 By Staff
June 13th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has extended their service hours at the District stations effective today, Monday, June 13, 2022 as follows:
Burlington now open to the public 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Georgetown 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Milton now open to the public 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Oakville now open to the public 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
HRPS Headquarters is also open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, closed on statutory holidays.
In addition to attending a HRPS facility in-person, there are a number of ways to contact the HRPS, depending on the assistance needed:
In an Emergency
If you have an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. It is an emergency if someone’s immediate health, safety, or property is in immediate danger or there is a crime in progress. For non-emergencies, dial 905-825-4777.
Collision Reporting
The HRPS has three Collision Reporting Centres. These centres are staffed and managed by Accident Support Services. Learn more here.
Record Checks
The HRPS provides Police Record Checks to residents of Halton region for employment or volunteer purposes. Police Record Checks are available online or in-person at the HRPS Headquarters.
Freedom of Information Services
Anyone needing to file a FOI request can now do so online, via our website at haltonpolice.ca/foi
Online Reporting
We have a number of online reporting tools available on our website. These tools can be used to report some crimes, or to report traffic concerns.
By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
There will be life at the marina.
The LaSalle Park Marina Association has secured the insurance they needed; a crane has been booked and the lift in is set for June 16th.
 Boats will go into water on the 16th The city hasn’t has had to put in as much as a dime. The LPMA paid for the services of a lawyer the city was going to bring in to oversee the joint venture loan agreements. The LPMA is paying for the use of the waterlots that are owned by Hamilton and the LPMA is continuing to pay the fees that are part of the agreement they have with the city.
The thought that the city would have to take over operation of the marina – won’t happen.
They will be hoisting the pewter mugs with tots of rum when the lift in is complete.
By Pepper Parr
June 9th 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 A graphic of a bus at a charging station. Transit people are working on a pilot to test something like this in Burlington. It isn’t totally official, which means the Communications people haven’t gotten the memo yet, but it looks like Burlington is going to have a four electric bus pilot, as early as 2024.
The pilot will be done with CUTRIC, an organization with some of the brightest people working on turning diesel buses into electrical.
That is good news.
By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The city has been dealing with Metrolinx on the cost and timing of both the Burloak Grade Seperation and Drury Lane Pedestrian Bridge.
Both projects are already included in the City’s capital budget with sufficient funds to cover the required contributions to Metrolinx, assuming the approval of an additional 12-month road closure.
Getting to this point has proven to be an arduous task.
 The current situation at the Burloak crossing The budget for the Burloak grade separation went from $60 million to $177 million – and Metrolinx expected Burlington to pick up a share of the increases.
The cost of the grade separation was to be 50% Metrolinx and 25% for both Burlington and Oakville.
It will be interesting to hear how the city managed to keep the cost at the original number.
Burloak grade separation
• Temporary relocation of utilities April 2023 –March 2024
• Relocation of Burlington Interlock (track work) November 2022 – April 2023
• Temporary Road/Track Detour March 2024 – June 2024
• Bridge Construction August 2023 – May 2026
• Interim Completion June 2026
• Completion of road works June 2027
 When completed in 2027 this is what is expected to be in place. More once Council has completed its discussions later today.
By Staff
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Teen Fitness program returns for 12th summer, registration underway
 GoodLife, a multi-national commercial fitness organization is offering its free Teen Fitness program across Canada this summer – the first time since 2019 the program has taken place in clubs. GoodLife started the Teen Fitness program in 2010, and this year the program is especially important to help teens address the mental and physical damage caused by the pandemic.
Statistics Canada confirms youth in Canada are reporting lower levels of physical activity since before the pandemic, with the percentage of youth meeting the Canadian physical activity recommendation dropping from 51% in the fall of 2018 to 37% in the fall of 2020. In addition, the Canadian Mental Health Association reports roughly 1 in 5 children or youth are struggling with mental health challenges that stem from pandemic conditions.
“Teen Fitness participants tell us having access to the gym helps them establish a routine, build confidence and connect with friends. These benefits can help youth take better care of their health – not just the physical, but also the mental health erosion many experienced as a result of isolation, hours of unstructured sedentary time and nearly constant stress throughout the pandemic,” said Jason Sheridan, COO, GoodLife Fitness.
Creating a routine
For many teens, the absence of a structured routine during the summer months can contribute to lack of direction, negative behaviours and boredom. Studies find a more stable routine can help reduce stress, increase focus and boost mood. Teen Fitness participants agree that going to the gym adds some much-needed structure to help them feel more in control of their lives.
Teen Fitness is available to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17 and includes access to 200+ GoodLife Fitness Clubs across Canada, all completely free of charge. A parent or legal guardian must register a teen for the program, but they do not need to be an existing GoodLife Member to register.
Registrations for Teen Fitness are open now at www.teenfitness.ca. Participants have free access to the Clubs from July 4, 2022 to September 6, 2022.
By Staff
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year – again.
The 43rd annual Sound of Music Festival is taking place over two weekends: June 11 and June 16 to 19, 2022.
 The crowds pay a premium to gather at the edge of the stages. To meet the needs of the festival and to ensure public safety, road closures are noted below.
Parade route streets will re-open as soon as possible after the parade on June 18. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed for emergency access.
 Road Closures
Emergency Road Closures:
• June 11 and June 16 to June 18 nightly from 10 p.m. to midnight; and
• June 19 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.:
• Lakeshore Road from Elizabeth Street to Maple Avenue.
Streetfest Closures:
• Saturday, June 18 from 3 a.m. to Sunday, June 19 at 8 p.m.:
• Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road.
Parade Closures:
Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following streets will be closed:
• Baldwin Street from Hurd Avenue to Brant Street
• Brant Street from James Street to Baldwin Street
• Drury Lane from Courtland Drive to New Street
• Caroline Street from Drury Lane to Elizabeth Street
• James Street from Brant Street to Elizabeth Street
• Elizabeth Street from Caroline Street to James Street
Parking Restrictions Posted
• Please do not park in restricted areas.
• See parking rules at each pay machine.
Traffic Supervision
Road closures will be managed under the supervision of the Halton Regional Police Service. Emergency access will be maintained at all times in the event area.
Event notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the event.
Road Closures or Traffic Control Information
Event Liaison, City of Burlington, 905-335-7600, ext. 7704
Burlington Transit Delays and Information
Bus route detours in effect for Routes 2, 4 and 10.
Minor delays in the downtown core should be expected on all festival dates.
By Staff
June 8, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Region Public Health has confirmed Halton’s first reported case of monkeypox virus. The individual is currently isolating at home and all contacts have been notified by Halton Region Public Health.
“While most people infected with monkeypox will have mild symptoms, some people such as children, pregnant women and those with immunodeficiencies are at higher risk for severe disease,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health.
 An example of monkeypox “If you have symptoms of monkeypox, it is important to stay home and call your doctor to be assessed. When seeking medical care you should wear a high quality medical mask and cover up all lesions.”
Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms of monkeypox typically include
fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, low energy, muscle aches and skin rash or lesions.
The rash usually begins within one to three days of the start of a fever. Lesions can be flat or slightly raised, filled with clear or yellowish fluid, and can then crust, dry up and fall off, much like chickenpox.
The number of lesions on one person can range from a few to several thousand. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Symptoms can start within five to 21 days after exposure to monkeypox, but usually appear in six to 13 days. Symptoms last between two to four weeks and go away on their own without treatment. A person infected with monkeypox can be contagious five days prior to the onset of rash until the rash has cleared and new skin has formed after a few weeks.
The virus can spread from person-to-person by respiratory secretions, direct contact with skin lesions, and/or contact with materials contaminated with the virus (for example, bedding, clothing).
The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or mucous membranes (for example, mouth, nose, eyes). Transmission through respiratory secretions requires prolonged face to face contact with close proximity to an infected person.
Halton Region Public Health continues to monitor the situation, investigate suspected and confirmed cases and complete contact tracing. For more information on the virus, visit Halton Region’s monkeypox webpage.
By Staff
June 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 They fascinate almost everyone – the 7 to 11 age group wanted to hold them in their hands. You may not have heard about the Butterfly Project – but you have certainly heard about Climate Change.
How do you explain Climate Change to children between the ages of 7 and 11?
The older children get it and often become champions.
For the 7-11 set it’s a different situation. However they are the demographic that tends to be fascinated by Butterflys.
Gloria Reid and her pal Sharon Clark who are now officially Butterfly Rangers and have brought the David Susuki led initiative that started with five Canadian cities in 2017 to Burlington..
The Butterflyway Project is a volunteer-led movement that’s bringing nature home to neighbourhoods throughout Canada, one butterfly-friendly planting at a time.
They recruited a team of volunteer Butterflyway Rangers in each community. Their mission was to plant native wildflowers in yards, schoolyards, streets and parks to support bees and butterflies. The goal was to establish local “Butterflyways” by planting at least a dozen pollinator patches in each neighbourhood or community.
Over the past five years, they have recruited and trained more than a thousand Butterflyway Rangers from hundreds of communities. They’ve connected with neighbours, schools, city agencies, businesses and community groups. To date, they’ve helped:
Get 85,000+ butterfly-friendly wildflowers into the ground.
Create 6,000+ pollinator patches for wild bees and butterflies.
Establish official Butterflyways in 75 communities and neighbourhoods.
Gloria Reid and her pal Sharon decided to grow a Ranger Group in Burlington. They expect to show that a small group of residents can make a big difference. Rangers make their communities greener and healthier. They create opportunities, connect people and champion fun ideas.
Apply HERE to be a Butterflyway Ranger
You can also apply at this address.
By Staff
June 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Spongy moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth or Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), is an invasive pest The spongy moth, commonly known as the gypsy moth or Lymantria dispar dispar (LDD), is an invasive pest that is a nuisance and can cause damage to trees in Burlington and throughout many parts of Canada.
Each year, the City’s Forestry team and other forestry experts survey public trees and woodlots within Burlington for these pests to determine the risk of damage to the trees. Last year, the surveying found the number of egg masses on trees were reduced from previous surveys and within limits that do not warrant an aerial spray application. The City of Burlington did aerial spraying in 2019 and 2021 which has been very successful in reducing this infestation and for 2022 will be focusing on area specific methods to address these pests.
In some areas around the City has placed either “sticky bands” or “burlap bands” around their preferred trees to help prevent the caterpillars from crawling up the trunk to the tree’s canopy.
Most trees can survive an infestation of spongy moth caterpillars and will be able to regrow new leaves without having permanent damage done.
Residents and property owners can also do this on their trees to help reduce the spongy moth’s population.
Free Burlap Banding Demonstrations
Residents and tree enthusiasts are welcome to attend a free “burlap banding” demonstration that will be held at three parks in Burlington on June 11. A forestry expert will show participants the materials needed and the steps to create the simple, yet effective method of burlap banding.
Burlap banding is an effective way to help reduce the population and damage done by spongy moths.
Registration is not required. Demonstrations will happen rain or shine.
Session #1
Location: Kilbride Park, 2175 Blessington St.
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Session #2
Location: LaSalle Park. 50 North Shore Blvd.
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Session #3
Location: Sherwood Forest Park, east side. Enter from Fothergill Boulevard, off Burloak Drive
Time: 12:30 p.m.
 A moth eating its way through a leaf. About the spongy moth
Spongy month, previously known as the European Gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar dispar, is a non-native invasive pest that was introduced in the late 19th century. It was first discovered in Ontario in the 1960’s and has been a major defoliator of deciduous and coniferous trees across Southern Ontario.
Gypsy moth populations tend to be cyclical, with peaks every 8-12 years, followed by dramatic population decline of the pest.
Burlington’s Integrated Pest Management program
As part of Burlington’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program, Forestry staff assess sites annually across the city and conduct egg mass surveys to determine areas that have exceeded an action threshold, when natural processes can no longer maintain pest population levels on their own. Although healthy trees can generally withstand defoliation several years in a row, trees which are already in distress from problems such as acute drought, compacted soils, diseases or other pests, may decline and die. Generally, healthy trees which are defoliated in spring, will regrow leaves again by mid-summer.
 Aerial spraying for gypsy moths. The City of Burlington last conducted an aerial spraying program for spongy moth caterpillars in 2019 and 2021. Program frequency is determined as part of the City’s Integrated Pest Management program.
 Steve Robinson, Manager of Forestry Steve Robinson, Manager of Forestry who has made it through a couple of dozen Standing Committee meetings with his shirt still on his back. Burlington is really hard on the forestry people. Robinson said: “Our Integrated Pest Management program looks at multiple factors to decide if we need to do an aerial spraying with a natural pesticide referred to as BtK. We look at how many egg clusters are on the trees in the fall, whether the wooded area is healthy enough to handle a normal cycle of caterpillars and if the area was sprayed the year before.”
By Staff
June 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Community Development Halton has rescheduled the Social Location and Systems of Oppression workshop to Wednesday June 15, 2022 at 12:30pm.
If you previously registered for the original date of May 31, you have received an email with instructions; if you missed registering earlier, you can register for the new date until June 13 at 5:00pm.
 In this workshop you will walk away with:
• an understanding of your social location, systems of oppression, and common terms and how they relate to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• understanding and harnessing your power, holding power, and giving power;
• how to share power – where and how this is possible at all stages of the volunteer engagement cycle; and
• how to lead equitable volunteer programs regardless of your positional power within your organization and specific tactics to foster inclusion
WEDNESDAY JUNE 15, 2022
12:30PM – 2:00PM
Via ZOOM
Register Today at: CiviCRM | Community Development Halton (cdhalton.ca)
CDH Members: $15
Non-Members: $25
By Staff
June 7th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This could be fun.
The event suggests that the Friends of Freeman Station are branching out and adding to the events that take place at one of the strongest destinations in the city.
By Staff
June 6th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) formed Project Eleanor to investigate the high rate of high end auto theft.
The work started in January of this year and through a variety of investigative means, several suspects were identified and the location of a shipping yard was discovered.
Over the course of two days, criminal code search warrants were executed at a residence in Toronto and a shipping yard in Mississauga.
As a result of Project Eleanor, 32 stolen vehicles were recovered worth an estimated $2.2 million dollars.
Investigators also located and seized $11,000 in Canadian currency, stolen property and technology used in reprogramming auto theft.
On January 8th 2022, the following individuals were arrested and charged:
Alexandre DOYON (22) of Toronto:
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
Konstantinos SOTIROPOULOS (22) of Quebec
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
Gustavo SALAZAR (23) of Toronto
- Theft Over $5000 (of motor vehicle)
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break In Instruments
On April 23rd 2022, the following individuals were arrested and charged.
Alexandre DOYON (22) of Toronto (re-arrested):
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Fraud Under $5000
Investigators continue to make efforts to arrest other individuals connected to the investigation.
By Staff
June 6th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the largest invasion ever assembled, before or since, landed 156,000 Allied troops by sea and air on five beachheads in Normandy, France.
It happened 78 years ago.
The names of some of the men who did not return are etched in the Cenotaph next to city hall
D-Day was the start of Allied operations which would ultimately liberate Western Europe, defeat Nazi Germany and end the Second World War.
By Jeremy Skinner
June 5th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Much has been mentioned in the Gazette about the Bateman opportunity that is before us. I ask that each person who has contributed a comment thus far and are interested in the issue to respond by way of a comment to this article with your answers to the following two questions.
Question 1:
Do you believe that the City should acquire the Bateman property via a land swap which would enable the HDSB to acquire Wellington Park as part of their Burlington Central site?
If not, do you acknowledge the fact that the HDSB will likely be forced to sell the Bateman property to private as opposed to public interests? Note: Public access to Centennial Pool may be lost because it is owned by HDSB and operated by the City.
 A lot of land and a lot of public interest. Question 2:
(Answer only if yes to question 1. ) What do you believe that the Bateman property along with or without existing 220,000 sq. ft. 2 storey building should be used for?
Consider the fact that the City has received multiple offers from potential tenants seeking long term leases to reside in Bateman. These include:
– Brock University who wishes to relocate their Faculty of Education from Hamilton;
– HDSB who wishes to relocate their Burlington Gary Allan Learning Centre from 3250 New St.;
– Burlington Public Library Appleby Branch who wishes to relocate from Appleby Square Plaza (which will soon undergo redevelopment).
– TechPlace who wishes to establish presence in the East Burlington business community; and
– a City Community Centre complete with gym and pool facilities.
The long term leases from these tenants will cover most, if not all, of the one-time costs required to enable necessary maintenance upgrades required to host these tenants. Think of the financing to that of seeking a mortgage to repair an existing owned house which has a long term revenue stream from multiple tenants.
So is the Bateman situation a mountain or a molehill? Share your answers to the two questions above by adding a comment to this article.
When Jeremy Skinner sent this in we weren’t sure if it was a good idea – then thought that it might be a good idea to let the readers ask the questions and see how other readers respond.
Take it as one of our engagement initiatives. We will work with what comes in and send it along to Council members.
By Pepper Parr
June 5th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Thursday was not a good day for Andrew Drummond.
His third campaign to become the representative for Burlington in the provincial legislature didn’t work out the way he had hoped.
 Drummond had the best funding he has ever had plus a bigger team to knock on doors – the wind he needed was never in his sails. He started the campaign with better funding than he has ever had. The NDP saw Burlington as a seat that could be won.
Drummond said the NDP had identified 6000 people who would vote for them
The Burlington NDP organization got the best results in all of Halton. And Drummond is fervent in his belief that if there is going to be an NDP seat in the region it will be in Burlington.
 The days immediately after an election that was lost are not the hardest – those are yet to come. Today Drummond talks about an organization with 100 formal members that he believes can be built to 200 and that in the months and years ahead Burlington will see the NDP protesting on street corners and in front of city hall.
There are important issues said Drummond who lists them: Daycare funding, environmental issues, climate change, better job prospects, Women’s Place, Urban boundaries – he has more.
 Ever the campaigner – Andrew Drummond was out every day – but the New Democrats didn’t have enough traction at the provincial level to give him the room to grow his campaign. He plans on more meetings for the local NDP association and expects to be able to partner with other groups on their issues.
Drummond explains that people were Ok with the job Doug Ford did on the COVID 19 issue – the other serious issues just didn’t get the traction they needed. He added that provincially, the NDP campaign just never did really take off.
Which leads Drummond to the forthcoming leadership campaign. At this point his voice changes – some excitement comes back – “There are some stars in caucus; there are bright lights that will begin to shine” he explains. Expect Drummond to be up to his ears in the leadership campaign – but isn’t prepared to say if there is a candidate that he likes the look of.
Will he run again in 2026 – four years is a long, long, long time in the world of politics – but a guess would be – he will run again.
What can we expect from the new government we asked? Drummond does not subscribe to the view that Doug Ford is a changed man. “He is there to help his buddies make a lot of money” adding that parts of Burlington are at serious risk.
The 407-Dundas urban divide is at risk. Drummond believes that the owners of most of the property that is immediately north of that roadway – 407 and Dundas, will end up being developed with the Ford government that will be sworn in soon.
By Paul Sharman, Councillor ward 5
June 4th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The following appeared in Local News – Burlington, an alternative online news source. Reprinted with permission
Many people are extremely interested in what is happening with the acquisition of the former Robert Bateman High School (RBHS) by the City of Burlington.
In a nutshell, as they say, after a year of talks, property analysis, assessment, engineering analysis and negotiations, the acquisition is getting closer to completion. Here are the key steps taken by the city in the process to acquire RBHS, with two steps still to occur:
The former Bateman High School site. What will the city name the location once it acquires the property ? Key steps completed
June 23, 2021: the Halton District School Board (HDSB) announced that it has declared Robert Bateman High School surplus to its needs.
June 24, 2021: the City of Burlington announced that an expression of interest would be submitted to the HDSB to purchase the Robert Bateman site through a partnership with Brock University.
December 2021: council provided direction to staff to submit a formal offer to purchase the Robert Bateman High School site, subject to price and details to be negotiated.
February 3, 2022: Burlington City Council endorsed next steps to advance the potential acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School site from the Halton District School Board.
Steps yet to come
June 21, 2022: city council will consider results of public input and then decide whether to proceed with the land exchange and long-term leases and will then authorize staff to complete all matters.
September 2022: The deal will be complete (if authorized to proceed) and funds transferred, at which time the land exchange price and other details will become public in accordance with provincial regulations and city policy. The parties are prohibited from disclosing price information until after completion.
What is going on
Halton District School Board (HDSB) voted to close the school in June 2017. I and a huge number of community members opposed that choice for several reasons. Those reasons remain extremely relevant to this day, but that is another article. After the decision was made, I and then-Mayor Goldring committed to seeing RBHS purchased by the city for community, recreation, and other uses.
On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, HDSB declared the Bateman property surplus to its needs. Since then, the school board has followed a prescribed process to negotiate the sale of the property. The City of Burlington had the right to purchase it if no other school organization wanted it. Because Burlington’s population has grown significantly over the last 20 years and is due to increase in the order of 70,000 more people in the next 30 years, more land and buildings are required for community recreation and other uses by the city. Accordingly, shortly after the property was declared surplus, the city voted to proceed with the acquisition of the property.
After a year of work, on June 21, 2022, city council will consider results of public input from a survey and a meeting held on May 31, and then decide whether to proceed with the land exchange and long-term leases of space to the HDSB and Brock University. Council will then authorize staff to complete all remaining matters. In September 2022, the deal will be complete and funds transferred, at which time the land exchange price and other details will be made public, following provincial regulations and city policy. Unfortunately, those details cannot be released earlier.
After that, a lot of activity will occur to obtain community input on how the property will be used. Partial details of use are discussed below, and they will evolve over time.
What Burlington is getting
When the HDSB declared invited offers to purchase from municipal government, they prescribed that only those that allowed the board to retain approximately 39,000 sq.ft. of space in the school under lease for a period of over 20 years would be accepted. Meanwhile, Brock University also wanted to lease a similar or larger amount of space as HDSB in order to offer programming in Burlington. The City of Burlington press release discussing the Brock partnership in June 2021 can be found here.
The RBHS building is so large (at 212,270 sq. ft.) that the space available for community and recreation use after deducting Brock and HDSB leased space from the total will be greater than any existing Burlington recreation centre.
Central High School land transfer
On May 18, 2022, the Halton District School Board issued a media release stating that they were
“…advancing a land transaction with the City of Burlington that would see the exchange of the City-owned sports field at Burlington Central High School (1433 Baldwin St, Burlington), with the sale of the former Robert Bateman High School (5151 New St, Burlington).”
“The parcel of land adjacent to Burlington Central High School is approximately five acres and includes the sports field and track to the west of the school. The Board’s purchase of this land ensures the continued operation of Burlington Central High School by the HDSB for the foreseeable future.”
This relates to the fact that the city already owns land at Central High School, Wellington Park on the west side, on the corner of Hager Ave., and on Baldwin Street, which features a sports field, outdoor track, and playground, and is integrated into daily school use. The school board has been interested in acquiring the property for a number of years. It makes no sense for the city to own land that the school is using, especially downtown where it is very valuable, and to then be buying land from the school board for the city to use elsewhere. Therefore, city ownership of land at Central High School will be transferred to the board with a value based on market prices. The dollar value of the property will be credited in favour of the city against the price of the Bateman purchase.
Brock, HDSB tenants and the Central High School land transfer all have the effect of making the acquisition of RBHS less of a burden for Burlington taxpayers. In the long run, when Brock and the HDSB leases expire, the city will decide how to use the entire building for community or other uses.
If Central is ever closed, then the board would have to declare it surplus and the city should be able to buy it back, if it wants.
City and recreation uses of the property
The primary goal of the city for the Bateman site is to satisfy community recreation needs, which will include: retention of Centennial swimming pool and school gym; public greenspace; new flexible programming areas (i.e. expanded city community centre); relocation of Burlington Public Library (BPL) – New Appleby Branch; and relocation of TechPlace. All of this is being done to create a sustainable signature community hub, with a focus on learning and active living.
Conclusion
Assuming final purchase of the Bateman property by the city concludes as expected, we will be able to offer recreation services to members of our community of all ages for decades to come. I am totally supportive of acquiring the property at a reasonable cost by the city, which I expect will happen.
Paul Sharman has been the Councillor for ward 5 since 2010
By Pepper Parr
June 2nd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
At precisely 2:00 pm Thursday afternoon while citizens across the province were casting ballots Town Criers across the Commonwealth read the Royal Proclamation celebrating the Queen.
Queen Elizabeth’s anniversary of her seventy years on the throne was celebrated in Burlington.
 David Vollick – Burlington’s Town Crier The Town Crier, Dave Vollock, read his Proclamation in Civic Square to a “throng” of people assembled there.
 Ladies were each given a “fascinator” they could wear Festivities continued at the Central Library where a display of the Queen’s hats was set up. Now these were not the actual hats worn by Queen Elizabeth – but a collection of millinery very similar to what our head of state wears on her head.
Visitors who had RSVP’d ahead were treated to a tea – in a REAL porcelain teacup, along with tasty cake.
Ladies were each given a “fascinator” they could wear in their hair for the occasion. And a QEII 7O pin.
The Queen had her Silver Jubilee back in 1977 after just 25 years on the throne, and at that time, Burlington recognized the occasion with a brass marker on the King Edward VII Fountain at Veteran Square at City Hall.
That fountain (just restored last year) was festooned with Union Jacks for the day.
Some people are not excited about such an event, but our sovereign is a remarkable woman, and congratulations to her for her life’s work, after these long seven decades.
By Stephen White
June 3rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Compare the 2022 provincial election results in Burlington with those of 2018 and some interesting trends emerge.
In 2018, the PC’s won 25,500 votes, and 40% of the vote. This time around they won roughly 22,200 votes and 42.5% of the vote. However, the Liberals went from 15,000 votes to roughly 15,400 votes and garnered less than 30% of the vote. The NDP vote totally collapsed. They went from 18,000 votes in 2018 to just over 9,200, and 28% of the popular vote to 17.6%. 63,737 residents voted in Burlington in 2018. I would be interested to see what the final tally is this time round.
The key messages:
1) a lot of residents didn’t bother to vote. I went by two polling stations during the day at schools and there was little traffic.
2) the private sector union vote went solidly PC. Witness the gains in Windsor, Hamilton and Brampton.
3) electors haven’t forgotten, or forgiven, the Liberals for the mess created by Kathleen Wynne.
4) the NDP is increasingly tied to special interests and public sector unions. They have continually failed to make inroads with moderate voters who don’t like and don’t support their policies or style. Even with a superlative local candidate like Andrew Drummond they couldn’t hold their vote.
5) given the lack of viable alternatives offered by either the Liberals or NDP the electorate opted for the status quo.
The Liberals need to find a much better leader, and not one tied to the Wynne government’s sorry legacy. They also need smarter policies, not $1 a day transit fares that are untethered to reality and amount to little more than half-baked promises.
The NDP need to hit the re-set button and hard. WOKE messaging, critical race theory, EDI “happy talk” and “word salads” don’t resonate with voters who want practical policies and viable alternatives. That’s why they lost the private sector union vote. Jobs matter.
As for the PCs, they really need to engage their base and start listening to the public. Add the residents who didn’t vote, supporters like me who parked their vote with New Blue, and the potential of two new energized leaders by the time 2026 rolls around, and the future isn’t entirely smooth sailing.
 Stephen White is a life long resident of Burlington who teaches at Sheridan College and consults in the Human Resources sector
By Pepper Parr
June 3rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The beautiful thing about the form of government we have is that once the ballots are counted and the result are clear – we accept the results and get on with letting the new government do its job.
Burlington residents are represented by three constituencies: Burlington, Oakville North Burlington and Milton.
Burlington results:
 Burlington
 Oakville North Burlington  Milton
By Staff
June 2, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The members of the Performing Arts Centre get first dibs on tickets – membership has its benefits. The Box Office is open to everyone on Tuesday June 7th – Box Office opens at noon.
It is quite a season
We have set out what is being offered along with prices. Note the benefit to members – might be worth your while to take out a membership.
The 2022-23 season.
This is not an order form. You call the Box Office –
Tuesday to Friday from 12pm to 4pm
Payment: Cash, Interac/Debit, Credit Card (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX), Gift Certificate
905 -681-6000
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By Staff
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has extended their service hours at the District stations effective today, Monday, June 13, 2022 as follows:
By Pepper Parr
GoodLife, a multi-national commercial fitness organization is offering its free Teen Fitness program across Canada this summer – the first time since 2019 the program has taken place in clubs. GoodLife started the Teen Fitness program in 2010, and this year the program is especially important to help teens address the mental and physical damage caused by the pandemic.
Road Closures
Community Development Halton has rescheduled the Social Location and Systems of Oppression workshop to Wednesday June 15, 2022 at 12:30pm.
In this workshop you will walk away with:
By Staff
The days immediately after an election that was lost are not the hardest – those are yet to come. Today Drummond talks about an organization with 100 formal members that he believes can be built to 200 and that in the months and years ahead Burlington will see the NDP protesting on street corners and in front of city hall.
Stephen White is a life long resident of Burlington who teaches at Sheridan College and consults in the Human Resources sector
