Operation Tag and Tow comes up with the same lousy numbers as last year - the lesson isn't getting through.

SwP thumbnail graphicBy Pepper Parr

May 6, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

It’s always close to the same number – something around the 35% plus number. That being the percentage of the trucks pulled over for safety inspection.

Small - click here whiteWhen more than a third of those pulled over fail the tests and 15 trucks are actually taken off the road – those roads are not safe.

Police are busy investigating and laying drug charges in the city.  Is there a serious drug problem and should there be a different approach to handling drug offences?  And who is buying the stuff?

Lots of paper work when a truck gets taken off the road – money well spent.  Get tougher.

Yesterday the Halton Regional Police Service in partnership with Peel Regional Police, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of the Environment and the Region of Halton conducted a Commercial Vehicle Safety Initiative.

The focus of the blitz was to identify vehicles that may not be properly maintained and could pose a danger on our roads.

In total 40 commercial vehicles were inspected resulting in:

• 70 provincial offence notices issued
• 15 vehicles removed from service
• 38% failure rate

Tougher crackdown on these people – raise the stakes – impound the trucks for a week. Let the carriers unload the products they are hauling and send a warning letter and a liability notice to the company that hired the truck – make it clear – this is not going to be tolerated.

The association of police chiefs are not shy when it comes to getting their message out. Get this message out – our roads are going to be safe.

car driver on the phone

When police catch this – take the car off the road and send the driver home in a cab.

Don’t get me going on the nut cases that drive with the cell phone in their hands. $2500 fine and they have to call a taxi to get home; impound the car and if there are children in it – call Child Services.

The police want anyone who kills a police officer in jail for life – that issue is important to them. Safe roads are important to the people who drive them.  Crack down

Day two of Operation Tag and Tow will take place in Oakville on May 7th, 2015.

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Community Foundation is ready to close the file on flood relief claims - $2.97 million will eventually be distributed

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

May 6, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Small click here - blackIt has been a mammoth job with hour upon hour of paper work and telephone calls explaining the awkward process of getting funds into the hands of people whose homes were flooded last August – but that process is close to complete.

Flood BMO at the vault

The Bank of Montreal, like most of the major banks in the city opened the vaults and made donations to the disaster relief fund. From the left are MPP Eleanor McMahon, Ron Foxcroft, Mayor Goldring, BMO manager Jose Lozano and area VP for BMO Lee Velardo The little lady in the front who kept the community foundation is Colleen Mulholland

Colleen Mulholland announced yesterday that the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) has completed the review and assessment of the 310 claims that were made: 268 of those claims were approved and partial payments have been made or are in the process of being made to the home owners.

The BCF was asked by Mayor Goldring to create a Disaster Relief Claims Committee (DRC) within days of the flooding. Mulholland spearheaded that effort and pulled in newly appointed BCF Board member Ron Foxcroft to help with the fundraising the community had to do to qualify for provincial government support.

Flood Foxcroft at BMO hands out full upright

There was a time when Ron Foxcroft was a force to be contended with on the basketball court. He became a force that one had to pay attention to when he started calling the banks in the city for flood relief donations.

Foxcroft drove in just short of $1 million in 100 days.

With the hard work done Mulholland explains that the next step for the Claims Committee is to determine final payment amounts. The City of Burlington will disburse the final cheques and the entire program will be wrapped up by the end of May.

“The Flood Relief efforts have been challenging for all and after months of hard work the DRC is pleased that victims in greatest need will soon receive all of the much awaited financial assistance to put the devastation of the August 4, 2014 flood in the rear view mirror,” said Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation.

There are many kudos to be handed out for this magnificent effort.

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Burlington author Janet Turpin Meyers publishes her second title; launch will take place May 24th.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

March 6, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Small click here - blackWhen we did a report on the reception for the publication of Janet Turpin Myer’s first book Nightswimming we said that “Burlington may have just witnessed the introduction of a major new writer.”

Meyer’s has just published her second title: The Last Year of Confusion

Janet Turpin Myers works in a bright, sunlit room filled with the smell of cedar trees when the windows are open.

Janet Turpin Myers works in a bright, sunlit room filled with the smell of cedar trees when the windows are open.

Her publisher, Maureen Whyte said of Meyers: “I believe it demonstrates a true ability to write well when an emerging writer doesn’t merely copy a previous storyline. Janet has written an engaging, funny, yet thought-provoking book that takes readers on a wild – but rewarding – journey.”

A story brimming with satire, dark humour and truth, the book follows Villis, a cranky retired anthropologist and survivor of Stalin’s gulag work prisons, as he works vigilantly with his long-time pacifist friend, Bipin, to protect the unspoiled forest they call The Pearl.

There are no coincidences, Bipin believes – so when a young man on an obnoxious all-terrain vehicle begins chewing up forest trails and squashing amphibians, Bipin seeks the cosmic meaning inherent in this assault. But Villis wants to wage war.

The two friends’ naïve efforts to dispel the ATV-man from their beloved woodland haven spiral into a rollicking chaos of confusion, involving celebrity impersonators, visions of cavemen, and a time portal swirling from within the vibrating heart of The Pearl. Mingling pathos and tragedy with humour and a keen perception of the superficiality of current pop culture, The Last Year of Confusion conveys profound ideas regarding peace, faith and love.

Janet Turpin Meyers, local author launches her first title at the end of the month.

Janet Turpin Meyers, local author launches her first title.  Her second title will be released later this month.

“I have used satire and, yes, shock features, in this story for an important reason,” says Myers. “I want to encourage readers to think about how pop culture, TV reality shows and celebrity personalities have lured our attention away from not only the environmental crisis our planet is in, but also from the abiding threat to human freedom by oppressive political and state forces.”

Book Launch will be at – the Cedar Springs Community clubhouse on May 24th – 2081 Grand Blvd., North Burlington- , starting at 2:00 p.m. The author will give a talk about the book, along with a short reading. Refreshments will be served.

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Halton’s best and brightest compete for cash prizes & professional services at Pythons’ Pit – winners announced.

News 100 blueBy Staff

May 5, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

There was no shortage of suspense and excitement as the winners were chosen at the 3rd annual Pythons’ Pit competition in Burlington last night.

Python Pic 1

Cory Hudson – Ambient Audio Canada (Open Category Winner – $20,000)

Developed by the Rotary Clubs of Halton, it is the region’s most exciting entrepreneurial event. Finalists in the Open and High School categories had the opportunity to pitch their business concepts and product ideas in front of a live audience and “The Pythons”, a panel of business moguls from the community. At stake: cash awards and range of in-kind professional services and mentoring to help them launch their businesses.

A large crowd of supporters were on the edge of their seats at Performing Arts Centre as the Pythons made their difficult decisions in the annual competition, which is supported by presenting sponsors RBC Royal Bank and MNP LLP along with several groups and community partners.

In the Open Category, Cory Hudson, a 5th year Biology student at the Wilfrid Laurier University (originally from Oakville) took home a $20,000 cheque for his handmade and engineered Bluetooth speakers with unique lighting features. Hudson believes his Ambient Audio Canada initiative “will help people create a deeper connection with their music” and the Pythons agreed. A surprise 3-month $7,000-worth free lease offer from RioCan sweetened the winning pot! Hudson was one of five finalists in the Open Category.

Python Pic 2

Jennifer Palfi (High School Winner – $1,500)

First Place in the High School Category went to a group of bright and energetic Grade 12 students from Burlington’s Nelson High School. David Vanderberg, Ben Mallory, Jassim Moslim and Megan Long impressed the Pythons with ‘Coffee Run’, a unique app that facilitates a more organized and systematic way to ease the ordering experience. They’ll share $2,500 in prize money.

Python Pic 3

Robert Omer Carriere (Open Category Contestant)

Other cash prizes in the six-finalist high school category went to Jennifer Palfi, a Grade 11 student at Bishop P.F. Reding High School in Milton for ‘PeraCards’, a unique app for sending handwritten cards from a mobile device and Kush Yegnaswami, a Grade 12 student at Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville whose ‘Aquaponics’ food production invention captured the imagination of the Pythons.

Python Pic 4

David Woolford (Python), John Stix (Python), Megan Long (High School Winner – $2,500), Ben Mallory (High School Winner – $2,500), Jassim Moslim (High School Winner – $2,500), Michele Bailey (Python)

In the spirit of Dragons’ Den and Shark Tank, Pythons’ Pit attracts the best and brightest of Halton’s budding entrepreneurs. The event, emceed by veteran broadcaster Connie Smith was recorded live by TVCogeco and will be the subject of a multi-part mini-series in the fall of this year.

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Haudenosaunee Clans…Extended Families of the Iroquois exhibit opens at Crawford Lake

theartsBy Staff

May 5, 2015

MILTON, ON

Crawford Lake Conservation Area is featuring the artwork and writings of talented Tuscarora artist Raymond R. Skye. The exhibit, titled Haudenosaunee Clans…Extended Families of the Iroquois opens today, Tuesday, May 5 and will be on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until June 30, 2015 in the newly built Deer Clan Longhouse.

Raymond Skye

Raymond Skye

The exhibit will engage guests in a rich experience combining art, video, and hands-on elements to build understanding of the heritage and clans of the Haudenosaunee people. Imagine standing in a modern longhouse, listening to the lyrical poetry of the book The Great Law Kayaneren’ko:wa as written and narrated in English by Metis author David Bouchard, and in Mohawk by Six Nations of the Grand River community member, Frank Miller. The powerful words are accompanied by the visual feast of Raymond’s artworks.

Tim Johnson, Associate Director for Museum Programs, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington and New York had this to say about Skyes’s work:

“The value of Raymond Skye’s artistry is immeasurable. In an information age where ideas and influences are transferred around the globe at the speed of light, it is vitally important that distinct cultures and nations have in place powerful and sustainable mechanisms for their preservation. As an earnest and life-long student and teacher of Haudenosaunee culture, Ray’s contributions to his heritage are numerous and exceptional.

His art documents the primary narratives of Haudenosaunee origin, emergence, and history, enveloping substance within imagery that informs cultural awareness and inspires the people to forever remember. The presence of an artist like Raymond Skye in our community and nation is not only invaluable, it is essential!”

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City delegation to dine at Dutch Palace in Netherlands - it certainly beats eating at the convention centre in Burlington.

News 100 redBy Staff

May 5, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Better late than never – I guess.

The city sent out a media release this morning saying who is part of the Burlington delegation in Holland to mark the 10th anniversary of the twinning of Burlington with the City of Apeldoorn and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.
The delegation left for Holland on Sunday and was busy at events on Monday.

Palace gardens - Holland

It will be the trip of a lifetime for those who will take part in the farewell dinner being held at Palace Het Loo

Mayor Rick Goldring leads the delegation that consists of Ward 6 Councillor (and Mundialization Committee’s council member) Blair Lancaster; Scott Stewart, General Manager of Development and Infrastructure; Rob Peachey, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces; Ed Dorr, Chair of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee; and Charles Minken, Chair of Burlington’s Apeldoorn subcommittee. They will be in the Netherlands from May 4 to May 9, 2015.

The Burlington Teen Tour Band and a citizen delegation will also be in Apeldoorn.

Palace Holland statue

European splendor at its finest – tour of the Palace and dinner may well turn out to be the highlight of the event.

“This is a great opportunity to join the people of the Netherlands to remember the Canadian and Allied soldiers who lost their lives for liberation and freedom,” said Deputy Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.
The delegation will also discuss business opportunities with Apeldoorn officials.

May 4 – Remembrance Day Ceremonies
• Commemoration Loenen
• Commemoration Oranjepark (silent walk of remembrance)

May 5 – Liberation Day
• Wageningen Parade (Burlington Teen Tour Band performing)
• Remembrance concert Amsterdam (official liberation concert on the Amstel for the King and Queen of the Netherlands)

May 6
• Veteran Affairs Canada event

May 7
• Tour of Apeldoorn’s water technology program
• Visit one of the City of Apeldoorn’s multifunction centres for firefighters, paramedics and municipal workers
• City Hall reception and Burlington Teen Tour Band performance

May 8
• Meeting with Apeldoorn officials to discuss business opportunities (Canadian Ambassador James Lambert to be in attendance)
• Preview of Burlington Park (the Burlington Teen Tour Band will perform)
• Citizen delegation farewell dinner at the A-Ford Museum in Beekbergen

Palace Holland

With gardens like this at the Palace Het Loo city Rob Peachey, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces should return to Burlington with hundreds of ideas for our Parks.

May 9
• Apeldoorn Veterans’ Parade (Burlington Teen Tour Band closing the parade)
• Liberation concert with Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet
• Farewell dinner at Palace Het Loo

May 10 – return to Canada

The media release sent out this morning is the first recent mention from city hall of this event.

Related article:

City delegation in Holland

 

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Beachway resident expect to be in the park right to the end - a moment in time that has yet to be defined.

opinionandcommentBy Helene Skinner

May 5, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Just read today’s Burlington Gazette article about Beachway Park’s Beachway Master plan.  Let me assure you that I speak of behalf of the majority of the people.

We are NOT selling to the Region and will be here to the very end. As there is NO expropriation on the table – I have that as solid information from solid sources…then there is really no need to continue to post articles that are repetitive in nature, antagonizing and do nothing but add unnecessary doubt in the public’s mind to the financial value and integrity of our community on all levels.

The family in this home does not expect to be a willing seller to anyone.  The city and the Region, especially the current city Councillor for the ward thinks the city and the Region can just wait them out.  Lousy way to run a city.

The family in this home does not expect to be a willing seller to anyone. The city and the Region, especially the current city Councillor for the ward thinks the city and the Region can just wait them out. Lousy way to run a city.

I’m sure that many of us including Mr. and Mrs. Milner (who have resided on Lakeshore Court for over 70 years) would like to finally enjoy their summer and I know that they fully intend on continuing to enjoy their plus 70 years on Beachway and so will their grand children…so in response…Lakeshore Court will not be changing to accommodate a continued on paper park concept. The park concept increments will materialize slowly and will not encroach on any residential areas that the Region does NOT legally own.

We as tax payers have the right to enjoy our owned properties and be liberated from any additional stress, undue hardship, propaganda or feeling of harassment.

Staff recommended the PARK, Regional Council voted in favour of the recommendations based on their historical 40 year vision, Region Realty Department is mandated to establish and execute strategic acquisition program (something that they do daily all over Halton) by offering the best of two appraisals based on fair market value + legal/moving costs and possible lease back options…but all under a willing seller/willing buyer basis. A simple “no” closes the file.

If there are any further questions on the Region’s intent to expropriate….I will be happy to host and chair a meeting with the Burlington Gazette, City of Burlington politicians, City and Regional high level staff.

 

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Burlington Mural project looking for artists to do one mural in each ward - decent funding available.

theartsBy Staff

May 4, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Art – mural art to be specific – is going totally local. If you don’t reside in Burlington – you don’t get considered.

The City’s Public Art program has been massaging this idea for a while now – calling it the Burlington Mural Project, it is designed to tell local stories using local artists.

Murals - Toronto soldiers

This mural is on a store wall in Scarborough.

Intended as an annual program, it will commission small to medium-scale murals throughout the city. These commissions are open exclusively to Burlington, Ontario artists. There will be free professional development opportunities offered to assist artists with the application process and project development.

Six murals (one mural per ward) will be commissioned in Year 1 of the program. Commissions will range in value from $2,500 – $12,000 depending on the scale and complexity of the project.

The locations for the murals were selected through a public process. Residents were asked to submit mural locations and themes (via an online and in-person survey). 333 location suggestions were received, resulting in 114 unique locations. Locations that are not selected in Year 1 will remain on file for subsequent years of the program.

Applications can be found on the Calls for Artists page

The public art program hosted a ‘Murals 101’ workshop on April 25, 2015, which featured Karin Eaton, Executive Director of Mural Routes and mural artist Allan Bender in a lively discussion about contemporary mural making.

Mural - Flat Iron Bldg Toronto

This mural is at the rear of the Flat Iron building on Front Street in downtown Toronto

They discussed a variety of mural techniques and materials using real life case studies. A copy of the powerpoint presentation and additional notes are available on the Public Art website.

The applications are due on June 8th

Application Review Sessions will take place on May 25-26, for those who need help preparing an application to the Burlington Mural Program? The Public Art Managers are hosting a free application review session on May 25-26. Book a one-on-one session (20-30 minutes) to review a draft of your application and receive constructive feedback.

These sessions are open to all artists who are actively preparing an application to the Burlington Mural Program. Attendance will be voluntary and appointments must be booked in advance. To book an appointment please contact: Kim Selman, kim@cobaltconnects.ca or 905-548-0111

There are a wide variety of resources related to mural production, installation and conservation online. The Public Art program managers have complied a list of useful resources that may be helpful when preparing an application.

The project is being managed by Cobalt Connects – they are looking at a possible ten year program but add that it will probably be more like five years.

Five murals in each ward of the city might be a little over the top’

It will be interesting to see what comes in in the way of ideas.

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City announces the entertainment line-up for Canada Day - Symphony on the Bay will perform with fireworks.

News 100 redBy Staff

May 4, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The City of Burlington has announced the entertainment lineup for Canada Day that includes the Stellas and Symphony on the Bay.

The Stellas have been selected to headline the Canadian Tire Main Stage on at 3:00 p.m. Brad and MaryLynne Stella make up the husband-and-wife country duo from the Toronto suburbs, and have toured with Zac Brown Band, Johnny Reid and Terri Clark.

Symphony on the Bay - Koogle Feb 2015

Symphony on the Bay will have the Canada Day Fireworks accompanying their performance at 10:00 on Canada Day.

Symphony on the Bay became an orchestra in 1973. It recently made the Burlington Performing Arts Centre its home and will play the celebrations again this year. The community-based symphony will accompany the fireworks presentation at 10:00 p.m.

The Stellas

The Stellas have been selected to headline the Canadian Tire Main Stage on Canada Day.

The Burlington Events Office held a Twitter contest for musicians to win a performance spot on the Canadian Tire Main Stage.

Residents voted on three finalists, with Devin Moody the winner. Moody, from Burlington, Ont., is influenced by 1950s’ music. He’s toured throughout Canada, the United States and Japan and is currently a semi-finalist in CBC’s Searchlight contest.

Other entertainment planned for the annual celebration includes:
• White Pine Dancers
• Burlington Teen Tour Band
• Jessica Mitchell
• Mystic Drumz
• Johannes Linstead
• Fireworks presented by BUNZL

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Mayor and Councilor Lancaster in Holland representing the city during the celebration of the Canadian liberation of Holland - seventy years ago.

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

May 4, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Mayor is not in his office this week.

He is out of the country along with Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster taking part in the celebration of Canadian troops liberating Holland seventy years ago.

Liberation of HollandWhen the announcement was made at a council meeting it was done very quietly. They Mayor wasn’t sneaky about it – he was just unusually quiet. Municipal politicians in Ontario were once infamous for the junkets they took at taxpayer expense.

Ever since those glory days politicians have been very, very quiet about their trips out of the country.

There was no media release about the trip. For a Mayor who rarely gives up a photo opportunity there was no picture of the group that left for Apeldoorn heading for the airport.

Nothing in City talk magazine about the trip – but there was a notation of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding that led to the twinning of Burlington and Apeldoorn.

Canadian tanks in Holland

The citizens of Holland crowded the streets of the cities and town when the Canadian army came through seventy years ago. Some of those people immigrated to Burlington and made us a bigger and better city.

Burlington has a very engaged Dutch community that has served the city well. Our twinning with Apeldoorn is something to be proud of as is our twinning with Itabashi in Japan.

It would be just be nice if the Mayor’s office would be consistent in his understanding of what transparency actually means.

There was no mention of who from the Dutch community took part in the trip nor was there any mention of the senior staff members who are along for the ride.

Nothing wrong with the trip – Canadians are amongst the most welcome people in Holland – they have never forgotten what our troops did for them. It is fitting that a city that has been twinned is there to be part of the celebration – just be open about it.

And publish the expenses soon after you return.

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Mayor assures audience that intensification will not impact traditional communities - Tyendaga golf course seems to be safe

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

April 30, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

For an event that is critical to how Burlington decides to grow and of concern to a lot of people who aren’t all that excited about the idea of intensification – Mayor Goldring had some hurdles to get over.

Fortunately he had some good news – Burlington is going to handle the intensification that has to take place very well.

Goldring at Inspire April 2015

Mayor Rick Goldring speaking to a full house at the Performing |Arts Centre about intensification.

The speech was the first Mayor Goldring has given to a large public audience since his re-election and he took the podium at the Performing Arts Centre as the first speaker in his Inspire events. The Inspire events were begun during the Mayor’s first term and have proven to be one of the brightest things he has done. Taking the podium himself put him in the same league as some of the best thinkers in the province.

The public didn’t hear anything astonishingly new during the presentation – basically it was told that intensification is going to take place because it is something we have to do and that Burlington’s traditional neighbourhoods are not going to see significant change.

Ghent trees

The bulk of that magnificent tree canopy in the center of this project on |Ghent east of Brant met with chain saws – it didn’t have to happen.

That statement doesn’t square all that well with the development nearing the final stage of construction on Ghent Avenue where 8 houses were taken down and 58 homes built. But let us not quibble over details. The properties did have a hold designation and they were going to be assembled – there was the chance to do something magnificent but the developer chose to cut down more than 100 trees and build back to back townhouses. That was what they determined the market wanted.

The Mayor explained that the federal government handles immigration and determines how many people are going to be taken in. While the federal government can’t tell the 250,000 people who arrive on our doorsteps where they have to go but it does know that they head for the major urban centres. Burlington is within in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area – we call it the Golden Horseshoe and they come here by the thousands.

The province told the Region how much its population had to grow; the Region took that number and began to allocate it amongst Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.

Burlington’s population now is at about 178,000 – we have to grow to 193,000 by 2031 – the information available at this time suggests Burlington is on track to reach its targets – the suggestion is that we are a little bit ahead.

Mayor Goldring talked about the opportunity along Plains Road and Fairview. He acknowledged that Aldershot residents are concerned about how growth in their community is likely to change their life styles; he pointed to the very significant potential for better use of land along Fairview.

He added to that the eventual residential development at Eagle Heights at the western end of Aldershot and the interesting way development is taking place in mid-town.

The city has come to realize as well that there is a lot of room for intensification within both the Burlington and Mapleview Malls where some medium rise buildings could be placed with commercial at grade and three to six floors of residential above.

BSP - 730  760 Brant Street

Intensification that complies with the existing Official Plan and the zoning on the property will begun construction early next Spring on Brant Street just south of Ghent

The addition of well over 100 residential units to the Brant Square Plaza is a fine example of intensification that will add value to a community. In this instance it will anchor the new northern boundary of the Burlington Downtown Business Association.

At some point someone is going to do something with the Lakeside Plaza in eastern Burlington.

There was potential along Tremaine Road north of Dundas and some room left in the Alton community.

Mayor Goldring did say that we would not be expanding the urban boundary – that is developing north of the Dundas – 407 border – the statement didn’t come across as a ringing statement – it sounded just a little on the limp side. We will watch the Cogeco broadcast and pay closer attention to the strength of his comment.

The reality is that Burlington cannot on its own change the urban boundary – we would have to convince the Region to let us do that and then we would have to work within a provincial policy and the Niagara Escarpment rules and regulations.

However, during a drive around the Burlington properties that could be developed with then Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation Kyle Benham, he made the statement that the land on the north side of the 407 was just too good from a commercial exposure point of view to be used for just growing hay. This city knows what developers have been able to pull off in the past.

Bridgewater from the north looking south

The height of the Bridgewater condominium at the edge of the Lake is going to stun the public as the watch it rise storey after storey. It may well prove to be the justification for an even higher building yards away.

That point will get driven home when the Bridgewater condominium begins to rise twenty stories on the edge of Lake Ontario yards from the downtown core.

The Mayor told the audience that the average sale price for a single dwelling was $565,000 – which is great for all those seniors who are approaching the point in their lives when they will want to sell and move into a dwelling that doesn’t require the effort to cut the grass or blow the snow away; a place they can lock up and head to Florida for a couple of months in the winter.

The flip side of that of course is finding younger families who can afford to pay $565,000 for a home.

Brock Condo

The Brock condominium was opposed by the community – it was approved and is now selling – it fits into the community – but that wasn’t the way the public saw it two years ago.

The Mayor pointed out that there have been developments the public didn’t like but were approved nevertheless.  He mentioned the Strata project on Maple.  He could have mentioned he Brock Project as well when he explained that these projects were opposed by the pubkic but they were built and and it didn’t take long for people to move in and like the buildings.

Burlingtonians tend to not like anything that is new or different – they want the city to remain the way it was when they were raising thi r families; those people are growing older and the houses they were raised in are growing older as well.

Maranantha-6-storey-version

The proposed Maranatha retirement home on New Street, approved by the city and now before the OMB is an example of the kind of growth Mayor Goldring believes the city should be looking at.

Goldring took the position that the Maranantha project proposed for New Street, now before the OMB, is something people in the immediate community will want to live in – he said at the time that he thought some of the people opposed to the project now will eventually be residents in that building.

The phrase the Mayor said he heard again and again during the election was that everyone loved the city just as it is – one of the things they didn’t want more of was congestion.

Goldring at Inspire April 2015 - hand out

Rick Goldring – Mayor of Burlington explaining the why of justification to an audience of close to 200.

Mayor Goldring was the 17th Inspire speaker – did he Inspire? Well he didn’t get a standing ovation – it was more than just polite applause. Goldring speaks better in front of an audience than he does at Council. There he tends to be stilted, a little awkward, reads from a script and is certainly not relaxed.

There is a quote: “You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy.” It will be interesting to listen to Rick Goldring if there is every a day when he leans on a podium and talks from his heart about his vision and lets us see if the boy has outgrown at least some of the country that is in him.

The future concern for Burlington is how many people are we going to have to grow by between 2031 and 2041 – and what kind of people are we going to grow by. The Regions has been told that it has to grow by 220,000 people between 2031 and 2041 – how much of that growth is Burlington going to have to absorb?

Milton has been growing at an exceptionally rapid pace – can it be expected to take more.
GO train service is going to upgrade to every 15 minutes in the not too distant future and our infrastructure appears to be capable of handling a significant amount of growth.

The Region just might be asking Burlington to swallow a large chunk of that 220,000 projected population growth – Rick Goldring didn’t mention that earlier this week.

He will not be Mayor when that shovel full of if hits the fan.

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Province gives the Region the balance of the $2.8 million promised to cover part of the cost of recovering from the ice storm December of 2013

News 100 redBy Staff

April 30, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

On April 22, 2015, the Province committed to compensating Halton Region $2.8 million for response and recovery efforts related to the December 2013 severe ice storm. The storm left thousands of Halton residents without power for days, including Christmas day, resulting in significant impacts to the Halton community and the local environment. For several months following the storm, Halton Region provided special bulk brush and yard waste collection services to ensure resident safety, and to help clear streets and yards throughout the region.

With

It was more than the trees that got bent during the ice storm in December of 2013. Senior staff were working Christmas Day with work crews doing double shift to get power lines back up and electricity flowing. At one point hydro had to run a new line though some pretty rough terrain – but the lights did go back on.

“The December 2013 ice storm had a serious impact on our community, causing substantial damage to residences and businesses,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We are very pleased that the Province is providing the funding we claimed which will help recover the significant cost from the storm response efforts.”

In April 2014, the Province announced the creation of the Ontario Ice Storm Assistance Program through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The program is intended to provide financial support to municipalities and conservation authorities for ice storm related expenses. In early April of this year, Halton Region received an initial payment of nearly $1 million from the Province. The remaining $1.8 million is expected to be received by May 8, 2015.

“This is great news for Halton!” said Halton MPP Indira Naidoo-Harris. “With this support, the Ontario government is delivering on its commitment to assist those municipalities severely impacted by the 2013 ice storm. This funding is vital to helping cover damage-related costs and will go a long way to keeping our local communities strong.”

jgt

It was close to around the clock for hydro crews who had to cut down large branches that had fallen on hydro wire. Crews worked well into the evening several days.

“In 2013, a devastating ice storm swept much of our province causing significant damage to Burlington and surrounding communities. Municipal governments responded swiftly to help keep our residents safe by cleaning up debris and establishing warming shelters for those without power to light or heat their homes. While the need to better prepare for increasingly-common extreme weather events is apparent, this one-time disaster relief program will alleviate the financial impact of this storm on our region,” said Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon. “I am pleased that our government is making this investment to assist with the cost of the storm, and I would like to thank and recognize the municipal and regional staff whose immediate and ongoing assistance helped residents in need.”

City of Burlington submitted a claim for approximately $3.3 million and received an interim payment of $1.16 – the balance of what is a very complex claim is being reviewed – so that cheque isn’t in the mail.

 

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Community Foundation distributes $897,000 to groups in the city - highest level ever for the organization.

News 100 yellowBy Staff

April 28, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) distributed more than $897,000 in grants to charities and not-for-profit organizations, the largest amount since the Foundation was founded in 1999. Since its inception BCF has provided more than $3.18 million in grants.

BCF-Paletta-and-Mulholland

Angelo Paletta, the Honorary Chair of the BCF Gala last year with President and CEO Colleen Mulholland. The Gala is one of the major fund raising event for the Community Foundation

“We are grateful to our current 74 fund holders who continue to partner with us and increase their gifts every year so we can grant to so many outstanding organizations,” says Colleen Mulholland, CEO and President of BCF. “We can attribute our increase in granting to an overall increase to BCF’s endowment fund, stewarding a wide variety of fund models to meet the various needs of our community, and to a healthy economic climate.”

In 2014 BCF’s community grants focused on needs identified in the Foundation’s Vital Signs Report. This research and subsequent report are designed to provide key data to better understand where success and progress is being had while also highlighting pressing needs. After analyzing the data contained in the Vital Signs Report grants in 2014 largely focused on mental health, poverty, and youth.

“Our role is to be a 360 degree grantor,” says Mulholland. “We take a holistic view of our community through our Vital Signs Report and aim to support to all community needs while honouring the philanthropic wishes of our donors.”

StrtPln #13 low income children

The number of children in low income families has been at a consistent since 2006 – are we missing something here?

A key part of BCF’s holistic view is hearing back from various grant recipients to better understand the impact of our grant making initiatives.

Community Development Halton presented data to the team that will create a Strategic Plan for the next four years – in that report they highlighted two critical choke points in the city – the number of children that are defined as low income and the number of people who live in poverty.

The Community Foundation addresses each of these through the funds they distribute.

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Home Depot location in Burlington aide police in arresting fraud artist - she was charged with 24 offences

Crime 100By Staff

April 29, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

On Tuesday 28th April uniformed officers got a call from a Burlington Home Depot location who wanted to report a female who had just made a fraudulent purchase and was leaving the store.

The officers arrived and located the female in the parking lot of the business and she was subsequently arrested without incident.

Home Depot Fraud investigators advised the officers that this female who was previously unknown to them had been conducting similar fraudulent activity across the GTA over the past several months.

Members of the Halton Police Fraud unit were called in to assist in the investigation and the female has been charged with a total of 24 criminal offences including multiple counts of impersonation and fraud over $5,000 dollars. The offences have all occurred at numerous Home Depot locations across the GTA including London, Richmond Hill and Toronto as well as Oakville, Burlington and Milton.

Charged is Nicole ROUSE of Toronto.

She did not go home that evening.

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If you need a good Mother's Day idea that involves the kids - look no further. Be a Rock Star for your Mom

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

April 29, 2015

Burlington, ON

It is coming up – Mother’s Day is not that far away. That means another breakfast in bed with toast that is dripping with syrup that will get spilt all over the sheets. The kids will love it and you will, eventually be happy they did what they did.

As they get older though – what about something a little more adventurous, a little more exciting and different.
Moms are Superstars. Maybe the kids could be superstars – for just a couple of hours.

Robin Pauhl three people headphones

The Mother’s Day gift that just keeps on giving.

What can’t they do?

Robin Pauhl who has one of those sultry voices knows how to get a tune across – the rest of us – well a Karaoke sound track is about as far as we get.

Pauhl came up with a really good idea.

She and her husband run BTown Sound, a studio where some pretty big names in the music world have laid down there sound tracks.

Pauhl is inviting families – everyone except Mom to come in and lay down a sound track of a Mother’s day greeting.

It will be unique, it will be different – the kids will have a great time putting it together and Mom will love and treasure it and want to play it for all the other Mother’s.

Robin Pauhl group

For those that get into it – they really get into it. The young lady on the right got a little distracted.

All the songs dedicated to moms will be recorded at $40 per hour instead of our regular fee of $60. This is perfect for all ages and a special present from kids and husbands. You can record to karaoke tracks, guitar, piano, violin, trumpet or even a full band.

Music lessons are an amazing way for kids to learn and grow, and on that note we’d like to introduce the Studio’s newest enterprise: B Town Sound School of Music.

There are only so many hours in a given day and only so many days left until \Mother’s Day – so pull everyone together, make your plans – maybe even write your song and book your time.

Don’t forget to take the IPhone and record it all.

Great idea Robyn –

Robin Pauhl - girl withheadphones

A last minute sound check before the tracks leave the studio.

Give them a call – we just might manage to convince a family to let us publish one of the recording sessions.  BTown sound is  located at 919 Fraser Drive, unit 10 Burlington, ON, Canada  – 905 616 7500 or email at robyn@btownsound.ca

Wish I’d known about this when my Mom was still with us.

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Strategic Plan deliberations begin - intensification and where people are going to live appears to be the question that will shape the conversation.

element_strategic_planBy Pepper Parr

April 29, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The creation of the strategic Plan for the next three years began Tuesday morning at the LaSalle Pavilion. Council and senior city staff met as a Committee of the Whole and while these occasions are public meetings – there wasn’t a member of the pure public in the room.

The Gazette was the only media in the room as well. There were two representatives from community Development Halton taking part in the presentation of a social profile of Burlington.

Strategic Plan WorkbookWhat became clear quite early is that the development of the Strategic Plan and the completion of the Official Plan are being done hand in hand – each is going to inform the other.

Who lives in Burlington; who is going to live in Burlington and where will they want to live? These were the prime questions put before the meeting of about 40 people.

Community Development Halton put together a very detailed profile of who we are and what we are worth. This data was set out as the base upon which both the Official Plan and the Strategic Plan are going to be created.

None of this is going to happen in 90 days – the public may not see a completed Strategic Plan until sometime in October.

There will be more public involvement in the 2015 Strategic Plan than there was in the 2011 Plan. The city created a workbook that was made available to anyone who asked. At one point there were just 35 completed but that number “zoomed up to 90.

Knowing what is probably going to be needed in the way of housing tells the planners what kind of development they want to encourage – and developments do get encouraged.

StPl 2015 #1 Population changes

Burlington population growth has flat lined, Milton is sky rocketing and Oakville is pulling ahead. These projections have significant political and economic implications – the Region may well decide that more of the population coming into the Region should land in Burlington.

A presentation of 24 slides told the story – the first was a look at the historic population of the municipalities in the Region

There was a time said Mayor Goldring when Burlington was bigger than Oakville however since then Burlington’s growth has basically flat lined while Milton has grown very rapidly.

StPln2015 #2 population share

Our portion of the Region’s population is shrinking while that of Milton has skyrocketed. When the 2016 census data is available the Region is required to look at where people live and re-balance the political representation at the Region. Burlington’s political clout will be based on the number of Regional Councillors. Right now every member of city council is also a regional Councillor. The make up of out city council could undergo a significant change.clout

The way population was shared within the Region  was interesting.

The change in where people lived is shown in #3. Some communities remained stable while others experienced significant growth. The red dot in the upper half is the creation of the community of Alton.

A large part of the discussion around population was the provincial requirement that population grow in the Region. The province requires Halton to grow and the Region determines where that population was going to go in each municipality.

Each municipality then determines where it is going to put the population growth in its municipality.

One point that got made several times was that Burlington’s growth would be done by intensification and that the older traditional communities would not undergo any intensification.

Mayor Goldring talks about the city being built out – Ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward says the city has hundreds of acres of land. One would expect they would both have access to the same data – apparently not.

Every conversation about population growth refers to the seniors and how that demographic is growing. The Molinaro Paradign project that will have five towers next to the GO station on Fairview is not going to house than many seniors – but the mental focus is still on the seniors.

StrtPlan #4 Seniors by municiality

Burlington clearly has the largest percentage of seniors and at the same time we have some of the highest rents and the lowest vacancies. The need for some deep understanding of the demographics of the community became obvious.

Here is what we know: The senior population increased by 17% to 29,720 between 2006 and 2011. The seniors represent 16.9 % of the population seniors over 80 have increased by 21% More than 62% of older seniors are female and 1 in 4 seniors live alone.
What kind of money do these people have? The median income for seniors is $33,280 and the median income for everyone is $40,180

In 2010, 64% of female seniors had incomes of less than $35,000; of the male population that percentage was 38.

The number of children living at home had some surprises – the definition of children for this exercise included people more than 25 years of age.

StrtPlan #6 Seniors income

There were more female seniors with incomes of less than $35,000 than there were male seniors. Income was defined as that which is shown on tax returns.

With older children living with their parents the number of people in a household by themselves was close to astonishing.

StrtPlan #7 Children at home

The number of people over 25 living with their parents is a little on the alarming side. The discussion on this data centered around whether or not this was going to continue or if it is a short term situation.

 

Some of the growth in Burlington is going to come through immigration. The Community Development Halton Development identified the sources of that immigration – it amounts to less than 2000 people

StrtPlan #9 Immigration by birthntry

Immigration into the Region by country of birth. The total is in the 2000 range which the bulk coming from the United States

How is income distributed in Burlington? Everyone has always said Burlington is a wealthy city – the data supports that belief.

On the flip side of the very wealthy is identifying the poor; 9.5% of the population in Burlington is poor.

StrtPln #13 low income children

It would be useful to understand why the number of low income children has remained close to static even though population has grown.

The number of low income children has been pretty consistent the past seven years – why? That question did not come up. We seem to have accepted that we just have them.

The prevalence of low income people is also interesting. It shot up during the recession in 2009 but never really came down to pre-recession levels.

StrtPlan #3 population chng 2006-2011

The numbers beside the dots indicates the level of growth. That big red dot reflects the growth in Alton.

Where does that low income population live? In Burlington we can’t say below the tracks – there are tracks all over the place – but there are clearly identified pockets of low income families

StrtPln #16 Working poor where are they

There is a link between the working poor and the amount of affordable housing in the city. That link is not fully understood by the community.

StrtPln #18 Private apartment avg rent

Rents are experiencing excellent growth – great if you are a landlord. Many of the new developments are being marketed as condominiums that are bought by investors and rented.

StrtPln # 19 Privata apartment vacancies

Apartment vacancy rates are very tight throughout the Region and is Hamilton as well.

Burlington’s working poor as a percentage of the population compared with other jurisdictions – Burlington is low on that scale – at 4.2% – which is 3,500 persons.

Owning an apartment building is a solid investment in the Region. Rents have experienced a solid climb – well in excess of inflation. The difference between Burlington and Hamilton explains why people will drive to get to Burlington every work day.

The vacancy rate is very tight throughout the Region and in Hamilton as well. A 3% vacancy rate is seen as a healthy, balanced market.

StrtPln #21 Commutes to Burliongton

The number of people who commute TO Burlington from Hamilton is very high. A deeper understanding of the dynamics behind these commutes is probably needed.

The number of trips made by people in Burlington to their jobs outside Burlington and the number of people who drive to Burlington to work is really interesting.

What isn’t clear is the why of those trips. Do people drive to Burlington from Hamilton because rents are cheaper in Hamilton.

Do people drive from Burlington to other places because that is where the jobs are?

StrtPln # 22 Commutes from Burlington

The traffic out of the city is due in some degree to employment opportunities. The city has yet to find the formula that will attract employers and reduce the commutes out of the city.

 

The belief is that people who work outside the city are less likely to be engaged with activities in the city – which was put out as part of the reason voter turnout is so low – it has been a consistent mid thirty percent range.

And yet the percentage of people who volunteer is very high in Halton – at the 50% level. The population is relatively generous – a smidgen lower than the Ontario average and lower than Oakville

Understanding the shifts that take place in population: immigrants coming into the country; seniors moving out of large homes into smaller townhouses or condos; young people renting their first apartment and the working poor looking for affordable housing is the work of demographers – Burlington doesn’t have one.

Windsor, a city with a population of 600,000 has six demographers on staff which prompted planner Bruce Krushelnicki to extrapolate that and come to the conclusion that Burlington should have two – Krushelnicki would settle for one.

A solid understanding of what Burlington has in the way of population, how that population is likely to shift and what future population might be  are the building blocks on which the Official Plan and the Strategic Plan will be built.

That process has now begun – by the end of the year city council and the public will have had the time needed to ensure that everyone at least understands what those plans are – getting them to agree is another matter.

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Resident claims there are very good reasons for the province to continue owning hydro - changing technology for one.

opinionandcommentBy Phil Davis

April 28, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

In the discussion of the Hydro-One sale the focus has been on its impact on customer cost. There is another reason why the sale is a bad choice, flexibility for adding future technology. We are currently on the cusp of a revolution in power electronics that has the potential to reduce pollution, increase jobs, increase energy diversity and reduce cost.

Nuclear plant with hydro towersThe ability to use new generation like solar and wind and new transmission technology will critically depend on the flexibility of the transmission system as an active part of the total system. The transmission system of the future will be a distributed system and have imbedded energy storage, ‘smart’ energy switching and remote load sensing and similar technology to optimize the total energy system; not the ‘top down’ system we have today.

We don’t know exactly what the future transmission system will look like and that is why it needs to be under public control, so that it will adapt as new energy sources become available.

If the transmission system is privately held there will be no incentive to invest or take the risk needed to modernize the system. It is likely the new owner of a privatized transmission system would also control generating plants and would protect their generation equipment profit by not modernizing to allow new generation equipment.

Hydro transmission linesThis would mean that Ontario would not only lose access to improving technology but would be locked in to higher energy prices for both ‘old’ power generation and distribution. We only need to remember the Enron debacle to see where this could go.

If electric transmission is privatized then Ontario will be stuck with a highway407 like energy infrastructure which will be optimized for the short term benefit of the few against the potential of new technology and the needs of the many. The proper approach is private generation competing to generate electricity at the lowest rate and public transmission to insure that all generation sources have access to customers.

 

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City and region give Transport Canada their views on how the regulations regarding public input on air park development can be changed. Progress - finally.

airpark 100x100By Pepper Parr

April 28th, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

The public is slowly getting some input on what is done in the way of development at air parks. This will be good news to the people of Burlington. The city has taken the Burlington Air Park to court twice – and is in the process of seeking additional legal relief from a company that has done almost everything it can to not comply with the city’s bylaws

Air Park entrance uly 2013

The only indication that there is an Air Park on Appleby Line is this one sign – everything else is hidden behind the large berm – put in place without site plan approval

Transport Canada has what is called the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council (CARAC) which recently asked for submissions on a proposed amendment to regulations and procedures related to Responsible Aerodrome Development.

A submission was made recently by Nancy Shea Nicol, City Solicitor & Director of Legal Services The Corporation of the City of Burlington and Mark Meneray, Commissioner of Legislative & Planning Services and Corporate Counsel for the Regional Municipality of Halton.

They were responding to the Notice of Proposed Amendment regarding Responsible Aerodrome Development and started by noting that comments will only be received until April 17th, 2015, which meant there has been insufficient time to prepare submissions for endorsement by our municipal councils.

It isn’t just the public that gets pushed to respond to changes that different levels of government make.

Airpark aerial used by the city

The air park property. The diagonal runway has been upgraded since this picture was taken

The Proposed Amendment provides that Transport Canada is seeking feedback from stakeholders on will require mandatory that public consultation processes be undertaken in respect of new aerodrome developments and existing certified and non-certified aerodromes when proposed development results in changes to the existing level of service or operations or usage.

Transport Canada is seeking input in setting the parameters of the following:

1. The circumstances under which the requirement to consult are applicable.
2. The mechanics of the consultation process including all steps to be taken.
3. The duration of the consultation process.
4. The defined dispute resolution process.

Before getting into the nitty gritty of their response the first thing Shea-Nicol and Meneray  had to say was that the scope of the regulatory proposal itself is too narrow in terms of its applicability for the following reasons:

Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Air PArk and beleived to be the sole shareholder of the private company, met with north Burlington residents.  He took all the comments made "under advisement"..

Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Air Park and believed to be the sole shareholder of the private company, met with north Burlington residents. He took all the comments made “under advisement”..

Recent amendments to the Aeronautics Act gave the Governor in Council the authority to make regulations with respect to mandatory consultations that must be carried out before the development of an aerodrome is developed or before an expansion of or change to the operations of an existing aerodrome. The amendments also gave the Governor in Council the authority to make regulations prohibiting the development or expansion of aerodromes or any change to the operation of them. It is our respectful submission that while the regulatory proposal speaks to stakeholder consultation, which we support in principle, it is silent on the circumstances under which the Governor in Council may exercise the power to prohibit the development or expansion of aerodromes or any change to the operation.

We are of the opinion, that in the absence of regulations governing when prohibition of development or expansion may occur, the duty to undertake a public consultation is somewhat “orphaned” in the larger regulatory context.

Rossi and Lancaster in Warren barn

The only meeting with north Burlington residents that Vince Rossi attended took pl;ace in a barn at the end of one of the Air Park runways. Circled are Rossi and ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster

Under the recent amendments to the Aeronautics Act the Minister has the authority to make orders prohibiting the development or expansion of an aerodrome or any changes to its operation where the Minister is of the opinion that the proposed development, expansion or change is likely to adversely affect aviation safety or is not in the public interest. We would expect that the results of the mandatory consultation process should inform the Minister as to when a proposed development or change to an existing aerodrome might not be in the public interest. Again, the regulatory proposal is silent on how this power is to be exercised, and under what conditions.
Further to the above noted points, it is unclear as to what exactly the regulatory framework is, and in particular how it will apply to registered and non-registered aerodromes. It is fine to provide provisions for consultation with the public, but if that consultation is not linked to any power to prohibit or invoke Ministerial orders regulating aerodrome development or operations, it may be that the public consultation is more “window dressing” than substance.

All this before they get into their response to the Notice of proposed amendments.

The intention of all this is to create a process that allows for public input and consultation.  The city and the Region want to make sure that the dice are not loaded in favour of an air park operator.  You can be the ranch that the Air Park will be submitting their views which will be considerably different than those of the city.

Heli-pad drawings Air park June 28-14

There were plans to build a heli-port dangerously close to a public road

What follows is as dry as toast – and critical to the development of rural Burlington.  There was a point at which the air park wanted to build a helicopter pad that was dangerously close to a public road and almost in the front yard of a neighboring property owner.  The Burlington Air Park had taken the position that they were a federally regulated operation and did not have to comply with municipal bylaws.

Justice Murphy put an end to that argument and said the Air Park was indeed required to abide by municipal bylaws and an appeal court agreed.

Nevertheless the Air Park has still not submitted the site alteration plan required – the city has once again gone to court and asking a judge to compel them to comply.

That is what makes this change in public participation process so very necessary.

1. CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THE REQUIREMENT TO CONSULT

We support in principle the requirement for public consultation as is proposed as it addresses what has in the past, been a serious gap in public information and/or consultation with the local community when there is development or expansion or changes to existing aerodrome operations. This has been and continues to be a source of conflict between aerodrome operators and the communities in which they reside.

While applicability to new aerodrome development is relatively straightforward in the regulatory proposal, it is far less clear when dealing with existing aerodrome development. From the perspective of the public at large, it is very unclear as to when proposed modifications result in changes to existing levels of service or operation, or result or could reasonably result in changes to existing usage. For example, the change of the size of an aerodrome should be subject to public consultation, even if it does not change its immediate usage. The vagueness of these proposals raise questions such as:

1. Who and how is the threshold determined?
2. Is it NAV CANADA and/or Transport Canada who makes the threshold determination or the proponent?
3. Is there an opportunity to influence this determination through a preliminary consultation with stakeholders and the public on this point?

The regulatory proposal indicates that the local public, land-use authorities and nearby registered and certified aerodromes must be notified of a proposed aerodrome development where public consultation “is deemed to be a requirement”. Again, it is unclear who makes this determination – either the proponent, Transport Canada, or NAV CANADA?

2. MECHANICS OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

We could not determine what the prescribed notification radius is and therefore are unclear as to how broadly a proponent is required to consult. We suggest the notification radius may be too restrictive in respect of non-built up areas. Furthermore, the terms “built­ up” and “protected area” are undefined and integral to determining the notification area. Calculating the applicable radius, assuming there is one, is even less clear in applying it to existing aerodrome development.

Air Park - trucks lined up

It was the dumpling of land fill without the proper papers that brought the illegal activity to the attention of city hall.

The environmental impacts of any development or proposed expansion of service is of particular concern to local communities.
It is curious that the public notification requires an attestation that the installation will adhere to local building and fire codes. Does Transport Canada concede that aerodromes are required to comply with local building code and fire code requirements? This language is repeated in the Community Comment Section and the concerns expressed here apply equally.

The same comment as above applies to the requirement that the proponent attest that local land-use authorities, “as applicable”, are engaged in the consultation process. This is ambiguous at best and should be clarified in order to ensure that local land use authorities are engaged in any consultation process.

The requirement that the proponent will respond to “all reasonable and relevant concerns” is ambiguous. Are we to assume that it is up to the proponent to determine which public concerns are “reasonable and relevant”? It is unrealistic to expect that the public or other government agencies will be able to assess “valid and substantiated safety” issues, “environmental considerations including the impact on environmentally sensitive or protected lands or aircraft noise within a 30 day response period as addressed below.

Equally of concern, environmental concerns that “are not scientifically sound” will not be considered reasonable or relevant. The process places the onus on the public to raise these concerns and establish their validity, rather than placing the onus on the proponent to have done this work in advance, assessed all of the impacts, and then present the proposal and scientific work to substantiate that the proposed development will not have a negative impact on the surrounding community.

The example list provided indicates that questions respecting whether locally established bylaws or other legislation, procedures or processes are applicable or should be amended in some manner will not be considered as a reasonable or relevant example of concern. This exclusion is too broad and could be used as a catch-all to deny reasonable and relevant concerns that may relate to or refer to bylaws, legislation or procedures. In addition, this seems contrary to the public consultation intent of the regulation and also seems to come to the incorrect conclusion that a bylaw, legislation or procedure or process cannot be applicable.to an aerodrome development.

Public comments including those that are determined to be unreasonable or irrelevant should be made publically available in order to ensure the transparency of the process.

Attempts to resolve concerns informally is positive, however the timelines for having these discussions is too short as discussed below. As well, it would appear that informal resolution will take place with individuals on a concern by concern basis, and not in a public or coordinated fashion. This could result in a “divide and conquer” strategy being used by the proponent to _address concerns raised by the public.

3. . DURATION OF THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

The timelines for public consultation are far too condensed. The regulatory proposal indicates that the proponent must ensure the public notification provides for at least 30 days for written public comment. Proponents will apply the 30 days as the maximum time required for comment. As regulators, Transport Canada has to appreciate that neither the public nor local municipal authorities have the resources (expert staff, funding) to be able to provide written comments on detailed aeronautic proposals within a 30 day window.

Glenn Grenier, lawyer for the Air Park, a pilot and a resident of the city got a little more than the time of day from a city council that decided they didn't have all that much time for him.

Glenn Grenier, lawyer for the Air Park, a pilot and a resident of the city got a little more than the time of day from a city council that decided they didn’t have all that much time for him.

For the consultation to be meaningful, sufficient time must be provided in order for the community to get the resources in place in order to properly understand the scale of the proposed development, and its impacts on the community. These resources are professional/expert in nature and will be costly to the community. Furthermore, most municipal councils only meet once per month and lead times required to get a report onto an agenda can be upwards of 30 days. Accordingly, in order to respond, municipal councils will require at least a 120 day notification period which to provide written comments in respect of a development proposal.

The window for holding the Community Information and Comment Session requires should be longer than the prescribed 14 – 20 days from the mailing of the notice or the publication in the local community newspaper. We would recommend that this window be set at a minimum of 60 days. This could take place within the 120 day period discussed above.

The 111 days for the concluding the public consultation process is too short. After the 120 day window for public comment and 30 days for proponent’s responses, there is only a 21 day opportunity for reply. This should be extended to 30 days. These timelines suggests that the consultation process should be at least 180 days.

Airpark dumped more than 30 feet of landfill without a Site Plan.  Owner of the adjacent property stands on her property line and wonders why anyone can build a "small mountain" next to her property without getting approval.  She is also retified about what the hill is doing to the vlue of her property and what the leaching out of the landfill is going to do to her well water.

Air park dumped more than 30 feet of landfill without a Site Plan. Owner of the adjacent property stands on her property line and wonders why anyone can build a “small mountain” next to her property without getting approval. She is also terrified  about what the hill is doing to the value of her property and what the leaching out of the landfill is going to do to her well water.

The Notice recognizes that proponents in more populated or sensitive areas should expect greater engagement in the consultation process that may extend the process beyond 111 days. An extended time frame should be recognized for more populated and sensitive areas in order to ensure the proponent engages the public appropriately in these circumstances.

4. THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS.

The formal intention by Transport Canada into a dispute between the public and the proponent is a positive process. We are concerned however that the general public will not have the resources to deal on an equal and balanced playing field with the representatives of the proponent and Transport Canada.

The Transport Canada process for dispute resolution is simply mentioned as a ‘process’ in the Notice. The details of how dispute resolution will be managed by Transport Canada could be outlined in greater detail so participating parties have a reasonable expectation of what will be required should they enter into dispute resolution.

werv

Second from the right is current Minister of Transport – second from the left is Vince Rossi at what is believed to have been an Air Park social event. The Minister has not met with the residents who are impacted by the air park.

The resolution window of 30 – 60 days is positive, however Transport Canada should ensure these timelines can be met.

The views of the city and the region are just one part of the comment process.  Let’s see how close the regulations come to giving he citizens of the city of Burlington the opportunity to have real input on what gets built in their city.

This has been a five year grind and it isn’t over yet – but the trend line has changed and the arrogance with which legal counsel approached the city is now a thing of the past.

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Latest email scam - this one didn't come from your bank.

identity-theftBy Pepper Parr
April 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON

It looked official enough – but there was something phony about it so I zipped a short note to my account manager and asked him – what’s up?

BMO notice

The impression you get is that your bank is taking care of you – except that the message didn’t come from your bank

Just as I suspected – it was phony.

I’m glad that the guys who keep my millions under lock and key were able to confirm my suspicion.

If you got this – delete.

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Petition to Stop the Sale of Hydro One; resident wants control to stay in the hands of the province

News 100 redBy Staff

April 27, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Joe Gaetan has taken the position that “Regardless of your party politics, selling off Ontario Hydro One Inc., is not a good thing.”

He maintains that the selling of publicly owned assets is a trend that started a while ago and in some cases makes perfect sense. However in this case there are a number of reasons as to why the current proposal should come off the table.

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The revenue produced for the province by Ontario Hydro is outstanding. The provincial government wants to sell the asset and forgo the revenue for a fantastic cash grab.

‘First and foremost the government of the day neither asked for, nor were given a mandate to sell Hydro One. In exchange for a one time inflow of cash from the sale, we the taxpayers will forego the differential future income of Hydro One in perpetuity. If Hydro One is good enough to sell, it’s good enough to keep a controlling ownership of at least 51%.

“If the government keeps a 40% minority share in Hydro One, as currently planned, they will be mostly insulated from complaints about performance shortcomings and rising fees. Once sold it will be almost impossible to buy it back.

“The current model of electing governments has resulted in many people giving up and not voting on Election Day. There are many reasons for that, one of which is many people don’t believe their vote counts. Direct democracy is where enough of us take a stand and tell the government that even though they won the last election they do not have a mandate to do as they wish.

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Joe Gaetan believes hydro is too good an asset to sell – wants the government to at least maintain control.web

“In New Zealand 895,322 taxpayers voted against a similar sale of assets, in spite of the vote the government went ahead anyway and sold the assets, but they at least had the foresight to retain a 51% ownership of the assets it had on the auction block.

At 8:20 on April 24, 2015 Gaetan  launched this petition asking for a moratorium and a referendum on the sale of Hydro One Inc. as it has been proposed. The petition can be found at: https://www.gopetition.com/petitions/hydro-one-sale.html.

If you feel strongly about this, please click the link to add your signature to the petition and then feel pass it along.

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