Saturday October 20, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

The leaves are falling and a few pumpkins are adding a splash of color. The long term forecast is for a bit more warmth than usual. Still, I wouldn’t put off those garden chores too long.

Monday October 22^nd – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is conducting a workshop on reducing the harm caused by alcohol consumption. The half-day workshop starts at 9:00 am at the NSSRC and costs $30.00. Then at 7:00 m that evening is the Midland Council meeting.   The agenda includes:

-          Three deputations:  Physician Recruitment; Shelter Now ; and our Midland Farmers Market

-          A second draft of the Council Code of Conduct

-          Changes to Council appointments on Town Committees

-          Three more contracts being let to improve the Bayport sub-division

Wednesday October 24^th starts off with a breakfast (8:00 am) at the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre as they welcome a First Nation youth delegation to Midland.  Later that afternoon, Midland and Pentanguishene will meet to discuss interest in a transit link between the two communities. And later that afternoon I will be in Barrie as the YMCA recognizes our very own Reinhart Weber.

At 7:00 pm that evening at the NSSRC is a special public meeting on the changes we will see to our waste services in 2013. The County, which has responsibility for all waste services, will tell us about recent changes to the Blue Box, the new heavy waste system and leaf pick-up. The second part of the meeting will allow citizens to ask questions and voice concerns about pending changes.  I expect most Councilors to be there.

Also at 7:00 pm the evening at the Town Hall, Town staff will inform area businesses about our new economic development website and how they can get themselves listed on the site.  All are welcome.

On Friday October 26^th you are invited to Bruce Stanton’s Fish Fry.  It starts at 5:00 pm at the Brian Orser arena in Penetanguishene.

On Saturday October 27^th at 6:00 pm the Midland Lions Club celebrates its 75^th Charter Anniversary with a special dinner at NSSRC. Tickets may still be available ($45.00).  At the same time the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre will be hosting a dinner to welcome First Nation representatives from across Ontario to our community.

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In closing, your Huronia mayors and Councils have started to spend more time convincing senior levels of government that we have a real problem with the receding water levels in Georgian Bay. We will need to work with other communities around the shoreline to develop a common approach to deal with the very real impacts upon our residents, businesses and environment.

Gord McKay

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