Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sunday November 22, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Seasonal insight for male readers – its easier to put your Christmas lights up when it’s not snowing. Let’s hope it continues.

A relatively light week, sparkled with some important meetings

Monday November 23rd at 7:00 pm at the Town sees our Council meeting (Deputation Only). The relatively light agenda includes:
- a deputation by John Lister on the latest developments for our Arts Centre
- presentation of a petition on the Eighth Street – Arch restaurant situation. Council should make a decision on the matter later in the evening
- the creation of a new Traffic Sign Committee
- a recommendation by staff that the Town defend its proposal to designate the Drummond Wall as an historical asset

On Wednesday the 25th, the County will launch its new waste management committee. Expect to hear mare about Zero Waste in future.

Later that Wednesday, at 5:30, the Town will hold its final scheduled budget meeting. At the last meeting the Town appeared to be closing in on a Town tax rate increase of just over 4%. The Mayor underscored the seriousness of our financial situation by proposing a wage and hiring freeze for 2010. You may wish to attend.

On a more seasonal note:
- First Light starts at Ste. Marie on the 26th – a beautiful event
- Midland’s Tree lighting ceremony takes place at the Town dock (note the change) on Friday November 27th at 7:00 pm
- Also on the evening of the 27th, the Quest Art School and Gallery proudly opens their new gallery on King Street in Midland – a wonderful addition to our downtown

And lastly a call for volunteers. The Town needs your help to welcome the Olympic Torch on December the 29th – everything form parking lot assistance to dressing up as the Olympic mascot. If you are interested, application forms are available at the Town office and the NSSRC.


Gord McKay

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Saturday November 14, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Well if last week was light, this is the busy one.

The Town’s week kicks off early Monday morning November 16th at 10:30 am in Board Room B. (You May Not Speak) It’s a special meeting to discuss the Eight St. intersection and the Arch restaurant. Then at 6:00 pm your Council meets in closed session. And at 7:00 it’s our Poverty Committee meeting in the Council chambers (Speak at Discretion of the Chair). Also that day, Royal Bank will be celebrating its Olympic Torch Relay program with a reception at 1:00 pm at their branch on King Street.

Tuesday the 17th is budget day. Your Council will meet at the Town at 5:30 pm to receive the second draft (You May Not Speak). This draft should bring together all operating and capital costs, and give us some clearer direction on the 2010 tax rate.

Tuesday also gives you the opportunity for input to the Police Community Based Strategy – 2:00 pm at the NSSRC. If that is not convenient you have a second chance on Thursday the 19th at 7:00 pm at the NSSRC.

The Midland FACE (Forum of Accountability in a Circle Experience) will celebrate its grand opening on Thursday November 19th at 4:00 pm, at its offices at 317 Midland Ave. FACE provides a alternate approach to dealing with offenders. A great program.

Friday the 20th at the Best Western is the Rosewood Gala, to support the good work of our women’s shelter. You should have your tickets already, but if not call Joyce Campbell at 526-3221.

And lastly, please note the attachment on the “Gifts to Give” event taking place in our community on December 14th. The YMCA is to be commended for organizing this thoughtful program for all who are having a tough time this year.


Gord McKay

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sunday November 8, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

A beautiful day outside – so I will keep this short.

Council’s week starts with a closed meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday the 9th of November. Then at 7:00 pm is our Committee meeting (Written Input) at the Town. A fairly uncontroversial agenda including:
- Public Works will report on its projects. For those of you on Gloucester St. the paving and curbing should be done this November; and our new water tank in Sunnyside should also be ready.
- Building permit fees are proposed to rise
- Get ready for our Olympic torch ceremony on December 29th at the NSSRC

On Tuesday the 10th at 7:00 pm your Heritage Committee (Speak at Discretion of Chair) will discuss the Drummond Wall, as it moves towards official designation as a historical landmark.

Wednesday is Remembrance Day. Our area will honor our men and women in uniform at the 11th hour at the Cenotaph. Please arrive early.

Our MPP Garfield Dunlop is inviting area residents to the Highwayman Inn in Orillia at 10:30 am on Thursday the 12th to discuss affordable housing solutions.

And lastly two other items of interest:
- A special committee meeting will be held on Monday Nov 16 2009, 10:30 am to discuss the Eight St. intersection and Arch restaurant. Its in Board Room B. (You May Not Speak)
- The Police Services Board is holding a public consultation on its Community Based Strategic Plan. Your opportunities to input are Tuesday Nov 17th at 2 pm or Thursday Nov 19th at 7:00 pm at the NSSRC. (Welcome to Speak)


Gord McKay

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Sunday November 1, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

With Hallow’een out of the way we can now turn our attention to getting ready for winter.

A very quiet week on the Town’s official calendar.

Midland and Penetanguishene will be visiting Queen’s Park this week to plead our joint economic future. This meeting should help the Province decide our share of future population growth and jobs. A very important meeting.

On Wednesday November 4th your Public Works Committee will be meeting at the Town at 3pm to discuss the matter of the Town servicing Doral Marina (located in Tay). Then at 7:00 pm is the Planning Advisory Committee Meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair). A short agenda anchored by the report on the situation of parking in our downtown (Apparently it is in good supply)

Over the past month, your Council has been meeting to craft the 2010 budget. This year it is proving difficult to close the gap between the money needed to deliver Town services and setting a reasonable tax increase. The recession has cut back on Town revenues significantly while labour costs are climbing. There are two more regular budget sessions ahead:
- Tuesday November 17th at 5:30 pm – Second Draft
- Wednesday November 25th at 5:30 pm – Final Revisions
If you have something to say about the budget, now is the time.


Gord McKay