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Santa's busy elves Orono Weekly Times, Tuesday, Qecember 23rd, 1980-13 Jim Rickard elected Vice-chairman of marketing board Jim Rickard of R.R. 4, Bowmanville was recently elected to the position of Vice-Chairman of the Ontario Vegetable Growers' Marketing Marketing Board. In this position, Jim will work with the other directors of the Board in negotiating prices paid by processors to farmers for a wide range of vegetable crops in Ontario, including sweet corn, peas, cabbage, carrots and cauli flower. The Ontario Vegetable Growers Board is m^de up of 12 directors from across Ontario. Mr. Rickard represents represents the growers in Durham, Durham, Ontario and Northumberland Northumberland Counties. Jim, brother Don and father, Garnet, opërate Ceresmore Farms Limited, specializing in beef, cash crops and processing vegetables. vegetables. The busy elves at Lockharts Christmas play. Mainstream Canada How Independents are Squeezed The major multinational oil companies (sometimes known as the seven sisters) may be their own worst enemies. At a time when the big oil firms are spending millions of dollars on advertising programs programs to drum up public support support for their cause, the ugly side of their method of operation operation is starting to show. Roger Worth is Director, Public Affairs, > Canadian Federation of Independent Business. While profit increases of 25 Vo or more have become the industry norm oyer the last ' couple of years, evidence presented during recent hear- ings'indicates the Seüen sisters have been systematically squeezing independent gasoline gasoline retailers, making it extremely extremely difficult .for the ; smaller firms to operate. The apparent reason: the independents have proven to be at least as efficient as the* multinationals, creating unwanted unwanted price competition for oil company operated or franchised franchised outlets in many markets. The independents contend their suppliers (the big oil companies that run the refineries) create havoc when they become too successful. Supplies may be cut, whole sale prices raised, or a combination combination of both. Sometimes this results in the independents being forced to sell out to the majors. The recent hearings involved involved a successful Quebec independent independent gasoline retailer with 35 outlets in the province,: province,: and the nasty methods used by the firm's multinational multinational suppliers to restrict expansion expansion by the smaller retailer. The evidence indicated that Imperial Oil and Petrofina, for example, had plenty of gasoline to sell, but only on a basis that would effectively allow the multinationals to set the retail price. New Brunswick's Irving Oil (49% owned by multina- • tional Standard Oil of' California), on the other hand, said it refused to sell gasoline to an independent dealer. At the same time, the company was exporting gasoline gasoline with Ottawa'S approval. The case against the multinationals could not be continued when several major refiners started supplying the Quebec retailer with at least minimal amounts of product. Yet this is only one example example of an independent gas retailer being squeezed by the powerful seven sisters. In fact, most independents are afraid to talk publicly about the issue, fearing repercussions from the refiners. Approve Baseline Community Centre » Council of the Town of Newcastle on Monday at a special meeting gave their approval for the construction of a new Community Centre known as Baseline Cpm- munity Centre. The centre is to be located south-west of Bowmanville, and is a replacement replacement of an old school building that Had been used as a community centre in the area. Due to hydro power lines constructed in the area the school property was pur chased by hydro and over the past two years negotiations have been underway for a new centre. A town manager's report received at a recent meeting recommended against approval approval of the Bàseline Community Community Centre asking that the decision be delayed until such time as the Town receives their Recreation Master Plan. It was also pointed out that growth in Bowmanville would develop to the east rather than west and some doubt was cast as to the operation costs in the future. The report noted that the Baseline Community residents residents did support a new community centre and were confident that financial operating operating obligations could be met'. Land is now available to the Town for the construction of the building. The town manager's report points out that $164,125 is available for the project through purchase monies from Ontario Hydro and from grants for community centres from the Province. The estimate estimate of the cost of the building has been set at $156,500. Mayor Rickard during during the discussion said that 'the cost of the project would be cut to meet with the money available for the project. Counc. Cowman said the money now available could only be used for the community community centre project. She said she was disturbed by the , Town Manager's report but did feel that his point as to the location was well taken. -, She said she would have to support the project and there was no question where the money belonged. She said she would like to see added ground facilities. She pointed out that the project would not cost the Town any money nor even interim financing charges. charges. Counc. Harare said she was surprised and pleased "with the project, surprised that it had been around for two years, -anti pleased that people were so interested in working towards the accomplishment accomplishment of a community centre. She said the fact the project had gone this far, there was no other choice than giving approval. The resolution by Coupe.' Taylor and Prout gave approval approval for the building of a new Baseline Community Centre and that action be taken to proceed. BYAMS PLUMBING-HEATING Sales and Service 24 HOUR BURNER SERVICE GULF FINANCING Low Interest Rates phone: fGuH Tyrone 263-2650 1 -* Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Orono, Ontario. Gary Herrema Chairman, Region of vvb Durham 20 Bascom St., Uxbridge, Ont. LOG ,1K0 OFFICE: 852-3301, 640-1711 R.R. 2, / Uxbridge, Ont. LOG 1K0 ' RESIDENCE: 852-5140