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

                                                                                              


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