ward 6 milton

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.

4TH Line Temporary Closure Announced

Mike Cluett

Well CFL fans, tonight is an important night for the Hamilton Tiger Cats team.  After a crazy week in Steel Town with the City Council back and forth and some of the councillors approving then voting against the west harbour deal, death threats against the Hamilton Mayor (which is delporable if you ask me) its time to get the onfield product ready to go against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, for the 4th time this season.  I hope the team has been able to stay away from the media circus and concentrate on getting back on track and moving closer to the Eastern Division leaders. (Yes that means the Argos/All’s)  I heard that Bob Young will end the media silence this past week and have an interview with Dave Randorf from TSN at half time of tonights game.  We’ll all be watching and listening closely.

Back to Milton.  I received a notice from the Town of Milton in their news section that 4th Line from Louis St Laurent to Britannia will be closed from September 2010 to December 2010 to allow for the Region of Halton to install a watermain feeder to Milton.

The temporary closure will be in effect from September 1, 2010 until December 31, 2010. Local and emergency access will be maintained throughout the construction.

http://www.milton.ca/news/pdfs/Ad_Temporary__Fourth_Line_Closure_Region_Aug_2010.pdf

Plans detailing the project are available for viewing at the Halton Region Office at 1075 North Service Road West, Unit 27, Oakville, ON or at The Town of Milton, Engineering Services, 2nd Floor, 150 Mary Street.

On August 23, 2010, Council will give consideration to the proposed bylaw. At this meeting, Council will hear, in person, or by their counsel, any person who applies to be heard. Persons wishing to be heard must notify the Clerk’s Department in writing, no later than 10 a.m. August 23, 2010.

Any inquiries should be directed to the following:
Traffic Inquiries Project Inquires
Heide Schlegl,
Coordinator, Traffic & Parking
Engineering Services Department
Phone: 905-878-7252, ext. 2506
Fax: 905-876-5029
E-mail: Heide Schlegl

Joseph Proietti, C.E.T.
Design Supervisor,
Water Services
P 905-825-6000 ext. 7613
F 905-825-0267
E-mail: Joseph Proeitti

I dont want to be a doom-sayer here but a set of traffic lights at Thompson and Louis St Laurent would come in handy during this period of time.

People coming down James Snow Parkway to Louis St. Laurent and normally turn down 4th line towards Britannia will now have to go all the way over to Thomspon, turn left and go down Thompson towards Britannia.

Can you say traffic mess?  Of course you can.  Seeing how there isnt a set of lights at Thompson and LSL (not enough traffic to warrant one)  Thats ok though as traffic will flow nicely down Thompson Road towards Britannia right?  Think again.  Why?  OH, I forgot there isnt a right hand turn lane to Britannia.

So…. from September to December look for Thompson Road to be a mess in the morning and afternoon.  We can use that time sitting in traffic to think of other options to bring forward.  Remember, you can have your say on August 23rd.  I know some of us will.

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

Birthday Greetings and Ticats Support in Milton

Mike Cluett

Before I get started I wanted to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday.  Last year at this time we were all in Newfoundland for his birthday and this year he got to see me on TV so… its almost good enough.  Happy Birthday Dad.

First off a big thanks goes out to everyone who has called, emailed or tweeted me in the last few hours.  Ever since posting yesterdays blog, I have been inundated with support from people both in Milton AND from Hamilton of all places.

I’m going to try to get the video uploaded of tonight’s CHCH News at 6 show where they had a brief interview with both myself and Mayor Gord Krantz about Milton taking a stab at getting the CFL franchise and the Pan Am stadium for 2015.  The idea came to me after I heard the news from Bob Young that he was pulling the organization from the negotiation table about any option for a stadium in Milton.

As a fan, I wondered where would they go?  Quebec?  Moncton?  Definitely viable options for the team but  as a fan, Id lose.  And so would the hundreds of thousands of TigerCat/CFL fans in southern Ontario.  Then I thought…why not Milton?  And it grew from there. 

I gave Milton Mayor Gord Krantz a call to see what would have to be done to get the ball rolling.  After a long conversation, the wheels were set in motion.  From what Ive heard today, there has been contact with the team and they are definitely intrigued at the idea of moving 30 minutes north. 

Both of us wanted to get the point out as well, that we’re not looking to steal the Ticats away.  We both (as well as many of the supporters of the idea) want them to stay in Hamilton.  As I said in the interview “Hamilton is the TigerCats and the TigerCats are Hamilton” 

Will this happen overnight?  Not likely.  There are so many things that can happen to derail any of these options…best of one would be that the TiCats and the City of Hamilton come to some workable arrangement and keep the Cats in Steeltown.  But if not, we have a home for them in Milton and we’ll do what we can to make it work.

There’s a Facebook group up and running on this … isnt there always?  Please click here and join to show your support or start a discussion.

While you’re at it, you can join my campaign Facebook group as well to stay on top of campaign happenings for Ward 6.  There is very little time left before nominations close and in the next 10-15 days anything can happen.

Im looking forward to the next 70 plus days before election day…meeting as many people as possible and discussing issues like this and others that are important to you.  Call, email or tweet me anytime.

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

Milton TigerCats? Its Possible & Here’s How

Mike Cluett

Town Of Milton Should Pursue Pan Am Stadium and Tiger Cats CFL Franchise

The City of Hamilton and the Hamilton Tiger Cats franchise are embroiled in a controversy that might result in the beloved CFL franchise to leave Hamilton forever. 

At the heart of the dispute is the location of the stadium to be constructed for the 2015 Pan Am Games, a stadium that would end up being the home of the Tiger Cats franchise.  Caretaker Bob Young, successful Hamilton businessman and the person responsible for bringing the Ti Cats back from the brink of bankruptcy over the past several years, wants to build a stadium on an east mountain location in Hamilton.  By having the stadium there, it would be able to locate a state of the art facility as well as much needed parking that their current location at Ivor Wynne doesn’t allow for. 

The City of Hamilton wants to locate the new stadium at the west harbour location of Hamilton near Barton and Bay Street.  For several months now there have been negotiations between the City of Hamilton and the Tiger Cats franchise to come to a solution and none has been met.  Yesterday, the owner of the Tiger Cats Bob Young, issued a letter saying that seeing how they can’t come to a resolution on the location, he notified the Mayor and City Council that they will play out the remainder of this season and 2011 and find another location, possibly outside Hamilton.

The Tiger Cats have been a part of Hamilton for over a hundred years and this would deal a severe blow to the local economy.  Both sides seem steadfast in their ideas and it looks like the Tiger Cats CFL franchise will be looking for a new home.  Personally as a Tiger Cats fan for many years, it would be heart breaking to see them move to other locations including Quebec or Moncton NB.  I would like to provide the Tiger Cats owners and the Pan Am officials a backup plan…a plan that can work for all parties involved.

This is where Milton comes in.  The Town of Milton has the available land to house such a facility available for Pan Am officials and the Tiger Cats to consider.  There are many benefits for all parties involved to consider Milton as a viable location for the Pan Am games AND becoming the new home for the Tiger Cats Franchise.  The potential location would be on the west side of the 401 Industrial Park in Milton.

By having it there the games and the franchise have easy highway access to Toronto (45 minutes) downtown Kitchener / Waterloo / Cambridge (30 minutes) and residents of Hamilton as well (30 minutes)

Here’s how it can work.

Why Milton as a Pan Am Games partner? 

  • Willing host
  • Proposed site could be easily rezoned for stadium purpose
  • Located 20 to 40 minutes from all other Pan Am Games venues
  • Located on west side of Greater Toronto Area
  • Located 20 minutes from Pearson International Airport
  • Proposed stadium site is located on with easy access to Highway 401, North America’s busiest superhighway
  • Proposed site alongside Highway 401 would make it highest visibility Pan Am venue in Canada
  • Located 20 minutes from Q.E.W. and 10 minutes from Highway 407
  • Located in an area with more than six million Ontarians
  • Well supported by local hotels, restaurants, general goods merchants and service industry; high-quality municipal services, well-trained workforce
  • Easy media access

Why Milton as a Hamilton Tiger-Cats partner?

  • Willing host
  • Most Milton CFL fans are Hamilton Tiger-Cat supporters
  • Proposed site could be easily rezoned for stadium purpose
  • Proposed site still reasonably close for many current seasons’ ticket holders to commute to
  • Proposed site alongside Highway 401 would make it highest visibility CFL stadium in Canada
  • Located 20 minutes from Pearson International Airport
  • Located on and easy access to Highway 401, North America’s busiest superhighway
  • Located 20 minutes from Q.E.W. and 10 minutes from Highway 407
  • Located in an area with more than six million Ontarians
  • Well supported by local hotels, restaurants, general goods merchants and service industry; high-quality municipal services, well-trained workforce
  • Easy media access

 Why west side of 401 Industrial Park?

  • Proposed site could be easily rezoned for stadium purpose
  • Located 20 minutes from Pearson International Airport
  • Located on and easy access to Highway 401, North America’s busiest superhighway
  • Located 20 minutes from Q.E.W. and 10 minutes from Highway 407
  • Located in an area with more than six million Ontarians
  • Well supported by local hotels, restaurants, general goods merchants and service industry; high-quality municipal services, well-trained workforce

I talked directly with Milton Mayor Gord Krantz early this morning, he will be directing town staff and the economic development department to work on getting a preliminary proposal prepared for review and possibly present to the Pan Am officials and the Tiger Cats franchise.  The Town of Milton is no stranger to the Pan Am committee as just recently they were involved with other municipalities to look at Milton being an option to have locations for the Pan Am games in 2015.

Milton has been Canada’s fastest growing municipality for the last 3 years and will be the “go to” location for businesses from around the region, the province and the country.  We have the ability to take on something like this and put Milton further on the map.

Nothing is written in stone but the play has been called and the time clock is running.  Can a Hail Mary save the Tiger Cats franchise and keep it in southern Ontario or will an icon in Canadian sports history be forever lost.

Stay tuned, this will be a fun ride.  I’ll see you at the doors.

New ward system in Milton

Mike Cluett

I had a chance to attend the open house of the Milton Toastmaster’s Club last night and it was quite a success.  Not only were there lots of current members there, but also a large number of interested people, like myself, to see what it was all about.

It was a great event and it was capped off with a presentation by Gary Mull about how to be not just an acceptable speaker, but an exceptional speaker.  As someone who is in the sales profession, I always keep my mind open to new ways to make presentations even if some of the ideas and skills I already have.  The more you hear about them the more chance of you using them are.  I like to call them the “a-ha” moments.

If you were ever curious on what the Milton Toastmasters are all about, I urge you to attend their meetings as a guest (every Tuesday night at the Royal Canadian Legion in Milton from 7:30pm to 9:30pm).  You will be surprised to know who members of the Toastmasters were in the past.

While waiting for Gary to speak I had a chance to introduce myself to a few people there and some recognized that I was running for council.  Inevitably the question comes up…which ward?  I proceed to tell them Ward 6 and I’m usually met with a “huh-like” stare.  For years Milton has been divided into 4 wards with two councillors in each ward representing them.

Recently the ward boundaries in Milton have been changed becoming effective for the 2010-2014 term of council.  This isn’t the first time I have run into people not knowing where ward 6 or any ward for that matter.  Outside the original news story about the changes, nothing has been said since about the changes by the Town of Milton.  I think the Town of Milton staff needs to do a better job in educating voters on the changes as much as possible.  Before you know it, election time will be here and people will be scrambling to figure out where they are and how to vote.

This past January a number of candidates, including yours truly, made the trek to Town Hall to file our nomination papers to become candidates in this election.  So far there are close to 20 people who will be asking Milton voters for their support over the coming months to represent them around the council table.

In the past couple of weeks, I have also had a chance to take advantage of the nice weather and knock on a few doors in our ward to introduce/reintroduce myself as the candidate for the area.  I was actually taken aback as to how many people remembered me from 2006 and even further still, how many people had my old magnet on their fridge almost 4 years later.  If you’re a parent of a kid in school, magnets are a must.  Stay tuned for that.

I also found most of the people I spoke with didn’t have a clue about the ward changes or which ward they lived in.

What ward do you live in?  Do you even know that the wards were changed?  Every one in town seems to know about the Milton Sports Centre expansion and the speedy design and construction of the arts & entertainment centre (that’s a discussion for another time) but hardly anyone knows what ward they live in or who their councillor is.

Part of the responsibility of the candidates for election is to educate the voters on where they live, which ward they will be voting in and (hopefully) garner their support and vote on Election Day.

I will be doing more entries as the days/weeks/months go on reminding people that things have changed for this election, thanks to the provincial government, which include a new date for the election.

October 25, 2010.  Mark that date in your calendar, as I have of course, as the date for the next municipal election.

I am running for the local council position for Ward 6 which is encompassed by the following boundaries.

NORTH:  DERRY ROAD

SOUTH:  BRITANNIA ROAD

EAST:  FOURTH LINE

WEST:  THOMPSON ROAD

If you click here, you will see the map of Ward 6.  If you live within this boundary, I am your candidate for council.  There are other positions you can vote for (regional council, public/separate school board trustee, mayor, regional chair) but more on that later.

If you want to see the ward boundaries for the entire Town of Milton you can visit www.milton.ca and find out where you live, and which ward you live in.

I’ll see you at the doors!

***UPDATE*** Laura Steiner from the Halton Compass has a Milton oriented blog as well.  She recently did a posting on the ward boundary changes thats a good read too.  Thanks Laura!

http://miltonviews.blogspot.com/2010/03/follow-changing-ward-boundaries.html