Ladies
and Gentlemen
It seems that summer is finally here to stay. Lots of
visitors coming to town for everything from biking to ukulele playing. Our
Midland Bay Landing project took another step forward this past week with draft
initial plans being presented to the Waterfront Steering Committee. Its looking
good. A public consultation for the developing
plans should occur by mid-July.
Monday May 25th is a day of civic engagement. The
Citizens Healthcare Steering Committee meets to select the citizens who will
help lead our local healthcare discussion in the coming years. (One concerning
note – lots of applications from Tiny, Tay and Penetanguishene – none from
Midland?). The GBGH nominations Committee will also be meeting to select our
hospital Board members. Also our Physician Recruitment committee is looking for
a few community members to help attract new docs. Let me know if you are interested in helping
out.
At 5:00 pm Council meets in closed session to discuss Fire
labour negotiations and our MPUC. Then at 7:00 pm is the May Council meeting. The
agenda includes:
-
Three deputations
o
County of Simcoe request to the Town to
develop a joint affordable housing plan
o
Update and request from Physician Recruitment
committee
o
Economic Development Corporation of North
Simcoe update
-
A public meeting (you may speak) of changes
to the Town’s Procedural By-law (rules that guide Council on how to conduct its
work. In this case whether Council members should be allowed to attend meetings
electronically)
-
Amendments to the Farmers Market by-law
-
Start of the process to sell Town land along
Golf Link Rd.
-
Request from Police for an annual increase to
their budget of 6.7%. (Some of this is linked to the recent loss of the “police
check” business and related revenues
-
Despite the above, a recommendation to approve
the Town’s final 2015 budget with a Town increase of just 0.7% - well below
inflation. In fact the total property tax rate change for Midland will show a
decline of 0.1%.
On Tuesday May 26th at 2:00 pm you are invited
to Town Hall to attend the North Simcoe Housing Working Group meeting, where we
are planning new affordable housing initiatives in our area. At 6:00 pm our
downtown BIA hosts their AGM at the ShopMildand location, at the corner of King
and Hugel.
Wednesday the 27th, its more meetings with the
Downtown Safety committee meeting at 10:00 am at Town Hall.
Thursday
May 28th is just plain busy. I will be at the County all day, taking
part in their strategic planning session. For those in Midland, Independent
Living Services is holding two information sessions to bring awareness of the importance
of accessibility. The 10:00 am session is geared to seniors and
highlights things that can be done to one’s residence to improve accessibility.
The 6:00 pm session targets business owners and brings awareness of the
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation and how improving accessibility
can actually increase your client base. Both sessions are free and at the
NSSRC.
Also two retirement celebrations for you. Debra Meunz is retiring
from her long work at the NSCFDC. The celebration is at her offices at 105 Fourth
Street at 1:00 pm. At 5:30 pm in the
Orsi Room at Lakehead University, Orillia, you can wish Mary Silk of Garfield’s
office well in her retirement.
Then to close out the day at 7:30 pm
at the MCC, Huronia Museum and Brookside Music Association present a special
concert celebrating the new Native Gallery at the Museum. The concert
will be performed by the acclaimed Trio D'Argento. It will feature the
multi-media work-Manidoog - by Odawa First Nations composer Barbara
Croall. Manidoog is a set of ten pieces reflecting traditional stories of
the Anishinaabeg peoples. Tickets available at http://www.ticketbreak.com/event_details/9288
Friday May 29th – two events. At 6:00 pm Bruce
Stanton invites you to a fish fry and fundraiser for Gateway Centre for
Learning. Then at 7:00 pm Wye Marsh hosts its volunteer appreciation event at
the Wye Marsh location.
Weekend
Saturday
-
10:30 am the Midland Sailing Club regatta. Look for lots of sailing boats on the Bay in the
afternoon
-
6:00 pm Tim Hortons Camp Day charity launches
at the Boathouse. Tickets for support
and dinner at Tim Hortons on Hwy 12
-
7:30
pm Vox Huronia presents Getting Giddy with Gilbert and Sullivan at St. Paul’s
United Church
Sunday
-
1:00 pm Midland Lions guide dog walk at the
Town Dock
In
closing, I have attached the “Who Can I Call” sheet, to help you better locate
who you need to speak to about different Town services. If worse comes to worst
there is always the mayor.
Gord
McKay
Be
part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015
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