Local farming matriarch to be honoured as new street name

Posted October 23, 2012

The proposed industrial subdivision by Walton Group on land farmed by three generations of the Matthys family will include a street named Marie Jose Trail, as well as Matthys Crescent and Patton Court.

Originally, the list included "Carson Trail" a grandson, but last week, Ward 5 councillor Donna Jebb suggested it would be more appropriate to honour the family's matriarch who died in 1996, particularly since it had been International Rural Women's Day on Oct. 15th.

"As Marie Jose Matthys was a member of the first generation farm family and matriarch of the Matthys family, the proposal to include her given name would reflect the Town's heritage and history and three generations of the Matthys family that have owned and farmed portions of the subject land," according to last night's report to council.

New Tecumseth's street naming policy includes as its top priority honouring those local men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those name plates also include a poppy. As well, the Legions in Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham provide a list of veterans from each community for consideration. But because that list has just about been exhausted, other prominent community leaders and names approved by council are utilized.

There are very few streets named for women locally outside of royalty links. Kate Aitken Crescent in Beeton being one that stands out.

No timeline for development is attached to the Walton's industrial subdivision, but street names are required for engineering drawings et al.

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