 By Staff
July 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Which is it?
The one that was approved by the city at a council meeting or the one that is on the sales sign on the property?
 The initial proposal was for an eight story building – that got whittled down to seven. Many felt there was still too much massing. When Maranatha Gardens was first proposed it was a seven story structure that some felt had too much massing.
A lot of jaw boning with the people in the planning department brought about a revision that seemed to keep most people happy. The Mayor said he believed that some of the people who were opposed to the size of the building would eventually live in it – now there’s an endorsement for you.
 With even more jaw boning the project got cut down to six floors with a large open space to cut down on what many thought was a massive wall in a location that wasn’t appropriate A community group took the matter to the OMB – but soon gave that up and for all intents and purposes the project was a go.
The lot has been cleared and there is some kind of a construction schedule.
 The what’s being offered for sale sign doesn’t look at all like what was approved at city council – why’s that? And there is a sign on the property offering units for sale – it isn’t a picture of the building that was approved – it doesn’t look anything like the plan that was approved at city council – so – which one is it ?
 By Staff
July 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If you’re on the south end of Brant on a Friday evening in August you will hear the sweet sound of a saxophone – head towards the sound – t he Burlington Performing Arts Centre will present a free concert on the plaza, featuring a different performer each evening.
The performances take place from 6:30pm-8:30pm and the bar will be open. In the event of rain, the performance will move from the plaza into the lobby.
Performers include Jude Johnson (Burlington), Mike Malone (Hamilton), Joel Haynes and the Jazz Collective (Burlington/Toronto), and Micah Barnes (Toronto).
 Jude Johnson a vocalist, songwriter and performer who grew up in Burlington. Friday, August 7: Jude Johnson a vocalist, songwriter and performer who grew up in Burlington. She moved to Hamilton and is that city’s Special Music Ambassador. He was inducted into the Hamilton Gallery of Distinction in 2009. He received the Hamilton Arts award for Arts Education in 2011. She has also been the unseen voice on many radio and TV commercials, been featured on CBC radio and sung on over 50 albums with a variety of artists.
 Mike Malone: Trumpet player, composer, and arranger. Malone has been part of the Canadian Jazz scene since the early 1970’s. Friday, August 14: Mike Malone. Trumpet player, composer, and arranger; Malone has been part of the Canadian Jazz scene since the early 1970’s. From 1986 until retirement in 2011 he taught at Mohawk College including trumpet and composition courses. In 2013 he became Director of the Jazz Band at McMaster University.
 Haynes and the Jazz Collective Friday, August 21: Joel Haynes and the Jazz Collective. Based in Toronto, the Jazz Collective serves up their own unique jazz compositions penned from each member with elements of high energy jazz and contemporary harmonies. The group is a “wish list of jazz musicians” put together by Joel Haynes (Burlington) & Jeff King (Toronto). The players: Alexis Baro (trumpet), Jeff King (tenor sax), Luis Deniz (alto sax), Adrean Farrugia (piano), Arti Roth (acoustic bass) and Joel Haynes (drums).
 Micah Barnes started singing in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto while still a teenager, Friday, August 28: Micah Barnes. Starting in the cabarets and jazz clubs of Toronto while still a teenager, Micah Barnes is now a well-loved singer-songwriter. He toured the world with The Nylons, and later his solo career led to his #1 international club hit Welcome To My Head. Micah earned coverage in Rolling Stone magazine as “an Indie artist to watch”.
A glass of wine in hand, tapping your foot to the sound of a really good base player – with the smell of the lake in the air.
This is nice.
By Staff
July 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Community Foundation can now move on to its normal mode of operation – getting ready for its annual Gala event in October and developing a number of community based programs.
The Foundation also beefed up its board and brought in some muscle and some top rate marketing people.
The Foundation now has two – not one but two Colonels on its Board.
Has there ever been a Board of Governors in Burlington history with two Colonels on its board asks Honorary Colonel Ron Foxcroft who is now joined by Honorary Colonel Tim W. Hogarth
Early in July the Community Foundation added three new people.
 Tim Hogarth, CEO Pioneer Energy, the Honorary Colonel of the Hamilton Light Infantry and now a member of the Community Foundation Board Colonel Tim Hogarth of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry also the CEO of the Pioneer Group joined the Board of the Foundation along with Catherine Brady, Director of Client Services, ADFLOW Networks, and Neil Oliver, Group Publisher & Vice President, Metroland Media Group, have joined the foundation’s Board of Directors.
“It is an exciting time for BCF and we are delighted to welcome Catherine, Tim and Neil to our Board,” says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation. “Each individual brings unique business expertise and experience supporting various community initiatives. This added depth will allow our Board to continue collaborating within the community to build endowments, give grants and connect leadership.”
 Catherine Brady, centre, explains how the AdFlow service works during a visit to their office by Burlington MP Mike Wallace Burlington resident Catherine Brady brings a wealth of experience in business and non-profit volunteer sectors. At ADFLOW Networks Catherine manages an office of 30 and is responsible for training clients on digital software applications. Catherine’s volunteer leadership roles include past President of Rotary Club Burlington Central, Past President of the Art Gallery of Burlington Foundation Board, member of the AGB Governing Board and a United Way cabinet member. In 2014, Catherine was also instrumental in assisting the BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee fundraising efforts in community-based activities.
Tim Hogarth was appointed the Honorary Colonel of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry regiment in 2012. He has been awarded numerous accolades including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal and was inducted into the Order of St. George (Canada & Americas). Tim is a founding partner of the Charter for Business Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Programme, former Vice-Chair Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation and serves on various other charities and boards. Tim was educated at the Harvard Graduate School of Business and Bishops University.
 Neil Oliver, a Metroland V and publisher of the Burlington Post Neil Oliver is responsible for Metroland’s largest community newspaper group that stretches from Oakville, southwest to Niagara and northwest to Kitchener. He is the publisher of the Burlington Post and also responsible for Metroland’s three daily newspapers; The Hamilton Spectator, Waterloo Record and Guelph Mercury. Neil has over 28 years of experience in the media industry and holds an MBA from the University of Leicester. Neil has served on several boards in the not-for-profit sector as well as industry associations and lives in Burlington with his wife and two children.
“These new Board Members are joining a team that is committed to keeping Burlington healthy and strong,” says Mulholland. “In fact Tim’s involvement with BCF is a fabulous extension to the Hogarth family’s legacy,” says Mulholland. “His father Murray’s first gift started our foundation and he was also the first Board Chair. We are delighted that Tim, Catherine and Neil are joining us for the next leg of our journey.”
 Ron Foxcroft, the second Burlington Honorary Colonel to meet the Queen this year. Ron Foxcroft got himself in front of Queen Elizabeth a few months ago – Tim was presented to the queen last April at Canada House in London UK. Hogarth adds: “It was all part of the commemoration of Canada’s contribution to various WWI battles namely the 2nd battle of Ypres, Belgium and The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry’s participation.
Expect this ongoing bragging rights discussion to lighten up things at BCF board meetings. How Brady and Oliver are going to keep up with these two will be something to watch.
 By Pepper Parr
July 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Citizens of the city are finally getting used to the idea of sharing their opinions – at least on questions that matter to them – and if there is a question that matters to people in this city it is – parking
Between April 24 and May 7, 2015, more than 1040 residents completed the online questions about parking and sharing their comments.
The public input has been incorporated into a staff report that will be presented to the Development and Infrastructure Committee on Monday, Sept. 14, 2015 and the Burlington City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 28, 2015.
What did the public have to say about parking in this city? Interesting responses – looks like paid overnight parking is going to take place in the eastern side of the city.
Here are the result of the questionnaire:
 The public opinion survey response on the question of on street parking and whether or not it should be paid for and if so how much got the highest response ever for an Insight survey.  The parking survey response by ward – tells us where the problems are.  A third of the households are more than two car families – are these transit opportunities?  Most people seem to be able to park there cars in their driveways – so what’s the problem?  For the 238 out of the 1048 who completed the survey people – they seem to be evenly divided on where cars should be parked if they don’t fit into the driveway.  Slightly more than half will accept the idea of permit parking.  If there is on-street parking at night – most know when they want it to take place  This questions appears to have allowed people to choose more than one option – needs follow up  The city was taking no chances on being misunderstood – pictures showing just what each definition meant were provided.  Now for the crunch question: How much would you pay to park on the street ?  Reactions shift when the price changes – even though the changes are minimal.  The 60% of the people who responded to the pricing questions were split on whether or not they were reasonable. Expect some noisy delegations on this question when it gets to Council  A no cost option was seen as unreasonable by some – interesting.  What was really clear was this: people do not want to pay for parking if they are not actually on the street.
By Staff
July 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Outdoor Pool Schedules – Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Nelson and LaSalle Wading Pools are now closed for the day due to rainy conditions.
 They will reopen Wednesday July 15, 2015 weather dependent.
All other pools are open for scheduled swims.
By Staff
July 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Temporary Lane Restriction: Pinedale Avenue
 Putting down a black top on Pinedale. From July 15 to 17, Pinedale Avenue will have lane restrictions and delays between Appleby Line and New Street due to resurfacing work.
 By Pepper Parr
July 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Stuart Laughton is reflective when asked what his part will be in the inaugural Lowville Festival that begins this weekend.
 Stuart Laughton, trumpeter, will be playing parts of the Lowville Festival this weekend. “I haven’t done all that much in Burlington or for Burlington even though the city has been my home more than thirty years” he said.
“My work as a musician kept me out of the city much of the time. When was asked to perform I was delighted and look forward to playing outdoors and getting a sense of the sound the land will give back.”
Laughton has played in rural settings before and spoke of the occasion when he would play his trumpet early in the morning when the mist had yet to leave the water.
“The animals in the forest react to the sound; birds will respond – it is quite a feeling.”
For a man who has played his trumpet in some of the biggest and the greatest locations in the world and shared a stage with some of the jazz greats – he marvels that a short distance from where he lives in Roseland there was the Brant Inn that had people like Duke Ellington playing. Louis Armstrong was a regular in Burlington, he adds.
A musician who sees himself as exceedingly fortunate and has this infectious enthusiasm for everything he does never had a clear goal – other than knowing that his life was going to be about music.
He was a founding member of the Canadian Brass and adds “things began to go very well for them when I left.”
His time away from the Canadian Brass – 35 years, had him travelling the world and playing trumpet on some of the most glamorous stage in exciting locations.
There is an almost boyish sense of enthusiasm to Laughton. He sees the sky as the limit to anything you decide to do.
During our interview at Laughton’s Roseland home – large boulders were being set on the front lawn – they apparently had to be in very specific locations. Laughton would scoot about the lawn watching as three very healthy young men and a Bobcat manoeuvered the boulders into place while he looked on – wanting to supervise but knowing that they knew what they were doing. The boulders were still being manoeuvered when the interview was over and Laughton returned to his role of a sidewalk superintendent.
The Lowville Festival isn’t just a jazz event; the programme includes a little bit of everything. Laughton was prepared though to talk about festivals in a community and how they can grow. He has been involved in the Halliburton Festival for a number of years and while Lowville isn’t quite the same setting he hopes that Lowville will find its place and become something that puts down its own roots.
Laughton points out that music goes through phases: there was a time when he played a lot of the clubs in Toronto: The Senator; The Colonial; George’s Spaghetti House to name a few.
A lot of those clubs are no longer in business – Toronto now has a very large annual Jazz Festival. There is a very successful, allbe it local, Beach Jazz Festival as well. These things come and go.
 Laughton and his trumpet Laughton plays guitar and has begun working with a voice coach – he wants to expand his reach and begin singing.
This man plays a very mean trumpet – and when he decides to let her rip – you are hearing the sound of a man who has been doing this most of his life and loves every minute of his lips pressing against the mouthpiece.
He is worth the drive to Lowville!
The full festival program is set out below:
Tickets can be had on line at Ticketpro
Available at the door – but cash only.
DRIFTWOOD THEATRE WORKSHOP
THURSDAY JULY 16 2:30 pm
6210 LOWVILLE PARK ROAD
Driftwood Theatre offers a free workshop and opportunity to perform in the evening’s performance of HAMLET. Contact www.thinkspot.ca to sign up.
DRIFTWOOD THEATRE’S HAMLET
THURSDAY JULY 16TH 6 pm Doors Open. 7:30 Show commences.
6210 LOWVILLE PARK ROAD
Shakespeare’s royal murder mystery featuring some of the most famous lines in theatre unfolds for audiences outdoors in beautiful Lowville Park. Driftwood Theatre. Toronto’s professional touring company, is offering this classic play for a Suggested Ticket Price of $20 or Pay What You Can.
Sponsored by THINKSPOT
SWINGIN’ ON A STAR
FRIDAY JULY 17, 2015 7:30 PM
ST. GEORGE’S PARISH HALL
Loretta Bailey and Robert Missen, hosts.
Artists include Stuart Laughton, Renee Barabash, Andy Griffiths, David Warrack, Lorraine Foreman, Michael Mulrooney, Jude Johnson, Charles Cozens, Wayne Strongman and the Lowville Festival Choir,
The first Lowville Festival with a Gala Concert featuring a wide range of superlative performers, most of whom hail from Burlington.
Classical, pop, jazz, blues, folk, musical theatre. The second half of the concert will be a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Frank Sinatra. Proceeds from this benefit concert will be dedicated to the establishment of the festival.
$25 ADVANCE/$30 AT THE DOOR
MY CAT FLASH’S SOPHISTICATED SONGS FOR KIDS
SATURDAY JULY 18TH 2 PM
LOWVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE
ANDY GRIFFITHS and FRANK KOREN
Burlington singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths launches his new kids’ show, which will also entertain the kid in all of us.
$10
ROOTS N’ ROLL: ACOUSTIC ROOTS IN THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE
SATURDAY JULY 18TH 8 PM
LOWVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE
Andy Griffiths and Frank Koren and Kim
Join Andy and his Burlington musical friends for an intimate evening with local songwriters in the Victorian stone schoolhouse in the centre of Lowville.
$20
SUNDAY JULY 19TH 11 AM
LOWVILLE PARK, between the playground and the creek, under the trees
ADMISSION FREE
NIA is a joyful, mindful, and expressive physical conditioning practice, incorporating moves from dance, martial arts, yoga and other alignment arts, as well as individualized, free form movement. NIA offers fun and fitness to men and women of all ages and fitness abilities. Join Nia Black Belt teacher Anna Schantz for a NIA dance fitness experience in Music, Movement, and Magic. Theme: Psychedelic Sunday. Bare feet, hippie attire, and flowers most welcome. Suitable for everybody. www.nianow.com
FOR LOVE OF LOWVILLE
SUNDAY JULY 19TH 2 PM
LOWVILLE UNITED CHURCH
Lorretta Bailey and Robert Misen, hosts
Artists include Melissa Bel, Janet Turpin Myers, Loraine Foreman, Jude Johnson, Lorreta Bailey, Robert Missen and Daryl Webber.
Special Guest: GORDIE TAPP
Celebrating the rich historical and Escarpment heritage of the hamlet of Lowville in a concert that combines music and the spoken word. Local musicians Melissa Bel and Lorretta Bailey are joined by novelist Janet Turpin Myers. Legendary Burlington entertainer Gordie Tapp, formerly of Lowville, will be reunited with Lorraine Foreman, his colleague on Country Hoedown, one of the most popular Canadian television shows of the fifties.
$20 ADVANCE/$25 AT THE DOOR
SUMMER SERENADE
SUNDAY JULY 19TH 7:30 PM
ST. GEORGE’S PARISH HALL
Rebecca Caine of Les Miserables fame will be part of the Lowville festival
ROBERT MISSEN is hosting this event.
Artists include Rebecca Caine, soprano; Robert Kortgaard , piano; Rachel Mercer, cello; Stuart Laughton, trumpet; Renee Barabash, piano; Michael Mulrooney, piano
Missen says they will be bringing the inaugural festival to a glorious conclusion with a concert featuring some of the country’s finest classical and musical theatre artists. Rebecca Caine, the original Cosette in Les Miserables and star of the Toronto production of Phantom of the Opera; Oakville-born cellist Rachel Mercer; and virtuoso trumpeter Stuart Laughton will present a concert featuring Bach, Chopin and Schafer as well as a special tribute to The Sound of Music.
$25 ADVANCE/$30 AT THE DOOR
Lowville doesn’t see this much action even during the Winter Carnival. Getting around Lowville is easy once you know where you are going.
The United Church is at the corner of Guelph Line and Britannia Road with a decent parking lot behind the church.
St. Georges isn’t actually in Lowville, it isn’t even in Burlington. It is on Guelph Line just above Derry Road – can’t miss the place – it is a beautiful stone building built in 1896
By Pepper Parr
July 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the toughest periods in the history of the city came to a close last week when the Disaster Relief Committee that was run by the Burlington Community Foundation closed it books after distributing $2.7 million to 272 families in the city who suffered significant damage from the August 4th flood.
Claimants can expect final financial assistance payment to be delivered in the next few weeks.
 It was a flood of epic proportions that hit both the commercial sector as well as thousands of homes, “The entire flood relief experience has demonstrated what a strong, giving and resilient city Burlington is,” said Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee (DRC) and the guy that was behind the drive to raise just shy of $1 million from the community. The provincial government, through its ODRAP (Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program) matched every dollar the citizens raised on a 2 for 1 basis.
After 10 months of dedicated work the DRC has officially completed its mandate. During that time the Committee reviewed, assessed and processed 310 claims and spent numerous hours providing support and guidance to flood victims.
 The Bank of Montreal opened their vault and found $20,000 they could donate to the flood disaster. Flood victims continue to share their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all those who helped in the flood relief efforts. One resident sent the following to the Foundation: “On behalf of my family, I would like to thank the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee. We will now be able repair our home’s flood damage and once again enjoy it with our children and grandchildren as we have done since 1973. ‘Thank You’ again, and please know that we are incredibly grateful.”
 Ron Foxcroft – doing his pitch for disaster relief donations – he pulled in just shy of a million. “Whenever we experience a severe rain storm in this city many of us will think back to August 4th and the devastating weather that changed the lives of many,” said Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation. “We hope to also remember the goodness that prevailed in this city. It has been a remarkable experience working with so many devoted Burlingtonians throughout this process.”
The Community Foundation got pulled into the administration of the fundraising because the province required an arm’s length group to raise finds publicly and administer the program.
This wasn’t what the Community Foundation was formed to do – but they put their shoulders to the wheel and made it happen.
Cine Starz Upper Canada Place
460 Brant Street
WWW CINESTARZ.CA
 SHOWTIMES July 17 to 23 , 2015
SAN ANDREAS PG
Fri to Thur 1:10 3:10 5:40 7:40 9:40
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON PG
Fri to Thur 12:25 3:10 5:10 7:10 9:40
MAX PG
Fri to Thur 11:15 1:15 3:15 5:20 9:30
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL PG
Fri to Thur 11:20 1:20 3:15 7:40 9:35
WATER DIVINER 14A
Fri to Thur 11:00 7:30 9:30
PITCH PERFECT2 PG
Fri to Thur 5:05 7:40
TOMORROWLAND PG
Fri to Thur 1:10 3:00 5:15
MAD MAX FURY ROAD 18A
Fri to Thur 9:45
HOME G
Fri to Thur 11:10 3:30
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD PG
Fri to Thur 11:00 1:00 5:20 7:20
 By Staff
July 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The transit system will continue to run – Burlington Transit voted tonight to accept a four-year collective agreement negotiated between the union and the city.
The agreement will run from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2018. Burlington City Council will ratify the agreement at a council meeting on July 15.
Burlington’s transit service, including Handi-Van, will continue as usual
 By Pepper Parr
July 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 The farther he went – the worse the pain – until the cancer that was ravaging his body spread to his lungs It was 35 years ago today – a guy with just the one good leg – the other a prosthetic that was pretty crude by today’s standards but there he was coming through the city with that step and a hop gait that we know by heart now.
Terry Fox had made it from the east coast of Newfoundland where he dipped the toe of his good foot into the waters of the Atlantic and vowed to make it to British Columbia.
The Marathon of Hope ended in just outside Thunder Bay
Today the group of people who meet for hours organizing and setting up the Terry Fox run every September gathered as a group to remember and celebrate the young man who showed Canada what hope and courage is really all about.
We owe you big time Terry.
By Pepper Parr
July 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Later this afternoon and again this evening the members of CUPE local 2723, Burlington’s transit union will troop out to the union office and cast their ballots and decide if they want to accept the latest offer from the city.
If a majority decide not to accept the offer the union will be on strike at 12:01 Monday morning.
 Will the OPEN sign be lit up Monday morning? There is a news blackout on just what is in the offer the city made so there is no clarity on just what it is the union is being asked to accept.
Rumour from the union side is that the city wants the transit people to pay for their uniforms. The city for its part wants the union negotiators to sell the tentative agreement to the union membership.
There are those who are very disappointed with the local union leadership and the difficulty they have had in convincing their membership that the best deal possible has been negotiated.
The city web site has a note on its home page that they are meeting with the union but there is nothing backing that up. The city web site is frequently behind the real news.
City hall comes close to shutting down after July 15th when city council meets for the last time until late in September, That just might change.
The Gazette will report on the union voting just as soon as results are available – expected to be around 9 pm Sunday evening.
 By Pepper Parr
July 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If it was meant as a way to get people out on the street – it worked magnificently.
Brant Street from Caroline to Lakeshore Road was shut down on a sunny Saturday while an estimated 15,000 people strolled along looking at the 100 + cars that were parked along the street – with many a proud owner sitting in a deck chair behind their car keeping an eye on the significant investment – many of these cars are as valuable as a house.
The oldest car was a 1919 Ford; the most expensive a $2.2 million Maclaren.
It was a dream day for the boys in shorts and dreams remembered for those who used to take that ’52 Chevy to the drive in theatre.
Put on by the Burlington Lions Club – it was an unqualified success by any measure. See for yourself.
 He just may have driven something like this once – perhaps his Dad taught him to drive in one!  Brant Street was closed off from Caroline to Lakeshore while an estimated 15,000 people strolled the street.  It was the fins that got to us – they were seen as the sexist thing you could imagine – but we were younger then.  We asked the photographer if it was love at first sight. “Yes it was” she said -” but don’t tell my husband.”  Not the pick ups we see on the road today.  It must have been something to drive the curves in a road with that deck sitting out there behind keeping the rear wheels on the ground. These things had real horse power.  That grill was not only something to get excited about – but it cooled that killer of an engine.  The oldest car in the show – a 1919 Ford.  A 1931 Studebaker that just reeked of class.  A neat little roadster with a jump seat and a spare tire – they were needed when these things tooled along country roads.  You could almost hear the wistful sigh coming from this observer.  They were lined up like this all along Brant Street.  When they talk about the sex appeal of a car – they are talking about curves like this
 By Staff
July 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington somehow managed miss out on the Pan American games.
The opportunity to have a facility in the east end of the city was lost – mostly due to a very strong reaction from the people who didn’t want anything done to Sherwood Forest Park
 Now the biggest park the city has – and the furthest from the bulk of the population. Burlington did get an excellent soccer pitch and a much improved park on the west side of the city.
City View Park is a superb site – with lot of room to walk and roam and 3 soccer pitches that the people of Burlington won’t get to use until the games are over.
The grounds are being used as a practice location for Pan Am soccer players. The city did collect a significant fee for the use of the grounds.
The soccer fields are covered with Astro turf which are seen as expensive to maintain.
In a media release the city sent out the names of eight Burlington affiliated competing in the Games: which is a cheaters way of saying there are eight Burlington or close by athletes playing in the games. Why would the city add in the names of great athlete from Oakville, Mississauga and Hamilton ?
Mike Green, Racketball; is a Hamilton resisdent.
Melanie Hawtin, Wheelchair Basketball is an Oakville resident
Mark Oldershaw, Canoe, is a resident of Oakville
Ashley Stephenson, Baseball; is a Mississauga resident.
Hawtin and Oldershaw are well known to Burlington audiences; Hawtin in particular is one heck of a wheel chair basketball player.
The genuine Burlingtonians are
Brady Reardon, kayak
Autumn Mills, baseball
Tyler Muscat; the martial art of Taekwondo
Kate Psota, baseball
Autumn Mills,
 Since being selected to the Canadian Women’s National Team at age 16, Autumn Mills has competed in five editions of the IBAF World Cup and won three medals, including a best-ever silver in 2008. Her personal highlight has been playing on home soil in Edmonton at the 2012 World Cup where she got the save in closing out the bronze medal victory over Australia. Mills had played boys baseball throughout her childhood because she had no knowledge of any opportunity for girls in the game.
When she was 15 she was asked to try out for Team Ontario. That summer, she and her father commuted to Toronto from London every weekend for games. It was then that she finally heard about Team Canada and the chance to compete around the world, something she convinced herself she would be part of one day.
PERSONAL: Family: Parents Daniel and Nancy Mills… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4… She was on par or better than the boys and had a strong arm so stuck with it… Outside Interests: Earned her Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology and Bachelor of Education (primary/junior) at York University… Enjoys doing Crossfit, snowboarding, and going to Blue Jays’ games… Works as a police officer… Odds and Ends: Favourite motto: “Luck is the residue of hard work”… Admires smaller guys in MLB such as Dustin Pedroia who make big plays and hit the ball with power despite their size… Superstition: The ball must be on the ground before pitching; if someone throws it she puts it down, walks around the mound and takes a deep breath before picking it up… Has a good luck Pandora bracelet with baseball charms on her left wrist… Always travels with a lacrosse ball… Collects different Starbucks city mugs… Nickname: Millsy
Tyler Muscat
 The martial art of Taekwondo is fascinating to watch – two people in the rink, each lightly bouncing in anticipation of the other person’s hit while trying to calculate their own strike. The energy that flows between the two competitors when they dance around each other, throwing jabs and kicks when they see the opportunity, is tense and powerful.
“My first Nationals was when I was 12 years old. I ended up getting first place.”
Tyler Muscat is a confident 19-year-old Taekwondo athlete who knows the sport well; he’s practiced it for the past 13 years of his life and he doesn’t see a near end. At the age of 10 he got into the competitive part of Taekwondo and has been going to competitions and traveling the world since. “My first Nationals was when I was 12 years old. I ended up getting first place, and from then on it just got better,” says Muscat, who lives just outside Toronto in Burlington, Ont.
He is heading to Russia’s 2015 World Taekwondo Championships later this week with promising ambitions of making it to the 2016 Olympic Games – he’s currently ranked 10th in the world for his weight division.
His speciality is his speed. Muscat says that in his division, 54kg – the lowest in the senior category, many of his opponents are tall and do this move called the cut-kick. What saves him is his speed and technique, they give him an advantage that makes it easy to get around the move.
Muscat isn’t too worried about the Russian Games right now, he sees them as more of an opportunity to grab points and advance his world rank. His confidence stems from two practices a day, each an hour and a half, and from his trainer Carla Bacco. He met Carla in the beginning of his Taekwondo career at his school Kicks for Kids, and has practiced there under her guidance since.
Kicks for Kids has become his current University/College since he decided to postpone his post-secondary degree indefinitely after high school. “There’s a perfect time for everything,” says Muscat, “I’m trying to focus on the main things right now. School is always there for you.”
When he decides to return he wants to pursue a career in marketing (experience with interviews and advertising himself as an athlete is his first taste in the line of work) and complete his post-secondary education. “I don’t think I will ever stop Taekwondo, even if I was in school,” says Muscat.
A constant quirk of his that has followed him through every country and competition is his familial support; while he appreciates his family’s help and encouragement he doesn’t allow them to go to his competitions. “I get nervous,” he says, “even Nationals in Toronto, I didn’t let my family come out to support me just because I’m particular like that.”
But whether he goes alone or not, Muscat’s confidence is unwavering and his world rank can prove it – coming back home to his family to celebrate the wins makes them that much sweeter.
Kate Psota
 Kate Psota is a veteran of the women’s national team, having appeared in every IBAF World Cup since its inception in 2004. She has won four medals in six tournaments, highlighted by a silver medal in 2008. Psota was named national team MVP in 2009 and 2010. In 2010 and 2012 she was a World Cup all-star at first base. Psota played collegiate hockey for the Laurier Golden Hawks, winning five consecutive OUA championships from 2006 to 2010. In 2009 she was a CIS Academic All-Canadian.
PERSONAL: Family: Parents Ed and Monique Psota… Younger brother Mike… Getting into the Sport: Started playing t-ball at age 4/5… Nobody in her family was involved in the sport, but when she was young she was obsessed with watching the Toronto Blue Jays and wanted to play baseball just like them… Outside Interests: Graduated from Wilfred Laurier University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in geography and kinesiology… Earned her Bachelor of Arts in education from Queens’ University in 2011… Enjoys going to the family cottage, boating, fishing, swimming, and gardening… Works at a garden centre… Odds and Ends: Worked and trained in Australia during the 2012 season where she developed friendships with their national team members… Nickname: Sodey… Tries to bring home something reflective of the culture wherever she travel.
Brady Reardon
B rady Reardon is a second generation Olympian who was proud to have his father Jim on-site to watch him at Beijing 2008. Just like his dad at Munich 1972, Reardon competed in the K-4 1000m. Reardon has competed at every edition of the ICF World Championships since his debut in the K-2 1000m in 2007.
In 2012 he began racing K-1 internationally and won a silver medal in the first K-1 500m race of the World Cup season. A longtime training partner of Burloak clubmate Adam van Koeverden, the two focused on the K-2 1000m in 2013 and won a silver medal at the third World Cup stop in Poznan. In 2014 Reardon teamed with Andrew Jessop in the K-2 1000m at the world championships and recorded one of Canada’s best results of the competition with their seventh place finish.
PERSONAL: Family: Parents Jim and Danny Reardon… Older brother Tucker… Getting married in September 2015… Getting into the Sport: Grew up in the sport because both of his parents paddled… Outside Interests: Enjoys mountain biking, DIY projects, being outside with his dog Banditt… Has a degree in kinesiology from McMaster University. Volunteers with KidSport. Odds and Ends: Always drinks a Guinness before race day. Always keeps his racing numbers.
Favourite motto: “When you think you’re going as hard as you can, toughen up and go harder”…
By Staff
July 10, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday, July 11 the Burlington Downtown Car Show will take up of all Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road.
The following road closure will be in effect. Vehicles parked illegally in the event area will be tagged or towed to allow emergency access.
 The city made a bit of a splash in announcing the car free Sundays that worked well in the west end of the city – didn’t do as well downtown. Road Closure
• Saturday, July 11:
Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Resident Access
• Emergency Services access will be maintained at all times in the event area.
Parking Restrictions Posted
• Please remember to obey all parking bylaw regulations.
• Do not park at covered meters.
 Brant Street south of Caroline free of cars – is this a direction the city wants to take for the street on weekends during the decent weather? Supervision
• Road closures will be managed under the supervision of the Halton Regional Police Service.
• Event notices were delivered to all residences, religious centres and businesses affected by the event.
Event feedback
This is a positive step – if you’re unhappy with the closing of the street – there is a place you can go to and register your complaint.
Is this closing of Brant Street on a weekend a precursor to closing it throughout the summer? There are members of council who want to do just that.
Make your views known.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 10, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Bandits started off hot but were unable to hold onto a lead and lost 12-11 to the London Majors.
Burlington’s Shaun Cooper got off to a great start with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first. Cooper’s 2nd two-run shot, combined with a few errors by the Major’s in the second and third innings resulted in a huge 8-0 lead for the Bandits after 3 innings.
 Both teams look on as the Bandits try to bring a win home in the 9th – they missed Despite the huge deficit, the Major’s came out swinging in the fourth. First Cleveland Brownlee got the Major’s on the board with a home run, than two batters latter Larry Gonzalez got a two-run dinger of his own to cut the lead in half. Hits in the fifth and sixth innings would bring London to within one, than an error by Burlington allowed the Major’s to tie the game at 8-8.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bandits would respond. First Dan Franceschetti would steal home base than Shaun Cooper would add his third two-run shot of the night to retake the lead.
Two runs in the seventh followed by two more in the eighth allowed London to take the lead and their closer Braeden Ferrington shut the Bandits down. Through three innings he had five strikeouts while only allowing two hits to give London the dramatic victory.
Burlington has a week off until they start a home and home with Hamilton, while London is back at it on Friday at home against Guelph. The loss keeps the Bandits tied with Hamilton for second last in the league at 8-17 on the season. The full standings are: Barrie in 1st, Kitchener in 2nd, Brandford in 3rd, London in 4th, Toronto in 5th, Hamilton and Burlington tied for 6th and Guelph in last place.
 By Staff
July 10, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
As part of a reaching out to the community for help program the |Halton Regional police are sharing the name and photograph of Marcin SYDOR 37 years old, of Hamilton (Ancaster), ON.
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.
 Marcin SYDOR 37 years old, of Hamilton (Ancaster), ON. In this edition of Fugitive Fridays the 3 District, Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for Marcin SYDOR 37 years old, of Hamilton (Ancaster), ON.
It is alleged:
– In March of 2011 the accused entered a residential parking lot in the City of Burlington and stole a vehicle then continued to damage and steal from several vehicles that were parked overnight
– The accused stole various items including 4 tires and rims from a car, to GPS units and credit cards that were located inside vehicles
– The accused also broke into and stole items from several storage lockers
— The accused was arrested and attended Milton court on several occasions but failed to appear for court in February, 2012
He is wanted by Halton Regional Police Service for:
Theft over $5000
Theft under $5000 x 3
Break and Enter with Intent
Mischief under $5000 x 2
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Breach of Probation
Fail to Re-Attend Court
The accused is also wanted by Hamilton Police for:
Fraud over $5000
Fraud under $5000 x 7
Breach of Probation
Fail to Comply Recognizance x 2
Breach of Undertaking x 2
Possess – Use of Credit Card x 29
SYDOR is described as 5’8”, 150lbs, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. At the time of his arrest SYDOR had a pierced left ear and a small scar above his right eye. SYDOR was born in Poland and has ties to Burlington, Hamilton and the surrounding areas.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist investigators in identifying and 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).
By Staff
July 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington reminds Burlington Transit riders that CUPE Local 2723, representing Burlington Transit workers, will vote on a tentative agreement on Sunday, July 12.
CUPE Local 2723 has informed the city that they will strike as of 12:01 a.m. on July 13 if the unionized workers reject the deal recommended by both the city and the union.
Here’s what to expect:
• The city will learn the results of the vote on Sunday night, July 12
• If the union votes in favour of the agreement, service will continue without interruption on Monday, July 13
• If the unionized workers vote against the agreement, there will be no conventional bus or Handi-Van transit service beginning the morning of Monday, July 13
• Please be prepared. Have alternative travel plans in place in case there is a transit strike, and help friends and family members who need transportation.
Doesn’t sound very optimistic – does it?
 By Staff
July 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The federal government has proposed changes that will improve the efficiency and transparency of the construction and operations of aerodromes in Canada.
The proposed changes to the Canadian Aviation Regulations would require proponents to consult with stakeholders before developing an aerodrome or significantly changing an existing one.
Stakeholders could include local citizens, municipalities, local aerodrome operators, air navigation service providers, and the Minister of Transport.
 Now what ? is the question Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Air Park is asking himself. The Government of Canada is working in partnership with industry and community stakeholders to support safe and responsible aerodrome development.
Canadians have 60 days to comment on the proposed changes.
The final regulations are expected to be published in Canada Gazette, Part II, in 2016.
Appleby Line resident Barbara Sheldon is expected to have already started writing her comments and just might invite Burlington Airpark president Vince Rossi over for a conversation about changes he made to the air park and the impact those changes have had on the value of her property.
The prospects for the Air Park are not looking all that good at this point in time.
By Pepper Parr
July 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 2 of a series
City council got their first detailed look at the draft of the Transportation Master Plan. They didn’t exactly cheer when the presentation was finished – it is going to mean some hard political decisions – which this council tens to do its best to avoid.
The draft plan however laid out a number of realities the city has to face. In the first of this series we set out the players involved in transportation planning and the rules, regulations and provincial policy that impact on decisions the city makes.
With those limitations – and they are not insignificant, the transportation department is beavering away at completing the study and aligning it with the Official Plan in order to support and expand upon new and updated policies.
While the transportation department works on its plan – the planners work on the review and revision of the Official Plan and a team at city hall, plus city councillors develops the Strategic Plan the city wants to work to for the next four years.
 What also has to be added to the transportation mix is what role mobility hubs will play in future thinking. The transportation people, led for the time being by Vito Tolone, are doing a solid review of transportation trends in conjunction with our changing demographics, travel patterns and future community planning. Part of the team is planner Kaylan Edgcumbe.
They are Identifying the transportation facilities and services that will be required to meet the needs over the next twenty years and then develop the policies, guidelines, plans and actions that will guide day to day transportation programs and provide a basis for future capital budgets.
That is a mouthful!
What is NOT included in the TMP is a detailed analysis of specific intersections and roadways nor will it consider site specific impacts. Detailed assessments will be addressed through project specific studies and may be recommended as a result of the TMP
What happens if the city doesn’t complete the TMP ? Well, all hell isn’t going to break loose but over time things will stop working the way people want them to work.
Day to day transportation programs would not be current with community needs or emerging trends; Capital infrastructure planning and budgeting would not be able to address evolving development trends and growth management policies.
Council and staff would not be able to respond to changing development standards and major planning considerations.
Regulating agencies at the Region, Ministry of Transportation and Conservation Halton would not be apprised of Council’s transportation vision and its preferred strategy for moving forward.
 It sounded like a good idea at the time but there was too much that both IKEA and the city didn’t know about what Conservation |Halton and the Ministry of Transportation had to say about putting a large retail operation on the North Service Road at Walkers Line Burlington ran into this problem when IKEA announced it wanted to move its location from Aldershot to the North Service Road at Walkers Line – that proved to be something that wasn’t possible given the views of Conservation Halton and the Ministry of Transportation. Tuck Creek was a significant conservation problem and the MTO couldn’t do what needed to be done with the QEW/Walkers Line intersection in time – which brought an end to any IKEA moved and put a significant dent in the careers of a number of people involved in the project.
Had there been stronger policies in place and a clearer planning vision, and better communication between the parties, a couple of years of grinding away at something that couldn’t happen might have been avoided.
Will a solid TMP avoid problems like that? Maybe – but what is clear is the need for a plan that fits into the requirements the province and the Region lay on us; that meshes well with the Official Plan and helps achieve the Strategic Plan – and is possible with the budget the city creates.
 Council members have to stand up and be counted – Councillor Meed Ward wasn’t with the majority on this vote For all those people who think our municipal council doesn’t have a tough job, that they don’t work all that hard and it is really a part time job – think again.
This is hard work that requires the ability to think at several levels at the same time. Every member of the current council is challenged daily to keep on top of it all. Some of them don’t do all that well at it either.
The Transportation Master Plan study will:
Identify transportation policies and initiatives that are working in other areas that could be considered in Burlington
Ask citizens – where do we want to to go – how do we want to get there and how do we develop a solution that meets the needs of all residents.
Develop actions and policies that will guide day to day transportation projects providing a basis for future budgeting activities
So what is Burlington dealing with?
The infrastructure we have was designed for the car – what we have was designed to efficiently move the automobile and that has left us with urban sprawl. That urban sprawl is no longer sustainable
 Auto trips are rising faster than the population – building more roads will not get us out of this spiral. 90% of all trips in the city are by car
Levels of congestion are increasing; Commuting time is increasing; Cost to operate and maintain the current infrastructure is increasing; City revenue are not increasing at the same rate as growth or congestion.
This is not sustainable. And we cannot build our way out of congestion
 The way we move around the community is heavily influenced by where we live, work and play. The way we travel impacts our quality of life, our health and relationship with our community
The majority of the trips are SOV – single occupant vehicle
To reduce congestion on our roads other travel modes must be available for both local and long distance travel.
 Can those 2 km trips be made using a different mode of transportation? Is the car the only option? The current transit service is not going to coax people out of their cars and there are limits to how many people are going to ride bikes. In 2011 over half of all daily trips in Burlington were 5 km or less. These trips could be easily replaced with walking, cycling or taking transit.
 40% of the people who work in Burlington also live in Burlington – that means 60% of the working people use some form of transit  Most of our residents work outside of the city – that represents a major transportation challenge. Is the answer to all the questions that get raised in the data we have? Because there is a lot of data.
Part 1 of the series
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