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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-07-23, Page 4019, Page 22A Profiles Gordon Hill known in and out of thwnship By Anne Narejko Gordon Hill is a name that is familiar to rnost Stanley Township dwellers as well as those who follow the political aspects of agriculture. Mr.•Hill is the co-chairman of the Stanley Township Sesquicentennial celebrations with Phil Durand. He was president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture ( OFA ), on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, on the Economic Council of Canada, chair- man of the Ontario White Bean Producers' Board, ran for Legislature and is presently a member of Agri. Skills Abroad. Sesquicentennial Involvement Mr. Hill's job as co-chairman of the township's 1500 birthday celebration is one that he is enjoying mainly because of the en- thusiastic people working with him. "The committee is something else. Once they decide what they want to do, they go out and do it," he said. "They're very in- terested and talented people." Before the real preparations began, Mr. Hill and Mr. Durand agreed to share the responsibilities with Mr. Hill taking on more .of the work load. However, he is quick to give credit to his partner. "Phil's right there if we need him. We work well together," he said. The sesquicentennial group started off small and has added various committees which have specific areas of respon- sibilities. In order to get the celebrations underway, the group had to first decide what they were going to do. "We then narrowed it down to what was reasonable and practical. We decided to honor those who built the township, who maintained the township and those who are here now,." he said. One activity that will encourage former residents to come back for the Homecoming Weekend in the school reunion. Mr. Hill made special mention of the History Book Committee which has been working on the project for approximately three years. "They have been left pretty well on their own, researching old events, businesses, organizations, churches, schools and other ihformation," he said. As for the celebrations themselves, "We want to reach out to everyone and make GC1°D% GC* re;ghb°ue uC W fishes t° rship S gitOU Best fey I°w %r thre' sem loot 5 He® Celebration Q het the GOOD NEW 1oti wish +t ,e W �ih Y-`om the pe°lIRUCKS• ^ wt C,NC7�1 '.n C PRS an O F O � AV A�LAB e)3 oNoN M,CRAS 01,11986 N 1986 N, � NISSAN ANO �RUCIkS ' ''': � _' . GORDON HILL them part of it because they are part of the township." Ontario Federation of Agriculture Mr. Hill has spread his talents to other areas of the province, holding the position of president of the OFA for seven years. This job involves the study of economic prospects of Western Canada. For example, the Council looks at problems with lumber- ing, mining, and agriculture. They come to a conclusion as to what would be the best single source in the service sector for new jobs. "It's a heavy load of reading," com- mented Mr. Hill. Ontario White Bean Producers Board Mr. Hill was involved with the Ontario White Bean Producers Board from 1978 - 1985, acting as chairman from 1979 - 1981. His job as chairman required him to chair Each year a new executive is elected to the meetings and make sure the Board dealt the OFA and in 1976 Mr. Hill decided not to with the issues. Some of the issues included stand for re-election as he felt it was time export market development and advertising for a change. and promoting in Canada and abroad. "There were a number 'of talented people "An important part of the work of the holding office at that time who were Board was to keep in touch with the prepared to step up," he said. research institutes and keep them aware of Today Mr. Hill is still a member of the the producers' needs, improving plants and Asn to page 23 • the quality of the bean," he said. In 1977, Mr. Hill decided he would run for the Legislature. •'It grew out of frustration with the reluc- tance of the provinical govern ent to cope with agricultural problems fa ing them then and in the future. And after farm meetings for approximately 30 years at that time, and every time the farmers discussed a problem and came up with a solution, it seemed to be contrary to the partys policy that was in power," he explained. However, for the presnt time, Mr. Hill is focusing on the Stanley Township Ses- quicentennial Celebrations and encourages everyone to come out and take part in the festivities. M. Hill was elected. at a convention in Toronto in 1967, attending as a proxy for the Ontario White Bean Producers Board. During the next few years, many changes were made and Mr. Hill says the group which he was a part of, remodelled the OFA to what it is today. However, he adds it was due to the support of the people that enabled the group to do so. The Tuckersmith born man, who moved to Stanley Township in 197, explained the ma- jor change was accessibility. "Direct membership, or individual membership,. was a major change. This means the farmer buys the membership directly which gives him the right to have a resolution presented on his behalf. Before he would have had to go through a commodity federation. Basically, the OFA has been made more accessible," he said. Along the lines of accessibility is the fact that delegates now represent producers, not the Federation. "The whole idea was to open the Federa- tion so farmers could participate and have their view expressed and direct member- ship gave a positive means of protest," said Mr. Hill. During his time as president, Mr. Hill was away from Stanley Township throughout the week, returning only on weekends, but he felt it was all worthwhile. "There was a lot of travelling. I visited every county in Ontario," he said. As well asholding the OFA president's position, Mr. Hill was one of three Ontario representatives on the Canadian Federation of Agriculture which also kept him busy. Congratulations Stanley Township on your 150T"Birthday From Ron, Barb, Kevin, Stephen & staff of innoroz:re RON MACHAN HOME HARDWARE 370 RRAYEtELD RD. 524-8312 "HOME OF THE HANDYMAN" GODERIC-H