milton canadian champion

Are your kids “street proofed?”

Mike Cluett

The Champion has an interesting editorial on child safety this week.

There have been a number of attempted abductions of young children in the news the past few weeks, with some of these incidents happening in the Halton region.

Do your kids know what to do if they are approached?  I know I go over this with Anthony many times to make sure he knows what to do if ever confronted with a similar situation.  He knows that if anyone he doesnt know tries to grab or lure him into the car to say “NO”.  If that person continues to press, he knows to start yelling and run to the nearest neighbours house.  We’ve set up a password system so that if someones says they know his Mom or Dad, they have to give them the password or else he wont go.

Its a scary thought for parents.  The idea of someone coming into an area and trying to abduct any child sends shivers up the spines for many of us.   We have to ensure our kids know what to do if or when that situation arises.

This also leads me into the Milton Community Policing Committee and what we are planning to do with several schools in the area.  We are looking to set up a program with Principals to get as much information out to the kids as possible from the Halton Region Police Force.  This might include information sessions inside the school with members of the Halton Police Force, or regular letters to parents including some brochures on road safety, staying safe and street proofing.

There are a couple of schools we will be presenting this information to when they do their open houses in September including Tiger Jeet Singh Elementary School, PL Robertson among others.  If you would like more information on the MCPC visit the website and contact us if you’d like to get involved.

We will be having an information booth at the Downtown Milton Street Festival tomorrow all day long.  Regional Councillor Colin Best, myself and many other volunteers from the committee will be there to answer any questions you might have about local community activism, street proofing your children and road safety.  We will be more than happy to meet with you and discuss how you can get involved and help continue to make Milton a great place to live and grow our families.

Here’s the editorial from the Champion.

Jun 03, 2010 – 12:22 PM

Parents, children — be on guard

Several Halton incidents of children being approached by strangers

If your son or daughter was approached by a complete stranger trying to entice them into a vehicle, do you know how they would react?

Have you ever discussed with your children the possibility of such a scenario happening to them and what they should do if it does? If not, what are you waiting for?

Last week, Halton Regional Police issued separate parental warnings in Burlington and Halton Hills in connection with young people being approached by strangers with what can only be described as bad intentions.

In Acton, three incidents of an older white man, driving a silver four-door car trying to entice youngsters into the vehicle were reported over a five-day period at the end of April and start of May. Police determined that a fourth, more recent complaint by an Acton youth was unfounded.

Meanwhile, in Burlington last week, two teenage girls were approached by a male stranger in separate incidents occurring less than 40 hours apart.

In the first case, a 16-year-old was approached as she walked her dog May 25. A man described as black, with very short hair or bald, 35 to 40 years old and wearing a dark shirt struck up a conversation with the teen and attempted to entice her into his black, older model pick-up truck. When she refused he continued driving.

Then, last Thursday, a 15-year-old female was approached by an unknown man — described as black, in his late 20s or early 30s and driving an older blue pickup truck. He, too, tried to entice her to get inside his vehicle. When she refused, he briefly followed her to a parking lot before he fled the scene in an unknown direction.

Similar incidents have been reported in Milton in the past.

Halton police urge parents to remind their children not to approach anyone that’s not known to them and to always walk with a friend or a known adult.

Council Salaries To Be Discussed At Monday’s Meeting

Mike Cluett

From the Milton Canadian Champion

Kim Arnott, SPECIAL TO THE CHAMPION  

Councillors to consider pay raise

A pay hike for local politicians is likely to be a hot topic of discussion at next week’s council meeting.

On Monday night, the Town’s administration and planning committee voted to recommend a 2 per cent pay raise for non-unionized staff employed by the Town.

However, the committee recommended that councillors not receive the same raise.  Salaries for Milton’s non-unionized staff are reviewed annually, and compared to those paid in seven nearby municipalities.  According to a staff report, non-unionized employees working for area municipalities have seen an average 2.39 per cent wage increase this year.  The report recommended a 2 per cent increase for Milton staff, effective July 1. It also recommended that councillors receive the same raise.

Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson moved to eliminate the council increase, saying he was uncomfortable with voting himself a third pay raise for this term of council.  Councillors and non-unionized staff received raises of 3 per cent in 2008 and 2.5 per cent in 2009.  However, Town of Milton CAO Mario Belvedere said the aim of reviewing the salaries annually is to ensure they don’t fall behind as inflation and growth occur.  “What you see before you is the policy we’ve been following for years,” he told the committee, noting that staff and council raises have been linked for about seven years.

Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau isn’t a member of the administration and planning committee, so she didn’t have a vote.  However, she said she favours providing the pay raise to both staff and councillors.  “I wouldn’t want a good candidate for council to be discouraged by an inadequate remuneration,” she said.

Local resident Mike Grimwood, the only delegation speaking to the matter, argued that Town staff should receive raises based on individual excellence and initiative, not simply as an across-the-board bonus “just for showing up.”  Noting that 2 per cent is above the rate of inflation for the year, he said, “Milton taxpayers’ pocketbooks seem to be depleted on a regular basis for the sole reason that others are doing it. This is ludicrous.”

The provincial government recently imposed a two-year freeze on the salaries and benefits of all non-unionized employees in the Ontario public service, including school board, hospital and provincial government workers. That included extending the current salary freeze for MPPs from one year to three years. Regional politicians also voted to freeze their salaries for the year, at a meeting in December.

The pay increase would only be applied to employees not represented by bargaining groups. Raises of 2.5 to 3 per cent have already been approved for the Town’s unionized employees, including Milton firefighters.  The cost of a 2 per cent increase for non-unionized staff was included in the approved 2010 budget.

The issue will be considered by the full council at a meeting Monday.

Speed Limit Change on James Snow Parkway

Mike Cluett

There are a lot of drivers in Milton who use James Snow Parkway south of Derry as a route to get home and around town.  That road didnt even exist a year or so ago but has now finished its construction but the effects are still being felt.

While this road was under construction the speed limit was reduced to 50km/hr, as most roads under construction are.  Recently reported in the Champion back in December, that stretch of road was approved for an increase in the limit to 70km/hr by Halton Regional Council.  When changes are made to the speed limits, the Region or the municipality in charge of the road should, within a reasonable amount of time, put new signs up showing the different limits.

Many drivers who take that road found the limit difficult to change as most were coming south on James Snow Parkway from the 401 and the speed limit dropped from 70 km/hr to 50 rather quickly.  Halton Regional Police responded to a number of complaints from drivers who speed excessively down that stretch of road took it upon themselves to set up “speed traps” as a way of educating drivers and of course, hit them in the pocket book.

Problem is, according to a new article in the Milton Canadian Champion by Tim Foran, the police force were informed of the speed limit change but yet this past week, held a speeding blitz where a number of drivers were hit with speeding tickets.

Over at the Hawthorne Villager forum people were speaking out how unfair this practice was and it also raised a few issues legally speaking about the validity of the speeding tickets.  Sure the limit was legally 70km/hr but the posted speed limit was still 50km/hr.

I consulted a good friend of mine and paralegal extroridinare Dave Sokolowski of Sokolowski Legal Services for an answer.

He said, “A law or a by law may be passed at any time, but until it is enacted it is not in effect. The councils decision to increase the speed limit on this stretch of road although passed in December technically was not in effect until the signs were changed.

The Highway Traffic Act is clear that all drivers must obey the posted signs, much like if you were travelling through a construction zone and the speed limit is reduced. You may have driven on that road 900 times at the speed limit of 80, but once the signs go up that its 60, that is the rate of speed that you must travel at.

Although I cannot speak as to why the officers were running the “speed trap” before the signs were changed, I can say that they were not doing anything wrong at the time.

Everyone who has recieved a ticket does have the right to be able to fight it. I cannot say that the Crown involved that day would have the charge withdrawn, but they may have it reduced so that there are no points against your license. “

If you found yourself to be one of those people with the traffic tickets and would like to get some legal advice or representation, I recommend speaking with Dave at Sokolowski Legal Services to find out what, if anything you can do about the tickets.

This of course provides me an opportunity to remind everyone that the limits you must drive at are the posted speed limits.  Please take your time around town and obey the speed limits.

I’ll see you at the doors.

Local Media Coverage of Mike Cluett Campaign

Mike Cluett

Cluett to try once more in Ward 6

Published on Jan 21, 2010

A Milton man who came close to securing a seat on council in the last municipal election is hoping the second time’s a charm.

Mike Cluett, who was only 93 votes shy of unseating long-time Councillor Brian Penman in 2006, has filed to run for councillor in the newly-created Ward 6 this fall.

The local blogger said he’s throwing his hat back in the ring because he feels town council needs to refocus its priorities.

“I think the Town is spending a lot of money without focusing on infrastructure and roads,” he said. “There seems to be a disconnect when it comes to issues relating to the growth in town and the concerns of the population.”

Cluett, a father of two and a sales consultant for a payment processing company, has lived in Milton since 2003.

He served on Milton’s 150th anniversary committee and has also been active in the community by working with residents on safety issues like residential speeding, parking and stop signs.

Ward 6 is framed by Derry, Thompson and Britannia roads and Fourth Line.

Champion Announces Top Milton Stories for 2009

Mike Cluett

Happy New Year everyone.

For those of us who enjoyed the fact there was very little snow on the ground, we sure got an eye opener yesterday.  While the amount of snow was nothing to write home about, it was a reminder that we really havent hit the peak of winter yet and more of the white stuff will be coming….stay tuned for that.

I didnt get a chance to blog about it on New Years Day but I had the opportunity to attend the New Years Levee at Town Hall and the induction of the newest members of Milton’s Walk of Fame.  More on that later but it was quite the enjoyable day that ended with Walter Gretzky serenading my wife.  (Dont worry, she came home with me)  Walter Gretzky, as if it hasnt been said a million times already, is an amazing man. 

During the levee there were a number of children running around and he was right there with them, entertaining them and helping them sneak extra pieces of cake and cookies.  Always with a smile on his face, he definatly is someone to be admired.  He was there from beginning to end signing autographs making sure he didnt miss anyone who wanted to speak with him.  Mr. Gretzky is truly a gentleman.

Whenever there is something to be done in his community, or any community for that matter, you can always count on Walter being there to lend a hand.  He helps out regularly in the Town of Milton and especially with Troy Martin from Troy’s Diner in a number of charitable events.  I wish that the world had a few more Walter’s.

The Milton Canadian Champion has put out its top news stories in Milton for 2009 and I thought it was quite interesting to see how many changes there have been in the last 12 months.  The story that had the biggest impact on Milton would be the closure of Meritor and SKD putting hundreds of people out of work.  Other obvious choices like the tornado that hit Milton (and pretty much ignored in the main-stream media of the area.  I guess it was because no one died or the rest of Ontario STILL hasnt realized that its the GMA (Greater Milton Area) 🙂

Feel free to comment on the news stories from the Champion.

Tornado, H1N1 make big news

 

Meritor, SKD shut down

Milton’s auto parts sector was hit hard this year, with two businesses closing their doors and putting hundreds of people out of work.  After 55 years in operation, Meritor Suspension Systems Co. announced its plans in March to permanently close its Steeles Avenue coil springs plant by the end of the year, leaving 165 people unemployed.  The decision, which the company said was made to reduce overall capacity and costs, left long-time employees and Miltonians shaking their heads in shock and disbelief.  Around the same time an Ontario court approved the sale of SKD Automotive’s assets, leading to the closure of the Wheelabrator Way plant, which employed 220 people.  The sale and shutdown of the plant had been widely expected since SKD went into creditor protection earlier this year.

Storm, tornado wreak havoc

Mother Nature was less than kind to Milton this year, with a severe storm pummeling the town in April and a tornado blowing through in August.  Both incidents left behind a messy trail of downed hydro wires and trees, along with damaged homes and businesses.  The tornado, which largely hit the older parts of Milton, was an F1 on a scale that ranges from F0 to F5. An F1 storm can produce winds up to 180 km/h.  Starting at about 5:30 p. m. on the night of the tornado, the sky filled with lightning and torrential rain pounded down. The twister made its appearance between 6:30 and 6:40 p. m. Several residents described a noise that sounded like a train roaring through.  Afterward, the community rallied together to help the tornado victims.

Raitt under fire

Halton MP and Natural Resources Minister Lisa Raitt made headlines several times this year, starting when she came under fire after a binder that included documents marked secret was left behind at the Ottawa bureau of CTV. The politician’s press secretary resigned for the indiscretion, and Raitt also offered to resign but Prime Minister Stephen Harper didn’t accept it.

Shortly after that, the new MP was caught on tape describing the country’s medical isotope crisis as a “sexy” situation easily solved with more money. Raitt apologized for the comments she made in a private discussion and said she never intended “to show any disrespect” to cancer sufferers and their families.  Later in the year, Raitt was under attack in the House of Commons for circumstances surrounding a Halton Conservative Association fundraiser. The MP was questioned on why an employee of the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) — the government agency where Raitt was CEO— sent e-mails about the fundraiser.  Raitt’s press secretary acknowledged in an e-mail to the Champion that “this use of Toronto Port Authority resources is inappropriate.” She also said the error was an isolated occurrence and such incidents wouldn’t occur again.  The local politician was also criticized for a cement association lobbyist’s involvement in selling tickets for the fundraiser. Raitt agreed to refrain from contact with the lobbyist.

Hit-and-run driver guilty

Three years after the hit-and-run death of 18-year-old Lauren Cooper, a man was found guilty of leaving the scene of the accident.  The Milton girl was tragically struck and killed by a pickup truck — driven by 37-year-old Halton Hills man Stephen Alchin — while rollerblading just metres from her Second Line home on the night of July 13, 2006.  Alchin was sentenced to 12 months in jail. Lauren’s mother, Deborah, said although it doesn’t change anything, the sentence conveys something important.

“It sends out the message that you can’t walk away. You have to take responsibility.”

Attack at skateboard park

Ten young people were swarmed and robbed — and one was stabbed — by thugs armed with a knife, bat and semi-automatic handgun at the Milton Skateboard Park.  The group of men and women aged 18 to 25 were hanging out at the Thompson Road park when they were approached by four masked men in black, who demanded personal items from the victims. A 20-year-old Georgetown man was stabbed in the shoulder; he was taken to Milton District Hospital and released.  An extensive police search was conducted that included the canine unit, but with no success.

Milton teen mourned

Bishop Reding School students mourned the loss of 15-year-old Anthony Marziliano, whose lifeless body was discovered floating in the Trent Severn Waterway while on a fishing trip with his friend. Foul play wasn’t suspected.  Students gathered for a prayer service at the school to remember the teen. A Facebook page, which garnered hundreds of members, was also created in Marziliano’s memory. 

Push for hospital expansion continues

Miltonians showed overwhelming support for the Friends of Milton Hospital’s ongoing push for a much-needed hospital expansion by signing almost 35,000 petition postcards addressed to Ontario’s Minister of Health.  “The incredible enthusiasm in this community is amazing,” said Pete Pomeroy, cochair of the Friends of Milton Hospital.  A second group, the Milton Hospital Action Committee, also circulated a similar petition to present to the provincial legislature.

H1N1 clinic draws thousands

In a turnout that no one expected, more than 3,500 people flocked to the region’s first H1N1 vaccination clinic at the Halton Regional Centre.  Shortly thereafter the Halton Region Health Department opened clinics across Halton that initially provided vaccines to high-risk individuals and later to all residents who wanted it.  The H1N1 virus hit Halton hard early in the year, with 219 confirmed cases in spring and summer, with the majority of cases being school-aged children. Schools were major sites of transmission.  The second wave of outbreaks started in the fall, with eight to 10 people being admitted to local hospitals daily with influenza-like symptoms.  Three Halton residents died from H1N1 influenza this year.

Mourning family awarded $3 million

The family of a much-loved local dentist who died five years ago finally got some of the justice they’d been seeking in a lawsuit that awarded them more than $3 million.  A jury found responsible an Orillia-area tavern, its operator and the bouncer working the night Dr. David Dumencu died from head injuries sustained during a brawl in the bar’s parking lot.  David’s widow, Sue, said she was pleased that someone had finally taken ownership of what happened.  She also said the case wasn’t about money, but rather about loss of life.

Olympic flame comes to town

Miltonians came out by the thousands to see the Olympic flame pass through Milton on its journey across Canada.  Joyce Scott, Kathy Kulina and Kevin DiGiuseppe were the three local torchbearers among the 14 who carried the flame along Main Street from Bronte Street to James Snow Parkway.  “It was definitely an experience I’ll cherish forever,” Kulina said.  The community spirit continued at the Milton Lions Club Hall, where more than 500 people turned out for a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast.

Mayor Krantz to run in 2010

Mike Cluett

Its getting close to election time, as you can tell by many of the comments on  my blog the last few weeks.  Who is going to be running where and for what positions seems to be a hot topic.

With a new ward system in place, possible date change of the election and a number of other issues coming to the surface many people will be paying attention to the upcoming campaigns.  Nominations open in January for the open positions as there looks to be quite a few changes coming for Milton Town Council.

This week Mayor Gord Krantz answered the question in an article by Melanie Hennessey of the Milton Canadian Champion.