 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON April 19, 2013. The big rigs are going to get a big look at by the Halton Regional Police Service District Response Units, along with the Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit and other law enforcement agencies on April 22 and 23, Monday and Tuesday of next week, when the conduct a concentrated truck safety blitz in Burlington.
Officers with specialized training will be part of the team conducting safety inspections, cargo securement, hours of service, weight and measure, speed limiter, environmental, and agricultural inspections.
 Tractor trailers will get very close inspections Monday and Tuesday of next week – Halton police are going to crack down The inspections will take place at both Mainway Arena and Appleby Arena parking lots, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Expect to see police cars escorting big trucks that were nabbed on the QEW and brought in for a closer inspection. Some of the truck drivers may be calling a cab to get home: In the past, some of the vehicles brought in didn’t do all that well.
The province has had to really double down on the trucking industry when wheels began to come flying off trucks and safety was seen as something that could be given a “lick and a promise”. Drivers were found to be driving their rigs for really long stretches and need pills to keep themselves awake.
The industry couldn’t be depended on to police themselves – so the local police forces along with the OPP took on the task.
We wonder why the police announce these inspections: doesn’t that alert those who don’t care all that much about following the rules and has them driving their rigs elsewhere. Monday and Tuesday are tough days for us on the QEW in Halton – use the 401 might be the advice a dispatcher gives drivers.
We’ll let you know how many they catch.
By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. April 13, 2013. Love of community and heartfelt appreciation of their fellow employees was a constant theme by winners at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala that was held on Thursday April 11th. From third generation Burlingtonians to more recent arrivals, the theme of Burlington being a great place to work and live was genuinely repeated throughout the evening. With over 425 people in attendance, the event was widely enjoyed by all present. The nominees and winners in each category follows: .
Service Award for companies with more than 25 employees
Finalist
Ampersand Group
Neelands Refrigeration Limited
The Idea Factor Inc.
Winner
Neelands Refrigeration Limited.
 Neelands Refrigeration: a move from 10,000 sq feet to 43,000 made them a bigger and more proactive company. Improvement enough to garner them an award The company recently moved from a 10,000 to 43,000 square foot facility in North Burlington; a reflection of the growth this privately owned 55-year-old company has experienced. Working closely with their customers, this distributor of refrigeration units helps in the design and location of a variety of refrigeration units within a store and then gets the equipment into place. Offering one stop shopping and being in the forefront of technology has been one of the main reasons for the growth said Noel Neelands as he accepted the award on behalf of the company. Neelands use LED lighting and CO2 natural refrigerant which are both environmentally friendly, and more economical.
Service Award for Companies under 25 Employees
Finalists
AIS Solutions
Pat’s Party Rentals
Seferian Design Group
Winner
Seferian Design Group
 Staff from Seferian Design admire the award that will be displayed in their lobby and get mentioned in all the sales literature. These awards do make a difference. A collective shout of elation was heard as this company was announced as the winner of this award. Seferian was established in 1992 and now has a client list of well of a 100. The company excels at landscape architecture and design and has been beautifying residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the GTA and beyond. “Our small staff, with input from everyone and the use of 3D simulation, has been the key to our success” said Haig Seferian while accepting the award.
 By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. April 11, 2013. As with all organizations, there is a time to work and a time to celebrate. The movies have the Oscars, music has the Grammys” and sports have their all-star games and in some cases, award banquets.
Although they may be self congratulating and cliquish, there is sense and reason to pat yourself and your competitor on the back.
 Members of the commercial community gather at the Burlington Convention Centre to celebrate and recognize each other during the Chamber of Commerce Awards evening.
And so, on a cold and wintry spring evening, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce held its’ business Excellence Awards and recognized those companies that excelled in Burlington over the past year. The awards and the corresponding winners are as the following:
Mayor’s Community Service Award- Not for Profit –
Burlington Green Environmental Association
Burlington Economic Development Corporation
First Award for Business Investment
Fusenet Inc.
Burlington Economic Development Corporation
First Award for Business Expansion – Global Mobility Products Inc.
Burlington Economic Development Corporation and Export Development Corporation First Business Export Award –
Etratech
Tourism Ambassador Award –
Burlington Eagles
Service Award (25 or more employees)
Neelands Refrigeration
Service Award (fewer than 25 employees)
Seferian Design Group
Manufacturer (25 or more employees)
Apex Composites Inc.
Manufacturer (fewer than 25 employees)
MarShield Radiation Protection and Storage Products.
Retail/Wholesale (25 or more employees)
Throat Threads Apparel
Retail/Wholesale (fewer than 25 employees)
The UPS Store #89
Employer of the Year –
O.C. Tanner Recognition Company Limited
It was a long evening, the business people had a fine time – the awards were both merited and it was interesting to watch the reaction at the different corporate tables.
I will file a more detailed piece in the morning.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. April 8th, 2013 This is very short notice – we just leaned of the event on the weekend.
Environmental Defence is holding an “open line: Town Hall on Tuesday, tomorrow, April 9th between 7 and 8 pm.
 Walkers Line, between the 1st and 2nd Side road – favourite spot for police to park and catch speeders is also where Enbridge’s line 9b runs – two feet below the surface. They want to talk and listen to people who have concerns about the Enbridge Pipeline company’s proposal to reverse its Line 9 pipeline and send dangerous tar sands oil through the most densely populated areas in Ontario and Quebec. This project that could put our communities, rivers and lakes, and drinking water at risk from a tar sands oil spill. When tar sands oil spills the effects can be devastating.
 The red line indicates Line 9b, runs from Westover through to Montreal and will carry toxic Alberta tar sands oil. That pipeline runs right through Burlington at the edge of the Escarpment; a break in that pipeline, which is 38 years old, would have toxic oil flowing into the streams that become creeks in our community.
Environmental Defence invites you to join them in this telephone town hall meeting on April 9th to learn more and ask questions about what this project means for your community.
It’s free! And here is how it works:
Fill in the form (link below) and we’ll phone you on the evening of the Town Hall. It’s that simple! Like a radio call-in show, you can ask questions, share opinions or just listen to the conversation.
You can register here:
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON April 8, 2013 When Murray Hogarth was named Burlington’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010, he was inducted into the Economic Hall of Fame by himself. This year the Burlington Community Foundation named Murray and his wife Diana as the Philanthropists of the year – they will be celebrated at the Masquerade Ball in October.
Murray Hogarth is the founder and President of Pioneer Energy, Canada’s largest independent gas station chain.
 Murray Hogarth, president Pioneer Group and Burlington’s Philanthropist of the year. “Diana and Murray Hogarth, their family, and their corporation, Pioneer Energy, exemplify all this award represents including consistent and significant giving over a number of years and sectors, illustrating outstanding community leadership and volunteerism. We truly look forward to celebrating the Hogarth’s philanthropy at our Masquerade Ball.” says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation.
Established in 1999 by a group of local volunteers and philanthropists to improve the quality of life in Burlington, Burlington Community Foundation gives grants, collaborates with donors to build endowments, and connects community leadership. For Masquerade Ball tables, tickets or to become a Proud Supporter, contact Sandra Baker, sbaker@burlingtonfoundation.org, 905 639 0744 x 223.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 1, 2013 You will see the T-shirt first.
517 People. 25 Vendors. 344 Comments. 158 Photos. What Next?
Indeed – what next. James Burchill has managed to take an idea and use Social Media to build an audience and a network into something that approaches 2000 people. He is a shameless self-promoter. His events are described by him as “epic”. He emails like the service was going to end tomorrow but this guy managed to get more than 500 people out to an event at the Performing Arts Centre to just network. The bar prices were on the high-end and the selection was limited but the people were there and the door prizes were good and the Mayor said nice things about what he was doing. That was enough for James Burchill this time out.
 Business in Burlington is all about business cards which identify the more than 2000 people who are part of a unique collection of people who meet once a month. Burchill runs the Business in Burlington (BiB) “Meet Up”. It is what is says it is – a place for people to meet and talk business. It’s not a place to find the man or woman of your life or even for the next weekend. Certainly not a singles set up.
The way we relate, the paths we walk along to get where we want to go, the people we meet and then choose to meet are all part of the way the society we live in works. We organize ourselves into groups; it used to be Scouts and Girl Guides but those organizations didn’t keep up with the needs of families and the pedophilia within the Boy Scouts certainly didn’t help that crowd.
We join golf and country clubs, or a book study group; maybe the Chamber of Commerce or the YMCA. New organizations come into existence to meet new needs.
 They didn’t fill every square foot but there were certainly enough of them to create a buzz. The display tables on the mezzanine were very busy. Burlington has one of those unique situations where there are four Rotary Clubs – each meeting the needs of different groups of people. Many people use Rotary as a touch point and refer frequently to their fellow Rotarians. It is almost as if you have to belong to the Rotary to be real.
Sports is a big part of family life in this city. We put athletics ahead of scholarship and are relentless when it comes to funding events in the community with galas and gatherings.
In Burlington the Chamber of Commerce , which is fairly described as the mainline business organization, has committees and represents the commercial sector. BiB doesn’t do any representing nor does it seem to involve itself with the larger community.
Is this the direction Social Media is taking us in?
The ‘mini-trade show at the Performing Arts Centre was such a success for Burchill that he has already booked the date for the next such event – March 20th, 2014.
The last one went so well that Burchill is holding an event at which he will tell you how he pulled it off – he says he is prepared to tell you about what worked; what didn’t work and the mistakes along the way.
Here’s how Burchill shills for this event:
Finally, when you pull off an event this big on your own, people begin to wonder how you did it. A couple of popular questions are: How do you keep growing the networks? How do you get such high engagement and turn-out?
Would you be interested in attending a private presentation about this event and how I put it together, how I marketed it, the tools I used, the strategies I deployed and so on?
I’ll take you behind the scenes and show you the successful parts … and the screw ups (there were a couple of good ones!) It’ll be a candid experience and one I think will open your eyes to the marketing power of local networking events.
You can let me know here:
 Networking – right. It was an “epic” event for Burchill. So good that he is going to do it again next year. He promotes: shamelessly, consistently, a little outside the Burlington character but his people love him and they tend to leave satisfied and plan on returning.
Burchill has moved his monthly event from the Waterfront Hotel to Ivy on the South Service Road. Next time up is this Wednesday 5 to 7 pm. It is certainly a nice location and the parking is free. It will be “fabulous” when they are out on the patio.
Business in Burlington – if you want to know how to exploit Social Media to its fullest – listen to Burchill.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. March 28, 2013 There is no deal – yet, but there are some very interesting conversations taking place about what might be done with Village Square. There are also a lot of myths that need to get – de-mythed if anything is to happen with the property.
An industry observer who knows more about Village Square than most, scoffs at the suggestion everyone loves Village Square. “if they loved the place – then why weren’t they patronizing shops when there were shops there? “ Yes, there were problems with the management of the property and the rental agreements were terrible, which drove many of the restaurants out of the location. But a change of management isn’t going to make a difference.
A personal grooming service spent more than a year in the Village and finally pulled up stakes and has moved to a John Street location. “One of my clients” commented that “the place just felt dead and it certainly wasn’t inviting. Quaint to look at but it just wasn’t working and I couldn’t afford to stay there.”
 Rahoon’s has managed to stay afloat because it is a family owned operation that doesn’t have the labour costs others have. Food is fine by the way. Give it a try. Another Burlingtonian who tends to eat out frequently walked into Rahoon’s, the Persian restaurant that has a fine menu and excellent service and price that are not the norm in Burlington. “The man’s face just lit up when I walked in” said this realtor – “I think I may have been his only customer that evening.”
The Friedman family has own the property since the early 1980’s and while Jack Friedman was active there were tenants even if they came and went frequently. But when his health declined and the day-to-day operation of the property fell into the hands of his daughters, Susan and Debra – well things didn’t get better.
Debra spends at least a day week in Burlington while Susan, a lawyer who specializes in litigation, does the talking for the family – there isn’t an active plan to market and manage the space.
 Village Square: It was one of Jack Friedman’s dreams. Potential new owners have new dreams that could include office space, a downtown supermarket as well as re-location of the historic properties. The condo on the left hand side was where the bus terminal was located
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 28, 2013 Bob Jurk, currently a Senior Project leader in the Engineering department, remembers the day when he put the actual clock fixture into the Burlington Blue cast iron structure that has been standing outside city hall since 1999.
 John Bouwman is said to be the person who decided that Burlington needed a clock outside city hall and he knew just the kind of clock the city needed. That was the starting point for the clock that has been on location since 1999. One of the reasons we made this picture as large as we did is because of the reflection in the shop window. You can see the Google car driving by and photographing every street of every city in North America. Look closely and you can see the camera mounted atop the car.  They are going to lift the clock off its base and get it into the shop for a check up. The clock has been in place since 1999 – and has apparently never missed a beat. Keith Strong remembers too how people in the community came together to get the clock in place. John Bouwman, operator of the Clockmaker on John Street, is said to be the person who came up with the idea and Mrs. Carol Wardle of Wardle Insurance offered a generous contribution and before you knew it – the clock was a done deal. All it took was the typical Keith Strong, roll up your sleeves and get it done approach, and close to fifteen years later that clock is out for a fix up.
It’s going to take a couple of weeks to complete the job of refurbishing the device – so if you are depending on the sound of the chimes to get to work on time – leave home a little earlier.
The clock was installed in 1999 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Burlington’s incorporation as a village. The city gave twin city Itabashi, Japan, a replica of the clock as a friendship gift in 1999 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the cities’ twinning agreement.
In 2014, Burlington and Itabashi will celebrate 25 years since the cities originally signed a twinning agreement.
Civic Square also includes a millennium fountain, built and installed to mark the year 2000; a bronze statue built to honour soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War, installed in 1986; and a drinking fountain built to commemorate a visit by the Prince of Wales and installed at the site in 1977.
A lot of history in a small space.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. March 25, 2013 The Mayor met with members of the Chamber of Commerce Friday morning to give them an update on where things were going with the city and how he was dealing with the problems that cross his desk.
The crowd this time around wasn’t as large as it has been in the past. So – what do we know now that we didn’t know before? Well Mayor Goldring has decided the focus for the rest of this term of office has to be on getting jobs and new employers into the city.
The Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) is being totally revised and will be coming back to Council with a new mandate that will focus totally on bringing new business to the city. The BEDC has had challenges it wasn’t able to meet in the past given the business model they were stuck with. City Manager Jeff Fielding saw the problem and asked that a re-make of that organization be a priority.
 The Mayor answered all their questions; there just weren’t very many of them and none seemed to touch on the serious problem with the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional sector tax revenue. Part of the problem is that the people doing the remake are basically the same people who oversaw what BEDC was doing in the past. Was city manager Fielding the only person to see that the model they had wasn’t working? In the three years our Burlington has been covering the BEDC we didn’t see any suggestions that the mandate was flawed and not sustainable come before any city council committee.
Something put a fire underneath the BEDC board. A former advisor to Mayor Goldring thought the best thing that could be done was to blow the board up and start afresh. The BEDC has a twenty member board – is that too large. Most of the big five Canadian banks don’t have boards that size.
Are the right people on that board? Are there people on that board doing more to ensure their own interests are protected rather than being focused on the long-term economic growth of the city? Is there anyone on that board asking the hard questions? We were impressed with what we saw of the work Paul Subject, president of STANMECH Technologies Inc. was doing.
 BEDC Executive Director Kyle Benham has his hands full with the development of position papers, project development and both re-building and re-orienting what BEDC can and should be doing for the city is serves at arm’s-length. Last December the BEDC board received a Transitional Plan and then created an ad hoc committee to amend BEDC’s operating model and business plan to create a land development corporation. The public hasn’t seen that Transitional Plan yet nor do we know who the members of the ad hoc committee are.
Burlington had a situation where two city council members, the Mayor and Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven, sat on the Performing Arts board that went from a half a million dollar requirement to one that ballooned to over $1 million – so keeping representation like that on our boards would not seem to be in the best interests of the taxpayers.
Having a public that is fully informed works best in a democracy; having boards and committees that are closed – even secretive at times, results in closed thinking at best and cronyism at worst. We deserve better from the people out there representing us.
The BEDC held a workshop last Friday that wasn’t public so we don’t know what they did.
One of the interesting bits of information the Mayor mentioned, almost in passing, at the Chamber breakfast, was that Burlington has more than 60 business operations in the city that work on water issues; they do things with water and there was the sense that there may be an opportunity to look at this cluster and see if there are ways to support what they do and attract other companies in the water business to the city.
Burlington isn’t known for anything specific in the commercial world; we’ve got a bit of everything. Hamilton has steel mills – well had steel mills would be a more accurate statement.
The people doing the economic thinking for this city (we really don’t know who they are) are of the view that looking for possible clusters of companies where three or four companies will draw others of the same type is a possible economic advantage. That’s got potential.
Later in the year Goldring will be traveling to Germany to meet with companies over there that have operations in Burlington and see if there are ways some of the operations can be expanded.
 Sandy Thomson, chief thinker over at Thomson Gordon Group pauses while answering a question on what he wants to see in the way of better heritage protection Wage costs – always of interest to the business community. The Mayor sketched out the problem all the municipalities have with their unionized labour forces, particularly those involved in public safety. When there are differences of opinion over a labour contract the province appoints an Interest Arbitration. The results of those arbitrations have been giving the municipal sector significant grief – the labour side seems to be winning all the time. The Mayors in the province want the “capacity to pay” to be part of what gets looked at – and they would like to see the process moved along a little faster. Goldring pointed out that some of these arbitrations take as long as three years to get resolved.
The firemen in Burlington have in the past chosen to show their muscle. At one budget discussion meetings there were close to half a dozen of them at one table and took over the discussion. On another occasion a group of fireman all sat in the public gallery at a council meeting. Those displays are part of ensuring their voice is heard. The fireman were all over the Dalton McGuinty provincial election.
The Mayor had a decent meeting with the business sector – until the very end when there were no more questions. Those that he did get were perhaps planted and certainly softball in nature. That’s part of the way things get done at Chamber events. What was awkward was leaving the Mayor standing at the podium when there were clearly no more questions. His hosts should have moved to the podium – thanked him for his time and given him the round of applause he had earned. Instead he was left standing there. Awkward indeed!
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON March 15, 2013 Are the people doing this:
 A view of the Adi development on Guelph Line just south of Upper Middle Road is a project with a very contemporary look. Thinking seriously about doing something with this?
 What would an organization like Adi Developments do with Village Square? They appear to be working towards an opportunity to purchase the site and re-develop.
It is clear now that there are talks taking place about what might be done with the Village Square. Jack Friedman’s daughters do not want o continue managing the property and truth be told the Village isn’t working anymore as a destination. It no longer draws the traffic it once did – the set up is dated and a little on the tired side.
 Great presentation – a really inviting look but this commercial enterprise didn’t last long at the Village Square. Many people tried the location – it just didn’t work. Time for new eyes and a new kind of energy and while we cannot confirm that Adi developments are the people kicking the tires they are certainly displaying the gumption and energy that results in modern, upscale projects – and they don’t appear to be greedy.
When Adi Developments took their project to city hall they eased on on the density they were entitled too and instead came up with smaller units in a very compact setting. The plans look good – the proof of course is in the pudding which will become evident once the place is built and the moving trucks are moving residents in.
Burlington has been looking at the downtown core for some time and trying to find a way to bring some life to that part of the city; to get traffic on to Brant Street and the street to the east and west of the main artery – nothing seems to have worked. Will a major redevelopment of Village Square make the difference?
At some point in the near future all this secrecy from the former Miss Transparency, who hold the ward 2 seat at city council will, perhaps, revert to the candidate she said she was when she ran for election, and tell people who is doing what.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON – Manufacturing companies in Burlington face a serious shortage of trained workes with skills that relate to tool and die making.
The Centre, an educational organization that is part of the Halton Board of Education structure offers courses in electrical training, renovation skills development and industrial millwright mechanic/machinist skills. These are “trades” that pay well and offer satisfying work where expertise is built up over time.
The Centre for Skills Development & Training’s (The Centre) gets students trained and earning for career with a future, fast.
 Students at The Centre are trained on equipment they would find in any workshop in Burlington. The Centre is currently accepting applications for the 22-week, full-time program that includes over 70% of hands-on training in over 6,000 square feet of fully equipped shop space. Last year, over 92% of graduates found work in their field. The next start date is March 25, 2013.
 Jamie Fierro-Silva on the right and Omar Taylor practice setting up measuring devices for the very exacting work done on tool making equipment at The Centre. “Today, almost 50% of Canadian companies, regardless of size of location, are facing serious labour and skills shortages. This shortage poses a threat to economic growth; however, it also represents immense opportunity for people interested in working in trades,” said Kathy Mills, Chief Administrative Officer of The Centre for Skills Development & Training. “Our Industrial Millwright Mechanic/Machinist program is comprehensive and includes personalized job search assistance to ensure students land work in industry as quickly as possible.”
Established in 1988, The Centre for Skills Development &Training has two locations in Burlington and Oakville, and one location in Milton and Clarkson. The Centre provides pre-apprenticeship skilled trades training, employment services, services for newcomers to Canada, and customized workplace training and consulting services for companies.
That’s the corporate part of this story; there is a really interesting dynamic going on in the class I watched. The twenty some odd people in the class I looked in on were guided by Al Hossack who would work one on one with students as they set up a machine or worked to solve a problem.
Hossack was steps away for any student working in a shop that had the kind of equipment these students would work with in any workshop they went to – and the vast majority of these students would be employed once they have completed their course.
Mike Harwood is the Job Developer for the trades department. In a phrase – he is the matchmaker – he knows all the students and knows the needs of the employers in his markets. His relationship with the employers is such that they tell him what they need and he looks at what The Centre has coming through the system. Sometimes a student will do a very short placement to see if the chemistry is right.
Harwood refers to his job as “employer dating”.
 Al Hossack, a certified tool and die maker takes a student at The Centre through the set up procedures on a piece of equipment. Hands on and classroom time are part of the course. What the Centre is doing is attracting people who want to learn a trade and then, while training them, are also grooming them for the first job they will go into. It’s not a slam dunk course explained Al Hossack. We aren’t like a community college where students wander in whenever they want and wearing their pyjamas if the choose.
The Centre teaches skills and focuses on good work habits; punctuality and reliability. The students who walk out the door with their certificate in their hands take the reputation of the Centre with them – and that reputation is vigorously protected. Students toe the line – end up with good jobs, not just decent jobs and are known to have come out of a good school.
 Ellen Faraday – den mother to students at The Centre Ellen Faraday, Senior Trades coordinator for The Centre is sort of the den mother of the place. She lives and breathes what they do and sees every student as her project. She knows them all by name and knows where they are probably going to get their first job. These are “her people” and she is heavily invested in their progress. Ellen will tell you as she leads you from one workshop to another that three of the women who work with Mike Holmes – of Holmes on Homes fame came out of The Centre and then she rattles off the names.
The course that will start at the end of this month is being sponsored by the Ministry of Training – they are picking up the bulk of the fees. Great deal, great opportunity for someone who would like this kind of work or who wants to change the career stream they are in.
The Centre – worth looking at.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. March 14, 2013 The guy with the monster house doesn’t want the guy in the bungalow a few doors down operating a Home Based Business where he grooms pets in the back yard or has a lawn mower repair business.
Burlington currently has a bylaw that limits what you can and cannot do in terms of business in your home; however don’t expect to see the bylaw officer going door to door snooping around.
In this city by law enforcement is a – “if you call us we will look into it”. They are not pro-active but rather re-active. When you call they do look into the concern you have quite promptly and more often than not manage to resolve the problem.
 Is this an acceptable home business? What if the hairdresser is doing a wedding party and there are 10 cars parked outside the house? Someone at city hall said “Home based businesses are a growing and dynamic part of Burlington’s local economy.”, which is a bit of a stretch. Examples of home-based businesses include hairdressers, music lessons and pet grooming. We take our lawn mower over to a place west of us for repairs where the work is done in the garage of a home in an average community. The man we use asked us not to say anything because “his daughter works at city hall”.
City hall has decided to look into what is happening in the home based business sector and recently held a focus group where they took part in a 1 ½ -hour focus session about home-based businesses in Burlington. The participants got $50 for their efforts. There was one person from each ward, people who operate a home-based business, people who live next door to, or near-by to a home-based business and people who live in single detached, semi-detached, or multi-residential units including townhouse, condo, or apartment.
The focus group was held early in February and the results are in the hands of the planners who want to now get input from a wider audience and are talking to the Business in Burlington crowd that is herded by James Burchill. Many of his 2000 plus members work out of their homes. Some certainly carry inventory and perhaps ship from their home address.
The planners want to hear from people who work from their homes. The bylaw that governs all this is set out below:
The following regulations for home occupation uses are set out in the bylaw:
The residential appearance and character of the dwelling must be maintained and no exterior alteration is permitted;
The home occupation is not permitted in a garage, but is permitted in a basement or cellar;
The home occupation is restricted to 25% of the floor area of a dwelling above grade;
The employees of the home occupation must be residents of the dwelling;
Retail sales are not permitted unless the goods are ancillary to the main home occupation use;
Outside storage and display is prohibited although goods may be stored in a garage provided they are not visible from the outside.
No equipment or process is allowed which may become a public nuisance in regard to persistent noise, odour, fumes, vibration, glare, electrical interference, traffic or parking.
In addition, the zoning regulations stipulate: music, dance, singing and physical fitness activities are only permitted in detached dwellings; the following uses are only permitted in detached dwellings located on streets with a deemed width of 26m or larger: medical or health care office, hairstylist, aesthetician or complementary health care.
City hall staff felt there was a need to update and clarify the home occupation zoning regulations and wanted to review the following:
Was a definition of “personal service;” needed?
Should home occupation uses be permitted on all streets?
Should there be a limit to the number of customers present at one time at a home occupation use?
Should uses such as dog grooming, dog daycare and dog training be permitted as home occupation uses?
Whether to allow on-line sales where there is no home pick-up and restricted inventory.
 One of the Art in Action events that take place in private homes as part of their annual Studio Tour. Clearly not a home business but their event confused people at city hall. Did it need a license? A few years ago the Art in Action group, that holds a Studio Tour where several artists gather in a home and display their art and sell from the location, ran into problems with city hall and had to put out dollars for a license. That problem got resolved and last year’s tour had one group of artists meeting in the home of the Mayor. Clearly there are exceptions. The Mayor wasn’t given a favour – but that situation drew attention to the need for clearer regulations.
Some of the thoughts the bureaucrats are having don’t square all that well with the real world of people who work out of their homes. What is positive about this process is that city hall is reaching out. It is now up to those people who work out of their homes and have opinions to make their views known – this is a two-way street.
If you have a viewpoint let city hall know. The staffer on this file can be reached at: Rosalind.Minaji@burlington.ca
 James Burchill convinces the community to donate door prizes and seldom has less than 300 people showing up for an event. His mailing list has surpassed the 1500 mark. He might begin to sell insurance to a list like that.  By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. March 7, 2013 He has out done himself with this one. James Burchill the tireless Chief Cheese of Business in Burlington who has the worst collection of puns you will ever come across has pulled of a major score. He convinced the management at the Performing Arts centre to let him use the Family room, the Community room and now the mezzanine level into a trade bazaar.
He’s going to have three cash bars operating and expects more than 500 people to cruise through the event that will have some 20 vendors in what he calls zones.
Burchill will fill any email box he can find with a breathless announcement of what he gotten done “on your behalf” or as he put it in his most recent missive: “In 2 weeks it’s March 21st – the first day of Spring and at 5pm over 540 people will be arriving to enjoy some Social Fusion Networking and a Trade Show at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.”
Admission, Burchill tells everyone, is FR’EE. There are more than 20 vendor displays to explore throughout 4 zones (the Foyer, (It’s called the Family Room, James) the Studio, The Mezzanine and now … the Upper Mezzanine as well.)
There are 3 cash bars. FREE canapé’s and other treats. Hundreds of dollars in door prizes and the event runs for an extra half-hour now.
If you’re not on the guest list and you’d like to be, simply RSVP here:
 Consistent crowds means he’s serving a need. James Burchill draws them out to his MeetUp every Wednesday in Burlington. He also has groups on Oakville and Niagara Falls. Burchill has used social media exclusively to build the organization, that’s all he has going for him, and he is something of an expert in the field. He has built the networking organization from just under 100 in a short 18 months to a group that is now very close to the 1500 mark. It is made up mostly of smaller independent types – the services offered range from hypnotism to computer repair.
There are no membership fees, just show up. Burchill once asked people to show up in shorts – few took him up on that one. It’s networking at its best and is done with quite a bit more hustle than you see at say the Chamber of Commerce events.
Burchill has an agenda – he is a true believer, more like an evangelist actually, in what he is doing. Can it last? Few thought it would get this far.
The crowd and it is a crowd, meets at the Beaver and Bullfrog at the Waterfront hotel in the winters months and has moved the event to the Ivy on the South Service Road for the warmer months where the parking is not a problem.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. March 6, 2013. It was close to perfect weather for a solid 5k run and Burlington was just the place to do it – along Lakeshore Road with either water on one side of the road or grand homes you could never afford to live in but are nice to look at on the other side.
The Chilly 5k is a commercial venture that brings 3500 + runners to the city. They flood the downtown core and with the Performing Arts Centre open they had a place to store their gear while they ran.
Last year, when Mayor Goldring announced the start of the event he said in a rather grand voice that Burlington was the running capital of the province.
His statement was very close to the truth. Burlington hosts the Chilly 5K and the Santa run. Both draw thousands. What kind of economic impact do these people have on the city? Anyone driving through downtown Burlington Sunday afternoon would never have known there was a massive event earlier in the day – so it appears they don’t stay very long. But while they are here – they take over the town.
Clearly an economic development opportunity here – if we could keep even a thousand of them in town for the balance of the day the merchants would feel the love as they say in the biz world.
 Kune Hua, A cinema photographer with a sharp eye when looking through his lens and a fast hand in the editing room – expect to see more of his work in the city. Kune Hua, a cinema photographer with a very deft touch and an ability to catch the mood of an event. He appears to have a fine eye and a very practiced hand in the editing room. Hua, who has done some excellent work for the city in the past, decided he wanted to capture this event and spent the day out on the street with his camera.
 This piece of film along with others he expect to be doing are being collected under his What’s Good in my Hood collection of videos that will be featured on Our Burlington and other platforms Hua is developing.
He is currently marketing his services to the commercial markets and has created a number of packages that fit different budgets and cinematic needs. This is a fellow worth watching. www.trueessencemedia.com
 The race, more of a mixture of young people who really want to race and thousands of others who are out for the day. While Lakeshore is a lovely location there are others in the city that are just as pleasant to use and less intrusive in terms of traffic flow. No word yet on just how much was raised for the Joseph Brant Hospital.
 By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. March 3, 2013. How often do we drive by a business in the city and wonder: what exactly does that company make or what services does that business offer? We all know what products Ford makes and many in Burlington will know who Fearmans is; but what about the 100s of smaller industries that are spread throughout the city that contribute to the growth and sustainability of this city? Are there companies you didn’t know about who provide a service you can use?
Burlington has companies that employ hundreds of people. Each year the Burlington Chamber of Commerce invite the public to nominate companies that they deem to be the best in one of five categories.
The Chamber then gives those nominated to a committee that interviews and determines which is the best of those nominated.
The 2013 winners of the Business Excellence Award for each category will be announced at the upcoming Chamber Business Awards gala to be held on April 11th.
There are five categories: Manufacturer, Retail/Wholesale, Service (Small), Service (Large) and Employer of The Year.
Following is a brief description of each of the finalists in each category. How many do you recognise?
Manufacturers
Apex Composites Inc. This manufacturing company located on John Lucas Drive in Northeast Burlington, originated in 2002 as a supplier and repair facility for race cars. However, like most progressive companies, they set their goals higher and along with highly trained personnel and sophisticated equipment, they now participate in parts manufacturing in the highly sophisticated aerospace and defence industry. The ability to meet the demands of their customers, should bode well for this company in the future.
Battlefield Graphics. Established 1964 in Stoney Creek , this commercial printing company moved to its current location on Harvester Road in 1988. Privately owned by the Theoret family, Battlefield Graphics, with a current staff of 85 people, has not only expanded over the years but has continually updated its presses so that it can meet the requirements and demands of its North American customers. You may be familiar with some of their work as they produce the GM car catalogue and are a supplier for in-store signage at Wal-Mart. Combining a strong sense of service along with the most up to date technology, this company has plans beyond North America as they strive to be a global player.
Marshield Radiation Protection & Storage Units Many of us have benefitted from at least one of their products whenever we are seated in a dentist’s chair; the dental apron is just one of their many products. Located on Morris Drive and established in 1979, the company is a division of Mars Metal Company. Their products are also used in the nuclear industry not only in North America, but also for selected international accounts.
Shipway Quality Stairs & Railings. Established in 1980 and located on Ironstone Drive, this company has become one of the premier staircase and rail makers not only in Ontario, but also throughout North America. With over 100 employees (craftsmen), this company is synonymous with quality and customer service which has enabled it to earn a strong reputation in the designing and building of stairs and rails.
Retail/Wholesale
Frid & Russell Business Products. Filling business supplies needs since 1947, this Canadian office supplies company located on Ironstone Drive has become the largest independent office supply company in Southwest Ontario. Serving an area from Toronto to Kitchener to Hamilton this founding member of Office Plus has maintained their market dominance through a focus on competitive pricing and strong customer service.
UPS Store # 89 Located on Fairview Drive, this independently owned franchise is geared to serve small businesses. As the name suggests this outlet is equipped to package and ship parcels worldwide. In addition, they offer digital print and copy services along with a mailbox service.
Throat Threads Apparel Originating as a tie company by Russ Fearon in 1993, this company has grown exponentially over the past number of years. Located on Plains Road East in a large century building, this company has yearly gained distribution rights for a number of highly recognizable international brands in such categories as men’s sportswear, dress shirts, belts, women’s wear and footwear. Some of their better known brands are Ping, Tommy Hilfiger and Swiss Army brands. Using strong sales and marketing skills, their products are located in a vast array of retail stores in Canada.
Service(Small)
AIS Solutions Offering expert financial advice, this company, located on the South Service Road, is ideal for those small businesses that required financial solutions but are not large enough to maintain their own staff. By outsourcing their accounting or bookkeeping requirements to the AIS Solutions team, smaller business will receive expert advice and solutions to a number of business requirements at a very reasonable cost.
Pat’s Party Rentals Providing the necessary accoutrements for a large variety of social gatherings such as weddings, corporate events, fund-raising or trade shows has been the goal of this company for over 25 years. Established in 1987 and recently consolidating two locations into one larger facility on North Service Road, they provide not only the product required but also help with planning ideas.
Seferian Design Group How often do we observe a nicely landscaped area and wonder who was responsible for this island of beauty? Well, it just might be the Seferian Design Group. Established in 1992 and with a client list of well over 100, this landscape architecture and design firm has been beautifying residential, commercial and industrial areas throughout the golden horseshoe and beyond. Located on Ontario Street, this firm is the recipient of many awards.
Service(Large)
Ampersand Group Located on Billings Court, this hospitality focussed company offers, through its numerous divisions, expertise to clients in the hospitality business. Their services range from consulting and implementing unique restaurant experiences to software that enables a restaurateur to better track and record many aspects of their business.. Some of the Burlington restaurants Ampersand works with are The Dickens and The Rude Native and Prime Rib. They also provide catering services at the Burlington Art Centre and the Performing Arts Centre.
Neelands Refrigeration Limited We may take the refrigeration sections in our grocery store for granted but not so for Neelands. In operation since 1958 and located on Palladium Way in North Burlington, this distributor of a number refrigeration companies, helps in the design, location and logistics of a variety of refrigeration units within a store. The ability to provide a full service menu to their customers has enabled this company to be highly respected in their field.
The Idea Factor Inc. Highlighting and promoting their clients to potential and existing accounts is the target of this firm that is located on the North Service Road . The use of telemarketing, direct mail or other unique avenues helps in reaching out on behalf of their accounts for new customers. Representing accounts in both Canada and the U.S., their unique and innovative methods has enabled them to be in business for over 25 years.
Employer of the Year
In 2012 the Chamber felt it was time for Burlington to recognize an Employer of the year. This year two companies were nominated.
O.C. Tanner Recognition Company Ltd To help motivate and then recognize the efforts of employees is the target of this firm that is located on Fairview Drive. In Canada since 1982, they work with a large number of employers in developing incentive packages that set targets and respective awards for their employees.
Thrillworks Inc. Recognizing the growing influence of the internet and importance of a powerful web page was the genesis of this company located on the South Service Road. Using a five step approach, they offer a one stop all service package for all of their clients. Some of their better known accounts are Tim Hortons, Pet Valu and Petro Canada.
There you have it – the fifteen companies that were nominated by their peers and will now go through a rigorous vetting procedure that is kept very confidential until the night of the awards.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. February 27, 2013. The social side of this city seems to go through cycles – last year it was the Torsney ‘s with Brian Torsney deep into the Hospital Foundation fund-raising events to raise the $60 million they were tasked to come up with while his sister, a former Burlington Member of Parliament, Paddy Torsney headed up the United Way drive.
 Angelo Paletta on the left standing proudly with his father Pasquale (Pat) Paletta This year it looks as if the Paletta`s are going to take up the headlines in the social sector. Pat Paletta got himself nominated as the Entrepreneur of the year – that event will take place on June 6, 2013, and now son Angelo has been appointed as the honorary chair of the Masquerade Ball – the lead fund-raising event for the (BCF) Burlington Community Foundation. The Ball will take place October 26th at the Burlington Convention Centre. Tickets began to get scarce last year – so slip over to their website and book your appointment with the hair dresser.
Angelo, according to the Foundation, has played a number of key philanthropic and community support roles in Burlington. Besides being the honourary chair the family corporation has joined BCF as its first Proud Supporter of our Vital Signs report, a community check-up we will share with Burlington residents on October 1st.
Last year the BCF published their first ever Vital Signs report, which, while not quite what many in the social development sector had hoped for, it was their first effort. Everyone is looking for something quite a bit deeper and more relevant to the community this year. Their report is announced for release on October 1st.
Colleen Mulholland, Executive Director, Burlington Community Foundation is as pleased as punch that Angelo is “sharing his time and leadership with us, in support of our largest fundraising event.”
 Jazz – New Orleans style at the Burlington Community Foundation Masquerade Ball. In their media release the BCF announces they will continue with the alluring feel of a masked gala, featuring the swinging streets of the French Quarter. “I am honoured to have been asked to be the gala’s honourary chair this year,” says Angelo, who will dance up a storm. “ I love the excitement of New Orleans, jazz and Bourbon Street, and my family and I have always had a terrific time at the Masquerade Ball. I hope the community will join us in this great celebration.”
In 2007, Angelo was formally installed as a Knight of Malta under the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a religious order founded by Pope Pascal II in 1113. Devoted for 900 years to caring for the sick and the poor for more than 900 years, today this philanthropic Order operates accredited diplomatic and humanitarian missions in more than 100 countries.
Closer to home, Angelo is also the current Chair of the Board of Directors for the Carpenter Hospice.
The Paletta’s are also in an early stage ‘kiss and make up’ with the city. There are a number of issues related to the development of land owned by the Paletta’s that some feel are hindering the economic development of Burlington. As the largest holder of what the city has classified as “economic development lands” the city wants to be able to see those properties marketed and developed to bring some much-needed development to the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional part of the city tax assessment base.
City manager Jeff Fielding has brought a much different approach to developing relationships with the major stakeholders in the city. 
Part of this process is a significant shake up in the way the Economic Development Corporation manages the growth of the city. In the past much of their focus has been on raising funds to keep the operation alive. Fielding thinks that isn’t the smartest business model if Burlington is to prosper and has asked the BEDC to come back with a better business case. That case has been presented to the Budget and Corporate Services Committee where it didn’t seem to generate a lot of enthusiasm on the part of either council members or staff. Expect to hear more on this one.
Paletta International is a Canadian owned and family managed company, started by Pasquale Paletta (Burlington’s 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year) in 1951. With its humble beginnings in beef processing, the company grew through vertical integration into raising cattle with feedlots in Burlington, Alberta and Colorado. The company also is involved in real estate, construction, media and entertainment. The company is managed by Pasquale’s four sons: Angelo, Paul, Michael, and Remi Paletta, from its Paletta Court facility in Burlington.
The BCF was established in 1999 by a group of local volunteers and philanthropists to improve the quality of life in Burlington. The Foundation collaborates with donors to build endowments, gives grants and connects community leadership. For Masquerade Ball tables, tickets or information on becoming a Proud Supporter, contact Sandra Baker, sbaker@burlingtonfoundation.org, 905 639 0744 x 223
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. February 15th, 2013. The theory is that if you invite a celebrity to your event more people will show up – and that would apply in Burlington if you invited Walk off the Earth. Inviting the Mayor of the city to open an event – don’t think that is going to pull the crowd James Burchill, wants for his Spring into Business event – nevertheless the Mayor is going to deliver the opening remarks at the “Spring Into Business” Networking & Trade Show Event to be held at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre March 21st.
If you are an independent business operator mark that date on your calendar – actually you probably don’t have to – Burchill has the best list of smaller business operations in the city. The one thing Burchill does exceptionally well is promote himself and his ventures.
 The BiB – Burlington in Business crowd at the Waterfront Hotel where they meet once a month. Founder James Burchill has moved his gig to the Performing Arts Centre for a March event. Great bar over there – can they handle 500 + thirsty people? He held a mini-trade show at the Beaver and the Bulldog a couple of months ago – the room was packed which led Burchill to believe he could move to a larger, brighter venue and put on a bigger event. He might be right – it was certainly worth the risk.
The event is a joint venture between all the Social Fusion Networking groups and hosted by the beautiful Burlington Performing Arts Centre, this event will cater to approximately 500 people and showcase 25 local business vendors from 5pm through to 7pm. Admission is free and has already attracted over 350 businesses from far-afield as Niagara through to Toronto.
Social Fusion Networking is the creation of James Burchill who launched the first event in January of 2012. To date these networks have attracted many thousands of local businesses seeking a new way of networking. “It is my understanding that SFN is the largest independent B2B group in Halton because it exceeds 2500 members.” said James Burchill
With consistently high turnouts each month, SFN events integrate the best of modern social media and combine it with classical face-to-face networking. The results and feedback has been nothing short of amazing with James’ efforts being publicly acknowledged by Meetup.com as a “Top 10% Network.”
 James Burchill, on the right, announcing the winner of a door prize – a session with a hypnotist. Interesting. Social Fusion Networking ™ was developed by James Burchill after he noted a series of problems with current B2B networking approaches. The punitive clauses that restricted members to one or few groups, the punishments for failing to attend, the caps and limits on how many people could participate encouraged Burchill to create a new way of networking with No Fees, No Pressure and No restrictions. Meeting monthly at local venues and available always online, SFN integrates a mixture of channels allowing people to connect and communicate in a manner and fashion that suits them best. SFN events are sponsored and advertising supported in lieu of membership dues.
The group has an interesting web presence and has in the past met on Wednesday’s at the Waterfront Hotel where they take up all the space at the best watering hole in the hotel. The Mayor made an appearance there once – that didn’t do anything to attendance.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON February 13, 2014 There isn’t a large corporation on this side of the Atlantic that doesn’t say it is out there to help save the environment. We Canadians, fresh air people for sure yet we live in a country that ships some of the dirtiest oil sucked out of the ground because a large part of our economy depends on selling that oil.
So when you hear about a company that says they are here to help save the environment – you kind of raise an eyebrow and ask – yeah?
 When we heard that the Walker Group has this Earth 1st program that sounded interesting – always good to have a snappy logo to slap on the shipping containers. Then you look at the story a little more deeply and learn that the Walker Group has been doing this for more than ten years.
This year their challenge to their employees was to wear a really funky sweater to work February 7th. Nice idea, lightens up the office, gives staff something different to do – but then they learn that the sweater might come in handy – they’ve turned the heat in all their plants down by two degrees.
THAT is a commitment; that is putting your money, and you personal comfort, where you mouth is.
 Ask your staff to do some funky – and you never know what you’re going to get. The heat must have been down more than two degrees to bring out some of those scarves. Norjohn plant in Burlington on a coffee break? So we trotted along to the Norjohn Plant on Corporate Drive to see how staff had taken up the challenge. Not a lot of people at this location. Tight, tight security – which we will tell you about later.
There they were – the staff wearing their woollies. Now this crowd isn’t going to take any prizes for the “funkiness” but they should get some points for the hat’s they wore. The scarves on the guys at the left and right ends of the group photo are something we won’t comment other than to remind them that The Leaf’s haven’t won since 1967, which was the 100th anniversary of Confederation.
Warm sweater day was the way Walker Industries decided to have their employees reduce their environmental impact in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the company’s innovative EARTH 1st program.
EARTH 1st was developed to take Walker to another level of environmental performance by empowering employees to make a difference at work and at home.
In the past decade, through the suggestions of employees, the company has dramatically reduced its environmental impacts. Some examples include launching a carbon neutral building service, recycling concrete and asphalt, installing energy-efficient lighting and developing wax emulsions from environmentally sustainable resources.
 The Walker Industries head office crowd did their part. All 550-plus employees were asked to wear a warm sweater on February 7th. “We are encouraging staff to find wacky, funky and wild sweater, toque and scarf combinations,” says Alison Braithwaite, the company’s director of Environmental Performance. “We’re looking forward to the virtual fashion show as participants post their photos and videos on our challenge site.”
Walker locations taking part in the challenge included: Walker Industries Head Office & Walker Environmental Group – Thorold and Niagara Falls; Organic Resource Management Inc. – Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, Woodstock; • Norjohn Contracting and Paving Limited – Niagara Falls; • Walker Aggregates Inc. – Simcoe County and Niagara Region; Amherst Quarries – Essex County; Norjohn Limited – Burlington; Norjohn-ACI Inc. – Portland, Oregon and Palm Coast, Florida.
 The Walker Industries gang out at the compost site were really innovative – was this because they are all in witness protection programs? While the employees were encouraged to become involved the organization went a little further and asked their customers, suppliers, friends and neighbours to lower their heat and put on their favourite sweater to take action against climate change and work towards a sustainable future.
Braithwaite pointed out that: “If every Canadian lowered the heat by just two degrees this winter, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 megatons.”
Other environmental challenges being planned for the year include a water reduction initiative, a turn-out-the-lights effort for Earth Hour, participation in Earth Day celebrations, a bike-to-work week, a community engagement project and a waste reduction week.
How did it work out? Well the gang at Norjohn bought into the idea. As for the rest of the organization – the results are still coming in. Good idea, this planet is ours to save.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON February 4th, 2013 A confidential report on the pier being built at the foot of Brant Street was scheduled for a meeting of the Budget and Corporate Services Committee tomorrow.
The Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting for the first time in its new format was advised this afternoon that the confidential report in the pier would be discussed at the evening portion of the Infrastructure and Development committee – which got the ire of Councillor John Taylor going – he didn’t want to go into a closed session of council to discuss a report that he has not yet read.
 Usually an easy man to get along with – but grumpy, grumpy, grumpy when reports are not ready for him to read and review. John Taylor does nothing on the fly – legal department is going to have to smooth his ruffled feathers. Councillor Taylor can get touchy at times with sudden changes. While he groused city solicit Nancy Shea Nicol took him aside and explained that she would not be giving the a report because there were “some financials” that were not complete but that she would be giving a verbal report that would be followed up by the full document.
OK – but what’s the rush? The report wasn’t due until Tuesday – tomorrow. Is there something going on out there that the public has not been told about?
You bet your bippy there is. The city is has entered the discovery process that has each of the parties in the dispute asking each other questions based on the documentation that has been provided.
That’s when the full story comes into focus and that is when lawyers ask themselves – is this something we should try to settle now or is this something we are solid on so we will go to trial?
The reason for the hurrying
and scurrying is that someone wants to talk settlement.
The reason for the hurrying and scurrying is that someone wants to talk settlement. Who – that would be guessing. Who has the most to lose? The city is in the middle of all this – battling both Harm Schilthuis and Sons Ltd. and AECOM for the princely sum of $7.5 million. If they lose council members will have a lot of explaining to do – not something you want to get into when you are into the second half of their term of office.
Having spent a princely sum on legal fees to date the city has to be looking at any offer to settle that might have been made.
Last week the city disclosed that it had spent $2.1 million on fighting the Nelson Aggregate application for an additional permit to quarry on the Mt. Nemo plateau. That was a good fight that took many, many months of hearings. The cost of the legal stuff on the pier will make the Nelson hearings look like chump change.
Next week, Henry Schilthuis undergoes discovery as does the city’s Director of Engineering Tom Eichenbaum. Ir is interesting to note that neither Phil Kelly or Tim Commisso are part of the discovery process – both were key players and on the city’s payroll when the problems with the toppling crane and the concrete pour that failed took place.
It’s getting interesting down at city hall. Different Councillors are beginning to talk casually about where the developer is wrong and that the city has a solid case.
Stay tuned.
As for the actual construction of the pier – that’s going great. There is every reason to expect the thing to open officially during the Sound of Music festivities in June of this year. The contractor (one of four who bid on the pier)
 Early morning view of the pier in September. Some time was lost in October due to weather but November and December weather was decent enough to get some work done. Rails and the node that will have the tower with the observation deck in place are now into fabrication. who won the tender with a bid of $6,429.700 is on time – on budget wouldn’t apply to this job because of the nifty way the city has handled the amount that was saved when the wind turbine got thrown under the bus at a Council meeting.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON January 31, 2012 Burlington’s Public Involvement Coordinator is setting up a focus group with people from each ward in the city to talk about home based business’s – which at this point aren’t legal in Burlington – although there are tons of them in the city.
 Christine Iamonaco, Burlington’s Public Involvement coordinator is facilitating a focus group to gather views and feelings about the current home-based business bylaw. By not being legal the city means you cannot employ a person and have that person working out of your house. You can be a hair dresser and toil away by yourself – but you can’t hire another person as a hair dresser and pay that person a wage.
It’s been a bit of a sticky issue. People who provide a service feel they should be able to do so and hire other people to work for them. The man who fixes out lawn mower works out of his garage – is that considered his home? For a lot of guys the garage is home – but I digress.
There are people in some neighbourhoods who don’t want abnormal traffic coming and going to a home that has a couple of woman working as hair dressers.
The city appears to want to review the bylaw that governs all this.
Home-based businesses have been described as a growing and dynamic part of Burlington’s local economy with hairdressers, music lessons and pet grooming given as examples.
City staff is looking for 6 to 8 people to take part in a 1 ½ -hour focus group conversation about home-based businesses in Burlington. They want to learn about your experiences with home-based businesses in your area.
 Should people be permitted to run a dog grooming business out of their homes? Focus group being held to get answers to that question. The city is looking for one person from each ward; people who operate a home-based business; • people who live next door to, or near-by to a home-based business and people who live in single detached, semi-detached, or multi-residential units including townhouse, condo, or apartment.
The focus group session will take place on February 5, 2013, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Burlington City Hall. Compensation for participating is $50.00.
If you think this might be something that interests you or something you have an opinion on answer the questions below and email them to christine.iamonaco@burlington.ca by Feb 4, 2013. If you are selected for the focus group, city staff will phone you to confirm your participation.
Cut and past with the answers in place and email to: iamonacoc@burlington.ca Put words focus group in the subject line
Home Based Business Focus Group Participant Application
Name: _____________________________
Ward and/or Postal Code:____________
Dwelling type: single detached house semi-detached home or multi-residential unit
Indicate if you are: a home-based business operator OR a home-based business neighbor or near-by resident
Phone number(s):________________
Your E-mail address:________________
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