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The Rural Voice, 2006-03, Page 58BRUCE Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca website: www.ofa.on.ca/bruce County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER 446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9 519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551 • The Rural Voice is provided to OFA Members in Bruce County by the BCFA A lot of effort has been put into economic issues facing the family farm in the past, and a lot of farmers think of little else. It is overshadowing a potential nasty development in our agricultural areas, and I don't like what I see. These rural areas seem to have a new purpose these days. Criminals are infiltrating our farm and rural landscapes, coming from the big cities to do their dirty work here. They have grow operations, drug production, peddling, and all that goes with it — thievery, home invasions, violence, and recruiting the locals. In the world of drive-by shootings that are happening a mere two hours south of us in the Toronto area, I have to wonder what our society is doing about crime. By the looks of the front page headline in the Owen Sound paper last Summer (July 30, 2005) titled "Stop In The Name Of Tommy Cooper award n It is that time of year again as we celebrate the agricultural and rural organizations of Bruce and Grey Counties, with the Tommy Cooper Award. This award is given out annually in recognition of the outstanding contributions made to farm and rural life in the region. It is named in honour long-time Grey County Agricultural Representative Tommy Cooper. If you would like to nominate This is wrong The Law", not very much. Here is where a justice let a pair of criminals go free who were caught by the police lurking about our community in the middle of the night. These lads were from the city, and had a car full of drugs. If the article is correct, it looks like the police did their job, the lawyers did their job, and the justice if she thinks she did the community a favour by releasing criminals with tons of evidence to prove their guilt, back into our community, she must not understand the long-term implications of her judgement. The release was based on the Charter of Rights, and the contention that the criminals' rights were violated by the police. The police were looking for a break -and -enter suspect in an unrelated case, when they came upon these criminals, and because of this, they had no valid reason to stop the car in question. So the justice let ominees sought someone for the award, please contact our office for a nomination form. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 24. Phone 519-364- 3050 or email: bruce@ofa.on.ca BRUCE COUNTY FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE DIRECTORS' MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 27 — 8:00 p.m. Bruce County Administrative Building 30 Park Street, Walkerton Members are welcome to attend NOMINATION FOR THE BCFA AWARD OF MERIT "For Outstanding Contribution to Agriculture" Each year the Bruce County Federation of Agriculture presents an Award to a person in Bruce County who has made a significant contribution to the agriculture industry. If you have someone you would like to nominate, please complete this form and return to our office in Hanover. Nominations should be received at our office by Friday, March 24, 2006. I nominate: Reasons for nomination: Signature: Please return to: Bruce County Federation of Agriculture, 446 10th Street, Hanover, ON N4N 1 P9 Fax: 519-364-4119 E-mail: bruce@ ofa.on.ca 54 THE RURAL VOICE them go. This is not about money, but I bet this whole ordeal cost our society (federal, provincial, and municipal — police, lawyers, court time, and all those who derive income from such activities) $20 to $30 thousand, plus the fact that it tied up the valuable time of the police, and the court system. Something is very wrong with this picture. Chalk one up for the criminals! Why the crown attorney would not appeal this one is beyond belief. The decay of our society's values must stop, or we will risk having to live in gated communities, and fenced -in farmyards. Those responsible for this outcome should take a gook look in the mirror and be ashamed of themselves. And we, in our rural settings must take a more proactive move that supports a justice system that puts the bad guys back where they belong...behind bars.0 — Submitted by Jim Cooke, Director, Brant Township 2008 BRUCE COUNTY IPM NEEDS VOLUNTEERS Bruce County will host the 2008 International Plowing Match near Teeswater. Over the past year committee members have been busy recruiting volunteers and making arrangements with landowners to host the five-day event. The 2008 IPM Match site is located along Highway 4, "The London Road" and Bruce County Road 6 on the land of Wayne and Wendy McKague and neighbouring farms. In order to host the International Plowing Match hundreds of volunteers will be required to,help plan and present the IPM events featuring farm demonstrations, exhibits and plowing competitions. Many volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available! For more information contact IPM Chairperson Jack Riley 353-5356 or IPM Secretary Liz Stobo 392-6594. Watch for details on the official unveiling of the IPM logo this spring!