Wednesday, October 11, 2006 · Page 7 Adding strength with partnerships by Ron Bonnett, President Ontario Federation of Agriculture It's well established that there is strength in numbers when governments are the focus of a lobby effort. That's why the Ontario Federation of Agriculture has been successful as a farm obby organization for so any years. As Ontario's argest general farm organiation with 38,000 members, overnments have always een receptive to listening to nd working with OFA and ts members. New partnerships are eveloping on the horizon hat offer promise of ncreased political clout for ntario farmers, and OFA lans to explore this potenial. We're in discussions ith the Canadian ederation of Independent usiness, a 35-year-old rganization with a long and uccessful history of lobbyng for owner-operated busiesses across Canada. CFIB has 6,500 agri-busiess members as part of its ational membership of 05,000 small and mediumized businesses. Like OFA, FIB takes on the responsiility of representing its embers to all levels of govrnment. Included in CFIB's gri-business membership is he ag services sector ccounting for 19 per cent of embers; 29 per cent livetock operations; 26 per cent ruits, vegetables and hortiultural crops and 21 per cent field crops. OFA doesn't categorize its members by commodity, working to support the needs of all members equally. CFIB, in its regular survey of members' issues and concerns, has determined similar answers to what OFA members tell us farm income and working within government regulations are top priority items with its membership. CFIB tells us that succession planning and capital gains exemption issues are prime concerns of its farmer membership. It is lobbying government to have the exemption increased from $500,000 to $1 million. This is an area where OFA and CFIB are forming a good working relationship to benefit farmers. There are other organizations that have interests and activities that coincide with OFA. We're working on establishing an ongoing relationship with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This group has about 80,000 members from urban and rural Ontario. In the past, OFA has worked with OFAH on animal cruelty legislation; regulations relating to the use of All Terrain Vehicles; deer removal authorizations; species at risk legislation; the spring bear hunt; the trails strategy; trespass to property act; and Sunday hunting. These are issues of concern for both farmers and the outdoors people who belong to OFAH, and OFA wants to add to its lobbying strength by working with OFAH. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs is another large provincial group with members from rural and urban Ontario. When dealing with a provincial govern- ment that has a keen interest in outdoor recreational opportunities for its citizens, OFA recognizes the advantages of having a group like OFSC as a lobbying partner. These are just some of the working partnerships OFA is developing as we look for ways of increasing our political power in a world of constantly growing lobby interests. OFA, as we mark our 70th anniversary this year, has a long list of successes to its credit. However, we are fully aware that we can't move forward without new goals and objectives and new partnerships. TREES, SHRUBS, TRUCKS Saturday, October 21st at 9:30 A.M. Sale to be conducted at 18725 Tecumseh Road, Tilbury (Just South of Lighthouse Cove) From County Road 42, take the Gracie Side Road (#37) north to Tecumseh Road. Turn right on Tecumseh Road to Yardworks Landscaping & Garden Center. WEEKLY AUTO AUCTION Every Wednesday at 6 P.M. many bank and finance repos, dealer and public vehicles, boats, trailers, tools. Also consigned from the Windsor Police Department 7 `01 Expeditions/XLT 4wd plus other units from the department. We are located at E.C. Row Expressway and Manning Road in Tecumseh. For further information call 739-2340. This is the perfect opportunity for landscapers, nurseries, wholesalers and especially the hobby gardener to purchase high quality, healthy stock to complete your landscaping needs. Everything is potted, balled and ready to go. Delivery and planting available by Yardworks crew for a small fee. Equipment to be sold at 11:00 A.M.: 1988 Ford 5 Ton Diesel Dump/Flatbed with SKB Boom (new transmission), Heavy Duty International 4500 Series A Forklift (not certified), 1988 GMC 1 Ton Dump Truck, 1994 Ford Utility Truck, Brillion Grass Seeder (low reserves on equipment. Large quantity of trees, shrubs, perennials, stone, rock, and much more! NOW'S THE TIME FOR FALL PLANTING! Viewing Saturday from 8:00 A.M. LACASSE AUCTIONS INC. (519) 733-3541 FOR PHOTOS AND LISTINGS www.lacasseauctions.com MOTOR CITY AUTO AUCTIONS SALE 13400 DESRO DR., TECUMSEH LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. Canada Tavern on Tecumseh Rd. E. (west of Jefferson) has been sold. On Tuesday, October 17th at 10 A.M. We will be selling to the bare walls. Items: table, chairs, bar stools, all kitchen items, walk-in cooler, railings, interior doors, fixtures, bar, hardwood flooring, etc. Terms: Cash - 10% Buyer Premium. For further info call MAJOR ESTATE RICHARD LAVIN AUCTIONS INC. 735-3070 TECUMSECH 4-H News Christmas Craft Club BY TORI ROCHELEAU Our first meeting was on Sept. 28 at the Essex Civic Centre. We elected Lacey Wolters for president, Darren Mayville for vice president, Tori Rocheleau for press reporter, Susy olters for secretary, and ngela Robertson for treasrer. At our Oct. 5 meeting we tarted gluing the music rolls e made at the first meeting nto a group of five. When e were done gluing them ogether, we put ribbons around them and put little decorations on, like little Santa's and pinecones. Then we put presents around and greenery. We also tried on sweatshirts. The last thing we did was think of some 4H club names. The Club name is Santa's Crafters. Saturday, October 14th at 9:00 A.M. At Lakeside Park Pavillion, Kingsville We will be selling the Estate of the Late Joanna Macmicking of Kingsville combined with a Chatham Estate and a large private collection from Essex County. Furniture, etc.: Ash hall seat with mirror and hooks, circa 1890 3-piece oak bedroom set, 1870 walnut marble top washstand, 9-piece mahogany dining room set, pair of ornate arm chairs, walnut drop front secretary, early dresser with mustache pulls, 5 ft. store showcase, Krug dining room set, primitive desk and other furniture in the rough. Collectibles: Oak Brunswick floor model record player, Belding, Paul & Company spool cabinet, oil lamps, dress and hat forms, large bottle and jar collection, 4 Best jars, Mammy cookie jar, pocket watches, 1954 #10092 Gilbert Erector Set, "The Master Builder Set", old molding planes and broad axes, 1895 communion set, Tilbury milk bottle, old purses, wooden decoys, cement lawn jockey, some stamps, Riverside Brewing Co. beer tray and other Windsor advertising, very large collection of costume jewelry. Clock Collection: Pequegnat wall clock, 3-gingerbread clocks, oak Regulator wall clock, Pillar & Scroll wooden works clocks, "The Hunter Clock", "The Steersman Clock", miniature Lux clocks and other miniatures, Junghans school clock and many others. Large quantity of Glassware, China, 42 Royal Doulton figurines, Coalport, 1949 Hummel "Flower Madonna", large quantity of green depression, Fiesta ware, blue Pyrex, Roseville, pinwheel crystal, McCoy, large quantity of cups and saucers, etc. Tools: Devair 5 HP compressor with 60 gal. tank (220), Craftsman 10 inch digital radial arm saw, Craftsman floor model shaper, spindle sander, router table, drill press, wood clamps, bar clamps, etc. Miscellaneous: large quantity of table clothes, linens and doilies, quantity of oils, prints and lithos and much more! STARTING AT 9:00 A.M. WITH BOX LOTS SECOND AUCTIONEER AT 9:30 A.M. WITH TOOLS Viewing Saturday day of sale from 8:00 A.M. LACASSE AUCTIONS INC. (519) 733-3541 FOR PHOTOS AND LISTINGS www.lacasseauctions.com