THE
SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY NEWS Volume 48 Issue 31
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 1.99% 3 Year GIC - 2.21% 5 Year GIC - 2.30% Daily Interest 1.25%
638-3328
Friday, July 31, 2015
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Clerks call for shorter campaigns by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - Municipal administrators in Wellington County favour increasing nomination fees for candidates and reducing the campaign period for local elections. The province is currently conducting a public consultation as part of a review of the Municipal Elections Act. At a meeting of Wellington County clerks and treasures in Mapleton on June 24, the group created a list of reforms that has been sent to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for consideration. The requested reforms, submitted in a letter by Wellington North clerk Karren Wallace on behalf of the group, include: - elimination of refunds on nomination fees for candidates due to the amount of paperwork required to process nomi-
nations; - an increase in the nomination fee, currently $200 for council heads and $100 for all other positions (refundable if a candidate withdraws, is elected, or receives more than two per cent of the votes cast for the office); - a shorter campaign period (maximum six months or less); and - removal of a requirement that council pass a bylaw for alternative voting methods regarding set times and locations for advance votes. ‘Unfair advantage’ “By having incumbent councillors pass bylaws with respect to the way an election should be conducted does seem to give an unfair advantage to the incumbent,� the letter states. “Additionally, it is the clerk who is to conduct the
election - councils are to be at arms length.� The letter also points out no other campaigns run for a 10-month period, noting, “Both the federal and provincial elections run in terms of weeks not months.� In addition to supporting the recommendations from the clerks and treasurers, Town of Minto council has registered its opposition to the province’s plan to offer municipalities the option of using a system of ranked ballots for municipal elections. The province has stated it will offer as an option - in time for the next election in 2018 - a system allowing voters to rank candidates by preference rather than voting for just one. Minto council also recommended a May 1 start to the nomination period.
New lighting system approved for arena Big catch - Dean McFadden of the Grand River Conservation Authority presents to Isaac Dippel the prize for largest fish in the youth category at the Conestogo Lake Conservation Area’s 27th annual Fishing Derby on July 5. More coverage on page 5. submitted photo
MAPLETON - Council has authorized spending about $50,000 on new lighting at the PMD Arena Complex. On June 9, council authorized an investment grade audit of lighting at the facility by Conrad Lighting Solutions and Acuity Brands Canada,
approved Local Authority Services providers. The audit resulted in a number of options presented to council at the July 14 meeting. The cost of the option selected by council is $56,410, which is expected to be offset by rebates of just over $6,000.
Public works director and acting CAO/clerk Brad McRoberts said “as time is of the essence,� the contractor has committed to completing the work by the second week of August, ahead of the scheduled re-installation of ice in the arena.
Terry Fox Run organizers set challenging goal for 35th anniversary event DRAYTON - April 12 marked the 35th anniversary of Terry Fox setting off on his campaign across Canada by dipping his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic ocean. Where were you in 1980 when Terry Fox began his extraordinary run? Here’s how several local residents remembered that time. “I was 15, living at home and remember starting to follow Terry’s adventure as he was making his way through the Maritimes. CTV News had a nightly feature on the news. At the end of most spring/summer days, Terry would appear tired and stoic as the local news coverage would feature him in a local Legion or community centre, speaking to his new-found fans/admirers. Many, many times the camera would pan the crowd and capture the tears in the eyes of the young and old. “It was particularly poignant to see some rough and tough looking fellows drawn to tears by this young, curlyhaired inspiration. His words would be brief, however his message was clear: ‘We have to do something, researchers need the money to make cancer stop.’� Rain was relentless
Travelling for Terry - Local residents walked, ran and cycled through the 2014 Drayton Terry Fox Run, raising over $20,000 in the process. LEFT: A group of walkers in the 2014 event. RIGHT: Edith McArthur and Ginny Franklin set to embark on last year’s run.
photos by Sue Hogenkamp
“I remember the rain. Terry had a few days of rather relentless rain. The retro-looking van was his sanctuary when he took a break. Terry never stopped because he couldn’t go on; he stopped because it was deemed too dangerous due to reduced visibility from the rain. The rain was relentless - but Terry was more relentless.� Pay it forward “What do I remember? Terry being interviewed - he got a lot of TV time. From what I remember this kid was very influenced by his experience Main St. W. Palmerston
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in the cancer ward. I think he was an early example of ‘pay it forward.’� Canadians all witnessed an awe-inspiring young man, determined to do the impossible, but Terry’s brother Fred Fox pointed out, “He was ordinary, but did an extraordinary thing.� Together we can continue to work towards Terry’s extraordinary goal. The Terry Fox Run has set a goal of raising $35 million to commemorate the run’s 35th anniversary. That is approxi-
mately $1 per Canadian based on today’s population (Terry’s original challenge, which he achieved). Locally, Drayton Terry Fox Run organizers are aiming to raise $35,000 for the 35th anniversary of the annual event. Drayton’s totals over the years have fluctuated, and surpassing $30,000 is achievable, organizers state. Drayton’s grand total from the past 24 years, of hosting a Terry Fox Run is $404,039. “Help us to achieve $35,000 for the 2015 Drayton -
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Moorefield - Alma - Mapleton Terry Fox Run,� organizers urge, noting the $35,000 goal represents $3.50 for each resident of Mapleton. Participants are encouraged to start a pledge form on-line (www.terryfox.org) or pick one up at the Royal Bank or Drayton Food Market. Groups and families are encouraged to raise funds and participate as a team. Check out www.terryfox.org for details and to register your team. The local Terry Fox Run will be held on Sept. 20, at
the Drayton - Mapleton Agricultural Hall (under the bleachers at the Drayton Fair Grounds). Registration/lunch will be from 12 to 1:25pm, with the bike or walk or run to start at 1:30pm. There are 2km and 10km routes available. The 2015 Terry Fox Run T-shirts are available for purchase at Blooming Dales in Drayton. They are always top quality with a new, innovative design each year, organizers note. “Please stop in to Blooming Dales to have a look and order some swag as all proceeds go directly to the Terry Fox Run,� organizers say. Terry’s initial run in 1980 did not come through Drayton - however local residents have an opportunity to contribute to cancer research. The Drayton Terry Fox Run is a “great community gathering with a clear goal to stop cancer,� organizers state. Anyone with questions is encouraged to ask a committee member: Dale Franklin, Robyn Runstedler, Henni Klaassen, Marilyn Riff, Kristyn Franklin, Theresa Scholten, Linda Dickieson, Mary Downey, Carly Ellis or Louise Ellis (at 519-638-2120 or loularellis@ yahoo.ca).
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