This is just a reminder for those in the area to join George and Liz at the Hawthorne Cafe for their grand opening.

Yours truly and Mayor Gord Krantz will be there as well. (THERE’S a selling point for you!)

Date:  Saturday July 9th, 11am to 2pm
10220 Derry Rd. (Rabba Plaza) 905.864.7007

To celebrate we are offering buy 1 get 1 FREE on all of our speciality coffees and refreshing cold drinks.

Bring the family! There will be face painting and balloons.  Delicious free samples will be given throughout the day.

Hawthorne Cafe

As reported on her Twitter account, Christina Commisso @C_Commisso (who is one of the reporters for the Milton Canadian Champion) sent out a message yesterday saying that the Minister of Infrastructure Bob Chiraelli responded to the article “Councillors Disappointed with Infrastructure Plan“

You can read my response to the article here in my post called “Hey Bob! Read OUR Lips“

Call me a cynic, but I’m not expecting a full time line report from the Minister but hopefully we will get a clearer idea of when any possible expansion of Milton District Hospital will happen.  Its not that it should happen, its that it HAS to happen.  Miltonians deserve an answer or at least a timeline of when things will begin to move forward.

Milton Council needs to have answers.  There are a lot of issues financially that we are facing with our 2012 budget about hospital expansion reserve accounts and other projects that need help from the province that we need to address and we at the town and the Region of Halton have done our work…we just need the province to take some action.

Regional Councillor Colin Best has also expressed his frustration about the plan.  The Region has been working on getting ROPA 39 approved (something the province requires) so we can continue with the long range planning and with the province and if its not approved it can put the town and the region in a difficult position at the provincial level.  At our last council meeting the measure passed…just barely.  Again, we are doing what we can to send a message to the province that we need them to step up to the plate.

I’ll update the blog later on today when we get a chance to read his response.  Cross your fingers folks.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar on July 11th starting at 7:00pm for the first of what I hope will be many informal 2012 budget input sessions.

In addition to yours truly, the local councillors from Wards 1, 7, and 8 will be joining me in an informal budget input session for feedback from the community on a number of issues ranging from transit, taxes and the hospital expansion levy.  This will be a time for YOU to tell US what you think.  This is a natural extension from the Town of Milton online survey (which I hope you’ve taken the time to fill out – usually about 5 minutes) and will dive a bit deeper into some the issues raised.

The meeting will be in Room 4 of the Milton Sports Centre on Monday July 1th, 2011 starting at 7:00pm.

We hope to see you there.  If you have any questions, please email me mike@mikecluett.ca

I have also begun to deliver the “Mike Cluett – Ward 6 Report” and hopefully over the course of the next month or so, each household will get a copy (and hopefully personal visit from me )  If you cant wait for me to come over, email me your address and I’ll have one dropped off for you.  In order to stay current on Milton news and town council updates, just stay right here

Slightly overshadowed by our neighbours to the south and THEIR celebrations and our most recent Canada Day events, the Town of Milton has turned 154 years old today.  And contrary to popular belief, Mayor Gord Krantz was NOT on Town Council at that time!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MILTON!

From the Town of Milton website:

Living in Milton, Ontario

Then…

Milton’s earliest beginnings can be traced back to 1825, when an enterprising young man named Jasper Martin built a gristmill on a mill pond. By harvesting the power of the swiftly flowing water, Jasper’s gristmill prospered and grew to become the centre of a settlement called Martin’s Mills, with a population of just 100 people in 1837.

The townspeople soon changed the name of the town to Milton because of the Martin family’s fondness for the poet John Milton. The Town of Milton was incorporated in 1857 and the first Town Council meeting was held in the County Buildings, where the current Town Hall is still located, on July 4, 1857.

And now…

Today, the Mill Pond is still flourishing in the centre of town, but without the gristmill, surrounded by a landscaped park. This gathering place is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who want to walk, picnic and fish or just sit on a bench to enjoy the nature around them. From the historic downtown core with a bustling Saturday morning Farmers’ Market, to the steady business growth and development throughout the town, Milton has continued to prosper over the years. Nestled at the base of the scenic Niagara Escarpment, Milton is also well known as the preferred tourism destination Escarpment Country™

Home and beyond…

Milton is home to Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfieldwho has taken his down-to-earth Milton heritage around the world and beyond. A graduate of our very own Milton District High School, we are proud to have Colonel Chris Hadfield as an international ambassador for the Town of Milton.

Milton – an ideal place to live, work and play

Whether you are visiting, working or living in Milton, we know you will enjoy everything the Town of Milton has to offer. We encourage you to get to know us a little better, stay awhile and maybe even take home a souvenir as a reminder of our old-fashioned hospitality.

(photo courtesy of Milton Canadian Champion)

For the thousands who will attend Milton’s annual Canada Day celebrations Friday, it will be an entertainment-packed extravaganza.

From a Veteran’s Breakfast to a dazzling BMX Stunt Show, festivities will be non-stop all day at the fairgrounds, culminating with a huge fireworks display as darkness descends.

The event will begin as it does every year with the Veterans’ Breakfast in Victoria Park at Town Hall, followed by a brief ceremony at the cenotaph and a parade to the Miton Fair Grounds.

Immediately following the opening ceremonies and the swearing in of new Canadians, the entertainment will begin.

New this year is the Jagger BMX Stunt Show featuring professional BMX riders executing aerial stunts and tricks. There will be two shows, at 2:30 and 5 p.m.

Returning this year will be Circus Jonathon, a one-man comic, unicyclist and juggler, and Kidz Zone with paddle boats, face painting, gladiator air joust, air maze and bounce carousel, playdough centre, petting zoo, and much, much more.

There will be no shortage of exotic interactive animal exhibits and shows including Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo’s Giant Snakes of the World, Hamilton Reptile’s Travelling Reptile Show and the Muskoka Animal Show with indigenous wildlife.

The K9 Dog Show will unleash a host of canines and their freestyle and Frisbee tricks as well as games showing their agility, speed and obedience.

“It is a fun-filled day designed for kids and pretty much everything is free…we try to make as much as we can for free,” said Paul Scherer, a member of Milton’s Canada Day Committee.

Wandering throughout the crowds this year will be a friendly newcomer to the town’s Canada Day celebrations, Milton the Moose.

“We just think anything we can do to engage the little guys more and more… It will be fun for photo-ops and what’s a better symbol for Canada than a moose?”

Gates to the fairgrounds will open at 11:30 a.m. and prior to the fireworks finale, the Bee Gees cover band Night Fever will perform.

“It’s one of Milton’s signature annual events. It’s a real Milton tradition and it’s a great day,” said Scherer.

With Milton now home to a growing number of young families, the event is also a way of welcoming these new residents to town and making them a part of what’s happening, he added.

Once again, Milton Transit will offer a free shuttle service to the fairgrounds. For details, go to www.miltoncanadaday.ca.

From MiltonCanadaDay.ca

9:00AM to 11:30AM – Veterans’ Breakfast

Hosted by the Holy Rosary Knights of Columbus in Victoria Park,  please come out, meet and support our Veterans.  $4.00  will get you two pancakes and two breakfast sausages or a back bacon on a bun.  Meals include a beverage of choice either coffee, orange juice or iced tea.

11:30AM – A Moment to Remember

A brief ceremony and placing of a wreath to honour our Veterans.  Join us at the Cenotaph in Victoria Park.

11:50AM – Veteran’s Parade

Cheer on our heroes as they march from the cenotaph to the Milton Fairgrounds.

12:00PM – 1:00PM – Opening Ceremonies

1:00PM – New Citizenship Ceremony

For many individuals and families, the citizenship ceremony is the realization of a dream. In some instances, it marks the beginning of a new life. What better way to mark Canada Day, than becoming a Canadian Citizen? Come and witness on the Main Stage a number of local residents take the Canadian Citizenship Oath. Citizenship Judge Renata Brum Bozzi, will officiate the ceremony.

infos Tuesday, 18 January 2011 02:25 Last Updated on Saturday, 11 June 2011 15:16 Written by chris

All attractions begin at noon July 1st

Fun for Everyone!

The next meeting of Milton Town Council is on Monday June 27th starting at 7pm at Milton Town Hall.

The governing body of the Town of Milton is Town Council, consisting of the Mayor and 10 Councillors who represent Milton’s eight wards.  Milton residents elect members of Council for a four-year term of office.  You can find a link to watch the Town Council meetings here.  The meetings are also broadcast on TV Cogeco (Channel 14).

Town Council deals with:

• Matters requiring policy direction
• By-laws or by-law amendments
• Responses or actions to pertinent issues

Council also makes decisions on the recommendations of Milton’s two Standing Committees of Council:

• Administration & Planning Committee
• Community Services Committee

The link to the agenda can be found here.  Some of the highlites of tonights meeting include:

• Recognizing Yolanda McCann as 2010 Milton Senior of the Year
• An update from staff on Emerald Ash Borer & Black Knot fungus on trees
• A report & recommendation from CSAC on Community Fund Allocations
• Supplementary Report on Region Official Plan Ammendment No. 39

Hope to see you there or watch ONLINE as well via www.milton.ca

Many thanks to Regional Councillor Colin Best for sending this information to the local councillors in Milton.  He has been in discussions with the Halton Region Police Services and one of his reports included a map of all areas and where the most motor vehicle collisions (MCA’s) have occured in town.

As you can see by this list, the top 10 intersections in the region (minus Oakville/Burlington) for MCA’s are located in Milton.

The following is a map of ward 6 specifically.  As you can see the intersection of Derry and Thompson Road is an intersection that has a high number of MCA’s.  There are also a number of other areas in our ward that have a low number of collisions but they are still quite serious.

This coming Monday June 20th is the Administration & Planning Standing Committee meeting at Town Hall starting at 7pm.  

This Committee consists of five Councillors and the Mayor. Committee members review all reports, formulate policy and make recommendations to Council on matters over which Council has authority under the Municipal Act, the Planning Act and other legislation. Recommendations are made in the areas of corporate administration, personnel, legal issues, planning and finance.

The Administration and Planning Committee reviews the operating and capital budgets as well as various financial matters affecting the Town of Milton.

The agenda for the meeting can be found here.

Some of the highlites include:

• Staff report on 2012 User Fees in Milton
• Capital / Operating Financial Statements May 2011
• Staff Report on future development at Derry/Tremaine Road
• Staff Report on zoning change at 8750 Regional Road #25
• Staff Report on development at Whitmer St/Duncan Lane
• 2012 Budget Call Report

As always you can watch online on Monday night at 7pm.  If you have any questions or comments for any of these reports, please email me mike@mikecluett.ca

During the last municipal election campaign, one of the most common themes I heard from voters was that they want to be kept informed and have more of a say in budget matters.  That message was heard loud and clear by myself and other councillors and we are happy to announce that there is an opportunity for you to have your say.

The Town of Milton has set up a survey that you can log into here, to have your say and answer questions about the upcoming 2012 Milton budget process.  This is an opportunity for you to tell US what YOU think the town’s priorities should be for the upcoming year and years beyond.

Although this survey is set to finish on June 8th, the town will continue to take input from residents, as well as through your local councillor (yours truly) to come up with priorities you find important.

Public input sought on 2012 municipal budget

Christina Commisso, CANADIAN CHAMPION

This year has yet to reach the halfway point and the Town is already looking ahead to Milton’s 2012 budget.

The public is encouraged to provide their input on the next year’s budget in an online survey (at www.milton.ca) until June 8.

The survey, open to residents and business owners, asks participants if they’d like see increased, decreased or the same level of service in respects to: fire service, winter snow control, transit, road maintenance, municipal parking lots, traffic signals and streetlighting, parks and open space, recreational programs and facility conditions.

The survey asks if there are new services or programs the Town should offer, existing services/programs that should be eliminated and if participants would support a tax increase to increase or add services.

Participants can indicated what per cent tax increase — between zero and five per cent — they’d support and whether or not they’re in favour of the dedicated tax levy for the hospital expansion implemented in this year’s budget.

The survey is one of the first steps in preparing Milton’s 2012 budget. During Monday’s council meeting, the Town’s senior manager of finance Sheryl Hill touched upon forthcoming budget pressures and new capital infrastructure to carried out next year.

The ongoing sports centre expansion and community park development, the completion of the Centre for the Arts, new staff positions, annualizing the 2011 transit enhancement for 2012 and the construction of No. 3 fire station and new headquarters are pressures Hill incited during her presentation to council.

The 2012 capital forecast includes 119 projects worth $72.5 million that are split fairly evenly between growth and non-growth projects. Hill said about 70 per cent of the expenses are pegged for road work.

At the meeting resident Kim Macdonald asked council to include the renewal of community parks in the older areas of town, including downtown, Timberlea and Dorset Park, in next year’s budget.

She said a lack of shade isn’t uncommon in some of the older parks and she often runs into parents from old Milton who drive out of their way to the new parks.

Councillor Rick Malboeuf said he’s heard similar concerns from Ward 4 residents and expects to see some movement in bringing the older parks up to date in the 2012 budget.

A budget call report will be presented to council this month. 

As promised, Im attaching a copy of the 2012 Pre Budget Consultation report to council for tonights meeting.  I havent read through the presentation in detail as of yet, but if you have a few moments click and download for review.

2012 Town of Milton Pre Budget Consultation