SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 14
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
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Mayor: council behind CAO ‘110 per cent’ By Patrick Raftis
Tractor fancier - Linkyn Kabbes of Arthur checked out a new riding lawnmower at the Drayton Farm Show on March 28 at the PMD arena. Additional photos on page 4. Photo by Caroline Sealey
Drayton Farm Show draws large crowds to PMD arena By Caroline Sealey DRAYTON The Drayton Kinsmen continue to draw large crowds to their annual farm show. “It’s amazing that after 37 years, people from across Ontario continue to make the trip to Drayton in order to support the show,” said show chair Alex Robichaud. The two-day event, on March 28 and 29 at the PMD arena, showcased the latest in agricultural technology; everything from the newest cell phones and grain bins to larger pieces of farm machinery. Also on hand lending advice were employees of financial institutions, insurance companies and agricultural commodity
groups. Local service clubs featured their latest fundraisers. Mapleton representatives shared information on township services with a focus on fire safety. Trees for Mapleton handed out free trees and Grand River Conservation Authority employees discussed tree planting with landowners. “Over 100 vendors were here. The majority of the vendors were pleased with the show and the contacts they made,” said Robichaud. Students from Norwell District Secondary School volunteered their time in order to obtain volunteer hours needed to graduate. The students could be seen welcoming visitors and collecting $5 admission fees.
Others volunteered at the Drayton Kinsmen booth, assisting customers interested in purchasing a toy show collectible tractor and wagon. Drayton Minor Hockey families spent endless hours preparing and selling food in the food booth. Half of the $5 admission fee is donated to cystic fibrosis research. The remainder of the funds are donated to projects in the community. “This year we had many of our regular exhibitors back, along with a few new faces” Robichaud said. “Thank you to the vendors, volunteers and those who attended the show. Without you the show wouldn’t be the success that it is.”
MAPLETON - Mayor Neil Driscoll gave a strong statement of support for township CAO Manny Baron at the opening of the March 27 council meeting. “At this time I would like to advise the residents of Mapleton that Manny Baron has council’s support as our chief executive officer for the municipality and we support him 110 per cent,” said the mayor, before moving on to other business on the agenda. Lambton OPP filed a charge of breach of trust by a public officer against Baron on March 26. The charge relates to Baron’s leasing of property he owned to the Town of Petrolia (he did not disclose his ownership) while he was CAO of the town. In a March 27 telephone interview, Driscoll said the
charge would not impact B a r o n ’ s employment status with the township. Baron, who is set MANNY to appear BARON in court in Sarnia on April 16, declined to comment beyond indicating he has engaged legal counsel when contacted by the Community News on March 27. Roles change Baron was initially appointed to the role of CAO/ Clerk for Mapleton on Jan. 3. At the March 27 meeting, council approved a recommendation in a staff report from Baron to separate the CAO and clerk roles. Council passed bylaws appointing deputy clerk Barb Schellenberger to the role of clerk, while Baron was
appointed deputy clerk, in addition to his duties as CAO. In his report, Baron noted that in the past, the role of the CAO was combined with the role of the clerk, supported by the deputy clerk. “With the many legislative requirements today, there is a significant amount of time spent researching and preparing reports, doing follow up, ensuring the filing is done, etc. Mapleton, I believe, is at the cusp of a boom, which would help grow our residential and business centers,” Baron states in the report. “Our industrial park could keep growing. In order to facilitate this and other initiatives, I believe the CAO should be focused on addressing the wastewater expansion, working with the builders, focusing on business expansion, etc.” SEE MAYOR » 3
Cost of council down in 2017 By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The cost of paying elected officials in the township declined by about $1,282 in 2017. A report presented at the March 27 Mapleton council meeting included a remuneration summary for all council members last year. The total cost to local taxpayers for council wages and expenses came in at $92,839,
down slightly from the $94,121 paid out in 2016. Mayor Neil Driscoll received remuneration of $20,360, including salary of $17,535 in 2016. Driscoll also had meeting per diems of $2,080 and expenses of $754. Councillor Marlene Ottens received a base salary of $13,638, per diems of $3,840 and expenses of $2,707 for a total of $19,606. Councillor Lori Woodham
received a base salary of $13,638, per diems of $3,140 and expenses of $1,504 for a total of $18,283. Councillor Michael Martin received a base salary of $13,638, per diems of $1,980 and expenses of $1,613 for a total of $17,322. Councillor Dennis Craven received a base salary of $13,638 per diems of $2,610 and expenses of $2,127 for a total of $17,256.
MTX Fruit Ripening Systems relocating to Mapleton in 2019 DRAYTON - Mapleton Township officials say they’re “thrilled” MTX Fruit Ripening Systems North America has decided to relocate to the Drayton Industrial Park. The announcement was made by Mayor Neil Driscoll and MTX president Bill Strawbridge on March 29 at the Drayton Farm Show. “I am extremely excited about this move,” said MTX
president Bill Strawbridge. “Our business grew out of its present location several years ago, and having more space is sure to take us to the next level. Working in a smaller community is a perfect fit for us. Our dealings with the staff in Drayton have been a pleasure and we look forward to many great years ahead.” The business, currently located in Rockwood, designs
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and manufactures ripening rooms, rapid coolers and environmental chambers, including many for independent and large grocery stores. The move to Drayton is expected to begin early in 2019. “We visited several municipalities and Mapleton just felt like home; we are looking forward to getting started and experiencing
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SEE MTX » 2
Dedicated firefighter - Mapleton Fire Rescue deputy chief Tom Wood, left, and Fire Chief Rick Richardson, right, presented firefighter Grant Morgan with a plaque and a clock in recognition of his 33 years of service to the Maryborough Fire Department and Mapleton Fire Rescue on March 27. “In this day and age we have a hard time getting seven, eight, nine years (of service),” said Richardson. “The provincial average I think is eight years for volunteers … to put 33 years in is beyond normal and we really appreciate all of yours, Grant.” Photo by Patrick Raftis
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