Saturday, September 21, 2013

Saturday September 21, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen

I miss the Free Press. When we had two papers in Town they did a good job of covering Council and the local issues. Now that we are down to one I find that many citizens are not able to stay on top of what is happening in our community. So to try to help out I will provide a bit more commentary in your News from the Town. Let me know what you think.

Monday September 23rd will leave a good taste in your mouth as Little Caesars opens its new location in Midland at 11:00 am.  Keeping with the pizza theme, Wheels 4 Wheels (our volunteer accessible transportation service) is fundraising at Boston Pizza.  Between 5 pm & 9 pm, 10% of every meal ordered (excluding taxes and alcohol) will be donated to Wheels 4 Wheels.

The at 6:00 pm Council will have a closed meeting to discuss a number of matters related to personal, labor relations and land acquisition. At 7:00 pm at the Town Hall is the regular Council meeting including:
-       Three deputations
-       A discussion and direction on the Huronia Museum. The Huronia Museum is a private institution that the Town has long supported. Over the last decade attendance has been declining and various plans have been proposed to improve the situation. Of late the concern about the roof leaking has led to some heated comments about who is paying for what and what type of funding should the Town give the museum over the longer term. The meeting will likely focus on fixing the roof.
-       Leaf pick-up direction. With the new County service in place this fall, Council will clarify the additional help the Town will offer citizens who have large volumes of leaves. A contentious issue for Council.  Look for this to echo through the coming election.
-       Recommendation to provide the Huronia Economic Alliance with the $100,000 grant from County over two years. This is a major step in having the four North Simcoe communities work together on economic development.
-       The Police Service report is not to be missed. We will hear about a major downtick in criminal activity in Midland over the last two years.

Tuesday September 24th will start with County Committee of the Whole at 9:00 am and then County Council. A new format.  Could be an all-day event.  

At 7:00 pm that evening the Town will launch the Midland Cultural Plan.  You are invited to the Library at 7:00 pm to provide input on how culture is important for our community and what should be done to build our culture.  Yes, the County was at the library two weeks ago on a similar topic.  These two exercises are supporting each other.

Wednesday September 25th starts in Collingwood at 9:00 am with a conference on tourism and the impact of declining water levels. At 3:30 pm, back in Midland at the Town Hall is the Police Service budget discussion, much of it will be in-camera.  Then at 6:00 pm is the Midland public budget meeting at the Town Hall. This is your opportunity to speak to Council and staff about where you feel the 2014 budget should be headed. All good suggestions welcomed.

At 6:30 pm that evening Community Living Huronia is hosting its membership event and AGM at the Brooklea. At 7:30 that evening, John French will be celebrating the donation of a grand piano to the MCC. The beautiful Heintzman piano was donated by Ann Koppel and family following the wishes of her late husband Peter Koppel. This free event is at the MCC.

Thursday September 26th at 11:00 am you are again invited to the MCC for a Catalpa open house.  Catalpa is a service organization that provides support for individuals with disabilities. Check them out at http://www.catulpa.on.ca/s/home.aspx

Peaceworks is hosting a lunch featuring a presentation on Human Trafficking by Francisco Rico-Martinez, Co-Director FCJ Refugee Centre.  The lunch is at noon at the Explorers restaurant. Get your tickets early at Explorers.

ShopCity will launch its new training Centre at 4:00 pm at their new King and Hugel location. You are cordially invited to attend to hear about this exciting business enterprise and how it will bring a new dynamic and new jobs to our area.

Friday the 27th is the full day Prosperity Summit held this year at Kings Wharf in Penetanguishene. The Prosperity Summit is designed to bring business leaders together to discuss our area’s economy and be updated on the many things that are happening. While it seldom makes the media I have been involved with a number of companies who are seriously considering moving to our area. The HEA is actively pursuing a business incubator to grow our own businesses. While I and others are impatient to see our economy improve, we have made good progress on bringing new jobs in our area.


Weekend

You will want to be at the Teddy Bears picnic, in aid of the Cancer Support Cente.  11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Perkinsfield Park in Tiny.

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And in closing, leaf season is upon us. The County will be collecting the leaf bags in Midland on the weeks of Oct 13, Oct 27, Nov 10, Nov 24 and Dec 8.


Gord McKay


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

                                                                                              


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