Ladies and Gentlemen
Nothing like the promise of warm sunshine to get everyone
in a better mood. Now if we could just do something about those Leafs.
The
Week Ahead
Monday, your chance to get moving as the YMCA
Huronia Half Marathon takes to the Midland Rotary Trail. The goal of the campaign is to raise money to promote
better health and physical activity, helping local youth who require financial
assistance to participate in YMCA programs.
For more information contact the YMCA at 705-526-7828.
Tuesday May 1st starts a new month and the nomination period for the 2018 municipal elections. These dates have changed as a result of
recent amendments to the Municipal Elections Act. The close of the
nomination period will be at 2 p.m. on July 27, 2018. Get involved - it’s your
future.
The Ontario Early Years Centre is having its annual
spring walk to recognize the importance of proper child rearing for the Midland
community. Look for them in the downtown about 11:00 am, ending up at their
location at 356 King St.
Wednesday May 2nd is McHappy Day. McDonalds restaurants donates a portion of its earnings to
local children’s charities, in our case a new play structure at GBGH. I will be serving coffee at their location on
Hwy. 93 about 8:30 am. Hope to see you
there.
At 1:00 pm that afternoon we host a delegation from
the Netherlands at Veterans Park on Aberdeen Blvd. Mr. Gert Jan Oplaat will be unveiling a
special commemorative plaque recognizing the strong bond between our two
countries and remembering the Canadian troops who liberated Holland during
WWII. The plaque will recognize one of our local veterans, Mr. Frank Graham,
who will be in attendance. All are welcome.
The Planning and Development Committee meeting takes
place at Town Hall at 7:00 pm. An important agenda including:
-
A public meeting (you may speak) respecting
the zoning change for two new apartment buildings proposed for 786 William
Street
-
The site plan review for Jarlette Health Services
and their new development at 658 King
Street
-
Zoning change application for the Bayport
subdivision, essentially changing street access to the lots in their new phase
On Thursday I head to Montreal for a meeting with
international regulators who are assisting with bringing more cruise ships to
the Great Lakes. If you have ever wanted
to travel to the Middle East the Library has a local solution for you. At 7:00
pm travel with Mark & Claudia to the United
Arab Emirates to see the country’s story of “from rags to riches in less than a
generation”. Spend a night in a Bedouin
camp, and then marvel at the world's tallest building and the Grand Mosque. Sip
Arabic coffee and enjoy basbousa. Snacks and refreshments included. Tickets are
$10 at the library desk.
Friday May 4th the North Simcoe
Muskoka LHIN hosts a public input session on healthcare specific to indigenous health issues. The meeting takes place from noon
to 3:00 pm at the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre on Yonge Street. At
5:30 pm MP Bruce Stanton hosts his annual Feast for Learning in support of the
Gateway Centre. Bruce’s event is being held at the Midland Legion building, 196
Queen Street. And at 8:00 pm Huronia Players starts their run of Calendar Girls
on stage at the MCC.
Week -
End
Saturday May 5
-
8:00 am to 5:00 pm – WATV joins
with Native Woods Nursery on Hwy 12 to raise funds though the sale of a special
purple daisy, a favorite of Julianna Matyas.
Come out and celebrate spring with a $2 BBQ and gardening
events/specials at Native Woods Nursery
-
8:00 pm – Fred Eaglesmith comes
to the MCC. After years touring the United States, Canada, and Europe and having
his songs covered by some of the biggest names in music, the enigmatic, countrified,
Rock n’ Roll troubadour Fred Eaglesmith and his talented wife Tif Ginn are
finally making it to Midland
Sunday May 6
-
9:00 am - Mandarin Walk for Multiple
Sclerosis starts and ends at NSSRC
Council
Issues Update
Downtown Safety
Council has approved
the creation of a Community Safety Task Force that will develop a Community
Safety Plan to address long standing safety issues in our downtown and
Library. Members of the core committee
are: the Canadian Mental Health Association, County of Simcoe Health and Social
Services, Downtown Midland BIA, The Guesthouse, Midland Police Services Board,
Midland Public Library, the OPP, and the Salvation Army/Street Outreach. Many
additional stakeholders will be brought into the discussion to ensure that
complete well-rounded information is available to the Task Force.
The Task Force will complete its work by August 2018. The
recently approved budget includes $50,000 for the Task Force’s work, primarily
to engage outside expertise. The Task Force will ensure that their Community
Safety Plan meets the needs of the community and the requirements of the Safe
Ontario Act (Bill 175).
Budget
The
2018 budget is now passed. The final overall tax rate tax rate will be
determined in May when County and School Board rates are available.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Forging Our Future - 2018