This election is packed with loveable-losers from the councillors who lost their seats, to the newbies who came so close and to the opportunist new kid on the block.

It’s going to be a dog fight between the 5 registered candidates leaving only two months of campaigning, door knocking and the occasional appearance at the weekly public town meetings. With councillor Mark Curtis stepping down from his duties of Ward 2, it's fair game for the empty chair where the once media-limelight and figure head once sat. I should also mention that this is going to be “round 2” for most of the men as 4 of the 5 bitterly lost in the prior election not some months ago, clearly a race between the underdogs.

Ward 2 is lovingly referred to as “Old Milton”, the part of the town where some 150 years ago Jasper Martin founded the township. Though “Old Milton” has its Victorian character, picturesque Mill Pond and historic downtown, not much has changed demographically in over 10 years. The majority of Milton’s “ripened” community still lives here, some residents still living in the same house they bought some 50 years ago, some who are 3rd and 4th generation Miltonians. Though some would assume right away the need for two councillors for the area with the least growth in the last 5 years is a bit pointless, the second phase of the Destiny 2 project is currently going to blast Ward 2 into the next major progression of new residents looking for their own little grasp of “small town community”.

So said, the residents of Ward 2 have a challenging task of picking the right man for the job for the next 4 years. The issue of maintaining some sort of logic within the sprawling growth is on the minds of many of the residents while making voice of this bi-election to those unaware it is even happening is #1 for all of the contenders running for the seat.

Aware or not, Ward 2 residents have several ways to check out the platforms of each councillor through the mighty power of the internets. Some, possibly taking a lesson from MP Garth Turner, even have cute little blogs where residents can converse digitally with each candidate. Lawn signs are sprouting up like fiddle-heads and soon dinners will be interrupted by the eager toothy grin of a wannabe contender for your votes, as if you already haven’t made up your mind 5 months ago. It seems as if every player is desperate in the second round because as they say second chances come very rarely.

My hope for round 2 is that the people of Ward 2 stick to their guns and weigh out each player thoroughly. Hey, Ward 2 is where I sleep at night- I have lived here all my life and I don’t plan on moving any time soon. If a councillor wanted my vote I would stress a few key issues from the ‘youthful’ point of view of someone who’s going to tire it out in this Ward for the rest of her life (no particular order):

1- Agree that since the majority of Ward 2 was planned and built before 1970 that the neighbourhoods need to be self supportive. No one is going to be bulldozing down the Victorian houses anytime soon so effort must be stressed for the town to support the small neighbourhoods and put in smaller grocery food outlets (such as a 24 hour Hasty Mart or more corner stores). Ward 2 is the only area in Milton to NOT have any 24 hour stores, gas stations and the area shuts down by 10pm.

2- Agree to look into a deal to move the chicken slaughterhouse OUT of the downtown. Yes, I know its going to be a pain but it’s going to be a bigger problem the longer it stays next to Mill Pond. On delivery days the trucks bellow down Martin and Main expelling the noxious odours of doomed chickens (can we say Avian Flu?). I also wonder what parents who bring their children to Rotary Park for public swimming and playground fun have to say about the smell on hot summer days. It’s gross, unsanitary, and the land could be used to further expand the downtown core’s shopping with the addition of a small grocery store, retail block, or community center further expanding the enjoyment of going downtown. Right now it stinks.

3- Agree to beautify and preserve the natural history that Ward 2 has to offer future generations. We’re talking a height and lot limit to houses and buildings here as well as keeping the parks tree filled and clean. I want more identifiable landmarks such as statues, monuments, anything that reflects the community and that will add to the value of this area. Ward 2 has the history so why not exploit it to rumble up a little interest to the rest of Ontario?

When it comes down to it, this is the area of town where ‘keeping it old school’ is taught. Don’t believe me then read the street names. A vote for a new councillor may make or break the small town ideals as Ward 2 rapidly spirals towards becoming the little village in the city.