Ladies
and Gentlemen
GOLD – A wonderful end to our Olympics, even though playing
the US or Russia would have been a bit more exciting. These podium triumphs by
our young athletes should inspire all of us to be the best that we can.
Many of us were inspired by the release of the Huronia
Area Tourism Action Plan this past week. A packed house of tourism operators, government
officials and local representatives heard how we will organize ourselves for
tourism success in a competitive world. The plan provided good direction on “getting
our act together” – but we need to shorten the long four years needed to get it
all in place. The Plan will be presented
to each of the four Councils in March. Check your local calendars. (By the way,
check out Midland’s new website - http://www.midland.ca/
- what do you think?)
*****
On Monday February 24th at 7:00 am there will
be a closed meeting to discuss a personal matter concerning the appointments to
the Midland Police Service Board.
Tuesday at 12:30 pm you will want to drop by the YMCA office
on Elizabeth Street for the launch of their Strong Kids Campaign. This annual event helps answer the challenge
of how we give every child a chance to reach their full potential.
Wednesday February 26th will bring a novel
event to Midland. Midland Reads will present 5 current Canadian novels, each
with the potential to significantly change Midland and/or the world. Five
passionate individuals will defend their novel and if they fail will be “voted
off the island” by their fellow panelists. Should be a lot of fun. I will have
the honor of serving as moderator. That’s
Midland Reads, 7:00 pm at the MCC. Tickets are a steal at
$10.
Thursday will see me at a conference in Markham, dealing
with the topic of ownership of electricity distribution utilities - a very relevant
topic for our Council as we contemplate the sale of our MPUC. County Council will also take place that day
at 9:00 am – moved from its regular Tuesday slot. I will rely upon our capable
Deputy Mayor to carry Midland’s message to County.
Then a drive up to Gravenhurst for the 6:00 pm opening
ceremonies of the 2014 Ontario Winter Games.
ONTARIO WINTER GAMES
- 2014
Every two years the province organizes the
Winter Games to give Ontario young athletes an opportunity to show the world their
best. There are 27 different sports including 4 para-sports. The games will
host some 3,000 of Ontario’s best youth athletes supported by over 2,000 coaches
and volunteers. The games conclude on March 2nd.
Midland will host two events – bowling and volleyball.
Bowling:
Bayshore Lanes in Midland,
Knight Haven Lanes in Penetanguishene
Starts
8:30 am on Friday February 28th
Awards
at 5:30 pm on Friday February 28th
Volleyball: NSSRC gymnasium
Awards
at 4:00 pm on Sunday March 2nd
For more games information http://www.ontariowintergames.com/
On Friday February 28th, I will be on course
with Midland Fire to update my emergency planning skills. If I get enough of
the answers right they may let me out to take in the Winter Games.
******
Dean
and Darrin of the Boathouse restaurant are starting a new Midland arts event – the
SUNDAY AFTERNOON JAM from 2:00 until 5:00 pm at the Boathouse. You are warmly invited to come down any
Sunday afternoon and enjoy some of our area’s finest musical talent.
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Making Decisions - 2014