Transit Trip Planner Temporarily Unavailable During System Upgrade July 11 at 9 p.m.

notices100x100By Staff

July 10, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

Bus service notice

Trip planner software down for maintenance. Different kind of plastic has to be used.

A system upgrade to Tripplanner.burlington.ca is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Tuesday July 11, 2017 until end of service.

This will also affect access to Next Bus information available by phone.

For assistance during this time, please try www.triplinx.ca or Google Transit for online trip planning or access the print-friendly schedules on our website.

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Former MPP didn't like what the Brant Museum had planned several years ago.

opinionandcommentBy Eric Cunningham

July 10th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A number of years ago, the late Eric Cunningham, a former member of the provincial legislature for nine years, made some comments on the “project details” of a plan to improve the Joseph Brant Museum and the “expansion” to a “Community Heritage Centre.”

In 2008 when the comments were made the museum was looking for $8 million to totally rebuild the museum and expand its size by more than 300%. Today that cost has risen to $10 million

Eric Cunningham

The late Eric Cunningham.

Cunningham was pretty blunt: “Frankly, until this was drawn to my attention, I knew about as much about the plan, as I did about the Museum itself. This Museum is owned and operated by Burlington taxpayers. It has been open to the public since 1942. It houses artifacts “owned and used” by the late Joseph Brant, as well as the Eileen Collard Collection of Historic Costumes and Textiles.

“The operating funds are largely derived from Museums of Burlington (read taxpayers) which supports the Ireland House on Guelph Line. Currently, taxpayers are paying $552,000. per year to support these two facilities.

“I know little about Ireland House except that it is a nice building. What I know about the Joseph Brant Museum is that people in the “witness protection program” could stay there without fear of being caught….because hardly anyone goes there.

“I was horrified to learn that my local Ward One member of Council favours a scheme to expand the Joseph Brant Museum by 14, 000 square feet at a cost of almost $8 million. Almost $2 million capital costs would come from Burlington. With the exception of an additional $2 million from donors, the balance would come from Ottawa and Queen’s Park (read taxpayers). Eight people currently work at the Joseph Brant Museum, and there is a recommendation to Council that we should add one more at a price tag of $35,000.

“After living in Burlington on and off since 1954, I paid my $4. and made a visit to the museum for the first time. Two very nice young women greeted me. I saw a photo exhibit by the late Frank Wright which frankly could be displayed anywhere. There was some form of a replica canoe in the front room. Anyone wanting to see anything regarding Chief Brant had to go upstairs.

“What was there was pretty slim. Old photos of the Town back when. The “costume” section was not memorable.

Burlington Museums will be doing a themed newspaper on the War of 1812 for distribution in the community. Brant's son John will play a prominent part in the festivities this year.

The Joseph Brant Museum.

“I signed the guest book. Likely less than five hundred guests signed the book since 2007. Mausoleums get more traffic than this place.

“On a per capita basis, the Joseph Brant Museum gets less traffic than the RBG, our Cultural Centre across the street, and most church basements.

“It matters little to me that the Joseph Brant Museum expansion plan (tripling the size?) may be paid for by other levels of government. Those are taxes that we all pay. Money advanced for this ill-advised nonsense will need to be borrowed as both senior levels of government are running deficits.

“By all means buy some new paint for the Joseph Brant Museum and keep pushing the school tours. But no more tax money for this foolishness.”

Eric Cunningham died at the age of 65 on January 1, 2015

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City to decide this evening if it is going to backstop a request for an additional million for the Brant Museum re-build.

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

July 10th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster asked her colleagues to “backstop” the Museum Boards $1 million request so that the work on the plans that will triple the size of the Joseph Brant museum can begin.

Lancaster is banking on the province to come through with the needed funds – if they don’t – the city will not get back the funds it advanced.

2_Joseph_Brant_Painting_George_Romney-1200x500

A small museum that was focused on the story of the man who basically founded the city could undergo a significant change today.

“I wanted to provide you with an update on the Joseph Brant Museum and to seek your support for moving the project forward” said Lancaster at a Standing Committee meeting last week.

The following funds have been committed reported Lancaster:

City of Burlington: $2,120,000 committed, with the same amount allocated
Joseph Brant Museum Foundation: $2,589,559 committed, but not yet fully raised
Federal Government: $4,479,000 committed through Cultural Spaces Fund
Provincial Government: $500,000 committed through Ontario Trillium Foundation

Total Committed Funds: $9,688,559

Lancaster reported that there is “an approximate funding gap of about $1M. The city has a request before the Provincial Government for the remaining funding.”

She added that “Previous estimates of the total project cost were about $10.4M, those estimates were based on construction starting in early 2017. Staff have noted that the project cost may be higher depending on when construction begins; there is usually a premium on construction costs if substantial work occurs over the winter months.

Lancaster was asking that the city provide funding from the Capital Purposes Reserve Fund,

Councillor Marianne Meed Ward, who was chairing the meeting, asked if Lancaster’s motion could be amended to have the Museum Foundation promise to repay the city the money the city was being asked to put up was not received from the province.

“No” was the quick blunt response from Lancaster.

Along with the request for funds was a mention of the need to transfer some property from the hospital to the city.

Brant Museum rendering

The replica of the original Brant House will be pivoted and then raised to create a new street level entrance.

The property on which the museum sits has a bit of a checkered past. It was a 3,450 acre tract of land Brant got from the Missisauga’s. Brant built the house and lived in it for some time. He farmed about 100 acres and was said to have developed “a fine orchard”.

At some point the property slipped into the hands of the federal government. Some of the land appears in the Joseph Brant Hospital financial statements as the “Brant Trust”

overview-aerial-brant-museum-new

Aerial of the architect’s rendering for the new museum.

The city now needs to get that trust transferred into its hands – a task that is not going to be a slam dunk.

While the facts are not completely clear, the land appears to have been kept in a Trust that is managed by the hospital.

At one point former Mayor Walter Mulkewich remembers measuring the distance the Brant Museum had to be moved to allow an expansion to the hospital.

brant-museum-rendering

It will be a substantially different building and be the entrance way to the Beachway community that the city has planned. Lakeshore Road will be a much different place when all this is done.

At the time Mulkewich said he remembers a trip to Ottawa where talks took place with the then department of Public Works to get the permissions needed to move the Brant house the couple of hundred yards that were necessary for the hospital to add to their structure.

The city has its Finance department working on the land transfer.

The motion Lancaster was putting forward called for the Director of Finance to report back to Council in September providing an update on the land transfer, updated capital costs, operating impacts and the provisional financing required.

Lakeshore Road to hospital

Lakeshore Road today: This point in the road is just past where the new museum will be built.

The debate on the matter last week was limited to comments from Councillors Craven, Sharman and Lancaster with Meed Ward serving as Chair disagreeing with Lancaster on a number of points.

Councillor Dennison, who has never been a fan of tax payers money being used for all that much in the world of culture. Councillor Craven said it was time for a sophisticated city to have a sophisticated museum.

The motion for the “back stop” funding was approved. Neither the Mayor nor Councillor Taylor spoke to the motion.

There are a lot of questions about both the funding and just what is going to be done at the much bigger museum operation. Will it even be a museum? The public will never get inside the building that is a replica of the original Brant house. The house will be used for administrative purposes.

gorget

The gorget, presented to Brant by King George III is perhaps the best piece in the collection.

The actual Brant collection borders on pathetic. The “library” is a collection of books that do not appear to be catalogued and are pretty tattered. There are a number of very good paintings and the museum does own the gorget presented to Brant by King George III.

Don’t mention the words “ongoing research” about Brant – no such thing. There isn’t anyone on staff that knows all that much about the man.

There seems to be a drive to create a place that can house touring shows that the city can attract.

In all the chatter about a “world class” museum no one from either the Museum Foundation or the Museum Board has ever outlined the kind of event the city would have taking place in the space.

Museum Doyle

John Doyle – Burlington Museum Foundation

Museum Larry Waldron

Larry Waldron – Burlington Museum Board

The funds that the Museum Foundation has raised came from a bequest to the Museum Foundation that turned out to be a lot larger than many expected. We are talking millions here.

Larry Waldron and John Boyle have worked for more than a decade to get a new museum built – they need just another million to get shovels into the ground.

City council was told that the Museum Board has a business model that will cover any increased operating expenses – that business model has yet to see the light of day. Given the level of transparency of Museum affairs in the recent past – nothing should be taken for granted.

A number of months ago the Museum was closed – a fact that was not revealed to anyone at the time. Lancaster who was on the Museum Board representing the city wasn’t aware of the closing.

At the time the Brant Museum was closed it was because of the re-building of Lakeshore Road which made sense – the decision to not re-open without at least making the city council representative aware of the decision is something that was never satisfactorily explained.

Barb Teatero JBMF

Museum Board Executive Director Barb Teatero appearing before city council.

One can only imagine the conversation that took place between Councillor Lancaster and Barb Teatero, the Executive Director of the Museum Board that manages both the Brant Museum and Ireland House over that matter.

Another concern is the location of the much enlarged museum. The entrance will be on Lakeshore Road which will become the main entrance to the Brant Hospital – including ambulance traffic. That road is a single lane as it rounds the museum – the tour buses that are going to ‘bring those thousands of visitors to the museum’ has the potential to clog traffic.

Far too many questions for city council to put up $1 million that they may never see returned.

The Motion that was approved at Standing Committee was passed. It now goes to city Council this evening: July 10th.

Whereas, the City of Burlington continues to support the expansion of the Joseph Brant Museum; and

Whereas, with the financial contributions from the Federal and Provincial Governments, the Museum Transformation project is closer than ever to being realized; and

Whereas, the city has a request before the Provincial Government and we continue to work with them to secure the remaining funds

Therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the City of Burlington:

Support the continuation of staff and the Museum Foundation efforts to resolve the transfer of lands; provide updated costing for the project; and ensure the fundraising campaign is underway

Approve provisional financing in the amount of $1M from the Capital Purposes Reserve Fund subject to not realizing further Provincial Government funding

Direct the Director of Finance to report back to Council in September 2017 providing an update on the land transfer, updated capital costs, operating impacts and the provisional financing required.

The motion which goes to council this evening July 10th, has the potential to become a rabbit hole that will be home to tales of wonder.

Related article

A second opinion.

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Teen Tour Band to celebrate its 70th anniversary at a concert this evening at the Central Park Band shell

eventsred 100x100By Staff

July 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The city will celebrate the Burlington Teen Tour Band’s 70th anniversary at a concert on Sunday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Central Park Band shell.

Will the citizens be out marching in the streets along with the Burlington Teen Tour Band when the city announces they have settled all the pier related lawsuits in a closed mediation session?

Burlington Teen Tour Band opened The Pier.

The BTTB started in 1947 in a room on top of a store on Brant Street with 75 young and eager musicians. Since that time the BTTB has grown into Canada’s Premier youth marching band.

Burlington is probably the only city in the country that has a band that represents the citizens at all major events and flies the city’s flag at events around the world.

The FAmily room is one of those spaces that just works. Here the Burlington Teen Tour BAnd marches into the room with every instrument blaring away. It was a great day for the Centre and the day the BTTB made the place their home base. The Centre needs more events like this.

The BTTB opened the Performing Arts Centre.

The BTTB represented the city in Holland during the 75th Anniversary of the end of WWII and will march in the Rose Bowl parade later this year.

Bring you chairs and take in a significant celebration – something the city can be very proud of.

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Herd still in the standings - lose to Hamilton

sportsgold 100x100By Staff

July 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Hamilton Cardinals scored twice in the top of the ninth inning, with a little help from the Burlington Herd, to take a 7-5 IBL win at Nelson Park in Burlington Saturday afternoon.

Standings July 9

The Guelph Royals ceased operations earlier in the season.

Burlington had tied the game with three runs in the bottom of the eighth but then Hamilton got the win with two runs in the ninth on just one hit, three errors and two walks.

Jake Chiaraville singled to open the inning, went to second, and then third, on errors by the pitcher and scored the winning run on a fielder’s choice.

Connor Bowie had a single and a double for Hamilton and TJ Baker hit a home run, scored twice and drove in two runs.

Justin Gideon had two hits for Burlington, including a home run, stole two bases and is now batting .414. Catcher Kevin Hussey also homered for Burlington.

Benson Merritt recorded the win and Kyle Symington was tagged with the loss.

It was the sixth win of the year for Hamilton and Burlington drops to 9-17.

Sunday is a big day in the IBL as the undefeated Barrie Baycats travel to London for a doubleheader with the second-place Majors.

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What will be where when the hospital opens in August?

jbhhealth (2)By Staff

July 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

August 21st – the Official opening of the brand new and rebuilt parts of the Joseph Brant Hospital will take place – lots of hoopla and everyone being proud of a job well done.

Now we all have to figure out how to use the place.

Getting there will be different; the entrance will be in a different place and the drive will take you along Lakeshore Road as it cuts towards the lake edge.

The hospital communications usually do an excellent job of getting information out and in the early stages there will be all kinds of people on hand to get you to where you want to go.

The public has had to come of with $120 million of the cost of the new hospital – $60 million is being paid by the taxpayer – seperate line on your tax bill and an additional $60 million that is being raised by the hospital Foundation.  They are in the final stretch of the fund raising effort.

For the immediate future the graphic below shows you the fundamentals.

Hospital - what is where

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First batch of mosquitoes tested positive for West Nile virus found in the Region

News 100 greenBy Staff

June 9th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It isn’t a big deal until there is a depot of someone being infected with the West Nile Virus (WNV).

WestNileVirus_transmissionThe infections get to us from mosquitoes that care carrying the virus.

A batch of mosquitoes trapped last week in Oakville has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV). This is the first batch of WNV positive mosquitoes confirmed in Halton this year.

“The Halton Region Health Department works diligently to reduce the risk of West Nile virus in our community through both education and preventative programs such as larviciding,” said Dr. Daniela Kempkens, Acting Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region.

“We can all work together to keep our community safe and protect ourselves from West Nile virus by removing standing water sites that breed mosquitos and covering up or applying DEET or Icaridin when outside during dusk and dawn.”

Urban areas are more likely to have mosquitoes that carry WNV. The types of mosquitoes that transmit WNV to humans most commonly breed in urban areas, typically in places that hold water such as bird baths, plant pots, old toys, and tires.

Residents can take the following steps to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:

• Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly-woven fabric.
• Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET or Icaridin.
• Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
• Make sure your window and door screens are tight and without holes, cuts or other openings.
• Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects, where possible. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.

To report standing water at public facilities or for more information about West Nile virus, please visit halton.ca/wnv, call 311 or e-mail wnv@halton.ca.

 

 

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Pinemeadow splash pad literally goes down the drain - community support needed for a change - word from the ward Councillor wouldn't hurt.

News 100 yellowBy Staff

July 8, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Pinemeadow Park splash pad is currently out of order due to an electrical failure.

It has been determined that the existing electric system is beyond repair and requires a full replacement.

The cost to replace the electrical system is not within a reasonable budget, therefore the splash pad will be removed and not replaced. There is an opportunity to add a Natural Playground to the park (see below).

Pinemeadow Park is still open. During the removal of the splash pad, some areas of the park may be closed for safety during construction.

Earlier this summer, the Ireland Park splash pad opened as planned, and was installed to replace Pinemeadow Park splash pad. The Ireland Park splash pad is accessible to people with disabilities, greater water conservation, has supporting park facilities, and serves the larger community.

Pinemeadow Park – Natural Playground Opportunity: A group of residents looking to construct a natural playground at Pinemeadow Park was successful at securing $5000 from the city to assist them in developing a natural playground (see below for What is a Natural Playground).

Natural parks

Natural Parks are a totally different approach to what children get to play with and on.

There is an opportunity to expand the natural playground and add a water element into the project, thanks to a potential donation from a private foundation but a show of community support is needed. The funder needs to see community is willing to assist in the design and build of certain aspects of the playground.

If you are interested in getting involved connect with Denise Beard, Manager of Community Development, at denise.beard@burlington.ca and follow the existing community Facebook group at www.facebook.com/BurlingtonNaturalPlaygrounds.

Becky Ellis, 905-335-7600, ext. 7363 is an additional resource person at city hall.

The city has substantial amounts of money in its various reserve funds – to tell the public that the Pinemeadows splash pad is beyond repair and that the “cost to replace the electrical system is not within a reasonable budget” is quite a bit less than the residents of the best mid sized city in the country deserve.

The ward Councillor might want to provide the constituents with a more detailed explanation and then find the funds needed to fully repair the splash pad.

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Herd loss to Brantford pushes the team down one level in league standings - Guelph ceasing operations means the bottom is even closer now.

sportsgreen 100x100By Staff

July 8th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Brantford Red Sox player, Nic Burdett, went 4-for-5 and drove in a pair of runs as the Red Sox beat the Burlington Herd 10-5 Friday night at Arnold Anderson Stadium.

After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, the Red Sox scored twice in the bottom of the inning and tacked on four runs in the second to pull away.

Brandon Dailey, Benjamin Bostick and Dennon Koziol each had two hits, an RBI and a run, while Dan Jagdeo drove in a pair with two hits. He also scored once. Nate DeSouza had two RBI and a run, Andris Rizquez went 2-for-4 with two runs, and Cody Mombourquette had an RBI.

Matt Martinow (2-3) went six innings for the win, giving up three runs on eight hits with a walk and strikeout.

The Herd production came from John Whaley who went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run. Justin Gideon added a pair of hits and scored twice, Nolan Pettipiece had two hits and a run, Andrew Mercier added two hits, and Quinton Bent picked up an RBI.

Ryan Beckett (1-3) allowed six runs on nine hits over four innings to take the loss. He walked three and struck out one.

Guelph Royals cease operations.

Future games:
Saturday, July 8
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.

Standings
Barrie Baycats 21-0
London Majors 19-2
Kitchener Panthers 15-6
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-13
Brantford Red Sox 8-13
Burlington Herd 9-16
Hamilton Cardinals 5-14
Guelph Royals 1-24

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Guelph Royals cease operations for the balance of the IBL season

sportsred 100x100By Staff

July 8, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The InterCounty Baseball League got shaken up yesterday when the Guelph Royals decided that a 1 for 24 record was so bad that the team had to cease operations for the rest of the 2017 season

IBL_Horizontal_LogoThat decision meant the playoff schedule needed a new format which will be as follows:

First-place team gets a bye;
2 vs. 7;
3 vs. 6;
4 vs. 5
in best-of-seven quarter-finals.

Teams are re-seeded and the pennant winner plays the lowest survivor.

Two middle finishing survivors play in best-of-seven semifinals, followed by a best-of-seven final.

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Burlington resident relives the day Terry Fox ran through the city - you could feel the electricity in the air, the anticipation was so great.

News 100 blueBy Staff

July 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Gazette got a request from the Burlington Sports Alliance asking if we had any photographs they could use in a celebration of Terry Fox and Courage in Sport at the Art Gallery of Burlington on July 14th at 7:00 pm.

The event is part of the Canada’s 150 celebration with the Burlington Sport Alliance inviting people to show up at the Gallery.

We had a picture in our photo data bank that was given to us a number of years ago by Mark Mulholland who was on Lakeshore Road when Terry Fox ran through the city. We wrote a short piece on that picture which produced a note from John Oakes who was also on the sidewalk waiting for Terry Fox to pass by.

Oakes tell of his experience:

“When I took those photos I was 21 years old and about to start the Applied Photography course at Sheridan College.

“His run of course was followed by all. And I arrived early to get some photos of what was to become historic event. I easily recall that even before he appeared you could feel the electricity in the air, the anticipation was so great.

“I have never experienced anything like that since. The crowd was electric!

“When he came into view, the crowds began cheering increased as he grew closer. People who had been milling about now lined the road, waiving and cheering. People stepped out placing donations in the plastic cup.

“When he waived to me it was an incredible moment I could feel. It conveyed so much. In that flash; how much he appreciated everybody coming out and the agony that he must be in. I could see on his face even making a wave took a lot of effort on his part.

“He was bigger than life. Everybody felt so special as he ran past. To this day making eye contact with him is a wonderfully vivid and everlasting memory.

“Looking at those photos today I can see the Odeon movie theater was still in operation. At least it looks like their marquis sign is still up; you can see the Royal Bank building at Brant Street.

“These pictures are real time capsules now. That prosthetic leg strapped must have been miserable. I remember reading about the chafing and sores he developed.

“Hero’s like him are not made any more.”

The next annual Terry Fox run takes place September 17th – it will be the 37th time that Burlingtonians remember the man that started it all.

terry fox 1 Final

First of a four part photo sequence. Fox is approaching. We get a view of a Burlington that doesn’t exist anymore.

terry fox 2 FINAL

Second photograph in the sequence: Terry Fox is getting closer and, as John Oakes tells the story: the crowd was electric.

terry fox 3 final

 

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Burlington canal lift bridge to undergo maintenance work in July during the evenings.

News 100 redBy Staff

July 7, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Canal Lift Bridge will be closed for periods of time between July 10 and July 29, 2017.

The bridge will be closed overnight to vehicular and pedestrian traffic in both directions between 8 pm and 5 am during the following periods:

from Monday, July 10, to the morning of Saturday, July 15
from Monday, July 17, to the morning of Saturday, July 22
from Monday, July 24, to the morning of Saturday, July 29

Burlington_Canal_Lift_BridgeRush hour and marine traffic will not be affected.

This schedule may change because of weather conditions or logistical requirements. PSPC will publish notices regarding any schedule changes.

The closures are required as part of the project to replace the bridge’s controls, drives and cables.

The replacement of key components of the bridge’s lift system will extend its serviceable life, meeting the needs of both marine and vehicular traffic in the area.

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Rivers provides context on a controversial federal government decision: giving Omar Kahdr $10.5 million

Rivers 100x100 By Ray Rivers

July 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

They called him an enemy combatant, a bastardized term for ‘prisoner of war’ invented by the Bush (II) administration to rationalize bypassing the established rules of war, the Geneva Convention. This is the global superpower which claims to hold the moral high ground, yet refuses to sign on to the International Court of Justice. So it should be unsurprising that it would make up its own rules and embrace dishonoured practices like torture or unlimited confinement.

Should anybody feel sorry for Canadian-born Omar Khadr?

Omar Khadr as a boy

Omar Khadr as a boy

His father, widely accused of being a terrorist and confident of al Qaeda leader bin Laden, had taken him to that troubled land of Afghanistan when Omar was barely a teen. But the fifteen year old Omar had been working at an Afghan militia compound, video-taped assembling land mines – the kind of IEDs which may have ended up killing Canadian soldiers.

The Americans invaded the compound with a hundred soldiers using high explosives, helicopters and planes, and killed the four or five fighters who had been protecting the premises. In the fracas Omar Khadr was shot a number of times in the back or chest, and something happened to his eye. But he managed to hurl a grenade, likely in an act of self-defence, which is believed to have exploded killing one American soldier and wounding another.

Of course there is no such thing as self-defence if one is an enemy combatant. So they hauled Khadr off to the extraordinary prison and torture chamber that been constructed at Guantanamo naval base (Gitmo) in occupied Cuba. And he was held there for about a decade before facing a military court and confessing under duress to his ‘crime’. Once convicted he was allowed, by our Supreme Court, to return and serve his time in Canada.

Omar Khadr cropped

Omar Khadr has said he wants to prove to Canadians: that I’m a good person.”

Back here he appealed to the courts and won a number of judgements, about being a juvenile when imprisoned; about the complicity of three subsequent Canadian governments – Chretien, Martin and Harper – in his imprisonment and interrogation; and that his rights under the Charter as a Canadian had been denied. Out on bail Omar Khadr had sued the Canadian government and its taxpayers for millions of dollars as compensation for the injustice our leaders allowed to happen on their watch.

Among other things, Canada never requested, in fact refused to allow, that he be re-repatriated to face justice here, instead of being held at Gitmo. This is in contrast to what British and Australian governments had done with their citizens, captured by the Yanks and accused of being enemy combatants.

So the Justice Department is giving him an apology and 10.5 million dollars, something that has enraged most Canadians who will likely never ever see a million dollars in any one place, let alone ten and a half.

I have followed this case for a number of years and essentially concur with Canada’s highest court that he had been treated unfairly and that his rights as a Canadian had been denied him. I think he is entitled to an apology for that. He was a juvenile at the time of his arrest and should have been treated appropriately. And his human rights were violated as he was subjected to advanced interrogation, aka torture. It was Omar’s father who led him to jihadism and terrorism. How much should the son pay for the sins the father?

On the other hand Omar was in a bad place; he was involved with people linked to al Qaeda and the Taliban; he had been doing a bad thing, making war materials to be used against allied forces, including our own; and he did fight back likely killing and wounding the soldiers as charged. For that he is facing a US judgement against him by the families of the US servicemen injured/killed for over $130 million in damages. Realizing they’ll never likely see that money, the American families have been trying to block the payment being made to Khadr by our government.

What’s with the money? Shouldn’t a legal claim for monetary compensation be justified by some kind of demonstration of financial damage or loss? How likely is it that the American soldier Omar presumably killed would be worth $130 million (US) to anyone but his wife – to whom he’d be priceless? And did Omar lose out earning $10.5 million while in a US rather than Canadian prison? Or had he been released early by a Canadian court, would he have earned that amount of money when his only known vocation was assembling land mines?

Of course he could have become a child pop star or hockey player, but that would have been difficult to do from prison. Still, Khadr had to organize his own legal defence in both the US and Canada, because his home country had written him off. For that he is entitled to compensation for legal costs – but I would hope his solicitors are not charging him more than ten million dollars.

Some politicians are comparing the $10.5 million to the few hundred thousand that is awarded to injured and disabled Canadian veterans of war. Such seemingly unfair treatment will not be easily forgotten as we approach the next federal election, something opposition leader Sheer is already warning us. Should we be rewarding the guy who made the kind of bombs which maimed and killed Canadian soldiers?

The government may argue that it minimized our financial risk by settling out of court rather than losing another case to Omar, who had been demanding twice as much. But at least a legal decision would be easier to accept than our government setting such an important precedent, voluntarily paying off an ex-con, still on bail, and former terrorist – child though he was.

Ray Rivers

Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking.  Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington in 1995.  He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject.     Tweet @rayzrivers

Background links:

Enemy Combatant –   A Political Albatross –   It’s Justified

US Court Judgement –   Blocking Canadian Compensation

Juvenile Issue –   Supreme Court Decision

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Thieves continue to attempt to get access to your bank account - YOU need to be vigilant.

IDTHEFT 100X100By Staff

July 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

You can almost set an alarm clock by the rate at which these bank scams come along.

People tend to trust their banks; when they see an email with a bank logo included it is natural to assume the message is from your bank.

You need to check the content of the email – and if there is any doubt – delete the message.

The banks are as overwhelmed as the bank customers are over ID theft and email scams – it is a problem that is out of control and won’t get any better until internet traffic security is improved.

What is it about the mail below that tells you it is fraudulent? First banks don’t use email to advise their clients – they will call you.

Second look at the address the email came from. It wasn’t’ a bank.

Royal July 6-17

It isn’t real. It is an attempt to get at your bank account.

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Extensively and expensively upgraded, Pump House in the Beachway is once again empty.

News 100 redBy Pepper Parr

July 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It was a good idea at the time and was one of the few achievements of the now defunct Waterfront Advisory Committee that had been formed by then Mayor Cam Jackson in 2010.

Today the building has a broken window at the front and is boarded up on one side.

The Pump House, a building that went through a major, and expensive upgrade, was available for rental.

Many hoped it would be used as an upscale coffee shop but the best the city was able to do was find someone who wanted to use the space as a rental facility for small watercraft and beach umbrellas.

Pump House - BeachwayA Beachway resident who walks the waterfront most mornings notes that the building stands empty, looking a little derelict and forlorn between a busy children’s park and the Snack Shack pavilion.

Much of the beach has been eroded by high lake water levels – thus no traffic – there isn’t much beach for people to use.

The business that was in the Pump House has called it quits and moved their operations to Binbrook.

The Punp House was once a residence after it was no longer used to pump water for the city. The city is now looking for a commercial operator to put the structure to a new use/. A coffee shop/wine bar is a favouritwe choice for many - the city wants to keep their minds wide open on this one. Got any ideas?

The Pump House was once a residence. Note the railway track in the foreground.

People want to know what will become of a building that used to have a perfectly dry basement and was once actually a residence that was yards away from a rail line.

Beachway Chld-Fest-2013-Family-sand-castle-1024x733

This beach is now underwater – nothing from the city on what the long range plan is to cope with the higher water levels.

Beachway - Masterplan Fire Circle

A concept picture of what planners thought could be done with the Beachway – then the water rose.

The city and the Region are currently working on extensive and expensive plans to remake the whole of the Beachway community – coping with Mother Nature apparently wasn’t work into the scope of the work that would be undertaken.

Councillor Cravem inspecting the Pump House on the Beachway - thinks the place could sereve as the Official Residece for the Ward Counillor

Councillor Craven inspecting the Pump House on the Beachway – thought the place could serve as the Official Residence for the Ward Councillor

Not a word, so far, from the ward Councillor who once said the Pump House could perhaps become his constituency office.

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Five runs in the top of the 7th put the win in the Hamilton Cardinals column; Herd loss keeps them in the top of the bottom half of league standings.

sportsgreen 100x100By Staff

July 7th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Six home runs helped the Hamilton Cardinals pull away for a 12-4 win over the Burlington Herd Thursday night.

Jake Chiaravalle, Chris Beer, Jon Dziomba, Mike Hart, Callum Murphy and Laine Renaud each went deep for the Cardinals.

Chiaravalle’s was a solo shot, and he also plated three runs. Beer hit a two-run blast and added a single. Dziomba went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs, Hart ripped a grand slam in the seventh to give the Cards a five-run lead, Murphy added a two-run shot in the ninth, and Renaud’s home run came with the bases empty.

Connor Bowie singled twice and scored once.

Chris Lazar (2-2) earned the win, going six innings and allowing four runs on eight hits with three walks and a strikeout.

For Burlington, Nolan Pettipiece went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Justin Gideon had two hits, an RBI and run, Carlos Villoria drove in a run, and Marquis Kidd singled twice and scored twice.

Rich Corrente (1-2) took the loss, giving up nine runs on 11 hits in 6.1 innings. He walked two and struck out one.

Future games:

Friday, July 7
Burlington at Brantford, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 8
Hamilton at Burlington, 1:05 p.m.

Standings
Barrie Baycats 21-0
London Majors 18-2
Kitchener Panthers 14-6
Toronto Maple Leafs 10-13
Burlington Herd 9-15
Brantford Red Sox 7-13
Hamilton Cardinals 5-13
Guelph Royals 1-23

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Courage in Sport as shown to us by Terry Fox to be focus of an exhibit at the AGB.

eventsred 100x100By Staff

July 6th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington does have a special relationship with Terry Fox.

That relationship exists because people went out of their way to foster the memory of the several hours he was in Burlington.

For the past 36 years thousands of citizens have taken part in the annual Terry Fox Run that raises funds for cancer research.

Fox monument with Brant Inn

A monument noting the day Terry Fox ran through the city. Paid for by citizens who had to battle city hall at times to make this happen.

That led to the erecting of a monument in Spencer Smith Park that notes the time that Fox passed through the city.

terry-fox-running-across-from-monument

Mark Mulholland captured Terry Fox running along Lakeshore Road in 1980.

The Gazette was fortunate enough to be loaned a copy of a picture of Terry Fox running through the city taken by Mark Holland.

That event on the 14th is to celebrate Fox and Courage in Sport at the Art Gallery of Burlington on July 14th at 7:00 pm

The event is part of the Canada’s 150 celebration with the Burlington Sport Alliance inviting people to show up at the Gallery for an evening of celebrating Terry Fox and Courage in Sport.

The evening will feature:

• Terry Fox exhibition from the Canadian Museum of History
• Special guest speakers
• Live music by Acoustically Yours
• Tribute to Burlington’s own sport heroes
• Complimentary hors d’oeuvres & cash bar

Related story:

The day Terry Fox ran through Burlington.

Casey Cosgrove had a couple of hundred people walking with him last year in the Terry Fox Run. This year he will serve on the organising committee - imagine if those who ran and walked with Cosgrove all volunteered as well? This is going to be THE event come September. Get your name on the list now.

Burlington citizens taking part in the annual Terry Fox Run.

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Temporary road closures during the Burlington Downtown Car Show.

notices100x100By Staff

July 6th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Saturday, July 8, 2017 – 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Car show - police carThese roads will be closed on Saturday, July 8 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Burlington Downtown Car Show:

• Brant Street, between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road

• Ontario Street and Elgin Street between Locust Street and Brant Street

• James Street between John Street and Brant Street.

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A sunrise - free to every Burlingtonian that gets up early enough.

News 100 yellowBy staff

July 5th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Does your day start with the sound of an alarm clock?

Or perhaps it is the kids making more noise than they should and you aren’t quite sure what they are up to so you need to slip out of bed. Coffee or tea follows.

Skinner pic July 5-17 Cropped

Good morning sun!

There are people in this city who have a habit of slipping out the door very early and watching the sun rise and determining what kind of a day they are going to have.

Only in Burlington – the sun rise is part of what makes the city the place that it is.

And it is not a magazine circulation promotion tell us that we are the best city or very close to it in the province and then the whole of Canada.

That sunrise told the photographer what kind of a city she lives in.

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Brant street to be nothing but cars on Saturday - but all you can do is look at all 150 of them - the 3rd annual Downtown Car Show.

eventsgreen 100x100By Staff

July 5th, 2017

BURLINGTON, ON

 

It is one of the days in the year that people take over Brant Street – you get to stroll wherever you want from Caroline south to Locust and eye ball over 150 cars – everything from classics, exotic and iconic vehicles that will be on display.

Car show - Locust street

There will be a wide selection of electric vehicles on display.

This is the 3rd Annual Burlington Downtown Car Show in support of the Burlington Lions Club. It is a celebration of the automobile taking place in downtown Burlington on Saturday July 8, 2017.

Car show - model T

Last year this automotive gem was on display.

When: Saturday July 8th, 2017 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Why: The Burlington Downtown Car Show offers a view into the past, present and future of the automobile. This year’s show will include an Electric Vehicle (EV) ride and drive presented by Stoner & Company Family Law Associates, several replica-cinema cars, live music presented by the Leggat Auto Group and a selection of rare and exotic sports cars showcased on the City Hall terrace.

The show has attracted representation from virtually every automotive sector; modern muscle cars, off-road vehicles, tuners, European super cars as well as the classics.

Car show - yellow hot rod

Can you imagine the motor under that hood?

Local merchants support the show with side-walk sales, turning Brant Street into a pedestrian mall full of activity for the whole family.

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