Ladies
and Gentlemen
The grass is green (mostly) – the Bay is blue - now we
just have to get rid of that tinge of white that we wake up to each morning. A
busy week coming up.
On Monday May 27th I will be meeting with my
fellow mayors to discuss our situation of low water in Georgian Bay. From the Bay’s perspective we have seen a good
rise in the water level this spring. On the political side, while we have had some
encouraging words from Queens Park and Ottawa, there has been no commitment yet.
Your Council meets in closed session at 6:00 pm. A full agenda made up of:
-
Two matters of land acquisition/disposal –
Unimin and a property on King Street
-
Labour relations
-
A personal matter
At 7:00 pm is the May Council meeting at Town Hall. Also
a full agenda including:
-
Three awards presentations to our deserving
law enforcement and fire personnel
-
Four deputations:
o
A proposed outdoor skating rink
o
Stop the Drop – low water levels in Georgian
Bay
o
An update on the first year of the Midland
Cultural Centre
o
A citizen’s proposal of how to change our electoral
ward boundary system
-
A Public Meeting to hear your input on how
Council should deal with confidential/libelous items that it receives from the
public
-
Direction on the sale of surplus municipal
lands
-
Direction on whether we should reduce Council
to seven members from nine
-
A by-law respecting the payment for servicing
for new properties along old Penetanguishene Road
While it is not on the agenda, Council may receive a
motion asking us to seek an OPP costing.
And if watching Council is not to your liking, you may want
to take in a one hour documentary “Bring Her On Home-The Return of the S.S.
Keewatin”. The show begins at 7:00 pm at the MCC. Tickets are available
at the MCC box office or online at www.midlandculturalcentre.com.
Tuesday May 28th will start with the County
Council meeting at Midhurst starting at 9:00 am. Two interesting items on the agenda:
-
Tay Township will be requesting that they be
able to provide additional heavy waste pick-up. I will participate in this one with
interest given County’s recent position on Midland’s leaf pick-up
-
A proposal to extend residential waste
pick-up to most condominium properties.
Properties that cannot be picked up will receive a rebate of their County
waste levy.
At 1:00 pm that day the YMCA will host a “youth engagement”
meeting at St. Theresa’s. This initiative is designed to encourage youth to more
fully participate in our community. Then at 4:00 pm the Police Services Board
meets in camera on a personal matter.
Wednesday May 29th is Random Acts of Kindness
Day in Midland. This annual event is
sponsored by Rotary and gives us all an excuse to be good to our fellow
citizens. Your Town will be providing free coffee at the municipal office (another
good reason to drop in and visit the mayor).
We will also be helping Rotary with their free BBQ lunch at the Town
Dock starting at noon.
At 6:30 that evening I will be travelling to Innisfil
Town Hall to discuss the high cost of policing and what municipalities can do
about it.
On Thursday May 30th the Huronia Economic Alliance
meets in Tiny to discuss what we will do with the County’s offer of $50,000 per
year per municipality for economic development. We will also review our recent
advert in the Globe and Mail extolling the economic virtues of our area.
At 6:30 pm you will want to attend the Public Planning
meeting for the Unimin property. The
meeting is at the NSSRC and is your opportunity to see how the plans for the
land are developing and provide us with your ideas. My thanks to the many many
citizens who have already helped out in this important planning process.
Friday
night beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Rotary Waterfront Park in Penetanguishene
it is the Relay for Life Huronia. This inspirational 12 hour fundraiser
is in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. For a quieter evening, there
is a tribute to Patsy Cline featuring Marie Bottrell at the MCC. I believe it
is sold out but you may wish to call the MCC box office for any last minute
tickets.
And
if you thought the weekend would be quieter – think again. On Saturday June 1st:
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Kids Fishing Derby at the Town Dock - 9:00 am
to noon
-
Bike Rodeo with the Midland Police – Town dock
- 9:00 am to noon
-
Cycle Camelot at 9:00 am in aid of the Cancer
Support Centre – starts at 9:00 am at the NSSRC
-
Relay for Life Walk – this one is at St. Theresa’s
starting at 10:00 am
-
11:00 am is the start of the Midland Sailing
Club Sail Past. Yours truly will be aboard
boat reviewing one of the finest sailing fleets on the Bay.
Are
you involved yet?
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.