Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sunday June 28, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

Its summertime…and a lot is going on in the Town.

Your Council meets this Monday June 29th, first at 6:00 pm for a closed meeting and then at 7:00 pm for Council (Deputation Only). A number of items of interest:
- A brief mention of the withdrawal of our leaf vacuuming service. (Councilors have been asked to get your input before August, so talk to your Councilor soon)
- The Town will receive its 2008 audited financial statement. These reports usually make for dry reading so a few facts of interest. Compared to fiscal 2007 the Town’s:
o operating expenses were up by 5.8%
o capital expenses were up by 29%
o town tax levy for everyone up by 5.6%
- We will review a request by the County to manage “impacted groundwater” flow under Wilson Road from landfill Site #24
- The Town will describe its new dress code

On Wednesday July 1, you should be at Little Lake Park for our annual Canada Day celebration. The weather looks to be damp but the party will be awesome.

Thursday July 2nd sees two meetings. At 7:00 pm is the Public Hearing (You May Speak) into the land use change for the HPP property at the corner of King and Hwy. 12. It is being considered for an LCBO. Later on that evening (at least 7:10 pm) is the PAC meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair). The agenda includes:
- A discussion of the Report of Site Condition issue affecting Tiffin Pier
- Reports recommending a number of new fees for planning services and sign by-law variances
- An initiative to organize a response to the Province’s call to restrict Midland’s growth and employment prospects

Mark July 15, 2009 for an interesting meeting, especially if you have children. Bryan Peter is going to host a 4:30 pm meeting at NSSRC to tell you about the new “natural playground” planned for Mac McAllen Park.

I could not end this missive without recognizing the passing of a great citizen of our Town, Rev. Cliff Pendlebury. He has touched so many of us. He will be remembered forever.

As I said its summertime. News from the Town is going to get a bit more sporadic for the next two months as vacation gets in the way. I will try to keep you as up to date as I can. Get out and enjoy this wonderful place we know as Midland.


Gord McKay

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Saturday June 20, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

What a Town! Last night you had your choice of choral music at St. Pauls or Party on the Dock; tonight a tribute to John Arpin or a Lobsterfest (just outside of Town). Summer is here.

Monday would normally be the date for our Council meeting. That has been moved to next Monday the 29th.

Tuesday June 23rd at 12:00 noon the Huronia Hospital Foundation presents an information session about health services in our area. It takes place at Hillcrest Village, 7 Harriet Dr. Please pre-register with Shelly at prices@hsha.on.ca especially if you want lunch.

On Wednesday June 24th at 7:00 pm the Town will hold a public meeting (You May Speak) on the matter of rezoning Tiffin - Phase Three to correct a site filing issue.

On Thursday the Georgian Queen sets sail out of Penetanguishene at 7:00 pm (You May Party). The musical cruise is sponsored by the Huronia Foundation for the Arts and the Midland BIA to raise funds for a street festival planned for later this summer. If you want to enjoy a great evening on the water, please contact participating King Street merchants or myself.

Friday June 26th features the grand opening of the new Shelter Now facility on Hartman Drive. Presentations start at 1:30 pm. Well worth seeing this new housing facility.

And lastly on Saturday at 10 am, the Township of Tiny will be telling the public about its development plans. If you want to know more about our near neighbours, the presentation will take place at the Wyebridge Community Centre.


Gord McKay

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Sunday June 14, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

The weather is gorgeous and the Town is getting into that “its summertime” frame of mind. A little bit of something for everyone this week.

First of all a comment on two items from last week:
1) On Wednesday last your Council created a new Poverty committee. Made up of Council and civilian members the Committee will develop a made-in-Midland poverty strategy. Look for more information in the fall.
2) On Thursday came news that the Council of Canadians may take Simcoe County to court over Site 41. This issue has important implications for our water and what we will do with our waste.

On Monday June 15th at 6:00 pm the Town will receive the annual financial report from our hydro utility, MPUC (Speak at Discretion of Chair). Your chance to find out more about your Town-owned utility. Following that at 7:30 pm Council will review the submissions from the recent “Town Logo Contest”. Midland may soon have a whole new look.

Tuesday June 16th sees a special meeting at 7:00 pm at the Simcoe County Council Chambers in Midhurst about locally grown food. The Food Partners Alliance of Simcoe County will tell us how we can gain better access to locally grown foods.

Thursday the 18th starting at 2:00 pm and then again at 6;00 pm the Town will hold its Official Plan Open House at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre. Come out and see how the Town is planning your future.

Friday - get ready to party. If you are down on the Town dock at 11:30 am you can join the Chamber of Commerce for its annual BBQ. And then at 7:00 pm its our annual Party on the Dock.

Welcome to summer.


Gord McKay

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sunday June 7, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen

If this keeps up we will be able to tell our grandchildren about the summer of “09 – the summer that never arrived. My poor tomato plants!

The week starts off with a special meeting at 6:00 pm on Monday June the 8th (You May Not Speak). We will be reviewing the conflicting information on two major tendering projects, and hopefully making a decision.

Then at 7:00 pm is the Committee of the Whole meeting (Written Input). A full agenda with lots of items including;
- Discussion about phasing out the fall leaf vacuuming services
- Presentation of a financial analysis of the increasing cost of our roads maintenance operations
- Proposed plan for building trails on our Town
- Discussion about charging fees for people with boat trailers who park at Pete Peterson Park.
- The Mayor will update the SOS program funding
- And lastly a number of financial matters including guidance that will affect your tax rate for 2010

Wednesday June 6th at 6:00 pm, Councillor Charlebois will lead the first meeting of the new Poverty Committee (Speak at Discretion of Chair). This is a formative meeting so is likely to deal with organizational issues.

The arts community is working with the downtown BIA to host an innovative arts event in August – “ArtWalk”. To help with the financing they are hosting a June 25th boat cruise that will feature music on the water from local artist Carla Crawford. Tickets are available form many downtown merchants including Valu-Mart, Georgian bakery….. or just let me know.

Please remember we have a start-up farmer’s market in Town, every Sunday at 8:00 am behind the Huronia Mall.



Gord McKay