SERVING MAPLETON AND MINTO
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COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 35
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THURSDAY, AUGUST 30, 2018
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Mapleton residents encouraged to fill out community improvement survey By Patrick Raftis
Local pride - The Palmerston Fair Parade on Aug. 24 demonstrated pride in the local community and helped kick off the fair weekend. Additional photos on page 6. Photo by Mike Robinson
Agriculture is ‘Producing Prosperity’ Wellington federation tells Mapleton MAPLETON – The Wellington Federation of Agriculture (WFA) wants Ontario residents, especially politicians, to know farming is “producing prosperity� in the province. A delegation led by Wellington North beef farmer Ruby Lennox addressed Mapleton council on Aug. 14 and offered to consult with the municipality on farm-related issues. “Farming is a major business, a major part of your tax revenue here,� Lennox noted. “What we want to do is work with council because a lot of change is coming forward.� While farmers face many challenges, including changing technology and global trade issues, Lennox told council, “One of the biggest challenges is the public perception of agriculture ... We want to work with the council and residents to try to keep that in balance and try to make sure everybody gets along and you don’t have large fights at your council meetings.� Mapleton has a diversified agricultural base, with numerous commodities produced locally, meaning the township faces “more issues� than some municipalities, said Lennox. “Producing Prosperity� is the title the federation has given its messaging to provincial politicians, which includes pointing out Ontario’s agri-food sector is “the leading economic engine for the province,� contributing $13.7 billion to annual gross domestic production and generating $1.4 billion in provincial tax revenues and 158,000 jobs. The federation says $8.1 billion in wages and salaries are supported by Ontario farms.
Despite the impact on employment in the province, Lennox said farmers struggle to attract the skilled workforce needed by today’s farms. “There’s a real shortage of skilled employees. We need skilled people here,â€? she stated. Access to natural gas for farming operations and access to broadband internet in rural areas are other priorities Lennox cited, along with the need to retain small rural schools “so the children aren’t ‌ spending an hour in the morning on the bus and an hour at night to go into the cities and towns.â€? Councillor Marlene Ottens asked if the WFA would be willing to help municipalities lobby the province for a return to the previous farm tax rebate system, which spread the cost across the provincial tax base, “so that all residents of Ontario would be subsidizing cheap food, rather than just rural municipalities like Mapleton.â€? Under the current system, farmers pay municipal property tax on only 25% of the assessed value of their land (except for a residence and one acre, which is taxed at 100%). Prior to 1998, properties assessed as farmland paid 100% of their assessed tax to the local municipality, then filed an application with the province to receive a 75% rebate, paid directly by the province. “Actually we’re lobbying to decrease the amount of tax,â€? Lennox pointed out. However, she added the federation is also lobbying to increase the amount of grant funding municipalities receive for infrastructure from the province. She encouraged the township to request a letter of support from the federation when approaching the government for
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grants “to make up for the tax that you’ve lost.â€? Mapleton farmer Steve Vogel, another member of the delegation, told council that taxes on his 150-acre farm were $5,280 in 2015, but rose to $7,372 this year. “Same land. Nothing has been done, no added buildings, nothing,â€? he stated. “Has residential increased that much?â€? he asked. “The whole tax thing needs to be looked at.â€? “Did the assessment change on your property,â€? asked councillor Dennis Craven. “Yes, our property values have gone up ‌ That only helps us when we sell. SEE AGRICULTURE Âť 4
Snow tires? - There were lots of car owners and spectators out for the 10th annual Alma Optimist Care Show on Aug. 25. More photos on page 8. Photo by Mike Robinson
WEEKLY WAG
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By Patrick Raftis
MAPLETON – Township residents are being encouraged to fill out an online survey to help with the municipality’s community improvement and downtown revitalization efforts. Plans for the survey were announced at a June 20 community meeting on downtown revitalization, says economic development officer Trish Wake. “We all sat down and discussed the ins and outs of Mapleton. What we hope to see change and what we would like to remain the same. The discussions were great, ideas were stimulating,� said Wake, who released a summary of ideas presented at the meeting. For Alma, suggestions included: - street lights, banners and decorations downtown; - murals; - promotion of the local community centre; - attracting “destination businesses�; - monthly barbecues; and - capitalizing on the village’s Strawberry Social,
which has been going for over 120 years. For Drayton, suggestions included: - cleanup of sidewalks and behind buildings; - a mural on the walkway to the theatre; and - wayfinding signage for local facilities. For Moorefield, participants discussed: - the need for replacements for a recently closed bank and grocery store; and - successful improvements to the Maryborough Community Centre; and - moving the annual car show to the village’s downtown. Township-wide, residents would like to see: - downtown cleanup initiatives; - better signage and more consistent branding; and - more community events. Wake says information from the survey will “assist us in determining the priorities and outline the needs of our residents.� To fill out the online survey local residents can go to https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/MapletonDowntown.
“Watch the field behind the plow turn to straight dark rows. Put another season’s promise in the ground.� - Canadian songwriter Stan Rogers
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