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Times Advocate, 1999-12-01, Page 2111 1 2 ti Wednesday,De !r 1, 1999 Design Could deter geese MITCHELL — Plans for a wetland area in Mitchell's old sewage lagoons would include ways of keeping Canada geese away from the new hardball diamond, reports The Mitchell Advocate. A Ducks Unlimited biologist Shawn Sexsmith said a short fence, trees and tall grasses would deter geese from walking to the short, green grass of the new ball and soccer fields. Putting more diverse vegetation in the lagoon sites would make it less attractive to the Canada geese because geese like to be able to see around them to spot predators. Sexsmith said the geese will still use the lagoons but it won't be as attractive to them. The lagoons restora- tion project could also include an area condu- sive to geese that is away from the ball dia- mond. When young geese are flightless in the sum- mer, they tend to dam- age the environment as they walk. Community ready to fight • In the News eonsumers will have final say in Constimers . • ��- ---- SEAFORTH — With their public and sec- ondary schools slated for closure, Seaforth community leaders are ready to fight, reports the Huron Expositor. Seaforth high school council chair Maureen Agar said in the Expositor that the Avon Maitland District School Board is trying to deci- mate the town: A community meeting is planned for Dec. 1 at 7:30 p.m. to rally sup- port for Seaforth schools. Mayor David Scott said he is particularly concerned about the high school closing because it could lead to industry, merchants and other community services closing. biotechnology: van Donkersgoed ey' kste Monk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF removed from with the World WT0 Organization agenda start- '; a working group to tackle the issue. EXETER The agriculture industry still ' "his round of trade talks won't settle hasn't faced up to the reality of the gen- - n ecttConsumers are questioning why more cally modified organism (GMO) cont sy and until it faces that reality, it won't GMO studies were the notmcompleted before in find a solution, according to the executive they were put onof recent research that indi- director of the Christian Farmers „Consumers • Gated Bt corn effects monarch Federation of Ontario. butterflies. Elbert van' Donkersgoed said part are more "We've been heading in 'the of the solution lies in accepting the important .direction of only using as much fact consumers will have the final than pesticide as necessary but Bt say on what crops are grown. throws a whole wad of pesticide van Donkersgoed presented his technology; message to growers and crop input Eudwr VAN on it," van Donkersgoed8 world is d. staff at a seminar in Exeter Nov. 24 DONKERSGOED The goal of feeding sponsored by Jeff Borland Seeds. not a reason to adopt biotechnol- van Donkersgoed said his infor- mation was an assessment of the contro- versy surrounding food genetically enhanced or modified to achieve desirable traits such as resistance to pests. He out- lined nine factors in his analysis of the GMO issue. The method of production matters to consumers erence in teven he end product, h there is no van is- cernible Donkersgoed said. There may not be any difference in the product scientifically but in society's eyes, there is a difference because the food can be tested to determine it has been altered, he Wants county to pay WINGHAM — The Wingham Police Service wants Huron County council to pay for wind- ing up the service if it forces the municipal force to disband, reports The North Huron Citizen. The town wants to keep Its own police force but the county wishes to enter into a county -wide .contract with the OPP. GMO issue has .e,., ....... decisions_ over -production s pushing down commodity prices, he said. Biotechnology is not applicable to farming methods used in the developing world where the food is needeonmfiioct .of van Donkersgoed wants inter- est regulations .to be put in place to guide corporate funding of university research and admits industry must fund researclii light of decreased government funding. Competition is disappearing as trans- national food companies merge and GMOs will encourage companies to enter into agreements. The changes are taking the power from growers and transferring it to e explained. the large companies. The has already been "More are being made in the board room and not at the kitchen table," he warned. The food rdgulatory system is being questioned. Companies are required to compare genetically enhanced products to existing foods rather than assessing prod- uct safety. Growers must earn the trust of con- sumers by demonstrating they care about food safety, van Donkersgoed said. "Consumers are more important than technology," he added. "We need to hon- our the consumer and their choices." Food products containing GMOs should be labelled, van Donkersgoed Allowing consumers to willingly prchese and enjoy genetically -altered foods will get agri-business through the controversy. "In the long term, we don't have any choice but to let the consumers have the final say," he said. The food system as a whole will come under more scrutiny by consumers but he expects consumers will be willing to take a risk on GMO foods if they understand the health benefits. van. Donkersgoed said the biotechnology controversy won't end soon and farmers will need to decide what crops to plant based on what the local mill will accept. Understanding biotechnology will have a long learning curve for farmers and con- sumers. "It's a slice of science we'll have to get our heads around," he said. School board releases potential school closure list Continued from front page Most audience members remained in the auditori- um during the 20 -minute recess, and several peo- ple rose to address the crowd with concerns or suggestions. "Well, since you're all sitting here anyway, I thought I'd just tell you a few things," said Karen Windsor, chair of the school council at McCurdy Public School, which is on the list. She claimed the board arbitrarily bumped McCurdy's projected cost for facility renewal with- out reason, causing the Huron Park school to appear expendable. butt and march into the "Has anybody else office of (education minis - experienced anything like ter) Janet Ecker and say, ' 'what the hell is going on in rural Ontario?'," Agar said. She also said the board is taking particular aim at Huron County schools, while sparing most Perth County communities. That's partly because just .two of the seven schools on the current list are in Hardeman to get off his Perth County — this?" she asked. Maureen Agar, school council chair at Seaforth District High School, told the crowd the possible closures are a sign of the provincial government's callousness towards rural communities. "This is a time for (agri- culture minister) Ernie Stratford's Falstaff Public School and nearby Downie Central Public School, between Stratford and St. Marys. But it's also because this list is just phase two of the. board's five-year plan of cost-cutting, and the next two phases include look- ing at schools in Central and North Huron. Public delegations are expected to comprise a great proportion of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board board's business in com- ing weeks. Regular board meetings — with delegations allowed — are scheduled for Dec. 14 and 21 at Seaforth District High School. Trustees also voted Nov. 23 to set in stone two previously ten- tative dates — Dec. 7 and 8 — as special meetings for delegations only. Jingle Bell walk planned GRAND BEND - Join in the Christmas spirit and get involved in Community Active Living Lambton's upcoming Jingle Bell Walk in Grand Bend. The committee encour- ages you 'to get your fami- ly and friends involved and bring a can of food to ' • receive a free jingle bell to wear at the 8th Annual Jingle Bell Walk in Grand Bend on Dec. 4. The walk is intended to promote physical activity and help needy families in the area. For more infor- mation on the Grand Bend walk call Linda Rapley at 238-6594. • Walks will also be 'held in Forest, Petrolia, Wyoming and Corunna. The formed South Huron Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board. of Directors met for thele monthly meeting eti Nov.24 e Exeter fire hall. Back row from let Executive Director Dianne Beach,Treasu ar Ron Rob Anderson,, Mike Graham,Todd Robinson and Ken Kadey. Front row from left: Claire Isaac, Past Preside ntPresident Chris Skalkos and Marguerite McLeod. (photoIl a Monk) .