 By Staff
June 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits did to the Guelph Royals what the league has been doing to them almost since the beginning of the season – beating the daylights out of their opponent.
The Bandits have been longer in the basement most of the time but yesterday they served up the Royals their fifth straight loss.
Christian Hauck (2-1) scattered four hits and one run over seven innings to lead the Burlington Bandits to a 10-1 win over the Guelph Royals Saturday afternoon.
Hauck survived seven walks and struck out four.
Justin Gideon tripled, singled and drove in three while scoring twice. He also walked three times. Jim Martin had two hits and two RBI, Carlos Villoria drove in a run on three hits, Kevin Hussey had two hits, an RBI and scored twice. Adam Odd, Canice Ejoh and John Whaley all drove in a run.
Matt Schmidt had the Royals’ lone RBI. Jeff MacLeod singled twice.
Evan DiMichelle (0-4) lasted four outs and gave up four runs on four hits, walking four and striking out two.
The Royals and Bandits are tied for last place with 4-12 records. Guelph has lost five straight games.
The Kitchener Panthers beat the league leading London Royals in battle for first place.
Needing a win to move into first place, Cory Hammond stepped up for the London Majors.
Hammond (2-0) struck out five in a complete-game victory as the Majors beat Kitchener 2-1 Saturday night and moved past the Panthers atop the standings. Hammond scattered 10 hits and didn’t walk a batter.
Keith Kandel drove in both London runs with a bases loaded single in the second inning. He added a double and accounted for two of the Majors’ five hits.
Ian Rendon (3-1) took the loss for Kitchener, allowing two runs on five hits over 7.1 innings, striking out eight and walking four.
Sean Reilly hit a solo home run in the third inning. Terrell Alliman had three of the Panthers’ 10 hits, while Justin Interisano added two singles.
London (13-4) is a half game ahead of Kitchener, which dropped to 12-4.
Third-place Baycats win third straight
Kyle DeGrace and Brandon Dhue each hit their first home runs of the season as the Barrie Baycats beat the Hamilton Cardinals 13-5 Saturday afternoon.
DeGrace added a single and had two RBI and two runs, while Dhue finished 3-for-5 with three RBI and three runs. Ryan Spataro had four hits, two runs and an RBI, Jordan Castaldo, Zach Sardelletti and Jared McCord each had two hits and drove in a run, and Kevin Atkinson had an RBI. Jeremy Walker singled twice and scored twice.
On the mound, Brett Lawson (3-1) got the win after throwing 5.1 innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits, striking out three and walking two.
For Hamilton, Dre Celestijn finished a double short of the cycle, driving in a pair of runs. Geoffrey Seto had an RBI, and Jake Osborne had two singles and scored a run.
Kyle Adoranti (0-4) took the loss, giving up nine runs on 13 hits before he was pulled with one out in the sixth. Adoranti struck out three and walked three.
The third-place Baycats won their third straight and are 11-6. Sixth-place Hamilton fell to 5-13.
Future games
Sunday, June 19
Brantford at London, 1:05 p.m.
Guelph at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Burlington at Hamilton, 2 p.m.
Barrie at Kitchener, 7 p.m.
 By Staff
June 18th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
It took six months of investigative work – but on Friday the Halton Regional Police executed eleven Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants in the Halton and Hamilton area.
This was a combined operation involving the Hamilton, Waterloo and Niagara police services.
HRPS investigators have arrested 10 people for various drug and weapons offences. The seizures included:
8 kg of cocaine
63 kg of dry marihuana
a cannabis resin (shatter) lab
1.5 kg cannabis resin (shatter)
1.5 kg of psilocybin
$106 000.00 Canadian currency
9-mm loaded handgun
16 Percocet tablets
2 ballistic vests
1 replica handgun
Estimated street value of seized drugs: $1,465,000.00
Estimated wholesale value of seized drugs: $680,000.00
Charged are:
Anh Tuan NGUYEN (32yrs) of Oakville -Charges: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Knowledge Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Adult Possession Prohibited Device, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device, Unsafe Storage, Possession of a Loaded Firearm
Thanh Van NGUYEN (28yrs) of Hamilton -Charges: Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x 4, Possession of Controlled Substance x 2
Van Lo NGUYEN (34yrs) of Hannon -Charges: Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking Van Dung LE (27yrs) of Hamilton -Charges: Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x 3
Van Hai HOANG (28yrs) of Hamilton -Charges: Possession for the purpose x 5, Possession x 2 Cuong HOANG (31yrs) of Hamilton -Charges: Possession of a Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x 2, Possession of Controlled Substance
Kim Phuon NGUYEN (28yrs) of Toronto- Charges: Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Knowledge Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Adult Possession Prohibited Device, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Unauthorized Possession of a Prohibited Device, Unsafe Storage, Possession of a Loaded Firearm
Trevor STAFFORD (34yrs) of Hamilton – Charges: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Produce a Controlled Substance
Michael GREENAWAY (35yrs) of Hamilton-Charges: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking x2, Produce a Controlled Substance
Van Vuong LE (53yrs) of Hamilton-Charges: Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, Produce a Controlled Substance The Halton Regional Police Service believes they have disrupted a significant drug trafficking network in the Halton – Hamilton corridor.
Anyone with knowledge related to this or other drug / weapons crime is asked to call the Halton Police Drug Unit at 905-878-5511 OR Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). -30-
 By Staff
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Now this is a real trip down memory lane.
The people who are in the process of refurbishing Freeman station – now that they have saved it from a wrecking ball – are holding a railway nostalgia workshop as part of Seniors’ Month.
The event will take place at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre Tuesday, June 21st, 1:30 – 3:00 PM
It will be a chance to share personal stories about traveling through the Burlington Junction Station.
 Can you date this picture? The car might help. They would love it if you brought any pictures you might have.
 By Staff
June 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Due to unexpected technical difficulties, www.burlingtontransit.ca – the online Trip Planner has been temporarily shut down while a solution is found.
The Gazette first reported problems with the computer application.
For access to real-time departure information, please call 905-639-0550 or visit Burlington Transit’s online schedules for scheduled departure times.
The Sound of Music Program for Saturday June 18th plus who is doing what at the five pods on Saturday.
And at 11 am the Festival parade which begins at Central Park; travels along Caroline Street to Pearl Street, west on James Street, then turns north on Brant Street, ending at Central High School.
 
 By Staff
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Is the Sound of Music about music or is it about people?
 Close to a full moon made it a wonderful summer evening. Friday evening was about as good a June evening as you are ever going to get.
Spencer Smith Park was packed. And yes some were listening to the music – the space in front of the five stages was jammed with people but there were just as many – perhaps more, milling about.
The Elwin’s were on the TD stage; at one point the singer barked out “There is no place I would rather be than right here in Burlington”. The crowd roared its approval.
Small craft were anchored close to the promenade, it looked as if there was a Coast Guard ship offshore.
The lights of the Skyway Bridge provided a backdrop; the surface of the lake was like glass – not even a ripple.
 The Ferris wheel and the carnival part of the grounds seemed a little bigger this year. There was a pleasant breeze coming in off the lake while goofy boys were trying to not pay attention to the girls who were walking quickly in group’s of at least three from place to place – seldom knowing just where the next place was.
The music was often more loud than good but the audience was eating it up.
 Emilie – Claire Barlow on the Cogeco stage in Civic Square Emilie-Claire Barlow was on the stage at Civic Square where the audience was quieter but very appreciative of the talent on the stage.
The different groups spread out along Brant street had their own followings with Dance schools showing people how to do different steps.
Couples were out for an evening; parents out with their kids – just a nice summer evening where you would bump into friends and chat.
There were a lot of paramedics and police officers – was the crowd ever at any risk?
When it was time to close down for the night the thousands of people walked along at a decent pace to the exits and on up the streets north of Lakeshore Road.
 This reporter didn’t see one dis-orderly person.
The evening had gone well.
By Staff
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The participants in the Inter County Baseball league who will play in the All star game have been announced
The players were nominated and selected by the field managers of the IBL.
The Barrie Baycats are hosting the 2016 IBL All-Star Game on Saturday, July 2nd at Coates Stadium in Barrie, Ontario and the game will feature the IBL All-Stars against the Canadian National Junior Team with first pitch set for 2:00 p.m.
There are just two players from the Burlington Bandits on the roster.
Ouch!
Justin Gideon and Christian Hauck got the call.
2016 IBL ALL-STAR ROSTER
P – Justin Marra, Toronto Maple Leafs
P – Chris Nagorski, Barrie Baycats
P – Jamie Richmond, Brantford Red Sox
P – Nathan Forer, Brantford Red Sox
P – Christian Hauck, Burlington Bandits
P – AJ Mackey, Guelph Royals
P – Phil Owen, Kitchener Panthers
P – Owen Boon, London Majors
P – Elis Jimenez, London Majors
P – Oscar Perez, London Majors
C – Kyle Degrace, Barrie Baycats
IF – Jordan Castaldo, Barrie Baycats
IF – Kevin Atkinson, Barrie Baycats
IF – Conner Morro, Barrie Baycats
C – Ricky Murray, Brantford Red Sox
2B – Ben Bostick, Brantford Red Sox
2B – Brandon Dailey, Brantford Red Sox
C – Tyler Hardie, Hamilton Cardinals
IF – Mike Glinka, Kitchener Panthers
1B – Sean Reilly, Kitchener Panthers
IF – Mike Ambrose, London Majors
1B – Jon Waltenbury, Toronto Maple Leafs IF – Johnathan Solazzo, Toronto Maple Leafs OF – Ryan Spataro, Barrie Baycats OF – Justin Gideon, Burlington Bandits OF – Chandler McLaren, Guelph Royals OF – Dre Celestijn, Hamilton Cardinals OF – Tanner Nivins, Kitchener Panthers OF – Byron Reichstein, London Majors
 Last game of the season last year for the Bandits was an exciting game – it looked possible in the closing innings.
By Staff
June 13th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Transit is adjusting weekday schedules on June 27, 2016 to align with the scheduling changes by GO Transit on the Lakeshore West weekday peak trains.
“These changes will improve transit connections at GO Stations in Burlington,” said Mike Spicer, director, Burlington Transit.
 The south side of the Burlington GO station – that seems to be going on forever. GO is revising their schedules which will result in a changes to the Burlington transit schedule. Routes 101 Express and Route 1 – Plains Road. “We are also experiencing a larger than projected ridership increase (in the 8 to 10% range) on the Route 101 Express. As a result, we will be increasing its rush-hour frequency to every 15 minutes.
Route 1 Plains will move to a 30-minute frequency.”
101 Express is getting an increase in time – every 15 minutes. Plains Road # 1 will get a decrease to every 30 minutes.
All changes will take effect on June 27, 2016. These will be minor changes
There will be more schedule adjustments once the Burlington GO Station construction is complete this fall when all buses will be routed to the station’s south platform.
 By Ray Rivers
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a rare moment.
Democrat and republican senators actually agreed to prohibit the sale of assault weapons to people whose names appeared on a terrorist-watch or no-fly list. In fact automatic assault weapons, like the US army’s M16, are restricted. So in theory civilians can no more legally obtain one of these any easier than they could a fully-functioning tank, B-52 bomber or a nuclear missile. But getting one of their semi-automatic cousins is a different story.
Bill Clinton, in 1994, signed a full-on ban for all assault weapons, though he had to include a ten year sunset clause to get the bill through Congress. And since GW Bush was president while the sun was setting, the ban wasn’t re-instated on its best before date, making it open season for gun buyers. So it’s no wonder that these assault weapons have been the first choice of the perpetrators of America’s mass shootings/killings since then.
 Less than $1000 retail The popular AR15 is a lightweight, compact rifle, which only requires a slight shift of one’s finger to fire off a round. And there can be as many as 30 rounds of ammo in the magazine should one want to do a lot of damage. It’s not clear how long it took the mad gunman to empty his magazine and re-load before he killed almost 50 people and wounded almost as many in that crowded night club in Orlando Florida last weekend, but it wouldn’t have been long.
Assault rifles have only one purpose, since they make lousy target or hunting guns – we once again we saw how effective they can be in the hands of a terrorist. Believe it or not it is possible to purchase one of these agents of death in Canada, if you are prepared to go through the hoops and hurdles. But then the weapon is restricted for use only on the target range.
As for US president Obama, gun control has to be one of his biggest failings. After each mass kill, he would rail and try to get new legislation to ban these guns. But like the cartoon character Elmer Fudd, he never could quite bag that prize. After Orlando the frustrated US leader complained that suspects on a terrorist-watch or no-fly list aren’t allowed to board a plane in the US but are free to buy an assault rifle.
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Senate democrats picked up the theme and after a marathon filibuster session managed to get bi-partisan agreement. And It didn’t hurt that prospective GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump found himself also concurring.
 Charlton Heston clutching a rife at a National Rifle Association convention, Trump at one point in his life had been an advocate of more gun control. That is until the NRA (National Rifle Association) endorsed him for president. So now he argues teachers should also be gun slingers and that the best way to reduce gun killings is for everyone to carry a gun. Does he have a point? Had some of the partiers in that Orlando nightclub been carrying, instead of just carrying-on, they might have been able to take out the shooter before the count got to 49 fatalities.
But by extension that is a patently illogical argument. It’s true that mutually assured destruction may have kept nuclear armed nations from using their weapons, but would the same approach work for ordinary civilians? Defenders of loose gun laws are hardly driven by logic, meaningful empirical research or reason. But all they need to do is consider how loose guns were a failure even in the Wild West. Indeed the Wyatt Earps’ of that day kept the peace only by keeping the guns out of Dodge. Their gun laws were tougher than most American states have today and they worked.
Assuming the US House of Representatives also agrees to the modest assault rifle restriction, this would be a tiny step towards sensible gun policy south of the border. And a long march always begins with a first step in the right direction. That direction would be where Japan and Australia have marched, with gun laws that make mass shootings almost unimaginable.
The Chretien government made such a mess of introducing universal long-gun registration in this country two decades ago, that its eventual dismantling by the subsequent right-wing government was almost a given. And sure enough, once Harper got his majority he shut it down and destroyed all of the records which had been collected at significant public expense. In another blow to national unity he forced Quebec’s government into court in a failed attempt by that province to use those records as the basis for its own long-gun registry.
Perhaps as a sop to the western gun lobby the Trudeau government decided to campaign against bringing back the long-gun registry, in fact calling its creation a mistake. Still he did make several gun control promises during last year’s election, which are still in process.
 This is all you need in Canada One of those was to implement Canada’s obligations under the International Arms Trade Treaty, requiring manufactures and importers to place special markings on guns. The Harper government, likely in deference to the National Firearms Association (Canada’s NRA), had procrastinated on this simple requirement which facilitates international armament tracking.
And if eliminating the gun registry wasn’t enough, one Conservative MP, a mere month before the Orlando disaster, presented a petition to de-restrict the sale of assault weapons here in Canada. That would mean anyone with a firearms possession certificate could belly up to their local gun shop and bring one of those beauties home to show their little woman or man. Then it’s off to the woods to see about finally bagging that bunny in the bushes – or worse, for some other kind of hunting in a more public place.
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 was also a candidate in the 1995 provincial election
Background links:
Samantha Bee – US Guns – US Gun Laws
Guns and Crime in Canada –
Obama on Guns –
More Obama –
LGBT Orlando –
Trump –
More Trump –
US Gun Debate – Guns and the Wild West – Gun Marking Canada –
More Marking –
Liberal Promises –
Assault Weapons in Canada –
 By Staff
June 16, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Are you a soprano? An alto? A tenor maybe? Ah – then a bass?
Wayne Strongman, conductor of the 2016 Lowville Festival choir has put out a call to anyone interested in being part of a choir.
Rehearsal is Wednesday July 20th; 7:00 pm at the Lowville United Church.
 Rehearsals will take place in the Lowville United Church Concert takes place Friday July 22nd at St. Georges Anglican Church hall
The repertoire will include classical, musical theatre and folk songs
An ability to read music is a definite plus but it not mandatory.
This looks like a fun choir, a one shot deal with just the one practice. It will get you out of the house.
Wayne Strongman, the Festival Choir conductor Wayne was born in Hamilton and assumed his first position as church organist and choirmaster in the city at the age of 16. From there he went on to found Toronto’s Tapestry Opera, the country’s leading creator and producer of chamber operas, of which he was the Artistic Producer for 35 years.
He was the Artistic Director of Hamilton’s Bach-Elgar Choir from 1984-98.
If you have questions the man you want to talk to is Robert Missen – he is at: Robert Missen <rmissen@sympatico.ca>
By Pepper Parr
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With a unanimous agreement to accept the staff recommendation on just when French Immersion classes should start attention now has to be given to just how this might work out and the processes that need to be put in place to monitor.
Both Director Stuart Miller and Associate Director David Boag responded to trustee questions regarding the entry point to the program, the intensity of immersion, role of instructional staff in assisting parents to make an informed decision regarding entry to the program, special needs students and supports for their success.
 Miller confirmed the French Advisory Committee will be reconstituted to look at implementation and ongoing issues. Two minor but related motions were passed.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller on the right. One was to ensure that an annual report be added to the report schedule (starting in 2018), outlining the percentage and number of Grade 1 students in each elementary school that have registered for French Immersion or English programs for the following year, and that this report highlight any schools where fewer than 20 students have registered for the Grade 2 English program and that any school where registration percentages for French Immersion have increased from prior years and provide an action plan to address the enrollment in those schools.
The trustees resolved that additional minutes be added to the Core French Program. A recommendation will be brought back to the Board.
With the decision to introduce French Immersion at the grade two level and not do so until the 2017/18 year the board has time to prepare and to put processes in place to measure the changes.
During the discussion Wednesday evening Director Miller advised the board that the current uptake of French Immersion could not remain at the current level. He said it was not sustainable and that he felt a reduction in the order of about 7.5% was needed.
The gamble for the board is that the decision they made Wednesday evening will allow parents to rethink how French Immersion is going to be managed in Halton.
It will be a challenge.
 By Pepper Parr
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are going to try it again – and maybe this time produce more in the way of results.
The Hamilton and Burlington Chambers of commerce are holding their second Bay Area Economic Summit, to promote strategic cooperation between the two cities to advance their respective regional economic development, prosperity and quality of life.
Burlington should be grateful for letting Hamilton allow us to hitch our little wagon to the freight train they have pulling their economy.
 No reason why this shouldn’t be a relationship made in heaven – does it need an office dedicated to nurturing the relationship? While Hamilton city council seems to be waffling all over the planned LRT that gets loads of mention they do have a smoking economic agenda and is now the place to move to for all those Torontonians who were not able to convince their bank managers to go along with the size of the mortgage needed to buy a home in that city.
Hamilton is literally bristling with economic development.
Burlington outsourced its economic growth to an Economic Development corporation that said at its inception it needed time to gather meaningful data on which it could base their decisions.
Lots of data – but not very many decisions – they did put out an interesting graphic that WORDS.
 Art work used by the Burlington Economic Development Corporation. Did it manage to sell anything? The Economic Summit is taking place at Royal Botanical Gardens, half of which is in Hamilton and some in Burlington, on Tuesday June 21, 7:30 am-5:00 pm, followed by a leadership reception.
Premier Wynne will be speaking – she might want to avoid explaining why Burlington now has two Cabinet Ministers because she convinced old war horse Ted McMeekin that he could live life better by doing less.
The Liberals now own the political landscape in Burlington – but Hamilton is the city experience healthy economic growth.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring, will play key roles in the proceedings – Eisenberg has the better jokes. There will be an update from the federal government on stimulus funding opportunities available to the Bay Area community – that will keep both Mayors paying close attention.
The media release spoke of building “on the momentum” of last year’s inaugural intercity summit; the recommendations were cited in a post-event discussion paper.
“This year, we’ll focus on significant opportunities of mutual interest ranging from regional transportation and growth management to big data, workforce development and environmental stewardship,” said Keanin Loomis, president and CEO, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce. “It’s all about responding to the needs of our stakeholders and building a bay area partnership required to strengthen teamwork, and attract talent and investment.”
The agenda, built around the tagline Leading Change in a Regional Age, will dive into three interrelated themes of interest to decision- and policy-makers on both sides of the bay and beyond:
The evolving role of the Bay Area in a growing regional and international economy
Strategies and tactics to position the Bay Area for long term success
Priority planning and actions to drive collaborative change
 Mayor Rick Goldring with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at Burlington’s Rib Fest. She visits the city frequently but doesn’t sprinkle any pixie dust. In addition to morning and noon hour plenary sessions that provide a platform for key messages and announcements, the agenda will include 12 interactive breakouts on topics ranging from regional superclusters and transformations in healthcare to waterfront development and mixed use transit hubs, to name a few.
The summit will wrap up with the release of a communique crafted by event leaders that outlines a commitment to key actions moving forward.
The first summit set out some early steps for an organization that would continue the dialogue that began in 2015.
Feedback during and after BAES 2015 demonstrated great enthusiasm for the initiative and a desire to do it again in 2016. The boards, members and staff of the Hamilton and Burlington Chambers of Commerce are therefore committed to reconvene all stakeholders in June 2016 and to advance (in the interim and beyond) the shared agenda that has emerged from our efforts.
The most important commitments required at this time are from the Bay Area Subcommittee and the Cities of Burlington and Hamilton, including both Mayor’s Offices and Economic Development Departments. We are looking for involvement and investments at the same levels as 2015.
Rationale: The summit provides an existing high profile, multi-sector platform to advance informed thinking and action on the subject of Bay Area cooperation.
Achieve and Promote Early Successes: We will work with our partners to help advance signature Bay Area initiatives that are ripe for success, for example:
- Help secure formal provincial recognition of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System as Ontario’s first “urban biosphere park”
- Help support the exchange of local best practices related to planning and intensification — a topic of growing importance to Hamilton and Burlington
- Help ensure the growth of “women in leadership” initiatives throughout the Bay Area
Rationale: Early successes in the advancement of the Bay Area will provide proof points and generate momentum moving forward.
Assign Dedicated Resources: If there is a desire to maintain the momentum and take advantage of the opportunities associated with further collaboration, we see the need to establish a part-time office dedicated to providing an interim organizational structure for intercity cooperation in the near and long term. Funding for the office would be provided by a consortium of stakeholders, including the City of Hamilton and City of Burlington.
Two immediate priorities for the office:
Form an intercity, multi-sector task force to investigate and report on proven partnership models that could be implemented locally to structure, fund, mobilize and sustain Bay Area cooperation over time. The task force would share its findings and recommendations at future summits.
Help local groups and organizations committed to Bay Area cooperation advance their shared initiatives — e.g., joint events, research, advocacy, planning, etc. A particular focus would be placed on helping achieve select “quick wins.”
Rationale: A dedicated office co-funded and supported by key Bay Area stakeholders would ensure that sufficient time and resources are applied to the important work of coordinating and driving the advancement of the Bay Area as a hub for economic development and quality of life.
This amounts to yet another office that will churn out reports and keep mid-level bureaucrats employed.
The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System isn’t going to create jobs that add to the wealth of the community – money will be transfered from one pocket of the bureaucracy to another.
Burlington has significant residential development underway – part of the drive to meet intensification targets that had already been met. The city is posting house price increases year over year in the 12% plus range – something that isn’t sustainable and makes the city too expensive a place for people who might find jobs in the city.
 Can the guy on the left negotiate a better deal than the guy on the right ? James Ridge, city manager for Burlington wants to convince Chris Murray, city manager for Hamilton to sell some water lots. What Burlington needs is a stronger employment base – that hasn’t been forthcoming despite a significant reset at the Economic Development Corporation.
There is one deal that could be closed at the summit – settling on a price for the water lots at LaSalle Park – any bets on who is going to get the better of that deal?
To register or learn more, visit www.bayareasummit.ca or contact Whitney Eames at w.eames@hamiltonchamber.ca or 905-522-1151 x 100.
 By Staff
June 17th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Brantford and Burlington:
A four-run eighth inning gave the Brantford Red Sox a win over Bandits making up for a sloppy start that ended with the Bandits losing 9-5 Thursday night.
Brantford led 1-0 after the first inning on Ricky Murray’s RBI single, but the Bandits scored five runs the second – four of them unearned – after the Red Sox committed two of its four errors.
The Red Sox chipped away and tied the game in the seventh before pulling away in the eighth. Nic Burdett delivered the decisive blow, belting a three-run blast with two out and Brantford holding a one-run lead. Burdett also singled twice for a three-hit game.
 Despite a decent start the Bandits lost the game to the Brantford Red Sox. Murray finished with two hits, two RBI and two runs, Dan Jagdeo drove in a pair, Dennon Koziol had an RBI, while Benjamin Bostick singled and doubled, and Brandon Dailey scored four times. Jeff Hunt added two hits, an RBI and run.
Jamie Richmond (1-1) went seven innings for the win, giving up five runs (one earned) on nine hits, striking out three and walking two.
Canice Ejoh led the Bandits with three hits and two RBI. Bryce Dimitroff had an RBI, and John Whaley added two hits and scored once.
Branden Kuzyk (0-2) took the loss in relief. He threw 1.2 innings and allowed four runs on three hits without walking or striking out a batter. Starter Derek Zwolinski went six innings and allowed five runs on 10 hits, walking five and striking out two.
Brantford improved to 9-7 and sits fourth in the IBL standings. Burlington dropped to 3-12.
Entenza dominates Leafs as first-place Panthers pounce KITCHENER
The Kitchener Panthers stopped a mini two-game slide with a 9-0 home win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday night.
Tanner Nivins had two hits, including his 10th home run, two RBI and two runs. Sean Reilly singled and homered and drove in two.
Jonathan Brouse added two RBI, while Mike Glinka and John Interisano each drove in a run. Frank Camilo Morejon had two hits and scored twice.
Noelvis Entenza struck out 11 over seven scoreless innings. He scattered five hits but didn’t allow a walk.
Grant Tamane, Jon Waltenbury, Jonathan Solazzo, Connor Lewis and Dan Marra accounted for all five of Toronto’s hits.
Harold Rumion took the loss, allowing seven runs (five earned) on eight hits over five innings, walking five and striking out three.
Kitchener improved to 12-3 atop the standings, while Toronto slipped to 7-7.
Barrie and Guelph
Atkinson, Arruda poweredthe Baycats past the Barrie Royals where Kevin Atkinson drove in three runs and Nate Arruda went seven innings as the Barrie Baycats beat the Guelph Royals 8-5 Thursday night.
Atkinson had a single, double and scored twice to lead Barrie’s offence. Jeremy Walker singled and had three RBI, while Jordan Castaldo and Ryan Spataro each had a hit and RBI.
Arruda (1-3) allowed both runs on seven hits, striking out four and walking three.
For Guelph, Santino Silvestri and Matt Schmidt each had two hits and an RBI. Brendan Power had the Royals’ other RBI.
Alberto Rodriguez (0-1) took the loss, allowing six runs on six hits over six innings. Rodriguez struck out seven and walked three.
Future games
Friday, June 17
London at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Brantford, 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 18
Burlington at Guelph, 1 p.m.
Hamilton at Barrie, 7 p.m.
Kitchener at London, 7:35 p.m.
By Staff
June 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year again – great music on the waterfront – a little mayhem with traffic. That’s what happens when tens of thousands of people arrive in town.
During the Sound of Music Festival, beginning Friday, June 17 at 3:30 p.m. to Sunday, June 19 at 6 p.m., Brant Street will be closed between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road.
Routes 3 and 5
• Please go to the Bus Terminal on John Street or Brant Street north of Caroline.
Saturday, June 18
On Saturday, June 18, the Sound of Music parade will run from 10:30 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m. During these times, there will be no transit service on Brant Street between Fairview Street and Lakeshore Road.
Routes 3 and 5
• Please go north on Brant Street past Fairview Street or south on Brant to the Bus Terminal on John Street.
• There will be no bus service on Drury Lane south of Woodward Avenue or on Caroline Street.
Route 4
• Please go north on Drury Lane above Woodward Avenue or south to New Street.
• Please flag or wave the bus driver along New Street.
Delays are to be expected.
Burlington Transit runs a Festival shuttle service will run a continuous loop approximately every 15 minutes from the north side of the Burlington GO station to the Downtown Transit Terminal (430 John St.) as follows:
Saturday, June 11: Noon to midnight
Thursday, June 16: 6 p.m. to midnight
Friday, June 17: 6 p.m. to midnight
Saturday, June 18: noon to midnight
Sunday, June 19: noon to 8 p.m.
Cost for the shuttle: $3 round-trip
Children 5 and under are FREE
Please note: Drivers do NOT make change.
Extended Transit Service
Friday June 17, 2016:
3 North at 10:30 p.m. and LAST BUS at 11 p.m.
3 South to Burlington GO station at 11 p.m. and LAST BUS at 11:30 p.m.
10 East at 11 p.m. and LAST BUS at 11:30 p.m.
Saturday June 18, 2016:
3 North at 10:30 p.m., 11 p.m. and LAST BUS at 11:30 p.m.
3 South to Burlington GO station at 11 p.m. and LAST BUS at 11:30 p.m.
10 East at 11 p.m. and LAST BUS at 11:30 p.m.
By Staff
June 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Jordan Castaldo, swinging a bat for the Barrie Baycats doubled twice and had two RBI as that team doubled the Burlington Bandits 8-4 in the only IBL game Wednesday night.
Castaldo’s two-run double with one out in the fifth gave the Baycats a 4-2 lead and helped spark a five-run inning that turned the game around for the home side. Barrie’s first baseman also scored twice.
Steve Lewis had two RBI, Joey Guaragna had two hits and drove in a run, and Kevin Atkinson and Conner Morro each added an RBI. Ryan Spataro singled twice and came around to score both times.
Cole White (2-0) allowed three runs on five hits over 6.1 innings for the win, striking out two and walking three.
 Adam Odd singled twice and added a solo home run to lead the offence. Odd also scored two of the Bandits’ four runs. For the Burlington Bandits, Adam Odd singled twice and added a solo home run to lead the offence. Odd also scored two of the Bandits’ four runs. Nate Pettipiece had two hits.
Ryan Beckett (1-2) went 4.1 innings and gave up seven runs (six earned) on six hits, striking out four and walking one.
Third-place Barrie improved to 9-6, and eighth-place Burlington dropped to 3-11.
Burlington is still in the basement of the league standings.
Future games
Thursday, June 16
Guelph at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
Brantford at Burlington, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Kitchener, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 17
London at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto at Brantford, 8 p.m.
 By Pepper Parr
June 16th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Transit reports: We have been having some issues with the software. It started last night and we have our vendor and IT people working on it. When we work out these issues it will work on all devices including phones,tablets and desk tops.
I have asked staff to update our web site and advise our customers that we are unfortunately experiencing some technical issues and be patient as we work through them.
Burlington Transit launches new mobile-friendly website with real-time data
Burlington Transit launched an improved, mobile-friendly website, which features real-time data for improved customer service.
It is all at www.burlingtontransit.ca
I wasn’t able to get the information I thought I was going to be able to get – like which busses I had to take to get from my building to a building somewhere else in the city.
 Transit is taking the available technology seriously. Making it really friendly right away would be nice. The transit people said: “This is a significant customer service milestone. In 2011, only 9.9 percent of our web traffic at BurlingtonTransit.ca was through a mobile device or tablet,” said Mike Spicer, director of Burlington Transit. “In the past year, our statistics show that over 53 per cent of our web visitors are using a mobile device, and we expect that number to grow even higher in the years to come.”
Percentages are always a bit mis-leading – there were no raw numbers given. But let’s give them a good mark for trying.
They key features of the new, mobile friendly website include:
• Trip Planner: Plan your trip online by entering an address, intersection, stop ID or searching by popular locations.
• Schedule Finder: View a route or stop-specific schedule online or print one to take with you.
• Next Bus: Get real-time departure information for any bus stop location online or by calling 905-639-0550 with the stop ID number. Users can also see a live map showing the exact location of their bus.
• Stop Finder: Find the best stop location to suit your needs. View a list of amenities available at each stop so you can plan your trip with comfort.
The next steps of the Smart Transit System project include launching a Burlington Transit Twitter account, an online subscription service and online Handi-Van trip booking.
In the very near future we will meet with the good people at Burlington Transit and get them to take us through the new system – once we understand it – we will explain it to you.
By Staff
June 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
We apologize for not getting this news to you earlier – it did not come to our attention until late this afternoon.
Looks like an interesting event – the organizers appear to have slipped a little in getting the word out to the media.
By Staff
June 15th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Glastonbury Drive, from street number 2293 to 2353, will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2016 for emergency storm sewer repair work.
By Pepper Parr
June 15th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Fifteen minute service during those hours when it count? That is in the planning stage
An additional GO station in Burlington – there are people who are out there scouting different properties.
Electrification of the GO system is also in the planning stages.
 Possible – probable? – location for a fourth GO station in Burlington. Walkers Line on the current StressCrete property Someone wants more of us to take the GO train – and for those poor soul who find themselves having to brave traffic on the QEW every day this must sound like some kind of an advertisement that you don’t think is really going to deliver on the promise.
But if the rumblings and the comments being made have any truth in them the GO people have begun to talk seriously on just where an additional GO station in Burlington might be located.
There was a lot of talk about an additional station be created at Cumberland and tying it into a grade separation at the same time.
The more recent talk seems to be on Walkers Line where Stress Crete is located,
Stresscrete is the company that makes light poles out of concrete. There is a large yard within their property that could be made into a GO station – far far too early to tell yet if that one will come to fruition.
 Upgrades to the south side parking and the entrance to the Burlington station have yet to be completed. There was a point at which even the Mayor couldn’t get a completion date out of the GO people. Given the rate at which the changes being made to the Burlington GO station that seem to be taking forever – there is no value in thinking about which station you would choose to use.
Whichever – expect whatever gets built to have all kind of electric charging stations to be part of the set up.
Change is coming in a big way.
 By Pepper Parr
June 15th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
I didn’t see the change – even though I was at the event where it was announced.
What I saw was an attractive corporate logo with a really catchy tag line;
Give brilliantly!
 The occasion was the launch of the tag line and the newly designed logo put together by Play advertising for the Burlington Community Foundation.
This was the organization that publishes a Vital Signs report on the health of the community.
This is the organization that manages a significant number of endowments created for some community based purpose.
This is the organization that hands out close to a million dollars each year to different community non-profit organizations.
This is the organization that hours after the flood of August 2014, went to work and 100 days later had just short of a million in the bank to hand out to peoples whose homes had been devastated.
I could go on – the word community appears in everything they do.
Thus it was surprising when a friend pointed out to me that word “community” had been dropped from the name – it was now to be the Burlington Foundation.
What?
 When asked for a comment and some clarity, president and CEO Collen Mulholland explained that “Burlington is, and always will be, a thriving community. The Foundation is an integral part — the fabric of the community — as Burlington’s sustainable giving foundation.
“We don’t feel it’s necessary to repeat the word community. We wanted to keep are refreshed brand name concise and memorable also using our new rallying cry and tag line, Give Brilliantly.”
“Hope this helps to clarify for you.”
It doesn’t – defining just who you are matters. Burlington Foundation could be a bank, a club a company that builds basements.
The Burlington Community Foundation tells me exactly what they do – and I applaud that heartily. Continue to Give Brilliantly – the community needs all the help it can get.
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