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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1984-02-15, Page 12JIM BECKER CONSTRUCTION DASHWOOD 237-3526 1 Page 12 February 15 Dear Editor: The following is an open let- ter to the Honourable Dennis Timbrell, Minister of Agriculture and Food. The Honourable Dennis Timbre!! Minister of Agriculture and Food . Dear Dennis; 1 am writing to you in pro- - test over your recent "Big Brother" tactic designed to control the flow of informa- tion to the public. I refer to the introduction of your new tabloid entitled "Agri News". While this publication has been' styled in newspaper fashion, it is in fact not a newspaper and it lacks the essential feature of all newspapers, namely that of unbiased reporting. I must object most strenuously, both on philosophical and ethical grounds to your intervention into the newspaper industry. Your government. indeed any government, in a democracy. has no business in this activity. The projected $160,000 year- ly cost of this publication which is to be mailed to some 85,000 farmers across this province is a blatant misuse of taxpayers' money. a duplication of existing farm news service, and unfair com- petition for the private farm press. Your government- finan •ed paper may spell the end of smaller. private coun- try publications. The deception of Agri News as a newspaper has gone so. far as to have appropriated the name of a long-time established Eastern Ontario monthly farm publication. You should also know there is a weekly television show by the same name serving the Kitchener area. You are no doubt aware that your action has sparked serious concerns among farm writers and farmers throughout the province Your so-called newspaper was condemned earlier this week at a meeting of the Eastern Canada Farm Writers Association To quote one writer: "Government - newspapers and democracy do not go hand in hand". The annual meeting of the Perth County Pork Producers Association 'endorsed a resolution last week express- ing concern over your paper and asking that .it be discontinued. Your publication represents the ultimate form of' "junk mail". Unlike private newspapers which re- ly on their subscribers for sur- vival, Agri News will appear monthly on farmers' doorsteps whether they want it or not. at their expense. The precedent set by your action is far-reaching and undesirable. I urge you in the strongest manner to withdraw this publication. Yours truly'. Jack Riddell. M1.P.P . Huron -Middlesex in the office: "When I think of the work that'll pile- up while I'm on vacation, I'm temptedto ask for sick leave' instead." Farmers Book Now To hove your spring grain and beans custom cleaned on YOUR farm. We clean, treat, bags or bulk and we offer germination tests. CANADIAN MOBILE SEED CLEANING LTD. 1-519-289.5602 "10.1118a 8 CARNIVAL COOKS — Donna Poynter, Joyce Bickell and Vesta sausages for breakfast at the Kirkton-Woodham Winter Carnival, Marshall dish up Sunday morning. 'ane loot in the lurrow' by77� renes .ue .ewee.uea e, Bob Lott, ltd... pU um,.. Ont *130 id n As Shakespeare would say, she is a harnnless, necessary cat. We acquired her. She has, finally, adopted us, after more than a year here as a non-paying guest. Only in the last few weeks has she decid- ed she likes us as well as our home. Her name is, for cat's sake, Buppy. It was not intended that way. She was a stray, found in town by a teen -aged daughter and brought home with ticks in her ears and fleas on her body. The lady of the house had decided many months ago that we would have no Snore pets. After innumerable felines and a dozen canines over the years, we had buried a 19 -year-old dog and a 14 -year-old cat within months of each other a year ago. But how do you say no to a tearful teen-ager who also loves animals? The woebegone kitten was originally dubbed Buggsy because she had so many bugs on her when she got here. But a grandchild learn- ing to talk called her Buppy and Buppy she is. A shivering. quivering ball of black fur for the first cou- ple of weeks, she timidly took over the laundry room after her first traumatic visit to the vet for de -bugging and a cou- ple of shots. Her appetite then - and now - was prodigious. In- stead of one can of cat food a day, it was two until she got some flesh on her lean bones. She continued skulking through the downstairs. skit- tish and frightened of everything that moved. She has extra long rear legs. When startled, she went straight up in the air, fur ex- tended until she looked like a porcupine. Her long, skinny tail became twice as round. it .was no contest. We pro- tested. Demanded another home be found for her. , Threatened to put her out and lock the door but she prevail- ed. We said we would keep her until she was healthy and fat. The teen-ager knew she had won and had herself an indoor pet to add to the horses in the barn. Buppy remained aloof for weeks, trusting no one. Even when the teen-ager left home, she was wary. She grew - -. wow. did she grow! We thought she would drop hack to one can of cat food daily. No such luck. She still eats f*- 4/0110111110. lur Grand Bend DECORATING CENTRE Winter blues? Decorate with Wallpaper Now on Sale PVOISA ' Hwy. 21 Grand Bend 238-8603 f two a day; would eat three if given to her. She has grown a foot high with a coat as sleek as a black bear's and claws as long as a lynx's. She roams the' house as though we were the boarders and she, the owner. It has been said that no one ever owns a cat and she is the perfect example of that truism. She has appointed herself as the watchcat of the house - won't even go outside in good weather. She has taken over the spot in our hearts that was empty when the old dog and cat went to that big sandbox in the sky. What is it about animals that makes mankind love them?. Il is because they never fall out of grace, I guess. They are what they are with no guile, no guilt, full of innocence and caprice. They can be starved and beaten yet still give love to their masters, the agape love that asks nothing in return. We love Buppy now and, in spite of our vows before she came about not having more pets in the house, she will have a home as long as she wants to stay here. She is heading across the floor now, tail up high and ready to leap onto my lap for a brief second before wander ing otf to see the lady of the house. Huron cattlemen to screen proposals .Cattle producers in Huron County want to have a look at any new proposals tor marketing their cattle before they are adopted by the pro- vincial Agriculture and Food Ministry. in a resolution passed unanimously at the annual meeting of the Hurori ('a! 1lemen's Association, the county group instructs the Ontario Cattlemen's Associa- tion ssocia-tion "to demand that any changes to the current free market system for marketing cattle in Ontario which may- be ayfxe proposed under the an nounced 'Restructuring and Development of Ontario Red Meat Sector' be subrnitte<l to a cattle producers' vote' for acceptance or rejection.'' Morris Township cattle pro- ducer Ross Procter. who pro pose?! the resolution, explain- ed later that cattlemen want a chance to make their views known 00 any changes to the marketing system before they are passed into law At present. they have rio ide,i what Agriculture Minister Dennis Timbrell may have in mind. he noted. In another resolution. the Huron cattlemen passed a vote of confidence in their provincial directors- cam paign to run through 1985 in other business at the Large crowds attend local farm show The management and staff of Huron Tractor extend thanks to the more than 1,100 people who attended the very successful Farm industry Show at the company's Ex- eter Dealership last week. Door prize winners were Doug McGregor. 4Kippen; ,John Oke, Exeter; Betty Vanderwal, Denfield, Mike Blake, Lucan ; Joel Hobson, Arva and Doug Vanderharr, Hayfield. Contributors to the mini - auction included Huron Trac- tor, Chipman Chemicals, Cook's Elevators, Sed Monitors, Stewart Seeds, M.F. Agri Builders, and auc- tioneer 13111 Manzer who donated his time and talents. Thanks to the farmers who participated, the auction rais- ed $842.50 which will be given to the South Huron District Association for the Mentally Handicapped. meeting, the cattlemen elected officers for the coin ing year. The new president is Ross Procter. taking o%er trom Bill Coleman. Vice presidents are Ron Bennett and Keith Strang. Glenn ('oultes is the OCA director and Rose Marie Bishop is secretary -treasurer. The financial report for 11n:t showed the group \1 ith a small surplus of just over $50l 00 a budget of about $1ii.(101 for the year. however it also has savings amounting to over $3,0(xi. • The guest speaker at the meeting was Gary Jones. president of the OCA. Com- ments also came from local MP, MPPs. county warden and agricultural representative. Hope to ban leg -hold traps for trappers Over 1,000.000 fur -bearing animals will be trapped this winter in Ontario, the vast majority in leg -hold traps. They will suffer unbearable pain. terror, and stress for hours or days. Some will "wring off" leaving' their paws behind in the trap; most will die of shock or exposure: Many unt:irgeted animals and birds will be taken needlessly. The leg -hold trap is a barbaric antiquated device which Charles Darwin described as a diabolical in- strument of torture, com- parable to the torture rack. Ed Philip, M.P.P. (-N.D.I' Etobicoke) submitted Bill 154 to amend the Game and Fish Act in the Ontario Legislature on December 13, 1983. The Bill bans use of the leg -hold trap on land with the excep- tion of fox, wolf and coyote, 111 which -cases a padded leg -hold trap or some other type of humane trap must be used. The Bill establishes a number of other important humane trapping concepts. Eleven animal welfare groups have stated that the leg -hold trap should be bann- ed. The Ontario Trappers Association which has im- plemented progressive trapp- ing improvements recently, has stated it would support various humane trapping Regulations including a restriction on the use of the leg -hold trap on land to only fox, wolf and coyote. Huron farm and home news New p.rsonal finaiuce projocf for 4.H clubi The basic purpose of 4-H is to help the mental, emotional, social and physical develop- ment of young people. These four areas of development are exemplified by the words - Head, Heart," Hands and Health - the four works that give the name 4-11. As an informal educational program, 4-H helps young people develop a variety of skills related to projects of special interest to the members; self-confidence, self-esteem, responsibility, ' leadership and life skills. 4-H provides opportunities for members to develop as in- dividuals through project and club experiences. The motto, "Learn to do by Doing" is ex- emplified, as the member takes sole responsibility for his/her project and learns specific skills through his/her own efforts. The project is not the end product but, in reali- ty the means to. the end. Leaders, parents and other members have an important role to play' to ensure that each member is encouraged to do his/her personal best. A variety of 4-H Clubs will be offered in Huron County daring 1984. These will in- clude Quilting, Personal Finance, Dairy, Beef, Swine, Horse, Rabbit, Poultry, Field Crops, Horticulture, Farm Safety, Agricultural Machinery, Plowing, Goats, Sheep, Veterinary, Gun Safe- ty, Conservation, Fitness Fare and Computers. To be a 4-H member, you must be between the ages of 12 and 21 as of January 1st, or July 1st, of 1984 depending on the starting date of the pro- ject. Members must attend at least 75 percent of the club meetings, complete a project book and participate in an achievement program. Club meetings, judging competi- tions, bus trips, conferences and exchanges are all part of the fun in 4-H. If you are interested in becoming a 4-1-I member, please be watching future col- umns for more details on in - dividual projects and When they will begin. Rural Seminars for Vital People 1984 Communications! That is the theme for the 1984 Rural Seminar For Vital People be- ing offered to members of rural organizations in Huron and Perth. The seminar will be at the Community Centres in Kirkton and Brussels, March 21 and March 30 respectively. _ The day long program will commence at 9:45 a.m. acid end at 4:30 p.m. on both days. Speakers will address three different areas of concern: (i) Becoming a better com- municator; (ii) keeping members informed and in- volved and (iii) improving our image in the community. In order to ensure an effec- tive seminar, enrolment will be limited to 100 participants at each location with a max- imum of 30 members from any one organization. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. To register, a •cheque for $9 (includes a hot meal at noon), along with your address and the name of the organization you represent, must be sent to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Box 159, Clinton, Ontario, NOM 11.0, by Friday, March 2nd. For further information contact John Bancroft or Jane Muegge at 482-3428. Do you want to be a 4-11 leader? Wanted - an enthusiastic, patient, community -oriented person with an interest in rural youth. Should have skills in organization, com- munications, -. conducting meetings, evaluation, and be willing to continually update these skills. Must be able to work with people. Some travel, long hours, unlimited interest, no salary, but long lasting rewards. What's the job title? 4-H leader! Over 6,000 adults volunteer every year to be club leaders in Ontario's 4-H program because they enjoy the oppor- tunities 4-11 offers. Their duties depend to some extent on their location, their club and their own individual talents, but one -day training workshops will prepare leaders for specific projects. We'll Do the Job Right... �vJ'�j1� Ready -Mix Concrete FREE ESTIMATES: Residential, commerical and form, founda- tions, floors, slobs. sidewalks, driveways, monure tanks etc form rentals, equipment rentals. For 9uoranteed strength, quality controlled and service call C.A. McDowell Redi-Mix Ltd. Centralia, Ontario Plant: Exeter, Hwy. No. 83 west 235-2711 Office: 228-6129 After hours: 228-6780 Many 4-11 club leaders plan their club's program. Most leaders present the lessop material to their members and pass on some of the train- ing they have received. Club leaders check project bwks, some make visits to ea of their members and some assist with county programs such as achievement days. But all 4-H Club Leaders help our province's young people by teaching them skills, developing their in- dividual talents and feelings of self-worth, providing op- portunities for new ex- periences, listening to them, and by encouraging them to "Learn to do by Doing" - the 4-11 motto. The Huron County 4-H Pro- gram is offering a new 4-H project called "4-H Personal Finance". It will focus on the needs of senior 4-H members who will be moving away from home in the next few years or members who are already !lying on their own. Each club will have six meetings to cover the topics of finding a place to live, financial planning, banking, credit and consumer rights and responsibilities. A workshop for interested 4-H Personal Finance Club Leaders has been arranged for Monday, February 27th, 1984 at the Agricultural Office in Clinton. This workshop will begin at 1o:OO a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. with lunch provided. If yoU are interested in becoming a Personal Finance Club Leader please contact John Bancroft or Jane Muegge at 482-3428 before the 27th._ Volunteer 4-H Leaders make Huron County's 4-H Program a Success! John Bancroft, Rural Organization Specialist (Agriculture) NV1 SI NMI 1 SS EAVESTROUGH �ALUMINUM and VINYL SIDING 11 ALUMINUM STORM xiijr,,, __ DOORS and WINDOWS ALUMINUM AWNINGS 4-_ '-1`... _lt REPLACEMENT WINDOWS • RENOVATIONS and GENERAL CONSTRUCTION • FREE ESTIMATES • rt DON'S FOOD KNECHTEL " MARKETS EVERY WEDNESDAY IS SENIOR CITIZENS DAY Prices in Effect Until Closing Saturday SAVE YOUR CASH REGISTER TAPES Canada Grads A Fresh Frying Chicken Racks attached Chicken Breasts Fresh Whole - Cut-up Chicken Campbel Veg., 10 oz. Soup Reg. 55t 2 79 2.11 kg.99 fib. Van Camp Assorted Robin Hood All Purpose • 2.40 kg. 1 X09 French's Harnburg,r Fixin's great PRODUCE VALUES Produce USA Head Lettuce heed 49 C iiwlck or 1.59 Produce "New Brun Ontario 10 Ib. bog Potatoes From the Tropics Bananas Nkg.,ib.39t Produce WA line Oey Orange 1.59 dos. White, craek.d wheat 60% whole wh.ai, Duncan Hines Layor Cakes Dere, Coco chip. coconut. fruit 'n nut or oatmeal kiss coo fl NPto2ao Chips ' 1141 4