The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

i www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, DECEMBER 3, 2003 PAGE 3 Ted Eng leads the way for Durham's àg community BY CRYSTAL CRIMI Staff Writer DURHAM - The newly-elected Durham president for the Ontario Federation Federation of Agriculture has a Held full of experience in representing farmers. Uxbridge's Ted Eng was recently elected to be the voice for 1,200 Durham OFA members for a two-year term. A farmer for 30 years, lie has been an OFÀ member for 12 and most recently recently served as vice president for the division. "I'm very concerned of the issues in the region with agriculture," said Mr. Eng. Currently an organic farmer, he has experience in a variety of types of farming farming which help him as a representative, he added. "I'm quite diverse in all agriculture things," said. Mr. Eng. "I've milked cows, fed pigs. My dad had a mixed farm when I was a kid." Along with his OFA work, Mr. Eng is also a council appointed member of the Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee Committee and president of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Toronto District. in his new role, Mr. Eng will attend monthly meetings, give input on agriculture agriculture related legislation, listen to and represent local OFA farmers. "We deal with all kinds of issues that come across the board dealing with agriculture," Mr. Eng said. Some of those items include mad cow disease, keeping hydro rates at residential residential prices for farmers, and seeking reimbursement for wildlife damage to crops. Through his business "Zephyr Organics Organics Certified Fruits and Vegetables', Mr. Eng sells and ships products nationally. Keeping farming a financially financially feasible career career is an issue he hopes to address. "Farm income is falling and it has to come up." he said. "That's a very serious thing in farming." Part of keeping it sensible includes lobbying lobbying to keep supply management, where product production is controlled to ensure stable income. "We have to make (farming) worthwhile," worthwhile," he said, but added at the same time the industry needs to stay competitive competitive with the rest of the world, especially especially the United States. Dealing with smaller, more personal issues is part of his position as well. If a neighbour complains to council about manure spreading, it's the OFA's job to represent its members. Those who would like to contact the Durham division of the Ontario Federation Federation of Agriculture can phone secretary Karen Ycllowlees at 905-986-0657. Ted Eng Friday ceremony to light it up in Bowmanville BY DANIELLE MILLEY Staff Writer BOWMANVILLE - Bowmanville is getting into the holiday spirit Friday with its annual tree-lighting ceremony. The festivities get under way at 6 p.m. with the Bells of Bowmanville bell-ringing choir. There is children's entertainment at 6:30 p.m. and a carol sing-along at 7 p.m. The big event happens at 7:15 p.m. with speeches before Clarington Mayor John Mutton throws the switch to light the tree. "Originally it was just lighting the tree and a short speech, but now it has expanded to a great deal more," said Garth Gilpin, general manager of the Historic Downtown Bowmanville BIA. The activities are on Temperance Street with two bleachers being brought in to accommodate 1,000 people. people. The tree is located near the Bank of Montreal at the corner of Temperance Temperance and King streets. "You want to get down early because because a lot of people come out," Mr. Gilpin advised. The BIA has been organizing the event since 1985. It has grown to an evening full of events including free horse and wagon rides to transport people around downtown downtown (streets will close to vehicle traffic traffic starting at about 5:30 p.m.), hot chocolate from the Kiwanis Club, and music by the Salvation Army band. Happy the Clown will be there with roasted chestnuts, popcorn and hot cider. "Probably Santa and his elves may find their way down by the end of the ceremony," Mr. Gilpin added. Carollers dressed in Dickens-style costumes are going to be strolling around downtown throughout the evening. "(People) have a chance to stroll around a historic downtown enjoying the Christmas season." Mr. Gilpin said. "It's a nice chance to be in a historic historic downtown with things being they way they were 100-plus years ago." The evening also offers the opportunity opportunity to browse downtown stores as part of moonlight madness sales. Stores arc to have warm drinks and cookies for those who may just want to browse. PC users can get advantages COURTICE - Learn how to divide and conquer your hard drive with the Durham PC Users' Club. Bob Rife, the club's librarian, is presenting the PartitionMagic v.8 program program and how to use it on your personal personal computer. The meeting is at Faith United Church, 1778 Nash Rd„ Courtice at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11. The club meets at the church monthly. For more information, call Anne Keefer at 905-655-8013 or John at 905-723-6797. Christmas Portraits 8"x10"& 8 wallets Included in your sitting fee 4x6 REPRINTS 50 Cents From 35mm Negatives only BRING COUPON. 1 Coupon per address BABY STEPS JOIN NOW 30% OFF BABYSTEPS MEMBERSHIP ! CO CD O C ° ;n ~| u CO Q) d -D Si » § "c o G) V) JD CD 03 ~ W O More than page views per month This Week Mjc Canadian âtateflnan The News Advertiser fflxtofogc Itnics-Soiintiil M Metroland Durham Region Media Group "WHERE YOU GET MORE THAN GREAT PRICES" û © O © © FIVE STAR » • Sales • leasing • Parts • Service "Convenient Customer Shuttle Service" 799 BLOOR ST. W., OSHAWA 905-404-0525 www.durhamchrysler.com