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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-12-17, Page 66 Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 17 2008 OPINION&FORUM&NEWS Market should support local farmers As an area farm marketer, I have been following the plans to form a farmers market in Exeter with some interest and on some occasions with concern. I have communicated with the organizers on a number of occasions about the planning process involved with setting up a new market and encour- aged them to involve a variety of stakeholders including the potential vendors in the process. I commend the organizers on applying for a Trillium Grant of $25,500 over three years with the purpose of cre- ating a sustainable farmers market that will enhance ac- cess to locally grown food, increase tourism and revitalize downtown Exeter. I am, however, concerned that a goal that reflects agriculture was not included in the above mis- sion statement, as ultimately the purpose of a farmers mar- ket is to make the connection between the farmer and con- sumer for both their benefits. I then would like to suggest a fourth purpose for the establishment of a farmers market in Exeter and that is to support local farmers and work to- wards a viable and sustainable farming industry. Extensive research has shown that the top reason that folks buy local food is to support local farmers. I have been a vendor at the St Marys Farmers Market for the past six years and have been a director on the Market Board. I was also a member of the steering committee that formed the Grand Bend Farmers Market three years ago. Both these markets are governed by a board of directors on which vendors fill half of the director positions and the oth- er half are made up of community members and in the case of the Grand Bend Market, Lion s Club members (Lions be- ing the official sponsor). The markets have a constitution and bylaws that determine vendor and product criteria, governance, and fees, and each vendor must be a member of the market association in order to sell at the market. This structure allows vendors and the community to work to- gether to form a successful market and it is a structure I am recommending for the Exeter Farmers Market. Issues such as site, insurance, advertis- ing will become the responsibil- ity of the board, who can in turn hire a market manager if the need arises. With my concern, I also of- fer my encouragement to the Chamber of Commerce, Busi- ness Improvement Association and the Legion to follow through with their project for the benefit of ev- eryone in South Huron including farmers, eaters and local businesses. A farmers market will generally bring in $3 to local business for every $1 spent at the market. So a successful market will be a substantial benefit to other busi- ness in South Huron. There are many resources when it comes to planning a farmers market. Farmers Markets Ontario offers the col- lective experience of 127 markets across Ontario as well as a competitive insurance plan to member markets. The Huron Perth Farm to Table committee works in both counties to increase access to nutritious local food, provide new mar- kets for farm producers and educate the public on the ben- efits of both. Farm organizations like the National Farmers Union and other general farm organizations have initiated local food projects in various areas across the province and can provide resources and contacts. Finally, the potential farmer and artisan vendors have considerable experience in marketing their product and running viable farmers markets. I look forward to a positive resolution to this situation and offer my appreciation and encouragement. I also offer my own experience and that of other potential vendors as a way to bridge the communication gap. Here s to the benefits of local food for farmers, eaters Lett to t Edit and the community of South Huron, JOAN BRADY , Dashwood ers he or Harper created mess Utdate from South Huron ma or SOUTH HURON A question I was frequently asked this past week is whether I will still be the mayor of South Huron now that I am the warden of Huron County. To be warden of Huron County, you must have a seat on the council of Huron County and the reason I have a seat on the council of Huron County is because I am the head of council for South Huron. If I were to give up my seat on South Huron council or if I was not the mayor of South Huron, I would automatically not qualify to have a seat on Huron County council and I couldn t be the warden. The answer is I will be the mayor of South Hu- ron as well as the warden of Huron County for this coming year. Another question people ask me is what the duties of a warden are. A warden is the head of the county council the same as the mayor is the head of municipal council. The du- ties are outlined in the Municipal Act. The mayor is elected by the ratepayers or electors. Membership Ken Oke to coun- ty coun- cil is outlined by the Municipal Act and by the by- laws of the munic- ipality. The head of the municipal council has a seat on county council. If the municipal council is allowed more than one member on county council, then it is up to the municipal council to de- cide how the other members are to be chosen. The second member is usually the deputy mayor and then if a third member is granted to a municipal- ity, the council has a decision to make. In South Huron, we have a third member and the third member is chosen by the majority vote of our council. In one of the municipalities in Huron County, the third member must run for election as a member of the municipal council and as a county councillor. Each county councillor has equal standing and members of county council must choose a head of council for each year by a vote of county council members only. In Huron County, the term of of- fice for the warden is one year. A person may run as many times as he wishes, but to go for another term of office, one must go through the election process. Every county or region has differ- ent rules. The rules in some places allow the warden a two-year term and some are allowed a four-year term. Some wardens are elected by the public for a four-year term. What are the actual duties of the warden? The warden must be the chairman while county council is in session. He must show leadership and be an ambassador for Huron County. He is also a liaison between staff and the council. I feel it is go- ing to be an exciting year for me and I am looking forward to it. Legion members sworn in Legion members Shown being sworn in as members of the Hensall Legion Branch 468 are, from left: Poppy/Veteran chairman Larry Uyl; 2nd vice Gary Kyle; new members Hub Thiel, Keith Stephenson, Mike Soldan,Tom Merrigan and Wayne Whitten and C-1 Zone Commander Stew Taylor. (photo/submitted) If I had voted Conservative in the last elec- tion, I would be seriously ticked with Stephen Harper. If I had donated money to the party, I would be demanding a refund. He wasted $300 million on an election with meager improvement in representation in the House. He was sitting in a nice secure position at the top of the heap. All he had to do was keep the Opposition reasonably docile. What does he do? He allows a fit of pique, a blast of vi- cious personal spite to embark on a course that infuriated the Opposition, created a Canadian political storm and may have cost him the government. GORDON HILL, Varna Former Mohawk remembered I read with great sadness of the death of Richard Hawkins. I remember covering the Exeter Mohawks for the Times - Advocate and remember with fondness both Richard and his wife. I remember his kindness and professionalism whenever I interviewed him and I too enjoyed stopping at his home on a few occasions following a trip to Dunnville. My prayers go to his family and former members of the Mohawks. FRED GROVES, Leamington Panther Profile EXETER This is finally the last week of school two more days then we re off for a couple of well-deserved weeks. The highlight of school last week was probably the semi -formal on Thursday which was pretty fly kudos to the formal committee and Mr. Moore who was the DJ. This week, as I said before, is our last week of school before holidays, JACE and so we have a number of activities DOUGALL going on. On Monday, students could get their picture taken with a Santa that bore a surprising resemblance to our Premier Emmett. Tuesday was BYOM (bring your own mug) Hot Chocolate Day, which is pretty self-explanatory. Today is Sharpie Day, which isn t quite so self-ex- planatory it s where students wear a T-shirt they don t really care about and bring sharpies and write on each other s shirts (sort of their gift to each other). Tomorrow, Student Council is planning to go around to various classes and sing Christmas Carols and I guess we will just have to wait and see how that goes over. Friday is of course the last day of school and we will have our Christmas assembly, which usu- ally involves videos, singing, skits, etc. and is always a blast. That s all for a few weeks I guess, have an awesome Christmas. South Huron Hospital Auxiliary EXETER The Annual Christmas meeting of South Hu- ron Hospital Auxiliary was held on Tues., Dec. 9. President Elaine Skinner opened the meeting with a spe- cial reading. Hospital staff entertained and served a delicious lunch to the 33 attendees. An enjoyable time was had by all. Next meeting will be held in March 2009. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Vera Russell, South Huron Hospital Auxiliary