 By Pepper Parr
November 18, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
We did elect them – well 34. 14 % of us did. In twelve days the newly elected council will get sworn in and determine what they want to achieve in the next four years.
 Full team was returned to office. Now they need to get down to work. Long list of tasks and opportunities. Now that the significant seven have all been returned to office – what do they have on their plates for the immediate future and perhaps for the length of their term of office which officially starts December 1 when they are all sworn in. A stronger sense of enthusiasm and drive would be nice
Mayor Goldring explained to us during the election campaign that his first term was a “cleanup/setup” operation. He didn’t explain what he had cleaned up and he hasn’t clarified yet what he means by “set up”. We wait to hear that story.
A partial list of the issues facing this Council includes:
 The city now has a site plan application. Will they approve what has been submitted and provide a permit? Air Park – what does the city want to do with it? The city now has a site plan application in hand. Once it is reviewed they will decide if a permit should be issued. Bu what is the long term plan for the air park and is the city going to be able to get the cooperation it needs from Rossi?
Beachway – while the homes in that part of the city – just to the west of Spencer Smith Park are not about to be expropriated – city hall is reported to be beavering away at plans and designs that will come forward at some point in this term of office. One wonders when the public will be invited to the planning
Downtown development: Always an issue in Burlington – which in itself is telling. When we get a downtown one wonders if we will recognize it.
 Major development opportunity in the Old LAkeshore precinct. Huge developments underway. How will it all play out during this term of office. Old Lakeshore precinct – sometime this year work will start on the Bridgewater project that is to consist of a 22 storey condo, a seven story condo and an eight storey hotel. The hotel was to be open for the Pan Am Games but that won’t happen. Is there any thinking being done as to what the long term vision is for the properties between Lakeshore Road and Old Lakeshore Road and that part of the waterfront?
Ranked voting: Mayor Goldring kind of liked that idea. Let’s see when he moves to bring it forward now that the province has said it is to be permitted. The only member of the current Council who would have been impacted by Ranked Voting would have been Blair Lancaster – but if you look at who placed second and third – Lancaster suddenly doesn’t look all that bad.
Size of Council. Sometime during this term of office the Regional government will realign its seats and probably give more to Milton. That “might” mean a change in the number of seats Burlington has on the Regional Council. Right now Burlington has seven regional seats which makes every City Council member a Regional Council member as well. Half of a Council member’s income is paid by the Region
Governance: The Council whose term ends the morning of December 1st developed a good approach to Governance and devoted one meeting every quarter to looking and talking about the way they were running the city. There was some very productive work done at those meetings – let’s hope they are continued.
 Does current City General Manager Scott Stewart have a change in the title on his business card in the works – or will the moving trucks be getting a call. Scott has kept the city running for the past six months.
A new city manager and an overhaul of the senior ranks. The task of hiring a new city manager is underway. Burlington is seen as one of the better city’s to run and we will be a popular choice for some of the better people out there. The last time this city hired a new City Manager they brought in Jeff Fielding from London who was energetic and had more new projects going than staff could keep up with. His decision to head for what he thought were greener pastures in Calgary put a lot of new ideas into a tail spin and staff had to scramble to work without the drive and focus Fielding brought to everything he did.
He fortunately had Scott Stewart beside him to execute on most of the ideas. Stewart was in the running for the job of City Manager last time and has his hat in the ring this time around as well. If Stewart doesn’t get the nod this time – you can expect him to be making an appointment with a moving company. The guy has been holding the city together for the past three months.
Citizen Engagement. Engaging the community is theoretically what every city hall is supposed to do. Burlington didn’t do all that well on that level. When Cam Jackson asked the late John Boich and former Mayor Walter Mulkewich to lead research into just what was needed to better engage the people who pick up the tab, few expected the report that was produced. Shape Burlington shook up many at city hall who felt they were unfairly picked on which was quite telling.
Some of the senior staff at the time felt they knew what the public needed and that the public didn’t need to be engaged all that much.
When the Shape Burlington report was released there was some hope – but a closer look at the people who served on that committee was revealing – Paul Sharman and Blair Lancaster were on the Shape Burlington Committee and withdrew when they decided to run for office. They were certainly not champions of involving the public during their first term of office but both got re-elected.
Code of conduct: While the Mayor likes to talk about how well this Council functions – in truth it doesn’t function all that well. The Councillors for wards 1 and 2 can’t stand each other – which makes it awkward for them because they sit beside each other.
Councillor Taylor, because of his experience, has a vision of the city and where he thinks it should go that is quite different than that of his colleague ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison who has served more than 20 years on Council.
These two old timers (that’s intended as a compliment) never did share a common view of the city and the direction it should take. Taylor tends to work from strongly held principles – for Dennison its all about business.
One would like to think they would serve as the institutional memory for Council and while they both know where all the skeletons are buried they seldom put forward much in the way of long term thinking for the city. Councillor Taylor has done some excellent work with his Mt Nemo initiative but that has yet to bear any fruit. The city is spending $200,000 to determine if a heritage district is worthwhile.
Water Street property. This Council is going to have to make a decision soon on just what they will actually do with that stretch of property between St. Paul and Market Streets. They did vote in principal to sell the property subject to the price to be paid and some legal questions that have to be resolved.
Mike Swartz, spokesperson for the other two property owners, commissioned a report on the evolution of the property including the arrangements that were made for the building of the breakwater and the infill that was put in place to prevent natural erosion.
The report includes the Swartz version of the legal arguments that hound this issue. A concern for many is that the report Swartz commissioned will be used by Council to justify their original decision but because it is legal in nature the city’s solicitor might advise that it be kept under wraps. It would appear that the document is certainly germane to the issue – it should be made public if it informs the debate.
The citizen based Waterfront Committee has taken issue with how this matter has been handled and asked for an investigation on the way the city handled this issue. The Municipal Act allows for any person to request that an investigation be undertaken respecting whether a municipality, local board, or a committee of either, has complied with the closed meeting rules contained within section 239 of the Act. Municipalities are able to appoint an Investigator for the purpose of examining these closed meeting complaints.
A request was made last June – at this point the city Clerk’s office said they have yet to get the report. Might be a can of worms with this one
 Georgina Black got Burlington to the point where it produced the best Strategic Plan possible under the circumstances. Will Council now move forward with a plan that has both a vision and drive? Strategic Plan. The city put together a pretty good Strategic Plan in 2011. It was limited mostly because of the inexperience of the Council at that time. Given that it will be the same tribe creating the Strategic Plan for the next four years we can expect a shorter time frame to get the document done and a better final document.
Georgina Black of KPMG led Council through the 11 half day exercise. She realized part way through the second session with a group that consisted of both senior staff and council that there wasn’t what she called a BHAG – a big hairy audacious goal – something the city wanted to do.
Burlington doesn’t have a vision; it doesn’t have a goal – what it does have is many groups with goals of their own but nothing that the city can get a grip on and work towards.
Mayor Goldring did make an effort in the first half of his first mandate to pull people together and figure out what we wanted to be when we grew up. That event was as close to a disaster as you can get without being called a failure. The Mayor never produced a report for an event that came in at $50,000. It was all private sector money.
Official Plan: A critical document for the city. Frequently a bit of a yawn – not this time. Burlingtonians are demanding that we have a plan that we stick to and not change at every developers whim
Outstanding Development: Eagle Heights in Aldershot; Tremaine and Dundas in the north east end and Upper Middle Road at Burloak in the east centre part of town. All three are major development opportunities.
Economic Development: Where are we on this file? What defines us? Have we created a niche – something are better at than others and are thus attractive to corporations looking for a new location. Have we gotten beyond that tired phrase: the best mid-sized city in Canada?
This is a lot to get done in a four year term. Does this Council have the drive, vision and fortitude to achieve any of it?
 By Walter Mulkewich
November 18th, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Greg Sorbara, “The Battlefield of Ontario Politics, An Autobiography”, Dundurn Publishers, Toronto, 2014
Greg Sorbara was one of Ontario’s most influential provincial politicians for 27 years from 1985 to 2012: He was a significant cabinet minister in the governments of David Peterson and Dalton McGuinty, including Minster of Finance in the McGuinty government. As President of the Liberal Party of Ontario and Chair of three consecutive Liberal Party election campaign victories, he helped build a successful political machine in Ontario.
 He was in Burlington Monday night as part of his book tour and demonstrated with his straight and candid talk why he was successful and progressive politician.
Sorbara’s autobiography provides a useful summary of Ontario provincial political issues in the past quarter century. But, most significantly this book gives a candid view of how politicians play the political game to actually get things done.
It’s a good read for aspiring politicians, those who want to understated what happens in the back rooms of political parties, and for all of us to understand how politics works.
He gives an understandable account of how the Ontario Health Premium was developed even though his party campaigned on a promise of no tax increase. He explains the kind of deal making that made possible the York Subway expansion. He shows the kind of collaboration that was needed to develop a progressive Ontario Child benefit.
Sorbara deals with the reality of politics as team sport: His candidacy for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership in 1992 in which he came third. His private views on issues such as the harmonized HST and Meech Lake. An honest account of his resignation from the Cabinet over allegations with respect to the Royal Technologies affair, he was exonerated and returned to cabinet. Some interesting stories about candidate recruitment and how campaigns are organized
Perhaps his most controversial chapter is about the gas plant issues in Oakville and Mississauga that he calls “the gas plant myths”, which were “impervious to evidence”. He devoted much of his talk in Burlington to this topic and makes a convincing case, but his is a point of view some might challenge.
His last chapter is the most interesting. He reflects on the future. He expresses his concern about income inequality and he makes a strong case for a national Income Support System and tax reform, as well as federal investment in cities. He talks about the need to grow the economies of smaller cities outside the GTA.
Perhaps Sorbara’s most interesting and controversial suggestion is that, while the Catholic School system has served its purpose, Ontario is changing, and we should have one publicly funded educational system. But, this is a position he never championed in his time at Queens Park.
As the pragmatic practitioner of the political arts, he does not indicate how we might move the political system to accomplish a single public educational system or his other ideas in his last chapter. Maybe that is the point of his book, that there is a time and place for taking on issues.
 Walter Mulkewich is former Mayor of Burlington. He served from 1991 to 1997. Prior to that he was a member of city Council in Burlington and Halton Regional Council.
 By Staff
November 16, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
They are going to call it the Saxony and it will be limited to four storeys as required by the existing zoning.
 Will the re-design the developer does wrap the Saxony around the Melodia restaurant? Daniel Mclean, vice president with Landform Development Group Inc. wrote the Neighbours of St. Luke’s Precinct and thanked them for their comments and advised them that “will formally submit our new design and application in accordance with current zoning allowances (4 storeys of condos) in the spring of 2015.
The ‘Saxony’ project will be a 4-storey classic condominium building, designed to reflect the rich and vibrant heritage of the community in the City of Burlington. There is to be no on surface parking and there will be commercial space at grade.
“Our commitment” said Mclean “is to build great buildings in great communities, and after listening to all of the comments and feedback, we are very pleased to be building in (Ward 2 – St. Luke’s Precinct) in the City of Burlington.”
The Saxony certainly looks like a fine building in the renderings that were shown.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward has always taken the approach that developers should meet with the community before they take an application for development to city hall.
Whenever a developer wants to build something in Burlington they arrange for what is called a per-consultation meeting with the planning department. That is when the developers explains what they want to do and the planning department tells them what they are required to do under the zoning attached to the property and the guidelines in the Official Plan.
 It will be called the Saxony and will be limited to four floors with commercial at grade level and no above ground parking. Each ward Councillor gets a list of the pre-consultations that take place every month. Thus, they know what is coming down the pipe and can, if they wish, call the developer and arrange to talk about the project. Meed Ward appears to be the only Council member who invites the developers to meet with the community.
Meed Ward relates to her ward residents much differently than any other Council member. She is younger than the others; has a much stronger command of media, especially social media than any other Council member. Ward 1 Council member Rick Craven was a radio broadcaster but at a time when media was a lot different.
Meed Ward brings a much more open and collaborative style to her job. It was both interesting and telling when she told her residents that of course she wanted their vote – but more importantly she wanted their trust. That is the message she will take to the community when she announces she is running for Mayor in 2018.
If she is able to follow through on her record to date – Burlington will be a much different city ten years down the road.
There are those in the commercial development sector that say Meed Ward drives development out of the city. She didn’t drive Landform and its Saxony project out of town.
 ADI Development is asking for a zoning change to allow 28 stories on property currently zoned for a maximum of 8. It doesn’t always work out. Meed Ward met with ADI Development to talk about their 28 storey condominium project at Martha and Lakeshore. They were not interested in meeting the community. They did what they were required to do and will follow the 180 day time frame. If they don’t have an answer from the city they will probably, as is their right, take their application to the Ontario Municipal Board, which is what they have done with the Dundas/Sutton Link2 project.
ADI wasn’t interested in working with the community – they probably knew what the reaction was going to be – it was certainly rowdy when the Martha Street proposal was presented to the community.
Landform chose to meet with the community and listen to their objections.
The big difference between the two is that Landform was asking for one additional storey; ADI wants to put up a 28 storey structure on property that is zoned for eight.
Way back in 1985 the city approved the building of a 28 storey structure on the south side of Lakeshore. It took more than 20 years to get that project to the point where there are now shovels in the ground and a sales office on the site.
Had the Bridgewater site come before the city today – how would it have been received? Mayor Goldring explains that the project is a “legacy site” – whatever that means.
Wait until the public realizes there will be just 500 feet of open space between the condominium and the hotel through which people will be able to see the lake when the project is completed.
Some legacy!
Related content:
There is a different Burlington coming your way.
 By Pepper Parr
November 16, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
What will the city look like in five years?
A lot differently than it looks today.
Lakeshore Road will be much different.
 The Bridgewater development from the lake. Not a lot of space between the condominium on the right and the hotel on the left at the top of the picture. It will be a pretty small “window on the lake”.  Bridgewater from LAkeshore Road. See it as the “legacy” project that was first approved in 1985 The Bridgewater condominium should be completed in five years – however it has been in the works for more than 25 years – so one never knows. We should be able to attend a New Year’s Eve party at the Delta which will be at the bottom of John Street within five years.
Carriage Gate will have completed the Bentley on John Street.
The Saxony will have been open for a number of years.
Will ADI Developments get the 28 storey’s they want at the bottom of Lakeshore and Martha? They will get something – perhaps everything they want. A close reading of their application suggests that the only real issue is traffic and city hall people say that isn’t an issue.
Will a new city hall be on the planning boards – the city has to do something about their office space needs. The existing structure is inefficient and doesn’t have the amount of space needed to house all the employees. Finance, Legal, Purchasing and most of the Capital Development people plus the Human Resources department walk across Elgin Street to city hall several times a day.
Is Burlington ever going to come up with a solution to the Elizabeth Street parking lot?
Will there be a development on the parking lot at the top of John Street leading into the plaza on Brant Street.
And what will we see in the way of preliminary plans for the Beachway part of the waterfront?
Lakeshore Road on the left – Old Lakeshore Road on the right. The ADI Development proposal will go up directly across from Ema’s Back Porch. There is an opportunity to do something really exciting with the properties between the two Lakeshores – but someone is going to have to pull the 18 property owners together. Not something the leadership of this Council is going to manage to do. Add to that list the parcels of land called the football – the properties between Old Lakeshore Road and Lakeshore Road. There is an incredible opportunity to do something spectacular that will be immediately east of the Bridgewater development – but the imagination and the political will are not evident in the hearts or minds of the newly elected Council. Mayrose Tyco owns a significant part of the property – where there are believed to be 18 different owners.
And of course there is then the Air Park issue – with the city pressing hard to get a site plan approved for the property. All indications are that the Air Park owners are pushing back quite hard. They recently completed the paving and widening of the runway and are adding landing lights – so someone over there who signs the cheques has a plan. It just hasn’t been shared with the city – yet.
The solution that residents arrived at with the developer for the four story condominium on Elgin and Locust suggests there is at least an opportunity for the public to be involved in the way the city grows.
Will we see the kind of community involvement with tax payers at the table for developments in other wards? Will a leopard change its spots?
 Is there a new city hall on the boards for the city? There is a report that sets out what the city has in the way of office space and what it needs. That should come to the surface the first year of this term; the city has to decide soon if it wants to renew its lease on the Simms building – across Elgin Street from city hall. Are we in for four years of same old at city hall?
The city will hire a new city manager in the next 60 days. We will know than what kind of administrative leadership we have – that will determine what gets taken to Council.
Former city manager Roman Martiuk was brought in to contain spending – but he and the Mayor parted way half way through Martiuk’ s contract.
The city brought in Jeff Fielding from London, ON. He was as much a gust of wind as he was a breath of fresh air. He had great ideas, huge plans, but didn’t stick around long enough to see any of them through.
Let’s see who the city decides to put in place to re-develop both the culture at city hall and maybe even cleaning out some of the department heads.
It is going to be interesting.
 By Staff
November 16, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
It was certainly an eye sore but it wasn’t really clear who owned the land and who was responsible for its upkeep. The Conservation Authority is in there somewhere – they are the ones who are responsible for ensuring that the flow of water through creeks in Halton is words
 T he red line shows the portion of Sheldon Creek that got a solid clean up from volunteers and a corporation that cared enough to ask their staff to pitch in and clean up a mess. The call went out anyone who wanted to help clean an illegal dump site near Harvester between Appleby and Burloak. “You are invited to participate and/or share this event with your friends. The dump is adjacent to a parking lot behind 977 Century Drive. Bellwyck Medical Services had property that backed onto the creek and their staff did a large part of the work one weekend.
The rest got done by a small group of people who turned out on a crisp fall day to pick up trash and help transform about 200M of Sheldon Creek from the dumpiest section to one of the best. The group removed nearly 50 tires, half a dozen mattresses and about 20 bags of trash…
 More than 50 tires were pulled out from the creek area along with dozens of bags of trash and mattresses that were deliberately dumped. The Field and Stream Rescue Team was the biggest group to show up along with people from Friends of Sheldon Creek and Corpus Christi High School.
 This garbage could have and should have been taken to the Regional dump. While the community has volunteer groups who took on this dirty task – where was the Conservation Authority? The creeks in the Region are their responsibility.
Personal thanks went out to the individuals who climbed up and down hills and braved the muck, burs and rose thorns to help Sheldon Creek not just become more beautiful, but better habitat for resident and visiting native flora and fauna. During the event, a Great Blue Heron and a Red Tailed Hawk dropped by. Coincidence? Maybe, but the group preferred to interpret their visit as an expression of gratitude.
Matthew, Cathy, Robyn, Jon, Ainsley, Vince, Jeff, Katie, David, Gen, Shane, Brad along with others were there. This is what community is all about.
 By Pepper Parr
November 15, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The 2015 budget will take a significantly different approach in the way it is presented to the public. There will be a focus on Results Based Accountability with the service delivered more easily identified and understood. Tax payers will see the service; its cost and who is responsible for delivering that service efficiently and effectively. The first step in getting to that point was to create an inventory of services delivered to the public and to place them in categories for administrative purposes. What the city actually does for you is set out below.
What has city hall done for you lately? How about changing that to – what does city hall do for you anyway? And for that there is an answer.
 Just under 1000 people working full and part time deliver 25 different services to the public. The building they work in can no longer hold them all. They call it their Portfolio of Services – which is a list of all the things the city does for you. Burlington has what city hall calls an Insight Panel – which is a group of people who answer questions the city poses on the development of a service or a policy. It is a relatively small group of people but it does serve as a good sampling – it includes the balance needed to include gender, location, income, education, home owner or renter. The important part is the city doesn’t know and never will know who you are – they just know what you are.
The city used the Insight Panel to ask some questions about the portfolio of services. It wanted to know how well people understood the names given to the service and the description of the service.
The information being gathered is the first step towards Service Based Budgeting and Results Based Accountability.
The city will assign responsibility for the efficient and within budget delivery of each service and in time will ask the public if they want to continue spending a specific percentage of the budget and a set dollar amount on a specific service.
The following is a list of the services the city delivers.
Building Code Permit & Inspection Service
Development Review Service
Parks & Open Space Design & Development Service
Cultural Service
Organized Sport Support Service
Recreation Service
Council & Citizen Committee Service
Service Burlington
Cemetery Service
Parks & Open Space Maintenance Service
Roads & Sidewalk Maintenance Service
Street Lighting Service
Surface Water Drainage Service
Tree Management Service
Animal Control Service
By-Law Enforcement Service
Emergency Management Service
Fire Protection Service
Halton Court Service
Roads & Structures – Design & Construction Service
Parking Management Service
Traffic Operations Service
Transit Service
Transportation Planning Service
Winter Control Service
Each of these services will be put into a category – the city wanted to know what the panel thought about the six categories they had created and if a specific service should be in a particular category.
674 people were invited to take part in the survey; 385 started and 252 completed what was a long and at times complex survey.
In the report summary staff reported:
What We Learned
• Providing a visual reference, such as a picture, helps the public identify with a service; however, it is important the pictures truly represent the service to avoid confusion.
• The word “service” is over used and redundant.
• Descriptions must be clear and use easy-to-understand language.
• Categories must be well defined and their use must be clear.
What We Will Do
• Work with our service owners and communications partners to identify the appropriate pictures to associate with the service.
• Eliminate the word “service” from the service name.
• Work with our service owners to ensure clear and use easy-to-understand language is used in the descriptions and in other information related to the services.
• Use the comments from the panel to prompt discussion with service owners to refine our services.
• Revisit the category names and the categorization to refine based on feedback.
Of those who completed the survey the city wanted them to comment on the following:
Clarity: There were more favourable comments than unfavourable comments; that is, 70% were favourable and 30% were unfavourable. Of the favourable comments, 42% referred to the overall view being easy to follow.
Of the 30% unfavourable comments, the majority of these comments reflected the redundant use of the word “service” and the lack of clarity in the category names representing the services.
Format: There were more unfavourable comments than favourable comments; that is, 73% were unfavourable and 27% were favourable. Of the unfavourable comments, 28% related to the font size (e.g. being too small) and 20% referred to the need for the visual to be more appealing.
Completeness: There were only unfavourable comments related to completeness. The majority of the comments related to the catalogue not being complete with all services including reference to services provided by the Region of Halton.
Six categories were created with like services clustered together in a single category.
1) Design and Build; 2)Maintenance; 3)Roads and Transportation; 4)Leisure; 5)Local government support; 6) Public Safety and asked if a service belonged in a specific category.
Design & Build Category
Building Code Permit & Inspection Service: Over 70% of the respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 75% of respondents selected the Design & Build category.
Development Review Service: Less than 50% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and slightly more than 55% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 75% of respondents selected the Design & Build category.
 This is a little park that the public may never see – staff thought the city should lease the land on the edge of the lake between Market and St. Paul streets – council has decided to sell it – but that’s not a done deal yet. Parks & Open Space Design & Development Service: More than 60% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and slightly more than 55% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 60% of respondents selected the Design & Build category.
Leisure Category
Cultural Service: Less than 50% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and less than 60% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 75% of respondents selected the Leisure category. Seven respondents made specific comments that the Cultural Service name was too vague.
Organized Sport Support Service: Slightly less than 65% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and slightly more than 65% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 90% of respondents selected the Leisure category.
Recreation Service: 75% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and more than 70% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 80% of respondents selected the Leisure category.
Local Government Support Category
Council & Citizen Committee Service: Slightly less than 60% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and slightly less than 65% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to
 Residents gather to review a budget that the city has basically already made up their mind about. Some want a more open, transparent budget process. Results Based Accountability could be a first step towards this happening. place the service into a category, over 90% of respondents selected the Local Government Support category. Six respondents made comments indicating the service description should highlight citizen committees.
Service Burlington: Slightly less than 55% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and only 40% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 75% of respondents selected the Local Government Support category. Thirteen respondents made specific comments indicating the name and description were too vague.
Maintenance Category
Cemetery Service: Over 70% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, fewer than 40% of respondents selected the Maintenance category and almost 35% indicated that it did not fit into a category. Five respondents made comments indicating Cemetery Service does not fit well into a category.
Parks & Open Space Maintenance Service: Over 75% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 75% of respondents selected the Maintenance category.
 That’s certainly surface water drainage. Roads & Sidewalk Maintenance Service: Over 75% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, 60% of respondents selected the Maintenance category, while over 30% selected the Roads & Transportation category.
Street Lighting Service: Over 80% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, 50% of respondents selected the Maintenance category while over 35% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category.
Surface Water Drainage Service: 75% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and over 70% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 70% of respondents selected the Maintenance category. Three respondents made specific comments indicating the description was unclear.
Tree Management Service: Over 75% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 85% of respondents selected the Maintenance category. Three respondents made specific comments indicating the name should be more descriptive and include the loose leaf pick-up program.
Public Safety Category:
Animal Control Service: Over 80% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and over 70% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, approximately 50% of respondents selected the Public Safety category, while 25% of respondents felt it did not fit into a category and another 20% of respondents selected the Local Government Support category. Two respondents comments indicated the description was unclear and should be expanded and three respondents’ comments indicated it did not fit into a category.
 That hill of land fill that no one really knows where it came from was done without an approved site plan. The city had to go to court to force the Air Park owners to comply. They have yet to do so. By-Law Enforcement Service: Over 75% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and slightly less than 70% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, less than 50% of respondents selected the Public Safety category, while over 25% of respondents selected the Local Government Support category. Three respondents’ comments indicated this service should be merged with Parking Management Service.
Emergency Management Service: Close to 75% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, more than 70% of respondents selected the Public Safety category. Two respondents’ comments indicated the name was unclear.
Fire Protection Service: Over 85% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and almost 75% of respondents indicated that the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, more than 90% of respondents selected the Public Safety category. Two respondents’ comments indicated the description was unclear.
Halton Court Service: Over 65% of respondents indicated the name and over 70% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, less than 55% of respondents selected the Local Government Support category, while over 20% selected the Public Safety category and another 20% of respondents indicated it did not fit into a category. Two respondents’ comments indicated Halton Court Service did not fit into a category and three respondents’ comments indicated the name was vague.
Roads & Transportation Category:
Roads and Structures Design & Construction Service: Less than 70% of respondents indicated the name and description were suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, slightly less than 60% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category, while approximately 35% selected the Design & Build category.
Parking Management Service: Slightly over 80% of respondents indicated the name was suitable and slightly over 75% indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 60% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category. Three respondents’ comments indicated this service should be merged with By-Law & Enforcement Service.
 Traffic barriers in place on LAkeshore for the Car Free Sunday last year were expensive and not really used. The event was poorly attended. An opportunity for better traffic management. Traffic Operations Service: Over 60% of respondents indicated the name and over 65% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, over 65% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category, while 20% selected Public Safety category. Five respondents’ comments indicated the name was unclear.
Transit Service: Over 80% of respondents indicated the name and over 75% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, slightly less than 85% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category.
Transportation Planning Service: Slightly less than 65% of respondents indicated the name and slightly less than 60% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, more than 65% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category, while over 20% of respondents selected the Design & Build category. Four respondents’ comments indicated the description was unclear.
 One of the more than 25 pieces of equipment out clearing the primary roads – on this day they were out at at 3 am. Winter Control Service: Over 70% of respondents indicated the name and over 80% of respondents indicated the description was suitable. When asked to place the service into a category, less than 50% of respondents selected the Roads & Transportation category, while over 30% of respondents selected the Maintenance category. Seventeen respondent comments specifically indicated winter cannot be controlled.
This is what your city does for you. In a couple of months they will tell you how much of your money they want to pay for these services.
The budget that is presented for 2015 will be quite a bit different than what the public saw for 2014. The Gazette will report on all the changes.
By Pepper Parr
November 15, 2014
Burlington, ON
She does it differently.
We get to many, but not all, of the local meetings Council members hold and while they each have their own style, ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward does do something uniquely different. She listens, she coaxes answers out of people and – yes she still talks too much. But her people – and those that show up are very much her people; like her and they trust her.
 Thursday evening the community meeting was about a condominium project basically across the street from the Performing Arts Centre wrapped around what is currently the Melodia restaurant. City hall is across another one of the three streets that border this project.
Zoning for the property is four storeys – and that zoning is specific to the property. The developer wants to add an additional floor and is asking for a change in the zoning and the Official Plan.
Meed Ward tends to personally oppose this kind of change in both zoning and the Official Plan. She argues that it is not the city’s job to make changes in zoning so that a developer can gain additional density and this a higher return on their investment.
Zoning on the property:
Permits high density residential, office & commercial uses
Permits density between 51 & 185 units per hectare
Retail uses required at grade
No surface parking permitted
Min. height 2 storeys – max. 4 storeys
Other Downtown Core sites allow up to 8 storey height through rezoning.
This area has a specific policy restricting height to 4 storeys to maintain compatibility with residential uses to the north and west
Meed Ward tends to look for trade-offs – in return for the additional density she looks for some form of contribution to the city. It can be public art or an amenity from which the public will benefit.
The fifth floor in the design is set back by about three metres on each side so that it doesn’t add to the perceived height of the building. What wasn’t stated at the meeting was that the mechanical equipment will be on top of the fifth floor; adding a bit more height.
The design is both traditional and classic in looks with detailing to be done in stone and brick. There will be bay windows in each unit with balconies built into the side of the structure and not hanging out on the side of the building.
Whenever a developer asks for a change local residents bring up the old setting a “precedent” argument and developers do try to exploit that when they are looking for a change in the rules.
City planner Bruce Krushelnicki tirelessly tells people that a change made in one location does not mean the same change is going to be permitted elsewhere. Planners ask one question: Is this a good plan and if, in their judgement it is good planning , they say so in their staff report. Have they made mistakes in the past? You bet your ‘bippy’ they have – the Ghent Street development was a serious mistake that we predict history will prove to have been wrong.
The re-development would be a fine addition to the downtown part of the city. Some suggested that allowing five stories would put pressure on the single storey and two storey dwellings in the neighbourhood – and it will. Many of the properties on Locust do not make economic use of the land they site on. Some of the properties are historic in nature and have to be preserved and the Heritage Advisory committee will be asked for an opinion on their historic credibility. One of the structures used on the property that was purchased by the developer used to house the Blair Lancaster Spa – while the building is on the Registry it is hard to see much in the way of historic value to the structure. It actually looks a little shabby.
The Core District group which keeps a close eye on development in their immediate neighbourhood and everything in the ward is good at getting the troops out to oppose projects. It would be a large step forward if they moved beyond just opposing and got into some serious thinking about what they want their neighbourhood to look like 5, 10 and 20 years out.
 Ken Greenberg told Burlingtonians in 2012 that they could have much more input if development proposals brought to the city if they organized. Noted planner Ken Greenberg was in Burlington in April of 2012, as part of the Mayor’s Insight series of events – one of the better things the Mayor did in his first term of office. Greenberg explained that it is possible for the residents of a neighbourhood to set out their basic principles and invite any developer with plans to meet with them.
That is a part of what happened Thursday evening but that event was organized by the ward Councillor – the residents themselves need to take control.
The architect and the developer that met with the public Thursday evening appeared to be quite willing to accommodate the audience. They have yet to take an application to the planning department. They were convinced to meet with the residents in the community – about 50 people attended and they listened. They will now go back to their drawing boards, perhaps make some changes and submit their application. They have bought and paid for the property so they have sin in the game.
The developer said that they usually build one bedroom units but that real estate people in Burlington advised them that the market wanted two bedroom size units. One parking space for each unit and ¼ of a parking space for each unit to accommodate visitors.
 The proposed development is two blocks north of this intersection. Adding a fifth storey to the proposed building is not going to change the texture or feel of the neighbourhood. When built – the structure will add dignity and grace to the streetscape. There really wasn`t much to complain about with this project. The chatter in the Gazette`s comments section based on a piece we published telling people about the meeting had these words: One said: “I do however like the design and the extra story is stepped back nicely and does not appear to be detrimental. If I’m a resident, I’d rather be near a high-quality 5 story building, than a cheapo 4 story building. Or a parking lot that a developer is sitting on in hopes of building something big for that matter. Hopefully they can get this done whether it happens to be 4 stories or 5 stories is not really the most important issue.”
Peter Rusin, a candidate for Mayor said: “This site is actually quite suitable for an 8-storey redevelopment. There is no reason for any of the old Meed Ward crazy type of resistance; that negative philosophy increases taxes for everybody, keeps unwanted upward pressure on housing price increases for everyone, and kills downtown businesses that hope to rely on more people living in the core. I just hope the old Meed Ward mentality changes in the new term of council. I hope she does her math homework; this assignment is easy. Go to eight stories and encourage even more intensified projects; The future of Burlington depends on it.”
Another astute observer made this comment: “The main difference between Ms. Meed Ward’s point of view and Mr. Rusin’s is that the electorate supported the former and rejected the latter.
A principle of good planning is that we establish a plan and be extremely prudent about changing it. I don’t believe we owe developers the “right” to make a living.
This is a good development. It will be pricy but there will be quality sticking out of every corner. We will be lucky to get it. At least that is my take.
Related content:
What Ken Greenberg had to say about involving the community.
Initial response to the project was divided.
By Staff
November 14, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police have completed their month long firearms and weapons amnesty. It is evident our communities in Halton are that much safer due to the partnership between the community and police.
Between October 15 and November 15, 2014, Halton officers took in approximately 180 firearm were turned in, approximately 40 knives and 200 pounds of ammunition.
Police invited people with a firearm to turn it over to police who would destroy the weapons. When the announcement of the amnesty was made police cautioned anyone asking to have a weapon picked up to:
DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS OR FIREARMS TO A POLICE STATION.
DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREARMS OR WEAPONS IN YOUR VEHICLE.
DO NOT GREET OFFICERS AT THE DOOR WITH FIREARMS/WEAPONS.
Officers assigned to pick up the weapons“ said the announcement will provide police identification and will require a signature for destruction. They added that “This Amnesty is an opportunity for everyone to take part in removing these firearms and weapons from the community, reducing the risk of them falling into the hands of criminals.`
Today there are 180 fewer guns in the community.
The police make as much use of photo-ops as the politicians and have invited media to attend a photo opportunity at HRPS Headquarters, 1151 Bronte Rd, in the Town of Oakville on Monday November 17th at 10:00am in the Community Room.
Related story:
Police offer an amnesty to owners of guns and other weapons
By Staff
November 14, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
A Burlingtonian is at least going to get a chance to carry the Pan Am Torch. We didn’t get to hold any of the Pan Am events at Sherwood Forest Park because of the mis-information that was handed out by both the city, the then Council member.
We did get to rent a brand new soccer pitch at City View Park to the soccer teams for practices but the public will not be allowed to watch any of those practices. We will be getting a pretty decent sized cheque for letting them use the space.
 And the Delta Hotel that will rise on Lakeshore Road along with a 22 and a seven storey condominium won’t be open in time for the games either.
But someone from Burlington will carry the torch through the city. And the public is going to be involved in choosing who that person is going to be.
Burlington is described as a major celebration community for the Pan Am Torch Relay and will choose a local resident to carry the Pan Am flame on behalf of the city.
The Burlington Pan Am Community Engagement Committee is accepting applications and nominations until Dec. 14. To be considered, applicants or nominators must submit a photo and a Letter of Interest explaining the connection to Burlington and what being Burlington’s community torchbearer would mean to him or her. The public will then vote on a short list of names the committee will release.
If you’re interested send your application to: www.burlington.ca/panam .
Allan Magi, the city’s executive director of capital works said: “We encourage residents who will be 13 years and older on May 30, 2015, to apply to be Burlington’s community torchbearer. “We’ll be looking to the community to help select the finalist to run for Burlington when the flame comes to the city.”
The short list of torchbearer nominees, including their submissions, will be shared at on the panam portion of the city web site.
Residents will be asked to select the community torchbearer to represent Burlington beginning Dec. 19, 2014. Voting will close on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. The selected torchbearer will be notified in mid-January.
The relay begins in May 2015 with the traditional Aztec lighting ceremony at the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico. The Canadian journey for the flame starts with its arrival in Toronto on May 30, 2015.
It will then visit five cities in Canada, as well as 130 communities across Ontario.
 By Staff
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The old timers used to call them “Holsteins” by which they meant those black and white marking that used to be on the Ontario Provincial Police cruisers.
 In about four years the complete patrol fleet of 110 vehicles will be done up in this black and white colour scheme. Chief Tanner apparently loves the vehicle assigned to him – especially the gas peddle. Halton’s Regional Police seem to have a hankering for those days: their fleet of 110 cruisers are in the process of being done up in the new colours.
While the police have a healthy budget – they tend not to just throw money at projects. When new cruisers come into the fleet they are painted the new black and white.
The fleet coordinator advises that “on average, we cycle through 20 cruisers a year. We anticipate having the full fleet turned over in 3 to 4 years.
By Pepper Parr
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Are the natives getting restless or has the onset of colder weather given them time they didn’;t have to pay more attention to civic matters?
The Core Residents group is reminding its adherents to write their letter to the city planning deaprtmnet registering their opposition to what some are calling “that 28 storey monstrosity” ADI Developments wants to put up at the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road.
“Tomorrow is the deadline” the group advises “for writing the city of your opposition of the ADI Developments Martha Street proposal. If you haven’t written Rosa Bustamante, please do (address below). Even a short but sweet note is critical and goes a long way. Encourage your neighbours to do the same.
“It is also time that we as a group became more visible and publicly voice our opinions” suggests Barry Imber who has been particularly good at putting some life into different initiatives. The small but very useful Farmer’s Market on John Street tucked in behind Centro on Brant Street got to where it is because of Imber. Effective guy.
 Artists rendering of the proposed 28 storey condominium ADI Developments has made an application to construct at the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road. Burlington residents are up against a very aggressive developer. ADI has big plans for themselves with four projects in various stages of development. Modr’n on Guelph Line is nearing completion. It is a nicely designed building; fits well into the community but we know nothing about the quality ADI strives for with their projects. No one has ever lived in anything they’ve built in Burlington.
There is then the Link2 project on Dundas and Sutton that got taken to the Ontario Municipal Board by ADI Development.
The Martha Street project was announced and the Gazette learned of the ADI purchase of the Masonry Road property.
The Planning Department has advised the Gazette that the time line for the Martha Street project, which has yet to be given a name is as follows:
“The 180 day appeal period begins after the applicant has provided the municipality with “a complete application” (as defined in the Planning Act) which includes the posting of the sign on the property. We provided correspondence to the applicant that their application was deemed complete, including the posting of the sign, on September 25, 2014. By my count, that would make the 180th day following that date March 24, 2015. If a Council fails to make a decision within 180 days of receiving a complete application, an applicant can file an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. It is my understanding that, in this case, the applicant would have grounds to file an appeal on March 25, 2015 if Council has not made a decision on or by March 24th, 2015.”
“Beyond writing the city”, urges the Core Residents Association “please continue to spread the word of this development and of the Core Residents Group itself. The website traffic has been excellent, and we have had many sign-ups for keeping in touch but we are stronger when we are all connected — we need many more.
Core Residents is on Twitter so please follow and retweet! @coreresidents
https://twitter.com/coreresidents
Email to: Rosa Bustamante, Development Planner; e-mail: rosa.bustamante@burlington.ca
phone: 905-335-7600 ext. 7811
Web: www.burlington.ca/374Martha
 By Pepper Parr
November 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is a tough day when the Chief of a police force has to give the nod to criminal charges being laid against one of his officers.
Earlier this week David Mennie, an eight year veteran with the Burlington detachment, was arrested and charged with one count of Fraud Under $5000
After receiving complaints from the police service’s benefits provider, the Halton Regional Police Fraud Bureau commenced an investigation into an 8-year member of the Halton Regional Police Service.
The officer has been charged with one count of Fraud Under $5000 in relation to fraudulent submissions of benefit claims.
The officer was charged on November 13th, 2014 and was released on a Promise to Appear.
He is scheduled to appear in Milton court on Tuesday December 16, 2014 at 9:00am.
Charged: David MENNIE, 34 yrs
Charges: Fraud Under $5000
The officer, a constable, has been suspended from duty with pay.
 By Pepper Parr
November 11, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather was as good as it was going to get for a November Day. A great day for a parade. A fine day to pause, reflect and remember.
With blood on the ground at the base of the National War Memorial and six of our aircraft and a couple of hundred support people in the Middle East in harms way – Canadians have reason to ask themselves: are we safe? Is there something wrong with us as a country – and to reflect on just how much we have going for us and the men and woman who made all this possible.
 Canada is at war – not a big war in terms of the resources we have put into it, but a big, big war for the ISIS people. (ISIS stands for The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant; which is also translated as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) They want to change fundamentally the way society will function. Could they do that to us? War is a very dangerous game and history tells us that the bad guys do win sometimes.
Our columnist, Mark Gillies did a series of articles on the 38 men from Burlington who were lost in the First Great War. It was surprising how little we knew about them. Gillies is looking forward to the public responding and filling in some of the blanks.
It was disquieting to see armed police officers around the perimeter of the Cenotaph. What would that infantryman at the top of the statute have had to say about that?
The loss of two members of our Armed Forces has brought home to all of us just how much we have to lose. Recognizing our history and understanding what it means to each of us is one of the steps to maintaining the democracy we have.
Cherishing that democracy and practicing it is another step. A 34% voter turnout for a municipal election is not cherishing the democracy we have.
By Mark Gillies
November 11, 2014
Burlington, ON.
The Kerns family is prominent in the history of the city. The family immigrated as Loyalists in 1803. They had originally emigrated from Germany to the American colonies. A Kerns was the first settler to buy land from Joseph Brant: 200 acres on the east side of Brant Street.
 The death details document sets out in short stark sentences how Kerns died. Private Kerns was born in Burlington, Ontario, south of Milton and was son to Edward Bruce Atkinson and Sarah Kerns of Zimmerman, Ontario. He attested to the 164th Infantry Battalion on March 23, 1916. From there he passed through the 2nd Reserve Battalion prior to his service posting with the 102nd Battalion (4th Division, 11th Infantry Brigade) on February 28, 1918.
On October 4, 1918 Private Kerns was sent “dangerously ill” to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station with appendicitis. The unit had recently returned from front line duty at Bourlon Wood at the Battle of Canal du Nord and Cambrai. The unit had been on loan to the 3rd Division.
He was subsequently sent to the No. 8 Stationary Hospital Wimereux and then admitted to hospital in Manchester, England. October26, 1918 where he received surgery. He was discharged “fit for duty” to the 8th Reserve Battalion in Witley on January 31, 1919.
Private Kerns was admitted to Kinmel Park Military Hospital with severe abdominal pains at 4 pm March 7, 1919. He subsequently died at the No. 9 General Hospital Kinmel Surgical Hospital at 8 am March 9, 1919 after surgery to relieve and intestinal obstruction. His service record is very detailed on this event.
William Kenneth Atkinson Kerns died of an obstruction in his stomach and was buried in a Parish churchyard, Bodelwyddan (St. Margaret), Flintshire, United Kingdom in Wales on October 2, 1919.
 Peppiat, a graduate of Wycliffe College Frederick Charles Peppiatt, a graduate of Wycliff College served at the Somme and Vimy Ridge. He died May 2nd, several months after marrying in Toronto.
 Peppiatt spent almost all of his war time experience in the trenches where foot rot was common. He was given a short break at Christmas when he was able to send a single word cable to his wife – SAFE; that was the last word she received from her husband,
Peppiatt had three nephews serving in Europe.
 Private Stanley F. Smith was born in England, came to Canada with his Mother and settled in Burlington. He died of wounds. He was single.
 Details on the death of Private Edward Summers. Private Edward Summers was reported to have been wounded in the face from a piece of shrapnel. The short news report has some detail that is hard to decipher on the army Death detail documents. Not much more is revealed other than his death took place on September 4th, 1917
 The names of Harry Brain and Robert Morse appear on the same marker. Private Harry Brain was in the engineering Corps. These men were commonly referred to as “Sappers”. Brain was with a party of Sappers at the edge of a wood where an enemy shell landed, instantly killing brain and 12 other soldiers.
Private Robert Morse was of the party of soldiers killed in the same action as Private Bain.
Charles Hartley Allen was killed in France on August 8th , 1918 . He worked in the hardware business and spent all of his life in Burlington where he was well liked and respected.
Allen was a sports enthusiast who left a brother and three sisters along with his parents to mourn his death when the telegram arrived from Ottawa.
This six part series of articles on the 38 men whose names appear on the cenotaph just behind city hall is the beginning of a new career step for me.
In the near future I will be writing a regular column for the Gazette that will be called Who Knew? I will be writing about the history of Burlington and its people and will continue with my writing on the history of the Freeman Station and its restoration.
By Pepper Parr
November 11, 2014
Burlington, ON
From the RCAF Awards & Citations Page
BIRCH, F/O John Oswald (J23888) – Distinguished Flying Cross – No.103 Squadron – Award effective 26 September 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944. Born 1920 in Winnipeg; home in Toronto; enlisted there 21 January 1942. Trained at No.6 ITS (graduated 31 July 1942), No.12 EFTS and No.2 SFTS (graduated 19 February 1943). Commissioned 1943. Award sent by registered mail 19 December 1945.
 Those are the bare facts – set out as only a military bureaucrat could. The fill story is:
One night in July 1944 John Oswald Birch was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Stuttgart. At the commencement of the bombing run the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The starboard fin and rudder and a portion of the tail plane and elevator were shot away. The mid-upper and rear turrets were rendered unserviceable. A fuel tank was pierced whilst much damage was sustained to the control surfaces. In spite of this, Flying Officer Birch executed his attack. On the long flight home it was very difficult to maintain control and it was necessary for another member of the crew to assist by maintaining pressure on the rudder controls but an airfield was eventually reached and a safe landing effected. In most difficult circumstances, Flying Officer Birch displayed notable skill, courage and tenacity.
Part of the crew on that Lancaster bomber that night was a man named McDonald. His son Terrence contacted the Gazette asking if a comment written by John Birch might be related to the man who brought that Lancaster bomber back to London where it crash landed.
Terence G. McDonald wrote the Gazette asking:
Dear sir, I was looking up something regarding Bomber Command and I came across your article dated August 27, 2013. One of the people who commented is John Birch. I was stunned because his father and my father were on the same crew.
 My father was the wireless air gunner and when they hobbled back to England my father, after seeing the majority of crew bail out, in turn bailed out and landed in a tree in Battersea Cemetery. In my father’s memoirs he talks about J.O.
I’ve attached the story as written by my father about that night. If you can track down John Birch and give him a copy I’d appreciate it.
We put the two men together and Terence G. McDonald and John Birch began a long electronic conversation.
Birch wanted to know if Terrence has “any photos or more info re my father, they would be deeply appreciated, as my father’s pilot log book, photo binders, DFC & other service medals, and uniform along with a treasured engraved Ronson lighter with the 103 Squadron logo gifted to him by his crew, and their names engraved on the reverse side, ‘to F/L J O Birch DFC, for getting us home’ were all lost in a house fire in the early 1950’s on Indian Point, Burlington.
 Officers and crew flying in Lancaster bombers were always at great risk and there was no comfort. These were bare bones aircraft built to carry bombs and fight off attacking aircraft with machine guns in turrets. “My father, so my mother told me, was deeply moved by the gift from his crew.”
Burlington’s John Birch went on to say that: David Fell, archivist for 103 Sq Association Elshom Wolds put me in contact with one of my father’s crew still alive. I received a very personal letter, from F/O A C P Gamble DFC a few years ago, who had replaced F/S Evans as upper turret gunner sometime in August 1944. F/O Gamble was on his second tour and was considered a lucky addition to the crew. He and my father became good friends and everyone referred to my dad as J O.
Mr Gamble stated in the letter, he’d flown with many pilots and considered “good old JO was the best and most skilled pilot I had ever flown with …, I feel I owe my life and surviving the war to your father’s flying skills’
“According to Mr Fell, that night, July 28-29 1944, 103 Sq suffered the worst losses of the war, having contributed 8 aircraft to the 3rd Stuttgart raid, only 4 returned, the rest either shot down or damaged and landing elsewhere. The sister Sq also operating out of Elshom Wolds, contributed 7 Lancs, with only 4 returning.
“Fell wrote that when my dad arrived July 7th 1944 at 103 Sq, moral was quite low, for the preceding 6 months not one aircrew had survived to be rotated out at the end of their tour.
“Casualty rates, as you know, in bomber command was 54% with a statistical likelihood of 5% loss per operation. 5% x minimum 30 operations to complete a tour – well, the math didn’t work out well for the aircrews.
 At the nose of a Lancaster there was a bomb aimer and gunners just above them Birch continues in his correspondence with Terrence to say: “While I knew the entire starboard fin, rudder; controls and horizontal stabilizer were blown off, and the turrets rendered inoperable due to the loss of the hydraulics, and the fuel tank holed, I did not know that 6′ of wing was also blown off along with the bomb bay doors. Lancs could take quite a beating. Quite amazing considering the Lanc’s origin was the disastrous Manchester – but the slide rule boffins at AV Roe added 15 feet of wing to the Manchester and an extra pair of Merlins, called it the Lancaster and a legend was born.
“I do know my father was quite worried when they didn’t report back to base for 3 agonizing days as he thought he might have ordered them to their injury or deaths. My dad’s Lanc made a belly landing at White Waltham SW of London (being the closest field they could make and near out of fuel) and he had directed the non essential crew to bailout once over England, as it was a very tough landing to effect – particularly so now that I know the bomb bay doors were blown off too, leaving a 33 foot long scoop on the bottom of the aircraft. The landing gear could not be lowered.
 At the tail of the plane were two more machine guns to ward of attackers from the rear. Birch adds that “it was a good thing for both of us my dad and crew regained control and pulled PB147 out of that dive, for neither of us were yet conceived – and Lancs had such a terrible survival rate in an uncontrolled bailout.
F/O J O Birch DFC was promoted to F/L. He was a Lancaster pilot attached to 103 Squadron RAF. As was common practice RCAF and other Commonwealth crews flew together often as mix and match from across the colonies.
“We owe so much to all of they who served, and really have no idea what it was like.”
That sentiment will fill the air and the hearts of those who gather at the Burlington cenotaph this morning.
By Pepper Parr
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
There is so much money coming to Burlington from the provincial government that Ron Foxcroft offered to loan the city a couple of Fluke Transport trucks to get it from Toronto to Burlington.
Ron Foxcroft is the owner of Fluke Transport and the Chair of the Burlington Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund Raising Committee.
 From the left: Ron Foxcroft, Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon, HAlton MPP Indira Nadoor Harris and Mayor Rick Goldring preparing to speak at the media conference where the provincial contribution of $3 million for disaster relief was announced. MPPs Indira Nadoor-Harris of Halton and Eleanor McMahon, who represents Burlington in the provincial legislature, jointly announced this morning at a city hall media conference that the province has a approved a total of $3 million for Burlington to be given on a two-for-one basis.
If Burlington raises $1.5 million the province will send us $3 million
The Burlington Community Foundation has to date raised very close to $900,000
The 100 day campaign that Ron Foxcroft announced in August will come to a formal close on November 14th – this Friday.
Foxcroft has said there are still some significant corporate contributions to come in and the public can continue to donate until December 14th.
 Burlington Community Foundation president Collen Mulholland opens the media conference where the province announced grants of up to $3 million for Burlington. Regional Chair Gary Carr and Burlington Interim city manager Pat Moyle look on. On December 15th donations close as to applications for financial support.
The funds raised will begin to be distributed once the deadline for applications closes. People who were uninsured or under insured are the only ones eligible for financial support – and that support covers just household essentials.
If the furnace was damaged – you will get compensation. If that 52 inch high definition television set was damaged – think in terms of a smaller less expensive television set.
That Persian rug you had will not be considered essential.
Forms for application for financial support are on the Burlington Community Foundation.
By Staff
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
This Thursday Nov. 13th at 7pm., Rm 305, at City Hall, the city and Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward will host a public meeting to review the proposed five story condominium for the property at Blathwayte Lane and Elgin Street (Stretching over to Locust Street).
The lots are zoned as four storeys maximum. Five storeys will require a zone change and zone changes on any property in St. Luke’s Precinct will set a precedent toward other zone changes.
 Area residents do not approve of an additional storey being added to a proposed condominium in the community. The St. Luke’s precinct residents have been very successful in having developers stick to the rules and the zoning given to a property.
This meeting is an early stage of the process event where the developer is gauging community reaction. The precinct residents see this as a critical first meeting where they can influence a design and urge to the developer to adjust the building to fit within zone or take their model somewhere else.
St. Luke’s is an easy 15 minute walk from the intersection of Lakeshore Road and Martha Street where a developer wants to put up a 28 storey structure on a site zoned for a maximum of eight storeys. While there has been strong reaction to the Martha Street project that part of the city has not had the same success as the people in St. Luke’s.
By Mark Gillies.
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
With a population of less than 2000 in 1914, Burlington was the classic example of a rural community.
No traffic lights, maybe a few stop signs. Everyone knew everyone. Families inter-married.
The local paper, the Gazette at the time, printed anything they could find about the people in the community. The publisher of the paper was also the mayor of the town – something that wouldn’t be possible today.
 All the Burlington troops left from the Freeman station. They were proud men with smiles on their faces heading for a ward that was brutal. Earlier this year when the fact that the First World War started 100 years ago was becoming part of the news cycle I began to wonder who the 38 names on the cenotaph behind city hall were.
Each year on Remembrance Day veterans, many in wheel chairs take part in a ceremony that draws large audiences.
I began to research the names on the cenotaph. There is very little information on some of them. “Killed in Action” is all that appears on some of the Army Death detail documents. We called the army the Militia on those days. The men who “signed-up” were part of the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force.
 Walter Tarry’s marker in a cemetery in Europe. Walter Tarry died of his wounds in the field on June 15, 1918. We are told where he was buried – in a community cemetery – Row 4, grave 4. Cross erected. That is all we have.
 The Militia Death detail document has a lot of information on Private Carter. It is one of the few hat was typed up. Clifford Carter was accidentally killed on August 13, 1918. He was a member of the grenade platoon instructing men on the use of grenades when he accidentally put in a live fuse that exploded and killed him instantly. The was a Court of Inquiry that found the death to be an accident and no one was blamed.
Robert Saunders died on April 23, 1915 in an attack on St.Julien. Burlington lost a number of men in that battle.
 We know nothing about a burial which was the case with those who were blown to pieces from an explosion and there was nothing to recover.
 Kearse is shown with his son. It was not uncommon to dress male children in uniform for photographic portraits. We have a very full story for Herbert Kearse who was Killed in Action. The touching photograph of the Private and his son is par of the record along with a letter of appreciation he wrote Miss Smith of “the committee” thanking them for hand knitted socks, cigarettes, tobacco and chocolate. In his letter, which was published in the newspaper Private Kearse said: Letter of appreciation
Miss Ethel Smith has received the following letter from Private Kearse which was written a few days before he was killed in action in France.
 Somewhere in France April 15, 1917
Miss E Smith and QCHC Burlington Ontario.
I am writing to thank you for the parcel you sent me which arrived safely yesterday containing 3 pairs of socks, one towel, cigarettes and tobaco, and chocolates. It had taken quite a long time to come, being addressed to MG Depot in England, so please note change of address.
Although being a long time coming it was never the less very welcome as there is nothing like hand knitted socks to where on the march as we get in the mud, and I can assure you that it is encouraging to us to know that friends away back in dear old Burlington have not forgotten us and are doing what they can to bring us a little more comfort, and knowing this it helps us no small way to carry on with greater determination what we have set out to do, and I can assure you that the efforts being put forth in Burlington by your committee and other friends is highly appreciated by all the Burlington boys.
We only hope that time may soon come when we shall all be back with you again.
Again thanking you and wishing your committee every success, I am, yours truly HW Kearse.
 The Vimy Ridge Memorial built on land that France ceded to Canada. The names of all those lost in the First World War are inscribed on the structure There wasn’t the same amount of information and detail for Warrie Joseph Charles Potter who was Killed in Action on November 16, 1917. His name appears on the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France.
 By Pepper Parr
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is going to be great news.
There will be an announcement made at city hall related to the provincial funding for the Disaster Relief Fund that was created by the Burlington Community Foundation
 Ron Foxcroft, on the right, doing his persuasion number on the Mayor of Burlington. He apparently did the same to the Premier and MPP Ted McMeekin – to Burlington’s benefit. Ron Foxcroft is reported to have spent much of the weekend persuading Kathleen Wynne, the Premier and MPP Ted McMeekin that Burlington needed provincial help.
McMeekin and the Premier didn’t have a chance. The Tiger Cats won their Saturday football game and Foxcroft was on a roll.
Details will be released at city hall later today.
By Mark Gillies
November 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The first news about the loss of a soldier who lived in Burlington was a telegram from Ottawa. That telegram would have come through the railway station that the men board the train to Toronto on.
 Edward Cooper Simmons My grandfather served in that war. He wasn’t one of the of the 300 men from Burlington but he was part of that cohort that volunteered to fight in the first Great War. They believed it was the war that was going to end all wars.
Burlington was a town with a population of less than 2000; it sent more than 10% of its population off to fight a war that was on the other side of the world. everyone in town knew some of these men.
 The Army Death detail document tells us Private Simmons died if influenza and pneumonia in the field. We are given the name of the cemetery his remains were laid to rest in. One of the those men was Edward Cooper Simmons. He died in the field of influenza and pneumonia.
 Buckingham’s name is on a small cenotaph elsewhere. Shown is a closeup of the names. There is the name of a seaman as well. Robert John Buckingham was killed in action on May 30th, 1918 at a battle south of Sancourt. The Army death documentation says where he was buried. That is all that exists in the way of documentation but along with his name there is a tombstone with Robert John Buckingham’s name on it.
 Some detail taken from the Gazette, which at the time was the newspaper for the town. Note the easy, almost colloquial style. The Allen’s were a very prominent Burlington family. They owned a hardware store that was on Brant Street – not far from where Burlingtonians will gather on Remembrance Day. Joseph E. Allen was one of the 38 that left for the war and did not return. As a boy Joe surely walked by the place the cenotaph now stands. The short news item in the Gazette told of an injury. Allen later died of that injury.
 The phrase “sign-up” refers to this document which the Militia called an Attestation Paper. Private Reese was Killed in Action in a battle at St. Julien on April 28, 1915. The documents tell us little more than that. When men enlisted they completed what was known as an Attestation form that set out the information the government needed. The department that handled all the paper work was called the Militia Department.
Robert Ray Reese was part of the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. He signed an Oath that was then signed by the local magistrate. His next of kin lived in Toronto. Reese was single. There was an Attestation form for every man that “signed-up”
 There wasn’t a lot of information available on Private Albert Oakes. Albert Oakes died in the same action as Private Reese. The battle at St. Julien took at least two men from Burlington. They died days apart on the same battlefield. All we have in the way of records is the Army death detail document.
Harry George Bracknell was at first thought to be missing. The documentation says he was later presumed to be dead while fighting in a battle on Hill 60 in Belgium. The document was signed by General Murray Maxwell.
 Harry George Bracknell – Very few details, missing, presumed dead. Thousands of men were blown to piece by shells that landed close to where they were standing. There were no remains to bury – just a document saying they had been lost. All we have is a name on a cenotaph in Burlington.
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