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Thank you

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

Dear Orangeville Citizen:
Thanks for being such a great, local newspaper. I read it faithfully every week.
I like your in depth reporting of local issues and, especially, your editorial section.
A wide variety of writers’ thoughts and opinions…. the way all newspapers should be.
Keep up the good work…I’m a big fan!

Marion Herron
Mono, Ont.

Archive

Use of Former Rail Line as public trail

April 11, 2024   ·   1 Comments

A few weeks ago, someone wrote a mini editorial in this paper that expressed their dismay at the Town of Orangeville’s decision to close the Orangeville Brampton Rail Group rail line from Orangeville to Brampton. 

I did not save the article but recall, in general, that the writer believed the decision to sell the property was short-sighted and described the plan to convert the property to a recreational trail as being an ill-conceived idea.

My purpose for writing today is twofold: to provide some key details that were not mentioned in the article, and to provide some information on the importance and benefits of trails.

As mentioned in the article OBRAG was closed in 2021 after 21 years of operation. While operating, it served to keep about five Orangeville businesses in operation. During this period the Town of Orangeville was responsible for paying all municipal land taxes on the entire 55 km of the line. That cost the Town between $400,000 and $450,000 per year or between $8,000,000 and $9,000,000 over the 21-year operating period.

In addition, the businesses that used the line paid over $13,000,000 in operating costs during this period per their agreement with the Town. 

OBRAG chair Dan Braniff said in December 2020 “…usage of active members and rail traffic in Brampton decreased significantly in the last two to three years due to number of economic factors. Some of those same factors frustrated efforts to attract new users…the required annual re-investment …is not sustainable…”

The Town sold five acres of the land to the City of Brampton for $24.25 million, which is a little over $5 million per acre. The Region of Peel acquired 51 km of the abandoned line for $5.8 million funded from its Regional Green Lands Securement Program. The bulk of this distance has been transferred to Caledon, Brampton, Orangeville, and Mississauga for trail development. 

That is quite a lot of money for a few small businesses and a small municipality to spend, but all were supportive of the initiative. Also, 21 years is a pretty good effort to try and support local businesses. 

The writer also chastised the Town as being short-sighted for not retaining the property for possible future use as a commuter rail transport service connecting Orangeville to Brampton.

Metrolinx Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for planning and providing rail transportation services in Ontario. Its 2023-24 business plan is available for viewing online. This annual planning document coincides with its long-term development strategy looking to 2041.

As near as I can see from a cursory view of the plan there is no mention of including any connections to Orangeville. The closest reference to the Orangeville geographic area is the improvement to Brampton to the West to East direction. So, while there may be a slight chance of some connections to Orangeville in the long term past 2041 it does not seem likely to me at least. North/South connections will continue to focus on larger populations with existing connections such as Kitchener/Waterloo, Guelph, and Stouffville.

It is possible in my view that the current GO Bus service from Brampton to Orangeville could be expanded if and when population growth in the Orangeville area warrants it.

Trail Development and Use

The World Health Organization recognizes physical inactivity as the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.

Walking is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to increase your level of physical activity and can be practiced on a year-round basis by all age groups.

Public trails are one of the best resources available for us to get outdoors and get moving to a healthier life. Better personal health reduces the cost of medical services significantly and leads to increased healthy longevity.

In addition, trails, due to their linear nature, can be used to support other essential municipal infrastructure including sewer, water, communication systems, energy (e.g. gas) lines, and electrical services at significantly reduced cost. For example: sections of the Caledon Trailway have been used to provide buried sewer, water, gas and communications lines to various communities within the Town. Using the trail as the out to provide these essential services has saved the municipality and Region hundreds of thousands of tax dollars. 

The number of people using trails for a variety of activities is expansive. In a seven-year period, from 2012-2017, the Caledon Trailway counted 539,904 users.

In 2023 alone the Island Lake Trail near Orangeville counted 250,700 users. If you include the other eight trails in the Credit Valley Conservation Authority, the total is 988,000 people.

If the users of the Caledon Trailway and Island Lake trail each spent $2 in their communities, it would generate a little over $1.5 million in revenue. 

I contacted the town of Orangeville to determine the number of people using its trails, but unfortunately, it does not regularly track this data. The Towns 2019 Trails and Cycling Master Plan does recommend that it undertake a trail user data collection process as soon as possible to better manage its trail systems. 

It is important to note three additional points regarding costs for the development and maintenance of the trail that will be established on this line. First: each municipality will be responsible for developing and maintaining the trail established in their respective jurisdictions. Second: most of the abandoned line to be refurbished as a trail lies outside of Orangeville’s boundaries in Caledon and Brampton. Orangeville will be responsible only for developing and maintaining trials developed within its municipal boundaries. 

Orangeville currently has 20.8 km of multi-use trails and 3.9 km of greenway trails. 

The Town of Orangeville has budgeted $ 1,372,840 in its 2024 capital budget for trail development including completion of the section of trail along the old rail line from Broadway to Town Line. The work will include required grading, addition of granular materials, asphalt, tactile plates, road crossings, painting, signage, and rest areas. According to the Town’s Cycling and Trails Master Plan (p.60), the estimated cost to maintain paved multi-use trails is between $700 and $2,300 per kilometre. I have contacted the Town of Orangeville staff to determine the amount of funding in the 2024 budget for trail maintenance but have not heard back as of this writing.

In conclusion: the Town of Orangeville and its taxpayers supported local businesses that needed the old rail service for 21 years with between $8 and $9 million dollars. The likelihood of Metrolinx establishing a commuter rail service to Orangeville in the foreseeable future is very slight at best. The decision to utilize the old rail line for public trails will provide Orangeville and area residents with extensive health, environmental, and economic benefits for many years to come. 

Graham Burke

Orangeville, Ont.

Archive

Carbon Tax

April 11, 2024   ·   1 Comments

To the Editor,

In your March 28th edition of the Citizen, our MP Kyle Seeback bought that half page flap with our money to promote anger about the Carbon tax.  He is full of vitriol about the increased tax of April 1st and how much Canadians are going to spend over the next year. Yes, we will pay more at the pumps and for heating, but if you do a bit of due diligence, you can come out ahead.  I am getting more in rebates than I spend on the tax. 

Those people with several cars, oversize houses, snowmobiles, skimobiles, lawn tractors, etc. will pay more than they get in rebates. So, simply cut back and stop complaining. The fact is that the experts (those that actually know about things, as compared to fear mongering politicians) say we have reduced our emissions and that a carbon tax is the cheapest way to continue to do so. Industries have reduced their carbon footprint by several percent. I have not heard one conservative politician suggest a better way of reducing emissions.  If you think the climate is changing for the worse, start thinking with your head instead of your wallet.  If you deny climate change, get your head out of the sand. I am not a fan of Trudeau because of his foot dragging and obfuscation, but I am in favour of the carbon tax.

Hugh Molesworth

Orangeville, ON

Archive

Climate Emergency

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

Sir:

On the evening of Tuesday, March 26, in Shelburne ’s Mel Lloyd Centre, the second of three meetings of Grey, Dufferin and Wellington County residents was held to announce details of a proposed tri-county green environment plan to upgrade federal and Ontario building codes to accommodate “green energy” programs.  The proposal involves strengthening the standards for structures, electrical outlets, etc. so that solar panels can be installed on roofs and cars can be recharged from electrical sockets in garages.  Additional limits may be applied to water sources, septic systems, chimneys, home heating, etc.
But we don’t know the details because the tri-county initiative is not yet organized in any meaningful way, and because the attendees were surprised by the purpose of the meeting.
Most of the approximately two dozen audience members were not regular attendees of the Dufferin Landowners meetings and consequently unaware that Dufferin County Council had declared a “climate emergency.” The effect of any agreement attached to “global warming” was loudly rejected by the audience, who outshouted the presenters, blaming them for the declaration.  Three or four of those present were disappointed that they could not hear the presentation, and left or moved to another room.
The meeting had been scheduled for an hour of brief, followed by an hour of discussion.  The first hour was instead devoted to calming the audience, the second to breaking up into informal groups to discuss the matter.  Talk continued until the building was closed.  Some participants left notes for the staff describing their opinions.
Clearly, Dufferin County citizens at the meeting are dead set against a “climate emergency,” and likely their councillors will hear about it.

Charles Hooker
Secretary, DLA

Archive

I’m the tax man

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

“If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street,

If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat,

If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat,

If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.”

In case you don’t recognize those lyrics, they are from the song Taxman, written by George Harrison and released on the Beatles album ‘Revolver’ in 1966.

At the time, the Beatles were making a lot of money, and most of it was disappearing in taxes thanks to the progressive tax system in the U.K. at the time.

I’ve never understood why people who make more money must pay more of a percentage of their money in taxes. Why is a person penalized for being successful?

The thought process by the government is, if you make more, you can afford to pay more of a percentage of your earnings.

If there is going to be an income tax, it should be a fair, across-the-board rate.

Several years ago, a poverty group in Toronto staged a protest in the Forest Hill neighbourhood. For some reason, they decided to protest against affluent people who had a lot of money and blame them for others not having as much.

The protest pretty much fell flat, because it made no sense to blame others for being successful.

One homeowner, who wasn’t too happy about having protesters in front of his house blaming him for their situation, had a good response.

He stated, that he and his neighbours, were wealthy because they worked hard for 30 years building a business, and also employed a lot of people who relied on them to feed their families.

Taxes are necessary to keep our society functioning and pay for things like roads, parks, infrastructure, defence, and government programs.

However, there comes a point where you are just crushing your citizens under the tax burden.

You are taxed before you even collect your pay cheque when your basic income is reduced by taxes before the money is even in your bank account. And that’s just the start of it.

Everything you do, just to live, is taxed in some way or another.

Buy a car to get to work? You’ll pay 13 percent extra on that vehicle, then pay taxes on the required insurance, tax on auto repairs to keep it running, and a huge amount of tax just to put gas in the tank – and you haven’t even driven to work yet.

You’re taxed on the home you live in, the insurance you pay to protect it, and all necessary repairs to keep a roof over your head. You are even taxed on a lot of food items. Why is there a tax on a hamburger just because someone else prepared it for you? You still have to eat regardless of where the food comes from. Then the business that sold the hamburger is taxed on the few dollars they made for putting a slice of tomato and some lettuce on that burger.

Then there are the hidden taxes you probably don’t even know about.

During race season, I enjoy going to Woodbine Race Track to watch the thoroughbreds compete. I don’t bet a lot, but I know enough about it to come out even or a few bucks ahead every week.

Every time a bet is placed at a racetrack, the government gets a piece of the action through the provincial Race Track Tax. Every bet has a percentage deducted by the race track and paid in tax. You’re being taxed on something that may or may not happen in your favour, and produces no real product. You’re being taxed for having some fun.

Then there are the huge taxes on things like liquor, beer, and tobacco, called ‘sin-taxes.’ That’s why a bottle of Jack Daniels is so expensive. It seems your rate of punishment is determined by how much you enjoy something.

Canada is a wealthy nation with much of the government’s income coming directly from its residents.

For the most part, those taxes are spent responsibly and there are enough checks and balances to make sure those dollars are well spent.

However, it is still the responsibility of all of us to be aware of government spending and how all of our money is used.

When we are paying as much tax as we are, it is every citizens’ responsibility to be aware of where that money goes.

Archive

Middle East: A bigger war?

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

What should you do when your government assures you that everything is under control and says there is no need to buy generators, stock up on food and withdraw money from the bank?

You should immediately get your money out of the bank, stock up on food, and buy a generator. Don’t forget to get extra fuel for the generator, and for the car. But it’s probably too late to invest in a blast shelter.

An Israeli army spokesman did tell the citizens not to engage in panic buying a week ago, just after Israeli missiles killed seven officers of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Iranian embassy in Syria. It was a major escalation in the decades-long confrontation between Israel and Iran, for no apparent reason.

It was the first time Israel has killed Iranian officials since the start of the Gaza war six months ago, although there is a regular exchange of artillery and rocket fire between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in northern Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Islamist militia in southern Lebanon.

Iran has promised to retaliate for the Damascus killings, but the IDF’s chief of staff, General Herzi Halevi, told the public on TV that his forces “can handle Iran. We can act forcefully against Iran in places near and far.” With reassurances like that, what could possibly go wrong?

One possible flaw in the plan is that Israel may not be able to ‘handle’ Iran, given that Hezbollah has a huge rocket force in southern Lebanon (between 40,000 and 150,000 missiles), including some thousands of highly accurate GPS-guided missiles with half-tonne warheads that can reach anywhere in Israel.

Hezbollah also has a large and well-trained infantry force (40,00-100,000 men) that fought the IDF to a standstill when Israel invaded southern Lebanon to root out Hezbollah’s missiles (then much fewer in number) in 2006.

Why would Israel risk that kind of war by striking Iran when the IDF is already so heavily committed in Gaza?

There is no good answer for Israel as a whole, but it could serve the interests of this particular Israeli government led by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu very well. For Netanyahu is running out of road.

For the past six months Israel’s indispensable US ally has loyally backed its war in Gaza despite the appalling death toll of Palestinian civilians (now 33,000 plus an estimated 10,000 more buried under the rubble). But even President Joe Biden is now demanding a ceasefire and food aid for the starving survivors.

A ceasefire would almost certainly involve the collapse of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government, leaving him exposed to conviction in the corruption trial currently paused by the war.

Once the war ends, he will probably face further charges for his cynical policy towards Hamas over the years, which was to keep Hamas strong in order to keep the Palestinians divided. To that end, he turned a blind eye to the large transfers of money and arms that went to Hamas via Qatar in the long years of his premiership.

Netanyahu therefore needs the war to continue. He probably doesn’t have a clear plan for how winning more time will get him out of his troubles – I certainly can’t think of one – but if he keeps the war going long enough, something might eventually come along to save him.

That is why his government made an unprovoked attack on Iranian senior officers in Damascus: to keep the war going even at the cost of opening up a new front with Hezbollah. If the IDF has trouble in dealing with that, he will call on American air power to save him. And if that enmeshes the United States in a war with Iran, he wins the jackpot.

None of this may happen if Iran can refrain from striking back against Israel in the short term, and also keeps Hezbollah on a fairly short leash. The mullahs in Tehran are highly motivated to avoid a foreign war since they have only just survived a major non-violent challenge to their power at home.

Only some of it will happen if Hezbollah is unleashed, but the United States refuses to back Israel in a ‘war of choice’ that was started by Netanyahu to save himself. This is a viable option for the United States because Israel itself would not need to be saved: Hezbollah has lots of rockets and strong defensive power, but no ability to take and hold Israeli territory.

And if it all happens, then Biden loses the November election for getting the US into another foreign war, Netanyahu stays in power, and his good buddy Donald Trump is back in the White House.

Archive

Want to fix the economy? Start by fixing our tax system

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Frank Stronach

For most Canadians, April is the time of year when frustration and anger over our convoluted, loophole-ridden tax system is at its highest.

For those looking for tax relief this year, there’s not much hope. On the contrary, Canadians got hit with several tax hikes earlier this month, including payroll tax increases and an increase to the carbon tax levied on gas and home heating fuel.

Those hoping for simpler, easier-to-fill-out forms will also be disappointed. With each passing year, the tax system gets more complicated, with new forms and new layers of tax credits for everyone from remote workers to families who add a second living unit to their home.

Everyone knows the tax system is broken and needs to be fixed, but nothing ever gets done to make it simpler, fairer and easier.

Over the years Canada’s personal income tax code has swelled in size and gotten more complex with thousands of mind-boggling passages like the following:

“Subsection 18.1(10) applies where (a) a taxpayer’s particular right to receive production to which a matchable expenditure (other than an expenditure no portion of which would, if this section were read without reference to subsections 18.1(7) and 18.1(10), be deductible under subsection 18.1(3) in computing the taxpayer’s income) relates has expired or the taxpayer has disposed of all of the right (otherwise than in a disposition to which subsection 87(1) or 88(1) applies).”

As the example above shows, the current tax system is far too tangled to ever unknot. It needs to be scrapped and replaced with something far less complicated.

In terms of personal income, I would create a dead-simple, black-and-white income tax formula with a clear progression in tax rates. Like the current system, those making more would pay more. The main difference, however, is there would be no loopholes or write-offs, and the tax rates would be much lower for the majority of Canadians.

Come tax filing time, to figure out how much you owe, all you would need are two numbers – the tax rate for your income bracket and the exact amount of income you earned.

The end result of this proposed reform is that our personal income tax system would be straightforward, clear-cut and easy to understand. Most Canadians would pay less. And because of the elimination of all exemptions, loopholes and write-offs, the very rich would end up paying more.   

I would further overhaul the tax system by undertaking a number of other major reforms.

The most important of these would apply to small businesses, the main drivers of economic prosperity and job creation in Canada. I propose completely eliminating corporate income tax for small businesses with fewer than 300 employees.

For large and medium-sized companies with more than 300 employees, I would replace the current corporate income tax with a corporate sales tax and eliminate all deductions, tax credits and exemptions. The new tax rate would be somewhere between two to eight percent and would be applied only on annual sales.

The one guiding principle with all of these tax reforms is simplify, simplify, simplify.

The proposed reforms, if enacted, would also make our tax system fairer. Instead of doling out breaks to the rich and other special interests, the system would provide badly needed tax relief to the average working Canadian and small businesses.

If we want to get our economy firing on all cylinders, we need to first fix our tax system.

To learn more about how we can improve Canada’s economy and increase living standards, email me at info@economiccharter.ca.   

Archive

Eclipsed

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

Well, we bought some glasses – the real thing, mind you, with which to watch the full eclipse on Monday of this week. We sat outside with the funny little cardboard “glasses,” that had hoops for our ears and complied with the ISO-12312-2 international safety standard, of which even NASA would approve. Minimal as they were, we placed them up to our eyes. Then, we couldn’t see anything because with those glasses nothing else mattered – only the edging eclipse overhead, only the brilliant glow of a crescent sun, pulsating behind the dominant moon – one rarely thinks of the humble moon as being dominant. 

Just goes to show it could happen to anybody.

To be fair, we watched with fascination the creeping of the moon’s black shadow to conceal the sun with almost total success where we sat outside on cushions. The area around us greyed as though a thin blanket had been tossed over the park and street but never bringing the deep darkness such as this eclipse inflicted. Not like Niagara Falls where there was genuine and deep darkness and a full view of the sun entirely behind the moon, presenting its startling “Diamond ring” effect.

It is interesting that such a small distance between us, where we were and Niagara Falls, relative to the very big space between the moon and the sun should nevertheless make such a difference in the show itself. Ours was a clear sky yet, a very partial view of the grand event that was the sun entirely behind the moon, its fabulous corona’s blazing circle on full display. Ours seemed to move so quickly while the video show in Niagara felt as though it lasted long enough to thrill.

To think that we were a mere [just under] 200 kilometres from the best view of the eclipse in Niagara Falls but that tiny distance, compared to the vastness of space and the distance between the sun, the moon and us made such a difference in the view that we all had. We did not experience anything like full darkness nor the magnificence of the fiery corona overhead. 

I never thought of space as being measured in inches. Like remembering that time is a matter of minutes in contrast to how endless it is too. We think of ourselves as the inventors of time because before there was earth and before there was us, there was no need for time, no concern to measure our lives in what we have done and how much time it took us to do it. 

We miss the point of having time and distance, yearning instead for dominance over them. 

We yearn for dominance over everything we know but dominance demands cruelty because it is never given, so, it must be taken. There is an excellent website: World History Encyclopedia which offers a weekly newsletter that covers stories of people and events over thousands of years. These are well-researched and quite authoritative. Founded by German-born Jan van der Crabben [www.worldhistory.org] they recently made a video of him talking about creating the website, his motives and what it has taken to come as far as it has, as an excellent reference tool and a very interesting weekly read. During this interview, van der Crabben was asked who he admired most, and what individual in history had made the biggest impression on him. Before his answer came, I knew it and was disappointed.

Alexander the Great.

Alexander epitomizes mankind for his energy, brilliance, aggressiveness, manipulativeness, and insatiable determination to conquer for the bare sake of conquest, mindless to the toll that inflicts on those being overrun. Tremendous statues thousands of years old portray him as the incredible master of military supremacy. Mr. van der Crabben did admit that others feel Alexander was a ruthless, murderous, [he did not say] mindlessly savage invader of other lands. The statues show Alexander as a muscular youth, his face frozen in ferocity, on his magnificent rearing horse ready to do its master’s bidding.

It is a true mystery how we spend our tiny minutes. There are not nearly enough of them in any one lifetime to waste. Yet, we spend so many of them fighting and causing fear, in being afraid. We forget for much of our tiny time here that we have one particular job and that is to do right and kindly by each other. This is not a stand built on religion or a grand philosophy I might not be able to sell you but on simple practicality and common sense.

If we the system, the voters, the individuals understand in a fundamental place in our psyches that it is a more efficient way to run our societies, more economical, cleaner air – all that – to see to it that everyone is okay, that everyone should live with enough – or even better – for a society that is healthy.

Here is not communism, no overbearing government – there will always be people who have more than others because they could see how but not because they oppressed and stole from others.

Greed is not an excuse for the troubles we see.

General News

National Volunteer Week to be recognized in Dufferin County

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

Volunteer Dufferin is joining Volunteer Canada and communities nationwide in celebrating National Volunteer Week (NVW) from April 14 to 20.

The annual celebration presents the opportunity to thank volunteers for their contributions and recognize the vital role they play in the overall well-being of the communities they reside in.

This year’s theme is Every Moment Matters.

“It highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make at a moment when we need support more than ever. Moment by moment we can move collectively from surviving to thriving again,” said Volunteer Dufferin in a press release.

Sheralyn Roman, community engagement coordinator with Volunteer Dufferin, noted the importance of National Volunteer Week at the local level.

“While it might be challenging to explain the true economic impact of volunteering, the intangible benefits are innumerable. Volunteering reduces social isolation, fosters inclusivity and a sense of community by connecting us with one another, and it supports the capacity of local nonprofits, service clubs, sports and social groups to meet the diverse needs of our growing population,” said Roman.

“Celebrating National Volunteer Week is just one of the many ways we’re able to say thank you to the people who really do help to make life better in so many ways, all across Dufferin County.”

#EveryMomentMatters is a reminder that every moment of their time that a volunteer gives will benefit their community in immeasurable ways.

“Volunteering builds a strong sense of belonging and purpose, and provides many benefits for the giver as well. Dufferin is a very giving and connected community. To all the volunteers across Dufferin County and beyond, we can’t thank you enough,” said Volunteer Dufferin.

Everyone is encouraged to join the celebration of National Volunteer Week 2024, from April 14 to 20.

Local events and actions marking the week are taking place throughout Dufferin County.

Municipal proclamations will be made throughout at various council meetings throughout the region.

On Wednesday April 17 at noon, Orangeville Mayor Lisa Post will read the proclamation at Orangeville Town Hall. All are welcome to attend and show support for volunteers.

Email and social media campaigns will invite residents to share volunteer stories.

Volunteer Dufferin provides an online platform for people who want to volunteer and the organizations who need them through its website: volunteerdufferin.ca. Their mission is to foster volunteerism and community connection across Dufferin County.

As a project of Headwaters Communities in Action (HCIA), and with funding from the County of Dufferin, Volunteer Dufferin helps more than 2,750 registered volunteers and 182 member organizations connect.

General News

HFFA to host spring dinner to support local food industry

April 11, 2024   ·   0 Comments

The Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance will be promoting local food providers and encouraging community engagement at its Spring Dinner event at Mrs. Mitchell’s restaurant

By Joshua Drakes

For those interested in organic, locally sourced food, the Headwaters Food and Farming Alliance (HFFA) is holding a Spring Dinner event on April 18. Attendees will enjoy a good meal and learn about local agricultural initiatives.

Marci Lipman, co-chair of the HFFA, said that connecting farmers and consumers is their goal.

“We try to educate people about where their food comes from,” said Lipman. “We want to connect eaters with the farmers, the ones who produce their food so that people can understand where it comes from, who grows it, and how it’s grown.”

This spring dinner event is part of that initiative. The food served will be provided by local farmers at Mrs. Mitchell’s Restaurant, located at 887395 Mono-Mulmur Townline, Violet Hill.

Lipman said that anyone that’s looking to learn more about local agriculture, or simply wants a fresh, locally served meal, should come to the dinner.

“If you’ve never been to Mrs. Mitchell’s, it’s a very big treat, it’s a beautiful restaurant,” she said. “Come for a really delicious meal and in a beautiful venue and learn about local farming. It’s a very special evening.

“It’s a social event, so people come in and they see their friends, or they meet new people. And then we have a farmer, one or two who come and speak and tell us about what they do on their farm,” Lipman added. 

“They start a dialogue. And people can then ask the farmer, ‘how is this carrot grown?’ Or ‘how is this potato grown?’ Or ‘do you use fertilizers?’ Or ‘is this beef grass fed?’ Things like that.”

The dinner is one way the HFFA’s mission is carried out. Putting consumers in direct connections with farmers will encourage even more local dialogue or similar events. Lipman said that currently, a lot of locals don’t know about the farms and the products that can be sourced within a few minute’s drive from town.

“There are a couple of points of having local food that is accessible to people,” she said. “One of them is that it doesn’t travel. We have a very good farmers’ market in town. If you go to the market in the spring, you can buy every kind of greens that’s grown maybe a couple of kilometers from your home. It doesn’t have to get in a truck and come from California and pollute the whole world with fossil fuels.”

Lipman added that it’s also beneficial for the local economy.

“You’re putting money in your neighbor’s pocket,” Lipman said. “And that farmer can go and buy their groceries in a local store or buy their feed for their chickens in a local store. So You’re creating a circular economy.”

Admission to the dinner is $100 and seating is limited.

Visit headwatersfoodandfarming.square.site to buy tickets.