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

10 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wed., January 28, 1981 Newman speaks at Lions 'Rural Night' York-Durham MPP and former Agriculture minister Bill Newman painted a bright picture of the farming industry in the province, but warned that farmers will continue to be faced with escalating costs, especially for energy. Speaking at a Blackstock Lions Club "Rural Night" January 21 in Blackstock, Mr. Newman told the audience of about 50 that farming is crucial to the r FOR GUIDE SENIOR CITIZENS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS - IN ONTARIO ws Senior Citizens now have theirown guide to services and programs. Ontario's Senior Citizens have contributed a great deal to our province, and to help ensure that they can enjoy healthier and more active lives, the Ontario Government has published a new booklet called "Guide for Senior Citizens". This handy reference guide describes the wide range of services and programs available for seniors in Ontario. The Guide includes information on health care programs, housing assistance, tax grants, community clubs and centres, and many other subjects of interest to seniors in Ontario. By the end of February, all Ontario Senior Citizens who receive the Old Age pension will receive a copy of the Guide in the mail. Others who would like a copy can write to: . Ontario Government Publications Centre, 5th Floor, 880 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1N8 Ontario Margaret Birch, Provincial Secretary for Social Development William Davis, Premier economy of Ontaro and Canada. He said about 20 per cent of the jobs in Ontario are directly related to farming and Ontario is the most important agriculture province in the country. Cash-sales for farm pro- ducts last year in Ontario amounted to $4 billion, but the average net income on each farm was a low $8900, he said. Referring to the corn crop in Ontario, Mr. Newman said five years ago it was 130 million bushels. In 1980, this figure had increased to 200 million bu., and will continue to increase to about 300 million annual bushels. Saying that prices at the farm gate "are not bad" at this time, Mr. Newman added that the cost to the farmer of producing food went up by 16 per cent in 1980, and the escalation will likely continue. Despite the increases, Ontario consumers still only pay an average 14 per cent of disposable income for food, and that is low by the comparison to most other countries, he stated. He mentioned - Tokyo where a - pound of sirloin steak would cost $18, and about $3.98 here. "People who try to blame the farmer for the increases in the cost of food are going to run into an obstacle in me," he said at one point. He said that with the value of the average farm and equipment at about $250,000, many farmers might be better off financially if they sold and invested the money at 15 per cent. He said they don't do it, however, because they are committed to farming and don't want to "sit back and put their feet up." Mr. Newman, who has farmed near Balsam for many years, is getting out of politics before the next provincial election. He has been a Lions Club member for 30 years, and told the Blackstock group that "leadership for the commun- ity is in the service clubs." "People will be watching and judging by the standards you set," he stated. The newly formed Black- stock-Cartwright Lions Club has about 30 members at this time, and the members last week each invited a farmer from the area to attend the dinner and hear Mr. Newman speak. During his speech, Mr. Newman stated that in- creased costs for energy will continue to be a problem for farmers, and he said that Ontario should expand its 54 NEWMAN nuclear energy programs for electrical output so that more homes and factories could be converted from other sources of energy. In response to a question from the floor, Mr. Newman said that a liquid waste treat- ment plant is needed in Ontario, and there are indications that the proposed site near Cayuga is "an excellent one." He said an independent board will be set up to review all the evidence and data surrounding the site, and if it is found unsuitable, 'the government will accept this," he said. Also in response to a ques- tion, Mr. Newman said he believes the Pickering airport 'is a dead issue at this time." "There is no need for a new airport there. What may be needed is another runway at Malton and certainly more terminal space, he stated. Mr. Newman was first elected to the legislature in 1967 and was agriculture minister and minister of the environment in the Cabinet. He announced his decision not to seek re-election more than a year ago. Utica area news by Vera Brown Church service this week is at Utica at 11:30 a.m. Sunday School is at 10:00 a.m. A reminder of the Pot Luck supper on Saturday, January 31st at 7 p.m. in Epsom Church put on by the Epsom-Utica Social Club. This would be a good chance to get together and have a social time with your neigh- bours. There will be a euchre on Friday evening in the Hall - 8 p.m. The Port Perry Ringette Association are planning a Las Vegas spin-off night in "the Catholic Church Hall on February 28th to raise money for their association. For tickets or more infor- mation Doreen Kendall could be contacted. Mr. and Mrs. Eric Carre and family were Saturday guests with Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Wright in Toronto. Visitors this week with the Sutcliffe families were Mr. and Mrs. David Bray and children on Friday evening, Miss Marlene Bray and Mr. Earl Trewin on Thursday night. . The Dennis Gerrow family visited her parents this week. Monday visitors with Mrs. / CANADIAN PORT PERRY PLAZA will be LOSED Monday, February 2, 1981 INVENTORY Mildred Thompson were Mr. and Mrs. Percy Baker from Hannon, Mrs. Doug Martin from Binbrook, Mrs. Ron Yent from Dunnville, and Mrs. Don McGillivray and Craig from Mount Albert. Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Scott of London visited her mother Mrs. Crosier on Saturday. The annual Hall Board Meeting for election of officers, etc. will be held on Sunday, February 8th at 2 p.m. in Utica Hall. If you are interested in the operation of our community hall please feel free to attend. NDP elect executive At a recent annual meet- ing, the Durham-York New Democrats elected the following executive members: President - Roy Grierson, Caesarea; Vice President - Geoff Rison, Uxbridge; Treasurer - Jack Davidchuk, Ashburn; Membership - Jenny Ausman, Prince Albert; Secretary - Joan Davis, Cannington; Organizer - Margaret Wilbur, Port Perry. TIRE l,i 00 0 nti pC a en a pam mans