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 10th 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 13th 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
*****
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 18th- Flag
Raising in Midland, Penetanguishene, Tiny, Tay and Springwater Townships
-
Monday September 24th 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 29th 9:30 to 4:30 - 21st 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
No comments:
Post a Comment