 By Staff
October 13th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has created a unique opportunity for local youth to participate in a professional theatre production of ‘Into the Woods: In Concert’ this November and December!
 The production was the Dora Mavor Moore Award winner for Best Production of a Musical in 2010. As part of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s upcoming presentation of Into the Woods: In Concert, there will be a three-week Youth Mentorship Program.
Up to 22 local youth will become a part of the ensemble, participating on stage or behind the scenes, experiencing the rehearsal process with the professional cast, and performing in a one-of-a-kind production of a Broadway classic, produced by one of Canada’s leading independent professional theatre companies.
Applications must be sent in no later than Friday October 23rd.
Physical distancing and all proper COVID-19 safety measures will be followed during the program, and masks will be required for all participants.
“Participating in this kind of production is a great opportunity for young performers, designers and fans of theatre, in general,” said Burlington Performing Arts Centre Executive Director Tammy Fox.
The program: Into the Woods: In Concert was created by the Talk is Free Theatre company based in Barrie Ontario. The opportunity to take part in this production is every theatre kid’s dream, and a unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals, said Fox.”
Applicants must be between the ages of 12 and 20, must commit to approximately 20 hours of rehearsal at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, between November 16 and December 6, and must be open to the creative process and respectful to their environment.
An introductory workshop will be provided by Leslie Gray of Burlington’s own Koogle Theatre.
Participants can participate in acting, singing, design, directing, stage management and more, based on their interests.
Those seeking a performance role will get to act in this iconic musical alongside some of Canada’s leading musical theatre actors, whose productions credits span from Mirvish Productions, Shaw Festival and Stratford Festival.
 Into the Woods In Concert performer. Photo by Alex Medvick. Every participant will also receive one-on-one mentorship from a member of the professional cast and/or creative team. These mentorship sessions consist of two 30-minute meetings which will be scheduled during the rehearsal and performance timeframe.
This unique opportunity to be part of the show costs $200, which includes two complimentary tickets to the production. Interested youth must apply by Friday, October 23 on the BPAC website. (https://burlingtonpac.ca/youth-mentorship-program/)
About Into the Woods: In Concert
Talk is Free Theatre presents Into the Woods: In Concert at the BPAC’s Main Theatre for 10 shows from November 27 to December 6.
Into the Woods is a musical journey that intertwines the several beloved Brothers Grimm characters and explores the consequences of their individual’ wishes and wants. Characters include Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and the Beanstalk), Rapunzel, and Cinderella to name a few. At the centre of the story is a childless baker and his wife who will do anything to have a family, but they encounter a powerful witch who has placed a curse on them. Throughout this magical journey, characters from different fables encounter each other as they fight for what they believe is their happily ever after. The original Broadway production earned three Tony Awards in 1988.
 The stage lights are back on – the Performing Arts Centre is once again operational. About Talk is Free Theatre
Talk is Free Theatre was founded in 2003 in Barrie, ON by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and colleagues, and has since produced close to 100 works. TIFT’s recent production The Curious Voyage is an internationally recognized first-of-its- kind immersive experience that physically transported participants to London, England as part of an inescapable narrative. Their co-production of Sondheim’s Assassins with Birdland Theatre as a sold-out success, a Dora Mavor Moore Award winner for Best Production of a Musical in 2010 and has been named on the 10 Best Toronto Theatre Shows of the Decade by NOW.
Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone:
905-681-6000 | burlingtonpac.ca/into-the-woods
Tickets: Regular $49 / Members $44
 By Staff
October 12th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Beer Store announced today that its 396 Elizabeth Street location has closed while they complete a deep clean.
The Beer Store learned that an employee at the store tested positive for COVID-19. The Beer Store is working in consultation with Halton Public Health and has closed the location.
It will re-open on Tuesday, October 13.
All potentially affected employees will self-isolate and symptom monitor as a precautionary measure.
The Beer Store has implemented mandatory employee face coverings in all their stores, in addition to robust cleaning and public distancing protocols already in place.
 By Pepper Parr
October 12th, 2020,
BURLINGTON, ON
Community Development Halton (CDH) is not an organization that is immediately recognized when the letters CDH are mentioned.
It is one of a number of non-governmental organizations in place to serve the community.
It relies on public money to exist – most of the funding comes from the Region of Halton and the United Way.
 Like all the other incorporated not for profit organizations – it holds an annual meeting.
CDH did something startling at its Annual General Meeting earlier this month.
When the province made changes to the Not-For-Profit Corporations Act, many organizations amended their by-laws, reducing voters to board members only – CDH followed suit a few years ago. However, when the current board reflected on the impact to its transparency and inclusiveness, it voted to reverse the change. What CDH has done is re-open the organization to membership – which is what elects the Board of Directors that sets policy and direction.
 CDH president Jan Mowbray. “They amended the rules related to membership. There are now two forms of membership: Individual and Organization” explained CDH president Jan Mowbray.
“Organization” means any non-profit or charitable organization; grassroots group, or public or private entity, but does not include a political party or political organization.”
“A member must live or work in the Region; members must pay the membership fee.”
The membership fee structure for individuals has yet to be confirmed – however, the members of the Board pay an annual fee of $100.
“Each individual member and a single representative of a member organization shall be entitled to cast one vote on each question at any Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting, provided that the individual or organization was a member in good standing on December 31 of the prior year and remained so for the period up to and including the date of the Annual General Meeting.”
The AGM is always in September – thus preventing any last minute attempt to add new members and change the direction of the organization.
“Ten percent of the membership can petition the President to call a meeting of the Board.”
“A quorum at an Annual General Meeting shall be more than 10% of CDH members in good standing.”
“A motion or resolution shall be carried if it is approved at an Annual General Meeting by more than 50% of those voting.”
There are far too many organizations in place to serve the city that use the Directors in place as their membership – they keep re-electing themselves or determine who they want to join the Board. They become the “old boys club”.
This is a very healthy change, hopefully one that will be taken up by other Not-for-Profit organizations with the Sound of Music (SoM) being an organization that needs a change. There was a time when there were more than 100 SoM members.
In the past far too many NGO’s suspended membership and changed their constitutions to having the members of the Board being the only members who could re-elect themselves at will.
The logic behind changing the rules was that “the board was unanimous in its desire to be completely inclusive and transparent. When only the board could vote on an issue, it left our stakeholders with no say at all in an organization that represents all of Halton”, said Jan Mowbray, President of the CDH Board of Directors.
 Executive Director Mike Nixon CDH also has a new Executive Director – Mike Nixon – who was in complete support of the change. A number of Staff changes were made as well. COVID issues meant putting some staff on furlough for a period of time.
The organization has now completed the needed structural changes.
 Dr. Joey Edwardh Dr. Joey Edwardh, who retired last October after more than twenty years at the helm during which time some significant changes were made in the way social issues were deliberated upon at a public level.
 The things for which we are thankful.
This is a day to pause and think about what we are thankful for during these stressful times.
These trees caught our eye – we found it a good place to start thinking about all there is to be thankful for.
By Michele Bogle
October 11, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
West Plains Bistro is located in Aldershot. It has a warm comfy feel, almost cozy at the west end of Burlington: this little European-styled bistro is conveniently accessed off busy Plains Road. There was plenty of outdoor seating but a little noisy, so we chose to eat inside. Tripadvisor.ca rated it at #9 out of more than 300 Burlington restaurants.
 West Plains Bistro – rated #9 in Burlington on Tripadviser What I observed upon entering: at the door was the restaurant’s ‘Food & Safety Inspection Sheet’ prominently placed for patrons to read before entering. When entering, we were greeted by mask-covered staff. There were only booths as a choice for seating. The additional tables were eliminated for appropriate spacing. Before being seated the server informed us that both doors at either end were open for improved air circulation. The tables were not pre-set. The restaurant looked clean.
‘Soup of the Day’ was red pepper with goat cheese and bacon. However this combination sounds, I can assure you that the flavours make you stop and redirect your conversation. This was a taste experience that made this cook want to attempt to recreate this soup at home. I’d return just for the soup.
 Smoked Salmon Crepe Next, we chose the ‘Smoked Salmon Crepe’ as our entree. At first glance you might think that you’ve been transported into an expensive New York restaurant featured in a food magazine. The plating was beautiful and the quantity of food sitting on the plate, minimalistic. Inside this tidy package I found a fully-loaded crepe of smoked salmon, red onion and goat cheese. The dill sauce was a perfect complement to the dish.
 Pumpkin Pecan Torte Appetite now completely satisfied, it was time for dessert. Dessert was a choice from eight delectable creations. A list of which can be found on their website https://westplainsbistro.square.site/gallery-3. It was very difficult to choose. We went with the Pumpkin Pecan Torte, which in my opinion was more of a tart, than torte, and the Peach and Apple Crumble. The crumble was mushy and there was little evidence of peach present in my dessert. I wouldn’t recommend this particular item on the menu. As a baker, my specific area of strength is in flavour profiles. After tasting the Pumpkin Pecan Torte, I would give the balance of spices within this torte, three thumbs up.
The overall dining experience was good. At $20 per person during the Taste of Burlington Pre-Fixe Dining Event, I received more than my money’s worth of delicious food.
Make sure to sign up for your Taste of Burlington Passport App found in the link below, if you haven’t already; to make ordering and your check-in process safer and easier.
https://tasteofburlington.ca/prix-fixe-program/
As a reminder this event runs only from October 5-25. Reservation required at most locations. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to try new restaurants and or to visit some of your favourites while supporting hospitality in Burlington, Ontario.
West Plains Bistro
133 Plains Road, East
Burlington, ON L7T 2C4
905-333-9449
info@westplainsbistro.com
https://www.westplainsbistro.com
Remember, every time you participate in this event using the Taste of Burlington Passport, you increase your chances of winning the weekly gift card giveaway, or the $500 gift card to a participating restaurant of choice.
 Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
 By Lawson Hunter
October 10th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
As Council knows, public engagement is near and dear to my heart. I’ve spoken about community education, a wider approach to give citizens the opportunity to comment on policies and plans, and I’ve proposed various methods of having community voices heard – in particular – citizens’ assemblies.
I respectfully ask that Councillors search out information on how Citizens’ Assemblies work and how they are successfully being used around the world.
Fortunately, I have the time to attend Standing Committee and Council meetings being held during the day. Many in our community cannot afford to take time off to participate.
I attended one of the Citizen Action Labs, have spoken to several ex-members of Citizen Advisory Committees, attended a few of those committee meetings as a silent observer, and read the various documents, staff reports, committee minutes and the recommendations from the Citizens Advisory Committee Review Team. As you know, I go in for the deep dive.
As public engagement goes, I look at what the City has done with regard to the Adopted Official Plan and the ‘Take a Closer Look Downtown’ initiative as the gold standard. Dozens of opportunities, countless interactions, volumes of documents to pour over, many, many Get Involved messages, even walking tours and town halls.
Compare that to the City’s outreach for the Advisory Committee Review. Three Action Labs, an online survey and a questionnaire at an outdoor market. All done over a year ago. Yes, there was a citizens Review Team that, I presume, worked diligently to interpret the responses heard. But there was no opportunity to respond to the document that they produced.
Basically, a year has passed and silence. If nothing screams Public Engagement – in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS – it’s the Advisory Committee structure. Something that the public has been complaining about for over 20 years.
Then, on Sept. 17th up pops a staff report with a phased in approach and a request from the Corporate Services CSSRAC committee to start recruiting Advisory Committee members.
Which to my mind, means that we’ve gone back to the status quo while the Clerk’s office works out the details.
So here’s my request. Hit the pause button for a few more months. We’ve all been distracted by COVID. Parents are struggling how to send their kids to school and keep their families safe. Operations at City Hall has morphed into a giant Zoom call. Council is about to be swallowed up with the City’s 2021 Budget. Business owners are fighting to keep their doors open. And more and more people have lost their jobs, and are lining up at Food Banks and COVID testing sites.
Is this the time to start recruiting for Advisory Committees? We’ve gone seven months without them. What harm would another few months do?
Hit the pause button and give this staff report, and some details, to those people who spent their time attending the Action Labs, who bothered to fill out the surveys, who sit or have sat on previous Advisory committees, the Engagement Charter and Shape Burlington.
Give us a chance to review what’s being proposed. One last chance to make a suggestion or comment. A bit more time to decide whether or not we want to sign up for a committee, or decide to let others take over.
That would be Public Engagement, the kind that we deserve here in Burlington.
By Staff
October 10th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
What’s open; what’s not open – Thanksgiving Holiday.
Animal Services
The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. remains closed to the public due to COVID-19.
To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.
Burlington Transit Burlington Transit will operate a holiday schedule on Oct. 12. The downtown Transit Terminal, Specialized Dispatch and the administration office will also be closed on this day.
Schedules and specialized booking are available at burlingtontransit.ca. For real-time schedule information visit Google/Apple Maps or triplinx.ca.
City Hall Closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
The Service Burlington counter will re-open Oct. 13 and is available for the following in-person payments from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday:
– Parking permits and tickets
– Property taxes
– Freedom of Information requests
– Garbage tags
– Dog licenses
– Property information requests
– Recreation services
Service Burlington continues to offer marriage licenses and commissioning services by appointment. Please call Service Burlington at 905-335-7777 to schedule.
Cash payments are currently not accepted. Many service payments are also available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.
Anyone entering City Hall must wear a mask or face covering unless exempted from by the Mandatory Mask Bylaw.
Residents are asked to bring and wear their own masks.
Building and Planning
Service counters for building and planning are currently closed and staff continue to process applications electronically.
For more information about building permits and business licences, visit burlington.ca/building.
For information about development applications, visit burlington.ca/developmentinfo
Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office Closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
Administration Counter Services, at 4085 Palladium Way, will re-open on Oct. 13 and are available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Many online services are also available, please visit Halton Court or email burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca
Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage on weekends and holidays.
NOTE: The Waterfront parking lots (east and west) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
Parking exemptions are currently not required for overnight parking on City streets between 1 and 6 a.m., due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. burlington.ca/parking
Recreation Programs and Facilities Arenas will be closed on Oct. 12 and re-open on Oct. 13.
Angela Coughlan Pool will be open on Oct. 12. Pre-registration is required. For scheduled programming, visit burlington.ca/fall
Roads, Parks and Forestry Administrative office closed on Monday, Oct. 12.
Essential and reduced parks maintenance services will be provided.
rlingotn.ca
By Staff
October 10th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Dads drove to the Food Bank earlier this week at the end of their Food Drive in Kilbride with 167 pounds of donated food.
 Heritage Firetruck used as a back drop for food collected in the Kilbride community by the volunteer fire fighters. The Dads partnered up with the Kilbride Volunteer Firefighters Association to do a non-perishable food collection and stopped by numerous friendly local businesses that offered their offices as drop-off points along the way. One of the Dads (Jordan Bradburn) organized the event and drove an old 1937 Ford fire truck to lead the way, proudly flying the DADs flag.
Each year at this time the Burlington Dads host their annual Ride to Provide spin marathon as their own fundraiser. In lieu of the pandemic it was cancelled, however last year’s host’s – Cedar Springs Health Racquet & Sports Club squash members helped out by collecting 40 donated turkeys from their members for us to distribute to families this weekend!
 Three unnamed young men dropped off a bin of food they had collected. Being Squash Members, a few of them included squash as well.
One last thing –the photo is of three young men who just showed up last night and dropped off a full bin of food as a donation – anonymously! Two hockey players and a soccer player (that’s all we know). Amazing!
Are there some proud parents who want to identify these young men?
 By Staff
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Annie Wang: a manager in applied systems at L3Harris’ Burlington operation.
 Annie Wang She is among 40 women nationwide being honored across 15 categories at the conference this year. Wang is a manager in applied systems at L3Harris’ Burlington operation. In addition to Wang, five other L3Harris employees are being recognized this year at the national Women of Color (WOC) STEM Virtual Conference October 8-10.
“I’m truly honored about receiving this award. I’m very appreciative of the recognition, and the initiatives and effort of the organization in promoting and maintaining diversity in the workplace,” said Wang, who will receive the Technology All Star award.
The WOC STEM Conference has been promoting the achievements of women across the STEM fields for 25 years. At the conference, award winners and other attendees have an opportunity to discuss key issues in the scientific and technical workforce, share best practices and participate in professional development, networking and recruiting. In addition, conference attendees can participate in virtual panels which will be comprised of leaders from Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and universities.
About L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $18 billion in annual revenue and 48,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries.
Their new location in Waterdown is under construction.
They have been a leading technology organization in Burlington for some time.
By Pepper Parr
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
What happens now?
An 11 hour meeting to get through the Staff version of the Scoped ReExamination of the Adopted Official Plan and then debate the 9 amendments the Mayor and Ward 2 Councillor came up with – and it was then a done deal.
Well, as done as Burlington could do the document.
It has to be sent to the Regional government.
The document will fill a very very thick binder.
How do they get it to the Regional Planner?
 Entrance to the offices of the Regional government. By mid-October, staff will submit the Council-endorsed policy modifications for Downtown and Neighbourhood Centres, along with all supporting documentation, to Halton Region. Due to COVID, the logistics of submission are still to be confirmed.
How long will the Region need to determine if they can approve the document? Recall that they sent it back in the waning weeks of 2018 because it didn’t comply completely enough with the Regional Official Plan.
The Region will issue a draft decision on the City’s adopted Official Plan in November or December 2020.
How does it get returned to the city?
The Region’s Chief Planning Official will send the draft decision to Heather MacDonald, the City’s Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation, and Mobility.
 City Council meeting – before COVID. Perhaps they could assemble in a live meeting to receive the xx from the Regional government. City Planning staff will then present the Region’s draft decision to City Council for review.
City Council will have a chance to review the draft decision and make comments before the Region issues a final decision.
Surely this will not take place at one of those wretched virtual meetings?
One of the issues for Burlington city council was – is the document appeal proof?
It is the Region’s decision that can be appealed, not the City’s.
After the Region issues a final decision on the City’s Official Plan, a Notice of Decision will be sent out to all parties who have participated in the Official Plan process by submitting written comments to the City or Region, or speaking at a public meeting.
The Notice will provide details about how to appeal the Region’s decision, and the deadline for filing an appeal.
 Town Crier David Vollick reading a message to Council. Anyone wanting to receive notice of the Region’s decision, should make a written request to Graham Milne, Regional Clerk, graham.milne@halton.ca, 905-825-6000, ext. 7110, Legislative & Planning Services, Region of Halton, 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, ON, L6M 3L1.
All very dry and dull.
Heather MacDonald might consider renting a small bus and driving to the Region where she and the staff she decides to take with her can don their face masks and troop into the Regional office bearing the flag with the city crest and the document in a leather binder carried on a dark velvet cushion.
The Town Crier could proceed this band of brave planners and announce that Burlington has arrived to deliver the Official Plan that city council has endorsed.
Somehow the Mayor will get herself on that bus – this is just too good a photo op to be missed.
By Michele Bogle
October, 9, 2020
BURLINGTON, ONTARIO
 Located in the middle of Village Square; a quiet oasis – not a car to be heard Tucked away in the quaint little Village Square is a Persian Restaurant, ‘Rayhoon Eatery’. Whether you already love Persian fare or have never tried it before, the Pre-Fixe dining opportunity during the Taste of Burlington event is the perfect time to try this restaurant. They offer a 3-course lunch or dinner, $25 or $40 per person respectively.
Rayhoon offers a good selection on the Pre-Fixe menu with gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. All of the dishes are ‘halal’. Every third Friday, they have belly dancing for your dining entertainment. Reservations are required for all dining. Please note that they are not open on Mondays with the exception of holiday Mondays.
The eatery was clean, the waitress was attentive, polite, knowledgeable, and the music was at a soothing level, allowing for conversation.
What I observed when entering; all employees were wearing masks; spaced an appropriate distance from one another; the tables were spaced 2 metres apart; and there was a sanitation station set up at the entrance. The bathroom was clean. Before ordering, we and patrons around us were asked for names and contact info. All of the utensils were wrapped. When leaving their tables for the restroom or for departing, the staff politely reminded patrons to put their masks back on. The Taste of Burlington’s Passport offers you additional comfort when digitally ordering your lunch or dinner.
 Bakhtiari Kabob For dinner, my daughter and I chose the Pistachio Crusted Salmon and Bakhtiari Kabob. To start I enjoyed a walnut, beet and arugula salad with goat cheese and a pomegranate dressing. The combination of flavours made me feel that even if I had nothing more to eat, I’d be happy.
The Persian-inspired butternut squash soup was aromatic and delicious.
 Baked Atlantic Salmon encrusted with pistachios Next I enjoyed Baked Atlantic Salmon encrusted with pistachios and a serving of saffron flavoured rice and their walnut, berry and goat cheese salad. The salmon was fresh-tasting and very moist. My daughter ordered the Bakhtiari Kabob, complete with instructions from our server as to how to properly prepare this dish before eating.
Packets of seasoning and butter were offered to add to the rice, then my daughter was instructed to cut the lemon-spiced chicken and the incredibly tender strips of beef tenderloin into bite-size pieces along with the grilled tomato; add to the saffron-infused
rice, and voila! The medley of flavours were exotic and delightful.
 Persian Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding We finished off our enjoyable dining experience with a Persian Spiced Sticky Toffee Pudding, which lacked enough flavour on its own but was well complimented by the drizzle of caramel sauce.The Cardamom & White Chocolate Affogato, I could eat again and again; a scoop of homemade cardamom and white chocolate ice cream, topped with slivered almonds, then to be doused with a shot of hot espresso. Simply sublime.
I would have liked to have seen some signage reminding patrons and staff to wash hands; to wear their masks and signage for the direction of restrooms so that patrons aren’t wandering around others in search of them. There were a lot of verbal cues and a large visible sanitizing station in lieu of the signage. I am satisfied and feel comfortable about returning.
If considering Rayhoon Eatery during the Taste of Burlington Fall 2020 Dining Event, make sure to call or write ahead to make a reservation.
Rayhoon Eatery
420 Pearl Street Village Square, Burlington L7R 2N1 905-637-2500
info@rayhooneatery.com
https://www.rayhooneatery.com/
https://tasteofburlington.ca/restaurants/rayhoon-eatery/ Remember, every time you participate in this event using the Taste of Burlington Passport, you increase your chances of winning the weekly gift card giveaway, or the $500 gift card to a participating restaurant of choice.
Michele Bogle is a Burlington resident who writes for the Gazette on community issues. Ms Bogle has taken part in the Food Network for the second year in a row to audition for the ‘Great Chocolate Showdown’ 2020 and 2021. She made it to the second stage of auditions for ‘Wall of Chefs’ 2019 and finished top 1% of auditions last year for ‘The Great Canadian Baking Show’.
By Shelby Dockendorff
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year the Mayor adds an intern to her office team. This year Mayor Meed Ward is “thrilled that for the third time since becoming Mayor, my office has welcomed a bright and engaged intern to our team. I must first mention that in the short time Shelby has been here, we have been impressed with the skills and experience she has brought to the table and how much she has exceeded all expectations”.
Hello everyone! My name is Shelby Dockendorff and I am the City of Burlington’s Mayor’s Office Intern. I recently completed my Master of Public Administration at Queen’s University and before that I studied Communications at Wilfrid Laurier University.
 Shelby Dockendorff: My experience so far as an intern here has been wonderful. While finishing up my degree and applying to co-op jobs and internships, I had time to reflect on my experiences in government so far and what I enjoyed about it. I’ve been fortunate to work at the provincial and regional level and learn about policy analysis, government communications, civic engagement and event planning.
During a summer working at the Region of Halton’s communications department, I had my first experience of seeing how government work impacted communities on a local level, and how residents responded to it. That level of engagement and impact was something I found fascinating and extremely helpful. I believe you need to be aware of what the local issues are in order to conduct and create meaningful policy and know how to communicate plans back out to the public.
That can only be achieved by being properly engaged in and informed on the community where you live.
With that in mind, I set out looking for opportunities that would offer that type of work and I was fortunate enough to come across the Mayor’s Office Internship. It was the perfect combination of constituent engagement, communication, research and analysis that I was looking for. Not only that, it was an opportunity to work for a Mayor who I had admired for her strong election platform and informed decision-making from her time as a Councillor and since taking the Mayoral office.
My experience so far as an intern here has been wonderful. As a result of the ever-evolving situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been major changes to municipalities. Residents are constantly searching for answers, so they turn to their local representatives for help.
I’ve had the opportunity to speak to many Burlington citizens about the issues facing them in the city, worked alongside other City Hall departments to discuss solutions and draft up presentations for the Mayor’s public consultations and meetings with Ministers at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Virtual 2020 Conference.
As someone who was born and raised in Burlington, I thought I knew everything I needed to know about this city, but working in the Mayor’s Office has opened my eyes to all the different departments and teams that work together to make Burlington the beautiful city it is.
In the coming months while I continue my internship, I hope to have more opportunities to improve my writing skills and continue working to improve ways to communicate out to the public. I also want to be able to do more research on resident issues and work on how best we can resolve them, as well as continue to find ways to make Burlington a great city to live, work and play in.
By Staff
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District Police Service reports on the 2020 two day commercial vehicle traffic blitz that took place earlier in the week.
 Highway 401 runs through the Region – all that heavy commercial traffic needs a close watch. The Regional Police have a special unit focused on this work The inspections were done at the Mohawk Racetrack in Milton.
The purpose of the blitz is to conduct proactive enforcement to ensure compliance with legislation pertaining to mechanical fitness, weights, load security, safety / inspection, compliance and licencing.
With the help of neighbouring police services and agencies, officers were able to inspect 340 commercial motor vehicles with the following results:
• Total commercial motor vehicles inspected: 340
• Total commercial motor vehicles taken out of service: 96 (28 per cent failure rate)
• Total charges laid: 250
• Sets of licence plates seized by police: 7
2019 Results (for comparison):
• Total commercial motor vehicles inspected: 305
• Total commercial motor vehicles taken out of service: 99 (33 per cent failure rate)
• Total charges laid: 239
• Sets of licence plates seized by police: 11
Alcohol screening at the blitz also led to licence suspensions for three drivers. One of the alcohol related licence suspensions was identified as a 14-year suspended driver. This resulted in a 7-day vehicle impound. A total of 19 charges were laid against the driver and his employer, including overweight vehicle, no insurance and multiple mechanical issues.
“Issues identified at the blitz varied across all categories and are reflective of those commercial motor vehicle type offences seen throughout the year,” said Traffic Services Unit Sergeant, Ryan Snow.
 Tractor trailers get very close inspections. “The mechanical issues identified suggest a lack of maintenance and due diligence in daily inspections. Weights also continue to be a safety concern as police continuously note that dump truck drivers claim little control pertaining to overloading of their vehicles. These weight-specific concerns remain an area of ongoing education and enforcement given the obvious handling and braking issues that can occur, along with the additional damage that these weights can render to roadways.
“It should also be highlighted that an out of service rate of 28% only means 28% of trucks directed into the blitz failed to meet required standards, and is not necessarily a reflection of all trucks on area roadways.”
By Staff
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
There was nothing queasy or slippery about a comment made in the House of Commons by Oakville Burlington North MP Pam Damoff.
Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this week Damoff said:
“Madam Speaker, this pandemic has disproportionately been felt by women and girls, intensifying societal issues of inequality, including access to critical sexual and reproductive health services.
 Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff “I am disheartened by the closure of Clinic 554 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, limiting access for sexual and reproductive health services, including abortion. Even in Halton, women have limited access to abortion.
It is essential for governments to stand up for human rights and not exacerbate issues facing those most in need of care.
“The Leader of the Opposition has refused to condemn statements made by one of his members comparing abortion to slavery. Abortion is essential health care and the decision should be made by a women and her doctor, not by men legislating control of women’s bodies.
“We must always be firm in our support for women to have access to full reproductive and sexual health services. Access to these critical services is an issue of women’s rights.”
Crystal clear as to where Damoff stands on this issue.
 By Pepper Parr
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON. ON
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns reports in her newsletter that her office is continuing to work at full capacity. Nice to know that.
What we don’t know is the degree to which city employees are able to work at full capacity.
 Executive Director Sheila Jones In a report to Council yesterday Executive Director Sheila Jones took Council through a report on the status of Burlington’s financial position, where things are in terms of service deliver and an update on what is being done for the commercial sector.
These monthly reports are part of what Jones does very well. Her approach is very crisp, efficient and to the point. She calls on several people to participate, opens it up to questions and ensures that Council is well informed.
There is usually a comment from city manager Tim Commisso and often an occasion when they slip into a closed session for matters that relate to property issues or situations where an individual is named – which is a no no in the municipal world.
 City manager Tim Commisso Yesterday, Commisso was getting ready to comment on staffing, he paused and said something to the effect that when talking about staffing individuals might get named and so he wanted to keep that level of detail private – as well he should.
There appear to be some people who are city employees who have been infected with covid 19. How many – we don’t know. We do know that most of the staff are working from home.
What is disturbing is the public doesn’t know how many people have been infected; how seriously the infections are and how diminished staffing levels have become.
We certainly understand the need for personal privacy. However, the city manager could have created categories of staff. Top level senior people, Directors, Managers and the balance of the close to 1000 people who work for the city.
He could have then said that there are xx people at the senior level and that yy of them have had to quarantine themselves.
There are some departments where the leadership is critical: transit and finance, the city managers office and probably information technology are vital to the operation of the city – especially given the seriousness of the covid threat.
There is a practice of using provisions of the Municipal Act to slip into a closed session to discuss issues that are becoming habits. Not a healthy habit.
Be transparent and be accountable – please.
By Pepper Parr
October 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Proposed 26 story structure on Brant, east side, north of Caroline.
Add another one to the downtown core.
This one is to be located on Brant, north of Caroline on the east side running from the Joe Dogs site north to where the Bank of Nova Scotia is located – at the south end of the No Frills Plaza.
Several blocks north – at Ghent and Brant the Molinaro development on either side of Brant will comprise of three 25 storey buildings that will cover three of the four corners of the intersection.
 Three 25 storey structures.
And there is more to come.
The public will have an opportunity to comment on the plans for a 26 storey at a Pre-Application Public Meeting that will take place on October 26; it will be a virtual meeting.
The Zoom coordinates for the event are:
Participate On-Line via Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/94629064953
(internet connection required)
Webinar ID: 946 2906 4953
- Participate by Telephone:
1-647-374-4685 (audio only)
The developers proposal at this point is for a
- 26-storey mixed-used building
- 248 residential units, including one, two and three bedroom units
Ground floor commercial space
Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns may have a conflict of interest on this development, it is close to across the street from her residence.
Renimmob Properties Limited, based in Hamilton is the developer listed on the file.
 By Staff
October 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
In the days before Covid, a delegation would be sitting in the Council Chamber, often amongst their peers.
You would be called up when it was your turn and you would address the members of council. On many occasions there would be questions from the members of Council which at times got quite frothy.
 Gary Scobie delegating. The public doesn’t get this kind of performance anymore – and we are the poorer for it. I recall an occasion when Gary Scobie was delegating – and when it came to questions he was able to give as good as he got. That was during the days of the 2014-2018 council
A regular Gazette reader wanted to delegate on an issue that concerned him.
The Agenda for the meeting (and accompanying application form to delegate) was not online until Thursday afternoon. Our reader was busy until 7pm.
He filled out application form at 7am on Friday (to meet the deadline of noon the next day – weekends don’t count – for Monday’s Council meeting)
Friday morning – he was busy on a community matter.
Friday 4pm – open emails to find a note from Clerk’s department which read:
“I have received your request to delegate at City Council on September 28, 2020. Due to COVID-19, all requests to delegate must contain a copy of the delegate’s intended remarks which will be circulated to all Members of Council/Standing Committee in advance of the meeting as a back-up to any technology issues that may occur.
“Once I receive your delegation comments I will confirm your delegation.”
This was new to our reader.
 The first of four images sent by the city to the delegator. He is a quick writer but commented that there was no way he could prepare anything reasonable in 30 minutes. So I wrote something, anything, over the weekend and sent it in.
As a back-up he emailed his Councillor ask him to intervene just in case there was a hiccup – there wasn’t.
Sunday 7:20PM Clerks office emails, got your remarks, you’re good to go.
Monday 1pm – into the Delegates Room. Was asked in the instructions sent to me to “open my video (thought about it but decided not to).
 The second of four images sent to the delegator When it came to my turn to delegate and I was facing a screen with 15 little people staring back at me (council and staff). Just as well I didn’t open my video, I spent the whole time looking down to read.
Seeing the Councillors is also a new feature. Last time (one month ago) my screen displayed what you see at home “Delegate Speaking”. So when I did look up, it was a bit unnerving, and everyone’s face was too small to read reactions.
The “rooms” we are placed in are all virtual.
There was a virtual Room shared by the people getting ready to delegate and then a separate virtual room for people who were about to actually delegate.
 The third image sent to the delegator Everything I did was from the comfort of my home in Aldershot.
I was first in what was referred to as the delegate room where I could look at a screen and see who the other people waiting to delegate were.
When it was my turn I was moved (again virtually) to were it was me and the members of Council along with whichever Staff members were taking part.
All I could see where the 20 or so people taking part – all set out before me on a computer screen.
When a particular person was speaking a yellow box was placed around their picture so I didn’t have to look all over the place for the speaker.
 The fourth image sent to the delegator. Was it a satisfying experience? It certainly wasn’t the kind of experience that one had when they stood at the podium before council.
The request to send in the paper I was going to read from was offensive – the Council members were not going to reads my document; many of them have problems getting through the staff reports.
Is this the best the city can do in terms of giving the citizens a way to say their piece?
Could the technology not allow for something better.
To the person at home watching the event – there is something unreal; almost plastic. The public never gets to see the person delegating – which is possible with the technology being used. The city has chosen not to do that.
It is also possible to see the embers of Council when they are speaking. The image is not always that good – but at least it is an image.
Regional Council shows everyone taking part in a meeting.
It seems to be the best that can be done at this point.
The tradition of citizens delegating will be lost if the current Zoom process is all that is going to be available.
People don’t like the current process and are not comfortable with it.
We consistently get comments from readers saying they do not feel respected by members of Council. This was certainly the case with the 2014-18 council. Does it apply to the current council? Too early to make that call – but we are seeing dis-satisfaction galore with the on-line learning students who went the virtual route are getting and have every reason to believe that the same concern exists with the Council delegations.
We will look for some time to see what other municipal council’s are doing and report back.
A member of this council is going to have to take a stand and insist that something better be put in place.
Right now this council is fixated on telling each other how well everything is going.
 By Staff
October 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 The temporary art installation, “The Promenade of Pain,” has been extended through Friday, Oct. 16 in Spencer Smith Park.
Created by Jaime Black (Métis), the multidisciplinary artist who founded The REDress Project and is hosted by Burlington local, Amber Ruthart, First Nations, White Bear Clan, 60s scoop survivor and performance artist.
Located along the walkway beside the Waterfront Hotel and around the gazebo, this project focuses around the issue of missing or murdered Aboriginal women across Canada.
The dresses resemble red specters, floating from hangers in tree branches. Whether they flutter in the wind or drape eerily still, the dresses are not what haunts you but rather the absence of those who wore them.
The dresses represent the hundreds – perhaps thousands – of North American Indigenous women and girls who have been murdered or disappeared during the past four decades.
By Pepper Parr
October 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Why is it that we read the numbers, we know how to prevent the disease from spreading but the numbers keep climbing ?
What is it we are not getting or is the problem with the people who are not getting it.
Here is a breakdown of the total cases in Ontario by gender and age:
27,096 people are male — an increase of 406 cases.
29,249 people are female — an increase of 393 cases.
5,033 people are 19 and under — an increase of 126 cases.
20,126 people are 20 to 39 — an increase of 331 cases.
16,069 people are 40 to 59 — an increase of 225 cases.
8,973 people are 60 to 79 — an increase of 90 cases.
6,529 people are 80 and over — an increase of 22 cases.
Here is the solution one male came up with on the issue of wearing a mask.
Funny, I suppose – but the issue is not a joke. We are in the process of losing this battle.
By Staff
October 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The people at the Burlington Food Bank were asked if they were selling chocolate bars door to door to support the Food Bank.
They are not doing this – “this has not been approved by the Food Bank so please don’t purchase these chocolates! We would never do something like this – especially during covid! Imagine”.
While Marie-Hélène Mongrain from La Crème de La Crème Creamery was volunteering and showing appreciation to our volunteers this morning – her store in Hamilton was broken into!! Steven was there and is looking after clean-up.
 Emma does the Picks for Creme de La Creme – her parents are strong supporters of the Food Bank In August, Emma’s Pick ( a fund raising idea for La Crème) was successful in raising $460, that’s 460 cones! They also donated $250 in groceries to the Burlington Food Bank. Today, Marie was volunteering (she and Steven are regular volunteers with us) and donated a box of chocolates for every one of the volunteers in appreciation for their dedication in serving the community.
Their Emma’s Pick is specifically designed to support local charities. La Creme always focuses on either feeding those in need, LGBTQ support or underprivileged youth. In just 3 seasons they have raised thousands of dollars in support of these initiatives.
Emma’s Pick of the Month sprang from their youngest daughter, when they started the company she was too young to work at the store so they involved her on the charity side, creating the different cones.
She chose S’mores for August for the Burlington Food Bank and it was obviously a BIG hit with the community in many ways.
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