 By Staff
April 4th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We don’t have a picture of the day section.
But we do get really heart-warming pictures pretty regularly.
This one had to be shared.
 The picture was taken by Scot Cameron – an Old timer as well as a photographer. It is of the Grey division Champions of the Burlington Oldtimers Hockey Club
Share it widely.
 By Staff
April 4th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Plains Road at Waterdown Road The public art program is once again opening submissions for its annual Local Artist Program. The program commissions local artists to create a variety of small to medium scale artworks throughout the community. The City is inviting local artists to submit their design ideas that will be installed on traffic control signal boxes throughout the city later this year. Six artists will be commissioned to create a unique design that will be used to produce the utility box vinyl wraps.
This is a design only commission as the City of Burlington will be responsible for the fabrication and installation of the vinyl wraps. Burlington artists may create a new artwork concept for this project or reformat an existing artwork. Successful artists will be required to submit a high-resolution digital file of their artwork concept (assistance is available upon request).
Applicants must be a resident of Burlington, Ont.
For deadlines and more information on how to get application help and/or apply, please visit www.burlington.ca/publicart.
Timeline:
| Deadline |
Activity |
| April 4 to 29 |
Application assistance available upon request |
| May 13 |
Application deadline |
| By June 3 |
Successful artists selected; enter into a contract with the City of Burlington. |
| June through July |
Project development: Artists work with Public Art staff to refine designs, finalize artwork concept and create digital artwork file. |
| August |
Installation and online project launch (date TBD) |
 Regal Road Bridge
Artwork Locations
| Location |
Nearby Landmarks |
| New Street & Shoreacres Road |
Nelson Recreation Centre |
| New Street & Appleby Line |
Appleby Square |
| Lakeshore Road |
Joseph Brant Hospital (parking garage entrance) |
| Prospect Street & Pearson Street |
Tom Thomson Public School |
| Upper Middle Road & Cavendish Drive |
Near Kingsbridge Court |
| Walkers Line & Thomas Alton Boulevard |
Alton Village |
 By Staff
April 3rd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Nelson Youth Centres (NYC) and ROCK Reach Out Centre for Kids are now one agency – the merger was effective April 1st.
The merger will improve mental health service efficiencies for children, youth, and families in Halton Region.
ROCK will maintain the Nelson Youth Centres’ name for continued programming and ensure the legacy lives on. We honor all those that have been a part of this journey with Nelson Youth Centres over the past 44 years.
All services for both ROCK and NYC will continue to be accessed through our Halton Child and Youth Mental Health Access and System Navigation.
A lot more to this story – we will follow up.
 By Staff
April 1st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Trouble in paradise.
Those $10,00 Rainbow crosswalks are not faring very well.
Take a look.
 Drury Lane  Plains Road Wonder if there is a warranty on the work. Wonder too if we can get our money back.
 By Pepper Parr
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
All kinds of activity on the waterfront.
The Waterfront Hotel Planning Study released their Preferred Concept for the site.
The city Planning department has announced that they are not approving the application that was submitted to the city.
Their report will be covered in a separate article.
Right now we want to show you want that Waterfront Study concept looks like.
 In this concept the city did manage to get a 20 metre strip of land to add to Spencer Smith Park.
 The structures as rendered are pretty brutal looking.
By Staff
March 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It does look as if there is going to be a summer –
 Museums of Burlington has set out their summer day camp program at Ireland House Museum and Joseph Brant Museum.
Camps are designed for children between the ages of 5-12 years old and run daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The cost is $250/week, or $55/day (Family Museum Members receive 10% off).
Week 1 | Medieval Times | July 4 to 8 at Ireland House Museum
Hear ye, hear ye… Calling all knights and princesses! While the Middle Ages may have been a dark period in history, we will be exploring the brighter side of things with fun crafts, foods and games. Our Medieval Times camp will include activities relating to castles, mythical creatures, fairs, and everything in between. Join us at Ireland House Museum from July 4 – 8 to begin the quest!
Week 2 | Extreme Planet | July 11 to 15 at Joseph Brant Museum
As hot as a volcano, and as cold as an iceberg! This week will explore all the extreme elements of Planet Earth. Join us as Joseph Brant Museum from July 11th- 15th as we explore Earth’s extreme temperatures, weather, sports, and animals. Campers will also get the chance to check out the newest travelling exhibit Beyond Human Limits LITE from Science North.
Week 3 | Holiday Extravaganza | July 18 to 22 at Joseph Brant Museum
Christmas in July?! Yes, you heard that right! This week will focus on 10 awesome holidays, each day filled with themed crafts and hands-on activities to help us celebrate. We will explore all the fun traditions that you know and love as part of your favourite holidays. Join us at Joseph Brant Museum from July 18 – 22 to participate in the festivities!
Week 4 | Ancient Civilizations | July 25 to 29 at Ireland House Museum
Take a step back in time as we explore ancient civilizations! Join us at Ireland House Museum from July 25 – 29 as we travel across the world from Ancient Egypt to the Inca civilization in South American. Learn to make and play some of the world’s oldest games, build ancient structures, and see what inventions have stood the test of time!
Week 5 | Movie Mayhem | August 8 to 12 at Joseph Brant Museum
Take 1, action! Join us at Joseph Brant Museum from August 8 – 12 to learn about how movies have become a treasured part of pop culture, and how they have advanced over the past 100 years. Explore how animators create movie magic in Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films through our daily crafts and activities. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the show!
Week 6 | Children’s Classics | August 15 to 19 at Ireland House Museum
Dive into the world of classic children’s stories! Each day we will explore the works of famous children’s author. Make your own candy creation from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and create rainbow Oobleck inspired by Dr. Seuss. Join us at Ireland House Museum from August 15-19, and don’t forget to bring your sense of adventure and imagination.
Week 7 | Culinary Kids | August 22 to 26 at Ireland House Museum
Do you love cooking and baking? Time to dig out your chef hat! This week will tickle your taste buds as we prepare a variety of treats from Canada and beyond. Sweet, salty, savoury
and sour, we have it all! Join us at Ireland House Museum from August 22 – 26 to show us your culinary creativity!
What To Bring
- Mask (optional)
- Lunch and 2 snacks (peanut-free)
- Sunscreen and sun hat
- Closed-toed shoes
- Water bottle
Please email museumeducation@burlington.ca for more information or if you have any questions.
You can register HERE
 By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This is not what I thought a Mom’s Night out was all about.
 The event is to take place at the Joseph Brant Museum on May 6th.
Guests will enjoy an interactive and relaxing evening learning the art of mixology, cocktail creation, and the fascinating world of tea. Monarch Tea Co. owner and Certified Tea Sommelier, Katie Cyr will lead guests through creating three mocktails/cocktails.
Ticket price includes admission to Joseph Brant Museum should guests wish to browse our exhibitions. Doors open at 6:30pm, and the workshop begins at 7:00pm, all supplies are included.
No mention if they are providing designated drivers.
Tickets are $55/person,
You can book an event HERE
 By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Another good news story – something that should have been done years ago – the Government eliminating fees for police record checks for volunteers
 The Ontario government is eliminating the cost of police record checks for volunteers of all ages looking to give their time and skills to the causes they care about. This includes Criminal Record Checks and Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Checks, which are commonly required by organizations that work with volunteers.
Beginning April 1, 2022, amendments to the Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 will remove the fee for these two types of police record checks, making it easier for Ontarians to support animal shelters, food banks, emergency response initiatives, and many more organizations in their communities. Volunteers can also receive up to five copies of these types of police record checks for free, making it easier to apply to multiple volunteering positions.
This change will make it easier than ever to participate in initiatives like Volunteer Corps Ontario, which is currently recruiting and training volunteers to help their communities during emergencies like natural disasters.
 Milton MPP Parm Gill “Removing the cost of these essential police record checks is one way our government is making it easier for people across the province to embrace the Ontario Spirit and volunteer in their communities,” said Parm Gill , MPP for Milton and, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “It is our hope that this initiative will make it easier for non-profit organizations to attract committed and talented people to help those who need it most.”
Quick Facts
• A police record check is a search of police database records about an individual and is often used as part of a screening process for employment, volunteering, education, professional licensing, rental housing, insurance, adoption, child custody, foster care and other purposes In Ontario. The Police Record Checks Reform Act, 2015 governs the types of record checks that can be conducted for screening purposes.
• These changes are intended to encourage volunteerism. They exclude people who perform a service in exchange for a form of credit, such as an academic credit. Students who have completed their full academic volunteer requirements and go on to additional non-credit volunteering will become eligible.
• Prospective volunteers will still need to pay any fees charged by police services for Vulnerable Sector Checks, which are considered the most thorough type of police record checks and require a comprehensive search of national and local police databases.
• These amendments expand the Lieutenant Governor in Council’s regulation-making authority to prescribe requirements for how police services conduct police record checks for volunteers, and how long a police record check for a volunteer for a
 By Staff
March 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This was a good decision – one of those “about time” things.
 Olivia on the left and Iman on the right.. The credit for this belongs to the two woman who delegated so very well at city council.
The result of their delegation is:
Free menstrual product pilot project in Burlington’s public washrooms
The City of Burlington will begin offering free menstrual products in 90 public washrooms throughout 19 City recreational facilities, including City Hall as a pilot project for the remainder of 2022.
City staff will monitor usage and engage feedback from users and report back to City Council later this year.
Through extensive research, data collection, done by the Pink Project who collaborated with the city municipalities, school boards, local institutions will be providing free menstrual hygiene products in public washrooms.
These products are now considered as essential to the community as offering toilet paper, soap and paper towels.
Early in 2023 the data collected on the take up of the products will be evaluated and a decision will be made to make the service something that the city just does.
By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It is probably the most storied location in the city. There is a bronze marker along the north edge of Spencer Smith Park that identifies the spot.
 The Compas area, lower center, was where the Brant Inn was located with an open air deck where dining and dancing was a regular feature. Every day hundreds of people walk by the compas spot on the Naval Promenade in Spencer Smith Park without realizing it was once on of the most jumping spots in town.
It was the place to be on a New Year’s Eve.
The Joseph Brant Museum is hosting a joyful glimpse into the past for an elegant night of hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dancing, and live musical entertainment.
Guests will also be able to admire a view of the lake while enjoying dessert from the “Sky Club” on Joseph Brant Museum’s rooftop terrace. Come dressed to the nines for An Evening at the Brant Inn!
 Ticket are $78.00 per person(includes the taxes)
May 28th 7 – 11 pm
Reserve early – space is limited
Tickets HERE
Related news stories:
Remembering the Brant Inn
 Getting a much needed drink of water.  By Staff
March 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It happens every year.
Well just about every year. The 2020 race did not take place due to Covid19 The 2021 race was run virtually.
It has been happening since 1894
The Around the Bay Road Race on Sunday, March 27, 2022 was a cold day that called for hearty runners to complete the 30 km event,
Hamilton’s Around the Bay Road Race is the oldest on the continent, first run in 1894, three years before the Boston Marathon. Rich in tradition, it has been won by the best from around the world, including Boston Marathon winners and Olympic gold medallists. Become part of the continuing tradition by running this challenging course around Hamilton’s natural harbour!
They will do it again on March 26, 2023
 Each runner chooses what they will wear. Quite a difference between these four. Photographs by Denis Gibbons
 By Staff
March 28th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
After being dark for more than 500 days, Drury Lane opened their 41st edition of MUSIC HALL and are back making live audiences smile, laugh and cheer.
“For 47 years, Drury Lane Theatrical Productions has enriched the cultural life of community by providing art that people can indulge in,” said MPP McKenna. “Having staged 136 productions over its storied history, Drury Lane’s musical productions impact artists, musicians, volunteers and audiences from Halton, Hamilton and
Niagara.
 After being dark for more than 500 days the Drury Lane theatre reopened for their 41st production of Music Hall The Ontario government recognizes the important contributions of theatre and the arts in our community. The $50,000 grant provided to Drury Lane by the province’s Community Building Fund will help ensure live theatre in Burlington for years to come.”
Normally presenting four productions per year, Drury Lane was forced to close its doors, like so many community groups and small businesses. Drury Lane’s primary source of funding – ticket sales – was eradicated. Thanks to the $50,000 grant, Drury Lane was able to pay for the things necessary to resume its activities and use their savings to pay the bills associated with having their own building, nicknamed The Loft, on New Street.
Now that the group can sell tickets again, it can return to being a vibrant member of the Burlington Arts & Culture community.
“The Community Building Fund grant was critical to allow Drury Lane to exist and continue to do what it does best,” said Carol MacKenzie, Artistic Director of Drury Lane Theatrical Productions. “Theatre’s primary source of revenue is ticket sales. Without that, we can’t survive. The grant kept us going and allowed us to return to providing a stage for local artists to perform and for Burlingtonians to enjoy and laugh along with others in a live audience.”
Celebrating its 47th Season as Burlington’s premiere musical theatre company, Drury Lane Theatrical Productions, a charitable organization, plays an important role in Burlington’s Arts & Culture community. In a normal year, Drury Lane impacts over 10,000 patrons, artists, and volunteers, providing the joys of stage musicals.
Matinées at 2:00 PM: March 27, April 3, 10, 2022
Evenings at 8:00 PM: March 18, 19, 25, 26, 31, April 1, 2, 8, 9, 2022
Tickets HERE
 The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. Last year, nearly $112M was invested into 1,384 community projects and partnerships to build healthy and vibrant communities and strengthen the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. In 2020/21, OTF supported Ontario’s economic recovery by helping non-profit organizations rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
By Staff
March 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the last month to see The Characters: Act III by Erdem Taşdelen at the Art Gallery of Burlington. Closing April 16th, the The Characters: Act III is the final act of a three-part audio installation.
 An exercise in dramaturgy and dystopian reflection, the works are based on the narratives of 30 stock characters and performed by voice actors from scripts developed by the artist.
These fictional characters are recognizable archetypes representing a specific set of behaviours or thoughts. Their defining traits are borrowed from the work of Theophrastus, a Greek author of the 4th century BCE, who produced the first known set of character sketches in history, describing types of people such as “The Pennypincher,” “The Faultfinder,” and “The Grouch.”
Peculiarly, all these 30 types, together titled The Characters, depict negative traits.
Some scholars have speculated that a supplementary volume comprising positive types must also have existed, or at least been planned. In the absence of these, however, Taşdelen’s reading takes on a comical and poignant quality through its rather bleak representation of human nature. Curated by Natasha Chaykowski, the first two acts of The Characters were presented in Calgary, Alberta at The Bows (formerly Untitled Art Society) in partnership with EMMEDIA (2019) and in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at AKA Artist-Run (2020).
Hours:
Tuesday – Friday 12 PM – 5 PM
Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM
Sunday & Monday CLOSED
 By Mary Hill
March 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Mary Hill, a person we have not succeeded in satisfactorily identifying, took exception to our decision to restrict her commenting privileges in the Gazette because it looked like she was commenting using two different names. She asked if she could write, in a respectful manner, a comment to what you today published stating a different point of view to yours. The following is what she wrote:
The Gazette is in the process of putting in place a set of rules tat should prevent this type of thing from happening in the future.
“Hello, I am Mary Hill. I am not Margaret Riley. Margaret (Maggie) is my life partner. Not that that is anyone’s business. Though the Gazette seems to have made it everyone’s business.
I am writing this in response to the two Gazette pieces that have put Maggie and me through the wringer
Contrary to the thoughts of the Gazette’s editor/publisher, and I am sure some of its readers, Mary and Maggie are not one and the same.
Having straightened that out I must ask what would it matter if Mary and Maggie were indeed just one individual using two different identities to make comments in the Gazette? I don’t understand what the problem would be.
The editor/publisher is correct. Other publications do require authentication of who you are, as do many on-line retailers when one wishes to change account settings for example. Authentication is generally achieved by one of two methods. 1. via sending an email to the account holder’s designated email address. That email may either have an “authenticate” button or provide a code to be entered on the application. 2. via a need for the user to pick out of a line up of six pictures all those pictures that have a common feature.
Why do they require the authentication? In the email check cases it is a security check to ensure the account provider is indeed dealing with the account holder. The picture line up method is there to ensure the site is dealing with a warm bodied human and not a bot.
In neither circumstance does the account provider seek to confirm the identity being used is the actual legal identity of the account holder. Even providers like OLG allow for alternative identities to be used.
 So why is that? The simple answer is to allow the account holder to maintain their complete privacy. What is the difference in placing a bet with OLG, or buying product from Amazon, or making a comment to the Burlington Gazette as either Steve Smith or James Jones. There is no difference.
The editor/publisher has said in his article he “needs to know” who the individual actually is. What’s the individual’s legal name, phone number etc. I ask the editor/publisher to explain here to the Gazette’s readers just why he needs that information? Does it have a bearing upon the validity of the comment submitted? Is there a legal requirement? I think neither. The Gazette’s editor/publisher can contact the commentator by email to assure himself the person is a real human and not a bot.
Even using my real name of Mary Hill exposes me to trolling, harassment and unwanted attention. I have heard stories of Gazette commentators not only getting hate mail through their email but also through the Canada Post mail. How does someone get a personal address? Generally it’s quite easy if one has a land line phone. Just go to the 411 look up website, put in the name and city, and bingo addresses pop up. An example:- an advocate for real names only appears to be Cathy Lanc, who commented righteously on both Gazette articles. Cathy I believe know where you live and your phone number. Does that concern you? Not that I would, but it would be easy to troll you. Maggie and I do not publish our phone numbers or our address in any “phone book”.
There are examples galore where an employee, prospective employee has, in my view unfairly, lost their job due to posting material on-line, sometimes years previously, that sat counter to how their employer saw the world. Using a pseudonym eliminates that concern.
As a result of the Gazette’s original article, both Maggie and I have had our personal lives made way more public than we would have liked. It is now obvious that we share more than an internet connection. Our status was our private concern. The Gazette has made it quite public. I question has the Gazette overstepped PIPIDA by publishing our names, email addresses and IP address without our consent. I have no desire to rake the Gazette over the coals, but it just shows how one’s identity and privacy can be easily exposed and potentially cause other issues. It shows how important it is to protect that personal information.
Our social environment is so completely different today from what it was just a few years ago. In the old days you write a letter to the editor of the G&M. It got published. But once hard copy newsprint in which it apperaed had been tossed into the garbage, it to all intents and purposes was gone from public scrutiny. Now, it is on the web forever. Even if you have a change of heart you cannot erase it.
So those are my views. But I think what is more important than my views is for the editor/publisher to explain or justify just why “he needs to know” the personal identity of a commentator.
- What benefit does the Gazette or its readers get by the editor/publisher knowing the commentator is Jim Smith and not John Smith or James Jones as submitted with the comment? Answer, absolutely none.
- Why does the editor/publisher find the use of a nomme de plume or pseudonym, a practice used extensively in literary and journalistic realms for donkey’s years, to cause him an issue in this day and age. Answer, I have no idea.
All the editor/publisher has said is
“I still do not know if Mary is not the same as Maggie; just saying they are is not enough. I need to KNOW that they are.”
Why is it not enough?
Why does he need to know?
What is his justification for that need?
He does not say.
I doubt he will. Why do I doubt that. Simple. Because there is absolutely no justification he can give.
Editor/publisher please provide your reasoning. Just saying you need it does not make it a valid need.
Editor/Publisher, please reinstate Maggie’s and my commenting privileges.”
Will you publish it?
By Dave Tourchin
March 20th, 2022
BURLINGTON,
The Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team will announce the winner of their recent online public poll to select a City Bird, at the monthly “Bird Studies Group” virtual event hosted by the Hamilton Naturalists’ Club on Monday evening.
 Are these swans meant to be the bird that reflects what Burlington is all about? A guest speaker from the Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team, Barry Coombs, will give a presentation on the group’s efforts to get Burlington and Hamilton certified under Nature Canada’s “Bird Friendly City” Program:
“A Certification Story – Designating Hamilton and Burlington as Bird Friendly Cities”
March 21, 2022, 7:30 pm – 9 pm A virtual event open to everyone
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86797267165
The announcement of the public’s choice of City Bird for Burlington, and also for Hamilton, will be made near the end of the presentation.
The Bird Friendly Hamilton Burlington team was founded in December of 2020. Its primary goals are to help protect our wild birds, and to get Hamilton and Burlington certified under Nature Canada’s “Bird Friendly City” program, but the work won’t stop with certification. Learn about the status of certification and the many ongoing and future projects of this group that is dedicated to bird advocacy.
Related news stories:
Does the city need or wan an Official Bird
What are the options if there is going to be a city bird
By Tamara Boaden
March 18th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Passion for Parkinson’s Foundation is a non-profit corporation . Our primary objective is to identify and fully fund creative arts and exercise programs targeted specifically to enhance and support the lives of those living with Parkinson’s in Halton/Peel.
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder affecting 25 new people daily in Canada. Next to medication, exercise is the most beneficial therapy for managing this disease.
My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2011 and I have experienced what this debilitating disease does and understand how important these programs are for people living with Parkinson’s Disease.
In May 2021, we launched Parkinson’s in the Park ™which offered weekly walking, exercise, and Tai Chi programs in various parks In Mississauga.
In September 2021, we expanded the walking and Tai Chi programs to Burlington.
Based upon our success and seeing the difference it made to our Parkinson Community, beginning April 2022, we are offering and fully funding Arts and Exercise programs in Mississauga, Oakville and Burlington. Flyers are attached.
We plan to further expand our programs to Brampton and Milton by 2022/23.
We need your help to increase our community reach to attract new participants, volunteers, and financial supporters. Any assistance you can offer (i.e. share with your social media feeds, post flyers/brochures on community boards.
By Pepper Parr
March 17th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier this month I made the decision to hold comments sent to us from a specific Internet Protocol address that was being used by two different names.
We suspected the two names wwere being used by the same person.
 Our comments section is populated with boisterous, well informed people who comment at length. Frequently there is an exchange of views that goes on for a week or two.
We also get offensive, even libelous comments which we delete. We have, on a few occasions, taken away the opportunity to comment.
Many online publications that have a comment section ensure that they have identified the writer and are satisfied they are real people.
I am always dismayed when a writer does not have the courage of their convictions and chooses to use a phony name.
Many of the comments made are from people who strongly support a particular viewpoint; we welcome those.
Some commentators take us to task for an article they feel was unfair or biased, we welcome those as well.
The general rule is: know your client – it applies to almost everything. People who comment in the Gazette are not clients but we feel it is important that we know who they are – our concern is not with what they wish to say.
 I don’t know Maggie or Mary. One of them claims that there are a number of people writing under a nom de plumes – that may be true – we just don’t have the resources to track down every person who comments nor is it our objective.
We did on one occasion allow a person to identify as anonymous. The person was commenting on a position the City Manager at the time had taken on how he would support his Staff during a very contentious municipal election.
The writer took exception with the City Manager’s position because the writer held a very senior position in another level of government, and was not authorized to speak for that level of government: the person could not use their own name.
Senior bureaucrats are discouraged from taking public positions.
In one comment made by Mary an adjective was used that we didn’t see as offensive. The person being referred to saw it differently. They claimed it was a hate comment and wanted a criminal investigation.
The writer of the adjective apologized and we saw the matter as closed.
We however are still in the position of not knowing who the writers are. We did reach out to talk to them – we do that frequently with names we are not certain are legitimate. Mary did not take up the chance for a discussion
It got messy.
In the past I have come close to closing down the comments section. While I think it is critically important, vital even, that people have a place where they can say what they think and where their peers can respond, monitoring the comments is a significant draw on our limited resources.
There are readers who ask: “Does this really matter? Loads of blogs on social media are not the real names of the authors.”
 True enough, but the Gazette is not a blog; it is a credentialed on line newspaper that has been publishing for more than ten years.
A reader added: “Younger readers and bloggers often use pseudonyms, it’s no big deal. People are just having their say. Many actors, rappers and people with maiden names even though they are married, use different names and surnames.
“These women may be in some sort of relationship. There is also Anne and David Marsden, two people under one name. How do you know who it is commenting on the article, is it Anne or David? Now there is a comment on here just from David. Do David and Anne have the same IP address? If so, how can they be allowed to use the same IP address?”
The difference is that we know that David Marsden is real and we know that Anne Marsden is real.
“This could be an identical situation” said the writer, “some people have separate email addresses and some use a joint address.
“Lives are changing, we should all try to change or at least acknowledge changes. “… a good editor means keeping up with the changing times. I’m sure as I get older I may find it more difficult, too.”
I still do not know if Mary is not the same as Maggie; just saying they are is not enough. I need to KNOW that they are.
There is no discrimination here. Convince me that you are who you say you are and I am a happy camper.
I publish the Gazette, pay for it out of my pocket, and I am responsible for the content.
I would hope that those who choose to comment be responsible enough to properly identify themselves.
By Pepper Parr
March 12th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Will there be mayhem on the streets when masks can be off everywhere and almost anywhere on March 21st ?
What does that do to plans various organizations have to protect the people they care for ? The Hamilton-Wentworth School Board is reported to have told the province that they will require Masks in schools until April 15th.
With the Spring Break keeping schools closed, the concern that people travelling may bring the virus home with them; and the expected increase in social activity will bring together people who have not been together in the past increasing the opportunity for the virus to spread.
 No masks in this picture: does that mean we will see every member of Council in their seats next week? What will that do to our elected officials and the way they meet.
City Council is due to meet on the 22nd – will it be a virtual meeting, which appears to be the preference for most of the seven members on Council.
There is a bylaw in place calling for virtual council meetings – will that be the excuse that is used to require the meeting to be virtual?
The bylaw hasn’t prevented the Mayor from taking advantage of every possible photo-op.
The City Manager is reported to be working on the approach the city will take to opening things up and at the same time reporting on how many City Hall staff will work off-site and how many will work in city facilities.
There are some jobs that have to be performed at a city office; others that can be done by people working off site. The policy appears to be that a staff member is either an on-site or an offsite employee. They cannot switch from one to the other.
More clarity on just how this will be implemented and what the impact will be on the public can be expected soon given that the province has already started the process of getting to the point where there are no restrictions.
Why any of this is being done while we are still working with a pandemic befuddles us. When the World Health Organization moves Covid19 to an endemic – the restrictions can be moved.
What will we do if there is a sudden steep increase in infections ?
That appears to be a risk the politicians are ready to take.
 By Pepper Parr
March 10th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Is this a love story – or just a story about a bunch of randy creatures looking for some action?
It’s Salamander mating season and they are migrating across King Road
 He isn’t exactly pretty but nevertheless plays an important role in the local environment. Comes in different colours as well. Spring is around the corner and the annual passage of the endangered Jefferson salamanders during their breeding migration will begin soon. King Road, near the base of the Niagara Escarpment to Mountain Brow Road, continues to be closed for construction of a nearby subdivision. The base of King Road will reopen to local traffic on April 15, once the salamanders are expected to finish their annual crossing.
Since 2012, the City of Burlington has closed the same section of road for the salamanders which are a nationally and provincially protected endangered species.
 Expect to see this guy crossing King Road late at night – road is closed to protect him About the Jefferson Salamander
In Canada, the Jefferson salamander is found in Southern Ontario in select areas of deciduous forest, mostly along the Niagara Escarpment.
Jefferson salamanders spend most of their lives underground. As the weather warms up and the spring rains begin, the salamanders emerge and migrate to breed in temporary ponds formed by run-off, laying their eggs in clumps attached to underwater vegetation. Adults leave the ponds after breeding. By late summer, the larvae lose their gills, become air-breathing juveniles and leave the pond to head into the surrounding forests.
Adult salamanders migrate to their breeding ponds during wet rainy nights. They show a strong affinity for the pond in which they hatched and can be very determined to reach it, sometimes causing them to cross busy roads.
 The Jefferson Salamander was the largest part of the decision to not permit an expansion of the quarry in 2012
In the years the Gazette has been covering the story of the Jefferson Salamander – they were a critical part of the decision in 2012 to not permit an expansion of the Nelson Quarry – one would have thought they would get more recognition and respect.
Someone should begin a movement to have the Jefferson Salamander the official mascot of the city – heck they deserve hero status for what they have achieved.
Quick Facts
• The Jefferson salamander is protected at both the provincial and national levels. It was added to Ontario’s endangered species list in 2011.
• Jefferson salamanders have a grey or brown-coloured back, with lighter under-parts. Blue flecks may be present on the sides and limbs.
• Adult Jefferson salamanders are 12 to 20 cm long. The long tail makes up half this length.
• Unlike most small animals, Jefferson salamanders can live a very long time; up to 30 years of age.
 Burlington Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith does his bit to protect the Salamander explaining that: “Not only do the residents of Ward 1 do their part to protect the Jefferson Salamander every spring, the whole community embraces this road closure to help preserve this endangered species. Over the past decade, these conservation efforts have helped to ensure the Jefferson Salamander population is given a chance to survive and thrive in the years to come. Thank you to everyone who takes this short inconvenience in stride to protect our beloved ‘Jeffy’.”
 Hassaan Basit, President and CEO, Conservation Halton who is perhaps best seen as God Father to the creatures add that ““The decade-long partnership between Conservation Halton and the City of Burlington has resulted in the preservation of the Jefferson Salamander population. We are pleased to share that since the first King Road closure in 2012, we have observed no Jefferson Salamander road mortality in that area during the migration period.”
By Staff
March 8th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
As provinces lift restrictions, many Canadians are itching to travel. With March Break upon us, the team at COVIDdetect has pulled together top five ways to help remain as safe as possible during these times of excitement, and a little trepidation.
 Premier Ford was masked when he got his vaccination. The rest of us can do it #1 Get vaccinated – get boosted
Getting vaccinated ensures you are adequately protected against the virus. It lowers your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. With over 80% of Canadians with at least two doses, many provinces and territories are loosening restrictions and mandates. A booster shot can increase your efficacy to hold off severe infection from COVID-19.
#2 Wear a mask, wash your hands
Wearing a mask and washing your hands are additional precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. Wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. These sustainable and effective measures can cut the risk of transmission of not only COVID-19 but also other viruses and illness.
#3 Be prepared – have rapid antigen test on hand
Forget the hassle of having to find a rapid antigen test while you’re away or the worry of not being sure if you should gather with friends and family. Carry rapid antigen tests with you to test before and after social gatherings, travel on planes, trains, and automobiles (and on public transit). Taking a rapid antigen test is quick, easy, and convenient. It allows you to get the results within 15 minutes without leaving the house. It is the perfect way to have peace of mind and enjoy yourself.
#4 Plan your trip carefully
Have a plan. Planning ensures smooth sailing for a trip and helps calm nerves, especially if this is your first time traveling in a long time. Look for activities with smaller crowds and gatherings or scheduling the activity at off-peak hours. Understand local restrictions and public health guidelines so you know what to expect. Reduce your risk by choosing outdoor activities. Check local travel blogs and community websites for a list of possible activities.
 Get tested #5 If you’re not feeling great, take a test
If you are not feeling well take the time to investigate. Using rapid antigen tests and common sense will limit exposing your friends and loved ones to whatever ailment you may have. With a rapid antigen test, you can better understand your symptoms and make informed decisions on taking care of yourself and when to seek treatment if necessary.
If you’re still worried about COVID-19, plan activities that are close to home, have a backup plan if activities become too busy and be creative! Additional resources are available on the Government of Canada travel and tourism website.
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