Ladies
and Gentlemen
That beautiful sunshine out there is almost enough to
make you want to forgive Wiarton Willie. But its cold. Midland has had about 40
incidents so far of homes with frozen water pipes. Not nearly as bad as places
like Owen Sound or North Bay where whole neighborhoods have seen water shut offs.
It’s been a good week for seeing the citizens of Midland engaged
in problem solving our future:
1.
Downtown Safety meeting brought many
of our social agencies and police together to discuss how we can change our approach
to dealing with problems on our streets - less “policing” and more community
intervention to prevent the incidents in the first place
2.
Men’s Violence against Women meeting
planned a campaign which includes a major public demonstration in May where men
throughout our area will publically take the pledge to ending violence against
women
3.
Housing Working Group meeting
has set its sights on three housing initiatives it will launch to increase the
availability of affordable housing and improve housing supports for area
residents
A caring community takes action.
*****
On Tuesday March 3rd I am down in Toronto most
of the day meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss healthcare service delivery
in our area. You’d be right to remark
that I am spending a lot of time on healthcare, especially when you realize
that lower tier municipalities have no mandated responsibility for healthcare. However
the time that I and my fellow mayors are investing is essential to encouraging
the LHIN to keep needed services in our area and attracting new healthcare jobs.
I will prepare an information piece on healthcare shortly to give you more
background.
On Wednesday March 4th I meet with a small group
of business people including local manufacturers to further the discussion on
our area’s manufacturing incubator. This concept will be presented in Ottawa to
Minister Goodyear next week by the four mayors and our economic corporation,
EDCNS.
At 7:00 pm that evening at Town Hall is the Planning and
Development Committee. Two of the more interesting items are:
-
Removal of the holding symbol for the lands
at 1081 Macdonald Road. (The RSI development)
-
OPA and ZBA amendments introduced for the
Chigamik/Waypoint healthcare development on the waterfront
Two items for Thursday March 5th. At 9:30 am
at the Legion in Orillia is an information session for municipalities on the
Source Water Protection Act and its implications. Then at 6:00 pm you are
invited to our budget meeting of the Town Hall. Hopefully this will be the
final meeting before it goes to Council for ratification.
On Friday March 6th the County of Simcoe hosts
its regular Housing Advisory Committee meeting in Midlhurst. (I am the North
Simcoe rep for this group). And that
evening, Garfield
Dunlop is hosting his annual lasagna dinner at Wye Marsh. There are three sittings - 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Wye Marsh or at Garfield’s Midland Office: 482 Elizabeth St, 705-526-8671
Tickets are available at the Wye Marsh or at Garfield’s Midland Office: 482 Elizabeth St, 705-526-8671
Weekend
Sunday
-
An annual highlight - Jamie Crouch’s wedding
showcase at the MCC - noon to four
*****
If you want to read an
article that will make all Midlanders stand a little taller, see the attached
item carried in a recent Toronto Star.
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015
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