Sunday, October 26, 2014

Sunday October 26, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

Election Day is upon us.  27 candidates have put their names forward to be your representatives in the challenging years ahead. It is now your turn to choose where Midland is headed. Please take time to go and vote.

Monday October 27th is Election Day. The voting location is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Voting takes place in the gymnasium, North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC), 527 Len Self Boulevard. Remember you must bring identification with you to the voting location

Tuesday – the day after – a collective sigh of relief and hopefully the removal of most of the election signs.  Healthcare Innovators will meet at the ShopMidland location at 7:00 pm.  Healthcare Innovators is a group of healthcare entrepreneurs who meet regularly to identify and build new healthcare businesses in our community. This is essential work in building out area’s new economy.

Wednesday October 29th, the business of the Town gets back into full swing. The day has three good examples of citizens engaged with municipal leaders to build our community.
1.     At 10:00 am at Midland Town Hall is the first meeting of the Seniors Healthcare Steering Group. This group was announced at the recent public senior’s healthcare meeting.  Its purpose is to build a strong relationship between the citizens of North Simcoe and the healthcare providers/system. It will allow citizens to be more aware of what is really happening with their healthcare and enable us to provide timely direction. Committee membership is limited - the public is welcome. (This is not a Town of Midland committee)

2.     At 3:00 pm at Town Hall is the meeting of the North Simcoe Housing Working Group.  This public stakeholder group is supporting the whole of North Simcoe in advising the County about what affordable housing measures we need in our area. The meeting will discuss a number of innovative affordable housing models that we may wish to bring to North Simcoe. The public is welcome. (This is not a Town of Midland committee)

3.      At 6:30 pm the BIA will be meeting in a brainstorming session at Lot 102 to come up with new event ideas for our downtown. This creative exchange of ideas is an excellent example of how we can all make our Town better. (The BIA is a Committee of the Town of Midland)

By working together, we can solve any of the challenges facing our citizens. If you want to get involved or have a challenge that needs some work, let me know.

Thursday starts out with County Council at 9:00 am in Midlhurst. Then at noon I will be in Barrie with the Georgian College Board of Governors, talking about enhancing their presence in our area.

Friday the 31st – Hallowe’en. And what better way to celebrate than a Monster Halloween Dance hosted by Twisted Pines at NSSRC 7:00 pm.



Gord McKay


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


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Sunday October 19, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

Political signs and Hallowe’en pumpkins best describe our Midland landscape. Young and old are anxiously awaiting the big night. Time for you to get out and get involved, whatever your age.


Monday Oct 20th features a closed meeting of Council at 6:00 pm. The meeting will deal with two personal issues and a land acquisition matter. At 7:00 pm at Town Hall is the October Council meeting – the last one before the election. (Note: The term of the current Council ends on November 30th)  The agenda includes:
-       The family of Dennis Milton will present one of his works of art to the Town for our municipal collection
-       Council will discuss changes to the fencing at Midland Bay Landing
-       A Development Charge by-law, recommending freezing our DCs, will be decided
-       Approval of the Hanson Lands red-line amendments


Wednesday October 22nd starts with the annual Christian Community Breakfast at the NSSRC.  Doors open at 6:30 am.  This event is always well attended and a great place to meet your fellow Midlanders.  Right after the breakfast I am back to Town Hall to receive the students from Huron Park School and tell them a little about the municipality and the upcoming election.


Thursday October 23rd also starts early with the Penetanguishene Sweeps Bonspiel at the Penetanguishene Curling Club.  The event runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and features Glen Howard as host skip. Funds raised by the event will support We Are The Villagers and the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre.

At 2:00 pm that afternoon you are invited to the Tiny Town offices on Balm Beach Road for the launch of the Champlain website.


On Friday October 24th things start to quiet down a bit. There will be no meeting of the Waterfront Steering Committee, normally scheduled for 11:00 am. At noon the Huronia Pregnancy Resource Centre will hold its 20th birthday party celebration at the MCC.  Please give them a call if you plan on attending. (527-4272)

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Two items in closing.

The North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN is looking for new Board members. If you have been following News from the Town and the media you will be well aware how important proper healthcare is to our future. The LHIN is the central organization that holds sway over the services we receive locally and how they will be funded. Being on the LHIN Board would be an excellent way to help out with our healthcare challenge. If you are interested please see the attached notice.

Election Day is this coming Monday October 27th.  It will be a very important election for Midland – a decision between moving forward with a progressive agenda or returning to the way things were done in the past.  News from the Town is one example of the new ways that I have tried to ensure that all Midlanders are engaged in determining our future. You can see further information about my position on issues on my blog http://www.gord4mayor.blogspot.ca/

October 27th is your opportunity to make an important statement about your future.  Please get out and vote.






Gord McKay


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



Sunday, October 12, 2014

Sunday October 12, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

Its election time.  And whether you are still deciding on whom to vote for or just tired of the whole thing, this is a critical election for Midland. You have 27 candidates to choose from and your vote will decide where Midland is headed.   

This week there are three advance polls all at the NSSRC:
-       Wednesday October 15, 2014, between 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
-       Thursday October 16, 2014, between 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
-       Saturday October 18, 2014, between 10:00 am - 8:00 pm

Election Day is October 27th. Your vote does matter.

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Monday October 13th is a day of Thanksgiving and a chance to enjoy some turkey with family and friends. It’s also the start of the County yard waste and leaf pick-up in Midland – check your County calendar.

On Tuesday October 14th it’s back to the regular fare – more meetings.  County Council meets at 9:00 am in Midhurst.  At 6:00 pm Council has a closed meeting at the Town Hall.  The meeting will address the OMB appeal respecting the Guesthouse rezoning and labour relations.

At 7:00 pm that evening is the October General Committee meeting. A relatively light agenda including:
-       Authorization for the Town to host the Ontario 55+ Seniors Games
-       Discussion on hosting Watercross 2015 on Little lake
-       Request for direction on the Fire Department’s aerial ladder truck
-       Notice of a winter farmers market at NSSRC


Wednesday the 15th will see the Police Service Board meeting at 4:00 pm at Town Hall.  Then at 7:30 pm, A Day in the Life takes the stage at MCC featuring Marlene Smith.  Marlene has been producing theatre shows for 55 years including Godspell and the original 1985 version of Cats.  If you like theatre, this is your evening.

Thursday is senior’s day.  At 10:00 at the NSSRC is the monthly Seniors Council meeting. I will be there to update on recent developments from our area’s healthcare discussion. Also from 10 a.m. to noon, more than 30 health organizations from North Simcoe will offer displays and information. Lunch will be served at noon and will be followed by guest speakers Dr. Glenn Cameron and Kristy Murphy from Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. All taking place in the Askennonia room.

Weekend

Saturday

The 9th annual Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation Gala presented by "Your GBGH ER Docs" will whisk you away to vibrant Brazil, for Carnival - Night in Rio! – 7:30 pm at MCC.  You'll be able to sample the tastes of Carnival prepared by the top local chefs as part of our chefs' showcase; samba in the famed Sambordromo Parade; and eat your sweets atop Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset while sipping your Brazilian coffee.



Gord McKay


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


Sunday, October 5, 2014

Sunday October 5, 2014

Ladies and Gentlemen

Summer’s departure was saluted yesterday by a beautiful double rainbow over the bay. Cooler days and a lot of fall gardening ahead. We are lucky to have such beautiful place to enjoy our four seasons.

Monday October 6th is the start of Waypoint’s mental health week. The launch event is at Waypoint at 10:00 am.

Midlandcommunity.ca and our Downtown Merchants BIA will co-host two “meet the candidate” nights on October 6th and 7th. The first evening will host all candidates running for Councillor in Wards 1, 2, and 3 (approximately 12-15 individuals). The second evening will host candidates for Mayor and Deputy Mayor who run in Town-wide races (approximately 8-10 individuals). Both meetings begin at 7:00 upstairs at the North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre. Please RSVP to talktous@midlandcommunity.ca

Lots to do on Tuesday October 7th.  At 1:30 pm Georgian College is hosting a Celebration of Entrepreneurship at its Barrie campus. Entrepreneurship is key to Midland’s economic future and creating the high-paying jobs we all want. You are welcome to attend.

At 7:00 pm is the second BIA/Midland community all candidates meeting, featuring mayors and deputy mayors. If politics is not your forte you may wish to drop by the MCC at 7:30 pm to hear Jamie Hunter speak on the history of logging on Georgian Bay

Wednesday October 8th starts with a breakfast at 7:30 am at NSSRC hosted by the Huronia Community Foundation. The event is called Vital Signs and will update you on the many HCF activities in our community.  Huronia Museum celebrates the reopening of its art gallery at 5:30 pm at the museum. And at 6:00 pm at Town Hall, Council will review the second draft of the 2015 budget.

A bit slower on Thursday. I have a County Housing Advisory Committee meeting at 9:00 am in Midhurst. We are in the process of formulating the measures to improve and increase the affordable housing stock throughout the County.

Friday Oct 10th will be challenging as there are two meetings to choose from at 11:00 am.  The Waterfront Steering Committee meeting will take place at Town Hall. Also at 11:00 am CHIGAMIK celebrates the opening of its “Cedar Room” healing lodge. The event continues until 2:00 pm with a light lunch.  If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to 527-4154 x242

At noon Garfield Dunlop hosts his Seniors Information Day at the NSSRC. And to round out the day you may wish to visit MSS at 2:00 pm to help the Mauraders kick-off their football season.

Looking ahead, the County starts its leaf and yard waste pickup for Midland the week of Oct 13th.  Council has agreed to reimburse residents for all leaf bags that they purchase. For more information on the fall collection visit:


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There have been many recent articles and e-mails about healthcare services in our area. These all link back to healthcare pressures that are coming down from the Ministry of Health and our North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN. Two recent developments causing special concern were the proposal to move much of our ophthalmological services out of the area, and the shortfall in hospital funding that hastened the closing of the PGH site.

After some initial upset our local community has responded well. Our healthcare leaders, including Dr. McNamara and Dr. Scanlan, have told the LHIN what these changes will mean to our community. Our seniors (400 at the first meeting) gathered to clearly state what they wanted for healthcare services. Local municipal leaders are also involved – and must be involved - healthcare is too important for our citizens and our future.

The good news is that Midland has started to forge an effective working relationship with our LHIN, our healthcare leaders and citizens. A new “seniors healthcare group” is forming to ensure the citizen’s voice is heard. The CEO of the LHIN, Jill Tettmann, personally took our message to heart and directed that the LHIN look at service models that would allow cataract surgeries to stay in Midland. A positive and informed dialog over the long-term is our best course of action for ensuring that quality healthcare stays in our area.


Gord McKay


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