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Thanks Ed, Hawthorny, csb101 & other posters for your comments.

I think it's important that if you feel strongly about an issue, you stand up and be heard. There were a number of opportunities for Clr. Lambert to stand up and state his views during that meeting. Instead he chose to sit back and say nothing. If he felt so strongly about his concerns of “austerity” at all levels of government, he should have said something, made a suggestion to the amendment, stated he wasn’t going to accept the increase….anything.

He had a chance, but remained quiet.

Every time there is an opportunity to state our view we should do so. Now there will be a time when we agree and sometimes disagree…that’s fine. That’s what democracy is all about.

But to sit by and say nothing or do nothing on an issue when you have an opportunity, like we've seen here in just one of many examples is unacceptable; especially at this level and in this day and age.

We were elected to be leaders and speak for residents, not sit back and say nothing. I feel I’ve done that since being elected to council and I will continue to speak out on what’s important to everyone in town. I’m going to continue to do that for the remainder of this council term and beyond.

There are many things happening at both the local and regional level that will impact the quality of our lives in Milton for the coming years. The fact that the Region of Halton DC's have been appealed, effectively halting any new development, is a prime example.

There needs to be proactive leadership at the Region and given our limited voice at that level, it’s important for everyone to step up on behalf of Milton. We have only 3 voices at the Region representing Milton and we can’t afford to have one sitting idly by, waiting to see how people will react.

That’s why I intend to run for the Region in wards 1,6,7,8 in the next election…to give the Town of Milton a strong passionate voice.

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

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

Bravo. Finally someone to rally behind.

It is spoken for

Actually, I think it would be great if we ran against each other. But we would have to promise that mudslinging is 100% allowed, regardless of unrealistic the ads are. I'm already working on a few.

1. Cactus Jack (I presume thats your real name) paedophile? Not sure..... This message brought to you by concerned citizens of ward 6.

2. Hawthorny cares about you, and the safety you and your children. 99% of the people he surveyed believes Cactus Jack beats his wife and kids. Hawthorny, Ward 6 2014!

_________________
No, no. You know who was right all along? The Mongolians. They knew that you just can't wall yourself off from the outside world. Putting walls up never helps anything. Tearing them down brings us together.
-Randy-South Park

Way to go Mike!! You got my vote!!

Should make for an interesting 2 1/2 years.

Mike wrote:
We were elected to be leaders and speak for residents, not sit back and say nothing. I feel I’ve done that since being elected to council and I will continue to speak out on what’s important to everyone in town. I’m going to continue to do that for the remainder of this council term and beyond.

Hello Mike:
Councillors are elected to represent their constituents, and whatever the majority of your constitutents would like to see happen is the way you should vote. Otherwise, you are voting for what you believe you want to see happen, as for example the Velodrome. Why is it that once elected, Councillors forget this.

Except on a practical basis, how the heck are they sure what a majority of their constituents want? And even then, as Steve Jobs famously said, people didn't even know what they wanted until he told them... That's not even talking about the voters that want more services and less taxes. And, of course, there's the tyranny of the majority. What if the majority wanted Joan's taxed at 100% and everyone else taxed at 3%?

In short, why is it that once they vote, voters forget this and think every issue comes down to simple majority of what the voters want?

yawn

This post is pointless.

Well in answer to the question "What do you (I) think?"

Any anti-raise posts will be met with criticism that "we" do not understand what hard work is being done by council. Any opposition to the pro-raise posts will defended by fans of the councillors.

Just my 2 cents

Yes, I read nothing. Like most of these post. An anonymous discussion board is not the place to discuss these types of issues.

Just my 1 cent

Joan wrote:Councillors are elected to represent their constituents, and whatever the majority of your constitutents would like to see happen is the way you should vote. Otherwise, you are voting for what you believe you want to see happen, as for example the Velodrome. Why is it that once elected, Councillors forget this.

Steve responded:Except on a practical basis, how the heck are they sure what a majority of their constituents want? And even then, as Steve Jobs famously said, people didn't even know what they wanted until he told them... That's not even talking about the voters that want more services and less taxes. And, of course, there's the tyranny of the majority. What if the majority wanted Joan's taxed at 100% and everyone else taxed at 3%? In short, why is it that once they vote, voters forget this and think every issue comes down to simple majority of what the voters want?

Hello Steve:
I thought I posted this earlier today, but I don't see it, so I'll post it again. We live in an electronic where ease of communication should permit Councillors to conduct polls electronically. The town has a website where they conduct polls. Perhaps, the site could be set up so each Councillor could poll his/her constituents. Constituents could sign up to receive info or polls from their councillor. Gary Carr sends out messages on a regular basis, and residents can respond to the issue. Perhaps those who are tech. savy could comment on the feasibility of such a set up. Not every topic would require a poll, but there are some major situations which would--Velodrome, Council Salary, etc.
As well, there is always the constituent meeting which could be held by Councillors where a vote could be taken. One could argue that not all constituents would participate, and therefore the outcome would not reflect the majority wishes in any one constituency. However, it's better than what we have now, where the "little guys voice" isn't even heard. Then there is the referendum route. Although expensive, it might save money in the long run and, at least" the "little guy" would feel they had an opportunity to vote on a situation.

I have more faith in people than Steve Jobs. The people I have talked to are "turned off". They feel no matter what they say, their councillor just doesn't listen. All one has to do is look at the Town's Velodrome poll where the majority said no to the Velodrome, but this poll was discarded and the Councillors voted their own preferred way.

I haven't read all the posts, so if I'm repeating statements others have made, I apologize. A few things about Councillors salaries which you may or may not be aware of. a) I believe I'm correct when I say 25% of Councillors' salaries are tax free. In reality their "salary" is higher than posted by Mike.
b)Some Councillors who are on boards, such as the Hydro Board (Sharon Barkley and Rick DiLorenzo) get a stipend of $5 000 per year (I believe) and they get $600 for every board meeting they attend.

For those Councillors who would like to ease their conscience about voting themselves a pay raise, they could consider making a donation to the Milton Hospital. From the current Milton District Hospital Annual Report, it doesn't look like Mayor Krantz or any Councillor has made any personal contribution, not even Councillor Lunau who lobbied other Councillors to vote for the Hospital surtax a couple of years ago.