The Citizen, 2019-01-10, Page 16PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019.
Cannabis outlet issue divides North Huron Council
North Huron is proceeding to opt
in for the province’s cannabis retail
outlets, meaning the municipality is
willing to host a retail outlet at some
point, however council is deeply
divided on the issue.
During council’s Monday night
meeting, staff presented the option
to “opt in” to the cannabis retail
opportunity, which would mean that
$10,000, in two installments, would
be paid to the municipality to
help with costs associated
with welcoming a legal cannabis
outlet.
Municipalities that didn’t opt in to
the cannabis program by Jan. 21
could later join, but would not be
able to receive the full $10,000.
Municipalities that didn’t take a
stance would automatically be
enrolled.
As Chief Administrative Officer
Dwayne Evans explained, right now,
it’s likely that the only issue being
dealt with was the offered $10,000
as North Huron didn’t fit the
requirements for the first roll-out of
retail licenses, which would be
limited to municipalities with a
population of 50,000, while North
Huron’s population is only 4,800.
“Based on regulations, up until
December of this year, it’s not
possible for a store to open this
year,” he said.
Council had asked for input from
the Ontario Provincial Police on the
issue and were told that the OPP had
no stance on whether a municipality
should opt in or not. Beyond that,
there was no estimate as to how a
cannabis outlet could impact
policing costs.
East Wawanosh Councillor Chris
Palmer said he didn’t feel opting in
was a sensible move for North
Huron.
“I firmly believe it crosses the line
of social responsibility,” he said,
adding that the information from the
provincial government lacked
clarity.
He said he believed that OPP costs
will increase as a result of opening
the municipality up to legal cannabis
retailers.
Reeve Bernie Bailey said his
understanding of the issue was that,
if North Huron opted out, the
municipality would get nothing,
whereas if council opted in, the
municipality would receive $10,000
and likely see no cannabis retail
outlet any time soon.
Deputy-Reeve Trevor Seip had
concerns about a cannabis outlet as
well.
He assumed that a retail location
would open in Wingham as opposed
to East Wawanosh or Blyth, saying
that, because of the locations of
schools in Wingham, a retail
location would have to be on
Wingham’s main street.
Councillor Kevin Falconer of the
Blyth Ward said that, whether North
Huron opts in or not, legal marijuana
will be in Blyth.
In a recorded vote, council
directed staff to prepare a resolution
of support for council’s Jan. 21
meeting.
Council members Bailey, Seip,
Falconer and Councillor Anita van
Hittersum voted in favour of the
motion.
By Denny Scott
The Citizen
Belgrave’s Knox United seeking treasurer trainee
Brian and Rita Potter greeted
worshippers and handed out the
bulletins at Knox United Church on
Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 6. Mackenzie
Wightman played inspiring interlude
music on the piano.
The minister Brian Hymers lit the
Christ candle. The opening hymn,
“Jesus Shall Reign,” was sung.
Brian went over the
announcements. Congratulations
was extended to Cathy and Doug
Walker on the birth of their first
granddaughter on Jan. 3. After the
call to worship was read
responsively, our voices were joined
in the singing of “Hail to God’s Own
Anointed.
The children then gathered in the
front pew for story time. They
learned about the wisemen following
a star to Bethlehem to see Jesus.
Brian and the children paraded
through the church and stopped at
different places and asked the
children if Jesus was there. We find
Jesus everywhere with everyone and
everybody. Jesus is always with all
the children.
The children adjourned to Sunday
school. Ken Procter read scripture
from Isaiah 60: 1-6 and Lila Procter
read scripture from Ephesians 3: 1-
12 and Matthew 2: 1-12.
God put a special star in the sky
when Jesus was born. Some
wisemen who lived in the east saw
this star. They knew it was a sign that
a baby king had been born. The
wisemen wanted to visit the baby so
they followed the star. They told
King Herod a baby king was born.
King Herod did not want anyone
else to be called the king. He didn’t
know this baby king was God’s son.
The wisemen followed the star and
it led them to the place where Jesus
was and they gave Him gifts. God
knew that King Herod didn’t like
anyone else to be called the king.
God told the wisemen not to tell
King Herod where the baby king
was. He wanted to kill him.
God sent an angel to Joseph in a
dream. The angel said to go to Egypt
until I tell you to come back. Joseph
and Mary and baby Jesus went to
Egypt and lived there until King
Herod died. An angel went to Joseph
and said he could move back home
because it was safe now. Joseph took
Mary and Jesus back and they
moved to the town of Nazareth.
It is Christ who showers us with
the gift of love. He will accept
anyone as they are. Go out and
spread the good new.
Nancy Jardin reported on the
Minute for Missions. Her message
reflected on the words, “love your
neighbour as yourself”. Loving our
neighbour is at the heart of our
Mission and Service.
Brian Hymers sang “Hallelujah,
Hallelujah” accompanied by
Mackenzie Wightman at the piano.
Ken Procter and Doug Walker took
up the offering which was dedicated.
Verse 4 of In the Bleak Midwinter
was sung followed by the singing of
the Lord’s Prayer.
The parting hymn, “What Child is
This”, the benediction and blessing,
“Giving of the Light of Christ,” and
the congregation singing “Go Now
In Peace” and the extinguishing of
the Christ candle concluded the
service.
Annual reports are due Jan. 13 to
Elizabeth Procter. Knox United is
looking for a treasurer trainee.
Please contact Elizabeth Procter at
519-887-6804 if you are interested.
Save those pop or beverage can
tabs and help Greg Blagdon of
Harriston realize his goal of
collecting 60 two-litre pop bottles
filled with tabs.
For several years Greg has donated
bottles filled with tabs to the Elora
Legion (sale of the tabs go toward
purchasing walkers and wheelchairs
for those in need by the Legion).
Last year Greg filled 30 bottles –
each bottle holds approximately
2,800 tabs all placed one at a time
by Greg who hopes to, with the
help of family, friends and
neighbours, double his efforts this
coming year.
Here’s a chance for us to be good
neighbours and help Greg help
others – save those tabs and leave
them in a jar at the back of Knox
United Church. Contact Elly Dow
519-357-6589 for more information.
The community extends birthday
greetings to Emily Bieman on
celebrating her 15th birthday on
Jan. 7.
NEWS
FROM BELGRAVE
By Linda
Campbell
Call
357-2188
PEOPLE AROUND
BELGRAVE
Explore Huron’s history at
stopsalongtheway.ca
Stops Along
The Way