Vol. 105 No. 50
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014
Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
24 pages
Phone: 306-948-3344
$1.25
www.biggarindependent.ca
Minister Ritz appointments Donahue to Farm Products Council of Canada A griculture
Minister Gerry Ritz announced December 3 the appointment of Chantelle Donahue of Biggar to the Farm Products Council of Canada (FPCC). Donahue’s appointment to the Council is for a three-year term effective immediately. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Chantelle Donahue to the Farm Products Council of Canada,” said Ritz. “Ms. Donahue brings with her strong leadership skills which, together with her vast experience and knowledge of the agriculture sector, will undoubtedly be assets to the Council’s work.” Donahue is from Biggar where she is co-owner of family grain and oilseed farm. She is also VicePresident of Corporate Affairs for Cargill, Limited. Donahue currently sits on a number of agricultural councils and associations. She is presently Chair of the Canada Grains Council and the Western Grain Elevator Association
Management Committee. Committee, the steering She is also Cocommittee for Chair of the the Roundtable Agriculture for Sustainable and AgriFood Beef and a C a n a d a representative on G r a i n s the Agriculture Roundtable a n d A g r i - Fo o d a n d , Canada Beef Canadian Va l u e C h a i n Roundtable R o u n d Ta b l e . f o r Recently, she was Sustainable Chantelle Donahue Director for the C r o p s , Canadian Agria n d V i c e - C h a i r f o r Food Trade Alliance. the Barley Council of Donahue holds a Bachelor Canada. Donahue sits of Commerce (Cooperative on boards for Cereals P r o g r a m ) f r o m t h e Canada, Malting Industry University of Alberta. Association of Canada, T h e F P C C ’s r o l e i s the Canadian National to provide oversight of Millers Association, and t h e n a t i o n a l s u p p l y Ag-West Bio Inc. She management agencies for is also a member of the poultry and eggs, as well Canada Meat Council Beef as to supervise national
Vehicle thefts on the rise, RCMP warn Between January 1, 2012 and September 30, 2014 reported vehicle thefts in the Biggar, Battlefords, Unity, Cut Knife, Maidstone, Rosetown, Rosthern and Warman Detachment areas have exceeded $2 million in value. The bulk of these thefts
have been vehicles of significant value from rural properties, most often left unlocked with the keys in them. In some instances they may have been stored in quonset huts or other outbuildings, providing a false sense of security for the owners.
promotion and research agencies for farm products. The FPCC is responsible for administering two federal laws, the Farm Products Agencies Act (FPAA) and the Agricultural Products
Marketing Act (APMA). The FPCC is composed of between three and seven members who are appointed by the Governor in Council upon the recommendation of the
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. The Chairman is also the Deputy Head of the organization and the only full-time Council member.
Puck battles . . . Biggar Novice Nats battle for the puck against the visiting Unity, Sunday. The heated battle ended in the favour of the Nats by a commanding 13-8 score. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam) The thieves are ranging over a wide area, entering yard sites during the night and stealing vehicles,trailers and other equipment that is easily started or moved. On occasion they are breaking into outbuildings to do
Happy Jolly Santa Smile . . . When the man in the December 3. Students and staff had the opportunity to red suit shows up, smiles magically appear, and at St. bend Santa’s ear, and have a picture taken as he readies Gabriel School, smiling for Jolly St. Nicholas was a given, for the big day! (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)
so, but for many of these vehicles, the theft could not happen without the keys being present, especially with newer vehicles and chipped key technology. On one recent occasion, a property owner discovered the thieves in the act and went out to confront them, nearly being run over by the vehicle being stolen, so police are strongly urging the public not to make any attempts to physically confront or stop would be thieves and risk harm to themselves. Police are also encouraging property owners to take proactive steps to secure their property by locking up vehicles and equipment, removing the ignition keys from them and the buildings they may be stored in entirely. Police also recommend the installation of motion detecting security lighting in yard sites and on outbuildings that store vehicles and equipment of value. There are also options available to install motion detecting driveway and yard alarms that alert residents to someone entering the property, more information on these options should be available
from various security and alarm companies. Should any property owner discover would-be thieves on their property, call 911 immediately and try to gather as much detail as possible on vehicle and suspect descriptions and direction of travel, should they depart before police response arrives. Since Jan. 1, 2012, the Battlefords Rural RCMP Detachment has had 385 complaints of stolen vehicles, trailers, ATVs and/or snowmobiles. In that same time frame, there has been 291 recovered, although not all the recovered property was originally stolen from the Battlefords Detachment area. Many of the vehicles being stolen are being recovered in the rural area south of the Battlefords, stripped of tires, suspension and drive-train parts. Police suspect the thieves are reselling these parts, some of which would have significant value, such as engines, transmissions, differentials et cetera. If you have information about this call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477).