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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2004-09-02, Page 6GRADUATION JOHN MCKERCHER Lorna and Caitlin McKercher are pleased to announce the graduation of John McKercher from Osgoode Hall Law School with a Bachelor of Law degree. He was the recipient of the silver medal as the graduating student with the second highest cumulative grade point average. John is the son of Don & Charlotte McKercher, R.R.#1 Dublin and will be returning to Seaforth in September to article with Devereaux Murray LLP. (,pni unity 41- Living In support of people with an intellectual disability communitylivinvin On September 4 vialoirtialccepslain roceNsuannd County will be Smoke-Free. IS 41 11, ; ft4 Bylaw intonation kits are available at the Huron County Health Unit, It unIcipal and at www.huroncounty.ca or questions regarding the WI" Or violations, call 5.19-482-3377 For more information and resources on quitting smoking, call the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416 or 1-877-837-6143 if long distance. Putting Health First Environmental Tobacco Smoke Bylaw #21, 2003 PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2004. Letter to the editor Hunting recommendations please OFA THE EDITOR, Many Ontario farmers and their organizations are unhappy with the McGuinty government's current approach to dealing with the issues in the farming sector. We've had the municipal drainage outlet program yanked from under our feet without any consultation or warning, and we've been overwhelmed by a series of government-initiated consultations on other topics that could have serious negative consequences for farming. However, when things go well, we need to acknowledge success. OFA and the province's farmers are pleased to see many of their recommendations included in hunting regulation changes announced by Hon. David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources. The THE EDITOR, I would like to thank Todd Edgar for his comments in last week's paper concerning the BSE issue, and I would like to add some comments of my own. When my neighbours recently asked me one night how I was feeling, I replied that I was in the beef industry; that should tell her everything. Her response was "ah, just another whining farmer." Now I know she was just teasing, and she most definitely did apologize, but it did trigger a reaction when two, yes two, cull cows will not pay for my doctor's prescription for high blood pressure pills, then I don't consider it whining. Nor when those same two cows will not even pay for a tankful of gas in my truck, I don't consider that whining. minister described the changes as part of a sustainable wildlife management program, and OFA sees the changes as a means of providing better balance in the deer population. These changes will allow for additional deer hunting in many parts of OntariO this fall, something OFA and farmers have been seeking. Rapidly-expanding deer populations have resulted in damage to farm properties and crops by marauding herds of deer. Farmers have been asking for a means of reducing this damage, and MNR's willingness to listen and respond positively to agriculture is a welcome change. We're hearing the government wants to talk with farmers and their organizations in search of an alternative to 'the municipal outlet drainage program. If such talks can produce an effective alternative, Since cull cows that brought $700 - $1,000 prior to the BSE outbreak, now only bring $50 (or in many cases even less) I wish someone could tell me what the answer is. Some might suggest selling the cows, but at such a staggering loss, it would be a hard pill to swallow. Off-farm income looks attractive, but the workload makes it highly unfeasable. On the other hand, it's not fair that the entire income from my wife's three part-time jobs has to be used to subsidize the farm. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for your sympathy, just your understanding. And please understand this; that while the BSE crisis is slowly destroying the entire beef industry in our country, it is tearing the heart, and the hell out of rural Canada. Thank you. Les Caldwell something that will yield the most efficient use of tax dollars, OFA will welcome those discussions. Because of the value of municipal drains, OFA will insist on continued provincial government investment to ensure the long-term future of the municipal drain infrastructure. We need to know these time-proven concepts will not be lost to rural Ontario. If there's an intent to engage in productive consultation, OFA is interested. If the objective is merely aimed at distracting farmers from the important, things they have to focus on, we will ask our government to rethink its strategy. Farmers across Ontario have every right to be concerned when they see their provincial government cutting funding to programs that have given good value to the industry for years. In recent weeks, dairy, pork and beef producers have taken hits from the government for programs that have provided valuable tools to improve the genetics and the efficiency of their operations. At a time when OMAF Minister Peters is embarking on a series of discussions across the province aimed at developing a 'new vision' for Ontario agriculture — presumably to find new efficiencies for the industry — it makes little sense to eliminate programs that have proven their worth. The provincial government must stop chipping away at agriculture and take a stand to demonstrate support for Ontario farmers and the things that are important to them. Too often we are getting announcements of program cuts with no accompanying statements of support or rationalization. We need the Ontario government to recognize agriculture as a priority investment. Other government cabinet ministers must become engaged and offer their support for Minister Peters as he seeks increased expenditures for Ontario's second largest economic engine. It's time to end the slow destruction of OMAF and what it should mean to farmers. Ron Bonnett, President Ontario Federation of Agriculture. Farmer tells his side