Sunday May 11, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

Midland just wrapped up a very special weekend. Sunday was an important day for most of us being Mother’s Day. Saturday brought some 150 people from all over Ontario to King Street to celebrate the park dedication to Andrew Mixemong.  Andrew was a leader of the Beausoleil First Nation who was killed in our downtown two years ago. The sun was out, the wind blew lustily and Andrew’s warm spirit was felt by many - a day that brought our communities closer together.

Monday May 12^th starts with a closed meeting at 6:15 pm to deal with two matters:  OPSEU negotiations and a matter of litigation. Then at 7:00 pm is the May General Committee meeting. Agenda items include:

-       Creation of the Midland Cultural Committee

-       Update on our 2014 geese management activities

-       Discussion on whether we should host a WaterCross sporting event on Little Lake

-       A follow-up report on the Town’s 2013 budget surplus

-       The Police Service Board response to Council’s’ questions on their 2014 budget

-       A staff report on the state of backflow preventers in Midland  (Backflow preventers are valves used to make sure that water in a building does not get siphoned back into the municipal water supply)

Tuesday the 13^th and more meetings. County Council meets at Midhurst at 9:00 am.  At 7:00 pm there is a special Council meeting to discuss the Little Lake store lease and the expected DC charges for Midland for the next five years.  You are welcome to attend.

Also at 7:00 pm Mr. Fred Hacker’s A Day in the Life will feature the legendary Lloyd Robertson, the news anchor for CTV News for 35 years and now host of CTV’s “W5”.  I believe that all the tickets are sold for this one. A tip of the hat to Fred – attracting this caliber of person to Midland shows that we can compete with the best.

Wednesday May 14^th I am back at County for the inaugural meeting of the Simcoe County Housing Advisory Committee. This Committee will inform County actions for the next decade on the housing solutions needed in Midland and area. To support my role in representing North Simcoe, we will be forming a North Simcoe Housing Committee.  They will start their work on May 27^th.  Look for a lot of public engagement in the months ahead if we are to make a meaningful change to providing the housing needed by all of our residents.

At 4:00 pm is the regular meeting of the Police Service Board at Town Hall.  Then at 7:00 pm is the May Planning and Development Committee meeting. Topics include:

-       Staff recommendations on the Guesthouse homeless shelter

-       Establishment of the Downtown Master Plan Steering Committee

-       Review of the Town’s response to the County Transportation Master Plan

And now for something completely different.  On Thursday May 15^th starting at 4:30 at the NSSRC, Youth Engagement is hosting a “Zombie Walk”. Yes, a Zombie Walk down King Street in Midland. All for a good cause to get youth involved and spread awareness of upcoming blood donor clinics in the Midland area. So come down and be part of what’s happening.

Weekend

Saturday

-       Port-O-Rama parade in Port McNicoll starting at 11:00 am.  Come for the parade and stay the week-end.

                                                          ******

Two notes in closing. First, the four municipalities have now formed the Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe (EDCNS) - a very important step forward for our area. This arm’s length corporation will organize and lead economic development and job growth for North Simcoe. We are now starting to look for six private sector members to be on the EDCNS Board.  If you have the skills and are interested in helping our community grow economically, this may be an opportunity for you.  Recruiting announcements should be out shortly.

And the private sector is not waiting around. One of our up and coming downtown businesses, “Shopcity.com” is changing the way we shop while strengthening local community. Colin Pape, the President, has passed along the following information:

1.     Want to find who is selling what in Midland and area? The new SGB Chamber of Commerce app, developed in partnership with ShopMidland.com is now live for both iPhone and Android. Download at www.southerngeorgianbay.ca/app

2.     The new Midland BIA website is now up, also powered by ShopMidland.com. You can see some great new shopping features and “what’s going on” at www.downtownmidland.ca.

Shopcity is making some great things happen, not only in Midland but in cities across North America. It is redefining the marketplace and stands to become one of our major employers.  Thanks to Colin and his team it is getting easier to tell the world that in Midland – Yes we can!

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Making Decisions - 2014