Sunday September 30, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

I suspect that many of you have been captivated this past week with the Judge Kavanaugh hearing or discussing what happens when cannabis becomes legal.  But if there is one event that will dramatically affect your future wellbeing and should have your attention it’s our upcoming Midland election.

I am constantly perplexed at the number of people who openly state they have no intention of voting. Historically over 60% of Midlanders essentially say they don’t care and allow a minority of residents to decide their future.  I don’t have a good answer as to why this happens but it may have something to do with not knowing the people whose names are on the ballot. In this election 27 people are running and to be honest with you I also don’t know who many of them are.

So a first step - get to know who the candidates are and what they stand for.  Luckily there are many ways to do this:

-       Rogers TV has a 1 hour program that provides a short introduction to all candidates. It plays regularly on the local Rogers TV channel

-       On Monday October the 1^st at 5:00 pm at the NSSRC ward councilor candidates will be introducing themselves.  At 8:00 pm it’s the turn of mayor and deputy mayor candidates

-       On Thursday October the 4^th at 5:00 pm at the NSSRC, all candidates will return to tell you more about who they are

Take an hour of two out of your day to find out who the candidates are and what your future might look like.  And if you want to go that extra mile please talk to your reluctant neighbour about investing a few minutes to make Midland better for all.

The Week Ahead

On Monday October 1^st you are invited by Midlandcommunity.ca and the Downtown BIA to attend two ‘Meet the Candidates’ events being held at the NSSRC.  The first event is for councilor candidates running to represent Wards 1, 2 and 3 and begins at 5:00 pm through to 7:45 pm.  The second event will begin promptly at 8:00 pm through to 9:30 pm and is for candidates aspiring to be Mayor and Deputy Mayor.  Come out and meet your future Council.

Tuesday the 2^nd starts at 9:30 am as we raise the flag at the Town in support of breast feeding. Then at noon a youth homelessness seminar is being hosted in Orillia to discuss the special challenges of dealing with young people on the street.  At 4:00 pm you are invited to Little Lake Park to witness the installation of a new special needs swing. This has been organized by the Civitan Club and Harvey Mann.   

Thursday October the 4^th sees a second all candidates event organized by the Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce. The event starts at 5:30 pm at the NSSRC and will feature a short presentation by each of the candidates.

At 6:00 pm the Sisters in Spirit vigil is being held in Midland. This is an event organized to commemorate Missing & Murder Indigenous Women. The event includes a walk starting from the NSSRC and ending at Neezhoday Park. All men will be asked to take a pledge avowing their commitment to taking action against violence towards women.

And at 7:00 pm Pumpkinferno starts for another season at Discovery Harbor in Penetanguishene.  This has got to be one of the best family friendly and at times scary Halloween themed events in Ontario. Pumpkinferno runs from Thursday thru Sunday from October 4^th to 21^st, then it’s every evening until October 30^th. For more information please see, http://www.discoveryharbour.on.ca/dh/en/SpecialEvents/index.htm

Friday the 5th, Waypoint invites you to an event celebrating the partnership and launch the 2nd year of their “Increasing Access to Structured Psychotherapy”. This program is funded by the Government of Ontario to provide individuals who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety or depression with access to free in-person individual and group therapies. The event is at Waypoint at 10:00 am.  At 6:00 pm there is a special memorial to Richard Hinton, the Tiny Township Councilor, who recently passed away. That takes place at the Tiny town office.

Week - End

Saturday October 6

-       Evening - Pumpkinferno at Discovery Harbor (see Thursday October 4)

-       9:00 am to 1:00 pm - Blood donor clinic at NSSRC

Sunday October 7

-       Evening - Pumpkinferno at Discovery Harbor (see Thursday October 4)

Thanksgiving week-end – Town offices are closed on Monday the 8^th.

Council Issues Update

GBGH

Georgian Bay General Hospital has officially opened the final two phases of its Emergency Department redevelopment with a ceremony held in the hospital’s ambulance bay. The entire project – spanning more than five years of construction - concluded earlier this month and nearly doubled the previous department’s size. This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our area’s future by both our citizens and the province.

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Three Public Service Announcements for you.

GBay Gals

GBay Gals is a group of women who come together socially and pool their funds to make an impactful gift to area communities. They hold a Social twice a year, where each Gal makes a commitment to donate $200 to a charity chosen by the membership.

The concept is very simple and requires little time or effort. Before each scheduled social, members will receive an email to nominate the charity of their choice. From all the nominated charities, the charity with the greatest number of votes by the GBay Gals members will be the charity chosen to receive the donation for that meeting. Members then submit their $200 payment directly to that charity, either by phone, online or at the upcoming Social. Each member will receive a tax receipt for their donation directly from that charity.

The potential amount for the next voted charity from all those 160 members could total $32,000 or more at our upcoming social on October 15^th ! Come join us at PIE Pizza at 5:30, buy a glass of wine, visit with some friends, nibble on some snacks, and be part of something we think is very exciting and important to our community. If you wish to learn more and be a part of this exciting new initiative, please contact us at gbaygalsgive@gmail.com

County of Simcoe Green Bin

Starting October 1, 2018, the County of Simcoe is expanding its green bin program to accept pet waste, kitty litter and small animal cage bedding. The addition of these organic materials aligns with the County’s efforts to help residents grow their green bin, not their garbage. Pet waste placed in the green bin must be contained in paper or certified compostable bags. No plastic or biodegradable plastic is permitted. A reminder that the maximum weight accepted through the County’s curbside green bin program is 20 kgs (44 lbs) per green bin. Should residents exceed this per unit allowance, additional green bins (to a max of 6) can be set out at the curb and are available for purchase at County waste management facilities. To learn more, please visit https://www.simcoe.ca/SolidWasteManagement/Pages/organics.aspx

Midland Public Library Opening

Due to circumstances beyond the Library’s control with construction they have to push back the grand opening date for the 1^st floor renovation. We are not sure yet what our new opening date will be, nor are we certain if this will impact the Oct. 20^th launch of The Maker Place. As more information becomes available we will share it with you. However, at this time the Midland Public Library Renovations will not be completed to facilitate an October 1^st grand opening.  We apologize for this delay, but we are so excited to share all of the exciting changes with you when we re-open. Stay tuned for details!

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018

                                                                                              

Sunday September 23, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

The leaves are starting to come down and the election signs are starting to go up. There is quite a choice of candidates for you. Please take the time to find out who they are and what they stand for. Midland’s election is just 1 month away.

Also this fall season, the County of Simcoe will be conducting its first ever electronics collection.  Midland’s week is September 24-28 (Zone 2). You should have received an electronics collection bag through Canada Post in early September as part of the County’s Big News envelope. The mailer also included a bag for the annual Battery Collection, occurring November 5^th to 9^th.  Visit www.simcoe.ca/electronicscollection for further information.

The Week Ahead

On Monday the 24^th you are invited to Boston Pizza as Big Brothers Big Sisters, in cooperation with Boston Pizza, will receive a portion of the price of your dinner as a donation.

At 6:30 pm a special closed meeting of Council will consider the nominees for the newly formed Midland Bay Landing Development Corporation. Then at 7:00 pm it’s the September Council meeting, the last significant Council meeting of this term of Council. You may wish to bring a sleeping bag as the long agenda includes a number of significant items:

-       Three deputations:

o    A report by the Seniors Council on their recent healthcare survey

o    Presentation on the 2018 First Light event

o    Deputation by residents from Ellen Street about recent sewer problems

-       Direction on the purchase of a new aerial fire truck - $1.3M

-       Decision on a debenture to fund the new Operations Centre - $5.7M

-       Setting up the long-term trust funds for the $22M the Town has just received from the sale of the MPUC. Council has already directed staff to use approximately half of the amount as a perpetual legacy fund and half for a revolving investment fund for Town projects

-       Setting up a Community Grant Policy. This will change the current practice of donating to charities to an application based program

-       Direction on a review of our local airport’s business operations and sustainability. Midland owns 50% of the airport

-       Update on how the transition to the OPP is going. While it is mainly good news there are a couple of sticking points

-       Consideration of forgiving the Guesthouse loan of $25,000

-       Receipt of the report of the Community Safety Task Force and direction on its recommendations on how to improve safety in our downtown

-       Introduction of a new policy covering substance use by staff

You can review items on the Council agenda at http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/AgendaCOUNCILSeptember%2024.pdf

On Tuesday at 9:00 am County Council meets in Midhurst.  At 3:00 pm the North Simcoe Housing Working Group will assess a recommendation on a new housing style that may be coming to Midland – “Shared Accommodation”.  Shared Accommodation combines a private apartment for the resident with shared areas like kitchens and dining areas.  Then at 5:00 pm the heads of the four North Simcoe communities meet to discuss issues that affect the entire area, such as our shared airport or the proposed changes to the school board portion of development charges.

The inaugural Cultural Connections meeting will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the NSSRC. Cultural Connections is a free, learning, sharing and networking opportunity for creative people in North Simcoe.  Taking place on the fourth Tuesday of each month (with the exception of December, July and August), each session will feature a guest speaker and plenty of time to socialize and network with other artists, musicians, performers and writers.  This month's presenter is Sean George, the Ontario Arts Council's Cultural Animator for Simcoe County. 

Thursday the 27^th at 11:00 am sees me at Georgian College, speaking to a class about leadership.  At 3:00 pm it’s the Parkinson SuperWalk - Canada's only nationwide fundraiser in support of Canadians living with Parkinson's.  Join the walk at the Real Canadian Superstore on Hwy. 93. That evening a special event takes place honoring one our area’s (and Canada’s) finest artists – John Hartman.  At 6:00 pm at the Maclaren Art Centre in Barrie, the Legacy Award will be presented to John, following the dinner. For further information please see https://maclarenart.com/events/fundraisers/legacy-dinner-2018  

On Friday at 11:00 am GBGH celebrates the opening of the refurbished ambulance bay and Emergency Department at the hospital.

Week - End

Saturday September 29

-       9:30 to 4:30 - The 21st annual Showcase of Homes Event by Big Brothers Big Sisters.  7 beautiful properties in our area including:

o    The Captain’s House Heritage Bed and Breakfast, 423 Hugel Avenue

o    Operation Grow, 436 Bay Street

o    Moreno-Aiken Residence, 561 Elizabeth Street

o    St. Paul’s United Church, 308 King Street

Tickets are on sale at Tripps Paint Shoppe, Arbours Flowers and  REMAX. For more information visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca/en/simcoe-county

-       7:00 pm - Sports Hall of Fame 2018 induction ceremony and dinner at the NSSRC

Sunday September 30

-       7:30 pm - North Sea Gas, one of Scotland’s most popular folk groups one of Scotland's most popular folk bands one of Scotland's most popular folk bands at the MCC

Council Issues Update

Downtown Safety

The Community Safety Task Force will be making its recommendations to Council this week. The recommendations are based upon hundreds of surveys and interviews conducted by the Task Force, along with an analysis provided by the County and key service providers.

Short term recommendations include establishing a standing safety committee to continue monitoring the downtown plus strengthening the Street Outreach program. The report also identifies the need to address structural issue such as affordable housing and addictions. It further recommends that the $50,000 allocated to the Task Force and not spent be transferred to the new safety committee.

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One of our cultural traditions, the Culture North Simcoe Awards, will be taking place on November 21^st.  This ceremony gives you the opportunity to nominate your favorite creative person (or group) in one of four award categories:

-       Emerging Talent

-       Education in Culture

-       Founders/Builders/Historical Contributors

-       Excellence in Culture

Nomination deadline is Monday, October 22 at 4:00 p.m. Nomination forms at https://www.culturemidlandawards.com/the-event

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018

                                                                                              

Sunday September 16, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

The beautiful summer weather has returned. But if you look at the color of the leaves in your neighbourhood, there is a message there.

The big news in Midland this week was the ransomeware attack that started on September 1^st. In summary, our tech staff became aware of the problem early in the morning of September 1^st. They found the server data encrypted (unusable) and were presented with a demand for payment. They isolated all of the Town’s computers and then brought in resources to assess and recover from the incident. The Town had already made an arrangement with an “insurance provider” who had the skills and the IT professionals to negotiate with the attacker and lead the system recovery. As of today’s date the ransom has been paid, the systems are unlocked and the Town is back to normal operations.  I have to commend staff and the outside firm for a rapid and professional recovery.

How did it happen? The consultants are now conducting a forensic investigation. Regardless of what they discover, the fact remains that all modern municipalities are tied to the internet. And as much as one tries to build a big impenetrable firewall, if a well-funded attacker wants to break in they will likely be able to do so. Midland’s experience is one that is occurring in municipalities and organizations all over North America.  We know we can’t shut ourselves off from the internet, so we must have effective preventive controls combined with recovery plans that allow the municipality to carry on despite the worst the world can do to us.

The Week Ahead

Monday the 17^th the final Community Safety Task Force meeting will make its recommendations to go to Council.  The meeting is at 1:30 pm at the Town

   

On Tuesday please join us at Town Hall at 10:00 am for the Big Brothers Big Sisters flag raising. As I mentioned last week, this month is BBBS month and features all sorts of events to engage the community.

Wednesday the19th sees another summer tradition as officers from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Southern Georgian Bay detachment host a charity BBQ from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the downtown Midland station. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.  There will be information on site about programs that the detachment is involved in and an opportunity to speak with our officers.

Thursday September 20 hosts a special forum in Barrie on health services for our francophone communities. Midland currently has about 4% of its residents who claim French as their mother tongue. I then head down to Queens Park for meetings with two Ministries:

1)     Municipal Affairs and Housing – To discuss concepts for getting the private sector more involved in building affordable housing

2)     Tourism, Culture and Sport – To present our major report on the future of cruising in the Great Lakes - and to advise on the role that Midland could play

At 7:30 pm “A Day in the Life” invites Jessica Vander Kooij to the MCC. Jessica started out as an engaged, popular student at Huron Park Public School and Midland Secondary School. She was attracted to the TV industry, attended Canadore College in Broadcasting, did a term with CHUM TV (“Much Music”, “Cityline” etc.) which led to a full time job including “Breakfast Television”. Today she is the Executive Producer of the very popular and highly successful “Property Brothers” programs on HGTV Canada and HGTV US. She has received an Emmy nomination and the show has won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Life Style Program or Series.

On Friday the County will host its Affordable Housing meeting at 9:00 am, ensuring the proper transfer of housing responsibilities to the new County Council.  Then at 7:00 pm at the MCC it’s the 2018 edition of Art Slam. Quest Art School and Gallery invites you to be part of a kinetic creative atmosphere as 24 well-known local artists create art before your eyes. Mingle with artists, vote on the best pieces and bid on the newly created art. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Available at Quest in the MCC.

Council Issues Update

Downtown Safety

This week the Task Force will make its recommendations to Council. Its short term recommendations will be able to be enacted immediately, with Council’s consent.  Other systemic issues - affordable housing; food insecurity; drug addictions - will be referred to a new committee that has the time and resources to tackle these issues.  With these recommendations enacted we should see a marked improvement in downtown safety.

Library

Renovations at the Library are still underway. They are expected to wrap up by September 30^th at which time you will see a different main floor layout and my favourite the new MakerSpace . You can still drop books off at the Library. If you need to buy bus tickets, please visit the Town hall.

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018

                                                                                              

Sunday September 9, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

Quite the week at the Town. The media had extensive coverage of the cyberattack on the Town servers. It started in the early hours of last Saturday. Malware was inserted into our systems that encrypted (locked up) key information. Staff responded quickly by shutting down our systems to prevent further mischief. The attacker then demanded a ransom to unlock our information. As a result of the recent attack on Wasaga Beach the Town had contracted with an insurance provider to negotiate and pay any ransom demand, plus provide technical assistance for recovery. At this time the Town’s systems are being unlocked and should be fully restored by Monday. To keep you fully informed, please check the town’s website at www.midland.ca.

Also this week the lawyers finished their work on the sale of our MPUC. The transaction has now closed. Our hydro is now being supplied by our neighboring hydro service Newmarket-Tay, even though all our current MPUC staff is doing the actual work.  No jobs were lost. The sale also gives the Town new financial resources that will allow us to us to keep moving Midland forward.

The federal government released details this past week about its new $40B National Housing Strategy. Some $13.2B will be available for us to build new and refurbished affordable housing. I expect affordable housing to be a major focus for your new Town Council.

The Week Ahead

On Monday September 10^th at 10:00 am we raise the flag for our annual Terry Fox Run.  (See further details on this event below.) At 7:00 pm we have a short General Committee meeting, to receive an update from the County on how we are doing with our own affordable housing initiatives. Following that meeting Council will go into closed session to discuss two matters covered by solicitor-client privilege.

Tuesday at 9:00 am you are welcome to attend County Council at their Midhurst location. The Council will deal with the recent resignation of Warden Marshall.

Wednesday continues with a summer theme as the Town hosts an employee appreciation BBQ at Little Lake Park.

On Thursday the 13^th the Cruise Ship Industry Group meets to receive the consultant’s report on the future of cruising in the Great Lakes and to make recommendations to the province. While the Group is not a committee of the Town (the Group is essentially using the Town’s meeting space) the findings of the report are important for our future as a cruise port.

At 2:00 pm the Humans Resources Committee meets at the Town. The Committee is likely to address a number of matters concerning labour relations and hiring. Then at 7:30 pm the “Our Health” series presents its first program of the season “Live and Heal with Hospice”. Hospice services are volunteer organizations across the country, designed to provide care and emotional support for advanced illnesses, death, and bereavement. Keynote speaker, Kathy Kortes-Miller, has been teaching and researching at Lakehead University for over a decade, inspiring and challenging future healthcare providers and families to care for individuals who are dying. Admission is free with registration in advance at https://midlandculturalcentre.ticketfly.com 

Week - End

Saturday September 15

-       10:00 am - Community Car Wash and BBQ at Midland Honda. Funds raised will go to Big Brothers and Big Sisters

-       All day – Midland’s free garage sale weekend. Run you own garage sale – no permit needed today

Sunday September 16

-       9:00 am - Terry Fox Run starting at Perkinsfield Park, County Road 6 in Perkinsfield.  Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. and the Run promptly at 10:00 a.m.  Lots of activities for everyone including the Kidzone, local musicians, and a fantastic Silent Auction.  Snacks will also be available after you finish the 2, 5 or 10 km route to celebrate with your friends.  You still have time to enter a Team if you have not done so already

-       All day – Midland’s free garage sale weekend. Run you own garage sale – no permit needed today

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September is Big Brothers Big Sisters month throughout Canada. It is a great opportunity to learn about their successes and need for Mentors and Community partners. Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe have organized a variety of events throughout the month to celebrate the Bigs/Littles/Staff and Board of our agency and share the celebration in the communities we serve:

-       Tuesday September 18^th- Flag Raising in Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay and Springwater Townships

-       Monday September 24^th 5 pm to 8 pm - Boston Pizza is sponsoring a BBBS-nite with a percentage of sales being donated back to the agency

-       Saturday September 29^th 9:30 to 4:30  - 21^st Annual Showcase of Homes Event

-       For the month of September Splash Events and Floral Design will be selling a floral arrangement in celebration of BBBS month with proceeds being donated to the agency

-       Cellarman’s Ale House will feature a “Purple Drink of the Month”

To date, BBBS North Simcoe serves over 180 children with a current waiting list of 65 children. For as little as 1 hour a week, you can make a difference. Mentor volunteers are needed.

Gord McKay

The Year for Forging Our Future - 2018

                                                                                              

Monday September 3, 2018

Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome back.

As much as we all would like to keep those lazy hazy days rolling, it’s time to put away the summer gear and get back to school, to work and to the important business of deciding where Midland is headed.

On October 22^nd we will be electing our new four-year municipal Council. And as you are also aware I will not be running. That said, I am most interested in what we the people of Midland will decide for our future.

Over the past eight years I and your Council have moved Midland in a new direction - one of greater prosperity, openness and yes, having fun. Major accomplishments include:

-       Purchase of the Midland Bay Landing property and establishing a new development corporation to build our new public waterfront

-       Creating our new economic development corporation,  EDCNS, that has successfully kept our local manufacturers growing

-       Transitioning to the OPP – a tough decision for the Town but one that significantly reduced policing costs while putting more officers on the street

-       Sale of our MPUC to Newmarket-Tay giving us a nest-egg while expanding the services from our hydro utility

-       Taking the Town through  a top-to-bottom “service delivery review” that will deliver more professional efficient services while keeping our tax growth under control

-       And bringing more fun to our community, including Butter Tart, TugFest, cruise ships and much more

This is not an exercise of self-congratulation. But rather a reminder of what is at stake as you cast your vote in the fall election.

I know from eight years of experience that running our Town is a complex and demanding job. Those whom you elect will face significant challenges. While they will have the benefit of a great staff they will none-the-less have to do their own assessment of the facts, listen to the people, weigh the policy options and then make a decision on behalf of all of Midland. They will have to balance significant demands for local healthcare, affordable housing and keeping our streets safe, while maintaining tax rates that support economic development.  They will have to be effective in dealing with the province. They will have to steer our major capital projects including the downtown big dig, waste water upgrades and servicing along Highway 12. In short we will need exceptional people to keep Midland on track.

We have three people running for mayor. I know them all. And while each has their own strengths the only one whom I feel will be an effective mayor is Stewart Strathearn. 

As opposed to telling you all about Stewart, I will leave that to you and Stewart. My reason for doing so is that our municipal system elects nine individuals to the Council table, each with an equal vote. So electing a good mayor is not enough - you must also elect good councillors. Simply checking off a name because you saw it on Facebook somewhere is not going to work. We are all busy but take the time to find out who is running. Get the answers to your questions and most importantly get out and vote.

Over my last three months I will be making further comment on the upcoming election. I will not turn News from the Town into a political platform but I will use it to gently remind you of this most important election. Your future depends upon it.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday being quiet, I will start with Wednesday September 5^th at 3:00 pm. The four municipalities will meet at the NSCFDC to further our work on bringing high-speed broadband to North Simcoe. At 7:00 a short Planning and Development Committee meeting will take place at Town Hall. The agenda includes:

-       Discussion of lot control for the Bayport Village development

-       Review of many technical changes to our Zoning By-law

On Thursday at 9:00 am at the Simcoe County Museum, the federal and provincial governments will provide a briefing on the new National Housing Strategy. These new programs come from a major financial commitment by the federal government to build affordable housing. These programs will augment the work of the County in having over 1,000 new affordable housing units built in Simcoe County over the last three years.

Friday the 7^th and the Pearl Mist returns for her last visit of the season - A good day to drop by our harbor.  At 10:00 am the Audit Committee meets at Town Hall.

Week - End

Saturday September 8

-       Pow Wow at Ste. Marie Park.  Grand entrances at noon and 6:00pm

Sunday September 9

-       Pow Wow at Ste. Marie Park.  Grand entrances at noon and 6:00pm

Council Issues Update

Downtown Safety

The Downtown Safety Committee has received the “Problem Statement” report from its members, detailing the nature of the downtown safety situation and what measure should be taken in both short and long terms.  The Committee will meet on September 13^th to finalize the recommendations that will be going to Council in September.

Midland Bay Landing

Council approved of the Board structure for the MBL Development Corporation last spring.  The interviews for the private sector members of the Board were held last month and will be recommended to Council, likely in September. The Council representatives to the Board will be chosen in December, once the new Council is established.

MPUC

The Ontario Energy Board has confirmed the sale has met the “no harm test” and given its approval. The sale has now been directed to the lawyers for the parties to finalize the paperwork.

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Simcoe County households will receive one electronics collection, with Midland receiving pick-up September 24-28 (Zone 2). Visit www.simcoe.ca/electronicscollection or check out your Waste Calendar to determine your zone. An electronics collection bag will arrive through Canada Post by early September as part of the County’s Big News envelope. The mailer will also include a bag for our annual Battery Collection occurring November 5-9, 2018 and information about upcoming changes to our green bin program.

Gord McKay

The Year for Electing Our Future - 2018