Round 2 Begins

Ward 6 only seems like it’s the smallest ward.  Over the past several months I have taken to hitting the doors for this campaign and it’s taken a few months, but I’ve personally canvassed/literature dropped every home in the ward.

Now on to round 2. 

I hope that I can meet as many of you before Election Day on October 25th and discuss issues that are important to you.  Many of the people I have talked with have similar concerns about growth in Milton, where everything will go when it’s all said and done, infrastructure and neighbourhood safety.

There are less than 80 days now until the election and before then, I hope to make it around the ward once more.  This is what you can come to expect from me as your councillor as well.  I am the only candidate in Milton who has made a promise to continue to knock on doors in between election campaigns, and not just during them.  It’s a commitment I made back in 2006 for the last election, and although I wasn’t successful then, over the last 4 years I have continued to talk with you directly and find out what issues are important to you.

Many of the incumbents on council now think I’m crazy.  I’ve been told that it’s impossible to knock on doors because I will be as busy as a councillor.  I don’t think it would be that hard to knock on every door in the ward over the course of 4 years if it can be done in a matter of months.

Communication is key for the democratic process.  You can’t be successful having a one sided conversation with anyone, especially the tax payers of Milton.  There are a number of major initiatives that will happen over the next 4 years from intensification of Main Street, the Boyne survey that will add over 55,000 new people in town and infrastructure demands that need to be addressed.

Council needs to be more proactive when it comes to these issues.  They can’t continue to be reactionary when issues arise and need to take the time and solicit input.  The other part of this equation is you…the taxpayer.

We need your input as well.  We need to you let us know your opinion and concerns when these decisions are made. 

That’s why I am asking for a small commitment from you.  A commitment of 15 minutes of your time on election day (or the advance polls) to come out, vote and take part in the election process.  I’ll return that commitment of working directly with you for the next 4 years.

Check out my election information page for the dates/times/locations of all the advance poll dates.  There will be 8 days prior to October 25th that you can take advantage of the advance polls, shorter lines and less stress to go and vote for your choices.

So, if I didn’t get a chance to speak with you on my first time around the ward, I hope that I get a chance to speak with you before Election Day.  If at anytime you have any questions or concerns, please email me mike@mikecluett.ca or call me (905) 878-1327 or directly on my cell (647) 888-9032.  You can also leave your comments on my blog.

Until then, I will see you at the doors.

Wind Turbines in Milton?

 Public Meeting Notice – Wind Turbine Project – August 19th, 2010

Back at the June 28th meeting of council there was some discussion about a possible opportunity with Milton Hydro to install wind turbines at the Sports Centre as a pilot project.  This arrangement with Milton Hydro will not cost the Town of Milton (directly anyways) any money and could possibly be another source of energy for the Sports Centre.  In return for having the turbines located at the Centre would be 15% of the gross revenue for the advertising sales.  The pole height is supposed to be no higher than 9 metres as well.

Some residents brought up concerns at the meeting regarding the size of the turbines, sound polution if and general asthetics in front of the Milton Sports Centre.

From the report COMS-009-10

Background

Staff from the Town of Milton and Milton Hydro have been in discussions with representatives of a company that manufactures vertical wind turbines to consider a possible pilot project on a Town of Milton property. This report recommends a pilot installation of 2 units at the Milton Sports Centre, pending execution of a Memorandum of Understanding for said project, attached as Schedule A, and approval from the OPA.

Discussion

Representatives from a company that manufactures vertical wind turbines approached Town staff to recommend consideration of a pilot project to install two units at the Milton Sports Centre. Subsequent discussions resulted in Milton Hydro taking the lead with respect to the management of the project, pending Council approval.

Staff has provided correspondence to Milton Hydro outlining the proposed terms that would have to be included in a Memorandum of Understanding regarding a pilot project at the Milton Sports Centre. (Schedule A, proposed terms) (Schedule B, image of proposed units at Milton Sports Centre).

Council had approved that motion to look into the possibilities and then have an open house to discuss the matter with the public.  Today the Town of Milton announced an open house on August 19th, 2010 at the Milton Sports Centre and invites members of the public interested in learning more to attend.

The open house starts at 7pm and goes to 8:30pm.  There will be a presentation and then an question/answer session.

Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

Advance Poll Dates

Over the last few elections, voter turnout has declined.  In 2006, the voter turnout for the former ward 1 (which encompassed most of the new ward 1, 6, 7 and 8 ) was only 23%.

In an effort to help boost voter turnout, the town has come up with a number of different dates and times for people to be able to exercise their right to vote.  Listed below are the dates, times and locations of the advance polls for voters who feel they might not be able to vote on the 25th of October (now 95 days away and counting – YIKES!)

In addition to the 3 days of advance polls is the Hugh Foster Hall location which is open daily from Monday October 11th to Friday October 15th from 10AM to 6PM.

Lines at the advance polls are very short and you can get in, vote and leave in almost a matter of minutes.  Make sure you bring your voter ID card, or picture ID, copy of a municipal tax bill (to confirm address) to make the process go smoothly as possible.

Its important that everyone gets a chance to vote, to have their say on what the direction will be for the town of Milton for the next 4 years and beyond.  There are many changes happening in town and lots of projects that will be approved in the next term of council.  You want to make sure that you choose the right candidate who you feel will speak out for your needs, keep you engaged and informed in the process and one who will be accessible.

Check out the “WHY MIKE” page of my site to find out details on how I will be that councillor for the residents of Ward 6 in Milton.

Advance Vote

Wednesday, October 13 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Campbellville Lions Club
42 Main Street South
Campbellville

Saturday, October 16 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Milton Mall
55 Ontario Street South
Milton

Sunday, October 17 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Milton Mall
55 Ontario Street South
Milton

Please note that the Sunday advance voting closes at 5:00 pm along with the Milton Mall.

Continuous Advance Vote

Monday, October 11 to Friday, October 15 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Hugh Foster Hall
141 King Street
Milton

Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

It’s HOT out there

Over the last few days we have seen the temperatures rise to new heights and it looks like the next little while will be no different.  I’ve had to take a break from hitting the doors in Ward 6 because of the scorching heat and hopefully it will let up soon.

I had received a call from someone who was wondering what the Town is doing to help beat the heat and where they could take their family to help cool off during this heat wave.

The Town has recently posted some information on www.milton.ca which lists areas where families can go to take the heat off so to speak.

Milton has two designated cooling centres:

Milton Leisure Centre:  1100 Main Street East and Milton Sports Centre: 605 Santa Maria Blvd

There are two locations for pools as well.  One at the Milton Leisure Centre and the other one is outdoors at Rotary Park at 1 Garden Lane (near downtown Milton)

Milton has 6 locations for splash pads which the past few days have become a very popular place for kids to play and stay cool from the heat.  Times of operation are from 9AM to 9PM daily.

Beaty Neighbourhood Park  – Beside Guardian Angels School (Yates / Bennett Ave)

Bristol District Park – Across from Metro Plaza (Thompson Rd / Louis St Laurent Ave)

Clark Neighbourhood Park (South) – Opens late summer 2010

Coates Neighbourhood Park (North)– (Near Philbrook / Yates Drive)

Dempsey Neighbourhood Park– Beside Chris Hadfield School

Lions Sports Park – 77 Thompson Road

There is also a splash pad at Rotary Park  from 10AM to 8PM Daily.

If you would like to get more information on the Milton Leisure Centre swimming hours/costs/ programs, click here for the recreation guide.

As the summer goes along, we will be faced with many more days like we’ve had this week and its best to take all the precautions necessary in order to make sure we all have a safe holiday.  Watch out for kids while your driving, stay cool as much as possible and take in some of the amenities that the Town of Milton has to offer.

Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.