SERVING MAPLETON AND MINTO
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 51 ISSUE 43
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Davidson elected mayor of Mapleton By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – The township has a new mayor. Gregg Davidson, who currently represents Mapleton as Wellington County councillor for Ward 2, defeated incumbent Mayor Neil Driscoll in the Oct. 22 municipal election. In the only contest for a council position on the local ballot, Davidson polled 1,245 votes to Driscoll’s 801, according to unofficial results
released by the township Monday night. “I’m so excited by the community voting and GREGG electing me DAVIDSON to be mayor for the next four years,� said Davidson shortly after the results were announced to a small crowd at the PMD Arena Monday night. “And I’m so excited to get
started and to do the many things that I talked about through the election, for child care and affordable housing, working with the council here to bring new industry and jobs for the community. “It’s going to be great.� All other positions on Mapleton council were filled by acclamation, with newcomer Paul Douglas joining incumbents Michael Martin, Dennis Craven and Marlene Ottens for the coming fouryear term.
Earl Campbell, who has previously been involved in municipal politics as a councillor for Mapleton Township and pre-amalgamation Maryborough Township, was acclaimed to county council in Ward 2. Mayor-elect Davidson said his first priorities include moving forward with expansion of water and wastewater capacity for the municipality. “And let’s bring child care to this community,â€? said SEE NEW MAYOR Âť 2
Bridge secures third term in Minto By Patrick Raftis
Nightmare scenario - Harriston area residents Scott Koeslag and Felicity Koeslag dressed as Jack Skellington and Bloody Mary from The Nightmare Before Christmas for the Monster March in Elora on Oct. 20. Photo by Patrick Raftis
MINTO – Incumbent Mayor George Bridge has secured an unprecedented third term as mayor of Minto, after out-polling challenger Terry Fisk in a rematch of the 2014 mayoral race. The margin this time was closer, as the final unofficial count on Oct. 22 had Bridge ahead of Fisk, deputy mayor from 2010 to 2014, by a mar-
gin of 1,722 to 1,480. In the 2014 election, Bridge became the municipality’s first twoGEORGE term mayor BRIDGE since it was formed by amalgamation in 1999, topping Fisk at the polls, 1,976 votes to 1,368. “It was a tough one,� said
Bridge of the 2018 election campaign. “It wasn’t an easy race, but I think that the voters have said they want to keep the progress going that we’ve been doing.� The deputy mayor seat in Minto was filled by acclamation, with current town councillor Dave Turton taking over from incumbent deputy mayor Ron Faulkner, who did not stand for re-election. Incumbent council-
lor Mary Lou Colwell also declined to seek re-election in Minto, where council will be made up of incumbents Jean Anderson (2,386 votes) Judy Dirksen (2,302), Ron Elliott (1,876), newcomer Geoff Gunson (2,302) and Mark MacKenzie, also a former deputy mayor. Candidates Glen Hall and Scott Marshall drew 1,671 and 1,052 votes respectively. SEE BRIDGE Âť 3
Value of construction activity in Minto tops $30 million mark MINTO – Construction activity in Minto has reached a new benchmark. Including building thus far in October, the value of construction in Minto this year has passed the $30 million mark, chief building official Terry Kuipers told council on Oct. 16. “We’ve cracked the $30 million in construction value mark, which we have never done before,� said Kuipers, noting construction topped
out at around $28.5 million during a record-setting 2017. Kuipers also noted that “Over ... four years we’ve also cracked $100 million. So things are looking good.� Kuipers’ report noted at the end of September this year, the town has issued permits for construction valued at $28.3 million, well above the 10-year average of $15.3 million. Construction remained strong in September, but was lower than September 2017, the report indicates, with 16
permits issued for building valued at $2.8 million (compared to 27 permits in 2017 for construction worth $3.8 million). “All in all we’re still doing fairly strong,� said Kuipers. “We’re on track for another excellent year.� Two permits for multifamily dwellings, a five-plex in Palmerston and a fourplex in Harriston, worth a combined total of nearly $2 million, represented the largest segment of building activity in September.
Council approves rezoning to allow residences By Patrick Raftis MAPLETON – Council has approved a zoning change to allow residential construction on two rural lots, despite concerns about the proximity of future driveways to a major intersection. Yvonne and Jeff Van Soest of Soestdale Holsteins applied for an amendment to rezone two existing lots near the intersection of
Wellington Roads 8 and 10 to provide relief from the minimum setback to a natural environment (NE) zone at the back of the properties and MDS 1 setback requirements to allow single detached dwellings on the lots. The lots are currently zoned agricultural with a site-specific exception prohibiting development until the vacant lots are rezoned to ensure that specific con-
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ditions are met, including MDS setbacks to neighboring barns. The applicants have also requested relief for a reduced lot area on one of the lots. Following a Sept. 11 public meeting on the application, council directed county planning staff to investigate the feasibility of a reciprocal zoning agreement regarding MDS conditions and a report SEE CONCERNS Âť 6
Farm toys - Mapleton Township residents Clare, left, and Jack Driscoll brought their collection of farm toys and models to the 5th annual Arthur Farm Toy Show and Craft Sale at the Arthur Community Centre on Oct. 20. Photo by Patrick Raftis
Mapleton to host Business Expo and Job Fair MAPLETON - The township is set to host its inaugural Business Expo and Job Fair on Nov. 9 and 10. For businesses, the event, to be held at the PMD Arena, will include a business-tobusiness networking event on Nov. 9 from 5 to 7pm, a public business showcase, an
WEEKLY WAG
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By Patrick Raftis
“All generalizations are false, including this one.� - Mark Twain
on-site interview room and a live employment board. For employment seekers and the public, the event will offer local opportunities, a live employment feed and face-to-face contact with employers. “We have some fantastic businesses and we know
there are many employment opportunities within our region and would like to showcase them to the masses,� stated economic development officer Trish Wake. Registration deadline is Oct. 26. For information contact Wake at twake@mapleton.ca or 519-638-3313 ext. 26.
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