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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2005-03-30, Page 1Illifutint wives Canada inc. Joy Fhilaysn & Sharon Medd Mortgage Consultants "Finally, a company that starts with a discount" 1511 \1:s�ii y.. 'N.:,1t4 u) 151 9) 527-0564) S1breaMeld, Au dat drag MN A.Apprnfa Visit: misers inirmntim d lit1iInHarm/Perth its brief' Wednesday, March 30, 2005 $1.25in GST Elliott111 CFP, B.Math Financial Planner Cale rim ad Midi 29, 20QS N as e: Odd ed lo (Mgt slim MU SOO Oft Bost OaIaca Rats. 31.4% 3:41% 4.161). *DUNDEE 1 :ir:ii 1%IIIiw/Ifltlt 26 Main St, Seaforth 527-2222 Local man has $2,400 phone bill after hacker attack A 47 -year-old Huron East man received a phone bill close to $2,400 after computer hackers broke into his computer system and gained access to the phone lines, reports the Huron OPP. Ninety-nine phone calls had been made to Niev, New Zealand between Feb. 19 and 24, the man learned after receiving his phone bill on March 22. Police warn consumers to protect themselves by turning off the computer when not using it so no roaming hackers can access your internet phone lines. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. Huron East man one of two charged in break-in A 35 -year-old Huron East man is one of two people charged with break and enter after a break-in at a house in Bluewater on March 22 at 6:30 p.m., reports the Huron OPP. Police say four people forced open the rear door and broke into the residence on Bluewater highway but left after finding a woman at home. Of the four, two have been charged with break and enter with the intent of committing an indictable offence - the Huron East man and a 30 - year -old Central Huron woman. Nothing was found stolen from the residence and people are still looking to obtain the names of the other two involved. A newer model white van was seen in the driveway of the residence. The Huron East man was held for a bail hearing in Goderich on March 29. The woman is scheduled to appear in court on June 6. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. Staffa Maple Syrup Festival a success... page 9 Seaforth atoms play last game of season... page 16 Susan Hundertmark photo Easter secrets Blake Poppe, 2, of Seaforth, shares a secret with the Easter Bunny at the annual Easter egg hunt at Victoria Park and St. James School on Saturday. Huron fire departments get funding for training, equipment By Cheryl Heath Clinton News Record Editor Huron East's fire department is $50,000 wealthier thanks to a funding announcement made by the province on Thursday. Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell, who came out to the Central Huron fire department to outline the local portion of the $30 -million Ontario Fire Service Training Grant, said nearly $680,000 in one-time funding is being presented to fire departments across Huron and Bruce counties for both equipment and training. "This is an issue that is near and dear to my heart," she said. "This, I can tell you, will be put to very good use." She added this grant program marks the first of its kind for fire services since 1983. Communities set to benefit from the program include Goderich, with $50,000, the Municipalities of Bluewater and Central See PROVINCIAL, Page 3 Feds injecting $1 billion into farm economy By Cheryl Heath Clinton News Record Editor The agriculture industry is getting a cash infusion of $1 billion through the newly -introduced Farm Income Payment Program. The announcement came care of federal Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell Tuesday morning in Guelph at a press conference that drew representatives of the agricultural sector as well as Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle and Lambton-Kent- Middlesex MP Rose -Marie Ur. The money, pledges Mitchell, will flow quickly to producers who, in contrast to past relief programs, will not need to apply for it as cash will be partially distributed on an eligible net sales and per -head payment basis, similar to the criteria used for last year's Transitional Industry Support Program (TISP). While the funds are coming care of the federal government, federal leaders are encouraging the 10 provinces to match the money on a 60-40 basis. "This is an important liquidity injection into the industry," said Mitchell, noting the $1 billion decision came on the heels of recognition that the agricultural industry is in dire straits for a plethora of reasons including the avian virus hurting the chicken industry in British Columbia, droughts as well as a "killer frost" in the West, the ongoing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis and grains and oilseeds markets flooded by undercut U.S. imports. The $1 billion is only part of the federal government's solution, said Mitchell, adding the industry must continue to work on "transformative changes," like fmding new markets, in order to ensure the industry continues to thrive. Mitchell, who acknowledged the last few years have been tough on farmers, said it is important for Canadians to note that agriculture comprises eight per cent of the country's gross domestic product. "It is an important Canadian industry and it's one that is critical to the long-term success of Canada," he said. Ron Bonnett, president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, said the money is welcome news, but he said there is much more work to be done. "We have to take a look at examining the existing safety -net programs," he said, adding the industry must also work toward finding a way to ensure they acquire a fair return in the marketplace. Bonnett said "long-term solutions," along with working on North American and World Trade Organization (WTO) strategies are necessary to ensure the Canadian agricultural industry is able to play a level playing field. "We have to start looking at thing like labour standards and environmental standards to ensure a fair marketplace," he said. "We know there are still problems that have to be addressed." Stan Eby, president of the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, said the cash infusion will prove instrumental in adding the industry. "Cash flow is critical in our industry," he said. He, like Bonnett, said looking past the United States for markets is a necessity for survival. "We have to work our way through this as if the border was not open," he said. In total, the program includes a general payment of $841.5 million for all eligible Canadian producers. About 55 per cent of that paythent is expected to go to grain and oilseed producers while cattle and ruminant producers are set to get about 18 per cent of the payment. In addition, cattle and ruminant producers will receive $155 million in direct payments based on their inventory as of Dec. 23, 2003 to deal with the income pressures created by the ongoing border closure. Hildebrand's closing up after 41 years Hazel Hildebrand retiring, Exeter couple buying paint and paper business By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff For many of her working years, Hazel Hildebrand has been employed on Seaforth's Main Street. So for many people, it was a shock when Hildebrand announced last week that the former Seaforth mayor would be retiring from her business Hildebrand Paint and Paper. Hazel said that she has had "quite a fttw" people come in to wish her a happy retirement. "Most of them are pretty shocked," Hazel said. On April 23, Hazel will hang her paintbrush up and hand over the keys to the business that has been open in downtown Seaforth for 41 years. "We've been thinking about it for a while," Hazel said. "We had a chance to sell so we thought we'd better take it." Hazel's son and co-worker Doug Hildebrand said that his mother has been thinking about retiring for a few years. "We tried to sell it to somebody who was going to take the business over so it'll be in good hands,' Doug said. The business was sold to Chris and Kelly Collison who operate Partners Paint and Paper in Exeter. The Collison's approached the Hildebrands a few years ago with an offer to buy their business whenever they were ready. Before working at the home decorating store, Hazel worked on Main Street for Stewart Bros., a men's and women's clothing store, and as a telephone operator in the office where Seaforth Insurance now operates. See HI[DEBRAND, Page 2 Hazel Hildebrand Jason Middleton photo