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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-02-11, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2016. Drawing gone digital Whether it's a book, a computer game, some markers or crayons, LEGO or card games, there are lots of things students at Maitland River Elementary School can use to keep busy during rainy days like Monday. Shown using the class smartboard to draw on are Hannah Logan, left, and Bridget McKee. (Denny Scott photo) Community coffee breaks set PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 Irene Lamont recently received word that Gordon Bell, husband of Deloris Bell of San Diego, passed away. The community extends sincere sympathy to Irene. On Transfiguration Sunday, Feb. 7 Doug Walker greeted and handed out the bulletins at Knox United Church. Nancy Cameron conducted the service and welcomed everyone and went over the announcements. Happy birthday was sung to Ann Clark. The flowers at the front of the sanctuary were placed by the family in loving memory of Bob Grasby. After Nancy lit the Christ candle, the call to worship was read responsively and the opening prayer was repeated in unison. The words of assurance were read and the choir anthem sang, "Rejoice in the Lord Always" accompanied by Ann Clark. "Jesus Loves Me" was the M -T council pay over budget By Denny Scott The Citizen After debating the issue of council remuneration and expenses several times over last year, Morris- Turnberry Council found itself $16,950.48 over budget for 2015. Council originally anticipated council remuneration and costs to run ratepayers $75,000 (or $12,500 per council member), however the actual amount was $91,950.48 after credits were applied for emergency planning and economic development meetings that were charged to different bodies. The overage is more than the average value of one councillor's annual wages and expenses in 2015 ($16,282) and was reported during Morris-Turnberry Council's Feb. 2 meeting. The total amount earned and/or given to councillors covers many different expenses and remunerations including an annual honorarium, pay for attending meetings, cover costs of conferences, mileage, internet costs for council to access their e-mail and council agendas at home and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Employer Health Tax (EHT) contributions. The report detailed expenses incurred by councillor remuneration for 2015 numbers were larger in comparison to 2014. Total earnings were listed for Mayor Paul Gowing ($17,038.93), Deputy -Mayor Jamie Heffer ($16,563.51) and Councillors Dorothy Kelly ($17,163.45), Jim Nelemans ($15,566.25), John Smuck ($13,555.88) and Sharen Zinn ($15,796.37). Smuck and Heffer had warned council throughout the year that they were approaching the budgeted amount, however the nearly $17,000 overage still occurred. Each municipal council member receives an honorarium and is paid a per -meeting wage based on the length of the meetings. Honorariums are based on roles with Gowing being paid $8,507.52, Heffer being paid $5,469.12 and council honorariums of $4,241.28. Meeting expenses are as follows: Gowing $7,461.30 for 75 meetings; Heffer, $6,416.40 for 60 meetings; Kelly, $9053.55 for 89 meetings; Nelemans, $8,518.83 for 77 meetings, Zinn, $6,780.94 for 60 meetings and Smuck, $5,517.24 for 57 meetings. It should be noted that Gowing attended more meetings, but did so under his role as Huron County Warden of the county in 2015, meaning those expenses are borne by the county as a whole while the above expenses are paid by Morris- Turnberry ratepayers. All members of council attended a single conference that was paid for by the municipality, save Gowing whose attendance was usually attributed to his position as Warden. Conference costs ranged from $27.42 for Gowing to $1,248.96 for Smuck with each council member except Gowing claiming a $729.16 per diem expense for the conferences. A total of $4,786.28 was spent on conference registration and $3,645.80 on per diem conference expenses. Nelemans and Zinn had the highest and second-highest mileage expenses at $1,160.46 and $1,071.14 respectively with other council members falling near the $500 mark or lower. Despite having one less member in 2015 than the council did in 2014, expenses increased approximately $8,000 for remuneration and costs. Council discussed the reports with Zinn saying she was happy she wasn't "responsible for being too much" over budget while Kelly said she had attended many meetings on the municipality's behalf. Nelemans said his expenses were higher due to the core economic development team meetings which are a part of the Huron County Economic Development Board strategy. Morris-Turnberry did receive $3,692.31 to help offset the costs generated by the project. 2016 Tree Planting Program The Municipality of Morris-Turnberry has ordered trees from Maitland Valley Conservation Authority, for the 2016 spring season. The Municipality is supplying the trees at no charge, however, the property owner must pick up, plant and maintain the tree on private property. The trees cannot be planted on the road allowance. Trees are limited to two (2) trees per property owner. Types of trees available are: • Native Red Maple - 6 to 7 ft. bare root • Sugar Maple - 6 to 7 ft. bare root • Norway Spruce - 2 ft. bagged and burlapped Anyone who has never received a tree through this program, will be first to receive a tree in 2016. If you wish to order a tree, please call the Municipal office at 519-887-6137 ext. 24 or email mail@morristurnberry.ca ASAP, as the trees are available on a first come, first served basis. Last date to order a tree is April 1, 2016. (The trees will be available for pickup the 3rd week of April, 2016) children's hymn which was accompanied by Ann Clark at the organ and MacKenzie Wightman at the piano. The children gathered in the front pew for story time with Nancy. She asked the children if they had any fears. We all have fears but some of us don't want to admit it. Some fears you can overcome. If you are afraid of the dark you can turn on a light and it helps. When people sin they are living in the dark. Jesus is our light and we don't want to sin. Jesus is the light of the world. Each child was given a light switch cover to colour and to remind them that Jesus is the light of the world. After the Lord's Prayer the children adjourned to Sunday school. The congregation listened to the Word of God as Roger and Debbie Hopper read from Exodus 34: 29-35 responsively, Psalm 99 and Luke 9: 28-36. For the sermon Nancy spoke on transfiguration and how Jesus was transformed. Jesus is God's son and we need to listen to Him. The only way to get to God is through Jesus. Do you want God's plan or your own? After, the congregation sang, "I the Lord of Sea and Sky", Ruth Gordon reported on Minute for Missions entitled "Beloved Community". Doug Walker and Ken Procter took up the offering which was dedicated. The closing hymn, "Take Time to Be Holy" and the benediction and blessing concluded the morning worship service. On Sunday, Feb. 14 Sandra Cable will be conducting the service, while student minister Brian Hymers is away. Please contact Rev. Richard Hall, Wingham United Church for pastoral care emergencies. On Feb. 28 the Knox UCW will be having a turkey dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the church basement. Tickets are available from any UCW member or Ruth Gordon at 519-357-1375. A newsletter will be prepared for early March. Please submit news items, upcoming events or any other articles that would be of interest to our faith community to Ruth Gordon by Feb. 28 so the newsletters can be ready for distribution by March 6. The Belgrave Community Centre Board, with some help from the UCW, will be hosting a Community Coffee Break on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, with the next one set for Feb. 23. The coffee breaks (or tea) are open to all and we hope you will take advantage of having a visit with your friends. Everyone is welcome. FROM BELGRAVE Purses Bainton's Old Mill Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 SPECIAL MEETING OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS THE REVIEW OF THE MORRIS-TURNBERRY OFFICIAL PLAN TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry will hold a Special Meeting under section 26 of the Planning Act to discuss revisions that may be required to the Morris-Turnberry Official Plan. SPECIAL MEETING will be held: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 7:40 p.m. Council Chambers 41342 Morris Road (west of Brussels on County Road 16) BE ADVISED that the Morris-Turnberry Official Plan was adopted in 2006 and is now being reviewed. The review will consider provincial plans, provincial interests and provincial policy statements as well as comments from Council, the public, and agencies. The Morris-Turnberry Official Plan is available for review at the Morris- Turnberry Municipal Office, 41342 Morris Road, Brussels and at the Huron County Planning and Development Department, 57 Napier Street, Goderich, and on the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry website www.morristurnberry.ca (click on Administration/Departments/Planning and Development Department/Morris-Turnberry Official Plan). ANY PERSON may attend the Special Meeting of Council and/or make written or verbal representation about what revisions may be required. Dated at the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry this 28th day of January, 2016. Administrator Clerk Treasurer, Corporation of the Municipality of Morris-Turnberry 41342 Morris Road, Box 310 Brussels, ON, NOG 1H0 Phone: 519-887-6137 E-mail: nmichie@morristurnberry.ca