 By Staff
September 19th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Every teacher in the Region realizes that if a student is hungry, if they did not have a breakfast the chances of that student absorbing what is being taught are rather slim
And there are students at high schools in Burlington who get to school without a full breakfast in their stomachs.
 Halton Learning Foundation executive offices. The Halton Learning Foundation was created to develop a source of funds to fill these gaps in the lives of students.
Nicole, is a high school student who lives with her father who is financially limited.
Her mother lives in a care facility due to her very high medical needs.
Nicole works at a part time job to help support the family financially, while also juggling her school work.
Funds from Halton Learning Foundation help Nicole purchase food for school lunches, as well as toiletries.
Her need was identified by teacher at her school. The request for funding is sent to the Foundation by the school principal.
 Halton Learning Foundation Executive Director Lesley Mansfield. Lesley Mansfield, the Executive Director of the Foundation, is on top of every request for financial support. “If the need is desperate we can have funds in the hands of a student before 3:00 pm if we are made aware of the need by 9:00 am”.
Last school year the Foundation met 780 requests for financial support; the year before that the number was 657 requests – a year over year increase of 17%. Mansfield does not expect the number to decrease.
The Foundation is supported by corporations and the Halton District School Board teachers. They hold an annual Benefit Bash to raise the $800,000 plus that is needed each year.
While the economy of the country and financial conditions in the Region are good – there are some who are not able to participate in the prosperity. They need help – that help comes from people like you.
If this is something you would like to direct your donations to – look at their web site and see if this is something you want to be part of. For more detail – give Lesley Mansfield a call – she is one of those people who somehow makes a work day last more than eight hours.
Related news story:
What the Foundation does on a day to day basis.
Nicole is not the real name of the student; the situation however is very real.
 By Pepper Parr
September 20, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
While the city beavers away at getting all the public participation for the Mobility Hubs done and another group in the Planning department works through the steps that will be involved in getting what is going to be built on the Waterfront Hotel site clarified and the people over at Transit get used to the idea that theirs is going to be a much different world if what the City Manager had to say at a recent Council meeting was real, there is another department finalizing some of its work and will have information for all of us real soon – the BUDGET.
 The budget for Capital spending in 2017 The Finance department works to a well-honed time line to get all the numbers pulled up from the departments and worked into a number that gets cleared at the Executive level within city hall.
By this time the first cut of the budget is pretty clear in the minds of the people that do the number crunching.
The million or so that is going to have to be put into Transit is something they are probably still digesting.
 The processes that a budget has to go through involves some complex procedures – the theory is that any new spending has to be supported by a business case. The 2018 budget timelines call for a December approval of the Capital Budget and a January approval of the Operating Budget.
The people over at Finance tell us that in future years “we will be targeting more aggressive timelines which would bring both the Capital and Operating Budgets forward together in advance of year-end (excluding election years).
The timeline of the budget process for 2018 looks like this:
A Committee of the Whole meeting: Capital Budget Overview: November 9, 2017
Capital Council Information Session: November 16, 2017
A Committee of the Whole Capital Budget Review: December 1, 2017
A Committee of the Whole Operating Budget Overview: December 1, 2017
Council Capital Budget Approval: December 11, 2017
Operating Council Information Session: December 12, 2017
COW – Operating Budget Review: January 18, 2018
Council Operating Budget Approval: January 22, 2018
The 2017 budget hit the people of Burlington with a 4%+ tax increase. The budget for 2016 wasn’t any better.
The long term thinking in 2016 was for there to be some pretty stiff budget increases that would in 2019.
 The actual tax rate was always higher that the projection. The city of Hamilton kept their 2017 tax rate to less than 2%.
In 2016 the Mayor asked the city manager to look for new revenue sources. There was talk then about a Storm Water Management tax – that didn’t’ fly for a number of technical regions.
 The Joseph Brant Hospital now faces the lake. The city is still paying down our part of the $60 million that we had to put up for the new and re-developed Joseph Brant Hospital. (Burlington actually had to come up with $120 million – half through a tax levy and the other half was to be raised by the Hospital Foundation.) When that special tax levy was put in place the understanding was that it would end when the hospital was paid for – that isn’t going to happen. The Finance people have built that special tax levy into their regular revenue.
When the $60 million cost was put on the table the then city manager Jeff Fielding said it was the largest sum of money the city has ever had to budget for – he might have added that it was going to be funds the city could look forward to spending forever.
 By Staff
September 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The TD Canada Trust bank located at 596 Plains Rd. E in Burlington was robbed shortly before 1:00 PM, when a lone male entered the bank armed with a large knife. The male jumped over the counter and demanded cash and was provided with an undisclosed amount.
The male then fled the bank and was last seen running towards King Road. No one was injured during this robbery.
Uniformed patrol officers, canine and Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) members attended and conducted an extensive search of the area however the male suspect was not located.
 The suspect is described as:
• Male white
• 30-45 years old
• No facial hair
• 5’6″ to 5’9″ tall
• Heavy build 190-200 lbs
• Black coat with hood pulled up
• Black sunglasses
• Grey track pants
• Black running shoes with white soles
Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact Detective Phil Vandenbeukel of Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Robbery Team at 905-825-4747 ext 2343. Tips can be forwarded to Crime Stoppers; “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.crimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
September 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
In the near future there will be an announcement on the appointment of a Facilitator who will review the request for an Administrative Review of the Halton District School Board trustee decision to close two of the city’s seven high schools.
There was a request from the parents at Pearson high school and a request from the parents at Bateman high school for Administrative reviews.
The bar to getting a review was not low – the parents had to show they had wide community support.
The Facilitator will meet with each parent group and meet with the Board of Education staff for reaction from them.
And in the fullness of time there will be a response.
What if – the Facilitator decides there was enough wrong with the process and recommends that the PAR be done again?
 Would another PAR Committee be formed? The Board would, we think, have to create a new Program Accommodation Review (PAR) and put a new recommendation forward. Would a new recommendation be any different than the first which was to close Pearson and Central and then revised to close Pearson and Bateman?
Assume all this happens.
Would the current Board of Trustees act any differently?
The power to make a decision exists at the Board of Trustee level and that group does not appear to be in touch with the sentiment in the community.
Unfortunately the Burlington communities are quite fractured – making it difficult for the trustees to make a decision.
 The Central parents were out early and they spared no effort to make sure they told their story. Central high school parent care only that their school not be closed. They put forward very solid arguments and did a superb job of rallying the parents and focusing the concerns.
The Pearson parents didn’t have anywhere near the resources that Central had and there was a lingering unwillingness to be as bold and as forward as the Central parents were.
The Batman parents failed to read the tea leaves.
The issue the trustees were given was that Burlington has 1800 classroom seats with no students in them. (We appreciate the 1800 number is debatable.) If this was true, it was evident the moment the first map showing where the high schools were located that Batman was at significant risk. They failed to see that until their name was on the list of schools to be closed and while they have done a decent job of getting their story out they have not shown an ability to work with the Pearson parents and create a united front.
 That empty room was a damaging and telling statement made by the Bateman parents. The Bateman grievances are real. They have every reason to feel that they have not been heard. Part of the reason is they didn’t say very much early in the game when it counted.
Given all the turmoil within the different parent groups is it any wonder that the trustees took the safe route and went with the recommendation they were given by the Director of Education?
There was within all the options put before the trustees one that would have given the community the time it needed to take a long hard look at just what Burlington has in the way of high schools and what it needs now and what will be needed ten years from now.
 Option 7 – close no schools – was on the table but it didn’t get a lot of support from the PARC – this tally was 8 out of 14. Option number 7 was to not close any schools and take some time to determine just what future needs were going to be. Much of the data the Board staff put forward was suspect and didn’t stand up to the scrutiny the PAR tried to impose.
The public may have expected the trustees to make that kind of decision – the current board of trustees just isn’t up to that task.
Someone is going to have to come forward and pull the parent groups together and hammer out what they collectively want and take whatever consensus they can find to the Board administration and the trustees.
And then begin looking for trustee candidates across the Region to fill those seats with people who are up to the task.
Salt with Pepper are the opinions of the publisher of the Gazette
By Staff
September 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
During the overnight hours of 14/15 September 2017 Halton Police responded to a call about a male breaking into cars in Oakville.
 Patrol Officers attended and located a male in the backyard of a nearby residence.
Daniel SAUNDERS 34yrs of Hamilton has been arrested and was held for Bail and charged with:
– Theft Under $5000
– Trespass By Night
– Possession of Break & Enter Tools
– Possession of Property Obtained By Crime
– Possession of Weapons Dangerous
– Fail To Comply Probation.
Police believe there are other victims in the Northwest Oakville and Northeast Burlington areas.
If you had your vehicle entered or property taken during this timeframe and location please contact HRPS 2CIB at 905-825-4747 x2216.
 Ray Rivers
September 15, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
One only pays income taxes if one has some kind of income. The more income one has, the more taxes he/she can afford to pay. Canadians agreed a long time ago that it is only fair that the wealthy pay a greater share of the tax burden, commensurate with their greater income. So our income taxes are progressive, meaning that the percentage of income being taxed rises with earnings.
 Tax ladder Over the last several decades however, it has all gone awry. The richest one and/or ten percent of us continue to grow their share of the economic pie at the expense of the rest of us. And the spread between the upper and lower classes continues to grow wider while governments cut income tax rates and rely more on sales taxes (HST) for their revenues. Sales taxes are regressive in that they hurt the lower income folks more than the wealthiest.
 Robin Hood – Not a model any government wanted to use. Income taxation is not only the fairest from the perspective of equity, but also the most efficient in terms of economic growth. According to the early British economist Sir Robin Hood stealing from the rich to give to the poor favours economic growth simply because the poor spend more of the money they have than do the rich. Of course Sir Robin’s theory flies in the face of now disparaged right-wing gospel song titled ‘trickle-down-economics’, in which giving more money to the rich was supposed to eventually trickle down over the tops of their boots to the poorer people down below.
Mr Trudeau came to office with a promise to restore the middle class in this country and he knows appropriate taxation lies at the heart of that promise. So in his first budget he made the tax system more progressive by adding more tax classes and marginally increasing the rate the biggest income earners have to pay, while even more marginally reducing the ones at the lower end.
He also campaigned to reduce unfairness in the tax system by closing loopholes. So the other day his finance minister Mr. Morneau announced they were going to curb the way in which small incorporated business owners have been avoiding taxation by misrepresenting the costs of doing business – sprinkling payments to family members who don’t actually work in the business.
Of course everyone of us believes in getting rid of tax loop holes and believes in tax fairness. That is, until our own ox gets gored, the hens come home to roost, or whatever it is we say on the farm. So small business people, and most notably doctors are screaming blue murder that they’ll have to pay more taxes if this loophole is eliminated. And they have their rationale, indeed as we all do. But unless you are a doctor you can’t possibly understand how hard it is to get by on what doctors make, even the ones who opt to be paid a salary.
 The truth is that our tax system is a mess, a morass of loopholes and tax exemptions which have crept up on us like cobwebs in an untidy garage. Successive governments kept gluing on these addenda, primarily doing their best to serve the needs of the country, and too often and sadly, serving the needs or their electoral base in spite of the country.
Like everything governmental there is a political perspective to the tax system. So we retain popular personal deductions when that function could mostly be replaced simply by raising the minimum level at which people have to start paying taxes. If the politicians would agree to making our Canada Pension Plan a genuine livable pension, RRSP’s and private pension plan contributions could be eliminated as deductions. And of course broadening our health insurance system and adding dental coverage to our social programs would eliminate those health deductions from needing to appear on the tax form.
A dollar of income is a dollar of income, right? So why not treat all sources: employment earnings, net business income, bank/investment interest, dividends and capital gains the same? And why don’t we tax the other incomes, from windfalls such as lotteries, gambling and inheritance? Interestingly a professional gambler does need to pay taxes on his/her winnings, though he/she can also claim eligible business deductions.
 Aside from the loopholes and the degree of progressivity, there is the whole tax filing process. Once upon a time we could get by by mailing in a measly four sheets of paper and a couple T-4s. Today’s return requires reams of annexes and tables up the wazoo. There are now literally dozens of private sector computer-based and on-line packages and they are all just different enough to make them proprietary, though they all claim to be accurate.
In fact the government has stopped mailing out tax filing packages so one practically has to buy a package anyway, or hire a tax accountant. Complexity had made the long tax form obsolete. Nobody can file that way unless they have at their disposal a computer, calculator, abacus and rabbit’’s foot, perhaps not in that order.
So it is hard to argue against Mr. Trudeau taking on the long overdue and thankless job of reforming a system which was last re-invented in the late 1980’s when Brian Mulroney sought to give us a taste of his notion of tax simplification. However, the approach Mr. Trudeau is taking is piecemeal at best, a sort of facelift when what is really required is major surgery.
 Might one speculate that the Liberals are hoping the changes they are making, like decorating a house room at a time, will be harder for any subsequent Conservative government to dismantle and discard? Or perhaps the task of tearing down and reconstructing the entire building at one time is just too daunting for a government nearing the middle point in its term in office. In which case we can only hope that there is a master blueprint for the design of a better castle or implement shed.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington in 1995. 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:
Tax Fairness – Morneau’s Changes – Tax Reform –
Taxes and Growth – Tax Consultations – Capital Gains Taxation –
 By Pepper Parr
September 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Revised
There is word that the recommended re-development of the Waterfront Hotel property will allow two towers with maximum heights of 17 and 25 storeys.
 The 8 storey Mariott Hotel is on the left side of this picture. The Waterfront Hotel parking lot is to the right (west) and then the Waterfront Hotel. The plans have been to demolish the existing building and put up two towers. Heights of 17 and 25 storeys are reported to have been recommended. We have yet to get conformation – our information is from a usually reliable source who however has a vested interest in what gets permitted in the downtown core.
 Three structure project has been the “in the works” since 1995 when developers were given the right to build a 22 storey plus building on the property where the Riviera Waterfront Motel used to exist.  An aerial rendering of the Bridgewater project. The Bridgewater development to the east of the Waterfront Hotel is going to top out at 22 storeys – something that was approved in 1995 – assembly of that land had begun in 1985
 The site would be completely redeveloped with two towers – 0ne 17 storey and a second 25. Not much more than a recommendation at this point. The city’s Planning department has been holding public presentations and workshops seeking public input.
City planner Mary Lou Tanner in a response to our piece on the height limits of the proposed redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel said: “Your information is not correct. We are only part way through a process with the community. We held two public workshops and a stakeholder workshop yesterday. We received valuable feedback and commentary from over 60 community members. We have not formulated any recommendation because we need to review and incorporate the feedback into the analysis. To repeat we have not formulated any recommendation.
Tanner adds that the “Waterfront Hotel site is a complex public planning process. I strongly believe we must respect the process and the members of the public who give their time and views. That includes providing accurate information as to where we are and what has been decided.
We are only part way through this process and no recommendations have been formulated. I was so pleased with the feedback last night and the many comments we received. We must be partners with the community in an honest process.
By Staff
September 15th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It is that time of year again when everyone is asked to pitch in, pull together and raise the funds the United Way needs to support those in need.
This Saturday, September 16th, United Way and UPS Canada will bring together community partners to pull a pull a 200,000 lbs Airbus A300 as a demonstration of what can be done when everyone pulls.
The event will take place at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport.
 United Way Plane Pull 2016 Each team will get one opportunity to pull the plane 50 feet across the tarmac in the shortest amount of time. The fastest three teams will participate in a pull-off.
Prizes will be awarded to the three fastest teams, top fundraising team, and teams with the most spirit.
The United Way is a different organization now. We used to know it as the Burlington Greater Hamilton United Way – they outgrew that name and are now United Way Halton & Hamilton and include all the municipalities in the Region rolled into the one organization
It was a controversial move – didn’t get the required number of votes the first time around but after some lobbying and frank conversations all the municipalities were brought to realize that his kind of structure is what was needed.
 The new organization will be “showing the flag” in all five communities it serves this weekend! Look up into the sky Saturday morning to see a surprise, sponsored by Cogeco! Share your photos on social media and include @UnitedWayHH and #improvingliveslocally.
All those whose living depend on photo ops will be on hand on Saturday at the airport. Scheduled to attend:
 United Way Executive Director Jeff Valentin MP Bob Bratina, Hamilton East — Stoney Creek
MP Karina Gould, Burlington
Sam Oosterhoff, Niagara West—Glanbrook
Mayor Burton, Town of Oakville
Jeff Vallentin, CEO United Way Halton & Hamilton, will deliver opening remarks.
Ken Smithard, CEO Cogego & United Way Halton & Hamilton Campaign Chair will deliver remarks and reveal the 2017 campaign goal.
It all takes place Saturday, September 16th, 2017 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
 Former City general manager Kim Phillips gives it more than the old college try for the United Way. In the past few years the Gazette has watched the public face of the United Way change. We used to see city hall much more engaged. The equipment pulls used to take place on Brant Street outside city hall with a BBQ lunch where staff got to pony up.
The city was always very good in the way they supported the United Way. The occasion was fun and at the same time told the story about the need.
It seems more corporate these days – which has not been the United Way in the past. Supporting people is a human endeavour – it’s a heart to heart thing – not a page of talking points.
 Someone at city hall decided to hold a content – and had each department competing with the others on how they would tell the United Way story. One department had two teams. Everyone had fun – and they raised more from the staff than they had in the past. United Way is a people story which the city staff once told very very well.
By Staff
September 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service has concluded its 2017 fundraising initiative in support of Special Olympics Ontario. Throughout the year, Halton Regional Police officers have been working with community partners to raise funds in support of our Special Olympians.
One of this year’s highlights was the annual “Cops for Cowboys” night at Lone Star Restaurants in Milton and Oakville. For this event, officers donned western apparel and partnered with restaurant staff during dinner hours to serve patrons. All gratuities were donated to Special Olympics Ontario.
In June, 1 District (Milton and Halton Hills) hosted the Halton Regional Police Service’s Law Enforcement Torch Run/Ride (LETR). The LETR for Special Olympics engages law enforcement officers worldwide who champion acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the LETR, a fundraising event was planned in Milton. Officers and community members cycled, ran or walked more than 65 kilometers to raise money for Special Olympics Ontario. All participants were also invited to 12 Division in Milton for an afternoon barbecue.
On Tuesday September 12, 2017 fundraising results were calculated and more than $5500.00 was presented to Special Olympics Ontario at 12 Division in Milton.
The Halton Regional Police Service would like to thank all members of the community who donated to this worthy cause including:
• Law Enforcement Officers across the Greater Toronto Area
• The Halton District School Board
• The Halton Catholic District School Board
• Provincial and Demonstration Schools Branch
• Lone Star Restaurants
• Mattamy Homes and Gee Wizz Portable Rentals
• Maple Lodge Farms
• Optimist Club of Milton
 (Left to Right – Inspector Derek Davis (District Operations), Sergeant Paul Harrower (Regional Community Mobilization Bureau), Cody Jansma (Special Olympics Ontario), Inspector Dave Stewart (Regional Community Mobilization Bureau)
 By Staff
September 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
As part of Culture Days, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre is hosting an Arts and Culture Marketplace, opening the doors to showcase local arts organizations, groups, and artists. The marketplace will be held in The Centre’s lobby on Saturday, September 30 from 10am–4pm.
The event is free.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Band will be on hand to tell their story. Stop by with your family and friends throughout the day to participate in arts and culture activities.
Meet The Burlington Performing Arts Centre’s Executive Director, Tammy Fox, between 12pm-2pm in the lobby.
 Some of the work hat has come out of the Kirkland Lynch Studio. Participating groups include: Aldershot Players, Arts & Culture Council of Burlington, Art Gallery of Burlington, Art in Action Studio, Burlington Civic Chorale, Burlington Concert Band, Burlington Fine Arts Association, Burlington Footnotes, Burlington New Millennium Orchestra, Burlington Public Library, Burlington Suzuki School of Music, FLK Taoist Tai Chi, Harbourtown Sound, Lowville Festival, Kirkland Lynch Studio Gallery, Mark Zelinski – Photographer, New Horizons Adult Concert Band, Red Leaf Cultural Integration, Rotary Burlington Music Festival, Sahaja Yoga Meditation, soFX, Symphony on the Bay, and The Burlington Slam Project.
Wow! That is an impressive list.
Each group will share their history, future plans, memberships, auditions, and information on upcoming performances.
Many people in the arts community are grumbling about what little is being heard from city hall on the Culture Day program.
By Pepper Parr
September 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
“You may have already had some feedback about the meeting with the Mayor, but wanted to provide some initial thoughts” said Steve Armstrong who was part of the four member delegation that spent an hour and a half with the Mayor and his Chief of Staff Mike Greenlee.
“Overall it went very well. Once the initial uncertainties melted away about our agenda we were able to have a productive discussion.
 Steve Armstrong, a Pearson parent who did some of the best analytical work on the enrollment numbers. “We brought some reasoned perspective to the table, and have promised to follow up with information backing up our talking points.
The Mayor agreed to a follow up discussion after he has had time to digest, and reflect more on the perspectives that he was given by the delegation.
That the meeting went longer then was scheduled, “is testament to a genuine interest.”
 Rory Nissan exchanging contact information with George Ward – both went on to become strong members of the high school group fighting to keep their school open. Rory Nisan who was also part of the delegation came away with basically the same impression. “The Mayor listened and we felt we were heard. He asked real questions.” The delegation talked about the population changes that are going to take place in the city and who was going to buy the homes that were being sold.
The group of seven were able to give the Mayor information he said he was not aware of. Additional information is to be put together and sent along to the Mayor. What will come out of the meeting? Depends on what and how he Mayor gets back to the Pearson parents with.
Nisan didn’t want to go on the record about some of the conversation other than to say that the group felt they had made their point and that they would be providing the Mayor with additional detail.
 George Ward. George Ward, another member of the delegation who has some very strong views on the decision to close Pearson high school was expected to be very direct with the Mayor.
He came away impressed, saying it was an excellent meeting and that the Mayor summarized what had been covered very well.
Let’s watch and see how the follow up with the delegation goes.
 By Staff
September 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The chair of Burlington for Accessible. Sustainable Transit (BFAST) says he wants an independent inquiry into the reasons for the mess the system finds itself in.
 “ ‘Disgraceful’ is not a strong enough word to describe the extent to which Council has overseen the decay of Burlington’s transit system,” said Brown. “We need an independent inquiry as to why this has been allowed to happen.”
“Not only has the transit system been starved of funds with the result that ridership has plummeted, but it has deteriorated to the extent that the safety of its passengers and other users of our roads has been called into question,” Brown said.
“Council must be accountable for this lamentable state of affairs and must get serious about Burlington’s transit service.”
 Doug Brown,chair of Bfast, knows that a well run bus service is a beautiful thing. Brown has long questioned the information Council has received from City staff on the transit file and says he was “not surprised” to find that the facts confirmed the system is in crisis.
Brown says the City needs a transit study that’s part of Burlington’s overall transportation plan. He says Council’s penchant for robbing the transit budget and “micro-management” of the system have been primary causes of its decay.
 By Staff
September 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 The willow trees and the gazebo lent the east end of Spencer Smith Park a certain charm. Those willow tree (there were two of them) that the city cut down because they were thought to be dangerous to the public did have one very small upside – people could get a piece of trees that were planted more than 70 years ago.
To mollify the public disappointment the city is handing out pieces of the tree – all you had to do was go on line and make a request.
Turned out it wasn’t quite that simple.
There was a glitch somewhere in the software that makes all these wonderful things happen – the techies recently discovered issues with some online forms completed by the public and is asking those affected to resubmit their information.
 The new gazebo – all metal and pretty sterile. In time, we suppose, the trees around it will grow and add some character. The technical issues affected Willow Tree wood request forms between Aug. 2 and Aug. 3 at www.burlington.ca/willowtrees and all applications for a 2018 Community Garden.
The technical issues have been fixed and the forms are now being received by the city. The Willow Tree Wood form deadline has been extended until Friday, Sept. 15, 2017.
 Special to the Gazette
September 13th,2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Transit violated provincial laws concerning hours of work and followed unsafe maintenance practices following cutbacks made by City Council to the system’s budget, according to an explosive report by City Manager James Ridge and senior staff at the beleaguered transit agency.
Ridge, Director of Transit Sue Connor and Business Administration Manager Colm Lynn painted a picture of a system stretched beyond its limits at a meeting of Council’s Committee of the Whole Sept. 7.
Councillors expressed shock that the cutbacks for which they had voted caused such chaos at Burlington Transit and directed staff to come up with a budget that would at least stabilize the system at its meeting on Sept. 11.
Ridge told the presentation that the deterioration of the transit system occurred under the City’s mantra of “doing more with less.”
 City manager James Ridge with Mike Spicer who at the time was the Director of Transit. Much of the damage done to the transit service took place on Spicer’s watch. The city manager does not appear to be amused. “With every exercise [in doing more with less] there’s a line you cross where you just provide crappy [transit] service that people don’t want,” Ridge said. “And I think we passed that line some time ago.”
Among the revelations in the staff report:
• A significant number of Burlington Transit drivers worked above the maximum weekly number of hours allowed by provincial legislation without a permit. BT never applied for such a permit, even though some drivers had worked more than 60 hours per week.
• Two thirds of the time, BT’s mechanics work alone, without supervision. The system has had to cut back on preventive maintenance and has the lowest ratio of mechanics to vehicle miles of its peers. If a bus breaks down, there are no replacements available. Reliability has plummeted, and BT’s new Director and staff have used their own cars to rescue passengers stranded by breakdowns. Ridge called these “fundamental safety issues [that] have to be addressed.”
• Drivers who are classed as casual employees are working an average of more than 40 hours per week, with minimal benefits and compensation below the level of Halton’s living wage. Of these employees, the annual turnover is more than 50% because Burlington pays its transit operators less than neighbouring municipalities.
• The City provides no capital funding for transit. All capital funding, which buys replacement buses, among other things, has come from federal and provincial grants and special programs.
• Ridership has declined by 16.5% as service has become less frequent and less reliable.
Citizen call for a public inquiry of the city’s public transit service.
Councillors expressed shock that the cutbacks they supported had caused such a mess.
 Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison has his own form of transportation. Isn’t believed to have been aboard a bus for more than a decade. “I didn’t realize that the sky was falling as badly as it appears to be,” said Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison, who supported diverting funds from the transit budget to “scrape-and-pave” projects on little-used residential streets.
Councillors voted to take money out of transit’s share of the money the city gets from the federal gas tax to fund the shave – and-pave projects.
 Councillors Sharman and Lancaster both expressed shock, dismay and concern over the state of the city’s transit service. “Every budget over the last four years, we’ve talked about gas tax split and every year, I’ve asked the question ‘Do we have sufficient funds going into the … vehicle renewal fund that makes this [service] viable?’ And every year I’ve been told ‘yes’,” said Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman.
Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster said she was “just as shocked as anyone” by the information from Ridge and the transit staff. But she said councilors knew that the data they had been getting in the past was “compromised and not necessarily reliable.”
 Citizen taking part in a transit Forum put on by Bfast vents his concern over the quality of the service to the Mayo and the Director of Transportation. “I think there’s an extreme urgency” to address transit’s problems, said Mayor Rick Goldring, but the next budget cycle was “pretty soon.”
“But I don’t believe we should be waiting two cycles before we get the fix,” he said. “I think the sooner we can get our head around this and how we’re going to address it, the better.
“We don’t want to wait. We know we have to do something.”
Related news stories:
Transit riders get specific about service.
Politicians try to romance transit users.
By Pepper Parr
September 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
While the citizens of the city are asked to sit in on public sessions to discuss how we are going to Grow Bold and where all the high rise condominiums and apartment buildings are going to be located – the cranes towering above the city swing in back and forth and up and down with huge buckets of concrete as the development projects underway rise floor by floor.
 The Bridgewater as it will look from Lakeshore Road. That space on the left is not what the final view will look like. The Bridgewater on Lakeshore Road is now well above grade, the Paradigm on Fairview has three of the five towers on that development well underway – with sales reported to be very brisk.
The Berkeley on John Street is also well above grade.
The Molinaro project on Brock Street is getting ready for public review and the Carriage Gate project that is to be built opposite city hall is waiting for whatever the recommendation from the Planning department is going to be.
There are another couple of dozen projects that are in various stages of development; one a three tower structure on Brant Street at the Ghent intersection.
While all this happens the school board heads toward the actual closing of two of the city’s seven high schools and the city works at deciding when they should be pumping more money into transit.
The project that is going to have a significant impact on how people enjoy the waterfront is Bridgewater. The three structures are going to change how the way Lakeshore Road works and how people get to enjoy some of the eastern part of the downtown core waterfront.
The space between the 22 storey condominium and the eight storey hotel is going to be all people will be able to see from Lakeshore Road.
The opening between the two buildings is a bit bigger than we expected – but it isn’t wide open.
The public will be able to walk from Lakeshore Road through what is going to have to be well graded land. The original plans call for a reflecting pool in the middle.
Add to all this the development thinking being done on what will happen to the existing Waterfront Hotel and the plans the owner has to develop that property by demolishing the current structure and putting up a building that will be in the 20 storey plus hotel and a possible two other structures.
All this is putting some oomph behind that Grow Bold phrase.
 Aerial view of the hotel part of the Bridgewater project that will be on the corner of Lakeshore Road and Elizabeth and the Waterfront Hotel property to the west.  Bridgewater project from what will become the bottom of Elizabeth Street overlooking the lake.  The existing Waterfront Hotel wants to redevelop their property and put a much taller building on the site and add an additional stricture. There are issues to be worked out regarding the land south of the hotel that is to a large degree made up of landfill.
 An aerial view of the Bridgewater construction project. The red line between the buildings is the width of the opening the public will b able to walk through to get to the waterfront.
By Pepper Parr
September 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Later today a small delegation from Pearson high school will be meeting with the Mayor during one of the Open Door sessions he holds for citizens who want to meet with him
 Showing the school colours. Pretty clear what the Pearson parents want to talk about – they want to know just where the Mayor was when the decision on closing schools was made. Those Pearson parents don’t buy the argument that it was just a school board trustee decision.
The Program Accommodation Review (PAR) process that took place made provision for representation from the city – the Mayor chose to pass that task along to his city manager James Ridge and had the temerity to say at a city council meeting that he, the Mayor, couldn’t think of anyone more qualified to represent the city.
 Steve Podrebarac on the left and Burlington city manager James Ridge at a school board PAR meeting. At the time Ridge had been city manager for about 18 months, was not a native of the city and probably could not have named the seven high schools in the city.
Ridge attended most of the PAR meetings, spoke twice. On one of those occasions he said the school board should not sell any land. The school board isn’t permitted to just sit on land it owns – they have to use it or lose it. When they do sell the land, which a decision the Board makes when they declare the land surplus.
 Cheryl DeLught and Steve Armstrong – part of the Pearson delegation. When the Board makes that decision there is a hierarchy of organizations that have the right to purchase the land – the city is on that list. The city could be negotiating with the school board to move some of its staff into Pearson to keep the building until the city has a better view of just what the student population is going to be.
All the Grow BOLD discussion taking place are making mention of a population that is going to climb from the current 186,000 to something in the 215,000 range. Will there not be some students in amongst those new residents?
Hopefully the Pearson people meeting with the Mayor today will be bold and suggest that the city get onside.
By Staff
September 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington and the KaBOOM! Aldershot community planning committee will hold an official opening ceremony for the new playground at Bolus Gardens Parkette on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017 at 1 p.m. during Alderfest.
Translation – Photo op for the Mayor and the Council member.
Aldershot community volunteers, organizations and businesses joined Foresters FinancialTM and non-profit KaBOOM! during a Build Day in August to create the new play space, which will serve more than 1,200 children and their families in the local community.
 This is what the community designed – the project is now complete and gets an official opening later in the month. The design for the new playground was based on drawings created by neighborhood children at a special Design Day event that was held in June when community members met with organizers from KaBOOM! and Foresters FinancialTM to design their dream playground. The drawings inspired the final playground design.
Mayor Rick Goldring and Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven will cut a special link ribbon made by community children on Build Day and will recognize the community residents and businesses that helped with the project.
Alderfest is an annual festival hosted by the Aldershot BIA, the Aldershot Lions and the Surrey Warwick Community Association. The family event celebrates the people, activities and services in the Aldershot Community.
Bolus Gardens Parkette commemorates the efforts of George Bolus and friends who transformed the area in the parkette for the community.
KaBOOM! is a national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. Since 1996, KaBOOM! has collaborated with partners to build, open or improve nearly 16,700 playgrounds, engaged more than one million volunteers and served 8.5 million children.
KaBOOM! creates places to play, inspires communities to promote and support play, and works to drive the national discussion about the importance of play in fostering healthy lives and communities. More on the KaBOOM Facebook page – facebook.com/kaboom.
By Staff
September 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
This is a photo op that will have gladdened the heart of Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon.
Anything to do with cycling and sharing the road in a responsible way gets her attention.
The announcement earlier today at the Appleby GO station that the province is going to install secure bike storage at GO station and car pool lots making it easier for cyclists to commute to and from work, school, and appointments.
 The construction of new, secure bike storage lockers at GO Transit stations and car pool lots across southern Ontario. This investment is part of Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan and is funded by proceeds from the province’s cap on pollution and carbon market.
Eight bike lockers will be installed at each of 15 commuter parking lots across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Niagara, and Simcoe Region for a total of 120 bike lockers. Work will be finished by the end of March 2018.
In addition, 28 bike rooms will be installed at 26 GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area over the next four years as part of Ontario’s GO RER program, expanding storage capacity while enhancing security. The first locations, which will be complete by spring 2018, include: Appleby, Markham, Mount Pleasant, Bronte, Unionville, and Stouffville.
 Minister of Transportation Steven De Luca and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Eleanor McMahon were in Burlington today to launch the new Commuter Bike Parking Program, which will help encourage people to take their bikes as part of their daily commute.
Eight bike lockers will be installed at each of 15 commuter parking lots across the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, Niagara, and Simcoe Region for a total of 120 bike lockers. Work will be finished by the end of March 2018. In addition, 28 bike rooms will be installed at 26 GO Transit stations in the Greater Toronto Area over the next four years as part of Ontario’s GO RER program, expanding storage capacity while enhancing security. The first locations, which will be complete by spring 2018, include: Appleby, Markham, Mount Pleasant, Bronte, Unionville, and Stouffville.
Locations:
GO stations: Burlington and Appleby
Car pool lots: QEW at Guelph Line and Hwy 403 at Hwy 6/Plains Rd
No mention of any fee for use – they will all be in place before the June election – which is more than can be said for the Burlington GO station upgrades.
No report on whether or not the two politicians rode their bikes to the event.
This just might give cyclists a reason to use New Street now that it is still on its Road Diet.
Ontario is investing approximately $2.5 million from its carbon market to fund this project.
About 1.5 million people in Ontario ride their bikes at least once a week during the spring, summer and fall, and many cycle year-round.
The Ontario Municipal Commuter Cycling Program is a commitment under Ontario’s five-year Climate Change Action Plan which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 15 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, 37 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050.
By Staff
September 11, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Four Halton residents have tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). These are the first human cases for Halton this year.
 wev “The Halton Region Health Department works diligently to reduce the risk of West Nile virus in our community through both education and preventative programs such as larviciding. Until the fall frost, Halton residents should continue to protect themselves against mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding sites,” said Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Acting Medical Officer of Health for Halton Region.
“While 80 per cent of people infected with West Nile virus will have no symptoms, others will have West Nile fever consisting of fever, headache, muscle ache and a rash. If residents are concerned or experiencing symptoms, I would encourage them to visit their health care professional.”
Urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes that carry WNV. The types of mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in urban areas and in places that hold standing water such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys, and tires.
Residents are encouraged to take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:
• Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
• Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
• Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
• Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
• Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
As part of its ongoing West Nile prevention program, Halton Region staff continually monitor areas of standing water, eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and larvicide when mosquito larvae is found.
By Staff
September 12, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It took a long time to actually get PopUp patios operating in the city.
 Outdoor dining – where few found the passing traffic to be a problem. The first was at what used to be the Test Kitchen on Brant Street – they closed but not because of the PopUp.
Papa Giuseppe’s moved into the location and put up a PopUp patio that was popular.
Then the Coop that set up shop in what used to be the Rude Native location put a PopUp outside their restaurant on Brant Street.
The city wants to know what the public thinks of the things.
 They weren’t obtrusive and they weren’t inexpensive to install. Took the city years to make a decision and the uptake by the hospitality industry wasn’t all the high – just two locations. The people who operate the restaurants that have PopUps outside would really like to city to lighten up on the rules and the paper work.
The survey is short – link to it is – you have until October 6th to say what you think.
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