 By Pepper Parr
October 24th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been some time since we have heard anything about progress on the development of the Beachway Park.
We do know that the Region has been using their “willing buyer to willing seller” approach to buying up as many of the houses that are left in that once robust community.
 Bought by the Region and then torn down  Sold to the Region by the owner who rented the house for a few years. Then it was torn down The Region recently released a map showing who owned what – not much left in private hands.
 There was a time when there was a small community made up of people with modest incomes who lived in this part of Burlington where one of the best beaches in the province exists. Once the Region acquires a property they have it bulldozed to the ground, sprinkle some grass seed on the land and it becomes just another open space.
There are plans to turn the area into a park – not much news from the planners working on the project.
The public did get to see some renderings setting out what would be done. All there is at the moment are the six area park areas that have names attached to them.
 A study is in the works – not a lot of detail on just what the objective of the study is.
We will see what we can pry out of the communication advisers the Region pays to keep us all well informed.
 By Pepper Parr
October 23rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
For most of us it’s a Friday, another weekend where there are more restrictions than things to do.
But for most of the members of city council Friday matters. Marianne Meed Ward was elected Mayor, Angelo Bentivegna, Kelvin Galbraith, Rory Nisan, Lisa Kearns and Shawna Stolte were elected to council for the first time.
Paul Sharman was re-elected – he wasn’t certain that he was going to pull it off – but he did.
 Minutes before the Chain of Office was placed on her shoulders in December of 2018 Meed Ward has certainly made her mark during this first two years as Mayor. She has and is moving the needle.
The Gazette will report in depth on how each of the newly elected have done now that they are at the half way point and their minds get turned to re-election or deciding that being a council member isn’t everything they thought it was going to be.
It is certainly a harder job than any of the five new members thought it was going to be.
Some have grown into the job, for others it’s clear they shouldn’t be there.
There have been some surprises – the job is clearly a calling for them.
COVID-19 hasn’t helped these people adjust to the job. There is still a little trying to figure out just what they can do and what they can’t do as members of Council when a lot of the decision making is in the hands of the City Manager and senior staff.
This Friday the five newbies deserve congratulations – they have worked hard; they have struggled and they are learning.
Mayor Meed Ward is, for the most part, doing what she said she would do. There are parts of her promise she may not be able to keep but it won’t be for lack of trying.
Like the five newbies she is adjusting to a role she has thirsted for, fought for and won.
Much to her chagrin she has found that some of her colleagues are not looking to her for the leadership she would like to provide. In the municipal world the Mayor is just one vote with a bully pulpit along with some bling.
The money is decent, more than most of the members of this council have ever earned in their lives.
The newbies have power; they can make things happen.
Power often does funny things to people; it tends to eat into whatever humility they had before they took the oath.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Staff
October 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
With the application from Nelson Aggregates complete and accepted, the process of going through the numerous documents presented to support the request for additional licenses can begin.
The process is going to be daunting.
An extension of the Burlington Nelson Quarry would require Provincial, Regional and City approval. There is a sequencing of decisions required and parallel review processes happening at the provincial, regional and city level.
It will be years before there is a decision.
 This site is close to being mined out – Nelson Aggregates has applied for additional licenses to expand The City of Burlington received an application to amend the Burlington Official Plan designation of the subject lands to expand the existing Nelson quarry operation on May 14th.
Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan said “Council is committed to a transparent process and I look forward to the project coming before the council table. I urge Burlington residents to get involved and to ensure their opinions about this application are heard.”
An extension of the Burlington Nelson Quarry would require:
Public consultation and engagement, including a statutory public meeting
Amendments to the Niagara Escarpment Plan and issuance of a Development Permit
Amendments to the Region of Halton Official Plan
Amendments to the City of Burlington Official Plan
An Aggregate License from the Province of Ontario, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry for the proposed expansion area
An application to the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Region of Halton and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry were received at the same time the City received an application.
A conceptual flowchart showing the parallel review process for the application is set out below. This process includes statutory timelines, application benchmarks, decision points and highlights opportunities for public consultation and engagement.
An inter-agency Joint Agency Review Team (JART) framework will be used to review the application for the proposed quarry expansion to ensure coordinated review by all agencies. The JART consists of technical staff from the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Region of Halton, Conservation Halton and the City of Burlington. The function of JART is to review the completeness of the application and analyze the proposal on its technical merits. JART itself does not make a recommendation on whether or not the application should be approved.
There will be regular reporting to Burlington City Council with progress updates and clarity on timing as the review process unfolds.
Prior to any decisions being made, public consultation will occur, including a statutory public meeting. The timing of the statutory public meeting has not yet been determined and will be scheduled once the technical review of the proposal has progressed further. Residents are encouraged to subscribe to the City’s Nelson Quarry Extension webpage Burlington.ca/nelsonquarry for up to date information on the application.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward along with Regional Planner Curt Benson (top right) and Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan taking part on the Cogeco cable channel. The quarry is in ward 3 Communications will go out to residents informing them about the opportunities to engage and provide their feedback on any requests for comments
Both the NEC and the MNRF will be releasing requests for comment on the Environmental Registry of Ontario. This is anticipated to occur within 2020, and the ability for the public, the City and other agencies to comment will be open for a limited time.
Mayor Meed Ward has said: “I know residents across our city and region are watching this very carefully because it affects us all. Our primary consideration will be how this will affect the health and safety of our community and the environment of this very sensitive area. I want to credit our Ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan in ensuring residents know what is happening and are informed about the process so that they can be involved. There is a long road ahead.”
Related news story:
Residents don’t want an expansion – raising funds to oppose.
By Gord Pinard
October 22, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
There are two things we would like to share with you today.
The first is this: we raised $8140 with our Pumpkin Fundraiser! We are absolutely floored by this number. Never in our most optimistic moments did we imagine that we could raise that much money from the sale of pumpkins. Thank you so very much to all of you who donated in varying amounts to this fundraiser. We are feeling encouraged in the truest sense of the word: your generosity has given us courage to continue this fight to protect our beautiful escarpment from the permanent environmental destruction that will arise if Nelson Aggregate’s application for two more open-pit mines is approved.
The existing quarry has a number of years left. Community resident want this to be the end of open pit mines on the Escarpment. Which brings us to the second thing: CORE Burlington consists of thirteen of your neighbours who have been working our hearts out for a year now, trying in every way we know how to stop this application from succeeding. We’re researching, reading dry reports on subjects that are new to us; we’re communicating to the public via our website, social media and email, in order to educate and update; we’re calling for critical emails-to-officials as required throughout the application process—which is complicated and involves approval from five different agencies!
 The shaded areas to the left and at the bottom are where Nelson Aggregates wants to expand But mostly, lately, we’ve been fundraising. Unquestionably the best shot we have at beating Nelson is to counter the case put forth in the review process by their lawyers and experts, with the case put forward by ours. We’ve raised just over $50,000 thus far, which we think is incredible. But we need to raise another $50K over the next few months and additional funding in 2021/22 in order to continue funding the expert help that has already begun.
Our fundraising team needs more worker-bees. We need help with planning and doing and donating and delivering. We also need some place to store the ‘in-kind’ donations we’ve been accumulating. Our next project is likely to be a pre-order gift basket sale for Christmas. We’d like to do an online silent auction as well, since we’ve had several wonderful silent auction items donated in the past while.
Is there anything you can do to help? Are you willing and able to join the CORE Burlington fundraising team? We’ve been doing our work via phone-calls, zoom meetings, emails and outdoor, distanced meetings. It’s been challenging to do this work during a pandemic, but we’re pretty pleased with our fundraising results so far. And we’re (honestly) having fun. Doing this sort of work is not such a bad way to find light and inspiration in these darkening COVID days.
Related news story:
The CORE argument
Gord Pinard is the spokesperson for Conserving our Rural Ecosystems
 By Pepper Parr
October 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It was one heck of a meeting, delivered in a workshop format
Angelo Bentivegna got to serve as chair; Jamie Tellier, currently the Interim Director of Community Planning, set out all the work the Planning Department has ahead of it. Councillor Stolte learned why zoning bylaw reports are numbered the way they are and city manager assured council that the 22 people that have to be added to the planning department staff will not all be taken on in one year – building the staff compliment will take about five years.
 Ward 6 Councillor Angelo Bentivegna is in the Chair Tellier has a delivery style that is a delight to hear – he laughs at the few mistakes he makes and chuckles frequently when he is explaining something. He is the kind of person who really puts the J in Joy. He used a number of slides to get his message across.
 The numbers startled several of the Councillors – there was more to come. Tellier started out by telling Councillor that with the Scoped Review of the Downtown portion of the Official Plan completed and the Interim Control Bylaw in place until all the appeals at that level are completed, the planners now get on with the real job of growing the planning department so that it can cope with the work that is ahead of it.
Tellier set out the organizational structure that is in place with three different working groups set out in the graphic below.
Council has always believed that development should pay for the work the planning department has to do. A consultant has been hired to do a Planning Application Fee Review; that report is due sometime in November.
Once full cost recovery is in place the planners will be able to bring in the staff they will need.
Tellier didn’t even try to hide his excitement over just how big a deal the passing of the Official Plan earlier in October was. “It was the end of a very long journey,” he said.
The next phase of that journey will take place at the Region on Wednesday (today) where the matter of the Urban Growth Boundary will be reviewed as well as the boundaries for what used to be called transportation hubs. They are now described as Major Transit Service Areas. (MTSA)
 Urban Growth and transportation – residential housing locations will be debated at the Region on Wednesday. The John Street bus terminal that was once called an MTSA has been deemed to be just a bus terminal – which is not defined in the the Planning Act and therefore not a concern.
At the Regional Council meeting Mayor Meed Ward expects to be vindicated for her long held position that the John Street bus terminal designation be removed.
There were those in Burlington who said this would never happen. They were wrong.
Burlington will have three MTSAs: Burlington GO station; Aldershot Go Station and the Appleby GO station. Boundaries have been established for all three but have yet to be made final. These MTSA’s are where the growth in residential housing is to take place.
The Gazette will report on what takes place at the Regional Council meeting in detail.
A draft version of the Regional review of the Burlington Official Plan is expected early in November. Council will go over that document – send its comments back to the Region after which the city will have an Official Plan that will be appeal-able at LPAT.
While all this is taking place there is a Land Use Study being done by Dillon that the city expects to see in November.
The Region is also doing a phased Municipal Comprehensive Review as part of its Official Plan Review. The MTSA and UGC questions are part of that process.
Tellier took some delight in pointing out that the fist change to an Official Plan that is yet to be fully Official is on its way. He added that all this is very complex and can be confusing.
The work being done on what were originally known as Transportation hubs, now called MTSAs, will be referred to as Area Specific Plans. That work was started in 2017 and paused in 2019 and has now become part of the work plan for which the city is going to have to hire as many as 22 additional staff.
Tellier and City manager Tim Commisso stressed that these jobs would not be filled in the immediate future and that when they are filled the work they do will be paid for by the fees collected from the developers. The developers will of course add those fees to the cost of the housing they build.
The Planning Department and the Office of the City Solicitor have both submitted their budget requests.
Tellier spent most of the two hours explaining the work the Planning department now had to take on.
There is to be a community housing strategy.
There is to be a review of heritage sites in the downtown core.
 There are Guidelines for everything now. There is the Urban Design thinking, which Tellier described as “the glue” that keeps everything together.
There is a Pre-building permit process that is being put in place – this was intended for individuals who want to build a deck or install a swimming pool who don’t have the experience or skills to work their way through the way city hall works. The intention is to have a single person point of reference. This is covered by the Service Review Study that has taken place.
COVID has forced the city to find a better way of getting documents filed. Developers would come in with boxes and boxes of reports; now everything comes digitally.
 Jamie Tellier explains what is going to be built where on the Joseph Brant Hospital campus. Tellier explained that Planning has had to lean heavily on Information Services for both direction and support.
The Core Commitment is due for a serious review as well.
Tellier gave some insight into the complexity of the work to be done. Much of it involves liaising with legal, roads, transit, transportation and community planning.
In summing up, Tellier cheerfully said: That’s it!
Following all this is going to be a challenge.
 By Ray Rivers
October 21st, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
COVID 19 is helping to reshape our political world. Nowhere was that better seen than in the re-election of New Zealand’s young prime minister, who has led her country and shown the world how to deal with the coronavirus. She was rewarded by the voters with a landslide victory and a first ever parliamentary majority since New Zealand adopted proportional government back in the 1990’s.
By contrast there is the US presidential race and if Trump loses, which appears likely, it will be because of his mishandling of the pandemic. Americans are constantly reminded of the quarter million folks who have died under his watch, despite his assurances that the virus was just a flu and would be gone by last May.
 Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern is a very talented leader who built a coalition with the Green Party on the left and the NZ First on the right and ably governed to the respect of New Zealanders during the devastating global pandemic. But unlike Canada, New Zealand was prepared for the pandemic and it acted swiftly to contain and eliminate the virus months ago.
There have been the inevitable outbreaks since then, a consequence of allowing returning nationals into the country, but they have been contained by contact tracing and mandatory quarantine. Like Canada, New Zealand closed its borders, but it did so much earlier and avoided much of the initial spread we allowed.
Being a unitary state it was easier, no doubt, to effect a consistent national health care policy. That was also true for the early lock down rules which kept people from spreading the virus. New Zealand is an Island but the virus arrived there as it did here – by airline passengers, so that is no excuse for Canada’s much poorer performance.
 New Zealanders are now able to attend sports events and concerts – the Covid19 virus New Zealand’s success can be attributed to its viable and consistent plan which was followed and enforced until the virus was gone in addition to a compliant population who followed the rules and a strong and visionary leader, of course. Today there are only a few active cases remaining – all of which are contained and under quarantine. Meanwhile the rest of the country has gone back to normal. The shops and businesses have re-opened and even crowded sporting events are back.
Masks are no longer required, even on public transport.
The New Zealand economy has taken a hit, along with just about every nation on the planet. International tourism makes up a large portion of the country’s economy. And since the airports are mostly closed to non-citizens, domestic tourism is being promoted to help keep that business sector going.
New Zealand should be a model for how other nations deal with the epidemic and protect their populations. But it is not the only model. Uruguay, another small nation, bordered by Brazil and Argentina, both of which have significant contagions, has done remarkably well. Taiwan with a population five times that of New Zealand has suffered only 7 deaths. And both Uruguay and Taiwan have come through without a lock down so far.
And then there is China, where the virus originated, but which managed to virtually eliminate it in short order and has dealt effectively with the inevitable periodic outbreaks related to foreign travel. But unlike most other nations China’s economy is showing a marked rebound and life is mostly going back to normal.
 Day after day Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario goes before the TV cameras to explain the most recent decision on combating Covid19 So what about Canada? Canada’s focus has always been on ‘Flattening’ rather than ‘Eliminating’ the curve. So when the provincial lock downs had been successful in flattening the infection curve we got carried away with our success, declaring victory and opening up the economy so people could mingle and spread the disease again. We did ask people to wear masks and distance, but the messages were mixed and the test/tracing practices unsuccessful. As sure as night follows day the contagion got a second wind.
Bringing the infection rate down will be much harder this time. Schools are open, cold weather has pushed people inside where the virus is where it wants to be, and we’re COVID fatigued, tired of it all. We’re sick and tired of the restrictions, and the steady stream of bad statistics, and the daily media briefings, and the mixed messages from our politicians, and the economic malaise, and the ever-rising debt we’ll have to reconcile one day.
So perhaps next time our leaders will take a lesson from nations, like new Zealand, which have been successful in overcoming this contagion the first time. And if they do perhaps political rewards, like one kind Jacinda Ardern has just been given, will be in their future as well.
Background links:
Jacinda – New Zealand Gets IT– China Gets It –
 Ray Rivers, born in Ontario earned an economics degree at the University of Western Ontario and a Master’s degree in economics at the University of Ottawa. His 25 year stint with the federal government included time with Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Agriculture and the Post office. Rivers is active in his community,
By Pepper Parr
October 20th. 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 The owner of the hotel had plans to tear it down and rebuild closer to the edge of the lake One of the deeply concerning issues for almost everyone who lives in Burlington and spends some time each year at Spencer Smith Park is what is going to get built south of Lakeshore Road where the Waterfront Hotel is now located.
 The Plan B people have been consistent and insistent that the public be at the table when decisions are made about how the Waterfront Hotel is to be re-developed. Council learned today that the Planning department has not been able to get consensus from the property owners which puts any work done on how the site is developed gets pushed back into 2021 for pthe creation of a work plan, and figuring out what the timing will be and what will be required in the way of budget.
This is a development area that has several sets of eyes on it – not just the planners.
Plan B, a small but very very effective group of people who have come up with an alternate set of plans that have not gone away despite precious little in the way of deserved attention from a former Director of Planning who left the city.
Related news stories:
Plan B people remind the city that they are watching what happens to the Waterfront Hotel site
Mary Lou Tanner – last paragraph in the story
By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
During the lengthy and very detailed report on Planning Department plans going forward given by Interim Director of Community Planning Jamie Tellier, a couple of gems were dropped on the table.
 He told council he wanted to plant a seed – take a look at the way the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) works (Tellier called it a BIA) and consider adding the Aldershot BIA to the work the BDBA does.
 BDBA Executive Director Brian Dean working his territory. Tellier saw community planning as something that doesn’t work all that well with boundaries
He might have added that it is perhaps time for a BIA to represent the commercial activity in and around Dundas, especially on the eastern side of the city.
Expect to see Brian Dean, current Executive Director of the BDBA, delegating on that issue.
 By Pepper Parr
October 20th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When the city announced it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (documents that are worth almost as much as the paper they are printed on) with Brock University on a possible move to the “best city in the country” my question was:
Who called whom?
 The Education faculty needs to be moved by August of 2022 Was Brock looking for a new location and thought Burlington would be a nice place or was Burlington on the prowl for an academic institution that would be a one up on the school that McMaster University located on the South Service road after playing footsie with the city about locating the building in the downtown core?
Turns out that Brock decided more than 18 months ago that they needed to find a better location for the facility they had in the East end of Hamilton where public transit was very limited and the building footprint no longer met their needs.
So the word was out – which suggests that the Burlington Economic Development Corporation was the matchmaker.
There are some exceptional synergies laying out there to be exploited. It is now up to Burlington to find a location that thrills the deciders at Brock. Reputations rest on our making it happen.
 Bateman high school site will at some point be declared surplus – could that structure be modified as a Brock Campus. Huge sports field behind the building that could become the community centre the Mayor and the ward trustee would like to see built. The Robert Bateman High school is due to get shuttered in the not too distant future. When the Halton District School Board declares that property surplus, existing educational institutions have first dibs on the land.
Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward called the announcement “truly exciting news for Burlington.”
 Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development Anita Cassidy, Executive Director of Burlington Economic Development said: “Burlington Economic Development has been working actively with the City of Burlington and our post-secondary partners to expand opportunities for undergraduate education in Burlington for a number of years and we are excited to move forward with Brock University.” said Cassidy.
Brock completed the sale of its Hamilton campus in September, in an agreement that gives the University the option of continuing to conduct teaching and research there until August 2022, allowing it time to obtain and prepare a replacement facility.
October 19th, 2020
 Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health To the Halton community:
Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in Halton and without a doubt we are firmly in a second wave of the pandemic. I know that we have asked a lot of you over the past several months and COVID-19 fatigue is very real.
We cannot let our guards down. The time to take collective action is now in order to prevent a much worse scenario and stricter measures in the future. COVID-19 has no borders and we need to work together to stop the spread. It is out of concern for our community that I am strongly recommending that all residents take the following steps immediately:
Limit close contact to people within your household. This means minimizing interactions with people who don’t live in your house, including dining at restaurants and other social gatherings.
Limit non-essential activities. This means trying to stick to essential activities as much as possible such as going to school or work (if you work outside of your home) and using online delivery services for errands when possible.
As always, when you are in public keep a physical distance of two metres (six feet) from those outside of your household, wear a mask when physical distancing is a challenge or when required, wash and sanitize your hands frequently and please stay home if you are sick, even if you have mild cold-like symptoms.
We have learned that many cases are linked to private social gatherings and group activities. We know there is a greater risk of transmitting COVID-19 in particular situations and settings where individuals have close contact with one another, often without a mask and for prolonged periods of time. While Public Health values physical activity and participation in sport, we must take a balanced approach to reduce transmission. To control the spread of the virus, I am also recommending:
Limit all team sports to training only, with proper physical distancing between players and no scrimmages or games.
Suspend all indoor fitness classes.I know this may be difficult to adjust to as fitness and sports are an important part of our routines and help us stay positive through these challenging times.
Please consider other ways to stay active such as online fitness classes for all ages, runs, walks or hikes, or play an outdoor game with people in your household.
Dine at restaurants with people in your household only. I also encourage residents to order take-out or use meal delivery services to continue to support local businesses.
These recommendations are not provincial orders and will not be enforced. While I am strongly recommending residents take these steps, I understand that these may take time to adopt and may not happen overnight. It is my hope that everyone follows these recommendations to the extent possible to protect one another and stop cases from rising in our community. We all have a choice to make right now –between what we want to do and what we need to do.
We still have time to reduce the severity of this second wave, but we need your help to achieve this. We did it before and we can do it again. Thank you to everyone for staying in this together, taking this seriously and above all for being kind to one another. Please continue to visit halton.ca/COVID19for the latest information on cases and public health guidance.
Yours in health,
Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health
By Staff
October 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Tyandaga – the city owned golf course in the west end of the city – could be put to even better use. It is currently an 18 hole course from April to November, the green space is used as an 18-hole golf course. From November to March, it is enjoyed by residents for tobogganing, cross-country skiing, dog walking and more.
 Tayandaga – a recreational facility the city would like to get more out of; looking to the public for ideas. The city thinks even more can be done with the space and is looking to the citizens for ideas and input; what recreational ideas residents have to further enhance what already exists at Tyandaga. We want to know what residents value about this expansive green space and explore ideas to make it even more vibrant. The City is looking for ideas related to the golf program and ideas related to the year-round park space.
Given that we are currently in a virtual world the city will hold a virtual meeting and invite you to submit questions.
These sessions will be recorded. The link to the sessions can be found at getinvolvedburlington.ca/tyandaga.
City-wide: Oct. 27, 7 to 8 p.m.
Tyandaga Residents: Nov. 4, 7 to 8 p.m.
There is also an online survey.
Residents, golfers and the Tyandaga community are encouraged to also complete the online survey found at getinvolvedburlington.ca/tyandaga. The short survey is open now until Nov. 6, 2020.
 Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation Services Questions or comments can be sent to Rebecca Holmes, Recreation Planner, 905-335-7600, ext. 7351 or Rebecca.holmes@burlington.ca.
“The green space at Tyandaga is a great asset to the community and the city. We want to ensure we’re using the area for the best possible recreational purposes. I encourage everyone to attend one of the two online engagement sessions and to complete the online survey. The information collected will be used to develop a recreation plan” said Chris Glenn, Director of Recreation Services
 By Staff
October 18th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When an intimate relationship breaks down – things get very ugly and people are hurt. The Regional Police have to deal with these situations all too often.
 In early September, the Halton Regional Police Service received a 9-1-1 call late at night from a young child stating that they could hear a physical altercation and their mother screaming for help.
Officers were dispatched to the residence, arriving in minutes. Officers made contact with the female party who exited the residence crying, with visible signs of assault on her face and body. The female party stated that the male party involved in this incident had left the residence on foot.
Officers cleared the residence to confirm that the male party had not re-entered and to ensure the safety of the three children in the residence. Uniform officers remained on scene and spoke with the female party.
Officers learned that the male party had arrived intoxicated at the female’s residence and assaulted her following a verbal altercation. The male had punched, choked, pushed and kicked her. During the assault, the female party yelled out to her sleeping children to call 9-1-1.
Thankfully, one of her children heard her and called for help. This led the male party to flee the residence on foot. The female party was able to lock the front door, securing the safety of her children and herself.
The male was arrested soon after and subsequently transported to Central Lock Up. Thereafter, the Halton Regional Police Service Intimate Partner Violence Unit took carriage of the investigation. The accused was charged with Assault Causing Bodily Harm and Mischief Under $5,000.
 The female party received medical attention and was referred to the Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit.
The Intimate Partner Violence Victim Coordinator worked with the victim to establish measures to increase her safety through a safety plan.
The Victim Services Unit also connects victims to appropriate support services in the community, assists with victim care, and, through the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP+), can provide immediate short-term financial support toward essential expenses for victims of violent crime.
Unfortunately, this situation is not unique. This incident serves as an example of why we must look out for our neighbours, relatives, friends, and co-workers, especially if you suspect they may not be safe at home.
That is why the Halton Regional Police Service, in partnership with Halton Women’s Place and the Halton Regional Police Services Board, are unveiling a memorial site to commemorate victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Halton on Monday, November 2, 2020. Through this memorial, the aim is to:
• Honour ALL victims who have been killed in acts of Intimate Partner Violence, and
• Increase community awareness in relation to Intimate Partner Violence and, more specifically, gender-based violence.
Together, we must stand in solidarity to help end Intimate Partner Violence, because a life without violence is the only life to live.
The HRPS is urging victims or friends/family of victims to contact the Halton Regional Police Service, Halton Women’s Place or other community resources if intimate partner violence is happening.
Shelters across Halton are still open at this time and Halton Women’s Place continues to offer services. Shelters have taken precautions related to COVID-19 to ensure that no one is forced to choose between their safety and their health. Help is available.
 Every person has the right to feel safe in our community.
You are not alone. Victims of intimate partner violence or sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in Halton Region for victims of intimate partner violence and/or sexual violence:
• Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit 905-825-4777
• Halton Women’s Place 905-878-8555 (north) or 905-332-7892 (24-hour crisis line)
• Halton Children’s Aid Society 905-333-4441 or 1-866-607-5437
• Nina’s Place Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault Care Centre 905-336-4116 or 905-681-4880
• Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) 905-875-1555 (24-hour crisis line)
 By Staff
October 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
As of Oct. 17, 2020 the city is “ Pausing all Burlington City-run indoor fitness classes for Adult 19+ and 55+, including indoor pickleball and aquatic fitness. Sports groups limited to training”.
 These spaces will remain unused until Public Health determines they are safe places. Following the recommendation of Halton Region’s Medical Officer of Health and emerging evidence indicating cases from indoor physical activity setting and contact sports are on the rise, the City of Burlington is taking action to help reduce COVID-19 transmission.
Any City of Burlington facility renter offering indoor fitness programs, including dance, Pilates and yoga, are also paused. To confirm if your program is still running, check with your organization.
Within City of Burlington facilities, activities are now limited to training only where proper physical distancing can be maintained. There will be no games or scrimmages until further notice.
The intent of this pause is to slow the spread of COVID-19 and avoid going back into a modified Stage 2 status with further precautions.
The pause will be evaluated frequently and will be lifted once Halton Region Public Health deems it safe to resume these indoor activities in City facilities. The City of Burlington will continue to share updates with the public.
For information on recreation services, visit burlington.ca/fall. To reach customer service, call 905-335-7738.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward explains: “Taking this temporary pause now, will allow us to come together sooner. Despite our best efforts, we’re still seeing a steady increase of COVID-19 cases in our city. While this news will be disappointing to many residents, we must keep in mind these are truly extraordinary times and they require extraordinary efforts on all of our parts, as a community, to ensure we slow down the spread of this pandemic. We will beat this, as long as we stay patient, vigilant, and continue following the advice of our medical and health professionals.”
 By Staff
October 17th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The small “main street” retail operations, especially the hospitality sector have been badly hurt by the restrictions COVID-19 has placed on the way we live our lives and the things we can and cannot do.
The Burlington Economic Development, Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Burlington Downtown Business Association, Aldershot Village BIA and Tourism Burlington gave themselves the collective title – Team Burlington and went about looking for ways to help those who really needed the help.
City Council set aside $125,000 that would be made available and is leaning on the Regional government to match that amount. There were 95 applications with 59 commercial operations getting a grant.
 Carla Nell, President and CEO of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce The five organizations teamed up with the city and the POST Promise to deliver an innovative new program to provide financial support to Burlington’s small business community during COVID-19.
A direct outcome of the Burlington Economic Recovery Network (BERN) also led by Team Burlington, is the one-time grant of up to $2500 to be used towards related COVID-19 costs such as purchasing PPE, renovating a physical space to adhere to public health guidelines, purchasing of signage and/or barriers.
Carla Nell, President and CEO of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce said: “As a result of COVID-19, public-facing businesses, such as food services and retail stores, have seen a decline in revenues anywhere from 60-70%.
“ These businesses are under tremendous pressure to adapt their physical spaces to adhere to reopening guidelines. Through speaking with stakeholders, it became clear that the City could support in restarting the economy and rebuilding consumer and employee trust by offering financial support to adapt to the reopening guidelines laid out by the Province. We are very proud that Burlington is the first municipality we know of to launch a program of this kind, and to be taking actionable steps toward helping businesses reopen safely.”
 This graphic in the window or door of an organization means they have signed a pledge to observe and enforce the five practices that limit the spread of the Covid-19 virus. The Burlington Safe Restart Program has partnered with POST Promise, a private-sector initiative, in collaboration with various levels of government, designed to help Canadians confidently and safely visit public spaces and the workplace. Businesses who apply for the Burlington Safe Restart grant are required to make the POST Promise, which provides education and training on how to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Grant recipients will be able to display Burlington Safe Restart signage as well as the POST Promise logo in their storefront window, demonstrating their commitment to doing their part to protect the public’s health during COVID-19.
Applications for the Burlington Safe Restart program were accepted from eligible businesses between September 29 to October 13. More information on the program including eligibility requirements and the application form can be found at www.investburlington.ca/covid19.
Funds available for the first phase of the $250,000 program were paid out to:
A & S Mixed Martial Arts $1,500
A & Z INC $2,500
Agenzia Delicata Inc o/a Mirella’s Ladies Boutique $1,100
Aldershot Dental Hygiene $2,500
Athabasca Coffee House $2,500
Babaz $2,500
Barra Fion $2,500
Barry’s Jewellers $1,500
Beauty Destination spa $2,500
Beaver & Bulldog Burlington $2,500
Blo Blow Dry Bar $2,500
Boon Burger $1,900
Brant Pump & Patio $2,500
Brodie Chiropracitc Professional Corporation $1,500
Burlington Laser Eye Centre $2,500
Centro Garden Limited $2,000
Chickadee Kids Company Inc. $2,500
CineStarz Upper Canada Place $2,500
Culaccino $2,500
Dermetics $2,500
Downtown Bistro $2,500
Dr. Roman Galkin Dentistry Professional Corp. $2,500
Eye Focus $1,063
Eyes Childcare Burlington $2,500
Familia Fine Foods $2,000
HealthView Chiropractic Wellness $326
Industria Pizzeria $2,500
Jans Awnings $1,200
Lifestyles For Life $2,500
Lil’ Monkeys Indoor Playgrounds Inc. $2,500
Lingerie D’Amour inc. $2,500
Loch Side Hospitality Ltd. $2,500
Modern Hearing $2,500
On The Cusp Dental Hygiene $1,500
Orman G. Bush Ltd. $2,300
Pedlar Dentistry Professional Corporation (Dental Life) $1,000 Pepperwood $2,500
Pluckers $2,500
Posh couture $2,500
R Powered Fitness Inc $1,000
Ridgeview Restaurant Limited $2,000
Specs on Pearl Inc. $2,500
Styled Inc $2,000
Tamp Coffee co $2,200
The Dickens $900
The Follicle Spa Inc $2,500
The Golfer’s Academy Inc. $2,500
The Lashery $2,500
The Martini House $2,500
The North Coal Inc $1,000
The Olive Oil Dispensary Inc $2,500
The Platter Company Inc. $2,500
The Spa in the Village Inc. $1,000
The Tell Tale Heart Tattoo $2,500
Tread Well Inc. $700
Viking’s Landing Entertainment Inc $2,500
Walker’s Chocolates $2,500
Waterfront Hotel $2,500
Ye Olde Squire $2,500
Total distributed: $124,689.00
By Staff
October 16th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Guaranteed to be the biggest fundraiser of the year at the Burlington Food Bank. Can’t thank Tim Horton’s enough, was the way one of the volunteers put it.
The Tim Horton’s 2020 Smile Cookie Campaign was a HUGE success this year! Burlington Tim Horton’s Restaurant Owners collectively raised $69,249 for the Burlington Food Bank in just one week.
The store owners gathered together at Cameron Robins’ store on Plains Rd to present the cheque.
 The Smile Cookie sale raised $69,249 for the Food Bank. Every penny of each cookie sale went to the Food Bank. Cameron, thanked everyone adding that this was such a wonderful way to give back.
Everyone gets a cookie that the staff have decorated with the entire proceeds going directly to the food bank to feed families in our Burlington community.
This donation comes at an excellent time; we are seeing the usage of the Food Bank increasing. With these funds they are able to purchase healthy nutritious food and produce to help balance their client’s needs.
Tim Horton’s staff have put a Smile on the faces of thousands of people in Burlington.
 By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward cozying up to MPP Jane McKenna – there’s a picture you won’t see very often.
 Mayor Meed Ward  MP Jane McKenna In a Statement released by the Office of the Mayor on the dismaying increase in new cases of COVID-19 in many parts of Ontario, including here in Burlington the logo of MPP McKenna stands beside the photograph of the Mayor.
The two women joined forces to support the implemented targeted public health measures in known hot spots including Peel, Toronto and Ottawa to help mitigate the spread of this highly contagious virus.
The joint Statement said: “To help further minimize the spread in Burlington, we are respectfully asking our valued friends in neighbouring hot spot communities to voluntarily refrain from in-person visits to businesses outside their local area. We encourage those in our local community to continue supporting the many local businesses, as they have done throughout the pandemic.
“When people travel outside of these hot spots, it defeats the purpose of the restriction, and minimizes our ability to contain the virus. Limiting discretionary travel is essential to preventing additional cases, and potentially avoiding further restrictions that will negatively impact the economic and physical health of more Ontarians.”
Gazette readers report on Mississauga residents using gyms in Milton for their exercise – an almost guaranteed approach to spreading the COVID-19 virus.
Almost everyone supports the tightening of activities in the hot spots but the “common sense and good judgement” Mayor Meed Ward speaks of isn’t being used – which is why things are getting worse.
If we keep this up there will come a time when we will be in an economically brutal lock-down. By the end of next week we will know how we individually managed Thanksgiving.
If the numbers are high now – wait until we see where they are the two weeks before Christmas.
 By Staff
October 15th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Residents in southern Burlington – south of the QEW, are reported to be getting a little sloppy about locking their cars at night.
The younger criminal set are finding they can steal small change and at times electronic equipment from unlocked cars.
 Halton Police are reminding residents to Lock it or Lose it: there has been a recent increase in overnight thefts in the city, especially south of the QEW.
Over the past few weeks, a significant rise in theft incidents from vehicles has been reported to police. The reported incidents have occurred during the overnight hours and involve thieves entering unlocked vehicles to steal loose change and other valuables from inside.
The latest rash of incidents has occurred across the City, but thieves have been primarily targeting Burlington’s south end, south of the Q.E.W.
As police continue to investigate these crimes, we would like to remind and are urging Burlington residents to remain vigilant by keeping watch for suspicious vehicles and or persons in their neighbourhoods and to report it immediately to police.
Police are reminding the public of the following prevention tips:
• Ensure your unattended vehicle(s) are kept locked/secure
• Never leave personal identification or valuables in your vehicle
• Park in well-lit and attended areas whenever possible
• Never leave spare keys in your vehicle
• If you have to leave valuables in your vehicle, lock them in your trunk. Don’t tempt thieves by leaving packages or purses in plain view or on the seat.
• Remove garage door openers, G.P.S. navigation, cell phone devices and power cords from your vehicle if possible or at the least, removed from view
• Consider installing C.C.T.V. / Surveillance cameras which can capture the crime and aid in suspect identification
• Ensure residences and garages are locked when absent from the home or turning in for the night
• REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO POLICE IMMEDIATELY
Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext. 2316. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
For additional information about community concerns in Burlington, follow us on Twitter @HRPSBurl. Additionally, for the latest crime data, crime prevention tips, news releases and general information – visit the Service’s website www.haltonpolice.ca.
By Staff
October 14th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s favourite fundraiser is back… social distance style!
 Individually hand crafted bowls done by artizans across the province. Enjoy a special gourmet soup from a local restaurant. In an effort to support our local restaurants, we’re hosting this year’s Soup Bowl Fundraiser to go!
Bowl sales begin Thursday, October 15, 2020 and the event runs through the month of November. Stay tuned for exciting updates including restaurant announcements, supporting sponsors, bowl gallery preview, and more!
How it Works
Step One: Choose a Bowl
Browse our online gallery and select a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, ceramic bowl. Bowls are $55 – AGB Members: watch your email for an exclusive discount code. Your purchase includes a voucher for a bowl of soup from one of our participating restaurants. Complete your purchase and keep your receipt handy – you’ll need it for the next step.
Step Two: Plan your Pick-Up
After your purchase, you’ll be notified of dates and times available for you to pick-up your bowl from the gallery. When you arrive, you’ll be given a Soup Bowl Swag Bag that includes your bowl & soup voucher.
Step Three: Enjoy your Soup
Contact your restaurant of choice during the month of November to book a time to redeem your soup voucher. Be sure to book your favourite restaurant as soon as possible; some limitations may apply.
By Pepper Parr
October 14th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Every time the development at the top of Clearview Street in Aldershot comes up Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith declares a conflict of interest.
His home is within the 120m distance from the development and he is seen as having a conflict.
Galbraith doesn’t have any problem with having to take this decision – he sees it as the right and proper thing to do.
 The Clearview development runs the length of the space between Clearview and St. Matthew. The Clearview development is contentious and has gone through a number of changes. Galbraith takes no part in the debate and does not vote on the matter.
 Kelvin Galbraith’s home is to the right of the tree trunk, one lot to the west, The Clearview development is at the top of the street where the think grey fence is located. Galbraith knew that when he was elected he would have conflicts. He chose to do the smart thing and meet with the City Solicitor before he was actually sworn, in we understand, to ask what the rules were and what was required of him as a Councillor.
Galbraith has property interests along Plains Road as well and will declare a conflict of interest should that property become part of a development issue.
 What we are seeing is a sterling example of how a Councillor should behave, which was certainly not the case with at least one member of the 2014-18 council.
During the September 30th Standing Committee meeting Mayor Marianne Meed Ward and Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns put forward nine amendments to the Official Plan that was being debated.
One of the amendments related to the Lions Club property that is bound by New Street, Maria, Martha and Elizabeth.
 The Lions Park. The Mayor lives kitty corner from Maria Martha intersection centre top of the illustration, The Lions Club began buying up pieces of property in the 1920’s. The structure that is currently the Club House for the Lions and home to ROCK – Reach Out Centre for Kids also has space in the building which is due to have a second floor added.
While the land is owned by the Lions Club it operates as a city park and is maintained by the city.
The city also has a right of first refusal should the Lions Club choose to sell the northern portion of the property.
An interesting side note – the building on the southern part of the site was once the barn for the transit cars used by the Radial Railway that used to run along what is now Centennial Trail.
 The Mayors home is approximately where the truck is parked in the driveway. The North East edge of the park is seen on the right hand side During the debate around how the property would be zoned the Lions delegated and said they would like to see the park zoning designation removed from the property. They felt that zoned as parkland lessened the value of the land should a time come when the Lions wanted to sell and the city chose not to be a buyer.
Living next to a park is usually a plus for a property owner.
The Mayor happens to be a property owner who lives kitty-corner to the park.
At no point during the debate did the Mayor declare a conflict of interest.
The Gazette sent a note to the City Clerk (Does the Mayor not have a conflict – she lives across the street?) asking if there was not a conflict.
The City Clerk sent back a note saying:
Please note that the our Members of Council are bound by the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50. In accordance with the Act, it is the duty of the member to disclose an interest. Staff does not provide comment or advice on whether a member may have a potential conflict under the Act. Section 28 of the Procedure By-law outlines the process that must be taken if a member has an interest that they disclose.
We don’t know if the Mayor has a conflict. Councillor Galbraith said he has a conflict and his house is as close to the Clearview development as the Mayor’s house is to the Lions park.
This is a question that the provincial Ombudsman can answer.
By Staff
October 14th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The virtual Pre-consultation for the Molinaro development proposed for the Brant and Ghent intersection will take place this evening between 7 and 9:00 pm
 The development covers three of the four corners at Brant and Ghent. Instructions for Zoom Webinar
Participate On-Line via Zoom:
https://zoom.us/j/96657726680
Webinar ID: 966 5772 6680
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