 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. January 16, 2013 While the part of Lakeshore Road that has the heavy traffic, and on which the city wants to paint lanes for exclusive bicycle use, is not in Ward 1, Councillor Craven assured a Workshop talking about how to better engage the community, – that there will be letters galore on how stupid an idea bike lanes on Lakeshore is. A view we must add which the Councillor does not share.
The different views on bike lanes on Lakeshore Road got trotted out at a four-hour meeting Monday evening at which council heard 12 delegations that basically broke into two camps – those who believe fervently that we will be healthier and the environment will survive if we can get cars off the road and those that believe they have the right to make left hand turns off Lakeshore into their driveways.
Issues like this are the bane of every politician – they can’t win. At least half of their constituents are going to be unhappy. This is the time when the politicians have to rise above their local interests and go for the better good. And on Monday night – they, for the most part, did just that.
It would have been one of those 4-3 votes that used to plague Burlington but with Councillor Taylor away it came in at 4-2 with Councillors Meed Ward and Sharman voting against the six to nine month pilot project city staff has proposed.
While there were solid arguments from intelligent people on both sides what was evident was the split in thinking. Great idea said Councillor Meed Ward – just not on Lakeshore Road,
 Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison, the only one without a helmet, doesn’t that tell you something, is an avid cyclist who has put his money where his mouth is. His popularity will be tested when the lines get painted on Lakeshore Road. Jack Dennison, who lives on Lakeshore Road and is the Councillor for that part of the city explained very carefully that this was just a pilot project, but the intention is to eventually provide bike lanes for the full length of Lakeshore Road – from the canal on the west end all the way to the Oakville border.
The cyclists and the environmentalists believe the time has come to take serious steps to lessen car use and Monday evening they got past the first hurdle. Council committee instructed the Director of Transportation Services to conduct a trial re-marking of Lakeshore Road between east of Seneca Avenue and Guelph Line to provide on the road bike lanes and to report back to Council in the Spring of 2014 on the results of the pilot.
There are some complications in that the Region is digging up part of the road and exactly when that work will be completed isn’t certain. When you dig a hole in the ground to get at a water pipe – you never know what you are going to run up against – so timing gets a little iffy.
Some of the residents along Lakeshore brought good arguments to the table – but nothing they said was reason enough not to do a pilot. Right now all we have are a lot of strong feelings on both sides. Some data will help.
The city ran into the same problem when it put in the bicycle lanes on Walkers Line and Appleby Line south of New Street. The world was going to end – but it didn’t. There haven’t been any problems – however, there hasn’t been a huge increase in bicycle use along those stretches of road either.
Does it need more time for the city to know if the Appleby and Walkers bike lanes were a good idea that is being used by citizens? Probably too early to tell and it will take some time to learn if the volume of traffic on Lakeshore Road can accommodate bike lanes on the north and south side of the road, and if it is truly safe as well?
The cyclists believe it can be made safe while the people who live along the road or adjacent to it can only see long lines of cars backed up while someone waits to make the left hand turn into the street they live on or their driveway.
Jim Barnett, who lives on Shoreacres said that he has faced occasions where he has had to wait for more than five minutes before there was a chance to gun his engine and slip across the oncoming traffic. Dr. Margarett Ackerman spoke for herself and a number of residents and said that it was always very difficult to make the left hand turn into her hone when she was returning from the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital where she is an emergency surgeon and told of a situation when an obstetrician was not able to get to the hospital on time to handle a delivery.
Mention was made of back-ups that are 50 cars in length that sit waiting for the person at the front of the line to be able to make that left hand turn.
There were exaggerations all over the place. Ken Love, the first person to speak spoke of the damage that cars do to our individual health and the environment; but what he had to say and his bombastic approach was so far over the top that he didn’t do much to advance the argument for adding bike lanes anywhere in the city.
 One of the few occasions you will see Councillor Meed Ward or Mayor Goldring on a bike. Councillor Dennison bikes, roller blades – big on physical stuff. Photo op promoting the two Car Free Sundays Burlington held in 2012 Councillor Sharman spoke of his concern for some of his elderly residents in Ward 5, who might die while in an ambulance that got tied up in traffic.
Meed Ward said bike lanes were a good idea – just not on Lakeshore Road. New Street or Fairview was her choice for bike lanes. Meed Ward does not use a bicycle.
It was hard to tell, while listening to the delegations, which way this council was going to vote. The Mayor will usually always side with the environmentalists – but you only see him on a bike during a photo-op.
Councillor Craven surprised us when he voted for the pilot project as did Councillor Lancaster when she voted to try it. Lancaster tends to identify with the hard-core Tory crowd along the Lakeshore and doesn’t usually go out on a limb. Her vote was the one that made the difference. Councillor Taylor was not able to attend the council committee but made it known that he did not support the pilot.
Dennison, a very active cyclist, takes the view that car drivers do not own the road – the road is there to be shared by cyclists and car drivers.
The bicycle crowd put forward some pretty solid data and they brought forward enough good argument to make the trial worth talking a chance on.
The issue for the cyclists is “quality of life”. They know that Burlington is not going to be like our sister city Apeldoorn, in Holland, where a very large part of the population does not use or own a vehicle – Apeldoorn is basically the same size as Burlington and about as far away from Amsterdam as we are from Toronto.
The Dutch will be in Burlington sometime in the not too distant future to open up a commemorative park – might be a good idea to put them all on bicycles and listen to what they have to say about bicycle use in a municipal setting.
The cyclists believe that if you build it they will come. Which is just what the Lakeshore resident fear – that the cyclists will come and muck up the flow of traffic, making it worse than it is now.
“If you add bike lanes more people bike; cyclists go out of their way to use bike lanes.” That kind of statement sends shudders along the spines of those who live along the Lakeshore.
“We are all much healthier if we bike and get the exercise we need,” say the cyclists. “We agree” say the Lakeshore residents “and the city has all kinds of bike trails where you can do just that”.
 Who uses a bike in Burlington? There are the Strong and fearless (1%) – you see them on the road in the middle of winter. There are the enthused and confident; people who use their bikes frequently and would like to use them more – 5-10% of the cycle crowd. Then there are the no way, no how people, you will never see them on a bike, they make up 30% of the demographic. It is the 60% who are interested in using a bike but concerned about their personal safety. This is the target market and these are the people the cycling committees want to see on Lakeshore Road. The bike people want less hysteria, more facts and measurements. They would like to see the left hand delays measured; they want to know just how many bike car accidents there have been as well. During the Council committee the audience was told that there had been four accidents involving bikes over the last four years in the stretch of the road where the pilot is to take place.
Councillor Sharman, who is strong on data, gave Vito Tolone, one of the city’s traffic experts, a very tough time over the lack of data. Tolone didn’t deserve the punching around he got; there was no need to manage him quite as aggressively. It’s an approach Sharman chooses frequently – one hopes that when the data is available he will make good use of it and not exploit it shamelessly to convince his constituents that he is doing a good job on their on their behalf.
Lakeshore Road is between 9.6 and 9.75 metres wide from Seneca to Guelph Line. It widens to more than 10 metres east of Guelph.
 The pilot will run from SENECA, not Torrance, east to Guelph Line. The pilot plan is to reconfigure the road and mark it so that there is a bike lane on each side that will measure 1.3 metres in width. There will be two traffic lanes 3 metres in width. These two traffic lanes will be separated by a lane – NOT a turning lane – that will be between 1 and 1.15 metres wide. It is a lane that cars can edge into when they want to make a left hand turn.
Can it work? We won’t know until we try. Will traffic still back up? Of course, we’ve done nothing to decrease the amount of traffic on the road. That’s a traffic engineering problem; a traffic management task – bicycles are not going to make a difference to the number of cars on the road. The proposed plan will reduce that turning lane and that might result in a line of cars building up behind the car that is trying to make the left hand turn. If the turning lane were made 5 metres wide – it still would not change the volume of traffic nor would it allow cars to make left hand turns any faster.
Those arguing against the creation of dedicated bicycle lanes are not looking at the bigger picture – which is to reduce the number of cars on the road.
The bicycle people argue that the world has changed in 20 years and that the youth of today are not jumping into cars the way previous generations did. They point to a study that has younger people not buying cars and that demand will be down by 2 million units a year.
They point to data that has the percentage of 20-to-24-year-olds with driver’s licenses at 92 % in 1983 but currently at 81%; that could well be because this demographic can’t get jobs and have too much student debt to manage –but the fact appears to be that there are more younger people who have chosen not to drive a car.
The right decision, say the cyclists, is to widen Lakeshore Road – that option has a $9 + million price tag attached to it – which is half what the pier is going to cost us.
The next best, from the cyclists point of view, is to add segregated bike lanes to the existing road.
Burlington created two Car Free Sundays last year. The one on Appleby Line was successful but the one on Brant Street was close to a disaster.
Nevertheless, there is a core commitment on the part of this city council to get more people on their bikes. The pilot made it past the council committee stage. Council member phones will be ringing; the emails will flood the in boxes of every council member. Will they stand their ground or will they buckle – they are politicians. The ones to watch are the Mayor and Councillor Lancaster. We just may see what they are really made of.
Why is traffic on Lakeshore such a mess? Where do the cars come from and is there anything that can be done to divert traffic? If one wonders what traffic on the QEW is like all you have to do is check out the flow along Lakeshore. When the QEW is basically “stop and go” in spurts at that – traffic will cut south to Lakeshore where there is at least some movement. Is there some way to keep the traffic on the QEW and prevent it from drifting south the Lakeshore? That’s something traffic engineers have to work out.
 Concrete poured when the road was upgraded in the mid ’30’s. Known then as The King’s Highway it was THE route from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Lakeshore Road was originally known as the King’s Highway – Hwy #2 to many people. Construction began in 1917. In the mid 30’s the road went through a significant re-build. It is now a nice easy road through perhaps 50 communities between Windsor and Gananoque.
 The old Highway name is now a decorative item for one of the homes along Lakeshore Road. What it becomes in the next 25 years will be at least as interesting as the last 25 years. It’s no longer a major highway. It many small towns it runs along the main street; in places like Burlington it is a road that could, if we let it meander along the edge of the lake where some magnificent homes have been built. It’s a wonderful drive through smaller, picturesque communities. We seem to have forgotten that in Burlington and see it as a road we should be able to zip along and at the same time treat as a street where we can turn into our driveway and not have to wait more than 10 seconds.
Change does not come about easily. For years most of us smoked; for years many of us never used the seat belt and for the longest time we felt it was OK to “have one for the road” and got behind the wheel of our cars when we really weren’t able to drive safely.
Times changed. Gas was cheap, we lived in sprawling suburbs where a car was vital – and they were fun to drive. You came of age when you had a car and the open road was all yours.
Now we are aging. For many that are in their 60’s their night-time vision isn’t what it used to be. Most of us know that there will come a time when our family doctors will have to tell the government we should not have a license. But we will be able to ride our bicycles for those small errands –and city council wants to have those safe cycle paths or lanes in place for that close upon us aging society to use.
Rob Narejko spoke to the Council committee as Chair of the Cycling Committee and said the information he was using was factual, with references to studies from accredited universities, government agencies who specialize in health and transportation. “You know my delegations are generally short and to the point”, said Narejko, “I regret, for both of us,” he added “that today’s delegation is much longer.”
 For Rob Narejko – this is the only way to go – slow speeds and roads with bike lanes. It is what he considers a quality life style. He drives a car as well. To put his remarks in context Narejko mentioned the value of strategy for continued viability of the City, the value of an active lifestyle and the value of the lines on the road.
“Nothing fails like success”, a quote attributed to many people and used by Narejko to show people have become comfortable with the way life is now. “They forget the work and tough decisions that got the city to where it is now and become complacent. The city gets stagnant, unable to attract business investment. Taxes rise, residents become disgruntled and before long, a once prosperous city is in decline” said Narejko.
Many people believe Burlington is a success. In this snapshot in time, it definitely is. But there are signs that show we are not keeping up.
Narejko pointed out that “Cars are a significant part of our city because we have designed our cities around the car. Cars are definitely needed as a method of transportation, due to the design of the city; just under 80% of people use their car for their daily trip to work.”
 If it’s about “quality of life” this is probably what they are talking about. The Car Free Sunday on Appleby Line south of Fairview. One part of the city’s longer range project to get people using their bikes. “A city is about people: says Narejko. “People make the city work, not cars. Bikes, walking, public areas, green spaces are about people. It takes a crisis for most people to adopt change. Smart leaders don’t wait for a crisis. They create a vibrant plan for the future, through consultation with experts and the general public and then they carry through on that plan. If you don’t act on the plan, why go through the effort of creating them, taking up people’s time, spending money on experts and then shelving the reports? Do you want to be known as Councillors who kick the can down the road for the next Council to deal with when we are deep in trouble? Or do you want to be known as leaders who guided the City to the next level?
 Rob Narejko, Chair of the City’s Cycling Committee rides a bike, a motorcycle and drives a car. Does he ever take the bus? Rob Narejko maintains that Council was not elected to maintain the status quo. He isn’t going to get the level of agreement he expects with that argument – there are many, perhaps most people, in Burlington who are quite happy with the way things are – and they don’t want much in the way of change.
“Look at this issue” implores Narejko: “look at Guelph Line, Brant St, Walkers’ Line, Appleby line where changes were made: It is amazing to me how much people complain about minimal, positive change prior to it coming and then where do they go afterwards? Not a peep.”
“Has there been any negative feedback from any of the Guelph, Walker’s or Appleby projects? To my knowledge, gathered from City staff, no there have not.”
One of the dumber ideas Narejko suggested was that if traffic commute time is a priority on Lakeshore Road, then the city should pass a by-law that would permit only cars that belong to, and are driven by Lakeshore residents between the hours of 5:00 and 6:00 PM, Monday to Fridays. Narejko, who normally has useful argument, might want to pull that one.
Cycling, Narejko pointed out, is an accepted, legal and critical mode of transportation in all cities in all countries around the globe. He added that he could hear the nay-sayers piping up with: ‘yes, but not in Burlington’
Narejko and his colleagues point out that there are strategies developed by expert and rigorous processes to guide thinking at all levels of government which Burlington Council seems to ignore. There are five provincial initiatives (Places to Grow, Big Move, Strategic Cycling Plan (draft), Healthy Eating Active Living, Complete Streets) either in place or being developed as well as two Regional initiatives (Active Transportation Master Plan (under way), Active Halton) and then the city’s Cycling Master Plan and the Strategic Plan.
“It is very frustrating as an invested citizen in this community” said Narejko, “to have to fight for what should logically be done based on strategies and advice already in place.”
This initiative did get past a Council committee – all it has to do now is get through Council at the end of the month – without another dozen delegations please, and let’s get on with the six to nine month trial and see what the data tells us.
But it isn’t going to be quite that easy – is it?
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. January 16, 2013 On December 5th 2012, the Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit commenced an investigation into a motor vehicle collision outside Maplehurst Elementary School on Plains Road East in Burlington.
A five-year old kindergarten student had been struck and seriously injured by a motor vehicle that also struck the school crossing guard. Both parties had been on the crossing at the time, and both are now recovering from their injuries.
 Location of the motor vehicle accident where a car struck a kindergarten student and a crossing guard. As a result of this investigation, David Paterson, an 80-year old Burlington resident, has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with Fail to obey school crossing stop sign – Community Safety Zone.
Mr. Paterson is scheduled to appear at Burlington Provincial Offences Court in March.
As Burlington population ages, and the city is expected to have an elderly population greater than those in neighbouring communities, this kind of accident is going to take place more frequently. Seniors will insist on being allowed to drive. Public transit is such that people can only get where they want or need to by driving a vehicle.
At some point most of us will have to turn in our driver’s license – painful and many of us will fight it. But there comes a time when we should not be behind the wheel of a car.
That child was five years old.
 Burlington has engaged in the creation of an Engagement Charter, which was one of the recommendations in the 2010 Shape Burlington report.
The creation of the Charter has not been an easy task and the document has yet to be approved by Council and made city policy.
The document set out below is the second version of the Charter put forward by the Engagement Charter Team after considerable discussion with senior city hall staff.
This document is expected go through additional revision.
Burlington Community Engagement Charter – Version two
- 1. Introduction
The Burlington Community Engagement Charter is an agreement between and among the City of Burlington Council (City Council) and the citizens of Burlington concerning citizen engagement with city government. It establishes the commitments, responsibilities, and fundamental concepts of this relationship, based upon the City Council commitments set forth throughout this Charter.
This Charter’s overarching objective is to bring meaningful citizen contribution and insight to city decision-making by enhancing communications and access to information for citizens, and to facilitate and enable meaningful citizen engagement.
Details of the charter actions are presented in the Burlington Community Engagement Charter’s Action Plan and Staff Guide.
The Burlington Community Engagement Charter does not supersede existing laws, by-laws, statutes or acts.
3. Charter Vision and Mission Statement
Vision:
Burlington aspires to become increasingly more engaged and connected with its community.
Mission:
To provide Burlington citizens, members of City Council and City staff a plain language, living, policy and procedural document that guides and promotes active and meaningful citizen engagement in the City of Burlington’s planning, policy-setting and decision-making processes.
4. Burlington City Council Commitments:
To fulfill the vision and mission of the Burlington Community Engagement Charter, City Council makes the following commitments:
Accountability
The City of Burlington will be responsible to its stakeholders for decisions made and policies implemented, as well as its actions or inactions. [1]
Transparency
The City of Burlington will actively encourage and facilitate stakeholder participation and openness in its decision-making processes. Additionally, transparency means that the City of Burlington’s decision-making process is open and clear to the public.[2]
Early and Widespread Notification
The City of Burlington will provide early and widespread notification to citizens about proposed developments, policies, initiatives, and municipal projects.[3]
Delegation Process
The City of Burlington Council’s delegation process, which allows citizens to address Council and Standing Committees on issues, will be respectful and welcoming.[4]
Clear Language
The City of Burlington will use plain and clear language in documents and public communications that is more engaging and understandable for citizens than technical language and jargon.[5]
Openness and Access to Information
The City of Burlington will provide open data and information to the public in recognized and useable formats to facilitate healthy discussion of city issues. The City of Burlington will provide a variety of ways, including routinely available information in on-line formats, print material, and face-to-face opportunities for citizens, city staff and Members of Council to share information and, discuss ideas and options.
Community Feedback
The City of Burlington will inform citizens how their input was considered and used or why it was not used in City projects, initiatives and policy development.
Capacity Building
The City of Burlington will support citizens and community groups to develop their skills, ability, and confidence to participate effectively with respect to decisions that affect their community and lives. This support will involve education and information about City processes, initiatives, and policies, as well as supporting citizens’ ability to connect with other citizens on city issues.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
The City of Burlington’s public engagement processes will involve and enable the participation of the full range of its diverse population. [6]
Adequate Resourcing
The City of Burlington will provide adequate resources including staffing and budget to achieve the goals of the Burlington Community Engagement Charter and to implement and realize its recommendations.[7]
Measurement, Evaluation and Review
A public process will be established in which The City of Burlington will measure and periodically review the effectiveness of the Burlington Community Engagement Charter. Improvement based on the evaluation of the success of public involvement processes will ensure that the Charter is a “living document”.
Conflict Resolution
Regardless of the best intentions of all involved, conflict can arise in the course of an engagement process. Depending on the type of conflict and the issues involved, different resolution mechanisms will be appropriate. Conflict resolution is described in appendix “A”.
 6. Public Participation Spectrum:
Five levels of engagement, referenced from the IAP2’s Public[8] Participation Spectrum will be used in City of Burlington community engagement activities. A more complete description of the IAP Spectrum of Participation appears in appendix “B”.
7. Bringing Charter Commitments to Life
The Charter establishes important citizen engagement commitments by the Burlington City Council. This section summarizes City of Burlington practices and procedures to both define and implement those commitments and to bring to life citizen engagement.
Early and Widespread Notification:
The City of Burlington will have an early notification system that provides early information about planned policy development, projects, issues, meetings, and events. This system will include notice posted on the City website about topics to be considered by Standing Committees and City Council at least two months prior to the relevant meetings. The notice will include staff contact information for citizens who may have questions or wish to provide early input.
To ensure that notification is as widespread as possible, the City will use a multi-media approach including local print media, the City of Burlington website, other relevant websites, on-line digital communication, social media, as well as reaching out to groups that might have an interest or would be affected by decisions. The City of Burlington will establish a direct notification system to which citizens and groups can sign up for early notification through email, social media, or other means.
Staff Reports:
When citizens have been engaged on a city initiative; prior to submitting the staff report to committee or council for decision, staff will check with citizen participants to ensure the report accurately reflects citizen input. This is especially important for major issues and long-term planning, with the noted exception of the city’s development section of the Planning and Building department. Usually this will be done through a response summary document or report section.
Talking with Council – The Delegation Process:
The City will publish a document outlining the delegation process as a guide for citizens.
Staff Training and Performance:
Public engagement training will be provided to all staff who will be engaging
citizens to ensure consistency in the engagement process.
Community engagement practice will be reflected in staff performance expectations, and measured in the same way as performance of any staff core competency.
Communication and Outreach:
Relevant and important information will be available through the website and social media, making information accessible to citizens when they require it.
Making relevant information available in print form, including newspapers, the City Talk publication, and special mailings, remains of great importance for many citizens and stakeholders
Full use should be made of all available sources and reference copies should be available at city libraries and community centers.
Inclusivity and Accessibility:
Enabling participation requires removing barriers to enable citizen participation. Examples of enabling actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Meeting the needs of persons with disabilities; the city relies on the City of Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee; the Burlington Accessible Customer Service Guide: and the expert advice of City of Burlington Accessibility Coordinator. For more information on accessibility.
- Using language that has been verified as being clear/plain;
- prearranged, language translation; transportation; child care
- options for participating online/digitally
- Public involvement processes will consider ways to enable participation.
Citizen Advisory Committees:
Citizen Advisory Committees should provide both City Council and staff with a valuable array of experience, knowledge, skills, and community contacts, as well as being a source of informed advice on issues related to their Terms of Reference. For more information about Citizen Advisory Committees and enhancing their role and effectiveness, see appendix “C”.
Capacity Building:
Capacity building will focus on increasing the number of participants, the frequency of participation, and knowledge, ability and skills of those involved to meaningfully participate in engagement processes.
Budgeting / Resourcing:
The City of Burlington will support implementation of the Burlington Community Engagement Charter by providing sufficient resources to ensure its success. These resources include:
- Hiring of a full-time engagement coordinator at a senior level to manage the implementation and ongoing performance of the charter and related costs to support this function, and
- Providing resources to implement the actions in the charter’s section – Bringing the Commitments to Life, the charter’s outreach processes and the strategic actions described in the Burlington Community Engagement Charter’s Action Plan
Charter requirements will be met by city staff in their engagement work, and also by outside consultants or contractors hired by the city. Staff managing consultant-supported work will ensure that all external consultants are informed of Burlington’s engagement requirements and then advised on how to meet them. Advice will be provided by the city’s public involvement coordinator.
Measurement, Evaluation and Review:
Measurement and evaluation will comprise a two-step process. Each community engagement plan will set out: its objectives; the steps to reach those objectives; and, specific and objective measures to determine success. At the conclusion of each project, staff will prepare a brief evaluation report assessing to what degree the success measures were met. The public who have participated will be asked to provide their assessment of the engagement activities as they are delivered, and these views will also form part of each evaluation report.
Each City department and the Engagement Coordinator will share responsibility for reviewing these evaluation reports as part of the continuous improvement process and create best practices to be shared and shortcomings to be addressed on an ongoing basis.
Evolution: The Charter and its implementation will be reviewed every year in the first two years, then every two years thereafter. This second level review will assess overall compliance and results, how to better the practice of engagement management, and the relevance of new factors, such as changes in technology and demographics that may influence the practice of citizen engagement.
These reviews will seek input from citizens, staff and members of city council and may include peer review. A key action in delivering continuous improvement will flow from the feedback provided to the community. Anticipated improvements will include using new technologies, engagement methods, the growth of staff competency, and the increasing capacity and participation of Burlington’s citizens.
 The City will use a web-based reporting mechanism, similar to a report card, to inform the public of the City’s engagement performance in relation to the measures established by the Charter. Reporting will occur annually and the results will be posted to the City website.
Version 1 of the Charter
[1] Definition from City Council Procedural By-law 93-2010
[2] Definition from City Council Procedural By-law 93-2010
[3] Based on the Shape Burlington Report, April 2010
[4] Based on the Shape Burlington Report, April 2010
[5] Based on the Shape Burlington Report, April 2010
[6] Based on the Shape Burlington Report, April 2010, and the Report of the Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee, June 2010
[7] Based on the Shape Burlington Report, April, 2010
[8] Note: The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) uses the term ‘public’ to refer to what the charter calls citizens, ‘community’ or ‘stakeholders’.
 By Margaret Lindsay Holton
BURLINGTON, ON. January 14, 2013 I have been watching and listening with a great deal of interest over the past few days to the ‘Idle No More’ movement that has erupted across Canada. There are many issues on the table, not the least of which is the desire by the people of the First Nations to be treated as Nations by the current Harper regime governing in Canada. In the midst of this activity – that had me thinking a lot about Canadian colonial history – I received a note from OurBurlington’s publisher, to remark on the recently announced winner of the Public Art Commission for the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. His note to me read, “Can you comment on this in your next column? Be fair, but be very direct as well”.
I read the attached press release. Peter Powning, from far-off New Brunswick, has won, with his design, Spiral Stela. Included in the City of Burlington’s press release was an open invitation to the public to add ‘objects of significance’ or “cultural mulch” to his sculpture. “The artist will make a mould of the object, which will then be cast in bronze and added to a large band that encircles the sculpture.” Three times and two locations were provided so the public can participate: Jan 31, 10-3 pm at the Central Library and 7 pm-9 pm at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, and also February 3rd at the Burlington Arts Centre from 2-4 pm. The final session will include an artist lecture and ‘creating session’.
 The proposed sculpture: Spiral Stela, by Peter Powning, from far-off New Brunswick. Well, here’s my opinion about all that. (Remember I’ve just been listening, watching and learning from the Idle No More movement … )
I agree to participate in the ‘cultural mulch’ ceremony that will ‘imprint’ objects of significance – presumably from Burlingtonians – onto this foreign object, for posterity. To that end, I will bring a swatch of plastic grass to commemorate the winter of 2009 when our City Elders sold out a piece of our irrefutably unique natural heritage, now known as City View Park in North Burlington, at Kerns Road and Dundas Street, to the Pan Am Games organization of Toronto.
The DESIGN for this largest parkland area in Burlington, supposedly protected under the Greenbelt Act and the Niagara Escarpment Commission, was transformed in the 11th hour by City staff and members of our previous – and current – City Council into a ‘sports tourism destination’ without any public consultation with immediate residents, or an Environmental Impact Assessment that analyzes how tons of plastic grass will impact this environmentally sensitive era. Thems the facts.
Initially conceived as a “recreational” diverse ‘natural’ parkland area for ALL to enjoy, this park has – and will – become a ‘member’s only’ fenced-in facility geared towards ‘tournament grade’ soccer. In short, WE, the tax-paying public, have lost OUR park, an important local natural heritage ROOT.
There MAY be an opportunity to regain this park after the Pan Am Games in 2015 when the toxic artificial turf carpets must, by law, go to a hazardous waste facility. (Plastic grass expires every 5-8 years. Two of the plastic carpets were laid in 2011. The ‘tournament’ field and flood-lit stadium will be installed in the fall of this year, or spring of 2014. So, somewhere around 2020, that toxic gunk will have to come out.)
 City View Park: Before plastic grass installation, this once-living landscape had to be scraped ‘clean’ and made pan-cake flat. Photo by Margaret Lindsay Holton. At that time, it will be up to the NEW City Council to determine if taxpayers funds will be utilized to re-carpet this smothered ground again with million dollar plastic turf, OR, alternatively, whether they will finally have the good sense to rejuvenate this slowly dying eco-system with real growing grass, and, by so doing, provide an essential ‘natural habitat’ for animals (including humans), birds, insects and earth-churning worms. If so, they will also have the opportunity to remove the restrictive fences. This action alone would once again allow all forms of life to freely traverse across this unique open landscape. Living creatures could once again forage within this distinct portion of our section of the designated UNESCO Biosphere, known as the Niagara Escarpment.
Will they do it? Who knows.
Perhaps, years ahead, when Burlington has become the utopian Jersey Shore of the Golden Horseshoe, with electric light-rail transit zipping through the landscape powered by solar and geo-thermal energy, and the old-time ‘locals’ are long dead and buried, newly arrived residents will wonder aloud about the lunacy of previous City Elders who covered their ever-diminishing living-giving-breathing Earth with Life-defying plastic, especially in a ‘protected’ PARK. They may wonder why these turkeys so deliberately eliminated a vital and tangible connection to our communal Burlington natural heritage, the Niagara Escarpment. That is, of course, if they know how to wonder at all.
It is a very real possibility that this on-going eco-travesty will just be forgotten. Taxpayers will duly pay the exorbitant replacement costs for a PRIVATE ‘members-only’ tournament soccer facility in a PUBLIC park, and the wildlife that does still roam and roost throughout North Burlington’s escarpment terrain will just quietly die off … A dull robotic monoculture of humans will survive on imported genetically modified foods. Tax-enslaved workers will buy FRESH water from off-shore nations who did FIPA-like deals under Harper’s regime. Children will learn programming before they can speak. And ‘play’ itself will become a forgotten IDEA buried under intense competition to host tournament-sport ‘tourism’.
Still, I have hope.
On the first dawn of this New Year I looked out the frosted windows at the farm in North Burlington and watched as twelve robust wild turkeys emerged from a conifer stand and slowly began to forage across the snow-covered yard under the bright winter sun. It was a stately, near sacred, sight to see.
Where had they come from? Where were they going? And why did there seem to be so many?
I had to do some sleuthing.
 Author tracks multiple wild turkey tracks. Photo by Margaret Lindsay Holton. Wild turkey was originally native to Ontario, but they disappeared at the turn of the last century due to rapid colonization, habitat destruction and unregulated hunting by settlers. In brief, we killed off the species.
 But, in the mid 1980’s wild turkeys were re-introduced at 38 different release locations in southern Ontario through a program to “restore our natural heritage, provide fowl for hunting and viewing recreation, and derive economic benefits.” (Ministry of Natural Resources). Begun in 1984, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, launched a reintroduction program that began with just 274 birds.
Stock from the wild turkey populations of New York, Michigan, Nebraska and Tennessee were often ‘swapped’ for wildlife species from this province: moose for Michigan, river otters to Missouri and Nebraska, and gray partridge to New York state. Today, wild turkeys have adapted to our agricultural farmlands totaling somewhere between 60 to 80,000 wild birds.
Turkey hunting season officially began in 1987, and was initially restricted to a spring hunt. But in 2009, a fall hunt was introduced. Only bearded toms, (mature male turkeys), are allowed to be harvested. ‘Turkey season’, (April 25th, after the peak breeding season, until the end of May), has now been established in most rural areas in Ontario. This hunt is also open to hunters from outside the province.
Wild turkeys are known as promiscuous breeders. Most individual adult males will mate with multiple females. Hens lay a clutch of 10-12 eggs during a two-week period, usually laying one egg per day. Young males are commonly called ‘jakes’ and young females are ‘jennies’. They consume a wide variety of wild foods, including hard mast (acorns, seeds), soft mast (wild grapes, raspberries), green vegetation, and insects. In areas where natural habitats have been replaced by agriculture, turkeys may also feed on domestic grains, like corn, buckwheat, alfalfa and/or soybean. Young turkeys (poults) feed almost exclusively on insects for the first several weeks of life. Insects provide poults with the high-protein diet that they require for rapid growth. A 2-3 week old turkey can eat several thousand insects a day. As you can see, wild turkeys, like all wild critters, need a diversified living habitat in order to survive.
 Wild birds die after ingesting bright bits of PLASTIC, mistaken as FOOD. Other predators, besides humans, such as coyote and raccoon, are capable of snatching young turkeys, but most are no match for a mature fighting tom. Wild turkeys can run up to 40 km per hour and fly as fast at 90 km per hour. They can cover over 20 miles per day in search of food. A male tom can be up to 4 feet tall (!), and weigh over 30 pounds. Females are, on average, about half that size. Wild turkeys have excellent vision during the day, but can hardly see at night. They roost high off the ground, usually in trees, at dusk. Conifers often provide thermal protection for roosting turkeys so they can conserve energy under extreme cold and windy conditions.
 Wild turkey roosting in trees at night fall. The sale of turkey licenses per annum contributes over $250,000 to wildlife management programs in Ontario. The annual spring and fall hunts generate economic activity for the province worth $2.3 million. (So says the Ministry of Natural Resources).
As of 1999, the use of live decoys, electronic calls and baiting for the purpose of hunting wild turkeys was prohibited. Finally, only a landowner, with a valid firearm license, may shoot wild turkeys that are damaging or about to damage their property.
 Obese domestically raised 20 pound turkey carcass in a kitchen sink. Can wild turkeys hurt you? Any wild animal when cornered or harassed may attack. So, if concerned, call in an expert. Note, only a registered turkey hunter or landowner (with a valid firearm license) can shoot wild turkeys.
All in all, the reintroduction of wild turkey in this province has been a success. Wild turkeys are thriving once again in Halton County in rural North Burlington. Due to human initiative and determination, this formerly extinct species has re-established a solid toe-hold in this, our home and native land. Their reintroduction has, as promised, added to the natural heritage of Ontario. The growing populations are providing viewing as well as hunting recreational activity and, as such, they are adding revenue to our economy.
If we, as humans, can do that over the short course of twenty odd years, surely we can a) improve our dialogue with Canada’s First Nations, and b) bring back City View Park to a ‘natural state’ for future generations.
I wonder what plastic grass looks like when it’s cast in bronze …
Margaret Lindsay Holton is both an environmentalist and a community activist. She is an artist of some renown and the designer of a typeface. She is also a photographer and the holder of opinions, which are her own, that she will share with you in an instant. She appears as an Our Burlington columnist every two weeks. All photographs are by MLH unless otherwise indicated.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. January 14, 2013 It took long enough, but the best of the three finalists in the most recent public art competition was announced today.
Peter Powning’s work, Spiral Stela, has been selected as the winning design for a public art installation at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Powning, of New Brunswick, was selected from a group of 119 artists from around the world who submitted designs for the project.
 This Cooke-Sasseville piece had a lot of energy and colour and a level of detail that isn’t apparent from a photograph this size. Was there a concern that the colour would fade over time?  This piece by Aaron Stephen was to be installed at the side of the Performing Arts Centre where it would not get the exposure that was hoped for. There was an immense amount of detail for the public to take in but the height on the piece on the side of the building might have made it difficult to fully appreciate. A jury of local residents and cultural arts experts short-listed applicants to three finalists. More than 500 residents gave feedback, online and in person, on the three designs. After reviewing public comments, the volunteer jury selected the winner.
The jury included: Ian Ross, Executive Director of the Burlington Art Centre; Emma Quin, Executive Director of the Ontario Craft Council and Trevor Copp, Artistic Director of Tottering Biped Theatre
Because Burlington has difficulty with artists who don’t “come from here” it might be a useful exercise to show all 119 applications – let the public understand what the jury had to work with.
 The spiral will be 16 feel tall and will be outside the Performing Arts Centre for many,many years. How will Burlingtonians take to the piece and how will the artist decide what to “decorate the piece with? The nature of the Powning piece of art is such that Powning now needs to meet with the community and solicit objects that can be included in the final fabrication. This is a truly exciting aspect of the design. Clearly there will be lots of WW I and WW II medals brought forward for inclusion but what else will the residents of Burlington come up with?
We are about to see just how imaginative the residents of the city can be. Whatever is selected will be part of the sculpture that will be outside the Performing Arts Centre on Locust Street for many, many years to come. Hopefully the city will promote the daylights out of this and use every possible media and not just their favourites. If there was ever an event that could put social media to the test – this is it. City hall doesn’t understand social media and is to some degree afraid of it – this could be their opportunity to see if it will work for them
The artists might have a budget to get his need out to the public and the Performing Arts Centre could, hopefully, turn its promotional guns on this one. Whatever gets brought forward and used in this sculpture will be around for a long, long, long time. At least as long as the Pier and we are going to spend $20 million on that sucker.
 The objects in this illustration are examples of what have been used on other sculptures – this is an opportunity for Burlington to put its memorabilia on display and have it become a part of the public record. A spike from the old CNR line that ran along the edge of the lake? A can from the cannery that used to be on the water’s edge. The only limit is our imagination. Will someone put in a call to the Historical Society and get them involved?
Powning is calling the meetings at which residents bring in their objects “cultural mulch”. The artist will make a mould of the items chosen. There will be a significant number of items used. The molds will them be used to form the bronze castings that will be part of the final sculpture that is expected to be installed during the late summer of 2013.
There will be three “cultural mulching” sessions at the end of January and early February.
Central Library
2331 New Street, Holland Room Thursday, January 31 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Burlington Performing Arts Centre
440 Locust Street, Main Lobby – Thursday, January 31 – 7 to 9 p.m.
Burlington Art Centre
1333 Lakeshore Rd., Lakeshore Room – Sunday, February 3 – 2 to 4 p.m.
Drop by one of the sessions below with an item to contribute to the project. See it as something like one of those Antique road shows that are televised – but this time you’re not selling something or learning what its value might be you – you are becoming a part of the city’s history.
After his lecture in February Powning will be looking at objects people have brought in and. according to a statement from the city, casting the objects that day. People are asked to bring in just one object each.
Powning is not new to Burlington. His work is represented in the Burlington Art Centre’s Permanent Collection with five pieces. The city also saw some of his work during the East Coast Potters exhibit. His work is not currently on display but one can expect that to change.
Powning will give a short lecture about being an artist, whose work ranges from vessels to large-scale public art. He will talk about his experience responding to RFPs and working with municipalities/developers. An opportunity for Burlington artists to hear what a commercially successful artist has managed to do.
Spiral Stela continues the successful career of Powning who has completed several public art projects across the country and whose work can be seen at solo exhibitions worldwide.
This sculpture came to be when long-time Burlington resident and successful business owner Dan Lawrie, decided the Performing Arts Centre should have something outside the building and offered to fund a portion of the cost. Some members of city council wanted a bit more than Lawrie was prepared to put up, and the $37,500 cheque he did write isn’t exactly chump change.
The work is scheduled to be installed in late summer of 2013.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. January 10, 2013 When the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (EFTO) announced they were going to hold a day of protest and not report for work the Halton Board had no choice other than to announce that schools would not be open.
The Board put out its notice which gave parents a scant 48 hours to find a place to put their kids for the day.
The protest on the part of the EFTO decision comes close behind an Ontario government decision to use Bill 115 (Putting Students First Act ) to impose contracts on teachers and education workers.
The teacher protest is against the Bill which was used by Ontario Education Minister Laurel Broten at the start of 2013 to impose contracts on teachers and education workers.
 This is what classrooms across the Region are going to look like Friday morning. Hopefully it will be bitterly cold while the teachers tramp up and down the side-walk outside. The teachers appear to be saying ‘we don’t give a damn’, we are angry and we want the public to know it. There will be all kinds of ‘toing’ and ‘froing’ about how irresponsible the teachers are while their union goes on about losing their democratic rights.
“The minister made a deliberate and provocative choice to wipe out the democratic rights of tens of thousands of educators rather than work towards a respectful solution,” said ETFO president Sam Hammond, in a news release.
“She could have taken our olive branch and waited for a new leader to try to find solutions, but she chose not to.”
Meanwhile parents scramble.
Museums Burlington is doing their bit to help out by opening up their community resource and offering their Museums as a program facility and service for learning and play on Friday January 11, 2013. They quite correctly called the service a Strike Camp – useful helping hand on the part of the Museum people.
Their program day would take place from 9:30am to 3pm at Joseph Brant Museum at a cost of $20 per child, not including lunch or refreshments.
You can get more information at 905-332-9888.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. December 20, 2012 The past few days we’ve all seen the television news and watched saddened grief stricken parents bury their children – after a senseless brutal shooting spree that an apparently disturbed young man went on at an elementary school in his community.
We wonder why things like this have to happen and we struggle to understand.
Sharon McGregor understands the hurt, the loss and deals with the hole in her heart every day of her life
During the upcoming holiday blockbuster movie season, thousands of people enjoying a night out at the movies in Halton will get to see a powerful 30-second video highlighting the painful consequences of impaired driving on an Oakville mom.
The video alternates between smiling images of 17-year old Matthew McGregor and heart-wrenching statements from his mother about how his sudden death has impacted her and her family.
 Matthew victim of a drunk driving a car. “The powerful testimonial of Matthew’s mother, Sharon McGregor, will hopefully make people pause to stop, think, plan ahead and not drive impaired,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We want Halton drivers to feel safe on our roads. Road safety is a top priority for Halton Regional Council and by partnering with the Halton Regional Police Service, we’re working together to make sure this holiday season is a safe one for everyone.”
The video, created by Halton Region and the Halton Regional Police Service, will be shown to more than 125,000 movie-goers in theatres. A three-minute companion video featuring more details about Matthew’s story and what people can do to stop impaired driving will soon be available on the Region’s web site.
“Matthew’s story is a tragic and unfortunate real life example of what can happen when alcohol and driving mix,” said Halton Deputy Chief of Police Bob Percy. “It demonstrates that tragedies have occurred in our own backyard and are not simply some random clip we see on the news. We need to commit to ongoing attention to road safety to ensure everyone has a safe holiday season.”
Through the Halton Drive SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone) program and the Safe Roads…Your Call campaign, drivers can see signs throughout the Region reminding them to call 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver on the roads. Impaired driving is a crime in progress and one call could save someone’s life.
Most residents are also familiar with the Holiday R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign conducted by the Halton Regional Police Service. During last year’s campaign from December 1-31, 2011, Halton Regional Police stopped 17,396 vehicles; administered 564 roadside breath tests and made 37 arrests for impaired driving.
There is a dedicated police team that has a crew out on the roads every day and night between now and the first days of January. The police know where the hot spots are and, this year, much like last year and the years before that – the police will arrest people who should not be behind the wheel of a car.
Drink if you wish but before you reach for your car keys – think of Sharon McGregor and the day she had to bury her son Matthew. That accident didn’t have to happen. You, yes YOU can prevent the next death by calling a cab or asking a friend to drive you home.
 About two years ago Brenda Heatherington was hired to run the Performing Arts Centre which was under construction when she had her first business cards printed up.
One of her objectives was to introduce Burlington to performances it had not seen in the past. Quality programs were available in Hamilton and Toronto, which is where parents would go year after year with their children to see the Nutcracker.
Heatherington wanted to introduce Burlington to the classics and to bring in popular groups she would use to develop an audience in Burlington. How is she doing so far? Too early to tell – creating an audience is a slow process that requires an ability to read the interests of the community and at the same time know when you can push them a little and offer something they’ve not been exposed to before. That takes time, it means taking some risks and hoping you get it right more often than you get it wrong. The public tends to remember just the clunkers – not the productions that do close to sold out business.
Heatherington is going to need three full years before the city is convinced she got it right. During that time funding requests will be higher than city council is prepared to swallow and that’s when the tension between city hall and the Performing Arts Centre becomes measurable.
Heatherington relies on box office sales and feedback from the public. She never has any difficulty with the naysayers, who describe the building as a “nice to have”. She doesn’t get too many occasions to hear from the people who try something for the first time and leave the building pleasantly pleased.
A few weeks ago Walter Byj wrote us and asked if he could review the Nutcrakcer that was coming to the city. BAJ had absolutely no experience reviewing and knew nothing about ballet – all that became evident when he submitted his review which appears below with very little editing.
Byj’s efforts reflects the growth of different audiences in Burlington for artistic productions that have not been available until the Centre opened October 1, 2011 when Royal Wood took to the stage for the first “tickets for sale event. Prior to the first performance, Denise Walker, the first person to appear on the stage thanked the public during two “Thank you Very Much events when the public got a chance to tour the building, have a drink and chat with friends at tables set out in the Family Room. It was the first part of the soft launch the theatre board decided to use to introduce the public to the place.
By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON December 19, 2012 How does a sports fan prepare when planning to attend his first ballet? Being open minded would be the first step followed by some preparation. The initial step would be to know exactly what a ballet is. You would not ask a novice to watch a sporting event without first describing a brief overview of the sporting event. The same can be said when attending an artistic event. So, it is time to learn something about ballet.
 A classic Christmas performance that has introduced millions of children to the world of ballet. The word ballet originated with the Greek word ballizo which means to dance, to jump about. Ballet originated in the 15thcentury in Italy during the renaissance. The style then spread to France and Russia and evolved into a performance or concert dance which is intended for an audience. There is much more background, but this is a good start. Next, you would need to pick a ballet. Well, being the Christmas season, there is a ballet that is synonymous with the Christmas season, The Nutcracker. The name is familiar as it is advertised annually in the entertainment pages and some of the music has become a Christmas standard. Also, the music was written by a musician that we have all heard about, P. Tchaikovsky. Now that I have determined the title of my first ballet, I then need to pick a location. Although it is playing in Toronto during the Christmas holidays, I opted to attend the performance at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre which featured the State Ballet of Russia performance of the Nutcracker. It was close to home, 15 minutes away, and the parking was free.
 The soldiers were smartly dressed in the uniforms strutting about the stage. I am now sitting in the theatre which by the way is quite pleasant. An intimate theatre with 718 comfortable seats, it offers everyone good sightlines. The curtain is now rising and the first act is to begin.
Having read the program prior to the beginning of the show, I am aware of the story that envelopes the ballet. That is a good thing as there is no speaking during the performance and you need interpret what is happening via the dance moves. This is like watching a live silent movie in colour. And speaking of colour, there is plenty of that both in the sets and the costumes. I could go into great detail as to the story in the first act, but I prefer a quick overview. It takes place in a rich man’s house with a bunch of kids being entertained by a magician. He brings to life a number of mechanical dolls who dance for a bit until their mechanism is exhausted. He then presents another toy, an ugly nutcracker that only the resident girl (Masha) seems to enjoy. After the frivolity has ended and everyone goes home, the little girl of the house, Masha falls asleep and has a very strange dream. Her mansion is attacked by a horde of mice that are lead by the Mouse King.
 The drama, the melancholy – somehow we never tire of the performances – and when we see enough of them we get to the point where we can be critical and compare. The Performing Arts Centre is growing just that kind of audiences. But do not fear, the mice are eventually driven away by the Nutcracker and his army of tin soldiers although it was a great thrown shoe by Masha at the Mouse King that helped the Nutcracker claim victory. In fact, he was so happy and grateful that he turned into a handsome prince and Masha changed from a young girl into a beautiful lady. Shortly thereafter, the first act ended.
The second act is comprised of celebratory dancing which encompasses Spanish, Chinese and Russian dancers. It is here where the Sugar Plum Fairy appears.
However, as daylight approaches, Masha awakens and is now a little girl again and her prince has vanished. The ballet is over.
 A tug of war over someone’s affections? Did I enjoy The Nutcracker? I did. Was it worth attending? It was. The music was entertaining in a peaceful sort of way. There is no doubt why the music of Tchaikovsky has lasted for over 100 years and will continue so for the next 100 years. It is easier to comment on the quality of the music as I hear various types of music on a constant basis and am able to discern what I believe to be good music. As to the actual performance of the dancers, it is much more difficult to comment as this is the only ballet that I have seen. Is this troupe as good as the Bolshoi Ballet? I don’t know. I am not sophisticated enough at this moment to observe intelligently. Did they put on a show that I enjoyed? Yes they did. Did the rest of the audience enjoy the performance? It appears that they did although one member of the audience was spending a certain amount of time on her smart phone. Was she bored or was she texting everyone as to how great the show is?
 Millions of little girls around the world dreamed of being a Sugar Plum Fairy – and then there they were on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre. Would I go to another ballet? It is hard to say, maybe Swan Lake, another Tchaikovsky ballet.
This production was slightly less than two hours including intermission although I have read that some performances can be up to two and half hours. This performance timeline is appropriate for a novice as any much longer might start to be monotonous. If the Nutcracker comes around again next year, by all means do attend. It is a unique event and any new experience is an experience worth having.
Brenda Heatherington has a new customer. How many more Walter’s does she have? She knows and in time the rest of us will know if Heatherington and her staff have managed to develop the several audiences that exist in the city but may not know what it means to have a professional, high quality performing arts centre in their city. Walter Byj knows.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. December 18, 2012 The province released a statement earlier today setting out, from their perspective, just what the issues are in the current labour differences between the province and the Elementary School Teachers Federation of Ontario as well as the Ontario Secondary Students Teacher’s Federation.
The province is just one side of the story. We have had email from several dozen parents with view points but there has not been an article they could comment on.
Here is the province’s position as sent to us by the Liberal Party of Ontario.
Appreciate that the Liberal Party is in the midst of a leadership contest and that the candidates will jockey for position and favour from those that have registered as members of that political party. It will be interesting to see what we get in the way of comment from the teaching profession.
I will bet a decent lunch that we hear from Cory Judson within an hour of publishing.
 Elementary school students in the public system have shut down schools for a day as they rolled out their strike action across the province. Do they have a tenable issue?
Since 2003, we’ve worked together with our teachers to raise student achievement — test scores and the graduation rate are way up and our schools have been called the best in the English-speaking world. When people talk about excellence in education, Ontario is part of the conversation along with places like Singapore, Finland and South Korea. This progress for students and parents was achieved in partnership with teachers — and that’s why we raised teacher pay and improved working conditions more than any previous government. Here’s what you need to know:
- Thirteen years of NDP and PC governments left Ontario’s teachers under appreciated, undervalued and underpaid. When we had the privilege of forming government in 2003, we made a commitment to improve teachers’ working conditions. And we did.
- Prior to 2003, teacher compensation had not kept pace with their contributions in the classroom. That’s why over the last nine years, teacher salary rates have increased by 22 to 25 per cent.
- Prior to 2003, teachers did not have enough prep time. That’s why over the last nine years, teachers have been provided four hours of paid prep time outside the classroom, up from about 2.5 hours.
- Prior to 2003, teachers did not have the support they needed to provide individual attention to our students. So we hired 13,400 more teachers to make class sizes smaller and 11,745 support staff to help. There are also 4,500 more specialist teachers now working in elementary schools, helping with music, drama, art and physical education.
- As some teachers now engage in one-day legal job actions aimed at our government, it’s important to note that the legislation they protest is the same legislation that will protect their wages, prep time and jobs for the next two years.
- The recession has left Ontario with a deficit, and the global economy is still uncertain, so we need to make wise choices, while protecting these gains in education. We choose to increase spending in the classroom and keep full day kindergarten while freezing teacher pay for two years.
- In February 2012, as we sought negotiations with teachers on a new collective agreement, we asked for a two-year pay freeze and an end to the practice of paying out up to 200 banked sick days upon retirement. It was a tough negotiation with one union taking their leave from the table after less than an hour of negotiating, never to return.
- Others persevered and the government reached negotiated Memorandum of Understanding with our Catholic and French teachers and some support staff. And as the school year got underway, we introduced the Putting Students First Act, Bill 115, which is based on these negotiated agreements.
The Hudak PCs have been clear — they’d cut full-day kindergarten, firing teachers and sending 4- and 5-year olds home. The NDP would give teachers a pay raise — they can’t say “no” to their union supporters, and that means they’d have to take money out of the classroom.
For the past nine years we’ve supported our teachers with real tangible things that they asked for — higher pay, more professional development time, better working conditions and increased time to prepare. We made things better for teachers and that’s made things better for students.
Now — as Ontario families and businesses work hard to overcome a tough global economy — we need to be fair to all Ontarians in recognizing what we can’t afford right now. And our government looks forward to working with teachers on the goals we share: building an education system that’s better for our students, better for our teachers and among the best in the world.
That’s the provincial governments position – what’s your take on all this?
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 17, 2012 The number is getting to a level that indicates success is not far off – Burlington is at the 65% level in its drive to reach $2.1 million for the Burlington/Hamilton United Way 2013 Fund raising drive. There is now $1,360,141 in the bank account for use in the Burlington community in the year we will be going into
 Len Lifchus shows CHCH TV personality Sean Cowan how you wrap a Christmas gift Last week United Way staff worked a gift wrapping counter at the Burlington Mall with local celebrities. Traffic was consistent, people stepped up and watched United Way president Len Lifchus show CHCH television personality Sean Cowan how to properly wrap a gift. He is a nice boy – he got it eventually.
The United Way however didn’t get what it should have gotten and could have gotten from the gift wrapping event – the donation box was sitting on a shelf behind everyone working at the counter. These things have to be right out front where people can see them and use them.
The task for the United Way for the next month is to be kind but relentless in its drive to pull in the funds that will be needed come January when staff have to decide who will get how much for the year they are going into.
The need is real and it has never been possible to raise as much as is needed.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON December 16, 2012 The event doesn’t take place until January but you need to reserve your space BEFORE Christmas – and the event has nothing to do with the Season. But the event will be of great interest to many parents.
The opportunity comes from the Halton Red Cross’ Youth Action Council. Peter Hodgson, Chair, Halton Area Branch Council, Canadian Red Cross asks: “If you are a young person, are related to a young person, was once a young person, wish you are a young person or once saw a young person” , then this invitation is for you! Sign up now and join us on January 12th. And spread the word to your friends and family.
 Red Cross Halton Youth Action council presentation. “Many of us have either been directly or indirectly affected by bullying:, said Hodgson. The Canadian Red Cross RespectED Program aims to prevent abuse, bullying, violence and sexual exploitation.
We are the Canadian Red Cross Halton Youth Action Council. We support RespectED and we would like to invite you to our event to raise funds for this program. How can YOU help? Come to our Movie Matinee!
The movie: Ice Age: Continental Drift, which will be shown at the Silvercity Oakville Cinemas; 3531 Wyecroft Road, Oakville, Ontario – Saturday January 12, 2012 – 9 am – 12 pm
If you’re interested please email Andrew.little@redross.ca to confirm attendance, or for more information
This is a Youth inspired and organized initiative. Please support us, as we support RespectED, which supports us all.
So here is what this is about. The kids came up with the idea; they chose a movie that is popular, a little out of the ordinary, certainly not one of those action packed – how many people got killed? – films that are box office smashes. Instead the kids picked an exceptionally well done animated film about something interesting, highly entertaining and at the same times reflects on just where are we going with global warming and how did the continents get formed anyway?
If you’ve got a kid in the house that has gained the capacity to be thoughtful about others – let that young person meet with other young people who hold similar interests.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 15, 2012 They opened in September and held their first fund raising drive last weekend – and expect to have pulled in more than $10,000 – the value of the items that were set out for the Silent Auction amounted to something over $18,000 which is a pretty impressive sum for a new school in a new community, one that still has muddy roads and construction equipment littering some streets.
The Alton Village Public school set out in the northern end of the new community pulled parents into the school gymnasium on a Saturday afternoon and in a few short hours they had achieved their objective.
 With more than $18,000 worth of product to choose from there was something for everyone. The Alton Village Public School expects to raise $10,000 from the Silent Auction. It was perhaps the first time everyone in the community with children in the school pulled together as one. Many took part in the choice of name for the school but that event wouldn’t have had as many children running around and having a good time.
 Mother checks her raffle tickets to see if her number has been called. Not this time. The organizers of the event made good use of raffle tickets as well as 50/50 draws.
 Ross Gligic in the centre with Principal David Purcell handling the microphone get ready to announce there are five minutes left to the Silent Auction at Alton Village Public School.  Her name is Mia and she thinks she can top up the bidding for the exclusive use of a parking lot for the school year. The coup for this crowd however was the idea to auction off a parking spot on the east side of the school that would be reserved for the school year to the person who wrote down the highest amount. Ross Gligic kept pressing others interested in the parking spot by upping the bid by hundreds of dollars at a time – this item wasn’t going to go cheap.
 Hockey sweaters were a big attraction at the Alton Village Public School Silent Auction School principal David Purcell, served as the chief microphone, calling out the winning raffle numbers as both children and parents scanned the numbers on the tickets they held.
 Just call it a melt down – it had been a long day and this one had reached her limit. Mommy slowly, patiently and successfully talks her down. Overall it was a good day for a new school – with just one incident that caused everyone to pause. Someone couldn’t find their daughter and the principle called out the name of the child and the room went strangely silent until the child was found.
The gymnasium wasn’t huge, the school was in a safe neighbourhood, there were all kinds of parents around – this was a very safe place – the safest of places – wasn’t it? We don’t live in that kind of world anymore do we?
 Waiting patiently to see if he won a draw. Successful Silent Auction at Alton Village Public School. Perhaps in this safest of places we can learn to look out for each other, be aware of the differences and be a kinder society.
 The Alton Village School got off to a great start – let’s see what principal Purcell and his staff do in the next couple of years.
The school has much more ethnic diversity than most I’ve seen in the city. The colours didn’t matter – it was a room full of people there to support the school that was educating their children. In Burlington on that Saturday afternoon it was a nice place to be.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 11, 2012 They are going to do things a lot different in the evolving Alton Village Community. While the community has a name and is in the process of getting a new high school, library and community centre that will be the envy of other parts of Burlington, the community is still evolving and figuring out how they are going to live their lives.
These are not going to be “slow poke” people. They are younger, affluent, technically literate and innovative.
 There was a time when many Alton Village residents drove along roads like this. Today most of the community is built out and there is a very healthy community working out how it is going to evolve. Their Alton Village Public School fund raiser is one example of how they are going to do things differently. They are holding a fundraiser for the Alton Village Public School this Saturday and are, get this, auctioning off a private parking space for a parent right beside the school. Now that is cool and that is innovative. The group putting this event together don’t say if they talked the principal out of his/her parking spot or not.
 This sign can have your name on it – for a parking spot beside the school on the east side – all you have to do is enter the highest bid. will the snow be cleared for the winner as well? The auction is for one RESERVED PARKING SPOT to the highest bidder (Obviously to a Parent of the school only). Privileges last the entire school year, with a sign mounted on the wall with your Family Name on it. No more rushing, fighting traffic, looking for a spot…. just pull in on the East Side of the school, park and go!
How do you get in on this? Make your bid this week on the bid-sheet on display during any of the four Holiday Concerts (Tuesday to Friday) or at the Silent Auction on Saturday. Highest Bidder wins the spot. The winner will be announced at the Silent Auction; bidding is open up to Saturday at 3:00 PM.
Our Burlington is in the final edit of a five part series on the Alton Village community written by Gordana Liddell, a resident of her part of the community since the time when there was no grass on the lawns. Watch for it.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 10, 2012 If there was ever any doubt as to where the students stand on the government’s Bill 115 – there is little doubt any more in Burlington.
Students from MM Robinson; Lester B Pearson, Nelson High and Robert Bateman were at one point during the day out on the streets demonstrating.
 More than a hundred students from Lester B. Pearson High school walked out of their classrooms and gathered at the intersection of Upper Middle Road and Headon Rd where they waved their placards and encouraged passers by to honk their horns. The students are protesting the loss of time teachers traditionally spend on extra-circulars like sports, the debating club – anything outside the classroom. They want all this time back and, if the students from Lester B. Pearson are to be believed they are out on the street until Christmas – which is just ten school days away.
 Two police cars kept station at Headon Road and Upper Middle Road as students protested the loss of their extra-curricular time at school. We have seen student demonstrations before in Burlington but this is the first time we have seen a police presence. It was also nice to see senior school staff on the streets as well; watching over their students, and doing their best to keep them in line.
 It was pretty clear what this group of students wanted to say. Senior staff from Lester B. Pearson watched over the crowd of more than 100 students that took up station on the north and south sides of Upper Middle Road.  Neither traffic lights nor the flow of traffic seemed to bother this student which is probably why police cars were attracted to the scene. These are high school students; they get rambunctious and noisy and at times lose a bit of their common sense. They are all good kids upset with what they are not getting.
Some teachers are blaming their union for getting them into this predicament. Others are hard line union types and do not want the government trampling on their rights.
That’s a battle the students don’t have much time for; they want their clubs and other organizations to be there for them.
There are a lot of parents upset as well.
Bit of a predicament for both the teachers and the school administrators – but this could become one of those “teachable moments”.
What if the senior school staff asked all the students to gather in the auditorium and asked if they would accept the support of the school staff for their demonstration IF the students would enter into debate and discussion on the issue.
Have someone set out just what the issue is from a teacher perspective?
What is the government doing? Do they have a right to do what they are doing?
Do the students have a case? What is that case?
Let the students demonstrate, teach them something about the history of public demonstrations.
There are opportunities here to teach and at the same time let the students express their views.
That’s what a professional teacher would want to see. I saw at least two professionals out on the streets with their students.
Asked how long this would last and what it would take to get the students back in the classroom one senior staff member commented: “Some freezing rain would help”
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 9.2010 This from a parent that does not want her name used for fear that her children will be treated unfairly by their teachers – how did we get to a situation where teachers and parents are on different sides of an argument with the kids stuck in the middle. Sounds like a messy, emotional, irrational divorce doesn’t it.
“And btw the teachers are telling the students it’s the union not them AND they will be teaching units that students will miss if they attend the walk-out. Always nice that the teachers have the leverage to walk out when they want but not the other way around. No wonder students are frustrated.”
Our parent, a well-educated, informed and successful business person actively involved in the evolution of our community goes on to say:
 In a free society anyone can stand up any time anywhere and say what they think. Can parents who want to talk about the plans teachers have to walk out of their classrooms really do that in Burlington? “Someone needs to remind teachers that with e-learning their days are numbered. Teachers count on the fact that parents need “baby-sitters” for their kids so they need the education to happen within walls that keep the students safe. With e-learning it won’t take someone long to figure out how to fill the gap between child care, socializing, tutoring, education and bring them all together. Only the best educators will be in demand – the rest can go retire.”
Our parent with the post graduate degree continues: “Another bee in my bonnet – the latest trend by teachers – the students mark each other’s work since the teachers don’t want to spend their evenings marking (guess that counts as extra-curricular).
And that was where this parent left it adding: “Please don’t use my name, I don’t want it to impact our two kids.”
OK – off my soapbox. Thanks for letting me vent.
Our Burlington, a newspaper on a web site, allows any reader to respond instantly. The response we got from a person we presume to be a teacher elicited the response above from a parent with two young people in high school.
“If I can respond in a civil manner to the comment on your article I will – but right now her comment “we have agreed to a wage freeze due to a situation we didn’t create” is just far too annoying. They certainly weren’t offering to help when the rest of us in the private sector were struggling from 2009 to 2011. They were nicely protected by their collective agreement.”
There will be more in the way of comment.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 8, 2012 Parent of elementary school students are ticked over the now more than probable possibility that the people who teach their children will go on a one day strike.
The province’s high school students are “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore” and plan to take their own actions.
 Will Nelson high school students be on the streets next week? The social media within the high school sector is abuzz with plans to just not walk into the high schools on Monday of next week. There is no one spokesperson for the movement; there doesn`t appear to be a focus but that`s the way today`s youth works; they have their own network that runs beneath the radar screen. They organize themselves differently.
But what if all the high school students at Nelson High and Robert Bateman High on New Street just lined the sidewalks holding hand written placards saying we won`t be students until you guys behave like teachers!
 Could Robert Bateman students join Nelson High students in a city wide high school students walkout? Imagine seeing two groups of a couple of hundred students asking that teachers just do the job they are paid to do, rather well paid we might add.
 High school students have taken to the streets in the past to make their point; in this situation the Robert Bateman High School made their point. Could be interesting. If you see crowds of students on the sidewalks on Monday – honk your horn in support, This mess within the educational system has to be resolved – teachers do very, very well and need to understand the economic reality the province faces.
The McGuinty Liberal government was very good to the educational system when times were better. Class sizes were reduced; all day kindergarten was put in place. McGuinty was an “educational” Premier. Time for the teachers to take a break and let someone else stick their snouts in the trough.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 8, 2012 You will have missed the event this year but you will not want to miss it next year when Ireland House, part of the Museums Burlington operation puts on their Taste of Christmas Past event.
The event was as close to sold out as you are going to get and when those who were at Ireland House last Friday evening tell their friends, Barb Teatero, Executive Director of the Museum’s operation, is going to want to schedule the event for at least two evenings next year.
 All the food was made on the premises using recipes from the period of time the Ireland Farm house was built. It was an evening to sample different Christmas foods as you strolled from room to room. There was not only food but period beverages as well. The Figgy Pudding was delightful and you are not going to get to taste Parsnip Soup this good anywhere in this city.
Later in the week we will publish the recipes; the smarter restaurants in town will be snapping those up.
As soon as you entered the 1840”s farm house you were served a glass of wine and then guided to either the Interpretive Room where Michelle Gatien told you more than you ever wanted to know about a Christmas Dinner.
When you got to the farm house you were treated to Cayenne Cheese Crackers, Sugar cookies, Hot Rum Toddies and Mince Tarts. Scones with a carrot jam that was very interesting.
There was sherry, brandy, Festive Wassail and Mulled Cider. The place was packed yet it was still relatively easy to get around.
 A group of young people played Christmas Carols in the basement kitchen; one couple used the occasion to dance to the music, it was that kind of an evening. All the food items were from recipes researched by Brianne Crites, Brant Museum curatorial assistant and from the period during which Ireland House was built. Several of the recipes came from Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management 1861.
 The gowns were absolutely gorgeous; the music on a period instrument was very different and pleasant as well. The singing was as good as it gets. There were several youths in the basement kitchen playing their violins as well as a superb group upstairs, the Pearls of Time who sang and played period instruments. The two woman, Judy Morphet and Susan Snelley, will be at the Different Drummer Bookstore on December 16th – 3:00 pm. Call the bookstore to reserve a ticket.
 Father Christmas was on the farm house porch inviting guests to reach into his gift bag. The Tasting event is the best thing Ireland House has done this year. The staff have every reason to be extremely pleased with how well it went.
This is going to be a “premium event” next year.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 8, 2012 The Burlington Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) has named Pasquale Paletta as the 2013 Entrepreneur of the Year.
Paletta founded Paletta International, a Canadian-owned and family-managed company, in 1951.
 Pasquale Paletta, named Burlington Economic Development Corporation’s Entrepreneur of the year for 2013. “I am very thankful and honoured to be named the 2013 Burlington Entrepreneur of the Year,” Paletta said. “Burlington has always been home. Burlington has grown together with me and I look forward to our future growth and continued partnership with the city to continue its growth and achieve our combined dreams. I hope I can do more for Burlington.”
Paletta came to Canada as an Italian immigrant after the Second World War and moved his family to Burlington in 1964 and started a 10,000-square foot meat packing plant.
Today, the family has a facility of more than 200,000 sq.ft. and exports to more than 17 countries worldwide.
The family is believed to be the largest holder of undeveloped lands in Burlington and has in the past number of years fought the city on almost every development project it has started.
 Paletta International head office in Burlington His family has developed thousands of residential units, constructed more than 500,000 sq. ft. of buildings, developed hundreds of acres of property for retail and employment, farmed thousands of acres and expanded into film, media and entertainment.
Over the past eight years, BEDC has inducted the following acclaimed business people into Burlington’s Business Hall of Fame: Harry Voortman (Voortman Cookies), Mark Chamberlain (Trivaris), Michael Lee-Chin (AIC Ltd. /Portland Holdings), Michael DeGroote Sr. (Laidlaw/Republic), Ron Joyce (Tim Horton’s), Murray Hogarth (Pioneer Petroleums), Ron Foxcroft (Fox40 International) and Reginald Pollard (Pollard Windows Inc.).
Each year a call for nominations is sent out to the business community. Then a nominating committee made up of BEDC board of directors chooses the entrepreneur by using stringent evaluation criteria.
“We have been very fortunate to have had some of Burlington’s most successful entrepreneurs inducted into our Business Hall of Fame, Mr. Paletta is an ideal choice for this significant accomplishment,” said Alf Zeuner, chair of the BEDC’s board of directors. “It was with great interest to review the achievements of all nominees. Making the decision of the final recipient was not easy as Burlington is home to many outstanding entrepreneurs.”
The award will be presented at BEDC’s annual signature event, which will be held on Thursday, June 6 at the Burlington Convention Centre.
 The Paletta International head office operation is massive and includes the poultry packing operation as well as administrative and property management divisions. The Paletta interests were instrumental in an attempt to bring the Hamilton Tiger Cats to Burlington and make the city their “home” town. Mayor Goldring, new to the office of Mayor at the time didn’t champion that idea.
Several of the Paletta developments before the city are tied up in differences of opinion or before the Ontario Municipal Board.
Angelo Paletta, Pasquale Paletta’s son, was one of 35 people chosen by Mayor Goldring to be part of the group involved with the Mayor in defining the dream for Burlington.
The Paletta family donated a large sum to the restoration of a mansion on Lakeshore Road now known as the Paletta Mansion.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON December 7, 2012 – Today the city launched a video called “We’re Growing in Place” to help educate and engage residents about its Official Plan review project. The video has a nice upbeat piece of music that Councillor Taylor expects to be whistling along to for the next few weeks.
The video exceeds anything the city has posted in the past and was done by True Essence Media. Keep that name in mind if you want something truly creative. Kudos to whoever at planning chose these people.
 Alan Gummo, Manager of Policy and Research That’s the good news; the bad news is that the planner who has headed up the Official Plan Review, Alan Gummo is leaving his post. Gummo brought a different set of lenses with him and we were beginning to see a much different approach to the reviewing of an Official Plan (OP), something the city has to do every five years but something that is often done rather poorly in many municipalities.
The word “disappointing” was used by one senior city hall staffer when asked to comment on Gummo’s departure. Nothing was said about where Gummo is going or why he chose to leave at this time. Tough lick for Burlington; Gummo was going to do a superb job.
The purpose of the video is to let the community know what the Official Plan is; why it matters and to encourage public participation. The video features interview clips with Burlington residents, inspiring imagery and digital animation.
 It’s sometimes difficult to get people to tell you what they think. The city’s Planning Department went into the community and posed very specific questions: what do you think about? Here are some of the responses. An Official Plan is a statutory document required by the province that describes a city’s land-use strategy over the next 20 years. It addresses the location and form of new housing, industry, offices and shops as well as anticipated needs for infrastructure.
 Planning staff put together charts and posters to advise, educate and inform the public. An Official Plan review isn’t a sexy subject but it deserves more attention than it is getting. An Official Plan has to adhere to a number of provincial Policy Statements and sets out the vision, the direction we want to grow in. Zoning by-laws are the rules that the city uses to create and allow the growth that is set out in the vision.
The zoning by laws, and there are more than you want to know, are in place to reflect the Official Plan. Zoning by laws get changed. There is an H zone, it stands for hold – it’s a place holder.
Many people get severely upset when they see a zoning by law being changed; they are supposed to be changed to reflect the changing nature of the city. Our planner, Bruce Krushelnicki, surprisingly, has all his hair and it isn’t solidly grey yet – it should be with the pounding he often has to take at city council committee and public meetings.
 Planners asked what people wanted to see in their Official Plan – not sure this is what they expected. Guess one has to be careful what they expect. Planning isn’t all that complex but it does have some fundamental rules that apply and as Krushelnicki points out again and again: the Official Plan trumps everything locally. The bylaws are put in place so that builders and developers can do their work within the Official Plan.
But time after time people appear at Council to speak against a change that is taking place without fully understanding the relationship between the Official Plan, which goes through a continual process of amendments and the zoning levels applied to every blessed square inch of the city.
Krushelnicki hired Alan Gummo to oversee the OP review; the two go back some distance. The decision to leave that review of the Official Plan at this stage can only be seen as a disappointment and a loss to the city. We were in the process of seeing a significantly different approach to the review.
Burlington has a very smart planner; a lot of people don’t agree with Bruce Krushelnicki, usually because he has chosen not to see things their way, but for the most part , he is fair, direct, honest and passionate about what he does. He tends to get beat up by just about every delegation that appears before council.
He’s urbane, actually speaks Latin and would probably love it if the rest of the world used the language as well. He also knows the best tailor in town.
Krushelnicki knows when and how to delegate, both at the most formal level and at the staff level. This province has a number of young planners who spent time in a Krushelnicki session (they are often more like seminars) learning how planning is done.
 Kirk Koster, founder of BurlingtonGreen, looks over parts of the current Official Plan. It’s not exactly bed time reading. Gummo was to take the city through an Official Plan Review the likes of which this city has never seen before. He assembled a team of young people who would bring an open, fresh look to new ideas and approaches. Gummo found upon doing a thorough review of the Official Plan that the word neighbourhood never appears in the document. The word is a major part of the city’s Strategic Plan. Gummo realized that there was a serious disconnect and arranged for a special council workshop to look at just what we meant by neighbourhoods. It was an interesting exercise and shed fresh light on how we see neighbourhoods. With Gummo turning in his security pass the city has lost a mind that was going to do it differently. Andrea Smith is serving as Acting Manager of Policy and Research
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON December 5, 2012 A little before 4:00 pm a school crossing guard and a student were struck by a vehicle on Plains Road at Maplehurst, in Aldershot.
The crossing guard was handling student traffic at Maplehurst Public School.
Halton Regional Police described the accident as serious involving a car striking a young student and a crossing guard in front of the school. The student, a 5 year old female Senior Kindergarten was being directed by a male crossing guard
 Kindergarten student and crossing guard struck by vehicle in front of Maplehurst Public School. The 5 year old female Senior Kindergarten student was crossing with a male guard when a westbound Nissan Altima struck them. The little girl was thrown several metres forward and the guard was struck down and fell within the marked crosswalk.
Halton EMS arrived and took the girl to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton where she remains in serious but stable condition. Her parents are by her side. The crossing guard, a 77 year old Burlington man, was taken by EMS to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital where he was treated for unspecified injuries and released.
The driver of the car, an 80 year old Burlington man, was not injured. He attended the Burlington 30 Division police station to provide a statement and was cooperative with the investigation. He was later driven home by police.
Due to the seriousness of this incident, members of the Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) attended the scene and have taken carriage of the investigation. Reconstructionists and Forensic Identification Officers spent 5 hours collecting evidence and measuring the scene. Westbound Plains Road was completely shut down to traffic during the at-scene investigation.
The Halton District School Board has been notified and officials there are being updated on their student’s condition. Several witnesses have come forward but any others are asked to contact the CRU at 905.825,4747 ext. 5056 or ext. 5065.
|
|
