 By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is something about former Toronto mayors and the city of Burlington – we keep inviting them out to talk to us.
A couple of years ago Toronto’s Tiny Perfect Mayor, David Crombie visited the city to talk to the then Waterfront Advisory Committee. Mayor Goldring, then in his first term, did not make a practice of attending those meetings but with Crombie speaking the Mayor chose to sit beside him at the table.
 The last Toronto Mayor who came to Burlington was well received but not really listened to – what will we do with David Miller when he speaks? Crombie got the Waterfront Advisory Committee all excited with what was possible – but before any of the ideas got off the ground the city sunset the committee – they did manage to get two things done – a solid look at the way Windows on the Lake were created and they did get something into the Pump House in the Beachway.
 You wouldn’t know it – but this is public property and anyone can walk out to the end and look over the lake. City will now put signage indicating that the land is public. Great views. The disappointing part about the Windows on the Lake was the loss of a significant piece of land between the two Windows the city is going to gain. A piece of the city’s heritage was lost forever.
Former Mayor of Toronto David Miller is going to be in town November 3rd to speak at free community event called Take Action Burlington. The event is a joint initiative between Mayor Goldring’s Inspire Burlington Series and the City of Burlington and will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The focus is reported to be on what individuals, businesses and community leaders can do to continue to work towards fostering a healthy, green community. Miller who is now the CEO and president of World Wildlife Fund Canada, will be the keynote speaker.
Mayor Goldring will give a presentation on environmentally sustainable projects and initiatives in the City of Burlington.
Interactive exhibits from green-minded community groups will be on display before and after the presentations.
One of the stronger traits behind what Mayor Goldring does is his consistent commitment to the environment – he did slip up when he let the turbine get taken out of the pier design, but he has been an admirable advocate for the environment. While he was not in Burlington when the micro WORDS was unveiled at Burlington Hydro recently that initiative was very much in the Goldring view of the world.
Current Green Party candidate Vince Fiorito points out that Goldring was a federal Green candidate who pulled in 3500 votes when he ran – which in Burlington is a number that has yet to be exceeded – Fiorito doesn’t expect to do that well.
 A piece of our heritage lost forever. When David Crombie was in town he pointed out that there was a time when Burlington was the leader in the development of a waterfront trail through the city. Crombie probably lost weight when he learned that Goldring went along with the sale of public land that bordered the lake – even though city staff recommended the property be either kept by the city or leased.
We shall all wait to hear what David Miller has to say to us – and then wait a little longer to see if the Mayor heeds any of his advice.
 Are there panda bears in our future? With Miller being the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund and the Mayor returning from a trip to China – is there perhaps a pair of pandas in Burlington’s future – with maybe a zoo somewhere in the Escarpment? This city could certainly use some good news – any news would be nice.
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Beginning October 13, construction will begin in Millcroft Park to install free Cogeco Wi-Fi.
The construction and installation of equipment is expected to take four to five weeks.
The free Wi-Fi is a pilot test with Cogeco Cable to provide free internet access within certain areas of the park. Most of the city’s arenas, city hall and recreation and community centres already have free Wi-Fi access.
The park will remain open during construction.
By Pepper Parr
October 8th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Each year the Fire Department holds an Open House which Fire Chief Tony Bavota describes as a day for the family that doesn’t cost a dime and “if they buy a hot dog from the service group they get it at cost – a great inexpensive family outing”.
But this year there was no Open House because the fire department HQ is undergoing a major renovation – so they had to come up with a new idea. And they certainly came up with what can only be described as a winner.
The Fire Department partnered with the Culinary class at Robert Bateman High school for a cook off between four teams. Each team was made up of a fire fighter and two students. Murray Zehr who runs the Culinary program said there are 300 students in the class where the focus is on nutrition and kitchen safety. The cooks had an hour to prepare the meal.
There were very good reasons for using a cook off as the focus for the event – 53% of the fires in private homes are the result of unattended cooking.
 Acting Captain Sam Wakunick taught the Gazette reporter a couple of things about unattended cooking. It was embarrassing. This reporter has some direct experience with unattended cooking and the Burlington Fire department. Shortly after moving into a new home and getting used to the stove I wandered away from the kitchen and then heard that beep beep sound of the smoke alarm. There was nothing I could do to shut the damn thing off the way you can in most houses. I called security and told them everything was under control but it was too late – the fire department was on the way and before I knew it Sam Wakunick was standing at my door in full fire fighter kit. I sheepishly explained what I had done – she smiled – Sam wasn’t a guy – and asked if she could just look through the unit – which wasn’t exactly tidy.
Months later I show up to cover a news event and there is Sam – reminding me not to wander from the kitchen when food is cooking.
The Fire department media people working with the Bateman staff came up with a really fun and instructive program that made the point – fires are dangerous and they can be prevented. It was also an opportunity to showcase the cooking talent at Bateman
 Fire fighter Peter Temoche explains a point to a member of his team Kristan Dymad – Alicia Ann Husk was also on the team. Each of the cooking teams was given a recipe and the ingredients – there was a table with all kinds of oils, wines, and fresh vegetables that cooks could dip into.
To jazz up the event – a fire fighter with the name “That Guy” who wandered from stove to stove and just became a pain in the butt. He would drop something into the food or give one of the cooks a penalty which meant they had to sit in a penalty box – and not be able to take part in the food preparation.
There was a party atmosphere that brought out the newly minted Director of Education Stuart Miller and Mayor Goldring who advised the students that he had absolutely no culinary skills but was prepared to serve as a judge for the cook off. The Mayor mentioned that during his recent trip to China he learned to ask what he was being served; “you sometimes didn’t want to know” he said. Burlington’s taxpayers however might want to know what the Mayor was doing in China for close to a week.
 Firefighter Dave Reid and Bateman students Vanessa Plouffe and Alisha Hales look into the ingredients they were given to cook up a meal in one hour. Fire fighter Dave Reid and students Vanessa Plouffe and Alisha Hales were on a team called the Dragons.
 Fire fighter Chris Grieve takes his cooks Cameron Davies and J.R. Kelertas through the approach he thinks they should take to preparing the meal. Chris Grieve, the fire fighter was on a team with students Cameron Davies and J. R Kelertas – they decided to be known as Five Arm Alarm; one of the students had a cast on his arm
Fire fighter Peter Tamoche teamed up with Krista Dymod and Alicia Ann Husk – they wanted to be called the Hot Tamales.
 Ty Solomon gets rapt attention from a student during the cook off. Ty Solomon and students Bryce Walker and Nick Shaw titled themselves: Kill it with Fire.
 The Bateman high school kitchen with its four gas stoves was a bit of a zoo with cameras all over the place and students scooting around picking up supplies and utensils. The kitchen at Bateman was a bit of a zoo with students photographers wandering all over the place, the Cogeco cable News camera kept popping up while cooks were scooting around getting equipment and ingredients while Dennis Hayes kept calling out trivia questions and announcing penalties and in the last fifteen minutes telling everyone how little time they left.
Students and other observers looked on from the back of the kitchen.
The judging was pretty tight: winning team got 75 points with two teams getting 71 points. They were judged on presentation and taste.
 Dave Reid’s team, on the left took first place while Ty Solomon throws his arms up and congratulates Bryce Walker and Nick Shaw who took second. There were less than four points between each team. Fire fighter Dave Reid and students Plouffe and Hales took first place.
 While students were cooking up their storm other students were trying on fire fighter equipment. The fire department had three pieces of equipment parked outside the school and all kinds of fire fighter equipment set out for students to try on. There were 19 fire fighters helping out “on their own time” added Chief Bavota.
 By Staff
October 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional Health office is making it easier for parents to advise the health office that their children have been properly immunized.
The online immunization reporting form makes it more convenient way to report required immunizations. The form is available at halton.ca/immunize.
While the majority of families in Halton Region immunize their children to protect their health, many are unaware of their legal requirement to notify the Halton Region Health Department about any required immunizations their children have, especially those the province requires for school attendance.
Parents can update their child’s immunization records by going online at halton.ca/immunize, dialing 311 or dropping off an up-to-date record at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville.
 Advising the regional health office that your child has been properly immunized is a requirement. That can now be done on line. “Halton Region’s Health Department is responsible for enforcing the provincial Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), which outlines the immunizations students need to attend classes, in order to keep our schools and students healthy,” said Halton’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani. “Since students without up-to-date immunization records can face school suspension, it’s critical that parents make sure the Halton Region Health Department has their child’s most recent immunization records on file.”
Immunizations are available through family doctors or at one of Halton Region’s immunization clinics. If children are unable to get immunized, they must have a notarized exemption on file with the Health Department in order to meet school attendance requirements.
To learn more about which immunizations are required to attend school and how to report immunizations, please visit halton.ca/immunize.
By Staff
October 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Some of the most horrific highway accidents take place on holiday weekends – that’s when families are in cars going to see other members of their family. Check the newspapers Monday, listen to the radio – you will see and hear it all.
 Can we get through the Thanksgiving weekend without pictures like this? Try Over the Thanksgiving weekend, October 9th through to the 12th, the Halton Regional Police Service will be taking part in a national road safety partnership known as Operation Impact. The goal of the program is to remind drivers that an essential part of traffic education and enforcement is to save lives and reduce injuries on our roadways.
Officers assigned to Operation Impact will focus on behaviour that puts drivers, passengers and other road users at risk: impaired driving, seat belt use, and all aspects related to aggressive/distracted driving.
Aggressive drivers often engage in a combination of high-risk road use behaviours; non-use of seat belts, drinking and driving and speeding. The results of these behaviours are often catastrophic for all involved road users.
This year there have been several motor vehicle fatalities investigated by Halton Police. Each of these deaths represents the tragic loss of a loved one – a senseless tragedy that in most cases could have been prevented.
Our annual participation in Operation Impact forms an important part of our overall traffic strategy where partnerships lead to greater road safety. A focus on high risk behaviours provides opportunities for enforcement as well as education.
A good program, that will be solidly enforced – what was missing? Not a word about distracted driving – the nut cases that think they can text and drive at the same time. If the behaviour isn’t mentioned and targeted it may not get the attention it deserves.
Operation Impact is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) and member agencies of the CACP Traffic Committee from across Canada in support of Canada’s Road Safety Strategy 2015, which has a goal of making Canada’s roads the safest in the world by 2015.
That is an interesting target – aren’t we already in 2015?
By Walter Byj
October 5th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Secondary summer school continues to grow in popularity.
At a recent Halton District School Board (HDSB) meeting Superintendents of Education, David Boag and Tricia Dyson, presented a report which showed growth in the summer program with overall summer enrollment growing by 15.5%
 Some students chose to gain full credit enrollments, others chose to either upgrade or have a one half credit; 4312 students chose to either upgrade their marks or to reach-ahead.
The major increase was in online enrollment which grew by 34% and had a completion rate of 85% vs 87% for in-class courses.
A quick numbers update.
• 1584 full credit in-class enrollment vs 1524 in 2014
• 1058 upgrade and one half in-class enrollment versus 890 in 2014
• 599 online full credit enrollment vs 507 in 2014
• 768 upgrade and one half credit online enrollment in 2015
 By Staff
October 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
At its meeting on Sept. 28, Burlington City Council approved a new bylaw prohibiting the feeding of wild animals, including coyotes, in the city’s public parks. The bylaw will not however become effective for one year.
 The bylaw prohibiting the feeding of wildlife in public parks goes into effect in one year. “This new bylaw will help the city address public concerns over coyotes by trying to prevent conflicts before they occur,” said Scott Stewart, the city’s general manager of development and infrastructure. “Research and experience show that one of the most significant things everyone can do to reduce direct public interaction with coyotes is to avoid feeding them.”
 Swans can be fed but only by those who are licensed. The no feeding wildlife bylaw prohibits the feeding of any wildlife including waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, in public spaces. City Council approved an amendment to the bylaw to allow the Trumpeter Swan Coalition to continue its work with the trumpeter swans that live in LaSalle Park.
“Like all wildlife in Burlington, coyotes are just trying to survive, and they do that by finding food sources,” said Tracey Burrows, manager of bylaw enforcement and licensing. “The new bylaw will not come into effect for one year, during which time the city will be reaching out to residents to help inform them about how we can work together to eliminate and properly manage food sources around homes to ensure coyotes remain wary of humans.”
In addition to the no feeding wildlife bylaw, the city also offers an online service where residents can report coyote sightings. These sightings are monitored and tracked by city animal services staff to learn more about which areas of the city coyotes are located.
For more information about coyotes or to report a coyote sighting, please visit www.burlington.ca/coyote.
 By Pepper Parr
October 5th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Membership has its privileges – The Art Gallery of Burlington launched their fall season with a members only reception that had the xx artists in the fall program on hand to chat up their work and answer questions.
 Laurin’s work plays with family and found photographs that he reinterprets In Spirit
In Spirit presents the work of Timothy Laurin, John Latour and Heather Murray. Timothy Laurin’s work plays with family and found photographs that he reinterprets. His practice focuses on identity and memory and how one informs the other and keep in flux one’s sense of self.
John Latour’s text-based art, sculpture, and found photography highlight the ways in which we connect with the past, and how this uniquely human activity is mediated through words, objects, and images. Heather Murray is influenced by her rural backdrop and creates diligently and enthusiastically out of her haunted historical studio in Owen Sound Ontario.
This exhibition is co-curated by Virginia Eichhorn, Tom Thomson Art Gallery, and Denis Longchamps, Art Gallery of Burlington. The exhibition will run from September 19, 2015 to November 15, 2015.
Co-curation with the Tom Thomson Art Gallery is not small potatoes.
 Drawn from the AGB’s Permanent Collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics, five artists – Bruce Cochrane, Reid Flock, Harlan House, Ruth Gowdy McKinley, and Kayo O’Young demonstrate their mastery over the medium. Not to be missed. Thrown
While the thrown vessel is the most common ceramic form, great skill is required to achieve total control in the medium. Once this level of skill is reached, the artist can then either create ever more complex forms or loosen up and relax. Drawn from the AGB’s Permanent Collection of Contemporary Canadian Ceramics, five artists – Bruce Cochrane, Reid Flock, Harlan House, Ruth Gowdy McKinley, and Kayo O’Young demonstrate their mastery over the medium.
The permanent collection is gem that is all too often hidden – it was what validates the existence of the gallery – the rest of the country just hasn’t discovered it yet.
Curated by Jonathan Smith, the exhibition will run from September 19, 2015 to December 31, 2015 in the Perry Gallery.
 a snapshot of one of the collages “5 Glasses” featuring a photo of artist Clive Tucker surrounded by five different types of glasses. Click. Clip. Paste.
Jonathan Smith presents fifteen of his photo-collages ranging from the earliest created around 1997, to the latest one hung while the glue was still wet. Friends and family of the artist act as his models in this show.
The presence of the artist is suggested through his reflection with his eyeglasses or drinking glasses located in the foreground. Each work follows a set of formal principles: a grid is used for the collage composition following concerns of proportions, dynamic tensions and lines. The photos however were taken without any planned composition in mind. Many are captured at a table sharing a meal, at other times the models pose for the purpose of creating a collage.
Smith is the curator of the permanent collection. He has been with the AGB for 25 years and is an artist in his own right. The showing of his personal work in an exhibition was part of the thank you from the gallery board. Well deserved.
The exhibition is on until October 18, 2015 in the RBC Community Gallery.
 The AGB is going to use the corridor spaces to focus on regional work from different parts of the country. This preserve jar is a prairie contribution. Amber Fields of Grain
The wide open spaces of the Canadian Prairies have been home to a great many well-known Canadian ceramic artists. Beside such great functional potters like Robert Archambeau, the Prairies have produced its own particular brand of sculpture, “Prairies’ Funk” that was created by such notables as Joe Fafard and Victor Cicansky. The Wild West has its own unique culture that is explored, often with great humour and insight that reflects the wide open spaces of the plains.
This is an ongoing 2015-2016 exhibition curated by AGB Permanent Collection Curator, Jonathan Smith.
The Gallery is open to the public:
Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 pm
Admission is free
By Walter Byj
October 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Have you heard the term “Active Transportation”? Be prepared to hear the phrase bandied about in the next few months.
Active transportation is defined as human powered transportation such as walking, cycling, wheeling and other methods using mobility devices. This would apply whether going to the store, to work or to school.
It is a buzz phrase at all levels of government. Now how we shop or get to work is for the time being, our decision. However, the Halton District School Board can definitely have some influence as to how children reach school.
 During a ride the bike to school week students at Charles Beaudoin school liked the idea and 200 students stuck with their bikes after the event. Over the last number of years, vehicular traffic around schools has increased tremendously. There was a time when most students walked to schools. That certainly is my memory. With changing times, many more students are reaching school either through busing or car transportation.
There are many reasons that contribute to increased vehicular traffic, (safety issues, French Immersion) there has been a fundamental change as to how students reach school. Approach any school close to the opening bell and you are in the middle of a traffic jam.
This has resulted in schools needing to use the available land for circular drop off points or expanded parking lots. The HDSB did in fact promote the use of Active Transportation back in September of 2014, to date, there has not been too much traction in this area.
Well, this is about to change.
 Burlington school board trustee Andre Grebenc has brought forward a motion for an Active Transportation program A motion presented by Trustee Andrea Grebenc (Burlington), who is also chair of the Transportation Committee, recommended that the board renew its commitment to Active and Sustainable Transportation and to explore, evaluate and participate in collaboration with other school boards, municipalities, the provincial Government and other potential stakeholders is presenting a workable solution.
So why this concern about active transportation?
Various studies point to the evidence that those students who use some sort of physical activity prior to the commencement of the school day tend to concentrate better and achieve higher results than those who do not get any physical activity prior to school.
Some of the ideas to achieve active transportation?
 Actively promoted – children will take to walking to school on a regular basis. • Walking Wednesdays
• Walk a Block (A drop off zone at least a block from the school)
• Bike Trains (Group of bikers along a pre-designated route)
• Walking School Bus (Parent volunteers walking a route and picking up students)
Implementation of some of these ideas would not only create a level of physical activity for students, but could also improve the air quality near the schools.
With an interim plan due in December of this year, this initiative is going to get a lot of discussion – the board is expected to initiative some public consultation prior to that date.
Background links:
City is pushing more walking and cycling as part of its draft Master Transportation Plan
If you give students a chance to make more use of their bikes – they will
 By Staff
October 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School board advised yesterday afternoon that a tentative agreement has been reached with Halton secondary teachers, however labour sanctions remain in place until deal is ratified
The Halton District School Board and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) advised that the deal must be ratified by both the local Halton OSSTF teacher members and the Halton District School Board. Terms of the tentative agreement will be shared once the ratification process is completed.
Local administrative sanctions will remain in place until the tentative agreement has been ratified by the Board and the local OSSTF membership.
 By Staff
September 30th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
As the city moves into October United Way volunteers in Burlington and Greater Hamilton will be hosting events to kick-off their annual fundraising activities for United Way and help raise awareness of the needs in our community. The initiative highlights the importance of pulling together to create lasting change.
 Kick-off at Specs on Pearl in Burlington at 9am on Thursday The event will kick-off at Specs on Pearl in Burlington at 9am on Thursday and will include attendees from surrounding businesses, a few words from Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Deputy Mayor Rick Craven and United Way Campaign Chair and President of JanKelley Marketing Chantel Broten.
Activities throughout the day will include challenging obstacle courses at both JanKelley Marketing and Mohawk College, a bus pull at McMaster University, and a United Way led twitter challenge with prizes, just to name a few.
United Way GenNext members will host closing festivities beginning at 6pm at Stonewalls Restaurant in Hamilton. Proceeds from the closing event will support LGBTQ and newcomer youth initiatives in Burlington & Greater Hamilton.
 At past United Way campaigns the city really put their backs into the program. Here, former city general manager Kim Phillips helped pull a water truck down Brant Street. “United Way Day is really about encouraging individuals and organizations to get involved and help create possibility for residents of Burlington & Greater Hamilton. One in 3 people in our community will access services supported by United Way in their lifetime. This could be a friend, family member, or neighbour. We all know someone who has been helped by United Way” said Broten.
United Way kicked-off the annual fundraising campaign earlier with a breakfast event at the Royal Botanical Gardens. The campaign will be championed by Hamilton Chair Paul Johnson, Director of Corporate Initiatives for the City of Hamilton and Burlington Chair Chantel Broten, President JanKelley and long-time Burlington resident. Together, they will highlight the unique needs of Burlington & Greater Hamilton and encourage collective community action.
“The need in our community is great and we could not begin to meet that need without the support of volunteers like those participating in United Way Day. This year, the ultimate goal of United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton is to impact over 164,000 lives, because we know our community isn’t great, until it is great for everyone” said CEO Jeff Vallentin.
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Standing in rain that would not stop – some sixty people involved in the electrical generation business listened to polite speeches and cut a large red ribbon to open a pilot co-generation station at the south end of the Burlington Hydro offices on Brant Street.
 Cutting the ceremonial ribbon is Deputy Mayor and ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven. To his right are : Bob Delaney, MPP, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy, MPP Eleanor McMahon, Hydro President Gerry Smallegange. Defined as a Micro Turbine Cogeneration Plant it is part of the City of Burlington’s Community Energy Plan (CEP).
Natural gas is fed into the unit which then produces both electricity and heat – enough to heat one third of the Burlington Hydro offices on Brant Street.
 Three micro turbines and a heat recover unit in this micro co-generation project produce 90kv of electricity and enough heat to take care of one third of the needs of the the Hydro head office on Brant Street; Bob Delaney, MPP, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy explained that “Projects like this one not only offer a sustainable way to generate electricity, they can also provide valuable insights for other organizations considering the benefits of future cogeneration or district heating projects in the Burlington area.”
As a central partner in the development of the CEP, Burlington Hydro has committed to demonstrating technologies and evaluating their effectiveness in commercial and larger residential buildings by undertaking certain pilot projects through its affiliate, Burlington Electricity Services Inc.
“Increasing sustainable local energy generation in ways that support the City’s economic competitiveness is an important objective identified in the Community Energy Plan,” says Deputy Mayor Rick Craven, and Ward 1 Councillor. “Not only does this project represent a positive step forward in the implementation of that plan, but because the plant is self-contained and portable, it is well-suited for permanent relocation at sometime in the future.”
 The dignitaries had to stand in the rain to speak to the guests who were tightly packed inside the tent. An interconnection into the building’s electrical supply and heating system produces 90 kW of electricity, enough to offset one third of the building’s peak load and provide sufficient heat for much of the building.
District heating can provide heat for multiple buildings from a single heating plant. Hot water or steam is distributed to these buildings through underground piping. This is an efficient source of energy as district heating systems operate at higher efficiencies than individual building heating systems.
“Cogeneration involves the production of electricity and heat simultaneously from a single fuel source,” explains Gerry Smallegange, Hydro President and CEO. “This is more efficient as the heat normally generated through conventional thermal electricity generation is not wasted.”
 One of three micro turbines that Burlington Hydro bought for the micro co-generation project that is now operational. Smallegange explained that Burlington Hydro became aware of a surplus unit in Kelowna BC, “and we bought it for $37,500 – put it on a flatbed truck and built the shed that encloses it all with lumber donated to us by Habitat for Humanity”.
 By Pepper Parr
September 30, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
We used to refer to the group that have organized themselves as an Art Collective – ACCOB – which stands for the Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington as an “emerging” group. That day has passed – they are now trying very hard to gain a foothold and to have an impact on the way arts and culture policy and spending are done in Burlington. So far they aren’t getting the traction they need and feel they deserve.
 Art Gallery of Burlington – costs the city close to a million to run – is there value for money? Of course there is – but without artists would we need it?  The Performing Arts Centre has had an immense impact on the artistic growth of the city – and the arts community is now able to make great use of the space. They are dealing with a city hall that is close to patronizing to the individual artists and at the same time spends million on buildings and the subsidizing of an Art Gallery, a Performing Arts Centre and a Museum Board.
The artists feel they should form an Arts Council and be at the table with the same clout, financial benefit and influences the other organizations.
 Jeremy Frieburger, author of a report that provided direction for the city’s cultural plan based on reams of data he had gathered. Now the city has to determine how it wants ti implement its Cultural Action Plan. The city has a Cultural Action Plan and a committee that is involved in overseeing the roll out of that plan. One would like to think that having artists sitting on that implementation committee would be a positive sign – and indication that the artists are finally getting the influence they feel they deserve.
Afraid not – there is trouble in paradise.
 The Art in Action Studio Tour is a ten year success. The event is free to the public and there isn’t a dime of public money in the project. Teresa Seaton, who is a significant part of the driving force behind the Art in Action group that holds an annual art tour that is very successful – they have been putting on the event for more than ten years and are financially successful enough to be able to award a scholarship each year, thinks an Arts Council is needed.
Seaton is also a commercially successful Stained Glass artist with a studio in the west end of the city.
On the Collective Facebook page she made some comments … well let’s let Seaton speak for herself:
“Interesting meeting today as a delegate from the External Body Committee to CAPIC -The Cultural Action Plan Implementation Committee. Seems we are still defending the need for an Arts and Culture Council to the city. One of the questions that came up was: What would an Arts and Culture Council do for us, the arts and culture community, in Burlington. As far as I can tell one of the first things an Arts Council would do with funding it hopefully gets is to ask the community what can an Arts Council do for you? And because it seems we are a long way from getting any funding for an Arts Council I thought I might throw up the question here on face book. My personal suggestions…”
An Arts and Culture Council could;
1. Lobby the city to implement, or increase, the already existing public art fee on new developments. I believe the existing recommendation is 1%. I have trouble finding this information.
2. Lobby to lower rental cost for art and culture makers and organizations. No artist that I know can afford retail prices for space. Guess why they all move to Hamilton.
3. Assist arts and culture organization in allowing them access to city printing presses and costs. I know my organization, Art in Action, spends 2,000.00 every year to print its brochures. That money could be used to buy more advertising.
4. Run courses for non-profit organization in gaining more sponsorship dollars. As artists we are not particularly good at this either.
5. Run courses on Succession planning for non-profit organizations. We need help at this.
6. Set up courses for individual artist on social media. How to use it, how to design websites and communicate effectively.
7. Set up forums and try to figure out why the local guilds don’t talk to the local contemporary artists who don’t talk to the local traditional artist who don’t talk to the local crafters who don’t talk to anybody.
 Teresa Seaton – stained Glass artist “Don’t get me wrong; the City of Burlington has come a long way in the last few years. I see the institutions working together more. There seems to be more community involvement in these institutions. But let’s not let this momentum stop.”
CAPIC: the Cultural Action Plan Implementation Committee consists of:
Scott Stewart, General Manager for the city
Angela Paparizo, Manager of Culture for the city
Chris Glenn; Director of Parks and Recreation
Barb Teatero Manager of the Museums Board which runs the Joseph Brant Museum and Ireland House.
Maureen Barry, president of the library
Rossana Dewey, an artist
Trevor Copp, a dancer
Andrea Battista, involved with Symphony on the Bay
Robert Steven, Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Six of the eight people on the committee are bureaucrats – there is no balance here.
The meeting Seaton attended and delegated at also had two other city hall staff and a ward Councillor.
Seaton is quite right when she talks about how far the artists have come – they have risen, literally, and said “we are here and we want to be heard”. And city council, a bit surprised at the artistic energy they didn’t know existed, put money into hiring a consultant who put together a cultural action plan that the city adopted – sort of, and the created a committee to implement that plan.
And that is sort of where things are stuck.
The artists don’t fully comprehend that politicians and bureaucrats do not give away power – they accumulate power and they are for the most part loathe to share that power.
The only way the people (in this case the artists) wrestle power from the bureaucrats is to threaten the power base they have.
 Joe Lamb, on the left, negotiated a deal for the seniors – he didn’t get the kitchen sink because he didn’t ask for it – but he got everything else he wanted. Then city manager Jeff Fielding was told to keep the seniors happy and he did. There is a lesson for the arts community here. A classic example of this was when the seniors began to complain about what they were not getting from the city. They, the seniors, were not happy with the people city hall had sent over to administrate their Centre and they were quick to get on the phone and let the Council members know they were not happy.
The new city manager at the time was sent over to meet and negotiate with the seniors who got everything they had asked for and more. Jeff Fielding, the city manager at the time, was told to meet with the seniors and keep them happy.
Canadians learned yesterday that Canada now has more people over 65 than we have under 14 – the power has shifted to the seniors and they are going to get what they want o they will vote the politicians out of office.
What kind of clout do the artists have? They are creative people with the ability to give the city character, colour, reputation and a reason to visit the place.
The Sound of Music hasn’t learned yet how to use the clout they have. They constantly complain about how little they get from city hall and compare that with how much business they create for that downtown core that is still looking for its vibrancy.
Imagine what would happen if the Sound of Music decided they would not put on their event for a year. You can only imagine the hair pulling that would take place at city hall.
Seaton is right on another level as well; the artists have to begin working like an orchestra and all play from the same sheet music. The squabbling that goes on between the different artists and the different groups is not pretty. They are admittedly high strung people – they go without to be artists but at some point they have to create a united front and use the strength that comes from unity to make their case.
City council has consistently said the arts are important – and they do pump a lot into the institutions we have. The artists want a real seat at the table – they are going to have to require the politicians to walk their talk. It will not be easy – but it can be done – look at what the seniors achieved.
By Staff
September 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are a tweeter – I mean a full time addicted tweeter – then this is for you.
You are invited by the Regional police to join the conversation about what is going on in police services on Twitter during the 5th Global Police Tweet-a-thon.
 On Friday October 2, 2015, police services all over the world will be participating in a 24 hour tweet-a-thon with the intent to connect with communities, build relationships and educate the public on what the police are doing.
Between 00:00am and 11:59pm, follow the hashtag #Poltwt on Twitter and see what is going on around the globe.
For the tweet addicts – this is as good as it gets.
@HaltonPolice will be participating and will be tweeting about operational calls for service across the region, traffic, impaired driving, cold case homicides, drugs, frauds, canine and educational topics and safety tips from our website.
By Staff
September 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
For just one week (October 18th to 24th) during Ontario Public Library Week, you can pay outstanding fines with food. We accept *unexpired* canned and dry food items. All food collected goes to Burlington Food Share to help local community members in need. So, clear up your fines and help others at the same time. One food item = $1 in fines, 2 items = $2 in fines, up to $10/card.
 Use food to pay your library fine. Nice policy – but if you don’t play the game the way they want you to – they get nasty and send your fine odd to a collection agency.
The Library will send your account to a collection agency and adds a $15 administration fee when:
• you have items overdue 60 days with an outstanding balance of $35 (formerly $50) or more, or,
• you have an outstanding balance of $35 (formerly $50) or more on your account for 60 days.
I have an overdue fine – but the notice from the library doesn’t tell anyone how to find out what you owe them. Do I take in several jars of peanut butter and a couple of bags of rice? Don’t even know what I owe them
By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Today the Ontario Secondary School Teachers` Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) Provincial announced that teachers in District 20, Halton, will be adding additional sanctions to their job action as of Tuesday, September 29 unless a local collective agreement is reached by that date.
 Secondary school teachers union threatens to ramp up the pressure on the school board – high schools brace for any action. This makes things awkward for the Halton District School Board who are questioning the announcement by the OSSTF Provincial Office in light of the mutually agreed upon local negotiation dates of September 30 and October 1.
The Halton District School Board say they remain committed to continuing negotiations with the local union and want to reach a negotiated settlement as soon as possible.
Some of the trust needed to make negotiations work seems to have eroded
By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
At a special Board meeting on September 23, 2015, Halton District School Board trustees voted unanimously to appoint Stuart Miller as the new Director of Education for the Board. Miller assumes the role October 1, replacing David Euale who announced his retirement in February 2015.
 Stuart Miller appointed as new Director of Education for Halton District School Board In April, Halton District School Board Trustees enlisted the assistance of an executive search firm to initiate an extensive search for a new Director. The comprehensive search process resulted in the Board of Trustees interviewing a number of candidates before naming Miller as the Board’s new Director of Education.
Miller’s teaching career has been predominantly Halton-based, with the exception of a year in Scotland, and a year teaching in Malawi, East Africa. His teaching responsibilities included Science, Biology and Mathematics, and he also coached hockey and soccer, coordinated science fairs, and initiated and organized social justice conferences for students.
Miller has climbed the senior administrative ladder at the school board very rapidly, In 2009 he was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Education, and moved into the role of Associate Director in 2014.
Miller has been instrumental in creating the Welcome Centre for students new to Canada and implementing an expansion of the international student program within the Board. He is also credited with advancing the work of the Board’s Research and Accountability team, a department that plays a crucial role for schools by providing student data as a resource support for students.
“Positive and supportive relationships with students, staff and the community are essential for the success of our students, and those attributes are evident in Halton,” says Miller. “Education, teaching and learning are rapidly changing and moving into a new paradigm. It is the emphasis on relationships that will sustain and support the Board’s forward movement toward this paradigm.”
Kelly Amos, Chair of the Board said trustees are excited to welcome Stuart Miller to the role of Director. She added: “Our extensive executive search resulted in several excellent candidates. The Board selected Stuart Miller for his passion and commitment to student achievement and his vision for the HDSB.
We have not heard anything yet about just what that vision is.
By Staff
September 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Most parents want to be involved in their children’s education and school community. The
province is providing 24 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants to school councils in Burlington’s three local school boards to help more parents connect and engage with their children’s learning.
The grants will support projects that help parents respond to important issues in their local communities, such as bullying, student nutrition, literacy and math. They also help address barriers parents may face to participate in their child’s education, such as language and transportation.
 The plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills. Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon says “The Parents Reaching Out grants are important investments to help Burlington parents get more involved in their children’s learning, helping our students succeed and our communities thrive. Each recipient school has identified a project based on their own interests and need. These grants will support projects like family math nights, online safety presentations and health and wellness sessions for parents.”
The province says studies show that when parents are more engaged in their children’s education, students are more likely to earn higher grades, develop better behaviour and social skills, and achieve higher levels of education. The province has provided more than 17,000 PRO grants to school councils.
The following schools in Burlington and the program they will offer received grants that averaged $1000.
 Bateman High School among Burlington schools that gets grant for parent involvement Information Evening for Parents, Canadian Martyrs School
Family Fitness, Holy Rosary Separate School
Descriptive Feedback Prompts, Lumen Christi Catholic Elementary School
Social Media Information Session, Brant Hills Public School
We all Belong, Clarksdale Public School
Online Safety Presentation, Glenview Public School
Parent Technology Initiative, Tom Thomson Public School
Everyone Can Succeed in Math with a Growth Mindset!, St. Patrick Separate School
Speaker Nights Topics for Parents Chosen by Parents, Bruce T. Lindley
Mental Health and Wellness, Dr. Charles Best Public School
Family Math Night, Frontenac Public School
Parent Engagement Presentations, John T. Tuck Public School
Welcoming New Families and Engaging All Families, Lakeshore Public School
Engaging Parents, Lester B. Pearson High School
Health and Wellness Sessions for Parents, Mohawk Gardens Public School
Reducing Stress and Anxiety in our Children, Pauline Johnson Public School
Individual Education Plans: Support and Education for Parents, Robert Bateman High School
Promoting an Inclusive and Safe School: The Role of Parent Engagement, Rolling Meadows Public School
Family Workshop Creating Healthy Schools, Tecumseh Public School
 By Staff
September 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, on
Culture Days has become a model opportunity for citizens, businesses, and all levels of government to collectively help lead the development of Canada through the development of the arts and cultural life of our communities. Volunteers lead and contribute to the success of Culture Days at every level. It is a grassroots, collaborative movement that works.
There is a national advisory board, a national board of directors with some very powerful and effective people sitting around the table. There are then Tasks Forces within each province.
The national objective is create opportunities for people to explore, discover and participate in arts and culture in every community across the country. In 2014, the fifth annual Culture Days event took place in more than 850 Canadian cities and towns, with attendance topping 1.6 million Canadians. Last year, more than 1650 activities were presented across Ontario.
The purpose is to hold events that will feature free, hands-on, interactive activities that invite the public to participate “behind the scenes”—and to discover the world of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, and designers at work in their community.
For the next three days you get to see what Burlington has to offer in the cultural world.
Saturday 26th
Morning Yoga in Civic Square
Time: Class 1 – 8 to 8:45 a.m., Class 2 – 9 to 9:45 a.m.
Location: Burlington City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Come and enjoy free yoga classes open to all ages and abilities. Participate in 45 minutes of fundamental postures. This practice is focused on body awareness, breathing and feeling good. Bring your yoga mat and an open mind!
Organizer: AnyBodysYoga, anybodysyoga@gmail.com, www.anybodysyoga.ca, 905-869-0255
Music Lessons for all Ages
Time: 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Burlington Music Centre, 2311 New St., in Central Park, Burlington, Ont.
Description: Music is for all ages – you can learn to play an instrument at any age! Speak with music teachers, test out instruments, learn some more about the effects music has on the human brain and how it improves learning, social skills, ability to multi-task and more.
Organizer: Rob Bennett, Rob.bennett@burlington.ca, www.burlington.ca/en/live-and-play/music-lessons.asp, 905-335-7807
 Sit in with the Burlington Teen Tour Band during Cultural Days Burlington Junior Redcoats Marching Band
Time: 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Burlington Music Centre, 2311 New St., in Central Park, Burlington, Ont.
Description: For ages 9 to 13. Come and sit in with or march beside band members at a regular Saturday rehearsal. The event is to be held outside weather-permitting, and inside if weather does not accomodate. Previous music knowledge is not required, so come on out and see what it is like to be a young member of a marching band!
Organizer: Rob Bennett, Rob.bennett@burlington.ca, 905-335-7807
Celebrating Burlington through Photos
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Tourism Burlington Visitor Information Centre, 414 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Celebrating 30 years of tourism in Burlington through photos, featuring local attractions and famous Burlingtonians from the past and present. Activities include interactive displays, hands-on activities, a scavenger hunt, and more!
Organizer: Tourism Burlington, info@tourismburlington.com, www.tourismburlington.com, 905-634-5594.
Music and Meditation by the Lake – Celebrate Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi Day
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Location: Spencer Smith Park – Gazebo, 1400 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Join us for collective meditation on live flute music. Experience Raag Durga interpreted by Francesca Smita Soni, a William Blake Duet, Tim Bruce (actor and music therapist), Sunny Levi (Opera singer), bhajans singing, and inner centre chakra workshops with Ontario Yogis.
Organizer: Free Sahaja Yoga Meditation, 905-484-2068, contact@free-meditation.ca, www.free-meditation.ca.
Doors Open Burlington
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Locations: see complete list below
Description: Doors Open Burlington will feature sites located in the downtown and waterfront areas of our city. The event will highlight important buildings, organizations and landmarks that make Burlington a culturally vibrant place to live, work and visit. Admission is free.
Participating sites include: Joseph Brant Museum, Art Gallery of Burlington, Spencer Smith Park, Gingerbread House Gardens, St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Eglise Saint Philippe, Different Drummer Books, Burlington Central High School, Burlington Masonic Centre, displays at Tourism Burlington, Vintage Motors at Burlington Central Public School, and the Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukranian Church. Visit our website for event details at www.doburlington.com.
Site list:
Joseph Brant Museum: 1240 Northshore Blvd. E, Burlington, Ont.
Art Gallery of Burlington: 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Vintage Motors at Burlington Central High School: 1433 Baldwin St., Burlington, Ont.
Different Drummer Books: 503 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Eglise Saint Phillipe: 472 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Gingerbread House Gardens: 1375 Ontario St., Burlington, Ont.
Holy Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukranian Church: 419 Pearl St., Burlington, Ont.
Burlington Masonic Centre: 463 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
St. Luke’s Anglican Church: 1382 Ontario St., Burlington, Ont.
Tourism Burlington: 414 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Spencer Smith Park: West Lawn – Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Burlington Central Public School: 638 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Organizer: Doors Open Burlington, hello@doorsopenburlington.com, www.doburlington.com, 905-332-9888
 The Different Drummer Book Store – well worth a visit  St Lukes Anglican church – one of the riches pieces of Burlington’s history. 
Etsy: Made in Canada Marketplace
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel and Conference Centre, 3063 South Service Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Etsy: Made in Canada is a national grassroots initiative celebrating the crafters, collectors and artisans in local communities across Canada. Made in Canada marketplaces will pop up in 33 cities on September 26, 2015. Explore handmade wares and vintage goods in an artisan marketplace.
Organizer: Jacqueline Hunter, show director, Etsy Canada, info@craftian.ca, www. craftadian.ca/etsy/, 289-239-8163
Celtic Music Performance
Time: 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Enjoy 30 minutes of Celtic music presented in a light orchestral format.
Organizer: Celtic Fiddle Orchestra of Southern Ontario, Cfoso.exec@gmail.com, 519-219-0757
Burlington Student Theatre Presents: Burlywood
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: City Hall – Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Burlington Student Theatre will feature local artisans in theatre, music, dance, film, photography, visual art demonstrations and interactive opportunities. Performances by: Burlington Student Theatre, Halton Dance Network, wushu and Chinese lion/dragon dance demonstrations and performances! Join us for free, family friendly events.
Organizer: Rainer Noack, rainer.noack@burlington.ca
 An example of the work Donna Grandin does. Collaborative Acrylic Painting and Art Display in Civic Square
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Visual artist Donna Grandin will start a painting and then encourage the public to collaborate on it. Individuals will have the chance to express their creativity and add to the piece. The painting will be completed in the artist’s studio on October 2, and one of the participants will be chosen at random to win the collaborative painting.
Grandin was born and raised in the Carribean, and has been living in Burlington since 1998. She exhibits and sells her art in both the Carribean and Canada. Locally, her work can be found at Art Etc., the Art Gallery of Burlington or Blue Roots Art Studio.
Organizer: Donna Grandin, fine artist, Blue Roots Art Studio, donna@bluerootsartstudio.com, 905-639-3419
Photo-Acrylics by Beth Bennett
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: ‘Photo-Acrylics’ is a combination of Bennett’s photography and acrylic painting with a twist – the look and feel of painting with wax. Bennett is happy with her art when both photography and painting elements are visible yet cohesive. She has also photographed a brick wall and would like community input on how to turn this photography into a “photo-acrylic”. What should be placed on this brick wall? Come out and share your ideas!
Organizer: Beth Bennett, bethbennettartist@gmail.com, www.bethbennetartist.com, 905-333-9868
B Town Sound Record in Studio and Sing on Stage
Time: 1 to 3 p.m.
Location: 919 Fraser Dr., units 9 and 10, Burlington, Ont.
Description: We invite everyone to have a tour of our recording, rehearsal and event facility as well as the new addition of our music school. We welcome you to sing on stage to karaoke tracks with the instruments we have at the studio, or with instruments that you have brought with you.
Then you will get the opportunity to sing in the isolation room of the studio and feel what it is like to record a hit song!
Our clients include: Silverstein, Billy Talent, Finger Eleven, New World Son, and Youtube star Walk off the Earth
Organizer: B Town Sound, Robyn Pauhl, robyn@btownsound.ca, www.btownsound.ca, 905-308-0026
 See the Art Gallery through practiced eyes. Free Gallery Discovery Tours
Time: 1 – 1:40 p.m.; 2 – 2:40 p.m.; 3 – 3:40 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Free guided tours of the Art Gallery of Burlington in conjunction with Doors Open. Tours will be approximately 40 minutes in length.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, 905-632-7796, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, www.artgalleryofburlington.com
Guild Demonstrations
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Free demonstrations by our 7 guilds in their studios. Participating guilds include the Burlington Fine Arts Association, Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild, Burlington Fibre Arts Guild, Burlington Rug Hooking Guild, Latow Photographers Guild, Burlington Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild, and the Burlington Potters’ Guild.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, 905-632-7796, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, www.artgalleryofburlington.com
 Teresa Seaton, a stained glass artist has been a prime mover behind the annual Art in Action tour – she will be doing workshops as part of Culture Days. Stained Glass Demonstration – Copper Foiling Method
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: 654 Spring Gardens Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Teresa Seaton, a fifteen-year veteran of stained glass, will be demonstrating her copper foiling techniques as she completes a stained glass panel. Teresa’s gallery features a large selection of her latest works and now exhibits the work of established and emerging Canadian artists.
Organizer: Teresa Seaton, tmseaton@cogeco.ca, www.teresaseaton.ca, 905-510-5030
DIY BookArts: Hardcover
Time: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Burlington Public Library – Brant Hills, 2255 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Using the library’s bookbinding equipment and supplies, build your own hardcover book to take home. Personalize it with a painted book cover. No bookbinding experience required. Ages 18 and up.
To register, call 905-335-2209
Organizer: Burlington Public Library – Brant Hills, arkelll@bpl.on.ca, www.bpl.on.ca, 905-335-2209
heartBEATZ
Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
Location: City Hall, Civic Square, 426 Brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: The Halton Dance Network’s presentation of ‘heartBEATZ’ is a transformative event that embodies HDN’s mandate to build community in and through dance. A local choreographer will collaborate with drummers and a dance collective from the three communities to create an original dance work. We will also invite a local dance studio to showcase a dance number from their current repertoire. ‘heartBEATZ’ will conclude with a community interactive dance experience/workshop involving the audience and all dancers.
Organizer: Halton Dance Network, Kate Lowe, www.haltondancenetwork.com, katewlowe@hotmail.com, 905-637-5408
Celtic Fiddle Music: In Canada and Abroad
Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Burlington Public Library – Central, Centennial Hall, 2331 New St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Alana and Leigh Cline talk about the history of Celtic music in Canada, and perform tunes from Cape Breton, Newfoundland, Scotland and Ireland. You won’t want to miss this foot-stomping, hand-clapping, feel-great musical experience in celebration of Culture Days!
To register, call 905-639-3611 ext. 1321
Organizer: Burlington Public Library – Central, arkelll@bpl.on.ca, www.bpl.on.ca, 905-639-3611 ext. 1321
 Margaret Lindsay Holton – a Hamilton based artist who works in several mediums has put together an innovate program that marries poetry to ping pong. Ping Pong and Poetry – with Margaret Lindsay Holton
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Burlington HIVE, 901 Guelph Line, Burlington, Ont.
Description: Join in the fun as Golden Horseshoe poet and painter, Margaret Lindsay Holton, bats bon mots and balls in a playful ‘ping pong and poetry’ Round Robin. Poets will unleash a few lines of potent poetry her popular poetry collections, ‘On Top of Mount Nemo’ and ‘Bush Chord’.
Organizer: Margaret Lindsay Holton, owner/author of Acorn Press Canada, mlhpro@hotmail.com, 905-393-5196
 By Walter Byj
September 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton school board is facing a conundrum and it needs your help.
At the September 16th meeting of the HDSB, Associate Director Stuart Miller, on behalf of the Program Viability Committee, issued the report outlying both the process and timeline that the committee will follow in consulting the public about both English and French programming.
The French Immersion program is very popular and has a huge uptake in Halton schools. Schools within Halton that are dual tracked, having both English and French Immersion (FI) from grades one to eight, are facing an imbalance in class sizes. With high enrolment in FI, 19 schools face limited enrolment in the English program.
A possible result is split classrooms for the English program. The committee was formed to formulate a plan that would continue to offer quality programs for both English and FI.
Miller’s report recommended that the time frame for implementation be September 2017 and that extensive consultation from the community be taken prior to any action steps.
 A tentative communication plan, starting October 17th was presented to the trustees. The plan includes both information nights for the public along with focus groups. The dates will be published once confirmed. In preparation for these meetings, Miller set out the information that would be available to the public.
• Number of single track schools
• Number of dual track schools
• Pupil place capacity of the schools (OTG)
• Number of schools with core French
• Historical and projected enrolment growth(both English and French Immersion)
• Uptake of French Immersion
• Projections of FI uptake
• Class sizes in both English and French(samples)
• Recruitment of French Immersion teachers
• Attrition rate of students choosing FI(Grade 2-12)
• Comments on subject specialists in secondary schools
• Enrolment projections at FI secondary schools
Miller felt that the time line put in place (Process of public consultation begins Oct 2015 with implementation September 2017) along with the information the Board can share the community would have its voice heard. The recent Pineland public school turmoil was on the minds of trustees who followed up with questions and suggestions of their own.
 Tracey Ehl Harrison(Oakville) asked if there should be a student voice in the consultations along with school councils. Use of facebook and twitter should also be used. Responding to her question as to the philosophy of the consultations, Miller responded that it was similar to boundary change hearings and that those have been effective. While a large cross section of the community is ideal, we need to be cautious as to the time constraints that they are facing with such a major endeavour. There will be a large spread consultation process. He stressed that the process is about how to deliver FI, not about the curriculum.
Joanna Oliver(Oakville) asked if transportation costs would be part of the process. Miller responded that it would be difficult to breakout this information as buses are shared for many different students.
When asked what the core goal of this consultation process was, Miller stated that it was to deliver viable programs for both English and French Immersion. Harvey Hope (Oakville) asked if fluency in French can be delivered in a different way. Miller later said there is no test for language proficiency and there is no way to say the current program will make bilingual people.
The final word came from Director Euale who stated that after all the consultation; there could be no action at all.
Other than the comment: “I like the process” from second term trustee Amy Collard, Burlington’s other three trustees didn’t have a word to say. Unfortunate!
 Walter Byj has been the Gazette reporter on education for more than a year. He is a long time resident of the city and as a parent has in the past delegated to the school board.
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By Pepper Parr
