HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-01-03, Page 2Page 2 January 3, 2007 • The Huron Expositor
News
Huron Federation of Agriculture president
`flattered' by extension of farmland tax deferral
Susan H u n d e r t m a r k
Huron East's decision to extend
its farmland tax deferral program
for a third year is "wonderful" and
"needed," says Huron Federation of
Agriculture president Steve
Thompson.
"It's a very gracious thing council
is doing. We still need it because
we've got a lot of catching up to do,"
says Thompson.
"You can't disguise the fact that
2003, 2004 and 2005 were the worst
in history for Canadian farmers and
it takes a lot more than one year to
make it up," he says.
Thompson says the current stabi-
lization: of grain and oilseed prices
can be attributed to the recent gov-
ernment interest in ethanol, caus-
ing a "mini -boom" with the building
of so many ethanol plants through-
out Canada and the U.S. .
"It's a welcome addition but it all
depends on government grants, the
price of fuel and what crops ethanol
plants decide to buy," says
Thompson.
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nothing to equalize the subsidies
Canadian and U.S. farm-
ers receive from their
governments.
"The price stabiliza-
tion is being seized by
the politicians to keep
doing nothing. A
lifeboat has appeared
but it hasn't come from
government and it isn't
enough to help all of
us. And, when the
prices go back down,
we'll be in exactly the
"Farmers are same position. We need
concerned it's equity with U.S. farm -
another dot.com ers," he says. -
mania with the Since U.S. farmers
same boom and and other international
bust," he says. farmers are able to
As well,
Thompson says
the price stabi-
lization has done
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Canadian farmers.
He says since Brazil
can grow three crops of
sugar cane a year,
ethanol plants could
just as easily buy from
Brazilian farmers if
the price of corn goes
up in Canada.
"We're just not sure
of the longterm impli-
cations," he says.
Thompson adds that
while protest for
equalization is still
needed, he thinks the
current price stabiliza-
tion will make it hard
to motivate anyone to
/ get involved.
/ However, he says
`It's a very
gracious thing
council is
doing. We still
need it
because we've
got a lot of
catching up to
Steve Thompson,
Thompson,
HFA president
compete to supply ethanol farmers are "flattered"
plants with the plant material need- that Huron East council is still try -
ed to make fuel, Thompson ques- ing to help them out.
tions how secure the market is for
Fashion show, free skating
draw close to 300 people
to Brussels arena
From Page 1
dressed up as "calendar girls."
"That's why they're all here,"
laughed Sholdice, featured as
Miss July in the fashion show.
Sholdice said that because of
donations from local service
clubs, the levee was held free of
charge.
Brussels Coun. Frank
Stretton, also featured as Miss
June in the fashion show,
brought greetings from Huron
East, inviting all the residents of
Brussels to enjoy the upcoming
homecoming event.
"If this is an indication of
what's going to happen in July,
we're in for a wonderful time,"
he said.
"Huron East wants to thank the homecom-
ing committee for all their work so far that
will make Brussels the place to be in July,"
said Stretton.
So far, plans for Brussels' 135th anniver-
sary include opening ceremonies on Friday,
July 27 at 6:45 p.m. at the ball park followed
by two ballgames and two dances - one for
teens at the Brussels Legion and one for
adults at the arena.
On Saturday, the day begins with a break-
fast at 7 a.m. at Brussels United
Church, a car boot sale in down-
town Brussels from 8 -lo 11 a.m.,
a soap box derby at 9 a.m., a
barbecue at the Brussels
Mennonite Church at 11 a.m.
and a noon parade down Main
Street.
As well, a jamboree will be
held at the Brussels Legion at 2
p.m. and a beef barbecue at the
community centre from 5-7 p.m.
A ball tournament continues
all weekend.
On Sunday, the day begins
with a breakfast at the Brussels
firehall from 7-11 a.m., a-nulti-
denominational church service at
the conservation area at 11:15 a.m., duck
races at 2 p.m. at the Brussels dam, a pork
chop barbecue from 4-7 p.m. at the communi-
ty centre, a shirttail parade beginning at the
Brussels pool at 8 p.m. and fireworks at dusk
at the community centre.
`If this is an
indication of
what's going to
happen in July,
we're in for a
wonderful
time,'-- ,
Brussels Coun.
Frank Stretton