mike cluett

A great comment!

Mike Cluett

Last night at Cafe Deda was a pretty good success. I know that many of the Hawthorne Village parents were at an event at the school last night and couldnt come. There were quite a few emails from people who said they tried to get out but couldnt make it.

We had quite the impromtu collection of candidates as well last night as most were returning from door knocking in the area for a quick cup of coffee at Cafe Deda. I think most of us would agree we cant WAIT until November 13th…I know Im looking forward to it.

I was on the Hawthorne Villager website today (Rick the webmaster was one of the people who attended the Meet n Greet at Cafe Deda…nice to finally meet you!) and I noticed one thread and one of the posters “QweenB” made a very good comment…

She said…”A good representative is the voice of the people.” Ive included a link to the thread and here is my response.

Very well said. Forgive me for going into “campaign” mode but I’d like to make sure this gets addressed.

Town Council and the region have known there were proposals coming for power plants in this general area for well over a year. They are correct by saying they couldnt do anything about Pristine becuase the proposal wasnt in and complete. This however should not stop them from letting the residents in the affected area know that the proposals were forthcoming.

Communication is key for elected officials. They must keep people up to date on what is going on or could be going on in their community.

What I have proposed and promised if elected is to keep knocking on doors in between election campaigns. So that way if for instance we found out that there are tenders going out for power plants in our general area, the residents can be notified of the process, informed of how they can get involved and who they can speak to about concerns.

I have also promised to set up Citizen Advisory Committees to address specific issues that will come up in the next few years like the EFW, taxation issues, traffic, construction etc. This way the committee can let their concerns be known to the councillor and in turn the councillor can inform the town of what he heard and your concerns.

In addition to the CAC’s, there WILL be more town hall meetings and information sessions. As I mentioned at that last Pristine Power info session held by Rick, its about time we had one, and if elected they will continue.

Finally, I have promised to use my website as an additional source of information on whats happening in the area. Its convenient and a great way of communicating. This is a tool that hasnt been used in the past by our councillors and that has to change.

You made a great comment QweenB and its something that Ive heard many times while knocking on doors. Things have to change soon. I am the only candidate in our ward that has made these committments. Some stated they want to communicate more, but havent outlined a plan of how to do it.

Check out my website for more information and if you or anyone else has any questions, please feel free to call or email me.

I hope to count on your support.

Mike

Future Dunking and Coffee Talk Prep

Mike Cluett

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.

Why lawn signs?

Mike Cluett

Election day is getting closer. As I reminded my wife Pat and son Anthony on Sunday before heading out to the meeting on the St Mary’s Quarry situation held by F.O.R.C.E. (their website is www.stopthequarry.ca )I turned to them and said … “Only 7 more days!” With that I got a nice hug from both, encouraging me to keep going…nothing better than that!

While out knocking on doors last night I was asked “why is it important to put up lawn signs?” Thats a pretty good question.

Like many of you living in this ward, we have worked very hard to build up our community. It isnt just a collection of dwellings, cars, and trees. Its home. There arent just occupants in the homes down the street from you…theyre friends and neighbours. Many of you are out at nights during the days speaking with your friends and neighbours about many different things…football, hockey, sports, lawn care and landscaping tips, etc. You share your opinions on many issues, just like the issues we’re talking about during this election.

Many of you have told me at the doors that you are supporting me this election and will be voting on November 13th and I am very grateful and humbled by that. Some of you have gone so far as to offer help by handing out flyers and keeping signs in good order. Again, thank you very much.

This election is going to be a close one. From what I have heard the voter turnout is going to be a lot more than last time. And for that…people should be informed about the issues, concerns and the candidates running in this election as well.

I ask that if you are going to give me your support in this election that you send me a quick email signs@mikecluett.ca to request your Mike Cluett sign for your lawn. With that you will be showing your friends and neighbours that you support safer streets in our community; that you support better representation on town council with more input on issues that are important to you and your family; that you support someone who will be spending your tax payers dollars with resepct; and that you support a fellow friend and neighbour as well.

Signs arent vital to be supportive, but they do show support and in turn I would be very happy to have you show suppport for me on November 13th.

Just as a reminder tonight is a school board trustee debate at Hawthorne Village starting at 7pm. If you are concerned about who will be representing us on the public school board for the next 4 years, its important we come out…ask questions and get involved.

I’ll see you at the doors.

An AMAZING Question

Mike Cluett

I just got back from the second half of my day knocking on doors and I wanted to post this great question I got from a lady on Auger Terrace.

The question was “Would you like to work with one of the incumbents or a new addition to town council for this ward?”

My answer was simply I would want to work with anyone who is committed to increasing the quality of life in Milton.

I hope my counterpart on council will work with me to help reduce speed limits on our streets and work with the local police to enforce those limits.

I would like to work with my counterpart to review future developments and see that there are more green spaces and parks for our children to play safely.

I hope my counterpart is as committed as I am to spending your tax dollar with respect and work to ensure there are no unnecessary tax increases.

And finally, I hope my counterpart wants to work with me in establishing a Citizen Advisory Committee, having town hall and information sessions to make sure the taxpayers are informed so we dont have any more “Pristine” surprises a couple of weeks before the next election.

I am very proud of the fact that the Ward One local councillor campaign has been a campaign of ideas and visions for Milton and not about bashing the other guy. Out of the people running for this position I will be working hard for the people who elected me…YOU! Thats the job of the local councillor … to work for you, to speak out for you and to inform you.

Its a responsibility I take very seriously and I hope I will work for you after November 13th.

I’ll see you at the doors.

Momentum seems to be building

Mike Cluett

I was doing the rounds yesterday around Trudeau and many of the people I spoke with know who I was when I came to the door. There were many of you who visit my website on a regular basis and make it one of their regular stops.

I hope that this will continue because as Town Councillor I will keep updating it to let everyone know what happens at council meetings, what is coming regarding development and how you can get involved.

It looks like Coffee with the Cluett’s will be well attended as I have had a quite a few people RSVP for Thursday November 9th at Cafe Deda. (First coffee is on me!)

Tonight there is a meeting at the Campbellville Lions Hall regarding the St. Marys Quarry issue being hosted by the Milton Ratepayers Association starting at 7pm. Until then I’m going to be hitting the doors some more.

Thank you to everyone yesterday who took a sign for your lawn to show your support. It is much appreciated. If you would like a sign for your lawn, you can call 905-878-1327 or email signs@mikecluett.ca

Time to get back at it…I’ll see you at the doors.

Hockey Night In Milton

Mike Cluett

I had the opportunity earlier this afternoon to go out and hit a few doors seeing how I like most other parents had their children home for their PA day.

After a long week of all candidates meetings and information sessions, and trick or treating, our friend Keith called us up to head out to the Milton Ice Hawks game at Milton Memorial Arena. I havent had an opportunity this season to catch a game, so I (being a hockey fan and all) jumped at the chance.

They were playing Buffalo and there was quite a crowd on hand to see a pretty close game. It ended in a 2-2 score, even after overtime.

It was good to see a lot of people out supporting our local team. Many of the kids there were wearing the blue and white of Milton Hockey and other Ice Hawks items. They’ll be playing my old home town team on the 10th (Bramalea Blues) so I might head out to that game as well.

Tomorrow begins another hectic weekend of door knocking and meeting people in ward one. The time is drawing closer to election night on November 13th. I can see into the distance and spot the finish line as more hands are shoke and doors knocked on…there is an end to all of this. An end, but yet a beginning as well.

Its something that I have promised to do and quite frankly an elected representative SHOULD do, and thats to keep in touch with people. There are so many ways to get input and provide information. Some have critisized that this is much to informal a way of communication. Over the course of a day, I get anywhere between 10-30 emails from residents in our ward. Some give encouragement and some ask questions of me and what I stand for on Milton issues.

I think that this (being the internet site) is mearly and extention of my eyes and ears and provides you with just one more way of getting your opinion heard. This in no way will replace the face to face visits that your elected representative is obliged to do…it simply compliments it.

It almost begs the question … of the candidates running in this or any other ward for that matter … why arent they making the same committment to you? They all seem to pledge that they will communicate with you. But how? Some of their plans lack specifics regarding communication.

Dont you feel you deserve better?

I’ll see you at the doors.