Traffic alerts –Maplewood Drive and Plains Road West have trouble spots.
Maplewood Drive will be temporarily closed from Brant Street to Robinson Street from July 2 to July 9, 2015 for the installation of a sanitary sewer.
The northbound lane of Plains Road West between Hillsdale Avenue and York Boulevard will have a temporary lane closure for work to rehabilitate a bridge.
The lane restriction is in place from July 7 to Oct. 30, 2015.
Access to buildings along this section of Plains Road West will be maintained at all times.
Food trucks are more than just a phenomenon, they’re a social movement
What was once the domain of fried potatoes and tubular meat products has undergone a culinary revolution. Food trucks are more than just a phenomenon or fad. They represent a new social movement in the culinary world and deserve a place in the foodscape of a vibrant community.
That is a crowd and that is a circle of Food Trucks – the idea has taken hold – will Burlington ever see a set up like this?
The rise of the gourmet food truck movement began early this century with the economic downtown in the United States. There was a convergence of opportunities. A drop in housing and construction saw mobile food vehicles that had once served the construction sites go under.
Restaurants felt the pinch as the economy slowed and were laying off staff, and frugal consumers were looking for inexpensive meals. Unemployed chefs, cheap trucks and thrifty consumers made the gourmet food truck an opportunity to cash in on.
Less than a decade since, IBISWorld research estimates that there are more than 4,000 food trucks operating in the United States and they have out-performed the rest of the food industry. The movement came to Canada about five years ago.
Some of the Food trucks are almost an art form
Niagara’s el Gastronomo Vagabundo, started operation in 2010 and is widely regarded as the first gourmet food truck in Canada and certainly a pioneer in Ontario’s growing food truck movement. It is a movement that has already established a hold in Golden Horseshoe communities outside of Burlington and contributes to their status as culinary destinations for foodies.
In today’s consumer culture we buy the signs and ideas more so than the commodity itself. In the case of food we’re not buying sustenance, we’re buying, local, organic, vegan, exotic, fusion, gourmet, authentic, exclusive, trendy, ethical, artisanal sustenance.
This shift in the culinary world is not about food trucks. Rather, the foodie culture has been a growing movement and smart restauranteurs recognize the trends. There has been democratization of the food world at the consumer end where foodies seek authentic, exotic, ethical or gourmet food but a bricks and mortar restaurant, whether it’s hole-in-the-wall or haute cuisine, is where you’ve needed to go to get it.
Food trucks, however, represent a democratization at the production end. Food truckers have brought all the caché foodie consumers seek to a mobile space that comes to a street near you. The trucks come with gourmet food, bright colours, amusing names, and a buzz created by social media.
The trucks often pay homage to the cuisine, cooking techniques or food represented. There is a playful imitation of gourmet or comfort food but in a way that celebrates the original. Comfort food like grilled cheese is elevated with gourmet artisanal ingredients. A blurring of culinary genres is a common food truck theme as evidenced by Asian tacos with kimchi or a truck dedicated to noodles from all culinary traditions.
You know what you’re getting from this Food Truck
Foodies, seeking that authentic, exotic, ethical or gourmet food now have another place to get it. Restaurant associations, rather than welcoming the culinary newcomers have lobbied municipalities for restrictive by-laws that limit them. In some cities entire zones are off limits for food trucks and although another restaurant can open up next door a food truck can’t operate for the afternoon within a specified buffer zone. What the restaurant associations don’t realize is that if a foodie wants a food truck experience they will find a food truck. If they want a Michelin star experience they will find a Michelin star restaurant. That is a part of what the foodie culture is about.
As for food truckers, they’re a plucky lot. Food truck operators in Ontario formed an association of their own to lobby for better access to streets and parks. They founded locations in some communities with access for all food trucks, and participate in food truck rallies where they come together and operate as a collective attraction.
Their marketing techniques are primarily through social media and cross promote other trucks. Some are fine to stay on the road while others may look at the truck as a stepping stone to a bricks and mortar operation. Just down the road in food truck friendly Hamilton, at least three food trucks are opening restaurants in the community.
This is taking the idea of a Food Truck a little further than the very first vehicles – but if there is a market for this – who knows.
Although meeting with resistance from traditional restaurants, and municipal politics, the renegade restaurants on wheels are a growing success and a movement that’s here to stay.
Indeed they are – the design of the Beachway Park – that we won’t see for at least ten years includes Food Trucks that will cater to the thousands of people who will use that park.
About the author:
I am not in the food truck or any food service industry, nor do I have family or friends in the industry. I work in municipal government for the City of Hamilton. The research I based the op-ed on was conducted as part of my studies towards a Masters of Arts in Intercultural and International Communications through Royal Roads University in Victoria. It’s based on a project that I completed for a Public Culture course where I looked at the food truck movement in Southern Ontario from a postmodern perspective.
It’s pretty clear now that the house William Ghent lived in as a farmer is going to meet the nudge of a wrecking ball.
The last genuine farm house in the downtown core – can any of it be salvaged?
The Development and Infrastructure Standing Committee decided not to go along with a staff report that advised the city not to issue a demolition permit.
The goose was cooked” when Jim Clemens said during his delegation that he would be very hard pressed to find a strong reason for keeping the structure.
Heritage Advisory Chair Jim Clemens didn’t see enough in the Ghent – Brant property to designate it – without the designation the city has to issue a demolition permit if one is sought.
Clemens did say that he hoped a way could be found to save parts of the structure – perhaps the façade of the building and include that in whatever gets built on the lot at the corner of Ghent and Brant Street along with the property to the south of it.
Tony Millington, the private planner on the file said that the owners of the property had not yet decided what they were going to build but that they expected to come back and ask for zoning to build at least an eight storey structure.
The city’s planning department still harbours hopes that something can be saved – the structure is the very last farm house in the downtown core.
While Ghent was the owner of the property when it was divided into eight 5 acres parcels – that would qualify him as one of the city’s earliest developers – he really didn’t live in the house all that long.
The property will soon be in the hands of a developer – all they have to do is convince council to give them the zoning and density they want and that corner of the city will be like most of the other – plain, bland and uninspiring.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
There are two classical Renaissance style structures on Yonge Street in Toronto that were basically abandoned years ago. Both were banks.
Abandoned bank on Yonge Street in Toronto found a new life – as the lobby to a high rise condominium. Imagine this as the front door to your home.
A developer came up with a way to use one of the abandoned banks as the entrance to a high rise condominium that would be built behind and above the old bank.
The pictures tell the story.
The classical structure was saved – lending much more comfortable street scape and a lobby that is to die for.
Does Burlington have a developer with some imagination and the ability to take a risk and include the farmhouse in whatever they decide to build – and get a little extra density for their efforts?
That farmhouse could be changed into a general store, a drug store, even a coffee shop that would enhanced the property and keep some of the city’s heritage.
It can be done.
A stretch of anything but contemporary looking homes in the Beach of eastern Toronto
There is a stretch of Toronto along the lakeshore in the east end where the road bends and becomes Woodbine Avenue. Years ago a racetrack was on that property.
A developer bought the land and developed a nice sub-division – not unlike our Alton Village. They were nice enough.
Buyers had a choice between plain bland brick and colourful semi-detached homes – the colourful homes sold for a premium.
The developer was getting on in years and decided he wanted to do something different so he built a stretch of the development that were significantly different than the rest – they were brightly painted and just different – and they ended up selling at a premium price.
The public will buy different – if the developers don’t come forward with different ideas – there are people in the planning department that can help them,
Let’s see what the end resolution is with the property at Ghent and Brant.
The unions in this city seem to be on a bit of a roll – while the city’s outside workers settled – the transit drivers have yet to accept the city’s latest offer.
The 33 front-line workers who maintain the Royal Botanical Gardens gardens, grounds and buildings, are facing the harsh reality of falling behind as their wages have not kept pace with inflation in decades.
The union points to the pride of the RBG being an ‘ecological jewel’ and a living paradise for locals and visitors to escape to, the workers who maintain the place are not happy campers
“While RBG’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) saw his salary increase by 40 thousand dollars from 2006 to 2014, the workers who tend to the ecological jewel received 0 per cent for 8 of the past 20 years,” said Sandra Walker, president of CUPE 5167, representing RBG workers.
Thirty three grounds workers make all this happen – they’d like to see the same increase in their pay cheque that the CEO got.
“While they love the gardens, our members have truly fallen behind in ‘paradise’ because at the end of the day they have to feed their families and not just admire the beauty of RBG.”
Over the years, the workers were forced to accept none to very minimal wage increases to keep the RBG operating financially. As a result of their sacrifices to keep RBG afloat, the workers’ wages have fallen behind drastically and they are now attempting to address the wage issue in this round of bargaining talks. Their last contract expired on January 15, 2015.
Both the union and management are scheduled to return to bargaining talks on July 14 with the help of a provincial conciliator. The workers voted unanimously, a 100% mandate, to secure a fair contract that corrects the wage gap, including job action if necessary.
“According to the CEO, last year was a positive year for the RBG, with a new five-year strategic plan that aims to position the RBG as a global leader in the next decade,” said Walker. “Our members support this plan and they’ve worked hard to help RBG turn the corner, and it is now time for management to help workers with real wage increases.”
To highlight the economic challenges faced by the workers, they will hold a ‘Still Falling Behind in Paradise’ rally on Wednesday, July 8 at 5:00 p.m. outside of the RBG entrance at 680 Plains Road West in Burlington.
Have you ever marvelled at that guy in front of that big orchestra and the way he waves his arms around and gets everybody to play just the way he wants?
Symphony on the Bay has been performing in Burlington for the past 4 years at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.(www.symphonyonthebay.com)
They were the orchestra playing the concert with the fireworks on Canada Day in Spencer Smith Park.
The orchestra will be taking part in Culture Days and is looking for people, ages 6 and up, who would like to conduct the orchestra in a” pass the baton” relay at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Sunday, September 27.
Anyone interested can contact Andrea Battista at abattista1@cogeco.ca.
Koogle Theatre Company will be holding auditions on Sunday August 9 for local dancers!
A Koogle Theatre event that took place in Central Park – they will be taking part in Culture Days in September
They are looking for dancers of all ages for the Culture Days event on Sept 27,
Contact info@koogletheatre.com if interested.
Rehearsals will be on Sundays in August and Sept.
Culture Days, which take place in late September have grown to become almost the major growth event that involves people in the city and the thousands that visit Burlington.
Words tumble out of him – he has so much he wants to say and the passion behind his words is palpable – so it was no surprise that the launch of the Lowville Festival was going to be – well extensive.
Lowville? Sure – everyone wants to be in Spencer Smith Park where the crowds have lots of room.
They live life differently in Lowville – here the citizens celebrate an equinox.
Missen calls Lowville a hamlet – could be, it is certainly a community with its own identity that it does not appreciate people trifling with. They do things differently up there.
Bronte Creek runs through the community and God help anyone foolish enough tio dump trash into the part of the creek that runs through Lowville.
Missen tells the story of the launch this way: “The hills and dales of north Burlington’s beautiful Escarpment country will be alive this summer with the sounds of music, theatre, dance and spoken word.; Told ya – he gushes.
And he has a lot to gush about – check the lineup- Gordie Tapp will perform, Stuart Laughton will perform (you don’t know who Laughton is? you will once you hear him)
The inaugural Lowville Festival will feature many of Lowville and Burlington’s finest performers, as well as a number of the country’s most superb artists.
The school house hasn’t seen a student for some time – the Jazz group should give the rafters a wake up call.
The Festival will begin on Thursday July 16th with an open-air performance of Shakespeare’s HAMLET, presented by Toronto’s Driftwood Theatre. A special free workshop takes place that afternoon.
On Friday July 17th, the festival will kick into high gear with a gala benefit concert called SWINGIN’ ON A STAR at St. George’s Anglican Hall.
The first half of the concert will celebrate a wide variety of Burlington performers, including Stuart Laughton, this year’s Burlington Hall of Fame Award winner, and Charles Cozens, one of the country’s finest conductor/arrangers.
The second half is a salute to the 100th birthday of Frank Sinatra, the 20th century’s finest pop singer. The concert also marks the launch of the Lowville Festival Choir under the direction of Wayne Strongman, former conductor of Hamilton’s Bach Elgar Choir.
Saturday’s activities will take place in Lowville’s Victorian schoolhouse, located right in the centre of the hamlet of Lowville. Both concerts will be curated by Burlington singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths.
The festival concludes on Sunday with three unique events.
In the morning, Kilbride’s Anna Schantz, a specialist teacher in Nia Dance, will lead a special free dance fitness experience in Music, Movement, and Magic .
The legendary Burlington entertainer Gordie Tapp headlines FOR LOVE OF LOWVILLE, a celebration of the history and environment in and around Lowville, to be held in Lowville United Church on Sunday afternoon. He will be joined by local novelist Janet Turpin Myers and blues singer Melissa Bel, among other performers.
The festival finale, SUMMER SERENADE, also at St. George’s Hall, will feature a range of classical and musical theatre artists, including Rebecca Caine, star of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, and virtuoso Oakville cellist Rachel Mercer. The festival will conclude with a special tribute to The Sound of Music.
Gordie Tapp, a one time Lowville resident, will make an appearance at the festival. Hee haw!
The Lowville Festival is the vision of two Burlington performing artists, Lorretta Bailey, a Lowville resident, who has performed in musical theatre productions across Canada, including the original Toronto production of Les Miserables, and Robert Missen, proprietor of the Bobolink Agency,
These days everyone collaborates or has partners – the festival has partnered with Thinkspot, Ticketpro and Robert Lowrey, Piano Experts – these are the Official Festival Sponsors.
The city of Burlington gets a nod for its support under its Love My Hood initiative. The proters have a very special thanks for both Lowville United Church and St. George’s Anglican Church Lowville, whose support for the festival has been invaluable.
The Lowville Festival has a unique mandate- A festival of all the arts for the artist in all of us.
For more information contact Robert Missen at 905-632-6047 or rmissen@sympatico.ca
The events break out this way:
DRIFTWOOD THEATRE WORKSHOP THURSDAY JULY 16 2:30 pm 6210 LOWVILLE PARK ROAD
Driftwood Theatre offers a free workshop and opportunity to perform in the evening’s performance of HAMLET. Contact www.thinkspot.ca to sign up.
DRIFTWOOD THEATRE’S HAMLET THURSDAY JULY 16TH 6 pm Doors Open. 7:30 Show commences. 6210 LOWVILLE PARK ROAD
Shakespeare’s royal murder mystery featuring some of the most famous lines in theatre unfolds for audiences outdoors in beautiful Lowville Park. Driftwood Theatre. Toronto’s professional touring company, is offering this classic play for a Suggested Ticket Price of $20 or Pay What You Can.
Sponsored by THINKSPOT
Local musician to play the Queen’s Head Thursday night.
SWINGIN’ ON A STAR FRIDAY JULY 17, 2015 7:30 PM ST. GEORGE’S PARISH HALL
Loretta Bailey and Robert Missen, hosts.
Artists include Stuart Laughton, Renee Barabash, Andy Griffiths, Dacid Warrack, Lorraine Foreman, Michael Mulrooney, Jude Johnson, Charles Cozens, Wayne Strongman and the Lowville Festival Choir,
The first Lowville Festival with a Gala Concert featuring a wide range of superlative performers, most of whom hail from Burlington.
Classical, pop, jazz, blues, folk, musical theatre. The second half of the concert will be a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Frank Sinatra. Proceeds from this benefit concert will be dedicated to the establishment of the festival.
$25 ADVANCE/$30 AT THE DOOR
MY CAT FLASH’S SOPHISTICATED SONGS FOR KIDS SATURDAY JULY 18TH 2 PM LOWVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE
ANDY GRIFFITHS and FRANK KOREN
Burlington singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths launches his new kids’ show, which will also entertain the kid in all of us.
$10
ROOTS N’ ROLL: ACOUSTIC ROOTS IN THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE SATURDAY JULY 18TH 8 PM LOWVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE
Andy Griffiths and Frank Koren and Kim
Join Andy and his Burlington musical friends for an intimate evening with local songwriters in the Victorian stone schoolhouse in the centre of Lowville.
$20
SUNDAY JULY 19TH 11 AM LOWVILLE PARK, between the playground and the creek, under the trees ADMISSION FREE
NIA is a joyful, mindful, and expressive physical conditioning practice, incorporating moves from dance, martial arts, yoga and other alignment arts, as well as individualized, free form movement. NIA offers fun and fitness to men and women of all ages and fitness abilities. Join Nia Black Belt teacher Anna Schantz for a NIA dance fitness experience in Music, Movement, and Magic. Theme: Psychedelic Sunday. Bare feet, hippie attire, and flowers most welcome. Suitable for everybody. www.nianow.com
Janet Turpin Meyers, local author will appear at the Lowville Jazz festival.
FOR LOVE OF LOWVILLE SUNDAY JULY 19TH 2 PM LOWVILLE UNITED CHURCH
Lorretta Bailey and Robert Misen, hosts
Artists include Melissa Bel, Janet Turpin Myers, Loraine Foreman, Jude Johnson, Lorreta Bailey, Robert Missen and Daryl Webber.
Special Guest: GORDIE TAPP
Celebrating the rich historical and Escarpment heritage of the hamlet of Lowville in a concert that combines music and the spoken word. Local musicians Melissa Bel and Lorretta Bailey are joined by novelist Janet Turpin Myers. Legendary Burlington entertainer Gordie Tapp, formerly of Lowville, will be reunited with Lorraine Foreman, his colleague on Country Hoedown, one of the most popular Canadian television shows of the fifties.
$20 ADVANCE/$25 AT THE DOOR
SUMMER SERENADE SUNDAY JULY 19TH 7:30 PM ST. GEORGE’S PARISH HALL
Rebecca Caine of Les Miserables fame will be part of the Lowville festival
ROBERT MISSEN is hosting this event.
Artists include Rebecca Caine, soprano; Robert Kortgaard , piano; Rachel Mercer, cello; Stuart Laughton, trumpet; Renee Barabash, piano; Michael Mulrooney, piano
Missen says rhey will be bringing the inaugural festival to a glorious conclusion (I did say he gushs) with a concert featuring some of the country’s finest classical and musical theatre artists. Rebecca Caine, the original Cosette in Les Miserables and star of the Toronto production of Phantom of the Opera; Oakville-born cellist Rachel Mercer; and virtuoso trumpeter Stuart Laughton will present a concert featuring Bach, Chopin and Schafer as well as a special tribute to The Sound of Music.
$25 ADVANCE/$30 AT THE DOOR
Lowville doesn’t see this much action even during the Winter Carnival. Getting around Lowville is easy once you know where you are going.
The United Church is at the corner of Guelph Line and Britannia Road with a decent parking lot behind the church.
St. Georges isn’t actually in Lowville, it isn’t even in Burlington. It is on Guelph Line just above Derry Road – can’t miss the place – it is a beautiful stone building built in 1896
Kind of tough when you can’t be sure that the things you left in your car while it was parked in the driveway overnight are going to be there when you get in the car the next morning. But that is what it has come to.
Halton Police constantly remind the public to lock their vehicles parked in the driveway and more importantly, to hide and secure valuables such as electronics from sight.
Sure – throw a blanket over the dash board – that will just encourage the thieves to beak the window. In their media release their police said: “Dash mounted GPS devices left in plain view resulted in vehicle windows being smashed to gain entry.”
This is a scene far too many car owners are seeing when they walk out of the house to get into the car they had parked in the driveway.
Overnight, between June 30 and July 1, 2015, several vehicle entries occurred in the Region with Oakville being hit the hardest. Thieves were checking for unlocked car doors looking for cash, GPS devices and other electronics.
The police continue to investigate vehicle entries and ask the public to make extra efforts to keep valuables safe and hidden from sight. If possible, take any valuable electronics into the home at night so not to attract wandering thieves.
Catching these thieves is not always easy – the police usually don’t have much to go on. It was that fact that brought about SCRAM.
Halton Regional Police have a Security Camera Registration and Monitoring program, ( S.C.R.A.M) a community based crime prevention opportunity and investigative tool that enlists the help of Halton residents.
S.C.R.A.M. enables community members to voluntarily identify and register their residential video surveillance equipment through a simple, secure, confidential, online form located on the Halton Regional Police Service website. https://bit.ly/11B4FNE
One camera is usually enough for decent home surveillance.
A number of people wonder just what giving police access to your home security means. You are not giving the police any access when you register – what you are doing in letting the police know that you have an electronic security system. If there is a crime near your home the police will know that you have a security camera and may ask if they can look at what was captured by your camera.
You are under no obligation to hand over anything.
When investigating a crime the police usually end up going door to door hoping that someone may have seen something – if they knew where the security cameras were they could narrow down the search area.
Door to door can be a time-consuming endeavour as it may include a 360 radius around the crime scene. Armed with the knowledge of locations of security cameras, police can better focus their investigation. This has proven helpful in many investigations where suspect vehicles or suspects themselves have been picked up on third-party camera systems. Knowing a “direction” enables investigators to focus their attention on that particular path, even at considerable distances, where perhaps another camera may be located.
Investigators have been surprised by the number of residents choosing to protect their homes and property with security cameras. Canvassing a neighbourhood is a time-consuming endeavour and the program will only be as good as the data inputted. That’s why the police want your help.
The objective of the program is primarily to build a database of camera locations in our community. Adding a security camera to your property is an excellent crime prevention tool, and is a way for you to protect your OWN property. Allowing the police quick access to potential recordings of crimes in progress is a way for citizens to help make our communities safer for everyone.
The police are No. We are asking the public to take an active part in helping make your community safer. Neighbourhood Watch was a recognized crime prevention initiative many years ago; police asked neighbours to look out for neighbours. This is the technological extension of that.
If you think this might be something you want to take part in – click on this link.
On June 15, 2015, the owners of a Tim Hortons franchise in the City of Burlington learned there was a lot of money that didn’t make it to the bank. The police describe the situation this way: “extensive amount of deposits remained outstanding” as the the company attempted to complete the year-end financial statements.
The calculated loss from these outstanding balances between January 2014 until May 2015 was just over $200,000.00.
There was a big hole in the deposit donut at a Tim Hortons franchise in Burlington
An employee, responsible for the Tim Hortons bank deposits was identified and the owners reported the theft to Halton Police on June 29, 2015.
On June 30, 2015, the accused was arrested.
Accused:
Mariel ABEJERO, 42 years, from Hamilton has been charged with:
Theft Over $5000
The accused is schedule to attend court on July 29, 2015.
Guilds were a medieval association of craftsmen or merchants, often having considerable power that determined the rules for the practice of a trade. The name stuck and is now applied to groups of people who get together to do a particular form of art.
Burlington has had six guilds working out of the Art Gallery of Burlington; Arts Burlington recently announced a seventh guild that will focus on Fibre Arts
Apiece by Claudette Losier that was included in an Art Gallery exhibition. Losier has gone on to be invited to take part in an exhibition in New York city.
In truth, this is not a new guild. The fibre artists have been a guild of Arts Burlington in the past but were smaller at that time and were unable to provide support to the activities of Arts Burlington at that time.
However today, to our benefit, the Fibre Arts Guild has grown and is able to rejoin us in this exciting new stage of activity of the Arts at the AGB.
There are more than 400 paintings in the Art Rental inventory; just some pf the work done by Burlington artists,
There is a renewal of activities, a spirit of adventure as new things emerge from the Guilds.
The new Juried Show format for 2015 was a resounding success. Arts Burlington looks forward to more great things in the coming years and are happy to have the Fibre Arts Guild join us in the adventure!
The current guilds are:
Fibre Arts Handweavers and Spinners Hooking Craft Latow (Photography) Potters Sculptors and Woodcarvers
Fine Arts
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Guilds can be found at Arts Burlington
When it is in their best interests, city hall knows how to move.
CUPE Local 44 (outside and arena/outdoor pool operators) completed their ratification vote at 3:00 pm on Thursday July 2nd – at 3:48 pm the city issued a media release saying they were pleased to announce that both the members of CUPE Local 44 (outside and arena/outdoor pool operators) and City Council have ratified a three-year collective agreement, which runs from July 1, 2014, to June 30, 2017.
There were no mention of the details of the settlement agreement.
What the Gazette found a little confusing was how the city could accept an agreement without it being ratified by the union.
Access to meetings and critical documents is not what the public thinks it is.
That was easy – the city held a special council meeting – it didn’t advise the media of the Special Council meeting at which they were briefed on the tentative agreement that was awaiting ratification. They apparently said that if the union ratified the agreement that was tentative at that point – then it was understood that the city had agreed.
That sounded a little slick but Roy Male, the Executive Director or Human Resources emailed the Gazette saying: “We did this to be proactive to speed up the approval process to remove any uncertainty in the public’s mind about the services which may have been affected.”
Fine – but the city didn’t issue a statement after that June 30th meeting which media didn’t attend because they were not advised.
To be fair the city does put a notice of meetings in the mail slot each media has however most of us don’t trot over to city hall to see if there is any mail every couple of hours.
When the Mayor wants to call a Special Meeting of Council there is a rigid procedure he has to follow. That procedure should include an electronic noticed to the media. Given that the Mayor has a full time media person in his office he can’t say he isn’t aware of how media works.
The Mayor doesn’t talk to the Gazette anymore. A number of months the Mayor decided he didn’t like what we were saying about him and decided he wasn’t going to return our phone calls. We didn’t know this was the position the Mayor had taken until we asked why phone calls were not being returned.
That is when he told the Gazette we were not fair or balanced.
We have never had the Mayor tell us precisely what it is we were saying that was not fair and balanced.
Milton Mayor Krantz explains to Conservation Halton how the media works.
A few weeks ago the Gazette was in Milton covering a Conservation Halton awards event and met with Gord Krantz, Mayor of Milton, who commented to John Vice, chair of the Conservation Board that he never worried about what the media said about him – he worried when the media stopped saying anything about him. Krantz has been Mayor of Milton for 25 years. Burlington’s Mayor should spend a little more time with Gord Krantz when they cross paths at Regional Council.
Burlington is not a media friendly town. City managers tend to set the tone on what comes out of city hall; each council members decides what they want in the way of a relationship with media. Some council members have particularly thin skins and don’t handle criticism all that well.
But we digress.
According to union negotiators the pressing issue for them was benefits for those workers who were over the age of 65. While the collective agreement that was in place called for the city to pay the same benefits to all employees the union was not aware that they weren’t being paid because there were no members over the age of 65.
The Outside workers ratified their agreement – union negotiators will not say if the benefits issue was resolved; they added that they do not have any workers over the age of 65.
The transit union does have workers over the age of 65 who are not getting the same benefit package as those who are under 65.
The union maintains that they were not aware that union members were being treated differently – it wasn’t until they began getting complaints from union members over 65 that the problem came to their attention.
Apparently the city instructed their benefits provider not to give the same benefits to everyone.
It is clear that there isn’t a collaborative working arrangement between the union and the city’s human resources department.
It will be interesting to see if the transit works ratify the agreement.
Another confusing point; both unions are CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) members. Why would one union – Local 44 ratify the agreement before the Local 2723 – the transit union if the matter of benefits mattered to both?
We thought solidarity was the glue that gave the union its clout.
Splash pads are guaranteed to be open for the summer – gives the kids a place to play and keep the heat off the members of council
In its media release the city said: “ Thanks to the co-operation of CUPE and our employees, it is business as usual for city services that include outdoor pools, summer ice use, all sports fields and all outdoor maintenance services.”
At the closed council meeting of June 30th the city passed a Bylaw # 71-2015 to confirm the proceedings of Special Council at its meeting held Tuesday, June 30, 2015, being read a first, second and third time.
Fine – what did the Bylaw say: Can’t tell you – it wasn’t published and you can’t get it instantly online. Here is what the city says about Access to Bylaws
“The City of Burlington provides online versions of bylaws for information and reference purposes only. Posted documents are not consolidated with all possible amending and repealing bylaws: users refer to these online documents at their own risk. For the greatest level of accuracy and reliability, please obtain a certified copy of a bylaw and its applicable amending bylaws from the Clerks department: contact Service Burlington at 905-335-7600, or email records@burlington.ca.”
This is not the mark of an open, transparent government.
Maybe I slept in a little longer than I should have this morning, after a long, fun filled Canada Day. Whatever, I wasn’t functioning all that well when putting together the pice on the newest Performing Arts Centre Community Initiative.
Performing Arts Centre comes out with an interesting Community Initiative. You’ll have to hustle to meet that deadline.
By the way the Performing Arts people are doing a better job than the city is so far in the community initiative field – but that’s another story.
We got some information on a new idea the Centre was doing and were putting the story together when we came across a part that wasn’t clear to us. Several back and forths via email (have you noticed that you never get the full answer to the question the first time?) and what was not clear was now clear and we published the piece.
The error in the headline was glaring – we got a polite email asking that we fix it – we did.
Got another call saying it wasn’t fixed – it was. I had changed the date.
Then I was told it wasn’t the date that was wrong – it was both the month and the date in the headline that was wrong.
With two corrections – both tweeted – we realized that anyone following the story would be completely confused.
So – here it is again.
The Performing Arts Centre has a really neat community initiative for growing artists called the Lobby Showcase.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has created a new feature: the Lobby Showcase. Auditions are being held on September 19 and 20, from 10 am to 5 pm, for the Centre’s Lobby Showcase Project which will take place during the professional presenting season that starts in September/October 2015.
This is part of the Performing Arts Centre Community Engagement initiative that is intended to find new amateur talent in Burlington and surrounding areas to showcase local artists or acts that are in the process of developing their material and need some experience before a live audience.
These performances will take place on a particular night to introduce these artists to our patrons and a wider audience.
The groups selected will perform in the theatre’s Family Room, that really grand space that a performer can do almost anything with. In the past there have been some superb events put on in that space.
The artists chosen for the Lobby Showcase will perform in the lobby before the main event starts.
Room enough for the Burlington Teen Tour Band to perform – what do you have in the way of an entertainment event for this space?
The intention is to assist local artists or groups on their way to becoming better known in the community. The hope is that some will eventually become professional.
There is no remuneration for the Lobby Showcases but artists will get an opportunity to market their brand at that time, while reaching a new audience. The artists may also be added to the City of Burlington’s Artists database, with their permission.
The selected performers will get one of eight available Lobby Showcase spots available throughout the 2015-2016 Presenting Season and they, as well as others selected, may also get a chance to be featured in the Culture Days celebrations, September 25 to 27, 2015.
The Performing Arts Centre Community initiative is opening up some space for local amateur talent that will take place in the theatre lobby before a main production takes place. Their hope is that these events might be an early step towards an event that will get them to the Main Stage.
We are looking for singer/songwriters, dancers, singers (pop, jazz, blues, folk, classical), bands or combos, instrumentalists and soloists (classical, jazz, etc.), performance art, and comedy; show us what you have.
Please submit your idea by email to: BPACAuditions@burlington.ca
Include a couple of photos, a short bio and some background information and a short description of the act or performer, include any links to YouTube videos, if you have them; don’t forget your contact information.
Dateline for submissions is July 24, 2015.
There are a limited number of spots available; only the acts or artists selected will be contacted with an audition date and time.
Right up until the last hit of the game, it looked like the Burlington Bandits were going to steal a game from their rivals in Hamilton.
Those stands weren’t exactly full were they? Hamilton took the baseball game in a close one – 2-1 for the other guys.
It was two errors committed by Burlington that allowed Hamilton to bring in two runs in the bottom of the ninth for their seventh win of the season.
The game got off to quick start as Burlington’s Shaun Cooper caught a fortuitous bounce in the top of the first, when the ball hit his helmet as he rounded third and allowed him to score.
That was the games sole hit until into the third inning in what was a pitching showcase. Hamilton’s Tim Black pitched all nine innings, giving up only three hits and one run while Burlington’s Dylan Perego threw all but three pitches through nine innings giving up three hits and two runs.
The win keeps the Cardinals in sixth place with as they prepare to greet the London Majors at home.
The Bandits are now mired in a four game losing streak as they head to Guelph for a battle between the bottom two teams in the league.
The Burlington Community Foundation got a call on the 5th of August from the Mayor – saying “the city needs your help. We want you to form a Flood Disaster Relief Committee (DRC).” Collen Mulholland, president of the Community Foundation had no idea what the Mayor was talking about but she was fully aware of the serious situation several thousand Burlingtonians were facing with flooded basements. The Mayor was one of that several thousand people.
Community groups, corporations, individuals – they came forward in the hundreds with money that allowed the city to collect just under $1 million in 100 days and get that matched on a 2 for 1 basis from the province.
Mulholland literally put her shoulder to the wheel and pulled together a group that would do what needed to be done.
At some point in the not too distant future the Gazette will tell the full story but today we can tell you that all 272 approved claims totalling $2.7 million have been finalized. Claimants can expect final financial assistance payment to be delivered in the next few weeks.
It was a challenge getting the paper work through an office that was run by less than four people – the |Community Foundation had to being in a van full of part timers to handle the phone calls and the paper work.
Data had to be collected for the insurance adjuster who gave the right nod and the claim got sent to the committee that made sure all the information needed was in the reports and the claim was a fair claim
Many people didn’t understand that the ODRAP (Ontario |Disaster Relief Assistance Program) program was to help cover the cost of replacing necessary furniture and fixtures. The high definition TV was not necessary but the furnace and washer dryer were.
Ron Foxcroft telling his story – there wasn’t a bank that he didn’t succeed in squeezing significant dollars out of – well there was one.
“The entire flood relief experience has demonstrated what a strong, giving and resilient city Burlington is,” said Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee. “I would like to thank the flood victims for their patience, the volunteers for their tireless efforts, the financial donors for their generous gifts, and the Ontario government for its disaster relief financial support.”
After 10 months of dedicated work the DRC has officially completed its mandate. During that time the Committee has reviewed, assessed and processed 310 claims and spent numerous hours providing support and guidance to flood victims. Thirty eight of the claims were denied.
Flood victims continue to share their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who helped in the flood relief efforts. “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee. We will now be able repair our home’s flood damage and once again enjoy it with our children and grandchildren as we have done since 1973. ‘Thank You’ again, and please know that we are incredibly grateful,” said one family whose claim was processed
Catch basins couldn’t handle the volume and got plugged frequently.
Unfortunately with many other regions in the world experiencing severe weather there will often be reminders of last year’s historic rainfall. “Whenever we experience a severe rain storm in this city many of us will think back to August 4th and the devastating weather that changed the lives of many,” said Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation. “We hope to also remember the goodness that prevailed in this City. It has been a remarkable experience working with so many devoted Burlingtonians throughout this process.”
The Community is working with the city on a celebration date for early September,
What no one has made clear yet is the “hold back” of 10% that the province has put in place on ODRAP monies. It was described as “risk management” – we will pursue that one a little further.
We understand that the province holds back 10% of the money they provided – the province put up $2 for every dollars the people of Burlington raised.
The fact is the province didn’t put up $2 – they kept 20 cents and gave the Disaster Relief Fund $1.80
What does $50 million worth of red tape look like?
If you’ve ever had to fill informs for any government agency – city hall for that matter – you know what I’m talking about.
In a self-serving media release the province announces that it has streamlined services to help businesses succeed and grow and that this has led to $50 million in savings and 2.4 million saved hours for businesses across the province in the last four years.
Business people and citizens drown in red tape while the bureaucrats keep making more of it. They have forms you need to order forms
The idea is to reduce unnecessary regulatory and administrative processes that cost businesses time and money. The report features 28 initiatives across government that are modernizing services and making it easier for businesses to succeed, including:
• Creating a new online system for processing payments for the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care’s Assistive Devices Program — reducing wait times for payments and saving registered vendors $16.7 million and an estimated 500,000 hours over four years.
• A new, convenient online compliance check tool available to businesses with a good track record, as an alternative to full inspections under the Employment Standards Act,- saving these businesses an estimated $725,000 and 36,500 hours over two years.
• Streamlining regulations and processes with the Ministry of Transportation’s simplified testing requirements for senior commercial drivers to renew their licences — saving drivers $1.87 million and an estimated 57,000 hours over a year.
This could be the logo that could be printed on T-shirts that bureaucrats could wear – that way we would know who they are.
Ontario has set a target of reducing burdens to save business $100 million by the end of 2017. With $50 million of savings so far, our province is halfway to reaching its target. This is part of our government’s broader strategy, aimed at reducing unnecessary burdens to businesses across Ontario. Since 2008, our government has eliminated more than one in six regulatory requirements – or 80,000 regulatory burdens, leading to more efficient, streamlined processes.
And if you believe all this – there is a nice parcel of land in Florida I would love to sell you.
What I want to know is – how many civil servants did the counting of all those hours that were saved?
With the shooting death of an 18 year old in London Ontario over a cell phone – the theft of cell phones take on a heightened interest.
On Monday June 29th 2015 two street robberies occurred 2½ hours apart in southeast Burlington where cell phones were taken forcefully from their owners.
At approximately 7:15 PM, two youths were walking north on Burloak Drive, south of Spruce Avenue when they were confronted by a male who demanded a cell phone be turned over of they would be shot. The suspect was given a cell phone and fled the area on foot.
Cell phones are now seen as choice items for thieves – be careful
At approximately 9:45 PM, another youth was walking south on Hampton Heath Road near Lakeshore Road when a black vehicle with three males stopped alongside the youth. Two of the males got out of the vehicle and asked to use the youths’ cell phone. After being told no, the two males began to forcefully search the youth’s pockets, taking an I-Phone, returned to the vehicle and fled the area.
In the first incident, the suspect is described as a black male in his early 20’s, 6’0 tall, medium build, corn row style hair wearing a black hoodie and long cream coloured pants.
In the second incident, the suspects are all described as black males 18-20 years of age wearing dark clothing.
Anyone who may have witnessed these incidents or have information that will assist investigators in identifying these suspects are asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2315 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com; or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
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Jack Dennison had his hearing before the Ontario Municipal Board earlier this week where he is appealing a decision of the Committee of Adjustment that turned down his request to sever his property on Lakeshore Road,
The Gazette was not able to attend the two day hearing but has interviewed a number of people who did attend.
A designated home, bought under a power of sale on a lot which owner Councillor Jack Dennison wants to have severed into two lots. The Committee of adjustment said no – an appeal was made to the Ontario Municipal Board – a decision is expected in a few months.
“There were body blows given by both sides” said one well informed observer. Did Dennison have a case we asked?
“Yes Dennison had a case – did he make it is a different question and did the OMB Commissioner buy the Dennison argument.” Our informant wasn’t prepared to say, however he did say that Dennison as the appellant was the first to speak and his people took up the best part of the two day hearing. “They took all the oxygen out of the room” was the way the proceedings were described.
By the time the city got to make its argument things were getting a little rushed and people didn’t have the opportunity to be as fulsome as they may have wanted to be.
The OMB Commissioner who heard the appeal said that he had never experienced a hearing on this kind of issue that ran for two solid days. The hearing was the result of an appeal Councillor Dennison made against a Committee of Adjustment decision not to allow the request for a severance of the Lakeshore Road property.
The committee of Adjustment that voted 3-2 to deny Councillor Jack Dennison the severance he wanted for his Lakeshore Road property.
That hearing was a long contentious one that did not produce a unanimous decision.
One person we interviewed suggested that the cost of the hearing will run at close to $200,000 – assume a little less than half that a cost the city will have to cover and we are looking at costs that amount to more than the city pays Dennison to serve as a Council member for a full year.
Heritage took a hit said our commentator, the character of the community was a significant part of the city’s case and while some thought that case was well made others didn’t see it quite the same way.
The city’s planning department is in the final stages of completing a “character study” of the community – many had hoped that study would have been completed and available as evidence at the hearing.
It is difficult to find very many people in the community who will speak openly in support of the severance Dennison sought. The community was so upset that at one point they denied his application for membership in a community association. However, in the 2014 election Jack Dennison won his seat again by a more than respectable majority – the voters did speak. In a few months to Ontario Municipal Board will speak and the development direction for the Roseland community will be set to some degree
By Staff
The union points to the pride of the RBG being an ‘ecological jewel’ and a living paradise for locals and visitors to escape to, the workers who maintain the place are not happy campers
Symphony on the Bay has been performing in Burlington for the past 4 years at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.(www.symphonyonthebay.com)
The police are No. We are asking the public to take an active part in helping make your community safer. Neighbourhood Watch was a recognized crime prevention initiative many years ago; police asked neighbours to look out for neighbours. This is the technological extension of that.
The union maintains that they were not aware that union members were being treated differently – it wasn’t until they began getting complaints from union members over 65 that the problem came to their attention.
These performances will take place on a particular night to introduce these artists to our patrons and a wider audience.
