 By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour. “Agriculture is important to Halton, and Harvest Halton and the Pumpkins to Pastries Trail provide us with wonderful opportunities to showcase our local farmers, retailers, restaurants and attractions,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “These events are a great way to bring family and friends together to enjoy locally-grown food and help us support our local agricultural community and our regional economy.”
The preview Harvest Halton event kicks off the start of Halton’s popular Pumpkins to Pastries Trail, running from September 12 to October 31, 2016. Join the Trail and experience the best local cuisine, on-farm markets, specialty shops, events and attractions in Halton.
Click on the LINK to see just how many stops there are along the trail or visit: www.halton.ca/p2ptrail for the interactive online guide
 Click on the LINK above and play with this map interactively. Lots to do – and don’t forget the selfie contest. This year’s Trail participants can also snap and win with Halton Region’s Selfie Contest. Simply snap a selfie on the Trail and post the picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #p2ptrail to enter for a chance to win a prize basket of fantastic local offerings.
Prizes will be awarded weekly and your picture could be featured on Halton’s trail gallery. Visit halton.ca/p2ptrail for contest rules and to view the gallery.
 By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
How did Halton Regional Police officers get involved in a shooting near Avenue Road and Bloor Street in the City of Toronto?
 The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked their mandate. No further information will be released at this time. Please contact the SIU for further information.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after two people were injured when gunfire erupted on Bedford Road on Tuesday afternoon.
The SIU investigates any incident involving death or serious injury involving a police officer, though it’s unclear how police were involved in the incident. One witness said he saw at least two men open fire.
Halton Regional Police officers were involved in the incident, a police source told CBC News.
Chief Tanner will be asking a lot of questions.
 By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Order of Merit was created in 2000, to honour a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of Canadian police forces. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing, and community development.
Last Friday the Governor General of Canada made Halton Deputy Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah a member of that Order.
 His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over an Order of Merit of the Police Forces investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday, September 16, 2016. During the ceremony, the Governor General, who is chancellor of the Order, bestowed the honour on 1 Commander, 4 Officers and 46 Members including Deputy Chief Nishan J. Duraiappah
Credit: MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall Deputy Chief Nishan J. Duraiappah
Deputy Chief Nishan (Nish) Duraiappah was introduced to the Halton Regional Police Service as high school student in its inaugural Police Ethnic and Cultural Education Program (P.E.A.C.E.) in 1991. The experience inspired him to pursue a career in policing, and he was sworn in as a constable assigned to uniform patrol in Halton Hills in December, 1995.
Since then, Deputy Chief Duraiappah has amassed considerable operational expertise as a member of the Regional Drug & Morality Bureau, Guns & Gangs Unit, District Criminal Investigations, and with the RCMP Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. He has also served as Operations Commander for Milton and Halton Hills, the Commander of the Office of Continuous Improvement and Strategic Management (OCISM), and the Superintendent in charge of the Chief’s Executive Office.
Duraiappah was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief in October, 2015 and now leads District Operations for all our municipalities as well as the Regional Community Mobilization Bureau, Information Technology and OCISM.
Throughout the course of his career, Deputy Chief Duraiappah has remained committed to proactive, innovative policing, and to maintaining strong relationships with the Region’s diverse, cultural and faith communities. He is also involved with several sports and hobbies, and is a volunteer board member for the Milton United Way, and a South Asian Autism Awareness Centre in the Greater Toronto Area.
Deputy Chief Duraiappah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Toronto, and a Diploma of Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Halton Regional Police Service Chief Stephen Tanner, himself a former recipient of the Order of Merit said “Deputy Chief Duraiappah is an exceptional leader and tireless community advocate who is a most deserving recipient of this prestigious award. It is my honour and pleasure to extend my congratulations to him on behalf of our Service and the people of Halton.”
Governor General David Johnston awarded the Order of Merit during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.
At the risk of being critical – could the Governor General not have buttoned up his suit jacket?
By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service arrested Joseph Stanley DREXLER (44 yrs) of Hamilton in connection with a fraud investigation into his company operated both as “Be the Game” and “Kind Every Time”.
DREXLER has been charged with one count of Fraud Over $5000 and will appear in Milton Court of October 5th 2016.
In the spring of 2015 Joseph DREXLER attended a Burlington, Ontario business and obtained sponsorship in excess of $40,000 to present his anti-bullying program at over 30 schools in Halton Region and Hamilton.
Joseph DREXLER failed to present this program at the sponsored schools and in several cases did not even attempt to contact the sponsored schools to try to arrange the presentation.
Despite the lack of presentations being arranged, DREXLER continued to mislead the sponsoring business that several presentations were arranged and about to go ahead.
Should anyone have information that may assist in this investigation please contact D/Cst Lorena Mallinson #5852 of the Halton Regional Police Service Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825 4747 Ext 2334 or by email at Lorena.mallinson@haltonpolice.ca
By Staff
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service would like to make the public aware of an arrest in a sexual assault investigation in effort to identify any other possible victims.
 Sexual assault took place Sunday afternoon at Spencer smith Park. Police looking for possible additional victims. The incident took place on September 18th, 2016 at approximately 8:30 pm, along the shores of Spencer Smith Park in south Burlington where the adult female victim was attacked by a male stranger. After the female made her escape, police were contacted, and with the assistance of tactical and canine officers the accused was located in the area and arrested.
Charged and held for a bail hearing with the following offences is Vezio CARDULLO, 34 years of No Fixed Address:
• Robbery
• Utter Threats to Cause Death
• Forcible Confinement, Sexual Assault
• Overcoming Resistance to Commission of an Offence
• Sexual Assault with a Weapon
• Sexual Assault – threats to a Third party
• Assault
The police apparently believe there might be more victims and encourage anyone who may have been assaulted to be in touch with the police.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Alanda Prescod or Detective Dan Ciardullo of the Child Abuse Sexual Assault Unit at 905 825-4747 ext 8970, or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS, or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Staff
September 19, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette slipped a little on this one – the city issued a media release early in August; it took a little time to get caught up.
Here they go again – the Airpark has decided to appeal the Judgement handed down by Justice M. R, Gibson who, on June 30th sided with the city that asked the Court to compel the Airpark to comply with a city bylaw that required them to file a site plan.
The Airpark has dumped tonnes of landfill on the 200 acre air park property as part of a process to level out the land for future development.
The city had been battling this situation since 2013 when the Gazette first brought to city halls attention that trucks were rattling up and down Appleby Line with loads of landfill that was being spread on the property.
 Trucks loaded with land fill that no one really knew where it came from worked for months without any intervention from the city. A Gazette story put the issue on the front burner. At the time the Air Park argued that they came under federal jurisdiction and did not have to comply with municipal bylaws. That argument got shot down when Justice Murphy said that the Airpark did have to comply with city bylaws on those part of the Airpark that were not runway or taxiway features.
The Airpark appealed the Justice Murphy decision – that appeal lasted less than an hour – the Airpark appeal was dismissed and they were required to pay the city’s legal costs.
 Heavy construction equipment parked on a 30 foot + hill 50 yards from the kitchen window of the Sheldon property on Appleby Line next door to the Air Park landfill operation. The next step was for the city to chase the Airpark to have them file a site plan. The Airpark hired consultants to prepare the document but they never did file what Justice Murphy and the Court of Appeal said they were required to file.
Many months later the court case asking the court to compel the Airpark to file took place in one of the smallest court rooms one can imagine. Members of the north Burlington community and just about the complete executive of the Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition, squeezed into the room where lawyer Ian Blue, acting for the city, marshalled all kinds of court decisions – most which, it appeared, counsel for the Airpark didn’t appear to know anything about.
Justice Gibson handed down a decision that wasn’t quite as clear cut as the Justice Murphy decision. It was complex.
That appears to have been enough for the Airpark to appeal that decision as well.
 This Regional government map shows what the plans were for the Airpark. The Region had bought into the Vince Rossi argument that the Airpark was federally regulated. The City of Burlington is now going to discuss next steps. We looking at another 18 to 24 months for a decision from the Appeal Court.
The appeal, asks that the Gibson judgment be set aside and judgment be granted declaring City of Burlington By-Law 64-2014 to be ultra vires, or inapplicable to the operations of the Appellant, Burlington Airpark Inc., and in particular to the placement of soils in and about aircraft runways and aircraft taxiways at the Burlington Airpark (the “Airpark”) prior to April 27, 2013.”
The City of Burlington site alteration bylaw 64-2014 regulates the placing, dumping, cutting and removal of fill or the alteration of grades or drainage on a piece of land. Individuals doing this type of work must first submit an application to the city for a site alteration permit.
 Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Airpark and believed to be the sole shareholder of the private company, met with north Burlington residents. He took all the comments made “under advisement”.. On June 30, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in favour of the City of Burlington’s application to compel Burlington Airpark Inc. to submit an application for a site alteration permit to comply with the bylaw. With the court ruling, the Airpark was required to file an application for a site alteration permit for the fill deposited between 2008 and 2013 before Aug. 31, 2016. The court has also ordered the Airpark to pay the city’s court costs.
It is that decision that is now being appealed.
“The city will be looking at its options, and will update the community as soon as more information is available, “said Nancy Shea-Nicol, the city’s solicitor and director of Legal Services. No date has yet been set for the appeal.
A favourable Appeal Court decision is vital to the Airpark. Once all the appeal option are exhausted the air park is expected to have to file a site plan – and that is when their fate is in the hands of the planning department.
There was no love lost between the Airpark and the Planning department who feel they have been jerked around by the Airpark.
 Airpark dumped more than 30 feet of landfill without a Site Plan. Owner of the adjacent property stands on her property line and wonders why anyone can build a “small mountain” next to her property without getting approval. She is also terrified over what the hill is doing to the value of her property and what the leaching out of the landfill is going to do to her well water. One possibility is for the city to demand that some, if not all of the land fill – some of which is believed to be below the required standards – be removed.
That has the potential to put the Airpark out of business – at which point investors who are believed to be waiting in the wings will make an offer for the property.
 By Staff
September 19, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
It was put together in 2102 to provide support for police officers who were killed or injured during the line of duty and whose families needed bridging support until pension and other benefits kicked in.
When a police service member is injured or killed in the line of duty, his or her family often requires immediate financial assistance, and cannot wait for insurance and other benefits to kick in.
 Keith Strong; the driving force behind the creation of the Halton Heroes Fund. It was discovering this gap between the timing of a serious incident and receipt of funds that inspired Keith Strong to lead a group of like-minded philanthropists, including Jim Frizzle, Cheryl Goldring, Dorothy Borovich, Les Vass and a community-based board of directors to act.
They provided their own resources and encouraged others to donate money, products and services to create The Halton Heroes Gala.
 From the left: Deputy Nishan Duraiappah, Tiger Ali Singh Jr., Tiger Jeet Singh Sr. and Chief Stephen Tanner (Photo by Halton Regional Police Service). The purpose of the event was two-fold: to raise awareness of the selfless work done every day by members our Halton Regional Police Service, and to generate money for an endowed fund, called the Halton Heroes Fund, that is held in trust by the Burlington Foundation.
The annual Gala was held last Friday
By Staff
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The numbers were nothing to be proud of – dismal is perhaps the best description for the 2,299 Provincial Offence Notices handed out by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Traffic Services Unit during the week long Project Safe Start road safety initiative.
Now in its tenth year, Project Safe Start is a highly visible reminder to drivers that children are back in school and they need to slow down in and around school zones, watch for pedestrians, and pay attention to school crossing guards escorting children across busy intersections.
Over the course of the week long campaign, which ran from September 7 to 13, officers focused a number of dangerous driving behaviours, the top four of which were:
 Missed that stop sign – didn’t see it.
- 1: speeding,
2: disobeying stop signs,
3: distracted driving and
4: administrative offences.
Provincial Offence Notices were issued for these and other violations.
“Traffic safety is a Service and community priority in Halton Region,” said Sergeant Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit. “While Project Safe Start formally ends, officers will continue to enforce the rules of the road in a bid to make ours safer for everyone.”
Half of 1% of the Region’s population chose to put the lives of children going to school at significant risk.
Residents are reminded that they can file driving complaints or request enforcement of a particular area online at www.haltonpolice.ca under Most Requested Information -> Roadwatch or Traffic Complaints respectively.
Criminal/dangerous driving should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1.
Related article:
Stories people tell police when they get pulled over – and the language they use.
 By Staff
September 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
You are going to have to hold it for just a little longer if you are out for a stroll at Ireland Park –
the Washrooms and Concession closed until further notice –
 This is not Ireland Park – yet. due to a water main break.
 By Pepper Parr
September 19th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Tempers flare, fists fly and suddenly there is a Mother with two children looking for a safe place to say. Another family is in the process of destroying itself and the net that we call out social network has to be brought in to prevent things from getting any worse.
Diane Beaulieu, Executive Director of Halton Woman’s Place knows the way these things are going to roll out – and she doesn’t have anywhere near the resources she needs to handle the problems that come her way.
 Reception area – designed to put women in crisis at ease and assure them they are in a safe place. My job is a 24/7 operation” she said. And all she has to meet the need is 52 beds and it just isn’t enough; the 30 beds in Burlington and another 22 in Milton are always in use. Beds is making it sound like a flop house – rooms is the better term – but no matter what name you place on them – there aren’t enough to meet the needs.
The woman in the shelter stay there until they can find affordable housing in a safe place. “We plan on having the women with us for six weeks but it often turns into a six month stay” adds Beaulieu. “There just isn’t enough affordable housing in the Regional system and the market for affordable housing in Burlington is priced beyond the reach of most single parents.
Women in crisis go to the top of the list for affordable housing but that still means many months – years in some cases.
The shelter in Burlington was purpose built in 2001 – it is located in a nice setting, tucked away from the mainstream.
As part of a pilot project the province has put up $875,000 in funds into a program that will give funds to women to pay their first and last month rent in private sector housing.
The program is being run by the Region’s Employment Housing & Social Services Division, located at 690 Dorval Drive, 7th Floor, Oakville.
Many feel the solution is to work with the developers who are working close to flat out on more than five different projects in Burlington that are condominium developments for the most part and look for ways to involve them in the creation of housing space that is affordable. This is a complex social issue and solutions are not going to be easy to find. Hard to get elected on doing something for the disadvantaged.
Beaulieu has a staff of 52 people who do case work management and operate what is a very tight security system at the Burlington location.
 Purpose built in 2001 the 30 room residence is a safe haven for women while they re-orient their lives. The Region could use five more like this tomorrow. Violence against women is serious stuff – there are women who have lost their lives as a result of physical abuse. The emotional damage to women who are abused and their children is incalculable and it is expensive.
Included in the staffing compliment are four people who do educational work in the high school system
There is a senior police official assigned as the liaison for the shelters.
Along with public education and the need for more affordable housing there is a need for a stronger buy into the needs from the general public.
“We aren’t all that high on the top of mind scale” said Beaulieu. “And we need to be.”
By Staff
September 15, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Hearing that – Starting today, the shingles vaccine will be available across the province for people 65 to 70 years of age might get little more than a shrug from most people.
For those who have experienced shingles it is no laughing matter.
 Shingles is a very painful condition – it isn’t limited to people over 65. “Shingles is a painful illness caused by the chickenpox virus that can reactivate without warning later in life. The shingles vaccine lowers the risk of getting shingles significantly and reduces the chance of complications from this disease for people without medical contraindications.
The government is investing $68 million over three years in order to publicly fund the vaccine, which will reduce the likelihood of Ontario seniors developing the painful infection, and reduce visits to emergency rooms and hospitals.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, affects more than 42,000 people every year in Ontario and can cause complications such as loss of vision and debilitating nerve pain. Studies show that the vaccine is highly effective when seniors are vaccinated between the ages of 65 – 70, and this new program aligns with scientific and expert recommendations from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization and Ontario’s Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Those who are eligible for the shingles vaccine should contact their primary care doctor or nurse practitioner to receive the vaccination.
Approximately 850,000 seniors between the ages of 65 and 70 years are expected to be eligible to receive the publicly funded shingles vaccine.
 By Pepper Parr
September 15, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
How would you describe getting the kids to drink water and give up sugar-sweetened beverages?
Some would call that a “challenge” which is exactly what city staff and Community Development Halton are going to try to do at the Healthy Kids Community Challenge that will take place Tuesday, September 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mountainside Recreation Centre.
Residents are invited to a community workshop to share ideas on how to encourage children and families to drink water as a healthy alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages.
 Mayor Goldring was on hand for the launch of the Healthy Initiatives program. He didn’t try the hoola hoop but he did draw in chalk on the sidewalk. “Having a city that is healthy and green is one of the four key objectives in Burlington’s 25 year strategic plan,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “We want to help motivate kids to drink water when they are thirsty and make choices that will lead to good health.”
Ideas generated from the community brainstorming event will be used to support the second theme of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, Water Does Wonders.
Burlington is one of 45 communities selected to take part in the Province of Ontario’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge program, created to support healthy and active lifestyles in children zero to 12 years old.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will launch a new theme related to physical activity or healthy eating about every nine months and Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington will work together with local organizations to develop programs, policies and initiatives that promote and enable healthy behaviours.
 The program started out as a provincial Healthy Kids Community Challenge, created to support healthy and active lifestyles in children zero to 12 years old. Millions were to be put into the program which the city outsourced partially to Community Development Halton. “Children need a lot of water to stay hydrated and healthy,” said Jennifer Spence, the co-project lead for Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington. “Water makes up more than half of a child’s weight, and a steady supply is necessary to keep bodies working properly.”
When members of city council are deliberating and are in their seats for a couple of hours – they have a small fridge that holds cool beverages. In the five years the Gazette has covered this city council we have yet to see anyone of them come out with a container of water.
The Mayor does bring in his personal water bottle.
City council chambers might be a good place to start this change.
There is more information about the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington, visit www.healthykidsburlon.ca or like Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington on Facebook, follow @HeathlyKidsBurl on Twitter and @HealthyKidsBurlON on Instagram.
Related articles:
It started out as Run Jump Play
By Staff
September 15, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
A Halton resident has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).
This is the first reported human case of of WNV reported to the Region’s Medical Officer of Health this year.
The Halton Region Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hamidah Meghani , advises residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites and remove mosquito breeding sites
 “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.
• 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.
• 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.
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. A map showing the locations of standing water sites on public properties that have had larvicide applied this year is available at halton.ca/wnv.
To report standing water at public facilities or for more information about West Nile virus, please visit halton.ca/wnv or dial 311.
By Staff
September 16, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Online business licence renewal disruption
Due to some scheduled system maintenance, the online business licence renewals will be unavailable from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.
 By Staff
September 14th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Last Saturday was not a good day for learning just how unsafe many of the cars seats in Milton are.
Members of the Halton Regional Police Service, Halton Fire and Halton Public Health, along with support from community volunteers, conducted their annual Milton Car Seat Inspection Clinic at the Milton Fire Station on James Snow Parkway. The results were not impressive.
Police officers interacted with all motorists on the James Snow Parkway, performing cursory checks of car seats and identifying those requiring further inspection. Officers conduct these initial inspections The Highway Traffic Act gives police the authority inspect motor vehicles. Car seats located in vehicles form part of a vehicle’s equipment.
 They are not cheap – but they are legally required. Over the course of four hours, police screened more than 1,200 motorists. Vehicles containing car seats were spoken with and observations were made that led 112 of those to be sent to the fire station for further review by qualified car seat installation technicians.
Results:
Booster Car seats
# of Inspections 26 86
# of Fails 13 67
Failure rate 50% 78%
While these are Milton numbers – the law of averages suggests Burlington’s numbers will not be much different.
Some of the more common issues encountered were:
• Inappropriate car seat for the child being transported (car seat, forward or rear facing, or booster seat) – determined by age, weight or height
• Expired seats with obsolete, ‘old-style’ restraint systems
• Missing equipment, including chest clips and tether straps
• Loose installations and harnesses
Police encountered one vehicle with a child seated on an adult’s lap in the rear of a vehicle; both were being secured by one seat belt. The child’s parent (driver) was appropriately charged by police and educated on the significant injuries that could be sustained by the child in the event of a collision. Police were surprised to learn, however, that a second vehicle following behind with other family members was half-empty – meaning this situation was completely avoidable.
 There is a right way and a wrong way to install a car seat. In another instance, clinic volunteers helped an expectant mother, who was overdue, install a new rear-facing car seat. A very teary eyed and relieved mom-to-be thanked technicians for ensuring her new arrival would be safe.
All told, 80 children – among our most vulnerable road users – are safer today as a result of this clinic.
All motorists who transport children – regardless of distance, relationship or destination – a vehicle’s driver is legally responsible for the safety of all occupants under the age of 16.
By Pepper Parr
September 14, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Far too early to pay this much attention – but for those that think about federal politics – get ready for a new Member of Parliament in Milton next time around
 Lisa Raitt, who is the MP for north Burlington once said she thinks the air park is “not a bad piece of infrastructure”. Area residents didn’t see it that way. Lisa Raitt, the current MP for Milton and the Conservative party finance critic, learned yesterday that Peter McKay, a politician who has served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Minister of National Defence and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Cabinet of Canada under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, will not run in the next federal election expected in 2019 and not seek the leadership of the Conservative party. His reading of the political winds tells him that any party he led would probably not succeed in forming a government.
He was in the thick of the merger of the Progressive Conservative Party and Canadian Alliance in 2003, that resulted in the Conservative Party of Canada.
His decision not to seek the leadership of the Conservative party created the opening that Lisa Raitt needed.
McKay represented two different ridings in Nova Scotia. He decided not to run in 2015. He was and will be a force in Nova Scotia politics for some time but from the side lines.
 Lisa Raitt, second from the right, Tim Crawford centre behind the flowers and Vince Rossi in the red sweater at a social event. North Burlington residents didn’t feel their MP really represented them. Chances are Raitt will be representing people from Nova Scotia next time round. Milton’s Lisa Raitt will seek a seat in Nova Scotia leaving the good people of Milton to find another Conservative candidate. Raitt, who hungers for the leadership of the party, probably doesn’t have all that much of a hope winning in Milton again.
The diverse makeup of that community is such that someone as white as Raitt has the potential to get clobbered – better to find a safe seat in Atlantic Canada.
The Milton riding includes part of north Burlington where Raitt has not been as vocal against Vince Rossi’s Air Park as many would have liked.
Raitt has solid roots in Nova Scotia where was raised and completed her university education.
The political winds in Milton, and thus the federal representation that north Burlington will have, are shifting.
By Staff
September 13th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Police on the lookout for male dubbed ‘Mr. Fill and Fly’
Police would like some help identifying an elderly male who has been committing multiple thefts of gas across southern Ontario. The suspect has utilized at least two different vehicles and has attached license plates stolen from Burlington and Hamilton to these vehicles.
The suspect has been operating a black Jeep Grand Cherokee, but has also utilized an older blue GMC Safari.
The suspect wears gloves and will fill up with regular or supreme gas. On multiple occasions the suspect has filled up a jerry can after filling up his vehicle. The suspect has utilized three different missing/stolen license plates including BVYZ793, BDXT007 and BCFC942.
The suspect is described as: Male, White, 65-70 years old, medium build, white hair, eyeglasses, gloves.
In addition to various gas stations in Milton, Burlington, and Oakville, ‘Mr. Fill and Fly” has also hit Haldimond County, Brantford, Caledon, Brampton, Vaughan, and Richmond Hill.
 By Pepper Parr
September 13, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The finance department has crafted a budget and the bureaucrats are hoping it is passed and that they get the funds they feel they need to do their work.
One one wonders however if there isn’t a finance department that produces numbers and then a marketing department that goes out and sells the budget to the public.
Transparency and accountability were thought to mean that the bureaucrats “involve” the public and not work at trying to sell them a new “whiter than white” laundry detergent.
 Taxpayers reviewing a budget – they got explanations but not much in the way of impact on the budget. Burlington’s recent practice has been to create a budget based on input from each of the departments and once they have satisfied themselves that it works – they then hold public meetings and ask what the public thinks – but rarely, if ever, does the budget get changed.
Part of the responsibility for this is a public that isn’t prepared to do its part of the job.
There was a budget a number of years ago that was ready to go to a public meeting – and it snowed, heavy snow and the turn out was a miserable two people. There were two additional people who had run for public office in the previous election – it was a sort of continued training for the job they wanted.
 Participants at a public budget meeting.  Residents at the hockey arena less than 50 yards away from the room the budget was being reviewed in. Everyone thought no one showed up because of the weather – which seemed to be a reasonable conclusion. However, right next door in the skating rink part of the Mainway Recreation Centre there were a couple of hundred parents taking in a hockey game their children were playing – weather didn’t keep them away.
What was evident was that the city budget had close to zero mind share. Is it a matter that they just don’t care? Check out the vigorous debate on the bike lanes that have been added to New Street and tell me that we have a public that doesn’t get passionate about issues.
What the city administration has failed to do is engage its citizens. It is not an easy task – but watch how many people show up for the Remembrance Day parade- the crowd over flows into Brant Street.
Count the number of people who take part in the annual Terry Fox run and ask yourself why a group of citizens worked their buns off to have a monument to Terry Fox erected on a part of the city he travelled through 35 years ago. Note too that the group experienced considerable difficulty with city hall in getting all the paper work done.
 There is a missing link in the relationship between the citizens and the civil servants who are hired to run the city. Any retailer learns very quickly to pay attention to what their customers want – city hall staff don’t appear to have picked up that same frame of mind.
This problem has plagued Burlington for some time. In 2010 then Mayor Cam Jackson commissioned a report written by the late John Boich and former Mayor Walter Mulkewich. They gave their report the title Shape Burlington. Several of the senior people at city hall took exception to the findings of the report which was basically to say that city hall wasn’t listening.
Click on the blue line below – the full report is on there for anyone who wants to read the document – it is as relevant today as it was the day it was released.
Shape Burlington Report.
I would wager a good lunch that the current city manager has not read that report and that the Mayor doesn’t have copies in his office that he hands out to people. At the time city council voted unanimously to adopt the report.
There have been some positive steps. The city now has a panel of people who respond to surveys the city does about once a month. The software used for the Insight Burlington surveys is excellent Hard to tell yet if they respond to the data they get – but they are at least asking good questions.
It would be interesting to do an analysis of the questions asked; the answers given and how the city absorbed what they learned. Given the current relationship between the Gazette and the senior levels of city hall don’t expect us to get any answers for you on that issue.
The Insight Burlington panel should be much larger than it is. There are a number of people who have asked to be placed on the survey – but not everyone fits the model the city has.
It is vital that there be an appropriate balance in the makeup of the panel – so if there are enough people who are male, over 65 with a college education and own their home and that definition happens to describe you – that are going to decline your application.
 But – don’t let anything deter you – if you are interested – click on the link – and give it a shot. The city really needs people who are prepared to answer the survey – they send out about one a month – they are usually quite short.
If you want to see if your demographics is needed for the Insight Burlington panel click on the link
In the most recent Insight Burlington survey they set out how much of a taxpayers money gets used for various services assuming a property is assessed at $417,645. The city asked which services should be cut back and by how much. They provided plenty of room for detailed responses.
It will be interesting to see what the panel participants had to say.
 The chart above shows where the City allocates the revenue it receives from property taxes to the major categories of services it provides to residents (based on an average home assessed at $417,645).
By Staff
September 13, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Yesterday afternoon, just after 2:00 pm police raced to an address on Edinburgh after a resident reported observing two males attempting to steal from his boat.
Officers quickly arrived in the area and with assistance of police service dog JAX, a stolen vehicle from Hamilton with three occupants inside was located in a parking lot off Prospect Street.
The three occupants were arrested and a search of the vehicle turned up additional stolen property including several licence plates, ownership, and a purse. Police also located several break-in tools (bolt-cutters, vice grips and screwdrivers_ and 4 grams of methamphetamine.
Arrested and charged and held for bail are:
Shawn Wayne DAWES (42 yrs.) of Limeridge Road East in Hamilton
• Theft under $5000
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (Three Counts)
• Possession of break in instruments
• Tampering with vehicle identification number
• Trespassing at night
Shawn MORIARITY (38 yrs.) of No Fixed Address
Justine O’DONNELL (27 yrs.) of No Fixed Address
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 (Three Counts)
• Possession of break in instruments
• Tampering with vehicle identification number
• Possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine)
• Fail to comply with probation
It is the continuous vigilance on the par of citizens that keep the city safe.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Kevin Hietikko of 3 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905) 825-4747 ext. 2357 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com; or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
September 12, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They are called “ART QUILTs” which is defined as a creative visual work that is layered and stitched or that references this form of stitched layered structure.”
 Donna Funnell’s Stitch Scroll is a delicate length of cloth with exquisite stitching. Kind of technical sounding and really isn’t much in the way of an introduction to a marvelous art form that is currently on display at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
 Those ;eaves are not painted – they were stitched onto a piece of backing – the detail is incredible. Titled the Ginko Tree by Cecelia Cameron, Sudan Durham, Shirley Kilpatrick and Patricia Mennon – the Ginko Tree predates the dinosaurs. Called Fibre Content – the show includes more than 100 pieces that will delight the eye – there is one piece that you swear is a photograph but in close inspection is a stitched piece of work.
 It looks like a photograph – but it is stitching. “The Way is see myself by Sharron Deacon. A rare selfie. Our apologies to our readers for not telling you about this exhibition earlier – it runs at the AGB until the end of next Sunday.
Well worth taking the time to attend.
Art quilts came out of the quilting community and created a niche of its own that has grown in the past thirty years. The tendency within this niche is to explore new ideas and new forms.
 Mary Cope’s contribution to Fibre Content on display now at the AGB. These are not the familiar Mennonite quilts that the Kitchener area of Ontario are famous for – this work is known as art quilting; an art form that uses both modern and traditional quilting techniques to create art objects. Practitioners of quilt art create it based on their experiences, imagery, and ideas rather than traditional patterns. Quilt art generally has more in common with the fine arts than it does with traditional quilting. This art is generally either wall hung or mounted as sculpture, though exceptions exist.
The feminist movement and the new craft movements of the 1960s and 1970s, were the social environments that brought this art form into the public sphere.
The social activism of the time resulted in intricate, celebrated quilts (which often included rare Scandinavian indigo dyes). The transition from traditional quilting through art quilts to quilted art was rapid; many of the most important advances in the field came in the 1970s and 1980s.
Jean Ray Laury, one of the more prominent and influential of early modern quilt makers was an “academically trained artist and designer who encouraged women to create their own new designs based on their own experiences, surroundings and ideas rather than traditional patterns. Laury. Who died in 2011 said: “There are no rules in stitchery — no single ‘right’ way of working.”
 Firefly by Monika Sheddon of Dundas was inspired by a large piece of fabric created by using free motion machine stitching, collage and paints. Face is needle sculpted on cotton. That art form is on display at the Art Gallery of Burlington – not to be missed.
AGB Hours
Monday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday 9:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 pm
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