mike cluett

Our First Win

Mike Cluett

Last night was a good night for soccer. The sun was just setting at Our Lady of Victory fields as Team Chudleigh’s prepared for the game. We knew it was going to be a hard one seeing the size of the players on the opposing team, but our kids were not intimidated in the least.

Theyve learned a lot over the first few weeks of the season. Gary and I have worked on a number of essentials to soccer with them including the importance of passing and staying in position. Last night all of that paid off.

The final score ended up being 5-3 for us securing our first win but I saw a few things in our team that was much more important than the score. One of our best players Matthew is a bit smaller in stature than most of the players, but in this case the other team had a much bigger crew. There were a few times Matthew along with Anthony and some others, got knocked around. That kind of stuff happens in soccer and will probably happen again.

As the game started to wind down I went to him and said dont worry about being knocked down, lets get a goal. And with that, we did. Nathan made an amazing pass up field to an open Matthew and bing….right in the net. Our team set up for the opposing kick off after the goal and I went to each of them and said, “Lets do it again.” Jordan turned to me and said “Im tired, coach” but she got right back in there and was running up the field to stay in the open.

Sure enough another key pass and shortly after another goal securing our victory…the first one of the season. We had some key goaltending from Ethan as well who showed off his toughness with his newly cropped mohawk haircut. 🙂 Everyone of our players put in a ton of effort. Sunju had some key defensive saves in our end as well as Kyle. They all showed hustle and everyone of them deserved this win.

More important than that our team showed heart and determination far beyond their years. Everyone of those kids deserves a big high five and they never gave up and stayed focused. Another one of our players Nicholas hurt his foot and couldnt play, but he showed up to cheer on his team. Last night I have never been more proud of our team. Not because of the score, but they are doing two important things coaches want them to do…learn the game, and having fun.

Post Canada Day Celebrations

Mike Cluett

Its been quite the busy week getting ready for Canada Day but in the end the event went off without a hitch. The pictures I took are in the process of being downloaded and I will post them either here or on Facebook to show them off. *EDIT 1051PM* DONE

The first part of our day was preparing the 27 classic convertible cars for the parade route through downtown. We were quite lucky to have the Halton Police Honour Guard there as well to carry the colours and to further honour the inductees to the Milton Walk of Fame. Many thanks to the hard work of Halton Regional Police Honour Guard Drill Commander Constable Hans, who got everyone together in the honour guard. It added that extra touch of class to the event. Also included in the Honour Guard is Allan Eaton, Constable Leggete, Constable Robertson, and Constable Kelly. Well done!!

Over the past couple of years the 150th Anniversary Committee and the Milton Historical Society had been working on this project, and to our knowledge there is no other municipality in the world that has anything close to this. These 27 people will be the first to have their names written in the history books of Milton as those from Milton who made a national and or international impact in their chosen field.

The cars where shined to perfection and as we got ready to go, some of the streets hadn’t been blocked off yet so some of us had to take it upon ourselves (and our cars) to make sure we cut off traffic as the parade went through town. Being a lover of these fine pieces of machinery, I’ll have THOSE pictures up on this blog soon too…what a sight.

We finally got moving just as the clouds began to come in for what some of us thought was a quick shower. This didn’t dampen any ones spirits, especially those of the inductee’s…”BRING IT ON!” they said.

Once the parade had finished, they ended up behind the main stage and they were marched in by the honour guard and the inductees made their way to the tables as the veterans, who were honoured earlier at Victoria Park, were seated as well.

Another chuckle we had was trying to bring Milly the Millstone, (pictured here, courtesy of Ashley Challinor) the official Town of Milton Mascot, up the narrow steps without causing a scene and injury to Milly. Speaking as one who has worn the Milly costume at events, its NOT an easy thing to move around in and Henry deserves some praise for doing it as often as he does.

John Challinor and Bruce Carlin of the Milton Historical Society, who were the emcees of the event, kicked it off with the introductions…and we finally began! As I stood there on stage looking out at the crowd, I was blown away by the sheer number of people who took the time to come out to first honour the veterans of Milton and the inductees to the Walk of Fame. As the introductions continued, I slipped out the camera and took a couple of shots…I was just speechless. Ann Kornuta, local Milton artist and “photo-master” was running around snapping as many shots as she could for the Halton Compass. There was so much going on, it was hard to keep up with it all. TV Cogeco was out in full force as well with a camera centre stage as well as Sandy French hard at work along the sidelines. Stay tuned to Plugged In! on TV Cogeco for the full story.

One by one the inductees were brought on to the stage to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their craft, to get a quick photo snapped and maybe say a few words. Each one of them who spoke, did so from the heart. Many of them had won other awards in their chosen profession but many of them stated that the Milton Walk of Fame honour surpassed all others.

The most heartfelt speech of the day belonged to Tiger Ali Singh as he recounted his years as a youth in Milton, the hard work and dedication of not only his father but of his brothers and his mother for keeping the family together. They continue to live in Milton while travelling all over the world performing in wrestling matches. Tiger Jr.’s speech brought tears to many eyes as he expressed his gratitude of being honoured this way along with his father. Tiger Jeet Singh got up to speak as well, but as he passed me on his way up the stairs he told me, I don’t know how I’m going to top that. Hes a man of few words but they spoke volumes.

After the last inductee spoke it was time for people to have a chance to meet them face to face and get their autographs. No sooner that we announced it, many of the inductees were swarmed from Albert Casson to Bruce Hood (who enjoyed the boos of the crowd as he came up to the stage…those who are hockey fans KNOW how much fun it is to booo the refs!) OMNI TV came out to tape the event as well for the showcase of the Singh family. It actually got to the point they needed to leave and needed an escort out of the park to the cars…ME being security for two 6 foot PLUS wrestlers…HA…I know I laughed too.

What else can we say about Milton’s Canada Day but WOW! From beginning to end there were tons of things to do, the rides were great and the food was even better than before.

And the only way to end the show was with ABBAMANIA who rocked the crowd with many of Abba’s hits from the 70’s. Young and old were dancing, singing and having a great time as the sun went town and the night sky readied for the fireworks. A special thanks to Kevin who did quite a bit of jumping through hoops, bending over backwards and many days and nights stressing out to get Abbbamania as the main event for the 150th Anniversary /Canada Day celebrations. Great job Kevin!

The fireworks were set to music this year and there wasn’t one person who left that fairgrounds disappointed. For around 25 minutes the sky turned bright and loud with the sounds of the fireworks set to music. Excellent job and w
e can only hope next years Canada Day’s celebrations can be topped. It will be tough.

We Tied We Tied

Mike Cluett

Almost forgot to update everyone on the progression of our soccer team. Our first game we lost 6-1, the second game we lost 5-3 in a much more prepared and executed game.

This past Thursday the final score was 4-4! As the kids yelled after the game “WE TIED WE TIED!”

They played a lot better in their third game and our team is in the hunt for their first win. Everyone is much more confident in going after the ball and taking it away from the other team. Matthew (#9) scored all 4 goals and was just mere inches from his fifth when a quick defensive move from the other team tipped the ball away from the net at the last second sending it wide of the goal. Moments later the final whistle blew to end the game.

Anthony was suffering from a fever earlier in the day and had to take the night off was very happy when I came home to tell him the team tied the game. He cant wait to see them on Tuesday for practice to give them the high fives in person.

So with each game that passes our team is getting better and better…and as they tell me each and every game…”Coach, were having fun!!!!!!!”

150th Street Party and Ward 2 Update

Mike Cluett

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.

Kids say the most amazing things

Mike Cluett

Milton Chrysler Dodge 5
Chudleighs 3

We were close. Our team played an amazing game and as a coach into his second game of his short career, I couldnt be prouder of our group.

Last practice we worked on kicking the ball past the player and running fast to catch the ball. Tonight, they all did a great job doing that. They were even passing the balls to open players.

Anthony scored the first goal of his season as well early in the first half and when he did, I realized how high I could jump. The look on his face when he scored it was priceless and it took me awhile to make sure the cleets on my soccer shoes were firmly to the ground.

Nathan was our first half goalie and he did a great job keeping us in the game with his diving catches. We were tied 2-2 going into half time and it looked like they remembered quite a bit of what we practiced on Tuesday.

It went back and forth for the second half with the other team getting some close goals and they worked really hard keeping the ball in our end. A great job by that team as well. Matthew on our team is a fast runner and a good kicker too and he scored our teams other 2 goals.

The funniest thing happened though near the end of the game. Some of the players were asking what the score was and I said, its close but theyre winning by 2 goals…we need to see if we can get one more goal really quick.

Jordan, our second half goalie, yells up to me … “COACH…we’re still having fun! Isnt that what you told us…have fun?”

Kids blow me away with some of the things they say. That’s all they wanted to do was have fun, and who cares what the score is. Im still blown away.