PERTH — The Lanark Landowners Association is facing its first set back since the landowner movement was formed in early 2003. Vice-president John Vanderspank, a crop farmer and leader of the many tractor rallies across Ontario, was voted out of the executive in a meeting that he said was called without him.

Reached for comment by Farmers Forum, Vanderspank, one of the LLA's four co-founders, said he was mystified as to why he was booted from the team, although he noted that he and Hillier have had differences of opinion on several issues.

The LLA is moving away from agriculture issues and toward municipal politics, he said.

Vanderspank, who ran for president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture last year, said he is no longer a member of the LLA.

LLA president Randy Hillier has a different version of events. "There were a number of meetings with John. The final vote was without him," Hillier said. "It was not a difference of opinions between  myself and John, but between John and all others on the executive."

He added: "We are not moving away from agriculture, but broadening our methods of attacking the problems, which includes entering into municipal politics."

An LLA press release Nov. 14, stated that an executive board voted unanimously to restructure its board of directors. Randy Hillier will remain as president, Merle Bowes as vice-president. The press release also stated the LLA's current focus on five issues.:

1. To establish the LLA as a municipal political movement to rural Ontario;

2. To create a new provincial jurisdiction for rural Ontario;

3. To ensure municipal de-amalgamation through referenda;

4. To reduce excessive and intrusive over-regulation and legislation;

5. To defend and protect the rural economy.