 By Justin Weinger
April 8th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
For almost a decade now, people have been toying with the idea of paying with Bitcoin, or other cryptocurrencies, instead of cash or credit card. However, with Bitcoin’s rise to fame in the past 12 months, this may be more than just wishful thinking in the near future. That’s right, just like cryptocurrencies have caught on with investors, they may very soon catch on with everyone else.
Thus, the question remaining is not ‘if’, but rather ‘when’, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether; Litecoin, and the rest are going to become a popular and accepted payment method – and when the revolution is expected to reach the greater Toronto area. Well, we’ve got some good news and some bad news for you in that sense.
 Bitcoin’s rise to fame in the past 12 months. Reasons for optimism
Cryptocurrency has been around for a long time, but only in 2009, with the invention of Bitcoin, did it become more than just a game for geeks. Slowly but steadily, Bitcoin gained popularity, and subsequently its rate increased. The big boom came in 2020, when investors had been looking for venues not hit by COVID-19 and its financial consequences. The charts don’t lie – Bitcoin’s rate has reached more than 12 times what it had been just a year ago, and other cryptos haven’t done so terribly either during the same time period.
This has granted cryptocurrencies public awareness – a stepping stone to institutionalization. Today you can see crypto exchanges and even ATMs, so why not accept them at stores and restaurants as well? Ray Glover from the world-renowned investment firm CreditEUBank, which offers cryptocurrency trade in Canada, shared his thoughts on the matter with us.
 The future is literally in your hands. “Cryptocurrency is catching on, and Bitcoin is a good example of that. Did you know that around the world, some branches of fast-food chains like Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, and even Subway, accept payments in Bitcoin? I believe that it’s only a matter of time till it becomes widespread – and I’m talking about less time than you probably think.”
But wait, there’s a catch
Just like with any other technology in history, change is going to take time. You know what they say – Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s probably going to start off in big metropolitan areas, and be used by wealthier populations first, just like back when credit cards and ATMs were a new thing. This may be good news for you if you reside in the greater Toronto area, or even in the Quebec City-Windsor corridor.
The matter also depends on initiative. Mega shops and restaurant chains accepting Bitcoin is a nice thing, but the real change must come from the small, local shops like your grocer, butcher and ice cream vendor. The key word here is perception: If cryptocurrency is seen as a legitimate payment method, its popularity will rise faster. The authorities in Canada have already legalized it as a payment method, and now it’s up to the simple man and woman to do the same.
In the meantime
There is an option to take advantage of the rising popularity of Bitcoin and its peers. Online brokers like CreditEUBank offer trading services on popular and promising cryptocurrencies, which means anyone can learn how this market works. The investments are done on a CFD (cost for difference) basis, bringing two great advantages for traders. Firstly, you do not need to own any crypto coin. You invest on its value, and you earn according to it.
 Driving the markets crazy. Secondly, CFD trading also makes it possible to profit off of a cryptocurrency’s decrease in value. All you need to do is project the direction in which the asset is going. Since CreditEUBank has over 15 years of experience in the field of online trading, as well as other sectors such as private debt, VC and private equity, this is a broker which can be trusted with providing the necessary tools to trade wisely.
Bottom line
Winds of change are definitely being felt. Whether we like it or not, cryptocurrency (and especially Bitcoin) is going to become an acceptable and widely used financial transaction method in the near future. We’re talking about a whole lot of new possibilities here, and an advantageous situation for anyone who wants to embrace this new technology. Luckily, CreditEUBank and other brokers can assist in this process.
By Staff
April 7, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Additional measures needed to protect health system capacity and save lives during third wave of COVID-19
Here’s the full story.
What our lives are going to look like for the next four weeks.
 Effective Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the government is issuing a province-wide Stay-at-Home order requiring everyone to remain at home except for essential purposes, such as going to the grocery store or pharmacy, accessing health care services (including getting vaccinated), for outdoor exercise , or for work that cannot be done remotely. As Ontario’s health care capacity is threatened, the Stay-at-Home order, and other new and existing public health and workplace safety measures will work to preserve public health system capacity, safeguard vulnerable populations, allow for progress to be made with vaccinations and save lives.
Retail
In addition, the province is also strengthening public health and workplace safety measures for non-essential retail under the provincewide emergency brake. Measures include, but are not limited to:
• Limiting the majority of non-essential retailers to only operate for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., with delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm, and other restrictions;
• Restricting access to shopping malls to limited specified purposes, including access for curbside pick-up and delivery, via appointment, with one single designated location inside the shopping mall, and any number of designated locations outside the shopping mall, along with other restrictions;
• Restricting discount and big box stores in-person retail sales to grocery items, pet care supplies, household cleaning supplies, pharmaceutical items, health care items, and personal care items only;
• Permitting the following stores to operate for in-person retail by appointment only and subject to a 25 per cent capacity limit and restricting allowable hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. with the delivery of goods to patrons permitted between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.:
o Safety supply stores;
o Businesses that primarily sell, rent or repair assistive devices, aids or supplies, mobility devices, aids or supplies or medical devices, aids or supplies;
o Rental and leasing services including automobile, commercial and light industrial machinery and equipment rental;
o Optical stores that sell prescription eyewear to the public;
o Businesses that sell motor vehicles, boats and other watercraft;
o Vehicle and equipment repair and essential maintenance and vehicle and equipment rental services; and
o Retail stores operated by a telecommunications provider or service, which may only permit members of the public to enter the premises to purchase a cellphone or for repairs or technical support.
 Keeping the traffic to 25% will be a challenge • Permitting outdoor garden centres and plant nurseries, and indoor greenhouses that engage in sales to the public, to operate with a 25 per cent capacity limit and a restriction on hours of operation to between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
These additional and strengthened public health and workplace safety measures will be in effect as of Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 12:01 a.m.
Education
Keeping schools and child care open is critical to the mental health and well-being of Ontario children and youth. Schools and child care will remain open for in-person care and learning in public health regions where it is permitted, with strict safety measures in place.
In addition, beginning next week, education workers who provide direct support to students with special education needs across the province, and all education workers in select hot spot areas, will be eligible to register for vaccination. Vaccinations will commence during the April break starting with priority neighborhoods in Toronto and Peel, then rolling out to priority neighborhoods in other hot spot regions, including York, Ottawa, Hamilton, Halton and Durham. This will be followed by a rollout across the province as supply allows.
“While our government took decisive action by implementing the province wide emergency brake, more needs to be done to protect against the threats to our health system resources and the continued health and safety of individuals and families across the province,” said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By further strengthening public health and workplace safety measures, we can work to reduce transmission of the virus while we work to rollout Phase 2 of our vaccine distribution plan, and put more needles in the arms of Ontarians.”
“The rapid and increasing spread of COVID-19 and the variants of concern pose significant threats to our health care system and the well-being of Ontarians, requiring immediate and decisive action,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones.
“The declaration of a third provincial emergency is necessary to provide the government with the tools needed to help protect the public, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives.”
 With millions of doses on hand – the province is vaccinating tens of thousands each day. Vaccinations
As part of Phase Two of its COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan, people living in regions with the highest rates of transmission will be prioritized to receive a vaccine, starting with the most at-risk in the Peel and Toronto public health regions. This initiative will be expanded to additional “hot spot” regions based on established patterns of transmission, severe illness, and mortality.
To support this expanded vaccination effort, mobile teams are being organized to administer vaccines in high-risk congregate settings, residential buildings, faith-based locations, and locations occupied by large employers in hot spot neighbourhoods to individuals aged 18 or over. Pop-up clinics will also be set-up in highly impacted neighborhoods, including at faith-based locations and community centres in those hot spots, in collaboration with public health units and community organizations within those communities. The province will provide additional resources to support these mobile and pop-up clinics in the hardest-hit neighbourhoods.
The government will also extend booking for COVID-19 vaccination appointments to more age groups through its provincial booking system, for public health regions with highly impacted neighbourhoods, on Friday, April 9, 2021. Booking eligibility will be extended to include individuals aged 50 and over for COVID-19 vaccination appointments at mass immunization clinics in high-risk areas as identified by postal code, using the provincial booking system.
Workplace Inspections
Health and safety inspectors and provincial offenses officers will increase inspections and enforcement at essential businesses in regional hot zones to continue protecting essential workers while on the job. There have been 19,500 COVID-related workplace inspections and investigations across the province since the beginning of 2021. During those visits, over 450 COVID-19 related tickets have been issued and OHS inspectors have issued over 14,446 OHS orders and stopped unsafe work related to COVID-19 a total of 24 times.
Rapid Testing
Rapid testing continues to be deployed in workplaces for asymptomatic staff in key sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, mining, construction and food processing. Approximately 5.4 million rapid antigen tests have been sent to over 1,150 workplaces, including 100 essential industry sites, under the Provincial Antigen Screening Program. To encourage the use of these tests under the program, additional outreach will occur to employers in regions with highest rates of transmission to increase access to testing, and the process for enrollment in the screening program will be streamlined to allow for quick access to these supports.
“As we continue to see COVID-19 variants of concern drive this third wave of COVID-19, it is evident stronger public health and workplace measures are needed to help interrupt the spread of the virus,” said Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “By all of us staying at home, while still taking some time to enjoy the outdoors with the people we live with in our local neighbourhoods and maintaining two metres physical distance from others, we can reduce our mobility, minimize transmission, protect our loved ones and our communities, safeguard health system capacity, and save lives.”
 By Jocelyn Bell
April 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
What industries were some of the most profitable in 2020, and how are they achieving this? We took a closer look at three here!
The world of business is filled with so many interesting sectors nowadays, but there are still some that stand heads and shoulders above the rest. Let’s take a look at some of the most profitable industries operating this year.
 Profits come from growth and growth is the result of wise investing and patience. Image Source: Pixabay  The gaming industry that attracts a younger crowd has events that involves thousands of people from around the world. Gaming
Without a doubt, gaming is proving to be one of the biggest industries of the moment. Brands like Mr Green as a prime example are leading the expansion of safe betting and casino options across the USA and Canada. What’s more, there has been a massive boom in esports growth. It is slowly moving from being a niche hobby into a more mainstream business. With that will come bigger sponsorships and more opportunities for people in the industry.
 Gaming at casinos is also growing – especially for the on-line locations that put a gambler right at the table. The marketplace has so far exceeded $1 billion and this is just set to get bigger. Top matches are also pulling in figures akin to major sports events like a FIFA World Cup Final.
Even in the wider industry there are massive strides forward being made. Sony is lining up to release the PlayStation 5. Though we currently have little idea about when this release will be, it will hopefully be as innovative a release as its previous incarnations. Gaming as a whole is on the rise. Though many dismiss it as “just playing games”, this then leads to them missing out on some of the incredible opportunities available in this exciting development in the gaming universe.
 Development in the software field has sky-rocketed with public companies registering big price increases. The opportunities with private companies ready to go public are immense. Software Development
As we move towards a world that becomes more and more reliant on technology, we are going to need more software developers to help us achieve our goals. There have been many moves to introduce coding and other digital-based skills to young children in the classroom, so they can begin to pick up things that might help them when they are ready to enter the workplace later in life.
Not only have there been calls for software that covers a variety of new tasks within a workplace or home, but there have also been calls to make many more multi-purpose software hubs. Business owners don’t want to transfer data between multiple programs to get the results they need. They want to be able to plug everything into the one portal, so that they can get back results that have already been parsed and analyzed into a format they understand. Software developers are keen to meet these demands, and it makes for an incredibly profitable industry.
Property
 Homes in many markets are selling well above the asking price. Major gains are being made. With property prices moving up at an incredible rate, there is no better time to be involved in the real-estate business. In the Burlington area alone, sale prices are up 17% compared to the beginning of 2019. There are lots of opportunities at both ends of the market here. Developers who want to focus on the high-end, luxury market will find plenty of things to play with. There are always new property trends and new tech that you can introduce to the right property.
At the other end of the scale, you could choose to work in the affordable housing markets. There is and always will be a need for affordable property. This sector will help to create homes and houses for those who need them the most. Choosing to get involved with this area of the real estate sector is incredibly charitable, and it could result in some brilliant business dealings for anyone brave enough to try.
These are just three of the many industries proving to be profitable in 2020. No matter where you look, there is a way to make money in a sector. It will take a lot of hard work, and a great business idea, but it is more than possible. Start thinking about a business you could launch in one of the above sectors now.
 By Pepper Parr
April 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Wow – this was certainly a blast from the past.
Many must wonder – how did Burlington, a traditionally safe Tory seat, come to elect a committed Socialist as its Mayor?
And what kind of a difference did he make as a Socialist mayor?
Those are questions for another time. Today – it is nice to know that both men are in good health and still doing their thing.
Seeing a dated photograph of Walter Mulkewich with Stephen Lewis – perhaps the most gifted speaker in the country, was a gift.
 By Pepper Parr
April 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette saw the mention of some possible changes to public access to the piers at the Burlington canal.
 There is a Hamilton and a Burlington pier – and people should be permitted to use those piers There wasn’t much in the way of immediate response from the Member of Parliament Cabinet Minister Karina Gould. Today she released the following statement:
“Over the last few months I’ve heard from constituents regarding their concerns about the closure of the Burlington Canal Piers.
I have been in close contact with all relevant parties about how we can work together to have the Piers stay open, while also keeping residents safe.
I’m pleased that the cities of Hamilton and Burlington, as well as Transport Canada, have indicated a willingness to work on a solution to ensure that the Piers can remain open for public use while ensuring safety for all users.
There are ongoing conversations but we are all committed to working together to keep the piers accessible and safe.
I’d like to once again thank all of the constituents who have contacted my office to express their support. Your voices have been heard, and I will continue to advocate for our community.
As always, I still encourage everyone to stay safe on our waterfront and piers.”
That’s fine as far as it goes.
 Showing the way: Burlington MP Karina Gould has an opportunity to fully engage the public on the matter of access to the pier. During an interview with Minister Gould a number of months ago I recall the Minister saying that as a Cabinet Minister it enabled her to call meetings.
The Gazette would urge the Minister to call a public meeting, perhaps out on the pier where the public can ask questions and the bureaucrats can respond.
All the fresh breezes coming in off the lake would help with the six foot spaces.
The ‘where’ isn’t all that important – what is really vital is that there be a public meeting.
 By Denise Dalsgaard
April 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
This content is sponsored.
Being a VIP – that sounds nice to most – It makes you think of shining cars, red carpets and exclusivity. While there are no cars or red carpets in the online casino, being a VIP does offer a range of exclusive advantages for you as a person who enjoys attending the online black-jack table, playing the slot machines or any other games offered on your favorite online casino. Check Casinoclaw.com to figure out the ins and outs of VIP status in online casinos.
 Photo credit: Heather Gill Loyalty
Often you can be offered VIP status if you are a loyal customer. If you frequently use the same website, they know that you are trustworthy and that you are a good customer.
 Rewards for VIP members can be significant Some online casinos wish to offer good customersVIP-advantages, because they trust you, and they wish to keep you around.
That means, you can get a lot of great advantages doing what you were already doing before. You can usually build up loyalty with playing and betting more, but also if you refer your friends to your favorite sides. This will increase your VIP status.
Go other places
Most casinos have both tournaments, games and bonuses that are reserved for the VIP players. With a VIP access you will be able to play whole new games. This will expand your possibilities to play and have fun online. Sometimes the casinos also offer VIP players rewards as extra spins, cashbacks or extra tokens – what is not to like?
Build you status
29 casinos are a part of Casino Rewards Loyalty Program. This means that the credibility and status you build in one casino is transferable to the others. They work with six levels of VIP-status. As you gamble, have fun and play you will climb the ranks. In the beginning the advantages are small, but as you get more and more status, you will have a chance to win gift cards and hotel stays.
 Ask around at the casino you patronize about becoming a VIP member. How do you become a VIP?
It changes from site to site how you become a VIP member. Some casinos will have you sign on specifically and activate a vip-account, in some casinos you are automatically registered in a reward program and some casinos have invite only systems. If you are interested in all the advantages that comes with being a VIP-member, you will have to investigate how to be a VIP at your favorite online casino.
 By Pepper Parr
April 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Later today Premier Doug Ford will set out the details on a four week Stay at Home order.
We’ve been down this road before, which doesn’t make it easier.
The specifics of the order are not yet known – the Premier is expected to make an announcement during the day.
Reports are that the Stay at Home order will be effective at midnight.
Feeding people who are not able to get out is going to be just a little more difficult for the Food Bank.
 Former Mayor Goldring and his wife look on as the Burlington Teen Tour Band entertains hundreds at the Performing Arts Centre. Unfortunately, due to the lock-down measures last Saturday the Teen Tour Band Boosters Spring Food Drive was postponed – groups outdoors need to be 5 or less so it made it impossible to proceed.
If you had picked up some food donations and weren’t able to drop off, please consider dropping them off in any grocery store’s food bank bin – or drop off at a local fire hall. You can even mark teen tour band on the bag and we can keep track of donations in lieu of the Teen Tour Band.
The Burlington Teen Tour Band is the oldest continually operating municipally-sponsored youth band in Canada and participates in many international parades, bursting with national pride. They have been Canada’s musical ambassadors since 1947.
Helping those who need help.
If you are in need or know of someone who could use our help PLEASE have them email us at info@burlingtonfoodbank.ca or call 905-637-2273 to make arrangements to have food dropped at their door or make arrangements to pick it up through our curb-side pickup option. If you are a resident in Burlington, we are all here to help. Don’t struggle – give us a call.
By Pepper Parr
April 7th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Fourth in a series
When Allan Taylor, the Planner hired by Millcroft Against Development (MAD)to state their case against a proposed development that would result in a shorter golf course and 98 detached homes and 130 apartment units, he referred a few times to the storm water problem.
When the community was designed much of the storm water management was handled by the wide open spaces where the water would evaporate.
Start taking out some of the land and there is less space for the water to lie while it evaporates. The infrastructure in place to handle the water was predicated on the open space remaining open.
Storm water is a pretty dull subject – until your basement is flooded.
The people living in Millcroft provided a number of pictures to give you some idea as to just how much water there is to be drained away or left to Mother Nature to handle.
Credit for the pictures goes to Millcroft Against Development (MAD).
In his report as a planner Allan Ramsay said: “The Millcroft community was designed on the basis that the golf course lands would provide a benefit in dealing with rainfall and storm water by providing open storage of stormwater. Recent storm events have identified several flooding and storm water management issues in the Millcroft community.
“The redevelopment of the fairways in the Areas A-D with housing, roads and other hard surfaces will, according to our stormwater management review, increase runoff and worsen the flooding potential. In particular, Millcroft Greens’ proposed mitigation measures such as increasing the topsoil to 300 mm and disconnecting downspouts to rear yards will not likely achieve effective stormwater management.”
Related news stories:
1st in a series
2nd in a series
3rd in a series
By Pepper Parr
April 6th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Another one of those weeks.
Council meets for three days in a row as Standing Committee. This is where all the grinding takes place. Recommendations come out of a Standing Committee, then they go to Council where they are voted upon and become the bylaws of the city.
It isn’t quite that smooth – but on balance as a process it works.
Planners from the Region were on hand to today to talk about the growth plans for the Region and what that is going to mean for the city.
The Region is required to grow from a population of 595,000 to 1.1 million by 2051.
 Just where they will live and where will they work were the issues driving a very in-depth, detailed study that Region Planner Curt Benson took council through this morning.
THAT is complex stuff.
One of the reports set out what the boundaries are going to be for the MTSA – Major Transit Stagnation Areas, which for Burlington are going to be located at the GO station.
There will be three MTSA’s in Burlington. Besides the Burlington GO there will be one at Aldershot GO and Appleby GO.
The boundaries are quite a bit bigger than many people thought they were going to be.
The transit terminal on John Street is not among the MTSA’s – it will remain a bus stop, albeit a busy one, nothing more.
 The Urban Growth Centre got moved north – many said it couldn’t be done. The boundary is pretty clear in this illustration. The boundary for the Urban Growth Centre shifted a little as well.
The battle to put an end to the high rise towers has basically been one.
There are concerns about three developments – the CORE development that sits inside the football between Lakeshore Road and Old Lakeshore Road and the Carnacelli development planned for the east end of the football as well as a second Carnacelli development on the north side of Lakeshore Road at Pearl. Those are battles that fall outside the limits of the Urban Growth Boundary.
The plans to tear down the Waterfront Hotel and put high rise structures in that space has yet to come to the table.
When it does the Plan B people who live in the downtown core have a solution.
Those are battles that are sometime in the future – perhaps as much as a decade.
 The objective was to ensure that the view south to the lake from Brant Street was unobstructed. The Waterfront Hotel would come down and new buildings would be built in what is now the Waterfront parking lot.
 By Pepper Parr
April 6th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Premier drops the hammer on the province and puts us into a modified lockdown for 28 days starting last Saturday.
Why he didn’t make it immediate is hard to understand: is the situation is as dire as he maintains it is? Actually, it is worse.
The province has said – no more than five people meeting at a time and those five must be part of the same household. No patio dining – take out only.
The city administration has laid their rules on top of the provincial requirements.
 City Hall
Starting Tuesday, April 6, 2021, City Hall, located at 426 Brant St., will be open to the public by appointment, for in-person commissioning services and marriage licences. Walk-ins are not permitted.
Please visit burlington.ca/commissioning, burlington.ca/marriage or call 905-335-7777 to book your appointment. Residents can also visit burlington.ca/onlineservices to access a variety of City services online.
Service Burlington is available to answer questions by phone during regular business hours, at 905-335-7777 and email at city@burlington.ca.
Burlington Transit
Burlington Transit will continue to run as scheduled including specialized transit and trips to vaccination clinics. The transit terminal at 430 John St. will remain open to provide PRESTO services including SPLIT passes. Presto services are available at Shoppers Drug Mart or online at prestocard.ca. Transit schedules are available online at myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
Halton Court Services – Provincial Offences Office
Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will remain open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday to Friday. Visitors to the courthouse must self-screen using the provincial e-screening application at http://covid-19.ontario.ca/courthouse-screening and wear a mask or face covering unless exempted from by the Mandatory Mask Bylaw.
Telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Many online services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or by visiting haltoncourtservices.ca.
 The play grounds will be empty. Recreation Services and Facilities
City of Burlington facilities and recreation programming will close, and all indoor programs are cancelled as of Saturday, April 3, 2021. Recreation Services staff are contacting user groups, renters and individuals affected by these changes. User groups who provide childcare are exempt and can remain open as they are able to continue during the emergency brake as per the Provincial Guidelines.
An announcement will be made sometime this week with more detailed information for how this Provincial emergency brake impacts recreation services including
Residents are encouraged to remain active by accessing outdoor recreation opportunities such as walking/biking on trails or visiting parks and playgrounds. For a list of parks, playgrounds and trails, visit burlington.ca/outdoorplay. Options to stay active at home are available online at burlington.ca/activeathome.
Roads, Parks and Forestry
Services provided by the Roads, Parks and Forestry Department will continue as needed. Residents with questions or issues can email RPF@burlington.ca or call 905-333-6166.
 Mayor Marianne Meed Ward Mayor Marianne Meed Ward found this was “difficult news to receive and we’re not out of the woods yet, but we have come a long way from when this pandemic started. This four-week province-wide shutdown indicates how important it is we stay vigilant and do all we can, including wearing masks, staying physically apart where we can, connecting with others virtually or over the phone, and only being in close contact with those in our household. Better days are ahead, particularly with the Region of Halton’s vaccination centres open and administering vaccinations. We will continue strengthening our determination to see ourselves through the other side of this.”
Related news story:
Science made it critical that the lockdown be put in place.
By Pepper Parr
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
We got a little bit behind on this one.
The federal government sent a pair of Cabinet Ministers to the city to do a short quick announcement on some funding that came out of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario – FedDev for short.
Burlington’s MP Karina Gould and Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario visited virtually to leave behind $2.9 million with two Burlington corporations.
 Elaine Gerrie spoke for the company when the funding announcement was made. The first, Gerrie Electric Wholesale Limited got $1.4 million as repayable contribution that will help the consolidation of its new distribution operations in the 76,000-square-foot facility that will open in late May.
 The “Karie” a pharmaceutical dispensing device developed by Burlington’s AceAge AceAge Inc., a healthcare technology company, has developed and commercialized the Karie™ in-home medical device that organizes and dispenses medication. The easy-to-use system allows patients to schedule medication refills and deliveries, which has become increasingly beneficial during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also reminds users to take their medication, which is dispensed with the push of a button, and uses smartphone technology to alert family or caregivers when a patient has missed a dosage. With a $1.5-million repayable contribution, AceAge Inc. will scale its operations to meet increasing demand in Canada and Europe by growing its development and support teams.
This investment will also help the company launch its technology in the United States.
These funding announcements are part of the political process; the politicians want the public to know all about the good news.
 Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario Once the announcements were made the Zoom session was open for questions. My name pops up on the screen and I ask my question – I get to ask a follow up question. Then on to the next reporter. Turns out that I was the only reporter on the call (typical of the Gazette) so I asked if I could get in another question.
Nope, said the facilitator and then Minister Joly brought her hand up to her mouth with the palm facing up and I swear she blew a kiss goodbye – given that I was the only reporter on the call it just had to be for me.
I was so surprised that I wasn’t able to move fast enough to grab a screen shot you’ll just have to believe me.
 By Matthew Gomes
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
How to win more with online gambling
 You can play responsibly from the comfort of your couch. While the thrill of playing your favourite games at a physical casino is real, sometimes, you might have to twist up your gaming a little bit and try out an online casino instead. Online casinos come packed with tons of benefits, the first on the list being the fact that you get to have quite a blast, right from the comfort of your house. In addition to this, online casinos boast tons of lucrative promos and bonuses, allowing you to take full advantage of some hot deals!
If you are eager to win big at an online casino, here are some CasinoTop10 Tips that you can consider:
Welcome Offer Package
Most online casinos will try their best to appeal to new customers by way of giving them sign up bonus offers. As you shop around for your favourite online casino, be sure to check out what offer they have in store for you.
Wagering Requirements
While a particular online casino’s welcome bonus offer might be seemingly lucrative, it is no use if the wagering requirements are too high to meet. Look for a platform that has relatively fair and easy to meet playthrough terms.
Consider your choice of games
Understandably, you might feel the need to try out as many games as possible, hoping to increase your chances of winning. However fun it might be, this is not the best approach. It is advisable to choose a few of your favourites and stick to them. This gives you the opportunity to focus on those games, and with time, you will learn some tricks on how to win big on them.
 There are any number of on-line gaming locations – find the one that you are comfortable with and have fun. Practice on Demo mode
Most people live delving right into wagering, without necessarily taking their time to learn the details of how their online casino of choice operates. Seeing as most casinos allow game-play in demo mode, be sure to try it out before you can bet using your hard-earned real cash.
Game selection
Look for an online casino whose game selection is wide in the array. You don’t want to join a casino with limited games available. This gives you an opportunity to try out several games before you can settle for your favourite ones to focus on.
Choose a reputable site
Picking the right casino leaves you rest assured that there won’t be challenges with payouts and that your personal information is safe and secure.
Try out jackpot games
Most online casinos will have a range of Jackpot games available. Be sure to try them out seeing as great treasure awaits, especially on progressive Jackpots.
Ensure that you read all terms and conditions
While most people tend to ignore the details here, it is quite crucial to familiarize yourself with the various terms of your online casino of choice. This way, you get to learn how the site operates, including bet options, minimum deposits, as well as the rules of engagement on different games.
 Stick to your betting Budget
Agreeably, one might be tempted to bet more with each loss made. However, it is advisable to have a plan for your betting finances to avoid making even bigger losses.
Have a well-balanced betting strategy
Ensure that you use an appropriate betting strategy to ensure that you work with calculated risks. An example would be striking a balance between low and high-risk bets.
 By Pepper Parr
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Third in a series
MAD – Millcroft against Development realized they had a problem on their hands and went looking for a planner who could create the case they believed they had against the development.
The proposal the developer has taken to the Planning department is to add 98 detached dwellings and one mid-rise apartment building containing 130 dwelling units.
The community knew they had a serious problem and went looking for a planner who could point to the deficiencies in the proposed development in language that would equal what the planner for Millcroft Greens was putting forward.
A sort of “planner speak” going against another “planner speak”.
 Allan Ramsay – independent planner hired by the MAD community. Allan Ramsay was their choice; he made a delegation which set out what the proposed development would mean to the community. Before going into private practice Ramsay worked in the city planning department; while he did not work on the Millcroft file he was fully aware of the development. At that time, in the mid 80’s it was a big deal for Burlington.
When the issue first became public – all the homes in the community got a letter from the then golf course owners – operators inviting people to a meeting.
The Mayor and the ward Councillor were all over the issue with emails and statements equaling the production of a healthy female rabbit. Truth of the matter is that they could only offer words and do their best at council to grill the consulting planner on what the changes would really mean. At that level the mayor was very good – let’s not equivocate – she was superb.
She left Glenn Wellings searching for words and saying he did not have much of the information at his finger tips – and promised to get it for Her Worship and place it on the developers web site. As of this writing – there are none of the promised answers.
Millcroft is a community with a mission to preserve the integrity of the existing Millcroft golf course said Allan Ramsay as he began his delegation.
 The development as it exists today. A par 70 course with 5700 feet .  The revised golf course will be a par 62 3900 foot Executive Style layout. The yellow spots are where the detached homes will be placed.  98 detached homes will be located in the gray areas. He had just ten minutes to speak as a delegate – and chose to answer questions. He had sent a copy of his delegation to the city planners and every member of Council.
In his response to the development application he said what we have set out below:
The proposal by Millcroft Greens Corporation (“Millcroft Greens”) seeks to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law and register a plan of subdivision to allow five portions of the existing Millcroft Golf Course (“Areas A-E”) to be developed with residential uses. A total of 98 detached dwellings and one mid-rise apartment building containing 130 dwelling units are proposed.
The subject lands are currently designated “Major Parks & Open Space” (Areas A-D), and “Residential – Medium Density” (Area E) in the City’s Official Plan.
Millcroft Greens is proposing to redesignate Areas A-D to allow low-density residential uses, and redesignate Area E to allow high-density residential uses with a maximum density of 200 units/ha. All of the subject lands are currently zoned “Open Space (O1)” in the City’s Zoning By-law.
In preparing our planning opinion we have undertaken an examination of the following:
i) the application submission and supporting documentation;
ii) neighbourhood context applicable to the subject property;
iii) the policy context; and
iv) the appropriateness of the application.
The following outlines our evaluation and conclusions in relation to these matters and concludes with the opinion, as professional planners, that the applications should not be approved.
 Wide streets, good medians and space between the houses. Neighbourhood Character – the Millcroft community was planned as a prestige residential area built around a privately operated golf course. Inherent in the community concept is the integration of residential areas with the golf course and other forms of open-space and recreation areas.(1) Some of the defining residential characteristics of the community are the large lots, spacious setbacks and separations between dwellings and an abundance of open space. The Millcroft Greens proposal will result in development that is not in keeping with the established character of the existing community. The proposal, if approved, will facilitate an undesired change in the character of the area. For example:
i) Development Standards – As illustrated below Millcroft Greens is proposing significant reductions to the zoning regulations in comparison with the R2-3 zone found on most of the abutting and adjacent properties.
 The differences between what the current zoning permits and what the developer is asking for – this is really the nub of the argument. Zoning Regulation R2-3 Standard on Adjacent Lands Proposed
Exception Zoning
Min. Lot Frontage 18 m 15 m
Min. Lot Area 680 m2 425 m2
Min. Front Yard (Dwelling) 7.5 m 4.5 m
Min. Side Yard (1) 1.8 m or 10% of lot frontage 1.2 m
Min. Rear Yard (2) 9.0 m 7.5 m
Min. Building Height (2) 10 m 12 m
Min. Lot Coverage (2) 25% n/a
The proposed zoning standards will result in development that is not in keeping with the character of the existing area. The new lots will be significantly smaller and narrower with much smaller front, rear and yard setbacks. Millcroft Greens is also proposing taller dwellings with no restriction of lot coverage.
ii) Separation Between Buildings – one of the defining characteristics of the Millcroft community is the spaciousness between dwellings as seen from the street. Many of the existing dwellings are separated from dwellings on the opposite side of the street by large front yards and the full width of the municipal road. The separation distance from the front door of one dwelling to the front door of the dwelling on the opposite side of the street is typically between 34 m and 44 m (2). Millcroft Greens is proposing both reduced front yard, side yard and rear yard setbacks and narrow private streets. As a result the separation between dwellings on opposite side of the street will be reduced to 19.3 m. The visual difference between a separation of 19.3 m and a separation of 34 m to 44 m is dramatic.
iii) Lot Coverage – Millcroft Greens is proposing a zoning exception to the normal requirement of a maximum 25% lot coverage. For Areas A to D, Millcroft Greens is proposing that there be no maximum lot coverage. The elimination of the lot coverage regulation is required in order to accommodate larger dwellings that would not normally be permitted. This situation is indicative of the overdevelopment of the lots and is not in keeping with the character of the area.
 The green space and the golf course were why people bought into the community. The golf course was never a top tier competitive location – but it worked for those who just enjoyed the game. Loss of Open Space –The Millcroft community was planned in the 1980s with the approvals occurring through Official Plan Amendment 117 (OPA 117). According to OPA 117 the community plan was based on the integration of residential development within the open space land of the golf course and other natural features. Specifically OPA 117 indicated:
“…It is also the intent of the Plan that, should the operation of the golf course discontinue, these lands will remain as permanent open space, since portions of these lands contain creek features which are part of the stormwater management system for the Community. The open space associated with the golf course will be an important element in the concept and therefore the marketing of the Community. It is also the policy of this Plan that the City neither intends nor will be obliged to purchase the golf course lands in order to ensure their existence as permanent open space.” (Emphasis Added)
Although OPA 117 is no longer in force and effect and it is not applicable policy it clearly demonstrates the intention of the City to maintain the open space lands in the community as a permanent feature.
The Millcroft Greens proposal represents a significant loss of open space in the community and City. The adverse impacts include the loss of tree canopy, increased runoff due to additional roads, buildings and hard surfaces and the loss of wildlife habitant and natural features.
Flooding and Stormwater Management Issues – The Millcroft community was designed on the basis that the golf course lands would provide a benefit in dealing with rainfall and storm water by providing open storage of stormwater. Recent storm events have identified several flooding and storm water management issues in the Millcroft community.
The redevelopment of the fairways in the Areas A-D with housing, roads and other hard surfaces will, according to our stormwater management review, increase runoff and worsen the flooding potential. In particular, Millcroft Greens’ proposed mitigation measures such as increasing the topsoil to 300 mm and disconnecting downspouts to rear yards will not likely achieve effective stormwater management.
On behalf of M.A.D. we request the City investigate and report on the following:
(i) What strategies have been put in place to compensate for the loss of the golf course on river flooding?
(ii) Have the proponents conducted an assessment of potential basement flooding within the areas where foundation drains are connected to storm sewers?
(iii) What is the volume (cubic meters) of storage currently available for stormwater in the golf course and what is the volume of storage proposed through the developers functional servicing report? (and later why aren’t they the same?)
(iv) Will residents be compensated in the case that basement flooding damages occur?
Reduced Right-of-Way Widths – Millcroft Greens is proposing to develop Areas A – D using private roads instead of the standard municipal road. According to their submission these private roads have right-of-ways of 10.3 m rather than the 20 m right-of-ways found on the nearby municipal roads. These reduced right-of ways provide 8.3 m of pavement width and may not accommodate on-street parking.
Although private driveways are found in many condominium developments the use of private roads having reduced right-of-ways is new to the Millcroft community.
 Some of the new detached units are show in full colour. The existing structures are shown in a light grey. Looks tight Roads Introduced Along Rear Property Lines – Millcroft Greens is proposing development along a single loaded road in Area A. In this situation the new road is located near the rear lot line of the adjoining properties on Hadfield Crt. The new street will create a “sandwich effect” for several existing properties. Homeowners in this location will now have streets running along their front and rear yards. This situation raises issues of noise, privacy and nuisance for the abutting residents and will undoubtedly impact their use and enjoyment of their back yards.
Loss of Housing Adjacent to Golf Course – The Millcroft Community is one of only three locations in the urban areas of the City that provides a unique opportunity where housing is located adjacent to a golf course. The proposed redevelopment of the golf course lands will mean that approximately 65 dwellings that currently back onto the golf course will back onto new housing or a new subdivision road. The loss of this unique housing adjacent to golf courses is not desirable and significantly reduces the supply of this unique form of housing.
Redevelopment of Additional Golf Course Lands – At this time Millcroft Greens has not indicated if it has any plans for any further redevelopment of the remaining golf course lands. However, in considering the current proposal it is important to understand how the remainder of the golf course lands could be used and/or redeveloped. In particular, an assessment is required in order to ensure that the current proposal does not preclude the continuing use or orderly redevelopment of any adjacent lands.
Functionality of the Remaining Golf Course – The proposed realignment of the golf holes to accommodate the removal of some lands from the golf course use may create issues with respect to the functionality and viability of the golf course. One issue relates to extended distance and travel required to get from one green to the next tee. In several instances the distance and travel has increased significantly. For example, the distance from the tenth green to the eleventh tee will be approximately 230 m and the distance from the fifteenth green to the sixteenth tee is approximately 471 m. Another issue involves the overall desirability of the re-aligned and much shorter golf course. These factors are directly related to the long term viability of the golf course and the need to assess its future in a comprehensive rather than ad hoc or piecemeal basis.
Maintenance Building Relocation – Redevelopment Area E necessitates the relocation of the existing golf course maintenance building located on this site. Millcroft Greens has not indicated where the maintenance building will be relocated. While we understand the maintenance building is a permitted use under the zoning by-law on all the golf course lands, the future location of the facility is an important consideration and should be evaluated when considering the redevelopment of Area E and the re-alignment of the golf course resulting from the proposed residential development. The future location of the maintenance building may have traffic, noise, dust and other impacts.
Proposed 6m Buffer – the proposed draft plans of subdivision identify 6 m buffer blocks adjacent to the rear property lines in Areas A to D. The proposed buffer blocks are also shown on the Conceptual Open Space Plans submitted by Millcroft Greens. According to the Planning Justification Report the proposed buffer blocks will be a common element in a future condominium application and will be owned by the future condominium corporation(s). The purpose of these buffer blocks is not clear nor is it readily apparent the nature of the landscaping that will be provided, how maintenance of these areas will take place, what, if any, fencing will be provided and whether or not there will be any public or private access to the blocks.
The proposed development is not compatible with the well established character of the area. Though compatibility does not necessarily mean “same”, it also does not mean out-of-step with a stable environment. The proposed zoning regulations seek significant reductions in minimum requirements for lot area, lot frontage and front, rear and side yard setbacks. As well, the proposal seeks to eliminate lot coverage requirements.
Collectively these zoning changes will result in an over development of the Subject Lands.
The Gazette and Wellings Planning Consultants are involved in a libel dispute
Related news stories
Part 1 of the series
Part 2 of the series
 By Staff
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
They have been doing it for 25 years – providing lush hanging baskets of flowers.
The event is part of a fund raiser where everyone wins. St. Matthews Church in Aldershot takes great pleasure in making these plants available.
A bright spot in a not so bright situation.
They go quite quickly. Get your order
 By Lana Petrovski
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Playing cards has been part of human civilization for at least a millennium, long before the dawn of technology. Even though many people associate cards with online casino games such as poker and blackjack, there are several themed card games that go beyond the standard 52-card deck.
 It is now all at your finger tips- you can play anywhere – safely. The good news is that you can also enjoy your favourite games on your new iPhone. Here are our Top five card themed games that you can download from the App Store today.
Hearthstone
Hearthstone is a card collection game from the studio that brought us World of Warcraft, and it sees players build decks with powerful cards to summon heroes and minions to gain control of a complex battlefield. Hearthstone merges skill and strategy with the joy of completing a set of characters as the battle unfolds.
 Kittens – a different approach to a game. Exploding Kittens
Probably one of the most successful Kickstarter stories to date, Exploding Kittens transitioned from a fun board game to an even more enjoyable online game. Essentially, this is a game of hot potato that combines equal measures of cute felines and total destruction. Exploding Kittens is a great multiplayer game that makes for a fun and enjoyable night with your mates.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game is a free-to-play digital collectable card game based on the infamous novel and video franchise. This turn-based game has simple rules for challenging gameplay to collect ‘power’ and win. The cards and game board burst with colour and animations, transporting players deep into this fantasy world as they work to defeat their enemies.
UNO!
Uno has been a family favourite card game for over three decades, and it is still loved by many! The mobile game version, UNO!, keeps the same rules and gameplay in Classic Mode, but also adds a 2v2 Mode where players can team up and strategize together.
 Includes fan favourite characters from the Seven Kingdoms that battle for control of the Iron Throne. Reigns: Game of Thrones
Reigns is a card simulator game set in a fictional medieval world where players need to rule over their kingdom by accepting or rejecting advice from their counsellors. Reigns: Game of Thrones keeps the basic rules of the Reigns franchise, but includes fan favourite characters from the Seven Kingdoms that battle for control of the Iron Throne.
By Staff
March 4th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
 Farmer Kearns Farmer Kearns – oops that was meant to read Lisa Kearns, ward 2 Councillor, was out on a pasture making an announcement.
There is going to be an “urban farm” on Brant Street at Ghent in the North West corner.
 A Molinaro development that is years away. The empty field will be turned into an urban farm. Kearns advises that the property is the subject of a development application submitted by the Molinaro Group.
Kearns explains that the development is years away and in the meantime a group asked for and has been given permission to set up an urban farm.
That got through city hall in record speed.
Not much more in the way of details – other than to say there are bales of how now set up on the property.
 Phase 1 of an Urban Farm – on Brant Street. Grow for Change a group that advocates for the farming community. They can be reached by email at grow4changes@gmail.com
They are reported to be looking for volunteers once everything is set up.
So if you own a pitchfork and farming trousers – stand by – someone is going to want you.
By Franz Kerl
April 5th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The surge in popularity for all types of gaming over the course of 2020 is a phenomenon that has already been discussed. This has been particularly noticeable in the online casino sector, which has benefited from more potential players being at a loose end at home, along with land-based alternatives facing temporary closures.
 Get into the game for as little as $1 Those within the industry have taken full advantage, and you need only take a glance at this site to see Canadian minimum deposit casinos compared and to get a picture of just how competitive a market this is becoming. The various platforms don’t purely focus on bonuses and free offers to tempt new members. They all have their own ways of trying to bring something extra special to the table, and one technology that has proved exceptionally popular has been live gaming. This is when the player is connected via webcam to a real dealer spinning the wheel or dealing the cards. But why has this proved to be such a major attraction?
An authentic experience
There is more to a night at the casino than the mechanics of a card game or a spinning wheel. Casino goers love the theatre of the blackjack table or the roulette wheel, and that is something that live casino manages to achieve, even in the online environment. Studios typically have multiple camera angles so you can see the action from every angle, while the croupiers are professionally trained.
Increased trust
 Today’s casinos are closely monitored and regulated by bodies like the Kahnawake gaming commission. Everyone knows that the games are not rigged and the random number generators can be trusted to give a fair game. But despite all that, players still feel more comfortable seeing a physical roulette wheel spinning, or watching a real dealer shuffle a real deck of cards. Ultimately, even in the technical world of the 2020s, we still trust another human being more than we trust a computer algorithm.
Social play
There has been lots of talk about social gaming over the past few months. It is important to appreciate that social games are about more than Words with Friends and the like. Is there any gaming experience more social than sitting at a blackjack table or jostling around the roulette wheel, chatting to the dealer and exchanging some banter with the other players? Live casino games allow you to do all that, just without the jostling, via the chat box on your screen.
 The game is live – you see everything you would see if you were in the gambling hall. Mobile connectivity
Live casino games have been around for a while, but it is only in the past year or so that the mobile infrastructure has been sufficient to allow you to play them from your smartphone. Given that mobile is now the platform of choice for more than 50 percent of all gaming, bringing the live casino experience to iOS and Android has been a crucial factor in it’s rising popularity. It is a phenomenon that will only increase.
By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
While the city is taking a closer look at how to deal with the crowding problem in the Beachway a federal government is looking for ways to limit public access to the piers on both sides of the canal that separates Burlington from Hamilton.
The two piers reach more than 320 metres out into the lake. The federal Transportation wants to fence them off to prevent the public from walking out. The canal is overseen by the federal department of Transportation; in the words of Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, “it’s their asset and they get to do whatever they want”.
Burlington’s MP Karina Gould got wind of the Transportation plans – they probably ran what they had in mind past the Minister which got the issue to the city.
The Gazette learned about the plans more by luck than anything else. No direct word from the Minister, the Mayor or the ward Councillor.
We learn now that the idea of putting up fences and gates has been paused. Galbraith believes that it is just a matter of time before the federal people decide this is necessary and just go ahead and build.
 Tour boats made use of the canal and the public got out on them much of the time. There was a time when those piers were the point at which steam ships that were taking people on tours would tie up and take on passengers.
We believe there are many people in the city who can add to what we know at this point – we would sure like to hear from them.
Governments do respond to pressure – the planned upgrade – it’s actually more of a rebuild – calls for the Beachway community plans for parks that run right up to the canal area.
It will be interesting to hear what the Region tells the city in the fall when they are scheduled to bring the city up to date on where the plans for the “new” Beachway stand.
 A bridge dedicated to rail traffic into Burlington. At one point there were two tracks leading into the city. The walking trail that begins at the west end of Spencer Smith Park and goes right up to the canal was once a rail bed for trains that came into Burlington, picked up some of the produce from large farms and took it on in to Toronto and Montreal. Some of that produce made its way to European cities.
The trains that came through the city had their own exclusive bridge across the canal. At one point there were three bridges across the canal. When the Skyway bridge was opened – there was just the one bridge.
 The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club – a significant point of Hamilton Society There is a lot of history in that part of the city. During a walking tour with former Mayor Walter Mulkewhich he pointed out the location for a planned science museum tucked into land close to the western pier.
The Royal Hamilton Yacht Club had a magnificent clubhouse on the western side of the canal. An impressive stone light house used to serve as a beacon for ships – it is still there, hidden from view by the lift bridge that changed the movement of traffic that used to clog the road that serves as the entrance to the hospital
By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Is there a relationship between this front page story in the weekend Toronto Star and the city of Burlington?
 Is one of those friends with benefits active in Burlington? Could be – a little more digging around to be done.
The link we think is there will interest the Millcroft community.
By Pepper Parr
April 3rd, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
Convinced that there is actually going to be a summer that doesn’t have us in some level of lockdown, city hall people held a virtual community meeting on what could and should be done with the Beachway that was flooded with a level of traffic last summer that had not been seen in decades.
With few places open for walking around and a requirement that we keep six feet apart and wear masks – and at the same time try to get outdoors for some exercise and a chance to upgrade our mental health, the city was open to new ideas. The city hall types wanted to hear what people thought should be done.
Many of the people using the park are believed to be people who were not Burlingtonians which rubbed some the wrong way.
The virtual event was a bit like a workshop; staff from Transportation, traffic, parks and recreation and tourism were taking part to explain what they were doing, as well as what they were up against.
 The virtual meeting was designed to get public input on how to handle the problems – though public take-up was low, there were some very good ideas. The Beachway traffic is close to being out of control.
Parking and waste removal were top of mind for those who did call in. The take up by the public wasn’t as high as Mayor Meed Ward had hoped.
There was a note that spaces on the call were limited to 500 – nowhere near that number – yet there were some good ideas.
When it was suggested that the Beachway be limited to just people who lived in Burlington, Mayor Meed Ward pointed out that the Beachway was a Regional park operated by the city.
That means having to take in the “rabble” from everywhere.
Charging for parking is something we are likely to see come the summer. The rate mentioned was $20 a day – $2.50 an hour. How those amounts are going to be collected wasn’t talked about.
 This house was torn down – just an empty plot of land. All part of the Region’s willing seller – willing buyer program designed to remove all of the homes in the Beachway. It could serve as a temporary parking lot. One call had a really good idea: Use the spaces that used to have homes on them before the Region began buying them up – they are now just vacant lots. The suggestion was to turn them over to one of the service clubs who would handle the parking and split the income with the city.
Given that we are dealing with municipal administrations there were problems (the Region owns the land) – the grounds would have to be properly prepared which would cost and thee is no budget in place to cover that cost.
We did learn that there are conversations taking place with the Region.
There are plans to put Ambassadors in place who will travel in pairs and patrol both the Beachway and Spencer Smith Park explaining the rules to people. Parking bylaw officers will also be well represented. They will be wearing uniforms – no hats or badges said the Mayor.
 The Pavilion, which was badly in need of an upgrade will reopen around Victoria Day. Washrooms will be available. The Pavilion is undergoing upgrades – washrooms will be operational by summer time.
City Staff are looking into ways to get mobile food vendors in the space.
Director of Parks and Recreation Chris Glenn, apologetically explained that the “healthy food” mandate they had in place will give way to products that are more popular. The vendors can’t make a living selling kale with dressing on the side.
French fries and ice cream will do it.
There are a lot of unknowns including whatever the province and or the Public Health Unit decide to impose.
 Parking tickets get handed out when people decide they can park wherever they wish. This was in the west end of the Beachway – some of those houses in the background were torn down. The job on the public health side is to do everything possible to keep us all safe; parks and recreation needs to find ways for creating things people can do while traffic needs to exercise some control over the parking.
Staff are looking into pick up and drop off locations where people can be driven into the park and be dropped off at a location where they could put all their ”stuff” and get driven out of the Park when they are ready to go home. Cumbersome to even think about.
A number of people wanted to see much better maintenance – the grounds get to look pretty tacky at the end of a busy day. The suggestion was that roving maintenance people be on hand to do the clean up throughout the day.
Staff would like people to realize that when they bring waste into the park, they should be made responsible for taking it out with them.
A lot of educating to be done – and these things cost money.
Using electric carts to move people in and out was mentioned, shuttle buses brought out the fact that one of the bus routes runs from the John Street terminal right through the Beachway. Parking in the city is free on the weekends – could work.
Council will be getting a report on Tuesday – the option will be spelled out along with the costs.
The virtual event was to take the pulse of the community and see what they had to say.
 The Mayor monopolized the microphone – partly because the ward Councillor didn’t have much to say – the Beachway is in his ward – he should be THE champion for that part of the city. The Beachway is in ward 1 and while Councillor Kelvin Galbraith could be seen – the public didn’t hear all that much from him.
For much of the webcast it sounded like the Mayor was the prime input person – she asked the questions, guided those who were calling in and passed things along to Staff.
The one really “hot potato” was finding a way to reserve the park for Burlingtonians – no one wanted to touch that one.
Sitting in the background is the work being done on a Master Plan for the Beachway that began in 2015. Council is scheduled to receive a report on that sometime in the fall.
 Almost every foot of the Beachway park will look differently if the Master Plan now in the works actually gets done. What Meed Ward consistently calls the jewel in the city’s crown” is going to begin to look a lot different in five years.
Hopefully we are out of public health restrictions by then.
Related news story
The Master Plan for the Beachway
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