 By Staff
March 28th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Goldring is holding another of his Inspire Burlington series late in April.
Goldring has invited Glen Murray, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, and former Minister of the Environment and Climate Change for Ontario to speak on transit-supportive development that works to create multi-modal, and sustainable cities.
 The talk will take place at the Royal Botanical Gardens April 25th at 7:30 p.m in the main auditorium; admission is FREE and all are welcome.
The talk takes place a couple of days after the Bfast 4th annual Forum of transit – might be some interesting questions that can come out of the Form for Mr. Murray
 By Staff
March 28th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Electricity Distributors Association has recognized Burlington Hydro from among its provincial utility peers as a leader in both Conservation Leadership and Public Relations Excellence from the Association that represents Ontario’s electricity distributors, the Electricity Distributors Association (EDA). The awards were presented in Toronto at the EDA annual meeting on Monday night.
 Burlington Hydro keeps the lights on, runs the system efficiently. The EDA’s Conservation Leadership Excellence Award, sponsored by the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), recognized Burlington Hydro’s enhancements to its conservation outreach program – ‘The Power to Conserve’.
From the delivery of Save on Energy conservation programs, to the collaborative efforts to develop new programs and recognize customer participation, conservation activities at Burlington Hydro have taken a creative new approach to encouraging participation across all customer sectors.
Burlington Hydro’s e-billing campaign – Plant-a-Tree in a Community Park – was also recognized for Public Relations Excellence. Each time a customer registered for paperless e-billing over the one year campaign, a $5 donation was made by Burlington Hydro to the City of Burlington to plant a mix of native tree species in the community’s Nelson Park. The program delivered a positive environmental message, while providing tangible benefits to the community by enhancing the City’s green spaces for many years to come.
 Burlington Hydro CEO Gerry Smallegame and COO Dan Guatto explaining just when they hoped to have the power running again during a December ice storm. “Burlington Hydro is focused on growing and conducting its business in ways that consistently deliver customer value and provide benefit to the community,” says Gerry Smallegange, President and CEO, Burlington Hydro Inc. “Our talented and dedicated employees continue to fuel the success of our company and are the driving force behind delivering meaningful and award-winning customer initiatives. We’re extremely pleased to be recognized for our efforts by our industry peers.”
Burlington Hydro Inc. is an energy services company in the power distribution business. Serving approximately 67,000 residential and commercial customers, Burlington Hydro and its employees are committed to delivering safe, efficient and reliable electricity to the City of Burlington. The company is wholly owned by the City of Burlington.
 By Staff
March 28th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Two solid days of students and their instruments learning a new piece of music and then coming together as a massed band to perform what they have learned.
The event is part of what the Halton District School Board calls a Band Extravaganza taking place in Burlington Tuesday and Wednesday.
 The students paid close attention tot he instructions they were being given. Listening to the students as they warm up with their instruments and get instructions on instrument specific clinics from instructors that were donated by Long and McQuade.
 There was this beautiful deep sound that just enveloped the room. Then the other instruments joined in. Being in a room with 15 to 40 students who are being directed by an experienced musician learning to get the best sound possible from the instrument is quite an experience. The rooms were on the small side where the sound bounced off the walls.
 Boys being boys – talking up what they were being taught? Students start each day with a concert by the Halton Junior Jazz Band. Afterwards, students go to breakout clinics specific to their instrument. Later they convene for a massed band rehearsal, with guest conductors on both days.
 Concentration and getting it just right. The board has commissioned two original concert band compositions for the event: The Call to Adventure by composer David Marlatt, and The Conquest by Ryan Meeboer, a teacher at Alexander’s Public School in Burlington.
The pieces will be directed by the composers and played for the first time by Halton students.
Rebecca MacRae, the board’s instructional program leader (the arts, K-12) is overseeing the event.
 By Pepper Parr
March 27th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
What we pay our civil servants and what they deliver in the way of service and leadership is of concern to every taxpayer.
The public has direct input on who serves as members of Council – they get to bring in new people or turf those that have not met the standard the public expected. Public service can at time be brutal.
Council cannot get rid of a Staff member. They can go into a closed session and discuss concerns they have with a staff member and they could direct a city manager to get rid of a staff member because city managers serve at the will of Council
Burlington has asked one city manager to look for another place to work – which usually means buying out he contract they have with the city.
Burlington has gone thought Roman Martiuk , Jeff Fielding and Pat Moyle who was an interim city manager – holding the fort until a permanent city manager is hired.
James Ridge became city manager in 2015
Jeff Fielding was an exceptional city manager but he got an opportunity to serve in Calgary with one of the best Mayor’s in the country and he took it.
Roman Martiuk was brought in to get costs under control. He and Mayor Goldring didn’t see things the same way. At the time the Mayor told the Gazette that the decision to par ways was for the most part his alone. At the time many thought that his then Chief of Staff, Frank McKeown, was the man behind that decision.
Burlington was at one point very fortunate to be able to pull a city manager from the ranks of staff. Tim Dobbie served as city manager while Rob MacIsaac was Mayor – those two were almost a wrestling tag team. They worked together very effectively.
 Cam Jackson: Election night 2010 When MacIsaac moved on Cam Jackson, a former MPP, ran for Mayor and Dobbie decided the grass was indeed greener in that other field. He now works as a much in demand consultant to other municipalities.
When a city manager is hired the amount he or she is paid is negotiated.
 If you’re happy and you know it – clap your hands. The province of Ontario, when Bob Ray was Premier, decided they would publish a report annually setting out how much every civil servant in the province early more than $100,000 annual gets paid. It was quickly names the Sunshine list and became must reading.
The Gazette has in the past published portions of the report. Downloading the data and formatting it for publication is a time consuming task – it is one that we have decided to do during the Easter Break. There are numerous levels: City, Regional, Education and the Health Sector.
During a meeting with a regular reader earlier this week I was asked when we were going to publish the 2018 numbers and I said during the Easter Break. “You might want to do it sooner the reader suggested, there are some eye popping numbers” he said.
 James Ridge with Hamilton city manager Chris Murray come close to taking home three hundred big ones?” “Really” I responded. (In the parlance of people in those income range three hundred big one is three hundred one thousand dollar bills – before taxes of course.
It gets better the reader advised: on a value based scale, that is how much it costs each citizen, we pay our city manager far more than other cities. He put something together for us.
Here is what we were given. We checked to ensure that the gross number for James Ridge was correct.
Eye popping indeed.
 Does the amount paid to the city manager in the last fiscal year include something other than just salary?
Burlington pays it’s city manager more than the city manager of Hamilton when Hamilton has more than three times the population of Burlington.
By Staff
March 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The closing of a high school is never a pleasant experience particularly when many in the community were opposed to the closing.
At the Lester B. Pearson High School they are calling the occasion a Celebration that will take place over two days: June 1 and 2, 2018
 The Pearson high school students were always an active bunch: during a teacher strike they protested the bill before the provincial legislature. The people organizing the event want to know who is interested – past and present students, alumni, and former staff are being asked to an interest survey by April 7
A full slate of engaging activities are being organized to celebrate Lester B. Pearson High School (1976-2018) on Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, 2018. Events are planned for students, alumni and staff, both past and present, to celebrate the school’s 42-year history. Lester B. Pearson High School will close at the end of June 2018, with students moving to nearby M.M. Robinson High School.
All events will be held at Lester B. Pearson High School (1433 Headon Rd, Burlington). The two-day celebration will include a number of activities to recognize and honour accomplishments over the decades of students, staff and the wider Pearson community.
Friday, June 1, 2018 – Patriot Generation Sports Tournaments and Pep Rally with world renowned Burlington Teen Tour Band, food trucks and entertainment, play and watch ball hockey, basketball, touch football, soccer, volleyball, and enjoy socializing with longtime friends.
Saturday, June 2, 2018 – Open House with Decades Showcase, Tours and Closing Ceremony with Lester B. Pearson’s granddaughter, Patricia Pearson, and founding principal, David Katz, along with music, videos and representatives speaking about the decades. Reception to follow.
To assist with planning, everyone attending the celebrations is encouraged to complete the Lester B. Pearson Celebration: Save The Date Survey and learn more about the planned events. The survey will remain open until Saturday, April 7, 2018 and will help event organizers confirm what activities are of interest to attendees and how many people to expect.
So far, approximately 300 surveys have been completed, with more than 650 attendees expected to attend, including students and staff from the 1970s through to current day.
 To learn more about the celebration activities, like and share the Celebrate Lester B. Pearson High School Facebook page, follow @CelebrateLBP on Twitter, visit www.CelebrateLBP.com or email celebrateLBP@hdsb.ca.
For additional information, contact: Loraine Fedurco, Principal, Lester B. Pearson High School: 905-335-0961
It will be an occasion filled with mixed emotions.
By Pepper Parr
March 24th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The transformation of the Joseph Brant Museum is well under way.
 Architectural rendering of what the new home for the Joseph Brant Museum will look like when it is completed – scheduled for late 2019 – weather permitting.  The replica of the house Joseph Brant built now sits on steel beams and pushed closer to North Shore Blvd, where it will remain until the new part of the museum is built.
In an ongoing survey we asked our readers what they thought of the decision to transform the existing museum into something that 3 times bigger; it will have 17,000 sq ft of exhibition space.
The public will not be able to tour the actual house – that is to be used for administration purposes.
Few realized it at the the time but the day of the ground breaking ceremony was the last time the public was going to be in the building. At least it was packed that day.
 The readership survey has been running for less than a week This is what some of the Gazette readers responded to the question: The decision has been made to transform and significantly enlarge the Joseph Brant Museum. Was this a good idea? City council vote to proceed with the project was not unanimous. Councillors Jack Dennison and Marianne Meed Ward were not onside for this nor was Councillor John Taylor all that enthusiastic about the plans that were put forward.
The original house was the building Joseph Brant died in – the structure on the site is a 1937 replica of the house Mohawk native Joseph Brant, Thayendanegea, built on a 1798 Crown land grant.
A man named Thomas B. McQuesten was a province of Ontario Minister who was responsible for the early version of what is now the QEW. He is said to have used highway building funds to pay for the construction of the replica. The original had been destroyed by fire.
The total project amount is approved at about $11 million, which includes a contingency fund and allows for cost increases due to a winter construction period. Funding includes:
 An indigenous dancer performs during the ground breaking for a transformed Joseph Brant Museum. Few new at the time that it was the last day the public would actually be in the house part of the museum. $3.4 million from the City of Burlington
$4.7 million from the Government of Canada
$1.5 million from the Province of Ontario
$2.5 million from the Joseph Brant Museum Foundation
The land the Museum sits on was owned by a Trust that was part of the hospital land holdings. The Museum was moved several decades ago when the hospital underwent an expansion.
A transformed Museum is being built – the public now needs to get behind the idea and ensure that there are high quality programs and that the Museum is professionally run.
By Staff
March 24th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Joseph Brant Hospital will be getting $11.2 million in new provincial government funding that will be added to Joseph Brant Hospital’s budget for 2018/19.
 Burlington MP Eleanor McMahon is also the chair of the Treasury Board. Members of the provincial legislature have been fanning out across the province making funding announcements on increases in funding for hospitals. Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon was at Joseph Brant Hospital yesterday to outline how this major increase in hospital funding will provide better access to care, reduce wait times, address capacity issues and better meet the needs of Burlington’s changing population.
This overall increase of 4.6 per cent across the province is on top of the 3.2 per cent provided last year — allowing hospitals to invest with more precision in the care and supports that address the specific needs of their patients and community.
McMahon said “Patients and families across Ontario will also directly benefit from this increased funding with the expansion of essential services to reduce wait times and priority procedures such as cardiac care, critical care, chemotherapy, treatment for strokes, hip and knee replacements, and medical imaging.”
McMahon added in her media release that the is responding to rapid economic change by bringing in a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, easier access to affordable child care, and free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation.
By Staff
March 23, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 Earlier in the week we published a snippet from a drive the Mayor took in James Burchill’s Smart car that gave us a peak at what the Mayor sounds like when he isn’t being serious and Mayoral wearing his Chain of Office.
The full interview is HERE for your viewing pleasure.
By Staff
March 23, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Gazette has been publishing since September of 2010 Every publisher wants to know – who reads what we write; where do they live, what do they like and what do we know about the demographics of our readers.
We have done readership surveys in the past: there were some surprises. We found that the readership was spread pretty even across the city – except for ward 6.
When the survey was being done the issue of the Air Park and the tonnes of land fill being dumped on the property without the proper papers – at least the ones city hall felt the property owner should have obtained – was a major story. The stories got significant readership in the other five wards – but was much lower than we expected in ward 6.
 Tonnes of landfill from locations that were never entirely clear was dumped on the Air Park property. It took more than one court case to resolve that issue. The current survey has been running for just a few days – far too early to tell us very much – but there are trends and in the public opinion polling business it doesn’t take thousands of responses to see a trend.
 The decision has been made to transform and significantly enlarge the Joseph Brant Museum. Was this a good idea? While the views on the overhaul being done to the Joseph Brant Museum are far from valid – here is what we halve at this point.
We are going to run the survey for a couple of week.
You can only do the survey once. If you try to do it twice the software tells you that the survey has already been done.
Privacy is a big big issue these days.
All we get to know about you personally is your gender, the ward you live in.
We will publish an in depth article when they survey is closed.
Click on the box to the right – take part and tell us what you think.
 By Staff
March 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Dating back to October 2017, a group of four individuals have been targeting various retail stores in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton and the surrounding area. These individuals would enter the store and select various items that typically consisted of small appliances, perfumes and clothing. They would then run out of the store past the employees without paying for the merchandise. In some cases, multiple offenders would work in teams to distract the employees or act as the lookout in the parking lot.
Investigators from the Burlington Street Crime Unit have worked with area Loss Prevention Officers and were able to identify one of the suspects. Through further police investigation, the other three male suspects were positively identified along with two residences where stolen property was being stored.
On March 20th 2018, the investigation into this organized group concluded with the arrests of four males and the execution of three search warrants. Search warrants were executed at residences in Mount Hope and Stoney Creek. A third search warrant was executed on a vehicle. As a result, police seized a significant quantity of property, valued at over $17,000 that is believed to have been stolen during retail thefts. Police have also seized a 2009 Hyundai Elantra as offence related property.
 Property the police have valued at over $17,000 which they believe was stolen during retail thefts. The following individuals were arrested and charged:
Angelo GRACI (56 years) of Mount Hope
• Theft under $5000 (12 counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property (two counts)
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking over $5000
Miklos SZEDLAR (26 years) of Stoney Creek
• Theft under $5000 (16 counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of property obtained by crime
Angelo MILLER (26 years) of Mount Hope
• Theft under $5000 (11 counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property (two counts)
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Fail to comply with probation (7 counts)
• Fail to comply with recognizance
Blue LUCAS (29 years) of Hamilton
• Theft under $5000 (nine counts)
• Trafficking in stolen property (two counts)
• Participating in a criminal organization
• Possession of property obtained by crime
• Fail to comply with recognizance
Anyone who may have additional information can contact Halton Regional Police Service Detective Dwayne Perron at 905-825-4747 ext 2342. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stopper’s “See Something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stopper’s “at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
In an earlier version of this news story we said that Milton trustee Kim Graves had complained about the distance she had to drive to get to school board meetings. It was trustee Anne Harvey Hope who made the comment – the two women sit beside each other at board meetings. In the same article we said “… they were a little queasy about having this matter on the table…”. It would have been more correct to say that some were queasy. The Gazette regrets these errors.
Most of the trustees said last night that the Halton District School Board needed a new Administrative Building – but they didn’t want to see it located in Burlington.
There are 11 school board trustees – four represent Burlington; four represent Oakville and two represent Milton. One represents Halton Hills.
 Need the building said Kelly Amos – but it shouldn’t be in Burlington.  Driving to Burlington for 6 pm meetings is terrible – but we do need a new administration centre – Trustee Harvey-Hope Oakville trustee Ann Harvey Hope said it was a “nightmare” to get to Board meetings from the east side of Oakville. Two of the 11 trustees were not in physical attendance – they took part on-line.
None of the trustees were opposed to the idea of putting up a new structure – some were a little queasy about having this matter on the table less than a year after closing two of the city’s seven high schools.
Director of Education Stuart Miller was adamant in saying that there was no link between the closing of the two high schools and the need to build a new building for administrators.
And he said, for the umpteenth time, that funds gained from the sale of a school property could not be used to build an administrative centre.
 Trustee Leah Reynolds, centre wanted the dust on school closings to settle before a new administrative Centre decision was made. Trustee Collard, on the right wanted any decision deferred. Trustee Grey, on the left represents Halton Hills – she made her comments by a telecommunications link. Ward 1 and 2 Burlington trustee Leah Reynolds said making a decision now would be “ill timed” and that the Board should “wait for the dust to settle”.
Amy Collard, Burlington ward 5 trustee wanted to see a decision on a new building deferred but couldn’t find a seconder for her motion.
Why now was the question Reynolds had. Miller explained that this is an issue that has been in the talking stage for years – the building was defined as inadequate in 2005.
 Stuart Miller He added that the Board offices have to be AODA compliant by 2025 and that it would cost millions to bring the Singleton centre up to AODA standards.
He estimated that there would be a savings of $8 to $12 million if the Board approved the decision to proceed with the construction of a new build on land that they already owned.
The trustees agreed that a new building was needed – they just didn’t want it to be in Burlington. The problem was that land was very expensive and there really wasn’t much that was available.
The Board did have talks with the Region about using some of the land on Bronte Road north of the QEW – those talks went nowhere.
Miller is thinking in terms of the location having a cafeteria, maybe a day care and he is open to the idea of renting space to organizations that are aligned to the values of public education.
 Protesting the $1 million expansion of the Halton Board of Education administration centre more than 20 years ago – four parents picket the centre; in Burlington; yesterday. They are Bill Johnson of Milton; defeated New Democratic Party candidate in Halton-Burlington; Betty Fisher and Christine Louth of Halton Hills; and Lillian Kilpatrick of Oakville. The real estate consultant they hired advised that the amount of land they needed was scarce.
Miller sees the Board facing a very difficult and expensive problem. He needs a building that is AODA compliant. The building he has does not have the space he needs. He has property yards away from where the existing building is located.
His trustees are not going to help him out of this one.
The matter comes back to the Board April 4th.
Related new storey.
By Staff
March 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Easter weekend
City hall will be closed Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2, 2018 for Easter weekend.
Burlington Transit and Handi-Van
 Burlington Transit will operate a holiday service. On Friday, March 30, Burlington Transit will operate a holiday service and the downtown Transit Terminal and Handi-Van Dispatch will be closed. Regular service resumes Saturday, March 31. The administration offices are closed Friday, March 30 and will reopen Tuesday, April 3.
For real-time schedule information, please call 905-639-0550 or visit www.burlingtontransit.ca .
Roads, Parks and Forestry
Closed Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2. Only winter control and emergency services will be provided.
Halton Court Services
Provincial Offences Courts in Milton and Burlington will be closed Friday, March 30 and Monday, April 2.
Parking
Free parking is available in the downtown core, on the street, municipal lots and the parking garage on weekends and holidays.
Parks and recreation: Hours vary for Parks and Recreation Programs and Facilities
Activities and customer service hours at city pools, arenas and community centres will vary over the holiday weekend. For program times, please visit burlington.ca/play. For customer service hours, please visit burlington.ca/servicehours.
Good luck on figuring out what is open and what isn’t – the web site information is very poorly organized.
 Skating rink on the Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond at Discovery Landing has officially closed. However city hall continues to remind us that: Burlington is one of Canada’s best and most livable cities, a place where people, nature and business thrive.
The outdoor skating rink on the Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond at Discovery Landing has officially closed for the 2017-2018 season.
By Staff
March 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A bandit on a crime spree was arrested for multiple robberies and thefts in Halton and Toronto.
 The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and the Toronto Police Service arrested a 19-year-old Oakville man after a joint investigation into a series of violent robberies in Oakville, Burlington, and Toronto.
On March 14, 2018 a masked man armed with a knife entered the Petro Canada gas station located at 1550 North Service Road West in Oakville. The male ordered the clerk to open the cash register and proceeded behind the counter removing cash, cigarettes, cigars and the employee’s cell phone. The accused then fled in a waiting vehicle.
On March 20, 2018, the same suspect robbed the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 3455 Fairview Street in Burlington. The male entered the store armed with a knife and demanded money stealing cigarettes, cigars, cash, and the employee’s wallet before fleeing into a waiting vehicle.
In the course of the HRPS investigation, the same suspect was identified as being involved in a series of thefts from automobiles in the City of Burlington on March 5 and 6, 2018. During these thefts, the accused and an accomplice entered six vehicles and stole a variety of personal items including a wallet. Credit cards stolen were subsequently used by the accused and the accomplice.
Concurrent with the HRPS investigation, the Toronto Police Service were also searching for the same suspect alleged to have committed two robberies in the City of Toronto; the first on March 10, 2018 at a Petro Canada on Kipling Avenue and the second at a Pioneer Gas Bar on Brown’s Line on March 16, 2018.
The Halton Regional Police Service executed a search warrant at an apartment building located at 205 Queen Mary Drive in Oakville and arrested Colin Borne (19). While searching the apartment, investigators seized several items linking him to the robberies. Colin Borne has been held over for a bail hearing.
Colin BORNE (19) of Oakville has been charged with:
• 4 counts of robbery with violence
• 4 counts wear disguise
• 4 counts of weapons dangerous
• 4 counts fail to comply probation
• 6 counts of theft and 8 frauds under
The Halton Regional Police are actively pursuing leads in efforts to apprehend Colin Borne’s accomplice.
Do you recognize the person in the video
The robbery has to be one of the most casual events you will ever see.
Anyone who may have additional information concerning this investigation can contact Halton Regional Police Detective Barry Malciw at 905-825-4747 ext. 2218. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
By Pepper Parr
March 22, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
We were a different people then.
Harder, harsher less tolerant of others and the differences between the races.
A world war had ended and people were adjusting to a different world but still suffering from the hardships brought on by that war.
 In New Glasgow, Nova Scotia Viola Irene Desmond went to a movie theatre and sat in a part that was reserved for white people. She was ejected from the theatre by security people, arrested and placed in a jail cell and charged with a minor tax violation for the one-cent tax difference between the seat she had paid for and the seat she used which was more expensive.
Desmond’s case is one of the most publicized incidents of racial discrimination in Canadian history and helped start the modern civil rights movement in Canada.
That was in 1946. In 2010, Desmond was granted a posthumous pardon, the first to be granted in Canada. The government of Nova Scotia also apologized for prosecuting her for tax evasion and acknowledged she was rightfully resisting racial discrimination.
In 2016, the Bank of Canada announced that Desmond would be the first Canadian woman to be featured on the front of a banknote; that honour went to Agnes Macphail, who appeared along with three men on a 2017 commemorative note marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation.
Agnes Macphail was the first woman to be elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1921.
In late 2018 Desmond will be the first Canadian-born woman to appear alone on a $10 bill which was unveiled by Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz during a ceremony at the Halifax Central Library.
The Halton District school Board decided last night to name a public school in Milton after Viola Desmond.
 Principal of what was, until last night, Milton PS # 10. The Board of Education named the school Viola Desmond Public School. It will open in September of 2018 The Board believes it is the first school board to name a school after the woman who started the fight for racial equality in Canada. Milton PS # 10 will now be known as the Viola Desmond Public School.
A significant event in the long hard fight in Canada for racial equality, that isn’t over yet, took place in Nova Scotia in 1946.
School principal was on hand at the school board meeting to watch the vote take place.
The school will open in September of 2018 and offer Junior Kindergarten ‐ Grade 7 with Grade 8 English Program to be added in September 2019.
French Immersion Program offered in 2018-2019: Grade 2 with each grade added in subsequent years.
 By Pepper Parr
March 22nd, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Think in terms of dance that is both fluid and dramatic that runs for more than an hour while you are expected to walk about the space to observe. It is called installation art. Not sure what that is?
Spend some time at the Art Gallery of Burlington on Sunday April 8th, starting at 3:30 in the afternoon in the Lee Chin Gallery and learn more about it.
The performance runs for 70 minutes but you’re not expected to stand around for the full 70 minutes.
Peggy Baker, a dancer who has choreographed an event that is about how we care for each other will be performing with a group of dancers.
The event is a collaboration between the Performing Arts Centre and the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The rehearsals took place at the Performing Arts Centre where 16 local performers – community members, dancers, actors, yoga practitioners worked with Baker to refine the program that explores the nature of both giving and receiving care.
 … the basic duality of caregiving – the giving and receiving of water. While working in pairs, the performers will use one-of-a-kind pitchers and bowls – contributed by local ceramic artists – to represent the basic duality of care-giving – the giving and receiving of water. The audience is encouraged to move around the space and view the dance installation from all sides and differing perspectives.
This unique experience is a free event.
 Peggy Baker, dancer, choreographer. Peggy Baker, the dancer, choreographer that created this work describes it this way: “MOVE calls up a multitude of ancient and timeless images; earth being plowed, the molding of clay, the kneading of bread, a midwife at work, a storm gathering, the swell of an ocean, the movement of a glacier, the heaving of a continent, the passing of time…”
It is dance that is energetic and at the same time contemplative and quiet.
At The Art Gallery of Burlington, Sunday, April 8 at 3:30pm
This event is a partnership between the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and The Art Gallery of Burlington.
By Pepper Parr
March 21, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Whenever there is anything to do with the Solid Gold adult entertainment operation in Aldershot there will be an audience.
Things were not any different last night when Darko Vranich and his team were on hand to speak to and support their application for changes to the current Official Plan, and a change to the current zoning on the site to permit the construction of two apartment buildings that with a total of 450 units.
 View from the south west corner of the site Residents packed the East Plains Road United Church where planners from Bousfield, a Planning consultancy and the project architect explained what the project was about and why it should be approved.
Most in the audience didn’t share their views.
The only thing there was agreement on was that the adult entertainment operation had to go. Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven isn’t particularly proud of one of the busier commercial establishments in the ward – an opportunity to put something else on the 3 acre site is something he might welcome.
The residents weren’t all that keen on what was put in front of them.
 The view is from the intersection of Cooke Avenue and Plains Road The Planning department took the audience through the process:
A public neighbourhood meeting.
A Statutory public meeting at city hall
Staff analyses the application
A report to city council Planning and Development Committee (P&D) that either recommends, does not recommend or asks for modifications.
The P&D committee meeting recommendations go to city council where a decision is made to approve or not approve the requested changes in the Official Plan and zoning changes.
The rules call for 874 parking spaces – Vrancor, the developer proposed 581 which led one resident to tell the audience that there would be parking wars without more parking space.
There were a number of concerns expressed by the residents – parking spaces, height and massing: the ground floor of the two buildings, which will be commercial space, would be set back just six feet from the sidewalk – that isn’t likely to get past the city planners.
There was no park space in the proposal.
The development is at the corner of Plains Road and Cooke Street. The 12 storey apartment building will run along Cooke; the ten storey will run along Plains Road.
58% of the units will be two bedroom units, 40% will be 1 bedroom.
 Darko Vranich on the left with his team. Besides wanting to get rid of the Solid Gold operation what the people of the west end of Aldershot want most is a supermarket. If Darko Vranich could deliver on a supermarket in the building the residents might let him have a 15 storey building.
One resident asked the Vrancor people what the benefit to the community was for approving the development would be. The answer was: “You would be getting rid of Solid Gold”
Judy Worsley, Executive Director – Aldershot Village BIA told the audience that a supermarket is probably not in the cards. She explained that Loblaws has announced that it is closing 22 stores in Ontario and that the future model is going to be one where people order grocery items on line and pick their order at a GO station kiosk.
Vranich told the Gazette that he has talked to every supermarket operator that will take his call to see if he could convince them to locate in the development – no takers so far. “If you know of anyone who might be interested, have them call me please” said Vranich.
Related new story:
The new model for grocery shopping.
By Staff
March 21, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The 911 service is much h more than a telephone number you call when there is an emergewncy. Behind that number is a group of people who take the call and manage the emergency. They are referred to as 911 communicators.
The Halton Regional Police is hosting an open house for persons interested in a career as a 9-1-1 Communicator.
The session will be both informative and interactive allowing potential applicants to learn of the applicant process, training involved and essential skills needed for success in the role.
 The telephone set has buttons that put a 911 communicator in direct communications with other public safety agencies in an second. The introduction session is on Thursday April 12th – 7 pm – 8:30 pm – at the Halton Regional Police Service Headquarters.
Space is extremely limited so register early to ensure your attendance.
Interested registrants are asked to email Steve Van Dyk at
steve.vandyk@haltonpolice.ca
Related news stories:
High tech and at times very fast paced.
Dispatching police officers to a scene can get very hectic.
 By Pepper Parr
March 21, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
My friend James Burchill, the shameless self-promoter and Master of the Side Hustle has a new gig.
He takes people out for a drive in his neat little Smart Car and does a video interview with his passenger.
The camera is mounted on the dashboard.
 Mayor explaining the honorific that should be used when he is being addressed. The come on James uses is the cup of coffee he is going to buy you; I’ve yet to see anyone with a cup of coffee in their hands.
The interviews run for about six to seven minutes; there have been a few that are actually memorable.
There is one coming up – it will be “premiered” on Friday.
James convinced the Mayor to take the drive. The really short clip is HERE. The Mayor comes across as a much more relaxed guy on this video. Rock Goldring has this need to use his hands to make his point – when he isn’t doing that he holds them in front of him so they don’t get away.
But in the front passenger seat of a car there isn’t much he can do with his hands so he has to rely on facial expressions and so we get to see a different Rick Goldring.
It really is worth watching.
The full interview will be shown on Friday.
 By Pepper Parr
March 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a very nice drawing. Architects and planner call them renderings. They are used by the real estate agents selling property and frequently they don’t reflect what the end product is going to look like.
The Gazette has used the drawings on a number of occasions.
 A rendering out of the fertile mind of someone in the city’s planning department? It didn’t come from the developer that owns the land. Corner of Lakeshore Road and Brant Street. We were both surprised and a little stunned when we learned that while the property at the north east corner of Brant and Lakeshore is owned by the Molinaro Group – the rendering wasn’t produced by the Molinaro’s.
What? – you might ask.
Apparently the city planning department didn’t ask the Molinaro people for permission to put together a rendering – they just did it.
During a recent city council meeting there was considerable discussion on how high a building on that site should be? The debate had the height swinging from 23 then down to 17 then down to 15 and then down to 12 and then back up to 17.
The Molinaro Group owns the land but they say they haven’t even decided who the architect on the project might be.
 The rendering that reflects the thinking of the planning department – the owner of the property knows nothing about it and didn’t authorize it creation or use. They are busy completing the Paradigm on Fairview and getting ready to start work on Brock 2 and continuing their discussions with the planners on their Brant/Ghent development that is working its way through the planning department.
When that fellow to the south of us (the American President) told some of his supporters that he just made up the international trade figures he gave to our Prime Minister we shrugged – that what he does; tells lies because he doesn’t know what the truth is.
 Has that habit worked its way across the border and into the Burlington Planning department?
Just asking.
Salt with Pepper are the opinions, musings and reflections of the Publisher of the Burlington Gazette
By Staff
March 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The easiest way to get this story out is to report that after deciding to close two of Burlington’s seven high schools the trustees will decide on Wednesday if they want to go forward with the building of a new administrative building at a cost of $23 million plus some ongoing financing that will have to be taken on.
The recommendation the trustees are going to debate is:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board direct the Director of Education to initiate the construction of a new administrative building on the J.W. Singleton Education Centre property, pending Ministry approval.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller has put forward a staff recommendation to construct a new Board administration building. In a report to the trustees Director of Education Stuart Miller set out the conclusion that he and his Superintendents arrive at goes like this:
The Halton District School Board is the largest single employer in the entire Halton region. With more than 8000 full and part time employees serving 65,000 students and their families, it is clear the Halton District School Board is a very significant part of the Region of Halton. Moreover, dozens of Halton-based businesses employing a multitude of Halton residents do business with and provide services to the Board, its students and its staff. With a budget of more than $760 million, it is also apparent the Board and its employees contribute greatly to the local economy.
 If the trustees follow the staff recommendation Burlington will see a new multi storey structure at the north west intersection of Upper Middle Road and Guelph Line. The staff who currently work in the J.W. Singleton Education Centre, New Street Education Centre and the Milton Learning Centre are vital to the work of the schools. Halton students and graduates are served very well by their teachers, educational assistants, school administrators and all school- based support staff. Indeed, Halton District School Board students perform consistently at or near the top when compared to other boards across the province.
This cannot occur without the support of those who work in the various Board offices. Vital operations such as information technology, payroll, human resources, purchasing, facility services, library services, academic consulting, student services (special education), financial services, senior management and the functions of the Board of Trustees all occur centrally. Each of these services, and more, provide essential support for both the achievement and well-being of the Halton District School Board’s students. The role of all central support staff is crucial to the continued success of all Halton District School Board students.
 Photographs of current administrative offices at the Singleton Centre on Guelph Line. The current facilities that accommodate these staff are inadequate. There is insufficient space and the condition of the current buildings are found wanting. To meet the current needs, including AODA compliance, would require a significant investment of millions of dollars. In addition, retrofitting or renovations would result in the displacement of hundreds of personnel and several school operations.
The need for an administrative centre that provides a modern, efficient building that is fully accessible and adaptable to future needs, will have a positive impact on professional relationships, operations and ultimately student learning and well-being.
In the fall of 2017 the Halton Regional Police Services moved into a new headquarters on North Service Road. The building itself cost $54 million and was built on Region-owned land. This new headquarters will serve the police services and ultimately the citizens of Halton well into the future.
A new Halton District School Board education centre will serve the same purpose for the tens of thousands of students we serve, well into the future.
 New Regional Police HQ – due to be opened in the very near future. Like the Halton Regional Police Services headquarters, which was situated on regional land, the new HDSB administrative centre would be placed on Board property. This will result in a savings of approximately $5.6 to $8.8 million dollars, as land would not have to be purchased. It is also more efficient and would allow the project to be started and completed in a shorter time period.
It is for these reasons staff are recommending a new education centre be constructed on the site of the current administrative centre, subject to the required approvals.
How did the Board get to this point and have you heard anything about it from your school board trustee?
The Halton District School Board has grown to 65,000 students, an increase of 35% in student population during the past 10 years. This has resulted in a corresponding increase in staff across the system. There are currently 388 staff assigned to both the J.W. Singleton Centre and New Street Education Centre. This number has increased during the years and will continue to increase, as enrolment grows, in order to provide support and oversight to ensure schools operate effectively.
Because of this growth, staff have been engaged in a study of accommodation needs of central administrative Board staff.
 Architects schematic of what would go where in a new School Board administrative building. A February 4, 2015 initiated a review to determine if the Board offices are adequate to carry out the current and future functions of the Board. This report identified Snyder and Associates Inc. as the consultant to lead this study. Two phases were outlined. Phase one was a comprehensive needs assessment followed by phase two which provided options for consideration to address the needs identified in phase one.
A report to the Board in June 24, 2015 outlined the results of phase one, confirming that the current administrative spaces are inadequate to accommodate the current and growing needs of central staff and the functions they perform.
The second phase was a February 17, 2017 report that highlighted ideal proximity of departments for optimal synergies and the importance of centralizing all administrative functions of the Board at one site, ideally geographically central in the Board. The report confirmed the current practice of accommodating staff through reorganization and/or minor modifications/ renovations of current space is not a long term solution. Spaces are cramped, lacking privacy, meeting space is inappropriate, building systems are outdated and accessibility remains an issue.
The report identified the need for a facility that:
• is flexible and adaptable to future needs
• encourages collaboration and innovation
• provides a safe and inclusive environment
• is fully accessible for staff and the public
• enhances employee well-being to improve employee performance
• enhances community and board wide engagement
The report also outlined general specifications including square footage, cost and the number of staff to be accommodated.
An October 16, 2016 to the reported staff had been in contact with municipalities and a joint facility was not a likely option. Staff had also investigated available vacant land geographically central to the Board and determined there is no readily available vacant land.
The facility would require approximately eight acres of land. The report also outlined possible concept plans for two currently owned administrative centre lands: Gary Allan High School/New Street Education Centre and M.M. Robinson/J.W. Singleton Centre.
E.C. Drury Campus
During the course of the past 14 months, staff have investigated the potential use of the E.C. Drury site. This site is geographically located centrally within the Board which has some obvious advantages. The E.C. Drury site, however, is owned and operated by Provincial Schools. This is a complicating factor and to date staff have not been able to engage in the necessary discussions with the Province (Infrastructure Ontario) that would result in this piece of property being considered a viable option. Any further discussions would likely be long and arduous making this option less than ideal.
Land Availability
The consultants have suggested for a new location, eight acres would be sufficient to accommodate a new administration building. This site size would allow for unknowns such as site configuration, setbacks, easements, and future expansion. The Planning Department, supported by consultants Cushman & Wakefield, has confirmed there is currently very little available land central to the Board, including north Oakville or Milton that would meet the size and configuration requirements of a Board administrative office.
Potential Costs
Building a new facility would cost approximately $32 million (tender portion). The Ministry does not fund new administrative centres nor the acquisition of land for a new administrative facility. The Board must finance the construction and, if desired, land acquisition. The acquisition of property for school sites in North Oakville and Milton range in the $1.4 to $2.0 million per acre range. More specific to the Board’s needs for office/employment land, values in north Oakville or Milton are between $700,000 and $1,100,000 per acre, making the cost to purchase the land alone to be approximately $5.6-$8.8 million.
All options presented to the Board will result in a requirement to finance the construction of the new facility. In recognition that funds required to construct a facility would take several years to compile, the following recommendations to allocate funds to the Future Administrative Facility have been approved:
Allocation from Year-end Surplus:
December 2013) $ 1,125,291
November 2015) $2,500,000 Transfers within Accumulated Surplus:
November 2016) $8,919,579
Total $12,544,870
November 2016) $11,100,000
Total Funds Available for Future Administrative Facility $ 23,644,870
The balance of funds required to construct the new administrative facility would be secured through long-term financing. The principal and interest payments would be budgeted through the Board administration and governance funding envelope.
Ontario Regulation 193/10 restricts the amount of funds that can be used for the purposes of constructing administrative facilities. Under this regulation, the Board can only use proceeds of disposition which have been generated through the sale of a former administrative facility. Therefore, the Board cannot use proceeds of disposition generated from the sale of school sites.
Existing Administrative Office Sites
The utilization of existing Board property, either the J.W. Singleton Centre or New St. Education Centre site, would substantially reduce the total cost of the new administrative centre. The Board already owns both potential properties.
Renovating either existing building has been deemed to be problematic for the following reasons:
a. cost of retrofitting and updating the existing building
b. ongoing maintenance and operating costs of existing building
c. accessibility issues within the existing building
The M.M. Robinson H.S. property is approximately 33.6 acres in size, which includes J.W. Singleton Centre (see attachment). Although it is not identified as a separate piece of land, it is estimated the J.W. Singleton Centre site is approximately 5.7 acres in size. The New Street Education Centre/Gary Allan property consists of approximately of 14.67 acres, although the property is fragmented given the previous acquisitions of portions of the site to the City of Burlington.
The consultants have prepared schematic facility fit drawings confirming a 95,000 square foot admin centre could be placed on either property. If the Board were to move forward with building on either the J.W. Singleton Centre site or the New Street Education Centre site, an Official Plan Amendment and rezoning would be required. The Board’s Planning Department has identified the undertaking of an Official Plan Amendment and zoning amendment for the New Street Education Centre/Gary Allan site would likely be problematic, given the residential nature of the surrounding neighbourhood and the concerns related to a use that may not be compatible with the area.
 If approved the building would be built on the north west corner of the Upper Middle Road – Guelph Line intersection in Burlington. The location of the new administration centre on the existing J.W. Singleton Centre site would likely be less cause for concern from area residents. Locating a building at the northwest corner of Guelph Line and Upper Middle Road, would be more compatible to the adjacent land uses (i.e., retail malls to the east and southeast) and M.M. Robinson H.S., located to the west. Also, the location of a new administration centre on the current site, would allow for enhanced building exposure and street presence to ensure the Halton District School Board remains visible in the community.
 The Halton District School Board trustees will decide if they want the administration to proceed with the construction of a new administrative building The current location also offers better transportation/transit access due to its proximity to a major transportation corridors (Guelph Line/Upper Middle Road) as well as the QEW/403 and Highway 407, as compared to the New Street Education Centre/Gary Allan location. Planning staff believes the potential development of a new administrative centre at this location could provide for other office/retail opportunities that potentially could assist in the reducing the operating costs for the new administration centre.
 Does that sound like there will be a Tim Hortons included in the design.
Lastly, the location of the new administration centre at the existing location would ensure the current J.W. Singleton Centre workforce would be minimally impacted.
Get ready for the Burlington reaction to this one.
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