Sunday June 29, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

The summer break looms but the Town will be busy. Recent media coverage of the newly purchased waterfront property gave the distinct impression that it was an unsavory piece of real estate - something the Town should not buy. I expect the Town to respond shortly with a balanced report to the residents of Midland that reads a lot less like a list of chemicals and provides more information that residents can use.  It may include Stantec’s main conclusion:

“Based on the Pinchin Phase Two ESA and the Stantec Supplemental Phase Two ESA there do not appear to be any contaminants of concern that would prevent proceeding through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Risk Assessment process for the site” Stantec Inc. - May 29, 2014

(The “Environmental Risk Assessment process” is used across Ontario for brownfield site development)

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Monday June 30^th – Yes, Town facilities are open today.

This summer twenty citizens from Markelo, Holland will be visiting Midland as part of the Frank Graham Cycle Liberation Tour.   Frank is one of the most endearing and decorated WWII legionnaires in our community. The tour committee will be raising funds through Midland’s Boston Pizza who will donate 10% of all food sales between the hours of 5:00 and 8:00 PM. Please come out and help the cause by having a dinner at Boston Pizza.

Tuesday is Canada Day. Please see the day’s schedule (attached).  The parade starts at 10:00 am and the fireworks are at dusk in Little lake Park.

Wednesday July 2^nd sees the Town right back to work.  At 6:00 pm is a special meeting of Council to consider the Request for Expression of Interest that will be sent to prospective developers of our waterfront. To date we have had over six major developers express interest in developing Midland Bay Landing.   At 7:00 pm is the Planning and Development Committee including:

-       The OMB decision on the RSI recycling property and the submission of the RSI site plan for approval

-       Discussion of agreement with ADM (grain elevators on our waterfront) to share costs of a noise evaluation study

-       Update on our municipal Official Plan process.

Thursday is lighter fare with the Gryphon Trio's concert at 7:30pm at the Midland Cultural Centre.  Exceptional summer music through Brookside Music.

Friday July 4^th will feature the11:00 am Waterfront Project steering committee meeting at Town Hall.  You are welcome to attend.

Weekend

Saturday

Georgian Bay Rowing Club Regatta at Little Lake Park starting at noon

Sunday

Georgian Bay Rowing Club Regatta at Little Lake Park starting at noon

Farmers market – two locations: At Bay and King and at the Barber and Haskell lot starting at 10:00 am, all summer

            Rotary Music in the Park every Sunday at Little Lake Park at 7:00 pm

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“News from the Town” will be taking the summer off. This not only gives the editor a bit of break but allows you to better enjoy your summer. If important items come up I will be sure to pass them along to you.

This is a municipal election year.  The election date is October 27^th.  There will likely be lots of rumours this summer.   So if you hear any interesting ones, be sure to let me know.  On a more serious note, please visit  voterlookup.ca to confirm and/or update your information so that the municipal Clerk can build the final Voters’ List.

Now some wonderful ways to enjoy summer in Midland.  

Friday July 11^th to Monday July 21^st

It’s Bike Week. Expect the rumble of motorcycles throughout the Town as biking enthusiasts are expected to visit our Town in the thousands. Their home base will be Little Lake Park. Please drop over and meet some very interesting and enjoyable folks.

Saturday July 12^th

It’s the Library Garden tour from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Signs have been put up throughout the community pointing to the featured gardens. Tickets are available at the Midland Library.

Sunday July 13

The Midland Cultural Centre, in co-operation with the Consulate-General of Indonesia in Toronto, is presenting a fabulous program of the dance, music, costume and food of Indonesia at the MCC at 6:30 pm. A wonderful introduction to this tropical archipelago that supports unique floras and fauna including tiger, rhinoceros, orangutan, elephant and leopard.  Indonesia has about 300 ethnic groups, each with cultural identities developed over centuries, and that influences music, dance, fashion and cuisine. Please contact the MCC for your tickets.

Thursday July 17 to Sunday July 20

Festival du Loup returns to Lafonatine. Highlights of this celebration of francophonie include:

Thursday July 17 – Storytelling 7:30 at Ste Croix parish hall

            Friday July 18 – Kitchen party 7:30 at Pavillion du parc de Lafontaine

            Sat July 19 – all day fair, parc de Lafontaine

            Sunday July 20 – 10:30 am mass followed by a crepes brunch Ste Croix church

Saturday July 26

Georgian Bay Pops hosts its first fundraising event, The Prelude. This symphonic treat will be held at the home of Harry and Betty Campbell (122 Melissa Lane) in Cedar Ridge, starting at 3:30 pm.  Tickets at MCC

Friday August 22^nd and Saturday August 23^rd

The ever popular Tugfest returns with a proud fleet of trusty tugs to parade in our harbor on Friday night.   On Saturday, the Huronia Foundation for the Arts will be holding its creative ArtWalk festival on King Street in Midland – a showcase of artists, artisans, music and other great entertainment. Last year over 5000 visited the event.

So that’s it. For more information, please check the Towns new website at www.midland.ca.

Have a safe and happy summer.

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Making Decisions - 2014