Three great articles in today’s Milton Canadian Champion.

Thanks to both Angelo from Milton Orthotics , Angelina & Dean and Ken Patterson for their hard work in raising funds for the Milton District Hospital Foundation.

Brother and sister donate sales from lemonade stand

A $100 donation collected through a neighbourhood lemonade stand was recently presented by a young Milton brother and sister to the Milton District Hospital Foundation.

For two weekends in July, Angelina Appleby, 9, and her brother Dean, 5, set up shop in their Hawthorne Village neighbourhood selling lemonade and iced tea to raise funds for the Milton hospital.

“It was their idea from start to finish, we merely helped facilitate it,” said the childrens’ mother Zeena. “We (Zeena and husband Mark) couldn’t be more proud of both of them and all that they have accomplished.”

The donation was accepted by Anne Zujko, the foundation’s development associate.

“It is truly a pleasure to see young people caring so much about their community,” said Zujko.

Helping out the hospital

Milton Orthotic’s Angelo Posteraro, Krystal Xavier and Lisa Walter present a cheque for $2,600 to Anne Zujko of the Milton District Hospital Foundation.

The funds were raised from the business’s summer volleyball tournament.

All shook up… for a good cause

Elvis tribute artist Ken Patterson serenaded 10-year-old Isabella Maturana during Boston Pizza’s recent Elvis tribute night in support of the Milton District Hospital Foundation.

The event, which raised $4,000, features two tribute artists as well as a silent auction.

This past weekend at the Milton Mall was another edition of the Milton Haunted House.  Hundreds of children, young and old, made their way through a maze of ghouls n ghosts with surprises around every corner.

The Haunted House originated from Ward 7 Councillor Rick Di Lorenzo’s garage in Hawthorne Village.  People used to come from all over town to visit his home during Halloween to take part in his ghoulish creation.  Just last year, Rick along with others held this event at the Pirate Festival and raised over $5,700 for Milton District Hospital Foundation.

This years goal was $10,000 and even though the donations are still being counted, we are confident we either hit or surpassed our goal.  On behalf of the team (which included a LOT of people) I want to thank Miltonians for their generosity.  Our donation boxes were filled to the brim over the course of the two days and we were blown away by the enthusiam of the residents of our town.

To Rick and his even more enthusiastic mother , Zeeshan, Jennifer, Kim, Ed, and the MANY volunteers, actors, face painters, greeters, raffle ticket sellers and everyone who took part in the event….THANK YOU!

Another big THANK YOU goes to the sponsors of the event who helped us out.  MinMaxx Realty, Milton Canadian Champion, Mattamy Homes, SST Group, Milton Nail Spa and of course without the help and space from Milton Mall, this couldnt have happened.

Taking Miranda around trick or treating last night I had the chance to hear directly from people who did come to the haunted house and the reviews were fantastic and they cant wait for next year.  There are a bunch of volunteers who are pretty tired and who also have the fun task of taking down the scary structure in the mall but Im sure theyll be ready to go for next year.

I was happy to help out this weekend and it was great to see all the smiling faces and the kids who came back more than once to get the full effects of the haunted house.  Some didnt make it through all the way and had to turn back but Im sure next year they will be back again.

Thanks again to Rick for the concept of the haunted house and thanks to his wife Nicole who is expecting their second child any day now.  Thanks for letting Rick do this.

We will see you next year.  Stay tuned for the final total … all in support of the Milton District Hospital Foundation.  Our community needs this hospital expanded and the community showed just how much this weekend.  Thank you! 

Less than 24 hours later, the grins on the faces of those who had worked so hard over the last few years have not gone anywhere.  I know that I have not lost the feeling of excitement at yesterdays announcement at Milton District Hospital by Health Minister Deb Matthews of the approval of the expansion of MDH.

You dont see standing ovations and tears at government announcements but this was different.  The doctors and nurses and staff and volunteers at MDH have waited for this for a very long time.  Tears of joy streamed from many faces after Minister Matthews said that we got the green light.  She credited our persistence in this and asked that we change our motto to “Never Take No For An Answer”.  The hard work begins at many levels.  From John Oliver and Allan Halls from Halton Healthcare Services, to the LHIN all the way down to our Town Council, decisions have to be made and believe me, we are working on it as we speak.  Town Staff are going to be working many long hours coming up with options for the funding of our local portion.  I can assure you that I want to hear from you, the residents of Milton on YOUR ideas as well.  This hospital is for our community and we need to hear from you.

I have received dozens of emails from people wondering about the details of the announcement and MDHF through their website have released details of the announcement, which you will find below.

Thank you to everyone in Milton who made this possible.  It was a long time coming and its finally here.  Green light is ON and we will now begin the process to move forward and get the job done.

http://www.mdhf.ca/images/stories/PDF/Press_Releases/Announcement_Highlights_FINAL.pdf

MILTON DISTRICT HOSPITAL EXPANSION

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

The expansion at the hospital will include 320,000 sq.ft. of new construction and 3,700 sq.ft. of renovations to existing space. At a current size of approximately 125,000 sq.ft., this expansion will more than double the size of the hospital.

Clinical departments in the new space will include:

• Emergency
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Maternal Childcare
• Medical/Surgical Inpatient Units
• Intensive Care Unit
• Surgical Department

Clinical Support departments in the new space will include:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Device Reprocessing
• Materials Management
• Information Systems
• Clinical Information Systems
• Facilities Maintenance

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Emergency Department

Entirely new space will be sized to accommodate 45,500 visits per year. The current department has capacity to handle approximately 30,000 visits. The new space will more than triple the size of the current department.

Diagnostic Imaging

The plan includes the addition of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine and Nuclear Medicine Services. The expansion will more than triple the size of the hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Department.

Maternal Childcare

The new department will have increased capacity from eight to 17 post‐partum beds and associated birthing facilities. The new space will include a dedicated C‐section suite. Today, C‐sections are performed in the hospital’s Surgical Department.

Medical/Surgical Inpatient Units

New space will accommodate two, 36‐bed units with capacity for 72 patients. Eighty percent single patient rooms will enhance infection prevention and control and provide increased patient privacy and comfort. The expanded units will more than double capacity in the department.

Intensive Care Unit

The ICU will see an increase in capacity from six beds to 10 beds. The new, appropriately sized, unit will consist of modern facilities to support contemporary practices.

Surgical Department

Expanded operating suites and a Post‐Aneasthetic Care Unit will accommodate 8,400 surgical procedures annually. This represents an increase of 70% over the department’s current capacity.

CURRENT HOSPITAL

Existing facilities, including space made available from relocating services into the new construction, will be utilized to accommodate the needs of a number of clinical and clinical support departments including:

• Complex Continuing Care
• Medical Daycare and Cancer Clinic
• Outpatient Mental Health Services
• Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
• Laboratory
• Cardio‐Respiratory Services
• Food Services
• Environmental Services
• Chronic Disease Management
• Administration, Volunteer Services, Foundation

BENEFITS TO OUR COMMUNITY

• State‐of‐the‐art hospital facilities developed in the new space providing additional capacity to meet the needs of our rapidly growing community,
• New and enhanced programs and services including additional diagnostic capabilities and new ambulatory services such as chemotherapy treatment and mental health services,
• Contemporary design to support enhanced infection prevention and control to reduce the spread of infection,
• A healing environment focused on patient‐centred care including improved amenities to support family involvement,
• Clearly marked traffic routes will separate emergency vehicles, hospital staff, public transit and the general public,
• Simple internal and external way‐finding will allow for accessible and convenient movement,
• Facilities built to current and anticipated design standards.    

Next week will be my first AMO (Associations of Municipalities of Ontario)Conference.  Its going to be held in London this year and goes from Sunday August 21st to Wednesday the 24th.

The conference is designed for municipal leaders from all over the province to meet and discuss issues and share knowledge and resources to help come up with solutions to problems.  There’s going to be roughly 1600 politicians running around London (sounds scary doesn’t it ) for those days and I’m personally looking forward to a number of events that will be happening over the course of the conference.

Most importantly to me is some of the meetings that have been scheduled with provincial representatives by Regional Chair Gary Carr and ministers in the Province of Ontario.  I along with other Milton & Halton councillors will be attending these meetings.  This will provide us with an opportunity to speak directly with those ministers, mainly the Minister of Health Deb Matthews and Minister of Infrastructure Bob Chiarelli.  If those names sound familiar, you must have been reading my blog on a regular basis. 

These ministers are two of the key decision makers when it comes to getting a green light for the Milton Hospital expansion.  There have been meetings in the past, of course with no firm date or timeframe given to us, but hopefully we can ”twist their arms” slightly in getting something done.  It is no secret in Milton that the expansion of the Milton District Hospital is “THE” issue in town.  

Week after week, organization after organization holds events in support of MDHF and the importance of supporting our local hospital.  Thousands of dollars has been raised for the foundation and even more will come with future events.

Regional Councillor Colin Best wrote a letter to the ministers via the Milton Canadian Champion recently outlining our concerns once again with the lack of detail in their latest “capital project projections”

If there is one issue that everyone in Milton can unite behind its the hospital.  We as elected officials in Milton have to keep up the pressure.  Its been well documented on my site about the efforts of the  Friends of Milton Hospital a few years ago and most recently the Grow Milton Hospital campaign and the numbers of signatures that have been collected and delivered to the Province of Ontario letting our voices be heard that we need that expansion to start now.

Unofficially the Town of Milton is over 90,000 in population with 100,000 in our sights.  The hospital continues to be under intense pressure to be able to deliver the health care services that Milton needs.  Beds are in short number, the nurses and doctors are doing their best but without the facilities needed to serve a growing population, it runs the risk of a disaster happening.

I’m hoping at this meeting, myself along with other Milton and Halton councillors can convince these provincial ministers (it IS a provincial election year mind you) to get off the fence and approve the expansion of Milton’s hospital.   There will also be opportunities to speak with the provincial party leaders as well during this conference (Dalton Mcguinty, Tim Hudak, Andrea Horvath) and rest assure I will be “badgering” them as well over the course of the four days.

If you have any comments or questions you would like me to pass on to the Health Minister and Minister of Infrastructure, please email me mike@mikecluett.ca and I will ask them directly when we meet with them.

It’s ON!

The second annual Milton Ribfest starts today (Thursday) and goes all weekend long.  Music, beer, entertainment, vendors and of course the most important ingredient to any successful ribfest celebration…RIBS!

From the Milton Ribfest Website

Thursday 4PM–10PM:  Come out and enjoy some tasty ribs, beat the crowds and enjoy the opening night with some great local bands taking to the stage. – Midway, Thursday will be Loonie day where all rides are $1.00

Friday Noon – 4PM is set aside for Senior’s Day, but all are welcome, enjoy the soft sounds of Urban Legend with a cold beer and some tasty ribs! But don’t leave just yet, the action gets going in the early evening as we transform the beer garden into a big Country party. The show will be in full swing with all the vendors open, new and improved midway action and lots of food vendors….

The event runs until 11PM.

We are also planning a Car Show on Friday night from 5-9  Classic cars and cars of special interest can join us while space is available.

This years Midway is Bigger and Better. Ride all day bracelet $20.00.

If you are looking for only riding a few rides, individual tickets can be purchased for $2.50 a ride, or $25.00 for 12 rides.

Saturday gates open at 11AM so come out and enjoy the day at the Milton Fairgrounds. The music gets underway at noon and will continue all day long with Rock and Blues music – be sure to enjoy some of the great food and ribs.

Make time to see Forever Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute Saturday from 4:15 to 5:00 pm on the Main Stage.

Sunday August 14th:  Gates open at 11AM for Family Day. Come and enjoy tons of action and fun for the kids. Music will be on all day, come spend the day and enjoy the FUN!! Midway, all kids under 12 can ride all day for $15.00.

We are adding a second stage this year – more fun, more entertainment.

Come See Teen Club with Miss Hanna and Just Bieber at Noon – 1:00 pm

We also have Blue Radio, a Blue Rodeo tribute Sunday from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on the Main Stage

Full Entertainment Schedule

Event closes at 8 pm on Sunday.

Remember admission is free – donations accepted for the Milton District Hospital Foundation & The Learning Foundation or non-perishable food for the Salvation Army Food Drive.

Parking on Site only $5.00 per entry (no in and out privileges)

Please join me and other Milton dignitaries, such as fellow council members Mayor Gord Krantz (12pm-1pm) councillors Zeeshan Hamid (3pm-5pm) Rick Di Lorenzo (4pm-6pm) and Colin Best (4pm-6pm) and Milton’s own SCOTT FOX at McDonalds today (4:30pm-5:30pm)and support McHappy Day.

One dollar from every Big Mac, Coffee or Tea and Happy Meal sold in McDonalds Milton will be donated to Milton District Hospital Foundation and to Ronald McDonald’s House in Toronto.  

I will be there from 3pm to 5pm supporting these great organizations.  If you drop by to say HI, and please don’t laugh at me.  Growing up I never held a job at McDonalds, but I promise to do my best NOT to embarrass myself.

Many thanks to McDonalds staff and volunteers who give so freely of their time and to the residents of Milton who come out in droves every year to McDonald’s to support Milton District Hospital Foundation!

If you are interested in making a donation to the Milton District Hospital Foundation, you can click here for a one time donation.  Our hospital needs the support of the community and every dollar counts.  From the MDHF website….

Your single gift donation is an important way to become a part of Milton District Hospital Foundation and to have an impact on patient care for you, your family and our community.

Every gift to Milton District Hospital Foundation, regardless of amount will make a difference. Your contribution will help us pay for essential equipment purchases and help ensure a strong future for Milton District Hospital Foundation – one that our children and grandchildren will benefit from in the decades to come. 

So please, take some time to go to McDonalds today or if you cant, make a donation to the MDHF and / or Ronald McDonald House.  It all goes a very long way.

As Tiger Ali Singh says….”BE THERE!”

This event has garnered national attention. Check out the article from SLAM!

TigerFest debuts this weekend in Milton

By GREG OLIVER – Producer, SLAM! Wrestling

With a new Milton, Ontario public school named after him opening this fall, Tiger Jeet Singh is out preaching his message: “Stay in school, say no to drugs, stay Tiger-fit.”

“That’s the three things I’m saying, I’m preaching all over. I can’t go everywhere, but the demand is so strong we are getting invitations to schools, temples,” the 65-year-old Singh said.

By now, the story Jagit Singh Hans, who came to Canada from India with nothing, became an internationally-famous wrestler, and then an important land developer and philanthropist in his adopted country is well known, thanks in part to a widely-aired documentary, Tiger!

To celebrate the school and other blessings, Singh is teaming with his son, former WWE star Tiger Ali Singh, and Squared Circle Training, to promote an all-day wrestling event, TigerFest 2010, as a part of the Downtown Milton Street Festival on Saturday, June 5th. The community’s top amateur high school grapplers will compete during the day, followed a free pro wrestling show at 5 p.m., featuring Sonjay Dutt, Robbie MacAllister of the Highlanders, Greg Valentine, and Steve Corino. Proceeds will go to the Milton District Hospital Foundation. (More info at www.tigerjeetsingh.com.)

Sidelined by concussion issues in 2001, Tiger Ali, 37, has only competed in a handful of bouts in Japan since. He will be strapping on the boots for a hometown crowd.

“We thought, you know what, we have that celebrity, let’s use it for drawing in the people from outside of Milton, from all southern Ontario,” said Tiger Ali Singh. “From what we’ve heard, we have people traveling in, flying in, because this will be the first time I think I’ve fought since the formerly-known SkyDome with WWE in the late ’90s.”

If it seems like the Singhs have come out of seclusion, that is because they have. Tiger Ali’s concussion, suffered in Puerto Rico while employed by WWE, was his third in nine months. It resulted in a long struggle back and a lot of resentment — and a lawsuit — against the wrestling company.

“Forget about wrestling, I was just trying to get my life back health-wise. It took about three years, and then when I finally did, during that three years, I was just mellowing in sorrow, getting depressed,” Tiger Ali admitted. “I was very, very fortunate to have a loving family, parents, great friends, support group, that during that time of healing health-wise, I also moved on with my life and went back into the family foundation of what business was, which was land development and real estate.

“By the time my health came around, I was so engrossed in it, that I really didn’t have any time to look at pro wrestling.”

At least in North America. The Singhs attempted to lead a tour of India, that fell apart at the last minute with all the wrestlers already in the country. Protecting the image of Tiger Jeet Singh was important once the backers of the tour bailed, said Tiger Ali. “In India, we couldn’t compromise. That’s why we took the bulls by the horn when some of the promoters left, and Dad held a press conference, we sat with all the proper authorities and we made sure, out of pocket, that we paid each and every talent guarantees, even though the promoters had left.

“Reputation is everything, what goes around comes around, we wanted to make sure if were coming back to do events again, that none of the talent would be apprehensive.”

In mid-May, the Singhs went to their first fan fest, in New Jersey and were overwhelmed.

“We weren’t expecting anybody to want our autographs. The reason? I never wrestled in the States, and Junior, he’d been out of the business for so many years. People forget. But it was unbelievable,” said Tiger Jeet. “The crowd was amazing, and the people, all the old memories, and especially my old, old buddies.”

One of those friends was Nikolai Volkoff. “He closed his booth. He was selling pictures,” recalled Tiger Jeet. “He came and gave me a big hug. ‘Tiger, tell me something, is that your second life? Shit, you look so young!’ Then I told him, ‘Human beings never get old. The only reason you get old is if you have some stress or problem. God is great, we are fine and we are happy.’”

Giving back has always been important to the Singhs, and TigerFest is their second fundraising effort alongside Troy Newton, who Tiger Ali met more than a decade ago through Owen Hart. Though they were all from Milton, they never kept in touch.

Reacquainted at the Milton Walk of Fame ceremony, where Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh were honoured alongside other names such as “Mr. Dressup” Ernie Coombs, astronaut Chris Hadfield and NHL players and referees John Tonelli, Peter McDuffe, Enio Sclisizzi, Mike Kaszycki, Leon Stickle and Bruce Hood, Newton recruited the Singhs to help with his Christmas Toy Drive.

“That bug hit us at that time,” said Tiger Ali. “We’ve always been there, dad and I, whenever a charity called.”

Always well-dressed, often sporting massive watches and rings, Tiger Jeet is honest about his wealth.

“They ask, ‘How much your net worth?’ I say, ‘Enough,’” he said. “I’m living very simple. I like to do a lot of charity work, like helping children. And God is great, he give us his blessing, like I never expected in my life.”

As everyone knows who reads my blog, Saturday June 5th 2010 will be a huge day in Milton.

It will be the 4th annual Milton Street Fest and as with every year, this year looks to be the best lineup so far.  Music bands as far as the eye can see will be in attendance Saturday at a number of different locations.  These lineups can be found here.  From rock to country to cover bands … whatever your taste there will be something there for everyone in the whole family.  For more information on the full days events go to www.tigerjeetsingh.com

And speaking of family entertainment, the first annual TIGERFEST will be held in front of Troy’s Diner in an all day event.  All the proceeds of Tigerfest will be going directly to the Milton District Hospital Foundation.

Later in the evening there will be live pro-wrestling matches which will include the following wrestlers.

The “King of Old School” and former NWA, AWA & ECW World Champion Steve Corino – Former TNA wrestlers Sonjay Dutt and Tyson Dux – Former WWE Superstar Robbie McAllister – Former WWE/F & NWA Legend Greg “The Hammer” Valentine - and finally internationally renowned …  former WWE Superstar and Milton Walk of Fame member … our own TIGER ALI SINGH!

The “LIVING LEGEND” … an internationally known superstar … and Milton Walk of Fame Member TIGER JEET SINGH will also be in attendance!

According to Troy Newton of Troy’s Diner, the wrestlers will be available for autographs during intermission and after the show and they will stay as long as needed to ensure everyone who wants an autograph gets one.  All wrestlers will be signing the event program for $5.  They will also be selling TIGERFEST water, T-Shirts and lanyards during the day and ALL MONIES will be dontated to the MDHF.

King of Old School Former NWA World Champion Steve Corino

Former TNA wrestler "The Guru" Sonjay Dutt

Former TNA wrestler Tyson Dux

Former WWE Superstar and Highlander Robbie McAllister

Former NWA US Champion/Tag Team Champion, Former WWE/F Tag Team & Intercontinental Champion and WWE HALL OF FAMER Greg "The Hammer" Valentine

THE LIVING LEGEND & Milton Walk of Fame Inaugural Inductee TIGER JEET SINGH

Former WWE Superstar & Milton Walk of Fame Inaugral member MILTON ONTARIO'S OWN TIGER ALI SINGH

As the late great Billy Red Lyons would tell you… “Dontch dare miss it!”

Saturday June 5th 2010, Downtown Milton @ Troy’s Diner!  All day at the street festival!

Saturday June 5th, 2010 will be the 4th annual Milton Street Festival.  The current incarnation of this event started back in 2007 as the master committee of the Milton 150th Anniversary celebrations made this one of the pillar events of the year.  The response has been overwhelming and the Town of Milton continues the tradition with another great event.

This year will be nothing less than amazing.  Last year over 20,000 people came to Milton’s downtown core to take part in many events, games, and live music at all ends of Main Street.

Troy’s Diner proudly announces that it will be hosting the first ever Tigerfest this year.

It will be an all day long event starting at 12pm with Dynamo Wrestling demonstrations.  From 1pm to 4pm watch Milton’s own EC Drury wrestling tournament showcase its skills.  You will also see FIREPOWER Crossfit Fitness Demo and later on that evening, live pro wrestling will be the main event.  Matches to be announced soon.

All proceeds from this event will be going to the Milton District Hospital Foundation. 

It is an all ages event.  Stay tuned to www.mikecluett.ca for more information on Tigerfest 2010 or you can go to www.tigerjeetsingh.com as well.