Sunday April 29, 2018

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 1^st 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 2^nd 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 4^th 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