HawthorneVillager.com

I appreciate the comments and the questions regarding this very important issue facing ward 6. Oh Henry wrappers flying around our area represent a danger and a challenge to our well being.

I will not stop until we find the people behind such a horrible act of injustice and will not rest until they are indeed behind bars ... more Oh Henry bars probably...

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

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

They are appearing quite worn as you mentioned. I dont know if anything can be done before the winter, but I'll ask them to see if there are any plans to freshen them up.

I'll keep you posted.

Mike

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

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

As others mentioned, councillors don't have a budget for newsletters so when they do so it's on their own dime. I did distribute two ward 7 newsletters this year so far - first one was to about 60% of the homes the 2nd was to the other 40% So every home should have seen one from me. It had local ward 7 news mainly (items I thought would be of interest to residents in ward 7). To save money I hand-delivered them myself but it took awhile so next time around I'll have to see about either hiring someone to distribute them for me or using Canada Post.

I was thinking maybe of selling advertising on the back of it to pay for the distribution/publishing costs on a break-even basis.

I spend my office budget on juicy fruit gum and my newsletter budget gets spent on games at Epic Lazer Tag.

p.s. the only "budget" councillors have is an in-house budget to buy swag at the Town Hall Store (i.e. t-shirts, pens, coffee mugs things like that). I used it up this year to donate prizes for the MDHF haunted house Raffle & the downtown-car show prizes. I still have a couple shirts and a town medallion (good christmas tree ornament) left just waiting for the next charitable raffle in my area to donate them too. Oh, I also kept one blue shirt with the towns logo on it for myself which I wear with pleasure and some minor guilt

One a sidenote, I met Tony for the first time this past weekend. He knocked on my door to introduce himself and even called me, "Sir". Nobody has given me so much respect in life.

My vote for Tony for life!

For the record, I bought 2 of them. Paid for them both out of my own funds.

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

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

Interesting idea about businesses sponsoring councillors newsletters. Thats not a concept Id support because would you want to have your councillors newsletter sponsored by Holcim, Mattamy, Countrywide Homes?

Id even have a problem with a local company sponsoring the newsletters. Through the election campaign, I didnt take any corporate donations, developers etc (which was my choice) but I would think that public perception might be negative if an elected official took money from a business, even if it was for only the newsletter.

As we grow in town, budgets can be changed to accomodate these things but these budgets can also be abused.

One third of our salary is tax free, which is supposed to go to help with these small costs, public events etc. We are paid to do the work we have to do, council meetings, committee meetings, sitting on other committees as the council representative (some of those committees, the councillor receives payment for attending them - stipend ie Hydro board, etc)

Im not in favour, although it would be helpful at times, to change the method of the way its being done right now. Being a councillor is a part time job. Some of us have chosen to be very active in communications, websites, blogs, Twitter, Facebook...all of which are very low maintenance costs. Some have chosen to do a newsletter like myself, Zeeshan, Rick and theres a cost to it.

As time goes on and it becomes more easily afforded by the town to review these expenses, it can change. Right now, I dont see the need to do so. I dont mind paying the costs of the newsletter for the time being as most of us have regular full time jobs as well.

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

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

Don't worry, I assuaged any guilt pangs by donating a thousand to the arts centre. Made me feel a whole lot better.

So I shouldn't offer?

No big names, I agree, but mom'n'pop shops putting a little money back into helping the community can't hurt, can it?
If there's a conflict of interest element to it, then I won't do it again (or I'll just do it without anybody knowing, and no logo)

Kiddan, you can contact the HVRA and they will organize something, right? Maybe?

Thats up to the individual councillor. No offense, and you know I think youre GREAT at what you do, but I wouldnt have a company, small or large sponsor my newsletter.

Thanks for the offer, if it came, but I'd decline.

What I dont want is a mad rush from councillors at budget time asking for expense accounts for newsletters when there are some who promised regular updates on websites and havent changed a thing since election day.

Its a cost yes, but I think a cost of doing the job we want to do. (This topic could be its own thread and I dont want to hijack it) Most of us councillors have full time jobs as well and if we want to put forward the effort of newsletters/websites/etc its a small price to pay. We are not that big ... yet ... that we would require an expense account of any size.

But thats just me

_________________
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 make my newsletters colour, glossy, with some focus on design so it's easier on the eyes. It is a higher cost. I want to also make it multiple pages in the future (last one was simply a 1 pager) and also be able to put surveys/questionnaires on it.

Some councillors take contributions from developers during elections (I didn't, mainly because I didn't feel I needed to). Some councillors have local businesses sponsor their newsletters. I didn't do that the first time around. But as I'm starting to project out how many newsletters I'd *like* to continue to do, and what type of quality I'd like to make them I started to question exactly what was my reluctance. I'm not a jellyfish. If a local business helps offset the cost of my newsletter it doesn't make me beholden to them. I'd feel comfortable talking to any resident who asks about why I allowed a business to sponsor my newsletter. This way it also doesn't become a burden to taxpayers (i.e. would be up to me to find creative ways to pay for it).

Most councillors don't seem in favour of changing the way things are currently done to allow a budget for newsletters. But the kind of newsletter I'd like to do is going to have a higher cost. I want to provide better quality paper, colour photos, better design. Also the frequency I'd like to do it has a cost. I can afford to spend it all on my own dime. I'm not broke. I have a full time job, I have multiple income streams, investments, etc. I'm also not greedy. But it would still be a stretch and to me a financial drain and for why exactly? I feel good about allowing local businesses to sponsor my ward 7 newsletters to offset the costs. If a local business sponsors/pays to help me distribute the newsletter it's just that. It's not special influence. I want to be able to provide local news on local ward 7 issues for ward 7 residents in a newsletter delivered to their door (or mailbox).

In this aspect (as others) Zeeshan has helped to lead the way (i.e. FredHelps.com sponsorship) and I applaud him for it.

I tend to agree with Mike re separation of business sponsors and political newsletters.. We have some pretty cool councillors and even though we know they're good guys, the perception of bias can prove to be very dangerous thing - on either side, politician or small business man. There may be no question of conflict of interest today but next year? Two years from now? Who knows?

I'd think one way around it would be if your sponsors were restricted to individuals from the ward in question. Why not get a couple of members of the ward to help out and have newsletters sponsored by contributions from certain streets within the ward? Remember Sesame Street? "Today's program was sponsored by the letter "B" and the number "9". "This month's newsletter was made possible through the assistance of XXXXDrive, YYY Trail and ABC Circle" Then you could feature people in the ward who are doing special things like running a business, a marathon or volunteering in the school in the ward. Crazy thinking I know but crazy works sometimes.

Kiddan, I'm sure if you contact the HVRA, they would look into the picket fence thing. I know their AGM is coming up soon. If you haven't already joined, sign up, nominate yourself for a position and make it happen for your ward.

I dont think I said that at all. There really isnt a "job description" for us on Milton council. Yes we do attend meetings, committees etc as a part of our job but outside the basics, there isnt anything saying we "have" to do the newsletters or communicate at all. If that was the case why didnt the folks who were in before us do it? They didnt.

I never received a newsletter from my councillor since moving here. Website updates? Non existent from previous councillors.

Im glad that I was one of those people who drove the issue of accountability at the town level. From when I first ran in 2006...to the last election I have been bringing this up. Im proud to be one of those who are doing something about communication to the public ... through my website, blog, Twitter, Facebook etc. Im very glad its being done and I applaude the other councillors for doing it as well.

One small step forward...

But its something we choose to do, not whats "required" to do. We dont have to put out the newsletters. The Talk of the Town newsletter goes out to everyones mailbox once a quarter and to some...thats enough. Not for me...and not for some others. I have been described by some as one of those "right wing nuts" at times and yes, I think a lot of our operations can be run more like a business. If for instance the Town said Mike, you have to pay for your own registration to London for the AMO Conference this past summer, I'd be totally in agreement with you telling them where they could stick it. The town covered our registration/hotel etc for that trip.

Other councillors can choose to have someone sponsor, advertise, pay for newsletters but I dont feel comfortable doing that, so I'll continue to pay for my newsletters out of my own pocket (Im far from being rich ... my wife reminds me every day of that ) And I'll continue to pay for my personal website out of my own pocket as well.

IF our employer (The Town of Milton) and herin the taxpayers of the Town of Milton TOLD us we NEEDED to put out newsletters, its a different story. As a town/city grows those changes might be made. I know for instance the City of Brampton puts out a newsletter with generic Brampton updates and the front page is customized for each of the councillors. Those councillors pick the material they want, message etc and the city pays for the distribution of that material.

We are not at that level yet. Will it come in the future? Probably. I think its a good idea that there be a regular newsletter with info / material chosen by the councillor, and possibly something for us to look into for the future.

But getting back to my original point, its my choice not to want companies to sponsor or advertise no matter how good the intention. I know Fred's not going to hold his sponsorship over the head of Zeeshan when it comes to a zoning application his friend might have pending with the town...(just an example...not real) but it CAN happen. Politics is perception and I chose not to accept those donations during an election campaign and i choose not to.

If circumstances change as we grow, and we WILL be growing, Im open to those discussions. Right now I dont mind it, and if others do it thats their choice as well.

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

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

Absolutely agreed and you have to respect this position taken. There are different levels of 'sponsorship' and each need to be considered with special care. There are people out there with different intentions, and I can see how your position is an easy way to avoid any chance of misinterpretation - not a bad thing at all.

There are valid arguments to both sides of this debate for sure.

Good point.
That aside, if I think I'm going to get any special development favours for the tiniest of partial sponsorships, I'm sadly mistaken LOL
I can see where this is a very personal decision.