Sunday October 14, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

The week ahead looks more fit for growing rice than doing yard work. But with the lake level being down a bit, we will certainly welcome the rain. Lots going on in our Town

On Monday October15th at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers is a special public meeting of Council. The agenda includes:

-       Training on the Closed Meeting process from the Ombudsman’s Office

-       A review of our long term arrangement with the Huronia Museum

-       Huronia Museum audit fees

-       Application for funding for our asset management program

Tuesday October the 16^th is just busy:

-       The NSCFDC Small Business Week will host a business breakfast at Brooklea starting at 7:00 am.  The speaker will be Mr. Frank McKenna, Deputy Chair TD Bank Group. Mr. McKenna will give us his insight into political and economic matters as they affect small business.

-       At 9:00 am, the Council of the County of Simcoe will hold an important meeting on its own governance structure. The discussion may lead to changes in how we elect our Councilors for this half-billion dollar corporation

-       At 4:30 pm, a special conference on business innovation will be held at the Holiday Inn in Barrie

-        And at 7:30 pm at the MCC is a first in a special presentation series, featuring Arkadi Kuhlmann founding CEO of ING Bank.

On Wednesday October 17^th you have to get up early for the Christian Community Breakfast. Doors open at 6:30 am at the NSSRC.  Later that day, at 12:30 pm, the Library will hold a ceremony to recognize its volunteers. At 6:00 pm that evening we get into the meat of the Town’s budget process. This first public meeting will look at our operating budget for 2013 and how we intend to meet our restraint targets.

On Thursday October 18^th at 6:00 pm is the Severn Sound Environmental Association Sustainability Summit. This public event takes place at Lakehead University in Orillia and will feature Tom Rand talking about our dependence on fossil fuels, plus a public forum on tree-cutting by-laws.

To round out the week, our Hospital Foundation hosts its “Une Soiree Extraordinaire” at the MCC starting at 7:30 pm on Saturday October 20^th.

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I have a special request to make of you. The Midland Out of the Cold (OOTC) will establish itself as a permanent emergency shelter when it opens this November 15^th.  The new level of service will significantly improve the well-being and safety of our homeless and our community. Rebuilding the shelter for full year occupancy costs money – approximately $700,000.  The four Huronia mayors will be kicking off the fundraising by sleeping on the mats at the shelter on November 14^th. If you would like to contribute to the OOTC program (and encourage your mayor) you may make a contribution pledge by e-mailing me at this address or sending a contribution directly to OOTC at 174-208 Charles St. Midland, ON, L4R 2X4. OOTC is a registered charity. Please help our homeless.

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s exciting Year of Having Fun - 2012.