Sunday, February 24, 2008

Sunday February 24, 2008

Things are quieter around the Town this week. The “Good Roads Conference” is on in Toronto and many of your Councillors are in attendance. A good opportunity to hear what others are doing.

Accordingly, the Council meeting has been rescheduled to this Thursday at 7pm. (“Deputation Only”). Some items on the agenda:
- We will review our budget deliberations. It looks like we are headed for a Town increase of 3.2%, with an overall increase of 3.6% when County charges are included.
- The meeting will discuss a pilot project to put more bicycle parking stands on King Street (initially near Gianettos).
- And finally we will vote on recognizing “Earth Hour” - an opportunity on March 29 from 8pm to 9pm for everyone to turn out their lights and help the environment.

The Council meeting will also discuss our need for planning – strategic, economic and Little Lake. Planning is becoming more important for the Town because of the increasing pressures we face. Take building permits. The Town has issued $67.2 million in permits last year, well above historical averages. Good planning is essential.

And lastly, we had over 70 people come out this past week to hear about our need to better plan our waste management in Simcoe County. There is a big issue here for all of us. More on this to come.


Gord McKay

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sunday February 17, 2008

I hope that you have had a chance to enjoy your new Family Day.

A few quick notes:
- The Town will hold its final Budget meeting (“Written Comment”) this week before the matter goes to Council. The meeting should determine our recommended tax rate plus look at a number of financial policies to guide future budgets. Wednesday the 20th at 6pm in the Council Chambers
- The Town will continue its discussion of cosmetic pesticides this Thursday at 7pm at the Town. (“Written Comment”).

And as if that were not enough:
- The Simcoe Waste Coalition will be hosting an educational evening (“You May Speak”) entitled “Our Waste – Our Future”. The evening will feature three speakers and allow you to hear about how our waste is and should be managed. The event takes place on Thursday the 21st at 7:00 pm at the Penetanguishene Arena at 61 Maria St. No charge.


Gord McKay

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Sunday February 10, 2008

Have you noticed – 6:00 pm and it is still light. Almost time to start thinking about gardening.

Last week’s PAC meeting agreed to re-zoning the lands at 846-850 Hartman Drive. The developer (Shelter Now) intends to build transitional housing to help alleviate Midland’s need for affordable housing. The Public Hearing (You May Speak) will take place on Wednesday March 5th at 7:00 pm at the Town.

After last week’s budget meeting we are headed towards a 3.2% municipal tax increase – 3.6% when you include the County portion. And since we have no property reassessment this year (unless you improved your property) you can now determine what your 2008 taxes will be.

The Committee of Council meets this Monday at 7:00 pm. (Written Comment). A number of items:
- The Severn Sound Environmental Authority (SSEA) will present a proposal to study our Little Lake and prepare a usage plan for the Town. (SSEA is a federal/provincial/municipal organization charged with sustaining environmental quality in our region. Midland pays them an annual fee.)
- Our Community Services department has a number of interesting events:
- a free family skate on our new public holiday, February 18th
- talks have started for a new soccer field
- a Little Lake event called “Woof –Fest” in August
- a revised plan for a wakeboard event in Little Lake, likely in July.
- A request by our bus transit authority to review fares


Gord McKay

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Sunday February 3, 2008

We have many new readers this week. Welcome. If you want to catch up on past items please check out my “blog” at http://www.newsfromthetown.blogspot.com/.

A couple of key Town meetings coming up this week.

Town Budget - (Written Comment)
On Tuesday Feb 5th at 6:00 pm we will discuss the 2008 budget and take steps in determining your 2008 property tax rate. Some issues we will consider are the contracted annual wage increases of 3 - 3.5% and proposed commitments to the new theatre and the downtown street-workers program. Should be interesting.

Planning Advisory Committee – (You May Speak)
Wednesday the 6th at 7:00 pm. A full agenda. Items include:
- Review of the Captain’s Cove Development trail
- Proposal for a Midland-Penetaguishene trail connection
- Consideration whether some of the King St. parking spots should be used for bicycle parking

Our pesticide discussion will return on February 21st. (I will confirm the time later as I think there may be a conflict with another Town meeting.) This meeting will take place against a backdrop of proposed provincial legislation banning most uses of pesticides for cosmetic purposes. If you wish to comment on the Province’s proposal you can go to the Government of Ontario website at:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTAyNTUz&statusId=MTUzMzE3&language=en
You need to do so before February 17, 2008.

And finally the Site 41 debate is not over! You are invited to a waste management information session – “Our Waste – Our Future” at the Brian Orser Arena in Penetanguishene on Thursday February 21st at 7pm. No fee and an opportunity to ask questions about your waste.


Gord McKay