milton

Signs signs everywhere signs

Mike Cluett

Well, not everywhere it seems. But in Milton’s Ward 2 things are beginning to heat up for the municipal by-election on June 14th.

The list of candidates has been finalized and they include John Challinor, former Ward 2 councillor (most recently he was the Ward 4 councillor); Peter Haight, who came in 3rd place in November for ward 2; Mike Bugala who is a new comer to the political landscape in Milton; former Regional and Town Councillor Ron Furik who was defeated in November by a returning Colin Best, and Greg Nelson, who ran two previous times in Ward one back in 2003 (placed 3rd) and most recently against yours truly in 2006 where he placed 4th.

The date has been set, the race is under way and the sign “war” has begun. Driving around town this morning I had noticed a large number of John Challinor signs on ward 2 lawns and the early status of front runner hasn’t held him back. Rumour has it that John has been hitting the doors talking to residents outlying his experience both as a Ward 4 and Ward 2 councillor. John has a strong knowledge of the ward and its issues since he both lived in and represented the ward when he first came to council.

Even after the election in November, John has continued working with the town in many different aspects. Most notably he has been helping out the 150th Anniversary Master Committee in starting up the Milton WALK OF FAME. He, along with Bruce Carlin of the Milton Historical Society, will be the hosts of the Canada Day activities where we will officially introduce the first inductee’s of Milton’s Walk of Fame.

Not much is known about Mike Bugala and the issues and experience he’s bringing to the table. You are beginning to see, very quietly, some lawn signs appear on the boulevards of ward 2.

Peter Haight is also in the running, and his site has been recently updated to show the new election date and information on why he is running. Peter came in 3rd place in November behind current Ward 2 councillor Mike Boughton and now former councillor Mark Curtis, who has gone on to be a JP for the province of Ontario.

Ron Furik, taking a page out of the book of yours truly (see, someone IS listening) now has a blog and website he plans to update during the campaign. What is more important to see is if he continues the site after the election is over. I had pledged during the campaign in November that I was going to continue to blog about Milton happenings, issues and keep people up to date on town hall, and I’ve done my best to keep it up to date. Having a site during an election is great, but you have to properly use it. Ron’s entries from the November campaign were all erased and he’s starting from scratch. As an aside, I’ve kept all of my entries from the past and will continue to have them available for everyone to read.

Greg Nelson, who lives in ward 2 also has a website with his information and what has driven him to run again for council. I understand there’s a long tradition in his family for public service, which is a noble thing.

What this town needs is real ideas on what needs to be done for Milton, and not generalized statements about what is wrong … we need ideas of how we can make things better. Anyone can point out we have some traffic issues in many parts of town, or growth needs to be controlled, but how can we fix them and what can the councillor for the area do to better the quality of life here in Milton.

Anyone who is living in Ward 2 should do their best to contact the candidates and ask them the hard questions…what have you done for Milton in the past and what plans do you have for Milton’s future? Each of the candidates has to ask themselves why they are running for council. The candidates need to offer the residents a concrete plan of what they will do as councillor and what they will do to improve the quality of life in Milton.

So far, it looks like John Challinor is continuing the trend as front runner in this race. Town council needs his experience and his input on things that Milton is facing in the coming years. Johns level head-ness and common sense has been missed around the table and the residents of ward 2 will be best served by returning John Challinor to town council.

What a weekend!!

Mike Cluett

This was QUITE the weekend. It started off this Saturday at the Home Depot to sell some Milton 150th merchandise with the Mayor (he was there for awhile). Lots of people seemed to be more interested in getting their gardening tools and supplies than getting a cool looking Milton golf shirt (www.milton.ca and click on the 150th logo for merchandise )

We should be selling merchandise at the Farmer’s Market from now on. Speaking of the Market, Ann Kornuta is there most weeks doing some paintings on the street. For those of us who take in the Market week after week, she can be seen either painting or taking pictures. Her collection of work can be described as fun, bright, and unique. In my opinion, she is an amazing artist and you can check out her work here.

Anthony is almost finished his swimming lessons (I think there’s two more lessons to go) and he’s made quite the improvement over the last few weeks. He loves to bob up and down under water and meditate as he calls it. He’s doing really well with the back floats but he’s still having some challenges going forward. All in due time.

***As I type this neighbours are setting off fireworks. Now call me crazy, but isn’t it just a tad dangerous setting off fireworks in your backyard with dozens of homes right around you? Especially after 9PM when most kids are in bed. Am I too old now? ***

I am so happy that Milton Executive Fairways is open for the summer as the big Seargent Farms hasn’t sold its property yet, which means inexpensive 9 hole golf right around the corner for the duration of the summer. Good for me…I hope they don’t ever sell. More golf for me. Had my first round yesterday with Paul Mitrovich (which was his first ever round!) He bought clubs last year and he hasn’t had a chance to go out….problem solved. I shot a 55 in 9 holes (which is about where I left off last year) and he shot a 64!!! Not bad for a first round eh? There WILL be more golf to come this year.

Tomorrow is the first practice for our soccer team… sponsored this year by Chudleigh’s and Anthony is looking forward to it. As I’ve said before, I’m a bit nervous but there are a few parents who have coached before are will be helping me out during the season…which is a load off my mind.

The challenges we have are to make sure the kids have fun (RULE NUMBER ONE) and also teach them a bit about being competitive and trying hard to win. Many of these kids will be moving on towards rep play in the coming years and you have to make sure they are aware of how GOOD it is to win and now not as GOOD it is to not win (all you English majors, that last sentence was intentional HAHA). I will probably screw a few things up over the course of the season but, as life goes, you roll with the punches and have fun doing it.

I think I have overcome my initial “addiction” to Facebook and its beginning to slow down a bit. I know several people who do almost all their communicating through it. I don’t think THAT’S the main reason for Facebook. I like to use the IM’s like MSN, ICQ, and Google Talk etc but not off that one page. Email is still the best… mike at mikecluett.ca

I’ll see you on the field!

Coach Mike

Mike Cluett

Well, I haven’t quite figured it out what I want the kids to call me, but that seems to be ok. Yesterday was a meeting of all the soccer coach hopefuls for the Milton Magic. I’ve now officially become a soccer coach. 

For the last 2 years, Anthony has enjoyed being a soccer player. Now that doesn’t mean he knows everything about soccer, he just knows to make sure he follows where the ball goes and if he’s too tired, he offers to play goal. I have always had a lot of fun helping out the coaches in practices and in games, so I volunteered for the Milton Magic to coach this upcoming season.

Early Saturday morning there were about 60 or so coaching hopefuls in the Memorial Arena to learn a few coaching basics from the head coach of the soccer league. We had to learn a few basics, especially those like myself, who have never played the game before.

So with my bag of uniforms, lists of players and balls, I have begun the undertaking of my life…coaching kids. I’ve never done it before and it’s going to be a learning experience for me to say the least. I just hope I don’t fall flat on my face.

 

Not spending enough money

Mike Cluett

Let me get this straight. Toronto City Council is investigating 2 of their councillors for NOT spending their budget. Arent they supposed to try to save taxpayers money? I thought they would be rewarded for doing something thats GOOD especially when Toronto is nearing bankruptcy and every penny counts.

I realize that guys like Rob Ford may not be the classic examples of politicians, but he does serve his residents to the best of his ability. He may not be the nicest guy in the world (he was the guy who got hammered and started yelling at people during a Leafs game awhile back) but he is doing the right thing by spending less of taxpayers money.

Here in Milton there have been a few councillors who spend next to nothing of their expense limits. In fact, John Challinor was known for taking LESS than the allotted salary for being a Milton town councillor.

God knows how many Toronto city councillors there are but they should take the lead and try to save taxpayers money without being “investigated”. It seems to me theres a witch hunt and the other “pigs in the trough” are upset and want to do something about it. Seeing how Toronto is on the brink of financial disaster, it seems to me to be more appropriate that they do something other than complain.

Toronto Mayor David Miller is mainly to blame here. He is coming up with excuse after excuse after excuse why their financial problems are everyone elses fault, except HIS and his COUNCIL. Raise parking rates and implement a Toronto Tax and complain to the federal government for lack of funds, and complain to the provincial government for lack of funds…all the while spending like a drunken sailor.

Here’s the link to the investigation story from the Toronto Star and send your ideas for David Miller to stop bankrupting Canada’s “economic engine” stopspendingnow@toronto.ca

Enjoy!

No More Sobeys

Mike Cluett

Well for now.

This decision boggles my mind actually. With all the new development currently underway in the western side of town, the need for a grocery outlet is desperately needed. Proponents against the development said that it would cause traffic chaos along Derry Road. Maybe right now but when those homes south of Derry and Tremaine Road are built, there will be traffic chaos and congestion.

When homeowners who live in this new development have to go grocery shopping, their choices are rather limited. They can go to the old A&P (reopening soon I believe under Food Basics), the soon to be old Loblaws (reopening as a Price Chopper I believe), the new superstore at Thompson and Main, Food Port at Derry and 25 or the new A&P south of Derry on Thompson.

Notice where all of these stores are located…in the eastern part of town. How will these people get to the stores on the traditional days of shopping on the weekend? Derry Road. They will have to travel east on Derry, past the hospital towards the centre and eastern part of town.

Consider the number of homes being built in that new area. Thousands really. And all of them with no place to shop for groceries other than the central and eastern section of town. Granted Derry Road has now been widened to accommodate the increased amount of traffic, but by not having something at the west end, you will be forcing Milton residents to have to drive out there for food.

The same arguments were made when the new A&P was being proposed a few years ago. More traffic, congestion around the area, cars idling and commuter chaos. None of that has happened. The way it was designed cars can easily enter and leave the mall where all these stores are located. If designed properly it wont be much of a problem.

The argument that it will negatively affect the downtown core doesn’t hold much weight as far as I’m concerned. If anything, not having a grocery centre near the west side might force residents to go up Bronte Street and turn down Main Street to get to the other shopping centres to avoid possible traffic along Derry Road. This is much worse as it will increase the amount of traffic in the downtown core, of which its NOT designed for heavy traffic. People will barely notice the stores along the Main Street corridor like Mikes Barber Shop, Jay’s Ice Cream, the Post Office, the art gallery, and other stores like Main Street Yarns. Many people go to the downtown core because of its ease of being able to walk. With more vehicles driving through, it will make things like crossing the street more of a chore. What happens after that? They simply will not continue to go.

This isn’t taking into consideration the Farmers Market, which is one of Milton’s cherished jewels. If someone has to commute across town using Main Street to get to where the Milton Mall is, the Farmers Market (albeit only during the morning hours) will cause even more commuting problems.

The decision by council to stop this development is very short sighted in my opinion. The town is growing by leaps and bounds, and it seems theres no end in sight. Hundreds of homes are breaking ground as we speak with many more to come in the next few years. We as a town have to be able to accommodate them, to be able to design this town where people DON’T have to cross it to get groceries.

This decision by council will be opposed by the developers and the Town of Milton will end up at the OMB defending this decision under appeal. We shouldn’t be afraid of the OMB by any means, but we need to be able to see past the next 3 years and look 30 years into where we are going to be.

I don’t think its a done deal by any means.

http://www.miltoncanadianchampion.com/news/article/88667

Shopping centre bid gets rejected
Council’s decision met favourably
By Melanie Hennessey
Apr 27, 2007


Town council received a round of applause Monday evening after turning down a shopping centre proposed for the northwest corner of Bronte Street and Derry Road.

In a 6-3 vote, council said no to making an Official Plan amendment for First Capital’s development that would’ve contained a Sobeys store and commercial, retail and restaurant uses on the west-end property.

A group of residents and local developers have long been opposing the plans. Council heard from them, along with people who favour the project, at its session this week before voting the proposal down.

Maggie Lizzi of La Rose Bakery on Bronte Street said she thinks the development wouldn’t give people who are new to town a fair chance to come and explore her family business.

“I’m not in favour of this project,” she said. “I also think it would impact the (business) people on Main Street.”

DEVELOPER DEFENDS PLANS

But First Capital’s representative Patrick Devine pointed to a market impact study that said the development won’t have a negative impact on the planned function of the central business district.

He urged council to adopt the Official Plan amendment for the First Capital site.
Marla Marnoch of the Bronte Meadows Neighbourhood Group also spoke to council to once again ask for them to turn down the development.

“The First Capital location is inappropriate,” she said, noting that Milton District Hospital and a fire station are both nearby. “Obviously the need for quick access of emergency vehicles has to be considered.”

In addition, she argued the shopping centre would cause “congestion and traffic chaos” along Derry Road.

Also speaking against the proposal was lawyer Gerald Swinkin on behalf of Manaman Inc., which owns nearby property at the corner of First Line and Louis St. Laurent and intends to build a commercial development there.

Like last time he appeared before council, he suggested First Capital change its name to ‘First Cannonball’, since he thinks the proposal will blow a hole in the commercial plans already made for the town.

Wrapping up the delegations was local resident Bill Walker from the Bronte Meadows area, speaking on behalf of himself and his neighbours.

He said they’re in favour of the development, noting the southwest quadrant of town needs a full-serve grocery store. Walker also pointed out that with the housing development planned for the west end, it makes sense to eliminate traffic traveling across town to shop.

Council members then went on to express their thoughts on the proposal.

Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Colin Best expressed concern about the fact the town is rapidly running out of serviced employment land, which is what the First Capital site is designated for.
“People who live here have to work outside the community,” he noted. “I think we’re selling ourselves short.”

But Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray argued the preferred place for employment uses is around the 400-series highways. She said she supports the Official Plan amendment because she has heard people say they want a grocery store on the west side of town.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Scherer said he thinks the development would affect downtown businesses and create traffic congestion in the Derry Road/Bronte Street area.

Fellow Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau concurred that the retail centre would have a detrimental affect on the central business area.

On the flip side, Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau said she feels the development could actually help anchor the town’s core, since the downtown area doesn’t offer a food store but First Capital would. “I believe this is actually something that will serve the
downtown. We can’t afford to have the population drive out of town for one more day than necessary (to shop).”

Wards 1 and 3 Councillor Barry Lee shared similar sentiments, noting a shopping centre in the west end could get more of the rural community into town to shop, in turn helping the downtown stores.

When the vote was called, Lee, Lunau and Mowbray favoured the development while Scherer, Ward 1 Councillor Brian Penman, Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton, Schau, Best and Mayor Gord Krantz voted against it.

Council went on to approve an Official Plan amendment regarding the Town’s retail commercial demand study, which recommends where new shopping space should and shouldn’t be located in Milton.

The study — along with Town staff — recommended against accommodating First Capital’s proposal, but it was pursued further and reached Monday night’s meeting based on the direction of the previous council.

The amendment makes way for several developments, including an expansion of the Crossroads Shopping Centre and a commercial development in Milton Heights near the corner of Third
Sideroad and the realigned Tremaine Road.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

A Celebration of Life

Mike Cluett

What a beautiful weekend it was. The sun was shining and warm and the sky was a shade of bright blue we havent seen in some time. To bad this week its supposed to get all cloudy, but thanks for the small miracles that was this weekend.

Yesterday was also The Celebration of Life that was Bert Day. Bert, who is the father of ward one councillor Rick Day died recently in a tragic housefire here in Milton. Both Pat and I were honoured to be invited to the memorial at Country Heritage Park where we celebrated his life and his family.

As the people got up to speak and told stories of Berts past in the military, his life as a father and a husband and the impact he had on so many people, it was very easy to astertain that Bert was definatly one in a million. The barn was packed to standing room only and people sat, listened and hung on every word of every story told. There were some tears from those family members still coming to grips with his passing, but mostly there were tears of laughter at all the memories of a great person who touched so many lives.

The day ended with 3 “national anthems” being sung. One was “Ise da By” for his Newfoundland roots. Being part of a newfie family, and hearing that anthem being sung many times in my youth, they hit every word in the entire song. Great Job! The other anthems were the Star Spangled Banner to honour the visitors from the US and ended with a nice rendition of OH Canada!

You could get lost in all the pictures of the family that hung around the entire barn and you could see that this was a very special family and we were very touched to be invited. Rick, Karen…thank you!