2014 October « Burlington Gazette - Local News, Politics, Community

Election telephone survey not being done by the city. So who is doing the polling?

By Pepper Parr

October 2, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

Word is that there are some professional pollsters taking the temperature of the voters in Burlington.

We weren`t one of the people called but a number of city hall staff were on the list of those automatic calls – sometimes referred to as Robo-calls – where you are asked a question and told to press a specific key on your telephone

City Clerk will oversee the municipal election and sign the document that makes the winners official.

City Clerk Angela Morgan oversees the municipal election. She signs the document that makes the winners official.

City hall became concerned that people would think it was the city doing the polling – Not us said the city Clerk. “In the City Clerk’s office, our goal is to run a fair and open election” said Angela Morgan, city clerk, and election lead for the city. “We would never ask voters to identify who they are supporting in the upcoming election.”

Some Burlington residents, including several city employees, have received a telephone call asking who they are voting for and asking them to identify issues.

Someone out there has money to spend – we might be able to identify who they are when the financial returns are filed.

One need only think about who could be in trouble and would want to test the waters. It isn`t in ward one or ward two – that`s for certain.

Care to guess who might be doing the polling?

Ward two residents get to hear who wants to lead them at the Regional and city levels.

By Pepper Parr

October 2, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington got its first chance to see the three contenders for the office of Mayor last night when the Lion’s hosted a debate that got a little awkward at times but covered a lot of ground in a short period of time.

The evening was organized for the residents of ward two to get a look at those running for Regional chair, those running for the Mayor’s seat on Council and those running for the Council seat.

Carr Gary abd Any Schneider calling out prizes

Regional chair Gary Carr at a Burlington event. Carr never misses a chance to put on a hockey sweater.

It is nigh unto impossible to beat Cary Garr who is the current Regional Chair. He has served as an MP, an MPP and as Regional chair where he has done a decent enough job. Carr trots out all the numbers and accomplishments and never fails to tell us that Halton is the safest Region not only in the province but in the country and that taxes have not increased in the last eight years.

Will Carr be able to say the same thing come March when we see the budget for the Region? And will Carr at some point explain where things went wrong with the water and sewage pipes in parts of Burlington?

Know this – Gary Carr is going to be re-elected as Regional Chair – and he has earned that job

The two contenders for the Regional chair face an uphill battle – getting name recognition throughout the Region is very difficult and expensive. Greg Woodruff spoke very well; he knew what he was talking about but wasn’t going to convince anyone that he should be Regional chair, when he shows up in a polo shirt looking as if he was heading for a shift at Wal-Mart.

This is a bright young man – there is a place for a mind like him at the city council table – but as he put it in a short conversation – Rick Craven can’t be beaten in Aldershot which is where Woodruff lives.

Sayed Ali Naqvi spoke very well and referred to a 24 point plan that is on his web site. It would be very difficult for someone with no experience at the municipal level to lead a Regional government. However Mr. Naqvi made some significant points that need a good look.

Peter Rusin candidate for Mayor

The public got its first look at Peter Rusin who was a very late entry into the race for the office of Mayor. He has his work cut out for him.

Rusin comes across as a very tough guy who gets things done but he needs to learn the art of politics. Rusin stood before the audience of less than 150 people for the first time and neglected to say who he was.

He does know how to hone in on a subject and scored points when he scoffed at the five units of affordable housing that will be part of the five structure Paradigm project the Molinaro’s are building next to the Burlington GO station. “Who negotiated that deal” he asked.

Rusin believes he can take $1 million out of the city hall budget while Mayor Goldring, who showed he knew how to fight back, told the audience that Service Based Budgeting would give the public more input into the budget making process. Goldring appears prepared to take credit for the introduction of Service Based Budgeting – an idea that came to Burlington with former city manager Jeff Fielding who left the city after less than 26 months of his 60 month contract.

Mayor Rick Goldring speaking to environmentalists – he chose to speak on a street corner instead of at civic square

Goldring talked of his success in protecting the integrity of neighbourhoods – check out what was done in the Queensway where eight homes were demolished and 50+ homes built. Significant increase in the population of what is an almost lost community – but nothing in the way of local amenities were added.
Rusin who frequently didn’t drill down far enough in his arguments to make his point – chose to cover a lot of ground lightly.

He had harsh words for the Pier mess and said the IKEA problem would not have happened on his watch. Rusin was promising more capable leadership – and for a short period of time there was a bit of a buzz in the room.

The third candidate for Mayor was Anne Marsden. Had Peter Rusin not filed nomination papers Ms Marsden would not be on the ballot; his being a candidate gave her the cover she needed to run.

Anne Marsden, candidate for Mayor

Ms Marsden is a tireless advocate for the disabled and a true champion for the democratic rights of the voters. She made a very strong necessary case for ensuring the public`s right to have input into the decisions made. The decision to hold a Special Meeting of Council on Monday was embarrassing and just plain wrong. Ms Marsden deserves credit for speaking out as forcefully as she did.

Senior Regional Planner Stirling Todd taks with Ward 2 Councillor MArianne Meed Ward - each has their own agenda when it comes to the Maste Plan for the Beachway.

Senior Regional Planner Stirling Todd talks with Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward.

At the ward level Marianne Meed Ward did what she does very well; she engaged the people of her ward and they responded. The woman that delegated at council in 2009 and 2010 has grown and probably cannot be beaten.

Kelly Arnott was on point – but didn’t offer anything that Meed Ward hasn’t already done. Andy Porecki was a late entry into the race for the ward seat. He would have had to start campaigning a year ago to lay a glove on Meed Ward. He does bring credible experience at the Regional level to municipal politics. He was probably the best informed person on affordable housing in the room – after Gary Carr.

Philip Papadopoulos has added $100 to the city’s coffers when he paid his nomination fee and that is about the limit of his contribution.

What Burlington is seeing is ward based events; a group in a ward sponsors an event and cover everything. Last night it was the Lions sponsoring a ward two event, next Wednesday the Roseland Community Organization will sponsor a debate for residents of ward four. The Gazette recently sponsored a debate for the residents of ward six.

The city needs a debate between just the candidates for the office of Mayor.

The Roseland Community Organization is sponsoring a debate at the Paletta Mansion on October 7th. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a debate on October 17 at the Golf and Country Club. This is a 7:30 am event.

The boys who write big cheques are having some fun. Pioneer pledges to match the next $25,000 Flood relief donation.

News 100 blue By Staff

October 1, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

The Burlington Community Foundation (BCF)is thrilled to announce the “Pioneer Pledge Challenge”. Pioneer Energy announced it will match the next $25,000 donation to the BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee.

Tim Hogarth, CEO Pioneer Energy

“We strongly believe it is important for successful businesses to give back to the communities in which we live, work and raise our families,” says Tim Hogarth, Chairman and CEO, Pioneer Energy. “The flood in Burlington was an unforeseen disaster that requires the entire community to rally together and support those in greatest need. We hope the Pioneer Pledge Challenge inspires others to join our efforts.”
As of noon today, the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee has raised $665,000 – 33% of the $2 million target.

BCF flood total Oct 1-14 “The potential of this creative gift by Pioneer Energy is simply outstanding,” says Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee. “We are so grateful that the Hogarth family is supporting our efforts with such leadership and hope it inspires others to take the Pioneer Pledge Challenge and pay it forward.”

Lancaster election signs on air park property -

By Pepper Parr

October 1, 0214

BURLINGTON, ON.

Perception is often more relevant than reality – and that would appear to apply to the campaign Blair Lancaster is running in ward six where the Air Park issue is front and center for many.

How many people are going to see this sign? Is it more of a political statement than a device to inform electors?

Residents north of Dundas have for some time felt that Ms Lancaster is closer to representing the interest of the air park owners than she is the interests of the residents who have to live with the air park.
During the ward six debate the Gazette sponsored, Ms Lancaster did say that the development of the air park was important and that the interests of the people who owned the air park mattered as well. She took the position that she was in office to represent everyone – which is certainly not the way many of the people in rural Burlington saw her behaviour.

Vince Rossi in the red shirt with Blair Lancaster to his left at a community meeting in the Warren barn on Bell School Line.

When a community meeting took place in the barn of the Warren family property, which is one field away from the end of the air park runway, Ms Lancaster sat beside Vince Rossi, the owner of the Air Park. Ms Lancaster explained at the time that she had been in a minor car accident earlier in the day and needed a chair with a back – and the only one available was next to Vince Rossi. Several people suggested Ms Lancaster could have moved the chair she was sitting in.
During the court case at Superior Court in Burlington Ms Lancaster sat in the row directly behind Vince Rossi which many saw as quite inappropriate.

When that hearing ended Ms Lancaster was seen leaving the Court house with Mr. Rossi as they walked towards their cars in the parking lot.

The Lancaster election signs are all around the air park site and on the air park site. Are small craft pilots funding the Lancaster election campaign?

For many people this perception is so totally wrong – to their eyes they see Ms Lancaster as being in the Rossi camp and they can’t wait to see her election financial return to learn how much Rossi donated to her campaign.

The last straw for many was the Lancaster election signs spread around the air park. “What in heaven’s name is she doing” was the comment from a political operative, who does not live in Burlington and is not aligned with any Burlington candidates. “Pretty dumb thing to do” he added “unless Lancaster has data that indicates most of the people south of Dundas don’t care all that much about what happens at the air park.

If you have a small plane at the air park – you are going to know that Lancaster wants your vote.

The city itself certainly cares and has committed a significant amount of dollars and staff time – first trying to get Vince Rossi to comply with the city bylaws and then ensuring that he provides all the information the city believes it needs to approve any changes to the air park site that are not related to aviation and the operation of an air park.

The biggest problem has been getting a site plan from the air park. The city also wants to see something in the way of a business plan which many believe does not even exist

So far the city hasn’t gotten much from Vince Rossi. Ms Lancaster has gotten a place to put her re-election signs.

Flood relief funds reach 33% of the $2 million target, Burlington has yet to learn if the province is going to participate.

By Pepper Parr

October 1, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

The forms needed to apply for financial assistance if your home was flooded on August 4th are now available on the Burlington Community Foundation web site.

During debate at a Council Standing Committee Mayor Goldring made the point that no one is going to be made whole with what they might get from the fund raising that has been done in the community.
Goldring pointed out that the funds are intended for people who were under-insured or un-insured.
That 48 inch colour TV screen is not going to be covered – but the furnace that was under three feet of water can be covered.

The city had previously outsourced the creation of a Flood Relief program to the Burlington Community Foundation because that is what the province required. Monday evening the city approved the appointment of the members of the Flood Disaster Relief Committee.

It’s an impressive committee and while it could not and should not include anyone who is likely to make a claim – there doesn’t appear to be anyone of limited means on the list: Catherine Brady; Kevin Brady; Susan Busby; John Chisholm; Ron Foxcroft; Steven Joyce; Jeff Paiken; Phil Reddon; Michael Shih; Steve Stipsits; Linda Davies; Keith Strong; Dorothy Borovich; Allan Pearson; Ed Hannah; Rick Burgess; Don Smith; Doug Leggat; Scott Barnard; Wayne Hussey and Jeff Valentin.

The list appears just a little too” white”; made up of the “entitled”. Who put this list together and is it reflective of the people of Burlington?

But those are the people in place – so be it.

Foxcroft and Mayor Goldring - the Foxcroft look

Ron Foxcroft, on the right, gives Mayor Goldring a close look during a discussion at the Burlington Community Foundation offices.

When Ron Foxcroft was asked to take on leadership of the fund raising he set himself a 100 day target to raise $2 million from the community. The expectation was that Burlington would be given the $2 for every $1 raised in the community – which would make $6 million available for distribution.

As of noon today that figure was at $660,000 – 33% of the target with two banks waiting in the wings for their photo-op.

The Red Cross reported that 531 homes were likely to need major help and that 271 of these were either un-insured or under insured. They also estimated that it was going to cost something in the order of an average of $18,000 to get homes to the point where they had the fundamentals in place – a furnace that works and washers and dryers.

Councillor Sharman, who can always be relied upon to run the numbers, told his colleagues that he wasn’t certain the numbers he was hearing would work. With 271 homes being given $18,000 that comes to a total of $4,878,000 which is well within the $6 million the city hopes to see available to the BCF for distribution.

The BCF is in the process of reviewing the short list for an insurance adjuster who be hired to review every claim.

Council authorized the Interim City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Burlington Community Foundation that will allow the city to cover the cost of support services to the Flood Disaster Relief Committee, including but without limiting services related to the design and implementation of the Flood Disaster Relief Program, fundraising, communications and claims adjudication and settlement.

The city expects it will recover any funds it passes along to the BCF from the provincial government. The city manager is to report back periodically to the Development and Infrastructure Committee as the work of the Flood Disaster Relief Committee and the Burlington Community Foundation progresses.

City council appears to believe that this program will be wrapped up by the end of the year.

There are people in this city who certainly hope so.

First chance to hear what the Mayorality candidates have to say + eight other people.

By Pepper Parr

October 1, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

The Burlington Lions Club is hosting an all candidates debate Wed. October 1, 7pm at the Lions Club at Pearl and James (471 Pearl St). Candidates for Regional Chair, Mayor, and Ward 2 Councillor will be on hand to talk about their platform, why they are running, and answer written questions from the floor, chosen by the moderator. Candidates for school board trustee will be on hand with information tables, but will not participate in the debate.

It sounds like a pretty tame approach to getting a solid look at these candidates – adding the council members to the mix means Philip Papadopoulos will also be speaking; we heard from Papadopoulos when he ran for Mayor in 2010

Then adding candidates for the office of Regional Chair will mean an event that spreads the available time over too many people.

Goldring winning in 2010.

Burlingtonians want to hear Mayor Goldring defend his record and some of his controversial decisions and would like to hear if Peter Rusin has anything to bring to the table.

Peter Rusin – running for the office of Mayor.

Rusin is unknown, has never served in an elected office and has no record of any community involvement. Does he have “chops” – could he do the job?

The citizens need an opportunity to listen to these two men and make a decision.

The Lions are to be applauded for hosting the event – it looks as if the audience is going to get to listen to 11 people in one evening running for three levels of public office.

Four candidates running for the ward two Council seat; three candidates running for Mayor and four candidates running for Regional chair.

Trevor Copp to perform First Dance at the Performing Arts Centre - two week run.

By Pepper Parr

October 1, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

When the Performing Arts Centre was first opened there was deep concern amongst the smaller theatrical and performance groups that there would not be a place for them – and during the Heatherington regime – there wasn’t much in the way of “local” talent on that stage.

When Brian McCurdy took over and got some of the problems worked out he began to include local groups in the program.

Trevor Copp, founder of Tottering Biped Theatre and one of the partners planning on holding a Film Festival in Burlington.

Trevor Copp, founder of Tottering Biped Theatre will perform at the Performing Arts Centre for a two week run.

Thursday evening First Dance, a significant re-interpretation of that traditional first swing around the dance floor by a freshly wed bride and groom will be performed by Trevor Copp and dance partner Jeff Fox.

Copp is a fine performer, he doesn’t walk – he glides. He has tremendous control over his movements and is a delight to watch. I’ve not actually seen Trevor Copp dance – other than the occasion when he was declared one of Burlington’s BEST a number of years ago. On that occasion he floated out into the middle of the room and made his acceptance comments.

The Gazette will be doing a review of the First Dance – look for it on Friday when Lana Kamaric reports on the performance.

Copp was the person who appeared before city council about two years ago and asked why he, as an artist, could not earn his living in his community. We didn’t know it at the time but that delegation was the first peek at what is an energetic arts community that few knew about.

Following the Copp delegation we saw the creation of the Arts and Culture Collective that speaks on behalf of much of the art community.

Trevor Copp talks with Angela Pap during the unveiling of the Spiral Stella at the Performing Arts Centre earlier in the week.

Trevor Copp talks with Angela Paparizo during the unveiling of the Spiral Stella at the Performing Arts Centre last year.

That was followed by the first No Vacancy event at the Waterfront Hotel in 2013 – to be followed by a hugely successful second No Vacancy event at the Village Square.

And now Trevor Copp gets to dance on the Performing Arts Centre Stage telling the story about how, a man about to marry his male partner sets about devising their traditional First Dance. Through Ballroom dance and Theatre, the journey of a gay man is explored through the challenge of creating a dance for a ritual that has no history.

The dancing will be superb – what many will not get immediately is the political undertone of the performance. In our society men lead on the dance floor – how does that happen when both dancers are male? Our assumptions get challenged and we find we are facing a “cultural blind spot”.

As Copp was planning his own wedding (which has since ended) all the assumptions had to be deconstructed and a new approach created.

Trevor Copp, the Burlington actor who mobilized trhe arts into a Collective makes a point on leadership while Executive Director of the Burlington Museum's operation listens.

Trevor Copp, the Burlington actor who mobilized the arts into a Collective makes a point on leadership while Executive Director of the Burlington Museum’s operation listens.

This performance has “gay” stamped all over its marketing – a bold and quite unexpected step for Burlington. Would the performance attract the gay community from Toronto and Hamilton?

Copp wasn’t sure. He expects word of mouth will draw the audience and he is delighted that the Performing Arts Centre has given him a two week run. Something also unheard of in this city for a local group.

Copp has performed First Dance in Guelph, Kitchener and Hamilton and in the very near future he will be taking the production to Albania.

He has done between 25 and 30 performances of a production that undergoes constant change.

For those attending the event – there will be some wonderful dancing and a challenge to many of the assumptions we make about marriage and the roles each partner plays.

Copp takes his performance a couple of steps further and has added “Talk Back”; he works at getting into a dialogue with the audience after the performance. Copp has found in the past that people just blurt out a thought or a feeling.

This is tricky stuff – the performer has no idea what will come from the audience – perhaps nothing which makes for an awkward moment.

Copp doesn’t appear in the least deterred by something that might not work out.
This is new, exciting and bold stuff – Brian McCurdy deserves kudos for bringing First Dance to his stage.

October 2 through to the 5th and from the 9th to the 11th. Matinee performances are included. Moderately priced. Tickets can be booked on the Performing Arts web site. Box office 905-681-6000

Brian Mann, 74 year old male missing in the Itabashi part of the city

By Staff

October 1, 2014

BURLINGTON, ON.

Police have located the missing 74-year-old Brian MANN of Burlington. Brian was located in good health shortly after 6:30 a.m. by a member of the general public.

The Halton Regional Police Service would like the public to assist in locating a missing 74 year-old male, Brian MANN.

On Wednesday, October 1st, 2014, shortly before 3:00 a.m., police were notified that this male had left his residence on Itabashi Way, in the City of Burlington. He was last seen in the area of Atchison Drive at 2:00 a.m. There is concern for his well being.

He is described as male white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a medium build and a bald head. He was wearing a dark green zip up pull over sweater, blue jeans and white runners.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the on-duty Staff Sergeant, in Burlington, at 9905) 825 4747 ext., 2310, or Crime Stoppers, at 1-800-22-TIPS (8477). Also, via the web, at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting ‘Tips201’ with your message to 274637 (crimes).

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