Sunday, June 25, 2017

Sunday June 25, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



Summer is officially here and the excitement is building around our upcoming Canada Day festivities. It’s going to be a great summer for getting out with a planned Ribfest, Feast Fest, Tug Fest and Floatie Fest to name just a few special activities. Invite your friends up and introduce them to Midland at its best.



The Week Ahead



On Monday the 26th at 10:00 am the OPP Transaction Team meets to receive an update from our consultant on the costings for the OPP and the MPS.  At 5:30 pm Council holds a closed meeting at Town Hall to review three items; 1) labour negotiations; 2) committee appointments; and 3) disposition of land. This is followed at 7:00 pm by the June Council meeting including:

-       Presentation to the Midland Mystics – Division 8 Provincial Basketball Champions

-       Three deputations:

o    Request for a heritage district on King Street by Ms. Scarth

o    An update on the Rosewood “Operation Grow” by K. Willis

o    Presentation on the upcoming Terry Fox Run

-       Recommendation for fencing around the Tiffin storm water management pond

-       Request to complete the technical studies required for the Midland Bay Landing property

-       Proposal to create a Municipal Services Corporation to manage the Town’s land assets

-       Recommendations to help our Town staff serve you better



On Tuesday County Council meets at 9:00 am; the last meeting before its summer break. The meeting will take place at the County museum and considers some of the longer term financial and operational issues confronting the County.



Two interesting items on Wednesday the 28th. The property at 118 Main Street (old Brule Hotel) in Penetanguishene is going through a dramatic internal refurbishment. Through the efforts of some 15 community agencies and local companies the building will be brought up to modern residential standards.  This project brings 29 affordable housing units to our area. While the media tends to focus on new builds, it is the improvements to our existing housing stock that will solve our affordable housing shortfall.



At dusk come on down to 509 Bay St. (the parking lot at King St) and enjoy the Midland Movie Night screening of "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure". Bring your own lawn chair.



On Thursday I attend a full day meeting in Orillia on coordinating the healthcare initiatives taking place in Simcoe County with the municipalities and residents.  This education day prepares the mayors to work with the LHIN and the province to better guide the changes that are occurring to our healthcare system.  At 7:00 pm both GBDSS and St Theresa’s hold their 2017 graduation ceremonies. Then at 7:30 pm Buffy St. Marie plays to a sold out house at the MCC.



Friday the 30th and the Town offices are closed. If you are looking for something to do, our Library invites you to join them at 2:00 pm to celebrate their 50 years on King Street.  



Week - End



Saturday July 1 – Happy Canada Day



-       An all day celebration.  Check out the program at http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/CanadaDay-Schedule2017.pdf

-       Some of special Canada Day items:

o    10:30 am Civitan Parade down King Street

o    11:30 am unveiling of the Midland mural at NSSRC

o    Pickleball tournament at Tiffin Park. It starts at 9:30 am until 3:00 pm. Bring a chair

o    Fireworks at our neighbours in Penetanguishene



Sunday July 2



-       6:00 pm Music in the Park at the Little Lake Park Rotary bandshell.  The music plays every Sunday until September with July shows starting at 6:00 pm and August shows starting at 7:00 pm





Council Issues Update



OPP



The Town OPP Costing Committee should receive the cost analysis from the outside consultant this week. That will give us the long awaited “apples to apples” comparison of the costs of an OPP service versus an MPS service. The costing will cover many financial aspects including wages, benefits, transition costs, government grants, etc - and project those costs over a number of years so that the full impact can be seen. I expect the content of the report to be made public in short order.



Midland Bay Landing



Council will be asked to authorize a number of environmental studies that were to have been completed by our previous development partner.  Fortunately we have $250,000 from our previous partner that can be used for this purpose. Combine that with anticipated funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and we should be able to complete all outstanding studies with no cost to the Midland taxpayer.  With that done we will be fully ready to negotiate with future development partners.









Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              




Sunday, June 18, 2017

Sunday June 18, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



The official total is in - nearly 50,000 people attended the 2017 Butter Tart Festival. This past week the cruise ships Victory and the Pearl Mist both visited Midland bringing some 200 passengers each to our area. To make the summer complete all we need now is a 60 foot tall yellow rubber ducky.  



The Week Ahead



In keeping with the summer theme, Monday the 19th will see a meeting on developing the cruise ship industry for the port of Midland.  While we have enjoyed rapid growth with some 13 cruise ship visits this season, the potential exists for 80-100 annual visits. Before that occurs some changes are required to our port facilities and the regulations for passenger shipping in the Great Lakes. Midland will be working with other cruise ports such as Parry Sound and Chicago to ensure we have an attractive offering for our cruising visitors.



On Tuesday June 20th the Town will hold its regular Emergency Planning meeting at 11:00 am at the Fire Hall. Then at 3:00 pm at Town Hall our North Simcoe housing group meets to continue developing affordable housing for Midland.



At 7:30 pm the “Our Health” series brings you the Hunger Games - From the Freedom of Foodies to the Destruction of Eating Disorders. The panel, including Wendy Preskow, a parent, advocate and the Founder of the National Initiative for Eating Disorders; Brittany Stewart, a Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator; and Anita Federici a PhD Clinical Psychologist from Midland who specializes in eating disorders. This event takes place at the MCC



Wednesday June 21st is National Aboriginal Day. Askenonnia invites you to join them for a BBQ at Little Lake Park starting at 11:00 am.  At 1:00 pm the Downtown Safety Committee meets at the Town to ensure that we continue to enjoy a safe environment for all in our community.



On Thursday June 22nd at 9:00 am, Waypoint starts a day-long session about healthcare planning at its location. At 11:00 am the Ontario Early Years Centre takes to Little Lake Park for its annual picnic. Then from 1:00 to 4:00 pm the Severn Sound Environmental Association invites you to its 20th Annual Open House event at the Wyebridge Community Centre (8340 County Rd 93, Wyebridge). And finally, Georgian Bay General Hospital holds its 2017 AGM and Report to the Community. That takes place in the hospital cafeteria at 4:00 pm.



Friday the 23rd features another in the series of “manufacturers’ roundtables”, taking place at TRW. The series, sponsored by our economic development group EDCNS, brings area manufacturers together to help support each other’s business interests. The good news is its working. Most of our manufacturers are growing and looking for additional staff.



Later that afternoon, Tay Township starts its Canada Day celebrations at Oakwood Park in Victoria Harbour.   At 8:00 pm, Ashley MacIssac plays at MCC. This energetic east coast fiddler will have you up and dancing to some great Celtic and modern tunes. A sample at:






Week - End



Saturday June 24



-       10:00 am at Little Lake Park, please join the Global Water Dance.  Sponsored by the Healthy Kids Community Challenge of North Simcoe and Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre, the event intends to “cultivate a new generation of socially aware artists, and to use dance to inspire solutions for our planet and people”. Everyone is welcome.



-       1:00 pm to 3:00 pm the Strawberry Tea in support of the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre takes place in the Courtyard at the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre (old PGH).  Enjoy an afternoon of music, draws for gift baskets and delicious scones, home-made clotted cream and strawberries.




Sunday June 25



-       11:00 am the Metis Aboriginal Day celebration at the Brian Orser arena in Penetanguishene







Council Issues Update



Service Delivery Review



The organization for the municipal Service Delivery Review (SDR) project is well underway. Three committees have been established – the SDR Steering Committee, made up of staff and Council members; the SDR Advisory Committee, made up mainly of members of the public and two Council members; and the Governance Committee, made up of Council and staff.  These Committees will undertake a complete assessment of what services we deliver to you and how they should be changed. I expect recommendations for more municipal service delivery online.  Over the summer look for further announcements of meetings and how you may participate.  The initial reports from the Committees should be ready for the fall.



OPP



Due to some health issues, the initial costing report will not be delivered until the end of the month. The OPP Costing Committee will receive the costing assessment, make any needed adjustments and then release the results to the public. At that point Council will be in a position to consider the question of whether we should move to the OPP or stay with the MPS.



Midland Bay Landing



The arrangement with our previous partner is now terminated. Council will be asked to use the $250,000 environmental deposit that we had received to finish the preparatory site work. With that work done, the Town will have the MBL site as ready as it can be for development.





                                                                    *****



Happy Father’s Day



Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              


Sunday, June 11, 2017

Sunday June 11, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



Butter Tart Festival 2017 is behind us and another resounding success.  I am still awaiting the official total but 50,000+ visitors seem quite reasonable. The Butter Tart Festival has had a tremendous impact on Midland not only from the direct dollars generated but also in introducing Midland to the rest of Ontario and beyond. While walking the street I met people who had come from Windsor, Montreal, Ottawa and Nova Scotia just for our Festival. My congratulations to the Butter Tart committee and especially Angela Bird for making Midland proud.



The Week Ahead



At 10:00 am on Monday June 12th I receive the students from Bayview School for a tour of Town hall. At 3:00 pm you are invited to celebrate the opening of the new Guesthouse shelter at 522 Elizabeth Street.  The Guesthouse is moving out of their current location at Knox Church and into a modern shelter facility that will be able to better serve our homeless.  This move signifies a major step forward for our communities in being able to help those who are challenged in life to have a better future.



At 7:00 pm is General Committee of Council. Lots of decisions being made to approve operational expenses seen in the 2017 budget. In addition:

-       Approval of the Enbridge gas franchise agreement for Midland

-       Establishing a new Governance Committee , as part of the Midland Forward initiative

-       Discussion on Floatie Fest in Little Lake Park



On Wednesday the 14th the County will be hosting a food security forum at the County museum.  This all day event will review the actions and plans to ensure that the County remains a food producing region for the foreseeable future. That evening at dusk Midland Movie Night is back! Catch a FREE movie - E.T. Extra-Terrestrial - under the stars at 509 Bay Street.  Movies are every second Wednesday throughout the summer.



Thursday the 15th sees the start of the two day Zero Waste Ontario conference at Orillia’s Lakehead University. The keynote speaker is the honorable Glen Murray, Ontario Minister of Environment and Climate Change.  For further details please see www.Zerowasteontarioconference.ca



And Friday its back to celebrating the summer with Party on the Dock starting at 7:00 pm at the Midland waterfront.  A perennial favorite of all those who want to celebrate summer.



Week - End



Saturday June 17

-       10 am to noon at Midland Town Dock – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, in support of Rosewood Women’s Shelter. Registration and pledge sheets at http://midlandysmensclub.ca/events/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes/

-       2:00 pm – The official opening of “Along the Healing Path” in Waubaushene. The ceremony is by Pine Street near the beach.

-       8:00 pm – Zepology, a tribute to Led Zeppelin at the MCC. A must attend for all Led Zeppelin fans



Council Issues Update



Service Delivery Review



This major Council project will examine all aspects of the Town’s service delivery. It will not only examine efficiency but also ask the questions about what services the Town should be providing.  The process will be led by a Steering Committee including 6 staff and 2 Councilors and is co-chaired by Town Engineer Andy Campbell and Amanpreet Sidhu, Head of Corporate Services.  There will also be an Advisory Committee that currently has 6 public members and 2 Councillors. The project will be supported by a consultant from WSCS consulting. For more information on this key project and to find out how you can participate please visit






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In closing, two items from the County.



1)     The County of Simcoe wants residents to feed your green bin not your garbage. To encourage greater participation in its green bin program and raise awareness about proper waste disposal techniques, the County launched its #GreenBintoWin contest running June 1 through August 21, 2017. The social media contest offer green bin “feeders” a chance to win prize packs and a grand prize consisting of a weekend for two adults and two children at Fern Resort.



How do you enter? Simply take a photo showing "How You Feed Your Green Bin" Post/share it and follow/tag us on Twitter @SimcoeCounty and/or Facebook @CountyofSimcoe. Use the hashtag #GreenBintoWin



In addition to the social media contest, County staff are hitting the road with the #GreenBintoWin tour in neighbourhoods across the County in search of some of the region’s best green bin users. A happy green bin is a full green bin and some of the area’s most generous “feeders” will receive County merchandise in recognition of their efforts.: www.simcoe.ca/greenbintowin



2)     An advisory about the Emerald Ash Borer affecting our ash trees in Midland.  Please see attached item.







Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              




Sunday, June 4, 2017

Sunday June 4, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



It’s been a busy week in Midland. This past Thursday the details of the sale of our MPUC to Newmarket-Tay Hydro were announced.  While attendance was light at the public meeting those who were there enjoyed meeting the Board and senior staff from Newmarket-Tay.  We are going to get along well.  For more information from the meeting please visit www.poweringmidland.ca. Council will now turn its attention to how to best manage the $22M we have received from the sale.



This past week we met with two companies who are thinking of making major investments in Midland. Also I expect the manufacturer who will be taking over the Pillsbury plant to be announced next month.  It seems that our economic development work is starting to pay off.



And lastly if you were down in Little Lake Park this past week and noticed some fantastic artwork on the sidewalks, that was courtesy of the students from GBDSS, Bayview, Mundy’s Bay, and Huron Park.



The Week Ahead



The busy part of the week starts on Tuesday June 6th. Big Bike for Heart and Stroke is coming back to Midland. If you want to join the ride that starts at our waterfront at 10:00 am please contact Councillor Jon Main at jmain@midland.ca.



Our Library will be the centre of action for June. They are introducing three new events all starting on June 6th.

1.     Like A Boss – From 3:30-4:30 pm students get to think like an entrepreneur.  From business plans and finances, to taxes, to market research – there’s a lot to think about! Tap into ongoing workshops and mentorship, plus a shot at $1000. To register, email alexandra.obrien@sm.ymca.ca

2.     Paws for a Story – Every Tuesday this June from 4:30-5:30 pm help your child embrace the love of reading while enjoying positive experiences with animals. Call to register your child, aged 6-10, for a 15 minute reading session with a registered therapy dog.

3.     Makers of Midland – From 6:00-7:00 pm join other creators and creative crafts-people and share your projects and tips. Hear their stories and maybe learn a new skill! Bring a project you’re proud of or are currently working on.

Contact Amanda at the Midland Library 705-526-4216.  

At 6:30 pm you are invited to the BIA AGM taking place at Shopmidland, the corner of King and Hugel.  At 7:30 pm it’s A Day in the Life at the MCC featuring Steve Paikin. Steve is a host of TVO's flagship current affairs program The Agenda. He is a journalist, author and documentary producer. He recently authored Bill Davis: Nation Builder, and Not so Bland after All. Tickets are available online at www.midlandculturalcentre.com or at the Box Office at 333 King St., Midland.





On Wednesday June 7th at noon please join our seniors at NSSRC for a lunch and learn. The topic is “Protecting your Nest Egg” presented by retired Justice Bob Main and Mr. Steve Reynaud.  At 6:00 pm you are invited to take the stage as Midland Has Talent struts its stuff at the MCC. Also at 6:00 pm Council is likely to hold a special meeting. Please check the Town website for details as the agenda has not yet been published. Then at 7:00 pm it’s Planning and Development Committee at Town Hall. The agenda includes:

-       A Public Meeting (you may speak) on Second Units

-       Site Plan for a new Montana’s restaurant (at Mountainview mall)  

-       The Source Protection Plan implementation study



On Thursday June 8th at 6:00 pm at NSSRC the County, Midland and Penetanguishene are hosting a Public Information Centre on the redesign of Highway 93 through Midland and Penetanguishene. The discussion will feature the problematic intersection of Hwy 93 and Vinden. Later that evening Drayton launches its 2017 season at Kings Wharf with the Terry Fox inspired Marathon of Hope.



And to help you ease into a busy weekend, you should take in Friday’s Jazz & Blues Festival at the Library.  From 3:00 to 6:00 pm enjoy rhythm and blues at the Library with this week’s featured artist Jo Gravelle. This free concert is part of the Barrie Jazz & Blues Festival .



Week - End



Saturday June 10



-       8:00 am the Butter Tart Trot, featuring 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 km runs at Ste. Marie Among the Hurons

-       9:00 am - Butter Tart all day. 40,000 visitors, 150,000 Butter Tarts – what more needs be said – have fun http://buttertartfestival.ca/

-       6:00 pm – The County hosts the Wardens Pace at Innisfil Raceway





Council Issues Update



MPUC



Council will now turn its attention to the proper stewardship of the funds received from the sale of the MPUC. The public will be invited to actively participate in the discussion. An announcement of upcoming meetings on this topic should be made shortly.





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The County has introduced a new social program to our area – the Circles Program. It is based on an innovative approach to poverty reduction. The program avoids lecturing individuals about how to avoid poverty but rather works with them intensively as a partner who joins them on their journey to beat poverty. I have already spoken to a few individuals who have experienced the Program and they say it has changed their lives.  For more information take a look at the County’s Circles website at Simcoe County Circles Website.






Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017