President's Colul11n Can the Tax and Spend Mentality be Stopped? Balanced Budgets Apparently Farm Bureau members across the country were deeply disappointed that the Don't Apply in D.C. U.S. House failed, by nine votes, to pass a balanced budget amendment to Although it should come as no surprise, leg- the Constitution. islators in Washington, D.C. turned their back All of the Michigan House Republican delegation voted in favor of the amendment, along one more time on fiscal responsibility, when with Democratic Rep. Bob Carr. The rest of the Michigan House Democratic delegation the House of Representatives failed to pass voted against the amendment. a constitutional amendment that would have required a balanced budget. The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-Texas), would have required a balanced budget by 1998 and would have mandated a three-fifths majority in the House and President Bush blasted the measure's oppo- Senate to breach a budget or raise the debt ceiling. The plan would also have required a nents for failing to recognize "the will of the constitutional majority (218 House members, 51 senators) to raise taxes. American people." Meanwhile, members of the House criticized the president for never Once again, the taxpayers of this nation have been frustrated in their efforts to slow down having submitted a balanced budget to Con- the runaway federal spending machine. Why does it seems next to impossible for gress. They point out that during Bush's lawmakers to understand the depth of feeling across this country in favor of lower tenure, the national debt has escalated to government expenditures? more than $4.1 trillion - more than $16,500 An insight into this dilemma comes from some research done by economist James Payne per U.S. citizen by some estimates. of Lytton Research & Analysis. Payne did a study of congressional hearings on spending How They Voted programs. He examined 14 different hearings on a wide variety of programs and tabulated The balanced budget came up just 10 votes the orientation of more than one thousand witnesses. Here are his results: short for a needed 290 votes. Nine of In favor of spending programs: 1,014 Against spending: 7 Michigan's Representatives voted no, and one did not vote. Their collective support Payne said that letters, phone calls and personal visits to Congressmen and congressional would have assured passage of the amend- aides all run overwhelmingly in favor of specific programs. Government agencies and ment. Farm Bureau urged a "Y" vote. government officials supplied most of the opinion and information to policymakers. "The city of Washington is overwhelmed by advocates of spending programs, " Payne said, "and Y - Supported Balanced Budget Amendment congressmen are exposed to their one-sided pitches day in and day out. Since there is N - Didn't Support Balanced Budget Amend- practically no one in the system who bothers to contradict this propaganda, the result is a ment considerable degree of brainwashing. In their heart of hearts, most legislators actually believe in spending programs. " ? - Did Not Vote The only way to shake this belief is for lawmakers to hear from real citizens out in the District Name Vote country. This summer election season offers a tremendous opportunity for you to make 1 John Conyers N your views known to your local congressman. Tell him that all federal spending, including 2 Carl Pursell Y entitlements, must be reduced by an across-the-board cut or spending freeze. Don't let 3 Howard Wolpe N him get away with trying to blame the executive branch for runaway federal spending. Hold y his feet to the fire by reminding him that all expenditure bills originate with Congress. 4 Fred Upton 5 Paul Henry Y In addition to talking to your congressman, consider actively working to elect people who 6 Robert Carr y are fiscally conservative. One of the criteria used to select the Farm Bureau AgriPAC "Friends of Agriculture" congressional endorsements listed in this issue of Rural Living is 7 Dale Kildee N commitment to federal spending restraint. 8 Bob Traxler ? 9 Guy Vander Jagt y Your Farm Bureau organization will continue to work in support of a balanced budget, across y 10 David Camp the board spending restraints without new taxes and a presidential line- y item veto. These are the elements that will help taxpayers regain control of the federal 11 Robert Davis government and move this country back on track toward economic growth and prosperity. 12 David Bonior N 13 Barbara Collins N ~cu-Ri~ 14 15 16 Dennis Hertel William Ford John Dingell N N N Jack Laurie, President 17 Sander Levin N Michigan Farm Bureau 18 William Broomfield Y RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 MACMA SALE COUPO "= •• A Publication of Michigan Farm Bureau Summer 1992 >- ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ... ~ "'0 0 .... ~ N :;, Photo: Michigan Travel Bureau == .... g. 8 ;:) co ~ ~ 0 0 0 ~ ii a) Q !. 0 ~ E ~~ 0 . ~~ I ~ ~::) ~ ~ ~ -a in In This Issue N 0 ~C (3 ~ c: ~ e ~ CD "'0 ~ :;, E c: 8. :;, <3 5 BOATERS AND RVs ~ u: i Plan to enjoy a safe summer ~ 6 HURON'S PHILP DRAIN ... --------------- Controversy surrounds drain improvement project 8 POLillCAL WINDS OF CHANGE ~ ::..: Redistricting and retirement plans could have ~ big impact in Michigan .S ~ ~ ~ 0 ... ~ CD "'0 9 ETHANOL AND THE ... E ~ N ...0 :;, CLEAN AIR ACT == ~ 0 ~ ~ CI) .~ ~ ~ ~ ~ !. Of Special Interest Myths and Facts about Ethanol 0 ~ ~ ~ =e ciI E 0. t3 ~ ~.... ~ N ~ CD 16 "FRIENDS OF AGRICULTURE" - .:= ~cu ~ CIS "'0 ~ 0- E 1 ~ c: Endorsements: Beginning on page 16, read about ~ ~CD 8. ::J MFB's candidate evaluation process and the 1992 ~ fij <3 Primary endorsements. Q) ..... i ~ ~ The RURAL LIVING (ISSN ---) is published Quarterly in the months of October, January, April, July, as a Q service to associate members, by Michigan Farm Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, MI 48917. Jan. 3D, 1992, Vol. 11, NO.2. Member subscription price of $1.50 included in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bureau associate --------------- >- members. Additional subscription fees reqUired for mailing Rural Living to non-members and outside the continental U.S.A. Application to mail at Second-Class Postage rates is pending at Lansing, MI and additional mailing offices. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Rural Living, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI 48909- 8460. ~ POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Rural Living, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI48909-8460. ~ jg 0 ... ~~ "0 cu (I) CD Editorial: Dennis Rudat, Editor and Business Manager. "E ~tS S g> ffi N 8 0 ... ::J g. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers; Connie Turbin; Donna Wilber; Henry Huisjen. == 0 ~.t ~ ! .... ~- >- c: !. Officers: Michigan Farm Bureau President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Administrative Director, Chuck Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; 0 ~ I ~ Q Secretary, William S. Wilkinson. ~ 0 . .~ ~ ~ ~ .::: I u; Directors: District 1, Jim Miller, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Diane Horning, N ~ CIS ::J 0- e "'0 ~ E c: Manchester; District 4, Tom Guthrie, Delton; District 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; ct ~ 8. District 7, Larry Snider, Hart; District 8, Richard Leach, Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; ~~ 8- CD District 10, Margaret Kartes, West Branch; District 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-large: Douglas Darling, Maybee; ::J ~ <3 g Jack Laurie, Cass City; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan Vosburg, Climax. Promotion and Education, Leona Daniels, Sterling. ~ Young Farmers, Steven Gonyea, Spruce. ~ ~ RURAL LIVING .SUMMER 1992 For Recreational Safety Tips Vehicles ... for Boaters ... , Follow a regular schedule of inspection and Remember that the three most common maintenance to make sure your RV- causes of boating fatalities are capsizing whether it's a van, trailer, truck camper, or (37 percent); falls overboard (24percent); motor home-is safe. Pay particular atten- and collision with other boats or objects (14 tion to tires, brakes, the suspension and percent). exhaust systems, the electrical system, Take a boating safety class offered by your and the bottled gas system. Read your local Power Squadron, Coast Guard Auxil- , owner's manual, and then read it again so iary, or Red Cross. Check with your insur- that you'll be thoroughly familiar with your ance agent to see if taking such a class will vehicle and its maintenance requirements. gain you a discount on your boat insurance. Know the carrying capacity of your vehicle. Know your boat's load limit, and don't And remember that even within weight exceed it. A safe boat is a well-equipped guidelines, improper load distribution can boat. Always carry the necessary safety overload an axle combination or a tire-wheel gear-and know how to use it. combination. Enjoya Check your tires before starting a trip and each morning when traveling. Maintain proper recommended tire pressure, and Have approved personal flotation devices on board, and keep them visible and acces- sible. Each year more than 90 percent of those who die in boating accidents drown- Safe carry your own tire gauge. Also check your fluid levels regularly - radiator, engine oil, power steering and brake fluid, and trans- mission. and in those fatalities, more than 75 percent of the victims are not wearing personal flotation devices. Summer Each morning before leaving a campground, check your brakes and lighting system. If your RV uses gas appliances, be alert to Knowing how to swim makes good sense if you spend time on the water. If you don't know how, learn. But remember, too, that even good swimmers do not always sur- signs of gasleaks. vive the shock or panic of sudden immer- If you're Inspect wiring abrasion. regularly for signs of sion in cold water. Learn the rules of navigation and observe the courtesies of safe boating. planning some Don't overload circuits. Be sure you have operating smoke detec- Don't overdo your boating fun. In three hours of normal boating, the noise, motion, tors and fire extinguishers in your RV. sun, wind, and glare can double your reac- outdoor fun Be sure your family knows what to do in tion time. case of fire. Hold periodic fire drills. Don't drink while boating. It is illegal, of with your boat When traveling, make sure all doors are closed and cabinets, drawers, and loose course, to operate a vessel while intoxi- cated - but even a drink or two may slow objects are secure. your reaction time, reduce your coordina- or recreational Keep a well-stocked first aid kit handy. And keep a tool box on hand with supplies tion, and increase your susceptibility to hypothermia. Alcohol is a factor in an esti- such as these: mated 50 percent of all boating fatalities. vehicle this • A roll of electrical tape. Be sure your boat is in good operating condition. Carry a few tools and some spare • A roll of friction tape. parts, and learn how to make minor repairs. summer, keep • An assortment of small hand tools. • An extra quart or two of engine oil, a can You might avoid the need for a rescue if you know how to take care of minor of brake fluid, and some windshield breakdowns. these safety tips washer fluid. • A few assorted wooden blocks. Follow the one-third rule in managing your • Highway warning devices or flares. fuel supply: Use a third of your fuel to go, a in mind: • Two flashlights. • Wire. third to get back, and keep a third in reserve. Have an enjoyable - and safe - sum- • Your tire gauge. mer season. • Spare fuses. RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 This portion of the drain is part of the seven-mile extension of the Philp Drain that is at the heart of the controversy and threatens a $7.5 million project and a four year process to improve the drain. Farmers and landowners along the Philp The controversy stems from an additional DNR in 1991 to have the project halted. The Drain in Huron County were fed up with seven-mile extension of the Philp Drain to DNR appealed the first decision to the poor drainage and ditches that overflowed improve gradient and flow of the drain. The Court of Appeals which upheld the Circuit onto their farmland every time there was a EPA and the DNR contend that under exist- Court's decision. A second appeal regard- heavy rainfall. In 1988, landowners began ing regulations and their interpretation of ing the need for permits under the Wet- the process for drainage improvement by the Clean Water Act and the Federal Inland lands Protection Act and the Inland Lakes submitting the necessary petitions for such Lakes and Stream Act, the Huron County and Streams Act is pending. Michigan Farm action to Huron County Drain Commis- Drain Commission needed permits to do Bureau's board of directors approved the sioner Vern Rounds. the extension. filing of a amicus curiae which would sup- Now, four years and $1.5 million dollars The county Drain Commission, on the other port the Circuit Court's ruling that the per- later in efforts to improve a drain originally hand, contends that under their interpreta- mits were not needed. established in 1896, Rounds says the tion of the law, the extension is nothing "The State Court of Appeals will be ad- project and the wishes of landowners are more than maintenance of an existing dressing the question of environmental pro- threatened. The Philp Drain improvement drain that doesn't require permits, accord- tection versus the right to and need for has been locked in a bitter controversy ing to Rounds. agricultural drainage," explained MFB between the Huron County Drain President Jack Laurie. "The decision they The Huron County Circuit Court agreed Commission, the Department of Natural put forth could have statewide implications with the county's interpretation of the law, Resources and now, the Environmental for Michigan agriculture, and the MFB blocking two unsuccessful attempts by the Protection Agency. Board felt it was imperative that the RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 Circuit Court's decision be upheld in the now convinced and very supportive of the Court of Appeals." The Huron County Drain Commission as- sumed that with three court rulings in their project," said Rounds. "The people, espe- cially the ones aggrieved by the water con- ditions and flooding, are certainly very happy AnEPA favor, the project could continue as origi- nally planned; end of discussion. Not so! and satisfied with the outcome of this project. " Despite several meetings and a lengthy Perspective Recently, administrative orders issued by approval process for the drainage improve- the Environmental Protection Agency, April Rural Living spoke with Gerald Winn, Re- ment project, and despite a meeting with 23, 1992, cite violations of the Clean Water gion Five EPA enforcement officer in the the DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife SeNice and Act and require that the county submit Wetlands and Watershed Section, which is Soil ConseNation SeNice in September of plans within 30 days "to restore wetlands 1989, the DNR did not notify the county that responsible for enforcing the EPA's Admin- and the streambed to its original condition a permit was needed for the extension of istrative Order. The following are comments and contours." the drain until June of 1991, according to from Winn in the Philp Drain controversy. "In October of 1991, we got our first con- Seidlein. tact from the U.S. Environmental Protec- "When we found that the DNR would not "All during 1990, we were essentially doing be permitted, if you will, to require that a tion Agency, essentially indicating that ON R design on the project and discussing the permit be issued for this project, EPA took had called them to become involved under wildlife area with the DNR," said Seidlein. a look at this and said "well, wait a minute a section of the Federal Clean Water Act, " "We met with them for the first time in here, even if the state regulations don't explained Jeff Seidlein, attorney for Huron 1989; we dealt with them all during 1990; apply according to the state courts, we still County. "Then in February of 1992 we we had a contract letter in March of 1991 for have the responsibility of making sure that received the first of the two administrative the project; we sold $1.5 million in bonds in federal laws are being applied." orders from the EPA." May of 1991; and then in June we get the At stake over the seven mile extension is an first letter from the DNR stating that we "EPA asserts that a vast majority of the estimated 25,000 to 30,000 acres of prime need a permit on the extension!" work that took place on Willow Creek was Huron County farmland that 500 property not a formerly maintained drainage ditch. Currently, the contractor is putting the fin- owners need drainage for in order to farm, Our bottom line is that there very well ishing touches to the 13-mile drain im- in addition to landowners seNed by six may have been drainage problems that provement project leveling the dredged other drains that empty into the Philp Drain. needed addressing, but we want to be sure material known as spills, doing some drain- Unlike other public works projects, the Philp age contouring and seeding the new drain that drainage is accomplished through the Drain project had widespread community banks. All of that is in jeopardy, however, as most environmentally sensitive approach support, says Rounds, with only two land- the county awaits further action by the EPA as practicable. owners challenging the necessity of the in a regulatory showdown of sorts. "What we're looking at, at this point in time, project. Despite an abnormally wet spring, "The EPA is aware that we are challenging is to get the county deputy drain commis- their jurisdiction at this point and have had sioner in this case to apply for a permit and discussions with legal counsel for the EPA go through the looking at what alternatives to sit down and have a meeting," said were available that could have accomplished Seidlein. "We can comply with the order or the same purpose with a reduced cost both we can contest it." economically and environmentally. According to Vern Rounds, the county has "The state of Michigan has assumed the had to spend nearly $35,000 in legal fees Section 404 program for the Federal Clean and another $15,000 in engineering consul- Water Act. They run that program as an tation fees for testimony in the first three equivalent of the federal wetlands program. court cases, costing Huron County taxpay- Michigan is the only state in the nation ers $50,000. That figure doesn't include that has done that. EPA has the responsibil- Huron County staff time and the costs of ity of keeping an eye on the way that the EPA and DNR staff time wasted on fighting The contractor for the Philp Orain state administers the federal woodlands this issue in the courts. improvement project puts the finishing programs. touches to the drainage bank's contour. "It's very odd and it's very unfortunate that we have to go through this," concluded "EPA retains the ability to comment on Rounds. "Drainage is important up here, proposals issued by the DNR under public Rounds says that farmers adjoining the notice. EPA also retains the ability to inter- especially for farmers - for that matter, good drain are getting crops in earlier than they vene in enforcement cases where the EPA drainage is important to every living soul in have for the past 30 years. finds that the state of Michigan is not taking the state of Michigan." "Even one of the landowners that originally an appropriate and timely action in an en- challenged the necessity for the project is forcement matter." RURAL LIVING. SUMMER 1992 Political Wi Change Blowing Across Michigan Whether it's redistricting, the house checking U.S. Rep. Dennis Hertel (D-Detroit) has also scandal, or a "throw the bums out" mentality, announced his retirement plans ratherthan face Michigan's political future is up for grabs with five term incumbent U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D- high stakes and surprises developing daily in Southfield). U.S. Rep. William Broomfield (R- both political parties. Birmingham) announced his retirement after In all, the reapportionment process has elimi- serving. 18 terms in the U.S. House. Rep. nated two U.S. House districts and changed the Broomfield was ranking minority member on boundaries of all the remaining 16 districts. On the Foreign Affairs Committee and also served the state level, all of the Michigan House of on the Small Business Committee. Representatives seats have been either From within the state of Michigan, 12-term renumbered or the boundaries rearranged. The state Rep. Mickey Knight (R-Muskegon) has Michigan Senate has seen all but a handful of announced that he won't seek re-election as district boundaries changed. have Reps. Claude Trim (R-Waterford), Thomas Who's Out Power (R-Traverse City), Perry Bullard (D-Ann From Washington, D.C., U.S. Rep. Bob Traxler's Arbor), Roland Niederstadt (D-Saginaw), John (D-Bay City) announced retirement was just Bennett (D-Redfordl, Stephen Dresch (R- one of many surprise announcements. Rep. Hancock), Thomas Hickner (D-Bay City), Keith Traxler served on the Appropriations Commit- Muxlow (R-Brown City), Gordon Sparks (R-Troy) tee and was a 1Q-term representative from the Margaret O'Connor (R-Ann Arbor), and Don Va~ 8th district. Singel (R-Grant). U.S. Rep. Bob Davis (R-Gaylord) has announced The overall impact of reapportionment should his retirement as well, an apparent victim of the be Qenerally beneficial to rural Michigan, ac- House banking scandal. Rep. Davis served on co:dlng to M~B Public Affairs Director, AI Almy. the Armed Services; Merchant Marines and With populatIon shifts to the more rural areas Fisheries (ranking minority member) Commit- Almy expects the number of the legislators with tees and was seven term representative from rural constituents will grow, resulting in a broader the 11th district. awareness of rural and agricultural issues. Other retirements thus far include: Reapportionment will provide county Farm Bu- U.S. Rep. Carl Pursell (R-Plymouth), an eight reau Candidate Evaluation Committees and term memberofthe U.S. House, announced his ~en:bers a special opportunity to review quali- decision to retire based on redistricting. Rep. fications of new candidates, by personal inter- Pursell served on the Appropriations Commit- views in ~any cases, and compare voting tee. records of Incumbents, to determine which will best address rural issues, in general, and Farm Seven-term U.S. Rep. Howard Wolpe (D-Lan- Bureau policy, specifically. sing) announced his intentions to retire based on redistricting that made a re-election cam- Almy says Farm Bureau members should care- paign unfeasible. Wolpe served on the Foreign fully review the MFB Agri PAC endorsements Affairs and Science, Space and Technology that result from the input of the Candidate Committees, and chaired the subcommittee on Evaluation Committee and actively support Investigations and Oversight. those candidates designated as "Friends of Agriculture. " RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 The Environmental Pro- Ethanol producers tection Agency's change worry, however, that in position on ethanol use such a partial elimination in reformulated gasolines has the effect of elimi- has the ethanol industry nating ethanol for good and the nation's farmers due to the size of af- wondering who's calling fected markets and the the shots in Washington, general reluctance of dis- D.C. tributors to switch back and forth. When the Clean Air Act was passed in 1990, the U.S. Sen. David farm community believed Durenberger (R-Minne- it would share in the sota) told a congres- growth market for oxy- sional panel that Con- genated fuels, leading to gress clearly intended increased demand for ethanol to playa major corn, sorghum, wheat role in the clean air pro- and other ethanol-produc- gram. "1 was one of a ing grains. Under the handful of members of Clean Air Act, drivers in Congress who negoti- nine cities with the worse ozone problems ated the Clean Air Act with the administra- would be required to use reformulated gaso- tion," he said. "I'm confident I know what line, containing a minimum of 2 percent oxygen beginning in 1995. Important to Congress intended to do. It was my intent - and Congress's intent - that ethanol playa major role in cleaning up America's air. EPA Ethanol has a proven track record in lower- ing emissions. Just a 10 percent blend of knew that then, and they know that now." ethanol and gasoline provides cleaner burn- ing gas, lower carbon monoxide levels and a reduction in overall emissions in a range of 17 to 33 percent. "Scientific evidence not only shows that Air uali "Given EPA's previous support for volatility waivers, we were shocked when EPA sug- gested that ethanol blends could not fully participate in the reformulated gasoline pro- gram," said Tim Trotter, president of the ethanol-blended fuels will help clean the air, it also shows that ethanol-blended fuels may be the best fuels to achieve air and National Corn Growers Association. According to Robert Lichty, a fuels consult- ant, if higher levels of ethanol were used, Agriculture quality goals in today's vehicles," said AI problems with vapor emissions would ac- Almy, director of public affairs for Michigan tually decline. The increase in vapor pres- Farm Bureau. sure from adding ethanol to gasoline peaks But EPA claims the volatility or summer at about 10 percent and then begins to vapor level of ethanol is too high and that decrease dramatically. this higher volatility contributes to summer- "For years, Brazil and other countries have time smog problems. Farm Bureau and been using ethanol-gasoline mixtures with other agricultural groups contend the nally passed the Clean Air Act. Under the minimal evaporation problems caused by rules fault ethanol for minor volatility prob- proposed rules, however, that one-pound vapor pressure," Lichty said. " Ethanol's lems, while failing to factor in the many waiver would be eliminated. EPA contends value in reducing carbon monoxide and positive benefits. the proposed rules merely limit the use of unburned hydrocarbons certainly outweigh Congress granted ethanol-blended fuels a ethanol during summertime periods in the any minor evaporative problems." one-pound volatility waiver when it origi- nine problem cities. RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 A. Ethanol can loosen contaminants and A. The statement Questions residues that have been deposited by pre- vious gasoline fills. This problem is more "pure gasoline" is a marketing gimmick. Gas is a complex mix- ture of hundreds of organic hydrocarbons and Answers prevalent in older cars and can easily be corrected by changing the fuel filter. Once your car's fuel system is clean, you may that are produced at a petroleum refinery. Gasoline components are not mixed to a specific "recipe," but are blended so that About note improved performance. Q. How do we know that we're not getting the final product falls within certain specifi- cations with the least costly ingredients. Ethanol more than 10 percent ethanol? A. It's easy to blend exactly 10 percent ethanol, so it's very unlikely that it would be Q. Why do gas stations put up "No Etha- nol" signs? A. Because it has been one of the most Q. Will ethanol void my car's warranty? mis-blended. In order to qualify for tax ex- effective marketing campaigns ever used A. Certainly not! Today all manufacturers emptions, the law says that the blend must in some parts of the country. It's been used approve the use of ethanol, and some even be 10 percent. primarily by the major oil companies that recommend ethanol for environmental rea- Q. Why is ethanol labelled when other own refineries and produce their own oc- sons. Many manufacturers do, however, gasoline components are not? tane components. Consumers are mislead recommend against the use of methanol. into believing that ethanol is an inferior A. When ethanol came on the market in the product as a result. Q. What is the difference between ethanol early eighties, the oil industry convinced and methanol? many state legislatures that the consumer Q. How does ethanol reduce carbon mon- oxide? A. They are both alcohols. Ethanol is a needed to be warned about the presence of fermented alcohol made primarily from corn. ethanol in gasoline. Some states are now A. Since ethanol contains oxygen, it con- Methanol is made from natural gas or coal, starting to recognize that gasoline compo- tributes to a cleaner, more efficient burn of and is also known as wood alcohol. Metha- sition is much more complicated than just the gasoline. And ethanol is a simple chemi- nol is highly corrosive, more volatile than "with" or "without" ethanol and are re- cal which, when burned, does not produce ethanol, and damaging to plastic and rubber moving the ethanol labelling requirements the complex pollutants and aromatics fuel system components. because it's discriminatory. formed by many hydrocarbons and gaso- line additives. Q. Does ethanol lead to plugged fuel Q. Some gasoline stations advertise" pure filters? gasoline" - what do they mean? Global Warming: 4. Volcanic eruptions emit a few million to a Here is what Dr. Stephen Schneider of the What Kind of a Disaster? hundred million tons of chloride. National Research Center for Atmospheric The question of whether or not the world is Again, only about 0.75 million tons of chloride Research says referring to the high costs of subject to global warming has turned into a come from the man-made chlorofluorocar- computer modeling.: furious debate within the scientific commu- bons annually, but at least 50 to 60 times this "We need to get some broad-base support to nity. Although the public media often refers figure is being released into the stratosphere capture the public's imagination. That, of to the" Greenhouse" effect of increasing CO2 by nature. course, entails getting loads of media cover- (carbon dioxide) in the atmosphere as fact, Last, there is no documented evidence of age. So we have to offer scenarios, make many scientists are saying there is little, if any, chlorofluorocarbon molecules in the strato- some simplified, dramatic statements and scientifically verifiable proof that this sphere. There has been no mechanism pro- make little mention of any doubts that we is happening. posed to show how the heavy molecules might have. Each of us has to decide what is The global warming theory is predicated on reach the stratosphere. the right balance between effective and being the idea that chlorofluorocarbons are destroy- There are no measurement data, only theory. honest. " (Discovery, October 1989, page 4 7.) ing the ozone in our atmosphere. However, In fact, recently revised temperature records The entire question of global warming needs consider the following: call into question whether there is even a long and extensive study before billions or 1. Chlorofluorocarbon production peaked at global warming trend occurring. Weather sci- trillions of dollars are spent to deal with the 1.1 million tons per year in the early 1980s. entists are currently trying to incorporate sea problem that may not exist or is relatively This accounts for roughly 750,000 tons of temperature records with long standing land- minor. This is why President Bush's refusal to chloride annually. based temperature records for a more sign a treaty at the Rio Earth Summit that did accurate world picture. Worldwide tempera- nothing more than monitor or study world 2. Evaporation of sea water provides the ture changes are part of long-term cycles that climactic change was an appropriate stance atmosphere with 600 million tons of chloride span centuries. based upon the facts available at this time. per year. SOURCE: Eco. Features, March 1992, p. 19. 3. Passive out-gassing from the earth ac- Yet, the supporters of the global warming (Terry Franc!) counts for 36 million tons of chloride per year. theory are adamant. Why? RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 We've probably all seen them, at one time During the morning portions of the pro- or another, performing what appears to be gram, each plane flew two passes across barnstorming stunts of days gone by. How- the string and the spray cards, spraying a ever, these professionals are anything but mixture of water and red dye to simulate an stuntmen, and they're using space-age tech- actual spray pass. The cards are then passed nology to get the job done. before a light to capture the pattern on a computer. The string is also wound up and They're what's known as agricultural fed into a computer for image analysis. aviators, applying both manufactured and organic pesticides on farms and on After the analysis, spray equipment adjust- wooded land in an effort to control gypsy ments are made accordingly, which may moths and flying on wheat seed for farms include changing spray nozzles and/or across the state. booms, or changing the plane height while in the spray pattern, Hatfield said. The plane Nearly 30 pilots from Michigan, Ohio, Indi- is then retested byflying another two passes Above: Just one piece of the NASA devel- ana, Illinois, and Wisconsin were in over the string and cards. "We basically try oped high-tech spray monitoring equipment Pinconning, Michigan recently for a two day to fine-tune the pilot and the equipment to used during the spray trials. program sponsored by the Michigan Agri- do the best job possible," he said. cultural Aviation Association, the Below: Traveling at 740 miles per hour, Michigan Department of Agriculture, and Hatfield said the growing environmental just three to five feet off the ground, this the Cooperative Extension SeNice. "Op- sensitivity has put a damper on the more Air Tractor A T-400, manufactured in Texas, eration Safe" was designed to hone agricul- traditional agricultural aerial pesticide makes a pass across the string and test tural pilot skills by testing their equipment application. However, the increased need cards during the calibration trials at the and themselves, according to Bill Hatfield, for gypsy moth and mosquito control has fly-in. an agricultural pilot of 27 years from the created several new business opportuni- Nunica area. ties as well as new relationships for the industry. "We consider this program very important, because we can prove where the pesticide "Often times, various groups will be push- has gone from the time it's mixed into the ing a biological insecticide versus one that tank until it has been sprayed," explained may be more hazardous to the environ- Hatfield. "Using the equipment we have ment," he said. "We try to be sensitive to available, we can analyze the quantity of the that and be involved with those groups and material that has been deposited and attempt to use alternative pesticides when- where." ever and wherever possible." The high-tech equipment Hatfield refers to includes a computerized swath deposition system utilizing spray cards that are ana- lyzed via computer to graphically demon- L--~l strate the spray pattern of the plane. There are only 12 such systems in existence in the world. In addition, a measuring kit origi- nally developed by NASA uses string and photo analysis to verify calibration of the equipment. FREE RX CATALOG SAVE UP TO 50% Michigan Farm Bureau's Mail Service Pharmacy Program Offered by Feld Prescription Service 5023 Grover St. Omaha Nebraska 68106 Most Commonly Prescribed Prescription Medications Call 1-800-228-3353 if you don't see yours . • • Calan Tabs 80 mg 100's 36.75 12.95 Micro-K Extencaps 8 mEq 100's 12.50 120 mg 100's 49.50 15.95 10 mEq 100's 13.50 7.95 Clinoril Tabs 150 mg 100's 73.50 49.95 Motrin Tabs 400 mg 100's 15.50 7.95 200 mg 100's 89.25 59.95 600 mg 100's 20.25 10.95 Coumadin Tabs 2mg 100's 39.95 800 mg 100's 24.75 15.95 2.5 mg 100's 41.25 Ortho-Novum Tabs 1-35 210r28 19.50 8.95 5 mg 100's 41.75 I-50 21 or 28 19.50 8.95 7.5 mg 100's 63.75 Persantine Tabs 25 mg 100's 25.95 5.95 10 mg 100's 65.75 50 mg 100's 39.25 7.95 E.E.S. Tabs 400 mg 100's 19.95 15.25 75 mg 100's 51.95 9.95 Entex LA Tabs 100's 49.95 12.95 Premarin Tabs 0.3 mg 100's 20.25 10.95 Eryc Caps 250 mg 100's 28.50 16.95 0.625mg 100' s 26.95 13.95 Flexeril Tabs 10mg 100's 74.25 50.95 1.25 mg 100's 35.75 15.95 Inderal Tabs 10 mg 100's 20.75 5.95 2.5 mg 100's 61.95 29.95 20 mg 100's 28.25 6.95 Proventil Tabs 2 mg 100's 30.75 10.95 40 mg 100's 35.95 7.95 4 mg 100's 43.25 15.95 60 mg 100's 47.75 9.95 Provera Tabs 10 mg 100's 46.75 16.95 80 mg 100's 53.75 10.95 Slow-K Tabs 100's 16.75 8.95 Isoptin Tabs 80 mg 100's 37.25 12.95 Synthroid Tabs 0.025 mglOO's 13.25 6.95 120 mg 100's 48.75 15.95 0.05 mg 100's 14.50 7.95 Lanoxin Tabs 0.125mg 100's 9.75 2.95 0.1 mg 100's 16.25 3.95 0.25mg 100's 9.75 2.95 0.15mg 100's 18.95 4.95 Lasix Tabs 20 mg 100's 13.75 5.95 0.2 mg 100's 21.75 5.50 40 mg 100's 17.75 6.95 0.3 mg 100' s 28.50 5.95 80 mg 100's 28.50 11.95 Tegretol Tabs 200 mg 100's 29.95 13.95 Maxzide Tabs 100's 55.95 10.95 Theo-Our SA Tabs 100 mg 100's 14.50 8.95 200 mg 100's 19.25 10.95 All your non-prescription vitamin and pain relief products are also available at a savings! r-----------------------------------, I Michigan Farm Bureau : Michigan Farm Bureau I I FREE BIC PEN I FREE CATALOG I I Return this coupon with any order and receive I Simply call Feld at 1-800-228-3353 and receive I I a Free Bic Pen compliments of Feld Prescription I your catalog detailing savings on over 5000 health I I Service. Call 1-800-228-3353 for instructions on I care items. Included will be a $3 coupon good on I L I how to order. Offer expires June 30, 1992. I your first prescription order. ~I Salads come into their own during the summer months when fresh produce is bountiful. By combining summer's harvest with fresh dairy products, you can create delicious and colorful sal- ads with special appeal. Surprise Fruited Cheese Salad Zippy Potato Salad What makes any salad "work" is a compatible combination of ingredients 4 seNings Yield: 7 cups and specially blended dressing. The 2 cups dairy sour cream Dressing: best salads, of course, taste good and 1/4 cup honey 1 cup dairy sour cream also look good. Presentation or eye 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared appeal is an important part of eating mustard enjoyment. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 container (16 ounces) cottage cheese 1 tablespoo(l tarragon wine vinegar A main-dish favorite combines fresh 1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled Blue cheese 1 teaspoon sugar fruit and cottage cheese. For a special presentation, select a variety of fresh 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon salt fruit and arrange it attractively on a Lettuce 1/4 teaspoon pepper platter with ruffly leaf lettuce. At the Salad: 2 cups seedless grapes center of the platter, mound cottage 2 cups chopped apples 3 cups peeled, thinly slicetJ red potatoes cheese mixed with crumbled Blue cheese and chopped walnuts. For 2 cups honeydew melon balls 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese those who like a dressing for the fruit, 2 cups fresh pineapple 6 slices bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled dairy sour cream sweetened with 1/2 cup chopped celery Combine sour cream, honey, lemon juice honey is simple to prepare and a pleas- and extract; mix well. Chill, covered, 1 to 2 1/3 cup chopped red pepper ing fruit topper. hours to allow flavors to blend. Meanwhile 1/4 cup sliced green onion Potato salad ranks high on almost combine cottage and Blue cheeses in small everybody's summer salad list. It's a mixer bowl. Beat on high speed of mixer 50r dressing, com~ne all ingredients; chill, until well blended, about 3 minutes. Fold in covered, 1 hour to allow flavors to blend. versatile accompaniment to a cold nuts. Chill, covered, 1 to 2 hours to allow For salad, place potatoes in salted water meat and cheese platter or gourmet flavors to blend. and cover. Bring to boil; boil 1 minute. Rinse burgers cooked on the grill. This zippy To seNe, arrange lettuce leaves on large immediately in cold water. Let stand in cold version uses dairy sour cream as a water until cooled. Combine potatoes, seNing platter. Arrange 2 rows of fruit as dressing base, accented with Dijon- listed in ingredients. Then make a row of cheese, bacon and vegetables. Cover and style mustard and tarragon wine vin- cheese mixture, followed by 2 more rows chill 1 hour. Fold dressing into potato salad egar. Forthe best flavor, mix the dress- of fruit. Or place mixture in center of plate mixture. Chill about 1 hour to allow flavors ing and chill it for an hour before blend- and surround by rows of fruit. Pass sour to blend. ing it with sliced potatoes. Then chill cream mixture as dressing. SeNing size: 1 cup the salad to allow it to develop flavor SeNing size: 1/4 of recipe Calories per seNing: 225 before serving. This special potato Calories per seNing: 797 salad isaccented with shredded Ched- Protein 8 g, fat 15 g, carbohydrate 14 g Protein 28 g, fat 49 g, carbohydrate 71 g Calcium 165 mg, riboflavin (B2) .15 mg dar Cheese and crumbled crisp bacon. Calcium 404 mg, riboflavin (B2) .60 mg RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 Food Guide Pyramid Replaces USDA's "Basic Four" The "basic four" food groups, which have The study presented several graphics, in- seNings of vegetables and two to four been used as a dietary guide since the cluding the pyramid, to 26 focus groups seNings of fruits recommended. The next 1950s, have been replaced by a new" Food in four cities throughout the country. Two tier is the milk, yogurt and cheese group, Guide Pyramid." graphics emerged as the strongest and the meat, poultry, fish, dry beans and from the testing - one was a revised peas, eggs and nuts group. USDA recom- The pyramid was unveiled by U.S. Agricul- version of the pyramid and the other was mends two to three daily seNings. ture Secretary Edward Madigan. A year a bowl. ago, a similar pyramid design generated The top tier is fats, oils and sweets, which controversy when it was introduced and Madigan said the results showed the re- should be consumed sparingly, according quickly withdrawn by Madigan, who said vised pyramid most clearly helped people to USDA. he was "not convinced its message would understand the importance of eating The "basic four" included the meat, milk, be clear." different amounts of food from the differ- bread, and fruit and vegetable groups. ent food groups, plus the need for modera- Some commodity groups and nutrition- Madigan said the new pyramid is not tion in the diet. ists objected to the pyramid last year be- meant to create the impression of good cause they felt certain products, particularly "We need to be sure any message we and bad foods. milk and meat, were unfavorably portrayed. put out can be understood clearly by every- one who participates in our programs," "If the pyramid recommends fewer seN- This year, more controversy centered ings of one type of food than of another, Madigan said. around the cost of additional studies that doesn't mean one food is less impor- Madigan ordered - approximately $855,000 The food guide pyramid recommends six to tant than another," Madigan said. "All foods - than on the placement of the foods. But 11 daily seNings of breads, cereals, rice and provide important nutrients. The trick is Madigan said that amount is only a fraction pasta, which are shown at the base of the making lower-fat choices." of the $320 million spent annually by USDA pyramid. The second tier is made up of on nutrition education. vegetables and fruits, with three to five Food Guide Pyramid A Guide to Daily Food Choices Fats, Oils, & Sweets USE SPARINGLY Milk, Yogurt, Meat, Poultry, Fish, & Cheese Dry Beans, Eggs, Group & Nuts Group 2.3 SERVINGS 2-3 SERVINGS Vegetable Fruit Group Group 3-5 SERVINGS 2.4 SERVINGS RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 Registration Information The close of registration for the August 4 Primary was July 7. The close of registration for the November 3 General Election is October 5. NOTE: Once you are registered, there is no need to register again unless you move to a different city or township in the state, or fail to vote for five consecutive years. Where to register: To register, you must appear in person in your city or township clerk's office. You can also register by visiting your county hhe successful campaign consists of three Agri~ Committee uses to aett>rmine which clerk's office or any of the 185 Secretary of State branch offices located throughout the state. Mail registration: If you are temporarily absent components: volunteers, money and a know- iedgeable candidate, Overall, the Farm Bureau f\griPac is addressing these basic needs," says Agriculture.'" During CoJitY. Candidate Evaluation ommit- Z candidates will be designated\:.E,ti.ends of from your city or township of residence, or if you Bob LaBrandt, vice-president of political affairs tee training.and'rnform~ationsesslonscorlciucted are disabled and cannot make a personal ap- l.vith the Michigan State Chamber of Com- '" the in February of this( ear, members heara pearance to register, you can register to vote by plerce, He was an advisor when Michigan Farm guidel~s: "Set aSloe partisan politics and Ie mail. Contact your city or township clerk for Bureau formed its political action committee in completely objef.!jve irt your evaluations." '" form and procedural information. h 978 and he says Farm Bureau members can ~ I---.....~ r "- Residing out of state (temporarily): Register in be ~roud of th'e grass roots political action The committees were further prepared for th ir - Michigan using the address where you last rogram they have established. task with background information gathered 4 lived, even if you no longer maintain the resi- P through individual candidate questionnaires and ~ dence. Your city or township clerk will have the f Over the past 14yeaFs,AgriPac has developed the voting records of incumbents. Then, in)"-one necessary forms. If you have registered in another state since leaving Michigan, you are into one of tt-le larges~olitical action .commit- week period, June 18-24, CEC Committ.ee r tees on ~Hestate s~e~e and, along with other ~embers scheduled candidate interviews, st~d/ ineligible to register in Michigan. ~roups like the MichIgan State Cham~!, of ied polition statements evaluated voting Obtaining Absent Voter Ballots F ommerce, has brought a balance to MIGQigan oliti th t didn't xi t in the 60s nd 70. 1: d .' reeoros an talked w~th oth~r Farm Bureau You can obtain an absentee ballot if you es .a . e s" a. ~ memb~\s before making their recommenda- are a registered and qualified voter of the state \;The fact IS, with the ability to be orgamzed at tiOris-t:o.fhestate AgriPac Committe . he county level, Farm Bureau members hav8'@ ~' e and you: • are 60 years of age or more; or better opportunity to help promote the success- Other criteria used by county commi~li\a~ tul election of the candidates they have en- AgriPac for incumbents include ~egree of • expect to be absent from the city or township rorsed," says laBrandt. ~~jal, eff?rt !o int~oduce~ort or oPP?se in which you are registered to vote for the entire time the polls are open on election day; or . ICh'Igan Farm Bureau became ~f one 0 t'h'e f ew. IIEegwlbn-tn-hr.ls r r ,h f wrtnFB .. policy, communlca- """" th t' ~t at e Farm Bureaus aCfOSS e na Ion 0 orm a t f tlons Wit armer constituents, " and Involve- • are unable to go to the polls and vote without the assistance of another person; or I't' I t' ~ o I lca ac lo~emml ee In 'tt '1977 . Th ment e recom- pa' of farmer members In the election cam- • cannot attend the polls because of religious endatioA"'1o establish AgriPac was unani- Ign. tenets; or ousl18pproved by Farm Bureau members at One candidate observed, "It (Farm Bureau • have been appointed as an election inspector ne ~ 1977 Michigan Farm Bureau annual meet- AgriPac) is the model PAC process. If all other in a precinct other than the one in which you ing. They called for the development of a pro- groups handled their PAC endorsements this reside; or gram that would designate" Friends of Agricul- way, there would be no concern at all about • are confined to jail awaiting arraignment or ture," That action ended a 50-yearorganization political action committees." trial. tradit.ion ?f taking. a non-parti~an position. at The AgriPac endorsement does not automati- If you meet one or more of the conditions ~Iectl,ontime. Agn~ac was active for the, first cally mean that a direct, financial contribution above, you may obtain an absentee ballot by time In the 1978 pnmary and general elections. will be made to the candidate's campaign, ac. writing to the city or township clerk, Telephone AgriPac Chairperson Faye Adam, of cording to AI Almy, who serves as secretary for requests cannot be honored. Your written re- SanilacCounty, stresses the grass roots nature the statewide PAC, AgriPac uses the quest must include: your name, date of the of Farm Bureau's political action committee organization's extensive communications net- election, address where you are registered to vote, the reason why you are requesting an process, work of publications and volunteers to promote absentee ballot, the address where you wish to "The farmer members who serve on county endorsed candidates a~ong the nea,~ly120,000 receive your ballot, and your signature and the Farm Bureau Candidate Evaluation Commit- ~arm ~ureau mem~ers Inthe state. Everyone, date of the request. tees are vitally important to the integrity of the Includln~ th~ candidates, knows that far~ers If you are qualified to receive an absentee ballot, organization's PAC process. They know the ar~ a mlno~I~, but they have the potential of you also have the option of voting in your city or candidates. They know the attitudes of Farm bel~g ? ,majon.ty~t the polls becau~e.~~eytake township clerks office at any time up to 4 p.m. Bureau members in their county toward the the~rCitizenship nghts and responsibilities very on the day before the election. candidates, and they know whether the candi- ser!ously," says Almx. "Consequently, we can If you have any questions, contact your local dates recognize the importance of agriculture del~veron the ,commitment we have made to clerk's office or call the Michigan Department in the areasthey represent," Adam says. "That's agnculture's fnends." of State, Bureau of Elections, phone: the kind of frontline evaluation our state 517-373-2540. RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 Key Issues ~ ~9te4 During E~dorsement Process County Farm Bureaus reviewed the votir:lg '4. Striker Replacement- Vote on passageof a 8.TransportationFunding- Vote on adoption of recordsof incumbents on 10 key issuesfor both bill to prohibit employers from hiring permanent conference report to provide $151 billion for the U.S. House of Representatives and the replacements for union workers on strike over surface transportation programs through fiscal Michigan House of Representatives. Those is- economic issues.The U.S. House of Represen- year 1997 and give states greater flexibility to sues and sUbsequjt voting records include tatives approved the bill July 17, 1991. Farm decide how their transportationfunds are spent. the following: Bureau favored a "N" vote. The U.S. House of Representatives approved the conference report Nov. 27, 1991. Farm U.S. HOUS~ Represe~ive Issues 5. Agricultura! Disast~r Assi~tance - ~ote on Bureau favored a "Y" vote. 1.HandgunWaiflnGPeriod- Vote on passageof passageof a billto proVidea disaster assistance ... b'lI . t" 1f"'-~' .. df program to crop producers for 1990 or 1991 9. EconomicStImuli- Vote on anamendment to a I to require a sevep av Illng peno or crODlosses. The U.S. House of Representa-\ implement a plan to stimulate the economy. handg~npurchaser/The ~.S. House of Repre- tivJ~ am~rovedthe bill July 25, 1991. Farm \The planwould cut the capitalgains tax, allow a sentatlves approveo t~~ bill ~ay 8, 1991. Farm Bareautavorea a "Y" vote. $5,000tax credit and penalty - free withdrawals L r Bur~auopposes a waiting p,e~~odfor purchases ~ fror'(lan IRAfor first-time home buyers, passive of firearms and favored a N vote. ~. Wetlands b,{udyAmendmen~-Vote on adop- loss'deductions for real estate developers, in- 2. Budget Conference Report - Vote on adop- t~n of ~n a~dament t~ ~r?vlde $;OO,OOt~o O creas~he depreciation for business equip- , ~OD of..aconference report to set budget levels t e ~hatlo~a .f b emya f t~en~~9sl'0ra s u dY ment, and new rules encouraging real estate for the f(scal year ending Sept. 30, 1992. The . on t, edscdlenl~llct'aSls a ,eTI-. wet an s e /nea 'I P.S~~~ose investme~~bY pension funds. The U.S. House .. U.S. ~ouse of Representatives approved the . Ion manua "'t'/'l1e h .u. ).~0use af Represen atlves . def eated t he amendment ~eas~Fe May 22,1991. Farm Bt!Ieaufavored a of Representatives defeated t e...{m,?n~ment Feb.27, 19921=armBureaufavored a "Y" vote ~.:~,~ t" b tn d~ t h'b't Oct. 29, 1991.FarmBureaufavored a N vo)e, because the plan usea economic incentives to o ~ ec~use e measure .1 (10 pro I I because the amendment was an effort b~ " .. the use of tax Increase~to fund hlghar levelsof . I' t d I f l, I d help the economy Without Imposing tax In- nl t d' / envlronmenta IstS a e ay re arm Ol!wet an s creases ,t en I emen spen Ing. regulations.. I f 3. Disap~rovalof Fast.Trac I?:oce~ures\ Vote 7. EmergencyAppropriations _Vote on a bill to 10. LegalServicesCorporation-Vote on a bill to on adoption .of resolution to olsapprove.,t\Wo- provide funds for various emergency programs substitute a packageof amendments providing I year exten~lon of fasLt(Cl~procedures~hat including $1.75 billion for 1991 agricultural di- m~iQgful.Leform to an original Legal Service i would re~ eongress to ap~~~e or dl.sap- saster relief. The U.S. House of...Representa- Corporation bill that contalnea many objection- ~tfade agreements but not aliow-eoQ2lder- tives approved the biI1-0cr1""9, 1991. Farm able provisions for agricultural employers. The atlon of amendments to the trad~ agreements~aureaujavoretf a "N" vote. U.S. House of Representatives defeated the I The U.S. House of Representatives defeated substitute amendments May 12, 1992. Farm I the resolution May 23, 1991. Farm Bureau Bureaufavored a "Y" vote. I favored a "N" vote. Michigan House o£R-epresentative's Issues 1. Off-RoadVehicles -Vote on passageof a bill allMichiganschooldistricts.The MichiganHouse grams. The Michigan House passed the bill to provide a comprehensive system for the use passed the bill Sept. 12, 1991. Farm Bureau Sept. 27, 1991. Farm Bureau favored a "Y" of off-road vehicles (ORVs)including a "closed favored a "Y" vote. vote. unless posted open" policy on state owned 5. FarmlandandOpen Space- Vote on passage 8. No-FaultInsuranceTerritories - Vote on pas- lands, funds earmarked for increased enforce- of a billto amend P.A. 116so that proceedsfrom sage of a conference report to extend rating ment, and penalties for restoration of damage lien payments by landowners would be used by territories for no-fault auto insurance for an to landor water causedby ORVs.The Michigan the DNR not only for the purchase of develop- additionalone year period.The Michigan House House passed the bill Feb 13, 1991. Farm ment rights on uniqueandcritical lands,but also defeated the conference report Dec. 17, 1991. Bureau favored a "Y" vote. for the administration of the act. The Michigan Farm Bureau favored a "Y" vote. 2. Property Assessments - Vote on passageof House passed the bill Sept. 26, 1991. Farm 9. No-FaultInsurance Extension - Vote on pas- a bill to freeze property assessments for 1992 Bureau favored a "Y" vote. sageof a bill to extend the expirationdate of the at 1991 levels. The Michigan House passed 6. MIOSHA Standards-Vote on passageof a bill no-faultautomobile law by 90 days to March 31, the bill April 18, 1991. Farm Bureau favored a to require state health and safety rules be 1992. The Michigan House approved the bill "Y" vote. identical to federal OSHA standards and in- Dec. 18, 1991. FarmBureaufavored a "Y" vote. 3. SalesTax Exemption - Vote on passageof a crease penalties for violations. The Michigan 1O. No-Fault Insurance Reform - Vote on pas- bill to exempt the purchase of livestock sold at House passed the bill Sept. 26, 1991. Farm sage of a bill to rollback auto insurance rates 15 auction from the state sales tax. The Michigan Bureau favored a "Y" vote. percent, following a one year rate freeze, with- House passed the bill June 20, 1991. Farm 7. Agriculture Budget - Vote on passageof a bill out necessary reforms to offset the rollback. Bureau favored a "Y" vote. to provide a 1991-92 budget for the Michigan The Michigan House passed the bill May 14, 4. Tax Base Sharing - Vote on passage of a Department of Agriculture which provided con- 1992. Farm Bureau favored a "N" vote. conference report to permit tax base sharingby tinued/expanded funding for important pro- RURAL UVING • SUMMER 1992 Michigan House of Representatives District & Name Absent or Not Voting MFB Score (%) ''Friends of 70 Jondahl, Lynn (O-Okemos) 17 Keith, William (O-Garden City) 32 Licktenfelt (R-Armada) * 0 3 90 60 Agriculture" 81 London, Terry (R-Marysville) 0 90 105 Lowe, Allen (R-Grayling)* 62 Martin, William (R-BattleCreek) 0 90 76 Mathieu, Thomas (O-Grand Rapids) 0 80 99 McBryde, James (R-Mt. Pleasant} 0 90 Primary Endorsements 104 McManus, Michelle (R-Traverse City)* 98 McNutt, James (R-Midland) 0 80 80 Middaugh, James (R-Paw Paw) 0 90 Michigan House of Representatives District & Name Absent or Not Voting MFB Score (%) 46 Middleton, Thomas (R-Ortonville) 0 80 108 Anthony, David (O-Escanaba) 0 80 60 Morrison, Jackie (R-Kalamazoo) * 75 Bandstra, Richard (R-Grand Rapids) 0 90 66 Munsell, Susan (R-Howell) 80 56 Bartnik,Jerry (O-Monroe) 0 70 89 Noe, Carl (R-Jennison) * 87 Bender, Robert IR-Middleville) 0 90 58 Nye, MichaeIIR-Litchfield) 0 90 36 Berman, Maxine (O-Southfield) 1 70 95 O'Neill,James (O-Saginaw) 1 90 101 Bobier, William (R-Hesperia) 0 90 59 Oxender, Glenn (R-Sturgis) 0 90 106 Bodem, Beverly (R-Alpena) 0 90 22 Pitoniak,Gregory (O-Taylor) 0 80 79 Brackenridge, Robert (R-St.Joseph) 0 90 54 Profit,Kirk (O-Ypsilanti) 1 70 107 Brower, Shannon (R-Petoskey) * 93 Randall, Gary (R-Elwell) 1 80 38 Bullard,WillisJr. (R-Milford) 0 70 83 Rhead, Kim (R-Sandusky) * 68 Byrum, Dianne (O-Holt) 0 80 51 Robertson, David (R-Swartz Creek) 0 60 48 Clack, Floyd (O-Flint) 0 70 61 Shugars, Dale (R-Portage) 0 60 45 Crissman, Penny (R-Rochester) * 74 Sikkema, Ken (R-Grandville) 0 80 86 Cropsey, Alan (R-OeWitt) * 82 Strand, John (R-Lapeer) 1 80 90 Oalman, Jessie (R-Holland) 0 80 15 Thomas, Oouglas ( R-Oearborn) * 33 OeBeaussaert, Ken (O-New Baltimore) 0 90 57 Walberg, Timothy (R-Tipton) 60 72 DeLange, Walter (R-Kentwood) 4 50 97 Wetters, Howard (O-Kawkawlin) * 28 Dickinson, John (O-Warren) * 73 Wilcox, Marcia (R-Lowell) * 67 Diehl,Polly (R-Oansville)* 110 Wolfe, Fayth (R-Houghton) * 39 Oobb, Barbara (R-Commerce) 1 70 26 Yokich, Tracey (O-St.ClairShores) 0 70 94 Oodak, Lewis (O-Montrose) 3 60 4 Young, Joseph, Jr.(O-Oetroit) 0 80 37 Dolan, Jan (R-Farmington Hills) 3 60 3 Young, Joseph, Sr. (O-Oetroit) 1 70 71 Fitzgerald,Frank (R-Grand Ledge) 0 90 50 Zelenko, Paula (R-Burton) * 102 Gemaa!, John (R-McBain) 0 66 63 Gilmer, Don (R-Augusta) 0 90 u.s.House of Representatives District & Name Absent or Not Voting MFB Score (%) 96 Ginster, Thomas (R-Saginaw) * 4 Camp, Oavid (R-Midland) 0 100 31 Gire, Sharon (O-Mt. Clemens) 0 80 10 Carl,Doug (R-Mt. Clemens) * 78 Gnodtke, Carl (R-Sawyer) 0 90 16 Oingell,John (O-Trenton) 0 50 20 Goss, Georgina (R-Northville) 1 57 13 Geake, Robert (R-Northville)* 64 Griffin,Michael (O-Jackson) 1 90 3 Henry, Paul (R-Grand Rapids) a 80 35 Gubow, David (O-Huntington Woods) 0 80 5 Muxlow, Keith (R-Brown City) * 85 Harder, Clark (O-Owosso) a 90 9 O'Neill,Megan (R-C1arkston)* 43 Harrison, Charlie,Jr. (O-Pontiac) 0 80 12 Pappageorge, John (R-Troy) * 84 Heilig,Julia(R-Ubly) * 15 Rose-Collins, Barbara (O-Oetroit)* 2 Hertel,Curtis (O-Oetroit) 0 90 7 Smith, Nick (R-Addison) * 47 Hill,Sandra (R-Montrose) * 6 Upton, Fred (R-St.Joseph) 0 80 88 Hillegonds, Paul (R-Holland) 0 90 2 VanderJaq!, Guy (R-Luther) 1 90 65 Hoffman, Philip(R-Horton) 1 70 100 Howard, Linda (R-Remus) * State Court of Appeals 40 Jamian, John (R-Bloomfield Hills) 0 83 Martin Ooctoroff (Birmingham) 29 Jenkins, Curtis (R-Warren) * CliffordTaylor (East Lansing) 41 Johnson, Shirley IR-Royal Oak) 0 80 * = Non-Incumbent Endorsement RURAL LIVING•SUMMER 1992 ..A NEW MONEY. SAVING ilEAlTH pIAN / FAMILY HEALTH INSURANCE PROPOSAL FARM OWNERS/OPERATORS f"OVVRIlGE: ~CMMl50 o CMMSOO o CMM lpoG . , Current Healtb Insurance :.. / In these tough economic tim~s, all business owners are looking for ways to improve'thei( botto~ line. Now Farm Bureau can help with a ne~.money saving group Health:Plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. These new plans are guaranteed issue no matter what your health history, locally serviced by our 69 county offices and 400 agents statewide, . and competitively. priced to'save farm owners. anq operators hundreds or even thousan.ds 'Of dollars off their health insurance bill. So, if you're a sol~ proprietor or if you nave m:ie ormore employees, you shquld call Farm Bureau today for benefit and rate information. _,.Itf'f:H'CAN .. -.... FARItI'BVREAIJ FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION RATE QUOTE - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. 3239 OR 3240. Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Membership Services P.O. Box 30960 Lansing, MI 48909 Please Print Name Current Health Insurance Address Number of Full Time Employees o Sole proprietor (1 person group) Phone o 2-4 0 5-9 County o 10-24 0 25 and over Type of Farm/Business RLVG Traveler: The Alps of Bureau Switzerland &. Austria Dear Farm .ftruvet, J' We invlte, ) 'oU to join us ,I d )roVl( e ur wor IIC OJ '( ue tours E b st \'?e[come , to 0 .I , e eXCl 'tl'nO' unci urH 1 0 'U roVl 'de )'ou the e October 1-9, 1992 on any one o~ t 11992. Our tours Wl FP rm BureaU Tour, 1 HI 01 a a S Come join us as we visit two of the prettiest and most just for YOl .. vel dollur. r. uuructions u luefor" yOllr tru , best und major {the people picturesque countries in Central Europe. Experience VU , " )erience t Ie , meet some 0 'oU ltJlU exl )orlurllty to 'f st ,Ies. the charm and beauty of Salzburg, Munich, and ) ,.ell us have the o~l, ir culture und It e ) Bureall Wi'orld Octoherfest, Oherammergau, the Linderhoff Castle, Iv re OJ t Ie r Furm und learn mo b st jienture of oU I get to kno1V Lichtenstein and much, much more. the e . t un( But perhups )le yoU mee , , great peoE . ,urselJ. Tours lS t Ie E)eoE)le hke ) 0 .I FClrm BlLrecUL Our package includes round trip air service, deluxe , tour - , OJ a while on t le.ji ,our considerauor~J . )'our request J. 'OU or) malt us motor coach transportation, hotel accommodations, Thu nti ) 1992. Please best travel n70rld Tour for re ubout the European-style buffet breakfast, and a welcome n lean JJl0 form today to dinner, all for $1,253 per person. vailable. vulues u I ' HupPY Truve s. Sincerely, - ~~iJ,t- /),R; Douglas Michigun Farm ~~~l"g, ... BureaU the Farm Bureau ~ L Schmidt, J u mes, I ral Assoc. 'A 'cu Hl Manager . IS Division Illinols gn Field OperatLOr D.lr ector I FB Trave I Program 1:ravel Series Best of Italy, France & Greece Cruise September 15-27, 1992 Sail the brilliant blue Mediterr'anean, studded with shining isles and gaily painted shorelines. Our cruise combines the French and Italian Rivieras with ageless Athens, the dramatic Corinth Canal, the serene beauty of Venice & Portifino, and the world's most alluring islands: Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes, Korcula, and quaint Capri. We travel upon the Golden Odyssey --large enough and luxurious enough to be a cruiseliner, yet renowned for its friendly lifestyle and genuine hospitality of her Greek staff. Our cruise package includes 250/0 discount on all cabins, all meals and entertainment, free air transportation from the U.S., $25 BarlBoutique credit, group cocktail party, 1 bottle of wine per cahin, plus prepaid, on-hoard tip and gratuities. Cabin prices be6rinas low as $3,374. Brochure Request Form IPlease se1ld, witholtl obliglllio1l, the lIetailed illformatioll for lhe IOl1rs iluliclllel! below I o o Best of Italy. France The Alps of & Greece Cruise Switzerland & Austria (Please Prlntl IMeil to:) lVume Fun" /lure(J" ,U,'mlwr Trm'''' o5,,",il"'" 1).0. lJox ,1577 Eft", I",,,,,,ing,,HI 4.8826 Phone CO/wI)" or cfllI I -IIOO-74H~0289 The 1992 recipients of the MHSM Scholar-Athlete This year's scholarship winners were • Megan Michelle Cappel, Grand Blanc Award, Dwight Benner II, Curt Schafer, Andrew M. as follows. (girls' skiing) Johnson, Adam Kuzinski, Eric Chung, Michael Keefer, Bradley James Tate, Second row: Nicholas For the Fall Sports Season: • Dwight Benner II, Royal Oak-Kimball J. Hogan, Melinda Ann Popiel, Justine Tompkins, (boys' swimming and diving) Wendy Lee Roelof, Rachel Joy Shaarda, Gala • Rachel Joy Shaarda, McBain-Northern, Derwin, Jeffery Wickham Gregory, Brian Pardee, Michigan Christian (girls' basketball) • Wendy Lee Roelof, Galesburg-Augusta Third row: Craig M. Frohock, Sarah Ann Schultz, (girls' volleyball) Michelle McNally, Julie Nurnberger, Lisa Janelle • Adam Kuzinski, Hartland (boys' cross Passmore, Emily Malvitz, Megan Michelle Cappel, country) • Nicholas J. Hogan, Kentwood-East Missing is James Paul Carson. Kentwood (wrestling) • Lisa Janelle Passmore, Waterford- College costs will be a little easier to bear for Kettering (girls' cross country) For the Spring Sports Season: 23 Michigan high school students who re- • Michael Keefer, Elkton-Pigeon-Bayport • Andrew M. Johnson, Grand Rapids- ceived Scholar-AthleteAwardsof$1,OOOeach (football) Forest Hills Northern (baseball) from Farm Bureau Insurance. • Bradley James Tate, Montague • Melinda Ann Popiel, Grand Rapids- The winners of the scholarships were hon- (boys' golf) Forest Hills Northern (girls' golf) ored before a large crowd and statewide television audience during the boy's high • Brian Pardee, Parchment (boys' soccer) • Justine Tompkins, Highland-Milford school basketball finals at the Palace of Au- • Emily Malvitz, Ferndale (girls' swim- (girls' soccer) burn Hills, March 28. Larry Thomas, execu- ming and diving) • Michelle McNally, Northville (softball) tive vice president of Farm Bureau Insurance, presented the awards during halftime cer- • Sarah Ann Schultz, Muskegon-Catholic • Eric Chung, East Lansing (boys' tennis) emonies. Central (girls' tennis) • James Paul Carson, Ann Arbor-Huron Now in its third year, the scholarships pro- For the Winter Sports Season: (boys' track) gram is sponsored by Farm Bureau In~ur- • Gala Derwin, Munising (girls' track) ance in conjunction with the Michigan High • Craig M. Frohock, Mt. Clemens-L'Anse School Athletic Association. The awards rec- Creuse (boys' basketball) Application materials for students graduat- ognize male and female students who excel • Julie Nurnberger, Lansing-Eastern ing during the 1992-93 school year will be in both the classroom and the athletic field. (girls' gymnastics) sent to Michigan high school principals in Awards are presented to the top student- July. Applications in all sports must be • Curt Schafer, Grand Rapids-Forest Hills athletes in all sports in which the Michigan received in the Michigan High School Ath- High School Athletic Association sponsors a Central (ice hockey) post-season tournament. Nearly 1,200 stu- letic Association office by 4 p.m. on Oct. 30, • Jeffery Wickham Gregory, Traverse dents applied for the 23 scholarships for the 1992. City (boys' skiing) 1991-92 school year. RURAL LIVING • SUMMER 1992 Michigan Farm Bureau Theme Park Family Discounts Michigan Fann Bureau offers all members the following selection of theme park discounts and discounted admission tickets: DISCOUNTED ADMISSION llCKffS TO: .. Cedar Point .. Kings Island .. .. Detroit Zoo Boblo Island I\jngs lslalUl .. .. Pleasure Island ~ THEME PARKDISCOUNT CARDS: .. DisneyWorld/MGIvVEpcot .. Disneyland ~ .. Universal Studios .. SeaWorld/Cypress Gardens/Busch Gardens ~~SNEfs .. Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village Magic Kingdom Club~ .. Opryland To purchase advance tickets or receive discount cards to the above parks, call or visit you local county Farm Bureau office. DuscH GAIU>ENS. 1.uu~ 1.\" floaJ04 Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village Dearborn, Michigan CYPRESS~~ G\RDENS.lM Winter Haven, Florida 8ea~rld~ Which of these three Alamo offers is best for you? As a member of Alamo's Association Program, you can enjoy great benefits every time you rent from Alamo. You can start by using the attached certificate for a free upgrade or $5 to $10 off your next association weekly rental. You'll also receive unlimited free mileage on every rental in the u.s. or U.K., discounted daily and weekly rates and a $3000 maximum responsibility for car damage, loss of use or theft if COW' is declined. Plus, you can earn Frequent Flyer miles with Alaska, Delta and United airlines. So you can see, it really does pay to associate with Alamo. 34926AS ------------------------~-----------------------_r------------------------ $5 Your next rental. OFF $10 Your next rental. OFF One Free Upgrade • Vahd for one FREE upgrade 10 nexi car olleg0l')'. suhJe, I hl a"allahllu}' al • (In Ihe u.s.) Valid for $5 OFF assonatlon weekly renlals (5 days or mord • (In Ihe U.s.) Valid for 510 OFF assocIation weekly renlals (5 day'S or lime of renlal of an)' compaci Ihrough premIUm car l'aleg0l')' onl)' . mord on a full size or luxul')' car only. • (In Ihe U.S.) Valid from a compact (31' or ahow. excludmg luxul')' and • (In Ihe Uniled Kingdom) Valid for £.5 OFF assoclallon weekly relllais on • (In Ihe Umled Kingdom) Valid for £.I 0 OFF assoclallon weeki)' renlals on speclall}' ra" any group B Ihrough group E car caleg0l')' only . any group B Ihrough group E car calegonfS onl)'. • (In Ihe Umled Kmgdom) Valid from a group B car caleg0l')' or ahove . • Reservations arc suhjeci to avaolabillly al lime of booking A H.hour • Reservations arc subJecllo avaolabolilY aillme of booking A H.hour excludmg ~",up E cars and abow. advancl" rC'St"rvarlon is required advance reservation is required • One eeruflcale PCI' remal aerepled; musl be presemed allhe Alamo • One CertlflCale PCI' remal accepled. musl be pre,,"nted allhe Alamo • One certifieale PCI' relllal aecepled; musl be presenled allhe Alamo eoumer on arrival Onl"e redeemed. Ihe l"er1lf,cale IS void. A H.hour coulllcr on amval. Once redeemed. Ihe rertlhcale is VOId. eoumer on .1m,-a\. Once redeemed. Ihe cerllf,e.lIe IS VOId ad\Oance r~r'\"allon I~ rt't.{ulfrd . • This rcrlifiealf and the car relllal porsualll to il arc subJCCIIO Alamo's • This certificale and Ihe car rental pursuamlo It arc subjecllo Alamo's • ThIS certlfieale and Ihe car renlal pursuanllO U arc suhJell 10 Alamo's eondllions allhe time of renla\. May be redrcmed for Ihe baSIC rale of conduions ;lIlhe lime of renlal ~'a}' be redeemed for Ihe h,"1r rale of Ihe condulOn, al Ihe lime of renlal. Appllcahle lms-ard BYas",nallon Ihe Alamo car renlal which docs nol Indude laxfS and olher Alamo car remal whIch docs nol mclude laxes and olher opllonal ilems rales onlv opllOnallll"tns • OlTer ,'alld Ihrough 12/IR/'Ql (excepl-l/ltWl. -I/ltlNl) • alTer ,-al;d Ihrough 12/1 R/'Ql (excepi -III tWl - -III HI'll) . • alTer valid Ihrough 12/IR/'Ql (exrcpl-l/ltWl. -I/IR/'Ql). For reservations in the U.S. or United Kingdom call your For reservalions in the U.S. or United Kingdom call your For reservations in the U.S. or Uniled Kingdom call your Professional Travel Agent or call Prorcssional Travel Agenl or call Professional Travel Agent or call Alamo al 1-800-327-9633 (U.S'> Alamo al 1-800-327-9633 (U.S.) Alamo al 1-800-327-9633 (U.5.) 1 800 522 9696 (U K ) or 1-800-522-9696 (UK). or - - - ... ~"~. F:TI.Tell I or 1-800-522-9696 (U.K.). You mllst request Rate Code BYand II ~ .... _ YOIImllst requesl Rate Code BYand I You must requesl Rale Code BYand llse YOllrmembership ID number. use )'ollr membership ID number. I use your membership ID nllmber. Where all the miles Where all the miles Where all the miles : I DIOB II.D.# BY223212 are freeN I DIIB \I.D.#BY223212 are freeN I U70B I I.D.# BY223212 are freeN ~ ------------~------------------------L---- ~ WE HELP MICHIGAN KIDS PAINT BRIGHTER FUTURES Give young people a chance and you'll be amazed at what they can do ... write thought-provoking essays, win contests, or earn college scholarships. Farm Bureau Insurance offers these opportunities to Michigan young people through our many youth-oriented programs: • In cooperation with the Michigan High School Athletic Association, we sponsor scholarships for Michigan students who excel in both academics and athletics. We award 23 of these $1,000 scholarships each year. • For younger students, we sponsor the America & Me Essay Contest for Michigan eighth graders. Now in its 24th year, the contest encourages Michigan young people to explore their roles in America's future. Thousands of students enter each year. • We also sponsor Junior Achievement, statewide Future Farmers of America programs, and numerous athletic events through the Michigan High School Athletic Association. It's all part of our commitment to Michigan and its people ... the same kind of commitment that goes into every product and service we sell. ___ FARM BUREAU MAKING YOUR FUTURE MORE PREDICTABLE •• _@ FARM BUREAU MUTUAL • FARM INSURANCE BUREAU LIFE • FARM BUREAU GENERAL • FB ANNUITY Michigan Farm Bureau Rural Living Magazine P.O. Box 30960 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI 48909