 By Staff
May 18th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Performing Arts Centre Executive Director Tammy Fox let theatre goers see what they can expect during the 2018/19 season.
This will be the Centre’s eighth year of operation.
Fox lauded the exceptional diversity the season has to offer the community “I’m incredibly proud of the collection of performances I have curated for our 18/19 Season. It’s our most diverse and inclusive season to date.” BPAC’s commitment to learn about other cultures while being wildly entertained will be on full display at the inaugural Cultural Diversity Festival, September 29-30. Included in a series of free and ticketed events will be Ali Hassan’s Muslim Interrupted, and a cast of new Canadians in Enana Dance Theatre’s Julia Domna.
 Hot Brown Honey BPAC welcomes the deaf community to experience the beauty of live music when Raine Hamilton presents her concert with live ASL interpretation and Ahuri Theatre’s This is the Point will challenge audiences to change their perception of people with disabilities. International Women’s Day will be celebrated with Evalyn Parry’s SPIN, a captivating play with music inspired by the bicycle’s role in women’s emancipation, and the smash-hit Hot Brown Honey – a tour-de-force celebration of woman fighting the power. “It’s the most high-energy, empowering evening you can imagine!” says Fox.
Canada’s most celebrated musicians take center stage for a line-up of incredible concerts including; The Jim Cuddy Band, Whiskey Jack presents The Stories & Songs of Stompin’ Tom, MAGIC!, Cowboy Junkies, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Royal Wood, I Mother Earth & Finger 11, Gowan, Holly Cole, Jesse Cook and Moon vs Sun – a new venture with powerhouse couple Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida.
 One thing leads to another. Audiences will find continuity with past programming with the Family Series, Classical Matinees, Holiday programming and the ever-popular Classic Albums Live concerts. Families will be enthralled with Carousel Players’ Peter Pan, and the immensely popular One Thing Leads to Another, a play for babies. Michael Kim, Art of Time Ensemble, Gryphon Trio and Anagnoson & Kinton celebrate the majestic piano in BPAC’s The Art of The Piano Series. Enduring classics ring in the Holiday season with John McDermott, A Next Generation Leahy Christmas and The Nutcracker ballet from The State Ballet Theatre of Russia.
Contemporary and traditional dance is well represented with Dreamwalker Dance Co: Memory is the History of Forgetting with Andrea Nann and Andy Maize from The Skydiggers, Toronto’s acclaimed Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Irish dance spectacular Murphy’s Celtic Legacy, Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba: Made in Cuba, and The State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s Sleeping Beauty.
New for this season are film screenings with live musical accompaniment. Alicia Svigals plays the klezmer violin to the silent film The Yellow Ticket and Antonio Sánchez drums up his Grammy-winning percussion score to the Academy Award Winning film BiRDMAN in BiRDMAN LiVE.
 How do I love thee. Fox is also introducing a play reading series with Canadian Rep Theatre and its Artistic Director Ken Gass. “It’s a fantastic way to bring Canadian Theatre to audiences who may be unfamiliar with the work. You get lost in the story and imagine the sets and costumes for yourself- it’s addictive!” Garage Sale and How Do I Love Thee will begin what will become a staple series at BPAC.
“It’s so important to not take ourselves too seriously!” Fox notes and comedy in different forms proves that. Thank You For Being a Friend – The Ultimate Golden Girls Experience is a hilarious live action puppet show featuring Miami’s most famous senior citizens. Bringing the house down with their famous improv comedy is the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company and BPAC will get the best of The Toronto Sketch Fest featuring Gavin Crawford and Bruce McCulloch, and stand-up comedian Jeremy Hotz.
Rounding out the season are evening appointments with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, The Guess Who’s Carl Dixon, and famous showman Tony Danza with his song and dance act.
 BPAC has reintroduced its Member program for the 2018/2019 Season, sponsored by Lexus of Oakville, offering patrons discounts, access to the Discovery Ford Members ‘ Lounge and exclusive insider benefits.
Fox adds that “Our patrons have been essential to all we have accomplished so far, and to all that is still possible. I look forward – with great anticipation – to experiencing together our 2018/2019 Season and beyond.”
 By Staff
May 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 There was nothing shabby about the game between the Barrie Baycats and the Burlington Herd.
The Baycats have owned the top spot in the league for years.
The Herd’s Santos Arias pitched seven innings and struck out two as the Barrie Baycats edged the Burlington Herd 2-1 Thursday night at Nelson Park.
Arias (1-0) scattered seven hits and didn’t walk a batter. He gave up an RBI single to Tyler Patzalek in the bottom of the first. Jaspreet Shergill tossed a perfect ninth with a strikeout for his first save.
Offensively, Kyle DeGrace and Jordan Castaldo drove in the Baycats runs. Ryan Spataro singled and scored twice and had two stolen bases.
 For Burlington, Patzalek also doubled in a two-hit game. Justin Gideon singled and scored a run.
Chris Boatto (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Barrie improved to 3-0, and Burlington dropped to 0-3.
Hopefully the grit that was evident in the game will show up when the Herd goes up against other teams in the league.
Future games
Friday, May 18
Kitchener at London, 7:35 p.m.
Saturday, May 19
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.
Guelph at Barrie, 2 p.m.
Toronto at London, 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 20
Barrie at Brantford, 2 p.m.
Burlington at Toronto, 2 p.m.
Hamilton at Kitchener, 2 p.m.
 By Pepper Parr
May 17th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Terri Blackwell, a Superintendent with the Halton District School Board, gave a report last night on the progress of the creation of a new kind of high school that will be made operational within the existing Aldershot High School in September of 2019.
She has a tight schedule to work within and, as she out t in her presentation to the trustees last night, “we don’t know where we are going to land yet”.
 Superintendents Blackwell and Truffen Blackwell and her team, which includes Superintendents Truffen and Hunt Gibbons, are in the process of figuring out “what the learning will look like”. “What will there be in the way of specialty classes” How will the classroom space be configured?
The Board learned that $1.475 million has been allocated for renovations to some of the space at Aldershot high school.
The program Blackwell and her team are creating is being called iStem – Innovation – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics that will be focused on a problem solving approach to learning.
In a really instructive video that Blackwell and her team use to make their point they argue that there haven’t been many changes in the way education is delivered.
 Julie Hunt Gibbons making a point during the Mercedez Benz workshop. The Board has decided they want to create a curriculum and a location that will be a first step in changing the way high school educations will be delivered.
The idea was a sort of last minute thought that came out of the difficult, painful process of deciding to close two of the city’s seven high schools.
Blackwell reported that there are already teachers asking to be part of the process.
 The objective is clear – now the path has to be chosen. A full day workshop with more than 70 people was held at the Mercedes Benz dealership on the North Service Road where the classic cars were on display. The setting was apt.
With the concept approved, the needed funding in place the hard part begins – making sure they get it right the first time.
 By Pepper Parr
May 17th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board approve the resolutions from Private Session, May 2, 2018, respecting Property Matters. The motion was carried unanimously.
These motions are not unusual – they usually have to do with the purchase or sale of property for a school site.
The following day the Board of Education issued a media release advising that the Board had entered into a leasing agreement with the Halton Catholic District School Board for the about to be closed Lester B. Pearson High School.
The motion made in a closed session of the HDSB was suddenly a much different story.
The closing of the Lester B. Pearson High school was a very contentious decision that has the likelihood of at least two trustees losing their seats in the October election.
What is galling is the way the trustees handled the matter. They all had an opportunity to make a comment – none took the opportunity.
 School board chair Andrea Grebenc conferring with Director of Education Stuart Miller. Chair Andrea Grebenc had an opportunity to explain to the public how the opportunity to lease a building the school board was not going to be using came about.
Stuart Miller, the Director of Education, who is a very hands on person, had an opportunity to take the public through the time line and use the opportunity to settle a very upset community.
Board staff are working very hard, so far successfully, to integrate the Pearson high school students into M. M. Robinson high school. Something like this takes people back to a decision that was very very hard for them to accept.
There are those in the community who are convinced the leasing deal was always in place – they two school boards were just waiting for the dust to settle before the papers were signed.
What is missing in all this is true transparency, true accountability.
Chair Grebenc had a responsibility to speak to the public – be candid, look directly into the camera during the web caste and explain the full story to the public.
The Director of Education had a responsibility to give the public all the details.
Based on what the Gazette has been able to learn – there was nothing to hide. The Catholic board needed some space for their Assumption high school students while their high schools was being renovated.
Why this Board and the Director of Education chose to let it slide by and hope no one noticed is troubling.
That not one trustee chose to say a word suggests collusion between the trustees and the Director to dummy up and say nothing.
The public deserves better. These trustees should be ashamed.
It really is all about trust – the Halton District School Board trustees betrayed the people they asked to vote them into office.
 Halton District School Board in session. Salt with Pepper is the opinions, reflections and musings of the Gazette publisher.
Related news story.
 By Tracy Ehl Harris
May 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
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In the spring of 2017, the Ministry of Education placed a moratorium on any new Pupil Accommodation Reviews in the province until such time as they could consult with stakeholders and update the existing Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG, released March 2015).
After two rounds of consultation in the fall of 2017 and winter of 2018, the Ministry released the updated PARG in April 2018. Boards must now develop/revise their own Pupil Accommodation Review (PAR) policies to be in conformance with the new PARG. At the heart of the policy, is serving students in the best and most effective way possible.
Boards undertake annual pupil accommodation planning processes (in the HDSB this is called the Long Term Accommodation Process, LTAP, and it is available each spring) that identify growth, decline and status quo scenarios for each school, area, and the district as a whole. Through the LTAP, each year existing and foreseeable pupil accommodation issues are highlighted, and community consultation is undertaken. Potential Pupil Accommodation Reviews (PARs) are also identified. These reviews must follow the PARG established by the Ministry, and the Board’s own PAR policy.
HDSB Trustees provided comments to the Ministry during the consultation timelines noted above for the new PARG. I want to highlight three concerns related to the new PARG:
1) A PAR is initiated by the submission by staff and approval by the Board of Trustees of an initial staff report identifying the accommodation challenge to be addressed and the scope of the review, among other things. In the 2015 version of the PARG, the initial staff report to the Board of Trustees was to contain a recommended scenario (that is a preference for solving the identified accommodation challenge). In the 2018 PARG update, this changed. The initial staff report is now to contain a recommended scenario and at least two alternative scenarios.
 Members of a Halton District School Board PARC meeting. This new approach likely does not solve the issue associated with publishing a preferred option (and alternatives) at the start of a PAR process. Boards ask communities to provide their best wisdom and guidance on how to solve a specific accommodation problem. It is very difficult to engage in a problem-solving exercise when it appears that there is already a predisposition for a preferred solution(s). Some school communities may feel attacked, while others may feel that the issue doesn’t involve them.
Processes start in a trust deficit and it is very hard to recover. Why aren’t Boards given the choice about whether a preferred scenario and alternatives are appropriate for their context? Ideally, proponents would be encouraged to start a PAR process just where the LTAP leaves off, with a report about a specific accommodation challenge and the related implications and then move to consider possible viable solutions in a consultative manner.
2) “School boards are required to consult with local communities prior to adopting or subsequently amending their pupil accommodation review policies.” (Section IV of the new PARG) One critical factor in engaging communities is that there is the opportunity to build and/or sustain a trust relationship. This can be fostered by appropriate consultation and communication. In section IV, the broad term “consult” is utilized, appropriately giving boards the latitude to utilize consultation methods that best suit the community audience and can garner meaningful input that supports trust building and good, local decision making. In Section X it is stated that ”the school board must arrange to hold a minimum of three public meetings for broader community consultation on the initial staff report.” It also states that “in addition to the required public meetings, school boards may use other methods to solicit community feedback.”
Why, during an accommodation review when emotions are potentially high given that specific scenarios are being considered, does the Ministry insist on utilizing “public meetings.” This is but one method, and it may or may not be the most appropriate one.
This is a dated and limited construct of what consultation can and should be. The International Association for Public Participation states, “public meetings are often selected when another approach might work better.” Further, they say, “public meetings can escalate out of control if emotions are high.” Predictably, this is what happens when people are discussing education in general, and specifically as it relates to one’s children and the schools they attend.
 Parents at a public PAR meeting. This narrow construct (i.e public meetings) can be a hindrance to meaningful consultation and the eventual outcomes. Again, why can’t boards choose the type of consultation that is most appropriate for their context and the needs of the communities they serve?
3) There appears to be a lack of clarity and consistency regarding roles of various parties throughout the PARG. For example, Section XI, states “School boards will determine how best to involve secondary school students in the pupil accommodation review process”.
This section and others seem to be silent in terms of engaging staff. Section XII which speaks to transition planning does not mention students but does mention parents/guardians and staff. These inconsistencies could be cleared up by identifying all stakeholders prior to the beginning of the process and identifying how they will be engaged in meaningful ways.
Further, there is lack of clarity around membership and functioning of the PAR Committee members. For example, Ministry expectations are unclear about what is meant when a Trustee is an ad hoc member of this committee.
Here is a summary of next steps provided by the Ministry.
“To ensure consistency in pupil accommodation reviews across school boards, the Ministry of Education will work with education and municipal stakeholders and partner ministries over the coming months to develop supports such as templates to assist boards. This includes templates for the initial staff report and the economic impact assessment.
The ministry will aim to release these supports by fall 2018. While these supports are being developed, there will continue to be no new pupil accommodation reviews, unless they are required to support a joint-use school initiative between two coterminous school boards
PAR processes can be difficult under the best of conditions. Perhaps these supports/templates will assist Boards in supporting students in effective and efficient ways. The PARG states that “School boards are responsible for managing their school capital assets in an effective manner. They must respond to changing demographics and program needs while being cognizant of the impacts of their decisions on student programming and well-being, school board resources and the local community.” Boards should have the right balance of prescription from the Ministry and latitude to run strong context specific processes, AND students should be the focus and at the heart of everything.
The source document is: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/reviewGuide.html)
 Tracy Ehl Harris is a Halton District School Board trustee for Oakville and is the current vice-chair of the Board. Tracey is a registered professional planner, certified master public participation practitioner and certified professional facilitator.
 By Staff
May 16, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington and the Halton Regional Police Service have partnered in a collaborative effort aimed at education, prevention and increased enforcement of Burlington’s Nuisance and Noise Control By-Law No.: 19-2003.
 Every Friday and Saturday night from May 18 through to Sept. 1, 2018, a team of Burlington Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and members of the Halton Regional Police Service will address noise complaint calls both through education and enforcement.
To file a bylaw request through the City of Burlington, please call 905-335-7731.
The enforcement team might want to hang around the Plaza parking lot on Brant just north of Caroline – there are reports of loud shrieks when car owners who were not shopping at the plaza return and find their vehicle has been towed.
 By Pepper Parr
May 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
When the Gazette covered the Halton Music showcase with over 600 students and their instruments in almost every nook and cranny at the Seniors’ Centre then reviewed the very large display of student art at Gary Alan high school and then learned of a dance competition, we found ourselves asking – Who organizes all these events and what part do the arts play in the education children are getting.
Turns out that Rebecca MacRae, lead arts coordinator with the Halton District School Board keeps all the parts moving.
 Getting it just right – the first time. The Board has over 200 music teachers at the elementary and secondary levels.
 This is the work of an elementary school student. MacRae wasn’t able to tell us how any students she interacts with on a weekly basis but did say later that “It’s more than I realized.” Her student contact is spent observing their workshops, and helping with the logistics of large events and rehearsals.
 Rebecca MacRae MacRae is in place to oversee the arts offerings in the schools, a job she has been doing since September. She has been with the Board of Education for 18 years always in music and drama. She studied at McMaster University, the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Mohawk College.
 From the hands of an elementary student. The world of music for MacRae began when she saw a piano with her grandmother and knew then that she “wanted to play one of those.”
Jazz and classical are her preferences; she has written some music but is reluctant to call herself a composer
Her job is that of an administrator where time management is her biggest challenge. “I do what I do because of the students and the ongoing question for me is ‘Is this good for the students’”. And to reports to Superintendent Julie Hunt Gibbons .
 Listening attentively. A large part of the job is ensuring that there’s a real world connection to what is being taught in the classroom where the students learn from each other.
 An artistic interpretation of a circuit board. Students get to see that music, art, drama and dance are crafts and one of the ways they can earn their livings
Asked what difference she is going to make she says it is important for her to understand what’s going on and realizing that there’s not just one way to do things.
“I am in place to build relationships and to do right by the students”, said MacRae. “These students are the future leaders.”
When MacRae gets going she will tell you that “A complete education includes the arts where students get to understand their own personalities and get to do drama, dance and music with other students. There is a level of creativity that isn’t as evident in some other subjects. Students get to explore, use their imaginations and develop ideas. The arts bring emotions to the surface giving students a chance to reflect on their feelings and experience the joy of producing something that gets shared with others. We want children to feel what they are doing.”
Music for MacRae is personal. She doesn’t play professionally – and wishes there was more time to play at home.
By Staff
May 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington is hosting a night of recognition for the Burlington athletes who competed in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.
 Renata Fast Renata Fast, who won a silver medal in PyeongChang as part of the Canadian women’s national ice hockey team, will be at City Hall on May 22. Everyone is invited to have refreshments and meet Ms. Fast.
Event takes place in the city hall atrium at 6:00 pm
 Kerri Morrison – speed skater The city will also recognize Jesse Lumsden of the bobsleigh team and speedskater Keri Morrison.
The city welcomed snowboarder Darren Gardner on April 23.
 Jessie Lumsden is in there somewhere.
 By Ray Rivers
May 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Liberals were trailing in third place so their chances of recovering were pretty remote anyway. And now the part time directors of the board of Hydro One have announced that they’ll be treating themselves to an extra $25,000 raise – on top of their $160,000 casual pay. And their timing is impeccable, doing this mid-way through the provincial election campaign. Didn’t the Premier hand pick the Board? Et Tu Brute?
Do the board members have a secret wish to help Doug Ford’s campaign, the man who has promised to fire them as soon as he wins the election? Do these directors just want to say thanks by kicking Kathleen Wynne where it hurts, as her reward for appointing them to such lucrative positions? Or are they just plain suicidal?
 Fighting for the team – which appears to include the Hydro One directors? And for poor Kathleen, this effectively brings an end to any hope she and her Liberals had of winning the Election June 7th. Damned electricity file! It was that file, after all, which helped the Liberals oust the hapless Ernie Eves. And that same file subsequently took out Dalton McGuinty when he got caught playing politics with gas plants. And now it’s Wynne’s turn.
This greedy decision by the Board to increase the size of the trough they wallow in can only become the icing on the cake for Ms. Wynne’s retirement party. The irony is that privatization has made Hydro One more of a political football than it was in its old life as a crown corporation. And that takes us back to the Harris’ decision to break up Ontario Hydro in the first place and McGuinty’s decision to try to make it work rather than unscramble the messy omelette.
 Clitheroe getting a reported $25,000 per month pension – a very generous pension settlement when they fired her.) So while Mr. Ford is making much of this Hydro One malady he would do well to recall that the situation today is a consequence of his own PC party’s misadventure. He would no doubt like us to forget that his party established the original Hydro One board structure. And he’ll never mention its first CEO, Eleanor Clitheroe, Ontario’s truly strange ‘two million dollar woman’ who extracted a very generous pension settlement ($25,000 per month) when she also had to be fired. Little wonder our hydro rates are so high.
The PC’s under Harris/Eves had always intended to privatize Hydro One, and even today Ford will not commit to taking back control of the corporation. He just wants to fire the Board and replace it with his own cronies. What are the chances we can expect to see this scenario replay itself were Ford to become Premier.
And just when it seems nothing could be worse news for our embattled premier, the provincial Financial Accounting Office (FAO) has just come in with an assessment. They claim that the province’s overall debt would be lower if the Wynne government had simply borrowed money for new infrastructure rather than selling off 53% of Hydro One – the nominal rationale for the sale.
 Hydro has been always been a problem file. It’s a bit of a mess, but then Hydro has been always been a problem file, running up over $40 billion in debt going back to the Robarts and Davis years. Of course Hydro really lost it’s way during the Bob Rae period when Maurice Strong thought to change it’s main purpose to delivery of environmental policy. Mike Harris was determined to break it up only to discover the $40 billion gap between its assets and liabilities. But we’ve finally paid off the tab.
McGuinty believed in Harris’ dream and was convinced that he could replace coal with renewable energy by harnessing the economics of the private sector. Rather than go into debt to finance the conversion from dirty coal he issued contracts to independent energy generators, giving them long term contracts guaranteeing purchases of electricity in exchange for them investing their own private capital.
 Is blowing smoke when he says he’ll tear up the contracts? Ford is blowing smoke when he says he’ll tear up the contracts. But even if he could, how would he keep the lights on when the private sector contractors shut down? Would Ontario end up having to buy its energy, including from dirty coal, from its neighbours, while our industry sits idle. Or would he nationalize all energy production?
Speaking of socialism it turns out that one of these Hydro One board members is a former NDP MPP and member of Bob Rae’s Cabinet, Francis Lankin. In addition to filling her face at board meetings she is also double dipping as one of those Trudeau appointed independent senators in Ottawa. It seems even socialists will hop on the gravy train if it avails itself, to borrow a term from Mr. Ford’s late brother.
And the NDP’s Andrea Horwath has promised to buy back and de-privatize Hydro One. This is something which may prove costly, but necessary, as Ontario tries to move beyond its jaded experience of private sector delivery of electricity. But Horwath too needs to be careful as she treads among the ever fragrant meadow muffins on this file.
 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
Background links:
Hydro One Pay – Liberal Response – Financial Accounting Office –
Hydro One – Hydro One Board –
 By Pepper Parr
May 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The interest in running for city council is coming along nicely.
 City Clerk Angela Morgan oversees the rules that apply to the running of the municipal election. When ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven announced his retirement plans Rene Papin had his nomination plans in the hands of the city Clerk faster than we thought possible. did Papin have advance notice?
Some Gazette readers are asking – Who is Rene Papin? He has been looking for opportunities to get elected to something. Want to know more about Rene – here’s a link.
Marty Staz a real estate agent filed his nomination paper yesterday. Other than that – there is nothing knew.
People are wondering when the school board trustee for wards 1 & 2 is going to make her intentions known. Leah Reynolds was expected to run for the ward 2 city council seat – but that race is getting nice and busy – four candidates have filed papers – some solid choices amongst the four.
As of the close of business at city hall yesterday the following are the people running for office. They have until Friday, July 27, 2018, at 2:00 p.m to withdraw should they look at the list of people running for the office they want is something they cannot overcome.
The Gazette will begin reporting on the city council and school board candidates once the provincial election has taken place on June 7th
Mayor
Rick Goldring
524 Wicklow Rd., Burlington, L7L 2H8
905-320-3656
Marianne Meed Ward
497 Martha St., Burlington, ON, L7R 2R1
905-335-1899
mariannemeedward.ca
marianne4mayor@gmail.com
Mike Wallace
268 Tuck Dr., Burlington, ON, L7L 2R1
Home phone: 905-639-0185
Fax: 905-634-9822
mikewallaceformayor@gmail.com
www.mikewallaceformayor.ca
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 1
Marty Staz
773 Miriam Cres. Burlington, ON, L7T 1C7
289-983-7681
mstaz17@outlook.com
René Papin
905-541-7404
rehp1985@gmail.com
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 2
Kimberly Calderbank
905-719-6989
kimberly.solutions
David Cherry
1312 Hammond St., Burlington, ON, L7S 2C2
289-795-9203
Lisa Kearns
416-414-5335
kearns_lisa@hotmail.com
lisakearns.ca
Roland Tanner
357 Delaware Ave. Burlington, ON, L7R 3B4
289-259-4023
roland@rolandtanner.ca
Listening > Engaging > Empowering
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 3
Lisa Cooper
1299 Princeton Cres.
Home phone: 905-331-8469
Mobile phone: 289-259-9880
Fax: 905-331-8469
lisacooper1299@gmail.com
Rory Nisan
905-464-7195
info@rorynisan.ca
rorynisan.ca
Gareth Williams
289-635-8994
gareth@garethward3.ca
https://garethward3.ca
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 4
Jack Dennison
3087 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, ON, L7N 1A3
905-634-7102
Shawna Stolte
shawnastolte@gmail.com
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 5
Paul Sharman
5070 Spruce Ave., Burlington, ON, L7L 1M8
289-337-2297
paul@paulsharman.ca
Xin Yi Zhang
electxyz@gmail.com
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 6
Angelo Bentivegna
905-973-6923
Angelo.Bentivegna@gmail.com
www.AngeloBentivegnaWard6.ca
Blair Lancaster
3210 Hazelwood Ave., Burlington, ON, L7M 2V4
905-335-7068
blair@blairlancaster.ca
www.blairlancaster.ca
Ken White
905-220-4707
ken@kenwhiteward6.ca
www.kenwhiteward6.ca
Regional Chair
(nominations are filed with the Region of Halton)
Gary Carr
chaircarr@gmail.com
www.garycarr.ca
Halton District School Board Trustee – Wards 1 & 2
Halton District School Board Trustee – Wards 3 & 6
Andrea Grebenc
905-901-2235
contact@trustandrea.com
www.trustandrea.com
Halton District School Board Trustee – Ward 4
Richelle Papin
3134 Terraview Ct., Burlington, L7M 1E9
905-331-7608
Margo Shuttleworth
289-812-0629
shuttleworth.m.a@gmail.com
https://margoward4.wixsite.com/margoshuttleworth
Halton District School Board Trustee – Ward 5
Amy Collard
reelectamycollard@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/reelectamycollard
Halton Catholic District School Board Trustee
Arlene Iantomasi
772 Old York Rd., Burlington, ON, L7P 4X9
905-516-2691
arlo60@sympatico.ca
Maria Lourenco
905-808-5910
Lourenco4trustee@outlook.com
Conseil scolaire Viamonde
(nominations are filed with the City of Hamilton)
Pierre Girouard
905-808-3377
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
(nominations are filed with the Town of Oakville)
By Staff
May 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Lisa Kearns announced today that she will run for Ward 2 Council seat in the upcoming Municipal Election. Concerned for any conflict of interest she has chosen to step away from ECoB – Engaged Citizens of Burlington.
 Lisa Kearns, a ward 2 resident who was a strong voice within ECoB. Will this affect ECoB? –The answer is Yes and No. While Lisa played a valuable and pivotal role in its formation and work to date, ECoB consists of a team of residents from all of Burlington, who have come together to share their knowledge and expertise. This includes municipal planners, lawyers, and business owners, some retired, some not. The information and planning for the delegations and the workshops, organized by ECoB were a team effort with Lisa and Jim Young being the public faces.
 Lisa’s hard work and dedication will be missed but as voice for change she deserves all our best wishes as she takes her advocacy to the next level as a Ward 2 Candidate for City Council.
ECoB is still working actively. We have met and will continue to meet with different City Departments to get the answers to the many questions being asked by residents and their advocacy groups.
 Lisa Kearns, one of four people seeking the ward 2 city council seat. ECoB will continue with its mandate to make staff and council accountable for good planning and improved public engagement.
ECoB is always looking for new people to help strategize, if you would like to be part of the change that is happening in Burlington, please contact us through our website – engagedburlington.ca.
Kearns is one of four people seeking the ward 2 seat vacated by Marianne Meed Ward who is running for the Office of Mayor. Nominated to date are Roland Tanner, Kimberly Calderback and David Cherry.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The summer months are nearing, or so they say, and with them, comes the opening of spray pads on Saturday, May 19 and some pools on Friday, June 29; and all will be open June 30.
 Mountainside pool The Nelson and Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Parks, are set up so that residents can bring a lunch and Play and Stay for the Day from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Splash parks have more elaborate play features, are paired with outdoor pools and have an admission fee to enter.
Spray pads are free to use and not associated with outdoor pools.
Outdoor Pool and Splash Park changes for 2018:
 Nelson pool • Nelson Outdoor Pool and Splash Park will open for pre-season from June 2 to 29
• Nelson Outdoor Pool will be closed for a sporting event on June 17 and July 7 and 8. On July 7 & 8 there will be free swimming at Centennial pool.
• Nelson and Mountainside Outdoor Pools and Splash Parks
Daily unlimited access to recreational swimming from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Super Value for Summer Seasonal Memberships are on sale for $32.40 plus tax
A Day Pass is $4.40 plus tax
Twilight rate is in effect after 5 p.m. $3.05 plus tax
• Outdoor Early Bird Lap Swims at Mountainside Pool on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m.
• Outdoor Evening Lap Swims at Nelson on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 7 to 8 p.m.
Full schedules for all spray pads, pools and splash parks can be found at Burlington.ca/dropintoplay.
 By Staff
May 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The following Clay diamonds are closed Monday May 15th due to wet conditions:
Nelson D1
Millcroft D1 & D2
Ireland D1, D2, D3 & D4
 By Staff
May 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Friday is International Museum Day.
Ireland House is going to be admission FREE for the day from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
It is a superb little museum with excellent programs. If you’re looking for something to take the kids to – this is well worth the time.
The gift store focuses on all things local from small batch honey to custom tea blends and kettle cooked popcorn.
By Pepper Parr
May 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington has established its first Urban Design Advisory Panel, created to help achieve design excellence in the city.
The Urban Design Advisory Panel is made up of nine design experts, representing a cross section of design disciplines from architects and landscape architects to urban designers and planners.
 Set backs and spacing were set out n considerable detail in the Guidelines. Meeting monthly, the panel provides independent and objective professional urban design advice to staff in Burlington’s Department of City Building on development applications for all tall and mid-rise buildings and public development projects, studies and policy initiatives.
The advisory committee members are:
Ken Coit (Chair)
Jana Kelemen (Vice Chair)
Nigel Tai
Naama Blonder
Jessica Hawes
Brad Smith
Wai Ying Di Giorgio
Alex Taranu
Matt Reid
Members of the committee are highly qualified design professionals who currently possess full membership for a minimum of ten years in at least one of the following professional associations:
Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC)
Ontario Association of Architects (OAA)
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA)
Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA)
Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) or
Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI).
 The guide lines are not mandatory but it didn’t take developers very long to make extensive use of them. There wasn’t any public input on the creation of the guidelines. What’s missing from this list is at least two people who are not professionals; people who have a “feet on the street” sense of the city.
Nothing on what this advisory committee has done in the past. Will dig into that.
Jim Young, the Aldershot who delegates to city council frequently, once said: “Have you ever heard a city appointed advisory committee disagree with the city.”
To learn more about the panel, please visit www.burlington.ca/urbandesign.
 By Staff
May 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
As a visitor to Burlington from the UK Derek Newton parked his rented car in the No Frills parking lot.
 The signs are not small Newton complains that “ with no knowledge of local parking issues we walked on to Burlington water side with the intention of doing some shopping on the way back.
“Was Disgusted to find our car gone on our return and even more so when we found out it cost us $300 dollars to get our car back.
“As a visitor how would we have knowledge of the parking issues your having in Burlington and some better signage would be appreciated as it’s ruined our holiday and certainly will not be returning to Burlington or praising its beauty to anyone.
Thanks for ruining what was a lovely holiday so far but going home with a sour taste !
By Pepper Parr
May 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Add another name to those that will be on the ballot for the ward 2 city council seat.
Roland Tanner, a member of the Shape Burlington committee and also a member of the committee that was set up to monitor what Shape Burlington managed to achieve; in hindsight it doesn’t appear to be very much.
Both Tanner and his wife hold doctorates and operate a research company
 Roland Tanner, ward 2 candidate Tanner contributed to the Burlington Engagement Charter process and Save the Waterfront campaign to oppose the re-zoning of Old Lakeshore Road for high-rises.
Roland is a member of the Burlington Downtown Refugee Alliance, a collection of Burlington churches and citizen groups who have sponsored a family of Syrian refugees to settle in Burlington and assist them with their transition to Canadian life.
Tanner said that he is “running to tackle the challenges facing Burlington Ward 2 where citizens increasingly feel the way the city is changing is beyond their control, especially in the downtown core. As 24 storey buildings threaten to become the new normal in downtown, Burlingtonians fear the things they love about their city will be lost.”
Tanner is keen to emphasize his campaign is about promoting positive solutions to the current problems, not simply pointing out the challenges.
“I was part of the Shape Burlington Committee in 2010 which called for City Hall to ‘re-invent itself” by welcoming innovative new ways of bringing citizens into the decision-making process. Unfortunately, despite the subsequent Engagement Charter, I don’t feel we are any further forward in bringing about a genuinely engaged community. Engagement isn’t about more town hall meetings, it’s about making citizens partners in the process of shaping our city, along with City Hall staff, non-profits, businesses, and yes, even developers. City Hall must listen, engage and empower its citizens to build a truly innovative community of which we can all be proud,” said Tanner in his nomination announcement.
A man worth watching.
By Staff
May 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The hard news is that here will be lane restrictions on Lakeshore Rd from John Street to Martha Street between May 14 to 25, 2018
Monday, May 14 at 7 a.m. to Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m.
Please watch for signs and barricades.
That’s the news part. That news came from Doug Conway, Utility Coordinator, Capital Works.
 Somehow the transportation people didn’t get the message from the Utility coordinator. The Utility Coordinator is the person who keeps in constant touch with the utilities, (Hydro, Region, telephone, cable and gas companies) that have pipes or wires underneath the asphalt.
They talk to each other regularly, or they are supposed to – but somehow someone missed a meeting and wasn’t aware of the work the Region was doing on water main upgrades while the New Street Road Diet experiment was underway.
No one at city hall ever explained how that came about.
By Pepper Parr
May 14, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Didn’t take long for mayoralty candidate Marianne Meed Ward to hop on a good story and turn it to her advantage.
The Toronto Star did a lengthy piece on Sunday about the development planned for the downtown core.
Meed Ward was out the gate this morning with a note to her followers – it went like this.
Residents have been warning about the negative impact of over development downtown on loss of retail, community character and more, and now others are taking notice.
The Toronto Star wrote a front page article today on how Burlington’s growing pains became an election issue Toronto has had their own problems with growth that focuses relentlessly on adding population without planning communities: traffic congestion, crowding, lack of community amenities, loss of retail.
 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and Mayor Goldring. That’s headed our way if we don’t get our downtown plan right. We’re already seeing the focus on counting units, not quality of life.
The promise of growth isn’t delivering. Don’t believe the justifications offered for over-intensification:
• “it’s good for business” TRUTH: We’re losing retail and commercial space, up to two-thirds in one proposal
• “we have no choice, the province is making us” TRUTH: the province sets broad forecasts for growth, which we’ll meet well ahead of time. How, where and how much we grow is up to us
• “we have to protect the rural area” TRUTH: the rural area has been protected since 2006 and is not at risk of development. No one should pit one area against another to justify over-development.
• ”it will bring affordable housing” TRUTH: the units being built don’t meet Halton Region’s affordability criteria.
We have a choice this election: the current mayor who says we have to accept this over intensification (up to 30 high-rises downtown in the new plan he supported) or scaling back the plan with an amendment after the next election.
 Retail that will disappear should the 409 Brant development be approved. The choice is clear: responsible growth or over-intensification that will forever change the Burlington we chose to make our homes to live, work, play, raise our families and retire.
We can change the downtown plan with a new council, and I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.
Spread the word: share this message with your friends and neighbours so they know what’s at stake this election.
Meed Ward has always understood social media and used it very effectively. She did that in her 2010 campaign and again in 2014.
She will use it just as effectively this – the difference is – will she get the traction she needs to wear the Chain of Office. Her goal from her very first election has been to be the Mayor – Rick Craven beat her in that 2006 election. She moved from ward 1 to ward 2 and has a following there that cannot be beat.
The challenge is going to see just how well her support develops in the rest of the city.
Elections are usually lost by the person holding the office – are people in Burlington unhappy enough with Mayor Goldring to choose Meed Ward?
 Rick Goldring at the Mike Wallace 2015 campaign HQ – little did he know then that when Wallace lost he would come after Goldring’s job. The worst news for Rick Goldring was learning that Mike Wallace decided to run – any Wallace votes will come from the plate Golding has his lunch on.
All we have to do is get the provincial election behind us – then focus on local. And if the prediction for a Doug Ford win are true – the direction Burlington can take will be a lot different.
Pay attention – this stuff matters
By Pepper Parr
May 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
We do politics differently in Burlington.
Somewhere along the way the Tory’s in Burlington came to the conclusion that the Gazette was a Liberal newspaper and decided that they would not keep us aware of their events.
We are frequently able to dig up some of what they are doing. We hear from the other political parties.
This “shyness” on the part of some of those elected to office is disturbing.
The politicians seem to feel that we are supposed to write nice thing about them – and on many occasions a piece of reporting does put the politician in a positive light.
At the municipal level we used to meet for lunch on occasion with several of the members of council. We have done tours of a ward with Council members. When the news is critical or points out a short-coming – the lip curls.
The Mayor decided some time ago that the Gazette is biased and unfair. We didn’t hear that from Rick Goldring during his first term of office. His 59 second comment on how good a job the Gazette was doing was a little embarrassing. The comments were made during Goldring’s first term. He had a change of mind during his second term. In the world of politics the relationship with media is often fractious. Rather than invite media into their office and talk through the concern – in Burlington they decide that you’re biased.
The politicians and many of the civil servants don’t understand media and the role it plays. Behind that is the lack of an understanding of what their own role really is – they are there to serve. It is an honourable profession – many – not all, fail to honour the work they do and they diminish themselves in the process.
We are all accountable.
The Gazette gets it in the ear from readers and we publish what they say. We are members of the National NewsMedia Council – we pay an annual fee to that organization – it amounts to more than my monthly rent – and when someone takes a complaint to the Council we are required to respond and if the Council comes to the conclusion we made a mistake and were wrong we have to publish that finding. They are in the archives.
When Mike Wallace was the Member of Parliament he got very upset with the articles we wrote when he was mismanaging the flow of information at a parliamentary committee. Politics is the art of the possible between competing interests. The role of the politician is to listen, and ensure that the interests of the public are heard, understood and acted upon.
Recently we have heard politicians say that they are not hearing from the “majority” – they seem to feel that if they don’t hear from half the population then those who do speak up are just cranks who don’t like the idea of change – the nimby’s.
 The Mayor wasn’t comfortable enough with the Chain of Office to wear i outside th Council Chamber during his first term. He wore it for a TV interview in his second term. Early in his first term of office we recall a conversation with the Mayor and how people interacted with him in a supermarket or on the street – he was surprised that they saw him as someone special. A Mayor is the Chief Magistrate – what people are responding to is the office of the Mayor and the role a Mayor plays. The fact that it is Rick Golding is not the issue.
The public expects their Mayor to lead and to be seen as a leader.
 The tension between Councillors Meed Ward and Craven is close to measurable, Neither has ever been a fan of the other. We have heard members of the current city council squabble like children over whether or not the Councillor for ward 2 can involve herself in anything that takes place in ward 1. Every member of the Burlington city council is also a member of Regional council where they represent the city – not just a ward.
During the working through the 2010 Strategic Plan I was approached by a member of council – no need to embarrass the member at this point, who said “You should do something about Meed Ward”. I was stunned – did this member really think the role of media was to go gunning for a member of council?
The job is to report on what city council does and to hold them accountable and to put what they say and do in context and to remind them what they had said previously.
The Gazette also provides a forum for anyone to make a comment on a specific news story. Some of the comments don’t get published – I am constantly surprised at how nasty some people choose to be. Our experience has been that the really nasty ones come from an email address that cannot be verified.
 Jim Young  Gary Scobie We have been very proud to have been able to publish the delegations made by Jim Young and Gary Scobie and Dee Dee Davies; less proud when we were required to publish situations where we were wrong.
Saying we are exceptionally under-resourced may be true but I isn’t an excuse.
Many of the politicians in this city seem to feel that media is in place to publish what they write and not ask any questions. Who taught them that?
City Council talks about transparency and accountability and seem to feel that if they say they are accountable and transparent – then they are. When more than 30 people delegate on an issue that argument gets shot full of holes and the wind is taken out of the sails.
While the provincial election is taking up most of the oxygen and attention it is worth noting that there are now four new candidates under 40 and a fifth expected later this week.
Two of the incumbents have chosen to retire.
There is a change in the air – new blood and fresh faces.
Salt with Pepper is a column of opinion, reflection, observation and musings of the Gazette Publisher.
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