Ladies and Gentlemen
Happy Easter.
Some days it is hard to tell if spring is really here.
But with advisories like the following, I guess it must have arrived.
Icebreaking
operations may begin on or
about March 26 2016 on Georgian Bay at Midland,
Ontario. If local ice conditions dictate, USCGC KATMAI BAY will assist
M/V BAIE COMEAU away from its winter berth and lead the commercial ship into
open water.
*****
The Town offices are closed on Monday the 28th.
It will however be a busy day at the Guesthouse
shelter. They have just finished the internal demolition work on the third floor
and are now starting the construction of the shelter space. If you can help out
with swinging a hammer, supplying building materials or a donation, it would certainly
be appreciated.
On Tuesday March 29th Council gets back to
work with two meetings. At 6:00 pm is a closed meeting of Council to discuss personnel,
disposition of property and legal advice. At 7:00 pm is the March Council
meeting. A very long agenda including:
-
Three deputations:
o
Two on the upcoming Watercross event in Little
Lake Park
o
A presentation on the 2016 Party on the Dock
-
Two presentations:
o
The Town’s Heritage Appreciation Award
o
Awarding of the December parking revenue to the
Guesthouse and the Next Door charities
-
A number of letters regarding secondary
suites
-
Decision on holding the Watercross event
-
Discussion on the municipal lease review
document
-
Disclosure of the 2015 remuneration/ expenses
for Councilors and Committee members
-
Adoption of the 2016 Budget
Wednesday March 30th will feature a meeting of
the mayors and the NS Community Futures Development Corp. on the fiber optics
initiative. At 12:30 pm that day you are invited to tour the Midland Penetang
District Builders Association Trade Show at the Best Western.
Thursday has one early morning event. The Huronia
Community Foundation will hold a fundraising breakfast at the NSSRC starting at
8:00 am.
Friday April 1st. A happy 100th birthday to John Butwick. At 3:00 pm you may wish to participate in the Midland
Audit Committee meeting at Town Hall. At 4:30 pm Waypoint hosts its annual gala
at Waypoint. A fine evening of entertainment and good food for a great cause. Purchase
tickets online: waypointcentre.ca, or by
phone: 705 549-3181 ext. 2864. And at 7:00 pm Quest Art launches its new show
What Lies Beneath in their gallery at the MCC.
Weekend
Saturday
-
8:00 pm at the MCC its Simply Queen, a Queen
tribute band
Sunday
-
Frank and Mary Graham celebrate 70 years of marriage
at the Legion from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. All are welcome to come and honor this “unbelievable”
couple
Council Issues Update
Budget
Council agreed this past week to forward the budget onto
a final vote at Council. The budget plan shows internal cost growth close to
zero. When County and to-be-determined school levies are factored in the tax
rate increase in Midland should be below 1%.
I know some get concerned about low tax levy increases. The
fear is that the Town is simply borrowing money in the short term which ultimately
has to be paid back with higher taxes in future. That is not the case in Midland.
Your Council has ensured that the underlying cost growth is also held in check –
for 2016 it’s close to zero. The low tax rate increase is a true reflection of
the costs of running the Town.
OPP
The OPP have delivered a package of costing information to
the Town. It primarily covers the upcoming costing process. You can see most of
this information on their site at http://www.opp.ca/index.php?id=115&lng=en&entryid=56e71d6e8f94ac5c3f31071b.
Expect the first working meeting, open to the public, to take place the week of
April 11. I will let you know when a firm date has been set.
Downtown Health Centre
The OMB appeal has been withdrawn. This opens up the path for Chigamik/Waypoint
to complete their funding arrangements. I expect them to have further
discussions with their neighbours to ensure that the health centre is as
compatible with their wishes as possible
*****
Mac and Cheese update – The four mayors are looking forward to seeing you on
Tuesday April 5th for the first annual Mayors’ Mac and Cheese (and
fish) dinner. There are 3 sittings – 4:30 5:45 and 7:00 pm. All proceeds go to
We are the Villagers children’s charity. If you intend on going and have not
purchased your tickets, please call Julianna at 529-1247 and tell her how many
tickets you want and for what sitting.
See you there.
Gord McKay
Your
Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016
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