 By Staff
June 6, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The next BurlingtonGreen event is a film presentation on Bikes versus card – a must see movie for the Gazette commentators who regular toss barbed comments at each other.
Wednesday, June 7th – a look at both the struggle for bicyclists in a society dominated by cars, and the revolutionary changes that could take place if more cities moved away from car-centric models.
Wednesday, at 6:30 pm – Central Library, 2331 New Street, Burlington
$5 admission (free for BG members).
Following the film, there will be time for audience discussion about the challenges and opportunities for cycling in Burlington with our event guests from the Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee.
Click here to see the film trailer.
 By Staff
June 5, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
During the period of 16-22 May, uniform and plainclothes officers from across all areas of the Halton Regional Police Service supported the National driving campaign known as ‘Canada Road Safety Week’, conducting a heightened level of traffic enforcement on area roadways.
 Regional police enforcing highway traffic act during May long weekend – 9% more charges laid in 2017. Officers focused on what has become known as the ‘Big 3 Killers’ on our roads, including aggressive driving, distracted driving and impaired operation by alcohol or drug.
During the seven days of enforcement, which ended with the conclusion of the Victoria Day Long Weekend, Halton Police laid a total of 2,082 Provincial offence charges, commonly known as “traffic tickets”.
This total represents a 9% increase from the 2016 campaign, when 1,903 charges were laid. The top three charges included:
1. Speeding;
2. Documentary infractions including licensing and insurance; and
3. Disobey stop sign – fail to stop.
Interesting to note that distracted driving was not one of the top three.
During this campaign, Halton Police conducted a variety of enforcement, including RIDE, to specifically address the ongoing concern of motorists choosing to drive while impaired.
14 drivers were either driving with over 80mgs of alcohol in their system, or refused to provide a breath sample, which resulted in a criminal charge, 90-day licence suspension and 7-day vehicle impound.
3 drivers were driving impaired by drug, which resulted in a criminal charge, 90-day licence suspension and 7-day vehicle impound.
23 drivers were driving in the alcohol warn range, with roadside breath testing resulting in 3/7/30-day roadside suspensions.
1 driver was driving in the drug warn range, with the DRE/SFST test resulting in a 3/7/30-day roadside suspension.
In contrast, 12 motorists were arrested and charged in 2016 with impaired driving related offences including impaired by drug.
Halton Police ask the public who observe a vehicle being operated in a manner which places you or anyone else in danger, please call 911 for an immediate police response (#makethecall911).
 By Staff
June 4, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A Toronto Maple Leaf baseball player pulled off a three-run home run that capped a five-run ninth inning for the Leafs, who defeated the Burlington Herd 8-2 Saturday afternoon at Nelson Park.
 For Burlington, Carlos Villoria went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Kevin Hussey drove in a run, and Canice Ejoh had two singles, two runs and two steals. Burlington swiped five bases in total.
Four errors hurt the Herd, as only two of the eight runs allowed were earned.
Starting pitcher Rich Corrente (0-1) gave up three runs (one earned) in seven innings, scattering three hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Herd dropped to 0-7.
Future games:
Sunday, June 4
Burlington at Kitchener, 2 p.m.
Tuesday, June 6
Burlington at Hamilton, 7:30 p.m.
Standings
London Majors 7-0
Barrie Baycats 6-0
Kitchener Panthers 5-2
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3
Brantford Red Sox 2-5
Hamilton Cardinals 1-4
Guelph Royals 1-6
Burlington Herd 0-7
 By Staff
June 4th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Saturday – It was as perfect as it was going to get – different people enjoyed the day in different ways.
 Spencer Smith Park seemed close to empty – resting up for the thousands that will fill the park for the Sound of Music. Spencer Smith Park was close to abandoned except for those with children who enjoyed the joys of a splash pad.
 The Splash Pad in the Park had a consistent flow of visitors both young and older – pets as well A couple used the Discovery Centre as the local for their wedding while other
 A couple chose this wonderful June Saturday to marry – using the Discovery Centre as the local.
By Staff
June 4th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Cal Millar, a Halton Crime Stoppers Board member said there “was a steady stream throughout the day” and added that it “Looks like we have more than doubled the number of people from last year, just looking at the total of donations.”
 The flow of traffic was steady through the day – volunteers were on hand to help people with large cartons of documents. Miller was reporting to his fellow Crime stoppers Board members on their annual shredding event they did on Saturday with FileBank, an accredited document shredding company.
In the past Crime Stoppers had difficulty letting people know about the event. Traditional media didn’t’ seem to attract the people Crime Stoppers believed were out there wanting to use such a service.
 FileBanks “The Beast” chewed up more than five tons of sensitive documents last Saturday Identity theft has become a crime that is out of control with the banks reporting loses in the billions of dollars. Many of those identity thefts came about when thieves tricked people into giving them information though a web site or they went through personal garbage looking for a bank statement – any document with personal information that allowed the thieves to create a profile of a person and then go after their money.
 Cal Millar on the left with Detective Constable Jodi Richmond on the right counting out the cash donations from people who had their sensitive financial documents shredded – more than $4000 was raised for Crime Stoppers The banks found they were close to helpless in preventing these crimes but were the organization that had to bear the cost when a crime was discovered.
The Burlington Gazette worked with the banks, the Regional Police, Crime Stoppers and their partner FileBank to put together a program that told people about the shredding event.
Using the Gazette website combined with what were called “banknote coupons” that were created for each of the participating banks, Crime Stoppers succeeding in convincing the banks to serve as the front line in this effort to direct people to the shredding event.
Millar reports that “we more than doubled attendance. It was the best attended shred so far. We took in more than $4,000 which was the most financially rewarding community shred we have had. And almost 10,000 pounds of shredded paper (almost five tons) was largest amount we have destroyed.
 “Banknote coupons” the size of a $5 bill were handed out to the customers at the banks who chose to participate in the program. The notes were customized for each bank and told people of the shredding event – which resulted in the highest turnout ever. 
Pulling together six organizations: Regional Police, Crime Stoppers, FileBank and three of the charted banks took some doing – but five tons of sensitive financial documents were shredded and some crimes prevented.
 By Ray Rivers
June 3rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
What an imperfect couple they made, the man of conscience and the rube. Not to insult the man but Trump has no excuse for behaving as he does. He has a ton of money, the richest US president ever. In fact he is almost as rich as Pope Francis, who heads one of the most profitable organizations in history, which unlike Trump’s empire has never gone bankrupt.
Anyway, when two billionaires get together you’d think they’d be nicer to each other. But these guys have very little in common outside of the asset values of their inherited corporate holdings. And Pope Francis actually understands what his job is all about, in addition to being a nice guy and a breath of fresh air.
 Pope Francis with US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania But the Pope got himself on the Donald’s bad side when he criticized him for wanting to build that stupid Mexico wall, in fact calling wall building anti-Christian. And Trump, in a rare moment of clarity, tweeted back that the Vatican is in fact also surrounded by walls. Though in his defence, Francis was likely being philosophical and that would have gone right over the head of the newest apprentice in the oval office.
So one can only imagine what went on behind those walls at the Holy See as the two old souls got hot and heavy into what’s wrong with the world and how to fix it. And you’d think they’d have stopped where they have common ground – opposition to birth control. After all, Trump is dismantling American planned parenthood, and the Church is still pushing its 10th century dogma, passively instructing faithful parishioners to breed like rabbits.
And for a thinking Pope who has come out against global warming, what could be more fundamental to that issue than reducing the rate of global population growth? Even if the birth rate of western nations has started declining, they’d need to decline much further to compensate for the longevity of seniors. And as for the masses of people in developing nations looking to acquire the fossil-fuel lifestyles we have been enjoying, if the rest of the world lived like Americans, or Canadians, we’d be in an even sorrier mess.
But in fact, global population is still increasing. And it’s not because we need more labour. Automation and robotics are already threatening labour markets everywhere. Ignorance and religion, as personified by Trump and the Pope, respectively, sit at center stage in this unfortunate drama as we blindly pull the curtain on our existence, as we know it, on this planet.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Pope Francis So it’s little wonder when Trump departed their meeting, that the Pope couldn’t muster a smile. Not that Francis ever smiles for his official post-visit photo shoots, not even when good Catholic himself, our own Justin showed up at the Papal door. Trudeau wasn’t just there for the chat and a cup of holy tea. He needed the big man to apologize for the abuse Catholic educators over the years had inflicted on young indigenous children – the residential schools.
 Pope John Paul II with a young Justin Trudeau and his father Pierre Trudeau It was a recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Trudeau had taken to implementing all the recommendations, so here he was – true to his word. And rumours are that his Holiness will be popping over to see us next year, so Justin may have just pulled off that gutsy manoeuvre. But did he also talk about climate change and birth control?
Trump has finally made formal what we all expected. He has taken the USA out of the Paris Climate Agreement – the most important game on earth to try to preserve our climate. It was an election promise after all. And he’s in good company among people thinking that there is no art to the Paris deal. Nicaragua and Syria won’t sign up for emission reductions either. And at least he’s consistent. Trump made it clear during the election that he thinks climate change is only a hoax perpetrated by China to wreck the American economy.
So some are figuring that it is better to have America out of the pact than obstructing from the sidelines, as GW Bush’s team did while the rest of the world tried to implement that earlier agreement, Kyoto.
 The United States is on of the biggest emitters of environmental pollution. Already Europe has made it clear they will entertain no new discussions with the White House on the accord, and China is positioning itself as the new world leader on this most important file.
Besides Mr. ‘Make America Great Again’ will have his hands full tearing up trade deals, closing the borders, restarting coal mining and cutting taxes for the richest Americans. Chances are good that this agenda will just result in Trump digging the kind of hole GW dug himself. Indeed a hole so big that he’ll need a lifeline and prayer to get out. But after that unfortunate meeting with the Pope he won’t be getting any Papal Blessings.
 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:
Catholic Business – Trump and the Pope – More Trump –
Birth Control and Trump – Birth Control and Pope – Trudeau and the Pope –
Trudeau Photo Op – Trudeau meets the Pope – Trump Statement –
Trump and Paris Accord – Trump Announcement – Trump Backlash –
 By Staff
June 1, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Like Ice Cream? Who doesn’t!
The Herd, Burlington’s InterCounty Baseball League member will be playing the Toronto Maple Leafs this Saturday at the Nelson ball park.
 There is a special treat – $1 ice cream day presented by Murphy’s Ice Cream Parlour.
If the Herd win the game it will be their first win of the season.
 By Staff
June 1st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
They are thrilled – you might be delighted.
The Sound of Music Festival, in partnership with the City of Burlington, announced this morning that there is going to be an additional day of FREE concerts on Sunday, June 11.
 Sandy Horne – Canada 150 Day Celebrations will take place on Burlington’s Waterfront from 1 pm to 9 pm. Sunday’s shows feature a full roster of Burlington performers including Valley, White Pine Dancers, The Killin’ Time Band, The Spoons, Tebey and Walk Off The Earth.
A Citizenship and Reaffirmation Ceremony will take place at TD Stage at 2 pm. In attendance will be Hon. Karina Gould, MP, Hon Eleanor McMahon, MPP and Mayor Rick Goldring as Master of Ceremonies.
Newcomers to Canada will partake in The Oath of Citizenship, accepting the responsibilities and privileges of becoming a Canadian Citizen.
This is a public event that family, friends, residents and visitors are welcome to attend. Everyone is encouraged to re-affirm their Canadian citizenship by taking the Oath with our newly appointed Canadians.
June 11 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
 Walk Off the Earth – added to the free day of great music on the waterfront. 1:00 Valley
1:45 White Pine Dancers
2:00 Greetings, Citizenship & Reaffirmation Ceremonies
3:15 The Killin’ Time Band
4:30 The Spoons
6:00 Tebey
7:30 Walk Off The Earth
 This is about as Canadian as you can get – how many people who are already Canadian citizens will show up to re-affirm their Canadian citizenship by taking the Oath with the newly appointed Canadians. This day is a celebration of our values, and our country, along with an unbelievable roster of local performers.
“This is a bit of a dream come true as a music lover and resident of Burlington, there couldn’t be a greater expression of hometown pride”, says Rian Malloch, the Festival’s Programming Chair.
The shows are FREE, VIP upgrades to Sweet Seats and FrontRow are available for $29, limited quantity. Visit soundofmusic.ca for full line-up, schedule and show times.
 By Staff
May 31, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Turns out that you can get more than money or a mortgage at one of Burlington’s Bank of Nova Scotia branches.
 Bella Alim, the branch manager at Lakeside Shopping Village, will handle your mortgage and she will direct you to the electric car charging machine that looks a little like a gas pump standing outside the branch on Lakeshore Road East.
The Electric Vehicle Charging Station is one of 30 the bank has set up across Canada.
The banks public relations spin on this is that they “believe every customer has the right to become better off. For those making an effort to create a healthier environment by driving electric vehicles, we are happy to support them by offering charging stations at Scotiabank locations,” said Terri Williams, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility at Scotiabank.
The electric charging isn’t free – but it is convenient. With the federal government wanting to see a massive increase in electric cars – even though the automotive dealers aren’t apparently all that keen on actually offering that type of vehicle for sale, the move to electric us taking place – and the Bank of Nova Scotia has decided to hitch their wagon to that form of transportation.
Good on them!
By Pepper Parr
May 31st, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
“Hope all is well” she said and added “hope you are enjoying today’s beautiful weather.”
The she added: “ I was wondering if you would be so kind as to promote the Save Our School Walk which is this Saturday, June 3rd at 11 am .
 Some of the Pearson high school parents during delegation night at the Board of Education. The Walk is a last minute effort by the parents whose children attend the Lester B. Pearson high school that has been recommended for closure in 2018.
It is a high school that has been hornswoggled by the Board when the feeder schools they once had got attached to Hayden high school – which was a death sentence for Pearson – but they are going to do whatever they can between now and June 7th when the eleven Board of Education trustees decide what to do.
Join the walk!
 By Staff
May 31, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
They come in at the rate of a couple every day.
Most of them are immediately evident as phishing attempts and they get discarded.
From time to time there is a message that catches the eye (we once got caught by a United State Postal Service scan – we were expecting a parcel and we thought this was a part of the delivery notice)
This scam was aimed at TD Bank customers – we don’t bank with TD so we knew it was a phishing attempt.
However for those people who are TB Bank customers it might have read as a real notice and you might have responded.
 The use of a photograph can be deceiving. Whenever there is something important – your bank calls you. They don’t want to lose you as a customer over what is a technical matter.
This one was good – look it over and see if you can identify the flaws.
Remember the cardinal rule – if in doubt – don’t.
 By Staff
May 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Crime Stoppers of Halton in partnership with FileBank Canada is hosting a shred event in Burlington to help combat Identity Theft and other fraud.
The event will be held Saturday, June 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot on the east side of Brant Street at Ghent Avenue, three blocks south of Fairview Street.
 Crime Stoppers has also partnered with a number of the chartered banks in Burlington to promote the event at the bank branch level by handing out small banknote sized coupons alerting people to how serious a problem Identity Theft is and how people can use the Crime stoppers service to protect themselves.
For a donation to Halton’s Crime Stoppers programs, residents and business owners can feed FileBank’s “Beast” – a state-of-the-art mobile shredding vehicle – with their personal and sensitive documents to ensure they are not used by scam artists for various fraud schemes.
 One of the fastest growing frauds today is Identity Theft with losses running into the billions of dollars. Halton Crime Stoppers is committed to helping people to protect themselves from this crime with several conveniently located community shred campaigns across the region throughout the year.
Detective Constable Jodi Richmond, police coordinator of Halton Crime Stoppers, said it’s important for people to protect themselves from becoming victims by ensuring any documents with personal information are destroyed properly.
“Items such as cancelled cheques, financial records, old letterhead, invoices, copies of job applications or anything containing personal information can easily be used by criminals to obtain credit cards; steal money from bank accounts; procure passports or other identification and even get a mortgage on your home without you even knowing,” she said. “Destroying confidential and business documents is the best way to protect you from becoming a victim of fraud.”
Detective Constable Richmond also pointed out that FileBank’s process is eco-friendly since all sensitive documents pulverized through the mobile shredding equipment is recycled into new paper products.
In addition, those bringing old financial records and other documents to the shredding site in Burlington will receive a 500-sheet package of recycled paper courtesy of Domtar, one of Canada’s leading paper producers.
“It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” Richmond said.
Halton Crime Stoppers also wishes to thank local branches of the Royal Bank, Scotia Bank and TD Bank for helping promote the shred event to their customers and raise awareness of Identity Theft.
By Pepper Parr
May 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Today, Ontario passed legislation to empower municipalities to be more open, accountable and flexible in responding to the needs of residents.
The Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act amends the Municipal Act, the City of Toronto Act and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. The changes will:
 A city council that has managed to operate without a Code of Conduct since they were elected in 2010 • Increase fairness and reduce barriers for women and parents elected to municipal governments and school boards by allowing time off for pregnancy or parental leave
• Provide broader municipal investment powers to eligible municipalities that may help raise more revenue to improve local infrastructure
• Enhance local government accountability and integrity across the province by requiring municipalities to have a code of conduct for members of municipal councils and local boards
• Ensure the public and municipal Councillors have access to integrity commissioners with a broadened role related to conflicts of interest and municipal codes of conduct.
Many of the changes being made with the passage of this legislation are based on feedback from municipalities, the public and other organizations during Municipal Legislation Review consultations in 2015.
Roll that tape back a bit – “Provide broader municipal investment powers to eligible municipalities that may help raise more revenue to improve local infrastructure” – that translates to them putting their hands even deeper into your pockets. Legislation from any level of government is not bed time reading – we will need a bit of time to download that document and see just what they are up to this time.
 City manager James Ridge took on the task of coming up with a Code of Conduct for the members of council – hasn’t produced that document yet. We also want to take a closer look at the changes made to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act – Burlington has a specific interest in the way a conflict of interest is interpreted.
That bit about Councillors having “access to integrity commissioners with a broadened role related to conflicts of interest and municipal codes of conduct.” Burlington is still without a code of conduct for members of Council. That task is understood to be in the hands of the city manager.
By Staff
May 30, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington, Halton District and Halton Catholic District School Boards, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and the Ministry of Transportation, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) will officially kick-off its Distracted Driving Pledge (#TextULater) pilot campaign.
Starting Monday, June 5, HRPS High School Liaison Officers will visit high schools throughout Burlington, encouraging students to take the #TextULater Pledge and challenging others to do the same.
 Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah has always worked well with the high school crowd – hopefully he will be doing some of the teaching. Deputy Chief Nish Duraiappah, Sergeant Jared McLeod, Burlington District Response Team and Initiative Creator and the community partners, including the City of Burlington, school boards, agencies and high school students are going to be involved in this one – a full Monty from everyone
The Regional police have always been able to work with high school students and explain the very real consequences of their behavior.
 Two Nelson high school students do their best to stay on the green line wearing Fatal Vision goggles during a Halton Regional Police RIDE program. A number of years ago the HRPS worked with Nelson high school students demonstrating the effect alcohol had on their ability to respond to what was going on around them – making it very very clear that driving wasn’t really possible with alcohol above the limit in their bodies.
Let’s hope they can do as well with getting the distracted driving message across – then of course there is the marijuana message once that product is legal.
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Just ducky!
An Ontario government grant of about $120,000 that is going toward a giant rubber duck for Canada 150 celebrations is ruffling some feathers.
 A six storey tall rubber duck with selfie appeal. Will we see it in Burlington Bay. It will be a huge draw. The six-storey-tall, 13,600-kilogram yellow duck is being brought to Toronto by the Redpath Waterfront Festival, at a total cost of $200,000, combining other funding such as corporate sponsorship.
It’s being billed as a tourist attraction — with particular Instagram and selfie appeal — and will also be taken to other communities in Ontario.
Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Eleanor McMahon said the province has been funding the waterfront festival for the past three years and it does a good job promoting tourism.
 Burlington MPP and Minister of Tourism and Sport defends the rental of a rubber duck to celebrate our 150th birthday – what would Sir John A. have to say about that idea? “This year they’ve decided to add a duck to the equation,” she said. “I think it’s an important contribution to our 150th celebrations. It’s just another example of the fun that people are going to have this summer.”
Lea Parrell, the co-producer of the waterfront festival, said it’s hoped the duck will have a positive effect on tourism.
The $200,000 cost includes renting the duck from a man in the United States who owns it, transporting it, inflating it, using a crane to lift it onto a barge, towing the barge, bringing it to other Ontario communities, marketing, and on-site support such as portable toilets and extra fencing so people don’t fall in the water, Parrell said.
The giant rubber duck is based on similar floating structures by a Dutch artist that have travelled world, Parrell said.
No word yet on whether the duck will be seen floating at the end of the Pier sometime during the summer. Selfies galore.
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Rossmore Blvd. southbound between Princess Blvd. and Balmoral Ave. will be closed on May 31, 2017 for tree removal.
 There are leaves on those trees at this time of year.
By Ken Pagan
May 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Justin Gideon is staying positive and, with a touch more confidence in his game, the results are showing on the field.
The Burlington Herd leadoff hitter, fresh off being named the IBL Batter of the Week, continued pumping out the hits on Saturday, mashing a long home run to centre-field as part of a 3-for-5 day in an 8-7 loss to the Brantford Red Sox.
Gideon, who turns 22 next month, is fourth in the IBL with a .478 batting average after six games, and leads the league with 11 hits and four doubles. His nine runs scored are second-most in the IBL.
 Justin Gideon, IBL Batter of the Week for May 15-21 swings for the win-less Burlington Herd “I’m feeling more confident,” said Gideon, now in his third season with Burlington’s IBL squad. “As a rookie, sometimes you’re kind of hoping for hits, but when things are going well, you’re expecting to get hits and that makes a huge difference. I think that positive attitude really helps.”
He was named IBL Batter of the Week for May 15-21, after going 7-for-9, which included a monster 5-for-5 game in a 14-12 home loss to the Barrie Baycats.
“I haven’t changed too much with my approach, just some subtle things,” he said. “On the mental side, I feel like I’m playing with a lot more confidence, especially with being a leader on the team. I think you have to have that confidence regardless of how you’re doing.
“You have to take things one at-bat at a time. You can’t look at your day and see that you’re 0-for-2 and be scared to go 0-for-3. You have to look at the next at-bat and try to get a hit. You have to have a short memory.”
Gideon has played four seasons of OUA baseball at Brock University, where he has thrived, twice being named Brock’s MVP and earning OUA Top Hitter accolades. He was second in the OUA with a.469 batting average and two homers in 64 at-bats in 2014 and followed with a .422 average and three homers and a league-leading 30 runs scored in 2015.
 But things came untracked in the 2016 fall season, when his average fell below .200
“It was just a combination of things,” he said. “I try not to make excuses, but it was just a slump I couldn’t get out of. It’s a lot shorter season and there are not as many at-bats (to come out of it), so it was just tough.”
However, he is making the most of a shot at redemption to get things back on track with the Herd this season. As the team’s table-setter and centre-fielder, he wants to continue setting high standards on the field.
“I want to bring a sense of leadership and try to keep a positive attitude among the guys and perform well every game,” he said. “ Even if I’m not performing offensively, I want to bring it defensively and just always be hustling and play with the same intensity every game.”
 By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Revised 12:50 pm May 29th, 2017
Today is Bike to Work day.
Did Burlington celebrate the event?
They did – in an event at Civic Square but there wasn’t a line of bikes along New Street.
Not this year – that road is in the process of being rebuilt between Guelph Line and Appleby.
Where are things with the cycle lane for New Street?
Not much recent information on the city’s web site. The original plans to do a pilot exercise in 2016 didn’t work out all that well.
In his blog the Mayor said in 2016 that …
 Goldring selfy – the day he took the bus to work. Provided by the Mayor’s office. City Council supported a staff recommendation for a one-year pilot for bicycle lanes on New Street between Walker’s Line and Guelph Line.
A majority of council (6-1) supported this decision. It was our team of transportation experts that recommended what is being called a ‘road diet’. Simply put, that means taking New Street from four lanes to three lanes (two travel lanes and a centre left turn lane), with bike lanes separated by painted buffered lines on each side.
There are a few key things to note as we measure data and carefully listen to residents during the bicycle lane pilot project on the two-kilometre stretch of New Street:
This is a pilot project scheduled to last one year. Our staff will be tracking detailed data and we invite feedback from everyone using that stretch of the road.
The pilot is a litmus test to see if the painted lanes result in a positive experience for people who want to ride their bicycles, while causing a minimal impact for drivers who also need to get where they are going in a timely manner.
This is an ideal time for the pilot to be done as this section of road is scheduled for resurfacing in 2017. This means there will be no cost to revert the lanes if the pilot is determined to be unsuccessful by staff and ultimately, council, or keep the new lane configuration when the road is resurfaced.
I live by New Street and as such, take it every day, at different times. I will experience first-hand the traffic delays, if indeed there are any.
The key measurement for me will be the impact on the automobile driver. If there are significant traffic issues as a result of this new configuration, we can simply repaint the road. This one-year test allows us to see if New Street is the right place for bike lanes.
The multi-purpose pathway from Burloak Drive to Martha Street is good for recreational cycling. However, it is a busy mixed use pathway that includes not only cyclists but walkers, skateboarders, walkers with dogs and young children. A friend of mine broke his wrist after a young child darted in front of him causing him to slam on the brakes and fall. This means it is not ideal for people cycling along the pathway for transportation, especially when travelling at higher speeds.
The pathway is also not useable when it is dark as the average light from a bicycle is not bright enough and does not shine far enough to create a safe ride. The pathway is not lit at night. There are also numerous crossings where vehicles have the right-of-way.
 New sewer pipes and a resurfacing of New Street put the new bike lane plans on hold. Furthermore, the pathway does not provide meaningful connections to the many amenities right along New Street.
 Data presented to a city Standing Committee by the Cycling Advisory Committee in 2016 The cycling enthusiasts explain that bike lanes on New Street by themselves will not have much of an impact – a fully developed cycling master plan with bike lanes throughout the city are what is needed and that is going to take some time.
 Data provided by the Cycling Advisory Committee in 2016. Not much, if anything has happened since then. Changing public opinion on bike lanes would seem to be the biggest obstacle.
The idea had support from a limited number of people; it was then so poorly executed that what little support got pummeled badly – can it be revived?
By Staff
May 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington will kick off the summer event season at its annual Kite Festival on Sunday, June 4 at Brant Hills Community Centre and Brant Hills Park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
 Next Sunday, June 4 at Brant Hills Community Centre and Brant Hills Park between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Rain or shine Residents are invited to join in the fun, explore their creativity and build a kite for free, while supplies last. Supplies are generously donated by Canadian Tire. Event attendees will fly their kites in the open space at Brant Hills Park all day to help fill the sky with colour.
The Kite Festival is a family-friendly event presented by the Rocca Sisters & Associates, with a variety of vendors and entertainment. Fun activities include face painting, balloon animals and a Canada 150 chain link activity.
The festival will take place rain or shine. Brant Hills Community Centre is located at 2255 Brant St. and Brant Hills Park is located at 2300 Duncaster Dr.
By Ray Rivers
May 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON,ON
It never fails. Leave the country for a week and…
The Conservative Party of Canada held its leadership vote and, as I had suggested could happen, it delivered an upset victory. Andrew Sheer, a 30 something career politician from Saskatchewan and former House speaker, is the new leader of Canada’s grand old party. Using a ranked ballot, also referred to as preferential or single transferable, Sheer snuck past front runner Maxime Bernier in the last elimination round, and snatched the prize by less than a single percentage point.
 Andrew Scheer, 38 year old leader newly elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada. One could not be faulted for seeing Sheer as a mini-me, a younger Stephen Harper. After all Sheer, like Harper, is a ‘social conservative’, a label some consider synonymous with right wing or reactionary views. One can’t help but get the feeling that he wants to turn the clock back to the time Mr. Harper ruled the roost – and that the recent period of Liberal government is just an inconvenient stop on the highway to a more conservative Canada.
And like Harper, the new leader is anti-choice when it comes to a woman’s body. Though Mr. Harper was careful to avoid re-opening the legalization debate, which former Conservative PM Kim Campbell has so skillfully brought to a conclusion. That Sheer has played the abortion card in this contest should be a red flag to all potential voters who value freedom of choice.
Other than that we will have to wait and see how progressive his leadership of the former Progressive Conservative party will be – or not. And that may determine the party’s chances of sliding in between the two parties on the left and centre, and forming government come 2019. Sheer, as a novice leader, will be facing a still-popular Justin Trudeau, who will argue for the opportunity to complete what he had begun in his first term.
And the New Democrats will also be showcasing a new leader, which may lead to more of a three way race than in 2015.
Speaking of three way races, there is B.C.’s recent election. Typically a two party province, there hasn’t been a minority government there since the 1950’s,. But that luxury has come to an end after the Green Party elected three members to the legislative assembly. And the B.C. Liberal Party, arguably more conservative than its name, had barely eked out a two seat lead over the opposition NDP.
 B.C. Liberal Leader Christy Clark is one seat shy of being able to form a government. Photo credit – THE CANADIAN PRESS/ CHAD So the Libs are one seat short of a majority. And while they could claim the right to form government, given their first place finish, it is unlikely they’d survive the first non-confidence vote. The Greens are tired of sitting in the wings and are hungry for power. So they are looking to bed down with either one of the other parties, a coalition or contract for a one-term-stand as opposed to a marriage of convenience.
Regardless who they sleep with, the result will mean a fresh look at resource projects, like the recently approved Kinder Morgan oil pipeline. And in a province which has built its economy in large part upon its rich endowment of natural resources, there will be fireworks – and possibly new tensions with the federal government. It is expected that a deal will be negotiated by mid-week, so we’ll soon see how this plays out.
And the real sticking point in these coalition discussions is the matter of electoral reform. B.C. in recent years has twice conducted a referendum for electoral change. And both of these – the one for proportional representation and the other for voting by a single transferable (ranked) ballot – have failed. So the Greens are saying ‘to-hell’ with referendum – let’s just do it. But the NDP and Libs are reluctant to wear the blame for defying the results of those previous polls.
The Greens want to introduce proportional representation, a system which does offer more effective representation and is better designed to accommodate minority situations and political coalitions. And that would be a life-line for the longer term survival of their party.
Though had the previous Liberals been able to convince the public on the merits of a preferential ballot when they were in power, similar to the approach the federal Conservatives used last weekend, they might have been returned to office with a majority and the Green Party left out in the cold. There is a lesson in this for our federal leaders.
 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:
CPC Leadership – More CPC – Even More CPC – B.C Election – Minority Consequences –
|
|
