New Years Levee a Huge Success!

In what was described by Regional Councillor Colin Best as the highest attended levee, hundreds of people flowed into Milton’s Town Hall to be entertained by some amazing performances and served coffee, tea, and cupcakes by Milton’s Town Councillors.

You remember back in October, councillors were elected to serve the people of Milton…many didn’t think it was so literal.

Nine out of the eleven councillors (two couldn’t make it unfortunately being out of town on family holidays) did their very best in hosting this years Mayor’s New Years Levee at Town Hall.  This event has always been put on by the Milton Historical Society and they did enjoy being on the other side of the event this year.  Many people were amazed at how us councillors were able to serve up these great snacks.

I can tell you from personal experience, although tiring, everyone of us enjoyed doing it.  I was even joking with the other councillors that we could almost form a company and set up a side business in catering 🙂 (Yes we ARE kidding)

It was great to see so many faces, young and old, at the levee (quite a few from Ward 6 as well) and answering questions and exchanging some holiday cheer.  In the Milton Room (the West Wing of Town Hall) there was a presentation on upcoming projects that the town is involved with.  I know for certain Councillors Colin Best and Cindy Lunau were quite busy getting people up to speed on how Milton will change in the coming years.

There was no shortage of entertainment in the lobby as well.  The Milton Seniors “Song Spinners” were a huge hit with the crowd with holiday songs and many in attendance sang along.  “A Capella Showcase” started off the afternoon with renditions of some traditional carols and it was a great way to celebrate a fantastic day.

This event couldn’t have been pulled off without the efforts of Councillor Cindy Lunau.  Many thanks goes to her for coming up with the idea and getting us all organized and ready to serve.  Other thanks goes to our gracious sponsors (I hope I get them all) Troy’s Diner, Tim Horton’s, Flour Girls – great cupcakes – & La Rose Bakery for their treats.

I can honestly say that council members are really looking forward to doing this again.  It definitely adds a personal touch and really exemplifies what a levee is all about…meeting members of council and socializing with fellow residents.

Happy New Year everyone and thanks for coming out.

Anthony with Mayor Gord Krantz
Join us in a song?

New Years Eve & New Years Levee

Dont forget that you can join us on New Years Eve at Milton Town Hall for the annual bell ringing with the Mayor & Council.

Join Mayor Gord Krantz, Milton Historical Society and members of town council at Victoria Park to “SING OUT THE OLD & RING IN THE NEW” for an old fashioned New Years Eve celebration.  Bundle up and bring your voices and instruments to sing carols and some holiday cheer.  The Mayor and a special citizen will ring in the New Year at midnight.  We will be gathering around 1130PM on Friday December 31st in Victoria Park which is right beside Milton Town Hall.

If you cant make it that late, you can join us the next day at Milton Town Hall for the Annual New Years Levee.  Join the Mayor and members of council from 2PM to 4PM for some refreshments (courtesy of Troy’s Diner, Tim Horton’s and La Rose Bakery) while the Milton Seniors SONG SPINNERS entertains the crowd with seasonal numbers.

For more information you can email me, contact any member of council or call (519) 853-3772

There are a lot of things to do in Milton this holiday season so please join us in celebrating 2010 and looking forward to a great, prosperous and healthy 2011!

Milton Police Blotter December 23

From the Milton Canadian Champion

Milton Police Blotter

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. last Thursday, a pick-up truck was seen by police driving dangerously at Thompson and Derry roads.

Soon after, police say, the vehicle left the road and swiped a curb before coming back onto the road. 

When signaled to do so, police say, the truck didn’t stop, but it was eventually halted after police cruisers boxed it in on Bolingbroke Drive. 

A 20-year-old Port Elgin resident was charged with dangerous driving, flight from police and over 80.

Car wedged between house, tree

A 31-year-old Milton man has been charged with impaired driving and over 80 after a four-door Mazda became wedged between a tree and a home’s bay window at 1:45 a.m. yesterday.

The incident occurred on Churchill Avenue. There were no injuries and the house was largely undamaged.

Man charged with impaired

A 45-year-old Milton resident was charged with impaired driving and over 80 after police stopped a vehicle driving erratically on Commercial Street.

The incident occurred at about 1 a.m. December 15.

Police dogs used to track suspect

A man was arrested in a break-in into a fenced area behind a shop Sunday near Steeles Avenue.

Police dogs were used to help track a suspect.

A 28-year-old Hamilton man is charged with possessing burglary tools.

Delivery vehicle stolen

Friday between 10 and 10:27 a.m., a delivery vehicle from Dimpflmeier Bakery was stolen from the rear of the Loblaw Superstore while making a delivery.

The white panel van valued at $10,000 was a day later recovered in Fergus.

Car left warming up stolen

On Saturday, shortly after midnight, a vehicle left warming up for five minutes with the keys in the ignition was stolen.

The dark blue, four-door, Honda Civic is valued at $10,000 and had license plates BBPY 653.

Police are investigating.

Wallet stolen

On Friday between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m., a woman’s pink wallet was stolen from a car that was parked in a lot at Thompson Road and Main Street. 

The wallet contained cash, credit cards, a driver’s licence and a health card.

There was no sign of forced entry, police say.

Vehicle drives through R.I.D.E. spot check

A 42-year-old Milton man was charged with over 80 and impaired driving last Friday at 9:30 p.m.

Police say the charges came after a vehicle drove through a R.I.D.E. spot check on Bronte Street, south of Steeles Avenue.

(As noted by a previous post, there have been an increase in thefts from vehicles both locked and unlocked in the Ward 6 area.  In one day 10 vehicles were broken into.  Make sure you keep your valuables inside your home, instead of in your car.  I was also a victim of this crime recently.  The more we do to prevent this, the more they move on.  Hopefully Halton Police will find these criminals!)

Ten thefts from vehicles in day

Ten vehicles on local streets were broken into Tuesday.

The streets included Irving Terrace, Deacon Drive, Zimmerman Crescent, Clarke Boulevard, Hearst Boulevard, Gordon Heights, Ferguson Drive and McDermott Way.

Police are investigating.

All Way Stop Clark Blvd & Ferguson Drive

At this coming Monday’s council meeting, we will be reviewing a number of reports including some traffic counts done at a few major intersections in Milton.  One intersection that has been brought up during the last municipal campaign is Clark Blvd and Ferguson Drive. 

Recently, the Town of Milton has opened up Ferguson Drive north of Clark to connect at Armstrong and Bennett Blvd.  This obviously has caused an increase amount of traffic in the intersection over the last several months.  It was earlier in the year when Paul Cripps informed me that when that road did open up, there would be a traffic count study to look at installing an all way stop.

The results are in and Report ENG 046 10 will be submitted to council for approval and shortly after that the signs will be installed.  They are there right now but covered under tarp until approval by council.

As Ive stated in the past, I am in favour of this intersection having an all way stop due to the amount of east / west traffic and limited visibility of north / south travellers along Ferguson.

Please be aware that shortly after Monday’s meeting and if the report is approved as presented, the signs will be active and take caution while driving through that intersection.    If you have any concerns about this or any other report, please let me know mike@mikecluett.ca

Here is a link to the report.

URGENT NOTICE FOR PEOPLE IN CLARK / BENNETT AREA

158PM UPDATE

As at 1300 hours, Union Gas advises that approximately 400 homes have service restored. They hope to have the remainder completed this afternoon.
 
 
 

815AM UPDATE

Just received a call from Hawthorne Village PS and school classes are on for today despite the fire damage and Union Gas workers across the street. 

745AM UPDATE

It looks like half the homes have been brought back online throughout the night by Union Gas workers.  Many of you have emailed me around 2 or 3 AM saying that they were there…wow thats amazing.  Union Gas stated this morning they are looking at getting everyone back up by later on this morning.  If someone can stay home today as they go around or if you can have a neighbour with your key it could speed things up.  If not, they will leave a contact number and as soon as you get home … call and they will have someone out very soon.

Again, I will try to find out how we can help this family out because I along with other people have been blown away by the tweets, emails and phone calls of concern and support fo this family, especially at this time of year.  I was just on air with Scott Fox from Z1035 Morning Show (click HERE for the interview)and HE’S been called as well by hundreds of people on how they can help out.  THIS is why Milton is the best place in the world!  Updates will be coming soon.

1149PM UPDATE

Some gas services have been restored for homes in the affected area.  I was at the warming centre at EC Drury earlier this evening and spoke with the represetnatives at Union Gas.  The number of homes affected are approximately 500, instead of the originally reported 1200.  They are running into some delays due to water in the pipelines that has to be removed.

Ive asked them to send me updates as the process goes and I’ll do my best to update this site as it comes in.

I spoke with Regional Chair Gary Carr (who is at the warming station as we speak) and he updated me that the union gas worker who was injured suffered second degree burns to his face and is at Milton Hospital with family.  Everything looks good so far.

I also wanted to say big thanks to other Milton Councillors who came out to the warming station to lend a hand.  Regional Councillor Colin Best, Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson and Ward 8 Councillor Zeeshan Hamid.  We have a great team and this just proves it more.

AGAIN…there is a warming centre at EC Drury set up for people with no heat and they will put families up at the Best Western overnight so please, if you are at home and its cold especially with small children, head out to that area.  Union Gas is doing what they can to get people up and running and it might be by the early hours of the morning before all service is restored.

Stay tuned!

806PM UPDATE

Ive uploaded CHCH News coverage of todays events.  They were there on the scene and did extensive coverage of today’s fire and have an interview with the home owner as well.  Great Job CHCH News.

 

Regarding homes that are currently in the process of having their gas turned off, PLEASE NOTE that there is a warming centre at EC Drury School on Ontario Street.  It will get cold tonight and if youre by yourself, or dont think you can stay warm PLEASE go to the warming centre.  Better safe than sorry.

More updates to come.

737PM UPDATE

For some more information on today’s events go to MILTONSEARCH.COM and their coverage of the fire.  Between tweets of todays events, phone calls from obviously stressed out and scared residents in Ward 6, its been a busy day.  Many people have been asking how they can help this family out.  From what Ive been told by Councillor Colin Best is that the Red Cross has been called in and taking care of the immediate needs of the family.  I should have more information tomorrow on how you can help out.

From the last news release I’ve received Mayor Gord Krantz is still on the scene from about 630PM onwards reviewing the progress.  Thanks to everyone who tweeted, re-tweeted updates from myself and others on the scene and for your generous inquiries to help people out.  THIS is what makes Milton the best place in the world.

Say a prayer for the family involved and I will have some more information tomorrow.

721PM UPDATE

NEWS RELEASE

December 15, 2010

Structural fire contained in Milton’s Beaty neighbourhood 

On Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at approximately 2:30 p.m., a structural fire occurred at the intersection of Clark Avenue and Bennett Blvd in Milton. The fire is suspected to have been caused by damage to a natural gas line.

The fire has now been extinguished by the Milton Fire Department, and the area is safe for residents.

Three of nine interconnected townhomes at the intersection of Clark and Bennett have been affected by the fire. Approximately 10 to 20 homes in the area were evacuated.

Non-life threatening injuries were sustained by one Union Gas worker, who is currently in hospital.

As part of the repair process, natural gas service to approximately 500 customers in the area may be temporarily interrupted. The natural gas supply has been shut off to the affected residential area of Yates Blvd to the north, Thompson Road to the west, Clark Blvd to the south and Bennett and McDowell Avenues to the east.

Please note that Union Gas representatives will need to enter affected homes and businesses to safely turn on all natural gas appliances and equipment. Union Gas employees or their representatives showing proper identification will be going door-to-door to do this. If residents cannot be at home, please consider leaving a key and access instructions with a neighbour.

In the unlikely event that your home has no heat and you do not have friends or family nearby to visit, Halton Region has opened a warming centre in the auditorium of E.C. Drury High School at 215 Ontario Street South in Milton. The centre will be open as long as needed. Families are advised to bring books, activities, etc., to keep children entertained during their time at the centre. No pets will be allowed in the warming centre.

Please ensure at least one member of your household remains at home as Union Gas representatives need to turn on all natural gas appliances and equipment in affected homes in order to restore gas service.

For continued updates, contact 311 or visit www.milton.ca until the situation has been resolved. For Union Gas customer service, call 1-877-969-0999.

– 30 –

For further information, please contact:         On Duty Staff Sergeant

                                                                        Halton Regional Police Service
905-825-4777 ext. 2400

                                                                        Andrea Stass

                                                                        Manager, Public Affairs and Media Relations

                                                                        Union Gas Limited

                                                                        519-365-1010

What to do for New Years?

As 2010 draws to a close and 2011 is rushing quickly towards us, I wanted to point out a couple of fun events happening at the Town of Milton on both New Years Eve and New Years Day!

Join Mayor Gord Krantz, Milton Historical Society and members of town council at Victoria Park to “SING OUT THE OLD & RING IN THE NEW” for an old fashioned New Years Eve celebration.  Bundle up and bring your voices and instruments to sing carols and some holiday cheer.  The Mayor and a special citizen will ring in the New Year at midnight.  We will be gathering around 1130PM on Friday December 31st in Victoria Park which is right beside Milton Town Hall.

If you cant make it that late, you can join us the next day at Milton Town Hall for the Annual New Years Levee.  Join the Mayor and members of council from 2PM to 4PM for some refreshments (courtesy of Troy’s Diner, Tim Horton’s and La Rose Bakery) while the Milton Seniors SONG SPINNERS entertains the crowd with seasonal numbers.

For more information you can email me, contact any member of council or call (519) 853-3772

There are a lot of things to do in Milton this holiday season so please join us in celebrating 2010 and looking forward to a great, prosperous and healthy 2011!