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The Times Advocate, 2007-12-12, Page 22 Times—Advocate Wednesday, December 12, 2007 World economies strong Continued from front page Franken said there won't be a recession in the United States and that, "China will behave itself until next fall. After the Olympics all bets are off." He added Asian economies will continue to pull the world economy up and inflation will reap- pear which will require higher interest rates to fight it. Franken told the group of farmers, "you're the first to feel the pinch and benefits," of inflation. He added while crop prices look positive, the expanding ethanol market makes no sense. "Take a good crop and make gas with it." The situation in Europe is also looking positive, according to Franken with countries shifting to the right politically which he said is good for their economies. Franken said the Canadian dollar has been driven higher because Canada looked attractive to investors with its bud- get surpluses and high interest rates. But the rates have been cut recently and Franken said the language of the gov- ernment indicates it isn't done cutting rates. Franken said the dollar might go lower and will depend on how American rates are set this week, but oil will be a secret weapon for Canada as prices continue to go up. Franken advised that as interest rates go down in the next few months, investors should lock in for the long term. "Inflation will reappear, then watch out, it brings higher interest rates to fight it." But he added interest rates are all relative since he has seen rates as high as 70 per cent in Peru and 2,000 per cent in Bolivia. Asked what China might do with the American dol- lars it is holding, Franken said it will try to diversify by buying up companies and assets. "You can't just put it under the mattress, not that much money." He added that China and the United States are like "twins joined at the hip who hate each other." Franken said the low American dollar "is a prophecy for a strong U.S. dollar...American compa- nies are sitting on balance sheets we can only dream of. The slow down is the best thing that could hap- pen. They were too hot." Also speaking at the meeting was NK Seeds field agronomist Dean Shantz about weather conditions and crop reports for 2007. Shantz said the spring saw opti- mal soil conditions for planting and despite a frost on May 21, there were good rainfalls in May and June as well as "lots of heat." Shantz said May to October saw lots of days above 30 degrees celsius and while there not many big rains, there were enough timely rains to keep the crops going. Exeter had 231 millime- ters of rain between May and October, said Shantz, with 3,246 Crop Heat Units (CHU) in the same period. "There was lots of heat in general." Most corn was planted by May 10 and Shantz said there were some good yields with 20 to 30 bushels per acre more than expected. Shantz said the higher yields were a result of several factors including improved genetic strains and a good start in May as well as few problems with pests and disease. Hasketts donate to hospital campaign Hasketts donate — Bill, Sue and Colin Haskett recognize that the future of South Huron Hospital is important to the growth of the community. Haskett Funeral Homes reaches their 1 25th anniversary in business this month and donating $15,000 to this campaign is one way of giving back to the community. The family has also experienced the care and compassion given by hospital staff, and like so many others, hope to support the facility and our local health care professionals. From left are Colin, Bill and Sue Haskett and Bob Gehan of the Campaign Team. The South Huron Hospital Capital Campaign thanks the following for their gen- erosity: Leader • Heartland Credit Union — Exeter and area Builder • McCann Redi Mix and families — Mount Carmel and area Supporter • Canadian Tire and staff— Exeter • Annex Publishing — Exeter • Bluewater Shriners • Guy and Doris Giddings — Exeter • Harry and Marian Dougall — Exeter Contributor • Ann Creech — Exeter • Lioness Club of Exeter — Exeter • Edna Kleinfeldt — Exeter • Jean Coward — Exeter • Diane Vallee — Exeter • Elizabeth Duncan — Exeter • Ray and June Hodgson — Exeter • Ralph and Helen Barnard — Exeter • Raymond and Marjorie Bennewies Exeter Provider • Tino and Margrit Breuer — Grand Bend • James and Wendy Kerslake — Exeter • William and Cheryl Dinnin — Exeter • Tony and Wilhemina Verberne — Exeter • Mary Pavkeje — Exeter • Blanche Rundle — Exeter • Jim and Pat Davis — Exeter • David and Jean Woodward — Exeter • Ronald and Mildred Bacon — Exeter Wireless Internet at all Huron library branches HURON — Free wireless Internet access is now available at all 12 branches of the Huron County Library. With funding provided by Industry Canada's Community Access Program (CAP), the wireless Internet access will enable more computer use within the branches by helping to decrease the demand on the Library's public access computers when computer users bring in their own computers. The wireless Internet access capability will also fulfill some of the goals of CAP, which are to provide affordable Internet access to all community members, to supply instruction on assistive technology, to provide access to government information as well as encouraging Huron County library patrons and visitors to become comfortable with the Internet with the familiarity of using their own laptop computers. Huron County library users can bring in their own wireless connectivity com- patible laptop computers to any of the library branches to access the free wire- less Internet and begin surfing the net right away. Users of the wireless Internet access get access to the Internet as well as Huron County Library's online cata- logue or any number of the electronic resources that Huron County Library offers. "Huron County Library is pleased to offer wireless Internet access to the whole of the county. We expect the use of the wireless access to be popular with visi- tors to Huron County as well as our community members," said Shannon Kammerer, Information Services co-ordinator with the Huron County Library. Lucan museum discussed Continued from front page project amount by $4,000, and Spriet has already lowered its fee since the museum is a community project. The HA is hoping the Lucan Lions will make an additional donation. They also have a proposed funding event they are looking into to raise additional funds. No decisions were made, but several issues are being followed up and are planning to be resolved by Monday. REGIONAL WRAP UP • Imeson update GODERICH — Triple -murder suspect Jesse Imeson was in Goderich Court Friday for a brief appearance. Imeson's case was remanded until Jan. 17, so his lawyer can have more time to review the documents. Imeson is charged with the murder of Mount Carmel area residents Bill and Helene Regier and Windsor bartender Carlos Rivera. Imeson was captured on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River after a manhunt was conducted lasting about two weeks. He was captured July 31. Pheasant Hunt CLINTON — The Friends of Hullett and community partners hosted an inaugural Youth Involvement in Hunting event recently. The 1st Annual Youth Pheasant Hunt was adopted at the Provincial Wildlife Area in Midwestern Ontario. It is a collective effort led by the Friends of Hullett, a non-profit volun- teer organization that works with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Ducks Unlimited Canada. In partnership they manage the Crown land area that provides a diversity of natural heritage values to the public. More information about the Friends and the Hullett property is available at www.hullettmarsh.org REPAIRS Sewing Machine REPAIRS TO ALL MAKES Free estimates 90 day Warranty Experienced since 1952 Sew and Save Centre Ltd. 149 Downie St., Stratford Phone 271-9660 'Awry Gaiser "11 Kneale EXETER - 235-2420 GRAND BEND - 238-8484 CLINTON - 482-3401 se - MUNICIPALITY OF BLUEWATER BAYFIEL� -MAY - 4lEM8JILL -STANLEY - Z'UAIGI 2001 THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED From Monday, Dec. 24th to Friday, Dec. 28th 1/./e• il e Wou THE OFFICE WILL RE -OPEN ON MONDAY, DEC. 31st, 2007 & WEDNESDAY, JAN. 2nd, 2008. THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON TUES., JAN. lst, 2008 NEW YEAR'S DAY