Loading...
The Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-08-26, Page 1ESTABLISHED IN -1873 "THE SEPOY TOWN" ON THE HURON -BRUCE BOUNDARY Fire call uncalled for Lucknow Fire Chief Bud Hamilton has reported that the local fire depratment responded to a call received at 12:30 a.m. last Saturday. The fire was located at the Rich Conley residence where the firemen attending found a car burning beside the house. The fire completely destroyed the vehi- cle but no damage was reported done to the Conley home. While a fire of any sort is unfortunate, the trouble really began for the fire chief later that same evening. At 9:15 p.m. an unknown caller phoned twice to report a fire at the same location. It was discovered that this was, in fact, the same fire reported earlier in the day. By the time the call was received, the fire had long been extinguished and the Conley's were in the midst of having a corn roast which certain- ly does not constitute a fire -call. Such calls to the fire department are costly to the ratepayers in the township. As well, firemen must leave their jobs and homes to/attend to the call which turned out to be sensless. Hamilton reports that the caller in this case was not a child, but rather an adult who should know better. As fire chief for the area, Hamilton would ask that callers check the validity of their call before they contact the local fire department. This will save senseless travel by the fire depart- ment and save money in the long run. Clarification In last week's Lucknow Sentinel, we ran a story on Adrian Keet, a candidate in this riding representing the Family Coalition Party. In the interview with Mr. Keet, he was quoted- as saying "I'm not anti- abortion, but rather I love life." Mr. Keet has asked us to clarify that statement as he feels it could be misleading. He would like to emphasize that he is "against abortion but would rather be called a Pro -Lifer", Peterson runs NDP By Cindy Maloney For the second time, Norma Peterson, the acclaimed New Democratic Party Candidate, will be seeking the seat in Bruce County and she says she has a lot of enthusiastic supporters behind her. • Peterson acquired slightly more than 2,000 votes in the 1985 provincial election. She says if the public opinion polls are right this time around, the NDPs have an "extremely good chance of making up the official opposition -at least." The issue of car insurance premiums is one she is pushing very hard in this cam- paign and says it is something effecting everyone, not just Bruce residents. She says she's like to a driver -owned scheme brought into Ontario. The plan has been initiated in other provinces by the NDP government and it works, she says. Instead of insurance companies handl- ing premiums, a system is set up and run by the government. She says the result is cheaper rates that are more fair and don't discriminate against some drivers. "This one issue sets our party apart from the rest. The one advantage to the plan," says Peterson, "is the money will remain in the province and can be re- invested into other programs. FOR THE WORKING PEOPLE Supporting and assisting the "working people" of Ontario is a long established policy of the NDP and Peterson stands behind her party. She says she defines the working person as not just blue-collar workers, but practically all people. "The question is more who isn't a work- ing person," says Peterson. "I think that would include extremely wealthy people out to make more and more money. People identify me with the working people and I like to think I work for all people. I don't know if doctors and lawyers are in the same class, but I'm sure they would like to see lower insurance rates." AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM Peterson says she is aware this riding is fairly dependent on the farmer and this is a time when many farmers are facing foreclosure. She says there needs to be an expansion of farm cr dit corporations where farmers can get a 'stance instead of having to go to banks an other lending institutions for large loans;. "There is a need for a more powerful board, " she says. "What exists now has no teeth." She says free trade "will be of no benefit. to anyone. The farming economy is based on supply management and we if ever signed a free trade agreement with the U.S. that would be at risk." In the area of tourism, she feels it should be something strongly expressed because it's one way of promoting development of the communities in the riding. She says she would like to see the beach fronts maintained more by the province in an ef- fort to take some of the burden off the municipalities. THE CAMPAIGN With almost all of the riding covered, Peterson says she is being met with a lot of enthusiasm and her experience in municipal council can only help her in this election. "I'm still basically the same person with more experience," says Peterson. "I'm still asking for the same things. Some reforms have been made, but I'd like to see more. My concern is with the Liberals for- ming a majority government. I feel a minority government is more accountable to the people." Norma Peterson will once again represent the NDP of Bruce County in the upcoming provincial election. Peterson cites skyrocketing insurance premiums as the basis of her campaign with emphasis on tourism and agriculture. a rr • This young man was Left holding the horses during the rescheduled family Fun Day held in Dungannon on Sunday. The team of horses was waiting their turn at the Heavy Horse Pull while the young farmer was just waiting. A great crowd attended the Fun Day and the rain held off just long enough to make the afternoon a success. Riddell announces Farm -Start plan An eligible new farmer will receive $38,000 in grants over seven years under a new $97.5 million initiative announced last. Thursday by Agriculture and Food Minister Jack Riddell. Ontario Farm -Start will provide new farmers with the cash flow they need, par- ticularly during the difficult first years of farming, because of high capital re- quirements, flucuating commodity prices and incomes, and the cost and availability of credit. Treasurer Robert Nixon announced a commitment to a new five-year program for, first-time farmers in his last budget. New farmers will receive a total of $38,000 in grants over seven years with an initial grant of $11,000. The amount will be reduced each year by $2,000 until the sixth and seventh years when the grant will taper off by $1,000, with the final grant in the last year being worth $1,000. The program is effective January 1, 1988 and is expected to help more than 2,000 people become farmers in Ontario. "Farm -Start is for new farmers. They are the foundation of Onatrio's agricultural future and this government intends to see that they have every oppor- tunity to make the future their own," said Riddell following the announcement. "We decided that straight cash grants are the most realistic and helpful form of assistance we can give as it gives farmers maximum flexibility." Farm -Start applicants will be allowed to register with the program and spend up to three years preparing for full-time farm- ing. During this period, they would receive assistance in finacial management from the ministry. Grants would begin folowing this preparatory period. Farm -Start applicants will also be able to participate in the Ontario Family Farm Interest Rate Reduction program which reduces the interest debt down to eight per cent. "Participants will benefit from the educational value of providing financial statements to the program administrator on a regular basis," added Riddell. "The program will go a long way toward ensur- Turn to page 3 . Get involved Once again, all interested citizens in the area of Lucknow are urged to attend the next meeting of the Sports Complex Fun- draising Committee. Following two, well attended sessions over the past month, the committee is very pleased with the pro gress being made towards repair anc. reconstruction of the arena. The next meeting of the fundraising committee will take place at the Mayfair Restaurant on Thursday, September starting at 8 p.m. sharp and everyone is welcomed to attend. The activities planned by the committee for the purpose of fundraising are many and will involve numerous hours of volunteer work. The more hands involved, the quicker and easier the work will be completed. Take the time to attend next week's meeting and show your community spirit by getting involved. Vario s committees will be established at this meeting and your help is needed to bring about the com- pletion of this worthwhile project.