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Wingham Advance-Times, 1981-09-02, Page 2ti Times, September 2, 1981 oil coloring from Front Page JI .444g"the colored fuel sit ild run as, high as $20 .dllulltonk according to Paul 11.0 .,, manager,. off the t ieteums division for 1T ted Co-operatives of On- t lrioh He added that with interest rates at the current level, companies are very reluctant to spend that kind of money.. UCO, which operates a fuel distribution network in rural areas right across Ontario, has estimated its own costs at $1 million for capital equipment and $250,000 annually in added operating costs to handle the colored fuel. ' These costs eventually would have to be recovered in the price of the product, he said. "In the meantime, organizations like ourselves would be badly , hurt at today's interest rates. • Mr. Husby said the budget announcement caught the oil industry by surprise. The question of coloring fuel had been discussed with the government for several years, but recent discussions had indicated "it was not a live issue," he said. "We're unaware how it happened that the Miller budget ltad that in it. " He added that the indus- try, 'through the Ontario Petroleum Association, has made its objections known to the government, and he expressed optimism that the government would -listen. In any case, he said, unless the oil companies attempt to handle the colored fuel with the existing equipment — with some inevitable mixing of clear and colored fuel — it would be impossible to meet the April 1, 1982, deadline set in the budget. Installingall the necessary equipment would require a minimum of Arthritis two years and there is no realistic way to speed it up. LEADING A LOBBY,' In the meantime, the UCO is leading a campaign to make its member coopera- tives aware of the budget proposal and the costs in- volved, and to get them to bring pressure to bear on the 44 government to reconsider. 'Co-op councils, such as the local one at Belgrave, have been asked to write to their members of the provincial Legislature as well as Trea- surer Frank Miller and Revenue Minister George Ash to express their ob- iections. Mr. Husby reported that to date the response has been very encouraging. - .• One of the reasons the farm cooperative is leading the lobby is that, because its operations `.are centred in rural Ontario, and because the colored fuel program is primarily rural -oriented, "it affects us proportionally Local response negative Locally, the response by a number of people connected with fuel distribution to the proposed' coloring program has been uniformly negative. "I think it's unnecessary, to be honest," said Richard Moore, chairman of the Belgrave Co-op council. He suggested there always will be a few who abuse the system, but said the govern- ment has been "pretty darn sneaky" in not publicizing its intentions more widely. He estimated it would cost the local Co-op $35,000 for additional storage tanks to handle the colored fuel, not to mention the problem of flushing out the trucks before changing from colored to clear fuel. Allan Campbell, who is in charge of the fuel distribution service for the Belgrave Co-op, added that given the low volume of taxable -fuel sales, it would hardily \be worthwhile adding the equipment. Taxable diesel sales represent only about five per cent of its annual volume, he said, and it .simply would not pay to add the extra tanks. "For the farm supplier, I certainly hope there is some alternative reached. It doesn't.make much sense for us." The comment by Ernie Merkley, local dealer for Gulf Oil, was more succint: "I think it stinks." It wouldn't cost him so Barn fire in E. Wawanosh A barn belonging to Henry Smid, one and one half miles north of the village of Blyth in East Wawanosh Town- ship, was destroyed by fire last Tuesday afternoon. Fire Chief' Irvin Bowes of the Blyth Fire Department said luckily the fire was contained to the old part of the barn while a nearby milkhouse, granaries and and silos were,saved. No livestock were lost in the blaze. No cause for the fire has been determined, although Chief Bowes speculated that a light left on in the mow may have ignited the freshly blown -in straw. Chief Bowes reported his department received the call at approximately 3:15 Tuesday afternoon and immediately called the Wingham and- Clinton fire departments for the use of their tankers. The Blyth department remained on the scene for nine hours. There' has • been " no estimate of the damage. Upcoming • fallfairs forum slated in Southwestern Ont. for Sept. 15 - - The; general public is in- vited to . attend a public forum- on arthritis to be at 'Central Public School, Listowel, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.• - t4'•thetiniatologist in the field of arthritis and a . society physiotherapist, as 'well as a focal physician and the society's field representative will be present at the meeting. ' The evening - will. take the form of . a film presentation, panel discussion and then open discussion from the audience. All are 'welcome -andithe admission is free. • • • • • • The fall fair Season has arrived and there are fairs scheduled in communities all across Ontario. Some fairs of possible interest to people in this area include:. The CINE in Toronto runs until Sept.; 7; ' - The , Central Ontario Exhibition in Kitchener runs from Sept. 1-7; ' The Collingwood Fall Fair, Sept. 4-7; the 'Kincardine fair, Sept. 4 and 5; the Orangeville fair, Sept. 5 and 7; the Arthur, Chesley and Mildmay fall fairs, Sept. 11 and 12; The Mount Forest fair, Sept. 12-15; the Brussels fair, Sept. '15 and 16; Durham, Harriston-Minto, Lucknow and New Hamburg; Sept. 18 and 19; Fergus, Sept. 18, 19 and 2Q.; . . , The Western Fair in London, Sept. • 11-20; Wellesley, Sept. 15 and 16; Exeter and Milverton fall fairs, Sept. 25, 26 and 27; the Paisley fall fair, Sept. .21 and 22; The Ripley fall fair, Sept. 25 and 25; the Stratford fall fair, Sept. 23-27; Seaforth, :Sept. 24-26; Howick; Oct. • 2 and .3;, the International Plowing Match near Barrie, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3; The Elmvale Fall Fair, Oct. 9 and 10; the Teeswater fair, Oct. 9 and .10; Walkerton, Oct. 15-18; and, the - Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Nov. 12-21. much, he said, since the oil - company would have to put in whatever extra tanks were required, but "It's going to cost somebody a pile of money." He also ' would face flushing out his truck bet- ween changing fuels. He suggested , one way around it would be to let the dealers put in the dye, the way they did in wartime, or to have the farmers pay tax on all their fuel and then apply for a rebate, as they do with gasoline. He noted he already has to keep records of his fuel sales and report quarterly, and all farmers must be registered in order to buy tax-exempt diesel fuel, so a watchdog computer program should not be too hard to im- plement. He suggested that one result of the coloring program could be to eliminate competition. It might happen that only one dealer in an area would continue to handle taxable fuel, giving his company a monopoly. • Murray Elston, Liberal MPP for Huron -Bruce, said last week that while he didn't have too much background on the proposed program he was trying to find out more. He reported he had spoken • to the Co-op people and had drafted a letter to the ministry asking what assistance would be available to industry for the changeover. He said he had, input from about six Co-ops in the area and two or three bulk fuel people, and 'Gheyy ale` • conal cernecl about- how to deal 'with 'the colored fuel. In previous programs dye came out of the colored fuel and stayed in the trucks and hoses, he reported. Mr, Elston also speculated that a careful study could reveal "the impact of the whole thing could • be a net tax decrease to the govern- ment". The added costs could cut into profits and' reduce taxes the industiy otherwise would have'paid. ' - "If they go through, with the .,whole thing, the only question is who's going to bear:the cost of it, They may be in a position where they'll find it's not feasible." BLANKETS FOR BABIES --The Wingham Kinette Club, represented by Evonne Carter and Trudy Hill, earlier this year donated material for blankets to the newborn nursery at the Wingham and District Hos- pital. The hospital since has had the material made into lovely, soft blankets to greet its new arrivals. f There are blue blankets for baby boys and pink for baby girls as well as patterned flannelette blankets. Accepting the donation on behalf of the hospital are Mrs. Emily Phillips, a nurse in obstetrics, and Ad- ministrator Norman Hayes. Young Joey Carter ac- companied his mother. much .Mere than any other oil cohipany," Mr. Husby said., x ,s,. ,ALTERNATIVES He sa he agrees there is a 'need o tighten up the syat4B ef'becounting for fuel of rh t believes there is a less eosoy way to ac- complish, this. t• Wa:�beliieve a computer - operated:: system with reporting by distributors an a monthly basis and by - taxable fuel users on an annual:. basis could identify the likelihood of evasion." It,could be a pretty simple report, he said, withthe fuel user reporting on the_type of equipment he has and the hours of operation. Estimated fuel consumption then could be compared to the amount of fuel he had purchased. "We believe it's a feasible proposition, and at a lower cost. The biggest argument in favor of the coloring program is that similar programs' are being used in Quebec and a couple of Western, provinces, he noted. Other alternatives which , have beeri suggested include allowing the dealer to add coloring to the fuel after it has been delivered — as was the practice with gasoline during the war — or requiring farmers to pay road tax on all diesel fuel they buy and than apply for a rebate, as they currently do with gasoline. The latter practice, however, would not solve the problem of persons using heating oil in their cars or trucks. ClllAri ESARE 41 POSI18i1 E*.. Mr. Donnelly, one of AO persons respogsill ,e f preparing the'. draft t: legislation en fuel eolci *r said Friday that to Farr 4$ knows the program la •$004 ahead on schedule,'Ile sgid he understandli. the legislation is to belready fol' tabling about mid Oietober. However he"added that the program is at a very early . . stage and many changesare possible. The computer program is being considered, he said. "We :know the industry is interested in adtlaacipg that,"t' But hesaid 'tide discussion is taking place at a "very senior level" in the ministry and he could not commenton its progress. If the coloring program goes ahead, he said the ministry would prefer that the dye be added to the fuel at as early -a stage as pos- sible: at the refinery ter- ' minal rather than by the dealer. "The fewers people involved, the easier it "is, to control it." As for , the cost. of the'. , program, and who'. pays -it," Mr. Donnellysaid it its too early to siell out in'dollars and cents: -Many details are still nebulous; he noted, and it is possible oil companies and - distributors would be able to write off the costs . against their taxes. ' The A.1CO, in a letter cir- culated to member councils, suggests the cost should be borne by the provincial government, "which re-. - ceives the benefit .of the ad- ditional taxes". ' Let's tans transmission it 1 GWG Students' Jeans Sizes 14,..16, 18., 20 SA.E, ONLY Group of -Boys' Jackets 8.00.• 10.00 Boys' Knit Tops 3.86 Cowboy. Mats • JUST IN • UNDER 20.00 sass "fir ^ ' :a d 1, Information Centres Southwestern Ontario Electric System Study A mOjor program for maintaining an adequate supply of power to residents, the agricultural community and industries in Southwestern Ontario is now underway by Ontario Hydrb. The goal of this program is to select a system plan that will maintain a reliable electrical supply to the area, improve the conrrr'Otion of the Bruce Nuclear Power Development Complex to the bulk transmission grid and maintain the capability to interchange power with neighbouring utilities in Michigan. - Six alternative transmission systems have been identified by Hydro to meet these.needs: Public comment on the alternatives is being sought before a preferred Open to the public -1.-5 p.m., 7-.10 p.m. Clinton Community Centre Clinton Wednesday. -September 2 Lucknow A District Community Centre Lucknow Thursday, September 3 Chatham Community Centre 80 Tweedsmuir Ave. W. Chatham Tuesday, September 15 ¢, Tr. • t system plan is selected. A series of information centres is scheduled so residents can review the plans and discus's the proposal with Hydro staff. Plans call for Hydro to review the public's comments and suggestions and then, as required by the province's Environmental Assessment Act, recommend one of the alternative systems that incorporates major technical, economic, land use, and environmental considerations. • Members of the public are invited to attend one of the information centres listed below Hydro staff will be on hand to answer, your questions and discuss details of the alternative transmission Systems. ' Chatsworth Community Centre Chatsworth Thursday, September 17 Legion Hall–Flesherton Flesherton Wednesday, September 23 If you -are unable to attend one of (hese centres, buff wish further information, please contact: Mrs. L. Formula Ontario Hydro Route and Site Selection Division - 700 university Avenue Toronto, Ontario M5G 4X6 Avening Community Hall Avening Thursday, September 24 Paisley District Memorial Arena Paisley Tuesday, October 6 of r f,