Township council declined a request to assist the local chamber of commerce with the cost of hall rental for a candidates meetings for the upcoming municipal election.
The Mapleton Chamber of Commerce has booked the Maryborough Community Centre in Moorefield for an all-candidates meeting on Oct. 3. The cost to rent the hall for the meeting is $135.
“It is this amount we are looking to have lowered or waived as we will be making no money off the event,” explained chamber coordinator Gina Dobben in a letter to Mapleton council.
Mayor Neil Driscoll, the only member of the current council who faces an election to retain his seat, declared a conflict of interest on the matter at the Sept. 11 meeting. Three of the other four council members are set to be acclaimed. Councillor Lori Woodham is not seeking re-election, and Paul Douglas has been acclaimed to that seat. Councillor Dennis Craven was appointed to chair the meeting after Driscoll recused himself.
Dobben explained the chamber of commerce is looking to host two all candidates in Mapleton prior to the Oct. 22 election, in addition to one being hosted by the Alma Optimist Club in that community.
“The Alma event four years ago was standing room only. It was very well attended. Which is why the chamber believes it is very important to have three all candidates meetings this time: one in Alma, one in Drayton and one in Moorefield,” Dobben told council.
“We are looking to provide a service for our members as well as the municipality so that the community can get informed and make their decision,” she added.
“There’s going to be no financial gain on our behalf were just looking for some exposure to let community members know we’re here and offer something to them that they might not be getting otherwise,” Dobben noted.
Woodham said, “We have a policy in place and I believe … for exactly this reason, that we didn’t want to have to be able to say yes to this one, no to the other.
“I believe it’s almost a conflict for council as a whole to be able to say ‘Oh yeah. Lets waive the fee so that we can get ourselves elected,’” Woodham added.
Woodham suggested the chamber consider accepting free will donations at the event to help cover the cost.
“It’s only $135 that you’re looking for. I do believe you’re going to have fabulous turnout.”
Dobben explained the chamber is looking hosting a meeting at the Drayton Festival Theatre or another venue in Drayton as well as the Moorefield meeting. She said the local cottager’s association traditionally hosts a candidates meeting, but weren’t able to find a suitable date and location this time.
Councillor Marlene Ottens said the number of acclamations (Earl Campbell will fill the Wellington County council Ward 2 by acclamation also) means councillors would have a reduced role in any candidaes meeting.
“The difference is last time there were 10 people running for four council spots, whereas this year there’s not. So there’s really no competition for the council positions. So I guess I’m not sure what we councillors would do at the all candidates meeting other than say what we stand for,” Ottens stated. “So I kind of feel … almost conflicted here … it’s just an opportunity to bang my own drum.”
“I think there’s probably $135 plus tax in this for the chamber of commerce as far as exposure and getting your name out there,” said councillor Michael Martin, who suggested it might be possible for the fee to be covered privately, rather than by the municipality.
Craven said he favored waiving the fee as requested.
“I feel that anytime we can make anything happen that’s good for the Township of Mapleton that we should go for it and I’m not so sure, with the chamber of commerce just getting started, that we should ask them to pay for the facility. There isn’t really going to be hardly any cost to us for the use of that facility,” Craven stated.
“I think that we can make similar arguments for a lot of delegations that come asking for fees to be waived,” said Martin. “You could also argue that if we waive this fee we might be kind of paying for it twice, right? We also contributed to the start up costs for the chamber of commerce…We have a policy to avoid having these conversations here.”
Craven requested a recorded vote and was the only one to vote in favor of waiving the fee, with Martin, Ottens and Woodham all voting against the waiver.
