Honking and flag waving

The sun is setting pretty late in the night these days with some sunlight lasting until well after 9pm.  Coupled with the extra sunlight and the end to the NHL playoffs, this gives me an opportunity to hit a few more doors than I normally would.  I’ve also noticed that while door knocking the last few days, I have been followed by a number of wild bunny rabbits.  I’m pretty sure thats a good thing so I am now known as the “Pied Piper of Rabbits” in Milton.  Lucky rabbits feet following me.

You can tell its World Cup time by the sheer number of flags that are on peoples cars and hanging from porches around the ward.  It goes to show that Milton has become, and will continue to become very diverse in the backgrounds of its residents.  Having all these flags flying around is challenging my knowledge of the countries involved but I’m sure I’ll get it as time goes on.

As I walk down the streets in our ward, I get a chance to speak with many of you about issues that are important.  Between stop signs and crosswalks at intersections, speeding down our streets and concerns of a tax levy for hospital  funding, Miltonians are trying to get informed.  I’ve even had a few people honk and wave from their cars screaming “HEY MIKE” (Rick, you’re not the only one!)

Many of the people I speak with visit the highly popular Hawthorne Villager website to try to get as much information as possible.  The hospital is of a big concern seeing how it has been in the local papers recently and there’s some confusion as to what Milton as a town can do to move that process forward.  If our hospital is to expand, it relies solely on the whim of the provincial government.

Recently, due to increased budget constraints (ie an almost $30 BILLION  deficit) the Province of Ontario has frozen any further capital projects until 2011.  At a recent council meeting, John Oliver from Halton Healthcare Services made a presentation in which he stated that even if the province gave the project its blessing THAT DAY, we are several years away from shovels in the ground.

With this coming election, you are going to want to elect someone who understands the issues we face in Milton; one who is ready to speak out for Miltonians and put even more pressure on the provincial government to get them to realize that Milton, Canada’s fastest growing municipality for a few years running, is in dire need to access required medical procedures.

The Town of Oakville just has a new hospital approved and work will be beginning soon on that project.  Having another hospital so close to Milton will definitely help improve access to health care services for Miltonians but more is needed.

This will not be resolved overnight.  Milton Town Council as well as Halton Regional Council have to put pressure on the province of Ontario to get this project started.  There are many factors involved as well with possible changes to the LHIN (Local Health Integration Networks) and how they are organized.

I was speaking with Stuart and Carrie on Clark Blvd last night and they also brought up their concerns on when Milton District will get its much needed expansion.

I’m sure the daylight will get shorter in the days and weeks to come, so I’ll be doing my best to get my flyers to everyone in the ward.  I’m just over half way done the first round and my goal is to hit every door at least twice before October 25th.

Many thanks goes out to everyone who has pledged their support and vote in October.  As the campaign rolls along, I will be getting lawn signs ready for you.  If you would like to donate to my campaign, please visit my DONATE page.  Any donation is helpful and will go towards the printing of my flyers, lawn signs and other campaign related items.

Most importantly I hope that you come out and vote on October 25th.  Last election there was roughly 25% of residents in the area that voted, which is quite low.  I’m hoping it improves this year for sure.

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