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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1983-03-23, Page 5You coups save money and tine if you come to the income tax specialists! OUR CAREFULLY TRAINED TAX PREPARERS are ready to prepare your - income tax return. They are up-to-date on all the tax credits and deductions that apply to farmers. At H & R Block, we'll take all the time necessary to do the job rightbecause we want you to pay the lowest legitimate tax. Cornejo H & R Block. We could save you money this year. H&R BLOCK THE INCOME TAX SPECIALISTS 328 Josephine St. Open 9 AM - 5 PM Weekdays. Phone 357-3006 APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE EVENINGS & SATURDAY CO.OP 1�® Wawanosh Fed. f Agriculture T•x reform, a sent top concerns at an Fears about proposed changes in farm property taxation and concern over increasing problems with absentee ownership of farm land were the hottest topics to surface during last week's annual meeting of the East Wawanosh Federation of Agriculture. The new farm tax rebate program, under which farmers would receive a 100 per cent rebate of taxes paid on agricultural land but would pay a higher tax on their homes, came in for extended discussion. The program is scheduled to take effect next year, replacing the current system. Raise your own flock • SAVE ON FOOD COSTS • EARN EXTRA INCOME Curb rapidly escalating grocery bills by growing your own poultry meat and eggs right in your own backyard. Noth- ing beats the enjoyable taste of a freshly laid egg. Include a few extra birds in your flock for sales to friends and neighbours ... a good profitable hobby for children. Easy to raise, even in small areas. CO-OP carries a full range of feeding and watering supplies including quality feed. CO-OP feeds are research tested and field proven by many large poultry farmers throughout Ontario to give fast grow -out results to your flock. CO-OP feed and fresh water is all your flock needs to eat to produce fresh meat and eggs. Order healthy day-old chicks, now at CO-OP. *Price for layer or meat chickens. . Ask for price for turkeys, geese and ducks. • FRESH EGGS • FAMILY FUN Choose from white or brown egg layers or special meat birds. Turkeys, geese and trucks are available in lots of 10 chicks or as many as you want. Start planning your flock today and save on eggs and meat for your family 1JG0 UNITED CO-OPERATIVES OF ONTARIO WHERE AVAIL ABLE BELGRAVE BRANCH asWingham 357-2711 RIMMING AVAILABLE rNwOGGH CO.OP Belgrave, Ontario. of a 50 per cent across-the- board rebate of farm property taxes. Leading the arguments against the new program was Jim Hallahan, an East Wawanosh farmer, who declared the Ontario Feder- ation of Agriculture should have given all its mem- bers a chance to vote on the question before agreeing to go along with the new system. Mr. Hallahan also objected to the plan to impose a higher tax on the farm house and an arbitrary one acre of land around it. "I spend most of my time in the barn anyway," he declared, so he might as well not pay ,the tax on his house and let the government try to seize it. He was told that wouldn't work, since the tax bill is not broken down between the house and the rest of the farm, and the rebate would not be issued until all the taxes were paid. Mr. Hallahan also warned Tony McQuail, president of the Huron County Feder- ation of Agriculture, who was a guest at the meeting, that there might be a big enought split over this issue to "fix" the OFA, "and we won't have anybody to speak for us." Mr. McQuail defended the proposed changes, ex- plaining that in his opinion it is an improvement over the current 50 per cent!rebate, but he emphasized that is his personal view. Brain Ireland, a Tees - water -area farmer and OFA regional director from South Bruce; also a guest at the meeting, told the group he feels the OFA has been "kind of hung with this thing. A lot of people think it's our plan. It isn't." Hardi Spraying_ Equipment is number 1 around the world . HAR DI> MIPY • • Single Axle TR -500 with 42' Self Levelling Boom ...and Perth. Machinery Ltd. is now the exclusive dealer in the Perth and Huron areas. Ron Mann at Perth Machinery Ltd. would like to extend to you a special invitation to attend a Weed Sprayer Clinic Wednesday Mar. 30 at 8 p.m. at Perth Machinery Ltd. Come out and talk to Ag Reps, Chemical Reps and Hardi Sprayer Reps. Find out the latest in chemical crop spraying and why Hardi Spraying equipment is number one in the world. FREE REFRESHMENTS DRAW FOR A DOOR PRIZE. Perth Machinery Ltd. Highway 23 North Listowel 291-2311 ers The OFA position con- tinues to be that land should pay for services to land, and people should pay for ser- vices to people, he said. That means that • things like education should be paid out of income taxes instead of property taxes. He also told the farmers that, in response to concerns that the rebate might jeopardize their property rights, Agriculture Minister Dennis Timbrell has promised to but a clause in the tax legislation guaran- teeing ownership rights. On the question of ab- sentee ownership, both Mr. McQuail and Mr. Ireland told the group the federation has had little success in getting the minister to take its concerns seriously. "He doesn't think absentee ownership is a problem," Mr. Ireland said, and Mr. McQuail suggested that perhaps farmers from this area will have to pay a visit to the minister to explain to him what absentee owner- ip is doing to agriculture eand their rural communities. Neil Vincent, reeve of East Wawanosh, added that the problem is not just absentee owners but also foreign landlords, with a few people coming in as landed im- migrants and then being used to funnel foreign invest- ment money into purchases of large chunks of farm land. Most of our ancestors came to this country to get away from the system of landlords and tenant farm- ers, he declared, and he would hate to see the same system established here. Walter Elliott, another local farmer, told the group we have to exercise our rights in order to keep them. He noted that, because of low turnouts for ' municipal elections, we now get to vote only every three years in- stead of every year, and he said he hopes that struggles such as theses .will , build up the federation, not split it. Simon Hallahan, a former reeve of the township, said the key to halting foreign ownership is making it possible for young farmers to buy land. He was offered more than half a million dollars for his farms, he reported, but told the would- be buyers that he has a son and four grandsons and wants the farm for them. In other business dis- cussed, Mr. 'Mand told the federation that, contrary to some reports, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture does support the Farmers and Creditors Adjustment Act and the OFA has sent telegrams to Ottawa also supporting the Act. The guest speaker at the dinner meeting, held at the Belgrave WI Hall, was Giselle Ireland, who regaled the audience with an en- tertaining account of some of the woes and delights of a farm wife. Mrs. ‘q\ _eland, a free lance writer;—cdrrently is working on a book about women in agriculture, based on a survey conducted by the Concerned Farm Women in Grey and Bruce counties. She reported they found that women are heavily involved in almost all aspects of farming, and most seem to be quite satisfied with their lives. Only 11 per cent of those surveyed said they wanted out of farming. She said that, with the hard times agriculture is currently going through, they expected to find an increase in alcoholism and abuse, but didn't really find it. "Over half the women felt their best friend was their husband." She added that more women need to become in- volved in policy making for agriculture. Federation members also elected their executive and directors for the coming year. Barry Mason and Chris Palmer were returned to their posts as president and vice president respectively, while Les Caldwell, a former president, replaced long- time secretary -treasurer Peter Chandler. All were acclaimed to their positions. Line directors are: 1, Bob Hillis; 2-3; Ilebo Siertsema; 4-5, Ralph Scott; 6-7, Greg Cook; 8-9, Doug Walker; 10- 11, Gerry Jaretzke; 12-13, either Roger Bieman or Archie Purdon, and 14, Wallace Norman. Robert Charter will be the auditor and Chris Palmer will serve as county director. Conservation club to organize Apr.4 The Huron 4-11 Con- servation Club will be holding its organizational meeting on Easter Monday, April 4, at 1:30 p.m. in the OMAF office at Clinton. The club theme is the importance of trees in our environment, and its motto is "In '83 Plant a Tree". Meetings and field trips will be held from April to August. Some items on the proposed agenda for sum- mer meetings include: the woodlot as a fuel supply, as lumber supply, as protection for farm crops, as a shelter belt and as a source of food and shelter. Some projects may involve preparation of wood and leaf samples. In, cooperation with the Ausable-Bayfield and Maitland conservation authorities, members will receive on joining a bundle of trees for planting and one On-farm •computers will be topic for federation Computers for farmers will be the topic for discussion at the monthly meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture April 6 at the Grey Central Public School, Ethel. The guest speaker for the evening will ' be John McNeily, an accountant with Ward Mallette in Exeter, who will discuss the use of computers in farming, giving the pros and cons of such a convenience. Also speaking will be Peter It:ason of Canfarm. Both men will try to show -' ways of managing farm finances better, particularly in conjunction with an ac- countant. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting, which gets underway with a coffee time at 8 p.m. followed by athe guest speaker at 8:30. larger tree. Upon the suc- cessful completion of the club, each member will receive an award or gift courtesy of the conservation authorities. Leaders for the new club are Ray Hanna (526-7251), Bob Hern (229-6300) and Dave McClure (228-6219). The Wingham Advance -Times, March 23, 1983—Page 5 EAST WAWANOSH FEDERATION of Agriculture executive for 1983-84 will be led once again by Barry Mason (centre) as president and Chris Palmer (right), vice presi- dent. Les Caldwell takes over the post of secretary -treasurer from long-time member Peter Chandler. The federation held its annual meeting last week at Belgrave. Turnberry Twp. Council holds meeting to discuss plans for 10th Members of Turnberry council met with residents from the tenth concession of the township to discuss plans for this spring's construction of that road. All the landowners pres- ent, Vince McInnes, J: G. Dolman, Larry McDonald, Lorne Baird, Barry Mulvey, Doug McPherson, John Woolcock, Tom Stokes, Mur- ray Mulvey and Bob Martin, agreed the work is necessary and were pleased that it is being undertaken. But they still had a few questions and concerns. As Road Superintendent Ross Nicholson explained at last Tuesday evening's meeting, his crew hopes to have the road work complete this May before the fresh gravel goes on in June. Reeve Brian McBurney said two and one-half miles of the tenth are to be con- structed this year, from the Barry Mulvey farm to the old schoolhouse. Council asked the affected land- owners to attend, he said, to explain its plans to them and see if anyone would be willing to sell gravel to the township for the job. It was pointed out at council's last meeting that several farmers along that particular stretch of road have gravel knolls which A ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY was held for those who were Irish, or just Irish at heart, last Thurtday at the Wingham and Area Day Centre for the Homebound. A number of local entertainers performed, some day cen- tre participants and some not. Anna Johnston of Lucknow, a participant, sang a few favorite old Irish songs. A they might wish to be rid of and have leveled off to make a more workable field. Also, according to Mr. McBurney, hauling gravel from the township pit to the tenth (over two miles) is costly. Therefore it is more ex- pedient for council to open one or more wayside pits on the t th_ for gravel. Ways 'de pits differ from licens pits since they only can, bee:9 erred' fora .specific period of time and for a specified prbject. Mr. Woolcock, Mr. Mc- Pherson, Mr. Dolman and Murray Mulvey all said they would be willing to sell gravel to the township for the project. Council instructed Mr. Nicholson to go and dig test holes on those properties to see how much and what quality gravel each contains. Mr. McInnes said he would like to have his laneway changed and asked if the township roadmen, could change it while they are working at the road. Mr. Nichols said his crew would change the entrance- way at the road, but he (Mr. McInnes) would be respon- sible for carrying the lane to the house. Bob Martin expressed concern that building the road up one and one-half feet would cause excess water to be dumped at his gateway, necessitating a culvert to be installed there. The road does need to be built up, said Mr. Nicholson and he assured Mr. Martin that if a culvert is necessary, the crew will install one. Mr. Martin also was concerned that he would not be able to transport machinery over the road. while it is being constructed and noted that most of the work will be done at seeding time. He was assured by Mr. Nicholson that his farming operation should not be affected very much by the construction. Mr. Nicholson also promised to inform him ahead of time if a portion of road is to be closed for any length of time, for example, half a day. In :other business, council awarded its contract for gravel at the meeting. Five tenders were received, the lowest one, which was . ac- cepted, was submitted by Joe Kerr Ltd. of Wingham for $1.49 per cubic yd. and $1 per yard stockpile. The tenders ranged from Mr. Kerr's to a high of $1.89 per cubic yard. Mr. Nicholson noted the township will be paying eight cents per yard less this year than in 1982 for gravel. In fact, the township is paying less for gravel now than it did four years ago, ac- cording to the reeve. The next meeting of Turnberry council is scheduled for April 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the municipal office in Bluevale. St. John Ambulance has been teaching first aid in Canada since 1883. They've trained about seven. million Canadians in that time. You're invited to join the crowd. 've St. John a call and learn e skills that can save a life nd alleviate in- jury. COMMUNITY Arai/ CALENDAR INSURANCE Insurance - All types. Home, WINGHAM 357-2636 BROKERS LTD. business, auto, farm, life. GORRIE 335-3525 Thurs., Mar. 24 to Wed,, Mar. 30 Thurs. Mar. 24 St. Augustine C.W.L. - Ham Bingo - 8:30 p.m. Church Hall. Fri. Mar. 25 Cancer Society, Daffodil Tea, 2 - 4 p.m. Court Room, Town Hall. Sat., Mar. 26 Grab Bag Sale - Wingham Salvation Army Citadel 1:00 p.m. Pre -Festival Family Dance, Belmore Comm. Centre, 9 p.m. Springtime 83, Belmore Figure Skating Club, Comm. Centre 7:45 p.m. Bake Sale - Whitechurch Hall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dance, Brussels, Morris, Grey Comm. Cen- tre 9 p.m. 90th Birthday Party, Mrs. Luella Fraser, Bluevale Comm. Hall, 2 - 4 p.m. Sun. Mar. 27 Mon. Mar. 28 Tues. Mar. 29 Wed. Mar. 30 "Farm Business For Farm Women" -Seminar - Harriston United Church - Pre- registration only. Wingham Senior Day Centre, 1:30 p.m., Blyth Christian Reform Church Quartet, Everyone Welcome. Expectant Parent Education Classes, 7:30 p.m. Wingham Hospital Portable. R. W. PIKE & ASSOCIATES LTD. 224 JOSEPHINE ST. WINGHAM 357-1225 "Accounting and management services for small businesses. " flrrawa ma frown xxxn ww. minima um"