 By Joan Little
September 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The following piece was lifted from the Hamilton Spectator where my colleague Joan Little writes a semi-weekly column.
If Burlington doesn’t handle this file very, very carefully, there won’t be a safe seat on council in 2018.
 Spectator columnist Joan Little argues that every seat on council is at risk if the transportation file is mismanaged. Is it possible to lose all of them in one fell swoop? The issue is transportation planning. Sounds like a nothing issue, but if it isn’t carefully presented, look for a wholesale change in the 2018 election.
On Tuesday, Brent Toderian, a Vancouver urban planner, presented his “New Directions” transportation plan recommendations. The committee voted to receive and file the report. He will edit it for more clarity in preparation for public consultation in January.
The report stated that as Burlington intensifies, growing up instead of out, it has to de-emphasize vehicle use, and stress other modes of travel to “Grow Bold.”
Discussion centred mainly on modes of transportation. Toderian’s report emphasized walking and biking, followed by public transit, then car-sharing. Said he, “Burlington can be the first city to grow up successfully,” stressing the high dollar cost, time and congestion of continuing as we are.
One recommendation was to stop providing new street capacity for cars, and to make walking, biking and public transit delightful. Mayor Rick Goldring agreed that we don’t want the Region dictating Burlington arterial road widenings, and we need a strong local policy. Rick Craven pointed out that we did not need Waterdown Road widened. It is necessitated by Waterdown’s high growth.
Toderian said the aim is to use cars less frequently. Few will dispose of them. Throughout his presentation he repeatedly warned councillors to expect strong public push-back. Funny, I thought councils were supposed to listen to public feedback.
John Taylor asked about the transition from today to full implementation, because it will take decades to get there, and was told the actual plan would address that. He was skeptical about big spending on transit, noting that in spite of investments, ridership has been static for 20 years.
 Councillor Meed Ward argued that people drive because they gave to. The most astute comments came from Marianne Meed Ward. She said the big issue is why people drive. One reason is to get to work. Many commute to Toronto and elsewhere where Go Transit isn’t handy. And how could a Ford worker get to Ford without a car?
She recalled a transit group’s challenge to councillors to take transit for a week, and noted that her 15-minute drive to the Region took over two hours by transit, and required two transfers (not to mention the cost). We need more jobs where people live.
She said people drive kids to school because they don’t want them biking, and school busing is often inconvenient. Shopping? Downtown, there are probably 20 spas, but only one grocery store, and if she needed a hammer, her nearest store is Canadian Tire.
Our planning is wrong, she said. Why, for instance is a huge store like Walmart allowed to build one-storey stores? Immediately adjacent on Fairview are the six multi-storey Paradigm condos. Wouldn’t it be better to allow one above Walmart? She also commented that a supermarket could not go downtown because of zoning.
During the session, councillors commented on the outrage they are fielding about the “road diet” pilot project for bike lanes on New Street, eliminating a driving lane. Few cyclists use them, but Toderian explained that until bike lanes form part of a network, they won’t. He stated that when Vancouver’s first lanes appeared, few used them, but now that there’s a network, they’re popular. (Vancouver doesn’t have winter!) Jack Dennison cycled along New, thoroughly enjoyed it, and felt safe. City manager James Ridge said a network would have to be planned shortly.
Craven claimed this idea isn’t new. The revamped Plains Road has bike lanes, intercity transit, and is pedestrian-friendly. Further, he said, underground parking costs developers about $40,000 per space, which buyers pay for.
There were budgetary questions, to which Toderian responded that you have to prioritize spending.
It sounds logical, but show me the timing, costs and public acceptance of this big change.
With Burlington having such high incomes and per capita car ownership, expect questions.
 Joan Little is a member of the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Previous to her current appointment she was a commissioner from 1986 to 1993, and chair from 1993 to1996. She was a member of Burlington Council and Halton Regional Council between 1974 and 1988, and an active board member of Conservation Halton from 1976 to 1995. Following her council retirement she served on the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Board, which she left in 1993 to assume the Chair of the NEC. She is a regular freelance columnist on Burlington/Halton issues in the Hamilton Spectator.
 By Staff
September 23, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The 7th annual Culture Days weekend kicks off next Friday, September 30 and runs through Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd. Burlington is getting more involved than ever by making arts and culture accessible to the community.
This year’s Culture Days will feature many different types of artists, activities and events, including Doors Open Burlington us for the 5th year in a row.
Here is a breakdown of some of the events taking place:
Art Gallery of Burlington,
Burlington Libraries,
Burlington Performing Arts Centre,
Burlington Student Theatre,
Burlington Teen Tour Band,
On October 1st, Civic Square is transformed into Art in the Square, an event that runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Artists and artisans will showcase their artwork in a marketplace and provide interactive activities for the community. The event will feature live music and dance performances and provide the opportunity to be a part of the audience, explore various art techniques and try something new.
Doors Open Burlington
 The 7th annual Doors Open Burlington takes place on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is an occasion to see your city from a different perspective and celebrate the cultural importance of the sites throughout the community. The event will highlight important buildings, organizations and landmarks that make Burlington a culturally vibrant place to live, work and visit. Admission is free!
 The city is a collection of doors – next weekend you get a chance to open many of them and take a peek inside. The Burlington Cycling Committee will lead a bicycle tour of the Burlington sites for the Doors Open event. Meet at City Hall, Civic Square at 10 a.m. and begin our journey to explore the sites. All ages are welcome and we will keep a leisurely pace using all available bike paths and bike lanes. There will be an opportunity to stop and visit each site. We estimate the cycle tour will take about two hours.
The looming question about this event is – will they drive along New Street and take advantage of those new bike lanes – and will that traffic count in the data the city is collecting.
Registration is required at the start of the tour.
Visit www.burlington.ca/culturedays to plan your weekend.
 By Staff
September 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Premier Kathleen Wynne did something early in her term of office that had not been done before – she let the public know what the marching orders were for each of her Ministers. Those marching orders were updated today. Here is what Burlington’s MPP, Eleanor McMahon who is the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport for the province. is expected to do. she is going to be a busy lady.
September 23, 2016
The Honourable Eleanor McMahon
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
900 Bay Street
9th Floor, Hearst Block
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 2E1
Dear Minister McMahon:
Welcome to your role as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. As we mark the mid-point of our mandate, we have a strong and new Cabinet, and are poised to redouble our efforts to deliver on our top priority — creating jobs and growth. Guided by our balanced plan to build Ontario up for everyone, we will continue to work together to deliver real benefits and more inclusive growth that will help people in their everyday lives.
 MPP Eleanor McMahon at her first public even after being made a member of the Wynne cabinet. We embark on this important part of our mandate knowing that our four-part economic plan is working — we are making the largest investment in public infrastructure in Ontario’s history, making postsecondary education more affordable and accessible, leading the transition to a low-carbon economy and the fight against climate change, and building retirement security for workers.
Building on our ambitious and activist agenda, and with a focus on implementing our economic plan, we will continue to forge partnerships with businesses, educators, labour, communities, the not-for-profit sector and with all Ontarians to foster economic growth and to make a genuine, positive difference in people’s lives. Collaboration and active listening remain at the heart of the work we undertake on behalf of the people of Ontario — these are values that ensure a common purpose, stimulate positive change and help achieve desired outcomes. With this in mind, I ask that you work closely with your Cabinet colleagues to deliver positive results on initiatives that cut across several ministries, such as our Climate Change Action Plan, Business Growth Initiative, and the Highly Skilled Workforce Strategy. I also ask you to collaborate with the Minister Responsible for Digital Government to drive digital transformation across government and modernize public service delivery.
We have made tangible progress and we have achieved the following key results:
Delivered the largest, most successful Pan Am/Parapan Am Games ever, leaving a legacy of best in class infrastructure initiatives, inspiring civic engagement and boosting Ontario’s real GDP by up to $3.7 billion between 2009 and 2017.
Building on the success of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, the province released Game ON – the Ontario government’s Sport Plan.
Launched Ontario’s first Culture Strategy to guide the government’s support for culture over the next five years. The strategy aims to promote participation in arts and culture, build on the sector’s economic impact in communities across the province and help Ontarians tell their stories and express themselves.
Supported 200 festivals and events across the province through the 2016 Celebrate Ontario program, drawing tourists, creating jobs and growing local economies.
In 2016-17 the Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund will support 129 projects, allowing participation in community sport, recreation and physical activity.
Established a permanent Ontario Music Fund with a $15 million annual investment to increase music production activity in the province.
Enhanced the Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator program from 20 to 27 communities, to support physical activity, sport and recreation in Indigenous communities.
Launched the Ontario Libraries Capacity Fund to improve Information Technology resources at libraries.
Renewed the Ontario Games program, with an increase in hosting grants for municipalities, and supported the successful delivery of the 2016 Ontario Summer Games and 2016 Ontario 55+ Games.
 Even before being made a Minister MPP McMahon was working closely with the Art Gallery of Burlington. Your mandate is to work on delivering top tourism and recreation experiences to Ontarians and visitors, and promoting the tourism sector to drive economic growth. Your specific priorities include:
Supporting Arts and Culture in Ontario to Bring Us Together and Make Our Communities and Economy Stronger
Implementing the Ontario Culture Strategy and work with partners and communities, including Indigenous partners, to:
Promote cultural engagement and inclusion.
Strengthen culture in communities.
Fuel the creative economy.
Promote the value of the arts throughout the government.
During winter 2016-17, develop the Arts Policy Framework as a key action under the Culture Strategy, to promote the contributions of artists and the broader arts sector throughout the Ontario government.
Building on the best year on record for film and TV, market our talented film crews, world-class facilities, and stable tax credit infrastructure to the world.
Celebrating 150 years of Ontario and the Federation
Co-ordinating cross-government efforts and work with community organizations to celebrate Ontario 150, our sesquicentennial in 2017, as well as the 150th anniversary of Canada. This celebratory year will create a strong economic, social and cultural legacy for Ontarians, with a particular focus on youth.
Preserving Our History and Stories and Support the Climate Change Action Plan
Working in 2017 with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to establish a program under the Climate Change Action Plan to fund energy retrofits of heritage buildings. The program should showcase the benefits of reducing energy consumption and preserving these important and historic buildings for the enjoyment of future generations.
Supporting a Dynamic Tourism Industry
Developing and releasing in fall 2016 the Strategic Framework for Tourism as a tool for industry and government to maximize the growth and competitiveness of Ontario’s tourism sector. The framework will build on enhanced partnerships to drive greater investment, workforce development, marketing activities and product development, and include the implementation of commitments outlined in the June 2016 Action Plan for Tourism.
Fulfilling the Vision for a Revitalized Ontario Place
Creating economic opportunities for tourism and investment through the revitalization of Ontario Place into a year-round, vibrant, waterfront destination while building on the site’s legacy of innovation, fun and live music.
Completing the construction and opening of the new Urban Park and William G. Davis Waterfront Trail to the public in 2017.
Continuing to transform Ontario Place through key public and private sector partners and deliver on a plan that integrates the West Island as a cultural hub and transforms the East Island as a celebration common. The process for selecting partners for this transformation should start this year and the results should be announced in 2017.
Supporting Opportunities for All Ontarians to be Physically Active in Sport and Recreation
Implementing Game ON – the Ontario government’s Sport Plan and enhance opportunities for Ontarians to participate in sport, recreation and physical activity, with a special emphasis on advancing opportunities for women and girls.
Supporting the Rowan’s Law Advisory Committee as it develops recommendations to prevent and mitigate head injuries in sports and to create awareness about head injuries in sports by fall 2017.
Implementing the refreshed Ontario Trails Strategy and Supporting Ontario Trails Act to manage and promote the use of trails in Ontario, and develop a world-class system of diversified trails.
Working with the Minister of Transportation and others, support cycling and walking as part of a healthy, active lifestyle, including supporting work across government to make commuter cycling easier and safer. As well, develop cycling as a tourism and environmental heritage draw in Ontario communities.
Strengthening Agencies and Enhancing Accountability
Continuing to support agency initiatives that enhance their sustainability and maximize their economic contributions to the province.
Continuing to work with agencies to provide oversight and support their efforts to meet best practices for good governance, fiscal management and public accountability.
Building Partnerships and Engaging with Indigenous Communities
Collaborating across government and with industry partners to identify opportunities and advance Indigenous tourism in Ontario, including support of the next phase of the Aboriginal Tourism 2020 strategy.
As part of Ontario’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission launching, in 2017, the Indigenous Cultural Revitalization Fund. The fund will support cultural activities with the goals of revitalizing cultural practices, raising awareness of the vitality of Indigenous cultures in Ontario and promoting reconciliation.
Supporting the successful hosting of the North American Indigenous Games in summer 2017.
In addition to the priority activities above, I ask that you also deliver results for Ontarians by driving progress in the following areas:
Work with the Minister of Children and Youth Services on Ontario’s Youth Action Plan to expand youth development programs, and focus government funding on those youth and communities most in need of support.
Work with the Minister of Education on Ontario’s Well Being Strategy to enhance mental and physical health of students and contribute to healthy child development today to ensure a strong future tomorrow.
Continue to develop opportunities for Indigenous community recreation.
As you know, taking action on the recommendations contained in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report is a priority for our government. That is why we released The Journey Together, a document that serves as a blueprint for making our government’s commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples a reality. As we move forward with the implementation of the report, I ask you and your fellow Cabinet members to work together, in co-operation with our Indigenous partners, to help achieve real and measurable change for Indigenous communities.
Having made significant progress over the past year in implementing our community hubs strategy, I encourage you and your Cabinet colleagues to ensure that the Premier’s Special Advisor on Community Hubs and the Community Hubs Secretariat, at the Ministry of Infrastructure, are given the support they need to continue their vital cross-government work aimed at making better use of public properties, encouraging multi-use spaces and helping communities create financially sustainable hub models.
Responsible fiscal management remains an overarching priority for our government — a priority echoed strongly in our 2016 Budget. Thanks to our disciplined approach to the province’s finances over the past two years, we are on track to balance the budget next year, in 2017–18, which will also lower the province’s debt-to-GDP ratio. Yet this is not the moment to rest on our past accomplishments: it is essential that we work collaboratively across every sector of government to support evidence-based decision-making to ensure programs and services are effective, efficient and sustainable, in order to balance the budget by 2017–18, maintain balance in 2018–19, and position the province for longer-term fiscal sustainability.
 McMahon is a bicycle rider who understands how to manage her energy – she will have to manage her energy and her time to meet the mandate she has been given. Marathon runners will tell you that an event’s halfway mark is an opportunity to reflect on progress made — but they will also tell you that it is the ideal moment to concentrate more intently and to move decisively forward. At this halfway mark of this government’s mandate, I encourage you to build on the momentum that we have successfully achieved over the past two years, to work in tandem with your fellow ministers to advance our economic plan and to ensure that Ontario remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.
I look forward to working together with you to build opportunity and prosperity for all Ontarians.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Wynne
Premier
Updated: September 23, 2016
Giving each minister of a government a mandate letter is an accepted practice – making then public is something new. After reading this one – can one wonder if this is a new twist to telling the public what you think they want to hear. Not a word about the challenges involved for Ms McMahon nor is there any assurance given that the funds she needs to pull all this off are going to be available.
The upside is – we now have a yardstick with which to measure just how well the Minister and the Member of the Legislature for Burlington does on delivering.
 By Pepper Parr
September 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s gone
Two willow trees went first followed by the destruction of the gazebo that once sat in a small bowl of land at the east end of Spencer Smith Park.
The Gazette first reported on this last May when a city staffer quietly mentioned the plans during a Jane’s Walk put on by the Sustainability Advisory Committee,
There are some good reasons for the changes that are being made.
 The old gazebo and the willow trees that used to keep it company are gone. No new Willow trees but there will be a new gazebo and a pathway carved into the park leading to it. The bowl of land tended to collect water – and when we get rain we get a lot of it.
The Gazebo that will go up on the spring will be a little bit bigger and it will be accessible and it will be located a little to the west of where it was and set back further from the water’s edge.
There will be a new pathway leading to the gazebo.
 The new gazebo – slightly larger and accessible will get put up in the Spring in that area in this photograph, upper left.  A new pathway is being cut into the park that will lead to the gazebo’s new location. You would not know any of this had you not been a regular Gazette reader.
But there is a bigger story developing around the changes to the gazebo.
The Waterfront Hotel to the immediate east of Spencer Smith Park, currently an eight story structure will undergo a significant change if the talks underway between the city and the hotel ownership come to a positive conclusion.
The plan it to tear down the hotel and put two – perhaps three structures in place. A new hotel would be something in the order of 20 storeys – similar to what the Bridgewater condominium that is east of the Waterfront Hotel.
The thinking the Gazette last heard was for the hotel property to be re-oriented so that it looked west right down the Naval Promenade at the edge of Spence smith Park.
If all this comes about – the downtown core of Burlington will have a totally different look.
 If the talks taking place come to fruition – this structure will come down and be replaced by two – perhaps three – buildings that will be south of the current Waterfront Hotel. Add to that a dream a developer has to put two – perhaps as high as 40 storey structures – on the north side of Lakeshore Road between Brant and John Street.
For the immediate future – look for a considerably different look to the eastern end of Spencer Smith Park in the spring.
The one thing you will probably not see next Spring is any work being done on those two Windows to the Lake that were supposed to get built between Market and St. Paul.
 The Market Street Window on the Lake and the St. Paul Street Window on the Lake haven’t even been started yet. What’s taking so long? The money for those is in the bank – that came from the sale of an incredibly precious stretch of edge of lake land the city sold to property owners whose land abutted what was once public land – a dream opportunity that got away on us.
 By Ray Rivers
September 23, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Imagine a Canada where after a lifetime of working everyone could look forward to receiving a guaranteed two percent of the average salary for every year they worked in the form of a pension.
Working for 30 years would earn a pensioner 60% of that old salary or wage. That is what government workers, educators and those who still have defined-benefit company pensions receive. But that last category, those with a defined-benefit private company pension, is getting smaller.
“A stake in the heart of company pensions.” That is how one news outlet labelled the agreement reached between General Motors and its employees’ union Unifor. In exchange for a commitment to expand auto jobs in Ontario, GM will discontinue it’s old lifetime defined-benefit pension for new workers. Low interest rates, which have handicapped earnings for pension plans, is only part of the reason GM made getting rid of pension plans its priority.
 Modern automotive production lines call for a highly skilled labour force – who should be entitled to fair pension plans. In our modern globalized world corporate entities come and go, and can be gone long before all their former employees have departed, for heaven or that other place, and are still claiming the lifetime pension obligations they are entitled to. Just look at Hamilton’s US Steel company, formerly Stelco, which had to be bailed out by Ontario taxpayers. The US corporate giant, snubbed its legal commitment to keep jobs in Hamilton smack in Mr. Harper’s face. And then it walked away from its responsibilities to its pensioners, expecting the Ontario government to pick up the pieces.
 Canada Pension Plan enhancement was a Trudeau election promise – Premier Wynne made sure he stuck to it and that the other provinces came around as well. It is no wonder Premier Wynne was so keen on expanding public pensions for the average working person. And she takes some credit for catalyzing Canada’s leaders into enhancing the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The CPP payments will move up to one third of a person’s former working income (from a quarter) under the recent federal/provincial agreement. Of course CPP enhancement was a Trudeau election promise as well, so it is questionable whether the province really needed to expend the $70 million it did, mainly promoting a program it expected/hoped would never see the light of day.
A national universal pension program is the ultimate in pension evolution, particularly in a more globalized work economy. The days of the paternalistic company, managing pension plans and other aspects of their employees lives, are so yesterday. In this vein the former Harper government may have been uncharacteristically progressive, mulling a shift of federal pensions to the defined-contribution model. However, his reluctance to even budge the CPP upwards at the same time argues that he was just being mean-hearted, again.
These so-called defined contribution plans are not anything like a substitute for a guaranteed pension, as one heads into the down-days of one’s life. For one thing people become more risk adverse as the the sands of time trickle down that hour-glass. And there is nothing like knowing you’ll be able to budget for that next trip to see the grandkids in Calgary when you are seventy-five years old. It’s the pensioner’s money except that the financial institution contracted to prepare and hold the plan is not doing this out of the goodness of its heart – like everyone who touches gold expect some of it to rub off on its hands.
 Figuring out what you are going to actually have when retire isn’t supposed to be as difficult as it appears to be. These defined-contribution plans gobble up retirement tax-credit space. And since they are employee contributory, in most case, they use up money they might use to buy other investments.
Defined-contribution is an awkward and unfortunate name since these financial instruments are nothing more than an RRSP bought on your behalf by your company.
And the truth is that RRSPs can turn out to be a curse, as many pensioners with respectable incomes post-retirement are finding. Those forced to cash in their RRIFs seem to paying more taxes now than when they were actually employed.
Someone in the Department of Finance should run the numbers. I’ll bet that eliminating RRSPs and raising the CPP to an even more respectable level might just net-out financially. But that would mean making our tax system less complicated. And what about the pensionable earnings of tax accountants and lawyers who helped create this morass?
 Ray Rivers is an economist and author who writes weekly on federal and provincial issues, applying his 25 years of involvement with federal and provincial ministries. Rivers’ involvement in city matters led to his appointment as founding chair of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee. He has been a candidate in a past provincial election.
Background links:
GM/Unifor –
More GM – Even More GM –
Defined Contribution – Stelco Bailout –
Defined Benefit Plans –
By Staff
September 22, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It will be the photo op of photo ops.
 Tips the scales at 200,000 lbs – and they want to pull it at least 50 – by hand. A team of people trying to move an Airbus A300 – 50 feet across the tarmac at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
The occasion is the official kick off of the Burlington and Greater Hamilton United Way fall fund raising drive.
The Gazette plans on being there to see if this can actually be done.
 Former, now retired Burlington General Manager Kim Phillips giving it her best as she works with other staff on a United Way fund raising drive. In past United Way drives we have seen staff at city hall tug away on a rope to move a heavy duty truck
The theme for 2016-17 is: Help us change 164,000 lives. In the past the United Way has created a fund raising target and found that they were losing sight of the real reason for being – people.
They have helped 164,000 people change their lives by being there to help when help was needed.
The United Way serves as a safety net – with that organization in place dozen of agencies through the two communities would not have the funds to give the help that is needed
 Shelves in a food bank – not exactly a supermarket is it. That help covers the gamut from providing lunches for children on the weekend when there just isn’t a meal for them.
It includes financially supporting organizations that are on the ground, in the field delivering the support for the disadvantaged, the infirm – those down on their luck – often through no fault of their own.
Plane pulls are one way of getting some attention.
The Plane pull takes place on Saturday at the airport – make a day of it and takes the kids to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
 By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Openings, openings, openings – the Sound of Music is looking for people who can chair strong committees made up of hard working and very capable volunteers.
These are leadership opportunities.
Open Committee Chair positions include VIP, Sponsorship and Special Projects.
Join the team! See soundofmusic.ca/volunteers for information on volunteering.
Hiring, hiring, hiring!
We’re also hiring a Sponsorship Manager (full time staff position).
See the job description for more details and apply by September 26.
Does this sound like you?
The competencies and qualifications needed:
 Hundreds of volunteers make the Sound of Music Festival work – two of them mark the location for a vendor. University degree or college certificate and 3 to 5 years of sponsorship experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous experience in the not for profit environment with Committee, volunteer workforce and event management required.
Proficiency at Microsoft Office programs
Superior interpersonal and communication skills are pivotal to establishing and maintaining harmonious internal & external relationships
Demonstrated experience creating and implementing sponsorship and public relations strategies
Strong organization skills and the ability to prioritize are essential to aid working to tight deadlines and multi-tasking
Can work independently with ease and be a contributing member of a team
Highly motivated individual with collaborative approach to work and proven problem solving skill especially when under pressure.
Send a cover letter and resume to hr@soundofmusic.ca, referencing the position title in the subject line. Application deadline is on or before Monday, September 26, 2016.
By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Summer will be over tomorrow – which seems to mean that the Sound of Music can put out their call for the 2017 band submissions.
The deadline is December 31, 2016.
Sound of Music Festival will book a minimum of 15 Sonicbids artists for the 2017 event, compensation is provided.
Submissions will only be accepted via Sonicbids.
More information can be found at soundofmusic.ca/band-submissions.
How did the 2016 program go?
Check out the story in pictures. Photographs courtesy of the SOM photography crew: Kris Gelder, John Gelder, Greg Gaines, Wally Graves, Doug Lapp, John Prior, Anthony DeBenedictis, Chris Langley, Robert Georgeff, Michelle Pluim, Cody Loro.
 John Street when the parking bylaw officer wasn’t around.  Eerie look as the stage lights wash over the crowd.  Name the band and you win a burger with two beers at Wendel Clarks. First response to winner@bgzt.ca. Include name and phone number and we will call you.  Your Burlington from the lake.  She is just loving it.
 By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Opening day delayed until late October. The opening of Aldershot Arena will be delayed until late October because of a delay in the manufacture and shipping of a new heat exchange unit for the arena’s ice plant.
For recreational skating, please check our calendar for skate times at other locations.
By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour. “Agriculture is important to Halton, and Harvest Halton and the Pumpkins to Pastries Trail provide us with wonderful opportunities to showcase our local farmers, retailers, restaurants and attractions,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “These events are a great way to bring family and friends together to enjoy locally-grown food and help us support our local agricultural community and our regional economy.”
The preview Harvest Halton event kicks off the start of Halton’s popular Pumpkins to Pastries Trail, running from September 12 to October 31, 2016. Join the Trail and experience the best local cuisine, on-farm markets, specialty shops, events and attractions in Halton.
Click on the LINK to see just how many stops there are along the trail or visit: www.halton.ca/p2ptrail for the interactive online guide
 Click on the LINK above and play with this map interactively. Lots to do – and don’t forget the selfie contest. This year’s Trail participants can also snap and win with Halton Region’s Selfie Contest. Simply snap a selfie on the Trail and post the picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #p2ptrail to enter for a chance to win a prize basket of fantastic local offerings.
Prizes will be awarded weekly and your picture could be featured on Halton’s trail gallery. Visit halton.ca/p2ptrail for contest rules and to view the gallery.
 By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Halton Regional Police Service arrested Joseph Stanley DREXLER (44 yrs) of Hamilton in connection with a fraud investigation into his company operated both as “Be the Game” and “Kind Every Time”.
DREXLER has been charged with one count of Fraud Over $5000 and will appear in Milton Court of October 5th 2016.
In the spring of 2015 Joseph DREXLER attended a Burlington, Ontario business and obtained sponsorship in excess of $40,000 to present his anti-bullying program at over 30 schools in Halton Region and Hamilton.
Joseph DREXLER failed to present this program at the sponsored schools and in several cases did not even attempt to contact the sponsored schools to try to arrange the presentation.
Despite the lack of presentations being arranged, DREXLER continued to mislead the sponsoring business that several presentations were arranged and about to go ahead.
Should anyone have information that may assist in this investigation please contact D/Cst Lorena Mallinson #5852 of the Halton Regional Police Service Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825 4747 Ext 2334 or by email at Lorena.mallinson@haltonpolice.ca
By Pepper Parr
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The original target was 2166 to beat the previous record holder. The Hospital Foundation went for 3,500 people, which they figured they would need to get their name into the Guinness World Book of Records. Then Queen’s University came up with a plan of their own and set a new record of 3,373.
The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation found they had to up their number to 3374 from the original target if they were to make it into the Guinness Book. To be on the safe side the Foundation is aiming for 4000.
 The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation plans to put 4,000 people into that orange J that starts at the pier and works its way west along the edge of Spencer Smith Park. The record for this category in the Guinness Book of Records when the Hospital Foundation announced their plans was held by Dell Computers, who formed the slanted E in their logo with 2,166 people. “We required 2,167 people to break that record” said the Foundation in one of its initial releases.
For the safety of all participants, the first 4,000 people to register at Spencer Smith Park will be permitted to be a part of the Guinness World Records Official Attempt.
Getting that number into a single place for the ultimate photo op shouldn’t be a problem for this city . Gosh we put 12,000 into Spencer Smith Park for the Tragically Hip concert this summer and the Art Gallery of Burlington attracted 3,000 (some say the number was more than 3,500) to the fourth annual No Vacancy event.
“Join 4,000 of your closest friends and neighbours and set a Guinness World Records title” (GWR) bugled the Hospital Foundation.
 Anissa Hilborn, president of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, finds herself continually changing her target number to get into the Guinness Book of World records. What started out as 2166 has risen to 4000 people gathered together in Spencer Smith Park. “We’re trying to set the Guinness World Records title for the largest human letter, in the shape of the letter “J” — for Joseph Brant Hospital — to show support for the expansion and renovation project” said Anissa Hilborn, president of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation
The current record is held by Queen’s University, which formed a ‘Q’ with 3,373 people earlier this month, on September 6th. Burlington decided to up their target to 4000. And that is where they are going to have to top out they can only accommodate 4000 in the formation for safety reasons.
This all happens Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EDT) at Spencer Smith Park. There will be all kinds of sign showing you where to go.
This event is free; participants DO NOT need a ticket. They need to register to ensure we capture their name as a participant in the world record attempt.
The Foundation decided they would not be scanning tickets, so it is a ticket-less event.
When you arrive at the park you will be able to join the formation in any area. There will NOT be assigned sections, people will be asked to enter the formation upon arrival, and will remain there until the record attempt is complete and verified by the Guinness World Records judge on site.
Water and snacks will be provided, and there will be live entertainment throughout the day including a DJ and emcee on stage to keep participants informed. There will also be food trucks and once the record is broken. All participants will get an official Guinness World Records Title Holder keepsake.
 An aerial perspective of the renovation/rebuild of the Joseph Brant Hospital scheduled to open in 2018 Can Burlington do it – BEFORE someone sets an even higher record?
 By Staff
September 19, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette slipped a little on this one – the city issued a media release early in August; it took a little time to get caught up.
Here they go again – the Airpark has decided to appeal the Judgement handed down by Justice M. R, Gibson who, on June 30th sided with the city that asked the Court to compel the Airpark to comply with a city bylaw that required them to file a site plan.
The Airpark has dumped tonnes of landfill on the 200 acre air park property as part of a process to level out the land for future development.
The city had been battling this situation since 2013 when the Gazette first brought to city halls attention that trucks were rattling up and down Appleby Line with loads of landfill that was being spread on the property.
 Trucks loaded with land fill that no one really knew where it came from worked for months without any intervention from the city. A Gazette story put the issue on the front burner. At the time the Air Park argued that they came under federal jurisdiction and did not have to comply with municipal bylaws. That argument got shot down when Justice Murphy said that the Airpark did have to comply with city bylaws on those part of the Airpark that were not runway or taxiway features.
The Airpark appealed the Justice Murphy decision – that appeal lasted less than an hour – the Airpark appeal was dismissed and they were required to pay the city’s legal costs.
 Heavy construction equipment parked on a 30 foot + hill 50 yards from the kitchen window of the Sheldon property on Appleby Line next door to the Air Park landfill operation. The next step was for the city to chase the Airpark to have them file a site plan. The Airpark hired consultants to prepare the document but they never did file what Justice Murphy and the Court of Appeal said they were required to file.
Many months later the court case asking the court to compel the Airpark to file took place in one of the smallest court rooms one can imagine. Members of the north Burlington community and just about the complete executive of the Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition, squeezed into the room where lawyer Ian Blue, acting for the city, marshalled all kinds of court decisions – most which, it appeared, counsel for the Airpark didn’t appear to know anything about.
Justice Gibson handed down a decision that wasn’t quite as clear cut as the Justice Murphy decision. It was complex.
That appears to have been enough for the Airpark to appeal that decision as well.
 This Regional government map shows what the plans were for the Airpark. The Region had bought into the Vince Rossi argument that the Airpark was federally regulated. The City of Burlington is now going to discuss next steps. We looking at another 18 to 24 months for a decision from the Appeal Court.
The appeal, asks that the Gibson judgment be set aside and judgment be granted declaring City of Burlington By-Law 64-2014 to be ultra vires, or inapplicable to the operations of the Appellant, Burlington Airpark Inc., and in particular to the placement of soils in and about aircraft runways and aircraft taxiways at the Burlington Airpark (the “Airpark”) prior to April 27, 2013.”
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.
 Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Airpark and believed to be the sole shareholder of the private company, met with north Burlington residents. He took all the comments made “under advisement”.. On June 30, 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 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. The court has also ordered the Airpark to pay the city’s court costs.
It is that decision that is now being appealed.
“The city will be looking at its options, and will update the community as soon as more information is available, “said Nancy Shea-Nicol, the city’s solicitor and director of Legal Services. No date has yet been set for the appeal.
A favourable Appeal Court decision is vital to the Airpark. Once all the appeal option are exhausted the air park is expected to have to file a site plan – and that is when their fate is in the hands of the planning department.
There was no love lost between the Airpark and the Planning department who feel they have been jerked around by the Airpark.
 Airpark dumped more than 30 feet of landfill without a Site Plan. Owner of the adjacent property stands on her property line and wonders why anyone can build a “small mountain” next to her property without getting approval. She is also terrified over what the hill is doing to the value of her property and what the leaching out of the landfill is going to do to her well water. One possibility is for the city to demand that some, if not all of the land fill – some of which is believed to be below the required standards – be removed.
That has the potential to put the Airpark out of business – at which point investors who are believed to be waiting in the wings will make an offer for the property.
 By Staff
September 19, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
It was put together in 2102 to provide support for police officers who were killed or injured during the line of duty and whose families needed bridging support until pension and other benefits kicked in.
When a police service member is injured or killed in the line of duty, his or her family often requires immediate financial assistance, and cannot wait for insurance and other benefits to kick in.
 Keith Strong; the driving force behind the creation of the Halton Heroes Fund. It was discovering this gap between the timing of a serious incident and receipt of funds that inspired Keith Strong to lead a group of like-minded philanthropists, including Jim Frizzle, Cheryl Goldring, Dorothy Borovich, Les Vass and a community-based board of directors to act.
They provided their own resources and encouraged others to donate money, products and services to create The Halton Heroes Gala.
 From the left: Deputy Nishan Duraiappah, Tiger Ali Singh Jr., Tiger Jeet Singh Sr. and Chief Stephen Tanner (Photo by Halton Regional Police Service). The purpose of the event was two-fold: to raise awareness of the selfless work done every day by members our Halton Regional Police Service, and to generate money for an endowed fund, called the Halton Heroes Fund, that is held in trust by the Burlington Foundation.
The annual Gala was held last Friday
 By Staff
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The numbers were nothing to be proud of – dismal is perhaps the best description for the 2,299 Provincial Offence Notices handed out by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Traffic Services Unit during the week long Project Safe Start road safety initiative.
Now in its tenth year, Project Safe Start is a highly visible reminder to drivers that children are back in school and they need to slow down in and around school zones, watch for pedestrians, and pay attention to school crossing guards escorting children across busy intersections.
Over the course of the week long campaign, which ran from September 7 to 13, officers focused a number of dangerous driving behaviours, the top four of which were:
 Missed that stop sign – didn’t see it.
- 1: speeding,
2: disobeying stop signs,
3: distracted driving and
4: administrative offences.
Provincial Offence Notices were issued for these and other violations.
“Traffic safety is a Service and community priority in Halton Region,” said Sergeant Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit. “While Project Safe Start formally ends, officers will continue to enforce the rules of the road in a bid to make ours safer for everyone.”
Half of 1% of the Region’s population chose to put the lives of children going to school at significant risk.
Residents are reminded that they can file driving complaints or request enforcement of a particular area online at www.haltonpolice.ca under Most Requested Information -> Roadwatch or Traffic Complaints respectively.
Criminal/dangerous driving should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1.
Related article:
Stories people tell police when they get pulled over – and the language they use.
 By Pepper Parr
September 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
An interesting idea cropped up during our interview with Tim Cestnick, the newest member of the Burlington Foundation, which most of you will remember as the former Burlington community Foundation.
New members of any board need to take a little time to settle in and get a sense as to how the board has run in the past. Tim Cestnick and Tim Hogarth go back some time – both are polished senior executive types that know how to think through problems and take a strategic look at what the objective is. And both are now board members of the Foundation. Hogarth has been on the board for a period of time.
 The Foundation recently went through a re-branding and is well into the roll out of their Mental Health Awareness work they have been doing the past two years. They have a major speaker. Michael Landsberg, in town in October.
The number of Endowments they manage grows steadily as does the assets under administration – $10.7 million now.
The organization is readying itself for its Annual Gala that is being chaired by Rick Burgess this year. The event will be held at the Performing Arts centre on October 22nd.
  The Gala is a major fund raising event that covers the operational costs of the Foundation.
Every organization that relies on the public needs to constantly refresh itself and while a brand change perhaps perks things up a little, the meat is in the ideas they come forward with. And this is where Cestnick’s thoughts on just what philanthropy is all about are very relevant.
The vast majority of the people out there would say that people with a lot of money can become philanthropists – Cestnick doesn’t see it that way. He thinks we can tech people at the high school level to think in terms of being philanthropists.
“Why can’t a high school student can’t set aside a small sum each year and make that their philanthropic donation – something that would be built on each year?
We have United Way for that might be a response – and it is a good one.
If one looks at the annual Terry Fox run that takes place in Burlington every year you get a sense of how a public will take to an idea; how they will respond to something that changed the way they see the world.
 Others are already involving their youth in philanthropic ventures. Philanthropy allows that kind of thing. The United Way seeks funds to provide services. The Burlington Foundation came to the realization that we need to look at Mental Health differently and bring it in out of the cold where it wasn’t talked about – we just felt sorry for those who were experiencing bad mental health.
The Foundation now has a program in place that has people talking about mental health and what has to change in the way we deal with this now growing social problem. That hasn’t been the kind of work that organizations like the United Way are doing. This is not to take anything away from what the United Way does – we could not survived as a caring society if we did not have the United Way in place.
 Tim Cestnick newest Burlington Foundation Board member. Tim Cestnick talks in terms of people needing to “feel” it when they are donating money. You give something up, you do without something you enjoy when you choose to make a philanthropic donation.
If I understood Tim Cestnick correctly he is interested in introducing people to the idea that there is something biblical about philanthropy and I got the impression it was something he might try to get on the Foundation agenda.
It will be interesting to see if this goes anywhere – it should.
Related article:
Cestnick appointed to Burlington Foundation board.
 By Pepper Parr
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It went well, it went very well.
The MoonGlade event put on by No Vacancy in partnership with the Art Gallery of Burlington was a huge improvement over the event last year. Shows what a curated event can be.
When Denis Longchamps, Chief Curator, added his skill set to No Vacancy’s organizational talents the city ended up with an event that can only grow. We are all winners with this one.
 The tunnel portion of Kune Hua’s installation It is an event Burlingtonians are going to have to grow into. Among the 17 “installations” pieces the one put on by Kune Hua was by far the most popular. While it wasn’t “art” per se, it certainly attracted a lot of people.
There was a line up outside the installation even though most people didn’t know what it was until they got inside and had a conversation with Kune who talked to everyone who passed through.
 Part of the Kune Hua installation consisted of a number of tents set up – people went in and just talked to the person inside. About what? We didn’t ask – hundreds lined up. It was described by one arts professional as something that was more philosophical than installation art – but it appealed to people.
Kune was on a high when the event came to a close; he sent a thank you out to all those involved and said: “What an incredible night! 🌸🌝 Feeling so much love 💗 and the light ✨ was certainly bright tonight. The LOVE garden was in full bloom and hundreds of people picked up the fragrance. Thank you so so much to everyone who helped make this happen from creating it, supporting it and experiencing it! It truly was a magical night.”
Jim Riley was given the space he needed for his visual installation.
One person who attended said the Art Gallery had probably never seen this many people in the place at one time before.
An added bonus for the people who went to take part in MoonGlade was the “stitched art” exhibit that was on at the same time. Unfortunately many, if not most people didn’t realize that the work was unique and one of the best shows of stitching, which is an offshoot of quilting, that will be seen in this province.
Kelly Bruton of Newfoundland had an excellent installation that called for some interaction to be fully appreciated.
 Shevon Madden’s installation. Shevnon Madden’s installation of a wire sculpture of a horse head with all the musculature of the neck clearly delineated was quite stunning. Her visual and vocal commentary made a telling point on how we train animals.
Longchamps wanted a much more hands on approach and art that was both interactive and made a social comment. For the most part he got much of what he wanted.
What was missing was public interaction.
 The Deconstruction table – created by Kelly Bruton Kelly Bruton had difficulty getting people to spend any time at either her destruct or reconstruct tables. The object was cut up T-shirts into strips of cloth and use the strips to make rugs.
 The reconstruction table. What we noticed was that people flitted from one installation to another and didn’t quite know what to do when they got there.
The exception was the Kune Hua installation. No one was able to say quit why it worked – just that it did. And that can be said for everything about MoonGlade.
 It was mediation and music – which is what many wanted. The Beer Garden went well; the Food Trucks met the need and the music was just fine.
Look for this event to be repeated next year. Kune Hua hasn’t a clue as to what he will do for a repeat. He has a full year to think that through.
By Pepper Parr
September 19th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Tempers flare, fists fly and suddenly there is a Mother with two children looking for a safe place to say. Another family is in the process of destroying itself and the net that we call out social network has to be brought in to prevent things from getting any worse.
Diane Beaulieu, Executive Director of Halton Woman’s Place knows the way these things are going to roll out – and she doesn’t have anywhere near the resources she needs to handle the problems that come her way.
 Reception area – designed to put women in crisis at ease and assure them they are in a safe place. My job is a 24/7 operation” she said. And all she has to meet the need is 52 beds and it just isn’t enough; the 30 beds in Burlington and another 22 in Milton are always in use. Beds is making it sound like a flop house – rooms is the better term – but no matter what name you place on them – there aren’t enough to meet the needs.
The woman in the shelter stay there until they can find affordable housing in a safe place. “We plan on having the women with us for six weeks but it often turns into a six month stay” adds Beaulieu. “There just isn’t enough affordable housing in the Regional system and the market for affordable housing in Burlington is priced beyond the reach of most single parents.
Women in crisis go to the top of the list for affordable housing but that still means many months – years in some cases.
The shelter in Burlington was purpose built in 2001 – it is located in a nice setting, tucked away from the mainstream.
As part of a pilot project the province has put up $875,000 in funds into a program that will give funds to women to pay their first and last month rent in private sector housing.
The program is being run by the Region’s Employment Housing & Social Services Division, located at 690 Dorval Drive, 7th Floor, Oakville.
Many feel the solution is to work with the developers who are working close to flat out on more than five different projects in Burlington that are condominium developments for the most part and look for ways to involve them in the creation of housing space that is affordable. This is a complex social issue and solutions are not going to be easy to find. Hard to get elected on doing something for the disadvantaged.
Beaulieu has a staff of 52 people who do case work management and operate what is a very tight security system at the Burlington location.
 Purpose built in 2001 the 30 room residence is a safe haven for women while they re-orient their lives. The Region could use five more like this tomorrow. Violence against women is serious stuff – there are women who have lost their lives as a result of physical abuse. The emotional damage to women who are abused and their children is incalculable and it is expensive.
Included in the staffing compliment are four people who do educational work in the high school system
There is a senior police official assigned as the liaison for the shelters.
Along with public education and the need for more affordable housing there is a need for a stronger buy into the needs from the general public.
“We aren’t all that high on the top of mind scale” said Beaulieu. “And we need to be.”
By Staff
September 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Something in the order of 1000 British motor cars covered the grassy fields at Bronte Provincial Park today as the Toronto Triumph Club hosted their 33rd annual British Car Day.
 This MG was an 80 year old model – running like a charm. Millions of pounds of machinery from a low-end 1950 Morris Series MM to “the Rolls Royce of cars”, the Rolls Royce. And more if price is no object.
There Jaguars (or Jag-u-ars depending upon your pronunciation), Triumph, Lotus, Sunbeam, MG and Land Rovers.
 The close-up photo of the engine that drives the Morgan Three wheeler.  Alan Harrington got behind the wheel of the Morgan Three Wheeler. The oldest car was a 1933 Morgan 3 wheeler painted a very light sky-blue.
The owner has had the car for 50 years. It seats two but the passenger on the left has to help with left/right hand signals.
 Fords Yellow 1994 TVR Griffith 500 Getting in and out of this “no-door” three wheeler is a minor task even for a yoga master.
There were Marcos, Bentley, Hillman, Daimler, BMW’s and Fords Yellow 1994 TVR Griffith 500 (lic UK)
At the back of the field are a dozen DeLoreans lined up gull-wing to gull-wing. DMC was the star of the Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux capacitor. DeLoreans were made in Northern Ireland that allows them to join all the other British made vehicles.
 The Rolls Royce with a table in the rear Harrington was quite taken with the Grey Poupon mustard.  The trusty Land Rover that really didn’t need the Union Jack to show its British pedigree. Alan Harrington, who is a regular at this annual event, managed to get himself behind the wheel of the Morgan; getting out was apparently a bit of a challenge.
Cars on display with anniversary years included MG TA Midget and Triumph Vitesse (80 years) the RED one in the photo and Morris Minor 1000 (60 years), cream coloured in the background of the photo with the gentleman with fancy hosiery.
 The DeLorean was used in the Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux capacitor. Comment from a reader: “Land Rover that didn’t need the British flag…” was really a second world war Willys MB made in Toledo, Ohio. The Land Rover and the Austin Gypsy were England’s answer to the Willys Jeep, which was the original. The role it played in defending England from Nazi tyranny is apparently good enough to allow it into this all-British event, and I enjoy seeing them displayed. Incidentally, the Land Rover display was the largest I have ever seen and also very enjoyable.
The music played during the event was was all 60’s British Invasion music; the treat for the nose was the faint whiff of incomplete gasoline combustion.
Food was available for the other senses.
All the photographs were taken by Harrington, except for the one of him in the Morgan – that was taken by Dave smith, the owner of the vehicle.
Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux
The show is an annual event – takes place the third Sunday of September – website –
https://www.torontotriumph.com/BCD/
By Pepper Parr
September 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Tim Cestnick is an account; FCPA, FCA, CPA(IL), CFP, TEP, that kind of an accountant.
When he came a Chartered account his father bought him a set of license plates with Tim CA on them. But he is no run of the mill bean counter.
 Tim Cestnick: FCPA, FCA, CPA(IL), CFP, TEP, He is a tax specialist with 16 book titles to his name and a reputation as one of the better tax specialists in the country. He writes a regular column in the Globe and Mail which resulted from his first book, which he self-published when he left one of the big five accounting firms in Toronto and joined Bateman McKay in Burlington where he felt he was able to be his own person.
He called Chapters and asked if they would sell copies of his book – they ordered 50 copies, which didn’t impress Tim at all. Chapters eventually sold 8,000 copies, which in the Canadian market is close to being a best seller.
Tim likes to explain things to people – take the complex and make it understandable – and if anything deserves the description complex it is the tax act.
 Cestnick has a passion for the “not for profit” sector to which he brings a set of values that one doesn’t see in the accounting field all that often.
Cestnick was asked to give a presentation to an annual meeting of what was then the Burlington Community Foundation. Little did he know that Colleen Mulholland, president of that organization, was in the process of grooming him as a future Director.
Tim took a year and a half to decide if the Foundation was a good place for him to serve his community. Philanthropy is big stuff for Tim. He frequently advises people on what they should give and what the tax implications are.
But giving isn’t a tax advantage. Tim believes people should “feel it” when they give. For him giving is biblical.
“Use the tax rules to your advantage but realize that giving, real giving, is a chance to change your life” says Cestnick. And he means it
Making a donation is really a person setting a limit on what they are willing to do. And he believes that if you don’t “feel” it when you give, the gift for the giver is lost.
 Time management is probably Tim’s highest priority. He thinks about where he donates his time. He serves on the board of the Christian Academy where the work is very much hands on. The tasks he will have at the Foundation are more strategic where he will work with Ron Foxcroft and Tim Hogarth along with the other board members. The two Tims will manage to keep Foxcroft, who is the current chair, on the agenda.
The Burlington Foundation uses the same funds management organization as the Hamilton Foundation. Cestnick expects to be involved in some of the oversight work.
What he will bring to the Foundation is a set of values; the kind that don’t fit in all that well with “old boy networks”, which is not to suggest that the Foundation is anywhere near being an old boys network but it is where people with loads of money are made welcome and expect a level of treatment others don’t get.
Entitlement and philanthropy tend to get joined at the hip – I came away from my interview with Tim Cestnick feeling that entitlement isn’t something he places a lot of emphasis on.
 Tim likes the idea of growing the idea of philanthropy – younger people can become philanthropists by donating a small sum every year he suggests. Philanthropy has gotten known as a big money game; Tim think it could be something different. Will that idea hold away at the board? Time will tell.
The Foundation has become known as a leader in the development of changes in the way citizens in Burlington look at Mental Health.
In 2014 they were the lead on organizing the flood fund raising and with Ron Foxcroft badgering the banks they way few people can badger – the Foundation managed to raise just shy of $1 million in 100 days.
 That was a herculean effort and not something Mulholland wants to do again – but the results were a testament to just what they can do when called upon to serve.
Tim, if asked, would probably tell you ‘we are here to serve’.
The Burlington Foundation is lucky to have him.
Now let’s see what they get done.
The Foundation holds their annual Gala event which will take place at the Performing Arts Centre on October 22nd.
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