SERVING MAPLETON AND MINTO
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 52 ISSUE 50
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2019
Junior firefighters - Santa and his elves at the Drayton firehall after the Dec. 6 Drayton Santa Claus Parade with firefighter Amanda and junior firefighters Sawyer, Felicity, Deacon and Celeste Signer, and Rosa Vandenberg (absent: Theo Vandenburg). The youngsters won a colouring contest, and the prize was to be junior firefighters, ride in the fire trucks during the parade and be first in line to see Santa. More parade photos on page 5. Photo by Jennifer Goertzen
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Mapleton celebrates - The Grinch joined Mayor Greg Davidson, Mapleton councillors, staff and their families on the township float for the Moorefield Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 7. Photo by Jennifer Goertzen More parade photos on page 8.
Club seeks improved communication with council Beehive Park property to be sold MAPLETON Alma Optimist Club representatives attended council’s Nov. 26 meeting to present a financial review of the Alma Community Centre (ACC), but discussion focused on recent rumours the township would be assuming control of the ACC next year. Club representatives Bruce Whale and Amanda Reid asked council for improved communication between the club and the township moving forward. “What is not needed are the rumours and comments to some of our members that were circulating earlier this year suggesting that our operating agreement was invalid and that the municipality would be assuming control of the operations of the ACC next year,� the report to council read. “Such an approach creates mistrust and apprehension and makes the Optimist Club members feel unappreciated and unwanted.� Councillor Michael Martin commended the Optimist Club for being direct in voicing its concern in the report. “It’s not often that there’s a little bit of sass in a report like that, but I enjoy it because it’s very direct,� said Martin.
“I think during my time here on council, it’s always been the communication ... specific to the community operating committee or whatever regarding that building. So it certainly seems that the past year or two, that’s gotten a lot better.� Whale agreed, noting there has been an improvement in communication with the township since CAO Manny Baron was hired in January of 2018. “At the time you realize that the Optimists own the ballpark, we own the skating rink in Alma and we operate the hall and yet, there was no communication at all other than these rumours that were going around,� said Whale. “And people were getting pretty upset ... asking us if we knew and nobody really approached us. So that’s why I wanted to bring it to your attention.� Mayor Gregg Davidson stated communication with the club is very important to council. He also volunteered to take part in more meetings with the club in the future. “Very important that we do have that communication in mind,� said Davidson. “I was happy to join the last meeting and sitting around there and look forward to more meetings that are coming up whenever you have them. I don’t mind com-
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ing out to those meetings and sitting down to make sure we have that relationship and have a conversation continually.� LED lighting Whale also voiced concern about approved funding in the township’s capital budget to install LED lighting at the ACC. The Optimist Club has two outstanding requests for capital projects: retrofit to LED bulbs and repainting of the interior hall, foyers and washrooms. “In reading through the agenda, I was looking for the budget and couldn’t seem to find the whole budget. But I did notice that the Alma Hall, we have $5,000 allocated last year for the lighting upgrade. I don’t see anything in this year’s budget,� said Whale. Once the lighting is installed, Whale said the club will see a return on the investment in under two years. “In 1.2, 1.3 years we get our money back if we upgrade to the LEDs,� said Whale. Public works director Sam Mattina clarified, “That is in the 2019 budget. It is being worked on in the background. And so the money is still there. It just doesn’t show on the 2020 going forward forecast that ... you saw, but it is still in place for 2019 and will be utilized.�
By Patrick Raftis MINTO – Town council has agreed to put Beehive Park up for sale. The park, located on Wellington Road 109 between Harriston and Teviotdale, was the site of a one-room schoolhouse until the mid1960s. It was operated as a roadside rest stop by the provincial Ministry of Transportation (MTO) for many years after the school closed. In 2000, after the local portion of Highway 9 was downloaded from the prov-
ince to the county, the newlyamalgamated Town of Minto purchased the property for $1 and continued to operate it as a roadside rest stop and picnic area. A staff report presented to council on Dec. 3 estimates it costs the town about $2,500 annually to maintain the park, including expenses such as grass cutting, a portable washroom, staff time and supplies. However, in recent years, Minto staff have expressed concern about misuse of the park. “In the last eight years,
staff has reported many incidents of excessive garbage being left at the site and there are concerns the area is not being used solely as a picnic site and rest area,â€? states the report from facilities manager Al Carr. “Full bags of trash, strollers and furniture have been left at the site in 2019.â€? Carr recommended closing the area to the public and investigating the sale of the property. “This option would save the town maintenance costs and would encourage the SEE MINTO Âť 3
Palmerston parade - Spectators flocked to the Palmerston Santa Claus parade, hosted by Minto Fire’s Palmerston station, despite the cold temperatures in the evening on Dec. 7. The Palmerston and District Hospital Foundation float featured a festive health care theme. Photo by Jaime Myslik More photos on page 3.
WEEKLY WAG “When one teaches, two learn.� - Robert Half
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