Sunday December 19, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

Christmas music is playing in the background; gifts have been purchased; and final decisions have been made of who sits where for Christmas dinner. Take a moment to consider those who are having a tougher time this Christmas.

Your Council is still at work. A closed meeting to discuss Committee appointments takes place on Monday December the 20^th at 6:00 pm at the NSSRC. Then at 7:00 pm is the Council Meeting (Deputation Only). A long agenda including:

-          a deputation on the town budget and taxes

-          the public meeting for the new (higher) sewer and water rates

-          discussion of our negotiations with OPSEU (town staff)

The mayors of Penetanguishene and Midland, together with staff, will meet on Tuesday to determine the initial public consultation process for our new Urban Growth Node status. While many people are still unaware of the impact of this provincial designation, what we do with it will guide our economic prospects for the next decade.  Stay tuned for more information on this.

Those of you who tried to attend the Town budget meeting last week were disappointed when it had to be cancelled at the last moment. By way of history, the previous Council had proposed a Town tax rate increase of 5% as it left office.  The new Council at its first meeting set a tax rate increase of between 2 and 3%. The next budget meeting will see Council and staff work out how that can be achieved. The next budget meetings are set for January 5^th and January 17^th.  All meetings are at 5:30 pm at the NSSRC.

Your editor will take a brief Christmas break. My very best wishes to you for a memorable Christmas and a prosperous New Year. And don’t forget to vote for our hospital beds at   http://www.refresheverything.ca/light-registration.

Gord McKay

                                                                                              

Sunday December 12, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

The snow is coming down soft and sticky. You have to love the beauty of a fresh snowfall. It’s the six months afterwards that test you.

At 2:00 pm on Monday December 13^th there will be an announcement of a new partnership between the Mental Health Centre in Pentanguishene and the University of Toronto. An important step for our area. If you plan on attending call Ms. Stewart at 549-3181 x2073.

At 6:00 pm that Monday evening at the NSSRC your new Council will meet for a series of meetings. The first meeting is to review the Water and Sewer Rate Study Update. (Speak at discretion of Chair)  At 7:00 pm it’s the General Committee meeting. (Written Comment Only). A lengthy agenda with a range of topics:

-          Discussion of allowing heavy trucks on

Fuller Ave.

-          Review of accessibility preparations for voters in our recent election

-          Launch of Midland’s Cultural and Recreational planning exercise

Following that (about 9:00 pm) is a special meeting of Council to discuss appointments to the Police Services Board.

On Tuesday December the 14^th County Council will hold its inauguration ceremony at 1:00 pm.  You are most welcome to attend at the Midhurst Council chamber to meet your new County Councillors (Stephan Kramp and myself representing Midland) and find out who your new Warden will be.

Wednesday the 15^th sees us right back to more meetings. At 6:00 pm at the NSSRC we will enter a closed meeting to discuss contractual matters. Then at 7:30 we will start our second budget meeting for the new Council. At the last meeting, Council agreed to set a Town budget somewhere between 2 and 3 %. At this meeting we will work with staff to identify how that will be accomplished. Should be a good discussion.

A little lighter for the remainder of the week;

            - Midland police retirees luncheon takes place at noon on Thursday the 16^th

- The four northern municipalities kick off discussion on Friday as to how they cab work together to bring jobs and economic development to our area.

That’s it!  Please vote every day until Dec 31st  http://www.refresheverything.ca/light-registration.  We need those hospital beds.

Gord McKay

Sunday December 5, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Civitan folks organized a fabulous Santa Claus parade. And just in time - winter arrived today with a vengeance.

On Monday December 6th there are two special events, both starting at 7:00 pm at the NSSRC. The first is a ceremony commemorating the Ecole Polytechnique slayings that occurred on this date. This special event also serves as a public expression of our abhorrence of violence against women.

The second event is the investiture of your new Midland Council. Your new Councillors will be taking their oaths of office and then telling you of some of their intentions for the coming term. All are welcome.

Then on Tuesday its right to work.  Your new Council will meet at 7:00 pm at the NSSRC to debate and decide upon your municipal tax rate for 2011.

Wednesday December the 8^th is the Planning Advisory Committee meeting. A number of interesting items including:

-          a report on the usage of our downtown parking for summer 2010

-          a discussion of the “Chew Portico” facing the Hillcrest nursing home

-          introduction of the public consultation documents for the Town’s Employment Lands study

And to round out the week you may want to drop into the Midland Area Reading Council’s Christmas reception on Friday December 10^th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at their office at

67 4^th Street

.

Gord McKay

P.S. Please vote every day at  http://www.refresheverything.ca/light-registration.  We need those hospital beds.