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03 | 03 | 2016 VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 09
KINGS WRAP UP REGULAR SEASON, ON TO PLAYOFFS SPORTS PAGE 14
COMMENT PAGE 6
THE MOUNTING COSTS OF MORE EXTREME WEATHER
Verdict in Cowan trial expected on June 15
www.OBSERVERXTRA.com
SAP SEASON / IT’S THAT TIME
First tap more than ceremonial this year
Prosecutor says double billing no accident in closing arguments against former Woolwich mayor
Mild winter saw the sap flowing in February, with producers already boiling it down to maple syrup
WHITNEY NEILSON IT’LL BE NEARLY SUMMER before Todd Cowan will find out his fate after Justice Michael Epstein reserved a June 15 date for a decision on charges of fraud and breach of trust against former Woolwich mayor Todd Cowan. The trial wrapped up closing arguments Monday morning in a Kitchener courtroom. On the fourth and final day of trial Feb. 29, prosecutor Jennifer Caskie reminded the judge of the documents Cowan falsified, which the defense is claiming was inadvertent. “The evidence is damning,” Caskie said. Charges of fraud under $5,000 and breach of trust were laid a year ago after members of the Ontario Provincial Police Anti-Rackets Branch investigated claims Cowan had billed more than $2,700 in expenses to both the township and Region of Waterloo. He paid back the double reimbursements once the issue was brought to light and admitted he was responsible from the outset. TRIAL | 2
Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz and maple syrup producer Terry Hoover watch as regional Chair Ken Seiling prepares the bucket for the first official tap of the season last week at Shady Grove Maple Farm in Breslau. [WHITNEY NEILSON / THE OBSERVER]
WHITNEY NEILSON THE MAPLE SYRUP SEASON has just begun and it’s already a record year. “The first we ever boiled was March 1 and this year it’ll be Feb. 28. Other guys boiled back on Feb. 10. It’s just one of those years for everybody to talk about,” said Terry Hoover, president of the Waterloo Wellington Maple Syrup Producers. Roughly 100 people gathered for the first official tap of the season at Shady Grove Maple Farm in Breslau last Friday, where there was plenty of that sweet
stuff to go around, along with the traditional pancakes and sausages, of course. “I think we only had 50-60 last year. It was a great turnout and on top of that the sap actually ran. That was way cool,” Hoover said. As everyone gathered around a large tree in front of the house bundled in winter coats and mittens, Hoover welcomed the crowd to the maple syrup farm. “I’m a little surprised. I thought with a group of politicians it’d be a lot warmer,” Hoover joked. “But at least it’s not minus-20 and it’s a gorgeous
sunny day.” He noted they should be calling this year’s first tap the last tap because it’s so early that most producers have already finished tapping. That’s not to say it’s going to be a shorter season, it just started sooner. Local politicians chipped in with their best wishes before helping with the ceremonial first tap. “It’s great to be here today and we’re always excited for the first tapping ,” said Woolwich Mayor Sandy Shantz. “Coming here I was thinking Kitchener-Waterloo gets to end the season with Okto-
berfest, but we get to start it with the tree tapping. I wish you all the best over the next few weeks and I hope the weather cooperates.” Regional Chair Ken Seiling noted the importance of maple syrup to the local agriculture and that when we think of farming we shouldn’t only recognize livestock and crops. Dan Goetz, owner of Shady Grove and host of this year’s tap, greeted everyone as well. He’ll also host the tap next year because the first tap switches FIRST TAP | 28
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