 By Staff
July 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
On July 9, 2022 at approximately 1:50 am, Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) officers responded to the Port House Social Bar and Kitchen located at 2020 Lakeshore Road in Burlington, for reports of gun shots being fired.
Location was basically the Waterfront Hotel
 Gun was fired into the air in the parking lot on the eastern side of the Waterfront Hotel. An altercation had occurred between a group of people in the parking lot of the bar. At some point during the altercation the suspect produced a handgun from his waistband and fired five to six shots into the air. Fortunately no one was struck by the rounds and no physical injuries were reported. The suspect fled the area in a vehicle.
Investigators from the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau were able to identify the suspect and on July 15, 2022, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Hamilton.
Bashdar Kader (23) of Hamilton was arrested and has been charged with:
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
• Careless Use of a Firearm
• Carry Concealed Weapon
• Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
Kader was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
The firearm utilized by the accused has not been recovered.
 Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Lanaya Greco of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2334 or 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
 By Staff
July 19th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
UPDATE July 20: Readers report that the city has since taken down the link.
Coming Soon! Our redesigned website burlington.ca
That was the announcement.
Find what you need. Easier. Faster. Better. Learn more about the website redesign project on Get Involved Burlington…
The problem was the link provided didn’t work.
If you slip over to the current web site where the announcement also appears you will get to a link with a lot of outdated information.
This project is not ready for the main stage, – pathetic – an augur of what is to come ?
 By Pepper Parr
July 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Chamber of Commerce is on a bit of a tear.
Terry Caddo, the recently hired President is rebuilding an organization that had fallen out of favour with many in the private sector.
 There is more than a single page to the Strategic Plan – they just weren’t prepared to share it at this point in time. One of the people close to the man set out what he has done and what he will get done, described him this way:
“Terry started his working career in the sports department of a newspaper.
“He is very competitive and is going to make the Chamber relevant once again.
“He is a goal setter, and is working on goals that are achievable.”
We don’t know all that much about what those goals are other than the first page of the latest Strategic Plan that was put together by an independent consultant.
We know that major changes are planned for the Advisory Committees that Chamber has had in place for years.
 Changes are coming in the Committee structure.  Chamber President Terry Caddo working the audience at a recent event. The Burlington Chamber proudly boasts that it is a proactive, not reactive organization. “We help draft policy rather than simply criticize it.”; to that end Caddo has been meeting with anyone that will take his call – including the Mayor, the Regional Chair, the City Manager, leading developers and those stakeholders that Caddo thinks he wants to listen to – if the City had a Chaplain Caddo would probably want to talk to the man.
As a member-based business association, “our Chamber has three main goals: to act as an advocate for local business, to create opportunities for member businesses to promote themselves and do business with one another, and to provide business education opportunities for our members.”
We had hoped to have a chance to look at the Strategic Plan in detail with the hope that it might become a template that others in the community could use.
Everyone is experiencing the same environment. Are we still in a pandemic? While we are out of lock-downs are we going to find ourselves in the same situation come the fall when people will be working more closely and not outside as much.
Are we anywhere near resolving the supply chain problems? Are we even beginning to get a handle on the labour issues – far too many organizations still can’t attract the people they need.
Is Tourism a sector in Burlington? The collection of pamphlets in the Team Burlington building is an embarrassment.
Terry makes a point ensuring that you know who he is responsible to: the member and the Board of Directors – they hired him and they will review his performance. That Board is made up of:
Randall Smallbone, Vice Chair
Holly Simmons, Second Vice Chair
Jordan Davis, Director of Finance
Jennifer Smith, Past Chair
Daniela Fonseca, Director
 By Pepper Parr
July 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette will keep going back to that 14 minutes of self-destruction when Mayor Marianne Meed Ward let people see a side of her that is not all that pretty.
Check it out yourself click HERE
Not the smartest thing to do during the months before an election takes place.
The Gazette ran a poll asking our readers if they thought the Mayor should apologize to Stolte for the way she attempted to manipulate a fellow member of Council.
Of the 247 responses 86% said Yes
To recap – the Mayor attempted to force Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte to read out an apology at the beginning of a council meeting when Stolte had already advised the Mayor that she would reading the apology at the end of the Council meeting when comments are made – those comments are not debatable.
Anything said during a Council meeting can be debated by any Council member who chooses to do so. And in the past two council members have filed complaints with the Integrity Commissioner
The relationship between the Mayor, ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith and ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan and the rest of Council have reached a level of toxicity that is dangerous.
During the June Council meeting Mayor Meed Ward used the request made by Georgie Gartside that the apology Councillor Stolte was more than willing to make be made at the beginning of the meeting as the reason for revising the agenda.
Has the Mayor produced any of the communication between herself and Gartside in which the request was made?
That evidence has never been produced – Could the Mayor produce it at this time and put this matter to rest?
Related news stories;
The interview with Stolte about the staffing problem.
By Pepper Parr
July 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Heard anything lately about the plans for the Waterfront Hotel site?
Pretty quiet – and that is not a good sign.
 Architecturally stunning – just not appropriate for the waterfront. At 35 and 40 storeys atop a three storey podium – the towers would loom over everything. The Spencer Smith Park experience would never be the same. Two things have occurred.
The Ontario Land Tribunal, that is the body developers (and sometimes the city) appeal to over planning and development issues, has issued a case number which means that organization begins pulling documents together to first determine just what the issue is and then determine when proceedings will begin.
The other “occurrence” is a letter from The Planning Partnership (TPP) – they are the people who represented the city when there was an extensive series of engagement sessions with all kinds of ideas coming to the surface.
In a letter to the city TPP Partner, Donna Hinde, told the Planning department that they “cannot provide professional planning and /or urban design support for any specific building height through the remaining approval process, including at any potential appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.”
When your independent planning consultant quits – you know you’re in trouble.
 The first plan put forward was for a six storey podium on which the towers would sit. Access to the site would be through a passage way that would align with John Street. Given the grade level there would be quite a steep set of steps needed to get people into Spencer Smith Park Earlier in the letter Ms Hinds said “we were directed by city staff to implement a building height of 22 storeys”.
Wow if that is true – and the Director of the Community Planning department said it didn’t happen, there is a serious problem.
Add to those problems the issues around park land dedication and the people of Burlington and the developer are looking at a development that may no longer be viable.
Which the Plan B people would not complain about.
You might want to ask your Council member what they can tell you about this mess.
They are out looking for your vote – this is time to stand on their toes so they can’t walk away.
 By Pepper Parr
July 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
With more than $1 million in city hall talent on site to officially open the new pavilion at City View Park, the ribbon was cut officially unveiling the new public art piece titled, ‘SOAR’. Mayor Meed Ward, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, project partners and City staff helped cut the ribbon to the building and unveil the public art.
The pavilion is open for community use and all are welcome.
The entrance to the park is off Kerns Road
 It was a Friday afternoon, lovely weather and a chance to get out of the office. Just how many actually work in city hall is an unasked question. Not a mask in sight. L-R Angela Paparizo, Rich Trella, Scott Virgin, Chris Glenn, City Manager Tim Commisso, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, Graham McNally, Patrick Tucker, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Paula Hamilton, Jennifer Johnson, Paul Swioklo, Wynn McDonald, Allan Magi. City View Park Pavilion
The pavilion is designed to be environmentally friendly and features public washrooms, community space, covered terrace, a water refill station and seating.
It is a key feature for Bruce Trail hikers to meet or continue their adventure and a significant milestone towards the completion of the City View Park Master Plan.
 The City View Park Pavilion is exceptionally well fitted out. This should become a much sought venue for events. • The design of the building features sustainability, water and energy efficiencies and is a symbolic connection between new construction and the unique natural setting of the escarpment.
• Green building measures have been incorporated using a wood structure, an onsite well filtered for drinking water and onsite sewerage disposal system.
• The building does not use any fossil fuels in its operation. By using solar power, the building will achieve net-carbon neutrality: the roof-top solar panels produce the electricity the building uses.
It also has:
• Public washrooms;
• A community room open for casual use and organized sport tournaments;
• Indoor public gathering area that can be used by all park users;
• Exterior space with an outdoor, covered terrace;
• Accessible parking and drop-off area;
• Interpretive displays highlighting the unique park setting on a large display screen and two smaller information screens;
• Public art, SOAR, by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari.
 Sheltered area – public washrooms are part of the structure. When first opened the Park was exclusive to soccer players taking part in the Pan Am Games. Two of the soccer fields had artificial turf – which was controversial at the time and probably would not have been installed if the decision were to be made today.
It is a very large park – closer to Hamiltonian’s than most Burlingtonians
 The 17-foot-tall metal sculpture, created by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, reflects the rich natural heritage of the region, in particular the Niagara Escarpment. About the public art, SOAR
The 17-foot-tall metal sculpture, created by artist Hooman Mehdizadehjafari, reflects the rich natural heritage of the region, in particular the Niagara Escarpment. From the life-giving and mighty Niagara Falls, the iconic flora and fauna that gives special identity to the ecosystem of the region such as the Calypso Orchid, Southern Flying Squirrel, and Spotted Turtle, to the cedar forests and their immense, interconnected, underground root system.
The diversity of materials used creates a beautiful play of colours that can often be seen in nature and alludes to the diverse and united community of Burlington.
 Somehow the people got in the way of the sculpture – hard to tell just what it looks like Mayor took up most of the photo op space. L – R Allan Magi, Chris Glenn, Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Angela Paparizo, Jennifer Johnson ‘SOAR’ is a reflective mirror of the rich natural heritage of the site and celebrates the gracious and honourable ambition of appreciating and protecting the environment and ensuring its passing on to future generations.
The applied words THROUGH – NATURE – WITH – LOVE – WE – THRIVE in ‘SOAR’, create an infinite circulation that reflects the ultimate message of the artwork: by loving our nature, valuing and protecting it, we may grow and thrive within it peacefully.
By Pepper Parr
July 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We had a small follow up on a media release from the city – the attachment didn’t appear to be attached.
Sent a note – nothing came back – we found a way too dig out the information we needed and published the story.
 Two days later we got the following from one of the Communications advisors:
Our working hours may be different. Please do not feel the need to reply outside of your typical working hours.
Lackadaisical was the word that came to mind.
There should be one Communications Advisor on duty at all times – a common cell number would be made available to media who needed information.
This is your Burlington!
 By Staff
July 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
A reader popped us a note asking if we were aware of what people are saying about the traffic light situation in Burlington.
Under the question:
 Former Halton Regional Police Chief Gary Crowly, Regional Chair Gary Carr and former Mayor Rick Goldring stand at the intersection of Brant and Dundas with signs telling the public that red light runners will be photographed and fined. What’s your least favourite thing about Burlington?
They got the following on
Lol. When we left the city in the family van, we played a game that we could make it to the QEW without stopping. I think we have 6 red lights in the 3 km distance. IIRC we made it….once.
i think i hit 6 just crossing the highway
walkers line and
fairview
harvester
toronto bound off ramp
hamilton bound off ramp
south service road
mainway
It takes me longer to get to work from Burlington -> Burlington than it takes my coworkers who live in Hamilton when there’s no traffic in the morning. They just have a straight shot down the highway, I spent 10 minutes sitting at red lights as no traffic passes in front of me.
Seriously what the **** is up with that. It’s like it’s designed to be as annoying as possible on purpose.
Stop the survey…this is the correct answer.
Yup. Traffic lights has to be the top answer.
Burlington, home of the red light.
Come for the simple life, stay because of the red lights
I was just saying to my dad that I would pay $10 to a fundraiser that is raising funds that will go to implementing the software like Hamilton. I can’t imagine it’s very expensive anymore it was in the early 2000s but Burlington didn’t go for it and Hamilton did! I would pay out of pocket outside taxes for this.
 By Pepper Parr
July 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is going to take more than a photograph of a woman in a wheel chair facing the Cenotaph to become the Mayor of Burlington.f
 Anne Marsden spending a quiet moment in front of the Cenotaph in Veteran Square. The 17,000 votes that were cast in the 2018 election will not translate into votes for Anne Marsden to be given the Chain of Office in October.
Those votes were for a different position and were more of a protest against Gary Carr, the Regional Chair Marsden wanted to replace.
Anne, along with her husband Dave have delegated before city council frequently, some say too frequently, but that was and is her right.
What the public wants to hear is what Anne stands for.
Where is she on municipal taxes; where does she stand on park land dedication and the development charges that are part of buying a home.
Anne is a strong advocate for affordable housing – how does she think this can be done in Burlington when housing is burdened with participation from every government of level in the country.
 Anne Marsden with her husband Dave It is time for Anne to begin to tell the public she wants to serve how she will do the job – in some detail.
The disabled sympathy card has been taken as far as it will get her. Access for those who are disabled has to be cast in stone and never messed with – and on that score Anne Marsden will be there.
It is the other issues that people want to hear her views on as well as how she would lead – hopefully it will be more than a settling of old scores.
By Staff
July 16th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The battle for the Regional Chair is going to heat up when a fourth candidate files nomination papers.
Ann Mulvale, former Mayor of Oakville, is rumored to be running. She has been sounding out different people the past week.
 Ann Mulvale appears to want back in to the tables where decisions are made Mulvale got into politics in 1980 when she ran as Regional and Town Councillor, Oakville and was elected to represent ward 5 from 1980 to 1985.
Mulvale was first elected mayor in 1988, defeating incumbent Bill Perras, after unsuccessfully running against him in 1985.
She was acclaimed mayor in 1991 and re-elected three more times – in 1994, 1997 and 2003.
In 2006 she was defeated by Rob Burton.
Mulvale was a candidate for mayor in the 2010 Oakville municipal election. She lost to Rob Burton by 4838 votes.
Mulvale was the Progressive-Conservative candidate for the former Oakville-Milton riding in 1993.
 Gary Carr has served at every level of government and has ensured the finances are stable and the community safe. Gary Carr has said publicly that he will run again as Chair, a position he has held since 2006. He has also served as an MP and as an MPP
 Giving up the seat at Queen’s Park may well prove to be the end of a political career for Jane McKenna Former Burlington Progressive Conservative MPP Jane McKenna is out campaigning for the Regional Chair.
And current Halton District School Board trustee Andrea Grebenc is running for the Regional Chair as well.
The Region has some major decisions to be made during the term of office they will go into.
 A long shot by any measure: Grebenc brings a track record of creating consensus and speaking boldly. Farming is not in a state of crisis but it certainly isn’t healthy or thriving. The amount of land that is good for farming is shrinking – and urban boundaries are changing. The Escarpment lands in Burlington are threatened given the tendency on the part of the Ford government to favour development.
Transit and traffic are going to need a lot of attention.
The Region needs a Chair that can create a consensus around ideas and initiatives that serves the competing needs of a community that reaches north of 401.
 By Staff
July 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Summer in the city. Kids in the backyard pool making way too much noise.
Older crowd gathered around the BBQ getting caught up.
For those who like to sit outside in a reasonably comfortable chair and listen to music – you can wander over to the Band shell at Spencer Smith Park and take in a performance that begins at 7:30 every Sunday evening.
 The Galt Kiltie Bank – they play around their part of the province in different municipal parks This Sunday the Galt Kiltie Band will be playing.
For those who cannot get out the music is still there for you – a couple of clicks away on your computer
Lawson Hunter who does stuff and different things around town broadcasts the performance live in www.bnowradio.ca
 Good social distancing – relaxed – all that’s missing is some good Jamaican Ginger Beer.
By Staff
July 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 During this term of Council 2018 to date, a total of $219,735.29 was spent on lawyers and Planners to represent the city at Ontario Land Tribunal appeals.
More detail later in the day.
The Carriage Gate development – Beausoleil, at Pearl and Lakeshore was one of several that appealed
By Pepper Parr
July 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This is not the image you were expecting to see from Anne Marsden as she announces the filing of her nomination papers and is officially in the race to be Mayor.
 There is lots to say about what kind of Mayor Marsden would make – in due course. For the moment lets see what she puts up on heer website.
Marsden said responses to her Tweets has doubled.
Politics is all about numbers and perceptions – a look at the number of Burlington votes Marsden got when she ran for Regional Chair astounded everyone. 17,000 people in Burlington wanted her as the Regional Chair – that was more votes than Rick Goldring got at the same time (2018) when he ran for Mayor.
Those numbers mean something.
The Gazette will interview Anne Marsden in the days ahead and track her progress
 By Staff
July 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Resident wants to give Burlington Teen Tour Band a Musical Gift
Lawson Hunter, a long time Burlington resident, is proud about a lot of things that make his city a great place to live, work, and enjoy life. One of the things that fosters that pride is the Burlington Teen Tour Band (BTTB), now celebrating its 75th Anniversary.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Band took over the FAmily Room of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre the day the city turned the building over to the community. In discussions with BTTB Managing Director, Rob Bennett, Hunter learned that the Band had no official piece of music to commemorate the anniversary. Bennett explained that years ago, to celebrate an earlier anniversary, a special piece of band music was commissioned to mark the occasion. Why not have one for the 75th Hunter thought.
 Ryan Meeboer, publishes his compositions through Eighth Note and teaches with the Halton District School Board. As circumstance would have it, Hunter had a conversation with fellow Burlington resident Ryan Meeboer, a musical educator and a professional composer of music. Meeboer’s compositions are used by concert bands of all different levels of skill and band sizes (small jazz groups, ensembles, big bands). In fact, Meeboer has even worked with the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
The idea struck Hunter that Ryan Meeboer, who publishes his compositions through Eighth Note Publications, could write a piece to commemorate the BTTB’s 75th anniversary. The challenge is the cost of commissioning a complex score (with dozens of different instruments), royalties, fees, publishing and printing of charts.
“I thought the solution would be to initiate a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds,” Hunter states. Kickstarter.com has raised money for thousands of campaigns to help ‘kickstart’ artistic projects. Potential donors register, post a donation, but only pay if the campaign reaches it’s target goal. “It’s an all-or-nothing style of raising funds for a good cause,” explains Hunter.
 The Kickstarter campaign has just begun. Supporters are encouraged to pledge any amount. Deadline for completion is September 7th, in time to have the piece written, rehearsed, and performed before the end of the year. Any funds pledged above the target goal will go towards operational costs for the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Band the day it entered the Performing Arts Centre which became its official home The Burlington Teen Tour Band has represented the city of Burlington, and its residents, throughout the world over the years – Expo ‘67, Japan, D-Day ceremonies in France, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbour, and even the Tournament of Roses (Rose Bowl Parade). Hunter feels it’s time to give something back to the Band.
Title of the Kickstarter project: Burlington Teen Tour Band 75th Anniversary Composition Target – Goal to be Raised: $3,000 (including fees charged by Kickstarter.com) Deadline for campaign: September 7, 2022
Click Kickstarter for the link.
Lawson Hunter has no affiliation with the Burlington Teen Tour Band, his involvement is purely as a resident of Burlington. Does this suggest he has a generous frame of mind but tin ear?
By Staff
July 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 July 13th, 1980 On July 13, 1980 Terry Fox ran through Burlington along Lakeshore Road; by that time he had run a marathon a day for 93 days. Burlington has had a run/walk every year since on the second Sunday of September but when the pandemic hit in 2020, the Terry Fox event had to go virtual.
The Cedar Springs team, who have been doing the event for the last 8 years, thought it would be great to recognize when Terry Fox ran through Burlington so they gave themselves a month to get to July 13 and the 3582 kms Terry had achieved by the time he hit Burlington.
The pandemic was scary and Terry was an inspiration for us all to not be discouraged when times are tough and to keep going. “I am not a Quitter” rang true for this team!
On June 13, 2020 they started to track their kms and blew past the number in a month. Again, the pandemic continued into the next year with no large gatherings so in June 2021 they decided on 2 goals since they had spinners/cyclists who joined the team and they exceeded 3582KMs walking/running & 3582KMs cycling.
 The Cedar Springs Team – on the road every year for the past eight years. It has now become a tradition and provides the encouragement and kick off for the Burlington Terry Fox season to inspire others to get their teams together. “In this last week running up to July 13 we had giddy up as we were falling short on our goals but the team rose to the occasion and finished super strong with 3810kms Run/Walk and 3949Kms in bike/spin” said Nancy Demerling the team captain. “Very proud of how everyone added an extra bunch of kms when we needed to hit our goal. The Cedar Springs Team (Health and Racquet Club) has raised a total of $25,000+ over the years and we’re not done yet.”
Craig Gardner, Co-Chair of Burlington Terry Fox announced that there will be an actual physical event at Spencer Smith Park on September 18, 2022. “We encourage everyone to come out, run, cheer, walk 1km, 5km or 10km. Bring your friends, your families and celebrate those who are fighting cancer and remember those we have lost. Be confident that the money you raise for the Terry Fox Foundation and family are true to Terry’s wishes and are passionate by ensuring the dollars raised go to leading physicians who are doing breakthrough cancer research.”
By Pepper Parr
July 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Where is it going – and where will it end?
The newspaper and television news programs spit out data but what does it all mean to your household and the commercial sector in your community?
Angus Reid, a worldwide and world class opinion research organization put out regular reports based on their continuing polling of public opinion.
They report that people are not travelling as much as they used to – explain that when you read about the delays at Pearson International Airport.
If people are actually doing the StayCation thing – will that mean increased business for the hospitality sector in your community?
Here is what Angus Reid has to say.
 Half of Canadians Cutting Back on Vacations this Year
In response to inflation and rising costs of living, two-thirds (67%) of Canadians are cutting back on planned major purchases, activities or even education this year. Vacations appear to be the primary casualty, with half (47%) of Canadians cutting back on trips they planned to take.
Most Canadians Believe Inflation, Economic Downturn Are Here to Stay
On a variety of metrics, Canadians’ perceptions of the economy have only grown more pessimistic over the past month. Four-in-five (80%) believe the country is heading towards or already in the midst of a recession, with nine-in-ten (88%) concerned about the current state of the economy. Looking ahead to a year from now, more than half (57%) expect the economy to be even worse, twice the proportion who said the same just three months ago. Finally, despite inflation already having reached three-decade highs, two-thirds (67%) anticipate that it will only get worse during the next 12 months.
Canadians are Making Adjustments
 Canadians are continuing to find ways to save money in response to inflation, though the burden appears to fall primarily on low-income households. Canadians earning less than $50k annually are significantly more likely to have reduced their spending in nearly every product category since the start of the year, particularly on clothing (59%), charitable donations (57%) and general household items (54%). For certain essentials– notably gas and groceries – rising costs appear too steep for many households to keep up with, with a third of Canadians saying they have been forced to increase their spending in these areas since January.
By Staff
July 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Symphony Orchestra has a wonderful array of guest voices in a concert that features your favourite opera overtures and arias by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart, and many more!
Guest Artists:
Nicole Dubinsky, Soprano, Jamal Al Titi, Baritone, Angela Sanchez, Soprano, Alvaro Vazquez, Tenor.
Music Director: Denis Mastromonaco
Dates & Times
Sunday July 17, 2022 at 3pm
Venue: Main Theatre
Ticket Prices
Regular: $46 (All-in)
Senior: $39 (All-in)
16-24: $25 (All-in)
Under 16: $12 (All-in)
Groups of 10+:
Use Discount Code: GRP
By Staff
July 15th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) – 3 District Street Crime Unit has arrested a male in relation to a drug trafficking investigation in Burlington.
The three week investigation began when investigators were proactively patrolling the area of Queensway Drive when they observed the accused conducting a drug transaction. The accused was subsequently observed conducting another drug transaction at another location in Burlington.
On July 13, 2022, the accused was seen conducting another drug transaction in Hamilton. At that time he was placed under arrest, and Criminal Code search warrants were obtained for his residence and vehicle.
As a result of the search warrants, the following was seized (see attached photo):
• 332.2 grams of Fentanyl
• 364 grams of Cocaine
• 69.3 grams of Methamphetamine
• 11.3 grams of MDMA
• Over $30,000 in Canadian currency
• 60 x .40 caliber Smith and Wesson hollow point ammunition
• 1 x 10 capacity Glock magazine
• 2 cell phones
• 3 digital scales
 Street value estimated at $100,000 The total street value of the seized drugs is over $100,000.
Jitinderpal Bhamra (20) of Hamilton has been charged with:
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine (4 counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Fentanyl (2 counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Methamphetamine
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – MDMA
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
• Careless Storage of Ammunition
Bhamra was held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 2342.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
By Pepper Parr
July 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Staff in the Finance department set out what they believed was going to have to be raised in taxes for 2023 They projected an increase of 7.97% and explained how they got there
That 4.55% on the far right needs to be explained. The number is correct but it isn’t what the Mayor would have you think.
The city collects its own taxes, plus the taxes for the school boards and the Regional government.
Each of those jurisdictions levies a tax.
When the Mayor explains that what the taxpayer has to come up with is that blended rate – she is not wrong.
The blended rate is the tax increase the city is imposing, plus the tax rate the Region imposes plus the tax rate the boards of education impose and adds them up and then divides them by 3: the figure is called the blended rate.
Burlington has zero influence on the school board tax levy, the city has some influence on the Regional rate because all seven city council members sit on Regional Council. Burlington has seven of the 24 Regional Council seats.
What the city controls is the tax levy that the finance department comes up with and which city council eventually decides on. Council usually ends up at a tax rate very close to what the finance people recommend.
Mayor Meed Ward has said that in the past she has been able to cut $1 million out of the spending proposed.
The report the finance department put forward was labelled a Budget Framework – giving Councillors a solid heads up on what they are looking in terms of data at this point.
Councillor Rory Nisan got the debate started by saying what was clearly obvious: “… we have a pretty challenging budget ahead of us and this report isn’t locking us in anywhere but I’ve had the opportunity to sort of canvass with some residents about what’s being proposed through this budget and it’s not vibing very well.
“At this point. What I think we need is more options. The report does have some preview of options of what we can do to bring it down somewhat. But I think we need a sort of a low, a middle and an upper range. This what people are asking for – I’ll be frank, some of this information is coming in kind of late and my own thinking is changing quickly.
 Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan was not getting the vibe he wanted from his constituents – asks colleagues join him in asking finance to come up with some options. He didn’t get any takers Nisan added that “If other councillors are interested perhaps we can do some work together. Just refer the report to September but I expect the response will be quite the opposite. So barring any other comments, I’ll just vote accordingly.”
The Mayor, sitting as Chair asks “:Do you wish to make a referral motion at this time or not?”
“Well, I would need a seconder for something like that but I’m quite content to vote accordingly. But if someone did raise their hand to refer it then yes, I would support that.”
No hands were raised
The data was pretty stark.
The top line in the graphic below is the line that matters. It reflects what the finance people expect to need in the way of budget increases – expressed as a percentage over the previous year.
 Councillor Kearns, no slouch when it comes to number crunching wouldn’t support the Nisan idea. Councillor Kearns said “I will not be seconding it but I do want to just share that. The budget numbers that we did see of course are of concern. They are a deviation from what we would maybe have expected however, they are built out in our multi year simulation. I think a statement that only one council member is concerned with the numbers might not be reflective of everyone’s views and an opportunity to put forward everyone’s views would be inefficient at this time.
“So I’m going to just say that, you know, maybe those comments could be held back and I think we’ll work through the process as we should be.
 Councillor Bentivegna tends to dig into numbers – expect him to be sharpening his pencil to go over numbers he doesn’t always understand. Angelo Bentivegna, ward 6, said that “at the end of the day, we were still going to be voting on the budget.. We make decisions at this table to reduce it or do what we think we need to do. So I won’t be supporting this either.”
Mayor Meed Ward, who was chair (this being a council meeting) said “I will offer my thoughts that we are receiving this file which is a picture from our staff about what the future looks like if we wish to maintain services. At not only the expected level, but the level to account for the fact that we’re a growing municipality; we have well outpaced our growth 12 years early, but the development charges and other fees from that development and growth costs have not caught up yet.
“Because simply some of those units are still being constructed as we speak. So folks often ask us to try to keep our increases in line with inflation. Inflation is running at 8% then adds that the tax increase before than was less than inflation. So this budget picture actually is less than inflation and in a post COVID world where everything has changed. I think it’s really important for us to start framing our conversations around what the final impact on our residents is going to be.”
This is an election year, it is very quiet at this point. People are still coping with a pandemic that is supposed to be over yet hundreds of people are still getting very sick – with some dieing.
 There are a lot of people in hospital recovering from and being treated for Covid19
With it now very clear that the Budget Framework report is going to be received and filed the Mayor moves to fudge the numbers She doesn’t lie – but the truth does takes a beating.
 Mayor Meed Ward is going to have to find something that the public will like – and be ready to pat for if she is to come up with a budget that gets her through the election. She explains hat what the taxpayer will be is actually a “blended rate” one that includes the Boards of Education taxes and the Regional government taxes.
We explained how that works above.
It is good to be eyes wide open. Our staff have certainly painted the picture of what’s coming and the five year projection out gives us that picture. And it’s difficult for every municipality and we would be doing a disservice to not be transparent about what the picture looks like.
So am I open to finding cuts? Yes, every budget I’ve tried to find roughly about a million bucks. That’s my average over 12 years. And I will always look for ways we can do things better and cheaper. But we have work to be done and we have service requests coming in from our residents that we have to that we have to respond to. And it’s not unicorns and fairies that do the work around the city. It’s real people. And we’re in a competitive labour environment as well. So it’s really important to have a transparent and honest discussion about the challenges we face and how this council is going to respond to them. Those are the comments for me and I will turn it to the clerk now for the recorded vote not seeing any other hands on the board.
The vote to receive and file the report carried.
 By Pepper Parr
July 14th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
It is rare, exceedingly rare for a person with little political experience to run for the office of Mayor and win – but it does and has happened.
 Will this piece of Burlington bling be placed on a different neck before the end of the year ? Burlington’s race for the office of Mayor is seen by many as a walk in the park for Marianne Meed Ward.
That could change – there is a potential candidate that could be preparing for a run.
If it takes place it will be well funded – and it will not be a pro-developer candidate.
This individual is young, successful in the commercial world and very well connected in the administrative world.
The Gazette has spoken to a number of people, some of them called us, asking what we knew.
There are some very prominent people who want nothing but the best for the city who have come to the conclusion that Meed Ward is not up to the job that has to be done.
This is not the place to set out where Meed Ward has fallen short – this is the time to look around and ask – can we do better than this. ?
We can
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
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