 By Ray Rivers
June 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Andrew Coyne sums up Peter MacKay pretty well – “a politician of many titles but little achievement.” Considering his personal use of a military helicopter, his ongoing war against the Supreme Court and Canada’s constitution, his is an unenviable record.
 Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay announces his resignation in Stellarton, N.S on Friday, May 29, 2015. MacKay, the MP from the riding of Central Nova, was first elected in 1997. And now MacKay joins a pack of up to 30 Conservative MPs who are planning to jettison the good ship Tory, just to cash in on their early retirement bonus before the plan expires. MacKay’s desertion is particularly significant for Mr. Harper since his seat, Central Nova, is considered the last safe harbour for the Tories in Atlantic Canada. His father, Elmer, had once held this riding, giving it up to newly nominated PC leader Brian Mulroney in 1983 in exchange for a plumb patronage job with the Atlantic Development Agency.
Peter MacKay will be best remembered as the man who buried the federal Progressive Conservative Party, selling out to the more extreme right-wing Alliance/Reform/CRAP. In doing so, he broke his promise to ‘red Tories’, like Joe Clark and Scott Brison, who would sooner leave than come on board a vessel they no longer could recognize.
But MacKay, who is closer politically to Stephen Harper than to what his old party actually stood for, was given plum postings by Harper as payment for his treachery.
Today, Harper’s Tories are falling like a lead anchor on the east coast. The Liberals seem poised to clean up come the next election. And interestingly, the NDP are the second choice. But that might change as we see the NDP topping-out the Liberals nationally, according to the latest EKOS poll.
Boosted by the NDP’s sweep in last month’s Alberta election, Mr. Mulcair is trending to outpace Mr. Trudeau’s party. Were that trend to continue, strategic voting – whereby voters hold their noses and vote Liberal to block the Tory candidate – may be in for some re-definition.
Liberalism in Canada, and the US (Democrats), has its roots in the once powerful Whig political movement in Great Britain, going back centuries. It was the Liberals who abolished slavery and created the modern welfare state. Liberal socio-economic policies, developed by great thinkers like Adam Smith, JM Keynes and John Stuart Mills helped shape our modern economies – at least until the neo-conservatives, like Lady Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, stuck their fingers in.
Liberals hold, somewhat immodestly, that they are the party of ideas. But they are also the party of nuance and complexity, making them more challenging to appreciate. For many people Liberals represent the middle ground in political theatre, though some say standing for so many things means they stand for nothing. And unlike the Tories who draw their support from the wealthy, and the NDP which represents labour, Liberals generally lack a loyal socio-economic constituency to call their own.
 McKay often struggled to make his point. Perhaps for this reason, by the early 1920’s, the British Liberal party had been delegated third party status. Maybe this was a result of the Conservative and Labour party constituencies just following the voting prerogatives of their parties. Or, it might have been an inevitable result of the ‘first past the post’ (FPP) system of electing parliamentarians, a system which works well in a two party system but fails to represent the public in a more diverse multi-party political climate.
Stephan Harper and Jean Chretien each were elected to majority governments with the support of little more than a third of the voting public. In the case of Harper, who has re-united the right, it means that the two-thirds of Canadians, who favour more centrist policies, have and would again vote against him – but he might still win a majority through vote splitting among the other parties.
One option for our political system to better reflect voters wishes might be for the Liberals and NDP to unite as a centre-left coalition, and bring Canada back to a workable two party system. However, that is an unlikely to happen for a number of reasons, including the influence of trade unions in the NDP and the NDP Quebec sovereignty policy. Thus, those wanting to see the end of Mr. Harper will need to vote strategically or accept the consequences.
Alternatively, we could change our electoral system. One option would be to adopt some configuration of the thing called proportional representation, a rather complicated combination of traditional FPP with parliamentary seats also awarded for the popular vote. Most European governments have adopted this approach. B.C. and Ontario held referenda to implement provincial proportional systems a few years back, but the vote failed to pass in each case.
The Green Party has been a big supporter of proportional representation, and there had been much discussion of proportional representation at the last NDP nomination conference, including a potential deal for cooperative voting with the Liberals to pave the way for its adoption.
Another, and less radical approach, would be to offer a preferential, or ranked ballot, for voters in the next election. The voters would rank their choices and the winning candidate would be the first or second choice of at least 51% of the voters. This approach received approval at a Liberal biennial policy conference a few years back. It is also a plan the Ontario government will soon be offering municipalities.
 Just going to have to get by on $1 million But Peter MacKaty won’t have to worry about any of this. More than likely his old riding will go to the Liberals in the upcoming election. His early retirement package is worth more than a million dollars so nobody can blame him for running to the bank rather than running in the election. And given his performance as a parliamentarian, nobody will notice his absence.
 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.
Background links:
MacKay Coyne’s Take MacKay’s Leaving
Peter MacKay Bio MacKay Election MacKay Warmth
MacKay Exit Mulcair or Trudeau British Whigs The Liberal Party
 By Staff
June 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Wildlife in Aldershot have more protected land to call home thanks to the City of Burlington which purchased 5 acres of natural lands on Snake Road, in the middle of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.
 The property is adjacent to the Clappison Escarpment Woods Environmentally Sensitive Area and builds on this important east-west corridor of natural greenspace along the Niagara Escarpment. Last fall other Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System partners purchased 25 acres along this same corridor.
This 1.3km long corridor of greenspace provides unusual forested talus slopes and deeply incised sheltered creek valleys creating unique microclimates for a diversity of plants and animals. The Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System is one of Canada’s biodiversity hotspots, home to more than 1,500 species of plants and animals, including nearly one quarter of Canada’s wild plants. The ecopark system lands are owned and managed by ten local government and non-profit partners who have committed to work together to protect, connect and restore the extraordinary natural heritage in the ecopark system area.
 “The protection of natural lands is an example of what can be achieved when we work together. It exemplifies the mission of the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System: to work together to protect, connect and restore natural lands between the Harbour and the Escarpment,” said Deborah Herbert, Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System Coordinator. “We are delighted at the progress made so far in permanently protecting natural lands in the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System and look forward to continuing this momentum.”
With this property acquisition, partners in the ecopark system have permanently protected more than 120 acres of ecologically significant land in the past two years, through purchase, donation and conservation easement.
 By Staff
June 4, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s bicycle season! Children and adults alike are out enjoying the Spring and Summer weather and the hard-core cyclists are populating the beautiful rural roads in Halton.
Those roads have not been accident free.
 Burlington has created car free Sundays – occasions when the roads are blocked off to vehicular traffic. Since January 2014, there have been 127 reports of Motor Vehicle Collisions involving bicycles in the Region of Halton, 56 of those collisions occurred in Burlington. The vast majority of collisions involving cyclists are intersection related, followed by cyclists struck from behind when passing motorists fail to provide them enough room.
Bicycles are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act and cyclists must abide by the same rules and regulations and drivers. Sharing the road is a responsibility we all must learn to make a priority.
Officers working in the City of Burlington will be making efforts from now until October, to reduce the number of collisions involving bicycles through awareness, education and enforcement.
Burlington is the only municipality in the Region that allows cyclists of any age to ride on most sidewalks throughout the City.
The City of Burlington allows cyclists of any age to ride on most sidewalks throughout the City. The exceptions to this are:
• Bicycle riding is prohibited on the sidewalks of both sides of Brant Street between Caroline Street and Lakeshore Road.
• Bicycle riding is also not permitted where there is an alternative off road pathway, Multi-Use Pathway or Bike path available that is adjacent to the sidewalk.
• Bicycle riders on a sidewalk must yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall operate their bicycle in a safe manner.
All cyclists under the age of sixteen (18) years are required by law to wear a helmet while riding or operating a bicycle, and the chinstrap of the helmet must be securely fastened under the chin. (According to the Highway Traffic Act, 104 (2.1)
 Councillor Jack Dennison is a regular bike rider – known to take part in long trips. Under the Highway Traffic Act, a police officer who finds any person contravening this Act or any municipal by-law regulating traffic while in charge of a bicycle may require that person to stop and identify themselves, just as drivers must do during a traffic stop.
There are rules of the road that apply to everyone – let’s make it safe for everyone.
That’s important now that the Mayor is riding his bike to work
 By Staff
June 4, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The play bill for the first week of operation for the new CineStarz theatre on Brant Street has been cast in stone.
A freshly renovated theatre with larger screens and new seating is the part of the refurbishment that the public gets to see. On the second level in the projection room there are seven servers that will read hard disk drives the size of a pocket book and project the image using new high end projectors.
 Films are stored on a hard drive and put into the server and projected onto new screens in the seven small theaters Bruce Gurberg has been working day and night – and complaining about the parking ticket he got – welcome to Burlington Bruce – to have the theatre ready for the first patrons on Friday.
FAR FROM THE MADDING CROW PG
Fri to Sun 11:30 1:35 3:40 5:20 7:40 9:40
Mon to Thur 1:00 3:10 5:00 7:10 9:30
HOT PURSUIT PG
Fri to Sun 11:25 3:35 9:30
Mon to Thur 3:30 9:35
FURIOUS 7 PG
Fri to Sun 1:10 3:10 5:15 7:15 9:40
Mon to Thur 1:00 2:45 5:10 7:10 9:20
EX MACHINA 14A
Fri to Sun 11:25 3:40 5:45 7:35 9:30
Mon to Thur 5:00 7:00 9:00
AGE OF ADALINE PG
Fri to Sun 11:30 1:00 5:40
Mon to Thur 1:00 5:10
PAUL BLART MALL COP 2 PG
Fri to Sun 11:30 1:30 5:35 7:45 9:45
Mon to Thur 1:00 3:20 5:20 7:40 9:20
KINGSMAN THE SECRET SERVICE 14A
Fri to Sun 1:20 3:00 7:25 9:40
Mon to Thur 1:00 3:00 7:10 9:30
CINDERELLA G
Fri to Sun 11:40 1:40 3:40 5:35 7:40
Mon to Thur 1:00 3:00 5:20 7:20
 The film line up is decent – and the prices are right; B explains them as easy to understand: 3, 4 and 5
$3.99 on Tuesday
$4.99 for children and seniors
$5.99 general admission – Adults
 By Staff
June 4, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There is $50,000 available to an Ontario based artist who thinks s/he can come up with a winning entry for a piece of public art that will be erected beside the new Jazz condominium project on Plains Road.
 To be known as the Jazz – the four storey condominium will have a piece of public art put in place. The art will between the condominium and Maplehurst school.
Deadline for filing an Expressions of Interest is Monday, July 13, 2015
The city is inviting artists to submit Expressions of Interest to create a permanent public artwork for the development site.
An artwork proposal is not requested at this time. Artist applications will be reviewed on the basis of artistic merit, professional qualifications and experience. Short-listed artists may be required to participate in an interview with staff and members of the community steering committee (in person or via teleconference).
The funds for the project came from the city: $25,000; $20,000 from BrantHaven the developer and $25,000 raised by the community.
Click here to view the full Expression of Interest document in a pdf format
Additional information about this project can be found on the Aldershot Village page
 By Staff
June 4, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Well that didn’t take very long did it?
The Gazette posted a short news story on two people caught on camera at Long & McQuade stealing two guitars.
The two persons were arrested in Hamilton with the assistance of uniformed officers from the Hamilton Police Service.
 Amber FISHER ![Intel(R) JPEG Library, version [1.51.12.44]](https://www.burlingtongazette.ca/wp-content/uploads/Male-susepect-Long-McQuade.jpg) Stephen FRASER Both entered the store carrying empty guitar cases. The suspects were observed on video surveillance to select two high end guitars and place them in the cases. The suspects then exited the store making no attempt to pay for the concealed items. The two stolen guitars are a GIBSON ES 345TDC and a GIBSON USA LP Traditional.
Both persons were returned to Burlington for further investigation which resulted in the recovery of both stolen guitars.
Stephen FRASER (27-yrs) and Amber FISHER (21-yrs) both of Hamilton are charged with theft over $5000 and will appear in Milton Court on June 24th 2015.
They won’t be strumming the strings of those Gibson’s at the Sound of Music Festival.
By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
From a source we see as solid as they get the Gazette has learned that the new Oakville North Burlington Conservative Association has broken their nomination into two parts – the listening to speeches and then the actual nomination of the candidate to represent the party in the riding for a federal election expected in October.
 Effie Triantafilopoulos., a candidate for the nomination in the newly created federal riding of Oakville North Burlington stands with former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak. The speeches are reported to be taking place at the St. Vladmir Hall in Oakville. Media has not been invited. The administration at St. Vladmir confirms that the speeches are scheduled for 7:00 pm this evening
The actual nomination is Sunday, reported to be at the Burlington Convention Centre.
 Burlington’s Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster is believed to be running for the Conservative nomination in Oakville North Burlington, a new federal riding with a problematic history. The Conservatives have had problems getting their act together in the new riding. Conservative party officials disqualified both Eve Adams and Natalia Lishchyna from running as candidates because of problems with the recruiting of party members and the level of spending.
The nomination bid quickly became acrimonious in the perceived “safe seat” for the Conservatives with accusations of dirty tricks and abuse of power.
Known to be seeking the nomination at this point are Blair Lancaster and Effie Triantafilopoulos.
By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was billed as an important event and it was.
The lobby of the Performing Arts Centre was abuzz with people last Thursday evening enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne.
Brian McCurdy, the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Centre sat in a comfortable chair on stage beside Commie Smith and talked about the line-up for 2015- 2016. Connie chatted away in that “golly, gee-whiz” style that is all her own while McCurdy provided what he called the “colour commentary”
It was impressive.
McCurdy brought years of entertainment industry experience to his job – it shows – and announced a program of which he has every reason to be very proud.
The season consists of 68 artists and companies – the biggest the Centre has ever put on in this its 5th year of operation. Some of the city’s favourites – Alex Cuba and Matt Anderson will be on the stage during the season along with some delightful surprises as well – Colm Wilkinson of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera fame will be doing Broadway, Christmas and Beyond, an intimate and personal side of a performer not seen before.
The offerings are very strong – what makes it all work is the way McCurdy has broken the program into units that appeal to different audiences.
 The Entertainer’s series
Jose Feleciano and Pavlo; October 22 – 8 pm
Jully Black and Jarvis Church – October 30th – 8 pm
Art of Time Ensemble – Beattles Project – November 4th – 8 pm
The Celtic Tenors: December 20th – 2 pm
Bruce Cockburn: February 18th – 8 pm
The Blues and Rock series
Lighthouse: September 26th – 8pm
Pink Floyd: The Wall: February 6th – 8 pm
Darlene Love: November 29th – 7:30 pm
Matt Andersen: March 4th – 8pm
Ruthie Foster & Harrison Kennedy: April 20th – 8 pm
The Traditional Series
Irish Rovers: November 20th – 8 pm
Men of the Deep: April 13th – 8 pm
John McDermott: December 13th – 2:00 pm
The Dance Series
Canada’s Ballet Jorge – Sleeping Beauty: October 2nd – 8 pm
Proartedenza: November 11th – 8 pm
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet: February 4th – 8 pm
Peggy Baker Dance Projects; Armour & Coalesce – 8 pm
Hong Kong Ballet: March 8th – 8 pm
The Family Series
Goodnight Moon & The Runaway Bunny: November 22nd – 2:30 pm
Alice in Wonderland: January 24th – 2:30 pm
Cat in the Hat: February 21st – 2:30 pm
Alexander Who’s Not. Not, Not, Not, Not. Note Going to move: February 12th – 2:30 pm
The Comedy Series
Howie Mandel: October 3rd – 8 pm
 Ron James: November 7th – 8 pm
Brent Butt: November 30th 8 pm
Steven Wright: February 19th – 8 pm
Just for Laughs: April 7th – 8 pm
The Jazz Main Stage series
The Pat Metheny Trio: September 1st – 8 pm
Abduillahj Ibrahim & Ekaya: October 23rd – 8 pm
Matt Dusk: November 27th – 8 pm
Holly Cole: April 6th – 8 pm
The Classical Series
Emanuel Ax: November 3rd – 8 pm
Kitchener Waterloo Symphony Orchestra: March 5th – 8 pm
Midori: April 19th – 8 pm
Collectif9: May 5th – 8 pm
 The Global Beat series
Compania Flamenca Jose Porcel: October 15th – 8 pm
Soweta Gospel Choir: December 3rd – 8 pm
Jesse Cook: December 12th – 8 pm
Dakhabrakha: January 29th – 8 pm
YAMATO Legend of the heartbeat: February 25th – 8 pm
The Performing Arts centre has a smaller theatre that is perfect for events that need a closer relationship with an audience. Called studio 440 – it will feature
A singer song writer series
Danny Michel Trio: October 2nd – 7:30 pm
Fortunate Ones: NOVEMBER 6TH – 7:30 pm
David Francey: March 2nd – 7:30 pm
David Myles: March 12th – 7:30 pm
 The 440 World Series
Alex Cuba: October 17th – 7:30 pm
The Once: November 21st – 7:30 pm
De Danann; March 10th – 7:30 pm
Sultans of String: April 8th – 7:30 pm
The 440 Jazz series
Tribute to Dave Brubeck: October 16th – 7:30 pm
Shine On – The Universe of John Lennon: December 15th – 7:30 pm
Laila Biali: February 20th – 7:30 pm
440 is the address of the Performing Arts centre on Locust Street
Classically yours – Sunday brunch series
Campbell/Afiara: October 18th – Brunch 11:45 – Show 12:30
Crow Chiu Duo: November 15th – Brunch 11:45 – show 12:30
Gryphon Trio: February 21st – Brunch 11:45 – show 12:30
 The Cushion concert series
Markus: Saturday October 3rd – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Camping Royale: Saturday February 13th – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Old Man River: Saturday March 5th – 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Theatre series
Second Life, Tottering Biped Theatre: October 22 to 24th – 7:30 pm
and October 24, 25 and 31st – 2:00 pm
Ralph and Lina: November 25 to 28th – 7:30 pm
and November 28 and 29th – 2:00 pm
Air – Tottering Biped: January 14 to 16 and 21st to 23rd – 7:20 pm.
January 16, 17 and 23RD – 2:00 PM
 Late Company: February 24th and 27th – 7:30 PM
and February 27th, 28th – 2:00 pm
Proof: May 5th to 7th and 12th to 14th – 7:30 pm
and May 7th and 14th – 2:00 pm
25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee:
July 14th to 16th and 21st to 23rd: 7:30 pm and July 17th and 24th 2:00 pm
Special events
Special Event – Cirque, October 29th – 7:30 pm
Special Event – The Nutcracker, December 8th and 9th – 7:30 pm and at 2:00 pm on December 9th
Special Event – Country: Gord Bamford, January 20th – 8:00 pm
Live and Local Music series
Melissa Bel and Sharon Musgrave: September 18th – 7:30 pm
Stuart Laughtin: February 12th – 7:30 pm
Loretta Bailey: October 7th – 7:30 pm
Aitch and Chris Chambers: November 20th – 7:30 pm
Mod Opera: April 12th – 7:30 pm
 Community on Stage
When first envisioned the Performing Arts centre was to make space available to community groups at a price they could afford. It took a while for the idea to get a foothold – under the direction of Brian McCurdy there is now wide ranging, active community involvement.
Burlington Student Theatre
Peter Pan: July 6 to 17th; the July 16th show is at 2:30 pm
Mary Poppins: July 20 to 31; the July 30th show will be at 2:30 pm
Symphony on the Bay
Northern Lights with Ben Smith on piano: October 25th
Christmas Pops: David Holler and the Mohawk College Community Chorus: December 6th
Romance: February 14th
Last Night at the Proms: Sunday May 15th
Brott Musical Festival: June 18th – 7:30 pm and June 25th – 7:30 pm
Top Hat Marching Orchestra: May 7th – 7:00 pm
Burlington Footnotes: June 21st at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm and June 22nd at 2:00 pm
Burlington Teen Tour Band: Fall concert: September 25th; 13th annual Christmas Concert, December 4th and Spring Concert May 13th
Matapa World Music series
Zal Sissokho, Senegal: October 1st – 7:30 pm
Ivan Mazure, Mozambique/Norway: November 18th – 7:30 pm
Kasse Mady Diabate, Mali: March 26th – 7:30 pm
Marrabenta, Sounds of Mozambique; April 27th – 7:30 pm
Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.burlingtonpac.ca or by telephone at 905-681-6000 and in person at the Box office at 440 Locust Street. Box office hours are noon to 6:00 pm – summer hours noon to 4:00 pm
 By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When Reid Flock was a student in Burlington he used to hang around what was then known as the Burlington Art Centre and found himself drifting to the pottery section where he learned to throw clay.
 Pottery: yes, of a different sort. The colours are resplendent and the shapes whimsical. A flock piece is up for bidding at the Art Gallery auction. He found himself being heavily influenced by Kayo O’Young, a ceramist who worked out of Kleinburg. Reid may not have known it at the time but his future was being determined and he decided he needed to spend some time in Japan.
What was to be a one year trip turned into a nine year journey that brought him back to Canada where he now works out of a studio in Hamilton turning out some of the most astounding pottery this country has seen.
The Art Gallery of Burlington is holding its annual Art Auction – there will be a small piece of Flock’s work up for the bidders.
 Jonathan Smith, curator of the ceramics collection at the Art Gallery of Burlington, looks over a Reid Flock piece that is being readied for shipping. Smith played a strong role in guiding Flock as he developed his skills with clay while at student. Flock tells of the times Jonathan Smith would lock him in the ceramics vault at the art gallery where he would spend hours looking at different pieces and developing the sense of ceramics that allowed him to grow into the artist he is today.
Flock is perhaps the most accomplished artist to come out of the Burlington Gallery.
If you were to be invited to a display of pottery you would probably attend with an idea at least of what you were going to see – when you see the work that Flock does your understanding of pottery is shattered.
Flock calls his art whimsical – something that reflects a society and will smile when you tell him his work looks like baskets that happen to be made of “burnt dirt”.
I suggested to him that the Flocking Red Basket reminded me of the Queen of Hearts at the croket game in Alice in Wonderland. “Exactly”, flock responded “you’re beginning to understand the whimsy of it all.”
 Reid Flock talking to his Dad about an idea he is working on. Flock has no idea who buys his work when it is first sold. He learns later who has a piece and at times it is borrowed for a showing.
While his reds and his blues are, to this viewer, his most stunning, Flock has done pieces in black and in pick and has done a piece with polka dots – which I thought was taking whimsy a bit further than it might have been intended to go.
Flock is awaiting funding for a new tangent he wants to go off on – “squeeze toys” which was about all he wanted to say about the next venture other than to add that the pieces would be larger than his Flocking Red Basket which is the largest piece he has done.
During a meeting with Karen Brouwers at her Framesite location in Aldershot, Flock, his Dad along with Jonathan Smith and his brother were talking about how the red piece would be shipped – he has had at least one piece of his work broken in transit – he mentioned that his cat had climbed into the piece. Seeing Reid Flock’s work as something with utility is a real stretch
There will be a small Flock piece at the Art Gallery of Burlington Art auction which is doing exceptionally well with their 200 for $200. event. Painting by some well-known local artists were snapped up very quickly. There are still some good pieces available.
 Art Gallery curator Denis Longchamps looks over some of the 200 for $200 pieces that are still available at the annual Art auction The Art Auction is being held at a time when weather, hopefully, will not have the negative impact it has had in the past. This year the event has a theme: La Belle Époque that will see the gallery transposed into something resembling Paris at the turn of the century.
It was a period of time seen as a “beautiful era: that began in the late 1800’s and ended with the start of the First World War.
The hope that those attending the event would take to costume and really represent the era is expecting too much – Burlington isn’t there yet.
However, young people from the Student Theatre under the guidance of Rainer Noack will be on hand and in costume. Our young have always led the way haven’t they?
The art auction committee is headed up by Cheryl Goldring, an artist in her own right, is looking for ways to take a new direction and trying to create a theme for each year and make the event not just a fund raiser but something that raises the cultural bar of the city.
The event is a major fund raiser for the Gallery which has gone through a very rough patch financially. The city had to basically bail them out to the tune of $100,000 a year for two years.
 Local art on sale at the Art Gallery of Burlington Auction. The importing of a new President and CEO, Robert Steven, from Grande Prairie is the beginning of a stronger focus on the ceramics collection and hopefully boosting the reputation of the collection, which is really very good, to the point where it will draw people to the gallery and the city.
Some of the buzz going about the city suggests a new location for the Art Gallery might also be in the works – the property they are on has very significant value that a developer is believed to be talking to the city about exploiting.
Interesting times ahead.
 By Staff
June 3rd, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When you have Sarah Harmer addressing your audience – you get an attentive crowd.
 From back, left: Don Ford, Burlington Post, Bert Hoytema, Earthworks Landscaping, Dan Thompson, Salvation Army Community Church, Greg Alderson, Endless Possibilities Photographic Exhibition, Patrick Lee, Project Autism, Captain Ron Wickens, Salvation Army Community Church, Captain Judi Wickens, Salvation Army Community Church, Judith Lee, Project Autism, Gustav Baliko, Tetra Society of North America, Laurie Ann Correia, Longo’s Walkers Line, David Boag, Halton District School Board, Rachael Armit, Marilu’s Market, Lisa Blanchet, Multiple Scleroses Society, Halton Chapter, Kelly Scott, Burlington Challenger Baseball, Sarah Harmer, Tami Young, Burlington Super Kids Support Group, Kelly MacDonald, AMI-tv, Tricia Porkorny, Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee Vice Chairperson with Barney, David Fisher, Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee Chairperson The City of Burlington recognized 12 champions of accessibility this afternoon during the 4th Annual Burlington Accessibility Awards. Organized by the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee, nominations are requested each spring and the awards are given to individuals, business owners, service providers and community groups that have made significant steps toward improving accessibility for people with disabilities in Burlington. Burlington recognized 12 champions of accessibility during the 4th Annual Burlington Accessibility Awards.
Sarah Harmer, singer songwriter and activist, grew up on her family farm in Burlington on the Niagara Escarpment. She co-founded PERL – Protecting Escarpment Rural Land – dedicated to the protection of land and wilderness in danger of over-development.
In her remarks Harmer said: “When residents have access to decision-making and the tools to become active citizens, it contributes greatly to our sense of personal empowerment and mental wellness,” said Harmer. “It’s wonderful to see that the City of Burlington encourages citizen involvement and recognizes individuals and businesses for their efforts.”
The awards are held in conjunction with National Access Awareness Week, which was established in 1988 following Rick Hanson’s 40,000-kilometre Man in Motion World Tour. The 2015 winners:
Education
Halton District School Board
Recreation
Kelly Scott
Employment
Marilu’s Market
Longo’s Market
Built Environment
Salvation Army Community Church
Volunteer
Gustuv Baliko
Lisa Blanchet
Tami Young
Greg Alderson
Other
Project Autism
Earthworks Landscaping
Burlington Post
By Pepper Parr
June 3, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is going to have three different people representing different parts of the city in the House of Commons on October 20th when the federal election results are known.
 The creation of the Oakville North Burlington riding was due to population shifts. The Conservatives held a very public dog fight over their nominations – it was so bad that the Conservative party sent both the candidates packing and put a new executive in place. The Conservative nomination is expected to be held June 7th There is the riding of Burlington, currently held by Mike Wallace that had bits and pieces chopped off; there is still the riding of Halton where Lisa Raitt is the sitting member and there is now a new riding called Oakville North Burlington.
Pam Damoff was acclaimed the Liberal candidate last week after the untimely death of Max Khan. Both Damoff and Khan were members of Oakville’s city council.
The Conservatives are believed to be holding their nomination meeting June 7th where there are at least two known candidates for that nomination; Burlington’s Blair Lancaster and Effie Triantafilopoulos, a former Chief of Staff for Conservative Cabinet Ministers in the three key economic portfolios: Industry, Trade, and Treasury Board.
 Damoff has been a Liberal since her university days when she was influenced by Pierre Trudeau and went to Ottawa to work with a Member of the House of Commons. Damoff graduated from the University of Western Ontario and went to Ottawa to work for an MPP and then moved into the financial world where she was a numbers cruncher for a small financial consulting group that got absorbed by a larger firm which in turn got absorbed by an even larger firm.
Her first run at municipal politics saw her lose by 150 votes – then won a number of years later by more than 50% against six candidates – Damoff had clearly learned how to win an election
She is a passionate woman who will cry when she wants to – for her it is all about people – what she can do and how she can help.
There is the capacity to manage detail and an openness that can be disarming.
While being a Member of the House of Commons is a lot different that handling pot holes and snow clearance Damoff looks as if she will continue to serve the people of Oakville and now some in Burlington as well as she has in the past.
 Pam Damoff tends to wear her emotions on her face – a smile that will light up a room and the ability to tear up when she is moved. So – who is she? A parent, a person committed to her community and silly enough to wade into freezing water on New Year’s Day in Oakville’s popular Polar Bear Dip.
She has been a big, big supporter of the Terry Fox run because she believes it is important for young people to have role models that show what is possible.
Damoff explains that at 19 Terry Fox was a student, at 20 he struggled with cancer and at 21, after a heroic battle against that cancer, he was suddenly no longer with us.
That level of commitment and dedication are what Damoff wants young people to see – and it is to a considerable degree what she is personally. She built the Terry Fox run from 43,000 participants to 132,000
Damoff is a team player; this is no roaming ego looking for all the possible places to land. The environment is an issue for her and she claims to ride her bike often – expects to campaign on her bike whenever she can.
Her nomination was a part love in and part sad evening as the torch was passed from the Khan family to Pam Damoff who had no idea she would be running as a candidate in a federal election. She fully expected to be part of the Khan team – now she is part of the Justin Trudeau team and holding memories of the role Justin’s Father, Pierre Trudeau, played in shaping the country.
Damoff was heavily influenced by Pierre Trudeau and the changes he brought to the country; now she is part of a campaign that is being led by his son.
As a student at Western Damoff worked on John O. (Jack) Burghardt’s campaign which got her to Ottawa where she leaned how the place works.
She is a close friend of Paddy Torsney who represented Burlington in the House of Commons for a number of years. Damoff will be on the phone with Torsney frequently should she win the election
 Good healthy crowd for the acclamation of Pam Damoff as the |Liberal candidate In her moments of reflection – and Damoff is a reflector, she might wonder at the way things turn out. In the next four to five months she will work her tail off and if she can convey to the voters who she is and what she stands for – she will find herself back in Ottawa – this time as a Member of the House of Commons – expect her to tear up when she is sworn in.
Damoff has a small short lead on the yet to be nominated Conservative candidate, however five days after her acclamation there isn’t a Damoff web site in place and there was no mention of using social media in her campaign.
Pam Damoff might choose to do it the hard way – door to door – face to face; it’s the way politics was meant to work.
 By Staff
June 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
A Broadway production on the stage of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre? Yup – Saturday Night Fever will be in town for a one night performance January 28th
 Just a one day production – this one will sell out – a Broadway production on the Performing Arts stage. Brian McCurdy made the announcement during the introduction to the 2015 – 2016 program for a theatre that appears to have found its footing and now has a robust, diverse program offering that does what the people behind the idea of a performing arts centre in the city wanted it to do.
It has been a struggle – a lot of financial ups and downs; a change in the management with another change coming in the not too distant future.
Bringing a popular Broadway production to the city – even if only for a single production – is a step forward.
 By Staff
June 1, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was brazen and except for the video that was taken they got away with it – so far
Two people stole two high quality Gibson guitars from the Long and McQuade Musical Instruments location on Mainway
The Halton Regional Police are seeking the public’s assistance in catching the thieves.
Female suspect – caught on camera stealing a guitar Male suspect caught on video stealing a guitar. Early in an afternoon, two suspects, one female and one male entered Long and McQuade Musical Instruments located on Manway. Both entered the store carrying empty guitar cases. The suspects were observed on video surveillance to select two high end guitars and place them in the cases. The suspects then exited the store making no attempt to pay for the concealed items. The two stolen guitars are a GIBSON ES 345TDC and a GIBSON USA LP Traditional.
Both were captured on video.
Brazen indeed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Erin Cooper of 3 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905) 825-4747 ext 2313 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 Pepper Parr
June 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Last week Regional Council made it a go – the implementation plan that leads up to the development of a bigger, fancier public park is on.
More design work is probably part of the going forward. Which brings up the matter of public involvement in that design.
Other than one public meeting at which the public got to see a bunch of large drawings and some of the detail – the public hasn’t had a chance to say a word about what they think the park should look like.
 The Waterfront Trail Burlingtonians use today will look a lot differently in 25 years – 50 years ago there were railway tracks on the walking path, The park will be a Regional Park and I guess they feel the people in Burlington will just have to put up with whatever the Region’s designer thinks is best.
 Beachway residents didn’t want to hear much about the park that was planned – they wanted to remain in their homes. There have been problems in getting the public involved. Every time there is a meeting the property owners tend to hi-jack the meeting and ask aloud how the Region can design a park to go on land they don’t own.
The Region responds by saying they are working on that – and indeed they are working at it.
They have put together a very enticing package of financial goodies to get the property owners to sell to the Region.
Incentive Options for Willing Sellers in the Beach includes:
Lease-back Opportunities and Extended Closing Periods:
Life Estates
Relocation Services and Moving Costs:
Environmental Remediation Costs:
Payment Options
Right of First Refusal:
Removal of Fixtures/Chattels
Availability of Halton Surplus Lands
Legal/Professional Costs
Appraisal Costs:
That is an impressive effort on the part of the Region. They have included everything – even the kitchen sink.
We get into the details on each of these “goodies” further on in this article.
 What is pretty close to a shack was one of three properties bought by the Region in the past two years. The incentive package might result in additional sales. The Region has planned on a 15 to 25 year property acquisition time frame Over the past 5 years, the Region has acquired four properties in the Beach area. It is anticipated that additional purchases from willing sellers will be made at a frequency of 1-2 properties each year; they estimate it will take between 15-25 years to acquire the remaining 27 privately held Beach properties on a willing buyer/willing seller basis.
The Beachway residents hate the phrase “willing buyer/willing seller” – they argue that there is just the one buyer and that is the Region. Under those conditions the residents had every right to squawk.
The package the Region has put together is generous and allows for a lot of time for the current owners to live out their lives in the property they own.
Perfect it isn’t but this is not a perfect world.
The recommendation was to implement the strategy immediately. Regional Staff are going to continue to engage property owners in the Beach area to identify additional options that may be made available to willing sellers as the implementation of the Burlington Beach Regional Waterfront park proceeds.
 This property sold for something in the $600,000 range. The owners also got a rental agreement to remain in the home. There was real fear on the part of the residents that they would be expropriated – and when it comes to the bitter end some 25 years from now the Region may have to actually expropriate a hold out. The package that has been put together is as fair as it can get.
Each resident wants to look at the various options and choose the one that suits their situation. It also appears that the Region has decided they will do everything they can to meet reasonable requests – but the park is going to eventually get built.
It would be a better park if there were homes in it – but politically that option is off the table. Given the time frame the Region has to get the park built the political landscape may change – Burlington my get a council that sees the story differently and that Council might manage to find allies in Oakville and change the policy. Some of the homes that are in the way could conceivable be moved.
There are a number of heritage properties in Burlington that would like to find a new location – developers have better us for the land and it would make some sense to move a half a dozen or so heritage properties to the Beachway – include the Freeman Station in that list of properties.
That kind of thinking would certainly create a different park – all it takes is political will to bring about a change.
In order to get some sense of fairness in the talks the Region is talking about creating an index that would be reviewed and revised every three years.
 How does one place a value on a home that is yards away from a noisy expressway on one side and yards away from Lake Ontario on the other side. The Region intends to create an index that will give allow property owners to benefit from the increase in the value of their properties. The index would be a collection of “comparable” homes in south west Burlington that would be used to create a base price for properties. The idea was to come up with something that would allow the homeowners to at least think they would be in on some of the excellent property appreciation that has been taking place in Burlington.
The Burlington Beach Waterfront Park Master Plan implementation will be incremental with the park being fully in place in the next 25 years.
Now that the Plan has been approved, implementation can begin.
 By Pepper Parr
June 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Part two of a series
In the municipal world the vision gets some attention – it is the pot holes and the snow clearance that crate all the squawking.
How has Burlington done in the eyes of the 771 people who were polled by Forum Research in February – 771 interviews was seen as statistically valid – on the quality of the services city hall delivers?
In this part two of a series on the polling that was done we set out what Forum Research learned. The results of the research will guide the |Strategic Plan deliberations that are taking place now.
How satisfied were residents with the services provided overall?
 When respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with services overall, the large majority said they were ‘very’ or ‘somewhat’ satisfied (47% and 42%, respectively). Compared historically to 2008 and 2011, there was a small movement of respondents from being somewhat satisfied to being somewhat dissatisfied. Respondents who were ‘somewhat satisfied’ decreased 6% since 2008 and 4% since 2011; at the same time, respondents who were ‘somewhat dissatisfied’ increased by 4% since 2008 and 2011. Despite this small increase, satisfaction with services in Burlington overall remains strong.
Satisfaction with Public Safety Services
Forum Research began to drill down into some of the responses and asked how people felt about specific services.
 Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with various Public Safety Services by indicating either excellent, good, fair, poor, or very poor. Looking at top 2 box responses (excellent/good), the highest satisfaction ratings were recorded for fire protection services (95%), and emergency management (83%).
Satisfaction with Maintenance Services
 Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with various maintenance services offered by the City of Burlington. Looking at top two box responses (excellent/good), the highest satisfaction ratings were recorded for parks and open space maintenance (90%), cemetery maintenance (88%), and tree management (78%). Lowest satisfaction was recorded for surface water drainage, i.e. flood erosion protection for properties and structures (57%).
Satisfaction with Roads and Transportation Services
 Looking at top 2 box responses (excellent/poor) for roads and transportation services, the highest ratings were recorded for roads and structures, i.e. design and construction (69%), as well as traffic operations management, i.e. traffic signals and crossing guards (63%). Lowest satisfaction ratings were recorded for transportation and network planning (52%), as well as transit services (55%).
Satisfaction with Leisure Facilities, Programs and Events
 When respondents were asked about their satisfaction with leisure facilities, programs and events offered by the City of Burlington, a strong majority of respondents rated all items as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. However, the highest level of satisfaction was recorded for parks, open spaces and sports fields (90%).
Design and Building Services
 When it comes to services related to design and building in the City of Burlington, 84% of respondents said parks and open green space, i.e. design and development was ‘excellent’ or ‘good’ (32% and 52%, respectively). Looking at top two box responses (excellent/good), the majority of respondents were also satisfied with community design and development review (66%) as well as building code permits and inspection (63%).
Satisfaction with Emergency and Disaster Assistance
It was important to measure how much confidence residents have in the ability of City of Burlington to provide effective assistance in the event of a major emergency or disaster. The majority of respondents (60%) said they were ‘somewhat confident’ and 29% said they were ‘very confident’. Worth noting is that 1 in 10 respondents said they were ‘not at all confident’.
Feedback to Improve Resident Confidence in Emergency Preparedness
When respondents were asked what the City could do to make them feel more confident in the event of a major emergency or disaster, the largest proportion of respondents said to communicate the disaster preparedness plan to the public (22%). Other top mentions included: educate the public on what to do in the event of an emergency or disaster (11%), as well as communicate / raise public awareness more generally (9%).
City Communication and Support for Emergency Preparedness
Respondents were asked whether or not the City of Burlington is encouraging and supporting emergency and disaster preparedness within the community. The majority (61%) said it is, while 23% said the City it is not.
Top Priorities amongst Respondents
Respondents were asked to rate on a scale of 1 to 10 (1=low priority, 10=high priority), how much of a priority various issues are for the City to focus its attention on. Items that were of highest priority (rated 8, 9 or 10), were: community safety (76%), commitment to infrastructure (76%), healthy community (73%), sound financial practices (69%), as well as parks and community open/green spaces (69%). More attention most members wanted to admit was asked for on open, transparent and accountable civic government.
As the city gets into detail and specifics on the Strategic Plan that will guide their efforts for the next three years expect those that are colour coded red to get a lot of attention.
By Staff
June 2, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When I asked what the prices for ticket at the about to open CineStarz were going to be were Bruce Gurberg said – 3,4,5.
Huh!
 No I mean the price for a ticket to a movie. Bruce Gurberg again said: 3,4,5.
Gurberg was telling me that the price was $3.99 on Tuesday, 4.99 for children and seniors and $5.99 for adults and general admission.
Those are good prices. The line-up is pretty good too:
Far from the madding crowd
Ex Machine
Hot Pursuit
Furious 7
Age of Adeline
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
Kingsmen
Cinderella (This title has yet to be confirmed.)
First run at the CineStarz on Brant Street will be Friday evening. On Brant – in the Upper Canada building.
By Staff
June 1, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone was out on Saturday – we all stayed in on Sunday. Summer isn’’t ready to show its face yet.
 It was warm up time for the several hundred Carpenter Hospice volunteers and supporters before the took a long leisurely walk along the Waterfront Trail to the canal and back.  The weather was as good as it gets – the Carpenter House supporters in the blue T-shirts were out in force. The waterfront was the place to be on Saturday. The hundreds that support Carpenter House were out exercising and then walking the Waterfront Trail.
 While hundreds walked the Waterfront \Trail an additional 100 + planted new saplings in the environmentally fragile sand dunes.  Carefully tamping down a new sapling one of the hundred + people who put in half a day ensures the roots have a chance to growth into the sand. Close by just over 100 people dug away in the environmentally fragile sand dunes that make up a large part of the Beachway Park.
They were out there on their hands and knees making sure new saplings were firmly bedded. The Sunday gave them a solid soaking.
In the past residents in the park would be out with their pamphlets and petitions looking for support. None of that in site this Saturday. It seems as if they are resigned to what is going to eventually happen – or they are saving their energy for another day. For some the fight to keep their homes in the park will never end.
By Staff
June 1, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Police Getting Help from Halton Elementary Students to Name our New Canine Recruit
Halton Regional Police is looking forward to the addition of a sixth Canine team; this new four-legged recruit is due to join us in late summer.
 Regional police are asking all the elementary students in Halton to take part in a contest to give this police pup a name. The new Police Service Dog will join PSD Tracker, PSD Storm, PSD Parker, PSD Bishop and PSD Nero in their efforts to protect and serve the communities in Halton.
The retired Police Service Dogs are: Chase, Kingston, Sniper, Justice, Honour, Gage, Kruz, Baron, Titan, Juno and Valour.
The Regional police have invited all the elementary schools in Halton to take part in this name the K9 contest. They have until Friday June 5, 2015 to submit their chosen name.
The police are encouraging the children to be original and imaginative and to come up with one name entry for each school. A single syllable is preferred; however a maximum of two is accepted. A gender neutral name is also suggested.
How the community can get involved:
Beginning June 10, 2015, the community will have two ways in which to vote for their favorite name.
A hashtag campaign will be run on the @HaltonPolice and @HRPSK9 Twitter accounts and non-Twitter users can go to our website at www.haltonpolice.ca.
The name that collects the most hashtags and online votes will be the winning name which will be revealed on Monday June 22, 2015.
The school who nominated the winning name will receive a visit from Chief Tanner, the new K9 handler and new Police Service Dog when its training is completed in the Fall.
By Pepper Parr
June 1, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
Today is the first day of a summer vacation he never had in the years he was been with the Planning department in Burlington.
 Bruce Krushelnicki was frequently at the table working with citizens, listening to their ideas and explaining the why and how things were done. The reports his department issued were frequently as good as they get in the planning business.  Insisting that there be commercial space at grade level was not an easy conversation with the developers of the Buntin Wharf project on Lakeshore Road between Locust and Brant – imagine that part of the city without this look? Bruce Krushelnicki left city hall on Friday afternoon and summarized for the Gazette what he managed to get done during his time with the city and some of the things that haven’t happened yet.
Planners build on the shoulders of the people who came before them explained Krushelnicki I didn’t plan the Alton Community – my job was to implement the plan and ensure that the original design was adhered to.
Krushelnicki was heavily involved in the creation and implementation of the Plains Road Village Vision (PRVV) which has changed radically the road that used to be the only one that got you to Niagara Falls.
We had to do a lot of talking to the Shoppers Drug Mart people to get them to see things our way – we wanted the entrance to the store open to the street and they did build the door – but it is locked.
We wanted a two story building – and they did that – now there are doctors’ offices on that second floor – what better place to have a doctor’s office.
Plains Road is no longer just a major traffic artery – it has been going through a process of change for a number of years – that job is far from finished.
Getting developers to see the longer term potential for their properties can be a time consuming process explained K. We had many conversations with the Molinaro’s about street level store fronts on the Buntin wharf property that stretched between Locust and Brant. Can you imagine Brant Lakeshore Road without that stretch of patio space? They make that part of the city feel like parts of Europe added Krushelnicki.
For some developers talking wasn’t enough and the building permit they had been issued was pulled. Drewlo learned that lesson when they made major changes to the way vehicles were going to enter and leave the underground garage of the multi building apartment complex they were building on Plains Road.
 Early version of the Maranatha design had more massing then the planning department was prepared to accept.
 After a lot of negotiating and discussion the final look of the Maranatha project looked like this. Preparing the land for construction has begun The Maranatha project on New Street that is now having the land prepared for construction was another project that Krushelnicki believes benefited from intervention by the Planning department. The building has significant massing and even though it was set back from the street further than most people realized it was a large building. By tapering the ends and creating a large glass section in the middle the building is much easier to look at.
There are those who still feel it doesn’t fit in with the neighbourhood to which Krushelnicki replies – neighbourhoods change – they are supposed to change – but at a pace that fits with where planners feel the city is going.
Most of the two storey properties on Brant Street have four storey zoning as of right and can get eight storeys once they have worked with the planning department to ensure that what is planned fits in with what the residents of the community – and the city believe is appropriate for the area.
Krushelnicki knows now that the malls created in the 70’s do not meet the needs of the community the way they once did and that they need to be re-developed to include a residential and commercial component.
Making more efficient use of land will mean changing the way some sectors of the local economy use the space they have. Krushelnicki points to Mississauga where they created a part of the city that was for the automotive sector. Burlington doesn’t have that Krushelnicki of space available anywhere in the city but Krushelnicki does see the possibility of automotive dealers going up rather than continually going sideways.
The land at the corner of Fairview and Brant has too much value to serve as a parking lot for used cars – the same would apply to the automotive dealers along Fairview and Guelph Line. The planning department did have conversations with most of the automotive dealers in town to talk about different configurations that could be used. “They weren’t ready for a change yet” explained Krushelnicki at a committee meeting.
In the world of planning and development the Ontario Municipal Board is the 800 pound elephant in the room – it is an organization Krushelnicki understand very well. He served as an OMB Commissioner for a period of time and wrote one of the more definitive texts on just how the OMB works.
 The walkway that was built at the bottom of what was once the infamous Rivieria Motel was the result of a land swap Krushelnicki put together with Mayrose Tyco the developers of the property that will house a 22 storey, a seven story condominium plus an 8 storey hotel. The hotel was originally going to be open for the Pan Am games which isn’t something you can blame on the now retired planner, While many of the decisions on what would be built on the waterfront were made before Krushelnicki joined the city as the planner 11 years ago he does get credit for coming up with a land swap that extended the waterfront the public could use a little further to the east and gave the people who were developing what is today called the Bridgewater hotel.
Burlington currently has a major case before the OMB – the ADI development on Martha and Lakeshore that he won’t say a word about because it is before the board.
Krushelnicki taught for twelve years and has until very recently done some teaching at Ryerson and Waterloo. Is there some teaching for a man who is in excellent shape and still holds his truck driver’s license.
There are those who believe Krushelnicki never stopped teaching. On numerous occasions when there was a planning issue of some significance one could see all the junior members of the Planning department in the council chamber – many of them taking notes. And there were always a number of the senior members watching a master at the craft of explaining how planning is supposed to work.
 The concept of precincts to define neighborhoods was an approach Bruce Krushelnicki brought to Burlington’s Official Plan Burlington is in the process of re-writing its Official Plan. The Plan that was approved in 2006 was a Krushelnicki creation. We created a precinct approach and grouped interest and gave them a precinct name and applied zoning development guidelines to them. While the word “neighbourhoods: didn’t actually appear in the official plan – it was vital from Krushelnicki point of view that the way people had organized themselves in the city be respected.
Krushelnicki didn’t live in Burlington but he had a feel for the city that must have run through his mind as he came over the Skyway Bridge and saw it set out before him.
The people writing the new Official Plan are all Krushelnicki prodigies – his finger prints will be all over the document.
Krushelnicki did have his detractors. Many felt he was too restrictive and that he didn’t manage his staff as well as he might. He certainly had strong views and had little difficulty making them know. What made Bruce Krushelnicki so different was the way he would frame and arrange his comments.
He certainly had the best tailor in town and would not take off his jacket when making a presentation. One could not even imagine Krushelnicki wearing a pair of those plaid trousers golfers tend to wear.
During what was really an oration at a Committee of the Whole recently at the LaSalle Park Pavilion the sun was shining directly onto Krushelnicki’s back and the beads of perspiration on his forehead were showing. One of his senior staff who was within his line of sight patted her hip a number of times.
I wasn’t quite sure what she was doing or why – but realized she was sending her boss a signal. The staff member knew that Bruce Krushelnicki always kept a fresh handkerchief in his jacket pocket; she was trying to remind him that it was there.
The staff within the planning department for the most part adored the man. He treated his people with respect and saw his major role as one of developing them and making them better civil servants.
Krushelnicki was without a doubt the most literate senior staff member the city has. During the crafting of the Strategic Plan in 2011, when asked what form it should take, Krushelnicki said keep it to two pages and write it in Latin.
 Krushelnicki must have explained what “top of bank”meant to citizens groups more than 1000 times while he was Director of Planning for the city. During his time as Burlington’s planner he must have explained what “top of bank” meant more than 1000 times – he also tirelessly explained that approval of some height density on one lot did not serve as a precedent for every lot in the neighbourhood.
Krushelnicki had a style that was very much his own. His ethics were beyond reproach, he had that old school politeness about him and more often than not he knew what he was doing and why he made the decisions he made
Krushelnicki was no where near retirement age – but some took the position that his time had come.
By Pepper Parr
June 1, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 1 of a series.
Public opinion polling is an important tool used by politicians at every level to determine what people think and feel about an issue.
A critical issue for Burlingtonians, besides saying how well they feel they are serviced by the various city departments, – is how involved they feel they are in the decisions made by city council.
The data produced by the polling and the way it is being interpreted by city hall and the different members of council was significant enough for the Gazette to cover that story separately
As city council prepares to begin debating what the strategic Plan should be for the next four years they gather together as much data as they can.
One of the major research projects is polling the public for their opinions on how well their government is doing.
The good stuff will get trumpeted and the not so good gets a quick look – maybe a nod and then they move on.
Some of the questions asked of the public are so self-serving as to be painful – others elicit a lot of very useful information
Let’s take a detailed look at what the city learned about itself.
Forum Research interviewed 771 people. The same firm did the public research polling in 2011.
In a preface to the report Forum said:
With a population nearing 180,000, it is cherished for its small town feel, green city heritage, and a high quality of life. As well, its economic strength and sustainable growth has made it one of the most thriving City’s in Southern Ontario. Committed to open and transparent governance that delivers quality services to its residents, the City of Burlington hired Forum Research to conduct a Community Satisfaction survey to gather resident input for various topics and issues.
Specifically, the purpose of the 2015 Community Satisfaction survey was to:
1: Measure resident satisfaction and importance toward various services offered by the City of Burlington;
2: Measure perceptions toward quality of life improvement;
3: Determine key sources that respondents are using when seeking information about programs / events / festivals happening in the City; and
4: Determine awareness and attitude toward citizen engagement opportunities in Burlington.
The report produced was extensive and we will take you through as much as we can.
The crunch point for a number of people is how well the city is doing on community engagement – the numbers were not good but the current Mayor and a number of members of council somehow found a silver lining in the data.
This research was conducted via live agent Computer-Assisted-Telephone-Interviewing (CATI) of randomly selected residents in the City of Burlington. Respondents were called between 5:00pm and 9:00pm from February 5th to February 12th, 2015. A total of 771 interviews were completed, each approximately 18 minutes in length. The margin of error was +/-3.5, at the 95% confidence interval level.
 Overall Impression of Burlington as a Place to Live
When respondents were asked to rate the City of Burlington as a place to live, nearly all respondents (96%) said it was at least ‘good’. However, the majority of respondents (86%) said it was either ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ (48% and 38%, respectively). Just over 1% of respondents said ‘very poor’. The overall impression of Burlington as a place to live amongst respondents was very positive, and consistent with findings in 2011, as well as in 2008.
Has quality of life in the City of Burlington changed in the past four years? Although the majority of respondents (54%) said quality of life has stayed the same in Burlington, 28% said that it has improved. Less than 10% of respondents said quality of life has worsened.
 What Respondents Like Best about Burl ington
Respondents were asked what they like best about living in the City of Burlington. Top mentions were: access to amenities and services / has everything we need (15%), sense of community / small town feel (13%), it’s safe / low crime rate (11%) and easy access to Toronto / central location (10%).
 Respondents’ Vision of Burlington
This question reads as if it was written to pull a positive response; what was there not to like in the question which asked: whether or not they agreed that the following statement is a good reflection of what the vision for Burlington should be: “A place where people, nature and businesses thrive”. Nearly all respondents (96%) agreed. How could you disagree with it?
The politicians will be pulling the answer to this out of their bag of tricks for the next six months.
Part two of this series will focus on the delivery of specific services and the public satisfaction.
|
|
