HawthorneVillager.com

Here is the agenda for tonights meeting of town council.

There are going to be some updates on the status of the arts & entertainment centre, Milton Sports complex and other projects funded by the Economic Action Plan (federal and provincial govts) as well as some interesting notices of motion by some councillors.

Here is one of Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau's motions.

Another one from Cindy regarding Milton District Hospital Expansion Project

Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson's Notice of Motion on Queen Street

And what will probably the show stealer...a proposed notice of motion from Ward 1 Councillor Rick Day on signing a pledge of loyalty to Canada and the democratic rule of law for Milton residents when they vote on October 25th.

I wonder if there will be any banana's?

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Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

Hmmm, might be worth breaking out the breast pump and leaving the baby with hubby just to watch the fun that will ensue with Rick's motion! Like we don't have more important things to worry about! I'm not opposed to kids (and adults) learning more about our democracy and having pride in our country but seriously, is pledging an oath at a municipal election box REALLY going to change anything???

Let's bring back mandatory singing of the national anthem in school, and teach more about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian history in school and discuss Canadian values in Social Studies. We need a class in school on Citizenship like they teach in Air/Army/Sea Cadets.

Wow, this guy is quite a tool! Mike, can you tell me who is running against Mr. Day in the upcoming election?

Rick actually hasnt filed his nomination papers yet. There are two candidates so far running for ward one.

Councillor Ward 1 Capper, Martin 6709 Fifth Line, RR #4 Milton L9T 2X8 (905) 693-0354 (416) 716-6687 (905) 693-8933 martin@martincapper.com www.cappercares.ca

Councillor Ward 1 Salmons, Andrew G 405 Cedar Hedge Rd Milton L9T 5K7 (905) 636-1538 (416) 323-7227 andrew@andrewsalmons.ca www.andrewsalmons.ca

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

This guy just isn't funny any more.

Among the many, many horrifying aspects of this, I find it stunning that as a lawyer, Mr. Day seems to be completely unaware of the Charter implications of his motion. Or perhaps his law books pre-date the enshrinement of the right to vote in our constitution.

In any case, a loyalty oath would be completely redundant for new Canadians since, unlike those who were born here, they all would have sworn just such an oath when they became citizens. They also would have received a far more comprehensive education in Canadian civics than Mr. Day seems to have received.

Here's hoping the press doesn't give him a free pass this time and actually reports on this. The people of Ward 1 have a right to know what sort of person they have representing them.

But then, I'm just some 'feminist elitist'

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Jennifer Smith
jsmith25@cogeco.ca

I think we'll see both file this week. I'm told Rick's motion needs a seconder, and that's unlikely given the comments behind it are more on issues Town Council has no control over.

I'm picking Cindy's motion as the hot item on the agenda. After all, who wants to be the council that even mentions the words "including but not limited to a levy on the 2011 tax bill?" That's political dynamite.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the silly season is upon us. I'll see you at the crazy house, ahem I mean Town Hall

Hey, at least Rick may actually attend the meeting.

Could this be a wacky attempt to divert attention from Council meekly passing the staff salary increases?

I'm with you on this as I can't imagine why someone would second this motion. Making a loyalty pledge a mandatory requirement to vote in a town election just seems ridiculous to me.

I found reading his manifesto to be very childish and archaic in nature. Some could even interpret it as racist. Am I wrong in thinking this?

Good call Zeeshan! You're right - it's a topic that definitely should not be debated. I Rick's motion is ignored.

I agree with Cindy's motion in principle, and I think CompasLaura is right. It can and probably should be the hot button issue at the council meeting. Numerous potential candidates have brought up the GTA pooling as an option for serious consideration to raise municipal funds for hospital expansion. But, I think Cindy is the first sitting candidate to raise the issue directly that we need to be thinking about how to pay for the expansion once it's finally approved by the Province. Good on her.

Zeeshan, thanks for that info. Although I am not in Mr. Day's ward, I'm appalled to hear of his lack of respect for his duties as a councillor. Sure, I assume you don't have to show up for everything but it sounds like this guy has gone AWOL and has taken his position for granted. I cannot fathom how ANYONE in his riding could vote for him in good conscience this October. Good luck to his challengers and maybe he'll do everyone a favour and not run again.

Follow me for updates on tonights council meeting.

www.twitter.com/mike_cluett

Or click follow on www.mikecluett.ca

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett

I agree that Council certainly shouldn't be wasting its time with this sort of nonsense, and in many ways I'm glad the Mayor ruled it out of order.

HOWEVER, I do believe that the people of Ward 1 - and indeed all of Milton - have a right to know what sort of representative they have in Rick Day. People laugh at his antics, and the press portrays him as Council's own Court Jester while ignoring his more outrageous and offensive statements.

But this isn't funny. It's not funny at all, and people need to know that before they go to the polls on October 25th.

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Jennifer Smith
jsmith25@cogeco.ca

Mike, thanks for the live blog yesterday. Was it just my imagination or did they basically come to an impase because they couldn't decide if they should wait for the province to define the project budget and timeline and from that determine how much of a levy should be applied, or if they should not wait and start putting aside a somewhat abritrary amount now, or as Colin put it, continue pressure on the province to change the rules so development charges can be used to pay for the expansion?

The live tweeting/blogging was fun and I think ill keep doing it (unless theres a backlash from twitters saying STOP HA)

The report by Halton Healthcare was for information only to give a "where we stand" on the timeframe for hospital expansion. What was discussed afterwards is the possibilty of the town putting some money away in reserves for the expansion. Some were asking for an amount, which John Oliver couldnt legally do...we can only estimate. But with no plans on the drawing table its IMPOSSIBLE to come up with a number.

_________________
Mike Cluett
Local/Regional Councillor
Wards 1,6,7 & 8

Website | Email mike@mikecluett.ca | Cell (647) 888-9032 | Facebook Page | | Twitter @Mike_Cluett