Sunday, March 28, 2010

Sunday March 28, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

The snow on our streets has been replaced by the winter’s sand. It keeps our Public Works crews busy.

A quieter week as the Town gets ready for Easter. For some reason, everything is on Wednesday March 31st.

At 10:00 am the Georgian Valley project is holding a stakeholder’s meeting at Horseshoe Resort.

From 4:00 to 8:00 pm the NSCFDC is hosting the Business Women of the Year Awards. They take place at Brooklea. Tickets are required.

Then its your Town Council’s turn. At 7:00 pm they meet in a closed meeting. Then at 7:30 pm is a Special Council Meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair) to consider a by-law “to authorize the entering into of an agreement regarding a Cultural Centre”. Should be interesting.

And to finish it off, Wednesday also sees the conclusion of the Out of the Cold Program for another year. It has been a good year. Both the meals provided and overnight stays are up significantly over last season. Many people are having a tough time.

Enjoy your Easter.


Gord McKay

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday March 21, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

We have been spoiled by Mother Nature. I just have to remember that it is still too early to put my tomatoes out into the garden.

The work starts on Monday March 22nd when Council meets at the Town at 7:00 pm (Deputation Only, but read on). The meeting will include:
- A deputation from Doral about the Town servicing the Doral Marina in Tay
- A petition against requiring meters in Midland taxi cabs
- A proposal to convert Town street lights and commercial properties to energy efficient lighting
- An agreement between the Town and the developer about protecting the historic Drummond Wall
The Council meeting will also feature something novel - a Public Meeting. The Public Meeting will allow residents to comment on:
- The proposed Taxi Cab By-Law
- The proposed Pawn Shop By-Law
Once the public discussion is over, Council will put these two By-laws to a vote.

On Tuesday March 22nd - something lighter. The Huronia Foundation for the Arts is hosting a Meet and Greet with Your Feet at 7:00 pm at the Askennonia Center at the NSSRC. If you want to Tango, it’s a must attend.

On Friday March 26th at 2:00 pm the Nottawasaga Futures organization will introduce their Green Economy Transition Centre initiative. The meeting is at The Club in Bond Head, 4805 7th Line.

And on Sunday the 28th starting at 9:00 am the Elmvale Water organization is hosting a Town Hall meeting on our water, its use and abuse. This all day event at the Elmvale Community Centre will tell you how water is being protected in Simcoe County.

Gord McKay

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sunday March 14, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

March break and the Town is all quiet.

If you are the lover of the arts, Quest (264 King Street) launches its new exhibit featuring Christina Luck and Richard Laurin on Sunday the 14th. The opening reception is Sunday at 1-4 pm.

No major Town meetings. Many Town sub-committees meet including;
- Emergency Management – Tuesday
- Energy – Tuesday
- Huronia Museum – Tuesday
- Trails – Tuesday
- Technical review Committee – Wednesday
- Police Services – Wednesday
- BIA – Wednesday
- Seniors Council – Thursday

Ice huts off the lake this weekend. Spring is here.

Gord McKay

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Sunday March 7, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

A-Channel interviewed Midland Woods Marine today and they said put away the snowmobiles, time to think boating. Has winter really left the area?

Council is hard at work this week. We start at 6:00 pm on Monday the 8th with a Special Meeting of Council (You May Not Speak) It will discuss three items including the use of the Wilson Road allowance as an attenuation zone for leachate from a nearby landfill.

At 7:00 pm on Monday is the regular Committee meeting (Written Input Only). A very long agenda with some pretty contentious items. The agenda will include:
- A proposed taxi by-law
o taxi cabs cannot be more than 5 years old
o meters will be mandatory
- An updated downtown parking by-law
o rates will go up to 75c an hour
o pay and display at the Town Dock lot
- A vote on the heavy garbage voucher system for the Town
- An update to our Town procedural by-law. Normally as dry as dust but this one contains some interesting items including:
o Councillors can talk for at most ten minutes on a matter
o Councillors can only speak once on the same question
o Council meetings must stop at 11 pm.
- Party on the Dock is proposed to return on June 11

Georgian Valley Project’s second public meeting is on Tuesday March 9th at 7:00 pm at the Horseshoe Resort, Highlands Golf Course Clubhouse.

On Thursday the 11th at 7:00 pm is the Town Poverty Committee – agenda content to be determined.


Gord McKay