Ladies and Gentlemen
Standing upon the threshold of 2018, a pause to reflect
upon the lessons of the year past and anticipate the bright promise of the year
to come.
Many of you have commented that things have been changing
in Midland over the last few years. More housing is being built, more jobs are being
created, bigger summer festivals and many new residents who are now calling
Midland home. These changes did not
“just happen”. This progress has been as a result of the planning and hard work
of many citizens, businesses and yes your Town Council and Staff. Setting Midland’s
new course has been challenging, requiring difficult decisions to be made, but
it was absolutely necessary for the future success of our community.
2018 is upon us and with it a test of our commitment to
continue building our future. That commitment will be shown in many ways – by
downtown merchants investing in their shop fronts; by our openness to newcomers
and new ideas; by helping our neighbors who need a hand; by community leaders
making the hard decisions that benefit all Midland residents.
2018 is an election year both provincially and
municipally. On the provincial level you will have a real choice to make in
North Simcoe. The first challenge will be to set aside the easy decision, the
“I have always voted for ...…” decision,
and take the harder path by asking “Which candidate is best able to serve me, my
family and my Midland”. Midland needs a provincial
representative who will support and provide the resources for our drive to become
a thriving urban community.
In October it’s the municipal election – your vote will
set the Town’s course for the next four years. If you like how Midland has been
developing recently, vote for those candidates who have been actively trying to
help the Town and community implement its current vision. Ask tough questions and expect direct
meaningful answers. Find out how they will deal with the key issues facing our
Town – building our local economy, providing access to healthcare, improving Town
services and our protecting our Georgian Bay environment. And if you feel the
calling, be the candidate. Public office
has its challenges but where else can you take a lead role in shaping the future
for the 17,000 people who live in our Town.
The coming year will challenge each and every one of us.
You get to decide on the direction you will take and how much you want to be
involved. Whatever you decide, you will make 2018 the Year for Forging Our Future.
The
Week Ahead
A very quiet first week of 2018. The Town office is closed on Monday
January 1st. Canadian
Blood Services is holding a blood donation clinic at the NSSRC from 10:00 am to
2:00 pm.
On Tuesday we raise the Crime Stoppers flag at
noon. And on Thursday at 9:00 am the Governance Review Committee meets
at Town Hall.
That’s it.
Council
Issues – Looking Forward to 2018
Service Delivery Review
The Service Delivery Review Report’s 68 recommendations
from the staff and public will be turned into a three year implementation
plan. The first phase will focus on
“back office” improvements primarily in Treasury and Information
Technology. Look for regular status reports
throughout the year. Also look for new services to be announced from time to
time – eg. Buying your Fire Permit online as opposed to coming into the Town
hall.
OPP
The Town will hear from the Ontario Civilian Policing
Commission shortly, likely approving of our transfer to the OPP. Those MPS
officers who want to transition to the OPP will start their training in
February and then be back on Midland streets wearing an OPP patch later in the
month
Midland Bay Landing
The Town will likely finalize its new Municipal Services
Corporation by April. It will then start looking in earnest for a new
development partner. Hopefully that partner will be in place by fall 2018.
Please follow the Town website for developments.
MPUC
The Ontario Energy Board is still reviewing the sale
agreement. No issues have been raised to date. Expect the transaction to close
in the spring. We will keep our MPUC name for the foreseeable future, even as
our hydro is delivered through Newmarket-Tay Power Distribution.
Downtown Health Clinic
Construction will continue through the winter. Optimistically
the clinic will be open by December 2018.
GBGH
The
new ER expansion should be completed by summer of 2018. The new 16,000 square
foot mental health wing will start construction, hopefully in 2018.
Budget
The
2018 budget process starts publically on Feb 22nd. The budget should
wrap up by the end of March.
OPR
The
Official Plan Review process is on pause as staff continues to review new
directives from the province. Two major developments that will require further
work are the prescriptive Natural Heritage System designation and the
consolidation of more of our municipal planning authority at the County level.
Other
Items for 2018
·
New
Georgian Bay District High School should open for the fall term in 2018
·
The
owners of the Keewatin are likely to make a proposal to the Town to move the
vessel to our shore
·
Lots
of housing starts are in the works. Look for work to start on the “Seasons on
Little Lake” development on Hwy 12
·
Lots
more commercial development including the new Honda location and Montanas at
the Mountainview Mall.
·
A
report on the road diet trial will be considered along with a recommendation
that the Yonge Street pilot be extended to Hwy 93
·
Lots
more summer festivals in 2018 including Butter Tart; Feast Fest; RibFest;
TugFest
·
And
don’t forget the municipal election in October
*****
In
closing two items that show Midland continues to punch above its weight.
John Hauser, a local resident and biking enthusiast, has
been singularly successful in building the annual Cyclo-cross event at Little
lake Park. He recently made representation to the international cycling authorities
and Midland has been selected as the venue for the “Masters Pan-Am Cyclo-cross
Championship”. Midland takes to the world stage thanks to John’s passion and
hard work. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pan-american-cyclo-cross-championships-awarded-to-canada-in-2018-and-2019/
More cruise ships are
coming in 2018 and its time to get serious about making cruising a key part of
the port of Midland. The province has just granted the Town $250,000 to conduct
a study on its behalf on the developing cruise industry in the Great Lakes. The
Town will lead a group of 7 other Great Lakes ports in establishing an industry
business case, in particular determining what infrastructure changes are needed
to Midland and the other ports. Please see attached Media Release.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Forging Our Future - 2018
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