Routes 4, 10 and 20 Detours, Sunday June 5

notices100x100By Staff

May 31st, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON
On Sunday June 5, 2016 Appleby Line will be closed from Fairview to New Street from noon to 6 p.m. for the “Appleby Line Street Festival” affecting detours on routes 4, 10 and 20.

Bus stops within the road closure area will be bagged. For service, please proceed to the Appleby GO station or bus stops along New Street.

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Special athletes’ track meet to take place in Milton this year - 300 students to participate.

News 100 redBy Staff

May 31st, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

On Friday, June 10, 2016, students from the Halton District School Board will participate in the 29th annual Special Athletes’ Track Meet at Craig Kielburger Secondary School, 1151 Ferguson Drive, Milton. The track meet for athletes with physical and developmental challenges will take place from 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

HDSB logoWhen the event initially began, 29 years ago, there were only 12 special athletes participating. Coaches, school staff and home school peers, friends, family members and volunteers provided support and encouragement for the athletes. This year, more than 300 special athletes are expected to participate – a remarkable increase in participation during the event’s 29-year history.

The Special Athletes’ events will include 50m/100m/400m races, softball throw, slalom – wheelchair or ambulatory (non-wheelchair), long jump – wheelchair (independent) or ambulatory, precision throw beanbag, precision Bocce, T-ball, traditional Bocce and Frisbee.

This event provides Special Athletes with an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and celebrate their successes with fellow students, friends and family.

getting new - yellowThe Optimists Clubs of Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville and Burlington will once again be donating and serving hot dogs, hamburgers, cold drinks, and freezies at the meet.

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Transit routes 4, 10 and 20 detours, Sunday June 5

notices100x100By Staff

May 31st, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON
On Sunday June 5, 2016 Appleby Line will be closed from Fairview to New Street from noon to 6 p.m. for the “Appleby Line Street Festival” affecting detours on routes 4, 10 and 20.

Bus stops within the road closure area will be bagged. For service, please proceed to the Appleby GO station or bus stops along New Street.

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Burlington Green continues to plant new flora in the Beachway community.

News 100 greenBy Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

It will be decades before people fully realize and appreciate what the planting of trees BurlingtonGreen has been doing along the Beachway.

Burlington green - girl planting shrubs

Plants that are known to grow in the sandy soil that make up much of the Beachway are carefully placed and then nurtured by Burlington Green volunteers.

The soil is very sandy, and it shifts and because no one has been looking after the land all kinds of invasive species have settled in and gone wild.

The invasive plants often choke out the plants that should be growing in that part of the city.

Beachway has gone through a number of evolutions – it was the part of the city where Joseph Brant started building his house in 1789 and in 1803 he moved into the house which was described “commodious”. Aboriginals camped in the area. In the late 1800’s there was a pretty well defined community along that part of the lake.

It was seen as a very tony part of town. At one point there was a vibrant community with more than 200 families living in the areas.

They had their own stores and Lakeshore Road was once the way to get across the canal.

The old Grand Trunk Railway had a single line into the city – that got doubled when the amount of produce that was exported from the Vineland area and Burlington required more in the way of rail capacity.

The Freeman Station that a group of citizens work tirelessly to ensure was not cut up for kindling, is a vital part of the Beachway story.

That the station isn’t within the actual Beachway is unfortunate but at least saved from the wrecking ball.

Burlington Green - invasive removed - waters edge

Grasses and shrubs that are invasive and crowd out plants that should be in the soil. The red markers define areas that are to be cleared.

The Beachway is now going to begin a new phase and be developed as a large park that is being designed by the Regional government. The intention is to eventually remove all the homes left in the Beachway – 25 at this point.

The design appears to have reasonable public acceptance but the removal of the houses is still very controversial and we certainly haven’t heard the last of that argument.

Burlington Green - planting bushes in sandy soil

Carefully potted.

Burlington Green - Gloria Reid

Gloria Reid pulls invasive plants.

Burlington Green focuses on ripping out all the invasive stuff they can find and planting trees that will keep the soil in place. The work done for the past three years is beginning to show results.

Each year they use a half day when 100 volunteers show up to pull the unwanted plants and patiently plant new ones.

The trees going in are white oak, bur oak and trembling aspen: 125 were planted this year. Chokecherry and heart leaved willow shrubs were planted along with five different kinds of grasses.

It is hard but satisfying work – and in the years to come it will have been well worth the effort.

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Routes 3 and 5 transit detours, Saturday June 4

notices100x100By Staff

May 31st, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday June 4, 2016 Brant Street will be closed from James Street to Caroline Street from 4 – 11 p.m. for the “Moon in June” road race. Routes 3 and 5 will be detoured.

For access to stops serving these routes, please proceed to the John Street Bus Terminal or Brant Street north of Caroline Street.

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Willow trees next to the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park to feel the cut of a chain saw blade city arborist says they are now unsafe.

News 100 blackBy Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

It wasn’t hard to see this one coming.

At a Sustainable Committee tour of Spencer Smith Park a few weeks ago, quiet mention was made of some problems with the giant willow trees next to the Gazebo close to the foot of Brant Street.

Now comes the announcement that the trees are beyond saving and are going to be cut down.

Gazebo Spencer Smith Park

They lasted 70 years.  Willows to be cut down.

The city announce earlier today that: “Two weeping willow trees near the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park will be removed starting June 7 to ensure public safety in the waterfront park.

The city’s arborists found significant rotting and areas of decay in the trees during a recent investigation. The city will bring tree removal equipment into the park on June 7 to remove most of the two trees. The trees’ eight-foot-high (2.4-metre-high) stumps will be removed after the Sound of Music Festival, which runs from June 16 to 19.

“The trees are beyond saving, unfortunately,” said Mary Battaglia, director of Roads and Parks Maintenance. “The trees need to be removed to ensure branches and limbs do not come down and cause injury.”

The two trees were from clippings transplanted in the 1950s by Spencer Smith, a local entrepreneur and long-time member of the Burlington Horticultural Society.

“The city recognizes the significance of the trees to the community, and to the park’s heritage,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “I think we can be grateful that the trees have served us so well over the years.”

Spencer Smith

Spencer Smith, the man our lakeside park is named after, planted the willow trees 70 years ago.

The city will keep 70 clippings of the willow trees for rooting and replanting, one for each year of the trees’ lives. The healthy portions at the base of the trees will be kept for future art or woodworking opportunities.

“I am very sad that we are losing these willow trees that have framed so many memories in Spencer Smith Park. I am pleased we will take cuttings and are exploring ways to repurpose the wood to preserve the legacy of these trees planted from cuttings by Spencer Smith,” said Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward. “I invite everyone to join me for a goodbye ceremony to share our collective memories.”

getting new - yellowCouncillor Meed Ward will host a ceremony on Monday, June 6 at 7 p.m. near the gazebo in the east side of the park. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

 

Who was Spencer Smith?

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Community uses a bright, sunny, close to perfect Saturday afternoon to contribute to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart fund.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

May 31st, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

How does a large national organization with a brand that is instantly recognized and at one point had a currency that was unique to them work with community organization to help out?

Jumpstart small logoEveryone knows about Canadian Tire and when groups in the community are looking for help and support they frequently ask Canadian Tire.

The requests can get out of hand – how do you say no?

The daughter of the founder of the Canadian Tire operation, Martha Billies came up with an idea that would raise funds to help pay for sports equipment for children whose parents could not afford the price.

She called it Jumpstart which is now in its 11th year.

Brad Gordon, general manager at the Burlington Canadian Tire, explained how it works and some of the funny quirks that crop up when people work at helping each other.

Jumpstart fish pond

While the focus was supposed to be on the fish in the pond – both boys kept looking at all those bicycles

The store set up small play stations throughout the sprawling location and let people just bump into them. There was a free pop corn station, a fishing station and a BBQ stand.

The BBQ station was manned by volunteers from the Ontario correctional service. “These guys have been coming to this event for the past three years – this is the way they volunteer and give back to their community” said Glenn Butt, owner of the franchise who explained that every penny raised goes into the Jumspart fund. All the administrative costs are paid for by the corporation.

The distribution of the funds is done by local chapters that include organizations like the YM and YWCA, the Children’s Aid and Halton Woman’s Place. There are five intake organizations that determine where the needs are.

Harry Bell chairs the chapter that takes care of needs in the Halton – Hamilton communities.

Brad Gibson, store manager in Burlington, moves about the store on a Saturday afternoon seeing much more than most people see with his very practiced eye.

Jumpstart - correctional types

They look pretty tough – they should be – they are officers from the Ontario Correctional Service but last Saturday they were a couple of pussy cats serving burgers to people who were donating to the Jumpstart fund.

He explained that within the Canadian Tire organization there is a high level of competition between the different stores to see who can raise the most at the store level. The Burlington store placed second last year in its market area.

Commercial organizations like Canadian Tire are a focal point for the community – much of what people need to comfortably live their lives is found on their shelves. The company uses their brand to help groups raise funds and contributes in its own way to helping people who need help.

jumpstart Canadian Tire

The growth of the Jumpstart fund has been impressive – every dollar collected in the Burlington community is spent in the Burlington community – and the administrative costs are picked up by the Canadian Tire corporation.

During the annual drive for Christmas gifts – The Toys for Tots – frequently referred to as “Cram a cruiser” we had people coming into the store buying a dozen hockey sticks and putting them in the police cruiser and walking back to their car – they didn’t stop to talk – they just gave. A number of people walk to that police cruiser with their arms filled with stuffed toys.”

“This is a very generous community”.

All the results for the 2016 Jumpstart haven’t been tallied yet – the traffic looked pretty good on Saturday and those correctional officers said they were doing a brisk business.

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GIS Mapping Unavailable Tuesday, May 31, 1-3 p.m.

notices100x100By Staff

May 31st, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

GIS mapping at Burlington city hall will be unavailable on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The service and the system will be down for maintenance.

 

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Bandits sponsoring a Youth baseball day on the 4th - pancake breakfast followed by skills and drills sessions.

sportsgold 100x100By Pat Shields

May 29, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

The Burlington Bandits (1-5) found themselves in tight this past weekend, with consecutive losses in heart breaking, extra inning fashion.

On May 27 Burlington relinquished a 6-4 lead in the 9th inning, and ultimately fell 7-6 to the Brantford Red Sox (4-2) in a 4 hour and 19 minute game. Just over 12 hours later, the Bandits dropped another close matchup to the defending champion Barrie Baycats (4-2) by a score of 4-3.

Despite the two tough losses against strong opponents, Bandits field manager Jeff Lounsbury felt confident with his team’s performance and execution in both games.

Bandit catcher - ball coming in“We played well – we pitched well and we hit well against two tough teams. Unfortunately, I think our next curve is to learn how to win those games,” Lounsbury said.

It took the Red Sox 12 innings to beat the Bandits on Friday night, with Brantford second baseman Benjamin Bostick singling in the winning run. After holding a 6-4 lead in the ninth inning, Brantford scored two runs on a triple by third baseman Ricky Murray to extend the game.

Ryan Beckett (0-1) got the start for the Bandits, going five innings and surrendering four earned runs on six hits. Beckett also struck out two and walked two batters before giving way to the bullpen. Reliever Alex Nolan (0-1) ultimately took the loss, following three Red Sox hits in the 12th inning.

Red Sox pitcher Tanner Guindon (2-0) notched his second victory against the Bandits this season, after pitching 2.2 innings and allowing just one hit. Although Burlington struck out a season-high 18 times on Friday, they also registered 13 hits.

Bandits’ outfielder Justin Gideon led the way, going 5/6 with two runs scored and one RBI. Following Saturday’s game Lounsbury spoke highly of Gideon’s play as of late, specifically his approach at the plate.

“He’s starting to make the adjustment that he needed to make. He made a correction and it looks like it’s showing already,” Lounsbury said.

In their Saturday afternoon matchup with the Barrie Baycats, the Bandits got an early start, scoring two runs in the 1st inning on a triple by left fielder John Whaley.

Burlington once again held a two run lead, until a 3-run homerun by Barrie third baseman Jordan Castaldo put the Baycats ahead 3-2 in the 6th inning. The Bandits rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th on an infield single by pinch hitter Brad McQuinn.

Bandits Team-pumped

If attitude wins games and coaxing a better performance from the coach really works – the Bandits should break through any day now. We’re waiting. They are currently one place away from the bottom of the league.

However, Barrie took a 4-3 lead the very next inning on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Conner Morro and didn’t look back.
Bandits reliever Brandon Hillier (0-1) took the loss despite allowing just one hit in his 2.1 innings of work. Starting pitcher Jack Dennis (0-1) looked strong in his 7.2 inning outing for the Bandits, with Castaldo’s long-ball being his only blemish on the day.

“Our starting pitching has been great and our bullpen has done a great job,” Lounsbury said. “You could tell we were a little tired today energy-wise, but that’s no excuse.”

After Baycats starting pitcher Matthew St. Kitts (1-0) left the game with an injury in the 6th inning, three Baycats’ relievers combined to limit the Bandits to just four hits, with Chris Nagorski (1-0) getting the win. The Bandits once again struggled with their plate discipline, striking out 16 times on the day.

“We’re continuing to work on it,” Lounsbury said of his team’s strikeout frequency. “We’re starting to barrel up the ball a little bit better.”

Burlington will look to break back into the win column on Thursday, June 2 when they welcome the Guelph Royals (2-5) to town.

First pitch will be at 7:30pm at Nelson Park.

The Bandits are putting on a Youth Baseball Day Saturday June 4th starting at 9:00 am

Pancake breakfast
Skills and drills with Bandits players

UPCOMING GAMES

Tuesday, May 31
Guelph at Hamilton; 7:30 pm
Barrie at London; 7:45 pm

Wednesday, June 1
Kitchener at Toronto; 7:30 pm
Barrie at Brantford; 8:00 pm

Thursday, June 2
London at Kitchener; 7:30 pm
Guelph at Burlington; 7:30 pm

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Freeman Station group acquires a rail car - a rare find and a coup for some very innovative people who are saving a large part of our history.

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

May 30th, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

When the history of Burlington and its relationship with the Freeman station is written one hopes it tells of the indefatigable efforts made by a group of about 10 – maybe twelve men.

They fought the council of the city they live in to preserve the Freeman Station. They struggle with the bureaucracy to overcome some of the hurdles they have to get over – and yet – week by week one can see the Freeman station coming together – at some point it will be completed and officially opened and this group will take great pleasure in knowing that they made it happen.

Freeman - scaffold outside platform windows

A friend of the Freeman station lowers himself from the scaffolding at the front of the building.

There is never enough money. “We need about $200,000 to complete the work – some of that can be in kind – but cash is the biggest need” said Brian Aasgaard who can be found on the site whenever the doors are open.

Brian and John Mellow are two very very resourceful people; they come across artifacts and items that are part of the rail history and put it into storage.

Freeman Chry full

A major coup for the Friends of Freeman station was the acquisition of this 1959 Chrysler that serves as both a rail car and a car that can drive along streets.

A recent coup was the receipt of a rail car – a vehicle that has two sets of wheels: one put on the car when it is driving along the rail line and the other when it is driving along a road.

Painted a yellow that you won’t miss with some orange trim and the letters TH&B painted on the side with the number 1 below on the door of the

1951 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe four door sedan with a set of specially-constructed steel wheels for rail travel, a six-cylinder in-line gasoline engine and an automatic transmission.   It was in service from June 24, 1957 to June 24, 1977, after which it was sold to the Ontario Rail Foundation.  Then eventually passed into the hands of Rod Wilson, who donated it to FOFS.

The vehicle will eventually sit on a length of railway track that will run the length of the platform of the station.

The car is said to have been used to drive the president of the railway to company meetings in Buffalo.

The FoF hope to put the car on display at the Car Free street festival on Appleby Line in June – they need a flat bed to get it to that event.

Freeman Aasgaard with Canad 150

Brian Aasgaard displays the very first Canada 150 recognition banner given to anyone in Burlington

Each week the Friends of Freeman Station advance their cause. They are the very first organization in Burlington to be recognized as part of the Canada 150 event – a federal government program that is getting the country ready for its sesquicentennial – the celebration of our 150th year as a country.

The station now has gas coming into the building. Water and sewage are in the planning stage – working out where the water hook up is going to take place is still being worked out.

A pressing need right now is an experienced stone mason. There is some concrete block that has to be put in place and then some xxx stones place atop the concrete blocks.

These are part of the station platform that will run the 60 foot plus length of the platform that will reach out close to 12 feet from the station.

Freeman - cutting platic safety cover

How many hands – eight of them – to cut special sheets o protective plastic.

A length or rail line will stretch out in front of the building. There are dreamers at the FoF who hope someday they might manage to find, restore and install a steam locomotive in front of the station. Dreams are part of the Friends of Freeman DNA – don’t sell these guys short.

If you’re as retired stone mason, an active stone mason or know someone who is a stone mason – get in touch with Brian – he will drive over and pick you up.

Aasgaard mentioned that the floor will have original maple wood put in place. They are still looking for a sponsor for the Station waiting room – $15,000 will get a corporate name on the space, which when completed is going to be something to look at. The ceiling is all wood which when painted is going to be one of those things everyone will ooh and awe about.

Freeman - tool rack

The station Waiting Room is going to be quite stunning when it is complete. The oval window on the west side has been dedicated to the late Jane Irwin; one of the dozen or so people who fought against their city council to save the structure. Time for the city to provide some serious funding.

The FoF see a significant part of the revenue stream coming from rental of the space. Few appreciate just how impressive this space is going to be. For those who once travelled by rail regularly you will immediately recognize the bench that is to sit directly beneath the oval window that has been dedicated to the late Jane Irwin – one of the handful of people who would not let city council abandon the Freeman station.

The Mayor is said to be a solid champion of the place – perhaps he can rent it as his 2018 re-election campaign headquarters?

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School board puts a new schedule for French immersion before the public - trustees get less than five days notice of a major shift.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

May 30th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

In a daily newspaper report Halton District school board chair Kelly Amos said she was only made aware of the report on Friday (May 27th) that was going to debate a significant shifts in the way French Immersion is managed within Halton schools.

Stewart Miller, Director of Education has been faced with a task that apparently cannot be resolved – it has to do with the number of students wanting to be enrolled in the French immersion program and the number of qualified French teachers that are very difficult to find.

Stuart Miller

Stewart Miller – Director of Education Halton District School Board

Add to those two problems the difficult this has with class sizes in some schools. Miller said several months ago that he found himself faced with situations where there were less than ten students in a regular class (a non-French immersion class) which from a teacher student ratio just wasn’t something he could afford to do.

Staff worked up a report and set out a series of motions that were published in the agenda for the boards June 1st meeting.

The Board created a Program Viability Committee (PVC) that has been in existence for just over a year to review both English and French program viability in HDSB elementary schools. Considerable stakeholder consultation was done and feedback was brought to the PVC for review, analysis and recommendations.

After careful analysis of the feedback provided, the PVC identified a number of options. The one they are recommending will provide an additional year for parents to understand their child as a learner prior to making a decision to enter French Immersion, it provides a relatively early entry point as preferred by stakeholders and provides for a greater intensity in the first two years of the program which supports French language acquisition. The recommended model also requires few if any additional boundary reviews, maintains our current dual and single track school configurations and as such will provide for a simpler and less disruptive implementation plan and transition to the new model.

The Gazette has not had an opportunity to study the report that trustees received on Friday. We are providing the outline that was published without any comment or analysis.

Be it resolved that effective in the 2014-15 school year, the Halton District School Board introduce 40 minutes/week of Primary Core French beginning in Grade 1 in 24 Halton District School Board schools, with a commitment for a full roll-out by 2017-18, with an annual review of the roll-out to be brought back to trustees each year, and;

(a) THAT schools selected for the initial phase of this program represent a variety of school organizations
(K-8, K-6, Dual Track, Single Track English, large and small enrolments) across the four geographic areas within the Halton District School Board, (Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Burlington).

(b) THAT students in these schools will receive the following minutes of Core French instruction between Grades 1- 8:
40 minutes / week Grades 1-3
120 minutes / week Grades 4
 160 minutes/ week Grade 5
200 minutes / week Grades 6-7-8 (Appendix 5)

(c) THAT no later than June 2018, the Halton District School Board will assess the impact of this Primary Core French experience in relation to student engagement, student attitude, English proficiency and the impact on Grade 1 French Immersion uptake associated with these schools.

HDSB logo(d) THAT under the leadership of the System Principal for French Second Language, School Programs and Human Resources, the Halton District School Board will develop a long-term recruitment and staff development plan to ensure the Halton District School Board hires and retains the highest quality French teachers available and that this plan is shared with the Board of Trustees.

(e) THAT the Halton District School Board continues to provide staff development programs that include teaching strategies, modifications and accommodations to address students with diverse learning needs and students who arrive in Halton without prior experiences in either French Immersion and Core French.

(f) THAT the Halton District School Board develop and implement a 5-year plan whereby all Halton District School Board elementary schools with Intermediate Divisions have one classroom dedicated for the teaching of Grade 7-8 Core French whereas if it will not require additional portables.

Be it resolved that effective in the 2014-2015 school year, wherein a triple grade configuration has been possible (due to 23 or fewer students enrolled in three consecutive grades), the School Superintendent will assess the impact on the learning environment and opportunities for students and will consider and recommend for Board approval one of the following strategies;

staff as a Grade 1-2 blended class;
staff as a Grade 1-2-3 blended class;
redirect the Grade 1 students to a neighbouring school for their program and;

Wherein a triple grade configuration has been possible (due to 23 or fewer students enrolled in three consecutive grades for two consecutive years) the School Superintendent will consider and may recommend for Board approval a boundary review.

Be it resolved that effective in the 2014-2015 school year the Halton District School Board:

a) establish and communicate a consistent Grade 1 French Immersion February registration deadline for current Halton District School Board families, with a review of the effects of this procedure be undertaken by September 2014.

b) allow students who have not been in Senior Kindergarten within the Halton District School Board, register in Grade 1 French Immersion up to the first week of school.

c) communicate and implement the assessment and admission procedure for students with French proficiency arriving in Halton after the registration deadline.

d) All elementary schools that offer Grade 1 programming must host a Grade 1 Information Evening that includes information about English program, French Immersion program and Special Education placements. If the home school does not offer French Immersion, the school their students would be directed to for French Immersion cannot host their Grade 1 Information Evening at the same time. The Special Education presentation is to be scripted by the Board’s Special Education department, to include a description of all elementary Special Education placements.

Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board present the following options for the delivery of French Immersion to the public in the Fall of 2015 for the purpose of receiving feedback, considerations and comments. Feedback will be brought to the Board for consideration in the delivery of French Immersion programming:

1. Option 1: Grade 1 (early) French immersion remains a 50% French 50% English delivery model, but entry to FI would be capped. The method of capping would be determined at a later date.

2. Option 2: Grade 1 (early) French Immersion remains at 50% French and 50% English, however all FI programs would be delivered in single track FI schools. French Immersion would be phased out of dual track schools and no new dual track schools would be considered. The location of the single track schools would be determined at a later date.

3. Option 3: French Immersion would commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This would result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI would occur in dual track schools only.

4. Option 4: French Immersion would commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This would result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least an 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI would occur in single track FI schools only.

The Halton district school board has approximately 63,000 students in 86 elementary and 18 secondary schools. This enrolment projection results in an overall increase of 1.5% as compared to the 2015/2016 school year.

Kelly Amos

Board chair Kelly Amos expressed some disappointment at the short amount of time trustees have been given to review the recommendations and discuss concerns with their constituents. The trustees had less than five days to review a complex document.

What the board appears to be suggesting is that the roll out of French Immersion classes be cut back to create some time for parents to think about just what it is they want to do and then allow the board the time it needs to make it all happen.

It is messy – but there is some progress.

getting new - yellowStewart and the trustees that direct him have their hands full. It may not be that quiet a summer on the education front.

The Board will vote on this recommendation on June 15th. The board expects there to be a number of delegations – there will be a special delegation night on June 13.

 

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Half a million dollars worth of vehicle sitting in the police pound for seven days - owners charged with stunt driving.

Crime 100By Staff

May 29, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

Maybe they took a taxi home or perhaps the police took them to the local station and booked them for their offences. Whichever, two very expensive cars are sitting in the police pound where they will remain for the next seven days.

Police McClaren Spyder

A Lamborghini Huracan valued by police at approximately $230,000.00 was impounded for seven days after being clocked at 135 kmh in a 60 kmh zone

On May 29th 2016 at approximately 4:00 pm, a Lamborghini Huracan valued at approximately $230,000.00 and a McLaren Spider valued at approximately $260,000.00 were stopped by Police at Guelph Line and Colling Road in Burlington after HRPS #3 District Response Unit measured their speed at 135 km/hr in a posted 60 km/hr zone.

Police Lambourgini seized

A McLaren Spider, stunt driving with the Lamborghini was estimated to cost $230,000 it also sits in the police pound for seven days.

The exotic cars were impounded for seven days and the drivers’ charged with stunt driving.

The police media report did not release any names. They did say: “If you observe a vehicle being operated in a manner which places you or anyone else in danger, please call 911 for an immediate police response.”

Police - impounded vehicle being loaded

Police loading $230,000 worth of car onto a flatbed truck to be taken to the police pound and held for seven days. Owner charged with stunt driving.

Someone obviously made such a call.

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Bandits lose their game in a 10th inning play.

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

May 28, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

In Burlington, the Bandits forced extra innings with a ninth inning run before the Barrie Baycats scored in the 10th inning to take a 4-3 victory on Connor Morro’s sacrifice fly.

The Baycats are now win 4-2 and in a four-way tie for second place while the Bandits sit seventh at 1-5.

Bandits # 2 at batMorro led the Baycats with four hits while Jordan Castaldo hit a three run homer in the sixth inning to give Barrie a 3-2 lead. Tony Hyrnkiw also added two hits.

John Whaley’s two run triple in the first gave Burlington a 2-0 lead. Jim Martin add three hits for the Bandits.

Winning pitcher Chris Nagorski (1-0) pitched the final two six innings, giving up one run on three hits with two strikeouts. Starter Matt St. Kitts went five innings, allowing only three hits with three walks and nine strikeouts.

Burlington starter Jack Dennis went 7.2 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Reliever Brandon Hillier (0-1) took the loss, pitching 2.1 innings allowing only one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.

The Burlington Bandits are one above Hamilton in the InterCounty Baseball League.

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What do they do with all the funds raised? Plenty!

artsorange 100x100By Pepper Parr

May 28, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

The annual Art Sale raises a lot of money. As an event is draws a piece of work from Robert Bateman – he has donated a piece of his art every year for the past 38 years.

What do they do with the funds raised?

Plenty!

In 2015..

det

There was a time when art was taught in schools – not any more. If a child is to get an art education and the sense o accomplishment that goes with it – they head for the art gallery.

2,751 school’s children’s horizons were expanded
1,374 participants in course found fulfillment during 24,108 participant hours
1,383 participants delighted in art through outreach to 86 community groups
94,837 life enhancing excursions in the sanctuary of art and culture
Over 400 artists contribute to the culture of our community, while making their own dreams come true.

Important initiatives:
School outreach programs, affordable art classes and camps, art therapy for seniors with dementia and children/adults with developmental disorders

Over 20 regional, national and international exhibitions a year, as well as the world’s largest collection of Canadian contemporary ceramics.

Wallace with Wale George Dir Programs at BAC

Former Member of Parliament Mike Wallace on a tour of the kilns at the art gallery.

Add to that the Annual Soup bowl event.

And of course the Art Gallery is home to the Guilds that were the reason the place came into being.  There are over 300 volunteers in a building that has had pieces added to it over time – it is quite easy to get a little lost.

Johnathan Smith

Johnathan Smith, curator of the permanent ceramics collection watches artist Peter Powning making clay impressions of artifacts.

The Art Galley was the place Peter Powning took clay impressions  of objects brought in by citizen that were later cast in bronze and placed on the spiral Stella that stands outside the Performing Arts Centre

The gallery is open seven days a week – and there is no admission.

The city provides just under $1 million as a grant to the Art Gallery each year.

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48th Highlanders of Holland, Pipes and Drums will perform a concert in Civic Square May 31st.

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 27, 2016

BURLINGTON, ON

If you’re Dutch – you already know about this event.

Lead piper Dutch Highlanders

Lead piper of the Dutch 48th Highlanders who will perform a concert in Civic Square May 31st at 11:30 am.

If you like the sound of bagpipes and military style events – you will want to know about it.

Burlington’s Mundialization Committee will host a delegation from Burlington’s twin city, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands from May 29 to 31.

Goldring and Dutch Mayor

Mayor Rick Goldring in Holland with Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends during the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Holland.

The delegation includes the 48th Highlanders of Holland, Pipes and Drums, who will perform a special concert for Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and Burlington Mayor Goldring during the farewell reception on Tuesday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. in Civic Square.

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New gas station to open - will they use Burlington or Hamilton prices?

News 100 redBy Staff

May 27th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

There is a new gas station opening up in the west end of Aldershot – about as close to the border with Hamilton as you can be without actually being in Hamilton.

No dates on when the station will open – but we do have a question.

Eso stationWhat will the gas prices be? Hamilton prices which are usually three to four cents lower than they are in Burlington – something the

What the Gazette has never been able to understand is this – is there something about the Burlington market that calls for a three cent surcharge?

It is probably the same tanker truck that deliver the gas in Hamilton and Burlington.

We will let you know how they decide to price their gas.

Related story.

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Male arrested for child luring was impersonating a well known local performer.

Crime 100By Staff

May 27th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

Halton Regional Police have arrested a 24-year-old male in connection with child luring and child pornography offences.

David Kron, of Thornhill, has been charged with three counts of child luring, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography. The victims in this matter are 12-14 years of age.

snapcaht graphic

Snapchat is a mobile app that allows users to send and receive “self-destructing” photos and videos. Photos and videos taken with the app are called Snaps. Snapchat uses the device’s camera to capture Snaps and Wi-fi technology to send them.

Investigators say they believe the man was communicating with children online via Snapchat, using the name: myles.erlick. Myles Erlick is a former Burlington resident and a well-known performer. Mr. Erlick has been contacted and is in no way affiliated to this account.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Todd Martin of the Halton Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE). He can be reached at (905)825-4747 extension 8983.

 

Snapchat is a mobile app that allows users to send and receive “self-destructing” photos and videos. Photos and videos taken with the app are called Snaps. Snapchat uses the device’s camera to capture Snaps and Wi-fi technology to send them.

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Aldershot arena now open - finally.

notices100x100By Staff

May 27, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

Aldershot Arena has now reopened for scheduled rentals and programs.

The arena was closed on April 22 to allow for electrical system replacement following a transformer issue.

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Rivers takes on Rex - will we never get to read Rivers again - all about hot air.

Rivers 100x100By Ray Rivers

May 27th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

Leap Manifesto graphic

A significant document that few have actually read.

CBC and National Post political contributor Rex Murphy rants that Ontario Premier Wynne’s climate change strategy is her own version of LEAP. He is referring to the LEAP Manifesto shepherded by author and political activist Naomi Klein and best-friend film maker Avis Lewis. The document came out last year during the federal election, and was presented at the NDP convention earlier this year. It is a strategic document, laying out long term goals for achieving a more harmonious, equitable, and environmentally friendly Canada in the age of global warming.

RexMurphy_0

Rex Murphy – National Post columnist – CBC on air personality.

Rex Murphy apparently considers those goals the equivalent of leaping into hell, as he accounts that, in his view, it would be political and economic suicide to stop using fossil fuels. One wonders if he had actually read the LEAP document as he spreads his hyperbolic poison over a topic he clearly doesn’t understand, and for an issue which he is clearly out of touch with the majority of Canadians. And he is not alone, as Globe and Mail contributors Margaret Wente and Jeffrey Simpson also felt the need to jump into the fray.

But at least Simpson has focused his comment, and legitimately challenges the complexity of the emission trading aspect, rather than criticizing the end goal itself. He gets it – that we need to do more. But because something is complex doesn’t make it unmanageable or bad. It is not clear that Simpson understands what a cap and trade program is, preferring to characterize it as something conjured up by an overzealous environment minister, Glen Murray, and using that as an ad hominem to help discredit the provincial strategy.

Cap and trade, or more generally emissions trading, was first conceived at the University of Toronto by an economist in 1968. Professor John Dales was looking for a way to reduce pollution by making it more expensive for polluters without penalizing the rest of society – an equitable approach to curbing pollution based on economic incentives. And more complexity is required if one is to internalize the unintended effects of human activities into the costs of production, thus making polluting activities relatively more costly.

File picture of gas fired power station at sunset in Minsk

Gas fired power station at sunset.

In the case of greenhouse gas reduction, as in Ontario’s plan, it is an implicit carbon tax. But unlike the explicit carbon taxes B.C. and Quebec have in place, emissions trading is business-friendly, allowing more emission-efficient enterprises the added incentive of selling carbon credits to those who aren’t – incentivizing as well as taxing.

That explains why the business community largely favours emissions trading over a universal tax, like B.C.’s carbon tax. And that is why this approach can also inadvertently result in an overachievement of its goals, as when the US government phased-out lead from gasoline years ahead of schedule in the 1970’s, one of the first applications of emissions trading.

Since then, cap and trade applied to sulphur emissions from coal power plants led to another remarkable overachievement of US based acid rain emission reductions in the 1990’s. The European Union, Japan and Australia have all used emissions trading in tackling carbon emissions. The 1997 Kyoto protocol, which failed when the US pulled out in 2000, had emissions trading as an inherent tenet of its design.

Although the log jam on Capital Hill has hindered the US from implementing a truly national carbon cap and trade program, some states have moved ahead. The Western Climate Initiative, started in 2007, is one such carbon trading regime which also includes Quebec, B.C., Manitoba and Ontario. And Ontario’s program will ultimately be integrated with that of the other Canadian provinces as well as California and other US states – so we’d better get used to this level of complexity.

And Simpson is wrong about this being something Murray just conjured up. Ontario has been working on emissions trading for decades, and with the blessing of all three political governments over that time. The provincial government supported an early voluntary trading program in the 90’s and developed its own mandatory allowance trading program in 2002 to reduce emissions from coal and gas power plants.

traffic - green house gas

Exhaust emissions from automobiles are close to the worst polluters.

In fact just about all of the provinces and the federal government have been looking at emissions trading systems similar, in some way to what Ontario is implementing as part of a climate change strategy. Alberta had implemented a more limited trading program well before the NDP swept into power last year, and they no doubt will be looking to Ontario’s experience as they enhance their efforts. Indeed Ontario and Alberta have just announced a new clean technology initiative for climate change, a corollary to this discussion.

Alberta, home to Canada’s fossil fuel industry is also home to those other fossils, the dinosaurs. One dominant theory is that these marvellous creatures were the victims of another period of climate change some 65 million years ago. But unlike our modern-day dinosaurs, who should understand that the climate change affecting us today is of our own doing, those dino’s likely couldn’t and didn’t do anything about it. We do know how to start fixing this – it’s right there Rex – in that Leap Manifesto.

Rivers-direct-into-camera1-173x300

Ray Rivers is an economist and author who writes weekly on federal and provincial issues, applying his 25 years of involvement with federal and provincial ministries.  Rivers’ involvement in city matters led to his appointment as founding chair of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee.  He was also a candidate in the 1995 provincial election

Background links:

Rex on LeapRex Murphy on Ontario –  Ontario’s CC StrategyLEAP

Cap and TradeFort McMurray and Climate WenteSimpson on Cap and Trade

Western Climate InitiativeAlberta and OntarioDinosaurs

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Region begins the process of protecting the public from West Nile virus.

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 27th, 2106

BURLINGTON, ON

The pests will be back soon – mosquitos.

That bite is a quite a bit bigger than most people realize.

As part of its commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of residents through public education and preventative programs, Halton Region has begun its annual larviciding program to reduce the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) in the community. This program is implemented in public property locations across Halton Region.

wev

This is how the West Nile virus gets transmitted.

Larviciding is the process of applying pesticides to objects such as catch basins, where mosquito larvae have been found. Larvicide is applied when other attempts at reducing mosquito breeding sites haven’t worked to minimize the risk of West Nile virus and is usually applied either in catch basins or in large bodies of standing water on public property. This preventative program reduces the adult mosquito population, helping to stop mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus that are often found in standing water.

“West Nile virus continues to be a concern in communities across Canada which is why Halton Region remains committed to monitoring and implementing programs to prevent and protect residents against this disease,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.

“By working together with the community, we will continue to reduce the risk of West Nile virus and keep our community safe and healthy.”

“Larviciding is just one part of our West Nile virus prevention program which includes public education, monitoring and surveillance, eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites and larviciding,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “By eliminating standing water sites and by covering up outside at dusk and dawn and applying DEET or lcaridin, we can reduce the occurrence of West Nile virus in our communities.”

Halton residents can help reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes by removing objects that may hold water, such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys and tires. If residents see standing water on public property, they can report it to Halton Region by emailing accesshalton@halton.ca or dialing 311.

Residents are encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:

• Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
• Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
• Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
• Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
• Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.

A map showing the locations of standing water sites on public property where larvicide is applied is available at halton.ca/wnv. For more information about West Nile virus, please visit halton.ca/wnv or dial 311.

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