HawthorneVillager.com

[Arish & Kathleen]

I had intended to send this in to the Champion for tomorrow's issue, but I missed the deadline. You may have read my last letter in the October 31st Champion. This was to be a follow-up before the election.


Dear Editor,

I recently wrote a letter, which was published in the October 31st issue of the Champion, criticizing Councilor Rick Day for hosting an “information meeting” about the Pristine Power proposal without inviting them to provide information.

Since then, Mr. Day has contacted me via e-mail in an effort to clear up any potential confusion over what actually occurred. He tells me that he did invite them to the meeting, but did so on the understanding that they would not be permitted to speak to the gathering. In support of this assertion, he provided me with a copy of a letter to the President of Pristine, Jeff Myers, inviting them to the meeting.

I must admit that, at the time, I was confused as to how two different reporters from two different newspapers (Melanie Hennessey from the Champion, Stuart Service from the Compass) could have both misunderstood Mr. Day in the same way.

In the October 27, 2006 issue of the Canadian Champion, Melanie Henessey wrote, "Day told The Champion he didn't invite Pristine staff because he feels they've had their opportunity to speak already at their own public meetings." In the October 19, 2006 issue of the Halton Compass, Stuart Service wrote, "Day is inviting all Town Councilors and concerned residents to a meeting at the Milton Sports Centre at 605 Santa Maria Blvd. on Monday Oct. 30. Day said representatives from Pristine aren't invited because "I don't want them to go on about how good their proposal is."

I challenged Mr. Day on this, and asked him whether, when he had announced the information meeting on approximately October 18th, he had initially opted not to invite Pristine but later changed his mind. That would seem to explain the fact of Pristine’s invitation being extended only four days before the meeting.

Mr. Day’s explanation: “The miscommunication with the newspaper reporters is my fault because I said, ‘I am not inviting Pristine to speak at the meeting.’” [emphasis added by Mr. Day]

As I’ve earlier commented, being fair and accurate is important. If Mr. Day actually said that and was misunderstood, that’s one thing. If, as both reporters indicated, he merely said that he was not inviting them to the meeting, then he is either sloppy with his language, both at the time of the announcement and in his e-mail to me (which, as you can appreciate, might be a problem for a political figure) or there are more serious issues.

I have asked both Ms. Hennessey and Mr. Service to review their material. Ms. Hennessey indicates that, when Mr. Day announced the meeting, she specifically asked whether he was inviting Pristine staff to the meeting and he said no. Mr. Service has an audio taped interview dated October 13th with Mr. Day. He was kind enough to review that interview, in which Mr. Day is recorded, stating that he was not planning on inviting Pristine to the meeting, without any qualification about “speaking at” the meeting.

There is a point to all of this: If Mr. Day exercised slightly poor judgment in not inviting Pristine in the first place, he should just say so. The way in which he has dealt with this, either through sloppiness with language (the stock-in-trade of a politician), or otherwise causes me to have great concerns.

There are other factors of which we all need to be aware; although some of the municipal candidates are making their opposition to the Pristine Plant a campaign platform, the reality is that they really cannot do much about it. I have confirmed this with three different sitting Councilors. There are four proposal, all relatively local, and the Ontario Power Authority will choose one of them. True, perhaps the Town could attempt to change the zoning of the proposed site in order to delay the project, but that would merely result in hundreds of thousands of our local tax dollars being spent on losing a lengthy court battle.

Even if the Pristine proposal were to be unsuccessful, the proposed Halton Hills site is located roughly two hundred yards from the Pristine site, just across the municipal border.

Let's not vote on the basis of issues which Council is powerless to effect. I, for one, will vote on the basis of the type of people the candidates are, and what they can actually do for this town.


Yours truly,





Arish Khoorshed
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Ellis Crescent
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Ellis Crescent

[NewtoMilton]

SEE MY POST ON "DO YOU BELIEVE THE HYPE"

thank you for pointing out what I have been trying to say... our politions say what is popular to get elected, when the REAL issues are not addressed...

THANK YOU!

[Mike and Nicole]

What are some of the real issues that you would like addressed. Im not a miltonian just yet, so Im still getting a feel for what the "real" issues are.
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HVE McDougall Crossing Brentgrove Lot 211R

[QweenB]

I hear your frustration, but I would not be too harsh on Rick Day. While you have called him on why he did not initially invite Pristine representatives or to speak, or possibly after his quoted media interviews etc., he did arrange and organize a meeting for the public to provide info, gauge public support, concern or oppostion for the proposed Pristine Power Plant. Who can blame him for not wanting to give a platform to Pristine to try and convince the Milton Public of their venture. Rick Day is still an active Counsillor who is seeking re-election.

While it's true that the OPG will announce it's choice for one of the proposed Power plants to proceed, it is a candidate like Regional Chair hopeful Gary Carr who has the experience and insight on how the processes work. Gary Carr has taken an early leadership position during the campaign to contact the OPG and publically ask for a meeting on Nov 14, if elected to oppose the Pristine Main St location on behalf of Miltonians. This is the day after the Nov 13 election and the day before the OPG will make their decision. Time will be of the essence and Gary Carr wants to hit the ground running. I like that about him.
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QweenB

[Greg88]

The meeting was a campaigning activity about an issue that should have been dealt with 6 months earlier considering that the dates for the election, the environmental study and the ultimate awarding of the contract was know for a very, very long time.
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Gregory
Phase 1

[QweenB]

[Mike_Cluett]

[Greg88]

You make some valid points Queen B and I do agree. I raised this issue on this site in July and at that time most people did not seem concerned and even a major candidate kind of supported it!

From my personal viewpoint the current timing is perfect as it did allow some existing council members to "campaign" and "show a result" that is to my favor. I am sure that the actual opinions of many of these council members may not be aligned with current result.

As for me, on the north side of derry at trudeau - I am very pleased with the current stand, although likely insincere, because selling my home was hign on my mind and I was beginning to speak with real estate agents on this. The chance of defeat on the 15th is now much better and I am hopeful that I can stay in my home.

best,
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Gregory
Phase 1

[Arish & Kathleen]

Hi, everyone,

Mike & Nicole:
Some of the issues with which Town Council is actually in a position to deal are the rate of growth, road maintenance and infrastructure.


Greg88 & QueenB:

I don't criticize Mr. Day for being opposed to the Pristine proposal, I criticize him for telling people that he is holding an "information meeting" about it, creating the impression that people are likely to become informed, when he is intentionally depriving them of one side of the discussion. That is, as you correctly point out, a campaign rally, not an information session. You're right, it is to his advantage to hold a campaign rally. I merely expect him to do it in an honest and straight-forward way.

Mr. Cluett, in his reply to this post, is using the discussion as a medium to advance to us, and anyone reading this, his platform. He is quite candid that he is campaigning. That is the appropriate way to do it. No one is deceived. This is local politics. I, for one, expect the level of candour and frankness to be higher.

I completely see Greg's point. Housing prices depend, largely, on what people think. If our house prices are affected by this, it will be because people THINK the plant is bad. It won't matter whether or not the plant actually is bad.

When I first learned of the proposal, I had a knee-jerk reaction of being opposed. I must confess that, having spent as much time and energy as I have looking into this because of Mr. Day's actions, I am no longer opposed to it. Honestly, though, from my perspective, this is entirely about integrity and the process, and has nothing to do with Pristine any more for me.

I should tell you that, though the OPA indicated that it would make a decision by November 15, that did not mean that they would wait until November 15 to do so.

I understand that a decision has now been made (earlier this week) as to which proposal will be accepted, though that decision has not been released to the parties or the public.

Arish
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Ellis Crescent

[matteo&trish]

I really encourage people to watch the Cogeco coverage of the candidates. The Champion has listed the times in past papers and I've caught many reruns by chance. I can honestly say that I was undecided until I tuned in to see these candidates in action.
Although everyone has to make up his or her mind, I will say that Mike Cluett was one of the most articulate and organized candidates. While some people may say that a good speaker isn't necessarily the best candidate, you want someone who is confident and well spoken representing you. Mike Cluett seemed to be all this and more.
BTW I've never met Mike, I'm not related to Mike. This is just the impression he gave me. Make the effort to be informed and don't forget to vote on Monday.
Trish
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Matteo & Trish

[QweenB]

[Rick Di Lorenzo]

Rick Day emailed me earlier today, below is a small snippet from his email on this topic...

[Arish & Kathleen]

I have seen all of this correspondence, none of which explains Mr. Day holding a campaign rally disguised as an information meeting.

I have heard from people who were present at the meeting that no one was actually given an opportunity to take the floor to ask a question about the Pristine proposal, but that Mr. Day's campaign flyers were handed out at the door.

Mr. Day has now been invited to post a response to my criticisms. The fact is that he made an assertion to me which has proven to be false. The correspondence which he provided, some of which I had referred to, sheds no new light on his conduct.

Given that the only two possible answers which he could give are 1) I lied; or 2) I have accidentally misstated the facts, I am not surprised at the lack of response prior to voting day.

I should make it clear that I have no stake in this whatsoever. I don't even live in Ward 1. I don't know any of the other candidates who are running there. For me, this is all about integrity. I do live in Milton. Mr. Day could be one of the people making decisions which effect the town. When I get the impression that a local politician places his own interests above that of the citizenry, it concerns me.

Obviously, we will all choose to vote on the basis of whatever is important to us. If the candour and straightforwardness of a candidate matters to you, then this situation might make you stop to think for a moment before casting your vote.

Arish Khoorshed
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Ellis Crescent

[QweenB]

I respect your opinion Arish. The best way to support your views and candidates who you think will best represent you, is with your vote. Enough said.

I don't know Rick Day from Adam having recently moved here 7 months ago. But the more I learn about the candidates and issues, the more I want Rick Day and his experience on council. He has his hands on the pulse of the issues affecting Miltonians and am certain that he is working in the best interest of our Town. He shares the same values as the rest of us Miltonians, and I am convinced that he is a voice that I want representing me on important issues that we will be faced with in the next 4 years.
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QweenB

[Arish & Kathleen]

Fair enough, QueenB. You are entitled to your opinion, and I respect your choice.

Obviously, because of the rapid growth, this town is changing. I have lived here for almost 4 years, and have experienced some of that change. Sometimes, the fact that a candidate has held the position for a period of time is a shortcoming, and fresh perspectives are needed.

In any event, I just wanted people who were unsure of the direction in which they are voting to be aware of my experience. What they do with that information, of course, is their choice.

Arish Khoorshed
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Ellis Crescent