We have many new readers this week. Welcome. If you want to catch up on past items please check out my “blog” at http://www.newsfromthetown.blogspot.com/.
A couple of key Town meetings coming up this week.
Town Budget - (Written Comment)
On Tuesday Feb 5th at 6:00 pm we will discuss the 2008 budget and take steps in determining your 2008 property tax rate. Some issues we will consider are the contracted annual wage increases of 3 - 3.5% and proposed commitments to the new theatre and the downtown street-workers program. Should be interesting.
Planning Advisory Committee – (You May Speak)
Wednesday the 6th at 7:00 pm. A full agenda. Items include:
- Review of the Captain’s Cove Development trail
- Proposal for a Midland-Penetaguishene trail connection
- Consideration whether some of the King St. parking spots should be used for bicycle parking
Our pesticide discussion will return on February 21st. (I will confirm the time later as I think there may be a conflict with another Town meeting.) This meeting will take place against a backdrop of proposed provincial legislation banning most uses of pesticides for cosmetic purposes. If you wish to comment on the Province’s proposal you can go to the Government of Ontario website at:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTAyNTUz&statusId=MTUzMzE3&language=en
You need to do so before February 17, 2008.
And finally the Site 41 debate is not over! You are invited to a waste management information session – “Our Waste – Our Future” at the Brian Orser Arena in Penetanguishene on Thursday February 21st at 7pm. No fee and an opportunity to ask questions about your waste.
Gord McKay
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Sunday January 27, 2008
The work of the Town never ceases. So I apologize if this e-mail is a bit longer than most.
I am often asked by residents if they can speak at Town meetings. Frankly there is no simple answer. So in future I will annotate my e-mails to tell you what you can expect at a meeting. First of all, Town meetings are open to you unless they are closed by a motion of Council. This does not happen often so please feel free to attend. Now:
1) Town Council meetings do not allow you to speak. You may contact the Clerk in advance and ask to make a deputation. You will then be scheduled into the meeting. (“Deputation Only”)
2) Most other Town meetings typically do not allow you to speak. Your speaking is at the discretion of the Chair. You may, however, write your views to the Chair of the meeting. (“Written Comment”)
3) A few meetings invite you to speak. These are Public Meetings, as advertised in the paper, and the Planning Advisory Committee meeting (at present). (“You May Speak”)
Hope this change helps you better participate in our Town meetings.
The big meeting of the week is the Town Council meeting this Monday January 28th at 7:00 pm. (Deputation Only).
Among the more interesting items:
The Snowmobile Committee will deliver its “final” recommendations to Council. It will be up to Council to decide where this goes next.
The group proposing the Wakeboard event at Little Lake Park will be back, hopefully with some good news.
A deputation will be made regarding the walking trail placement through the Captain’s Cove development. Some residents have expressed a concern about having the trail in their back-yard.
Council will consider passing a by-law to request $2.4 million from the Provincial infrastructure program for our library expansion.
And last but not least, Council will debate what salaries the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors should all be receiving in the days ahead.
The Town budget process is about to get interesting. The next meeting is February 5th at 6 pm at the Town (Written Comment). With most of the review completed, the meeting should get down to setting a near final budget and hence your tax rate for 2008.
Finally a few closing items:
There is talk of a Bass Tournament coming to Town in early September. The Chamber of Commerce seems to be taking the lead on this one.
Midland Winterfest is scheduled for next weekend. Please get out there and enjoy this great place we call home.
Our first Family Day is Monday Feb 18th. Most stores will be closed in Midland. Please check with your merchant.
Gord McKay
I am often asked by residents if they can speak at Town meetings. Frankly there is no simple answer. So in future I will annotate my e-mails to tell you what you can expect at a meeting. First of all, Town meetings are open to you unless they are closed by a motion of Council. This does not happen often so please feel free to attend. Now:
1) Town Council meetings do not allow you to speak. You may contact the Clerk in advance and ask to make a deputation. You will then be scheduled into the meeting. (“Deputation Only”)
2) Most other Town meetings typically do not allow you to speak. Your speaking is at the discretion of the Chair. You may, however, write your views to the Chair of the meeting. (“Written Comment”)
3) A few meetings invite you to speak. These are Public Meetings, as advertised in the paper, and the Planning Advisory Committee meeting (at present). (“You May Speak”)
Hope this change helps you better participate in our Town meetings.
The big meeting of the week is the Town Council meeting this Monday January 28th at 7:00 pm. (Deputation Only).
Among the more interesting items:
The Snowmobile Committee will deliver its “final” recommendations to Council. It will be up to Council to decide where this goes next.
The group proposing the Wakeboard event at Little Lake Park will be back, hopefully with some good news.
A deputation will be made regarding the walking trail placement through the Captain’s Cove development. Some residents have expressed a concern about having the trail in their back-yard.
Council will consider passing a by-law to request $2.4 million from the Provincial infrastructure program for our library expansion.
And last but not least, Council will debate what salaries the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors should all be receiving in the days ahead.
The Town budget process is about to get interesting. The next meeting is February 5th at 6 pm at the Town (Written Comment). With most of the review completed, the meeting should get down to setting a near final budget and hence your tax rate for 2008.
Finally a few closing items:
There is talk of a Bass Tournament coming to Town in early September. The Chamber of Commerce seems to be taking the lead on this one.
Midland Winterfest is scheduled for next weekend. Please get out there and enjoy this great place we call home.
Our first Family Day is Monday Feb 18th. Most stores will be closed in Midland. Please check with your merchant.
Gord McKay
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday January 20, 2008
It is not often I have to snow-blow my driveway three times in one day. Winter is back with a vengeance!
A relatively quiet week at the Town. This Thursday sees the next Snowmobile Committee meeting – 7:00 pm at the Town. After more than a year of meeting, I understand Chairman Jeffery hopes to wrap it up and move recommendations onto Council.
Speaking of Council, it will next meet on Monday January 28th at 7:00 pm. Two items should garner some debate. Council will vote on whether to permit the wakeboard event on Little Lake this summer. Council will also debate what type of salary increase is appropriate for the Mayor and Councillors. If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know.
This week sees a very interesting meeting being sponsored by the Huronia Communities Foundation. They will be holding an “all charities planning session”. Over 20 local charities will attend to plan how long term funding may be made available to them.
And in February the long discussed Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) exercise should get started. The project, sponsored by the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation will survey a large number of local businesses to gain insight on the local economy. A good starting point.
Lastly a plug for The Out of the Cold program. You are invited to our Open House at Knox Church on Saturday January 26th from 1-3 pm.
Gord McKay
A relatively quiet week at the Town. This Thursday sees the next Snowmobile Committee meeting – 7:00 pm at the Town. After more than a year of meeting, I understand Chairman Jeffery hopes to wrap it up and move recommendations onto Council.
Speaking of Council, it will next meet on Monday January 28th at 7:00 pm. Two items should garner some debate. Council will vote on whether to permit the wakeboard event on Little Lake this summer. Council will also debate what type of salary increase is appropriate for the Mayor and Councillors. If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know.
This week sees a very interesting meeting being sponsored by the Huronia Communities Foundation. They will be holding an “all charities planning session”. Over 20 local charities will attend to plan how long term funding may be made available to them.
And in February the long discussed Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) exercise should get started. The project, sponsored by the North Simcoe Community Futures Development Corporation will survey a large number of local businesses to gain insight on the local economy. A good starting point.
Lastly a plug for The Out of the Cold program. You are invited to our Open House at Knox Church on Saturday January 26th from 1-3 pm.
Gord McKay
Oh! Canada
I read with dismay the sad state of our nuclear research industry, once a flagship of this young proud country. And then the other haunting images of our past come flooding out – Canada the peacekeeping nation once respected around the globe – Canada the country of natural abundance and environmental good sense - Canada the country of fairness and justice and not the national shame of Maher Arar and Karl Heinz Schreiber.
Why have we lost our direction? Why do we now get nervous about wearing our flag on our backpack? Selling our oil has been great for the national economy but beyond that the good news gets pretty thin. The answer is not in our stars but in our leaders. Do we expect too much – assuredly. But our partisan system of parochial politics seems to doom us to forever being the best country that almost was.
The good news is that we are a people of hope. Looking to our own collective resources we can set new directions and make the needed difference. And if our leaders care to stop and listen maybe they can find their own way as well.
Why have we lost our direction? Why do we now get nervous about wearing our flag on our backpack? Selling our oil has been great for the national economy but beyond that the good news gets pretty thin. The answer is not in our stars but in our leaders. Do we expect too much – assuredly. But our partisan system of parochial politics seems to doom us to forever being the best country that almost was.
The good news is that we are a people of hope. Looking to our own collective resources we can set new directions and make the needed difference. And if our leaders care to stop and listen maybe they can find their own way as well.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Thursday January 10 2008
Ladies and Gentlemen
Windy! I was looking out at Midland Bay yesterday and saw one of our ice-huts headed towards Port McNicoll. Hope all are safe.
An interesting Planning Advisory Committee meeting last night. Mr. MacKell presented a summary of the many developments in Town. For 2008 we will see construction start at Bayport Village (off of Sunnyside), Captain’s Cove (on Aberdeen) along with the Wal-Mart expansion and the new Brick store. Mr. MacKell told us of the potential for more than 2,000 new dwelling units over the next 5 years. It has been a long time since Midland has seen such growth. If you would like more details please give me a call or Mr. MacKell at the Town.
Council will meet again on January 28th at 7pm (note the time change). Council will vote on the contentious Wakeboard event that was deferred from the December meeting. It looks like environmental concerns will determine the outcome.
Upcoming meetings:
- The Pesticide meeting for January 10th is cancelled. The Town is looking at February 21st as a possible reschedule date.
- The Snowmobile Committee next meets January 24th at 7pm at the Town. The Chair is hoping to prepare recommendations to Council at this meeting.
2008 may see the creation of two new Town Committees. The Mayor would like to set up a Task Force on housing. We are also looking at setting up a Trails Committee to address the development and management of all the Town’s trails.
And in closing:
- The Out of the Cold program is hosting an Open House at Knox Church on Saturday January 26th from 1-3 pm. Please come out and see our new homeless shelter.
- Garfield Dunlop MPP is hosting a levee at the Midland Legion this Sunday the 13th at 1 pm.
Gord McKay
Windy! I was looking out at Midland Bay yesterday and saw one of our ice-huts headed towards Port McNicoll. Hope all are safe.
An interesting Planning Advisory Committee meeting last night. Mr. MacKell presented a summary of the many developments in Town. For 2008 we will see construction start at Bayport Village (off of Sunnyside), Captain’s Cove (on Aberdeen) along with the Wal-Mart expansion and the new Brick store. Mr. MacKell told us of the potential for more than 2,000 new dwelling units over the next 5 years. It has been a long time since Midland has seen such growth. If you would like more details please give me a call or Mr. MacKell at the Town.
Council will meet again on January 28th at 7pm (note the time change). Council will vote on the contentious Wakeboard event that was deferred from the December meeting. It looks like environmental concerns will determine the outcome.
Upcoming meetings:
- The Pesticide meeting for January 10th is cancelled. The Town is looking at February 21st as a possible reschedule date.
- The Snowmobile Committee next meets January 24th at 7pm at the Town. The Chair is hoping to prepare recommendations to Council at this meeting.
2008 may see the creation of two new Town Committees. The Mayor would like to set up a Task Force on housing. We are also looking at setting up a Trails Committee to address the development and management of all the Town’s trails.
And in closing:
- The Out of the Cold program is hosting an Open House at Knox Church on Saturday January 26th from 1-3 pm. Please come out and see our new homeless shelter.
- Garfield Dunlop MPP is hosting a levee at the Midland Legion this Sunday the 13th at 1 pm.
Gord McKay
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday December 15, 2007
The last week before Christmas and the business of the Town is starting to slow down before the break. The Town offices are closed from December 24th to January 1st inclusive.
The last big meeting will be the Council meeting this Monday at 7:30 pm. And it promises to be interesting.
- The Town will debate what to do with the social worker program that has been in our downtown for about six months. Simply put the Town does not have the money ($80,000 to $100,000 per annum) and other funding sources are reticent to come forward. At best we are likely to see an extension for the next quarter.
- Kirk Ruston and George Kontos will make a plea for the wakeboard event they are proposing for Little Lake. The major issue they have run into so far has been the environmental concern. This issue should challenge Council.
- A summary will be presented of our budget deliberations. Your Council has met twice to look at costs, with a draft final budget to be ready by the end of February. The perennial problem remains – it all comes down to the taxpayer.
For those looking into the New Year, the next Pesticide Committee meeting is set for January 10 at 7pm. The Snowmobile Committee meeting will take place shortly thereafter – date to be announced.
On a non-Town note the Out of the Program started December 1st. We are seeing a similar level of use as last year. The guys appreciate the new shelter at Knox church and understand that the people of Midland are reaching out to them. Feels like Christmas.
My very best wishes to you for Christmas and 2008.
Gord McKay
The last big meeting will be the Council meeting this Monday at 7:30 pm. And it promises to be interesting.
- The Town will debate what to do with the social worker program that has been in our downtown for about six months. Simply put the Town does not have the money ($80,000 to $100,000 per annum) and other funding sources are reticent to come forward. At best we are likely to see an extension for the next quarter.
- Kirk Ruston and George Kontos will make a plea for the wakeboard event they are proposing for Little Lake. The major issue they have run into so far has been the environmental concern. This issue should challenge Council.
- A summary will be presented of our budget deliberations. Your Council has met twice to look at costs, with a draft final budget to be ready by the end of February. The perennial problem remains – it all comes down to the taxpayer.
For those looking into the New Year, the next Pesticide Committee meeting is set for January 10 at 7pm. The Snowmobile Committee meeting will take place shortly thereafter – date to be announced.
On a non-Town note the Out of the Program started December 1st. We are seeing a similar level of use as last year. The guys appreciate the new shelter at Knox church and understand that the people of Midland are reaching out to them. Feels like Christmas.
My very best wishes to you for Christmas and 2008.
Gord McKay
Monday, November 19, 2007
Monday November 19th 2007
The cold weather is settling in. Despite that, our Remembrance Day ceremonies showed that this Town is full of warm hearts. We had the biggest turn-out yet at the Cenotaph to honour our soldiers and veterans.
An interesting couple of items at Town last week:
1) Discussions started on how much your municipal politicians should be paid. This is usually a prelude to an increase and always contentious.
2) The Town reviewed a request to hold a “wakeboard event” in Little Lake Park. At the same meeting we heard that the Park has also just been designated as a “Provincially Significant Wetland”. A debate is about to start on future uses of the Park.
If any of your want to comment on these items, please do so.
Wednesday November 21st at 7pm sees us sitting down at the Town again to discuss the Pesticide issue. Hopefully we can start moving this towards some form of closure.
And the Good for Life Group is sponsoring a free skate at the Recreation Centre on Friday November the 30th at 6:15pm. All are welcome.
Gord McKay
An interesting couple of items at Town last week:
1) Discussions started on how much your municipal politicians should be paid. This is usually a prelude to an increase and always contentious.
2) The Town reviewed a request to hold a “wakeboard event” in Little Lake Park. At the same meeting we heard that the Park has also just been designated as a “Provincially Significant Wetland”. A debate is about to start on future uses of the Park.
If any of your want to comment on these items, please do so.
Wednesday November 21st at 7pm sees us sitting down at the Town again to discuss the Pesticide issue. Hopefully we can start moving this towards some form of closure.
And the Good for Life Group is sponsoring a free skate at the Recreation Centre on Friday November the 30th at 6:15pm. All are welcome.
Gord McKay
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