 By Staff
May 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Crime Stoppers of Halton in partnership with FileBank Canada is hosting a shred event in Burlington to help combat Identity Theft and other fraud.
The event will be held Saturday, June 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot on the east side of Brant Street at Ghent Avenue, three blocks south of Fairview Street.
 Crime Stoppers has also partnered with a number of the chartered banks in Burlington to promote the event at the bank branch level by handing out small banknote sized coupons alerting people to how serious a problem Identity Theft is and how people can use the Crime stoppers service to protect themselves.
For a donation to Halton’s Crime Stoppers programs, residents and business owners can feed FileBank’s “Beast” – a state-of-the-art mobile shredding vehicle – with their personal and sensitive documents to ensure they are not used by scam artists for various fraud schemes.
 One of the fastest growing frauds today is Identity Theft with losses running into the billions of dollars. Halton Crime Stoppers is committed to helping people to protect themselves from this crime with several conveniently located community shred campaigns across the region throughout the year.
Detective Constable Jodi Richmond, police coordinator of Halton Crime Stoppers, said it’s important for people to protect themselves from becoming victims by ensuring any documents with personal information are destroyed properly.
“Items such as cancelled cheques, financial records, old letterhead, invoices, copies of job applications or anything containing personal information can easily be used by criminals to obtain credit cards; steal money from bank accounts; procure passports or other identification and even get a mortgage on your home without you even knowing,” she said. “Destroying confidential and business documents is the best way to protect you from becoming a victim of fraud.”
Detective Constable Richmond also pointed out that FileBank’s process is eco-friendly since all sensitive documents pulverized through the mobile shredding equipment is recycled into new paper products.
In addition, those bringing old financial records and other documents to the shredding site in Burlington will receive a 500-sheet package of recycled paper courtesy of Domtar, one of Canada’s leading paper producers.
“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” Richmond said.
Halton Crime Stoppers also wishes to thank local branches of the Royal Bank, Scotia Bank and TD Bank for helping promote the shred event to their customers and raise awareness of Identity Theft.
 By Staff
May 30, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington, Halton District and Halton Catholic District School Boards, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and the Ministry of Transportation, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) will officially kick-off its Distracted Driving Pledge (#TextULater) pilot campaign.
Starting Monday, June 5, HRPS High School Liaison Officers will visit high schools throughout Burlington, encouraging students to take the #TextULater Pledge and challenging others to do the same.
 Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah has always worked well with the high school crowd – hopefully he will be doing some of the teaching. Deputy Chief Nish Duraiappah, Sergeant Jared McLeod, Burlington District Response Team and Initiative Creator and the community partners, including the City of Burlington, school boards, agencies and high school students are going to be involved in this one – a full Monty from everyone
The Regional police have always been able to work with high school students and explain the very real consequences of their behavior.
 Two Nelson high school students do their best to stay on the green line wearing Fatal Vision goggles during a Halton Regional Police RIDE program. A number of years ago the HRPS worked with Nelson high school students demonstrating the effect alcohol had on their ability to respond to what was going on around them – making it very very clear that driving wasn’t really possible with alcohol above the limit in their bodies.
Let’s hope they can do as well with getting the distracted driving message across – then of course there is the marijuana message once that product is legal.
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Just ducky!
An Ontario government grant of about $120,000 that is going toward a giant rubber duck for Canada 150 celebrations is ruffling some feathers.
 A six storey tall rubber duck with selfie appeal. Will we see it in Burlington Bay. It will be a huge draw. The six-storey-tall, 13,600-kilogram yellow duck is being brought to Toronto by the Redpath Waterfront Festival, at a total cost of $200,000, combining other funding such as corporate sponsorship.
It’s being billed as a tourist attraction — with particular Instagram and selfie appeal — and will also be taken to other communities in Ontario.
Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Eleanor McMahon said the province has been funding the waterfront festival for the past three years and it does a good job promoting tourism.
 Burlington MPP and Minister of Tourism and Sport defends the rental of a rubber duck to celebrate our 150th birthday – what would Sir John A. have to say about that idea? “This year they’ve decided to add a duck to the equation,” she said. “I think it’s an important contribution to our 150th celebrations. It’s just another example of the fun that people are going to have this summer.”
Lea Parrell, the co-producer of the waterfront festival, said it’s hoped the duck will have a positive effect on tourism.
The $200,000 cost includes renting the duck from a man in the United States who owns it, transporting it, inflating it, using a crane to lift it onto a barge, towing the barge, bringing it to other Ontario communities, marketing, and on-site support such as portable toilets and extra fencing so people don’t fall in the water, Parrell said.
The giant rubber duck is based on similar floating structures by a Dutch artist that have travelled world, Parrell said.
No word yet on whether the duck will be seen floating at the end of the Pier sometime during the summer. Selfies galore.
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Rossmore Blvd. southbound between Princess Blvd. and Balmoral Ave. will be closed on May 31, 2017 for tree removal.
 There are leaves on those trees at this time of year.
 By Ken Pagan
May 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Justin Gideon is staying positive and, with a touch more confidence in his game, the results are showing on the field.
The Burlington Herd leadoff hitter, fresh off being named the IBL Batter of the Week, continued pumping out the hits on Saturday, mashing a long home run to centre-field as part of a 3-for-5 day in an 8-7 loss to the Brantford Red Sox.
Gideon, who turns 22 next month, is fourth in the IBL with a .478 batting average after six games, and leads the league with 11 hits and four doubles. His nine runs scored are second-most in the IBL.
 Justin Gideon, IBL Batter of the Week for May 15-21 swings for the win-less Burlington Herd “I’m feeling more confident,” said Gideon, now in his third season with Burlington’s IBL squad. “As a rookie, sometimes you’re kind of hoping for hits, but when things are going well, you’re expecting to get hits and that makes a huge difference. I think that positive attitude really helps.”
He was named IBL Batter of the Week for May 15-21, after going 7-for-9, which included a monster 5-for-5 game in a 14-12 home loss to the Barrie Baycats.
“I haven’t changed too much with my approach, just some subtle things,” he said. “On the mental side, I feel like I’m playing with a lot more confidence, especially with being a leader on the team. I think you have to have that confidence regardless of how you’re doing.
“You have to take things one at-bat at a time. You can’t look at your day and see that you’re 0-for-2 and be scared to go 0-for-3. You have to look at the next at-bat and try to get a hit. You have to have a short memory.”
Gideon has played four seasons of OUA baseball at Brock University, where he has thrived, twice being named Brock’s MVP and earning OUA Top Hitter accolades. He was second in the OUA with a.469 batting average and two homers in 64 at-bats in 2014 and followed with a .422 average and three homers and a league-leading 30 runs scored in 2015.
 But things came untracked in the 2016 fall season, when his average fell below .200
“It was just a combination of things,” he said. “I try not to make excuses, but it was just a slump I couldn’t get out of. It’s a lot shorter season and there are not as many at-bats (to come out of it), so it was just tough.”
However, he is making the most of a shot at redemption to get things back on track with the Herd this season. As the team’s table-setter and centre-fielder, he wants to continue setting high standards on the field.
“I want to bring a sense of leadership and try to keep a positive attitude among the guys and perform well every game,” he said. “ Even if I’m not performing offensively, I want to bring it defensively and just always be hustling and play with the same intensity every game.”
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Revised 12:50 pm May 29th, 2017
Today is Bike to Work day.
Did Burlington celebrate the event?
They did – in an event at Civic Square but there wasn’t a line of bikes along New Street.
Not this year – that road is in the process of being rebuilt between Guelph Line and Appleby.
Where are things with the cycle lane for New Street?
Not much recent information on the city’s web site. The original plans to do a pilot exercise in 2016 didn’t work out all that well.
In his blog the Mayor said in 2016 that …
 Goldring selfy – the day he took the bus to work. Provided by the Mayor’s office. City Council supported a staff recommendation for a one-year pilot for bicycle lanes on New Street between Walker’s Line and Guelph Line.
A majority of council (6-1) supported this decision. It was our team of transportation experts that recommended what is being called a ‘road diet’. Simply put, that means taking New Street from four lanes to three lanes (two travel lanes and a centre left turn lane), with bike lanes separated by painted buffered lines on each side.
There are a few key things to note as we measure data and carefully listen to residents during the bicycle lane pilot project on the two-kilometre stretch of New Street:
This is a pilot project scheduled to last one year. Our staff will be tracking detailed data and we invite feedback from everyone using that stretch of the road.
The pilot is a litmus test to see if the painted lanes result in a positive experience for people who want to ride their bicycles, while causing a minimal impact for drivers who also need to get where they are going in a timely manner.
This is an ideal time for the pilot to be done as this section of road is scheduled for resurfacing in 2017. This means there will be no cost to revert the lanes if the pilot is determined to be unsuccessful by staff and ultimately, council, or keep the new lane configuration when the road is resurfaced.
I live by New Street and as such, take it every day, at different times. I will experience first-hand the traffic delays, if indeed there are any.
The key measurement for me will be the impact on the automobile driver. If there are significant traffic issues as a result of this new configuration, we can simply repaint the road. This one-year test allows us to see if New Street is the right place for bike lanes.
The multi-purpose pathway from Burloak Drive to Martha Street is good for recreational cycling. However, it is a busy mixed use pathway that includes not only cyclists but walkers, skateboarders, walkers with dogs and young children. A friend of mine broke his wrist after a young child darted in front of him causing him to slam on the brakes and fall. This means it is not ideal for people cycling along the pathway for transportation, especially when travelling at higher speeds.
The pathway is also not useable when it is dark as the average light from a bicycle is not bright enough and does not shine far enough to create a safe ride. The pathway is not lit at night. There are also numerous crossings where vehicles have the right-of-way.
 New sewer pipes and a resurfacing of New Street put the new bike lane plans on hold. Furthermore, the pathway does not provide meaningful connections to the many amenities right along New Street.
 Data presented to a city Standing Committee by the Cycling Advisory Committee in 2016 The cycling enthusiasts explain that bike lanes on New Street by themselves will not have much of an impact – a fully developed cycling master plan with bike lanes throughout the city are what is needed and that is going to take some time.
 Data provided by the Cycling Advisory Committee in 2016. Not much, if anything has happened since then. Changing public opinion on bike lanes would seem to be the biggest obstacle.
The idea had support from a limited number of people; it was then so poorly executed that what little support got pummeled badly – can it be revived?
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington will kick off the summer event season at its annual Kite Festival on Sunday, June 4 at Brant Hills Community Centre and Brant Hills Park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 Next Sunday, June 4 at Brant Hills Community Centre and Brant Hills Park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rain or shine Residents are invited to join in the fun, explore their creativity and build a kite for free, while supplies last. Supplies are generously donated by Canadian Tire. Event attendees will fly their kites in the open space at Brant Hills Park all day to help fill the sky with colour.
The Kite Festival is a family-friendly event presented by the Rocca Sisters & Associates, with a variety of vendors and entertainment. Fun activities include face painting, balloon animals and a Canada 150 chain link activity.
The festival will take place rain or shine. Brant Hills Community Centre is located at 2255 Brant St. and Brant Hills Park is located at 2300 Duncaster Dr.
 By Ray Rivers
May 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON,ON
It never fails. Leave the country for a week and…
The Conservative Party of Canada held its leadership vote and, as I had suggested could happen, it delivered an upset victory. Andrew Sheer, a 30 something career politician from Saskatchewan and former House speaker, is the new leader of Canada’s grand old party. Using a ranked ballot, also referred to as preferential or single transferable, Sheer snuck past front runner Maxime Bernier in the last elimination round, and snatched the prize by less than a single percentage point.
 Andrew Scheer, 38 year old leader newly elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. One could not be faulted for seeing Sheer as a mini-me, a younger Stephen Harper. After all Sheer, like Harper, is a ‘social conservative’, a label some consider synonymous with right wing or reactionary views. One can’t help but get the feeling that he wants to turn the clock back to the time Mr. Harper ruled the roost – and that the recent period of Liberal government is just an inconvenient stop on the highway to a more conservative Canada.
And like Harper, the new leader is anti-choice when it comes to a woman’s body. Though Mr. Harper was careful to avoid re-opening the legalization debate, which former Conservative PM Kim Campbell has so skillfully brought to a conclusion. That Sheer has played the abortion card in this contest should be a red flag to all potential voters who value freedom of choice.
Other than that we will have to wait and see how progressive his leadership of the former Progressive Conservative party will be – or not. And that may determine the party’s chances of sliding in between the two parties on the left and centre, and forming government come 2019. Sheer, as a novice leader, will be facing a still-popular Justin Trudeau, who will argue for the opportunity to complete what he had begun in his first term.
And the New Democrats will also be showcasing a new leader, which may lead to more of a three way race than in 2015.
Speaking of three way races, there is B.C.’s recent election. Typically a two party province, there hasn’t been a minority government there since the 1950’s,. But that luxury has come to an end after the Green Party elected three members to the legislative assembly. And the B.C. Liberal Party, arguably more conservative than its name, had barely eked out a two seat lead over the opposition NDP.
 B.C. Liberal Leader Christy Clark is one seat shy of being able to form a government. Photo credit – THE CANADIAN PRESS/ CHAD So the Libs are one seat short of a majority. And while they could claim the right to form government, given their first place finish, it is unlikely they’d survive the first non-confidence vote. The Greens are tired of sitting in the wings and are hungry for power. So they are looking to bed down with either one of the other parties, a coalition or contract for a one-term-stand as opposed to a marriage of convenience.
Regardless who they sleep with, the result will mean a fresh look at resource projects, like the recently approved Kinder Morgan oil pipeline. And in a province which has built its economy in large part upon its rich endowment of natural resources, there will be fireworks – and possibly new tensions with the federal government. It is expected that a deal will be negotiated by mid-week, so we’ll soon see how this plays out.
And the real sticking point in these coalition discussions is the matter of electoral reform. B.C. in recent years has twice conducted a referendum for electoral change. And both of these – the one for proportional representation and the other for voting by a single transferable (ranked) ballot – have failed. So the Greens are saying ‘to-hell’ with referendum – let’s just do it. But the NDP and Libs are reluctant to wear the blame for defying the results of those previous polls.
The Greens want to introduce proportional representation, a system which does offer more effective representation and is better designed to accommodate minority situations and political coalitions. And that would be a life-line for the longer term survival of their party.
Though had the previous Liberals been able to convince the public on the merits of a preferential ballot when they were in power, similar to the approach the federal Conservatives used last weekend, they might have been returned to office with a majority and the Green Party left out in the cold. There is a lesson in this for our federal leaders.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington in 1995. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
CPC Leadership – More CPC – Even More CPC – B.C Election – Minority Consequences –
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It took the Brantford Red Sox five games to pick up their first win of the season, and it came against another win less team – the Burlington Herd who have gone six games without a win.
Dan Jagdeo’s solo home run with one out in the top of the ninth inning lifted the Red Sox to an 8-7 victory over the Burlington Herd Saturday afternoon.
Brantford is 1-4, and Burlington is 0-6.
Ricky Murray had three hits and drove in a run and scored once for the Red Sox. Chris Dennis and Nic Burdett each had an RBI and run, while Benjamin Bostick singled twice, scored twice and had an RBI.
Brandon Dailey had two hits and two runs, and Cody Mombourquette drove in a pair.
Tyler Soucie (1-0) earned the win, giving up a run in one inning of relief. He walked one and struck out one. Tanner Guindon tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for his first save.
Starter Justin DAmato went 3.2 innings and allowed five runs on five hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
For Burlington, Justin Gideon went 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, while Canice Ejoh also had three hits, two RBI and a run. Cooper Lamb had two RBI, and Grant Okawa had two hits and scored twice.
Kyle Symington (0-1) took the loss, giving up a run on two hits in an inning. He struck out one.
Starter Brad Smith gave up six runs (four earned) on seven hits in three innings. He walked three and struck out one.
 By Pepper Parr
May 27, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite having to make close to last minute changes to the venue – forgetting about a performance under canvas and moving to inside a church hall, the 3rd Annual Lowville Festival pulled it off.
The “The hall at St. George’s was packed to the rafters Friday night” and with Liona Boyd on the playbill little wonder.
Saturday night:The Second City Comedy Troupe doing their Canada: The Thinking Man’s America is going to sell out. If you want to try and get a ticket – call BobMissen at 289-260-1109
Sunday, May 28; 2pm – St. Georges Anglican Church – Motus O Dance Theatre will be doing “Alice”; the production is a decidedly delightful look at a classic.
 Alice in Wonderland characters with such energy and excitement – they leave audiences breathless. Rich in athleticism and innovative dance and theatre, ALICE is an exhilarating adventure that spins you off into another land. ALICE is an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s whimsical stories, “Alice in Wonderland” and “Through The Looking Glass”. In her search for home, Alice must maneuver herself through this topsy – turvy world. ALICE is a one hour show that brings to life all your favourite characters with such energy and excitement that the audience is left breathless. Part Dance Part Theatre Part Triathlon.
While not intended as a performance for children – the production will widen the eyes of those from 12 to 80.
Growing the business:
The Lowville Festival organizers held their events during the first two years inside church halls and decided they were ready to outgrow those spaces. They were leaving behind some fine performances and wonderful memories but they needed more space.
Lowville Park was a beautiful location but there wasn’t a building they could hold events in. They got creative and decided a large tent – the kind of think travelling circuses used to use – would draw audiences and also add some charm and adventure to an event. The Festival was going to go under canvas.
 The tent was a great idea – but the grounds were too soggy after several days of rain. A venue change was needed. The tent would keep any rain out – but the rain we have experienced this month left the grounds in the park soggy and soaked with water. It just wasn’t going to work.
The Festival organizers had to make changes – and they had to move very quickly which took them back to those tried and true church halls.
Second City this evening; Alice Sunday afternoon – both well worth the price of the tickets – if you can get one.
Saturday, May 27; 1pm to 4pm – Lowville United Church – Free Event!
Sights and Sounds in the Escarpment in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Burlington
Sponsored by: Ontario Trillium Foundation
 By Pepper Parr
May 26th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Town Crier David Vollick gets the announcement meeting off to a good start. For $4.5 million – he really rang that bell. The cheque was just short of $4.5 million but the happy faces at the Joseph Brant Museum this morning were not quibbling.
 Barbara Teatero, Executive Director Museums of Burlington A project that started 22 years ago when the first report was produced and became the life work of Barbara Teatero was made real with the federal government announcement that the renovation – rebuild of the Museum is now funded.
It is going to cost considerably more than $4,479,000 to do all the work that is planned but without the federal money the project was never going to break ground.
 John Doyle  Larry Waldren John Doyle and Larry Waldron wore smiles that came close to lighting up the room that had 40+ people crammed into it while Town Crier Dave Vollick rang his bell and proclaimed the way only Vollick can proclaim that the museum was going to go through a significant change.
Construction schedules are being worked out – tenders will have to be let and scheduling completed.
Allan Magi had to tell city council a number of months ago that he was faced with a very challenging problem – organizing the construction without knowing for certain that the money was in the bank.
The Capital Works department will now be able assemble the internal team and begin with a project that will add another cultural destination for people who choose to visit Burlington.
 Architect’s rendering of what the new Joseph Brant Museum could look like when it opens. The new museum will have triple the space of the existing facility; the hope is that the space will be able to attract top tier travelling exhibits to the city.
While the politicians were doing what they do with words Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven cast a glance toward Doyle and raised an eyebrow and tipped his head – they had pulled it off.
 Those waters were the view that Joseph Brant had each morning when he stepped out of his house that was on what he described as Burlington Bay. That path in the middle of the picture was once a two track railway line into the town. It was a big day – it will take a couple of years to get to the Opening Day – and a fitting one for Joseph Brant who made Burlington his home for the last years of his life.
What will he think when the new Museum is opened?
 By Pepper Parr
May 26, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Weather, weather, weather.
The rain has thrown the Lowville Festival plans into a tizzy.
In the tradition of theatre – the show must go on and it will.
The plans for doing The Second City Comedy Troupe’s production of Canada: The Thinking Man’s America and Alice in Wonderland have had to be changed
 St Georges Anglican Church is at 7051 Guelph Line, ten minutes north of Lowville Park, just north of Derry Road. The performances scheduled for the Festival tent in Lowville Park will now take place in St. George’s Church Hall at 7051 Guelph Line, ten minutes north of Lowville Park, just north of Derry Road.
The affected performances are:
• The Second City Comedy Troupe’s production of Canada: The Thinking Man’s America at 7:30 pm on Saturday, May 27; and
• ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Motus O Dance/Theatre Company at 2 pm on Sunday, May 28 – Fun for the family!
St. George’s Hall has been a venue for festival events since 2015. Liona Boyd and the Lowville Festival Choir perform there on Friday evening, May 26, at 7:30 pm. The Hall will be dry and the indoor space will add a feeling of intimacy to the performances.
Show schedule:
Friday, May 26; 7:30 pm – St. George’s Parish Hall
To Canada with Love: Celebrating Canada 150, featuring Liona Boyd and the Lowville Festival Choir
Saturday, May 27; 1pm to 4pm – Lowville United Church
Free Event!
Sights and Sounds in the Escarpment in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Burlington
Sponsored by: Ontario Trillium Foundation
Saturday May 27th – 7:30pm; St. George’s Parish Hall
Second City Comedy Troupe: – Canada: The Thinking Man’s America
Sunday, May 28; 2pm – St. George’s Parish Hall
Motus O Dance Theatre’s Alice.
St. George’s Church Hall at 7051 Guelph Line, ten minutes north of Lowville Park, just north of Derry Road.
Representatives of the Festival will be at Lowville Park to re-direct anyone who is not aware of the change.
For information, please call: Bob Missen 289-260-1109
By Staff
May 25, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Yo!
 We wanted to let you know that the ticket price for Sound of Music June 10 Kick-Off Concert is going up on May 29.
Time to purchase if you haven’t already!
Spread the word and let your friends know that seven bands for $60 (plus fee and tax) can’t be beat.
Gates open at 1:00 pm.
Quick peak promo
By Staff
May 25, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 Over the course of the day watersheds within Conservation Halton’s jurisdiction have received between 30 and 45 mm of rain. While the rain has ceased and further precipitation is not anticipated, water levels within area watercourses are still rising.
Many local watercourses are running at or near bankfull conditions. Near the Lake Ontario shoreline, easterlywinds and high lake levels may result in localized ponding in low areas.
 Water levels in watershed creeks have risen significantly during the day. Caution around the edges of creeks – especially with children. Riverine flooding is not anticipated, however the forecasted precipitation in conjunction with saturated ground conditions may result in higher than normal water levels and flows in local streams.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay away from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Lake Ontario water levels are also high. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
This Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety will be in effect through Friday May 26, 2017. Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will provide updates as required.
By Staff
May 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The room in the lower level of the Waterfront hotel on Lakeshore Road was packed – standing room only.
 It was standing room only for many of the people attending the Downtown Mobility Hub Visioning Workshop. There was a very slick presentation being given on plans for redevelopment of the land on which the Waterfront hotel now stands.
Many – perhaps most of the people had two questions: How many and how high?
They wanted to know how many buildings did the developer want to build on the site and how high would they be.
They didn’t get an answer – the presentation was all about putting any development in context and relating it to what was already in place in the area.
Roz Minaj a Planning department staffer told the audience that the terms of reference were focused on redevelopment.
Some wanted to see the property purchased and turned into parkland and extending the size of Spencer Smith Park. That is not going to happen.
At one point there were three wharves on the land the Waterfront Hotel sits on today. A lot of fill was added to the shore line which extended the property further out into the lake. The Pier got built and Spencer Smith had many upgrades making it all a prime attraction.
Should the plans for re-developing the existing Beachway community to the west ever get completed that part of the city will become a major attraction for thousands outside the city.
 There was a lot of information on street views and other tall buildings in the area but not a word about how many buildings the developer wanted to put up or how high they might be. When the presentation was done those who chose to stick around were invited into another room to take part in what we now call table work – a time when people gather around a table and write down some of the ideas they have for what should be built.
The results of those ideas will be put into a report which the Planning department will put in front of city council at some future date.
 Is the argument going to be that there are tall buildings in the area so there could be tall buildings on the land the Waterfront Hotel is now on. Last week the Mayor sent out the following informing people that:
Next week, the City of Burlington is starting a study that affects the future of our waterfront and I am asking everyone in Burlington to get involved.
The Brant and Lakeshore planning study commences on Wednesday, May 24, 2017. It will consider what should be located on the property at the foot of Brant Street that is currently home to the Waterfront Hotel.
The owner of the property – Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc. — is interested in redeveloping the site. As such, the City’s Official Plan, which is the guiding planning document for Burlington, requires the City to complete a master plan for this area.
This master plan is critically important, as this site is prime waterfront land surpassing anything found in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area in natural beauty and access.
As Mayor, I am very concerned about the impact any redevelopment could have on our waterfront.
I believe an option needs to be considered that converts this property to open space as a natural extension to the existing park for the future enjoyment of all Burlington residents.
Residents frequently tell me public space on our stunning waterfront is important to them and to our community. I agree wholeheartedly. And I believe that redevelopment of this site will not be welcomed.
 City Councillor John Taylor was listening intently to people. The people who share that view were out in force along with people from the offices of many of the developers in the city.
We didn’t see the Mayor in the room but it was packed – he might have been in there somewhere. Councillors Taylor, Dennison and Meed Ward were observed.
Related article:
Development at the foot of Brant Street
 By Staff
May 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
As people think about whether or not they will attend the Meridian Brick information meeting this evening they might want to read over the note that the Mayor posted on his linked In page.
He said:
“After extensive review by staff in several city and regional departments, we have come to understand that Meridian Brick is within its legal rights and that the Province of Ontario, not the City of Burlington, has jurisdiction over this matter.”
 Site of the third shale pit that the brick company wants to begin mining. He appears to have washed his hands of this issue; those in the Tyandaga community are on their own.
The Meridian meeting is at 7:00 pm at the Crossroads Centre at 1259 North Service Road just west of Kerns Road.
Related article:
What is the issue behind the mining of shale for brick manufacturing.
 By Staff
May 24, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
City of Burlington loses the Appeal case that the Air Park made to the Ontario Court of Appeals. The matter of what the city will now do with its requirement that the Air Park file a site plan is is something the city is going to have to think through.
The Appeal was made by the Air Park. This is the first of numerous court cases that the city has lost in this matter.
 What does it mean and what, if anything, will the city do next?
One council member is reported to have said that if the city loses the Appeal they will not attempt to take the case to the Supreme Court of Canada.
By Staff
May 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There will be something in the way of a lasting memory of the graceful, natural looking Gazebo that once rested in a small dip of land at the beginning of the Naval Promenade in Spence Smith Park.
 A view of Burlington that is no more – two majestic willow trees were cut down and the gazebo razed for something more accessible. The two willow trees that were planted there more than seventy years ago by the man who the park was eventually named after were deemed to be unsafe and were cut down in 2016.
All was not lost – several hundred saplings were taken and the thick tree trunks were cut into smaller pieces, planed and then kiln dried and are now ready for use by people who like and know how to work with wood.
Starting in June, the city will offer wood chunks for creating artwork and for souvenirs, saplings for planting and wood boards to be finished into furniture or art objects.
Saplings: The city grew more than 200 cuttings from the willow trees in a greenhouse this past fall and winter. The young trees will be ready in early June for people who are interested in growing a piece of history on their own properties. Weeping willows are very large trees and don’t suit everyone’s property and preferences. Please carefully follow the city’s instructions on where and how to plant them.
A limited number of saplings is available at:
Branches of Burlington Public Library, starting June 6
Ireland House Museum, starting June 6
Lions Park, 471 Pearl St., June 9 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. during Chat and Chew in Ward 2
 Trunks of the weeping willow trees taken out of Spencer Smith Park are cut to plank length sizes, planed and then kiln dried. wood will be available in June. Wood chunks: Great for artwork or small pieces of furniture, wood chunks are available for pickup in the parking lot of the Burlington Lions Club at 471 Pearl St. from June 9 at 5 p.m. until June 11 at 5 p.m.
Wood boards: Local companies Arborwood Tree Service Inc. and Exotic Woods donated their services to prepare wood from the willow trees for future use. They planed, milled and then kiln-dried the wood from six large logs to make boards that can form a table, chairs or other furniture.
More information will soon be available about how to apply for those pieces of wood.
Tribute in Spencer Smith Park: The city is working with Halton Region to plan a lasting tribute to the willow trees in Spencer Smith Park. Stay tuned for more details.
For more information, visit www.burlington.ca/willowtrees. For questions about the wood, please email communications@burlington.ca.
By Staff
May 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday May 23rd, officers from the Services three District Response Units teamed up for a third time this year in order to focus on a variety of traffic complaints throughout the City of Burlington. A large number of traffic complaints received by police relate to drivers exceeding the posted speed limits.
Project Safe Commute was developed in response to concerns expressed by Halton residents about aggressive driving, particularly during the morning and afternoon commutes. The first phase of the initiative was completed in Milton and Halton Hills in late March, while the second phase took place in Oakville in April.
 Police targeting cars exceeding the speed limits. Officers targeted those driving behaviours that place road users at the greatest risk namely distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving while impaired by either drug or alcohol.
Officers dedicated a combined total of 98 hours of enforcement to 15 identified high traffic complaint areas within Burlington. As a result of police presence at these various locations, police arrested two impaired drivers, impounded two vehicles for 7 days, took out of service three commercial motor vehicles due to violations, issued over 28 warnings to drivers and handed out 138 Provincial Offence Notices to drivers.
The charges ranged from distracted driving, speeding, stop sign and red light infractions, license suspensions, and impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
 Sgt. Jared McLeod of the 3 District Response Unit commented, “Drivers need to remember that their actions behind the wheel may have consequences on others. Several drivers stopped for speeding were doing 40km over the posted limit. Speeds like this, can escalate the chances of a serious motor vehicle collision. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. We all play a role in changing driver behaviour to ensure safer roads for all.”
Halton Police would like to remind drivers that community safety is a shared responsibility and that each individual driver plays a key role in ensuring that their next commute is a Safe Commute.
Project Safe Commute and others are part of the Service’s broader Community First policing philosophy that focuses on incorporating the four pillars of (community) safety and well-being into service priorities: Emergency Response, Risk Intervention, Prevention, and Social Development.
If any citizen would like to report a traffic concern they can do so by visiting our website and submitting an online traffic complaint,
https://www.haltonpolice.ca/services/reporting/trafficcomplaints.php
 By Pepper Parr
May 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Steve Armstrong is an engineer by training working in the field of software development.
He hasn’t gotten much of his day job work done recently – he has become consumed by the machinations and the flow of information that has taken place during the public discussion of whether or not high schools in Burlington should be closed and if so, which schools and for what reasons.
 Steve Armstrong Last week Armstrong and Denise Davy met with “policy advisors at the Ministry of Education and had a good discussion with a few people. Afterwards we also met up with couple of NDP MPPs, Monique Taylor (Critic, Accessibility and Persons with Disabilities and Critic, Children and Youth Services) and Peggy Sattler (education critic).
Monique and Peggy both suggested keeping the heat up on our MPP, Eleanor McMahon.
Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon and Minister of Education Mitzie Hunter have been closely following this process and apparently have had meetings with a number of Board people.
Armstrong said he was told “the province won’t intervene at this time because a decision hasn’t been made, and they want to respect the process”, BUT they do agree it’s better for everyone involved if the correct decision gets made in the first place. Since that lies with the Trustees at this point we need to keep informing them of facts in play.
“What I would like to see is Eleanor and Mitzie facilitating a meeting with the Trustees to allow some reasoned voices to talk to gaps in the process. Perhaps this could be the PARC members in direct dialogue with the Trustees but either way the Ministry resonated with my concern about a lack of meaningful engagement.”
Armstrong reflects the widely held public view that the first Public meeting in December did not fulfill its goal but rather made things worse….”it was a live survey with poor questions and allowed no dialogue with attendees.”
The PARC meetings went from a focus on decisions about what options to remove early on to finally talking about creative ideas at the last meeting…completely backwards.
 Steve Armstrong with Cheryl DeLught Armstrong maintains that Director of Education Stuart Miller had told students that PARC members would be engaging with them. But that morphed into a survey which PARC members were denied participation in setting up questions that we might want.”
Armstrong adds that “staff were left out of this important process, and although apparently a heavily redacted set of comments have been made available to Trustees that was done after the PARC was disbanded so there was no chance of building on their input.
Armstrong said there has been no meaningful engagement with the city.
He adds that the second and third Public meetings were constructed differently than what the PAR committee had been told would happen.
 Functional breakouts (Finance, Building services etc) in which all Options where present didn’t meet the needs of the parents. “We were told it would be a short presentation up front followed by stations focused on individual options to be interactively discussed with the public.
“Instead they skipped the presentation and went with functional breakouts (Finance, Building services etc) in which all options where present. Overall it lead to a lack of cohesion.”
Armstrong reports that the Ministry was also concerned when it learned that not all Trustees have visited the schools in play. “I’m lead to believe” said Armstrong “that there has been discussion with the four Burlington Trustees and the Ministry/MPP but think all 11 need to be reminded of their duties and expectations with regard to engagement.”
It is time for the trustees to step up to the plate and be responsible and accountable to the people that elected them. At the last Information session of the Board we had a trustee with two schools that are in play, with one threatened with closure asking questions of Board staff about a school that wasn’t even in her ward.
Another trustee was in the que for asking questions and when it came to her turn she had forgotten what her question was.
 Amy Collard eye-balling Stuart Miller This is irresponsible behavior from people who are desperately needed to act on behalf of their constituents and not be so cozy with the Director of Education. He is accountable to them, something that Stuart Miller fully understands and will respond to – the trustees have to set the bar – they have yet to do so.
The exception is Ward 5 trustee Amy Collard – she has been relentless with not only Miller but every other staff member she has put questions to.
The other trustees can learn about what it means to hold staff accountable.
The Board will continue the meeting that was recessed last week on Wednesday (tomorrow) at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be live webcast. Steve Armstrong thinks he just might drop in.
|
|
Crime Stoppers has also partnered with a number of the chartered banks in Burlington to promote the event at the bank branch level by handing out small banknote sized coupons alerting people to how serious a problem Identity Theft is and how people can use the Crime stoppers service to protect themselves.
