Sunday, March 25, 2018

Sunday March 25, 2018


Ladies and Gentlemen



Wall to wall sunshine and the prospect of warmer weather ahead. And as you will see in the Monday Council agenda all sorts of great activities being planned for this summer.  Gotta love this place we call Midland.



The Week Ahead



Monday the 26th starts with the raising of the Canadian Cancer Society flag at Town Hall at 9:45 am. Then at 5:30 pm Council holds a closed meeting to discuss two matters relating to the sale/purchase of land. At 7:00 pm it’s the March Council meeting, including:

-       Presentation to Pamela Wayne on her retirement

-       Deputation on the new Waypoint/Chigamik Health-Hub

-       Petition regarding the Keewatin

-       Request to permit all sorts of summer activities – movie nights, road basketball, Music on the Dock, a Beatles event, Ribfest, etc.

-       MPUC Board appointments



On Tuesday the deliberations swing to Midhurst with County Council at 9:00 am. The Council will hear a deputation on the Hospital Alliance and how we spend the County allotment of $3M each year in support of our hospitals. Council will also begin the discussion on the topic of tax rebates that are provided to vacant commercial properties. Then at 5:30 pm, Midland hosts the Heads of Council meeting where we review items of interest to all four North Simcoe municipalities.



On Wednesday 28th a meeting will take place at GBGH to discuss home based care in North Simcoe. This meeting will address how healthcare services are best delivered to residents in their own homes. At 11:30 am Askennonia hosts its AGM at the NSSRC.  And at 7:00 pm you are invited to a special Council meeting on the budget at Town Hall.  This is your chance to provide input on the developing 2018 budget.



Thursday I return to County for a discussion on better ways to organize healthcare in Simcoe County.



The 30th is Good Friday. Administrative offices will be closed. Town offices are also closed on Monday April 2nd.





Week - End



Saturday March 31



-       1:00 to 3:00 pm - Glow in the dark Easter Egg hunt at Huronia Museum.  Wander through the dark museum looking for the glow in the dark eggs. The cost to attend is $2 per participant with a non-perishable food item.



-       7:00 pm - The opera Don Giovani brought to you by Brookside, at the MCC





Council Issues Update





Budget



Council has finished its first pass review of both the operational and capital budgets. It may have been the late hour but Council ended up with a potential 3.58% Midland tax increase. Council has also accepted a 6% rate increase for water and wastewater. You will have a chance to provide your thoughts to Council about these significant increases at the public meeting this Wednesday March 28th at 7:00 pm.



Keewatin



The March 19th deadline set by Skyline has come and gone. As you may recall, Skyline presented to Council earlier this month, summarizing what they were prepared to offer the Town. The Town, recognizing the challenges of owning and operating a 100 years old ship/tourism attraction valued at $48M, asked for some financial assistance to evaluate the offer. No response was received.



So currently the Keewatin looks likely to stay in Port McNicol, at least for the 2018 season. While Midland has not shut the door, we will continue to take the necessary steps to protect the taxpayers of Midland.



                                                                *****

The County of Simcoe is conducting the 2018 Simcoe County Point-in-Time Count and Registry Week from April 24 – 26. The purpose of the counting is to identify all the individuals who are experiencing homelessness and include them on a prioritized list for housing and outreach services.

We are looking for volunteers to assist with the Point-in-Time Count and Registry Week. The Point-in-Time Count will take place from 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 24 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday April 25. It will take place throughout Simcoe County at pre-determined indoor and outdoor locations. Early morning and late night street surveys are likely in each region and volunteers are necessary for success.  If you're able to volunteer for this important cause please contact Toni Crowe Simcoe County Homelessness Enumeration Coordinator at




Gord McKay









The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018




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