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Tm ud rd I -------- ---------- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, October 30, 1990 -- 11 Dynamite used to blow up silo Ten years ago, John Bon- sma paid a lot of money to have a silo built on his farm east of Blackstock. Last Thursday afternoon, he paid a contractor to blow the thing up with nearly 300 sticks of dynamite. Not that there was any- thing wrong with the silo. Even after ten years, it was in perfect | condition. Mr. Bonsma simply didn't want to pay the taxes on the silo. And this is not the first silo or building on the farm that has disappeared because of taxes. Two other silos, a bunker gilo, and a couple of barns have been destroyed or moved in the last three: years for the same reason. Mr. Bonsma, who retired from beef farming three years ago, tried without success to get tax relief on the buildings and silos, claiming they were not be- ing used for farming purposes. When he was turned down, he decided to remove them from the farm, permanently. The silo that was destroyed last Thursday was costing him just under $2,000 yearly in tax- es. And because he is no longer farming full time, he doesn't qualify for the farm tax rebate of 75 per cent. "It's a real shame," John Bonsma Jr. told the Star last week. "That was a perfectly good silo." + Just how good? Well, it took nearly 300 sticks of dynamite to topple the 127" high by 30' wide sifusiure, The concrete walls were eight inches thick, and completely re-inforced with steel rods. Royeo Excavating of Lon- don did the blasting. The top- pled silo was then smashed with a heavy power shovel and buried. Ironically, Roy Yeo, the contractor who destroyed the silo used to be a farmer himself. He spent six years farming in Alberta, went bankrupt, and now makes his living taking down barns and silos for farm- ersin the same boat he was in. Yeo told the Star in the last year, he has taken down 12 silos and 27 barns, most of them in Western Ontario. He too said it's a darn shame to see perfectly good barns and silos come down just because farmers can't afford to pay the taxes. When Mr. Bonsma Sr. re- tired three years ago, he put the 200 acre farm on Concession 1 up for sale. . But he hasn't been able to gell it. The house is rented and some of the land now grows corn. Replacing the silo that was dynamited and buried last week would cost at least $200,000 tobuild today. In fact, the replacement value of all the silos and barns that have been taken down or moved is more than the current asking price for the entire farm. "Mr. Bonsma Sr. said he was not able to rent the silo to an- other farmer. "All I wanted was enough (in rent) to pay the taxes and the hydro," he said. Women's league holds craft sale The Port Perry CWL is holding their annual Craft & Bake Sale on Saturday, November 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun at Im- maculate Conception Church Hall on Scugog St. The sale will include many delightful homemade crafts, and don't forget the Quilt Raffle (tickets will be available at the hall). First prize is a lovely homemade quilt; 2nd and 3rd prizes are a Gas BBQ and a folk art serving tray. : The quilt can be seen ahead of time at Brock's Department Store. A wide assortment of bak- ed goods are being prepared so come out and enjoy! This year, the students of Im- maculate Conception School and the CYO, have again prepared ac- tivities for the kids, including Gingerbread Cookie Decorating and a fish pond with prizes for the little ones. For the Bingo fans, there will be games held throughout the day. Among the many sale tables, there will be Empire Cheese pro- ducts, and gourmet Christmas fruit cakes made by the Monks in the Hockley Hills. Coffee, sand- wiches and assorted refreshments will be available. CRIMVIE doesn't pay if you've had an ... OSHAWA SECURITY SYSTEM installed! (Limited Time Offer) 2799. (basement ceiling must be unfinished) Price includes Motion and Fire Protection RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL ALARM * Free Estimates rim 416) 7 2 5 -1 04 1 FIRE, POLICE and AMBULANCE Monitoring Available on Request. " " John Bonsma (centre right) his son John Jr. (left) contractor Roy Yeo and two of Mr. Bonsma's grandchildren stand on top of a pile of rubble at his farm east of Blackstock. The rubble Is all that's left of a huge grain silo that was dynamited to the ground last Thursday afernoon. The silo was In perfect condition, but Mr. Bonsma sald the taxes were too high, so he destroyed It. (see story) WINTER COATS & JACKETS for the entire family Men - Women - Children 25% OFF : reg. price "ARROW?" DRESS SHIRTS assorted colours,plain or striped Sizes 1410 18 Sleeve lengths 33", 34", 35" 20% OFF «cc. "All LEATHER SHOES MEN'S - Hush Puppies, Jarman, Body Shoes, etc. WOMEN'S - Enzo, Calico, Glacee, etc - heels or flats 20% OFF «rico {11H SENIORS' DAY EVERY TUESDAY 10% OFF reg. priced item (with Senior Citizen Card) QUEEN ST. PORT PERRY I