Sunday, March 1, 2015

Sunday March 1, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

That beautiful sunshine out there is almost enough to make you want to forgive Wiarton Willie. But its cold. Midland has had about 40 incidents so far of homes with frozen water pipes. Not nearly as bad as places like Owen Sound or North Bay where whole neighborhoods have seen water shut offs.

It’s been a good week for seeing the citizens of Midland engaged in problem solving our future:
1.     Downtown Safety meeting brought many of our social agencies and police together to discuss how we can change our approach to dealing with problems on our streets - less “policing” and more community intervention to prevent the incidents in the first place
2.     Men’s Violence against Women meeting planned a campaign which includes a major public demonstration in May where men throughout our area will publically take the pledge to ending violence against women
3.     Housing Working Group meeting has set its sights on three housing initiatives it will launch to increase the availability of affordable housing and improve housing supports for area residents
A caring community takes action.

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On Tuesday March 3rd I am down in Toronto most of the day meeting with the Ministry of Health to discuss healthcare service delivery in our area.  You’d be right to remark that I am spending a lot of time on healthcare, especially when you realize that lower tier municipalities have no mandated responsibility for healthcare. However the time that I and my fellow mayors are investing is essential to encouraging the LHIN to keep needed services in our area and attracting new healthcare jobs. I will prepare an information piece on healthcare shortly to give you more background.

On Wednesday March 4th I meet with a small group of business people including local manufacturers to further the discussion on our area’s manufacturing incubator. This concept will be presented in Ottawa to Minister Goodyear next week by the four mayors and our economic corporation, EDCNS.

At 7:00 pm that evening at Town Hall is the Planning and Development Committee. Two of the more interesting items are:
-       Removal of the holding symbol for the lands at 1081 Macdonald Road. (The RSI development)
-       OPA and ZBA amendments introduced for the Chigamik/Waypoint healthcare development on the waterfront

Two items for Thursday March 5th. At 9:30 am at the Legion in Orillia is an information session for municipalities on the Source Water Protection Act and its implications. Then at 6:00 pm you are invited to our budget meeting of the Town Hall. Hopefully this will be the final meeting before it goes to Council for ratification.

On Friday March 6th the County of Simcoe hosts its regular Housing Advisory Committee meeting in Midlhurst. (I am the North Simcoe rep for this group).  And that evening, Garfield Dunlop is hosting his annual lasagna dinner at Wye Marsh. There are three sittings - 4:30, 5:30 & 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Wye Marsh or at Garfield’s Midland Office: 482 Elizabeth St, 705-526-8671



Weekend

Sunday
-       An annual highlight - Jamie Crouch’s wedding showcase at the MCC - noon to four
           
                                                        *****

If you want to read an article that will make all Midlanders stand a little taller, see the attached item carried in a recent Toronto Star.



Gord McKay


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


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