8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, May 20, 1997 N e w d ,ow "With so many beautuful old Victorian-style buildings in downtown Milton, I'd like to move in a tourist direction." DARLENE ANN WASILKOWSKY By STEVE LeBLANC Special ta The Champion Darlene Ann Wasilkowsky will draw on the past to maximize the downtown business core's future. The former Town of Milton special events eoordinator said she's always hiad a lot of ideas on how to improve downtown business. As the new gener- ai manager of the Milton Downtown Business limprovement Area (DBIA), she'il now have the chance Io put those ideas int action. "There are two ways you can enhance a downtown business area. One is to modernize and the other is to make it into a tourisi area,- said Ms Wasilkowsky. -With so many beautiful old Victorian-style buildings in down- town Milton, I'd like to move in a lourist direction." Ms Wasilkowsky took over the DBIA general manager position earlier ibis month. The job had been vacant since laie February when Anthony Allwood resigned amid controversy. DBIA chairman Bill Sinclair refused to comment on Mr. Allwood's depar- ture, or on the Milton group's efforts 10 prevent a similar situation in the future. He did however, say that Ms Wasilkowsky's credentials and outgo- ing personality make ber ideal for the job. "Darlene's a go-getter. Her experi- ence as a special events coordinator is one of the main reasons the turing com- miîtee selected ber. She also has a firm grasp of the technical end of the job," Mr. Sinclair explained. More than a little eager 10 convince the committee members, Ms Wasilkowsky didn't wait for an inter- view but went to the DBIA's April il meeting and made her "sales pitcb" public. "The job was rigbt down my alley and 1 wanted 10 take a different approach in announcing my intentions. itown GM has plenty of ideas Festival" colobrates children's Photo by GRAHAM PAINE New OBIA general manager Darlene Waslikowsky says she has a lot of plans to boîster commerce and revitalize Miltons downtown core. When you wani something bad enough. you have t0 go aller it full- throttle," Ms Wasilkowsky said. She heai out a dozen other candidates and survived three rounds of culs. While the position has now been restricted 10 part-time employment, she feels that will change once action has been taken. "Business owners want action now, as well as 10 be kept informed about upcoming events. You have to give these people plenty uf notice, and Fl'I be doing that through a regular newsletter. "'Til also visit each business twice a month, something I don't think was being done." Her most pressing lask will be orga- nizing the annual Moonlight Magie event, slated for Friday, June 20 from 7 10 Il p.m. along Main and Martin Street. She's also hoping to reintroduce a summer concert series in the ares. She had orgsnized such yearly events wîth the town until budget culs stopped the music st yesr. Ms Wasilkowsky said ber track record as the towîî's special evenis coordinator was a successful one, froro both a promotions and financial aspect. "I was neyer over budget and on many occasions under," she said. Her employment background also includes two years as credit manager with the Toronto Auto Auction. One of ber long-lerm goals is In con- vert a portion of Main Street, from James Street to Martin Street, mbt a court where touriats and local shoppers can stroîl about without passing motoriats with which 10 contend. This would further strengîhen dlown- town Milton's position as a tourist community, she said. Her plan would include a switch 10 rear-store parking, which she believes would be more accommodating anyway. Ms Wasilkowsky also hopes 10 erect a map of Milton in the downtown busi- ness core outlining the community's vsrious features including retail stores, restaurants and conservation sites as well as coming events. "Another ides 1 have is to gel old photos of each business (froro local his- torian Jim Dilîs) and put them up in the store windows. Tourists love that kind of thing and il would help conneet the iown with ils past." She said the DBIA needs lu take advantage of the town's lourist appeal - especially wiîh the Ontario Renaissance Festival now in place. "We don't promote Milton enough as a thriving touriat community. It's fine 10 want lu mainîsin a small-town feel, just as long as il doesn't turn mbt s ghost town." In terma of downtown beautification, one of the DBIA's mandates, Ms Wasilkowsky plans on replacing the wooden planters wîth stonework, and adding hanging baskets with flowers. "The key is 10 gel everyone involved, wheîher it's through major beautitica- lion or something as simple as a new paint job. It's the overaîl look of an ares that tourista will remember and if a few buildings are mun down il effecîs them ail. "We also need the DBIA, the Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Milton 10 work as a unit. "This is essential for the betterment of Milton." literature Children's atathor Robert Munscb brings bis stotelling talent to Milton's second annual literaa'y festival on Suaday, June 1. -1 Love 10 Read: Milton's Lilerary Festival for Cbildren" is a celebration of childreri's literature featuring authors, illustrators and story- tellers. The fun continues from 11 a.m. 10 5 p.m. witb Mr. Munsch's performance at noon. Presentations by the 15 fes- tival participants are scbed- uled throughout the day at variuus locations witbin Bishop Reding Secondary Sebool in Milton. In addition to being enter- tsined, visitors can shop aI displays by booksellers and have books signed by Ibeir creators. And wbat festival would be complete without clowns, face painters and food? Tbe festival is cosponsored by Milton Public Library, the Town of Milton and Milton Community and Information Services. Last year's event attracted thousands of families and oranizers are confident Ibis year's edition wiil bave equal succeas in promoting Canadian talent and encourag- ing families 10 read together. Admission is $5 per aduit, $2 for students over 12, chul- dren 12 and under free wben accompanîed by an adult. Tickets availabie at the door or in advance from Milton Public Library, Milton Leisure Centre, Milton Town Hall, Smith Books (Milton Mali) and Halton His Public Library. For information cail 875- 4636 ext. 113. ?MIb1domr te ttje ýd1t2 baian C attt M?&nquet T"at & (cvi %UDABRUNCHg Over 50 Items featuringPL 1 L,1101 HOT ROAST BEEF Myre 1L~~ 249 1»b7 I Aduits Speciafs Live Entertanment Chidren Haif Price Ail proceeds towards the Milton lS Stock Athiletic Club. 324 Steeles Avenue East, Milton e Cali 878-7934 for Reservations,