Articles from July 2010

 Public Meeting Notice – Wind Turbine Project – August 19th, 2010

Back at the June 28th meeting of council there was some discussion about a possible opportunity with Milton Hydro to install wind turbines at the Sports Centre as a pilot project.  This arrangement with Milton Hydro will not cost the Town of Milton (directly anyways) any money and could possibly be another source of energy for the Sports Centre.  In return for having the turbines located at the Centre would be 15% of the gross revenue for the advertising sales.  The pole height is supposed to be no higher than 9 metres as well.

Some residents brought up concerns at the meeting regarding the size of the turbines, sound polution if and general asthetics in front of the Milton Sports Centre.

From the report COMS-009-10

Background

Staff from the Town of Milton and Milton Hydro have been in discussions with representatives of a company that manufactures vertical wind turbines to consider a possible pilot project on a Town of Milton property. This report recommends a pilot installation of 2 units at the Milton Sports Centre, pending execution of a Memorandum of Understanding for said project, attached as Schedule A, and approval from the OPA.

Discussion

Representatives from a company that manufactures vertical wind turbines approached Town staff to recommend consideration of a pilot project to install two units at the Milton Sports Centre. Subsequent discussions resulted in Milton Hydro taking the lead with respect to the management of the project, pending Council approval.

Staff has provided correspondence to Milton Hydro outlining the proposed terms that would have to be included in a Memorandum of Understanding regarding a pilot project at the Milton Sports Centre. (Schedule A, proposed terms) (Schedule B, image of proposed units at Milton Sports Centre).

Council had approved that motion to look into the possibilities and then have an open house to discuss the matter with the public.  Today the Town of Milton announced an open house on August 19th, 2010 at the Milton Sports Centre and invites members of the public interested in learning more to attend.

The open house starts at 7pm and goes to 8:30pm.  There will be a presentation and then an question/answer session.

Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

I’ll see you at the doors.

Over the last few elections, voter turnout has declined.  In 2006, the voter turnout for the former ward 1 (which encompassed most of the new ward 1, 6, 7 and 8 ) was only 23%.

In an effort to help boost voter turnout, the town has come up with a number of different dates and times for people to be able to exercise their right to vote.  Listed below are the dates, times and locations of the advance polls for voters who feel they might not be able to vote on the 25th of October (now 95 days away and counting – YIKES!)

In addition to the 3 days of advance polls is the Hugh Foster Hall location which is open daily from Monday October 11th to Friday October 15th from 10AM to 6PM.

Lines at the advance polls are very short and you can get in, vote and leave in almost a matter of minutes.  Make sure you bring your voter ID card, or picture ID, copy of a municipal tax bill (to confirm address) to make the process go smoothly as possible.

Its important that everyone gets a chance to vote, to have their say on what the direction will be for the town of Milton for the next 4 years and beyond.  There are many changes happening in town and lots of projects that will be approved in the next term of council.  You want to make sure that you choose the right candidate who you feel will speak out for your needs, keep you engaged and informed in the process and one who will be accessible.

Check out the “WHY MIKE” page of my site to find out details on how I will be that councillor for the residents of Ward 6 in Milton.

Advance Vote

Wednesday, October 13 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Campbellville Lions Club
42 Main Street South
Campbellville

Saturday, October 16 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Milton Mall
55 Ontario Street South
Milton

Sunday, October 17 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Milton Mall
55 Ontario Street South
Milton

Please note that the Sunday advance voting closes at 5:00 pm along with the Milton Mall.

Continuous Advance Vote

Monday, October 11 to Friday, October 15 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Hugh Foster Hall
141 King Street
Milton

Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

Growing up as a kid, I was always a big fan of pro wrestling (I still am by the way) and recently we had an opportunity to visit a neighbours church because former WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase “The Million Dollar Man” was speaking there.  Unlike many kids at that time, my favourite wrestlers were not the fan favourites like Hulk Hogan or Macho Man Randy Savage.  I cheered for the “bad guys” and Ted DiBiase was the KING of the bad guys.  Every Saturday my father and I would sit around the TV and get into battles of our own during their matches and he’d question why I’d cheer for such a horrible person. 

Times have changed and so has Ted DiBiase.

There were quite a few people packed in the Milton District High Schools auditorium that day…lots of visitors like ourselves and wrestling fans alike.  Some even showed up wearing their favourite wrestlers tshirts.

Afterwards we lined up for autographs and we were lucky that Graham Paine from the Champion was there and he snapped this shot.

I’ll see you at the doors.

Find out more details on why you should vote Mike Cluett for local council Ward 6.

www.mikecluett.ca

I’ll see you at the doors!

Over the last few days we have seen the temperatures rise to new heights and it looks like the next little while will be no different.  I’ve had to take a break from hitting the doors in Ward 6 because of the scorching heat and hopefully it will let up soon.

I had received a call from someone who was wondering what the Town is doing to help beat the heat and where they could take their family to help cool off during this heat wave.

The Town has recently posted some information on www.milton.ca which lists areas where families can go to take the heat off so to speak.

Milton has two designated cooling centres:

Milton Leisure Centre:  1100 Main Street East and Milton Sports Centre: 605 Santa Maria Blvd

There are two locations for pools as well.  One at the Milton Leisure Centre and the other one is outdoors at Rotary Park at 1 Garden Lane (near downtown Milton)

Milton has 6 locations for splash pads which the past few days have become a very popular place for kids to play and stay cool from the heat.  Times of operation are from 9AM to 9PM daily.

Beaty Neighbourhood Park  – Beside Guardian Angels School (Yates / Bennett Ave)

Bristol District Park – Across from Metro Plaza (Thompson Rd / Louis St Laurent Ave)

Clark Neighbourhood Park (South) – Opens late summer 2010

Coates Neighbourhood Park (North)- (Near Philbrook / Yates Drive)

Dempsey Neighbourhood Park- Beside Chris Hadfield School

Lions Sports Park – 77 Thompson Road

There is also a splash pad at Rotary Park  from 10AM to 8PM Daily.

If you would like to get more information on the Milton Leisure Centre swimming hours/costs/ programs, click here for the recreation guide.

As the summer goes along, we will be faced with many more days like we’ve had this week and its best to take all the precautions necessary in order to make sure we all have a safe holiday.  Watch out for kids while your driving, stay cool as much as possible and take in some of the amenities that the Town of Milton has to offer.

Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

Just this past week, former Mayor of Milton Mike Ledwith was recognized by the province of Ontario and the Town of Milton as 2010’s Senior of the Year.  He was unable that Monday to attend the meeting and accept this honour, but his family was there.  They expressed their deep gratitude for the acknowledgment and recognition of their fathers hard work in Milton.

I had a chance to meet and speak with Mike at length during Milton’s 150th Anniversary celebrations and he spoke of his time as Mayor of Milton with great happiness.  He was Mayor of Milton during the towns 100th anniversary celebrations and he took part in many of the events for the 150th anniversary.  These days, its hard to think of anyone else being Mayor of Milton other than Gord but…there he was.  He could keep crowds riveted with stories of Milton and was always amazed to see how the town was growing the way it has been since 2000.

Over the years, he has been behind the scenes helping out many Milton organizations such as the Rotary Club, the Hospital board, and as former president of the Milton Evergreen Cemetary, doing what he could to continue to help Milton be a great place to live.  He didnt want all the glory or recognition … he just wanted to do his part.  He will be missed.

Here is an article from the Champion on Mike being named Milton’s Senior of the Year.

Former mayor Ledwith named Senior of Year

He’s known for his humility and his preference for working behind the scenes.

So although disappointing, it somehow seemed in keeping with his nature that newly-named Senior of the Year Mike Ledwith wasn’t on hand Monday night to accept his award — although he no doubt would have been had he been able.

“He’s someone who quietly helps those in need in the community without drawing attention to himself,” said Director of Community Services Jennifer Reynolds at Monday’s town council meeting.

Two of Ledwith’s children, Peter Ledwith and Ellen Riordon, accepted the award for their father, who resides at Allendale.  “I really wish my dad could be here tonight,” said Peter.

Said Riordon: “My dad would say he only deserves this because of the help of everybody.”

This isn’t the first notable recognition for the elder Ledwith. In the early ’60s he was named Citizen of the Year, while in 1997 he was chosen to receive the Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

“This is his hat-trick,” Peter joked.

Senior of the Year is a Provincial initiative designed to recognize a notable senior’s contributions. The Milton recipient is chosen from among nominations by the Town’s Community Services Advisory Committee.

Ledwith, 86, has worn many hats during his more than six decades in town, including mayor of Milton.

For more than 30 years, he owned and operated Ledwith’s grocery store, which eventually became Quality Greens at Main and Martin streets.  His volunteerism included 10 years as a member of the Milton District Hospital Board and he’s one of the founding members of the Rotary Club of Milton, which started in 1947. He remained active until just recently.

“Mike to me is the embodiment of a volunteer,” the Rotary Club of Milton’s Ries Boers told council. “He’s really set a good example for our club.”

Ledwith’s dedication helped keep the club alive during times when membership was at an all-time low, Boers said.  Among other feats, Ledwith has served at St. Paul’s United Church for more than 50 years and was a member of the Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre’s Song Spinners Chorus.

“He’s a very positive influence on everyone, putting others before himself,” Reynolds said.

 James Michael “Mike” Ledwith

LEDWITH, James Michael ‘Mike’ – Died peacefully at Allendale in Milton, Ontario on Saturday, July 3, 2010 in his 87th year. Survived by his three children Ellen Riordon (Dan), Linda Bitton (Dennis) and Peter Ledwith (Cindy). Predeceased by his wives Kathleen (Kay) Garbutt, Vere Henderson and Mary Emmerson. Greatly loved by his seven grandchildren Christopher (Andria), Tara (Stephen), Ryan (Caroline), Michele, Sean (Ana), Owen and Evan and by his great-granddaughter Sophie. He will be deeply missed by his younger brother Austan ‘Oz’ (Janette). Mike was extremely active in the town of Milton for over six decades, beginning in 1946, when he opened a small grocery store in town. ‘Ledwith’s Food Market’ grew to become a downtown landmark. He served the town as Mayor in Milton’s Centennial year of 1957; he was a Charter Member of the Milton Rotary Club in 1947 and remained active with the club until recently. He served on the Milton Hospital Board and the Milton School Board; he was President of Milton’s Evergreen Cemetery for more than 25 years. Mike was very involved with St. Paul’s United Church for more than 60 years. In the early 1960s, he was named Milton’s Citizen of the Year. In 1997, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Milton Chamber of Commerce and very recently, he was declared Milton’s Senior Citizen of the Year for 2010. Family and friends are invited to visit at the McKERSIE-KOCHER FUNERAL HOME, 114 Main St., Milton, 905-878-4452, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday. The funeral service will be held at Grace Anglican Church, 317 Main St., Milton on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Paul’s United Church would be appreciated. Letters of condolence may be left for the family at www.mckersie-kocher.ca

Published in the Toronto Star on July 5, 2010