A busy week but the outside weather is delightful so I will keep this short.
Monday will feature an update by our area’s Physician Recruitment group. It takes place at the Georgian Manor in Penetanguishene at noon.
Then for Monday evening you have a real choice. At 7pm Dr. Kevin Smith will update our local hospital situation. That will happen at Penetanguishene Secondary School, 51 Dunlop Street. Also at 7pm is our monthly Council Meeting (“Deputation Only”). Some of the more interesting items on the Town agenda are:
- a final decision by Council on whether it will contribute to the new Huronia Players theatre parking lot (not quite over yet)
- a decision will be made on funding a heritage assessment of the Drummond Wall (on Fuller Ave.)
- this summer look for an $8 million renovation of our Wal-Mart; plus Donalda will go under the shovel for new sewers
- we should pass a by-law recognizing Ms. Andrea Fry as our new Town Clerk
The Ontario Arts Council will be in Town on Thursday at 7pm at the Carriage House Gallery to speak to all artists about funding and sponsorships.
Work should start on King Street this week to install the new nautically themed street lights. This is a joint project of the downtown Business Improvement Area and the Town and should take 3 to 4 weeks to complete. It will look great when it’s finished.
Gord McKay
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Sunday April 20, 2008
As this will be a rather quiet week meeting-wise at the Town, I will address environmental issues. If you would rather be outside enjoying our summer weather, please read no further.
Last week Council and staff received training on the new County waste arrangements. The County is not offering any public training sessions but will send out a newsletter. For further information check the County website. Interesting changes:
- Our “green bin” program will start in late September or early October
- The green bins will be delivered earlier, likely August
- Each single family home (no multi-residential) will receive a large curbside green bin and a smaller mini-bin for the kitchen
- Collection will continue weekly for regular garbage, blue bin and green bin
- You cannot put pet waste or diapers in the green bin
- The County will restrict garbage to a 1 bag limit
- This fall our Transfer Stations on Golf Link Road, where you drop off Household Hazardous Waste, will be operating 5 days a week (as opposed to 5 times a year). Should reduce the line ups.
Our annual heavy pick-up by the County will take place on Monday May 26. Make sure you get your stuff to the curb for that date.
The Town will be holding its Pitch In Week event this Wednesday at 1:30. So if you want to see your Councillors in action, some of us should be up at County Road 93 at Yonge.
Two important non-Town public meetings are coming up:
- The County will hold a review of its growth plan this Thursday at 5pm at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre
- On Monday April 28th, Dr. Kevin Smith will update us on what is happening with our local hospitals. The meeting will take place at 7pm at Penetanguishene Secondary School, 51 Dunlop St.
Gord McKay
Last week Council and staff received training on the new County waste arrangements. The County is not offering any public training sessions but will send out a newsletter. For further information check the County website. Interesting changes:
- Our “green bin” program will start in late September or early October
- The green bins will be delivered earlier, likely August
- Each single family home (no multi-residential) will receive a large curbside green bin and a smaller mini-bin for the kitchen
- Collection will continue weekly for regular garbage, blue bin and green bin
- You cannot put pet waste or diapers in the green bin
- The County will restrict garbage to a 1 bag limit
- This fall our Transfer Stations on Golf Link Road, where you drop off Household Hazardous Waste, will be operating 5 days a week (as opposed to 5 times a year). Should reduce the line ups.
Our annual heavy pick-up by the County will take place on Monday May 26. Make sure you get your stuff to the curb for that date.
The Town will be holding its Pitch In Week event this Wednesday at 1:30. So if you want to see your Councillors in action, some of us should be up at County Road 93 at Yonge.
Two important non-Town public meetings are coming up:
- The County will hold a review of its growth plan this Thursday at 5pm at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre
- On Monday April 28th, Dr. Kevin Smith will update us on what is happening with our local hospitals. The meeting will take place at 7pm at Penetanguishene Secondary School, 51 Dunlop St.
Gord McKay
Monday, April 14, 2008
Monday April 14, 2008
I am a little delayed in getting the News to you this week. I have found my garden again and discovered that there is a lot of work to do.
The week will start with a very busy Committee Meeting at Town tonight (Monday) at 7:00 (“Written Comment”). Items include:
- The Drummond Wall on Fuller Ave. Committee will assess if it will undertake an “archeological assessment” of the importance of the wall before holding a public meeting on the matter.
- Household waste costs. Committee will receive a report showing that the Town will get a waste rebate from the County but more importantly that what you pay for waste services per household has increase by 19.3% in 2007 and an expected 15.2% in 2008
- Huronia Players will again ask the Town to help fund the new theatre
- King Street could be under construction this summer if Committee decides to spend the money it has received from the Province on resurfacing King St. from Galloway to Hwy. 12.
- Committee will discuss whether to waive the fees for the popular Rotary Party on the Dock
- A proposal is being brought forward by our Parks Department to start work on our new soccer field and lastly;
- The Mayor will discuss whether the Town will impose a curfew on late night snowmobiling. Appropriately we may not get to this item before 11pm.
Something for everyone.
There will be a SHARE environmental film night at the Penetanguishene Museum this Friday at 7pm.
And lastly, the Memorial Candlelight Tribute will take place at the Cenotaph on May 7th at 7:30.
Gord McKay
The week will start with a very busy Committee Meeting at Town tonight (Monday) at 7:00 (“Written Comment”). Items include:
- The Drummond Wall on Fuller Ave. Committee will assess if it will undertake an “archeological assessment” of the importance of the wall before holding a public meeting on the matter.
- Household waste costs. Committee will receive a report showing that the Town will get a waste rebate from the County but more importantly that what you pay for waste services per household has increase by 19.3% in 2007 and an expected 15.2% in 2008
- Huronia Players will again ask the Town to help fund the new theatre
- King Street could be under construction this summer if Committee decides to spend the money it has received from the Province on resurfacing King St. from Galloway to Hwy. 12.
- Committee will discuss whether to waive the fees for the popular Rotary Party on the Dock
- A proposal is being brought forward by our Parks Department to start work on our new soccer field and lastly;
- The Mayor will discuss whether the Town will impose a curfew on late night snowmobiling. Appropriately we may not get to this item before 11pm.
Something for everyone.
There will be a SHARE environmental film night at the Penetanguishene Museum this Friday at 7pm.
And lastly, the Memorial Candlelight Tribute will take place at the Cenotaph on May 7th at 7:30.
Gord McKay
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sunday April 6, 2008
The biggest news this week – spring has finally arrived. So get outside and enjoy it.
Many committee meetings going on this week. Some of the areas your Councillors and citizen members are getting involved in are:
- Midland Accessibility Advisory Committee - Monday 7 pm
- Parking Authority – Tuesday 4 pm
- Midland Heritage – Tuesday 7 pm
- Committee of Adjustment – Thursday 4:30 pm
- Library Board – Thursday 7 pm
All of these are public meetings and you may be allowed to input at the discretion of the Chair. Please confirm locations and times with the Town office if you plan to attend.
In the months ahead I will be writing more about environmental developments. But before I start, I will be joining my fellow Councillors at the Town this Monday at 10:00 am to be briefed by Simcoe County about our new waste programs. These are:
1. Curbside Organics Collection (Green Bin)
2. One Bag Garbage Limit
3. Expanded Recycling Opportunities
4. Expanded Facility Household Hazardous Waste Programs
5. New Electronics Recycling Programs.
These presentations are just for Town staff and Council. I am told that public presentations will take place in early summer.
And Midland’s Earth Hour electricity reduction, when we all turned the lights off for one hour on March 29th – 4.5%; just a little bit less than the provincial average. What have you done to conserve energy today?
Gord McKay
Many committee meetings going on this week. Some of the areas your Councillors and citizen members are getting involved in are:
- Midland Accessibility Advisory Committee - Monday 7 pm
- Parking Authority – Tuesday 4 pm
- Midland Heritage – Tuesday 7 pm
- Committee of Adjustment – Thursday 4:30 pm
- Library Board – Thursday 7 pm
All of these are public meetings and you may be allowed to input at the discretion of the Chair. Please confirm locations and times with the Town office if you plan to attend.
In the months ahead I will be writing more about environmental developments. But before I start, I will be joining my fellow Councillors at the Town this Monday at 10:00 am to be briefed by Simcoe County about our new waste programs. These are:
1. Curbside Organics Collection (Green Bin)
2. One Bag Garbage Limit
3. Expanded Recycling Opportunities
4. Expanded Facility Household Hazardous Waste Programs
5. New Electronics Recycling Programs.
These presentations are just for Town staff and Council. I am told that public presentations will take place in early summer.
And Midland’s Earth Hour electricity reduction, when we all turned the lights off for one hour on March 29th – 4.5%; just a little bit less than the provincial average. What have you done to conserve energy today?
Gord McKay
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday March 30, 2008
Winter is hanging tough but the signs of spring are out there. Keep the faith.
And what a way to start. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal has just notified the Town that we will be receiving a grant of $3.5 million towards our library expansion. Bill Molesworth, our Chief Librarian, is to be congratulated for leading this effort. If everything turns out well work may start this year.
The North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation is set to start its “business retention and expansion” survey next month. The survey will contact 100 or more businesses in North Simcoe to determine how our economy is changing. Survey work should wrap up by the summer with results reported in the fall.
I hope you all participated in Earth Hour, on the 29th. Once the lights are out you really have to rethink your evening priorities. The Town has kept track of our energy consumption during Earth Hour and should give us an indication as to whether we in Midland are making a difference. I will let you know as soon as I get the information.
And finally, the Planning Advisory Committee meets this Wednesday the 5th at 7 pm. (“You May Speak”). A busy agenda including:
- The future of the Drummond stone wall on Fuller Avenue. This wall is part of Midland’s heritage and could be lost to development. If you are interested in heritage this would be a good one to attend.
- The sidewalk easement to the Tiffin waterfront walkway near the new condominium towers will be discussed. The intention is to move the Town’s easement rights from the North side to the South side, nearer the parking.
- The proposed site plan application for the Sayward apartment building at 742 Birchwood Drive will be addressed.
Gord McKay
And what a way to start. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal has just notified the Town that we will be receiving a grant of $3.5 million towards our library expansion. Bill Molesworth, our Chief Librarian, is to be congratulated for leading this effort. If everything turns out well work may start this year.
The North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation is set to start its “business retention and expansion” survey next month. The survey will contact 100 or more businesses in North Simcoe to determine how our economy is changing. Survey work should wrap up by the summer with results reported in the fall.
I hope you all participated in Earth Hour, on the 29th. Once the lights are out you really have to rethink your evening priorities. The Town has kept track of our energy consumption during Earth Hour and should give us an indication as to whether we in Midland are making a difference. I will let you know as soon as I get the information.
And finally, the Planning Advisory Committee meets this Wednesday the 5th at 7 pm. (“You May Speak”). A busy agenda including:
- The future of the Drummond stone wall on Fuller Avenue. This wall is part of Midland’s heritage and could be lost to development. If you are interested in heritage this would be a good one to attend.
- The sidewalk easement to the Tiffin waterfront walkway near the new condominium towers will be discussed. The intention is to move the Town’s easement rights from the North side to the South side, nearer the parking.
- The proposed site plan application for the Sayward apartment building at 742 Birchwood Drive will be addressed.
Gord McKay
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday March 22, 2008
Like all Canadian authors I have to open with a comment about our weather.
This winter has been miserable for street clearing and seeing cars as you back out of driveways. Thank heavens for our excellent Public Works department. One of the more challenging streets has been Fredrick Street that was dug up for sewers last fall. The good citizens of Fredrick have had to cope with no sidewalks, no road and a pot-hole situation that defies description. And you thought you had problems.
Our Council meeting is this Tuesday March 25th at 7:00 pm. It will be a historic meeting in that it is the final Council meeting for our Town Clerk Heather Babcock before her retirement. Heather has been a rock of sound advice and due process, as well as being a lovely lady, and will be sorely missed at Council.
The Council meeting (“Deputation Only”) should be fairly brief. There are no deputations and few contentious items on the agenda. Council is looking for a representative to help the School Board plan the location of new schools. So if that is of interest, please get your name in to myself or to Heather Babcock.
The Pesticide Committee will meet on Monday March 31st at 7:00 pm at the Town. The major agenda item is to decide “Where do we go from here”.
Gord McKay
This winter has been miserable for street clearing and seeing cars as you back out of driveways. Thank heavens for our excellent Public Works department. One of the more challenging streets has been Fredrick Street that was dug up for sewers last fall. The good citizens of Fredrick have had to cope with no sidewalks, no road and a pot-hole situation that defies description. And you thought you had problems.
Our Council meeting is this Tuesday March 25th at 7:00 pm. It will be a historic meeting in that it is the final Council meeting for our Town Clerk Heather Babcock before her retirement. Heather has been a rock of sound advice and due process, as well as being a lovely lady, and will be sorely missed at Council.
The Council meeting (“Deputation Only”) should be fairly brief. There are no deputations and few contentious items on the agenda. Council is looking for a representative to help the School Board plan the location of new schools. So if that is of interest, please get your name in to myself or to Heather Babcock.
The Pesticide Committee will meet on Monday March 31st at 7:00 pm at the Town. The major agenda item is to decide “Where do we go from here”.
Gord McKay
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sunday March 9, 2008
And the snow just keeps getting deeper and deeper!
A quieter week in the Town – perhaps a lot of people have escaped down south.
This Monday March 10th at 7pm will see Council Committee meeting (“Written Comment”). No real barn-burners on the agenda but you never know.
The next Pesticide Committee meeting will be March 31st at 7pm. (“Written Comment”). The Chair hopes to come up with concluding recommendations at this meeting.
A couple of interesting parties shaping up this summer. The Party on the Dock (Jimmy Buffet fans) will look for approval from Council for its June 20th date and a new “bass tournament” is being considered by your Chamber of Commerce for this September.
Bryan Peter is getting Town summer activities into gear. Registration for spring and summer programs will take place at the NSSRC on March 27, 28 and 29. Bryan has also prepared a schedule of planned events for the summer. (Please see attached) More information is available on all these events by contacting the Town’s Community Services department
Gord McKay
A quieter week in the Town – perhaps a lot of people have escaped down south.
This Monday March 10th at 7pm will see Council Committee meeting (“Written Comment”). No real barn-burners on the agenda but you never know.
The next Pesticide Committee meeting will be March 31st at 7pm. (“Written Comment”). The Chair hopes to come up with concluding recommendations at this meeting.
A couple of interesting parties shaping up this summer. The Party on the Dock (Jimmy Buffet fans) will look for approval from Council for its June 20th date and a new “bass tournament” is being considered by your Chamber of Commerce for this September.
Bryan Peter is getting Town summer activities into gear. Registration for spring and summer programs will take place at the NSSRC on March 27, 28 and 29. Bryan has also prepared a schedule of planned events for the summer. (Please see attached) More information is available on all these events by contacting the Town’s Community Services department
Gord McKay
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