 By Pepper Parr
December 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Marianne Meed Ward today announced who will staff the Office of the Mayor.
She has done away with the title – Chief of Staff, which was a little pretentious when her predecessor created the title.
 Victoria Hughes-Al Samadi will work as Chief Communications and Strategic Advisor Victoria Hughes-Al Samadi will work as Chief Communications and Strategic Advisor and will start January 7. Hughes-Al Samadi is a South-East Burlington resident with what is described as a wealth of experience in communications and strategy. She has toiled with senior executives at Manulife and Sun Life on their internal and external communications. She is said to have helped create innovative new corporate policies in the highly regulated financial industry.
She joins the Mayor from her most recent role as AVP at MD Financial Management where she oversaw content, social media and digital marketing.
Hughes-Al Samadi is the co-author of a book on inheritance planning, and spent time over the years partnering with many local Burlington business owners through the Burlington Downtown Business Association as well as Burlington Tourism to create digital content and strategy.
In the media release Meed Ward said: “A key role for the mayor is building relationships toward shared goals and Victoria has the background and experience to make it happen.”
Meed Ward has followed a path Rick Goldring walked when he poached the city hall reporter from the Burlington Post. Tina Depko Denver spent two years at City Hall and moved on to McMaster University.
John Bkila is taking the role of Media Specialist and Community Liaison starting December 17th.
 John Bkila is taking the role of Media Specialist and Community Liaison for the Mayor. Bkila is an award winning journalist with nine years’ experience. He gained some additional experience working communications during a brief volunteer stint with Engineers Without Borders.
He has an Honours degree in Political Science and a deep interest in all levels of politics, particularly municipal. John’s previous work kept him connected to the pulse of the community and made him eager to assist the public with their issues and concerns.
Annemarie Cumber has taken the role of Constituent Assistant. Raised in the downtown core of Burlington, Annemarie brings strong dedicated city experience having worked in various departments within the city. Prior to coming to the City of Burlington, Annemarie worked for senior executives at Ontario Hydro and Electrical Safety Authority providing executive assistance support.
Annemarie also has experience working in the community’s fitness industry helping others keep healthy. In the few weeks we have worked together since the election, Annemarie has been compassionate and dedicated in serving residents and getting results, often going above and beyond the call of duty.
Until the Mayor’s Office will be fully staffed, in the interim please direct all inquiries for scheduling, proclamations and media requests to Annemarie.
By Staff
December 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
During the election mention was made regularly that there were 30 development applications being processed by the Planning department.
Several of the either retired or defeated members of the 2014-2018 city council didn’t confirm that number.
 TVO debate – Then Mayor Goldring was less than impressed. When Mayor Meed Ward was debating on TV Ontario with the other three candidates she pulled out a map she had showing just where those developments were located.
One of the prime election issues was what Meed Ward called over-development. The other was the very poor public engagement on the part of senior people at city hall.
The firing of the city manager underlined just how unhappy people were with the way they were being treated.
Days after being elected the city manager went on holiday, hours after being sworn in City Council met and the man was fired.
 Approved – but a building permit has yet to be issued. City council might un-delegate site plan approval and manage that process itself  The OMB didn’t buy the city’s argument against the ADI development – it has a green light.  This development on the south eat corner of Brant and James is before the Land Planning Appeal Tribunal. With close to two years left on what is believed to be a five year contract the city is facing a whopping settlement – thought to be close to half a million dollars. The price of progress.
City Council is going to take the balance of the month to think about what they want in the way of a city manager – early in January the search for a replacement will begin.
There is a lot of thinking for those five people who are completely new to municipal politics. We are going to see what they are made of very quickly. No pressure.
In the meantime – what about those development project? Where they and what are they?
The map set out below tells you where they are. Now to learn just what they are.
 Development projects set out by ward. They aren’t in just the downtown core.
By Staff
December 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city is making some upgrades to Civic Square, the space to the south of city hall.
The budget for this project is $600,000.
Many of the improvements planned for the space are required to improve things like accessibility, safety and convenience.
 How much longer will this view last. The city held an on-line survey that was poorly promoted and the results of that survey have yet to be made public.
With the plans either approved or being appealed to the Land Planning Appeal Tribunal there could be two 24 storey towers across the street from city hall five years from now.
Expect to see a more extensive and vigorous public debate on what happens to Civic Square.
 By Staff
December 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Just where can a cannabis store be located?
 What started out as a way for smokers to cut down on their nicotine intake has turned into another carcinogenic drug that younger people have taken up. The province has published very detailed rules and regulations that determine what can be placed where – those regulations may not serve the interests and values of the city.
Council will debate and determine if they want to permit the opening of cannabis retail outlets in the city. The city has a survey taking place on line now. CLICK here to access that survey.
The online survey is open to Burlington residents until Thursday, December 13.
The Ontario Cannabis Store website is the only legal option for purchasing recreational cannabis. It follows strict rules set by the federal government.
The government is also moving forward with a tightly regulated private retail model for cannabis that will launch by April 1, 2019. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario is the provincial regulator authorized to grant store licences. The Ontario Cannabis Store will be the exclusive wholesaler to these stores. Private stores will be introduced with strict controls to safeguard children and youth and combat the illegal market.
 School exclusion zones for ward 1,2,4 and 5  School exclusion zones for wards 3 and 6
Where you cannot smoke or vape cannabis
Indoors
You cannot smoke or vape cannabis in:
indoor common areas in condos, apartment buildings and university/college residences
enclosed public places and enclosed work places
non-designated guest rooms in hotels, motels and inns
Schools and places where children gather
You cannot smoke or vape cannabis:
at school, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20m of these grounds
on children’s playgrounds and public areas within 20m of playgrounds
in child care centres, or where an early years program is provided
in places where home child care is provided — even if children aren’t present
Hospitals, hospices, care homes and other facilities
You cannot smoke or vape cannabis:
within 9m from the entrance or exit of hospitals (public/private), psychiatric facilities, long-term care homes, independent health facilities
on outdoor grounds of hospitals (public/private) and psychiatric facilities
in non-controlled areas in long-term care homes, certain retirement homes, provincially-funded supportive housing, designated psychiatric or veterans’ facilities, and residential hospices
Publicly owned spaces
You cannot smoke or vape cannabis in publicly-owned sport fields (not including golf courses), nearby spectator areas and public areas within 20m of these areas.
Vehicles and boats
You cannot consume cannabis (smoking, vaping, eating) in a vehicle or boat that is being driven or is at risk of being put into motion.
Other outdoor areas
You cannot smoke or vape cannabis:
in restaurants and on bar patios and public areas within 9m of a patio
on outdoor grounds of specified Ontario government office buildings
in reserved seating areas at outdoor sports and entertainment locations
on grounds of community recreational facilities, and public areas within 20m of those grounds
in sheltered outdoor areas with a roof and more than two walls which the public or employees frequent, or are invited to (e.g. a bus shelter)
 Police now have serious penalties they can impose – on the spot. Have taxi money with you. serious penalties
Cannabis – driving icon Driving
Driving impaired by cannabis is illegal and dangerous. Cannabis, like many other drugs, slows your reaction time and increases your chances of being in a collision.
If a police officer finds that you are impaired by any drug, including cannabis, you will face serious penalties, including:
an immediate licence suspension
financial penalties
possible vehicle impoundment
possible criminal record
possible jail time
Police officers have tests to determine if you are impaired and are now also authorized to use oral fluid screening devices at roadside to help enforce the law.
 By Pepper Parr
December 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
City hall is leaking like a sieve.
 City hall is leaking like a sieve. Numerous trusted sources have touched base with the Gazette with tips on what is taking place in a building undergoing a radical change.
All three sources, who have passed along basically the same information, have demanded that we not publish and certainly not name them. We’ve been told that the tap will get turned off if we say too much.
Fear abounds – talk too much and your career may come to an end.
Reference is made to some of the positions in the Mayor’s office that are to be filled. Mayor Meed Ward did say earlier in the week that staffing announcements would be made soon.
Sources use the phrase “her comfort zone”.
Getting the right staff people in place is critical to a Mayor. The work is demanding and what is really vital is getting people who will, to use a phrase Meed Ward used often, put truth to power. Meed Ward needs people who will tell her what she may not want to hear.
A former staff assistant to Meed Ward when she was a member of council was thought to be a great fit – but something went wrong. That staffer left Meed Ward’s office and worked within the Clerk’s office and is now back as an assistant to a new Council member.
 Pete Ward, the Mayor’s best mentor photographing Marianne Meed Ward when she was filing her 2014 nomination papers. The Mayor told us during the inauguration, that her husband was her greatest mentor; he does have exceptional strategic skills.
What politicians have to work hard to insure is that they are not living inside a bubble where they hear what they want to hear and listen to people who may not have the strength to challenge them.
Meed Ward said all the right things the evening she was sworn in; the public loved it. The Gazette was impressed.
What we are hearing from people who seem to be part of the transition to a new regime is that there is some concern with the people being considered for staff rolls.
Former Council member John Taylor used to say: Stay tuned.
 Stand By says the city motto – for how long one might ask? The Gazette might begin to use the city motto – Stand By.
Several of our sources are aghast at some of the Standing Committee chairmanships that have been made.
All seven members of Council got sworn in at the Regional level on Wednesday. Half their income is from the Region.
By Pepper Parr
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Here is how it was done.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward called a Special meeting of Council for 3:00 pm on Tuesday December 4th.
She had the right to do that.
She would have had to get every member of this new council to agree to a waiving of the rules regarding Notice of Meeting.
The Gazette was not made aware of any notice of meeting nor was any other media that we checked in with.
The agenda for the meeting is set out below.
The way this was done raises a number of questions.
There was no report to Council. There was “verbal discussion”
There was no video. Given that the Mayor knew she was going to take Council into a closed session perhaps there was no need for video. But that is not the point. Process matters.
In the media release the city did not say that there was a Special Meeting of Council and the Mayor did not say a word.
The “banana republics” in parts of South America and Africa work like this. We don’t do this in Canada.
There were many good reason to end the City Manager’s contract – at what price is a good question to ask.
Five people who didn’t have even 24 hours of experience as city Councillors take part in the firing of the chief administrative officer that they had all met during the campaign.
Tacky is perhaps the best that can be said about the way this is done.
The minutes of the meeting have yet to be published on the city web site.
 By Staff
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On December 3rd 2018, the Hasty Market Convenience store located at 4265 Thomas Alton Blvd. in Burlington was robbed.
 Shortly after 7:30 PM, two males, one armed with a knife, entered the store and ordered an employee and customer to move aside while they stole a quantity of vaping products from behind the counter. The suspects then fled the store on foot and were last seen running northbound through the parking lot.
Police searched the area and located one of the males who had stolen property from the robbery in his possession. Through further investigation, the second male was identified and has since been arrested.
Two youths aged 15 and 17 who cannot be identified because of their age are charged with robbery and wearing a disguise during the commission of an offence. One of the youths was also charged with possession of property obtained by crime. One was held for a bail hearing while the other was released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Youth Court on January 3rd 2019.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Gina Brunelle of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2364.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Staff
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is set for winter fun with the launch of its Neighbourhood Rink program, the opening of Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond at the Waterfront at Downtown Burlington and dedicated locations for tobogganing.
Neighbourhood Rinks
The Neighbourhood Rink program is back for a fourth year and encourages neighbours to come together to maintain a natural outdoor ice rink in their local park.
City staff will install boards for ice pads in various parks throughout Burlington that will be maintained by neighbourhood volunteer groups. The rinks are open to the public and free to use. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact skating@burlington.ca. The deadline to apply for a rink is Dec. 31, 2018.
 The outdoor ice at Rotary Centennial Pond is scheduled to open on Saturday, Dec. 8, weather conditions permitting. Located at the Waterfront at Downtown Burlington, the pond hosts nearly 9,000 skaters each year. The rink is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and skating is free. On Christmas Eve, the rink will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and then closed for Christmas Day.
Skating Lending Program
The city is asking residents to donate gently used skates they no longer need. These skate donations will be used for the lending program at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond, which began in 2016. The skate lending program is available weekends and school holidays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Skate donations can be dropped off at city pools, arenas and community centres.
For up-to-date information on ice conditions at Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond, please call 905-335-7600, ext. 8587. To learn more about the pond’s features and rules, visit, burlington.ca/pond.
 Sliding in Lowville park Tobogganing
The city has designated six areas in the city that are safe for tobogganing. They include:
• LaSalle Park, east of the parking lot
• Tyandaga Park at hole number four on the west slope
• Central Park on the hill northwest of the community garden
• Brant Hills Park, southwest of the tennis courts
• Nelson Park on the east side of park, north of the Centennial bike path
• Lowville Park on the hill at the southwest end of park.
Get outside and enjoy the many parks, outdoor spaces, play fields and recreational play experiences that support active living and a healthy lifestyle for all ages, abilities and cultures.
 By Pepper Parr
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The city adopted its Official last April, on the 26th; and sent it to the Region of Halton where it has to be approved.
On May 11, the Region acknowledges the Burlington Official Plan was received and that they are the approval authority to make a decision on the Plan.
 During the last number of months, Halton Region staff have been working closely with City of Burlington staff in the review of the newly adopted Plan to address conformity to the Region of Halton Official Plan.
In a media release the Region said: “Through this review, Regional staff have identified a number of matters with respect to the Plan’s conformity to the Halton Region Official Plan that need to be resolved prior to making a decision on the Plan.”
A notice the Region sent the city set out additional information related to these matters and having to do with non conformity with the Halton Region Official Plan.
The Region has said they are ready to work with Burlington in an expeditious manner.
The Planning Act states that if the approval authority (the Region of Halton) fails to give notice of a decision in respect of all or part of a plan within 210 days after the day the plan is received by the approval authority, any person or public body may appeal to the Tribunal all or any part of the plan.
An exception to this provision applies if the approval authority states that the plan or any part of it does not, in the approval authority’s opinion, conform with the upper-tier municipality’s official plan.
The Region of Halton, has informed the City of Burlington that through its delegated authority to the Chief Planning Official, is of the opinion that the Plan does not conform to the Region of Halton Official Plan (2009) (“ROP”).
The Plan does not conform to the ROP with respect to policies and mapping related to, among other matters:
 Farmland use was one of the issues the Region had with the Official Plan Burlington submitted. proposed employment land conversions and permitted uses within the employment areas and lands;
the identification of and permitted uses within agricultural lands;
the identification of and permitted uses within the Natural Heritage System; and
transportation matters, including road classifications.
The Region takes the position that the 210-day review period does not begin to run until the Region of Halton confirms that the non-conformity with the ROP is resolved.
As such no appeals under subsection 17(40) of the Planning Act may be filed at this time.
Which is probably just fine with the new Mayor and city council as well as the hundreds of people who didn’t want the Official Plan approved before the election.
With the Official Plan now back in the hands of the Burlington Planning department city council can issue a different set of instructions to deal with the issues that had people upset and angry.
The Downtown Mobility Hub is probably history and the boundaries of the Urban Growth Centre may now get the consideration Meed Ward wanted when she was the ward 2 Councillor.
The creation of the Downtown Mobility hub was argument enough for the Adi Nautique development to get out of the Ontario Municipal Board without a scratch.
It is certainly good news for the new Mayor and those people who delegated to put the Official Plan on hold until the voters decided who they wanted running the city.
The Planning department now has to wait until new instructions are sent and also wait until a new interim city manager is in place. There has been no suggestion that the current Deputy City Manager will fill that interim role.
The Region’s decision to send the Official Plan back to the city is a validation of the election results even if the Regional issues are not part of what Burlington voters were angry about.
Confusing times – with the right leadership doing the right things for the right reasons, the city could be a much different place in five years.
Assuming the new city council doesn’t blow it
By Staff
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Some really dirty stuff coming out of the Halton Region Police offices.
 During the month of November, members of the Halton Regional Police Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) participated in a Provincial initiative along with 26 other police services across Ontario. The focus of the initiative was to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet
During that time, the ICE unit took part in numerous investigations resulting in a number of arrests, search warrants and electronic seizures within Halton Region.
Arrested and charged parties are as follows:
Christopher HARVIE – 42 years old of Burlington, charged with: Possession of Child Pornography x 2, Make Available Child Pornography, and Access Child Pornography
Eric PARSONS – 30 years old of Hamilton, charged with: Luring, Invitation to Sexual Touching, Possession of Child Pornography
Gary HORNER – 67 years old of Toronto, charged with: Luring, Invitation to Sexual touching
Anthony (Tony) DAWKINS – 60 years old of Georgetown, charged with: Possession of Child Pornography x 2, Make available Child Pornography, Access Child Pornography
William MATHERS – 42 years of Milton, charged with: Luring, Invitation to Sexual Touching, Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child
Liam Murphy – 22 years old of Oakville, charged with: Luring, Invitation to Sexual Touching, Making Sexually Explicit Material Available to a Child
Jianbo HONG – 41 years old of Oakville, charged with: Possession of Child Pornography x 2, Make Available Child Pornography, and Access Child Pornography
Halton Regional Police Service reminds parents to be vigilant when monitoring their children’s online activities, and to discuss internet safety strategies with them.
Anyone who may have any additional information pertaining to these types of investigations are asked to contact D/Sgt Chris Newcombe 905-465-8965 or Det. Todd Martin 905-465-8983 of the Halton Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (I.C.E.).
These investigations have been funded and made possible through a grant from the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something?” Contact “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed
 By Staff
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Due to a mechanical issue Centennial Pool is closed Wednesday, Dec. 5 and the morning of Thursday, Dec. 6. The following swims have been cancelled:
Wednesday, Dec. 5 2018
Water Running 10-11am
Aquafit 10am-11am
Adult 55 Plus Lap Swim 11am-Noon
Lap Swim Noon – 1:30pm
Thursday Dec. 6 2018
Lap Swim 6:00-9:00am
Water Running 9:00-11:00am
Swim Training 11:00- noon
Service will resume at 12 noon on Thursday.
By Pepper Parr
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
We can begin to get a sense as to how Mayor Meed Ward wants city council to operate.
She is asking her colleagues to approve a number of appointments and has recommended some changes to the city’s representation on a number of Boards and committees.
Her recommendation is to:
Increase the composition of elected representatives to the Conservation Halton Board from 1 out of 4, to 2 out of 4, with the remaining two being citizen appointees, subject to an interview process at the beginning of each term of council; and
Decrease the composition of elected representatives on the Burlington Economic Development Corporation from 3 to 2; and
Establish a Waterfront Citizens Advisory Committee, and direct staff to report back with proposed terms of reference by Q2 2019; and
Establish a stand alone Transit Advisory Committee, and direct staff to report back with proposed terms of reference by Q2 2019, including cooperation between this committee, the Cycling Advisory Committee and the
Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee; and
Establish the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee as a permanent citizen advisory committee of council, and direct staff to consult with members and report back with proposed terms of reference by Q2 2019; and
Decrease the council appointees on the Downtown Parking Committee from two to one; and
Conduct an overall review of citizen advisory committees, including consultation with the public and citizen advisory committee members, and report back to council with recommendations and options for any changes to improve effectiveness by Q2 2019.
In her report Mayor Meed Ward explains that “a significant portion of our role on council is serving on committees and boards, both internal and external to the city.”
There are 63 boards and committees in total, including standing committees of city and regional council, providing an equal share of 9 appointments for each council member, with the exception of one who has 8. Attached are the recommended appointments.
The Chairs and Vice Chairs of each standing committee of city council have to be elected by the Councillors. Mayor Meed Ward’s recommendations for the year ahead are:
 Lisa Kearns, ward 2 Councillor is going to be stretched to get a firm grip on the budget – it will be her first big test. Planning & Development Chair: Paul Sharman Vice-Chair: Rory Nisan
Committee of the Whole – Regular & Budget Chair: Lisa Kearns
Vice Chair: Kelvin Galbraith
Committee of the Whole – Workshop Chair: Shawna Stolte
Vice Chair: Angelo Bentivegna
A nomination will be required from the floor for the slate, followed by a vote.
Meed Ward wants to increase the composition of elected representatives to the Conservation Halton (CH) board from 1 out of 4, to 2 out of 4, with the remaining two being citizen appointees, subject to an interview process at the beginning of each term of council.
Her rationale is that there should be an equal balance of elected responsibility and citizen voice. CH’s work intersects at key points with our work on city and regional council in the areas of development permitting, flood mitigation, environmental rehabilitation, recreation and more. Given the variety and significance of these matters, a second elected representative directly accountable to the people is recommended.
There is more to this than meets the eye. A number of years ago former Councillor Taylor wanted to add Meed Ward to Conservation Halton. At a messy messy Standing Committee what the Gazette referred to as the “Gang of Four” shot that down. Councillor Taylor took his name off the list and nominated Meed Ward for the role. It was one of his finer moments.
Recommendation: Decrease the composition of elected representatives on the Burlington Economic Development Corporation from 3 to 2.
In the previous Council Paul Sharman and Jack Dennison both wanted to be on the BEDC – the then Mayor was also on that Board. Meed Ward doesn’t have that many people with a solid understanding of the role BEDC plays. That organization is in the process of looking for a new Executive Director. It will be a critical appointment. The question on this file is going to be: Is the Board of the BEDC in sync with where Mayor Meed Ward wants to go?
Frank McKeown, the former Executive Director, was never convinced that Meed Ward fully understood what economic development was all about. It isn’t one of her core strengths.
The establishment of a Waterfront Citizens Advisory Committee is a biggy for the Mayor. The issue that she rode to office in 2019 was the Save our Waterfront Committee. When Cam Jackson was Mayor he created a Waterfront Advisory Committee that was disbanded when it became clear that the committee wasn’t getting much done – mostly due to the way the Chair managed the Committee.
 SaveOurWaterfront- was the issue that Marianne Meed Ward rode to gain the ward 2 seat in 2010. She wants to make it one of the focal points for this Council. Meed Ward fully understands that Burlington is a waterfront city, without a formal citizen’s voice advising council. This Mayor is going to do everything possible to ensure that the city takes advantage of the opportunity to do something unique with what is left of the waterfront. She isn’t going to be able to get the land that was sold back (a travesty of municipal administration) but there is still a lot than can be done.
Transit is key to Mayor Meed Ward. She is recommending that Council establish a stand-alone Transit Advisory Committee that will cooperate with the Cycling Advisory Committee and the Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee.
Rationale: We have over 1 million rides annually on our transit system but no dedicated citizen’s advisory voice to council on transit. Establishing a committee honours the importance of transit in the community expressed during the election campaign and before, and honours the direct request for a stand-alone transit advisory committee from Burlington For Accessible Sustainable Transit and others.
Meed Ward is picking up the idea that Mayor Goldring had with his Millennial Advisory Committee; she wants to make it a permanent advisory committee of council.
Rationale: A formal advisory committee ensures a youth voice on issues in our community that is city-based and not subject to changes in the mayor’s office.
Recommendation: Decrease the council appointees on the Downtown Parking Committee (DPC) from two to one.
Rationale: Most boards and committees have one council appointee. Reducing the composition on DPC better distributes council appointments among the various boards and committees
Meed Ward is going one step further; she wants to have a review of citizen advisory committees, including consultation with the public and committee members.
City council members are also Regional Council members; their role at that level are set out below:
“Times are a changing” indeed.
 By Pepper Parr
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The approved Official Plan is on its way back to Burlington. The Region found that it didn’t comply with it’s Official Plan – so Burlington has to fix what was really a small problem.
The City Manager has quit – our view is that he wasn’t pushed – he jumped.
There are a couple of other senior people who will be retiring.
Mayor Meed Ward is probably going to have to give Tim Dobbie a call and ask him to come back and serve as thee interim City Manager.
The Deputy City Manager will probably see the writing on the wall and decide to take a break from the municipal world. Mary Lou Tanner and Meed Ward did not see the world from the same angle and it wasn’t because she didn’t try.
 The election celebration … The voters wanted a change – and they got one.
All but one member of Council was returned. That’s as close to a clean sweep as you are going to get.
Rebuilding is going to be a massive task.
We can expect to see who the Mayor appoints as her Chief of Staff – she might rename the job. she is going to need a top team to get the job done – and it isn’t going to get done in a single term,
The upside to this is Meed Ward has huge energy.
She is going to have to rely on that energy to bring about the changes she wants.
 Meed Ward thanking the audience at her inauguration She is going to have to work Queen’s Park for some of the changes she wants at city hall.
She has all kinds of reaching out to do and at the same time nurture a very new, young and inexperienced city council.
Exciting times – the caution: Don’t blow it.
Salt with Pepper reflects the opinions, observations and musings of the publisher of the Gazette, an on-line newspaper that is in its 8th year of as a news source in Burlington and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Staff
December 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A media release from city hall announced that effective December 4th James Ridge is no longer the City Manager for the City of Burlington.
Recruitment for a new City Manager will proceed in the New Year. In the interim, an Acting City Manager will be named by Council.
By Pepper Parr
December 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A reader wrote:
Okay, here we go.
Now Meed Ward has a target on her back.
She didn’t give the elected Councillors a chance to speak?
My guess is that they begged her for more time so that they hone their skills as speakers.
But hey- that wouldn’t give newspapers a chance to shoot down a really wonderful new mayor who should be lauded for her intelligence, empathy and generosity of spirit.
How about giving her a break!!
Mayor Meed Ward does not want any breaks. She would be offended if you offered her any.
I didn’t hear the Justice who swore them in suggest we give them a break. I heard just the opposite. Justice Quinn said to the audience and to the new council. These people are going to hold you account. He didn’t say ‘Hold them accountable but give them a couple of weeks to get the feel of the job.’
In a couple of week this council will be going through the budget – and if I heard the Mayor correctly she wants to keep the tax increase well below the 4% we have seen for the past seven years.
These people have known from the get go that they have a big job in front of them. They all worked hard to get elected – they wanted the job.
No breaks. Burlington citizens did that in 2014 and look at what that council did for you?
What this writer has forgotten is that a democracy has the elected and the electors – and both have to do their work if a democracy is going to work.
The 2010 Council learned they could get away with a lot and several of them trampled all over delegators.
Your job dear reader is to hold their feet to the flames. No breaks.
Imagine if you did give them a break? That would perhaps encourage some of them to ask for “a little more time” and before you know it they are getting away with it.
You throw them in the deep end – they will learn to swim very quickly.
 Council members getting ready to read their Declarations of Office. The Gazette didn’t hear them asking for a break.
By Staff
December 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
City hall is asking residents to share their thoughts about whether bricks and mortar stores selling cannabis should be allowed to operate in the city.
 The provincial government has given municipalities in Ontario a one-time offer to opt out of having cannabis stores in their communities. The deadline to make this decision is Jan. 22, 2019.
A number of municipalities have already said they will not permit these retail locations in their communities: Richmond Hill and Markham are examples.
To help gather the community’s input, a town hall, hosted by Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at Burlington Performing Arts Centre from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
The city has also launched an online survey at www.getinvolvedburlington.ca, open to Burlington residents until Thursday, December 13.
CLICK on to register and take the survey about cannabis retail stores in Burlington.
 Mayor Meed Ward said during an exclusive interview with the Gazette that she was taken by surprise by some of the views she heard about cannabis retail outlets. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward: “I support opting in to stores to give residents access to this product, eliminate the black market, and receive some government funding to assist with enforcement. However, there are many factors to consider before making any decision and I recognize there are a variety of views in the community. We want you to bring your questions, concerns, and opinions on this issue for an informative, interactive discussion.”
There are several new council members who have said they do not think the city should permit retail locations. Ward 4 Council member Shawna Stolte has said she does not approve but added that she wanted to hear what others had to say.
Mary Lou Tanner, Deputy City Manager said Burlington City Council will consider a report on December 17, and vote on whether to opt in or opt out of hosting retail cannabis stores in Burlington. Ahead of that decision, the city wants to hear what residents have to say about locating cannabis retail stores in our city. We want to provide Council with as much information as possible in making their decision.”
Quick Facts
• On Oct. 17, 2018, recreational cannabis was legalized by the federal government of Canada.
• Currently, in Ontario, the only place to legally purchase cannabis is online from the Ontario Cannabis Store (OCS).
• By April 2019, it is anticipated that brick and mortar, privately-operated retail cannabis stores will be operational across the province.
• Under the provincial regulations that guide the startup of private cannabis stores, retail locations can:
• be open between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• be located at least 150 metres away from schools
• operate in any commercial or retail areas in the city with no maximum on the number of stores permitted within a municipality.
• Municipalities that opt in to allow retail stores will not have the option to opt out later and will receive funding to assist with the legalization of cannabis.
• Municipalities that choose to not allow retails stores may opt in later but will not be eligible for funding.
By Pepper Parr
December 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
How do elections get won?
One vote at a time and the only things that matters is that the votes actually get cast.
How you get re-elected is by telling the public what you are going to do and then doing it.
During the Inauguration of Marianne Meed Ward and the 2018 – 2022 city council the Mayor explained how the election worked for her. She spoke of the Collins family and how a Mother and two children went to the polling station.
The daughter, Summer, asked her Mother: “Can we vote for the girl?”
The Mother replied: “We vote for people with the best ideas.”
The son, Kennedy added that we elect those who “don’t kick people.”
 Former Mayor – Mayor Lawson; a model for Meed Ward. Meed Ward spoke of the contribution former Mayor Mary Munro made to the evolution of her thinking and the role the late John Boich played in her first election in 2010.
 John Boich 1933-2011 The was some revisionist history being spouted but to the victor go the spoils.
Burlington got to hear what their new Mayor had in mind. She didn’t mince her words.
She spoke of part of her childhood when her father was a Forest Park Ranger and the friends she had then were black bears and grizzlies who Meed Ward said probably helped her for her role as a politician.
Meed Ward used Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt and the Wright brothers as bearings she would use for the way she reads her compass. She told a close to rapt audience that it is not the critics who count or those who point out the stumbles of others; the credit belongs to the ones in the arena.
“Failure” said Meed Ward “is part of doing great things”.
She referred to a man named Samuel Pierpont Langley, the man who spent years building heavier than air aircraft models and gliders and proved that aircraft needed thrust to overcome drag from forward speed.
Langley attempted to make a working piloted heavier-than-air aircraft. His models flew, but his two attempts at piloted flight were not successful.
His first success came on May 6, 1896 when an unpiloted model weighing 25 pounds made two flights of 2,300 feet and 3,300 feet after a catapult launch from a boat.
All this was done before petrol was available.
Langley did much of the necessary early work that recorded many failures along with small success. It was these successes that made it possible for the Wright Brothers to get a plane aloft in 1902.
Meed Ward’s message was that you just never give up. Expect her to live up to that message.
 The microphone didn’t get shared. Five of the seven Councillors elected have no experience in public office. They have no experience talking to the citizens at large either – and they didn’t get a chance to say two words other than when they read their Declarations of Office during the inauguration ceremony.
In introducing the new city council Meed Ward did say what she expected of them. Her comments weren’t exactly mandate letters.
They are admittedly new but they did deserve a chance to say a few words.
By Pepper Parr
December 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
There was never any doubt as to who was in charge.
There was never any doubt as to what she was going to do
And there was never any doubt as to how the audience felt about the direction Marianne Meed Ward, Mayor was taking. The applause was close to rapturous. There were at least five, heck make that six standing ovations. This was her night.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Justice Barry Quinn. The moment Justice of the Peace Barry Quinn, a former municipal Councillor himself, slipped the Chain of Office around the neck of the stunning red dress Meed Ward wore she was in the driver’s seat.
Meed Ward gave a hint as to just how well she was going to be able to deliver on her election promises when she told the audience that she would have some good news for them “tomorrow”. Expect some word on the “approved” Official Plan being in the mail from the Region and on its way back to city hall.
There was entertainment for the audience; Hayley Verral sang O’Canada, the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry performed, Dan Murray, a Burlington poet read and Dania Thurman sang to close out the evening after which everyone congregated in the family room to munch on cup Kelly’s cupcakes and cheese trays from a local provider.
 The 2018 – 2022 Burlington city council. The Mayor set out how she was going to run the city when she laid out four themes that she said would define her term of office.
1: Residents first
2: Burlington is everyone’s city
3: Protecting the city
4: Honour the trust and the commitment to serve.
For the most part the Mayor spoke extemporaneously. Marianne did not needs notes or a script, this was an evening she has spent the last ten years preparing for.
 Citizens being citizens after the Inauguration and the Inaugural address. Her theme, that respecting the residents was first and foremost, was supported with a commitment to “serve you” by providing more parks and delivering budgets that are not in the 4% annual tax increase range. “We need to do better than that” she said.
“This council is dedicated to your vision, we need to repair the trust” and added that leaders do not need to come up with all the great ideas, leaders need to create the environment that lets great ideas come from the community”.
Statements like that brought people to their feet.
Staff, said the Mayor implement the decisions council makes.
Point number 2. Burlington is an inclusive city. She wants to “fix transit “The meat behind her 3rd point, protecting the city was this: “We will not take on over-development”. The applause was instant. The Mayor added that she was pushing the reset button on the downtown plan.
 Point # 3: Meed Ward wants to flood proof the city and protect the green space. She committed to fighting any effort to opening up the green space north of the Hwy 407 – Dundas demarcation line. The same comment was made about any effort to re-open the debate over an NGTA road cutting through Kilbride and Lowville.
Meed Ward gave Mary Munro, a former one term Mayor, a strong nod when she said “Mary committed to saving
Lakeshore Road and not going along with cutting down any trees to widen that road.
Meed Ward was not as successful in her efforts to save prime waterfront land from sliding into private hands.
Throughout her address she was firm in her resolve. “We heard you” said Meed Ward “and we are listening”.
“Stand firm and never back down” she added.
Statements like that make it clear that Meed Ward is firm in her commitment to lead a city council that will be significantly different than the one that was in place from 2010 to 2018.
In expanding on her 4th point Meed Ward told the audience that many felt the province holds all the cards. “Not true” she said and added that “we are going to choose our destiny.
The audience heard a slightly combative Mayor stake out her territory when she said to the audience, quoting Winston Churchill, that you “go from failure to failure without giving up” adding that she lost two elections before she went on to win three.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward wearing the Chain of Office for the first time. Before turning the inauguration into a meeting of City Council Meed Ward said “the cause is nothing less than our city. We need you to now go out there and do some good.”
Did Burlington get a look Monday evening at a woman who just might turn out to be a great Mayor? This country hasn’t had all that many great Mayors. Toronto did have David Crombie serve that city as Mayor; Crombie has a soft spot for Burlington and there is certainly a meeting of minds between Meed Ward and Crombie on how the city should protect its waterfront.
Those two should have lunch sometime. Crombie was a strong proponent of a Waterfront Trail – something Meed Ward has some ideas about as well.
By Pepper Parr
December 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The old order changeth.
This evening a new city council will be sworn in: five of the seven member council will not be returning – two retired and three were defeated.
 Just two left standing We can’t find anyone who remembers seeing anything like this in Burlington’s history.
The Mayor was defeated, replaced by ward 2 city Councillor Marianne Meed Ward.
Councillors Dennison and Lancaster were also defeated.
Councillors Craven and Taylor retired.
Two issues dominated the election: the approving of an Official Plan that did not have wide public support and the demand for a change in the way city council engaged the public – failed to effectively respect people who delegated at city council is a better way to put it – and the lack of acceptable public engagement.
The distance between council and staff and the public made itself painfully evident in the remarks made at the final meeting of the current city council when Deputy city manager Mary Lou Tanner commented on the outgoing council and its working relationship with Staff.
City Manager James Ridge was absent.
Tanner spoke of the excellent, professional way that Staff and Council were able to work together. Saying a strong positive relationship existed doesn’t mean it did.
 Plains Road; an old suburban highway transitions into a vibrant urban main street. The contribution made by Councillors Craven and Taylor deserve comment: Plains Road is a different place today than it was when Rick Craven was first elected. And the developments taking place in the community are an improvement over what was in place when he got there.
Craven didn’t have the best of relationships with sectors of his ward; the Beachway people wish he had never been elected. A number of people don’t think he understood the mix that was needed along Plans Road.
He could never come to terms with Marianne Meed Ward who ran against him in ward 1 – he prevailed and Meed Ward moved into ward 2.
There is the suggestion that Rick Craven just could not live with the idea that he would have to work with Meed Ward on her terms. Some have suggested that is a large part of why he chose not to run for another term. Had he run he would have taken more than 50% of the votes.
The piece that he wrote and made public about Meed Ward was regrettable.
 Councillor Craven may have felt his McMaster jacket would ward off some negative comment. There will be more tall buildings but nothing any higher than the Drewlo Development that lost its building permit for a period of time when the played fast and loose with the development that had been approved.
Developers found they could work with Rick Craven. Did he compromise himself in doing so. One would be very hard pressed to point to anything that was just plain wrong in the ward.
Craven was tireless in his efforts to make sure that Aldershot was not forgotten. He has superb relationships with Staff.
He was the best chair of a Standing Committee this city has seen in some time. Yes, he was abrupt even dismissive at times but he kept the agenda going.
Publicly there was nothing touchy feely about Tick Craven. All business.
Privately he could be a funny.
 More candidate than Craven could manage? Sandra Pupatello on a trip through town looking for local support for her Liberal leadership bid. Craven was prepared to let the party romance him. He once told this reporter as we sat outside the Council Chamber at Conservation Halton that he had thought about running for Mayor.
He took a serious look at running for the provincial seat as a Liberal. Sandra Pupatello was a little too much for his taste.
Craven was usually able to take the long view and see the bigger picture – where he fell short was in explaining that bigger picture to people.
Craven is now, officially, a senior citizen. He isn’t going to sit at home and read old city council agendas. He will be a valued observer and hopefully he will tune in with comments from time to time.
There has been word that he will join one of the development organizations in the province.
 Taylor was always a careful listener John Taylor, the Dean of City Council, found that the job was getting harder and harder to do. Keeping up was proving difficult and he had the strength to realize that it was time to move on. For John Taylor the moving on is not going to be as smooth.
He will miss the people at city hall; his job as a Councillor was his life.
He was one of the true liberal voices on council and always went more than the last mile to solve a problem for a constituent.
He was probably working the telephones in the forenoon while his assistant packed up his papers for him.
Taylor wants to stay involved, has his eye on a specific appointment that he will get.
 If the public was in the room – so was John Taylor – listening carefully. He has a huge store of knowledge, he was there when the big decisions were made.
He could be cranky at times but for the most part he was genial, available and he cared.
He worked for the rural people in the North West side of the city. The provincial plans for a highway that would run through Kilbride and Lowville was not going to happen while John was the ward 3 council member.
He was the rural voice on council. His constituents loved him; community meetings in his ward were more like family get togethers.
The three members of council that were defeated at the ballot box had failed to connect with the public. Rick Goldring just didn’t hear what the vocal groups had to say. He will never be forgiven for selling that part of the waterfront between Market and St. Paul Street.
 The house on the right was built when Jack Dennison to an appeal to a Committee of Adjustment decision to the Ontario Municipal Board and won. Blair Lancaster should perhaps not have run; health issues were making it difficult for her to do the job.
Jack Dennison was able to stay in office because the number of voters on the ballot allowed him to split the vote. This time there was just the one candidate running against him and she did very well.
The house that Dennison built on the severed piece of the Lakeshore Road is up for sale; the house next door with the historical designation has been rented.
In his closing remarks Dennison said: “See you around”. Wonder where he will live?
By Pepper Parr
December 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week the Gazette published a story about changes some seniors called us about with the exercise classes at the Senior’s Centre. There is a link to the news story at the bottom of the page.
The city sent the Gazette a response – statement this morning setting out their position. That response – statement is set out below:
 Rob Axiak, Manager of Recreation Services. “My name is Rob Axiak and I am the Manager of Recreation Services for the City. I would first like to apologize for any misinformation that may be out there that has resulted in this article and subsequent commentary. We are looking to send out more accurate information regarding personal equipment for fitness classes over the next two weeks.
Prior to information going, please rest assure that equipment will always be provided by the city for our fitness programs. It was never our intention to remove equipment and to force individuals to bring their own. Some who currently participate had expressed an interest in bringing their own equipment to programs for a variety of personal reasons. We fully support this and encourage anyone who would prefer to bring their own equipment to please feel welcome in doing so.
For those who prefer to have the convenience of using city issued equipment readily available onsite, well that is perfectly acceptable too!
Our goal is to remove any barriers to participation and provide individuals with options based on your own personal preference. Hope that clarifies and thank you for your ongoing interest and participation!”
A source the Gazette takes as reliable, who has asked not to be identified, said when she read the news story she went to the Customer Service desk at the Seniors’ Centre and asked what the policy was and was told that “this is what is going to happen”.
Our source asked the customer service to confirm that information with staff in the offices behind the Customer Service counter. “It took a while but the Customer service person did return and said the policy will be going into effect in the Spring and that people will have to bring their own equipment.”
Axiak appears to be saying that people participating in the exercise classes can bring their own equipment if they wish and that equipment will still be available at no cost to those people taking classes.
Our source said “this is how the Parks and Recreation people operate. Rather than make a clear statement that they publish, they float a trial balloon and wait to see what there is in the way of reaction. If there is no negative feedback it becomes policy.
“Staff don’t take responsibility for the mistakes they make.”
The city has either shifted their position or people taking the exercises did not fully understand the city’s position. Classes were informed by people delivering the exercise classes. Those people are not full time city employees involved in setting policy – they are contract people delivering a service.
Link to the original news story:
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