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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1986-04-02, Page 3May need legislation • In his opening remarks as after- dinner speaker at the Zurich Chamber of Commerce's Rural - Urban Night, provincial minister RiddeII' outlines $ght to farm plans Jack Riddell addressed the conten- tious issue of severances versus a farmer's right to farm. He told the large crowd gathered in the Dominion Hotel dining room tbat between 60,000 and 100,000 farm severances had been allowed since foodlands guidelines were introduced in 1978. GUEST SPEAKER — Provincial agriculture minister Jack Riddell was the featured speaker at the Zurich Chamber of Commerce's Rural -Urban Night. Shown are C of C secretary Doug Oesch (left), v/p Chuck Erb, Riddell, and president Fred Haberer. Tuckersmith phone event Continued from front page must be voted on before any amend- ments were made. Only 22 subscribers stood to support the pro- posed change. Roberts' motion that the bylaw be amended to state that "there shall be no limit to the number of three-year terms of office for commissioners" was seconded. Even fewer voted in favour of the amended bylaw. Hill again interjected to reiterate his concern about future negotiations with the CRTC, and asked if there was any merit in considering an increase to a specific number of terms allow- ed. Ferguson countered with the statement that he had sat for nine years, and if something was not done in that time,- it would not be ac- complished in 15 or 20 years. Alderdice ended the issue by stating the audience had made their wishes clear, and suggesting the Board of Commissioners. "stick to the old bylaw". Cancer drive Continued from front page Special letters of appeal have been sent to all area industries and their continued generous support is anticipated. . The money raised during the Socie- ty's annual campaign will fund ex- isting research programs as well as the Society's ongoing education and patient service programs. At present, education programs receive 14 per- cent of the Society's income, patient service 16 percent, administration and fund raising nine percent and research funding accounts for the re- maining 61 percent. "The Society's 1986 slogan -- Cancer Can be Beaten -- reflects the belief that a cure will be found for this disease," comments Ed Zinkiewich, Ontario division campaign chairman. "There are many types of cancer for which we have made tremendous ad- vances in treatment, but we still have a long road ahead. We are winning because the support we receive allows us to make progress against cancer." Recently, some local businesses and organizations have received re- quests for donations from "The Cancer Research Society Inc." The Canadian Cancer Society is in no way affiliated with this organization. Cancer Research Society Inc. is a legitimate organization based in Quebec, but the Canadian Cancer Society wishes to make the public aware that the Ontario division of the Cancer Society canvasses for funds during the month of April only. Prior to 1981, Cancer Research Society Inc. confined its campaign to Quebec, but since that time, the organization has solicited funds out- side that province. Only a small percentage of the funds raised by ('ancer Research Society Inc. are distributed outside Quebec. Ken Rogerson, Ross Mcl3eath, Charles Reid and Bill Rowcliffe were nominated for the two vacant posi- tions on the Board. Rowcliffe withdrew his name. McBeath won on the first ballot, with Rogerson and Reid tied. Rogerson was elected on the second ballot. Subscribers approved a motion in- itiated by Dowson and Hayter allow- ing property owners who have had uninterrupted service from the Tuckersmith telephone system for 10 years at their primary residence, and whose telephone account has always been in good standing, to apply to become subscribers. This satisfied Tuckersmith resident Don Reynolds, who had earlier demanded to know why he had been designated a subscriber from 1974 when he purchased his property un- til 1979 when almost 300 subscribers had their status changed to renters with no notification or explanation. Another resolution put forward by Elmer Hiyter and Tom Consitt stipulating that those intending to run for commissioner must deposit a let- ter of intent with the secretary - treasurer at least five days before the annual meeting was also passed. Marjorie Hayter wanted to know why the initial charge for renters varied from $100 to $500, and was, there no set rate. Secretary -treasurer Mel Graham replied that the com- pany had authority to charge within that range, but the usual charge was $100 to protect the company from bad debts, unless the new customer could provide a good credit rating. He said the matter should be discussed at the office rather than at an annual meeting. The auditor reported a 6.5 percent increase from 1984 in the second year of a profitable agreement in long distance charges with Bell, and a 48 Groups discuss ice time needs Although no concrete decisions were made at a meeting in Exeter last week to discuss ice time re- quirements of nine groups, rec centre board chairman Jim Workman said he thought the session had been very successful. Workman and facilities manager Cam Stewardson were delegated to meet with the local groups after several had indicated a dire to either get more prime time hours for their activities or consider moving to another arena. Following the discussions, several groups indicated a willingness to ex- change times through the season to spread the load a bit, Workman reported and most of them went home reasonably satisfied. Stewardson now has the task of lin- ing up the ice schedule for next season and will be reporting back to the groups as soon as possible. fresh Stawberries Produce of USA Can. No. 1 A&H 235-0212 FMR FOODS Open Thursday & Friday Nights till 9 p.m. We Deliver percent increase in investment income. Operating expenses increased 12.4 percent and depreciation was up 18 percent, leaving earnings for the year at $207,482, down from $214,700 in 1984. Board chairman Vern Alderdice reported that 60,000 metres of cable have been installed, with 36,000 to go. When all cable has been laid, private lines will be available to anyone who wants them, and the maximum charge will be $13.85 per month. Private lines are now beineoffered to customers on Highway 8 and east of Highway 4 at current rates. The,new rates will take effect when the change -over is complete. Coleman noted that the company is a year ahead of schedule in providing private strvice to all customers. Exeter PUC Continued from front page preparation for a special meeting of the Commission, at which time the tender will be awarded. Shaw asked if the PUC would con- sider working with the Exeter BIA to put up Christmas lights in some of the trees. pt, Riverside Park..Dayis said lie was .willing to discuss this ,with ,the BIA and Exeter council, and would' help in any way he could, but the PUC is prohibited by law from contributing financially to such a venture, aside from providing an overhead line. Davis also pointed out that the area is one of the most inaccessible inEx- eter for a truck. De Vries expressed his concern about possible vandalism. Shaw said he had wanted to know the options and alternatives, and would take the information back to council. Motions were passed formally set- ting up the rental water heater pro- gram. 'Terms and rates will be adver- tised in this paper. Although the original intention in many cases was to provide a proper- ty for retiring farmers, many urban people have bought up those severed lots, moved to the country, and now some are harassing, threatening, or even taking their farming neighbours to court for running tractors or grain dryers at night, or fouling the air by spreading manure on their own land. Riddell said that if the foodlands guidelines policy doesn't work, he may have to introduce legislation giv- ing farmers the right to carry on nor- mal farming without having to defend those practices in court. He added his belief that the problem can be solved by restricting severances. Riddell pointed out that only one- half of one percent of Ontario's vast acreage is prime agricultural land, and projects like the Queen Elizabeth Way which obliterated some of the most unique fruitland in the province should never have been allowed. He said that only the financial plight of many farmers has diverted attention from the serious problem of soil ero- sion, which is costing $68,000,000 an- nually in lost production. "I only have to step out on my sundeck on a windy day to see the soil blowing right across the fields. I feel one of my major jobs as minister of agriculture and food is to preserve our foodland, and if that means restricting land severances, and spen- ding much more money than we have in the past to try to bring in some soil erosion measures, then I think that is what we want to do", Riddell said. Riddell said his answer to those who are accusing him of infringing on their rights is to point out "we were left with the legacy of an abundance of agricultural land, producing the highest quality food at the cheapest prices available anywhere in the world, with the exception of the United States, but if present policies continue, that legacy will not be pass- ed on." Riddell went on to give statistics on the economic importance of the fami- ly farm: each year Ontario farmers earn more than five billion dollars for their products, fueling agricultural - related businesses to a combined value of 15 billion annually, and ac- counting directly or indirectly for one out of every five jobs in the province. This led Riddell to discussion of another contentious issue - free trade. As 65 percent of Canada's total agricultural exports - about $1.3 billion a year - go to the US, and On- tario alone is as big a trading partner as Japan, trade relations with the US are a constant concern, Riddell observed. He warned that free trade could mean a big shake-up for hor- ticultural producers.competing with growers in a' warmer region, ' and could spell the end of 'the supply management systems in Canada's dairy and poultry businesses. Riddell warned cattlemen that US processors have the edge in competition with their Canadian counterparts because of cheaper labour costs in the States, and the fact America can produce all the cattled needed. In the absence of concrete pro- posals from either Washington or Ot- tawa, Riddell compared the present process to a game of "pin the tail on the donkey," and promised his listeners that "I'll do my level best to ensure that Ontario doesn't wind up as the donkey's back end". Turning to concerns closer to home, Riddell listed some of the programs introduced by his government during its nine months in office tameet im- mediate needs in the farming com- munity. Included were the O tario family farm interest rate reaction program, fanners in transition, a na- tional stabilization program for red meat producers. tougher measures to preserve farmland, a program to en- courage the introduction and expan- sion of new crops for Ontario, and an advisory committee currently ex- amining ways to safeguard the farmer's right to farm. Departing from his prepared text, Riddell admitted agriculture is going through tough times, and he forsesees no improvement until the end of the decade. The US farm bill towering the loan rate, which in effect establishes the international floor price for grains, will likely mean a decrease of 15 to 20 percent in commodity prices, he predicted. he said the price of land has not yet bottomed out. However, he asserted, all this was no reason for pessimism. Although a large number of farmers with a high debt-to-equity ratio will have to leave the business, others will survive by such measures as tightening up management pro- cedures, reducing debt by selling off a hundred acres, or renting land. And lower prices for land will mean that more young people can move into far- ming, he added. "There's no doubt in my mind that there is going to be a viable agricultural industry in this province for a long, long time", Riddell concluded. • April 2, 1986 Page 3 Lawn & Garden Tractors Choose a John Deere for value and durability that you can count on year after year. • If you're looking for a dependable lawn and garden tractor... choose a John Deere. • 14, 16, 18 and 20 HP models in gas or diesel • Take the work out of yard work, cuts the green and blows the white LMJ EXETER l MEMORIES you'll cherish forever Book Your Wedding NOW ! !! 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