Sunday, July 2, 2017

Sunday July 2, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



July is upon us and it is time for a summer break.  News from the Town will also be taking a break over the next two months, returning after Labour Day.  I have changed my format for this blog to make it easier for you to locate the many the good things happening in Midland this summer. And if something important crops up over the summer I will be sure to send you a special notice.



The Town office may slow down a bit but as you will see in the section “Council issues Update” there will still be a lot going on.  Both the regular Planning meeting and the General Committee meeting will only be held at the call of the Chair. The Council meetings should take place at their normal times. To make sure a meeting is taking place, please check http://www.midland.ca/Pages/meetingagenda.aspx before attending. 



On a more summery note you can look forward to:

-       Dockside Tuesday - Local live music at the Midland Town Dock every Tuesday night in July and August from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm “rain or shine”

-       Midland Movie Night in Downtown Midland every second Wednesday starting May 31st. All movies start at dusk (approximately 9:00 pm). Bring your own lawn chair

-       Music in the Park every Sunday at the Rotary stage in Little Lake Park



Starting at 6:00 pm

o    July 2                     Georgian Bay Brass 

o    July 9                     Barrie Concert Band

o    July 16                    to be determined 

o    July 23                    Jim MacMillan and Scott Cooper

o    July 30                    Rock'n the House 



Starting at 7:00 pm

o    August 6                 to be announced 

o    August 13               Penny Love Band 

o    August 20               Winnie Brave

o    August 27               Sandra Goode Band 

o    Sept 3                    Passport /Souled Out /Huronia Hot Strings





The Month Ahead – July



July 3 – A very important Canada 150 blood donor clinic.  The clinic will be held at the NSSRC from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm. I will be there at 4:00 pm. Your help is urgently needed.



July 7 – Georgian Bay Blast Around the Bay displays the fastest boats on the Bay at our Town dock starting at 4:00 pm. Then on Saturday the week-end fun run starts will all proceeds going to our hospital.



July 7 to 9 – Midland Rib Fest. If you like mouth-watering BBQ ribs come down to David Onley Park (next to the Town dock) this week-end and meet some the best rib chefs in the country.        https://northernheatribseries.ca/midland/  



July 8 - Airport Fly-In at the Huronia airport from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Come out for a great display of vintage airplanes, antique cars and take a guided tour of the airport.



July 8 – Georgian Bay Garden tour all day. Supporting the GB Cancer Support Centre. More information at http://gbcancersupportcentre.ca/fundraising-events/georgian-bay-garden-tour



July 12 to14 - Ontario Maple Syrup Producers Association host their Sweet Ontario Summer Tour and AGM at the Quality Inn & Conference Centre. More information at https://www.omspa.ca/events/



July 13 to 16 – One of our great area events, Festival du Loup, takes place in Lafontaine. http://festivalduloup.on.ca/en/



July 14 - A free Phragmites workshop is being held by Georgian Bay Forever and the Severn Sound Environmental Association at the NSSRC from 5:45 pm to 8:00 pm. Please register at https://phragmitesworkshopmidland.eventbrite.ca



July 21 - More than 30 people, comprised of Indigenous, Jesuit, English and French Canadian paddlers will embark on a month-long, 850-kilometre canoe trip starting at Ste. Marie Among the Hurons.  In response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Canadian Canoe Pilgrimage will begin at Midland, travel up Georgian Bay, across the French River, Lake Nipissing, the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers, and end near Montreal. Please check https://canoepilgrimage.com/#about for times.



July 21 – At 7:00 pm board the Miss Midland for a Brookside fundraiser and cruise featuring Jessica Lalonde, Leslie Dawn Knowles on violin and the Huronia Hot Strings. There is no better music on gorgeous Georgian Bay.



July 21 to 23 - Ontario 150/Feast Fest!  Gather up your family and friends to explore and enjoy The World’s Largest Rubber Duck (and duck-themed games), Rhythm of the Nation Dancers, the Lumberjack shows, thrilling midway rides and of course Feast Fest - over 200 vendors, craft beer tent, amazing live entertainment and fireworks.  The legendary Canadian rockers Honeymoon Suite will be performing a FREE concert to cap off an already amazing line-up of 150 fun! 



July 22 – Township of Tiny's Canada 150 Celebration and annual Community BBQ take place from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm in Perkinsfield Park.



July 22 - Join us for the Downtown Midland Road Basketball Game at the Midland Town Dock from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Free pizza provided by Poppas Pizza.



July 22 – The Live Art music event takes place at 509 Bay Street from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm.  The best in local music, food and of course “live art”.





The Month Ahead – August



August 5 – The third annual Floatie Fest will take to the Rotary stage in Little Lake Park from 10:00 am to midnight.  This free and barrier free event will have live entertainment all day, vendors and a waterfront movie at dusk - “Jaws 2”.



August 12 – The 4th Annual Georgian Bay Pops takes place in Tiny. All funds raised go to the purchase of a much needed CT scanner for our Georgian Bay General Hospital.  Tickets are available through the MCC - http://midlandculturalcentre.ticketfly.com/event/1437083-georgian-bay-pops-2017-tiny-township/



August 18 to 20 - Farm Fresh Food Fest is taking place in the Township of Tiny. Your chance to experience all the foods grown and prepared locally. More information at https://www.farmfreshfoodfest.ca/

  

August 19 - The Second Annual Zucchini Mania in beautiful Little Lake Park.  It’s a family-friendly festival with activities designed to engage kids of all ages!  You will experience the shaded market, live entertainment on Rotary Stage, horse-drawn wagons transporting you into the Park, zucchini tastings, a bigger BBQ, Chef’s demonstrations, additional buskers, amazing flying dogs show, gigantic bubbles, Zucchini Contests and more. Admission is free but Askennonia Senior Centre will happily take a donation at the entrance!  https://www.zucchinimania.com/



August 25 to 26 – The magic of Tugfest is back.  Come down to the Town dock to see the parade of tugboats on Friday evening. Then on Saturday the boats participate in contests of strength and agility that only tugboats can do. More information at:  http://www.tugfestgeorgianbay.com/Intro2.html



August 26 – Artwalk.  Throughout our downtown you will see a colorful display of the works of our many local artists.



August 26 - Cycle Camelot 2017 comes to Rotary Park in Penetanguishene. This annual cycling event supports the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre. www.cyclecamelot.com



Council Issues Update



Service Delivery Review



Over the summer the Service Delivery Review Steering and Advisory Committees will be meeting to review all of the Town’s operations to determine how to improve our level of service to Midland residents. The committees should have a report to Council in the fall.



OPP



The consultant’s police service costing report is due the first week of July. These results should be made public shortly thereafter and I expect a public input meeting will follow.  Council will then take your comments plus the costing information and make a decision on our future policing service by September the 8th.



Midland Bay Landing



Last month Council directed staff to complete the four main environmental studies for the site.  This work will take place over the next few months.  This fall the search for a new development partner should pick up. 



MPUC



With the sale complete, the matter now proceeds to OEB for their review. Expectations from both sides are that we will have the OEB’s approval before year’s end. At that point we will be joined with our neighbours in Tay-Newmarket in providing power to the citizens of Midland.



Downtown Health Clinic



The project is still experiencing delays within the Ministry of Health despite consistent support from local municipalities, healthcare partners and our NSMLHIN. That said, work on the site is expected to start this fall.



GBGH



Lots happening at GBGH. The GBGH Board has just announced the new hospital CEO, Gail Hunt. Last year GBGH received additional base funding from the province. As a result our hospital is now starting to achieve annual operating surpluses. Work continues on the emergency room expansion with completion expected next year. The hospital’s next major project is to move 20 acute care mental health beds from Waypoint to GBGH.  GBGH’s Penetanguishene site, earmarked for a healthcare hub, still has not received provincial funding despite a positive business case for the hub being developed.



Budget



The public portion of the 2018 budget process will start in September.  While this year’s tax rate came in at 1%, challenges in funding infrastructure – roads, buildings, equipment, etc – will make it difficult to keep future increases at or below the rate of inflation.



Official Plan Review



The public input portion of the Official Plan is about to start. Expect the consultation schedule to be published after the July Council meeting. Your input is critical as the Town plans out what Midland will look like over the next decade,



Microbrewery – Barnstormer



The site environmental review has been completed. Council will receive a report at the July Council meeting detailing the future of this project.





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A safe and happy summer to you and your family.



Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017