SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 09
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
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638-3328
THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018
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Spring flooding - Areas around the Agricultural Hall in Drayton experienced heavy flooding as melting snow combined with steady rainfall led to flooding in low-lying areas across the Grand River watershed on Feb. 21. In Drayton, the GRCA issued a flood alert for level one areas, which was later updated to include level three areas. The authority issued a number of flood warnings between Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, but announced on Feb. 26 that all watches and warnings were terminated. More photos on page 4. Photo by Caroline Sealey
Health professional recruitment team reports on successful efforts in 2017 By Patrick Raftis
‘Heartiversary’ in Drayton - “Owen’s First Heartiversary� on Feb. 19 at the PMD arena featured skating, face painting, children’s activities, a silent auction, photo booth and more. Proceeds went to Sick Kids Hospital (Labatt Family Heart Centre), with Scotia Bank matching 100% of donations up to $5,000. Over $13,000 was raised. The event was a celebration of the one-year anniversary of Drayton youth Owen Drost’s life saving open heart surgery. He was four months old at the time. Among those enjoying the ice time were members of the Korowa family, from left: Kia, Geoff, Molly and Nicole. Photo by Caroline Sealey More photos on page 5
MAPLETON – Township council has agreed to provide $10,000 to support local health professional recruitment and retention efforts this year. Mapleton-Minto Health Care Recruitment Committee chair Shirley Borges, recruiter Alison Armstrong and local physician Dr. Christine Peterkin attended the Feb. 13 council meeting to update council on recruitment efforts and to make the annual request for funding. “We’ve had a busy past
year with physician recruitment as Dr. (Christopher) Cressey who has been serving our Minto-Mapleton community for several decades decided to retire,� Borges explained in a written report to council. “Our recruitment efforts were successful, resulting in the recruitment of two new physicians, Dr. Tamara Chu and Dr. Joanna Wielgosz, both of whom were medical residents working previously with Dr. Christine Peterkin and staff at the Mapleton Health Centre. “Both Drs. Chu and
Wielgosz will work together out of the Minto Rural Health Centre and provide emergency and inpatient coverage to both Mapleton and Minto residents at the Palmerston Hospital.� Borges thanked council for the township’s ongoing support, noting “your contribution is [matched] by the hospital and that’s what helps support Alison and our work in bringing residents and future physicians here to our community.� Borges pointed out health professional recruitment requires long-term thinking
and ongoing effort. “I kind of think of recruitment as the Olympics because when you see all these fantastic performances, and I thought of the curlers winning their gold medal, and I thought, gosh, how many years did it take to produce those fine curlers?â€? she said. “It’s kind of like recruitment. It’s just a long process. There’s a lot of work that goes into it and sometimes, just like Olympians, a little bit of luck. We have growth,â€? Borges pointed out. SEE TOWNSHIP Âť 3
Council authorizes phase two renovation projects for Maryborough Community Centre By Patrick Raftis MO O R E FIE LD – Mapleton council has given the go-ahead to proceed with $219,000 worth of work on the second phase of the Maryborough Community Centre renovation project. Council has also asked staff to provide options for possibly maintaining a builtin stage in the facility. At the Feb. 13 meeting, a staff report from public works director Sam Mattina noted the initial tender, which closed on July 25, resulted in prices “far exceeding� project estimates. On Aug. 22 council authorized staff to re-tender the project, following a re-definition of the project scope. On Sept. 26 the tender for the redefined project was awarded to Sax Construction, while
Hall renovations continue - Mapleton council gave the go-ahead to proceed with $219,000 worth of work on the second phase of the Maryborough Community Centre renovation project at the Feb. 13 council meeting. Photo by Caroline Sealey a number of elements were deferred to a discretionary second phase. “The phase one renovation work being completed by Sax Construction appears to be progressing within proposed budget,� the report stated. “Council must now decide whether they are willing to carry out the previous-
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ly-deferred renovations.� The deferred elements include: - removing the existing stage and related stairs, and putting up a new wall and double door to create storage, at a cost of $17,000; - two new windows along the front wall, $17,000; - refinish and refurbish
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metal sloped roof and soffit at existing mansard roof, $20,000; - refurbish and refinish existing sloped metal gable roof, $26,000; - replace flat roof, $100,000; - replace kitchen exhaust, renovate exhaust hood, ducts and controls, $14,000; - mop sink and associat-
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“The four most beautiful words in our common language: I told you so.� - Gore Vidal
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ed plumbing, drainage and exhaust system, $14,000; and servery upgrades, including new counter tops and cupboard door fronts and painting walls. The report explains $684,624 of the budgeted $832,624 has been expended, leaving a balance of $148,000. Completion of all phase two items at a projected cost of $219,500 would result in a shortfall of $71,500. “To compensate for the $71,500 shortfall, staff will review the 2018 capital budget and utilize any positive variances resultant from other 2018 approved capital expenditures, or perhaps defer an existing approved capital expenditure in order to accommodate,� Mattina suggested, adding council also has the option of removing some of the phase two
items from the list to reduce the shortfall. “The result will be a net zero impact to the budget,â€? the report states. Council opted to proceed with the full $219,500 worth of phase two projects. However, some councillors were reluctant to see the existing stage removed. Councillor Marlene Ottens said it is her understanding “most people don’t want the stage removed.â€? While conceding leaving the stage in place would create storage issues, Ottens said, “I know, just based on some commentary, speaking in the community and asking on social media, the feeling was very strong that the stage was not only wanted, but used quite a bit and [taking it away] would create SEE REMOVAL Âť 3
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