 By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There numerous errors in various version so this article for which we apologize. It was an amazing night – few thought the voters would change their country quite this much.
It was a rout for Mike Wallace – he handled it with dignity and grace. It was a win for Karina Gould, which she celebrated with jubilation.
 Prime Minister checks out the product at Ecoysynthetix during one of his several visits to the city. Wallace is on the far right. Company CEO John van Leeuwen is on the left. The Prime Minister turned out to be Wallace’s biggest problem.
Mike Wallace chose to be with his workers in the room that they fought their campaign in – a room that had all the polling station listed on a wall with young boys scooting back and forth with pieces of paper with the poll results.
There was never a point where it was going to be a Wallace win – he did take some polls – but the Gould wins were consistent. Gould 102 ; Wallace 99 was not uncommon; but there were many more that went Gould 112, Wallace 56.
By ten minutes after 10:00 pm it was evident that Mike Wallace was going to be defeated.
His loss was for the same reason he won the first time. At that time Canadians had had enough of Jean Chretien and the sponsorship scandals and they ousted Paddy Torsney and elected Wallace who had run against Torsney the election before that.
Mike told his workers – and there were a lot of them in his large campaign office at Fairview and Appleby Line that he won last time with 45% of the vote and he thought he would do the same this time.
“It was the collapse of the NDP vote that lost this election for me” said Wallace. He added that he heard about his leader and the concerns the public had with Stephen Harper at all the doors he knocked on.
“I feel badly for David Laird but I feel badly for myself.
“I list 12 pounds in this election race. I have served the public for 23 years and lost this evening to a 28 year old.
“We put out more signs this election than last and we had a good campaign team.
 Karina Gould won the Burlington seat and now heads to Ottawa as a 28 year old MP. Now the hard work for her begins. “I am not saying this evening that I am going to run again – when Wallace made that statement he didn’t know how huge the Liberal sweep was.
Wallace now needs to find something else to do with his time; he served his city well – the good ones land on their feet.
Mike Wallace certainly brought the bacon home to Burlington. He has a daughter who plans to marry soon – he can fully enjoy himself and he and his wife can travel and enjoy themselves for awhile.
All the old Tory stalwarts were in the room – and so was Mayor Goldring who watched the early returns along with his wife Cheryl. When it was clear that Wallace was not going to win the Mayor slid over to the Gould party and hugged the winner.
Wallace said early in his comments that he didn’t think what was happening was possible – but it was and the room began to see the shift. “If there is a majority one woman said – they will be there for four years.”
“Terrible” said another – “shocking” added a third.
Wallace made the trip to the Gould office where the room at Emmas Back Porch was packed.
Unlike the Wallace team, Gould’s Liberals chose to gather at a restaurant where poll results were telephoned into them.
The Liberal office was manned by a few people, several from MPP Eleanor McMahon’s office along with the MPP. They appeared not to want the workers to take part in the traditional political practice of watching the results come in poll by poll and recognize where the strength of the organization was – where they had won and where they had lost.
Canadians have been doing this kind of thing for decades – quite why the Liberals made it a party at a restaurant was confusing. Pam Damoff in Oakville North Burlington did the same thing.
There is a lot more to talk about on this election – it will take a few days to fully appreciate and understand what the voters have done for themselves and their country.
 By Pepper Parr
October 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Denise Beard is pumped.
 Denise Beard, Manager of xxx for the city heads up a provincially funded project to get the under 1q2 set outdoors running, jumping and playing every day. She has her hands on a project that is going to keep her busy for the next three years and she believes the project is going to make a difference.
During a press briefing Beard told media that the city has been given a grant of $1.1 million to get the fat off the bodies of young people who spend more time in front of a screen of some sort rather than on their bikes.
There is an obesity problem in the city – and Beard who was a life guard when she was a teenager, wants to see younger people enjoying better health – and she thinks the program she is going to run for the next three years can go a long way to making that happen.
Beard tends to put everything she has into her projects – it’s just who she is.
So what is the program all about?
It is billed as a Community Challenge – an event that uses provincial money to drive a program that will result in younger people getting more exercise.
For reason’s it only understands the province decided to work with communities rather than schools or the medical community to get young people off the couch and away from the screens and exercise more.
The idea was first used in France where significant results were claimed to have taken place. The Ontario government chose Burlington as the only community in Halton to get funding. Hamilton and 45 other communities in the province were given funds.
 Expect to see a lot of chalking going on at least until there is snow on the side walks of the city – all part of a healthier youth initiative. Beard talked about “chalking” the community – getting young people to take to the streets and make their mark telling what they are doing to live healthier lifestyles.
The initiative came out of the provincial Ministry of Health and Long Term care that will be putting forward a new theme every nine months.
In order to get the funding communities had to come up with an Action Plan; Burlington apparently had the best one – so we will now see the Mayor pumping and promoting healthy living.
The city wants to see the grade 5 level students Running, Jumping and Playing every day. Data will be collected with the focus on individual Body Mass Index (BMI) – some additional focusing will be done on students at the grade 8 level.
There are five neighbourhoods in the city that that are expected to get special attention. The program will collaborate with the YMCA, parent groups and schools taking a “street to street” and “parent to parent approach” to getting young people – mostly those under 12 out onto the streets and the playgrounds and getting more exercise.
Great initiative – that has to compete with computer games.
 By Staff
October 19th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is just one per person and the price paid to make this available to you was measured in lives – so use it wisely – and be sure to use it.
Today is Election Day across the country. The polls open at 9:30 am and close at 9:00 pm
If you don’t know where to vote and need some help you can call any of the political party election offices or the Burlington Returning Office.
By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Work Plan City Manager James Ridge put before city council is certainly an ambitious document – too ambitious?
 City manager James Ridge gave council a long, a very long work plan – the enthusiasm was not evident. Hard to tell – there wasn’t all that much interaction, discussion or debate between Ridge and the council he reports to. The first set of questions came from councillor Marianne Meed Ward – as usual, she had many – but after that – it was as if the tap had been turned off.
 Mayor Goldring thought the work plan was “fantastic” but that it needed more in the way of prioritization – than that – he had no comment. Mayor Goldring thought it was “fantastic” – but he didn’t follow that up with any other comment except to say he would like to see some prioritization.
The Mayor and the city manager appear at times to be work quite closely – that wasn’t the case with the work plan.
Councillors Taylor, Dennison, Craven and Lancaster mentioned that they had had a personal conversation with Ridge about his work plan. Dennison did say he “supported” the document.
Taylor expressed concerns over the city’s ability to achieve all the targets on the cultural file. It’s a file that has yet to find the traction it is going to need to really grow.
 Councillor Meed Ward had a number of questions about the city manager’s work plan – the lack of transparency on the part of her colleagues bothered her. It was at that point that Meed Ward realized there wasn’t going to be much, if any, public debate on the work plan. Most of the Councillors met privately with the city manager and either asked questions or expressed concerns – whichever the public will never know.
Councillor Sharman wasn’t at the Standing Committee – he serves as chair but has been away for this round of Standing committee meetings.
Meed Ward wanted there to be much more in the way of transparency – but there wasn’t going to be much this time around.
She suggested that each Council member might have their own priorities which will certainly keep the city manager hopping trying to meet the pet project each council member has.
Ridge did send a couple of clear signals. He said it was important that management understand they are in place to manage that that council is in place to govern and those paths are not to be crossed.
Burlington’s city council tends, far too frequently, to get into the weeds and begin to manage – even micro manage at times. Councillor Dennison just can’t help himself at times.
 Councillor Taylor had concerns about the city manager being able to achieve all of his cultural objectives. Ridge will have to let the Army Captain in him come out and ensure that the chain of command is respected and adhered to – this isn’t his personal strong point.
The sense that the work plan was on the ambitious side should been communicated to the city manager as he was putting the document together. Did the Council members not express that to Ridge when they met with him personally?
What was missing from the discussion was any sense of enthusiasm by council members – which suggests the cohesion that needs to be in place has not yet formed – all the oars are not being pulled in unison.
Is this because this council is not a truly unified body and if that is the case what is preventing that “all one team” from developing.
Ridge has been in place since late March and does not yet appear to have cemented a strong working relationship with this council. Is he a slow starter or is the fit not quite right yet?
The city manager’s Work Plan
 By Pepper Parr
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Let’s dig a little deeper into the Work Plan city manager James Ridge presented to a Standing Committee earlier this week.
City Manager James Ridge Ridge set his intentions out into groups, just the way any Army captain would and then delved into the groupings and what Ridge hoped to get done. We have added a few comments to expand on the tasks. which were:
STRATEGIC PLAN, OFFICIAL PLAN, AND OTHER SUPPORTING PLANS:
City Strategic Plan: While many many months late Council and staff are now meeting to nail this down and move on to the Official Plan Review and the city budget.
Official Plan: On hold until the Strategic Plan has been struck. With a new planner due to start in November there may be a little lag time while she figures out what is where at city hall and gets to know her staff.
Transportation Master Plan: A work in progress
Corporate/ SMT Work Plan: 12-24 month detailed work plan addressing all Strategic and Official Plan work items. Develop master SMT work plan to deliver strategic objectives.
Each Director, General Manager and Service Owner to have a personal work plan, which will be a central element of their ongoing performance evaluation
 How will citizens take to multi year strategic budgets? Multi-Year Strategic Plan budget: Ensure that high level budgeting is undertaken to accompany the Strategic Plan and supporting multi-year work plan to guide priority setting and annual budget discussions. Multi-year budget projections for implementation of the Strategic and Official Plans and associated Work Plans.
The city’s finance department is probably the best run shop in the city – they don’t need to be told what to do – they do need other departments to work as efficiently and as effectively as the Joan Ford crew works.
City Manager Work Plan: Set out in detail below.
Work Plan management and reporting systems
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Ridge wasn’t able to say much about initiatives – other than he thought there might be as many as 50 of them.
EXCELLENCE IN STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE
City Performance Indicators: Working with BEDC, Burlington Community Foundation and others, develop a macro set of performance measures that taken together are a reasonable proxy for the general wellbeing of the City. A clear set of key performance measures to measure the health, quality of life, and economic performance of the City tracked longitudinally.
Some very good data was released at a Standing Committee meeting earlier in the week. The Gazette is pulling that information together and will publish later this month – you won’t see this data anywhere else.
Workshop on Excellence in Strategic Governance: To support Strategic Plan implementation, have a facilitated workshop(s) to consider strategic governance principles and the appropriate governance/management relationship needed for successful implementation of the strategic plan.
Strategic governance workshop with Council and appropriate senior staff, to develop general principles of strategic governance and management.
Excellence in Governance Charter: City Council is widely seen as an exemplar of excellence in strategic governance. Develop with Council an “Excellence in Governance Charter.” Adopt as Council policy a series of best practices and decision tools that reflect accepted best practices in strategic governance for public and private sector organizations.
Watch this one carefully – it looks as if it might be what gets put in place of the Code of Conduct that most of this council does not want. The Code of Conduct is something this council needs and the public deserves.
 Councillor John Taylor wants better agenda and council meeting planning – dislikes the way Clerk’s office manages the flow of paper – city manager wants to get rid of the paper. Agenda Planning: Through regular reviews of the City Manager’s work plan, allow for better longer and medium term agenda planning. Several members of Council have complained about poor agenda planning and want material they are to discuss earlier in the process. When the calendar for 2016 was being discussed Councillor Dennison suggested a number of changes which the Clerk’s office wasn’t happy with. Mayor Goldring brought this up giving the Clerk an opportunity to explain what the problems were. Dennison wanted to know why he had not heard of the Clerk’s concerns. Now we know why there are problems with agenda planning – these people don’t talk to each other.
Council Agendas: Structure Council agendas to clearly identify strategic and good-governance agenda items. A proposal for a new model for Committee and Council agendas. Set for 2Q of 2016. Don’t bet the barn on that date.
EXCELLENCE IN MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION:
Customer Service
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tool
One Stop Business Startup Centre
Service Management
Enterprise Risk Management
Enterprise Performance Measurement
Business Analytics Capability/Research and Data analysis: If possible, fast track the implementation of a business analytics tool to permit robust data analysis. As an interim measure, create a temporary new role to do data analysis, quantitative research, and coordinate surveys.
A suite of applications, tools and process that when implemented and operational support performance measurement, data analytics and corporate reporting.
One position (perhaps .5 FTE) to undertake quantitative analysis and detailed data analysis in support of Council and corporate initiatives.
During a presentation made by former Director of Planning Bruce Krushelnicki we learned that the city has absolutely no demographic capacity and that there is some statistical capacity but the person doing the job could not tell a Director how many homes there are in Alton Village. That staffer is apparently still cashing a pay cheque.
Revenue and Grant Coordinator: Create a role with an explicit focus, and dedicated time, to undertake grant requests, stay abreast of new funding opportunities, and seek other revenue opportunities. Create a new (likely .5 FTE position) in the City Manager’s office to coordinate City grant applications, research new and existing funding opportunities, and consider other municipal revenue opportunities.
This is the second mention of additional staff – Councillor Craven won’t let this happen – but Councillor Sharman might like to see someone who can gather data
Document Management: Multi-year project to reduce or eliminate use of paper, provide better access to information, and more transparent public access. First phase should be paperless meeting materials for those who wish to use. Paperless SMT meetings. Full transition is a major multi-year project.
City Marketing Cooperative: Explore the possibility of a marketing cooperative to share expertise and resources among City departments and City- funded agencies and boards. If agreement is reached among the parties, create a marketing cooperative to share expertise and mitigate duplication in marketing, print, web support activities.
This is one of those initiatives that is better not even attempted – bureaucrats are not marketers – this should be outsourced to a company that is given a strong, clear mandate.
 Burlington didn’t lead the way it could have led during the Via derailment a number of years ago – the city now how seasoned Emergency Management in place Emergency Management: Fully implement an emergency management plan, appropriate training, and develop and maintain business continuity plans.
This task is well underway – the Fire department brought in a season manager who explained what the department will be doing and how it will work – it is a very significant improvement over procedures that were in place previously.
Build Redevelopment Capacity in Planning Building and other relevant Departments: Evolve through hiring, professional development and resource allocation the Planning and Building department’s expertise and capacity from greenfield single family to infill and intensification.
Land Economist: Strengthen our planning and real estate management capability by tendering for a retainer for a municipal land economist to provide expert arms-length advice to City staff and Council on land economic issues, particularly independent assessments of development applications and the embedded assumptions around profitability at various densities and uses.
ORGANIZATION AND CULTURE
 Members of the team that run the finance department during a budget debate – they were updating data on the fly People Plan Team: There is a general need for a team of union and non-union staff from across the City to focus on and make recommendations about, workplace quality and cultural concerns.
Culture Survey: In Q1 2016 undertake the Dennison survey of organizational culture as a baseline.
Performance Evaluation System: Develop a new Performance Evaluation system. Fully implemented new PE system that is modular, with elements for individual contributors, service owners, and Directors. Ridge wants this to be 100% use. He sees this as quarterly structured but less formal conversations with staff on performance, not a once a year report
Succession Planning: Create a corporate succession plan and succession planning policies. Initial identification of high potential management staff for detailed career planning. Initial identification of high potential front line staff with leadership potential for detailed career planning.
Succession plans complete for all departments. Corporate policies in place. SMT has created a list of high potential middle managers for immediate development
MAJOR INITIATIVES
Storm Water Management: Implement the Council-approved program on expanded storm water management.
This program is going to have a very significant impact on the 2016 budget and will stun the owners of properties that have large parking areas. The city has done a very poor job of informing both residents and commercial property owners on the ramifications – they are significant.
Asset Management – Infrastructure Renewal
Conversion Reviews: In the context of the Official Plan review, develop (with BEDC) mechanisms to defensibly and consistently make recommendations on conversion requests.
Once the Strategic Plan is in place this will become a major matter for this Council. The development community does not believe the city needs all the Employment Land it has – and they want the opportunity to convert those lands to residential where the profits are much higher.
 Zoned commercial, spitting distance to the QEW, minutes from downtown – owner wants to rezone and make it residential. Major developers in this city have been sitting on land holdings for year – decades in some cases – waiting for the day when they can get a conversion. The province does not make it easy for any conversions to take place – but the developers have skilled planners who can make a donut look like a life saver.
Beachway Park: Negotiate with the Region cost sharing for Beachway Park, both Capital and Operating.
Sustainable Development Awards
Urban Design Review and Awards
INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Government Relations
Policies and Process: With the Mayor’s Office and Council develop formal policies, procedures for ongoing intergovernmental relations activities. Identify the first inventory of key intergovernmental issues and action plans.
This has always been a particularly weak area for this city administration. Having city managers move in and out of that office every two years didn’t help to develop strong working relationships. The city did hold a Burlington Day at Queen’s Park which amounted to everyone handing out business cards and getting 15 minutes with Ministers and some Deputy Ministers.
Burlington didn’t have a very effective MPP at the time which made it difficult to achieve very much.
The failure of the IKEA move to the North Service Road was due in no small measure to the lack of a deep understanding of how the Ministry of Transportation really works. The lead people on that file had not been properly mentored on how a city deals with a provincial ministry.
Redevelopment processes: Develop with Halton Region, a seamless process with known timelines for redevelopment applications. Done by 1Q 2017
 Our Building – on Hamilton’s land. LaSalle Park: Reach agreement and Council approval on the transfer of LaSalle park ownership to Burlington by 1Q 2017
Community Engagement: Continue and build on the work that has been done on community engagement, support the Engagement Charter
New Resident Outreach: The City administration takes steps to proactively reach out to and engage communities, including immigrants, who have a very low incidence of engaging with City
Partnerships. The city wants a tighter working relationship with Hamilton where there is real economic growth; it also wants to strengthen the relationship with the Region.
This is most of what city manager James Ridge put before city council. In a separate article we report on how council reacted
 By Pepper Parr
October 17th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The city is represented by three MP’s in the House of Commons. Lisa Raitt represents Milton, which covers much of the northern part of the city; Mike Wallace represents Burlington; that constituency had a portion of its eastern side cut off and made into what is known as Oakville Burlington North
 Mini Batra _ Green Party – Milton  Lisa Raitt – Conservative – Milton  Chris Jewell – Libertarian Milton  Alex Ananmbusi – New Democrat – Milton In Milton, Lisa Raitt, the Conservative incumbent, is being challenged by Azim Rizvee (Liberal party), Alex Anabusi (NDP), Chris Jewell (Libertarian Party) and Mini Batra (Green Party).
 Karina Gould – Liberal – Burlington  Mike Wallace – Conservative – Burlington  Vince Fiorito – Green Party – Burlington  David Laird – New Democrat – Burlington In Burlington incumbent Mike Wallace is being challenged by Liberal Karina Gould, New Democrat David Laird and Green Party candidate Vince Fiorito.
Oakville North Burlington is a brand new riding that got off to a wobbly start when the Conservatives fighting for the nomination behaved so badly that the party told them all to go home and held a nomination meeting which chose Effie Triantafilopoulos. Pam Damoff was chosen as the Liberal candidate but only after the untimely death of Max Khan. Janice Best represents the New Democratic Party; David Clement is running for the Liber-tarian Party of Canada and Adnan Shahbaz is running for the Green Party of Canada
There is the possibility that the city of Burlington could be represented by woman. Lisa Raitt has a decent lead in Milton, but not as strong a lead as one would expect from a Cabinet Minister, Pam Damoff is leading in the new riding of Oakville Burlington North. Karina Gould is struggling to defeat Mike Wallace.
In the event of a really really poor showing by the Conservatives one can expect Prime Minister Harper to find himself out of a job – he will either retire or the party will choose a new leader. In both scenarios expect Lisa Raitt to be in any leadership race.
 Adnan Shahbaz – Green Party – Oakville North Burlington  Pam Damoff – Liberal – Oakville North Burlington  Janice Best – New Democrat – Oakville North Burlington  David Clement – Libertarian – Oakville Burlington North  Effie Triantafilopoulos – Oakville North Burlington – Conservative In Oakville Burlington North Damoff is well ahead and should find herself back in Ottawa where she once worked with different Cabinet Ministers. Damoff herself may not be Cabinet material but she will serve the interests of the people in the riding – she is a very considerate caring person who seems to have tear ducts that flow easily.
In Burlington Karina Gould is in a tough tough fight. The polls, for what they are worth, show her further behind Wallace than she expected. Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has visited the riding in the past but has not been seen during the hurley burley of the election.
And Liberal MPP Eleanor McMahon, who showed that the riding was capable of becoming a red riding after more than 70 years of Tory blue, has not been as evident at the doorsteps as Gould needs.
The MPP’s brother Ed McMahon is the chair of the Damoff campaign but it may take something from Trudeau and more from the MPP to get Gould into the House of Commons.
While the national results won’t be known until votes are counted in British Columbia – the decisions for Burlington will become evident pretty quickly – the real wrestling will be between Mike Wallace and Karina Gould.
 By Staff
October 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police have concluded their investigation at the scene on Guelph Line at approximately 9:30 this morning, Saturday, October 17, 2015.
The ongoing investigation was of the murder of Wesley Nagel; a knife, believed to be the murder weapon was located inside the residence.
The preliminary cause of death was as a result of a stabbing.
Police previously reported that Robert Nagel, 32 years of age, stabbed his Father, 62-year-old Wesley Nagel and then called the police at 911
The police took Robert Nagel into custody and later charged him with second degree murder.
Wesley Nagel lived in a basement apartment of the 611 Guelph Line residence; his son was staying with him at the time.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact A/Detective Sergeant Alistair Watt of the Homicide Unit at 905-465-8762 or the Homicide Tip Line at 905-825-4776 or anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call 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).
Previous articles:
Regional police respond to 911 call about a stabbing
Police lay second degree murder charges
 By Ray Rivers
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The natural order of things has been restored. Tom Mulcair and his NDP were the team to beat when this election campaign first kicked off. He seemed unbeatable with a strong lead and growing support across the country. Yet, as we head into the final stretch of the campaign, the NDP has fallen into their time-honoured third place with virtually no hope of winning.
 Federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair speaks to supporters at a rally in Quebec City, Que. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz Some might say Mr. Mulcair’s party is just returning to its traditional place in the hearts and minds of Canadian voters. Others might speculate that the early polls were influenced by an artificial boost from the impressive NDP provincial win in the heart of Tory-land, Alberta. And everybody likes a winner.
Then there was the niqab issue, which saw a principled Mulcair at odds with the majority of Quebecers, who simply object to people wearing that symbolic face covering. Mulcair’s ambiguity over the west-east energy pipeline, where he was accused of saying different things in different languages, didn’t help. And his vehement support for federalism, despite his party’s Sherbrooke Declaration (allowing a Quebec exit with a 51% vote), sullied his image among previous ardent-separatist supporters.
 The attack ads appear to not have worked – voters decide on Monday if Justin Trudeau is ready. In the beginning it looked like Trudeau had suffered irreparable damage from the Harper “not ready yet” attack ads. The Liberals had come out of the gate without much of a platform for voters to consider, and voters had responded by switching their ‘parked’ votes from the Libs to the NDP. If that trend were to have continued Mulcair would have won, become PM and maybe even got a majority.
So Tom Mulcair figured he could play it safe. He cast himself as the right-winger-on-the-left, hoping to bring conservative-minded voters over his new centrally positioned party. He essentially adopted Harper’s economic policies, fine tuned his last budget, and personalized it to include some NDP items – but promised the same Tory balanced budget program.
Though he’s not yet buried, it sure looks like Tom Mulcair became the architect of his own demise. For those who knew of his past, even changing the face of an ‘Angry Tom’ by wearing a forced smile didn’t help. You can’t have it both ways! You can’t be a social reformer and promise it won’t cost anything. There is no free lunch. Mulcair, by wanting to offer everything to the voters, has convinced them that he is really offering nothing new.
 The federal election is certainly not over – but there is some momentum – a tight race that the voters will have to figure out. Listen to the advertising and ask questions. Mr. Trudeau overcame those attack ads in the course of the debates. Then he went on the offensive, announcing a bold platform agenda. He went beyond the other leaders, promising the first major tax reform since Mulroney, reversing some of the tax burden the former PM had placed on the middle class. And Trudeau’s most exciting promise was to deliver a Canadian ‘new deal’ – a spending program to create employment improving transit and other infrastructure.
If anyone was concerned about his need to run deficits for the next couple of years, he had renowned deficit fighter Paul Martin at his side. His youth and dynamic presence in the debates, and at rallies, provided a contrast between him and the other leaders. So his poll numbers have moved forward, leaving the other parties in his dust. But there is not enough dust for a majority even if all the stars were all to align.
Still, Trudeau has emerged as the strongest of the two (three in Quebec) anti-Harper candidates, And that makes a Liberal candidate the strategic choice for those voting ‘anyone-but-Harper’.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. Rivers is no longer active with any political party.
Background links:
Polls Is Keynes Winning Liberal Platform
By Staff
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Police have completed their investigation of the murder of a male at a residence on Guelph line which took place Thursday evening.
The police went to the residence on Guelph Line as the result of a 911 call from a male who reported a stabbing had taken place.
 Police place then murder suspect in a cruiser and later charge Robert Nagel with second degree murder. Police came upon a domestic altercation and found 62-year-old Wesley NAGEL with stab wounds. The victim was transported to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The victim’s son was staying at the residence and was present when police arrived. He was subsequently arrested at the scene.
 Robert Nagel in the back of a police cruiser after being arrested by Regional Police. Wesley Nigel Robert NAGEL, 32 years , from Burlington has been charged with:
Second degree murder
The accused has been held for a bail hearing scheduled for Friday October 16, 2015 in Milton court.
Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact A/Detective Sergeant Alistair Watt of the Homicide Unit at 905-465-8762 or the Homicide Tip Line at 905-825-4776 or anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call 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 Staff
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington residents might have strong views on how their city should be grown – but there is a developer who is taking his message directly to the market and telling a very compelling story.
Marketers can use what is described as sponsored content – material written by the advertiser and placed in prestigious publications.
ADI Development paid to have the following run in the Globe and Mail on Thursday.
 Architects rendering of the structure proposed for the corner of Lakeshore and Martha in downtown Burlington. Developer says the location is 30 minutes from downtown Toronto. Adi Development Group brought modern and innovative condominium concepts to Burlington, but the local company wants to make bigger waves by the city’s historic downtown district and waterfront.
This month, preview events will reveal plans for a sleek glass tower with 170 high-end suites with starting prices less than $300,000.
“Downtown is a very expensive place to live. There’s been other projects in the area that recently launched with [prices at] $800 to $1,000 per square foot, but we’re not anywhere near that,” chief executive officer Tariq Adi says.
“[Plus] we’re offering a better package – from our amenities to the types of finishes we’re putting out – but we’re coming in at a phenomenal price for someone to get into the downtown for an average price of $300,000 to $400,000.”
Demand for new infill projects such as this one – 30 minutes west of Toronto on a vacant parking lot at 374 Martha St., at Lakeshore Road – intensifies among professionals acquiring their first home to locals downsizing from multimillion-dollar estates.
“Even the condo product currently down there is very outdated, but very expensive, at the same time, so it’s very prohibitive to own,” Mr. Adi says. “I was on MLS looking downtown condos recently and I couldn’t find anything under $780,000, because there’s no availability … or if it was being sold, it was very expensive.”
The neighbourhood’s allure stems from its mix of natural and man-made attractions.
“We’re lucky in Burlington now to have a gorgeous waterfront that is absolutely open to the public realm with Spencer Smith Park – one of the largest parks in the city – right along the water with beautiful trails and walkways, Burlington beach, tons of stores, shops and restaurants,” Mr. Adi says.
“It’s very walkabout and we’ve got a bike lane in place … a bus terminal maybe 200 metres away from the site.”
Residents can also feel as if they’ve escaped to a resort with on-site lounges, bar, yoga deck, outdoor pool and terraces, including one with flexible walls to a sixth-floor clubhouse.
“We’ve got Cecconi Simone doing the designs on the interiors, so it’s very beautiful and very Miami- and water-inspired,” Mr. Adi says. “We want to create amenity spaces people will actually use and love to have in their building.”
 ADI Development sales office on Brant Street in a building owned by the Region with affordable housing units. This project’s contribution to the street will not only be double-height retail space in the five-storey podium, but also a modern design Raw formulated with one side encased by a curtain wall and the other with balconies zigzagging upward and protruding outward.
“I didn’t realize how boring high-rise buildings were until I started designing a high-rise building,” Mr. Adi says.
“So we went with a reflect glass that will take advantage of the blue water and skies, so it feels clean and reflective, almost creating a mirror effect and blends into the skyline.”
Inside, the façade’s transparency will allow for floor-to-ceiling windows in the one- to two-bedrooms-plus-den suites. “We’re about 700 to 800 square feet on average, so they’re very spacious and every unit almost has an indoor/outdoor space,” says Mr. Adi, citing a recessed balcony encased in glazing as an example.
A model suite will showcase standard finishes, including custom European kitchens with islands and designer cabinetry.
“We have beautiful barn doors for bedroom doors and we have ceilings up to 11 ½ feet in some suites, which is absolutely gorgeous and luxurious, especially taking advantage of the views on the water,” Mr. Adi says. “No one else is doing anything like that around here.”
Depending on unit sizes, monthly fees will vary from 44 to 62 cents a square foot with most averaging 55 cents.
Occupancy is expected for 2018.
Not a mention that the project was not approved by city council; not a word about the size of the lot the building is going to be built on, not a word about the ongoing struggle the city has had with this developer.
The developer doesn’t have to tell the full story nor do the numerous real estate agents who are now actively selling units.
ADI has completed one project in Burlington, a very attractive four story building on Guelph Line north of the QEW – it has yet to sell out and the Gazette has not yet managed to tour that project with the developer – despite repeated requests.
 By Pepper Parr
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette will publish profiles on the leading candidates in each of the three constituencies that Burlington residents live in.
There is the Milton constituency, Burlington and Oakville North Burlington.
While the polls are just a snapshot of what people think – they are an indication – far from perfect.
Who is leading nationally and how does that lead work itself into the Burlington communities is not always easy to figure out.
 National poll data collected on October 11, 13 and 14 and aggregated. These are projections – they may be accurate – they could be very wrong. They are one of a number of polls taken. The Gazette will pass along what we have learned from our observations since the last election.
By Staff
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Police are looking for Beth MICHAUD; she is the week 26 Fugitive Friday.
In April 2015, the accused attended multiple Royal Bank Branches in Burlington and was successful in cashing a fraudulent cheque before the banks became aware of her pattern and placed a hold on the account and other cheques the accused was attempting to cash. She was arrested and released, scheduled to attend court on June 17th in Milton, which she failed to do and a Warrant was issued for her arrest.
As a result of her Fugitive Friday posting in July 2015, the accused surrendered to police in August and was once again granted release to attend court at a later date which she failed to do and a new warrant has now been issued for her arrest.
She is wanted by Halton Regional Police for:
Fraud under $5000 x 2
Uttering Forged Documents x 2
Fail to Appear Court x 2
 Beth Michaud is the first Friday Fugitive to appear on the list twice. MICHAUD is described as 5’2”, 115lbs, hazel eyes and blonde hair. Michaud has a pierced nose and several tattoos. On her left ear is a music note, right wrist is the name “Lexie” and lower left back is the word “King”. MICHAUD has ties to Hamilton, Burlington and the surrounding area.
Michaud is one of those 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 shares information on a wanted person in hopes that the public can assist in locating the individual.
In this edition of Fugitive Fridays the 3 District, Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for their first repeat offender Beth MICHAUD, 26 years old, of Hamilton.
Anyone who may have witnessed this person or has information that would assist investigators in locating her 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).
Previous article:
By Staff
October 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is when the calls come in during the dark of night that police know there is a serious problem somewhere in the city.
Last night at approximately 10:32 pm, Halton Police received a 911 call from a male residing at 611 Guelph Line in the City of Burlington.
The caller told police that there had been a stabbing at the home.
 Halton Regional Police place a suspect into police car outside 611 Guelph Line residence. Officers responded to the Guelph Line home and located both a male adult victim and a male adult suspect. The victim had been stabbed, suffering serious injuries. The suspect was taken into police custody without incident.
The male victim was taken to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in serious condition and later transported for further treatment at Hamilton General Hospital. He was pronounced deceased at 4:02 am.
 Murder suspect in custody outside residence at 611 Guelph Line. The suspect and victim were both known to each other and the investigation is continuing at this time. There was no risk to members of the community.
A press release with further information will be made pending notification of next of kin.
A crime of passion ended one life and has destroyed another.
 Suspect in custody communicates with photographer. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact the Halton Homicide Unit at 905-825-4777. Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call 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 Staff
October 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
700 tulip bulbs were planted today in Apeldoorn Park’s Dutch-Canadian Friendship Garden with the help of Trinity Christian School students, members of the Burlington Mundialization Committee and members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 60.
The City of Burlington was given 700 tulip bulbs by the Canadian Garden Council to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and to celebrate the culture and heritage of the two nations.
 First Row Left to Right: Retired Sgt. Jim Warford, 35 Composite Company, Royal Canadian Service Corp, Second World War Veteran; Retired Flight/ Lt. Fred Davies, Distinguished Flying Cross, Pathfinder Squadron, Bomber Command Royal Canadian Air Force; Burns MacLeod, Poppy Chairman, Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 60; Jacob Mack; Naomi Wright; Alyssa Glasbergen; Ruby duPreez; Phoenix Slobodian; Second Row Left to Right: Zachary Schwarz; Natalie Behnke; Noah VanStaalduinen; Samantha DeGroot; Arnold Koopman, Chair of the Burlington Mundialization Committee; Aaron Agnew; Jacob Dykstra; Drew Tucker; Leo Peever; Maia Bosma; Christina Douma; Juliana Weinstein; Councillor Blair Lancaster, Mundialization Committee Council Liaison. “This year is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “No one will ever forget the sacrifices but these iconic symbols of the Netherlands and our bond will be here for all to enjoy for years to come.”
 Mayor Rick Goldring, right – rear row in Holland with several city hall staff. Goldring took part in the 70th Anniversary celebration in Holland last May.
The 700 bulbs were a portion of the 100,000 tulips distributed to Canadian communities to create Friendship Tulip Gardens in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Dutch-Canadian friendship. The 100,000 bulbs replicates the original gift given to the people of Canada as an act of appreciation for hosting the Royal Family during Princess Margriet’s birth and the role of Canadian Armed Forces in the Liberation of Holland.
The City of Burlington was among 140 Canadian communities selected by the Canadian Garden Council to receive tulips.
“I was there on April 17, 1945, the day the Canadian Armed Forces liberated Apeldoorn. I’ll never forget that day and neither will my generation,” said Arnold Koopman, Chair of the Burlington Mundialization Committee. “At the Grand Parade in Apeldoorn last May, mothers brought their children to the veterans to show them that they not only liberated its citizens in 1945, but for generations to come.”
By Staff
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Better late than never – I suppose.
The Halton District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) announced that they are hosting the 8th Annual Conference for Parents on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at White Oaks Secondary School in Oakville. The theme of the conference, held from 8 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., will be Building Healthy Relationships.
 The keynote speaker is Dr. Jean Clinton, a Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University, division of Child Psychiatry. She will share how parent involvement is critical for student success through the power of relationships, as children and young people learn best in an environment where they feel respected and connected. She will attempt to answer the question, what role do we play as parents in this? Clinton will discuss how parents, in a busy wired-up world, can maintain a focus on relationships.
Parents can also choose to attend an afternoon presentation by Paul Davis, who will address the topic of social networking safety.
The Building Healthy Relationships conference theme will provide a variety of new workshops and will also include some that have been well received by parents in years past. Workshops will address numeracy, literacy, teaching kids about money management, promoting positive mental health for teens, community resources availability, helping students craft an academic and career pathway for success, high school course selections, managing behaviour and discipline, violence prevention and cyberbullying, and gifted learning.
The Halton District School Board Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) recognizes parents play a vital role in the development and education of their children and in the success of schools and therefore provides a regular opportunity for School Council members to network, share ideas, offer input and enjoy informative presentations on a number of education related topics throughout the school year.
For more information, visit www.hdsb.ca and click on the PIC logo on the right side of the homepage.
By Pepper Parr
October 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It took a while but after a solid search and some internal wrangling to determine how much influence the Chief Magistrate would have over the choice of a new planner for the city municipal planning veteran Mary Lou Tanner, was been named as the City of Burlington’s new Director of Planning and Building effective Nov. 2, 2015.
Tanner is currently the Chief Planner for Niagara Region and was Acting Commissioner of Planning and Development Services for Niagara Region. With over 25 years of experience working in the public sector, Tanner has previously worked at the City of Hamilton and Halton Region where she held a variety of planning roles and led infrastructure planning in public works.
 Mary Lou Tanner will join the city on |November 2 as the Director of Planning. “Mary Lou is one of the top planning directors in Ontario and brings extensive municipal expertise to this role,” said Scott Stewart, the city’s general manager of development and infrastructure. “Throughout her career, Mary Lou has successfully led many large, complex projects with multiple stakeholders — her seasoned background will be a valuable asset to the City of Burlington.”
Stewart is the person who made the hire – these comments are expected from him.
Tanner served as the President of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute from 2011 to 2013 and has received numerous national and provincial awards for planning practice.
Tanner is a graduate of the Planning School at Queen’s University.
Scott Stewart will continue in the role of Acting Director of Planning and Building until Mary Lou Tanner begins with the city on Nov. 2, 2015.
With Tanner in place the city now has someone who is going to have to move at the speed of light to get caught up on where the city is with its Strategic Plan – which is now close to six months behind.
The Strategic Plan will inform the direction the city goes with its Official Plan Review which has been put on hold until the Strategic Plan is in place.
Tanner will lead a department that has some very good people in place but some problems with the “front desk” where contractors have to go for the various permits they need.
She would appear to be well connected in the region – let’s see what we can learn about this newest arrival to city hall.
By Pepper Parr
October 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
City manager James Ridge today told city council what he is going to do for the big bucks they pay him.
City manager strutted his stuff when he revealed his Work Plan – he didn’t get a standing ovation. In the work plan he put before council he used the typical bureaucratic gobble degook to say what he has up his sleeve.
The full picture is in the details – and there is some decent stuff in there.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE WORK PLAN:
1. Develop and sustain outcome-focused, highly integrated planning processes, all in support of service excellence and city-building
2. Create the tools and ongoing supports to allow Council to govern strategically
3. Continue to provide responsible, innovative, community-engaged public administration with rigorous performance management, and a five year goal of being recognized as one of Canada’s best managed cities
4. Building on the existing high quality workplace, set a five year goal of formally being recognized as one of top 100 employers in Canada
5. Build and sustain effective trust relationships with key government, community, and private sector partners
Ridge explained that the document he gave Council was substantially incomplete. When the City’s new Strategic Plan is complete and approved, numerous additional strategic initiatives (possible 50 or more) will be added in the “Strategic Initiatives” section that is currently blank.
A second version of this plan will be provided to Council and staff in the weeks following approval of the Strategic Plan
Ridge wrote:
• Although there are obvious departmental leads for the various initiatives listed in the plan, at this point only SMT (Senior Management Team) is identified. Initial analysis by SMT identified the fact that many, if not most, of the initiatives would benefit from cross-departmental approaches.
In a follow-on process SMT will as a group consider who will lead the initiatives, with strong consideration being given to joint leads and cross-departmental teams.
• The work plan will also be provided in a timeline version to assist with longer term Council planning.
 Ridge would like to see Burlington as one of the Best 100 companies to work for and be an exporter of municipal talent. • The work plan will ultimately be formatted so that activities can be sorted and viewed by type (performance measurement, capital projects, partnerships)
• On completion, the plan (and progress against it) will be publicly available through the City’s website.
There is much more to the presentation of the Work Plan and how Council reacted to it. I wasn’t all good.
Stay tuned
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Parking – that bug bear for almost everyone with a vehicle – is getting a close look by city hall
The Planning & Building Department,in conjunction with the Transportation Services Department will be retaining a consulting firm to complete a City Wide Parking Standards Review.
 It is surprising how often this parking lot on Locust street is nowhere near full. Burlington’s off-street parking requirements are set out in a zoning By-Law that is used to govern the supply of parking for all types of land use.
Over the past few years, the City has received frequent requests for parking reduction in areas such as seniors housing, intensification nodes, visitor parking, and mixed use developments. At the same time, the City has been experiencing parking shortfalls in areas such as medical office complexes, newer high density communities, and places of worship.
A review of the current Zoning regulations is necessary to develop a context-sensitive framework for updated parking requirements based on existing and desired land use and transportation characteristics.
 Parking offence revenue is significant for the city. This Parking Review will be the first step toward the completion of the comprehensive zoning review for the City of Burlington. The recommendation s of this study will be used as the basis for updated parking regulations and design standards for development in Burlington.
 Brant Street on a bad day? The objective is to adopt an approach that considers land use, built form, design standards, as well as proximity to transit and other alternative modes of travel.
The parking standards review ties into the Transportation Master Plan; the goal is to move towards managing parking in a responsible manner that promotes sustainable forms of development and provides an emphasis on travel demand management.
Once the consultants have been retained and the contract deliverables ironed out timelines will be put in place.
 The city would dearly love to see a structure on this John Street parking lot – can the parking demand get by without these parking spots? There is a supermarket parking lot 35 yards away. The city is about to move into some serious thinking and debating of what they want in the Strategic Plan – which is now many many months behind – the first year of the four year term of office has been completed – and the strategic Plan is still not in place.
There are those at city hall who think the plan may not get completed before the end of the year which would push its completion out even further because the budget has to be determined in January.
The city manager met with council on Wednesday to set out his work plan – he didn’t get a standing ovation. Several thought it was a bit on the ambitious side. There is a lot of work to be done. More on the city managers work plan in a separate article.
The Gazette will keep on top of this one for you.
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Have the Regional Police come to the conclusion that if the public hasn’t used their weapons to shoot all the politicians before they elect one of them to the House of Commons – then perhaps another gun amnesty is due – to get the weapons off the streets.
The Halton Regional Police Service will be hosting its second regional Firearms and Weapons Amnesty from October 19 to October 29, 2015.
The public is being encouraged to surrender their unregistered or unwanted firearms and weapons to the Halton Regional Police.
 This amnesty is an opportunity for members of the community to hand in firearms and/or weapons and ammunition that are unused, inherited or illegal, without the fear of being charged for having them.
The Halton Regional Police Service aims to create a safer community by removing these firearms and weapons from locations such as homes, businesses and schools to prevent their use in violent crimes.
Currently, in Ontario there are over 500,000 citizens who hold valid Possession Licenses (POL) and Possession and Acquisition licenses (PAL).
There are over 300,000 restricted and prohibited firearms registered in Ontario, not including non-restricted firearms (long guns).
In some circumstances, POL and PAL licensees no longer wish to keep their firearms due to age, ability and residential location. POL and PAL holders often omit or forget to renew their license and/or are deceased, leaving the firearms unregistered or in the possession of unlicensed family members. This amnesty is an opportunity to have the police come and safely take these weapons away.
During this amnesty, the police encourage people to turn in illegally held guns and ammunition and any other unwanted firearms, imitation firearms and air guns. In addition, any weapon that may pose a threat to public safety such as switchblades, butterfly knives, pepper spray, nunchuks, shurikens, push daggers, knife-combs, crossbows, spiked wristbands, batons and/or blowguns.
Between October 19 and October 26, a dedicated telephone line will be available to arrange a firearm or weapon pick up. (905) 465-8733 will be monitored from Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm during the ten days.
DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS OR FIREARMS TO A POLICE STATION.
DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREARMS OR WEAPONS IN YOUR VEHICLE.
DO NOT GREET OFFICERS AT THE DOOR WITH FIREARMS/WEAPONS.
Officers assigned to pick up the weapons will provide police identification and will require a signature for destruction.
This Amnesty is an opportunity for everyone to take part in removing these firearms and weapons from the community, reducing the risk of them falling into the hands of criminals.
Last year, approximately 180 firearms were turned in, about 40 knives and 200 pounds of ammunition.
By Pepper Parr
October 14th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
You sometimes wonder how they think.
 Geraldos at LaSalle Park asked to have their lease agreement amended to allow them to do outside catering. The building sits on land that is leased from the city of Hamilton – that lease is due for renewal in 2017. Two leasing situations were before the Development and Infrastructure committee – Geraldos at LaSalle Park wanted to be able to move into the outside catering business and were asking to have their lease agreement revised.
Spencer’s on the Waterfront wanted the lease they have extended for an additional 15 years.
Staff provided comment on each situation – Gerlados has been in a contract relationship with the city since 1997: a Staff report recommended amending the agreement to allow them to expand into the catering business.
Geraldo’s provides residents and visitors the opportunity to experience part of the city’s history while enjoying the park, trails and surrounding facility where they have been operating the LaSalle Pavilion since 1997.
Revenues received from the tenant offsets the direct operating expenses of this particular facility and provides a contribution to the reserve account for on-going capital requirements.
The current agreement, contains a provision that excludes Geraldo’s from performing any outside catering – it expires in December 2016.
Council supported a six year extension agreement (2017 – 2022) which aligns with the land lease for the LaSalle Park with the City of Hamilton.
Under the current agreement, rent is paid as a percentage of gross sales. By allowing Geraldo’s to expand the catering business, all revenues generated from any offsite catering could result in a positive impact on the reserve account for on-going capital improvements. The current Reserve Fund balance as of June 30, 2015 is $637,786.
This was a no brainer and was approved and will go to Council on November 2nd for approval.
 Perhaps the finest restaurant in the city – with a balcony overlooking the lake that is THE place to be on a summer evening. If you don’t reserve for Sunday Brunch – you don;t get a seat. The Spencers on the Waterfront lease extension for 15 years was approved – it shouldn’t have been – there is a serious flaw in the proposed agreement – Councillor Meed Ward pointed out the flaw and was the only one to object to the lease extension.
The problem is with the parking. Spencers has exclusive use of 40 parking spaces to the west of the restaurant; given the consistent flux with parking issues Meed Ward felt being locked in for 15 years was not a wise move and wanted to see a clause that would allow the city to renegotiate that particular part of the agreement.
• A restaurant (Spencer’s at the Waterfront)
• Café/concession (the Bite – operated by Spencer’s)
• An Observatory (shared – both public and exclusive to Spencer’s for functions/events)
• Public washrooms
• A public lobby/gathering space on the lower and upper levels
• Mechanical and storage rooms
• Outdoor amenities including an ice rink in the winter, pond in the summer, along with splash pad and playground.
The Waterfront Centre operating budget is made up of operating costs to maintain the facility, outdoor amenities and the parking lot which are partially offset by the revenue received from the tenant and parking revenues.
Other indirect costs associated with Spencer Smith Park (e.g. landscaping services by Roads & Parks Maintenance) are outside of the Parks and Recreation Waterfront Centre operating budget. The Waterfront Centre operating budget is structured to transfer the net budget (profit) into the Waterfront Centre Capital Reserve Fund. These funds are used to stabilize and replace existing building components and maintain the outdoor amenities as well as to maintain the parking lot surface and machines.
Moving into a long term agreement with Spencer’s for years 2016 through 2031 there are some guiding principles for the financial commitment to ensure the facility is maintained to the high standard it is today.
Staff recommended continuing with the current tenant for a longer term agreement to ensure financial sustainability for the facility and continued service to the community. And Meed Ward wasn’t on for that.
 Councillor Meed Ward didn’t think the city should get locked into a 15 year agreement that gave Spencer’s the exclusive use of 40 parking spots – she wanted the city to have the right to re-open and re-negotiate that part of the lease agreement. She had concerns over extending the exclusive use of 40 parking spaces from 4:00 pm to midnight to the west of the restaurant and wanted a provision that gave the city the right to re-negotiate the parking spaces part of the agreement. Meed Ward made the point that parking is a critical issues in the downtown and wanted the city to have some flexibility.
Her colleagues didn’t see it that way – the five that were present voted to accept the Staff report. Councillor Sharman, chair of the committee was not present.
Reserving the right to renegotiate the parking was a good, commonly used business practice – that concept seemed to evade the Mayor and Councillors Craven, Taylor, Lancaster and Dennison.
You sometimes wonder how they think.
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