 By Pepper Parr
August 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are the Premier and you want to talk to the municipal sector there is no better place to get on your soap box than the Association of Ontario Municipalities (AMO) conference.
Premier Wynne met with all the Your Worships and told then her government was going to change the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) and make it easier and faster for municipalities and individuals to get financial assistance following natural disasters.
 Mayor Goldring with the Kathleen Wynne when she was Minister of Transportation and Goldring wanted her to fully understand the city’s opposition to any highway cutting through the Escarpment. The Premier pointed out that requests for provincial disaster assistance have doubled in the last five years and are expected to continue to rise due to climate change. She didn’t point out that a number of communities got zip from the provincial government when disaster struck them.
ODRAP, which was created in 1965, is going to be replaced with two new programs that will be more responsive to the needs of individuals and communities following a natural disaster, said the Premier in her media release.
How two departments are going to be more responsive than one is a little difficult to fathom – we will have to wait and see just what the legislation and the accompanying rules actually say.
 A strip mall parking lot becomes a wading pool – and all the files and records that were on the lower levels – destroyed? Should a disaster befall a municipality between now and when the legislation is passed the existing program is what has to be used.
The new Municipal Disaster Recovery Assistance program will help municipalities address extraordinary emergency response costs and damage to essential property or infrastructure like bridges, roads and public buildings, as a result of a natural disaster.
Municipalities will be given four months rather than 14 days to assess costs and request provincial assistance, so that they have time to focus on emergency response after a disaster occurs.
The new Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians program will provide faster assistance to individuals, small businesses, farmers and not-for-profit organizations who have experienced damage to, or loss of, essential property as a result of a natural disaster. The program will also do away with the current requirement for municipal volunteers to fundraise for matching provincial assistance.
 The paper work was overwhelming – without the Burlington Community foundation in place to help – many people may not have been able to get financial assistance. For those people who needed to take advantage of what ODRAP offered they were mighty glad that the Burlington Community Foundation was in place to help people get through the paperwork.
The province will launch the new programs in early 2016. Municipalities may continue to access the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program until the new programs come into effect.
It is too early to tell if the new program will be any better. What we do know at this time is that Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon pushed very hard for a change. She fortunately has the ear of Ted McMeekin, the Minister of Housing a municipal services. McMahon’s first-hand experience with a major flood that impacted more than 6000 homes was invaluable; kudos to the MPP for doing a fine job.
What also helped was that Burlington’s citizen of the year, Ron Foxcroft happened to have the Minister’s cell phone number. When word came from the province that Burlington was not going to be given a matching grant program – the cell phones rang – Foxcroft and McMahon combined were relentless.
McMahon was the first Liberal to hold the seat in 70 years – the chance of losing the seat the next time around must have been made pretty clear – it didn’t take long for a media event to be held at city hall where the politicians lined up to comment on how well we had done.
And this time there was merit to the comments – the city did do well. There were some exceptions – they are usually described as independently wealthy and they didn’t contribute a dime
 By Pepper Parr
August 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition keeps a close watch on anything to do with small air parks and the rules and regulations that apply to them.
They recently passed along some information on a “conditional approval” for a remediation deal to begin cleanup at Greenbank Airways.
Greenbanks Airways is an operation in the Township of Scugog that had what was believed to be contaminated soil being dumped on the land.
RBGC and a number of others felt the same thing had been done at the Burlington Air Park. It took a number of months to get the city to take some action – there was a court case which the city won, an appeal of that decision which the city also won.
When the city took action asking a judge to compel the Air Park to submit a site plan the Air Park managed to find a constitutional issue and the case has been booted back to sometime late in the year.
Sooner or later the Air Park will run out of legal options and they will have to submit to the rules everyone else has to comply with.
 Will the Air Park eventually be forced to remove much of the fill they dropped on their property without the required permits? The clean-up deal at Lake Scugog will see D.L. services remove most of the contaminated soil from 30 areas on the site. It will then be tested and treated. As well, one area that cannot be removed, will be treated with microbes to degrade any gasoline found there.
D.L. Services originally submitted the plan to Scugog in June, and a conditional approval letter was awarded to the company.
“The cleanup won’t take long. What has taken long is just having to deal with all of the politics invloved,” explained Mr. LeBlanc. Those are words the people along Appleby Line would just love to hear – if it can be done at one small air park – it can be done at another.
Mayor Tom Rowett said that the township’s firm stance on Table 2 soil standards is justified. “I think the hardline stance is important because whenever you are dealing with a contract like this, you can’t send a mixed message,” commented Mayor Rowett.
 Bore hole testing: were enough holes drilled and were they drilled in the right places? In March, borehole testing on the site conducted by Golder Associates found that 22 of 45 soil samples exceeded the township’s table 2 standards.
Vanessa Warren, one of the RBGC founders, has argued strenuously in the past that the table 2 standards were critical. Vince Rossi, president of the Air Park has disagreed with her, as have his lawyers. A Superior Court Judge, and an Appeal Court panel sided with the city.
Our day will come.
By Staff
August 15th. 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Environment Canada reports that extreme heat and humidity expected to start Sunday, August 16 will result in temperatures that will reach at least 31 degrees Celsius with overnight temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius for two days along with a humidex of 40 or higher is expected for two days.
Even short periods of exposure to these weather conditions can cause serious health problems. This warning is intended to inform the general public and community agencies, to keep residents safe and healthy during the heat and to recommend that precautions are taken when temperatures are high.
 Anyone can be affected by extreme heat-related weather conditions. Those especially at risk include: older adults (over the age of 65), infants and young children, people who work and exercise in the heat, people without adequate housing and those without air conditioning. People who have breathing difficulties, heart problems, kidney problems or take heat-sensitive medications are also especially at risk of preventable heat illness. If you or someone in your care experiences rapid breathing, headache, confusion, weakness or fainting, seek medical attention right away.
You can prevent heat-related illness by staying cool; avoiding strenuous outdoor activities; seeking shade from the sun; spending time in air-conditioned places, such as shopping malls and community centres; and drinking plenty of cool liquids, especially water. Call or visit friends and neighbours who may be at risk and never leave people or pets in your care unattended in a car.
 By Staff
August 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 Suspect has made sure he will be very hard to identify  This photograph helped police determine the height of the suspect. In an update to an earlier report Halton Regional Police aded the following:
“Investigators continue to review several surveillance images of the suspect in these incidents, which are believed related. It would appear that the suspect has a lighter / olive coloured skin tone which differs from the description initially provided to investigators.”
It is pretty obvious these people don’t want to be seen or identified.
These are the pictures the Halton Regional Police were able to recover from the surveillance cameras in the convenience stores that were held up at gun point in the early, early hours of Saturday August 15th.
Armed and dangerous might be a good way to describe them.
Scary and dangerous situation for those clerks working a late shift in a convenience store.
Previous police report:
By Staff
August 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police were kept busy in the early hours of today – at approximately 2:15 am, a lone male suspect attended the Mac’s Convenience store located at Guelph Street and Delrex Boulevard in Georgetown.
 This suspect, who was armed with a handgun, approached the clerk inside the store and demanded cash and cigarettes. The clerk complied and turned over a quantity of money and cigarettes to this male. The suspect fled the store on foot in an unknown direction. Police responded and a search of the area failed to locate the suspect.
A short time later, at approximately 4:00am, a lone male suspect entered the Mac’s Convenience store located at 4021 Upper Middle Road in Burlington. The suspect, who was brandishing a handgun, approached a store clerk and made a demand for money. The suspect also took several cartons of cigarettes and packed them into a black bag before fleeing the store to a waiting vehicle. There is no description of the vehicle at this time.
The store clerks were not injured during either incident.
Investigators believe that the same suspect is responsible for both robberies.
Suspect Description: male, black, large build, 6’0” to 6’2” in height and approximately 200-210lbs
Clothing: dark coloured hoodie, hood and dark coloured scarf hiding face, black t-shirt, grey pants and white shoes. The suspect also wore black/white coloured gloves.
Anyone with information that would assist in this investigation is asked to contact members of the Halton Regional Police Service Criminal Investigations Bureau; Detective Tom Hockney (Milton) at 905-825-4747 extension 2491 / Detective Phil Vandenbeukel (Burlington) at 905 825-4747 extension 2313, through 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
August 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
We are having our share of rain – and it is interrupting what people can do in the parks
The following Sport fields are closed on Friday August 14, 2015:
Ireland D1 & D2
Millcroft D1 & D2
Nelson D1
Sherwood Forest D1, D2, D3, D4
By Pepper Parr
August 14th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The earth just may have moved – a little bit.
 Drawings of what the developer wanted the buildings to look like. View is from Lakeshore Road looking south. The development of that 22 storey condo on Lakeshore Road along with the smaller seven storey condo and the planned hotel have been “in the works” for years. The project was being talked at Council when Walter Mulkewich was Mayor – he gets the nod for approving the project while he was Mayor – something some of his colleagues seldom let him forget.
The Gazette got a note from a citizen advising us that trees were being cut down on the east side the of the Waterfront Hotel on Lakeshore Road
A note was sent to the writer who had expressed a concern about the recent tree removal along Elizabeth Street. The ward councillor’s office explained:
The tree removals were approved by Council in 2006 as a part of the re-zoning of the Bridgewater site and related reconstruction of Elizabeth Street. The required compensation and approvals are in place and include new street tree planting along the reconstructed street, as well as tree planting in the new park area along the shoreline.
In addition to this tree planting, compensation has been provided to allow tree planting in other areas of the City.
Does the cutting of the trees suggest that there is going to be some construction movement ?
Other than the construction of a sales office on the site – there hasn’t been any activity. Maybe that is because there may not have been enough activity on the sales side?
There hasn’t been a peep from the planning department on just where this project is in terms of development.
With the financial demise of the original developer (fancy word for bankruptcy) and the acquisition of the project by Jeff Paikin and his New Horizons organization some people thought the project would go forward with a little more energy.
Selling condominiums often means working with people who see the property as a long term investment. There are people at the Region and city hall who maintain that Burlington’s rental market is the result of condominiums that were purchased by investors.
 The 22 storey structure that is due to be built on the waters edge will forever change the look of the city. The plan is for a three structure development The market for condominiums is wicked in Vancouver and almost out of control in Toronto. All this while financial analysts talk of a correction in the housing market – which makes it very difficult for the private sector that takes the risk when the starting putting shovels in the ground and cranes on the skyline.
Interesting times. The taking down of those trees at the bottom of Elizabeth street suggest there just might be some movement.
By Staff
August 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Drug, Gun and Gang Unit of the Halton Regional Police Service has arrested two males for possession of fentanyl, one of which was transported to the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital for a suspected overdose.
On August 12th 2015, police and emergency services were dispatched to 1229 Marlborough Court, Oakville for a suspected drug overdose. Upon arrival police located a male unconscious on the ground beside a vehicle.
While providing emergency first-aid, police observed a container with a white powdery substance underneath the vehicle. Police also located another male on scene who had called 911.
Further investigation at the scene revealed that the unconscious male; Julien LARABIE (20 years of age) had posted an online advertisement looking to purchase fentanyl.
The 911 caller; Luc LEFEBRVE (20 years of age) responded to the ad and agreed to meet LARABIE and provide him a sample of fentanyl.
LEFEBRVE and LARABIE were smoking the fentanyl, causing LABARIE to enter a state of unconsciousness. Police seized the drugs on scene and the investigation is ongoing.
Julien LARABIE of Oakville is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance to wit: Fentanyl and will appear in Milton Court on September 9th 2015.
Luc LEFEBRVE of Mississauga is charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance to wit: Fentanyl and will appear in Milton Court on September 9th 2015.
 The Halton Regional Police Service warn citizens about the serious dangers involved with the illicit use of prescription drugs, including; fentanyl. The illicit abuse and trafficking of fentanyl is growing concern across Canada as such the Halton Regional Police Service are participating in a provincial initiative; the PATCH4PATCH program.
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police commenced the PATCH4PATCH program in 2014 in effort to prevent the abuse of fentanyl patches and encourage our community to play a collaborative role. The Halton Regional Police Service has engaged our local stakeholders to participate in the community initiative.
Acting Inspector Dave Stewart of Regional Intelligence and Drugs states “The Halton Regional Police Service strongly supports the Patch4Patch program. The illicit use of prescription drugs such as fentanyl has become a serious threat to community safety and the PATCH4PATCH program allows stakeholders such as; physicians, pharmacies, patients and family members to mobilize as a preventative tool and deterrent strategy.”
By Staff
August 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There are numerous people who 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.
We will share “Fugitive Friday” information on our website and via social media through Twitter @HRPSBurl and @HaltonPolice.
It is week 17 for our “Fugitive Friday” initiative and the Halton Regional Police Service, Burlington station are reaching out once again to the public to help locate wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions.
The police would like to find Korde HILL 49 years old, of Ohsweken, ON.
 Korde HILL 49 years old, of Ohsweken, ON. It is alleged:
In August, 2013, the accused stole a car from the Peel Region, drove it to Mapleview Mall in the City of Burlington and proceeded to steal another car that was later located at a Burlington motel.
Officers identified the suspect but have yet to locate him. As a result a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He is wanted by Halton Regional Police for:
Theft of Motor Vehicle
Possession of Stolen Property
He is also wanted by Six Nations Police Service for:
Possession of Break and Enter Instruments
Occupy Motor Vehicle without Consent
Possession of CDSA
HILL is described as 6’, 245lbs, brown eyes and black hair. HILL has tattoos – “Love” and “Ace” on his left hand and fingers, right arm – “Eagle” and left arm – “Wolf”. HILL has ties to Hamilton, Six Nations and the surrounding area.
Anyone who knows this male or has information that would assist investigators in locating him are encouraged to contact D/C Calvin 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).
By Staff
August 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police are investigating a serious motor vehicle collision that left a Burlington woman with serious injuries.
A single vehicle collision in the Roseland Plaza parking lot on Guelph Line near to New Street in Burlington has left a 75 year old Burlington female in critical condition at the Hamilton General Hospital.
The accident took place at 5:50pm Tuesday August 11th, when the driver of the car was alone in her vehicle and appeared to have lost control of the car in the parking lot before it collided with a wall at the Bay City Veterinary surgery.
 The female was transported with a police escort to Hamilton General Hospital where her condition Tuesday evening was described as critical.
Due to the serious nature of the collision, the Halton Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit attended at the scene and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
No other vehicles were involved in the incident and no other parties were injured.
Anybody with information regarding this incident, who has not already spoken to police, is asked to contact the CRU on 905-825-4747 ext 5065.
 By Staff
August 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Nelson Pool will not be opened at all this summer and into the immediate future due to structural tank deterioration.
Nelson Outdoor Pool, which first opened in 1963, was scheduled to open again this summer. As part of preparing for the summer opening, city staff conducted a pool inspection after the winter season. The pool tank’s structure is made of steel and is fitted with a commercial grade pool liner. The steel structure has corroded beyond repair and has been deemed unsafe for public use by a structural engineer. Attempts were made to see if any short term solutions could be found for this summer season however, repair measures were too extensive. The tank was scheduled for replacement in the capital budget in 2019.
“The pool was to reopen June 13, but with two severe winter seasons back-to-back, the steel tank at Nelson Pool has seen an accelerated rate of deterioration,” said Chris Glenn, director of parks and recreation. “Ensuring public safety is our top priority, and thus the need to keep Nelson Pool closed. Plans were made to accommodate program participants and renters at other city pools.”
Accommodations have been made to offer additional recreational swimming times and lessons at other city pools. Nelson Wading Pool and Splash Pad are open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Sept. 7, 2015.
Staff will conduct a formal review this fall of Burlington pool users’ needs with a primary focus on summer use. The review will analyze the impacts of Nelson pool being closed and will compare user data from previous years. Capital works will prepare preliminary design and cost scenarios for consideration.
The city will ask pool users and the community for feedback that will be taken into consideration when staff make a formal recommendation to committee and council later in the year.
 By Staff
August 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
We called them the good old days – when life was simpler, everything was cheaper and it seem like a “better time” or so we tell ourselves.
One of things that was different a couple of decades ago was that we were more self-sufficient – because we had to be.
You made your own fun – you used your imagination because the stuff kids play with today wasn’t in the stores several decades ago.
The Halton Conservation organization, besides overseeing the watersheds and regulating many of the environmental rules they also run a number of educational programs; they work with schools getting into classrooms and passing along some of the environment fundamentals.
From time to time they put on a program that is just plain fun. “Hey kids”, they ask “have you ever wondered what your parents or your grand-parents did for play when they were your age? They probably spent a lot of time outdoors. They probably went exploring, or built a fort, or skipped stones on a lake, or climbed a tree.”
 Crawford Lake – an environmental gem with an incredible story. A program taking place at both the Mountsberg and Crawford Lake Conservation Areas on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will give kids time for fun activities that are not only lots of fun but will get them outside and active, at Amazing Things To Do Before You’re 12 event.
Regular park admission applies and Halton Parks members can show their pass for admission.
 Orienteering – a skill that every young person should know something about – they learn to “box a compass”. Conservation Halton staff will help you to learn how to use a compass, make pottery, hold a snake, start a fire without matches or to skip a stone on the lake, and much more. It will be a great day full of family fun, and who knows, maybe you can prove you are the greatest stone skipper of all time!
All the activities engage children and their families with nature in a way that is sure to create long term family memories.
 Will your children ever get a chance to skip a stone over water? The program came out of the 2005 book by author Richard Louv who introduced us all to the dilemma of the disconnect between children and nature in his ground-breaking book “Last Child in the Woods”. He coined the term Nature Deficit Disorder which aptly describes the poor physical and emotional health of children and adults due to the lack of direct exposure to the outdoors.
Take your kids out for the day – they will sleep soundly when they get home.
About Mountsberg Conservation Area
Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, five km west of Campbellville, ON, between Highway 6 South and the Guelph Line. This 472 hectare park includes extensive wetlands, forests, fields, and a reservoir. Mountsberg hosts many family friendly events which are sure to become family traditions for many in the community. It is also well known for the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, which is home to 15 different species of native birds of prey. Many of the Raptor Centre’s resident birds of prey have permanent injuries that have left them incapable of surviving on their own in the wild.
 By Pepper Parr
August 10th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Premier and a couple of her Ministers are going to announce some of the design features for the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan that Kathleen Wynne thinks the citizens of Ontario need.
And why is that news? – Because we are in a federal election campaign and Wynne has made it clear that she is going to work very hard to get Liberal leader Justin Trudeau elected.
 Wynne feels something has to be done to improve the pensions that people will need when they retire and because the federal government has shown no interest in making it possible for people to add to what they set aside for future pensions – the province of Ontario has to step in and do something – now.
Wynne has been banging away at Prime Minister Harper for months to get him to hold meetings with all the Premiers – not something he is interested in doing. So Wynne announces that she will hold a press conference to talk about the “design features” of the pension plan she wants to put in place.
 Is he what we want? The name doesn’t hurt – now what has he got in the way of ideas? Of course should Justin Trudeau manage to become the Prime Minister all the work Premier Wynne has had done will be set aside and the new federal government will make changes to the current Canada Pension plan – which is what should have been done in the first place – but the current Prime Minister doesn’t want to be seen cooperating with Liberals and certainly not with Kathleen Wynne.
These politicians do play games.
We’ll let you know what the Wynne pension plan design features look like.
 By Pepper Parr
August 10, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre has a new executive director.
Suzanne Haines will assume her new role effective September 1st replacing Brian McCurdy who has held the position since August 2013.
 The Executive Director is charged with developing an effective economic operating model for the performing arts centre, balancing between community-based arts groups, the Centre’s presenting series of programs and other community and corporate usage.
Haines will be the third person to hold down the job since the Performing Arts Centre opened in the fall of 2011.
“We received great interest in this position from across the country and beyond, and feel we have chosen an individual whose experience and qualifications are best suited to lead us into our 5th Season and beyond,” said Theatre Board chair Ilene Elkaim.
Haines was previously employed as General Manager of the Gateway Theatre, a $2.4 million operation in Richmond, B.C. As the only professional performing arts organization in that community, which has a large east Asian population, Gateway produced and presented theatre, acts as a cultural venue for the community through rentals and year-round youth educational and outreach programming.
As CEO of the organization, Suzanne was the community builder, and the face of the organization to the community. She is credited as being successful in converting the Gateway Theatre into a highly engaged community centre.
 Brenda Heatherington had a great pedigree on the content side – many felt she didn’t get the support she needed on the finance and administration side.  McCurdy ran a tight ship took moderate risks that paid off. He is going to be missed – not only because he was a decent guy but because he had the chops to do the job right. “This is an important leadership role and while we are disappointed to see Brian leave us, we are grateful for his contribution and dedication. We wish him all the best and hope he will return to visit soon, as a patron and to witness first-hand the impact he has had here in Burlington and on this wonderful facility”, said Theatre Board chair Ilene Elkaim.
“Brian provided great leadership and direction and guided us forward with a strategic focus for the next three years”.
 The opening night for the Performing Arts Centre was a glamorous affair – the place has yet to live up to its original billing. Indeed, McCurdy steadied the ship and brought some financial discipline to an operation that was bleeding more red ink than city council could stomach.
Haines ran the Gateway for 12 years. She announced in April that she would be leaving the theatre. Brian McCurdy announced his plans to retire the second half of May.
The Gateway switchboard said they did not think they should be saying anything about Ms Haines other than that she left in April.
The Gateway has two theatres: a 540 seat Main Stage and a 100 seat Studio B. They also offered year-round acting, musical theatre, and technical training classes for youth aged 6 – 18; adults classes were also available.
The current Performing Arts Board is working from a Strategic Plan that McCurdy’s thumb prints are all over – that’s the good news. If the board can stay on that course and the marketing team continues to do the job they’ve done in the past – we could be OK – I think
By Staff
August 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If you are of an artistic bent and you have something you would like to say about sports in Burlington there is a call for Expressions of Interest from artists for the creation of a series of permanent public artworks relating to the theme: ‘The Spirit of Sport.’
A series of three (3) small to medium-scale, exterior public artworks will be installed at three separate sports fields / facilities in the city of Burlington, Ont., Canada.
This competition is open to all Ontario-based, professional artists* and/or artist-led teams.
Click here to view the full Expression of Interest document (pdf)
You can submit your expression of interest on-line
 Burlington is currently spending on public art. This one is in the Alton community – there are to be three that are sports related installed and plans in place to put one mural in each ward. Burlington has a long history of sports excellence, on both and amateur and professional
level. The city boasts a wide variety of sports facilities, parks, fields and other infrastructure
that provide community-wide access to sport and active living. These opportunities range
from children’s programming to training for high performance athletes.
 Frank Hayden has a rich sports history – he represents what sport can be in a community. Burlington is also home to a number of notable sports figures including: Dr. Frank Hayden,founder of the International Special Olympics Movement; Melville Marks Robinson, founder of Commonwealth Games; Melanie Booth, Olympian-soccer; Angela Coughlan, Olympian-swimming and numerous professional and Olympic athletes and coaches.
 A masterful freestyle swimmer, Coughlan was 16 when she won an Olympic bronze medal in Mexico in 1968 as part of Canada’s 4×100-metre relay team. As such, sport is an important element of Burlington’s unique culture as it touches the lives of people young and old, of diverse cultures and geography.
Deadline:
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Budget:$100,000
CAD (maximum, all inclusive)
For more information:
Kim Selman: 905-548-0111 |
kim@cobaltconnects.ca
By Staff
August 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The annual Sandcastles Festival that takes place in the Beachway Park Saturday August the 8th will get a big dollop of the city’s Pan Am spirit.
That Pan Am spirit is being poured onto and into almost everything going on in the city.
 Can you improve on this? Then get yourself down to the Sandcastle Festival in the Beachway Park. The city issued a media release that said: “Burlington is proud to be part of the TO2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games celebrations and felt that the Sandcastles Festival would make an ideal Panamania event,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “As the games come to a close, we encourage everyone to come out, see sand sculptures take shape and enjoy a day of Pan Am-themed activities on the beach.”
This year’s Sandcastles Festival will feature a Pan American theme. Saturday’s main attraction includes a sandcastles competition held at Beachway Park and Pavilion, 1100 Lakeshore Rd. Sculptors of all ages and abilities are encouraged to register in one of three categories:
Family, noon to 4 p.m.
Friends, ages 13 and older, 1 to 4 p.m.
Child, ages 4 to 12 years, 2 to 4 p.m.
Saturday also includes sand-sculpting demonstrations by sand-sculpting masters Sandi “Castle” Stirling and Nick Blandin (winners of several North American sand sculpting awards), Sharon Nesbitt, (2010 First Place Adult and People’s Choice award winner), Raymond Poirier and Dale Andrews (2014 First Place Adult and People’s Choice award winner). Their creations will incorporate the Pan Am theme of this year’s event.
The Sand Sculpting Competition will award first, second and third prizes in each category as determined by the master sand-sculptor judges. A People’s Choice Award is selected by festival attendees who fill out a ballot. Prizes include a custom sand-sculpture trophy for first prize for each category and great prizes provided by Canadian Tire Burlington stores for all prize levels.
A nominal fee is required to enter the competition. Entrants are strongly encouraged to preregister at any city facility or via RecExpress to guarantee a spot. On-site registration opens at 9 a.m. and is first-come, first-served, if any spots are still available.
 This has the look of a production line – serious stuff and a lot of fun as well. Imagine families from different parts of the city competing against one another. Saturday event attendees are encouraged to use active transportation and bike, walk or roll to the festival using the Waterfront Trail. There is also a free shuttle to Beachway Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Two shuttles will be running between the beach and two free parking locations: Inland Waters, located at 867 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington and the City of Burlington parking garage at 414 Locust St. This shuttle bus will be waiting in the bus lane at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (located north of the parking garage).
Parking is free on Saturdays in all downtown municipal parking lots (with the exception of the Waterfront east and west lots at Discovery Landing/Spencer’s Restaurant).
By Staff
August 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is the combined efforts and partnerships of several services that have led to the success of locating and arresting a wanted man who has evaded police for over five years.
In May, 2015, the Halton Regional Police began a thorough search for Donald MUGFORD, 44 years, from Newfoundland.
It is alleged, in February 2009, MUGFORD committed a break and enter at Main Street Donuts in the Town of Milton and stole money from the cash register. It is suspected that he may be responsible for numerous other break and enters in Halton. A warrant was issued for his arrest, however efforts to locate him were unsuccessful.
MUGFORD was also wanted on four additional warrants held by the Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police and Peel Regional Police for a variety of offences including Theft over $5000, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Flight from a Police Officer, Fail to Appear Court, Theft under $5000, Breach of Probation and Break and Enter.
As a result of ongoing efforts, the search led police to St. John’s, Newfoundland where it was believed the accused was residing. Officers from the Halton Regional Police Criminal Investigations Bureau worked closely with the Halton Crown Attorney’s office and the Harbour Grace detachment of the RCMP in Newfoundland to confirm MUGFORD’s location.
Working in partnership, and through extensive follow-ups, the accused was located and arrested during a traffic stop on July 28, 2015, in the province of Newfoundland, by members of the RCMP.
On August 3, 2015 Halton officers attended Harbour Grace, Newfoundland and took custody of the accused. MUGFORD was arrested for break and enter and breach of probation.
The accused was escorted back to the Halton Region to face the outstanding charges as well as the other outstanding warrants in the Province of Ontario.
Question: How much money did the Regional police spend in getting this suspect back to Burlington; will he be given bail and if not how much time will he spend in a remand centre at significant cost to taxpayers. Would it not have been better to just leave him in Newfoundland and wait for him to commit a crime there?
By Pepper Parr
August 5th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Our report late in July on the fence being down on a piece of property in the west end of the city next to the railway lines resulted in some action.
Denise Davey has been a tireless advocate for ensuring that access to the rail lines are secured and young people don’t have the opportunity to scoot across the train tracks thinking g they can beat the oncoming train.
 Vince Fiorito holds up part of a fence that had been trampled into the ground due to a lack of maintenance. There have been too many deaths – “a fact which the city recognized a few years ago” said Davey ” when they set up a pedestrian rail safety committee to discuss these problems.”
Three railway crossing deaths in three months – intolerable Click for more.
Part of the problem is the problems have to get to them- they don’t have any way of communicating with the people who have properties along the rail line.
Davey said she was told that city staff investigated the issues with property access to the rail line through the creek that runs under the rail line that cuts through Sherwood Forest Park. Some of the properties are owned by the City and that they will be installing fencing.
Davey said: “This is good and it’s what I asked for all those years ago! Hopefully they do it right as there’s a lot of land that needs to be blocked off.
Minister of transportation holds meetings to look for answers to railway crossing deaths. Click for more
“Where there is private ownership, the owners are being notified and the city Building Department will be following up with them. I don’t know if there is any regulation that will force them to put up fencing or not but hopefully they’ll do it regardless.”
By Staff
August 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is a bit of an experiment – one that should produce excellent results for the Performing Arts Centre.
Free public Jazz concerts that will start at 6:30 pm on the plaza of the of the Centre
 Jude Johnson, a Burlington native, is a vocalist, songwriter and performer Jude Johnson, a Burlington native, is a vocalist, songwriter and performer and is Hamilton’s Special Music Ambassador. She was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction in 2009. She also received the Hamilton Arts award for Arts Education in 2011.
Jude has released nine recordings including her most recent Live on Pine (2013) with Mike Malone on horns and Carl Horton on piano.
“How can I keep from Singing” is a collection of vintage inspirational gospel/spirituals. Reaching Indie Gold is her CD, “This Heart of Mine” (2001) featuring Carl Horton on piano, guests Jackie Washington on vocals, Carlos del Junco on harmonica, Brian Lee Griffith on guitar and the string quartet “Panache”.
This classy, entertaining CD is a collection of classic jazz compositions performed with intimacy, grace and joy.
 Free Jazz on the plaza of the Performing Arts Centre – an opportunity for people to see the Spiral Stella and take in some fine music. Jude has also been the unseen voice on many radio and TV commercials, been featured on CBC radio and sung on over 50 albums with such diverse artists as Daniel Lanois, Raffi (more singable songs), Paul Langielle and Stan Rogers (Turnaround), and performed across Canada at countless festivals, schools, libraries and community events.
The performance takes place on our plaza from 6:30pm-8:30pm and our bar will be open!
In the event of rain, we will move from the plaza into the lobby.
By Staff
August 5, 2015
BURLINGTON,ON
If you happen to be driving along the rural roads in north Burlington you will know what we mean when we say – a lot of cowboys drive those roads.
The one that we cringe on is that stretch of Britannia where it joins Cedar Springs – there is a deep dip and then a rise with a curve in it – and then there you are at Cedar Springs where there is a curve in that road as well.
Wonder who the traffic engineer who designed that intersection
 Councillor Taylor has been consistent in his battle to have the speeding on rural roads lessened. He’s been the only council member fighting that battle. It is at times truly dangerous along some of the rural roads – ward 3 Councillor John Taylor meets with the police regularly and is always asking for signage and thicker police coverage.
We don’t hear the same concern from the other member of Council with rural territory.
Halton Regional Police continue to implement the Reducing Rural Speeds Project throughout the north end of Burlington. This is a traffic safety initiative that utilizes education and enforcement strategies to reduce the speeds of vehicles travelling along rural roads in order to promote safe driving habits.
Residents of rural Burlington worry about an accident happening that results in a fatality – and with the speed that some of those cowboys drive on those roads – it is scary.
Speed enforcement projects have occurred annually under various names (BEARS in the Woods, BRRaKE). Speed enforcement on rural roadways has indicated that a significant portion of the problem is from commuters using rural routes to avoid more heavily travelled main thoroughfares such as Highway 401, Highway 6, Highway 403, QEW, and Dundas Street. The continuing volume of complaints indicates that drivers continue to disobey speed limits and have little regard for the safety of the people who reside in these communities.
Since July 1st, officers have issued 460 provincial offense notices for driving related offences along these rural roadways, 363 of those were for speeding.
Officers will continue to patrol the rural roads to deter drivers from speeding along these roadways.
There was a time when municipal people referred to these police cars as Holsteins – the result of their markings. The colour scheme changed to more white – the traditional colours are returning. Expect to see more of these on the rural roads – unmarked perhaps. In order to increase safety it is necessary for the public to recognize that speeding is unacceptable and can have catastrophic repercussions. As a result, police are hoping this campaign will remind drivers that as their speed increases so does the risk of a collision.
The Halton Regional Police Service is committed to combating dangerous and aggressive driving behaviours that put all road users at risk.
If any citizen would like to report a traffic concern they can do so by visiting our website and making a Road Watch complaint.
ROAD WATCH is a community driven program encouraging anonymous reporting of incidents involving dangerous and/or aggressive driving. This program is an opportunity to bring an aggressive driver to our attention.
Be the extra eyes and ears and learn more here: https://www.haltonpolice.ca/PRC/Pages/ROADWATCH.aspx
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By Pepper Parr
