Ladies and Gentlemen
*********************** BREAKING
**************************
The Mayors’ Mac & Cheese dinner slated for this
evening is cancelled due to inclement weather.
*****************************************************************
And you think you are having a tough time with this never
ending winter weather. I was watching
two frigid robins this morning trying to decide what to eat since they can’t
find any worms. Spring…where are you?
The
Week Ahead
Monday the 16th at 4:00 pm the
Police Service Board holds its first meeting with our new OPP service. You are
invited to attend this meeting at Town Hall.
On Wednesday I am in Ottawa for a number of
meetings about the development of the cruise ship industry in Midland and
throughout the Great Lakes. I will be presenting to a group of MPs and Senators
about the prospects for the industry and what federal assistance is required. The
next day I present to the Governors and Premiers Conference about the economic
impact of the cruise industry on municipalities. These presentations should help stimulate the
growth of the industry and bring more tourism to Midland and Ontario.
At 6:30 pm you are invited to a municipal election
information session sponsored by the province. A must attend if you are
thinking about running for elected office this fall. The meeting is at the
NSSRC.
On Thursday April 19th at 2:00 pm the
Downtown Safety Committee meets to review recent developments and to help move
the Council Community Safety Plan along. At 6:00 pm you are invited to a public
information session at Town Hall on the Noreen Street reconstruction. And lastly at 7:00 pm Adam Shoalts, a
professional explorer and adventurer visits Midland Library. Described as
“Canada’s Indiana Jones”, Adam will discuss his recent 4,000 km journey alone
across Canada's Arctic. He'll also talk about his #1 national bestseller Alone
Against the North. Tickets are on sale at the main library desk.
On Friday at 9:00 am it’s the County Affordable
Housing Advisory Committee. They will be
looking at additional ways to promote secondary units, a housing form that represents
about 30% of all affordable units built in the County in 2017. At 10:00 am the Governance Review Committee
turns its attention to the Town’s Procedural By-law. This may sound dry but this By-law contains the
rules on how we make decisions at the Council table and for keeping Council and
the public properly engaged. At 1:00 pm it’s the first day of the 2018 Midland
Home Show at the NSSRC. A great line-up of exhibitors. This year, thanks to
Minds Alive, you have the opportunity to build your own Lego dream house. And
at 4 pm you are invited to celebrate with Chantel Coward as she opens her new
business location at 341 King Street.
Week -
End
Saturday April 21
-
9 am to 4 pm - Midland Home Show continues at
the NSSRC
-
7:00
pm – Quest Art Kaleidoscope of Arts. An evening of champagne, a sit-down
dinner and live entertainment. All proceeds support visual arts programs
in North Simcoe. I understand it is sold out.
Sunday April 22
-
10 am to 12:30 pm - 2nd Earth Day
Litter A Thon. Youth are invited to help us clean up designated areas in
both Penetanguishene and Midland. Registration is required. Prizes
for top pledges for male and female youth. Contact Pam Brodie, Big Brothers
Big Sisters of North Simcoe, at 705-526-5051
Council
Issues Update
Budget
We
appear to be closing in on the municipal portion of the tax rate increase of between
2 and 2.5%. Town staff is doing the final calculations which will be made
available at the Council meeting on the 23rd. I anticipate we will pass the 2018 budget
that evening.
Library
A very intense week for the Library as Council dealt with
both the security issues at the Library and the need to takes steps on improving
safety in the downtown. The discussion recognized that the “downtown safety
issue” is not new. We have had challenges on our streets and in the Library for
years. Over the last four years Council has reviewed the matter a number of
times and essentially turned to our police to keep the peace. Additionally the
Town sponsored the Downtown Safety Committee with membership from the BIA, Police,
Street Outreach, the Town and the Guesthouse. The Committee monitored the
downtown situation and implemented a number of controls – lighting, benches, an
e-mail notice system.
Over the last six months it has been apparent that
something more substantive must be done. New measures are required to ensure
ongoing safety at the Library and in the downtown while helping those
challenged by life in receiving needed help.
In response General Committee recommended $50,000 for a new Task Force
to develop a Community Safety Plan by August, 2018. Recognizing that proper
security must be maintained at the Library, the Committee also advanced up to
$90,000 for Library safety measures, including a guard. When the Task Force report is completed in
August, Council and the Midland Library Board will decide on the measures
needed to ensure appropriate safety for Midland.
*****
And three general items in closing:
1)
Treasure Day Weekends are planned the May 12
– 13 and the October 13 – 14 weekends. Free Garage Sale Permit Weekends are
scheduled for July 6, 7, and 8 with a new second date set for mid-September.
Council has yet to ratify the second date.
2)
Our MPUC is sponsoring a home energy
efficiency program known as the Afford-Ability Fund. If you have a home, a
tight budget and want to be more energy efficient take a look at www.AffordAbilityFund.org
3)
The Our Health series looks at “Medical
Cannabis, Weeding Through the Issues” on its
Tuesday, May 8th, 7:30pm edition at MCC. I understand that tickets are nearly sold out.
Tuesday, May 8th, 7:30pm edition at MCC. I understand that tickets are nearly sold out.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Forging Our Future - 2018
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