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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1979-09-13, Page 3A lturl group wants government to halt BY ALICE. GIBB. Members of the HuroC1ounty Federation of ,�igriculture t ok, their gain__ against foreign o ' nership of Qntario's farmland one ste further at their regional meeting in Belgrave Thursday. -Federation -:members from the north of the county strongly supported a resolution puts .forward by Vince Austen asiiiing that "the Ontario Federation of Agriculture request the Ontario government to act quickly to prevent further purchases by ab- sentee foreign interests." The resolution said absentee in- terests are purchasing farmland as an investment and "Ontario residents cannot compete with them in money markets for the capital they require to purchase land" and "foreign ab- sentee ownership of large parcels of land in any, given area causes deterioration of our rural com- munity." The resolution will be forwarded to the next meeting of OFA directors in Toronto, and a report on their action will be brought back to Huron county members at' their annual meeting in Brussels on Oct. 19. 0 Before presenting the resolution, audience members had challenged guest speaker Floyd Jenkins, the regional assessment commissioner for Huron and Perth counties, to defend statements he had made earlier in the week. Mr. Jenkins had been quoted as saying he felt the issue of . foreign land ownership in Huron County has been exaggerated .in the press. Mr. Jenkins told the audience any foreign ownership purchase of land by a non-resident of the country is subject' to a 20 per cent land transfer tax, and that a survey of land tran- sactions showed reports of absentee ownership were exaggerated. Adrian Vos, one of the federation members who first raised the issue of absentee ownership, said all this proved was "that. the buyers have smart lawyers." Mr. Vos claimed many foreign investors are hiding their. , in- volvement in ° Ontario registered companies. Mr. Jenkins said, "I wouldn't disagree completely that there isn't foreign money in the Huron County farming industry." • Vince Austen told the audience he had researched the sale of 1,865 acres of land in his township. Although the sale was to a registered Ontario company, on further research he discovered the company.was made up of four "tenants in common", all residents of the Republic of West Germany. Companies which are registered in. Ontario aren't subject to the 20 per cent land transfer tax paid when land is sold to a non-resident of the country. Mr. Jenkins said if the company were legally registered with the Ontario government, then "that's legal and that's possible." During the meeting, the federation members elected their three regional directors, who represent them at the OFA directors' meetings in Toronto, and delegates to the annual OFA convention. stuck in .the- middle - After months of careful planning and nervous contemplation the day came, everything went as planned to the relief of all involved, our family has a new addition, a brother and son-in-law. On Saturday, our family went through a major change as my younger_sister became the first of our brood to walk down the aisle. It was an exciting event. For my parents, Judith was the first one to leave the family nest. For relatives and friends, it was a chance to renew acquaintances and enjoy each other's company, and for her sister, (that's me) it was the first time to take part in the wedding ceremony as maid of honor. On'Saturday morning our family home was frenzied. Everyone wanted to use the bathroom at one time and Mum was busily cleaning up after us all. Dad roamed around the house wondering what he should be doing, the bridesmaids meticulously applied make-up and received finishing touches to their hair, as the bride was frantically calling for help when the zipper in her gown refused to budge from the folds in her material, and I 'at- tempted to comfort all and show an air of confidence as I stumbled around on my new spike heels. At `last everyone was finished and we all sat waiting for the time to • head to the church but the minutes slowly ticked by. In what seemed a long 15 minutes, we grew impatient. The bridesmaids fidgeted -with their flowers, Mum came to the conclusion that she didn't like her dress, Dad sat relighting his pipe every few minutes and continously repeated 'his important line, "Her mother and I do." I sat 'watching my knuckles turn white and felt the Shelley by mcphee circulation leaving 'my thumb as I desperately clutched the groom's wedding band. At the church, one bridesmaid cried, the other giggled, I stood, teetering on my new spike heels. My Dad took an uncontrollable case of the shakes, and my Mum had to hold him still but he suc- cessfully remembered to say his important line at the right time. While we all fluttered about in nervous panic, it was amazing to see that the bride sat looking radiant, with a surprising air of calmness and confidence. The thought of marriage didn't seem to fluster her and she sat, like a queen, watching, the rest of us tear about ,in sheer panic like clowns in a circus act. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed a fantastic smorgasbord prepared by the groom, who's a chef, and the newlyweds later said their good- byes. When the event was over, an Unfamiliar air of quiet came over the house and we realized that Judith would not be home tonight, the baby of the family was gone. With everything over,' I hoped that my parents would finally relax, and life in the McPhee home would at last return to normal. However, the nervous tension that had built up in my parents for the last few months broke and they weeped. As consolation for my happy, but sad parents I cheerfully yelled from my ,bedroom, "Don't worry, you've still got me," but to my surprise this comforting thought did not ebb the tide, but only made it flow stronger. I guess this is all just part of the joys of parenthood and the fun of a wedding. The regional director for North West Huron . is Merle Gunby of Ash- field Township, North West Huron includes Ashfield, East and West Wawanosh and. Colborne Townships. Convention . delegates from the region are Dennis Connelly' 'of Colborne Township, Clete Dalton of Ashfield and Walter Elliott. of East,' Wawanosh with alternate Vince Aten, The regional director elected from North East Huron, which includes Turnberry, Howick and Grey town- ships, is Gerry, Fortune. Convention delegates are Bev Brown from Bluevale, Louise Marritt from Turnberry and Max Derneray from Grey, , with alternate Ross Veitch of Grey township. The, regional director . for -East Central Huron, •which includes Hullett, McKillop and Morris town- ships, is John Van Beers of Blyth. Convention delegates are John Nesbitt of the Blyth area, Mery CJ MITON NEWSr-RECORD., THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1:3,1979,PAGE nd buying Simith of Walton, Bob Robinson of ., .. thee Seaforth area,with alternate Bill Pullen of Brussels. At the regional meeting held at Huron Centennial School, Brucefield, for federation members from the south of the county, Andy Durand was elected regional director for South Huron. South ,Huron -includes. Hay, Stephen and Usb.o rhe townships, The convention delegates elected. Were Hugh Rundle of RR 1, Centralia; Gerald T.hie�l of PR 2, Zurich and Paul 419R 1 f PP o RR 3, Zurich. 1 In the Huron West Central Region, which includes Tuckersmith, Goderich and Stapley Townships, the director is Jim McIntosh of RR 4, Seaforth. The convention delegates elected are Jack Tebbutt of RR 2, Clinton; Bud Yeo of RR 3, ;Clinton and Walter McIlwain of RR 2, Goderich. No alternates were elected in either of the south Huron regions. • Newitssessments stir rural county reps BY JEFF SEDDON Huron County council reacted__.ae-- expected recently when property tax equalization factors were explained by assessment commissioner Floyd Jenkins at a special council session. Jenkins explained to county council what equalization factors were and what impact they would have on budgets in towns and townships in the county. The assessment com- missioner outlined the reasons for the new factors but his comments fell on deaf ears as most rural represen- tatives were only concerned with the bottom line, it was going to cost townships more money. The new factors are designed to equalize payments made by municipalities for county services such as education, health, social services and roads. Costs for those services are shared by municipalities in the countyand the provincial government. The new equalization factors will not alter the provincial share only the portions paid by municipalities in the county. Under the presOnt cost sharing system towns and villages in the county pay 'the lion's share of county costs. Goderich,-the county. seat and .largest municipality in Huron, pays far more toward county services than any other municipality and under new equalization factors will enjoy a much greater saving than any other town. Present apportionments have been a thorn in the side of county towns for years. Councils in those towns have complained that their payments, compared to those of the townships, are unfair. The towns claimed that taxpayers in urban areas have been subsidizing taxpayers in rural areas. Township councils don't buy that arguement. The townships claim. urban residents have a much greater benefit from county services than rural residents and so should pay for - that service. The effects of equalization factors indicate that the towns' complaints may have been justified. If the proposal for realigning county ap- portionments is legislated the towns will enjoy. handsome savings while the townships will pay more. That 'fact was obvious from the reaction of county councillors Thursday night. Rural reeves and deputy -reeves voiced discontent with the new fal✓tors while urban politicians were content to avoid confrontation by remaining silent rather than try to defend the use 'of equalization factors. While township representatives talked tough about objecting to the new factors there was little indication any organized effort will be made to halt the use of those factors. ' Some councillors suggested that the townships back out of county services rather than pay the long dollar for them while others suggested the townships should band together, and fight any legislation implementing equalization factors. Mayor may resign... • from page 1 managing the town's affairs." The other members of council said nothing and I felt what I was saying, or attempting to explain was futile, at that time and . my 'only alternative -was to leave -the meeting, •••( rather than continue the argument. I felt that it could only be reasonably discussed on a one-to-one basis with the Mayor, when both sides of the issue would be clearly brought out." Miss McPhee said she was prepared to defend and explain her story and actions when she went to the meeting, but regretted comments. made to her in private by Clerk Cam Proctor. During a coffee break, before the' issue was brought before the whole council, Clerk Proctor informed Miss McPhee that he would be sending her story to Ottawa for study, "with or without council's approval." He went on to say that he had called some of the clerks that she had in, terviewed in the story who said they had been misquoted and their words taken out of context. Miss McPhee said she had- her original notes taken during the in- t;erviews as proof that she had ac- curately written the information given to her. She also said on Tuesday that she had spoken with two of the nine municipal representatives in- terviewed, both who said that they had not been misquoted. She had not pursued the matter farther. "It is of no benefit to us to print falsehoods, or deliberately malicious stories. Surely council has seen that neither of us get any great joy or satisfaction from this. We only try to do what is right and to give all correct and necessary information to the public. Council may make mistakes and so do we, and the News -Record will humbly correct any factual error on their part," Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss McPhee said. ... a penny saved is a penny earned! When you're counting ,pennies . make them really count..Right now you can take advantage of these outstanding values and enjoy big savings! GILLETTE TRACK 11/9's' IAZOR BLADES 410otii Lit ;CARESS/140 g. MATH SIZE) POR ONLY FURNITURE, UGHtl(NG ALLL(VFRING, ART& ACCENTS ffOne Twenty i1. t DDoiC/1jMAIN **MOM. CLINTON/ MALN.CONNTRA.fii€AFOR111 The objections to the use of the new factors are understandable. If the townships feel the present system is fair for both the towns and the townships it would follow that they would fight the changes, Under the new factors the townships will be faced with raising substantial amounts of money to pay their share of the county costs. The break given towns in the county will be at the expense of the town- ships. Goderich, under the new fac- tors, will realize a $481,495 saving while Exeter will pay $172,386 less. Savings to the rest of the towns and villages are less than those amounts but every township with the exception of Hay will pay more. Hullett township is the hardest hit. With new factors used Hullett will have to raise $109,467 more -next year than it did this. Goderich township will pay $95,135 more and Morris township $95,835 more. County clerk Bill Hanly reminded rural taxpayers that the burden of increased taxes will be eased through a provincial grant. The grant returns one half the property tax paid on farmland. The provincial government has not committed itself to the new factors and may shelve the whole thing. Township councils and farm organizations are showing signs of gearing up for a fight against the new factors while urban taxpayers are anxious to ,have the new system put into effect.. The matter is now in the hands of the province. A decision' from the legislature is expected early in the fall REAL SHARP BUYS ON INTERMEDIATE SIZE USED CARS '78 qNTURY CUSTOM ,2 door coupe, 6 cylinder,' automatjc, power steering, ,power brakes, AM/FM radio, gauge package, electric rear defogger, Ziebarted, like brand new. 25,000 miles. License No. MSY 790 '77 REGAL 2 door coupe, lady driven, V8, automatic, power steering, power brakes, landau top, accent stripes, electric rear defogger, tinted windshield, Ziebarted, 44,000 miles. License No. LHH 714. '77 NOVA 4 door sedan, 6 cylinder, automatic, power steering, radio, rear defogger, wheel discs, smart metallic red. 29,000 miles. 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