Sunday, April 26, 2009

Sunday April 26, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Monday April 27th starts quietly enough with a closed meeting at 5:30 pm. This is followed by a Public Meeting (You May Speak) at 6:00 pm to allow you to comment on proposed changes to Town development charges. Then at 7:00 pm the monthly Council meeting (Deputation Only). A long meeting with a number of key items:
- We start with a number of deputations including a petition by Jan Galaski to have our heavy waste pick-up reinstated.

If you permit me a brief editorial – heavy waste pick-up seems to have quickly become a defining issue across much of Midland. The recent decision of Council and the views of many citizens appear to be at odds. Lets hope we can all come to a proper resolution to this issue.

Back to the Council meeting:
- The Town is contemplating two land sales
o The laneway behind 520 Hugel (YMCA)
o College Street right-of-way through the old Regent School property
- We will be updated on the Town’s success in getting funding for SOS
- The Mayor will talk about funding for Midland Area Reading Council
- We will review a request by the Y’s Men for parking permits for their festival
- And a discussion of a trail along the old Penetanguishene road allowance
As I said, a long night.

Paul Hamelin is resigning as our Police Chief at the end of 2009 after a career spanning 34 years in uniform. He will be going onto the next stage of his policing career. He will be sorely missed.

Friday May 1st at 7:00 pm will see a special opening of the Carriage House Gallery, 372 Midland Ave. The gallery is featuring a show by the popular artist Donald Petit. A special feature will be a display of his painting of Site 41 - without the landfill.

And remember that this is yard waste collection week. Please have your yard waste at the curb in a suitable container. Please refer to your County Collection brochure for more information.


Gord McKay

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Sunday April 19, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Here I am inside, faithfully writing to you while my garden and sunshine waits outdoors – I will keep this short.

Tuesday the 21st is the Town “Pitch In” day. If you want to help clean-up litter from our lovely Town environment come to the Town dock at 1:30 pm. You can join a group of Town staff and officials as we get ready for spring.

Wednesday the 22nd has a pre-Council meeting (in-camera) at 6:00 pm followed by a Special Council Meeting at 7:00 (Written Input). The second meeting will discuss which projects will be selected for the Town’s bid on new infrastructure funding from the government – we can propose at least three projects. There will also be a discussion around the Kaitlin Group relationship that may go in camera.

The BIA is busy this week with two activities;
- Dinner and AGM at St. Pauls church starting a 5:30 on Thursday the 23rd
- A Downtown strategy planning session at the library at 10:00 am on the 24th

Also on the 24th at 8:00 pm at the Windrifter Restaurant (on Vinden) musicians from across the Georgian Bay area will gather to play some music and have a good time. If you want to show your talent or just listen, do drop in. For further information call Neil Lefaive at 528-0810.

And lastly, Saturday April 25th features the Stephen Ogden Defence Fund dinner. We get to roast Stephen so it should be a lot of fun. Its at the Wyevale Community Centre starting at 6:00 pm. Tickets at the door are $15.


Gord McKay

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Saturday April 11, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

A lovely Easter weekend is upon us. I hope you are all successful in your Easter egg hunts.

The holiday will delay our Town Committee meeting until Tuesday April 14th at 7:00 pm (Written input). A reasonably long agenda with a number of interesting items:
- Review of recommendation not to put No Parking signs on George St.
- Discussion of a land sale to assist the development of the new art centre
- An update by the Mayor on the Shelter Now development charge situation
- Huronia Museum is going to ask the Town to support its request for a $1.5 million grant from the Province
- The Library will be also asking the Town to support its bid for a $600,000 grant from the Province
- And lastly the Town will react to the recent letter from the BIA expressing concern about the downtown parking situation

Other than that a reasonably quiet week. Out of the Cold will wrap up its season on Thursday with a volunteer Pot-Luck dinner and a thank-you to all the residents of Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay and Midland who make this program possible.


Gord McKay

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Saturday April 4, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Snow! A not so subtle reminder that spring can be elusive.

A relatively quiet week.

Monday April 6th will see a meeting at 7:00 pm at the Town to again review the funding of the downtown street-worker program (SOS). It does not appear that any new funding is on the table. Without new funding the program is set to wrap up in May.

And a note about a fundraiser to help Mr Stephen Ogden, the individual who has led the campaign against Site 41. If you want a good spaghetti dinner and a chance to hear Stephen roasted, mark you calendar for Saturday April 25th at 6:00 at the Wyebridge Community Centre.

Enjoy the Easter break.

Gord McKay