Ladies and Gentlemen
Staff reports are just starting to come out about how Midland
fared in 2016 and our building permits tell an interesting tale. The 2016
summary shows that the Town issued $71.5M in building permits, which I believe is
an all-time high. This compares to $22.3M in 2015. While much of this is as a
result of large one-time projects such as our new high school and Operations Centre,
there is more than enough left over to indicate that we are definitely growing.
The report also shows that Midland built 143 new housing
units in 2016. Midland has an average household density of 2.1 individuals per
dwelling, so a first approximation shows a one year population lift of 300 people
or 1.8%. This is well ahead of our recent population growth of close to 1%. Note,
this is a rough approximation but it supports the reality that Midland is starting
to get noticed.
The
Week Ahead
Monday January 9th will feature two Town meetings.
At 6:00 pm Council meets in closed session to discuss two matters - a personal issue
and a potential land sale. At 7:00 pm is the General Committee meeting. The agenda
is short and will feature one major topic – the voting process for our 2018
municipal election. The discussion will
begin with a presentation by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and then Council
will provide direction about whether the voting system should be changed from
the “first past the post” to some other format.
On Tuesday the 2017 work begins in Midhurst with the
County Council meeting at 9:00 am.
Wednesday the 11th features a number of
interesting events. There will be a community consultation on “Basic Income” at
the Orillia public library, 36 Mississauga St., at 6:00 pm. (Basic Income is a social program currently being
explored by the provincial government that would provide an unqualified financial
support to every citizen of the province.) If you plan on attending, please book in
advance at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/community-consultation-on-basic-income-tickets-29901223364
You
can also participate by sending your comments to the province at BasicIncome@ontario.ca or by taking the online survey at www.ontario.ca/basicincome
Also at 6:00 pm, MPP Marie-France Lalonde, the Minster of
Government and Consumer Services and the Minister of Francophone Affairs will
be visiting our area. She will be
available to meet you at La Cle de la Baie, 63 Main Street, in
Penentanguishene. Please RSVP to fredlarsen@xplornet.com by Monday if you
plan to attend this event.
Then at 7:00 pm it’s the Planning and Development Committee
at Town Hall. An interesting agenda
including:
-
A draft plan of subdivision for 283 Barnett
St., the old St T’s property
-
A zoning by-law amendment to allow the owners
of Mountainview Mall to use the inside area in the back of the mall for
warehousing/storage
-
Planning staff’s report on their work plan
for 2017. The plan includes such items as:
o
Update on the discussions with the Smart
Centre (Hwy 12 and Jones Rd.) to improve traffic flow
o
Application by Castel of Paul Inc. (the old
Castle Village) to add a camp ground to their site
o
Ongoing work with the County on our Official
Plan Amendment concerning Second Suites
o
Building permit follow-up for large
construction projects including Georgian Bay District High School, the GBGH ER
and the Town’s new Operations Centre.
For a copy of the staff report visit http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/plan/PDCCAgendaJan11.pdf and
scroll to the bottom.
On Thursday at 7:00 pm the Library Board holds its regular
meeting at the Library.
Friday the 13th starts us into the week-end
with Ruth Hurdle’s exhibition “Beyond the Trees”. It features a number of her new
paintings. The exhibition opens at 7:00
pm in the upper gallery at the MCC. Also
at 7:00 pm at the MCC is the start of a new “Swing Series” sponsored by our
local Caisse Populaire – Desjardins. Come out and enjoy the hot sounds of the Dixie
Demons.
Week -
End
Sunday January 15
-
7:00 pm Jack de Keyser entertains at MCC with
his Voodoo Boogie Revue
*****
Another new attraction is about to open in our area. Huronia
Historical Parks is announcing its brand new Discovery Harbour Skate Trail.
Come skate through the historic British military and navel establishment, and
experience two kilometres of outdoor skating and entertainment for all ages. The
trail is open starting mid-January through to March. Hours of operation are: Friday from 6:00 pm to
9:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm.
Fun in the snow.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Getting it Done - 2017
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