Sunday May 15, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

It’s hard to know whether to laugh or cry when you see snow coming down on May 15^th. In the spirit of “I Am Canadian” – Gotta love this kind of weather.

Monday May 16^th will start with an experiment as the four-way traffic stop at King and Elizabeth will be unveiled. This has been the hottest topic on social media for the last month. Time to see what will really happen. At 5:00 pm you are invited to GBGH for the monthly Citizens Healthcare Steering Committee meeting. The meeting will be planning for the June public meeting - a way to keep us engaged in all things healthcare in our community.

Tuesday the 17^th will start at 8:30 am for the four mayors, as we take further action on proper funding for GBGH and other mid-sized hospitals in Ontario. This past Thursday, Mayors Cornell, Marshall and I met with the Ministry of Health officials and laid out our issues with:

-       The need for the Penetanguishene health hub

-       Proper funding for GBGH

While there were no breakthroughs, Ministry staff agreed that we should be more directly involved with the LHIN and the Ministry in coming up with needed solutions.

At 6:00 pm there will be a special meeting of Council concerning our MPUC. This meeting is a continuation of Council’s discussion on where we want to go with our electricity distribution resource. Regulatory and environmental changes have led Council to agree that the status quo for our MPUC is not an option. Council will use this meeting to decide on whether a sale or a merger scenario is preferred and what the ultimate objectives of that arrangement should be. The open meeting will be followed by a closed meeting where Council will consider a matter concerning solicitor-client privilege.

At 6:30 pm at the Library is the second in a series of presentations on how to start, grow and expand your business.  The series is brought to you by NSCFDC, the County and the Library.

Wednesday May 18^th features a half-day seminar at the County Museum starting at 9:00 am about the 20,000 homes project – an initiative supported by the County to have 20,000 affordable homes constructed in Canada.  At 1:00 pm, the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre is launching a fascinating project to map the history of indigenous people through story telling. So if you have a relevant story, you may wish to attend.

Thursday will be one of those days as County Councilors meet at the Simcoe County Museum for a full day of strategic planning.

On Friday May 20^th at 9:00 am I am at County once more for the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee.  The Committee is about to release a guideline to all municipalities about the measures that they can take to significantly engage public and private sector partners in building affordable housing within their community.

The Town of Midland, in conjunction with the County of Simcoe, is providing a Free Compost and Mulch Giveaway from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the NSSRC parking lot.  Bring your own bag and be ready to load your own compost/mulch. In addition, the Town is offering a free Rain Barrel to the first 150 residents (proof of residency is required).

Weekend

Saturday

-       9:00 to 4:00 pm - Free mulch giveaway continues – see Friday details.

Sunday

-       8:00 pm – Midland’s Jessica Lalonde with the Huronia Hot Strings at the MCC

Enjoy your May long weekend – Town offices will be closed on Monday May 23.

Council Issues Update

GBGH

Lots going on this week. The mayors had a series of meetings with ministry officials – mayor Marshall was even able to meet briefly with Minister Hoskins. GBGH has provided further information on the impact that insufficient funding is having on their operations. Our active citizens group in conjunction with the Ontario Health Coalition is organizing a “voting plebiscite” to have the province stop the cuts to hospitals services. It’s well organized with the many voting locations in Midland open until May 27^th. If you wish to take part you can vote at:

·         8 Ball Express - 847 Vinden St.

·         Arcade & Jory Guardian Pharmacy - 286 King St.

·         Chigamik - 845 King St.

·         Clinic IDA Pharmacy - 952 Jones Rd.

·         Dollar Tree - Mountainview Mall - 9226 Highway 93

·         Georgian Bakery - 253 King St.

·         Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre - 175 Yonge St.

·         Giant Tiger - Huronia Mall - 9225 Highway 93

·         Huronia Medical Centre - hallway in front of the Clinic Pharmacy - 240 Penetang Rd.

·         Meatland - 229 Midland Ave.

·         Midland Golf and Country Club - 9536 Highway 93

·         North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre - 527 Len Self Blvd.

·         Shopper's Drug Mart - 9186 Highway 93

·         Wye Heritage Marina - Ogden's Beach Rd.

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Midland’s first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is scheduled for Saturday June 25^th at 10 am starting at the pavilion in Little Lake Park. The event is organized by the Ys Men Club with all proceeds going to our Rosewood Shelter. While this event involves fundraising it is more about having men take a public stand for ending violence against women. You can sign up or join a walking team at http://midlandysmensclub.ca/events/walk-a-mile-in-her-shoes/

I will be walking as part of Team Midland. If you wish to sponsor your mayor, please go to the site and make your statement.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              

Sunday May 8, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

Happy Mothers Day. A time to honour the importance of mother’s wherever they may be.

On Monday May 9^th a local group, together with the Ontario Health Coalition, is rallying citizens to support a “ballot petition” asking the Ontario government to stop cuts to hospitals. The rally takes place at 1:00 pm in the Wal-Mart parking lot. At 2:30 pm you may wish to attend a meeting of our OPP Costing Committee at Town Hall. The committee is considering retaining expert assistance to help it with the costing process, comparing our own service costs to the OPP.

There will be a closed meeting of Council at 6:30 pm to consider a legal matter. Then at 7:00 pm is the regular General Committee meeting. A modest agenda including:

-       Decision who will be providing fireworks for our upcoming Canada Day

-       Direction on the budget for our Operations Centre

-       Discussion on having summer movies in our downtown.(more about this below)

-       A proposal from our BIA for a bike repair station on the waterfront

-       Consideration of establishing a committee on aboriginal relations

Tuesday May 10^th starts with County Council at 9:00 am. At 11:00 am the County will hold a public meeting to consider the development charges it plans to level on all municipalities. You may recall Midland decided to freeze its development charges at the 2015 level. This decision was made to spur growth in our Town. Having the County now increase its share of the development charge does not sit well with your Council.

On Wednesday the 11^th you are invited to the Boathouse restaurant at 1:00 pm for the launch party for the 2016 Butter Tart festival. A sticky good time. Then on to a busy evening:

-       Guys Who Care will hold their second event at Lot 102 starting at 5:00 pm. This spontaneous group expects to raise $20,000 in about an hour. The funds will then be turned over to a local charity also selected that by the group.   www.guyswhocare.ca

-       7:00 pm is the annual Candlelight tribute for our veterans at the Cenotaph. Please arrive early

-       At 7:30 pm some superlative talent as the Trio D’Argento comes to the MCC. Thank you to Brookside (John French) for making this possible

Thursday the 12^th is also a busy day. It starts for me with an afternoon at Queens Park, as Warden Marshal, Mayor Cornell and I meet with the Ministry of Health to advocate for better funding for GBGH and other mid-sized hospitals. At 5:00 pm please join me for the opening of our newest business Simply Home Furnishings at 900 King St. Unit 2.

If you are looking for a good spot for dinner, you may want to take in the Wye Marsh fundraising lasagna dinner at the Oakwood Community Centre, 290 Park St. in Victoria Harbour.  Open seating between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. After dinner, you may wish to take in the Official Plan Review Steering Committee at the Library. Or at 7:30 pm join Fred for a Day in the Life at the MCC as he interviews Penetanguishene native Jacquie Gauthier and learns about her fascinating travels to Africa.

Friday is pretty quiet – enjoy it.

Weekend

Saturday

-       Its North Simcoe Treasure Days.  For more details please visit http://www.midland.ca/Pages/News-room.aspx#Treasure

-       8:00 am to 1:00 pm it’s the Huronia Pregnancy Resource Centre garage sale at the River of Life parking lot on Eighth Street.  Proceeds go to the Centre as it helps all women with the challenges of motherhood

-       8:00 am to 2:00 pm is the Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre yard sale at their Yonge St location

-       10:00 am to 4:00 pm is the Midland District Railroad Club's 27th Annual Train Show and Sale at the NSSRC. Adults $6 / Seniors $5 / Children $2

-       7:00 pm at the MCC is the “Wonders of the Circus” – a circus of French song with Le Cirque et ses Merveilles brought to you by Le Cle

-       7:00 pm our own Children’s’ Community Choir joins with the Young Sudbury Singers children’s choir at St Paul’s. A musical extravaganza you will certainly enjoy.  

-        

Sunday

-       North Simcoe Treasure Days continues

-       12:30 pm Community Living Huronia tees off at Brooklea for its annual golf event

-       10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Midland District Railroad Club's Train Show continues at the NSSRC

                                                                   *****

On May 9^th Council is likely to endorse something brand new for our community – a free public movie night. Throughout the summer, movies will be screened at dusk at the downtown parking lot at Bay and King. Mark your calendar for the following features:

June 1              Star Wars - The Force Awakens

June 15             Finding Nemo

June 29             Who Framed Roger Rabbit

July 13              Ghostbusters

July 27              Back to the Future

Aug 10              Frozen (the sing-along edition)

Aug 24              Jurassic World

So gather your kids, grab the popcorn and come down to meet your fellow Midlanders. Gotta love this Town.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              

Sunday May 1, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

Another sure sign of spring. The four municipalities are getting together to launch the North Simcoe inter-municipal baseball competition. Each municipality will field a team made up of members of town staff and council. The baseball schedule:

Wednesday June 1^st   @ 6:30 pm     McGuire Park, Penetanguishene

Wednesday July 20^th  @ 6:30 pm     Perkensfield Park, Tiny

Monday August 8^th   @ 6:00   &  7:30 pm  Peterson Park, Midland

Thursday September 8^th   @ 6:30 pm     Talbot Park, Port McNicoll

Team names and rosters are still settling in. I think I heard some discussion about a salary cap too. Let the SPRING TRAINING begin.

                                                                *****

Monday May 2^nd at 11:30 am, will see a cheque presentation from MPUC to the Town for the LED street light program. Three years ago the Town started a program to convert all of its street lights to energy efficient LEDs. With this cheque we are fully converted. 

I head to the County for 1:00 pm to meet with housing developers to discuss the best ways to engage them in working with municipalities to build affordable housing units.  Their comments will be used to build a set of recommendations for Simcoe municipalities to meaningfully encourage private sector involvement in affordable housing development. The recommendations are likely to show that all parties will have to contribute something to the solution.

Later on that day I meet with the area mayors to refine our position paper that we will be taking to Minister on ways to reform the funding formula for midsized hospitals such as GBGH.

Tuesday the 3^rd will feature a very special event in our community. The Friends of Tiffin Pond will conduct a neighborhood tree planting at 3:15 pm at Tiffin Pond. With help from the SSEA they will be taking a major step in public stewardship of our municipal wetlands. Come down and join the fun – or start one in your own neighborhood

At 6:30 pm, all entrepreneurs are invited to the first in a series of presentations on starting a small business. This four seminar series will be held at the Library and is brought to you by NSCFDC, the County, our local Business Enterprise Center and the Library. All seminars are free.

1)     Start your business - May 3^rd 6:30 pm

2)     Grow your business – May 17^th at 6:30 pm 

3)     Dealing with a mature business – 31^st at 6:30 pm

4)     Succession planning – June 14^th 6:30 pm

Another option for you at 6:30 pm is the BIA AGM which takes place at 225 King Street, upstairs.

Wednesday April 4^th is McHappy Day at McDonalds.  I have the 8:00 am shift at the McDonalds on Hwy. 93. Please drop by and support this worthy charity. At 2:00 pm our Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe hosts a manufacturing summit - part of the ongoing effort to grow our local manufacturing base. And it’s working. My discussions over the last few months show that most of our manufacturers are hiring and/or looking for more growth in 2016.

At 7:00 pm it’s the Planning and Development Committee. It starts with a public meeting (you may speak) on Home Occupation. Council has asked staff to change our existing by-law to recognize the reality that many of our business start-ups begin in someone’s basement. The regular part of the meeting includes:

-       Report on second suites. This is likely the final discussion before it goes to Council

-       Report on the zoning changes for Midland Bay Landing

           

On Thursday I am again at County for a meeting, this time with landlords to learn how to better engage them in managing more affordable housing units. 

On Friday May 6^th the four mayors and Beausoeil First Nation meet with Patrick Brown to discuss many local issues. At noon, please join me for the opening of Georgian Bay Books at their new book shop on King Street. (the old Riv Bistro location).

Weekend

Saturday

-       12 noon is the season opening for Martyrs’ Shrine.  The Shrine will also celebrate the  opening the Holy Door for the church`s Year of Mercy

Sunday

-       Mother`s Day – Please take a moment to honour all of our mothers

-       10:00 am to 3:00 pm is Little Lake Park clean up.  Please come down and join your fellow citizens in helping our Park get ready for summer.

                                                          *****

This upcoming Saturday June 25^th at 10:00 am will see Midland`s first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Over the past few years Kathy Willis of Rosewood has challenged the men of our community to get serious about stopping the ongoing violence against women. Last year approximately 70 local men held a public ceremony to personally commit to ending such violence. This year, with the help of our local YsMen Club, we become more vocal. We challenge all area men to participate in the Walk. More details to follow.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              

Sunday April 24, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

Our on again – off again spring is off again. In spite of the cool weather, that hardy breed known as the Georgian Bay boater is already out on the water.  A tip of the hat but I will watch from shore.

Monday April 25^th has two meetings. At 6:00 pm is a closed meeting of Council to deal with two personal matters. At 7:00 pm is the regular meeting of Council. The agenda includes:

-       Two deputations

o    Midland Rotary Club update

o    Midland Cultural Centre update

-       Presentation to the Town by Gunter Hille, a well-regarded local photographer

-       Letters on the Development Charges associated with second suites

-       Direction regarding a $2M increase in the cost of the new Public Works depot

-       Selection of a consulting firm for the hiring of the full time CAO

-       Councilor Strathearn will present a motion to clarify the financial targets from our strategic plan

On Tuesday the 26^th I am at County Council for 9:00 am. County will be dealing with such topics as the collection of a court awarded settlement from the AWARE group; and information about the Canada Census that is due to start in May 2016. 

At 1:30 pm it’s the Blue Skies and Butterflies Spring Fashion Show.  This annual Askennonia event takes place in the Community Hall at the NSSRC.  Tickets are $20. 

Then right to Friday the 29^th at 10:00 am when an update meeting for the Midland Bay Landing Steering Committee takes place at Town Hall.  At 5:30 pm it’s the Museum’s Heritage Dinner at the NSSRC. The guest speaker is John Hartman who will interpret the 1909 trip up the bay by Midland photographer J.W. Bald. Then at 7:30 pm, join the Battle of the Bands at MCC.  This promises to be an exciting event with talent such as the Sandra Good Band, Mad Hatters, Crossfire and more.

Weekend

Saturday

-       6:30 pm the Quest Art School + Gallery hosts their inaugural Kaleidoscope of the Arts. Music by Scott Cooper and two artists painting/sketching on-site.  Guests will then move to Rotary Hall to enjoy a sit-down dinner catered by Ciboulette et Cie.  John French will be on the grand piano and Chuck Baker will perform during dessert.  After a live auction, the Shawn Mei band will have guests dancing the night away. Proceeds will support visual arts programs for children, teens, adults and seniors.

-       7:30 pm Seranata Choir hosts its “Spring Sing” at St Pauls

Sunday

-       12:30 pm Hospice Huronia holds it’s annual Hike for Hospice. The event starts with a soup lunch at the Penetanguishene Curling Club. The walk starts at 1:30 pm.

Council Issues Update

GBGH

A very busy week in the public life of our hospital. A bus load of citizens were down at Queens Park on Wednesday to protest health care cuts and to present a 15,000 name petition supporting GBGH hospital services.  Then on Saturday some of our physicians gathered at Queens Park to voice their concern about cuts to the fees paid to doctors. If you add to this the 108 recommendations from the recent operations review at GBGH, you can appreciate the complexity of trying to make needed changes to healthcare in North Simcoe.

Behind the scenes, your mayors are continuing their effort to have the province change the hospital funding formula to properly fund mid-sized hospitals. Our efforts in concert with GBGH, the LHIN, area doctors, the Ministry and mayors from across the province seem to be making progress. We have been invited to meet ministerial staff in early May to discuss our imitative and inform the Ministry’s review of the funding formula. Look for a media release tomorrow giving a bit more background on what the mayors have been up to.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              

Sunday April 17, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

Spring at last. It’s amazing how a few days of warm spring sunshine change one’s outlook on life. Take the opportunity to get out and say hello to someone you don’t know.

Monday April the 18^th will feature a special Council meeting at 6:00 pm to approve the selection of our new interim CAO. I can’t release the name until tomorrow but you are welcome to attend the meeting. Council had decided to retain an interim CAO for a period of up to six months while the search for the full-time CAO position is being conducted.

Tuesday the 19^th is a busy day starting with the County’s open houses on the proposed Organics Processing Facility and Material Management Facility to be built at a location in Springwater. There are two sessions, one from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Simcoe County Museum

All entrepreneurs thinking of starting their own business are invited to a business start-up coaching session at the Midland Library from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Sponsored by the Business Enterprise Resource Network, the session is free. Please register at info@businessenterprise.ca

At 5:30 pm is the annual Women of Excellence Awards at the Best Western.  You are invited to come out and honour the excellent women of our community.  At 6:30 pm is the Junior Battle of the Books at the Midland library.  Contact Bonnie Reynolds at 526-4216 for more information.

On Wednesday, many North Simcoe residents will be up at an early hour to catch a bus down to Queen’s Park. They will be presenting a petition to the government to protest the potential loss of services at GBGH. At 10:00 am that morning I am chairing a multi-Ministry meeting to provide better understanding and coordination between provincial government programs and local needs. The meeting will focus on infrastructure, economic development and culture/tourism.

Friday April 22^nd is Earth Day.  Your chance to do that extra little bit to help your planet, and therefore every one of us who depends upon it. Your Town is organizing a waterfront clean-up. We gather at the Swan sculptor at the waterfront at 2:30 pm. Clean-up supplies will be provided.  Please come out and join us.

At 10 am I attend a thought leadership session at Georgian College in Barrie. This discussion brings the community together to discuss new methods of outreach for Georgian’s educational resources.  At 6:00 pm you are invited to Lot 102 to bid retiring Fire Captain Rob Wilson the best in his retirement after 25 years with Midland Fire.

Weekend

Saturday

-       10:30 am at the MCC Hanna Hashimoto is on stage - a delightful recreation of a popular children’s story

-       5:30 pm it’s the Canoe Tripper Rendevous (A Portager’s Party) at Wye Marsh.  Celebrate as a voyageur with some good food and camp fun.  Dress in your best camping attire.  Tickets at Tripps Paint and Ciboulette

-       8:00 pm ABBA tribute at the MCC

Sunday

-       7:30 pm folk singer David Francey at the MCC

Council Issues Update

OPP

The first public meeting on the OPP costing was held this past week. The OPP should have their part of the costing back to us by this fall. Council then has 6 months to make a decision on our policing future.

The OPP Costing Committee has also asked Council to approve the retention of an advisor to help with understanding our Midland Police Service cost situation.  While it may seem a simple question the full cost of our policing must consider the annual budget, provincial funds and supports, pension and transitional obligations, as well as the state to our policing assets. Simply put, it’s complicated.

                                                        *****

A note for your June calendar. Margaret Trudeau will be coming to Midland to speak about her lifetime of experiences in support of The Guesthouse Shelter. The event will take place at the Best Western on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:00 pm. Early Bird Tickets are $125 per person until May 1st, after which they will be $150.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              

Sunday April 10, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

If you believe the weatherperson, warmer days are just around the corner. It had better come quickly. I have a lot of forlorn looking robins in my yard debating about flying south again.

Monday the 11^th starts the business of the Town with a closed meeting at 6:00 pm to discuss personal matters. At 7:00 pm it’s the General Committee meeting. The agenda includes:

-       Setting up a Transit Advisory Committee to guide our expanding transit service

-       Further discussion of the Museum’s proposal for an exhibit at our waterfront

-       An update on the King Street “Big Dig”. This project keeps moving because of funding considerations. Time to nail it down

-       Direction on installing sidewalks for the Tiffin Phase 6 development

-       A request by Shelter Now for financial relief for their affordable housing project

-       A request by the MPUC on what Council (the shareholder) wants from a sale or merger of MPUC

Tuesday April 12^th starts at the County with the semi-monthly Council meeting. At 3:00 pm Georgian College, Barrie hosts its Innovation Day – a chance for the students to show us how they are going to revolutionize the business world. That evening I will be meeting with a group of men to plan the first “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event in Midland. This initiative is a result of a request from Kathy Willis for our community, especially its men, to step up to the challenge of ending violence against women. Look for further updates in the weeks ahead.

At 7:00 pm you are invited to a very special book launch at MCC. Midland’s own Lawrence Fox will be releasing his first book Cold War Warrior. This gentleman is a true war hero with a story that puts James Bond to shame. Your chance to meet a true Canadian hero.

Wednesday the 13^th is International Pink Shirt Day, to promote anti-bullying. Communities across Simcoe County are being called upon to Paint the Town Pink. Please don a bit of pink to show your support. Also we wish Jack Webster a happy 100^th birthday. A big celebration at the Villa at 2:00 pm

At 6:00 pm at the Town Hall is the first public meeting on the OPP costing. The meeting starts with a presentation by the OPP on what is anticipated through the process. Then the discussion turns to how the Town will organize its resources to respond to the costing information, expected to be received this summer.

On Thursday the 14^th at 7:30 pm at the MCC, It’s a Day in the Life. Fred will be interviewing Gertie Beaucage, a First Nations cultural knowledge consultant. The conversation will explore the aboriginal perspective on First Nations relations with Canada.

Friday April 15^th will start with the Affordable Housing Committee meeting at County. The Committee will be preparing their report card to the province showing how it is meeting its first target of 895 new affordable housing units by 2018.

At 2:00 pm until 9:00 pm it’s the annual Midland Home Show at the NSSRC. Your chance to make a dent in that “to do” list you have been building all winter.  At 3:00 pm I take part in a photo op for the provincial Seniors Summer Games coming to Midland this August 9-11.

You are invited to Sound of the Trumpet, a celebration of baroque trumpet music, presented by Brookside. The evening will feature trumpeter Justin Bland and Soprano Dawn Bailey. The event is at 7:30 pm at St. Paul’s. Tickets available at the MCC.

Weekend

Saturday

-       9:00 am until 4:00 pm it’s the Midland Home Show at the NSSRC

-       7:00 pm - Sistema Huronia Music Academy hosts its Variety Show at the Alliance church on Yonge Street. You will hear how young folk in our community have personally grown through their experience with music. No ticket but a free will offering.

Council Issues Update

MPUC

Our MPUC is part way though their search for a sale/merger partner. Not surprisingly they have recently written to Council to clarify Council’s objectives, as the sole shareholder, as to what the business arrangement should look like. All parties appreciate that lot of time can be wasted if we are not clear on where we are headed.

Your Council will need to be more directive on how we best ensure that Midlanders will have a fairly priced quality electrical service for decades to come.

OPP

The first public meeting on the OPP costing process occurs this week. The OPP will likely advise us that the costing will go fairly quickly, with their response by this summer. The Town will then have six months to decide whether to accept or not.

The Town has its own work to do. It will have to assess what the MPS currently costs. It will have to gather service level and quality information. And if the pricing differential is significant, Council will have to act quickly to answer the question “Do we move to an OPP service or stay with the MPS?”

                                                            *****

With help from The Home Depot Canada Foundation demolition has been completed on the upper floor at 522 Elizabeth, home of the Guesthouse Shelter.  Construction is set to begin on June 11^th. The Guesthouse needs your help to complete this much needed project.  Donations can be made in person or by mail at The Guesthouse, 522 Elizabeth St. Midland, L4R 2A1, or online at www.theguesthouseshelter.ca.

The Guesthouse Shelter provides emergency shelter, meals and resources to adults, youth and families experiencing homelessness in North Simcoe. When completed the 3,500 square foot fully accessible facility will include spaces for 14 individuals to stay overnight and a dining room that can accommodate up to 40 for meals.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016

                                                                                              

Sunday April 3, 2016

Ladies and Gentlemen

When it comes to April Fool’s jokes, it’s hard to beat a dumping of snow and below zero temperatures.  Ah Spring.

Monday April 4^th at 9:00 am Askennonia is holding its annual 55 Alive! Driver Refresher Course with Paul Hamelin. It’s a full day course costing $30 including lunch.  All are welcome; pre-registration is required (705) 526-7609. Then at 10:00 am the Town will raise the world Autism Day flag at Town Hall.

Tuesday the 5^th has a definite food theme. Peaceworks is having a fund raiser for Doctors Without Borders. Join them for lunch at Explorers restaurant at noon. Tickets are $20.00. Then for dinner it’s the first annual Mayors Mac and Cheese dinner to raise funds for “We are the Villagers”. There are three sittings – 4:30 5:45 and 7:00 pm – where you will be served by the mayors and entertained by the children.  Please join us at the Library restaurant.

Wednesday’s theme is meetings. In the morning the mayors meet to further their discussions on the GBGH funding situation. (More on that below). At 1:00 pm at Town Hall the fibre optics committee meets to discuss its recent request for quotation and how best to organize to bring fibre to our area. At 6:00 pm I expect there to be a special closed meeting of Council to discuss a personnel item, (This meeting has not yet been posted).  And at 7:00 pm is the Planning and Development Committee. The first part of the meeting will be a public meeting (you may speak) on three topics:

-       Zoning application for 711 Aberdeen (the second condo-tower)

-       Official Plan Amendment for the Midland Bay Landing development

-       The proposed Second Suites by-laws

Then we get into the regular planning meeting with:

-       Discussion of the items covered in the public meeting

-       Site plan application for our new high school – Georgian Bay District High School

-       Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP)

On Thursday the 7^th, area physicians will be holding a “town hall” to discuss cutbacks at GBGH. The meeting takes place at 6:30 pm at Brian Orser arena in Penetanguishene.  At 8:00 pm you are invited to the MCC to listen to the swinging blues interpretations of Guy Davis the “Ambassador of the Blues”.

Our Deputy Mayor, Mike Ross, is doing his best to bring the video feed of the Blue Jays home opener to our new downtown public square (aka 509 Bay). He is still working on the licensing permissions – stay tuned.

Weekend

Saturday

-       9:00 pm Georgian College holds an Open House.  Everyone is welcome to come out and see our local college

-       10:00 am to 3:00 pm Kingdom Hall holds an Open House celebrating their new church renovations at 845 Yonge Street.  All are welcome

-       11:00 am Better Life Chiropratic opens its new business at 226 King (at Bay)

             

Council Issues Update

GBGH

Our hospital, staff and doctors continue to work on implementing many of the recommendations from the recent GBGH operational review.  Any service level changes remain on hold.

In parallel, the mayors are pursuing a change to our hospital funding formula. This change is essential if we are to get our hospital out of its chronically underfunded situation. Talks have begun with the mayors of five municipalities in North Simcoe – Muskoka. The Ontario Hospital Association is also proving assistance. All these efforts are directed to convincing the Ministry that a different approach to funding is needed to ensure appropriate hospital services remain in small town Ontario.

Gord McKay

Your Year for Getting Aboard – Midland is on the Move - 2016