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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-06-07, Page 26CQMM11WJITY Times -Advocate, June 7,1995 Page 25 Farming topic of discussion at Huron all candidates meeting Ross Haugh T -A Staff HOLMESVILLE - More than 200 farmers from all pans of the riding of Huron attended an elec- tion all candidates meeting at the Goderich township hall in Holmes- ville on May 30. To open the meeting chairman Steven Thompson of the Huron Federation of Agriculture allowed each candidate four minutes to out- line their party's platform and then written questions came from the floor with each candidate given two minutes to reply. Question ed- iting and timekeeping was done by the Clinton Toastmasters Club and rules were strictly adhered to. The five candidates are in alpha- betical order - Kimble Ainslie, Re- form Party; Philip Cornish. Family Coalition; John Jewitt, Liberal; Helen Johns, Progressive Conser- vative and Paul Klopp, incumbent New Democratic.. In opening remarks, Family coa- lition candidate Philip Cornish said, "We have reached a point where reckless spending and a pro- vincial debt of more than 90 billion dollars is jeopardizing our future. We have,one of nine Ontario adults on welfare. The other parties are promise makers, not promise keep- ers. They never say anything that people will remember." Liberal John Jewitt, a Huron farmer for more than 35 years said, "It's no secret that agriculture has been given decreased recognition. There has been a 28 percent cut in funding to OMAFRA. Agriculture must play a significant role in the economy of Ontario. We need a clear voice for agriculture from Huron. The family farm is the en- gine of Huron and Ontario. The PC's Common Sense program does not mention agriculture." Reform candidate Kimble Ain- slie commented, "We just can't throw out one government to give another a chance to mess up. It's time Huron had significant leader- ship and proper management of On- tario's finances. We would lower the provincial sales tax to five per- cent and allow parents more choice in the education their children would get." Helen Johns, the PC candidate said, "We will lower taxes by the amount . raised by the NDP, cut spending, balance the budget, re- move government barriers to job creation and do more for less. My party is committed to improve agri- culture and rural development. We would also abolish junior kinder- garten. Agriculture is big business in Huron. We must protect it and let it grow." Incumbent NDP Paul Klopp told the large audience, "During the worst recession since the 1930's we gave you many programs and the tools to be part of this riding. Ag Minister Elmer Buchanan sits be- side Premier Bob Rae in the Legis- lature. This hasn't happened since the days of the late Bill Stewart. We got there with the production of eth- anol which is a big help in farm in- come. I'm committed to stable fund- ing." Question -What about the selec- tion of a landfill site in Huron? Jewitt -Far too much money, $400,000 went into the landfill site study. The Liberals are committed to incineration. We believe tires and many other materials can be used in production of cement, etc. Johns - First we would repeal the Waste Management Bill. No munic- ipality will be forced to take an- other's n- others garbage. We prescribe fair- ness and equity in waste management. Recycling, resulting must come first. We don't want to bury our garbage." Ainslfe - Reform Ontario would scrap the Environmental Assess- ment Act. This takes power away from from local government and counties. We would start over and offer power through amendments to the Planning Act." Cornish -We would be more dil- igent and find suitable sites that will do little damage to agricultural land. Incineration has not proven to be successful in Smithville. There has been no positive result from the $400,000 study." Klopp - Our government is not °committed to incineration. It was looked at in 1987 and found to be tar too expensive. Bluewater Recy- cling is doing an excellent job in reducing the amount of garbage go- ing to landfill sites and this will continue and increase." Question -*hat are your com- ments on electoral redistribution and the reduction of ridings? Johns - The PC's propose redis- tribution. We have to save on costs and are concerned with the high cost of running MPP offices. A re- duction of 31 ridings would save $7 million. Ainslie - Mike Harris only cares about Bay street. MPP's need to play a fuller role in agenda setting and legislation. Cornish - I'm not in favour of cutting down. It would take power away from rural Ontario and give it to Toronto. Rural people would be hurt." Klopp - Harris doesn't want as many voices at Queens Park. Rural Ontario has to be considered. Our party understands the uniqueness of rural Ontario." Jewitt - We can't allow this pro- posal of representation by popula- tion to happen. Rural Ontario will lose. People in our riding feel left out now. Population increases more in urban areas than it does in counties like ours." Question - How do you feel about minimum wage arid rights of farm workers? Ainslie -The minimum wage in Ontario is too high now. We pro- pose automatic checkoff for farm memberships. Cornish - Minimum wages are up, but not enough to get people off welfare. Unions are not applica- ble for family farms. We want fair wages for fair work. The family farm is the building block of Onta- rio's economy." • Klopp - The minimum wage doesn't need to go up. We don't need unions on family farms." Jewitt - Minimum wages can't go up. We need protection for farm workers. Bring back exemptions for family farms. Johns - Mike Harris will put a freeze on minimum wages until other regions catch up to us. Ours is $.6.85 while others are Michigan $6.43, Pennsylvania $5.98, New Brunswick $5 and Georgia $4.58. Agriculture should not be subjected to industrial type of unionization. Question -Would you vote for your constituents, your conscience or your party? Jewitt - We all must vote the way our constituents want us.My aim is to represent my people fairly and equally.. Lyn McLeod has said, "Vote as you want and you won't be sanctioned." Johns - Mike Harris has told me, " If your constituents want you to vote a certain way that's what you do." We will be accountable to the taxpayers and voters. We don't be- lieve in referendums." Ainslie -It's time to take control. Direct democracy ensures that you take control of political choices. By direct citizen voting on legislation by telephone from your home you will get the kind of services you want. Bell Canada has the neces- sary format for direct voting." Cornish - We must stick to our consciences. Be deaf to expedien- cy. We can't govern by changing policies. We must return to core val- ues and principles. Klopp -In our party we govern for all people. Harris and McLeod are playing with smoke and mirrors. I don't need to be preached to. I go with the best decision based on my experience." Hensall to fly Bow Island flag Summer active challenge is lost to Bow Island, Alberta by 21 per cent HENSALL - Well...maybe next year. Even with 45 per cent of the pop- ulation, a marked improvement over last year, Hcnsall didn't quite beat out Bow Island, Alberta in their Summer Activity Challenge on Wednesday. Hensall citizens were encouraged to take part in any physical activity on Wednesday, and call it in to the town office. This included weeding a flower bed, playing a little base- ball, or even going out for a stroll. "Little league soccer, baseball, even biking - just so long as you're doing exercise," said Barb West- lake Power, assistant to the clerk in Hensall and one of the organizers of the challenge. Over 250 people registered throughout the day with their vari- ous activities. These included Queensway Nursing Home and Hensall Public School. A community walk was or- ganized by the Town for all those who needed a little more structure to their work out. The walk began at the Town Hall at 7:OOpm, and proceeded up and down the many streets. As Wednesday drew to a close, Power was happy to see so many people had participated, but she feared it wasn't enough to match Bow Island. "I'm pleased, but I wish there could be more," said Power. With Bow Island's population of 1 500, and Hensall at just under 1 000, the numbers participating in the activity are used as a percentage of the total population. The numbers came in late that night. Bow Island won with 66 per cert of their population. This challenge has been a part of Hensall for, "at least seven or eight years," said Reeve Cecil Pepper. The competition has been with Bow Island for four years, and for two of those years it was also with Zurich. Hensall has defeated Zurich both times. Some years, the challenge was even within the town itself, with North Hensall challenging South Hensall. Bow Island is the bean capital of the West, and this is how it came be Hensall's friendly rival in this challenge. As a sign of respect for the win- ner, Hensall will once again fly Bow Island's flag high over the Town Hall. Tabernacle celebrates anniversary CENTRALIA - Rev. Harry Wuerch spoke at the 30th anni- versary weekend at Centralia Faith Tabernacle. Special music was provided by the choir, Lana Henderson and Sharon Parker and Cathy Prout. The bus and van will be travel- ling to the Billy Graham Crusade at the Skydome on Saturday. Pick up at the church at 1:00 or the Ca- nadian Tire parking lot at 1:30. Tthe Womens Ministries held their yard sale on Saturday. Cor- rie Coughtry's lawn held a vast array of items. Any women inter- ested in a trip to Elora on June 17 can contact Bev Kline. Evelyn Splane, a missionary from India will be at Centralia Faith Tabernacle for the services this Sunday. DID YOU KNOW? -We offer a wide selection of burning displays -We can design & build your fireplace -We guarantee our service & service our guarantee! CHECK US OU1 BEFORE YOU BUY Dad wens points for fitness as he pulls Jacob and Mitchell Foxton In their wagon. •Put on your Gas Bill -DON'T PAY FOR 90 Days O.A.C. •We'll custom design & finish your fireplace •See our in store displays •Offer Ends June 18th FAMILY FI Highway 04 North 4067 Exeter Road at VNI of Birr N whN� Oak Rd.), Condor+ 1-51966-0701 (019)_652-3134 1-800-608-7701 1-800-387-7047 Beautiful economical Natural Gas for just pennies a hour, at the flick of a witch REPLACES * FREE GAS BBQ Birr Location open ,Sun. 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