Month: October 2006

I received a very nice email from Michelle who lives in Ward One.

Hello Mike,

I am just wondering if you can tell me if you would be looking at issues regarding our childrens parks if elected. We spend a lot of time at the parks with our children and we hope that some changes will be made as Milton continues to grow. We live on Barclay Circle and we are definitely in support of you as a candidate that understands our communities needs.
Best of luck on election day.

Thanks,
Michelle

She was one of the many residents on Barclay Circle who helped me with a recent stop sign issue this past summer.

My response…

*****

Hi Michelle,

Thank you very much for your email and your support.

As for parks, I have made that one of my 3 major points on my campaign under Green Growth. I hope to work with future developments to ensure we have enough parks and green spaces for us to enjoy and to provide a safe place for our young children to play.

We have a lot more growth to come and we need a voice on council who will speak up for young families alike to make sure we continue to build communities and not just places to live.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can do for you and I hope to serve as your councillor in the next term.

Take care,

Mike Cluett
Candidate, Ward One Town Council
mike@mikecluett.ca
www.mikecluett.ca

*****

What had happened was the Town of Milton found out there were some stop signs installed by the developer that werent included in the Town’s records and therefore not covered in the towns bylaws. They did some traffic studies and found that the amount of traffic in the intersection didnt “warrant” any stop signs and planned to remove them. They put up a large sign in the area telling people by a certain date these signs were to go.

That didnt sit welll with both myself and many residents in the area. I immediately canvassed several homes and found the feeling was unanimous almost. I had worked with the Town of Milton and made a presentation to one of the committee to see if we can keep the signs where they were. Long story short I made my presentation to council and it was accepted and the signs remained in place.

Here is a link to the Milton Canadian Champion story. I have included the text below.

It seems to be a common thread in this municipal election of the importance of a councillor (or future councillor) to live in the ward they represent. This way they can gain a deeper understanding of the issues they face on a daily basis, because they deal with them as well.

I really do apprecaite your emails of support. While I dont post all of them, they are VERY motiviating to make sure I keep getting out there to visit during the election campaign. Its something that I promised to do when I started and its something that I promise to continue to do as your town councillor before the next election campaign.

If you would like a lawn sign to show your support, email me at signs@mikecluett.ca

I’ll see you at the doors. Heres the article…

All-way stop near park likely to remain
Proposed removal nixed by committee
Melanie Hennessey
Jun 20, 2006

A proposal to remove an all-way stop at the intersection of Barclay Circle and March Crossing was given the red light by a Town committee last week.

The matter went before the community services committee, which decided to go against Town staff’s recommendation and instead support keeping the signage in place.

A report from Director of Engineering Services Paul Cripps explains his staff recently noticed the all-way stop had been put up by the subdivision’s developer. The signs were actually erected several years ago.

Subsequently, staff completed traffic counts at the intersection and, based on those numbers, found the stop signs aren’t warranted. “A review of the three-year collision history at this intersection indicates that there have been no reportable collisions,” the report says.

It goes on to note that, “During the counts, numerous children were observed crossing the roadway to utilize the park and further that they could safely cross as there were adequate gaps in the traffic.”

However, Yates Drive resident Mike Cluett argued that the high volume of children crossing the road means the stop signs need to stay in place.

“During the spring and summer months, the amount of pedestrian traffic increases throughout the day and the removal of these stop signs can pose a risk to the people, mainly children, who use that park,” he told the committee. “

The removal of the stop signs can impose a risk and confusion for children who have now been accustomed to these safety rules that they have learned.”

Cluett, in conjunction with the residents in the area of Barclay Circle and March Crossing, requested that the stop signs remain installed.

Cripps said staff is afraid motorists in the area will begin to ignore the stop signs, creating a dangerous situation if a child assumes the vehicle will stop.

He said he spent an hour at the intersection one day and of the 122 cars he saw, only 56 stopped, 25 made rolling stops and 41 didn’t stop at all.

Ward 1 Councillor Rick Day put forward a motion, which the committee endorsed, to retain the all-way stop at the subject intersection. It also supported implementing an all-way stop at the intersection of Bennett and Armstrong boulevards.

The matter will now go before town council for consideration June 26.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

Picked a great night to put up lawn signs. After knocking on some doors I decided to get my hands dirty a bit and a bunch of us put up some signs on supporters lawns and at the key intersections. I think they look pretty good, if I do say so myself.

If you would like a sign for your lawn to show support for Mike Cluett drop me an email at signs@mikecluett.ca

Lets hope this rain lets up a bit.

I’ll see you at the doors.

I received an email this weekend. Many thanks for the support!!!

I’ll see you at the doors.

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to send you an email to let you know of one of the candidates for the upcoming election. His name is Mike Cluett, his website is www.mikecluett.ca.

I know him from working on the school council last year, him and his wife helped out with movie nights, etc. They have a son that goes to Hawthorne Village. They also got involved in the portable issues that went on.

He lives in our neighborhood, right on Yates Drive, so he is very familiar with what is going on around this area.

So vote for him! Just kidding, but if you do choose to, great choice!!

Have a great weekend,
Andrea

Here is a link to the Milton Canadian Champion story back in June after I announced my intentions to run for Town Council. This was before the other candidates had registered and are now running. One previous candidate had withdrawn from the race a few months back.

As an aside, there are some meetings being put together in the next weeks to have a Ward One All Candidates meeting. Stay tuned for more information. The more people we have come out to ask the questions, the more people can make an informed choice on November 13th. (Exactly one month away)

Heres the article by Melanie Hennessey, June 16, 2006

Second candidate throws hat into ring for Ward 1
More emphasis needed on family issues, says council hopeful Cluett

The race is on for the Ward 1 Milton councillor seat.

Yates Drive resident Mike Cluett has filed to run in this fall’s municipal election.

The father of one explained he decided to put his name forward because he feels council needs to pay more attention to family-based issues like neighbourhood safety, community parkland and value-based property taxes.

“We need to focus on those issues because the dynamic of the town is changing,” he said.
While the election is still many months away, Cluett already has what he’s calling the ‘campaign to secure Milton’s future’ laid out.

Topping his list of priorities is working with town officials, builders and Halton Regional Police to increase safety on Milton’s streets.

Cluett said he’d like to see speed limits reduced, streets widened and more sidewalks, lighting and stop signs put in around schools and parks to protect local children.
“We have to build our community as safely as possible for our children,” he remarked.

When it comes to growth, the local resident said control is key. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring each new subdivision includes parks and play areas and respects the Niagara Escarpment.

And on the tax front, Cluett said if elected he would vote to keep the tax increases at zero per cent over the next three years.

“With more and more taxpayers being added to the Town’s roll each year, there’s no reason why the Town can’t hold the line on the tax rate given the increase in the number of taxpaying households,” he said.

He pointed out that he’s already created a Web site about himself for residents to visit — a site he plans to maintain as a key source of information about council decisions if he’s elected.

“I’ll maintain a constant flow of communication,” he said. “It’s very important to keep in touch.”

Cluett is the married father of a five-year-old son. He’s currently a sales representative for an internationally-based office supplies company.

He also volunteers on his son’s soccer team and was recently appointed as the chairperson for Milton’s 150th anniversary committee.

For more information on Cluett and his campaign call (905) 878-1327 or (647) 883-9045 or visit www.mikecluett.ca.

The current Ward 1 councillors are Rick Day and Brian Penman, who’ve been on Milton council since 1974 and 1977 respectively.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

Next week is Celebrate Transit Appreciation Week in Milton. Click here for more on whats going on including free rides from 9AM to 3PM from Monday October 16th to the 20th and all day Friday!

There is also a contest for some prizes as well. Just fill out the ballot on the form or on the buses.

ALSO there is some news on the parking front. You can now apply for parking considerations online. If you are having out of town guests, driveway repairs or special functions, you can apply online to obtain consideration. If you dont have online access you can still phone in and leave a message on the voicemail, even afterhours as well.

You can find out more about parking considerations from the Town of Milton here

Enjoy! I’ll see you at the doors.

What a weather day we’ve been having. It went from a brisk and cold, albeit sunny day to cold, snowy and just generally awful afternoon and evening. Coupled with the bad weather was trying to navigate around Thompson/Derry Road as well as Trudeau / Derry Road.

Just as a reminder Thompson Road will be closed again this weekend from 7AM October 14th to the 15th at 11PM at Nipissing Road. Click here for the official announcement.

For those who live north on Trudeau from Derry, your wait is almost over. The road closure should be completed by tomorrow and you won’t have to need a compass to navigate up around the streets from James Snow Parkway.

This weather is enough to knock anyone for a loop, including yours truly. I need an early evening to feel better as there are many more doors to knock on before November 13th.

As I mentioned yesterday, I recorded a 3 minute “speech” for TV COGECO that will be aired many times until the Municipal Election.

In case you’re just chomping at the bit to find out what I said, I have included the text of my speech.

Don’t forget…you can order your lawn sign here mike@mikecluett.ca with your name, address and phone numbers (so I can confirm its you) and Team CLUETT will make sure you get one.

Here is the text of my speech…I’ll see you at the doors.

***

Hi, and thank you for tuning into and supporting TV COGECO. My name is Mike Cluett and I’m running for the position of Local Town Councillor for Ward One in Milton.

A few years ago my wife Pat and I were looking to move to a new community … One that was focused on growth and opportunity but still maintained that small town atmosphere. Like many of you, we chose Milton for just those reasons. And we have been very pleased at the warm reception we have received by many long time Milton residents.

Over the past few years we have found that Town Council as lost its focus on family based issues such as neighbourhood safety, green growth, and taxation. It is because of these reasons I decided to run for Town Council in this election; to bring these issues forward and discuss them with you … the voters and taxpayers.

I have had the opportunity to speak with many of you while knocking on doors over the past few months and I have found you share some of these concerns.

You want safer streets for our children; more green spaces and parklands; you want to protect our natural resources like the watershed and Niagara Escarpment; you want your tax dollars to be spent with care and finally you want your councillor to be accessible every day and not just during elections.

Since day one of my campaign, I have had a written plan of action. I have pledged to work with town staff to reduce speed limits in residential areas; to work with future developments to ensure our roads are wider. I will work hard to ensure there are more parks and green spaces for us to enjoy and to provide a safe place for our children to play. I have pledged to care for our tax dollars to ensure we limit any unnecessary tax increases and that those tax dollars are spent properly.

I have committed to using newer technology like my website and blog to improve the flow of information from you to town council. By using this technology it by no means will replace the all important face to face meetings with the public.

Saying that, I have committed to continue door knocking in between elections and not just during them to help make sure there is an improved flow of communication from town council to the residents and vice versa.

On Election Day you will be faced with some important choices and questions about Milton’s future. And if you feel as I and many of those I have met with over the past few months that we need a stronger focus on neighbourhood safety, green growth and a plan of action, then on Election Day I ask for your vote.

You can find out more information about me and my plan to help secure Milton’s future on my website www.mikecluett.ca … you can email me at mike@mikecluett.ca or phone me directly at 905-878-1327.

Many thanks go to TV COGECO for providing us with the opportunity to speak directly to you during the election campaign. I look forward to seeing you at the doors. My name is Mike Cluett and thank you for your time.