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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 45 Issue 24
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.06% 3 Year GIC - 2.36% 5 Year GIC - 2.71% Daily Interest 1.75%
Friday, June 15, 2012
About 20 people aired grievances with province at June 9 meeting Host group looks to increase numbers
Wet run - Listowel resident Chris Kurz ran 64km in firefighter’s bunker gear - from Drayton to Listowel and back - on June 9 in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. photo by Wilma Mol
Kurz sheds pounds, beard after completing 64km fundraising run by Chris Daponte DRAYTON - Chris Kurz’s most recent “ultra marathon� has raised close to $15,000 for two charities. The Listowel resident said he was “ecstatic� to successfully complete his June 9 run from Listowel to Drayton and back a total distance of about 64km - in bunker gear traditionally reserved for firefighters. On Tuesday, with his muscles still aching from the trek, Kurz said his third ultra marathon in support of Cystic Fibrosis Canada was his last. “Oh ya,� he confirmed with a laugh. He added he was elated with the support he received before, during and after his run. Combined with a dance on June 9, as well as a beard fundraiser, he estimates he raised $10,000 to $12,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. “At times it was very touching,� he said, noting he appre-
ciated the signs of support, verbal encouragement and also the company provided by several individuals throughout his run. “It was nice to see interest from such a broad age range.� Kurz, 31, departed Listowel at around 3:15am. The heavy rain kept the temperature low but also weighed down the bunker gear with each stride. But despite the extra weight, Kurz arrived at the Drayton fire hall at about 6:40am, well ahead of schedule and in advance of a pancake breakfast scheduled that day by the Mapleton Fire Department. Fire Chief Rick Richardson said he was shocked to see Kurz running by as he got ready at home that morning. “Everybody was impressed,� Richardson said of Kurz’s quick time for the first half of his run. Richardson noted Kurz received a great reception at the
breakfast, which raised about $1,270 for a memorial to North Perth firefighters Ray Walter, and Ken Rea, who died in a Listowel fire last year. Kurz dedicated his run to the memory of the fallen firefighters, and also to Lisa Mitton, who battled cystic fibrosis all her life before passing away last summer at age 34. The second half of Kurz’s run was far more difficult, he said, due to the increased humidity, but he still finished it in under seven hours. It was all worth it, given the beneficiary of the fundraiser, Kurz said. For him, an added bonus was losing the “pretty intense� beard he had grown since last year (fundraising pledges to shave the beard outpaced those to keep it by about $2,000). “People say I look like a 15-year-old kid now,� Kurz said with a laugh.
by Kris Svela Harriston - A grassroots citizen group is looking to expand its membership in a bid to offer one voice to independent action groups fighting the provincial government. Ontario Neighbours United (ONU) hosted a meeting on June 9 at the Harriston Legion and invited people representing groups battling the government over its policies on wind turbines, commercial water taking ventures, quarries and the equine industry. Concerns about the provincial government’s decision to drop its agreement to provide the horse industry with 10 per cent of slots profits was the focus of a public meeting in Aboyne on May 29 with over 200 people attending. Wellington County hosted
the meeting, which focused on concerns by the horse racing industry. The meeting also attracted wind turbine opponents whose views were not heard. The county meeting spawned the ONU membership meeting hosted by Greg Schmaltz a founding member of the organization. About 20 people attended the Harriston meeting. Schmaltz said the intent of the meeting was to position ONU as an “umbrella organization� to represent individual groups. “It’s strength in numbers,� he told the group of ONU’s membership drive. “We’re trying to get the message out that if we can build a public critical mass then politicians will listen. “Until we can show we are
a group of critical mass no one is going to pay attention.� He referred to what he called political roadblocks to stop challenges to municipal, provincial and federal policies on issues such as wind turbines. Schmaltz said the ONU has seen what individual groups face when challenges are put up against governments at all levels. The ONU is advocating a more united approach. “We have our own individual battles and we know how the deck is stacked against those people. Fighting as a bigger force is really the key message,� he added. Lorrie Gillis of Flesherton said commercial water taking, a proposed mega quarry and wind turbines are issues of concern to residents of the area. Continued on page 3
Council defers lagoon maintenance by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. - A proposal for work at the sewage lagoon for Drayton and Moorefield was deferred on May 22 to the council meeting in June. Public works director Larry Lynch recommended inspection and aeration maintenance be done on cell number three at the lagoon by Nelson Environmental at a cost of $10,570 plus taxes. “There are a number of joints in the piping that have need of repair and in order for the system to operate at optimum level, scheduled regular maintenance is most effective,� Lynch said in his report. He added employee Don Culp told him Nelson installed the system and completed a courtesy review while in the
area last year. “There is, however, no maintenance agreement in place and after eight years an inspection and thorough cleaning of the tubing is warranted,� Lynch said, adding he agrees with Culp’s assessment. Councillor Jim Curry, though, questioned the need for the maintenance. He said the township is getting aeration in its primary cell and he has “grave doubts� about whether it is needed in cell three. Lynch explained that cell is a contingency cell, and is already working. He said the township might at some point move everything from the main cell to cell three, and reminded council that staff has suggested cell three could be used in emergencies. He added it costs $1,200 a
year to keep that cell in operation. Mayor Bruce Whale said the township can “reconfirm it as a benefit.� Lynch said he can ask, “Is that money well spent?� He added, “If the pipes are not doing the job they are supposed to do ... take them out.� Whale asked if the company would make a special trip or do the work when it is in the area. Lynch said the work could be done when Nelson is in the area. Curry moved, seconded by Councillor Neil Driscoll, to defer a decision. He and Driscoll voted for that deferral, with Knetsch and councillor Mike Downy opposed. Whale broke the tie by voting for the deferral, saying council could decide in June.
Mapleton residents might be able see recreation master plan on July 1 by David Meyer MAPLETON TWP. Council has talked about it for months, heard two presentations, and has learned the final draft has few changes - so it has decided to unveil the recreation master plan for the township at its July 1 celebrations. Public works director Larry Lynch has been working with Stempski Kelly and Associates of Fergus on the plan and told council on May 22 the final draft is ready. Mayor Bruce Whale said that draft should be emailed to councillors, who should be ready to discuss it at the June
12 council meeting, the results of which were not known by press time. Whale pointed out some of the recommendations in the plan are already approved in the township’s 2012 budget. Lynch said he would like to hold a public meeting in June to get final feedback, or ensure in some way that people get to see it. Whale suggested the Canada Day celebrations in Drayton might be the best opportunity for a large number of people to see the draft plan. He suggested a booth, with copies available.
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Councillor Neil Driscoll said many will attend the July 1 celebration, but it falls on a Sunday this year. Whale said that could mean “twice the cost� of holding a public meeting on a weekday. Councillor Jim Curry said having the draft available from 5 to 7pm on July 1 might be the best because it gives a large number of people a chance to see the recommendations. “If they can do it July 1, that would be great,� Curry said. Driscoll also pointed out various community groups will have to consider sources of funds for some of the work.
Councillor Mike Downey said the first five issues are all maintenance related. Among the estimates for projects that council did see at the meeting were: - $80,000 for roof repair at the PMD community centre; - $1,000 for a scoreboard at the Moorefield ball park’s ‘A’ diamond; - no estimate to date for floor replacement at the PMD hall; - $55,600 for washroom upgrades at the Moorefield ball park, Maryborough community centre and Drayton fair grounds for safety, main-
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tenance and accessibility; and - renovations to existing playgrounds, for the same reasons, with $75,000 for the Moorefield playground, $104,000 for the Drayton Kinsmen playground, and another $70,000 for the Rothsay park closed last year because of equipment problems. Other issues include $2,000 for an audit of remaining playgrounds, with plans to do an audit every two years to keep on top of maintenance, and $22,000 for an access ramp for the Maryborough community centre for accessibility.
Council and residents will also have to consider $20,000 for next year’s March break and summer youth camps, plus $5,000 for a new splash pad, which will need a concept plan and fundraising strategy. Whale said most of the projects are “manageable� and there is no intent to delay them if they are in the budget. Chief administrative officer Patty Sinnamon said she recently learned about a federal fund the township might be able to use for maintenance of recreation equipment. Council then accepted the report for information.
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