Sunday September 27, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

Our love affair with the warm summer-like weather continues but you don’t have to go too far to see the leaves changing color. Get out there and enjoy it while it lasts.

There were a couple of important healthcare meetings this past week.  On Tuesday the citizens of North Simcoe met for their quarterly update with the NSMLHIN and our hospital. We learned that there will likely be changes for CCAC (who provide a lot of the provincially funded home care); the possibility of changes for primary care delivery (our frontline doctors and nurses):  and the fact the NSMLHIN is about to name a new agency to coordinate the delivery of seniors’ healthcare. The meeting also introduced to our new Citizens Healthcare Steering Committee who will be our strong voice to ensure proper healthcare for the residents of North Simcoe.

Then last Thursday the GBGH Board invited the public in to comment on what should become of the surplus PGH site. Two main ideas were promoted by the some 15 speakers:

• Keep our GBGH viable
• Help the LHIN turn the PGH site into a new healthcare hub
  After the public meeting, the hospital Board decided to delay their vote on the future of the Penetanguishene site for up to eight months. The decision was based on a request from the NSMLHIN that the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care needs the time to review a proposal to repurpose the site into a health hub.

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Monday September 28^th and more meetings. At 1:30 pm at County, the Affordable Housing Advisory committee will be meeting with the BILD builders association to explore how the private sector can be induced to build more affordable housing units. Unless we have the private sector meaningfully participate in the construction of affordable housing, we will never get past the multi-year wait lists we have in Simcoe County.

At 6:30 pm, Council holds a closed session to consider committee appointments. At 7:00 pm is the regular Council meeting. A full agenda including:

• Three deputations:
  • Overview of the 2016 Senior Summer Games to be hosted by Midland
  • Concerns by Tiffin residents about their neighbourhood
  • Presentation by Bill Smith concerning the zoning of his property on Hwy 12
• A Public Meeting (you may speak) concerning four matters:
  • The proposed land sale at 808 Birchwood Dr.
  • Change of fees by-law to deal with repeat offenders
  • Change of fees by-law to reduce the cost to merchants for use of the downtown sidewalks
  • Amendment to the sign by-law to permit the Sargeant gas bar sign on County Road 93
• Introduction of our first ever municipal operations “dashboard”.  This is an ongoing tracking report that shows how the Town is progressing against key operational targets such as 1) cost control, 2) customer satisfaction and 3) staffing levels.
• A vote on the Chigamik/Waypoint Downtown Health Centre proposed for part of Edgehill Park
• Agreement on the process to assess the control of “second suites” in Midland
• Discussion on what we will do with tiered response by our Fire service
  
  
  
  
  Tuesday 29^th starts early with a 7:30 am breakfast meeting with BNI (Business Network International) at Na Na’s.   Our BNI chapter is made up of some 30 local companies that meet monthly to help each other market more successfully. A great organization.
  
  
  Keeping with the theme of business development, I meet later in the morning with the Chair of our Economic Development Corporation (EDCNS) to align the work we are doing as a municipality with that of EDCNS. Then that afternoon I meet with a local healthcare entrepreneur to discuss job growth in our area.
  
  
  On Wednesday September 30^th you are invited to attend the first draft operating budget meeting at 6:00 pm at Town Hall. While we are just at the start of the public budget process, the first draft should show us an operating increase, year over year, of about 0%. That will allow us to keep tax rates down when we deal with that matter later in the year.   Looking ahead, mark October 7^th at 6:00 pm on your calendar as the date for “public input” budget meeting - your chance to comment on the Town’s budget.
  
  
  Thursday is the first of October. Gets you thinking about Hallow’een. So it’s appropriate for Discovery Harbour to be launching its new Pumbkinferno event. More details at
  http://www.discoveryharbour.on.ca/dh/en/SpecialEvents/HalloweenDay/index.htm
  
  
  On Friday I have a meeting with our newly minted MPP Patrick Brown to discuss how he can help us with the issues that matter most to Midland. Patrick has already expressed an interest in doing some fundraising for GBGH.
  
  
  
  
  Weekend
  
  
  Saturday
  
  
• It’s Treasure Day. Your chance to put out good items you don’t need that may be of use to a neighbor. Put items out to the curb after 8:00 am and have those not picked up back in by 5:00 pm.
• 9:00 am Valu-Mart is hosting a Downtown Sidewalk Sale Spectacular. All proceeds will go to Wye Marsh
• 6:00 pm is the Tiawenk fundraiser for Martyrs’ Shrine at Brooklea
• 7:30 pm is the Be Our Guest concert by Serenata at St. Pauls. A free will offering with proceeds to the Guesthouse
  
  
  Sunday
  
  
• Treasure Day continues

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015

                                                                                              

Sunday September 20, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

Just back from the Terry Fox run.  A beautiful day and close to 1,000 people taking part. A big thank you to the organizers, volunteers, Midland Police and the OPP.  For those of you who have never seen Michelle Mink lead warm-up exercises, you have no idea what high energy is.

On Monday the 21^st the Town starts organizing for our 2016 Butter Tart festival. Over the last three years the Butter Tart has grown from a good idea to a scale that requires a year-long organizational effort. The kick off meeting is at 5:30 pm in the Council Chamber

At 6:00 pm the NS Community Futures Development Corporation is sponsoring a very special event, “Women in Business”.  It will feature a number of inspiring entrepreneurial speakers telling you real stories of women in business. The event is at the NSSRC. Preregistration is required – https://www.canadaone.com/canadian_business_events/event-list.html/event-info/details/id/12

On Tuesday September 22^nd, I am in Midhurst for the 9:00 am County Council meeting. Then at 2:00 pm the Citizens Healthcare meeting takes place at NSSRC. This meeting continues the dialog between the residents of North Simcoe and our healthcare community. Jill Tettmann, CEO of the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN and Karen McGrath, CEO of GBGH will be there to update you on what is happening in our community. If you want to have your say about your healthcare, this is your chance.  And at 7:00 pm please join Gateway Centre for Learning for their Annual General Meeting at the MCC.

Wednesday the 23^rd will see the Downtown Safety committee resume its work. They meet at 10:00 am at the Town Hall.  You are most welcome to attend.

Who says being in politics is not a hair-raising experience. At 9:30 am on Thursday I will be at the “Hair We Are” salon on Elizabeth Street for a haircut, part of a day of haircutting in support of Gilda’s Club. This is your opportunity for a trim while lending a hand to a very worthwhile cause.

At 11:30 am the Huronia Community Foundation invites to you to a presentation by author and TEDTALKS speaker Susan Reynolds.  Susan’s inspiring talk will address why we volunteer and how it helps communities. The event is at the MCC and includes a light lunch.

At 4:30 pm the GBGH Board will hold a special meeting to hear from the public about the future of the hospital’s Penetanguishene site and the proposed heath hub. If you wish to speak please contact Jackie McLauchlin at mclauchlinj@gbgh.on.ca

On Friday the 25^th it’s the start of the weekend Coldwater Fall Fair. Their annual parade kicks off festivities at 1:00 pm. Lots of fun for the family

Weekend

Saturday

• Wish Bob Armstrong a happy 100^th birthday
• 12 noon will see an adult tricycle race in the NSSRC parking lot. Funds will go to the  new splash pad in Little Lake Park
  
  

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015

                                                                                              

Sunday September 13, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

I hope this grey Sunday is not indicative of the cold weather that awaits. Sunscreen in the morning - sweaters in the afternoon. Hard to keep up.

Monday September the 14^th will see Council back to its regular schedule with a special closed meeting starting at 5:30 pm. The topics include labour relations, and potential litigation on two matters. At 7:00 pm is the General Committee meeting including:

• Revising the Towns’ Indemnification By-law – how the municipality will cover the legal expenses of Councilors and employees caught up in legal disputes
• Reducing the fee to allow merchants to extend sidewalk cafes and displays onto the downtown King Street sidewalk
• Review of the Town’s many (35 plus) committees. Possibly moving the Council meeting to Thursday.
• Start of the discussion of where snowmobiles will be permitted in the Town
  
  
  On Tuesday the 15^th, the Housing Working Group reconvenes at Town Hall at 2:00 pm to advance ideas for new affordable housing projects in our area. In addition to looking at secondary suites and rental units at the PGH site, the group is considering “WWOOFing’, a communal style of housing for rural/farming areas.
  
  
  Thursday is the busy day. It starts at 8:30 am at the Kempenfelt Centre in Barrie where County Council will convene to discuss governance – how we need to be organized to effectively run this half billion dollar a year corporation. From noon to 5:00 pm you are welcome to attend the grand opening of Body Line Collision at 245 Whitfield Cres. And at 6:00 pm the Town starts the public budget process with a meeting on our 2016 capital budget. That takes place at Town Hall.
  
  
  The Syrian refugee crisis has been brought into sharp focus over the past few weeks. Elizabeth O’Connor and Richard Wakerlin have been leading a Midland initiative to bring a Syrian refugee family to our Town. If you would like to help out or simply want to hear more, they will be holding their next meeting at the Midland Library at 7:00 pm.
  
  
  On Friday the18^th one of our local manufacturing success stories, NEBS, will be celebrating the 100^th anniversary of its parent company Deluxe. So if you should see a large party at Little Lake Park, give them a friendly wave.
  
  
  Weekend
  
  
  Saturday
• We Are The Villagers is holding a fundraiser and recognition ceremony for the 100^th anniversary of our old library building on Hugel. WATV is a very worthy children’s charity that started here in Midland. Tickets available from Julianna at watv@bellnet.ca  
  
  
  Sunday
• 10 am the Terry Fox Run starts at Mountainview Mall
  
  
  
  

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015

                                                                                              

Monday September 7, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

And I am back….

I hope you had a great summer – a chance for good times with family, friends and just taking time to enjoy this wonderful place we all love as Midland.

To say it was a quiet summer would be misleading. Some of the things that you may have participated in or missed over the last two months:

-       The Martels have wrapped up their touring career with a set of final concerts

-       The Metis Nation of Ontario’s 400 delegates had a great time visiting Midland including a paddle in the Bay

-       Cruise ships Pearl Mist and St, Laurent have made 5 visits to our Town

-       The Ontario 55-plus summer games showcased the best Midland has to offer to over 200 visitors

-       First place – Midland’s newly minted “Best Maple Butter Tart beer” came first at the Muskoka craft brewers contest.  The winner will be coming soon to an LCBO outlet near you

-       The Hwy 12 - Jones Road intersection is almost open (still)

-       Mountainview Mall is under new ownership and expecting redevelopment in 2016

-       The Hanson development on Highway 12 has over1,000 pre-registrations

-       The recent provincial by-election sees the leader of the loyal opposition as our own MPP

-       Staff is deep into the 2016 budget process.  Look for the first public meetings later this month

-       Midland now allows (with permit) small backyard fires

-       Marina Park (building next to Bayport) has been sold. The Town is in discussions with the new owners to get this project completed

-       Downtown Health Centre (part of Edgehill Park)  will go to Council for a final decision on Sept 28

-       Environmental work continues on the Midland Bay Landing site. Still awaiting the draft design.

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The all-star series, a Day in the Life, continues at the MCC this Tuesday at 7:30 pm, September 8^th.   Fred Hacker will be speaking with Adam Dixon, a celebrated para-athlete who hails from our area.   As a youngster, Adam loved hockey.  Then, when he was 10, he was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. leading to the removal of his right tibia.  While Adam's dream of playing “stand up hockey” was shattered, he began playing sledge hockey at the age of 11 and, by the time he was 17, he was invited to try out for Canada's national team. He starred on the bronze winning Canadian Paralympic sledge hockey team in Sochi in 2014.  Fred invites you to learn more about a truly inspiring young man.

On Wednesday September 9^th at 6:30 pm at Town Hall you are invited to a Special Meeting of Council addressing two important topics. The first will be about our Library, where Council will hear about the Library Board’s intentions for new services they are considering for Midland.

The second topic of the night is a panel discussion on how different Local Distribution Companies (LDC – like our MPUC) are handling changes in the energy sector.  This panel has come about due to Council’s interest in looking at different business arrangements for our own LDC. The panel will feature speakers from municipalities/utilities that have experienced recent sale/mergers, including:

Mr. Chris Litschko, President of Lakeland (a similar sized LDC)

Ms. Lynn Strachan, Board Member Powerstream ( provides power to Penetanguishene)

Mr. Steve Zorbas, former CFO Town of Richmond Hill - PowerStream

Mayor Tony Van Bynen, Newmarket - Newmarket Tay Hydro (provides power to Tay)

The panel will discuss first-hand experiences about the pros and cons of sale/merger and what Midland power users could expect if Council chose to pursue one of those options. The discussion should also help us understand:

-       The risks in the energy sector for small LDCs given the government’s push for consolidation (MPUC with some 6,500 customers is a very small LDC)

-       The challenges and risks to a small LDC in keeping up with changes in technology including off-grid power generation

-       The Ontario Energy Board’s role in setting our hydro rates and realizing that some 80% of your hydro bill is a provincial pass through over which the LDC has no control

-       What to look for in choosing a partner for pursuing your LDC’s business objectives

Thursday the 10^th starts at 8:00 am with a breakfast at Lakehead University, hosted to recognize the County of Simcoe’s support for Lakehead. At 7:00 pm that evening at Penetanguishene Town Hall is a meeting to hear more about the joint transit system that will be shortly linking Midland and Penetanguishene.

Weekend

Saturday

-       15^th annual Pow Wow at Ste Marie starting at noon

Sunday

-       Pow Wow continues at Ste Marie starting at noon

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Many of you will have fond memories of recently retired OPP Constable Dave Hobson. Far from being “retired” Davey is still sending me safety notices.  Please see the attached and stay safe.

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015

                                                                                              

Sunday June 28, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

This past week our school graduates for 2015-2015 threw their caps into the air and stepped out to enjoy a summer’s break. Sounds like a good idea. So to help you better enjoy the summer, I will suspend News from the Town for the summer season. If anything of note comes up in Midland, I will be sure to send you out a special bulletin.

A few notes for your summer.

Council will continue to meet over the summer. We will not have our General Committee meetings but Council meetings will continue. Please check the web calendar for dates, as they sometimes change on short notice.  http://www.midland.ca/townhall/meetings-agendas

In addition the Town will hold a number of special meetings and events over the summer.

July 1 – Canada Day at Little Lake Park. The parade starts at 10:30 am. Fireworks in Penetanguishene at dusk.  For more information http://www.midland.ca/Shared%20Documents/canada%20day%20events%202015%20little%20lake.pdf

July 6 – MPUC information session 6:30 pm at NSSRC.  Your chance to find out more about Council’s recent decision to consider changes in owning its electricity distribution asset.

July 8 – A meeting of the Downtown Master Plan committee at 1:00 pm at Town Hall to consider the final Master Plan, before it goes to Council.  Later, at 5:00 pm, is a special meeting of Council to discuss our ongoing arrangements for the Fire service and next year’s Butter Tart event.

July 11 – Saturday, and a chance to head out to Huronia Airport for their annual Fly In (lots of planes to check out) or tour a number of gardens with the Library’s Annual Garden Tour.

July 13 – A public meeting (you may speak) at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall for determine your interest in expanding the presence of backyard fires and fireworks.

August 1 weekend –It’s the Rendevous Champlain weekend.  All sorts of events with many in Penetanguishene. The weekend listing is at http://rendezvouschamplain.ca/en/

August 21 – The Metis Nation Annual General Assembly will be held in Midland this weekend.  It starts with a shoreline welcome for those arriving by canoe then a full weekend of conferences and events.

August 22 – Artwalk, the second largest of our downtown festivals, takes place all day on King Street.

August 26 – The Ontario 55+ Central Region Summer Games kicks off with many competitions being held at our NSSRC.  Check your games schedules for times and locations.

For other community events please see the Town events calendar at http://www.midland.ca/visitors/events-calendar

And if that were not enough, a few more for your summer calendar.

The last dance for The Martels in Midland will be at NSSRC on Saturday, July 11.  Proceeds from this final dance are going to assist the Bunn's Kids program. All tickets are $25 and are now on sale at Johnstone's Music Land and the Midland Town Dock,

The Day in the Life series continues all summer at the MCC. The next evening will feature Bill Watters, a legendary sports figure.  He worked with the infamous Alan Eagleson for several years and held management positions with Team Canada between 1976 and 1979. In 1991 he became assistant general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs where he served for 12 years. 

Tickets are available at the Box Office at the Midland Cultural Centre, Please see http://midlandculturalcentre.com/

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In closing, something sweet. Our recent Butter Tart event was the best yet. While I am still awaiting the final numbers, literally thousands of people came up to see Midland and were very impressed with what the saw. But don’t take my word for it ….. http://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2015/06/25/ontarios-best-butter-tart-bakers-gather-in-midland-for-a-contest-and-festival.html

Enjoy your summer.

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015

                                                                                              

Sunday June 21, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

The longest days of the year are brightening our late evening BBQs. The Party on the Dock is now an echo.  It must be summer.

On Monday June 22^nd your Council gets right to work with three meetings. At 5:00 pm is a special meeting of Council to receive a report from our IT consultant about how to improve our municipal technology systems. At 6:00 pm a closed meeting will consider appointments to various committees. Then at 7:00 pm is the regular Council meeting. The agenda includes:

-       Four deputations and petitions:

o    Comments on the Downtown Master Plan from  D. Penrose, St. Paul’s Church

o    Request for a splash pad at Little Lake Park

o    Petition regarding the Downtown Health Centre location

o    Petition regarding changes to downtown parking

-       Public meeting (you may speak) on closing the road allowance near Portage Rd.

-       A plan to bring people back to Little Lake Park

-       Introducing the new inspector for the shared Midland/Penetanguishene building inspection service

June is Senior’s month. On Tuesday at noon you are invited to the annual Midland Seniors Council luncheon at NSSRC. Speakers will include Wes Crown, Town of Midland and Jill Tettmann, CEO NSM Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). The lunch is free but you should pick up a ticket at the NSSRC before attending. Then a 2:00 pm the North Simcoe Housing Working Group meets at Town Hall to continue its work on finding housing solutions for our area.

Wednesday June 24^th starts at 9:00 am at the Fire Hall with Project Zero. Midland is pleased to again be selected to receive smoke and CO2 detectors that will be provided to the public by our fire department. Please remember that smoke and CO2 detectors are required to be installed in all of our homes.

At 3:00 pm that afternoon in the Council Chambers, the Town will hold an open house to provide information about the new Downtown Health Centre proposed for the Edgehill Park location. This is the first of the public meetings on the matter and a chance for the public, Council and staff to hear from each other about concerns and questions. There are many rumors circulating on this matter, so of you are interested please plan on attending.

And lastly, the OCPC hearing that had been planned for today to consider the safety issues with outsourcing of police dispatch has been cancelled. To be rescheduled.

On Thursday the 25^th Midland plays host to the third Economic Prosperity Summit. This all day event at the MCC will welcome some 140 delegates from business, government and the public to hear about how our economy is performing and the steps being taken to bring more jobs to our area. This summit will showcase the groundwork being undertaken in the four municipalities to ensure a prosperous future for our area.

June is also the month of graduation. Students all over Midland are looking forward to taking that next big step towards their future. Ceremonies include:

-       2:00 pm Midland Learning Centre graduation at NSSRC

-       7:00 pm MSS and St Ts graduations at their locations

On Friday June 26^th at 10:00 am the Downtown Safety committee meets in the Town Hall.

Weekend

Saturday

-       4:00 pm Relay for Life in support of cancer research at Little Lake Park

Sunday

-       GB Rowing Club regatta – all day on Little Lake Park at their location

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015

                                                                                              

Sunday June 14, 2015

Ladies and Gentlemen

It’s the day after the Best Butter Tart festival ever. A roaring success. My estimate is over 10,000 people visited Midland this week-end and came pretty close to snapping up 80,000 butter tarts. Social media of the event was abuzz. A job well done to Barb, Nicole and all the great volunteers who made this day happen.

On a less positive note there seems to be a tremendous amount of misinformation circulating about the new Health Center proposed for our downtown. Two of our major public health organizations – the Chigamik Community Health Centre and Waypoint Community Services – are working together to bring an improved range of accessible health services to the people of Midland.

This new public Health Centre (similar to the Huronia Health Centre near the hospital) will provide:

·         Primary healthcare doctors – walk in

·         Nurse practitioners – walk-in

·         Traditional healing – walk-in

·         Eating programs

·         Smoking cessation

·         Fitness programs and counselling

·         Mothercare

·         Meditation classes

·         Walking programs

·         Healthy cooking classes

·         A dietician

·         Anxiety and stress counselling

What the Centre will not be is a hospital with patient beds or a methadone dispensary.

In addition to the question about what the Centre will be, other questions include:

-       Why give up a portion of the little used Edgehill Park?

-       What is the expected impact upon downtown?

Sound responses exist for each of these questions. The first of the public meetings on this matter will be an Open House at the Town Hall on June 24^th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. There will be more public meetings to follow. If you have any questions in the meantime, let me know. Once you have had a chance to hear the facts you will be able to better appreciate how the Center will benefit all of Midland and our residents

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Monday is relatively quiet – time to recover from the Butter Tart. On Tuesday you are invited to attend an Open House at the Town Hall at 3:00 pm to discuss plans for our newest heritage site, the William Wilson cemetery.  At 7:00 pm is the regular meeting of Healthcare Innovators at the ShopCity location.

On Wednesday June 17^th you may wish to attend the regular meeting of the Midland Police Services Board at 4:00 pm at Town Hall. That evening all sports fans will want to be at the MCC at 7:30 pm for a Day in the Life with Mike Keenan. Mike was an NHL head coach for 25 years with 8 NHL teams.  He was a General Manager on two occasions.  He won the Stanley Cup in 1994 with the New York Rangers and has recorded the fifth most wins as a coach in NHL history.  Mike currently works in Russia, serving as head coach of the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League. 

Thursday June 18^th will see lots going on.  At 10:00 am the Ontario Early Years Center hosts their Family Picnic in Little Lake Park.   At noon you are invited by the County to participate in their transit study public consultation to be held at Penetanguishene Village Square Mall.  At 1:00 pm it’s back to Midland for the SSEA Open House at the Midland library.  There you will hear a presentation on invasive species in our area. And at 6:00 pm, municipal staff will gather at the NSSRC for a workshop on energy conservation and system planning.

On Friday the 19^th at 9:00 am, I am at the County for the Affordable Housing Advisory committee meeting. The County has completed about two-thirds of its 18 presentations to Simcoe municipalities seeking their help in implementing affordable housing in every community. The responses have been most encouraging.

At 10:00 am the Town will hold its regular Waterfront Project Steering Committee – you are welcome to attend. At 7:00 pm it’s party time with Party on the Dock on our waterfront featuring the Carpet Frogs.

Weekend

Saturday

A celebration of the retirement of Justice Bob Main. Please come and wish Bob well at the MCC from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

Sunday

11:00 am is the Metis Aboriginal Day celebration at Rotary Park in Penetanguishene

7:00 pm enjoy Music in the Park at the Rotary bandstand, Little Lake Park

Gord McKay

Be part of Midland’s Year of Bold Action - 2015