 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It certainly took long enough but Justice Gilmour delivered his much awaited decision on the court case that had the city asking a judge to order the Air Park to file a site plan and also to compel the Air Park to remove the fill that was dumped on the property without a site plan being filed.
The case was well argued on the city’s behalf by Ian Blue, legal counsel who was brought in to handle the original court case and the appeal of that case.
 Property boundary of the Air Park This first case established that municipalities had the right to require air parks to comply with municipal bylaws. Up until the Burlington case there as some doubt as to just how deeply that complying had to be.
The appeal made it clear that a municipality had the right to require an air park to file a site plan.
 Vince Rossi, president of Burlington Executive Airpark Inc., at a meeting with members of the Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition that took place in a barn a couple of hundred yards from the end of his largest runway. That didn’t seem to make any difference to Vince Rossi and his corporation. They played around at filing documents but there was never a properly completed site plan filed – so the city sued.
The decision that was delivered late this afternoon appears to order the Air Park to file a site plan and perhaps remove some of the fill.
While the city has the decision they have chosen no to release a copy until Monday at which time it will be stored on a web site where anyone can read the document.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward sent a note to her followers and included a piece in her Newsletter which was published this evening.
In the Newsletter Meed Ward said:
“The courts have ruled in the city’s favour and is requiring the Burlington Airpark to submit a site alteration permit for land fill activities on the site.
The city was notified late Thursday afternoon, June 30. The court decision will be publicly posted the week of July 4 here: https://www.canlii.org/en/
The news came in just as this newsletter was being prepared. More information about the ruling and its implications will be available in the next edition.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward works the phone the way few Councillors do. My Take: I’m delighted at this outcome and want to thank area residents and everyone who supported them for their valuable eyes on the street, and patience and perseverance through this. I’d also like to thank staff and council for their support, particularly Councillor John Taylor who has been a strong advocate for action in this matter. The ruling affirms that municipal bylaws apply where they do not encroach into areas of federal jurisdiction. This is a significant decision not just for Burlington but all municipalities where airparks may be engaged in landfill activities. I’ll have more to say on this matter in the next issue, including excerpts from the ruling when available.”
It was an article in the Gazette in 2013 that brought the dumping of landfill to the attention of city hall. North Burlington residents have followed the several court cases very careful and commented frequently in the Gazette.
Two North Burlington residents were sued for libel by the Air Park along with the publisher of the Gazette. That case has yet to make it to a court room.
Meed Ward thanks Ward 3 Councillor for his efforts – we don’t recall Taylor doing all that much – the Air Park isn’t in his ward. We do recall that Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster did precious little other than argue with residents over picayune matters.
Many in ward 6 felt Lancaster was just a little too close to Vince Rossi. During the first trial Councillor Lancaster sat immediately behind Mr. Rossi in the court room.
Rossi appealed the first court case – lost the appeal. During an Examination for Discovery that was related to the libel case counsel for Rossi and Rossi himself complained about the cost of all the hearings which suggested to some that Rossi might be getting close to being tapped out financially.
He has a short period of time to appeal this Superior Court decision.
 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Now that people have gotten over the shock – the British deciding they no longer want to be part of the European Union – what happens next?
The consequences of such a momentous decision are only beginning to be calculated – it will be some time before the complete cost is worked out and perhaps five years before the change to that society is fully felt.
 The Bistro, the heart of the Seniors’ Centre. The political pundits have explained to us that the older population decided they didn’t want to give up what they thought they had and voted to leave the European Union – and given that there were older people voting in England – they won the day by an acceptable 4% of the votes cast.
Burlington has an aging population – and that part of our demographic is only going to increase. What are those seniors likely to want and how will they make their wishes known to people running for office?
At some point someone who wants to sit on city council badly enough or someone who truly believes he or she represents the interests of the seniors community will get themselves elected. On a city council the size of Burlington’s it wouldn’t take all that much to create a majority.
 More political clout at this table than at city council. Keep an eye on those who are interested in ward 2 and keep a keen eye on the seniors in Aldershot – they have a lifestyle they don’t want to see changed all that much.
Community Development Halton tells us that, based on Statistics Canada’s Taxfiler data, there were about 32,000 seniors living in Burlington in 2013 representing an increase of 28% from 2006. This increase was almost three times higher than the overall population increase.
2016 census data will be available soon and we will have a clearer picture of how many seniors there are in Burlington.
We are at a time when the baby boomers are now at the point where they will have much more influence. How is that influence likely to be expressed?
 Former city manager Jeff Fielding, on the right with Joe Lamb, who negotiated on behalf of the Seniors’ Centre basically took Fielding to the cleaners with the deal he talked the city into. We know this much – those seniors take the time to vote.
A number of years ago the Seniors’ Centre ran into some problems with the federal tax collectors and the then GST tax. They weren’t collecting what they should have been collecting.
The member of the centre started calling their council members – it didn’t take long for council members to cave in and send the then city manager over and work out a deal. The city gave them everything they asked for and then some.
 It was a total rout on the part of the city. The city has this tag line: “Burlington is one of Canada’s best and most livable cities …” and the seniors want to ensure that it stays that way for them.
What are they going to tell us they want in the next five years?
 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Something just isn’t quite right over at the United Way.
The four United Way organizations in the Region are Oakville, Halton Hills and Milton.
Burlington is partnered with Hamilton to form the Burlington United Way organization
The Gazette doesn’t know much about the branches outside of Burlington. It appears we don’t know as much as we are supposed to know about the Burlington Hamilton organization either.
We got a media release earlier in the week in which we learned that a vote by the Burlington Hamilton organization failed to get the two thirds majority they needed to amalgamate with all the board in the Region into one larger organization. The media release cited all the current public relations buzz words – they would be “better” and “smarter”. There would be more collaboration.
The Oakville organization voted for an amalgamation. Milton and Halton Hills had not yet voted – once they learned Burlington Hamilton were a no go they postponed the vote.
 Jeff Valentin, president of the Burlington Hamilton United Way organization. Determining who gets to vote is a little different at each organization. Jeff Valentin, president of the Burlington Hamilton organization explained that membership votes but that in his organization the members of the Board are the only members of the organization. In Burlington Hamilton there are 18 members on the board.
At the start of the meeting there were 18 members – but two of those members had terms that ended at the AGM at which the vote to amalgamate was taken.
That vote went 11 for and 7 against the amalgamation – however a vote of this significance required a two thirds majority – and the vote was just 61% – thus it failed.
Valentin said he wasn’t sure what the next step for his organization. He is apparently not certain where the missing votes are – which makes it difficult to know who has to be lobbied.
 City of Burlington Clerk’s department did a great job one year during the United Way campaign drive. The troops in the trenches do their part – the Burlington Hamilton board seems to have lost its grip. With two new appointments to be made in the immediate future – the vote matter might resolve itself. What is evident is this – there is dissension within the Burlington Hamilton board. An issue this significant requires unanimity and that doesn’t exist at this point in time.
The vote was done by ballot so the executive doesn’t know where the support for the amalgamation is and where it isn’t. The request for a ballot vote rather than a show of hands should have been a hint that there was a problem.
In a handout provided by the Burlington Hamilton United Way they explain their thinking. There was nothing in the way of a compelling argument for amalgamating in the material we saw.
On the matter of not getting any information from the Burlington Hamilton United Way there is a concern. The last communication we received was February 1, 2016 in which I discussed an interview we wanted to do when the 2015/2016 fund raising campaign came to an end.
When we asked why we had not been sent anything about the amalgamation plans – the response we got from the media department t said: “I thought we had sent the attached to you, I re-checked my sent emails and I had entered your email address incorrectly – symptom of having too much on the go and a clear sign we are in need of merging for greater capacity! Either way, my sincere apologies for missing you on this and I will be sure not to do so again.”
That response falls into the same category as “my dog ate my homework”
 When people get into lines this long – you know something is going on. The United Way came up with a great idea – put Food Trucks in parking lots and earn a portion of the revenue for the cause. Great idea – and it worked. Strong media departments maintain a data base of every possible contact and if they are on top of their jobs they maintain an open line of communication. We are all busy – saying “having too much on the go and a clear sign we are in need of merging for greater capacity”, doesn’t cut it.
Organizations like the United Way need to be as close as possible to the people they serve; the work they do is “street level” based. A bigger bureaucracy is not going to improve what gets done for the hundreds of thousands of people who need help.
People deeply involved in providing community services feel strongly that whatever the issues were at Hamilton Burlington United Way, they should be made public so that an informed discussion can take place.
Oakville voted for the amalgamation. In a presentation made at that meeting people were assured that jobs would not be lost and that funds raised in a community would stay in that community.
This is not a healthy situation – there is some fence mending to be done at several levels.
Given the way political organizations are falling apart around the world – are we looking at a situation where Burlington pulls away from the hug they get from Hamilton?
There is a need for a wider public debate. The Burlington Hamilton United Way web site lists the following as members of the board.
Tom Atterton: Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer, Hamilton and District Labour Council
Penelope Burk: President, Cygnus Applied Research, Inc.
Elham Farah: Director of Special Projects, Farah Foods / Hasty Market Limited
Robert Forbes: Senior Financial Officer, Hamilton Health Sciences
Gaston Germain: Retired President and COO, Pelmorex Media Inc. (The Weather Network)
Neale Graham: Vice President, Canada, Beam Suntory Canada
Leo Johnson: Founder/Executive Director, Empowerment Squared
Greg Jones: Managing Director, Communications & Public Affairs, Terrapure Environmental
Nancy MacBain: Staff Representative, CUPE Local 3906 (McMaster University)
Anthony Marco: President, Hamilton and District Labour Council
Geraldine McMullen: Second Vice President, Hamilton and District Labour Council
Annelisa Pedersen: Senior Program Advisor, Ministry of Community and Social Services
Wade Poziomka: Lawyer, Ross & McBride LLP
Sandra Scime: Assistant Superintendent of Education, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
David Wormald: President, St Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph and Elder Care, St. Joseph’s Health System
Jeff Valentin is also a member of the board. It is not clear which members are drawn from Burlington and which from Hamilton.
Too many unknowns here.
The only positive comment is that we do know what we don’t know.
 By Pepper Parr
June 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Saying we share the air and we have to work together to keep it clean is one thing – actually doing something about the air we share is something else.
Burlington city Council is planning on passing a motion at its meeting on Thursday to Support a Governance Structure to implement Climate Change Initiatives between the Cities of Burlington and Hamilton.
 This is an issue that is dear to the heart of Mayor Goldring – he would, we are sure, like it to become his legacy issue. He doesn’t have one so far and this is as good a legacy as anyone can hope for – let’s see how it goes at Council on Thursday.
Here is what they want to do – the language is a little stilted – but the intent is clear enough.
GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE FOR COMMUNITY CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN
Whereas, the Government of Canada’s intent is to protect communities and grow our economy by making significant new investments in green infrastructure and clean technologies as well as to endow a $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Trust to fund projects that reduce carbon that will “support projects in clean energy that can be commercialized, scaled up, and exported”;
Whereas, the Province of Ontario has a Five-Year Climate Change Strategy and has introduced legislation, which aims to formalize a cap-and- trade system and invest those funds into green projects to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas pollution;
Whereas, the Province of Ontario has already announced in 2015, the Green Investment Fund that commits $325 million to projects that will fight climate change;
Whereas, the City of Hamilton has developed a Community Climate Change Action Plan, which directs priority actions that will mitigate greenhouse gases, adapt to the risks associated with climate change and will help make Hamilton a resilient and prosperous community in the face of climate change;
 In an attempt to prove that the water in Hamilton harbour was safe then provincial cabinet minister George went for a swim. Whereas, taking action on climate change will be beneficial to the Hamilton Harbour / Burlington Bay area and will complement the work on greenhouse gas reduction by the City of Burlington;
Whereas, in order to successfully implement the Community Climate Change Action Plan, a formalized governance structure is necessary; and,
Whereas The City of Hamilton already has an internationally recognized participatory governance structure known as the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC) and the Bay Area Implementation Team (BAIT);
Therefore be it resolved:
 The really dirty stuff is on the right in Hamilton. (a) That staff be directed to develop a governance model similar to the Bay Area Restoration Council and the Bay Area Implementation Team, in collaboration with staff from the Federal and Provincial offices of the Ministries of Environment and Climate Change, and report back to the Board of Health;
(b) That the Mayor correspond with The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and The Honourable Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, to request that the Federal and Provincial Ministries assist the City of Hamilton with the establishment of City of Hamilton’s Community Climate Change Action Plan Implementation Team in identifying the appropriate Federal and Provincial government staff, private sector and community representatives to provide expert advice and financial resources toward the action on climate change, within the funding guidelines for the Low Carbon Economy Trust; and, the Five-Year Climate Change Strategy;
(c) That upon the formation of the governance structure for the Community Climate Change Action Plan Implementation Team, the City of Hamilton seek a partnership with the City of Burlington to coordinate efforts, with respect to the implementation of the Plan; and,
(d) That staff be directed to report to the Board of Health annually, respecting the progress of the Community Climate Change Action Plan.
Is this one of those Motherhood issues that everyone will get their voting hand up to see who can be first? Will it be like the Shape Burlington report passed unanimously in 2011 and forever forgotten?
 The not yet existent Code of Conduct is buried within the 25 year Strategic Plan that city manager James Ridge has put together. Or will it be like the Code of Conduct that city council has yet to adopt. They shuffled that one off to the city manager who buried it in his 20 year Strategic Plan – suggesting that we will perhaps see some within the next 25 years.
Which was probably a smart move – this council doesn’t want a code of conduct.
We will know Thursday night how serious they are about climate change.
 By Staff
June 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
New roads, improvements to parks, murals for public places – all kinds of upgrades and improvements to the city.
 An aerial view of the Paradigm project under construction on Fairview – next to the GO station. Developers are banging away as well; The Bridgewater project is still a hole in the ground as is the ADI Linx project on Dundas. The hospital is well on its way to completion and the Paradigm project on Fairview is reaching into the sky.
Ireland Park has started phase one of the upgrades that will include:
• An accessible splash pad with seating and a pavilion for shade
• Ball diamond amenities, including accessible spectator areas with permanent bleachers
• Reconstruction of the south parking lot to improve the surface and traffic flow
• Accessible pathways and seating areas
• New energy efficient pathway lighting
• New goal posts at three soccer fields, and
• New trees
 Ireland Park. During construction, please expect:
• Pathway closures
• The driveway and the south parking lot, beside the tennis courts, to be closed
• Detours to ball diamonds, soccer fields, washroom facilities, tennis courts and the main playground
• Temporary access restrictions to the washrooms, snack bar and tennis courts
Construction is expected to last approximately six months.
Ireland Park will remain open during construction. We appreciate your patience and co-operation to make sure the park is a safe place during construction. There are other parks available in the community:
Playgrounds:
• Ireland Park – access from Folkway Drive
• Pinemeadow Park – 3171 Pinemeadow Rd.
• Newport Park – 3020 Headon Forest Dr.
Public Tennis Courts:
• Sycamore Park – 3157 Centennial Dr.
• Millcroft Park – 4520 Millcroft Park Dr.
 By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
City hall has come up with more cash for artists that want to take part in the creation of murals – the city wants to create three more:
Tansley Woods Community Centre (C$12,000)
Waterfront Parking Garage (C$5,000)
Pearl Street Parking Lot Crosswalk (C$1,500)
Application deadline is Friday, July 29, 2016. Applicants must be a resident of Burlington, Ont.
 Freight trains have always been a large part of the rail traffic through the city. Freeman Station was where produce was put aboard. This mural is on of six that were commissioned by the city. Clair Hall did the mural on the side of the Freeman Station The Burlington Mural Project is now in its second year. It is funded as an annual program designed to tell local stories using local artists. Each year, small to medium-scale murals are commissioned throughout the city. Free professional development opportunities are also offered to assist artists with the application process and project development.
 There was a time when this kind of illustration was Burlington. The then town supplied fresh produce that was shipped around the world. The community grew enough fruit and vegetables to require a second railway line into the city. Those train tracks are now a walking trail in the Beachway community. Tamara Kwapich did the mural in Orchard Community Park. The One-on-One Application Review Session takes place on July 12, 2016, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Transportation Meeting Room at City Hall.
If you are unable to attend on July 12, please contact Kim Selman to discuss alternate dates.
These sessions will be open to all artists who are actively preparing an application to the Burlington Mural Program. Attendance is voluntary and appointments must be booked in advance. To book an appointment please contact: Kim Selman, kim@cobaltconnects.ca or 905-548-0111
Artists planning to submit to the Burlington Mural Project may book a 30-minute session with the Public Art Manager to review a draft of their application package and get constructive feedback.
Online Application: Applications may be submitted by mail or using our online application system. To submit your application online, click the link to the right: LINK. You are asked to read the full Request for Proposal document prior to submitting your application.
 It’s a telephone utility box with a mural that hints at the wharf that was once at “Port Nelson” at the foot of Guelph Line. Hannah Sell and Liam Racine did the art work. It is one of six commissioned by the city. The visual arts are getting funding – the Performing Arts haven’t been as fortunate.
The arts community in Burlington is still working at the creation of a formal Council that they would like to see mandated to operate as the voice and policy body for the arts in the city.
Ain’t ever going to happen.
By Pepper Parr
June 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Is this a friendly visit?
Are we looking at three animals getting to know one another?
The dog is perhaps curious but the hunch in the shoulders of those two crows tells a different story.
How does that story end?
The exhibit at the Art Gallery of Burlington in the Dan Lawrie Family Courtyard until September 25th is well worth a visit.
 The approach – who springs up and out first? You will want to ponder the three pieces and wonder – perhaps the friendly posture of the dog will change the intent of the crows.
Does the artist, Mary Philpott, tip her hand with the title of the exhibit: A Murder of Crows.
 Has the dog figured it out? This isn’t a friendly visit is it? Mary Philpott, a noted functional potter whose work has been inspired by Neo-Gothic architecture and William Morris’ Arts and Craft movement, has in recent years taken her decorative motifs of animals and birds and transformed them into live-sized three dimensional sculptures, a perfect synthesis of nature and style set in our garden courtyard.
Inspired by the colour, narration and design of medieval illuminated books, tapestries and architecture, Philpott’s work explores the story of flora and fauna in her surrounding landscape. At her studio, Verdant Tile Co., she designs custom pressed tile in porcelain. The animals and birds depicted in her tiles are frequently referenced in her sculptural pieces.
 Wary eyes – the posture the artist has given each animal is filled with suspense. In addition to receiving a BFA in Art History and Archaeology at the University of Guelph, Philpott is a graduate of the Ceramics and Design program at the School of Craft and Design at Sheridan College. She has also studied Anthropology and Archaeology at McMaster University, and Ceramics Intensives at Alfred University in New York.
She is the 2015 recipient of the Helen Copeland Award from Craft Ontario for an established artist working in her field.
By Pepper Parr
June 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The wheels of Justice move slowly – not at a glacial pace but there is no rush to judgement – at least not when it is the city and the Burlington Air Park sending their legal warriors into a Court Room to do battle
On April 4th, the Gazette reported that “a member of the city’s legal staff advised council that a Judge at the Court House advised the city that Justice Gibson anticipates he will be in a position to release his decision by April 30th.
April came and went, we got into May and no decision. A new date was set – a decision will be released June 30th
 Former city manager Jeff Fielding sharing an opinion with Glenn Grenier on what the Air Park was required to do while city lawyers Blake Hurley and Nancy Shea Nicol look on. The Air Park and the city have been going at it for some time. The story came to the public’s attention when the Gazette reported in 2013 on the number of trucks that were roaring up and down Appleby Line and leaving a terrible mess on the road and disturbing the peace and quiet of the country side with the clanging of truck tail gates.
 Hundreds of tucks were hauling landfill onto the Air Park property without any kind of site plan approval from the city. Residents were unhappy; city hall became livid them they became aware of the scope and scale of what was being done. Literally hundreds of trucks were taking landfill onto the Air Park property. City hall wasn’t aware of what was going on nor did anyone at the Region know very much.
When it came to the attention of people at city hall they could find no record of any permits being issued. Turns out the Air Park didn’t seek any permits – they had taken the position that the Air Park was federally regulated and they didn’t have to ask the city for permission to do anything.
The city saw it differently and one court case, and an appeal later – Justice Murphy clarified that situation. The Air park is subject to city regulation.
The city then began to press the Air Park to submit a site plan for approval and to begin providing some data on just what was in that landfill and what impact was it having on the water table. Was it polluted? Many people in northern Burlington thought is was and they wanted water and soil samples taken.
 All the key players in the Airpark libel dispute: Vanessa Warren in the second row and Monte Dennis on the right. The publisher of the Gazette is also a party to the libel case. The good folks at the Air Park were not only taking exception to the demands the city was making but they took exception to what the Gazette and its publisher had written along with the comments of two citizens: Vanessa Warren and Monte Dennis. We were all sued for libel.
The libel case is still before the courts. The defendants are asking for financial data from the Air Park; the Air Park didn’t want to give any data – a Judge has heard arguments as to why the financial data should be made available and why it shouln’t. That decision is due any day now.
Meanwhile the city is awaiting a decision on their request that a Judge compel the Air Park to submit a site plan for approval and that the landfill that was dumped on the property without any kind of permit be removed.
It is the decision on that case that everyone has been waiting for. Many believe that whatever the Judge decides the losing side will appeal and that this case could go all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada
There are those who believe that the Air Park is not in a position to move more than a couple of truck loads of fill if a Judge orders them to do so – they have already spent a reported hundreds of thousands of dollars on the various court cases – and all the bills aren’t in yet.
Might the Air Park be getting close to being tapped out?
 By Staff
June 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Joseph Brant Hospital Emergency Department, the biggest department in the hospital, will open in the fall of 2017.
 Trish Hamilton, Operational Readiness Coordinator. Trish Hamilton, the Operational Readiness Coordinator, sets out five things you need to know about the new ED
1. Patients will receive care faster in the new ED with the help of a new Paired Triage Registration Model. Currently, a patient moves from triage to registration when arriving at the ED. In the new ED, triage and registration will be combined at one station so that a patient is medically assessed and registered at one time.
 The patient examination rooms look a little rough right now – there will be 35 of these rooms. 2. There will be 35 private exam rooms. Each room has a bright, modern space with essential services within easy reach including technology in the head wall above the bed for medical gases; electronic charting stations inside the rooms; and supply alcoves directly outside the rooms that will store linens and cleaning supplies.
3. There will be three private trauma resuscitation rooms and an isolation trauma room featuring glass doors that have the ability to switch from transparent for patient monitoring, to opaque for instant privacy.
4. There will be a dedicated Psychiatry Emergency Services zone with security, three observation rooms, an exam room and a quiet room for families. This area will enhance privacy and dignity for patients who are experiencing a crisis.
5. The Emergency Department will be easily accessible and easy to find, located on the main level beside our new main entrance on Lakeshore Road.
 In a couple of weeks the structure is expected to be weather tight – bridge from parking garage to the hospital is under construction. Staff at the hospital currently work in an environment where an old tired building begins to make room for a shiny new structure that will have all the improvements technology has to offer.
Hopefully you won’t have to make a trip to the emergency department – but if you do – it will be a lot different than anything you have experienced in the past.
By Staff
June 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada Day – and no fireworks to thrill and entertain my little kids? Get real.
Fire Chief Tony Bavota is getting very real – and very serious.
Remember those fires that devastated large parts of Fort McMurray – the available evidence suggests they were the result of carelessness
 Evidence to date suggests the fire in Fort McMurray, Alberta may have been the result of carelessness. Have you taken a look at the colour of most of the lawns around the city – some pretty brown looking grass.
There hasn’t been enough rain.
All the farmer’s think they are going to be lucky to get two cuts from their hay fields – three cuts are out of the questions. Soybeans are looking a little limp and who know what’s going to happen to the corn silage?
Forest fires are very dangerous – very tough to control – so if the fire chief says don’t light fire crackers given the weather we are having – he needs to be listened to.
A city council that truly leads would pass a bylaw now that gives the authority to ban fire crackers to the fire chief – and make it a stiff, stiff, STIFF fine for those who fail to adhere to the bylaw.
Don’t let your Canada Day Fireworks go up in smoke” says the Chief.
The Fire Department is reminding residents to keep safety top of mind when planning annual Canada Day celebrations, especially those with fireworks.
“With the lack of rain and dry weather lately, we’re discouraging fireworks on Canada Day,” said chief fire prevention officer Joe Wintar. “The city is hosting a full day of activities in Spencer Smith Park, including fireworks. I encourage everyone to think about enjoying this show put on by pyrotechnic professionals.”
To keep your family and property safe, follow these guidelines when setting off fireworks:
• It must be three days before or during Canada Day, on July 1.
• You are at least 18 years old. Keep fireworks and sparklers away from children so they don’t get burned or have their clothing catch fire.
• You are being safe. Read and follow the directions on label carefully.
• You are on private property.
• Keep pail of water or water hose close by for extinguishment.
• Set off fireworks outside in a clear, open area away from doors, windows, buildings, cars, trees and dry grass.
• Light one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a “dud” firework. Wait 15-30 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Never light a firework in your hand.
• Keep onlookers at a safe distance and upwind from the area where fireworks are discharged.
• If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for 5-10 minutes and seek medical attention.
 It takes but a stray spark to start this kind of fire. As with any emergency, if there is a fire and public safety concern related to fireworks, please call 9-1-1. For more firework safety information, visit www.burlington.ca/fireworks
 By Staff
June 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are relentless.
They do nothing but send this type of email out by the tens of thousands – all they need is one sucker to click on that link and they could be in inside your computer tapping into anything and everything you have.
If you don’t recognize the sender – don’t open it.
This on came our way a few days ago:
 This is a ZIP file – you have no idea what is in it – only that is will not be nice.
By Staff
June 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite a 5.5 per cent increase in call volumes and a 4.4 per cent increase in patients transported compared to 2014, Halton paramedics continue to meet response time targets.
Over the past 10 years, overall emergency and non-emergency call volumes have increased 47.6 per cent in Halton, from 29,054 in 2006 to 42,881 in 2015. The number of patients transported over the same 10-year period has increased 45.5 per cent, from 19,222 to 27,959. In 2015, the Region handled 2,217 more calls and transported 1,175 more patients than in 2014.
 9-1-1 calls from Halton residents have increased every year for the past seven years, clearly showing an increased demand for emergency care in the region. The primary drivers for increased call volumes are population and employment growth, along with the impact of an aging population.
To ensure that the Region is prepared to address the various pressures related to providing paramedic services, Halton Regional Council approved the Paramedic Services 10-Year Master Plan in 2015.
As part of the Paramedic Services 10-Year Master Plan, Halton Region has taken several measures to enhance the level of emergency care available to residents, including:
• maintaining the existing population to paramedic staffing ratio;
• enhancing technology to ensure the Paramedic Services division has the tools to remain responsive and efficient;
• the approval to begin construction on two new paramedic stations: Southwest Oakville Station on Rebecca Street and East Milton Station on Fifth Line, south of Derry Road; and
• continually working with local hospitals, neighbouring paramedic services, the Central Ambulance Communications Centre (CACC), the MOHLTC and community partners.
“The Region is committed to ensuring Halton residents receive timely emergency responses and high quality care when they need it most,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The Paramedic Services Division Annual Update shows that in 2015 our Paramedics continued to meet Council-approved response time targets in every category. The Region remains focused on achieving these important targets to ensure we support the health and well-being of all Halton residents.”
 By Staff
June 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Ms Castonguay was found late in the evening.
It is hot out there and 69 year old Carole Castonguay is out there somewhere – in need of her medication.
Ms Castonguay was last seen in the area of Spencer Smith Park at 11:35 this morning. She is a diabetic and comes from Niagara Falls
 CASTONGUAY is described as:
Female, white
5’3″
Medium build
Short blonde hair
Wearing:
Black shorts
Black tank top
Beige sandals
White purse
Glasses
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Halton Regional Police Communications Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext 5155 or Halton Regional Police Service 3 District at 905-825-4747 ext. 2305
By Pepper Parr
June 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It isn’t a done deal yet – and it might not make it over the 66% needed by each of the four United Way organizations in the Region and Hamilton – but it won’t be because they didn’t give it the old college try. The vote was 61%
The result of a recent ratification vote has delayed but not derailed plans to bring together the United Ways of Burlington & Greater Hamilton, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills into a single United Way serving all of Halton Region and Greater Hamilton.
The four United Ways have been working through an extensive process of research, evaluation, consultation and planning for over a year. In May, each organization’s board of directors approved the amalgamation plan, setting the stage for ratification votes at each organization’s annual general meeting in June.
On June 20, United Way Oakville unanimously approved the recommendation, setting the stage for United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton’s AGM on June 22 and the AGMs of United Way Halton Hills and United Way Milton on June 28.
However, the Burlington & Greater Hamilton vote to approve amalgamation achieved a majority 61% when a two-thirds majority was required. The motion was therefore defeated.
“I personally am so excited about the benefits that will come from amalgamating these four organizations,” said Anne Bermingham, United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton Board Chair. “With the majority of board votes in favour of this direction, we need to keep working on addressing concerns and finding a way to make this happen.”
Jeff Valentin, CEO of United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton, said that the motivation for exploring amalgamation remains clear. “This is about enhancing community impact,” he said. “With the majority of our board members, so many of our
staff and so many of our donors and community partners supporting amalgamation, I feel like we have a responsibility to our community to follow through. The work of finding the right way to do that starts today.”
Across North America, United Ways have been coming together to build stronger organizations to serve their communities as part of their strategic direction. A recent example is the merger of United Way Toronto & York Region in 2015.
“United Way Centraide Canada endorses the proposed amalgamation and strongly encourages continued work towards a successful outcome,” said Jacline Nyman, President and CEO, United Way Centraide Canada. “The four United Ways have demonstrated leadership and commitment to building a new and stronger United Way with a greater capacity to lead and engage our donors and community partners in serving the Halton and Hamilton Region.”
“If we can make it work, the amalgamation of these four United Ways will produce a more efficient, more effective and more sustainable organization,” said United Way Oakville Board chair John Armstrong. “We were excited to support the amalgamation plan at our annual general meeting in Oakville and we continue to be committed to working with our partner United Ways for the good of the communities we serve.”
 As a result of the failure, and that is what it was, the United Ways of Halton Hills and Milton will no longer ask their general memberships to vote on amalgamation on June 28, though each organization plans to present and discuss the amalgamation plan for information.
Chris Cooke, Board chair of United Way Halton Hills, sees the amalgamation as a strong combination of local focus and a larger organization. “We understand how important local support and the ability to focus close to home is to our partners, donors and agencies,” he said. “Our plan will allow us to balance that need with the benefits of a larger organization. It would be a win-win.”
“There is real potential in our plan, which is why we all need to stick with it,” said James MacAskill, United Way Milton Board chair.
“The amalgamated United Way would be able to devote greater resources to providing evidence-based information to our supporters and ultimately deliver a greater impact for the communities of the region. That’s the bottom line.”
Janet Foster, CEO of United Way Halton Hills, said, “These United Ways have a strong history of working together. It just makes sense to take our partnership to the next level.”
Brad Park, CEO of United Way Oakville, summarized the vision for the amalgamation process when he said, “The plan will give us a bigger, stronger and more versatile team that will allow us to make a real difference in terms of community outcomes. Together, we can accomplish so much more than we ever could separately.”
The bulk of the material in this article came from the United Way media staff.
The Gazette heard nothing about the meetings that led to the amalgamation attempt from any of the four media staff.
 By Staff
June 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits-Kitchener Panthers game was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the sixth inning Sunday night in Kitchener. Burlington led 7-6, and the game will be completed at a later date.
Elsewhere in the league
 Leafs blank Cardinals when Justin Marra homered and drove in five, and Dillon Mulholland threw seven scoreless innings as the Toronto Maple Leafs blanked the Hamilton Cardinals 9-0 Sunday afternoon.
Marra had three RBIs on a pair of singles before connecting for a two-run blast in the eighth.
Sean Mattson had two hits, two RBI and a run, and Damon Topolie drove in a run. Dan Marra singled twice, and Connor Lewis had two hits and scored twice.
Mulholland (3-2) scattered two hits, walking three and striking out three.
Jake Osborne and Tyler Hardie each singled and walked for the Cardinals.
Robert Wilson (1-3) allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over five innings in the loss, striking out four and walking three.
Seventh-place Hamilton dropped to 6-17, and fifth-place Toronto improved to 10-9.
In London, the Majors beat Red Sox in an 8-3 win. The Majors pounded out 14 hits over the Brantford Red Sox Sunday afternoon.
 LeJon Baker had four of those hits (three singles and a triple) and drove in a pair of runs. Byron Reichstein and Michael Ambrose each had two hits and two RBI, and Cleveland Brownlee added a solo home run and scored twice. Keith Kandel and Humberto Ruiz had two hits and stolen bases apiece.
Cory Hammond (3-0) went seven innings and allowed one run on five hits, walking two and striking out one.
Jeff Hunt had two hits and an RBI for the Red Sox. Benjamin Bostick and Lee Delfino had the other RBIs.
Jose Vasquez (0-1) took the loss after giving up three runs on eight hits in three innings, walking one and striking out one.
Second-place London improved to 16-5, while fourth-place Brantford fell to 12-10.
Future games:
Tuesday, June 28
London at Guelph, 7:30 p.m.
Kitchener at Barrie, 7:30 p.m.
By Staff
June 27th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The city has invited local creative organizations, venues, professionals and businesses to host events during the seventh annual Culture Days weekend that takes place from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2016.
Submissions are open to residents and artists of Burlington who would like to host a Culture Days event or activity, such as crafts, dance, literary arts-spoken word, media arts-film, music, theatre, visual arts and performance art.
 In 2014 the city set up a good display in Civic Square – it wasn’t quite the same in 2015 – and no one is able to say what is planned for 2016 – yet. The catch – you’ve got less than 30 days to get your act together – deadline for application is Friday, July 22, 2016.
Slide over to www.burlington.ca/culturedays – the forms and the detail are there.
Culture Days promotes free, hands-on and interactive activities. The public is invited to participate in behind-the-scenes activities to see how artists; creators; historians; architects; curators; designers; and other creative people work and contribute to culture in Burlington.
“Burlington has gotten behind the annual Culture Days program and has on occasion provided significant support.
Our most recent information was that the manager of arts and culture had something in the order of $2500 to make the program work this year.
While the city says it “wants to offer three days featuring different types of events, working closely with Doors Open, the Art Gallery of Burlington, the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Burlington Libraries, Burlington Museums, Tourism Burlington and Burlington artists to make this happen” that $2500 isn’t going to take them all that far
 The BTTB has always made major events a focus – expect to see them in fine form at the end of September. Founded in 2009, the goal of Culture Days is to provide a national network of cultural connections to provide Canadians with opportunities to participate in, and appreciate, all forms of art and culture. Through a three-day national celebration each September, hundreds of thousands of artists and cultural organizations in cities and towns come together and invite Canadians to discover their cultural spirit and passion.
Burlington’s participation at the community level has been tepid at best – the smaller groups need encouragement and support – which hasn’t been forthcoming from city hall.
This national initiative aims to raise the awareness, provide accessibility and encourage the participation and engagement of residents in the arts and cultural life of Burlington.
If you need more detailed information contact Adam Belovari, culture coordinator at adam.belovari@burlington.ca or 905-335-7600, ext. 7335.
 By Staff
June 27th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
This just might be one of those “we are really into summer” weeks.
It will be a short week leading into a long weekend – when we celebrate the 149th year of being a country.
We will probably talk more about what we will be doing next year when we do the big 150th – there are certainly a lot of people earning a decent living working on that event.
For the 149th – this is what the day is expected to look like.
 Early, early the 5K Canada Day run takes place.
1K Start – 8:15 – 5K Start – 8:30
Race Kit Pick-up
Thursday, June 30, 2016 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Burlington Running Room, 3300 Fairview St.
Race Day (Friday, July 1) from 7:00 – 8:15 a.m. at Spencer Smith Park – by the pier
Post-race awards and Panago pizza at Spencer Smith Park!
9:30 a.m. Yoga Class Compass/West Lawn
10 a.m. Citizenship Court – Gazebo.
Looks like it will be a small court this year – but no less important – specially to those who are going to become citizens
1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. – Scholars in Collars Dog Show Gazebo
Noon – 5 p.m. Face painting with BeeBop the Clown – East Lawn
Noon – 5 p.m. Balloon animals with MD Children Entertainment on the East lawn
1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Stilt Walkers with Health Tarlin Entertainment Park
On the Main Stage
1 p.m. Opening Ceremonies featuring Burlington Teen Tour Band. The Teen Tour band parades from the Main stage to Joseph Brant Museum where hey join the hundreds that will on hand to take part in the Strawberry Social. Wonderful scoop of ice cream served to you by some of your elected officials who will be wearing funny hats.
2 p.m. Kaleidoscope Chinese Performing Arts Society
3 p.m. Alee
4:30 p.m. Bharatam Academy of Dance Arts
5:30 p.m. Jordan Haller; Winner of the Canada Day Performance Contest
6:30 p.m. Felicia McMinn
9 p.m. Symphony on the Bay
10 p.m. Fireworks presented by BUNZL Canada
 Alee will perform on the Main Stage at xxx  Felicia McMinn will perform on the Main stage at 6:30 pm A free Bike Valet is provided on Canada Day for those looking to avoid parking downtown and reduce their carbon footprint. The Bike Valet is in Spencer Smith Park at the corner of Brant Street and Lakeshore Road, beside the Waterfront Hotel.
 Jordan Haller will perform on the Main stage at 5;30 -pm – he was the winner of the Performer contest  Traffic:
Lakeshore Road from Maple Avenue to Elizabeth Street will be closed Friday, July 1, 2016 from 9 to 11 p.m for the fireworks at the Canada Day Celebration. Traffic will be redirected and the closure will be supervised by the Halton Regional Police Service.
By Staff
June 24th, 21`06
BURLINGTON, ON
Daytime break-in seem to be back in vogue for the criminal set.
The Regional police report a home on Woodview Road, in the City of Burlington was the most recent target.
The break-in took place at approximately 1:00 pm. The suspect forced open the front door and ransacked several rooms. The male fled on foot and police were called.
The area was thoroughly searched by police, but the suspect was successful in his escape.
Suspect – Male / Black, 19-20 years, slim build, 6’0 tall, short black hair, wearing a powder blue track suit and baseball cap.
Unknown: Police do not know yet if any items were stolen. The investigation is ongoing.
By Staff
June 24th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite a 5.5 per cent increase in call volumes and a 4.4 per cent increase in patients transported compared to 2014, Halton paramedics continue to meet response time targets.
45 vehicles in the fleet now – 69 at the end of the ten year plan. Over the past 10 years, overall emergency and non-emergency call volumes have increased 47.6 per cent in Halton, from 29,054 in 2006 to 42,881 in 2015. The number of patients transported over the same 10-year period has increased 45.5 per cent, from 19,222 to 27,959. In 2015, the Region handled 2,217 more calls and transported 1,175 more patients than in 2014.
 Response times have been maintained despite significant increases in the need for service. 9-1-1 calls from Halton residents have increased every year for the past seven years, clearly showing an increased demand for emergency care in the region. The primary drivers for increased call volumes are population and employment growth, along with the impact of an aging population.
To ensure that the Region is prepared to address the various pressures related to providing paramedic services, Halton Regional Council approved the Paramedic Services 10-Year Master Plan in 2015.
 As the Region’s population ages the demand for service from the seniors’ is going to rise – Burlington will have more seniors than any other municipality in the Region. As part of the Paramedic Services 10-Year Master Plan, Halton Region has taken several measures to enhance the level of emergency care available to residents, including:
• maintaining the existing population to paramedic staffing ratio;
• enhancing technology to ensure the Paramedic Services division has the tools to remain responsive and efficient;
• the approval to begin construction on two new paramedic stations: Southwest Oakville Station on Rebecca Street and East Milton Station on Fifth Line, south of Derry Road; and
• continually working with local hospitals, neighbouring paramedic services, the Central Ambulance Communications Centre (CACC), the MOHLTC and community partners.
The expansion of the program will require a total of $15.0 million in capital funding, $10.6 million of which is needed within the next five years. This will provide vehicles/defibrillators, IT requirements and will accommodate the centralized reporting station. Station requirements will be assessed as part of the Regional Accommodation Strategy, and the timing and funding requirements will be further refined through this process.
The capital requirements will be funded through a combination of Regional reserves, debt and development charges (DC). With respect to the capital expenditures, approximately 65% of growth-related costs will be funded from DCs, and this funding requirement will be incorporated in the next DC by-law update currently scheduled in 2016.
 A 53% increase in the number of vehicles is projected in the ten year plan. The increase in operating expenditures would total $12.6 million, with $6.0 million expected in the first five years (2016-2020) and $6.6 million in the remaining forecast period (2021-2026), driven mainly by the staff cost. The estimated operating impact includes subsidy at 48% of the cost share ratio based on funding provided in recent years. When combined with capital financing impact, the net increase in operating cost totals $3.8 million in the first five years and $3.6 million in the remaining years. This represents an average annual budget increase of $752,000 in the first five years and $596,000 in the remaining forecast period.
 Costs are going to increase by 50% by the end of the ten year plan. These services are not cheap.
The increased costs are were included in the 2015 budget forecast, at an average annual budget increase of $538,000 (2016-2020) and $404,000 (2021-2026). With these provisions taken into account, the additional incremental impact anticipated in the forecast is an average annual increase of $214,000 for the first five years and $192,000 for the remaining years. The financial impact of the staffing and capital program will be determined annually through the budget process.
“The Region is committed to ensuring Halton residents receive timely emergency responses and high quality care when they need it most,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The Paramedic Services Division Annual Update shows that in 2015 our Paramedics continued to meet Council-approved response time targets in every category. The Region remains focused on achieving these important targets to ensure we support the health and well-being of all Halton residents.”
By Pepper Parr
June 24th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was one of those Public Information nights – no presentations; city staff on hand to answer questions, residents dropping by to get answers to questions or clarifications on issues they were not clear on.
The issue this evening was a private tree bylaw – is Burlington going to have one or will it continue to be one of the few municipalities in this part of the province to live life without one?
 Tree on Guelph Line taken down in the afternoon – residents meet to talk about a private tree bylaw that evening. There were a few people who didn’t want a private tree bylaw. The get together, and that is what it was, was made up of people who wanted trees saved.
 Residents filling out comment sheets.  Roseland residents exchanging views on a private tree by law. The meeting was held, some felt, to keep people in the Roseland community happy. The notice of the meeting was apparently limited to that community.
It wasn’t publicly posted by city hall staff.
Councillor Dennison was on hand, the Mayor did not attend. Some felt that a private tree bylaw was his issue and having him in the room would have helped.
To be fair to the Mayor – he could, and often is, out at an event every evening of the week. He either had somewhere else to be or took a deserved evening off.
Copies of private tree bylaws were set out on tables for people to read.
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