It is active transportation taken a notch higher – and council here is hoping to ratchet up its efforts in the second commuter challenge.
It will have to. The last time Mapleton tackled the Town of Minto in the commuter challenge, Minto “walked” all over its opponent.
Town Mayor George Bridge wrote to Mapleton Mayor Bruce Whale in late March to set up the latest test.
“In 2009 the Town of Minto officially challenged the Township of Mapleton to a commuter challenge and when the results came in, the Town of Minto won with 1,711km saved,” Bridge wrote, not exactly gloating.
“Three years have passed since the last competition and so the Town of Minto would like to officially challenge the Township of Mapleton to another commuter challenge.”
It runs from June 3 to 9 and encourages Canadians to leave their cars at home. It rewards walking, cycling and carpooling while celebrating active and sustainable transportation.
Helen Edwards and Sandy Turner of the Seniors’ Centre for Excellence are on the Mapleton-Minto communities in motion committee and will be able to provide Mapleton councillors with all the rules of the competition, Bridge said.
His letter generated much discussion at Mapleton council; much of it on how to win the battle this time.
Whale said, “I’m almost afraid to get into this one.”
Councillor Mike Downey said, “We keep score this time – not them.”
Councillor Jim Curry said the problem for Mapleton council is most of the councillors work at their own homes or farms, and there are no savings by going to work via bike or a car pool.
Whale, who farms, said, “I told Mayor Bridge I walk to work every day.”
Councillor Andy Knetsch said, “I think we’re much more environmentally friendly than them.”
Whale said council could try to car pool. Clerk Patty Sinnamon suggested everyone could drive to Drayton and then bike to the township office, which is several miles outside of the village.
Downey quipped, “Just don’t expect us to be here at 9am.”
Sinnamon suggested finance director Mike Givens could bike to work. He replied, “Not from Listowel.”
Councillor Neil Driscoll had the most confidence in Mapleton.
“We should tell them when we win, they have to fly our flag for a week,” Driscoll said.
Whale agreed that would be the stakes.
Driscoll then suggested Whale car pool with Bridge when going to county council – with Bridge driving and Whale saving the kilometres.
Whale said there is no county council meeting during the competition, but, “We could arrange a special meeting.”
Council then accepted Minto’s challenge.
“Start exercising,” Whale told council.
