 By Staff
May 19, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
“Pressure, pressure, pressure that was definitely the theme this week” for the most recent Friday Fugitive.
Scottie Ryerson was arrested in Hamilton Friday evening after Halton police were able to contact him at which time he surrendered. He was under intense pressure from family and friends as a direct result of the media coverage as soon as articles were posted.
A previous Friday Fugitive, Curtis Komp remains in custody in Ottawa; he has been charged with 13 counts of False Pretences, two counts of Breach of Probation and two counts of Fail to Comply with Recognizance. Curtis is to appear in Ottawa court on May 19th where a guilty plea is anticipated.
 Raymond Lloyd French – still on the Friday Fugitive list  Kenneth Lorne Moodie – there are people who want to talk to you The count for this initiative is now two out of four back in police custody.
Still on the list are Kenneth Lorne Moodie and Raymond Lloyd French
French
Moodie
 By Pepper Parr
May 18, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It used to be that Lakeshore Road was the place to be if you wanted to enjoy an outdoor patio.
Joe Dogs was further up Brant Street and there were a few places that had a couple of tables – but there was nothing that had any style or pizzaz.
 The Test Kitchen had to pay full freight for the two parking space the Pop Up Patio took up. 21 tables in that space – it’s hoot and a fun place to be. Alex Mickalow opened his Test Kitchen on Brant Street and offered a lunch that included a glass of beer or wine for $10 – the place became THE place to be seen.
There was a buzz to the place with a menu that was different for this city. Finally something that said one can do better than just a burger and beer.
Alex decided he could ratchet his operation up a notch and talked to people at city hall to see what they thought of what were being called Pop Up Patios.
 It’s not the Brant Street you are used to seeing – expect to see servers scooting back and forth across the street. It took a lot of talking – and city hall wasn’t exactly reasonable with the deal the Test Kitchen got but it did get approved much to the delight of the Burlington Downtown Business Association and Jodie Wellings, Special Business Area Coordinator responsible for making the Downtown Core Commitment real.
She unfortunately wasn’t in town for the opening.
The patio is now constructed and open – there are 21 tables in the space that used to hold two parked cars – tight but friendly.
 The Test Kitchen Pop Up Patio on Brant Street is open – and appears to work. Your menu is on an iPad which allows for instant menu upgrades and is kind of cool to use. Staff is great – they are kept busy.
City Council took to the idea and hoped there would be more applications for this type of operation. They seemed prepared to let Brant Street become one row of restaurant after restaurant – with room for other innovative commercial ideas. The street could eventually become car free – with just bicycles and people strolling along.
Does it have to be Brant Street? John Street has significant potential – the Organic Farmer’s market is now into its third year.
The Brant Street Test kitchen has proven that something upbeat, different and with some hip style to it will work. Mickalow knows he is on to something and is in the process of opening up a second Test Kitchen on Appleby Line.
Getting a table at Brant Street – make a reservation. (289) 245-1999
 By Staff
May 18, 2015
Burlington, ON
We are at that time of year when the outdoor art shows begin to take place. Burlington managed to miss out on a show that was proposed and would have taken place on the Old Lakeshore Road part of town but that got tied up in red tape and some faux pas on the part of the organizer – for some reason that sort of thing seems to happen to Burlington a little too often.
We lost the opportunity to host the pre-Olympic cycling trials a few years ago – even though the parks and recreation people did everything they could to make it happen. The policing costs were a killer and an organizer who didn’t have the depth or all that much in the way of organizational talent blew that opportunity.
 Several of the well known smaller breweries will be part of the 2015 Burlington Beer Festival Burlington’s Beer Festival, now in its second summer season is branching out and adding the arts to its event.
Wayne Brown, brought the Magic Moments to Burlington in 2013 and that was a success artistically if not financially.
Last year Brown hosted both a winter and a summer Beer Fest that went quite well. This year he is gearing up for his third Beer Fest event and is going up market and adding an art element to the three day occasion.
Brown traveled to Calgary and took in the large Beer Fest held in that city. He found it had a Hooters tinge to it and that wasn’t what he wanted.
Adding some of the arts to the event appealed to Brown and he met recently with the seven Guilds at the Art Gallery of Burlington who have agreed to take part.
 The smaller craft breweries bring character and their own interpretation of what a good beer should taste like. A pleasant way to spend a summer afternoon learning what you like and don’t like.  Wonder what this beer will taste like? Returning this year is a beer brand from Thailand which gives the event a bit of an International flavour. Beer Fests in Canada trend to focus on the local craft breweries – which is good for local business and helps them continue to make something more than just a dent in the Beer Store monopoly that exists in Ontario. That is changing but it has a long way to go before we can buy almost every craft beer made in the province.
The 2015 Summer Festival takes place from Friday the 17th through to Sunday the 19th of July: Hours are: Friday 4-11 pm; Saturday noon-11 pm and Sunday noon to 8 pm.
By Staff
May 17, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Detective Ellie Bale, 30 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau wants very much to meet up with two WANTED PARTIES.
The duo are wanted in connection with a residential break and enter, theft of motor vehicles, police pursuit and motor vehicle collisions which occurred in the City of Burlington on May 11th 2015.
Lorne GENERAL (28 years) is wanted for 22 charges and Alannah MARACLE (21 years) is wanted for eight charges in relation to the incident in Burlington. Further charges are anticipated.
If a member of the public has knowledge regarding the whereabouts of MARACLE and/or GENERAL, they are encouraged to phone police.
These two look like they may at some point qualify for Fugitive Friday recognition.
Personal safety is the #1 priority, please call police and do not approach these parties. Any person with information that can assist in this investigation is asked to call the Burlington Criminal Investigation Bureau – at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316/2312 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222 8477 (TIPS), or through the internet at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Joe Gaetan
May 16, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
By Joe Gaetan is like a dog with a bone – he just isn’t going to let it go until he has ever last bit of meat on it. Gaetan has been tracking the progress of the province’s “discussions” and Premier Kathleen Wynne’s statements on any plans to sell Hydro One.
According to a March 10, 2015 CBC report, “Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said she hasn’t made any final decisions yet on asset sales, but she did not dispute a report that she is planning to sell shares in Hydro One”.
 There are thousands of Ontarians who don’t think selling Hydro One is a very smart idea. The Premier appears to have already made up her mind. Have you? Fellow Ontarians, in spite of her waffling, Premier Wynne must have been planning something big, because it’s now called Bill 91, The Building Ontario Up Act (Budget Measures), 2015. It’s Current Status, “The Bill has been Ordered referred to Standing Committee pursuant to the Order of the House Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs”.
The purpose of the Act is to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various Acts. If you feel like reading the lengthy document you will come across sections such as Schedule 1 that deals with making Ontario a more beer friendly province, containing folksy language such as hectoliters, standard bottles of beer, microbrewers, beer, wine and wine coolers.
To pave the way to sell off Hydro One, Wynne apparently knew she had to change a slew of acts such as, The auditor General Act, The Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, The Co-operative Corporations Act, The Financial Accountability Officer Act, The Financial Administration Act, The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, The Commodity Futures Act and most importantly The Electricity Act, 1998.
 Premier Kathleen Wynne – is she ready to say definitely where she stands on the possible sale of Hydro One? For someone who wasn’t sure on March 10, Premier Wynne sure was busy doing a lot behind the scenes in anticipation of making her final decision found in B91. The piece de resistance of B91 is, Section 48.2 subsection (5), the section that deals with Restrictions on Province’s sale, etc. and specifically where the province,” shall not sell, dispose of or otherwise divest any common shares of Hydro One Inc. if the sale, disposal or divestment would result in the Minister on behalf of Her Majesty in right of Ontario owning a number of common shares that is less than 40 per cent of the outstanding number of common shares of Hydro One Inc.
Premier Wynne “what is it you can’t face”, maybe the truth about selling 60% of Hydro One all along?
 By Pepper Parr
May 15, 2105
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a smart move, it brought to the public forum a concern that is very real and was done in a way that the concerns came from the people who had them and not from the people who thought they had a solution.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward held a public meeting, the first of four, to learn from people and developers what they wanted. Her focus was the downtown core but the approach could be applied to any ward in the city.
 It was a full active room with citizens and planners exchanging views – citizen participation at its very best. The city needs more of this kind of meeting. “What if…developers, businesses and residents could work together to build our downtown – finding common ground instead of fighting? asked Meed Ward.
 Meed Ward works from the premise that people have a right to determine what gets built in their neighbourhood and that the views of the public are as important as the views of the developer who owns the property and the planners that determine if a property meets the Official Plan and the zoning – and more importantly if an application for a change to the Official Plan or the zoning is beneficial to the community.
Many Burlingtonians don’t understand why an Official Plan can be changed – they want the Plan cast in stone. Burlington’s Director of Planning explains again and again that there isn’t an Official Plan in existence that can foresee all the ideas and opportunities that innovative developers can come up with.
About 125 people showed up for the Workshop including the following developers. A few who said they would attend didn’t show up. It was an impressive list.
Robert Molinaro, The Molinaro Group – attended
Sam DiSanto, The Molinaro Group – attended
Matt Jaecklein, Mayrose-Tycon Group – attended
Albert Faccenda, Coral Gable Homes – attended
Andrew and Donna Haid, Welwyn Interests – attended along with their architect Jonathan King and planner David Capper.
Dr. Michael Shih, Emshih Developments – attended
Ken Dakin on behalf of Vrankor Group (Darko Vranich) – attended
Nick Carnicelli, Carriage Gate Homes – attended
Jeff Paikin, New Horizon Homes – did not make it
Saud & Tariq Adi, Adi Developments – did not make it.
 Nick Carnacelli, the developer of the Bentley getting closer to the point of putting a shovel in the ground makes a point at the Workshop  Maurice Desrochers and Dr. Michael Shie look as if they are putting together a deal – it was more an exchange of views. Note that Paletta International, the largest landowner in the city, didn’t plan on attending and didn’t have anyone in the room. The Reimer’s were not in the room nor was there anyone from Hopewell, the people who own the land on the North Service Road that IKEA had hoped to build on.
The first event ran for a full two hours and if the conversations at the different tables are any indication – there were a lot of opinions floating around.
Before the participants got down to what Meed Ward called the “table work” Andrea Smith, Manager of Policy and Research for Burlington set out the policy framework within which development in the downtown core takes place.
The working premise for the evening was:
How we got here
Existing policies
Scope of OP/Zoning review
What do we want to achieve
Meed Ward set the current situation which she defined as the city wanting to keep the existing farm land- which is basically everything north of Dundas Highway 407.
She said cutting back on the infrastructure that has to be built will reduce taxes but to do that the city needs to get better use out of the infrastructure it already has in place
Meed Ward talks of a more walkable city with much more mixed use – which is an attempt to do something other than repeat the urban sprawl that is expensive to maintain and doesn’t do much for really healthy communities.
There are always personal agendas when politicians meet with the public. Meed Ward was letting the city see the kind of leadership she would provide were she to get to wear the Chain of Office that Mayors’ wear.
 Andrea smith, Manager Police and Research and the planner shepherding the Official Plan review Andrea Smith, Manager of Policy and Research – the person heading up the review of the existing Official Plan, put a graphic up on the screen that showed where development is currently taking place. Few had seen this document before.
 There is a lot more development approved in Burlington than most people realize. There are three big project at different stages of development: Paradigm, Bridgewater and the Bentley – all approved and at different stages of development.
While there are few construction cranes on the Burlington horizon now these three project will keep the construction trades busy for the next five years.
Does the market have the capacity to absorb the number of units that will be built? The developers have those number in closely guarded reports – what do the planners know about what market demand for accommodation in the city?
During a Committee of the Whole meeting recently, Director of Planning Bruce Krushelnicki pointed out that the city doesn’t have any demographic talent at city hall – without it he suggested there is some flying in the dark being done.
The three projects that are in various stages of development cater to radically different markets. The people who buy into the Paradigm are not the same people who will be buying into Bridgewater.
 Matt Jaecklein, Mayrose-Tycon Group listens quietly to a city planner. Jaecklein was a patient developer who first got approval for what is now the Bridgewater development back in 1985. As for the hotel that will be part of the Bridgewater development on the south side of Lakeshore – well that was going to be open for the Pan AM Games which kick off in the middle of June.
Planner Smith then put up a graphic of the parking lots the city owns – they want to unlock the value of that land and get buildings up. Where will cars park? The city is hoping there will be fewer cars in a future Burlington. Does it make economic sense to put up large structures and dig down for parking spaces?
 The city has parking lots throughout the downtown core. They will do more for the city’s finances if there were buildings on the land rather than cars. Getting to the point where something can be gotten to the point where there are shovels in the ground is WHAT Is it possible to grow the residential community in the downtown core and create the jobs in the community that people can walk to or use public transit as the prime mode of transportation?
Planner Smith set out the provincial and regional policy initiatives that Burlington has to comply with and just where the city has wiggle room and where it can do very little.
There are also individual property rights that have to be respected – look at the battle taking place in the Beachway to get a sense of how those situations make for complex problems and then there are infrastructure realities that have to be dealt with.
There are pipelines that run underground through the city that limit what can be done with some properties – the pipeline that runs alongside the Performing Arts Centre and cross two of the city owned parking lots – can’t dig too close to those pipes.
City Council approved what is called an Urban Growth Centre – this was where the growth was going to take place and the rules for that growth were established.
 The Urban growth center is where city council, through its official plan has determined where the city’s commercial development will take place  The Planners created precincts which are boundaries that define parts of the city and then applied zoning for each precinct. All these issues have to get dealt with within the boundaries the Official Plan has created. In the last Official Plan review the city created a number of what they called “precincts” and applied very specific zoning to those parts of the city to protect what was already in place and to allow for any ideas that a developer might come along with.
 Tom Muir, tends to focus more on Aldershot issues – seldom fails to have an opinion on how the city can grow itself in a reasonable manner and still retain its core values. As the graphics shows there are a number of precincts – names given to different parts of the city with zoning attached to each, Burlington has two residential precincts on either side of Brant Street; the St. Luke’s precinct on the west and the Emerald precinct on the east. The residents of each fight just as fiercely as those in Roseland to ensure that their neighbourhood does not undergo radical change.
The idea of a 28 storey tower on the edge of a residential neighbourhood that has some commercial and professional space in the area has some people frothing at the mouth and also feeling helpless now that the development has gone to the Ontario Municipal Board because the city faield to do anything in the 180 day window they had to respond to the application. Quite why city council didn’t get a chance to pronounce on the application is another story.
The Wellington precinct south of the downtown core has a number of high rise buildings stuffed into the neighbourhood. When they were approved the thinking was that the residents would spend and there would be decent commercial development – maybe even a super market.
 Robert Molinaro explains a point to people participating in the Workshop. The Molinaro’s built several of the condominium high rise buildings along Lakeshore Road and are now developing along Maple Avenue. The residents in those towers saw life differently – they head south in the winter.
Does anyone know how well the butcher at the corner of Brant and |Lakeshore Road is doing?
The Old Lakeshore precinct is a bit of a mess and a major lost opportunity for the city. It has three sub-sections within the precinct that isn’t much more than a couple of blocks in size.
Two groups were formed and asked to think along the lines of a number of themes:
Parking; heritage; office/retail; compatibility; design; trees; benches; affordability; transit & traffic; height; density; public art; sustainable buildings; jobs and festivals and events.
 This is the Burlington we have. what do we want t do with what we have – and who gets to make that decision anyway? The conversation was at times electric and the room at the Lions Hall certainly had a real buzz to it most of the evening.
Too early to tell what came out of the event. All we know at this point is that there will be another; don’t miss the next one.
The second meeting will take place at the Performing Arts Centre on May 27th where Meed Ward hopes to apply the principles in place to two specific sites:
Brant/Ghent
Lakeshore/Burlington
The third community Workshop will take place June 10, 2015, at the Burlington Lion’s Club Hall where Meed Ward hopes she will be able to present areas where there is a consensus and possible draft recommendations.
By Staff
May 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
A 61-year-old Burlington woman was defrauded $37,500 in an increasingly common romance scam targeting individuals who frequent online dating sites.
The female met an unknown individual in February 2015 on a popular dating website and began an online relationship with them. The individual persuaded the female to wire transfer funds overseas to DUBAI, United Arab Emirates to assist with the purchase of horses and then several days later continued to convince her to send more money for the care of the horses.
When staff at the wire transfer business suspected the activity was fraudulent, the female continued to send additional money through her own bank. The female victim was devastated to learn that the relationship was deceitful and she had been victim to this scheme.
Halton Regional Police are reminding residents to be vigilant when communicating with anyone online, especially using online dating sites.
Please be cognizant of romance scam relationships and be suspicious of the following scenarios;
• Anyone you are not familiar with wanting you to send them money via wire transfer or through your bank.
• Asking to communicate with you outside the dating service or email.
• Requesting your address to send you flowers or gifts. Never give out your address or personal information.
• Claims they live in Canada or the U.S., but they are currently travelling, living or working abroad.
• Refers to your relationship as “destiny” or “fate.”
• Soon after initiating the relationship, outlines an emergency situation pleading you to assist them financially.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call 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
May 15th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If there was ever any doubt that thieves regularly steal your identity any way they can – read on.
On Wednesday May 13, 2015 at 6:45am a Halton Regional Police uniform officer on patrol at Motel 6, located at 4345 North Service Road in the City of Burlington observed a motor vehicle that had been recently reported stolen by Ottawa Police. The vehicle was stopped and the occupants subsequently arrested.
Further investigation revealed the two female occupants in the vehicle were also in possession of several pieces of counterfeit government identification, stolen credit cards and a small quantity of marihuana.
Accused:
Line PHRAND, 55 years, from St.Andre D’Argenteuil, Quebec
Cynthia GILBERT, 38 years, from Montreal, Quebec
have both been charged with:
Possession of Stolen Property over $5000
Unauthorized Possession of Credit Card Data
Possession of Identity Theft Documents
Possession of Counterfeit Mark
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call 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
May 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington just may have witnessed the beginning of a tradition last night at the BEST awards occasion where seven of our citizens were recognized for their contributions to the betterment of the city.
 Dwight Ryan claims he got the white sports coat at Variety Village – on sale – he couldn’t pass up a bargain For the second year in a row Dwight Ryan served as Master of Ceremonies where he brought a self-deprecating dry wit to the evening.
Ryan will never be known for his sartorial flair – he claimed the jacket he was wearing was bought at Variety Village where he got it “on sale”. He then added that the white sports coat he wore the previous year was also bought on sale.
At that point Burlington’s MP Mike Wallace slipped onto the stage and pulled that white sports coat out of a plastic bag and of course Dwight Ryan put it on. A prank that was consistent with the way Wallace enjoys life. It was heard later that Wallace actually wanted the purple stripped jacket Ryan had been wearing.
Expect both Dwight Ryan and that white sports coat to show up next year; it is going to become the tie that gets given year after year at Christmas.
The presenting of awards to seven of Burlington’s BEST was a fast paced event that had everyone on their way out the door by nine. Ryan hung around for a while – he apparently wanted people to see him in all his splendour.
The nominees for 2014 BEST awards were:
Citizen of the Year – Angelo Bentivegna, Ron Foxcroft, Maibritt Bergman
Senior Citizen of the Year – Esperanza Peacock, Helen Deadder, Bonnie Purkis
Junior Citizen of the Year – Kevin Han, Caitlyn Kay, Connor Fraser
Environmental Award – Susan Fraser, Monte Dennis
Heritage Person of the Year – Alan Harrington, Mary Jane Pilling, the late Dave Morris
Arts Person of the Year – Chris Giroux, John Kemp, Leslie Gray, Tomy Bewick
Community Service Award – IronDames Group, Mary Nichol, Bob Vandenberg, Christine Karczmarczyk
 From left to right: Mary Nicol, Tomy Bewick. Bonnie Purkis, Ron Foxcroft, Kevin Ham, wife of the late Dave Morris and Susan Fraser. The winners were:
Artsperson: Tomy Bewick
Heritage Person of the Year: the late Dave Morris
Community Service Award: Mary Nichol
Environmental Award: Susan Fraser
Junior Citizen of the Year: Kevin Han
Senior Citizen of the Year: Bonnie Purkis
Citizen of the Year: Ron Foxcroft
Both the nominees and the city of Burlington were all winners
By Staff
May 15, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is week #4 for Halton Regional Police, Burlington station “Fugitive Friday” initiative. This is the police reaching out to the community and asking for help in locating wanted persons and holding them accountable for their actions.
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live out in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place.
Every Friday, the Burlington Offender Management Unit will share information on a wanted person hoping the public can assist in locating the individual.
 Scottie Ryerson. Burlington police detachments Friday Fugitive In this edition of Fugitive Friday the 3 District, Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for:
Scottie Patrick RYERSON, 28 years old, of Hamilton, ON.
It is alleged:
– In December of 2014 the accused was investigated during a traffic stop for operating a Motor Vehicle while his licence was suspended
– Upon arrest a quantity of Heroin and Methamphetamines were located in the accused’s possession as well as a Machete.
– Further investigation revealed the accused was already on a form of release with Hamilton Police Service for Possession of Drugs – Methamphetamines as well as Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
– The accused was released on an Undertaking and was required to attend court on April 24th, 2015 in Milton which he failed to do and a warrant was issued for his arrest
He is now wanted for:
Possession of a Schedule I Drug (2 counts) – Heroin and Amphetamines
Breach of Undertaking (3 counts)
Fail to Appear Court
The accused is on an alarming pace racking up 11 current charges before the courts since December of 2014.
The accused is known to frequent areas of Halton Region as well as Hamilton and the surrounding area.
Scottie RYERSON is described as 5’8”, 165 lbs, blue eyes and brown hair.
RYERSON has several tattoos (Left forearm – Punisher skull, Right forearm – blade, skull with flames and the name Kaylee-Ann, Neck – Chain around his neck.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist investigators in identifying 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
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Three City of Burlington employees were engaged in landscaping work on a centre island median on Walkers Line, south of Berton Avenue.
At 9:30 am, the driver of a northbound Nissan Pathfinder lost control of the vehicle and mounted the island median.
 Scene of the accident that seriously injured three city employees who were working on the median island. The Nissan struck all three landscapers, then came to rest on the grass at the east side of the roadway.
Two males, age 19 and 22, were transported to Hamilton General Hospital with critical injuries. They are presently in stable condition.
The third worker, a 34 year old female, was transported to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The 51 year old male driver was not injured.
The cause of the collision is still under investigation, but police have ruled out alcohol and cellular device usage. The police have not released the name of the driver of the Nissan.
This investigation is continuing and police are requesting anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Greg Cormier at 905-825-4747 ext. 5066.
 By Ray Rivers
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When things go off the rails who do you call? Lisa Raitt, of course. Canada’s transport minister, was the woman on the job at the annual parliamentary press gallery dinner, as she rescued Green Party leader Elizabeth May from herself.
 Fortunately MP Elizabeth May has a good government pension which she will need because she will never make a living as a stand up comic. May, suffering from lack of sleep, had been at the microphone ranting about the sorry state of the fourth (fifth?) political party in Canada. Then she experienced a Rob Ford moment, trying to make something humorous out of Canada’s mistreatment and neglect of native son Omar Khadr. She had planned to play the theme song from a ’70’s sitcom – “Welcome Back Kotter”, and was hauled off the stage while screaming that Khadr had more integrity than the whole ‘f**king’ Harper Cabinet.
It was a dumb trick – no wonder it didn’t work for her. There is absolutely no connection between the fictional teacher Kotter and our child-soldier Khadr. The names are spelled differently and they don’t even sound the same. The crowd watched in disbelief as May’s little stunt collapsed like a deflated balloon. And May then had to be ushered off the stage by fellow east-coaster and parliamentary buddy, Raitt.
The parliamentary press gallery dinners have been troublesome and ofttimes embarrassing for Canada’s leaders over the years since the 1870’s when they first started. The idea of a forum for some good fun involving self-depreciation and ‘roasting’ of political leaders is similar to the US White House Correspondence Dinner, which it pre-dates by almost half a century.
William Lyon MacKenzie King used the event to announce his resignation. Pierre Trudeau apparently hated attending the dinners. Stephen Harper used to attend while in opposition, appearing once as a convincing Darth Vader, perhaps foretelling where he planned to take the nation if elected But he is AWOL now, as PM.
Elizabeth May has had an impressive record as a champion of the environment, even before she came to lead the two-seat Green Party. A one-time advisor to Mulroney’s environment minister Tom McMillan, she was instrumental in the creation of several national parks. May was awarded the the Order of Canada in 2005 and Newsweek magazine named her “one of the world’s most influential women” in 2010.
 Minister of Transportation Lisa Raitt, got fellow MP Elizabeth May off the stage at a Press Gallery dinner where her speech stunt flopped badly. Her buddy, Lisa Raitt, on the other hand has a more mixed biography, clouded by actions during her time as head of Toronto’s Port Authority. Her tenure as natural resources minister in the Harper Cabinet was awkward, given her unfortunate outburst during the shut down of the reactor at Chalk River. As Labour Minister she is credited with causing an airport workers’ wildcat strike when she called for the RCMP to arrest the workers.
Harper moved Raitt to the transport ministry following the Lac Mégantic train disaster, to give the appearance that his government was doing something. And the government is finally doing something about banning those unsafe tank cars, knowingly used for decades for this dangerous cargo; informing communities when these oil trains pass though; and re-confirming no exemptions for minimum train crews – to help ensure that trains would be properly braked, unlike the one that broke free and crashed, causing the Lac Mégantic tragedy.
Omar Khadr, is the Canadian-born child soldier, shot and captured by American soldiers in Afghanistan, before growing up as an inmate at the US torture academy at Guantanamo Bay. His release on bail was followed by a media conference where he appeared humbled, promising Canadians he’d be a better person. He had been well primed and appeared credible, if not cuddly. Was that the welcome back moment May was championing?
 A boy of 15 on a battlefield where everyone was shooting at everyone gets charged with murder when someone was killed as the result of a grenade the 15 year old boy threw – for this the Canadian government wants to keep him in jail? This one-time child-soldier, born into a politically activist family with roots in the middle east, had spent most of his life somewhere other than Canada. I don’t know if tossing a grenade in self-defence at a gun-fight with American invaders in a lawless country like Afghanistan is much of a crime. But holding children as extra-judicial military prisoners sure is.
In retrospect he probably shouldn’t have been there (Afghanistan), but history will show that neither should the Americans who shot and then held him prisoner for as long as they did. Omar Khadr has had a tough life growing up and had been poorly treated – by the Americans and his own parents – but he is hardly a hero worthy of praise. And while he is now in the country of his birth, Canada is barely his home. No wonder May’s skit flopped.
Background links:
Elizabeth May May and Khadr Lisa Raitt Omar Khadr
Welcome Back Kotter White House Correspondents
 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.
 By Pepper Parr
May 14 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
We asked staff at MPP Eleanor McMahon’s office to provide us with some background material on the Health and Physical Education curriculum – referred by many as the “sex ed” course and were given and referred to the following material that clarifies some common misconceptions about what the curriculum will be teaching our children – including addressing concerns about the age-appropriateness of the content.
It also serves to explain that many parts of the curriculum are currently being taught as part of the 1998 curriculum.
 McMahon comes from a family with strong core values and social convictions – she believes government has a role to play in ensuring our young are given the information they need to make informed decisions. The safety and wellbeing of Ontario’s students is our government’s top priority, and we believe that students need to have the best information possible so they can make informed decisions.
The revised curriculum documents for Health and Physical Education, Grades 1 to 8, 2015 and Health and Physical Education, Grades 9 to 12, 2015, are available on the Ministry of Education website and can be accessed by the public (www.edu.gov.on.ca)
Most parents don’t have the time or the inclination to spend hours wading through at times turgid government reports. They want to know, in simple language they can understand and easily grasp – ‘what are teachers telling my children’.
Well-being is a core component of the government’s renewed vision for education and we are committed to the success, safety and well-being of every student and child. The Health and Physical Education curriculum that is currently being used has not been updated since 1998 – this is over 15 years old – and the world has changed. Technology concepts such as Smartphones, “Snapchat” and sexting were not familiar to anyone, let alone children and teenagers.
In our increasingly interconnected world, students often get information from unreliable and inaccurate sources. The classroom is a safe place for children to learn, and Ontario teachers are professional trained to teach sensitive material. Our students deserve a curriculum that is current, relevant and age-appropriate to give them the best information possible to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
 McMahon: a capacity to listen. The revision of these curriculum documents is the result of work done through an extensive review process. This process was guided by research on current instructional approaches specific to this discipline, expert advice from academics, benchmarking and comparisons of the curriculum with that of other national and international jurisdictions.
It involved extensive consultation with parents, students, teachers, faculties of education, universities, colleges and numerous stakeholder groups including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the Ontario Public Health Association and the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition. More than 70 health-related organizations submitted reports for consideration, and thousands of parents provided their input.
That means a parent in every elementary school across Ontario, representing all four publically funded school boards, was provided with an opportunity to provide input.
Parents and educators play critical and complementary roles to support student safety and well-being. Recognizing this, our government has begun developing a series of resources for parents, which provide information on the Health and Physical Education curriculum and ideas for supporting learning at home.
 McMahon is in the community and of the community where she has to stick handle some awkward issues – how is she doing so far? Eleanor McMahon believes that parents should still have their own conversations about sexual health with their children, particularly when it comes to personal values. Nothing can replace the love, care and concern of a parent. But she also believes the best way to ensure our children are getting the most accurate, fact-based, up-to-date and age-appropriate information is through a Health and Physical Education curriculum that has been informed by experts, research, educators and parents together.
By Staff
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington, Ont.—May 14, 2015—The City of Burlington is saddened today to share news about an incident that took place this morning involving city employees.
A vehicle struck three Roads and Parks Maintenance employees while they were working outside on Walkers Line near Dundas Street. Two staff have been taken to Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries and a third was taken to Joseph Brant Hospital with minor injuries.
The city is not sharing the names of the employees until the families have been informed.
“This is heartbreaking news,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the employees who have been injured and with their families.”
Mayor Goldring and Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster visited the injured workers at the hospital. Other Roads and Parks Maintenance staff have been called back to their offices where two crisis counsellors will be available. Counselling is also available to any city staff person who needs support.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
 By Pepper Parr
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The only thing they didn’t have at the Art Gallery of Burlington Annual General Meeting last night was a hat check person – and they needed one.
Anne Swarbrick, changed hats so often that it was difficult to tell just what her title was at any one point in time.
 Anne Swarbrick, back to being chair of the Art Gallery Burlington Foundation During the past year the AGB has gone through significant changes along with the realization that the balance sheet was a little lop sided with the revenue part of that document nowhere near as high as it needed to be.
Swarbrick who was the Chair of the AGB Foundation had to be brought in as the interim Executive Director to run the AGB on a day to day basis while the chair of the AGB itself Sandra Edrupt kept things on an even keel.
Former Executive Director Ian Ross left the organization and Treasurer Paul MacDiarmid worked with the gallery staff to re-align some of those numbers.
 Sandra Edrupt, Chair of the Art Gallery Burlington Swarbrick and Edrupt worked as one of the most effective tag teams this city has seen in some time and convinced city council to make available the funds needed to cover the short fall for the next couple of years.
Council literally poured funds – more than $100,000 a year for two years into the bucket Swarbrick and Edrupt had brought with them. It was an impressive performance.
Newly anointed Executive Director Robert Steven learned that the woodworking guild was in the process of building him a new desk.
 Robert Steven, newly appointed Executive Director Art Gallery Burlington The meeting was one of the best run the Gazette has seen – the procedures they followed covered all the bases.
We will report further on just where the Art |Gallery needs and wants to go in the next three to five years.
Is there anything the Board or the city wants to say about the city owned property the art gallery sits on?
By Staff
May 13, 2015
BURLINGTON,ON
North America will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope on July 13, 2015. Terry Fox visited Burlington during that first event.
 The Terry Fox Run to Cure Cancer has been a Burlington event from the beginning 35 years ago. Last year the organizers of the event set up a booth in the Car Free Sunday in Alton. The city has been approached by the Burlington Terry Fox organization requesting a plaque or monument be installed along the waterfront, on the border between Wards 1 and 2, to mark the 35th anniversary.
Terry Fox ran along Spencer Smith Park during his cross Canada run, and the annual race takes place in Spencer Smith/Beachway Parks.
The city is exploring the idea further, and will be presented the following staff direction at the May 12, 2015 Community & Corporate Services Committee meeting:
Direct the Manager of Arts and Culture to consult with the Burlington Terry Fox Foundation in the design of a monument to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run with funding provided by the Terry Fox Foundation for implementation;
Direct the Executive Director of Capital Works to consult with Halton Region on a location of the monument in alignment with the Beach Master Plan; and
Direct the City Clerk to write a letter of support for the project to the Burlington Terry Fox Foundation.
 The tension between Councillors Meed Ward and Craven is close to measurable at times. It will be interesting to see how they manage to cooperate at the unveiling of the plaque the city is considering. , It will be interesting to see how the Councillors for wards 1 and 2 manage to co=operate on this event. They are not known for the conviviality of their relationship.
The plaque itself is a wonderful idea – Burlington has been a consistent supporter of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope since its earliest days.
 By Pepper Parr
May 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Large parts of this article were first published in a blog Mayor Goldring contributes to from time to time
The group that spent close to a week in Holland representing Burlington in one of the most politically and historically significant events for the western world are all back in town.
 Burlington and Apeldoorn residents touring the Kasteel Cannenburch in Vaassen. Mayor Rick Goldring and Councillor Blair Lancaster represented the city officially. Staff members Scott Stewart and Rob Peachy took part in the trip along with members of Burlington’s Dutch Community and the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
The event was the 70th year celebration of the end of the Second World War. The remaining members of the armed forces who fought that war are in their 90’s – the chances of them taking part in the next celebration ten years from now is remote.
 Brian Bourne, Mayors John Berends and Rick Goldring, Scott Stewart, Councillor Blair Lancaster, Ed Dorr, Jan Koorenhof and Charles Minken come together with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and visiting Burlington residents for the preview of Burlington Park in Apeldoorn. The occasion was an opportunity for Burlington to further cement its relationship with Apeldoorn, the city was twinned with ten years ago.
Mayor Goldring called the trip “the experience of a lifetime”.
The celebrations were multi-faceted. In April, 21 Burlington students from participating high schools travelled to Apeldoorn for a week-long exchange. There was also an art exchange and pen pal program between participating Grade 4 and 5 students.
 Cycling is a key mode of transportation in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Ideas for encouraging cycling in Burlington were shared. Apeldoorn is a city of approximately 150,000, while Burlington has about 180,000 residents. We have many similarities despite our physical distance.
The Burlington delegation met with municipal officials on several occasions to share ideas and best practices, with discussions around infrastructure, sustainability, fleet, efficiencies, greenspace management and council procedure, among others.
There were also discussions about possible economic development opportunities. Economic development is a priority for both Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and myself.
The close ties between the Canadian and Dutch people date back 70 years when the Canadian Forces liberated Apledoorn in April 1945 and the rest of the country by May 5, 1945.
Today, both Canada and the Netherlands are highly regarded in the international community for our strong open democracies with enduring traditions of tolerance and respect for human rights and the rule of law. We are natural friends and partners in so many ways.
 Mayors Rick Goldring and John Berends lay a wreath at Loenen, the Netherlands. Mayor Goldring said the visit to Holten Cemetery to honour our Canadian soldiers “touched my heart, as did the veteran’s parades in Apeldoorn and Wageningen.” Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and Mayor Goldring laid a wreath at Loenen.
“I have always been proud to be Canadian” said Mayor Golddring. “This past week, observing thousands of Dutch citizens waving Canadian flags and seeing young Dutch children run up and hand our veterans homemade cards and fresh flowers during the parade deepened my patriotism.”
 Canadian veteran and Burlington resident Mr. Jim Warford meets with Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring.  Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring with Canadian veteran and Burlington resident Mr. Stan Egerton. “Last week”, while in Holland, “ I also had the opportunity to connect with Burlington veterans Mr. Jim Warford and Mr. Stan Egerton in Apeldoorn. Words are not enough to describe the honour of shaking their hands.”
“It is so very important to teach our young people about the importance of freedom and the relationship between Canada and the Netherlands. Everywhere I went, people spoke about the talent, precision and dedication of our young people in the band. They truly are the pride of Burlington and Canada’s Musical Ambassadors.”
 Princess Margriet of the Netherlands meets members of the City of Burlington delegation in Apeldoorn. Goldring reminded us that: “It is special to note that during the Second World War, the Dutch Flag was flown over the Parliament Buildings and Peace Tower in Ottawa when Princess Margriet was born in Canada. She is a beloved daughter of Canada.”
The Burlington delegation to Holland had an opportunity to meet Princess Margriet during their visit. “She was gracious and very complimentary of Canada and the relationship with Burlington.” Said the Mayor.
Goldring spoke during the preview of the Burlington Garden in Apeldoorn and said:
“I would like to extend warm greetings to Mayor John Berends, Apeldoorn Burlington Committee Chair Jan Koorenhof, Burlington Apeldoorn Committee Chair Charles Minken, Burlington Mundialization Chair Ed Dorr, our citizens, the Burlington Teen Tour Band and our friends in attendance.
 A bench embossed with maple leaves in Burlington Garden in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The park was a mundialization initiative. “What a glorious occasion it is to be here today at the preview of Burlington Garden during the 10th anniversary of the official twinning of Burlington and Apeldoorn.
“The Burlington Garden is a meaningful initiative for both the City of Apeldoorn and the City of Burlington.
“Two years ago, Mayor Berends and I celebrated the ground-breaking for Apeldoorn Park in downtown Burlington. How quickly time has passed, my friend.
“Apeldoorn Park officially opened in Burlington in September 2014. It was a special occasion as Apeldoorn high school students were present at the opening.
“It has many Dutch features, with orange play equipment, benches engraved with tulips, and hundreds of Apeldoorn tulips.
 Burlington Teen Tour Band members line a street in Apeldoorn for the walk of silence on the Day of Remembrance on Monday, May 4. “Every time I drive or walk by Apeldoorn Park, I see children playing or seniors sitting enjoying the scenery. Apeldoorn Park is a park that holds a special place in the hearts of our residents. It is an honour to be here today at the opening of Burlington Garden.
“This garden embodies the friendship and close bond between the people of Burlington and Apeldoorn. It is also symbolic of city council’s dedication to the welfare of the people of Apeldoorn, as the garden will be maintained by area citizens and residents of Heeren Loo.
“It is beautiful to think that children will be playing in Burlington Garden at the same time as children in Apeldoorn Park. Although we are separated by a vast ocean and hundreds of miles, we are family.
By Pepper Parr
May 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The route for the Pan Am Torch run has been determined. It will go through Burlington on Friday June 19 and start at Brant and Leighland and proceed south to Caroline where it will turn west along Caroline to Locust.
South on Locust to Elgin
West on Elgin to Maple and south on Maple into Spencer Smith Park.
The Torch Route will start at 17:40 (5:40 pm) arriving at the stage at Spencer Smith Park at 18:25. (6:25) pm These times need to finalized with TO2015, which we anticipate shortly.
 Pan Am Torch route – Friday June 19, The 19th of June is Sound of Music time of year – so the Torch run will somehow become part of the Sound of Music.
There are hordes of people involved in the Pan Am event. Corporations are being asked to think in terms of possible staggered hours for their employees or have them work from home.
Traffic is expected to be a bit of a mess for the whole of the Pan Am and the Para Am games.
 This is the torch Burlington’s representative will carry June 19th Burlington has what the bureaucrats are calling “non-event” status – which is a polite way of saying nothing is going to take place in Burlington other than the practice soccer games that will take place at City View park – but the public will not be allowed to watch those games.
All these decisions were made before Burlington was recognized as the best mid-sized city in Canada to live in.
 Dr. Ashley Worobec will carry the Pan Am Torch through Burlington and into Spencer Smith Park. Dr. Ashley Worobec will carry the Torch for the Burlington portion of the run into Hamilton.
Worobec is a Burlington based chiropractor at the Burlington Sports and Spine Clinic. She is also an avid Crossfit practitioner.
A mother of two young children, she is actively engaged in numerous community activities and blogs about her community, her practice, parenting and staying fit and healthy.
By Pepper Parr
May 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 5 of a multi part series
It is difficult to get a full sense of the size and scope of the Beachway Park that the designers have put together.
It amounts to five different parks all rolled into one – with more than enough to do for any family.
 Three kilometres in length from the |Pier to the Canal – a good healthy walk The distance from the Pier to the Canal is 3 km with all kinds of trails and places to rest. One of the problems with the park in its present form was the lack of food options – and restrooms. Slim pickings with both.
 Throughout much of the park’s environment there are dunes that are sensitive and need to be protected from any kind of vehicle and heavy pedestrian traffic. The west end of the park has space for bacchii ball, Beach Volley Ball, a soccer pitch. There was no mention of a horse shoe pitch – but that could get added.
 Those purple splotches are destinations; places to go to swim, play a sport, take part in a small festival; shop at a market garden or look at art that will be for sale. There are shelter areas for festivals and market and arts and craft sales.
 Beacons will be spread throughout the park telling you where you are. Each will have some form of illustration.  Parts of the park will have space to set up tents for short term events.
It will be difficult to get lost. The park designers have come up with a system of markers which they call beacons. They will have both names and number and as you can see from the graphic above – they will be spread throughout the park.
This is going to be a walking park – there will be paths galore that are well marked. What hasn’t been explained is how well lit the paths and trails will be. without lights at night the park would become a dangerous place.
When the plans for a park were first put out in 2012 the argument went that houses were going to be torn down to make space for parking lots. The design that is on the table today does have parking lots but they are not in places where houses exist.
The houses are being taken out so that park facilities can be built and Lakeshore Road re-aligned.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
 By Staff
May 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It looks like it could come from the Bank of Montreal – and we all make little goofs logging in. Did I make that many I might ask.
 It might look legitimate – it isn’t. This kind of scam is an attempt to get you to click on the link they want you to go to – then they begin to gather information. It doesn’t take them very long to get to the point where they have enough information to begin sucking money out of your bank account; your credit card or any number of places where you have funds that are accessible on line.
The sent from address used is a little confusing – this isn’t from a bank.
The basic rule is always be vigilant and if in doubt – don’t.
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