milton election 2010

Miltons Newest School Named After Tiger Jeet Singh

Mike Cluett
tjs troys

Just this past week the Halton District School Board chose from a number of different name options for Milton’s newest school (known before as Milton #4) and it seems to have caused some controversy.  But the selection of the name couldn’t have gone to a better person.

The new school on Yates Drive that is due to open this coming fall, will be named Tiger Jeet Singh Public School.

This honour adds to the list of accomplishments this great Miltonian has earned over the years.  Tiger Jeet Singh, along with his son Tiger Ali Singh, are world renowned for their success in the field of professional wrestling.  You may remember Tiger Ali’s stint with the WWE (Formerly World Wrestling Federation) and since then he has moved on to more international success.  The mere mention of their names in the squared circle brought their opponents to submission as they are fierce competitors in the ring.

But thats just the wrestling persona’s.  Outside the ring, they are true ambassadors to the Town of Milton and do what they can to help both their home town and home country.  The list of philanthropic activities of Tiger is head spinning.  Here is a brief list (courtesy of local historian/author John Challinor)

• $200,000 donation to community of Sujapur, India (1990) (money used to build water and sewer infrastructure)
• $100,000+ donation committed to Milton District Hospital Foundation (2006)
• $35,000 raised through his leadership with Kopz4Kids (monies were shared between Joseph Brant Hospital in Burlington and Halton Healthcare facilities in Georgetown, Milton and Oakville) (2008)
• $30,000 raised through his leadership with Troy’s Diner Toy Drive (2009) (toys went to local Salvation Army and Sick Childrens Hospital in Toronto )
• $25,000 donation to Milton Historical Society to publish local book of history, Milton Streets (2008)
• Annual pilgrimage to India to donate money, including the following:
o Five buses purchased for various Sikh temples in Punjab, India, so that poor had transportation to worship (2009)
o Land purchased for college campus in Ludhiana, Punjab, India, so students could study locally as most couldn’t afford transportation to study out-of-town (2009)
o Donated monies for clothing and other items to unspecified villages (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Raised money with professional wrestler Lord Athol Layton for Shriners Foundation (late 1970s)
• Raised money with professional wrestler Whipper Billy Watson to help expand Newmarket Hospital and raise visibility for plight of handicapped children (early 1970s)
• Anonymous large annual donor to numerous local charities (ongoing)

Humanitarian Activities:

• Non-governmental ambassador (trade) to United Nations with a mandate to reach out to South-East Asian countries (2000 – 2001)
• World-wide Economic Development Ambassador to Milton, Ontario (1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Drug, alcohol, education and physical fitness (Tiger-fit) awareness advocate in Canada, Japan, South-east Asia, addressing thousands of parents and students (1990s, 2000s)
• Chief Patron, Punjabi Sahit Sabha of Ontario (organization facilitates education, culture, societal value and general promotion of Sikhism) (since 1976)
• Recognized leader in Canadian South-East Asian community that members from across the country come to when in need of guidance and support (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Annual guest of honour at major South-East Asian community religious, community, athletic events (1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s)
• Annual guest of honour at Canada Kabaddi Cup (typically alongside Prime Minister of Canada) (ongoing)

And as I said…that’s just SOME of what Tiger Jeet Singh is involved in.

Recently reported in the Toronto Star, there was a column that outlined some parts of a popular Internet forum called The Hawthorne Villager.

Here is a what I posted. 

Milton Walk of Fame Inductee Tiger Jeet Singh, Canada Day 2007

 

Not that this decision needs to be defended, but I’ll put in my 2 cents worth.I have absolutely no problem with the name chosen for the school. All of the contenders, so to speak, were highly qualified to have their name adorn the school walls.

Both Tiger Jeet and Tiger Ali Singh were named as inaugural members of Milton’s Walk of Fame…an honour highly deserved.

The Tigers (Hans family) have grown up in Milton over the course of many years. They were residents of this town long before many of us were called Miltonians. During this time, they have given back to our community. One of the Hans’ sons is a member of the Halton police force, serving and protecting our community. There were stories in the past of what they had to endure from “rabid wrestling fans” and others alike who made life for that family almost unbearable. Too many stories that this family is too proud to talk about. Lets just say life wasn’t made easy for them.

Yet they stuck it out.

Tiger Jeet Singh is a world renowned wrestler and a classy gentleman who doesnt hesitate to offer his help whenever its needed (Troys Diner and other charities) I remember during the Canada Day Celebrations of Milton’s 150th anniversary (where he along with his son were inducted into Milton’s Walk of Fame) talking with him and listening to his acceptance  speech which was quite moving. More moving still was his son’s speech (Tiger Ali) and the pride that both of them felt for their home town. They felt the honour they received by being inducted to the Milton Walk of Fame was the highlights of their lives…and given the careers both individuals had, that’s saying something.

I had the privilage of being the soccer coach of their grandson and despite hectic schedules and travelling all over the world where they are still in demand, he made it to most of his grandsons soccer games.

Through all of this they call Milton their home and they burst with pride when they do so.

There are a number (way to many too count) of Miltonians who have lived here and currently live here that deserve the honour of having a school named after them and Tiger Jeet Singh IS one of those people.

***

 As far as I’m concerned Tiger Jeet Singh is an excellent choice to name the school.  He plans on taking part in the activities, as does fellow Milton Walk of Fame member Chris Hadfield of Hadfield Public School.  The children who attend this school will be lucky to have another role model to look up to.  And its doesnt just stop at Tiger Sr.  His sons and the rest of the family also are involved in bettering our community.  One of Tiger Sr.’s sons is a member of the Halton Police force, serving and protecting the community he grew up in.  I had the privilege of coaching Anthony’s soccer team a few years back and with his experience, helped me be a better coach. 

A great honour for a great champion!  Congratulations Tiger!  This is an honour which is well deserved.   More importantly…THANK YOU!

You can also read more about the decision at Troy’s Diner Blog with even more details on what Tiger has done for Milton, and children everywhere.

Milton Community Policing Committee

Mike Cluett

I had a very brief meeting last night of the Milton Community Policing Committee (people were in a rush to get home to watch Canada vs. Germany in Olympic hockey) and I wanted to give a bit of an update as to what the committee is doing over the next year.

For those of you who are unaware of what the committee does, here is the mission statement of the organization:

logo3

“The Milton Community Policing Committee’s purpose is to help promote a healthy and safe community, providing a means for residents, business owners, and community groups to communicate their concerns regarding public safety to all levels of government, and to work in a proactive and creative manner to address those concerns.”

The committee has been planning a number of events for 2010 which include taking part in the open houses of a number of new schools in Milton.  We will be having a table at the schools to inform parents, teachers and students of the committee’s presence and what we do. If everything works out, we will be having some local officers and fire fighters on site as well to teach kids about safety in and around our schools.

As you might have read in the Champion and in other papers, there recently was an attempted abduction of two children as they were going home from school.  Thankfully the kids knew exactly what to do and got home safely, called the police and the suspect was taken into custody.

Do your children know what to do in that situation?  What happens if the fire alarm goes off in school?  Does your family have an escape route planned in case of a fire or emergency in your home?

These are the things our local police and fire staff can teach both you and your children and that’s exactly why the MCPC are putting on these forums during the open houses.  All the dates and locations will be posted both here and on the MCPC website.

In addition to the schools, plans are now being finalized for a booth at this years Milton Street Festival on June 5th, 2010 in downtown Milton.  Close to 25,000 people are expected to flood Main Street this year and we will be there as well handing out information and answering any questions you might have.

We are always looking for people to join the committee so if you’re interested please email me mike@mikecluett.ca and I can provide you some details on how to get involved and help out making Milton a safer place to live.

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

Milton Street Festival June 5th 2010

Mike Cluett

I just wanted to give you a quick update on the status of the new look www.mikecluett.ca among other things.  The new site should be ready to go within a week or so as we have some small things to iron out and making sure all the previous posts from this highly successful blog make it over to the new domain.

That way your source for Milton news and updates as it pertains to town council and the fun things that happen within our borders can be located in one spot… www.mikecluett.ca

I also wanted to let people know that summer is coming…(it is???) and that means the Downtown Milton Street Festival!  It will take place on JUNE 5th 2010 in the only place to be…downtown Milton.

Check out the link for all the details.  The Downtown Street Festival came about during the planning of Milton’s 150th Anniversary celebrations, of which I was part of that committee, and its become an annual event ever since.  The organizers of the celebrations are always looking for volunteers to help plan, set up and take part in making this party a success.

http://www.milton.ca/commserv/streetfestival/index.php

Click on the Volunteers Tab and fill out the application form.  Remember, tell the kids that they can earn volunteer hours, have a blast and enjoy the summer day in downtown Milton.

Relaunching www.mikecluett.ca

Mike Cluett

Over the next couple of weeks (maybe) I’ll be doing some major changes to my website to make it a little easier to get around.  As always you can always head here…but in time www.mikecluett.ca will be the only site you’ll need to discuss Milton, our ward and town council issues.

Thanks in advance for your paitence….and I’ll see you at the doors!

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.