Today was a once a year special day for Milton Mayor Gord Krantz and myself as we co-host the breakfast for the Halton Industry Education Council. Over the past 20 years the HIEC has played a key role in providing positive learning experience for the students in Halton Region. The working partnership between businesses and schools has helped make Halton a great place for businesses to locate and students to find excellent employment opportunities close to home.
We know technological advances are upon us so quickly today that the need for a well educated and competent work force is a priority for both business and our community.
Today young people need to constantly upgrade their skills throughout their careers and the HIEC will continue to play an important part in their long learning journey.
Today there was a good crowd of about 200 people at Rattlesnake golf course. Many school board trustees as well as councillor Dave Kentner. Many students, educators and busy people were there. After breakfast there was a panel discussion of businesses and students who have gone through the program and they took questions from the floor.
The Student C0-Op program operated by HIEC is well received by the business community: students learn what the " real working world " is a like. There is no fiction here. It prepares them to enter the work force as productive players.
HIEC should be thanked for their ongoing commitment to make our community and region of Halton a great place to live and work.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Santa Claus is Coming to Halton Hills
This Saturday Santa Claus will be making a few appearances in Halton Hills. That is right, the jolly fellow will be first coming to Acton. Bill Spielvogel and Acton Firefighter's Association have made arrangements for Saint Nick to join him in the Acton Santa Claus parade. The parade begins at 1 PM. It is a fairly long parade so get your spot early. Also the Acton B.I.A. will have photos with Santa tomorrow afternoon at Roxxy Coffee at the corner of Mill and Main St. Acton. The B.I.A. will also be giving out hot apple cider vinegar. The parade begins at Acton Blvd. and runs through Mill St.
Now if you miss Santa Claus in the afternoon he will be making a second appearance in Georgetown for another parade. Al Watts and the Georgetown Lion's Club have Santa booked for their evening parade. The parade begins at 5:00 pm. This is also worthwhile to see as their are many colorfully lit floats. This parade will be going through Guelph St. to downtown Georgetown onto Charles St.
The weather man has arranged for great weather but please bundle up the little ones.
Now if you miss Santa Claus in the afternoon he will be making a second appearance in Georgetown for another parade. Al Watts and the Georgetown Lion's Club have Santa booked for their evening parade. The parade begins at 5:00 pm. This is also worthwhile to see as their are many colorfully lit floats. This parade will be going through Guelph St. to downtown Georgetown onto Charles St.
The weather man has arranged for great weather but please bundle up the little ones.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Skating is always a great Excercise in Canada eh!
Last Saturday the Georgetown Figure Skating Club hosted a skatathon as a fundraiser for the Club. What a great way for the members to just come out and enjoy a leisure skate with other members and members of the public. I was invited to go out with them. Hmmm! I hadn't skated in years and boy am I out of practice. I played Jr. C hockey as a goalie so about 7 years ago I traded my goalie skates for a pair hockey skates. There is a huge difference.
I was a little wobbly for the first little while. Many of the families of the skating club were out including the coaches. Full marks to the Georgetown Raiders who sent a couple of their players out for a skate. The Raiders show real community spirit in this Town.
I thought of a skatathon was a real innovative way of fund raising while allowing everyone just to come out and have a great time. Some of the younger skaters were doing circles around the old beaters like myself. It is a credit to the coaches and the Georgetown Skating Club for teaching these young kids how to skate. It is a real joy watching kids out there having fun and show their skills that they had learned.
So now I am convinced I have to get out and do more skating. I do a lot of in line skating in the summer. The movements are similar but stopping is a whole different kettle of fish. The best kept secret in Town is that week day from 10-1 pm is public skating for only three bucks. Not bad eh! I went back today ( Tuesday ) and there is only a handful of skaters. So if want a good cardio vascular exercise over lunch Moldmasters Sportplex or Acton Arena are the places to be. Who knows maybe one day you will be as good as Georgetown Figure Skater.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Should Remembrance Day be a Holiday ?- I Say NO!
Over the weekend I attended many Remembrance Day marches and dinners. Both the Acton and Georgetown Legions organized the ceremonies and the dinners honoring many of our vets as well as the marches honoring those brave women and men who have died for our country.
Both Legion's displayed pictures drawn by students depicting their interpretation of past wars. One which caught my eye was a student in Acton who drew a black and white picture of a field and a lone poppy. The poppy was slumped over with a tear coming from it. It was a powerful statement to make from someone so young.
There is a private member's bill in Ottawa wanting to make Remembrance Day a national holiday. I remember years ago when it was a holiday. Then it was called Armistice Day and eventually called Remembrance Day. As well meaning as it may sound to have a day of recognition for those who have paid the ultimate price I don't agree with it. Here's why. It is being called a holiday. If the kids are out of school I could see them taking it as a holiday. How can we engage our youth so that they will remember the 110,000 plus Canadians who have died for Canada while protecting our freedom and our way of life. They are better in school and learn from the teachers and read about the first and second world war, the Korean War, about the many peace keeping missions and of course the present Afghanistan war on terrorism. I could see hockey tournaments being organized if this was holiday. The meaning of Remembrance Day would be lost on a holiday. We need our kids in school so that they can hear the veterans who visit the schools and tell them what war was like so we don't repeat history. We need see our youth at the cenotaphs to see our present living veterans and say " thank you. "
As much as it may be a noble idea to honour our veterans with a holiday, I think the meaning would be lost by having a holiday.
It was so great to see the scouts, cubs, girl guides, Air Cadets and other youth orientated groups marching with the veterans to the cenotaphs. Watching them laying wreaths so we will not forget the fallen's sacrifice.
If you agree with me write your M.P.'s and tell them not to vote for a Remembrance Day Holiday.
Both Legion's displayed pictures drawn by students depicting their interpretation of past wars. One which caught my eye was a student in Acton who drew a black and white picture of a field and a lone poppy. The poppy was slumped over with a tear coming from it. It was a powerful statement to make from someone so young.
There is a private member's bill in Ottawa wanting to make Remembrance Day a national holiday. I remember years ago when it was a holiday. Then it was called Armistice Day and eventually called Remembrance Day. As well meaning as it may sound to have a day of recognition for those who have paid the ultimate price I don't agree with it. Here's why. It is being called a holiday. If the kids are out of school I could see them taking it as a holiday. How can we engage our youth so that they will remember the 110,000 plus Canadians who have died for Canada while protecting our freedom and our way of life. They are better in school and learn from the teachers and read about the first and second world war, the Korean War, about the many peace keeping missions and of course the present Afghanistan war on terrorism. I could see hockey tournaments being organized if this was holiday. The meaning of Remembrance Day would be lost on a holiday. We need our kids in school so that they can hear the veterans who visit the schools and tell them what war was like so we don't repeat history. We need see our youth at the cenotaphs to see our present living veterans and say " thank you. "
As much as it may be a noble idea to honour our veterans with a holiday, I think the meaning would be lost by having a holiday.
It was so great to see the scouts, cubs, girl guides, Air Cadets and other youth orientated groups marching with the veterans to the cenotaphs. Watching them laying wreaths so we will not forget the fallen's sacrifice.
If you agree with me write your M.P.'s and tell them not to vote for a Remembrance Day Holiday.
Friday, November 5, 2010
There is No free in Freedom
Cenotaphs across our great nation will be honouring those brave men and soldiers who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
The first Remembrance Day was held in 1919 and was originally called Armistice Day. When I was in public school I recall this being a holiday.
This time of year it is time to reflect upon the ultimate sacrifice of 110,000 Canadians who valiantly served our country in WWI and WWII, the Korean War and now Afghanistan.
Being a baby boomer I never lived through the first or second world wars or even the Korean war. I can tell you the Afghanistan War ( make no mistake it is a war ) does hit home. Watching the news clips of our young soldiers being returned in coffins and taking the Highway of Heroes road does hit home. The images are real not fiction.
Remembrance Day purposely keeps alive the memory of those who have served to protect our freedom of Canada. It is through their achievements and sacrifices that have contributed to the development of our great nation.
We must remember, if we do not, the sacrifice for the thousands of Canadians lives lost will be meaningless. They died to protect our way of life.
As Canadians we must never take for granted our current way of life. Our freedom to express ourselves, in cultural and political events.
We must continue to recognize our Canadians stationed around the world today. Particularly those who are engaged in combat in Afghanistan.
Lastly, this week, through November 11th, is a day to reflect upon our grandparents, maybe great grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters who have served or are presently serving our great country.
On behalf of the citizens of Halton Hills, our Councillors, we say thank you for those who have or continue to serve our country.
Lastly, if you know a Veteran, say thank you.
The first Remembrance Day was held in 1919 and was originally called Armistice Day. When I was in public school I recall this being a holiday.
This time of year it is time to reflect upon the ultimate sacrifice of 110,000 Canadians who valiantly served our country in WWI and WWII, the Korean War and now Afghanistan.
Being a baby boomer I never lived through the first or second world wars or even the Korean war. I can tell you the Afghanistan War ( make no mistake it is a war ) does hit home. Watching the news clips of our young soldiers being returned in coffins and taking the Highway of Heroes road does hit home. The images are real not fiction.
Remembrance Day purposely keeps alive the memory of those who have served to protect our freedom of Canada. It is through their achievements and sacrifices that have contributed to the development of our great nation.
We must remember, if we do not, the sacrifice for the thousands of Canadians lives lost will be meaningless. They died to protect our way of life.
As Canadians we must never take for granted our current way of life. Our freedom to express ourselves, in cultural and political events.
We must continue to recognize our Canadians stationed around the world today. Particularly those who are engaged in combat in Afghanistan.
Lastly, this week, through November 11th, is a day to reflect upon our grandparents, maybe great grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters who have served or are presently serving our great country.
On behalf of the citizens of Halton Hills, our Councillors, we say thank you for those who have or continue to serve our country.
Lastly, if you know a Veteran, say thank you.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
How will you Remember our Fallen????
This is a week that many in Halton Hills will be remembering our fallen soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy our freedom. It is a time to reflect on those who died for our country and also to thank those who continue to serve Canada with much courage.
I will write more on this later in the week. You can mark your calendars as there will be three Remembrance Day marches this weekend. They are as follows:
Acton November 6th - 11:00 am
Glen Williams November 7th - 12:00 Noon
Georgetown November 7th - 2:00 Pm
Myself and many of the councillors will be there. I hope to see many of you there to say thank you to a veteran. I will write more as we get closer to the end of the week.
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