Saturday, March 31, 2012

Saturday March 31, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

The sun is shining on Midland. You have only to look at the beautiful forsythia blossoms, the patios dotting our main street and economically a number of our businesses are starting to hire. Midland – going to be a good year.

Monday April 2nd starts with an unusual public meeting of Council at the Town Hall at 7:00 pm. Its purpose is to allow Councillors to consider the problems and challenges they face in conducting Council business and decide what should be done to improve matters.

On Tuesday April 3rd at 7:00 pm the agenda turns to our tourism economy.  Marina operators from across North Simcoe will meet at the NSSRC to hear about our area’s economic plans and then discuss how they can play a larger role in promoting our area to tourists.

On Wednesday April 4th, the Severn Sound Environmental Association is hosting an Alien Invasive Species workshop from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Oakwood Community Centre in Victoria Harbour.

At 7:00 pm that evening the focus returns to Midland Town Hall with a Public Hearing on the development of the Marcellus property at 1165 Brunelle  Sideroad.  The regular PDC meeting follows including:
-          An update on Midland building projects happening this year:
o   New Tim Hortons on Bay Street
o   MCC opening in May
o   BIN development on Hwy 12
o   Plus many others
-          Review of our Economic Action Initiatives including the Healthcare Summit, the Renew Midland project and preliminary information on a “trades incubator” for our area.

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On a week that is so full of springtime promise it’s good to be reminded that we must also help our environment.  This past week the Midland Water Store organized a video showing many water conservation initiatives in our Town. You can view it at:

The waste we produce continues to be a problem, which may explain the recent tendency at County Council to re-develop more landfills. You can help reduce the amount of waste by using the Town’s Treasure Days, set for Saturday May 5th and Saturday September 29th. Treasures should be out by 8:00 am that day and back before 4:00 pm.  Also the Town offers a free Garage Sale Weekend (no permit needed) on the weekend of July 14-15, 2012.

Happy Easter

Gord McKay
                                                                                              
 Be part of Midland’s exciting Year of Having Fun - 2012.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Sunday March 25, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

Now that we have had a taste of summer there is no going back. I do worry about my fruit trees though. Budding in March is a risky business.

Monday March 26th starts with a closed meeting of Council at 6:00 pm. There are four different items being discussed at this meeting including a labour relations matter and two items about an identifiable individual. At 7:00 pm in the Town Hall is the Council Meeting. A long agenda including:
- Three deputations, one from the owners of the new Boat House Restaurant (ex Scully’s)
- With our Chamber of Commerce not able to provide the tourism services requested by the Town in 2012, our staff is proposing to do them internally
- Council will decide about asking the people of Midland if they wish to consider a small casino in our Town

March 27th starts at the County. County Council has before it a motion proposed by Midland that asks for an area-wide review of our fire services. My thanks to our Chief Foster who is very supportive of finding better ways to safely deliver fire services. Then at 5:30 pm is the SGBCC Business Achievement Awards and dinner. The event takes place at the Best Western. There is an admission charge of $55.

On Wednesday March 28th, the Georgian College Community Advisory Committee (Midland Campus) meets to discuss accommodation services for students. With the College growing, we need to find a better method of helping students find accommodation in our area. Good ideas are welcome.

On Thursday morning I have the honor of attending the 105th birthday party of a very special gentleman at the Hillcrest Retirement Home. Later that day Community Living Huronia will screen its new video “Reaching Out”. The event starts at 2:30 pm at the HERO Centre on Elizabeth Street at King.

Sunday April 1st (can you believe March is already over) there is a very special festival at our library called “Books to Eat”. Creative chefs will turn a book of their choice into a spectacular edible creation. It starts at 2:00 pm. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for youth. You have to come out and taste this one.

                                                                     +++++

Five industrious local people are launching an initiative called “Renew Midland”. The program came out of Newcastle Australia (visit www.renewaustralia.org ) and puts creative artists into empty shops – the purpose being to bring life to the downtown. While a lot of work remains to be done, we should soon start to see new life and energy in our downtown King Street.


Gord McKay


                          Be part of Midland’s exciting Year of Having Fun - 2012.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

Our love affair with a precocious spring continues. King Street is already dressed in summer patios and smiles are everywhere. It’s shaping up to be a great year in Midland.

On Monday March 19th the Town will host an important meeting with Bob Morton, Chair of our Local Health Improvement Network (LHIN - the provincially mandated agency that manages healthcare services in our area) Public and private sector representatives will be meeting with Mr. Morton to ask questions about healthcare delivery and future jobs for Midland and area. This meeting is part of our Economic Action Initiative.

Then at 6:00 pm that evening is the first of two meetings at the Town Hall. The first is a closed meeting to discuss labour law and contract negotiations. Then at 8:00 pm is a public meeting where Council will review different ways to dispatch fire personnel and consider the risk/cost benefits.

On Tuesday March 20th starting at 3:45 pm at Brooklea is the Meridian Business Women of the Year Awards. You will need a ticket for this event – dinner included. Then at 7:00 pm a group of your Councillors will be going to Georgian Bay General Hospital for a tour and to take part in a cheque presentation, recognizing Midland’s donation to our hospital.

The Municipal Cultural Planning workshop is scheduled for Wednesday March 21 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the NSSRC. This all day workshop costs $30 which includes a lunch. Please register at: http://midlandmcpiworkshop.eventbrite.ca/

On Thursday March 22nd the mayors of Penetanguishene and Midland meet for “skunkworks” - a regular opportunity to informally discuss issues affecting our two communities. Then at noon at the Penetanguishene Curling Club is the Curl with the Pros luncheon supporting the GBGH Foundation. At 2:00 pm that afternoon it’s the Economic Action Initiative meeting to discuss a number of projects that will bring employers to our community. These include:
- Our new economic development website
- Next steps in our Healthcare strategy development
- Early planning for the Prosperity Summit taking place on September 26th 2012
After that I head over to Barrie for the Barrie Homebuilders Association to tell them why they should be looking at Midland as the place to invest.

Onto the weekend - the Sweetwater Festival at Wye Marsh. Pancakes and fun are available on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you want to see yours truly flipping pancakes you want to be there on Saturday after 1:00 pm.

March 19-24 is Canada Water Week. - a reminder to conserve our water and think about how we pass along this precious resource to the next generation. The Water Store (1004 King Street) is sponsoring a video of all your ideas to reduce water consumption. If you have a good idea please drop by their store on March 22nd and make your 10 second video – I will. The Water Store will donate $5 to Community Living Huronia for each video idea,


2012 - Midland’s Year of Having Fun – do it.


Gord McKay

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Sunday March 4, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

Another sunny day - but cold. Mother Nature is having some difficulty deciding which season she wants to back. Even the Toronto Maple Leafs are confused about their playoff prospects.  Change is tough.

On Monday March 5th the four North Simcoe mayors will meet at the Out of the Cold shelter to hear about the need for a permanent men’s shelter in our area. There is an area-wide need for this kind of facility that goes well beyond the capacity of the current volunteer program. Let’s hope for a good outcome.

Wednesday March 7th will be busy. I am traveling to Alliston with a group of local business people to hear about the “Renew Newcastle” program. This program has received international attention for helping bring new life to shuttered downtown storefronts. The BIA has expressed initial interest in launching our own “Renew Midland”

Then at 6:00 pm that evening at Town Hall is a series of planning meetings.  At 6:00 pm is a closed meeting to discuss a matter of possible litigation.  At 7:00 pm is a Public Hearing on the property at 382 King St. This meeting will consider additional professional uses of the house at the corner of King and Yonge. Following that is the regular PDC meeting. A long agenda including;
-          Discussion of a staff report for renaming Huron Street to Sarah Burke Way
-          A proposal to restart the development of the retirement home planned for 105 Pillsbury Dr.
-          A mention of the County wanting to put in a car pool lot at Hwy 93 and Yonge

On Thursday March 8th, CTV News in Barrie is organizing a “Day in the Life” feature.  They are asking all communities in our area to send in pictures or videos of their community. This is your chance to show everyone the good things that happen right here in Midland.  For further information see: http://www.ctvbarrie.ca/a-day-in-the-life/

Friday is the first day of the Ontario Winter Games. It’s a proud day for our community to host three of the events. Please check out the schedule at the link below and come out and see the best in youth athletes from across Ontario. http://ontariowintergames.com/schedule.html



Gord McKay