Saturday, December 20, 2014

Saturday December 20, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Christmas holiday season has arrived.  Time for a well-deserved break from the regular routine – a time to reconnect with family and friends.  

This brings to a close “Midland’s Year of Decision Making”.  I don’t want to annoy you with a long recital of decisions that were made – Unimin land purchase; Fuller bike lane; a new Council - but I will take this opportunity to leave you with an example of what can happen when we decide to work together.

Over this past year there has been increasing anxiety in our community about our healthcare services, in particular the well-being of our hospital. The four mayors, who have no formal responsibility for healthcare, decided to get involved and help direct the evolution of healthcare for our citizens. On Wednesday of this past week, the four mayors met with the CEO’s of Georgian Bay General Hospital, the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN and representatives of the Ministry of Health to sign a commitment to the future of our hospital. It reads in part:

“The Mayors of the four North Simcoe municipalities, in conjunction with Georgian Bay General Hospital and the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN, are committed to:
1.       Ensuring the long-term sustainability of the hospital
2.       Maintaining suitable  hospital programs and services in our community hospital “
A first step – an important step. The decisions that we make every day are building a better Midland and area for all of us.

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A quiet two weeks ahead, especially with Town Hall closed from noon on the 24th to January 2nd.  A few year-end items:

The Salvation Army has had a successful Christmas season. It will be distributing 300 Christmas hampers to families and individuals this year.

The Keewatin is announcing a deal with the CBC to air their special video documentary "Bringin' her on Home". It will be shown a total of 120 times on both on the Discovery Channel and the CBC national network. That is a lot of people being introduced to Port McNicoll (and Midland) and Keewatin. Trailer link: https://vimeo.com/75834872

Winter farmers markets are open in Midland each Saturday at 9:00 am at the NSSRC and Sunday from noon to 5:00 pm at the old Brick location at the Mountainview Mall.

Christmas holidays are all about getting the family out skating. And there are plenty of opportunities for you this year. Free skating is provided by Tim Hortons at the NSSRC at 1:00 pm on December 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th, January 2nd and at 1:20 pm on December 27th and 28th. Bruce Stanton will be your host for free skating on Wednesday Dec 31st from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at NSSRC. And from the good rumour department, look for a new outdoor skating rink in the downtown area in the coming weeks.

Merry Christmas to all.


Gord McKay


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


Sunday, December 14, 2014

Sunday December 14, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

The many faces of Christmas.

Yesterday my wife and I were over at the Guesthouse shelter dropping off some food. Easily thirty people in the crowded basement room, including children – talking, playing cards, politely waiting on supper. In the kitchen increasing concern as the meal had not yet arrived. 

Later that evening the Victorian Christmas Home Tour. A warm welcome greeted wayfarers at four century homes in downtown Midland. Christmas decorations that looked right out of a storybook. Topped off with a gingersnap and mulled wine.

This morning the Native Friendship Centre hosted its children’s Christmas party including a visit from the big guy. All of the chaos, the noise, the running around as one hundred plus excited children met Santa and hugged that special present. Brings back memories.


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Monday December 15th starts out early in the morning as the four mayors meet with the hospital and the LHIN.  We are working towards a common commitment to a sustainable community hospital in North Simcoe.  

At 2:00 pm that afternoon the Citizens Healthcare Steering Committee meets at Midland Town Hall to organize our work in educating the public on our healthcare needs and ensuring that the public has a voice at the table. Ms. Jill Tettmann of the NSMLHIN will be attending the meeting. Then at 3:30 pm the County Striking Committee meets to decide on Council and public appointments to the many County Committees.

No sooner am I finished at County, when it’s back to Midland for our own Striking Committee (a closed meeting at 6:00 pm) – followed by a special meeting of Council at 7:00 pm to ratify the new committee appointments and decide on our 2015 Sewer and Water rates. Please note that this Council meeting will include a public meeting (you may speak) about the proposed increase in water/sewer rates. See: http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/DRAFT%202015%20WATER%20AND%20SEWER%20RATES%20BY%20LAW%20NO%202014%2094.pdf

Tuesday starts back at County where the new County Council will be introduced to the 2015 budget. That evening at 7:00 pm is the regular meeting of Healthcare Innovators - a group of healthcare entrepreneurs investigating and acting upon opportunities for new healthcare jobs in our community.

Wednesday January 17th – another early morning meeting to review doctor recruitment in North Simcoe. Then at 11:00 am is a meeting with the Ministry of Health and Long term Care about – what else – our area’s healthcare services. (I anticipate that there will be a general public meeting in early 2015 to review where we are headed and to gain further direction from the public.)  At 4:00 pm that afternoon the Police Service Board meets to invest its new members and say good-bye to four retiring members.

Thursday January 14th at 4:30 pm is a Sistema concert at Huron Park School.  Sistema is a unique charity that helps children find their way by learning how to play music.

Friday December 19th wraps up the work week with the 11:00 am Waterfront Project Steering Committee at Town Hall.



Weekend

Saturday

-       1:20 to 2:30 pm Free holiday skate at NSSRC sponsored by Tim Hortons 

Sunday

-       1:20 to 2:30 pm Free holiday skate at NSSRC sponsored by Tim Hortons 

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This past week I completed a five day project sponsored by Karma Market, where I had to live entirely off of the food provided from the food bank. There were 17 different items in my box but it was quickly apparent that unless I ate most of the peanut butter and spaghetti I would not make it through. I was never hungry – there were enough proteins and calories. But after a week the prospect of another highly processed meal with no fruit or vegetables was most unappealing.

Observations and actions:
-       Food banks need more fresh produce (greens). While it may look better to hand over a bag stuffed with Kraft Dinner and tinned soup, I will be donating more cash in future
-       Cooking skills are important. Opening a tin of corn is hardly motivating. But with some culinary education and maybe some community cooking, you can turn the ordinary bland into some pretty interesting dishes. (ask about my Cheerio Tuna sauce)


Gord McKay


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


Sunday, December 7, 2014

Sunday December 7 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

The Christmas season is upon us with a vengeance. With the “Cram a Cruiser” toy drive, Salvation Army kettles, neighbourhood parties, Christmas choral events – if it wasn’t so much fun it might be too much. Try to get some time to enjoy the quiet spirituality of the season.

Monday December the 8th sees me joining the “Eat the Math” food bank challenge.  For the next five days I will be living off of the food that is provided to our less fortunate who use our food banks. First impressions - lots of peanut butter and pasta. The program is organized by the Karma Food market for the purpose of drawing attention to the reality that every one of us should eat healthy foods. I believe that while food banks are well intentioned they are not able, on their own, to provide a healthy diet to those who often need it the most.

At 6:00 pm that evening is a closed session of Council to talk about committee appointments and labour relations. At 7:00 pm it’s a combination General Committee and Council meeting. This format is being used because of the recent election that disrupted the normal Council process.  A fairly long agenda that may take more than one evening:
-       Deputation from Fred Hacker on our Cultural Plan
-       Public meeting (you may speak) regarding the signage for the new LCBO on Highway 12
-       Announcing a date for Council’s Strategic Planning session
-       Decision on changes to the snowmobile routes in Town
-       Decision on our 2015 Water and Sewer rates – currently set to increase by 5%

On Tuesday December 9th at noon, Askennonia will be hosting their Christmas luncheon.  Please call them if you wish to attend.  At 1:00 pm its pomp and circumstance at the County Council inauguration, as the new Council is sworn in. Then to work. Councillors will choose the new Warden (Mayor Marshall is in the running) and Deputy Warden (Mayor Warnock is a candidate). The three Business Sections chairs will also be selected – I am running for Performance Management.

Wednesday December 10th at 7:00 pm you are invited by Penetanguishene to a meeting in their Town hall to hear about their transit plan. Discussions are underway between our two municipalities about an interconnecting transit link. A Midland meeting will be upcoming so you may wish to hear what our neighbours have to say.

On Thursday December the 11th you had better be up bright and early as the Dock’s Greatest Food Drive of All Time rolls into Town at the  Midland Foodland - 795 Balm Beach Rd. East 5:00 am -10:00 am – and the Penetanguishene Foodland - 2 Poyntz St. 11:00 am -1:00 pm. All donations will come back to our own area food banks to help those in need.

Thursday continues my regular meetings with area manufactures, with a visit by Elcan. Numerous meetings with our large employers over the last six months have shown a generally positive outlook towards expansion and job growth.

At 7:30 that evening, A Day in the Life features J. Patrick Boyer, a university professor, an author, a publisher, a writer, a journalist, a lawyer and a former Member of Parliament.  You’ll find Patrick to be charming, funny, very bright and quite outspoken.  Tickets at the MCC Box Office or online at www.midlandculturalcentre.com.


Weekend

Saturday

-       Victorian Christmas Home Tour sponsored by our Heritage Committee. Four lovely period homes will be featured all decked out for Christmas.  Visit from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Tickets available from Town Hall.
-       7:30 pm enjoy Carols by Serenata at St. Marks
-       For more weekend activities check out - http://www.midland.ca/visitors/events-calendar


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The Town of Midland has a new mascot. (No jokes) A darling penguin will be representing the Town at various events including the recent tree lighting. The problem, our cute new addition to the Town has no name.  If you have any creative ideas for a name please come to Winterfest Weekend January 30th – February 1st, 2015 and let the Town know.  Prizes will be awarded to the winner!


Gord McKay


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