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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2004-05-13, Page 20Announcement On April 30, Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell announced the provincial government is granting a land transfer tax exemption when land is transferred between family members. The announcement was made at the farm of Central Huron reeve Bert Dykstra (right) and his wife Nellie. (Heather Dietz ;abort)) Farm transfers may get easier DO NOT ENTER 5ECURITY EFFECT CturPert of taaam 00*50/ nu clean, '0114 tqlktob .4.11,11/ • Weir* Rap Winemaket 0,3hop Make Your Own Beer, Wine, Coolers and Fruit Wine (Crew, hero or al home!) Rai? 84 Kingston St., GODERICH 524-2323 Check out the classifieds LET TE-EM FARM HELP CREATE YOUR We stand out from all the others with the area's largest selection of DISTINCTIVE PLANT MATERIAL from Angelonia to Vinca and many varieties in between. Multistem Geraniums 1000's to choose from all in one greenhouse. A SIGHT TO BEHOLD! Deck, Patio and Balcony Planters in all shapes & sizes. 1000's of Hanging Baskets from 10" to 20". WAVE PETUNIAS NOW IN OVER 10 COLOURS. Perennicls for all conditions including Heritage Perennials top 10 perennials. Everything under one acre of greenhouse space. Nursery Stock and Water Plants. re m Farm a GC/Reir '6(f r zirea,-; ,,aff Wen' rei",C Ws,71.4tet>ert' 77688 Orchard Line, R.R.#1 Bayfield, ON NOM 1GO 482-3020 OPEN...Monday - Friday 8 - 8, Saturday & Sunday 9 - 6 PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2004. By Clint Haggart Clinton News-Record On Friday morning, April 30 at the farm of Bert and Nellie Dykstra, Huron Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell made an announcement about land transfer tax. "Today. I'm very pleased to announce another important step in the McGuinty government's efforts to deliver real, positive changes for " Ontario farmers.". said Mitchell. "The finance rriinster, Greg Sorbara, has exeppted the land transfer tax on farm land that changes ownership between members of the same family." According to Mitchell, ensuring smooth succession of the family farm is an important element in building a more sustainable agriculture industry and in building stronger rural communities. "With the land transfer tax exemption, Mitchell said, "(The McGuinty government is) making it easier for farm families to plan for the future, which will ultimately benefit all of rural Ontario." Mitchell said the Ontario Liberal government knows the strength of the province depends on the strength of rural communities. She added the agricultural industry makes a vital contribution to the economy and quality of life. The exemption is retroactive to March 28, 2003. Anyone who has sold his or her farm to a family member since that date can apply for the exemption from the Ministry of Finance. Eligible family members include, 'spouse, child, mother, father, brother, sister, cousins and descendants. Depending on the value of the property, Mitchell said land transfer tax ranges from 0.5 to two per cent. For example. she said, "If a farmer QU ESTIONS? LAWN Organic Programs Available 524-2424 -Trust the Professionals - sells his farm land to his daughter for $250,000, the savings would be $2,225. If the price tag were $500,000, the savings would be nearly $6,000. and so on." Besides the announced exemption, Mitchell said the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food has knowledgeable and experienced staff who can help with the issues that surround transferring land from one generation to the next. She added information is also available on their web site. Central Huron reeve Bert Dykstra said the announcement is good news for his family, noting that he wants to pass his farm on to family. Dykstra said his parents started their farm in 1955, he took over in 1969 and that he hopes his family will take over when he retires. He said his oldest son is actively involved in the farm and hopes to take over at some point. The reeve said the land transfer tax exemption, "is important to rural Ontario and to us." "I know that encouraging the continued participation of new generations of farmers in Ontario is a high priority for the McGuinty government, and for farm organizations like the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)," said Mitchell, adding, "I'd like to thank the OFA for its support in making this happen." MS lives here. Multiple sclerosis never hits just one person. It affects the entire family. sie Multiple Sclerosis n iv Society of Canada 1.800.268 .7582 www mssociety ca By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Goderich mayor Deb Shewfelt, incoming president of the Ontario Municipal Water Association, has promised to make the plight of rural community halls like the Moncrieff Hall a priority in his term. Shewfelt was reacting at Huron County council, May 4, to concerns of Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan. "For us (Huron East) to allow Moncrieff Hall to have water it will, cost $10,000 to bring it up to standard," MacLellan said of new provincial regulations introduced in the shadow of the Walkerton E. coli water tragedy that killed seven people. Once the new equipment is installed the maintenance costs will By Keith Roulston Citi:en publisher With a waiting list of 80 people wanting public housing in Goderich, the town's mayor thinks the county should be looking at additional projects in his community. Deb Shewfelt asked county councillors at their May 4 meeting if the county objected to town officials meeting with Don Brisson, manager of Huron County Housing Services to explore possibilities for a new By Keith Roulston Citizen publisher Truckers' complaints about winter road conditions on county highways prompted discussion at Huron County council, May 4. South Huron councillor Rob Morley, a trucker himself, said he'd heard fellow truckers complain that once they get out of Huron County the road conditions improve and, they can make good time. "It isn't the stormy days I hear • complaints about," he said, "it's the days when it's windy and snow be $6,000 a year. he added, money that can't be supported by community use. "These small halls will close," MacLellan said. "These regulations are killing rural Ontario. These regulations are not reasonable." "I will commit to making this a priority of my term," Shewfelt said. With Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky coming from Napanee, "I think there is some sympathy (for the problem)." Shewfelt said his organization was recommending a risk assessment system for rural water systems that had shown no problems in the past. "Why have to chlorinate a perfect well." "We understand how we got here with Walkerton," MacLellan said but he pointed out that the problem in project. He noted it took five years to bring the last Goderich project to fruition. "I know there are various programs that involve free enterprise," Shewfelt said. The idea of more public housing units concerned Huron East councillor Joe Seili. "We can't afford the maintenance on the buildings we have," he said. "We need private enterprise involved." But Central Huron councillor John blows onto the road and sticks." He noted that Perth County uses 100 per cent "enhanced" salt which seems to prevent the roads from being so slippery. He estimated about 250 trucks a day leave Goderich carrying salt in the winter time. County engineer Don Pletch said Huron's roads were closed less often this past winter than the provincial highways but Huron East councillor Bernie MacLellan wondered "are we doing ourselves a favour by saying roads .are open more than MTO's if the condition of the road is such that people shouldn't be Walkerton was not that there weren't enough rules, but that people broke the rules. Adding rules won't help the situation if someone ignores them. "As far as I'm concerned, it's overkill." Penny Nelligan, director of the Huron County Health Unit said she agreed that the new rules were overly stringent. "It certainly has increased our workload. I hope there is room for some flexible solutions while protecting public health." South Huron councillor Rob Morley made a motion that a letter be sent to Dombrowsky, Huron- Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell and the Municipal Water Association explaining the hardships the new regulations are imposing on rural communities. Bezaire said if ,more units were added in Goderich some would be dropped in some of the villages where it is hard to rent apartments. Currently there is one unit vacant in Blyth, one in Brussels, two in Bayfield and three in Zurich. Warden Bill Dowson said all this was debate for later and that Shewfelt was simply looking for permission to explore the possibility of more units. Councillors agreed they had no objection to investigation of the possibility. driving on it?" Warden Bill Dowson said the situation needed to be looked at when plans for next winter's maintenance were discussed. County voices concerns about water regulations Shewfelt wants more public housing Truckers' complaints raise road issues