Times Advocate, 1994-01-26, Page 10Page 10
Times -Advocate, January 26, 1994
One Foot in the Furrow CNR offered right-of-way
By Bob Trotter
Predicting the future of farming
Trying to predict the future is
a dangerous business. It is,
therefore, difficult to understand
why so many "futurists" are
willing to go out on a limb.
I remember my father talking
about world threats right after
the Second World War. He said
the threat of Communism was
real but it would kill itself in
time. His big worry was what he
called the Yellow Peril, a
derogatory term bordering on
racism because he meant China.
He predicted that China would
eventually conquer or assimilate
all of Asia and Europe.
He was certainly right about
Communism. ,
He also predicted that radio
would supplant newspapers.
"You'll live to see the day
when newspapers will be relics
of the past" , he said. But with
the advent of television, he said
both radio and newspapers
would soon disappear. So his
predictions were far from
correct although I understand
some television and newspaper
conglomerates are
experimenting with newspapers
to be printed by computer right
out of your home television set.
All three -- radio, newspapers
and television -- have had some
rough, tough years since the
recession. At one time, the
national average for the return
on the investment dollar for
radio was 27 percent, for
newspapers, 12 to 15 percent
although the Thomson
Newspapers Corporation was
significantly higher, and the
return for television stations was
more than 30 percent.
Not so today. All three media
are suffering. Newspapers are
going broke. Radio stations are
going broke and television is
suffering mightily through
fragmentation and the lower
advertising dollar.
Even more scary are some
predictions from Dr. Owen
Anderson of the international
consultancy firm of BDO
Dunwoody. Ninety percent of
the products we will be using
every day 10 years from now
have not been invented yet. We
are at the point where
knowledge doubles every 18
months so that a degree earned
10 years ago is obsolete now.
We will be spending a day
every week upgrading our
knowledge, said Anderson.
With mighty changes on the
way, even though consumer
products will change, the
population will not be obsessed
with them. We will see many
big businesses and many big
institutions of today just' simply
collapsing. Instead of labor
making up 75 percent of
industrial costs we will be faced
with labor costs of IesA than 10
percent.
Doesn't this scare hell out of
ou'?
�Augr machines with arms
extending over 50 acres of land
will till, seed and fertilize, then
harvest, in one long swath. To
compete, farmers will form
many small co-operatives and
buy these huge machines.
What do I see in the future for
farming?
I see a complete switch in
trading patterns from isolation
here to world trade
opportunities. Dozens of
emerging nations will want
Canadian products, especially
grain, beef and poultry, and I
can see the entrepreneurial skills
of Canadian farmers filling a
great many niche markets.
I see many, many more farms
with women as owners and as
owner -managers as men retire
and leave the land. I would be
willing to bet that female farm
ownership will grow from about
six percent, which it was in the
1991 census, to more than 40
LUCAN - The village of Lucan
N ill be putting forth an offer to Ca-
nadian National Railways to pur-
chase the. right -of -Lay along the
abandoned railway lines in the vil-
lage excluding the Langford Lum-
ber and Scott's Elevators properties
for the sum of $27,000.
A delegation of abutting property
owners attended a January 17 meet-
ing. Included in the delegation were
Joanne and Paul Trudgen, Donna
and Russ Thompson, Liz Dale and
Peter Dawson. Joanne Trudgen re-
ported that 32 of the 45 involved
property owners have made their
10 percent down payment. This
means that only $27,000 is actually
committed.
All those involved are aware that
all legal, survey and environmental
audit costs are to be shared
amongst those purchasing the right-
of-way. Cost of the'hvironmental
audit is estimated to be between
$2,000 and $3,000.
Reeve McLaughlin updated the
delegation on a recu�t joint meeting
of the Ausable Bayfield and Upper
Thames Conservation Au(horities.
An interministerial committee on
abandoned C.N. right-of-ways has
acquired 3,000 kilometres of aban-
doned lines for nature trails. It was
noted that a lot of the time the com-
mittee does not acquire right-of-
ways through urban areas because
of increased cost.
McLaughlin said the local author-
ities were not especially concerned
when they learned of council's
wish to acquire the right-of-way
within Lucan and deed it back to
abutting property owK-s. Most lo-
cal councillors were in favour of
this proposal.
The township of Biddulph has al-
ready signed an offer to purchase a
portion of the right-of-way through
Granton for the purpose of building
a fire hall.
McLaughlin added, "Even
though the conservation authorities
are holding public meetings, it
doesn't prevent us from proceeding.
We must give notice of our intent
to purchase to C.N. by the end of
February of this year.
Paul Trudgen was concerned
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CANAD
4-H
news
percent in the next 10 years. Ori Favour e clothin
But, remember, I predicted the
Tories would be the official
opposition to Jean Chretien's
government and that the NDP
would never get a majority in
Tory Ontario.
it
Water and sewage rate set
LUCAN - After . considerable
discussion at a January 17 meeting,
village council set the water and
sewer usage rates for 1994.
The water rate will remain the
same at a flat monthly rate of $6
and the sewage surcharge will rise
to 130 percent from the present 100
percent.
The present water rate in addition
to the flat charge is 50 cents per
cubic metre for the first 25 cuhic
rnnt�rc. �n runic a r,,hi. metre fpr
the next 15 and after that it is 70
cents a cuhic metre.
Reeve Tom McLaughlin was in
favour of decreasing the flat rate
charge for water down to $4 per
month and increasing the sewer
surcharge to 166 percent. This
would have had the effect of a 15 to
20 percent increase in the average
monthly utility hill. He felt
taxpayers are at their limit with
respect to increases. The reeve said
he polled 10 ratepayers at random
and found four of these wanted to
stop all projects.
McLaughlin noted that there was
$152,200 in the water operating
account and $91,300 in the water
reserve account. In the sewer
operating account there is a deficit
of $26,100 and about $85,000 in
the reserve account.
Over the last five years Lucan
has spent $200.000 plus on water
projects and $29,700 on sewer
projects. These figures do not take
into account any monies that were
paid over to the water and sewer
capital projects.
Deputy reeve Harry Wraith felt
that Lucan got a bargain on the
water project and was pleasantly
surprised at the number of people
who paid up front. He has not heard
any complaints from ratepayers
regarding thcir water and sewer
hillsc'�[
Wrait cor':^..ed to :ay that the
new water system is going to need
maintenance in the next five years
and therefore was not in favour of
lowering the water rates.
McLaughlin said he was in
favour of reserves for both water
and sewers but questioned whether
this was the right time to add to
reserves.
Clerk Ron Reymer suggested that
both the water and sewer accounts
should have a five year capital
works forecast in order to better
budget for future projects.
Councillor Reg Crawford was in
favour of leaving the water rate
unchanged and raising the sewer
surcharge to 143 percent.
Councillor Bryan Smith would
like the village to take over
operation of the sewage treatment
plant with a possible saving of up
to $30,000. Reeve McLaughlin
added, "Maybe another option
would be to leave the water rates
r
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the same and only increase
sewer surcharge to 130 percent . First Sew
with the view of either operating ;
the plant ourselves or privatizing its I
.operation by mid 1994' Easy meeting
The final motion to leave the
water rates the same and increase
the sewer surcharge to 130 percent
was moved by councillor Rob
Brady and seconded by Wraith.
the
EXETER - Monday, January (7,
Exeter II held their second 4-H
meeting. They began with the 4-H
pledge, then each member intro-
duced themselves to a new mem-
ber, Katie VanderBurgt. Jenni De -
Block wrote the roll call this week
and each member answered her
question using 'true' or 'false'.
The reports were read by the sec-
retary and press reporter. Leader,
Linda Russell read parts of two
pamphlets which were handed out
in the first meeting. Each member
Council will be asking C.H.
Lewis Lucan Ltd. to extend the
present garbage collection and
disposal contract until the end of
1995.
OV ARID
MARC—I
Ibb4 OF 3I"ES
1
EXETER - On January 10, the
Exeter II 4-H club had its first Sew
Easy meeting. Members include
Melinda Nethercott, president, Me-
ghan Straw, vice president, Juanita
Chappel, secretary, and other mem-
bers Amy Regier, Jenni deBlock
and Tracy Snell are looking after
the press reporter position. Leaders
arc Norma Cockwill and Linda
Russel. They started the meeting
with the 4-H pledge, and then took
t11 roll call and learned the differ-
ent parts of a pattern and a sewing
machine.
Members then made scissor hold-
ers. The next meeting is January
17, at Melinda Isiethercott's.
Plant a Tree -Grow a Future
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Your Local
Conservation Authority Invite You to a
"Tree Planting Workshop"
The MNR and your local conservation authority are
conducting two workshops which will provide some helpful
ideas on planting trees. Learn more about ordering trees,
site preparation, planting programs, handling trees, grass
control and long-term management.
Technical assistance will be available to help plan and
organize your planting project.
Information handouts and order forms will also be available
at the workshops.
Date:
Place:
Time:
tate:
Place:
Time:
Tuesday, February 1, 1994
Embro West Community Centre
(from Oxford County Rd. 6 at Highland Tours
turn west onto Commissioners Rd. and
continue on to the "t -intersection". -Turn south
and the Centre is on the east side of the road.
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 2, 1994
Thedford/Bosanquet Community Centre
1 Allen Street, Thedford y
7:00 p.m.
For directions you can contact your local Ministry of Natural
Resources or Conservation Authority office.
Individuals and Groups Welcome!!
Ontario
ACAO
brought in one piece of clothing
and were to say why it was their fa-
vourite piece of clothing. Most
members said it was because it was
comfortable or it went with almost
all their clothes.
about any encroachments on the
right-of-way and felt that C.N.
would not likely accept the $27,000
offer and will likely not accept the
environmental audit clause.
When Mrs. Trudgen asked about
policing of the right-of-way if it
was used for trails, councillor Bra-
dy replied, "It would be basically
self -policed."
McLaughlin wondered if it were
possible to first agree on a purchase
price, have C.N. draw up the offer
to purchase and send it to the vil-
lage for sjenatures and the village
not sign if until the property owners
have paid the entire $27,000 to the
village. Brady thought this was un-
usual. hut possible.
Usborne &
Hibbert Mutual
Fire Insurance
Company
Exeter, Ontario NOM 181
(Established in 1876)
Provides Full Insurance
Coverage
for Farm Properties
New Applications are
Welcomed
DIRECTORS & ADJUSTERS
Larry Gardiner. RR2. Statfa ........345-2678
Lloyd Morrison, Mitchell 348-4589
Lorne Feeney. ratchet' 348-8853
Jade Hodgen, RR Kirkton 229-6152
Joseph Chaffs, RR5 Mitchell 348-9705
Michael O'Shea RR3 Granton 225-2800
AGENTS
Ross Hodgen. Exeter .235-3250
John Moore, Dublin 345-2512
Joseph Uniac, Mitchell 348-9012
Bryan Lavis, Clinton 482-9310
Head Office. Exeter . 235-0350
A refund from surplus was de-
clared for all policy holders
who quality, are on record and
In good standing as at Decem-
ber 31, 1992.
Have us prepare your 1993 Personal Tax Return
Accurately and Efficiently
Starting at 19°°
Receive your refund from Revenue Canada
in as little as 2 weeks by filing electron`cally with us.
Call for an appointment at our offices located in:
Hensall, CI- intRn, Exeter, Grand Bend
,263-$01,39 or 1400-567-0844.. • '
Fax: 262-3111
16 years experience
W. H. MacGregor
Farm Accounting Service
114 King Street,
Hensall, Ontario NOM 1X0
The 8th Annual
CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL
FARM EQUIPMENT SHOW
FEBRUARY 811,1994
9:30 atn - 5:30 pm Tuesday through Thursday
9:30 am - 4:00 pm Friday
And what a show. Over 700 exhibitors.
More than 5,000 leading manufacturers and distributors.
Over 380,000 square feet of exhibition space.
The largest and most exciting collection of farm equipment,
products and services you'll ever find under one root.
It's a really big show. Don't miss it.
You COULD WIN $1,000
JUST FOR REGISTERING AND ATTENDING THE SHOW.
:-u your local farm equipment dealer for detail..
Toronto International Centre
6900 Airport Road, Toronto, Ontario
Sponsored by: DVI E►I ® Supported hy-O.W.F.E.A.
For more information contact: (705)741.25 36
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