Ladies
and Gentlemen
The ground may be frozen solid outside but change is in
the air.
Liz Sandals, Minister of Education, was in Town to announce
a $27.5 million commitment to a new regional high school on the MSS property. While
it will be built in Midland, opening in 2018, it will provide a first class
education environment for students from all parts of North Simcoe.
Last Friday a dedicated group of men (and one woman) met
to take action on building respectful relations between men and women. Men’s violence
towards women is endemic in our society. Changing that situation has to start
with each of us. Look for a public launch event in May where the real men will
stand up to take a pledge and action against violence towards women.
Further down in today’s News from the Town, please note
that Midland Council will make a decision on working with Penetanguishene to
build a public transit link, bringing our communities closer together.
And from the good rumors file, I expect a Midland taxi company
to announce a new special-needs taxi service for our area next month.
Change is definitely in the air – more to come.
*****
My Monday February 23rd starts off with a couple
of business meetings – talking to companies thinking of setting up in Midland. At
5:30 pm the Huronia Community Foundation holds an appreciation event at Lot
102.
Your Council holds a closed meeting starting at 6:30 pm
to discuss committee appointments and a personal matter. At 7:00 pm is the
February Council meeting including:
-
Presentation of two Heritage awards
-
Three deputations:
o
Overview of the 2015 Party on the Dock
o
A description of Cycling Tourism in our area
o
An update on the Midland Cultural Advisory Committee
-
Notice that Penetanguishene is considering
hosting a waste haulage site
-
A discussion of how we will work with Penetanguishene
on an inter-urban transit link
If you would rather stay home, you may want to tune in the
7:00 pm TV premiere on CBC of the documentary, “Bring Her on Home: The Return of the SS
Keewatin”.
On Wednesday February 25th at 10:00 am the Downtown
Safety Committee has its second “first meeting”. (The first one was postponed
due to lack of quorum.) An important meeting as we look for new ways to make
our downtown safe for all.
Thursday February 26th will see a series of municipal
meetings. At 9:00 am County Council will meet in Midhurst. At 5:00 pm Council will meet in closed session
to review a land purchase matter. Then at 6:00 pm Council will meet to discuss
our hydro distribution utility, MPUC, and our Energy Plan. (As of today’s date
these meetings have not been posted on our website calendar so you may wish to check
the site before attending.)
Friday the 27th starts with a Waterfront
Steering committee meeting at 11:00 am at Town Hall. Then at 1:00 pm the North
Simcoe Housing Working Group meets to decide on the housing projects it will
pursue in the coming years. The Group is working in coordination with the County
to create some 2,400 new affordable housing units over the next ten years.
Weekend
Saturday
-
The wrap up of the Right to be Thirsty
campaign includes roller skating in Orillia at 1:00 pm - you are welcome to attend http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/Alcohol/Thirst/ReadyToBeThirsty/TakeTheChallenge.aspx
-
The ReMax hockey tournament – all day at the
NSSRC
Sunday
-
The ReMax hockey tournament – all day at the
NSSRC
*****
And in closing a couple of video moments.
The police and Kim Mitchell have a message about drinking
and snowmobiling. See if you can identify
the officers in the picture. http://kimmitchell.ca/news/psa-dont-drink-drive/
The
trailer for Big News from Little Rock just came out. Lots of Midland locations and
folks included. Check it out! https://vimeo.com/115993164?from=facebook
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015