Arts Centre Announcment

Earlier today Minister of Labour and MP for Halton Lisa Raitt made an announcement at the Milton Centre for the Arts about the success of Canada’s Economic Action Plan in creating jobs for Milton.  Surrounded by members of town staff, Mr. Rob Mackay who is the manager of the Arts Centre/Library, councillors such as myself and Reg. Councillor Colin Best, we heard of the many successes for both Milton and the Halton area.

Using the backdrop of the almost completed Milton Arts Centre she announced that thousands of jobs have been created in our area from the Milton Sports Centre and Arts Centre and more to come once the work has been completed.  Mayor Gord Krantz in his trademark work boots thanked the Minister and all levels of governement for working with the Town to ensure the completion of these projects.

The Invest in the Arts fundraising campaign is nearing the end and will be expected to announce that its hit (or maybe even surpassed) its fundraising goal of $2.2 million dollars and there will be more to come from that I assure you.

There was an opportunity to do a quick check on the status of the project and they are assured it will be completed on its original deadline of March 31st and not need the extention as much.

Many thanks for Minister Raitt for attending today for what Mayor Krantz likes to call “good news stories”.

Town Hall on 2010 Budget

Something is happening in Milton that doesnt happen that often…a town hall meeting.

Over the last several years, and also during the last municipal election, I spoke out at length of the need for more town hall meetings on important issues in Milton.  There are public meetings at town hall on certian items, but when it comes to general issues like taxation, road safety and development there hasnt been a strong effort from our elected officials to inform the community.  Many say the reason is because of low turnout.  If these meetings happened on a more regular basis, it could definatley charge up the people to come out and speak their mind.

The town hall meeting is being held tonight at the Milton Sports Centre by Regional Councilor Colin Best to discuss both the upcoming Milton and Region of Halton budgets.  It starts at 730pm and goes to about 930pm depending on how many people show up.

The budget for the town will be going before council on December 7th and 8th for approval on the 14th.  This is an excellent time to come out, learn about what is on tap for the next year, whats in the captial and operating budget of the town and for you to ask any questions and make comments.

As Colin had mentioned on the Hawthorne Villager Forum, you can also email your questions or comments to his town email colin.best@milton.ca if you cant make it.

I will be doing my best to make it there as well tonight and I hope you can find the time as well.  These issues are important and especially with the election coming up in 2010 the decisions they make now with our money will impact us for years to come.

Milton Sports Centre, Room #2 at 730pm

colin b.
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:39 am    Post subject: Budget Open House

For anyone interested in the 2010 Regional and Town budgets I am hosting an open house in Room #2 next to the north rink at the Milton Sports Centre the Wednesday December 2nd from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Will have some of the highlights of both capital and current budgets which I have attached.

http://www.halton.ca/About/documents/budget/2010/Executive_Summary.pdf

http://www.milton.ca/corpserv/budget10/Operating_Budget_Summary.pdf
http://www.milton.ca/corpserv/budget10/Capital_Budget_Summary.pdf

I am looking for residents opinions, concerns and ideas on both budgets before I vote on both of them with the Town Budget meetings on December 7th and 8th if necessary and the Regional Budget Review on the 14th and final adoption at the Council meeting on December 16th.

As the budget meetings only have a few people attend every year, I want to bring the budget to you for a public discussion on what is important to you and your family in Milton and Halton.

Hope to see you there.

Colin Best
Local & regional councillor
Member of the Regional Budget Review Committee
www.colinbest.ca