HawthorneVillager.com

Lets just hope that this level on engagement continues going forward. Utilization of technology definatley helps. As Ive mentioned before, back in 2006 there were only a few people with a website/blog that they used to communicate with people. Obviously there was this forum but that was about it. Others had what I like to call "infosite" one or two pagers with information but really no way of interacting with the people. Back then, not many people took blogging seriously as a tool of communication for people in an election.

Now we have a lot more people using this technology. Its easier for people to find out "what does Mike Cluett think of this" or "whats Rick or Zeeshan's opinion on this?" by a quick google search or hitting the website.

My posts are online from way back in 2006 and havent been changed (other than to fix old links/pictures etc) so if people want to know what I ran on back in 2006 and in 2010, its all right there.

Hopefully as an elected official people can come back and make sure that Im walking the talk so to speak and I hope that other candidates as well will hold themselves to account when it comes to what they say/promise/pledge during the campaign period.

The technology is out there, its free on most sites or relativley inexpensive and I dont understand why more local politicians dont take advantage of it. Its been around for a very long time when you think of it.

When it comes to the public at large, they just want to know that they are being heard and that their elected officials are doing what they said they were going to do.

Thats what helping them get more engaged...and its a great thing.

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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

Are these councillor positions full-time or part time?

I know people will say that it does not pay that much comparied to some jobs. However, I don't believe someone runs for public office for the money.

I am interested in whether it is a full time commitment?

Tim Foran had a good article on this topic last year

http://www.insidehalton.com/opinion/col ... small-city

But IMHO, I'd prefer that our town council remain part time as long as possible. Full time councils cost more money. A full time council would likely mean less councillors & wards as well

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Visit my Blog | Twitter | or Facebook page

I remember Tim's article as well. For the record, I would be opposed to have our local councillors become full time positions. The business of the town can be completed on a part time basis. There has been some rumbling over the last year or so to make local councillors full time.

This would result in increased salaries and benefits as the change from part time to full time wouldnt be seamless. It would also require more staff available for councillors (again more buffers between the residents and their representatives) and (in my opinion) will result in more full time politicians.

It would be nice to hear the opinions of other candidates, as we are allowed to ask questions too, on what their views are. Because if the question does come up in the next term, voters should know what the opinions are.

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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

I own a house in ward 7 (which I'm campaigning for), does that count?

But no I physically live in ward 6 so my current candidate choices come election day are Mike Cluett at the present time.

I feel wards 6, 7, 8 and parts of 1 are fairly homogeneous (i.e. Hawthorne Village area). It's best if candidates have an attachment or empathy with the ward they are running in.

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I live in Ward 1 and own the Milton Hometown Sears Store. As mayor I'd represent the town as a whole as well as all wards at the region level. As mayor I'd challange the local councillors to put forward the requirements of the ward they represent and to vote in the best interest of the residents of their ward.

Gerry

It is sometimes difficult to be totally clear on intent in a post and you are correct, I'm not promoting a "not-in-my-backyard" attitude or an "only-in-my-backyard" attitude either. Clearly a councillor has a duty to vote for the best interests of the town as a whole. My wording may have suggested otherwise and perhaps a better word choice would be "to put forward the requirements of the ward they represent and to promote the best interests of the residents of their ward" as I certainly think that the local councillor has the duty to argue in favour of the ward they represent when a proposal offers a choice between wards and there is no obvious or better option for another ward. Clearly the railway underpass for Main St can't be built in ward 8 but a future library (or other desirable public facility), could. Or suppose, for example, there was equal benefit to the Derry Rd underpass and the Main St underpass but only one could be built which should the ward councillor vote for (and I know that Derry is a Regional Rd and Main a town one, this is just an example).

Gerry

Could have put this anywhere I suppose so I'll just put it here.

Based on this site alone, I think it's pretty obvious the likes of Zeeshan, Rick and Colin would win in October by a landslide. However, what percentage of the population of Milton do you think actually represents those that come on here? 1%? 5%? 10%? I know the candidates wouldn't base their chances on the support they have on here alone, but it was an interesting question to ask nonetheless. Now if voter turnout is like usual, perhaps they can base their chances of winning on this site alone!

The forums alone don't represent a majority of voters, even in the wards (HV areas) it's mostly focused on. But it is a good cross-section of the community. In my own situation, I don't think it's reasonable for me to base final vote count predictions on forum polling alone. People on the forums know me, have seen my viewpoints on issues, while voters who are not online have not. So a goal of mine is finding ways to talk to people in the community who are not online.

In the 2006 election, there was polling on the forums and the results in many situations didn't represent the final election turnouts.

Putting a guess-timate, maybe the population of voters who sometimes read the forums (irregardless of if they have an account online or not) maybe between 6 to 12% of the voters in wards 1, 6, 7 & 8.

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I agree Rick. I must admit that I had a false sense of optimism last election time. People like Mike Cluett seemed to be a lock based on what I went on here and then come election time, I was surprised (more like horrified) that the same old boys club got re-elected. I think it will be different this time as there are MANY more people in Milton now but I will still keep the fingers crossed and not assume anything! Now get out and vote this year people!

There's one thing certain about this election- There will be at least three new faces on council. I think it's quite possible there'll be more with the ward re-alignment.

I've met with 8 candidates so far. And all have ideas on how to improve their wards, and Milton at large. If there's one thing I've picked up on, it's that having no experience at this, isn't necessarily a bad thing. And everyone also has the desire to make Milton a better a place, and what more could you want in a councillor?

In the regional race, Colin is the guy to beat, because he knows the job inside and out. He knows how the region works and knows how to get things done. The races in town to watch are going to be ward 2- three candidates so far, two are incumbnents (Mike Boughton, and Greg Nelson) as well as Jennifer Smith. Watch for what's going on with the Library on Bruce St to become an issue there. Ward 7 and its four candidates is going to be another hot race.

I honestly don't think anyone is going to beat the Mayor. My sense is Krantz is an extremely popular guy- he goes to every business opening, and being out there like that is priceless. And he's very identified with Milton. My count the five who haven't declared are: Paul Scherer, Cindy Lunau, Rick Day, Brian Penman, and Barry Lee.

Keep up the discussion on thie issues, and hold on because I think it's going to be an exciting ride.

I honestly think that Mayor Krantz can be beaten otherwise I wouldn't have bothered to enter the race. There is far more to being mayor than going to every business opening and being out there.

The mayor needs to provide leadership, inspire critical thinking, challenge the status quo... It's time we started putting together a vision for Milton that will make us stand out in the GTA, not just be another bed room community.

We need to put more thought into how new housing developments are laid out, are they conducive to a sustainable lifestyle, do they promote a sense of community... Is the infrastructure being planned and in place adequate for the growing community? How should commercial/industrial areas be integrated into and buffered from housing? Are new homes in Milton being built to a high standard of quality? Are we doing the right things to bring new industries (jobs) to Milton?

The mayor needs to lobby Milton’s interests at the regional, provincial and federal levels to ensure we get the facilities we need from these levels of government. (hospital, schools…)

I am running for mayor because I believe that I have the skills necessary to lead Milton council during this challenging, rapid growth period and make a difference in the great Town of Milton.

Gerry Marsh

Gerry,
I meant no offense- only offering an opinon. Good luck with your campagin.

None taken. Thanks.

Gerry