 By Staff
May 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Jane Mulkewich, a full-time career as a lawyer for the Ontario Nurses Association and daughter of former Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich, spends her free time researching, writing and speaking about an American slave girl named Sophia Pooley.
 Jane Mulkewich practices law and will be speaking to the American Women’s Club about a salve once owned by Joseph Brant Sophia was the first non-native resident of the Halton area, and was stolen and brought to Canada from New York in the late 1700’s, and belonged to the Joseph Brant family. Mulkewich will be telling this fascinating story to the American Women’s Club who will be holding their 38th Annual May Luncheon at Paletta Mansion,on May 14th at 4250 Lakeshore Rd in Burlington. The event is from 11am until 2 pm, and will include the Annual General Meeting for the AWCO,
 Founded in 1977, the American Women’s Club of Oakville is a non-profit organization, and membership includes U.S. born and naturalized citizens, both men and women, with the majority residing in the Halton, Hamilton and Peel regions of Ontario. The purpose of the club is to provide fellowship and social activities among Americans living in the area, and to encourage participation in service to the community, both civic and philanthropic.
 By Pepper Parr
March 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When we did a report on the reception for the publication of Janet Turpin Myer’s first book Nightswimming we said that “Burlington may have just witnessed the introduction of a major new writer.”
Meyer’s has just published her second title: The Last Year of Confusion
 Janet Turpin Myers works in a bright, sunlit room filled with the smell of cedar trees when the windows are open. Her publisher, Maureen Whyte said of Meyers: “I believe it demonstrates a true ability to write well when an emerging writer doesn’t merely copy a previous storyline. Janet has written an engaging, funny, yet thought-provoking book that takes readers on a wild – but rewarding – journey.”
A story brimming with satire, dark humour and truth, the book follows Villis, a cranky retired anthropologist and survivor of Stalin’s gulag work prisons, as he works vigilantly with his long-time pacifist friend, Bipin, to protect the unspoiled forest they call The Pearl.
There are no coincidences, Bipin believes – so when a young man on an obnoxious all-terrain vehicle begins chewing up forest trails and squashing amphibians, Bipin seeks the cosmic meaning inherent in this assault. But Villis wants to wage war.
The two friends’ naïve efforts to dispel the ATV-man from their beloved woodland haven spiral into a rollicking chaos of confusion, involving celebrity impersonators, visions of cavemen, and a time portal swirling from within the vibrating heart of The Pearl. Mingling pathos and tragedy with humour and a keen perception of the superficiality of current pop culture, The Last Year of Confusion conveys profound ideas regarding peace, faith and love.
 Janet Turpin Meyers, local author launches her first title. Her second title will be released later this month. “I have used satire and, yes, shock features, in this story for an important reason,” says Myers. “I want to encourage readers to think about how pop culture, TV reality shows and celebrity personalities have lured our attention away from not only the environmental crisis our planet is in, but also from the abiding threat to human freedom by oppressive political and state forces.”
Book Launch will be at – the Cedar Springs Community clubhouse on May 24th – 2081 Grand Blvd., North Burlington- , starting at 2:00 p.m. The author will give a talk about the book, along with a short reading. Refreshments will be served.
 By Staff
May 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On May 12, 1989, Mayor Roly Bird signed a twinning agreement with Mayor Kurihara of Itabashi, Japan.
 Many Burlington visitors see the rows of cherry blossom trees as a bridal arch. The trees were a gift from Japan. As a result of that agreement two rows of Sakura Cherry Blossom trees have grown in Spencer Smith Park.
On Saturday, May 9, 2015, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Art Gallery of Burlington, Lakeshore Room the public is invited to the Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Japanese look forward to the annual bloom of the sakura tree as it is the premier sign of spring in Japan and blossom viewing parties are organized by companies, departments, neighborhoods and families.
Highlights:
Japanese taiko drum demonstration, with Burlington’s own Do Kon Daiko drum group
Koto performance and hands on demo by members of Kiri Koto Ensemble
Japanese dancing performed by Suzuran Odori Dancers
Martial arts displays from Burlington’s Shudokan Family Karate.
A presentation outlining the history of the sakura, both in Japan and here in Burlington
 Each year, usually in May, the trees blossom adding to the splendor of |Spencer Smith Park Burlington’s sakura trees are located in Spencer Smith Park, near the gazebo and the pier
 By Staff
May 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Better late than never – I guess.
The city sent out a media release this morning saying who is part of the Burlington delegation in Holland to mark the 10th anniversary of the twinning of Burlington with the City of Apeldoorn and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.
The delegation left for Holland on Sunday and was busy at events on Monday.
 It will be the trip of a lifetime for those who will take part in the farewell dinner being held at Palace Het Loo Mayor Rick Goldring leads the delegation that consists of Ward 6 Councillor (and Mundialization Committee’s council member) Blair Lancaster; Scott Stewart, General Manager of Development and Infrastructure; Rob Peachey, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces; Ed Dorr, Chair of Burlington’s Mundialization Committee; and Charles Minken, Chair of Burlington’s Apeldoorn subcommittee. They will be in the Netherlands from May 4 to May 9, 2015.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band and a citizen delegation will also be in Apeldoorn.
 European splendor at its finest – tour of the Palace and dinner may well turn out to be the highlight of the event. “This is a great opportunity to join the people of the Netherlands to remember the Canadian and Allied soldiers who lost their lives for liberation and freedom,” said Deputy Mayor Marianne Meed Ward.
The delegation will also discuss business opportunities with Apeldoorn officials.
May 4 – Remembrance Day Ceremonies
• Commemoration Loenen
• Commemoration Oranjepark (silent walk of remembrance)
May 5 – Liberation Day
• Wageningen Parade (Burlington Teen Tour Band performing)
• Remembrance concert Amsterdam (official liberation concert on the Amstel for the King and Queen of the Netherlands)
May 6
• Veteran Affairs Canada event
May 7
• Tour of Apeldoorn’s water technology program
• Visit one of the City of Apeldoorn’s multifunction centres for firefighters, paramedics and municipal workers
• City Hall reception and Burlington Teen Tour Band performance
May 8
• Meeting with Apeldoorn officials to discuss business opportunities (Canadian Ambassador James Lambert to be in attendance)
• Preview of Burlington Park (the Burlington Teen Tour Band will perform)
• Citizen delegation farewell dinner at the A-Ford Museum in Beekbergen
 With gardens like this at the Palace Het Loo city Rob Peachey, Manager of Parks and Open Spaces should return to Burlington with hundreds of ideas for our Parks. May 9
• Apeldoorn Veterans’ Parade (Burlington Teen Tour Band closing the parade)
• Liberation concert with Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet
• Farewell dinner at Palace Het Loo
May 10 – return to Canada
The media release sent out this morning is the first recent mention from city hall of this event.
Related article:
City delegation in Holland
By Staff
May 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is the kind of community where many of the commercial organizations look for a way to give something back to their community. There are hundreds of examples of this kind of thing happening all the time.
Recently an organization, Food4Kids, that works at making sure kids who come from homes that just plain need help spoke to city council explaining what they do – they ensure that kids always have a lunch when they go to school. The Gazette did a piece on this organization a couple of months ago.
Somehow Food4Kids found the Keller Williams Edge Realty, Brokerage or maybe it was the other way around – whichever the real estate company decided their annual RED Day will be spent organizing a city-wide Food Drive in support of Food4Kids, Compassion Society of Halton, Reach Out Centre For Kids (ROCK) and Partnership West Food Bank.
 How would real estate agents run a food drive?
To generate as many donations as possible, Keller Williams associates will be canvassing area homes on the days leading up to RED Day and will return to Burlington neighborhoods on RED Day (May 14) to personally pick up non-perishable food items and toiletries, which are requested to be left on front porches by 9am
 RED Day, which stands for Renew, Energize and Donate, is Keller Williams Realty’s annual day of service. Each year on the second Thursday of May, Keller Williams associates across the globe spend the day away from their businesses serving worthy organizations and causes in their communities.
This year, it is the seventh year they have held A RED DAY program, their focus is on hunger and food insecurity.
Donations can also be dropped off from May 11-14 at the Keller Williams office at 3027 Harvester Road, between 9am-7pm, and at the Royal Bank branches at Walkers Line/New Street and Appleby Line/Dundas Street during their regular business hours.
By Staff
April 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
For those of you who are absolutely certain there will be no more snow – this is good news.
For the pessimists – and after the winter we’ve had being a pessimist is not such a bad thing – you might want to wait and see what thing look like the long May weekend.
 Composting – best way to get a garden to really produce – bring your own bags, boxes and gloves. From Monday, May 4 until Saturday, May 9, 2015, Halton Region will once again host its popular spring Compost Giveaway between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Halton Waste Management Site (HWMS) located at 5400 Regional Road 25 in Milton. This event provides residents with an opportunity to pick up free compost (maximum seven bags or equivalent) created from Halton’s leaf and yard waste composting program.
“Halton is committed to working with residents to make the Region a more sustainable place to live,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr.
“Residents continue to divert 60 per cent of single-family household waste by participating in Blue Box, GreenCart, reuse, household hazardous waste and yard waste programs – an incredible achievement.
The annual Spring Compost Giveaway is just one way that we can thank residents for helping to divert yard waste away from Halton’s landfill.”
During last year’s Compost Giveaway events, 4,000 residents visited the HWMS and picked up approximately 2,000 tonnes of compost created from the leaves, brush, tree and garden trimmings collected curbside and dropped off at the HWMS.
The event is also used to raise money and donate non-perishable food items for local food banks and residents are being encouraged once again to contribute. In 2014, Halton residents generously donated over 5,000 kilograms of food and $9,041 for local food banks.
Residents attending the event are reminded that they are responsible for shoveling and bagging their own compost and bringing their own shovels, bags or reusable containers (maximum seven per household).
For best growing results, compost should be mixed with topsoil or another gardening fill, with a ratio of 60 per cent topsoil and 40 percent compost.
By Pepper Parr
April 29, 2015
Burlington, ON
It is coming up – Mother’s Day is not that far away. That means another breakfast in bed with toast that is dripping with syrup that will get spilt all over the sheets. The kids will love it and you will, eventually be happy they did what they did.
As they get older though – what about something a little more adventurous, a little more exciting and different.
Moms are Superstars. Maybe the kids could be superstars – for just a couple of hours.
 The Mother’s Day gift that just keeps on giving. What can’t they do?
Robin Pauhl who has one of those sultry voices knows how to get a tune across – the rest of us – well a Karaoke sound track is about as far as we get.
Pauhl came up with a really good idea.
She and her husband run BTown Sound, a studio where some pretty big names in the music world have laid down there sound tracks.
Pauhl is inviting families – everyone except Mom to come in and lay down a sound track of a Mother’s day greeting.
It will be unique, it will be different – the kids will have a great time putting it together and Mom will love and treasure it and want to play it for all the other Mother’s.
 For those that get into it – they really get into it. The young lady on the right got a little distracted. All the songs dedicated to moms will be recorded at $40 per hour instead of our regular fee of $60. This is perfect for all ages and a special present from kids and husbands. You can record to karaoke tracks, guitar, piano, violin, trumpet or even a full band.
Music lessons are an amazing way for kids to learn and grow, and on that note we’d like to introduce the Studio’s newest enterprise: B Town Sound School of Music.
There are only so many hours in a given day and only so many days left until \Mother’s Day – so pull everyone together, make your plans – maybe even write your song and book your time.
Don’t forget to take the IPhone and record it all.
Great idea Robyn –
 A last minute sound check before the tracks leave the studio. Give them a call – we just might manage to convince a family to let us publish one of the recording sessions. BTown sound is located at 919 Fraser Drive, unit 10 Burlington, ON, Canada – 905 616 7500 or email at robyn@btownsound.ca
Wish I’d known about this when my Mom was still with us.
 By Pepper Parr
April 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Culture in Burlington took another step forward last week when a Culture Days information session took place at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
 Local artists were able to set up a booth in Civic Square at the 2014 Culture Days – most reported they did very well at raising their profiles.
It was a small crowd but several of the people who play major roles in how culture is marketed and delivered in this city were in the room
There is a non-profit organization that maintains a web site with everything anyone would want to know about cultural events in the province. Culture Days raises the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.
To make it really work the Culture Days organization say again and again – ya gotta register – and the earlier the better.
Register an event is what makes an event work. It is not the simplest thing to do. McLeod wasn’t able top get the computer she was using to project the process onto a screen but the Gazette went on line and gave it a whirl – and it does work.
There are four basic criteria to Culture Days activities:
1. Your activity is free to the public
All activities registered as part of Culture Days are free; that is, they cannot be ticketed or occur in a space that charges admission. If you have already planned a mix of free and ticketed programs, register your free activities with Culture Days, and simply let the public know that you have other activities available as well. Fundraisers or sales can happen in proximity to your free event as long as it does not overshadow or restrict/prevent access to free activities. Note: asking for voluntary donations or placing a donation box near the entrance is not the same as requiring donations.
 Teresa Seaton, a stained glass artist has been a prime mover behind the annual Art in Action tour – and is now part of the newly formed Arts and Culture Collective. 2. The activity takes place during the Culture Days weekend: September 25, 26 and/or 27, 2015 Activities registered as part of Culture Days take place during this year’s Culture Days weekend, but you do not need to have three days of activities or activities that last all day. Even a single one-hour participatory event scheduled during the Culture Days weekend qualifies. If your organization already offers arts learning or outreach activities, simply schedule one of your regular events during Culture Days.
3. The activity is participatory
All Culture Days activities are participatory in nature. This means that your activity involves some kind of hands-on aspect or offer the public “backstage”/behind-the-scenes access to see how you do what you do. Invite the public to go beyond a typical audience experience and instead play a part in the creative process. For instance, if you are in a choir, rather than stage a performance, you might offer a workshop on how to sing or harmonize; if you own or operate a dance studio, you might offer a dance class; if you are involved in a community radio station, you could offer a guided tour of your studio. Engagement and participation is key, regardless of the activity. Don’t forget that fun counts too! People love to do what they normally don’t have a chance to experience. Refer to the activity types in the upcoming section for more participation ideas.
4. The activity is registered at culturedays.ca
When you register your activity online, you officially become part of Culture Days and benefit from the national promotional campaign that directs the public to the website to discover activities in their community. Registering online also gives you the chance to be included in the national Public Relations and Marketing campaign. You can also sign up to get regular e-newsletters with valuable advice and news about Culture Days.
Activity Types and Categories
There are five basic participatory activity types that can be registered as part of Culture Days, encompassing a wide range of artistic and cultural categories/disciplines.
1. hands-on activity: create, help make or try doing something yourself
2. behind-the-scenes: see inside artistic spaces and get a peek at creativity in action (indoors/outdoors)
3. excursion: tour of more than one location (eg. art gallery crawl)
4. discussion: artist talks, panels, round-tables and other cultural conversations where you can learn and discuss
5. collective creation: contribute to a collaborative act or work or art
The criteria and the regulations have that distinct stamp of a bureaucrat on them – but the process does work.
 The city’s cultural manager guided Burlington’s participation in the 2014 Culture Days – Angela Papariza talks to Trevor Copp who took a plea to city council for a better cultural environment in the city. On the last Friday of September (September 25, 26 and 27, 2015) many municipalities in Ontario celebrate Culture with a three day event. Burlington has done this for a number of years and will be doing so again this September.
Promotion is critical according the Catherine McLeod who runs the Ontario arm of Culture Days
Why Register an Activity? From highlighting your community, raising your profile and meeting new audiences, to networking and connecting with like-minded citizens, the reasons are multiple!
 Some of the most exciting quilting ever done was on display at the Art Gallery of Burlington last year. It will be interesting to see how the Art Gallery chooses to participate in 2105 Highlight the Cultural Vibrancy of Your Community
Every corner of this country is full of creativity, arts and culture. By participating in Culture Days, you help your fellow citizens become aware of the many unique opportunities available to them and encourage participation in arts and cultural activities in your own backyard. You draw attention to the different cultures and heritages that contribute to the development and vitality of your community.
You cast a spotlight on the cultural organizations and individual artists in their midst.
From children’s choirs, “stitch and bitch” groups and performing arts organizations to art colleges, museums and design firms, there are myriad perspectives, experiences, disciplines and techniques to share and discover. Working together, Culture Days participants showcase the vibrancy of local arts and culture, and encourage everyone to discover something new, something different, and to re-connect with their own creativity and community.
Arts and culture initiatives and industries not only make a vital contribution to our dynamic economy but, crucially to the social development of our neighbhourhoods, regions and country, promoting life-long learning, creative thinking, resiliency, appreciation of diversity, compassion and so much more.
 Spread the word. Arts and culture are important.
Make Worthwhile Connections, Meet New Supporters & Audiences
A significant amount of Culture Days activity organizers share space with other organizers during the weekend, often collaborating with someone or organizations with which they had not previously worked. Whether it is to create a hub of diverse activities in one area to attract visitors, or as an excuse to finally contact someone you’ve been meaning to connect with, Culture Days is the perfect opportunity to meet other creative people in your area, share resources, form new alliances that will last year-round, and meet new potential supporters and audience members.
Collaborations can also inspire unique cross-pollination among creative practices, connecting across sectors, cultures and generations.
Moreover, your participation in Culture Days can be the catalyst to create a legacy of strong connections between citizens, artists, cultural workers and their communities.
 During the creation of the Spiral Stella the public provided artifacts that were bronzed and made a part of the sculpture that stands outside the Performing Arts Centre. Here children watch in amazement at how the moulds are made. Develop Your Skills
Culture Days offers a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your promotional and organizational skills.
By taking advantage of the free tips and tools offered on the website, you can make the most of your Culture Days experience and apply everything that you have learned or improved upon year-round.
Whether it is leveraging social media for the first time as a promotional tool, organizing as a community, or connecting with people as passionate as you are, the vast and varied network of collaborators that makes up the Culture Days initiative is the perfect support system.
Learning works best when you have people to share it with, so don’t hesitate to get out there and put it all into practice, and be sure to not be humble about your successes!
Raise Your Profile
Culture Days offers helpful tips and tools to conduct your own promotion and media relations. It is a great opportunity to be featured in your local paper, association newsletters, or arts blogs, to name a few. Don’t hesitate to tell everyone about your unique activity.
In addition to being included in the national marketing and communications campaign, you might also take part in local or regional marketing initiatives. By pointing the general public to culturedays.ca where your activity is registered, people in your community and beyond your usual circles will learn about you and your activity.
Benefit from your participation by collecting contact information, business cards and comments from your visitors. This is a chance to build your email list and collect glowing testimonials for your next brochure or website update. Just by sharing your passion and talents, you can recruit new members, clients or audience members on the spot.
 Making culture the focus of conversation is what the Culture Days committee feels will raise the profile of the arts in a community. Unite To Make Arts and Culture The Topic of Conversation
Culture Days is the largest-ever collective public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in this country. Last year, artists, cultural organizations, diverse groups and local organizers in nearly 800 communities registered some 7,500 events. The marketing and media campaign generated impressions in the hundreds of millions.
In the three years since its inception, one in three Canadians reported being aware of Culture Days – that’s more than 11 million people!
By participating, you promote and reveal the creativity of our citizens, creators, organizations, and communities through a vast Canada-wide marketing and public awareness campaign. Whether you create a new program or already have a relevant interactive activity planned, everything included in the Culture Days weekend pushes arts and culture into the limelight.
It all happens September 25, 26 and 27, 2015 – what artists do between now and then will determine just how successful the day is. Wish for sunshine!
 By Staff
April 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The planned closure of Waterdown Road, between Plains Road and Masonry Court, is on track – the road will close to through traffic on Monday, May 4, 2015. The closure is expected to last until October 2015.
Detour
A detour will be provided along Cooke Boulevard and Masonry Court.
Local Access
Local access for residents and businesses within the road closure limits will be maintained. At times, access may only be provided from one direction.
Fire Station #3
City of Burlington Fire Station #3 will maintain access through a driveway onto Emery Avenue.
Burlington Transit
Bus stops for Burlington Transit will be routed along the road detour.
 By Staff
April 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
For the second consecutive year Burlington’s Supreme Chearleading won the senior level division of the Ontario Cheerleading Federation’s National Championships last weekend,
The Burlington participants along with participants from Oakville and Hamilton were crowned Grand Champions for their respective levels.
 Burlington’s Supreme Cheerleaders win 1st place and are named National Champions The event took place in Brampton and featured hundreds of performances by teams representing clubs from across the country. The Supreme athletes represented our city well and produced fun and entertaining performances, which left their coaches, parents and spectators feeling proud! All athletes represented Supreme Cheerleading and the City of Burlington with great pride, energy and sportsmanship throughout the entire event.
The final results of all the Supreme teams:
Tiny Twinkles (Ages 4-5): Tiny Prep level 1 division – NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
Mini Starburst (Ages 6-8): Mini Level 1 division – 7th place
Mini Shooting Stars (Ages 6-8): Mini Level 2 division – NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
Youth Stardust (Ages 9-11): Youth Level 2 division – 4th place
Junior Starlights (Ages 9-11): Junior Level 1 division – 2nd place
Junior Starstruck (Ages 10-14): Junior Level 3 division – 3rd place
Senior Stardom (Ages 11-18): Senior Level 4.2 division – NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AND LEVEL 4 GRAND CHAMPIONS!
 Supreme’s doing a Stardust Pyramid Supreme Cheerleading will be hosting their annual Showcase at Notre Dame Secondary School on May 9th, 2015. The event will feature performances by all competitive teams, pre-competitive teams and even a special parent performance.
Athletes ages 4-18 who wish to join the program for the 2015-2016 season can attend Team Placements which take place at the Supreme Cheerleading Gym – Burlington’s only dedicated All-Star Cheerleading facility (at 4-845 Harrington Court) on May 19th-23rd 2015. More details can be found online at www.supremeallstars.com or by emailing coaches@supremeallstars.com.
 By Pepper Parr
April 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington has struggled mightily to get a private tree bylaw in place – it wouldn’t fly with this council.
 The best argument there is for a private tree bylaw The city is now going to try the educating them route – and with that objective in mind they are going to hold an Arbor Day on Saturday, May 2, at Central Arena, 519 Drury Lane, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Almost a Trees 101 event, the city’s first Arborfest event will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the benefits trees bring to our community.
“Recent community surveys and public engagements have revealed a desire among residents to increase their education and awareness about trees and the value they bring to our community,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of development and infrastructure. “We are excited to invite residents to this free, fun, family event held just in time to celebrate Arbor Day.”
Arborfest 2015 will feature:
• Exhibits from local community groups, gardeners and landscape vendors who play a key role in promoting the health and benefits of Burlington’s urban forest
• Tree planting in Central Park
• Fun activities for children.
At the several public meetings to explain the why of a private tree bylaw we heard some pretty stupid arguments as well as some of the most reasoned, reasonable thinking put forward in this city. But there is still a significant – “my home is my castle and I will do whatever I want on my property” viewpoint floating around out there.
BurlingtonGreen fought mightily to persuade Council to put a private tree bylaw in place. It failed but the environmentalists just don’t give up
Who voted for the private tree bylaw and who didn’t?
Why a private tree bylaw
 By Pepper Parr
April 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Later this month we will see, for the first time, a policy initiative that the Mayor has put his mark on.
During Rick Golding’s first term, much of the thinking was done during his election campaign. He produced a number of excellent position papers that we will review once we hear what the Mayor has to say on intensification.
Mayor Goldring has realized that his constituents, to a significant degree, do not fully understand what is meant by intensification and how Burlington is going to face that challenge – and for Burlington this is a challenge.
 There are parts of the city where any form of intensification is not going to get past the first sentence. The backlash in some communities will be so strong that the Mayor, and every member of this Council, will quickly move on to a subject that leaves smiles on the faces of the voters.
Ontario is changing and Burlington is going to have to change with it – it will not be an easy transition and the Mayor has decided this is a subject he can show some leadership.
During his first term of office Mayor Goldring sponsored a series of talks on subjects that he felt were important to the city. He brought in some excellent speakers, including Andre Picard one of the foremost thinkers in the country on health related policies. Goldring brought in Ken Greenberg, a noted planner who works out of Toronto for the most part and has been instrumental in changing some of the thinking on how municipalities relate to developers and how the two can work together.
This time the Mayor is going to make the presentation – it will be his show. He will pull together the content and decide how he wants to present the data he will have collected.
He will, we assume, explain the policy guidelines within which the city has to work and what he feels are some of the directions the city can take as it works to meet the population increases the province has imposed on the city.
“Intensification is an issue that has captured the interest of many Burlington residents” said the Mayor on his web site. “People want to know why our community is seeing more buildings, particularly in the form of mid-rise and high-rise structures. Hear about the federal and provincial policies that are driving intensification and how Halton and Burlington are managing these pressures. Learn where we are growing, as well as innovative ideas we are investigating.”
The event is titled: Building Burlington: Where to build in a city that is built out. Problem with the title is that the city is not built out. There are hundreds of acres of land left for residential properties and more than we need in the way of employment lands.
The free event is “sold out” ; with the room full the Mayor will be speaking to an audience that wants to hear what he has to say. One hopes there will be vigorous debate and a fulsome exchange of views – both are needed.
By Greg Woodruff
April 21, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 24th city staff held a meeting to discuss possible zoning changes to a large section of Plains Road. The area discussed was on the South side of Plains Road positioned East of Waterdown Road. Later residents discovered a developer is already advertising to sell 75 condo units at 40-58 Plains Road East in violation of current zoning character provisions.
Though it was casually mentioned the city had been “approached” by a developer; no indication was given that a specific plan was in motion.
 The public meeting was an information gathering occasion for the city planner who said he was there to listen to the community and what they wanted. He did make mention of an project that was not formal yet – the residents think the project is well along the development path. The graphic above shows the portion of Plains Rod that was under review and its proximity to the Aldershot GO station and the suggestion that the pink area could be developed as a “mobility hub” This leaves the distinct impression that this meeting was in bad faith. It seems like the purpose of the meeting was only to say the public was “consulted” on an issue staff already had a plan to change. I realize that staff may not have been in a position to mention this specific development. At minimum the staff could have indicated that if the zoning was changed they would expect to see condo buildings in the “range of 70 plus units”. Why they did not could be anything from simple lack of communication to an outright attempt to misslead the public.
I think traditionally the public has considered staff as neutral parties implementing zoning regulations and changes in a balanced way. To some it seems like staff have now been co-opted into provincial employees with “intensification” as the decisive factor in decision making. If staff failed to mention this development or the like because someone judged that residents would have a negative reaction; then they are no longer operating in a neutral way. This is unfair not only to residents and developers, but also to the staff themselves.
Some basic questions now need answering:
1) What exactly is the current function and purpose of staff in regard to planning and development?
2) Was the city made aware of this 75 unit proposal from the developer?
3) Was there any conversation among or direction to staff about hiding the nature of probable developments if the zoning was changed?
4) Did any staff indicate that they would work for the developer to get the zoning changed?
Recommendations:
1) All communication between staff and this developer on this matter needs to be made public.
2) Staff are “trading” zoning violations for attributes to buildings. “Horse trading” zoning violations needs to be made into a transparent public process.
In this area we have less trees, less businesses and more congestion.
I reject outright the suggestion that the liveability of our community needs to be sacrificed for the provincial “intensification” mandate. Intensification is designed to spur positive changes in our community; not serve as a rationalization for negative ones.
Greg Woodruff runs the Citizens for Responsible Development. He was a candidate for the office of Chair of the Region of Halton. There is more about that organization here.
The Gazette reported on that March meeting.
By Pepper Parr
April 20, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The nominations for Burlington’s Best awards are in, and similar to previous years, the quality of individuals who were nominated is very high. It apparently took an extended deadline of seven additional days to pull in all that quality.
Having said that there are some exceptionally deserving names on the list.
“There is no shortage of incredible leaders and volunteers among our residents who help make Burlington the city we know and love,” says Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring. “This event gives special recognition to those who go above and beyond in their contributions to our community.” Paragraphs like that are what we pay Mayors to say.
 The 2012 winners recognized in 2013 Residents are invited to join some of Burlington’s finest civic-minded volunteers, advocates and community leaders on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Burlington Convention Centre, 1120 Burloak Dr., for the 2015 Burlington’s Best Awards, a gala evening in honour of Burlington’s most outstanding citizens.
“Every year I can’t help but be impressed by the incredible individuals who have received nominations,” said Mary Kay Aird, Chair of Burlington’s Best Committee. “Each Burlington’s Best nominee exemplifies the leadership and compassion shown among our residents, and we are proud to be able to recognize them for their tireless work.”
I have some difficulty squaring the above with the media release put out earlier extending the deadline
 The 2013 winners who were recognized in 2014 Tickets to this event are $35 per person; a table of the 10 is $280. The event includes a light buffet and cocktail reception. Tickets can be purchased at the Service Burlington counter at City Hall, 426 Brant St., or by contacting Wanda Tolone at 905-335-7600, ext. 7458 or wanda.tolone@burlington.ca.
Has the price of those tickets gone up? I have the sense that they were a little lighter on the pocketbook previous years.
The food on the buffet table came close to running out last year
The award winners will be announced at the event. This year’s nominees are:
Citizen of the Year – Angelo Bentivegna, Ron Foxcroft, Maibritt Bergman
Senior Citizen of the Year – Esperanza Peacock, Helen Deadder, Bonnie Purkis
Junior Citizen of the Year – Kevin Han, Caitlyn Kay, Connor Fraser
Environmental Award – Susan Fraser, Monte Dennis
Heritage Person of the Year – Alan Harrington, Mary Jane Pilling, the late Dave Morris
Arts Person of the Year – Chris Giroux, John Kemp, Leslie Gray, Tomy Bewick
Community Service Award – IronDames Group, Mary Nichol, Bob Vandenberg, Christine Karczmarczyk
There are some fine people on that list; there are some we have seen before.
The Gazette will publish profiles on each of the nominees later in the week.
 By Staff
April 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
2015 is shaping up to be a monumental year for the international climate movement, and Earth Day Canada wants to show the world that Canadians are ready, willing, and able to take meaningful action to support the health of our one and only planet.
 An Earth Day flag on display in Washington DC Inspired by their 1992 Earth Day Flag that collected a total of 500,000 signatures from across the country, Earth Day Canada is again calling all Canadians to sign their 2015 Earth Flag and make a commitment to make Earth Day every day by doing your part to reduce carbon emissions 20% by 2020.
The 2015 Earth Flag will be taken to the COP21 International Climate Conference held in Paris this December where a new international agreement on carbon emissions will be signed.
How it works:
Signatures will be collected in person (at community events, schools, specific sites) and electronically through our website over the five months period from Earth Day, April 22, to September 22, 2015. These signatures will be placed or printed on pieces of cloth that will be sewn together to create a mosaic flag.
What unfortunately is not clear is how a person can send a signature or who in Burlington is collecting signatures. We asked the Earth Day organization but have not heard back from them. We will do our best to keep you posted.
The flag will feature the Earth Day Every Day logo, as well as a 2015 pledge or pledges that represent the goals or commitments of Canadians to make deep carbon reductions.
The pledge:
I pledge to the best of my ability to help make the earth a safe and hospitable home for this and future generations.
We are working with school groups, youth organizations, First Nations, Faith Communities, Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals to revise the pledge for the 2015 Earth Flag. Stay tuned for the new pledge!
We plan to reveal the Earth Flag at an event in early November and collect the final signatures on the Earth Flag by those who will be representing Canadians at the Paris COP21 climate meeting.
In December at the COP21 meetings, Earth Day Canada will display the Earth Flag at a prominent location/event to portray the collective resolve of Canadians to reduce their carbon emissions.
By Pepper Parr
April 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Would the world continue to turn without volunteers? There are a lot of people in the Burlington whose lives are better because of the many volunteers – and the lives of those volunteers are richer because of the work they do.
At about this time last year Community Development Halton created an award in the name of former Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich to recognize the work volunteers do.
Ann Coburn’s Director of Volunteer Halton, in handing out the awards made these comments:
We are witness this morning to the recognition of the work, generosity and impact of individual volunteers across Halton’s four communities. You and other extraordinary volunteers have said to us repeatedly, “it isn’t really me, it is about the group, it’s about the energy and commitment of my neighbours”.
This rippled through us at Community Development Halton that we created an award to celebrate those amazing and dedicated people who come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems in their community.
 Walter Mulkewich, taking in a political speech on a sunny summer afternoon. This award honours a citizen of Burlington, a citizen of Halton, Walter Mulkewich, who has worked and is working tirelessly to influence evolution and advancement in sectors such as the environment, economic development, social development, mental health, and the arts and culture. Walter epitomizes the characteristics of leadership: honesty, integrity, courage, and inclusion. He is a man graced by the passion for fairness, for social justice, and for human well-being.
In 2015, the committee is honouring, T.E.A.C.H., with the Mulkewich award.
T.E.A.C.H. is an acronym meaning Teach, Empower, Advocate for Community Health. T.E.A.C.H. is a Consumer Survivor initiative operating across Halton that provides peer support and advocacy to individuals experiencing mental health and substance use. All thirty+ volunteers have lived experience with the mental health and addictions system. Volunteers have been actively involved in numerous facets of education, support, training, counselling, outreach and promotion, even back office and administrative duties, marketing and event planning.
T.E.A.C.H. is an organization whose foundation has been built on the effort and inspiration of community volunteers. T.E.A.C.H. is guided by the “Recovery Philosophy”, which affirms that all people experiencing challenges have inherent strengths, and that they can – and will – get better.
 Joseph Kiss, Rolling Horse Community Cycle. Joseph provides free bicycle repair and basic bike mechanics for children and adults in neighbourhoods across Burlington. Having an organization such as T.E.A.C.H. has allowed individuals and their families to start a dialogue in the community surrounding mental health and addictions. T.E.A.C.H. assists us to better understand mental health and additions so that we can be supportive and inclusive. T.E.A.C.H. partners and collaborates with numerous social and health agencies building their collective capacity to support the growing needs of our citizens suffering from mental health and addictions.
For example, T.E.A.C.H. works with our local hospitals, P.O.S.S.E. (Peer Outreach Support Services & Education) , Halton A.D.A.P.T. (Alcohol Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment), Summit Housing, S.T.R.I.D.E. (Supported Training & Rehabilitation in Diverse Environments) and the Region of Halton, to name a few.
 Yvonne Kato is a holistic therapy volunteer at Breast Cancer Support Services, offering Reiki to members. Breast Cancer Support Services provides a variety of healing modalities to women living cancer, to help them ease the stress and side effects of treatment. While much of the audience was made up of Volunteers taking part in the Breakfast event, Joey Edwardh, was not just speaking to the converted when she said: “The theme this year for National Volunteer Week is the ripple effect of volunteerism. A volunteer action is like a stone thrown in a lake: its effect has a direct impact. At the same time, like ripples, volunteer efforts reach out far and wide to improve communities..
Quoting Christine Mason Miller, Edwardh said: “When we focus our energy towards constructing a passionate meaningful life, we are tossing a pebble into the world creating a beautiful ripple of inspiration. When one person follows a dream , tries something new, or takes a daring leap, everyone feels that energy and before too long they are making their own daring leaps and inspiring yet another circle. “
 Cavan Cook, John Howard Society, Burlington & Area. Cavan is a Mentor for Youth At Risk Development (YARD) program. He provides individual support to a young person focused on setting up and achieving positive goals. She added: Like a pebble thrown into the water, volunteer action creates many ripples of inspiration and encouragement . Volunteers reach out beyond themselves to engage in kindness and caring for others. They are special people, with busy lives, who make time for others. They see and respect the dignity of their fellow men and women. In a thousand different ways they lighten the load for those who are burdened by illness, troubles or disadvantage.
Volunteerism has always been with us, we call it neighbours helping neighbours, supporting one another when affected by disaster, concerned citizens see a need in their community, form groups of like-minded individuals to address the need and create change.
Our Governor General, his Excellency The Right Honourable David Johnston, said the third pillar of Canada will be encouraging philanthropy and volunteerism. He went on to say that “Canadians have a long history of coming together and helping one another. Service to country shaped us, service to family and community sustains us, and this tradition of service will carry us forward into the future”
The Ripple Effect! Throughout history we can trace back to organizations that were formed to address areas of injustice and the social needs of society. In Canada, organizations emerged in direct response to a need in community all of which involved Volunteers as founders, supporters and front line workers.
 Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring on the left with John Searles and Linda McKay who is with the Burlington Public Library. Linda McKay is a dedicated Visiting Library Service Volunteer at the Burlington Public Library. She delivers books to several customers, who are unable to travel to the library themselves, and they think the world of Linda. One such as example , as it happened in our neighbouring community of Hamilton. In the 1950’s a group of mothers desperate to find a cure for polio, which was an epidemic at that time, formed the Marching Mothers and went door to door in their neighourhoods, collecting dimes for research. The Marching Mothers were instrumental in supporting the research of Dr. Jonas Salk, whose polio vaccine was released in 1955, putting an end to the epidemic. The Marching Mothers movement today is known as the March of Dimes.
This is only one example of an organization that made a significant difference in the lives of Canadians and exemplifies the Ripple effect of how the action of a few can and do change the lives of many.
 The Seniors Ambassador Connector Program was pilot project in Burlington and the ripple effect is that it is now expanding to Halton Hills. Shown here are the Burlington Ambassadors. The Seniors Ambassador Connector Program was pilot project in Burlington and the ripple effect is that it is now expanding to Halton Hills.
Volunteer Halton is privileged to work on a daily basis with like-minded individuals and groups who identify a need and move into action. We see every day individuals who answer the call for change, come together as strangers, connect through a cause and end up with lasting friendships. When asked volunteers always mention that they could not do the work without the support of their Coordinator, Manager of Volunteers.
These professionals dedicate long hours organizing, preparing and supporting the work of volunteers and volunteers themselves. Today we recognize and celebrate the wonderful volunteers who come from all walks of life, different experiences and from all ages to create the ripple effect that changes lives and communities!
Edwardh chose to leave her audience with a pungent thought to ponder.
Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers
The Titanic was built by professionals.
That sort of sums it up – doesn’t it?
By Pepper Parr
April 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
He was young, proud and a little edgy.
 Ryan Sgro, owner of three McDonald’s franchises in Burlington is always inches away from his cell phone I was meeting with Ryan Sgro, owner of three McDonald’s franchises – between Ryan and Ralph Sgro, his Dad, they have 10 McDonald’s franchises in Burlington and Waterdown
It was McDonald’s National Hiring Day and Ryan was talking to me and keeping an eye on the shop at the same time. His eyes would dart back and forth from me to the counter where people placed their orders.
Ryan came out of Western University and went right into the family business. He and his sister are both franchise owners.
Ryan gets the word family into almost everything he says. Franchise managers talk of being with Sgro’s for ten, fifteen and twenty years.
“We hold a Family Day once a year – everyone gets their meal at half price and we take them on tours of everything; the kitchen, the storage room – the kids get to know all about the place where their parents work.
“We hand out two $500 scholarships every year” says Ryan and adds – “we might do more.”
 For thousands of high school students in Burlington – McDonald’s is their first part time job. “We used to donate to Ronald McDonald House but moved the $250,000 donation to the Joseph Brant Hospital where their donation is spread out over five years.
The national hiring target for McDonald’s was 6,500 – 2,700 of them in Ontario. Four people were hired in Burlington. Ryan Sgro does point out that they have a rosters of 101 people at their busiest location – Upper Middle Road and Guelph Line, with staff counts in the high 80’s in other locations.
“For us three things are important: how well our student employees are doing in school; how good their extracurricular life is and then McDonald’s” said Ryan.
 Getting through that first interview is always awkward. A McDonalds manager takes a high school student through the process. “We want to be the first work experience students have because we know we are providing a fun place to work where people work very hard and gain a strong work ethic.”
While the National Hiring program might be necessary in some communities – we don’t have a problem getting students to work with us. Our flexible scheduling works for the students.
Ryan Sgro is quick to add however that he could put at least for managers to work tomorrow.
By James Smith
April 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday, Justin Trudeau toured the Burlington Senior Centre, shook more than a hundred hands, made a brief speech and made more than a few converts to the Liberal cause.
Accompanied by Burlington’s Liberal Candidate Karina Gould and Oakville’s John Oliver, who also both made some brief remarks, Mr. Trudeau spent more than an hour touring the Centre, took in a game of pool, and even had a turn at Gypsy Dancing.
 Justin Trudeau chats up a senior at a Seniors’ Centre reception in Burlington He also expressed his disappointed there wasn’t any Sangria to go along with the dancing! In attendance at the centre to welcome Mr. Trudeau in addition to Mr Oliver and Ms Gould was Oakville Town Councillor Pam Damoff and Burlington City Councillors Marianne Meed Ward, Blair Lancaster and Halton School board trustee Leah Reynolds.
Curiously Ms Lancaster, who has announced her intention to seek the Conservative nomination for Oakville-North Burlington in this autumn’s election, had a brief chat with Mr. Trudeau, and stayed to listen to Mr. Trudeau’s remarks.
In his remarks, Mr. Trudeau complemented those present on the Senior Centre, and the suggested Burlington’s centre is a model for many other communities and it should be replicated across the country. In thanking the many seniors present for their contribution to Canada, Mr. Trudeau at the same time accused the present government as dismantling what those present helped to build.
Trudeau suggested the present government was implementing a policy of division that was pitting groups and regions against one another. He also suggested that an outcome of the present government’s policies has been to produce the first generation in Canadian History that will not do as well as their parent’s generation. Based on the reaction to this statement, this fact seemed to alarm some in the audience.
The crowed seemed impressed with Trudeau and his approach, although some wanted more substance and policy. To that complaint of a lack of tangible policies, Trudeau was heard to say, “It’s too early for that” and “you’ll see lots of policy soon enough”. When asked for his thoughts on the event after speaking to Mr Trudeau, Senior Centre member, and “long time lakeshore road resident” Jim Frohlick said it was “refreshing to hear such positive things from a politician. I think some minds were changed today, I know that Mr Trudeau won over more than a few of my Conservative friends just now.”
When asked about the upcoming campaign and her chances, Ms Gould let it be known that she’s not taking anything for granted and has been knocking on doors for months now to connect with Burlingtonians.
The election isn’t officially underway and one leader’s visit doesn’t make a campaign however; judging on the mood of this crowd, for this leader it should be a very interesting election here in Burlington. If one can draw any parallels from the 2014 provincial election in Burlington, it also started unofficially with a Liberal Leader touring a senior facility with a candidate who made a big impression on those seniors who were at that event.
MP Mike Wallace may be hoping that what was seen today at the Burlington Seniors Centre was not similar to the trend started by MPP Eleanor McMahon.
James Smith is a well known political activist who has campaigned for more than one Liberal
By Staff
April 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is giving residents the chance to help decide which movies will be played this summer at Movies Under the Stars through online polls.
“For this summer’s program we’re asking residents to help us pick from a list of movies to be shown in their neighbourhood parks.” Said Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn
 Make it a Family Night – take pop corn and a blanket. Movies Under the Stars, a city movie series supported by Tim Hortons, allows families to enjoy movies in City of Burlington parks. The series will run this summer on Thursdays at dusk from July 9 to Aug. 20 and feature a different movie each week, shown on a 7.62 by 4.27 metre (25 by 14 foot) outdoor screen.
An online poll is available on the City of Burlington’s website that offers a choice from three movies. Each poll will be open for seven days, and will give voters a choice among three movies. The city has made the waiting a little easier on voters by instantly showing which movie currently has the most votes. The poll can be found at www.burlington.ca/movies.
The poll to decide the movie for July 16, 2015, in Aldershot Park is now open. Voters have until April 15 to pick their first choice. Watch the votes climb and join the City of Burlington in thinking ahead to the warm days of summer. Residents are encouraged to visit the city website to vote each week:
Voting Poll dates Movie date and park
April 16 to 22 July 23, Civic Square
April 23 to 29 July 30, Emerson Park
April 30 to May 6 Aug. 6, Kilbride Park
May 7 to 13 Aug. 13, Mohawk Park
May 14 to 20 Aug. 20, Spencer Smith Park
Bring your own pop corn
By Pepper Parr
April 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There are some differences about what is meant by minimal – those differences appear to have feathers ruffled.
With the city having sold its parcels of land to the three property owners who abut what has been public land, the concern now moves to just what the Windows on the Lake will look like.
A public meeting in March didn’t go all that well.
 Janice Connell after delegating to city council committee – She thinks she just might have nailed it! Janice Connell apparently made life difficult for a city staffer – so much so that a complaint has worked its way up to the office of the city manager.
Connell was the sole delegator for the three property owners who wanted to buy the portion of the old Water Street allowance that was at the edge of the lake. She was very effective; she did her homework but seemed to need to tangle with ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward.
 Windows to the Lake were designed for three streets: Market, St. Paul and Green. The intention at the public meeting in March was to have feedback from the public and then a Staff Report that would go to the Community and Corporate Services Standing Committee on June 16 and then along to Council on June 22nd for approval.
 Market Street has the most direct line of sight to the Lake – but at this point is the hardest to realize is public space. The design shown will make it very clear that this is public property – which is what has those living on the street upset. No mention was made of any signage. Once approved, staff would prepare construction drawings, send the work out for tender after which construction will begin.
Somehow – we don’t think it is going to be quite that easy.
 St Paul Street has the longest stretch of public property which at this point has obstacles in place that make it pretty clear it is private property – which it isn’t. The design allows the public to get deep into the lot and appreciate one of the finest views in the city. When the decision was made to sell the land Council agreed that there would be Windows to the Lake at the foot of Market and St. Paul streets – Green Street has been added.
Councillor Dennison was quite vocal at the time when he described what he meant by minimal – a bench and a can for garbage was what he appeared to have in mind.
Staff obviously didn’t get the message – their designs go quite a bit further – however they don’t appear to include any lighting.
The Burlington Waterfront Committee, a collection of citizens with representation from every ward have been tracking the discussion and comment on just what will be built on the road allowances that reach to the waters edge of Lake Ontario.
The group is what is left of the Waterfront Advisory Committee that originally brought up the problems surrounding the Windows on the Lake.
Rob Peachey, currently a manager in the Capital works department attended that meeting in 2012 and commented then that this wasn’t his “favourite file” The people who have private access to the lake aren’t at all keen on sharing it.
In an earlier article on that March meeting, which the Gazette did not attend, we reported that “The owners of property in the streets that lead to the windows are wondering just how much pedestrian traffic there will be and will people be sitting close to the edge of the lake at all hours of the day and how much noise will there be?
Discussions amongst the people who live on Market and St. Paul have taken place and they apparently now want to know just how minimalist are these windows on the lake going to be.
Will it be just a bench and a waste container? Welso reported that: “Some people are getting the sense that there is a push to get rid of the windows all together or to make them so inaccessible that no one will want to go near the things.
In that article we mispelled Janice Connell’s name and corrected that error.
In a response to us about the correction we made Ms Connell adds:
The mis-spelling of my name is not the only information that is incorrect.
The truth is we support the Windows-t0-the Lake at St.Paul and Market Street and have done so since our very first discussion with Ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward. in July 2012. At this meeting, one of the three owners offered to engage landscapers to clean up the area at end of Market St., enhance it as a Window-to-the -Lake for the public and maintain it at his expense. The public was never informed of this offer.
Our concern at the public meeting is the discrepancy between the wording of Council’s approved motion and what was actually presented and discussed. Council invested considerable time (including visiting the properties) researching this issue and they were clear in their motion …”minimalistic manner (bench and signage) at St Paul and Market St.”and the “enhancement of Port Nelson Park with available funds.”
In the presentation, Staff was asked about the motion including “enhancing Port Nelson Park with available funds.” Staff replied that this was not part of the motion. This statement differs from the wording in the motion.
 You wouldn’t know it – but this is public property and anyone can walk out to the end and look over the lake. City will now put signage indicating that the land is public. A portion of a driveway is apparently going to be taken – was that portion on public property? Other residents had different concerns…locals from Green St. area were upset as they had no prior notification of the proposed Windows -to- the -Lake at the end of Green St. (Green St. Windows was not part of the approved motion.). There was heated discussions amongst residents as to what the “Windows- to -the- Lake” should consist of…bike racks, bench under trees in the sun, bench under trees in the afternoon shade, lighting, fences, garbage bins, walkways and shrub plantings .
One of the proposals for St. Paul included removing a portion of an elderly residents driveway.
Some of the dissension could have been alleviated if a copy of the approved motion had been available at the presentation for the public to refer to. The wording of the approved motion is …”develop Windows-to-the-Lake at St Paul and Market St in a minimalistic manner(benches and signage).”
Over the past few years we have had ongoing concerns over misrepresentation of the facts regarding the Water St parcel as presented to the public. This has caused dissension and hard feelings amongst residents. We attended the public meeting hoping it would be an opportunity to connect with our neighbours in a positive setting. Needless to say the meeting caused further dissension amongst many residents.
As you were not at the meeting, the information in your article is second hand information and is not accurate as it relates to information in the approved motion. Also the information given to you by your informed observer about the three property owners is not truthful. The property owners support the approved motion as to the development of the two Windows to the Lake. We have not and will not “try to get council to change their mind.”
Local parks should bring residents together. When less than truthful statements are given to the public it causes further dissension amongst residents. And unlike the simple correction of a misspelled name, it is not easy to correct the negative relationships amongst neighbours or the reputation of residents.
In reporting on the March meeting the Gazette spoke independently to four people who were at the meeting.
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