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Farmers angry over changes in farm tax rebate program Durham Region farmers sent a clear message to Queens Park as the Durham Federation of Agriculture held its annual meeting October 24 at the Nes- tleton Community Hall. They don't like the changes to the farm tax rebate program, and like farmers elsewhere in Ontario, they are angry about it, "The changes are creating friction between urban and farm people, and also between farmers," one angry person told guest speaker Rita Burak at the meeting last week. Ms. Burak is the deputy minister with the Ontario Min- - istry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and she spent much of her time deftly stickhandling her way around the questions. At one point during her ad- dress, Ms. Burak stated that "we in OMAF are trying to work with you (the farm community) And she stressed that the changes in farm tax rebate plans are for the 1989 program year. A committee which in- cludes farmers, has been set up to review the program and fur- ther changes may be made next year. What has Ontario farmers angry are changes announced in the spring budget by Ontario treasurer Robert Nixon. Up until this year, farmers paid municipal taxes on their homes, land and buildings. But the province would re- bate the tax on the land and buildings (but not the home and one acre of land around the home) The new changes stipulate that if a farmer has in excess of $40,000 annual income from off the farm, the rebate is reduced five per cent for each $1,000 of that off-farm income. A member of the Durham Federation, told the Star after the meeting that the changes don't directly affect a large number of farmers because Hear ye, hear ye! NOTICE DURHAM EAST P.C. ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING RailroadHouse Motor Motel, Hwy. 7A, Port Perry NOVEMBER 9th, 1989 Doors open at 7:00 PM for Renewal of Membership Formal meeting at 8:00 PM -- Election of Officers. -- GUEST SPEAKERS -- Sam Cureatz and Kay Weatherall For further information call 985-2121 Kelly, Zuly, Greenway, Bruce BARRISTERS and SOLICITORS Motor Vehicle -- Criminal Personal Injury -- Wills Real Estate -- Family Law Corporate & Commercial EVENINGS & WEEKENDS BY APPOINTMENT 114 King St. E., Oshawa 123-2218 TORONTO 494-6031 \. SAVINGS AND COMFORT "[KEONN] Magnetic Interior Insulating Windows *Reduce Heating & Air Conditioning Costs *Fraction of the Cost of "Standard" Replacement Windows *No More Drafts or Condensation *Custom Made to fit YOUR Window, No Matter What Size or Shape. Call Today For A Free Estimate SEALS AIR-TIGHT - JUST LIKE YOUR REFRIGERATOR DOOR See us at the Pickering Home and Design Centre In the IDEA PLACE. ms WHITBY/OSHAWA 430-3205 y, there are not too many with off farm incomes in excess of $40,000. However, he said, farmers are more concerned that these changes are just the thin edge of the wedge, the tip of ice-berg, of what farmers fear could be more changes in years to come. "What's more," he told the Star, "the government is start- ing to define a farmer by in- come." While Ms. Burak touched on several issues during her ad- dress to the Federation last week, issues like crop insu- rance, land use planning, and international negotiations un- der GATT, it was clear from the question and answer period that much of the concern is over the changes in the tax rebate scheme. One strong complaint was that the changes were initiated part way through a year, which didn't give farmers the chance to plan for them. Ms. Burak said that even with the changes this year, the rovince will be re-funding 146 million in property taxes to farmers. And she said "we are listen- ing very hard to what farmers are saying." The message that evening loud and clear was that farmers don't like the changes and fear there may be more coming. In other news at the Dur- ham Federation's meeting, Bill Collins of Whitby and Merrill Van Camp of Blackstock were appointed to one year terms as directors with the Ontario Fed- eration. Delegates appointed to at- tend the Ontario Federation an- nual convention later in No- vember include Brian DeGeer, Don Drake, Neil Allin, John No- ble, Dennis Yellowlees and Ralph Larmer. PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, October 31, 1989 -- 5 Kelly Storry joins Star editorial staff The Port Perry Star is pleased to announce that Kelly Storry has been appointed to the editorial staff of the paper as a reporter/photographer. in Port Perry, graduated from grade 13 at PPHS in 1987, and holds a diploma in journalism (spring 1989) from Durham Col- legein Oshawa. While at Durham, she wrote extensively for the college newspaper "the Chronicle," and as a student placement reporter with the Markham Economist and Sun. For the last several years, she worked part-time at the Port Perry IGA. Kelly has been actively in- volved in numerous sports in Port Perry (as a player and ref- eree) including ringette, soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf and tennis. Because of her interest in athletics, she will be doing sto- ries for the sports pages of the Star as well as general news and features. Port Perry Star editor John B. McClelland is pleased that she accepted the position when it became available, and be- lieves she will be a valued addi- tion to the editorial staff with her writing and photos. D.J. TAYLOR INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. 169 North Street, Port Perry Guaranteed Investment Certificates (Rates Subject to Change without Notice) Kelly was born and raised GIC -1 Year 11%4% Cashable 1 Yr. G.1.C. 1M" 985-8416 PAUL VAN CAMP Chartered Accountant 204 Casimir St. 985-9725 Port Perry * INCOME TAX The Old LIVERPOOL HOUSE CATERING TO PEOPLE OF © ... THE HOUSE WHERE GOOD TASTE SINCE 1827 2 N RESTAURANT OF DISTINCTIONS. The Old LIVERPOOL H 1294 KINGSTON ROAD e PICKERING ¢ ONTARIO L1V 1B7 ON A990 657.71 ¥) Z p24 v, = aaa = i XL : TH , S Tia \ oy ~- y ~ VI ei; ; x an ® | Ce VO py ous i [4 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK LUNCHEON: Monday through Friday 11 AM to 3 PM DINNER: Monday through Friday 3 PM to 1 AM Saturday Dinner 4 PM to 1 AM; Sunday Dinner 4 PM to 11 PM. 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