Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday May 30, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

I was at the Farmer’s Market this morning and they were selling local radishes the size of eggs. With the summery weather we are having, everything is growing.

This week is Hunger Awareness week. Peter Thomas (Salvation Army) is inviting everyone to come out and see the reality faced by those in our community who live in poverty.
Visit the St. Vincent de Paul food bank - Tuesday June 1st at St. Margaret’s Church, 589 Hugel St.: 10 am -- 4 pm
Line-up for the “Hunger Awareness Buffet” on Wednesday June 2nd, 6:30 pm at Ste Marie. Your $35 cash only donation goes to help the Good Food Box.
Participate in the “Poverty Game” where you learn how to live in poverty. Thursday June 3rd at the Salvation Army Food Bank, Dominion Ave. Choice of times are 1 - 2:30 pm or 3 - 4:30pm

Planning Advisory Committee (Speak at Discretion of Chair) meets on Wednesday June 2nd at 7:00 pm in the Bill Thompson Room of the NSSRC (Many Town meetings have moved to the NSSRC because of construction). A straight forward agenda including:
Amendments to the Midland Bay Estates Site Plan due to the designation of the Drummond Wall
The Town is getting more involved in the potential OMB hearing to determine the fate of the County’s Official Plan – (The Plan should help decide our future population and employment targets)
The County will offer organics and recyclables collection to all schools in the County in September 2010. (Another step towards Zero Waste)

This year’s edition of Doors Open Huronia starts on Friday June 4th with a reception at the Huronia Museum starting at 7:00 pm. Then on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm please tour our historic homes. Tours of our historic downtown will start at the “Swan” sculptor on the waterfront.

On Saturday June 5th at 11 am there will be a special Trail Opening ceremony on the waterfront trail behind the Captain’s Cove development (see map attached).

And lastly, the Town is continuing its testing program to better understand the scope of pollutants found in the Sundowner Road well. The Town will be testing private wells within half a kilometer of the Sundowner site. Results should be available before mid-June.


Gord McKay

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sunday May 23, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

What a beautiful Victoria Day weekend. Sunday morning started with a visit to our new Midland Farmers Market. Fabulous. If you want the fun of wandering around outdoor stalls and having a choice of everything from organic lamb to a moisturizer made with honey, it’s the place to be. Every Sunday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm on Bay Street west of King.

County Council starts its work at 9:00 am on Tuesday May 25th with a vote to revoke the Certificate of Approval for the Site 41 landfill. This vote may put an end to the Site 41 landfill once and for all

The Town begins its work at 7:00 pm on Tuesday May 25th with a Council meeting at the Town (Deputation Only). A fairly short agenda including:
- A deputation from Peter Ridout addressing affordable housing in Midland
- A flurry of petitions:
o Over 200 people signed to stop new curbs from limiting access to the Arch restaurant property
o Over 15 people petitioned to stop the sidewalk work on Manly St.
o Some 160 people expressed concern about new taxi meters proposed in a draft Town by-law
It is good to see so many citizens engaged in issues affecting our Town.
- Further discussion on whether to invite the Ministry of the Environment to address Council on leachate coming from the North Simcoe Transfer Station property
- And lastly, the contentious Procedural By-law will be tabled for a vote. This by-law in part seeks to restrict how long and how often your Councillors can speak to an issue.

And on the social calendar:
- Erin Chappelle and the Huronia Foundation for the Arts are hosting a Meet the Artists drop-in on Thursday May 27th at 7:00 at the Karma Market, Main Street Penetanguishene
- Walker Electric proudly celebrates its 75th anniversary Open House at their shop at 169 Bay St. between 1:00 and 5:00 pm on Friday May 28th.
- The Kids Fishing Derby takes place at the Town Dock on Saturday May 29th starting at 9:00 am.
- Later that day, the Huronia Communities Foundation hosts its Philanthropic Awards dinner at 7:00 pm at NSSRC.


Gord McKay

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday May 16, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

Summer has returned and with it two of my favorite pastimes - mowing the lawn and digging dandelions. Well it beats shoveling snow.

A quiet week for the Town. If you drop by the Town offices you will see that they are making great progress on building the addition. Next month they will break into the existing Council chamber, so your Council will have to relocate to the NSSRC. Not sure whether we will still be on TV, so your summer may be quieter than usual.

Other groups are keeping the Town busy though:
On Monday the North Simcoe Communities Futures organization continues its work on Business Expansion and Retention with a meeting about local job skills and training
On Tuesday afternoon the Physician Recruitment organization thanks its volunteers with a reception at Ste. Marie
On Wednesday afternoon our Georgian College campus hosts an innovative event called “Thought Leadership”. Some 40 local business leaders will meet to discuss how Georgian can help invigorate the local economy.
On Thursday May 20th Community Living Huronia kicks off its Dreams to Reality campaign with a special exhibition at the Quest Gallery. Starting at 5:00 pm., it’s well worth visiting.

Many of you are have asked about the water test results at the Town’s Sundowner Road/Balm Beach Rd. location. Your best source of information is to call the Town at 526-4275. Water testing is continuing on private wells in the area. Those results are expected this week .I will let you know as soon as the Town releases any more information.


Gord McKay

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Sunday May 9, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen


So who invited winter back? I drove up highway 27 yesterday in near whiteout conditions. Pity the poor tulips.

Monday May 10th starts at 6:00 pm at the Town with a closed meeting. Then at 7:00 pm is your General Committee (Written Input Only) Should be a relatively short meeting including:
- Announcement of the spring water main flushing program. Homeowners will be notified by notice if your neighborhood is affected.
- An authorizing by-law to proceed with development of the LRG lands, (also know as the VLA lands) .
- Answers to questions raised about leachate monitoring at the Golf Link Road transfer station.
- Consideration of the sale of Town land that is currently being used for parking behind Scully’s restaurant.
And then your Council goes into a Special Council Meeting at approximately 9:30 pm to deal with temporary road closures (Deputation Only).

Tuesday May 11th at 7:00 pm sees the Heritage Committee meeting at the Town. We will receive verbal updates on the Drummond Wall designation and the Roxy theatre demolition.

On Wednesday May 12th at 7:30, there will be a candlelight tribute for our veterans at the Cenotaph. Please arrive early.

And lastly on the calendar; Saturday May 15th at 11am is the ground breaking for the new Bayport residential development at Bayport.

A number of items that you have wondered about:
- The taxi industry has been meeting to prepare its position in response to the deferred taxi by-law. No public meeting has been yet announced. Council should next deal with this matter in June.
- Similarly the pawnbrokers in Town will have a response their deferred by-law coming to Council in June
- Gloucester Street (east end) will remain dug up a while longer as a gas main has to be relocated
- The papers have carried recent information about the Sundowner well situation. A new Town well was being drilled at Sundowner Rd. at Balm Beach Road (Not connected to Town mains). About two weeks ago a water sample showed noticeable levels of the chemicals TCE and PCB. A retest was completed this past week showing some TCE and no PCBs,. The Town is now working with nearby well owners to ensure that their wells are safe. If you have questions on this matter please contact the Town at 526-4275.

And finally, look for something “electoral” on Monday.

Gord McKay

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Saturday May 1, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen

The rains have arrived. I can’t recall having seen the grass turn yellow in April before. Makes you realize how much we depend upon Mother Nature.

A relatively quiet week in the Town. The County holds its second round of public consultations on our waste strategy. They take place in Thornton on May 3rd, at the Simcoe County Museum on May 4th and at the Coldwater Community Centre on May 5th. Presentations start at 4:30 pm with public discussion starting at 6:00 pm. Your chance to shape our waste future.

On Wednesday May 5th your Council meets in a relatively rare closed planning meeting at 6:30 pm. Then at 7:00 is the regular PAC meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair). Items of particular interest are:
- A proposal to modify 340 First St to allow a dental services office
- Changes to our by-law requiring all developers to donate parkland to the Town as a condition of development
- Notification of possibly selling Town lands to Scully’s restaurant

Also on May 5th, many Councillors will be at our local McDonalds to help raise money for Community Living Huronia and Ronald McDonald House. Please drop by.

On Friday May 7th Quest Art School and Gallery is having its kick-off event for the annual juried art show. You are welcome to come and see some great art.

And on the building front:
- Final work is occurring on your library. Doors should be fully open in June.
- Across the street, architectural plans are being finalized for the Midland Cultural Centre. Demolition work should start shortly.


Gord McKay