HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-03-25, Page 1Inside this week
Belgraveonate Optimists
2• 6 d
The Citizen
Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County
Volume 20 No. 12
Thursday, March 25, 2004
$1 (93c + 7c GST)
reviews
official
plan
NORTH HURON PUBLISHING COMPANY INC.
Group effort
The Blyth and District Fire Department members donated a number of non-perishable items,
as well as purchasing $50 worth in support of the North Huron Community Food Share. Back
row from left: Russ Nesbitt, Mike Kerr. Front: Clarence Bailey, chief Paul Josling, lieutenant
Mike McDonald. (Vicky Bris;rnner photo)
.After 10 months of fear and
- frustration, the beef industry had
• something to applaud Monday when
the federal government announced
additional disaster assistance for
farmers affected by the BSE crisis.
Ron Stevenson of Walton, vice-
president of the Huron County Beef
Producers, said, "This is greatly
appreciated. It will get money to the
producer who needs it."
Bob Friesen, president of the
Canadian Federation of Agriculture
praised the government saying that
they had "demonstrated their
sensitivity to the plight of the
agriculture industry. This money is a
sizeable investment in one of
Canada's most important industries
and the benefits will accrue back to
our entire economy."
"I'm glad to see the government is
paying attention," said Stevenson.
Ron Wooddisse, president of the
Ontario Cattlemen's Association
said the news couldn't come at a
better time. "The $680 million
announced (Monday) should provide
an immediate and necessary cash
infusion to farmers struggling to
survive this situation."
Wooddisse said that Ontario
farmers have to date, lost in excess
of $150 million in the crisis.
The $680 million announced in the
transitional industry support 4
program will put money directly into
the pockets of producers in all
ruminant sectors. With the $250
million transition payment and $65
million Canadian Farm Income
Program top-up, removing the need
for pro-rating, the government
recognized that the entire agriculture
industry has been impacted by the
crisis.
Continued on page 18
n, iA And the P
5.• 1-1 winner is...
Pg 16 Steckle blasts
• packing companies
By Elyse DeBruyn
Citizen staff
The North Huron Community
Food Share will launch its new April
campaign in hopes of collecting
more food for the needy and in
support of this, local grdups will be
holding food drives throughout the
area.
The Food Share, which started
with a dedicated group of volunteers
10 years ago, is. government
registered .and operated by a board
of directors. It is funded solely
through contributions and is a non-
denominational food bank, that
should not be confused with any of
the food banks operated by local
churches.
The launch will start at 1 p.m. on
March 26 at the North Huron
council chambers.
Board spokesperson, Maggie
Myers said the Food Share's aim is
to collect enough non-perishable
food items to last until November
during its month-long campaign.
In support of Food Share, the
Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary is
holding a food drive.
Janice -Henry, past president of the
Auxiliary, said they were
approached for help by Myers.
"She (Myers) said they had an
abundance 'of food needed in
December and now the shelves are
near empty, so we decided to help,"
said Henry.
Donations can be made at Blyth
Memorial Hall from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
and at the Blyth Legion any time
after 3 p.m.
The Blyth and District firefighters
were also a big help towards Food
Share as members donated a number
of non-perishable items as well as
purchasing $50 worth of groceries.
Food Share serves about 375
families on a regular basis, including
some families with several children.
Myers said about 60 per cent of
people who use -the FoOd Share are
children and some families are
trying to survive on general welfare.
She said, in the middle of the
month, she would give a needy
family enough food to survive on for
four or five days, but wonders what
they do for food during the rest of
the month.
She would like to see these
families have the ability to use Food
Share's food bank twice a month as
opposed to once a month.
Myers explained that there is
'always an urgent need for dry cereal,
peanut butter, tinned stews, infant
formula and diapers.
Food Share's food bank is located
at 405 Josephine St., behind Home _
Video, and is only open Wednesday
mornings, but Myers would like to
see it opened more during the
week.
Christmas time is the season of
giving and most people think of the
hungry during this time, but Myers
said the need is still as strong in
summer months. However people
don't seem to donate in the summer.
Despite the goal to help the
hungry, Myers has other goals in
mind for Food Share as well.
She hopes to make Food Share's
food banks more visible to people by
giving it a new logo "Fill the bag and
feel the joy," because many don't
know about it or, if they do, how to
access it. The logo will appear on
Council and staff of the
Municipality of Morris-Turnberry
are beginning to review the
municipality's land use planning
documents. There are currently two
municipal plans - one for Morris
Ward, and one for Turnberry Ward.
The goal is to create one new official
plan for Morris-Turnberry.
The public is encouraged to attend
any or all four public discussion
meetings as council and staff of
Morris-Turnberry begin the process
of creating a new official plan.
The four meetings will be to
review general planning issues, land
uses, and existing policy, in regards
to agriculture, natural environment
and urban issues.
Meetings will be held: Monday,
March 29 at the Women's Institute
Hall, 20 Brandon St., Belgrave;
Tuesday, March 30 at the Bluevale
Hall, 32 Clyde St., Bluevale;
Thursday, April I at the Belmore
Community Centre, County Rd. 12;
Thursday, April 14 at the Wingham
Legion - (Lower Town policies will
be discussed). All meetings will start
at 7:30 p.m.
The official plan is a land-use
document created by the residents
and council which shapes future
development in the community. It
reflects the community's vision for
the future.
"The public- meetings are an
opportunity to ask • questions and
understand how the official plan
guides development. Council is
looking forward to hearing your
thoughts and discussing the future of
Morris-Turnberry," said mayor
Dorothy Kelly.
signs, posters and donation bags.
Service clubs, local groups,
businesses and individuals have
been given the opportunity to get
behind the food drive and help those
in need in a variety of different
ways, from gathering non-perishable
food items to raising money.
Food Share Plates are being sold
by some organizations as part of the
food drive and will be available in
many areas, costing the customer $2.
The plate will be displayed in a
prominent place in the organization
after the customer writes his or her
name on it. The funds go to the
North Huron Community Food
Share to feed the hungry.
Cash donations are always
welcomed too, as they help in a
number of ways including keeping
the Food Share's grocery store bill
paid, paying rent on its building,
telephone bill and paper and printing
costs.
For more information about Food
Share or how you or your group can
participate in the food drive, contact
Myers at 3574146 or Rey. Len
Myers at 357-2634. Qiis6#
Pg. 26 Curling Club
presents awards
Review of local Pg. 27 band's CD
Funds
good news
for
farming
By Bonpie Gropp
Citizen editor
Local groups gather for Food Share