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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2002-08-14, Page 21Are you interested in playing JUVENILE HOCKEY We are looking to organize a team in Seaforth If you are interested in playing please call 522-0991 after 6 p.m. - COMPLETE MECHANICAL SERVICE - COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UPS - TIRES - BRAKES MUFFLERS - VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION DAN'S AUTO REPAIR Owned and Operated by Dan & Heather Snell RR 3, Blyth, Ont. NOM 1H0 (on the Westfield Rd.) DAN SNELL, Automotive Technician 523-4356 LEE'S SERVICE CENTRE 348 Dinsiey St., Blyth, Ontario Repairs to oh makes & models of cars & trucks Air Conditioning Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5:30 pm; Sat. 8 am - 12 noon CHRIS LEE: Phone: Bus. 519-523-9151 Res. 519-523-4343 DRILLED & BORED WELLS COMPLETE PUMP SYSTEMS FARM • RESIDENTIAL • IRRIGATION EAT SLEEP DRILL HAYDEN WATER WELLS Since 1944 1-888-535-4455 Lucan, ON Frank Workman Electric 20 years serving Brussels & area *Farm •Home @Commercial R.R. #3, Brussels 887-6867 Affordable CAR AND TRUCK RENTALS Large & Small Trucks fridgecarts - piano dollys- moving blankets Complete Selection of Cars Our rates qualify for insurance replacement Passenger Vans full size or mini STRICKLANDS 344 Huron Rd. 524-9381 GODER1CH 1-800-338-1134 McKILLOP\ MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY 91 Main St., South, Seaforth Office 527-0400 1-800-463-9204 ////,//, '1113,/,/6A,%115,1;tr• AGENTS Graeme Craig 887-9381 Bob McNaughton 527-15T Donald Taylor 482-99 Banter & Mac Ewan & Feagan Insurance Ltd. 524-8376 Gaiser Kneale Insurance Brokers Inc. 482-3401 Thames Insurance Brokers, Exeter 235-2211 Cockwell Insurance Brokers 356-2216 BDO Dunwoody, LLP Chartered Accountants and Consultants Offering a full range of services: auditing, accounting. business planning, income tax planning, personal financial planning. computer and management services. 1BD Hanover Mount Forest Port Elgin J.J. Hunt, CA K.L.Drier, CA M.S. Bolton, CA K. Oelschlagel, CA 323-2351 Kincardine S.D. Wat5.1n, CA, CFP 39e -3425 832-2049 Wingham A.P. Reed, CA Walkerton R.J. Millen, CA G.H. Munro, CA P. Thor, FCA R.G. Thomas, CA R.J. Wilkinson, CGA 357-3231 881-1211 364-3790 WARD & UPTIGROVE. LLP • P.O. Box 127 145 MAIN STREET EAST LISTOWEL, ONTARIO N4W 3H2 PHONE: (519) 291-3040 Fax: (519) 291-1850 Email: wuca@w-u.on.ca THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2002. PAGE 21. Huron East ready to tackle MOE By David Blaney Special to The Citizen Huron East and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment appear headed for a collision if the July 30 meeting of the municipal council is any indication. Talk of contacting the opposition at Queen's Park and issuing press releases to the national media flew around the table as frustration with the ministry boiled over. Since early in 2002 council has been requeSting that the ministry take action with regard to complaints concerning a feedlot in Tuckersmith ward. The requests arose after complaints from neighbours of the operation about the amount and A combination of factors that temporarily left Ontario farmers without access to tile drainage loans have been overcome, and once again farmers can apply for the loans at their local township clerk's office. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) was pleased to hear that the money is once again available to farmers wanting to install tile drains on their farms, said Jack Wilkinson, president of the Federation. According to Sid Vander Veen, drainage co-ordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), the combination of a late- arriving provincial budget and a review of the tile drainage act caused the lapse in availability of the loan funds to municipalities. Normally, there is a slight lapse from the end of the fiscal year (end of March) and the introduction of a new budget (usually the end of April or the management of manure on the property. The problem appears to be of long standing as the former Tuckersmith Twp. had received similar complaints according to Councillor Bill DeJong. During the council discussion DeJong said, "Helen Johns (Huron Bruce MPP and Minister of Agriculture) has known about this for years. She should take some steps on this." Both DeJong and Councillor Sharon McClure made reference to Walkerton during the discussion. DeJong wondered about Walkerton coming to Hensall and McClure commented, "I would say the Ministry of the Environment is supporting another Walkerton." Frustration with the ministry's beginning of May), but this year the budget announcement came in June. However, Vander Veen said; farmers who had tile drainage work done during the period when there wasn't funding available to the municipalities for the loans to farmers, will now be able to apply to their townships for the loan funds. Wilkinson said that while the interest rate on the tile drainage loans (eight per cent) is not that competitive, the 10-year term helps with financial management on farms. Farmers can borrow up to $20,000 each year under the tile drainage program and repayment is scheduled with property tax payments to the municipalities. "We're grateful for the efforts of OMAF Minister Helen Johns in restoring this financial tool to the management kit available to Ontario farmers," Wilkinson says. OFA provided extensive input to action on the matter has reached the stage that earlier in the year Councillor Larry McGrath requested Clerk Jack McLachlan to send all communications to the province on this matter by registered mail. McGrath said that he wanted to ensure there was a record of the municipality's complaints. In comments made earlier in the year representatives from the environment ministry said they were aware of the issue and that it had been sent to their enforcement officials. Although the catalyst for council's anger was the ministry's handling of the feedlot complaints they have also expressed concern with the engineering and other costs associated with the government's the province's review of the drainage act, and repeatedly reminded provincial officials of the need to restore the funding for the program, he said. changing requirements for municipal sewer and water systems. At the July 30 meeting of council, John Forrest, public works co- ordinator reported that fees totaling $6800 had been paid to the ministry in the month of June. The fees were a requirement of Huron East's application to conduct work demanded by the ministry or to apply for approval to upgrade various municipal wells. McGrath, who has expressed displeasure with the ministry on several occasions, requested government officials be asked if any consideration had been given to waving the fees due to the financial pressure on small municipalities. He went on to comment, "It was nice of Mike to give us a tax cut but they are just shoving it to us another way." During the discussion Mayor Lin Steffler alluded to worries that repercussions might follow any public criticism of the ministry's actions. "There may be a feeling that we should keep on the good side of these people but eventually there comes a time when you draw the line. I would rather get my knuckles rapped for trying to do what's right than for doing nothing," she said. Although Huron East representatives will be meeting with Johns in August, council decided to prepare a press release aimed at the national media. The release is to be prepared by McGrath, DeJong and Councillor Alvin McLellan, who earlier in the meeting suggested, "Nothing will get people off their ass like bad media coverage." Prior to its release the contents of the press release are to be review by the full council. thought we might celebrate your birthday, Friday HAPPY 60th - Olga & Friends Tile drainage finding restored Business Directory Help for Today. Hope foi Tomorrow. Today, I in 13 Canadians over 65 is affected by Alzheimer Disease and related demential' For more information, contact your local Alzheimer Society or visit our Web site at www.alzheimer.ca AlzheimerSociety • Canadian Sludy or }faith and Aging /