Sunday, December 3, 2017

Sunday December 3, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



The cold winds of winter have held off for another week. If we keep this up it will be spring before we know it.



The Week Ahead



On Monday the 4th at 3:00 pm you are invited to a meeting of the Official Plan Review Steering Committee at Town Hall. Some major changes occurring on the planning front with the province but I anticipate that Midland will be able to properly direct its own future.



Tuesday December 5th will see the Town engaged in an emergency y planning exercise for most of the day.  This exercise keeps all of your Town services ready to respond to a real emergency. At 10:00 am that morning the third annual Tay Township Toy Caravan takes place in Port McNicoll. Organized by Eric Conroy of Keewatin fame, thousands of toys will be distributed to children’s charities in our area to help all of us enjoy a happy Christmas. 



The Our Health information series returns to MCC at 7:30 pm to tell you all about heart health.

Dr. Keith Rose and his panelists will tell you that one third of all deaths, in people over 35, are due to blockage of blood supply to the heart (coronary heart disease). To reduce this mortality, experts are emphasizing prevention and using new protocols to speed intervention. Tickets are free. Register at https://midlandculturalcentre.ticketfly.com/event/1577474-Our-Health-Heart-Ache-Midland/





Wednesday the 6th and Askennonia hosts its annual Christmas party and lunch at the NSSRC at noon. Next door to the NSSRC at the Curling Club it’s the first day of the Colt/Trophy Provincial Curling Championships.  Running until the 10th, be prepared for a lot of inveterate curlers running around shouting “hureee hard”.  At 6:00 pm you are invited to participate with our Rosewood Women’s Shelter in solidarity with the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The event takes place at their new Operation Grow location, 436 Bay Street.  



At 7:00 pm it’s the December Planning and Development Committee meeting. It includes a public meeting (you may speak) on three planning topics:

-       Zoning Bylaw Amendment for the Hanson Development on Hwy 12. This involves a number of changes including storm water management and  internal road width

-       Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 344 Fuller to sever a building lot

-       Zoning Bylaw Amendment for the property at Midland and Hugel, respecting a new four story apartment building

The regular meeting will review the results of the public meeting plus a Zoning Bylaw Amendment proposal from Oz developments (the old Mitsubishi building on Wye Valley Rd.) to permit a business office use in their building





Thursday the 7th is just busy.



-       5:30 pm – A farewell to Dr. Brian Stevenson who has served as President and Vice Chancellor at Lakehead University for 7 years. The reception is at Heritage Place Learnings Commons at 1 Colborne Street W. in Orillia

-       5:30 pm - The Annual First Light event is into its last weekend at Sainte-Marie and the Martyrs’ Shrine. The event runs from 5:30 to 9:00 pm from December 7 to 9. Bus shuttles run from our downtown to the site

-       6:30 pm - The 724 Midland Lions Air Cadets host their Christmas dinner at the Legion

-       7:00 pm - Coal Patrol by our local Good Morning Apocalypse improv group takes to the MCC stage

-       7:00 pm – Huronia Players holds its AGM at the HP theatre



Friday the 8th is a bit quieter (time for shopping) with the internationally famous Liona Boyd performing at St Paul’s starting at 7:00 pm. Liona will sing a winter fantasy, with a little help from our own Children’s Community Choir.  Also at 7:00 pm Hospice Huronia lights its Tree of Remembrance at their Hospice Huronia location at 25 Jeffery St. in Penetanguishene.  Also see www.hospicehuronia.ca



Week - End



Saturday December 9



-       4:00 to 8:00 pm – The 7th annual Christmas Home Tour.  Visit 6 beautiful vintage homes all decked out for Christmas. Tickets available through the Midland Heritage Committee and at Town Hall





Sunday December 10



-       2:00 pm - The Next Generation Leahy - Celtic music at the MCC

-       4:30 and 7:00 pm – Two sittings for the We Are the Villagers Christmas Dinner at Phil’s, 519 Hugel in Midland. Reserve at 1-855-528-5252 or info@wearethevillagers.com  


Council Issues Update



Service Delivery Review



The draft findings from the consultant for the Service Delivery Review were presented to Council this week (Presentation at)   http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/Agenda%20Special%20Meeting%20-%20November%2027%202017.pdf



There are 68 recommendations from the consultant.  Some may be easy to implement, others will take a lot of work and resources, and some may not be appropriate for us to implement.  Our challenge now is to prioritize and implement key recommendations in 2018 that will demonstrate results and our commitment to continuous improvement. There will be a further report presented to Council on December 11th.   



Budget



Initial dates for the 2018 public budget meetings have been set. Please pencil in: February 22, March 1, March 22 and March 28 (the public comment meeting). After that the budget will go to General Committee and Council .  More information in the New Year.





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I am attaching a very special picture for you. Eric Conroy (Keewatin) was in Ottawa this past week to receive a Canada 150 medal from Senate of Canada. This Canada 150 medal commemorates community involvement, specifically Eric’s work with the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, his Toys for the North program and the Keewatin.  Well deserved.



Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              




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