COBDEN — The Cobden Legion, Branch 550, was granted tax-free status for the municipal portion of its tax bill, at last night’s council meeting.
Gene Phillion and Fred Swant, of the Legion, spoke to the corporate services committee for Whiteater Region township held prior to the council meeting, about the property tax exemption.
Mr. Swant noted that in 2008, the council back then agreed to 100 per cent tax free for five years, and then decreasing values of 80, 60, 40 and 20. The council also advised the Legion representatives to come back any time for a review.
“We’re now just getting around to it,” Mr. Swant said. “There is only one other Legion, and that’s in Chalk River, that is not 100 percent tax free.
“We are seeking a permanent 100 percent exemption,” he said.
Councillor Charlene Jackson, who is also chair of this committee, noted that Renfrew County already provides a 100 percent exemption for its portion of taxes.
In a report to the committee, deputy-treasurer Erica Rice noted there are 182 Cobden Legion members. Of those, four are life members, 45 are ordinary members; there are 100 associate members and 33 affiliate members.
Councillor Chris Olmstead questioned how other service clubs within the municipality are treated regarding their tax status. He noted there could be another group that will be asking for a tax exemption if the Legion is granted the tax exemption.
“I’m not worried about other service groups,” said Mayor Hal Johnson.
Coun. Jackson, who is familiar with working with taxes, noted the Legion falls under a different category than other service clubs.
“There is a specific section of the Municipal Act that deals with Legions,” she said.
Councillor Daryl McLaughlin pointed out there are only “45 true veterans” at this legion.
However, Mr. Phillion pointed out that money collected by individual Legions is not used only in those Legions. As an example, he said the Poppy Fund money is all sent to command headquarters and then used as required to help all veterans.
Mayor Johnson recalled when his father, Harold, was alive, and needed assistance, and the Legion was there to provide it.
“It’s a very valuable thing to have an active Legion,” he said. “I say a very big thank you to all vets and the people who support them.”
Coun. Olmstead noted it’s not just World War 1 and 2 veterans who need help, but any service person who has served his or her time.
The committee agreed to recommend to council, and it accepted it at its meeting later in the evening, to grant tax-free status to the Legion.
“We do appreciate this,” said Mr. Swant. “It really does help.
