Saturday, January 3, 2015

Saturday January 3, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

I hope that you safely and happily closed out 2014 - the year of major decisions for our community.  The Town decided to purchase the Unimin property – a project that will shape the future of our Town. Council decided to redevelop our downtown – essential to building a revitalized livable Midland for everyone. But the most important decision was made by you in electing a new Council with a new mandate.

Now, at the start of the New Year it’s appropriate to take a few moments to ponder what developments and adventures lay before us.  Let me encourage you by proclaiming this to be “Midland’s Year of Bold Action”.  With key decisions made it is time for action.  The challenge is not just to our civic leaders but to each and every one of us.  Midland will become the best place to live through the combined actions of all of us. Each of us has a role to play in making Midland the best place to live.  This is your year to make that a reality

I challenge you to choose your own “bold action” and make that happen in 2015. I am not just referring to civic projects or helping out with a charity. Your bold action may be investing in yourself – upgrading your education or starting a new business – something you have always wanted to do but just needed a bit of a push.  And if you need some help or encouragement, give me a call.  (P.S. I am looking for someone to get serious about a micro-brewery in downtown Midland). Make 2015 your year of bold action.

If you are looking for an example of “bold action” take a look at what a group of our local municipalities and business folks have developed for area tourism.  As of January 1st we are all part of….



A kick-off celebration introducing the region’s new tourism identity is planned for Thursday January 22nd, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Midland Cultural Centre.  All are invited to attend and learn more about plans for the ‘Heart of Georgian Bay’ in 2015.  For more information visit GOgbay.ca, join in the conversation on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/heartofgbay.

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Monday January 5th, and Town Hall is back to regular business. The holidays are unfortunately already a fading memory.

On Tuesday I am down at County at 9:00 am to continue the County’s budget deliberations.  Midland’s meetings on our own municipal budget start again on January 15th at 6:00 pm.

Wednesday the 7th will see Council in a special meeting to learn about the complexities of our municipal planning rules and regulations. I am sure I can speak for all of Council in saying that we will strive to keep rules and regulations as simple as possible in the coming years.


Later that evening I will participate in a special group that is organizing a Seniors Health Team in our community. This new service organization should significantly improve geriatric services and lifestyle supports for all area seniors.

On Thursday January 8th, Town staff will meet with area business leaders to plan our marketing for the new cruise ship business that Midland is attracting.  We are likely to get visits from two different cruise lines this summer. To quote Red Green – “Yes, we can change”.


Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015
                                                                                              



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