milton issues

Public Consultation for High School Boundaries

Mike Cluett

Thanks to “daycaremom” from the Hawthorne Villager for posting this information.

On Thursday November 25th, there will be a public consultation meeting at Milton District High School regarding the school boundaries for public high schools in Milton.  As many in our ward are aware of, a new high school is being constructed at Louis St Laurent and 4th Line.  When that school and other new ones that will be constructed come online, the school board will be looking into boundary changes.

Public Consultation For New High School in Milton (SRA 105)

The Halton District School Board invites the public to attend a Public Consultation Meeting to review and provide feedback on various boundary change scenarios for the public secondary schools in Milton.  This consultation will take place on:

Thursday, November 25th, 2010 @ 7PM – Milton District High School 396 Williams Avenue, Milton ON

Halton District School Board staff will present information concerning each of the scenarios and parents/guardians will participate in discussions about each option.  Staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Here is the link to the HDSB website for all the information you’ll need.  On the right hand side you will see the link to the proposed boundaries in different scenarios.  In each of these scenarios, you will see that our ward and most of Hawthorne Village itself will be attending the new school when its constructed.  It is still important to be informed and if you have children that will be attending high school in the coming years, you should still attend.  I might not be able to make it due to other commitments but I’m sure there will be a report from those in attendance coming shortly.

Feedback forms

Enrollment Projections (All Scenarios)

MAP Scenario 1

MAP Scenario 3

MAP Scenario 7

Milton Santa Claus Parade 2010

Mike Cluett

It was a little chilly but still an entertaining day on Main Street in Milton.  Thousands of people despite the cold wind and the snow earlier on in the day made their way to downtown Milton for its annual Santa Claus Parade.  Over 50 floats made their way down Main Street to sing songs, dance, and promote a wonderful family oriented holiday season.

MiltonToday TV was there live online … I didn’t get a chance to go over and say HI but they apparently did a very good job broadcasting the parade online.  I’ll have to go check them out.  From where we were (in front of Knox Presp. Church) you could see the MiltonToday HQ.  Milton’s parade gets better and better as the years go on and this one didnt disappoint.  Mrs. Claus apparently needed some extra time to get her make up ready according to one of the parade marshals Colin Best but it took only about 2 hours for the parade be completed.

Troy’s Diner had an amazing float and a collection of dancers that knocked the socks off of a lot of people along the parade route.  Speaking with Tiger Ali Singh at Troy’s later this evening, he said next year was going to be bigger … and better.  “TIGER STYLE” as he put it.  You know its going to be big!

The Shriners as always did an amazing job.  Anthony now wants to see if he can ride those motorized scooters around soon.  Im almost afraid of what he would do in one of those.  The dancers from all the different groups looked cold but were still going strong at the half way point in the parade.  The parade was full of energy and shouts of “MERRY CHRISTMAS” can be heard all over the route.

Here are just some of the pictures we took along the parade route.  We had a fabulous time and congratulations to the organizational committee for another well done event.

Mo Movember

Mike Cluett
From left, Shaun Noronha, Derek McGowan and Eddie Fiore show their mustaches. Courtesy of The Milton Canadian Champion

I posted earlier this week about some Miltonians who are taking part in Movember…growing the moustashe throughout the month of November, to help raise awareness for men’s health.

Brad Dickerson, Brian Best, Martin Capper and Peter Near are four Miltonians that I knew about directly who were participating but according to Jeremy Grimaldi of the Milton Canadian Champion there are many more including a few from Rock This Way:  The School of Rock on Main Street.

I think its great that people are getting behind this and helping to raise awareness of men’s health issues including all to familiar prostate cancer which is a disease that close to 25,000 men in Canada will be diagnosed with this year alone.

Here’s the MO-tivational article by Jeremy at the Milton Canadian Champion.  Go visit their “MO-spaces” and donate as much as you can.

Miltonians growing mustaches in fundraising craze

Jeremy Grimaldi, CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF

November 18, 2010

Five Milton musicians have donated their faces to raise money for prostate cancer in a new campaign that’s sweeping the Western world.

Movember, mo being slang for moustache, was first created by two radio disc jockeys in Australia before it eventually went global reaching the UK, South Africa and now Canada.

Throughout this month thousands of Canadian men will raise millions of dollars to help with research and awareness about prostate cancer — a disease that 25,000 men will be diagnosed with in Canada this year alone.

In Milton, Eddie Fiori, Shaun Noronha and Derek McGowan of Rock This Way: The School of Rock on Main Street East have spent about two weeks growing mustaches and raising about $500 for Movember.

By the end of the month, they hope to raise $2,000 and develop true ‘Tom Selleck-style’ mustaches.

Fiori, 27, who owns the school, said growing mustaches, which he feels look silly on certain people, puts a positive spin on a serious issue. “I wanted to do it because I wanted to raise money for cancer. A close friend of mine passed away from testicular cancer not too long ago so although Movember raises the money for prostate cancer I think it raises awareness for men’s health in general.”

Milton-born McGowan, who’s a guitar instructor, said he thought he looked like a musician from the southern American band from the ’70s, Lynyrd Skynard.

“This is a big deal,” he said. “And Movember is a great way to raise money for a good cause.”

Movember has grown so large in the Great White North in the last few years, that last year the Canadian campaign placed second in the world, behind Australia, with 35,156 people coming together to raise $7.8 million for Prostate Cancer Canada.

Anyone that wants to help out the Rock This Way team, which also includes Michael Banks and David Partridge, is asked to visit www.movember.com and type Rock This Way when prompted under the donate section.

Councillor-elect Mike Cluett has also added pictures and profiles of other Movember participants on his website/blog at www.mikecluett.ca.

Volunteer Opportunities Available

Mike Cluett

Volunteer Opportunities: Committee/Board Vacancies

The Town of Milton invites you to help guide decisions and provide input to issues affecting your community, by volunteering for one of the following committees.

Volunteers for these Committees will be required to serve a four-year term, which runs concurrent with the term of Milton Council.

Eligibility

Qualified applicant(s) must be a resident of Milton, or an owner or tenant of land in the municipality, or the spouse of such an owner or tenant, or employee(s) of a business located in the municipality or student(s) attending a school located in the Town of Milton and must be a minimum of 18 years of age on the date of appointment. However, general qualifications may apply on certain committees. Age qualification may be waived by Council on certain committees.

How to apply

A separate application form must be submitted for each committee for which you wish to apply.

Application forms are available online or from the Office of the Town Clerk, Town of Milton, 150 Mary Street, Milton, ON, L9T 6Z5 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Completed application forms must be received at the Office of the Town Clerk no later than Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 4:30 p.m.

You may be required to attend an interview.  Applicants for Committees with daytime meetings may have daytime interviews. To be eligible for appointment, you must be a qualified elector in the Town of Milton; however the age qualification may be waived on certain committees.

Vacancies

Committee Of Adjustment And Consent

The mandate of this 5-member committee, established under the Planning Act, is to make decisions regarding minor variances to the Town of Milton’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law, as well as changes to legal non-conforming uses.  The Committee also makes decisions on land division/severance (consent) applications to create new lots and easements or adjust lot line boundaries and it also acts as the Property Standards Committee, on as ‘as required’ basis.

Applicants should have the ability to read architectural drawings and survey plans, a thorough knowledge of the community, and an interest in its growth and development.  Members will also be required to review planning reports and comments and make site inspections, prior to each meeting.

  • Members needed:  5 citizens
  • Meeting Schedule: Monthly, Thursday evenings
  • Contact: Betty Cunningham, Committee Secretary, 905-878-7252 ext. 2315 or Betty.Cunningham@milton.ca

Board Of Management For The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA)

The mandate of the Board of Management for the Downtown Business Improvement Area as established by Milton Council, in accordance with By-law No. 112-77, is for the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned lands, buildings and structures in the area designated as the Downtown Business Improvement Area and to promote the designated area as a business or shopping area.

To qualify to sit as a Member on the Board of the D.B.I.A., the member shall be assessed for business assessment in respect of land in the Improvement Area, or nominees of Corporations so assessed.

  • Members needed:  7 citizens
  • Contact:  Jacquelyn Garrard, Executive Director, Milton D.B.I.A., 905-876-2773 or jgarrard@downtownmilton.com

Community Services Advisory Committee

The mandate of this committee is to provide a forum for public input and consultation on a broad range of programs and services delivered by the Town of Milton. The role is an advisory and consultative one, providing input to Milton Council vis-à-vis the respective Standing Committee of Council on issues that are of a “community service nature” with respect to the program areas of Community Services.  The Community Services Advisory Committee also reviews and makes recommendations to Milton Council with respect to the Milton Community Fund program.

  • Members needed:  8 citizens
  • Contact: Bev McCarthy, Committee Secretary, 905-878-7252 ext. 2580 or at Bev.McCarthy@milton.ca

Heritage Milton

The mandate of this committee is to provide advice and assistance to Milton Council, the Department of Planning and Development and private property owners on matters relating to the conservation of the community’s historic building and architectural heritage.

  • Members needed:  7 citizens
  • Meeting Schedule: evenings on the first Thursday of every month
  • Contact: Anne Fisher, Planner, 905-878-7252 ext. 2565 or at Anne.Fisher@milton.ca

Milton Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Milton Accessibility Advisory Committee was created under the authority of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. This committee’s mandate is to advise and assist the Town, in promoting and facilitating an inclusive and barrier-free Town for Citizens of all abilities, including persons with disabilities

  • Members needed: 8 citizens with a minimum of 5 citizens with disabilities
  • Note: Committee meetings are generally held during the business day
  • Contact:  Darren Cooper, Coordinator Accessibility, 905-878-7252 ext. 2534 or Darren.Cooper@milton.ca

Milton Public Library Board

The Milton Public Library Board manages and controls the Milton Public Library system, in accordance with the Public Libraries Act and as authorized by Milton Council in accordance with By-law No. 15-74.  In summary, the Library Board’s mandate is to provide a comprehensive and efficient public library system, with services that reflect the community’s needs via the establishment of policies leading to the successful operation of the system.

  • Members needed:  7 citizens
  • Contact:  Leslie Fitch, CEO/Chief Librarian, 905-875-2665 ext. 3252 or leslie.fitch@mpl.on.ca

Milton Transit Advisory Committee

This committee’s mandate is to report to Town Council on matters concerning public transit within the Town of Milton including the review and operation of transit routes, budgets and long range planning for the transit system. The Committee will provide a review and monitoring function for Council and work with staff representatives to ensure the future success of Milton Transit.

  • Members needed:  4 citizens
  • Note: Committee meetings are generally held during the business day
  • Contact: Tony D’Alessandro, Coordinator of Transit, 905-878-7252 ext. 2548 or Tony.Dalessandro@milton.ca

Milton Trails Advisory Committee

This committee’s mandate is to provide an advisory and consultative role to Town Council concerning the design, development and promotion of trails in the Town of Milton, using the Trails Master Plan as its guiding document.

  • Members needed:  6 citizens
  • Contact: Karen McKinnon, Committee Secretary, 905-878-7252 ext. 2185 or Karen.McKinnon@milton.ca

Public Input Sessions – Bruce Street Library

Mike Cluett

Public Input Sessions – Bruce Street Library

In the Spring of 2011, the main library and library administration that are currently housed at 45 Bruce Street and 407 Pine Street will be moving to a larger facility, with the completion of the new Milton Centre for the Arts.  This relocation presents the opportunity to consider alternatative uses for the two buildings including the following:

  • services for the youth
  • services for seniors
  • services for non profit organizations
  • modified library services
  • other

The Town of Milton invites you to learn more about the feasibility study for future use options at these locations and to provide input into future use options to be presented to Milton Town Council in 2011.

Sessions will include

  • updates on the study
  • feedback attained from stakeholder groups
  • proposed alternative uses for the buildings
  • question & answer period

The date for these public input sessions are:

Tuesday December 7, 2010

Milton Seniors Activity Centre (500 Childs Drive, Milton ON)

Session 1:  3pm to 5pm

Session 2: 7pm to 9pm

 

Residents Association Formed

Mike Cluett

If you go way back in the archives of this blog…way back to the 2006 campaign, I made a point that residents should be more engaged in the political process locally.  There are many ways to accomplish this.  One of them is making sure that residents are informed as much as possible about decisions that affect them directly and indirectly.  I stressed during this campaign that I would make sure I continue to knock on doors in between election campaigns, and not just during them.

If there was a public meeting coming up about an issue that would affect residents, I will do my best to get out there and inform people of that meeting, whats being discussed, how it will affect them and how they can participate.  Not everyone can make every town hall or public meeting, but I will make sure they have a voice around the table.

Another great way is by a residents association or Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).  These groups are usually formed when the local officials aren’t listening to the needs and concerns of residents.  Recently, there was a new association formed in the Hawthorne Village area, which encompasses Ward 6, but it was formed for an entirely different reason.

During the last election campaign, I noticed an increase in awareness of local issues by residents in my ward.  Other councillors and candidates would say the same thing.  The Hawthorne Village Residents Association (HVRA) was formed by several concerned residents to be a part of the process, to stay involved and to work with council when decisions are being made.  I applaud all the members and participants in this process and will do my best to work with them and keep the lines of communication open.

Christina Commisso at the Milton Canadian Champion did an article recently about the formation of the HVRA.  Congratulations to Martin Capper and Andrew Salmons for co-chairing this committee as well as the many people who signed up.  We can only hope this will help enhance the flow of communication from town council to the residents in Milton.

Here is the article from the Champion.

Residents group forms

Christina Commisso, CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF November 16, 2010

What started as an online discussion following the municipal election has ballooned into a newly-formed residents group that hopes to strengthen the lines of communication between Miltonians and town council.

“We started with a post on the Hawthorne Villager (website), which got 1,600 hits and 60 posts from 20 different people in a matter of days,” said Martin Capper, co-chair of the Hawthorne Village Residents Association (HVRA).

The group isn’t exclusive to Hawthorne Village residents — it’s open to all Miltonains, he said.

CLICK ON THE LINK FOR MORE.

For more information, email HawthorneVillageRA@gmail.com.