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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 44 Issue 19
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.10% 3 Year GIC - 3.00% 5 Year GIC - 3.35%
Friday, May 13, 2011
Transit service for disabled may expand to Mapleton
Hall revenue atop list of concerns of township, residents at first meeting by Chris Daponte MOOREFIELD - Many residents agree more needs to be done to increase revenue at the Maryborough community centre, and they say the solution starts at the township office. Several of the 50-plus people who attended the April 28 town hall meeting at the community centre in Moorefield said a better website, more marketing, and improved communication would go a long way to increasing the number of rentals at the building. “You’d probably have a better chance of renting this place out if [prospective renters] didn’t have to listen to that stupid answering machine at the office,” one resident said, calling the system “ridiculous.” Judging by the laughs that comment received, others in the audience clearly agreed. Mayor Bruce Whale noted the answering machine system is also a “pet peeve” of councillor Neil Driscoll’s. Whale said council is looking into possible changes. The mayor opened the discussion by explaining the utilities alone at the community centre exceed its revenues, but several residents seemed dismayed when informed the township does little to market the building other than rely on its own website and on word of mouth. When it was suggested township staff could do more marketing work, councillor Andy Knetsch said he thought that was “a great idea. We’re going to address that.” Resident Jeremy Culling said someone he knows tried to rent the PMD Arena in Drayton and though that hall was already booked for the date he wanted, township staff never even mentioned the possibility
of renting the Moorefield hall instead. Knetsch acknowledged the township needs to improve communication and training to ensure that does not happen. Resident Ron Ellis suggested township buildings are over staffed, but Whale replied there is no longer staff dedicated to the Moorefield building; it is looked after by staff from the PMD Arena. Some proposed there could be more walking and fitness programs in the hall, especially for seniors, but resident Cliff Campbell lamented the problem is there is no longer a volunteer workforce on which to rely. Several others at the meeting agreed and a few wondered, if things continue as they are, if it could mean the demise of the community centre. “We honestly have not considered closing it,” councillor Mike Downey replied when asked the question point blank. “That has never been the intent.” Resident Dan McIntyre suggested township officials need to consider that the Moorefield building should not be viewed as a source of profit, but rather as a service they are providing to the community. Whale replied it is indeed a service, but it would be nice if the building at least came close to breaking even financially. *** Other topics discussed at the town hall meeting include: - a general explanation of where tax dollars are spent; - converting all township road signs to read “Mapleton,” instead of the old township names (several residents noted there are still many that read “Peel” or “Maryborough”); Continued on page 6
Spaling, Predators eliminated by Vancouver
Despite the best efforts of Drayton native Nick Spaling, he and his Nashville Predators teammates have been eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Vancouver Canucks took game six of the NHL’s Western Conference semifinal on Monday night, to claim a 4-2 series win over the Predators. Spaling averaged about 24 shifts and 15 minutes of ice time per game in the second round, while registering two assists and a plus-one rating. He finished the playoffs
NICK SPALING with six points and a plus-three rating in 12 games.
Main St. W. Palmerston
Soul Surfer Rated PG
Starring Anna Sophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood and Dennis Quaid. The inspiring true story of champion teen surfer Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm in a shark attack.
Times: Friday & Saturday 8pm & Sunday 7pm
For more info call 519-343-3640 or visit www.norgantheatre.com
Daily Savings 1.50%
‘Grand’ visit - Ted vanderKooi shares a classroom seat with his grandson, Patrick, on May 2 at Community Christian School in Drayton. Over 70 grandparents and “grand-friends” visited the school to see the students. The morning started with an assembly, during which students sang, acted and danced for their guests. Additional photo on page 6. submitted photo
Township still struggles with funding shortfalls due to past assessment reforms by Chris Daponte MAPLETON TWP. Changes made over a decade ago to how taxes are collected from agricultural and managed forest properties continue to cost the township hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. On April 26 Finance Director Mike Givens told council the funding shortfall last year alone was $531,608. The issue arose after the provincial government in 1998 transferred the funding responsibility for collection of taxes on farmland and managed forests to municipalities. The province also mandated that those lands be taxed at 25% of the residential tax rate. Prior to 1998 owners of farmland paid their taxes in
full to the municipality and then applied to the province to receive a 75% rebate. “The lost tax revenue from farmland properties within a given municipality is therefore funded in full through a higher tax rate within the municipality,” Givens told council. The assessment reforms have had a big impact in Mapleton in particular because farmland represents 40% of the current value assessment in the township. To help make up for the shortfall, the province includes a farmland and managed forest component in its Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund, the primary source of funding it provides to municipalities. That component last year
for Mapleton was $714,400 which, when combined with the 25% tax dollars for farmland ($411,359) and managed forest ($3,978), means $1,129,737 in total income for the municipality. But that total is $531,608 less than $1,661,346 - which is what the township would have received under the old system when taxes on farms ($1,645,432) and managed forests ($15,914) were paid in full directly to the municipality. Givens noted the OMPF farmland and managed forest component will increase this year to $718,200, but that will not solve the problem. “The shortfall is not exclusive to 2010; it’s an ongoing issue,” he told council.
Local students to host Haiti carnival May 25 DRAYTON - At Drayton Heights Public School there is a group of students that has been working on a very special extracurricular activity. Calling themselves the Hearts for Haiti Club, the students have been raising money and awareness to build a school in Haiti, brick by brick. The Hearts for Haiti Club is working with Free the Children’s Brick by Brick program, an organization that provides a platform for Canadian students to create global and local change. The Brick by Brick project has a goal of $8,500, which will go directly towards building the school in Haiti. Since January, Drayton
Heights Public School has raised a remarkable $5,000 so far. The students and staff are hoping to raise the rest of the needed amount by the end of this school year. This is where the exciting community event comes into play. On May 25, the Hearts for Haiti Club, student council, and school council will team up to host an incredible evening of games, activities, food and live entertainment for the entire community. The proceeds from this event will be split between Drayton Heights and the Brick by Brick project. The entire community is invited to come out and support local and glob-
Weekly Wag
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al education. Local businesses are helping with support and donations. There will be a variety of carnival-themed games such as ball toss, dunk tank, face painting, jewellery booth and more. There is to be a silent auction held in the gymnasium, as well as a barbecue outside. This special community event will also coincide with the Scholastic Book Fair family event in the school library. The Haiti Carnival and school council barbecue are open to school families and the public from 4 to 8pm on May 25. So come out, enjoy an evening of games, food and entertainment - all to help support local and global education.
by Chris Daponte MAPLETON TWP. - Local councillors are in favour of improved transportation for the mentally and physically disabled, but they want more information before offering their full support to a program that may expand to the Mapleton area. At its last meeting in April council considered a letter from Jerome Quenneville, president and CEO of North Wellington Health Care, encouraging council to support the expansion of Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART) to northern Wellington County. “They would appear to be the answer to many of our current accessibility challenges,” wrote Quenneville, adding that for over three decades SMART has used a “reasonable” user fee for a variety of vehicles. “This aligns well with our aging demographic and the desire of most residents to remain in independent living for extended periods of time.” Mayor Bruce Whale said SMART officials, who currently operate in Grey and Bruce counties only, “feel they have the capacity” to expand to northern Wellington. Clerk Patty Sinnamon told council SMART will likely expand first to Wellington North Township as a pilot project this year and then, if successful, branch out to Mapleton and Minto. Whale added the matter will likely come back before council for future discussion. Council unanimously passed a resolution to support in principle the SMART expansion to Mapleton Township (councillor Jim Curry was absent).
Gala set for May 28 at PMD Arena MAPLETON TWP. Council has again agreed to waive the rental fee for the PMD Arena, paving the way for the 11th annual Starlight Gala to be held at the arena on May 28. The gala, held annually in support of the Palmerston and District Hospital, rotates every year between Drayton, Palmerston and Harriston. Council voted unanimously to waive the rental fee this year.