Author: Mike Cluett

Residents Association Formed

Mike Cluett

If you go way back in the archives of this blog…way back to the 2006 campaign, I made a point that residents should be more engaged in the political process locally.  There are many ways to accomplish this.  One of them is making sure that residents are informed as much as possible about decisions that affect them directly and indirectly.  I stressed during this campaign that I would make sure I continue to knock on doors in between election campaigns, and not just during them.

If there was a public meeting coming up about an issue that would affect residents, I will do my best to get out there and inform people of that meeting, whats being discussed, how it will affect them and how they can participate.  Not everyone can make every town hall or public meeting, but I will make sure they have a voice around the table.

Another great way is by a residents association or Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).  These groups are usually formed when the local officials aren’t listening to the needs and concerns of residents.  Recently, there was a new association formed in the Hawthorne Village area, which encompasses Ward 6, but it was formed for an entirely different reason.

During the last election campaign, I noticed an increase in awareness of local issues by residents in my ward.  Other councillors and candidates would say the same thing.  The Hawthorne Village Residents Association (HVRA) was formed by several concerned residents to be a part of the process, to stay involved and to work with council when decisions are being made.  I applaud all the members and participants in this process and will do my best to work with them and keep the lines of communication open.

Christina Commisso at the Milton Canadian Champion did an article recently about the formation of the HVRA.  Congratulations to Martin Capper and Andrew Salmons for co-chairing this committee as well as the many people who signed up.  We can only hope this will help enhance the flow of communication from town council to the residents in Milton.

Here is the article from the Champion.

Residents group forms

Christina Commisso, CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF November 16, 2010

What started as an online discussion following the municipal election has ballooned into a newly-formed residents group that hopes to strengthen the lines of communication between Miltonians and town council.

“We started with a post on the Hawthorne Villager (website), which got 1,600 hits and 60 posts from 20 different people in a matter of days,” said Martin Capper, co-chair of the Hawthorne Village Residents Association (HVRA).

The group isn’t exclusive to Hawthorne Village residents — it’s open to all Miltonains, he said.

CLICK ON THE LINK FOR MORE.

For more information, email HawthorneVillageRA@gmail.com.

Milton Movember Particpants

Mike Cluett

If you have noticed more and more men out there sporting a moustache and wondering “WHY”? it’s because of an event and movement called “MOVEMBER”

From the Movember website:

“The Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year for Movember.

Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month.  The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for prostate cancer.  Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days. 

The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia.  The plan was simple – to bring the moustache back as a bit of a joke and do something for men’s health. No money was raised in 2003, but the guys behind the Mo realized the potential a moustache had in generating conversations about men’s health.  Inspired by the women around them and all they had done for breast cancer, the Mo Bros set themselves on a course to create a global men’s health movement. 

In 2004 the campaign evolved and focused on raising awareness and funds for the number one cancer affecting men – prostate cancer. 432 Mo Bros joined the movement that year, raising $55,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia – representing the single largest donation they had ever received.

The Movember moustache has continued to grow year after year, expanding to Canada, the US, UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Finland. 

In 2009, global participation of Mo Bros and Mo Sistas climbed to 255,755, with over one million donors raising $47 Million for Movember’s global beneficiary partners.  We are proud to announce that last year’s Canadian campaign was the second largest in the world behind Australia, with 35,156 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas coming together to raise $7.8 million for Prostate Cancer Canada.”

There are a number of Milton men participating in Movember this year and I wanted to highlite a few of my friends who are trying their best to raise awareness and more importantly money for this great cause.

The first one here is Peter Near, Milton resident who has so far raised $300.00.  You can follow his progress on his “mospace” and leave comments to encourage him on.  Nice ‘stach Peter!

If youre on Twitter you can follow Peter here ( @pnear )

 

 

Brian Best is one of Milton’s most connected guys who has been working on several websites and as a commentator recently on MiltonToday.TV ‘s election coverage this past October. 

His “mospace” can be found here as well.  He’s also on Twitter ( @BrianBest )

 

 

Finally we have Martin Capper, who as many Miltonians know, ran for local councillor this past election for Ward 1.  From this picture you can see he’s got the ‘stash going really well and looks to be headed towards Lanny McDonald’s size very soon.

His “mospace” is here and like all connected Miltonians hes on Twitter as well ( @CapperCares )

 

If you know of any other Miltonian who is taking part in Movember, please email me so we can update this page and help promote these guys as they do what they can to help change the face of men’s health.

Lest We Forget

Mike Cluett

We will not forget.  We cannot forget our heroes past and present.  We will not forget those who still serve, those who made it back and those who did not.  We cannot and will not forget.  THANK YOU!

In Flanders fields the poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Santa Claus Parade Needs Volunteers

Mike Cluett

 

In yesterday’s Milton Canadian Champion the word went out that this years installment of the Santa Claus parade needs volunteers to help.  If you are interested, please contact Samanta Attew at (905) 693-0369.

You can find out more about the 2010 Milton Santa Claus Parade by going to www.miltonsantaclausparade.org which contains information on sponsors, the parade route and contact information if you would like to help out.

Last year over 20,000 people attended the parade and this year looks to top that number.  Sunday November 21st is the date.  There will be a bus that collects food for the Salvation Army, so please bring some non-perishable items and it will be collected along the parade route.  Letters to Santa are also welcome from the children and will be “express deleivered” to the big guy himself.

If you would like to download a map of the parade route, click here.  It’s the same route as last year (the date on the map is 2009)

I’ll look forward to seeing everyone there at the parade.

 

Beware suspicious callers

Mike Cluett

In the Milton Canadian Champion yesterday it was reported that there have been calls in the area soliciting funds and donations for the Royal Canadian Legion.  This happened several times leading up to the Remembrance Day parade at Victoria Park and be aware that the Legion does NOT use this method to raise funds.

If you do receive a call like this, please report it to the police immediately.  It’s incredibly sad that people will go to stoop as low as to use the Legion as a tool to steal money.  The same caution should be used with all unsolicited phone calls asking for money, credit card numbers or banking information.

Here’s the story from the Champion.

Caller seeks donations for legion

Police say it’s a scam as legion doesn’t solicit funds over phone

Residents are being warned to beware of fundraising scams after a local man was telephoned by an imposter soliciting donations on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion.Joe Auger said he received a phone call at 7:15 p.m. Thursday — a week before Remembrance Day — by a professional-sounding ‘fundraiser.’

Auger said the conversation started off as a normal telemarketing call until the young man on the other end told him he had donated $25 to the legion last year and asked that he donate $50 this year.

“I knew it was bull right then and there,” said the 71-year-old. “I’ve never given money to the legion over the phone. If I ever wanted to give them money I would walk down there and do it in person.”

Auger said after the financial request, the caller said the legion was losing 500 members each year and needed help.

“It was at that point I said no and hung up,” he said. “My wife and I don’t give out our credit card (number) over the phone. I know a few guys from the legion so I told them the next day what had happened, one of them reported it to the police.

“I think this sort of scam is a disgrace. The worst part is that it hurts other charities that are actually trying to collect for a good cause.”

Cliff Conor, who reported the incident to police, echoed Auger’s sentiments.  “This is fraud,” said the 68-year-old veteran and legion member.  “It’s a terrible thing to try and use the legion at this time of year. This person should be ashamed of himself. It’s despicable.”

A spokesperson for the local legion confirmed it doesn’t conduct telephone soliciations.  Det. Sgt. Murray Drinkwalter said he wants residents, especially seniors, to beware of fraud artists.

“This is a disturbing incident. If people get these phone calls make sure you get a name and ask for a call back number. This way people can return phone calls to ensure the charity is a bona fide one.

“If people choose to donate over the phone, they must be sure they know who you are dealing with.”  He added that this was the first incident of this sort involving the legion he has heard about.

Anyone who has received a similar phone call is asked to contact police at (905) 878-5511.