Sunday, September 21, 2014

Sunday September 21, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

The last day of summer – they are making summers far too short these days.

Monday September 22nd will feature our Council meeting at the Town Hall. It will begin at 6:15 pm in closed session to discuss committee appointments and a personal matter. Then at 7:00 pm is the public meeting. A moderate agenda that includes:
-       Presentation by Roy Ellis on our sustainable economy
-       OPP costing deferred to late summer 2015 (OPP decision)
-       Decision to implement free downtown parking for this Christmas season
-       Report to Council on the recommendations from the downtown safety meetings
-       Decision on bike lane connections to the new Fuller bike lanes

Tuesday will start at County Council in Midhurst at 9:00 am with Council receiving the province’s master transportation strategy. While there are a number of supportive statements about multi-modal transportation there are no specific projects identified for North Simcoe.

That evening you may wish to attend the Gateway AGM at 7:00 pm at the NSSRC. (Gateway is a local charity dedicated to improving adult literacy).  At 7:30 pm it is “A Day in the Life” at MCC where Fred Hacker will interview investigative journalist Paula Todd who wrote “Extreme Mean”, a book about abuse of the internet and who tracked down and interviewed Karla Homolka on a Caribbean island.

On Wednesday September 24th there is an important public meeting on senior’s healthcare at 10:00 am at the NSSRC.  The meeting is the start of a profound conversation between the LHIN and the senior’s community of North Simcoe.  We will receive the report from the May meeting where 400 seniors met to discuss healthcare. The LHIN will attend to learn what we want.

At 6:00 pm that evening at Town Hall is the public input budget meeting.  The budget is now at first draft and shows a tax increase of about 2%.  This is your chance to help you Councilors decide on your tax future.

Thursday the 25th will be an exceptional day for our downtown as two new businesses celebrate their respective openings. At 1:00 pm the Harbourview Denture Clinic (Yonge at King) will cut the ribbon. Then at 3:00 pm it’s over to the Advanced Foot and Orthotic Clinic (Hugel at Midland).

And Friday the 26th is just plain busy. At 11:00 am is the regular Waterfront Steering Committee at Town Hall. Our Midland Bay Landing project is getting some serious inquiries from developers and future employers.

At noon I am over to Waypoint where they will update the community on recent developments. Martyrs’ Shire will host its first annual Taiwenk dinner at CafĂ© Ste. Marie.  The 6:00 pm dinner is a thanksgiving feast for the many who support the Shrine. Tickets are $75. At 7:00 pm the MCC is hosting a special photographic exposition entitled “Seven Nights in Havana”.  It features the travels of Reinhart Weber, Ken Woods and Rodrigo Moreno.

Weekend

Saturday

-       Start of Coldwater Fair. This great fall fair runs all weekend
-       7:00 pm at the NSSRC is the Midland Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony and dinner


Gord McKay


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




Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sunday September 14, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

And you wonder why Canadians talk about the weather.  I have stopped looking for the Halloween decorations and gone directly to Christmas. Oh well, no snow yet.


On Monday September 15th at 7:00 pm there will be a public meeting on the Town’s proposed development charges. This is an important discussion that will find balance for who pays for new development in Midland.

Tuesday the 16th sees the start of the International Plowing Match being held this year in Ivy, just outside of Barrie.  This five day festival is likely to attract over 100,000 visitors. This is your opportunity to come out and enjoy the best of our agricultural community. Midland will be there as part of the County of Simcoe booth.  More info at http://www.plowingmatch.org/home-2014

That evening at 7:00 pm at the NSSRC, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing will hold a “campaign finances” session for candidates in the upcoming municipal election. Nothing about creative financing, I understand,

The election cycle gets kicked up another notch on Wednesday September 17th when the Chamber of Commerce hosts its regular All Candidates Meeting.  The meeting starts at 5:30 pm at the Midland Cultural Centre.  The public and media will be given the opportunity to ask the candidates questions during this meeting.  The public is invited to submit written questions by fax (705) 526-1744) or email (info@sgbchamber.ca). The meeting format has created a bit of controversy as a $50 candidate fee is required. Should democracy have a price tag?

On Thursday September 18th the second budget meeting takes place at Town Hall at 6:00 pm. This meeting will bring the capital and operational budgets together and require Council to set direction for the final budget, to be approved by the next Council.

Friday the 19th is a day to participate in all the many events taking place in our area.

1)     At 5:30 pm it’s Marche at the Marsh, an evening of local food and superb entertainment, all to raise funds for our Marsh. Tickets at Wye Marsh.
2)     At 7:30 pm Brookside Music hosts its fundraising gala at the MCC.  A night of great entertainment as Brookside goes Broadway
3)     At 8:00 pm at the MCC is a remarkable performance by renowned Canadian songstress Patricia O’Callaghan who sings Leonard Cohen (and more). 

Weekend

Saturday

2:00 pm - Calling All Newfoundlanders – a first Newfoundlanders reunion and kitchen party at the pavilion in Little Lake Park. Pot luck, t’be sure.


Gord McKay


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


Saturday, September 6, 2014

Saturday September 6, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

I’m back…..

….and we are into the thick of the municipal election. I have made a decision to keep politics out of News from the Town. That said, I am running for re-election as mayor, so if you wish to find out more about my campaign please send me an e-mail. At last check there were some 25 candidates signed up for municipal office, including 5 running for mayor. This truly is your “year of making decisions”.


                                                      *****

Monday September 8th will see our first General Committee meeting in some time. It starts at 7:00 pm at Town Hall and has one of the shortest agendas that I can recall.  You will hear about:
-       The International Plowing Match that starts next week outside of Barrie
-       Update on operational changes stemming from the KPMG report
-       A “one foot municipal reserve” recommended for properties along Lakewood Dr.


On Wednesday September 10th it’s back to Town Hall at 6:00 pm for the first public meeting on our 2015 budget.  This Council will propose a budget but it will be left to the new Council to actually pass it or not.


Thursday will be a busy day starting at 9:00 am at the County for a meeting of the Housing Advisory Committee. I chair this County Committee that is recommending ways to bring better housing options to the residents of North Simcoe.

At 1:30 pm I will be at the Library for the launch of the Downtown Master Plan project. Our consultants, Urban Strategies will be there to answer questions and start the process with a walkabout. At 2:00 pm, at Penetanguishene General Hospital, Mayor Marshall has set up a special meeting with GBGH to further discuss the closing of PGH. And to round out the day, Judy Rebbick a celebrated feminist and social advocate will be at the MCC at 7:30 pm. Proceeds from the event will support our Rosewood Shelter.

Friday the 12th at 11:00 am is the regular meeting of our Waterfront Steering Committee at the Town - always interesting.

Weekend

Sunday
2:00 pm Drumhead Ceremony honouring our soldiers and veterans at Lakeview Cemetery.


Gord McKay


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