Milton blog

In Halton, the election is shaping up as a two-horse race between Garth Turner and Lisa Raitt

The 2008 Federal Election in the Halton riding is pretty much a two-horse race between Liberal Garth Turner and Conservative Lisa Raitt. It’s a little frustrating for Halton voters this time around given the circumstances: the high-profile, controversial, incumbent Turner, representing a different party this time around, up against the controversially-appointed Raitt whose campaign mailer consisted of a goofy photoshop composite of Stephane Dion rather than any actual information. Nice.

As usual, this one’s clear as mud.

MiltonSearch.com’s early prediction is that Raitt will take the seat for the Conservatives thanks to a backlash against Turner’s antics and lack of confidence in Dion more than anything to do with her or the Conservative party.

As always, we encourage everyone to educate themselves as much as possible on the candidates/parties and their platforms (that is, if they actually release a platform - hello Prime Minister Harper?) and to make sure to get out and vote.

Here’s how the Toronto Sun and Toronto Star see the race shaping up in Halton. 

From the Toronto Sun:

Maverick MP Garth Turner is trying to hang on to his seat after crossing the floor. Turfed by the Conservatives for his outspoken views, he joined the Liberals. His old party hopes to reclaim the seat with Lisa Raitt, who has taken leave from her job as CEO of the Toronto Port Authority.

The Key Issue

Lisa Raitt: “The key issues for Halton voters are the economy and leadership. People here trust Stephen Harper’s steady certain management of Canada’s economy during the U.S. economic crisis. They also want a competent, professional, responsible MP - my promise to Halton voters.”

Garth Turner: “The economy is issue one, as house values and jobs falter but income taxes don’t. As a financial guy, I offer some hope, as well as an independent voice. Harper kicked me out and has hand-picked a candidate to oppose me.”

From the Toronto Star:

Halton voters worry about jobs, cutbacks

With so many closures of plants, region has seen much better times, but the riding keeps growing

n a sunny Monday afternoon in downtown Milton, Halton Conservative candidate Lisa Raitt walks down Main St. introducing herself to passers-by. Despite a gloomy economic forecast, she’s decidedly optimistic.

“People recognize that because it’s the U.S. melting down and the decisions that have been made in the U.S., there’s not a lot we can do. So it’s about are we protected and who is the best leader to get us through the stuff that’s going to come at us,” she says, referring to Conservative leader Stephen Harper.

Halton has seen better times.

This western-GTA riding was once home to several of the province’s most important manufacturing plants, including auto parts companies Affinia and Polywheels, and Canada’s leading plastic bag manufacturer, PCL Packaging. But no more. Ford Motor Company recently announced it would be cutting 500 jobs from its Oakville plant that sits just south of the riding across Highway 403.

Business bankruptcies are on the rise. Home prices are down. A bleak outlook by any standard. Now try running an election campaign in this environment.

Inside the Main St. Shoppers Drug Mart, Raitt draws up a conversation with floor manager Roger Meheshem, an immigrant from Israel.

“Are you following the election?” Raitt asks.

“I’m more worried about what’s going on in the States,” replies Meheshem, 41. “I’ve been here four years and I feel like the government is always trying to share in your paycheque at the end of the month. And I’m not even a Canadian citizen.”

Raitt remains engaged in the conversation, even though she knows Meheshem can’t vote for her.

“This is the reality of the new Milton,” Raitt explains after Meheshem goes back to work. “In one family you may only have one Canadian citizen. Although they can’t vote, they’re still engaged in the process and we encourage them to tell us what their opinions are.”

The encounter with Meheshem is illustrative of a massive transformation Halton is experiencing. People are flooding the riding. Halton’s population is expected to double to more than 780,000 during the next 25 years, putting tremendous pressure on the region’s infrastructure and healthcare needs.

Liberal incumbent Garth Turner, Raitt’s main competition this federal election, warns such quick development may not be healthy. He says the Conservatives failed to warn Canadians about the risks associated with the 40-year mortgage – an enticing vehicle for young couples with little money.

“A lot of people in Halton have bought homes with very little down because we’ve had zero-down mortgages for the past couple of years with 40-year amortizations,” Turner said. “If the real estate market continues to go down, that means those with no equity are now under water. They probably owe more than they own.”

In addition to an economic downturn and a dipping housing market, voters in Halton are faced with an all the more peculiar element in this election campaign – a nasty battle between the two main contenders unfolding on the Internet.

On his daily blog, Turner accuses Raitt supporters of “sexual slander” and “intimidation” over postings by anonymous bloggers attacking Turner, his wife and his female campaign manager. Turner is demanding Raitt apologize.

But Raitt argues the comments were posted in May, months before she even became the Conservative candidate and that she had nothing to do with them. Raitt’s office has responded by sending out a press release in which she calls Turner an “embarrassment to Halton,” referring to his popular website as a “rated-X website that our children can visit and read.”

Anyways, this one should be interesting… stay tuned!

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After enduring years of pain and agony in the form of Thompson Road between Derry and Main Streets - can if finally be almost over?? 

That’s the way it looks according to Town/Regional Councillor Colin Best who posted this information on the Hawthorne Villager forum:

“I’m just as unhappy as you are with the rate of construction on the Main to Derry Road section of Thompson Road. I drive on Thompson road almost everyday and have been after staff to get the contractor to finish the work as soon as possible.”

“I understand that the top coat of pavement is being poured starting Wednesday (weather permiting) and should take four days to complete the paving on both sides of road with the final road markings and traffic lights operational later next week. The official opening is scheduled for October 23rd at the Thompson Road arena and will have more details when they become available.”

Wow.

I still need to actually see this to believe it, however. The road was actually scheduled to have been completed by the end of September, but my drive along that stretch sure didn’t get any faster on October 1st as construction, lane closure flip-flops, gridlock and road rage continued to be the norm through that stretch of road, for most hours of the day.

Along with all of the benefits that Milton’s growth has provided us long-time residents, the ongoing road work and poor town planning has been far more frustrating. No stretch of road other than maybe Derry Road east of town highlights said disastrous planning more. 

This dysfunctional key artery through town connecting new Milton with both old Milton and the 401 has caused residents of most areas of town huge grief for a long, long time - to the point where it has become not even an option now for most drivers, instead opting to take Ontario St. or the newly opened James Snow Parkway extension to Main St.

So, we shall see if this does indeed get wrapped up in the coming days/weeks. And, if so, where is Milton’s next traffic-catastrophe-in-waiting?

I don’t know if the town is planning any kind of ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the brand new 4-lane Thompson Road.

Nevertheless, I’ll be celebrating.

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Mike Cluett
Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Did the Town of Milton suffer from the “chicken and the egg” syndrome?  Did they spend millions of dollars unnecessarily to get brand new buses that could fit more people BEFORE the people actually take the bus?

Mike Cluett says that while we will need a transit system in town, it has to be economically viable.

As I’ve stated in the past, I do beleive Milton needs a transit system for its increasing population.  There has to be a way for someone to get downtown Milton from lets say Hawthorne Village for the Farmers Market on Saturday instead of getting in the car, trying in vain to get up Thompson Road, turn left at Main and head on down.  We all know the downtown area isnt meant for lots of vehicle traffic and the bus would be the preferred way.

Only problem is that no one is taking advantage of it.  Recent Milton Transit reports show that the only time ridership on the buses increases is when there are FREE TRANSIT days, sponsored usually by corporate citizens like Mattamy Homes, Fieldgate etc. and go back down to almost non existant levels when Miltonians have to pay.  While we will need a transit system in town, it has to be economically viable.  We cant just keep throwing money at the issue and hope someone will take the bus.  We cant have a program if no one is using it.  The town can throw money around and try to educate people that taking the bus is the better way.

Continue reading on Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Mike Cluett
Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Those of us who like Milton the way it is, may be in for a fight

With the changes that are being made and expanding the province’s green belt (ie. “cant build here” legislation) it could definitely throw a monkey wrench in municipalities’ plans for further growth.  Just a couple of years ago, Dalton McQuinty made changes to the “Places to Grow” quotas for population growth and places like Georgetown, Oakville and Milton among others made changes to their development plans.

Now it seems the province wants to change the rules again without making amendments to the other legislation. This esssentially means that the province wants more people in smaller areas.  Seeing how they’ve laid the ground work for more people or population density in a specific area, they have now made that specific area much smaller.

Those of us who like Milton the way it is (minus all the highrise apartments that dot the skyline of places like Toronto and Mississauga) might be in for a fight.  WIth Premier Dalton and the Ontario government making these changes, it will force municipalities to make more changes to their official plans for growth, change bylaws that are in place for height restrictions on buildings like we have here in Milton, and before you know it, Dalton and his boys have just erased the view of the escarpment for 90% of us. 

And its not just that.  Milton, for all its good and bad, has a certain feel to it.  We can drive in along Derry Road or Britannia Road, enjoy a bit of farmland (at least for the time being) and have our view unobscured by large apartments and condo developments.  Things are definitely in for a change.

Continue reading on Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Mike Cluett
Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

A number of friends have sent me an email to let me know about a letter to the Milton Canadian Champion editorial department which was printed in the paper. Thanks to everyone who noticed.

The letter is pretty much word for word what my last posting talked about and I’ve received a number of emails from people all over the town supporting my thoughts. What seems to get me the most is that there doesn’t seem to be a sense of urgency on council to say “Hey…this is wrong. We need to fix this now!”

Some councillors in the past have been very vocal about what council is doing with budgets and spending. Where are the voices now?

There haven’t been many voices on council talking about this. After this story was printed I had expected to read a few responses from councillors around the table with their views on the potential increase. Nothing.

Another week passes… still nothing. Why is the question? Why wouldn’t these individuals, trusted by the votes of Milton residents for a four year period NOT want to say something? Why isn’t there any outrage or a showing of concern at the impact this potential (and some would say inevitable) tax increase on people in Milton.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that things aren’t going swimmingly for our economy, and those of our neighbours to the south the United States. Gas is at all-time highs and bouncing up and down on a weekly basis, putting incredible pressure on our budgets. The cost of food is increasing for many items in the store which lead to a further tightening of the belts. It just seems no one cares. It’s all going to work itself out and the council will accept whatever town staff dishes out.

Some councillors in the past like Paul Schere and Colin Best (among others) have been very vocal about what council is doing with the budgets, spending and other programs. Where are the voices now?

Is this catastrophic? Will this lead us down into the depths of dispair? Not likely. From an email I received last week, I was told I was being a bit too melodramatic with the potential impact of high municipal tax increases. 

Not so, because the Town is just one portion of the tax bill.

Continue reading on Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

Mike Cluett
Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog

I was having a coffee at Tim Horton’s recently when a self professed “old timer” in Milton walked up to me to say hello.  Apparently he remembered me from the campaign way back in 2006 and he wanted to say hello.  In his hand was the Milton Canadian Champion with the headline “HEFTY TAX HIKE COULD BE COMING!”

At last Monday’s council meeting, Town Staff put forward their recommendation for almost a 10% increase in taxes to cover “needed” expenditures for the fiscal year 2009.  As its been said here on this blog, here we go again.

We talked about the same things last year. Town Staff recommended close to an 8% increase and we came out with less than that but still a pretty hefty increase of around 6%.  Looks like history is repeating itself or as a neighbour mentioned, broken record. 

The mindset of the municipal government seems to be year to year instead of long term

Now this increase isn’t written in stone.  Council still has to have some public meetings to discuss these recommendations and pass the final budget in December of this year.  Just like the gentleman I spoke with at Tim Horton’s said, and many other conversations with other Miltonians I have had over the last couple of years… when is it all going to end?

Looking back on the people who ran for council back in 2006, there were many people who ended up being elected saying that they would do their “best” to keep Milton taxes low.  Judging from the responses we heard at the council meeting, it seems those individuals should check their campaign literature, as well as their constituents.  Last years budget meeting was long on the wind and short on the “doing their best” to keep taxes low.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t have an increase.  This town is growing rapidly and needs funds to keep up with the demands for infrastructure and programs.  I’m not saying the town should never increase taxes.  But after last years increase of over 6% (1% of that ended up being the equivalent of their pay increase, after only a year on the job) you would think they might have done some “forward” thinking for the future.

The mindset of the municipal government seems to be year to year instead of long term.  Can they honestly justify last year’s increase coupled with potentially this year’s increase and say that its a good thing?

No one spoke out at the meeting about the increase but they did make some comments to the Champion afterwards.  Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau, who has in the past voted for many increases (including salary) said the increase “should be avoided, it at all possible.”  Should be avoided?  Avoided like the plague mind you… strong words indeed from Councillor Schau (sarcasm intended)

Where’s the leadership on council?  Oh yeah, I forgot, its not an election year.

Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray was non-committal on what to do with the increase.  As the time draws closer she stated that she’ll do her homework on the numbers.  She did make mention that the tax increase “seems high.” 

Outside of the comment from the Mayor, we havent heard from many of the councillors on this.  I know its the summer and so far its only a recommendation of an increase by town staff but even THEY have to see that people are going to start to get frustrated.  The town seems to be spending money like drunken sailors and there doesnt seem to be any benefits coming from it.  Three million dollars on new buses for our transit system when many of them are riding empty most of the day.  Did we REALLY need to spend that money NOW?  Could we have gotten by on the smaller buses until demand began to outgrow the supply?

The Town of Milton ran a contest several months ago about the new transit buses.  It was find a bus and take a picture of it (or something like that) and subit to the town and win a prize.  I would say it would be harder contest if you had to take a picture of a Milton Transit bus with ANY passengers on it.

Stay tuned to my blog for more information on when public meetings are to be held on the budget process.  Although many of you have told me this would be an exercise in futility, I would suggest you contact your local councillor and let them know that more increases just wont do.  As always, they will come out and say its “only going to be X dollars more per year.”  Add that X with last year’s X and you get a much higher number.

If they could come to us with a reasonable increase, it would be easier to take.  An increase comparable with todays rate of inflation will be a lot more palatable to taxpayers.  Instead they see money being thrown around with no long term vision to the future.  I know this year’s budget is very important, especially as the town grows.  Anyone who has ever talked with a financial advisor knows that you have to keep an eye to the future and the impacts of the decisions you make now.  

It doesn’t seem like that thought is on the radar whatsoever.

Continue reading on Mike Cluett’s Milton Blog