Sunday December 9, 2012

Ladies and Gentlemen

Do you remember that scene from Bing Crosby’s ” White Christmas” where they are all waiting for the snow to start…well...It’s beginning to look a lot like Midland.  In the meantime enjoy Midland without the pleasure of overshoes and shoveling driveways.

Last week the Huronia mayors met about our Bay’s declining water levels. An additional 15 Georgian Bay mayors have contacted us all with similar concerns. We will now work with our respective Councils to develop a common request for assistance that should go to Ottawa this spring.

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On Monday December 10^th your Council meets at 6:30 pm in closed meeting to discuss matters about an identifiable individual.  Then at 7:00 pm is the December General Committee meeting.  A long agenda including;

-          Decision on an all-day downtown parking pass

-          Discussion on allowing stores to open on Good Friday, Thanksgiving and Family Day

-          An update to our closed meeting procedure and handling of confidential documents

-          Decision on what we will do about the County’s plan for leaf pick-up in 2013

-          Introduction of our Winter Roads Plan (our service level for keeping the roads and sidewalks clear this winter)

On Tuesday December 11^th at 1:00 pm in Midhurst we elect the Warden for the next 2 years (Cal Patterson by acclamation) and vote for our Deputy Warden, either Gerry Marshall, Penetanguishene or Harry Hughes, Oro Medonte.

The Chamber Christmas party is set for Wednesday December 12^th at 4:00 pm at their offices on King Street.

You are invited to join me on Thursday December 13^th at 3:30 pm at the Georgian Bay General Hospital as they break ground for their new ER expansion. Then at 6:30 pm Stellula Music hosts its Christmas dinner for volunteers and friends at the MCC.

On Friday December the 14^th, you are invited to Community Living Huronia’s volunteer appreciation party at their Olive Street location starting at 1:00 pm. 

Saturday:  Come down to the MCC between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm to be entertained by the antics of Huronia Player’s “Three Scrooges” as they accept donations for the food bank. At 1:00 pm you are invited over to Penetanguishene as Habitat for Humanity opens its new home at 87 Peel Street.

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Next week we should put most of our 2013 budget to bed. At this point all of our departments are showing a zero percent cost increase over 2012, except for Police.  The Police Service Board has asked for a bit more time to try to meet Council’s target.  Police aside the budget increase, once approved by Council, should come in just above zero per-cent to allow for some money to be devoted to economic development.

The budget discipline started in 2012 will have to continue for the next few years. The slow economic recovery and the reduction in Midland jobs are still impacting our community.  We have done a lot in this budget year to start to position us for the future.  My thanks to Town staff and to you the people of Midland for helping us with these tough decisions. Your Council remains dedicated to ensuring that Midland will be able to sustain its high quality of life for many years to come.

Gord McKay

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