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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-05-12, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1999. Province sets moratorium on water taking The provincial government has taken steps to eliminate further stain on already critical low ground water levels. A moratorium has been placed on D. Ball new ag rep By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff A lifelong resident of Huron County has come home to help the rural community of which he is so proud. Daryl Ball, is the new agriculture and rural representa­ tive for Huron County. Ball will be based at the Clinton OMAFRA office. He can be contacted at OMAFRA 100 Don St.. Clinton or phone him at 519-482-3428 or l -800- 265-5170. The fax number is 519-482-5031. Born to Stanley and Ethel Ball of Auburn. Ball Daryl Ball received his post-secondary education at Centralia College, then on to the University of Wisconsin where he studied dairy science and to the University of Arizona where he studied extension. He was employed with Manitoba Agriculture for several years before join­ ing the Farm Credit Corporation as an advisor. He brings 12 years of finance experience, having worked in most of south-westem Ontario, to his role at OMAFRA. Though farm financing and livestock production are his background, as an ag rep Ball will be involved with many rural issues. Single. Ball resides on the family farm, which he has operated since taking it over from his father in 1980. Once a dairy operation, the farm, which has been in the Ball family for 150 years is now a cash crop industry. Ball is pleased to be back on home turf. "This job gave me the opportunity to come back, close to horiie and my true love, extension work and the rural community. I’m proud of Huron County." Morris holds meeting to discuss drainage Morris council held an extra reg­ ular meeting April 29 to deal with drainage matters and any additional issues. A court of revision was held for the Blackhall Drain with Reeve Bert Elliott, Deputy-Reeve Keith Johnston. Turnberry Reeve Brian McBumey, East Wawanosh Coun­ cillor James Campbell and Wing­ ham Reeve Bruce Machan as the court. There were no appeals filed or landowners in attendance for the matter. Machan asked about the bills for the drain being paid on time so that no interest would be incurred. Andy McBride of Maitland Engi­ neering Services suggested Wing­ ham could pay in advance to avoid Jan. snow down the drain Continued from page 1 peaches, plums and pears are past their best, he said, adding that this is "par for the course. There is no shortage of blossom." "But, the old saying is don't count on the fruit until it's in stor­ age," he reminds. Noting that rainfall has not been substantial enough to help the wells, Taylor said, "The copious amounts of snow in early January went down the drain system in the mild spell that followed and noth­ ing came to replace it." We don't need a gully washer, but two or three days of good rain certainly wouldn't go amiss." Dan Carlow, field services man­ ager for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Food and Rural Affairs office in Clinton, agrees that a timely rain would get the growing season off to a good start. several counties which will stop the issuance of permits for water tak­ ing. Noting the climate change in the province. Environment Minister charges. Council agreed. The Blackhall Drain report bylaw was passed. A request for drain maintenance for the Blyth Creek Drain, request­ ed by Don and Melva Fraser, was accepted by council. A request was received from Guy Kelly, owner of Lot 29, Cone. 7, regarding the Smith Drain branch. McBride was appointed to pre­ pare a report. Drain maintenance requests were accepted from Elliott Somers for Blyth Creek Drain. Moka Farms for Mills Drain and Glen Warwick for Robertson Drain. Drainage Superintendent Gary Nicholson told council of repairs needed for the Sellers Drain. "The rainfall we had last week was a welcome relief. It will do for a few days and help the seeds ger­ minate." However, it was not the pro­ longed rainfall agriculturalists were looking for. "We need an inch or more to come soon. That would be very timely." Noting that producers are gener­ ally risk takers who enter into each growing season with high expecta­ tions, Carlow said they are opti­ mistic the rains will come and there will be a good yield. Though farmers are concentrat­ ing on getting the crops in now, Carlow said there is still a major concern for ground water levels. i ney Know it is not realistic to expect it to change in the short term, he said. Relief will come over the next few years. Norm Sterling asked the Ministry of Environment directors to issue the moratorium "based on cumula­ tive effects and the ecosystems." "It is a very serious problem we are facing in Ontario and North America." he said. Low water levels affect drinking OPP report Damage done to pig farm On May 3, at approximately 4:15 p.m. damage was reported to a farm situated on Cone. 10 in Grey Twp. The owner of the pig farm advised officers that someone had cut a 10- inch rubber pipe leaving an 8-inch slice in the pipe. This pipe was for the removal of liquid manure to its storage location. The cut ended up in a manure spill that seeped into a local stream. The farmer then advised that over the last 10 days some of his other farms were also damaged when other pipes were uncoupled causing liquid manure to be discharged into other areas. On other property signs were either stolen or destroyed by culprits. The Ministry of the Environment was called in and the spills have been cleaned up. Anyone who has information on who is responsible is asked to notify the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. GARDENING SUPPLIES STOLEN FROM SHED - BRUSSELS On May 3, at approximately 11:45 a.m. a theft was reported ir progress on Turnberry Street in Brussels. A concerned citizen in the area saw activity at the rear of Brussels Variety Store around 11:30 p.m* Two males were seen entering a storage shed at the rear of the business. Police were called and arrived shortly, but the thieves had left the area in an older silver coloured pickup truck heading towards County Rd. 12. The owner of the business was called and it was found three bags of manure, two bags of peat moss and two bags of soil were stolen from the unlocked shed. Organic farm hosts open house A local family farm that specializes in producing organic vegetables and meats for local families is hosting its third annual spring open house this coming Saturday and Sunday. Fran and Tony McQuail have been farming near St. Helens outside of Lucknow for 25 years. They have developed a wholistic approach to farm management and meet the Organic Crop Improvement Association's regulations for certified organic vegetables, and meats. y Fran McQuail said, "We like to offer the opportunity to interested families to come out and see what we are doing here on the farm. We have an old fashioned family farm that’s fun for kids to visit. We think its important for families to have a chance to see animals and enjoy the farm atmosphere, arid learn about some of the issues in organic farming." water, fish and wildlife habits, recreational uses, agriculture and power generation. Huron-Bruce MPP Helen Johns said that while there is no control over weather conditions, "any action that can be taken to protect our water resources must be taken." Anyone who has information is asked to call the Huron OPP or contact Crime Stoppers. FLAT BED TRAILER STOLEN On May 4, at 11 a.m. a trailer was reported stolen from Cone. 1 in McKillop Twp. just outside of Seaforth. Sometime between April 30 - May 4 a 18' flat bed trailer was stolen. Taken was an 18' flat deck car hauler with tilt deck that has tandem axles with electric brakes. The trailer was manufactured by Noble Industries, is black in colour and has a Vin: 2B9FSC251XGOO3817 and is valued at close to $4,000. Anyone who knows where this trailer is or who the responsible people are is asked to notify the local OPP or Crime Stoppers. THREE INJURED COLLISION ON COUNTY ROAD #4 JUST SOUTH OF WINGHAM On May 5 at approximately 11:45 a.m. two vehicles collided on County Rd. 4 in Morris Twp. about three kms south of Wingham. cn wfeii LHEALTH on the hill- A Review of activities at SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NATIONAL NURSES WEEK is May 10 - 16th; theme: “Older Persons & Nurses - Partners for Healthy Aging.” In recognition of Nurses Week, staff are invited to participate in a POT LUCK LUNCH on Friday, May 14th 11:30 - 13:00 Hrs. in Conf. Rm. 2. Plan now to make your favourite dish and let’s celebrate the many attributes of our dedicated Nursing Team. HOSPITAL AUXILIARY PENNY SALE is located next door to Mac’s Milk. Many treasures donated by local businesses and individuals await your visit. Last available date to purchase tickets is Friday, May 14th. Draw date: Sat. May 15, 1999. Come out and support a great cause and at the same time enjoy the fun of making your selections. 3RD ANNUAL CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT is sponsored by Huron Hospice in conjunction with the Seaforth Optimist Club. It will be hosted by the Seaforth Golf & Country Club Saturday, August 21, 1999. Featured attraction this year is golfing legend, Moe Norman. Register early to avoid disappointment. Conjact Huron Hospice Volunteer Service at (519)527-0655 BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT for individual support, please contact Shirley Dinsmore, Huron Hospice Volunteer Service 527- 0655. SMOKING REGULATION UPDATE the new and ONLY designated Hospital smoking area is located on the patio. Cigarette butt stops for cigarette disposal, have been installed on the walls of Hospital door entrances. “MORNING OUT” is a New Parent Support Service offered each Friday 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. with Karen Searle, Facilitator. Moms/Dads & infants are welcome to attend and learn/share information and experiences with discussion on a variety of postpartum topics. Childcare is available by pre-registering with Grace Dolmage 527-3001, no later than Wednesday noon of each week. The counties affected include Essex, Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Perth, Huron, Grey, Bruce, Simcoe, Niagara, Waterloo, Wellington, Dufferin, Halton, Vic­ toria, Peterborough, Northumber­ land, Hastings, Wentworth, Lennox, Addington, Durham, York, Norfolk and Peel. A 1985 Cadillac, driven by Fredric Stoudt, 51 of Corunna was northbound when Melissa Snowden, 19 of East Wawanosh Twp., who was travelling south in a 1998 Ford pickup, tried to make a left turn in front of Stoudt into a local restaurant. Stoudt and his passenger John McPherson, 68 also of Corunna and Melissa Snowden of East Wawanosh Twp. were taken to Wingham hospital with minor injuries. Snowden has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act. GARDEN TRACTOR STOLEN FROM BELGRAVE CO-OP - MORRIS TWP. On May 8 at 8:30 a.m. a tractor was reported stolen from Cone. 4 in Morris Twp. The manager of Belgrave Co-op advised that sometime through the night a person entered a locked compound and removed a tractor valued at $2,600. Taken was a Briggs and Stratton 18.5 HP lawn tractor black in colour with a serial number 1A079130044.