 By Staff
June 21, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
This is good news – timely as well.
The Nelson pool and splash pad are targeted to reopen on Saturday, July 15
The Recreational swims will be held daily between 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. Lap time swims can be found at: www.burlington.ca/
 Bigger and better – but no sponsorship. In 2015 the city announced that “with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool has seen an accelerated rate of deterioration,” said Chris Glenn, director of parks and recreation. “Ensuring public safety is our top priority, and thus the need to keep Nelson Pool closed.”
Getting the pool re-built generated some vociferous debate when Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison wanted to hand the job off to the private sector and have a new pool in for the following summer
City manager James Ridge suggested a plan like that was not very prudent and that 2017 was the more likely with 2018 a possible opening date as well.
When the announcement on the made on the size of the pool and when it was most likely to open the city also released a report on possible sponsorship for the pool.
During a discussion on fund raising for the Nelson pool reference was made to the consultant’s analysis which estimated value for a Facility Naming Sponsor could range between $300,000 to $350,000. It is also recommended that the payment terms could be as follows:
• $30,000 – $35,000* annually for an agreement term of 8 to 10 years
• Incentive to pay upfront: 15% discount = $297,500 – $250,500
• Paid within 3 years: 10% discount = $315,000 – $270,000
There doesn’t appear to have been a taker for this deal.
Look for the photo ops when the pool opens. We recall watching Mike Wallace get himself soaked at the opening of a splash pad in Ward 3 – he was the Member of Parliament at the time.
Perhaps all seven members of city council will take a leap into the water.
 By Stephen White
June 21st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There are far too many initiatives in play, and far too little time to fairly and effectively read, review, understand and absorb the cumulative impact that all of these development proposals will have upon the City.
This process is not being effectively managed and the Mayor and Council need to wake up to this reality.
 Citizens do show up for public meetings and are very willing to participate – but the number of meetings being held now is more than most can manage, Citizens are attending meeting after meeting trying to get a grasp on what is going on. These meetings make a mockery of public participation because they assume the average citizen:
1) has had the time to review materials;
2) is able to attend public meetings and forums despite other personal and business commitments;
3) has reviewed content online; and
4) has had sufficient time to ask and receive informative answers to poignant questions.
Add to this separate meetings and discussions around smaller planning projects, school closures, etc. and it is a lot to absorb.
We are all being held hostage because of Kathleen Wynne’s intensification mandate.
This sad, sorry, pitiful government has one foot in the grave and despite the Gazette’s optimism it is not a certainty that their re-election is assured.
 Citizens are replacing their governments when they are unhappy – Burlington will have its next municipal election in 2018. The Liberals should take a long, hard look at recent results in B.C. and Nova Scotia if they want confirmation of that.
Add to that growing public dissatisfaction with the Trudeau government, and recent policy initiatives that will prove incredibly costly and problematic to implement (e.g. a 32% increase in the minimum wage by January 2019) and you have an election minefield ready to explode.
At a minimum the timeline for review and implementation of these planning initiatives should be extended by a year to eighteen months.
Let’s agree to take the time and do it properly and fairly rather than subscribe to an artificially imposed timeline.
 Stephen White is a Certified Management and Executive Coach and founder of Competitive Edge Coaching based in Burlington, Ontario. Stephen is a member of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the Chamber’s Political Action Committee.
 By Staff
June 21, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Herd let the Barrie Baycats got undefeated this season – it was a 10-3 win the the league leader.
 Cooper Lamb doubled home two of the Herd’s three runs. Cooper Lamb doubled home two of the Herd’s three runs, all of which came in the ninth inning. Carlos Villoria had the other RBI. Canice Ejoh singled twice and scored once.
On the mound, Ryan Beckett (1-2) gave up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 3.2 innings. He walked five without striking out a batter.
Barrie will be in Burlington on Thursday – chance for the Herd to take down the league leader.
Burlington dropped to 5-10.
Future games:
Thursday, June 22
Barrie at Burlington, 7:15 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 13-0
London Majors 12-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-3
Toronto Maple Leafs 7-9
Burlington Herd 5-10
Hamilton Cardinals 3-8
Brantford Red Sox 3-10
Guelph Royals 1-15
 By Walt Rickli
June 21st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Are you ready for it… tonight will be the shortest night of the year.
 ThinkSpot’s Debra Pickfield It’s the June 21, 2017 Summer Solstice and once again Debra Pickfield and her THiNKSPOT team are hosting a celebratory event. All are welcome – all ages and stages – solo or in groups. Do your best to RSVP to the email address at the bottom of this email…it really makes the planning easier.
As at previous Solstice events the cost of admission is a donation of personal effects for people experiencing homelessness (deodorant, tampons/feminine napkins, winter socks, underwear, toothbrushes) or a monetary donation to allow the purchase of items in bulk. That’s how this event got the nickname “The Sockstice”
 The Solstice gets celebrated in the winter and the summer – these sky lanterns were set afloat last December. Here is the evenings schedule:
From 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm A complimentary dinner will be served while at the same time we will have a collaborative painting canvas available for people to decorate.
From 7:45 to 8:15 pm the Sky Lanterns will be distributed in the Lowville School House for people to write on what they are grateful for and what they wish to let go of. An alternative option – is a Floating Lantern for those who have experienced the loss of a loved family member, partner, friend, or pet. There are a limited number of floating lanterns available and we will be creating a silent space to honour the moment.
From 8:15 to 8:45 pm – a Light Session (hosted by Kune Hua and Brock Hewitt) will be held through ambient music to create the space for a mindful conversation/meditation to come together in community. Guests are welcome to bring blankets to sit on the grass.
From 9:00 to 9:30 pm – releasing the Sky and Floating Lanterns.
Where in Lowville? Look for the old school house at Lowville Park Road – steps away from the parking lot. Lowville isn’t big enough to get lost in.
Please RSVP and choose either a Sky or Water lantern: debra@thinkspot.ca
 By Staff
June 20th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Thefts from Motor Vehicle Occurrences Significantly Up in Burlington.
The Halton Regional Police Service report a significant increase in reported thefts from motor vehicles since the beginning of 2017.
As of June 18th 2017, there have been 341 reported occurrences of citizens having their motor vehicles entered and items stolen which are up significantly from the 119 reported occurrences during the same time frame last year and represents a 187% increase in this crime.
In 219 of these occurrences, entry was possible because the vehicles were left unlocked. In 59 of these occurrences entry was made by smashing a window and 24 occurrences by forcing the doorframe and/or lock punch. There were 29 reported occurrences of licence plates being stolen from vehicles and 10 “other” occurrences which include theft of vehicle batteries, tires/rims and manufacturer emblems.
Almost every community in Burlington has been targeted by thieves (see attached HEAT Map). These are crimes of opportunity and are preventable.
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 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
• Help police catch those responsible by keeping an eye out in your communities and immediately reporting any suspicious activity
Anyone with information about person(s) responsible for these crimes or persons selling stolen property from these crimes are asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316, Crime Stoppers “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimesoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Staff
June 20, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
An infection prevention and control inspection conducted by the Halton Region Health Department on June 9, 2017, identified that clients who have received dental services at Upper Middle Dental operated by Dr. Vick Handa, located at 1900 Walkers Line in Burlington, Unit 4, may have been exposed to improperly cleaned instruments used for procedures.
“Improperly cleaned dental instruments carry a low risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to clients,” said Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Acting Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “As a precaution, the Halton Region Health Department recommends that all clients who have ever received dental services at Upper Middle Dental contact their physician (or go to a walk-in clinic if they do not have a physician) to discuss testing for hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).”
The Halton Region Health Department closed Upper Middle Dental. In addition, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) suspended Dr. Handa’s license to practice on June 12. A re-inspection by Health Department staff on June 14 confirmed that the dental office now meets the required infection prevention and control standards.
On June 16, the suspension was lifted by the RCDSO. The Halton Region Health Department has sent letters to past and current clients of the dental office to notify them and recommend they contact their physician.
“Infection prevention and control in dentistry is a critical issue for safe patient care,” said a spokesperson for the
RCDSO. “As a result, cases like this are extremely rare. Dentists are extensively trained on infection prevention and our mandatory continuous education program makes the subject a priority. The RCDSO is currently reviewing its Guidelines on Infection Prevention and Control in the Dental Office.”
For more information about hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV, the inspection or investigation, please visit halton.ca or call the Halton Region Health Department at 311, 905-825-6000 or toll free 1-866-442-5866. For inquiries related specifically to Upper Middle Dental, please contact the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario by visiting rcdso.org.
 By Pepper Parr
June 20th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A comment from an experienced staff member of a developer doing some work in the city highlighted a concern that many have.
“There are so many concurrent planning activities going on in the City, it is quite something” said this well-placed source.
 The Downtown mobility hub sits in Councillor Meed Ward’s political turf – some of the outcome of the community engagement exercises may not square with the way she thinks the city should evolve. Quite something indeed and quite a bit more than the average person can handle.
There is an Official Plan that is being circulated.
There are mobility hub proposals that are getting a serious look – all four of them
There is a transportation study that is also going the rounds.
The Go Bold statement that came out of the planning department some time ago has turned out to be more than just a tag line added to media releases.
 Planners are besieged with questions from a public that wants to be engaged and wants to understand the bigger picture as well. The work has to be stressing the planning staff; it certainly has the development community watching carefully.
There are a number of development proposals that are sitting in planner’s limbo while the Planning department works on the bigger picture.
 Is this to be the epicenter of the downtown mobility hub? There are developers who feel they have shabbily handled who claim the planners have gone back on their word on projects that were progressing quite well – at last the developer thought so.
Add to all this are the Ontario Municipal Board hearings that relate to some of the ADI Development Group Projects. Things were never tight with the Adi people and the city – when Tariq Adi said: “Oh yeah, absolutely. “Look, I’m not going to sugar-coat it, I know what’s going on here.” and added that “… what happened at Martha absolutely has something to do with this. That’s fine, that’s part of doing business. We’ll just deal with it.”
Any good will that might have existed between the city and this developer went up in smoke with not much more than bitter feelings left on the table. Adi will want to describe the Mayor as biased and unfair – words the Gazette has heard before.
Spat between the Adi Group and the city over the Alton project.
Community meeting that had planners listening to the public.
A closer look at what the public had to say about a Downtown mobility hub
There are said to be two development options for the Downtown Mobility Hub that will be presented to the public on Wednesday evening at the meeting scheduled to take place at the Art Gallery of Burlington at 7:00 pm.
What will the city have in the way of surprises for us?
By Staff
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit investigated an incident of sexual assault allegedly perpetrated by a practitioner of alternative medicine at his clinic in Burlington in May of this year.
The victim in the matter was an adult female patient.
As a result of the investigation, Hugo Ramiro, 42 years, of Toronto was arrested on June 19th, 2017. He is charged with one count of sexual assault.
 Anyone with any information about this matter is encouraged to contact Detective Constable Andrew Hulbert at 905-465-8971 of the Halton Regional Police Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit or 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 Staff
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Uber this and uber that!
The name is all over the place.
 The newest wrinkle – Starting today at 11 am, you can get food from local restaurants delivered right to your door at Uber speed. From early-morning breakfasts to family dinners and everything in between, your next meal is just a tap away.
For a limited time, Burlington residents can enjoy free delivery on their first two UberEATS orders.
Simply download the app, make your selection, and enter the promotion code BURLINGTONEATS at checkout.
Free delivery (valued up to $4.99) on first two orders. Valid until July 3, 2017.
Featured Burlington Restaurants:
Barra Fion
Paramount Fine Foods Burlington
Tria Cafe & Bakery
Montana’s
Milestones
Artisan Pizza
That list is going to have to get a little longer.
By Pepper Parr
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It has taken awhile but it will be officially opened on Wednesday and it is a step forward.
The idea of a place where those much desired high tech, high paying jobs can get developed and brought to fruition has been a glint in the eye of the Mayor and his former Chief of Staff Frank McKeown for a long time.
 It is being called TechPlace – all one word – that is being positioned as a brand. McKeown said the Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) didn’t want it to be too tightly identified with them but wanted it seen as something the BEDC oversees, runs and funds during its early phase.
The objective? To create a place where potential new ideas, new approaches to business can be created, nurtured and grown. New business start-ups travel a pot hole filled road often fueled by family investments or whatever can be cobbled together from friends to get an idea off the ground.
Rotary sponsors a competition, mostly for high school students, that has seen some good ideas get funding.
At the TechPlace open-house style event on Wednesday, you’ll have the opportunity to tour the offices, network, and learn more about TechPlace. And here will be a cash bar – don’t see that very often in Burlington.
 Frank McKeown, former Chief of Staff to Mayor Rick Goldring shepherded the start-up incubator through the BEDC board and got it to the point where it can open – now to make it work. Led by Burlington Economic Development Corporation, TechPlace is a one stop destination for new and growing technology companies. TechPlace exists to help technology, talent and ideas come under one roof to create and promote opportunities for economic growth!
The Mayor poaches some of the credit for the idea when he says the idea was first announced during his State of the City address in January; the idea has been around for some time.
 This certainly differs from the garage Steve Jobs built the first Apple Computer. The TechPlace partners at the 8,600-square foot facility will include Angel One Investor Network, one of Canada’s most active angel groups, and Haltech, Halton Region’s Regional Innovation Centre. Mention has been made of some foreign interests who have bought into the concept and have taken space.
The set-up is intended to be a one-stop destination for new and growing technology companies. With the support of partners across the public and private sectors, the new facility will provide access to space, programming, mentorship, networking and resources to help connect, develop and advance entrepreneurs at all stages.
The Economic Development Corporation maintains that approximately 40 per cent of new jobs in Canada come from companies that are less than five years old; the BEDC is committed to supporting the continued growth of these companies. TechPlace is intended to be a place that attracts and nurtures these start-ups including those that are well beyond the concept stage but need professional support in areas that are outside their prime strengths. A couple of very smart software developers might not know much about federal and provincial grants available to them or how to tap into marketing programs that different levels of government offer.
 The HiVe couldn’t the clientele needed to make the place viable in the downtown core. A number of years ago The HiVe set up shop in space on Elizabeth street and launched their operation with a lot of hoopla and fanfare. The “beautiful” people turned out in droves but the customers didn’t take a shine to the place
When the HiVe was conceived the hope was that the city would buy into that operation – they never did and the HiVe moved out of their downtown location and re-established themselves closer to the industrial core along Harvester Road.
TechPlace is located on the 8th floor of 5500 North Service Rd. at Burloak Drive, just north of the QEW.
https://bedc.ca/techplace/
By Staff
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Eight games in 11 days proved to be too much for the InterCounty Baseball League Toronto Maple Leafs – they lost 6-1 to the Burlington Herd Sunday afternoon at Christie Pits.
Christian Hauck went seven innings on the mound for Burlington (5-9) to pick up his first win of the season. The Leafs (7-9) managed 10 hits and three walks off the Burlington starter, but Hauck got the big outs when he needed them.
Early rainouts have forced IBL teams to condense their make-up games into a small window. Toronto opened the week Monday at home against Kitchener before hitting the road for stops in Hamilton and Barrie on Tuesday and Thursday.
The Leafs won in Guelph Saturday, but looked like a weary team when they hit the diamond Sunday.
Toronto starting pitcher Zach Sloan got into trouble early and the Herd made him pay. Struggling to find the strike zone early in counts, Burlington opened the scoring in the top of the first when Cooper Lamb’s single brought home Canice Ejoh.
 Cooper Lamb added his second RBI of the afternoon. Burlington added runs in the second and third innings, before Justin Marra cut the lead to 3-1 when he drilled a Hauck pitch over the right-field fence for his fourth home run of the season.
 The Herd would get that back and more in the top of the fourth inning when it scored three times off Sloan. John Whaley drilled a two-run single and Lamb added his second RBI of the afternoon with a sacrifice fly that scored Ejoh.
Sloan would pitch one more inning before being relieved by Marek Deska in the top of the sixth, with Toronto trailing 6-1. Sloan gave up six earned runs on nine hits and three walks, while striking out two in five innings of work.
Whaley had a big day at the plate for the Herd, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored.
Julian Johnson and Justin Marra led the Leafs with a pair of hits each.
 By Pepper Parr
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
If you a member in good standing with Burlington’s provincial Liberal Association you have a chance to get to hear some particularly good people spout the Liberal line as they prepare for a tough provincial election in 2018
The crowd will nominate Eleanor McMahon as their candidate – she should be a shoe-in for re-election unless the bottom falls out of the Liberal Party during that election.
 Eleanor McMahon at her annual tea for seniors. McMahon has done a good job for the most part – the Tyendaga community want her to pay more attention to their issues and some of the high school parents think she could have and should have done much more for their cause.
But on balance McMahon is popular and liked.
She took a seat that the Conservatives had held for the previous 70 years; the Liberals don’t want to see it going Tory blue.
 Ted McMeekin with Premier Wynne – he serves as her Parliamentary assistant. Ted McMeekin, MPP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier will be speaking. Has McMeekin been re-nominated?
Hon. Glen Murray, MPP for Toronto-Centre and Minister of the Environment and Climate Change will get to speak
Hon. Kathryn McGarry, MPP for Cambridge and Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry will add his voice.
 Jane McKenna Given that all three are speaking to the converted there just might be some fine oratory. McMeekin can certainly move an audience when he puts his mind to it.
Burlington Central Public Library; 6:00 pm
McMahon will speak longer than she should, but they are her people.
Jane McKenna has already been nominated as the candidate for the Progressive Conservative Party.
By Pepper Parr
June 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
When Robert Glover, a professional Architect, Registered Professional Planner and an Urban Designer with over 35 years of professional experience told a public meeting that Brant Street should be seen as the spine of the city – just what did he mean?
Glover was explaining the rationale for locating a proposed 28 storey tower on Brant Street opposite city hall.
 While he was the planner hired by developer he was asking his audience to look at the bigger picture and decide what they wanted Brant street to become.
 He put a large graphic on the screen that showed just where the high rises in the downtown core were located – there were few that were actually on Brant Street – and Glover who has worked as a planner for both the public and the private sector was suggesting that some thinking needed to be done. Much of his work as a planner in the public sector was with the city of Toronto.
Glover is well aware that Burlington is not Toronto and he thinks that Burlington has a charm of its own that can and should be developed.
 Will it dwarf city hall or will it add some majesty to Civic Square? Downtown will never be the same – and that is probably good news. His view is that a 28 storey structure will not hurt or harm the city hall – a high rise, if done properly will enhance the city hall – “place buildings around it that feature city hall and the Civic Square”.
Cities need a structure – a backbone that keeps the city together.
“The backbone gives a body structure, strength – something that other parts of the city can be linked to.
“A spine gives a city a focus – a center and if done properly development can be staged so that the street that serves as the spine does not become a canyon.”
Glover realizes that making that happen is what the delicate art of planning is all about – it needs to be thought through – “they just don’t plop a building into a space because a developer has assembled a number of properties”.
There is a lot of development taking place along Lakeshore Road and south of it.
The impact this has on the feel of the city is critical – Burlingtonians know what their waterfront is about and they aren’t going to give up as much as an inch if they don’t have to.
But what about Brant Street – what works on that street? Not much actually. The Burlington Downtown Business Association continually talk about the “vibrancy” of the street – they seem to feel that if you continually call an area “vibrant” it will become vibrant. It doesn’t work that way.
City Hall itself is no longer an efficient building and doesn’t meet the city’s space requirements – a significant amount of space is rented in the Sims building across the street from city hall. The politicians love to refer to city hall as an iconic building.
There is a report in a file at city hall that sets out what the city’s office space needs are and it beleived to have some recommendations on what to do with the existing building – doesn’t appear that report is going to get any public attention for some time. So much for transparency.
 It seemed to take forever for this three structure project to get shovels into the ground. When completed it will bring some much needed life to John Street. The Carriage Gate group is currently constructing the Berkeley at John and Caroline where they have a three part project that includes a future medical centre, a parking lot and 20 storey condominium.
Getting that property to the point where they were able to get a shovel into the ground took a lot longer than they thought – determining who was going to pay for hauling the hydro lineup the street from Lakeshore revealed some bothersome problems with what Burlington Hydro was expecting of developers.
Their proposal for the property opposite city hall forces everyone to look at Brant Street and do some serious thinking about what the planners think it should look like and what the public thinks it should be.
The city’s Tall Building Design Guidelines put in place in January after a rather rushed process with very little in the way of public input.
The public focus is on the waterfront. Few appreciate that the five structure Paradigm project on Fairview will have 2000 residents when it is complete – that’s a small village yards away from Brant Street.
Further south on Brant there is a proposal for a buildings at the intersection of Brant and Ghent where the Burlington Square, one of the taller buildings on Brant, is going to be enhanced.
That kind of development attracts other developments and before you know it you have a city with a significantly different look and feel. Change of that kind isn’t something the public takes to easily.
 Brant Street comes to life when there is a major event taking place. Which brings things back to the Glover view that Brant can be made the spine of the city. If Glover is right, and his success with previous projects suggest he knows what he is talking about, there is an opportunity to bring some real vibrancy to the street.
The Planning department has released design of what intensification could look like on Waterdown Road in the west, Appleby in the east, along with some ideas for the plaza at Guelph Line and New Street and some ideas for what Fairview east of Guelph Line could look like.
Interestingly – the Planning department hasn’t had all that much to say what they think Brant could become.
There is never going to be any commercial development to the west of the Brant – that is a solid residential community that watches what smaller developers want to build. It has to be very good to get past those residents.
But there is significant opportunity for both Brant and John, a street that has yet to figure out what it wants to be.
 They are historic and when they were built they were tall buildings – what are they today? Glover thinks that if you treat Brant Street as the spine of the city a fundamental premise is in place that can guide future developments. There are parts of Brant Street that haven’t changed at all in 75 years.
The proposal for the high rise opposite city hall is now in the hands of the planning department – they will be sending their recommendation to city council in the fall.
Will a different look for Brant Street be part of their recommendation; it’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.
 By Staff
June 18, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Getting outhit didn’t stop the London Majors from outscoring the Burlington Herd.
Despite Burlington’s 13-9 advantage in the hit column, the Majors made the most of their contact with an 8-3 road win Saturday afternoon.
Chris McQueen went 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, while Cleveland Brownlee and LeJon Baker each doubled and drove in a pair of runs. Humberto Ruiz picked up a pair of hits and had an RBI and a run, and Brett Sabourin singled twice and scored once. Byron Reichstein walked three times and scored twice.
Cory Hammond (3-0) went six innings and allowed two runs on 10 hits with a walk and three strikeouts.
Burlington leadoff hitter Justin Gideon went 3-for-4 with a run and stolen base. Ryan Freemantle had two hits and an RBI, and Carlos Villoria drove in a pair of runs. Canice Ejoh singled and scored.
Jesse Anderson (0-1) took the loss, giving up eight runs on five hits in 3.1 innings with seven walks and four strikeouts.
London improved to 12-0, and Burlington fell to 4-9.
Future games:
Sunday, June 18
Burlington at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 20
Burlington at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Standings
Barrie Baycats 12-0
London Majors 12-0
Kitchener Panthers 11-3
Toronto Maple Leafs 7-8
Burlington Herd 4-9
Brantford Red Sox 3-10
Hamilton Cardinals 2-8
Guelph Royals 1-14
By Staff
June 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The season series between the Hamilton Cardinals local rival Burlington Herd finally got off the ground following three postponements as the Herd took the opener by a 7-0 score.
 Winning pitcher Adam Prashad (2-2) threw eight innings of shutout baseball, allowing three hits, a walk and striking out 10. Branden Kuzyk pitched the ninth inning, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two to finish up.
The Herd were led at the plate by Justin Gideon’s two solo home runs, one in the first and the other in the seventh inning. John Whaley also had a solo home run in the fourth. Carlos Villoria and Canice Ejoh each had two hits for Burlington.
Cal Murphy had two hits for Hamilton.
Dan Weagle (0-3) took the loss going six innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out one. Jackson Jones pitched the final three innings allowing two runs on four hits, walking two and striking out four.
The loss drops Hamilton to 2-8, a full game behind Burlington (who are in fifth place)
Future games:
Saturday, June 17
London at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 18
Burlington at Toronto, 2 p.m.
 By Staff
June 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Won’t be long now.
The paving of New Street between Guelph and Walkers Line and then on to Appleby Line is well underway – and the markings that indicate where the lane lines are going to go are in place.
 The white paint dots are where the bike lane line is going to go. Then it will be safe to drive a bike along New Street – right?  The paving of New Street is well underway – when done the bike lanes without safety barriers will get really serious. The painting machines will be putting the lines in place really soon – next week perhaps?
Don’t expect an official opening event – the lanes will just be there for people to use and the transportation department will begin their traffic flow measurements while the two sides of what has become a very contentious difference of opinion can get back at in an even bigger way.
Hard to see how a positive result is going to come out of the pilot program.
This things was a mess right from the beginning – reflecting the significantly different opinions within the city.
Not much in the way of leadership from city council on this one.
Transit and transportation needs and policy direction have to be worked out before the city can become whatever it is going to become.
There is a solution out there – the city has to find it and then be resolute in implementing a policy – and then funding it properly.
For the immediate future New Street will open and the arguments can rise to a new level.
By Staff
June 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Another Sound of Music weekend.
While the event continually gets awards for being one of the best festivals in the province for the people of Burlington it is their weekend event.
They flow into Spencer Smith Park in a steady stream of people – every shape, size, and gender.
The Gazette positioned a photographer at the base of the Pier and watched people flow into the park.
This is Burlington and this is what we look like.
 It has always been this way – the boys looks – the girls ignore them.
 Night settles in – there is a 10 pm curfew for the bands.  The Pier gets visitors – a parachute glider attracts attention.  The evening was about listening to the music
 The girls are checking things out.  Many make it a family event.  He is just loving life
 Mom and her team.  You know who he likes.
 She is just really happy to be where she is!
 By Pepper Parr
June 17th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It has to be the most impressive effort this city has seen, made by a bunch of people who just did not know how to take no for an answer.
The Freeman railway station – that was really just a small spur on the railway line that went through Burlington – took on a life of its own when those “concerned citizens” fought hard to keep the station alive.
 They still need donations and volunteers are always welcome – the big day will be July 1st. When your city council couldn’t find a home for the station, they did their best to try and sell it – even if it was just for kindling. No takers.
 The Freeman station got moved around a number of times while the city figured out what it wanted to do with the thing. When city council failed to come up with a solution citizens helped by Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster found a solution. A group was formed and they managed to find some support on city council – Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster – joined forces to hold off the willingness of the rest of city council to see the thing meet a swift death – and end the ongoing embarrassment.
The tearing up of the rail line on what is now a magnificent pathway along the edge of the lake was the end of old time rail transportation.
Now GO trains, Via Rail and freight trains snake through the city but they don’t have the colour and the character that those old railway station waiting rooms had.
 They had every reason to be smiling. Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster pose with five members of the Friends of Freeman Station after the Council meeting that approved the entering into of a Joint Venture that would have the Friends moving the station and taking on the task of renovating the building. July 1 – the Freeman Station will get its Official Opening – the Mayor will cut the ceremonial ribbon. It should be Meed Ward and Lancaster doing that job – they earned it.
 These are some of the group that pushed their city council to working with them to save the Freeman Junction railway station. The group that runs the Friends of Freeman station have this thing about the role of the Mayor – he didn’t do all that much to keep it alive in the early days. He did, to his credit, work to get them some of the funding they desperately needed to do all the work that was needed.
The story of the hundreds of hours those guys put in – and it was mostly a male effort, should not go unrecorded.
 Hardly a weekend went by during the last year and a half without at least some people working on the renovation of th station. With the official opening day close close at hand there is a drive to get as much done as possible.
The Regions Heritage Services group has climbed aboard the effort and will be mounting a small exhibition in the space referred to as the Baggage Room.
Sarah Rolko who works for Halton Heritage Services as an assistant curator said the Friends of Freeman approached the Regional Heritage people initially for fundraising, collections management and exhibition development in April 2016.
 The station was taken off the blocks it was sitting on for a number of years and settled into their new home beside the Fire Station on Fairview. “The reconstruction process then got very busy and we were unable to reconnect with them until January 2017”, she said
“We were able to start up conversations again after meeting in January 2017 at the “Making Heritage Happen Conference” hosted by Region.
From there, we made a plan to develop an exhibit for the July 1st opening.
 Sitting on some “cribbing” with a sign badly in need of several coats of paint, the Freeman Station gets ready for its big move. The exhibit focuses on the hard work of the Friends of Freeman and other involved members of the community so far as well as the importance of the station within the community in the past, especially the major role the railway played in developing the city of Burlington.
The existence of the Freeman Station just might be the biggest thing Burlington has to celebrate and make note of as the County celebrates its first 150 years as a country.
By Pepper Parr
June 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Greg Woodruff ran for the Office of Chair of Halton Region in the 2014 election.
He got 12,000 votes of which 5,800 came from Burlington.
Garry Carr, trounced Woodruff.
 Greg Woodruff – Aldershot resisdent It was never certain what Woodruff was setting out to do – create a profile for some other race? He had zero political experience at the municipal level other than being a regular delegator at city hall in Burlington.
Woodruff certainly has an appetite for things political. A resident of Aldershot who works as an independent software development consultant and has a strong skill set in the technology field.
He points out that in the 2014 municipal election the candidate results were:
Rick GOLDRING 36,237
Anne MARSDEN 3,043
Peter RUSIN 2,942
Of the 42,222 votes cast Goldring took 36,237
He points out that only 42,000 people voted in election and 36,000 voted for Rick Goldring.
 Meed Ward with Mayor Goldring – both want their names on the ballot At the Council seat level Meed Ward got 4,600 votes which gave her the ward 2 seat.
Here is where it gets interesting.
Woodruff has run the numbers and according to him all it takes to win the race for the office of Mayor is 12,000 votes – in a four way race.
The four candidates?
Rick Golding, Marianne Meed Ward, Mike Wallace and Greg Woodruff.
It is pretty clear that both Meed Ward and Goldring are going to run for the office of Mayor. Howeer there are those who say they are close to Goldring and that he might decide to hang his hat up.
Meed Ward is believed to still be planning on a run for the office of Mayor
Mike Wallace is busy selling Real Estate, doing deals and running Jane McKenna’s attempt to get herself elected to the provincial legislature again.
 Mike Wallace looks closely at a piece of art at the Art Centre. There was more than enough evidence to suggest that Wallace was going to run for the office of Mayor. He was been both a school board trustee and a city Council member before he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Burlington.
He was defeated by Karina Gould for that job.
Woodruff seems to feel that the 5800 Burlington votes he got as a candidate for Regional Chair could be grown to the 12.000 he needs to be elected the Mayor.
It would be foolish to see the 2018 voter turn out as low as that in 2014 – the turn out could double. There will be some interesting dynamics if all four run for the office of Mayor.
Woodruff doesn’t appear to want to put in any time as a municipal Councillor – he wants to go straight to the top.
October 2018 might be an interesting month.
By Staff
June 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Those mobility hubs – all four of them.
What are they again?
A place identified as an opportunity for new growth and development over the next 20 years
 There were charts all over the room that people could use to visualize what they thought a mobility hub could be. City staff held breakout questions where questions could be asked and detailed notes taken – it is those notes that have been formulated into concept that people can learn more about in the weeks ahead. The city held a public meeting at which people could put some ideas on paper. All the ideas were then gone over by the planning staff – they now want to share their feedback on land-use concepts that came out of the meeting on the Downtown Mobility Hub
These concepts will be available for public feedback starting Wednesday, June 21.
 Study area and the different land uses in the different precincts. Wednesday, June 21
Art Gallery of Burlington (Shoreline/Rotary Room), 1333 Lakeshore Rd.
7 to 9 p.m.
Those who are unable to attend the public meeting can share their feedback about the concepts at one of the following public open houses:
Wednesday, June 28
Burlington City Hall (room 247), 426 Brant St.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 6
Art Gallery of Burlington (Shoreline Room), 1333 Lakeshore Rd.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday, July 10
Burlington Public Library, Central branch (Centennial Hall), 2331 New St.
2 to 4 p.m.
Thursday, July 13
Burlington City Hall (room 247), 426 Brant St.
2 to 4 p.m.
 Checking out what the city means by a mobility hub. The input gathered will be used to help develop a shared vision for the downtown Mobility Hub, to be released in September 2017.
Rosa Bustamante, Manager of Policy – Mobility Hubs explains that “This is the next step in planning our city’s downtown Mobility Hub. This spring, we heard from residents who told us what they love and value about downtown Burlington. We’ve taken that input, along with the information that has been gathered through technical studies, to create some draft land-use concepts that will show us, at a high level, where and how the downtown could grow over the next 20 years.”
Mobility Hubs are the areas around the city’s three GO stations—Aldershot, Appleby and Burlington—and the downtown that have been identified as opportunities for new growth and development over the next 20 years and beyond.
The city is developing area-specific plans for all four of its Mobility Hubs, which will eventually be part of the city’s new Official Plan.
Someone within city hall has to be given credit for the lengths they are going to to get public input – five different meetings is a record – it is usually one meeting downtown – another north of the QEW somewhere and that’s it. Kudos belong on someone’s desk. It would have been more inclusive if some of the meetings had been held out of the downtown core.
In Halton Region, it is anticipated the population will grow from 530,000 to one million people by 2041. The Province of Ontario’s provincial growth plan, Places to Grow, mandates that the City of Burlington plan for a population of 193,000 by 2031.
Related articles:
Part 1 – Mobility hubs – what are they and why are we doing this?
Part 2 – Closer look at the mobility hub vision
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