HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-06-22, Page 5Wednesda Jute 22, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5
Community
letters to the editor
Thrbines invoke memories of Sprung
4. Greenhouse fiasco
7b the Editor:
Anyone remember the Sprung Greenhouse fiasco? In
1987, Newfoundland d Premier Brian Peckford attempted to
boost local employment by subsidizing the building of a
massive hydroponic greenhouse operation that its inventor,
Philip Sprung, said would turn the province into a world
leader in green produce. His plan had failed in Alberta, but
in Peckford he found a gullible partner willing to abandon
common sense and start signing over other people's money.
During the construction phase the premier pointed with
pride to the hundreds of Jobs apparently created. Mean-
while the province kept signing cheques and promising that
cucumbers and economic renewal were on the way in equal
pleasure,
Cucumbers slid start appearing.' Ihe problem was each
one cost $1.10 to grow, told the wholesale market price was
Just over 50 cents, 'lie greenhouse went bankrupt and
ceased operations by 1990, 'Ihe Jobs vanished, and the tiny
province was left with $14 million in debts to pay.
Never forget: Jobs are created by profitable businesses,
period. Industries reliant on subsidies do not generate Jobs,
they destroy them. Subsidies create short-term jobs that
Hensall Co-op wins bid for 20 year
lease
Yb the Editor:
'lie Board of Directors and management are pleased to
report that I lensall District Co-op (UDC) was the successful
bidder of a 20 year lease agreement which has been signed
with the Directors of I luron Grain Limited, 'lie Greenway
facilities have served the Greenway area farmers for approxi-
mately 30 years. During the bidding process for the facili-
ties, Directors and Management were impressed with the
MPP thanks seniors
7b the Editor:
June is Seniors' Month in Ontario and 1 wanted to take
this opportunity to personally thank 1 luron-Bruce seniors
for all of the work you do to support our rural communities.
This year's is theme is "Melt (ip,' which emphasizes the
benefits of active, engaged living. And we all know that the
seniors in l iuron-Bruce are very engaged in our
communities.
Local seniors have helped to make 1 loran -Bruce hest tid-
ing in the hest province in the greatest country in the world,
As dedicated volunteers you are the backbone of our service
organizations, schools and hospitals. 1 have had the pleasure
(1,Of presenting hundreds of Volunteer Service Awards over the
it'('ars and many of Huse deserving recipients were seniors
celebrating 20, 30 and even 40 years of service.
Please take the time this month to honour and thank the
seniors in your life. Seniors • our mothers, fathers, grand -
parents and long-time family friends - are the anchors of
our communities. 'Hu* advice and experience has shaped
the places we call home 811d the people we've become.
'Thank you again. We couldn't do it without you.
Sincerely,
Carol Mitchell, MPP
Huron -Brice
have to be financed by new taxes on profitable activity,
which drives away long-term investment and ends up cost-
ing Jobs.
People in Ontario ridiculed the Sprung fiasco at the time.
But I guess we didn't really learn anything, for now we are
madly building our own versions of the Sprung green-
houses. 'Ibis time they are called wind turbines.
'their salesmen have found in Dalton McGuity their own
Brian Peckford. 'they convinced him we can become a world
leader, not in green produce, but green energy. Common
sense has been Jettisoned and the cheques are flowing.
We already have green energy. Most of our electricity
comes from non -emitting hydro and nuclear generation, at
a fraction of the cost of wind -and solar -generated power. By
the government's own data, Ontario air pollution has fallen
dramatically since the 1970s through the use of scrubbers
and automobile technology (check it out at airqualityon-
tario.conl). Most of our remaining smog precursors originate
in the 11,S. An expert report to the government in 2005 --
which was promptly marked "Classified," but a copy of
which I obtained -- showed that closing our two coal -tired
power plants would make no measurable difference to sum-
mertime smog levels, especially since they tivould require
gas-fired replacements.
Wind turbines, like solar panels, can generate electricity
but they require backup gas generators to compensate for
the fluctuating yield.
And, like Sprung's cucumbers, those green electrons don't
create jobs, they annihilate them. Wind turbines don't run
on wind, they run on subsidies and rigged prices, or "feed -
in -tariffs." Green energy will only be a source of jobs the day
number of growers who expressed their wishes that they
hoped than 111)C would obtain the facilities.
During the due diligence process, 1ll)(: determined that
the Greenway facilities provided strong synergies for 111)(:
and will provide additional benefits for new and existing
Greenway customers. In fact, a large number of producers
are already members of 111)C. Over time, I il)(: plans to
improve the services at Greenway. 'the (rree'tllvay transac-
tion is a positive strategic initiative for our farmer - owned
agri- business. It will provide more volume, efficiencies and
synergies to allow 111)C to remain competitive in our core
business units. Effective Italy 1st , the new name of the loca-
tion will he Gi1EI:NWAY CO-OP, a division of 1I1)C. '1 he
phone number Is 519-238-87(11 and fax number is 519-238-
8709, 'lhe Board of Directors and Staff of 111)C look forward
to earning the farmers' business at Greenway (:o -op.
111)(: is a medium sized farther - owned Ontario agri-co-
operative founded in 1937 and is owned by 42(0 members.
In the fiscal year ended July 31st, 2010, I Il)(: reported sales
and service revenue of 330 M dollars and profit hefore taxes
and distribution to members of 8.170M dollars. UDC
the industry can produce electricity at competitive market
rates and still pay its own bills.
Ontario was not the first region to fall for the scan. Spain
did years ago. Recently an independent analysis showed the
plan destroyed 2.2 Jobs for every one created. Over the past
month Spain has slashed subsidies for green power produc-
ers and capped the size of the sector. France has also begun
eliminating subsidies in the wake of a report showing that,
after the temporary, subsidy -driven construction jobs end,
the price hikes and tax increases will lead to long-term
declines in jobs and growth. And Germany -- producer of
half the world's solar electricity -- just announced acceler-
ated cuts in solar subsidies in response to the same eco-
nomic realities, with hints the subsidies may not survive a
scheduled review in 2012.
Everywhere it's the same story, Green energy salesmen
bamboozle gullible governments into signing cheques in
return for empty promises of jobs and growth. As the bills
mount, prices rise and the economy sags, the inevitable
unravelling begins. It will happen here too, The only ques-
tion is how many jobs will disappear and how much eco-
nomic hardship we will put up with before having the com-
mon sense to shut the scruu down once and for all,
Ross McKitrick is a professor of environmental economics
at the University of Guelph; senior fellow of the Fraser Insti-
tute; member, Academic Advisory Board, john Deutsch
Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ail(1 member, Aca-
demic Advisory Board, Global Warming Policy Foundation,
London, U.K.
(First printed in Stratford Beacon 1lerald)
Ross McKitrick
employs approximately 400 full time and part time stuff
members.
f 11)(; is a progressive, diversified fanner - owned agri -
business providing the benefits of ownership to our mem-
bers, 11l)C now operates a total of 17 edible bean/grain ele-
vators and crop products sales and service locations. With
the addition of Greenway Co-op,1IDC now has over 140,000
bushels hourly receiving capacity, 600,00(1 bushels per day
corn drying capacity and over 13 M bushels of storage capac-
ity.111)C's grain marketing team also provides marketing and
logistic services for on - farm stored commodities. 111)(:
supplies fertilizer, seed, farm chemicals and related services.
In addition t1D(: markets feed and feed ingredients, plus
supplies petroleum and propane to area farms, commercial
and residential customers. Patricia Vargas
HENSALL DISTRICT C0 -OPERATIVE, INC,
Ears Wagner
CEO
Rob Cornelis
President
Stephen's grade 6-7 had a blast at Morrison Dam
saw Central
By Baylee and Emily
WOW, school is corning to an end quickly. Our school has
been very busy with upcoming events and with getting last
minute work and trips done and over with.
Last week on Tuesday, our students went to the 1 luron
County Playhouse to watch I lair Spray which was a very
exciting musical, also our athletes that moved on from
South Huron track meet attended Ole board meet in
Goderich. 'l\vo weeks ago, our grade 6, 7s and 8s went to
Y1,CC for their year-end trip where they met some AMAZ-
ING leaders, experienced some wonderful life changing
events like; zip -lining, high ropes, canoeing and rock climb-
ing. 'lie students still really miss the leaders and the camp
in general. We had the time of their lives.
Last Friday, our JK/SKs, Is and 2s went to (rand Bend for
the day to go mini -golfing and to have some fun at the
splash pad. Our grade t1 3 -pitch team went to Exeter for a
day of exciting competition, unci lots of thrills!
Yesterday we hard our airhands/lam ily fun fair at our
school, which students look forward to all year around! Stu -
dents 811(1 then famllles were able to enjoy hamburgers,
hotdogs and get their faces painted. ihis was all generously
provided by ot11' 8111az.i11g Parent Council. On Wednesday,
our grade 6/7 class went to Morrison Dam for a day of fun
with the AB(:A. This Friday we have our last Terrific Kids
assembly and our first year-end awards assembly, WAY 'I'O
Go TIGERS!
On the 28th of June, its our annual pluyday and also 1'C'S
GRADUATION! Our grade 8s have been counting down the
days since the first day of this year. We are so excited/sad,
(:ON(RA1'111.Af1ONS,'lalk to you next week :)
Baylee and Emily