 By Pepper Parr
October 24th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week city council voted to receive a report from the Planning department that had advised that the most recent ADI Development Group proposal for the property they want to develop at the intersection of Martha Street and Lakeshore Road should not be accepted. The controversial project is being marketed as an upscale development to be known as Nautique.
This development has an almost sordid history and, as the Mayor said during the debate, “it is not the way Burlington wants to do business”.
Back when ADI first presented their proposal it was for a 28 story structure on a very small lot.
Everyone was up in arms – the application was submitted to the city which had 180 days to render a decision on the application for the zoning and Official Plan changes ADI was asking for.
Oddly enough – and no one has ever explained why – the city failed to deliver a decision within the 180 day time frame – which allowed ADI to take their case to the OMB – which is exactly what they did.
When the case got to the OMB ADI again did something considerably different. They asked the OMB to adjourn the hearing while they re-submitted their application because they had purchased an abutting piece of land that allowed them to come back with something different.
 The lot identified as 380 was added to the land assembled. Many thought this would make the development a little easier to accept – the developer added 48 units to their application. Most people thought ADI would come back with a smaller development – something that would perhaps satisfy enough people to get council to accept the project.
That isn’t what ADI did – their revised project did lower the height by two floors but they added an additional 48 units.
That was a little like rubbing salt into a wound.
The revised proposal that included the small piece of property to the north of the site is as follows:
 The project has gone through several design changes. This is believed to be the most recent. – An increase in the area of the development site from 1,359 m2 to 1,701 m2
– An increase in the unit count from 192 residential units to 240 residential units
– An increase in Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 11.1 to 11.26
– The elimination of above ground parking in favour of residential units
– An increase in underground parking from 4 levels to 6 levels
– An increase in indoor amenity area of 435 m2 from 428 m2 and an increase in outdoor amenity area of 693 m2 from 493 m2
– An increase in vehicle parking spaces to 241 spaces from 196 (300 spaces are required by the Zoning By-law); and
– An increase in ground floor retail space to 423.2 m2 from 327 m2.xx
This is what is going before the OMB this week – not to be argued but to figure out what the February 2017 full hearing is going to be over – recall that the reason this all went to the OMB is because ADI had claimed the city didn’t process their application within the prescribed 180 days.
The cheek of it all.
Now it was back before the OMB.
There is a hearing on Thursday and Friday of this week; it will be what they call a “pre-hearing” which is to settle just what the issues are and get some sense as to how much time is going to be needed to hear the case. Up to ten days is the estimate at this point. That full hearing is scheduled for February 2017, but that could change.
At this point whatever decision is going to be made is no longer in the hands of the city.
The Planning department has done everything they could be expected to do. Councillor Blair Lancaster told the public that the planning department tried to negotiate with the developer. They couldn’t reach an agreement.
During the delegations that took place last week five people spoke.
 Gary Scobie Gary Scobie said using the intensification argument has become a “race to the sky”. He suggested in his presentation that the developers approach has been to push the envelope as much as possible and then later settle for something less – which Scobie thought would come in at 18 storeys; which coincidently is what a prominent developer in the city has said was what ADI needed to make any money.
It is impossible to know how much ADI will make on this project – what is known to some degree is how much they are spending. The advertising and marketing expenses are considerable. At one point real estate brokers were being offered a commission of 4% on each unit sold.
 Tom Muir Tom Muir, who has delegated at city council when Councillors Taylor and Dennison were newcomers, said there was a time when council would tell him that there were a lot of problems but that when the growth took place the money to fix the problems would be there and the work would get done but that could only happen if we grow.
The problem Muir pointed out is that the future never happens – we are in a bigger mess now than we were before. You make it all worse at a ridiculous cost.
Earlier in his presentation Muir pointed out that the city was designed around the car. The city isn’t going to build any more roads and so intensification is the route to go or that is what they keep telling us. Intensification, which has yet to be fully defined, is the story every developer brings to the city.
Whatever density is – this project will be the most dense in the city.
This city has a fundamental question to answer said Muir – do we want tall building and what is tall enough?
Muir pointed out that when ADI asked for time to submit a new design at the last OMB hearing many thought we would see a smaller project. Instead they added 48 more units which Muir calculated would add $20 million to the revenue side of the project,
Dee Dee Davies a part of a waterfront group said she thought the Bridgewater project that was approved decades ago was a bad precedent and went on to say that developers own the downtown.
She said what the public wants is a walkable city with a human scale where there is sunshine on the streets at times other than just the noon day.
 Dana Anderson Dana Anderson, a consultant for the owners of 395 Martha, known as Martha Terrace, a 12 story tower built by the Molinaro people for the Sun Life Insurance Company, said most of the changes increase the impact of the development on the community. She believed the site should be developed with something that fits into the community – she didn’t think the proposal fit.
James Taylor who was a “walk on” delegation who said the structure would be catastrophic. He told Council “you have the ball at your feet – keep these developers under control. He thought 10 to 12 storeys would be pleasing.
“Hopefully you will do the right thing”.
 19 storey structure seems to be what Councillor Dennison is prepared to accept. The problem was no one was able to say just what that “right thing” was. Then Councillor Dennison asked Mr. Taylor how high the building on Lakeshore at the foot of Torrance was – no one in the room had the answer. 19 storeys. You knew where Jack was coming from and he now had that height on the record.
Once can be certain that his comment, as a Councillor with 20 years + experience will be put forward at the OMB hearing.
Mayor Golding said Council was hopeful that discussions with the ADI people would produce a comprise the city could live with. “Clearly that has not been the case” he said then added – that “this is not the end.
It seems it is the end as far as your city council is concerned. Something will come out of the OMB hearing and the city will have to live with whatever that is.
 Bridgewater project currently being built will consist of a 22 storey condominium and eight storey hotel and a smaller seven story condominium. By the time there is a decision the Bridgewater development on the other side of Lakeshore road will be close to opening.
The public just might see what ADI wanted to do with a different set of eyes.
 By Pepper Parr
October 23rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With a modified corporate name the Burlington Foundation held its annual gala, Share to Care, Saturday night at the Performing Arts Centre and took a “Marche” dining approach. No tables, there were what appeared to be organized collections of people in the Mezzanine/balcony areas.
 The picture is worth the thousand words. The gowns that were good were stunning. When the women in the city decide to show it off – they do a great job. It is no longer socially acceptable for men to comment on how stunning some women look – so we will leave it at that.
The Foundation uses the gala to raise their operating funds and manage the numerous endowments they have to do the fine work they have done and will undoubtedly continue to do.
They were responsible for raising the profile of mental health in the community and deserve credit for doing what no one else was prepared to take a chance on.
There are hundreds of not-for-profit groups in this city who are able to do their work to some degree because of the funding they have gotten from the Foundation in the past.
The Burlington Community Fund grants to the pressing needs in Burlington, with a current focus on poverty, youth and mental health. This unrestricted endowed fund responds to grant applications received from local charitable organizations.
 The Sold Out crowd made a night of it. During fiscal 2015-16 the Foundation made 14 grants that ranged from $1500 to $20,000.
When push comes to shove and there is a hard job, a really hard job that has to be done with no time to dither – it is the Foundation that gets the call. They in turn make the calls to the people they know will produce.
The response to that flood in 2014 is a sparking example as to just how effective a soundly run community organization can be. This newspaper still doesn’t understand why they took the word community out of their name – but with the track record they have – they can do whatever they like.
 That is a Jean Belliveau sweater. The Silent Auction tables were full enough – there was a Montreal Canadiens hockey sweater with the late Jean Belliveau’s number on it – worth whatever someone paid for it.
The sold out crowd appeared to enjoy themselves Saturday night. The DJ providing the music had a great selection – but this reporter didn’t see anyone dancing – well – this is Burlington.
The opportunity to network, get caught up with people they may have lost touch with and then take in some first class entertainment when Allan Doyle and The Beautiful Gypsies performed in the Main Theatre made it a fine evening.
By Pepper Parr
October 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Here we go again.
The Burlington Air Park appeal of a Superior Court decision handed down June 30, 2016 that found in favour of the City of Burlington is scheduled to be heard by the Ontario Court of Appeal on March 28, 2017 at Osgoode Hall, in Toronto.
 Truck load after truck load was dumped on the air park property without site plan approval. What will the Appeal Court have to say and will that be the end of this story? On June 30, 2016, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in favour of the City of Burlington’s application to compel Burlington Airpark Inc. to submit an application for a site alteration permit to comply with the city’s bylaw. With the court ruling, the Airpark was required to file an application for a site alteration permit for the fill deposited between 2008 and 2013 before Aug. 31, 2016 and was also ordered to pay the city’s court costs.
The Air Park has submitted a site plan that has yet to be approved.
 Dumped on the land illegally the neighbour wonders if the landfill will ever be removed. The City of Burlington site alteration bylaw 64-2014 regulates the placing, dumping, cutting and removal of fill or the alteration of grades or drainage on a piece of land. Individuals doing this type of work must first submit an application to the city for a site alteration permit.
By Pepper Parr
October 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
For the parents at Lester B. Pearson high school the thought of their school closing is a tough one.
Many parents wanted their children to attend a small school and moved into the neighbourhood for just that reason.
Some talk about actually moving out of the community or “we will send our kids to St. John”, which is the local Catholic school.
Another parents, who asked not to be identified said she did not want her kids “going to the pharmacy”, which was code for a school with a drug problem.
 Trustee Richelle Papin During the Board of Education discussion about Lester B. Pearson (LBP) trustee Richelle Papin talked about the Nursery Program in the school that has been in place for more than forty years that has become a model and a training ground for students from Mohawk who expect to work in the child care field.
The Halton District School Board is acutely aware that they face a serious situation where, as Director of Education Stuart Miller put it – “Students will begin voting with their feet and we will lose even more students”.
All the feelings and concerns don’t change the facts – Burlington has too much high school capacity. There are 1800 high school student seats that the Board can’t fill.
Yes, there is some intensification taking place but condominiums are being built and they tend not to house families with several children. Add to that – the population growth has been north of the QEW and the high school capacity is south of the QEW.
The Board of Education staff set out 19 possible options – and recommended what is referred to as option 19 – which proposes that:
• Close Lester B. Pearson HS, and redirect students to M.M. Robinson HS
• Close Burlington Central HS and redirect students to Aldershot HS and Nelson HS
• Change Dr. Frank J. Hayden SS boundary and programming.
 Hayden High school, Burlington’s newest already has portable classrooms and spotty WiFi service as well. This recommendation is not a final decision of the Board of Trustees, but a starting point for consultation.
Stuart Miller, Director of Education said: “I want to stress that the recommended option is the starting point for the Program Accommodation Review (PAR) process.” “With feedback from the public, and the research and work of the PAR committee, a different solution could arise as a result of this process.”
Initial information sessions will be held to provide communities with further information about the PAR process and rationale for why the Board is undertaking a PAR for Burlington secondary schools. These sessions will be ‘information only’. There will be no question and answer opportunity at these initial sessions.
There is a massive amount of data and detail the public will need to think through the alternatives.
 Parents looking over the agenda for a Board of Education meeting. Parents are now in the process of setting up what will be called PARC (Program Accommodation Review Committees) that will work through everything and give the Board of Trustees their recommendations.
It is the Board of Trustees that will make the final decision – however, whatever decision they make has to comply with provincial government guidelines and the cold hard fact is that – there are too many spaces south of the QEW and not enough north of the QEW.
The Hayden High school that hasn’t been open for three years already has portables set up – and worse – the WiFI service is “spotty”.
 The people you elected as trustees are going to have to work with parents groups to come up with solutions that satisfy as many people as possible. It is going to be a busy year for everyone. The really positive upside is that the parents who have surfaced and are facing the challenge are a bright, energetic bunch of people –they are going to come forward with a solution.
It is the parents that are going to make the difference.
 By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There will be a Program Accommodation Review (PAC) – and it is going to keep the parents hoping.
Board of Education trustees voted last night 10 – 1 to form Program Accommodation Review Committees.
The possible closure of both Burlington Central High school and Lester B. Pearson high school are now distinct possibilities.
There is a tremendous amount of work to get done and the learning curve is going to be very steep for the parents.
A Program Accommodation Review is something a board of education has to do when the enrollment in a school falls below 65%.
 Central High school could handle an additional 275 students – but they just don’t live in the community.  Lester B. Pearson is a small school to start with and enrollment is projected to decline. The recommendation the Board put on the table was to look at closing both Lester B. Pearson and Burlington Central High school.
Central High is a large school with a very strong connection to their community – they hit the ground running and have made strong arguments for not even holding a Program Accommodation review at this time.
The trustees didn’t see it that way and voted to take the next step which is to form a Program Accommodation Review Committee (PARC). (Note the school board people love acronyms – get used to them.)
The task now is to create the PARC’s. Burlington Central is well prepared for this next step.
Lester B. Pearson (LBP), a much smaller high school and it doesn’t have the depth as a community school that Central has. We will return to the LBP situation.
 Trustees Papin, Oliver and Grebenc The Board of Trustees is responsible for deciding the most appropriate pupil accommodation arrangements for the delivery of its elementary and secondary programs. 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. The Board of Trustees may consider undertaking pupil accommodation reviews that may lead to school consolidations and closures in order to address declining and shifting student enrollment.
 Trustees Sams, Reynolds and Collard. The PARC process has been revised and this is the first time the Halton Board has had to work under the new rules which shorten the amount of time to go through that process.
Here are the steps that are going to be taken:
● Director’s Preliminary Report to the Board of Trustees; DONE
● Preparation of the School Information Profile(s); these are ready to now be turned over to the PARC that is to be formed.
Each high school will have its own PARC
● Board of Trustee’s approval to undertake a Program and Accommodation review process; They did that on October 19th.
● Communication with all stakeholders about the process, opportunities for involvement, and identifying outcomes; The Board staff are going to have their work cut out for them on this level.
● Establishing the Program and Accommodation Review Committee; The jockeying for the spaces on this committee is going to be interesting to watch.
● Consultation with Local Municipal Governments/Community Partners;
● Public Meetings;
● Final Staff Report, including a Community Consultation section;
● Public Delegations to the Board of Trustees;
● Decision by the Board of Trustees; and,
● Implementation and Transition Planning.
A PARC will be formed following the consideration by the Board of Trustees of the Director’s Preliminary Report.
 Parents getting the agenda explained to them by the Board o Education communications manager. The PARC will consist of the following persons:
A Trustee as an ad hoc member, and Superintendent, both from an area not under study;
From each affected school:
the school Principal or designate (resource only)
two parents/guardians from each school, one of whom will be nominated by the School Council Chair; the other will be selected by the Superintendent(s) through the submission by parents of an expression of interest. The Superintendent will review all parent representations and endeavor to ensure that all affected geographic areas and programs are represented.
All Trustees are invited to attend PARC working meetings to observe the proceedings.
 Dania Thurman on the left – one of the more active parents at Central High school. The PARC is to be created within five business days of the motion to form the PARC was passed – which happened yesterday. Things begin to move very quickly at this point – and it is going to be difficult for the parents at Lester B. Pearson to keep up.
Once the PARC is constituted, it will invite a municipal Councillor or delegate to join the Committee. The Committee will be deemed to be properly constituted whether or not all of the listed members are willing and able to participate.
 Matthew DiSouza – a Lester B. Pearson student The Board will invite PARC members from the school(s) under review to an orientation session that will describe the mandate, roles and responsibilities, and procedures of the PARC.
That is what the community is going to immerse themselves in – the people selected for the PARC is important – getting the right people is important.
How did we get to this point? Well enrollment numbers were the first indicator that a change was needed. Burlington has seven high schools, Oakville has six. And Oakville has a larger high school population than Burlington.
Director of Education Stuart Miller explained that the preferred size of a high school is 1200 students. He added using that number Burlington has one and a half too many high schools.
That is the lens the board of education bureaucrat use – they have to look at the numbers – the province requires that they do just that.
However, it is the parents that are at the top of the food chain. It is their money that pays for everything and it is the education of their children that is at issue.
It is now up to the parents to come up with the ideas that will resolve the problem on the table.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller getting a briefing. Miller said a number of times that the option put on the table is rarely if ever the option that gets chosen. Which is fine but in order to be able to come up with the best option parents need to ensure that they do not lose control of the process.
 By Staff
October 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Region Health Department reports a second confirmed case rabies in a raccoon found in the City of Burlington.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency provided the data. The Health Department is reminding residents to avoid all contact with raccoons and other wild animals.
Rabies is a viral disease that causes severe damage to the brain and spinal cord, and if untreated before symptoms appear will lead to death. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal, usually entering through a bite or scratch.
 Cute – but not when they are infected with rabies. “Anyone who comes in physical contact with a raccoon or other wild animal should see a physician immediately and contact the Health Department by dialing 311,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region. “After someone is exposed to rabies, timely use of the rabies vaccine can prevent the rabies illness. The rabies vaccine is extremely effective if it is administered before any symptoms occur.”
While this is only the second confirmed case of raccoon rabies in Halton in 2016, the Health Department wants to remind residents that there have been a higher than average number of cases reported in areas neighbouring the region and that precautions should be taken when you see wild animals. There are a number of things you can do to protect your family and pets:
• Make sure your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date.
• Warn your children to stay away from any wild, stray or aggressive animals.
• Do not touch dead or sick animals.
• Do not feed or keep wild animals as pets.
• Keep your pet on a leash when off your property.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you come in contact with a raccoon or other potentially rabid animals.
• Any pet that has come in contact with a raccoon or other wild animal should be seen by a veterinarian.
• Report all animal bites or scratches to the Halton Region Health Department.
For more information on rabies or to learn about positive raccoon rabies results in Halton, visit halton.ca/rabies or call the Halton Region Health Department by dialing 311.
 By Staff
October 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
History lives and a couple of hundred people have the chance to become a clone of Spencer Smith. And if you don’t know who Spencer Smith is – search him in the Gazette. The Spencer Smith Park is what it is today due in no small measure to this man.
Trees that Spencer planted seventy years ago were cut down because the city arborist thought the degree of rot in the tree trunks made them a public safety matter.
 Here’s a picture that is a keeper – the gazebo that is no more along with the willow tree that got cut down – city has saved 200 + clippings that will be given away in the spring. The two 70-year-old weeping willow trees near the gazebo at the waterfront park were removed in June 2016 to ensure public safety. City of Burlington arborists had found significant rotting and areas of decay in the trees, originally transplanted by park founder Spencer Smith in the 1950s.
Arborwood Tree Service Inc. and Exotic Woods are at the city’s roads and parks maintenance building this week, planning, milling and then kiln-drying the wood from six large logs to make boards that can be used for whatever wood can be used for.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward hugging a willow tree in Spencer Smith Park that is no more Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward didn’t want to see the trees taken down and did give them a nice little send off.
The city then moved in and tore down the gazebo and began to upgrade the landscaping and put in pathways and level out the land; there was a bowl effect that collected water and made that part of the park less useful than it could be.
The city saved more than 200 clippings from the willow trees that are growing in a greenhouse. There are plans to distribute those seedlings to people who are interested in growing a piece of history on their own properties sometime in 2017. Expect more from city hall on this initiative in the spring.
Burlington and the Region of Halton have done a good job of preserving historically significant trees.
 They call it the Brant Oak tree – it’s located on Allview Street in the west end of the city and is known as one of the markers setting out the boundary of the land grant given to Joseph Brant. The tree that marks part of the boundary marking the lands that were given to Joseph Brant is still in place.
More information will be available in early 2017 about how people can get one of the willow clippings or to take a piece of wood home as a souvenir.
Related story:
Who was Spencer Smith?
By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a scramble going on in Burlington for the provincial Progressive Conservative nomination.
Jane McKenna is seen as the nominee, in name only, because she was the candidate, and the MPP but she has to earn the nomination just like anyone else.
And she is out there running hard. She is reported to have Mike Wallace managing her campaign.
 Candidate Jane Michael and Bishop Crosby. There is another Jane in the race for the nomination – Jane Michael, who is the current chair of the Catholic school board.
And now for the wrinkle.
There is apparently a web site that reported Michael has pulled out of the race. We checked in with Michael and she says she hasn’t pulled out – she is getting the package of information that every candidate gets from the Progressive Conservative party and expects to be out knocking on doors and selling memberships.
There was a time when the Progressive Conservatives couldn’t find a candidate – that was back in 2011 when they almost drafted Jane McKenna after telling Rene Papin that he wasn’t quite what they had in mind and they weren’t ready to give Brian Heagle the embrace that he wanted.
 Whoever posted this on the internet uses the initials that most of us understand to represent the school board – this didn’t come from the school board – so who put it up? This race looks like it just might get nasty. There is some pretty mean spirited stuff being thrown around. This isn’t the way political nominations are earned.
Come 2018 – and it looks like there could actually be a horse race for that nomination – contested nominations usually result in better candidates.
McKenna has kept her hand in the political game and claims to have worked with Patrick Brown to “revitalize and refocus the PC Party. I still see so much work that needs to be done to get Ontario back on track.”
Two scrappy women fighting it out – it is going to be up to the Tory’s to figure out which one is best for the city. It shouldn’t be all that hard to do – just look at the track records.
The full story on that nomination meeting is interesting. You can read that in our July 2011 issue: McKenna gets the Tory nomination.
By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With Waterdown Road now a nice short drive to Hwy 403 development in the immediate area is beginning to take place.
Getting information on how one particular project is working its way through the system appears to be a problem for at least one Aldershot resident who writes:
 It’s an attractive enough building – interesting way they handled vehicles getting to the parking spaces. “As someone who has been following the 35 Plains Road building proposal closely, and attended the first public meeting, I am now concerned to find that a statutory public meeting is shown on the City of Burlington website for November 8th. https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/35-Plains-Road.asp
 The application is for an eight storey building with 55 residential units and commercial uses on the street level.  Our reader signed up – hasn’t heard a word since – what’s up? “Part of my reason for contacting you is to see if you received notice of this meeting. I was told that if I signed up to receive information (which I did), I would receive notice of this meeting. There are little over 20 days until this meeting, and yet I have received no formal notice from the city about it. I would have expected at least 30 days notice so that people wanting to attend could plan around it.
 An interesting use of the lot. Good morning city hall – can anyone help this lady?
The project is an interesting one. It appears to be a project being developed by Ruth Victor & Associates. Ms Victor has in the past worked as a planner/consultant for the ADI Development Group when they were telling the public about their plans for what is now known as Station West –
By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is just under a month away but registration for this event is going to fill up very quickly – you will want to register now if you’d like to attend.
This struck the Gazette as one of the more interesting ways to promote the history of the city – and if anything is history in Burlington it is the Freeman Station.
 Pauline Grondin – the year is 1920 and she is at the Burlington Junction station in Freeman. On Saturday, November 19th, well-known professional storyteller Pauline Grondin will again work her magic as she relates, first-person, her story of life around Freeman Station.
The year is 1920, and the Burlington Junction Station in Freeman is a vibrant hub of community comings and goings.
Pauline will bring history to life for us as she relates what’s happening around the village. (A bit of gossip here and there?)
 Waiting for the train. The Friends of Freeman Station invite you to join them at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre for “Breakfast at the Bistro,” beginning at 8:30 AM for a delicious meal followed by Pauline’s enchanting presentation.
Reservations are required, seating is limited, breakfast is only $ 6.18 per person, tax included, it’s all for a great cause, and a good time will be had by all. Nostalgia guaranteed, tears optional.
Book early! Registration is required. Limited seating, and typically sells out well in advance.
To register, log onto: https://secure.burlington.ca/recexpress/Activities/ActivitiesAdvSearch.asp
and enter the code “345506” in the TTR Barcode Search field to pull up Breakfast at the Bistro – Pauline Grondin – 345506
 By Staff
October 19th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Many of us use PayPal as a way to pay for items we bought or sold on the internet. It is a useful service – even though they do take their time about getting your money to you when you ask for it.
Other than that – decent value – people trust the service – and the trust the brand – which is why the crooks like to use it.
This came across our desk recently – don’t believe a word of it. Someone wants to steal your identity.
(NOTICE) Your PayPal account has been limited
In order to get back into your account, you will need to confirm your identity with us.
We have made the process easy for you:
Download and open the attachment file that we have sent, and proceed into filling in the form.
Our security team will review the information that you have provided, and immediately remove the limitations in your PayPal account.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
There will be no apology when they siphon money out of your bank accounts.
By Pepper Parr
October 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Wow!
THAT is crass.
Less than an hour after sending out a media release announcing the holding of two by – elections on November the province sends out a second media release announcing significant infrastructure projects for one of the ridings – Niagara West Glanbrook.
The by-election release came out as 12:07 – the infrastructure release came out at 1:01.
It is stuff like this that give politics a bad smell.
Was it just a coincidence?
The province has hundreds of communications specialists working to grind out media releases – sometimes as many as ten in a single day.
These people are trained to get out positive messages – and they are expected to be politically aware – especially those who work in the office of Cabinet Ministers.
The media release on infrastructure work that I to “Improving Roads and Bridges in Niagara Region” said the following;
Ontario is supporting upgrades to roads, bridges and other local community infrastructure in Niagara Region, helping to connect communities and keep people moving while creating jobs and economic growth.
Municipalities benefiting from upgrades include:
• Grimsby
• Lincoln
• Pelham
• West Lincoln
• Niagara Falls
• Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Fort Erie
• Port Colborne
• Thorold
• Wainfleet
• Welland
The boundaries for the riding of are shown below:
 That detailed information is followed by the boiler plate stuff put at the end of every media release the province sends out – sort of like Burlington’s fetish for the news that it is the number one mid-sized city in Canada
Ontario is making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history – about $160 billion over 12 years, supporting 110,000 jobs every year across the province with projects such as hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit. Since 2015, the province has announced support for more than 475 projects that will keep people and goods moving, connect communities and improve quality of life. To learn more about infrastructure projects in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.
Investing in municipal infrastructure is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
They do all this with your tax money – don’t you just love them?
Related article: By-election announcements.
By Pepper Parr
October 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
You knew before the meeting was over that this was a group of parents who were going to think through the situation they faced very thoroughly and present a case for keeping the community school.
 They packed the room. There were well over 80 people (some set the number at close to 100) packed into a room at Wellington Square United Church to figure out what they wanted to do about the Halton District school Board decision to hold a PAR.
A PAR is a Program Accommodation Review which is a look that the board has to take when the amount of available space in a school falls below 65%
A PAR – to address enrollment, empty/overfull space and programs offered – is needed for Burlington secondary schools claim the parent group – but the conditions needed to hold a PAR are not yet in place.
In its report Board of Education staff found a number of school that were below or very very close to that 65% number and they produced a report that set out 19 option. The options were related to various schools in Burlington.
 There are just too many empty seats at Central High.  The utilization percentages are good – bu the sea available are in the wrong schools.  The parents group covered everything – and then some. The parents did their homework – the looked at the facts and they came to the conclusion that while there might be a need for a PAR – this was not the time to proceed.
The Board for its part produced an exhaustive report – we are talking inches thick here and it takes time to go through the details and then measure them against what the parents know and experience.
The letter was signed off on by Michael Kukhta and Dania Thurman who were speaking on behalf of the Burlington Central Strong Community Group).
Michael had run for school board trustee before Dania is new to the game but keep an eye on this woman. She is a force to be reckoned with.
In a letter to the school board trustees this group of parents from Burlington central high school said:
At the Halton District Board of Education (HDSB) Board of Trustees meeting on 19 October 2016, you will be deciding on a motion to approve beginning the Program Accommodation Review (PAR) process.
In this letter, we will outline why we urge you delay the start of the process by tabling the motion until numerous issues are addressed. This request is made in order to ensure the integrity of the PAR process and to ensure that accurate and productive recommendations can be made to the Board of Trustees at the conclusion of the PAR process.
It appears to be clear that a PAR is needed, but also clear that the conditions to start it now, 19 October 2016, have not been met. It is crucial that many issues in the Halton District School Board’s (the “Board”) PAR process and Director’s Preliminary Report on the PAR (#16132) be clarified and clearly understood before proceeding with the PAR process. There are also many concerns with data and the Board’s new and untried PAR process that should be addressed.
Summary of Concerns:
1) A PAR is needed, but conditions to initiate the PAR at tomorrow’s (October 19th) meeting have not been met;
2) The Board’s new and untested PAR process has critical errors and confounding steps;
3) Significant segments of data are incomplete, missing or inaccurate;
4) The nineteen (19) Alternate solutions offered do not consistently compare conditions and issues creating unfair and confusing conclusions and inferences.
Very compelling details, supporting data and information about each of these Concerns are detailed below in Appendices. (They are voluminous and will be set out in detail on the web site when it is fully operational.
The Gazette will publish that data later in the week.
Our volunteer and dedicated community group has worked very hard to pull this letter and information together in a short time frame. There are, no doubt, challenges and questions with the conclusions we have made; however, we have only had a week to look at this.
Nevertheless, we have discovered and documented many issues that will jeopardize the PAR until they are understood and corrected. We look forward to continue working together with you and the board to be as informative, objective and accurate in providing productive discussion, analysis and recommendations to assist you in making the best decisions possible.
Decisions to close schools and realign boundaries will have long-lasting and profound effects on the community. Let’s get it right. Mistakes could be costly and cause delays in implementation. The Board’s process is fast: 5-7 months from approval and launch to recommendation to and ultimately approval by the Board of Trustees.
There is insufficient time once the process starts, to research, fix and present new data to the PAR Committee. A delay in the process will allow the constituencies affected – indeed, the students and entire community of Burlington – to catch up with the process and truly feel engaged and respected as valued stakeholders.
From the right Burlington trustees Amy Collard and Leah Reynolds – two of the four. We urge you to table the approval of the PAR process until all of the issues and concerns are clearly articulated, the data and information understood and the process robust and transparent.
Will the trustees listen? The four from Burlington can be expected to do so. But there are 11 trustees and they all get a vote on this.
It will be an interesting Board of Education meeting this evening.
By Staff
October 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is a dirty business – despicable.
But it does happen
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has charged a Hamilton man with three offences as part of an Ontario Provincial Police (O.P.P.) coordinated, national investigation to suppress human trafficking.
Dubbed Operation Northern Spotlight, members of 36 police services from across Ontario, including Halton Regional Police Service, directly engaged with people suspected of partaking in the sex trade, potentially against their will.
During coordinated investigations over a six-day period, police charged 25 people with 67 offences. Police were also able to ensure the safety of 16 people who had been working in the sex trade as a minor or against their will. A total of 207 police officers and support staff engaged with 199 people and offered them information and contacts with community-based support agencies.
Charges resulting from the operation include Trafficking in Persons under 18, Trafficking in Persons, Procure Sexual Services under 18, Procure Sexual Services, Receive Material Benefit under 18, Receive Material Benefit, Communication for the Purpose of Obtaining Consideration the Sexual Services of a Person, Exercise Control, Make Child Pornography, Distribute Child Pornography, Possess Child Pornography, Child Luring, Advertise Another Person’s Sexual Services, Assault, Obstruct Police, Resist Arrest, Weapons Dangerous, various Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) and Failure to Comply with Court Orders and Conditions including Breaches of Recognizance and Probation.
As part of their role in Operation Northern Spotlight, officers with HRPS’ Morality Unit engaged eight potential exploited victims working in the Halton area, rescuing one.
Twenty-four year-old Sean TRACEY has been charged with Procuring a Person to Offer or Provide Sexual Services for Consideration, Advertising Sexual Services, and Receive Material Benefit from Sexual Service as a result of the HRPS investigation.
“Like our counterparts, our Service is committed to fighting human trafficking by holding those engaged in it to account, while supporting its victims,” said Inspector Anthony Odoardi. “We are pleased to have contributed resources and expertise to this important joint operation.”
Given some of the stuff we are hearing while the Americans try to figure out who they want to lead them – it is little wonder that trafficking in human beings is a business. These guys are just a little lower down the food chain that a nominee for the President of the United States of America,
By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Hamilton-Burlington Junior League Annual House tour will be taking place November 11 to 13th.
There are three homes on the tour this year: two in Burlington and one in Ancaster.
 Designer creates a focal point in a home for the Holiday Season Jackie Cracknell and her colleagues were given one of the Burlington homes to get ready for the event. The home, a 2400 sq. ft. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom house that undergone a significant renovation. Located in the east end of Burlington the home will be open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Jackie said the challenge in preparing a smaller home for a tour is keeping the flow of patrons moving smoothly so that they can view everything in their own time, but not have areas of congestion.
This home provided great opportunity in that the interior has been completely restyled and has some interesting design features that will allow the decorators to showcase the beautiful renovation that has taken place.
She added that “most of the decorators in this home have worked on the tour before and know exactly what is required to wow our patrons.
Those that are new are given information from previous tours so that they know what is expected. Our role as house reps is to ensure that the decorators follow the guidelines and also to liaise between the homeowners and decorators so that everything runs smoothly.
The most outstanding transformation in the renovation of this home is the kitchen – it really is the heart of the home and a wonderful light space to enjoy, with some very special design features. I think it highlights that fact that you can really incorporate some wonderful features in a home that may not be as large as some of the others on the tour – bigger is not always better!
The decorators of this home include House of Fraser Décor, Megan & Megan, Welcome Home Interiors, Details Interior Design, Hudson Interiors and Marquis Cavalier Dreamstore.
Tickets to this always popular event – this is the 34th Annual Tour the Junior League has done, are available at: CLICK HERE
Hours: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The address for each of the homes is printed on the tickets you receive.
 From left to right: Dianne Brown, Fonda Loft, Jackie Cracknell,Liz Vandenberg, Annette Hamm, Cate Banfield, Karyn Glibbery, Roseanne Grego-Venneri, Sarai Spzak, Barb Oliver, Jane Tynan-Byrd, Iris Hughes. Middle: Anne-Louise Watts, Kathy North-Ross, Wendy Powell Front: Rachel Griffiths, Emily Stewart The Junior League is looking for people who would like to serve as volunteers at the different house tour locations. This is an opportunity to learn more about the Junior League – sort of a toe in the water approach. Diane Brown would love to hear from you. info@juniorleague.ca
By Staff
October 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has an almost symbiotic relationship with the Ontario Municipal Board – at times city hall’s Planning department must feel they are joined at the hip with the OMB.
 Nautique – an ADI group development is one of the development projects that is now before the OMB. There are many in the municipal sector that would like to see the OMB abolished – it was formed in 1906; there were some very good reasons for keeping the Board which may no longer apply.
Ontario Proposing Changes to Ontario Municipal Board to Improve Efficiency and Accessibility: Province Seeking Public Input on Board’s Scope and Process
The Ontario government sees a continuing need for the OMB in Ontario’s land use planning system. That is why they are exploring changes to make sure that the Board’s role is appropriate, open and fair.
Through the OMB Review, the government will consider the Board’s scope (what it deals with) and effectiveness (how it operates) to determine improvements with respect to how the Board works within Ontario’s broader land use planning system.
The province is undertaking a comprehensive review of how the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) operates and its role in the province’s land-use planning system to help make it more efficient and more accessible to all Ontarians.
 Former Burlington Director of Planning wrote the text book on how the OMB works. Now he is the Executive Chair of the ELTO that oversees the OMB. Environment Land Tribunals Ontario is a cluster of five boards including Assessment Review Board (ARB), Board of Negotiation (BON), Conservation Review Board (CRB), Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT) and the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB)
The OMB’s primary role is adjudicating applications and appeals under various land use planning statutes.
The Executive chair of the ELYO is Bruce Krushelnicki who was until a number of months ago the Director of Planning for the city of Burlington. How the city managed to let a good one get away is beyond many people in the province.
The OMB plays a central role in Ontario’s land-use planning process as an independent, public body through which people can appeal or defend land-use decisions that affect their property or community.
Ontarians wishing to participate in the consultation may submit comments online or in person at one of the town hall meetings being held across the province this fall.
Registration and an open house will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The town halls will begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m.
Oakville, November 3, 2016
Oakville Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road
RSVP date: October 30, 2016
Hamilton, October 24, 2016
Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Resurrection, 821 Upper Wentworth Street
RSVP date: October 21, 2016
RSVP on line: https://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page15043.aspx
Email at OMBReview@ontario.ca
For matters of registration you can call 416-585-6014 or 1-855-776-8011
By Staff
October 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
We sometimes wonder why the crooks with these innovative ideas don’t just go out and get good jobs – they would seem to be smart enough.
Maybe it’s because too many decent people get sucked in.
Here’s the latest one:
In the last two weeks Halton Regional Police Service has received three complaints for a package delivery scam in the Halton Region.
The suspect will call a small business and claim to be from a neighbouring business and asking the victim to sign and pay for an urgent package they are expecting but unfortunately cannot be around to collect themselves. They claim that they will pay back the victim as soon as they can get back to collect the package.
A short while later a male will show up with a boxed package for delivery and collect the COD fees and leave the store. It is not until sometime later after the neighbouring business doesn’t show up that it is discovered that the package is just an empty box weighted with used magazines and the victim is out the cash given for the delivery.
 Police are looking for this young man. Seen him? Police are hoping to identify the male pictured below and asking anyone with information to contact the Halton Regional Police Fraud Unit or if they wish to remain anonymous to call Halton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes)
By Staff
October 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Approximately 3.4 per cent of Ontarians have a moderate to severe gambling problem. This means that about 26,500 adults in the City of Hamilton and Halton Region are estimated to be negatively impacted.
 You’ve lost it all – now what do you do? Help is available. Many of these people think they will win big. The truth is that some will gamble to the point that they damage their finances, relationships and health. Problem gambling can be financially and emotionally devastating for the individual involved and the most important people in their lives.
“When gambling becomes a source of worry or stress, it’s important to listen to yourself”, says Jon Kelly, CEO, Responsible Gambling Council. “Ignoring changing feelings potentially puts both you and the people you care about at risk.”
The good news is that paying attention to how you feel about your gambling is the first step to early detection of a potential gambling problem.
Having mixed feelings about your gambling? If so, listen to yourself
If your gambling has stopped being fun and has become a source of stress and worry, it’s time to take a break and reflect.
Anxiety, guilt or frustration are common early warning signals that, if ignored, can lead to a potential gambling problem. The consequences of which can be emotionally and financially devastating not just for you but also for your family and friends.
During Problem Gambling Prevention Week, which runs in the City of Hamilton and Halton Region from October 17th to October 23rd, RGC is urging people to listen carefully to how they feel about their gambling.
What are some early signs of a potential gambling problem:
• Feeling guilty, anxious, frustrated or worried about your gambling.
• Thinking or talking about gambling more than usual.
• Gambling more to win back losses.
• Experiencing extreme highs from gambling wins and extreme lows from gambling losses.
• Getting irritated more easily or having less patience when dealing with normal, everyday activities.
 The thrill of the horses thundering towards the finish line is one thing – the money you blew on a ticket that didn’t win is another. What to do when you have mixed feelings:
• The most important thing is to listen to yourself and recognize that these feelings are there for a reason. When they arise, take a break from gambling and do something else. Get back to those other activities that you enjoy.
• Set a betting limit to what you can comfortably afford to lose and stick to it.
• Never chase losses by gambling more to win back lost money or get out of financial trouble. This usually leads to even greater losses.
• Set a time limit for your gambling and, when it’s reached, walk away.
• Bear in mind that gambling is not a way to make money. Virtually all people with gambling problems hold the false belief that they are due for a big win. That belief can feed the development of problems.
How to get help
There is free and confidential help available for those who feel they may have a problem. You can find contact information for local resources at www.knowthesigns.ca or you can call the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505.
For more about the emotional and behavioural signs to watch for and how to protect yourself, go to www.knowthesigns.ca.
 They are the reverse of an ATM – you just keep putting money in. Residents in the City of Hamilton and Halton Region can access local help at:
• Burlington: ADAPT (The Halton Alcohol, Drug, & Gambling Assessment, Prevention and Treatment Program – 905-639-6537 or 1-866-783-7073
• Hamilton: Alcohol, Drug & Gambling Services (ADGS) City of Hamilton, Public Health Services – 905-546-3606
• Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline – 1-888-230-3505
The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to problem gambling prevention. RGC works to reduce gambling risks by creating and delivering innovative awareness and information programs. It also promotes the adoption of improved play safeguards through best practices research, standards development and the RG Check accreditation program. RGC is committed to bringing together all perspectives in the reduction of gambling problems, including those of people with firsthand experience with gambling problems, gaming providers, regulators, policy makers and treatment professionals.
By Staff
October 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
A Burlington entrepreneur, 27-year-old Eric Rodgers, Co-Founder of a Burlington Digital Marketing Agency has been chosen as one of the best and brightest young Canadians under 30 by Canada’s Marketing Magazine.
 I didn’t know how to dress,” says Rodgers, 27. (That’s changed: with a lightly polka-dotted shirt, Hugo Boss jeans and loafers, he has the Silicon Valley uniform down cold.) “Once we got going, I got used to speaking at higher and higher levels (of executives). I’m more open now among clients.” At 21, Rodgers and industry veteran Don McNeil identified a gap in the market for precise digital marketing based almost solely on measurable data. With a focus on full user journeys instead of last-click attribution modeling, they went on to form Direct Access Digital in 2011. Both were keen to adopt new analytics models, participating in all available marketing platform betas with an interest to drive new business at the lowest cost per acquisition for clients like BMO, Lowe’s, Rona, and Enercare.
Eric Rodgers is no stranger to receiving awards, he was the first Canadian to win Google’s prestigious Google Search Excellence Award in 2014. The award is only given out to two Canadian’s a Year – amazingly, Rodgers won it again in 2015.
BMO’s CMO of Canadian Banking and Wealth Management, Betsy Chung says, “Whenever I have an issue or literally a business problem to face, he’s one of the few I would pick up the phone and ask, ‘How do consumers behave from what we know of how they purchase?’”
Rodgers’ says, “The early days were stressful, I was literally one of two guys sitting on either side of a desk. We focused on optimizing every marketing dollar spent just as we do today, that’s been our winning model. The model that, like Google, continues to change at a rapid rate and includes more tactics and platforms like Programmatic, Rich Media and SEO.”
With a father who worked in IT, Rodgers says he was attracted to technology at an early age, building his first computer at the age of 10. At Geosign, he essentially turned a summer job into an apprenticeship in selling and buying traffic from Google. By 19 he was managing a team of seven who in some cases were twice his age. After meeting McNeil at another job post-Geosign, the two believed there was a gap in the market for an agency built around what it calls “math men (and women” rather than Mad Men.)
Direct Access Digital’s team has grown to 30 brilliant digital marketers and is always looking for more engaged talent.
Rodgers shares the award with the Schulich School of Business, Assistant Professor of Marketing, Ela Veresiu, SnapChat’s Senior Account Manager, Alanna Glicksman, Facebook’s Client Services Manager, eCommerce, Vino Jeyapalan, McDonald’s Digital Social Engagement Manager, Rashel Hariri and 25 other young Canadians.
What was equally interesting is that among the 30under30 that were recognized as some of the brightest – there were more women than men. The times they are a changing.
By Staff
October 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is going to get a $1 donation for every ReStore transaction from October 17 to October 31st.
 Those funds will help more families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable Habitat for Humanity homeownership.
The donation is coming from Proctor & Gamble and Swiffer, one of their products.
With nearly 100 locations across Canada, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores are home and building supply stores that accept and resell quality new and used building supplies, home furnishing, appliances and décor. Habitat’s ReStores accept donations of secondhand, overstocked and discontinued items, as well as salvageable building materials donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals. Proceeds fund Habitat for Humanity operations and homebuilding projects in communities across the country.
To provide additional incentive, Swiffer is also giving out a free Swiffer Duster with all purchases while supplies last.
The funds generated through this campaign will be used towards Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga’s ongoing builds in Burlington, Acton, Georgetown and Mississauga. Once complete, the project will enable more families than ever before to partner with Habitat for access to affordable home ownership.
Habitat for Humanity’s first ReStore was opened in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991. Today, there are almost 100 locations across Canada and almost 1,000 worldwide generating funds to support the work of Habitat for Humanity. It’s estimated that Habitat’s ReStores in Canada have been directly responsible for the construction of 1,200 Habitat for Humanity homes and in excess of 250,000 tonnes of material being diverted from landfills.
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