Stouffville council funds Diabetes Dash, rejects Terry Fox Run

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 17, 2016
By Sandra Bolan

The Terry Fox Run’s request for a $2,300 grant and in-kind donation from the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville was denied by council Tuesday afternoon.

“You couldn’t get a better cause. ... But I feel again this is a donation to cancer, which is an individual choice that if someone wants to donate they should,” said Ward 4 Councillor Rick Upton during the deliberation of more than 30 requests for financial assistance from community groups. “I don’t know it’s up to us to take the taxpayers’ money and donate it to cancer.”

The councillor, however, vowed, he would get the organization the money it needs for police, a DJ, pylons and barricades.

“I will commit personally to raise the money,” he said.

“That was nice of Rick (Upton) to say,” Stacey FitzPatrick, chairperson for the Stouffville Terry Fox Run committee told The Sun-Tribune.

“That’s a very hopeful statement. Cross our fingers and hope it comes true,” she said.

The Stouffville Dash for Diabetes 5 and 10K run/walk, which also requested the town cover its policing requirements ($1,400) had its request approved.

“I look at this as backdoor funding for the police department,” said Ward 3 Councillor Hugo Kroon, who voted against the request.

Both charity runs were given grants by council last year.

Late last year, volunteers from the Whitchurch-Stouffville Food Bank requested $30,000 from the municipality to help pay for renovation costs to its new home on Ringwood Drive.

However, that request was revoked via a recent letter from Doug McIntyre, the food bank’s relocation volunteer.

Ward 2 Councillor Maurice Smith read a portion of the letter, which stated: “at this time community support has been overwhelming and at this time we do not anticipate turning to the town for any financial support related to the move”.

Council, however, left the door open for the food bank to return and ask for financial assistance at a later date.

Habitat for Humanity’s request to have more than $13,000 in development charges for its Mainand Stouffer streets build deferred, was approved - for 35 years or when a change of use occurs.