Ladies and Gentlemen
Just over two months ago Council hired our new CAO, John
Skorobohacz. Once John was settled in, one of the first tasks given him by
Council was to come back with a report on how he would organize staff and
municipal resources to deliver on Council’s strategic objectives. John has
responded amazingly well to this challenge and has just released his draft report
“Midland Forward” to Council and the public. You may view it at http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/CAO-2016-9%20Midland%20Forward.pdf
This Report represents a critical step in bringing Council
and staff together to deliver on some very big municipal challenges. The Report
will be tabled on Monday (see below) and is likely to be revised based upon
feedback from Council and staff. Once approved it will be turned into a set of
business plans with implementation expected to start early in the New Year. If
you have any comments on this draft document you may send them to jskorobohacz@midland.ca or to me
at gmckay@midland.ca.
The
Week Ahead
Monday November 14th. There will be a closed
meeting at 5:30 pm to discuss three items: a potential land sale; an update on
Midland Bay Landing; and recommendations for the Town’s Award of Merit. General
Committee starts at 7:00 pm. The agenda includes:
-
Council review of the Midland Forward report
prepared by CAO Skorobohacz
-
Direction on how to handle downtown parking
during the Christmas season
-
An update on the recent provincial changes
for municipal elections and a decision on whether we want to consider a voting
method other than “first-past-the-post”.
On Wednesday the 16th, the local realtor
community will be meeting with our planning staff to discuss developments in
the real estate market and their potential impact upon Town plans. At 10:00 am
Midland’s Aboriginal Relations Committee meets in the Harbourview Room of Town
Hall. This is a newly formed committee established to improve our relationship
with the First Nations and Metis groups and to develop a plan to effectively
include them in the Town’s municipal affairs. And if you are over at the
Library at 1:00 pm you will witness the launch of the Red Scarf program – providing
clothing to keep the less fortunate warm as we get into the colder months.
An interesting start to Thursday the 17th. At 10:30 am you are invited to join the Georgian
Shores Swinging Seniors who will be hearing from Midland’s own Larry Fox. Larry has a fascinating life story, leading a
“James Bond” type of life during the Cold War. The presentation is at 300 Balm Beach Road, Balm
Beach.
At 5:00 pm the North Simcoe Community
Futures Development Corporation celebrates its 30th anniversary at
Café St Marie. This remarkable organization has helped hundreds of individuals
and companies in our area build successful businesses. One of their specialties
is public educational events – so sign up for their November 24th
event on Mental Health in the Workplace, led by Sarah Durant. Please register
online at www.nscfdc.on.ca.
No cost to attend.
Then at 6:00 pm Chigamik (our Community Health Centre)
will be screening the documentary “Milk”. This film tells the story of a man who sets out to find the facts about milk and instead
discovers the growing controversy surrounding it. He is left with more questions
than answers amidst the contradictory positions of doctors, scientists and
experts about a drink we all trust.
There is no charge to attend this event at the MCC.
Friday features a very special event for one of our local
companies. Kee Bee Play is a manufacturer of play equipment. You may have seen
their products in the play areas of McDonalds restaurants. While we typically
associate play with children, Kee Bee Play has developed new products that will
help seniors with dementia. They are working on this project with the
University of Toronto and three of our local Long Term Care facilities. On Friday
morning they will host a reception at their plant to reveal their plans and
show off two of the new products. This is a significant step for Kee Bee Play,
a local manufacturer that most of us probably never knew existed.
If girls just want to have fun, Friday is their
opportunity with the start of the Girls Holiday Event. This downtown Midland
event features entertainment, food and a chance to shop. For more details see;
Week -
End
Saturday November 19
·
9:00 am to 2:00 pm – Candy Cane Bazaar sponsored
by our Legion’s Ladies Auxiliary at the Legion building.
·
10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Craft and artwork sale
at Huronia museum
·
8:00 pm - Gavin Crawford’s “Friends Like Me”
comedy show comes to the MCC
Council
Issues Update
GBGH
Karen McGrath has just announced that she is
stepping down as President and CEO effective January 13, 2017. Karen has led
GBGH for three years and will move on to a prestigious position as President
and Chief Executive Officer at Horizon Health Network in New Brunswick.
This is a challenging time for GBGH as they have
just made a number of difficult choices affecting their services and their budget.
Hopefully the GBGH Board will soon acquire a replacement of Karen’s stature to
take on these challenges.
*****
I am pleased to report that the Town of Penetanguishene
and the Township of Tay have joined Midland in each offering a $25,000 loan to
the Guesthouse Shelter for their redevelopment project. The Township of Tiny
will consider the matter later in the month.
Gord McKay
Your
Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016
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