hawthorne village

Who wouldve thought that AFTER the election campaign, things got busier for me. Pat had a list of things for me to do when it was all said and done and I’ve really enjoyed spending time with Anthony…catching up on all those missed bedtime reading sessions.

A few things have changed since the election. One being that I will be moving on from my current employer and starting with a new company on December 4th. Oddly enough thats the date of the first inaugral council meeting…that starts at 7:30 pm on Monday and is quite the ceremony. I’ll be there to pass on my best wishes to the new council for 2007-2010.

This past weekend was the Milton Santa Claus Parade and it was quite frankly the best one yet. I have attended the last 5 parades and this year tops the charts with close to 100 floats if my counting was correct. Great job done by the organizers and I hope everyone had a chance to make a donation as they came by with the buckets. This organization doesnt get any funding from the Town and its all private donations and sponsors so be generous. If you want to get more information on how to get involved for next year the website is www.miltonsantaclausparade.ca

Someone uploaded a video on YOUTUBE.com of the Milton Santa Claus parade…watch it to see if YOU are there. Great job!

The next years parade will have a 150th Anniversary Theme to it. SPEAKING of the 150th Anniversary celebrations, plans are now reaching a fever pitch and things are falling into place. The 150th Anniversary calendar will be reaching households very soon and seeing some copies last night that came in hot off the presses…you will be AMAZED! If anyone ever says “theres nothing to do in Milton”…show them this calendar and prove them wrong.

The website for the 150th is located at the Town of Milton home page or click HERE and bookmark. Coming up this month, on New Years Eve will be the ceremonial bell ringing at Victoria Park by Town Hall with Mayor Krantz, Rose Brooks (winner of the 150th Theme contest) and Michelle Job (winner of the 150th mascot contest Milly the Millstone). It starts at 11:45PM so bundle up, bring some hot chocolate and ring in 2007!

In case you havent seen Milly yet, here she is. She will be at many of the events in Milton throughout the year. If you are having an event and you would like Milly to attend to help promote it, go to the 150th site and let us know.

And while viewing the YOUTUBE Santa Claus parade, here is a video made by in downtown Milton with a song from a local band called The Most Serene Republic. Great songs by some local talent. Check it out HERE

Thats it for the update for now. More stuff with the 150th and Campbellvilles Santa Claus parade in a few weeks. New job starts next week.

I just got back in from out in the rain … picking up lawn signs. I didnt realize I had so many! HA!

The weather didnt help either as it began pouring around 1130 when I decided to call it a night. If I have missed any signs, please give me a call or email and I’ll be by soon to pick it up.

Over the past couple of days I have caught up on some much needed sleep and answering many emails that have come in as well. Theres an old saying that “When you win, you hear from everyone…when you lose you hear from your friends.” Thank you to everyone who sent me an email or called. Its much appreciated.

Election night was very stressful indeed. Pat, Anthony, my friend Mike and I sat down around 8pm to watch the results at home on TV Cogeco. Usually the results trickle in but with the new voting machines…they came in all at once. Not the result we wanted, but I was very pleased with the level of my support. To those of you who voted for me, many thanks.

Afterwards I headed out to the Milton Seniors Centre to congratulate Rick and Brian. I spoke with Rick for some time and he asssured me that 4 years passes in a blink of an eye and encouraged me to stay involved. Dont worry Rick … I will ! 🙂

I had just missed Brian so I headed out to Ned Devine’s to watch the rest of the TV Cogeco coverage and low and behold…there Brian was on TV….so I hustled around the building to the other side and met with him and his wife to give them my best wishes. It was a great campaign…I am very proud of it as never once were there any low blows as we’ve seen in other wards. Good clean fun.

Now begins the process of analyzing the numbers…where did I go wrong, what could I hve done better? So much can be read from the numbers of the election…92 votes shy. That IS close. Here’s the breakdown.

This poll is from the Milton Sports Centre.
COUNCILLOR WARD 1
Times Counted 429/1718 25.0 % Turnout
Total Votes 748
Brian PENMAN 254 33.96%
Richard DAY 238 31.82%
Greg NELSON 145 19.39%
Mike CLUETT 84 11.23%
Eugene CUMMINS 27 3.61%

This poll is from the Royal Ontario Golf Club
COUNCILLOR WARD 1
Times Counted 248/1037 23.9 % Turnout
Total Votes 389

Richard DAY 154 39.59%
Brian PENMAN 133 34.19%
Greg NELSON 67 17.22%
Mike CLUETT 26 6.68%
Eugene CUMMINS 9 2.31%

This is the poll from Hawthorne Village PS.
COUNCILLOR WARD 1
Times Counted 1039/4991 20.8 % Turnout
Total Votes 1672

Richard DAY 455 27.21%
Mike CLUETT 418 25.00%
Greg NELSON 357 21.35%
Brian PENMAN 354 21.17%
Eugene CUMMINS 88 5.26%

This is the poll from Guardian Angels Catholic School
COUNCILLOR WARD 1
Times Counted 905/4123 22.0 % Turnout
Total Votes 1387

Mike CLUETT 423 30.50%
Greg NELSON 319 23.00%
Richard DAY 318 22.93%
Brian PENMAN 272 19.61%
Eugene CUMMINS 55 3.97%

Ive been asked what I’m most disappointed about with the results. The obvious choice is I didnt win. The main thing I was disappointed with is the voter turnout. It was, on a percentage basis, lower than 2003. That election saw 25% of ward one vote. The total voters in that election was about 6,000 and now were closer to 12,000. I guess the eternal question would be how do we get people to vote in municipal elections? Most people have said they dont understand or they dont know whos running or they didnt have time. Ive heard some people say they didnt see any reason to vote for anyone?

Over the next while, I would like to find out from people why they didnt come out to the polls that day. I dont want to sound preachy about it, Im just very curious. If you didnt vote, send me an email mike@mikecluett.ca and let me know.

To answer some of the other questions Ive been getting, yes I will be updating the blog … maybe not as regular as during the election … but it will be updated. I’ll be keeping up to date with the happenings at town hall … how they affect us in ward one. I will also be working with as many people as possible to get the Citizens Advisory Committee’s up and running.

It was one of my campaign promises and I’d like to have one of these start so we can begin the improvement of communication process for the town of Milton.

I’ll talk to you soon.

I would like to congratulate Rick Day and Brian Penman and wish them well for the next term on Milton Town Council.

I would also like to thank those of you who supported Mike Cluett over the past several months… your support and friendship has been greatly appreciated. To my very good friends Mike, Keith and Paul, many thanks. To my friends and family … many thanks for your support.

To my wife Pat and son Anthony…words cannot begin to describe what your support and love have meant for me. You have been my strength over the past several months and without your love and support, I would not be where I am. I love you both.

Thank you to the voters of Ward One for your support. As promised I will be working with you over the next term of council to make sure we continue to live in the best place in the world.

I woke up this morning to some very nice emails. Today is Election Day! Please dont forget to vote. The “victory” party will be at Ned Devine’s located at the corner of Derry Road and 25 by the Food Port…please drop by and say hello!

“I just wanted to wish you all best today and have my fingers crossed (and toes) that you win. Jeff and I both feel that there is no better candidate than you to represent this town….So Good luck!!!!!!” Michelle & Jeff, Ward One

“Good luck Mike!!” Heather, Ward One

“Although everyone has to make up his or her mind, I will say that Mike Cluett was one of the most articulate and organized candidates. While some people may say that a good speaker isn’t necessarily the best candidate, you want someone who is confident and well spoken representing you.

Mike Cluett seemed to be all this and more.” Trish, Ward One (from www.hawthornevillager.com fourm)

“Thanks for your help, it was nice to meet you also. You can count on our vote”, Carol, Ward One

“I just wanted to send you an email to let you of one of the candidates for the upcoming election. His name is Mike Cluett, his website is www.mikecluett.ca.

I know him from working on the school council last year, him and his wife helped out with movie nights, etc. They have a son that goes to Hawthorne Village. They also got involved in the portable issues that went on.

He lives in our neighborhood, right on Yates Drive, so he is very familiar with what is going on around this area. So vote for him!” Andrea, Ward One

“You’ve run a really good campaign, and you deserve to win. All the best” D’Arcy

“You’ve put your heart and soul into this campaign!” Mike’s Mom (Not a ward one voter, but its nice to hear from your Mom!)

“I just wanted to say good luck. You have done a fantastic job on your blog/wed site and such. It’s good to see you back in politics. Your true love! Your son Anthony looks just like you and Pat is beautiful.” Mel S.

“Mike: I was driving through Milton a few weeks ago and saw your signs. I just wanted to wish you well tonight.” David W.

“Election Day is here!! We’ll be thinking about you, and keeping our fingers crossed. Good Luck Mike, you’ve been working hard to get here. I’ve looked at your web site and it’s very impressive. All the best for election day.” Michelle M.

Ive had a few questions emailed to me in the last 24 hours asking where am I going to be on Election Day. So I thought Id post it here.

I’ll be voting at my local polling station (Guardian Angels Catholic School) around the dinner hour. After that I’ll be spending some much needed time with my wife Pat and son Anthony watching some results on TV Cogeco. There will be a collection of candidates and supporters at the Seniors Centre on Childs Street where the results will be brought in and tabulated.

After all of that, win or lose, the Mike Cluett Campaign will make its way to Ned Devine’s for a celebration (hopefully a VICTORY celebration!) I should be making it there by around 9 or 915PM Monday night. When you get to Ned’s just tell them youre with the Mike Cluett party and they will direct you where you need to go.

Other than that, all the signs are out, the brochures have been delivered and now I leave it in your very capable hands. I hope that over the last few months of knocking on your doors and speaking with you, I have been able to answer any questions or concerns.

I know many of you that I’ve spoken with during that time follow my website and blog on a regular basis, and for that I say thank you. But there will be more…

If elected tomorrow, the website and blog will continue. It will continue to be a source of information for you and all Miltonians on whats is going on at town council and how it affects you. Since the beginning of my campaign I have talked about 4 main things…Neighbourhood Safety, Green Growth, Taxation, and Communication. Why? Because you told me that these were your concerns. Check out my website if you need any more details on my platform.

Please call or email if there are any last minute questions…if you need a ride to the polling station or to find out where you polling station is…you can go to my website and follow the links.

I look forward to serving you for the next 4 years. I’ll see you on Election Day.