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39 Renfrew Ave.W., W., Unit Raglan St. S.1, 39 342 Renfrew Ave. Unit 1, Box 100, Renfrew K7V 4A2 Renfrew K7V 1R5 P.O.P.O. Box 100, Renfrew K7V 4A2 Pager Pager 1-888-717-9181 Pager1-888-717-9181 1-888-717-9181
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Year 142, Issue 4
Thursday, August 2, 2012 • 48 pages
www.yourottawaregion.com
Now a waiting game, after ag minister asks for drought relief
After the storm: The cleanup continues across the region. – Pages 5, 6, 7
Emma Jackson and Steve Newman steve.newman@metroland.com
How ironic! On Tuesday, Ontario Minister of Agriculture Ted McMeekin announced that the Liberal government has asked the federal government to consider using a disaster relief process to help drought-stricken farmers across the province. But the second of two announcements at farms in the region came with something farmers couldnĘźt beg, borrow or steal for a month — rain. McKeekin ďŹ rst visited the Foster Farms where he said he has ofďŹ cially asked Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to begin the process of determining which parts of Ontario can quality for ďŹ nancial support through the AgriRecovery disaster relief program, as a result of the extremely hot and dry weather. Just after 3 p.m., he made the same announcement at the corn and beef farm of Tracy and Ron Raddatz in AdmastonBromley where it rained for the best part of an hour.
Hillary MacMillan makes her mark in pageant competition. – Page 22 –
VARYING CONDITIONS
COC photo by Jason Ransom
“Conditions vary across the province,â€? McMeekin told a small gathering of farmers in North Gower earlier that day. “Some areas are reporting excellent crops, while some believe they are facing disaster.â€? The irony of the rain in Admaston-Bromley was not lost on the agriculture minister, who was joined on-site by representatives from a small handful of agricultural organizations, including Agricorp, the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Ontario CattlemenĘźs Association. Also in attendance were county ofďŹ cials. They included Renfrew County Warden Bob Sweet. Other than the minister, Sweet was the major speaker. “This is not just a rural issue, but an urban issue, in the County of Renfrew,â€? said Sweet, noting his own municipality of Petawawa normally has 1.5 days of water capacity in its well system, a capacity that has shrunk to six hours. “This is really about what we can do, and what has to be done, to assist the farming community. This is a very difďŹ cult time,â€? added Sweet. McKeekin then announced the request for an AgriRecovery assessment, as agriculture industry representatives, journalists and county staff crowded together, just out of the rain, on the Raddatz house porch.
The Renfrew BIA Festival of Family was a huge success. – Page 39 –
See McMEEKIN, Page 3
Middle-distance runner Melissa Bishop of Eganville is among the Team Canada members who enter the stadium with flag bearer Simon Whitfield at the opening ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics. Bishop is below the Canadian flag, walking between Canada’s chef de mission Mark Tewksbury and equestrian star Ian Millar of Perth.
Bishop’s Olympic countdown on Steve Newman steve.newman@metroland.com
Melissa BishopĘźs Olympic dream is moving into its next phase. ItĘźs less than a week until the Eganville middle-distance runner competes in the 2012 London Olympic GamesĘź opening round of the womenĘźs 800 metres. The buildup to that very ďŹ rst Olympic competition can be nerve-racking, but sheĘźs making the journey with a world of Canadian supporters behind her. Those include four family members who will be in the stands when she races about 11:35 a.m. London time, or 6:35 a.m. back home, on Wednesday, Aug. 8. She is one of two Canadians competing in
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the heats of the womenĘźs two-lap race on the track. The other is Jessica Smith of North Vancouver. Melissa, who turns 24 Aug. 5, will race with parents Doug and Alison in the stands along with her aunt and uncle, Donna and Robbie Hawkins of Cobden. SheĘźs gunning to advance to one of the three semi-ďŹ nals. Not hurting her conďŹ dence any was victory in a tune-up race in Dublin, Ireland last week. Her visibility on a team is also increasing, despite the Canadian Running magazine prediction earlier this year that Canada would be hard-pressed to qualify anyone in the 800 metres.