Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-03-09, Page 5News Seaforth-area farmers say they're suffering in farm income crisis From Page 1 in the marketplace if they were on a level playing Held with farmers in Quebec and the U.S. "I don't have a problem with normal highs and lows but when it's artificial, that makes it a hard time," he says. Zwep says that if the province doesn't step in to help farmers with the estimated $300 million rally speakers said was necessary, for sale signs are going to start showing up on local farms. "We're all still in our houses and the heat's on but people's equity is going backwards," he says. Seaforth-area farmer John Van Dooren, who cash crops 1,000 acres and raises 1,000 hogs, says he's "way short" this year because of the price of corn, beans and wheat this year. "We aren't getting the cost of production, not even close," he says. Van Dooren attended the rally last Wednesday because he's going to have a tough time putting a crop in this spring. "I imagine a lot of my neighbours are in the same situation but no one wants to say it. It's our pride. We've been farming here for 30 years and we should be in good shape but it's tough," he says. Betty Glanville, a Seaforth area farmer, also attended the rally with her husband Ken. "A lot of people don't realize how bad it is and it's really not good out there. If the long-time farmers are not being able to make it, what will the young ones do?" she says. Glanville says it was very disheartening to hear at the end of the day that the province gave $400 million to the auto industry. "You can't eat your car," she says. Ken Scott, who has a cow/calf operation near Seaforth and does some cash cropping and custom baling, says last Wednesday's rally is a start to getting a long-term agricultural policy in Ontario that will even out trade imbalances. "We can't complain about the prices the farmers in Quebec and the U.S. are getting because they're getting paid properly," he says. Scott says Huron County farmers are suffering "big time" this year. "I'm hearing that a lot of farmers are having to refinance this year and a lot are eating up their savings. Things are happening behind the scenes that we don't see," he says. Scott adds that many spouses with off -farm jobs are supporting the farm. "I don't know how much longer some people are going to be able to hold on," he says. Scott says that he's happy with the number of local farmers who attended the rally but added that because so many farmers also have off -farm jobs, the numbers were lower than a true representation of those having financial troubles. He adds that the support to the rally given by the local agribusinesses, including tractor, feed and farm machinery business also shows that agribusiness is being affected by the farm income crisis. Alliance determining openings on LAC By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor The Huron -Perth Healthcare Alliance is in the process of determining terms of office for members of its Local Advisory Committees (LACs), CEO Andrew Williams told the Seaforth LAC last Monday. "When we formed the Alliance two years ago, the board members were given a term so that we could have an ebb and flow on the board but we haven't assigned terms to LAC members yet," he said. Williams said each LAC member will be assigned a suggested term of office from one to three years long. Any LAC vacancies or vacancies on the Alliance board will be included on a proposed list ready for the Alliance's May meeting. "If people are stepping down, we'll advice you as we did last year," he said. The LAC in Seaforth is composed of a chair, a member of the Seaforth Community Hospital foundation, the president of the Ladies' Auxiliary, a director from the Alliance board and five to seven community representatives. Williams said the Seaforth LAC currently has a full complement of members after filling one vacancy last year after only one person applied for the position. "As with any volunteer role, it's getting harder to find people especially when hospitals are facing Tots of challenges these days with difficult decisions to be made," he said. Alliance board members have two-year terms but can let their names stand if they want to continue to serve on the board as long as they haven't served longer than 12 years. If any vacancies are announced, Williams said they would be advertised in April. Anyone interested in filling a vacancy on an LAC or on the Alliance board submits their names to the board's nominating committee, which then chooses the successful applicant. Williams told the Seaforth LAC to put forward a name if a vacancy comes up on the Alliance board. "I think the nominating committee would take very seriously a recommendation from the LAC," he said. This year's annual meeting for the Alliance is Thursday, June 23. Seaforth physio services began again last week Outpatient physiotherapy services have begun again at Seaforth Community Hospital two days a week, SCH site leader Mary Cardinal told the Seaforth Local Advisory Committee last Monday. "It's still for people who were recently discharged or people without insurance," she said. As well, new equipment purchased recently for SCH includes three ceiling lifts for the medical floor and one ceiling lift for the emergency department after a recent $21,818 provincial grant. The announcement of one-time funding from the province on Feb. 9 of $261,418 went to a new ultrasound machine at Seaforth Community Hospital, purchased last April. Cardinal said the new ultrasound is compatible with the Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS) technology the Alliance is planning to implement throughout its four member hospitals. Cardinal also announced that a full-time position has been created recently for a registered nurse, who will work part-time at both the Seaforth and Clinton emergency wards. "It's hard to find a full time position as a nurse and this one combines two part- time positions between the two sites. It will be good for both hospitals," she said. Paul ?reale* *Vinyl Letters & Graphics 'Raised Letters 'Aluminum •Banners •Magnetic •Plastic •Computer•Aided Designs 169 GODERICH STREET WEST _527 -1802. - Looking Glass 4 Main St., Seaforth 527-1783 +Reflexology +Deep Muscle. Therapy 4Ear Candling •Reiki In Home Services Provide) Gift Certificates . Available Jennifer McClinchey THE HURON EXPOSITOR, March 9 2005-5 III'ktIN F'' I ATTENTION Residents of Huron East Copies of the 2004 Huron East Water Systems Annual Reports are available at the Huron East Municipal Office during regular office hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and at www.huroneast.com at 72 Main Street South, Seaforth, Ontario Phone (519) 527-1710 Toll Free from Brussels/Grey 1-888-868-7513 Church Services BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A BRANCH OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH Orange Hall, Seaforth 527-2682 4:oo pm Worship Service Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Ro al Hamel St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spint Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 527-1522 Sunday, March 13 5th Sunday in Lent Sunday Worship - 9:30 a.m. "Piggy Bank Sunday" Mon., Mar. 14•- Prayers Group 7 pm Grower's Group - 7:30 p.m. Everyone Welcome Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Sunday School 9:45 a.m. NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Sun., March 13, 2005 Sunday School Adult & Youth 9:30 a.m. Junior 11:00 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Rev. John Gould Sermon: When Jesus Arrives Late Nursery Provided You are invited to attend these area churches Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Egmondville United Church Sunday, March 13 10 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister in Training EVERYONE WELCOME First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday, March 13 - 11:15 a.m. Music by Jubilation Super Sat - March 12 Children 6-12 yrs. 10 am - 2 pm To register call 527-1956 111 LDEBRAND� 01 AM ALSO Susan Hundertmark 1)11iit„ Empathy in a box Robyn Doig, a participant in the 30 -hour famine at Egmondville United Church, took a turn trying to understand how the homeless cope with life on the street during the weekend event which raised close to $1,000 for the Foodgrains Bank. Point. Click. It's that quick) Check out the Canada Revenue Agency's Web site for all the answers to your income tax questions. cra.gc.ca I I Canada Revenue Agency Agence du revenu clu Canada CidI"I(1 I(l