Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sunday May 26, 2013


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:
-       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.

                                                                                              



Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sunday May 19, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen

Its summertime.  Our Sunday farmer’s market is back for the season, the Legion is hosting its first BBQ and our dandelions have never looked better. Time to get out there and enjoy the best Town on the planet.

Two items for this long Victoria Day weekend:
-       Please join our Legion Branch 80 as they have a good old fashioned beef BBQ this Sunday afternoon starting at 5:00 pm at our legion
-       The first working ship of the season to make port will be honoured on Monday May 20th at the ADM dock at 10:30 am.

On Tuesday May 21st Waypoint is holding a special event to inform you about the research and development that they are undertaking with a number of universities. That’s at 1:30 pm at the Oak Ridge activity centre.  Then at 5:00 pm that day you are invited to the wrap-up of Artsvest program at the NSSRC. This special program has seen a number of artists and businesses come together to see how they can support each other. Stronger arts and more vibrant businesses – great for Midland.

Wednesday brings a very special personal event to Midland – the retirement of Mr. Fred Hacker from the leadership of his law practice. Few of us need any reminder of the significant and extensive contribution to our community from this native son – Rotary; Habitat for Humanity, our Santa Claus parade and many more. The good news is that Fred has no intention of retiring from his many philanthropic activities. I know you will join me in recognizing this milestone for a great civic leader.

Also on May 22nd you may wish to join Garfield Dunlop at Ste. Marie Among the Hurons at 6:00 pm as they establish the OPP Youth Foundation.  Please call Garfield`s office for tickets – tickets are $100. 

Thursday will be a busy day for me as I participate in a full day strategy session at the County. We will be discussing items such as transportation links, social housing and waste collection - matters that will affect our quality of life in Midland. Let me know if you have any input for the County agenda.

On Friday, Huronia Players launches the third play of its season – Communicating Doors. We have a remarkable theater company in Huronia Players. This is your chance to come out and enjoy exceptional theatre. Tickets are available at the Midland Cultural Centre

And as for the week-end:
-       Saturday May 25th (10:00 am to 5:00 pm) and Sunday May 26th (10:00 am to 4:00 pm) you will want to come to the NSSRC for the Model Train Show. A great collection of model train displays and folks who truly love what they are doing
-       Sunday May 26th at 1:00 pm at the Town dock, the Lions host their annual event to promote guide dogs.

Now back to enjoying the weekend.


Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.




Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sunday May 12, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen

I am just back from ten days in the Netherlands with Frank Graham, a number of Canadian legionnaires and a host of young folk from Canada.  A moving experience as we walked the fields of battle and cemeteries with Frank. The warmth and friendliness of the liberated Dutch people defies description. Fewer veterans are making the trip each year, so the Frank Graham Tour set out to reinvigorate the bond of friendship between our two countries. The young people came though unbelievably.  (Look for more of the story in my blog in the near future.)

                                                              *****
I think they saved most of the Town work for my return.

Monday May 13th starts with a funding announcement by the provincial government at GBGH at 9:30 am – support for our Emergency Department expansion, maybe more.  At 10:00 am the Police Services Board will meet in closed session to hopefully finalize its budget.

Later that day at 6:00 pm is a closed meeting of Council to discuss a land sale/acquisition matter. At 7:00 pm is the May General Committee meeting. A variety of interesting topics including:
-       A new approach to “geese management” in Little Lake Park
-       A listing of surplus lands owned by the Town and a question of disposal
-       A decision on  how many Councillors we need for Midland, plus a review of Council salaries and benefits
-       A status report on the action being taken on the KPMG recommendations. 38 opportunities are being actively tracked with a number already competed
-       A proposed new electronic display sign for the MCC
The General Committee meeting will be followed by a special meeting of Council (open) respecting the purchase of the Unimin lands.

Tuesday May the 14th will see the Town hosting an invitation only workshop on sports tourism. Then at 1:00 pm at Kelsey’s on Hwy. 12 is the first of seven Big Bike rides for Heart and Stroke. Hopefully your team is ready to come out and show your stuff for a good cause.

On Wednesday May 15th at 4:00 pm is the regular Police Services Board meeting at Town Hall. Then at 7:30 pm is the eighth edition of a “Day in the Life” as John Tory is the guest at the MCC. John Tory is a gentleman with a wide variety of accomplishments including radio broadcaster, lawyer, businessman with Rogers media and past leader of the Ontario PC party. Tickets are available at the MCC or online at http://www.ticketbreak.com/mcc.

On Thursday May 16h at 4:30 pm is the Midland Cultural Centre AGM.  Please note the AGM will be hosted at the Town Hall.   At 6:00 pm our area’s Girl Guides celebrate a Community awards Night at the Midland library.  

The Keewatin opened for the season this past weekend. Now its Port McNicoll’s turn with Port-o-Rama. The fun takes place the entire weekend of May 17-19.  The big parade is set for Saturday the 18th starting at 11:00 am.



Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.