Saturday, February 23, 2013

Saturday February 23, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen

This past Wednesday my mother celebrated her 90th birthday – one of those milestones that we all aspire to. Hopefully we will all be as perky as mom when our ninetieth arrives. My sincere thanks to all the folks at the Villa who look after her and many other special people in our Town.

This week mayors from around Georgian Bay will be assembling in Toronto to meet with the newly minted provincial ministers and discuss our low water situation. We are looking for recognition of our problem and a commitment to consider assistance. Expect a public meeting to update residents early in March.

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On Tuesday Feb 26th the Town of Midland together with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation invite you to a special presentation on Affordable Housing Development – Building Foundations. The half-day session at the Library begins at 8:00 am with a breakfast followed by a series of presentations. Please RSVP to Sherri at 705-526-4275.

Later on that evening our Midland Lions encourage you to tune into the Rick Mercer Report at 8:00 pm on CBC TV. Rick will be featuring the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dog program.  I expect Rick to be all over this one.

Wednesday February 27th will be an interesting day as I help judge a Science Fair at St. Antoine Daniel school in Victoria Harbour. It’s always amazing to see what ideas young folks come up with.

Thursday is all about meetings:
-       9:00 am in Midhurst its County Council. Many topics including our emergency support arrangement with the County and a discussion on County governance
-       3:30 pm the Huronia Economic Alliance meets to discuss growth plans for 2013 and developing our Healthcare economy
-       6:00 pm is a closed meeting of Council to receive a briefing on Pay Equity

At 7:00 pm that evening our own Nate Lacroix and Ashley Matt will be hosting at reception at Ciboulette for everyone who is interested in helping them with their innovative “Shopping Local” video. A star filled night that may well put the Oscars to shame. Please do attend.

On Friday the YMCA will hold the second of a special series of meetings on youth engagement. The intention is to conduct a survey of area youth and then implement a program to help young people feel more a part of our community.

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King Street will be missing one of its longtime residents this summer. Mr. Dennis Milton was always perched on his stoop by Tripp’s Paint and ready to engage passersby in friendly banter. Dennis was also an accomplished artist whose paintings have been exhibited widely in the province. A special memorial reception has been organized for Saturday March 2nd from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the MCC. We will miss Dennis - a good friend.  

Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.

                                                                                              



Saturday, February 16, 2013

Saturday February 16, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen

The days getting longer and the sun is getting down-right warm. You may want to go out and shovel some snow while you still have a chance.

This past Thursday brought together ten elders and mayors representing communities on the shoreline of Georgian Bay. The meeting developed a plan of action for dealing with the impact that we are all experiencing from declining water levels. To date the elders and mayors have pulled together a statement of the harms that we are now seeing in each municipality. The attention will now be turned to meeting with our provincial leaders at the municipal conference in Toronto at month’s end. Look for a public “town hall” at the start of March where we will update everyone on progress.

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Monday should be quiet as we all enjoy Family Day.

Tuesday February 19th will start with a closed meeting at 6:30 pm to discuss appointments to the Seniors Council, naming of a ball diamond and the Fire Department vacancy. The regular Council meeting follows at 7:00 pm. A busy agenda with:
-       Presentations for our Heritage Awards for Merit and for Appreciation
-       Two deputations; one on Human Rights and a second on the 17077 Hwy 12 property
-       Our request to County for leaf pick-up

On Wednesday Feb 20th at 12 noon, the Ontario Chiefs of Police is sponsoring a crime prevention event entitled “It starts with you”. Askennonia will be hosting the event at the NSSRC. This is a public event.  Then at 7:00 pm that evening Council will hold a closed meeting to discuss the Unimin property.

On Thursday February 21st at 9:30 am the Unimin Steering committee meets in the Council Chambers to receive the results of the recent public meeting and decide on directions to include in the final report. You are welcome to attend.

Later that day, at 2:00 pm is the Simcoe County Food Charter launch.  It will take place at the Simcoe County Museum. Then at 5:00 pm the Heads of Council meeting takes place. The four Huronia mayors will meet to discuss common challenges including area tourism and Georgian Bay water levels.

On Friday February 22nd at 6:00 pm the Gateway Learning Centre will be holding their Winter Blues dance at the Native Friendship Center. Certain to be a good time. Friday also sees the start of Huronia Players production of Ropes End. Tickets are available at the MCC for some of the remaining dates.

I close the week with a story.  I will be at the Gateway Learning Centre offices on Saturday at 11 am to read a book to the younger folks. If you want to come along and take part if a fun event, you are most welcome.

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For your future planning, the County will be hosting public information sessions for its new waste management systems- specifically improvements to heavy waste pick-up and leaf collection.  Public information sessions will be in many locations including:
-       March 12th from 6:00 to 9:00 pm Brian Orser Hall, Penetanguishene . (Note: the County will provide free public skating that day at Brian Orser from 2:00 to 4:00 pm)
-       March 26th from 9:00 am to noon and again at 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the County offices in Midhurst
Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.

                                                                                              


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Saturday February 9, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen

Winter is back with a vengeance. Look at this as another one of those “when I was a boy” moments that we can use to annoy the younger generation.

Monday February 11th at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall is the General Committee. A busy evening including:
-       A new Active Transportation Committee – looking for 4 members of the public
-       Development of a municipal cultural plan
-       Proposal to increase fees for harbor services
-       Proposal to hire a professional fireman/woman to replace a retiring fireman
-       Draft by-law to control the aerosol paints being used by individuals to create graffiti  (currently the Town is spending about $10,000 per year responding to graffiti)

Tuesday February 12th is the Warden’s Bonspiel at the Penetanguishene Curling Club to raise funds for Georgian Village. Your chance to see Glenn Howard and many other local luminaries throwing rocks at each other.  A full day of fun, starting at 8:00 am.

On Thursday, Midlhurst will be the site of an important meeting as the mayors from around Georgian Bay meet to discuss low water levels in Georgian Bay. The meeting will:
-       Review the three kick-off meetings held last week
-       Review the many reported problems being experienced around Georgian Bay and
-       Develop our approach for Queens Park and Ottawa
Expect a public meeting updating you on developments around the end of the month.

And remember that Thursday February 14th is Valentines Day – enjoy the moment with a loved one.

Friday February 15th is the start of the 65th edition of Penetanguishene’s Winterama  - weekend of fun and games. Festivities begin with a downtown parade starting at 7:00 pm on Friday.

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Ashley Matt and Nate Lacroix are creating a feature documentary about the “shop local culture” in Midland and surrounding area. If the film is successful it will make a significant statement to people all over the world about the importance of strengthening one’s local economy. 

If you are interested in seeing what these two young entrepreneurs from Midland have in mind, check-out their video at startlocalmovie.com . And if you feel like helping them out, they are “crowdfunding” at http://www.indiegogo.com/startlocalmovie.   


Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.

                                                                                              


Saturday, February 2, 2013

Saturday February 2, 2013


Ladies and Gentlemen

A fabulous weekend for Winterfest. A light snow is falling and lots of town folk and visitors are enjoying the warmth of a Midland winter. Get out and enjoy – Spring will be here before you know it.

This past Thursday, Mayor Marshall held an area meeting on the low water levels in Georgian Bay. About 150 people participated.  Citizens from the four municipalities came forward with stories of marinas having to repeatedly dredge to allow boat access; cottagers whose boats cannot come anywhere near their cottage docks; and downtown businesses affected by the drop in boaters to our area.

This Monday I shall head to Owen Sound to meet with mayors from the west end of Georgian Bay. Then on Wednesday we hold a meeting of the southern mayors in Midland. Our purpose is to quickly build a case for relief that we can take to the federal and provincial governments – we do not need another sturdy to tell us that the water level is low.  Once we have our game plan organized we will call another meeting to get the public fully involved in this important cause.


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Tuesday February 5th, Garfield Dunlop MPP will be holding his budget consultation at the Brooklea. This is a public forum but you should book ahead through his office if you wish to speak. Later that day Out of the Cold will be meeting with its neighbors to ensure that their safety concerns are properly addressed. This is a fine example of neighbours working with neighbours to find a solution that satisfies all.

On Wednesday February 6th at 7:00 pm is the Planning and Development Committee meeting.  The agenda items include:
-       Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment respecting the recycling facility on MacDonald Road
-       An update on the many development projects in the Town for 2013

You will have to get up early on February 7th if you plan to attend the NSCFDC Employer’s Breakfast. It starts at 7:00 am at the Brooklea and brings area employers together to network on business challenges. Please pre-register.

Then at 6:30 pm that day your Council holds a closed meeting to complete its review of the “personal” recommendations from the KPMG report. At 7:00 pm at the Town Hall is the public meeting where Council will complete its direction setting for the operational recommendations from the KPMG report.


Gord McKay




Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.