 By Staff
May 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Between April 1 and April 30, 2018, the following items were turned in to the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) as a result of this amnesty:
 A very nasty weapon. • 19 shotguns
• 21 rifles
• 7 handguns
• 9 BB/pellet guns
• 2 miscellaneous gun-related items, including a silencer
• 4 prohibited weapons, including a baton, switchblade and nunchakus “nunchucks”
Additionally, several thousands of rounds of ammunition were turned in to HRPS.
The regional amnesty program, part of a province-wide program, provided the community with the option of handing over unwanted or illegal guns, ammunition or explosives, without any criminal penalties. Getting unwanted weapons into the hands of law enforcement, who can then oversee their lawful destruction, prevents them from falling into the hands of criminals.
Community safety is a shared responsibility and we thank the residents of Halton for their participation in this successful amnesty.
 By Staff
May 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Economic Development Corporation is sponsoring a Let’s Talk event about Canadian exports, which are expected to rise by 6% in 2018, despite the turbulence surrounding NAFTA and tariff discussions.
That means you can make this a year of global success for your company: the federal government’s Economic Development Corporation Vice-president and Chief Economist Peter Hall will tell you how.
Get the latest expert insights on market trends;
See where the Canadian dollar is headed;
Find key opportunities in today’s global markets; and
Connect with fellow exporters to share ideas, business needs and challenges.
 After Peter’s talk, participate in intimate roundtable discussions on trending exporting topics and receive competitive tools and strategic advice from market experts.
Register today to attend the Let’s Talk Exports event.
Individual tickets and tables of 8 are available.
June 7, 2018
Keynote with Peter Hall
7:30 am. to 9:30 am.
Roundtable
9:30 am. to 11:30 am.
Burlington Convention Centre
1120 Burloak Drive
Burlington, ON
 Peter Hall joined Export Development Canada (EDC) in November 2004. With over 25 years of experience in economic analysis and forecasting, Mr. Hall is responsible for overseeing EDC’s economic analysis, country risk assessment and corporate research groups.
In addition to preparing strategic advice for senior management at EDC, Mr. Hall is a featured speaker at conferences, international roundtables and policy fora, and regularly appears in television, radio and print media commenting on the world economy and Canadian international trade issues.
 By Staff
May 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A few more people met with the city Clerks who accepted their nomination papers and their deposit and placed their name on the list of people who want to represent the public at city hall or on school boards.
Two of the seven members of Council have yet to file nomination papers: Councillors Craven of ward 1, and Councillor Lancaster of ward 6 have yet to indicate they plan to seek re-election.
Ward 3 Councillor Taylor has said he is leaving politics and will not seek re-election.
The Mayor, Rick Goldring has filed his nomination papers. Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward has filed nomination papers and will run for he Office of Mayor. Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison filed his nomination papers and is actively seeking re-election.
There is a handful of young people with very impressive profiles and experience seeking public office which augers well for the city. There are also a few with little in the way of experience and not much in the way of talent to bring to the table who have filed nomination papers; we are a democracy and anyone who meets the requirements of the Municipal Act can run for public office.
Wards 2 and 3 are going to have active contests and there might well be an active contest in ward 6
Jack Dennison faces a newcomer in ward 4
There are a few more people who have appointments with the clerk next week
The Gazette will provide this report each week day and show the latest nominations in red. There were no new nominations filed during the 4th of May
 Boundaries for each of the six wards in the city. 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
No one has filed nomination papers to date.
Rick Craven the incumbent has yet to file.
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 2
Kimberly Calderbank
905-719-6989
kimberly.solutions
David Cherry
1312 Hammond St., Burlington, ON, L7S 2C2
289-795-9203
info@davidcherry.ca
https://davidcherry.ca
Lisa Kearns
416-414-5335
kearns_lisa@hotmail.com
lisakearns.ca
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
The incumbent John Taylor announced that he is retiring after 30 years as a member of the municipal council.
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
Xin Yi Zhang
electxyz@gmail.com
Paul Sharman
5070 Spruce Avenue
289-337-2297
paul@paulsharman.ca
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 6
Angelo Bentivegna
905-973-6923
Angelo.Bentivegna@gmail.com
www.AngeloBentivegnaWard6.ca
Angelo Bentivegna
905-973-6923
Angelo.Bemtivegna@gmail.com
www.AngeloBentivegnaWArd6.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
The incumbent Leah Reynolds has yet to file nominations papers.
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
Margo Shuttleworth
289-812-0629
shuttleworth.m.a@gmail.com
https://margoward4.wixsite.com/margoshuttleworth
Richelle Papin
3134 Terraview Ct
904-331-7608
Halton District School Board Trustee – Ward 5
Amy Collard
reelectamycollard@gmail.com
https://sites.google.com/view/reelectamycollard
Collard has been acclaimed in every trustee election she has run in.
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)
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
(nominations are filed with the Town of Oakville)
 By Pepper Parr
May 9th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington selfies – a look at parts of the city that reflect what we are and what we want to be.
Quiet beauty during a time when the affairs of the community are anything but quiet.
 Cherry tress in full blossom in Spencer Smith Park. The province is on a four week election campaign that will define where it goes for the next four years.
Led for the past 15 years by a political party that is tired; the public wants a change – the choices are limited.
A man who hasn’t a clue as to how government runs has caught the imagination of a sector of society that may well place him in office and a woman whose ideas are decent enough but hasn’t in the past two terms managed to get her political party to the point where it can assume the running of the province with an economy that is the economic engine of the country.
There are troubling trust issues at several levels. One of the local school boards has lost the trust of many in the community; their elected trustees have not kept the faith with parents who just want their children to get the best education possible.
Teachers go about their tasks each day molding, shaping and filling the minds of their students with the information and skills they will need to live fruitful lives.
Housing prices seem to have settled and we might be at a point where the house is home and not something to be flipped for a significant capital gain.
 This is the view that people standing outside city hall looking east can expect to see five years from now. The shape on the left is an already approved 23 storey tower, the design on the right is a proposal that is now in the hands of the planning department. City hall approved a new Official Plan that some are almost totally opposed to while others go about their business blissfully unaware of the scope and scale of change that is now upon the city. Two towers, both at the 23-24 storey range will be constructed opposite city hall changing the tone and feel of the downtown core.
Five years from now people will wonder how this happened.
When the provincial election is settled in a month the drive to elect the next city council will begin. This time around there are a number of people in the 40 years of age range 40 running for office with the Dean of Council bringing to an end his 30 years of serving the city coming to an end.
With all this – there is the quiet beauty of the cherry trees that are now in full bloom at the Royal Botanical Gardens and in Spencer Smith Park.
The best things in life are indeed free.
 Cherry trees in full blossom at the Royal Botanical Gardens – with a picnic table waiting for someone to sit and enjoy the splendor of it all.
 By Staff
May 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Public Library Board Chair, Brian Kenny, announced today that Lita Barrie has been appointed to position of Chief Executive Officer, effective June 4, 2018.
 Lita Barrie, new CEO for the Burlington Library Ms Barrie has progressively advanced in senior positions since starting her professional librarian career as a bilingual inquiries officer with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and serving as a youth services librarian at Hamilton Public Library. She became the manager of children’s services at Brantford Public Library in 2007, and the chief librarian and chief executive officer of Grimsby Public Library in 2010.
Since joining Hamilton Public Library as a director in 2013, she has been responsible for the library’s digital technology, youth services, collections, and program development.
“Lita brings to Burlington a strong background in arts and cultural leadership, customer service excellence, and innovation in libraries,” says Kenny. “We are excited by her aspirations for the public library in our community and delighted that she accepted our offer to lead Burlington Public Library.”
“Burlington Public Library’s reputation for excellence and engagement is broadly known,” says Lita Barrie, in-coming chief executive officer. “I am so thrilled to continue the Library’s commitment to innovation and to providing stellar library services and programs to serve this wonderful city.”
Ms Barrie holds a Master of Library & Information Studies from McGill University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Art History) from Concordia University, and certificates in leadership from McMaster University, University of Toronto, and University of Victoria.
 Lita Barrie at arts event in Hamilton She is active in the library profession as a frequent presenter at conferences and as a sessional lecturer at University of Toronto, Faculty of Information, where she also co-founded the Public Library Leaders Program offered through the iSchool Institute. She has also served in many senior volunteer roles with the Ontario Library Association.
Ms Barrie is a keen community volunteer and is currently vice chair of the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee and president of the Hamilton Arts Council Board.
 By Staff
May 8, 29018
BURLINGTON, ON
Some new parking initiatives from city hall. No new parking spaces though.
 The parking initiatives are designed to make it easier for users to find and pay for a parking space in downtown Burlington.
These initiatives include:
• new occupancy sensor technology to show real-time information about available parking spaces in city-owned parking lots
• the introduction of a new pay-for-parking app called HonkMobile
• improvements to pay-by-plate parking machines in downtown Burlington to simplify the payment process and improve the user parking experience.
Occupancy sensor technology
Throughout 2017 and 2018, the City of Burlington installed occupancy sensors in Burlington’s downtown, at every on-street parking space and all parking spots at city-owned parking lots. Burlington is one of the first cities in Canada to use this new occupancy sensor technology that keeps track of occupied and available parking spaces.
How it works?
Small occupancy sensors placed in every parking space send a wireless signal to a nearby receiver when a vehicle is parked in a parking spot.
Using the data from the occupancy sensors, real-time parking supply information is displayed on new digital counter signs installed at all city-owned parking lots. The digital counter signs showing drivers the number of available parking spaces in each lot have been installed and are expected to be operational by the end of May.
In addition to the digital counter signs, new digital wayfinding signs are expected to be installed on primary downtown streets within the next few weeks.
The wayfinding signs will display real-time information about the number of available parking spaces in nearby lots and use directional arrows to guide drivers to those parking lots with empty parking spaces.
Mobile parking app HonkMobile
 On April 30, 2018, residents and visitors were able to use the HonkMobile app to search, pay for, and top-up parking payments directly from their smartphone, tablet or computer.
The HonkMobile app can be downloaded from the App Store or the Google Play store using any internet-connected device. Users are required to sign up for an account and pay a transaction fee of $0.35 for each payment.
HonkMobile replaces the city’s former online payment tool Telepark and can be used on-street and in city parking lots. Use the code BURLINGTON to receive $5 off the cost of parking with your first Honk payment between now and June 30, 2018.
Enhancements to the pay-by-plate parking machines
Launched in 2016, downtown Burlington’s pay-by-plate parking machines recently received some improvements to help make the machines easier to use. The updates include:
• new, step-by-step, easy-to-follow instructions displayed on the payment screen
• new stickers on the outside of the machine to provide bold visual markers
• an increase in the brightness of the payment screens
• the relocation of a remote server to reduce payment processing time.
One can assume that the Honk application will steer people clear of the parking lot in front of the No Frill supermarket in the Plaza on Brant Street north of Caroline – people are paying a $300 fee to recover their cars from the Classic Towing pound.
 Director of Transportation Vito Tolone Vito Tolone, Director of Transportation commented: The city had heard concerns from businesses and visitors about the process and time taken to park downtown. The enhancements to the parking machines, along with the new technology we’ve introduced to provide real-time parking information, will directly address those issues and help improve the parking experience for all in downtown Burlington.”
Time will tell.
 By Staff
May 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
They hosted their 9th Annual Spring Breakfast Gala, in support of Halton Food for Thought Student Nutrition Programs – it took place on Friday May 4th at the Oakville Conference Centre.
 Halton Food for Thought dollars raised in 2018 Breakfast was done as marketplace highlighting the importance of a nutritious meal at the start of a day for students.
Where did the $67,000 come from?
CIBC Wood Gundy $10,000
Prime Contact Group $5,000
EarthFresh Farms $5,000
L3 WESCAM $2,500
Global Citrus Group Inc. $2,500
Fidelity Investments $2,500
Cogeco $1,000 (plus $4,500 in-kind)
TerraPure Environmental $1,000
Mercedes-Benz Oakville $1,000
Boehringer Ingelheim Canada $1,000
Sylvite $1,000
 Abbey Lane welcoming the guests. Add to that the 500 tickets they sold to the event, a silent auction and a raffle. They covered every fund raising base there is.
73% of Halton students have access to a Student Nutrition Program; It costs just $1 to feed 2 students breakfast each day.
3.4 million meals were served to 27,700 meals in the 2016-17 school year.
2100 volunteers including 930 students get the job done.
Politicians were popping out of every corner. You wouldn’t be wrong if you arrived at the conclusion that there are elections taking place.
The Halton Food for Thought program is made up of representatives from 14 Lead Agencies who administer provincial grant funds. These funds help to develop and implement healthy breakfasts, snack and at times, lunch programs across the province.
The 14 Lead Agencies in turn, represent regions in the province and work with over 39 Community Partnerships across the province. These community partnerships engage school boards, public health units, communities and parents to support school programs at the local level.
As part of Central West Region (CWR), Halton Food for Thought’s Lead Agency is Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA. The other members making up CWR are Peel, Waterloo, Wellington, Dufferin and Guelph.
By Staff
May 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Cleaning up from that wind storm creates a problem for some people. What do they do with all the waste that they now have?
The Region is going to provide enhanced yard waste collection services.
Halton Region will provide extra yard waste collection this weekend, from Saturday May 12 to Sunday May 13.
Residents are asked to place debris at the curbside by 7 a.m. on Saturday May 12. Crews will collect material throughout the weekend.
 Please remember the following before placing yard waste or brush piles at the curbside:
• Curbside piles are to be arranged neatly with branches no wider than 3 inches in diameter and branches no longer than 6 feet.
• There is no limit to the amount of over-sized brush or yard waste bags that can be placed at the curbside.
• Over-sized brush collection services are only for households that currently receive yard waste collection from Halton Region.
Halton residents may also dispose their yard waste free of charge at the Halton Waste Management Site starting Tuesday, May 8 up to and including Sunday, June 3. The site is located at 5400 Regional Road 25 in Milton. Regular fees will continue to apply to commercial contractors.
Residents are reminded to place all spoiled food in the Green Cart and to ensure that all plastic material and glass jars are rinsed and dry before placing in the Blue Box.
 By Staff
May 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Student Theatre is celebrating 40 years of drama, music, dance and creativity. Located in Optimist Park the theatre is home to the longest-running youth theatre program in Burlington.
 The theatre’s show, Little Shop of Horrors, performs at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on May 24 and 25 during Student Theatre Week, – May 21 to 27 – helps to promote the positive role that arts programs in Burlington have played in maintaining the health and wellness of our young citizens.
Burlington Student Theatre contributes to the life and vibrancy of the arts in Burlington.
Little Shop of Horrors gives students the opportunity to develop skills, find themselves as they mature, involve themselves in the community and demonstrate leadership skills.
The Show:
SENIOR MAINSTAGE 2018 – Senior Level May 24 & 25, 2018
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS – Howard Ashman & Alan Menkin
From the company that brought you Joseph, Xanadu, Once on this Island, this scifi comic romance rock musical won’t disappoint! A nerdy flower shop assistant finds a chance at success and romance with the help of a plant that feeds on human flesh and blood! The music, composed by Alan Menkin – best known for writing songs for Disney’s Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, is in the style of 1960’s rock & roll.
It premiered off Broadway in 1982 and ran for five years with 2209 performances. The 1986 film version, directed by Frank Oz, received 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. A Must See!!!
Ticket Prices (Includes Fees & Tax):
Regular $30.00 ($35.00 starting April 24, 2018)
Youth 16 & Under $25.00 ($30.00 starting April 24, 2018)
Group (10+) $15.00 (Please contact Box Office)
By Staff
May 8th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board has announced the launch of its mobile app that consolidates important information for parents, guardians and students into one easy-to-access location.
 The app, a pilot project since October 2017 at four Burlington schools, is being rolled out to all 105 elementary and secondary schools in the Halton District School Board during Education Week (May 7-11).
Parents/guardians will receive a link to an instructional video to learn about the app features. The free app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play (search “Halton District School Board” or “HDSB”).
During the setup process, users will be prompted to “subscribe” to individual schools. This means parents/guardians can customize their news by choosing which schools they would like to receive information from, in addition to updates from the Halton District School Board.
Through a simple tap of the app, users have access to a series of icons containing helpful and timely information and resources, such as:
• Reporting student absences
• School news and calendar feeds
• Transportation information and updates
• School Cash Online
• Notifications about school closures and bus cancellations
• Access to school and Board news including media releases, school stories and videos
• Links to Board and school social media pages.
• All school contact information including maps to schools
Rob Eatough, Superintendent of Education, Equity and Communications pointed out that “The ever-increasing use of mobile devices by our parents provides greater opportunities to communicate and connect.
“The Halton District School Board mobile app will provide families with quick access to information from their child’s school and the Board in one location.”
By Pepper Parr
May 7th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Sometime in April of this year the Director of the Halon District School Board (HDSB) said he got a call from the Director of Education for the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB).
The HCDSB had a problem and she felt there just might be a solution to that problem.
 Assumption High School. When the Assumption school on Upper Middle Road was built (1977) it was to be a Middle School. It became a high school over time. As a high school it was missing a lot of the needs of a high school particularly the labs.
The HCDSB wanted to build a new high school but could not get the funding they needed from the province.
They were able to get funding for a major renovation which in itself created problems. In would take an expected five years to complete renovations with students in the school which wasn’t something the HCDSB was looking forward to.
In 2016 the HDSB began a Program Accommodation Review of its high schools. In June of 2017 the HDSB trustees voted to close two of the seven high schools in the city.
 Parents from every high school in Burlington took part in a Review process. As a committee they were unable to arrive at a consensus as to which schools should be closed. Parents at both Bateman high school and the Lester B. Pearson high school were upset over the decision. They felt the process used by the Board was unfair and that the process set out was not followed. They took advantage of the opportunity to ask for a Review of the process.
The Bateman and Pearson parents could not appeal the actual decision – just the process. The Facilitator of the Review could suggest to the Minister of Education that the PAR process be done a second time.
The province considered the request for a Review and appointed Margaret Wilson to do that Review of the decision the trustees had made.
 Margaret Wilson listening to parents who believed the Program Administration Review was flawed. She turned in her report early in January of this year said: “Based on my review and consultations, I conclude that, while there were violations of the Board PAR Policy, they were such that they had no material effect on either the deliberations of the PARC or on the final decisions of the Board.”
With that decision the HDSB could begin the process of closing two high schools and arranging for the transfer of students to new high schools.
Pearson was to close in June of 2018 and Bateman was to close at the end of the school year in 2019 – which was extended to 2020.
The Director of the HDSB began the process of putting transition programs in place – moving the Pearson high school students to M.M. Robinson and moving the Bateman students to new facilities that would be built at Nelson high school.
The Gazette has been told that it was when the Margaret Wilson report was made public that the HCDSB Director made the call to the Director of the HDSB asking if they could rent the Pearson high school building for a short period of time.
Exactly when that call was made is not yet certain. It would appear that there was a 90 day period during which there were conversations and the arriving at a rental rate had to be determined.
 Halton District School Board Director of Education speaking to parents at Central High School. Stuart Miller, the Director of Education took the request to his Board of Trustees and in a closed session on May 2nd and explained to them the details of the request and what the HDSB was able to do.
A rental agreement was put together, the HCDSB approved it on May 1st and the HDSB approved it on May 2nd.
The decision was released to the public on May 3rd.
Parents and students who were going through the very emotionally difficult process of moving to a new school were not impressed with the decision and began to believe that the plan to close Pearson and let the Catholic school board use the building was always the plan.
That suspicion was fostered by the HDSB making the decision in a private session and then saying very little when the decision was made public.
The facts are that it was not until the Catholic school board knew that Pearson was going to be closed that they approached the HDSB to discuss a short term rental of the Lester B. Pearson building.
The HDSB just reacted to the request to lease the school.
 The Halton District School Board in session They just didn’t involve the public nor prepare the parents for the decision that was going to be contentious.
 By Staff
May 5th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
If the weather holds Conservation Halton could get the 100 community volunteers it needs to help plant 500 native trees and shrubs at Bayview Park on King Road; a part of the city where the Jefferson Salamander crosses the road to mate in the spring.
 The view of th Bay and the Skyway bridge from Bayview Park. The park is in between two of the cell quarries where shale is mined for the manufacturing of brick. It has astounding views of the Bay and the Skyway bridge. It is home to a rifle club; the space where model airplane enthusiasts send the models climbing into the sky and an enclosed dog run.
 At the bottom of the photograph is the location of the now closed city dump. To the right of that is the western cell of the quarry with the brick manufacturing plant below. Then Bayview Park where there is a rifle range, a Dog Run and space for the model airplane people. On the eastern side of King Road there is the Centre cell of the quarry. To the left of the red marker is a forested area where the brick manufacturer wants to begin mining for shale in the eastern cell – that’s where the 900 tress are going o have to be cut down. Registration and check-in for the tree planters will begin at 9 am. Light refreshments will be available – coffee, juice, water and a continental breakfast. Volunteers are reminded to dress according to the weather, wear waterproof boots and bring a shovel.
The Tyandaga people, who live two quarry cells to the east of Bayview Park are delighted to learn that more trees are going to be planted – what they fear is that the 9000 trees around the most easterly quarry will get cut down. In a letter to the Mayor the Tyandaga Coalition people said:
“We are pleased to read that the City of Burlington is partnering with Conservation Halton and CootesToEscarpment in a “Trees for Watershed” Health” tree planting event that is, ironically, just across the road from where Meridian Brick intends to destroy 9,000 trees of the diminishing Carolinian forest.
 Excavation equipment like this will operate yards away from the homes on West Haven Drive once the eastern cell of the three cell quarry begins to be mined for shale. “Why is that we yet again need to request our City’s participation in coming to a resolution on this matter? A request the Tyandaga Environmental Coalition (www.tecburlington.com) has repeatedly brought to your attention since September 2015. We have constantly and consistently asked you and the City to be part of a solution that is to the benefit of ALL but once again you prefer to take the political photo- op rather than make the hard decision to stand by your own statement – “more than ever, sustainability and green initiatives need to be our priorities,”. Your inaction on the Meridian Brick quarry development matter is very concerning.
“What proactive and sustainable measures will you take beyond telling us that this is not a City matter. Surely the fact that, to our knowledge, there have been no official Air Quality measurements by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) and the Ministery of Natural Resources and Forestry ( MNRF) is of concern to you and the City, especially when you consider the numerous ‘heavy’ industries that surround the tax- paying residents of the Tyandaga and Aldershot areas, and beyond.
“Without this Air Quality information what guarantee can you assure the residents with respect to their health and well-being?
Now is the time to show us that you will help all who “live, work and play” in our City and live up to your many talks of a greener and healthier Burlington when you said: – “we want to create a sustainable and healthy Burlington for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren”.
 By Staff
May 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Museums of Burlington is quite a bit more than the two locations they manage.
Their events program is popular and often full of surprises.
 The traditional Mother’s Day Champagne Tea takes place on May 12!
Guests will receive glass of champagne upon arrival and all moms will receive a flower and sample tea gift.
Once seated at your private table, you can look forward to a selection of premium custom tea blends.
Each table will receive a tray packed with savoury and sweet treats, made-from-scratch scones and homemade jam!
Tickets include free parking and a museum tour.
Select from one of three seating times….stop by the Ireland House Museum, call us at 905.332.9888 or reserve online.
 By Pepper Parr
May 4, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
There is absolutely nothing wrong with leasing out a school that is empty and not being used.
What is wrong is not telling the public what you have done.
The Halton District School Board leased the Lester B. Pearson high school to the Halton Catholic District School Board.
Pearson high school is schedule for closure in June of 2017 due to poor enrollment.
The parents at Pearson high school didn’t agree with that decision and argued vociferously that there school could be kept open if the Board kept the elementary feeder schools in place.
 Pearson high school parents at a Board of Education meeting – they did everything they could to keep their school open. The trustees didn’t see it that way and voted to close the school and have the Pearson students begin attending M.M. Robinson high school in September of 2018.
Merging the two student populations has not been an easy task. How well that merging is going to work will be known in September when the former Pearson students begin showing up at M.M. Robinson in September.
Some of the parents at Pearson have always felt there was some other reason for closing their school. Those suspicions were given some validity when the Board of Education, without any public discussion, met in a closed session to decide to lease the school the Catholic Board.
Some questions:
Who called who?
Did the Public school board call the Catholic school Board or was it the other way around?
When did the discussions about a leasing possibility take place?
The when is critical – and that may be the reason for the HDSB handling this matter in private session.
It is understood that the Catholic school board wants to do some major renovations to one of their high schools – Assumption, and that they wanted to close their school while the work was being done. Nothing wrong with that.
But did the Catholic School Board talk to the Public School Board before the trustees had made a decision to close Pearson?
Did the availability of an opportunity to lease the school have any influence on the decision to close Pearson?
And why is the public learning about this now?
At the May 2nd meeting of the HDSB, vice chair Ehl Harris read into the record two resolutions that were passed in the private session to:
Approve the resolutions from private session respecting property matters.
Ehl Harris moved the motion, Oakville trustee Kelly Amos quickly seconded the motion. There was a bit of confusion whether trustee Papin wanted to be the seconder of the motion (Pearson high school is in her ward)
Board Chair Grebenc said to trustee Papin “You don’t actually want to speak do you?”
 Director of Education Stuart Miller during the vote to approve resolutions made in a closed session of the Board of Education. When it was clear that Papin didn’t want to speak – she just wanted to be the seconder of the motion, the chair then asked if anyone else wanted to speak.
Not a word from anyone.
They voted and that was that – Pearson is leased to the Catholic Board for a year.
Everything was going according to whatever plan was hatched in the private session- this Board of trustees was going to make sure they stayed on script.
Get the resolutions on the record as quickly and as quietly as you can and move on.
There is no surer way to lose the trust of the public than to try to fool or hood wink them; and without public trust there can be no growth and without growth the students who enter those schools lose and cynicism takes over.
Why did Stuart Miller not tell the public how the opportunity to lease a school he no longer needed to another school Board came about?
Burlington has a community that just doesn’t trust it’s school board trustees. And there is, on the surface, very good reason not to trust them.
This story isn’t over.
Related news story.
By Staff
May 4th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A media release from the Halton District School Board:
“At the May 2, 2018 meeting, trustees of the Halton District School Board passed a motion to temporarily lease Lester B. Pearson High School to the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB) beginning November 1, 2018. This request from the HCDSB serves as temporary accommodation for Assumption Catholic Secondary School students during the school’s upcoming renovation expected to begin in late 2018.
“This temporary lease of the school by the HCDSB will commence on November 1, 2018 to prepare the school for student accommodation during the second semester. The term of the lease will end on August 31, 2019.
“This provides a responsible use of the school facilities until the Halton District School Board determines the future use of the school property according to Ontario Regulation 444/98. The leasing of this school property to another school board is not precedent setting. The Halton District School Board has leased school facilities to other school boards in the past on a temporary basis.
“Lester B. Pearson High School will be closing at the end of June 2018 with students moving to nearby M.M. Robinson High School.”
There was not a word of public debate on this matter during the May 2nd Board of trustees meeting.
The Board meets in closed session for a period of time before each public meeting. They pass motions during those private meetings and debate in private.
What the public got to hear was a motion that approved all the motions about a “property matter”done in the closed session. And then the next day the releases of a media notice.
And that was the extent of what the elected trustees had to say.
At each Board of Education meeting there is a report from the Director of Education – he didn’t say a word either.
 Halton District School Board trustees in session Related editorial material:
An opinion on the approach the Board took.
 By Ray Rivers
May 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Although Doug Ford has slipped a tad in the polls he is still very much in majority territory. So what would a Ford government mean for the health of our health system. Ford claims he’ll add 30,000 hospital beds over the next decade – two and half terms in office.
How does anyone come up with a figure like that? I guess if you want people to believe something you make it sound spectacular. I’m not saying he won’t or doesn’t intend to live up to that promise of creating more beds and bed spaces. But does he even know how many beds are in service today?
 The Ontario Hospital Association likes to share a wealth of statistics with its clients. There are 145 hospitals in the province, employing 200,000 people. They do over 350,000 in-patient surgeries and 1.2 million out-patient surgeries and treat 6.3 million emergency patient visits each year. But nobody is saying anything about how many beds are in service. That may be because the number of beds is only one, and not the best measure of how a health care system is performing.
Aren’t doctors telling patients these days that they need to avoid staying in a hospital any longer than absolutely necessary – that the last place you want to be when you’re sick is in a hospital bed if you can avoid it. These places are crawling with infections with scary sounding names like strep and MRSA. There are horror stories of some patients coming home sicker than when they went in.
It’s everywhere yet our healthcare system generally does a good job. Oh sure health care, especially among seniors, is such a common topic that when you ask ten people about the quality of delivery you’ll get eleven different opinions, depending on the day. But a recent Conference Board study of health care systems overall among 30 global jurisdictions places Ontario seventh.
 Perhaps Australia gets help from the lowly (duck billed) platypus, the milk of which research indicates may have properties that protect against infections. Only B.C. which placed third, scored better among Canadian jurisdictions. Ontario scored better than the Canadian average and beat all but four European nations each of which spend considerably more than we do, and Australia. Perhaps Australia gets help from the lowly (duck billed) platypus, the milk of which research indicates may have properties that protect against infections resistant to antibiotics (MSRA).
Moreover, according to the Fraser Institute, Ontario has the lowest hospital wait times in the country, almost a third less than New Brunswick. And yes, those times have increased since 1993, as have all of those in Canada, but so have the demands of an aging population.
 Former Premier of Ontario Mike Harris 1993 was only two years before Mike Harris’ Common Sense Revolution in which Harris promised to leave health care untouched by his cost-cutting surgical knife. But that wasn’t what happened. As he closed hospitals and cut staff, wait times grew to the highest in Canada. It is not an exaggeration to say that some patients were literally dying in the corridors waiting to get into heart surgery, Others had to be transported to the USA for radiotherapy or an MRI, as we recall.
Back then Globe and Mail columnist John Ibbitson went through journalistic perdition trying to get the Harris government to simply tell him the number of operable hospital beds. It turns out that there had been 35,194 acute-care hospital beds in Ontario in 1990.
But a decade later, after only five years into Harris’ revolution, bed numbers had fallen to 21,805, a decline of 38 per cent. “Chronic-care beds declined by 32 per cent over the decade, from 11,436 to 7,787. During that time, Ontario’s population grew by 1.3 million (9 per cent) and its mean age increased by a year and a half, to 36.9 years”.
So it may be a little hard to take Doug Ford seriously with his 30,000 bed promise, while also hearing him promise to bring back Harris-like cuts of overall government spending by six billion dollars. Everybody knows that when it comes to cutting, the most vulnerable area and biggest target is health care. We’ve seen this movie before.
Ontario has the best health care system in Canada given the reviews on overall quality and wait times. But it is also the most efficient in Canada with the lowest per capita cost in the country. It could always be better of course, but it could also be a lot worse.
 Doug Ford – wants to be the next Premier of Ontario Doug Ford may well become our next premier. But before he wins the support of Ontario voters he needs to do more than just pick a number (30,000 beds) out of the air. The truth is that the Liberals have done a good job in restoring and managing the health care system over the last decade and a half. In fact, the full implementation of pharmacare and other provisions presented in the last budget will make it even better.
Ford needs to convince the province’s voters, particularly its senior citizens and parents of young children who are the heaviest users of our health care system, that he can do at least as well. He needs to convince us that he is not going to pull another Mike Harris on us.
 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:
Ford Leading Polls – Conference Board Report – Frazer Institute Report –
Spending Pre Capita – International Health Costs – Hospital Details –
Ford Promises – Ibbitson –
By Staff
May 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The federal government has a program that funds jobs for students during the summer. Employers apply for a portion of money they pay students they hire for the summer months.
The jobs are then listed and students can look and see if there is anything they are interested in.
The program offers students meaningful summer work experiences with local businesses and organizations, and helps them to facilitate future transitions from school to career.
 Students with MP Pam Damoff talking about Summer job opportunities at Habitat for Humanity Restore Since 2015, the federal government has doubled the number of jobs created through the Canada Summer Jobs program, creating paid work experience for nearly 70,000 students each year. Students who worked at Habitat for Humanity Halton- Mississauga last summer described their experience with Canada Summer Jobs, saying:
“The Canada Summer Jobs program has been such a fulfilling and enriching experience—I am truly fortunate to have enjoyed two successful summers at Habitat for Humanity. I have gained so much valuable and tangible experience from my time here.”
Students aged 15 to 30 who are returning to full time school in the fall can apply for a valuable summer work experience through Canada Summer Jobs.
In making the announcement earlier this week Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff xxx
If you or someone you know is interested in applying you can find the complete list of employers hiring in Oakville North Burlington.
Please feel free to contact Damoff’s at pam.damoff@parl.gc.ca or by phone at 905-847-4043 for more information.
By Staff
May 3rd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
As of the close of business at city hall on May 2nd, the following people have filed nomination papers.
The Gazette will provide this report daily and show the latest nominations in red,
 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
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 2
Kimberly Calderbank
905-719-6989
kimberly.solutions
David Cherry
1312 Hammond St., Burlington, ON, L7S 2C2
289-795-9203
info@davidcherry.ca
https://davidcherry.ca
Lisa Kearns
416-414-5335
kearns_lisa@hotmail.com
lisakearns.ca
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
Xin Yi Zhang
electxyz@gmail.com
Councillor / Regional Councillor Ward 6
Angelo Bentivegna
905-973-6923
Angelo.Bentivegna@gmail.com
www.AngeloBentivegnaWard6.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
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)
Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir
(nominations are filed with the Town of Oakville)
By Pepper Parr
May 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The community now knows what it is going to look like and they weren’t all that impressed with what they saw and heard at a neighbourhood meeting last night at the Lions Hall.
The questions were consistently critical with the president of Revenue Properties sitting quietly in a corner watching every movement, gauging the audience very carefully.
 The architects prepared a rendering of there structure and shadowed in how it will relate to the already approved 423 Brant development. Both are on opposite sides of James Street across from city hall. The intention is to angle the corners of the of each building on the Brant James intersection allowing for an opening up to the Civic Square and a more expansive view. done right – it could work. The architect did a decent job of explaining how the building was going to connect relate to the development to the already approved 23 storey on the north side of James and Civic square which was described as an underutilized space.
The design of the buildings will have a portion of one of the corners cut away so that the view from James Street opens up onto Civic Square. There really isn’t all that much traffic going west on James – but architecturally it could add some flair to the streetscape.
Civic Square will be getting a total face lift – mention was made of a community design exercise
Glen Wellings, the developer’s planning consultant, earned his fee – he managed to skirt around the issues that he was uncomfortable with. There was one occasion when Wellings tried to toss a question to one of the Revenue Property executives who waved Welling’s off. Those people tend not to answer directly – that’ what the hired guns are brought in for.
He explained that this first public showing of the development was meant to gather opinions and reactions from the public.
Most of the people in the room understood that – what they were having difficulty with was that their views didn’t seem to get very far beyond their mouths.
It is close to a given that this structure is going to get approved. If their developer doesn’t get that approval this development comes under the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) and not the newly created Land Planning Act Tribunal (LPAT).
The city staffer who served as moderator struggled to keep the microphone in her hand. George Ward, a resident of ward 4 wasn’t able to get it out of her hands.
At one point the Mayor and the ward 2 Councillor began to get into a slinging match over “facts” – Meed Ward arguing that the Mayor didn’t have his facts quite right.
When it began to get a little feisty the staffer cut them both off – not something you see from city hall staff very often.
 Parking both in and out will be from John street. That parking ramp in the middle of the building makes for pretty small retail spaces. The scale of the set back, shown here in the upper left, gives you some idea as to how the building will open up on to Civic Square Parking was a focal point – the development will have .92 parking spaces per unit (a total of 212 parking spots) in a structure that will have 224 units that will be 1, (600 sq. ft.) 2(850 sq. ft. and 3 bedroom with 1200 sq. ft. of space. Current planning rules call for 1.2 parking spaces for each unit. There will be no parking for the commercial spaces
Nothing on pricing.
No mention of park space.
There will be just one level of commercial space – those units will be very small but will ring the building.
No visitor parking.
Good bold design – quite a bit different than anything Burlington has seen in the past.
A major concern for several people was what will happen to Brant Street during construction – especially if the two projects are under construction at the same time.
 It s a bold design that will have retail on all four sides of the building. But much less in the way of retail square footage. This view looks south to the lake with city hall on the right and the Queen’s Head where it has always been and where it is always going to be. The architect suggested that it would take two and a half to three years to complete the building – they are putting in five levels of underground parking.
The entrances to the underground parking will be on John Street for both buildings – the public is looking at some 400 cars that will be entering and leaving the two buildings on a street that will have bus traffic all day.
There won’t be much in the way of vibrancy on Brant Street from about Ontario street south for that five year period – the east side of the street will be hoardings and construction overheads.
Wellings kept dropping in the phrase “a complete community” which he didn’t really define.
The Albert Schneider and the Kelly’s Bake shop locations are being kept as historical sites – what the public will see when the project is completed will be far from what is there today.
The buildings will be taken back to what they looked like in their early renditions when Brant and John Streets were quiet pokey little places where everyone knew everyone and the merchants knew your first name.
Back to the time when Spencer Smith walked the streets of the town and Smith was the Police Chief, when the Gazette was a print publication with an office on Brant Street.
The process going forward is for planning department staff to meet with the developer and compare notes on what he public had to say. The developer will be expected to come back with some changes to deal with the prime concerns.
The phrase Section 37 benefits for the community didn’t get mentioned; expect the developer to say that keeping the two historical structures is what the public will get.
There is a lot of misunderstanding in the minds of the public. The city is required to accept every development that is dropped on their doorstep and if it is a complete development with all the required studies attached they are required to write a report to city council recommending that it be accepted, turned down or have significant changes made. That’s the law – the city has to live within those rules
 The various levels of set back. As the building rises the area gets smaller. How much will there be in the way of changes when this eventually gets to city council? Hard to tell – depends to a large degree on the kind of city council the citizens elect. The site is made up of nine different properties that are .02 of a hectare in area. One woman wanted to know what a hectare looked like – It was a unit of measure she wasn’t familiar with. No one was able to give her a sense as to just how big this development was going to be.
Another downtown resident asked why the building has to be 24 storeys high “why can’t you leave it at 17”. The answer was “it’s the money honey!”
This development will get to a council that may well be quite a bit different than the one in place now. There may be a new Mayor with a perspective a lot different than that of the current planner.
There are at least two declared candidates that see the current city manager as not quite what the city needs.
Things are just a poppin at city hall. Hang on to your hats!
By Pepper Parr
May 2nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a very shot electronic exchange of words.
 Marty Staz – Nothing to comment yet The Gazette had heard that Marty Staz was expressing some interest in running for the ward 1 council seat.
There is a group in Aldershot who are close to desperate to find a candidate that can replace four term council member Rick Craven.
There was a potential female candidate who was made one of Burlington’s BEST a few years ago. She was reported to be “seriously thinking about running” but the sense the Gazette gets the sense that her heart is not in it.
Staz, a former printer and now a real estate agent is said to be thinking about running for office. There seems to be a small swell of support for the man.
The Gazette sent Staz a note:
Would you suggest a time today when you and I can have a conversation.
The response:
Regarding?
We replied:
Your plans to run for public office.
His response:
Nothing to comment yet
It isn’t a no – which is more than the Aldershot crowd looking for a Craven replacement had yesterday.
A developing story.
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