Sunday May 24, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

It seems that summer is finally here to stay. Lots of visitors coming to town for everything from biking to ukulele playing. Our Midland Bay Landing project took another step forward this past week with draft initial plans being presented to the Waterfront Steering Committee. Its looking good.  A public consultation for the developing plans should occur by mid-July.

Monday May 25^th is a day of civic engagement. The Citizens Healthcare Steering Committee meets to select the citizens who will help lead our local healthcare discussion in the coming years. (One concerning note – lots of applications from Tiny, Tay and Penetanguishene – none from Midland?). The GBGH nominations Committee will also be meeting to select our hospital Board members. Also our Physician Recruitment committee is looking for a few community members to help attract new docs.  Let me know if you are interested in helping out.

At 5:00 pm Council meets in closed session to discuss Fire labour negotiations and our MPUC. Then at 7:00 pm is the May Council meeting. The agenda includes:

-       Three deputations

o    County of Simcoe request to the Town to develop a joint affordable housing plan

o    Update and request from Physician Recruitment committee

o    Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe update

-       A public meeting (you may speak) of changes to the Town’s Procedural By-law (rules that guide Council on how to conduct its work. In this case whether Council members should be allowed to attend meetings electronically)

-       Amendments to the Farmers Market by-law

-       Start of the process to sell Town land along Golf Link Rd.

-       Request from Police for an annual increase to their budget of 6.7%. (Some of this is linked to the recent loss of the “police check” business and related revenues

-       Despite the above, a recommendation to approve the Town’s final 2015 budget with a Town increase of just 0.7% - well below inflation. In fact the total property tax rate change for Midland will show a decline of 0.1%.

On Tuesday May 26^th at 2:00 pm you are invited to Town Hall to attend the North Simcoe Housing Working Group meeting, where we are planning new affordable housing initiatives in our area. At 6:00 pm our downtown BIA hosts their AGM at the ShopMildand location, at the corner of King and Hugel.

Wednesday the 27^th, its more meetings with the Downtown Safety committee meeting at 10:00 am at Town Hall. 

Thursday May 28^th is just plain busy. I will be at the County all day, taking part in their strategic planning session. For those in Midland, Independent Living Services is holding two information sessions to bring awareness of the importance of accessibility.  The 10:00 am session is geared to seniors and highlights things that can be done to one’s residence to improve accessibility.  The 6:00 pm session targets business owners and brings awareness of the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and how improving accessibility can actually increase your client base. Both sessions are free and at the NSSRC.

Also two retirement celebrations for you. Debra Meunz is retiring from her long work at the NSCFDC. The celebration is at her offices at 105 Fourth Street at 1:00 pm.  At 5:30 pm in the Orsi Room at Lakehead University, Orillia, you can wish Mary Silk of Garfield’s office well in her retirement.

Then to close out the day at 7:30 pm at the MCC, Huronia Museum and Brookside Music Association present a special concert celebrating the new Native Gallery at the Museum.  The concert will be performed by the acclaimed Trio D'Argento.  It will feature the multi-media work-Manidoog - by Odawa First Nations composer Barbara Croall.  Manidoog is a set of ten pieces reflecting traditional stories of the Anishinaabeg peoples.  Tickets available at http://www.ticketbreak.com/event_details/9288 

Friday May 29^th – two events. At 6:00 pm Bruce Stanton invites you to a fish fry and fundraiser for Gateway Centre for Learning. Then at 7:00 pm Wye Marsh hosts its volunteer appreciation event at the Wye Marsh location.

Weekend

Saturday

-       10:30 am the Midland Sailing Club regatta.  Look for lots of sailing boats on the Bay in the afternoon

-       6:00 pm Tim Hortons Camp Day charity launches at the Boathouse.  Tickets for support and dinner at Tim Hortons on Hwy 12

-       7:30 pm Vox Huronia presents Getting Giddy with Gilbert and Sullivan at St. Paul’s United Church

Sunday

-       1:00 pm Midland Lions guide dog walk at the Town Dock

In closing, I have attached the “Who Can I Call” sheet, to help you better locate who you need to speak to about different Town services. If worse comes to worst there is always the mayor.

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015