 By Pepper Parr
September 1st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The material that gets pumped out of the constituency offices of the federal and provincial politician’s is usually about an opportunity to take their picture,
We seldom see a document that has information that is focused and informative.
 Oakville Burlington North Member of Parliament Pam Damoff. Pam Damoff, the federal member for Oakville Burlington North sent out both a comment and a document that many of the professional class who have incorporated their operations for tax purposes and most of the small business who have questions about changes in the tax act will find useful and interesting.
Damoff refers to an announced set of proposals aimed at reforming the tax planning options available for private corporations. Since the changes were released Damoff reports she has heard from a number of incorporated professionals, and small and medium sized business owners in Oakville and Burlington.
The proposed changes will bring reform to rules that have been unaltered since the 1970s and people rightly have a lot of questions about how these changes will affect their businesses. The proposed changes are complex, and Damoff believes there is misinformation that has been circulating.
The document she refers to can be found at;
Damoff believes the document will help to set the record straight.
The first thing Damoff wants people to do is inform themselves and learn how these changes will affect them personally or their business. She claims that once they did this, they discovered that the proposed changes do not have any impact on them at all.
 She was a replacement nominee who had no plans to run for a federal seat – she was content with being a member of Oakville town council. The document compiled by the Department lays out the current tax planning strategies that corporations are currently using, some problematic elements found in these current strategies and the rationale for why new legislative measures are needed.
You can read the document in full by clicking on this link;
Damoff encourages constructive and actionable feedback: The consultation will be open until October 2nd .
Within the newly proposed rules corporations will continue to be able to take advantage of the lower corporate tax rate to expand their offices, hire more staff, and purchase more equipment. Additionally, the government has no intention of going back in time.
The proposals would only be applied going forward. All existing savings will be unaffected. Small and mediums sized business owners can continue to use all available, tax-sheltered savings plans such as pension plans, RRSPs and TFSAs. Less than 3% of wealthy individuals max out their RRSP, TFSAs and pensions.
The proposed adjustments to the tax laws that allow unlimited tax-sheltered accounts within a business over and above the limits that apply to everyone.
 Pam Damoff letting a senior explain to her how a piece of equipment works. Damoff says that: “If you own a business and are saving against a possible downturn or to invest in your business, these changes will not affect you. As I mentioned above, changes will only be applied on a go-forward basis – all existing savings for personal use in a business will be unaffected. Our proposals will only impact a business owner if the savings are used for personal use moving forward.”
Damoff points to a Special Employment Insurance Benefits that since 2010 have been made available to people self-employed on a voluntary basis. Prior to 2010 the self-employed were not eligible for any EI benefits. Now, however, for individuals on maternity leave (including small business owners), EI provides a 55% replacement rate on employment income, up to a maximum salary of $51,300.
Damoff encourages those who have questions to reach out to her office at pam.damoff@parl.gc.ca or at 905-847-4043.
 By Ray Rivers
September 1, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s the gift that keeps on giving – for journalists anyway. I’m talking about Mike Duffy who has put himself back into the spot light by suing the Canadian government, RCMP and Senate for close to $8 million in total. One would think that once he had been acquitted on all 31 charges the RCMP had filed against him, the man would count his lucky stars and lay low.
 Mike Duffy, toasting – on the public’s dime? But not the Duff. Never shy of being a spectacle, he actually thinks we tax payers owe him something. First of all, being a senator is hardly a real job in any meaningful sense of the word. Even after Mr. Trudeau has tried to make that body of political hacks appear non-partisan, it is still a political body without a functional rationale. All the PM has done is further emasculate it – which is probably a good thing. And besides, when it comes to being owed salary, it wasn’t like Duffy was ever known for doing anything but attending Conservative party rallies.
Second, Mr. Duffy accepted the senate seat for PEI even though he wasn’t qualified. He apparently had pointed out that he really didn’t live there. But when it was PEI or nothing, he went for the lie and used his vacant cottage there as his pretext.
And then there were the expense claims. That he had to return bags of money is a pretty clear indication that even Duffy knew he was in the wrong. Sure the Senate rules may be fuzzy about entitlements for expenses, but he should have known he had been pulling a fast one.
 Mike Duffy and the Judge who sent him home. He was a lucky man to find a judge who obviously felt sorry for him. Or perhaps, as was suggested in his decision, the judge needed to make the point that the RCMP had missed the real perpetrators – Mr. Harper and his henchmen in the Senate and the Prime Minister’s Office. And though Duffy was mainly just a patsy in the whole messy Senate-gate that is hardly an excuse.
So while Duffy may have been set free, nobody really believed that he was innocent. Except for Duffy, that is. So having been expelled from the Senate, he felt he was still owed his back pay and that riled the man. Whether righteous indignation or greed, or both, Duffy believes, that obtaining lots of taxpayer money will restore a reputation that he never had.
 Mike Duffy with Stephen Harper when he was Prime Minister; it was a contentious relationship. It was the same argument that Omar Khadr, the former self-confessed terrorist, used to extract over $10 million from the taxpayers. He needed a big chunk of change to restore his reputation. What reputation? Duffy, was a retired journalist who was put into the Senate on a lie. His biggest contribution was in raising funds for the Conservative party, and he used his position to reward himself.
The RCMP had been suitably chastised for doing the PM’s bidding, instead of upholding the law of the land. And so they dropped the rest of the investigations against the other errant senators who had also padded their expense claims. And that was that bit of justice done.
In our post-Khadr Canada would anyone bet that those senators don’t also start suing for ‘damages’ to their reputations? And that would make the Senate even more a waste of money than it already is.
 Smiles – much to be happy about. As for Duffy, if he gets his Senate back pay reinstated, he’d be lucky. But when going to court can be akin to rolling the dice at a casino, who knows? I recall watching former PM Mulroney following his admission of accepting envelopes of cash from that slimy Karlheinz Schreiiber character.
Going to court on this ridiculous $8 million claim might make good theatre and a nice diversion, but I’m guessing it would do as much good for Duffy’s reputation as the Oliiphant Commission did for Mulroney. And on the upside, were this matter actually allowed to go to court, Mr. Duffy might finally have to face real justice.
 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:
Duffy’s Lawsuit – Justice in the Trial – Eight Million Cool Ones –
Mulroney’s Inquiry – Senate-Gate –
 By Staff
August 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Get used to the idea that the parking lot off Elizabeth Street isn’t going to be available to you on Tuesday of next week and won’t open up again until sometime in the winter.
 Parking lot between John and Elizabeth Street will be closed while a pathway is built at the north end of the lot. The City is building a new multi-use pathway in downtown Burlington core and the phase that will complete the path between John and Elizabeth begins on Tuesday.
Running east/west, the new connection will cut across the heart of downtown Burlington and accommodate both pedestrians and cyclists safely, providing access to shops, restaurants and services.
 Lot 4 will be closed starting Tuesday. Work on putting in the pathway at the north side of lot 5 will follow. The construction project is to build the second phase (between Elizabeth Street and John Street) and the third phase (between John Street and Brant Street) of the new pathway.
Parking lot 5, located on Brant Street will have quite a bit of work done and will not be open at all until the work is completed.
Lot 4 on Elizabeth Street will have work done on the northern portion – the rest of that lot will be open.
Works starts on Tuesday the 5th and is expected to be completed by winter time.
Alternate parking areas available during the closure are located at the waterfront parking garage at 414 Locust St. and parking lot 3 located on John Street.
 Parking options while lot 4 is closed.  Now the Queen’s Head minus the balconies and Elgin Street minus the street car. Construction Details
Construction of phases 2 and 3 will include:
• resurfacing and widening of the multi-use pathway
• resurfacing of the parking areas
• replacement of the bus shelters on both sides of John St.
• new urban trees and plantings
• new benches, lighting, and a bike shelter
• a 300m2 public space beside Brant Street that will provide additional areas for seating, entertainment and the installment of public art.
Few people know that there is a pipeline beneath the pathway to be built that carries jet fuel to Hamilton. The parking lot was once going to be the location for part of McMaster University that was being built in Burlington. The South Service Road was the eventual location choice.
Phase 1 of the new multi-use pathway between Pearl Street and Elizabeth Street was completed earlier this summer.
 By Staff
August 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Things to see and do.
If you overdo it a little at the Ribfest and need to walk some of it off – wander along to the Art Gallery and slip into the Dan Lawrie Family Courtyard and have a look at the collection of chimes that have been set up.
 Part of the collection of chimes that decorate the Dan Lawrie Family Courtyard. Visitors are invited to give the chimes a gentle touch.
 Some of the chimes are nestled into the plants and might be mistaken by some to be a plant. Just outside the entrance to the Courtyard is a small but impactful exhibit focusing on the Terry Fox epic 143 day, 5,373 kilometer journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
 The exhibit includes a replica of the brace and prosthetic Terry wore as he loped across the country with what was part walk and part skip.
The exhibit explores Canadians’ deep and abiding affection for Terry and examines his unique place in our collective memory. Developed in partnership with the AGB and Terry Fox’s family, the exhibition shows part of the impact Terry Fox has had and continues to have on modern Canadian life.
For younger people who ask: “Who was Terry Fox?” The exhibition is the answer. Closes September 10th, 2017
By Staff
August 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Mildred was found in the backyard of a residence a short distance away from where she went missing. She was found in the area of Appleby Line and Longmoor Drive in the City of Burlington. She appears to be in good health and will be examined medically.
Mildred Blemmings, known as “Mickey” is an 88 year old Burlington resident who needs a walker for mobility support.
The police are asking for help in locating the woman who is described as a white female with grey hair and a slim build. She was last observed to be wearing a white sweater, black shirt and blue pants.
She is believed to have left a seniors residence at Appleby Line and New Street.
 Mickey with her walker.  Mildred Blemmings – recent photograph Anyone who has information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Halton Regional Police Service communication bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 5170.
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
August 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The A team in the Administrative offices at the Halton District School Board has been meeting to ensure that everything is in place for the Tuesday re-opening of schools for the approximately 64,000 students, more than 4,200 elementary and secondary teachers and the 221 principals and vice principals who keep order and ensure that the educating gets done.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller listening to students. Bateman parent Denise Davy. who pushed hard to keep the school open, watches how Miller handles himself, Director of Education Stuart Miller goes through his check list – will there be enough bus drivers in place? Burlington appears to be Ok – Oakville is where the problem exists.
The high school closing decisions made late in June don’t impact the system this year – that’s a bridge to be crossed next year. The Board administration has however begun the process of putting together the team that will oversee the transition from a five high school organization to a five school set up.
 Board of Education Superintendent Terry Blackwell Miller told the Gazette that Terry Blackwell has been tasked with overseeing the transition from seven to five high schools. That is going to keep her hoping as she deals with what Gerry Cullen comes up with on the building facilities side and what Superintendent Zonnefeld does with the CPP program that Bateman has been running. There are a couple of hundred parents very anxious about what is going to be available to their children and how their integration to a new school is going to get managed.
Zonneveld has said that much of this work is going to be on a case by case basis – there is not that much commonality with these children. Each of those students face challenges that are unique to them.
The people who look after the actual structures have begun their work – figuring out just what is going to be needed at Nelson high school when the bulk of the Bateman students start showing up on September of 2020.
 The trustees are where the buck is supposed to stop – The trustees appear to have decided they didn’t want to take the opportunity for a retreat during the summer break and take a look at how they did their jobs during the past school year. Many in Burlington expect to solve that problem come the municipal election in 2018.
Organizationally the Board administration has a number of key committee: An Administrative Council; an Executive Council
Superintendents are either corporate or academic; both types participate in the weekly Admin Council meetings. Senior managers are also available for specific issues as required. Miller leads these discussions, as he does with Executive Council.
There is a weekly School Operations committee– Associate Director of Education David Boag runs this show.
The corporate side also has their weekly Business Operations meeting. Whatever comes out of these operating level meetings works its way up the Administrative Council meetings and then on up to the Executive Council
The decisions made at the Executive Council are done within parameters the trustees have set. When the tasks aren’t exactly within the guidelines Miller puts it in front of the trustees for clarification or additional authority.
From time to time a requirement crops up that calls for a change in the work load for a Superintendent.
When the decision was made to form a Program Accommodation Review (PAR), Superintendent Podrebaac was tapped to lead that task.
 Superintendent Podrebarac strives to hear a parent with a viewpoint. Scott Podrebaac has a much different view of parent participation than he had before he took on the task.
Miller told the Gazette that Terry Blackwell has been tasked with overseeing the transition from seven to five high schools. That is going to keep her hoping as she deals with what Gerry Cullen comes up with on the building facilities side and what Superintendent Zonnefeld does with the CPP program that Bateman has been running. There are a couple of hundred parents very anxious about what is going to be available to their children and how their integration to a new school is going to get managed.
Zonneveld has said that much of this work is going to be on a case by case basis – there is not that much commonality with these children. Each of those students face challenges that are unique to them.
On top of all this is the request parents from both Bateman and Pearson made to the province for an administrative review of the process that resulted in the decision.
Administrative Reviews seldom result in much in the way of change – however in this situation the province put a halt to all the PAR’s that were taking place 22 days after the HDSB had come out with its decision.
That fact might cause the pooh-bahs at Queen’s Park to stretch the decision to put all the PAR’s on hold and have it include the Halton Board.
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon, centre, is good before a camera. It is a stretch but the province is gearing up for an election that is ten months away and while the Burlington seat should not be at risk many in the community feel MPP Eleanor McMahon could have been a lot more proactive.
McMahon has not given her views on the decisions made – she certainly has views but the public is never going to hear them. There is a Minister of Education who will do that kind of talking – McMahon is a member of Cabinet and Cabinet solidarity is a must for political party government.
 A room full of parents, many with different agendas pack a room during the public information sessions that resulted in a decision to close two of the city’s seven high schools. Will this many show up to vote in 2018? Expect either Bateman or Pearson parents to ask some penetrating questions during the public election debates.
There are a lot of balls in the air on the educational front. The bright spot is the hundreds of children who will walk into a school on Tuesday to start grade 1.
Wish them well – they are the people who are going to ensure that you have a decent federal pension.
By Ray Rivers
August 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Donald Trump calls out the traditional media, labelling them ‘fake news’- all except Fox News, that is. It’s almost like he is preparing a justification for shutting them down.
 Presidential candidate Donald Trump. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) It is almost unprecedented for the CEO of America to be demeaning the nation’s time-tested news networks and it is worrisome. Isn’t that a tyrant’s prelude to quashing any opposition and to avoiding criticism?
At one point Trump shut down the cameras at the regular White House press briefings and at another he actually banned CNN and some other media, while allowing other media outlets in.
 Fred Bracken being arrested in Fort Erie for trespassing Somewhat related, back here in Canada the municipality of Fort Erie has also been trying to muffle a critic. Local resident, Fred Bracken, was banned from showing up at town hall for a whole year. He had been complaining about the council’s approval of a medical-marijuana facility situated across the street from his house, and let them know how he really felt about it.
 Fred Bracken filming at a public meeting. Perhaps he’d watched too many episodes of Miami Vice or was worried that his neighbourhood might become a druggy hangout. But it sounds like the issue became personal and a bit more entangled since he was apparently also being sued by one of the Councillors.
As we know things can get hot in the shark tank of municipal politics and Mr Bracken apparently got a little loud and boisterous one day. And that was too much for a council short on patience and tolerance. So they banned him under Ontario’s archaic Trespass Act when he refused a command to turn off his video camera. They argued that workplace security was in jeopardy by his very presence and called our Mr. Brachen a threat.
And just as well Fred had that camera running because that tape, in court, let the judge see what was really happening. And the judge agreed with him. While Fred may have been angry and annoying, he was neither violent nor a danger to anyone in the Council Chambers. So the judge rescinded the trespass order claiming the council had violated his Charter rights.
I used to post ‘no trespassing’ signs around my farm in Ottawa to keep the fox hunters and their dogs away from my sheep. But then that was my farm. I always figured that public property belonged to the public and that a public council meeting should be open to the public. I mean who pays for these politicians salaries and the venue where they jawbone about public matters.
Fred Bracken had every right to attend a public meeting dealing with matters of governance concerning his interests. He had been a victim of a town council, full of their own self-entitlement as government, trying to shut him up. It was no different than what Donald Trump had been trying to do, nor what we expect to happen in a banana republic or Russia.
When people who have been denied their constitutional rights seek recompense it can get expensive. Omar Khadr got $10 million out of court settlement because the former Conservative government had left him to defend himself in a foreign country.
The Judge who heard the Fred Bracken case ordered the city of Fort Erie to pay him $4000. It will be interesting to see if the good people of Fort Erie decide they no longer want to pay for the mistakes of their politicians’ big mistake or even if they will decide it is easier to just clean house.
 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:
Trump Media Blocking – More Trump Media – Trump Media Attack –
Ontario Trespass Act – Fort Erie – More Fort Erie – Even More Fort Erie –
 By Pepper Parr
August 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Who decides what a city is going to look like?
Is it the planners? They set the rules the builders will be required to follow.
Is it the developers who look for the best return they can get on the investment they make and the risk they take?
Or is it the architects who put ideas in front of the developers?
 Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor is one of the people who will vote on future project – at least for the balance of this term. He took part in a community forum on waterfront plans. Is it the public and the comments they make a community meetings?
The private homes that will get built on tree lined streets and the condominium towers that now define Lakeshore and are proposed for parts of Brant Street are signs of what we might look like.
The significant number of what can only be called mansions going up now on the eastern side of Lakeshore Road are another part of that definition.
We know what we have – and we know something about what is being proposed.
Are there any striking looking buildings going up? Are there any designs that are taking the city in a different direction?
 What is going to be permitted along Lakeshore Road got taken in a different direction when this lot severance was approved and an additional home squeezed in. Are there any mistakes being made?
Three structures deserve a closer look: The Saxony on Locust and Elgin that is not much more than a hole in the ground, the Paradigm that is going up on Fairview where it is very clear what the city is going to have when that project is completed and the Link2 that is being built on Dundas are worth a closer look.
 The Saxony is a development that could have been five storey’s high – they opted for just four. The project was sold out before the opened the sales office. The Saxony is going to represent home for the moneyed set that want comfort and stature – they will get both in a building that is respectable and solid – once they get a handle on the problems they have had with water they didn’t realize was there when they started digging.
There is nothing bold or exciting about the building. It is the 21st century edition of the solid homes that were built along Burlington Street and that collection of homes on the eastern side of Brant and south of Caroline.
 It is a large project far from the downtown core in one of the fastest going parts of the city – with a view over Bronte Creek on the east side. While the Link2 is not a building that many will see – located as it is on Dundas and Sutton – yards away from the border with Oakville. The project has a couple of things going for it. The location especially for those on the eastern side where the view will be over Bronte Creek, and the design which is daring and certainly different.
It won’t appeal too many but for those who like to live in a building that makes a statement – this is one of the places to be. Too early in the construction stage to fully appreciate what the Link2 is going to look like – all we have to go on are the architectural renderings.
The bright picture is seen in the Paradigm being put up by the Molinaro Group. It has a daring look to it – there is actually a design – not something that is all that evident in the buildings they put up along Lakeshore a couple of decades ago.
 The Molinaro Paradigm project is changing the skyline in mid-city. The first of the fivee towers has topped off The cladding on the building makes a strong statement and has to add to what the city is going to look like twenty years from now when all the Grow Bold plans take hold.
By Staff
August 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Interested in doing business with any of the municipalities in the Halton Region?
What about the rest of the country?
Would you like to know who is looking for what in the way of supplies and services?
It is all on the Halton Cooperative Purchasing Group (HCPG). bids&tenders™ has arrived and it is there for you to use.
 The Region and all of North America opportunities are on this service. You can subscribe to the service annually, pay for using the service just the once or Non-subscribers can see all open bids on the system.
Have a look at the service: Click HERE
The HCPG members are pleased to introduce you to bids&tenders™, a digital procurement management platform that makes it easy to review, register, download and submit bids for goods and services online, 24/7. HCPG has joined hundreds of other purchasing agencies using this system.
If you are not a current subscriber to bids&tenders™, you will need to subscribe as a vendor by October 30 to receive notice of opportunities and submit bids to the above noted HCPG members.
Have a look at some of the openbids;
How it works
Subscribe, create a profile, select the categories for notifications and bid.
Subscription
An unlimited Subscription to bids&tenders™ is just $165/year. Pay once and access all agencies using bids&tenders in Canada. For those who choose not to subscribe, there is a one-time fee option of $45.00 per bid opportunity.
Non-subscribers can see all open bids on the system, and if you choose to subscribe to bids&tenders™ can make unlimited bids and never pay another fee all year.*
Bid management tools
bids&tenders™ provides users access to valuable and convenient bidding tools, including:
• Online submission of bids
• Category selection option, so you only see the bids you want
• Automated email notifications of new bid opportunities, including addenda
• Automated confirmation when your bid has been submitted, received, or withdrawn
• Ability to work on a bid, save your work, and see the bid closing countdown in real time
• Ability to withdraw and change your bid, then resubmit if desired
• Built-in calculator that does the math for you, eliminating calculation errors
• Built-in compliance checker to help ensure your bid submission is complete
• Built-in reminders sent to you if a bid has been started but not submitted
Live, in-person demo
Register to attend a live, in-person demonstration of the new system prior to our launch date.
Date: October 4, 2017; Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: Halton Region Administration Building – Auditorium, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON
Please Register as space is limited
Purchasing staff from the Regional Municipality of Halton, City of Burlington, Town of Oakville and Town of Halton Hills will provide a brief presentation on how to do business with the Halton Cooperative Purchasing Group. Following that, you will learn how to create a vendor account, explore the vendor dashboard, view and find bid opportunities, submit and withdraw a bid, and manage your bid history.
The session will also include an overview of the Digital Bonding process.
If you cannot attend October 4th you may register for a bids&tenders webinar. Register for a webinar.
Additional Benefit
Your subscription also gives you access to bid opportunities for hundreds of purchasing agencies and thousands of bids across North America, including:
• government
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Bid with confidence with bids&tenders™
*Some purchasing agencies may charge for their own individual bid document fee; however, bids&tenders™ never charges you beyond your annual fee to view, subscribe to, and submit limitless bids on its system.
By Staff
August 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It began this morning and will run from the 28th to Monday, August 28 and Friday, September 8, 2017: Project Safe Start
Halton Police wants everyone to be smart and have a safe back to school start
As the summer winds down and children are preparing to head back to school, the Police Service are preparing for their annual traffic campaign to remind drivers to watch for the flashing 40km/hr speed zones and be mindful when driving in or near school zones.
 The Chief of Police aims – but the driver in his sights was driving below the speed limit. This will be the tenth year the Service has conducted this campaign, which focuses on education and high-visibility enforcement of traffic laws in and around school zones throughout Halton Region.
School zones should be safe zones. Officers are reminding motorists that over 100,000 students return to school in Halton Region on Tuesday, September 5, 2017. Motorists should be on heightened alert for increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic in and around school zones.
It is important to remember driving safe is your priority:
1. Drive at a safe speed. Aggressive driving such as speeding, tailgating and failing to comply with road signs increase the likelihood of a collision. Aggressive driving reduces your reaction time and makes your vehicle movements unpredictable to other drivers.
2. Be aware of your surroundings when driving. There are three types of distraction: taking your eyes off the road, taking your hands off the wheel and taking your mind off driving. Holding your cellular phone in your hands is an offence, regardless of whether you are talking on it, using the navigation system or changing a song. This is still applicable when stopped at a red light. Did you know that texting while driving increases the risk of a collision by 23 times?
3. Drive responsibly. Drug and alcohol impaired driving can result in serious injury or death to you, your loved ones and other road users. Impairment slows your ability to react to changing road conditions. Drinking before driving and any form of drug use will affect your ability to drive.
 Speed limit sign is clear – so are those radar guns in the hands of two police officers waiting for someone to break that speed limit. Both officers were yards away from a high school – and managed to catch more than a few cars. Halton residents have ranked traffic concerns as their #1 policing priority. The Halton Regional Police Service recognizes this concern and engages in various campaigns throughout the year in an effort to educate the public and enforce the Highway Traffic Act and other traffic related legislation.
Sergeant Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit: “Safe Start is our annual back to school traffic safety project in Halton. All motorists within Halton Region have a role to play in traffic safety, especially as children return to class at one of the over 160 educational facilities in the Region. Children are our most vulnerable road users.
Regardless of who is right or wrong, when a vehicle collides with a pedestrian or cyclist, tragic consequences usually result. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, drive sober and avoid using your cell phone at all times when driving. All children deserve to attend school – safely.”
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and police all play an integral role in ensuring safer roads within the Halton Region. The police ask that everyone do their part in making school zones a safe place to be.
By Pepper Parr
August 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Fred Crockett, a Burlington based real estate broker and a man with a quick word when he is unhappy.
And last fall he was unhappy, very unhappy with the way the city handled the fall collection of leaves.
He wrote saying he was looking forward to a return to sanity on the way the city decides to collect al those leaves.
Climate change got the best of city hall – and we saw equipment out on the streets with nary a leaf to be found.
 Climate change didn’t get factored into the leaf collection schedule. The leaves had decided to cling to their stems for just a little longer.
Tough call for the city – how do you know when the leaves are going to fall – they certainly didn’t follow past practices.
No word yet if the city has learned anything from the experience last year.
Crockett refers to “last year’s debacle” as something the city might want to try and avoid.
Last year’s experience:
By Staff
August 28, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The next provincial election gets more real every day.
Nothing on who the NDP candidate is going to be.
The McMahon Liberals are doing a repeat of the operational organization that Karina Gould did that propelled her into office.
McMahon proved to be solid campaigner and a good debater during the least provincial election when she took a riding that the Conservatives had held for more than 70 years.
Add that organizational heft to a superb campaigner and there is something formidable moving through the streets of the city.
 Jane at the door step – where is the voter? Jane McKenna has been doing her own door to door work.
McKenna hasn’t said much publicly – other than a few pictures from her Facebook page there is little to go on.
McKenna has always been close to Opposition leader Patrick Brown – it will be interesting to see if she convinces Brown to campaign on her behalf in Burlington.
 One wag commented on the footwear – can’t walk many miles in those shoes. Maybe it was just a photo op? Mike Wallace was at one point heading up the McKenna campaign – we aren’t seeing him in any of the photographs.
McMahon is running on what the Liberal government has done – she is a member of cabinet so she is part of the decisions that are made. As a member of Treasury Board she oversees where and how the dollars are spent.
 Lunch is on the MPP – McMahon wants you to show up and enjoy yourself. McMahon can bring in Premier Kathleen Wynne if she feels she needs the clout. She will be holding her annual end of summer BBQ at LaSalle Park on Sunday September 10th.
McKenna will want to focus on what the provincial government has not done.
Time for you the voter to begin thinking about what you like and are happy with and what you think needs to be changed.
 By Pepper Parr
August 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There is something about the planting of a tree – no matter what your age the tree you plant is likely to be on this earth longer than you.
Experiences like this are important to young people who are just beginning to fully appreciate the role trees play in the life we live.
The climate change we are experiencing didn’t just happen – our behaviour is what brought it about and it is our behaviour that is going to heal the environment – if we are lucky.
 A lot of bending when trees are planted. Students will be back in school on Tuesday – think about making Saturday of next week the day you get them outdoors and planting a tree. They will never forget the experience and many will return to that spot to look at the tree they planted and perhaps show off their work to their children.
Conservation Halton is looking for 100 community volunteers to help plant 500 native trees and shrubs on Saturday, September 9. The Fall Trees for Watershed Health Community Tree Planting is taking place at Courtcliffe Park, 159 Carlisle Road in the village of Carlisle.
 Registration and check-in will begin at 9 a.m., with planting scheduled to start shortly after 9:30 a.m. A barbeque lunch will be available at the end of the planting. Volunteers are reminded to dress according to the weather, wear waterproof boots and bring a shovel. The event will happen rain or shine, unless conditions are deemed to be unsafe for participants and staff.
We welcome all individuals, families, and small groups to participate. No prior planting experience is required. Space is limited and pre-registration is mandatory, visit www.conservationhalton.ca/trees-for-watershed-health for more details and to find registration information.
 By Staff
August 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Police have arrested a 17 year old for setting four fires in the Palmer Drive – Newlands Crescent part of the city.
On August 27th 2017 at approximately 4:00am, members of the Halton Regional Police Service and Burlington Fire Department responded to a series of deliberately set fires in the area where fired had been intentionally set to several items stored outside four different homes.
 Fire truck responding to a fire in the Palmer Drive part of the city previously. The smell of smoke was initially detected by a homeowner after a decorative wreath was set on fire.
The wreath was displayed on the front door of the house. There was minor damage sustained to the house as a result of the fire.
At nearby homes, fire also destroyed a ski-doo and damaged a fence as well as miscellaneous other property items. Four homes, in total, were involved.
The person arrested, a 17 year old Burlington resident, cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The youth is currently accused:
• Arson (damage to property) (4 Counts)
• Fail to comply Recognizance
The youth was held in custody and is scheduled to appear for a bail hearing on August 28th at the Ontario Court of Justice in Milton.
Anyone who has information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Scott Feddema at 905-825-4747 ext. 2372.
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 Staff
August 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Police are seeking witnesses to an incident that occurred downtown Burlington in the early morning hours of Monday August 21st 2017 when a 24-year-old Burlington man seriously injured after jumping from moving car.
 Sometime between midnight and 3:00 am on the 21st, two Burlington men were walking to a vehicle parked on Ontario Street just west of Brant Street,
One of the men started an altercation with three unknown males near City Hall. After the altercation was quickly broken up, the two original men continued to their car and began to drive either west on Ontario Street towards Maple Avenue, or possibly south on Locus Street towards Elgin.
Shortly after the car began to drive away, the 24-year-old male that started the altercation, jumped out of the passenger side of the moving car and struck his head on the roadway surface. The male was knocked unconscious.
The driver of the car, and the three men involved in the earlier altercation, placed the injured man back into the car so he could be driven to Joseph Brant Hospital.
The man remains in hospital at this time with a serious head injury.
The incident was reported to police August 26th.
Police would like to speak with the three men who helped the injured party into the 4-door black Nissan and to any witnesses that may have observed the incident, or any businesses that may have captured the incident on security cameras.
Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Constable Chris HEFFERNAN of the Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction unit at 905-825-4747 extension 5420. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
August 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It must have been quite a party.
 Cleaning crew failed to show up? With no one around to clean up and a case of beer that was too warm to drink when it was found.
Who used the space?
Who forgot to clean up?
 Whoever used the site made good use of all the space.  Quite a bit of beer was left for anyone passing by. No word on what our photographer might have done. Parks and Recreation will be making phone calls Monday morning about this one.
The space was being used legally wasn’t it?
Paletta Mansion is a city owned property that has always been a financial drag on the city. There was the potential for a long term lease with a Hamilton restaurateur but that fell though when details on upgrades to the kitchen couldn’t be agreed upon.
Geraldo’s, in LaSalle Park is another city property that does exceptionally well for the city – as does the Discovery Centre that is now managed by Spencers on the Waterfront.
The Paletta operation hasn’t been given the care and attention it needs. The rooms are lovely and are used for receptions and conferences from time to time. A major high-end auto show takes place on the grounds each year.
 By Staff
August 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Students returning to school next week will bring with them stories of their summer holiday experience.
A time that is care free, less demanding than days when classrooms are open – it is a rest time, a time to grow and have new experiences.
 Exploring, growing – reflecting – summer vacation. There will be some really nice stories told about adventures and perhaps some travel.
It will not be this way for all the students that show up for class on the 5th of September.
Some students live lives that are a lot different; sometimes close to tragically different.
Michael, a high school student is being raised by the one parent –his Dad Jim.
Michael’s mom is incarcerated. Jim has to work two jobs to make ends meet so that he and his son will not have to go into a shelter.
Dealing with the emotional fall out of having a parent in jail is tough enough. Keeping a household together is another burden. Jim has not purchased any new clothes or non-essentials for himself for several years so he could ensure Michael was taken care of.
 When the school Michael attends became aware of the family situation and the impact it was having on Michael, they were able to turn to the Halton Learning Foundation for help.
Funds from the Foundation will allow Michael to purchase new shoes, gym clothes and school supplies that his Father just isn’t able to provide.
Those Learning Foundation funds come from the generous support of people in the Region who provide the dollars needed to fill in the gaps that some parents can’t manage.
When the Foundation comes looking for financial support – be there for them so that they can be there for others; people like Michael, the high school student going through a very difficult time.
You can help: A click away.
By Staff
August 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Police in Burlington are seeking assistance from the public to identify one person responsible for forcing entry into a vehicle, stealing items including a wallet and later using stolen credit cards at several businesses in the Hamilton area.
Overnight between August 12th to 13th 2017, the suspect forced open the driver’s door of a vehicle on Angus Court, in Burlington to gain entry. Once inside, the suspect rummaged through the glove-box and removed the vehicle owner’s wallet.
Shortly after 8:00 AM on August 13th 2017, the suspect used the stolen credit cards at a Pioneer Gas Station near Woodward Avenue and Barton St in Hamilton.
Suspect: white male, 25-35 years of wearing a New England Patriots baseball cap, black t-shirt and black shorts.
 Someone is going to recognize this young man – Hopefully it will not be his Mother.  Close up of the suspect. Theft from autos continues to be a concern in Burlington and police would like to remind the public to ensure their vehicles are locked and avoid leaving valuables inside and/or in plain view. Police also encourage citizens to report any suspicious persons.
Anyone who can identify this suspect are encouraged to contact Detective Constable Tyler Freeman of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Crime Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2363. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
August 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional police thought that most of the scams took place in Oakville but decided to cast the net a little wider and are asking Burlington residents if they have had any dealings with a male who was arrested and charged with:
Fraud Under $5000 x 9
Fraud Over $5000 x 1
Halton Regional Police are seeking the public’s assistance to speak with Burlington residents who may be victim’s and had contact with Elwood Bowler on their property to complete eaves trough repair, tree cutting, roofing or other home maintenance.
Police are investigating one known occurrence in the City of Burlington and believe there may be more victims who paid for contractor services they did not receive. Bowler generally targeted older adult home owners in Halton Region.
The arrest was the result of a seven month fraud investigation involving a male posing as a handyman.
This male canvassed his victims by traveling door-to-door and offering such services as eaves trough cleaning and offering to conduct miscellaneous work such as chimney repair.
On multiple occasions this male retained cash deposits for the promised jobs which he failed to complete. This male generally targeted the older adult population.
On August 23, 2017 Elwood BOWLER (54 years) from Toronto was arrested and charged.
Anyone who may have information pertaining to this investigation is asked to please contact the Elders Investigator, Detective Constable Tim Nichols at 905-825-4747 ext. 2214.
By Pepper Parr
August 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
They are changing the model – not the menu. And it isn’t a big change but significant nevertheless.
The Rotary decided that since they donate all profits to charities anyway, why not partner up front with meaningful, significant Burlington charities.
Carpenter Hospice holds a special place in the hearts of Rotarians and for most Burlingtonians. So, The Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore chose Carpenter Hospice as it’s organization of choice for this year’s VIP event.
The Rotary Clubs in Burlington were the force behind the original capital campaign to build Carpenter Hospice. Fundraising for the hospice began in 1999 when the four Rotary Clubs of Burlington committed a pledge of $250,000 toward the development of the Hospice, kicking off the Rotary Community Hospice Project.
The legal name of the Hospice remains the Burlington Rotary Community Hospice. Local philanthropist, Len Carpenter, donated $500,000 to the project, earning him the right to choose the name for the hospice which continues to operate as “Carpenter Hospice”.
The Hospice is launching their “Make Room” campaign coinciding with Ribfest. This also brings some more awareness to the good works of the Hospice.
Putting on the biggest chow down in the area and raising big bucks that get plowed back into the community is what the Lakeshore branch of the Rotary operations in Burlington has always been about.
Sixty + strong the Burlington Lakeshore Rotary brought the Ribfest to the city in 1996 – while it was a risk at the time it proved to be the smartest thing they have ever done.
 John Thorpe John Thorpe and Bob Peeling were assigned with the task of creating a new fundraising event for the organization in the mid-sixties.
Thorpe, who was heavily involved in the cycling community, had heard of a race in Ohio called the Ribfest Race, where the finish line of the cycling event had a big BBQ party, the Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest.
 Bob Peeling Bob and John visited the race in 1995 and thought it’d make a great fundraiser for their Club, it was a unique concept at the time.
The Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore launched the event at Spencer Smith Park over a weekend in mid-September to tie into an Art Gallery of Burlington event. It moved to Labour Day weekend in its second year, becoming a four day event, and has since become known as the end of summer celebration for the people of Burlington and surrounding areas.
Canada’s Largest Ribfest was a success even in its first year. Despite raining almost the entire weekend, there was a steady line up of people waiting for their authentic southern barbeque experience. There were only six “ribbers”, compared to the 19 “ribbers” now, four of which came up from the southern States where barbequing events were very common. Two of those “ribbers” have been participating ever since.
 Rib fests were a southern American states cultural event. The Lakeshore Rotary imported the idea into Burlington – and it worked. There was a small stage with blues and country performers at that first event; 22 years later there is a full schedule of entertainment. The Rotary Club set a three year fundraising goal and decided that if they could not reach the goal they would dis-continue the event. Despite only raising $800 in the first year, the Club was ahead of their goal to break even. By the second year, the three year fundraising goal had been met.
 Thorpe and Peeling – a moment to celebrate Twenty two years later Canada’s Largest Ribfest has raised $3 million dollars and is still a giant barbeque party.
Rotarians understand what change is all about – the membership tends to come from the business community where you change if you want to stay alive.
The VIP tent is located close to the Lake and gives a great sight line to the WORD stage.
The focus for Linda Davies is that Saturday event – where the objective is to raise funds for the Carpenter Hospice. She would like to see a couple of more tables filled.
She had a live one – a company she was pretty sure she could sell a table to – she’s done it before. But there was a problem – the Saturday was the birthday of the wife – who didn’t fancy spending the special day at Ribfest no matter how nice the view. The offer of a big birthday cake didn’t do it.
Ticket price is $150/person or Reserve a Table of 10 for $1,500 Davies wants you to Kick back and relax – enjoy the experience Canada’s Largest Ribfest in the comfort of the Exclusive Carriage Gate VIP Lounge.
In light of The Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore crucial role in the birth of the Hospice, this is a fitting “full circle” connection as they launch their “Make Room” campaign.
 Carpenter hospice – The 14-year-old care facility, for people in the last stages of their life because of a terminal or chronic illness, is getting a new residential wing as well as renovating the existing structure.
Carpenter Hospice is a 10-bedroom facility that offers residential-based palliative care in a home-like setting, and also community-based programs for people dealing with grief or a life-limiting illness.
The $3.7-million project, dubbed Making Room, will be done in two phases.
The first will involve the building of an addition to house the current capacity of 10 residents.
The new room’s amenities will include enhanced access to the outdoors through larger doors, balconies for each room and private space for families.
 Rained most of the weekend in 1996 when the first Ribfest was held. The evening (Saturday, September 2nd) is a special “all you can eat” catered Rib Dinner with a selection of award winning Ribs from 3 “best rib” winners. An upscale fancy bar with some signature drinks is provided. One of the real perks for those who have attended Ribfest before are the dedicated VIP executive washrooms. That alone is worth the price of a ticket. A $90 charitable receipt available.
 Event proceeds are split between Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore & Carpenter Hospice, You can get tickets on line or touch base with Davies at linda@daviescondos.ca
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