Sunday, November 26, 2017

Sunday November 26, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



The 2017 Civitan Christmas Parade is in the books – and what a great parade it was. The downtown carries on the celebration with three hours of free parking in the downtown for the month of December.



Last week I mentioned that Sharon’s Boutique Plus was opening but I provided the wrong address. Their new location is at 758 Yonge Street. So do drop by and see Shirley, who gives some of the best hugs in Town.



There seems to be a lot of new shops opening in Midland. I must be attending at least one opening a month. Good news for shoppers and our retail economy.





The Week Ahead



A busy Monday the 27th.  At 3:30 pm Council will hold a special meeting in the Council Chambers to receive the report of the Service Delivery Review consultant. This report will present all the key findings, showing where we can improve Town services and how we should be implementing change over the next few years.



At 6:30 pm Council goes into a closed meeting to discuss appointments to the By-law Review Committee, the Midland Library Board and the Seniors Council. Then at 7:00 pm it’s the November Council meeting. A challenging agenda including:

-       Three deputations:

o    Update on the Midland Public Library

o    A private citizen’s view on the number of Councilors we require

o    Overview of the Hospice Huronia fundraising program

-       Two citizen petitions:

o    Request for a sidewalk on Dominion Ave.

o    Request for winter grooming on part of the Trans Canada Trail

-       Proposed changes to the taxi regulations in Midland

-       Recommendation to create the Municipal Services Corporation to manage the development of the Midland Bay Landing property

-       Update on the transition from the MPS to the OPP

-       Budget guidance for 2018.  Staff is proposing a 2.5% increase for Town costs


Tuesday November 28th starts at 9:00 am with County Council in Midhurst.  The major agenda item is a workshop, starting at 10:00 am, to discuss the new provincial planning regulations. The four North Simcoe municipalities met in public this past week to take an initial look at the changes. While we appreciated the need to contain development sprawl, concerns were expressed that the shift of planning authority to the County could limit the involvement of the local municipality in making key decisions about its future.  



At 4:00 pm Waypoint holds its volunteer and donor appreciation event. That’s at the Waypoint Atrium Building, Bay CafĂ© 500 Church Street, Penetanguishene.



On Thursday, the North Simcoe Housing Working Group meets at the Town at 2:00 pm to discuss its 2018 projects.  That evening sees the second weekend for the annual First Light event.  The event runs from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. (Thursday to Saturday) at Sainte-Marie and the Martyrs’ Shrine. For more information visit their website at www.hhp.on.ca. Please note we have a shuttle bus running from downtown Midland to the event.  And finally Trivia Night returns to the Legion. All members and non-members are welcome to attend this pub-quiz style challenge for both the trivia pro and the casual expert. Great prizes to be won. Trivia starts at 7:00 pm. Entry fee is just $15 per team (2-5 players).



Friday December 1st sees a signature event at the MCC in Midland.  Kee Bee Play, one of our local manufacturers, is involved in an innovative research program to understand how their “play products” can be used to improve the quality of life for those with dementia. Working with U of T and a number of long term care facilities, they will release their research finding this morning, signaling what I anticipate is a positive result for geriatric therapies and success for one of our up and coming manufacturers.  And at 2:00 pm you are invited to join K-Mobile to celebrate their business opening at 741 Yonge Street.



Week - End



Saturday December 2



-       9:30 to 10:30 am – Pancakes and Pajamas at the Library. This free event will see a visit from Santa. Please register at 705-526-7216

-       10:30 am – A Day in the Life with Santa at the MCC. This reveal-all conversation explores life at the North Pole, the roles of Santa, the reindeer, the elves and Mrs. Claus, and the big job of getting gifts to all the good boys and girls all around the world. Children will have a chance to speak with Santa and to tell him about their Christmas wishes. Arts and crafts for the kids provided by Quest Art and tasty treats by Chef Glen. And, best of all, it’s free! Register for your tickets at www.midlandculturalcentre.com

-       4:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Annual Santa Claus Parade - along Main Street from Jeffery Street to the Town Dock

-       8:00 pm - Micah Barnes at the MCC – a fabulous entertainer



Sunday December 3



-       7:30 pm - The Good Lovelies Christmas Concert at the MCC (Tickets almost gone)



Council Issues Update



Budget



This week Council has a first look at the staff proposed cost increase of 2.5% for 2018. Council’s commitment to keep our cost growth below the rate of inflation continues. The challenge in 2018 comes from a number of onetime costs associated with the Midland Police transition, the MPUC sale and changes from the Service Delivery Review. It is important that we commit the resources to successfully complete these strategic changes.  It will be an interesting budget process.



Cruise Ships



One on my quieter projects is working to develop the Ontario cruise ship industry and thereby ensure that Midland remains a cruise port for years to come.  Midland is one of 8 active cruise ports in the province. Most ports have seen increased cruise traffic and given current trends that traffic could grow considerably over the next decade. Is Midland ready for that business; how do we receive all these visitors; and are we as a municipality and tourism destination prepared?



The first step in answering these questions is to develop the business case for the industry. Your mayor has been working with the province to obtain funding for the study – it looks promising. Will keep you informed.



Midland Bay Landing



The Town was successful with its request for funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities for the environmental study of our MBL property.  So all four of the foundational studies for the MBL property will have no direct cost to the Town. These studies provide the information we need to be fully prepared to take the property to market, likely in early 2018.







Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              






Sunday, November 19, 2017

Sunday November 19, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Hope you’re ready. As you will see below, this week kicks off the festive season with parades, parties and tree lightings. Please come on out and be a part of our small town Midland Christmas.



The Week Ahead



On Monday the 20th our Physician Recruitment group meets at 8:00 am at GBGH.  At 5:30 pm Big Brothers Big Sisters invites you to their AGM at the Penetanguishene museum.



Tuesday sees the start of the 2017 edition of the Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program .  Our Midland Police will be down at the launch event in Innisfil: showing us the importance of making our roads safe for all. At 7:30 pm a Day in the Life hosts Tim Danson at the MCC. Mr. Danson is a near legendary lawyer who has played a key role in Canadian history. He has represented the families of Kristen French and Leslie Mahaffy (victims of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka), equestrian Olympic gold medalist and world champion Eric Lamaze, hockey superstar Bobby Hull and track and field superstar and Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis. 



Wednesday the 22nd sees another special salute to our veterans. Askennonia is hosting their annual Veterans Lunch at their NSSRC location. Vets are free - all others pay a $15 cover charge. And then we swing into Christmas with the magical lighting of our Town Christmas Tree.  The fun starts at Neezhoday Park at 5:00 pm including the Midland Public Library and Cafe Roxy providing hot chocolate, crafts, music and more! Lighting of the tree will take place at approximately 7:00 pm. 


On Thursday November 23rd I will be in Toronto for a discussion with our government about Midland’s developing cruise ship industry. But lots going on in Town.  From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm the NSCFDC Speakers Series presents “Tame the Paper Monster” – a new technology to manage and access electronic records and services. The event takes place at Midland Public Library. Please register at www.nscfdc.on.ca 



At 5:30 pm the annual First Light event kicks off at Sainte-Marie and the Martyrs’ Shrine. The event runs from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. from November 23 to 25; from November 30 to December 2; and from December 7 to 9. For more information visit their website at www.hhp.on.ca. At 7:00 pm you are invited to a joint Council discussion (councils from Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay and Midland) to hear how the province’s changes to the Provincial Growth Plan will affect us.  The meeting takes place in the Library’s assembly room.



Friday the 24th features the Town’s Christmas staff party at the NSSRC.  At 7:00 pm be sure to take in the “Coal Patrol” at the MCC.  It features our own improv troupe Good Morning Apocalypse taking a satirical look at the Christmas season.



Week - End



Saturday November 25



-       11:00 am - The 40th annual Civitan Christmas Parade starts at Little Lake Park and proceeds down King Street

-       9:00 am to 1:00 pm - The County of Simcoe is recruiting volunteers to enhance and enrich the lives of clients in our long-term care homes and seniors programs. The event takes place in the Georgian Manor front lobby, 101 Thompson Road, Penentanguishene

-       3:00 pm - Sharon Boutique Plus opens under new management at 317 King Street





Sunday November 26



-       All day - Big Brothers Big Sisters is hosting a charity bonspiel at the Midland Curling Club at 474 King St.

-       1:00 pm - The Annual Waubaushene Santa Claus Parade takes place, in Waubaushene

-       8:00 pm - Pavlo entertains with warm international/Mediterranean melodies at the MCC https://www.youtube.com/watch/?ref=0&v=B3NwPG9X_vw



Council Issues Update



Service Delivery Review



The first phase of the Service Delivery Review is reaching a critical point with the findings to be released in a special afternoon meeting of Council next Monday the 27th. Quite an emphasis on using modern information technology to significantly improve the efficiency of how we do our work at Town Hall. 



Budget



The County has just about completed its 2018 budget with a tax rate increase of just over 1 per cent. As I had mentioned earlier, the Town will not get into its budget debate until early 2018 – too much going on this fall. Will have to see if we can keep our own tax increase in line with the County’s.



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While Hallowe’en may be a distant memory, our neighbours over at Huronia Historical Parks report that their Pumpkinferno event was a “spooktacular” success.  They welcomed 18,336 visitors, an increase of 44% from 2016. The economic impact was $1.3 million to the local economy including an estimated 16% of our visitors spending the night in the area. Some 66% of the visitors came from outside of North Simcoe.



We are becoming known as a “go to” tourism place.





Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              


Sunday, November 12, 2017

Sunday November 12, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



A cold bright Remembrance Day in Midland. A very large turnout of residents for Saturday’s ceremony at the Cenotaph to honour our fallen soldiers, vetrans and our men and women in uniform. We Will Remember Them.



The Week Ahead



An unusual Monday the 13th as we will have both a General Committee and a Council meeting.  At 7:00 pm at Town Hall is a short General Committee dealing with two items:

-       Further review by Council of the recently adopted policies on financial reserves and internal loans

-       Proposal for how we will protect and invest the proceeds from the sale of the MPUC

This will be followed by a special meeting of Council.  The meeting will have an “in camera” portion to deal with a matter of litigation.  Then the open session considers:

-       Request by Bourgeois Motors for clearing part of their property at 290 Cranston

-       Request for an assessment of our Town roads as part to our asset management program

The special Council meeting is being held due to timing deadlines for the agenda items.





On Tuesday the 14th County Council takes place at 9:00 am in Midhurst. The major item on the County agenda is further consideration of the 2018 budget. County Council is trying to direct a tax levy increase of 1% for next year. At 7:00 pm you are invited to the Third Annual Culture Midland Awards at the Midland Cultural Centre.  This event celebrates the individuals and groups from throughout North Simcoe who contribute to making our community a vibrant and culturally-rich place to live and visit.  Tickets are free of charge and available through the MCC box office or online at http://midlandculturalcentre.com/ .  In addition to the awards presentation, the Children’s Community Choir and Good Morning Apocalypse will be performing.



A quieter Wednesday with the next Service Delivery Review meeting taking place at 2:00 pm.



And then a busy Friday November 17. At 9:00 am Waypoint hosts an all-day area meeting of HealthLinks partners to discuss better cooperation in dealing with those who are the greatest users of our healthcare system.  At noon please join the Salvation Army as they launch their 2017 Christmas Kettle Campaign at the Great Canadian Superstore.



From 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm our Midland Library hosts a fascinating evening with “Brews and Bots”. Yes, they have invited competitive teams of robot designers to the Library to take part in a robot battle. Barnstormer Brewery will also be there to provide some of their special beverages. The event has a small cover charge and is open to those 19 and over. All proceeds go to the proposed Midland Library Makerspace project.  And at 8:00 pm Huronia Players launches its fall season with the production “Drawer Boy” at MCC.




Week - End



Saturday November 18



-       All day - The Great Ontario Curling Bonspiel, part of our Canada 150 celebration, takes place at the Midland Curling Club

-       9:00 am to 2:00 pm - Candy Cane Bazaar at the Midland Legion Branch 80 – all the festive treats you can imagine will be available





Council Issues Update



OPP



The transfer documents have been filed with the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC).  They will be reviewing our request primarily to ensure that the OPP can provide appropriate policing for Midland and to see that all members of the MPS have been fairly treated in the process.  Hopefully they will have finished their deliberations in time to allow the transfer of officers for the next OPP training cycle, scheduled for February 2018.



MPUC



Council has started the process of considering how to best mange the $22M proceeds from the sale of our MPUC asset. Based on input from the recent public meeting, staff has prepared a report that proposes to treat the funds in three separate baskets.

-       $1.5M to be used to gradually wean the Town off of the MPUC dividend that has been used to fund operations

-       $10.5M to set up a legacy fund with the principal protected in perpetuity

-       $10M (approximately) to be used as a Community-Wide Investment Fund. These funds could be “borrowed” for Council approved projects and them repaid to the Fund over time



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About 70,000 people in Simcoe Muskoka struggle to put food on the table every year. Our local food banks are again gearing up for seasonal food drives to help address urgent food needs.  But food drives are not enough.  We need policies that address the root of the problem - to ensure that everyone has the resources to feed themselves and their families today, next week and next year. These policies may include:

-       Social assistance rates that cover real living costs

-       Good jobs with regular hours and benefits, ensuring a basic income



With this in mind, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) has launched a second phase of the “No money for food is ... Cent$less” campaign. Aside from continuing with awareness raising about food insecurity, it advocates for income-based policy solutions. SMDHU has created new tools and resources, including a downloadable package, available on our website to encourage people to take action and advocate - not just donate - during the holiday food drive season. The campaign was developed in partnership with many food banks across our area as well as a small advisory group of people with lived experience.







Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017

                                                                                              


Sunday, November 5, 2017

Sunday November 5, 2017


Ladies and Gentlemen



The cool winds of autumn are upon us but business developments in our Town continue at a torrid pace. Over this last week Council discussed:

-       The downtown health centre should start construction over the next few weeks

-       The Jarlette geriatric health centre was moved to Council for approval, likely at the end of the month

-       A four story condominium building planned for our downtown (the corner of Hugel at Midland) was moved to Council for the end of the month

-       EDCNS estimated that over 100 new jobs were created by our local major manufacturers over the last 6 months

-       The Lamand Wealth Management group opens their new downtown office this week

-       Another of our downtown firms is working with the Town find more expansion room

-       Montana’s will start building at Mountain View Mall in spring 2018

On the recreational front, the Town has just learned it will be part of the Tall Ships 2019 Tour slated for August 9 – 11, 2019.



Never a dull moment.



The Week Ahead



Monday the 6th at 10:00 am, the OPP Transition Committee meets at Town Hall. Our decision to change services will shortly go before the Ontario Civilian Police Commission and assuming a positive response will see us transfer to the OPP in February 2018.



On Tuesday at noon you are invited for lunch with “Spuds for Sistema”.  Sistema is a charity that helps kids in grade school cope with the challenges of life through music. The lunch takes place at the NSSRC and consists of a baked potato with several choices of toppings, coffee, tea and a piece of cake. For more information about Sistema visit www.sistemahuronia.com.



That evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, children from ages 7-13 are invited to a free painting workshop for young artists at the MCC. Children will spend an evening creating paintings inspired by their surroundings in Simcoe County. Paintings will then go into a Simcoe Sightings art exhibit that starts in November.  All young Picassos please register with Quest Art at 526-2787.



Wednesday November the 8th starts early with an 8:30 am Governance Review Committee meeting at Town Hall. At 5:00 pm please join me in welcoming a new business Lamand Wealth Management Group to their new home at 267 King Street. The Guesthouse invites you to its AGM, taking place at 7:00 pm in the upstirs meeting room at St. Paul’s church. And finally at 7:30 pm it’s a Day in the Life with “Red Green”.  Red Green is a self-proclaimed handyman who constantly extols the virtues of duct tape. He has a syndicated newspaper column and last year he did a North American tour entitled “I’m Not Old I’m Ripe”. He has just authored a book “Red Green: The Woulda Coulda Shoulda Guide to Canadian Inventions”. The book will be available for purchase after the show at the MCC.



On Thursday the 9th at 10:00 am Shelter Now holds the regular meeting for its affordable housing project.  They plan to construct 30-40 new affordable housing units on their property on Hartman Drive. At 6:30 pm the Severn Sound Environmental Association hosts its partner reception at the Oakwood Community Center, on Park Street in Victoria Harbour. And if quality artwork is to your taste, please join Quest for their annual “Take Home an Original Art Work for $1 a Day” event. The program starts at 7:00 pm at their MCC gallery. The take-home artworks are currently on display at Quest.



Friday the 10th - Town Hall is closed for Remembrance Day.   At 8:00 pm Big Wigs returns to the MCC for its 6th year. Big Wigs features live performances staring the Immaculate Miss Conception and the fabulously, talented Christopher Peterson. A spectacular evening produced by the ever creative Jaime Crouch of Splash Events Inc. 



Week - End



Saturday November 11 – Remembrance Day



-       10:30 am – Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Cenotaph. All are welcome

-       1:00 to 3:00 pm – Quest’s free Christmas tree ornament making workshop. A family event at the MCC

-       5:30 pm – Legion Branch 80 hosts its Remembrance dinner at the Legion hall

-       8:00 pm – Big Wigs second night at the MCC



Sunday November 12



-       3:30 to 5:30 pm - Guitar Workshop with Wendell Ferguson at the MCC.   Wendell will be showing you guitar playing techniques including: the basics of finger-style guitar, picking techniques, a system for finding and spelling chords, common chord progressions, harmonics and their use, and anything you want to know. Just bring your guitar and an open mind



Council Issues Update



Downtown Health Clinic



Construction is getting close. The first step will be clearing some of the trees and brush. The original intention to save the three larger trees that border along Bayshore had to be put aside when an arbourist determined them to be diseased.  Waypoint/Chigamik understand the importance of preserving the canopy on the property and will be undertaking an extensive tree planting program on the site. To stay current with the project, please link to their webpage






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Last month I asked for your assistance with an “internet speed test”. The purpose was to gather data so we can better plan the installation of high speed fibre throughout North Simcoe.  Some 1,700 of you have already helped out but we need a few more. Please take literally one minute, follow the steps below and help us build the high-speed network we all need in our area. https://performance.cira.ca/northsimcoe/






In closing, two public service announcements.



1)     It’s the start of fall heating season. Our Fire service typically sees an uptick in Carbon Monoxide related calls at this time of year.  Please take a moment to check your CO2 and smoke alarms and ensure they are in proper working order. If you need any help, please call Midland Fire at 705-526-4279 ext. 2239



2)     The County of Simcoe will be holding its BATTERY COLLECTION WEEK from November 6th to 10th. Watch for battery collection bags in your mail. Place acceptable alkaline and heavy duty AA, AAA, C, D, 9-VOLT, and button batteries inside the bag and seal it. Then place your battery bag out on your regular collection day, in a visible location BESIDE your recycling box, during the week of November 6th only.





Gord McKay





The Year for Getting It Done - 2017