Tree hugging is all about paying respects to the environment and getting dirty in the process. A local farmer told me once that you have to be a bit of an optimist to plant trees due to the fact it takes 20 some years to see the results. But what about people who want to plant forests? P.O.W.E.R wants to make forests- the acronym stands for Protect Our Water and Environmental Resources, North Halton’s leading environmental organisation, so you better believe it when I say make forests. Last Saturday I was grabbing photos of the groups tree plant in an area referred to as Silver Creek.



It was possibly the worst weather for trucking out to the heart of Halton Hill’s rural and secluded escarpment community. Clouds loomed overhead not yet able to decide if they wanted to burst making me fear for my new digital camera. Our directions were sketchy at best since both Lauren and I have never been to this area. Though when we finally saw the simple white sign announcing we had found Sliver Creek things started to lighten up.



I didn’t ask to plant a tree, but as every good reporter knows its best to be an expert in whatever you are writing about. Let’s say I took the hands on approach to discovering what it means to hug a tree. You need things like a shovel bigger then Lauren, a triangle of recycled paper pulp, a bucket of mulch, a baby tree and a pen to cross this off the list of “things to do before I die”. It also helps to wear things like rubber boots and leave things like digital cameras, Euro-Trash fashion and the ipod back at home. The trees don’t care if your cool and I bet the other tree huggers aren’t there for a fashion show.



This was all Lauren’s smart idea, if I can add this because she was the one who lugged all the gear out after me getting my shots of people planting. It only took 10 minutes to do and required very little skill and knowledge, yet it equalled a strange satisfying calm to plop a stick-like baby tree into a freshly dug hole. Maybe, like that farmer once told me, I can come back here and see if the tree grows up to be a big strong super tree so I can lean back and take awe in its glory. There is something to be said about putting stuff in the ground and watching it grow opposed to pulling nasty weeds out and watching them flourish despite the efforts…

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.