Innisfil Farmers’ Market Launches a Second Season, May 17

The Innisfil Farmers’ Market returns to the Innisfil Recreational Complex on Thursday, May 17.  It will be substantially larger this season with more than 20 vendors expected to set up their stalls in the parking lot on opening day. The hours have been changed slightly – opening and closing one hour earlier – 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The market operates every Thursday until October and may move indoors until Christmas if arrangements can be made.

Gambling on Gaming in Innisfil

The Town of Innisfil has become used to a predictable quarterly windfall share of revenue from the slot machines at Georgian Downs racetrack. Since OLG announced its intention to relocate gambling away from horse racing facilities in Ontario, further revenues are in some doubt. Although OLG has ruled out any more closures of existing slot facilities, it hasn’t ruled out a possible relocation as far as I know:

Have Coffee with Council, Saturday, May 5

Town of Innisfil Council members are inviting residents to drop by Town Hall this Saturday morning, May 5 from 9:30 to 11:30. This is an opportunity to share a coffee, meet your local councillor, and chat informally about whatever is on your mind. Here are a few possible conversation starters for you: Innisfil Beach Road urbanization, Cookstown historic district designation, OLG slots revenue sharing, municipal water supply and billing, heritage preservation, Innisfil Arts Council, economic development, roads, trails and bike paths.

Innovators On the Edge of History

In my last article I talked about some people being on the wrong side of history. There is also a flip side to this – a world-wide movement of individuals, organizations and corporations on the edge of history. They are people who are working toward a more sustainable model of development, with emphasis on being clean, natural, renewable, and/or recyclable, as well as profitable.

A Protest On the Wrong Side of History

Newspapers recently carried the story of some individuals around Stayner who are building small structures, about 16 by 20 feet, to delay or obstruct the construction of wind-powered turbines.

“The residents have been sprinkling mini-houses … in the path of proposed turbines – knowing that provincial rules forbid turbines from being erected within 550 metres of a dwelling.”  So far there are 7 small dwellings “that are either built, permitted, or under construction.”  About 100 people have contributed $750,000 to this misguided exercise.

Innisfil Commercial Centre is Another Step Closer

Innisfil Council has approved new zoning for the Innisfil Beach Road commercial district which brings the creation of a larger business core another step closer. The area from the 25^th Sideroad to Jans Blvd. is zoned for mixed use (commercial, residential, institutional) up to 4 stories high. The frontages from Jans Blvd. to the 20^th Sideroad are zoned for a maximum of 7 stories of mixed use development.

Melancthon Quarry in Canada’s Resource Based Economy

My earlier articles about the proposed Melancthon mega-quarry continue to draw reader interest. I’ve been curious about the status of this project since the provincial government ordered a full environmental assessment. An article published online at the time provides some insight to the next steps:

“The first step in the environmental assessment is for the company to prepare a draft outlining the terms of reference. [An environment ministry spokesperson] says environmental assessments are proponent driven. That means it’s the proponent that does the studies, some consultations, and all required work.