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 27^th 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 28^th 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 29^th 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 30^th 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 1^st:

-       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.