 By Pepper Parr
January 8th 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Strategic plans are by seldom an easy read. They are however important – they set out where the politicians you elected want to see growth take place.
There was a time when Burlington had acres of farm land that was developed over time – the two malls we have were once very productive farmland at a time when Burlington was known around the word for the quality of its produce.
 The city – then a town – was once a produce garden known around the world. We grew and we now need a strategy to guide the growth, We shipped so much fresh fruit and vegetables that the railway had two tracks coming into what was then a town.
That was then – developers bought that farmland and put up a parking lot and added some stores along the edges. The old Burlington began to change and the downtown core that once was a place where people did gather began to wither.
 Strategic Plan is based on four strategic directions. The city believes it needs a Strategic Plan and spends a considerable amount of time and significant financial resources putting a document together and looking for public comment.
The draft version of the Strategic Plan that is now ready for public comment has four Strategic Directions: a city that moves; a city that grows; a healthy and greener city; and an engaging city.
This report takes material from the draft report and adds comments to put what the draft Strategic Plan is saying in context. See the draft plan as a piece of sales literature with one side of the story. The Gazette has added comment based on its five years of covering this council and attendance at all the meetings for the 2011 Strategic Plan and most of the meetings for the plan that is ready for public comment. The commentary is set out in bold italic.
Everything your city council wants to have happen in Burlington as it grows – and the city has to grow because the province says we must – is pinned to the four strategic directions. There was no public input on the choice of those four strategic directions. They came out of discussion and debate and wordsmithed by the consultants.
First strategic direction is related to growth. That growth is identified as coming about as the result of – economic development, intensification and smart population growth.
Each of these has a list of strategic initiatives the city will undertake and then a list of progress indicators telling us what real progress has been made.
Council wants to promote economic growth. Local incomes have risen and Burlington continues to be a prosperous city due to the co-ordinated action of the city, region, province, educational institutions and industry. The very significant increases in the selling prices of housing has made a difference as well; a recent report had the increase at the 9.2% year over year level.
More people who live in Burlington, work in Burlington and targets for employment lands have been met (15,000 new knowledge-based jobs by 2025) through the creation of an employment lands vision to unite the community, developers and industry.
 An empty lot on the North Service Road at Walkers Line was to be the home of a new IKEA – that didn’t work out but a six storey office building got built a couple of hundred yards away. The development community has been banging away at council to let quite a bit of the land set aside for employment be converted and used instead for housing – which is a lot more profitable.
The draft report claims that employment lands are connected to the community and region and include transportation links and options that are easy to access and contribute to a sustainable and walk able community. That statement is more than a bit of a stretch. A report earlier this week in the Spectator said that those who attended the Pan Am games didn’t make much use of public transit – and there is nothing wrong with the GO service.
Burlington hasn’t taken to the idea of public transit yet. When a significant number of seniors find that they can’t drive or find the traffic too congested to drive – they will make their concerns known to council and then watch how quickly city council comes onside and starts spending the gas tax rebates on transit – which is what they were intended for.
Small businesses contributes to the creation of complete neighbourhoods. Commerce aligns with land-use planning goals so that residents are close to goods and services.
Innovative, entrepreneurial businesses have settled or developed in Burlington. The city has helped create the technological support, business supports, infrastructure and educational environment to attract start-ups and growing businesses.
The people who write these reports keep saying things that are just not true – they seem to feel that if they say something often enough it will become true.
 This just isn’t a vibrant downtown – the site has been sold with yet another condominium being planned for the site – right opposite city hall. Two statements that need to be dealt with honestly – Burlington’s downtown is vibrant and thriving with greater intensification. The downtown isn’t vibrant – hasn’t been vibrant for a long, long time. Better minds than mine may know how to make it vibrant – but we aren’t there yet.
Much of the rural property is in the hands of speculators who limit what can be done with the land. There are farmers north of Dundas that would like to grow different crops but the owners of the property limit what they can grow. The City of Burlington’s rural areas will be economically and socially vibrant, producing commodities and providing unique recreational activities for the city.
How will Burlington make the growth wanted actually happen?
These are some examples of actions and measures of success:
Create an employment lands vision that drives investment and growth in the Prosperity Corridors.
 Getting the people who own the land to work with the city and develop with long term viability is the first step – some of the plans on the table for the land around the Aldershot GO station leave a lot to be desired.
Develop and put in place a redevelopment and intensification strategy for the Prosperity Corridors
Build one economic development brand for the City of Burlington that reflects the city’s economic development vision
Develop a holistic strategy for Burlington’s rural area. This strategy will consider economic, social and environmental factors in support of the rural community, agricultural industry, natural heritage and water resources
Develop a post-secondary attraction strategy.
 Something along these lines was planned for Burlington’s downtown core – but McMaster stifed the city when a nicer deal came along. There was a time when the DeGroote campus now on the South Service Road was going to be downtown on land that is currently the Elizabeth Street parking lot. That on got away on us. There has been some rumbling about perhaps getting some of the Mohawk College courses delivered in Burlington. Mohawk president Ron McKerlie says that isn’t going to happen. The one post-secondary institution we did have pulled up their stakes and moved on.
 Develop a business-friendly environment that attracts investment. The real issues is to find investors who look for long term returns and not the getting in and getting out to turn the fast buck. There is a project in the west end that the developer wants to get approved that doesn’t include very much, if anything in the way of amenities. There are developers building forms of housing that are not built that often. And at the same time there are developers prepared to work with city hall and the ward Councillors and not grab every last square foot of density available. There is a developer currently building what will amount to a new community that will house more than 2000 people.
Create and invest in a system that supports the start-up and growth of businesses and entrepreneurship. There are a lo of people who would love to know what such a system would look like. The role of government is to create the conditions needed for economic growth and then stay out of the way and let business people do what they do best. Keep the taxes low – provide services that people need fix the pot holes and keep the snow off the roads and sidewalks.
Progress indicators:
How will we know we are getting to where we want to get to?
• Median household income will rise
• Labour force by industry will tell us ho we are doing
• Industry location targets will be clearly identified
• Income distribution will be known to track inequity
• Percentage of families with low income will be lower
• Rural economic health indicator will exist
• Number of hectares of farmland under active cultivation
• Year-over-year employment land absorption
• Jobs per hectare in the urban boundary
• Percentage of the community that does not work in Burlington
• City’s gross domestic product
• Employment and unemployment rates.
There is a bit of a problem with this list of data – the city does not have a demographer on staff and without one it will be very difficult to report on any of the above. There was no mention made of hiring a demographer during the strategic plan discussions.
Intensification:
Growth is being achieved in mixed-use nodes and corridors, including mobility hubs and urban centres.
 The city defined four possible “mobility hubs” They appear to have settled on the Aldershot location. Mobility hubs are developed near each GO Station and in the downtown.
Aging plazas are being redeveloped and transformed into mixed-use neighbourhood hubs.
New/transitioning neighbourhoods are being designed to promote easy access to amenities, services and employment areas with more opportunities for walking, cycling and using public transit.
Older neighbourhoods are important to the character of Burlington and intensification will be carefully managed to respect this character.
Energy-efficient buildings and other onsite sustainable features are the norm, thereby improving Burlington’s environmental footprint. Existing buildings are being renovated to improve efficiency.
Intensification is planned so that growth is financially sustainable and supported by appropriate funding and service delivery.
Burlington has an urban core that has higher densities, green space and amenities, is culturally active and is home to a mix of residents and businesses.
Architecture, sustainable buildings and urban design excellence are being achieved through a commitment to creating public spaces where people can live, work or gather.
The city will create and implement an awards program to recognize and celebrate excellence in architecture, urban design and sustainability in all developments.
 Waterdown Road was recently widened from Hwy 403 to Plains Road. As part of an intensification exercise the planners prepared visualizations of what that Road could look like if there were some commercial development. This is what they thought possible.  This is what Waterdown Road north of Plains Road looks like today. How will Burlington make this happen?
These are some examples of actions and measures of success:
Strategic Initiatives:
The city will focus intensification to mixed-use nodes and employment corridors by updating intensification targets and co-ordinating infrastructure to achieve growth objectives. The city will incorporate revised intensification targets into its Official Plan. The city will demonstrate its commitment to growth management by preparing an intensification plan to manage projected growth and its related impacts. This will be complete in two years but will not limit prioritizing/directing intensification in the shorter term.
Through policy, the city will influence the redevelopment of aging plazas and transform them into mixed-use neighbourhood hubs.
The city will work with Halton Region and other partners to develop a servicing plan for intensification areas.
The city will conduct and implement an intensification plan that will include a specific focus on the Urban Growth Centre, and will develop a strategy for the downtown core that will promote residential and appropriate niche/boutique office development
The city will develop energy and sustainable site feature guidelines to require new/ renewed buildings to promote energy-efficient technologies.
The city will complete a city-wide fiscal impact analysis of all forms of development
The city will put in place the recommendations of Core Commitment in the downtown and extend, where possible, recommendations to other urban centres.
The city will create an independent capacity study to understand and comment on real estate economics and trends.
The city will create a design review panel and put in place an awards program to achieve excellence in architecture, urban design and sustainability.
Progress Indicators:
Percentage of aging commercial plazas that have redeveloped
Percentage of mobility hubs that are developed
Intensification (Jobs/people per hectare) for mobility hubs, urban centres, urban corridors, commercial plazas and urban employment areas.
Smart Population Growth:
Burlington is an inclusive city that has a higher proportion of youth, newcomers and young families and offers a price range and mix of housing choices.
Seniors are supported by a strategy that promotes health, recreation, transportation and aging in place.
How will Burlington make this happen?
These are some examples of actions and measures of success:
Strategic Initiatives:
 Fairview was seen as a street with people walking and lanes for cyclists. That’s not what it is today. Future development will be higher density, walkable, accessible and transit- oriented. The city will become a leader in walkability scores in the province, and will be fully aligned with provincial strategy and goals.
The city will prioritize one mobility hub, and will work with partners to ensure resources are available to allow the development to proceed in a timely way. The prioritized hub will be included in the Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan. Stakeholders will be consulted to help gain consensus.
Within two years, the city will develop a strategy in co-operation with other levels of government to support young families:
Housing supply will allow young families and newcomers to locate in Burlington
Infrastructure will support the economic, social and community goals of youth, young families and newcomers.
Within four years, the city will develop an economic migrant outreach and liaison office to attract investor/entrepreneur class immigrants, while remaining a destination of choice for all immigrants, including refugees.
An Age Friendly strategy for seniors will be developed within three years to ensure sufficient seniors’ programming space is provided throughout the city.
The city will improve its ability to monitor, track and understand Burlington’s demographic growth trends and profile.
If you give them enough rope – they eventually hang themselves – what’s with all the “within” dates? Do your best and try not to set yourselves up for failure by attaching a specific date to something you may have little control over.
Progress Indicators:
Walkability score applied to intensification and population growth
Population by demographics
Median age
Immigration numbers and percentages
Household size
Median housing price
Mix of available housing types.
More data is always nice – the capacity to make decisions is what taxpayers both look for and expect.
The remaining three Strategic Directions will be detailed in a follow up article.
There are three more public information sessions on the draft Strategic Plan; January 13 and January 18th.
 By Staff
January 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service Human Trafficking and Vice Unit (HTVU) have arrested a Burlington male for trafficking a person under 18 years of age.
On January 8th 2016, the HTVU arrested Troy Terrance TAYLOR (21 years of age) for several human trafficking offences. The investigation revealed that TAYLOR had been trafficking a female minor for the purposes of sexual exploitation for a prolonged period of time.
Troy Terrance TAYLOR was charged with the following offences:
• Forcible Confinement – Section 279(2)
• Utter death threats – Section 264(1)(a)
• Assault with a Weapon – Section 267
• Trafficking in persons under 18 Section 279.011(1)
• Living on the avails of prostitution under eighteen – Section 212(2)
• Receiving material benefits – Section 279.02
• Receiving financial material benefits (child victim) – Section 286.2(2)
• Exercise control – Section 212(1) (h)
• Knowingly advertise – Section 286.4
• Make child pornography – Section 163.1(2)
• Sexual exploitation of a young person – Section 153 (1) (b)
TAYLOR will appear in Milton Court on January 11th 2016.
Investigators believe that TAYLOR is not involved with trafficking any unknown victims at this time.
 By Staff
January 12, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
An information release from the office of MP Karina Gould announces that Not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees looking to hire full-time workers for summer 2016 can now apply for funding under the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program.
 Summer employment has been the beginning of a lot of careers. CSJ creates summer job opportunities and valuable work experience specifically for youth aged 15 to 30 intending to return to their studies in the next school year. The program’s aim is also to help employers create summer job opportunities that focus on priorities important to their local communities, which could include special events such as sporting or cultural occasions.
In Burlington, the priorities focus on local special events and festivals, advanced manufacturing, tourism, and organizations that provide programs and services for seniors or disadvantaged community groups, but all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. It is hoped that a number of employers will come forward with applications which will also complement a number of national priorities, including support for:
• employers who help welcome and settle Syrian refugees to Canada, as well as Syrian students;
• Indigenous people, who are among the fastest-growing segments of the Canadian population;
• small businesses working to become more innovative, competitive and successful, in recognition of their key contribution to the creation of new jobs; and
• cultural and creative industries looking to create jobs and to strengthen our rich Canadian identity. This latter priority will support the planning of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.
The application period runs from January 4, 2016, to February 26, 2016. Applicants approved for funding will be able to hire students as early as May 2016.
 An education is part of getting a job – some experience helps. For further information and to apply, please visit www.servicecanada.gc.ca/csj or visit a Service Canada Centre.
Canada Summer Jobs is part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, which is its commitment to help young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market.
By Staff
January 11, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Revised with additional police information.
It was cold out there last night – police report that a male was seen breaking into cars in the area of Walkers Line and Medland Drive, in the City of Burlington.
Police responded and after a short foot pursuit an adult male was taken into custody. A quantity of property was recovered, but officers are unable to determine how many vehicles in the area may have been entered.
The first call to the police was at 12:55 AM, when a resident of Medland Drive as woken by a sound outside and looked to see a male wearing a black hooded jacket rummaging through his vehicle which was parked in the driveway.
The male then exited the vehicle and walked away in a southbound direction at which time police were called.
As a result of a canine track, the male was located hiding behind a tree on Walkers Line where he attempted to run from police however he was quickly apprehended after a brief physical confrontation where he tried to resist being arrested.
The male was found to have a significant amount of property in his possession that was believed to have been stolen from other vehicles. This property consisted of change, metal cigarette container, sunglasses, several bottles of cologne & aftershave, gift cards, blue headband, silver pendant and a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey puck. The owners of this property have yet to be identified. Anyone missing such items are encouraged to call the investigating officer.
Arrested and held for bail is:
Michael Kenneth MORSE (34 yrs) of Main Street West in Hamilton
Charges:
Trespassing by night
Assault with intent to resist arrest
Possession of property obtained by crime
Breach probation.
Anyone with information are asked to contact Det. Ellie Bale of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Crime Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2312 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The Halton Police are continuing their investigation – they may well be getting calls from drivers who have discovered their cars were broken into last night.
If you have any information regarding this theft investigation, or you may be a possible victim, call us at 905-925-4747.
 By Pepper Parr
January 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was fine event – came off without a hitch and was different enough for people to perhaps return to next year.
It was the New Year’s Levee sponsored by the MP and the MPP for Burlington and they basically ate the Mayor’s lunch.
 It was a very respectable crowd – the public clearly wanted to take part in a New Year’s Levee. In Ontario the Levee has traditionally been a civic event. While MP Gould and MPP McMahon were doing their thing Oakville mayor Rob Burton was holding his levee. Burlington gave up on levees sometime ago.
No one knows where Mayor Goldring was – we didn’t see him.
 Levee participants were given the run of the Art Gallery and an opportunity to see how the politicians handled some of the equipment. MPP Eleanor McMahon tried her hand at one of the looms – she seemed surprised that she was able to make something. Gould and McMahon found a way to make the event more than just a bunch of speeches – they used the Art Gallery of Burlington as a backdrop and had tour guides to tell people what was done in the various Guild’s that were open. It worked very well and gave the Art Gallery of Burlington more visitors than they get normally. One of those win – win situations.
 MP Karina Gould enjoying a moment with two new Canadians at the New Year’s Day Levee held on Sunday. And they found a few ways to include the ethnic communities by handing out the very attractive folder that new Canadians are given with their Citizenship certificates There were 109 of those certificates to be handed out – they didn’t all show up – but many of them did and they were made to feel very welcome.
 Citizenship certificates for new Canadians – there were 109 of them on hand. It was a family event – there were art rooms for the kids to draw and paint.
There were several food tables set up- strawberries dipped in chocolate, nibblies and coffee, tea and juices.
There was no receiving line – and the two woman chose to be very casual. One of the Deputy Police chief’s was on hand – not in uniform.
It was casual, easy going and an opportunity to network like crazy.
 Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff is shown how wool is prepared for a spinning wheel. Pam Damoff, the MP for Oakville North Burlington wasn’t front and center – she got tied down at the Oakville Levee (held by the Mayor over there) – happens when your constituency bridges the two municipalities.
There are in Burlington those old timers who remember the days when the New Year’s Levee took place at city hall. One such city stalwart got into his car with his wife and drove to the Art Gallery New Year’s Day at the appointed hour – found the parking lot empty and is reported to have said to his wife – what if you had a party and nobody came.
Yesterday they did come – thanks to MP Karina Gould and MPP Eleanor McMahon for holding the event. Jazz it up and bit and keep it fresh.
 By Pepper Parr
January 10, 2016
BURLINGTON,ON
When it rains, many of the people in the east end of the city – especially if they live in the Tuck Creek – Regal Road part of town look up to the sky and at the level of water in the creek if they live close to one.
 Tuck Creek has not gone over its banks – but we didn’t get that much rain – unsettling to the people who live along that creek. It will be a decade before they trust the banks of those creeks and whatever the city and the Region or the Conservation Authority have put in place to manage exceptionally high rain.
It was a very small proportion of Burlington’s population that suffered from the rain that fell for a solid day and dumped 191 MM of rain in a single day.
 Tuck Creek – fast running water – and not all that much rain. The provincial government did come through with funding and the community raised just shy of $1 million in a 100 day time frame to help with the devastation 272 family underwent.
Recovering from that flood was a magnificent act on the part of the citizens and the commercial community.
The pictures of Tuck Creek that accompany this article were taken by Carol Gottlob who gets passionate about the state of the creeks – especially Tuck creek.
The water levels are high – and there wasn’t that much rain. Has Tuck Creek been upgraded, repaired, fixed – whatever it needs to prevent the flooding we experienced in 2014?
 A full day of rain made this happen – have the fixes that were needed been put in place to prevent this kind of flooding? The flood experience changed many lives forever – the financial support helped – but those properties are not worth what they used to be.
Background: A reader asked if we would provide a link to a more detailed report on the flood and how it happened.
Detailed flood report
 By Vince Fiorito
January 9th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Respectfully, I must disagree with Premier Kathleen Wynne that the LCBO should control marijuana sales in Ontario. If the only issue associated with selling recreational drugs like tobacco, alcohol and marijuana was just keeping them out of reach of our youth during their formative years then I would agree. I would also add that the LCBO and Brewers Retail are models of environmentally friendly packaging and recycling. Bravo.
 “My problems with the LCBO and Brewers Retail are their size, their undue control of the alcohol industry as a regulated monopoly and their limited liability. These organizations have a profit motive to promote and encourage increased alcohol consumption. These organization do not fund drug rehabilitation and counseling programs to reduce the harm to the individual and society from recreational alcohol consumption. ” A large powerful corporation like the LCBO would influence and eventually dictate government policy and control production, like they do now regarding alcohol. Not every bottle of wine or beer gets on an LCBO shelf, to the detriment of small wineries and microbreweries.
Recreation drug policy goals should include educating the public on the risks associated with recreational drug use, with a long term objective to decrease demand.
I believe in a “least harm” approach to guide marijuana decriminalization. I believe that current marijuana laws are more harmful to society and the individual than marijuana use itself. I support marijuana legalization, provided marijuana consumption is regulated to reduce harm to the individual and society. We should not allow large powerful corporations in this business as they become too powerful and difficult to control. For example, because the LCBO is so powerful, we are currently stuck with a system which promotes and encourages alcohol consumption to the benefit of other large corporations and small producers cannot compete fairly with large corporations.
We should not make the same mistakes with the emerging recreational marijuana industry as we already made with the recreational alcohol industry, that are now difficult to change.
 Marijuana on sale $8 a gram – wide selection. The marijuana industry should be deliberately regulated as sole proprietorships and partnerships to maintain control and create the maximum number of small businesses and jobs. Corporations with limited liability and profit sharing should be kept out of the recreational marijuana industry. Only those directly involved should share the risk and reward of marijuana production, distribution and sales. No profit sharing with limited liability. Overt public advertising should be prohibited, respecting the rights of parents to control what their children know and people who don’t want to see, hear or know about it. A simple standardized symbol over the door of a discreet marijuana cafe is enough.
 People entering a marijuana establishment give implied consent to see legal advertising and promotions inside. Locations of marijuana shops should be strictly controlled by municipal government through zoning and by laws, and they may levy additional taxes. Marijuana production, distribution and sales should be monitored closely for abuses and if the owner/operator breaks the law, they lose their marijuana licenses and face punitive sanctions. Fines for smoking marijuana in public places, similar to tobacco. People may grow a few plants for personal use, similar to vegetables. Need a license to sell.
Corporate control of the marijuana industry, which promotes consumption could lead to marijuana becoming as big of a problem for the individual and society as alcohol is now. If we can’t implement this change in a way that reduces harm to the individual and society, then I would rather marijuana remained illegal with a punitive fine for possession.
 By Staff
January 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Halton Regional Police Service, Burlington station, reached out to the public for help locating wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions. The results of this initiative were impressive.
Week 1 – Raymond FRENCH (WANTED)
Outstanding charges for stealing $15000 from a senior’s home whom he befriended
Week 2 – Curtis KOMP (ARRESTED FOUR DAYS AFTER THE RELEASE)
Located and arrested in Ottawa as a result of several tips to police from the public
Remains in custody awaiting trial
Week 3 – Kenneth MOODIE (WANTED)
Several outstanding charges for Drinking and Driving related offences
Week 4 – Scottie RYERSON (ARRESTED SAME DAY OF RELEASE)
Accused turned himself in to Halton Police as a result of the media release and attention
Week 5 – Mark AUBERTIN (ARRESTED IN HAMILTON)
Several outstanding charges in Halton for Break and Enter Commit x 8, Mischief under $5000 x 8, Fail to Comply Recognizance x 6, Possession of Break and Enter Instruments x 2, Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Fail to Attend Court
Week 6 – Michael RAMSAY (ARRESTED)
Accused turned himself in to Halton Police as a result of the media release and attention, arrangements made through his lawyer.
Week 7 – Milan SUCHY and Blanka DOLEZALOVA (WANTED – PARTIES RESIDING OUT WEST, ONGOING EFFORTS TO EXECUTE WARRANTS)
Accused have outstanding charges for Fraud Under $5000, Theft Under $5000, Possession of Stolen Property x 2 and Fail to Re-Attend Court.
Week 8 – Sean KELLY (WANTED) and Jessica HAYNES (ARRESTED)
Jessica was located and arrested in Waterdown by Burlington CIB officers as a result of information received.
Sean remains wanted on outstanding charges for Fraud Under $5000, Theft Under $5000, Personation with Intent and Fail to Re-Attend Court.
Week 9 – Bryon BULLIED (WANTED)
Several outstanding charges in relation to stealing from an elderly male who was confined to his home
Outstanding charges include Theft under $5000 x 3, Unauthorized use of a Credit Card x 3, Fail to Comply with Undertaking, Breach of Probation Order
Accused is also wanted by Ottawa Police for Possession of a Substance x 2, Breach of Probation x 2 and Fail to Appear
Week 10 – Brennen BOWLEY (ARRESTED)
Accused turned himself in to Hamilton Police.
Accused had several outstanding charges with Halton Police, Hamilton Police and Niagara Police
Outstanding charges include Break and Enter Place, Dangerous Operation Motor Vehicle, Fail to Re-Attend Court, Fail to Comply Recognizance x 12, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession under $5000 x 3, Possession over $5000 x 2, Fail to Comply Probation x 2, Break and Enter Commit x 2, Theft under $5000 and Theft of Motor Vehicle
Week 11 – Corey Rodgers (ARRESTED)
Wanted for Assault with a Weapon, Assault and Fail to Attend Court
Week 12 – Marcin SYDOR (WANTED)
Wanted for Theft over $5000, Theft under $5000 x 3, Break and Enter with Intent, Mischief under $5000 x 2, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Breach of Probation and Fail to Re-Attend Court
The accused is also wanted by Hamilton Police for Fraud over $5000, Fraud under $5000 x 7, Breach of Probation, Fail to Comply Recognizance x 2, Breach of Undertaking x 2, Possess – Use of Credit Card x 29
Week 13 – Michael CRICK (ARRESTED), Ashley JACOBS (WANTED) ( JACOBS currently residing in Quebec, efforts on-going to execute her warrants)
JACOBS is wanted for Assault, Breach of Probation, Fail to Comply Undertaking and Fail to Attend Court
CRICK was wanted Theft under $5000 x 2, Fail to Re-Attend Court and Fail to Comply Probation
Week 14 – Ahmad ALAMI (ARRESTED)
ALAMI was located and arrested by Niagara Police as a result of tips received
Week 15 – Beth MICHAUD (ARRESTED)
MICHAUD surrendered to Police as a result of pressure associated with her media release
Week 16 – Darnell PARCHMENT-YATES (ARRESTED)
PARCHMENT-YATES was wanted for Theft under $5000 x 4, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime x 2 and Fail to Appear Court
Week 17 – Korde HILL (WANTED)
HILL is wanted for Theft of Motor Vehicle and Possession of Stolen Property
HILL is also wanted by Six Nations Police Service for Possession of Break and Enter Instruments, Occupy Motor Vehicle without Consent and Possession of CDSA
Week 18 – Matthew PARSONS (WANTED)
PARSONS is wanted for Theft under $5000 x 2, Possession of Schedule III x 2, Fail to Re-Attend Court and Fail to Appear Court x 3
Week 19 – Ryan Andrew WOOD (WANTED) (Believed to be in BC, efforts on-going to execute warrant)
WOOD is wanted for Trafficking Schedule I, Fraud under $5000, Public Mischief, Fail to Comply with Recognizance x 2, Fail to Re-Attend Court x 2
He is also wanted by Hamilton Police Service for Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking – Schedule II, Production Schedule II – Marihuana and Fail to Re-Attend Court
Week 20 – Joshua WEEDMARK (WANTED)
Weedmark is wanted for Mischief – Interfere with Law, Mischief under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation and Fail to Re-Attend Court
Week 21 – Christian Stuart DRENNAN (ARRESTED)
Possession of a Schedule I, Possession of Schedule II, Care or Control – Impaired, Fail to Re-Attend Court
Week 22 – Brennan HOWE-PATTISON (ARRESTED)
Assault with a Weapon, Assault, Mischief under $5000, Breach of Probation
Week 23 – Trevor Grant ADAMS (ARRESTED)
Assault with a Weapon, Assault, Mischief under $5000, Breach of Probation
Week 24 – Michael DAWE (ARRESTED)
Possession of a Weapon – Dangerous Purpose, Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon, Conspiracy to Commit and Indictable Offence, Fail to Re-Attend Court
Week 25 – Vezio CARDULLO (ARRESTED)
Theft under $5000 x 3
Week 26 – Beth MICHAUD (ARRESTED)
Fraud under $5000 x 2, Uttering Forged Documents x 2 and Fail to Appear Court x 2
Week 27 – Jordan MILLER (WANTED)
Possession of Stolen Property under $5000, Breach of Probation Order x 2
Also wanted by Brant OPP and Brantford Police
Week 28 – Donald Ray McGILL (ARRESTED)
Driving while Impaired, Driving over 80mgs, Fail to Re-Attend Court
Week 29 – Scott MacDONALD (ARRESTED)
Theft under, Fail to Comply Undertaking x 2, Fail to Comply Probation
Week 30 – Nicholas SAWADSKI (ARRESTED)
Theft under $5000, Fail to Comply Probation, Fail to Re-Attend Court
Week 31 – Samantha Rose DUNLOP (WANTED)
Theft under $5000, Fail to Comply Undertaking x 2, Fail to Comply Probation
Week 32 – JASON KEARNS (ARRESTED)
Possession of Ammunition while Prohibited, Possession of a Firearm while Prohibited, Knowledge of Unauthorized Firearm, Possession of a Prohibited/Restricted Firearm, Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm, Breach of Firearms Regulation, Possession for the Purpose – Cocaine
Week 33 – Rob NELSON (ARRESTED)
Drive Impaired, Fail/Refuse Breath Sample, Fail to Appear Court
Week 34 – Benjamin BRZEZINSKI (ARRESTED)
Theft under $5000 x 2, Fail to Comply Probation x 4
Week35 – Kerry Lee HENWOOD (WANTED)
Theft under $5000 x 3, Use of Credit Card x 7
HENWOOD is also wanted by Hamilton Police Service for Fraud under $5000 x 7
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live out in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place. Every Friday, the Burlington Offender Management Unit will share information on a wanted person in hopes that the public can assist in locating the individual.
The police share “Fugitive Friday” information on their website and via social media through Twitter @HRPSBurl and @HaltonPolice.
“The 2015 Fugitive Friday project has been a success as the sharing of information publicly has led to numerous wanted person being arrested and brought to court to answer to the charges against them. It is due to our concerned community, those that helped spread the wanted information via social media, that we have affected 23 arrests out of 37 wanted persons” said Detective Constable Calvin Bulbrook, the officer who brought the idea to Burlington..
Anyone who may have witnessed these wanted persons or has information that would assist investigators in locating them are encouraged to contact D/C Bulbrook – Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Offender Management Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2346 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).
Comment on the Fugitive Friday initiative and the role media plays.
By Pepper Parr
January 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police released the results of their Friday Fugitive initiative today – the results are impressive – 23 of the 37 people they were looking for were arrested.
Pictures of each of the wanted people, provided to us by the police, were published by the Gazette.
 Publishing this picture now is entertainment. Some of these people had very long criminal histories and would appear to still be living the life of a criminal. Several were preying on older people unable to protect themselves. Many of the people the police were looking for were wanted for failing to appear before a judge once they were released on bail.
 Is publishing this picture also entertainment – the person happens to be a very dangerous individual. The police spend a lot of time and financial resources apprehending the people wanted for committing criminal acts. They get to court and are released on bail – which means the police have to go looking for them all over again.
 Jails are expensive places to operate. Should we jail people who fail to appear for a court hearing? If we don’t – what happens to public respect for the justice system? Keep them in jail would seem to be the sensible thing to do. Problem with that is keeping people in jail is an expensive proposition. The criminal justice system seems to prefer to let them out and then have them re-arrested. Cheaper – but it also impacts on the respect the public has for the criminal justice system. For the rule of law to be effective there has to be strong public respect for that rule of law. Without it – we slide into anarchy and that is not a pretty picture.
 Commonly called “super max” it is a provincial jail in Penetang where dangerous people are kept for long periods o time. There are frequent riots at this jail. We are a civilized society with some very intelligent people working at the justice ministry – the public deserves to have the problem of how we handle people who consistently fail to appear in court when they are released on bail.
Our member of the provincial legislature might want to tackle this problem and see what she can get done.
As we reviewed the Fugitive Friday initiative, looking at the pictures of the people the police wanted to apprehend we were struck by the number of very young men who had run afoul of the law. Some of them were not much beyond boys and we wondered if we were serving a useful purpose by publishing their pictures know that once on the internet they are there for a long time – a long long time.
The Gazette has heard from several of those the police arrested in the past asking us to take down their picture. Is that our role?
Are we to be the judges of whose picture stays up and whose picture does not remain in the public domain?
One young man had several people write on his behalf – and we took the picture off the internet – but that really isn’t the role media plays.
At some point some prominent personality will have a relative or a family member that got themselves into a spot of trouble, made it into the media and asked if we could just quietly delete what was written.
It troubles us – is that our role? We don’t think so.
Do we remove all those who have been arrested and just keep those the police are still looking for?
Whose interests did we serve by publishing the results of the 2015 Fugitive Friday successes?
Do we know if the people who were wanted were actually found guilty?
What if they were acquitted – do we have the right to keep the “wanted by the police” information on the Gazette web site?
By Pepper Parr
January 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Is here a threat to the nascent growth that has been percolating in the cultural field in Burlington?
Last year there were a number of events that took place which added to the health of local culture – one being the national Culture Days initiative that was developed to create a source of information on events taking place across the country and to promote those events.
Local artists could post their event and communities were encouraged to work locally with artists from every discipline possible.
 Donna Grandid, a noted Burlington artists was front and center during a recent Culture Days event. Burlington climbed aboard the Culture Days train last year and the year before that and the sense was that the city would continue to put resources into the event.
Apparently the city isn’t going to have any staff working on the Culture Days initiative in 2016.
Why not ? – the view appears to be that if artists want the event to happen – then let them make it happen.
Burlington’s growth as a cultural destination is not yet at the point where it can fly on its own; it is going to need nurturing for a number of years.
Burlington has a manager of culture events who has some support from a part time assistant. There are times when culture file gets very busy and additional support is needed.
 Angela Paparizo and Trevor Copp – both strong advocates for a more robust Burlington with a higher cultural profile. Angela Paparizo is the manager of culture events and was reporting to the one general manager the city had. It isn’t clear yet who Paparizo will report to now that the city no longer has any general managers. The understanding is that city manager James Ridge now chairs the Cultural Action Plan implementation committee.
There was some talk that the culture file will move back into Parks and Recreation where it languished for years.
Culture and sports are two different animals and in Burlington they have not mixed very well in the past.
Fortunately for the arts crowd, the city is in the process of finalizing its operations budget – this is the time for the arts community to delegate and ensure that the gains they have made do not get lost while the city manager figures out what he wants in the way of an organizational structure.
Ridge is focused on getting a Strategic Plan in place; getting a budget approved and then getting back to the Official Plan review that sort of got put on hold.
While there is a Cultural Action Plan along with a Committee to implement that plan, other than the city manager’s blessing it doesn’t appear to have much more propelling it.
The Strategic Plan has cultural arms and legs sticking out all over the place – but as one commentator put it – is the city going to walk the talk?
There is that old phrase that reporters use when they want to figure out what’s going on – follow the money.
How much has been allocated to culture? And then where are the human resources to support what has to be done if culture is to get to the point where it has lift off.
The city has an excellent Performing Arts Centre that has experienced several years of strong successes; the Art Gallery has new leadership – the Museums are still there with Ireland House is a sterling example of how local history can be made part of the cultural scene. Poor Joseph Brant is not getting the same treatment – but with different leadership that too might change.
 Maureen Barry, CEO of the Burlington Public Library and a consummate professional has overseen the move deeper into electronic media yet keeping real books on shelves. There is a clear cluster of cultural nodes in this city – they need to be pulled together and given strong executive leadership.
Who could do that – Maureen Barry – she will shoot me for saying this – but she is one of the best executives we have in the city with a better big picture of culture than anyone else on the horizon.
That’s just an opinion.
By Staff
January 7, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The suspect vehicle in this matter has been located in the area of Woodland Avenue and New Street in Burlington.
Shortly before 12:00 PM on this date, an observant citizen located the vehicle unoccupied and contact police.
The vehicle involved was reported stolen to the Stratford Police Service. The theft and subsequent fail to remain are still under investigation.
Halton Regional Police are seeking public assistance in locating a vehicle involved in a hit and run that occurred at 1225 Fairview Street in Burlington.
On January 6th 2016 shortly after 3:10 PM, an unknown male operating a blue Chevrolet Silverado dually 4X4 with stolen licence plates, cut off another motorist which resulted in the motorist following the pickup truck to a mall parking lot where it came to a stop.
 As the motorist was about to exit his vehicle, the dually suddenly reversed into the other vehicle at a significant speed to cause considerable damage including airbag deployment.
The pickup truck then fled the lot and was last seen travelling west on Fairview Street towards Maple Avenue.
The suspect driver is described as a white male, 35 to 44 years of age, 190lbs, average build, scruffy brown hair, teeth are stained and possibly missing a tooth. He was wearing a black baseball hat, light and dark brown leather jacket.
Anyone with information that would assist in locating the suspect vehicle or identifying the suspect are encouraged to contact Constable Phil Bibawi at 905 825-4747 extension 2305 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
January 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board has welcomed 12 Syrian students in Milton, Oakville and Burlington since December of 2015.
The Board has been advised an additional 13 students are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. While Halton Region is not among the seven communities designated to receive federally-sponsored Syrian refugees, the Board anticipates more refugees will be arriving in the coming months as Halton is a location of choice for many privately sponsored refugees.
 Syrian children at a refugee camp in Jordan learning something about Canada. Halton, and Ontario, are home to one of the most diverse populations in the world, where generations have come to build new lives. According to the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC Connections), approximately 100 refugees are welcomed to Halton on an annual basis. The current commitment to resettle Syrian refugees will increase the number of those settling in Halton in 2016.
To date, the Halton District School Board has supported the settlement and inclusion of refugees into our elementary and secondary schools and communities through our Welcome Centre, located inside Gary Allan High School in Milton (the former E.C. Drury High School) at 215 Ontario St South.
“We are pleased that in our own small way, we are contributing to the much needed aid of those who have lived through and continue to face great challenges in their homeland, says Stuart Miller, Director of Education for the Halton District School Board. “We are grateful for the opportunity to support our Federal and Provincial governments in this humanitarian cause.”
 City hall staff refugee fund very close to its target. The following actions are being taken by the Halton District School Board to ensure a successful transition for Syrian refugees:
• With support from, and in consultation with, the Ministry of Education and the Federal government, the Halton District School Board will help settle Syrian refugees and integrate them into our communities, through our Welcome Centre, and into our elementary and secondary schools.
• All students who are new to the Halton District School Board and who speak a language other than English as their first language visit the Welcome Centre as their point of entry to receive settlement supports and academic assessments.
• The Halton District School Board’s School Programs department is developing English Literacy Development (ELD) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programming and instructional supports and resources for teachers.
• ESL instructional program leaders, in coordination with the Welcome Centre and schools, will support classroom learning and co-curricular experiences in academically appropriate and culturally responsive and relevant approaches. Examples of some resources developed include Q&A scenario-based documents, lesson plans appropriate to English Proficiency Assessment levels and entry points within the grade and subject curriculum, Arabic specific teaching tools and lessons to include all students in literacy learning through Arabic/English translation.
• A central resource teacher will be assigned to assist with the process of coordinating support for schools for ESL and ELD students. Based on volume and levels of language proficiency, schools may need assistance in integrating refugee students.
• School administrators will attend professional learning sessions with their ESL/ELD teachers to learn about targeted and focused supports for welcoming students and families, engaging newcomer families into school life, and developing a support network to enhance and enrich the learning experiences and inclusion of all newcomers in their communities.
• Ongoing support for all newcomers to the Halton District School Board includes orientation programs about the Ontario educational system and requirements. Newcomers are also provided information about the processes and programs specific to the Halton District School Board, the provision of interpretation services, as well as the translation of Board and school documents. Furthermore, information about parent and student engagement through Community Connects programming is available to promote academic success and social and emotional health.
• Many schools are engaged in initiatives to support Syrian refugees as they arrive and continue to grow and learn and become members of our Halton communities. For example, Oodenawi Public School in Oakville has developed ‘play kits’ to provide to students when they arrive at the Welcome Centre. The Halton Learning Foundation provides donations to students in need, including Syrian refugees.
The city of Burlington staff have created a fund to support a refugee family – they are very close to their objective.
 By Staff
January 6th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Arms Reach is a video installation by Jenn E Norton that depicts a haptic labyrinth.
 Jenn E. Norton, Arms Reach, 35 minute, video installation, 2016. Pain, tactility, and thermoception are guides in this maze that can only be solved through touch, accompanied by a haunting score by musician Bry Webb of the Constantines.
Jenn E. Norton’s Arms Reach on now at AGB until January 31, 2016
The work is in the RBC Community Gallery.
Jenn E. Norton, Arms Reach, 35 minute, video installation, 2016.
 By Staff
January 6th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Siemens Canada recently provided $155,000 worth of refurbished computer laptops and programming licences, as well as volunteer support towards educational activities for the Halton District School Board.
 Laptops donated to Halton students – software included. Siemens partnered with Corporations for Community Connections (CFCC), a Canadian charity specializing in the refurbishment and charitable distribution of donated decommissioned corporate computers, to provide 140 refurbished laptops to the Board. All donated laptops were prepared and tested during CFCC workshops, primarily staffed by Siemens volunteers at the end of November.
Laptops will support elementary and secondary schools. Eighty of them will be used in the elementary Robotics program in 16 elementary schools while the remaining 60 laptops will be used to support Technological Design courses and upcoming Robotics projects at secondary schools. The laptops will also assist in preparing students for the Architectural and Mechanical CADD competitions in the Halton Skills Competition.
Dave Lewis, Coordinator, Instructional Program Leader for Technological Education for the Halton District School Board said “ “We are excited for the Siemens contribution as the laptop donation will support STEM learning at elementary and secondary school levels,”
“We also look forward to using the Siemens-provided software in our classrooms and hope to explore new possibilities in 3-D design.”
 Oooops!
It happens.
Mistakes get made.
Some of the dates for the public meetings on the Strategic Plan were changed – and we missed updating our data base.
Earlier today we published a list of dates that were incorrect.
Sorry – the correct dates are set out below.
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016
Robert Bateman High School
5151 New St.
Cafeteria
7 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016
Burlington Senior Centre
2285 New St.
Multi-purpose Room
7 – 9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
LaSalle Park Pavilion
50 North Shore Blvd. E.
Main Hall (upper level)
7 – 9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
Mountainside Recreation Centre
2205 Mount Forest Dr.
Community Room 2
7 – 9 p.m.
By Staff
January 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Another FIRST!
The Halton District School Board will be hosting its 2016 FIRST – For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology this Saturday, January 9, 2016.
 Will it work? The level of concentration is intense. Approximately 450 students, teachers, community mentors and parents are expected to attend the Saturday, January 9, 2016 kickoff, starting at 9:00 am at the New Street Education Centre (3250 New Street, Burlington). Students and mentors will receive this year’s robotic challenge and will have six weeks to build their team’s robot before taking it to competitions across North America.
During the January 9 event, Siemens Canada, a key sponsor of the Halton District School Board’s Robotics program, will be recognized for its continued involvement.
 These are the students that are going to come up with the ideas that will make this planet a better place to live on – won’t they? The Board will also unveil a new partnership with ArcelorMittalDofasco, on a new Advanced Manufacturing program that will start in September 2016 at M. M. Robinson High School. The program is aimed at encouraging students to consider employment in the skilled trades, and engineering and technologies sectors.
 By Pepper Parr
January 5th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The city is getting close to having a Strategic Plan it will take to Council for approval.
Strategic Plans are created by each Council which they use to set out what they plan to do during their tem of office.
Traditionally a Strategic Plan is to cover the term of office for the city council that created the document.
This time around council has stretched the document to cover a twenty-five year time frame – however any future council I not committed to anything a previous council put in place.
The 2011 Strategic Plan was a relatively strong document, especially when compared to those done previously which were not much more than a collection of nice pictures and a lot of fluffy rhetoric.
 Members of city council, staff and people from the Region took part in the discussion and debate on the several drafts of the Strategic Plan that the public now gets to comment on. The draft plan which has gone through a number of drafts with significant changes made at each version. Much of the creation of the document this time around was done by the consultants. KPMG, the city hired to work with them. The consultants would listen, prepare a document and bring it back for solid discussion and debate.
The version the public will see is the draft that members of council are content with for the most part. Now they want to hear what the citizen’s wants to say about the document.
Residents from across Burlington are invited to attend one of four upcoming open houses; the first has already taken place. There are three scheduled for January:
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2016
Robert Bateman High School
5151 New St.
Cafeteria
7 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016
Burlington Senior Centre
2285 New St.
Multi-purpose Room
7 – 9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
LaSalle Park Pavilion
50 North Shore Blvd. E.
Main Hall (upper level)
7 – 9 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 18, 2016
Mountainside Recreation Centre
2205 Mount Forest Dr.
Community Room 2
7 – 9 p.m.
 By Staff
January 5, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Conservation has told us what we kind of figured out on our own – winter is here!
And the good folks at Glen Eden want everyone to know that the snowmaking team is making snow and expect to have the hill set to open this Friday, January 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
 Glen Eden expects to have five lifts open for Friday. Glen Eden is anticipating having five lifts and eight runs open for the weekend. There will be a Terrain Park setup as well for the snowboarders.
Additional details will be posted later this week.
The Tube Park will not be open this weekend at Glen Eden, more information on that later in the week.
“We’re still making snow for a good portion of this week and the goal is to have as many runs and terrain open as we can for our opening this weekend,” said Sean Durkin, Manager Glen Eden.
 All downhill from here. Glen Eden is home to one of the largest Snow Schools in Ontario, with a wide selection of programs from classic Core Programs to a new spin on specialty programs that are now part of the Academy Programs. Visit the Glen Eden website, www.gleneden.on.ca, or call Visitor Services at 905-878-5011, ext. 1221, for more information.
The Terrain Park is where a lot of the action happens at Glen Eden. The “Big” Parks, Nighthawk and Falcon during peak season have upwards of 40 of the most progressive features dedicated to these two runs. Glen Eden has lots of options for keeping things fresh while pushing your limits and developing your skills.
By Staff
January 5th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police take impaired driving very seriously.
Impaired driving by both alcohol and drug is a costly risk many drivers continue to take. Officers take an aggressive approach to combat impaired driving throughout the year and work in close partnership with M.A.D.D. Halton Region Chapter to Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere.
 Police doing RIDE checks. Arrests were lower this year. In the month of December, during the busy festive holiday season, impaired driving education and enforcement was increased in an effort to keep our roads and our communities safe.
Throughout the Halton Region, 31 impaired driving arrests were made in December 2015, a number down 45% from the previous year which resulted in 56 impaired driving arrests.
With just over 15,000 vehicles checked through our RIDE stops, there were 46 three-day suspensions issued, which is a result of blowing a “warn” on the alcohol screening device. This is a 65% increase from 28 in 2014.
Impaired driving arrests are down; people driving within the warning range are up. Are people getting the message?
The Regional Police did not provide a breakdown of the charges that were laid in each municipality.
 By Pepper Parr
January 5th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Speeding and aggressive driving are the top complaints by residents in the Halton Region, according to the Regional Police.
Officers work diligently to educate drivers about the dangers of bad driving behaviour and conduct enforcement to ensure people are getting the message. The province’s Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act requires drivers to be more patient and alert when driving through busy pedestrian intersections.
On January 1, 2016, drivers in Ontario will have to wait until a pedestrian has reached the other side of a designated school crossing or designated pedestrian crossover, or face a fine between $150.00 and $500.00 and three demerit points.
 The driver of this car would be subject to a stiff fine were the police to have been on hand. New rules are now in place. Drivers will have to stop and yield the entire width of the road to the pedestrian, instead of half the road as was previously the case. Cyclists must follow the same rules as drivers under the Highway Traffic Act, and thereby must stop and wait or face the same fine.
These rules apply at pedestrian crossovers identified with specific signs, road markings and lights – the new rules do not apply to pedestrian crosswalks at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, unless a school crossing guard is present.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our roads are the safest they can be. Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians must share the road and look out for each other. Make 2016 your safest driving year yet!
Good luck on getting the cyclists to adhere to this rule.
A number of months ago, perhaps it was last year, we recall hearing a police officer tell city Councillor’s that the people they stopped for speeding on a residential street were usually found to be people who lived on the street.
Human nature – it will eventually be the end of us.
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By Pepper Parr
Getting the people who own the land to work with the city and develop with long term viability is the first step – some of the plans on the table for the land around the Aldershot GO station leave a lot to be desired.
Develop a business-friendly environment that attracts investment. The real issues is to find investors who look for long term returns and not the getting in and getting out to turn the fast buck. There is a project in the west end that the developer wants to get approved that doesn’t include very much, if anything in the way of amenities. There are developers building forms of housing that are not built that often. And at the same time there are developers prepared to work with city hall and the ward Councillors and not grab every last square foot of density available. There is a developer currently building what will amount to a new community that will house more than 2000 people.
