Manitouwadge Township Flips Re: Museum’s Tax-Free Status Demanding $67 000
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Last week, supporters of the Manitouwadge Museum received a letter from John Lavoie, President of the Manitouwadge Archival and Historical Society (MAHS) in which he described (on behalf of the MAHS) the Township “threatening to initiate a tax sales proceeding to seize ownership and offer for sale through public tendering” of the Manitouwadge Museum. The letter went on to described how, in 2006, when the Anglican Diocese of Algoma transferred ownership of the property to the Manitouwadge Historical Society for use as a community museum, the Township had confirmed that the property would retain its tax-free status, however, in August of 2017, the Historical Society suddenly received a tax bill.
The letter further explains that the Historical Society received no warning prior to receipt of the bill, that no consultations were attempted by the Township, nor was any explanation provided for the sudden change regarding the property’s tax-free status, all this after the museum had been operating smoothly for more than a decade. The letter goes on to note that the Township is now demanding $47 000 in property taxes, interest and penalties for 2017 and 2018 as well as an additional $20,000 for 2019! This is truly shocking. Anyone who is at all familiar with the Museum and Historical Society, as Township Administration and Council certainly are, must be aware of how ridiculous these demands appear to be and just how unrealistic it is to expect the Historical Society would have funds to pay such an exorbitant sum.
The Historical Society is a small group of volunteers who have spent years diligently collecting and curating an impressive collection of artifacts to provide our community with a beautiful museum which we can take pride in visiting and bringing visitors to. The Manitouwadge Museum is a registered not-for-profit corporation, managed by those same volunteers, which receives no government funding. The heat, lights, water, insurance and maintenance costs are paid thanks to the Historical Society volunteers wisely managing the very limited funds the Museum collects; a few hundred dollars in membership fees supplemented by occasional financial donations from the independently operated not-for-profit volunteer group who run our local thrift shop, Threads.
It was more than a little disappointing to read of the lack of support these volunteers feel they have received from Mayor, Council and Administration as they caution in the letter that supporters should not to assume these representatives will resolve the situation in favour of the Museum describing that the “limited contact and communication that we have been permitted with Council and Administration […] does not inspire confidence…”. It is upsetting to hear of a group of dedicated volunteers describing attempts to communicate with elected officials and public servants in this way, of being “permitted limited contact” should Council and Administration not be seeking out feedback and input from the volunteers who make our community a great place to live?
The letter concludes by encouraging those who care about keeping the Museum to show their support by attending tomorrow evening’s town council meeting at 7pm as the Historical Society will be making a formal deputation to Council requesting that it waive the alleged property taxes and declare tax-free status for the Museum for the future. Put more simply Council is being asked to honour the agreement made. It is very unfortunate that the Historical Society has been put through such an unpleasant situation which has no doubt caused those involved significant stress – this is not how volunteers should be treated. This is an opportunity to show our appreciation for the years of dedication these individuals have given, and to avoid a dangerous precedent being set for volunteers and not-for-profits in Manitouwadge. Our attendance can also remind Council and Administration that it should be seeking ways to encourage and collaborate with volunteers for the betterment of our community.
Volunteers are a precious resource in short supply due to the demographics and population of Manitouwadge. If we take for granted when people share years of their time, efforts and talents to benefit our community, what will we lose next?
The Manitouwadge Museum encourages us to enjoy and take pride in our shared cultural and natural heritage, is it not reasonable that the Historical Society can, at the very least, trust that an unwritten part of that heritage includes agreements made with the Township of Manitouwadge being honoured long-term?
If you are unable to attend the Council Meeting tomorrow evening at 7pm please consider writing a short note to Mayor, Councill and Administration confirming your support for tax-free status of the Museum: darola@manitouwadge.ca khudson@manitouwadge.ca mscapinello@manitouwagde.ca jmoffat@manitouwadge.ca jmaceachern@manitouwadge.ca mhartling@manitouwadge.ca it can also helpful to Cc your letter to the MAHS President johnlavoie@live.ca and our MPP Micheal Mantha mmantha-co@ndp.on.ca .
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