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THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010 16 Happy 13th Birthday Ashley Love from Mom, Dad Jessica, Buddy, & Grandma Rainnie Knox Presbyterian Church 44 Main St. N P.O. Box 342 Acton, Ontario L7J 2M4 (519)853-2360 In a world of change, come and worship the unchanging God. March 7 SENSE (Luke 13:1-9) March 14 Communion Sunday - STUFF March 21 MAIN THING (I Philippians 3:4b-14) March 28 Palm Sunday NOT DESERVING DEATH (Luke 23:1-49) Sundays at 10:30 a.m. LOOK WHO IS TURNING 5 MILL STREET CROSSING Celebrate With Us MARCH 14th Thru 21st SPECIALS ALL WEEK With this ad buy 1 FISH AND CHIPS Receive the 2nd one for 5 Bucks To the editor Re: Food Crisis here before Bio-fuels In the Feb. 11 article State of Their Union, Mike OLeary refers to the US Governments support of bio-fuels - Even though they have caused a food crisis world-wide. Like many others, I had the initial reaction of how fool- ish, if not immoral it is, to divert food from starving people, in order to fuel our North American automobiles. If only it were so simple! I believe that the World Food Crisis, OLeary is referring to is the dramatic (but also short lived) run-up in corn, soy- bean and wheat futures, which occurred, in early 2008. The phenomenal increase in commodity prices had farmers dream- ing of riches, but in fact had very little to do with what farmers received or what end users were willing to pay for crops. At that time the number of futures contracts held by investors outside of Agriculture skyrocketed. Enormous sums of money now betrayed by hi-tech stocks and then fearful of the housing market, moved to buy commodity contracts such as gold, oil, corn, wheat and soybearn. At the same time world wheat reserves reached record lows due to drought in Australia and a crop failure in much of central Europe. While the nightly newscast re- ported the dramatic increase in the cost of wheat, the simplistic view emerged that ethanol made from grain must be the villain. In fact, in North America our ethanol plants are fuelled primarily by corn, not food grade wheat. In my view the real crisis is the dispar- ity of income throughout the world, not a lack of grains. We Canadian taxpayers recognise the need to provide aid when needed, be it a refuge camp in Ethiopia or to an unemployed family in our own community. In doing so, let us recognise that the root of the problem is the lack of the ability to earn an adequate income, rather than imagining a world food short- age because we are using crops to make fuels. I dont pretend to know how to solve starvation in much of our world. We, as North American farmers would like to be part of the solution. However, we cannot continue to produce surplus commodities, be it corn, wheat, beef or pork, only to dump it onto a world mar- ket, with returns less that our costs of production. While crop shortages may make news they are short lived, while grain surpluses last for years. Our productive capacity in North and South America and most of Europe is enormous. The wheat shortage of 18 months ago is gone. At present the North American year-ending stocks for wheat is projected to be a whopping 40 per cent of annual usage. Today, Ontario produces three time the amount of soft wheats, which we can use. The rest has to fi nd a market somewhere else in the world (ie. Egypt) where we must match the lowest price in the world. In other industries if there is a surplus, industry reacts by closing factories and reducing supply. In Agriculture when we, as individual farmers, see a decline in prices we react by saying, Well in order to pay our bills we must produce more. Rather than asking Government (taxpayers) to subsidize Agricultural exports, only to compete against the pri- mary producers in impoverished nations, we are actively seeking new industrial markets for our products. The soy house now being completed here in Acton is an example of the innovative work being done. We are manufacturing superior, environmentally friendly products made from agricultural crops. Only through such innovation and di- versifi cation can North American farmers continue to be economically viable. The truth is, producing food alone does not pay very well! The use of agricultural land to produce non-food crops in not new. In the southern United States cot- ton has always been a major crop grown on nearly ten million acres. Im told that prior to 1950 over 15 percent of all crop- land was used to grow fuel for horses just to power farm implements. We read so many articles, which fi nd fault with whatever new energy source is proposed. Let us recognise the positive impact of renewable, clean, affordable, made in Canada bio-fuels. Keith Aitken Acton To the Editor, It is sad that this situa- tion has gotten this far. My question is why the Ontario Liberal Min- ister of Education will not intervene? The new minister is Leona Dom- browsky. I would suggest that the residents in Ac- ton who are upset about this should email her and ask her why? She was just sworn in January so lets welcome her to her new position, and dont forget to cc Dalton McGuinty. We are now in an election year, so please remember to bring this issue up to the Liberal candidate when they come knocking on doors in Acton as well as all of their other in- discretions. I would also suggest to town council that during the course of negotiations that they include a clause that the money they spend on purchasing this land stay in Acton so that the greedy school trustees, particularly Gillian Tuck Kutarna, in Georgetown, dont benefi t from their unneighbourly vote to sell off Acton parkland for their own benefi t. Steve Attwell Acton Cancer Assistance Ser- vices of Halton Hills provides options for all cancer patients through- out all of Halton Hills. The patient list has increased dramatically since Decem- ber 2009; the number of drives to and from treat- ment centres has almost doubled. We have almost 50 drivers, including 4 drivers who live in Acton, and only on the odd oc- casion will a driver have more than one patient in the car at the same time. Their compassion and self- lessness is unequaled. The list goes on with re- gard to what is provided free of charge, for example food supplements, wheel- chairs, walkers, bathroom equipment, beds, wigs and hats, palliative care assist- ance, Nia, Reiki & Yoga, just to mention a few. Cancer Assistance Ser- vices has its very roots in Halton Hills. This organ- ization has and always will treat all cancer patients with respect and dignity. When you call the offi ce between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, you Food crisis not a simple issue Sad situation with MSB surplus land Cancer volunteers needed now will talk to a real person. We have no answering machine to maneuver through to talk to some- one. Youll be embraced with kindness and em- pathy; and the knowledge that all your concerns will be addressed. Our major fundraiser is the April Residential Campaign. Volunteers are needed to deliver the re- quest for donation to every household in Acton and surrounding area. Please help! Call 905-702-8886 and say Yes, I can help. You wont regret it. Anna Mae Moore Residential Campaign Manager