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The Huron Expositor, 1983-03-02, Page 1s . . e • . • .a Incorporating f 3russels Post 50c per COPY t xpositor i SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1983 — 20 PAGES Tax rebate raises controversy BY RON WASSINK Many controversial issues have been raised since the announcement by Ontario Agricultural Minister Dennis Timbrell, offer- ing a 100 per cent rebate to the agricultural community on all farm land and farm outbuildings. The announcement was made at a meeting of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture last November. Rural landown- ers are now only beginning to speculate at the implications. President of the Perth Federation of Agriculture, Ron Christie said the province and the federation "worked long and hard over the years to get the new tax system. The federation lobied to have educational taxes removed from farm land. Farmers have received a 50 percent tax rebate since 1971, but it was only a bandaid until the new system was announced. The new tax structure, effective in 1984 will see rural landowners receive a rebate on their taxes 'says Gerald Morgan, Valuation Mana- ger of the Goderich Tax Assessment office, but rural houses will be re -assessed and taxed. "A house will be taxed in the same manner as a similar house owned by a non-farrfter in the municipality." Replacing the current 50 per cent rebate program,. Mr. Morgan says some rural residents will pay more property taxes, "but generally most will pay less." With the new system. a rural landowner will now only be paying residential tax. "1t will benefit the larger farm operation but will have a negative impact on small rural holdings, such as a five acre lot." The assessment office will be kept' busy until November. "We have to call on all rural IN APPRECIATION for dedicated service to the Seaforth branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society, Lillian Kerslake was honoured by fellow volunteers. She received a citation from Robert Boucher, who has been nominated vice-president of the Ontario division of Red Cross. (Wassink photo) Red dross r is worke honouredfor serservice An avid Red Cross volunteer and past president of the Seaforth branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society, Lillian Ker- slake was recognized at a meeting of the Seaforth Branch last Thursday, for her contribution and continued support of Red Cross. A very modest person, Mrs. Kerslake said she was very humble and not deserving of the award. "Every Red Cross volunteer co-operated so well. A lot of people worked together to make the society a success." The recognition "was a complete sur- prise", says Mrs. Kerslake. Not active with the Seaforth branch because of illness, she remembers her involvement began when she assisted in annual campaigns and blood donor clinics. "The clinics were very successful. One year we aimed for 100 donors and passed the mark. Every year since then we had well over 100." Several years ago. the blood donor clinic was combined and moved to Clinton. The same held true for the loan cupboard of crutches, walkers and canes. it was combined and moved to Stratford. Mrs. Kerslake says"the Seaforth ladies gave outstanding service during the war years. They recall how they worked daily, making large amounts of jam, often picking the fruit themselves to cut down on costs. "Along with making 1,000s of articles of knitting and sewing, the volunteers made hundreds of quilts. The articles were shipped regularly to headquarters. •"Thele were always twbror three quilts -set up in the Red Cross rooms, located in the Seaforth library basement ready to be quilted. During the war years. there were 23 successful blood donor clinics held in Seaforth. Those ladies were really dedicat- ed", says Mrs. Kerslake. The appreciation award was presented to Mrs. Kerslake by Robert Boucher, principal of a separate school in Sarnia. He has been nominated vice-president of the Ontario Red Cross Society. Inscribed on the plaque was: The Canadian Red Cross Society Citation, presented to Mrs. Lillian Kerslake, in recognition and appreciation of your out- standing contributions and continued sup- port of Red Cross in the Seaforth Commu- nity." In her acceptance speech. Mrs. Kerslake quoted her favourite cockney motto, her personal motto with the Red Cross. "T'aint the individual, Nor the army as a whole. But the everlasting team work, Of every bloomin soul." Board of Education may BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE Two consulting firms will be interviewed by the Huron County Board of Education regarding services they could provide to find a replacement for the director of education. At the board's Feb. "' meeting approval was given to interviewing two firms then deciding whether or not a consulting firm or the board will conduct a search for a director of education. Present director of education John Cochrane announced last month he will retire in June of this year. "Whether we decide to go this way or not (with the consulting firm) will be a result of hearing what these people have to say." commented chairman Dorothy Wallace. It was noted that some school hoards in the province use the services of consultant firms to conduct a search for candidates. These firms prepare a short list for the hoard to interview and make a final decision. "Have we got a policy for hiring?" asked trustee Frank Falconer. Mr. Cochrane said that in the past an advisory committee has been established to hire personnel, made up of members of the hoard's standing committees. Trustee John Elliott added that when the board was in the process of hiring superintendents, the expertise of the director was used. He noted the assistance of the director would not be used to hire his replacement. Mr. Falconer said the use of. consulting firms makes the board look as though it can't do anything on its own. Trustee Tony McQuail disagreed, suggesting the board could find out how the experts" would go about looking for candidates then the hoard could have its own committee use this process. "In the past the board has hired three superintendents and one personnel relations administrator and I think the board has done a very good job. I think we should listen to the consulting firms." commented trustee Mur• rax Mulvey. To he a director of education the candidate must have a high school principal and a Break-in is investigated Police report a break, enter and robbery from Bob and Betty's Variety Store at 33 Main St. at 4:25 a.m. on Tuesday, March I. According to police chief, Hai Claus. two plate glass windows were broken and stereo equipment stolen in the break in. Damage to the windows and the stolen equipment is estimated at about $2166. The landowners and re -inspect all homes", said Mr. Morgan. RURAL -URBAN BALANCE With the new rebate program. education taxes will be better balanced compared to urban taxes explained Mr. Christie. "That purpose has been accomplished." Although there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction among rural people who are concerned they are losing control of their ladd, Mr. Christie thought the majority did not share these concerns. "I don't think the fear is justified. The new program is a benefit to all farmers but thee will be some cases where a small land base may pay more taxes.' He noted the new system "is note S tremendous benefit to farmers. Under the existing 50 per cent rebate system. the province was returning $84 million to landowners. Only $20 million will be added using the new system. It is not a dramatic increase. But it makes the tax system a little more fair." . Questioned whether municipalities would receive less tax monies. Mr. Christie said. "Theoretically. the townships should end up with the same amount of money. The rebate to the farmer comes from the province." Asked where the additional 520 million will come from, Mr. Christie said. "it will come from the general tax coffers at large. Approximately four per cent of Ontario's population are farmers. Urban taxes may only see' a slight increase." He 'noted the benefit to the average farmer will be approximately $150. "but approximately 97 per cent of the rural landowners will benefit." Using the town of Mitchell as a compari- son. Mr. Christie explained farmers were paying as much as "five per cent more taxes than urban taxpayers. Now farmers will be on an equitable basis." Some landowners are cautious but Mr. Christie feels "there isn't a devious factor behind the program. Education tax has been the main factor. The same situation exists in Britain today. Farmers haven't paid taxes for • 30 years. "1 have five farms and only one itouse. 1 am one who will benefit from the program." NO BENEFITS Marie Hicknell, reeve of McKillop town- ship predicts the average rural taxpayers 'will be paying as much taxes on their homes as they were previously paying on the total farm. it may have some good points, but 1 really can't see any benefit." Mrs. Hicknell questioned. "what was their (province) idea in the first place? 1 don't believe farmers will be getting something for ' nothing." Asked if the program will be a detriment to townships. she said if assessments are down. "townships •will be affected." CONSEQUENCES MPPfor Huron -Bruce, Murray Elston, felt some problems may arise with the new program. "A minor difficulty is the feeling of landowners' concern of ownership of farm= land. People don't seem too concerned of government access to land, but are concerned with the general public who may feel they have a right to hunt, fish, or snowmobile on a farmer's property. Rural landowners seem more concerned now than a few weeks ago. Mr. Elston thought a major problem was a rural landowner who owned more than one • house. "These extra houses may be torn down so the farmer will receive a rebate and will not have to pay residential tax. This will then cause assessment problems and then population problems. Once, a municipality loses people, they could also lose some grants. initially, townships won't stand to gain more. but they won't lose either. Eventually there will be a smaller tax base. but it will be gradual. It won't happen in one year." Questioned as to the benefits to foreign land owners. Mr. Elston explained such owners have established Ontario resident companies. "The government will have difficulty excluding them from the program. They will benefit from the program. "My feeling is that most taxpayers don't • know much about the new .program. 1 don't think the program is fair of what 1 know about ' it now.' Mr. Elston said a constituent believed the system was a way of "getting rid of the smaller land owner. Senior farmers may want to move off farms sooner than planned." As for benefits to the farmer, he felt the 100 per cent rebate on farm land and outbuildings "will not make a significant contribution to the well-being of farmers." TOTALLY OPPOSED Lobbying against the new systema Jim Armstrong of RR4. Wingham said the initial rebate system stems back to the early '70s when the Federation of Agriculture was successful in receiving a 50 per cent tax rebate for farmers "to get education tax off farmland." He explained a move was made in 1976 by the government and the federation to Please turn to page 3 ommunication beads to action BY KRIS SVELA Representatives for banking and agricul- ture from Huron and Perth counties met last Thursday in an attempt to re -open new lines of communication and evaluate present financial arrangements. The meeting in- cluded representatives from both Perth and Huron Federations of Agricultures area bankers and Ralph Barrie of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Mr. Barrie informed the bankers and agricultural representatives of the estab- lishment of the OFA's Financial Advisory Service, aimed at aiding communications between bankers and individual farmers ng financial difficulties.vet tr.• an interview" followine the cl6sed conference Mr. Barrie, told the Expositor that the OFA feels that a definite communication breakdown between bankers and farmers has developed. He also expressed the hope that new lines of communication will lead to definite and specific action to help farmers. Perth Federation of Agriculture president, Ron Christie, said that the meeting was interesting and positive and helped clear the air over several issues. He feels that the dialogue has helped clear the air over 'Several issues. He feels that the dialogue has helped to establish a bond between the two groups in the interest of co-operation. Much of the concern over a breakdown in communication stems from the recent controversy over a penny auction held near Palmerston. Mr. Barrie explained that the OFA does not condone such action. However, he is sympathetic to the conerns of local farmers. "1 understand what they are trying to do, but 1 don't think it's working," he said, referring to the actions of the Farm Survival group which, took over the auction pf assets in the bankruptcy sale of a farm owned by John Otto: Mr. Barrie admitted that there has always been a radical element in the agriculture industry with a surge of groups springing up throughout the country in the past five years. He feels that the current economic climate has made these groups more extreme in their tactics. "They are more militant than the OFA," he said. Mr. Barrie feels that John Otto would have possibly cleared his .financial situation if the auction had proceeded as planned. He explained that as the situation stands Mr. Otto will have to continue to pay interest to creditors. He explained that the OFA and the Perth Federation of Agriculture will assess the situation and its implications with regards to the individual farmers and what it will mean to the farming industry and relations with banks. Mr. Barrie told the Expositor that the majority of the farmers he has met With throughout the province find the tactics of some farm survival groups offensive. AGRIBOND-PROPOSAL Mr. Barrie explained that the OFA has been lobbying both the provincial and federal governments in a attempt to set up new programs to help farmers. He says that there has been an intensive lobby for a proposed Agri -bond project to help aid young fa mers and farmers in financial problems. The pr am would be run through the hire consultants superintendent. I'd like to add that in the end the board will be making the final decision," said vice-chairman Eugene Frayne. In other business. the board: Learned from the executive committee that it has postponed discussion on competition with private enterprise until its Feb. 28 meeting. in the meantime the director will conduct a survey of all schools in the county to find ou the kinds of items sold, the amount of money raised. what the money was used for and w ere the items were purchased or obtaine uring thc school year 1981-82.: investigation is continuing, Jeff Austin of 263 Cameron St. Goderich was remanded until March 11 after he appeared in Goderich court on February 25 on a charge of robbery. Mr. Austin was charged in connection with an assault and robbery on February 8. in Seaforth. Farm Credit Corporation and would allow investors a tax credit on their money as an incentive to invest in the program. The program would allow for more money to be circulated through the corporation and funnelled into agriculture. Mr. Barrie explained that the proposed program has received good response from top level government bureaucrats, some 'Cabinet Ministers and MPs. Discussions are continuing with federal Finance Minister, Marc Lalonde, and federal Agriculture Minister, Eugene Whelan. The OFA is also working on plans for a nation-wide stabilization program to give farmers across the board assistance, in. conjunction with present programs 'already in place. MARKET RISK PROGRAM "We've been the leader in proposing a Market Risk Program," Mr. Barrie said. Theolicy, which has been in the planning stage for the past six or seven years, would see joint co-operation between the federal and provincial governments and farmers. Farmers interested in- participating in the program would contribute voluntarily to the fund, w(ffh both levels of government also contributing. Stablization payments would be made to farmers who are experiencing financial difficulties.._, What is apparent through the meeting with the bankers, is the fact that established farm organizations are hoping to keep open the .lines of communications with banking inatitutsons..Asoncerted attempt to broaden the co-operation is an issue farm groups want to clear up. Subscribers will 'receive Expositor one day early Beginning with the issue of Mar. 16, The display advertising, must be received in the Huron gExpos for will be printed early Seaforth office by 4:30 p.m. on Monday. in Tuesday evening. That means the paper will order to be included in the issue of that week. be in the mail to area subscribers. and on- newsstands, nnewsstands, on Wednesday mornings. To accommodate the new printing time. Expositor deadlines have been revised. All news and correspondence. classified and The new deadline takes effect Monday. Mar. 14 and local readers can expect their Expositors in Wednesday. Mar. 16 morning's mail. -Gak'e support to the Lambton County Board of Education requesting support in retaining the CBC television program Reach for the Top; -Approved a leave of absence for student services employee Barbara Dietrich; -Approved enrolment in the teacher funded leave plan for 1983 to 1988 for Katherine Lamont of Colborne Public School. Marie Parsons of Howick Central Public School. Keith Allen of Central Huron Secondary School. Clinton and Eleanor Richman of Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton. Foundation acts as umbrella Preliminary plans for the future use of Iltc Van Egmond House. Egmondville received a emisi'erable shot in the arm. Local artists offered their input at a meeting held last Wednesday. According to Lynda .Zones. manager for "Outreach Artisan", a ness Canadian Community Development Program will he funded through thc Ministry id Employment and Immigration. The response has been enthusiastic' for plans to use the facility as an outlet for local artists to sell and disptav their work. Foundation chairman, Paul Carroll ex ptained the Van Egmond Foundation is financially sound regarding planned renova tion projects and is looking at ways to operate the facility to make if financially inde pendent. Included in the plan is the creation ..t art displays and working exhibitions (0 attract more tourists to the Van Egmond House. Response from the artists has been 0% says Mrs .tones, Plans are now in the works for a trial period to start at Forster with attraction for children and a disphn on the art of creating decorative llkr;niian eggs. The Faster program will include a story time and egg hunt. M's. Jones hope's the program will generate enough revenue through its trial period ending in October. to he able to continue without outside financial assistance. In a release from the Fophdation. the goal Please turn foage 3 GRADE 12 marketing students of the Seaforth district high school have spent the past two weeks, cutting, pasting and designing advertisements for The Huron Expositor. Their completed projects will be graded by their teacher Don Renshaw, and be part of their marks for the semester. The student advertisements are on pages A8, 9, 10, 11. (Wasslnk photo) .Marketing class designs advertisements A8, 9, 10, 11 Brussels students speak out A6 Pee Wees advance to quarter finals A16 Fantasticks add final touch to performance A8 Births /A3 Brussels news /A6, 7 Classified /A14, 15 Dublin news /44, 5 Family /Al2 Farm /A11 Hensel/ news /A10 Junction /A8 Marketing Class /48, 9, 10, 11 Obituaries /A3, 16 People /A3 Roulston /A2 Smiley /42 Sports /A16, 17 Walton /A7 R•