mike cluett

Town Council to discuss tax increase

Mike Cluett

As reported in todays Champion, Milton Town Council will be discussing a potential tax increase of 5.6 per cent on December 8th.

One can only hope that council will take its time during the budget disscussions and do everything possible to limit the increase to todays rate of inflation.

Last years increase of 6.6 per cent was bad enough but with the coming turmoil in the economy (some say its already hit us) taxpayers are going to be once again stretched to the limit.

The budget proposal is to be expected on the town website www.milton.ca (if its not already there) for viewing and they are inviting input from the community as well before the budget comes to council on December 8.

With the Region of Halton proposing an increase and the boards of education also considering an increase, we as taxpayers need to voice our opinion.

Tell your councillors what you think.

Councillors Brian Penman and Rick Day need to hear from you.

Once the proposal is posted on the website, ill provide a link and some analysis as well.

Smitherman ignores Halton's needs

Mike Cluett

Voting has started in the Canadian Blog Awards where yours truly has been nominated as “BEST LOCAL BLOG”. First round voting continues later this week and hopefully I can make it to the second round and beyond…so vote early and often 😉

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As reported in the Milton Canadian Champion, Ontarios Energy and Infrastructure Minister George “Future Toronto Mayor” Smitherman says that Haltons growing pains “aren’t unique” and cant promise any additional funding. He proclaims that his government under Premier Dalton McQuinty has provided more funding for infrastructure than any other government. If they have, ID like to see it.

This comes on the heels of a proclamation from the Region of Halton to halt any future developments until this matter is resolved. Growth is mandated by the Province and the Liberal government is telling regions, like Halton, to grow to meet the needs of the people. They are however telling them to do it, with little or no help from them.

The Oakville Hospital expansion has been delayed … yet again … with no clear course of action on Milton’s hospital and the needs of the fastest growing municipality in Canada. More and more people are moving here and the heels of our municipal leaders seem to drag further and further with no end in sight.

According to the article, “The region has repeatedly argued that it can’t accommodate the thousands of new residents called for in the province’s Places to Grow plan without significant funding help for infrastructure.”

It can be argued that the growth in this region, being led my Milton, IS unique to the province and requires a long term plan and more focus by the provincial government. You simply cant say to the regions “build” and then sit by and not provide the funding.

With the economy in the tank and deficits coming from both provincial and federal governments, we in Halton can look forward to more delays as they will most certainly use the “we cant afford it” excuse. Infrastructure has been an issue for years and will continue to be an issue until we have a government that will take it seriously.

Also, the Region of Halton took further steps on this issue by a unanimous resolution to potentially slow down development in Oakville and Milton if the province doesnt provide any potential solutions to the problem other than they are “not unique”.

This isnt over yet…

AnnK's BIG Art Show

Mike Cluett

Some of you are familiar with Ann Kornuta…artist extrodanaire…or as we like to refer to her as “AnnK…Milton’s Artist”.  Every Saturday in the summertime you can find her on Main Street cooking up another masterpiece, chatting with people at the Farmer’s Market.  No matter if the weather is boiling hot or cold and damp, shes out there with her brushes and paints trying to capture another piece of Milton.  Sometimes her paintings are quick and fast while others are more detailed and revealing.

Well tonight was a big night in downtown Milton as the Dorland Haight Gallery put on a show with Milton’s one and only Ann Kornuta.  As I walked up Main Street towards the gallery I could hear the music.  People were coming in and out of the doors, bustling with activity.  As soon as you walked in you were exposed to some of Ann’s newest works.

Her unique style of bright colours and landscapes were on display.  Many of the paintings she does are of Milton, the old and the new and how the town has changed over the last several years.  Im a big fan of her paintings of the downtown core as she always has dazzling colours, interesting shapes and funky styles.

Her paintings can go from bright and cheerful to almost sad and depressing.  In some of her work, you can see how the town itself is developing and an ominous view to what might be happening in the future.

There were a lot of new faces to me and some familiar ones as everyone came out to support our favourite artist.  I actually had a chance to meet Jennifer Smith who is also a Milton blogger for the first time.  (Nice to see you finally!)  Peter Haight, the gallery owner, was also there looking very dapper if I do say so myself.

You can find her paintings at Dorland Haights Gallery in downtown Milton and for a quick view of whats shes been up to recently you can check out her “gallery page” on her website as well.

I love this picture (although its sold) as it reminds me of my house with the balcony and front porch area.  Maybe she can make ME one soon? *cough* hint hint.

Ive always said that this town has a lot of hidden treasures and Ann is one of those talented individuals that should get more recognition than she does.

It was a great show tonight and I cant wait for the next ones.

2008 Milton Fall Fair

Mike Cluett

 

Its coming faster than you think. This years looks to be better than last years event. People come from all around to attend what most people feel is the best Fall Fair in Ontario. Id have a hard time finding one better.

www.miltonfair.com is the site to visit with more details coming in the next few weeks. This years Milton Fair will be held September 26-28, 2008!

Stunts failed

Mike Cluett

As I mentioned last post, the Green Party of Canada has been doing its best to get “into the picture” and be relevant to Canadians.

A few months back, Elizabeth May and Stephane Dion came up with a “deal” that she would run against Peter MacKay and the Liberal party would run no one against her to help her win in Nova Scotia. Whether that works or not is a different story. Personally I think she’ll fail.

Just recently, a former Liberal (booted out of Dions supposedly “democratic” caucus) joined the Green Party to make history and be the first official Green Party MP in the House of Commons.

These stunts were pulled off with the intention of getting Elizabeth May in the leaders debate in the present Federal election campaign. Thats all it was…a couple of stunts to “raise awareness”.

Problem is, it didnt work. The broadcasters in charge of the leaders debate said, no Green Party. Supposedly 3 of the 4 party leaders said “HELL NO” to Elizabeth May. NDP Leader Jack Layton, said nothing. Bloq…same thing. Conservative Party Leader Stephen Harper was a bit more direct than others by saying that given the “deal” between May and Dion, the Green Party is just another version of the Liberal Party…and shouldnt be included in the leaders debate.

Id much rather have a discussion about the environment without all the BS and the tree huggery that goes on. Instead Elizabeth May has turned the GP of Canada into a joke, deal making party instead of the option it should be for Canadians.

The Green Party is missing something. Its missing a leader that can sell environmental issues to business. No one wants to be preached to. No one wants to be told what to do. Thats what the current leadership of the Greens does.

The message the GP of Canada has is important and needs to be heard. But it doesnt have to come at the expense of tricks and smoke n mirrors. If people would sit down and read what the GP of Canada has to offer they’d read that there are more to the GP than environment. Theres tax issues that need to be discussed. Incentives for businesses to help them move towards a better policy.

Jim Harris started this upward swing towards legitimacy. Too bad the party took a step back with Elizabeth May. As a business person, if you say something that makes sense, both environmentally and fiscally, Im going to listen. Elizabeth May, however good her intentions, fails miserablely.