Saturday, February 28, 2009

Saturday February 28, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Last day of February! Fish huts off the ice next month – can spring be far away.

The week starts off with an interesting meeting. On Monday March 2nd at 7:00 pm at the Town, we will receive the results of our transit study (Speak at Discretion of Chair). This meeting should cover how much public transit we need, where the bus routes should go and do we need a link to Georgian College.

On Wednesday March 4th at 7:00 pm the Town will hold Public Hearings on two matters (You May Speak):
- Pratt Lands Development – A zoning bylaw amendment to remove the holding status and allow minor adjustments to lot sizes and frontages
- CMRI Lands on Fuller Ave. – A zoning bylaw amendment to confirm reduced density for the proposed CMRI residential development

And right after that meeting will be the Planning Advisory Committee meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair). A couple of interesting items:
- An agreement has been reached on the Town’s Home Occupation by-law. (A citizen had appealed to the OMB to have our proposed bylaw changed). The meeting will discuss if it accepts the agreement
- The possibility of new wireless communications facilities in the area. The three wireless service providers (Bell Mobility, Rogers and Telus) have to consult with our municipality. The meeting will discuss the form of that consultation

And lastly, the Arts Center consultation has wrapped up its public meetings. Some 140 people attended the four meetings. Lots of good ideas. This information will now be used to craft a statement of what the artists and arts communities from our area want in their Art Centre.


Gord McKay

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Saturday February 21, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

A quiet week, with a number of Council and staff attending the ROMA (Good Roads) conference in Toronto. That is why the Council meeting, which would normally have been this week, was held last Wednesday.

Starting with a non-Town matter, the Arts Centre Consultation will kick into high gear this week. Artists and the public are invited to voice their ideas about what should be in our new Arts Centre. Please consider attending one or more meetings:
- Musical Arts – 2 pm Sunday Feb 22 at Le Caron HS in Penetanguishene
- Francophone (All Arts) – 7 pm Sunday Feb 22 at Le Caron HS in Penetanguishene
- Performing Arts – 7 pm Monday Feb 23 at NSSRC in Midland
- Arts Community (non-artists) – 7 pm Wednesday Feb 25 at Huronia Museum in Midland

You may want to attend the last Simcoe County District School Board public meeting discussing the number of high schools needed in our area. It will take place on Wednesday March 11th 7 pm at Penetanguishene Secondary School, 51 Dunlop St. Penetanguishene. The Accommodations Review Committee is looking to finalize its report by March 31st so they are getting close to making recommendations.

The week-end is here and the Penetanguishene winter carnival is on. Enjoy the snow before it is gone.



Gord McKay

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Sunday February 15, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen


Even with the Family Day holiday on Monday things are very busy – and not necessarily at Town Hall.

I have just returned from the first Arts Centre consultation. Some 35 visual artists gathered to exchange views on what should be in our new Arts Centre. The next consultation is for the Musical Arts at 2:00 pm on Sunday February 22nd at Le Caron high school in Penetanguishene. For further information take a look at www.huroniaarts.ca/consulation

Monday February the 16th will see a full slate of family activities at Midland’s YMCA. Its their Strong Kids Campaign. It starts off at 10:00 am with an Open Swim and concludes at 4:15 with something called “Family Zumba”. All activities are free.

On Tuesday February 17th the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its AGM and dinner – tickets are $55.00. Awards will recognize our business leaders in the area.

Wednesday February 18th at 7:00 pm is the Council meeting at the Town (Deputation Only). A rather quiet agenda. The heavy pick-up voucher system will be voted on. Also, yours truly has a motion to be voted on that will ask the County to require industry to pick-up 100% of the Blue Box costs by Jan 2010.

And finally on Monday March the 2nd at 7:00 pm Council will meet to review the Transit Study recommendations – where will our transit busses run (Speak at Discretion of Chair). Should be interesting.


Gord McKay

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Saturday Februay 7, 2009

Hard to believe its now +9 outside. Winterfest is on and my favorite Royal Newfoundland Regiment is stealing the show with their “Candy Cannon”.

The week will start on Monday the 9th with our Committee meeting at the Town at 7:00 pm (Written Input). A very demanding agenda including:
- Simcoe County District School Board is talking with the Town about making surplus classroom space more available for rental (less costly) to the public
- Discussion of how the new heavy pick-up voucher system may work
- Possible launch of a search for a new Town logo
- Preliminary discussion of whether the Town wants to be a treatment centre for Site 41 leachate
- Possible elimination of the advanced green into Bowling Green, off of King St.
- Changes to the entrance to the Arch restaurant, off of Yonge St.
- Plus a number of environmentally sensitive issues that will get Council debating

Tuesday the 10th at 6:30 pm at the NSSRC will see the last of the visioning exercises (You must Speak). The public is most earnestly invited to attend.

Wednesday morning at 10:30 at the Library will be the ceremonial kick-off of the construction for the new addition.

And get ready for Sunday the 15th when all those interested in art and culture will start the discussion around what we want in our new Art Centre. More details at www.huroniaarts.ca/consultation.


Gord McKay