 By Tom Muir
May 17, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Tom Muir has been a relentless commentator who asked the hard questions and pressed even harder for answers and the information he felt the public was not getting.
Today – he writes the 11 Halton District School Board trustees outlining their role and the obligation they have to the public that elected them. Muir delegated to the Trustees last Thursday
Dear Trustees,
I have been considering the experience I observed on the evening I delegated to you and wondering how you are going to move forward in the delivery of your duties and responsibilities.
 Tom Muir Frankly, there is scarce evidence of your views or intentions in debating this report toward making decisions, and I find this troubling.
This week, May 17, as you know, there is another tabling of the Director’s final report, a formality for final decision on June 7. However, this tabling really only begins your task of, and responsibility for, a transparent and accountable decision-making process. I cannot delegate in person, so please accept this as a written delegation for the record.
This information report tabling allows for your opportunity for deep questions, analysis, and for motions and resolutions for amendments and changes to the Director recommendations.
I have troubling questions about how strong the Trustees are in decision-making in this political context, and if there are any Trustees who will say no to the Director and Board.
I have provided much information, analysis and commentary on this matter, so you should be familiar with this body of evidence, and what it says about the PAR process so far.
The Board and the Director constantly worked at obstructing my efforts to engage the process and investigate the Conditions 1 and 2 that formed the justification for the PAR.
My requests for relevant information were constantly ignored and/or refused. I was forced to go to the Office of Information to request pertinent information, and then I was subjected to more obstruction.
The information I was able to get, which I have provided to you, gives evidence-based proof that the state of utilization that the Board cites as Condition 1 was knowingly and deliberately caused by the Board.
It’s irrefutable that the declines in utilization of those schools are planned declines, the direct result of Board actions.
I’m having problems with how you are portraying the utilization of the schools, like it’s due to natural causes and demographics, and therefore that’s the problem, not the Board’s intention and action. You have been doing this for most of the time since this all started. This misrepresents the situation, and is not truthful.
As I said in my delegation of May 11, utilization in Burlington was planned and directed so as to fill a NE Burlington school (Hayden), and the evidence clearly shows that this was done by choking the life out of 4 of the 6 existing Burlington schools, with premeditation.
 Steve Armstrong graphed data showing that the changing of boundaries and limiting the feeder school is what put the Pearson high school at risk of closing. The current UTZ was planned long ago, and imposed by the Board – it didn’t just happen by itself. I have provided proof of this in the data.
But rather than getting to the bottom of how to fix the underlying causes, the Board focused on stopping release of pertinent information to me and the public, including forcing me to submit an FOI request, and even then further obstructing and refusing the release of information.
The current situation of low utilization was caused by the Board, and only by them. Refusing to be transparent and accountable for this is the big lie of the Board.
Now using this PAR, the same Board is now blaming the victims, and recommending that two of the six victims be sacrificed by closure.This recommendation by the Director came right at the start of the PAR, with no public discussion.
To decide the closures, the victims were pitted against one another, a process still ongoing, but it didn’t matter. After a long process the Director still wants his two victims.
His reasons are not the true context, but as they say, if repeated over and over again, people will eventually believe it.
For truth in your deliberations, you have to note each time that you discuss utilization, that the rates of UTZ are the result of a conscious decision by the Board, and implemented in their planning by building Hayden and putting 1500 students there from the other schools and their feeders, causing the planned declines in UTZ in those schools.
Now, as the result of these known consequences, they want to close schools to make it up, and that’s part of their plan too.
There is no accountability, and I think that’s part of the Trustees job to call out, but it’s not evident.
What I have seen is a general administrative failure of transparency and accountability by all the Board, and a failure to show visible oversight on the part of the Trustees.
Do you plan on doing anything to correct this misrepresenting slant, and the failure of accountability?
 Halton District school Board Director of Education Stuart Miller The Director’s report also speaks of Condition 2 for the PAR. This mentions that the PAR will address questions of equity of opportunity for students, but I see no concrete problem analysis, or details of solutions.
The report also states that “reorganization involving the school or group of schools could enhance program delivery and learning opportunities.” Please note that the Condition 2 uses the action words “could enhance”. It does not say “will” and so guarantees and specifies nothing.
There is no transparent and accountable information provided by the Board indicating any details of the delivery of this Condition 2 aspect of the PAR. There are only abstract assumptions, and ideology, that larger enrollments and schools allow for this. This assertion is disputed by education studies, and by parents and students in Burlington.
I repeat the point made about how much the financial operating savings are with closures of empty spaces. The $2 million operating cost savings is the only operating funding that is spent on maintaining empty spaces. Since there is no increase in budgets for instruction, more programming cannot come from there,
The PAR Policy statement says that; “Decisions that are made by the Board of Trustees are in the context of carrying out its primary responsibilities of fostering student achievement and well-being, and ensuring effective stewardship of school board resources.”
I remind the Trustees that you will be closely watched to see how your decisions fulfill these duties and responsibilities, in a transparent and accountable way.
 Bateman I ask you to demonstrate how closing Bateman fosters student achievement and well-being in our most vulnerable, and needing of extra support, children? After seeing some of these kids at the delegations, I don’t know how you could in good conscience close their school for so little savings and so much cost, as the most expensive option.
And show me how removing the possibility of the small school experience of Pearson, with the integrated day-care facility, fosters the same things, while providing a test of the real validity of the large school ideology currently dominating the Board planning and design.
And I look forward to you showing me how you equate the ensuring of effective stewardship of school board resources with the closing and loss of 2 of Burlington’s community schools, and the gain of practically nothing of significance in the financial and fiscal condition of the Board. The ignoring of future growth needs, and social changes, is especially reckless regarding closure induced over-utilization, and risks of pressure for renewed future schools and capital needs.
 Dr. Frank J. Hayden High School Remember again, it was the Board that created this problem in a planned, deliberate way, and this added cost of school closures in this deliberate plan, in building Hayden, must not be swept under the rug in an attempt to forget it. That is what I see happening now.
I argue that based on demonstrated benefits to student achievement, and stewardship of school board resources, now and in the foreseeable future, there is no case to close any schools. There are simply no demonstrated financial gains in closing schools, thereby destroying the community of Burlington schools, to provide any meaningful benefits. This is the truth of the matter.
Indeed, it is always in the best interest to deliver and act on the truth, because there is no telling what harm will come of leaving out these details in the future. That’s really what happened by leaving out the truth of Hayden’s impact, so please, let’s not compound that mistake by closing schools.
At bottom, we are not only dealing with numbers or dollars, but instead with children, and essentially the future of our community. This makes our decisions much more important than just taking care of business.
The trustees have within their authority the means to move boundaries, feeders, and programs in order to undo the skewed enrollment caused by building Hayden without considering the consequences.
Hayden was built and filled with students by transfers from existing schools that can just as easily be undone.
 The Halton District School Board trustees in session In conclusion, the Trustees do not have a pressing need to close schools, and it appears that on planning, financial, fiscal, risk, student benefits from demonstrated significantly enhanced academic offerings as opposed to known negative impacts, the real net economic effects looked at closely, and the impacts on the overall school community, it makes no sense.
If you happen to disagree with this assessment, it is your responsibility to demonstrate your reasons in a transparent and accountable way.
 By Pepper Parr
May 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
They come in at the rate of at least five a day – and they cover everything the provincial government has done or plans to do. Media releases advising of a new piece of legislation or an announcement an Minister is going to make.
They churn them out at an astounding rate – three that we got in one day – there were more.
Ministers are on the go every day of the week – they might not get a summer vacation.
The Liberals are a government with some serious problems on their hands – the best thing they have going for them is the Progressive Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party where Andrea Horwath just hasn’t caught in with the public.
 NDP leader Andrea Horwath and PC leader Patrick Brown talking in a corridor of Queen’s Park Patrick Brown, leader of the Progressive Conservatives, doesn’t get very many people excited – those with a tighter focus on their version of family values love the man and wish he would come out with stronger statements. That isn’t likely to happen – the population of the province wouldn’t go for it.
The Liberals have put out a call to begin to get ready now for the 2018 provincial election.
“In the lead up to the 2015 federal election” said a message to their members “thousands of Ontario Liberals went door-to-door in our local neighbourhoods or made phone calls to support our federal Liberal friends.
“These Days of Action are credited with laying the ground for a Liberal victory then.
 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne listening intently. “Now, just in time for the one-year count down to the 2018 provincial election, we’re pleased to announce that the Ontario Liberal Party will be hosting our own province-wide Days of Action, starting on June 3rd.”
Ontario’s next election will be on June 7, 2018 and ballots counted electronically to shorten nail-biting waits for winners under the proposed modernization of voting laws.
Let the games begin.
 By Staff
May 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Yesterday City Council approved the 2017 Tax Levy Bylaw that allows the Finance department to end you a tax bill on with payment dates of June 21 and Sept. 21, 2017.
Highlights of the budget which was approved in January include:
• The 2017 budget delivers a base budget increase that continues to invest in existing services and reflects the objectives of the city’s long-term financial plan.
• The budget maintains the $4.8 million annual contribution toward the Joseph Brant Hospital reserve fund to meet the city’s $60 million commitment to the redevelopment project.
• This budget continues City Council’s commitment to a dedicated annual tax increase to address infrastructure renewal based on the city’s Asset Management Plan.
• The city’s approved operating budget of $238 million for 2017 provides a wide range of services and programs, including the maintenance of roads, community facilities, fire protection, parks and transit.
 Tax chart – breaks out what the city spends and what it collects for other levels of government. Additional service investments for 2017 include:
$254, 000 for maintaining the urban tree canopy
$200, 000 for the maintenance of sports fields
$80,000 in enhancements to washrooms in waterfront parks
$30,000 to support ongoing community events.
The budget is made up of two parts –
Capital budget
Operating budget
The city provides an infographic setting out where those tax dollars are spent.
 By Pepper Parr
May 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Any plans to close Lester B. Pearson high school are complicated. A small school with enrollment at 30% below the expected utilization level happens to be the home of the Pearson Cooperative Nursery school, an operation that has been around for more than 40 years and operated very successfully.
In her delegation last week Fiona Wielhouwer was pretty blunt: “ We are here tonight to ask some important questions that have yet to be answered.”
 Secure secluded playground for the nursery students – with a nice patch of forest yards away. The nursery is funded by the city to some degree and by the fees it charges patents. The building it is in – is owned by the school Board but a lot of the capital costs were paid for by the city and the city provides ongoing financial support.
“Our first concern: said Wielhouwer is the agreement between the City of Burlington and the school board. The community space where the nursery school is located, as well as the third gym (a double gym is typical for a school Pearson’s size), was built cooperatively with capital investments from both the city of Burlington and the Halton School Board. The community had input into the use of the space and the Integrated Community School partnership initiated Pearson Cooperative Nursery school.
“The nursery has had a long standing partnership with the City of Burlington, not the HDSB, for our space. The city paid for part of the community room and the expanded size of the gym, for which the city has an operating agreement with the school board that hasn’t expired – how can that be agreement be broken for the strategic purposes of the school board? Why should the city and taxpayers allow this to happen?
Wielhouwer addressed the issue of rent paid for the space and said “We are not ‘getting away’ with not paying rent. The agreement for the community space that our nursery school occupies gives the city, not the school board, authority to establish the use, policy, regulations and scheduling of the community space.
Despite what some may have been lead to believe, it is not for the Board to charge us rent or a user fee. The city has acknowledged this. The spirit of this agreement was to have a community space that was used by and benefitted the community, which it has for 40 years.
Wielhouwer questions the availability of funding for a potential new space, the timing, and whether the nursery would actually fit the criteria for funding. “This is a major question” she adds. Any funding for a new preschool space would be provided to meet only the minimum requirements from the Ministry…a new classroom would shrink to half our current size and our playground would be diminished by over 50% We also estimate the cost of just the move to be over $22 000.
She adds that: “In addition, over the past 10 years, the nursery has spent $71,000 on capital improvements to the space. Would we be reimbursed for this spending that we would be forced to leave behind?. The financial implications of a move could cripple our non-profit organization.
“This concern has been brushed aside by board staff stating that there would be funding available. Relocation is not a simple solution, and as a small organization run by a board of volunteer parents, we cannot count on an undefined source of funding, nor can we afford moving and remuneration costs. If our worst fears should come to pass…and we are forced out of Pearson and are unable to afford relocation that would result in five people becoming unemployed because of a strategic, unnecessary decision by the board.”
 Forty years of history might go down the drain of the high school the nursery is attached to is closed. “This is not just about us” said Wielhouwer. “The nursery school students and families are not the only beneficiaries from our organization.” Alijcia Gibson, the co-op teacher at Pearson said “Having access that is readily available for students to be able to see the development of children during their fundamental years is something that is not only unique for students at Pearson but instrumental in making the connections between the curriculum and the real world….this practical component has helped the students enjoy and experience success in the classroom.”
There is a key phrase that Wielhouwer uses that points up the problem she is having with the school Board and that is – “a true community school”.
This school board does not appear to have much, if any interest, in community schools. The guiding philosophy at this point seems to be large high schools with enrollment of 1000 + students – 1200 appearing to be the optimum number. The rationale for this approach is that larger high schools allow for a much more inviting academic menu.
Concerns about fiscal prudence don’t seem paramount – the money will be found is what Fiona Wielhouwer seems to be hearing.
 An interesting teaching tool – does it portray the lack of any direction for the future of the nursery. Community is just not something that shows up on the radar screens the bureaucrats use to guide where they are going. School spirit seems to be the point at which the school Board superintendents view what community is all about.
The parents fully understand the importance of school spirit but they, unlike the superintendents, see school spirit as something that is a part of the community.
There is no clear sense as to what the trustees actually hold in the way of a philosophy. It has been very difficult to figure out just what the individual trustees think – they don’t answer questions.
Few of them, in Burlington, have said very much about what for them is the philosophy that drives their thinking.
The Gazette asked each of the trustees to rank community, fiscal prudence and academic services – they were directed not to do so while the PAR was taking place. With the PAR completed one trustee came back with “we don’t want the public to know what we think because they will then delegate and focus on what our philosophy”. So much for an understanding of what the democratic process is all about.
Wielhouwer summed up her delegation telling the trustees that “a nursery school within Pearson is ideal for a true community school. The central location with its big bright windows, looking out on the meticulously maintained playground and forest beyond is a rare find in a city where many young children’s programs are housed in basements or overlooking parking lots and busy streets.”
“Our children need nature and the outdoors, which is a key part of the program at Pearson. Our youngest learners need to be respected with a space that is designed for them (like our nursery school with its tiny toilets and low counters), not gathered like an afterthought in an unused room in a building designed for other purposes.
“Should the nursery school children be collateral damage from this closure? Shouldn’t their needs be considered the same as the high school students?
 Ward 4 school Board Trustee Rachelle Papin – didn’t ask any questions and wasn’t certain she had actually received the report from Wielhouwer. “Choosing to close Lester B Pearson High School would have lasting and irreversible consequences that will impact many families. It will force a financially sound, thriving, non-profit nursery school with deep roots in the community to close its doors after 40 years. A decision to close Pearson would impact students aged 2.5 to 18. Pearson High school needs to remain open so our staff, families and high school students can continue to work together for another 40 years allowing children to grow, play and learn.
The School Board delegation process allowed five minutes for each presentation with another five minutes for questions from the trustees.
Fiona Wielhouwer was not asked one single question.
 By Pepper Parr
May 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Maybe more construction cranes on the city horizon? Maybe not – Mayor has decided the waterfront belongs to all the people.
More of the waterfront is getting looked over with an eye to some development – on the south side of Lakeshore Road.
The Mayor’s office put out a call for citizen participation in deciding what should get built on the Waterfront Hotel property.
Here’s what His Worship had to say:
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.
 Waterfront Hotel – at the foot of Brant Street overlooking the pier has been working through plans to re-develop their property – with some co-operation from the city in the past. What changed? 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.
 The Bridgewater project – right next door to the Waterfront Hotel, began their land assembly in 1985. In 1995 city council approved a 22 storey development that was described at a legacy project. 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.
Two community workshops for the Brant and Lakeshore planning study are scheduled for Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in the Blue Water Ballroom at the Waterfront Hotel, 2020 Lakeshore Rd. Read more here.
Let me know what you think by emailing mayor@burlington.ca. We need to have as many people in our community involved in this essential conversation about the future of this waterfront property.
Excuse me?
Where was His Worship when the city sold off a stretch of the best land this city has along the edge of the lake between Market and St Paul Street. A petition with more than 2000 names was submitted – didn’t make a pinch of difference. The land was sold and the city pocketed next to nothing – more than half of the property was owned by the province who said they would do whatever the city chose to do.
 The sale of the land was the deal of the century – the owners of the abutting property saw an opportunity and went after it – city council, to there everlasting shame, let it happen. Now His worship wants to save the Waterfront Hotel property – where will the money come from to pay for it? All the citizens of the city got out of it was two Windows to the Lake.
In the 2010 election Marianne Meed Ward made saving the waterfront her campaign cry. Looks like His Worship is trying to scoop her on that issue as things began to gear up for 2018.
Link:
How we sold a crown jewel.
 By Walt Rickli
May 15th, 2017
Lowville, ON
Let’s start with something very important. The City of Burlington is proposing a Skatepark in North Burlington. The two options are Lowville Park and Kilbride Park. There will be a public information meeting Thursday May 18th at Kilbride Public School from 6:30 to 8:30. Historically this is the time to have your opinion heard, the City does listen however we need to be present to have input into this decision.
 Lowville natives celebrating the Winter Solstice; life is different in the Hamlet. For those of you who cannot make the meeting and wish to have me pass on your thoughts please send them to me in an email. Please put “Burlington Skate” park as the subject.
So, now let’s talk about the Lowville Movie Night…every time it happens there is a bigger turn out! The conversations that happen afterward are awesome…its such a great experience to share a movie with your community. This Wednesday May 17th , at the Lowville schoolhouse is the next movie night. It will feature the documentary “Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things”. The show starts at 8:00…pizza and cider at 7:31
I can’t send out an email without mentioning… you know what I’m talking about… Ya, you got it… “The Lowville Festival”. Hard to believe however there are still some tickets available. This will be the largest festival to happen in Lowville in a long time…if ever… Hope to see you there.
 Liona Boyd, featured at the Lowville Festival Lowville Festival is May 26th -28th, we are reaching for the stars with Liona Boyd, Second City: Canada The Thinking Man’s America and Motus O’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’. And don’t miss ‘Beautiful Sights and Sounds in the Escarpment’ a free event we are presenting with the Art Gallery of Burlington at Lowville United Church.
For Tickets and additional information go to www.lowvillefestival.com, A Different Drummer Books, or call Bob 289-260-1109.
Here is a quick update on the River Ruin Property. We had a great first meeting with a unanimous decision that we will do what we can to preserve the land. A core group was formed to pursue this adventure. I’ll keep you posted…
Picture this…you are up north…early morning , afternoon, late evening…you pick the time. You,re sitting outside enjoying nature at its best… awe…quiet. The all of a sudden its BOOM BOOM BOOM THUMP THUMP THUMP…someone down the lake has their stereo cranked. Sound travels not only up north but in towns and villages. We all love music however not all the time. A great exercise when you want to enjoy music in the outdoors is to walk over to the edge of your property and see how loud it might be…then adjust accordingly. Music…enjoy it responsibly.
Links:
Lowville Festival program and background.
 By Pepper Parr
May 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON. ON
Steve Armstrong was one of the 14 members of the Burlington community that sat on the PAR – tasked with being the conduit between the Board of education and the community.
It is safe to say that every member of the PARC believes the process was badly flawed and resulted in communities fighting with each other rather than working together to find a solution that worked for everyone.
 PARC committee needed some time to understand the rules they had to work within. They had begun to realize that they were in an impossible situation yet began to come to the conclusion that not closing any schools was perhaps the best option for the immediate future. The PARC leadership was not able to find a route to a solution; the PARC members did begin to coalesce around the option that called for no school closures. What the PARC did do was reject the original recommendation which was to close Central high school and Pearson high school.
The second recommendation recommended closing Bateman high school and Pearson high school; that led to a much closer look at just what Bateman had going for it – a lot more than many people realized.
That realization and the better late than never arousal of the Bateman parents brought some exceptionally valid information the public didn’t have before. We will have more detail on just what Bateman does have going for it; as much if not more than Central.
Steve Armstrong, a Pearson parent said in his delegation that the Board of Education’s utilization (that portion of the capacity of a school that is being used) sits at 75% and, based on the Board’s projections, will hit 80% in 2020.
That 75% is a city wide number – it includes all the schools – some of which are at the Board policy utilization level of 90% while others are at significantly below. Pearson is one of the schools significantly below. Armstrong believes that “If these sorts of numbers (75%) were being seen at each of the schools we wouldn’t be undergoing this process.”
Armstrong prepared a series of graphs, one of which showed that Burlington’s overall actual enrollment bottomed out in 2014, and is presently on the rise. He also shows yearly Long Term Accommodation (LTAP) for as far back as 2006. The curve labeled as 2010 represents the 2010-2011 LTAP data.
 This graph shows what the LTAP boundaries were for each of the years – the actual number is shown in red and indicates that enrollment bottomed out in 2014 “Just focusing on the pattern associated with 2020 enrollments we can see that from the 2010 projections up to the most recent data provided to the PAR Committee there has been a strong increase in the expected numbers. Over 700 students to be exact, and 2020 isn’t very far away.”
 The LTAP numbers for Oakville are shown for comparison Armstrong notes that this pattern is also seen in the Oakville data, but is a little more “bursty”, and makes bigger jumps when it moves. Not surprisingly the accuracy of the projections goes down, in both municipalities, the further out one looks.”
“The Region is growing, the City is growing, high school enrollment is growing, and the pattern has been that the projection errors tend to underestimate the actual numbers. This isn’t to surprising as the Board recognizes the planned housing growth at a different point than the City does.
 Andrea Taylor, Principal at M.M. Robinson in conversation with Steve Armstrong during a PARC meeting. Given the known near term growth, and the lower confidence in the projections beyond 5 years, extreme caution regarding closing schools is merited. Especially if it involves selling real estate assets in return for short term cash benefit.”
“High over utilization (crowding) creates problems, and low enrollment numbers will reduce some opportunities for studnets. Both situations alter the student experience, and we have these conditions present in two close proximity schools located in north Burlington – Hayden and Pearson. As the image below indicates they show a large overlap in “walkability” zones.”
The most recent projections indicate that if nothing changes Hayden will grow in size and be 600+ students over capacity by 2021. And there is no room for additional portables or a permanent addition on that site.
 The symbol indicating the school aligns with the boundary area. Armstrong identified just three relatively small areas where a student would not be expected to walk to school from. Option 19 had proposed to move the French Immersion (FI) program to MM Robinson as a way to deal with this looming issue. The Board had also listed in its Options the idea of capping enrollment, with extra students being redirected to an overflow school.
The PAR Committee also briefly discussed boundary changes, but ultimately the present recommendation stays with moving FI, and monitoring the situation going forward.
Armstrong has great concern and takes “exception to the simple notion of “monitoring”,.
Armstrong argues that the “enrollment numbers for Lester B Pearson as depicted in this graph “we can visualize three sets of data. The upper most curve represents the projected enrollment prior to a boundary change associated with the opening of Hayden. The boundary change purposely reduced the expected enrollment to just below 600 students. Apparently smaller enrollments where Ok back then! The actual enrollment went off the plan quickly, and significantly. Presently that school is sitting 30% below its planned student body, and indeed those 392 students are witnessing the problems of too little enrollment.”
 Armstrong doesn’t have much faith in the Board’s plan to monitor. “If monitoring simply means standing by and watching then that is unacceptable. If 30 % off target isn’t enough to trigger action what is? The Board needs to put a stronger set of actions around tracking and managing, and the Trustees needs to press for frequent reporting back to them” he said.
Armstrong wil tell you that “Hayden definitely has a “vibe” to it, and it’s more than just being a new building. “When I toured the school as a PARC member I couldn’t help but feel that Burlington needs more of this. In reality, feel probably has little to do with the age of the walls.”
Armstrong likes the idea of conjoining Hayden and Pearson as a way of combining the best of both schools. “If Hayden’s Principal was to also oversee Pearson, similar to what happens with some elementary schools, would this not help ensure success? Since the goal is that some of the students presently going to, or about to start at Hayden, would be instead attending Pearson, why not bring some of the teachers over as well he asks.
Pearson has been a vibrant smaller school in the past, and not everyone is seeking out everything that a large school has to offer. Armstrong points out that currently 25% of Pearson’s students do so through optional attendance. A similar percentage also attend Bateman’s English stream program through optional attendance. Apparently there is value in having such environments available both north and south of the QEW.
With a proposal like this both student bodies expand their programming options, in an environment most suited to their preferences.
“The current set of recommendations would move the city’s overall utilization from the present 80% trajectory to 108%. Based on the historical inaccuracies of the projections beyond the 5 year mark this plan greatly increasing the risks of requiring capital intensive construction in the future.
“Hayden’s projections involve it running at 150% of capacity by 2021. Redirecting FI to MM Robinson to relieve overcrowding is too critical to simply leave to “monitoring” the progress.
“Closing Pearson removes close proximity capacity from the North, eliminates an option for smaller school attendance, and takes what by 2020 will be a 88% utilization up to 111% overall for the remaining 2 schools.”
“Change isn’t always easy” acknowledged Armstrong. “Perhaps starting with a smaller project, that would develop better community based problem solving, is in order.”
 Closing no schools was always an option – it just took the PARC members some time to realize it might be the best one. 7 dots  The original option to close Central and Pearson was interesting to those who were not representing either of the schools. 9 dots  This was the same as option 19 with some variation on boundary changes and shifts in the program offerings. 9 dots Armstrong has come to the conclusion that Pearson is necessary to give Hayden some breathing room and to continue the community based approach to problem solving. He was a strong advocate for retaining access to a smaller school in the North.
The PAR committee members were asked to rank the options that were before them. Each of the 14 PRAC members were given two dots to put on which ever option they favoured. The objective was to begin to whittle down the 40 plus options that were on the table. The results made it immediately clear that there wasn’t going to be anything near the consensus the Board would have liked to see. It also meant that the trustees had a very hard job ahead of them.
After his three months of work on the PARC, Armstrong feels the trustees need to vote for the “close none of the schools option” and allow time for the Board, with significant involvement from the community, to fully study the issues and finally get it right.
Like many in the community, Armstrong believes that Hayden should not have been built – but it exists and parents are going to have to live with that decision. That is is a fine school today, even though it is over crowded, should not blur the issues about what is done with the other six high schools.
By Staff
May 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The full throated celebration of our 150th birthday has yet to be revealed by the city – traditionally there has been a Strawberry social at the museum – with that place shut down – no longer open for business – the public doesn’t know what the plans are for July 1st.
 Are the citizens of this city going to hold 150 different neighbourhood events to celebrate the Sesquicentennial? The Mayor has high hopes – he is looking for 150 Love My Hood events – the city is putting some cash on the table to make those events happen. Love My Hood provides resources, support, funding up to $300 and eliminates some common barriers in event hosting. Click here for details on that opportunity.
 Recognizing 71 Burlington authors past and present. The Library has an interesting series of events a display of books written by Burlington authors past and present.
 THE best citizen initiative during the past five years. They kept it alive. Freeman Station has grabbed a spot in the events that will take place on Canada Day – the Sesquicentennial version. The Mayor is going to be on hand for that event – we hope that Councillors Lancaster and Meed Ward will set aside the differences they have and be recognized for stepping forward and doing what it took to keep the station away from the wrecking ball until citizens began to do what the city wasn’t able to do.
There is a member of city council who we hope has the decency not to show up – he did almost everything he could to convince the citizens who kept the Freeman Station alive to give up. Citizens got it to the point where it is now close to the best piece of history the city has – exceeded only by Ireland House.
The council member might manage to find it within himself to apologize and make a donation to redeem himself.
 An Air Force CG18 jet – decked out in Sesquicentennial colours – will take off from the Munro Airport in Hamilton and do a cross country tour. Hamilton has got an interesting event taking place – it really isn’t their event – the federal government is the force behind this one – but the CF18 jet decorated with Canadian colours will set out on its Canadian tour from the airport in Hamilton.
Burlington might get lucky and convince someone somewhere to have that jet do a couple of barrel roles over Burlington Bay as it flies out of the Munro International airport.
The city might be holding the Canada Day cards close to their chest until we have Victoria Day behind us.
A number of administrative services will be closed for the Victoria Day weekend on Monday, May 22, 2017, reopening on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
City Hall: Will be closed on Monday, May 22, reopening on Tuesday, May 23.
Parks and Recreation Programs and Facilities: Activities and customer service hours at city pools, arenas and community centres will vary over the holiday weekend. Please visit burlington.ca/play for a complete listing of program times and burlington.ca/service hours for hours at customer service locations.
Burlington Transit and Handi-Van: On Monday, May 22, Burlington Transit will operate a holiday service and the administration offices including the downtown Transit Terminal and Handi-Van dispatch will be closed. Regular service resumes Tuesday, May 23. Call 905-639-0550 or visit burlingtontransit.ca for more information.
Roads and Parks Maintenance: The administrative office will be closed on Monday, May 22, reopening on Tuesday, May 23. Only emergency service will be provided.
Halton Court Services: Provincial Offences Courts in Milton and Burlington will be closed on Monday, May 22, reopening on Tuesday, May 23.
Parking: Free parking is available in the downtown core at all pay machines located on the street, municipal lots and the parking garage on weekends and holidays.
The gardeners will beat a path to the nurseries in the city as they plan to get their gardens in.
By Staff
May 15, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday June 3rd, you will be able to have your personal sensitive documents shred at the Crime stoppers event. The shredding truck will be at the parking lot on the east side of Brant at Ghent from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
How much damage can the theft of your personal identity do?
An Ontario teacher is working to clear her name and her credit score, after someone appears to have used her identity to open credit cards, take out a loan and purchase a luxury SUV.
Tara Douglas arrived home from her teaching job in Bradford, about 65 kilometres north of Toronto, on April 28 to find a bill waiting for her for the Highway 407 toll expressway.
The bill was for trips she never took in a car she never bought.
“I saw the licence plate did not belong to me and the trips that were on this 407 bill I had never taken,” Douglas told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.
She called the number on the bill and was told she had to deal with the Ministry of Transportation. The next day, Douglas went to a Service Ontario location to figure out what was going on.
After receiving a strange bill, Tara Douglas began digging and discovered that her identity had been stolen.
A staffer there pulled up her information and told Douglas that a 2012 black Range Rover was registered to her driver’s licence, in addition to her own car.
“That’s kind of when I really started to freak out because this obviously isn’t my car,” she said.
The MTO staffer removed the Range Rover from her licence and directed her to police in Barrie. Police listened to the details of her case and launched an investigation. On Tuesday, the force issued a news release with a picture of a suspect standing in front of the SUV.
“The news release says the Range Rover has been registered to Douglas since March 31 after being purchased at a dealership in Woodbridge, another community north of Toronto.
“The dealership was contacted and confirmed the female who purchased the vehicle did so with a valid driver’s licence and proper identification,” the release says.
Police had advised Douglas to contact her bank, as well as credit reporting agencies Equifax and TransUnion, to see what else may have been done in her name. While her personal bank information was fine, the credit bureaus told her that someone had taken out numerous credit cards in her name, ringing up between $1,000 and $5,000 in charges. Her address was also listed as being in North York, which isn’t true. Two cellphone numbers that weren’t Douglas’s were also registered to her.
Other car purchases were also listed on her credit report, and police told her that a $60,000 loan had also been taken out in her name.
After learning about the extent of the identity theft, Douglas has done everything she could to clean up her credit report and protect herself.
While she doesn’t yet know how someone managed to get her personal information, police did tell her that the person allegedly buying cars and obtaining credit in her name had obtained her social insurance number.
She’s now working hard to clean up her credit report, sending the credit bureaus various documents to prove her side of the story. She has also contacted Canada Post to ensure her mail wasn’t being diverted to the suspect’s address.
“I think I’ve covered all my bases,” she said. She’s also unsubscribed from email lists she doesn’t want to be on, has told her banks to only communicate with her by phone and boosted the privacy settings on her social media accounts.
“I don’t know what else I can do at this point, but I want this to be resolved and go away and and get back to what my life was and who I am,” she said.
How did someone get enough information on Tara Douglas to be able to open up a bank account, get a bank loan, buy a car and get credit cards, She may never know. The thieves may have gone though her garbage and found a bank statement – that would be more than enough to get them started.
On Saturday June 3rd, you will be able to have your personal sensitive documents shred at the Crime stoppers event. The shredding truck will be at the parking lot on the east side of Brant at Ghent from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
By Staff
May 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Public Library has come up with an interesting way to celebrate and recognize the role that literature has played in the growth of this country.
They have put together a traveling book display that will move from library branch to library branch during the balance of the year.
The schedule is:
May 12 to June 5 – New Appleby branch
June 6 to July 3 – Tansley Woods branch
July 4 to Aug 7 – Kilbride branch
Aug 8 to Sep 4 – Alton branch
Sep 5 to Oct 9 – Brant Hills branch
Oct 10 to Nov 6 – Central branch
Nov 7 to Dec 4 – Aldershot branch
The display will include copies of 71 books written by authors who live or once lived in Burlington. It is the library’s way of celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday
 Part of the traveling display – 71 authors from a city the size of Burlington is something to celebrate. The book display will feature books from a variety of both children’s and adult’s authors and illustrators. Special edition Canada 150 bookmarks will be handed out.
Maureen Barry, CEO, Burlington Public Library adds that “Canada has a long and proud literary arts heritage and an exceptional reputation for storytelling worldwide. Here in Burlington, we are privileged to have a wealth of talent connected to our city. That’s something worth celebrating.”
The commemorative book display project was initiated and inspired by Burlington author, Sylvia McNicoll. Ian Elliot, owner of A Different Drummer Books, assisted with the selection of authors and books featured in the exhibit.
Children’s Authors
Rebecca Bender
Giraffe and Bird
Don’t Laugh at Giraffe
Pamela Duncan Edwards
Oliver Has Something to Say!
Lana Button
Willow’s Whispers
Willow Finds a Way
Willow’s Smile
Marilyn Helmer
Fog Cat
That’s What Bears Are For!
Heather Rath
Ode to a Flattened Toad
Jennifer Maruno
When The Cherry Blossoms Fell
Cherry Blossom Winter
Cherry Blossom Baseball
Cathy Miyata
Starring Me
Sharon E. McKay
Charlie Wilcox
War Brothers
Sylvia McNicoll
Best Friends Through Eternity
The Best Mistake Mystery
Jennifer Mook-Sang
Speechless
Patricia Storms
Never Let You Go
The Ghosts Go Spooking
Children’s Book Illustrators
Lorenzo Del Bianco
Hockey Science
Dirty Science
Wendy Whittingham
Miss Wondergerm’s Dreadfully Dreadful Pie
Patricia (Patty) Gallinger
My Mannequins
Yesterday’s Santa and the Chanukah Miracle
Adult Authors
Elizabeth Crocket
Extra Candles
Jen J. Danna
Dead, Without a Stone to Tell It
Lone Wolf (as Sara Driscoll)
Lorene DiCorpo
Worth Travelling Miles to See
A. E. Eddenden
A Good Year for Murder
Murder at the Movies
Jennifer Filipowicz
Wardroids
Ian Hamilton
The Water Rat of Wanchai
The Courturier of Milan
Emerson Lavender
The Evaders
Denise McKay
Old Lady Sweetly Is Twenty
John Lawrence Reynolds
Free Rider
Beach Strip
Lee Lamb
Oak Island Obsession
Alexandra Oliver
Meeting The Tormentors in Safeway
Let The Empire Down
Lynda Simmons
Getting Rid of Rosie
Island Girl
Janet Turpin Myers
Nightswimming
The Last Year of Confusion
Dee Wilson
A Keeper’s Truth
Mark Zelinski
Heart of Turtle Island: The Niagara Escarpment
Canada’s Royal Garden
Gary Evans
Images of Burlington
Vanished Burlington
Jane Irwin
Burlington
Old Canadian Cemeteries
Former Resident Authors
Robert Bateman
Life Sketches
Linwood Barclay
Broken Promise
Far From True
The Twenty-Three
Melodie Campbell
The Goddaughter
The Bootlegger’s Goddaughter
Jill Downie
Daggers and Men’s Smiles
A Grave Waiting
Blood Will Out
Kim Echlin
The Disappeared
Under The Visible Life
Lawrence Hill
The Book of Negroes
The Illegal
Miranda Hill
Sleeping Funny
Marni Jackson
The Mother Zone
Don’t I Know You?
Christopher Moore
The Story of Canada
Anitha Robinson
Broken Worlds
Gisela Sherman
The Farmerettes
 By Staff
May 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The London Majors rolled to a season-opening 17-4 win over the Burlington Herd Friday night at Labatt Park.
Byron Reichstein and Cleveland Brownlee combined to drive in 14 runs.
Reichstein had five hits, including a double and home run, and finished with nine RBI. He also scored three times. Brownlee went deep twice and had five RBI and two runs.
Burlington scored three of its runs in the top of the first inning before the offence dried up.
 Herd hasn’t made it out of the barn yet. Carlos Villoria drove in two of the runs, while Andrew Leggo and Matt McCue had the other RBI.
Justin Gideon doubled once and scored twice, and Nolan Pettipiece singled and doubled.
Ryan Beckett took the loss, giving up seven runs (two earned) on five hits over two innings.
Burlington made five errors.
The home opener for the Herd didn’t go much better on Saturday. The Kitchener Panthers won a 4-2.
John Whaley and Canice Ejoh each had a pair of hits for the Herd. Ejoh and Justin Gideon scored Burlington’s runs.
Derek Zwolinski took the loss, allowing five runs on three hits over three innings, striking out three and walking three.
Schedule for the season:
May 12
Burlington at London – 4-16 Burlington (0-1)
May 13
Kitchener at Burlington – 4-2 Burlington (0-2)
May 18
7:15 PM Barrie at Burlington
May 20
1:05 PM Toronto at Burlington
May 21
2:00 PM Burlington at Hamilton
May 25
7:15 PM Hamilton at Burlington
May 26
7:35 PM Burlington at London
May 27
1:05 PM Brantford at Burlington
Jun 3
1:05 PM Toronto at Burlington
Jun 4
2:00 PM Burlington at Kitchener
Jun 8
7:15 PM Guelph at Burlington
Jun 9
8:00 PM Burlington at Brantford
Jun 10
1:05 PM Brantford at Burlington
Jun 11
7:00 PM Burlington at Barrie
Jun 16
7:30 PM Burlington at Hamilton
Jun 17
1:05 PM London at Burlington
Jun 18
2:00 PM Burlington at Toronto
Jun 20
7:30 PM Burlington at Barrie
Jun 21
7:15 PM Barrie at Burlington
Jun 24
1:05 PM Hamilton at Burlington
Jun 25
2:00 PM Burlington at Kitchener
Jun 27
7:30 PM Burlington at Guelph
Jun 29
7:15 PM Guelph at Burlington
Jun 30
8:00 PM Burlington at Brantford
Jul 4
7:30 PM Burlington at Barrie
Jul 7
8:00 PM Burlington at Brantford
Jul 8
1:05 PM Hamilton at Burlington
Jul 13
7:15 PM Guelph at Burlington
Jul 14
7:30 PM Burlington at Hamilton
Jul 15
1:05 PM Kitchener at Burlington
Jul 20
7:15 PM London at Burlington
Jul 22
1:05 PM Kitchener at Burlington
Jul 23
2:00 PM Burlington at Toronto
Jul 27
7:15 PM Toronto at Burlington
 By Staff
May 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
What is wrong with this email? It says it is from Apple – I am not an Apple user – so why would I respond to it?
Also – it is not from Apple.
The clues – and you need to learn to look for them.
 Emails like this are flooding the internet – doing a lot of damage to the finances of individuals and costing the banks and the credit card companies a small fortune – billions.
The address it came from – does have the word apple in it – but it isn’t from the Apple organization.
The mis-spelling of the word security is the biggest clue. Major corporations don’t make that kind of mistake – should it happen they would correct it in second.
Should you click on any of the places they ask you to – you have started the process that could well end up with you losing your identity to someone else – who can do you a lot of harm. How much damage can they do – check out this story we published.
Be careful, be cautious. when you cross the street you look both ways – do the same with email. The internet has brought us huge changes – and with those changes come some problems. If the email you get looks to good to be true – that’s because it isn’t. The thieves are relying on your gullibility and your greed.
 By Staff
May 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
To go undefeated in any tournament is a feat – and that is just what the Halton Hurricanes did during the National |(East) Volleyball championships last week
The 16U Volleyball Team made up of Kinsley Bozzo (#2), Biamba Kambengele (#2), Julia Jeffrey (#5), Danielle Gravina (#7), Marina Vesovic (#8), Rachel Eatough (#12), Elizabeth Richmond (#13), Haley Armstrong (#14), Nya Jones (#21) and Aleah Torres (#24)
 Undefeated throughout the tournament. Formidable! These winners were coached by Mike Ongley (Head Coach), Mee Luang-Asa (Asst. Coach) and Chrissy Foest (Asst. Coach)
They not only went through the entire tournamemt without dropping a single set – in the recent past they:
Defeated Defensa (Burlington) in semi-final (25-14, 25-10)
Defeated Leaside in straight sets (25-20, 25-20) in Championship match
National Championship capped off a highly successful season for the HRVC 16U team
Girls recently won the silver medal at the 16U Provincial Championships in April
They also won the silver medal at the 17U Provincial Championships, defeating the #1 ranked Scarborough Titans 17’s in the semi’s.
Over the past several months, they took their talents south of the border to play in tournaments in Cleveland, Chicago and Detroit.
In the Cleveland JVA Rock n,Rumble tournament, the girls won the silver bracket, which was the best result ever recorded by a Canadian team.
Over the course of the season, the girls won gold at:
16U Provincial Cup (November)
17U Challenge Cup (December)
17U McGregor Cup (January)
16U McGregor Cup (February)
Formidable team.
 By Staff
May 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A section of New Street west of Guelph Line to Martha Street will be closed overnight on May 16 and 17 for road resurfacing.
 New Street west of Guelph Line to get a new layer of asphalt next week. Tuesday May 16, 2017
Location: New Street from Martha Street to Teen Tour Way
Time: 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Wednesday May 17, 2017
Location: New Street from Teen Tour Way to Guelph Line
Time: 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
By Pepper Parr
May 12th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Without looking too deeply into what they do in Oakville it is interesting to note that when they go to the Ontario Municipal Board they tend to win.
The town passed an Interim Control By-law (ICBL) and its one year extension, to put a hold on the plans the Glen Abbey golf club has to develop the property. The OMB concluded that the ICBL was appropriate and necessary.
Glen Abbey – home to 27 Canadian Opens and site of one the most famous shots in this country’s golf history – could become a huge housing and commercial project if its owner follows through on a preliminary proposal to redevelop the prime property.
Glen Abbey’s parent, ClubLink Corp., filed a request on Friday to turn the famed 230-acre golf course into a residential community of about 3,000 homes, as well as offices and retail stores. There is no provision for a golf course in the plan. A valley protected by law will remain undeveloped.
 Home to a residential community of about 3,000 homes? Not if Oakville Town Council has it’s way. The OMB decision noted that the town’s ICBL was based on a legitimate planning rationale, was enacted in good faith, and was in conformity with the Region of Halton Official Plan and the Provincial Growth Plan.
“Council is very pleased that the Board recognized that the magnitude of the Glen Abbey proposal and its potential for impact on the community warrant further study,” Mayor Burton said. “Our Livable Oakville Official Plan specifically identifies suitable growth areas in order to protect the character of our stable residential neighbourhoods and Council looks forward to hearing the results of the town’s studies.”
The world-famous Glen Abbey property is also home to the Academies of ClubLink, the headquarters of Golf Canada, the Canadian Golf Museum and Hall of Fame, and the TaylorMade Performance Lab – ClubLink.
The OMB’s decision ensures the town will have sufficient time to complete its studies on the Glen Abbey property. Staff will be reporting to Council over the next month on all three studies. Any further work directed by Council as a result of the studies is expected to be completed before the ICBL expires on February 1, 2018.
What is the Town of Oakville doing that the City of Burlington cannot manage to do?
By Staff
May 12th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There were 24 people nominated with eight of them named the city’s BEST in different categories.
The awards were presented at an event at the Royal Botanical Gardens – a positive shift in venue for the event.
Burlington’s Best Awards are managed by a citizen’s committee established in 1965 with the mandate of recognizing Burlington residents who bring honour to the city and make a difference in the community.
The Burlington’s Best categories include:
• Heritage Award
• Community Service Award
• Environmental Award
• Arts Person of the Year
• Accessibility Award
• Junior Citizen of the Year
• Senior Person of the Year
• Citizen of the Year
The Citizen of the Year Award is given to a person whose volunteer activity has made a significant and sustained contribution to the vibrancy and wellbeing of the Burlington community.
 Dorothy Borovich: 2016 Citizen of the Year Dorothy Borovich has been a community builder for more than 15 years. She co-founded Youthfest, an initiative that brought together community not-for-profit agencies, city, business and youth leaders to promote youth philanthropy and engage in volunteerism.
Borovich encouraged youth to take on community involvement and volunteering as a lifestyle in order to gain a sense of belonging. Through her fundraising efforts, a permanent endowment fund with the Burlington Community Foundation was established and continues to assist youth in their community endeavours. Borovich also founded the Crystal Ball, a significant source of annual funding for Joseph Brant Hospital, and the Healthy Reflections event which raises funds to assist women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Borovich is described as an inspiring leader; her commitment and passion has made Burlington a better city.
The Heritage Award went to Jim Clemens. He is no longer a Burlington resident but the city owes him a huge debt of gratitude for heading up the Citizen Heritage Advisory committee that solved the problems and did what the city had not been able to do.
 Jim Clemens given the 2016 Heritage Award. The award is sponsored by Heritage Burlington, a City of Burlington citizen advisory committee made up of 14 volunteers who provide advice to City Council on issues related to the conservation of Burlington’s cultural heritage.
The award goes to an individual who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the preservation of Burlington’s heritage, and has volunteered his or her time to support the preservation of Burlington’s heritage.
Clemens has been a leader and supporter of heritage and culture in Burlington for many years. He has a deep knowledge of the issues and legalities that influence Burlington’s capacity to preserve its heritage. As a past member and Chair of Heritage Burlington, he was instrumental in the development of the document “A New Approach for Conserving Burlington’s Heritage” resulting in the implementation of the Burlington Heritage Property Tax Rebate Program. Through his work with the Burlington Historical Society and Heritage Burlington, Jim has demonstrated an ongoing commitment and dedication to maintaining Burlington’s heritage for future generations.
The Community Service Award, sponsored by COGECO, is given to an individual or group whose volunteer activity has contributed to the betterment of the Burlington community.
 Marion Goard given the 2016 Community Service Award. Marion Goard was chosen for this award – she believes a better community is the responsibility of every individual and she strives to find ways to contribute to Burlington. She is the co-founder of 100 Women Who Care Burlington, an organization of 100 women who donate $100 four times a year to four different charities – $10,000 per charity.
The Environmental Award is sponsored by Walker Environmental Group, a leading waste management company that develops solutions for environmental challenges.
Kale Black was chosen for this award.
 Kale Black, upper right given the Environmental Award for 2016. He is described as a shining example of how one person can truly make a difference. His journey to champion the environment began while attending Aldershot High School and since then, he has dedicated almost nine years of his life striving to create a better planet and benefit the community.
Black has hand-sorted more waste at Burlington festivals and events than any other individual in the city and his active participation and team leadership at 44 community events has resulted in the diversion of 61 tonnes of waste from the landfill. Black is best known in the community for his extensive contributions to inspiring and engaging local youth to grow up green and has taught fun-filled, educational workshops to 7000 Burlington children. Black is an environmental and community champion who actively leads and serves as a steward for our environment and the youth of Burlington.
His hard work and dedication to environmental initiatives in Burlington, including protecting the rural environment and valuable green space, has touched many lives. Black has pushed for environmentally sustainable policy and decision-making and has led the BurlingtonGreen team to grow as an effective, impactful organization through various programs, services and advocacy campaigns.
The Arts Person of the Year Award, known as the K.W. Irmisch Award, went to Margaret Lindsay Holton, a woman who has made a significant contribution to the arts and as an activist she has stood up and spoken out about environmental issues and where the city was getting it wrong.
This is a woman who does not want to understand what no means.
It is interesting to note that two people who have made significant contributions at the cultural level have been recognized. Kudos to the selection committee for seeing things through
 Margaret Lindsay Holton: 2016 Arts Person of the Year Holton is a well-known Burlington born artist and activist who has made significant contributions to the community. Her 25 minute short film called “The Frozen Goose” had a cast made up of local cast and crew – keeping the production “grassroots” and grounded in this area. Accessibility Award
The Accessibility Award went to the Tetra Society, an organization that recruits skilled volunteers to create customized assistive devices for people with physical disabilities and enhances the health and quality of life for thousands of people with disabilities.
 A chair being built by the Tetra Society They design and build a wide variety of “gizmos” such as communication adaptations, eating and drinking utensils and educational and recreational aides for people of all ages and abilities. The Tetra Society is a hidden hero in the Burlington community that is invaluable in enriching the lives of others.
Mehr Mahmood founded Youthfest in 2002 and was named the Junior Citizen of the Year last night. They avidly promote the importance of youth in our community; developing youth responsibility and action in the community by connecting youth to meaningful volunteer opportunities and available supportive service. The winner receives a $500 bursary, courtesy of the Bank of Montreal, which has been a leading and supportive partner since the inception of Youthfest.
The award is given to a high school student, 18 years of age or younger, who has made a significant contribution to the Burlington community.
 Mehr Mahmood, on the right with Burlington MP Karina Gould. Mehr has made significant contributions to the Burlington community through her volunteer work as a volunteer. She has contributed her time, energy and talents to many organizations including Burlington Public Library, 3 Things for Burlington, Halton Mosque and the Compassion Society. Mehr has been an inspiration and natural leader on the Library’s Teen Advisory Board in the development of a program called Fusion, which brings teen volunteers and teens with developmental disabilities together.
Mehr a compassionate young woman and is dedicated to growing acceptance and inclusivity in our community.
Dave Page was named the Senior Person of the Year Award that is given to a Burlington resident aged 55 years or older who has advocated on behalf of seniors and/or made a significant contribution to the Burlington community.
 Dave Page: 2016 Senior Person of the Year Page has been an active volunteer with the Age Friendly Housing Committee for more than five years and demonstrates his passion for the need for affordable, accessible and safe housing for older adults living in Burlington.
He played a vital role in the development of the Halton HomeShare Toolkit, a guide to support older adults to stay in their home and share it with a home seeker who can help with household responsibilities.
In addition, Page is responsible for the creation of a conversation circle where Halton Multicultural Council’s newcomers and refugee groups can practice their English speaking skills. Burlington is richer for having a man like Page who silently goes about supporting the health and well-being of the community through his volunteer activities.
 By Ray River
May 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Not since the ’80’s, not since before the cold war ended, has the world seemed so very much on edge, particularly in the birthplace of the last two world wars. As we know, European nations are having to rearm themselves, thanks to the new threat posed by Russia’s near dictator, Mr. Putin. He has an ambition – to restore the Soviet Union and reinstate Russia’s place as a major world power.
Take Ukraine, which Vlad the conquerer tried to do a couple of years ago, though it appears he may be content to settle for those bits and pieces of the former Soviet republic where his army is now firmly entrenched. That is the lesson of self-defence – why even in peacetime good fences make for better neighbours.
 They are not talking to each other: Russian president Vladimir Putin and the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. Putin has said that Ukraine shares the blame for allowing this rape to take place – as if rape could ever be justified. The rise of the oligarchs concurrent with the deterioration of the old communist social system; the corruption that infiltrated almost all walks of life; the systematic dismantling of one of the most powerful military forces in Europe; and a former president colluding with Putin, the former KGB agent, to facilitate the country’s takeover – all contributed.
My wife and I are volunteering to spend three weeks this year teaching young Ukrainians to speak English and to understand and develop an appreciation of western customs and traditions. to “the president of Ukraine” GoCamps is a non-governmental organization, supported by the Ukrainian government, with the goal of creating awareness of western society and thus offering Ukrainians a better future beyond the old eastern bloc. This year they are hoping for 1000 volunteers to expose 300,000 children to our way of life.
Most Ukrainians look at neighbouring Poland which has amplified its economy nearly twelve-fold since joining the EU, while Ukraine has barely grown by a factor of two or three. But Ukraine took too long deciding to apply for EU membership, and although it has been the recipient of numerous European development programs, its eventual application to join ticked off Vlad and brought insurrection and war to the 20 something year-old nation.
 The Ukrainian economy has not grown the way the Polish economy has. But the EU is not the only entity assisting this country in removing the shackles of Russian domination. The British, Americans and we Canadians are providing both economic as well as military assistance – most significantly by training Ukrainian soldiers in a program called Operation UNIFIER. After all, Ukraine is no stranger to NATO, having been an active partner, though not a member, including supplying troops for NATO initiatives in Afghanistan and the former Yugoslav states.
 A Canadian soldier explains the conduct of a patrolling raid to a Ukrainian platoon during small team training at the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre in Starychi, Ukraine. I have been invited to visit a former Soviet army base where some 200 Canadian military trainers will be in action with Ukrainian recruits, over 3000 of whom have already graduated. Of course Canada is not fighting Putin’s forces so the training is taking place well away from the conflict zone in south-eastern Ukraine, and out of harm’s way. But just to be safe, I’m told, I’ll have to don a helmet and body armour for my tour.
It is just not feasible for Ukrainian forces to take on the well-trained and supplied Russian military – at least not yet. So since the beginning of the Russian invasions the primary response by western nations supporting Ukraine has been to apply limited economic sanctions on Putin’s Russia. Those sanctions, coupled with the drop in oil revenues, (which next to weapons make up the bulk of Russia’s export earnings) have hurt Putin’s economy and restrained his plans to expand his military even more.
So America’s new president, the enigmatic and unpredictable Donald Trump is a concern. Nobody seems to understand what the US president’s aspirations are, if he has any at all, besides exercising power, further enriching himself and going for the glory of it all. But he had spoken warmly of Putin during his election campaign last year, and questioned the lifting of US sanctions. And he and those around him are known to have had significant financial dealing with the Putin crowd.
His recent firing of the FBI Director, who more than any other individual contributed to his becoming president, ironically, has unnerved virtually the entire political class in America. Despite his official rationale for booting James Comey out of his job, everyone understands it has to do with the FBI investigation into Trump and friends, and Russia.
Although the US is not at war with Russia, the two nations are at odds over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine – and possibly Russian arms supplies to the Taliban. And then there is the hacking of democratic institutions in the USA during last year’s federal election which has been traced back to Moscow. So as Trump welcomed Russia’s foreign minister to Washington this week with open arms, one can’t help but wonder where this is going to go.
 Malaysian airlines MH17 believed to have been shot down by Russian operatives in rebel held eastern Ukraine. Travelling to Ukraine will take me on a touch-down to Holland . Dutch citizens were the largest contingent of passengers killed when Russian operatives in rebel held eastern Ukraine shot down Malaysian airlines MH17 a couple of years ago. Perversely, this tiny but important European nation voted against accepting Ukraine into the EU in a referendum last year – as if they were taking out their anger over losing their loved ones on the victims of the broader conflict, rather than the actual culprits. Sometimes that is how it goes in rape cases – we blame the victims.
I visited Ukraine last year for the first time, while doing research for a book I’m writing. And this year its future is only marginally more promising. Except that the economy is stronger and so are the nation’s defences, thanks in part to Canada. And for the Ukrainians, despite support from western nations, they understand that in the end it is they alone who must secure their future and their own security. So I look forward to observing our trainers at work as they help the local soldiers get into shape for even more conflict. And maybe they’ll even let me drive a tank.
 Rivers will be taking his guitar with him and teaching some of the students how to play it – and then leaving the guitar behind as a gift 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:
Ukraine vs Poland – Canada Trains Ukrainians – Trump and Russia –
MH17 – GoCamps
 By Staff
May 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The following are the people selected as delegates to address the Halton District school Board trustees on the matter of closing high schools in Burlington.
Earlier in the week the trustees listened to 24 delegations and managed to ask a paltry five questions with three of them coming from one trustee.
Chair Kelly Amos didn’t say a word other than to open the meeting, thank the speakers and close the meeting. Engaging the people who elected them seems to be beyond this crop of elected officials.
 Cheryl Delugt, standing, a member of the PARC Tracey and Joelle Howard will speak on the closing of Robert Bateman
Cheryl Delugt, a member of the PARC will speak on the closing of Lester B. Pearson
Elyse Matthews is a community member.
Tammie Beattie will represent the interests of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Jane Cooper Kelly is a Community Member
Dr. Lisa Van Zoost will speak for Nelson high school
Diane Miller will speak for Lester B, Pearson.
Adam Peaker is a community member
Tom Muir is a community member who has written at length on why the Board of Education is in the situation they are in. He speaks as a Community Member
Debbie Wakem will speak for Robert Bateman high school
 Steve Cussons, on the right, was a member of the PARC committee. Steve Cussons will speak for parents at Aldershot high chool
Jeffrey Huang Ma will speak for Robert Bateman HS
Maeve Fitzgerald will also speak for Robert Bateman HS
Cassie White will speak for Robert Bateman high school as well.
Camryn McKay will speak for Robert Bateman
Denise Davy, who has worked tirelessly for the interests of the parents with children at Robert Bateman, will delegate Thursday evening.
Barbara Heller will speak about the Gifted Programs
Natalie Hiltz will also speak on the Gifted Program
Julie Hill will speak for Robert Bateman HS
Heather deHaan will speak for Robert Bateman
Stephen Beleck will speak for Robert Bateman
Brent Hall is a Community Member
Tracey Bruton will speak for Robert Bateman HS
Lauren Olsen will speak for Burlington Central HS
 Jason Bartlett, parent of a student at Bateman high school Jason and Kelley Bartlett will speak for Robert Bateman HS. Jason has in the past been a member of the Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Steve Armstrong, who was a member of the PARC will speak for Lester B. Pearson and for Hayden high school
Douglas Emerson will speak for Lester B. Pearson high school
Renée Sirbu will speak on the International Baccalaureate program
Kathy Berglund will speak for the Aldershot HS
Heather McElrea will also speak for the Aldershot HS
Ron Raj Reddy will speak on the International Baccalaureate program.
The delegation meeting of the Board of Trustees on Monday met at the Board of Education offices – if you were not a delegation you had to watch the proceedings at M. M. Robinson high school, a couple of hundred yards away.
The turn out at MMR was 21 people which narrowed down to 17 as the evening wore on. The Board made every effort to keep a crowd that had the potential to get noisy out side the building.
The policy is not to allow any emotional response from the public. That doesn’t square all that well with a policy that lets the trustees applaud when they are handing out awards to members of the public.
Closing any school is an emotional process – the Director of Education said having to tell the staff at Bateman high school that he had recommended the closing of that school “broke his heart”. It’s doing a lot more than that to the parents of the students at Bateman.
There is nothing wrong with people allowing their emotions to overflow. This Board and these trustees seem to be afraid of hearing how people really feel.
When things get noisy or even a little rowdy – a strong chair has a gavel and can call a meeting to order very effectively; that of course is the problem – the chair isn’t very strong.
A man named Jim Young, an Aldershot resident with a passion for getting better public transit service for seniors in Burlington once told that city council that council was not theirs – it was something they held as a sacred trust on behalf of the public – and we thought he was right.
The 11 trustees were elected to represent the public and ensure that the teachers and board staff deliver the service the province directs them to deliver and that the public wants.
So far – not one person has stood up publicly and said that closing a high school is a good thing for Burlington.
 Eleven of the people sitting at the conference table will vote to decide which, if any, of the high schools in Burlington should be closed. Trustees – fill board +
Eleven of the people at the meeting will decide which, if any of the high schools in Burlington are to be closed. There doesn’t seem to be any public support for closing the schools.
At a recent Board of Trustee meeting the 11 members poured over the plans for a new high school on Milton; they talked about where hallways should be, where recreational facilities should be – they sounded like a family designing their new hone. They had all kinds of questions.
They need to be as deliberate and as responsible and as involved and as engaged with the matter of closing a school. This isn’t a game.
By Staff
May 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather damage was worse than the Rob Peachey, manager of parks and open space realized.
Significant erosion has resulted in the pedestrian bridge closest to Lake Ontario in Paletta Lakefront Park has been closed to ensure public safety.
 Paletta Mansion, the property was once owned by Laura Secord has a number of small bridges on the property. Spring rains took out one of those bridges. There has been damage to the bridge supports and creek banks as a result of last week’s storms and wave action from Lake Ontario.
An engineering consultant has deemed the bridge unsafe for public use and has recommended the bridge be removed.
Plans for the removal of the bridge are underway and the area is being fenced-off with signage posted.
The bridge is expected to be out of service for an extended period of time.
 By Staff
May 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Liberal government is delivering on their budget promises and sending Cabinet Ministers out into the field to spread the good news.
 Burlington MP Eleanor McMahon announced that the Joseph Brant hospital was to get $2.5. McMahon’s flu shot – she got that at a local pharmacy. That got Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon over to the hospital this morning to make the announcement and chat things up with — Eric Vandewall, President and CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital who said: “Joseph Brant Hospital welcomes the news of receiving an additional $2.5 million in funding, a 2.10% increase to invest in frontline care and enhance patient experience. This funding will ensure that important health care services and programs are maintained for the residents of Burlington and the surrounding area.”
Bit of a mix up with the numbers: Vandewall said the money was a 2.5% increase while the Minister, in her release puts it at 3.1% – not exactly chump change when we are talking in millions.
 Eric Vandewall, President and CEO of Joseph Brant Hospital Vandewall, the highest paid civil servant in Burlington earns more than twice what we pay McMahon. He however has to pay for his parking; she gets to use a limo to dive her around from time to time.
Public service does have its perks.
The media release tells us that: “The Joseph Brant Hospital is getting an additional $2.5 million that will provide faster access to health care, expand crucial services and procedures, and improve the experience of patients.
“This investment in Burlington is part of a 3.1 per cent increase in hospital funding in the 2017 Budget to directly benefit patients at every public hospital across Ontario, and will:
Provide more access to cardiac services, critical care, organ/tissue donations and transplants, rare disease care, and bariatric services, as well as support for new and redeveloped hospitals
Improve access and reduce wait times for chemotherapy, stroke treatments, hip and knee replacements, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs)
Support service delivery by hospitals in high-growth communities, as well as small, medium, northern and rural hospitals, and mental health and stand-alone paediatric hospitals.
Ontario is increasing access to care, reducing wait times and improving the patient experience through its Patients First Action Plan for Health Care and OHIP+: Children and Youth Pharmacare – protecting health care today and into the future.
The new patient tower at Burlington’s Joseph Brant Hospital is nearing completion and will be officially opened on August 21st. This is a long awaited modernization of a hospital that has had its problems in the past.
 An architects rendering of the new entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital which will now face the lake. The entrance will be off Lakeshore Road with the new parking lot just to the west of the hospital. The patient tower is part of the hospital’s more-than-$350-million redevelopment and expansion.
 On a rain soaked day 2334 people gathered in Spencer Smith Park to try and break a Guinness world record for creating the largest human letter. It was a valiant effort – and the weather was the pits. The city of Burlington had to come up with $60 million of that money with the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation raising an additional $60 million.
The redevelopment will house the new emergency department, cancer clinic, and intensive care unit, as well as operating rooms, and recovery and inpatient units.
It is a very smart looking building.
|
|
By Tom Muir
