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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1981-11-11, Page 2Page 2 Times-Advocat., November 11, 19111 Jack's jottings By JACK RIDDELL, MP' A report "energy and agriculture" was tabled in the Legislature this week. In brief the report states that in the next two decades the price of energy will probably rise much higher and some fuels may become scarce. These facts and other economic influences, mean that farriers must conserve energy - especially oil - while producing increasing quantities of food to feed a growing population. The study recommends im- mediate steps to preserve farmland in southern Ontario for food production. Over the next two decades it will be necessary to provide the equivalent of 1.1 million hectares of new food production capacity through either expansion of foodland base or increase produc- tivity or a combination of both. This increase in food production will be necessary to maintain current levels of self sufficiency while meeting future demands. The Provincial Study concludes that if farmers who now use about 3 percent of all the petroleum products in Canada continue to ex- pand their production their energy requirements will expand 30 to 40 percent. While the study group says that the use of alternative fuels is possible, it may be hard to combine their use with agricultural expansion, since they feel land should not be shifted from food to fuel production. However, the Mir: ,try, should accelerate the development of alternate energy crops in cooler parts of Ontario and on less productive land. "It will be a great challenge to increase farm out -put in Ontario at something more than 1 percent a year while at the same time reducing dependency on oil-based fuel, fertilizers and chemicals." The study also recom- mends increased research into the use of the province's 18 million tons of manure for methane gas production to heat farm buildings and the use of waste heat from Ontario industries for greenhouse vegetable production. The report which took a year and $400,000.00 for a government task force to produce lacks a time frame within which these recommendations should be implemented. The Treasurer Frank Miller announced in the Legislature this week that the Ontario Government will aid the automobile industry under the temporary assistance program and that there will be a full rebate of retail sales tax paid, up to a maximum of $700.00, on purchases of new 1981 model year passenger cars and light trucks. The rebate will be in effect for vehicles delivered bet- ween November 1, 3981 and December 5, 1981 inclusive, provided the vehicle is purchased prior to November 29. 1981 The Treasurer said that full details of this program will be made available by the Honourable George Ashe. the Minister of Revenue The Treasurer also an- nounced approval of four projects under the BILD program. Two of these will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and 2 by the Ministry of Natural Resources. In partnership with these Report tabled ministries BILD will con- tribute upwards of 5.5 million on a variety of resource development programs over the next 5 years. Additional funding will also be provided by each of these ministries. Recognizing the in- creasing need for advanced education in agriculture, including computerized farm management and high - precision laboratory procedures, a four year program is to be instituted at the agricultural colleges throughout the province. Micro -computers are to be purchased so students can learn how to use the com- puter on the farm for ac- counting and recording systems and for budgeting and marketing. High precision instruments are to be provided for laboratory technology courses that include instruction in food management, animal health and agricultural laboratory technology. The Treasurer said that complex farm machines are becoming normal equipment for many farms and funds will be used to lease or purchase such machines for college instruction. The second BILD program under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is the extensive upgrading of facilities at the Farmer's Market at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto, in- cluding greatly increasing the number of stalls and the installation of a roof with a total cost of 3 million dollars of which BILD will pay two thirds, the remainder coming from the food ter- minal board. The debate on the government's purchase of 25 percent of the shares of Suncor Inc. continued, with the Opposition carrying on a filibuster against the government's motion on supply, which would have given access to 7 billion in tax funds to pay provincial bills for the next five months. Debate was lengthy and heated, and was only ended when the government in- voked closure. As Toronto's "Globe and Mail" com- mented in an editorial on November 5th, "for the first ''ne since 1874 an Ontario government has cut off debate in the Legislature through the invocation of closure. It has done so for a reason which makes a mockery of the parliamentary system - to avoid giving the Opposition parties detailed information on the purchase, and reasons for purchase, of 25 percent of Suncor Inc. of Toronto.". During the debate, the Leader of the New Democratic Party was ejected from the House, and Liberal House Leader Bob Nixon was threatened with the same thing before the Speaker called a ten minute recess for tempers to cool. Liberal Leader Stuart Smith described the motion of closure as a muzzle on debate and said that "the Government had abused the rights of Parliament and the people." He had condemned the oil company deal as a bad investment of $650 million in tax money at a time when the Province is resorting to deficit finan- cing. The money could, he said, have been better used in other areas in Ontario's slumping economy. "The Government has made a very expensive pur- chase...and should justify the purchase or go to the people." The justification which he, and the Opposition Members seek should - hopefully - be contained in reports prepared by private financial consultants ad- vising the Government on the Suncor purchase. Robert Runciman, a new Conservative M.P.P. for Leeds in an interview, joined the Opposition in calling for Government disclosure of information on the Suncor deal. Another Conservative Member Morly Kells (Humber) left the House rather than vote on the closure motion, which he said was "politically stupid" and "the last thing" which should have been done. Even some Cabinet Ministers have expressed, privately, their concerns about the Suncor deal, saying they should have been told more about one of the • largest single expenditures in Provincial histo . BIG BROTHER, SISTER DIRECTORS — The board of directors for the South Huron Big Brothers and Sisters are (back, from left) directors Shari Burton, Marshall Dearing, Clayton Steckle, Elaine Boynham; executive secretary Dorothy Chapman, (front, from left) past president Jim Chapman, first vice president Al Rankin, second vice president Lois McCallum, secretary Dorothy Wales and director Lisa Frayne. Missing were president Al Epp, and treasurer Sandi Bergmann. Plates recovered Caper is finally solved The licence plate caper has been solved! Last Monday three licence plates mysteriously disappeared from three motor vehicles owned by teachers at South Huron T)iatriet Ugh Cehnol. After many inquiries by police and teachers, the case Escapes one count but loges another An Exeter dr$'er who collided with a school bus was found not guilty of careless driving in court Tuesday. but was convicted of making an unsafe move- ment with his vehicle. Thomas P. Ducharme, was fined $78 and given 60 days in which to pay the fine by Justice of the Peace Douglas Wedlake. The collision occurred on September 20 near the Usborne Central School, when a vehicle operated by the accused pulled in front of the passing school bus to make a left turn into a farm field laneway. Damage in the collision totalled $3,174. There were no children on the bus at the time. The bus driver said she did not see any signal lights or brake lights on the car as she started to pass it. However. the accused said he had his signals on and this was substantiated by a witness in his vehicle. In the only other case, Mr. Wedlake handed down his decision on a charge against 44 KIRKTON ANGLICAN BAZAAR -- Saturday's bazaar sponsored by the St. Paul's Anglican Church Women of Kirkton drew o large crowd. Shown with some of the orticles are Debbie Schaeffer, Gail Jongkind and ACW president Joan McCormick. T -A photo Police investigate theft Two hurt in collision Two youngsters sustained minor injuries in one of the three accidents investigated by the Exeter police department this week. That collision was reported on Sunday at the intersection of Andrew and Wellington St. and involved vehicles operated by Janet Coward, RR 1 Woodham, and Dorothy Iles, 172 San- ders St., Exeter. Two occupants in the Coward vehicle, Tracy and Erin Coward, suffered minor injuries. Damage was listed at $1,500 by Constable Kierstead. On Friday, vehicles driven LOTS OF KIRKTON BAKING The large crowd at Saturday's Kirkton Anglicon Church Women's annual bazaar hod o wide variety of baked goods to choose from. Shown with some of the delectable items ore Mary Wackier, Gwen Waghorn and Normo Paul. T -A photo f by Eugene Brennan, South - dale Road, London, and Allan Moody, 373 Marlborough St., Exeter, collided on Main St. at the intersection of Nelson St. Damage was listed at $2,000 by Constable Sadler. The other collision oc- curred on Wednesday at the intersection of Highway 4 and 83 and involved vehicles operated by John Patrick, Breamar Crescent, Strat- ford, and Ruth Workman, RR 3 Kippen. There were no injuries and damage was set at $500 by Constable Kierstead. Police also Investigated one theft this week. Harold Brintnell, 309 Andrew St., reported that someone had stolen a cassette player and a number of tapes from his vehicle while it was parked behind his residence. Constable Sadler is in- vestigating. Plane crash Continued from front page riding almost hit a drunk and then on the trip back to London on Friday, they came across two serious highway accidents. Joseph Koricina, RR 1 Lucan. on a charge of driv- ing a motor vehicle for which there were no licence plates. He was convicted and fined $28 and given 15 days in which to pay. Mr. Wedlake ruled that the vehicle was a commercial vehicle. while the defence had contended it was a vehi- cle of husbandry taking produce from one farm to another and therefore did not require a licence. Warden honored Huron County Warden Fred Haberer was honoured at a banquet in Goderich and besides glowing praise for his work in the past year, received a corner china cabinet. Wardens from neighbour- ing counties. members of parliament. county council members. county employees and members of Warden Haberer's family were all present at the banquet. As Reeve of Village of Zurich. Warden Haberer was commended for being first to lead county council in its revised state; that is, reduced members on coun- cil. He was also praised for his effort towards settling a two-year wage settlement with Ontario Nurses' Association Local 168. Besides the warden, Mrs. Haberer was congratulated for being a gracious hostess during many events in the past year. Warden Haberer referred to his year as warden as "next to my family, the highlight of my life". He said he did not achieve all he had set out to accomplish, but because of economic restraint. he became more realistic. Warden Haberer also took the honours of being the best milker in Huron County, an award he received at a fair during summer months. He proudly displayed his trophy to those in attendance. As part of the program. the Craigellen Singers of Goderich sang several selec- tions. under direction of Mrs. Ila Worsell. The dinner. held at North Street United Church was catered by United Church Women. A dance followed at the Goderich and District Memorial Community Cen- tre. was finally solved one week later, with Exeter Public School principal Jim Chapman doing some super- sluething. Chapman recovered the three stolen plates and ap- prehended the culprits responsibie...two grade two students at the school. Seems the two kids were in need of licence plates to add some authenticity to their go-carts and so they helped themselves to the first ones they found available in the nearby parking lot at the high school. The pupils were given an explanation of the im- propriety of their actions, the plates returned to the teachers and the case closed. Big Sisters ready to begin activities The South Huron Big Brother asssociatlon is ex- panding to include Big Sisters. in our organization. The majority of Big Sister programs in Ontario are derived from the Big Brother model, that of matching an adult volunteer with a child, usually from a single -parent home who is identified as likely to benefit from encouragement of con- sistent long-term support (minimum of one year) pro- vided by an adult friend. Where big Sisters differs is that their services are not restricted to motherless girls. Many live with their mothers while fathers are absent from homes. The Big Brother or Big Sister is not a parent sur- rogate. rather as the name implies a brotherly or sister- ly friend. He or she provides a successful and positive model for a child and in- direct support to the family. The characteristic of Big Brothers and Big Sisters which sets it a part from others is the one man -one boy and one woman one girl approach. In order to obtain the proper type of person for this role each individual applicant is interviewed and screened before being accepted. CITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Anne Marie Brand, Doug Raymond and Elizabeth Scott receiv eo the Cit .nship sh.- ' ' and Student Council plaques from teacher Wallace Webster, left and student council rdent Bruce Shaw, right. T -A photo LIONS CLUB AWARDS — The top students in grades nine to 13 received special awards from the Exeter Lions club at Friday's Commencement exercises at South Huron District High School. Above, Lions president Doug Ellison makes the presentation to Kevin Glasgow, Rob Gratton, Deborah Jose • hson and Rachel Mellecke. T -A photo 1 ONTARIO SCHOLARS — Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell presented Ontorio Scholarships to Doug Hoffman, Poul McAuley, Mary Anne Hogan and Susan Fleming of Friday's Commencement at SHDHS. Missing were Arndt Vermaetenond Doug Brooks. New director is named for Children's services Jim Cargin is the new director of Huron County's Family and Children's Ser- vices (FACS). He arrived last week to replace John Penn who has gone to work for the FACS in Windsor. Cargin was born and rais- BETHEL CHURCH BAZAAR — Saturday's bazaar sponsored by the Bethel Reformed Church Ladies was well attended. Shown with some of the knitwear articles are Joan Van Arkel, Helen Toornstra and Ruby Bruls. T -A photo ed in Toronto. He received his bachelor of arts degree from a college in Tennessee and his masters degree in social work from the Univer- sity of Buffalo. From 1970 to 1978 he work- ed as a family counsellor and supervisor for the FACS of the Niagara Region. He then worked as a supervisor with Metto Toronto Children's Aid Society for one year. He last worked as an organization development consultant with Manufac- turers Life Insurance in Toronto. Cargin, his wife Lois and four-year-old son, Sean are now in the process of moving from St. Catharines to Goderich. After settling in, Cargin says he hopes to build on the positive direction taken by former director Penn. He will be responsible to the board of directors for the administration of the agency. This involves overseeing casework, budgeting, planning and community relations. Cargin is looking forward to working with Huron Coun- ty's FACS because he says it is progressive and has a good reputation. In addition references are also sought from reliable and responsible persons who are well acquainted with the applicant. In matching. the staff attempts to match your per- sonality interests and needs with those of the childs so the best possible fellowship can occur. Some of the many things enjoyed by Big and Little Brothers and Big and Little Sisters are hikes, fishing, sewing. cooking, sports', crafts or watching a favorite T.V. program etc. Most im- portant in being a Big Brother of Sister is first and last and always being a friend. For interested parties or more information you are in- vited to contact Executive. Director Dorothy Chapman 235-1644. Be a friend. Be a Big Brother or Big Sister. Lois McCallum Two bid for post Two members of Huron County Board of Education recently announced inten- tions to stand for election to chairman. Trustees Dorothy Wallace and B. P. Morin stated they will seek election at the November session of the board. Elections will be held in December. Trustee Morin, represen- ting Howick and Turnberry Townships and Wingham has sat on the board for four years and is currently vice- chairman. He has served on management committee and considers Bill 82 on special education the greatest challenge in the coming year A life insurance salesman. Trustee Morin recently graduated with a degree in Political Science. Trustee Dorothy Wallace. rer;.esenting (.oderich, ten- iuvely announced she will geek election as chairman. Having served the county board for 1.! years. Trustee Wallace has sat on all board committees: personnell, management and education. She considers curriculum upgrading a challenge to be faced in the coming year. Trustee E. Frayne, one of the board's two separate school representatives an- nounced he will stand for election for vice-chairman. Vials all delivered Residents of Exeter were receptive to the Vials of Life distributed by the Seniors Advisory Committee. Garnet Hicks. chairman of the committee said some people were skeptical at first because they wondered what was being sold. Others had not seen the advertising and did not know what the program was about. Some volunteers helped fill out the forms for people who were not sure how to do it. The vials were distributed by 40 volunteers with help from the Oddfellows and the Lions Club who gave donations. Over 1,425 households have received the vial. and Hicks said if anyone did not get one, there are still vials left. Lossy Fuller, council's representative on the com- mittee said the success of the campaign can be seen in the fact that other com- munities from the surroun- ding area have asked members of the committee to come and speak about the program. Hicks has spoken in Zurich and is scheduled to speak in Hensall. He said the program is only successful if the people who receive the vial use it. A young person is just as liable to have some kind of accident as a senior citizen, he said. Fuller stressed it is a good idea to have the vial form filled out if there are young children in the house and something happens when a baby sitter is there. Fuller said she first heard about the Vial of Life when she was in Florida, four years ago. Someone brought it to her, and she thought it was a good idea, and went about trying to find someone who knew the address to which she could write for more information. Once you have the ad- dress, she said, it is no trou- ble to get the vials. The Stanley Cup Was donated in 1893 by the Governor-General of Canada, Lord St4nley. This famous emblem has since been awarded every year ex- cept 1919. el