The Rural Voice, 1980-05, Page 21Voice of a Farmer
by Adrian Vos
Salute to
Burton Hodges
It was gratifying to hear Dr. Porter, who headed the Royal
Commission on Electric Power Planning, say that he recommen-
ded against a new power generating complex south of
Kincardine.
Huron county has been united in its opposition to such a large
development since 1974, when the Huron County Federation of
Agriculture, with Doug Fortune as president, pulled all farm
organizations together to try to block a tentative proposal by
Hydro.
It is the only occasion that I know of, where the Farmers'
Union, the Federation of Agriculture, the Christian Farmers and
every last commodity organization stood united, to fight off what
they saw as a threat to their wav of life and livelihood.
Several township councils expressed support, both morally
and in the form of funds to defray expenses. Initially lukewarm,
county council also joined in the opposition in the last three
years.
At hearings of the Porter Commission in Wingham, Listowel
and London, a great number of Huron residents, mostly farmers,
showed Dr. Porter that the opposition had the support of the
community. On several occassions the chairman has said how
impressed he was by the sincerity of the concern expressed by
the many simple people who stood up to defend their land and
their towns.
And well he might be impressed. In the cities, (Toronto,
London, Chatham) support for special interest groups was
invisible. Great opponents of nuclear power were brought in
from London and California, but they were often only supported
by the executives of anti -nuke groups in Ontario. This didn't give
the commission much proof of support.
Big name nuclear proponents made their presentations, but
again their only visible support came from special interest
groups.
But when land use was the subject, the farmers were in
attendance, ready to defend their heritage.
We, in Huron county must say. thank you, to the OFA, the
NFU, The Christian Farmers Federation, the Agrologists of
Ontario, the Farmers of the United Townships, the Bruce -Huron
Negotiating Committee. all the 18 farm organizations of Huron
County, and the many individuals who sacrificed their time to
support the Huron Power Plant Committee at the hearings.
But 1 would be very much amiss if 1 didn't mention the modest
man who saw so very early what was happening to the rural area,
and who did something about it. That man is Burton Hodgins. It
was he who started the Bruce -Huron Negotiating Committee, the
first organized effort to question Ontario Hydro's practises.
When everything was in place he withdrew from the public eye,
but his work went on.
A salute to Burton Hodgins of Kincardine.
MANNING'S
BUILDING SUPPLIES LTD.
Opens the door
to all your building needs
• Paneling
• Lumber
• Carpets
• Plywood
• Power Tools
Targe & small
nod...L.
NONE Vim/
Finish your...
• Electrical
Equipment
• "Belvedere"
Kitchen
Cabinets Et
Vanities
Complete Line
Wallpaper ft Paints
UNDER THE
— MANAGEMENT
OF
Douwe Wilts
Gary Courtney
BLYTH 523-9305
THE RURAL VOICE/MAY 1980 PG 19