Ladies
and Gentlemen
I must admit I was feeling pretty good about the number of
smiling faces that I saw this weekend – until I realized that their lips were
frozen in place. Boy its cold.
This past week your Council conducted its second
strategic planning session. While there were no members of the public in
attendance (it was open to the public), you will be pleased to know that we are
already starting to work well as a group. Expect good things of your new Council
– you will not be disappointed.
The strategy session was characterized by the term “transformative”.
This Council understands that with informed leadership we can significantly
move Midland back to prosperity. We talked about moving Midland from the highest
tax rate jurisdiction in Simcoe County to the 75th percentile – this
involves removing some $1.3 million from the operations budget. We discussed
driving our economic development projects forward – the Downtown Master Plan;
Midland Bay Landing; commitment to EDCNS – offsetting the job losses from the
decline in manufacturing. We also talked about transforming how our municipality
operates – the challenge being to improve service delivery while taking advantage
of modern operating practices and technologies. One example is information technology
– an area that the Town has yet to really implement. Delivering services and
information on-line will be considered. Take a look at what Corona, California has
accomplished - http://www.discovercorona.com/Online-Services.aspx
Interesting days ahead.
*****
Monday the 16th is Family Day. Town Hall is closed. A great opportunity to take the family out skating
and then stopping downtown for some hot chocolate.
A number of interesting meetings coming up on Tuesday February
17th. At 2:00 pm at Town Hall
is the Citizens Healthcare Steering Committee. This group, still in its
formative stages, will focus public engagement across North Simcoe leading to improved
healthcare for our future. You are welcome to attend.
Georgian College is launching
a speaker’s series called the Entrepreneurship Learning Channel at their Midland
campus Room 202 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Topics include entrepreneurship,
marketing, Building a Winning Business Strategy. If you have ever wanted
to start your own entrepreneurial business or have an idea to take on the
world, this series is for you. No charge but please register at hbec@georgiancollege.ca
At 5:30 pm your Council will hold a closed meeting to
discuss a real estate acquisition matter.
On Wednesday the 18th I have a discussion with
FedDev about supports for the manufacturing sector in North Simcoe. Our Economic
Development Corporation is working collaboratively with the four mayors to develop
a special program for our area manufacturers as they fight the challenges of intense
international competition. At 4:00 pm that afternoon, the Police Service Board
meeting takes place at Town hall.
Friday February the 20th is another busy day. At 9:00 am at the Town hall is special public meeting
of “men” to decide on actions to improve the respectful relationship between
men and women in our area. Men abusing women is endemic in our society. While
there is no quick fix, a necessary first step for this group of men will be
taking action that publically demonstrates that there is no excuse for abusing women.
At noon, OPSEU will be holding an information picket at
478 Bay St. Then starting at 4:30 pm the Frank Graham Cycle Liberation Tour
will be hosting a fund raising spaghetti dinner at the Legion. (You may want to
wear an apron as I have been drafted to help serve). And finally at 8:00 pm Huronia Players launches
its 2015 season with “How the Other Half Loves”. That’s at the MCC.
Weekend
Saturday
-
Farmers market at NSSRC 9:00 am
-
Open mic at the MCC starting at 1:00 pm
*****
Huronia Museum is launching its
"Ambassador Pass" for residents of Midland. As of February 2015,
individuals who reside in Midland, Ontario can visit Huronia Museum free of
charge when they visit with friends and family from out of town. Residents can
bring a piece of identification with their Midland address and will be admitted
free of charge. For more information on this program, check out what Museum Man
has to say at: http://youtu.be/4m3tFdxH4Y8
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015
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