Morris Twp. man
was killed early Easter Sunday
morning, after being struck by a
tractor trailer on Hwy 4 just north
of the Westfield Road.
Advisory committee forms plan for rail use
By Janice Becker
After a year of collecting, corre-
lating and compiling, the Public
Advisory Committee (PAC), with
assistance from government agen-
cies, has developed a plan of action
for the abandoned railway right-of-
way from Goderich to Guelph.
The second in a series of four
public meetings to inform the com-
munities of the PAC recommenda-
tions, was held at the Walton
Women's Institute Hall on April 11.
The distribution of more than 500
"expression of interest" forms, to
adjacent landowners and communi-
ty groups, brought 80 replies, says
Jeanne Kirkby, local PAC member.
In the Blyth to Monkton stretch
of the right-of-way, there were no
groups who have yet expressed an
interest in maintaining a portion of
the track, though several farmers
wished to return the land to agricul-
tural uses.
For the landowners wishing to
lease the property from the govern-
ment, the Ontario Realty Corpora-
tion (ORC) will deal with lease
agreements; a five year term with a
one year cancellation clause.
ORC representative Neil Hay-
ward outlined the activities of the
corporation to date, future plans
and the responsibilities of the
lessee.
CPR is required to clean up areas
of dumping, burning pits and unau-
thorized uses of the right-of-ways
since the closure and they have
erected "No Trespassing", "No
Dumping" and "Danger" signs
along the 120 km. corridor, he says.
The next step will be to negotiate
new leases once the PAC recom-
mendations have gone to the steer-
ing committee.
There will be no rent charged to
the lessee, but they will be respon-
sible for maintaining their section
of the trail, in accordance with the
requirements set out in their lease,
each being lot specific.
There is a small amount of
money available to help lessees
replace or repair the existing
boundary fences, says Hayward,
and these will be prioritized
according to four conditions.
Fencing receiving priority will be
for livestock concerns, then the
location of adjacent buildings, tres-
pass concerns and finally grade and
elevation safety concerns.
Any land which remains
unleased after the process is corn-
pleted will be the responsibility of
the provincial government.
The government will continue to
attempt to lease all the land, but
will address concerns of safety
such as abandoned bridges, weed
control, fence repair and other nui-
sances until leases have been
signed.
Landowners concerns
With the formalities of lease
agreements discussed, the 25 to 30
landowners in attendance had an
opportunity to question the PAC
members, government resource
personnel and Hayward (ORC).
One of the greatest concerns for
all adjacent landowners was
expressed by Chris Lee of Walton,
as he questioned the possibility of
outside groups being allowed to
lease portions of the corridor, and
the control of the intended land
uses.
Both Hayward and Kirkby said
an application for a lease would be
examined by PAC before a recom-
mendation for acceptance would go
to the province.
"Just because someone applies
for a lease does not mean they will
get it," says Kirkby. "We want to
protect the adjacent landowners."
Roy Beuerman of Monkton
asked if there was any guarantee
that a use would be approved which
was not satisfactory to an adjacent
owner.
"If the landowner doesn't take
responsibility for the adjacent land,
the applicant could be approved as
long as the use is not destructive,"
Continued on page 6