150th Street Party and Ward 2 Update

This past Saturday was AMAZING. For those of you who took the time to attend the Milton 150Th Anniversary Event in downtown Milton there was a lot of fun to be had.

Bands such has topp crime from Milton played in the evening and there were loads of events and fun activities for everyone of every age. It was indeed a success. As soon as we get some pictures in of the event, I’ll post them. Judging by the smiles on peoples faces throughout the day, I think that this will become an annual event. Lets hope!

Also, its getting closer to the election date for residents in Ward 2. This Thursday they will have the opportunity to choose who will help lead this council for the next 3 plus years.

As Ive stated in my blog many times, I think that John Challinor is by far the front runner in the eyes of the voters and judging by the number of signs that pop up on lawns it seems that the momentum John had going in, hasn’t slowed down one bit. John has been hitting the doors and the phones heavily over the past few weeks, doing what hes done for many years as local councillor…addressing peoples concerns and helping them.

This past Thursday, ironically enough on the date that former Ward 2 councillor now Justice of the Peace Mark Curtis was being sworn in, the 5 candidates for the position squared off in a live debate on TV Cogeco. This debate will be replayed many times before this Thursday so stay tuned to TV Cogeco for times and check it out.

It was clear from the beginning who the two front runners were as the moderators asked the questions of each of the candidates. Noting full well that 3 of the 5 candidates have never held public office (not that its a pre requisite) their answers to questions were not as informed as both John and Ron Furik.

Ron Furik ended up agreeing with most of what John was saying. Judging by his statements “I have to agree with John” and “as John said in his answer” it almost sounds like he feels John would make the best candidate. The one issue that’s still in many peoples minds is the motion Ron moved a few months back RIGHT before the November vote that council was going to do what it could to slow down growth. The only problem with that motion is nothing came of it and growth is spurring along just fine. You can read all about that motion from my blog back in September where Ron stated that “this council is not to blame” for the growth issues that Milton is facing.

From that Champion article…“Furik also addressed the naysayers who’ve been publicly blaming the current council for the development problems since he announced his intentions to come forward with the motion.”I laugh to read it’s this council’s fault,” he said, noting he feels the councils from five to 15 years ago were the development decision makers — councils he said he was sitting on as a local representative.In an interview with The Champion, he went on to say, “Don’t point fingers at this council. They had no decision making in this development. It’s not fair.”

In other items, the question of a pesticide ban came up where John stated emphatically that he was against it, due to the fact it covers the agencies who provide the service but not the actual product that you and I can buy in any hardware store. Ron agreed again with what John stated and also said he felt it was a provincial issue and didn’t really say if personally he was for or against the ban as it was laid out to council. The other 3 candidates had their reasons but were short on details of why.

Peter Haight is a candidate who really wants to focus on the development of the downtown core. Mike Bugala, given his career as a transit operator with the City of Toronto, is focused quite a bit on the development of the transit system here in Milton.

Greg Nelson’s answers seemed unprepared and almost robotic by nature and lacked focus on details. In one statement he made mention we were “short of by laws officers” and that we should hire more. The only problem with that is the fact hiring more officers costs taxpayers money. How would we pay for them? Raise taxes? Cut spending? How can it be done?

There are a number of issues that we are facing as a town need to have a clear plan. It cant be just some make shift plan of generalisms and vagueness. The town needs councillors with a clear plan of action on how to address things with a common sense approach and not good election quotes.

With the last few days ticking down to this Thursdays vote it should be clear now that John Challinor is the choice to be sent back to council. It comes down to ideas and leadership. It doesnt take much to identify problems but it takes a leader to come up with solutions.

Regardless of who you support residents of Milton need to get out and vote. Yes the weather is great and there’s lots of things to do. With all the advance polls that were available and a few minutes on election day there are enough opportunities for Miltonians to have their say.

Make sure that your voices are heard.