Development interests dominate mayor's golf tournament sponsors

Posted September 28, 2012

The 5th annual "Mayor's Charity Golf Tournament" list of sponsors reads like a who's who of the development applications at various stages of the approval and build-out process in New Tecumseth, and also includes consulting firms and other companies who have, and continue to do business with the Town.

A full page "thank you" advertisement published in this weekend's Alliston Herald - itself one of two "Gold Sponsors" - includes the full slate of those who sponsored one of the 10 different options available.

Mayor Mike MacEachern, asked this morning via email whether he considered it appropriate to solicit and accept monetary contributions for his "charity" golf tournament from developers/companies who require political approval to advance their projects, said "I do not see a problem and the tournament does not limit those who choose to participate."

The tournament is "coordinated" by the parks and recreation department and includes two members of Town staff listed as contacts on the mayor's personal appeal for sponsors. He noted a combination of volunteer and paid staff resources are used to run the the tournament and those "costs of paid staff time are reimbursed to the municipality from the proceeds of the tournament."

"The opportunity to participate is open to all and we always have a broad section of the community that support the tournament," added the mayor. "We are fortunate to have many of the sponsors participate year after year."

The 2012 Platinum Sponsors ($2,500) (in the order listed in the ad) were:

F&P Mfg;
Feehely, Gastaldi & Switzer;
Greenwood Ready Mix;
Honeyfield Communities;
Lisbon Paving Co.;
Maacon Construction Contractors;
Nottawasaga Inn Resort; and
Previn Court Homes.

Gold sponsors ($1,500):

Alliston Herald; and
Walton Development and Management.

In its September 6th issue, The Herald published a multi-photo colour spread of the golf tournament.

Other development interests that paid sponsorships include Mattamy Homes, Royal Park Homes, Terra Rock Holdings, and Sorbara. In all, there were 67 (including some multiple) sponsorships that netted $40,000. To date, the ad notes that $140,000 has been raised with its proceeds used to fund three annual scholarship: $8,000 (university) and two of $3,500 (college) are awarded based on a combination of financial needs, grades, and the success of a 500 word essay, then selected by a committee led by the mayor.

During the previous term of council, the use of the proceeds was tweaked so that they could also be tapped to fund other programs geared to youth, the first involved some of the money directed to upgrades done at Mel Mitchell Field in Beeton.

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