Sunday, April 10, 2016

Sunday April 10, 2016


Ladies and Gentlemen



If you believe the weatherperson, warmer days are just around the corner. It had better come quickly. I have a lot of forlorn looking robins in my yard debating about flying south again.



Monday the 11th starts the business of the Town with a closed meeting at 6:00 pm to discuss personal matters. At 7:00 pm it’s the General Committee meeting. The agenda includes:

-       Setting up a Transit Advisory Committee to guide our expanding transit service

-       Further discussion of the Museum’s proposal for an exhibit at our waterfront

-       An update on the King Street “Big Dig”. This project keeps moving because of funding considerations. Time to nail it down

-       Direction on installing sidewalks for the Tiffin Phase 6 development

-       A request by Shelter Now for financial relief for their affordable housing project

-       A request by the MPUC on what Council (the shareholder) wants from a sale or merger of MPUC



Tuesday April 12th starts at the County with the semi-monthly Council meeting. At 3:00 pm Georgian College, Barrie hosts its Innovation Day – a chance for the students to show us how they are going to revolutionize the business world. That evening I will be meeting with a group of men to plan the first “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event in Midland. This initiative is a result of a request from Kathy Willis for our community, especially its men, to step up to the challenge of ending violence against women. Look for further updates in the weeks ahead.



At 7:00 pm you are invited to a very special book launch at MCC. Midland’s own Lawrence Fox will be releasing his first book Cold War Warrior. This gentleman is a true war hero with a story that puts James Bond to shame. Your chance to meet a true Canadian hero.



Wednesday the 13th is International Pink Shirt Day, to promote anti-bullying. Communities across Simcoe County are being called upon to Paint the Town Pink. Please don a bit of pink to show your support. Also we wish Jack Webster a happy 100th birthday. A big celebration at the Villa at 2:00 pm



At 6:00 pm at the Town Hall is the first public meeting on the OPP costing. The meeting starts with a presentation by the OPP on what is anticipated through the process. Then the discussion turns to how the Town will organize its resources to respond to the costing information, expected to be received this summer.



On Thursday the 14th at 7:30 pm at the MCC, It’s a Day in the Life. Fred will be interviewing Gertie Beaucage, a First Nations cultural knowledge consultant. The conversation will explore the aboriginal perspective on First Nations relations with Canada.



Friday April 15th will start with the Affordable Housing Committee meeting at County. The Committee will be preparing their report card to the province showing how it is meeting its first target of 895 new affordable housing units by 2018.



At 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm it’s the annual Midland Home Show at the NSSRC. Your chance to make a dent in that “to do” list you have been building all winter.  At 3:00 pm I take part in a photo op for the provincial Seniors Summer Games coming to Midland this August 9-11.



You are invited to Sound of the Trumpet, a celebration of baroque trumpet music, presented by Brookside. The evening will feature trumpeter Justin Bland and Soprano Dawn Bailey. The event is at 7:30 pm at St. Paul’s. Tickets available at the MCC.



Weekend



Saturday



-       9:00 am until 4:00 pm it’s the Midland Home Show at the NSSRC

-       7:00 pm - Sistema Huronia Music Academy hosts its Variety Show at the Alliance church on Yonge Street. You will hear how young folk in our community have personally grown through their experience with music. No ticket but a free will offering.



Council Issues Update



MPUC



Our MPUC is part way though their search for a sale/merger partner. Not surprisingly they have recently written to Council to clarify Council’s objectives, as the sole shareholder, as to what the business arrangement should look like. All parties appreciate that lot of time can be wasted if we are not clear on where we are headed.



Your Council will need to be more directive on how we best ensure that Midlanders will have a fairly priced quality electrical service for decades to come.



OPP



The first public meeting on the OPP costing process occurs this week. The OPP will likely advise us that the costing will go fairly quickly, with their response by this summer. The Town will then have six months to decide whether to accept or not.



The Town has its own work to do. It will have to assess what the MPS currently costs. It will have to gather service level and quality information. And if the pricing differential is significant, Council will have to act quickly to answer the question “Do we move to an OPP service or stay with the MPS?”





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With help from The Home Depot Canada Foundation demolition has been completed on the upper floor at 522 Elizabeth, home of the Guesthouse Shelter.  Construction is set to begin on June 11th. The Guesthouse needs your help to complete this much needed project.  Donations can be made in person or by mail at The Guesthouse, 522 Elizabeth St. Midland, L4R 2A1, or online at www.theguesthouseshelter.ca.



The Guesthouse Shelter provides emergency shelter, meals and resources to adults, youth and families experiencing homelessness in North Simcoe. When completed the 3,500 square foot fully accessible facility will include spaces for 14 individuals to stay overnight and a dining room that can accommodate up to 40 for meals.







Gord McKay









Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              


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