Month: November 2008

Milton Budget 2009

Mike Cluett

The Town of Milton has now posted links to the 2009 proposed budget as it promised last week.  Here is the link to the details.  I know it sounds “so interesting” (insert sarcasm here) but do take a few moments to at least skim over the details. 

Ill be providing some analysis soon as well and my thoughts of the spending priorities and if we can pressure the Town Council to pull back on their proposed 5.6 per cent tax increase.

http://milton.ca/townhall/townpublications/budgets.htm

The budget goes up for discussion at Town Hall on December 8th and 9th.  If anyone is looking at making a presentation to council they can contact the clerks office up until the day of the meeting at 10am.  If you want your voice and opinion heard, take some time and register to speak.  Council meetings are for everyone so head on down to town hall and speak out.

Round two

Mike Cluett

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After taking a look at the other blogs in the category of BEST LOCAL BLOG, I wasnt really expecting to make it past the first round of voting.  To my surprise, this blog has indeed made it passed the first round and is now in the TOP 5!

So now friends, I again ask for your help.  Lets keep Milton on on the map and vote this blog for the Canadian Blog Awards…

Here’s the link.

http://cdnba.wordpress.com/vote-2008/best-local-blog/

Dont forget to tell your friends as well.

Thanks again to everyone who voted for the blog…those who WILL vote for the blog…heck, THANK YOU to everyone who takes a few moments on the internet to read my rants.

Town Council to discuss tax increase

Mike Cluett

As reported in todays Champion, Milton Town Council will be discussing a potential tax increase of 5.6 per cent on December 8th.

One can only hope that council will take its time during the budget disscussions and do everything possible to limit the increase to todays rate of inflation.

Last years increase of 6.6 per cent was bad enough but with the coming turmoil in the economy (some say its already hit us) taxpayers are going to be once again stretched to the limit.

The budget proposal is to be expected on the town website www.milton.ca (if its not already there) for viewing and they are inviting input from the community as well before the budget comes to council on December 8.

With the Region of Halton proposing an increase and the boards of education also considering an increase, we as taxpayers need to voice our opinion.

Tell your councillors what you think.

Councillors Brian Penman and Rick Day need to hear from you.

Once the proposal is posted on the website, ill provide a link and some analysis as well.

Smitherman ignores Halton's needs

Mike Cluett

Voting has started in the Canadian Blog Awards where yours truly has been nominated as “BEST LOCAL BLOG”. First round voting continues later this week and hopefully I can make it to the second round and beyond…so vote early and often 😉

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As reported in the Milton Canadian Champion, Ontarios Energy and Infrastructure Minister George “Future Toronto Mayor” Smitherman says that Haltons growing pains “aren’t unique” and cant promise any additional funding. He proclaims that his government under Premier Dalton McQuinty has provided more funding for infrastructure than any other government. If they have, ID like to see it.

This comes on the heels of a proclamation from the Region of Halton to halt any future developments until this matter is resolved. Growth is mandated by the Province and the Liberal government is telling regions, like Halton, to grow to meet the needs of the people. They are however telling them to do it, with little or no help from them.

The Oakville Hospital expansion has been delayed … yet again … with no clear course of action on Milton’s hospital and the needs of the fastest growing municipality in Canada. More and more people are moving here and the heels of our municipal leaders seem to drag further and further with no end in sight.

According to the article, “The region has repeatedly argued that it can’t accommodate the thousands of new residents called for in the province’s Places to Grow plan without significant funding help for infrastructure.”

It can be argued that the growth in this region, being led my Milton, IS unique to the province and requires a long term plan and more focus by the provincial government. You simply cant say to the regions “build” and then sit by and not provide the funding.

With the economy in the tank and deficits coming from both provincial and federal governments, we in Halton can look forward to more delays as they will most certainly use the “we cant afford it” excuse. Infrastructure has been an issue for years and will continue to be an issue until we have a government that will take it seriously.

Also, the Region of Halton took further steps on this issue by a unanimous resolution to potentially slow down development in Oakville and Milton if the province doesnt provide any potential solutions to the problem other than they are “not unique”.

This isnt over yet…

AnnK's BIG Art Show

Mike Cluett

Some of you are familiar with Ann Kornuta…artist extrodanaire…or as we like to refer to her as “AnnK…Milton’s Artist”.  Every Saturday in the summertime you can find her on Main Street cooking up another masterpiece, chatting with people at the Farmer’s Market.  No matter if the weather is boiling hot or cold and damp, shes out there with her brushes and paints trying to capture another piece of Milton.  Sometimes her paintings are quick and fast while others are more detailed and revealing.

Well tonight was a big night in downtown Milton as the Dorland Haight Gallery put on a show with Milton’s one and only Ann Kornuta.  As I walked up Main Street towards the gallery I could hear the music.  People were coming in and out of the doors, bustling with activity.  As soon as you walked in you were exposed to some of Ann’s newest works.

Her unique style of bright colours and landscapes were on display.  Many of the paintings she does are of Milton, the old and the new and how the town has changed over the last several years.  Im a big fan of her paintings of the downtown core as she always has dazzling colours, interesting shapes and funky styles.

Her paintings can go from bright and cheerful to almost sad and depressing.  In some of her work, you can see how the town itself is developing and an ominous view to what might be happening in the future.

There were a lot of new faces to me and some familiar ones as everyone came out to support our favourite artist.  I actually had a chance to meet Jennifer Smith who is also a Milton blogger for the first time.  (Nice to see you finally!)  Peter Haight, the gallery owner, was also there looking very dapper if I do say so myself.

You can find her paintings at Dorland Haights Gallery in downtown Milton and for a quick view of whats shes been up to recently you can check out her “gallery page” on her website as well.

I love this picture (although its sold) as it reminds me of my house with the balcony and front porch area.  Maybe she can make ME one soon? *cough* hint hint.

Ive always said that this town has a lot of hidden treasures and Ann is one of those talented individuals that should get more recognition than she does.

It was a great show tonight and I cant wait for the next ones.