Over the past several weeks in the campaign there have been many “Meet the Candidate’s” meetings, informal debates, information sessions, Milton Masterpiece Theatre’s, and other things to keep the daytimer of a candidate full.
Last night was an “informal” discussion / debate for the Halton Public School Board Trustee position. Given all the debates across town recently, Pat and I havent had the chance to see these two in action (these two meaning Paul Tate and Donna Danielli)
Seeing the fact that our son Anthony is in the public school system, I found a way to attend this meeting…as a parent. My first thought and comment to Pat was that Im glad to be on the OTHER side of the debate table for a change. 🙂
That meeting went well with about 10-15 parents attending at Hawthorne Village Public School. Afterwards I was speaking with Heather, who organized the debate, about some other issues of importance to her and others like a bike path by Trudeau to name one.
Some good discussions came out of that evening, during and after the debate. While the rooms were being cleaned up I had a chace to talk to a young father of a 6 month old who grew up here in Milton but now lives in Burlington. Hes worried about what Milton has to offer our youth.
And he has a right to be concerned as we all should be. He has seen first hand growing up in Milton if theres nothing to do…kids get into trouble. Milton is being built now to benefit young families…children from babies to 10 years old. But they wont stay young for long now will they. I know that because it wasnt too long ago, Anthony was crawling around and now he’s reading Pat and I his Jack and Annie books. What about when he turns 15 or 16?
What will he or many of our children do then? Splash pad just wont cut it when theyre that age and the movie theatre can show only so many films.
I am confident that the town has programs to keep the youth engaged but is it enough? Not from what I’m hearing. Its something we should be thinking about now, because if we wait another few years, it will be too late and our kids will be reading much more to us than Jack and Annie books I can assure you. We need to start talking with business owners and investors to encourage them to talk to kids…engage them…and get their input to come up with ideas … SOON!
Heather and I were also discussing other means of raising much needed funds for the school when I offered my services to be dunked at the next carnival fundraiser for Hawthorne Village PS. Me and my big mouth!!! HA.
Its all good. Im hoping Heather WONT remember that promise, but then again she is very good at remembering things our local representatives have promised and NOT delivered in the past.
Just as a reminder Pat, Anthony and myself will be at Cafe Deda tomorrow night starting at 7pm until 830pm (or until Farris boots me out…whatever comes first) HA.
I look forward to seeing you then to answer any questions you might have or if you just want to come by and say hello.
Talk to you then…and I’ll see you at the doors.