Tuesday February 19: Midhurst development news

Tuesday February 19 at 7:00 pm Midhurst Community Centre, 74 Doran Road

This is a critical time for Midhurst. Please come out to hear the “REAL DEAL” on the Midhurst Secondary Plan (MSP). You may be shocked to hear what the MSP could mean for your taxes, the environment and for the farming community. ALL ARE WELCOME AND NEEDED.

1.Current Developments with the Midhurst Secondary Plan – Paul Fleming, President of Midhurst Ratepayers Association 2. Presentations by three knowledgeable speakers:

i) MSP Impact on Taxes by Bill French – Bill has been in business for 40 years. He is an expert on municipal financing and has developed an analysis of the impact of the MSP on Township finances.

ii) MSP Impact on Agriculture by Rob Wright – Rob has a large dairy farm on Russell Road. Rob will talk about the need to preserve farmland in Ontario and the problems the mega-development will pose for local farmers.

iii) MSP Impact on Water Issues by Gary Christie – President of the Nottawasaga Steelheaders (Fishing association) will talk about his group’s work to ensure the health of the Nottawasaga watershed.

3. What’s Next? – Question & Answer session.

4. Election of Officers – All positions are open for election or re-election.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

Problems – The recent announcement by the Province reduces the MSP to 741 acres of prime farmland instead of 1,800 acres, i.e. about 11,000 new residents. However, there are still many things to be concerned about: MINESING WETLANDS ENDANGERED – TAXES GOING UP – GOOD FARMLANDS LOST FOREVER – LOSS OF OUR VILLAGE CHARACTER as we become a city nearly the size of Midland.

A Plan adopted on the basis of hopes and promises – When they decided to make Midhurst into a city, the Springwater Council of 2008 had very little information to go on. They had no idea of the financing for the Plan, there was no Environmental Assessment data available and they didn’t even know where the sewage would go (studies of these issues had only just begun).

This is our best opportunity – Most of the current Springwater Councillors are new and didn’t vote for the MSP. They should be open to asking tough questions about taxes, the environment and farming, before any development begins. It is up to us, the residents of Springwater, to insist that our Councillors ask these tough questions. We look forward to getting your input and support at the Annual General Meeting. With enough support we believe we can reverse, or mitigate the effects of the MSP. If we don’t seriously question decisions being made, Midhurst will no longer remain a quiet, pleasant village.

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For information: Paul Fleming 705 722-8714 or David Strachan 705 229 4722