Ladies and Gentlemen
Over the last few weeks News from the Town has covered
the Town’s Service Delivery Review process - essentially a top to bottom look
at the services we provide to our residents with the view to see where we can
improve. So it’s not surprising that the Town wants your input on what you
think of our current services and those we should be implementing. To this end the Town has prepared a survey located
at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/midlandcomsurvey).
It takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will be
accessible until Wednesday, November 15th. If you do not have
a computer, paper copies are available at the following locations:
·
Town of Midland Municipal Office (575
Dominion Ave.)
·
North Simcoe Sports & Recreation Centre
(527 Len Self Blvd.)
·
Midland Public Library (320 King St.)
·
Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre (175
Yonge St.)
Thank you for your help.
The
Week Ahead
Monday October 30th the
Midland Bay Landing Steering committee meets at Town Hall at 3:00 pm to review
the proposed Municipal Service Corporation (MSC). Council was informed earlier this month about
using a MSC to manage the development of the Midland Bay Landing property. The
MSC would be an arms-length corporation controlled by Council and made up of
members of the public and Council. The
MSC would bring the benefits of faster development decisions and a more
skills-based management of the development. The potential downside may be that
Council would not be involved directly in all development decisions. You will
have your opportunity to learn more about the MSC and chance to comment at 6:00
pm when a public meeting about the MSC is hosted in the Council Chambers.
Also at 6:00 pm Haunted Huronia takes place at the
Penetanguishene amphitheater. This free
event will feature our local improv group Good Morning Apocalypse, and an
introduction to their new film series about haunted locations in Huronia. And at the same time at NSSRC, you are
invited to a discussion by medical professionals on Diabetes and Your Health.
This free event is sponsored by Diabetes Canada. For information call Fran at 705-245-7611.
Tuesday is Hallow’een. Looks a bit soggy but
get out and have fun.
On Wednesday November 1st Rosewood Women’s
Shelter hosts the public launch of their new Operation Grow location at 436 Bay
Street, the old LCBO. The event is from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. You are invited to see
Midland’s first “vertical garden” in our downtown that will supply us with
fresh produce year round. At 7:00 pm it’s the Planning and Development
Committee meeting at Town Hall. Topics include:
-
OPA and ZBA direction for the new Jarlette
geriatric center at 858 King Street
-
ZBA direction for a proposed four story
condominium apartment building at 281 Midland Avenue
On Thursday the 2nd MCC proudly
presents the award winning Canadian musical Billy Bishop Goes to War. It
dramatizes the life of Canadian World War 1 fighter pilot Billy Bishop and is
one of the most famous and widely produced plays in Canadian theatre history.
Doors open at 7:00 pm.
Week -
End
Saturday November 4
-
7:30 am – Join the Water Walk with Beausoleil
First Nation, celebrating the Alliston aquafer that passes under the territory
of the pre-confederation treaties 5 and 16. The walk starts at Cedar Point,
French’s Road in Tiny, with a sunrise ceremony.
Visit www.facebook.com/events/1951551501766738/ or call
Vicki Monague at 705-427-0512
-
10:00 am - Tribal Visions Dance in Visions of
Turtle Island takes place at MCC. Tribal Vision Dance
Troupe is from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. It includes
champion singers and dancers with a wealth of knowledge and experience to share
with young audiences and families and a desire to build deeper understanding
and appreciation of First Nations culture
-
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm - St Pauls Renovation Celebration
and dedication of their recent accessibility renovations. Greetings are at 1:15
pm, followed by music and refreshments. All are welcome.
Sunday November 5
-
7:30 am – Join the Water Walk - Day 2. The
walk starts at Cedar Point, French’s Road in Tiny, with a sunrise
ceremony. (See Saturday description)
-
7:00 pm - Guy David
brings his southern music to the stage at MCC. His musical storytelling was
influenced by artists like Blind Willie McTell, Big Bill Broonzy and Lightnin’
Hopkins. https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=p5xrwYxOO-k
Council
Issues Update
MBL
While the Midland Bay Landing site may appear quiet these
days, there is lot going on in the background.
Three of the four foundational site studies are now completed. The
funding request for the fourth study is with the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities and we are expecting a positive response. The market is active
too with developers making inquiries and the occasional unsolicited offer. Council will consider the Municipal Service
Corporation proposal before we take the MBL properly back out to market.
*****
This week we received the not unexpected news that Barnstormers
Brewery was not going to go forward with their Midland waterside project at
this time. (See Midland media release at http://www.midland.ca/Pages/News-room.aspx#Barnstormer.) The
reason simply was that the site is a brownfield site and contains pollutants
left over from past industries that have been part of our 100 year old
downtown. With regards to public safety, the level of contamination does not
exceed Ontario guidelines so does not pose any immediate health risk. But if we are to continue our downtown
redevelopment we must take action.
The Town will start immediately with an analysis of
historical records to identify the likely sources of historical pollution. With
that information some site drilling will occur to properly map out the area.
This information will then be used to develop a remediation plan to ensure that
we can continue to enjoy and develop our downtown confidently for the next 100
years.
Dustin Norlund, President of Barnstormers, still intends
to be part of Midland’s downtown. We will get this cleaned up and enjoy a good
glass of Barnstormer’s in Midland yet.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Getting It Done - 2017