 By Staff
October 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On October 12th 2017 at approximately 3:10 PM, police were alerted to a bicycle theft that had just occurred at the Mapleview Mall .
Police responded to the area where they located a man riding the stolen bicycle eastbound on Plains Road near Francis Rd. After being confronted by police, the man attempted to flee but was arrested a short distance away after a brief struggle.
A search incident to the arrest, police located a pair of bolt cutters, a cut cable lock and a quantity of crystal meth (5.4 grams) and 5 oxycontin pills.
Sean Michael BRAZIL (34-yrs) of Hamilton was held for bail charged with the following offences:
• Theft under $5000
• Mischief under $5000
• Assault with intent to resist arrest
• Possession of break-in instruments
• Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (crystal meth)
• Possession of a controlled substance (oxycontin).
There was a time when a bike could be left leaning against a building and it would be where you left it when you came back. Somewhere along the way we lost that respect for someone elses property. Police now remind cyclists to consider the following recommendations to prevent become a victim of theft:
 Record your bicycle’s make, model and serial number. Keep the information, along with a digital photo, in a safe place.
Make your bicycle as undesirable as possible. Consider removing decals or repainting your bicycles to disguise top-of-the-line models.
Consider a beater bicycle for everyday use. Leave expensive bicycles at home and commute on a less expensive, less appealing model.
Make your bicycle un-rideable. Remove wheels and saddles to make it impossible for thieves to ride away on your bicycle.
Report stolen bicycles or parts. While most of the time police can’t do anything to locate a stolen bicycle, they can take action if there are several thefts in a given area.
Don’t support the stolen bicycle black market. Buy only from reputable shops or from people you trust. If you are unsure, ask questions, request to see a receipt/registration or call the police.
 By Pepper Parr
October 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a long time in getting to this point and the decision to take the plunge and transform the existing Joseph Brant Museum into a 17,000 square foot location was not a unanimous city council decision.
Councillors Jack Dennison and Marianne Meed Ward were not onside for this nor was Councillor John Taylor all that enthusiastic about the plans that were put forward – but all it took was the votes of four of the seven members of council – and that they got – so they moved on to the next step of breaking ground.
 Spades in place waiting for the breaking of the ground. Shortly before the spades were put into the ground Burlington MPP Eleanor announced that the province was going to come up with the final million that was needed to see the development as fully funded.
There was some concern about the $1 million actually coming from the province – but city council wanted this project so badly that they went out on a limb, decided which of the reserve accounts they would raid for the funds and hoped the province would come through.
With a budget that seem to have to edge into the 4% increase level each year and the discovery that Burlington transit is going to need a very healthy sum of money – that million as important.
 Barb Teatero and her husband during the round breaking ceremony for the transformed Brant Museum. With the immediate financial concerns covered the Museum Staff and the Museum Foundation Board gathered together and watched two indigenous dancers perform ceremonial dances and then took part in a smudging ceremony that was quite something to observe.
The weather held and the hope was expressed that 18 months from now a ribbon cutting ceremony would take place to open the site.
 Members of the White Pines Indigenous dance group atch while the dignitaries make the speeches. Aron Bell a noted indigenous story teller is in the center There are dozens of hurdles to overcome between now and then but Friday morning was an occasion to celebrate – the performances would have made Joseph Brant proud.
The original house was the building Joseph Brant died in – the structure on the site is a 1937 replica of the house Mohawk native Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, built on a 1798 Crown land grant.
A modern addition to the museum will be built into the grassy area under the current museum.
The expansion, a modern addition to the museum will be built into the grassy area under the current museum by contractor Aquicon Construction that will add more than 12,000 square feet to its current size.
The hope and the expectation is that the transformed Joseph Brant Museum will become a cultural destination and a place to host national exhibitions and the collection of artifacts.
 Indigenous dancer does a grass dance to prepare the land for the ground breaking. During the ground breaking event McMahon said that those who worked so hard to make the ground breaking possible will, at some future distant date, be lauded for the decision they made.
We should make a record of those people in the event that the public finds that lauding is not what gets done. There are a lot of questions to be asked and the requirement for much, much more in the way of transparency and accountability.
There is some pretty fast poker being played here.
 The traditional dance wear has 365 small bell sewn into the skirt. The Joseph Brant Museum Transformation will include total square footage of 17,000 square feet in the expanded site. Construction is expected to take 18 months, depending on weather
The total project amount is approved at about $11 million, which includes a contingency fund and allows for cost increases due to a winter construction period. Funding includes:
$3.4 million from the City of Burlington
$4.7 million from the Government of Canada
$1.5 million from the Province of Ontario
$2.5 million from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation
The museum has 25,000 artifacts and receives a reported 18,000 visitors a year.
Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, was born in 1742 and died in 1807. In 1798, the Mohawk and British captain was granted 3,450 acres at the head-of-the-lake (Burlington Bay) by King George the third.
 The Joseph Brant tomb outside a Mohawk Chapel just outside Brantford, Ontario Brant’s body was carried by members of the Mohawk tribe from Burlington to Brantford, Ontario where his remains rest in a small white chapel,
By Staff
October 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Shortly before 9:00 PM, yesterday evening, a 55-year old female victim was walking to work when she was approached by a young man who asked her for a cigarette. The victim told the man that she didn’t smoke and they went their separate ways.
The victim continued to walk along Fairview Street west of Brant Street when the man reappeared and without warning, struck her in the back of the head, knocking her to the ground then ran away. The victim got up and continued to walk westbound on Fairview when the man approached her again; pushed her to the ground and stole her black & white “Sephora” bag then ran away. During the incident, the victim sustained scrapes to her hands and knees, a bloody nose and swelling on the back of her head.
The victim arrived at work and immediately reported the incident to police. The area where the incident occurred was searched by uniformed officers with the aid of a Police Service Dog however the male was not located.
Over three hours later (12:15 AM), a resident on Stephenson Drive caught a young man that had been observed breaking into cars in the area. Police responded and arrested the man. After further investigation, it was determined that he was the person responsible for the earlier incident.
Zachary Michael HELLICAR (18-yrs) of Treeland St in Burlington was held for bail charged with the following offences:
• Assault
• Robbery
• Theft under $5000 (two counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Fail to comply with recognizance
Detective Sergeant Hansen commented that “Investigators are extremely grateful to the resident on Stephenson Drive for helping apprehend and identify this man whose random violent behaviour posed a safety concern to the public”.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Phil Vandenbeukel of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2343 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637.
 By Pepper Parr
October 12th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Two men, both from Aldershot, delegated at city council earlier this week – both had similar comments and both had problems getting their material into the record – no one knew what happened.
 Greg Woodruff, who ran for Chair of the Region in the 2014 election, had comments to make about the development planned for 35 Plains Road. While he didn’t like the idea of an additional two floors of density being given to a site that is zoned for six storeys – that wasn’t his biggest concern,
His objections to the 35 Plains road development were that the building is not of pedestrian scale. It is important he pointed out that we not create buildings which tower over the pedestrian walkway
Woodruff pointed out that the building does not comply with employment usage. This application he said seeks to remove employment space requirement and still want the “mixed use” designation.
The building is close to a transit hub, which allows people to commute to Toronto and would also allow people to commute to employment uses in Aldershot. There are people doing that now in Burlington.
Woodruff thought that 70% was a good requirement because it would create commercial pedestrian densities if enforced. “We are far better served with creating employment usage in the area than just residential. There is no vibrancy or transit enhancement created by people commuting to Toronto and gone from the area all day. Vibrancy requires people here all day – which employment usage properly creates.
 Woodruff then added that the 35 Plains Road proposal does not comply with the Aldershot Village vision. The vision calls for sites that have large landscaping and large generally open spaces.
Woodruff wants to see a minimum amenity area maintained. Zoning minimums are required because buyers can not asses reasonable levels. Creating a large number of small inexpensive low amenity units create a building were the major selling feature is low cost. Though this looks attractive at first long term it creates problems.
The developer wants the parking spaces reduced from a required 130 to a proposed 100 and have visitor parking reduced to 17 from the required 28 spaces.
Reduction of commercial parking is a mistake. While it is generally available vendors do no keenly enforce it.
Thus a shopper can park at once place and walk the near other businesses. At this site you can see someone using it and the adjacent bank without moving their car. However if customers cannot park easily vendors will enforce it – this requires movement of cars for every trip to every store.
We all know how this has worked out at the parking space at the No Frills plaza on Brant Street.
Woodruff told council of comments made by Brent Toderian at a public meeting. Toderian is a Vancouver based consultant who has done a considerable amount of work for Burlington who was asked:
How do you make density something that communities welcome?
 The Toderian line of thought – make sure that you’re spending the value on things that make density successful. Toderian responded: “I don’t support stupid density. I sometimes have as much concern about the YIMBY [Yes In My Backyard] movement as I do about the NIMBY movement. I don’t buy an absolute not-in-my-backyard, but I also don’t buy the argument that we should get rid of our zoning codes and have at it, build as much as we can. Both of those are the extreme.
Toderian was then asked: Explain density bonusing.
Toderian: “You have a base density, but [a developer] can increase to a higher density by negotiating amenities that make that higher density more livable. The key is to make sure that you’re spending the value on things that make density successful. Doing this “… gives the community a sense that the additional density is translating into something that’s going to support quality of life. They can see a connection between the additional density and amenities their community needs, but probably won’t be able to afford.
Woodruff doesn’t think the Planning department has taken to heart the Toderian line of thought. He suggested to Council that they were paying more attention to what the developer was asking for than they were to the zoning in place and the policies that had been adopted.
 Tom Muir recognizes the difference between evidence-based policy-making, and policy-based evidence making. Tom Muir, who has been delegating to city council for more than 25 years saw the same kind of thing happening but chose different language to make his point.
“In my 45 years of policy and issues analysis I learned to recognize the difference between evidence-based policy-making, and policy-based evidence making. This looks to be the latter – decide what you want first, and then pick the evidence.
Oftentimes, sections of the Policy Framework said to be used, are selectively chosen that support the recommendation to approve. Other parts raising issues of approval are sometimes stated, but not followed up on. As a result, the viability of existing business and commercial economic development is being sacrificed by planning recommendations such as this one. What I continue to find disturbing is the continued de-commercialization of Aldershot.
Muir made it clear that both the Provincial Policy Statement and the city’s Strategic Plan point to the need for commercial uses to be planned for and increased not reduced and the needs of existing business to be accounted for, not sacrificed. “But the proposal” said Muir, “contradicts what the policy calls for. It talks about complete communities, but goes in the opposite direction
“Aldershot is losing retail to residential builds. We are told there needs to be more residents to support retail, which is not generally true except for a grocery store. However, if you get the residents, but no longer have the land supply to build retail/commercial, and a cost structure that is not competitive, you still don’t get the commercial.
What seems to be missing is any representation of the present reality, of the real businesses, with real business value, real jobs with real employees, and real customers, who are being plowed under, forced to leave and maybe drive more. This is happening at an increasing pace. Who of you speaks for these folks? The only one around this table that made sense of this is Councillor Meed Ward.
 Tom Muir: Its pie in the sky to me, promising a Mobility Hub utopia where the business dead will rise again. Muir argues that “we are told that the mobility hub plans will take us to another place with everything we want, and that we should celebrate, although here fanciful speculations are blurring proper judgement more and more, with each new proposal that comes along. Its pie in the sky to me, promising a Mobility Hub utopia where the business dead will rise again. I can hardly call this “good planning”.
Delegations are made before the meat and potatoes part of city Council meetings.
Council voted 6-1 in favour of the 35 Plains Road development that will be eight storeys in height with the first six floors being basically flush to the sidewalk – no set back and no trees.
Councillor Craven held a community annual meeting last week at which he brought his constituents up to date on the numerous developments taking place in Aldershot – the Gazette will report on that event soon.
 By Staff
October 12th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Arts and Culture Council of Burlington is excited to announce its first fundraiser, “An Evening with Tomson Highway” on Saturday , November 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Studio Theatre of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Incorporated in 2016 and officially launched in April, 2017, the Arts and Culture Council of Burlington, or ACCOB, has a mandate to increase public understanding and appreciation of arts and culture in Burlington, and to advocate on behalf of the artistic and cultural community in the city.
ACCOB already has 65 individual and organizational members and is looking to increase its membership to better benefit the local artistic and cultural scene. It is currently participating in the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s “Festival of Trees”, which will help to provide funds for artists and cultural groups to use the Studio Theatre at BPAC.
ACCOB is also providing the jury process to administer the new grants which the City of Burlington plans to distribute to projects submitted by members of Burlington’s artistic and cultural communities.
 Tomson Highway – to speak in Burlington November 4th at the Performing Arts Centre. The November 4th event is another collaboration with the Burlington Public Library’s One Book One Burlington, which is focusing on Indigenous works this year. Tomson Highway is an award-winning Cree playwright, novelist, writer and musician who will be speaking to us about the importance of arts and culture in a community.
He is the first Indigenous person to be awarded the Order of Canada for his work in the arts and he has devoted his life to the development of a vibrant indigenous culture in Canada.
An accomplished pianist, Highway often performs his own works from his various plays and musicals and he will be using the wonderful grand piano at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on November 4.
Highway holds honorary doctorates from ten Canadian universities. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario (now called Western University) with a degree in music and English.
Highway’s latest book, “From Oral to Written: A Celebration of Indigenous Literature in Canada, 1980 to 2010 was published in July.
Highway is an accomplished playwright who was nominated for a Governor General’s Award and the Dora Mavor Moore Award. He won the Best New Play Floyd S. Chalmers Award
Anyone who writes a play with the title Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing – which he did in 1989, has to be listened to – Tickets are $35 and are available at www.burlingtonpac.ca, 905-681-6000 or in person at the box office.
By Staff
October 12th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It used to be called the Boy Scouts association. Not anymore.
The Boy Scouts of America (USA program) recently announced changes to their membership policy to allow girls into the Cub Scout program and confirmed that older girls will be able to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.
 Queen’s Venturer Mikhayla Doroshuk and Terry Grant Chief Scout The Scouts Canada membership has been officially co-ed since 1998 and welcomes all to its membership regardless of gender, race, culture, religious belief, sexual orientation or economic circumstances and has always taken an inclusive approach to its membership.
Scouts Canada is a separate and distinct organization from the Boy Scouts of America.
Canada doesn’t have an Eagle Scout level – the Canadian equivalent is the Queen’s Venturer Award.
There is a very active scouting movement in the Region.
 By Staff
October 12th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Policing the commercial traffic on our highways is vital. There was a time when we had wheels flying off trucks that were unsafe because they weren’t properly maintained.
 The Regional Police have a fully equipped vehicle with all kinds of inspection equipment. with the 401, the 403, the 407 and the QEW cutting through Halton region commercial vehicle inspection is a big job. Police officers and inspectors from seven services, the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Finance/ Environment recently completed a two-day commercial vehicle (CMV) enforcement blitz held at the Mohawk Raceway in Milton on October 4-5.
Results of the showed some encouraging signs for road safety. The data shows a record number of vehicles being inspected and an increase in compliance over 2016.
The two day blitz this year yielded the following results:
• Total commercial motor vehicles inspected: 477
• Total commercial motor vehicles taken out of service: 156 (33% failure rate)
• Total charges laid: 331
• Sets of plates seized by police: 24
2016 Results:
• Total commercial motor vehicles inspected: 470
• Total commercial motor vehicles taken out of service: 179 (38% failure rate)
• Total charges laid: 476
• Sets of plates seized by police: 35
Top six charges laid by police in 2017:
• Fail to complete daily inspection (58 charges)
• Improper brake (24 charges)
• Failure to complete annual inspection (22 charges)
• Insecure load (21 charges)
• Fail to have permit (19 charges)
• Overweight vehicle (14 charges)
 Halton police officer checks the tires on a truck during a blitz. “The results of the 2017 Halton commercial motor vehicle blitz reveal that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure commercial motor vehicles are safe. The rules of the road apply equally to all motor vehicle operators and ensuring a mechanically fit, safely loaded and secure vehicle remains the law. As always, safer trucks equate to safer roads.” said Sgt. Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit.
 By Staff
October 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison asked: “How fortunate we are to live in a city which provides Leaf Collection?”
And then he hands out a “thank you” to city staff for “the tremendous efforts” of the city’s Roads & Parks Maintenance (RPM) team who coordinate and carry out this service. Based on last year’s collection schedule RPM staff revised this year’s Leaf Collection as follows:
 Specific dates have not yet been determined. The RPM are going to be more cautious this year. Collection will start the week of Nov. 6, 2017, with the last collection scheduled for the week of Dec. 11, 2017. A reminder that after the last pick updates, there will be no further collection from the city. For more details including guidelines to ensure a smooth-running pick-up, visit Leaf Collection.
 Leaf pick zone boundaries. Last year the people with trees on their property were very upset – with very few good words for city staff.
It was brutal. One south Burlington resident said:
“Who is responsible for this lack of proper planning/scheduling? I do understand that scheduling must be done in advance but surely City Hall has access to the same long-term weather reports as I do?
“And I assume city staff responsible are capable of looking outside to see how much of the leaf fall has occurred? None of this has happened with the consequent poor results. What is the City going to do to rectify this?”
Related article:
By Pepper Parr
October 11th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Royal Botanical Gardens seem to be in a constant state of change and upgrades.
The model railway installation, that is very popular, is going to be located in what was once the Old Tea House located in the wonderful Rock Garden that is a must see.
 New home for the Model Railroad exhibit. The new installation will be ready by November where the Local Railway Heritage Display will feature the unique model train display that celebrates and depicts the rich heritage of railways throughout Hamilton, Burlington, the Niagara Escarpment, and Lake Ontario shoreline.
On a recent tour of the Rock Garden with a friend we came across what used to be the old Tea House where my friend told me they had a light menu that included a lunch.
My friend added that if you go far enough back, likely as many as at least forty years or maybe fifty years ago, there was a paved road in front of the tea house which we actually walked on and I believe another entrance off York Blvd leading to a parking lot down there for a number of cars – a long time ago.
I am not sure when the parking lot was built across the road. I believe that for many years the main access from that parking lot was through a tunnel below York Blvd near the railway.
 One of the paths in the Rock Garden My friend added that the RGB people “have done a good job” but added that the Rock Gardens are in the City of Hamilton, not Burlington, making it a Hamilton attraction.
Mark Runciman, the CEO of the RBG doesn’t differentiate between the two cities – he crosses the border half a dozen times each day.
 The Rose Garden – the way it used to look – a redesigned garden is now being put in place Another change taking place at RBG is the Rose Garden, something Runciman points out is not easily changed. “Our rose enthusiasts are very particular about what we do with that garden.”
 Drains being prepped in the Rose Garden that was first open to the public in 1967 The problem for Runciman and his team of gardeners is that the pesticide ban now in place means new bugs show up and they do much damage to the rose plants which mean everything has to be taken out each year.
The new Rose Garden plan features a spectacular display of roses and companion plants intended to extend seasonal interest and keep diseases at bay. They are able to do this by putting in companion plants that will keep the bugs away from the roses.
The focus is on disease resistant, disease-tolerant and cold-hardy roses, including Canadian introductions. The end result will be an innovative, sustainable and inspiring experience at what is the quintessential rose garden for Canada’s largest botanical garden.
There is a drive on now for sponsorship for the newly designed rose garden.
 Bloom times Visitors will notice that the pergolas are being retired and removed from their place in the garden. When Centennial Rose Garden was planted in 1967, these wooden structures were built to hold climbing plants over the garden’s pathways. Fifty years later, the wood has aged and weathered and the gardeners now find that it is the plants that are securing the pergolas.
More on what’s happening at the RBG in the weeks ahead.
By Staff
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a short public meeting – lasted a few minutes.
City solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol serving as Acting City Manager with Finance and Capital Works people around the horseshoe went into a Closed session of Committee of the Whole while they discussed three separate items each related to the acquisition or proposed acquisition of property.
 Councillor Meed Ward chaired the Closed session of a Committee of the Whole They don’t tell you any more than that.
Ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward chaired the meeting
Might have to do with the property the Joseph Brant Museum sits on – that is a messy file that involves the Hospital which has title to the land but the federal government has a major say in what the hospital can do with the land.
The city wants the land so they can get on with the total rebuild of the museum,
This is pure speculation on our part.
It is unusual for Burlington to have property acquisition matters on the agenda.
The public should learn more when the recommendations from the Committee of the Whole get to Council later in the month.
 City plans to break ground for the construction of a much larger Joseph Brant Museum. The city has announced a ground breaking ceremony for the museum expansion on Friday.
By Staff
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Fire Department is recognizing Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 8 to 14, 2017 with a contest for residents who connect with them through social media.
Residents are asked to look for Fire Prevention Week transit shelter ads around Burlington, take a photo clearly showing the safety message– selfie optional – and tag @BurlingtonFire on Twitter or @BurlingtonFireDept on Facebook to be entered into a draw to win a Fire Prevention Week gift pack.
The contest runs from Oct. 2 to 29, 2017.
Fire Prevention week is a province-wide initiative held each year in October. This year’s theme of Fire
Prevention Week is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”
In a fire, you may have just seconds to safely escape your home. Be prepared in advance with these simple steps for home fire escape planning:
 Fire and smoke move faster than you can. Plan and practice fire escape exercises. Consider the needs of everyone in your home
Identify anyone who needs help to get out of the home safely, such as small children or older adults.
Make sure that you have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas
Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm.
Identify all possible exits (doors and windows) and make sure they work
Know two ways out of all areas, if possible.
Everyone must know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds
Name someone to take care of those who need help.
Identify a safe meeting place outside.
Call the fire department from outside the home – from a neighbour’s home or a cell phone.
Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year
Have everyone take part.
Make changes to your plan if necessary.
Burlington Fire Chief Dave Lazenby tells people that “Fire and smoke move faster than you. There’s no time to figure out how to escape your home after a fire starts. Practice an escape plan before there’s a fire so you can get out safely.”
 By Staff
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison wants you to know that the New Street Road Diet Pilot is not about the number of bicycles that are on the road – it is about making New Street safer, more accessible and calmer without significantly increasing travel times.
 New Street with lanes for cyclists on each side – under construction. Dennison said he has been advised “that the report with staff’s recommendation will be presented on Monday, November 27, 2017 at a Committee of the Whole meeting.”
The report will be made public on Friday, November 17, 2017. We will get the details to you.
 What we used to have on the left – what we have now as a pilot on the right. In between – more public engagement that this council every expected. Anyone interested in speaking to this item at the meeting, please be sure to register.
By Pepper Parr
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mayor tried this once before – it didn’t work out all that well. But he is game to try it again.
 Mayor with Mark Carr preparing for a live call in Cogeco broadcast from city. Sometime during his first term of office the Mayor teamed up with Mark Carr and Cogeco and set up a call in show that was done live from the city Council Chamber. There were very very few calls.
This time the Mayor is going to talk to his constituents about the budget priorities in an online Town Hall.
In the past the city has held public meetings to talk about the budget – the Mayor is now saying that “We’re making changes to our budget engagement strategy based on last year’s survey results which told us residents didn’t want to come to a public information centre and would prefer a more convenient way of being informed and asking questions.”
The photographs taken of previous public budget meetings show a room filled with people. There was one exception – in 2015 – a snow storm kept people away.
 A rapt audience listened to an overview of the 2014 budget. .  Lot of people showed up for the 2011 budget review meeting.  The 2015 budget review meeting didn’t draw very many people – there was a snow storm – however the arena right next door was packed. The Telephone Town Hall on the 2018 Proposed Budget will take place on Wednesday, October 18th, between 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for residents, businesses and community partners.
Participants will learn about and discuss the proposed 2018 budget priorities with Mayor Rick Goldring and senior city staff.
Residents, businesses and community partners will be randomly selected to participate by telephone invitation from the Mayor. Anyone who does not receive a telephone invitation can call 1-800-537-6616 at 7:30 p.m. on October 18th and listen in to the conversation.
The purpose of the Telephone Town Hall is to discuss the proposed 2018 budget priorities with the Mayor and senior city staff.
In this live, call-in session, residents, organizations and business owners can ask questions about the upcoming budget. There will be an emphasis on:
• Resident satisfaction with value for service
• Increased funding for transit
• Support for city infrastructure renewal funding
There is no mention of any documentation or overview of what the 2018 budget is going to contain which makes it a little difficult for people to comment. It does give those who get invited to take part to rant publicly – which makes one wonder just who is going to get invited. The selection of participants is said to be random – random from what – a list of voters or those who donated to the Mayor’s election campaign or those on his Christmas card list?
The discussion will start shortly after 7:30 pm – those who want to listen in can call in a minute or two early; anyone who is late will be able to join anytime. The system can handle up to 20,000 participants.
 Joan Ford, the city’s Director of Finance knows where every dollar comes from and where every dollar gets spent. Joan Ford, Director of Finance adds that: “The budgets are being drafted right now. The feedback we receive from the Town Hall will be put into a report and presented to City Council for their consideration. All questions received during the Town Hall, regardless of whether they were discussed live will be posted online with answers a few days after the event.”
 By Staff
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Hidden Valley Road, from Hidden Valley Park to the north end of the street, will be closed for paving on
Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Only emergency services will have access.
For more information, call Marc Daffre
905-335-7600, ext. 7640
By Pepper Parr
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was promoted as the “Official Opening” of the Joseph Brant Hospital; the television cameras were on hand with more guest chairs than one usually sees set out for this kind of event.
The Premier wasn’t on hand to turn over a cheque – the hospital has gotten all it is likely to get from the provincial government for some time.
 Premier doing one of those Photo Ops – while checking in on a patient. The Premier was there to do a tour of the new digs and to have one of those photo op conversations with a patient.
This was the first occasion we had to tour the new building – and it is very smart looking. A lot of effort went into making it look and feel like a nice place to be if you aren’t well.
People comment favourably over the view – most seeing the lake as the best side. Once you’ve seen a stretch of water what else is there to see other than a sunrise.
The view from the escarpment side are very very nice.
The corridors are wide, the colour scheme is soft, welcoming.
The rooms are large, really large.
 Hospital president and CEO Eric Vandewall and MP Ted McMeekin It is certainly a huge, huge improvement over what people had to put up with. Eric Vandewall has every reason to be proud of what he has done. Vandewall is quick to credit the team he had working with him – the job wouldn’t have been done as well as it was done without Vandewall’s leadership.
The Hospital Foundation now needs to round up a couple more million to complete the raising of the $60 million they were tasked with.
The next step for the hospital is to make itself a Centre of Excellence and show that this hospital is a lot different than what the public had to put up with.
 The Premier seemed to be a little off her mettle this morning.  She didn’t sparkle. She seemed tired. The Premier seemed to be a little off her mettle this morning. She didn’t sparkle. She seemed tired.
Ted McMeekin, her Loyal Servant and Subject was on hand to greet her when she walked in the new entrance.
He was joined by Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour, Eleanor McMahon, Burlington MPP and Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport along with Eric Vandewall, President and CEO of the Hospital and Chair of the Hospital Board Kathryn Osborne.
The Premier was in Burlington to tour the hospital and comment on the end of another busy construction season, celebrating significant progress on many hospital, school, transit, road and bridge projects across the province.
For this she came to Burlington?
By Staff
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City will be doing some upgrades to its IT systems.
As a result, phones and most online services, including registrations, will be unavailable Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The upgrade will provide benefits as it will enable the delivery of increased internet and processing speeds and network capacity, which supports our continued goal of technology modernization.
 Information technology services getting an upgrade. During the upgrade, many services will be unavailable including:
• Online registrations, including parks and recreation
• Parking exemptions
• Business licence renewal
• Marriage licences
• Dog licences
• Tax payments
• Online reporting
• Burlington Transit phones and Trip Planner
• GIS/Mapping
• Phone and voicemail
Please consider using the city’s systems at alternative times.
We apologize for the inconvenience while this necessary work is being done.
By Neil Sullivan
October 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
When we think of Niagara, we imagine an area that thrives almost by default. Aside from Toronto, it’s probably the biggest attraction in close proximity to Burlington, and it’s known the world over as a sort of natural wonder. This fall, however, there have been some troubling reports indicating that the area is experiencing some potentially serious financial woes.
 The water isn’t as clean as many people think it is. For the most part, these woes appear to be due to a dispute between the State of New York and the Seneca Nation of Indians. For some time now these two entities have essentially had an agreement in place to share revenue from the casinos in and around Niagara, which actually account for a great deal of Niagara’s budget. However, the dispute has resulted in disruption of incoming casino revenue for the city. Because of a hitch in the extension of the revenue sharing agreement, the Seneca have declared that they owe the State of New York no further payments – which, if they stick to it, will be a fairly devastating position.
New York is also in a fairly poor position to exert any sort of pressure on the casinos themselves. For one thing, the Seneca Nation is its own entity and appears to have every right to operate the venues independently. Additionally, however, if casinos did close or receive pressure, New York would risk losing gamers over the border. As we know, Canada has its own legal casino venues not too far from the area. And online casinos have become more popular as well, with iGaming sites and software providers partnering to create the most cutting edge games for those who would rather play online. In short, there are alternatives to the Seneca casinos just on the Canadian side of the Falls.
These are the core issues giving Niagara trouble, though it should be mentioned that tourism, too, could be in a precarious position. Naturally the Falls are the main draw to the area, and will always attract tourists regardless of what’s going on with the casinos. However, if there’s anything that can make the Falls less appealing as a destination, it’s probably the overflowing wastewater that’s been plaguing them of late. Just recently reports surfaced of a 15 million gallon discharge of “untreated sewage and stormwater” flowing out at the base of the American Falls, and it wasn’t the first time this season that something like this has happened. Naturally the Falls have a way of cleaning themselves up, at least to the naked eye – but think about how much 15 million gallons really is. The mere thought of that much sewage would give any traveller pause regarding whether or not to visit the area.
Fortunately, these issues shouldn’t have big enough economic consequences to directly affect Burlington, and they may even be limited largely to the U.S. side of the Falls. But it’s still a fairly significant issue for the greater area if these problems cause a significant crisis for Niagara.
 By George Ward
October 7th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Many residents in Burlington are still questioning why we are closing two schools in the growing City of Burlington. The Halton District school Board has presented its perspective and justification for the closures, it still doesn’t make sense.
 Hayden High school, Burlington’s newest built as part of a complex that includes a Recreational Centre and a public library with a skate park across the street. The school is well over its intended capacity and currently has 12 portables. To begin, closing both Pearson and Bateman high school does not alleviate the overcrowding at Hayden (overcrowded with over 1,650 pupils and growing, necessitating the use of 12 portable classrooms and a desire to add 6 more in the future).
Secondly, it does not alleviate the growing pressures on our busing system and in fact contributes to the growing problem and safety concerns. Closing our schools makes absolutely no sense, is unwarranted, unjustified, and simply put is very short-sighted.
The board seems to have lost sight of the fact that schools are public assets and that taxpayers have invested their money in these schools and communities. If one was to look at these school closures in Burlington solely from a financial perspective you would realize that closing Pearson and Bateman will result in a substantially higher costs.
Closing two schools save approximately $2 million, however, some of these operating costs, such as the pool and day care, added busing, and other new ongoing costs to take care of the closed schools are not accounted for. In addition, the costs of capital equipment and facilities to transition specialty programs to Nelson was put at $12 million, but there is concern that this will be much higher. While a no school closure would result in the expense range of approximately $250,000 in operating costs. How is that being fiscally responsible?
 Some of the data that was presented during the PARC meetings was out of date and conflicted with other data put forward. Many had difficulty figuring out just what the full story was. Superintendent of Facilities Gerry Cullen was challenged at times to give a satisfactory explanation. Throughout the Program Accommodation Review (PAR) process, it became clear early on of the lack of transparency when it came to information sharing from the board. From information and data changing periodically to the extensive and lengthy data provided, it became a challenge to gain insight into the facts that led to the decision to close our schools.
With more questions than answers, one might start to wonder: What is the real motivation behind the HDSB wanting to close these schools?
Perhaps when we go back through Board Minutes to understand why the board needs to move forward on school closures in Burlington.
Below is an excerpt from HDSB meeting minutes of February 2017:
The Halton District School Board Administration is experiencing significant growth pressures due to growth in student population and the increasing complexity of its work. As a result, the Board’s existing office facilities have become woefully inadequate. This is not a question of quantity of space, but rather of quality of space.
 It is only a concept but it gives you some idea as to how far along the thinking is within the Boar of Education Administration. Our analysis of how to meet the Board’s current and future needs presents an opportunity to provide the staff of the HDSB with a 21st century work environment: a new 95,000 sq. ft. facility to accommodate 350 staff within a single building, designed according to the guiding principles identified herein.
The sale of the existing J.W. Singleton site would make this project possible and in turn, create a facility that reflects the Board’s values, resulting in the delivery of the highest quality education for the Board’s students.
Budget Estimate: 95,375 sq. ft. x $310/sq. ft. = $29.6M
This estimate is based on the HWDSB (Hamilton-Wentworth) precedent and it is for project costs only. Land costs are not included, as they will depend on the site selection. Space for growth (10,000 sq. ft.. included) is based on HDSB projections, and can be adjusted should projections increase.
Costs:
• 1 move required
• Unknowns could impact the costs include site issues such as geo-technical, soil, zoning,
Benefits:
• Only 1 move – no temporary accommodations required, and minimized disturbance to staff.
• Because this would be a purpose-built environment, it is the option that would best meet the Board’s needs outlined in this report without compromise.
• Other sites no longer in use could be used to raise funds.
It is clearly stated in the minutes that it is NOT a situation of need for additional space but rather a desire for better quality of space. According to the board, a better facility for their staff would in turn provide better education. How does having a nicer work space for HDSB board staff contribute to a better quality of education for our students?
 Demonstrations didn’t make a bit of difference. The trustees, who are the people who made the decision, didn’t hear the parents.  Bateman high school parents chose to give their school a public hug. Shouldn’t priority be that our students have the “best quality learning environment”. Where students can walk or ride their bikes to school instead of sitting on the floor of an overcrowded bus. Where students are able to learn in an environment that is quiet, calm, and not overcrowded, where classes are not held in hallways, where students are not learning in portables, where there is sufficient heating, air conditioning, and/or proper ventilation systems?
The planning for a new Administration office for the Board Staff are moving along: The following comes from a report prepared by a firm of architects. The options before the Board were set out as follows:
Do Nothing,’ but maintain the existing facilities, for an estimated cost of $20M over the next 25 years, with no improvement to the actual offices in terms of functionality or design .
Complete a Renovation- Addition to one of the existing buildings, which would yield a compromised facility with increased disruption, for a similar cost to the final option .
Build a new facility, estimated at
$29 .6M (not including land) is the option that would best meet the Board’s needs as outlined in our guiding principals .
In order to obtain true value and create the desired synergies enabling Board staff to work at their best, we strongly recommend the Board proceed with constructing a new Administrative office facility .
Because of existing legislative requirements, selling the J .W . Singleton property appears to be the best way to generate sufficient dollars to fund this project . This would in turn allow for a new administrative facility to be centrally located in the Milton/Oakville area, where the Region’s growth is projected in the next 25-50 years .
The next phases of this Study will explore potential partnerships that could yield community benefits as well as capital and operating savings . Once specific sites are identified, concept plans, cost estimates and implementation strategies will be completed .
It appears that the need to accommodate 350 board staff takes precedence over the 76 elementary schools, and 17 secondary schools that serves over 50,000 students, excluding those in adult, alternative, and Community Education program within our school system.
Despite the fact the Minister of Education announced a moratorium on the Program Accommodation Review process and the fact that the HDSB is now subject to an Administrative Review, the HDSB continues to move forward on their plan to close two Burlington high schools, despite the fact the process that led to the decision has been publicly deemed to be flawed.
So, the question still remains.
Why is the HDSB really closing schools in Burlington?
Related article:
School Board announces it is looking for partners.
 George Ward is a semi- retired quality control auditor who is deeply involved in the community effort to keep the Lester B. Pearson high school open. Both his children and some of their children attended Lester B. Pearson.
By Staff
October 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Community organizations and members of the public are invited to a meeting on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 at 7 p.m., to discuss potential planning and partnership opportunities within Halton District School Board facilities.
Partnership opportunities in existing schools and co-build opportunities in proposed new schools, as well as a new Board Administrative Centre, will be discussed at the J.W. Singleton Education Centre (2050 Guelph Line, Burlington).
 Education Centre – has been described as a development site. The full list of facilities available for community partnerships and the community planning and partnerships policy can be viewed at www.hdsb.ca.
Potential partners are requested to bring relevant planning information such as population projections, growth plans, community needs, land use and greenspace/park requirements to the meeting.
It’s a bit of a step in the right direction.
The HDSB has not been as aggressive in marketing the opportunities that exist in the buildings they have. There are numerous opportunities for the Board of Education to partner with the municipalities.
There is a pressing need for additional facilities for Seniors north of the QEW – this is the time to start those conversations.
There are a number of people who were members of the Burlington PARC who thought there was a sharing of facilities opportunity that would keep Pearson high school open and the Nursery operation at the location.
Hopefully the Board will be more open to some innovative ideas.
By Connie Price
October 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
What a wonderful day……..just what the Burlington Seniors Community Inc. had hoped for!
The Volunteer teams of St. Christopher’s Open Doors cooks and servers and BSCI’s Board and Volunteers worked together seamlessly: all deserve credit for the efficiency with which the meal was prepared, including the 225 lbs. of turkey cooked and served.
 The Burlington Seniors Community organization organized a Thanksgiving day dinner – cooked more than 200 lbs of turkey The attendance, even though we initially thought we would limit it to 225 – 270 were fed. We didn’t turn anyone away.
The decorations and tables were inviting and attractive with a Fall theme, which afforded us the opportunity to give each table centerpiece as a Birthday Gift to whomever at the table had a Birthday nearest to the Event.
 The Thanksgiving Day Dinner took up two rooms at St.Christopher’s – 270 were fed and entertained. Turns out the Seniors can run programs of their own without having to deal with city hall. While the Guests ate, Aldershot High School Student, Alex Bella performed magic and card tricks at the tables to baffle the seniors.
The Entertainment was outstanding, fun and all seniors themselves. The performers included the New Horizons 20 piece Band, comic musical singer Bette Pender & Sinatra style crooner Fred Burnell, both from the Burlington Footnotes, the Weekly Strum Ukulele Trio and last but certainly not least Burlington’s Singing Veteran, Bill Read, who led the audience singing through a medley of old tunes with his Ukulele, including a patriotic song he had written and performed many times in the past 18 years singing for early morning commuters at the Appleby Go Station.
He concluded his performance along with the afternoon, by asking everyone to stand and sing God Save the Queen and O Canada with him.
Very emotional for many. What gifted and talented seniors we have in Burlington!
As the Guests left, they were given a Take Home Bag with items, information and literature of importance to seniors.
 Some of the types of Senior Exercise Equipment available to promote balance & increase flexibility, while encouraging social and mental health through socialization. Since BSCI’s mandate is “To be a leader for information, education, recreation and social interaction for our diverse and growing community of seniors” , we also circulated a Survey with information and questions asking the seniors’ opinions on two projects we are currently promoting and want their input and comments about. We received 152 completed Surveys, regarding our new Seniors Without Walls Program and the building of Outside Senior Exercise/Social Spaces.
These are just two of the projects that BSCI are becoming involved in to further our aim to fill some of the current gaps, especially for socially and physically isolated seniors.
The Thanksgiving dinner was a day of rolling up our sleeves and doing the work to accomplish it.
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