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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2003-12-31, Page 5Opinions Letters OFA congratulates farmers who ran, voted in recent municipal elections From Pogo 4 This document was intended to encourage farmers to get involved in the municipal elections, both as voters and as candidates. OFA wants to congratulate all farmers who ran for council positions. Many were successful, and to those who weren't, your efforts are much appreciated by all farmers. We have seen a significant shift in rural population demographics in recent years, a shift that has reduced the number of farmers serving on municipal councils and consequently farmer input into local decisions. Without that input, bylaws and other actions taken by municipal councils are creating difficult situations for farmers in many areas of the province. Some of the principle areas where these situations are impacting farmers and their businesses have been with municipal official plans and comprehensive zoning bylaws, and bylaws directing nutrient management planning. OFA and its partner organizations in the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition have spent years working with provincial government officials developing the Nutrient Management Legislation that was passed last year, and then putting together the regulations under that legislation. Unfortunately, problems arose with the process in approving those regulations, and the province -wide coverage farmers and their organizations sought has been delayed. Some municipalities with specific environmental agendas have viewed this as an opportunity to pass local nutrient management regulations, and OFA is concerned this approach will result in a multitude of problems, not only for farmers and agriculture, but for the environment. Municipal councils also play significant roles in drainage systems that agriculture depends on for efficient crop production. Without farmer input to decisions regarding municipal drains, OFA is concerned that agriculture's interests will be ignored. Some of the other areas where municipal council decisions play a major role in how farm and rural development takes place include everything from the protection of drinking water quality and the relationship between farming and conservation authorities to the construction and maintenance of rural roads and bridges. If farmers aren't involved by providing input that reflects agriculture's concerns on issues, the agriculture sector stands to suffer. This is why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture is promoting the establishment of agricultural advisory committees in every municipality. These committees would consult with municipal councils on a regular basis, taking the issues farmers find important to them, their families and their businesses to the local council. These committees already exist in some jurisdictions, but to ensure the farm voice is heard uniformly across the province by all municipal councils that have agriculture within their boundaries, OFA wants all areas to take the necessary steps to have agricultural advisory committees in operation. 'Ron Bonnett, President, 'Ontario Federation of Agriculture Wish to Santa was for long winter's nap From Page 4 I wasn't sure if I would go to work Monday - thank goodness for e-mail - and I wasn't sure if I'll be able to drag my sorry flu -weakened body into work for production day on Tuesday. (My apologies, Sara). I do know that after , working full -tilt for the whole month of December both at the newspaper and at home in preparation for both Christmas and a December birthday party, I was ripe for the fall. We super -moms do fly pretty high most of the time but too much kryptonite will bring us down eventually. I did ask Santa for a long winter's nap this year. I just wish I could figure out a way to get one without being coated in Vicks Vapo- Rub and clutching a box of Kleenex. Huron Perth Connects program to avoid search engine failure By Paul Cluff Special to The Expositor Anyone who has attempted research online using the popular "enter a key word" method can relate to Linda Wilcox's pet peeve. "Have you ever tried to Google your way to health care and found 624,000 hits on Alzheimer's disease and treatment?" Wilcox asked Nov. 26. It's a generic example of using a search engine but it's the type of situation 41 community partners in the Huron Perth Connects program are trying to avoid. The program will connect key community sectors, among them business, economic development, tourism, municipal, agriculture, libraries, museums, archives, health, caring and youth, and make them more accessible and easy to find. It will also support local business as they adapt c - commerce, increase visitor attraction across rural parts of the region and raise awareness of the Internet's value. A hired consultant, Lanark Network Associates, completed a business plan and it has been submitted to Connect Ontario - a provincially -funded program that aims to enhance competitiveness for communities in the new digital economy. Huron Perth Connects should know whether they will receive funding from Connect Ontario by March of next year, said consultant and senior partner at Lanark, Debbie Millar. Most of the project partners were gathered at the Seaforth Community Centre recently for an update on the $2.7 million venture. They were also afforded the opportunity to share their information which could soon be available on-line. Of the total cost, $708,938 has been contributed by partners while $885,683 came from in-kind contributions. The group is asking for just under $1.1 million. Wilcox, representing shared library services at South Huron Hospital, said a filtered source of electronic health care information would erase the need for random searches. Health units, community care access centres and the Alzheimer Society could also be included in the community portal. The business end could include a directory to find anything from a local bed and breakfast to a plumber. "It's better networking," said Ralph Laviolette, a growth, business and economic development ,representative for Huron East. Feedback from the agriculture sector weighed heavily into the pins. Jane Muegge of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food said 2,200 farmers have computers in Huron and Perth and 75 per cent of them are online. "It's a great opportunity for us to work with the agriculture industry," said Muegge. Farmers could be updated on weather, business news and other information. "We see great opportunity with this ...we're looking forward to the partnerships." Other perks could include a Web -based library system, on-line genealogical and archival listings and a link to youth information, which could include jobs and sections on teen health and the local music scene. Project partners will be kept up to date on their element and overall progress through e-mail, reports and group meetings. Millar said once approval comes through, things will move quickly. The project is expected to take two years to become operational. A full support team will be put in place including technical support and an office. "We're going to market the heck out of this thing," said Millar. Catherine Rodrigues, senior advisor with the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, said the Ministry could approve the full amount, give conditional approval (with some further feedback required from the applicants before okaying) or turn down funding altogether, which rarely happens. Two Connect Ontario programs are up and running, in Chatham -Kent and Oxford counties. Windsor -Essex is close to starting, while St. Thomas - Elgin and Guelph - Wellington have recently received funding approval. Cheryl Heath photo Holiday fun Dozens of area children had the chance to enjoy Christmas -themed activities at . the Vanastra Recreation Centre last week as part of the municipality of Huron East recreation departments' Kids Christmas programs, from Dec. 22 - 31. Seen showing their artwork are (front) Kristy, 5, and Jessie, 5. In the back are Jenna, 9, Nicole, 9, David, 7 and Melissa, 7. Roc centre staff didn't wish to have last names used. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DECEMBER 31, 2003-5 DEEP MUSCLE THERAPY .Promotes Healing & Relaxation •Reduces Stress •Reduce Muscle Pain -Retlexolog) - - Gilt l cftlli ..,t - Star) Jr.m \1 1 eoJ so Ndh.uu Si I _ its.t,e, Iur. o... 522-0557 , . jolt's • & Auction Inc. A New Year Another New Truckload Bayfield Rd. Clinton 482-9364 Fri. 10-6, Sot. 9-4. Sun. 12-4 ESTHETICS BY BONNIE Bonnie Johnston • reflexology • gift certificates • manicures • Icures • facials • waxing • make-up 92 Nest Wtlluun St Stsr•ni,, ON NOK IWO 527-171 LEARN TO CARE WITH CONFIDENCE Attend a tour part education series designed for families caring for a person with Alzheimer Disease or dementia. Monday Evenings In January Beginning Jan. 5/04 Sessions Run From 7:00 to 8:30 Egmondville United Church Call 482-1482 or 1-800-561-5012 for more information and to register. Dominion Driver Training Wishing to remind you of their 4 Day Course Dec. 22, 2003 In Clinton and Exeter ( Exeter class has moved to the Town Hall) 8 WEEK COURSES CLINTON FEB. 4/04 To register call Carol Blake 527 - 1891 or 1-800-665-3027 Visit our Web Page for more information www.dominiondrivertraining.on.ca "Zieected e4 t4e Glltj#L etuo •, Denture Specialist Dean R. McTaggart D.D. T C Complete and Partial Dentures Denture Repairs Relines - Additions 482-1195 50 ALBERT STREET CLINTON CHUA CHURCHRCH NT OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH 527-0029 Fellowship at 7:00 pm - Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel SVM M. V W. -r -•,rM to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 482-7881 The Second Sunday of Christmas Worship - 9:30 am Sermon: The New Gentiles A Warm Welcome Awaits YouFather Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Cblumban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm . Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 1213 Main St. SeaforthUnited 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Jim I'% - Pastor Egmondville Church Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday January 4th sra Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister M training • NORTHSIDE - VAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9 30 a m. 11 00 e m Norlhtlee Winthrop r,4 Gnderd, St W Sunday January 4, 2004 Guest Speaker - Rev. June Kuepfer Sacrament of Holy Communion First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Seaforth Rev. Ted Nelson Interim Minister Sunday, January 4th Worship 11:15 am