I was recently walking down Main Street when I ran into a fellow longtime Miltonian. I went to Milton District High School with this person (I am leaving their name out because they do business in town and it's still a small town) and both of us grew up in the town of Milton.

Standing on Main Street, we began to discuss the commercial future of the street and who is responsible for that vision.

I expressed my concern over the demise of Main Street. Currently, it seems that real estate developers and large corporations -- Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Boston Pizza, etc. -- have a greater say in how our community looks than the people residing in this town.

Community planning designed to serve the interests of real estate developers and corporations will ultimately result in an abandoned downtown core, as has happened in other communities in North America. I do not want to see it happen here, and I am sure everyone would agree that a vibrant downtown core is essential to this community.

The key question is how does the community go about achieving this goal?

My friend has a great idea that I would like to share. They suggested that the new arts centre be placed downtown. Specifically, it should be located where the Sargent Farms abattoir currently is.

They felt that this would create more foot traffic downtown and also go a long way in enhancing the downtown environment.

I think this is a fantastic idea and should be supported by town council. I have never been a big fan of having an abattoir in the middle of town, who would, but I recognize and respect the Sargents' right to operate their business.

They pay their taxes and abide by the laws and should be able to operate their business unfettered.

The Town should get creative here and swap some land with the Sargents, or give them some tax breaks to entice them to move. The arts centre could even be named after the Sargents -- a great legacy for a family and business that has served this community well.

This is a doable transaction if the political players and Sargents want to make it happen. All citizens of Milton, old and new, would be able to enjoy the downtown core as this community has done for well over 150 years.

Let's not become another one of those generic, faceless communities where the only choices for services and entertainment are those offered by the large corporations in those power (powerless?) centres.

RICK SERAFINI

MILTON