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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-12-14, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017. M -T Council seeks support for ROMA meetings By Denny Scott The Citizen Morris-Turnberry Council is seeking support from municipalities in its bid to have the Tenanted Farm Tax reconsidered by the provincial government. The issue council has with changes proposed to tax policies is that woodlots or otherwise unplantable spaces on agricultural properties, which have been historically taxed at 25 per cent of what they could be, would be fully taxed. Ratepayers of Morris-Turnberry, as a predominantly agricultural municipality, would be adversely affected by the change to taxation according to council members. The municipality made a resolution to have the issue reconsidered by provincial stakeholders earlier this year which was then circulated to other municipalities in the province for information. In a report to council on Dec. 5, Administrator Clerk -Treasurer Nancy Michie explained that 27 municipalities had expressed support for Morris-Turnberry's resolution. She added that the municipality has received word council will be able to meet with representatives of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) and the provincial Minister of Finance at the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) conference next year. Michie also reported that the County of Perth and its lower tier municipalities have submitted a resolution to the Perth County branch of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture warning of the tax increase to farmers. Michie suggested that council seek support from other municipalities for its meetings at the ROMA conference and that staff contact MTE (Municipal Tax Equity), municipal tax consultants, to advise the municipality of available assistance and its cost. Council approved Michie's recommendation after some discussion in which Mayor Paul Gowing asked how MPAC had the right to change how taxes were applied, stating that the most Quite a collection The Belgrave Kinsmen held its food drive on Dec. 6, and delivered a significant amount of food to the CKNX Relief Truck campaign in Wingham. The annual campaign supports the Huron County Food Bank and has CKNX AM920 radio personality Buzz Reynolds live in a 53 -foot tractor trailer until its filled with non-perishable food. From left: Dean Vincent, Henri Frischknecht and Reynolds. (Photo submitted) Carter, Campbell notch wins PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 There were three -and -a -half tables of cards in play on Friday, Dec. 8 at the Belgrave Community Centre. The winners were: high pink card, Dorothy Carter; second high pink card, Linda Campbell; most shoots pink card, Lillian Appleby; high white card, Gord Machan and second white card, Ken Spears. The next cards will be on Friday, Jan. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Allen Walker greeted worshippers and handed out the bulletins at Knox United Church on Sunday, Dec. 10. Mackenzie Wightman entertained with prelude music. Beautiful poinsettias decorated the sanctuary. Brian Hymers welcomed the congregation to the Advent service of Joy and lit the Christ candle. After the welcoming hymn, "Joyful, Joyful We Adore You" was sung, Gord and Nancy Folkard read the reading for the Candle of Joy and lit the candle. Verses 1, 2 and 3 of the Advent hymn, "Hope Is a Star" was sung and then Brian went over the announcements and celebrations. Birthday greetings were extended to Brian, whose birthday is Dec. 16. A huge thank you to one and all who contributed to the Belgrave Community Growing Project this past year. The church will be forwarding a cheque for $20,000 to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. The children's hymn, "I Am the Light of the World" accompanied by Mackenzie Wightman was sung and then the children went to the front for storytime with Brian. Baby Jesus was born to Jewish parents. Jews did things different than we did. They did an eight-day celebration. Every day they would light the candles and pray. Back then the children would play with spinning tops to win treats. After the children adjourned to Sunday school the choir sang an anthem. The congregation listened to the Word of God as Pat Barnes read scripture from Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 and Thessalonians 5: 16-24 and John 1: 6-8, 19-28. Brian focused on "Joy" and the effects and feelings of joy and a better understanding. People didn't believe in the same God. They needed a leader for guidance. Are we any different today? We are in a state of bad affairs. With everything we have, can we really find Joy in our life without Christ? Can we be truly happy and content? We need to look for the eternal Joy through the birth of Christ at Christmas. Nobody can give us joy like Christ can. Christmas is about Christ. Find the joy of Christmas in your heart this Christmas. "She Comes Sailing on the Wind" was the hymn of response. Nancy Jardin reported on the Minute for Missions which dealt with the conflict of resolution in the midst of violence from Palestine. Larry Harper and Doug Walker took up the offering which was dedicated. After the Lord's Prayer was sung Brian read poems given to him from Frank Alton. The closing hymn "Song of Mary", the benediction "May the Blessing of God Be Upon You" concluded the morning worship of service. Thank you to Nancy Folkard and Doris Robinson for tastefully decorating the sanctuary for the Christmas season and looking after the many poinsettias for the month invaluable land to farmers was about to become the highest taxed. "Who gave them that authority?" he asked without answer. "Who changed it so they could have that authority?" The ROMA conference is scheduled Jan. 21-23, 2018. Zinn questions pay for banquet event By Denny Scott The Citizen Morris-Turnberry Councillor Sharen Zinn feels that council members shouldn't receive remuneration for going to meetings where they are guests, especially those at which the municipality has paid for their attendance. Zinn was specifically addressing council members being paid to attend the Huron Manufacturing Association Awards banquet last month. She said, during council's Dec. 5 meeting, that she understood that council members shouldn't be paid to attend events like the banquet. "The municipality bought the table," she said. "I took that as a dinner for us and thought it was a nice evening out and we shouldn't be paid for that." Other council members, however, didn't see the logic in Zinn's assessment. Mayor Paul Gowing said the event is an evening away from home and added that council approved the attendance of several members, though he admitted that remuneration wasn't a part of that discussion. Councillor Dorothy Kelly said she felt it would reflect poorly on the municipality if no one showed up, indicating council members wouldn't attend the meal, which was paid for by the township, if they weren't being compensated. Zinn disagreed, saying council should enjoy the night out, especially since the table was paid for by the municipality. Councillor John Smuck asked if the municipality's remuneration policy addressed the issue and Administrator Clerk -Treasurer Nancy Michie said the banquet was not excluded specifically. Michie was asked to research whether councillors had been paid for attending the event in the past and to report back to council. FROM BELGRAVE Ice Wine a Maple Cakes Maple Moose 398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276 BRUSSELS lPharmaChoice • We provide full prescription and OTC services. • We'II deliver free. • We waive the ODB co -pay. • We're open Monday to Saturday. • We'II arrange for transfer of your prescriptions. • We'II listen to what you need. Ph: 226-889-4152 Fax: 226-889-4155 453 Turnberry St., (Main) Brussels (CdtAllir0)) ,liar p'p j .1&ttida.ci, Thank you for your trust in us this past year. Looking forward to serving you in 2018. Closed Dec. 24 & 25 Open Dec. 26 9:30 - 5:00 Closed Jan. 1 MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY 2017 - 2018 HOLIDAY HOURS The Municipal Office will have the following Holiday hours: Friday, December 22, 2017 Office will be open 8:30 am to 12 noon Monday, December 25, 2017 Office Closed Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Office Closed Wednesday, December 27, 2017Office Closed Thursday, December 28, 2017 Office Closed Friday, December 29, 2017 Office Closed Monday, January 1, 2018 Office Closed Tuesday, January 2, 2018 Office will be open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Municipal Landfill will be open: Saturday, December 23, 2017 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Wednesday, December 27, 2017 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, December 30, 2017 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Curbside Collection will take place as regularly scheduled Please have your bin to the curb by 7:00 AM Residents can drop off Christmas Trees so that they can be composted at the landfills FREE of Charge.