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

It’s the last weekend of September, Autumn is in the air and it’s time to enjoy one of Milton’s signature events: The Fall Fair.

For those new to Milton, it’s always a great time with so much to see and do so close to home. It’s the yearly way in which Milton says farewell to summer and usher in fall, and I encourage you and your family to check it out.

I personally enjoyed my yearly pilgrimage last year and can’t wait for this weekend! Read about the 2007 Milton Fall Fair here and see photos here.

The Milton Fall Fair runs from Friday, September 26th through till Sunday, September 28th with lots to do. Here are a few of the highlights from this year’s fair. For the complete schedule, be sure to visit the Fair’s official website.

Friday, September 26th

- Midway opens at 3pm
- Beer tent opens at 5pm
- Grand Opening at 7:30pm at the grandstand followed by the Demolition Derby at 8pm.
- Ongoing activities include the livestock display barn, craft building, petting zoo, exhibit hall and food vendors.

Saturday, September 27th

- Jumper challenge horse show at 9am
- Pet show at 10am
- Truck and tractor pull at 10:30am
- Midway opens at 11am
- Beer tent opens at 11am
- The chili cook-off runs from 11am – 4pm
- Kiddies tractor pull at 2pm
- Lawn mower racing at 4:30 at the grandstand
- Driver’s meeting at 7pm followed by the Demolition Derby at 8pm at the grandstand

Sunday, September 27th

- Halls and exhibits open from 10am – 4:30pm
- Midway opens at 11am
- Classic car show from 11am – 4pm
- Beer tent open from noon until 5pm
- Sneezy the Clown on the infield stage at noon
- Driver’s meeting at 1pm followed by the Demolition Derby at 2pm at the grandstand

The can’t miss event for me is the Demolition Derby. Remember, if you can’t make it for whatever reason on Saturday night, there’s another one on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 – just get there early to get a good seat.

Again, for more information, visit the Milton Fall Fair’s official site.

Welcome, Autumn!

– Milton Fall Fair Information and Schedule courtesy of miltonfair.com

Math has always come easy to Bill.  Maybe that’s because from an early age his mother encouraged him to finish his homework and even work on extra math workbooks.

Today Bill is a successful businessman who enjoys sharing his love of math with a little buddy.  Bill is a Study Mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton.  His buddy is 11-year-old Sam.

Sam hasn’t had the same advantages as Bill.  His mother has a basic education and works long hours.  Before he met Bill, Sam was struggling with math.  The most he could hope for was a D grade. 

Bill and Sam meet once a week at a local library.  The pair sits quietly at a table tucked off to the side which allows Sam to focus on his work.  It also creates an ideal environment for a committed and trusting bond both are determined to continue.

Bill’s commitment to mentoring means so much to Sam.  Bill has become a touchstone to Sam whose mother isn’t able to help him with his school work.  Bill listens, reassures and encourages Sam.  This dedication has resulted in a much more confident boy.

“Probably the first time I noticed I was making a difference,” recalls Bill, “was when Sam got an A on his test.  He said he’d never had an A in his life. I have to admit, that felt good.”

Often men don’t think about the positive influence they have on children, especially if, like Bill, they haven’t yet become a parent.  It is important for boys to grow up knowing a man can be a great role model.  This is where a mentor like Bill can really make a difference.

At 11, Sam is on his way to understanding the importance education plays in his future. “I want Sam to know that learning is the key to success,” adds Bill.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton recently launched a campaign to find 100 Good Men in 2008. The campaign is a result of a long list of Little Brothers in the North Halton area who are waiting for a Big Brother. If you or someone you know would like to find out how a little time can make a big difference, please call (905) 878-8840 or (905) 339-2355 or visit www.bbbshalton.ca

Look for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton monthly feature on MiltonSearch.com

After about 2 months of inactivity on MiltonSearch.com, I’m pleased to announce that finally, we’re back to business as usual. In the coming days and weeks, look for the site to return to what it has done best since it’s inception in June of 2007: focusing on providing Miltonians with current community information, features and interactive tools to enhance your Milton online experience.

Why the break? There were a few reasons, but mostly because we recently moved ourselves and our offices across town. Anyone who’s moved a family - especially one with at least two small children will sympathize with us – it’s been quite an oreal. From preparing and maintaining our previous home during the selling processs, to packing, to a grueling move, to unpacking and getting settled – it’s been quite an ordeal. 

Combine that with the fact that it’s also been a busy time for MiltonSearch.com in the area of creative and web design, with several projects also on the go during this period which all helped contribute to the lack of site maintenance over the past two months. The good news is that our automated, interactive, user-friendly features such as the classifieds, forums and community calendar continued on as usual and our advertisers (both current and potential) will be happy to know that traffic to the site during this time still managed to increase.

I’m happy to report that all is well now. We’re settled into our new digs and caught up (for now) on large web design projects (with a few more scheduled to begin soon). Beginning this week, you can look for the usual current features on our blog and home and garden pages as well as increased coverage of announcements and happenings around Milton on our news page.

As mentioned earlier, we are also continuing to develop MiltonSearch.com version 2.0, scheduled for release toward the end of 2008 with a modified structure and waaaaay more content and features, so stay tuned!

Again, I personally thank you for your patience over the past two months and for continuing to visit and support Milton’s premier online destination, MiltonSearch.com.

David Brown,
Owner and creator of MiltonSearch.com

Today, many good boys get caught up in a path they may not have chosen if they had a mentor to help see options, weigh consequences and make positive choices.

Like many Little Brothers, 11-year-old Kevin lives in subsidized housing with a single non-working parent. He is used to going without and each day can be a struggle to fit in around kids who live in better circumstances.

About six months ago, Mike became Kevin’s Big Brother. It didn’t take long before both realized the relationship was helping Kevin discover and develop his individual strengths, talents and gifts.

To illustrate how important it is for a child to have a role model for validation and direction, Mike recently related a story about a trip to a local ice rink he took with Kevin back in February. Although Kevin had never skated before, at 11 he was bold enough to think he’d master the sport as soon as he hit the ice. Little did he know that hitting the ice was more of a reality that skating circles around his Big Brother.

“He held my arm tightly as he moved a few feet and then – splat – he fell on to his butt,” recalls Mike. “His spirits were hurt more than anything else but he managed to get up.”

Mike says it would have been easier to have taken Kevin home and considered the day a right-off. Fortunately he recognized the strong spirit inside his little brother and both agreed to give it another try. After quite a few more attempts, Kevin was able to move around on his own.

“Kevin spent the next couple of hours practicing his skating on his own and trying out his new hockey stick,” notes Mike. “I eventually had to drag him away from the rink!”

While Mike realizes this is just the beginning of Kevin’s “skating career”, he says he’s thrilled the book isn’t yet closed and Kevin has learned a valuable lesson about not giving up.

Mike’s message to other men considering becoming a Big Brother is that the role is easy, figuring out what to do with your little brother is simple, and it’s fun.

“You don’t need to give a lot to have a lot to give,” he adds.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton has launched a campaign to find 100 good men in 2008. If you are interested in finding out how you can make a difference please call (905) 339-2355 or visit www.bbbshalton.ca.

Look for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton monthly feature on MiltonSearch.com

Some of the following “hypermiling” tips may seem a bit over-the-top, but hey, with gas at $1.30+/litre, every little bit counts, right?

Maximize your gas mileage by “hypermiling”

Hypermiling tips: How to hypermile, according to expert Wayne Gerdes:

Maintenance

• Inflate your tires to the recommended maximum.
• If it’s not already equipped, install a fuel-consumption display gauge in your car.
• Switch to synthetic oil.
• Remove excess weight from your car and roof racks when possible.
• Change your air filter annually.

Basic driving habits

• Don’t let your car warm up in winter – new technologies have made it unnecessary.
• Avoid heavy braking.
• Avoid quick acceleration.
• Always drive the speed limit, or just below.
• Always drive in the right lane.
• Turn off your car’s air conditioner, or use it sparingly.
• Plan your route to avoid congestion, hills and left turns.
• Avoid idling.

Advanced driving techniques

• Drive without braking: Imagine that your brakes are limited or degraded. This means driving slower, creating buffers between your car and the vehicle in front of you, and looking far ahead to predict traffic flow.
• Drive with load: Instead of using cruise control when driving in hilly territory, keep your foot locked in the same position on the gas pedal. Allow your speed to drop as you climb a hill and rise when you go downhill.
• Drive with buffers: To drastically improve fuel efficiency in congested traffic, leave three car lengths between you and the car in front. As traffic speeds up and slows down, the buffer allows you to avoid braking and fast acceleration.

Parking tips

• Park in back corners to avoid braking for pedestrian traffic near entrances.
• Park in the highest spot of a parking lot to take advantage of gravity – coast to a stop, and roll downhill to get started.
• In double rows, roll through the first spot to park facing outward.

What do you think, Milton? With soaring gas prices and assuming a large percentage of Miltonians drive into Toronto every day (I’m basing that on the huge increase of traffic along Hwy. 401 through Milton), do you see yourself employing any of these techniques?

Those familiar with taking the GO Train into Toronto from Milton are well aware of all of the trials and tribulations involved. Those of you thinking about or who have recently moved to Milton and plan to commute into the city via the GO Trains might be interested in this recent article on why you can just throw that handy, dandy train schedule out the window when the temperatures heat up…

From Tess Kalinowski, Transportation Reporter at the Toronto Star:

GO Transit is warning of 15- to 30-minute delays on the Milton line in light of today’s extremely hot weather.

But based on last summer’s experience, which saw delays usually in the two- to three-minute range, those delays could be much shorter, said GO spokesperson Jessica Kosmack this afternoon.

The Milton line is owned by Canadian Pacific, which slows its trains to 64 kilometres per hour (40 miles per hour) once the temperature hits 32 degrees C, she said.

That allows the engineer and conductor in the locomotive to see if a kink has developed in the rail ahead due to heat expansion, explained CP spokesperson Mike Lovecchio.

CN also slows its passenger and freight trains once the temperature hits 30 degrees C but the delays in the Toronto-area tend to be insignificant, said company spokesperson Mark Hallman.

In many cases, because of the number of stops on the GO lines, the trains wouldn’t normally exceed the hot weather speed limit of 105 kilometres per hour. ( 65 miles per hour)