The Community News and Wellington Advertiser would like to wish everyone a safe and happy 2014, as we take a look back on an eventful year in 2013.
The following is just a small sample of the News that made headlines in Mapleton Township in the past 12 months.
January
Moorefield native Lydia Kalbfleisch of the Durham College women’s fastball team was selected to represent Team Canada at the 19th annual Maccabi Games, which took place in Israel from July 17 to 31. Kalbfleisch, who played competitive ball locally in the Palmerston Marlins organization, joined Durham women’s fastball assistant coach Rosemary Theriault on Team Canada as Theriault was selected as a co-coach for the international event.
Upper Grand District School Board trustees approved project descriptions for renovations and additions required to implement full-day kindergarten in 15 elementary schools, including Maryborough Public School in Moorefield, by 2014.
Mapleton Council agreed to a cost-sharing arrangement for upgrades on Sideroad 12 as part of a draft site plan agreement with a local grain elevator operator.
The Alma Optimist Club donated $5,000 toward the purchase of a giraffe for the obstetrical unit at Groves Memorial Community Hospital. The equipment serves as an incubator, temperature-controlled bed, vital signs monitor and X-ray machine for infants. Alma Optimist officials presented hospital representatives with the donation at a club meeting on Jan. 15, following an update on plans for the new Groves hospital and fundraising efforts designed to make it happen.
Drayton and Moorefield residents could comfortably raise a glass of clear, clean water to toast the safety of their local supply. Municipal drinking water systems in both communities received a 100 per cent compliance rating in an inspection report from the Ministry of Environment (MOE).
February
Council made plans to remove a controversial exemption to Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) 1 requirements on small, existing, vacant lots in the township. At the Jan. 22 meeting, council agreed to proceed with providing notice of a public meeting on a proposed zoning bylaw amendment to make the change.
Drayton Entertainment expanded its repertoire with the opening of its newest theatre. The company incorporated its administrative offices and set and costume design into the 60,000-square-foot, 500-seat Dunfield Theatre complex on Grand Avenue in Cambridge.
Members of the Wellington County OPP participated in the first annual Kate McNally Memorial MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) hockey game on Jan. 25. The event took place at the Palmerston and District Community Centre, with the evening kicking off with a free skate, followed by the hockey game. The event raised over $1,200 which is the most ever raised for any MADD fundraiser in Wellington County, said Marco Kennema, president of MADD Wellington County.
Mapleton council agreed to contribute $300 toward the cost of transportation to help local residents attend an event to increase awareness of and access to social services in Wellington County.
The municipality announced it would spend about $6.8 million dollars under a draft 2013 budget presented for consideration by township council at a special meeting on Feb. 4. The draft budget proposed spending of just over $4.6 million on capital projects in 2013.
Mayor Bruce Whale was presented with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Feb. 12 council meeting. Whale was nominated for the medal, which was presented by Mapleton CAO Patty Sinnamon, by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
A motion which would commit the township to supporting farmers and “policies that protect integrity of agricultural lands” was introduced at the Feb. 12 council meeting.
A revised 2013 draft budget presented at a special council meeting on Feb. 21 saw council spending about $6.86 million, offset by revenues of just over $3 million, leaving a little more than $3.85 million to be raised through the tax levy.
March
It was “Guns and Hoses” on ice, as Mapleton firefighters and Wellington County OPP officers participated in a charity hockey game on March 23.
Revenue from the sale of power produced at the Conestogo Dam was projected to average $250,000 per year over the life of a new 20-year contract signed with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
The Drayton Defenders Atom Rep team beat Ridgetown 8-1 on March 3 and advanced to the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) finals against Woodville. Drayton swept the series three games to none, also winning 10-1 in Drayton on Feb. 27 and 3-0 in Ridgetown on Feb. 28.
Council wanted more information on potential costs before committing to a plan to share a source water risk management official between lower tier Wellington County municipalities.
The Atom Rep Defenders became All-Ontario champions. The team won the OMHA Atom D championship on
game sweep of Woodville in the series with a 3-1 victory on home ice. All three games in the series ended up 3-1 in Drayton’s favour.
The Norwell District Secondary School girls curling team traveled to Ottawa for the OFSAA provincial championship from March 20 to 23. Representing Norwell, the CWOSSA champions were lead Sara Driedger, second Nicole Ross, third Jacinda Schieck and skip Paige Droog, accompanied by family members and coach Tyson Smith.
The township hosted a budget open house for the public on April 2. The event was intended to provide local taxpayers with an opportunity to review the township’s proposed 2013 budget.
April
The Wellington Junior Farmers hosted their sixth annual spaghetti dinner on April 14. The event was a fundraiser for both the Palmerston and Drayton food banks. All financial proceeds and non-perishable food donations went directly to support these two organizations.
The Canadian Cancer Society’s Wellington County Unit announced Mapleton as the site of the first spring Wellington Warrior Challenge. The event, a fundraiser for the cancer society, was held at Mapleton Organic, RR 3, Moorefield, on June 1.
The 32nd annual Drayton Kinsmen Farm Show was a resounding success, organizers report. The two-day event, held April 3 and 4 at the PMD Community Centre drew 2,144 in paid attendance. Kinsmen show chair John Klassen said attendance was even higher when including the many children under 12 who attended the show for free.
Longtime volunteer Alice Van Ankum was recognized with a Diamond Jubilee Medal for more than 35 years of service to the Canadian Diabetes Society (CDA).
The Wellington County Local History Articles Digitization Project was launched on April 7 at the Wellington County Museum and Archives. The project will allow access to local Wellington County history by keyword search of Newspaper articles written by local authors including:
– Stephen Thorning’s, Valuing Our History and Timelines;
– Pat Mestern’s, Looking Back; and
– Mapleton Musings by members of the Mapleton Historical Society.
Mapleton council passed a 2013 budget requiring a total tax levy of just over $4 million at its regular meeting on April 9.
The township revoked a building permit after the owners of a Moorefield-area property cut down a line of trees they had been requested to maintain under a condition of a minor variance.
For the first time in a number of years, Perth-Wellington New Democrats had a choice for their candidate in the next provincial election. Romayne Smith Fullerton was eventually selected over incumbent candidate Ellen Papenburg at an event in May.
Mornington Communications Co-operative Ltd. announced plans to provide telecommunications services in Drayton.
May
Mapleton council announced support for a five-year extension of draft plan approval on the Drayton Heights subdivision, but urged the developer to do something about a “mountain of topsoil” in backyards of homes there.
An Ontario Municipal Board appeal was filed on a decision by Mapleton’s Committee of Adjustment to allow a minor variance reducing the Minimum Distance Separation requirements between an existing barn and a planned new residence near Moorefield.
It’s not every Grade 7 student who can say he’s met the premier of Ontario, but Jarrod Dobben is among that select group. Dobben, 13, returned from a three-week experience at the Ontario Legislature through the Legislative Page Program. The opportunity to meet political celebrities like House Speaker Dave Levac and Premier Kathleen Wynne was a bonus, he said.
Mapleton’s new director of finance, Yufang Du, was officially appointed at the May 14 council meeting to the position, which had been vacant since August 2012 when former finance director Mike Givens left to take a similar post with the Township of Wellington North.
Less than a dozen citizens showed up for an update on local municipal matters at what was billed as a “town hall” meeting at the PMD Community Centre on May 23. Those in attendance heard from Mapleton council and staff on township operations, including 2013 capital projects, the municipality’s five-year roads and bridges plan, parks and recreation master plan, water and wastewater issues and the new corporate strategic plan.
June
Sometime between May 25 and 31 the pitching machine and baseballs were removed from the batting cage at the Drayton ball diamond.
No one was injured when a pontoon plane flipped over while landing on Conestogo Lake. Wellington County OPP reported officers responded to a report of a float plane that had flipped over on the lake while landing on June 3 at around 9:22am.
Reapers of Hope, a volunteer organization which turns excess produce from Canadian fields into meals for those in need in Third World countries, opened a facility in Moorefield.
A fun family evening of fastpitch softball was held at the Moorefield Ball Park on June 26. A world class game started at 8pm and featured an exhibition men’s game between the Hill United Chiefs and the South Perth All-Stars.
Council remained reluctant to sign on to a plan to share a source water risk management official (RMO) with other Wellington municipalities, despite assurances the county will be funding the position on an ongoing basis.
Victoria Rumph of Drayton was named to Canada’s national women’s softball team by Softball Canada on June 21.
July
Organizers of the Mapleton Rodeo said the inaugural event was a terrific start to what they hope will become an annual tradition in the township. An estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people took part in a variety of events from July 5 to 7 – a total that may have been even higher were it not for some wet weather on the last day.
Local resident Tyler Robinson became a national champion. Robinson won the disabled division at the Canadian Arm Wrestling Championships in Timmins on June 29, placing first in both the left and right arm categories.
The 2013 Terry Fox Run was scheduled for Sept. 15. Lead organizer Louise Ellis noted almost $25,000 was raised in 2012 for much-needed cancer research.
Tenders for the 2013 program of sidewalk and curb construction and repair were reviewed by Mapleton council at the July 9 meeting.
A total of seven tenders were received with the low tender being submitted by GJR Construction Ltd. of Kitchener, at a bid price of $73,991 plus HST. The high bid was presented by Nes-Crete Canada, RR 5, Stratford, at a bid price of $114,247 plus HST.
A re-discovered pioneer cemetery in Drayton was slated to be declared an official burial ground by the provincial agency in charge of funeral and burial services. The discovery occurred during excavation of a building lot in a Drayton subdivision on Dec. 17, 2012. Wellington OPP reported at the time that initially two pieces of wood were dug up which appeared to be part of a coffin. Further investigation revealed the remains of a 1900s-era pioneer burial ground.
August
Council decided to go ahead with a switch to metered water use in Drayton and Moorefield. Township council approved the move at the July 23 meeting, following the presentation of a water and wastewater rate study by Watson and Associates. Council then instructed staff to proceed with preparing a request for proposals for water meter installation.
The Drayton Fair celebrated the 100th anniversary of 4-H when the gates opened for the 157th annual fair Aug. 9 to 11.
In an effort to reduce claims for mileage, council approved the purchase of a used vehicle for use by staff and council members while attending conferences or on other township business.
Anyone who drove into the picturesque village of Glen Allan recently saw a new tennis court. The court grew from a vision of a group of people into a community project, which took less than a year to come to completion.
Tyler Robinson’s world championship dreams stayed alive thanks to an amazing display of support from his community. A fundraising barbecue at the Maryborough Community Centre raised over $10,000 and sent the local athlete to the World Arm Wrestling Championships in Poland from Sept. 1 to 8.
The Wellington Junior Farmers joined together with alumni and their families for a barbecue picnic lunch in Centennial Park in Drayton on Aug. 4 to celebrate the 95th Anniversary of Junior Farmers in Wellington County.
Drayton Mapleton Agricultural Society president Brad Schieck said the 2013 Drayton Fair was a huge success, with large crowds on hand for everything from tractor and truck pulls to livestock shows and exhibits.
Moorefield area resident Kathy Cowper returned from Europe with a gold medal and a world championship title. Cowper won all five of her squash matches at the World Masters Game in Torino, Italy, defeating a competitor from Auckland, New Zealand in the final to claim the gold medal in the 50-plus division.
It appears Mapleton’s public works director managed a softball team as shrewdly as he managed a roads budget. Larry Lynch and his team earned a gold medal at the recent World Masters Games in Torino, Italy.
Maple Leaf Foods announced it entered into a definitive agreement to sell Rothsay, its rendering and biodiesel business, to Darling International Inc. of Irving, Texas.
Durham College Lords pitcher Lydia Kalbfleisch of Moorefield won a silver medal with Team Canada in softball at the 19th Maccabiah Games.
September
Singer/songwriter Lucas Rogerson, a Drayton resident, launched his debut album Streetlights at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern.
A mountain of topsoil in the backyards of several homes in a subdivision was headed for molehill status. Councillor Jim Curry suggested at the Aug. 27 Mapleton council meeting that a timeline be put on efforts to remove the soil, which had been piled up about 30 feet high in the backyards of several homes since 2007.
Local arm wrestler Tyler Robinson took part in the World Arm Wrestling Championships held in Poland from Sept. 1 to 8. Competing in the Disabled Men over 90kg category, Robinson finished in second place with his left arm on Sept. 4 and fifth place with his right on Sept. 5.
The latest quarterly report from Mapleton Fire Chief Rick Richardson indicated local firefighters responded to 27 calls for assistance during the months of May, June and July.
MSW Canadian Plastics in Palmerston received $250,000 in provincial funding to assist in building four new state-of-the-art production lines to increase production and help the company pursue foreign markets.
A quick glance at the participants in the Sept. 15 Terry Fox Run might make one think the event has gone to the dogs. In reality, a large number of families attended the event, and several included their canine companions. In total, 163 non-canine participants and a large number of volunteers combined forces to raise almost $21,000 for cancer research.
The township was in the market for a chief building official, following the resignation of CBO David Kopp. He resigned effective Aug. 31. However, Kopp agreed to remain in the role in a part-time, acting capacity until a new CBO is hired.
Township council approved a contribution of $2,500 toward a planned celebration of Mapleton’s 15th anniversary on Canada Day 2014.
October
The Drayton Skatepark Committee presented a proposal for a $100,000 facility in the village and is recommending a Riverside Park location.
Operators of the Conestogo Wind Energy Centre in Mapleton formalized an agreement with the township to donate $9,000 toward a community sign and $100,000 to Trees for Mapleton.
Carolyn Borges was the first recipient of Mapleton Township’s new cultural exchange bursary. Borges, 20, of Drayton, is in her third year of studies at St. Jeromes University in Waterloo and now attends the University of Nantes, in Nantes, France, enrolled in the International Relations, French Program.
Safe Communities Mapleton (SCM) rolled out the Vial of Life program on Oct. 4, at the Seniors Centre for Excellence Congregate Dining program, held monthly at the Drayton Reformed Church in Drayton.
Children’s author Glynis Belec of Drayton, announced publication of a new chapter book for young readers Mrs. B Has Cancer.
The township is looking into potential solutions after receiving a petition signed by 60 residents about the state of flower planters in Moorefield.
New alcohol and revenue sharing policies for events held at municipal facilities have been implemented by the township. The province’s Alcohol and Gaming Commission approved Mapleton’s application for a permanent liquor license for six facilities: Maryborough Community Centre, PMD Arena, Moorefield ball diamonds, Drayton ball diamond, Moorefield Park pavilion and Centennial Park pavilion.
November
Mapleton council directed staff to gather public input on a short-list of three possible locations for a skate park. On Sept. 24, the Drayton Skatepark Committee presented council with a proposal for a $100,000 facility and a list of several possible locations, including a preferred location in Riverside Park.
Municipal insurance premiums for traditional coverage for the township will rise by about three per cent, Steve Smith of Frank Cowan Company Ltd. told Mapleton councillors on Oct. 22.
The township appointed a new acting chief building official, as the search continued for a permanent replacement for former CBO Dave Kopp, who retired on Aug. 31.
For the second time, Terry Davidson represented his country at the World Snooker Championship hosted by the International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) from Nov. 27 to Dec. 8.
The Township of Mapleton took another crack at obtaining provincial funding for a water tower here. At the Oct. 22 meeting, council directed staff to apply for funding under the Small, Rural and Northern Municipality Infrastructure Fund – Capital Program for a water tower in the village. The $100 million fund was announced by the provincial government on Oct. 5.
Jim Driscoll’s sheep reigned supreme at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Driscoll, who’s been involved in raising purebred sheep for about 40 years, capped an impressive season on the show circuit by winning the Supreme Champion Flock and Supreme Champion Ewe awards at the Royal.
The township looked greener, with thousands of trees sprouting across the community as a result of a new partnership between Mapleton and Conestogo Wind LP, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Canada. Through the five-year agreement, approved by Mapleton council on Sept. 24, Conestogo Wind will contribute $20,000 annually toward the Trees for Mapleton program.
The township agreed once again to provide winter maintenance on a portion of a county road in the township. However, council asked staff to investigate possible liability risks associated with the move.
The township had some extra cash in its arena reserve fund as a result of a staff investigation into what turned out to be a lapsed lease for a water heater at the facility.
December
The township’s public works building near Drayton was destroyed by fire during one of the busiest weekends local firefighters have ever experienced. Mapleton firefighters responded to a total of five fires between Nov. 28 and 30.
Pigeon King International (PKI) owner Arlan Galbraith was found guilty of fraud in connection with a pigeon breeding scheme that bilked area farmers out of millions of dollars. Galbraith was placed in jail following the Dec. 6 jury decision and was expected to return to court in January for sentencing. Prosecutors are seeking a nine-year prison term.
Funding capital projects in the coming year may be difficult due to additional cutbacks from the province, Mapleton council heard on Nov. 26. CAO Patty Sinnamon told council to expect a reduction of $189,000 in funding through the province’s Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund (OMPF), which may result in a reduction in the service level the township is able to provide.
Public works director Larry Lynch was terminated, effective Dec. 11, from his position with Mapleton township after five years with the municipality. CAO Patty Sinnamon said Mapleton council directed that Lynch be terminated following an in-camera session on Dec. 10. Noting the dismissal was “obviously a personnel matter,” Sinnamon declined to provide a reason for the termination.
A Mapleton youth has been nominated for an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award. Tate Driscoll, 12, a student at Drayton Heights Public School, was nominated for her efforts to make life better for others and for regularly doing more than expected of someone her age. Up to 12 individuals will receive awards. Recipients and their families will be invited to an awards ceremony in Toronto in March 2014. Final Junior Citizen of the Year recipients will be announced on Jan. 24.
