MAPLETON/MINTO – The Community News would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 2020 as we take a look back on an eventful 2019.
The following is just a small sample of the news that made headlines in Mapleton Township and the Town of Minto during the past 12 months.
JANUARY
During a Jan. 3 budget meeting Mapleton council discussed placing the minimum 2019 tax rate increase at zero per cent and the tax levy increase at 7.8%. Such an increase would mark the first time in the last four years Mapleton will not have a double-digit levy increase, according to councillor Michael Martin. Adjusting the levy increase to 7.8% from the 3.75% originally proposed by finance director John Morrison, means raising an additional $298,000 in taxes. Council agreed that money should be used to increase reserve funds if the draft budget is approved.
Mapleton councillors were unanimous in their decision to prohibit retail cannabis stores in the municipality. Residents filled the council chamber to capacity on Jan. 8 to witness a vote on whether to allow cannabis stores in the township. Some in the audience applauded when council voted to prohibit pot stores in Mapleton Township.
Minto council passed a resolution to allow the retail sale of cannabis in the municipality. The decision came in a 4-3 recorded vote at the Jan. 22 council meeting. Mayor George Bridge, deputy mayor Dave Turton and councillors Ron Elliott and Geoff Gunson voted in favour of allowing cannabis sales, while Jean Anderson, Judy Dirksen and Mark MacKenzie were opposed.
JANUARY – The Optimist Club of Moorefield celebrated its 50th anniversary with a dinner at the Maryborough Community Centre on Jan. 12. Members of the club’s executive with guest speaker and master of ceremonies Mike Farwell of 570 News radio. From left: vice president Mark Grasman, lieutenant governor/treasurer Dan McIntyre, president Jeremy Culling, Farwell and director Tim Bates. Community News file photos
FEBRUARY
The Town of Minto was the recipient of a 2018 Award of Excellence from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) at an awards ceremony at the Sheraton Centre Toronto. Minto placed first in the Collaboration and Partnership Awards category, for Local Collaboration and Partnership under 50,000 population. The town was selected for the summer of 2018’s Cool Cones Crawl public art project, which celebrated a reunion of former Canada Packers employees and the history of York Ice Cream production in Harriston.
Sanguen Health Centre, which provides Hepatitis C testing, treatment, support, outreach and education in Guelph-Wellington and Waterloo Region, planned to bring a mobile service to Minto and Erin. A delegation from the organization, led by program director Colin McVicker, explained plans for the service to Minto council at the Feb. 7 meeting. The van offers a wide range of services, often over a cup of hot chocolate, including:
– food, clothing and hygiene products;
– testing for Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV and syphilis;
– vein and wound care;
– referrals, supportive counselling, case management;
– harm reduction supplies and returns;
– sexual health support and education;
– flu shots and vaccines; and
– overdose prevention and naloxone.
Hundreds of local residents enjoyed Family Day at an event held in memory of a devoted family man. In Palmerston on Feb. 18 Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington (CSGW) hosted Darren’s Day in partnership with the Minto Fire department, Palmerston Marlins Softball Club, Palmerston Lions Club, Town of Minto and Wellington County OPP. The event was held in honour
of Darren More, who was killed in a motor vehicle collision while on his way to work in July of 2018. The driver of the stolen truck that hit More was drug-impaired. A devoted family man, More was also active in his community and was a supporter of minor sports.
MARCH
The Mixed Bunch from Palmerston took on the Outcasts from Mildmay during a Saturday morning game in Harriston at the annual Palmerston Junior Broomball Tournament. The co-ed tournament provided new players from Atom to Juvenile ages an opportunity to try out the sport. The tournament ran March 8 to 11, with games played in both Palmerston and Harriston.
The list of area municipal employees making over $100,000 grew to 71, a 20 per cent increase from two years ago. On March 27, the province released its annual “Sunshine List” of public sector employees with a salary of at least $100,000. The list, which has been released every year since 1996, included provincial and municipal governments, crown agencies and corporations, Ontario Power Generation and publicly-funded organizations.
The annual Drayton Farm Show was the biggest fundraiser for the local Kinsmen Club. A portion of the $5 admission fee to the event, held on March 27 and 28 at the PMD arena, was donated to cystic fibrosis research.“Then all of the proceeds from the door, half of that goes directly to cystic fibrosis, along with another portion of the entire project,” said 2019 farm show chairman Chad MacKay. Cystic fibrosis is a cause supported by Kinsmen Clubs across Canada.
MARCH – The Drayton and District Skating Club’s Night At The Museum carnival showcased local figure skater talent from beginner to senior skaters during two performances on March 2 at the PMD arena. From left: Dajung Yoon, 16, Sarah McIntyre, 18 and Sierra Martin, 17, skate a senior set together.
APRIL
On April 4 over 1,300 Upper Grand District School Board students from 57 elementary schools competed at the regional Skills Canada competition at the University of Guelph. Students from Centre Peel Public School in Mapleton participated in the green energy challenge, creating a wind-powered car. Other challenges at the competition included Lego robotics, Lego mechanics, character animation, TV/video production, health and safety, design and build, construction, and robotics.
Mapleton Fire Chief Rick Richardson and firefighter Earl Campbell received recognition for 35 years of service on April 23. Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece presented certificates to Richardson and Campbell on behalf of the province; Mapleton Mayor Gregg Davidson presented them with awards on behalf of the township.
The northern Wellington alliance of Minto, Wellington North and Mapleton announced the third annual Northern Wellington Youth Connections for April 30. The event was initiated to help bridge the gap between youth and community stakeholders, such as local employers, organizations and services. It focuses on providing youth with the opportunities to discover first-hand local career options available within northern Wellington County by meeting with business owners and other employment professionals in the area.
MAY
Wellington County’s Green Legacy Program and Trees For Mapleton hosted the annual township tree pick-up day on May 4 at the Mapleton public works garage. The trees were available at no cost to residents, however the township accepted donations to the local food bank. Residents could order trees in advance from a list of types available, or choose from surplus trees on a first come, first served basis on the day of the event.
RBC officials delivered a big cheque to the Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation on May 7. The bank donated $10,000 for nursing education. Foundation development officer Dale Franklin said the funds supported a series of nursing skills training days for North Wellington Health Care staff. RBC has been donating $10,000 annually to the foundation for nursing training for the past 11 years.
Mapleton council approved a donation of $17,000 to the Drayton Rotary Club to be used for the completion of an accessible washroom in ABC Park. Through the municipality’s 50/50 funding program the township agreed to donate $5,000 for the construction of the washroom. On May 14 council approved donating a further $12,000 to provide hook ups for sewer and hydro. The additional $12,000 was drawn from the township’s capital reserves.
MAY – The 19th Annual Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation Gala was held May 25 at the Palmerston and District Community Centre Complex. The theme for this year’s gala, a sold out event once again, was Moonlight over Monte Carlo, complete with palm trees, gambling, upscale lounge areas, vintage photographs and classic cars. From left: Dianne and Dave Arjune, along with Elizabeth Smigh, try their hand at blackjack.
JUNE
Helen Moffat received the Mapleton’s Senior of the Year award in recognition of years of volunteer work, dedication to local causes and preservation of local history. A resident of Mapleton for over 49 years, Moffat has been a 4-H Homemaking Club leader for 21 years, a member of the Wellington County Plowmen’s Association for over 20 years, president of the Alma Women’s Institute, and treasurer of both the Mapleton Historical Society (since 2006) and the Peel History Committee, as well as a regular volunteer at the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Merriment was the order of the day on June 8 as the village of Clifford celebrated on the anniversary of the downtown revitalization project of 2018. The Town of Minto and the Clifford Downtown Revitalization Committee hosted the event with sponsorship from the Clifford and District Horticultural Society, the Clifford Rotary Club, Triton Engineering, Moorefield Excavating, and support from a bevy of volunteers.
The winner of Minto’s 2019 Pitch It! 2.0 Business Plan Competition was The Old Post and Escape the Old Post. The business, which is owned by Michael and Sue Hendrick of Harriston, was announced as the winner at the June 18 Minto council meeting. The entry consisted of expansion plans to create and operate a second escape room in the basement of the Old Post, as well as the construction and operation of a unique meeting room named The Post Script.
JULY
Pursuing a 100-acre extension of the urban boundary of Palmerston was among the recommendations agreed to by Minto council from a growth report presented on July 2. CAO Chris Harrow told council the province’s 2019 growth plan update indicates an expectation Minto will grow by 3,745 people by 2041. That translates into 1,330 new homes.
Mapleton council authorized township staff to enter into an agreement with a co-mingled investment initiative, ONE Investment Program (OIP), on July 9.
The Town of Minto’s first Pride in the Park picnic drew a crowd to Lions Heritage Park in Palmerston on July 13. The event featured a barbecue, games, face painting and a march through the park, culminating in the unfurling of a pride flag from the landmark pedestrian railway bridge.
JULY – Students from the Owl’s Nest Early Development Centre helped design a banner for Minto’s Pride in the Park picnic and carried it in a march through Lions Heritage Park in Palmerston on July 13. Organizers estimate about 200 people attended the inaugural event.
AUGUST
Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) officially opened the RFP process for up to $12.1 million worth of broadband infrastructure in Wellington County. The provincial government announced in May it would provide $12.1 million for Wellington projects as part of an overall contribution of $63 million to SWIFT, a project initiated by the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) to bring broadband to under-serviced areas.
The establishment of 40 new youth-run businesses in the region was celebrated with a barbecue at Rotary Park in Clifford on Aug. 14.
The support for local youth entrepreneurs came through Saugeen Connects, an economic development partnership that includes Minto, Wellington North, Brockton, Hanover, West Grey and the Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). Students from Grades 6 to 12 who successfully pitched their ideas to the Saugeen Connects team under the Saugeen Student Start-up Program (SSUP) received start-up funding and extensive training while operating their own businesses in the summer.
The Wellington County Historical Society executive traveled to Harriston for its Aug. 15 meeting. Seven members were hosted by the Harriston Historical Society, which has display rooms on the third floor of the Carnegie library building there.
SEPTEMBER
Copernicus Educational Products announced on Sept. 17 that 50 acres of reforested land near Arthur, containing provincially significant wetland and two ponds, is now designated as a nature reserve. Company officials state the move protects the land in perpetuity. By working through the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy, which works with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for approval, the rolling forested land, located in Mapleton Township, just outside of Arthur on the 18th Line, is protected from development.
Heidi Frey was crowned Ontario Queen of the Furrow. The 20-year-old Drayton resident was selected on Sept. 20 during the 2019 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Verner, West Nipissing, located between North Bay and Sudbury.
Approximately 120 people attended the Terry Fox Run in Drayton on Sept. 15, despite the rain. Participants walked, ran and biked for the cause, raising around $17,000.
Clifford and District Horticultural Society president Vic Palmer welcomed 40 friends and family to the memorial tree planting for Elsie Grummett on Sept. 28 at the Rotary Park in Clifford.
OCTOBER
Participants braved cooler weather on Oct. 5 and took off for the Emergency 91Run from the Palmerston fire hall. The run was organized by Minto Fire, with all proceeds donated to mental health initiatives.
The value of Minto building construction continued to climb at a record pace in 2019. A total of 171 building permits were issued in the Town of Minto, for construction valued at a combined $30.2 million. To that point in 2018 the town had issued 174 permits for $28.3 million worth of construction.
The 18th Annual CKNX Health Care Heroes Radiothon raised $323,714 for ten area hospitals, including Palmerston and District Hospital and Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest, on Oct. 19. The radiothon event generated fundraising dollars in support of medical equipment purchases for the participating hospitals in mid-western Ontario.
The Clifford Lions Club held its annual pumpkin carving contest on Oct. 26 at the Clifford fire hall. Seven children under the age of 12 took part in the contest. Prize winners were: first, Allanna Douglas; second, Vada MacDonald; third, Ryper MacDonald. Other children who took part each received a toonie.
NOVEMBER
Fire chiefs Rick Richardson and Chris Harrow, of Mapleton and Minto respectively, presented Mapleton council with a joint fire plan established by the two departments. The in-house fire master plan, a first for the Mapleton department, includes updates – most to take place within the next five years – in the following areas: administration and communication, public education, fire prevention, apparatus and equipment, training, fire suppression, health and wellness, shared services and IT and infrastructure.
Beautiful weather and a large slate of floats brought a large crowd out for Minto’s first Santa Claus parade of the season on Nov. 23 in Harriston.
Mapleton council has received a rezoning application for a proposed commercial kennel that, according to chief building officer Patty Wright, if approved, would bring the township kennel count to 14. Maryborough residents Darren and Stephanie Huber came to Mapleton council on Nov. 12 to ask that their one-acre property, currently zoned for agricultural use, be rezoned to permit a dog kennel. The proposed kennel would be housed on the ground floor of an existing accessory structure measuring 188.6 square metres.
DECEMBER
Santa and his elves were at the Drayton fire hall after the Dec. 6 Drayton Santa Claus Parade. “Junior firefighters” Sawyer, Felicity, Deacon and Celeste Signer, and Rosa Vandenberg won a colouring contest and the chance to ride in the fire trucks during the parade and be first in line to see Santa.
Minto council agreed to put Beehive Park up for sale. The park, located on Wellington Road 109 between Harriston and Teviotdale, was the site of a one-room schoolhouse until the mid-1960s. It was operated as a roadside rest stop by the provincial Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for many years after the school closed. In 2000, after the local portion of Highway 9 was downloaded from the province to the county, the newly-amalgamated Town of Minto purchased the property for $1 and continued to operate it as a roadside rest stop and picnic area. Council declared the land surplus and directed staff to provide public notices of the proposed sale.
Clifford Firefighter Association president Tyler Andrews and his son Sawyer presented a $500 cheque to the Clifford Food Bank committee on Dec. 2. They also brought boxes of food collected along the Santa Claus parade route.
