I met Mike Cluett last week for coffee (and a piece of mocha cake that we couldn’t finish. Which is great because I brought left-over home for my wife and got some much-needed brownie points).
Mike Cluett a current Ward-1 resident who ran for the Local Council in the 2006 election. He also served the community by being part of Milton’s Anniversary Celebration Committee. I had a longer intro typed up for Mike, but I think it’s better if I let him introduce himself:
(If you cannot see the entire post then please click the ‘Continue Reading‘ link below)
[Mike]
I moved to Milton in 2003 with my wife Pat and son Anthony, who is now almost 9 years old, from Brampton, where I spent my entire youth living. We were looking for a change, as other people who chose Milton can relate. We wanted a nice community with a small town atmosphere as well as the benefits of other “big city” amenities. It’s nice to be able to walk downtown Milton and shop at the Farmer’s Market but also have the convenience of having a Wal-Mart or a Metro accessible as well. Since then our daughter Miranda was born last year and is now 1 year old. I ran for local council in 2006 for Ward One and came short of only 92 votes of winning. During that campaign I met with hundreds of residents who have the same concerns that I do and still do. The most important part of that campaign was making sure our elected officials were accountable to voters. I still have my blog entries from then on my website.
[Zeeshan]
Q. Thanks for coming to meet me. I have been reading your blog for a few years and really appreciate your contribution to the community. Before we move to serious stuff, how is your move going? Have you reached the ‘I’d rather be getting a root canal’ stage yet?
[Mike]
We’re still packing and probably wont stop until the moving date in August. I didn’t get rid of a lot of my junk when we moved here in 2003 so Pat is going to force me to get rid of it now so it doesn’t go to the new house. And then there’s our new addition Miranda and there’s MUCH more to move this time. There are days where I think I should make the appointment for the root canal though.
[Zeeshan]
Q. I hear ya. Been there, done that. At least you are still in Milton. What do you think sets Milton apart from Mississauga and other cities in the GTA Region?
[Mike]
The people by far are what makes the difference in this town. When you see the people at town events like the street festival or Canada Day or the Fall Fair, it’s warm and inviting. When my wife and I were thinking about moving to town, we came down to the Santa Claus parade to visit some friends who had already moved here. Someone had overheard that we were considering buying a home in Milton and they started to tell us reasons why we should, then another and another. Before the parade was over we had so many people convince us why we should…the decision was made then already.
[Zeeshan]
Q. Enough positives, what do you dislike about Milton that you cannot wait to change?
[Mike]
Everyone would like to wave their magic wand and say “after I move in, no more development” but that’s completely un realistic. I don’t think there is one thing I dislike about Milton as a town. I do think our council has different priorities than what most families in town have. People in Milton want good government services available to them, but at a fair price. The last few years have been tough financially for the town of Milton with excessive and consecutive tax increases and 2010 budget doesn’t look any different.
[Zeeshan]
Q. This is a tough one. What should the town do to ensure infrastructure for new (frustrated) residents? The town may borrow money and pay back using development charges, ask new residents to put up with growing pains until infrastructure catches up or take another approach. What’s your suggestion?
[Mike]
Infrastructure in Milton, as with any other municipality is an exercise in juggling. You have different levels of government all going after the same taxpayer and responding to different needs. You have the local government has needs, the regional level of government sometimes has conflicting needs….and then there’s the province directing it all and making changes in the middle of the process. What all levels of government need to realize is that there’s only one taxpayer….US! I think in many cases, that point has been lost on the different levels. The town can ask for stimulus funding for projects, but eventually it all comes back to the tax payer and their priorities.
[Zeeshan]
Q. What do you have to say to the business community and entrepreneurs about Milton?
[Mike]
One word. Opportunity. There is a ton of opportunities in Milton for businesses and entrepreneurs. Milton has a lot of young families living here and moving here and there needs to be something for them to do. We can’t simply say “the town needs to do this… or that”. While the families here are young right now, things will change. Our 8 year olds will get older and become 14, 15 and 16. They will need something to do. The movie theatre is great but what are they going to do the other 6 days a week. Businesses and entrepreneurs should recognize this opportunity to open up facilities like a bowling alley for instance, so the older kids will have something to do. Right now, they hang out at the skateboard parks and the playground areas. There needs to be something more for them to do.
The education village is being built on the other side of town which again opens up more opportunity to create a good business.
[Zeeshan]
Q. Should Milton invest in creating a unique identity for itself?
[Mike]
I think Milton has already created its own unique identity. With the people that have moved in already and those on the way, we are all seeking the same thing and over the course of time Milton has been known as the place to be. A warm and happy town whose people welcome change and diversity and help promote community spirit.
[Zeeshan]
Q. There was an article in the Milton Canadian Champion that suggested making councillors work full-time. Do you think Milton councillors should work full-time?
[Mike]
Right now Milton councilors work part time and that’s the way it should stay for the foreseeable future. Who knows what it will be like in 10 or 15 years. If there was any movement at this point to make our local council full time, I would oppose it. The towns business can be completed satisfactorily given the current set up. Changing it now will only cause problems. Brampton is a perfect example. They were part time councilors up to the late 90’s and after they decided to go full time, costs went through the roof (a Brampton councilor makes over $100K per year) and it does nothing to improve the quality of service the councilors give to the residents.
[Zeeshan]
Q. I like that too. Does Milton have too many councillors, or two few (or just right)?
[Mike]
Right now, the amount of councilors at the local level is ok. There have been changes made to the ward system that have one councilor per ward and hopefully that will improve the service taxpayers receive. Previously with two councilors per ward, there was a lot of confusion, who do I call, who’s going to get back to me, and things fell through the cracks. Having one councilor for each ward should help making each one of them accountable for what they do.
Regionally speaking and I know Colin Best and Barry Lee would agree with me, we need more representation around the table. Milton gets beat up far too many times when it comes to services and work that needs to be done. Burlington and Oakville councilors sit on both and Milton is simply outnumbered.
[Zeeshan]
Q. Anything else you’d like to add?
[Mike]
Thanks for having a coffee with me. Milton is a growing town and changes almost daily. I urge anyone who is feeling frustrated to take a deep breath and be patient. Change does happen, albeit slowly, but it takes people getting involved in the process to make those changes easier. Milton residents have so much to offer in experience from other municipalities to help Milton in the growing process. Contact your councilors at all levels, stay in touch and stay involved. Come to meetings and have your say. It’s the decisions that are made now which will affect us in the short and long term and democracy is a two way street.
[Zeeshan]
Thanks Mike. I truly had fun [aside: I intended it to be quick coffee but after meeting at 8'sh we actually left past 11. On a weeknight]. I admire your passion and positive attitude.