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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-08-16, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012. PAGE 3. Wedding Announcement Angela Nonkes and Brad Mourao were married on June 23, 2012 at the Nonkes farm, with a reception following at Holmesville Community Centre. Angela is the daughter of Sylvia Nonkes and the late Jack Nonkes. Brad is the son of Orlando and Darlene Mourao of Pickering. The couple now resides in Mississauga. Encroachment policy deferred until SeptemberA temporary encroachment policywas slightly too temporary for some North Huron councillors, who didn’thave time to review it for their Aug.7 council meeting.Chief Building Official DavidBlack drafted the document and based it on existing policies andinput from the Blyth BusinessImprovement Area (BIA) and theWingham Business Alliance. It waspresented to council during the meeting, but some councillorsweren’t ready to pass it.The policy, which would set outthe terms under which a businessowner could encroach on to municipal sidewalks with items such as outdoor seating or benches, wouldn’t be used however. Chief Administrative Officer Gary Long explained that the policy was made a priority. “This has become a hot issue over the past week or so,” he said. It’s something staff has been working on over the past few weeks and we felt it was important to assert ourselves recently because of the liability and risk management issues that accompany encroachment.” Long said that several Blyth businesses have put out umbrellas and seating and while they “look great and bring people to the down- town” the township needs to protect themselves from possible risk. “Members of council met with the Blyth business members about the importance of an encroachment policy and both they and Wingham merchants are anxious to approval from North Huron council to put things on the street and sidewalk if necessary,” Long explained. “This is an interim measure to satisfy any risks we may run into.” Councillor Brock Vodden, however, felt he hadn’t had enough time to vote on the issue but did feel it was important to not alienate ratepayers. “I think I would like to have some time to review this instead of adopting it as it is,” he said. “The critical thing here is the manner in which we deal with the business community... There appeared to be an over-reaction to a few umbrellas and I think the manner it was dealt with was overly critical. “I strongly suggest that when dealing with the business community we should try and deal with things in a more creative and polite way.” After repeated questioning, it was revealed that there is no specific bylaw that states businesses can’t encroach on to the sidewalk in front of their business and issuesregarding encroachment will be“answered on an individual basis”according to Long. “We have to look at what could happen and what legal ramifications may play through the courts as to who would be responsible for liability,” he said. “If we feel something is a liability, in the absence of a formal policy, we will take action.” Public Works Superintendent Ralph Campbell said that umbrellas are the main concern. “I have pictures of umbrellas [in Blyth] laying all over main street due to the wind,” he said. “They’re the ones that could scratch cars and cost us money if they become airborne.” Since council does not have a second August meeting due to a municipal convention, the issue will not be dealt with until the first meeting in September at the very earliest and could result in local businesses not being able to By Denny ScottThe Citizen Historical walks North Huron Councillor Brock Vodden (on the steps) put on a different hat last weekend as he hosted historical walks through Blyth for the Blyth Festival’s Bonanza Weekend. (Denny Scott photo) Continued on page 6 Churches shrinking at rapid rate Ushering at Blyth United Church on Sunday, Aug. 12 were David Onn and Terry Richmond. Cappy Onn played the violin while the congregation gathered for worship. Mark Bibok ran the power point. Rev. Gary Clark was away at General Council and in his absence Joan Clark and Wanita Bibok led the congregation in worship. Joan drew everyone’s attention to the announcements with special mention that the Thresher weekend is fast approaching and many hands made less work. The call to worship, “Come All You People” was sung followed by the prayer of approach repeated responsively. The first hymn was, “Praise You, O God.” Tessa Bibok read the scripture from Exodus 18: 13-27. The choir sang the anthem, “Wait for the Light to Shine”. Wanita read Gary’s speech to General Council which he will be doing on Monday as the delegates for moderator of the United Church will be speaking. His speech was mainly that churches are losing members at a rapid rate and we must do something to turn this trend around. We must become humble enough to find a way to bring these members back to the church and connect with one another. In the scriptures Moses called on all the leaders together but Jethro knew that he could not do it himself. We too cannot do it alone but together we will find a way to bring church membership back. We can find a solution by working together. The next hymn was, “Blessed Assurance” followed by the receiving of the offering, the offering hymn, “What Can I Do?”, the offertory prayer, the prayers for the people, silent prayers and the singing of The Lord’s Prayer. The last hymn, “Breathe On Me Breath of God” was sung followed by the commissioning and benediction and the response, “Let Us O God Depart in Peace”. Everyone was invited for coffee, treats and fellowship. By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk True Christianity is a fight! (J.C. Ryle, “The Fight!”) “Fight the good fight of faith.”1 Timothy 6:12 True Christianity is a fight! True Christianity! Let us mind that word “true.” There is a vast quantity of religion current in the world which is not true, genuine Christianity. There are thousands of men and women who go to churches and chapels every Sunday and call themselves Christians. They make a “profession” of faith in Christ. Their names are in the baptismal register. They are reckoned Christians while they live. They are married with a Christian marriage service. They mean to be buried as Christians when they die. But you never see any “fight” about their religion! Of spiritual strife and exertion and conflict and self-denial and watching and warring--they know literally nothing at all. Such Christianity may satisfy man, and those who say anything against it may be thought very hard and uncharitable; but it certainly is not the Christianity of the Bible. It is not the religion which the Lord Jesus founded, and His apostles preached. It is not the religion which produces real holiness. True Christianity is “a fight!” The principal fight of the Christian is with... the world, the flesh and the devil. These are his never-dying foes! These are the three chief enemies against who he must wage war. With a corrupt heart, a busy devil and an ensnaring world--he must either “fight” or be lost! (to be continued next week) A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956 Dorothy (Nethery) Kerr of Hamilton visited with her cousins Elsie and Jim Walsh and family this past weekend. While here she visited with other relatives in the area and attended the Cook Reunion. Olwen and Keith Richmond were hosts of the annual Richmond summer picnic. Many relatives enjoyed reminiscing and everyone enjoyed the delicious potluck supper. Happy birthday to Lorna Whitmore who celebrated Aug. 9; Rhonda (Badley) Richwood, Aug. 12; Corine Falconer and Matthew McNichol, Aug. 13; Graham Jackson, his 70th, Aug. 16 and Brenden Howson, Aug. 17. Happy anniversary to Lois and Conn vanVliet who celebrated Aug. 11; Scott and Sal Bromley, Aug. 19, Cathy and Richard Badley, their 25th, Aug. 22. Locals attend and host family reunions Graduation Alyssa Rigby, daughter of Steven and Shirley Gross of Blyth, and wife of Aadan Rigby of Petawawa, graduated from Nipissing University in North Bay with a Bachelor of Education in the primary junior division of education. Congratulations Alyssa on your hard work and achievement! We are very proud of you. May God bless you in your career. Love, your family