SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 04
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
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Jim de Bock recognized with Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship By Chris Daponte ALMA - One of this village’s best-known residents has been awarded the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. Jacobus (Jim) de Bock was one of 11 Ontarians to receive the medal in a ceremony in Toronto on Jan. 17. “It means a lot to me,” he told the Community News two days following the event. “It’s an honour to be recognized and it’s a privilege to be recognized.” De Bock, 74, was heralded by the province as “a dedicated member of the Alma Optimist Club and a former public school teacher, who uses creative recreational activities to promote youth development and the importance of healthy, active lifestyles.” Governor Lieutenant Elizabeth Dowdeswell stated recipients of the medal “have improved the lives of people in their communities through years of selfless effort. “Their compassion stands as an inspiration to us all and
Good citizen - Jacobus (Jim) de Bock was one of 11 Ontarians to receive the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship at a ceremony in Toronto on Jan. 17. Government of Ontario photo is a testament to the value of hard work and dedication.” De Bock, a longtime Alma resident and mainstay at most of the village’s most popular events, school func-
Township losing director of finance By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The township is once again seeking to fill a top management post. Mayor Neil Driscoll confirmed on Jan. 19 that finance director Karmen Krueger will be leaving the township on Feb. 9. Krueger joined the township on July 24, 2017. The township had been searching for a new finance director since April, when Mayor Neil Driscoll confirmed former finance director Yufang Du was “no longer with the Township of Mapleton.” Driscoll said Krueger has been travelling to Mapleton
from the Owen Sound area and has found the commute unworkable due to family considerations. “An hour-and-a-half commute. She just couldn’t do it,” said Driscoll, who commended Krueger for her work on the township’s recentlyapproved 2018 municipal budget and other projects. “Karmen was just amazing,” said Driscoll, adding Krueger has “found and fixed” a number of problems during her brief tenure with the township. Driscoll said Krueger advised him on Jan. 17 she would be leaving her position SEE FINANCE » 3
Construction activity up in 2018 By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Township building activity for 2017 finished strong, with figures up for both December and the year overall. A report from chief building official Patty Wright indicates the township issued 15 building permits in
December for construction valued at about $1.65 million, generating a little more than $17,000 in permit fees. That’s up from December of 2016, when the township issued seven permits for construction valued at just under $1.3 million and collected about $10,000 in fees. SEE BUILDING » 3
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tions, sports leagues and fundraisers, was nominated for the medal by Mapleton Township. He said he was “shocked” when informed in November
he would be receiving the medal. “I was really overwhelmed,” he said. “I was kind of humbled, actually, more than anything. There’s so many other people out there who deserve this.” Over the past four decades, de Bock’s long list of volunteer efforts - a majority facilitated through the Optimist Club - have included: Breakfast on the Farm, the local swim program, Winterfest, Tin Can Curling, T-ball, bike rodeo, Plunger Plop, DARE program, Roadkill Race, beef barbecue, rink building and Alma Environment Fair. A past recipient of the local Optimist of the Year award, de Bock was nominated in 2016 for the province’s June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Voluntarism. He has also been recognized with the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for his efforts with the WaterlooWellington Science and Engineering Fair.
“Jim is the best volunteer you could ask for,” said Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll. “He is everything you could [want] in a volunteer.” Driscoll noted the number of community activities de Bock has been involved with is “amazing.” He cited local minor ball, the popular plunger toss and a wide range of Optimist Club activities. “He’s always involved somehow. There’s not an Optimist event where I haven’t seen him there,” the mayor stated. De Bock retired in 2003 after 36 years teaching with the Waterloo Region District School Board – “and I still miss it,” he said. Though no longer in the classroom, he remains a popular mentor for many youths in the area, including some second- and third-generation pupils. “It’s kind of what keeps me going,” de Bock said of his involvement with local children. The avid runner explained
he remains active to ensure he can continue volunteering. He still serves as co-coach of Alma Public School’s cross country running club and this spring he will celebrate his 40th year as a local T-ball coach. Decades of dedication After four decades of dedication to his community and its youth, de Bock has no plans to slow down or rest on his laurels – he plans to coach T-ball for another decade despite his most recent recognition from the province “It’s a gift … but along with that gift comes responsibility,” he said, smiling. “I guess I’ll have to try harder next year.” Asked about the genesis of his selflessness, de Bock immediately credits time spent volunteering and working for the Mennonite Central Committee in Kitchener following high school. “That kind of set the template for my entire life,” he said.“Service to others … I’ve never lost sight of it, really.” - With files from Patrick Raftis
Institute working to develop rural leaders By Caroline Sealey ALMA - Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) CEO Rob Black and director of policy and stakeholder engagement Norm Ragetlie spoke on the institute at the Jan. 16 dinner meeting of the Alma Optimists. A Centre Wellington resident, Black has worked extensively with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and 4-H, in various positions within each organization. Ragetlie is based in Owen Sound but works in the organization’s Guelph office from Tuesday to Thursday. Previously employed as a land use planner with OMAFRA and the Ontario Land Trust, Ragetlie focuses on policy for rural issues. Established in 2010, the ROI is the result of a merger of the Centre for Rural Leadership and the Ontario Rural Council. The institute offers programs that develop leaders that are critical voices around opportunities and key issues facing rural and northern Ontario. Black said, “The Rural Ontario Institute’s key val-
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Rural focus - Alma Optimist Les Skerritt, left, presented Rural Ontario Institute director of policy and stakeholder engagement Norm Ragetlie, centre, and CEO Rob Black with gifts of appreciation after a talk on the institute at the Alma Optimist’s Jan. 19 dinner meeting. Photo by Caroline Sealey ues include diverse perspectives and collaboration; respectful, open and honest communication; innovation and entrepreneurship; economic, social and environmental sustainability in rural and northern Ontario; and continuous improvement and excellence.” A not-for-profit, Ontario
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incorporated institute with charitable status, the organization has 12 board members and directors across Ontario. Each commits to a three-year term and attends four to five meetings per year. The institute employs three staff members at its Guelph location near Marden.
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“You can hear and smell rural at this location, which makes it perfect for us. Additional contract staff are hired when needed for project work,” Black said. “The institute enjoys a working relationship with a large number of partners, funders and sponsors, ranging from SEE RURAL » 3
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