Ladies and Gentlemen
A big thank you to all those who responded to the
Guesthouse Shelter appeal as they work to get into their new location before
the snow flies. Over the last 3 weeks they have received over $40,000 towards
their $150,000 reconstruction project.
The four North Simcoe municipalities are also getting
behind the project. This past week the
Town of Midland voted to advance a $25,000 construction loan to the Guesthouse.
Our three neighbouring municipal Councils will be considering their own $25,000
loans later this month. We are well on our way to having a safe place for our homeless
this winter. Thank you to all.
The
Week Ahead
The first municipal meeting of the week is Tuesday November
8th at 9:00 am at the County. The major agenda item is the review of
the County budget. The current County tax
rate increase is at 2%. Please note that this levy increase will likely be lower
when applied to Midland due to the greater assessment growth for municipalities
in South Simcoe.
On Wednesday the 9th I am in Oro Medonte at
9:00 am for a presentation on their affordable housing plan. The presentation is
being delivered by the County and lays out local objectives and targets that
will “roll up” to meet the County’s overall housing objectives. The County’s
visit to Midland has yet to be scheduled – will let you know when that happens.
Thursday the 10th will see a meeting of the Town’s
MPUC Transaction Committee as they prepare the technical RFP documents for the
sale of the MPUC. Then at 6:30 pm the Severn Sound Environmental Association
hosts its Partners Reception at the Café Ste. Marie.
Friday is Remembrance Day. You are invited to join your
fellow citizens as we pay respect to those who have fallen defending our
country. You will want to be at the Cenotaph by the NSSRC at 10:30 am. At 6:00
pm that evening the Legion will hold a Remembrance Day supper at the Legion
Hall. Friday also launches the Huronia Players fall season with Crimes of the
Heart. That is at the MCC at 8:00 pm.
Week -
End
Saturday November 12
·
The Victorian Christmas Gift and Craft Show
takes place at the NSSRC from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Show is sponsored by the
OSPCA and our local animal shelter.
Sunday November 13
·
Silver Goose – Ontario Provincial Cyclocross
Championship Race takes place at Little Lake Park from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. This
is quickly becoming one of the premier cross country cycling races, right here
in Midland.
Council
Issues Update
MPUC
The MPUC Transaction Committee has now been formed and is
starting its work to prepare the Request For Proposal documents to see who may
be interested in acquiring our MPUC. The
Committee is also preparing a communications plan to ensure the public is
properly informed about developments.
Downtown Health Centre
The North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN has now given its support
to the construction of the Downtown Health Centre project. They have also clarified
the roles of the two major tenants – Chigamik and Waypoint. The last hurdle in
moving this forward will be the final approval by the Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care Capital Branch.
GBGH
The GBGH Board has rejected most of the service cut-back
options recommended in the Geyer report. While this augurs well for maintaining
our needed services in the short term, it will create a significant challenge
with the hospital’s budget. The four North Simcoe mayors have become increasingly
engaged with the Ministry to obtain proper funding for medium-sized hospitals.
Our goal is to ensure that GBGH remains a sustainable community hospital that meets
the needs of our residents.
*****
Simcoe County will be picking up that special bag for
used batteries this week. Please put the used battery bag beside your blue bin for
pick-up.
Gord McKay
Your
Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016
No comments:
Post a Comment