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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-02-12, Page 5Tines -Advocate, February 12, 1986 Poyq 5 SHAW DONATION -- Don Heywood and Paul Charrette of the Exeter Minor Hockey Association ac- cept a cheque of $500 from Bruce, Fran and Bruce Jr. Shaw. The money was the result of Dave Shaw of the Quebec Nordiques being named a star in a recent NHL game. n Quote from a man who contacted the much -heralded Farmers in Tran- sition program: "I will put the case in writing for you." Answer from F.I.T.: "Oh, we don't have an office, sir, where you can come and talk or mail things to. You just call us and we put you in touch Are you looking for a fresh approach to manure handling? MANURE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION DAY Fri. Feb. 21 10:00.4:00 South Huron Recreation Centre Exeter, Victoria St., E. FREE ADMISSION * Interesting Displays end Speakers * 9:30 Registration, free coffee 8 donuts * Lunch is available for purchase * Sponsored by Ausabie Bayfield Conservation Authority, Ministry of the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture and Food Clinton Community CREDIT UNION Exeter Branch Don't miss out. Contribute now! Variable Rate 10% Fixed Rate 1 yr 10% 2 yrs 101/4% 3 yrs 101/2% 4 yrs 101/2% , 5 yrs 103/4% ' All rates subject to change without notice Phone 235-0640 3s with an expert." The man: "That has to be the dumbest, lame duck organization that any government ever funded, bar none." This from a man who spends a great deal of his time trying to help farmers. A few weeks ago, this corner sug- gested the F.I.T. program could pro- vide a great deal of help if properly handled. Apparently, it consisted on- ly of a farmers' helpline. Any farmers with problems call I-800-265-1511 and someone will put the caller in touch with a counsellor. The counsellors are specialists in their fields but the em- phasis is on stress counselling and that's where the Ministry of Com- munity and Social Services comes in. This month's edition of OMAF News proudly boasts that the hotline has been receiving 10 to 12 calls every day, up from about six calls before Christmas. In addition to the hotline, the pro- gram provides a -one-time grant to assist with living expenses if the farm family has been forced to discontinue farming because of financial problems. Grants of $250 per person are pro- vided to eligible families. It has its peculiarities, though. The grant is reduced by $1 for every 425 of net worth in excess of that considered reasonable personal effects and shelter. F.I.T. also provides an employer -- someone who hires a farm family member forced off the farm- with 50 percent of the wages to a maximum of $3.50 an hour for up to 26 weeks. The program also pays tuition fees for any member of a farm family who takes a community college course on How to Land and Keep a Job. To be eligible for assistance, ap- plicants must have operated and derived a family income from a farm under normal circumstances and have left or be leaving the farm for financial reasons. It, sounds good on paper. The $6 -million program includes an im- mediate temporary deferral of action against farmers enrolled in ministry financial assistance programs, an in- dependent advisory service — perhaps the best plank in the program -- a phone helpline and re-establishment assistance. I, personally, do not think re- establishment assistance is good enough. Those connected with farm- ing know that Ontario has too many farmers. Probably half the number could produce all the food needed. That means a great many farm families could be in great distress in the next few months and in the next few years. It is not enough to give them a golden handshake and a few week's advice on how to get a job and hold it. They are in more than finan- cial distress. They are in mental and even spiritual distress. They are giving up a way of life. For some of them, it has been a way of life for mariy generations. A few dollars and a quick community col- lege course will not be enough. /-- Scotiabank�- Announces a Protect farmland. ay 'lock Riddell MPP As Minister of Agriculttire and Food, I, together with the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Bernard Grand - maitre, have released the Liberal Government's proposed Foodland Preservation policy. The proposal is designed to strengthen protection of Ontario's agricultural lands, as preserving our prime farmland is one of• the highest priorities of the Agriculture Ministry. Farmland is one of our most precious natural resources and must be protected for this generation and future generations. Mr. Grandmaitre said that in order to ensure the fullest possible oppor- tunity to comment on this policy state- ment, the Liberal Government has asked municipalities, farm organiza- tions and interest groups for their in- put. These groups have received copies of the proposed policy. Copies of the Foodland Preservation Policy statement are available from the county offices 'of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. In- terested groups and members of the public have until the end of April, 1986, to submit their comments on the policy. I have also formed a committee to examine the need for new measures to protect the right to farm in Ontario. The six -member committee, to be chaired by Don Dunn, the director of the ministry's foodiand preservation branch, will determine the cause and extent of the problems caused by non- agricultural land uses in close prox- imity to farm operations. The ad- visory committee on the right to farm will have four months to complete its investigations and submit its findings and recommendations for consideration. I am pleased to note a grant of $10,000 given to Huron County grain drying operation under the Grain Dryer Retrofit Assistance Program by the Ministry of Energy. These payments are made by the Ministry of Energy in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and food, who review proposals and in- spect the premises before the grants are approved. I am also pleased to announce that the Village of Hensall has received a Community Planning Grant of $3,630. My colleague, Municipals Affairs Minister Bernard informed me of this grant this week. As,Ontario's representative, I along with agriculture ministers from each of the provinces met Federal Agricultural John Wise in Ottawa recently to follow up on the decisions taken during the agricultural session of the First Minister's Conference last November. All Ministers' stressed their will- ingness to co-operate in finding solu- tions to the agricultural problems raised at that Conference. Working groups have been set up -- with full federal and provincial representation --to develop co- operative solutions on the key issues. Groups have been established to deal with farm finance, disaster relief, soil and water conservation, trade, research and technology. transter and agricultural development. During their discussion on disaster relief, the Ministers agreed to develop options through the federal -provincial crop insurance program to deal with repeated yield loss situations. The ob- jective is to put plans in place for the 1986-87 crop year. They also agreed that an equity financing proposal developed by the Farm Credit Corporation is worth fur- ther exploration through the working group on farm finance. The objective of this proposal is to help producers out of high debt -equity situations, and to assist new farmers who want to buy into their operations gradually. The Minister also took time to meet with the Board of Directors of the Na- tional Association of State Depart- ments of Agriculture to discuss agriculture concerns between the two trading partners. Exeter lad Indians be Marion Frayne, Unit Leader for the Evening Unit, Exeter UCW, open- ed the February meeting by reading the poem ,"How Little It Costs". Roll Call was answered by a quota- tion or Bible verse which described . love and friendship. Marion Frayne announced the following upcoming events. World Day of Prayer will be held March 7 at the Exeter Pentecostal Church. A UCW conference is scheduled for mid • - April in Stratford. Our annual Smorgasbord will be held Thursday, May 8 and the Friendship Tea on May 29. Exeter Customer Appreciation Week February 17 February 21 - Complimentary coffee and donuts to all customers and future customers Feel free to drop in and discuss your banking needs and meet our manager and' staff Highlights of the recent Presbyterial were reported. Alma Langford, one of our own members, was installed as President at the Presbyterial meeting. Resent renovations of the ladies' washroom and adjustments to the kit- chen table were described to the group. A discussion was held on whether to continue the Christmas Bazaar or to change to a Christmas Food Fair. Betty Clarke's group conducted a thoughtful worship service on Love. Marie Brunzlow, Verlyn Linderfield and Betty Clarke read selections. Ruth Anderson read the scripture from I John 4:1-21. Appropriate hymns were sung. An informative and thought provok- ing skit was presented by "Indians" portrayed by Carole Moore, Verlyn Lindenfield, Ruth Anderson and Marie Brunzlow who aired their grievances to "Judge" Betty Clarke. These "Indians", from different areas across Canada, related how the promises made to them by the "white man" had been broken. their rights, to the Indian reservations for hunting, trapping and fishing, are not recognized by those who develop ad- jacent land I and even the reserves) for oil, gas and industry. The Government of Canada has allowed developers such as oil and gas companies and pulp and paper companies to pollute the streams and rivers. As a result fish and game have been killed but no revenue from the companies was given to the Indians. Also the "White Man" hunted for skins not for food as the Indians did. Many more animals than needed were slaughtered and the animal population reduced so the Indians were not able to hunt and trap for their own food. Also, with the pollu- tion in the rivers, Indians cannot de- pend on fishing for food or for guiding tourists. The "White Man" has impos- ed his beliefs and culture on the Indians. Alcoholism, unemploy nt and a low living standard are prrhlems en- countered by our Indians ih Canada. These problems were narrated by the "Indians" of the skit. Betty Claret introduced Wendy Doerr, who worked in the hospital at ANNUITY Shopping and placement Service ies find frayed Hazelton B.C. from 1971-1973. As, Wendy Showed her slides of the hospital, village and area she re- counted her experiences with the In- dians and told of the development of services since then. Her pictures in- cluded many "outstanding views of lake and mountain scenery. Wendy Doerr's mother, Flora discussed the geography, history, culture, handicrafts and art of the In- dian tribes in B.C. in a very h for- mative and interesting manner. Both Wendy and Flora displayed their col- lections of Indian art and handicrafts. They were thanked by Marie Brunzlow. Ada Dinney led the group in an "In- dian handshake" and followed by having everyone sing "Let There be Peace". Betty Clarke closed with a prayer. A delicious lunch was served by Barbara Sharpe's group. ARE YOU GENERAL? If you received a Ti General income tax return this year, bring it to H&R Block. Our specially -trained tax experts will look into over 300 deduc- tions, exemptions, and credits that could save you money. Visit your nearest H&R Block office soon, or call for an appointment. 19" T1 General From Ask about our guarantee. 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