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Huron Expositor, 2004-03-31, Page 1Diicasias Marriage CanadJoy Finlayson & Sharon Medd Mortgage Consultants "Finally, a company that starts with a discount" 1;u \I.uu ,i.. S. Sea"th y 19 i y 27-0560 Sharon Medd, Associate Broker M.V.A. Appraiser Visit: mis.ca for information of listings in Huron/Perth Wednesday, March 31, 2004 In brief Seaforth broomball players competing in nationals in Quebec Teresa Finlayson, of Seaforth, and hertwo daughters, Jessica and Mary, will be competing at the Canadian national broomball championships this week in Longueuil, Quebec near Montreal. While it's Teresa`s fourth trip with the Farme,rettes to the nationals, the championships will be a first-time experience for Mary and Jessica. "They're very excited," says Teresa. The Farmerettes, an elite women's broomball team, was based out of Seaforth. for three or four seasons about three years ago. But, as one of only four elite women's teams in Ontario, the Farmerettes now only play in tournaments and is comprised of members from all over Ontario, including Barrie, Ridgetown, Hanover, Priceville, London, Elora, Mitchell and Seaforth. The Finlaysons are the only Seaforth players. The Farmerettes have won silver medals at the nationals in 1999 in New Brunswick and in 2002 in Ottawa and lost both times to the Quebec Huskies. The Farmerettes also competed at the nationals in 2000 in Halifax but didn't make it into the medal round. This year, the Farmerettes are going to the nationals on a wildcard after a team from Nova Scotia withdrew from the competition. They were invited to attend the nationals in February. "I think it was based on our previous showings," says Teresa. And, while the Farmerettes are scheduled to play the Huskies in this year's nationals, Teresa says she's confident the Farmerettes have a good chance since they have beaten last year's national champs, the McMillan team from Ottawa. "I have a good feeling about this tournament and I'm going in very optimistic. We can beat both Ontario teams and if we play the way we can, we can do well. I just hope the ball bounces our way," she says. By Susan Hundertmark Inside... Novice ringette team is Huron -Perth champ .. page 14 01.110.11. Local farmers say BSE aid is `small band-aid' By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor While Huron County beef fanners might be better off than those in Bruce and Grey Counties because they're often involved in cash cropping along with beef, many are still regarding the nearly $1 billion in federal farm aid announced last week as "a small band-aid." "At least the government is trying to do something for us," :says Huron Cattlemen's Association president Glen Walker. "But, $5,000 for 100 cattle isn't a whole lot. It's a real small band-aid and it's not going to put a crop in the ground or buy enough feed to help," he says. While Walker says he knows a lot of beef farmers are tying to hold onto their cattle until April when they hope the Canada -U.S. border will reopen, they should be planning their futures as if the Canada -U.S. border will not be open during the next year. "They should be planning for the worst because if the border doesn't open in a short little while, the beef industry in Ontario is done," he says. However, so far, Walker says he's not heard of any Huron beef farmers forced to declare bankruptcy. "The only one I've heard of is in Bruce County. If it happens, you'll be hearing from us," he says. Walker says a beef industry update meeting is being planned for April 8 at 7:30 p.m. at the Brussels Morris and SN ALMOST, Page 2 • Susan Hundertmark photo Bill Price, of Egmondville, prepares his gear for his week-long campout in frqnt of Egmondville United Church to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Egmondville man will camp out for Cancer Societ By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor When Egmondville United Church decided to "fill a tent for Lent" for the local food bank this Easter, the church's custodian Bill Price -decided to live in it for the week before Easter. Price, who's moving into the tent this Sunday and living there 75 per cent of the time over the next week, is seeking sponsors to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. "There are a number of people at our church affected by cancer. Some have already passed on and Mackenzie Fisher is now fighting leukemia. So, I decided to try and help out," says Price. Price says the idea "just popped into my head" when talking to Pastor Steve Hildebrand about the church's annual Easter food drive. "Pastor Steve thought it was an awesome idea," he says. Price says he's hoping the weather will cooperate but is prepared for anything with the tent, a big air mattress, a warm sleeping bag ind blankets. "My only reason to go home is to have a shower," he says. lei TINT, Pep S $1 .25 includes GST c�ge r •iatuaialarred on dared:sing ccmaacd Made 30, 2001 9b01to Mop. Beat ehtibeiti Daily Intere( Savings Account 2.05%* 21696 3.60% CARTIER PARTNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES -A Dundee NkYti M�arcot Cm4�7- 26 Main St., Seaforth 527-2222 Susan Hundertmark photo Alge Merry, consultant project manager for the Ausable Bayfield sinkhole study, gestures to show how limestone erodes to cause sinkholes during an information session with Huron East and West Perth politicians last Tuesday night in Dublin. Sinkhole solutions won't be found overnight: study By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor While a study of close to 50 sinkholes in Tuckersmith and Hibbert left no doubt that the potential for contaminating groundwater is greater around sinkholes, it also cautioned that solutions to protect the water entering sinkholes will not be found overnight. "It came through loud and clear on the steering committee that if we're going to solve the problem, it can't be on the back of one group," Alec Scott, study project manager of the Ausablc Bayfield Conservation Authority told members of Huron East and West Perth councils last Tuesday. The joint council meeting, held at the Dublin Community Hall, was held to unveil the study to local politicians a week before a public meeting held last night (March 30) at the same location. "We're just pushing to move in the right direction. There needs to be incentives or compensations for landowners," added consultant project manager Algc Merry. Ten study recommendations, which will be revealed in more detail after the final report is released in mid-April, range from developing and implementing a groundwater study to actively managing sinkhole capture areas and ensuring spill contingency plans are in place to educating the public about sinkholes. Tuckersmith Coun. Bill Deiong asked if farmland around sinkholes should be restricted from large livestock operations while Fullerton Coun. Ross McIntosh warned that too many restrictions around sinkholes could create a lot of problems for farmers. "If you put a whole lot of restrictions on farms, it will be really hard to resell the land," said McIntosh. Scott replied that local councils are going to have to "think their way through this" before acting. "We know the formations are there. Do we just ignore the problem until something really bad happens? Everybody is a part of this," he said. Scott said that whether or not councils need to enact bylaws to protect sinkholes will depend on what progress the province makes with groundwater protection planning. The province has recently released a white paper directing conservation authorities to coordinate source protection planning in their watersheds. Scott added that the sinkhole study, which was prompted two and a half years ago by a letter to Huron East council by a ratepayer See SINKHOLE, Pogo Steckle says federal budget setting example for Canadians By Mott Shuffle Goderkh Signal -Star Editor Huron -Bruce MP Paul Steckle defended last week's fiscally responsible federal budget announcement saying it's time for Canadians to do the same. "What we're trying to do is encourage Canadians to match what we're doing to help them save for a rainy day," Steckle said during a telephone interview from his office in Ottawa. "I think for far too long Canadians have come to believe that if we can't do it ourselves the government will do it for us. "Government has to lead the way but we all have to be responsible in being part of putting away funds for rainy days." Steckle applauded a number of the initiatives unveiled by federal finance minister Ralph Goodale on March 23 including a $500 learning bond for any child born after 2003 - which would grow to $3,000 by the time the child turns 18 - and "income tax breaks for Canada's military posted overseas on dangerous assignments. However, Steckle saved his biggest gratitude for the nearly $1 billion in aid to help Canadian farmers. "igvery dollar of that money will go to pay off hydro bills, fuel bills, fertilizer bills as the anticipation builds for putting crop in the ground this spring," Steckle said. "Some people didn't know how they were even going to get the equipment out this spring Because there was no hope for them since they had no credit at the bank. "This money is just simply getting put back into the system so we don't have fertilizer dealers and fuel .n distributors going bankrupt." Other initiatives unveiled by Goodale included relief for municipalities, education funding and health care initiatives, including $665 - million to prepare the country for future national health emergencies. Goodale also announced a $3 -billion Contingency Reserve to deal with unforeseen economic burdens - the 2003 reserve was depleted addressing SARS and BSE. "Some have suggested we will throw caution to the wind. We will not," Goodale said. "Some have said we will engage in pre-election spending spree. We will not. "We will balance the books and better control spending and keep debt burden on a steady downward track." Steckle defended critics that have argued such a fiscally responsible budget would end up doing more harm than good for Canadians. "I think people are See P11101MA1„ Pose 1