Municipal Government

Gord Krantz - Mayor

#1. Why do you want to be elected? Represent people in Milton and Halton.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? Fairness and due consideration.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? Through every means necessary.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this?

By listening. My personal opinion does not enter into my decisions.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

Evaluating all of the relevant information.

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

Born and raised in the Milton area. I have been involved in many areas Locally, Regionally and Provincially.

Acting in the best interest of Milton and Halton within the laws of the land.

#8. As Mayor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? Fairness and consideration

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? 30 years as Mayor. Listening to all points of view.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same?The public should decide the term a person will serve by his or her vote at election time.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? Holding public meetings on issues affecting the public.

D. What will you do as Mayor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? Protect their legal property rights.

Keep all options open with the best interests of everyone.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right?

Why? Just about right. We have lowest property tax base in GTA.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in Milton and how would you propose to deal with them? Keeping taxes low.Dealing with infrastructure.Safe, live and work and play in town of Milton

Tony Lambert - Wards 1,6,7,8 - does not respond to questionnaires

Colin Best - Wards 2,3,4,5

#1. Why do you want to be elected?

To continue the efforts I have made on both Councils to improve both Milton and Halton through balanced growth that is funded by development and providing a community where everyone can live, work and retire successfully.

To also complete the goals that I set out in the present term to keep Milton and Halton at one of the lowest tax rates in the GTA while pursuing the approval, funding and construction of the Milton Hospital expansion and the approval and initial construction of the Laurier University campus in the Education village which I was the co-chair of the committee that arranged the agreement for Laurier to locate in Milton.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council?

By consulting with affected residents before meetings which I have done consistently through this term by canvassing the affected streets and neighbourhoods such as the Guelph Line, Derry Road, Kingsleigh Court, Heslop Road re-constructions, Steele Avenue noise wall and Main Street East fencing and attending all public meetings regarding the new official plans at both levels, and secondary plan meetings even those not part of my Ward.

By continuously keeping in touch with residents through my website, phone calls, emails and discussion forums such as www.hawthornevillager.com and www.miltonmoms.net.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals?

Please see above answer.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this?

As noted earlier, by consulting with affected residents and organizations and using my best judgment, experience and expertise to decide on an issue and state my opinion and reasoning for my decision publicly at meetings before the vote is taken.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

Similar to the above answer, I would review with staff their recommendations as well as public concerns and use my best judgment to decide what is best for the community.

Council had this situation in 2007 when staff recommended sidewalks on both sides of Heslop Rd from Thomas to Commercial St. which all the residents on that section opposed. I made the amendment to delete the south sidewalk as it was not necessary, since there was already a well used sidewalk on the north side of the street and the new sidewalk would have decimated a number of mature trees and gardens.

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

I was born in the ward that I currently represent and seek to be re-elected to and have lived in three of the four local wards. My family has owned property in Milton for 55 years and my office is located on Bronte St. S on Ward 2. I also grew up on a 50 acre farm on the escarpment on Appleby Line and attended both rural and urban schools. My family and I have lived for the past 13 years in the Niagara Escarpment Restricted area.

I have been involved with dozens of community groups over the past 45 years and was honoured by the Chamber of commerce in 2007 as Volunteer of the Year and in 2009 as citizen of the Year as a member of the Friends of Milton Hospital committee.

#7. Provincial and Federal legislation often influences how Municipalities will operate. How will you represent your constituents in the event of conflict with such legislation?

(ie. issues dealing with population density and hospital facilities)

By keeping in regular contact with MP’s and MPP’s and their staff and making presentations to cabinet members at both levels which I have done at conferences and throughout the year.

By also consistently making requests and motions on issues that affect Milton and Halton such as the federal census, provincial prisons and hospital funding and approvals. Also I was successful in having Halton council unanimously endorse my motion requesting the Province amend the Development Charges Act to reflect changes in technology, density and add hospital funding to the act as a requirement for new development.

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council?

As I have done in my two regional and five local terms representing 21 years of service to the community I research the issues, keep in daily contact with staff at both levels and residents in all parts of town and region. I also attend important meetings of committees and agencies that I am not a member of representing residents’ concerns and taking actions on them.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents?

My professional background is a property appraiser for 25 years taking me to all parts of the region appraising properties in both the rural and urban areas for banks and mortgage companies. I also appraise properties in Peel region and eastern Flamborough and also previously spent 19 years appraising 7 communities in the Hamilton area. I have worked in a total of 17 municipalities and know their planning, zoning, financial affairs and infrastructure work which has been effective in dealing with many local and regional issues.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A.Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same?No, the abilities and representative talents of Councillors and Mayors should be decided on by the voters not by some arbitrary rules that may prevent effective leaders from serving their community. In many small municipalities it could result in the loss of entire councils as there is often few people interested in these positions. As already seen in this election where three candidates have been acclaimed. The rules should be the same for councilors and committee members.

B.How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote? I believe the environment takes precedence over development. I would vote to preserve the environment where development would create either a precedence such as in the Central Milton Holding application to build 600 homes in the NEC area north of Main St. West which MRRA members and I worked with Town, Region, NEC and CORE representatives to defeat the application at the Joint Board hearings from 2000-2007.

Also in the cases where the development would destroy the local environment and neighbourhood such as the St. Mary’s quarry application on the west side of Milborough Line where I have assisted the FORCE group since 2004 both as a citizen and as a councilor at both the Town and Region.

C.What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved?Public consultation is very important and has resulted in a number of decisions that would have been different at both levels if interested residents and organizations were not involved.

I have encouraged public consultations and was the only councilor in Milton in this term to hold a public open house for both regional and local budgets before the council decisions and I plan on holding more budget and community meetings in the next term if I am elected. The recent ward changes were all made through public consultations which I attended all the public meetings and it was as a direct result of the input of these meetings that the one councillor wards was recommended by the consultant Dr. Williams.

D.What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? I support the rights of residents’ property ownership unless it infringes on other peoples rights to their quiet enjoyment of their property, heritage and environment.

E.If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this?I have been very involved with Milton Hospital throughout my life as a volunteer, fundraiser in the 1985-1987 expansion and member of the Friends of Milton Hospital committee. I have worked with a number of groups to gain the approval and funding of the Ministry of Health and LHIN for the five phase expansion of the Hospital.

I support the staff recommendations made in a report earlier this year that keeps tax increases as the last option to help pay for the local share contribution to the expansion.

I supported the council decision to have a consultant review the physical and functional requirements of the existing property and hold public meetings for input on what people want for the property and neighbourhood. I support having a branch library at this location along with other public facilities yet to be determined.

Actually public facilities and private initiatives are improving downtown Milton. I was a member of the Town Hall expansion committee which worked with the neighbourhood to have a town hall we can all be proud of. I have assisted the downtown in parking lot expansions, walkway improvements, seniors housing and improved seniors centre on the Allendale property and have encouraged private owners to locate in Milton and build much needed downtown housing.

G.Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right?

Why? I believe our property taxes are too high as the provincial government, under two parties, has not given the municipalities the tools to provide for the growth the Province has mandated under the Places to Grow Act and Development Charges Act which only funds 82% of the cost of growth.At present the Region subsidizes the Provincial Government millions of dollars through costly ambulance offloading delays where ambulances sit at hospitals waiting for staff to take their patients, day care and mental health programs that are not fully funded by the Province which the Region has had to cover, and the lack of revenues from correctional facilities and provincial schools which have not changed the funding arrangements since the 1980’s.

In the next term of both council’s if I am elected I will work to make changes in these arrangements and keep Milton and Halton one of the lowest taxed municipalities in the GTA.

As I have in my 21 years of service almost 1/3 of my ward has always been rural and I have supported the concerns of rural residents by prevented unneeded development and quarries, re-directed a landfill site away from productive farmland and supported internet service for the rural area. As mentioned in my previous answers, I will work with rural residents and organizations to improve our rural vitality and improve our villages and hamlets to be the places their residents want them to be.

I.What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them?The two other issues not mentioned in the previous questions are the Education village and the Derry green employment area planning. As mentioned earlier I have been very involved in the Education Village plan for the 450 acres at the north-west corner of Tremaine and Brittania Road and the MEDAC committee and I want to make this University a focal point for a research and employment park to train our young people for the next generations of technological and information related employment.

I initiated the Tremaine Road/#401 interchange proposal to assist with Milton’s #401 employment area which would improve employment opportunities in the area as well as provide a by-pass to the Guelph Line around the Campbellville area and connect the #401 with the Milton tourist, residential and education areas.The Derry Green employment area to the east of James Snow Parkway will be a major project in the next term of both councils and provide the opportunities for Milton residents to work in Milton and not have to commute to other areas and provide a stable financial base for the Town and Region which

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire 2010 – Sharon Barkley (Ward 1)

#1. Why do you want to be elected? I have a passion for our Town. I chose to live here 25 years ago and immediately looked for ways to contribute to our community. Because of my previous board experience I was invited to be a board member and then chair of Canadian Mental Health Halton. My work there included moving the head office to Milton. At the same time I ran for and was elected as a hydro commissioner and then chair of the Milton Hydro Electric Commission. In 2000 I was appointed by Town Council to the boards of Milton Hydro Holdings Inc. and to Milton Hydro Distribution Inc. Both of those boards elected me Chair, a position I held until 2009. I now want to bring my passion for Milton, my energy, my dedication and my experience to our Town Council in order to ensure our town is a place we all truly enjoy…a place we can work, play and live in.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? I will attend all meetings and be accountable to, and representative of, the residents of Ward 1.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? I will have a web site which will be updated after each council meeting. I will also produce a quarterly newsletter and have it delivered directly or by email (whichever individual residents want), as well as being available by phone and email.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this? I will encourage my constituents to contact me. I will contact them and will poll residents of Ward one through the interactive part of the website. I will represent the will of my constituents.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them? Staffs function is to recommend. Councils function is to accept or reject those recommendations based on the will of their constituents..

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally? I was elected by Ward 1 (which includes all of the current Ward 1) in 1994 and 1997 to the hydro commission, and as such had frequent contact with residents. As mentioned in question 1. Because of my previous board experience I was invited to be a board member and then chair of Canadian Mental Health Halton. My work there included moving the head office to Milton. At the same time I ran for and was elected as a hydro commissioner and then chair of the Milton Hydro Electric Commission. In 2000 I was appointed by Town Council to the boards of Milton Hydro Holdings Inc. and to Milton Hydro Distribution Inc. Both of those boards elected me Chair, a position I held until 2009.

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? As I did with my work on hydro, reading, reading, reading, attendance at all meetings, conferences and consultation which will include discussion with members of other councils with whom I am acquainted.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? I chose to live here 25 years ago and immediately looked for ways to contribute to our community. Because of my previous board experience I was invited to be a board member and then chair of Canadian Mental Health Halton. My work there included moving the head office to Milton. At the same time I ran for and was elected as a hydro commissioner and then chair of the Milton Hydro Electric Commission. In 2000 I was appointed by Town Council to the boards of Milton Hydro Holdings Inc. and to Milton Hydro Distribution Inc. Both of those boards elected me Chair, a position I held until 2009. As an elected Commissioner I was directly responsible to my constituents in Ward 1 and communicated directly with them problem solving and championing their problems. My leadership on both the commission and the Hydro Boards of directors lead those organizations successfully through times of immense change and growth.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? No, it is up to the voters to decide every 4 years if councilors should serve another term.

Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same? Councillor’s appointment to committees could be done annually. I have no reason to think that citizen appointments to committees should be for less than the term of council, as they are now.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? One absolutely does not preclude the other. As an adherent to the concept of sustainable development, that is, development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs I understand that council must, in making decisions, understand the interconnections between the environment, the economy and social well-being. If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote? This is not a question over which council has control, however hypothetically, I would vote no.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? We are representatives of our constituents so public consultation is critical. Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? Yes, delegations to council, public information meetings, web site surveys.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? Ensure that any by-laws enacted pertaining to private property balance the overall needs of the residents of Milton and owner’s rights of use and enjoyment.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this? There is virtually unanimous agreement that our hospital is not of sufficient size and scope to meet our needs today, and into the future. Continued pressure on the provincial government to “move” us up in the list of communities in the same position, is critical. As a “place to grow” we should be entitled to priority preference. We also need to lobby the province to put some of the additional cost of the hospital into increased development charges. Beyond this, financing through property taxes is a last resort. Council needs to look at among other options, setting up a reserve fund developed using slot revenue and fundraising.

F. What should be done with the existing Bruce Street Library when the new Main Library opens at the Milton Arts Centre? Is it a problem that public facilities are moving away from the Seniors concentration in downtown Milton? Everything should be done to continue its function as senior’s resource which includes a reading room, computer access, meeting area and satellite lending library.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why? Currently we have one of the lowest municipal tax burdens in the GTA. My concern is to ensure that this is a position we can sustain.

H. Rural representation on Milton Town Council has been greatly reduced by the ward realignment in place for this election. If elected in your ward(s), how will you support the residents in Rural Milton? By listening to and strongly representing to council my rural constituents needs and concerns, this will include ensuring that bylaws are not enacted which adversely affect rural residents.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? Traffic…working toward an early completion of the James Snow Parkway, and a rational approach to road closures and road improvements.

Property taxes…development does not pay for itself and as such council must make decisions that mitigate increasing costs to existing residents.

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire Results 2010 – Greg Nelson (Ward 2)

#1. Why do you want to be elected? In 2007 the people of Ward 2 showed their confidence in me to represent their concerns, ideals and vision for the future of their neighbourhoods and the Town of Milton. It has been a tremendous honour to work for my constituents, supporters, neighbours and friends. The challenges of public office have given me a broader understanding and deeper appreciation of what it means to serve the people of Milton. There are many issues and challenges that we face now and in the future. There is going to be a dramatic change to Council with half of it being new members. Now more than ever, it is crucial that Ward 2 has experienced representation. I want to use my experience and devote my energies to continue addressing my constituents’ concerns. There are several matters before Council that have yet to be resolved and I feel it’s my responsibility to continue fighting for the people of Ward 2. You don’t walk out halfway through a good movie.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? The constituency of Ward 2 deserves to have an experienced elected representative who holds their interests in the highest value. I have gone on record during my first term as not always using staff recommendation or Town policy as my only option. It’s also fundamental that you treat the residents’ concerns with respect and empathy.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? I believe it is vital to not only communicate with your constituents but to engage them in the decision process involving issues that matter to them. They need to feel a sense of ownership in the resolution of their concerns. One thing I have learned is that the best way to really understand what is on the minds of my constituents is to stand in their doorway and let them tell me. The residents of Ward 2 will know that they can rely on me to respond to their concerns and opinions in a prompt and empathetic manner. This will be done face to face, through an interactive website and a timely return of any communications sent to me. I also want to begin the practice of holding Town Hall style meetings throughout my term.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this? When you take the time to truly listen to your constituency, how they feel about any matter should be unmistakable to you. Once you have a sound understanding of their position, you must weigh your decision based on the resident’s feedback, staff input and your own observations. It’s a very delicate balance but if I am re-elected to Council, the people will know that I am always acting in their best interests.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

Once again, it’s a delicate balance. However, I have gone on record on a number of occasions as disagreeing with staff. This is because in my opinion, the residents were right, I agreed with them and I stood up for them in Council. I may or may not win the argument with my colleagues but at least the resident’s opinion was heard.

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

I have considered myself very fortunate to call so many people in Ward 2 as well as all of Milton my friends. When you give to this community, the rewards are endless. Countless hours of volunteer time, as well as in the execution of the office of Councillor have convinced me now more than ever that the people of Milton are truly amazing and this town is most certainly worth fighting for. Over the years I have been involved with; * The Milton Community Policing Committee (Chairman) * Community Policing Program of Halton (Executive Chairman) * Milton Physician Recruitment and Retention Task Force * Arts Milton ( President) * The Deck Youth Centre of Milton (Vice Chairman - Steering Committee) * Knights of Columbus * The Halton Learning Foundation (Board Member) * The Milton Seniors Activity Centre Advisory Committee (Council Representative) * Halton Centre For Social Innovation (Steering Committee – Government Relations) * Italian Canadian Club of Milton (Vice President) * Founder of The Gravity Gives Project

#7. Provincial and Federal legislation often influences how Municipalities will operate. How will you represent your constituents in the event of conflict with such legislation? (ie. issues dealing with population density and hospital facilities) While legislation exists to ensure order in government and society, too many times it prohibits the right thing to do from happening. The people of Milton know what is best for them. Federal and Provincial bureaucrats dictate policies and deadlines without the first hand knowledge of the consequences of their decisions. I will continue to speak on behalf of my constituents regardless of what the upper levels of government say.

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? To the best of my ability and in the best interests of the residents.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? Three years on Council has helped me better understand the process and dynamics of representing the people of Ward 2. I have experienced the learning curve of a Councillor first hand and have worked hard to develop a good working relationship with my colleagues and staff. I have also been involved with numerous organizations and activities in Milton, working with some of the finest people you will ever meet. This has been an education experience I would not trade for anything.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same? There are term limits for Council. It’s called an election.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote? Preservation of the environment is at the forefront everywhere in today’s society. The balance between development and the environment comes from a thorough understanding of legislation, the issue at hand and a deep respect for our natural heritage and resources. I would not support development of Escarpment lands.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? Consultation with the public is a vital part of the decision process for Council. Transparency is not only crucial for local government, the residents expect it. We need to improve communication flow with the public so they are fully aware of issues that affect them. As Ward 2 Councillor, I will continue to engage the residents directly and support any measures that help bring the public into the process.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? While this area comes under Federal jurisdiction it is important that we as a Council stand for the quality of life for property owners in Milton.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this? The current Provincial Government has been irresponsible when it comes to our hospital and they need to get serious about the healthcare needs in Milton. Healthcare is currently exempt under the Development Charges Act. It is unfair that the development community should not have to forward development charges to help with our hospital expansion. That needs to change without delay. I will not support a tax levy on the property tax base to fund hospital expansion. A portion of provincial income tax goes towards healthcare and to introduce a property tax for hospital expansion is “double dipping” and unfair to Milton residents. The Town Council and the Finance Department must also explore innovate solutions that rule out a tax levy.

F. What should be done with the existing Bruce Street Library when the new Main Library opens at the Milton Arts Centre? Is it a problem that public facilities are moving away from the Seniors concentration in downtown Milton? For nearly 40 years, The Bruce Street Library has been a community hub and a part of life for all the residents of Milton. Not one resident that I have spoken to has wanted the facility to remain anything other than a library. The seniors of Milton have felt that too many things they have come to rely on have been taken away. They drew a line in the sand when it came to the library. If the report to Council containing the options for the facility’s use does not contain the option to maintain it as a branch location, I will not support it. We need to work to find a way to ensure that residents in Milton, especially seniors can walk to a library on Bruce Street.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why?

While we may boast the lowest tax rate in the GTA, we need to work harder to do more with less. The value of the tax dollar has to be better represented.

Whether it be a rural resident or urban, we are ALL Miltonians. Each issue has to be given due consideration by Council. Having said that, there is no doubt that the issues of rural Milton requires a unique perspective.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in

your ward and how would you propose to deal with them?

As I have spoken to residents over my term as well as walking the neighbourhoods during this election, there is an underlying thread amongst the people of Ward 2. The growth in Milton over the last decade has left the residents in Ward 2 feeling that everything is being shifted to the newer areas and that the core of Milton is being left behind. As Councillor for Ward 2, it is essential that I fight to preserve the character and heritage of our neighborhoods. Development must be respectful of existing neighbourhoods including Milton Heights. The residents, Council and developers must exhaust all options to ensure that the quality of life in Milton is protected. I must also work harder to see that the future of dowtown businesses and the vibrancy of the core are ensured.

The heritage of Milton is vital to the town’s future and must be preserved. We must work to protect our historic landmarks that are a testament to our past. A decision to approve a demolition permit for St. Paul’s Church would be a travesty and one which I would not support. We should be embracing this historic building and doing all we can to ensure that it remains a focal point of Main Street for generations to come.

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire Results 2010 -Cindy Lunau ( Ward 3)

#1. Why do you want to be elected? I enjoy working for and with the people of Nassagaweya and look forward to continuing these efforts for the next four years. There are projects that I very much wish to see moving forward - Hospital Expansion, Milton Education Village, recreation programs in the rural area, appreciation for our rural heritage, revitalization of Campbellville.

We must ensure that rural interests are protected, expand support for home business, strengthen the fabric of our community, and maintain a strong economic base for a healthy community. I believe my experience, knowledge, and commitment will make a difference.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? I believe my job is to liaison between the Town and Individuals to solve their problems on small and larger issues. And to be alert for opportunities that benefit Nassagaweya. I have been involved in literally dozens of these situations. I will continue to be involved with Committees of Council and volunteer participation in community events and organizations. These help me stay in touch with concerns and opportunities to work with and for Nassagaweya. And I will continue to prepare Council Notes for the Halton Compass – an unbiased recap of Council happenings that informs residents and encourages people to seek more information on issues of interest.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? I welcome phone calls & emails. The personal interaction through my community & committee memberships is also very important. I truly enjoy hearing people’s views, even when they are critical. Criticism is actually an opportunity to find a solution. My role as the sole local Councillor in Ward 3 is a huge responsibility. I am exploring the best format for consultation. I also am committed to developing skills to use the web as an on-line office. And I will continue to submit Council Notes following Council meetings for publication in the Halton Compass.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this?

I appreciate hearing differing views & opinions. I can change my mind. Ultimately I must use my knowledge and experience to determine what is in the best interest of the whole community. This may not be my personal wish nor the result of ‘polls.’ I may have information not widely available or see further repercussions that may have changed the results of polls. I am committed to the long-range goals, not decision by election cycles.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

Policy is ultimately determined by Council. A strong Council relies on Staff, and a strong Staff listens to Council. Mutual respect is essential and dialogue can lead to better decision than either may have originally presented. There are rarely occasions where this consensus is not possible.

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

I have lived in Nassagaweya (Milton) for 28 years, operated a small business from home, raised three children who graduated from Brookville School & Acton High School before going off to school & careers.

My volunteer service is both Council and Community related: Council Related MYAC – Milton Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council

Halton Heathcare Services (Milton Hospital Board), Physician Recruitment & Retention Task Force Friends of Milton Hospital

Milton’s Book Festival for Children Conservation Halton Board Council Column - Halton Compass Community Membership

Nassagaweya Community Consultation Committee Destination Campbellville Community Association

Nasagiweya (correct spelling) Historical Society Brookville School Council – community rep

Ebenezer United Church Board Ebenezer Cemetery Board Nassagaweya Tennis Club Campbellville Santa Claus Parade Committee

Milton Farmers’ Market Gleaner Canadian Cancer Society Campaign Recipient Canada 125 Medal for Community Service

Professional Owner – Loon-Woods Ltd. (Furniture Finishing/Restoration) Milton Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Federation of University Women - Milton

Density: The law must be followed. Tax dollars are not well spent in court unless there is a chance to win. Work for the best deal & avoid OMB Hearings. Milton has done this.

Hospital: I have met on at least ten occasions with Provincial Ministers &/or their staff emphasizing that infrastructure needs – particularly hospital expansion – must keep pace with the Places to Grow legislation.

These other levels of government also represent me personally as a taxpayer. As such I can lobby in writing and personal contact. Council membership also gives the opportunity to prepare or support resolutions to Provincial/Federal Governments..

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council?

Listen to the experts -both staff and people who are affected by each issue. Look beyond Milton for Best Practices.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? Community involvement – My ear is always open to the Community. I work with at least a dozen community-based organizations & committees. Experience – 13 Years as an active member of Council - recognizing what is possible & affordable and developing a successful working relationship with Senior Management & Staff. As a small business owner & Parent, I am always conscious of the bottom line and appreciate the challenge of dealing with rising costs & taxes.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same? Terms of Council are limited… reviewed & determined by the Electorate every four years. Voters determine how many terms are appropriate. Change can be good – or not. Ideally there would be both returning expertise and new blood. Old is not necessarily effective. New is not necessarily better. Ultimately the voters make the decision and that is exactly how it should be.

Council committees should be determined by interest and expertise. Ideally a mix of experience, new ideas and passion.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote?

Carefully. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. I believe in protecting the Environment … but people are also creatures that need to be considered. Too often, home-owner rights and needs are ignored – especially by those who live in urban areas. We don’t ask for much. Escarpment Development - An unlikely possibility. The Escarpment Lands are well protected. There would need to be a very compelling need for me to support major development. But again, common sense needs to be applied. Is a barn or wood shed considered development? Let’s balance rights and needs.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? Public Consultation is critical. Consultation on major decisions should be a valued part of the process – through meetings or personal contact wherever possible. Transparency is important. Delegations to Council should always be considered. But people are busy and they often miss their opportunities to speak….until it has a negative effect on their life. We need to find ways to give more notice where issues will have a limiting effect.

There are ways that each Councillor can consult locally. I’m exploring ways to achieve this most effectively. For decades each Councillor represented approximately 3400 people. This ratio is now 1 per 9000 people – and growing.

This challenge could be a wonderful opportunity. Milton’s best chance to maintain a small Town atmosphere is to strengthen its neighbourhoods. Associations, consultation groups, advisory groups based on location or interest may help this.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? I absolutely understand the frustration of regulations and financial burdens placed on property owners. Sadly, many of these regulations are Provincial and/or done deals. The best we can do is work closely with and educate those who enforce these regulations to find realistic solutions. Urban regulations seldom work well in the countryside. On the other hand, there are those who blatantly ignore the rules and negatively affect use & enjoyment. Littering, noise, trespassing, etc. These folks should be prosecuted.

There must be a balance between private rights and public good. One should never be sacrificed at the expense of the other.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this? This is, perhaps, the issue I am most passionate about. Milton Hospital must grow to meet the exploding population. There are two critical issues. 1) Provincial approval to expand. 2) Local share funding to meet the shortfall from Provincial funding. Securing Provincial commitment is dependent upon support for the Local Share. The Hospital Foundation and fundraising donations will certainly be important, but it cannot totally meet the Local Share need.

Milton Council has committed (and I totally support) establishing a Reserve Fund dedicated to raising this Local Share. It cannot be used for any other purpose. How the dollars flow into this Reserve will be a decision when the 2011 Budget is set. Staff is looking for ways for the dollars to be included within the Budget, but it may not be enough or mean unacceptable cuts to other programs. A special tax may need to be considered.

Frankly – it’s all one taxpayer. I can accept a special tax. I can’t think of anything else that affects every single resident in Milton.

I believe that this facility has great promise for not only Seniors, but Youth and Young Families.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right?

Why? I have yet to meet a taxpayer who feels he/she is paying to little. We have a remarkable quality of life in Nassagaweya, Milton & Halton. And we receive great value for our tax dollars. The real question is – is every tax dollar spent wisely? MIlton faces a huge challenge in the years ahead. Our wonderful new facilities come with on-going operating costs. And the reality is that residential rates are subsidized by commercial and industrial rates – more than 2 to 1. Milton must maintain a strong business - commercial -industrial base to meet the exploding growth.

This concerns me greatly. Ward 3 (Nassagaweya) is by far the largest Ward in Milton. And while the population may be comparable in size, the concerns are very diverse – agriculture, small business, village viability, roads, critters, recreational programs, heritage, traffic, regulations, property rights, sheer size, on & on. I doubt any Ward faces as many & varied concerns. Frankly, I’m going to need the help of every resident just to keep up. My neighbours will become my eyes & ears & think tank. For the most part, past Councils have respected that the rural area is important and different and has different needs. I will endeavor to educate the new Councillors on the importance of rural issues.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? Hospital expansion, the need for the new Council to appreciate rural differences and finding efficient & effective tools to deal with my expanded responsibilities have been covered.

Other concerns – Moving the Milton Education Village, the new Business Park, and a Habitat build forward by supporting these initiatives at every conceivable opportunity. Within Ward 3, I am committed to promoting the Mohawk Expansion, encouraging the inclusion of lands with recreational potential in the Campbellville boundaries, supporting the work of the Destination Campbellville Community Association’s efforts to revitalize the Village & beyond, and supporting the Nasagaweya Historical (correct spelling) in promoting Nassagaweya heritage. What else do I want to see happen? Community programs at the new facility & Tennis Courts, Town programs with & at Brookville School, expanded skating rink at the old-ball diamond, master plans for all of Nassagaweya’s parks. The more I ponder, the longer the list becomes …….. time to get back to work.

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire 2010 – Rick Malboeuf (Ward 4)

#1. Why do you want to be elected?I am concerned with the direction our council is taking our town. They seem to be infatuated with growth and are approving development projects without ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support it. They are unable to control spending which has led to unprecedented tax increases

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? As I did when I was on council before, I will listen to their concerns and bring those concerns before council and more importantly to staff.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? I am involved in the community and meet many people daily. People know me and I am always available. I will try and meet with as many of my constituents on a one to one basis as often as I can through local events and local groups that I am involved with

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this? I have always had the position that an elected official must represent the wishes of the people they were elected to represent regardless of their personal position.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them? I will review both positions and if I feel that the staff recommendation is in the best interest of the town I will try and convince my constituents to change their position, if unsuccessful than as stated in previous question I will respect the position of my constituents and vote accordingly

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?I have lived in Ward 4 for 24 years. I am a past President and member of the Milton Kinsmen Club. I have been involved with numerous fund raisers within the community. My wife Brenda and I both play softball in Milton and are members of the Milton Curling Club. Between 1997 and 2003 I represented the people of Ward 4 on both the Milton Council and Halton Regional Council. During that time I sat on the Halton Police Services Board, Land Ambulance Advisory Committee, Milton Chamber of Commerce and Milton Hydro Board

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? Due to my 6 years of previous service on Council I know how the system works. I will read the reports that come before council, I will raise any concerns I have with staff and I will speak with people within my ward for input on any issue that may have an impact in our ward

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? Between 1997 and 2003 I represented the people of Ward 4 on both the Milton Council and Halton Regional Council. During that time I sat on the Halton Police Services Board, Land Ambulance Advisory Committee, Milton Chamber of Commerce and Milton Hydro Board. During that time I was instrumental in obtaining substantial improvements to our police, ambulance and fire fighting services. I initiated the program that saw heart defibrillators placed in all Milton fire trucks and municipal buildings. I have the experience on how municipal governments works and I know how to get things done. For 20 years I have owned and operated a Milton base small business and have a common sense business approach to how government should work. I also have a military background which taught me how to be an individual but also how to work as a member of a unit.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same? Yes, to both. It was once said that fish goes bad after 48 hours, politicians don’t take that long. When politicians are in the same position they become complacent, they get to the point that they believe the seat they occupy belongs to them rather than the people, they forget why they ran for public office in the first place. They run out of new ideas and become entrenched into maintaining the status quo. Some will argue that it is up to the voters to decide if someone has been in office too long, and if the system was fair I would agree with that, unfortunately the system as it stands is not fair. The current system is geared to give incumbents a substantial advantage, let us not forget it was incumbents who set the rules. Make the system fair and I would agree to let the voters decide. My position is two 4 year terms should be the limit for the same municipal position.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote? Every development project would have to be reviewed on an individual basis taking all environmental issues into consideration. I would not approve development of the escarpment lands

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? On controversial issues such as fluoride there must be public consultation through town hall meetings and if necessary a referendum

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? My primary position would be to support individual property rights unless those rights cause undue hardship to neighbours or have a major negative impact on the surrounding area. Each case would have to be dealt with on an individual case by case.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this? Health Care is a Provincial and Regional issue, as for our hospital I as a local councillor would work with my colleagues to pressure the upper levels of government to improve our hospital facilities to support the growth that they legislated onto our community.

F. What should be done with the existing Bruce Street Library when the new Main Library opens at the Milton Arts Centre? Is it a problem that public facilities are moving away from the Seniors concentration in downtown Milton?I do not approve the closing of the Bruce Street library, not only will its closing affect our seniors but it will also have negative impact on the students in the area who rely on that library. It is a concern that facilities are moving away from the downtown core and making it harder for seniors to access the services they want and need.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why?It is too high, when you consider the revenues being generated by the commercial, industrial and residential growth, the $5 to $6 million annually we continue to receive from the Mohawk slots plus the additional funding we are receiving from the upper levels of government. There was no reason for our taxes to have increased by more than 17% over the past 4 years. That 17% is greater that the total tax increases of the previous 15 years combined. The reason our taxes have gone up so much is because this council has been unable to control spending. An example is the transit system, council approved a transit plan that will end up losing nearly $ 1.5 Million this year. Last year it only lost $ 700 Thousand. We should have stayed with last years plan and saved $ 800 Thousand They decide to close the Bruce Street Library to save a few dollars but vote to lose another $ 800 Thousand on our transit system ?

H. Rural representation on Milton Town Council has been greatly reduced by the ward realignment in place for this election. If elected in your ward(s), how will you support the residents in Rural Milton? As I did when I was on council before on any rural specific issue I will consult my colleagues on council who represent the rural areas. I will contact people I know who live in the area and get their opinions and than act accordingly

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? I believe the major issue will be how we deal with growth. We have grown too quickly, the plan we had for controlled growth was discarded in support of the needs of the developers. Council gave up control of the growth to the developers, we have to get that control back. The sad state of our parks and playgrounds have to be dealt with. While the development areas are getting new parks with splash pads our parks and playgrounds in Ward 4 have been neglected and are a disgrace. They are overrun with weeds as are our boulevards and walkways

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire 2010 - Arnold Huffman (Ward 5)

1. Why do you want to be elected?I believe in serving my community and the people who live in my community. I have practiced this belief for 35 years in various government and non-government related bodies and now feel the time has come for me to “take the next step” by serving the entire community as the representative of Ward 5.

2. How will you represent your constituents at Council?Using my skills as a good listener, great communicator and seasoned negotiator , I will present the facts on each individual issue as it effects my constituents, to the rest of council in order that decisions being made by council are informed decisions.

3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals?Face to face, telephone, email and through my website, on a regular basis, and through an electronic newsletter on an irregular basis when items of specific concern to my constituents arise.

4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this?I am a trained, professional, listener. I will use this skill to listen to my constituents’ concerns and input as a means to base my approach to any given issue. If/when the will of the majority of my constituents differs from mine, I will both listen to their reasoning and offer them an insight into the reason for our differing points of view, in an effort to have them convince me or visa versa.

5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

I would follow through on my commitment to my constituents to ensure that Town Staff fully understand the will of my constituents and the reason why they oppose the Staff’s recommendations – and, at the same time, communicate to my constituents the reasoning behind the recommendations being made by the Town Staff in the hopes that both sides will come to a better understanding of the issue and, eventually, come to a mutual understanding.

6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?I live in the middle Ward 5.I am a businessman in Ward 5.I am a member of the Chamber of Commerce which has many business memberships from within Ward 5.I am a United Way Canvasser in Ward 5.I am an active Member and the Vice-Chair of CSAC (Community Services Advisory Committee to MiltonTown Council), which often receives requests from individuals and organizations in Ward 5.

7. Provincial and Federal legislation often influences how Municipalities will operate. How will yourepresent your constituents in the event of conflict with such legislation?(ie. issues dealing with population density and hospital facilities)I would work with my fellow members of the Town Council to impress upon the other levels of Government the reason(s) for the conflict and would continue to do so until some form of understanding is displayed by the other level(s) of Government.

8. As a Councilor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council?I would look at each individual issue, first through the eyes of the constituents of Ward 5 and then through the input provided by my fellow council members on behalf of their constituents. I would do an evaluation of all this information in order to make an informed decision that would be in the best interest of the citizens of the Town of Milton.

9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents?As an elected representative: none.As an involved, active member of the community in various charitable and outreach bodies: 35 years.As the former publisher of a community newspaper: a working understanding of all levels of Government and how they reflect on the community.

10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same?Good, valid arguments can be made to both support and not support this idea. However, I think it’s one that needs a lot of thought and public debate and input before any changes are implemented. Questions that need an in-depth look could include: would Council properly function following an election if all members either retired, were defeated or had to quit because they had completed a limited term in office - - all at the same time? Where would the experience come from? Once the research has been completed and the discussions & debates are completed, then an informed decision can be made - - and this decision should be binding on both the Local and Regional Councils.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedenceover the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote?This would depend on the issue/on the development and its significance and impact to the environment. Through a detailed evaluation of all the facts available to me, my decision would be one that would have the most positive and least negative impact on the Town, the Escarpment and the environment.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved?The forum for this is already in place and I strongly support its continuance.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property?I would advocate all peoples’ rights provided they do not impede the rights and quality of life and liberties of others.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this?This is a Provincial decision and I will continue with the ongoing lobbing of the matter in conjunction with the efforts of the Milton Town Council, Halton Region, the “Friends of the Hospital” committee, and all the residents living in the Town of Milton.This initiative would be financially supported through the ongoing fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Hospital.

I can appreciate that turning the library into another purpose, including being used as a place for Seniors to gather, might be of great hardship to those people, senior and non-senior, who live in the immediate area of the library. I can also appreciate the need to provide this service in a more open and accessible manner to the majority of Miltonians. This conflict dictates that I remain open minded until all the reports and input has been received before evaluating them and then making an informed decision.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why?

Milton property taxes are currently the second lowest in all of Ontario, the lowest being the City of Toronto where high user fees make up for the low tax base. Although, like the majority of tax-paying citizens living in Milton, I’d prefer paying as little tax as possible, however, with our Town growing at its current pace, more services and infrastructure will be demanded – and with this demand will come the need to increase our taxes in order to pay for the needs of the citizens of Milton. That being said, I will work as hard as I can to ensure that our mill rate is as low as possible while ensuring that money spent by the Town is spent wisely and in a frugal manner.

I believe in a united Milton community working collectively for the betterment of residents. I will carefully absorb and evaluate the issues as presented by your elected representatives, of which there will be three, Local, Local Regional and the Mayor, and use their input and recommendations as part of my decision making process.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? Value for reasonable taxes Improved traffic flow Effective Transit Planned, affordable and sustainable growth.

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire Results 2010 – Mike Cluett (Ward 6)

#1. Why do you want to be elected? I would like to be elected to town council because I feel there has been a “disconnect of communication” between town hall and the residents of Milton. I want to provide Milton with a new brand of leadership on council and be proactive instead of being reactive regarding a number of issues. The decisions that are being made do not seem to have a long term focus, and rather try to fix the immediate problem while ignoring the long term impact.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? I will represent Milton residents by being proactive instead of reactive. During the last election campaign, I had pledged to continue to knock on doors in between campaigns and not just during them while updating my website (www.mikecluett.ca) with reports on town council, the actions taken and the impact on the bottom line. Although I came very close to winning, I have kept this commitment to Milton residents by using my site and blog as a source of information. I make the same commitment now to Milton residents that I will continue to provide them with this type of proactive leadership on council.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? I will communicate with Milton residents as I have always communicated with them. Through my website and blog, coupled with other tools such as Twitter and Facebook I can help promote a dialogue between residents and council to keep them informed of the major issues that we will face over the next several years.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this? As an elected representative of the Town of Milton chosen by the residents, I will be looking at balancing the best interests of the Town and its future with my own views. All voices need to be heard in this process and by doing things like establishing regular neighbourhood meetings, knocking on doors in between elections and utilizing new technology, I feel that I can voice the concerns of residents at the council table effectively and balance then with my own personal opinions.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

If the recommendations from town staff make sense, I will support it. If however, I disagree with them, I will question those decisions until we can come to an agreement or compromise. Back in 2005/6 there was a recommendation from town staff to remove stop signs at an intersection near a community park where children play on a regular basis. Town staff had mentioned the signs weren’t supposed to be there and were not supported by the traffic count. I had made a presentation to council to ask that the stop signs remained and council agreed and went against the recommendation of staff. I am not shy about questioning any reports that come to council and as councillor; I will continue to question items that do not make sense.

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

I have lived in Milton since 2003 with my wife Pat, son Anthony and our 2 year old daughter Miranda. Since moving here I have been involved in a number of community activities and town related committees. In 2005 I was appointed as Chair of the 150th anniversary master committee in charge of celebrations to take place in 2007. This was a highly successful year promoting Milton as the world class town it is. A number of initiatives started by this committee still continue to this date including the Downtown Street Festival and Milton’s Walk of Fame.

#7. Provincial and Federal legislation often influences how Municipalities will operate. How will you represent your constituents in the event of conflict with such legislation? (i.e. issues dealing with population density and hospital facilities) Municipalities in Ontario are subject to a number of regulations both provincially and federally. Most notable are the Places to Grow and Green Energy Act. The job of council is to balance the requirements of these pieces of legislation with the desires and plans of the town of Milton. Again, if things make sense, they should be moved ahead as quickly as possible. If something doesn’t make sense, it has to be questioned.

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? The issues that face Milton are not simple ones and therefore dealing with them will not be a simple matter. I will be working closely with the taxpayers of Milton and Ward Six to gather as much input and ideas as I can, weigh all options, and vote accordingly in Milton’s best interests.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? Throughout my career I have worked in both sales and finance. I have the ability to focus on ideas and yet also keep an eye on the bottom line. Milton’s growth won’t be stopping anytime soon and we as a council have to manage that growth while focusing on keeping taxes to a minimum and protecting what values and ideals that make Milton the great town it is and will become.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same? This is a difficult situation to gauge at the local level of government. Change for the sake of change is not always a good thing. With declining participation from voters in municipal elections, having term limits can hinder progress on long term issues. If the candidate is willing to stand for election, communicates with the taxpayers on a regular basis, attends meetings and does the job they are elected to do, then by the will of the voters, they should be allowed to continue.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote? Taking into consideration the number of levels of government and legislation that we are mandated to follow, its something that we would have to follow. If the development doesn’t make sense, it should be questioned and fought at every step. For example, the Green Energy Act supersedes the Municipal Act and could allow the installation of wind turbines on the escarpment, and the Town of Milton would have its hands tied if it wanted to oppose it. The only way to do that is through the OMB and if it’s what the residents wanted, I would help in any way to stop development that doesn’t make sense.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? The town of Milton has public meetings on a broad range of issues throughout the year. These meetings are mandated by law and must happen. The problem with current guidelines for announcing and promoting these meetings fall short in the grand scheme of things. As councillor, I will be proactive and contact residents in the affected area and beyond to let them know about the meetings, encourage their involvement in the meetings and speak out for them. By using technology like my website, Twitter etc I can gather opinions and concerns from residents and present them at public meetings on their behalf. The job of councillor is to work for the taxpayers and represent them at the table.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? There needs to be a balance between the rights of the individual property owner, his or her neighbours and the rest of the community. I will work to ensure that balance is kept.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this?

This is another situation where council needs to communicate with the residents and work to come up with a solution. There are many factors to take into consideration and given the fact we haven’t been approved to move forward on expansion by the provincial government, we are limited as to what we can do at this time. As councillor I will be proactive and encourage council at every opportunity to pressure other levels of government to get the expansion of the Milton Hospital started and consult with the public as to what they feel can be done to help fund the local portion. Tax increases shouldn’t be considered if at all possible.

I think the Town of Milton should do whatever possible to help maintain the lifestyle for our seniors in this area. Whether these facilities can remain as a satellite library for them remains to be seen. There are also a number of other factors, most importantly cost to taxpayers that need to be considered as well.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why?

There is only one taxpayer … US. We are being bombarded by increases from all levels of government and the overall burden is too high for the services that we are provided. As councillor, I will do my best to ensure that tax increases are kept to a minimum, to question any increased expenditures and to help hold the line on local taxes. In the past, budget meetings have been quiet, with not many of the councillors questioning items. This will change as I will use every opportunity possible to question items, line by line during this process and throughout the year. Every homeowner has to do this, why shouldn’t government.

H. Rural representation on Milton Town Council has been greatly reduced by the ward realignment in place for this election. If elected in your ward(s), how will you support the residents in Rural Milton? As an elected councillor, my job is to represent those people in my ward AND everyone in the town of Milton. I recognize that rural Milton has different needs and issues and I will encourage involvement from those residents at the council table, listen to their needs and take action on any of their concerns.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? The face of Milton will change over the next few years. From intensification of Main Street, mandated by the provincial government, downtown Milton could have an entirely different look in the coming years. The Derry Green Corporate Business Park will be looked at, possibly bringing hundreds of new jobs to Milton and help increase the work/live balance in town. The Boyne Survey south of Louis St Laurent will be worked on in this term, adding close to 60,000 new residents to Milton. Council needs to be proactive with these issues and consider not only the immediate impact, but the long term impact of their decisions. They need to work with residents, gather input and speak out on their behalf when discussing these items. As councillor, I will work with the other members to ensure this happens, not only in my ward, but throughout the Town of Milton.

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire Results 2010 – Rick Di Lorenzo (Ward 7)

#1. Why do you want to be elected? To represent the people of ward 7.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? By playing an active part in the community and looking out for the best interests of both the residents of Ward 7 and Milton as a whole.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? Through email, newsletters, blogs and online discussion forums. Communication through the discussion forum allows a two way public dialogue which isn’t available through other mediums. I communicate on a weekly basis at minimum online.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this? The community that I live in has similar values and personal opinions to my own. I don’t see a conflict between my own opinion and the communities. However I’ll always do what I feel is morally right regardless if it’s the popular decision or not.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

I live in Hawthorne Village and Ward 7 is the centre of my community. I blog about Hawthorne Village, administer a Hawthorne Village discussion forum, my relatives live in Hawthorne Village, and I own multiple properties in Hawthorne Village. I car pool to work with residents from wards 6, 7, 8.

#7. Provincial and Federal legislation often influences how Municipalities will operate. How will you represent your constituents in the event of conflict with such legislation? (ie. issues dealing with population density and hospital facilities) Where possible I will try to use lobbying of personal opinion to persuade provincial or federal legislation on the correct merits of balancing growth with fiscal balance. At the same time I’d look to avoid costly legal battles with upper levels of government.

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? Fairly, straightforward and with a clear conscience.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? I’ve adroit in handling community communications and moderations of sometimes emotional and complex issues through the community discussion forum. I’ve been active in attending, following, and looking for resolutions on community issues.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same? No, terms should not be limited. That would put restraints on our democratic system by taking away choices.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved? Public open houses are important way to keep the community aware of issues. Where ever possible there should be direct public interaction on issues.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? Be ever mindful of encroaching on someone’s home boundaries.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this? Start saving immediately putting aside money each year from the Mohawk Slots Revenue for the eventual upgrade of our hospital facility. Current council has been near sighted in not starting to save in advance for this future need.

Look if it’s possible to move a selection of books to be housed in the nearby seniors centre.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why?

Currently Milton enjoys a low municipal tax rate in comparison to similar sized surrounding municipalities. With the increased pressure of the future hospital expansion it will be a worthy challenge to keep the tax burden and its current rate. I feel currently it’s just right but we have to monitor it to ensure we’re not raiding future reserves to uphold an artificially low tax rate.

H. Rural representation on Milton Town Council has been greatly reduced by the ward realignment in place for this election. If elected in your ward(s), how will you support the residents in Rural Milton? By listening to their needs and where possible see that there remains at least one ward with a rural majority as long as it doesn’t unfairly dilute the vote of residential voters.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? Traffic Calming is an important issue and I intend to deal with it by asking Town Staff to do undertake the development of a true traffic calming policy for Milton. Currently traffic calming is ignored by the town to the peril of residents, especially near high risk areas in ward 7 (Philbrook, Kennedy Circle, Yates).

Candidate Profile and Questionnaire Results 2010 – Zeeshan Hamid (Ward 8)

#1. Why do you want to be elected? I see this as an extension of my community activism. Milton is a great place to live. I want to make sure it stays this way.

#2. How will you represent your constituents at Council? I have promised my constituents utmost transparency and openness. In fact, I have even published all campaign donations and campaign expenses online for everyone to see. I consider myself a community activist, not a politician. As such, I can fight for my constituents without worrying about political consequences.

#3. How will you communicate with your constituents and at what intervals? Today I communicate with my neighbours using facebook, twitter, my website, my blog, hawthornevillager forum, miltonmom’s town-hall section, e-mail, phone and personal visits. That will not change. I will continue to be available and accessible. In addition, I plan to continue sending my newsletters to every door in ward 8.

#4. How will you determine the will of your constituents and if it differs from your personal opinion, how will you reconcile this? Determining the will of constituents without confusing the opinion of a loud minority with that of the silent majority is more art than science. I have years of experience converting ambiguous customer requests into concrete product designs. This will help me determine what my constituents want. The will of my constituents will override my personal opinion. In an extreme case where it’s clear that I cannot follow the will of my constituents without violating one of my core values, I will happily step aside. Council members are elected to represent, not dictate.

#5. If the recommendations of Town staff differ from the will of your constituents, how will you reconcile them?

If the issue is technical in nature that requires expertise in a domain, I will have to take that into account. The key is to understand the end-goal constituents’ desire, and separate that with specific policy recommendations.

I will work hard to make sure my constituents get the end-result, even if they have to compromise on the specific policy that gets them there.

#6. What ties do you have to the constituency in which you are running and how have you been involved locally?

I live in the middle of ward 8 with my wife and three children under the age of 9. I drive on same roads, walk on same trails and take my children to same parks as my constituents in ward 8. In fact, I am the only local council candidate who lives in this ward. I regularly volunteer for different issues that impact my constituency. Last year I successfully petitioned the Halton Region to expedite the CN Rail underpass construction on Derry Road. This year I worked with two of my friends to raise nearly $6,000 for the Milton District Hospital Foundation. I also serve in the Milton Transit Advisory Committee and am the sole citizen member of Halton’s Inter-Municipal Committee on Sustainability.

#7. Provincial and Federal legislation often influences how Municipalities will operate. How will you represent your constituents in the event of conflict with such legislation? (ie. issues dealing with population density and hospital facilities) Constituents expect their elected representatives to find solution to their problems, even if the solution isn’t a municipal jurisdiction. If a Provincial or Federal legislation comes in the way then municipal councils need to lobby other levels of governments. I will stay in touch with our MPs and MPPs. Other venues, such as Association of Municipalities of Ontario and Federation of Canadian Municipalities, also provide good lobbying effort.

#8. As a Councillor, how will you deal with the broad range of issues that come before Council? Through in-depth research, public consultation and listening to all arguments.

#9. What experience do you bring to the position that you are running for and how will it help you to better represent your constituents? I have a very successful career in the software industry where I have a track record of years of successful leadership and management. In the past I have served as the Vice President of my previous Homeowners’ Association, a role that is very similar to what council members do. I also have membership in a number of subcommittees that gives me insight into municipal working.

I also have a very popular blog with over 900 readers. I am connected to my constituents via facebook, twitter and other social media where we interact regularly. In fact, I have more facebook and twitter followers in Milton than any incumbent. For majority of people in ward 8, I am their only contact for all municipal issues.

#10. Please indicate your position on the following issues and briefly explain why you hold this view.

A. Should consecutive terms of office be limited? Why or Why not? Should term rules for Council and Council Committees be the same?No. Voters have an opportunity every four years to elect whoever they please. They should not be restricted, nor should incumbents be penalized for experience.

B. How would you balance the issues of Development and the Environment? Does one take precedence over the other? If a vote came to Council to develop Escarpment Lands, how would you vote? We need to carefully balance our short-term need for development with long-term need to protect the environment. The Escarpment Area, however, is more than a simple environmental issue. It is a part of our natural heritage that, once destroyed, will be lost forever. Milton has ample area to develop. We must not destroy our natural heritage.

C. What do you see as the role of Public Consultation in dealing with Municipal Issues? Do you support direct public interaction on issues, and if so, how can this be achieved?Yes, direct public interaction is critical in municipal government. I would like Milton to join social media that a large part of Milton residents regularly use. This will allow public consultation online as well, in addition to open houses that the town hosts. During door knocking I found that many residents wanted to be more involved but due to work and family obligations, they did not have time.

Another effort required by the town is immediate sharing of critical information. Currently it can be challenging to find information. That needs to change. Currently information sharing and public consultation is done superficially, simply to satisfy legislative requirements. This needs to change.

D. What will you do as a Councillor to support people’s rights of residential property ownership for the use and enjoyment of their property? I am a huge proponent of respecting private ownership. Unless one infringes on rights of others, he or she has all rights to use and enjoy his or her property.

E. If elected, what would you propose in relation to the need for increased hospital facilities in Milton to support the rapidly increasing population? How would you pay for this? Milton needs to continue lobbying the Provincial government. However, there is also the issue of saving for Milton’s share of the hospital funding. I believe the town needs to start putting money away immediately for its share. It is well-accepted that municipalities that demonstrate the ability to fund their share get priority. Just look at Burlington. If we do not start saving for the hospital then we will spend all our resources on other programs without considering the hospital cost. The risk is that when the expansion is approved, we would have to rely on an additional tax levy to fund our share.

Bad decisions breed more bad decisions. The current location of the Main Library / Arts Centre is less than ideal. It is walking distance from the GO station, where a lot of people want to live so they can walk to catch the train. There should have been residential units in that parcel. The main library should have gone to the downtown core. If it were up to me I would take a hard look at the St. Paul’s building to see if it could be retrofitted to be used as a library and arts centre. That would solve the St Paul’s building issue as well. However, at this point a good compromise may be to make sure there is a satellite branch of the library in the Senior Centre. That would give seniors access to some library facilities without having to commute. Without knowing true cost, it’s hard to fully commit but I am inclined to research this option. I would also make sure that there are frequent and direct buses between section of town where most seniors live and the new main library location. This is one of the things I watched for as part of my membership in the Milton Transit Advisory Committee. The new bus route-2 travels on Main St through the historic downtown to the new library location.

G. Do you feel that the overall tax burden on Milton Residents is Too High? Too Low? Or just about right? Why?

Tax burden is always, by definition, too high. Elected officials should always do everything in their power to keep taxes as low as possible. They can only do that if they consider the burden to be too high and revisit expenses regularly to find optimizations.

H. Rural representation on Milton Town Council has been greatly reduced by the ward realignment in place for this election. If elected in your ward(s), how will you support the residents in Rural Milton? Same way I will show support for other wards in Milton: through learning about issues, researching solutions and providing the best representation I can. Milton’s current charm includes a vibrant rural section. Another challenge is the Regional Council, since most regional councilors come from municipalities without any rural area whatsoever. I hope rural residents with unique needs will continue to educate me on challenges they face in their communities so I can represent them to the best of my abilities. After all, councilors must also represent the entire town, not just the ward that elects them.

I. What are 1 or 2 other issues that you think will be important to the constituents in your ward and how would you propose to deal with them? The major issue in ward 8 is planning infrastructure to be in-sync with development, instead of years later. All residents of Milton suffer due to traffic gridlock caused by delayed infrastructure projects.