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February 2, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON We are indebted to John Skardius for the smart little video he sent us of the move done yesterday of the Bastedo House at the Corner of Elgin Street to Maple Street where it will get slid onto its new foundation and then under a complete refurbishment. Click on the link You might want to take a look at the software he used to create the video – you might find it useful. 
February 1, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON A rare event indeed. A Burlington heritage property has actually been saved from demolition to make way for a new condominium project.  It wasn’t as good a crowd as the Santa Claus parade but there was a very healthy crowd following along Elgin Street shepherding the Bastedo House to its new home. A win for the historical community. The historic David Bastedo home was originally located at 1437 Elgin Street. Its future at one time was uncertain. Demolition could happen, unless there was a better solution. Heritage preservationists do not win many times against developers. Fortunately, the house was saved.  The historic Bastedo residence begins it short trip down Elgin Street, with many interested onlookers. The 150 year plus residence glides past the 179 year old St Luke’s Anglican Church. It was like one old friend saying goodbye to another very old friend. Finally, the building comes to a stop at the end of Elgin Street, waiting for the foundation prep work to be finalized, before settling into its new neighbourhood; hopefully for another 150 years. The house began its move westward on Elgin Street at 10 AM on February 1, 2016 towards a second beginning. This house will be renovated and converted back to a beautiful home. It will be located on the west side of Maple Avenue at the end of Elgin Street. The physical move was a wonderful sight to see, and drew a huge crowd; many with cameras recording this spectacular event.  The Bastedo House sits on the float waiting to be gently shifted onto its new foundation on Maple Avenue. Although the exact age of this heritage property is not known; many believe it was built somewhere in the late 1850s or possibly in the 1860s. The house could be close to 150 – 166 years old. The Bastedo heritage home is one of the oldest homes in Burlington. The house was built when the village was known as Wellington Square. It is a local treasure.
January 28th, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON In recognition of February’s Black History Month, schools in the Halton District School Board have planned events and initiatives to celebrate and honour the contributions of black Canadians, past and present. Burlington events include: • Frontenac Public School (Burlington): The school will be making daily announcements about the contributions of key composers, musicians, and artists who have not only impacted the country’s musical landscape but who have been contributors to supporting the movement toward equality and equity.~  PK Subban – not only a great Black personality – but he plays for the Habs as well  Michael Lee Chin – Local Black man made good. Some schools held Black History Month events just prior to the month of February, including Aldershot High School. The Burlington school hosted Bobbi Taffe, a volunteer speaker with Passages Canada. She shared her perspective on black/African heritage, stories of refugee experiences, immigration to Canada, racism and discrimination, and social justice and human rights issues. Every year, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month festivities and events that honour the legacy of black Canadians, past and present. Canadians take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation it is today.Michael Lee Chin  If you haven’t read anything Toni wrote – head for the Library.  Donovan Bailey – he made everyone of us proud when he crossed that finish line first. A great athlete and a very funny guy as well. “The Halton District School Board is proud to celebrate February as~Black History Month~with numerous events and activities throughout our schools. This month, however, is more than events and showcases. It reflects how learning can be transformed as a result of culturally relevant and responsive teaching,” said Rob Eatough, Superintendent of Education with the Halton District School Board. “There are numerous events and learning experiences occurring throughout the month of February and over the entire year to embed Black history and inclusive education in schools across the Halton District School Board.”
Week of Friday, January 29, 2016 through Thursday, February 04, 2016 Concussion (14A) Joy (PG) Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (G) Sisters (14A) The Good Dinosaur (G) Spotlight (—) The Peanuts Movie (G) Spectre () The Martian (PG)
January 25th, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON It is recognized as one of the most important dance productions ever mounted by Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the highly-acclaimed Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation. It will be on the stage of the Performing Arts Centre for one show on February 4, 2016. Book tickets here.  Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancers Sophie Lee and Liang Xing perform a Pas de Deux in Going Home Star “This is an amazing opportunity for our patrons to see this production,” said Suzanne Haines, Executive Director of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, “we look forward to welcoming the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to Burlington.” Described as “searing and sensitive,” this ” emotional classical ballet” was first envisioned by the late Cree elder-activist Mary Richard and RWB’s Artistic Director Andre Lewis. “We aim to boldly continue our mission to teach, create and perform outstanding dance with intent to entertain, inspire and move audiences and present works that resonate beyond the walls of the ballet,” adds Lewis. Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation was created with the guidance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and members of the Aboriginal community. Through stunning storytelling and captivating dance, this deeply moving ballet explores the powerful stories, both told and untold, of survivors of the Indian residential school system. The ballet explores the world of Annie, a young, urban First Nations woman adrift in a contemporary life of youthful excess. Annie feels strangely disconnected within her superficial loop. But when she meets Gordon, a long-haired trickster disguised as a homeless man, she’s propelled into a world she’s always sensed but never seen.  Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancers Sophie Lee in Going Home Star Together, Annie and Gordon travel the streets of this world as well as the roads of their ancestors, learning that without truth, there is no reconciliation. Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation is a representation of the many stories, both told and untold, by Indian Residential School Survivors and their families. The creative team that brought this story to life includes renowned choreographer Mark Godden, Canadian novelist and TRC Honorary Witness Joseph Boyden, Cree actress, former Member of Parliament, and TRC Honorary Witness Tina Keeper, Canadian multimedia artist KC Adams, accomplished costume designer Paul Daigle, and Juno Award-winning composer Christos Hatzis with Polaris Prize-winning Inuk throat singer Tanya Tagaq and Steve Wood and the Northern Cree Singers. “Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation may be the most important work mounted by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in its illustrious 75-year history,” boasts Robert Enright, of CBC News. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was established in 2008 to tell Canadians about the history of Indian Residential Schools and the impacts it has had on Aboriginal children who were sent to the school by the Canadian government and to guide a process of reconciliation between and within Aboriginal families, communities, churches, governments and Canadians. The TRC has a five-year mandate under the direction of the Chair, The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair and Commissioners Chief Wilton Littlechild and Dr Marie Wilson. The creation of the Residential Schools is one of the blackest marks on Canadian history. It is something for which we are all responsible -and it is up to all of us to repair as best we can the damage we did and make way for the aboriginal First Nation’s people to become what they have always been meant to be.  It happened – we did this to these people – a process of Truth and Reconciliation can heal some of the wounds and repair some of the damage. Going Home Star was commissioned by Artistic Director André Lewis; the production explores the world of Annie, a young, urban First Nations woman adrift in a contemporary life of youthful excess. But when she meets Gordon, a longhaired trickster disguised as a homeless man, she’s propelled into a world she’s always sensed but never seen. Not only do they travel the streets of this place but also the roads of their ancestors, learning to accept the other’s burdens as the two walk through the past and toward the future. Together, both Annie and Gordon learn that without truth, there is no reconciliation. Based on a story by award winning Canadian author, Joseph Boyden. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet is one of the world’s premier dance companies, founded in 1939. Prior to all Dance Series performances join us in the lobby for pre-show chats by Post-show talk backs will also take place, with various Artistic Directors and/or Company Members.
Ticket prices: Regular Price: $59 + $2.50 Fee and HST (You Pay $69.50) Series Price: $53.10 + $2.50 Fee and HST (You Pay $62.83)
By Pepper Parr A funeral at a Performing Arts Centre? Well first it wasn’t a funeral – it was a celebration of the life of Thomas Sutherland – everyone in the theatre knew him as Tom. It wasn’t a sold out event but it was better than many of the events for which tickets are sold. A good 450+ were in their seats to listen to people who loved Tom dearly and wanted to talk about him before his passing in a very sudden death that no one was ready for begins to be forgotten. His children Kirsten, Derrick and Matthew were there as were his grandchildren: Noel, Gavin, Oland and Jamie. Walter Mulkewich asked the audience to “grieve the loss of a good man”.  The arts were a big part of Tom’s life – he was an active supporter of the Performing Arts Centre and what was the Burlington Cultural Centre when he first got involved. I didn’t know Tom all that well – we would cross paths – we were both big L liberals and believed in the cause. I last saw Tom at the Liberal Christmas Party at the Polish Hall. He was his usual loquacious self. I sort of knew he sang but wasn’t fully aware of the roll music played in his life. That evening he sang and had MPP Eleanor McMahon joining her voice with his. I thought at the time – we are going to hear more of these two. McMahon likes to ham it up and, if one was to believe all that was said at the celebration of Tom’s life this afternoon – Tom was a born arm twister, could sell ice cubes to Eskimos and encyclopedia’s to people who didn’t know they really needed a set of the books until Tom got in front of them. He sold the Spectator on the corner of King and James in Hamilton when he was a couple of sizes above a sprout – and as his sister told that story you could almost hear him calling out: Extra, Extra – real all about it in the Spectator. There was a time when that was the way newspapers were sold. Tom did it all –and he did it his way. He loved to take the Frank Sinatra songs and sing his heart out. During the video that was played on Tom with all kinds of pictures there was his voice. I found myself asking if that was Tom or Frank himself.  Was he singing or was he giving a speech? For Tom Sutherland they were one in the same – he did prefer the singing. The remarks made by the several people who spoke were more political than I expected and were, I suspect, a significant change for Burlington. The Liberals have only held the two seats for just over a year. Tom ran federally again Bill Kempling in 1978 and again in 1980; he was the kind of guy who couldn’t pass up on an election campaign. Both MPP McMahon and MP Gould spoke entertainingly about their door to door experiences with the man. One of the highlights of Tom’s personal political career was the occasion he got to introduce then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau He was clearly loved and treasured – he was a one of 11 children – with five of his brothers passing before him. His sister Loretta spoke of the occasions when the family would be at the pier on the Beach in Burlington – no not the one we paid $14 million for – one of the wooden structures that were a part of the city we have forgotten about. But the Sutherland family hasn’t forgotten those days. For a family of 11 – it was as if they were a small tribe – they cared for each other; the love was the glue that kept them all together; it was so evident in the pictures that were shown on the screen at the Performing Arts Centre on a Friday afternoon when several hundred people paused in their busy day to Thomas Sutherland.
Minor delays can be expected this Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 on routes 2, 3, 21 and 25 from approximately 9 to 11 a.m. in downtown Burlington during the Robbie Burns Road Race.
January 19TH, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON There isn’t going to be a Lowville Winter Fair this year. City hall has moved the funds that were used in the past today for the event and put them into the Love My Hood project which is a program that allows any neighbourhood to approach the Parks and recreation department with an idea and ideally get the support they need.  If there is going to be any marshmallows and hot chocolate it will be at a local rink event. Not in Lowville.  You can still toboggan at Lowville – but there will not be an organized Winter Fair this year. Parks and Recreations has come to realize that most communities know what they want and don’t have to be spoon fed. Love My Hood is a pilot project to build a healthier Burlington by engaging and empowering residents to come together and provide events celebrating their Burlington neighbourhoods.
There were 13 love My Hood events in 2015 – Parks and Recreation wasn’t prepared to say how many they hoped for in 2016 but they are aiming for 150 of them in 2017 – why 150? 2017 is Canada’s 150th anniversary of Canada. Want to know more about creating an event for your neighbourhood? Contact Burlington Festivals and Events Office. LoveMyHood@burlington.ca As for winter activities – the city now has 18 local skating rinks and they felt that Love My Hood programs could be developed around the rinks. Lowville doesn’t have a local rink – thus – no Lowville Winter Fair. There was some talk about the Lowville community putting on an event – if they do it will be more local and not something that hundrds of people trooped up to Lowville to take part in. Is this an opportunity lost? It will be interesting to hear what ward 3 Councillor John Taylor has to say on this. Stay tuned for some comment from him. In the meantime – if you want to do something for your community – fill in an application form at: There is all kinds of information on this new approach the city has taken to empowering neighbourhoods and letting each community design programs it wants. Log into for more details.
January 14th, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON The Halton District School Board is adding an Professional Activity Day to the school calendar – Friday, April 8, 2016 is the day you will have to find something else for the kids to do.
Schools will be closed to students and there will be no classes on Friday, April 8, 2016. This date has been added to the School Year Calendar posted on the Board’s website. The Easter holiday is at the end of March.
January 13th, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON The Gazette has written about the 100 Women Who Care Burlington. It is a simple concept whose impact is very powerful. The goal is to raise $40,000 (or more) annually for local registered charities or their charitable programs that help Burlington residents live their lives to the fullest. This is done by gathering 100 women (or more) who commit to donating $100 (or more), four times per year. At each of their one hour meetings, nominations for charities and/or their programs are submitted by members for consideration of the group. To expedite the process, of the nominations submitted, three are selected at random and of those, the nominators have an opportunity to pitch their cause to the members, after which a vote is taken, ballots counted and cheques written to the organization that receives the most votes.
– Burlington Humane Society
Craig Kowalchuk and the team at Emmas Back Porch has a long history of giving back to the community and 100 Women Who Care Burlington are appreciative of their support in hosting our quarterly meetings this year. Dermetics, a Burlington based business is sponsoring 10 of their staff as members. It’s been a fabulous way for their business to give back to the community, while involving their team as they contribute to the decisions on where the funds will be directed. Dermetics has also provided numerous door prizes and incentives to grow our membership.
Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place,
Week of Friday, January 15, 2016 through Thursday, January 21, 2016 Point Break (14A) Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (G) In the Heart of the Sea (PG) Creed (14A) The Good Dinosaur (G) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (PG) Spotlight (—) The Peanuts Movie (G) Spectre () The Martian (PG) Snowtime! (La Guerre des Tuques) (G)
January 11th, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON Transparency and accountability are words that flow out of city hall – every organization uses the words – it is often difficult to see any meat on those bones. There are also a number of organizations that get funding from various sources; grants and donations seem to be the biggest sources.  John Mello with one of the Whinstone stones that are a part of the history of the station – there is a work day coming up when the things have to be moved. The Friends of Freeman station have produced a report that sets out what they brought in in terms of funds and how they spent them. This level of transparency and accountability is a model for all the non-profits in the city – the public has a right to know what you are doing with the funds that you get. For Friends of Freeman – here is their story. Consolidated Financials: To date we have raised about $260,000 which represents about 50% of the estimated cost to restore the station and make it a viable asset to our community. Construction materials, including lumber, paint, hardware, tools….. 11%  John Aasgaard with some of the pictures that are in the Freeman Station collection.  Grill being fitted into the wicket of the Station Master’s office. Our organization is 100% unpaid volunteers. Things slow down a little in the winter – but donations and volunteers are always accepted – the xxx stones are going to get moved soon – strong backs needed for that task. Set out below are the chores that are waiting to get done along with some meetings. when the Missus wants you out of the house the Station is a pretty good place to scoot over to. January 13th – 7 PM – FOFS Board meeting – City Hall – all members welcome
January 11th, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON
It was fine event – came off without a hitch and was different enough for people to perhaps return to next year. It was the New Year’s Levee sponsored by the MP and the MPP for Burlington and they basically ate the Mayor’s lunch.  It was a very respectable crowd – the public clearly wanted to take part in a New Year’s Levee. In Ontario the Levee has traditionally been a civic event. While MP Gould and MPP McMahon were doing their thing Oakville mayor Rob Burton was holding his levee. Burlington gave up on levees sometime ago. No one knows where Mayor Goldring was – we didn’t see him.  Levee participants were given the run of the Art Gallery and an opportunity to see how the politicians handled some of the equipment. MPP Eleanor McMahon tried her hand at one of the looms – she seemed surprised that she was able to make something. Gould and McMahon found a way to make the event more than just a bunch of speeches – they used the Art Gallery of Burlington as a backdrop and had tour guides to tell people what was done in the various Guild’s that were open. It worked very well and gave the Art Gallery of Burlington more visitors than they get normally. One of those win – win situations.  MP Karina Gould enjoying a moment with two new Canadians at the New Year’s Day Levee held on Sunday. And they found a few ways to include the ethnic communities by handing out the very attractive folder that new Canadians are given with their Citizenship certificates There were 109 of those certificates to be handed out – they didn’t all show up – but many of them did and they were made to feel very welcome.  Citizenship certificates for new Canadians – there were 109 of them on hand. It was a family event – there were art rooms for the kids to draw and paint. There were several food tables set up- strawberries dipped in chocolate, nibblies and coffee, tea and juices. There was no receiving line – and the two woman chose to be very casual. One of the Deputy Police chief’s was on hand – not in uniform. It was casual, easy going and an opportunity to network like crazy.  Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff is shown how wool is prepared for a spinning wheel. Pam Damoff, the MP for Oakville North Burlington wasn’t front and center – she got tied down at the Oakville Levee (held by the Mayor over there) – happens when your constituency bridges the two municipalities. There are in Burlington those old timers who remember the days when the New Year’s Levee took place at city hall. One such city stalwart got into his car with his wife and drove to the Art Gallery New Year’s Day at the appointed hour – found the parking lot empty and is reported to have said to his wife – what if you had a party and nobody came. Yesterday they did come – thanks to MP Karina Gould and MPP Eleanor McMahon for holding the event. Jazz it up and bit and keep it fresh.
January 7, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON Getting traction with almost anything is usually a challenge. For those who are introducing a new product or an idea it is never easy – for those in the arts it can be close to pure hell.
FORM one of the most cutting edge dance groups in this province had a very small audience when they performed. Ralph & Lina was one of the funniest small plays put on at the Performing Arts Centre – 17 seats sold. The play wasn’t one of those avant guarde things that are hard to understand; it was funny, ribald and real. It stayed in ton for a number of days and the audience did improve but it was never near sold out. Trevor Copp, who doesn’t fully understand what stage fright is – he is confident with his art form and consistently pushes the edges – is getting a little queasy about his upcoming “Air” production which opens in 2 weeks. “Can I ask something?” “Please buy a ticket in advance. I get the last minute thing. But it’s killing me out here. I don’t know if people are coming – and shows may get cancelled if they don’t. So if you want to come – and it will be amazing, I devote my life to this.” Click will get you to the box office:
It happens.
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016 Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
January 5, 2016 BURLINGTON, ON The word levée a social event that now takes place on New Year’s Day goes back to this country’s colonial times. The Lieutenant Governor’s |levee still takes place at Queen’s Park and a number of armed forces regiments hold the event. Close to a hundred different Ontario municipalities in Ontario hold a levee but Burlington apparently has never held a levée. The times they are a changing. On Sunday, January 10th, Burlington’s MPP Eleanor McMahon and Member of Parliament Karina Gould will officiate at a levee to be held at the Art Gallery of Burlington from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  McMahon and Gould at the 2015 Remembrance Day ceremony. No word yet on how the two women are going to style the vent. Will they have a receiving line, will they both wear long gowns? Will McMahon sing – she has a pretty good voice. Will there be a military presence? Will members of the various youth military groups be on hand? Will there be a piper? Gould and McMahon have an opportunity to create an event that can be colourful, historical and not the usual “borington” event. The two woman took part in the Remembrance Day event as a team bringing a quiet dignity to the role they each played. “In the 18th century the levée in Great Britain and Ireland became a formal court reception given by the sovereign or his/her representative in the forenoon or early afternoon. In the New World colonies the levée was held by the governor acting on behalf of the monarch. Only men were received at these events. It was in Canada that the levée became associated with New Year’s Day. The fur traders had the tradition of paying their respects to the master of the fort (their government representative) on New Year’s Day. This custom was adopted by the Governor General and Lieutenant Governors for their levées.  MP Karina Gould The first recorded levée in Canada was held on January 1, 1646, in the Chateau St. Louis by Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of New France from 1636 to 1648. In addition to wishing a happy new year to the citizens the governor informed guests of significant events in France as well as the state of affairs within the colony. In turn, the settlers were expected to renew their pledges of allegiance to the Crown. The levée tradition was continued by British colonial governors in Canada and subsequently by both the governor general and lieutenant governors. It continues to the present day. As mentioned, the levée was historically a male preserve but during World War II levées were attended by female officers of the armed forces. Since then levées have been open to both women and men. Over the years the levée has become almost solely a Canadian observance.  MPP Eleanor McMahon Today the levée has evolved from the earlier, more boisterous party into a more sedate and informal one. It is an occasion to call upon representatives of the monarch, military and municipal governments and to exchange New Year’s greetings and best wishes for the New Year, to renew old acquaintances and to meet new friends. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon the events of the past year and to welcome the opportunities of the New Year. It will be interesting to see how Gould and McMahon fashion this event – there is an opportunity to make it colourful with a historical tweek to it. Keep the speeches short and ensure that the Tory’s are made to feel fully welcome – this isn’t to become a Liberal event.
Upper Canada Place, Burlington, ON
Week of Friday, January 08, 2016 through Thursday, January 14, 2016 In the Heart of the Sea (PG) Creed (14A) The Good Dinosaur (G) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (PG) Spotlight (—) The Peanuts Movie (G) Spectre () Suffragette (PG) The Martian (PG) Hotel Transylvania 2 (G)
December 29, 2015 BURLINGTON, ON Trevor Copp is the dancer who brazenly told city council in 2012 that there really was a cultural community in Burlington and Council needed to wake up and pay attention. That fresh start resulted in the creation of the Arts and Cultural Community in Burlington, a significant report on the state of culture in the city and the development of a Culture Action Plan plus the appointment of a Manager of culture at city hall. Copp sees that as just a start. Last year the star of the cultural community was how many indy ‘up and coming’ local artists/orgs ‘up and came.’  Kune Hua’s Wish Garden at the No Vacancy event held on Lakeshore Road this year. Selina Eckersall’s No Vacancy – a pop up Art event which was an unthinkable in Burlington five years ago – held its Supernova event this year on Lakeshore. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre saw its full local professional Series bloom with Tottering Biped Theatre, Nortsur, and Koogle Theatre all presenting works. The AGB’s new Executive Director Robert Stevens has for the first time acquired a piece by an internationally famous public art specialist from Lowville, Walt Rickli.  The FORM brought some of the most progressive dance the city has seen – great performance poorly attended though. And an all-out first: FORM Contemporary Dance presented the first Burlington original contemporary dance event ever this past Fall. Add in the Art in Action studio tour, the Burlington Slam Poets competing at the world championship, Symphony by the Bay rocking, and Burly Calling all holding their own beautifully. This is what will finally get us to come into our own: artists doing it for themselves. We’ve been meeting up a storm at the City and progress is slow. The city is a big boat and takes a long time to turn, with several Councillors still needing convincing that the Arts have a place in our budget, not just our hearts. Getting the City’s first manager of Culture Angela Paparizo into an office was a highlight – but we need a lot more of that going on so the City hall types can catch up to its people. In 2016 I’d like to see even more independent artists making things happen. The Burlington Shebang – a multi-year collaboration of many local artists – will culminate at BPAC in May.  The performance community really wants to see continued growth in for them in 2016 – they are hoping Susan Haines can deliver. She does need some time to put a program together. We’ll see if the new Executive Director at the Performing Arts Centre holds up Brian McCurdy’s vision of supporting local theatres. There’s a lot of possibility out there and we can have it all if we become impossible to ignore. The City needs to kick in more real money and energy for the local artists: no more plans, we need money on the table. We are putting the ‘url’ back in Borington and this is our time.
December 28, 2015 BURLINGTON,ON Does the past give any hint on what the future will bring? What happened in 2015 – a review of 2015 quarter by quarter. January 2015 – Not necessarily in chronological order. Taxes, taxes, taxes – how much and what are they going to spend it on. The city has in the past worked to engage the public by holding workshops that are usually quite well attended – that didn’t prove to be the case in 2015 – a pathetic turnout for public meeting on the budget at the Mainway Recreation centre – drew less than three people. The weather wasn’t good but the weather couldn’t be blamed – hockey games being played at the rink next door drew hundreds of people. There was a message in there somewhere.  Bridgewater stalls. The construction of a “legacy” project approved in 1995 on Lakeshore Road took a bit of a hit when the company brought in to build the three towers declared bankruptcy. It slowed down what eventually gets built on the southern side of Lakeshore Road Property values rise 8.6% in Millcroft and the Orchard year over year; sales down 4% Public got to hear that the city wanted to set the tax rate at – something upwards of 3.5% more than last year. City provides an update on city manager recruitment. Burlington had just the one General manager, Scott Stewart and he is one of the people applying for the job of city manager. Pat Moyle was serving as interim city manager and Scott Stewart has been carrying the ball as the sole general manager. Council had not interviewed all the candidates.  Scott Stewart Pat Moyle resigned to move into full retirement someone had to hold the job of city manager. City council appointed the city solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol as the interim city manager. Normally she reports to the General manager – Scott Stewart. Nancy Shea Nicol reports to Scott Stewart but because Stewart is one of the finalists for the job of city manager Shea Nicol has been made the boss of the man who she reports to. Scott Stewart was not appointed city manager – he quit and moved to Guelph Mayor thinks a pilot private property tree bylaw restricted to Roseland community might work – but that idea didn’t get any traction either.  Flood damage. First of the flood victims got to see some financial support. Of the 310 claims made for short term immediate help just three were turned down. Call has gone out for possible mural locations around the city. Drop in a sample of the results. City wanted to use photographs to animate the new website which raised hackles in the arts community – they wanted the city to pay for the pictures they used or at least give the photographer a photo credit. City decided to use stock pictures it could pick up free. Look for reader comments  ADI project The ADI development for lower Martha at Lakeshore Road was shown to the public for the first time. Public was close to outraged. It was pretty clear that Burlington wasn’t going for the ADI development proposal to put a 28 storey tower on the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road. Council gets a pay raise: Recommendation was to: Maintain the compensation for Councillors at $53,095 per year and the Mayor at $121,676 per year (in 2014) and adjust annually on April 1 by a percentage equal to the average annual change in the all Ontario consumer price index (CPI) for the twelve month period October to September with the provision that the increase is to have the following banding: Report on the office space needs for the city never gets made public.  Beachway house sold. First of the Beachway homes sold for $600,000 The ADI group argues at a city council meeting that the design of their 28 storey tower will serve as an excellent gateway on the eastern side of the city into the downtown core. Residents argue it will loom over the neighbourhood. The 22 storey Bridgewater project a couple of hundred yards away will reach 22 storeys into the air. Flood relief cheques will begin to go out next week; just 50% of approved claims being paid now – balance to follow. City council voted 6-1 to sell off pieces of city owned waterfront property. Public did not get to see a confidential report from the city solicitor.  Hospital redevelopment February 2015 Council committee “miraculously” approves a budget in 3.5 hrs – now it goes to council for the rubber stamp Flood relief money making its way to victims; partial payments averaging $9000 + Mayor delivers his fifth State of the City address – promises to never mention the Pier again. Municipal bureaucrat from west coast, former armed services officer and currently an academic administrator appointed Burlington city manager. Waterfront Hotel to be demolished at some future date – three structures will go on the site – planners excited about the potential.  Low liquidation discounts. Target liquidation sale discounts seldom top 10%. March 2015 Premier meets with Mayors – Mayor Goldring has yet to tell us what they talked about.  Giving back Mayor gives certificates of appreciation to boys and girls who raised a record 281,878 pounds of food in the Giving Back project. Pop up Patios to appear on Brant Street May 1st. Public got its first look at what Beachway Park could look like – it was a noisy meeting. City planner Bruce Krushelnicki retires joins the Ontario Municipal Board.  City council voted 6 – 1 to sell a stretch of waterfront property between |Market and st Paul street south of Lakeshore Road – staff had recommended the property be leased. Top story: Selling of waterfront property:
Each of these stories can be read in full – all you have to do is plug the words into the search engine at the top of the home page.
By Staff The kids have been up for hours, the gift are unwrapped and you are settling in for a comfortable day or perhaps visiting with family, or food for family that will arrive soon.
Remember, if you will, what we are celebrating – and the why of it all.
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