 By Staff
January 25th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On January 25th 2018, shortly before 2:30 AM, Halton Regional Police and Burlington Fire Department responded to a fire call at a Tim Horton’s located at 601 Brant Street in Burlington.
The fire which originated in an exterior garbage can was extinguished but not before causing damage to the front of the building and smoke damage inside, estimated at $250,000.
 The investigation revealed that at approximately 1:47 AM, two suspects attended the front of the Tim Horton’s which was closed at the time. One of the suspects (suspect #2) was observed on video surveillance tampering with the garbage can briefly before both continued to walk away. Within minutes, a large volume of smoke could be seen coming out of the same garbage bin and continued to burn and spread until eventually it was noticed by a passerby who then called 911.
Suspects descriptions:
 One of two suspects. Suspect 1: wearing black hooded coat (hood pulled up obscuring features) light blue jeans, dark coloured shoes
Suspect 2: male, white, black coat, light blue jeans, short dark hair, dark coloured shoes, walking with cane in left hand.
Anyone with information regarding this arson is asked to contact Detective Constable Jacques Brunelle of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2334. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Ray Rivers
January 25, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Damn I hate when that happens. Now I owe my publisher, a bottle of single malt over who’ll win the election this year. But I won’t give it to him until election night, just in case Brown manages to defy gravity and bounce back.
We don’t know anything about the allegations of sexual misconduct which have led to this yet, though that detail seems irrelevant at this point. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty, here in Canada. But it is pretty incriminating when virtually all of his office staff had resigned because he initially wouldn’t – though he has now. No doubt we’ll be getting the tabloid details in weeks to come, but it sure looks like he and his political career are toast.
 Patrick Brown – former leader of the Progressive Conservative party in Ontario The Ontario PCs will have a major test before them to appoint a new leader and determine if they move away from the platform Brown had assembled. Despite Liberal accusations that he was playing stealth with his carving knife, this was one of the most progressive and middle-of-the-road Tory platforms in over a generation.
Given that most Ontario voters still had no idea who Patrick Brown was, this gives the PCs a chance to grab the limelight in Ontario politics and introduce a new leader. And depending on their choice that may more than compensate politically for having to shed Brown when the polls looked so good for them. So this may not be the gift for the Liberals that some pundits might speculate it is for them.
Still, this has to be a huge personal defeat for Brown who had spent his entire life up to now priming himself for political leadership. If the facts prevail against him in this case, that will be another huge lesson for everyone, and especially males with a penchant for whatever it was he did that led to this.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Patrick Brown resigns.
There was someone waiting in the wings – she never expected to become the leadership this way.
Publisher’s note: Whenever Rivers has to pay up on his wager debts he invites me to his home and we seem to consume all of the bet that I won.
 By Staff
January 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was an interesting start to a significant meeting on the direction growth in the city of Burlington is going to take.
Ward 2 Councillor set out in her Facebook page what took place.
At the beginning of the meeting I discussed the lack of respect in the proceedings and called on all of us to set a higher standard. We may disagree, but need to be respectful. There’s no place for name calling, false allegations and the like.
My full opening statement on a Point of Privilege is here:
I would like to raise a point of privilege before we begin.
My goal in raising this is to ask all of us to commit to respectful dialogue.
 Councillor Meed Ward raises a Point of Privilege at council meeting. Point of privilege is used “when a member wants to draw attention to a matter that affects the integrity, character or reputation of an individual/group”
· Last night a delegate say planning staff should be fired; it’s not the first time our staff have been unjustly criticized publicly; I hope it will be the last.
· Another delegate said residents are NIMBYs, motivated only by self interest
· The same delegate said my motions were “political interference” a serious allegation – he chose to criticize the woman who is bringing motions, but had no similar criticism for my male colleague who is also bringing motions – some of which are similar to mine.
· Finally, a 14-page memo has been submitted to the public record from Mr. Mark Bales from Carriage Gate Homes, we all got a copy Monday. Mr. Bales has never spoken to me about my views about the OP or the downtown, and yet in his memo he presumes to know my motives, calls into question my integrity and character, and makes allegations with no evidence.
* and the Burlington Post being told they are “not a real newspaper.”
All of this has to stop. None of this is helpful to our discussions.
Like many women who have been subjected to personal attacks for having an opinion, and saying it out loud, I have mostly ignored these things in the past, assuming they’re simply part of being in public service. I can take it – I have a tough skin – 22 years as a journalist and 7 in elected office does that.
But I’ve realized this isn’t about me; it’s about all of us and the culture and example we’re setting. So it’s time to speak up.
When people see others exposed to personal attacks, it discourages them from participating in the community conversation. And we lose that input. I know people who will not stand at that podium because of the way they have been treated.
When personal attacks go unaddressed, it sends the message that these are okay. They are not. We can’t have one standard for people we agree with – letting their comments go unchecked – and another for those we don’t.
It’s time for this to stop.
So, I am asking that we all – everyone around this horseshoe and all members of the community – commit ourselves to a higher standard of respectful dialogue and mutual respect.
This is in keeping with our Engagement Charter, and referred to in the draft OP Chapter 11: “Mutual respect for citizens, staff and members of City Council is the basis for the development of constructive relationships and successful citizen engagement.”
We may disagree about many things today and going forward; I expect we will. But let’s commit ourselves to this: let’s assume that each one of us around this table and in the community wants the best for the future of our city, even as we have different perspectives about how to get there. Let’s allow for that difference, and maintain mutual respect.
 The delegate who made the comment about residents being NIMBYs who are motivated only by self interest deserves a closer look.
 Glenn Wellings is a planner by profession who works for clients in the municipal sector. He was the last delegator to speak and was one of the three that was supportive of the plans and ideas that had been put forward by the planning department.
Who chooses the order at which delegators speak? That decision would be made by people in the Clerk’s Office. Are speaking slots determined by the date at which the request to delegate are received by the Clerk’s office?
Can people ask to be allowed to speak at a particular point? People who cannot get to a day time meeting will ask to be heard in the evening.
Wellings didn’t add much to the information Council was given. The Gazette learned that Wellings, representing a client in Halton Hills, had urged the public to participate in the public dialogue – but he did something quite different in Burlington.
Wellings Planning Consultants Inc. lists the following as clients:
- Township of Amaranth
- Township of East Garafraxa
- Town of Grimsby
- Regional Municipality of Halton
- City of Hamilton
- Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
- County of Hastings
- Town of Milton
- Regional Municipality of Niagara
- Town of Oakville
He was doing what his client wanted in Halton Hills. Did Wellings have a client he was representing in Burlington? He didn’t say he was representing anyone; neither did he say that he has a relative working at city hall. Nothing wrong with that. The relative worked in Human Resources.
The relative did at one point work in Planning where the responsibility was related to the development of the downtown core. The relative did some very good early work on the background related to future changes of the Waterfront Hotel.
What the Gazette was surprised to learn was that in January the relative was transferred from Human Resources to the Office of the City Manager where all the strategizing is being done on getting the draft version of the Official Plan approved by city council.
Wellings could have given full disclosure and told Council about the relative that worked for the city.
Related news story.
Wellings urges citizens in Halton Hills to get out and support a development; in Burlington citizens are NIMBY’s – concerned only about their self interest.
By Pepper Parr
January 25th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a tough and probably expensive meeting for the developer that owns the north side of Lakeshore Road between Brant and John Street.
The property was put in a new precinct called the Cannery where the height limit was set at 22 storeys.
 During the two-day debate on what the limits were going to be for the 13 precincts the downtown is now divided into the property got moved out of the Cannery precinct and into the Downtown Core precinct where the height limit is 17 stories.
 This rendering of what a building at the north east corner of Brant and Lakeshore could look like – the rendering was not provided by the owner of the property. The motion to have this happen was put forward by Councillor Taylor who said that he did this because it was what he promised to do when he agreed to the staff recommendation that allowed the 23 story 421 Brant project.
The rules in the draft Official Plan call for all tall buildings to be built on a three story base.
The planners wanted to ensure there are good sight lines to the lake and that the $14 million Pier (original price was $7.5 million) could be seen by everyone.
A little later Councillor Marian Meed Ward tried to get the 17 storeys reduced to 15 but that didn’t pass.
The property opposite city hall on north east corner of James and Brant was approved at 23 storeys. The land to the south, where Elizabeth Interiors was once located, has a height limit now of 17 storeys that the Mayor said he felt should be the same as the 421 Brant building which is 23 storeys.
There is an attempt to keep some of the historical look of Brant street by retaining the building on the corner of Brant and James.
The public shouldn’t expect to see shovels in the grounds any time soon – but this is what they want the Lakeshore Road and Brant part of the city too look like.
A citizen group has some thoughts for what a re-developed Waterfront Hotel could look like. Known as Plan B it moves a hotel development to the east opening up public space and creating a grander look to the Pier.
By Staff
January 24th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Between December 2017 and January 4th 2018, cash and property was stolen from the residents of a home in the City of Burlington. The accused was the live-in care provider for one of the elderly residents.
The accused is Charmain Bibiana PETER (55 years old) from Saint Lucia.
Charged with; Theft Over $5000, three counts of Theft Under $5000, Possession of property obtained by crime and Uttering threats.
The accused was arrested and some of the property was recovered.
Police are advising Halton residents to ensure that they conduct screening process for hiring Live-in care providers and care providers entering their home. If you hire them privately; ensure they are entitled to work in Canada with a Social Insurance number, conduct reference checks, and ask questions about their qualifications for the services they are going to be providing.
Another method to ensure your safety and that you receive the professional care you are contracting for is to hire a registered and licenced Personal Support Worker. (PSW).
More information available at: Personal Support Worker Association – https://pswa.ca/
A resource and questions you should ask of your care provider: Home Care Ontario: https://www.homecareontario.ca/home-care-services/overview
 By Pepper Parr
January 24th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The clarification I did not have when this was first written is now in hand. The Planning department expects to be able to take the final draft of the Official Plan to council on April 4th.
The die has been cast.
 Council Meed Ward led the fight to defer the approval of the Official Plan until after the municipal election – the motion was defeated. Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward put her motion on the floor to defer the approving of the Official Plan to after the October 28th election – it was defeated on a vote of 5-1; Councillor Dennison was absent.
The approval of the draft plan is scheduled to come before Council is either April, May or June – there is some confusion as to which month applies.
There were 35 delegations; two were in favour of not deferring – the remaining 33 were crystal clear on what they wanted: defer until after the municipal election in October.
During the afternoon session today staff did admit that there had been a problem in explaining all the changes to the public and there is agreement that staff will work on a communications program that will be visual in nature. No commitment to a date when the visuals will be ready.
The planners and a number of the council members made the point that the city has been working on this for seven years – Meed Ward pointed out the public has only seen the document and graphic material since last September.
There is a tonne of information to convey in news reports. In due course we will get the details to you.
By Staff
January 24th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On January 4th 2018, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM six cars had their windows smashed and items stolen from them while parked at Mapleview Mall at 900 Maple Avenue in Burlington. Items stolen included electronics, clothing, purses and wallets with credit cards which were fraudulently used. Police also received reports of two vehicles stolen from the area of Fairview Street and Drury Lane in Burlington.
Investigators identified a red Chevrolet Trailblazer stolen from Puslinch Township as being involved and that vehicle was located in the area of the two vehicle thefts in Burlington.
One of the stolen vehicles, a Ford F-150 was recovered in Brantford days later and was found to contain stolen property from the Mapleview Mall thefts as well as several that occurred in the City of Hamilton.
On January 16th 2018, members of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested Michel Blair Martin MCNAUGHTON (29-yrs) of Brantford. MCNAUGHTON was remanded into custody charged with the following offences:
• Theft of motor vehicle (2 counts)
• Theft under $5000 (6 counts)
• Mischief under $5000 (7 counts)
• Fraudulent use of credit cards (3 counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Possession of break-in instruments
• Fail to comply with probation (2 counts)
Police are reminding the public of the following prevention tips:
• Ensure your unattended vehicle(s) are kept locked/secure
• Never leave personal identification or valuables in your vehicle
• Park in a well-lit and attended areas whenever possible
• Never leave spare keys in your vehicle
• If you have to leave valuables in your vehicle, lock them in your trunk. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving packages or purses in plain view or on the seat.
• Remove garage door openers, GPS navigation and cell phone devices & power cords from view when not in your vehicle
• Consider installing CCTV / Surveillance cameras which can capture the crime and aid in suspect identification
• Ensure their homes and garages are locked when absent from the home or turning in for the night.
• REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO POLICE IMMEDIATELY
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Tyler Freeman of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2363. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Why is it that a person supporting the view that council has usually get to speak last?
 Glen Wellings, a planner in private practice, told council that the public comments about the planners was “reprehensible”. He added that he thought the expected Meed Ward motions should be sent to the planners for consideration.
Wellings objected to the “special interests” trying to control the agenda yet when he spoke in Georgetown in 2016, encouraging spectators to voice their opinions in front of Halton Hills council during the public meeting on March 1.
“Go to the meeting on March 1 and let [council] know how you feel,” he said.
Glenn Wellings – planner. He assured council that the sky was not going to fall and that they should get on with the job they were elected to do.
The objective is to get the damn things off the table so that they don’t have to be voted on.
Council appears determined to rush the draft Official Plan through – to what end is not at all clear. Perhaps because they can.
The citizens have done their best – and there were some exceptionally good delegations. Debby Morrison and Gary Scobie plus Catherine Crozier deserve to be nominated as Burlington’s Best. If you’re reading Catherine – please send us that delegation – it deserves a wider audience.
A rough calculation would be that 250 people attended the public meeting.
The prospect of the Meed Ward motions making it are dim but there was a point when keep Central high school open looked dim – remember how that worked out.
 By Staff
January 23, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Next Door Kitchen, 650 Plains Road East in Burlington, is hosting a Toonie Breakfast on Saturday January 27th, 2018. Proceeds from the breakfast will support Halton Food for Thought (HFFT) Student Nutrition Programs.
 If you are out and about, want to have a fabulous breakfast or simply want to stop in to see their new space and support HFFT, maybe we will see you there!
Enjoy breakfast on your own or with your family and neighbours at one of their amazing harvest tables while learning more about Next Door and all the resources it provides our community.
The Student Nutrition programs ensure “no student goes hungry at school”… one healthy breakfast at a time!
By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Brian Dean, the Executive Director of the Downtown Business Association, has a pretty good sense of what any buzz going on is about. He is at times shameless when wanting to know “what’s up”?
Dean moved to the point he was before city council to make – consider a delay in the approval of the draft Official Plan.
It is our Board’s contention that the stated timeline to adopt the draft Official Plan by the first week of April 2018 is too ambitious.
 Brian Dean with the ward Councillor celebrating the installation of new parking meters. More specifically, it will not allow the BDBA to adequately position itself as a commenting agency, with the support of its membership.
Dean explained that his association was doing its outreach to his membership – it was proceeding rather well – until …
Dean explained that
“it was in September, with the first release of the draft Downtown precinct plans when our efforts really ramped up.
“The City’s Mobility Hub Team took the BDBA people on a block-by-block walkabout of the proposed precincts to explain the policies and answer questions.
“Until November 2017 I reported the observations that the Official Plan and Mobility Hub sessions were “reasonably” well attended by the business community.
“My conclusion was that there was no clear consensus amongst the membership about whether the draft downtown precincts were positive, negative or otherwise. NOR did there emerge a collective voice petitioning our Board of Directors to advocate in a particular direction.
“That changed in November.
“The watershed moments were the Committee and Council approval of the application by Carriage Gate Homes for a development at Brant & James Streets.
“The feedback to my Association was immediate.
“It seems that the business community was viewing the potential implications for their businesses and considering issues like: construction, future rents and potential displacement… as if for the first time. AND My Board took notice!
“The BDBA wants to put together a series of precepts or statements that will act as the “official comment” from our business community and Association when we are challenged to insert ourselves in discussions around downtown developments, Official Plans and other documents that can affect the health of our community of business.
“We also believe that there is evidence for City Council to reconsider its position on the “innovation district” designation in the revised Official Plan.
“We contend that there is room for more than one “innovation district” in Burlington and that our Downtown does qualify as possessing similar criteria to the area around the DeGroote School of Business.
“Thank you for your time…we are happy to field any questions you might have of us.”
Dean was civil and direct. He has been delegating for years; does it well and comes fully prepared.
 Councillor Paul Sharman had some choice advice for a delegator – Chair Craven had to intervene. Councillor Paul Sharman didn’t see the request for the additional time as reasonable and got into verbal fisticuffs with Dean requiring Chair Craven to caution the council member and basically told Sharman to move to his own corner of the ring.
What has become pretty clear is that this Council isn’t liking what they are being asked to do – the questions are short, often grumpy and there is no sense that council want to be in a collaborative mode with its citizens. The exception is Meed Ward and at times Lancaster who looks for clarification to make sure she understands the point being made.
There was a point when Lancaster was the Council representative on the BDBA Board – that didn’t work out.
 Mayor wants to know if a delegator wants the downtown core plan put on hold or if they want the draft Official Plan in its entirety put on hold until after the October election. The Mayor asks the same question of each delegator – Do you want just the downtown core plans put on hold or the complete draft Official Plan?
They all tell the Mayor – put it all on hold and while no one says it directly the implication is that they want time to decide if they want this council making the decisions.
 By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Planning and Building committee that met this afternoon and this evening, and possibly into another day if everyone is not heard today does have an agenda which is to:
Receive Department of City Building report PB-11-18 regarding supplementary information with respect to the proposed Downtown Mobility Hub Precinct Plan and associated Official Plan policies; and
Direct the Director of City Building to proceed with the proposed Downtown Precinct Plan, as described in report PB-81-17, and incorporate into the proposed New Official Plan; and
Direct the Director of City Building to incorporate Additional Supporting Policies for the Downtown, as described in report PB-11-18, into the proposed New Official Plan.
The report staff took them through before delegations began was impressive – quite why this wasn’t delivered to the public several months ago is difficult to understand.
What became evident from the get go was that people wanted more time and they wanted more detail before decisions are made.
Brian Dean delegating on behalf of the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) asked that any decision on both the Downtown Mobility Hub and the Official Plan be put off until June.
 Citizens are telling city council that they don’t want to be quite as bold as the Planners are suggesting. June is the furthest forward date so far – what was going to get made final at the end of January got pushed to February, then April – and now the business people want June.
The larger public wants the whole caboodle put off until after the election in October when they say the city council will actually have a mandate to do that they are doing.
The back and forth during the 11 delegations in the afternoon got a bit testy at times. With some 80 people in the Council Chamber – that dropped off to under 40 after a short mid-way break.
The Gazette will report in more detail once the evening session adjourns – they have 20 delegations to listen to – and there is going to be a request that delegations be taken from the floor – that is people who did not register be allowed to speak.
By Pepper Parr
January 23rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting in front of members of city council to speak is proving a little awkward.
ECoB – Engaged Citizens of Burlington are determined to bring this city council to heel and insist ob being heard.
A Planning and Building Committee meeting scheduled for this afternoon and this evening has 12 registered delegations this afternoon and 19 registered delegations for this evening.
ECoB sent a notice to Chair, Committee of Planning and Development Councillor Paul Sharman
Intense to the point of making delegations uncomfortable ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman will be asked to deal with some procedural issues at a Planning and Building meeting this evening. Please be advised that members of Engaged Citizens of Burlington have notified the Clerk’s office that there were system interruptions with the Delegation Registration link last week. Confusion has ensued it is unclear if delegates will be turned away or refused the opportunity to address Committee at the November 23, 2018 Planning and Development Committee. We wish to provide clarity to our members.
Per Section 37.7 of the Procedural Bylaw 64-2016, Delegations will be permitted without prior registration during any public meeting as required by section 14.1 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13. Delegations are strongly encouraged to register before the standard delegation registration deadline and will be asked to fill in an attendance form to fulfill legislative notice requirements.
Please confirm if a Procedural Motion is necessary or will be presented to allow anyone eligible in attendance to speak to the matters relating to Proposed New Official Plan (PB-50-17) & Proposed Downtown Mobility Hub Precinct Plan and proposed official plan policies (PB-81-17).
EcoB has developed the ability to be heard – they also know how to ambush the Mayor at his own meetings.
The group had planned a meeting for volunteers then learned that the Mayor called a meeting of his own to listen to people.
ECob held their meeting, prepared a list of things they wanted the Mayor to do and zipped over to the Mayor’s meeting to put their demands in front of him.
The Mayor promised to respond – nothing so far.
 In preparing for the meeting this evening ECoB is arguing that the Planning department has basically ‘run amuck’; citizens were urged to delegate and appear to have found that the system that handles delegate registration wasn’t working properly.
This council has never had to face a well-organized and angry group of citizens like this in their seven years of service. Should be an interesting meeting.
 By Rory Nisan
January 23rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
After writing my article “Emerging Democratic Issues at City Hall” on December 21, I hoped for more respect for the views of Burlington citizens and, more generally, a more transparent attitude from the City as it enters a critical time in its development. Time will tell, yet there have been numerous developments in recent weeks that continue to give cause for concern for the state of our city from a democratic perspective. Here are four:
(1) The letter from City Manager James Ridge to EcoB:
While within his right to send a toughly worded letter threatening legal action related to a couple of political lines on a website, Mr. Ridge would benefit from using more honey and less vinegar. He could have invited ECoB for a meeting to discuss his concerns and to hear from ECoB also. It would be entirely proper and reasonable for the City Manager to reach out to a community group and meet with them and hear their concerns.
Instead, he used the threat of employing taxpayer money to sue the taxpayers themselves. Would expensive litigation have benefited the City, the taxpayers or ECoB? In fact, the only beneficiaries would have been the lawyers. ECoB could have called his bluff but took the high road and removed the supposedly offensive language from their website without delay.
Mr. Ridge should seek out the high road also.
(2) #GetTheFacts
A social media campaign is underway from the City of Burlington, using the hashtag GetTheFacts to make posts on Facebook supporting the draft official plan. Having worked in strategic communications myself, I can see the hallmarks of a deliberate intent to change citizens’ views about the downtown hub especially.
What is wrong with the city promoting its own plan? If it were an agreed upon, final document, there would be no problem.
However, this plan is anything but official. City Council has not voted, yet the unelected communications arm of the city is promoting the plan in order to sway the public’s opinion and that of city councillors, and is using taxpayer funds to do so by paying the salary of the communications staff.
If you don’t believe there is a strong bias, take a look at this post, which states that “higher density developments are located near the Burlington GO station away from the downtown core” when the proposal for the downtown includes permission for 17-story buildings. If 17 stories isn’t high density in Burlington, I don’t know what is. #GetTheFacts is the hashtag but these sound more like alternative facts.
This campaign should stop immediately; the City needs to get out of the way and allow the democratic process to unfold. The city has no business influencing anyone about plans that are not approved. This is textbook anti-democratic.
This is almost certainly not the case of a rogue social media specialist. These deliberate strategies are typically thought through and assigned at senior levels. I have found the social media team at the city to be second-to-none in professionalism and providing information to the public.
This campaign should stop immediately; the City needs to get out of the way and allow the democratic process to unfold.
(3) $278,970
We learned recently that Mary Lou Tanner has been promoted to Deputy City Manager. A new position was created, and Ms. Tanner won an internal competition to be named to the role.
 Former Director of Planning Mary Lou Tanner was appointed Deputy City Manager. The City Manager should feel free to re-organize as he sees fit, but he asked for new money to pay for the position, instead of making the internal sacrifices necessary to have a new senior executive role.
Councillor Meed Ward put forward a motion asking that the new salary be included within the existing corporate management human resources budget but it failed at committee.
How much is a Deputy City Manager paid? Her exact salary isn’t known but once CPP, EI, benefits and other costs are added up, the new position will cost the taxpayer $278,970.
Is that good value for money? What else could the city do with that kind of cash? Here is one hypothetical example of many: the cost of a pilot project in Oakville in 2011 allowing seniors to ride free one day per week was estimated to be $45,200 per year and increased ridership on Mondays during the pilot by 578%. A rough, back-of-the-napkin calculation would indicate that we could allow seniors to ride free six days per week for less than the cost of the new Deputy City Manager.
Here is another idea. The $278,970 could be divided into four salaries of $69,742 to hire some top-notch staff to create a unit dedicated to improving the level of consultation and dialogue with taxpayers, building on best practices and ensuring that citizens’ view are heard at the highest levels and fully considered.
(4) Timing of the Reverse Town Hall
The Reverse Town Hall was a good initiative — an example of what Burlington needs in more supply. However, it was set at the last minute and on the same evening as a critical meeting for ECoB.
A charitable view of this would be that it was an unfortunate coincidence of timing.
A less charitable view would be that there was an attempt to undermine attendance at ECoB’s meeting by forcing people to pick between engagement sessions.
 Mayor explains what he heard at his Reverse Town Hall As an optimist, and giving the benefit of the doubt, I prefer the former view. However, even that scenario would indicate an unfortunate lack of consideration of the political calendar in Burlington. More careful attention should be taken in the future, and if the City were taking a more inclusive approach to an important citizen-based committee, this error would not have occurred as outreach to ECoB at the same time as this event would have been on someone’s calendar.
Several of these four issues are connected in some manner, and they all concern democratic practice at City Hall. In an election year, I hope we can aspire to do better.
Councillors and the Mayor were given a mandate to govern in 2014. However, that mandate is not a carte blanche. They must return to the citizens regularly to check the pulse and ensure they are not outstripping their license to govern.
The Mayor taking questions at his State of the City Address is the right thing to do (though $45 tickets makes it very difficult for low- or fixed income individuals to be able to afford to attend and ask questions), as was the (unfortunately timed) Reverse Town Hall. Whenever an elected official puts themselves in the hot seat and takes un-moderated questions it is a positive development.
However, this City Council does not have a mandate to undertake the major changes envisioned in the updated Official Plan. A change of this magnitude needs to be put to the voters, if not as a referendum, then as an important element of an election’s discourse. Luckily, the 2018 election is right around the corner so it would be no trouble at all to delay a decision a few months.
A good and necessary first step was taken when the decision on the new Official Plan was delayed to April to allow more consultation. Going into important debates this week, we need more of this kind of reflection of the will of Burlingtonians.
To put it in social media terms, this should be #OurDecision.
 Rory Nisan is a long-time Burlington resident and Lester B. Pearson High School alumnus. He has been an active member of the Save Pearson community organization.
Related content:
Nisan on Emerging Democratic Issues at City Hall
 By Staff
January 23, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
There is probably a large part of the city that either doesn’t even know what is going on at city hall or are totally confused over what is taking place.
The Planning department has presented a number of very significant changes to city council – and city council has gone along with them.
Municipalities are required to review their Official Plan every five years. Burlington is in the midst of that process and there are a lot of people who don’t like what they see in the plan so far and are aghast at the speed with which the document is being approved.
It was originally to be completed by the end of January. That date got pushed forward to April.
The changes are so significant that some people, an admittedly small group, want the Official Plan made an election issue. That election is to take place late in October of this year.
Mayor did a Reverse Town Hall. The Mayor got concerned enough to hold a Reverse Town Hall where he listen to 100 + people who made it very clear to him that they were not happy campers. He was hearing seniors tell him that he has betrayed their trust. Not words any Mayor wants to hear heading into an election.
 When Karina Gould took the Burlington House of Commons seat Wallace decided he could serve as Mayor of the city. Mike Wallace a five term former city Councillor who went on to become the Member of Parliament, got beaten by Karina Gould which sent Wallace back to square one, said in his campaign announcement on Monday that the QEW divide in Burlington has to be overcome.
It is almost as if there were two cities.
Every viable city needs a core; Burlington has one but the recommendations coming out of city hall and being approved by city council are seen as extreme by some. A 23 storey tower opposite city hall is too much for some people who don’t think this city council has a mandate to foist that level of development on the citizens.
That first tower is just the beginning – the city is reported to have 22 new applications for high rise buildings that are working their way through the Planning department.
City council is literally under attack and reeling from the assaults coming from a small organization known as ECoB – Engaged Citizens of Burlington. The group claims they knew they were making headway when the city manager threatened them with legal action over some of the wording on their web site.
 Marianne Meed Ward rode the Save Our Waterfront movement all the way to city hall – can the Official Plan put her in the Mayor’s seat? The Mayor is reported to have announced that the decisions being made about how development will be done on the downtown core have been moved forward to sometime in June. ECoB is pushing to have all this stuff made dependent on the election outcome.
Downtown ward 2 councillor Marianne Med Ward is very vocal about what she thinks is all wrong about what is taking place and she plans to present a number of motions at city council – one which is to put the approval of the city Official Plan on hold until the municipal election has taken place.
The developers have convinced themselves that what Meed Ward wants will be the end of Burlington.
Meed Ward has not announced that she is running for the Office of Mayor
In her Newsletter, which is widely read in every city ward she recently said:
 “Ever since council approved (5-2) the 23 storey building at the North East corner of Brant & James, people have become more aware of the proposed changes in the new Official Plan to the downtown, and elsewhere in the city including the neighbourhoods surrounding the Aldershot, Burlington and Appleby GO stations.
“I have heard from residents across the city, and the majority have said they aren’t happy with the proposed changes, especially for the downtown, and the entire Official Plan process seems rushed. They are asking for more time to review the most recent draft Official Plan and revised downtown policies (released in November), the track changes, comments and supporting documents, as well as additional analysis and mapping for the downtown released in mid-January 2018 – all of which is more than 2000 pages.
“Though the Official Plan began in 2011, it started as an update, and the downtown was not included in the scope. On Oct. 31, 2016, the project changed from an update to a rewrite of the Official Plan. The first draft of the Official Plan was released in April 2017. The downtown policies were not ready. The new downtown policies were first released in September 2017, with a revised draft in November. The revised draft Official Plan was also released in November. The mobility hubs were discussed at committee for the first time in December.
“So, we’ve had less than three months to digest and make the best decisions for the downtown, the mobility hubs and the city.
“We need to give ourselves and the community more time to make the right decision for our city. Residents also want to put the Official Plan to the test of democracy by postponing approval till after the October municipal election and asking candidates to campaign on the OP.
“There is no need to rush. Municipalities are required to review our Official Plan every five years, but there is no deadline for completion. We’ve been at our OP for six years without penalty, so what’s a few more months? City business has continued throughout the review, receiving and processing development applications. Nothing stops while we work to get it right.”
You can see where this is going and for parents who are busy getting the kids out to hockey games or wondering just what the teenagers are doing – an Official Plan is not top of mind.
Tell them that it is important and they will agree and add that that is what they have a city council for – to do the right thing.
Most of the people involved in the protesting say – that’s the problem – they aren’t doing the right thing.
The council meeting Tuesday night is going run late.
What is astonishingly remarkable – the public is hearing nothing from the other five members of Council. The Mayor is vocal – he is running hard to keep his job.
Note a word so far from the other five members of council.
 John Taylor – Dean of the city council with 25+ years of service.  Jack Dennison has served for more than 20 years.  Councillors Sharman and Lancaster were both elected in 2010 and returned in 2014.  Councillor Craven has served for more than a dozen years.
 By Staff
January 23, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Conservation Halton advises that as of 11:30 PM January 22nd, rain gauges throughout the watershed have recorded rainfall totals up to 15 mm over the last 24 hours.
The weather system currently passing through the watershed may bring an additional 10 mm of rain overnight prior to ending Tuesday morning. These rainfall amounts combined with saturated ground conditions will result in elevated water levels and increased flows in local creeks.
 With as much as 25 mm of rain in the past 24 hours the flow pf water in the watershed creeks will be higher and faster. Caution. Further, milder temperatures and melting ice may contribute to blockages at bridges and culverts and produce localized flooding concerns in low lying areas.
Widespread flooding is not currently anticipated. Our reservoirs are currently at winter holding levels which allows for larger storage capacity for circumstances of this nature.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to keep a safe distance from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement –Water Safety message as conditions warrant.
This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through Wednesday January 24, 2018.
By Staff
January 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It is close to a full half hour long – more puff than substance but interesting if you are a dedicated Liberal.
 She got it right over the plate at a Burlington Herd baseball game. Karina Gould, Burlington MP and the Minister of Democratic Institutions and the youngest person to be made a member of Cabinet, was the feature of a Cogeco Cable TV production that focuses on the Millennial Ministers.
The Gazette got a mention for some of the pictures we provided.
Worth spending some time on – better than an Infomercial.
Click here for the link.
 By Pepper Parr
January 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Mike is in – no surprise there.
And leadership is going to be his core issue.
That approach lets him hit left and right – he will tell us he can do a better job than the current Mayor and that you really don’t want the direction the as yet unannounced candidate Marianne Meed Ward will take the city.
 Wallace announcing he wants to be the next Mayor of Burlington. Standing in a bone chilling spot outside city hall – not in the Civic Square, Mike Wallace let it be known what he thought of the new provincial election rules that forbid spending any money to get elected before nomination day May 1st.
So – there was Mike with a decent number of supporters shifting from foot to foot to keep their feet warm.
Keith Strong had to make the opening remarks without the benefit of a microphone – that would have meant spending some money which the rules don’t allow. Strong told the audience of Mikes 5 terms on city council and three terms as the Burlington Member of Parliament during which time he brought $250 million of benefits from the federal government to the city.
Wallace has a seasoned performer as his campaign manager who told the Gazette that they will be polling the public – using the Angus Reid organization to do that job.
 It was a respectable crowd on a cold rainy day. With the microphone in hand Wallace told the audience that the issue was leadership. Under his watch there would not have been a New Street bike lane that went from nowhere to nowhere. Wallace told the audience that the car is a fact of life in Burlington.
He did say that there are transit issues and that as Mayor he will deal with those issues through a collaborative process with his council members.
Wallace is going to be putting forward ideas that are actionable in a process he will be “upfront” about.
Wallace points to his accomplishments as a city Councillor and as an MP; some of them are a little dated but significant nevertheless: Funding for the Performing Arts Centre; benefits for the Downtown core – he points to the Locust Street parking garage as an accomplishment of his.
Wallace told his audience of supporters that Burlington does a unique demographic – there are a lot of seniors and they have specific needs that he intends to ensure are delivered.
He adds that the city is an expensive lace for younger people to be able to buy a home. “The younger people are moving out” he said, “There are no opportunities for them here”.
 First Wallace interview at the start of the campaign to get elected Mayor. Congestion in the city is out of control. “It is hard to get around” he said adding that that problem had to be solved but we “can’t just ignore the car”. We need a realistic approach and we have to get away from “ideological” answer.
Wallace doesn’t like the way the city was engaging with its citizens. “We need a new more progressive perspective and added that “the problems can be resolved by working together”. Wallace is looking for consensus and wants Burlington to be “more than the place we live”.
This election isn’t about who the nicest person is” said Wallace.
And with that he suggested they all adjourn to the Queen’s Head.
By Ray Rivers
January 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s 8 am on a sunny Saturday morning and you’ve received a message on your phone, also blaring on radio and TV, that there is a missile of unknown origin coming your way and you need to seek immediate shelter. That is the kind of terror that people living in Hawaii recently experienced. That it was a mistake this time, a technical error, doesn’t make it any less gut wrenching. In fact that incident begs the question about our country’s readiness to face the unthinkable.
 There is a no-brainer – ban the bomb – but that’s not going to happen because it’d have to be global. Singing Kumbaya from the universal planetary hymn book just won’t cut it, and neither will hope and prayer. But then who would want to do this to us? Canada has no international enemies, right, except maybe ISIS or the Taliban? We are otherwise at peace.
And if peace ain’t enough, there are some of those anti-missile defence systems. Shooting down your enemy’s missiles is almost as old an idea as the missiles themselves, going back to Germany’s V1s and V2s. The Russians now have more modern ABMs, so does Israel, China, India and the USA of course.
There used to be an international treaty banning the development of anti-ballistic missile systems (ABM). But then GW Bush tore it up and in the process empowered/emboldened one very paranoid former KGB agent by the name of Vladimir Putin. And the Russians responded by tearing up the treaty limiting multiple warheads (MIRV). MIRV missiles with ten to fifteen individually targeted warheads are real hard to find and get and the latest Russian technology makes these warheads even harder to take out.
All of this kind of talk takes us back to the cold war option of mutually-assured-destruction. Unless one can guarantee there are enough accurate ABMs to take out all the incoming nukes it’s back to the Doomsday scenarios, fallout and bomb-proof shelters, as they have retained and restored in Moscow.
 An illustration of how the Star Wars technology was going to save everyone. Of course Ronald Reagan who was fond of Star Wars, got a lot of laughs, but back in 2005 Bush Junior tried to involve Canada in its military’s efforts at developing a fleet of North American ABMs. Despite years of testing and development and more money handed to the military-industrial complex than anyone can imagine, performance is still less than perfect. And perfect is what is needed if you are to prevent a multi-megaton nuclear missile from cleaning up your neighbourhood, giving new meaning to the term urban renewal.
 Periodic test failures provide little comfort that these systems with highfalutin names like THAAD and Aegis would actually do the job. We can tell by the near panic we hear from the man in the White House every time his favourite Rocket Man over there fires off one of his new toys. They certainly couldn’t stop North Korea’s launches over Japan with their ABMs. What makes anyone think these systems could really stop the big one should it ever be coming to a location near you?
Paul Martin, clinging to power with a slim minority government and facing opposition from the Bloc and NDP, told Bush a big negatory back in 2015. Canada would not be in. And seriously, if there were four nuclear ICBMs headed to North America targeting Settle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Vancouver – and a Canada/US missile defence system could only intercept three of them – which city would get the short straw?
But some issues never go away. Media folk, perhaps prompted by US defence contractors, raised the topic again last week as Canada co-hosted an international summit on North Korea’s nukes, out in our own la la land, Vancouver. The purpose was to discuss enforcing sanctions on Kim’s little ole’ republic ahead of any negotiations, or something like that. And being the gracious hosts we are, we handed over some chump change (~$3 million) to the cash-starved US to continue to monitor the Russians and Chinese as they breach the UN sanctions.
Of course the hermit dictatorship wasn’t invited and neither of its two influential neighbours China and Russia attended either. So neither of those nations were able to explain why they violate the very sanctions they committed to when they voted for them. There were also suggestions that this would demonstrate to the often belligerent US president that negotiations, rather than the bully-pulpit, or worse, might be more effective. But Trump couldn’t attend, perhaps needing to get some exercise and attend to his putter… or doctor.
 Thew people that mattered weren’t in the picture. There were speeches by foreign ministers from some 20 countries apparently, but only Japan and the US really mattered and neither of those had anything new to add. I’m glad I didn’t attend, well actually I wasn’t invited. But had I been, I would rather have headed for a couple days of something more stimulating up at Whistler. Though at least Vancouver’s weather was a little warmer for a boondoggle than Ottawa’s or Burlington’s, but still too cold for those used to Mar-a-Lago.
But the good news was that this so-called summit had no sooner begun then it was upstaged by serious diplomatic events happening on the Korean peninsula. After a phone call and series of meetings North and South Korea have agreed on a joint athletics team for the 2018 winter games in Pyeong Chang (S. Korea) early next month. And they are talking about other stuff too – so who knows maybe they’ll be restarting peace talks? We’ve seen this movie before but perhaps the ending will be different this time.
Of course Trump is taking credit for this new dialogue, and it is not inconceivable that his fire and fury may have actually helped. But the peace prize, if there is one, will have to go to South Korea’s recently elected pacifist president Moon Jae-In – who came into office promising dialogue. And if that means Kim will ultimately be retiring his nukes, then we here, next door to his real nemesis, will be able to sleep soundly again. And that might put to rest any talk of rushing to pour real Canadian cash into an American ABM system, which has yet to prove its reliability.
 The missiles are tested and shipped to almost anyone who can pay for them. Fellow NATO partners Turkey and Greece have recently purchased Russian-made S series anti-missile/aircraft systems. France has developed its own system. And we in Canada have a defence co-operation treaty and a free trade agreement with Ukraine, which had built many of the former Soviet systems, including those massive SS-24 nukes with 10 warheads, back in the day. Under attack from its more technically advanced neighbour now, this eastern European nation is actively seeking partners to help fast track development of its former missile and missile defence industries.
Perhaps we need to be looking longer and further afield if a missile defence system becomes a priority for this country and peace is no longer the answer. After all, there is merit in that the old adage that good fences make better neighbours. Just ask the Ukrainians.
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Hawaii Missile Alert – Canada and US ABM – More Canada ABM – Nightmare Scenario – Joint Attack Preparation – NK Summit – ABM Tech – Korea Talks – Vancouver Summit – Olympics – Vancouver Summit –
Canada Contributes – American ABMs – American ABMs Failures –
BY Staff
January 21st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
City Council seeks different public points of view through the delegation process at statutory meetings.
Many may not be aware that there is a simple and efficient way for people to express solidarity for or against a motion that is before a city Council.
It takes the form of an e-mail to cityclerks@burlington.ca, or a telephone call to 905-335-7600, ext. 7481 or letter (which at this point would need to be hand-delivered) to the City Clerk at City Hall, 426 Brant St, Burlington, ON L7R 3Z6 ).
Communications received prior to noon of the day before Council meets permits the City Clerk to include the number of communications received along with any delegate submissions to the Councillors for review prior to the scheduled meeting. The absolute deadline for receipt is prior to when Council sits to decide the matter (which will likely follow all delegations made on the evening of the 23rd.
It should state the date and name of the meeting that the communications are directed to. In this case “Jan 23, 2018 Planning and Development Committee”
 The letter you send should look something like this:
My name is (first-name, last-name).
I live at (Burlington residence address complete with Postal Code).
I am of voting age.
I support or reject (concise expression of what you want).
Sample expressions:
• a motion to delay approval of the Official Plan until after the upcoming Municipal Election
• Councillor Meed Ward’s 8 (or specify which of the 8) motions as outlined in the Jan 23rd Agenda Package
• the delegation as presented by (named delegate)
I wish to preserve my right to seek an appeal through the OMB or LPAT should Council approve/reject (concise expression of what you don’t want).
Thank you
Any communications from an organization on a Municipal Planning & Development matter can be challenged for misrepresentation by a legal authority under the Ontario Planning Act such as City Council, Regional Council, the OMB or LPAT.
To meet such a challenge, communications must be approved by at minimum, the majority of the elected executive of the organization or preferably, a majority of the membership vote at an organization sanctioned meeting. The evidence of compliance takes the form of the minutes taken at the meeting which must include a copy of the approved communication complete with the tally of votes for and against along with a list of the meeting participants.
Some people feel that these letters just get added to the minutes of the meeting and are ignored – not so. Members of Council pay close attention to these letters – they are an indication of just how people feel.
The Gazette is indebted to a citizen for the details on how to be heard at city hall.
 By Pepper Parr
January 21st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is going through an experience it hasn’t had for some time.
They have taken back the power they gave the people they elected to office because those people have not exercised that power effectively or efficiently.
One speaker at the Mayor’s Reverse Town Hall told the Mayor that “You have lost our trust.”
Democracy is a delicate process, it needs constant care and attention which, unfortunately, many citizens have failed to provide.
 Politicians have to be held accountable – and not just during elections. Every member of the current council was re-elected in 2014 – they took that as a signal that they could continue doing what they had done the previous four years. That is the message the taxpayers sent.
And the voters in Burlington may well be sending a similar signal again.
Can you name people who are putting their names forward as candidates? The Gazette is aware of two young men who are planning to run for Council seats – unfortunately both are in the same ward so all the city will get is one of the two. Both would be welcome additions to council.
The Gazette has met with close to a dozen people encouraging them to run for office. In several cases they would earn more than what they are currently earning.
There is something noble about being chosen by your peers to represent and preserve what the city they have chosen to live in has going for itself.
There are conditions to being asked to serve; like being invited to dinner – you are expected to leave at some point. The current Council has two members who need to move on and recognize that fresh minds are needed.
When ending a career in civic service the idea is to get out at a high point.
Those who have been Councillors for a long time will not be motivated to move on if they don’t see younger, fresher faces biting at their ankles.
In the past we have seen people put their names forward who were not ready for public office and brought little in the way of wisdom or experienced to the table. There was at least one that got elected in 2010 that met that condition.
The new election rules – pushing back the nomination date to May 1 from January 1 makes it a little harder to create a profile or get known – but it can be done.
If a candidate cannot raise a team to get themselves elected to office then they are not ready for office.
There is a public waiting for good candidates to come forward.
Marianne Meed Ward delegated so often at city council in 2008, 2009 and 2010 that she became a known entity and got behind an issue that mattered to people.
The current Mayor wants to serve a third term, a former city Councillor and former Member of Parliament wants back in and will announce formally on Tuesday that he will run for the office of Mayor.
 The seat of government – yards away from the Cenotaph that recognizes those who lost their lives defending the democracy that gets practiced at city. There is an obligation to honour and respect their sacrifice. There is an Aldershot resident who ran for the Chairmanship of Regional Council in 2014 with absolutely no experience in municipal government who has now convinced himself that on the basis of the votes he got in 2014 he can get elected as Mayor of Burlington. There is a line in that poem: Twas the night before Christmas – “While visions of sugar plums danc’d in their heads” – the words were intended for children but an adult seems to have taken them on.
We get asked regularly “Is she going to run? Is she going to run?
Did God make little green apples?
Of course Meed Ward is going to run – she is being very strategic on choosing when she announces.
The question that follows is – who will run for the ward 2 seat? And is it possible for Meed Ward to end up with a council that will have 4-3 votes for motions.
The city didn’t like it all that much when Cam Jackson’s council produces a lot of those 4-3 votes and look where replacing Jackson got us. But that is another story.
Salt with Pepper is an opinion column written from time to time by the publisher of the Gazette
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