BY HUNTER CULHANE
Scene & Herd recently sent emails to all candidates in the 2018 Milton municipal election running for Local Councillor and Regional Councillor positions.
Milton’s ward boundaries were recently redrawn. Milton now has four wards, down from eight in the 2014 municipal election. In the upcoming 2018 Milton municipal election, one Local Councillor and one Regional Councillor will be elected from each of the four wards.
Local Councillors are responsible for reviewing reports, making recommendations, and creating policies related to the Town of Milton. They serve on Milton’s Town Council.
Regional Councillors are responsible for reviewing reports, making recommendations, and creating policies related to Halton Region and the Town of Milton. They serve on Halton Regional Council as well as Milton’s Town Council.
Ward 1 is located in the northwest part of town. It is bordered by Derry Road to the south and Regional Road 25 (Ontario Street) to the east. Public Schools in Ward 1 include Brookville, Escarpment View, Martin Street, W.I. Dick, J.M. Denyes, and Milton District.
Colin Best is the only incumbent councillor running for election in the new Ward 1. He is currently the Regional Councillor for the old Wards 2, 3, 4, and 5.
There are more youth living in Milton than ever before. This means that Milton will soon have thousands of new potential voters. As such, we asked the candidates for their answers to seven questions primarily relating to issues facing Milton youth.
Candidates are listed in alphabetical order, regardless of incumbency. The candidates’ answers have not been edited in any way. The questions and answers are listed below:
Question 1: Do you believe our current town infrastructure (schools, libraries, community centres, sports centres, parks, trails, etc.) addresses the needs of Milton youth effectively?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: No, as this is one struggle many growing municipalities face in building the facilities and services to serve all of our community no matter what your age.
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
Question 2: As a Regional Councillor, what specifically will you do in your ward to make youth feel a greater sense of belonging within the fabric of Milton and Halton Region as a whole?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: By supporting youth programs such as the MYAC the Milton Youth Advisory Committee and its recommendations along with pushing for services and facilities that young people need such as regional transit, employment and educational services within Milton and Halton and having the Milton Education Village open before 2022 along with expanding the Milton Innovation Centre so young people can live and work in our community instead of commuting out of it.
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
Question 3: Most Milton youth find themselves having to travel outside of town for a satisfactory shopping experience. Given that Milton continues to have only one (small) shopping mall within its boundaries despite being a town of over 110,000 residents, do you have any plans to incorporate something ambitious (e.g., a new shopping mall that is more youth-oriented and easily accessible) into any Town Plan or study?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: New retail and commercial areas are already planned and being approved through the Town planning department Municipal Comprehensive Review for over 2 million square feet ( imagine 44 soccer fields) of new retail space in a number of locations such as Bronte & Louis, Thompson & Louis and Britannia & James Snow Parkway as well as intensification projects around the present and future GO train stations. As the chair of the Halton Planning & Public Works Committee I am involved in a number of plans and proposals for more retail and other business development within Halton so people can not only live here but also work and shop here as well.
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
Question 4: There are more youth living in Milton than ever before, many of whom will find their first job here. What will you do as Regional Councillor to ensure enough local jobs are created?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: As noted above I am continually promoting Milton and Halton as a place for businesses and employment and have been pushing staff at both levels to complete the servicing and roads to access new employment areas in the Highway #401 and Derry Green employments areas north and east of the current urban areas. I have been a strong proponent of the Milton Education Village and adjoining employment area around the velodrome at Tremaine & Louis so young people can learn and work in the same area.
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
Question 5: What is a key difference between a Town Councillor and a Regional Councillor?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: A Town councillor only sits on Milton council and deals with local planning, roads, transit, parks and recreation facilities, libraries and fire department. A Regional councillor sits on both Milton and Halton councils and deals with regional planning, transportation, water & waste water services, waste management, health & social services, police & EMS and regional economic development and advocacy.
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
Question 6: What is a fun fact about you?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: I am a MDHS graduate and my children are also MDHS graduates! I also hold the record of being the youngest elected councillor on Milton Council at the age of 23!
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
Question 7: Where can Milton youth learn more about you and your campaign for Town Councillor?
Farooq Azam: NO RESPONSE.
Colin Best: Anyone can learn more about my campaign at www.colinbest.ca or follow me on my facebook and twitter accounts @colin1best or email me at electcolinbest@hotmail.ca.
Hassu Bihari: NO RESPONSE.
The 2018 Milton municipal election will be held on October 22. Advance voting is already underway. Visit MiltonVotes.ca for more information.
Image Source: Metroland Media
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