Stop complaining
To the Editor:
Always seems the papers are oversaturated with complaining farmers. As a working taxpayer I’d like some explaining as to why the farmers think the taxpayers should have to bail them out for their hard luck stories. I’ve farmed before. I’ve been in a number of businesses before. I’ve lost my businesses through low oil prices and competition and I’ve asked the government for help. All they told me was I had to get rid of all my assets, pay them what tax they thought I owed them, then they can give me welfare. …
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This opinion of mine is not to all farmers as I personally know a lot of farmers who manage their farms very well and don’t seem to be having any problems at all, so not all farmers whine for government assistance. …
Now don’t get me wrong, my opinion is only from what I see and the stories I read from farmers in The Western Producer. It is so hilarious to read some of these stories, just like the one the farmer (who) wrote and said it’s the farmers who feed the world so the government should charge the consumer (a) certain percentage extra and give that amount directly back to the farmer. …
We as truck drivers in the oil patch can say we feed the world not the farmers because if we never moved the oil rigs to drill for gas and oil the farmers would have a hard time farming without oil and gas for their equipment. …
The other stories that puzzle me is those farmers that say the MPs, government etc. should all get together and co-operate to do something to help them. How do you people expect to get government to get together so quick when you farmers can’t even get along and work together? If five or six of you get together and share that expensive machinery, I’m quite sure each of you got enough equipment to farm five times the land you own. …
How can some (farmers) manage to get a farm sticker on a $55,000 sports utility (vehicle) or $50,000 Suburban and burn farm fuel in it? Believe me I’ve seen it and besides that, you get to use those expensive sports utility vehicles as a tax writeoff cause you say you need these for farm work.
I need my Lincoln to drive to work too. I don’t get to burn cheap gas and can’t even write it off for tax purposes. …
So please have some pride and do like the rest of us do. If we can’t make it in one business we try another. If we can’t make it there, we go to the workforce and work for someone else. We are all equals so you should not expect the government to discriminate against the ordinary taxpayers to give handouts to unsuccessful farmers just so you can keep up your Cadillac lifestyle. I apologize in advance to anyone that might not like what I wrote.
– Joe Pidborochynski,
Taber, Alta.
Take care
To the Editor:
We waited all summer and some thought that it would never arrive, but it has and it may be the most anticipated harvest season in recent memory.
Harvest is two weeks later than normal and a full month behind that excellent year of last. Every night when the sky clears and the temperature starts to drop, we hold our breath and hope the frost won’t touch our crop. Our operating time frame has been compressed and everyone feels like they are under the gun. Blood pressures soar, heart rates increase and husband and wife argue in the field.
The sense of urgency causes people to commit foolish acts, foregoing basic safety practices and putting themselves at unnecessary risk. Most farming accidents are preventable and we want you to slow down and use your common sense. Realize that the job will get done, five minutes here and there means nothing if your quality of life has been compromised.
At this time we would hope that the general public can appreciate the importance of harvest season and be aware of the slow-moving farm machinery and its weary operators on the roads at all times, day or night. This is an exciting time of year for all of us and if we work together we can make it safe and rewarding.
– Clifford Bell and the Agricore Acheson team,
Spruce Grove, Alta.
Don’t bypass CWB
To the Editor:
I am writing to clarify some of the points Bill Nicholson raises in the Sept. 9 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator, in regard to CWB (Canadian Wheat Board) pricing and Prairie Pasta Producers.
Prairie Pasta Producers (PPP) is not asking to bypass the CWB. The proposal is for the mill to buy the durum from the CWB at the Domestic Human Consumption price (DHC) just the same as any other processor in Canada, so other processors cannot claim the PPP mill is being treated differently.
The CWB does not create the premium price in the North American market. The North American marketplace, which is basically the U.S., pays more for durum because there are no subsidies to U.S. processors who are willing to purchase some Canadian durum but not the entire Canadian durum crop.
What PPP is requesting, as any new generation co-op being producer owned would request, is the price the processing plant pays for the raw product to be the same as the price the farmer receives because in effect the farmer owners are selling the grain to themselves.
Why would any farmer want to invest in value-added processing when not being able to collect all of the gain while having to accept all of the risk of the processing venture being profitable?
The scenario Mr. Nicholson presents is similar to farmers baling hay but not being able to feed it to their cattle without first selling and then buying it back from a marketing agency, most of the time paying more to buy the hay back than receiving when selling it. …
By creating a separate pool for the (new generation co-op) there would be no undermining of the pooling concept.
– Grant Maddess,
Man. Director, Prairie Pasta Producers,
Deloraine, Man.
Top three
To the Editor:
… The Sask. health system, as is every health system across Canada today, is on the verge of collapse. The most expensive in the world. Why?
Those individuals with money go to the U.S. or elsewhere, some politicians included. More money leaving the country.
According to the Fraser Institute, Canada is one of only three countries in the world without a parallel private system. The other two are communist countries. Does that tell us anything?
– Bernice (McIntyre) Goldie,
Power River, B.C.
A few facts
To the Editor:
In relation to an article relating to my resignation from the Bengough Rally Group, there are a few facts that most of the people do not know.
Mr. Wagner has portrayed that money was the main reason that I resigned. This is far from the truth.
In the past eight months that I have been part of this group, I have terminated two part-time jobs that supported this family and farm.
I very clearly stated to this group that if as acting president that affected negatively or harmed my family or farm, that I would have no choice but to quit.
My family did suffer as the demands on my time by the BRG often surpassed greatly over my family. Further, there was no money coming in other than the mileage paid and meals, which only covered my travel. Over the summer as I was often traveling three to five nights a week, often not getting home until 2 to 3 a.m. and being up at 7 a.m. to answer phone calls. My farm did suffer and I had no choice but to call my son back from his off-farm job and keep him on the farm and pay him to do my work. …
Mr. Wagner clearly states that he is a board member of the BRG. Not so.
He is neither a founding board member such as myself nor is he an elected board member. The only way that he can be anything in relation to the BRG is when he is duly elected by a general membership meeting, which has not been held.
These are the rules set out by the Corporation Branch in Regina and indeed they are clearly stated. …
In Wynyard prior to going to Ottawa, a group of members, as well as area representatives met for a meeting. …
Several points or resolutions were passed and directed to the board for direction.
1. That an expansion of the board of directors happen as soon as possible to better represent all of the membership. The only way this can be done by the rules is to call a membership meeting.
2. That new policies be developed as soon as possible to represent the group. Again the only way this can happen is a membership meeting where all members have a democratic vote.
3. That there is poor communication and an office should be set in place as soon as possible to have information and people available on a regular basis.
4. That the president should receive some sort of wage to assist him while he is away or to address any expenses that are not covered.
Now Mr. Wagner has stated that the demands listed in your paper are mine, but if he or others had attended the meeting in Wynyard, it was the demands of the membership and not the president ….
Mr. Wagner has clearly stated that I received $250 per meeting. After contacting him, he admitted that they had adjusted several trips and portrayed them as one to get this figure. I sincerely only wish I had received $250 per meeting and then I would not be complaining about money or time. The only thing I received was mileage based on government rates and meals according to government rates and any out of pocket expenses, but never did I receive a wage nor a per diem per meeting. Never.
The extra trips that were spoken about often were requests of area representatives and these meetings were a result of tax revolt meetings or such matters or several trips were made to Regina to get $45,000 in plane fares for farmers of this group. I believe the only time that I reached the amount in question was when I did a membership meeting near Prince Albert, Sask., and I was traveling for 10 hours, as well as in a three- to four-hour meeting arriving home at 5 a.m.
On these trips I should have got a hotel room but did not, saving this group hundreds (of dollars) on accommodations.
In closing, I think most of you … have seen where in the first article that I stated some minor differences and the reason for resigning without … taking personal attacks on any board member or member of this organization. Mr. Wagner has shown very poor taste and attack on a person who has worked long hours, many miles and been abused by a board that really did not care …
… As far as the statement that a board member was always at my beck and call to travel with me or take their cars, it only happened once. My resignation was done for personal reasons but most of all it was done over the concerns that were portrayed to me by members and co-ordinators at Wynyard.
I truly feel that it is the obligation to communicate the wishes of the people or members and if the board does not adhere to them that indeed I have to take drastic measures and I have. I wish to thank everyone for their calls after my resignation, but I am only stepping aside for a short period of time or until matters are cleared up to the satisfaction of the membership.
– Bob Thomas,
Former president of the Bengough Rally Group,
Milestone, Sask.
