The Citizen, 2006-03-30, Page 6The science guy
Robert Cronin, a Grade 8 student at Brussels Public School stands beside
his bottle rocket. Cronin designed the rocket, which sets off with the correct
combination of water and -air pressure, for the school science fair on
Wednesday, March 22. (Heather Crawford photo)
Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program
Applications Available
The Grains and Oilseeds Payment Program will deliver $755
million in assistance to Canadian producers of eligible grains,
oilseeds and special crops.
If you submitted a 2004 CAIS Program Information and
Statement of Farming Activities (T1163 or equivalent Corporate
form), you will automatically receive a payment and do not
need to apply.
If you did not participate in 2004 CAIS, or started
farming in 2005, you can apply now to receive a
payment.
For applications, visit the Grains and Oilseeds
Payment Program Web site at
www.agr.gc.ca/gopp or call toll-free at
1 866 367 8506.
The deadline to apply is
May 31, 2006.
Agriculture and Agriculture et
Agri-Food Canada Agroalimentaire Canada
PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 30, 2006.
Letter to the editor
HCFA president expresses gratitude
THE EDITOR,
The unity and strength of
purpose of Huron's
agricultural community to
ensure that government is
aware of the income crisis in
agriculture, continues to grow
and solidify despite or
because of government
action. Attendance at recent
rallies and meetings has been
exceptional in numbers.
People have been determined,
respectful, and responsible.
To everyone, thank-you for
a strong "united voice" as we
focus on the economic health
of rural Ontario. A special
note of thanks to our local
media for their coverage of
the issue.
Special recognition is sent
to the North Huron Trail
Groomers.for sending support
by way of Don Hardy and
Simon Vandriel who floated
the trail groomers to Queen's
Park to join the tractor rally
on March 23.
To those individuals and
companies who provided
and/or drove the tractors, and
who organized the rally,
thank you. To those who went
to Toronto, thanks for setting
aside personal plans for the
day, and a huge thanks for all
the donations we have
received to cover the costs of
the buses.
Please continue to send
your positive messages to
Steve Webster as he continues
his presence at Queen's Park.
We encourage everyone to
please phone, fax, e-mail
your concerns to friends and
the local MP and MPP.
Encourage them to lobby in
the best interests of their rural
people.
Our government needs to
understand that an investment
equivalent to the cost of one
cup of coffee, per week, per
each Ontarian would support
the extra agricultural needs in
Ontario.
On April .5, we will be
heading to Ottawa for a
solidarity rally. Book your
place on a bus by calling 482
- 9642 or 1-800-511-1135.
Sincerely,
Nick Whyte, Huron County
Federation of Agriculture.
Chiefs will get raise
By Heather Crawford
Citizen staff
Grey fire chiefs will be
'receiving a raise despite a
request that the money goes
directly to the fire hall
instead.
Chief Calvin Semple and
deputy chief Dave Diehl sent
a letter to Huron East council
that was presented at the
March 21 meeting stating that
a raise in salaries was
inappropriate at this time.
"With taxes high and farm
income going down, we feel
now is not the time for
increases," the letter said.
They requested money to
go into capital projects at the
hall or the association in lieu
of a salary increase.
Deputy-mayor Bernie
MacLellan said that he
discussed the issue with
mayor Joe Seili and they
Continued from page 1
Community Centre and pool
will receive an increase of
$53,876 raising the revenue
from $373,146 in 2005 to
$427,022 this year.
Federal funding is up this
year from $481,800 to
$721,844.
Provincial funding is also
up from $2,841,900 to
$3,255,882.
Capital expenses have
dropped this year. Total
expenses for protection to
persons and property is
$49,800. It was $281,300 in
2005.
Transportation expenses
have increased from
$982,500 to $1,039,000.
Environmental services
expenses have dropped from
3,850,800 to $1,938,500.
The total expenses for this
year have dropped from
$12,924,475 to $10,608,130.
Knight added that the
deficit won't be known until
after the audit is complete in
May.
Grey ward councillor Mark
Beaven congratulated Knight
and clerk-administrator Jack
McLaughlin on their work on
the budget this year.
"I said I was going to fight
for a flat line budget and we
are $4,000 away from that
which is a hell of an
accomplishment," he said.
Beaven is concerned
however about knowing there
will be $100,000 less in next
year's budget.
His advice for council is to
use the reserve money.
"Reserves are meant to be
decided to be consistent with
what is passed in the budget.
"These are only two men
out of all the firefighters in
Huron East," he said.
Seili said one of the reasons
for leaving the salary
increases as they were was
because of other fire chiefs
down the line.
"We are holding the line in
Seaforth and • slowly
increasing the other salaries,"
Grey ward councillor Mark
Beaven said. "We appreciate
the generosity but we believe
that they deserve it."
Beaven said the budget is
holding the tax line anyway
and the fire chiefs would be
able to donate the money
back if they would like and
receive a tax receipt.
Grey ward councillor Alvin
McLellan requested that
council sends a letter to the
fire chiefs explaining the
used, not just stored away," he
said. "Use them for what you
need but don't let them get
too low either." •
He mentioned that there
have been complaints in
North Huron regarding taxes.
"I can sleep at night with this
budget. I like being able to
tell the public that they will
pay the same amount of tax
this year as last year."
Knight said Huron East has
the four lowest tax rates in the
county.
Youths
pay for
damage
Area residents along
Cardiff Road, MacDonald
Line and Graham Road
Huron East in Grey and
Browntown Road in Morris-
Turnberry Twp were struck
hard with vandalism. It was
reported to the Huron OPP on
March 4 at approximately 2
a.m. that unknown persons
travelled along the roads and
destroyed mailboxes as they
went. Sixteen (16) mailboxes
were destroyed causing
approximately $1,200 in
damages.
Police located the eight
youths responsible. They
have had no previous
involvement and as a result
each youth has written a letter
of apology. Each owner has
received $100 for each
mailbox destroyed.
reasoning for keeping the pay
increase as it is.
"We are sending a letter
that will say that if they
donate the money back it will
go to the Grey Fire Hall,"
clerk-administrator . Jack
McLaughlin said. He added
that the letter should be
mailed out this week.
In February council voted
to increase Brussels and
Grey's fire chiefs'
remuneration from $1,500 to
$2,000 per year and the
deputy fire chief's pay from
$850 to $1,000 per year.
The remuneration for the
Seaforth fire chief is $10,000
and $2,000 for the deputy
chief.
"It's not fair to compare
Grey and Brussels to
Seaforth," Huron East fire
chief Marty Bedard said.
He explained that the
Seaforth department is
governed by a separate board
that includes members from
West Perth and Central
Huron.
"Grey and Brussels report
to Huron East," he said.
Capital expenses
drop for 2006