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Huron Expositor, 2002-03-27, Page 4Opinion 11. Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 Tom Williscraft - Publisher Pat Armes - Office Manager Scott Hilgendorff - Editor DiomeMcGrafh - Subscriptions/Classifieds Susan Hundertmark - Reporter Katrina Dietz - Sales /I)Anne Roden - Distribution Bowes Publishers Limited S"h,dw) y/Sra Mahe Corporation - A Quebec" Co.pe., E-mail us at seaforth@bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 32.50 o yeor, in advance, plus 2.28 G.S.T. SENIORS: • 30.00 a year, in advance, plus 2.10 G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 28.44 a year in advance, plus $78.00 postage, G.S.T. exempt SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing at 11 Main St., Seaforth. Publication mail registration No. 0696 held at Seaforth, Ontario. Advertising is occepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising spoce occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the odvertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, orders for subscriptions and undeliverable copies are to be sent to The Huron Expositor. Wednesday, AprlI 11, 2001 ■diterial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,5eo/or* Telephone (519) 527.0240 Pax (519) 527-2858 Ma'Aiiru - P.O. Box 69, Oatarlo, qac 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 "We ac e the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." Editorial Council, staff forming a solid new team Mayor Lin Steffler has commended the new council and administration and staff on a job well done in Huron East. Five municipalities, both of rural and urban backgrounds, have come together with few bumps and bruises to form a new, larger municipality. It may not be seen as all positive by some whose job titles or responsibilities have been changed or diminished in the new municipality. Howeveri, it is an unfortunate by-product of creating a new municipality if there is to be any hope of finding true savings by coming together. But generally, the municipality has come together smoothly as it heads toward probably its largest challenge --the first budget for Huron East. Expected to be on the council table in early May, the budget will take a lot of hard work by the administration team to harmonize five separate and distinct wards and council will have to balance out the needs of both rural and urban taxpayers as it proceeds through the process. All-in-all the new council is proving to be a good team. Concerns remain that council is sliding into closed session on items that are grey or not at all appropriate for closed meetings. Council also seems to be held back somewhat by administration's system of handing out pre -written motions for councillors to make on agenda items. Councillors seem to forget they can make motions on their own to spark discussion and debate and to move the agenda along by trying to get council to come -to a decision, rather than sometimes talking in circles. But there really does seem to be a good group of people around the table willing to express their opinions and even argue a little about what should be done or how a situation should be handled. While the first quarter is done, there are 11 more and plenty of time for this group of people to grow into a solid team that will continue to build a strong municipality. Scott Hilgendorff How to access us Letters to the Editor and other submissions can be made to us by noon on Mondays at: seaforth @ bowesnet.com All letters and submissions must be signed and accompanied by a day -time telephone number. All submissions are subject to editing for both length and content. Don't forget to check out our homepage at: www.seaforthhuronexpO dtOr Commentary Federation optimistic about new farming task force By Jack Wilkinson, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture The suggestion of another task force to review agricultural issues makes some people wince. They have seen reports from task forces too often put in storage and have little faith that anything good will come from another one. At the Ontario Federation of Agriculture we operate with a high level of optimism. That's why we welcome the recent announcement by Prime Minister Chretien's office that a Caucus Task Force has been assembled to examine future opportunities in farming. We have heard many suggest that such a task force is simply another way of delaying any further assistance to our farming industry. While that thought has crossed our minds, we have to believe our Federal Government is truly serious about working toward improvements to Canadian agriculture. We continue to expect the additional 400 million dollars in federal safety net funding to add to the already -announced 500 million dollars. With all of this in mind, OFA intends to do everything possible to present helpful and workable recommendations to the task force. We also intend to ask for an earlier deadline for the final report. Without a doubt there is a lot of work to be done, but we believe significant progress has to come from the task force long before the current September 2002 deadline. The Prime Minister's news release announcing the creation of the task force quotes Mr. Chretien as saying: "The Canadian agriculture and agri- food sector is integral to our high standard of living and unmatched quality of life. Our farmers and processors provide Canadians and customers worldwide with high quality, safe food. "I am delighted that our Caucus is taking the initiative to look at what action our government can take that will assist our farmers and farming communities for the long term," Mr. Chretien's statement concluded. As president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture I am anxious to do anything that's necessary to ensure our farmers share in the high standard of living most other Canadians enjoy. We believe it's the work and dedication of our farmers that contribute so much to that high standard of living. We are anxious to work with the Federal Government to explore opportunities for farm operations to contribute to a healthy environment and increased confidence by our Canadian consumers in the safety of the food we produce. We also want to work toward the development of new products and markets for value-added food items at the farm -gate level. It is especially encouraging to hear our Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Hon. Brian Coburn, talk about joint efforts to improve the long-term prospects for our farming sector. If we can get both federal and provincial governments working together with us in the development of a long-term strategy for the Canadian agriculture and agri- food industry, I have every confidence our farmers can expect brighter days ahead. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is gearing up to participate to the fullest extent in both federal and provincial initiatives aimed at long- term stability for our industry. We are confident our farmers, given the moral and financial support they deserve by their fellow Canadians, will continue to provide the safest food in the world at the fairest price. If the work of the Prime Minister's task force is prepared to reveal all the facts about Canadian agriculture in the world farming scene, we want to be involved. Public can help Frogwatch study ecosystems The Canadian Nature Federation (CNF) and Environment Canada's Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network (EMAN) would like to thank all the volunteers who helped get the Frogwatch program off to a hopping start. As spring arrives, it is time to get ready for a new season of frog -watching. For those of you who missed out on the fun last year, now is your chance to get involved. The aim of Frogwatch is to encourage Canadians to take an interest in the health of our environment. Because frogs spend part of their life in water, and part on land, they have been chosen as an indicator species to monitor changes to our ecosystems. They appear to be telling us something is amiss, as their numbers have been declining worldwide since the 1980s. Currently, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) lists three populations of frogs as endangered, while six others are categorized as threatened or of special concern. Additionally, there have been unexplained population declines in species not normally considered at risk. In order to identify the causes of these declines, scientists must first determine the extent of frog population reductions. That's where Frogwatch participants can help. We are looking for volunteers of all ages who are willing to monitor frog calls at their local wetland on a number of evenings over the calling season. By gathering information on which frogs are calling at a particular site, when they call, and under what conditions, you can help scientists collect the data they need to identify threats to our natural environment. The earliest spring frogs began calling in late March or early April. Regardless of where you live, the species you are likely to hear first is the wood frog, which is the only frog found in every province and territory in Canada. To listen to its duck -like quack, as well as the calls of other frogs and toads in your region, visit the National Frogwatch Web site < h t t p:// e q b- dge.cciw.ca/emanops/intro.h tml> or call 1-888- 31FROGS. Pictures and descriptions of Canada's frogs and toads can be found on the Frogwatch ID poster. A printed copy is available free -of -charge from the Canadian Nature Federation, while an electronic version can be viewed on CNF's Web site. Although a survey form is included with the poster, volunteers are encouraged to submit their observations electronically via EMAN's Web site to save both paper and data processing time. Seizure made from illicit distillery on John Street April 14, 1876 Huron Notes: A display of muscular power took place on the farm of Mr. John Burchill, Hullett, when B. Churchilland Wm. East, cut one cord of 22 inch wood in 15 minutes. Horsepower machines are at a discount. Tuckersmith: Mr. G. M. Chesney sold a thorough bred Durham cow to Mr. Archibald Stewart of Lobo'. for $160.00. This cow is nine years old and is farrow. Hullett: Thomas Hill, who is employed at Knox sawmill, Hullett, met with a painful accident. He was engaged in working with truck when the article flew back striking him in the leg, breaking it below the knee. He was removed to hie home in Brussels. Brussels: John Grewer has sold his property on Turnburry opposite Stretton's hotel to Wm. Glynn. It was sold for $510.00, or $30 per foot frontage. An Illicit Distillery: On Tuesday last Inland Revenue collector Cavan made a seizure of an illicit distillery which was in full operation in a building on John Street, owned by R. Carmichael and nearly opposite the Expositor office. When the officers visited the place, they found the fires going and the vats filled with partially distilled grain. The vats were at once broken and their contents spilled over the floor, the furnace was also demolished. When the work of demolition was complete, Monsieur Frank looked at Officer Cavan and cooly remarked that "it was a d ---shame to destroy and waste things that way, as he Years agone... could have turned out with the riging the best and purest Scotch whiskey that ever made." Personal: Mr. Thomas Laplie, formerly of McKillop, left on Tuesdasy for Melbourne, Australia, where he intends making his home for a time. Births: In McKillop on April 10th, the wife of Mr. s James Hogg, of a son. April 12, 1901 Hensall: Mr. and Mrs. Francis Coleman have been visiting friends in Seaforth and vicinity during the past week. Mr. Samuel Rannie of Zurich was in the village on Saturday on business. Kippen: Mr. Alex McBeath was in the village during the week performing the duty laid on him in the way of taking the census. Mr. James McMordie and his sister Mary, Miss Annie Murray, Miss Minty McGregor, all teachers, are spending the Easter holidays at their parental homes. Walton: Miss Bella Simpson of Fordwich is spending her Easter holidays beneath the parental roof. Mr. Murdie Campbell left on Tuesday morning for California. McKillop: Mr. Timothy Kelly purchased a barn from Mr. John Rapine of McKillop. He has taken it apart and is reconstructing it on a stone foundation. Mr. Kelly thinks he has been long enough without a barn and .now he is going to have a good one. Mr. J. Krauskopf is remodeling gis barn and placing stabling under it. Plow the Fields and Scatter: Mr. James Martin on the Hannah farm, 2nd concession, Tuckersmith, plowed a field of oats on Tuesday. This is the earliest sowing we have ever heard. Local Briefs: Mrs. David Sproat of Belgrave spent Friday and Sunday with her sister Mrs. James Lowrie of Egmondville. April 16, 1926 A number of the farmers here are making maple syrup and report a good run last week. The first horseless vehicle of this spring was seen on the public highway on Monday. The Show: Our Hensall Spring Show, under the auspices of the South Huron Agricultural Society, was most certainly the best and most largely attended yet held and was pronounced by all as being a first class fair. Train Wreck: The passenger train due to Seaforth at 5:53 p.m., was derailed a mile and a quarter west of town on Tuesday evening. The many friends of Mr. Duncan Campbell, North Main Street, will regret to learn that he suffered a severe stroke on Friday of last week and is very low at present. on Tuesday, April 20th. Miss Elizabeth Murray, McKillop, Miss Gertrude Stapelton, Hibbert, Miss Geraldine O'Conner, Hibbert, Miss Helena Flannery of St. Columban and Miss Mary Feeney of McKillop, returned to Stratford Normal School to resume their duties. April 13, 1951 Bequests of $500.00 to Scott Memorial Hospital and St. Thomas Anglican Church were made known this week when the will of the late H.M. (Brown) Jackson was probated. Monday evening was District Governor's Night at the Seaforth Lions Club. At the Lion meeting Monday night, ex -Mayor J. E. Keating, acknowledged the gift of pictures of their Majesties, the King and Queen, by A. Y. McLean, M.P. to this Community Center. Seaforth Council passed a new by-law on Monday night establishing several "through" streets in town. The first meeting of the Seaforth Marry Maidens' Garden Club was held in the Seaforth District High School on Tuesday afternoon of this week. Mr. George Earle, who had the misfortune to have the fingers of one hand badly crushed while operating a truck in Toronto, is recuperating at the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Earle. Master John Keith Grant had the misfortune on Monday to have the nail torn off one of his fingers when it was caught in the car door. A joint celebration of Edelweiss Rebekah Lodge and thedfellows was held Mondanight when Wildey Night was marked. Wildey Night being the founder of the Oddfellow Lodge. The farm formerly owned by the Smillie Estate, lot 6, con. 18, Grey Township, has been sold to Harry Bolger.