The Citizen, 2013-08-29, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013.
Council to seek new planner
Londesborough UC hires Johnston as new caretaker
Attention!
John Jewitt was on announcement duty on Sunday at
Central Huron’s Hope Chapel’s annual decoration service.
Blyth United Church’s Rev. Gary Clark led the service,
which featured Ila Cunningham on the organ. (Jim Brown photo)
“A Day of Rest” was the message
delivered by Terry Fletcher at
Londesborough United Church on
Sunday, Aug. 25.
In Luke 13: 10-17, Jesus is
rebuked while teaching in a
synagogue for healing a woman who
had had a disability for many years.
He was rebuked for working/healing
on the Sabbath. From His reply to
His adversaries Jesus is seen as a
revolutionary. And Terry included a
passage from 1 Maccabbees 2:32-41
which offers another view to the idea
of the Sabbath being a day of total
rest. In the days of warring nations,
Mattathias and his followers decided
it would be better to fight for their
nation on a Sabbath than face
extinction.
Mr. Fletcher remarked that in
times past Sunday was set aside
from the rest of the week as a day of
rest. This tradition was well
established by the Jews of Biblicaltimes. However in more recent yearswhen it seems life has become busier
and more complex, rules have eased
up considerably. Sunday has become
the busiest shopping day of the week
and sporting events are often slated
for that day as well. This poses the
question, “Are we breaking a
commandment?”
Paul stated in the years following
Christ’s death that Christians should
observe a time of rest at one’s own
comfort in honour of the Lord. And
Jesus said the Sabbath was made for
man, not man for the Sabbath. These
two were revolutionary regarding
life for Christians on the Sabbath.
But, in a world when persons can
be on demand constantly, how do we
recharge our souls? How do we find
a time for the appeasement of our
souls, for some peace, quiet and
reflection? Terry suggested the
answer lies in finding a balance,
choosing some time in our lives to
put life at rest, to be restored and
reflect on our place in God’s world.
In the midst of busy/activity we need
to recognize God’s grace in our
lives. Included on the order of
service was a quote from George
MacDonald - “Work is not always
required. There is such a thing as
sacred idleness.”
During the children’s time Terry
spoke about symbols. A symbol issomething that stands for somethingelse. He told the story of King
Darius who wanted to conquer
another nation. He promised not to
attack if they surrendered. Their
surrender would be accepted if they
brought to him a bowl of earth and a
bowl of water, symbols of their
nation. They replied with a bowl of
earth, a bowl of water, a bird, a frog
and a mouse. These symbols were
interpreted to mean King Darius
would be defeated. Consequently he
retreated.
The Christians have a very
powerful symbol for their faith. The
cross symbolizes Christ’s love for
His people.
In March of 2011 a devastating
earthquake and tsunami struck
Japan, killing, displacing and
changing the lives of the people.
Controlling the nuclear accident and
cleaning up the devastation is not yet
complete. The Japanese continue to
experience gratitude and frustration,
joy and anger, hope and anxiety,
expectation and disappointment.
However they are impressed by the
support they continue to receive
from groups like the United Church
of Canada’s Mission and Service
fund. This minute for mission was
included in the morning’s order of
service.
By this time next week, the newschool year will have commencedand many of the activities that went
on hiatus in June will begin again.
Sunday School will resume on
Sunday, Sept. 8. The present staff are
looking for new teachers to help out
with some Sundays. If you feel you
could help for a time give Sandy
Bergsma a call. Without teachers the
church will lose an important
element of our faith community.
The official board will meet on
Monday, Sept. 9 beginning at 7:30
p.m.
The UCW will hold their first
meeting of the fall on Monday, Sept.
16. You can order pies until that date
on any sign-up sheet or with Lynda
or Sherry.
Dates can be a real issue when
attempting to notify of upcoming
events. My announcement in last
week’s issue was way off. The info I
received about “The Longest Play”
in Belgrave had the month wrong.
The event happens on Sept. 29.
Londesborough United has a new
caretaker. Jim Johnston has been
hired and said he would really
appreciate hearing from
anyone/group who makes regular
use of the building to help him get a
handle on his responsibilities.
Signs caught my attention this past
week. Darrell has posted a new one
in the church board. “Sign Broken.
Message Inside”. And after many
months the signs directing folk to
Londesborough United Church and
the community hall are now in place
on the sides of the former general
store at the corner of London Road
and Londesborough Road. And it’s
all well and good for the
Municipality of Central Huron to
have such officious signs at the
corners of their area, but it would
make sense to keep them weeded.
Continued from page 1
Councillor Brian Barnim noted
council always had that option.
Barnim said now that the appeal
has two participants, ratepayer Dave
Hemingway and Cindy Moyer,
Huron-Perth Landowners
Association president, it only makes
sense to remain on course and for
Central Huron to also adopt the
issues on the two participants’ issues
lists.
Before agreeing to take on the
participants under Central Huron’s
umbrella, Lobb wondered whether
that move would mean Central
Huron would also pick up the entire
legal tab. She then objected when
that concern was confirmed. “OK
then, I am dead-set against it,” she
said.
Barnim suggested the lawyer is
paid either way so it makes sense to
bring the participants’ respective
lists of issues under Central Huron’s
umbrella at the Ontario Municipal
Board (OMB) hearing, which is
being rescheduled.
While council discussed the
issues’ lists, Barnim said the main
question is who Central Huron will
have to represent them at the OMB.
“The rest of this is really
immaterial,” said Barnim.
Deputy-Mayor Dave Jewitt, who
chaired the meeting as Mayor Jim
Ginn has declared a conflict on the
matter, said the special council
session also gave councillors a
chance to address all of their
concerns and issues with regard to
the county’s plan.
Lobb said she preferred the
mediation route and suggested a
change in lawyers would not be
required for that course of action.
She further expressed concern about
the possible end cost if Central
Huron does choose to continue
through to the OMB hearing level.
Barnim suggested the actual
hearing would only be about two
days in length and, therefore, is
unlikely to be cost prohibitive.
Councillor Burkhard Metzger said
the mayor’s lack of participation in
the process has stymied the process
since there has been a “little bit of a
lack of leadership on council with
Jim having a conflict.”
Metzger said one thing that is
clear is, “We have to make a
decision about whether we want to
switch horses in this race.”
Councillor Alex Westerhout said
switching lawyers seemed like a
sound plan, which resulted in some
debate led by Lobb who emphasized
that mediation is the best route.
“My concern is there are a number
of things there … and the bills just
mount,” she said. “At the end of the
day, we still pay the bill.”
“I don’t think they’re going to do
days of research,” replied Barnim
while referencing costs.
“You're entitled to your opinion
and I’m entitled to mine,” said Lobb,
adding the Huron County Official
Plan dates back to 1984.
Councillor Dan Colquhoun
suggested voting to change lawyers
before hiring a new planner is
jumping the gun given the next
planner, who has yet to be hired,
could also say the appeal cannot be
won.
“(John) Cox said we can’t win and
what happens Monday if we don’t
get a planner?” asked Colquhoun.
Barnim suggested that even
without a planner, the situation
could enter mediation. Colquhoun
disagreed. He said the role of the
planner is to tell council whether it is
following the rules and, “I am going
to make the assumption the next
planner will say the same.”
Colquhoun, who was pointedly
frustrated with remarks from the
gallery, addressed the chamber. “I
don’t like people in the crowd
talking about me. I have a different
way of doing things. It just irks me
to no end.”
Ultimately, Lobb supported a
move to a new lawyer. “My personal
hope is we go to mediation it will
only be on two issues so I certainly
do think we need to hire a lawyer,”
she said.
Ultimately, Barnim’s motion to
hire lawyer Valerie McGarry was
supported by Lobb, Metzger, Jewitt
and Westerhout with Colquhoun
opposed. Councillor Marg Anderson
and the mayor were absent.
Following the meeting, the CAO
confirmed the municipality’s next
step is to hire a planner and after
that, council will choose to
either seek mediation or head to the
OMB.
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO
NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
Continued from page 1
architects,” Long explained. “They
like his approach and the outline of
the services he provides and they
like that he will consult not just with
the committee and the township but
with the community and other
groups.
“Several months ago, council
indicated that they supported 14/19
and indicated, informally, that they
would fund the assessment,” Long
said. “It is the committee’s
preference that we go with
Dingman.”
Bailey stated that he would prefer
not to and requested a recorded vote
on any motion put forward regarding
the issue.
“The idea here is to pay him for
the building assessment and there
were things clearly left out of that
for this building,” he said. “We’re
looking at 60 per cent overrun. I
know that the facilities director [Pat
Newson] has said he did a great job
and I know we didn’t have this
situation before, but it’s going to
cost an additional $100,000 and it’s
put on council to answer that cost. I
would like a recorded vote.”
Prior to putting forward a motion
to request Dingman’s expertise on
the project, MacGowan pointed out
that, of the $13,250, $3,397 had
been approved through heritage
grants available. Upon questioning
from MacGowan, Long stated that
council had agreed to pay the full
amount.
MacGowan moved that Dingman
Council hires Dingman
despite cost concerns
Continued on page 11