Council here has opted not to join four area municipalities in the Butter Tarts and Buggies: Explore the Simpler Life tourism promotion.
A promotion agreement between the municipalities of Wellington North, Mapleton, Minto, Southgate and West Grey was presented for consideration at the Jan. 26 meeting.
CAO Brad McRoberts explained in a report the initiative was discussed at a concept level with the township’s economic development committee on Nov. 30. Since then a formal Butter Tart & Buggies: Explore the Simpler Life tourism promotion agreement was received.
The agreement commits the partners to develop and operate the promotion, with each municipality contributing $5,000 annually for two years.
Over 20 initiatives
Under the proposal, businesses involved would be charged a membership fee with municipal and business financial contributions going towards development and delivery of the program, directed by a steering committee.
McRoberts pointed out the municipality, which is currently in the process of replacing its business development and marketing coordinator, already has more than 20 economic development initiatives on the go.
“Adding an additional program at this time may not be possible,” McRoberts stated in his report, which recommended the municipality not participate at this time.
“Personally I would love to know more about the program before I would make the decision on it,” said councillor Michael Martin.
McRoberts explained, “There’s nothing complicated about what this is. Your $5,000 contribution is basically going to establish a map of the route. Once it’s in place basically it operates itself … but there’s a significant effort off the bat.”
Not forever
“Hopefully if you say no this year we’re not saying no forever,” said councillor Marlene Ottens. “It seems like a good idea … it’s just not the right time for Mapleton because $5,000 is a lot to invest in something that’s currently abstract. Also we don’t have a staff person.”
“The resolution does say ‘at this time,’” Mayor Neil Driscoll pointed out.
He added, “The thing that really concerns me the most is it seems we too often just follow the others. Mapleton has a whole lot of special things that we don’t promote … I think for once we need to set out on our own.”
The mayor continued, “We’re always talking about the businesses and ‘how will they be affected?’ But we have a population in our municipalities that may not be asking for this … you could be stopped on the road and asked for your picture. The part that really gets me is when they say ‘a simpler life.’
“I think we maybe need to look into this a lot more and make sure the population that they are referring to is okay with this program.”
Council passed, with Martin opposed, a resolution to receive the report for information and to state the township will not participate in the promotion at this time.
