 By Staff
November 19th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Anyone interested in learning more about the Forensic Identification Unit, the Tactical and Rescue Unit, or the Collision Reconstruction Unit of the Halton Regional Police Service might want to follow up on a really interesting opportunity.
Are you curious to know what it’s really like to be a police officer? Want to know about fraud and identity theft prevention?
The Halton Regional Police Service still has spots available for the upcoming session of the Citizen Police Academy. This informative and innovative program runs from 7-10 pm every Tuesday night for twelve weeks, between January 26th and April 12th 2016.
 How do the police choose dogs for the canine unit and how does the police officer handle the actual training – and where does the dog go at night? Each week participants are given presentations on various aspects of the Police Service. Just a few of the areas of the Police Service that are covered include Recruiting, Hostage Negotiations, Major Crime Investigations, Police Training Unit, Polygraph, Morality/Drugs, and the Communications Bureau.
This voluntary program is designed for anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of their local Police Service, and policing in Canada in general.
 How do the police get video from crime scenes and how do they analyze the information? Preference is given to persons who reside in, work in, or own a business in the Region of Halton.
For more information go online:
A current email address is mandatory for communication purposes and correspondence.
 By Staff
November 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Later today the first of several hundred people will arrive at the Art Gallery of Burlington, select a soup bowl and enjoy soups from some of the best kitchen in the city.
One of the recipes comes from the kitchen of the Pearl and Pine Retirement Residents where Chef Daniel oversees the meals prepared for the resident.
The private dining room looks better than most restaurants in this city.
 Chef Daniel Obeng, a Ghanaian by birth was raised in a tougher part of Toronto but overcame that background and is now the Executive Chef at the Pearl and Pine said that beets are one of his favourite vegetables “I just love the colour and the different things you can do with a beet.
 Chef Obeng trained at the renowned George Brown Culinary school in Toronto as well as studying at the Humber and the Stratford schools.
The soup will be one of dozens that will be served at the Art Gallery during the fund raising event which runs from the 19th to the 22nd. Not to be missed
Roasted beet Volute
Ingredients: Makes about 4 servings
1 cup diced peeled beets
2cloves minced garlic
2 cups chicken broth
2 stalk celery, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 1/2 cup 35% cream
1 bay leaf
½ teaspoon dried thyme
4 Tablespoon EVOO (divided)
S/P to taste
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
The Smoke seeds:
1cup pumpkin seeds
1 puck Hickory flavored bisquettes
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Place beets into a baking dish, and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and black pepper.
Roast in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour; allow to cool. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat, and stir in the celery, onion, and garlic.
Cook, stirring often, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in the cooked vegetables, chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf, bring to a boil, and reduce heat.
Simmer until the celery is very tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat, and discard the bay leaf. Puree the mixture in the pot with an immersion blender until its smooth; stir in the cream and lemon juice. Season the soup and pass through a fine chinois and serve, garnish with smoke pumpkin seeds
Add the remainder oil to the seeds, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
Smoke for 1 hour.
What is this soup recipe all about – learn more.
By Staff
November 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
And so it begins. The project that was mentioned in a local newspaper in 1985 and approved in 1995 will see shovels in the ground very early in the New Year – perhaps New Year’s day if Jeff Paikin has his way.
Until the construction starts there is utility level work to be done. On Monday of next week a hydro line crossing will be installed which will close the west entrance of Old Lakeshore Road. All businesses remain open.
 The first phase of construction will include the burial of hydro lines. This work is expected to take approximately ten weeks. During the construction, there will be some minor lane disruptions and a one-day closure of the intersection at Lakeshore Road and Old Lakeshore Road.
Also as part of the construction, the section of Elizabeth Street, south of Lakeshore Road, will be closed until November 2018. Access to the Waterfront Hotel is available through the north driveway.
For more information, please contact Carol Gulak, Capital Works, City of Burlington at 905-335-7600, ext. 7772 or carol.gulak@burlington.ca.
By Staff
November 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Matt Dusk has forged a career in music that has resulted in four critically-acclaimed studio albums. He will be singing many of those songs when he returns to the stage of the Performing Arts Centre November 27th – one night only.
Dusk was last in Burlington November of 2012; they loved him then.
 Matt Dusk – when he does My Funny Valentine – give the hand of the person with you a nice little squeeze. His latest CD release, My Funny Valentine: The Chet Baker Songbook, is backed up by an eighty piece orchestra and numerous special guests including: Grammy award-winner Arturo Sandoval, Juno award-winner Guido Basso, Juno award-nominee Emilie-Claire Barlow, and Straight-No-Chaser alumn Ryan Ahlwardt. Together they pay homage to one of the most popular musicians of the twentieth century, Chet Baker.
Dusk will be in Burlington Friday November 27 – he won’t have the 80 piece orchestra but he will be holding the microphone and crooning to the delight of those who know his work.
There was only the one Frank Sinatra – but this young man nevertheless has a fine voice and the memories will surface as you listen
 Matt Dusk – working the microphone. “When I was growing up, I listened to what normal kids listened to: pop music. But in our house, my parents had the radio tuned to the classical station, however, at night they played jazz,” recalls the former choir boy. “And that’s how I discovered jazz; specifically Chet Baker. I remember saving my allowance, then heading to the record store where I’d rummage through the bins looking for his music. I eventually got a trumpet, learned how to play, but I quickly learned that should left to the professionals! When I made this record, I wanted to go back to my roots and pay homage to the artists who influenced me, one of them being Chet Baker.”
Tickets to Matt Dusk at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre November 27 at 8:00pm can be purchased online (www.burlingtonpac.ca) or by phone 905-681-6000 or in person at the Box Office located at 440 Locust Street.
By Staff
November 18th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 There is a reason for the smile on this guy’s face – he is ahead fifty big ones. There is a reason for the smile on this guy’s face – he is ahead fifty big ones.
Jordan Cairns, a Burlington resident was the winner of the Lay’s Do Us a Flavour contest.
Earlier this year, Lay’s asked Canadians to submit regional flavour ideas for the next great potato chip. Jordan was named one of four flavour finalists in August after making the contest’s shortlist. Cairn’s He used Atlantic Canada’s reputation for potato cultivation as his inspiration – one of his fondest memories growing up was enjoying freshly baked, rich and cheesy scalloped potatoes at family occasions.
Cairn’s came up with the idea for P.E.I. Scalloped Potatoes. The flavour was selected after a two-month consumer voting period.
Cairn’s won the $50,000 plus 1% of his flavour’s future sales.
The Lay’s Canada Do Us a Flavour contest has received more than 2.7 million flavour ideas from fans across the country since 2013. Jordan intends to plan an epic trip across Canada with his winnings.
 By Staff
November 18, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
Two people decided to get the jump on the weekend shoppers on Monday. Just after 7:40 pm an observant Loss Prevention Officer at a local Fortinos Store observed a man and woman load a grocery cart with large quantities of merchandise and suspected they would leave without paying for the items so police were called.
The Loss Prevention Officers suspicions proved correct as the man and woman left the store with the loaded cart without paying. Uniformed officers had arrived just as the couple were exiting the store and they were immediately arrested.
Police located the couple’s vehicle in the parking lot which had recently stolen licence plates on it. A search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of stolen merchandise from other Burlington stores.
Items stolen include chewing gum, toothpaste, chocolate bars, perfume and toilet paper. The exact value of the items stolen is not yet known however it is believed to be in excess of $3000.00
Arrested/charged are:
Scott Cameron RUPERT (44 yrs) of Hamilton
• Theft under $5000 (Five Counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime (Two counts)
• Fail to comply with probation
Maria MONIZ (30 yrs) of Hamilton
• Theft under $5000 (Five Counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime (Two counts)
Both were released on a Promise to Appear with an Undertaking and will appear in Milton Court on December 16th 2015.
Ho ho ho to them.
Anyone who may have any information pertaining to these or other incidents is asked to call the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting *Tip201* with your message to 274637 (crimes)
 By Staff
November 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Our Member of Parliament is no longer homeless.
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon was the warm up band for Karina Gould on the day she was elected as the Member of Parliament for the city. Karina Gould will put her name on the door of the office space that Mike Wallace used to occupy at the Burlington Mall
The telephone number – effective Thursday – will be 905-639-5757
There will be at least one person in the office answering the phone.
Gould said “the public is always encouraged to email me at:
karina.gould@parl.gc.ca
Give them a little time to get the furniture set up. Gould, who was always very good at working with her people might want to hold a house warming and invite people to bring pictures and plants to make the place look hospitable.
 Ciné-Starz Upper Canada Place, Burlington, ON
Burlington, ON L7R 4B6
Week of Friday, November 20, 2015 through Thursday, November 26, 2015
Burnt (14A)
Fri – Thu: 1:10, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10, 9:10
Our Brand Is Crisis (14A)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 5:25, 7:30, 9:30
Crimson Peak (14A)
Fri – Thu: 9:35 PM
Goosebumps ()
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00
Pan (PG)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 3:10, 5:15
Sicario (14A)
Fri – Thu: 1:00, 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Everest (PG)
Fri – Thu: 3:00, 7:20, 9:30
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (PG)
Fri – Thu: 3:00, 7:00
Minions (G)
Fri – Thu: 1:10, 3:15, 5:15
 By Staff
November 17, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
Look for a tax increase of about 3.85% – Mayor Goldring suggested they might try and get it down to 3.25% during an Overview of both the capital and Operating budgets for the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
The Gazette will provide details on a budget that will result in a total tax levy of $146,883,341
 Don’t expect to see very much in the way of public engagement in the budget that council is working its way through – the word is that they will inform you – and that the time set aside for delegations will not include an evening session. Don’t look for all that much public engagement. Director of Finance Joan Ford said the city would “inform” the public but did not [plan on “engaging” the public on the contents of the budget.
There will be one occasion for the public to delegate on the city budget – January 19th at the Community and Corporate Service meeting – there will not be an evening session.
Burlington’s budget, in its first form, has been presented to Council before the Regional Council has decided on how much money it is going to need.
The Director of Finance expects the surplus for the fiscal year that is ending to come in at about $3.5 million. A large part of that surplus was the result of a supplementary tax payment – $1.8 million.
The finance people in Burlington continue to refer to the surplus as a positive variance.
Oakville has predicted a tax increase of 2.45%
 By Staff
November 17th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Taken from the largest collection of contemporary Canadian ceramics in the world, Still Life – Landscape from the Permanent Collection will run November 27, 2015 to January 31, 2016.
 Harlan House, Iris vase – 1989 Co-curated by the AGB’s Chief Curator Dr. Denis Longchamps and Permanent Collection Curator Jonathan Smith, who recently celebrated 25 years with the AGB.
Still life and landscape, while they are considered to be classic subject matter for painting, are a rich source of inspiration in the clay community. From decorative motifs to sculptural installations, this exhibition looks at a rarely examined area of inspiration and their relationship to each other.
Join AGB curators Denis Longchamps and Jonathan Smith on Sunday November 29 at 2:30pm for their free Curators’ Talk on the exhibition.
 By Pepper Parr
November 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Does anyone know where our newly elected Member of Parliament is hanging out these days?
Karina Gould is reported not to have assumed the lease that Mike Wallace had at Burlington Mall where he had his Constituency office – but it was reported that she might use the space on a month-to-month basis.
 Burlington’s MPP ha nice digs on Brock street – room enough for the Member of parliament to move in and couch surf for a period of time? There is a report that Gould is “couch surfing” in the offices of the member of the provincial legislature, Eleanor McMahon, who has nice new digs over on Brock street.
 Federal MP Karina Gould after the Canadian University Woman’s Association debate at which she did very well. Quick on her feet – but not as fleet of foot in getting a constituency office set up. At some point it would help if the MP told people where and how she can be reached. People need help and support on matters that are managed by the federal government. The local constituency is an important part of the democratic process.
Karina Gould has an email address – no answer from her so far – no telephone number for her in the House of Commons yet.
 Political power is in the hands of two woman in this city. What can be expected of the two of them – a tag team perhaps? As the senior public official in the city she was the first to lay a wreath at the foot of the war memorial last week.
Time for the Member of Parliament to let the public know who they should contact when they need help.
Gould will have been going through a steep learning curve but she is a smart cookie and will ace most of that stuff.
Being in three places at once will be the challenge and putting a staff in place that will hit the ground running is the next step.
By Staff
November 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On November 13th 2015, the Halton Regional Police, Burlington Strategic Support Team (SST), concluded a drug trafficking investigation that resulted in three arrests and the execution of Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a Burlington residence.
Seized as a result of the Investigation:
• 59 grams of cocaine
• 428 grams of marihuana)
• 11 grams of cannabis resin/ hashish , also known as “shatter”
• $2940.00 in cash.
The drugs have an estimated street value of $ 10,500.00
The following persons have been charged:
Robert David EMERY (25 yrs) of Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on December 22nd 2015)
• Trafficking a controlled substance (cocaine),
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking,
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) – under 30 grams
Cole SIROIS (22 yrs) of Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on December 22nd 2015)
• Possession of a controlled substance, (marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking,
• Possession of a controlled substance (cannabis resin) for the purpose of trafficking,
Aaron MACISAAC (22 yrs) of Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on December 15th 2015)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine).
Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gun or gang activity at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes)
Assuming the federal government decides to get into the distribution of marihuana – how will the police handle drug raids?
By Pepper Parr
November 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Your city council just might be doing some thinking and getting prepared to issue some kind of a statement on just why and how the ADI Development group application for both an Official Plan change and a zoning change was managed.
 Twenty six storeys on a very small lot – city council didn’t manage to formally vote against the development. When development applications are made the city has 180 days within which to respond. This time line is in place because at one point some municipalities sat on development applications they didn’t like. Now they have to respond within 180 days.
When that time line was passed ADI took their application to the Ontario Municipal Board and asked them to make the decision the city didn’t appear to want to make.
 This is is the lot a developer wants to build a structure that will reach 26 storeys into the sky. Tom Muir, an Aldershot resident, wanted to know why the city council did not vote on the application within that 180 day time frame.
He put his question to the ward Councillor and didn’t get a response. He then put the question to the Mayor and the city manager and included the ward Councillor who did get back to him.
The Mayor also got back to Muir asking for some patience and said he would get back to Muir with a “meaningful response”.
Muir never did hear from the Mayor other than to be copied on a comment he made to Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward. The developmental, to be built at the intersection of Martha Lakeshore Road is in ward 2.
John Was, another Burlington resident advised the Gazette “that all six councillors have been asked for a response regarding the 180 day timeline. The resident was also kind enough to say that our “efforts and persistence are appreciated”. At least two people like us
The one response that Was did get is disturbing:
It went as follows:
“I think Council is accountable for the end result, but responsibility for administrating this file rests with the Planning and Legal Departments.”
We have deliberately not identified the writer of that statement but will say that it was neither Councillor Meed Ward nor the Mayor.
The balance of the response went as follows:
“I still do not have a satisfactory explanation of why the timing requirements were not met and I also don’t have a complete understanding of the consequences of the late submission. I will respond back further when I have those questions answered.”
 Which member of this council does not have “a complete understanding of the consequences of the late submission.” The response is astounding – one of your elected official does not seem to know what may well turn out to be a very expensive Ontario Municipal Board hearing that has to potential to change significantly the way the eastern part of the downtown core works.
We will leave it to the Council member to identify himself.
On the same issue – it appears that there are efforts being made to put together something in the way of a response to the public.
Muir adds that he is “concerned that this has been going too long already, and the information being prepared appears to be for unspecified questions.” He adds: “How long is this information going to take to get to residents?
Meed Ward did say to Muir that the “city is preparing some additional information for residents in response to some of the questions that have been raised. Suggest waiting for that to determine if and whether additional correspondence or a meeting needed.”
What no one can understand is – what’s the problem? And why all this obfuscation?
By Staff
November 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Cogeco Cable Canada has deployed new download and upload speeds for some of its High Speed Internet residential and business packages in Halton Region.
As of today, the new speeds will automatically and progressively be rolled out to current subscribers, at no additional cost. New customers can also already subscribe to these enhanced packages.
“Our residential customers are streaming, browsing and downloading more than ever before” said the company in a media release. “With online entertainment usage growing exponentially, the current speed appetite of our Internet subscribers is trending upward”, said Daniel Boisvert, Vice President Marketing & Innovation at Cogeco Cable Canada.
“We are proud to boost the speeds of some of our packages at no extra cost, thereby enhancing our customers’ online enjoyment. We are committed to providing our Halton Region subscribers with the best Internet experience possible and to offering a suite of high speed Internet services at very competitive prices”.
The Turbo 30 package is renamed Turbo 40 as the download speed is increased to 40 Mbps. The Ultimate 55 and Ultimate 55 Unlimited packages will also benefit from more speed, with download speeds being increased to 60 Mbps. To reflect this change, the names of these packages become Ultimate 60 and Ultimate 60 Unlimited.
 Turbo 30 Turbo 40 From 30 Mbps to 40 Mbps 10 Mbps 175 GB
Ultimate 55 Ultimate 60 From 55 Mbps to 60 Mbps 10 Mbps 275 GB
Ultimate 55 Unlimited Ultimate 60 Unlimited From 55 Mbps to 60 Mbps 10 Mbps Unlimited
Business Internet Speed Increases
“Business owners are looking to increase their online productivity and optimize their efficiency. These new service upgrades will enable them to benefit from greater speeds, fuelling their growth in a cost-effective manner”, concluded Mr. Boisvert.
The Business Select package now offers download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 15 Mbps. Subscribers to the Business Premium package can now enjoy upload speeds of up to 15 Mbps.
Business Select From up to 40 Mbps to up to 50 Mbps From up to 10 Mbps to up to 15 Mbps Unlimited
Business Premium Up to 80 Mbps
(no change) From up to 10 Mbps to up to 15 Mbps Unlimited
 By Pepper Parr
November 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Keeping the natives happy seems to be easier said than done.
Aldershot resident Tom Muir is still spinning his wheels over the answers he isn’t getting on the development application made by the ADI Group for a 26 storey building at the intersection of Martha and Lakeshore Road.
Now Vince Fiorito is wondering why his discovery of what he thinks is toxic material discovered in Sheldon Creek is not being looked into.
 Vince Fiorito on a tour of the Sheldon Creek when the waters were high. Fiorito wrote MPP’s Eleanor McMahon (Burlington) and Indira Naidoo-Harris, (Halton) and Mayor Rick Goldring.
Fiorito had strong environmental credentials – he was named the Steward for Sheldon Creek by the Halton Conservation Authority. In his most recent email to the above named he said:
“This is a status update, regarding a dump site that I discovered in the Sheldon Creek flood plain adjacent to a residential neighborhood near 1829 Creek Way, Burlington, Ontario”
Fiorito had taken his concern to the provincial Ministry of the Environment. When he followed up with them he was told “the MOE considers this case to be closed even though as far as I know nothing has been done about this site and nothing is planned to be done.”
Fiorito, who documents rather well, provided pictures of the material he discovered and said he “estimates the site covers 1000+ square meters. The depth of material buried at this site is unknown. What is buried at this site is unknown. This site is also full of sharp metal objects and broken glass.
 A Burlington resident doesn’t know what these chemicals are – no one seems to be concerned. This site is next to a residential neighborhood full of children and apparently near the residence of McMahon the Burlington MPP.
Fiorito discovered this site in the Sheldon Creek flood plain next to a residential neighborhood about a year ago. At the time, he considered this site to be yet another dump site, like many others that Friends of Sheldon Creek has discovered and cleaned up.
He organized a volunteer clean-up of this site on June 27, 2015; David Hulsman from the Field and Stream Rescue Team showed up to help. The two of us started cleaning up the site and dragging trash to the curb.
 Rusted out drums and some equipment were found in Sheldon Creek – Burlington resident Vince Fiorito wants to know how it got there and what is being done to remove it. so far he claims nothing is being done. They halted their activities out of concern for their personal safety, when Hulsman found two pesticide containers indicating that the site could be a toxic waste dump.
Fiorito immediately contacted the MOE spill hot line to report this site. The MOE opened a file (case # 2784-9XVMEM) and contacted the city for follow up. City staff couldn’t find the site and they contacted Fiorito.
 Vince Fiorito, the Steward for Sheldon Creek discovered what he fears are toxic chemicals in the Sheldon Creek flood plain and cannot understand why neither the province, the local MPP or the Mayor have not moved on this – they were alerted five months ago. On Monday June 29th, 2015, Fiorito guided Gary Glenn of the City of Burlington to the site. He agreed that this site appeared to be a problem. The two agreed that the site appeared to be decades old and that it looked like someone dug a big hole, dumped suspicious looking barrels, drums and containers into it, and then buried it. We were unable to determine the scale of the problem, because when we lifted up a barrel or sheet of metal, we could only see more barrels and metal underneath, indicating that this could be a deep hole.
“I expected the government would follow this problem up until it was resolved and keep me informed. But after four months of silence and no sign of activity at this site, I decided to follow this case up.
“I went to the MOE website for information about case # 2784-9XVMEM. As far as I can tell, the MOE has no way for the public to search for information on a reported spill by case number.
“I tried to file a request for information but got an error message. Finally I called the spill hot line, where I was able to get help. The operator told me that according to the file:
• I reported the site with contact information
• The MOE contacted the city
• The city couldn’t find the site and was going to contact me.
• The file had been closed by Karen Wassink, Senior Environmental Officer – HALTON-PEEL DISTRICT (I looked up her contact information: Phone: 905-319-3149 Email: karen.wassink@ontario.ca)
“I contacted Gary Glenn of the City of Burlington ( Gary.Glenn@burlington.ca ) for a status update. In his email reply he informed that the City of Burlington does not own that property and that it is owned by Paletta International. I have been directed to contact that Company for follow up.
Fiorito said he is “dissatisfied with the process and lack of results. I reported this problem nearly five months and absolutely nothing has been done.
“At a minimum, this site should be tested immediately to see if it is leaking dangerous chemicals. I’d like to know the results of that test as soon as they are available. If it is leaking dangerous chemicals then the public needs to be informed immediately.”
 A fish caught in the Sheldon Creek is believed to have been dinner for a local family. “Downstream, Sheldon Creek flows through a nature area, parkland and eventually into Lake Ontario, where it becomes our drinking water. This young person in my neighborhood caught a rainbow trout in Sheldon Creek. I believe he took the fish home and ate it with his family.
Fiorito who certainly knows how to jump on a high horse when he sees one said: “I feel that more than one person has behaved irresponsibly and possibly illegally. I feel that government officials have not done their duty. Their inaction after knowledge of the facts could be endangering public safety.
Fiorito continues: “If city staff have determined that Paletta International is responsible for this site, then I feel they are still responsible for following the problem up as well as keeping the MOE and myself informed. Just because I found and reported this problem, should not mean that I am responsible for ensuring its resolution. I will try to clean it up if I can, but first I need to know if the site is safe or contains toxic chemicals. We will happily remove trash, including sharp objects (Field and Stream Rescue Team has insurance, so our activities do not create any liabilities), but we are not qualified to clean up toxic chemicals.”
Fiorito is a strong believer in accountability and responsibility and points to the people he holds accountable:
 Mayor Goldring positions himself as a strong environmentalist – but so far he hasn’t delivered in the eyes of Vince Fiorito – who walks his talk. This site is in our City Mayor Rick Goldring. You should be aware of the action and inaction of city staff. I am concerned, that if this case is typical of how city staff handles environmental problems, then I have to wonder, “How many other problems like this have been reported and ignored, rather than cleaned up?”
He takes the same approach to MPP McMahon: “This site is in your neighborhood Ms McMahon. You should inform your neighbors about this problem. You should tell them that you are aware of the problem and following its progress towards resolution closely.
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon hasn’t made the grade in the eyes of Vince Fiorito who points out that what he believes could be very toxic chemicals dumped in Shelden Creek close to the home of the MPP has not been given any attention. Fiorito finds himself feeling “that if I do nothing in this case, then nothing will be done. How is it possible he asks “that after I reported a problem to the responsible government agency and guided city staff to the location, where we both agreed I identified a problem, that this problem can then be ignored?
Fiorito does acknowledge that he did get an acknowledgement from the Office of the Mayor. Tom Muir, the Aldershot resident looking for detailed information on just why the city missed that 180 day deadline’ got the promise of a “meaningful response” – so far he feels all he has gotten is a lot of bafflegab.
Two effective, involved, concerned citizens spinning their wheels. Is there a trend here – is this the way the city does business.?
By Staff
November 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional police have advised media that the person responsible has now been identified as Kerry HENWOOD (54-yrs) whose last know address was in the Hamilton area. He is now wanted for three counts of theft under $5000 and 7 counts of fraudulent use of credit card under $5000.
Detectives in Burlington are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a man responsible for a series of thefts from the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital
On Sunday November 8th 2015, an unknown male suspect attended the hospital and gained access to employee areas within the hospital. The suspect stole personal items belonging to several employees.
 The same suspect later used the victim’s stolen banking cards at various retail locations in Burlington.
The suspect is described as being male, white, approximately 50 years of age, standing between 5’2″ to 5’4″ and weighing between 140-150lbs. He has short brown spiky hair and was seen wearing dark framed eyeglasses. He wore a dark coloured vest with a long sleeved shirt with gray & black horizontal stripes.
Anyone with information that would assist in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Kevin Harvey at 905 825-4747 extension 2347 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
November 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On Thursday November 12th at approximately 3:40 AM, a resident on Park Avenue in Burlington woke up to find an intruder in the home.
After being discovered, the intruder quickly fled and police were called.
At approximately 5:00 AM, police responded to Spring Garden Road for a report of a male breaking into cars.
Police located and arrested a male who was found to be in possession of numerous stolen items including a PlayStation 4 that had been stolen from the Park Avenue break and enter.
Arrested and held for bail is:
Wayne Gordon PUNTER (38 yrs) of Maple Crossing Blvd. in Burlington
Charges:
Break, Enter & Theft
Possession of Break-in Instruments
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime under $5000
Theft under $5000
Breach Probation (Three counts)
Anyone with information about this investigation are asked to contact the Detective Vince Couce – Burlington – Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext. 2307 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Ray Rivers
November 13th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Four trucks and seven Ontario Hydro workmen arrived to replace an old hydro pole and transformer before connecting the grid to my new solar collector. A couple of hours later they packed up, leaving me with a pole that looked a lot like that tower in Pisa, and handing me a bill for almost nine thousand dollars for their efforts in installing their own pole.
Electricity started out as private enterprise. So why the fuss about selling shares in Hydro One? At the turn of the century there were entrepreneurs selling electricity and electrical appliances to replace kerosene and coal-gas lamps. Then a little later in the century politicians like Sir Adam Beck, with a bold vision, pushed for the public capital needed to harness the potential of rivers, like Niagara, and distribute the electrons created to every household and business in Ontario.
 Columnist Ray Rivers holding up a hydro poll that feeds the electricity his solar collectors gather and feed into the hydro grid. By the mid-1990’s deregulation was all the craze. Governments were busy doing their every bit to get themselves out of the business of business. Newly elected Ontario premier Mike Harris was a believer.
His plan was to deregulate the entire energy sector, break Ontario Hydro into smaller components, privatize it all, and bring in competition wherever possible. This was just common sense to him, after all.
Economics 101 tells us that monopolies can be the most efficient form of industrial organization, particularly where conditions favour a natural monopoly – for example where wires come into everyone’s home. Even the phone and cable guys, who managed to stay private, acted like monopolies.
So to deregulation’s credit, telecommunication costs did fall after Bell was required to compete and give up its monopoly.
 Mike Harris – are the mistakes many think the current Liberal government is making an extension of the mistakes Mike Harris made? But Harris hadn’t done his homework. The energy workers’ unions and the courts fought him on privatization. As his plan stalled and the costs of his deregulation spiked, he got cold feet and turned over the keys for the Pink Palace to Ernie Eves. Eves, then facing an imminent election in 2003 and huge public outcry over high rates, further subsided them and put a halt to privatization.
But there was the debt. Decades of subsidized electricity rates had left Hydro almost $40 billion in the hole and $20 billion more than could be supported by its assets (called stranded debt).
Allocation of all that debt among the new companies would have sunk them before they even started operating. And Harris, the deficit-cutter, knew that transferring $20 billion onto the existing provincial debt would have cost him the 1999 election. So every month we now pay off a little more of our parents electricity bills.
Hydro One had its growing pains, including that disastrous first CEO, Eleanor Clitheroe, who paid herself $2.2 million and otherwise acted like a drunken sailor. Today the CEO still gets close to a million bucks while over half of Hydro employees have made the sunshine list. With that kind of leadership I shouldn’t have been surprised by my bill or the seven linesmen who showed up at my place briefly.
Word is out that Hydro One turns in over $750 million to the province annually. They call it a ‘cash cow’ and I know where the milk comes from. Subsidizing government programs with electricity rates is about as regressive as it gets. That hits the poorest households and small businesses the hardest, and is hardly what we’d expect from a liberal government. And doesn’t it make a mockery of the 10% discount we get on each hydro bill – paying ourselves?
 Hydro workers clearing trees weighed down by winter ice. So how would private investors buying a chunk of the giant public corporation be such a bad thing? Hydro One is a big company and isn’t being broken up – and it isn’t even a monopoly. There are other electrical distribution entities scattered in communities all around the province.
Remember all those other guys, besides the heroes from Hydro One, who help us get through that ice storm two winters ago.
The province will hold the biggest share of Hydro One for those worried about the evils of privatization. And in any case there is still a megawatt or two of oversight and control through the Energy Board, the Independent Electricity System Operator and the Energy Minister.
The money being raised from partial privatization has already been targeted to pay for way overdue and badly need transportation infrastructure. And it looks like the public offering has exceeded expectations by already earning $5 billion.
Market investors have a perfectly safe asset in which to stick their cash. And perhaps a new board of directors can help steer a more efficient pathway for the troubled utility.
 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 is no longer active with any political party.
Background links:
A Bone Headed Plan A Natural Monopoly
Auditor View US Restructuring NDP/Toronto Sun View
Hydro One More Hydro One Even More Hydro Bell Canda
Whether Our Electricity Local Electrical Ontario Energy Stranded Debt Hydro Sales
 By Walter Byj
November 13th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board Student Trustee don’t seem to be buying into the flipped classrooms practice.
A flipped classroom has the student doing the reading part of the assignment at home which is then followed by questions in the classroom. Some students found that more work at home was overwhelming and that the program was not effective.
Both trustee Amos (Oakville) and Collard (Burlington) requested that any notes that were received by the student trustees be passed on to the other trustees so that they could better understand how effective/ineffective flipped classes are.
The HDSB Recognition Program was presented to the board by a trio of trustees, T. Ehl Harrison (Oakville), L. Reynolds (Burlington and J. Gray (Halton Hills).
This program was created so as to implement a procedure that would allow trustees, through a nominating process, to recognize those individuals that have contributed either formally or informally to the overall educational process in Halton.
The trustees were very enthused with this new program and are looking forward as to who will be the first recipient of this award. It is a noteworthy effort to recognize those that play a significant role in the education of our students, and it is hoped that the standards for such an award will be high.
The policy is now up on the HDSB website for public input.
The provincial Education Quality and Accountability Office issued the results of the grade 9 Academic and Applied Mathematics results for Halton
The Gazette published an overview of the results which are now posted on the school boards web site.
Board Superintendent David Boag along with Nicole Jarvis (Instructional Program Leader for Mathematics) and Phil Davison (Instructional Program Leader for Literacy) lead a more detailed PowerPoint review of the EQAO report for both math and literacy. The Gazette will cover this report in detail at a future date.
 Burlington school board trustee Andrea Grebenc in an interview with Gazette education reporter Walter Byj Trustee Grebenc (Burlington) will now serve as the chairman of the communications/marketing committee. With a strong background in communications, it is hoped that one of her priorities will to revamp the current HDSB website into a more friendly and accessible format.
Director Miller then briefly mentioned that the public information presentations of the Program Viability Committee have concluded and that information sessions with the following specific groups are next on the agenda.
Parent Involvement Committee (PIC)
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Principals/Vice Principals
Student Senate
The PVC will then prepare a parent questionnaire and develop a focus group process for December-January public consultations.
By Staff
November 13th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service, Burlington station is reaching out to the public for help locating wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions.
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live out in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place.
Every Friday, the Burlington Offender Management Unit shares information on a wanted person in hopes that the public can assist in locating the individual.
 Nicholas Christopher SAWADSKI 31 years old of, Brantford ON. 3 District, Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for Nicholas Christopher SAWADSKI 31 years old of, Brantford ON.
In November 2014, the accused stole a quantity of electronic goods from a store in Burlington and was arrested and charged.
The accused failed to attend Court. Officers have made numerous attempts to locate the accused with negative results and a Warrant has been issued for his arrest.
He is wanted by Halton Regional Police for:
Theft under $5000
Fail to Comply Probation
Fail to Re-attend Court
SAWADSKI is described as 5’7”, 165 lbs with short brown hair and brown eyes. SAWADSKI is known to frequent the areas of Burlington, Brantford, Tillsonburg and the surrounding areas.
The police share “Fugitive Friday” information on their website and via social media through Twitter @HRPSBurl and @HaltonPolice.
Anyone who may have witnessed this person or has information that would assist investigators in locating him are asked to contact D/C Bulbrook – Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Offender Management Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2346 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
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