milton

Post Canada Day Celebrations

Mike Cluett

Its been quite the busy week getting ready for Canada Day but in the end the event went off without a hitch. The pictures I took are in the process of being downloaded and I will post them either here or on Facebook to show them off. *EDIT 1051PM* DONE

The first part of our day was preparing the 27 classic convertible cars for the parade route through downtown. We were quite lucky to have the Halton Police Honour Guard there as well to carry the colours and to further honour the inductees to the Milton Walk of Fame. Many thanks to the hard work of Halton Regional Police Honour Guard Drill Commander Constable Hans, who got everyone together in the honour guard. It added that extra touch of class to the event. Also included in the Honour Guard is Allan Eaton, Constable Leggete, Constable Robertson, and Constable Kelly. Well done!!

Over the past couple of years the 150th Anniversary Committee and the Milton Historical Society had been working on this project, and to our knowledge there is no other municipality in the world that has anything close to this. These 27 people will be the first to have their names written in the history books of Milton as those from Milton who made a national and or international impact in their chosen field.

The cars where shined to perfection and as we got ready to go, some of the streets hadn’t been blocked off yet so some of us had to take it upon ourselves (and our cars) to make sure we cut off traffic as the parade went through town. Being a lover of these fine pieces of machinery, I’ll have THOSE pictures up on this blog soon too…what a sight.

We finally got moving just as the clouds began to come in for what some of us thought was a quick shower. This didn’t dampen any ones spirits, especially those of the inductee’s…”BRING IT ON!” they said.

Once the parade had finished, they ended up behind the main stage and they were marched in by the honour guard and the inductees made their way to the tables as the veterans, who were honoured earlier at Victoria Park, were seated as well.

Another chuckle we had was trying to bring Milly the Millstone, (pictured here, courtesy of Ashley Challinor) the official Town of Milton Mascot, up the narrow steps without causing a scene and injury to Milly. Speaking as one who has worn the Milly costume at events, its NOT an easy thing to move around in and Henry deserves some praise for doing it as often as he does.

John Challinor and Bruce Carlin of the Milton Historical Society, who were the emcees of the event, kicked it off with the introductions…and we finally began! As I stood there on stage looking out at the crowd, I was blown away by the sheer number of people who took the time to come out to first honour the veterans of Milton and the inductees to the Walk of Fame. As the introductions continued, I slipped out the camera and took a couple of shots…I was just speechless. Ann Kornuta, local Milton artist and “photo-master” was running around snapping as many shots as she could for the Halton Compass. There was so much going on, it was hard to keep up with it all. TV Cogeco was out in full force as well with a camera centre stage as well as Sandy French hard at work along the sidelines. Stay tuned to Plugged In! on TV Cogeco for the full story.

One by one the inductees were brought on to the stage to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their craft, to get a quick photo snapped and maybe say a few words. Each one of them who spoke, did so from the heart. Many of them had won other awards in their chosen profession but many of them stated that the Milton Walk of Fame honour surpassed all others.

The most heartfelt speech of the day belonged to Tiger Ali Singh as he recounted his years as a youth in Milton, the hard work and dedication of not only his father but of his brothers and his mother for keeping the family together. They continue to live in Milton while travelling all over the world performing in wrestling matches. Tiger Jr.’s speech brought tears to many eyes as he expressed his gratitude of being honoured this way along with his father. Tiger Jeet Singh got up to speak as well, but as he passed me on his way up the stairs he told me, I don’t know how I’m going to top that. Hes a man of few words but they spoke volumes.

After the last inductee spoke it was time for people to have a chance to meet them face to face and get their autographs. No sooner that we announced it, many of the inductees were swarmed from Albert Casson to Bruce Hood (who enjoyed the boos of the crowd as he came up to the stage…those who are hockey fans KNOW how much fun it is to booo the refs!) OMNI TV came out to tape the event as well for the showcase of the Singh family. It actually got to the point they needed to leave and needed an escort out of the park to the cars…ME being security for two 6 foot PLUS wrestlers…HA…I know I laughed too.

What else can we say about Milton’s Canada Day but WOW! From beginning to end there were tons of things to do, the rides were great and the food was even better than before.

And the only way to end the show was with ABBAMANIA who rocked the crowd with many of Abba’s hits from the 70’s. Young and old were dancing, singing and having a great time as the sun went town and the night sky readied for the fireworks. A special thanks to Kevin who did quite a bit of jumping through hoops, bending over backwards and many days and nights stressing out to get Abbbamania as the main event for the 150th Anniversary /Canada Day celebrations. Great job Kevin!

The fireworks were set to music this year and there wasn’t one person who left that fairgrounds disappointed. For around 25 minutes the sky turned bright and loud with the sounds of the fireworks set to music. Excellent job and w
e can only hope next years Canada Day’s celebrations can be topped. It will be tough.

Milton Ward 2 Voters

Mike Cluett

Tomorrow is the day you cast your ballot in the byelection for the open seat in Ward 2.

Your choices are:

Mike Bugala
John Challinor
Peter Haight
Ron Furik
Greg Nelson

You can check out some of my other postings for comments on each of the candidates that are running for who I feel is the best choice for council. The most important thing is to get out and vote. Who do you think will best serve YOUR concerns on council?

Make your voice heard!

We Tied We Tied

Mike Cluett

Almost forgot to update everyone on the progression of our soccer team. Our first game we lost 6-1, the second game we lost 5-3 in a much more prepared and executed game.

This past Thursday the final score was 4-4! As the kids yelled after the game “WE TIED WE TIED!”

They played a lot better in their third game and our team is in the hunt for their first win. Everyone is much more confident in going after the ball and taking it away from the other team. Matthew (#9) scored all 4 goals and was just mere inches from his fifth when a quick defensive move from the other team tipped the ball away from the net at the last second sending it wide of the goal. Moments later the final whistle blew to end the game.

Anthony was suffering from a fever earlier in the day and had to take the night off was very happy when I came home to tell him the team tied the game. He cant wait to see them on Tuesday for practice to give them the high fives in person.

So with each game that passes our team is getting better and better…and as they tell me each and every game…”Coach, were having fun!!!!!!!”

Kids say the most amazing things

Mike Cluett

Milton Chrysler Dodge 5
Chudleighs 3

We were close. Our team played an amazing game and as a coach into his second game of his short career, I couldnt be prouder of our group.

Last practice we worked on kicking the ball past the player and running fast to catch the ball. Tonight, they all did a great job doing that. They were even passing the balls to open players.

Anthony scored the first goal of his season as well early in the first half and when he did, I realized how high I could jump. The look on his face when he scored it was priceless and it took me awhile to make sure the cleets on my soccer shoes were firmly to the ground.

Nathan was our first half goalie and he did a great job keeping us in the game with his diving catches. We were tied 2-2 going into half time and it looked like they remembered quite a bit of what we practiced on Tuesday.

It went back and forth for the second half with the other team getting some close goals and they worked really hard keeping the ball in our end. A great job by that team as well. Matthew on our team is a fast runner and a good kicker too and he scored our teams other 2 goals.

The funniest thing happened though near the end of the game. Some of the players were asking what the score was and I said, its close but theyre winning by 2 goals…we need to see if we can get one more goal really quick.

Jordan, our second half goalie, yells up to me … “COACH…we’re still having fun! Isnt that what you told us…have fun?”

Kids blow me away with some of the things they say. That’s all they wanted to do was have fun, and who cares what the score is. Im still blown away.

First soccer game

Mike Cluett

Chudleigh’s 1
Fifth Wheel 6

Our Under 7 soccer team (TEAM CHUDLEIGHS) played its first soccer game tonight against Fifth Wheel over at Kinsmen park. The result wasnt what we wanted but they did play a great game. The final score was 6-1 but at the half we were only down by one goal. Just before the first half was over our team had a breakaway and Matthew took the ball down the field and scored. The referee however, blew her whistle just as Team Chudlieghs heading past mid field. No one heard the whistle and the goal didnt count.

I personally think the kids played a great game, especially for it being quite hot and the first game of the season. At the end of the game as the kids were packing up and getting ready to go home, I asked the all important question “Did everyone have fun?” and 12 kids all in unision yelled out “YAAAAAAAAA”.

Mission Accomplished. Nothing puts a bigger smile on your face when you hear, that despite the big difference in the score, they still had fun! Isnt that the whole point?

I think I like this coaching thing.

I’ll see you on the field.

Signs signs everywhere signs

Mike Cluett

Well, not everywhere it seems. But in Milton’s Ward 2 things are beginning to heat up for the municipal by-election on June 14th.

The list of candidates has been finalized and they include John Challinor, former Ward 2 councillor (most recently he was the Ward 4 councillor); Peter Haight, who came in 3rd place in November for ward 2; Mike Bugala who is a new comer to the political landscape in Milton; former Regional and Town Councillor Ron Furik who was defeated in November by a returning Colin Best, and Greg Nelson, who ran two previous times in Ward one back in 2003 (placed 3rd) and most recently against yours truly in 2006 where he placed 4th.

The date has been set, the race is under way and the sign “war” has begun. Driving around town this morning I had noticed a large number of John Challinor signs on ward 2 lawns and the early status of front runner hasn’t held him back. Rumour has it that John has been hitting the doors talking to residents outlying his experience both as a Ward 4 and Ward 2 councillor. John has a strong knowledge of the ward and its issues since he both lived in and represented the ward when he first came to council.

Even after the election in November, John has continued working with the town in many different aspects. Most notably he has been helping out the 150th Anniversary Master Committee in starting up the Milton WALK OF FAME. He, along with Bruce Carlin of the Milton Historical Society, will be the hosts of the Canada Day activities where we will officially introduce the first inductee’s of Milton’s Walk of Fame.

Not much is known about Mike Bugala and the issues and experience he’s bringing to the table. You are beginning to see, very quietly, some lawn signs appear on the boulevards of ward 2.

Peter Haight is also in the running, and his site has been recently updated to show the new election date and information on why he is running. Peter came in 3rd place in November behind current Ward 2 councillor Mike Boughton and now former councillor Mark Curtis, who has gone on to be a JP for the province of Ontario.

Ron Furik, taking a page out of the book of yours truly (see, someone IS listening) now has a blog and website he plans to update during the campaign. What is more important to see is if he continues the site after the election is over. I had pledged during the campaign in November that I was going to continue to blog about Milton happenings, issues and keep people up to date on town hall, and I’ve done my best to keep it up to date. Having a site during an election is great, but you have to properly use it. Ron’s entries from the November campaign were all erased and he’s starting from scratch. As an aside, I’ve kept all of my entries from the past and will continue to have them available for everyone to read.

Greg Nelson, who lives in ward 2 also has a website with his information and what has driven him to run again for council. I understand there’s a long tradition in his family for public service, which is a noble thing.

What this town needs is real ideas on what needs to be done for Milton, and not generalized statements about what is wrong … we need ideas of how we can make things better. Anyone can point out we have some traffic issues in many parts of town, or growth needs to be controlled, but how can we fix them and what can the councillor for the area do to better the quality of life here in Milton.

Anyone who is living in Ward 2 should do their best to contact the candidates and ask them the hard questions…what have you done for Milton in the past and what plans do you have for Milton’s future? Each of the candidates has to ask themselves why they are running for council. The candidates need to offer the residents a concrete plan of what they will do as councillor and what they will do to improve the quality of life in Milton.

So far, it looks like John Challinor is continuing the trend as front runner in this race. Town council needs his experience and his input on things that Milton is facing in the coming years. Johns level head-ness and common sense has been missed around the table and the residents of ward 2 will be best served by returning John Challinor to town council.