Sunday, December 18, 2016

Sunday December 18, 2016


Ladies and Gentlemen



T’was the week before Christmas

And all through the Town

Folks rushed to get ready

With n’ary a frown



The snow was fresh fallen

And our merchants rejoiced

Christmas lights were aplenty

Hear Serenata carols, sweet voiced



So many packages and toys

And presents for all

Needed Wye Marsh gift wrapping at MCC

And Huronia Mall



At this time of year

There’s no time for delay

Wrapping’s from 10 am to 4 pm

Takes place every day



The Week Ahead



On Tuesday our Trillium Sea Cadets proud

Deliver their salute to Christmas

(Perhaps a bit loud)



At their festive Christmas dinner

A sight to be seen

That’s 6:30 at the Legion

Penetanguishene



While at 5:00 pm

Knox Presbyterian will be your host

To “Messy Church - A Night in Bethlehem”

For which they can boast



That the whole family’s invited

From the kids through to dad

A wholesome family gathering

And a meal’s to be had



Wednesday the 21st

Features more Christmas feasting

Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre

Gives you warm season’s greetings



To join in their tradition of

Feeding their guests

Serving from noon until 6:00

A heartfelt Christmas repast



At 7:00 pm it’s time for more fun

As GMA Players

Present their Christmas plum



It’s a play, not a pudding

At Shop Midland they say

Know it’s an adult production

So keep the children away



On Friday the 23rd

Let’s break into song

You are invited by Connexus chuch

Bring the children along



MCC at 7:00 pm

And don’t forget mom

Tickets are free




Week - End



Saturday December 24



The 24th is tingling

With expectations galore

One more sleep and its over

Who knows what’s in store



Sunday December 25



And now it is Christmas

The day we await

When we all come together

In goodwill to celebrate



With family and friends

The yule tree we surround

To reflect on our gifts

And human love, quite profound



Council Issues Update



The cares of 2016

Are quick put away

Forget the OPP costing

The Midland Bay Landing delay



Finding funds for the hospital

Or budget shortfalls

Lose their importance

When we believe “Good will to all”



The Town Hall hunkers down

For a well-deserved rest

Municipal offices close the 24th

Opening Jan 3rd at best



So to each and every one of you

At this time of year

Rejoice in all the good things

That you hold dear



Your wife, your husband

Your children and friends

Living in Canada

Even the snow that never ends



Take time for yourself

And hear the spirit that guides us

I wish you good cheer

And the very best Christmas



Gord McKay





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

                                                                                              


Sunday, December 11, 2016

Sunday December 11 2016


Ladies and Gentlemen



The snow has arrived and our downtown merchants are starting to breathe easier. Lots of positive news in our community as we get close to year end.



·         The Guesthouse has the funds needed to complete its renovation and expects to be in full operation in their new building by mid-January.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this Christmas wish a reality

·         Expect more than 25 cruise ship visits to Midland in 2017 from 3 different cruise lines. We are fast becoming a tourism “place to go”.

·         Rosewood, our women’s shelter, announced their new “social enterprise”.  The business involves indoor agriculture, making locally grown garden-fresh produce available to you 12 months a year. Rosewood has purchased the old LCBO premises on Queen Street. This new downtown business will provide Rosewood with needed funds and be a place for shelter clients and staff to safely learn life skills.  



And if you want to see where all this is happening check out the new mapping tool developed by   the Town and the County. If you are interested in finding out what zone you are in and what is permitted in that zone, take a look at https://maps.simcoe.ca/zoning/?muni=midland.



The Week Ahead



On Monday December 12th  my day begins with a trip to Queens Park to meet with Housing Minister Ballard on the topic of affordable housing. The County’s Affordable Housing Advisory committee has set a new course by redefining how we build affordable housing and what resources are needed to significantly improve our ability to house those in need. As an example, the plan requires each of Simcoe’s 16 municipalities to develop their own affordable housing target – Midland has a current target of 90 new units. My meeting with the Minister will be all about maintaining provincial funding for social housing plus allowing us greater flexibility to use those funds for local housing needs.



At 6:30 pm, back in Midland, Council will have a closed session to discuss a personal matter related to the Butter Tart festival.  At 7:00 pm there will be a combined General Committee and Council meeting. The agenda includes:

-       Award of Merit presentations to 4 deserving individuals. (I am sworn not to divulge the names)

-       25 Years of Service recognition for:

o    Chief Osborne, Midland Police Service

o    Terry Paquette, Chief Building Official

o    Pat LeClair, Manager Water-Wastewater Operations

-       Update on our “Second Unit” by-law as it progresses through County. New provincial laws, especially Bill 7, will likely require our by-law to be amended

-       A draft Traffic Calming discussion document. This will start our public discussion about what changes we want to see in Midland to slow traffic down

-       Request by the Boathouse Restaurant to lease a small section of municipal land



Tuesday the 13th at 10:00 am sees a special meeting at our Library. They are hosting an information session on an innovative software product designed to help organizations manage their volunteers.  Then at 1:00 pm County Council holds a special meeting to elect the Warden and Deputy Warden for the next two year term. Section Chairs and Vice-Chairs will also be decided.







On Wednesday I visit Tay Township at 10:00 am as part of the County’s program of meeting with municipalities on their individual affordable housing plans. Midland’s turn comes in January.



Thursday the 15th features the Seniors Council Christmas lunch at noon at the MCC.  Later that day the “Good Lovelies” return to the MCC – unfortunately all tickets are sold.



At 2:00 pm on Friday the 16th at the MCC, Quest formally announces that they are receiving a grant for their Canada 150 mural project. The project will create major murals in each of the four North Simcoe municipalities.  The murals will be unveiled on July 1, 2017 as part of Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations. Quest is looking for historical themes to be included in the murals. If you have any ideas, please forward them to Quest at murals@questart.ca.

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At 6:00 pm the Penetanguishene Rotary Club’s Festival of Trees comes to a conclusion with the drawing for the trees at the MCC. Please come and enjoy the festivities.



Week - End



Saturday December 17



-       10:00 am to 3:00 pm please help our Police and Fire Departments with a food donation for Cram a Cruiser.  They can be found at Canadian Tire, Superstore, Foodland, Valu-Mart, Wal-Mart and No Frills

-       Second City comes to Town with its Christmas comedy review at the MCC 8:00 pm



Council Issues Update



GBGH



Lots of good news for our hospital this week.  This past Friday saw the ground breaking for the Emergency Department building phases 2 and 3. The province has contributed $8.6M to this project. Completion is expected in early 2018.



The North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN (aka the province) announced an increase to GBGH’s annual base budget funding of $961,000.  This will go a long way to resolving our hospital’s annual budget shortfall. Additionally the North Simcoe Muskoka CCAC received over $3.7M from the province for its annual base budget.  These funds will be used for improved home services to clients and their caregivers. This new funding underscores the province’s intention to improve health services to residents in their own homes.





Gord McKay





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

                                                                                              



Sunday, December 4, 2016

Sunday December 4, 2016


Ladies and Gentlemen



A definite chill is in the air but it’s more than made up for by the many smiles from those whom you meet. Stores are busy, helped along by the 3 hour free parking for December in the downtown. Do get out and enjoy your Town at this special time of year.



The Week Ahead



On Tuesday December 6th at 3:00 pm our manufacturers gather at a local plant to advance plans for increasing employment in our area. Our commercial attractiveness is growing with an unprecedented number of inquiries at Town Hall about locating in Midland. At 6:00 pm you are invited to Askennonia to take part in a National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This moving annual event is organized by our Rosewood Women’s Shelter.



Wednesday sees the return of a unique event – the Christmas Toy Caravan. Captain Eric Conroy (of Keewatin fame) and Mayor Warnock have been able to organize a truck load of toys that will be delivered to children’s charities across our area. Groups such as We are the Villagers, the Boys and Girls Club plus many others will benefit from this Christmas gift. A big thank you to all who have made this possible.



At 5:15 pm at Town Hall is the monthly meeting of the Midland Youth Committee. From what I hear, our future is in good hands. Then at 7:00 pm is the Planning and Development Committee.  The agenda includes:

-       Public Meeting (you may speak) regarding draft plan of subdivision and zoning for 283 Barnett Ave, the old St. Theresa site

-       Master Stormwater Management Study for the Pratt lands (open parcel adjacent to the soccer fields)



Thursday the 8th starts with the County Audit Committee meeting at 9:00 am in Midlhurst. On Thursday evening you have a choice of what you want to do:

-       First Light begins its final weekend. Its last dates are December 8, 9 and 10. You can catch a shuttle at Midland library and at the 509 Bay St. parking lot from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm every 30 minutes

-       At 7:00 pm get a “Handle on Handel” - a free workshop at St Pauls featuring the Cellar Singers

-       At 7:30 pm A Day in the Life brings Lawrence Fox, Canada’s own “James Bond”, back to the MCC. Tickets at www.midlandculturalcentre.com or at the Box Office

-       And at 8:00 pm our Huronia Players celebrate the season with the launch of their zany Christmas production “Miracle of Elizabeth Street. Tickets at http://www.huroniaplayers.ca/tickets/





On Friday you are invited to witness another step forward for our hospital as they break ground for an extension to the Emergency Department. That’s at 1:30 pm at GBGH. At 5:30 pm our MPP Patrick Brown invites you in for some seasonal cheer at his office at 354 Midland Ave. And if you are still in good voice you may wish to participate in a Sing-Along Handel’s Messiah at 7:30 pm at St Pauls. The event includes an orchestra and soloists.





Week - End



Saturday December 10



-       10:00 am to 3:00 pm please help our Police and Fire Departments with a food donation for Cram a Cruiser.  They can be found at Canadian Tire, Superstore, Foodland, Valu-Mart, Wal-Mart and No Frills

-       The Christmas Home Tour runs from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.  Your chance to see some of Midland’s heritage homes in holiday attire. Tickets at the Midland library, Town Hall, and the NSSRC

-       The Midland library’s Christmas Wreath fundraiser closes today. The auction is happening live in the library and online:  http://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/index.cfm?auctionID=9932



Sunday December 11



-       We Are The Villagers Christmas Dinner. A great turkey dinner and entertainment at Phils Eatery, 519 Hugel. Seatings are at 5:00, 6:30 and 8:00 pm. Reserve tickets by calling 705-529-1247 or info@wearethevillagers.com





Council Issues Update



MPUC



The Request for Proposal process is underway with initial contact with a number of organizations who have expressed interest in the MPUC. Responses are expected in February/March.





Gord McKay





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