Sunday May 12, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am just back from ten days in the Netherlands with Frank Graham, a number of Canadian legionnaires and a host of young folk from Canada.  A moving experience as we walked the fields of battle and cemeteries with Frank. The warmth and friendliness of the liberated Dutch people defies description. Fewer veterans are making the trip each year, so the Frank Graham Tour set out to reinvigorate the bond of friendship between our two countries. The young people came though unbelievably.  (Look for more of the story in my blog in the near future.)

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I think they saved most of the Town work for my return.

Monday May 13^th starts with a funding announcement by the provincial government at GBGH at 9:30 am – support for our Emergency Department expansion, maybe more.  At 10:00 am the Police Services Board will meet in closed session to hopefully finalize its budget.

Later that day at 6:00 pm is a closed meeting of Council to discuss a land sale/acquisition matter. At 7:00 pm is the May General Committee meeting. A variety of interesting topics including:

-       A new approach to “geese management” in Little Lake Park

-       A listing of surplus lands owned by the Town and a question of disposal

-       A decision on  how many Councillors we need for Midland, plus a review of Council salaries and benefits

-       A status report on the action being taken on the KPMG recommendations. 38 opportunities are being actively tracked with a number already competed

-       A proposed new electronic display sign for the MCC

The General Committee meeting will be followed by a special meeting of Council (open) respecting the purchase of the Unimin lands.

Tuesday May the 14^th will see the Town hosting an invitation only workshop on sports tourism. Then at 1:00 pm at Kelsey’s on Hwy. 12 is the first of seven Big Bike rides for Heart and Stroke. Hopefully your team is ready to come out and show your stuff for a good cause.

On Wednesday May 15^th at 4:00 pm is the regular Police Services Board meeting at Town Hall. Then at 7:30 pm is the eighth edition of a “Day in the Life” as John Tory is the guest at the MCC. John Tory is a gentleman with a wide variety of accomplishments including radio broadcaster, lawyer, businessman with Rogers media and past leader of the Ontario PC party. Tickets are available at the MCC or online at http://www.ticketbreak.com/mcc.

On Thursday May 16h at 4:30 pm is the Midland Cultural Centre AGM.  Please note the AGM will be hosted at the Town Hall.   At 6:00 pm our area’s Girl Guides celebrate a Community awards Night at the Midland library.  

The Keewatin opened for the season this past weekend. Now its Port McNicoll’s turn with Port-o-Rama. The fun takes place the entire weekend of May 17-19.  The big parade is set for Saturday the 18^th starting at 11:00 am.

Gord McKay

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