Sunday, March 5, 2017

Sunday March 5, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



A quick look outside serves as a chilly reminder that winter is still here. But as you will see in the Monday Committee agenda, we are looking forward to a great summer.





The Week Ahead



Monday March 6th and it’s our General Committee meeting at 7:00 pm. A relatively short agenda including:

-       A proposal for a new Human Resources Committee to guide the Town’s management of matters such as labour negotiations, compensation and staff benefits

-       Lots of items linked to having fun in Midland this summer

o    June 1st and 2nd, a special arts event in Little Lake Park sponsored  by Quest/Askennonia

o    July 1st, Canada Day Parade organized by the Civitan Club

o    July 7th and 8th, performance boat display at the dock

o    July 7th to 9th, our long awaited Rib Fest

o    July 21st to 23rd, the Ontario 150 Tour and Feast comes to Midland

And these are in addition to the annual Best Butter Tart Festival, Party on the Dock and Tugfest. It’s gonna be a great summer.



On Tuesday its time to brush up on your social media skills. The YMCA is hosting a Social Media Marketing for Business workshop at its 334 King Street location. The event runs from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. More info - www.facebook.com/events/174849789683165



Thursday the 9th is a bit of a sad day as we say good-bye to Tracey Leonard. Tracey is leaving the Town’s finance department for a position with a financial software company. Please drop by the Town Hall at 3:00 pm to wish Tracey well.  At 7:00 pm at the Quality Inn it’s the Midland Lions Civic and Community Appreciation Night.  If you are planning on attending, please contact the Lions at midlandlionsclub@gmail.com or 705-528-0140.



On Friday the 10th the Town starts the public portion of its 2017 budget process at Town Hall. Starting at 1:30 pm and running until 8:30 pm, Council will hear budget proposals from our various Boards and agencies as well as the operating budgets from Town departments. Additional budget meetings, including a meeting for public input, will take place later in the month.  Ideally the budget will be finalized next month.



At 7:00 pm the Huronia Museum is hosting a public auction of the works of Midland artist Dennis Milton. Dennis was known to many in the Town and celebrated for both the vibrancy and range of his artistic works. We are fortunate to have one of his collages hanging in Town Hall. This is your chance to own one of his unique art works.  Then at 8:00 pm, Huronia Players hosts Mono-Locos at the Boathouse. This series of monologues has proven to be popular so check with Holly Archer first  (archer.holly@gmail.com )   to see if space is still available.





Council Issues Update



OPP



The first meeting of the OPP Review Committee was held this past week. The consultants are still collecting the data needed to be able to properly compare the cost of our own Midland Police Service to that of the OPP. I know that a number of people seem to have already made their decision on the issue. Council remains determined to have a fair and impartial examination of the numbers. That review is a least a month away.



Midland Bay Landing



The contract that we have with our development partners expired on March 1st.  The Town will be talking with them over the next few weeks to see how/if the partnership will continue.





                                                                *****



This past week Midland Council unanimously approved the sale of a parking lot as part of the transaction to bring Barnstormer microbrewery to our downtown.  This decision is just right in so many ways. It will bring more people to our downtown.  It will provide more jobs - I understand residents are already applying the Barnstormer. And it will be a major boost to our tourism.



As with many decisions, not everyone was pleased. The concern about sufficient downtown parking was raised by area merchants.  Council listened. The Town committed to a major review of its parking options over the coming months to make sure that we have sufficient space in our downtown for those who drive.






Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              


No comments: