town of milton

Demographics Are Changing & Trustee Debate

Mike Cluett

Here is an article by Christina Commisso of the Milton Canadian Champion regarding some of the events coming out of the most recent Administration & Planning committee meeting.

“We heard from (Milton trustee) Donna Danielli that the school board was working on base statistics of about three children coming out of a household. Last week we learned it could be up to double that,” said Councillor Paul Scherer at last week’s town council meeting. “The implications in terms of us not getting those numbers right going forward could have a tremendous impact on the tax base in Milton.”

Paul brings up a valid point.  If we as a council moving forward, make plans for programs we need to know if there are any major changes to the demographics in town.

To say that Milton is a family friendly town would be an understatement.  There are some streets I canvass in Ward 6 that its easier to count on one hand the number of homes without children.  You can call it Milton’s Baby Boom.

Councillor Scherer asked town staff to come back to the new council with an updated report on population projections as we are rapidly approaching the beginning of the Boyne Survey.  The “Boyne” as its referred to, will be the newest development in Milton that will bring close to 60,000 new Miltonians to town.  It stretches from James Snow Parkway from the east to Tremaine Road in the west, all just south of Louis St Laurent.

During this election, you have heard from candidates that we need “better planning”.  I think this report will go a long way to making sure we are on track with projections.  It’s not just a matter of the number of homes built and roads that are  constructed…its other services that the Town of Milton provides that might be under even FURTHER strain.  It’s services like the library, recreational facilities, and more importantly schools.  If we are low in our projections, down the road we will be squeezed at the delivery of the many services the town provides.

I look forward to reading this report when it comes back to council on the 20th of December.  I invite you to send me your comments, questions and concerns to mike@mikecluett.ca and I’ll add you to my email list for when updates on this are issued.

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Also, last night I attended the only all candidates meeting for the public and separate school board trustees in Milton.  I’ve talked about this position before as one that’s seems to be overlooked by a lot of people.  In fact, in previous elections, they used to have the trustees go first because most people would leave the debates/meetings after the Mayor and Regional Council speeches.

These people are entrusted to deal with the developments in our schools and the safety of our children…and most people don’t even know who the trustees are.  Last night 4 of the 5 candidates vying for the 2 jobs had a chance to speak and tell us a little about them.  I must admit, it was nice being on the OTHER side of the table for once.  Being a candidate myself, Im used to being the one talking instead of the one listening.

The candidates for Public School Trustee are Nancy MacNeil, Brian Hawley and Jafar Alam (Jafar wasn’t there last night due to a business engagement).  Both Brian and Nancy did a great job letting us know a little about them and what they would do if elected.  Its hard to talk about what you will be able to do, if you dont know the job or have no experience so both candidates were brutally honest about that fact.  Its going to be a tough choice for sure.

The other two candidates are running for the Halton Catholic School Board position.  Sandor Koso is the current trustee, but Diane Rabenda is a strong challenger and from the comments I heard last night from those in attendance, its a coin toss.  Great candidates all around.

Speaking of All Candidates meetings, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that tomorrow (Wednesday) is an All Candidates Meeting for the wards 1, 6, 7 & 8.  All candidates for all positions have said they will be there, so this is a good opportunity for you to come out and see what your next  council might look like.  You can go to the Hawthorne Villager website and get more info on times and location.

If you come on Wednesday, please stop me and say HI!  Until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

Sign Casualties

Mike Cluett

Having been through some campaigns in the past, I have found that sometimes there are casualties. The casualties in this case are lawn signs.

Election signs are an integral part of campaigning. They serve a number of purposes to the community as a whole. They provide an opportunity for people to show their friends and neighbours who they are supporting in the election campaign. Its a very humbling experience to drive down a row of homes and see your name many times over, and it never grows old on you.

Signs also tell the broader community that there is an election going on. Before the signs went up around town many people didn’t realize that this was an election year and it helps raise awareness to everyone to start looking around and do some research on the people running in your area.

As candidates have been running from home to home (at least you HOPE they are) part of the campaign experience is to design and order your signs. I was lucky that I had quite a few remaining from my previous campaign, so I have been able to recycle mine this time around.

You can see by the picture above that signs also become targeted and in a battle, most times don’t survive. If you have been following me on Twitter the last couple of weeks, you have read that my signs have been vandalized by individuals. Sometimes its playfulness and the signs are lifted from the ground and tossed down. Believe me, I know that’s part of the game and it will continue to happen as long as there are election signs. Some the Town of Milton has been picking up and removing to make sure they can cut the grass safely. Again…no problems there as I or my team members go to the “sign jail” on Nippissing to pick them up the next day.

But many of my signs have suffered the same fate as the one shown above.

Over the last couple of weeks, part of my campaign duties has included sign repair and replacements.  It seems to be a growing trend this election that once both myself and my volunteers put them up, somehow they end up getting damaged beyond repair.  Not only is it illegal to destroy the signs, it doesn’t help in the general cleanliness of the Town. 

A BIG thank you goes to my friends and neighbours in the ward for offering to keep an eye on the signs in their area and report any damage or missing signs immediately.  That shows our community is looking out for each other.

Here is a link to the Town of Milton’s By-Law on election signs from the website.  Here you will find contact numbers in case you have any questions.  If you feel that a candidate has placed a sign on your lawn without your permission, or if you feel a sign has been placed illegally you can contact the clerks office and let them know.

If you see someone destroying signs or vandalizing them, please contact the Halton Police Department.  It is a crime.  I know this topic has been discussed at council a few times recently as well as the Milton Community Policing Committee (of which I am a member) and it is looked upon as a crime…not a joke.

If you see signs that have been damaged or are in disrepair, please contact the candidate as soon as possible.  There are just about 20 days left until Election Day and there are also a number of opportunities for people to vote ahead of time in advance polls (Check out my Election section in the site) so get out and be informed.

And if you see me on the side of the road repairing signs give me a honk!  But until then, I’ll see you at the doors.

Changes to the way we vote!

Mike Cluett

I was speaking to a few people while door knocking yesterday who brought up some interesting questions.  It made me realize that the changes to the way we vote municipally in Milton haven’t been communicated as well as they should.

First off they thought there were two councillors elected, as it was the last time around.  That has changed.

With the ward boundary review complete, starting with this election there are no longer 4 wards.  There are now 8 wards.  Now instead of electing two councillors per ward we elect just one.  You have one choice for each position.  For example, you would cast one vote for local councillor in ward 6 (preferably for Mike Cluett).

As the election date draws closer, people are beginning to see a number of signs appear on our lawns and roadways.  There are a number of positions up for grabs on October 25th and they are the following.

  • Mayor (one to be elected)
  • Regional Councillor Wards 1,6,7,8 (one to be elected)
  • Local Councillor for each ward (one to be elected)
  • Public School Board Trustee (one to be elected)
  • Separate School Board Trustee (one to be elected)

There isn’t a race this year for Regional Chair as Gary Carr was acclaimed and will serve another 4 years.

I have some information on my Election 2010 page regarding the boundaries of ward 6, polling locations and advance poll dates as well.  Click on ELECTION 2010 to see where you will cast your ballot on or before the 25th.

So, my friends and neighbours in Ward 6 will see a number of signs popping up over the next couple of weeks.  They will contain a number of names running for the other positions and its important you do some research, check websites, call the candidates and read their literature that comes to the door.  Hopefully the candidate will see the importance of visiting you face to face, as I have over the last several months – and continue to do up until election day and beyond.

Hopefully later today or tomorrow, the candidate speeches from TV Cogeco will be online and I’ll make sure I get my 3 minutes of fame up on the website for you to see.

Remember to do your homework and ask the tough questions of the candidates on what their vision of Milton is, and how they will get there.  Ive talked several times about my plan of action:

Financial Management – The first job of the new council will be to approve the 2011 budget.  Town staff has recommended a potential increase of 6.91%, that’s almost 3 times the rate of inflation!  This election, we need someone who will ask the tough questions and do what they can to keep the increase at or below the rate of inflation.

Neighbourhood Safety – Protecting our children is vitally important.  Milton Town Council needs to review speed limits in residential areas and look at other ways to control traffic such as crosswalks, traffic calming tools, radar boards and the promotion of a neighbourhood watch program.

Accountability – Your elected representative needs to be accountable to you!  My commitment is to continue to update my website with important information that you will need to stay informed as Milton changes.  I will also knock on doors, hold regular town hall meetings and issue newsletters in between election campaigns, not just during them.

Thank you to those who have shown their support for me up until today.  Thank you for putting a sign on your lawn to let your neighbours and friends know that you are supporting me this election.  For those who remain undecided, I am available for you if you’d like to chat about my plan and the ways we can help secure Milton’s future, together.

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

Late Nights & TV Cogeco Speech

Mike Cluett

Just finished with my speech for TV Cogeco this morning.  For those who don’t know, TV Cogeco has provided candidates during elections an opportunity to present something about them for 3 minutes.

Speaking in front of a large group of people seems intimidating but it seems worse when its just you and a large camera aiming right at you.  I will provide the text of that speech when all the candidates are finished (I don’t want to give any of the candidates any help 🙂 )

Last night was a late one as I received a number of calls and emails about missing signs on some of the routes around town.  Thanks to everyone who has kept an eye, and will continue to keep an eye on my signs for the remainder of the campaign.  I’ll be checking in with Town Hall to see if any of the signs went against the Milton by-law (as far as I know they didn’t)

Speaking of signs, if you would like one for your lawn, email me mike@mikecluett.ca and I or a member of my campaign team will be out shortly to put it on your property.  As Ive mentioned before lawn signs serve a number of purposes.

First they let people know there’s an election going on.  Despite having a number of articles in the local paper, there are still some people who are unaware of the town’s elections on the 25th.  Part of the job as a candidate is to let everyone know when its happening, and to let them know where they can vote (hopefully for Mike Cluett)

Secondly they show your friends and neighbours that you are engaged in the community and are supporting one or more of the candidates running.  As you drive around Ward 6 you will see a growing number of signs on lawns as I hit the doors and talk with people directly.

Thank you to those who have taken a sign.  Be sure to tell your neighbours about me, what I’m running on and what my plans are.  Hopefully they will be convinced as well to take a sign to show support to help secure Milton’s future…together.

I’ll see you at the doors.

Give the Gift of Life

Mike Cluett

Every year for the past several years, the Cluett family has joined our very good friends Hilary and Mike Heenan in support of the Kidney Foundation of Canada’s annual walk to raise awareness of organ donation.

The date of the walk is close to Anthony’s birthday so he gets quite excited about attending.  This year the attendance was quite good and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for a 5km walk.  Great scenery along the waterfront at the Lakeland Centre in Hamilton and hundreds of people walking to raise awareness for the cause.

Hilary again was one of the top fundraisers for Ontario, raising over $ 4,000!!! Way to go!

More importantly these walks held by the Kidney Foundation helps raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.  My next question is this…have you signed your donor card?

Click here for more information on how you can complete your pledge to “Give the Gift of Life”  There are thousands and thousands of people in Ontario waiting for transplants and you and your family can help.

From the Kidney Foundation website:

The Kidney Foundation of Canada’s Give the Gift of Life Walk is a non-competitive pledge-based event focused on raising awareness about kidney health and organ donation.  

Each year, thousands of Canadians are touched by kidney disease. It not only impacts the individuals living with the disease, but their families, friends and loved ones as well. The Kidney Foundation is working to help improve the lives for all people affected by kidney disease. With your support, the generosity of donors and corporate partners, we are supporting leading kidney-related research in the country.

The walk presents an occasion for dialysis patients, organ transplant recipients, donor families, living donors, the medical and business communities and the general public to celebrate advances in kidney health and organ donation. The walk is an extraordinary grass roots, community based event set to unite more than 27 communities across Ontario this fall.