The Rural Voice, 1990-05, Page 79GREY
44610th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1 P9
519-364-3050
• The Rural Voice is provided to all Grey
County Farmers by the GCFA.
County Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
The OFA Board of Directors meet-
ing April 18 in Toronto was a full and
interesting day. Don Blenkam, MP,
spent an hour explaining and answering
questions about the coming GST. Some
of the points I wrote down from his
speech are as follows.
Farmers are to get their inputs tax-
free. You will probably pay tax on most
items at the time of purchase, but you
will be able to claim it back. Add up all
bills for input items and apply for a
rebate at 6.54 per cent of total bills
monthly, or later if you wish.
We have been paying an average of
10 to 12 per cent on everything we buy.
Beginning January 1, 1991, only farm
equipment will be tax-exempt. Items
over $500 will state the tax separately
and lower-priced items can be priced to
include GST.
Foreign -made goods will now be
taxed by GST, which they weren't be-
fore, making our own industries more
competitive. Eyeglasses, drugs, and
some medical equipment will be zero-
rated. Organization fees are exempt if
no services are received. The OFA will
have to charge GST, but members can
apply and get the tax back.
Blenkarn estimated that bookkeep-
ing costs for farmers (if you have em-
ployees) will be approximately one-
third more.
Frank Wall from Co-operators In-
surance explained "no fault" insurance,
and it seems not much different except
you only deal with your own insurance
company. Co-operators employees are
willing to come to meetings to explain in
detail how "no fault" insurance will
affect you. Make use of them if you can.
The Ministry of Transportation and
Communication is wanting to eliminate
the farm plates. The are about 50,000
farm plates used in Ontario. The MTC
says the province is foregoing more than
$1.5 million annually because of farm
licence plates. The OFA is fighting hard
to keep the farm plates for farmers. If
you have farm plates, I suggest you
express your desire to keep them and
support the OFA with your member-
ship. I heard an interesting definition of
the MTC, "The Ministry of Twits and
Clowns."
A resolution from Prince Edward
County that the OFA ask OMAF to
reinstate the engineering department
staff to at least 26 engineers and that
they be allowed to make farm service
calls again, providing extension advice
directly to the farmer, was passed unani-
mously.
The Grey County federation has
extended an invitation to the OFA Board
of Directors to hold theirJuly meeting in
Grey County, since this is our 50th
anniversary. They have agreed to our
request. The OFA board meeting will be
the kick-off of our celebration on July 18
and our Celebration Committee has
promised a lot of fun for all. Details of
events will be posted later, so mark your
calendar for July 18 and for that week-
end.
We held a successful Meet the
Members Meeting and Tommy Cooper
Award on April 14. Grant Collins was
the winner of the Tommy Cooper
Award.
We will all be busy from now on
working the land, planting, etc., so
?EY (XR►t11TY -'
1Nkwr 441,1l
The Grey federation held its annual
Meet the Members Meeting last month.
please be careful and work safely. We
don't want to hear of any accidents.0
Murray Clarke
Grey South OFA Regional Director
CURLING BONSPIEL
The GCFAAnnual Curling Bonspiel was
held in the Markdale Curling Club on March
24; 16 teams competed for two trophies.
There were donated prizes for every player.
Wes Sparling and Barry Tolton were
drawmasters. Wes also assisted Carman
Hamill, who has organized the event for the
past 15 years. Two sixes and an eight end
game were played, with lunch and dinner
served by women of the club.
In the 9 o'clock draw, Jim Hamill's
Euphrasia team, with 45 points, won the
CIAG trophy and keeper trophies. With Jim
were Wes Sparling, Dave Clarke, and Linda
Hamill.
In second place was Joe Beirnes of Hol-
land with4l 1/2 points. With Joe were Willie
Middleton, Ted Beirnes, and Mel Woods.
The Derby team of Mery Johnson, Garry
Johnson, Ian Henderson, and Peter Wither-
spoon came third with 36 1/2 points.
Other teams were entered by Harold
Scott of Sydenham, Bill Medley of Syden-
ham, Milton Ahrens of Bentinck, Sam Smith
of Bentinck, and Harold Johnson, Euphrasia.
In the 11 o'clock draw, Ron Torry of
Glenelg took the UCO trophy with 46 1/2
points. With Ron were Bill Timmins, Rick
Lawler, and Whit Edwards. This is Ron's
3rd consecutive year of winning this trophy.
Carman Hamill's team from Holland
came second with 37 1/2 points. With Car-
man were Bill S intzel, Don Gildner, and Ivan
McKibbon.
In third place was Burt Hale's team from
Osprey with 35 3/4 points. Dale Hewgill,
Brad Hale, and Dan Wickens completed the
team.
George Klages, representing UCO, pre-
sented the trophy and keepers to Ron Torry's
team.
Other teams in this draw were entered by
Bill Klages of Sullivan, Paul Woebbeking of
Sullivan, Harry Carbert of Euphrasia, Gor-
don Taylor of Derby, and Brian Tulloch of
Euphrasia.
Carman Hamill and Wes Sparling ex-
pressed their appreciation of the 20 donors
who generously contributed vouchers and
goodies from their businesses.0
Ruth Hamill
R. R. 4, Chatsworth
The winner of the draw for a Weather
Radio donated by the Grey federation at the
Chesley Agri -Fair was Milton Ahrens, R. R.
3, Hanover.
MAY 1990 75