THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2017
THE PICTON
Gazette
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Volume 187, Week 10
Canada’s oldest non-daily newspaper
Early sap run has producers stoked for sweet season Mild weather means good start for syrup but it may not last
Smith says hydro plan neglects root of problem
STAFF WRITER
Three additional sugar bushes added to festival March 25-26 Popular Maple in the County weekend poised to expand to 12 sites for 16th year of family fun
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STAFF WRITER
Hydro rate cuts are coming, but some politicians are warning it will come at a significant cost in the future. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced last week the Ontario government would be reducing hydro costs for residential and small business by a total of 25 per cent by this summer. That includes the eightper- cent rebate on the provincial portion of HST that is already in effect for those hydro customers. The additional 17per-cent reduction will come through refinancing an estimated $28 billion in upgrades to hydro power plants and electricity infrastructure over a longer period of time. A background document for the plan says under-investment in the electricity system “by governments of all stripes” made it necessary to make significant investments in the hydro generation and distribution system. Between 2005 and 2015 the Ontario government spent $50 billion on the system. The investments are funded partially through the global adjustment line on hydro bills.
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Wellington opens OJHL playoffs with two wins
Wynne promises to cut rates by 25 per cent
ADAM BRAMBURGER
County maple producers were as excited as anyone with the early thaw in February, but they're in no hurry to see consistently warmer weather as spring draws near. Ron Hubbs has been producing maple syrup near Rednersville for over 40 years. He says he's never a start to the season as positive as what he experienced this year. "The season started off really great. We've made 400 mL per tap already and it's only the first of March. We're really tickled pink with the season. The syrup has been nice coloured as well," he said. "It's not even close to other years. It's been exceptional." Hubbs said that's simply because warm weather arrived by the middle of February. Clifford Foster agreed it's been an abnormally good start to the year. Foster's family has been pro- MAKING MAPLE MEMORIES Clockwise from top left, maple syrup producers Todd Vader, Rob Peck, Ron Hubbs, Chris Armstrong, Justin Williams, John ducing syrup at a 7,500-tap wood- Squair,John Nyman,Jessie Armstrong,Michelle Nyman,Sacha Squair,Susan Vader,and Clifford Foster are preparing to welcome visitors to their sugar bushes lot on East Lake since 1924. One of the elder statesmen of the local to celebrate the 16th edition of the popular Maple in the County festival March 25-26. (Adam Bramburger/Gazette staff) industry, Foster has lived on the lake his entire life and he can't remember seeing ice give way to open water in February. "That's a new one for me," he said. The lack of ice on the on County Rd. 32, and Loha to see some new producers municipality. ADAM BRAMBURGER inland lake was an indicator Patrons visiting local sugar Farms on Lucks Crossroad will coming online. STAFF WRITER that sap would likely be run"They're younger people getbushes for Maple in the County open their gates. ning early this year. At Foster- There will be even more to enjoy will be able to enjoy the sights Clifford Foster, of Foster- ting involved, and that's good holm Farms, that proved true. It March 25-26 as local maple syrup and the tastes at three addition- holm Farms, one of the longest- to see. They've all been at it for a has meant a lot of work recently. producers welcome the public to al sugar bushes this year as running maple syrup producers long time," he said. join in Sweet 16 celebrations for Roblin's Maple Syrup on Coun- in the county alongside Vader's See MAPLE, page 11 See SYRUP, page 9 the largest tourism event in the ty Rd. 35, Justin's Maple Syrup Maple Syrup, said he's pleased
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