 By Pepper Parr
April 20th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is certainly an interesting program and one that will be p interest to a lot of people – but council meeting as a Standing Committee didn’t say a word about – it was consented to without as much as a word from a single member of council.
The program they didn’t talk about offers low income older adults who own and live in their homes in the City of Burlington a full property tax deferral with interest being paid by Halton Region.
It is a Regional program but every member of city council is also a Regional Councilor and get paid more than $50,000 a year to warm a seat at the Region – but the Gazette will tell you about the program.
There are currently two property tax programs to assist lower income seniors in Burlington.
Low Income Seniors Property Tax Rebate
A $525 rebate is offered to eligible seniors that meet the following criteria: 65 years of age or older, receive the guaranteed income supplement (GIS) and have owned and lived in their home in Burlington for at least one year.
 In 2015, there were 518 applications processed for the tax rebate program. Low-Income Senior & Disabled Property Tax Deferral Program
A legislated program offered for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to defer the year over year property tax increase. There have been no applications for the legislated deferral program.
The provincial government also offers programs to assist low-income seniors including the Ontario Senior Homeowners Property Tax Grant, through income tax filing, and a property tax exemption for those individuals that make modifications to their home to accommodate seniors or persons with disabilities.
Older Adult Property Tax Deferral program (OAPTD).
The city has (and will in all probability) participate in the Region of Halton’s Older Adult Property Tax Deferral program (OAPTD).
The program offers low income older adults who own and live in their homes in the City of Burlington a full property tax deferral with interest being paid by Halton Region.
Criteria for the OAPTD Program include the following:
• All registered owner(s) of a property must apply and qualify
• Registered owner(s) of the property for at least 4 years
• Registered owner(s) must be 65 or older
• Combined income of all owners must be less than $44,800 for 2016. This will change each year as set out in the Region’s State of Housing Report (Notice of Assessment from Revenue Canada is required to verify income)
• No outstanding property taxes for prior years Key highlights of the program include:
• A lien will be registered against the title of the property
• Property tax deferral is interest free to the eligible homeowner. Interest is paid by the Region to the participating municipality.
 • The program requires an annual renewal application, which is initiated in January of each year with a deadline of September 30
• When the owner of the property becomes ineligible, there is a one year grace period whereby taxes are deferred without interest
• Full amount of deferred taxes is owing either at the end of the grace period or on the sale of the property, whichever is earlier
• Property owners are not able to participate in either of the existing senior programs offered
 The OAPTD program includes two fees payable to the city. The first fee is a $50 application review fee. Upon approval of the initial application an administration fee of $200 is added to the deferral amount to cover the legal cost of registering a lien on title.
If the tax deferral is of interest –give your member of council a call – they can or should steer you through the details.
 By Pepper Parr
April 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It made slipping downtown for lunch an experience – it was what the Downtown Business Association saw as oxygen for the core of the city – the Test Kitchen was the place to be – you needed a reservation much of the time
The prices were almost too good to be true – turned out it wasn’t true – the owner shut the two Test Kitchen locations down quite quickly and can’t, apprently, be found.
Those $10 lunches – beverage included may have been a mistake – it was worth $15 at least – and perhaps whoever occupies the space this season will come up with a better business model.
 They call them Pop Ups – a locale that just pops out of almost nowhere. It expands the capacity for the restaurant and it has a sense of being outside and yet private. The Test Kitchen was the place to be – then it disappeared. Financial problems? It was the idea that took hold – the place had a buzz to it. There were several counters where you got squeezed in with other people and you didn’t mind. The servers were superb – the presentation was pure New York, New York – and those prices. The portions were small – which was probably in the best interest of most of us.
Pop Up locations were a good idea and the city I going to ride that band wagon as far as it can – with rules and regulations of course – this is being run by city hall.
Council wants to:
Authorize the Director of Planning and Building to approve pop-up patios within the downtown based on the evaluation criteria; and amend the Licensing Agreement to include conditions related to securities, signage and removal protocol.
 Inside the Pop Up – held 21 tables. The Test Kitchen operated a seasonal “pop-up” patio on two on-street parking spaces in front of their business from May to October 2015. Then they disappeared.
The patio was full of patrons from Monday to Friday during the lunch hour period, it created a buzz in the downtown and was successful in animating the downtown, added more “feet on the street” and there were no safety incidents nor formal complaints reported to staff.
Staff, with input from the BDBA is of the opinion that there are approximately 17 restaurants in the downtown that are able to satisfy the requirements for a pop-up patio.
Despite the evident success, the BDBA survey of those 17 restaurant owners/operators in late Spring 2015 found no existing restaurant owners/operators interested in constructing a pop-up patio in the near future.
So much for the entrepreneurial spirit and perhaps the most telling point in trying to understand why downtown is so dull. The late Jane Irwin once described the city as “Borington”
Staff has identified three issues to be addressed for future pop-up patios:
1) Securities should be collected prior to the operation of the pop-up patio in case any City property is damaged during construction, operation or removal of the pop-up patio;
2) Signage limitations on the exterior of the pop-up patio (e.g. no product advertising); and
3) Requirement for pop-up patio to be removed on date set out in the By-law or else RPM to remove pop-up patio and invoice the restaurant owner/operator for the removal costs or draw on securities.
That securities problem suggests the city got stiffed by the owners of the Test Kitchen
Staff is only aware of two downtown businesses interested in a pop-up patio for the Summer of 2016.
 Interesting graphic – it does show the location for two restaurants interested in creating a Pop Up – what is also interesting is that green line around city hall. Dos the city not own the property in the lower left corner? Staff is proposing to create a formalized application process for pop-up patios and sidewalk patios beginning in 2017. This process would include a deadline for applications, an internal staff circulation, licensing agreements, application approvals and inspections once the sidewalk and pop-up patios have been built. Staff will bring a report to Council outlining this process by Q4 2016.
Future pop-up patios will be asked for a $1,500 security.
Pop-up Patio Evaluation Criteria
Location Criteria
Applications for a maximum of 10 pop-up patios in the downtown will be considered in the context of following criteria:
– Permitted only on street with existing on-street parking
– Permitted only on sites that have inadequate space to construct a conventional sidewalk patio while maintaining a minimum 2 m clear path
– Permitted only where the pop-up patio can be located directly in front of the business
– Must be located at least one parking space away from an intersection
– Proposals will be assessed in accordance with vehicle volumes, sightlines and visibility to the satisfaction of the Director of Transportation
– Proposals must not obstruct underground utility access, electrical transformer vaults, utility boxes, parking meters, loading zones, transit stops and other infrastructure
– Proposal must avoid conflicts with existing pedestrian crossings Design Standards
– Proposals must have a flush transition at the sidewalk and curb to permit easy access and avoid tripping hazards
– The sub-structure must accommodate the crown of the road and provide a level surface for the patio
– Proposals must have a slip-resistant surface
– Proposals must be designed for 100 pounds per square foot
– Patio, including entrances, must meet accessible design standards
– Gates must swing in to the patio space and not obstruct the sidewalk
– Fending to define the space and be capable of withstanding at least 200 feet of horizontal force
– Proposal must have vertical elements that make them visible to traffic, such as flexible posts, bollards or landscape planters
– No umbrellas or other treatments can extend into the sidewalk or travelled portion of the road
– Patios must be buffered using a wheel stop at a desired distance of 4 feet from the patio to ensure visibility to moving traffic and parking cars
– The patio must provide a 30 cm buffer between the fenced edge and the limit of the parking space
– Lighting and signage will be subject to review and will be designed and installed in such a way as to not create a visual or physical distraction to travelling public in the sidewalk or road.
The folks as Joel’s sounded as if they liked the idea – they said: “While we are in support of the concept and of our neighbour’s business operations and the draw that Test Kitchen has to downtown, the patio had its strengths and its downfalls. We monitored its traffic and listened to the feedback of downtown customers. Losing parking spots has to be weighed out with maximum productivity. There were many times that the patio sat empty.
“Our compromise would be that such patios could open for Sound of Music Festival weekend, with respect of positioning as to not block traffic to the traditional sidewalk sale activities that occur at this time. We would also advise that the patios close directly after RibFest and not be extended in to the month of October.”
 Admittedly there as no snow – but that really wasn’t a good enough excuse to do nothing to decorate a store front during the Christmas Season. This was the store front that forgot Christmas was here last December. The Gazette would like to see Joel’s do a lot more to animate Brant Street during the Christmas season. The past two years they did basically nothing.
The people at Structured Creations, a couple of doors south of the Test Kitchen said:
• The patio was well used and had no negative impacts to business
• The patio created a buzz in the area around their office; people were interested in looking into what they do; it led to approximately 100 people per day looking at the office
• They also used the patio often after finishing work with clients or contractors to go for a bite on the patio
• They had no issue with the patio taking up two parking spaces; clients and contractors came by frequently, but they would park up or down the street and walk; did not receive any complaints about parking and had no issue with the arrangement
• They support the pop-up patio in that location and additional ones on Brant Street
• They suggest future pop-up patios be designed the way the pilot pop-up patio was designed; the patio was tastefully done, with no banners or signage
• There should not be any signage or banners on pop-up patios
• For safety reasons, future pop-up patios should have a concrete abutment because the patio is right up against the road.
City council will give the final word at its May 9th meeting. This will be a go.
 By Pepper Parr
April 20, 20016
BURLINGTON, ON
Bikes, bicycles – call them what you want – they are an issue.
Burlington has a very active cycling community. The city talks of a commitment to cycling but struggles a little bit when it comes to allocating the dollar and struggles quite a bit more when it comes to actually sharing the road.
During the lengthy discussion Tuesday evening on what was possible in terms of cycling lanes along New Street Mayor Goldring glanced at the clock and said he could now announce that Burlington was now the holder of a silver award from the Ontario Bicycling Summit that was meeting in Toronto. Burlington previously held a bronze level award.
That didn’t’ do much to help council agree on just what they wanted to do with bike lanes on New Street which is currently undergoing huge water and waste pipes upgrades that has the road torn open for significant stretches.
 New Street is being torn up for the installation of new waste and water pipes. The job is going to make the street a less desirable route through to September. The current phase, from Guelph Line to Martha is going as smoothly as these things can go. The Region must surely owe everyone along this stretch of road a car wash – dust galore.
The debate Tuesday was over what would be done with New Street between Guelph Line and Burloak.
We are going to have to wait until July before there is a clear answer – the issue got bounced back to the city manage and his team to come back with detailed recommendations and attach costs to them.
Council was in a bit of a giddy move most of Tuesday. Councillor Craven who Chairs the Development and Infrastructure Standing Committee has decided more attention needs to be paid to the Rules and Procedures bylaw and has begun to crack down on members of council who habitually flout the rules. The two worst offenders are the members of council who have been there the longest – Taylor of ward 3 and Dennison of ward 4.
Cycling for Dennison is a way of life, Councillor is also an avid cyclist – the Mayor has been known to ride a bike as well. Councillor Taylor hasn’t seen the seat of a bike in ten years. For Taylor it is a safety issue – and New Street is a major thoroughfare.
There are several types of cyclists – some use their bike as their man form of transportation – throughout the year they ride their bikes to and from work.
 While the city debates the use of bicycles on New Street the Region really disrupts traffic while new waste and water pipes are installed. Progress. Others will use their bikes for short trips – but the majority of people in Burlington tend to use their bikes on the weekends or in the evening when they are out with friends.
The enthusiast would like us to use our bikes more often – they want cycling to be a large share of the model split – a phrase many people don’t even understand. Some seem to feel that cycling is going to be a large part of solving our reliance on cars – expecting Burlington to become another Amsterdam where the majority use their bikes is to misread the people of the city.
The focus needs to be on better transit – imagine what could happen if city council spent as much time looking for transit based solutions to the way we move people around? But we aren’t there yet – nor is the laying down of new waste and water pipes on New Street.
The standing Committee recommendations on the cycling issue were almost as muddy as New Street – they will come back to a city council meeting May 9th – we will see then what they decide to do.
On Monday the dust was pretty thick – water trucks were brought in to keep the dust down – we got a nice layer of mud but no dust.
New Street construction schedule
By Pepper Parr
April 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It took several hours but the Community and Corporate Service Standing Committee did agree to recommend that council authorize the Mayor to write letters of support for loans and grants the LaSalle Park Marina Association wants to apply for.
Councillor Jack Dennison (Ward 4) wants the letter to be strong and forceful – it will need to be – the Marina Association is looking for $12 million.
 The option the LaSalle Park Marina Association hopes is chosen through the Environmental Assessment. The design will add 100 slips plus 20 available for transient use and more significantly provide a solid barrier that will allow fish stocks to return and breed and put an end to the wave agitation John Birch, Executive Director of the LaSalle Park Marina Association , has been toiling for a number of years at getting a permanent breakwater built for Burlington. In his delegation to council last night he pointed out that Bronte has a marina that was paid for by the federal government, Kingston got a large chunk of federal money as did a number of other municipalities in the province. It is Burlington’s turn, said Birch.
It may well be – but it is going to be a tough.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was the only member of Council to vote against the writing of a letter. Her argument was that city council has not yet voted on whether or not they want to approve a expanded marina.
 Trumpeter swan – magnificent creatures that many think need the marina space at LaSalle Park to survive the winters. Meed Ward felt that a letter at this time was premature and inappropriate. One citizen wondered how council would react if Birch was able to raise the funds needed – would the city be able to see beyond all that funding and make the best decision for the city.
Birch points out that Burlington is a waterfront community – he got that part right.
The Trumpeter Swan Coalition, they don’t want the expanded marina built and point out that a waterfront community means making space for not just boats but for the swans as well.
There were some very good delegations made – the Gazette will report on these in more depth at a later date.
 By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police released the following additional information on the three fatalities resulting from the motorcycle – vehicle accident on Dundas at Eaglesfield Drive Saturday evening.
A 2002 Ford Escape was westbound on Dundas Street, approaching Eaglesfield Drive in Burlington. The driver, a sixty-one year old Burlington man, began to make a left turn onto Eaglesfield Drive, when an eastbound 2009 Suzuki motorcycle struck the right side of the Ford.
The operator of the motorcycle, Mitchel Crate, was thrown from his vehicle and came to rest within the Ford.
A thirty-five year old female from Waterdown who had been riding on the back of the motorcycle was thrown from the vehicle and came to rest on the grass at the southeast corner of the intersection. All three parties were pronounced dead at the scene.
The specifics of the collision are still under investigation, but police believe that the speed of the motorcycle was a factor.
By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is probably the biggest event that takes place in the city. Its pumps millions into the local economy and it’s been around for years.
It has a culture all of its own – and happens because hundreds of people volunteer to do all the hard work.
 If you want to be part of an organization that makes a difference – the Sound of Music Volunteer Open House takes place on April 23 at the Halton HiVE from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The HiVE is located at 901 Guelph Line, which is on the south east corner of the Guelph Line Harvester Road intersection – acres of parking.
You should be able to slip up to the volunteer event after chowing down a couple of those Turtle Jack burgers at the Clean Up event that takes place at Centennial Park right in front of the band shell
Get ready for summer: Make your selections for Movies Under the Stars
 By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The people who toil on our behalf at city hall appear to be certain of something that many others may have in doubt – that there will be a summer.
The Burlington Festivals and Events people have announced the movie choices available at different parks during the summer.
Residents can vote online for the movies that will be played this summer at Movies Under the Stars. The program has been well-received in past years,” said Chris Glenn, the
city’s director of parks and recreation. “We are looking forward to another summer of fun-filled nights for families and friends to enjoy some of their favourite
movies in the great outdoors.”
 Night out in Burlington Movies Under the Stars is a city movie series that allows families to enjoy movies in neighbourhood parks. Supported by Tim Hortons, the series will feature a
different movie each Thursday between July 7 and Aug. 18. All movies start at dusk and are shown on an outdoor screen.
Residents are encouraged to vote each week to select the movies that will be featured during Movies Under the Stars at www.burlington.ca/movies
A new poll will be posted each week until May 18, giving voters a choice of three movies. Polls will instantly show which movie has the most votes.
Poll dates, Movie date and park
March 30 to April 6 – July 7, – Nelson Park
April 6 to 13 – July 14, – Aldershot Park
April 13 to 20 – July 21, Central Park Bandshell
April 20 to 27 – July 28, – Emerson Park
April 27 to May 4 – Aug. 4, – Kilbride Park
May 4 to 11 – Aug. 11, – Ireland Park
May 11 to 18 – Aug. 18, – Spencer Smith Park
 “Watch the votes climb and join the City of Burlington in thinking ahead to the warm
days of summer,” said Glenn. Bring your own chair and a blanket.
For more information and to cast your vote for the movie you want to see – visit www.burlington.ca/movies – email is at – festivalsandevents@burlington.ca or phone 905-335-7766.
The Burlington Festivals and Events office offers support to community event Organizers. They are presenting Kite Festival, Canada Day, Movies Under the Stars, and Children’s Festival to the community for free. The community relies on sponsors, vendors and volunteers to keep our events free.
 By Staff
April 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is one of the largest and most effective city – community groups Burlington has. They both advocate for the environment – they try hard, but not always successfully to hold city council accountable for the decisions they make that impact the environment.
BurlingtonGreen has initiated a number of projects that make a difference and they have invited world class speakers to the city. It is an organization that has real clout – it could be used more consistently and with more vigor at times.
REGISTRATION link is at the bottom of the page.
 Every age gets involved in the annual BurlingtonGreen Clean Up Every Spring thousands of citizens pull on a pair of gloves pick up a green plastic garbage bag and go picking up litter anywhere they can find it.
Called the Clean Up – it takes place on a Saturday morning with everyone, in the past, gathering at city hall for a burger, pop and a chance to chat up their friends.
The Clean Up this year takes place on Saturday the 23rd – people can go to the BurlingtonGreen web site and decide where they want to do their community work and just show up.
 The annual CleanUp campaign Burlington Green organizes ends with a gathering of the environmental clan – this year it will be at the Bandshelll in Central Park – right next to the library. There are perhaps hundreds of places to Clean Up – when the work is done everyone is encouraged to gather at Central Park and wander around the exhibits at the library or listen to music and have their burger and chat with friends on the grounds in front of the band stand. Entertainment is expected to be part of the event.
More than 55,000 participants have joined the collective effort resulting in cleaner parks, streams, school yards and neighbourhoods.
This citywide event invites citizens, schools, churches, businesses, neighbourhoods and community groups to come together to clean up and green up Burlington to help the planet locally. What a great and meaningful way to celebrate Earth Day 2016!
Registered Clean Up participants will receive free supplies (bags and gloves) to do their clean up activities and are invited to attend an Eco-‐fair Celebration at Central Park Bandshell/Library on April 23rd from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Festivities will include a BBQ courtesy of Turtle Jack’s and refreshments courtesy of Tim Hortons, along with fun button making for kids, a variety of local eco-‐display and opportunities to win free raffle prizes.
 Turtle Jacks will be there with their mobile kitchen. The line ups move quickly. There will be displays inside the library and music at the bandshell.
 Amy Schnurr, Burlington Green’s Executive Director explains that this is the 6th year the city and the BG people have worked together. It started in 2011 she said. BG and the City partner on this event with the City contributing $7,000 from the Parks and Road maintenance budget for event planning and execution costs.
Registration gets done – just click here:
By Pepper Parr
April 18th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was pretty simple to Griffin Gervais, a grade five student at Lakeshore Public school – just ask people how to get the ball diamond behind the school repaired and they would tell him what was needed and it would get done because he was the kind of kid that did things like that.
 Carrie Gervais and her son Griffin at Matching Fund meeting. Griffin had an occasion to meet Burlington’s MP, Karina Gould and asked her if she would help him with his plans for the ball diamond. The grounds needed a serious leveling out – they had little rises and small shallow spots. The bases needed bags that were properly anchored – third base is currently a small hole that collects water.
The back drop is close to being ready to fall down. And the benches are kind of crappy.
The ward 2 member of city council happened to be at the same event – Gould pointed Griffin to Meed Ward who was pretty sure what Griffin and his buddies wanted to do was possible under a program that was being rolled out by the city’s parks and recreation department.
 The city had created a Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund that could put up as much as $5000 into a project that is designed to improve a community.
If the success of the Neighbourhood fund depended on the effort of the Parks and Recreation people overseeing the program – the thing would be a raging success.
The purpose of the program is to get people involved in their communities by pulling together a group with a common cause.
 Home plate is the only base that has a bag – and it doesn’t line up properly with the other bases. As a school play ground it has been allowed to deteriorate badly. The Neighbourhood Community Matching Fund has Griffin Gervais’s name written all over it.
City hall staff were spending time in each ward meeting with people to explain what the program is and how it works.
They were in ward 2 last week explaining the program and taking people through the forms that have to be filled in. There are a lot of forms to be filled in.
 No base bag at third base – just an indentation in the ground where water gathers.  Was he out – Griffin Gervais didn’t think so – but there was no base bag to really know. To use the language of the retail sector – these people want your business and they will go well out of their way to make what you want to do in your community happens.
Julia Rogers, the lead contact person and the one who does the presentations, gets herself pretty wound up when she speaks. Griffin Gervais who as at the meeting with his Mom wants to see that baseball diamond at his school upgraded.
Traditionally, in Burlington at least, the school board and the city don’t cooperate all that well.
That isn’t slowing down the people running the Neighbourhood Matching Fund. They appear prepared to do whatever they have to do to get a spark going within a community that will grow into a nice flame that will ignite people in their communities to come together and do things that make Burlington a better place for everyone.
Carrie Gervais said she now has the quotes she needs from the Board of Education so “we now know what the target is. The parents added $200 to the budget for a party in the park to celebrate their success which is all part of the city’s objective. They want people to come together, work together to make their neighbourhoods better places.
 In no specific order: Sawyer Cobham. Scott Rose, Griffen Gervais, Kayden Maslanyk discuss the problems with their ball diamond The Matching fund is intended for a project people want to see done in their neighbourhood. The forms are not that difficult – everything is on line – and if you have a problem – the staff are there to help you.
The city has set aside $50,000 for the program this fiscal year.
Applications have to be in no later than April 29th – which doesn’t leave much time. Staff actually apologized for the late start – this is the first year of what they see as a multi-year effort.
There are two completed applications in hand with one coming in from Giffin and his buddies. There are six wards in the city – someone is going to be disappointed.
Every project submitted won’t need a full $5000 explained Rogers. So the $50,000 available for this year is expected to cover all the applications.
If the program works – parks and recreation staff are planning on asking for more funding for future years.
The City has been pumping out media releases to remind residents that applications are due Friday, April 29.
Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation believes there are a lot of good ideas out there and says:. “If you have a proposal for something you think would bring your neighbourhood and community together and build strong connections, we want to hear about it. Even if you are not able to complete all of the information requested in the application form, I would encourage you to still submit it to the city by the April 29 deadline.” Glenn added that once a project is approved the sponsoring group has up to one full year to complete the work.
Griffin project is going to come in at about $11,000 – they are hoping they can get a full $5000 from the city and fund raise to pull in the balance.
The community is expected to raise half of the amount needed. That half can be cash, or in kind materials. Any work that people do on the project is counted at the rate of $17.02 for each hour worked. 50% of any professional services that are needed can be included in the budget.
Griffin’s parents set up a crowd funding account at: Gofundme.com/myzjbcwk There are no stones unturned with this group.
 Julia Rogers will guide anyone through the application process. It sounds a little complex – don’t worry about figuring out the details – Julia Rogers is a phone call away and she will take you through the application form line by line.
One of the issues on anything that involves the city or the board of education is insurance. That can be difficult to navigate. Denise Beard, Manager Community Development, said her staff will do everything they can to get you the insurance coverage you need.
Applications need to be in before the end of the month – approved projects will be announced in June.
 By Staff
April 17, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was that kind of a weekend – the warm weather we have been waiting for blessed us and the citizens took to the streets and Spencer Smith Park and got out for walks.
Many of the sidewalk café locations were full, the Gelato location on Lakeshore Road at Brant had a line up.
Next weekend is the annual Clean up that BurlingtonGreen organizes and supervises – hopefully the weather will cooperate again and we can pick up some of the rubbish that seems to gather in the late fall and winter months.
Buds on the trees weren’t quite ready to sprout – they’ve been fooled before.
The birds seemed pretty sure that this was the real thing – if you stopped for a moment you could hear some full throated warbling.
 Busy but not overcrowded. Rising quietly in the background is the re-developed Joseph Brant hospital. There is a group of people in the Region that are looking at the cost of burying those hydro lines. Would Burlington be Burlington without them?  A lot of relationships in this city got started at this gazebo – these folks are chowing down the way good friends do.  The pier got a good work out.  Doesn’t get much better than this – does it? Here is how some of the people spent Sunday.
By Staff
April 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision on Dundas St at Eaglesfield Dr in Burlington.
At about 6:10pm, a motorcycle carrying two passengers collided with a sport utility vehicle with one occupant. All three parties were pronounced dead at the scene. The road will be closed for several more hours.
The names of the deceased are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
By Staff
April 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The public school board say they want your opinion and have created a Tell Them From Me survey that is available on line – but they forgot to say just where the survey is on their website. We will check in with these people on Monday and get that information for you.
How effective is the public school board system?
Are you getting what you feel you need for the education of your children?
What does accountability mean?
Is accountability a two way street?
The people who deliver services to the public need to know what you think – if they don’t get public input they are left to do what they think is best – which isn’t always the best. Citizens have a responsibility to advise – this is your opportunity.
 Students from across the Region took part in a Skills competition in Burlington. From April 18 until May 13, 2016, all parents/guardians with children in the Halton District School Board are invited to complete the Tell Them From Me – Our School parent survey. Parents/guardians will be emailed instructions and a link to the survey starting April 18.
Parents will be asked about issues related to learning opportunities, communication, school culture, and climate. The information gathered from the survey is being used to help schools continue to create positive school climates, to inform annual bullying intervention plans, and for parents to have a voice in creating a supportive community at their school.
Students and staff are invited to complete their own Tell Them From Me survey at school. Individual responses are always grouped together for analysis. Parents may complete their survey online from wherever Internet access is available. If you do not have Internet access, please discuss alternatives with your child’s school administrator.
If you have any questions about the surveys please contact Frank Nezavdalf, Department of Research and Accountability, (905) 335-3663 ext. 3381 or by e-mail: nezavdalf@hdsb.ca.
If you have any difficulties accessing the survey or require technical assistance please contact the HDSB Information Centre at 905-333-4372 (HDSB) or 1-888-432-4372 (HDSB), Monday to Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or by emailing informationcentre@hdsb.ca
They both want and need you opinion – it is your children they are there to educate.
By Pepper Parr
April 15, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There are now have 694 Insight Community members!
In a city this size there should be at least 2500 people
Insight is the service the city has to do almost instant polling of a group of people that are fully representative of the community.
 The service was not cheap – $100,000 a year – but it is a very useful and for the most part a very accurate tool to measure public opinion.
The panel is becoming more evenly spread demographically and is sitting at 53% Male, 45% Female (2% of you preferred not to answer).
It is now quite evenly split of over the six wards in the city. The numbers have grown with each and every survey put out to the public, where there has been the option of joining the community.
The Gazette has heard of people who were not accepted into the polling group and they concluded the city knew who they were and didn’t want them within the polling group.
Nothing could be further from the truth – the city knows a lot about the people within the group – except for one thing – who you actually are.
They know your age, what you earn, where you live, what kind of a home you have, if you use transit, your education – all kinds of data – but they don’t know your name.
What polling needs is a balance in the group questions are being put to – which means you might be a 42 year old male with a college education – they may have enough of those – but need women who are single with a post graduate degree.
If you are interested in being part of the panel – apply – the people who run the service will determine if you fit into the balanced panel they maintain.
Being turned down doesn’t mean they didn’t want YOU – it meant that there were already enough people like you on the panel.
If you want to follow up on this CLICK HERE and you will get to the Insight page on the city web site.
By Staff
April 15, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Looks like a lot of people believe Spring is indeed here.
 Getting ready for golf? All those guys with the funny trousers are hauling out their bags of clubs and heading for the open spaces.
Tyandaga Golf Course will officially open for the 2016 golf season on Saturday, April 16. Golfers are invited to take advantage of a spring special on green fees which includes $45 to ride with a golf cart and $30 for golfers that are walking.
“Thanks to our maintenance crew, the course is in great condition and ready for a new golf season” so says Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation.
Tyandaga Golf Course is located at 1265 Tyandaga Park Dr. and is one of Burlington’s most picturesque and challenging golf courses. Players wishing to book a tee time can do so online at www.tyandagagolf.com.
Tyandaga offers memberships, tournaments, clinics, private lessons, men’s and women’s league play, and in-season and off-season rentals. For more information about golfing at Tyandaga, call 905-336-0005 or visit www.tyandagagolf.com.
By Staff
April 14, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
An update on the Mount Nemo Plateau Heritage Conservation District Study will be held on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Councillor John Taylor’s Ward 3 spring meeting.
While the City remains committed to protecting the special character of rural Burlington, city staff are recommending that City Council not proceed with the Mount Nemo Study.
At the meeting on May 2, city staff will:
Describe the chronology of events related to the Mount Nemo Study that have brought us to this point
Summarize the community response to the Mount Nemo Study received to date
Outline future opportunities to be involved in rural initiatives, such as the City of Burlington Official Plan Review.
 Where will the arguments to continue with the study come from? Why the shift in thinking? Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions of staff and offer comments. All questions and comments will be recorded for consideration in current and future City planning initiatives.
Date: Monday, May 2, 2016
Time: 7 – 8 p.m.
Location: Conservation Halton Auditorium, 2596 Britannia Rd, Burlington
Why the change?
Because there is a new planner running the department? Or because cuts have to be made somewhere and this isn’t worth the cost? Will not continuing with the study make any difference?
It was contentious from the beginning.
 By Staff
April 14, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Investigators have linked the April 4th 2016 robbery at the Continental Currency Exchange to a series of bank robberies in Belleville, Cobourg, Toronto and York
Region.
 Gun seized by police. Following a joint investigation with Belleville Police Service, Cobourg Police Service, Toronto Police Service and York Regional Police Service, Zak Bayfield, 40, of Whitby, was arrested on Wednesday, April 13, 2016.
He is charged with numerous criminal offences including robbery while armed with a firearm and disguise with intent in relation to this robbery.
The accused is scheduled to appear in court at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto on Thursday, April 14, 2016, in courtroom 412, at 10 a.m.
By Pepper Parr
April 14, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Police hosted a training course for new Commercial Motor Vehicle officers. Sixteen of the officers were from Halton – when they completed the three day course they were sent out with these newly acquired skills and inspected 48 commercial motor vehicles over the course of the day.
 Rigorous road inspections results in safer transport trucks on the road. Halton just completed training 16 new officers in this specialized work. Of those 48, 16 were taken out of service, a 33% failure rate. Officers laid 102 charges, seizing one license plate and vehicle which had not undergone a mandatory annual safety inspection.
The curriculum included cargo securement, hours of service limits, weight and dimension limits in Ontario, speed limiting equipment, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, hazardous material spill response, wheel detachment investigations, among others.
Drivers and operators of commercial motor vehicles are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles, as well as their loads, are inspected and safe before travel. Any defect that compromises the safe operation of a vehicle can result in it being removed from service.
The police have a Regional Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit and train their officers to have the knowledge, skills and abilities to conduct commercial vehicle safety inspections and all related commercial vehicle enforcement.
If anyone has information about any motor vehicles that are unsafe on our roads, please call 911.
By Staff
April 14, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They did get away but not by much more than the skin of their teeth.
On Tuesday, April 12th, shortly after 4:00 am, police responded to a report of two males seen at the rear of Solid Gold along with the sound of glass breaking.
 Video taken inside the Solid Gold- one suspect is pretty clear. Police arrived at the rear of Sold Gold at which time a white pickup truck with its’ headlights off and one occupant fled east over some grass onto Plains Rd and was last seen going south on Birchwood Avenue at a high rate of speed. For public safety reasons, police did not pursue this vehicle.
Officers quickly observed the rear glass door to Solid Gold was smashed and it was believed the two persons seen walking at the rear were still inside and as a result, a perimeter was established and the business was contained.
The services of the Halton Regional Police Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU) along with Canine officers and negotiators responded to the scene and efforts were made to attempt to communicate with persons inside without success and eventually, officers entered the premise and determined that the suspects were not inside.
 By the time police actually entered the Solid Gold on Plains Road the men attempting to break into as ATM machine were long gone – police have video tape to work from. Investigators have since reviewed the CCTV from inside the business and it was determined that two suspects fled out the front door of the establishment as the first police vehicle arrived at the rear and before the second police vehicle arrived on scene. The CCTV showed the two suspects inside the business for several minutes where they attempted to break into an ATM but was unsuccessful.
Police are looking for three male suspects. No description is available for the male that fled in the truck however the two suspects that entered the establishment
were wearing hoodies, masks and gloves.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Vince Couce of 3 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905) 825-4747 ext 2307 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
April 12, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The full detailed report is now on line – it’s a vital document – now all the city has to do is deliver on it.
Link to the document is at: www.burlington.ca/strategicplan
During council member comments last night Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster said “the public reads the Strategic Plan. When the 2011 Strategic Plan was released it didn’t take long for people to go through the document and remind members of council what it was they had committed to getting done.”
 Members of city council, senior staff plus people from the Region took part in a process that lasted a full year. The 2011 plan wasn’t anywhere near as detailed as the 2015-2040. The deliverables are significant and at this point in time no one is really clear on how this is going to get accomplished.
Joan Ford, city treasurer and her team will be going through the document with a fine tooth comb and beginning to attach numbers to the deliverables. The results of that analysis will get put in front of the leadership team and collectively they will attempt to determine what can be done within a very very tight financial situation.
Burlington is looking at between 3% and 4% tax increases for the next 20 years – and that is just to pay for what is on the table now.
While staff are working on the document and the ramifications that will come out of it, the city intends to put the keep the document live in real time so that on any given day any citizen can log in and see where things stand – what has been done – what has been changed.
That kind of document maintenance in real time is a challenge to say the least – the proof will be in the pudding.
What has become evident is that City Manager Ridge tends to over reach – sets out possibilities and may not really be in touch with the realities of doing business day to day.
 From the left – the two KPMG consultants, EDC executive director Frank McKeown, Councillor Paul Sharman, planner xxx and Councillor Blair Lancaster taking part in one of the Strategic Plan workshops at Lasalle Park What has to be appreciated is that Ridge has never been a city manager before; never been the man behind the desk where the buck stops.
It is going to be interesting to see how Ridge steers his staff and then manages to feed city council the information it needs to make decisions.
Councillor Taylor said this was his 9th Strategic Plan and that it was the best he has ever seen and added that it has not been costed out yet. He added as well that he could see a lot of cherry picking going on in the minds of his fellow councillors.
Taylor pointed to a major expense waiting to land on the council table – the cost of storm water management. If you are patient enough you will see a new tax initiative appear on your tax bill – no one knows what climate change is going to do to us – we do know by now that weather is changing – and that there are quite likely to be very damaging storms – the deluge in 2014 was a massive financial hit to the city. The best way to combat what appear to be inevitable is to create a tax levy that will produce a reserve to handle future costs.
 J.C. Bourne of KPMG with City Manager James Ridge and Michelle Dwyer at the last meeting of the team that put together the final draft of the Strategic Plan Michelle Dwyer who was given credit on numerous occasions during the late stages of getting the Strategic Plan into its final form, will now oversee the implementation of the plan. She intends to make extensive use of City Talk – the magazine the city publishes on a fairly regular basis.
Problem with that communication channel is that few people actually read the magazine.
Dwyer has done some superb work – there appears to be a change in her job responsibilities in the works. Stay tuned.
By Staff
April 12, 2016
BURLINGTON
At approximately 4:00 am on April 12th 2016, Halton Police responded to a break and enter in progress at Solid Gold on Plains Road East in Burlington.
Prior to police arrival, three suspects fled. Halton Police Tactical Rescue Unit, Canine, and Negotiators responded.
Hamilton Police assisted with their armoured vehicle and members of their Emergency Response Unit.
Police did not know that the break and enter suspects had fled as they cautiously approached the Solid Gold location on Plains Road No one was injured, no arrests have been made, however there is no danger to the public.
Members of the community can expect a police presence in the area while the incident is being investigated.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext. 2316 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). -30-
|
|
