Ladies and Gentlemen
Just back from my annual pancake flipping adventure at the Wye Marsh
Sweetwater Festival. Despite the cool day there were many happy families
discovering the joys of maple syrup. The
maple syrup industry is achieving new prominence in our area. In fact we have a
major conference in Midland this July attracting maple syrup producers from
across the province to discuss growing the industry. Another sign of how we are
changing.
The
Week Ahead
Monday March 27th at 1:00
pm is a Housing First conference at the Kempemfelt Conference Center in Innisfil.
The conference will discuss how the County can establish affordable housing
programs that:
-
House the homeless unconditionally, as a
first step
-
Provide the supports to help them stay housed
The Housing First model has proven to be successful in
reducing homelessness in many jurisdictions across North America.
At 5:30 pm is a closed meeting of Council to discuss a
number of matters: a potential land sale; potential litigation; appointment to
committees. Then at 7:00 pm is the March
Council meeting including:
-
One deputation from the District Health Unit on
“Breastfeeding Friendly Places”
-
An application by Jarlette Health Services
for a development charge exemption for their new Villa Long Term Care facility.
This new facility will replace the long term care beds in the current Villa
building, bringing them up to modern standards
-
A request to consider a common taxi service for
the area including Midland and Penetanguishene
-
A request to review a regional fire service
for North Simcoe
-
Council membership for our new HR committee
Tuesday starts in Midhurst at 9:00 am with County
Council. A number of interesting items
before Council including a proposal for an incentive program
to encourage more of us to use of our green bin. Regular use of the green bin
may net you a gold sticker for your bin and/or a Recycling Star ball cap.
On Wednesday you are invited to attend the
Askennonia AGM at 11:30 am at the NSSRC. That afternoon Mary Lynn West-Moynes, President
of Georgian College, comes to visit our library to discuss potential cooperation
around entrepreneurial programs. At 3:00
pm our economic development group EDCNS hosts it’s Manufacturers Roundtable at
Techform. This working meeting brings
area manufacturers together to discuss how to improve their businesses. The meeting
should receive an update on the recent jobs advertising program.
Thursday March 30th at 9:30
am, Simcoe County Circles (Bridges Out of Poverty) Program holds an information
session at the old PSS location in Penetanguishene. The Circles
Program is based on forming supportive relationships among Circle Leaders (individual/family
working to get out of poverty) and community Allies (individuals who have
completed a Bridges Out of Poverty workshop) who are willing to provide support.
At 7:00 pm at Town Hall is the next step in our 2017
budget process. This is your turn to
provide input about the 2017 budget. For background information please see http://www.midland.ca/townhall/budget. Also at 7:00 pm Brookside Music brings
Tafelmusik to St Pauls. The Tafelmusik
Baroque Orchestra will provide a selection of pieces exploring 100 years of
Canadian history.
Friday the 31st sees the Battle of the Bands at 7:30 pm at the MCC. Rock out with
five local bands as they battle it out in support of The Next Door Teen
Transitional Lodge. Bands include returning champs Souled Out, Crossfire, The
Penny Love Band, Blues Connection and Coconut Navy.
Week -
End
Saturday April 1
-
10:00 am - YMCA Fire Truck Pull and Fun Run at
the Midland YMCA
-
12 noon – Trans Day of Visibility at Georgian
Bay Native Friendship Centre
Sunday April 2
-
Books2Eat
at the Midland Public Library at 2pm. One of our Town’s signature events
Council
Issues Update
GBGH
The
GBGH Board has started a strategic review of the hospital’s vision and mission.
This is an important step for our community in making sure our hospital continues
to serve the needs of the people in our area. If you have any thoughts on our
hospital’s future please forward then to Mr. John Kurvinck, acting CEO of GBGH.
Georgian Bay
General Hospital is looking to fill four (4) positions on its Board. The GBGH Board
is skills-based and is interested in applications from individuals who reflect
our many communities, including people from the Francophone, First Nation,
Metis and Inuit communities. If you
are interested please contact:
Community
Based Nominations Committee – Attention: Chair
C/O Jacki
Dumont
Georgian Bay
General Hospital
1112 St.
Andrew's Drive,
P.O. Box 760
Midland, ON
L4R 4P4
Applications,
including resumes, must be received before 4:00pm on Friday, April 7th,
Budget
Council
has completed its first review of both the 2017 operational and capital budgets.
We are currently looking at a municipal tax rate increase of just over 3%. Council
is still looking for a few more reductions.
You may wish to speak at the public meeting on the budget scheduled for Thursday
March 30.
*****
And lastly, the Mayors Mac & Cheese dinner at Lot 102
is set for Monday April 3rd. Three
seatings - 4:30, 5:45 and 7:00 pm. Please help us by getting your tickets early.
All proceeds to We are the Villagers children’s’ charity.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Getting It Done - 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment