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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-12-15, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2016. Christmas Eve service set for Knox United PEOPLE AROUND BELGRAVE By Linda Campbell Call 357-2188 Doug Walker greeted worshippers and handed out the bulletins at Knox United Church on White Gift Sunday, Dec. 11. Student minister Brian Hymers welcomed the congregation. After singing the Introit, Brian lit the Christ Candle waiting for Christ's return, watching the flickering of the candle reminds us of His joy in us and our patience for His return. Ken Procter, Allen Walker and Brian Hymers read readings on the Candle of Joy and the candles of Peace, Hope and Joy were lit. After the gathering prayer the welcoming hymn, "0 Come, 0 Come Emmanuel" was sung. Brian went over the announcements as printed. On Sunday, Dec 18 the traditional candlelight service and live nativity takes place at 7:30 p.m. The service will begin at Trinity United Church and travel to the home of Gerry and A nice haul The Belgrave Kinsmen were out and about in the community last week for their annual food collection. As usual, they returned to the Belgrave Community Centre with a lot of food, generously donated by members of the Belgrave community. Showing off with all they collected for families in need are, from left: Paul Willie, Gavin Van Camp, Wayne Fenton, Jonathan Vincent, Jim McCracken, Dean Vincent, Kevin Scott, Henri Frischknecht, Will Orth, Chad Cook and Paul Hallahan. (Vicky Bremner photo) M -T to update voting methods By Denny Scott The Citizen Morris-Turnberry is looking at telephone and internet voting for the 2018 municipal election. Council passed a motion directing staff to bring forward a bylaw authoring internet and telephone voting as the alternative voting method for the municipality. Administrator Clerk -Treasurer Nancy Michie presented a report to council touting the benefits of the voting methods during Morris- Turnberry's Dec. 6 meeting. "Last election Central Huron and Huron East both used telephone/internet voting and there were cost savings and efficiencies recognized," she said. A group of municipalities, including Huron East, Central Huron, Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh (ACW) and North Huron are considering using electronic voting methods and hope to find even more cost savings by searching for a vendor as a group. Michie reported that the 2014 Morris-Turnberry election saw an expense of $22,000 to the municipality while Central Huron, which has approximately three times the number of eligible voters, saw $19,000 in expenses. Michie said that candidates will also be able to see who has voted more quickly than with other kinds of voting, which brought some questions as to privacy factors. Councillor Jim Nelemans wondered if being able to see if someone had voted or not would be a privacy issue, however Michie informed him that candidates have always had the option of seeing who has voted. "That information has always been available," she said. "You can't see how someone votes, but you can see if they have voted or not" Councillor John Smuck didn't know if electronic voting methods such as internet or telephone would provide any benefit as far as voter turnout, issues that people are interested in are what encourage them to get out and vote. "Voting depends on how much people want change more than anything else," he said. "Looking at the votes the United States just had, with marijuana legalization or not and the other issues down there, shows that people vote when they want change." Smuck said if there were some incredibly important issues up for debate in the election, such as amalgamating administrative services with North Huron, there would likely be more involvement in the election. While most councillors didn't voice any concerns about how people would react to the change, Councillor Dorothy Kelly said it wouldn't go unnoticed. "This is going to upset a lot of people if we change it," she said. "They don't know how to do that. How can we get that information out to people." Michie explained that, like all previous elections, information sessions will be held and set-up at all -candidates meetings to explain how to vote. Michie also said that, as with other municipalities considering electronic voting methods, kiosks could be used in municipally - supervised locations to allow people to cast their vote through the internet from a regular polling location. The motion for staff to bring forward a bylaw authorizing the change passed, with Nelemans saying that, if nothing else, the new voting methods will provide faster results. Phil McCann for the live nativity scene. Refreshments will be served at the church afterwards. Everyone is welcome. On Monday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. there is a Christmas concert featuring Huron Song Chorus of Northside United Church, Seaforth. There is a free-will donation for Huron Women's Shelter. The Christmas Eve Service at Knox United Church is on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m. There is no service in Knox United on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Happy birthday was sung to Connie Shiell and Brian Hymers whose birthdays are both on Friday, Dec. 16. The children's hymn, "Hope is a Star" was accompanied by Mackenzie Wightman at the piano. The children gathered in the front pew for story time. Brian asked the children what happens in a couple of weeks. It is, of course, Christmas. We send Christmas cards and messages at this time but do we send the right message? We need to tell people that Jesus, our Saviour, is coming and we need to welcome Jesus into our hearts. After the children's prayer we listened to the word of God as Roger and Debbie Hopper read scripture from Isiah 35: 1-10 and Psalm 146 read responsively with the congregation and James 5: 7-12. The Sunday school children entertained with a game show entitled Christian Family Feud written by Kim Walker. It pertained to the night Jesus was born and each team was asked questions by the host Austin Bieman. It ended up being a tied game so they were both winners and both teams were really great Christians. Each supposedly won a Christmas trip to Bethlehem and will stay in the very stable that Jesus was born in. They will enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast and get to spend time with the animals before being whisked away to view the hillside. At night, they will get a chance to look for the North Star before returning to the stable for some light refreshments. The Family Feud was enjoyed by all. Brian thanked Kim and Lila for organizing. After singing the hymn of response, "Mary, Woman of Promise", the offering was collected by Larry Harper and Doug Walker which was then dedicated. The closing hymn, "Herald! Sound the Note", benediction and blessing, "Go Now in Peace" concluded the morning worship service. A big thank you to Nancy Folkard, Sheila Nixon and Doris Robinson for decorating the church inside and down the front steps. Also thanks to those who have placed poinsettias in the sanctuary in memory of a family member or friend. The winners for the Co-op appreciation draw were: tickets to the hockey game in Owen Sound, Grant Vincent, Joanne and Steve Robinson, Doris Robinson, Linda Gade, Greg Higgins and Joyce Noble; winner of the turkey was Isabel Logan. FROM BELGRAVE Native Wallets & Coin Purses Maple and Moose 398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276 -12 #1 And We 1Still Try ' Harder! Recent circulation figures show The Citizen has the highest circulation in the northern part of Huron County, # the entire county. The Citizen Proudly Community - Owned Since 1985 11.11 1 I MLA MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY 2016 - 2017 HOLIDAY HOURS The Municipal Office will have the following Holiday hours: Friday, December 23, 2016 Office will be open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday, December 26, 2016 Office Closed Tuesday, December 27, 2016 Office Closed Wednesday, December 28, 2016 Office Closed Thursday, December 29, 2016 Office Closed Friday, December 30, 2016 Office Closed Monday, January 2, 2017 Office will be open 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Municipal Landfill will be open: Saturday, December 24, 2016 from 9:00 am to 12 noon Wednesday, December 28, 2016 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Saturday, December 31, 2016 from 9:00 am to 12 noon 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.