the
Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 47 Issue 48
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.25% 3 Year GIC - 2.43% 5 Year GIC - 2.70% Daily Interest 1.45%
638-3328
Friday, November 28, 2014
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Mapleton cultural planning process gets underway with mapping exercise
Learning in the community - Students from Drayton Heights Public School’s JK/SK Class C, along with their teacher Amanda Marson and parent helpers, visited Studio Factor as part of their Community Helper Unit. Students learned about graphic arts and painted snowflakes during their visit on Nov. 20. photo by Caroline Sealey
MAPLETON - The township’s first municipal cultural plan will promote Mapleton as “a creative and vibrant community with rich and diverse cultural resources that contribute to growing the local economy and enhancing quality of life.� In a Nov. 19 press release, Mapleton’s business development and marketing coordinator Crystal Ellis states, “Cultural planning is a wonderful opportunity for Mapleton to make connections, identify our cultural assets and establish a strategy to build upon and enhance the cultural economic base that currently operates and that has the opportunity to grow in Mapleton.�
Drayton area farmer named Ontario Forage Master TORONTO - Drayton area farmer Simon Signer was named Ontario Forage Master for 2014 at a recognition event at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair on Nov. 12. Signer and wife Kristina operate Sigview Farms Limited near Drayton. He credits high quality forage as the foundation for their 47-head Brown Swiss milking herd. The annual Ontario Forage Master competition is an annual event sponsored by Pickseed Canada Inc., SGS Agri-Food Laboratories, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). There were over 200 entries this year, representing 24 different counties and districts. Local winners are declared based on field judging of forage quality. From there, winners have the opportunity to move to the public speaking portion of the competition, staged at the provincial level. Participants present how forages are selected, grown, harvested, stored and utilized for top production on
Forage master - Kristina Signer (holding daughter Felicity) and 2014 Ontario Forage Master Simon Signer receive recognition from OSCIA president Allan Mol. submitted photo their farms. Judging is done by a panel of experts. “All of our four finalists in this year’s Ontario Forage Masters competition were dairy producers that had no difficulty expressing their views on the role of forages in their cropping and feeding programs,� says Allan Mol, OSCIA president. “That made the judges’
decision difficult, but Simon Signer’s presentation had just a little extra polish that made him this year’s winner.� SGS AgriFood Laboratories spokesman Nelmy Narvaez said Signer was “an excellent speaker providing a clear and organized presentation with techniques easily applicable and transferable. “He demonstrated that the
real value of forages is given by farming practices focusing on producing quality forage with proper management.� Signer took over management of the dairy farm from his parents in 2011. “We aim for top quality forage without sacrificing yield or plant health,� said Signer. “Quality never lets you down.� Signer now qualifies to compete in the 2015 American Forage and Grassland Council’s Forage Spokesperson Competition to be held in January in St. Louis, Missouri. The OSCIA is a grassroots farm organization committed to facilitating responsible economic management of soil, water, air and crops through development and communication of innovative farming practices. Pickseed Canada Inc. is a leader in the development, production and distribution of turfgrass and forage crop seed. SGS Agri-Food Laboratories Inc., based in Guelph, is the largest independent agriculture testing lab in Ontario.
The goal of the plan is to establish a cultural vision for the township as well as identify concrete strategies and actions to support cultural and broader economic development goals. The first step is completing a cultural mapping exercise that develops an inventory of cultural resources within the community. The next step will be a community engagement process to seek ideas and input to help shape the vision, directions and priorities of the plan. Input and insight will be sought from culture and heritage groups, the business community and interested residents. The project is being supported by a steering committee
made up of municipal staff and key community stakeholders who will offer insights into cultural needs and opportunities in the municipality. To assist with the development of the plan the municipality has engaged Millier Dickinson Blais Inc. to lead the planning process. The consulting firm has completed more than 35 cultural plans for communities of all sizes and circumstances across Canada. Mapleton’s municipal cultural plan is being undertaken with funding support from the County of Wellington’s Business Retention and Expansion Municipal Implementation Fund.
Township prioritizes projects for 50/50 funding program by Patrick Raftis MAPLETON - The township has identified five projects as top priorities for the municipality’s 50/50 funding program. At the Nov. 11 meeting, Mapleton council approved a recommendation from the Parks, Culture and Recreation Committee to direct staff to seek proposals from local service groups, recreation associations and corporate partners to participate in 50/50 funding with the township for the following projects:
- Maryborough Community Centre accessibility; - Drayton Kinsmen Park washroom accessibility; - Rothsay Park playground equipment replacement; - Glen Allan playground equipment; and - Moorefield ball diamond scoreboard. Other projects recognized by staff as priorities, but not making the list were signage for the Drayton Walking Trail and Centennial Park trails and lighting for the Drayton ball diamond and soccer field.
Santa headed to Mapleton MAPLETON - Santa Claus is coming to town three times this holiday season. Santa will make three stops in Mapleton to participate in local Christmas parades:
- Dec. 5 at 7pm in Drayton, followed by Christmas Tree Lighting at the Fire Hall; - Dec. 6 at 1pm in Moorefield; and - Dec. 21 at 2pm in Alma.
McCotter wins Perth-Wellington Liberal nomination STRATFORD - PerthWellington has a new Liberal candidate for the next federal election. Stephen McCotter, a St. Marys municipal councillor, small business owner and area lawyer, defeated St. Marys businessman Colin Thomson at the Nov. 9 nomination meeting in Stratford. In his speech at the meeting, McCotter focused on the need to return the riding to its tradition of community and opportunity. He called for more
attention and support from the federal government, citing a number of decisions made in Ottawa over the past 10 years that, in McCotter’s view, had a negative impact on the towns and communities in Perth-Wellington. In particular, he cited federal decisions resulting in cuts to local VIA Rail service, diminishing support for veterans, uncertainty and increased foreign competition for local farmers, phasing out home mail delivery, declining financial support for arts, culture and
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tourism, and the disappearance of well-paying jobs that families rely on. McCotter said he would insist on federal investment due to the riding and prioritize an increase in job opportunity, with a particular focus on the importance of small business. “I take the view that small businesses are the true drivers of any economy, and to me this is especially true in Perth-Wellington. Many of the residents of the riding wake up every day not knowing how much revenue
will walk through the door of their business, and don’t have the good fortune to count on a guaranteed pay cheque,� he said. “My decade-and-a-half as a small business operator has exposed me to this realty first-hand, and I am very aware of the impact government can have on the effective operation of a business. This experience is one I will bring to the fore if given the opportunity.� McCotter, a lifelong resident of St. Marys, emphasized Continued on page 8
Weekly Wag
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Above and beyond - Alma Optimist president John Broadfoot, left, presented long-time member Barry Johnson with the club’s Optimist of the Year Award at the group’s Nov. 18 dinner meeting. The award goes to an individual who demonstrates outstanding dedication and hard work toward advancing Optimism in the club and community. Club officials say Johnson, a member since 1975, has devoted an exceptional amount of time and “embodies the true spirit of giving.� photo by Caroline Sealey
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