 By Pepper Parr
February 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
“We’ve got to get the time line in place” explained Janine Stodulksi. “The funding for the bleachers is in the city’s capital budget – we don’t want to lose that” she added. “We have momentum going here” and when Stodulski has momentum – step aside.
 Janine Stodulski – she keeps things moving. She was talking through where things are with a community initiative to revitalize the Nelson Stadium, a facility on property that is owned by the city and the board of education – and where there are shared jurisdictions – you know there is going to be some friction.
The residents are hoping they can either jump over the jurisdictional issues or do an end run around them.
Six people gathered around a table in the Nelson High school library to go over what they knew and what they didn’t know and to line up their ducks and make something happen.
 Brad Scott, with Cogeco Cable and Jeff Brock with Nelson high taking part in a discussion on the plans their group have for significant improvements to the Nelson Stadium. Jeff Brock, who has Nelson High school football logos all over his laptop, looks at the numbers and suggests that bleacher seating for 700 will work. He thinks the sound system can be fixed.
Brad Scott, he’s with Cogeco, has been making calls to equipment suppliers and looking at prices – he didn’t like some of the numbers he was given.
Chris Zadow is the track and field guy and is working up a document that will show what the new footprint will look like when everything is done.
 Karen Hartman, principal at Nelson High school – explains what can be done and what can’t be done when working with the board of education. Karen Hartman, principal at Nelson, runs interference with the board of education and advises the group on what they might be able to get away with.
Tibor Olah, a soft spoken man, who is in real estate, has to move quickly to get a few words in edgewise.
Janine Stodulski, who serves as spokesperson for the group, is a driven woman who believes she has momentum and wants to see something happen. She is involved with one of the football leagues.
Their goal is a little on the lofty side but they aren’t going to let that deter them.
The Nelson Stadium facility is run down, tattered looking in places with facilities that need a serious upgrade.
They want to re-orient the racing track, add to lanes to the existing six, push back some bleachers on the south side and add a second set of bleachers on the other side of the field and get a decent press box in place.
 A community group made up of every imaginable Nelson Stadium user organization has plans for a much improved facility. They are currently working the city and the board of education and have their eyes on the Region. They see that world class velodrome in Milton and appear to want something just as good – better if Stodulski has her way – for Burlington.
The Haber Recreational Centre, joined at the hip to the Hayden high school has fabulous indoor courts – this group wants to see something as good behind Nelson high school – they want the location to be the place for Regional outdoor sports events.
The group sees upgrades coming at the Skyway facility in the east end of the city, the big, big upgrade done at Mountain side, the City View sports facility in the north east part of the city on Dundas – and note that much of the sports facility growth has been above the QEW – they want the something much better on New Street.
They have a grasp of the city budget that just might be better than that of some council members. They have figured out where their champions are at both the council level and within Parks and recreation – and they have strong connections within the community.
Their next round with the city is in April – it should be quite a delegation.
Odd though that the plans have yet to make it to a board of education level – and trustees don’t seem to have a clue at this point.
 By Staff
February 4thj, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
This isn’t a Burlington story – but it helps understand how the identity thieves work – borders don’t matter to these guys.
An alert UPS driver was approached twice in the same day by a male looking to pick up a package from his truck destined for an address in the west end of Oakville on February 3rd 2016.
The UPS driver was suspicious of the identification the male produced, refused to confirm he had the package onboard his truck and continued on his deliveries.
 UPS driver didn’t like the look of the ID he was shown – calls the police who arrest a man found to have numerous fake identity cards. Later in day the male approached the driver a second time and the driver again refused to hand over the package, this time alerting police.
The suspect male was located by police in a vehicle parked in a parking lot at the Burlington/Oakville border, where he was arrested.
Multiple stolen credit cards and fraudulent identity were located in the vehicle.
Charged with Theft Under $5000, Possession of Counterfeit Mark, Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data and Fail to Comply with Undertaking is:
Ikponmwosa OBAZEE 35yrs of Mississauga ON.
OBAZEE was held for a bail hearing on February 4th at Milton Provincial Court.
Police identified the contents of the package the accused wanted so badly – it was a product from an internationally known electronics Company.
The Regional Police have an excellent working relationship with UPS – when there is suspicion – the police get a call.
 By Staff
February 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It must be the weather – 16 degrees on an early February day. Yikes!
 The Burlington Bandits held up decently last year – is 2016 their year? It moved the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) to releasing its 2016 schedule which begins on Saturday, May 7 with three games – London at Burlington, Hamilton at Guelph and Kitchener at Barrie. The 2016 season will mark the IBL’s 98th season.
Each team will again play a 36-game schedule. The only scheduled doubleheaders are the two between Barrie and London. Weekends comprise a large majority of the schedule as 72% of the games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (104 of the 144 games).
The IBL All-Star Game will again be held in Barrie on Saturday, July 2nd at 2:00 p.m.
 By Staff
February 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Power Restored at Parking Garage on Locust Street
Power to the parking garage at 414 Locust St. has been restored.
 By Ray Rivers
February 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
I’m in Nicaragua this week, taking in a little sun and a lot of car exhaust fumes. Even in the picturesque tourist city of Granada, a walk down its narrow streets yields an unhealthy lung full of petroleum byproducts. The privately owned cars, trucks and motor bikes scoot around or get tied up in vehicular traffic on these mostly pot-holed streets, pumping out nasty black fumes and all those other pollutants we don’t see.
It’s a poor country, as I discovered trying to drive on what passes for roads here, before giving up and championing public transportation and my shanks’ mare. And it is a treat to watch the many horse-drawn vehicles and the oxen carts hauling the nation’s produce and its people.
It makes one wonder how these people manage their extensive cane and corn plantations, when not a tractor is to be seen. Oxen technology? One wonders if the exhaust fumes from grass-fed ‘quadro gastric’ ruminants are worse those than from the petroleum-fed internal combustion engines when it comes to global warming?
 Donald Trump It may be a poor country but they do have universal internet, even if it runs a tad slow, in true Latin tradition. So I could hardly avoid exposure to that other hot air activity, the 2016 US primary in Iowa, which was plastered all over the cyber sphere. Our own Canadian-born Ted Cruz managed to trump ‘The Donald’, thanks in part to the flamboyant Trump’s set-to with Fox News and his insatiable appetite to insult and alienate.
One would have thought the endorsement of the unintelligibly rambling Sarah Palin would have pushed him over the top, but not so. Cruz invoked the higher order of ‘The Ronald’ (Reagan) and that must have sealed the deal. Even if Cruz’s own party finds him an unlikeable sort – and if unlikeable, unlikely to win the big one in November – he’s still a more authentic neo-con than Trump, cut in the cloth of his hero Ronnie.
If I were a betting man, I’d put my money on that other Cuban, the handsome Marco Rubio to get the GOP nod, though. Oh and I’d be surprised it Trump doesn’t fall on his promise to the party, and run as an independent along with former New York mayor Bloomberg.
 Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. The democrats had a see-saw contest in Iowa with Hillary and Bernie almost equally balanced off. Except it wasn’t supposed to go that way. Iowa should have been a shoo-in for the capable and likeable Clinton, and would have been except for all the baggage she is carrying. No one can blame her for her flirtatious husband’s sexual addiction, and she might get a pass on voting for the Iraq invasion, but it’s her unimpressive record as Madam Secretary which is weighing her down.
And Bernie – God bless his 74 years as a socialist – he is creating quite a stir, especially among those spoiled millennials who need a good reason to vote. In fact Sanders’ impact on the younger crowd hasn’t been seen… since America elected its first black president. Well maybe that didn’t work as well as some of us had hoped, but Sanders like our own Trudeau, is a breath of fresh air in a country on a precipice.
 Marco Rubio The precipice – progress or regress. This is not the first time that Americans have faced that kind of choice in their outdated bi-cameral electoral system, with its archaic electoral college and independent state-managed voting systems, And as often as not they have made the poorer choice, as when they and the Supreme Court elected GW Bush and when Cruz’s hero Ronald Reagan won two back-to-back elections – which takes us back to Nicaragua.
The US has had a long history of helping Nicaragua discover democracy even as the Monroe Doctrine, defining the US role in Latin America, was evolving. In the mid 1800’s an American slavery promoter by the name of Walker, from the great state of Tennessee brought in an army on the pretence of supporting one side in a civil conflict. He was there anyway so decided to make himself president and revoke Nicaragua’s anti-slavery law, just to please his southern state-side supporters.
But all good things must come to an end and eventually the bordering states of Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras ganged up to defeat Walker, and with a little help from the Brits, he ended up before a Honduran firing squad. Then a half-century later the marines landed, and using the Roosevelt corollary hunkered down to ensure the US’s Panama would be the only canal in the continent. (Nicaragua had been an alternative route).
 Former American president Ronald Regan In the late 1970’s the Sandinista socialist hoard overran the corrupt dictator Samosa and Reagan’s CIA and Oliver North broke American and international laws, selling arms to Iran via Israel – as incredible as that sounds today. The money was used to train the ‘Contra’ militants to commit acts of terror and human rights violations against the Sandinistas. That included killing over 3000 people and mining the nation’s harbours.
The Nicaraguan government first took and won its case against the US in the International Court of Justice, where the court ordered the US to desist and pay reparations. Then armed with that judgement they went to the UN Security Council, only to be vetoed five times by the US. Eventually, brought before the UN General Assembly, a resolution was passed condemning this act of state sponsored terrorism.
Of course the US approach to Latin America has changed recently with the Obama administration turning the page on the Monroe Doctrine – or as some have observed, returning to it’s original intent. As for Ronald Reagan, the world would be a better place had he stuck to his career as a mediocre actor.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. Rivers has taken a break to complete his second book – he does dabble in local politics.
Background links:
William Walker ICC Ruling Contra Affair
Sandinistas Monroe Doctrine Terrorism
 By Walter Byj
February 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON. ON
“Most of the information they need is in the palm of their hand” said Director of Education Stuart Miller “as he held up his blackberry. This was the beginning of his respon as we when asked for a bird’s eye view of the evolution of education.
The teacher is no longer the holder of knowledge he said as the technology explosion has provided information just a few finger inputs away. The teachers role is changing as they transition from imparting information to becoming coaches helping students be critical thinkers of information that is available 24/7.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller chats with Dave Hammel at the Fist Robotics conference recently. He said the nature of the workplace is changing daily with many of the current jobs not existing three years ago. Teachers have to teach today’s students to think through the information they are presented.
Where education was once insular, it is very much in the public domain he said. All facets of society from business, politicians and families need to pool and be involved in educating our kids. Referencing his past as a science teacher, he said biodiversity is key as we approach education.
So how will Director Miller lead the Halton District School Board?
He views the Halton board as a leader of education in Ontario. Although a resident of Toronto, Miller has strong roots in Halton; he has spent the majority of his career in Halton starting as a teacher in 1984 and climbing the ladder through a number of promotions to this current position. This is home away from home.
 Joey Edwardh, executive director of Community development Halton networks with Miller outside city hall. He feels that we have great teachers in Halton and his role is to encourage and stay out of their way. He is not a micro manager.
As a strong communicator, Miller is not only in giving out information, but getting input from the public. He understands that people have busy lives and only when things go negative does the public get involved. That is not good enough he said.
The public needs to know more and be able to easily access what is happening in Halton. We need to reach out not only to parents, but those citizens that no longer have children in the school system. They too have a lot to offer in the educational process. And don’t forget the kids he said, they too can have valuable input.
Though initiated by his predecessor, work continues on the board’s website. He said the site needs to flow more easily so that anyone can easily reference information.
Though not having taught for a number of years, visiting all schools within Halton is an ongoing goal to keep in touch with the classroom. Miller remembers many of his students on a first name basis – those the Gazette talked with love the man.
Many students remember him, a sign of a good teacher.
When asked how much he should keep in touch with the municipalities within Halton, he was a bit cautious as councils tend to be somewhat politicized and that is not his role. However, municipalities and the board should be in close communication on a number of matters and at this time that is missing.
 Stuart Miller makes a point at getting out to the schools as often as he can – he frequently lunches at Robert Bateman. A strong advocate of students speaking more than one language, he reflects fondly on the European model where students speak two to three languages.
And language is one issue on which he and the board will be spending much time.
The French Immersion program within Halton is experiencing extreme growing pains. The large uptake in French Immersion is resulting in small classroom sizes in the English program. In addition, French language teachers are hard to find. This will be the first major test of the director and the board seeking public input into solving this dilemma.
The public hasn’t been nearly as forthcoming as he had hoped. “We need to hear what they think before we make major decisions. Miller wants a community where parents, the commercial community and the students to share insights and the ideas that will keep the Halton board in the number one position he thinks it holds.
They will continue to reach out to the public for their input as they seek an equitable solution. As Miller stated, the solution will require input of all stakeholders, not just the board.
Having a more robust “active transportation “is also key to having a well rounded student he said. We want students to be safe when going to and from school, but studies have shown that some sort of physical activity in the morning leads to a better rounded student.
When asked why the board chose him over other candidates, he replied: “I told them who he was and what I represented. I did not try to guess what they wanted to hear.”
Combined with his most recent experience as Associate Director of Education the trustees obviously liked his message and now it will be his role to prove them right.
 By Pepper Parr
February 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There is a bit of a kafuffle taking place over the idea of a new club house on the Nelson Stadium grounds.
 The Burlington Braves – who are about to roll up their tent and head for St. Catharines where they will start anew, have commented that with the Braves leaving town there is no need for a new club house.
That isn’t quite the way Janine Stodulski sees the refurbing of the stadium. She has her eye on a much bigger prize and is seeing far beyond a single organization using the space. Stodulski is the spokesperson for a collective of more than 20 sports groups who have come together to get a world class stadium for the city in behind Nelson high school.
Early thinking for a refurbished Nelson Stadium They have made impressive yardage with the board of education and have strong working relationships with the parks and recreation department who seem to have found a number of pockets of money they can use to take the project forward.
There will be meeting rooms in the club house that other sports organizations can use and space for equipment storage.
 The existing press box is a hazard – Mayor said the stairs were unsafe two years ago – what did he do then? Not much There is talk of changing the orientation of the track and field area; getting a new press box in – Cogeco TV seems to be on for a big chunk of change for that structure.
The organizing group will be meeting this evening to update each other and prepare for their next meeting with city council.
The group is very much a go-go organization – if it is going to happen – they will make it so.
By Staff
February 4m 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Power Outage at Parking Garage on Locust Street
The parking garage at 414 Locust St is temporarily closed due to a power outage.
Hydro crews are on site.
The estimated time for repairs is not known at this time.
By Staff
February 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington – On Monday February 1st 2016 at 8:30pm the Halton Regional Police Service were alerted by staff at Longo’s located at 1225 Fairview St., to four individuals who attempted to make purchases in the store using multiple American counterfeit bills. The staff in the store became suspicious of the poor quality bills, denied service and contacted the police.
The four individuals exited the grocery store and fled to a waiting vehicle outside. The vehicle was subsequently stopped by police a short distance from the store, two adults and 3 young persons in the vehicle were arrested.
A quantity of counterfeit American currency, gift cards, stolen property and a small quantity of marihuana was located in the vehicle.
Charged:
Sicetus Olusola AKHINAGBA 18yrs of Brampton was charged with Fraud under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Obstruct Police. Akhinagba is to appear in Milton Provincial Court for a Bail Hearing on February 2nd 2016
Desiree DU CARMEN-PHELEMBA 18yrs of Toronto was charged with Fraud under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by crime, Possession of Counterfeit Currency, Utter Counterfeit Currency and Possession of a Controlled Substance. DU CARMEN-PHELEMBA is to appear in Milton Provincial Court on March 9th 2016.
Three other individuals under the age of 18yrs were charged with various offences and released.
 By Staff
February 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Might be a little early to lay down firm plans for Family Day – it is more than a week away. Some of the event planned at the Art Gallery of Burlington do require pre-registration – so take a look at what they have planned.
 Saturday February 13
An opportunity for parents, grandparents, guardians and young people (ages 8+) to share in some creative time. Our artist instructor will first lead you on a tour of the current exhibition for inspiration and then guide you through an art making workshop, introducing new techniques and mediums each session.
This session the instructor will be leading an activity working in Fibre – introducing the “wet felting” technique. All materials are included in the cost of the program.
Time: from 2 – 4 pm
Must pre-register for Saturday Sessions call 905-632-7796 ext 307
Cost:
• Adult non-member $7.50, Adult member $5,
• kids ages 8 to 14 years $2.50
• Families of 4 non-members $15 members $10
Sunday February 14 – Open Studio
Bring family and friends to AGB’s FREE drop-in art studio. Our artist instructors offer ideas as sources of inspiration to facilitate creative activities and encourage visitors to engage with art and craft making. In celebration of Valentine’s Day we will be making our own cards
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Cost: FREE
Sunday February 14 – Art Therapy Exhibition Opening
Bring family and friends to the Art Gallery of Burlington for the opening reception of “Visual Voice – Art Therapy in our Community” exhibition in the RBC Community Gallery.
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Cost: FREE
 Monday February 15 -Open Studio
Bring family and friends to AGB’s FREE drop-in art studio. Our artist instructors offer ideas as sources of inspiration to facilitate creative activities and encourage visitors to engage with art and craft making.
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Cost: FREE
The Open Studio program was made possible through financial support from the TDBank and the Economical Insurance Group.
The city subsidizes the Art Gallery to the tune of just under $1 million a year.
By Pepper Parr
February 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
During a recent city council meeting City Manager James Ridge advised council that he was going to be preparing “mandate” letters for all his Director level staff.
Cathy Robertson, will not be getting one of those letters – the city parted ways with her last week. Our informant advised that she was escorted out of the Roads and Parks maintenance office.
For the record we found Ms Robertson to be accessible, fair and competent. The department now tells people who call that she is no longer with the city.
 City manager James Ridge. Mandate letters are documents that set out what is expected of a Director; Ridge also mentioned that performance evaluations would be based on how well a Director meets the criteria set out in the mandate letters.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne released the contents of the mandate letters she sent her Ministers – will the public have an opportunity to read the mandate letters Ridge writes ? – he should make them public.
The operations at city hall are divided into two units: Development and Infrastruture (D&I) and Community and Corporate Services (C&CS).
Each of those used to have a General Manager that reported to the City Manager. At one point there were three General Managers – today there are none.
The departments within D&I and CCS are run by Directors.
Development and Infrastructure has two Directors:
Director Planning and Building – Mary Lou Tanner
Director of Roads and Park Maintenance – now vacant
Squeezed into D&I is an Executive Director of Capital Works – Allan Magi.
Community and Corporate Services has 7 Directors:
Director of Finance – Joan Ford
Director of Information Technology – Christine Swenor
Director of Legal Services and City Solicitor – Nancy Shea Nicol
Director of Human Resources – Laura Boyd
Director of Parks and Recreation – Chris Glenn
Director of Transit – Mike Spicer
Director of Transportation Services – Vito Tolone.
The corporate structure is such that there isn’t a number two in place to cover for the city manager and there isn’t a strong fall back should we lose the city manager – and with our recent five year record – losing city managers isn’t an unheard of experience in this city.
The current city council has gone through three of them – prior to that the city manager was in place for a decade.
City Council is working its way through the Strategic Plan – the document is full or promises – and we might see a different organizational form once that document is approved.
 City \Manager James Ridge, centre, with one of the KPMG consultants who are writing the Strategic Plan with input and comment from staff. Michelle Dwyer on the right has kept the flow of paper moving smoothly and managed a large part of the public engagement. Ridge has said on numerous occasions that the city is at a point where it needs to be paying serious attention to succession. There is some strong talent within the current manager ranks – female for the most part. There doesn’t appear to be anyone within the Director ranks that is an obvious candidate for either a General Manager level position or ready to move into the job of city manager. Ridge has a five year contract.
Things move at a different pace in the municipal world – but it is reasonable to expect the city manager to bring forward a revised corporate structure – if he is going to do anything – by the fall.
He now has a budget with a number of strong recommendations that he refine the reporting on financial matters.
When Burlington cut over to a Service Based budget model different services were grouped together with a dollar number for each service and a person who is responsible for the delivery of each service.
The problem with that model – which apparently wasn’t evident when it was put in place is that different operations are lumped in together. Paletta Mansion, Tyendaga Golf Club and the LaSalle Pavilion are all lumped into the same dollar allocation.
Councillor Jack Dennison who has the sharpest pencil on this council has complained that with the Service based approach he isn’t able to drill down and get a closer look at the line by line numbers.
For the most part the other members of council either don’t have the accounting smarts to fully understand the various levels of detail or are happy to trust staff to do the right thing and manage effectively.
Oversight of day to day operations can’t be as tight as it needs to be when the city manager has 9 Directors reporting to him. When there were General Managers in place it was their job to ensure that silos aren’t created and that there was real accountability.
Ridge brings a military bearing to his work – he served in the Canadian Armed Forces for a decade. Burlington is the first municipality where he has been the commanding officer.
Comments from people in the city who talk about things like this are neither hugely positive nor is there any negative comment about the man. He professes to be a private person but then has a picture of him and his dog in the personal blog of a local lawyer. Mixed messages there.
He is forthright, a little on the shy side and a hard worker. What we have seen in his personal work plan and what he seems to be advocating for with the Strategic Plan is very ambitious with a tendency to lay down hard promises – which in the world of municipal politics will get you nothing but grief. If the promises are delivered the public will say that is what we pay you for – and if he doesn’t deliver they will want strips of his hide.
Not sure that Ridge can handle hard on the head criticism.
Watching how James Ridge evolves as a city manager is going to be an interesting exercise.
By Pepper Parr
February 3rd, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Whenever there is weather forecast that relates to rain –there are a lot of people in Burlington who pause – some even shudder.
Environment Canada is advising that our area will be experiencing rainfall amounts in the order of 15 to 25mm this evening and overnight. With partially frozen ground conditions and soils near saturation, water levels are expected rise.
 Widespread flooding is not anticipated, however there is potential for minor flooding of low-lying areas. Water levels in our reservoirs are low and storage is available to manage potential runoff within regulated systems.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay away from watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue further messages as necessary.
Conservation Halton will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement – Water Safety Statement only if significant changes in the forecasts occur. This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through to Thursday February 4, 2016.
 By Pepper Parr
February 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
“In keeping with the Liberals’ commitment to ensuring an inclusive and open government” said the media release, “Burlington MP Karina Gould and Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff continued the Finance Minister’s collaborative approach to budget planning by participating in a large number of extensive pre-budget consultations across the ridings in January to gather input from a variety of individuals, groups and organizations on the key issues that should be addressed in the federal governments’ upcoming budget.”
In early January, Minister of Finance Bill Morneau officially launched the Government’s pre-budget consultations and called upon Canadians to share their thoughts on how to better support the middle class, create jobs, and set the right conditions for long-term prosperity and stronger economic growth.
 Burlington MP Karina Gould works very well with people – she listens well. Not widening the pre-budget consultations to include more than the stake holders might have been a lost opportunity. Throughout the month of January, Damoff and Gould participated in consultations with a large number of groups including both Oakville and Burlington Chambers of Commerce, the Town of Oakville and City of Burlington, the Region of Halton, representatives of local unions, businesses, social service providers as well as other local MPs and MPPs. They also invited all residents in their ridings to have their say on the budget through their Facebook and Twitter pages.
And that’s the rub – social media is not consulting with people; it’s sort of like a placebo – something you put in place hoping that the person swallowing the medicine will never know that it isn’t the real thing.
The input the local MPs received during pre-budget consultations covered a number of broad themes, including economic growth, climate change, social infrastructure – particularly housing , public transit, youth employment, a national transportation strategy, local infrastructure including active transportation like cycling and walking, and green infrastructure. Of particular importance to those who offered input was improved local infrastructure to assist and improve economic growth.
Examples of local infrastructure put forward in Burlington included grade separations, LED lighting conversion and active transportation links over the QEW. The Burlington Chamber stressed the importance of small and medium –size business to not only our local economy, but national economic growth. The need to focus on local transit, and integration between municipalities was brought up a number of times. Both Oakville and Burlington were clear that they need stable and sustainable funding for infrastructure, and that the process needs to allow for transformational change in the riding.
 Oakville North Burlington MP Pam Damoff takes part in the annual polar bear dip – she’s capable of doing things differently. “I was very impressed with the high level of input I received throughout the pre-budget consultation process and was particularly pleased to see such a collaborative approach taken to addressing our local and national economic issues,” said Ms. Damoff. “I look forward to continuing to consult with constituents across my riding as the budget process continues.”
“Our government was elected on a platform that promised extensive consultation throughout the legislative process,” said Ms. Gould. “It’s positive that many of the issues stakeholders raised during our pre-budget consultations are in direct correlation with our government’s priorities which I’m confident will translate into results for Burlington and Canada.”
All input received has been shared with the Finance Minister to inform the decision-making around the budget.
Both Damoff and Gould are superb political campaigners – they have a very real capacity to listen to people and they are part of that new wave of politicians who don’t take themselves too seriously and have fun at the same time.
Both members of Parliament could have and should have held an open mike evening where people would have been invited to speak – but out there ideas and see how the meeting reacted to them.
 A grade separation is important and when this one on King |Road was completed it made a difference – but it has yet to result in any new business development along King Road They went to the stakeholders – this with vested interests – did you expect the Chamber of Commerce to advocate for a $20 minimum wage and does anyone think that Community Development Halton is going to get excited about a grade separation at a rail crossing?
There was an opportunity to have them all in the same room where they could mix it up and perhaps, just perhaps hear each other and begin to understand each other.
A missed opportunity. Maybe next time.
By Staff
February 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
We are indebted to John Skardius for the smart little video he sent us of the move done yesterday of the Bastedo House at the Corner of Elgin Street to Maple Street where it will get slid onto its new foundation and then under a complete refurbishment.
Click on the link
You might want to take a look at the software he used to create the video – you might find it useful.
 By Staff
February 1, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
If the numbers tell the story then the data released by the Regional Police on their efforts to reducing traffic behaviour at intersections is compelling.
Operation RISC (Reducing Intersection Safety Concerns) was implemented throughout 2015 by officers from 30 Division in order to maximize police visibility and increase the public’s perception of safety while driving. This traffic safety campaign was created to reduce the number of motor vehicle collisions throughout the City of Burlington.
 Speed limit sign is clear – so are those radar guns in the hands of two police officers waiting for someone to break that speed limit. Collisions at intersections have a high risk potential of serious injuries or even death, making intersection safety a priority for the Halton Regional Police Service. The most common contributing factors are inattentiveness, distracted driving (cell phone use), failing to yield, driving too fast for road conditions, following too closely and disobeying traffic lights signals.
The mission of Operation RISC (Reducing Intersection Safety Concerns) is to proactively reduce the amount of collisions occurring within traffic intersections throughout the City of Burlington.
The goal of this initiative is twofold: To deter drivers from committing the types of offences that increase the probability of a collision at or near an intersection. To educate drivers and promote safe driving habits.
Officers from 30 Division conducted 4,182 traffic stops, issued 5,165 PONS and handed out 672 warnings during 2015. Furthermore, Officers spent a total of 2,343 hours dedicated to RISC Intersections.
As a result of this combined effort from police; property damage motor vehicle collisions were down 6%, personal injury motor vehicle collisions were down 12% and hit and run motor vehicle collisions were down 12% for 2015.
The Halton Regional Police is committed to reducing motor vehicle collisions in an effort to providing a safer community. Operation RISC will be implemented again during 2016 throughout the City of Burlington.
If any citizen would like to report a traffic concern they can do so by visiting our website and submitting an online traffic complaint.
 By Mark Gillies
February 1, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
A rare event indeed. A Burlington heritage property has actually been saved from demolition to make way for a new condominium project.
 It wasn’t as good a crowd as the Santa Claus parade but there was a very healthy crowd following along Elgin Street shepherding the Bastedo House to its new home. A win for the historical community. The historic David Bastedo home was originally located at 1437 Elgin Street. Its future at one time was uncertain. Demolition could happen, unless there was a better solution. Heritage preservationists do not win many times against developers. Fortunately, the house was saved.
 The historic Bastedo residence begins it short trip down Elgin Street, with many interested onlookers. The 150 year plus residence glides past the 179 year old St Luke’s Anglican Church. It was like one old friend saying goodbye to another very old friend. Finally, the building comes to a stop at the end of Elgin Street, waiting for the foundation prep work to be finalized, before settling into its new neighbourhood; hopefully for another 150 years. The house began its move westward on Elgin Street at 10 AM on February 1, 2016 towards a second beginning. This house will be renovated and converted back to a beautiful home. It will be located on the west side of Maple Avenue at the end of Elgin Street.
The physical move was a wonderful sight to see, and drew a huge crowd; many with cameras recording this spectacular event.
 The Bastedo House sits on the float waiting to be gently shifted onto its new foundation on Maple Avenue. Although the exact age of this heritage property is not known; many believe it was built somewhere in the late 1850s or possibly in the 1860s. The house could be close to 150 – 166 years old. The Bastedo heritage home is one of the oldest homes in Burlington. The house was built when the village was known as Wellington Square. It is a local treasure.
 By Staff
January 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
In the evening of January 26th, Karina Gould, Member of Parliament for Burlington stood in the House of Commons and spoke for the first time.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member across the way for his congratulations and extend my own congratulations on his re-election.
It is with enormous privilege and honour that I rise for the first time in the House. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the people of Burlington for bestowing on me the responsibility to be their voice.
 Karina Gould, MP I thank the member for his question and our shared concern for the people of the region. However, the question posed is based on a false premise. As he is well aware, Canada’s contribution has been and will remain significant in the fight against ISIL. Our government is taking a multi-faceted and integrated approach to dealing with the crisis to ensure that Canada’s response has the greatest possible impact for people in the region.
As he is also aware, our government is committed to reviewing our engagement to date in the region and looking at ways of addressing the serious needs there in a comprehensive and effective manner. We are undertaking that review at the present time.
Canada remains committed to the fight against ISIL and the protection of individuals in the camps. Canada’s refocused engagement will strategically target areas where Canada’s involvement can make a difference, leverage Canadian expertise, and complement the efforts of our partners, including through the training of local forces.
As I said at the outset, our work countering ISIL is only one part of our efforts to help address the serious crises in Syria, Iraq, and the region today. It is true that military and security efforts are vital to secure victory over those who are destabilizing the region and terrorizing the local populations, but they are not sufficient to secure a lasting peace for the people of Syria or Iraq.
We must not lose sight of the fact that the solutions to the crises in the region are first and foremost political, and that humanitarian and development needs are growing.
Our government has clearly indicated that it is ready to do more on the world stage. We are also committed to supporting countries and communities in the region that have so generously welcomed millions of refugees and displaced persons. To date, Canada has contributed over $960 million in humanitarian, development, and security assistance in response to this crisis. Over $650 million has been committed to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance on the ground. We are currently among the top 10 humanitarian donors in the region and are providing vital assistance such as food, water, shelter, health, and protection services to millions of conflict-affected people.
 House of Commons Furthermore, once areas have been stabilized and the most immediate humanitarian needs have been met, there is a need for long-term support to strengthen the population’s capacity to rebuild their lives, infrastructure, and institutions. Without that long-term commitment, there is a far greater risk of yet more destabilization in the future and even the potential for states to fail completely, with all the human, political, and security costs that entails. Canada cannot stand by and let that happen.
Of course, we are very proud of the difference we are making in the lives of thousands of Syrians and Canadians by welcoming 25,000 refugees to this country. We all share in this pride.
I would conclude by noting that all of these efforts together are part of Canada’s comprehensive investment in a future for the Middle East region that is more secure, stable, and resilient.
By Pepper Parr
January 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Somethings take a long time – some things take a long, long time. Getting the legacy project built on Lakeshore Road immediately east of Elizabeth Street seems to have taken forever.
It is very close to putting a shovel into the ground – the sales office that had all the high end designer furniture is now bare – it was moved out and in the very near future the wrecking ball will roll onto the side that was once home to the Riviera motel and begin tearing down the structure.
 Sales office furniture gets moved out – in a couple of years the movers will be trucking in furniture for some of the most expensive residences in the city. Jeff Paikin, the title of New Horizon Homes advised the Gazette that sales of the condominium units has passed the 70% point – we assume Paikin is including the unit he bought for his personal use.
The project consists of a 22 storey condominium; a seven story condominium and an eight storey hotel. The expectation is that the project will be opened sometime in 2018. In construction “expectation” is always used.
The downtown core has a number of projects that are in the digging a hole and getting ready to pour concrete stage while others are still firming up financing and others still are getting their site plans into the planning department for final approval.
That “small town feeling” that the Mayor talked about in his State of the City address is was lost some time ago.
 View of the Bridgewater development from the corner of Elizabeth and Lakeshore Road. Shovels are expected to go into the ground soon. The hotel is expected to be a Marriott with a four star rating. Plans for major changes to the Waterfront hotel are also in the planning stage.
The well underway construction of the first two towers of the five tower Paradigm project on Fairview immediately south of the Burlington GO station has the potential to stretch the core of the city all the way from Lakeshore Road to Fairview.
Spencer Smith – the man the lakefront park was named after – he was once a green grocer with a shop on Brant street – would hardly recognize the city that is growing “up”
By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
He is getting better as a speaker; one of his council colleagues suggested he was getting some training.
Another council colleague said “he went on to long”.
Ok – but what did he say?
There were no “announcements” – he just ran through the things that had been done, mentioned several of the senior staff additions and got one decent joke in.
There wasn’t a standing ovation.
 Business people know that problems like this need a resolution – all they heard on Thursday was that more money was going to be thrown at it. The Mayor made very small mention of a possible storm water tax levy – his audience was a combination of senior city hall staff and business people.
Intensification got several paragraphs. If we understood the Mayor correctly, Burlington has already reached its 2031 target.
The Mayor made much better use of good visual aids – at one point he put up three pictures; one of Waterdown Road as it is today – with its widening and a nice new coat of asphalt; a second on what is possible in terms of height under existing zoning and told the audience that if the people of Aldershot wanted a supermarket all they had to do was go along with those higher buildings.
It is clear that the Mayor hasn’t taken in a planning meeting in Aldershot – those folks want to keep their bungalows and streets without sidewalks.
There was quite a bit of time spent on the strategic Plan – he did mention that it was late – made no mention of the cost and didn’t touch on the content – not even a couple of tease lines. The audience he was talking to Thursday morning is going to be very disappointed when they see the final document – unless there are massage changes from the draft versions.
It was a dull speech – the Mayor doesn’t do barn burners – but gosh, golly, gee could he not have said something that would have the business men and woman in the room sitting up in their chairs?
The city planning department has been working on the concept of mobility hubs and there are still those prosperity corridors being talked up.
 While the city council has not actually said that the |Aldershot GO station is where the first mobility hub is going to be located – all the signs point to that location. Those start ups the Mayor is so hungry for got another mention and the Advanced Manufacturing Hub that former Prime Minister promised us is still in the works. But he didn’t drill down into just what this would mean for the business community.
The Mayor did mention the newest speaker he has coming to town – this time it is going to be Brent Toderian who has said “good planning is not a popularity contest.” Toderian will talk about the need for city’s to grow “up” and not out at the Royal Botanical Gardens February 12th.
Mayor Goldring seems to want to go back to the Burlington of the 1970’s when he knew everyone in Roseland where he lived at the time – he longs for that “small town fee”.
He touched on the Community Investment Plan that is going to put small amount of money into community groups and let them plan and run recreational event in their communities.
“We are an engaged city” said the Mayor – it would be really wonderful if the he expanded on what he means by “engaged” because Mayor Rick Goldring certainly didn’t engage his audience Thursday morning over breakfast at the Burlington Convention Centre
By Staff
January 29, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Rocca Sisters tell us that it has been an interesting year in the Burlington real estate market. One of the most notable results of this past year was the market becoming more balanced.
“The first half of 2015 saw major growth in key neighborhoods. However, the market changed slightly for the second half of the year. Sought after communities such as Millcroft, The Orchard and Brant Hills all began to feel more balanced. While homes sold fast in these communities and some still in multiple offer situations, the frenzy seemed to fade.
“We believe that buyers started looking into other Burlington neighborhoods, which explains the dramatic increases we saw in Longmoor, Palmer and Elizabeth Gardens.
These neighborhoods seemed to be somewhat undervalued; however, this has been corrected over the last few months and now we expect to see all markets relatively well balanced with inventory meeting buyer demand. We anticipate prices returning to the normal expectation in terms of growth, which would be closer to 3-6% per year.
Market by market listings are set out below:
 
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