 By Pepper Parr
October 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
City manager James Ridge today told city council what he is going to do for the big bucks they pay him.
 City manager strutted his stuff when he revealed his Work Plan – he didn’t get a standing ovation. In the work plan he put before council he used the typical bureaucratic gobble degook to say what he has up his sleeve.
The full picture is in the details – and there is some decent stuff in there.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE WORK PLAN:
1. Develop and sustain outcome-focused, highly integrated planning processes, all in support of service excellence and city-building
2. Create the tools and ongoing supports to allow Council to govern strategically
3. Continue to provide responsible, innovative, community-engaged public administration with rigorous performance management, and a five year goal of being recognized as one of Canada’s best managed cities
4. Building on the existing high quality workplace, set a five year goal of formally being recognized as one of top 100 employers in Canada
5. Build and sustain effective trust relationships with key government, community, and private sector partners
Ridge explained that the document he gave Council was substantially incomplete. When the City’s new Strategic Plan is complete and approved, numerous additional strategic initiatives (possible 50 or more) will be added in the “Strategic Initiatives” section that is currently blank.
A second version of this plan will be provided to Council and staff in the weeks following approval of the Strategic Plan
Ridge wrote:
• Although there are obvious departmental leads for the various initiatives listed in the plan, at this point only SMT (Senior Management Team) is identified. Initial analysis by SMT identified the fact that many, if not most, of the initiatives would benefit from cross-departmental approaches.
In a follow-on process SMT will as a group consider who will lead the initiatives, with strong consideration being given to joint leads and cross-departmental teams.
• The work plan will also be provided in a timeline version to assist with longer term Council planning.
 Ridge would like to see Burlington as one of the Best 100 companies to work for and be an exporter of municipal talent. • The work plan will ultimately be formatted so that activities can be sorted and viewed by type (performance measurement, capital projects, partnerships)
• On completion, the plan (and progress against it) will be publicly available through the City’s website.
There is much more to the presentation of the Work Plan and how Council reacted to it. I wasn’t all good.
Stay tuned
 By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Parking – that bug bear for almost everyone with a vehicle – is getting a close look by city hall
The Planning & Building Department,in conjunction with the Transportation Services Department will be retaining a consulting firm to complete a City Wide Parking Standards Review.
 It is surprising how often this parking lot on Locust street is nowhere near full. Burlington’s off-street parking requirements are set out in a zoning By-Law that is used to govern the supply of parking for all types of land use.
Over the past few years, the City has received frequent requests for parking reduction in areas such as seniors housing, intensification nodes, visitor parking, and mixed use developments. At the same time, the City has been experiencing parking shortfalls in areas such as medical office complexes, newer high density communities, and places of worship.
A review of the current Zoning regulations is necessary to develop a context-sensitive framework for updated parking requirements based on existing and desired land use and transportation characteristics.
 Parking offence revenue is significant for the city. This Parking Review will be the first step toward the completion of the comprehensive zoning review for the City of Burlington. The recommendation s of this study will be used as the basis for updated parking regulations and design standards for development in Burlington.
 Brant Street on a bad day? The objective is to adopt an approach that considers land use, built form, design standards, as well as proximity to transit and other alternative modes of travel.
The parking standards review ties into the Transportation Master Plan; the goal is to move towards managing parking in a responsible manner that promotes sustainable forms of development and provides an emphasis on travel demand management.
Once the consultants have been retained and the contract deliverables ironed out timelines will be put in place.
 The city would dearly love to see a structure on this John Street parking lot – can the parking demand get by without these parking spots? There is a supermarket parking lot 35 yards away. The city is about to move into some serious thinking and debating of what they want in the Strategic Plan – which is now many many months behind – the first year of the four year term of office has been completed – and the strategic Plan is still not in place.
There are those at city hall who think the plan may not get completed before the end of the year which would push its completion out even further because the budget has to be determined in January.
The city manager met with council on Wednesday to set out his work plan – he didn’t get a standing ovation. Several thought it was a bit on the ambitious side. There is a lot of work to be done. More on the city managers work plan in a separate article.
The Gazette will keep on top of this one for you.
By Pepper Parr
October 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Have the Regional Police come to the conclusion that if the public hasn’t used their weapons to shoot all the politicians before they elect one of them to the House of Commons – then perhaps another gun amnesty is due – to get the weapons off the streets.
The Halton Regional Police Service will be hosting its second regional Firearms and Weapons Amnesty from October 19 to October 29, 2015.
The public is being encouraged to surrender their unregistered or unwanted firearms and weapons to the Halton Regional Police.
 This amnesty is an opportunity for members of the community to hand in firearms and/or weapons and ammunition that are unused, inherited or illegal, without the fear of being charged for having them.
The Halton Regional Police Service aims to create a safer community by removing these firearms and weapons from locations such as homes, businesses and schools to prevent their use in violent crimes.
Currently, in Ontario there are over 500,000 citizens who hold valid Possession Licenses (POL) and Possession and Acquisition licenses (PAL).
There are over 300,000 restricted and prohibited firearms registered in Ontario, not including non-restricted firearms (long guns).
In some circumstances, POL and PAL licensees no longer wish to keep their firearms due to age, ability and residential location. POL and PAL holders often omit or forget to renew their license and/or are deceased, leaving the firearms unregistered or in the possession of unlicensed family members. This amnesty is an opportunity to have the police come and safely take these weapons away.
During this amnesty, the police encourage people to turn in illegally held guns and ammunition and any other unwanted firearms, imitation firearms and air guns. In addition, any weapon that may pose a threat to public safety such as switchblades, butterfly knives, pepper spray, nunchuks, shurikens, push daggers, knife-combs, crossbows, spiked wristbands, batons and/or blowguns.
Between October 19 and October 26, a dedicated telephone line will be available to arrange a firearm or weapon pick up. (905) 465-8733 will be monitored from Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm during the ten days.
DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS OR FIREARMS TO A POLICE STATION.
DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREARMS OR WEAPONS IN YOUR VEHICLE.
DO NOT GREET OFFICERS AT THE DOOR WITH FIREARMS/WEAPONS.
Officers assigned to pick up the weapons will provide police identification and will require a signature for destruction.
This Amnesty is an opportunity for everyone to take part in removing these firearms and weapons from the community, reducing the risk of them falling into the hands of criminals.
Last year, approximately 180 firearms were turned in, about 40 knives and 200 pounds of ammunition.
 CineStarz
Brant Street in the Upper Canada Mall
Week of Friday, October 16, 2015 through Thursday, October 22, 2015
The Visit (PG)
Fri – Sun: 3:10, 5:45, 7:30, 9:40
Mon – Thu: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:45, 9:30
War Room (PG)
Fri – Sun: 11:20 AM, 1:00, 3:10, 5:20, 7:30, 9:00
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:15, 5:30, 7:00, 9:15
Vanessa PG
Mon-Thur 7:40
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (PG)
Fri – Sun: 5:25, 9:20, 9:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:20, 7:20, 9:30
Shaun the Sheep ()
Fri – Sun: 11:20 AM
Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (PG)
Fri – Sun: 1:00, 3:20, 5:00, 7:00, 9:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:10, 9:20
Ant-Man (PG)
Fri – Sun: 11:15 AM, 1:10, 3:10, 7:20, 9:30
Mon – Thu: 3:00, 5:25, 9:30
Minions (G)
Fri – Sun: 11:10 AM, 1:25, 3:15, 5:20, 7:10
Mon – Thu: 1:10, 5:30
Inside Out (G)
Fri – Sun: 11:10 AM, 1:10, 5:00
A Walk in the Woods (14A)
Fri – Sun: 11:10 AM, 1:30, 3:30, 7:30
Mon – Thu: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00, 9:00
 By Pepper Parr
October 14th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
You sometimes wonder how they think.
 Geraldos at LaSalle Park asked to have their lease agreement amended to allow them to do outside catering. The building sits on land that is leased from the city of Hamilton – that lease is due for renewal in 2017. Two leasing situations were before the Development and Infrastructure committee – Geraldos at LaSalle Park wanted to be able to move into the outside catering business and were asking to have their lease agreement revised.
Spencer’s on the Waterfront wanted the lease they have extended for an additional 15 years.
Staff provided comment on each situation – Gerlados has been in a contract relationship with the city since 1997: a Staff report recommended amending the agreement to allow them to expand into the catering business.
Geraldo’s provides residents and visitors the opportunity to experience part of the city’s history while enjoying the park, trails and surrounding facility where they have been operating the LaSalle Pavilion since 1997.
Revenues received from the tenant offsets the direct operating expenses of this particular facility and provides a contribution to the reserve account for on-going capital requirements.
The current agreement, contains a provision that excludes Geraldo’s from performing any outside catering – it expires in December 2016.
Council supported a six year extension agreement (2017 – 2022) which aligns with the land lease for the LaSalle Park with the City of Hamilton.
Under the current agreement, rent is paid as a percentage of gross sales. By allowing Geraldo’s to expand the catering business, all revenues generated from any offsite catering could result in a positive impact on the reserve account for on-going capital improvements. The current Reserve Fund balance as of June 30, 2015 is $637,786.
This was a no brainer and was approved and will go to Council on November 2nd for approval.
 Perhaps the finest restaurant in the city – with a balcony overlooking the lake that is THE place to be on a summer evening. If you don’t reserve for Sunday Brunch – you don;t get a seat. The Spencers on the Waterfront lease extension for 15 years was approved – it shouldn’t have been – there is a serious flaw in the proposed agreement – Councillor Meed Ward pointed out the flaw and was the only one to object to the lease extension.
The problem is with the parking. Spencers has exclusive use of 40 parking spaces to the west of the restaurant; given the consistent flux with parking issues Meed Ward felt being locked in for 15 years was not a wise move and wanted to see a clause that would allow the city to renegotiate that particular part of the agreement.
• A restaurant (Spencer’s at the Waterfront)
• Café/concession (the Bite – operated by Spencer’s)
• An Observatory (shared – both public and exclusive to Spencer’s for functions/events)
• Public washrooms
• A public lobby/gathering space on the lower and upper levels
• Mechanical and storage rooms
• Outdoor amenities including an ice rink in the winter, pond in the summer, along with splash pad and playground.
The Waterfront Centre operating budget is made up of operating costs to maintain the facility, outdoor amenities and the parking lot which are partially offset by the revenue received from the tenant and parking revenues.
Other indirect costs associated with Spencer Smith Park (e.g. landscaping services by Roads & Parks Maintenance) are outside of the Parks and Recreation Waterfront Centre operating budget. The Waterfront Centre operating budget is structured to transfer the net budget (profit) into the Waterfront Centre Capital Reserve Fund. These funds are used to stabilize and replace existing building components and maintain the outdoor amenities as well as to maintain the parking lot surface and machines.
Moving into a long term agreement with Spencer’s for years 2016 through 2031 there are some guiding principles for the financial commitment to ensure the facility is maintained to the high standard it is today.
Staff recommended continuing with the current tenant for a longer term agreement to ensure financial sustainability for the facility and continued service to the community. And Meed Ward wasn’t on for that.
 Councillor Meed Ward didn’t think the city should get locked into a 15 year agreement that gave Spencer’s the exclusive use of 40 parking spots – she wanted the city to have the right to re-open and re-negotiate that part of the lease agreement. She had concerns over extending the exclusive use of 40 parking spaces from 4:00 pm to midnight to the west of the restaurant and wanted a provision that gave the city the right to re-negotiate the parking spaces part of the agreement. Meed Ward made the point that parking is a critical issues in the downtown and wanted the city to have some flexibility.
Her colleagues didn’t see it that way – the five that were present voted to accept the Staff report. Councillor Sharman, chair of the committee was not present.
Reserving the right to renegotiate the parking was a good, commonly used business practice – that concept seemed to evade the Mayor and Councillors Craven, Taylor, Lancaster and Dennison.
You sometimes wonder how they think.
 By Staff
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The autumn hours of operation at the Royal Botanical Gardens have changed.
 Autumn ours have changed at the RBG RBG Centre will be open 10am through 5pm daily.
– The Hendrie Park/Rose Garden kiosk is now closed for the season. Weather permitting, access to Hendrie Park is available through the RBG Centre entrance.
– Laking Garden kiosk is now closed for the season.
– Extended hours will begin again November 14th for Holiday Traditions.
By Staff
October, 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Councillor Blair Lancaster and grade 6 students from Trinity Christian School along with Retired Sgt. Jim Warford, 35 Composite Company, Royal Canadian Service Corp, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and members of the City of Burlington Mundialization Committee will be planting 700 tulip bulbs from the Canadian Garden Council to mark the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and to celebrate the culture and heritage of the two nations.
The event is to take place on Thursday, October 15, 2015, between 11 to 11:20 a.m. at the Dutch-Canadian Friendship Garden, Apeldoorn Park on Elgin Street
 As a token of their gratitude for creating a home for the Dutch Royal Family the government of Holland has given Canada 100,000 tulips every year. 7000f those tulips will be sent to Burlington. The City of Burlington was selected as one of 140 recipients of tulips as part of the 70th Anniversary Dutch-Canadian Friendship Tulip Garden. Overall, 100,000 tulip bulbs were distributed across Canada by the Canadian Gardens Council.
The 100,000 bulbs replicate the original gift given to the people of Canada as an act of appreciation for hosting the Royal Family during Princess Margriet’s birth and the role of Canadian Armed Forces in the Liberation of Holland.
 Mayor Goldring and Councillor Blair Lancaster being greeted by a member of the Dutch Royal Family. Councillor Lancaster, Mayor Goldring and a number of city hall staff spent several days in Holland during the 70th anniversary of the Liberation of Holland by Canadian troops.
 By Staff
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District School Board has created a program to ease children into the school system.
 Mohawk Public school will host an OPEN House for those starting school next year. Bit of a drive for those who live in Alton and Aldershot isn’t it? They will be holding five Kindergarten Open Houses for the three year old set to to learn more about starting school.
In Burlington the big day is December 3rd with Mohawk Gardens Public school (5280 Spruce Ave) serving as hosts. The event will take place between 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Students and parents will:
• Explore a Kindergarten classroom
• Learn about play-based learning
• Pick up information and resource material in a free backpack
• Access information about community agencies and resources in Halton
• Get information about before and after school care
• Ask questions about special education
There are apparently no “loot bags” unless a back pack falls into that category.
Children born in 2012 can start Kindergarten in September 2016. Registration for Kindergarten begins in January 2016 and takes place at the school your child will attend.
Walter Byj
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Presiding as the newly installed Director of Education, Stuart Miller passed his initial test with flying colours. Although there were not many actionable items on Wednesday’s agenda, it was nevertheless full.
 The Program Viability Committee is struggling with the impact that French immersion is having on the English program. Parents in the Region clearly want their children in French immersion classes – planning for and managing that process is easier said than done.
The public school board has given this issue a lot of time and attention and has now moved to the point where the public consultation process can begin. Getting a stronger fix on just what the public wants and then finding the teachers needed to deliver a French program is proving to be a bit of a challenge.
The Gazette will pass along more information including times, dates and location of public meetings.
There is a review of how the board creates its policies and how they are reviewed on a going forward basis taking place. Background material will be posted on the board’s web site – the Gazette will watch for the document and keep you informed.
The governing principles of the Board are thought to be in need of some clarification. The unfortunate part of this review process is that once the background documents are placed on the board web site they will remain there “for a minimum of 25 days”, which in this busy world is not a lot of time. And given the mess that the board calls a web site – finding the document might be a challenge.
Now that Miller is the Director of Education he was given unanimous approval by the board to advertise internally and externally for the position of Associate Director.
Director Miller reported that the Community Partnership Policy will be getting a closer look – this is the policy that looks at the optimal use of the Board’s space and how they make that space available to the public. When the policy was posted for public feed back there were just two responses.
The request for feed back on the Trustee Expense Policy Feedback did even worse – there wasn’t even one comment.
Jeff Blackwell (Interim Executive Officer- Human Resources) presented the latest Halton enrollment numbers with elementary schools up 127 students to 44,134 while the secondary population grew to 17,632 showing an increase of 134 students.
Gary Cullen (Superintendent of Facility Services) presented the Annual Testing Report, the Closing the Gap Update Report and the Elementary School Design Guidelines report . The discussion points and comments on each of these reports will be reported shortly.
For those parents that have children that will be attending kindergarten next year, be on the lookout for a flyer that will be welcoming new students with special nights beginning in November. Scott Podrebarac (Superintendent of Schools) said the theme of the flyer and nights will be “Calling All Three Year Olds” and will reflect the board’s efforts to reach out to Halton parents before their children attend school by having four special nights where the parents and their children can visit their future school and learn of the benefits being offered. This should make the first day in September much easier for the student.
By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is something about former Toronto mayors and the city of Burlington – we keep inviting them out to talk to us.
A couple of years ago Toronto’s Tiny Perfect Mayor, David Crombie visited the city to talk to the then Waterfront Advisory Committee. Mayor Goldring, then in his first term, did not make a practice of attending those meetings but with Crombie speaking the Mayor chose to sit beside him at the table.
 The last Toronto Mayor who came to Burlington was well received but not really listened to – what will we do with David Miller when he speaks? Crombie got the Waterfront Advisory Committee all excited with what was possible – but before any of the ideas got off the ground the city sunset the committee – they did manage to get two things done – a solid look at the way Windows on the Lake were created and they did get something into the Pump House in the Beachway.
 You wouldn’t know it – but this is public property and anyone can walk out to the end and look over the lake. City will now put signage indicating that the land is public. Great views. The disappointing part about the Windows on the Lake was the loss of a significant piece of land between the two Windows the city is going to gain. A piece of the city’s heritage was lost forever.
Former Mayor of Toronto David Miller is going to be in town November 3rd to speak at free community event called Take Action Burlington. The event is a joint initiative between Mayor Goldring’s Inspire Burlington Series and the City of Burlington and will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Royal Botanical Gardens.
The focus is reported to be on what individuals, businesses and community leaders can do to continue to work towards fostering a healthy, green community. Miller who is now the CEO and president of World Wildlife Fund Canada, will be the keynote speaker.
Mayor Goldring will give a presentation on environmentally sustainable projects and initiatives in the City of Burlington.
Interactive exhibits from green-minded community groups will be on display before and after the presentations.
One of the stronger traits behind what Mayor Goldring does is his consistent commitment to the environment – he did slip up when he let the turbine get taken out of the pier design, but he has been an admirable advocate for the environment. While he was not in Burlington when the micro WORDS was unveiled at Burlington Hydro recently that initiative was very much in the Goldring view of the world.
Current Green Party candidate Vince Fiorito points out that Goldring was a federal Green candidate who pulled in 3500 votes when he ran – which in Burlington is a number that has yet to be exceeded – Fiorito doesn’t expect to do that well.
 A piece of our heritage lost forever. When David Crombie was in town he pointed out that there was a time when Burlington was the leader in the development of a waterfront trail through the city. Crombie probably lost weight when he learned that Goldring went along with the sale of public land that bordered the lake – even though city staff recommended the property be either kept by the city or leased.
We shall all wait to hear what David Miller has to say to us – and then wait a little longer to see if the Mayor heeds any of his advice.
 Are there panda bears in our future? With Miller being the CEO of the World Wildlife Fund and the Mayor returning from a trip to China – is there perhaps a pair of pandas in Burlington’s future – with maybe a zoo somewhere in the Escarpment? This city could certainly use some good news – any news would be nice.
 By Pepper Parr
October 13th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There were three parts to the program – didn’t matter which one you were watching, the choreography for each guides, pushes, and pulls audience members through physically raw movements and emotional extremes.
 Follower, leading – hierarchy and identity – all played out on a platform with some of the most imaginative interpretive dance this city has seen. Reflective/Vulnerable was at the Performing Arts Centre with a two evening and a single matinee program that opened with an interactive video installation put together by the Burlington Wholeshebang. Images appeared on a screen and people were invited to walk onto the platform and move their bodies anyway they wished – this allowed them to change the image.
Trevor Copp, a noted local dancer, said the idea was to make the line between the audience and the platform impermeable. A number of people took to the platform.
There was then a dance scene that was coquettish in nature featuring Lisa Emmons and Phillipe Poirier. . It is amazing to watch two dancers who know what it is they want to convey, use their bodies to send messages to each other. Lisa flirted with Poirier and used exaggerated looks over her shoulder while Poirier made clear his frustration with what this woman was doing to him.
Emmons has taken to one of the latest hair stylings where the left side of her scalp is been shaved clean leaving her with a very aboriginal look. It is arresting but it suits her.
Some strong music was played through the dance – ranging from Mozart to von Karajan and Fever Ray.
Few words were spoken during this dance routine – when it came to the point where Poirier wanted to say he was no longer interested and Emmons wanted to know why Poirier reverted to words and said: “It’s the hair”.
It was a fun, funny exceptionally well executed dance.
There was an intermission while the dancing areas was fitted with the props it would need. The audience could have been told that what was coming was harsh, raw – at times almost violent.
Titled: Blue (dot) Political, the dance had incredible energy and strength – there were times when the dancers appeared to be attacking each other.
A masked group – they could have been described as a chorus, were silent and tended to move in unison while Philipe Poirier, Lisa Emmons, Amanda Pye, Mateo Galindo Torres and Mayumi Laskbrook spilled energy all over the dance platform.
A statement was definitely being made – to whom was not clear to me but that huge energy and will was being put forward was never in doubt.
 Lisa Emmons performing in Blue (Dot) Political at the Performing Arts Centre. The performance notes say: How high you get is only important to how grounded you are – which really doesn’t say much. The notes go on to add Blue (dot) Political is a reflection of the roles of leader and follower: hierarchy and identity. And that is certainly what the performance conveys. Do the followers then overthrow?
The performance didn’t have answers – it focused on the struggle. At the close of the performance a flag that was on the back wall changed colour – what was a flag that was mostly white took on a red hue – it was a painful struggle, blood had been shed.
The attendance was small but not embarrassing – these dancers are well worth whatever time you choose to give them.
By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
During the drive to the tens of thousands of Thanksgiving dinners that took place across the province during the weekend – one could not miss the turning of the colours of the trees.
The change in season was taking place right before our eyes.
 The changes in the foliage tells us that the season is changing – right before our eyes. What else is changing? The political pundits had this as the weekend that families would gather around their homes and vigorously debate how the current federal election was going to roll out.
I took part in two such dinners, one with good friends and another with people I’d never met before. There was a candidate’s sign in the driveway of the location that was new to me – comments from the other guests were quiet – the owner of the home had apparently changed his colours and decided he had to vote for what he felt was best for the country.
Orange had changed to red – and for the most part the tenor of the really large gathering was that this is what was necessary for the country to recover.
As to what the country had to recover from – that was all over the map.
With the Liberals six points ahead and the new Democrats struggling to find what they need it appears to have become a race between the Liberals and Conservatives in Burlington – and this race is far from decided.
There was a point at which many suspected the core Conservative vote was going to hold in Burlington – but there were signs of some wiggle – one of which was the change in tone from Mike Wallace, the Conservative candidate, who began to explain that while Prime Minister Harper may not been all warm and cuddly – he was still the best leader for the country.
When a candidate has to explain his leader shortcoming core voters often feel less of an obligation to vote the way they have for generations.
Burlington is still very much up for grabs – this riding is going to be won in the trenches and on the 19th it will depend on how well each side gets out and pulls in the vote.
The new riding of Oakville North Burlington appears to have decided it wants Liberal Pam Damoff to represent them
The colours of the leaves are indeed changing.
By Staff
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Is the city going to hire a new Planner soon?
Burlington parted ways with Bruce Krushelnicki June 1st; the city has been without a planner ever since.
If Burlington really is the best mid-sized city in the country – would there not have been a lineup outside the Human Resources department of planners holding their resumes in their hands?
Apparently not – but there is a planner coming our way – expect an announcement soon soon.
And expect a bit of a surprise as well.
 Roy Male – now playing gold full time. With a Planner about to be announced – some comment should be made on the retirement of Roy Male, Executive Director of Human Resources since Moses parted the waters of the Jordan River.
Male appears to have decided that there was still time for some golf – and he wasn’t wrong on that issue – he did make some mistakes on the hires he made but he was a consistent advocate for attracting smart young people to the municipal sector.
Laura Boyd has been appointed to replace Roy Male. There are those at city hall who frown on appointments – and think every job opportunity should be posted.
We may be reading more about Boyd – she recently filled in for the City Manager at a meeting of Council.
Nice to see an improvement in the gender balance – it isn’t going to stop at Human Resources.
 By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Why is it so difficult to get answers out of city hall?
Tom Muir wrote Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward asking why she had not said something publicly about why city council did not manage to vote as a council against the proposed ADI development at the corner of Lakeshore Road and Martha Street.
Muir sent that information request in September 16th and said at the time that he asked for “an explanation of how the staff report on this ADI project did not make it to Council within the 180 days mandated in the legislation as default grounds for OMB appeal.’
He didn’t get a response and repeated his request.
His original request was set out in an email he sent to Meed Ward, the Mayor and the city manager.
On Thursday, October 8th Mayor Goldring responded to Muir with the following:
Hi Tom,
You will receive a meaningful answer.
I was away recently for 10 days and am obviously behind in responding to some emails as well.
Please be patient.
The Mayor has been away – in China – which is significant from an economic development aspect – and the city has not heard a word about that trip. That is another matter.
Meed Ward also said she would respond but Muir has apparently not heard from her yet. Her response has been to refer people to her Newsletters of March31st and September 16th.
Most people the Gazette hears from find the content of the two newsletter confusing.
 Aldershot resident Tom Muir wrote city hall on September 16th asking for an explanation as to why the city failed to get a response to a developer within the 180 day mandated deadline. The issue for Tom Muir was – how did the city fail to vote officially on the Planning department recommendation not to approve the development application.
Everyone at all concerned with the project new that when the 180 day deadline was reached ADI would be going to the OMB and asking them to approve the project because the city had failed to provide an answer within the 180 day deadline.
 The ADI Development Group sought permission to put up a 28 storey structure on a small lot at the corner of Lakeshore Road and Martha. The city’s planning department put some of their best people on the review of the project and delivered a sound report that said the project should not be approved.
That report went to the Development and Infrastructure Standing Committee where members of Council voted unanimously against the project.
That recommendation from the Development and Infrastructure Standing Committee is just that – a recommendation.
Recommendations from the Standing committee have to go to Council to become effective.
 This city Council never got the opportunity to vote against a proposed development within the 180 days they were required to do so. Many people in the city want to know why this happened. The Mayor has promised a “meaningful answer” six months after the event. Every member of Council will tell you that they are free to change their minds and the vote they cast at a Standing Committee when a report and recommendation gets to council.
The city’s Planning department was fully aware of the 180 day deadline.
Council meetings are scheduled on a meeting cycle that is public – but, and this is significant – Council can meet at any time at the call of the Mayor.
That the Mayor did not call a Special meeting of council is inexcusable. Had the Mayor done his job and called a Special meeting of Council the city’s position before the OMB would have been a lot stronger.
There still would have been an OMB hearing – but the grounds for that hearing would not be that the city failed to respond.
There are those who are saying the will of the city was clear at the Standing committee – and it certainly was – but that will has no standing until the city council votes on it.
 The ADI development is shown in the upper right, outlined in orange, the Bridgewater development that will break ground in earlier 2016 is shown in the lower left in red. All that happened on March 31st 2014, when Paul Sharman, Chair of the Development and Infrastructure committee advised the public that a summary of a planning report would be read but the city would not be voting on the matter because ADI had taken the matter to the OMB.
It is only now that we are hearing the Mayor say:
You will receive a meaningful answer.
Please be patient.
And so a cranky constituent waits patiently while the Mayor prepares a meaningful response – will the Mayor make a public statement on just how he failed to call a Special meeting of his Council and vote officially on this issue?
Or will Tom Muir have to send that response to the Gazette so we can make it available to the public?
This kind of situation crops up again and again with the Mayor and his Council.
There are many in the city who are concerned about what will happen at the Ontario Municipal Board hearing that is due to take place before the end of the year.
It is going to be a tough fight and there is no guarantee the city will win it.
 Two blocks away from the site where ADI sought permission to build a 28 storey structure the city approved the building of a 22 storey tower that will break ground in January. There is a 22 storey structure two blocks away – the Bridgewater development that will break ground in the New Year. Expect ADI to argue that they are as relevant to the development of the city as the Bridgewater project which was initially approved in 1985.
Far too many people have the sense that this Mayor does not have a firm grip on what the city wants and that he has not grown into the job of Mayor in his second term.
The Gazette interviewed Mayor Goldring when he was running for re-election in 2014. We were stunned at what little he had to say during that interview which took place in the offices of Rick Burgess, a Burlington lawyer who once for Mayor.
During that interview Goldring didn’t give any sense as to what he wanted to do in his second term. At the time it looked as if he was going to be acclaimed.
When Peter Rusin decided to run against the Mayor – the game changed quickly and Goldring had to scramble to find a campaign office and then raise the funds needed to run a campaign.
 Mayor Rick Goldring speaking during a municipal election debate when he had to run against Peter Rusin and Anne Marsden There was no comparing Rusin with Goldring. While the Gazette doesn’t think Goldring is doing a very good job – and that view is supported by a significant number of people with standing in this city – Rusin would not have been an improvement.
Anne Marsden ran against Goldring but was never a contender – she was a place for people who were dissatisfied with the Mayor to park their vote.
The Mayor no longer talks to the Gazette – he does not answer emails and we are not able to make appointments with him
When the Gazette was finally able to speak with Mayor he said that he would not talk to us because he felt we were unfair and biased.
That is a legitimate comment – however, Rick Goldring is the Chief Magistrate in this city and that position and title does not allow him to behave like a petulant little boy.
 The last Mayor to refuse to talk to media was Rob Ford of Toronto – a rather embarrassing comparison for Burlington, If he has a concern – he has the responsibility to meet with us and set out those concerns. The last Mayor to do something like that was Rob Ford in Toronto.
There is more to say on how this Mayor behaves – right now we are waiting to see what his “meaningful answer” is going to be and why it has taken so long for some kind of statement from city hall.
The city would also like to hear what the Mayor actually did in China?
 By Ray Rivers
October 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Each week between now and the day we all vote, October 19th, Ray Rivers is going to give Gazette readers his take on how the election is going. The week that was will appear every Monday morning.
Next Monday, the 19th, is election day in Canada and the polls are showing the Liberals trending upwards as the NDP decline. As readers who follow me already have guessed, I won’t be voting for Stephen Harper. Mr. Harper made this election about the economy, claiming he is the best economic manager for Canada’s future. So what is his record?
 They were called Bennett buggies – no one could afford gas and repairing a vehicle was out of the question. Canada was in the middle of a depression in the 1930’s It turns out that since Harper became PM in 2006, Canada’s growth rate has averaged 1.77 percent, the lowest rate of growth since R. B. Bennett took us for a ride in his Bennett Buggy during the 1930’s great depression, three generations ago.
Mr. Harper has blamed the recent oil price drop for Canada’s current malaise. In fact, during the period when oil was high, this so called fiscal conservative ran six straight deficit budgets in a row, adding $150 billion to the country’s debt load.
As a result he increased Canada’s debt-to-GDP ratio by almost a quarter, to over 85%, from where Paul Martin had left it in 2006. And in spite of this extra federal spending he was unable to get unemployment levels back to where it had been when he took over the reins of power. Today’s 7.1% unemployment rate is almost an entire percentage point higher than the 6.3% Paul Martin had bequeathed him in 2006.
Mr. Harper’s belief is that by cutting taxes the extra money in the taxpayers pockets will trickle-down and stimulate economic growth. But the tax revenues declined faster than expenditures, and with the economy stalled, that formula just rendered bigger deficits. The cuts to corporate taxes, rather than stimulating the economy, showed up in even fatter pay and bonus cheques for executives, or being hoarded. As a consequence, over the last decade of corporate tax cuts Canada’s manufacturing sector lost 400,000 jobs.
 Railway tank cars that were not as strong as they should have been were transporting oil to the east coast. Human error result in the deaths of several dozen people when rail cars rolled into a town with the brakes basically shut off. Mr. Harper put all of his faith and some healthy subsidies into oil exports, transitioning Canada into a Saudi Arabia of the north. And to get the oil to export markets, even before his government’s failed rail policies contributed to the disaster at Lac-Mégantic, pipelines were seen as the answer. Yet, despite having slashed historic environmental laws to expedite this goal, his government has failed to build even one pipeline.
Harper claims Canada’s economic future is tied to these so-called free-trade deals he’s been signing all over the world. Yet, the big one with the EU is stalled over the corporate right to sue governments – the ‘investor-state’ clause. And given recent protests in the UK and Germany against a similar agreement being negotiated with the Americans, there is reason to doubt an ultimate ratification.
In the USA, the leading Republican and Democrat presidential candidates have promised to kill the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement which was initialed just last week. That may turn out to be a blessing. Mr. Harper has set aside over $5 billion to compensate Canadians for economic losses which will ensue, but has failed to identify any direct benefits for this mother of all trade pacts.
 Scientists who were on the federal payroll found they were prevented from talking about their research – they risked losing their jobs if they protested. There are many more reasons which would keep me from voting for Mr. Harper. Canada’s sullied place in the world of foreign affairs, as the PM has replaced principled foreign policy with shameless pandering to domestic ethnic communities, is an example. Canada’s failure to address our growing contribution to climate change is another one. The muzzling of the public service by a government which came into office promising more transparency is still another.
Mr. Harper’s social policies, such as mandatory minimum sentencing, prostitution, immigration and drug legalization are part of an ideology he shares with a number of other Canadians. And his government’s style inevitably reflects his own personality, which may explain his reluctance to meet with his provincial partners. Though one can hardly be blamed for their personality, and should be accorded respect for their ideology, these are considerations for an informed electorate.
And not everything he has done is wrong-headed in my view. There are some economic policies which I applauded, particularly in his early years as PM, such as reducing the GST, introducing income-splitting for seniors and closing the income-trust loophole.
Nevertheless, Stephen Harper is the incumbent PM, having been in control of our economy for the last decade. He has made this election about the economy and put his record up as the reason to vote for him. Yet an objective assessment of that record shows increased national debt, higher unemployment and lower economic growth. By anyone’s measure that is a failure.
In conclusion, regardless of all his other policies which have mostly divided Canadians, Mr. Harper has shown himself to be an incompetent manager of our economy. For that reason alone, people in this election should vote for anyone but Harper.
 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:
Jobs Economic Growth Debt to GDP Unemployment
Corporate Hoarding Oil Subsidies
TPP Clinton Opposed More Clinton opposed to TPP
US-EU Trade Protests
Polls
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Beginning October 13, construction will begin in Millcroft Park to install free Cogeco Wi-Fi.
The construction and installation of equipment is expected to take four to five weeks.
The free Wi-Fi is a pilot test with Cogeco Cable to provide free internet access within certain areas of the park. Most of the city’s arenas, city hall and recreation and community centres already have free Wi-Fi access.
The park will remain open during construction.
 By Staff
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Human Trafficking and Vice Unit of the Halton Regional Police Service have arrested two individuals for trafficking female victims.
In the early morning hours of October 8th 2015, the Hamilton Police Service Tactical Response Unit along with the HRPS Human Trafficking and Vice Unit executed a search warrant at a Stoney Creek residence. Upon entry police located and arrested Andrew GORDON (32 years) and Astra MULAWKA (29 years) for human trafficking related offences.
During the search of the residence police located identification of females believed to be victims of human trafficking. The search warrant and arrests culminated a yearlong human trafficking investigation into GORDON.
 Andrew GORDON Evidence gathered throughout this investigation has revealed that GORDON is trafficking female victims in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. Police have identified several human trafficking victims, however police believe GORDON is responsible for the exploitation and trafficking several other females throughout Canada.
Andrew GORDON has been charged with the following offences:
Count: 1) Trafficking in persons, s. 279.01. Criminal Code
Count” 2) Receiving financial/material benefit, s. 279.02. Criminal Code
Count: 3) Exercise control, s. 212(1((h). Criminal Code
Count: 4) Living on avails of prostitution, s. 212(1)(j). Criminal Code
Count: 5) Extortion, s. 346. Criminal Code
Count” 6) Knowingly Advertise and offer to provide sexual services, s. 286.4. Criminal Code Count: 7) Receiving material benefit, s. 286.2(1). Criminal Code
Count: 8) Uttering threats, s. 264.1(1). Criminal Code
Count: 9) Forcible Confinement, s. 279(2) Criminal Code
Count: 10) Assault, s. 266. Criminal Code
Count: 11) Assault, s. 266. Criminal Code
GORDON was held for a bail hearing and will appear in Milton Court today (October 9th 2015)
Astra MULAWKA has been charged with the following offences:
Count 1) Trafficking in persons, s. 279.01. Criminal Code
Count 2) Receiving financial/material benefit, s. 279.02. Criminal Code
Count 3) Living on avails of prostitution, s. 212(2). Criminal Code
Count 4) Receiving material benefit, s. 286.2(1). Criminal Code
MULAWKA will appear in Milton Court on November 2nd 2015. The Halton Regional Police Service Human Trafficking and Vice Unit believe Andrew GORDON who is also known as “ President” or “Bush” is responsible for trafficking other female victims, as such we have attached his photograph to this media release. We would encourage anyone with information relating to GORDON to call Detective Martin DICK at 905-208-0959 or 905-825-4747 ext 8723
By Pepper Parr
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Tom Muir is an Aldershot resident who takes what goes on in his community seriously – he is a major thorn in the side of Rick Craven, the council member for the ward.
Aldershot resident Tom Muir is a strong believer in community participation in how the city grows. He has issues with the way city council failed to do its job.,
Muir has been wanting to know how the city ended up facing an Ontario Municipal Board hearing over a development that was proposed for the Lakeshore Road/Martha Street intersection in the downtown part of the city.
Muir had written Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and copied the Mayor and the city manager in the middle of September about the matter and thought he deserved at least an acknowledgement. As Muir explains it “I asked for an explanation of how the staff report on this ADI project did not make it to Council within the 180 days mandated in the legislation as default grounds for OMB appeal.
“My initial message was sent to Ward 2 Councillor Meed Ward, where the proposed project is located, and cc’d Mayor Goldring and City Manager James Ridge
Muir says he find it disturbing that his initial message has been completely and inexplicably ignored by Councillor Meed Ward.
Not on to be easily deterred Muir wrote a follow up letter asking to be informed about how the decision was arrived at to allow the 180 day period, mandated by legislation, to elapse before the Council vote was made?
“Whether it was deliberate or inadvertent, an explanation to inform citizens is warranted” said Muir.
“I have reviewed all of the pertinent content of the newsletters put out by Councillor Meed Ward, dated March 31, and September 16. There is no explanation there addressing my question; the latest newsletter commentary reads like the decision to let the timeline elapse did not happen.”
“What is written there rationalizes, and pardons, this failure to meet a deadline that triggers an automatic legal grounds for appeal to the OMB. It further denies that this failure matters, or is of consequence, and tries to project the blame for the predictable outcome on the developer ADI.”
Muir points out that the 180 day deadline was not legislated for nothing, so you can’t blame ADI for pursuing their legal rights. The fault lies in the city letting this happen.
The process timeline included in the March 31 Meed Ward newsletter shows that the city planning department recommendation for refusal of the ADI application was made public, and therefore provided to ADI, more than a week before the 180 day deadline. “In this situation” said Muir, “it is irrational planning management for the city to then fail to meet the deadline.”
“The city failure to meet this 180 day deadline is a major victory for the aggressive approach of ADI. It gives them an automatic appeal standing with the OMB, a very valuable legal right.
 Aldershot resident argues that the city’s failure to act properly on a development application almost legitimizes signs like this. “Further, it apparently legitimizes the several marketing activities they now have underway. These too are aggressive, speculative and misleading.
“These go beyond the controversial billboard on the proposed building site, and the storefront on Brant St being opened by ADI, advertising they are open for business for registration of purchases of “Lakefront Residences”, in what is called “Nautique”.
“Further, for example, I received a post card size advertisement in the mail, from a Loyalty Real Estate Brokerage, selling the ADI project address, but it is called a “Burlington Condominium”. It promises numerous project features, VIP first access, huge discounts, no lineups, instant gain on purchase, and wide selection of units.
“As well, in the Hamilton Spectator real estate section, New Home Living, dated October 3, ADI is advertising “Nautique”, as “arriving soon” and invites registration. Again, it is obviously the proposed project.
“This is spectacle, and where it will lead is assuredly to nowhere good for the city and citizens. It reminds me of a gold rush promotion mentality where shares in a mine site – in this case a patch of pavement and dirt – that has been salted, but not proved, are being hustled for sale.
“It begs the question of what the responsible city staff were thinking to surrender control of this development situation to ADI? What kind of city organization would allow this to happen?
“What kind of development planning strategy and tactics, and business plan does this action entail?
This appears an illogical retreat from a position of dominant planning argument, strength, and public support.
“What is the rationale for revealing, then folding a winning hand, thus letting ADI outflank the city, go straight to the OMB, and then use this to market what they failed to get the city to approve on official planning grounds?
“It could constitute city hall actions based on something sensible, or maybe worse, but how will we ever know with no information and transparency? It really needs inquiry, and needs to be visible. Transparent decision making processes are part of the foundation of the good governance of a municipality.
“You all know your duties and responsibilities under legislation and policy, and I will not read you chapter and verse, but just give a taste that is most relevant here.”
Section 224, subsection (d) of the Municipal Act is a good starting point. It outlines the role of the municipal council as follows:
“224. It is the role of council,
(d) to ensure that administrative policies, practices and procedures and controllership policies, practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of council;
(d.1) to ensure the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality, including the activities of the senior management of the municipality;” (my emphasis)
 Aldershot resident Tom Muir wants city council to do the job the Municipal Act requires them to do. He’d also like an explanation as to why they appear to have goofed on the ADI development application. The Municipal Councillors Guide 2014 states that ,”Clearly, accountability and transparency are a priority in maintaining public trust in council and in the management of your municipality. Section 224 of the Act explicitly includes ensuring the accountability and transparency of the operations of the municipality as part of the role of council.” Control and responsibility are other givens.
Muir, who doesn’t give up on issues that he thinks are important adds the “Burlington Citizens Engagement Charter contains similar and identical text, and city commitment and policy. As does the draft Code of Conduct, approved by Committee, and passed to the City Manager by Council for inclusion in the Strategic Plan. You can add in the Oath of Office that Council members take.”
Muir sums up his most recent letter saying: “I hope that you can see your fundamental responsibilities, both legislated and policy, in this matter of providing the explanation I have asked for.
“It’s your duty to ensure the transparency and accountability that underlie credibility and trust.”
By Staff
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
A company involved in determining what kind of advertising shows up on your computer screen when you are online decided it wanted to do something to help people during the Thanksgiving weekend – a time of year when the Salvation Army holds a major food drive.
Direct Access Digital, a twenty eight employee firm in the east end of the city divided the staff into four teams that then competed with each other to see who could raise the most in the way of food contributions.
They raised enough food to provide 1500 Thanksgiving meals.
 Vanessa Mateus and “Captain Alpha with some of the food that was raised by employees at Digital Direct Access Vanessa Mateus came up with the idea of giving back to the community, and the competitive nature that of the technology industry was all that was needed to result in 3000 items being purchased
In true digital fashion, Team Three, lead by “Captain Alpha”, quickly got online and ordered over 1200 items of canned goods to be delivered to the office and then taunted the other teams on the company’s blog to match that effort.
Digital Access Data (DAD) Director of Performance, Rob T. Case, has an affinity with the Food Bank. His family had used food banks for five years. After turning his life around, he became a successful digital marketer, worked at Google and joined the Direct Access Digital team this year.
Case said the food banks ” were there when his family of four needed them and it is important to give back, to show gratitude, especially at Thanksgiving.”
Another member of the team also claimed to have used the Food Bank in the past. She says, “Sometimes you find yourself in a place you never expected. You get help and drive forward.”
DAD co-founder, Eric Rodgers say that “When Vanessa Mateus, suggested we do something for The Salvation Army’s Food Drive it was absolutely something we wanted to support; we are always happy to help the community. There were challenges posted on our company blog from one team to another. It was pretty heated, but a competition worth winning.”
The team plans to do something for the holiday season, but they are not talking about their ideas yet.
Direct Access Digital, an award-winning digital-performance marketing agency based in Burlington is the two-time winner of The Google Search Excellence Award.
Founded in 2011, DAD has evolved into one of Canada’s leading boutique agencies, and now serve mid-sized businesses and Fortune 500 companies alike. Known for their expertise in all digital marketing verticals, from search engine marketing (SEM) to search engine optimization (SEO), local search, social media marketing and more, their true hallmark is building strong partnerships with their clients and working diligently to deliver the tools, data and strategies that drive customer conversions and sales while aiding brand awareness. www.directaccessdigital.com
By Staff
October 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police have made a male suspected of accused breaking into lockers belonging to members of a private gymnasium and stealing money from their personal belongings.
 Vezio CARDULLO In August and September 2015, Vezio CARDULLO attended a health and fitness gym on several occasions in the City of Burlington.
The accused broke into lockers belonging to members of the gym and stole money from their personal belongings.
Police have been unable to locate the accused and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
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 will share information on a wanted person in hopes that the public can assist in locating the individual.
We will share “Fugitive Friday” information on our website and via social media through Twitter @HRPSBurl and @HaltonPolice.
In this edition of Fugitive Friday, the 3 District, Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for Vezio CARDULLO, 33 years old, of No Fixed Address.
CARDULLO is wanted by the Halton Regional Police Service for:
Theft under $5000 x 3
CARDULLO is described as 5’7”, 170lbs, bald with brown eyes. CARDULLO has forearm tattoo sleeves on both his left and right forearm and a scar under his left eye. CARDULLO is known to frequent Burlington and the surrounding areas.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist investigators in locating him are encouraged 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).
|
|
