The Rural Voice, 1982-01, Page 34Co,, FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
BOX 429 CLINTON. ONTARIO NCM 1LC
TELEPHONE (519) 482-9642
NE WSLE TTER
MONTHLY MEETING
Thursday, December 3, 1881 Blyth Public School
8:30 p.m. Attendance:150
President Gerry Fortune chaired the meeting for the evening. The minutes of the
last monthly meeting were passed on a motion by Paul Klopp, seconded by Walter
Elliott, Carried
Reports on the OFA Convention held in Toronto Nov. 23-26 were then given by the
delegates who had attended. Those reporting were: Merle Gunby; Tuesday morning,
Mary Beth Mann; Tuesday afternoon, Brian Jeffray; Tuesday afternoon, Jack
Tebbut and Stan Mcllwain, Wednesday morning, John Nesbit, Wednesday
afternoon, Andy Durand; Thursday morning. President Gerry reported on some of
the resolutions Huron County were involved in. She also announced that Merle
Gunby of Huron is now a member of the 7 Man OFA Executive for Ontario Federation
of Agriculture, for the coming year.
Murray Gaunt, a member of the Task Force was introduced by John Nesbit. His topic
was the Task Force Recommendations and other items of interest as to why farmers
are in the "predicaments ' they are in today. A question period concluded Murray's
address. Brenda McIntosh expressed the appreciation of the audience to Murray.
Hydro Tony McQuail, representative to HCFA, attended the meeting of the
Consolidated Assessment Hearings Board. The purpose of this meeting was to
identify Intervenors, set procedures and establish the time and place for the
upcoming hearings Stratford was selected as the hearing "location", tentativelyse(
for Jan. 26/82 provided the Government review is available on Dec. 15/81
Representatives of 12 farm organizations expressed their willingness to work
together under an umbrella organization for thespurpose of participating in the
hearings. Representation was made ro the Board that they should assist this
umbrella organization in its participation by assessing its costs to Ontario
Hydro . We have approached the Canadian Environmental Law Association for
legal aid and should know soon whether we can expect help from them. A meeting
has been set for December 16/81 at OMAF, Clinton for farm groups and any
Interested persons at 10:00 a m.
MI Location of Hydro Proposed Corridor.
Resolution: moved by Doug Fortune. Seconded by Andy Durand WHEREAS: Huron
County Council has approved the M1 location of Hydro lines through Huron County
AND WHEREAS for several years farm organizations in the County have strenously
opposed the placement of lines In Huron
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that HCFA request the 1981 and 1982 Warden and
Chairman of the 1981 and 1982 Development Committee to attend the December
17/81 Directors meeting of HCFA to explain this decision. Carried.
It was suggested by Adrian Vos that HCFA set up a committee to form a Basion with
County Council Adrian is t0 write up a summary of how such a group would work and
submit It to Huron County Executive.
Foreign Ownership
Wayne Fear, of the Foreign Ownership committee of HCFA voiced his concerns on
Absentee Foreign Ownership in his Township, Morris. Twenty-four farms have been
taken over by absentee owners, twenty-two more farms are for sale at the present
time. In 1977 there were no absentee foreign owners in Morris Twp..
OFA TASK FORCE.... Merle reported from OFA Executive level on the action of
this. . the Action Committee to the Task Force Recommendation is to have a report
ready for publication by Christmas, Ralph Barrie and Everett Biggs both members of
this committee. Funding for the Force comes from a society called "Foundation for
Rural Living". Anyone interested in donating to this fund may do so through your
County office. All donations are tax exempt.
- Cow -calf plan announced: 540.00 to be given for each cow bred to produce a calf in
'81.
-St. John's Ambulance course available free of charge
-Lobbvinq - talk to your MP or MPP
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT
Tony McQuail made a motion we write to Mr. Norton, the Minister of Environment
asking him to reply to our latter of December 1980 letter on waste disposal sites,
seconded by Paul Klopp. Carried.
AQrlpark
- motion by Tony McQuail, seconded by Bob Coleman we write to Murray Cardiff,
Murray Elston and Jack Riddell and Gary Gurbin asking them for replies to our
letters to them of August 31/81 on the progress of Industrial Development at the
Bruce Energy Joint Venture. Carried.
John Nesbit announced a Christmas Dance to be held on December 18. 1981 at Rlyth
Community Centre, sponsored by Morris and East Wawanosh Township. Tickets
available from John or any Directors of those townships.
Grant Curran had tickets for Ashfield Township Christmas Dance to be held
December 12/81
PG. 32 THE RURAL VOICE/JANUARY 1982
President Gerry announced an Executive meeting to be held at the Vanastra office
Mon., Dec. 7, 1981...8:00 p.m. Board of Directors meeting to be held Dec. 17/81 at
Wesley Willis Church, at 8:30 p.m.
Disposition of Huron County Resolutions
presented at OFA Convention
The resolutions which Huron County presented to the OFA Annual Convention
which were printed In full, -in the December issue of Rural Voice were dealt with as
follows:
1 Land Banking: Therefore be it resolved that OFA investigate the Saskatchewan
plan, and see if a similar plan could be used in Ontario.
This resolution was unanimously carried by the convention as a similar
recommendation was proposed in the Task Force Report.
2. from McKillop Twp. Fed. of Agric. Therefore, be it resolved that the OFA give the
membership discount to all who renew their membership on or before the date due,
also that these renewals be treated as renewals rather than new memberships.
This resolution was defeated by the Convention, after discussion of both the
merits of the resolution and the administration problems that it would create.
3. Increased Rebates to Counties: Therefore, be it resolved that the present rebate
system be revised in order to more adequately finance County Federations.
This resolution was referred to the next Directors meeting since the OFA
Executive claimed that it was a "Housekeeping" resolution which could only be dealt
with by the Board of Directors.
Earlier in the Convention, Huron County, under Merle Gunby and Gerry Fortune's
leadership fought an unsuccessful battle on the Convention floor in an attempt to
have an amendment approved to increase the ISM membership( fee by 530.00
instead of the 520.00 as proposed by the Board of Directors. After this amendment
was defeated. and the Board of Directors recommendation of a 520. increase was
adopted, it was disclosed that this increase would only pay the expenses of the
current year, and not pay any of the previous two year's deficits.
HURON FEDERATION
OF AGRICULTURE
Monthly Meeting
Jan. 7,1982
8.30
Clinton Public School
TOPIC: DRAINAGE AND SOIL
CONSERVATION
A Panel Discussion will be held by:
Lawrence Taylor: Huron County Soil & Crop
Association
Norman Alexander: Soil Conservation
Association of North America
Tom Prout: Ausable-Bayfield Conservation
Authority
EVERYONE WELCOME