Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1976-03-31, Page 1Federations reorganize Huron -Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell appealed to farmers from Hay and . Stanley township to inform him, of their opinions on price stabilization and guaran- teed income on Friday night at the Pineridge Chalet, Hensall. Speaking to a reorganizational meeting of the Federations of Agriculture for Hay and Stanley held in the form of a joint banq- uet, meeting and dance, Mr. Rid- dell said legislators must have the feelings of the farmers in order to properly consider the matters coming before the gov- ernment. "Many farmers have told me that government should stay out of the agricultural industry," said Mr. Riddell. "Others have suggested that a guaranteed in- come will be necessary to att- ract young farmers." Co-chairmen for the event were John Paul Rau, past president of the Stanley Township Feder- ation and Don Geiger, past vice- president of the Hay Township Federation. In elections following the meetings, Stanley township elected Jake Van Wonderen as incoming president. Jim Grainger was named secretary -treasurer and directors include John Eck- el' , Bill McGregor, Harry Pen- nings, Gordon Porter, Russell Snider, Harvey Hayter and Bill Dowson. For Hay township, Federation president elected was Glen Thiel with Andy Durand as vice-pres- ident. Gerald Thiel was named secretary -treasurer. Directors include Harold Hendrick, Albert Erb, Bob Forrest , Bernie Den- omme, Larry Merner and Murray Keyes. In their remarks, Mr. Rau and Mr. Geiger commented that the Federations had been dor- mant for about five years and it 'was hoped that the banquet and dance would become an ann- ual affair. An extremely large turnout was experienced. FARM PRICES In his address, Mr. Riddell reviewed the affect which wage and price controls have on farm prices and particularly market- ing boards. "Consumers are more inter- ested than ever before in food prices," said Mr. Riddell. "Although the controls will have little effect on farm food prices and marketing boards, the boards will get more credit for determining food prices than they deserve." Mr. Riddell stressed . that farmers need a fair return and that marketing boards must op- erate as efficiently as possible. He also pointed out that regional, national and world conditions play a big part in determining the price of food. He said it was vital to insure adequate food supplies in the future and perhaps legislation would be necessary to achieve this goal. He admitted that not all farmers believe in the market- ing board system, using the beef producers as an example. Mr. Riddell pointed out that Ontario Agriculture Minister Newman has challenged the food prices review board to examine the marketing boards in Ontario as he feels they have not been the cause of "ripoffs" as has been stated. "Farmers own the most valu- able resource in the world - land," said Mr. Riddell, "and produce the most important product - food." He said that the Anti -Inflat- ion Board will pay particular attention to food prices but gen- erally he felt the controls would benefit farmers as they will keep input costs down. "More information from the marketing boards to the consum- er is necessary," said Mr. Rid- dell, closing with the feeling that public relations would play an important part in the future of farm products marketing. Peewees in finals Zurich peewees play host to Little Brittain this weekend in the third and fourth games of the OMHA championships. Last •weekend in Little Brittain, each team won one game. Saturday Little Britt- ain won 8-6 and then on Sunday Zurich came back with a 6-4 win. The third game will be played Saturday at 8.30 p.m. and the fourth on Sunday at 12 noon. The fifth and deciding game, if necessary, will be played in Zurich on April 10. FEDERATION MEET - Jack Riddell, MPP for Huron Middlesex, centre, was guest speaker at a reorgan- izational banquet and dance for the Hay Township and Stanley Township Federation of Agriculture. On the left, is John Paul Rau, past president of the Stanley Township Federation and on the right is Don Geiger, past vice-president of the Hay Township Federation. The event was held at the Pineridge Chalet in Hensall. News Photo Marri©liii 64e/R4 NO 13 FIRST WITH THE LOCAL NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31, 1976 20 c PER COPY County levy stable despite increase in overall costs There wasn't much dispute over the county budget for 1976 when council met in regular sess- ion Friday in Goderich at the March session. Although costs were up .in most departments, causing an overall increase in expenditure of 13.7 per cent more than in 1975, the county levy will remain the same. As Reeve Gerry Ginn said following the meeting, "That should help soften the blow for the taxpayers in 1976." Reeve Ginn like many other ratepayers is looking forward to a heavy increase in the cost of education throughout the county this year. The total county budget is $7,710,664. That's . $466,522 more than last year's total of $7,244,142. After government grants and HAY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE - The new executive of the Hay Township Federation of Agric- ulture are pictured following their election Friday night. Seated are secretary -treasurer Gerald Thiel, vice-president Andy Durand, past -president Don Geiger; back row, directors Harold Hendrick, Albert Erb, Bob Forrest, Bernie Denomme and Larry Merner. Missing were president Glen Thiel and di ector Murray Keyes. News other revenue, the county rate- payers will be asked to contrib- ute $2,528,000 - exactly the same as last year. However, it has been necessary to use the accumulat- ive surplus of 5416,383 to maint- ain the levy at last year figure. Included in the 1976 budget is provision for increases to the res- erve funds: working capital, $150,000: hospital reserve; $200,000: employee benefits, $150,000: and capital works build- ing, $20,000. Looking at the individual bud- gets within the total budget, general government is up front $78,800 in 1975 to $94,850 this year. County council sessions won 't cost any more - $32,000 again this year - but the ward- en 's salary and his pay for other meetings is up from $5,000 to $6,200 and the county committees will cost $4,000 more this year - $16,000 instead of the $12,000 budgeted last year. Convention and other commit- tee costs have increased from $5,000 to $9,500 and there's $21,000 included in this year's budget for travel and expenses that wasn 't there last year. The history project last year cost $10,000. ;This year, only $1,000 has been set aside. Turning to the general admin- istration budget, salaries account for a large part of the increase from $150,700 last year to $178, 500 this year. Salaries have gone up 18 per cent - from $100,000 H c for to $118,000. Likewise, employee benefits and workmen's compen- sation have increased nominally. Things like office supplies, equipment, postage, telephone, travel expenses and legal fees are all tip. The general maintenance bud- get is up from $110,425 to $114, 152. Again, salaries and expenses like fuel, utilities and telephone have all increased. The county road budget is actually down from $2,561,000 in 1975 to $2,493,600 in 1976. Road maintenance is up from $665,000 to $771,000 as is over- head and machinery from $403, 000 in 1975 to $473,000 this year. But total road construction is down from $900,000 to $813,600 and boundary bridges this year will cost only $97,000 as opposed to $325,000 last year. The health budget is up $26,120 - from $466,700 in 1975 to $492,820 in 1976. Salaries are all up, of course, including fees to board members. Equip- ment and materials are down slightly, but rent and utilities are up. Added this year - at the govern- ment's order - is a family plann- ing program which will cost $57,900. This particular item was questioned during the session by Morris Reeve Bill Elston who commented, "We're getting some things we don 't need while (continued on page 2) ey tournament C schools The Father Stephen Eckert Council of the Knights of Colum- bus, of Seaforth and District are sponsoring their eleventh annual hockey tournament for Separate Schools in the council area on Saturday and Sunday, April 3 and 4. Five schools have entered in the Senior series and four schools in Junior Series, all held at Seaforth Community Centre. The council invites the public and parents to come out and see some good hockey played by their children and support them as they compete for the four top trophies donated by the Father Stephen Erckert Council of the Knights of Columbus. Following is the schedule: Senior series commences Satur- day, April 3rd at 10:00 a.m. Junior series commences Sunday, April 4th at 12:00 noon. Senior schedule, Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - Dublin vs. Mt. Carmel; 11:00 a.m. - C4th vs. St. Columban; 12:30 p.m. - St. Boniface vs. Winner of 10 a.m. 1:30 p.m. - Loser of 10 a.m. vs. loser of 11 a.m. for "B" trophy; 2:30 p.m. - winner of 11 a.m. vs. winner of 12:30 p.m. for "A" trophy. Junior schedule, Sunday: 12:00 noon - St. Columban vs. St. Boniface; 1:00 p.m. - Dublin vs. Mt. Carmel; 2:30 p.m. - Loser of 12 noon vs. loser of 1 p.m. for "B" trophy; 3:30 p.m. - winner of 12 noon vs. winner 1 p.m. for "A" trophy.