milton town council

Walking Piano Steps – A good idea?

Mike Cluett

Does anyone remember the movie BIG? Tom Hanks and the famous giant piano scene?

Would you like to see those similar piano keys on the steps of the Milton Arts Centre? Councillor Huffman asked staff for a report on the viability, cost, etc of installing these piano keys on the steps of the Arts Centre. That report can be found here.

The picture here is of something similar, but not to the spec’s of the Milton Centre for the Arts.  The cost is approximately $92,000. The staff recommendation is to approve the project once there is a sponsor available to pay for it.

After speaking with some people around town, some feel it will look tacky and cheapen the look of the Arts Centre that we just spent MILLIONS of dollars on and its not even open yet and we will have to tear up the steps removing the tile and replace it with this.

Do you think this would be a draw for tourism? Would you come from out of town to see this? This installation is apparently popular overseas and this would be the first one in North America.

Feedback?

There has been a lot of feedback on the Hawthorne Villager Forum (which is administered by ward 7 Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo) and you can find the comments on that thread here.

Here are some of MY comments:

This process is backwards as far as Im concerned. We have the approximate costs for the stairs done, which is fine. Council can receive the report for information.mike@mikecluett.ca with your comments/input for Monday’s meeting.Any other comments?

Next part of the process should be feedback from the Arts Centre. Does this “fit” into the vision of the MAC or does it take away from the feel of the building. For those who havent been inside, despite the outside appearance, its really well done and elegant on the inside. If I can get in or if anyone has any pics we should show them for sure.

After feedback has been received and given an “OK” that the MAC would support something like this, THEN we go out to the business community and search for a sponsor. That way we have the approx cost of the stairs AND the thumbs up from those who will be running it.

If we cant find a sponsor or sponsors for the full amount then the project should be shelved. Im not comfortable as a CSAC member and as a councillor suggesting these sponsor(s) make an application to the community fun for the difference. I’d hate to be on CSAC and have to deny funding for someone who qualifies under the Community Fund guidelines because $X was given for the piano steps.

If the private sector cant come up with the funding for this, I think we should pass. That wont be known until we hear from that business/arts community which is the reason why council (IMO) should wait before giving the project the green light.

We can receive the report for information, consult the people involved and address any maintenance issues/safety issues etc that might be on peoples minds, then go to the business community and get the full cost.

There are more important things for council to be considering right now like the 2012 budget call reports, hospital expansion funding, building/maintaining our roads and traffic calming policies.

Feel free to post here or email me mike@mikecluett.ca

Council Meeting May 30 2011

Mike Cluett

The next meeting of Milton Town Coucil is on Monday May 30th starting at 7pm at Milton Town Hall.

The governing body of the Town of Milton is Town Council, consisting of the Mayor and 10 Councillors who represent Milton’s eight wards.  Milton residents elect members of Council for a four-year term of office.  You can find a link to watch the Town Council meetings here.  The meetings are also broadcast on TV Cogeco (Channel 14).

Town Council deals with:

  • Matters requiring policy direction
  • By-laws or by-law amendments
  • Responses or actions to pertinent issues

Council also makes decisions on the recommendations of Milton’s two Standing Committees of Council:

  • Administration & Planning Committee
  • Community Services Committee

You can find a link to the agenda for this meeting here.

Some of the items for discussion tonight are:

You can register to be a delegate at the meeting if you have any questions or concerns regarding these or any other item on the Town Council agenda.  Email townclerk@milton.ca for more information.

I look forward to seeing you there.  If you cant, please watch online via www.milton.ca

Do You Have Your Wristband?

Mike Cluett

Recently the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation started a fundraising campaign to help the families and children of Japan affected by the massive earthquake and tsunami.  The Tiger’s are international stars with a very large following in many regions around the world including Japan and they have never forgotten this.  They were touched as other Canadians were at the plight of families in Japan and in the hope of helping them out, they are raising funds through their foundation by selling these wristbands.

From the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation site:

Tiger Jeet Singh’s connection to Japan is longstanding. He has spent the majority of his 45-year wrestling career in Japan and his son Tiger Jr. made his professional debut close to twenty years ago in Tokyo. Both fondly refer to Japan as their second home and have also held the country, and even more so the children of Japan, in a special place in their hearts. That is why this event focuses on the students’ contribution along with corporate support, to provide emergency supplies and relief to help those young lives following this disaster.

The Foundation will provide Halton schools with customized red and white wrist bands symbolizing the colors of the Canadian and Japanese flags, and decorated in a manner to demonstrate support for the students in Japan. There will be an inscription of “KIDZ 4 KIDZ – United We Rise” illustrating the children supporting one another and paying tribute to the Japanese flag of the ‘Rising’ Sun. There will also be a Japanese inscription, which translated means “We Pray for Japan”.

You can help support these efforts by purchasing your wristbands either through the Foundations website or by going to Troy’s Diner in downtown Milton and each one costs only $5 each.

All proceeds from the sale of the wrist bands will go towards the Japan Relief Campaign. The bands are available for $5 each and are offered in both small (7″) and large (8″) sizes.

Description:
Customized red and white wrist bands symbolizing the colours of the Canadian and Japanese flags and decorated in a manner to demonstrate support for the young students in Japan. There will be an inscription of “KIDZ 4 KIDZ – United We Rise” illustrating the children supporting one another and paying tribute to the Japanese flag of the ‘Rising’ Sun. There will also be a Japanese inscription, which translated means “We Pray for Japan”. 

Please help support the campaign and ask Troy for your wristband and together we can help families and the children of Japan.  You can find out more information by going to www.tigerjeetsinghfoundation.com

Tigerfest Card Announced for June 4th 2011

Mike Cluett

Here is the line up for Saturday June 4th for Tigerfest 2011.


PLUS a special Main Event Match TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER.

Traffic Calming Policy

Mike Cluett

The Town of Milton has issued a report outlining the new traffic calming policy for our roads.  

The Town’s Traffic Calming Policy provides guidelines, procedures and criteria to initiate, investigate and implement traffic calming measures within residential neighbourhoods. Its purpose is to address safety concerns related to speeding and excessive volume in a fair and efficient manner.

Guidelines in the Policy apply to local and collector roadways within primarily residential neighbourhoods.

Traffic calming measures can be effective in addressing issues related to vehicle speed, excessive traffic volume and overall neighbourhood safety. Commonly used traffic calming measures include speed humps, traffic circles, curb extensions, curb radius reductions and raised median islands.

The Policy was developed by staff and approved by Milton Council. Residents will be notified about the implementation schedule and procedures.

Here is a link from the Town of Milton website.

Milton Farmers Market Starts THIS WEEKEND

Mike Cluett

Vegetables at Farmer's MarketIt’s BAAAAACK!

You know that winter is gone and summer is approaching when the Milton Farmers Market is back open for business.  From 7AM to 12PM you can sample more than 40 vendors fresh produce, great food, fantastic people and even catch a glimpse of Milton’s own treasure, Ann Kornuta, as she works her magic and paints another great masterpiece while entertaining the crowd.

From the Chambers website:

Every Saturday morning from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM
From May 14 to October 8, 2011
Downtown Milton on Main Street from Martin to James

Check out the 2011 Farmers’ Market Vendors

Nestled in the foot of the scenic Niagara Escarpment, the Milton Farmers’ Market has been bringing farm-fresh goodness and old-fashioned hospitality to Main Street, in downtown Milton, since 1972. Our farmers proudly display “picked fresh this morning” produce and the streets come alive with artisans and flower vendors. The Milton Chamber of Commerce operates the weekly Saturday morning event from May through October and is one of Ontario’s best outdoor Farmers’ Markets. The 2010 Market will host over 40 vendors.

The most popular spot at the market is the Chamber Scholarship Café, home of the “bacon-on-a-bun” the café sells this delectable treat to all visitors to the market. The Café is also operated by the Chamber and generates funds for the Chamber Scholarship Fund which offers annual scholarships to all local high schools. A great breakfast for a great cause!

For questions, comments, a list of vendors or to reserve a booth email farmersmarket@miltonchamber.ca

I know I’m excited about the start of the Market.  If you havent had the opportunity to take it in, I strongly urge you to head out to Downtown Milton and take in the atmosphere.  And yes, the “bacon-on-a-bun” is AWESOME!

See you there.