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) - -*2 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 7, 1999 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Ministry replacing local ag offices across province From page 1 resource centres which will focus on development of leading-edge informa- tion for the agri-food industry; a establish seven busi- ness enterprise centres to provide information, resources and advice to farmers; Q increase its invest- ment in expert staff to address issues such as water quality, farm safe- ty, pesticide use, and biotechnology, and adapt their information for con- ditions in Ontario, and a develop a provincial , agricultural information call centre and make use of the internet, the media, workshops and seminars to provide farmers with up-to-date information. Wein) The news brought a mixed reaction from Karen Yellowlees, presi- dent of the Durham Federation of Agriculture. While it's a shame to lose the local office -- where farmers have, over the years, built up a rap- port with staff members - - it's encouraging that the ministry is investing in research and information services for the future, she said. "It's certainly not going to be what people have been used to," said Mrs. Yellowlees. "It tends to be the focus for the agricul- ture community." The OMAFRA office has been a centre for the. distribution of informa- tion to farmers, and has also served as a meeting C¢Y PORT PERRY DENTAL CENTRE New Patients' Smiles Always Welcome *Dr. J. Cottrell «Dr. J. Hardy «Dr. L. Gideon *Dr. C. Banfield Dr. L. Poranganel + Dr. H. Dewar * Dr. T. King (Orthodontist) Dr. T. Mcintyre (Periodontist) A = chip on the shoulder is the heaviest load anyone can carry. Dental Care For The Entire Family Evening & Saturday 4 Appointments Available Please Call 985-8451 Visit our website: www.iluvmydentist.com 238 Queen Street, Port Perry Scugog Chamber of Commerce | CHRISTMAS DRAW WINNERS | centre for various groups over the years, said Mrs. Yellowlees. She said some may be reluctant to place their calls to a phone line in Lindsay. "I think you're going to get people who are hesi- tant to do that," she said. "As with anything, people are hesitant about change. But as long as something is done well and people feel they're getting results, that they're not just a number, I think people will work through that." | Mrs. Yellowlees said that it's not surprising to see the agriculture min- istry streamlining ser- vices, especially with all the other changes imple- mented over the past sev- eral years by the govern- Conservative ment. "Probably, to a certain extent, the writing has been on the wall," she said. Staff at the Port Perry office were reluctant to discuss the turn of events. Local ag rep Joel Bagg offered just one comment before referring calls to the ministry: "I wasn't totally surprised." Kirk Smith, of the ministry's information branch in Guelph, said the changes are being undertaken to improve services to farmers across the province. He said that while the restructuring will result in the elimina- tion of about 40 jobs, the moves aren't being made solely to save money. "It's not a dollar exer- cise," he said. "We are Millennium Party AT THE WoLF DEN WoLF RuN GoLF COURSE WEP \ WOLF OCKTAILS & HORs D'OEUVRES 6:00 P DINNER 7:00 PM. DJ & DANCING S1INl (905) 985-6770 RUN GOLF CLUB Call, Terry & Shannon for ticket information Terry (705) 878-9830 Shannon -- ------ us about a dnving service if necessary. Christmas Trees Moved to new location from Scugog Lumber to Reid's Independent Sunday, November 28th to Sunday, December 19th Monday - Friday 4:30 - 8:30 pm. Saturday & Sunday - 9:00 - 6:00 pm. Pine & Spruce Fresh Cut For Information Call Ellen 985-8047 compete for those posi-. entering an information age where we need to realign our resources to better serve the needs of the agricultural commu- nity in Ontario. "What's most impor- tant is to pass on infor- mation required by farm- ers." He added that the cur- rent round of realign- ments continues the "evo- lution" of government services in the province. "(OAMFRA offices) have been reduced in numbers over the years," he said. Mr. Smith said the fate of staff currently employed at area offices 1s up in the air. Some positions will be eliminat- ed, while others will be created over the next half a year, he said. "There will be every opportunity for staff to tions," said Mr. Smith. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) reacted strongly to what it termed the "gut- ting" of southern Ontario's 32 OMAFRA offices. "For many farmers, this is nothing more than a further erosion of Mackey & Bailey =| Barrister & Solicitor OMAFRA services In their communities," said president Jack Wilkinson. "In some areas the OMAFRA offices not only supported the extension work that has been so critical in making Ontario a leader in many areas of agriculture and technology transfer, but it has played an integral role in supporting farm and community organiza- tional events. He said the reliance of the ministry on comput- ers for the dissemination of information may be misguided. He said many farmers aren't connected to the internet, and other resources necessary to access the new informa- tion centres. "What is being pro- posed is an unproven commodity, and much more remote from the farm," said Mr. Wilkinson. "In essence the government is asking Ontario farmers to trust them on this one, but that's going to be difficult to do following the process the government followed in this situa- tion." Saturday Morning by appointment Oshawa Rd., Port Perry Lunchtime More Lake Scugog Lumber Building by Bronwen Tuck, RD It can be very challenging for parents to make lunches in a limited time that are both acceptable to the child and nutritious. If the child is old enough, a good strategy is to allow the child to put together his or her own lunch and then take a few minutes to review what has been chosen. Place emphasis on encouraging the child to balance the meal following Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating rather than on "good" vs. "bad" choices. Include foods from at least 3 out of 4 of the following food groups: Grain Products, Vegetables and Fruit, Milk Products and Meat and Alternatives. Give positive feedback regarding balanced choices and then help to modify the others. Once the food groups have been covered occasional treats can be included. An example of a balanced meal includes a ham sandwich with carrot sticks and dip and milk. At this point they may choose to include a couple of cookies, a granola bar or other treat for snacks. *By Nutrition at Work, a group of Port Perry dietitians providing individual and group counselling. For more information send questions to Box 5283 Port Perry or call 985-6946 Mon.-Fri. 436-7600 Sat.am. 985-7391 wz REMC = RE/MAX Scugog Realty Limited 0utBGUY LATREILLE (905) 985-4427 144 QUEEN STREET., PORT PERRY