 By Ray Rivers
June 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
I have a friend who would like nothing better than to see all political parties banned. Representatives should follow the wishes of the people who elected them, not be desk-thumping seals obeying the every whim of the prime minister and his entourage. For him, Canada’s federal government, with its powerful leadership clique and strict party discipline, best resembles a limited autocracy.
 The signing of the Magna Carta – the document that began the process of taking power away from Kings But is partisanship the culprit? Political parties are the wheels that have been driving the evolution of the democratic form, excepting the obscure Greek experiments with direct democracy. Not to downplay the importance of the Magna Carta, it was the Whig (Liberals) party in Britain which wrestled autocratic executive power away from the King, and brought us our modern parliamentary template.
So, perhaps, the issue has more to do with leadership style than governance structure. And, in that vein, my friend likes to blame Pierre Trudeau. He says that PET initiated the style, adopted by subsequent leaders, of absolute control over public policy and decision-making. And he is even more critical of Mr. Harper, who makes PET look like a wuss in this regard.
Ontario Tory back bencher and maverick, Michael Chong, finally got his private member’s Reform Act through the system. Chong held a couple of ministerial posts in the 2006 Conservative government before quitting Cabinet in disgust over the ‘Québécois nation motion’. Having doomed himself to eternal back-benching by his action, he then focused his creative juices on reforming the party system to rein in the near absolute power of party leaders.
I’ve never been a fan of government writing laws to regulate its own behaviour. Laws like the Mike Harris balanced budget legislation and the latest federal copycat version of that are good examples of bad legislation. Unworkable, impractical and unnecessary, there are enough holes in that federal budget law for the PM to drive a Mack truck through – as he did with his fixed elections date law.
I always figured that budgets were what we paid the government to sort out in our best interests. It’s their job, why do they need a law? And this so-called Reform Act is about how the party’s rule themselves. Mundane matters like selecting caucus chairs and nominating candidates are the stuff of this bill. Well, at least that is all that was left, after his own party got through with it.
Let’s remember that political parties are already governed under the Elections Act and by Elections Canada. There are stiff penalties for misdeeds, as Harper’s protege and former spokesperson, Dean Del Mastro, recently discovered. He is the winner of a month’s free room and board in the ‘Big House’ for breaking campaign spending rules and trying to cover it up.
When Justin Trudeau heard about potential sexual misconduct by two of his Liberal MPs, a while back, he immediately suspended them from his caucus. Under the Reform Act he now would not be able to do that without jumping through a bunch of hoops and hurdles. You be the judge if that makes us better off – but it sure did tick off Chong’s boss, and that may have been his main point.
 Conservative MP Michael Chong introduced a bill that would give party caucuses significant powers – including the ability to vote out their leader – and it was actually passed by the House of Commons. Chong, not only had to grovel to get this bill past his own party members in the House of Commons, but almost lost it in the Senate, where one Conservative senator threatened to kill it. Meanwhile the opposition parties were rubbing their hands and cheering him on. That tells us as much about the legislation as it does them.
And Mr. Chong objected to the bill being sent to the Senate, given that it only concerned procedures in the House of Commons, and the Senate has no authority over the lower house. Besides the Senate is a mess and has become a laughing stock. That institution can’t even manage itself let alone pass judgement on what goes on among MPs in the House of Commons.
It’s not just Duffy, who is still on trial, but all the other scoundrels scarfing down all the goodies to be snatched from the public trough. The person most likely to put Canada’s Senate out of its misery, the high polling NDP leader Mulcair, hasn’t announced whether that will be on his election platform this fall. But he and Saskatchewan’s premier Wall are sure making a lot of noise.
Interestingly Mr. Trudeau has taken the party out of the Senate, at least if they call themselves Liberals. That sounds a lot like what my friend was craving – replacing the thumping seals with non-partisan representatives. Except they’re not really representatives – don’t really represent anyone but themselves.
So long as senators are unelected, they will always be seen as patronage appointments – whatever their political colour. On the other hand, an elected Senate would compromise parliamentary decision-making, as indeed moving to an elected Senate has done in the USA. So more Canadians are coming to accept that it may not just the bath water, but this baby, which needs tossing out.
As for Chong’s law, it prescribes no new penalties, so the Election Act and Parliament of Canada Act are the fall backs. But I doubt Mr. Trudeau or Mr. Harper would serve jail time for expelling the next delinquent MP without having first put it to a vote in caucus. I’d give him a B+ for his good intentions, an A for effort and a C for the actual bill.
 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. Up until yesterday Rivers was president of the Flamborough – Glanbrook federal Liberal Association. We could not have a president of a federal constituency association writing an opinion column on the upcoming federal election – Rivers resigned the presidency of the association last night and will take a break during part of July and return in August – unless of course there is some breaking political news that stirs him from his summer slumber.
Background links:
Chong’s Law Opposition Support Passing Chong’s Law
Trudeau’s Law Mulcair’s Law Harper’s Law
 By Pepper
June 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Some people in each community listen carefully, ask probing questions and trust their member of Council to keep them up to date on what is happening in their community and to protect the best the community has.
Every member of a city council has their own unique style; something that defines who they are and the way they see their job.
In Burlington there are a number of different political styles. Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was once out on Christmas Day picking up garbage when a resident called her t complain.
During the flood last August Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison walked into hundreds of basements to personally see the damage done.
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman put his heart on his sleeve when her spoke to a group of Rotarians during the Rubfest launch and pleaded for help for the people in his community.
Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor doesn’t hold meetings for his constituents – they are more like family get togethers – he has been in office that long.
 Blair Lancaster – almost holding court with her constituents at a corn roast. Blair Lancaster in ward 6 tends to have two different public styles; one that gets used for those south of Dundas and another that gets used when she is politicking north of Dundas; there is nothing duplicitous ion this approach – she is dealing with two different mind sets and adjust her message to meet her understanding of each community.
Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven, who gave up talking to the Gazette when we wrote something about him he didn’t like, held a community meeting.
Last Wednesday evening Councillor Craven held a community meeting to talk about the 324 townhouse project on Masonry Court being developed by the ADI Group. It wasn’t a particularly unpopular project – the meeting didn’t cheer when the presentation was over – they just thought the developer could do something that was more “livable” and “imaginative”. “Not very creative” was the most stinging comment. He was speaking to an audience of about 40 people who were for the most part involved in their community and wanted to know more.
Councillor told them that the population of Aldershot had grown by just 4000 people in the last 15 years and that without more in the way of growth the chances of there ever seeing a grocery store in the west end of the community were very slim.
 Rick Craven: Best committee chair the city has; not big on the warm fuzzy stuff through. Needs a hug badly.  Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven – seems to have forgotten everything he knew about the ADI project on Martha at Lakeshore Road. The meeting was just like most community meetings in Aldershot; people listened and asked questions and for the most part got fair answers.
Until ..
Until one woman asked the speaker from the ADI Group to tell her a little about the company – she’d never heard of them before.
The company representative told their story – sort of. He skirted totally the situation with the 28 storey application that ADI had made to the city for an application at the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road which the city and planning department was completely against – including Councillor Craven.
 The ADI Group’s 28 storey development proposal on the downtown core was not mentioned at a meeting about their Masonry Court development. The rules that govern development applications are such that if the planning department doesn’t do something with an application the developer can take their case to the Ontario Municipal Board. Burlington city council didn’t get to vote formally on the project within that 180 day window.
On the 181st day ADI had taken their case to the OMB.
The project is one that the city feels is a mistake from a development point of view and has been consistently vocal about.
But not a word about this issue from Councillor Craven when a constituent asked to know more about the company.
Councillor Craven had an obligation to tell his constituents that there was a problem with a major ADI development application and they were playing a very sharp game – albeit within the rules of the game.
Craven’s behavior gives a whole new definition to politicians being in bed with developers.
Background links:
Aldershot community meeting Wednesday June 23rd, 2015
Full profile on ward 1 Councillor.
Councillor chooses not to represent his constituents; property expropriated.
 By Staff
June 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
WHAT: The Naked Craft Network is an international research project that brings together the best of contemporary Canadian and Scottish craft. and the general public to discuss the themes explored throughout the Naked Craft Project, and to look forward to the future of craft.
 Saturday – 10 to 4 – Naked Artists take over the AGB. WHEN and WHERE: Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 10am – 5pm at the Art Gallery of Burlington
The word Naked certainly caught my attention. Tell me more.
Speakers
 Denis Longchamps – curator at the AGB will be speaking at the symposium • Dr. Sandra Alfoldy, Professor of Craft History at Nova Scotia College of Art & Design (NSCAD) University and Associate Curator of Fine Craft at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
• Dr. Denis Longchamps, Chief Curator, Art Gallery of Burlington
• Aaron Nelson, Associate Director, Medalta Museum
• Emma Quin, CEO, Craft Canada
• Dr. Heather Read, Postdoctoral Fellow, Ryerson University
• Dr. Susan Surette, Postdoctoral Fellow, NSCAD University
• Arno Verhoeven, Lecturer, University of Edinburgh School of Design and Sr. Tutor at the Edinburgh College of Art
Artists
• Jeanette Sendler (Scotland) – Hat maker, costume design and fibre artist, Sendler’s interest in costume design developed into performance art featuring large-‐scale installations, rendered in knit/felt on paper.
• Beth Legg (Scotland) -‐ An artist from the Highlands of Scotland, her practice is concerned with landscape, memory and the language of materials. Her work as a precious metalsmith has been included in numerous international publications.
• Aaron Nelson (Canada) – In addition to an active studio practice, Aaron is the Associate Director at Medalta in Medicine Hat, Alberta. This position has allowed him to develop relationships with a regional, national and international community of makers, and thus contextualize the diversity of contemporary approaches to ceramic practice.
• Other Artists: Sarah Alford, Jennifer Cantwell, Caroline Dear, Amanda McCavour, Kevin Andrew Morris, Clint Neufeld and Kari Woo
 A John Willard quilt part of a recent show at the Art Gallery of Burlington
Naked Craft Symposium Event Schedule
AM
9:00 to 10:00: Registration and complimentary continental breakfast 10:00 to 10:10 Welcoming remarks
Robert Steven, CEO and President of the Art Gallery of Burlington 10:10 to 11:00 North and Identity panel
Presenter and moderator: Heather Read
Participants: Kari Woo, Amanda McCavour, Beth Legg and Kevin Andrew Morris 11:00 to 11:20 Pause
11:20 to 12:10 Tradition and Craft panel
Presenter and moderator: Susan Surette
Participants: Sarah Alford, Jennifer Cantwell, Caroline Dear, Jeanette Sendler and Clint Neufeld
PM
12:10 to 1:00 Complimentary buffet lunch
Naked Craft in Discussion
*Speakers & Artists available for interviews 1:00 to 1:20 New Positions, Denis Longchamps
1:20 to 1:40 Tooling up, Aaron Nelson
1:40 to 2:00 DIY (Do-‐It-‐Yourself), Sandra Alfoldy
2:00 to 2:30 Moderated discussion
Moderators: Heather Read and Susan Surette
2:30 to 2:50 Pause
3:00 to 4:00 Keynote: Making MAKING Matter, Aaron Nelson 4:00 to 4:15 Question period
4:15 to 4:30 Closing remarks, Emma Quin, CEO Craft Ontario 5:00 to 7:00 Official opening of Naked Craft
Curators: Sandra Alfoldy, Denis Longchamps, Juliette MacDonald, Emma Quin, Arno Verhoeven
Up to this point I still didn’t know much about what was taking place over at the Art Gallery – needed to do a little research to bring myself up to speed as it were on what the artists are up to these days.
Naked Craft is designed to be playful in how it engages a public audience; at a time in popular culture when the words “handcrafted” and “artisanal” are the “it” words of marketing houses, attention must be redirected back to craft itself. Craft is a sexy word, and Naked Craft intends to show the viewer just how sexy craft itself can be. Naked Craft examines craft practice through the four main themes: New Positions; Down and Dirty: politics and materials; DIY; and Tooling up: new technologies and economies.
Naked Craft looks to contribute towards a better understanding of continuity and change within the discipline. It is evident that despite the cultural diversity and obstacles that influence craft making in Canada, in Scotland, and around the world, there are many similarities and shared values that influence the craft sector. In Canada we’re putting forth a concerted effort toward public outreach and new ways of presenting craft to audiences as diverse as the communities of craft makers whom we support. With an increase in the awareness of contemporary craft and an understanding of its value, comes the potential of increased sales, consumption, recognition and promotion for both makers and their objects. As such, both the individuals creating craft as well as those consuming it are rewarded with culturally enriching experiences, which support the local economy and encourage a focus on high-quality craft objects that are lasting and well made.
Naked Craft has spanned almost four years of research in two countries and includes two workshop/residencies, three symposiums, a touring exhibition and a publication. The NCN is interested in broadly developing a better understanding of the relationships between the identities that are inherently attributed to geopolitical regions of practice, and the reciprocal role that the material production of craft plays in building, maintaining and disseminating these identities in a global arena of commerce and culture in the future.
Oh – so they aren’t running around the grounds stark naked – nope they are just doing craft stuff with a newer, sexier name.
 By Pepper Parr
June 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
At March 31, 2015 the total balances of all the reserve funds amounted to $146.0 million, which is $2.8 million lower than the corresponding figure of $148.8 million at March 31, 2014.
Of the total Reserves and Reserve Funds $38.7 million is committed for various projects leaving an uncommitted balance of $107.3 million. The commitments represent expenditures approved by Council in previous years’ capital budgets or funds held for specific future purposes.
The following chart provides an historical perspective of uncommitted reserve and reserve fund balances as at March 31:
Reserve and Reserve Fund Uncommitted Balances as at March 31
Municipalities in Ontario are not permitted to run a deficit – should that happen the province would send in its bean counters and the city would be under trusteeship.
What the city works to avoid is creating and maintaining reserve funds that are drawn on when needed.
There are literally dozens of reserve funds and its pretty easy to move money from one to the other. There is the story told about some Canadian Open golf tournament tickets that got paid for out of a reserve fund – that somehow didn’t really clear city council. That was a different time and a different era.
The city creates a budget to cover operating expenses, salaries and paper clips and on occasion that operating budget ends up with a surplus – which the finance now calls a “positive variance”. In Burlington that surplus ranges above and blow a million – except for the year when it ballooned to more than $9 million – heads eventually rolled for that one.
Set out below are various reserve funds the city has and what the balances are:
Half a million in the piggy bank for “Growth Studies” is kind of handy. Transit doesn’t have any wiggle room – the vast majority of their reserve is committed. Some technology has been bought but has yet to be installed. They might manage to do that work when the drivers are off the job should they decide to go on strike.
Six million in as contingency fund; another $5 million in the tax rate stabilization fund; $2 million in the Employe accident reserve – no wonder city council spends so much time in closed session on outstanding litigation matters. That much money in reserve makes it almost worth suing the city – they can afford it.
 lio
 As of March 31, 2015 the operating budget shows a favourable variance of $800,568 with a year end projected favourable variance of $122,285
The Year end projection does not include the provision from the Severe Weather Reserve Fund.
Staff will continue to monitor and update the year-end projections as part of the 2015 Budget review currently underway.
By Pepper Parr
June 25th 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
They are different in Aldershot – a little rougher at the edges; less pretence to these people. They can be pretty outspoken and they don’t shirk from asking direct questions.
 This is where the ADI Development Masonry Court is going to be located – bounded by the GO station lines, Waterdown Road, Masonry Court and the GO station parking lot. About 40 people from the community met at the West Aldershot United church to learn more about the ADI Group development on Masonry road where a 324 housing units project is in the negotiation stage with the city planning department.
There are to be 200 stacked townhouses’ 64 standard town houses and 60 back-to-back townhouses. No basements but parking underneath the structures.
There was not going to be any commercial space in the townhouse part of the project – which they are calling phase 1. The property is zoned for mixed use, residential, commercial and recreational.
The ADI approach appears to be as much residential as they can get – there is a demand for housing across the GTA that cannot be met – Burlington offers a safe, pleasant community to live in and the GO train is almost at your door step – it can whisk you into Toronto in well under an hour. What more could you ask for?
Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven took the audience through an overview of the project and explained the role it would play in the larger development of west Aldershot.
 The longer term growth plans for Burlington are hinged on the mobility hub concept – Aldershot is the first to see real development in a planned hub location. Planners admit the project is a little ahead of their thinking. Burlington has created a concept they call mobility hubs – places where different forms of traffic meet up – with either GO train stations or Burlington transit stations forming the centre of each.
While just in the planning – thinking it through stage – the plan is for the Aldershot GO station, the Burlington GO station, the Appleby GO station and the John Street bus terminal to be designated as mobility hubs.
The plan, the hope is perhaps more correct, is that the city can attract corporations that want to build office space that is close to a GO station which will include apartments or condo units and retail on the lower levels.
The thinkers at city hall refer frequently to “start ups” and incubators where those high tech, high paying jobs come to life and there is a complete community where people can live, work and play. The thinking is that there could be sport facilities built right into the project.
Burlington is not there yet – the city has not managed to find developers who will go that distance with them.
The conversation on this type of growth is, at this point, one way: the planners and the politicians are talking to the public – they’ve not yet begun to engage them and looked for their ideas and thoughts on development.
If what the Gazette heard at the West Plains United Church Wednesday night reflect the people of Aldershot – they would be well advised to listen to these people – there was a lot of wisdom in that room.
The planner on the file Kyle Plas took the audience through the basics – he too explained the larger picture.
 The townhouse project, on the right, which is phase 1 of the Masonry Court project didn’t do much for community residents who listened to what the developers planner had to say about the project. Phase 2 is on the left – and is about five years into the future. The audience learned that the property which is south 0f 403 and immediately east of Waterdown Road has been empty for about then years; that there are no heritage issues with the property and that there was no need for an Environmental Assessment – although one resident later asked if anything was going to be done about the air quality, the result of stone and asphalt crushing from the King Paving operation on the immediate west side of Waterdown Road.
The property, which the ADI Group is believed to have purchased from Paletta International, is divided into two parcels – the one closest to the GO station is where the residential housing will be built. There will be a road running in between the two parcels.
The second parcel which will front on Waterdown road will be developed with apartment buildings that were described as being six storey’s high. Defined as the second stage of the project – it is about five years into the future.
The development will have 105 residences per hectare – the rules allow between 51 and 185 units per hectare – “so we are not maxed out” said the ADI planner.
Ruth Victor, the planner speaking for the ADI group, gave their side of the story. She was pretty direct – the project meets all the rules and except for some minor concerns – this thing was a go.
There would be pathways from the townhouses to the GO station.
 This is not a pretty picture – Aldershot residents wanted to see something a little more imaginative and livable. There was space tucked in where the stacked townhouses are going to be located for what the ADI planner called amenities – she didn’t say much more than that.
Roz Minaji with the city planning department made comments which suggested ADI was going to have to come up with quite a bit more than some space for amenities. The city is going to want some dedicated park space.
ADI is apparently looking for a reduction in the parking requirement – the thinking being that the people who choose to live in the community will not need cars – they will use the GO train to get to work. One member of the audience pointed out that with no grocery store in the community – it is impossible to live there without a car of some sort.
This is not a rental housing development – these homes are being sold. The audience wanted some sense of the price range and, try as they might, they were not able to get any sort of number from the ADI representatives. “You must have some idea” piped in one woman in the audience. If the ADI representatives had any idea – they weren’t sharing it with the audience.
 The developers rendering and layout for the stacked townhouses – no one in the audience who listened to the presentation was impressed with what they were shown. The audience asked if ADI would comment on the kinds of people they hoped to attract and maybe something about their income ranges – were these going to be very expensive high end units with all the whistles and bells or were these going to be quick and dirty profit grabs? The ADI people didn’t say.
They did say that the projects they have built are quality buildings. They have only completed one project – the second project has not started construction yet – there may be some minor OMB issues related to the paying of services access.
To their credit the completed project Mod’rn on Guelph Line is a very nice looking, compact four storey condo. The Gazette is in the process of arranging a tour of the completed site that is reported to be 90% sold.
 The ADI Group has done some excellent design work. Here their Link project, which has yet to start construction is shown. Edgy and progressive and new for Burlington – it is an example of interesting design in a fabulous location.  The Mod’rn on Guelph Line that is now complete except for some landscaping – exceptional design – some of the best done in Burlington. Shows they can do it – if they want to. The Masonry Court design comes nowhere near this quality level. The Mod’rn is superb design – they have won well deserved awards for this project which had very few incidents during the construction.
Their second project – The Link on Dundas at Sutton on the west side of the city along the edge of Bronte Creek, has the potential to be a fine project. The design is a little edgy – certainly not what Burlington is used to seeing, but for people who want something different and imaginative The Link will be just fine – the location is superb and there are good schools in the area with all the hopping one could possibly want minutes away.
There is a third project – planned for the intersection of Martha and Lakeshore Road that didn’t get as much as a mention. In a related article we report on the ADI projects.
Ruth Victor, the ADI planner, didn’t show pictures of the quality construction they have done or the quality design – she sold her client short
Victor’s approach seemed to be that ADI was working well within the rules – and that they are doing – and so the project should go forward – even if you don’t think all that much about our design. Was that just Victor’s personal style or was she reflecting the ADI viewpoint?
The people in the audience wanted to see something more livable. “It’s not terribly creative” was the comment a woman pretty close to it not already retired. They wanted to see more variety, we want something that is more liveable; the park is way too small.
“You have been far too coy with your answers to our price questions” commented another woman. “I think you should show more respect for the people you are speaking to” she added.
“How is this project going to embrace the community” asked another person.
The project is moving forward – one hopes the planning department heard the concerns of the community and that they are reflected when the discussions resume with ADI.
There is much more to this development.
 By Pepper Parr
June 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Perhaps it was an attempt to make up for the expense the city is incurring during the Ontario Municipal Board hearing taking place now at which Councillor Jack Dennison is asking that a Committee of Adjustment decision be overturned.
 Councillor Jack Dennison wants to sever this Lakeshore property. Dennison wants to sever a part of his Lakeshore Road property and the Committee of Adjustment said no.
Dennison is appealing that decision at considerable cost to the city.
Last evening he spent more time than necessary arguing that concrete does not have to be used on pathways being created for the three Windows on the Lake that are being created to give the public some access to the old Water Street road allowance.
Too expensive said the Councillor – this is the Cadillac of pathways which are not needed.
 This Committee of Adjustment said no. Dennison is appealing their decision. The rest of Council, with the exception of Councillor Craven who sided with Dennison (we don’t know what Councillor Sharman thinks – he didn’t make it to the council meeting) took the position that concrete paths were required at these locations but not necessarily at all park locations and asked the city staff to come back with a criteria they would use to determine whether asphalt or stone screenings or wood chips should be used on park pathways.
Councillor Dennison made the same argument for asphalt at the Standing Committee last week.
 Councillor Dennison is never one to shy away from controversial decisions – likes getting right into the middle of an issue. He is certainly in the middle of one now. Earlier on Monday Council was involved in a Strategic Plan meeting which Councillor Dennison missed – he was arguing his appeal of the Committee of Adjustment decision not to permit the property severance
Councillor Dennison was missing in action for this meeting as well.
Councillor Meed Ward involved in part of the Strategic Plan meeting and managed to attend Council. She has advised her constituents that she is going to be on limited duty for awhile as she recovers from the concussion she experienced in an automobile accident.
By Staff
June 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Tweets and online votes have been tallied, and the community’s response was overwhelming. The Halton Regional Police Service has announced Police Service Dog Arrow as the name of the Canine unit’s newest recruit.
This announcement is the culmination of the Service’s first #NameHaltonK9 contest, which invited elementary schools throughout the Region to put their best name forward.
 Mrs. O’Neill and her grade 4 class at Brookville Public School in Milton gather for their photo op – they will meet Arrow in the fall. The names Arrow, Marshall and Ranger were shortlisted by members of the Canine Unit, and the community were called upon to vote online or on Twitter for their favorite.
A total, 9,105 social media and online votes were cast between June 10 and 18, 2015, with PSD Arrow emerging as the decisive favourite with 7,844 votes. Marshall came in second with 676 votes, followed by Ranger with 585 votes.
The winning name was entered by Brookville Public School in the Town of Milton. At the time of their submission, the school said the selected the name Arrow as it represented a dog that would be fast, sharp, lean and on the mark!
Brookville Public School received a visit from Cst McLorn and PSD Parker to deliver the good news.
Mrs. O’Neill and her grade 4 class are elated and looking forward to meeting Arrow in the Fall.
“I would like to thank all the children who participated in naming our new recruit. Our Canine Teams are an integral part of frontline policing and the names we received all reflect the work and service our Police Service Dogs do for our community. Congratulations to Brookville Public School, the name Arrow will serve our new canine well over his/her career.” Chief Stephen Tanner
We are looking forward to meeting PSD Arrow when the new dog arrives in late July.
PSD Arrow will become the sixth member of the Canine Unit, joining a team that includes PSD Tracker, PSD Storm, PSD Parker, PSD Bishop and PSD Nero.
In recognition of their achievement, a ceremony for students at Brookville Public School will be held in the fall at the conclusion of PSD Arrow’s training. It will include a visit from Chief Tanner, the new Canine handler and, of course, newly sworn PSD Arrow.
Related story:
Handling a police dog.
 By Staff
June 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The City is inviting residents to enjoy free movies under the stars, presented by Tim Hortons, every Thursday night until August 20.
“Our neighbourhood parks are one of many things that makes Burlington great,” said Chris Glenn, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “Movies Under the Stars” offers families and neighbours the chance to connect close to home while enjoying a free movie in their local park.”
The movies, which were selected by residents this spring via online polls, are shown on 25 by 14 foot (7.62 by 4.27 metre) outdoor viewing screen and begin at 9 p.m. on each on the following dates:
Date Location Movie
Thursday, July 9 – Nelson Park How to Train Your Dragon 2
Thursday, July 16 – Aldershot Park Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
Thursday, July 23 – Civic Square Paddington Bear
Thursday, July 30 – Emerson Park Big Hero 6
Thursday, August 6 – Kilbride Park Finding Nemo
Thursday, August 13 – Mohawk Park Maleficent
Thursday, August 20 – Spencer Smith Park Home
Thursday, August 27 – Burloak Park Rain Date –
The City of Burlington is encouraging residents bring their own lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a night of family-friendly fun. Washrooms and limited parking are available at each park.
For site maps, movie previews and weather delay or cancellation information, visit www.burlington.ca/movies, follow @BurlEvents on twitter or call the festivals and events hotline at 905-335-7766.
By Pepper Parr
June 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When they point out to you where the life boats are located – you kinda wonder what shape the ship is in.
The city of Burlington released a list of services that might be impacted if there is a work stoppage – polite word for a strike – the workers have withdrawn their services and decided they will go without a paycheque for a period of time unless their demands are met.
In the media release the city said it is “alerting residents that some city services may be affected by strike action that could take effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 2.”
The city continues to negotiate collective agreements with unions representing outside workers and arena/pool operators and Burlington Transit workers. Both CUPE (Canadian Union of Public Employees) Local 44 and CUPE Local 2723 representatives have stated that if there is no agreement by the end of June, they will begin strike action as of midnight (12:01 a.m.) on July 2.
“The city continues to seek a settlement that is fair to the unions and to the taxpayers of Burlington,” said Roy Male, executive director of Human Resources who is on the city’s bargaining team. “While we will continue to be willing to meet with the unions to discuss a settlement, regretfully, we must prepare for a strike to ensure the best possible continuity of service.”
The city has posted a list of services at www.burlington.ca/labourdisruptions that would be cancelled, reduced or continued in the event of a strike. The city has also set up a dedicated phone line for questions related to labour disruptions at 905-335-7600, ext. 7803.
“We are sharing this labour disruption information as early as we can, and in as many ways as possible, to ensure Burlington residents have the information they need to plan ahead,” said Scott Stewart, general manager of Development and Infrastructure with the city. “If the service you or your family members use is among those that would be cancelled in the event of a strike, we encourage you to try to make other arrangements, if at all possible.”
The city will resume negotiating with CUPE 44 and 2723 on June 29 and will provide updates as they become available.
Service Impacts in the Event of a Strike
Services that would be cancelled
• Conventional Burlington Transit service
• Handi-Van Transit Service
• Non-emergency tree service requests
• Street sweeping
• Programs and services offered at:
o Appleby Ice Centre
o LaSalle Wading Pool and Splash Park
o Mainway Arena
o Mountainside Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
o Nelson Arena
o Nelson Outdoor Pool and Splash Park
Services that would be reduced
• Grass-cutting and horticulture along roadside locations and in parks
• Litter and recycling in parks
Services that would continue
• Normal garbage collection, recycling (Halton Region)
• Burlington Public Library services
• Sports field rentals
• Turf maintenance
• Festivals and events
• Tyandaga Golf Course
• Forestry emergency storm response
• Arena floor rentals
o Aldershot
o Central
o Mountainside
o Skyway
• Spray pads in parks (non-fenced)
o Dofasco WaterJet Plaza at Spencer Smith Park
o Norton Community Park
o Pinemeadow Park
o Millcroft Park
o Orchard Community Park
o Hidden Valley Park
• Recreation centres
o Brant Hills
o Burlington Seniors’ Centre
o Haber
o Music Centre
o Rotary Youth Centre
o Sherwood Forest Gym
o Burlington Student Theatre
o Tansley Woods
• Indoor pools
o Aldershot
o Angela Coughlan
o Centennial
o Tansley Woods
• Banquet facilities
o LaSalle Pavilion
o Paletta Mansion
o Discovery Landing/Waterfront Centre
• Preschool, child and youth programs
• City of Burlington camps: SNAP, O2, Camp Can-Do, youth centres, LIT, youth specialty
• Adult and seniors’ programs
• All services at City Hall (includes Planning and Building, Capital Works, Finance, Transportation, Engineering)
• Playground inspections
• Cemetery service
• Road and sidewalk maintenance
• Traffic signal and street light maintenance
 By Staff
June 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Two suspects are being sought after walking out of ECS Coffee with a large coffee maker.
On Saturday June 6, 2015, at approximately 4:30pm, a male and female attended ECS Coffee at 1515 North Service Road in the City of Burlington. The male and female went to the front corner of the store where the commercial grade coffee makers were on display.
 He was the decoy – they got away with a coffee maker worth $600 retail  She was the duck – they got away with a coffee maker worth $600 retail As the female suspect selected a coffee machine, the male suspect faced the cashier and shielded the female with his body. The female was able to exit the store with the stolen merchandise and both suspects fled.
They got away with a Real Cup Brewer RC400 valued at $600.00.
Male suspect – heavy build, approximately 6 feet tall, light complexion, green baseball hat, dark sunglasses, blue shirt and jean shorts
Female suspect – heavy build, approximately 5 feet tall, light complexion, light blue shirt, black pants, black hair
Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Vince Couce of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2307 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 Walter Byj
June 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
In a previous article, it was reported that the Halton District School Board created the Program Viability Committee to study the implications of the French Immersion (FI) program on the English program within Halton.
 The demand for French Immersion might outstrip the supply of qualified teachers. Capping student enrollment is an option the board is considering. For Halton, 36% of those graduating from senior kindergarten entered into the FI program while the number varied by municipality, Oakville (43%), Milton (37%), Burlington (32%) and Halton Hills at 23%. The 22 person committee met seven times and after numerous scenarios, arrived at four viable options which they presented to the board of trustees. Following is a recap of the options along with implications of each.
1. Option 1: Grade 1 (early) French immersion remains a 50% French 50% English delivery model, but entry to FI will be capped. The method of capping would be determined at a later date.
In choosing this option, the board could control both programs and will be able to supply sufficient teachers for both. However, one of the board’s mandates, “challenge and choice” for all students would be compromised as capping would prohibit some students from FI. Any form of capping would raise the ire of the community.
2. Option 2: Grade 1 (early) French Immersion remains at 50% French and 50% English, however all FI programs will be delivered in single track FI schools. French Immersion will be phased out of dual track schools and no new dual track schools will be considered. The location of the single track schools will be determined at a later date.
This too could result in some form of capping as a single track FI school could reach capacity and not all would be admitted. Equally, some areas would not have enough students for FI and this would require bussing to other areas. The same would hold true for English tracked schools as some students would require bussing from their community if the nearest school was FI. This option would upset parents if capping occurred and also those where students would have to leave their community schools. The recent controversy at Pineland is a prime example.
3. Option 3: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI will occur in dual track schools only.
This option could delay the problem to a later date. It would also affect any students in grades one to three that are currently in a FI stream it could result in some students changing schools. Grandfathering these students could be an option that could be reviewed. Much would also depend on the success of the core French program that was introduced this year and no one knows if this would cut into FI for grade four and on or would increase enrolment in FI starting in grade four. This option would occur in dual track schools.
4. Option 4: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI will occur in single track FI schools only.
Unlike option three, FI would occur in FI single track schools. This could in fact create a capping situation if a particular school has a higher enrollment than their capacity. It would also lead to perhaps more busing of both FI and English program students. Also, would students below grade four be part of FI schools and then move to a English track school or would FI schools only be grades four to eight?
It should be noted that although these are the current options, the end package, after consultation with the public, could be much different.
RECOMMENDATION 2:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board initiate a community consultation/feedback process with the process and the method of consulting and communicating to the public coming to the Board of Trustees before the end of September 2015 for information.
 If the current demand continues – some students may have to be bussed to their schools. All trustees thanked the committee for their excellent detailed report and now look forward to the public’s input. They wanted assurance that staff would use all possible options to ensure that the public is notified through via various sources. They wanted to ensure that the public did not feel that they did not have enough time or information to contribute to the process. Associate Director Miller assured that notice in publications, letters from the principal and social media would be used in advising the community.
In addition, staff would recommend focus groups, public meetings and surveys as part of public input. Implications of boundary changes along with methods of capping would be spelled out for the public. When asked by trustee Grebenc (Burlington) if parents with children not yet in the Halton system would be advised, Miller was somewhat hesitant as he was cautious in making the consultation process too broad.
He stressed that the earliest that any changes could be made would be September 2016 and that the process could take up to three years.
The report stating process of advising the community will be made available to the trustees in September.
Previous article:
Background on French Immersion enrollment.
By Pepper
June 22, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Sometime later today Halton Regional Police are expected to announce the name of the new dog that will join the K9 unit of the police service. A Burlington public school is one of the finalists.
Last week the Gazette visited with an officer at the K9 unit to learn about how the dogs are chosen, how they are trained, what they eat and where they live.
We met with Constable Matt Lawless who came to police work a little later in life than most police recruits.
 Halton Regional Police dog handler Matt Lawless points to pictures of dogs in the K9 unit – storm is the dog he handles. He served in Oakville as a uniformed patrol office and after six years of driving around in a police car he leaned of an opportunity to work with dogs and applied.
“It’s a tough competition but they chose me and I’ve been working with storm ever since.”
“A lot of people think we work with the dogs and tell them what to do – that’s not the way it works out” explained Cst. Lawless. “We are actually chauffeurs for the dog. We take them to work with us in the morning and take them home at night. The dog is like one of the kids that you have to drove everywhere – instead of taking kids to hockey, I take the Storm wherever he is needed.”
 Storm – a part of the Police |Service K9 unit. When he has to move – he can move very very quickly. Where do the dogs come from we asked. “The best dogs are bred in Germany but we don’t often get dogs direct from Germany. We tend to work with kennels in both Canada and the United States. We have people who work with us selecting the dogs we need.
There are now six dogs in the K9 unit – Cst. Lawless would like to see more. “They are very effective in police work – each dog tends to have its own strengths – some are good with explosives; others are good with drugs and others are very good tracking down or finding a person.
Cst. Lawless is assigned a car that has been modified for the dog. The day we met it was hot, very hot and when it came time to do some work with Storm I thought we were heading out to a kennel on the police property but we walked towards the police cruiser. “Am I going to ride to the kennel with you I asked.“
“No” responded Cst. Lawless. “Storm is in the cruiser.”
In the cruiser I thought – its roasting outside – I thought it was illegal to leave a pet in a vehicle. And it is – but Storm doesn’t live in any run of the mill police cruiser. The vehicle is outfitted with its own air conditioning and the engine of the car is never shut off when the dog is in the cruiser.
There is a complex set of measuring devices that know when to turn on the air conditioning on and when to turn on the fans that circulate the air so that the dog has a combination of fresh air that is conditioned.
Cst. Lawless reaches into the front of the vehicle and picks up the lead, opens the back door and snaps the lead on the dog’s collar and off they go. While Storm can certainly run, he tends to walk in a zig zag path with his nose pressed into the ground. This dog can sniff.
He paid no attention to me other than to sniff my hand when I held it out – after that it was as if I didn’t exist. The dog kept his eyes on Cst. Lawless watching for his hand movements and listening to his words.
The selection of a dog is an arduous process. Once selected a dog goes through a four month, 40 hours a week training program.
After the training the dog is tested. “Halton has worked with different groups on the certifying of our dogs. The RCMP used to do a lot of that work – but now we are working with trainers in the Niagara Region.”
 The biggest thing Storm has going for him is his nose. He runs in a zig zag pattern with his nose almost glued to the ground. The training isn’t limited to just the policed dogs – the dog handlers take part in ongoing training and trade notes with other police services across the country.
In Halton the police dog handlers meet once a week to work together and learn from each other. At the same time there is always a cruiser on the road with a member of the K9 unit in the back of the car. “Storm can tell there is something up just from the sound of the voices coming over the police radio. When I rev up the engine and turn on the police siren Storm begins to pace around in his space in the back of the cruiser – he knows he is going to be put to work very, very soon.
“Not all dogs make it” explained Lawless. Some turn out not to be cut out for this kind of work and new homes are found for them.
And where is home for a police dog I asked. The dog lives with the family. The police provide a unit that is kept outdoors for the dog to live in. When the dog retires he stays with the family.us. Storm is a member of the family.
Dogs like Storm will work for a number of years – the length of time they serve can range from four years to ten years.
The thinking in the K9 unit is that Storm has about another year before he gets retired from the K9 unit and Cst. Lawless returns to normal police work.
 Everything Storm does is the result of a command – given either by hand or by voice from his handler Cst. Matt Lawless What will Cst. Lawless do next – he’s not sure. “I might write the examinations to qualify as a sergeant.”
Storm will live the good life of a retired police dog – Cst. Lawless didn’t say if he would get more than the one meal a day he gets now.
By Pepper Parr
June 20, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a little chaotic – many people weren’t sure what was going on but when Mark Oldershaw finally got to the stage to light the cauldron with the flame of the Pan Am torch he was carrying, people knew that the Pan Am Games were not far off and that for Burlington the flame was bright and alive.
 Mark Oldershaw, an Olympic paddler gets ready to be lit up by Ashley Worobec as he prepares to take the Pan Am flame to the Sound of Music stage. Burlington’s Ashley Worobec handed over the flame to Oldershaw at a point on the Naval Promenade – it was tough to see the two – there were almost more police than spectators. Those police officers must have thought they were protecting some world leader.
Worobec looked a little lost in the crowd of people – and the uniform they gave her to run in certainly lacked for any style.
 The Burlington Teen Tour Band Den Mother helps a band member get the uniform put together. But the Torch did arrive – ushered in by the Burlington Teen Tour Band who did themselves and the city proud.
I don’t how much money the city spends on the Band but whatever it is – we are getting our money’s worth.
For those who knew what was going on – there was a level of expectation. I suspect many thought that Ashley Worobec was going to take the flame up onto the stage.
 Mark Oldershaw uses the Pan Am flame to light the cauldron on the Sound of Music stage. The games begin next week. Mark Oldershaw certainly has a bigger public profile and he is an Olympian but the people of Burlington chose Ashley Worobec – didn’t they?
The Olympian got to take the torch to the Sound of Music stage. The Gazette may have been the only media to capture that moment on video – click to see the event.
A path was created for Oldershaw to run through while the crowd cheered him on.
When he got to the stage the emcee wanted to create some drama and excitement and asked Oldershaw to give him one word that described his feelings for the games that were going to soon begin.
Oldershaw paused, looked reflective and said – he really had two words that would be separated with a hyphen and then in a decent yell – shouted.
Kick Ass!
The audience went for that one
 There is never any doubt where this band comes from – our very own. The politicians of course spoke, the sponsors found a way to deliver their message and then the Teen Tour Band took everyone through the singing of O’Canada.
 Police security was so heavy it was difficult to see the torch bearers. In this picture there are at least five police officers – was this necessary? It was a fitting way to close an event that was fun, if a little chaotic – but why all those police officers.
Did someone at police headquarters really think we were at risk.
Get a grip people!
Ray Rivers
June 19. 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
“If I didn’t think he was ready I wouldn’t have stepped aside,” former interim Liberal leader Bob Rae noted. He was speaking at a gathering of Flamborough-Glanbrook Liberals Thursday night in the intimate Cafe Troy in West Flamborough. Of course, Rae was referring to the recent Conservative attack ads aimed at Justin Trudeau, as he addressed the crowd who had come to support local federal candidate Jennifer Stebbing.
 Flamborough-Glanbrook Liberal candidate Jennifer Stebbing with Bob Rae Thursday night in the Cafe Troy in West Flamborough. As I introduced the former Liberal interim leader and provincial Premier, rhyming off his numerous accomplishments, I couldn’t help thinking how perfectly qualified he would be to help navigate Canada’s political waters should there be an impasse after the election this October. A three party split could well see the Conservatives run up through the middle of the two centre-left parties, but I’m betting on another parliamentary minority.
In 1985 Bob Rae’s third place NDP crawled into bed with David Peterson’s second place Liberals, to give birth to the first non-Tory Ontario government in over four decades. Their two-year fling ended in grief for the NDP, though that party gained considerable credibility and was well positioned for its first ever Ontario majority in 1990.
At the end of 2007 when Stephen Harper’s minority Conservatives were facing parliamentary revolt over the economy, the two national opposition leaders, Jack Layton and Stephan Dion, formed a coalition aimed at removing him. Harper survived by shutting down Parliament until he could persuade Canadians he had changed his economic policy, and the once-eager coalition partners had cooled their jets.
Once again it was Bob Rae who was given the job of picking up the pieces of the stillborn coalition idea. However, enthusiasm for any kind of coalition with a third party had soon dissipated as Liberals reaffirmed their determination to regain a majority on their own.
There is no certainty over where this year’s October election will land us, and for that reason alone, it may be the most interesting election in modern Canadian times. Bob Rae speculated that, like what we saw in Alberta last month, many voters are fatigued, tired, disillusioned and bored with the status quo, and looking for a change. And that means either or both of the opposition parties could benefit.
The Conservatives have been ramping up their advertising, burning up our taxpayer dollars, as sitting governments running on their record are wont to do. They can be expected to re-announce existing programs in an attempt to project an air of progress into their campaign. This was evident when they recently announced some previously allocated infrastructure money for Toronto. And of course the attack ads will continue, though they may shift onto the NDP, providing Mulcair keeps polling this well.
In the context of this electoral uncertainty, Mr. Trudeau has announced his latest tranche of policy, this time improving our imperfect democracy by changing how we elect our members. The Greens and NDP have long advocated changing to a more representative system of electing parliamentarians, though Canadians have so-far rejected proportional representation.
 It hasn’t reached a fever pitch yet – it might not but he does know how to pull all the heart strings and both his hair and his children get many mentions. The bold new ideas? – haven’t heard those yet. what he did assure his audience was that he had very solid values – but didn’t make much mention of what they were. Picture taken when Trudeau was last in Burlington – the hair is shorter now So ranked or preferential balloting may be in the cards if Trudeau’s party wins the election. That would ensure that all MPs have been elected with at least 50% of the vote as a first or second choice. And that would mean that the party in power would have been elected with the support of at least half of all Canadians, compared to the thirty-something percent the Conservatives got in the last election.
With the Conservatives opposed to anything but first-past-the-post, there would need to be a Liberal, NDP or Liberal-NDP government to change the system. And that may be where Mr. Rae comes in, if he is invited to help put a centre-left coalition together to bring about electoral change. After all, he’s been there before. Who knows the two parties better?
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.
Background links:
Bob Rae Mulcair Government-In-Waiting Trudeau Open Democracy
Tories Advertising Tories Infrastructure /
By Walter Byj
June 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
For some it is a grand success story while others view it as an experiment that has created a mess. Either way, it has created a logistics nightmare for boards across the province as educators try to run both a successful English program along with a strong French Immersion program.
Busing students to schools with a French immersion program adds to the problem – and the cost. School busing, disruption of community schools, huge uptake in French Immersion and a shortage on competent French teachers in Ontario is forcing many boards to review their current implementation of French Immersion.
In Halton, the board recently created the Program Viability Committee (PVC) whose goal was to do a thorough review of the challenges that French Immersion has placed on the English program and to then propose a number of solutions that could alleviate any current problems.
The committee, which consists of 22 members, includes the Director of Education, board superintendents, schools principals and three trustees. The trustees are J. Oliver (Oakville, K. Graves (Milton) and R. Papin (Burlington).At the recent board meeting committee chair S. Miller (Associate Director of Education) presented to the board the initial written report.
Miller began his presentation stating that French has had a presence in Ontario for over 400 years. He then when on to explain that although the Halton Board has a very robust French Immersion program, there are some unintended consequences, particularly in some of the dual track schools, where there is a low uptake in the English program.
He stressed that the mandate of this committee was not just French Immersion, but of both French and English programs to ensure that students in both are receiving the best education possible. He did concede that this will not be easy and that no solution will be perfect.
French immersion – not as easy to deliver as many think – resources not always available. He reiterated that many boards are facing the same issues and reviewing how they face those challenges helps Halton in finding a solution. The report contained a number of appendices that contribute to the current situation. These will be reviewed at a later date.
Following is the initial recommendations that have been presented to the board. A more detailed review of the factors leading to these recommendations along with pros and cons will follow in part two of this report.
RECOMMENDATION 1:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board present the following options for the delivery of French Immersion to the public in the Fall of 2015 for the purpose of receiving feedback, considerations and comments. Feedback will be brought to the Board for consideration in the delivery of French Immersion programming:
1. Option 1: Grade 1 (early) French immersion remains a 50% French 50% English delivery model, but entry to FI will be capped. The method of capping would be determined at a later date.
2. Option 2: Grade 1 (early) French Immersion remains at 50% French and 50% English, however all FI programs will be delivered in single track FI schools. French Immersion will be phased out of dual track schools and no new dual track schools will be considered. The location of the single track schools will be determined at a later date.
3. Option 3: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI will occur in dual track schools only.
4. Option 4: French Immersion will commence at a later entry point (mid entry); Grade 4. This will result in the delivery model of FI moving from a 50% model to at least a 80% French Immersion model. In addition the delivery of FI will occur in single track FI schools only.
RECOMMENDATION 2:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board initiate a community consultation/feedback process with the process and the method of consulting and communicating to the public coming to the Board of Trustees before the end of September 2015 for information.
By Staff
June 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Road closures for the Sound of Music Festival will include:
Brant Street from Caroline Street to Lakeshore Road
Friday, June 19 2015 – 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday, June 21, 2015 – 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
John Street from Pine Street to Lakeshore Road
Saturday, June 20, 2015 – 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
By Walter Byj
June 19, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton elementary students from senior kindergarten to grade seven will be able to pick up their report card sometime between August 31st and September 3rd. at the school the student attended in 2014/15.
 If these students were elementary students and were graduating this year – they will get their report cards before the end of the month. If not – they will get something in the mail before September. For those report cards not picked up, they will be mailed to the families concerned.
Trustees approved an expenditure of $100,000 to cover the cost of inputting the information during the summer of 2015. The report cards will reflect grades/achievement levels and learning skills.
They will not include any comments.
For those graduating from their particular school, report cards will be issued June 24th.
 By Staff
June 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is week 9 for our “Fugitive Friday” initiative whereby the Halton Regional Police, Burlington station is reaching out to the public to help locate wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions.
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live out in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place.
Every Friday, the Burlington Offender Management Unit will share information on a wanted person in hopes that the public can assist in locating the individual.
We will share “Fugitive Friday” information on our website and via social media through Twitter @HRPSBurl and @HaltonPolice.
 Bryon Jason BULLIED 28 years old, of Burlington, ON. In this edition of Fugitive Fridays the 3 District, Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for Bryon Jason BULLIED 28 years old, of Burlington, ON.
It is alleged:
• In December of 2013 the accused stole a debit card from an elderly male’s residence. He then used the card to make $1,000 worth of fraudulent purchases.
• The accused was identified through video during the incidents and a warrant was issued for his arrest
• The accused has so far managed to evade capture and his whereabouts unknown
He is wanted by Halton Regional Police Service for:
Theft under $5000 x 3
Unauthorized use of a Credit Card x 3
Fail to Comply with Undertaking
Breach of Probation Order
The accused is also wanted by Ottawa Police Service for:
Possession of a Substance x 2
Breach of Probation x 2
Fail to Appear
Bryon BULLIED is described as 5’9”, 200lbs, blue eyes and brown hair. BULLIED’S weight has fluctuated up to 250lbs in the past. BULLIED has tattoos (Left forearm – “Praying Hands”, Right forearm – “Cross”. Bullied has ties to Halton, Toronto and the Ottawa areas.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist nvestigators in identifying him 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).
By Pepper Parr
June 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Rob Peachey was one of six people who travelled to Holland for the 70th Anniversary of the ending of the Second World War last month. Canadian troops liberated much of Holland including Apeldoorn, a city Burlington was twinned with n 2005.
 Rob Peachey, part of the Burlington delegation that went to Holland. Peachey handles parks and open spaces development for the city which includes the park the city created on Elgin Street. Apeldoorn did the same thing in Holland where visitors can see the Burlington Park.
What does a Canadians parks and open spaces bureaucrat say to a bureaucrat in another country where land use is significantly different than ours and administrative practices are also considerably different?
The thing that struck Peachey, almost literally, was the number of bicycles on the streets – “the things were everywhere”, he said. “We just don’t see that kind of cycle traffic in Burlington” Peachy added.
Peachy found that civil servants in Apeldoorn have yet to create the kind of administrative tools we have in Burlington.. Peachey spent some of his time explaining our Results Based Accountability and Service Based Budgeting to his peer in Holland and expects to trade information with them as he continues to maintain the relationship he now has.
They are quite a bit ahead of us with their community gardens said Peachey.
 Community gardens in Apeldoorn Peachey added that the sports fields are not in the inner parts of the city but more on the outskirts and that there are fewer parks and none of them have the “jungle gyms” for children to play on that North Americans have.
Peachey did get to ride a bicycle – the hotel rents them” he explained. Bikes are a serious mode of travel in Apeldoorn – there are people in suits peddling to work in the morning.
He noted that there were no picnic tables in the parks that he saw and nothing in the way of public art and added there wasn’t much grass around properties in the city.
 Members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band lined the streets of Apeldoorn during the celebration of the dead event which was part of the 70th Anniversary of the end of World War Two. The “celebration of the dead” event in which the Burlington Teen Tour Band played a significant role was, said Peachey, one of the most moving public events he has ever witnessed. “There was dead silence for the minute that the city went mute”. I found myself tearing up he added.
By Walter Byj
June 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
“There was no long term plan or goal to achieve when entering the workforce. I just wanted a teaching job” said Director of Education David Euale.
 David Euale, retiring Director of Education for the Halton District School Board However, as his qualifications grew and opportunities arose, he was always anxious to take the next step. And thus began his progressive career from teacher to vice-principal to principal, superintendent, and one year at the ministry to his current position as Director of Education of the Halton District School Board for the past five years. Euale retires in August
He did not bring a grand plan with him when he arrived in Halton; rather his mandate was to ensure that the board fulfilled its objectives. One key element was to set a multiyear plan, which was accomplished in three months, and became his mandate for the following five years.
 Euale leaves a board of education that ranks amongst the top in Ontario in terms of how well the students do on test scores. He also leaves before a possible strike in September. Students at Hayden High develop their cooking skills.
Student achievement is always any director’s challenge he said and in Halton this was even harder as the scores were already near the top of the province. He feels that this challenge was met as he and the board have raised the bar during his tenure.
One source of pride was his work in e-learning in Halton. He was somewhat surprised that only ten courses were being offered electronically when he arrived. Four years later, 38 courses are now available with over 1,000 teachers having received E-learning training. E-learning could easily be used as a supplement to existing courses.
He has served with three separate boards and he is extremely proud of the quality of the trustees and they compare very favourably with other boards in the province. He feels that the trustees are not only dedicated, but also show an insight to the needs of students. The public in Halton is more aware and involved in their community and this contributes to the quality of the trustee he said.
This reporter sits in a different part of the room than the Director of Education – as I watched the approval of the budget there wasn’t a single question from any of the Burlington trustees on a budget that was to spend $685 million on operations and $62.6 million on capital projects. I thought there would be at least one question from one of the trustees.
With one of the few boards showing student growth, three secondary and nine elementary schools in the past five years this continued growth has been challenging.
 One of the early fully integrated community complexes that includes a Recreation centre, a public library and a high school were built in Alton while Euale was Director of Education. He is a supporter of the new health and physical education curriculum as new technology has opened up a broad base for enquiring minds. We as educators need to respond to the free flowing information that is available through the educational process he said rather than leaving the internet as an educator. Our board has received its fair share of calls and I believe that our staff and trustees have handled them in a professional manner.
He feels that the students of today are better educated today than 15 years ago. We are graduating more students from secondary schools and with the new technologies; they are better researchers, better problem solvers and better collaborators.
Euale did concede that he does not know if the current students know their history facts or times tables as those in previous years, but with the teaching of the new technologies, something may drop by the wayside. Overall, we are seeing a much better educated student.
When the subject of the website was approached, he quickly conceded that there was work was needed. There is a lot if information on the site but finding it can be arduous at times. A total of $100, 000 in the most recent budget has been set aside to improve the site.
 Euale knows that today’s students are getting much better educations – and that those students are going into a world that is a lot different than the one he grew up in. When he leaves the board in August, Euale feels the challenges for the new director will be to maintain the high performance in Halton, to continue to focus on student achievement and manage expectations of parents with the funds that are available. Over the past five years he has managed to build and guide a very competent staff that if managed correctly should continue the high standard within Halton.
With this being his third retirement, first from the Upper Grand School Board, then from the ministry and now from Halton, don’t place any bet that he won’t show up again somewhere in the educational field.
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