Ladies and Gentlemen
And here we thought we would quietly enter into spring – sunshine – birds singing - I am not even sure where I left the snowblower!
A relatively quiet week.
Wednesday March 3rd is the busy day with Public Meetings starting at 7:00 at the Town (You May Speak). These meetings will cover a variety of topics including:
- The DeSantis rezoning for a hotel on Hwy 12
- Application for storage sheds at 408 Galloway Boulevard
- Application for rezoning at 204 Gianetto Dr.
- Review of the secondary suites by-law
- Review of planning housekeeping amendments that cover many matters (such as can you park on your lawn – check the Town website for more on this)
Following the public meetings is the regular Planning Advisory Committee meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair). PAC should be short as its only item is to review how we measure the performance of our planning department.
Also that night is the first public meeting on the Georgian Valley Project. This is the billion dollar development by Skyline for Port McNicoll and Horseshoe Valley. The first meting is at 7:00 pm at the Port McNicoll Community Centre. The second meeting occurs March 9th at 7:00 pm at the Horseshoe Resort, Highlands Gold Course Clubhouse.
Back to shoveling.
Gord McKay
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday February 21, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
Is there a prettier place anywhere than Midland on a bright sunny (albeit frosty) day?
A quiet week as some of your Councillors and staff are away at the Good Roads conference.
Zero Waste Simcoe will be releasing a report this week on how expected changes to the province’s waste legislation could result in hundreds of jobs for Simcoe. Public sessions are:
- Tuesday February 23rd at 7:00 at the Simcoe County Museum
- Wednesday February 24th at 8:00 am at the Midland Town Hall
If we act decisively we may be able to bring these jobs to Midland.
On Thursday February 25th you have the opportunity to attend an information session about a new private school coming to the area, Georgian Shores Academy. The event starts at 7:00 pm at the Olympia Event Centre, 2 Robert St. W, in Penetanguishene. A $10 cover charge will pay for the food.
This Friday get ready to attend Garfield Dunlop’s annual “Lasagna Dinner” at the Wye Marsh. Seating times are 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
Last week I attended a meeting concerning the Georgian Valley development being built over the next ten years in Port McNicoll and Horseshoe Valley. The developer, Skyline, expects the project to cost $1.65 billion. The construction phase will provide some 9,000 construction jobs while operating the development will provide some 1,300 jobs. (By way of comparison, Statistics Canada states that in 2006 Midland’s total labour force was only 8,180) Look for public meeting in early March.
Gord McKay
Is there a prettier place anywhere than Midland on a bright sunny (albeit frosty) day?
A quiet week as some of your Councillors and staff are away at the Good Roads conference.
Zero Waste Simcoe will be releasing a report this week on how expected changes to the province’s waste legislation could result in hundreds of jobs for Simcoe. Public sessions are:
- Tuesday February 23rd at 7:00 at the Simcoe County Museum
- Wednesday February 24th at 8:00 am at the Midland Town Hall
If we act decisively we may be able to bring these jobs to Midland.
On Thursday February 25th you have the opportunity to attend an information session about a new private school coming to the area, Georgian Shores Academy. The event starts at 7:00 pm at the Olympia Event Centre, 2 Robert St. W, in Penetanguishene. A $10 cover charge will pay for the food.
This Friday get ready to attend Garfield Dunlop’s annual “Lasagna Dinner” at the Wye Marsh. Seating times are 4:00 pm, 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
Last week I attended a meeting concerning the Georgian Valley development being built over the next ten years in Port McNicoll and Horseshoe Valley. The developer, Skyline, expects the project to cost $1.65 billion. The construction phase will provide some 9,000 construction jobs while operating the development will provide some 1,300 jobs. (By way of comparison, Statistics Canada states that in 2006 Midland’s total labour force was only 8,180) Look for public meeting in early March.
Gord McKay
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Sunday february 14, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
Happy Valentines Day….and if you are reading this as opposed to spending time with your significant other….time to review your priorities.
Monday the Town is closed for Family Day – enjoy.
On Tuesday February 16th
· The Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce is holding its AGM and dinner starting at 5:30 pm at Brooklea.
· At 7:00 that evening you are invited to informally meet local artists at Explorer’s restaurant off of King St. Good food and good times at a price that is hard to beat.
Wednesday the 17th starts off at 8:30 am when the Town will hold a public meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair) on our heavy waste voucher system. This early meeting should also discuss a “Treasure Day” coming to Midland.
Then later that same day your Council meets at 7:00 pm (Deputation Only). A short agenda. The most contentious item is a new by-law defining the power of Town officials to enter your land and premises.
On Thursday February 18th, Bruce Stanton invites you to an open house at 5:00 pm at his office at 504 Dominion Ave.
And lastly, Knox Presbyterian Church is holding a concert on Saturday February 20th at 7:00 pm featuring Titus Chapman, a dynamic and passionate musician from Louisville, Kentucky. Well worth attending.
Gord McKay
Happy Valentines Day….and if you are reading this as opposed to spending time with your significant other….time to review your priorities.
Monday the Town is closed for Family Day – enjoy.
On Tuesday February 16th
· The Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce is holding its AGM and dinner starting at 5:30 pm at Brooklea.
· At 7:00 that evening you are invited to informally meet local artists at Explorer’s restaurant off of King St. Good food and good times at a price that is hard to beat.
Wednesday the 17th starts off at 8:30 am when the Town will hold a public meeting (Speak at Discretion of Chair) on our heavy waste voucher system. This early meeting should also discuss a “Treasure Day” coming to Midland.
Then later that same day your Council meets at 7:00 pm (Deputation Only). A short agenda. The most contentious item is a new by-law defining the power of Town officials to enter your land and premises.
On Thursday February 18th, Bruce Stanton invites you to an open house at 5:00 pm at his office at 504 Dominion Ave.
And lastly, Knox Presbyterian Church is holding a concert on Saturday February 20th at 7:00 pm featuring Titus Chapman, a dynamic and passionate musician from Louisville, Kentucky. Well worth attending.
Gord McKay
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Sunday February 7, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
A cold week ahead but a lot going on in the Town to keep you warm. By the way, I hope you were able to get out and enjoy Winterfest
Monday the 8th starts at 6:30 with a closed meeting. At 7:00 pm is the Committee meeting of the Town (Written Input). A long agenda with a few contentious items:
- Discussion of pedestrian crossing on Yonge Street by Mundy’s Bay school
- Proposal for off-leash areas in Little Lake and Tiffin Parks
- Discussion to permit paint ball operations by “zone” (as opposed to be site)
- A draft by-law that would allow increased entry onto “lands” (premises) by Town officials to enforce by-laws
- A review of our experience with the heavy garbage voucher system this past year
- Suggested changes to Town procedures including how we call Town meetings and how long Councillors can debate topics
On Wednesday February the 10th the County comes to the NSSRC to discuss garbage. (Information session at 4:30 pm; Public discussion at 7:00 pm) The County is currently trying to discern our waste future - Do we need more landfills? Should we export our waste? What do you do with heavy pick-up and sewage? The answers to these questions will significantly affect your future and that of your children. If you want to make a significant difference to our waste future, please take time to get involved. If you want more information, take a look at the County’s website www.simcoe.ca or Zero Waste Simcoe at www.zerowastesimcoe.org.
Thursday sees the opening of Huronia Players’ new play Danock’s Dance. Well worth going.
And finally on Friday: at 8:00 am at the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation offices, the BR+E committee will discuss economic plans for our area
Gord McKay
A cold week ahead but a lot going on in the Town to keep you warm. By the way, I hope you were able to get out and enjoy Winterfest
Monday the 8th starts at 6:30 with a closed meeting. At 7:00 pm is the Committee meeting of the Town (Written Input). A long agenda with a few contentious items:
- Discussion of pedestrian crossing on Yonge Street by Mundy’s Bay school
- Proposal for off-leash areas in Little Lake and Tiffin Parks
- Discussion to permit paint ball operations by “zone” (as opposed to be site)
- A draft by-law that would allow increased entry onto “lands” (premises) by Town officials to enforce by-laws
- A review of our experience with the heavy garbage voucher system this past year
- Suggested changes to Town procedures including how we call Town meetings and how long Councillors can debate topics
On Wednesday February the 10th the County comes to the NSSRC to discuss garbage. (Information session at 4:30 pm; Public discussion at 7:00 pm) The County is currently trying to discern our waste future - Do we need more landfills? Should we export our waste? What do you do with heavy pick-up and sewage? The answers to these questions will significantly affect your future and that of your children. If you want to make a significant difference to our waste future, please take time to get involved. If you want more information, take a look at the County’s website www.simcoe.ca or Zero Waste Simcoe at www.zerowastesimcoe.org.
Thursday sees the opening of Huronia Players’ new play Danock’s Dance. Well worth going.
And finally on Friday: at 8:00 am at the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation offices, the BR+E committee will discuss economic plans for our area
Gord McKay
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Sunday January 31, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
Winter’s back. And I have the shovel marks to prove it.
A fairly quiet week in the Town.
The Out of the Cold program is half-way through its season. We are typically feeding 20 people each evening – many have a home but do not have the means to put food on the table. The economic downturn continues to impact Midland.
On Wednesday February 3rd at 7:00 pm is the PAC meeting. (Speak at Discretion of Chair). The agenda includes:
- further discussion on “secondary suites” for single family dwellings
- a housekeeping proposal to our Town Plan. It covers many topics such as:
o where you can park on your residential property
o including decks in the definition of lot coverage
- an update on the County appeal to the OMB over the Official Plan process
This is Midland’s Winterfest weekend - a variety of events from Friday evening into Sunday. Check the Town website for details. Also on the social calendar for this Saturday February 6th are:
- Community Living Huronia gala starting at 5:30 pm at the Best Western
- Georgian Bay Musicians Assn. is holding a Winterfest Dance at 8:00 pm at the Windrifter.
And lastly, our Town has apparently joined a “Provincially Designated Growth Area Municipalities Committee”. This is a new organization made up of 3 Simcoe municipalities plus Barrie and Orillia. In a letter issued by its Chair, Mike MacEacheran, on January 20th one of the Committee’s tasks will be to “research and review alternative cooperative servicing opportunities to support the implementation of the necessary infrastructure required to accommodate the proposed growth nodes….” Interesting. When this comes to Midland Town Council for discussion I will be sure to let you know.
Gord McKay
Winter’s back. And I have the shovel marks to prove it.
A fairly quiet week in the Town.
The Out of the Cold program is half-way through its season. We are typically feeding 20 people each evening – many have a home but do not have the means to put food on the table. The economic downturn continues to impact Midland.
On Wednesday February 3rd at 7:00 pm is the PAC meeting. (Speak at Discretion of Chair). The agenda includes:
- further discussion on “secondary suites” for single family dwellings
- a housekeeping proposal to our Town Plan. It covers many topics such as:
o where you can park on your residential property
o including decks in the definition of lot coverage
- an update on the County appeal to the OMB over the Official Plan process
This is Midland’s Winterfest weekend - a variety of events from Friday evening into Sunday. Check the Town website for details. Also on the social calendar for this Saturday February 6th are:
- Community Living Huronia gala starting at 5:30 pm at the Best Western
- Georgian Bay Musicians Assn. is holding a Winterfest Dance at 8:00 pm at the Windrifter.
And lastly, our Town has apparently joined a “Provincially Designated Growth Area Municipalities Committee”. This is a new organization made up of 3 Simcoe municipalities plus Barrie and Orillia. In a letter issued by its Chair, Mike MacEacheran, on January 20th one of the Committee’s tasks will be to “research and review alternative cooperative servicing opportunities to support the implementation of the necessary infrastructure required to accommodate the proposed growth nodes….” Interesting. When this comes to Midland Town Council for discussion I will be sure to let you know.
Gord McKay
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Sunday Janaury 24, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
January 24th and they are calling for a high of 6 degrees and heavy rain…bring on the global warming debate.
A busy week. On Monday the 25th we start off with a closed meeting at 6:30 regarding a matter of litigation concerning the Town. Then at 7:00 it is Council (Deputation Only). A fairly long agenda including;
- a deputation on septage (sewage sludge) disposal
- a letter from the County suggesting a meeting on leachate monitoring at the North Simcoe Transfer Station (Later on there is a By-law to use the Midland boundary road allowance as a leachate attenuation zone.)
- a discussion on the use of Harbourview Dr. sidewalks by snowmobiles
- a comment on your Committee’s recommendation to expand the permitted uses for our industrial zoning category
Wednesday the 27th is a very special day. Our new Chief of Police Mike Osborne will be sworn in at Town Hall in a special ceremony scheduled for 6:00 pm. Then at 8:30 pm Council will be meeting in a special closed session to discuss a possible land acquisition.
Thursday the 28th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Garfield Dunlop MPP is holding his pre-budget consultation at the Brooklea. If you wish to present it is suggested that you call Garfield’s office ahead of time to register.
On Saturday, a number of your Councilors will be headed to Toronto for a short conference on job creation is the green economy. Hopefully a number of good ideas will be generated for our own economy.
And finally another bus company has offered to fill the transportation gap left by Greyhound’s decision to terminate service to the Town in April .More developments to follow.
Gord McKay
January 24th and they are calling for a high of 6 degrees and heavy rain…bring on the global warming debate.
A busy week. On Monday the 25th we start off with a closed meeting at 6:30 regarding a matter of litigation concerning the Town. Then at 7:00 it is Council (Deputation Only). A fairly long agenda including;
- a deputation on septage (sewage sludge) disposal
- a letter from the County suggesting a meeting on leachate monitoring at the North Simcoe Transfer Station (Later on there is a By-law to use the Midland boundary road allowance as a leachate attenuation zone.)
- a discussion on the use of Harbourview Dr. sidewalks by snowmobiles
- a comment on your Committee’s recommendation to expand the permitted uses for our industrial zoning category
Wednesday the 27th is a very special day. Our new Chief of Police Mike Osborne will be sworn in at Town Hall in a special ceremony scheduled for 6:00 pm. Then at 8:30 pm Council will be meeting in a special closed session to discuss a possible land acquisition.
Thursday the 28th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Garfield Dunlop MPP is holding his pre-budget consultation at the Brooklea. If you wish to present it is suggested that you call Garfield’s office ahead of time to register.
On Saturday, a number of your Councilors will be headed to Toronto for a short conference on job creation is the green economy. Hopefully a number of good ideas will be generated for our own economy.
And finally another bus company has offered to fill the transportation gap left by Greyhound’s decision to terminate service to the Town in April .More developments to follow.
Gord McKay
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Saturday January 16, 2010
Ladies and Gentlemen
I have not had to use my snowblower for a couple of weeks now. They are just not making winters the way they used to.
Monday the 18th of January starts early. At 9:00 am the County’s waste strategy committee meets in Midhurst. to start making the hard choices about our waste future. Then at 7:00 pm in the Midland Town Council Chambers your Poverty Committee meets to continue discussing what we will do about poverty (Speak at Discretion of Chair)
Friday the 22nd is the important Mayor’s Day in support of physician’s recruitment. You can still get tickets for either the breakfast or the lunch. James Lockyer is the keynote speaker.
While I focus this e-mail on the work of the Town’s major committees and Council, many less heralded meetings occur each week. For example, this week alone:
- Energy Committee – Tuesday at 3:30 pm
- Huronia Museum – Tuesday at 7:00 pm
- Trails Committee – Tuesday at 7:00 pm
- Police Services Board – Wednesday at 4:00 pm
- BIA – Wednesday at 6:00 pm
- Seniors Council – Thursday at 10:00 am
All dedicated to making Midland a better place.
Gord McKay
I have not had to use my snowblower for a couple of weeks now. They are just not making winters the way they used to.
Monday the 18th of January starts early. At 9:00 am the County’s waste strategy committee meets in Midhurst. to start making the hard choices about our waste future. Then at 7:00 pm in the Midland Town Council Chambers your Poverty Committee meets to continue discussing what we will do about poverty (Speak at Discretion of Chair)
Friday the 22nd is the important Mayor’s Day in support of physician’s recruitment. You can still get tickets for either the breakfast or the lunch. James Lockyer is the keynote speaker.
While I focus this e-mail on the work of the Town’s major committees and Council, many less heralded meetings occur each week. For example, this week alone:
- Energy Committee – Tuesday at 3:30 pm
- Huronia Museum – Tuesday at 7:00 pm
- Trails Committee – Tuesday at 7:00 pm
- Police Services Board – Wednesday at 4:00 pm
- BIA – Wednesday at 6:00 pm
- Seniors Council – Thursday at 10:00 am
All dedicated to making Midland a better place.
Gord McKay
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