 By Staff
May 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Maybe they took a taxi home or perhaps the police took them to the local station and booked them for their offences. Whichever, two very expensive cars are sitting in the police pound where they will remain for the next seven days.
 A Lamborghini Huracan valued by police at approximately $230,000.00 was impounded for seven days after being clocked at 135 kmh in a 60 kmh zone On May 29th 2016 at approximately 4:00 pm, a Lamborghini Huracan valued at approximately $230,000.00 and a McLaren Spider valued at approximately $260,000.00 were stopped by Police at Guelph Line and Colling Road in Burlington after HRPS #3 District Response Unit measured their speed at 135 km/hr in a posted 60 km/hr zone.
 A McLaren Spider, stunt driving with the Lamborghini was estimated to cost $230,000 it also sits in the police pound for seven days. The exotic cars were impounded for seven days and the drivers’ charged with stunt driving.
The police media report did not release any names. They did say: “If you observe a vehicle being operated in a manner which places you or anyone else in danger, please call 911 for an immediate police response.”
 Police loading $230,000 worth of car onto a flatbed truck to be taken to the police pound and held for seven days. Owner charged with stunt driving. Someone obviously made such a call.
 By Pepper Parr
May 28, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The annual Art Sale raises a lot of money. As an event is draws a piece of work from Robert Bateman – he has donated a piece of his art every year for the past 38 years.
What do they do with the funds raised?
Plenty!
In 2015..
 There was a time when art was taught in schools – not any more. If a child is to get an art education and the sense o accomplishment that goes with it – they head for the art gallery. 2,751 school’s children’s horizons were expanded
1,374 participants in course found fulfillment during 24,108 participant hours
1,383 participants delighted in art through outreach to 86 community groups
94,837 life enhancing excursions in the sanctuary of art and culture
Over 400 artists contribute to the culture of our community, while making their own dreams come true.
Important initiatives:
School outreach programs, affordable art classes and camps, art therapy for seniors with dementia and children/adults with developmental disorders
Over 20 regional, national and international exhibitions a year, as well as the world’s largest collection of Canadian contemporary ceramics.
 Former Member of Parliament Mike Wallace on a tour of the kilns at the art gallery. Add to that the Annual Soup bowl event.
And of course the Art Gallery is home to the Guilds that were the reason the place came into being. There are over 300 volunteers in a building that has had pieces added to it over time – it is quite easy to get a little lost.
 Johnathan Smith, curator of the permanent ceramics collection watches artist Peter Powning making clay impressions of artifacts. The Art Galley was the place Peter Powning took clay impressions of objects brought in by citizen that were later cast in bronze and placed on the spiral Stella that stands outside the Performing Arts Centre
The gallery is open seven days a week – and there is no admission.
The city provides just under $1 million as a grant to the Art Gallery each year.
 By Staff
May 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
If you’re Dutch – you already know about this event.
 Lead piper of the Dutch 48th Highlanders who will perform a concert in Civic Square May 31st at 11:30 am. If you like the sound of bagpipes and military style events – you will want to know about it.
Burlington’s Mundialization Committee will host a delegation from Burlington’s twin city, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands from May 29 to 31.
 Mayor Rick Goldring in Holland with Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends during the 75th Anniversary of the liberation of Holland. The delegation includes the 48th Highlanders of Holland, Pipes and Drums, who will perform a special concert for Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and Burlington Mayor Goldring during the farewell reception on Tuesday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. in Civic Square.
By Staff
May 27th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police have arrested a 24-year-old male in connection with child luring and child pornography offences.
David Kron, of Thornhill, has been charged with three counts of child luring, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography. The victims in this matter are 12-14 years of age.
 Snapchat is a mobile app that allows users to send and receive “self-destructing” photos and videos. Photos and videos taken with the app are called Snaps. Snapchat uses the device’s camera to capture Snaps and Wi-fi technology to send them. Investigators say they believe the man was communicating with children online via Snapchat, using the name: myles.erlick. Myles Erlick is a former Burlington resident and a well-known performer. Mr. Erlick has been contacted and is in no way affiliated to this account.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Todd Martin of the Halton Regional Police Service Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE). He can be reached at (905)825-4747 extension 8983.
Snapchat is a mobile app that allows users to send and receive “self-destructing” photos and videos. Photos and videos taken with the app are called Snaps. Snapchat uses the device’s camera to capture Snaps and Wi-fi technology to send them.
 By Staff
May 27, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Aldershot Arena has now reopened for scheduled rentals and programs.
The arena was closed on April 22 to allow for electrical system replacement following a transformer issue.
 By Ray Rivers
May 27th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
 A significant document that few have actually read. CBC and National Post political contributor Rex Murphy rants that Ontario Premier Wynne’s climate change strategy is her own version of LEAP. He is referring to the LEAP Manifesto shepherded by author and political activist Naomi Klein and best-friend film maker Avis Lewis. The document came out last year during the federal election, and was presented at the NDP convention earlier this year. It is a strategic document, laying out long term goals for achieving a more harmonious, equitable, and environmentally friendly Canada in the age of global warming.
 Rex Murphy – National Post columnist – CBC on air personality. Rex Murphy apparently considers those goals the equivalent of leaping into hell, as he accounts that, in his view, it would be political and economic suicide to stop using fossil fuels. One wonders if he had actually read the LEAP document as he spreads his hyperbolic poison over a topic he clearly doesn’t understand, and for an issue which he is clearly out of touch with the majority of Canadians. And he is not alone, as Globe and Mail contributors Margaret Wente and Jeffrey Simpson also felt the need to jump into the fray.
But at least Simpson has focused his comment, and legitimately challenges the complexity of the emission trading aspect, rather than criticizing the end goal itself. He gets it – that we need to do more. But because something is complex doesn’t make it unmanageable or bad. It is not clear that Simpson understands what a cap and trade program is, preferring to characterize it as something conjured up by an overzealous environment minister, Glen Murray, and using that as an ad hominem to help discredit the provincial strategy.
Cap and trade, or more generally emissions trading, was first conceived at the University of Toronto by an economist in 1968. Professor John Dales was looking for a way to reduce pollution by making it more expensive for polluters without penalizing the rest of society – an equitable approach to curbing pollution based on economic incentives. And more complexity is required if one is to internalize the unintended effects of human activities into the costs of production, thus making polluting activities relatively more costly.
 Gas fired power station at sunset. In the case of greenhouse gas reduction, as in Ontario’s plan, it is an implicit carbon tax. But unlike the explicit carbon taxes B.C. and Quebec have in place, emissions trading is business-friendly, allowing more emission-efficient enterprises the added incentive of selling carbon credits to those who aren’t – incentivizing as well as taxing.
That explains why the business community largely favours emissions trading over a universal tax, like B.C.’s carbon tax. And that is why this approach can also inadvertently result in an overachievement of its goals, as when the US government phased-out lead from gasoline years ahead of schedule in the 1970’s, one of the first applications of emissions trading.
Since then, cap and trade applied to sulphur emissions from coal power plants led to another remarkable overachievement of US based acid rain emission reductions in the 1990’s. The European Union, Japan and Australia have all used emissions trading in tackling carbon emissions. The 1997 Kyoto protocol, which failed when the US pulled out in 2000, had emissions trading as an inherent tenet of its design.
Although the log jam on Capital Hill has hindered the US from implementing a truly national carbon cap and trade program, some states have moved ahead. The Western Climate Initiative, started in 2007, is one such carbon trading regime which also includes Quebec, B.C., Manitoba and Ontario. And Ontario’s program will ultimately be integrated with that of the other Canadian provinces as well as California and other US states – so we’d better get used to this level of complexity.
And Simpson is wrong about this being something Murray just conjured up. Ontario has been working on emissions trading for decades, and with the blessing of all three political governments over that time. The provincial government supported an early voluntary trading program in the 90’s and developed its own mandatory allowance trading program in 2002 to reduce emissions from coal and gas power plants.
 Exhaust emissions from automobiles are close to the worst polluters. In fact just about all of the provinces and the federal government have been looking at emissions trading systems similar, in some way to what Ontario is implementing as part of a climate change strategy. Alberta had implemented a more limited trading program well before the NDP swept into power last year, and they no doubt will be looking to Ontario’s experience as they enhance their efforts. Indeed Ontario and Alberta have just announced a new clean technology initiative for climate change, a corollary to this discussion.
Alberta, home to Canada’s fossil fuel industry is also home to those other fossils, the dinosaurs. One dominant theory is that these marvellous creatures were the victims of another period of climate change some 65 million years ago. But unlike our modern-day dinosaurs, who should understand that the climate change affecting us today is of our own doing, those dino’s likely couldn’t and didn’t do anything about it. We do know how to start fixing this – it’s right there Rex – in that Leap Manifesto.
Ray Rivers is an economist and author who writes weekly on federal and provincial issues, applying his 25 years of involvement with federal and provincial ministries. Rivers’ involvement in city matters led to his appointment as founding chair of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee. He was also a candidate in the 1995 provincial election
Background links:
Rex on Leap – Rex Murphy on Ontario – Ontario’s CC Strategy – LEAP –
Cap and Trade – Fort McMurray and Climate – Wente – Simpson on Cap and Trade –
Western Climate Initiative – Alberta and Ontario – Dinosaurs –
By Staff
May 27th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The pests will be back soon – mosquitos.
That bite is a quite a bit bigger than most people realize.
As part of its commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of residents through public education and preventative programs, Halton Region has begun its annual larviciding program to reduce the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) in the community. This program is implemented in public property locations across Halton Region.
 This is how the West Nile virus gets transmitted. Larviciding is the process of applying pesticides to objects such as catch basins, where mosquito larvae have been found. Larvicide is applied when other attempts at reducing mosquito breeding sites haven’t worked to minimize the risk of West Nile virus and is usually applied either in catch basins or in large bodies of standing water on public property. This preventative program reduces the adult mosquito population, helping to stop mosquitoes that can carry West Nile virus that are often found in standing water.
“West Nile virus continues to be a concern in communities across Canada which is why Halton Region remains committed to monitoring and implementing programs to prevent and protect residents against this disease,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.
“By working together with the community, we will continue to reduce the risk of West Nile virus and keep our community safe and healthy.”
“Larviciding is just one part of our West Nile virus prevention program which includes public education, monitoring and surveillance, eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites and larviciding,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “By eliminating standing water sites and by covering up outside at dusk and dawn and applying DEET or lcaridin, we can reduce the occurrence of West Nile virus in our communities.”
Halton residents can help reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes by removing objects that may hold water, such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys and tires. If residents see standing water on public property, they can report it to Halton Region by emailing accesshalton@halton.ca or dialing 311.
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. 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.
A map showing the locations of standing water sites on public property where larvicide is applied is available at halton.ca/wnv. For more information about West Nile virus, please visit halton.ca/wnv or dial 311.
 By Pepper Parr
May 26th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The line of the song went – “There are 99 bottles of beer on the wall” – the thinkers over at the Art Gallery Burlington took that line and applied it to the low priced art they sell each year at their annual art sale.
 AGB president Robert Steven looks on anxiously as art is placed in the walls of the Lee Chin room. The 99 theme has been adapted to describe the 99 pieces of art that are being sold for $250 during the sale.
Installers were measuring and putting up the pieces in a corner of the Lee Chin Room which at this point is bare – and very empty with art stacked in the corners awaiting their time on the wall.
 The sale of low cost art (there is nothing down market – no Elvis on Velvet) begins on the 29th. At 3:00 pm on the 29th Permanent Collection Curator, Jonathan Smith, will be hosting a talk in the Fireside Lounge on How to Start a Collection.
Smith is a delight to listen to – he has one of those minds that soaks it all up and forgets little. Feel free to ask him anything. He won’t say he will get back to you – he will know.
Learn art collection tips from the master, then head back into the Lee-Chin Gallery to start buying artwork!
 The Bateman piece that will be sold at the 38th annual AGB art sale. The Bateman that will be on sale this year is one of his more traditional pieces – a really fine piece of work. Robert Bateman is reported to have donated an original piece of art every year of the 38th year event.
By Staff
May 26th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
On May 25th 2016 at approximately 2:32 PM, police responded to the Royal Bank at 2025 William O’Connell Blvd. in Burlington for a male trying to open a bank account with fraudulent identification.
Police located the male inside the bank and while the male was being escorted to a private office, the male turned and ran from the bank. He continued to flee on foot north on William O’Connell Blvd, west on Waterbridge Dr. where he then hopped a fence which led him to the rear of a townhouse complex located at 2039 Upper Middle Rd.
Numerous police responded to the area where a perimeter was established while a canine track was conducted. The male was located and arrested approximately 25 minutes later as he attempted to leave the area on a bicycle which he had just stolen.
The male, identified as Robert Jason LAYCOCK (28-yrs) of Toronto was held for bail charged with the following offences:
• Fraud under $5000
• Personation with intent
• Obstruct peace officer
• Theft under $5000
• Breach Probation (2 counts)
Out on probation and the suspect walks into a bank trying to open an account under a false name – it wasn’t a savings account was it?
Anyone with information is asked to call the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316, Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222 8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Pepper Parr
May 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There are a number of tall construction cranes in the downtown core and at the edges of the city as well – the kind of thing that keep the bankers and the politicians happy.
 The Melodia – It just never managed to work – despite the Performing Arts Centre right across the street. Across the street from the back of city hall a restaurant that thought they had it figured out is meeting the hard blows of the wrecking ball – the Melodia is being taken down to make room for an event larger Saxony condominium development.
 A more modern look – sharper edges – the structure now fills the site at Locust and Elgin The developer had hoped to be able to use all of the site on the corner of Locust and Elgin but the owners of the restaurant didn’t like the look of the original offer that was made. There were a number of real estate people sniffing around that site trying to make something happen.
Saxony eventually decided they would just build around Melodia. The got the Wiggsville structure off the property and went along with the wishes of the community for a four storey building when the bylaw would have allowed five storeys.
Then the owners had a change of heart and decided they would sell – that gave the developers the opportunity to develop the site to its fullest potential.
 The first version of the Saxony – had more of a classical look.  Unable to strike a deal with the owners of Melodia the Landform group decided to build around it. Along the way they appear to have had a change of heart and moved from what was classical in design and moved to a more modern look – there will be a small theatre in the ground floor of the building – that will certain add to its cachet.
 By Pepper Parr
May 26th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The parking meters have been in place for a couple of weeks – but these two walkers don’t appear to be convinced that they can be trusted.
Which leads to the question – does the city have any sense yet that the acceptance rate of the new meters is on track.
 Two citizens are not totally certain that this device is something they want to give their money to – is that the general sense in the city? We are not hearing anything negative – but we aren’t hearing anything positive either – and we hear nothing about anyone actually using the telepark feature that lets people use their cell phone to pay for parking – and also has the potential to let commercial establishments pay for your parking.
The sense we are getting is that few appear to want to pick up that option – which is unfortunate. That part of the software was probably the most expensive.
The city is spending $500,000 on these parking meters – the public will want more than a pretty machine on the street for that kind of money.
The city is rumoured to be putting together a marketing plan – customer information package – that hasn’t hit the streets yet.
 By Staff
May 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
More than 30 local schools across the city have signed up to participate in Bike to School Week, a Metrolinx initiative that encourages local teachers and students to use active transportation for their daily commute to school between May 30 and June 3.
We have a question – why is Metrolinx doing this – they run the GO train service.
 School board trustee Andrea Grebenc wants to see every students using a bike to get to school. This should be a local initiative – by either the city or the school board – both would be great. School board trustee Andrea Grebenc wants every student on a bicycle.
“This event is a great way to encourage more kids and adults to leave the car at home for short distance trips,” said Vito Tolone, the city’s director of transportation. “We have seen a 600 per cent increase in the number of schools participating from 2015.”
Schools that registered for Bike to School Week by May 6 were entered into a draw for a chance to win one of 20 bike racks, provided by Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington and the city.
The winning schools that will be getting a bike rack are:
Aldershot Elementary School
Alton Village Public School
CH Norton Public School
Charles R. Beaudoin Public School
Dr. Charles Best Public School
Gary Allan High School (STEP Program)
Glenview Public School
Lakeshore Public School
Maplehurst Public School
Mohawk Gardens Public School
Pauline Johnson Public School
Rolling Meadows Public School
Sacred Heart of Jesus Elementary School
Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School
St. Gabriel Elementary School
St. John Elementary School
St. Mark Elementary School
St. Paul Elementary School
St. Raphael Elementary School
Tom Thomson Public School
 This is a school in need of a bike rack. Schools that register for Bike to School Week before June 1 still have an opportunity to be entered into a draw to win a Can-Bike rodeo for their school in the 2016-17 school year.
“Being active on their way to and from school not only helps children get to know their community better but also improves their health,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “Active transportation is fundamental to building a healthy community.”
 For contest rules and regulations, please visit www.healthykidsburlon.ca. To register for Bike to School Week, visit www.biketoschoolweek.ca.
By Staff
May 25th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
During the period of May 17-23, uniform and plainclothes officers from across all areas of the Halton Regional Police Service supported the National driving campaign known as ‘Canada Road Safety Week’, conducting a heightened level of traffic enforcement on our area roadways.
Officers focused on what has become known as the ‘Big 4 Killers’ on our roads, including aggressive & distracted driving, impaired operation – by alcohol or drug, and seat belt use.
During the seven days of enforcement, which ended with the conclusion of the Victoria Day Long Weekend, Halton Police laid a total of 1903 charges. The top three charges included:
1. Speeding;
2. Disobey stop sign; and
3. Distracted driving (cell phone)
During this campaign, Halton Police conducted a variety of enforcement, including RIDE, to specifically address the ongoing concern of motorists choosing to drive while impaired. 12 motorists were arrested and charged with impaired driving related offences which include impaired by drug. Highlights include:
• On Friday, May 20th officers were conducting a proactive RIDE spot check on Appleby Line near Fairview Street. Over the course of the RIDE check, a driver was engaged by police as a part of the routine stop. As a result of this engagement, police discovered he was in possession approximately three pounds of marihuana. The driver was charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.
• On Saturday, May 21st officers responded to a single vehicle collision below the Burlington Skyway. The female driver was subsequently arrested for impaired operation and for possessing a quantity of cocaine.
• On Sunday, May 22nd police were engaged in proactive speed enforcement on Bronte Road near Speers Road. Police noted a driver operating his motor vehicle at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was initiated by police and the driver was found to be impaired by both alcohol and drugs. In addition, the driver was found to be in possession of a quantity of marihuana.
 Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah and Halton Regional Police Detective Constable Paul Proteau. Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah commented, “Traffic enforcement, public messaging and the time officers spend on these traffic initiatives are just one element of our collaborative strategy towards improved road safety. It involves our Region, each Municipality, partnering agencies and citizens focusing on opportunities for prevention, social development and risk mitigation.”
Halton Police would like to thank area motorists who made the choice to slow down, obey posted signage and for resisting the urge to handle your cell phone while driving. It’s a positive choice all motorists can make which will make our roads safer for everyone.
If you observe a vehicle being operated in a manner which places you or anyone else in danger, please call 911 for an immediate police response.
 By Pepper Parr
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Pam Damoff officially opened her office today and invited constituents to check out the place and to take a peek at how politicians live.
 Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff listening to a constituent. She has a great view from her fifth floor office on Old Bronte Road where she works with a staff of four plus the team she has in office.
Burlington has three Members of Parliament: Karina Gould who is pure Burlington; Pam Damoff who is part Burlington and part Oakville and Lisa Raitt who is part Burlington and part Milton. It does get confusing.
 Pam Damoff speaking in the House of Commons.  A first term member of the House of Common he place isn’t new to her. Earlier in her career she was an administrative assistant – advisor to senior politicians “on the hill” and knew her way around the building.
What are the issues – how does she share the Burlington work load with fellow Liberal Karina Gould and Conservative Lisa Raitt?
Gould and Damoff get along very well and share assignments – they will often both show up for an event to represent their parts of Burlington. Gould and Damoff are very different women with their unique styles.
Pam listens in a relaxing intent way, staying tightly focused on the person she is talking to. Her experience as a member of Oakville’s city council gave her a profile in Oakville where she was identified with specific local issues.
Damoff is Vice-Chair Standing Committee on the Status of Women; Member Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security; member of Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women; Member of Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and a Member of Standing Committee on the Status of Women.
Her office is open, call for an appointment. The office is at 2525 Old Bronte Road in Oakville.
Members of parliament are allocated funds to run their offices, pay their staff, rent, travel, hospitality and am allowance for the housing they need in Ottawa. The Damoff spending from October 19, 2015 to December 31, 2105 is shown below.
 MP’s report on what they spend to the public. The Damof spending is well within the accepted limits
 By Pepper Parr
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The bike lobbyists have made their mark and cycling lanes are now real and most of the people behind the wheel of a car have come to realize that they are going to have to share the road. Finally!
 New Street is a major street in the city – putting safe separate bike lanes on it makes sense. Now – what kind of bike lanes?
Public safety and cost will be the considerations. The car still prevails in this city and it will be difficult for this council to spend the dollars for what is really needed – and that is a bike lane that is separate from traffic.
When people are out cycling they should not be in any fear at all for their lives.
Most of New Street can accommodate a bike lane that is off the roadway and completely safe for younger people who are not yet completely confident on their bikes, a place where seniors who might wobble a bit will not have to fear that they will slip into passing traffic.
 Councillor Jack Dennison, on the right, with members of the Mayor’s Millennial advisory committee in th background talks to a resident about the bike lanes. Little doubt where Dennison is on bike lanes – will he go along with the completely safe and separate lanes. City council will probably go along with bike lanes – something they couldn’t muster the courage to do when the debate was over putting in dedicated bike lanes on Lakeshore Road. The Mayor was for the idea when it was being debated at standing committee but lost the courage he had when it got to city council.
There were some pretty simplistic and quite frankly stupid arguments put forward at the time by people who should have known better.
Citizens should not expect their city council to make this happen – it is going to be up to the cycling lobby to show up in force as delegations and for the members of the Mayor’s new millennial advisory committee to say – enough – get on with it and do the right thing.
It is pretty clear that there is an appetite for bike lanes on New Street – what kind is the issue.
The price tag for the right kind of bike lane comes in at $3.96 million – not cheap but worth the price when you think of the parent that will be racked with fear when they hear on the radio that a child on a bike has been struck by a passing pickup truck that had wide mirrors – and they have children that use their bikes.
We are stick with cars for some time yet – the Mayor recently said that New Street is the street he drives on most in the city. Council needs to make sure that the bike lanes put in are the safest possible.
That isn’t going to be easy with price tags that range between $3.96 million to $940,000 and a low figure of $250,000 for the different options.
You will hear people talk about the $3.96 million being a Cadillac version – it isn’t – it is the safest version.
 This sidewalk – North side of New Street looking east from Robert Bateman high school as made for bike lanes.  South side of New street doesn’t have the same width – but the potential is there to widen. Bob Jerk, one of the city engineers explained to this reporter that in parts of the city the space already exists – “Right outside this high school, which I attended” he said.
The pictures are worth a thousand words.
By Pepper Parr
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
New Street shown in a single picture – this is what the debate over what kind of bike lanes do the citizens want- and what will they pay for the lanes will be about? The Region is in the process of tearing up New Street, installing new water and waste pipes. For those in that stretch of New Street that runs from Guelph Line to Martha 0 is it is like living in a dust bowl – the price of progress. Water gets turn off and then has to run for a bit when it is turned back on. The price of progress.
 New Street is being ripped up for the replacement of water mains and waste pipes. when they are re-paved – bike lanes are being considered – what kind and where – and at what cost? With the tearing up of the roads and the eventual re-paving an issue that city council has skirted around for far too long is no right in front of them.
Will there be bicycle lanes on New Street?
And if there are going to be bike lanes – what kind of bike lanes?
 Bike lanes marked with shards and low speeds are quite safe in residential communities Burlington talks about that modal split and much is made of growing the number of people who take transit, those who will use a bicycle and those who are going to drive.
What will the speed limits be ?
New Street is identified in the city Cycling Master Plan as a road with future on-road bike lanes.
On April 19, 2016, Burlington City Council approved the staff direction:
Direct the Executive Director of Capital Works and Director of Transportation Services to carry out an assessment of providing cycling facilities for New Street from Guelph Line to Burloak Drive including city wide public consultation and report back on the results and recommendations to the July 12, 2016 Development and Infrastructure Committee.’
Staff reviewed New Street (Guelph Line to Burloak Drive) for cycling infrastructure and have come out with a number of options.
There was a Public Information event Tuesday evening at the Robert Bateman High school – four different options – each with a price tag.
Here are the choices:
Option 1 has a bicycle lane on the road on the north side of the street and a shared lane on the south side of the street. There is no additional cost for this design.
Option 2 has a bicycle track on both sides of the street. This is the safest design – also the most expensive – $3.96 million
Option 3 has what is called a road diet – buffered lanes on both sides of the street. The cost would be $250,000 The public would be exposed to traffic.
Option 4 has bicycle lanes on both sides of the street with minor road widening. The cost would be $940,000 The public would be exposed to traffic.
The options will be discussed at a Standing Committee meeting on July 12 and then voted on at a meeting of city council July 18
Related editorial:
City must provide safest possible bike lanes if they expect citizens to use the things.
By Staff
May 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Symphony on the Bay: The Orchestra for Kids.
May 28 11:00 AM
Admission is $10 + HST for children (one free chaperone per child).
This program was sold out last year so buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
 All this – for $10
By Staff
May 24th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington is encouraging residents 55+ years of age and their care partners to share their thoughts and opinions by completing an online survey at
www.burlington.ca/activeaging.
 The Bistro, the heart of the Seniors Centre. Feedback from the survey will be used to help develop the city’s Active Aging Plan, which aims to help keep older adults active, healthy and engaged in their community.
“The city is committed to creating a community that is age-friendly, where increased accessibility and opportunities for participation help residents of all ages create meaningful connections within the community,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “We
 Mayor Rick Goldring has his membership application processed at the Seniors’ Centre – joining was one of his campaign promises. really want to understand the needs and perspectives of older adults when it comes to things like transportation, leisure, civic participation, communications, and inclusion. Input from the community will be critical in ensuring the Active Aging Plan truly reflects the needs of Burlington’s older adults.”
Printed copies of the Active Aging survey are also available at city recreation centres and libraries.
They do want to know what you think – how they respond and react to what you tell them is the issue – but if they don’t have the data then they can’t respond.
So go on line or get a copy of the forms at city recreation centres and libraries and answer the questions.
We will watch for the data and then see how they respond – this isn’t going to result in changes all that quickly; it is a three phase project.
 Just that kind of day seniors sitting Phase 1 is complete; phase 2 will include – Phase 2 – Community Engagement, Public online survey, Stakeholder focus groups and Community workshops.
Phase 3 will cover Action Plan Development during which staff will assess opportunities and priorities, develop strategies and recommendations and create a draft action plan which will get presented to City Council in December.
What would be useful – and what this city doesn’t do – is report to the public on their progress. Taking a copy o the draft plan to public meetings and setting out the options would make the final plan much more real.
 By Pepper Parr
May 24, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
With the Performing Arts program for the 2016/17 season now known, the next major event on the cultural calendar is the annual Art Gallery Burlington art sale – this is the 38th such sale.
It draws a different crowd than the Performing Arts; a little younger, a little more hip and a lot more fashionable. You will actually see people turned out in well-cut suits and smartly fitted dresses. This crowd usually has more in the way of disposable income.
The art sale usually has a better buzz to it – maybe that’s because it has a longer pedigree.
 Some of the choices in the 38th annual art gallery sale. The event is an occasion to chat with your peers, freshen your network and button hole someone you wanted to “bump into”.
There is an ample bar and surprisingly different finger food. The catering crowd seems to pull out their top menus for the Performing Arts crowd and then one up things at the art gallery sale.
All the art will be displayed in the Lee Chin Family room.
The sale kicks off at our Public Opening Preview on May 29th at 2pm, and runs until our Live Auction evening on June 3rd.
 Tom Thomson’s iconic Jack Pine This year’s Art Auction celebrates the 100th anniversary of The Jack Pine, a beloved oil painting by Canadian artist Tom Thomson that has become an iconic representation of the Canadian landscape. Thomson was an important influence on the Group of Seven and together they ignited a passion in Canadian artists that still resonates today.
There will be a collection of Tom Thomson paintings on display in the Perry Gallery – they are on loan from the PLACE
By Pepper Parr
May 24th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
After the reveal of a pleasantly balanced offering for the 2016/17 season the Performing Arts Centre opens the box office to the public Online sales begin at noon today. On Wednesday in person at the box office sales begin at 9:00 am with telephone sales beginning at noon.
The Centre put on a performance last Thursday that went through the full line up, and then, as is now their custom, allowed their VIP members to place their ticket orders several days before the general public gets to purchase.
 A VIP is a person who has purchased tickets for four or more shows the previous year. Those VIP’s came very close to filling the theatre last Thursday.
In the next few days we will see how the general public reacts to the program offering.
On the Performing Arts web site there is a list of the various genres that each show has been categorized under – it is eclectic.
A Cappella, Blues. Brunch. Celtic, Cirque. Classical,
Classical Crossover, Comedy, Country, Cushion Concert, Dance, Drama, Family, Folk, genNEXT, Hip-Hop, Holiday, Jazz, Latin, Musical Theatre, Orchestra, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Soul, Spectacle, Swing, Theatre, Voices, World.
 VIP members going through the program. There are some very attractively priced shows, some that you are going to have to move very fast to get a decent seat and pretty much something for everyone.
The Performing Arts Centre is an arms length organization with its own board of directors. The organization receives a grant of just under $1 million from the city each year.
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