 By Staff
June 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Daniel Richard FLENNIKEN, a 23 years old Waterdown resident was located and arrested without incident early on Tuesday.
Police were looking for Flenniken after a stabbing that took place outside the Poacher Pub on Pearl Street.
 Daniel Richard Flenniken Flenniken was charged with the following:
Assault with a Weapon
Assault Cause Bodily Harm
Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
Failure to Comply with Probation Order
FLENNIKEN was released on a Promise to Appear and an Undertaking and will appear in Milton Court on July 4th, 2018.
Anyone who may have any further information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Jared McLeod of the HRPS Burlington Criminal Investigation Bureau 905-825-4747 ext. 2385 or Crime Stoppers “See Something, Hear Something, Know Something – Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
The observation that an individual, currently on probation, is arrested for a serious crime, for which he has yet to be found guilty, is released on bail a second time, begs the question – how well is our justice system working and how are police able to protect the public if this is how the system operates.
 By Staff
June 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music Festival will result in road closures Friday, June 15 to Sunday, June 17.
Road Closures
 Friday, June 15 from 3:30 p.m. to Sunday, June 17 at 6 p.m. – Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road.
Parade Closures
Saturday, June 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Caroline Street from Drury Lane to Locust Street, Elizabeth Street from Caroline Street to Pine Street and Drury Lane from Courtland to New Street.
 By Staff
June 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
PC Party of Ontario won 76 seats, got 2,322,422 votes which was 40.49% of the votes cast.
Ontario NDP won 40 seats, got 1,925,574 votes which was 33.57% of the votes cast.
Ontario Liberal Party won 7 seats, got 1,123,283 votes which was 19.59% of the votes cast.
Green Party of Ontario won 1 seat, got 263,987 votes which was 4.60% of the votes cast.
The Progressive Conservative party forms the government and will rule the province for the next four years.
Many want to see some form of proportional representation but that isn’t going to happen within the next four years.
The voting public was asked who they wanted to lead the province and while it wasn’t a majority the votes the PC’s got were in the right places and that gave them the most seats in the Legislature.
 Of the 9,888,888 Registered Electors on Lists; 58% of them turned out to vote. There were 29 political parties looking for votes.
 One political wag looked at these signs and said he chose the butter tarts. Libertarian party got 42,918 votes
None of the Above Direct
Democracy Party got 16,186 votes.
INDEPENDENT party got 8644 votes.
Trillium Party got 8,178 votes.
N O P party got 5,802 votes.
Consensus Ontario got 2,684 votes
Freedom Party of Ontario got 2,567 votes.
Ontario Party got 2,310 votes.
Ontario Moderate Party got 2,191 votes.
Communist party got 1,471 votes.
CCP party got 1,234 votes
Stop the New Sex-Ed Agenda party got 1,078 votes
Alliance party got 804 votes.
The New People’s Choice Party of Ontario got 633 votes.
Party for People with Special Needs got 631 votes.
The People party got 626 votes.
Ontario Provincial Confederation of Regions Party got 385 votes.
Stop Climate Change party got 342 votes
Go Vegan got 256 votes.
SRP party got 238 votes.
CAP party got 215 votes.
P.O.T. party got 212 votes.
Multicultural Party of Ontario party got 191 votes.
CEP party got 151 votes
Paupers party got 111 votes.
There were 9,888,888 Registered Electors on Lists; 58% of them turned out to vote.
 It appeared as if there were fewer election signs on the lawns in Burlington. Are the signs useful, do they serve a purpose ? They are not cheap and they eat up a lot of manpower.
 By Pepper Parr
June 12, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a lot a police officer can do from the seat of his cruiser. He has access to a huge range of information from staff at the Communications Centre.
There are however times when the police have to set up a command station in the field. They need space to work in and the ability to communicate with people at several levels of authority.
 Halton Regional Police Mobile Command has two buses – with almost every imaginable piece of equipment- except weapons. There was a time when police had the use of a small trailer they could work out of. The Halton Regional Police now have two buses that can go almost everywhere and set up a command post.
The larger of the two is 32 feet, the small one is 23 feet. The larger unit has yet to have to go into the field on an assignment. The smaller unit has been used a few times.
The two vehicles that are now fully operational and able to move on a couple of minutes notice came in at a cost of $850,000 – and they have everything – including a very small kitchen sink.
 The major Mobile Command bus has an aerial with cameras, a satellite dish and a wall that slides out when the vehicle gets into operation. The two vehicles have a civilian whose full time job is to keep the buses ready to go at a moment’s notice and to ensure that the technology inside the buses is always ready to go. Equipment glitches aren’t tolerated.
The Regional police went through a six month exercise to determine just what there might be or could be in the way of a public safety circumstance and what would be needed in terms of equipment and technology to meet the situation.
Each of the business units was asked what they saw as the need and what they felt was needed.
The Region of Halton is a large sprawling jurisdiction that runs from north of highway 401 to Lake Ontario with Hamilton on the west and the Region of Peel on the east.
Rail lines and the busiest highway in the province run through the top part of the Region.
A team of six people spent six months researching the need and then determining what was needed in the way of equipment.
The decision was to have two vehicles – both were custom built based on a standard bus frame. The larger of the two runs on diesel fuel that drives the 300 horse power engine.
The equipment is kept operating with a 16,000 watt generator. When the command unit arrives on a site the driver engages the pop out that extends one side of the vehicle. If you look at the photograph you can see the extension.
 The wall of screens can take a data feed from a number of sources including a twitter feed related to a public safety event. Six different feeds at the same time are possible. The communications include the basic police walkie talkie that broadcasts over a secure network, a standard land line, cell phones and a satellite telephone.
There is an aerial with a camera that can pick up and hold an image more than a football field in length away.
 HRPS Inspector Derek Davis heads up the Mobile Command. To his right here is a satellite phone, a walkie talkie to communicate with police cruisers, a land line and cell lines The larger of the two command vehicles can hold 9 people at consoles and an additional four people working inside the bus.
There is every imaginable piece of communications equipment with large screens everywhere.
The main operations table is about the size of a door with a huge screen that works with Google maps and can zoom in and out. A command officer can mark off an area and zoom in for a tighter look.
The feed from the camera can be brought to any one of the screens giving everyone in the vehicle a very close look at what is happening live outside the bus.
The technology can have eight different data feeds coming in at the same time. The operator can switch from one data feed to another and if need be split a screen to increase the amount of information in front of the people managing the situation.
 A table with a screen the size of a door can take a data feed from a number of sources. Google maps allows the police to zoom in and out and isolate an area and send the image to others. The second smaller mobile command is intended to handle situations in the field where a police negotiator is required.
The Regional police can be in instant communication with the OPP, the RCMP and the Canadian Armed forces if necessary.
They plug in to the Regions 911 communications centre giving them access to every piece of information you can imagine and then some you wouldn’t think of.
The police are fully conversant with social media and are able to link into twitter feeds to keep up with what the public is saying in the online world.
 The seating area in Mobile 2 – intended for use when a negotiator is required and as a back up. The mobile command bus doesn’t use keys to access the vehicle – entry is via a card – with just the people who might need to get into the vehicle having access.
There is a video screen and a small desk built into the outside of the bus so that people who do not have to be inside still have access to data and visual information.
In an age where information is what solves crimes and allows people to manage situations where public safety is the issue these two mobile commands will serve the public very well.
By Staff
June 12th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A stabbing outside The Poacher on Pearl Street in the downtown area of the City has police looking for Daniel Richard FLENNIKEN, a 23 years old Waterdown resident.
 The Poacher – a pub on Pearl Street On Tuesday June 12, 2018, at 12:45 am, two adult male persons were outside ‘The Poacher” pub located on Pearl Street in the City of Burlington. Both male persons were known to each other and got into a disagreement that resulted in a physical altercation.
During the altercation the male victim (22 years old) was stabbed in the left side of his chest. The culprit (23 years old) then ran away from the scene. At this time it is not known if it was a knife or other some other type of edged weapon or tool used in the stabbing.
The 22 year old male victim was taken by emergency medical services to the Hamilton General Hospital. It was determined that the victim had a small puncture to his lung on the left side of his chest. The victim is in stable condition and is expected to make a full recovery.
The male culprit has been identified as:
Daniel Richard FLENNIKEN (23 years old) of Waterdown, Ontario
FLENNIKEN is presently wanted for the offences of Assault causing bodily harm and Assault with a weapon. The Halton Regional Police Service is encouraging Mr. FLENNIKEN to seek legal advice and turn himself into custody.
Anyone with information on this crime is encouraged to contact Detective Jared MCLEOD of the Burlington Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905.825.4747 Ext. 2385 or Ext. 2316.
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
By Staff
June 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The City has almost completed the building of a new multi-use pathway in downtown Burlington that includes public art and a small area where groups can gather.
 The new open space is inviting – the public art is certainly different. There are also a number of benches that are the most uncomfortable sitting places you can be imagine. It is almost as if they didn’t want anyone to sit on them. The edges are sharp and there is no back support.
 This bench was not made for comfort.  This is a park bench that invites you to sit and tarry awhile. These are located on the Toronto waterfront. The pathway itself is rather pleasant – running east/west, the new connection will cut across the heart of downtown Burlington. Similar to the promenade at Spencer Smith Park, the new pathway will accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists safely and provide access to other walkways, shops and restaurants along its length.
Paving materials, textures, urban trees, shade structures, site furnishings (except for those benches) and public art have been used along the route to make it friendly for both pedestrians and cyclists.
 Looking west from Pearl, the pathway runs to Brant Street – quite pleasant. The creation of the pathway and the open space did reduce the number of parking spaces – all part of the city’s program to discourage downtown parking.
That decision is going to come back and bite in the derriere.
 By Staff
June 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Sound of Music did their two day Kick Off event with a number of ticketed events.
The crowds are definitely smaller for these ticketed events and the Sound of Music people are still fine tuning the content.
 The crowds were a little on the sparse side – was it the weather, the tickets prices or the bands chosen. David Miller has headed up the organization as Executive Director since 2007. The longer term objective is to make the event a destination by bringing the best of what they see as what an audience wants. “We won’t be bringing Beyonce to Burlington but we do plan on bringing first class talent to the city” said Miller.
 If you wanted to buy a beer and walk around with the can in your hand you needed a wrist band – all you had to do was prove you were over 18 or under 30. Much of the public wants the festival to be totally free, which Miller admits would be great, ”but the reality is that these events are expensive to mount and maintain and there are only so many sponsorships available”.
He adds that “It costs $150,000 to put up one of those main stages.”
 For an additional fee you could stand inside an enclosure and give your ear drums a beating. Ticket sales this year were off a bit from last year.
The SoM have found a number of interesting ways to add to the revenue stream. The created a space directly in front of the stage where people can stand right at the edge and look into the eyes of the players.
 For a fee you could sit in the “Sweet Seats” – shaded by an awning with a great view of the bands. They created a section called Sweet Seats where people can, for a fee, sit on a sheltered raised stage and enjoy food and a beverage.
There is also a party tent that can be used by corporations who want to entertain and hear the music, enjoy a beverage and perhaps do some business.
Perhaps the most appreciated addition is the ability for people to buy can of beer and walk around the enclosed area chatting with friends and enjoy a drink.
There are plenty of security people about to ensure that no one overdoes the imbibing.
 Security was all over the place – allowing people to buy a can of beer and walk around the enclosed grounds was something that was not going to get out of hand. Security was perhaps the thing that strikes one the most. There were a number of check points and dozens of people wearing security vests.
Better than letting anything get out of control – but it just didn’t feel like a pleasant music festival.
One Burlington resident wrote the Gazette saying he lived two km from the site and said he found the music very intrusive this year asking if the music was louder this year than in the past.
The sound of music has been part of the city for 39 years – the organizers tinker with the content and do work hard to keep everyone happy.
By Staff
June 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Development begins to take place on a part of Brant Street that isn’t downtown downtown. This one is closer to Fairview
A 91 unit four-storey stacked townhouse development with 137 parking spaces below grade, and five above will be shown at an open house Wednesday June 27, 7pm, at the Burlington Public Library for the redevelopment of 849 and 855 Brant Street, south of Fairview
 Less than a block to the east the Molinaro Group is completing the construction of the first three of the five high rise towers that will be on the site. The project would require both an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment. The meeting is hosted by the applicants,TRG (Brant-Fairview), an affiliate of The Rosseau Group, to seek public input prior to filing an application.
The site has at least one perfectly good office building in place but the rule of getting the most out of a piece of land has come into play in Burlington.
In the illustration one can see the location of the Discovery Ford dealership on the west side of Brant.
A number of years ago the then city planner held a meeting of all the automotive dealerships in the city to talk about how property might be developed in the future. At the time none of the automotive people were interested in thinking in terms of redeveloping their locations. Discovery Ford recently completed a major upgrade of their site with newer signage and upgrade of the outside of the building
Candidate for the Office of Mayor Marianne Meed Ward will be attending.
By Pepper Parr
June 11th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the schools 50th anniversary and something the community wanted to celebrate.
The vision came from the mind of Carie DeMunck, a parent and lead organizer for the event.
The community wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Pauline Johnson elementary school that was named after the celebrated Indigenous poet, author and actress who in her time was a major writer and entertainer.
DeMunck was able to contact the founding principal and a number of the teachers who opened the school, which at the time, was one of the first fully open concept schools in the province.
 Founding principal Doug Campbell with Mayor Rick Goldring and Director of Education Stuart Miller There were no walls, no corridors just one large open space. It was like one of those traditional one room schools in the rural parts of the province. Doug Campbell said that he had two hats; one as principal of the school and the other as tour guide. Every senior educator in the province wanted to see what an open concept school looked like and how it operated.
The open concept idea lasted five years – then the school began to expand and is now at the point where it has three portables at the back of the building.
Campbell was pretty curt with his comments on the decision to revert to a more traditional school set up. The open concept sounded as if it was the highlight of his career.
DeMunck explained to the Gazette when she was first in touch with us that “Our School is having its 50th Anniversary Celebration on Friday June 8th and 9th of this year. There was to be an official opening of the two time capsules, and a tree dedication.
Past principals, the Mayor of Burlington, and members of Six Nations were part of the audience.
The school gymnasium was filled with the elementary level students who were surprisingly quiet and well behaved.
A student choir sang one of the Pauline Johnson songs: The Land of the Silver Birch.
 The 25th anniversary time capsule.  The two time capsules open during the Friday celebration of the schools 50th anniversary. The opening of the time capsules was a highlight. However it was what the students wanted to put in the time capsule that was going to be created on the celebration of the 50th anniversary.
Students from each grade level trooped to the front of the audience and read out or displayed what their grade wanted put in the capsule. It was going to be considerably more robust than what had been put in on the 25th anniversary and by the millennial students.
 Several students with their poster telling the Pauline Johnson story as they understand it.  Teacher holds up the Pauline Johnson poster prepared by a class of older elementary school students. The two capsules were at one point placed outdoors, then moved inside the building where they were placed in an air duct where they gathered dust but were certainly kept dry. Schools in Ontario for the most part do not have corners stones.
 Pauline Johnson public school students taking part in a tree dedication to mark the 50th anniversary of their school. On Saturday there was a BBQ and a public reunion for alumni who have attended the school since the opening in 1968.
Background link:
Who was Pauline Johnson?
 By Staff
June 10th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Councillor Blair Lancaster Blair Lancaster was re-elected for her second term to the Board of Directors, Ontario Caucus for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Halifax.
FCM has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901 and plays an important role in advocating to ensure the needs of municipalities are reflected in federal policies and programs.
Lancaster is the city council member for ward 6 and a member of Regional Council.
Lancaster has filed nomination papers and will be seeking election to a third term of office.
By Staff
June 10th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Citizens taking care of their community.
On May 28th 2018 at approximately 7:35 AM, several observant citizens reported suspicious activity around a vehicle in the area of Weslock Common and Singleton Common (Alton Community) in the City of Burlington.
 Officers responded and located a man that had been seen by the citizens exiting the vehicle. A subsequent investigation into the vehicle revealed it had been stolen from a Marion Court Burlington driveway on May 26th 2018. Officers also observed a significant number of tools which investigators later identified as being stolen from several residential garage break and enters on Old York Road in Burlington.
Dustin Mark GALLAGHER (34-yrs) of No Fixed Address was arrested and held for bail. He will appear next for a video remand on June 11th 2018 charged with the following offences:
• Break, enter & theft (two counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Fail to comply with probation (two counts)
Investigators are grateful to the citizens that took the initiative to report suspicious observations that led to this successful outcome and encourage others to do the same to help keep our community safe.
Anyone with information on these crimes is encouraged to contact Detective Clay Gillis of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2307.
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 .
 By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a resounding win.
Given the chaos that Doug Ford faced when he was made leader of the party his win can only be described as incredible.
The people who voted wanted a change and this has certainly been a change.
The voter turnout is reported to have been 58%, the highest the province has seen in 20 years. One canno argue with results like that.
The voters made decisions and the joy in the various halls where the celebrations took place echoed what people wanted.
 Jane McKenna will become the MPP for Burlington, this time as the member of a government. Burlington is now back to being a blue city. Jane McKenna is once again a member of the provincial legislature and this time she is a member of the government. Whatever Ms McKenna has in the way of ideas and aspirations can now come to the surface.
Time will tell what kind of a contribution she is going to make.
Today, she is to be congratulated for her win.
Eleanor McMahon now ends her career as a politician.
The city did see two very good new candidates: Alvin Tedjo brought a fresh approach for the Liberals and Andrew Drummond was a welcome surprise for the New Democrats. One hopes they stick around.
Time to move on and get on with the business of creating a new government and getting used to the idea that the change the voters wanted has begun.
Will the change we saw take place last night be repeated in October at city hall? And if they are will they be as resounding?
Salt with Pepper is the reflections, musings and opinions of the Gazette publisher.
 By Pepper Parr
June 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Today it is Mike Wallace’s turn to take the drive for a cup of coffee with James Burchill in his Smart Car.
These 15 minute or so drives and the conversation that takes place or so revealing. Run side by side with the conversation that Burchill did with Rick Goldring a number of weeks ago the differences in style and approach to issues are telling.
The beauty of having these on line is that you can go back and listen to what is said again and again. In the Mike Wallace we learn that his most favourite past time is watching football – any kind of football; pro levels, college and even high school. Wallace revealed that he would like to referee high school football when he retires.
All 15 minutes are viewable here.
The drive Burchill took with Rick Goldring can be seen HERE
 By Ray Rivers
June 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was never in doubt. Actually the PCs started winning the Ontario election two years ago when Ontario got bored with the Liberals and their leader and turned to the PC’s as their preferred agent of change. So this was probably the most predictable election in the province’s history. And around 40% of the 59% of eligible voters who turned up to vote gave Doug Ford the leash, allowing him to lead Ontario into a new direction. ‘Help is here’ and ‘a new day has dawned’, the province has voted to be ‘turned around’ and become ‘prosperous’ as the slogans go.
 But beyond the slogans there is little sign of how we get to that bright new day being promised. As the campaign evolved I became more negative about Mr. Ford, worried about his lack of experience in government and his knowledge of the issues as well as his ability to work with others and provide leadership. But the people have spoken and I hope my fears will prove unfounded and Mr. Ford will do the job so many Ontario voters trusted him to do.
Ontario has a special place in Canada. As the most populous province, we have a particular leadership role, one Ontario has always played, particularly in keeping the country together given its historical relationship with Quebec. It would be helpful in that regard if Mr. Ford would become competent enough to utter at least a few phrases of Canada’s other official language.
We watch the friction between B.C. and Alberta, as each jurisdiction focuses on it’s own needs/wants at the expense of the other, and see how communication has broken down even when they both speak the same language. Parochialism is a destructive force for a union when the greater good is sacrificed for political interest.
Mr. Ford’s first task after assembling a cabinet, which should not be hard given the number of experienced and talented people newly (re)elected, is to bring in a budget. As we recall he had made the most expensive promises of all on the campaign trail, but was alone in not having presented a fully costed platform. That will give him a perfect opportunity to be virtually unconstrained in drafting his first budget, arguably the most important of his electoral term and the one which will ultimately define him.
 Doug Ford – now he needs to come up with a budget. The Tories had promised to do little on the environmental file except clean up litter. In fact they have committed to dismantle climate change measures put in place by the previous government, including the cap and trade carbon tax, the green Ontario incentives and the renewable energy contracts. One can only hope that this there are enough progressives in Mr. Ford’s caucus to move him beyond this kind of regressive positioning. It is of some small comfort in that light that Ontario has elected its first Green Party MMP – from the once Royal City of Guelph.
Of course we all wish Mr. Ford success and offer our support. How he performs this new job affects us all and may very well impact his ambition to one day become the prime minister of this wonderful nation, or at least be re-elected. Despite all the campaign misinformation, he inherits a province with a near full employment economy, an impressive environmental record and the most progressive slate of social support programs in our history. Mr. Ford also inherits the ‘largest subnational debt’ in the world – one he has promised to do something about.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
 By Staff
June 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 It finally happened – the Burlington Herd recorded their first win of the season when they took a 6-3 game against the Guelph Royals Tuesday night at David E. Hastings Stadium.
It was the teams 9th game of the season.
Herd leadoff hitter Justin Gideon went 3-for-4 with two singles, a triple, two runs and an RBI. Mattingly Romanin drove in a run and scored twice, Nolan Pettipiece had two hits and two runs, and Andrew Mercier had an RBI.
Casey Bouillere-Howard (1-0) picked up the win in relief, giving up a run on four hits in 6.2 innings. He walked one and struck out three. Tyler Herr struck out all four batters he faced for his first save.
Derek Zwolinski started and allowed two runs on one hit with four walks in an inning before he was pulled after facing four batters in the second.
Justin Interisano went 2-for-4 with a solo home run for the Royals, who dropped to 3-5. Toure Sinclair singled twice and scored once, while Matthew Pilarczik and William Heurter each had an RBI.
Edwin Javier (1-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits over seven innings. He walked five and struck out 11.
Panthers past Baycats
Noelvis Entenza threw seven scoreless innings to lead the Kitchener Panthers to a 5-0 win over the Barrie Baycats Tuesday night at Coates Stadium.
Entenza (2-0) scattered four hits and walked three with four strikeouts.
Offensively, Tanner Nivins hit a two-run blast in the Panthers’ three-run fifth inning. Brian Burton went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while Mike Andrulis had the other RBI.
Kyle DeGrace and Brandon Dhue had two hits apiece for the Baycats.
Santos Arias (1-1) took the loss, giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings. He walked one and struck out two.
Kitchener improved to 7-3, and Barrie fell to 5-3.
By Pepper Parr
June 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Now it is all in your hands.
 We paid for this right with the lives of many of our sons and fathers – and some of our sisters and mothers as well. The right we have to choose who governs us has been expensive. We paid for this right with the lives of many of our sons and fathers – and some of our sisters and mothers as well.
They are depending on us to make wise choices; to not let our emotions or ideologies get in the way of important decisions.
The government we have this morning is not the government we are going to have tomorrow morning. The government we had lost the right to govern because they failed to listen and to understand what it is we wanted.
We may not have been all that clear on letting them know just what it is we do want.
The people who put a mark on a ballot are never wrong.
Just make sure that you are one of the people putting a mark on a ballot. Think hard and go with what you believe is best for the society you are the most important part of.
Going forward you get to decide what you think is best for all of us.
Salt with Pepper is the opinions, thoughts and reflections of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette.
 By Staff
June 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If you thought the million dollar plus homes were all going to be in the downtown core – cast your eyes east and take a look at what the ADI Development group has planned for a property close to the upgraded Burloak Waterfront Park
They are now marketing “an exclusive, private enclave of six luxurious, London manor inspired townhomes on the prestigious Lakeshore Road across from Lake Ontario and Burloak Waterfront Park.”
 “Hear the sounds of the calming waves while you breathe in the Lakefront breeze. Soak in the serenity while relaxing on your rooftop terrace, whether you are entertaining friends, or enjoying a good book and a glass of wine while your skin soaks in the warmth of the sun.”
For $1.39 million they are offering 2 and 3-bedroom plans with 2 car garages and exquisite, luxe finishes. That $139 million is the starting point.
By Staff
June 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The announcement in the glossy magazine said:
Valera Condos & Towns is a new pr-construction condo and town-home development by ADI Developments located 4880 Valera Road in Burlington.
Valera Condos & Towns will be 10 storeys with a total of 414 condo units. Estimated completion date is still unknown.
 The soft sell approach – for a development in the Alton Village. Valera Condos & Towns Highlights:
-Serene views of the escarpment
-Surrounded by expansive lush park lands
-Close to shopping, dining and schools
-Nearby parks include Doug Wright Park, Norton Community Park ad Taywood Park.
 The Valera development is basically just across the road from the Thomas Alton Blvd development.
The project was first taken to the community late in March. It is currently in the Technical Review stage – that period of time when the planners pour over the many documents that are filed with an application.
The impact the Valera development and the development on the other side of Thomas Alton Blvd will have on the infrastructure, space in both th elementary and secondary schools s going to stress everything.
 The level of intensification in the Alton Village is putting a lot of pressure on the infrastructure. When the original development took place the bulk of the homes were single family dwellings. Then intensification came to Burlington and growth went up up because there wasn’t much in the way of and left to build on. No dates – just an early soft sell piece.
 The first development the ADI group did in the Alton Village was turned down by city council – it went to the OMB. The city and the developer worked out a settlement. The Alton community is still getting used to the other ADI project that many saw as having the potential to create a traffic nightmare.
In December 2016, city staff recommended approval of an Official Plan and Zoning ByLaw Amendment to permit a residential development by Adi Development Group at 4853 Thomas Alton Blvd. City Council refused the application which resulted in an appeal to the OMB.
During the OMB process, city staff sought and received direction from Burlington City Council to enter into settlement discussions with Adi Development Group.
City staff worked within the settlement parameters approved by Council and subsequently reached an agreement that would:
• Reduce the height of the two towers from 19 storeys to 17 storeys;
• Reduce the total number of units from 612 to 601, thereby reducing the density of the site;
• Replace two rows of stacked townhouse blocks with two mid-rise, six storey apartment blocks, resulting in a reduced building footprint on the site;
• Increase the size of the publicly accessible park on the site from 2,064 square metres to 2,481 square metres;
• Keep the 21 standard townhouse units on the west side of the site adjacent to existing townhouse development.
The proposed Valera development isn’t very far from the Thomas Alton development that was very contentious.
By Staff
June 6th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On Monday June 4, 2018 and Tuesday June 5, 2018, the Halton Regional Police Service investigated two false reports of threatening incidents in the City of Burlington.
Both incidents involved the Dr. Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School and the Haber Recreation Centre. Both of these facilities are attached in the same building complex located at 3040 Tim Dobbie Drive, Burlington, Ontario.
 Hayden Recreational Centre On Monday June 4, 2018, some unsubstantiated rumours began to be put forward that there was a threat of someone attending the school with a gun the following day. The school received calls from concerned parents as the rumours were apparently on a social media site. A citizen contacted a media outlet about these rumours.
School officials investigated the rumours in conjunction with the Halton Regional Police Service. The rumours involved a specific named person and the investigation concluded that this information was false and vexatious. The school sent a message out to parents, guardians and students advising them of the investigation and providing them information that there was no evidence of any kind of an actual threat was made. School activities were not impacted due to these rumours.
On Tuesday June 5, 2018, at approximately 8:00 pm, staff at the Haber Recreation Centre received an anonymous telephone call. The caller eluded that about an hour later there was going to be a bomb threat at the centre. The recreation centre is comprised of a library and a hall and staff elected to have the premise evacuated under an abundance of caution.
The Halton Regional Police Service attended and conducted a thorough search of the centre and found no threat or cause for any concern. The recreation centre was closed to the public for about 2.5 hours and then reopened for public use.
 Frank J. Hayden Secondary School when it was under construction In both investigated incidents the vague threats were deemed to be false and vexatious in nature, clearly intended to cause alarm to members of the public. At this time it is not clear if one or more persons are responsible for both of these incidents.
School officials and the police want to reiterate to students, parents and guardians that there is no cause for any concern for students attending school on Wednesday June 6, 2018.
Anyone with information on these crimes is encouraged to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2316.
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.
By Pepper Parr
June 6, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
As the members of city council get ready to put their re-election campaigns into full throttle once the direction of the province is determined on Thursday the Planning department picks up where they left off on the redevelopment of the waterfront site at Lakeshore Road and the foot of Brant Street.
 The Waterfront Hotel planning study will guide the property owner in the redevelopment of this site. Located next to two of Burlington’s most significant landmarks, Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, input from residents is needed to ensure the new development reflects a high quality of urban design that enhances the community’s access to the waterfront and the downtown
The planning staff has asked council to “endorse the key policy directions”. Those directions are set out below:
Despite extensive engagement opportunities, a clear consensus on direction has not yet been achieved, as such staff have built upon the above consultation work done through three community workshops (a total of six sessions), the Planning and Development Committee held on November 28, 2017, and significant contributions from the Vrancor Group and the Plan B Citizen Group, and created key policy directions to move forward.
 Concept 1 – the buildings are much closer to Lakeshore and the height will disturb a lot of people.
The key policy directions for the Waterfront Hotel site are intended to align with the vision statement, accommodate an iconic landmark building, and reinforce the site’s unique location as a major gateway to the waterfront.
 Concept 2 shift everything to the right creating a much more open approach to The Pier. The key policy directions have been organized around the study’s three frameworks and guiding design principles of Land Use and Built Form, Public Realm, and Mobility and Access, as follows:
Land Use and Built Form
1) Create building frontages along Lakeshore Road and Elizabeth Street with building placement that establishes a defining street wall and frames the street zone.
2) Provide active uses at grade along Lakeshore Road and Elizabeth Street.
3) Achieve active and animated edges adjacent to Spencer Smith Park, with a requirement for retail and service commercial uses at grade:
a. Built form next to the south property line shall activate and animate this edge, respect the existing grade, and be scaled to the waterfront trail with higher levels stepping back as necessary.
b. Built form next to the west property line shall activate and animate this edge, respect the existing grade, and be scaled to Spencer Smith Park with higher levels stepping back as necessary.
4) Require a minimum of two uses within buildings and where feasible, encourage three uses.
5) Establish an iconic landmark building on the site subject to the following:
a. A new public, pedestrian space is provided at the foot of Brant Street where public views to the Lake and Pier are enhanced;
b. The iconic landmark building must contain a destination use or function;
c. The iconic landmark building shall enhance the City of Burlington’s image/identity.
 Plan B is a citizens initiative – a small group who lived in the downtown core didn’t like the way the city was handling public participation – they came up with ideas of their own that have shifted some of the thinking being done by the planners. 6) Require design excellence in all matters of architecture, landscape architecture, sustainable and urban design and require that all public and private development proposals on or adjacent to the site be evaluated/reviewed by the Burlington Urban Design Advisory Panel.
Public Realm
7) Protect public view corridors to Lake Ontario from Brant and Elizabeth Streets, and where possible John Street.
8) Enhance the Brant Street view corridor to frame views to the Brant Street Pier, and require a significant building setback from the west property line.
9) Create new and enhanced publicly accessible green/open space, which would include new north-south pedestrian connections between Lakeshore Road and Spencer Smith Park (mid-block and along the site’s edges).
10) Minimize changes to the existing grade along the southern edge of the site and enhance the interface with Spencer Smith Park.
11) Integrate a public washroom within the future redevelopment; with an entrance that is accessible, highly visible and within close proximity to Spencer Smith Park.
12) Identify opportunities for the placement of public art on and adjacent to the site.
Mobility and Access
13) Vehicle access shall be from Elizabeth Street.
14) Vehicle access from Brant Street will be closed and converted to a pedestrian orientated gateway to the waterfront.
15) All required on-site parking shall be provided underground (parking structures shall not be visible from the public streets and park).
16) Require Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and mitigation measures:
a. Examine the feasibility of introducing a future bike rental/share hub at this location.
 The battle over what happens opposite city hall is basically over. Can Spencer Smith Park and the way the development impacts that space be any different? The Staff report asked that staff be directed “to develop a revised work plan for the Waterfront Hotel Planning Study and report back to Council in Q1 2019 to outline the overall time, resources, communication and public engagement approaches required to address any changes to the study’s overall scope of work.”
The battle over this one is going to be as contentious as that over the high rise towers that are planned for Brant Street opposite city hall.
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