SERVING THE MAPLETON COMMUNITY
THE
COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUME 50 ISSUE 51
DRAYTON, ONTARIO
1 Year GIC - 2.30% 3 Year GIC - 2.72% 5 Year GIC - 2.95% Daily Interest 2.25%*
638-3328
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2017
www.jackfinancial.ca
Councillor says loss of tax break could deter candidates By Patrick Raftis
Last stop: TOP LEFT: Santa made his arrival at the Alma Santa Claus Parade on Dec. 17 in a hydro bucket. Alma is Santa’s last parade stop in Wellington County for the 2017 season. ABOVE: Wellington County Queen of the Furrow Katrina Martin of Alma and Wellington County Princess of the Furrow Tate Driscoll of Drayton took part in the Alma parade. LEFT: Geddes Garage also had a float in the parade. More photos on pages 4 and 5. Photos by Jaime Myslik
MAPLETON – Council members here are pondering their response to the looming end to a tax exemption on one-third of their salaries. Council did not act on a request for direction from staff on Dec. 12. However, one councillor suggested a reduction in compensation could have negative impacts on the township’s ability to attract candidates for elected office. In its budget last March, the federal government announced that effective in January of 2019, it is ending an exemption that allowed one-third of the salary paid to elected members of council to be classified as “expenses incurred in the discharge of the member’s duties.” As such, this portion of a councillor’s salary was not subject to income tax. In order to maintain the exemption, which has SEE LOSS » 7
MYAC presents first Youth of the Year awards MAPLETON The Mapleton Youth Action Council (MYAC) presented its inaugural Youth of the Year awards. MYAC plans to present the awards annually to Wellington County residents between the ages of 13 and 24 who are making a difference in their communities. The 2017 awards were presented prior to the Mapleton Township council meeting on Dec. 12 to the following recipients. Amber Cowen Amber has been an active member of a variety of clubs throughout her high school career. She is actively involved in student council, Interact Club, the school band and play at Norwell District Secondary School. She has worked on planning the school’s pep rally and was a LINK leader assisting incoming Grade 9 students. Cessale Koch Cessale has been a strong LINK leader over the last two and half years at Norwell.
Youth awards - The Mapleton Youth Action Council (MYAC) has initiated a Youth of the Year award program to recognize youth from across Wellington County. The inaugural awards were presented at the Dec. 12 Mapleton Township council meeting. From left: front, Parker Cummings, Morgan Quirke (MYAC), Gabby Ieropoli (MYAC adult ally), Shayna Morphy, Amber Cowen, Taylor Good, Cessale Coch; back, Chloe Collins, Rainen Oates, Alexis Kuper (MYAC), Tammy McQueen (MYAC adult ally), Mapleton Mayor Neil Driscoll, Luke Whale, Tate Driscoll (MYAC), Jody DeVries and Jordan Turk. Absent: Isaac Hirtle Photo by Patrick Raftis She works with Grade 9 students to ensure they have a positive transition from Grade 8. She has also volunteer volunteered to run the Java Junction case one to two days a week on her lunch hour. She often volunteers to help at various student council events and is Grade 12 representative.
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Isaac Hirtle Isaac has been helping with the Drayton Youth Centre for the past six years. The centre requires two volunteers at all times to keep the doors opens. Isaac usually volunteers two evenings a week. He continues to offer support to other volunteers when they have a scheduling
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conflict. When the Drayton Youth Centre Mud Run was organized he helped recruit volunteers from among his peers. Jordan Turk In the fall of last year, Jordan created a community games night in Mount Forest. The imaginative idea took flight with the help of anoth-
WEEKLY WAG
“The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that still carries any reward.” - John Maynard Keynes
er passionate community member, family and friends and was hosted in an accessible, welcoming environment to promote inclusion for all. Jordan hosts community games night every third week of the month and welcomes regular and new members with enthusiasm and hospitality. Snacks and bev-
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erages are offered to all who attend and the atmosphere is always light and enjoyable. Jody Devries Jody has been a member of Norwell’s student council for the past two years and has participated as activity director and media director. She is also part of the leadership class where she takes part in various events and activities planned throughout the year. She organized the candy-gram campaign for the last two years and proceeds have been used to purchase agricultural packages through World Vision. Jody also helps with the food drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She is actively involved in her church community and has volunteered with VBS and other initiatives. Luke Whale Luke is past president on this year’s Norwell student council. He is also a CELP coop student and actively participates in the school play. He worked extremely SEE YOUTH » 3
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