As the pages close on 2018 and the new year represents opportunities for everyone, I want to wish everyone in Milton a Happy New Year.
With every year that passes, this year was one of many changes.
This past year brought about change in the representation for Milton. In June Milton, along with a majority of Ontario, elected a new provincial government that has in a very short period of time made several changes that have affected all of us.
During the last term of office, I along with our other regional councillors worked with the other Halton municipalities and we approved 2 new regional councillors and this October, Milton’s representation increased to a total of 5.
I feel that Milton will now have an even louder voice around the Region table and we will work together to improve regional services, infrastructure and growth for our town.
This leads me to talk about some of the accomplishments of the previous year by Milton Town Council. This year the Town of Milton was very proud to announce the “Let’s Talk Milton” endeavour that will enhance the communication between the residents and town staff as we continue to work towards building our Complete Community. It will provide tools for people to send their comments on a number of planning proposals in an easy to use format.
Derry Green Business Park will begin construction in 2019 as we prepare for the next phase of growth. This area along with the Milton Education Village and the Trafalgar corridor will be the key to business growth for Milton in the coming years. One of our challenges that we face is the balance with residential vs business growth and these developments will go a long way in providing our growing population with opportunities to live and work in town.
Speaking of the Milton Education Village and the Laurier University, we went from the high of receiving approval of provincial funding, only months later having that approval withdrawn by the new provincial government. I want to be clear however that this does NOT mean the Laurier campus is over. Quite the opposite actually. The Town of Milton along with Laurier University continue to be focused on bringing the Milton Education Village to a reality. Representatives from Laurier will be providing the town an update to Milton council this January as to the next steps, so stay tuned.
I look towards this new year with optimism and hope as our population grows as well as new businesses that will call Milton home. I see the positive signs that more jobs will be coming here to give Miltonians the option to live, work, learn and play in town. More mixed development will give our younger people more options to stay here in town as they get older as we move toward the complete community we all desire.
On behalf of my family and myself, Happy New Year to you all. May it bring you joy, happiness and prosperity for everyone.