 By Pepper Parr
October 8, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Elections bring out every interest group in the city. Some are minor, a little self serving while others are significant and impact the whole city.
 Barbara Sheldon look at 32 feet of landfill less than 50 feet from her kitchen window. All dumped without any permits because an airport is federally regulated. The Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition’s is one of the major concerns. Their mission statement is “to protect the Greenbelt Plan’s ‘protected countryside’ in North Burlington from ecologically and socially damaging development”. Since its founding in April 2013, it has worked to secure Municipal and Provincial control over the five year, unregulated fill operation at the Burlington Airpark.
In November 2013, and June 2014, Ontario’s Superior and Appellate courts both awarded in favour of the City of Burlington’s right to enforce its Site Alteration Bylaw on Airpark lands. In September 2014, the City of Burlington passed its new, more fulsome, Site Alteration Bylaw that will provide greater controls at the Airpark and will prevent another large scale fill operation from harming our Rural North. However, the story doesn’t end here.
Speaking to those who are running for office the RBGC said in a prepared statement: “Many of you have identified the Burlington Airpark as a major campaign issue, and your term of office will define how and when our City moves forward with environmental soil testing, remediation and restoration on the Airpark and adjacent properties, and in turn, how to bring justice to the neighbours of the Airpark.”
 Landfill comes to the edge of a neighbouring farm causing significant water damage. Candidates and media have been invited to take part in a Candidate’s Open House & Tour of the three neighbouring properties that have been most damaged by the Airpark’s fill operation on Saturday, October 11th 2014
Refreshments and briefing notes will be provided at the event. You are encouraged to drop in anytime between 10am and 1pm. It should take about 90 minutes for the complete tour.
Start at 5199 Appleby Line, and then travel north to the neighbouring farm and rural residences that have been surrounded by untested fill. The residents will be in attendance to share their personal stories and their concerns for the futures of their properties and water supply. Please wear footwear suitable for wet conditions.
RSVP’s are appreciated but not mandatory. Email Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition ruralburlingtongreenbelt@gmail.com
 By Pepper Parr
October 8, 2104
BURLINGTON, ON.
The momentum to keep raising funds for Burlington flood victims is continuing at a strong pace. As of noon today, the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee has raised $750,000 in cash and $100,000 of in-kind support for a total of $850,000.
 With a pitch man like this how can a company not write a cheque. “Businesses, individuals and community organizations throughout the Golden Horseshoe continue to help us raise much needed funds for victims,” says Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee. “As we plan our Thanksgiving celebrations this weekend we need to remind ourselves that many people in our community who suffered tremendous flood damage are still without essentials like furnaces, washers and dryers. We need to raise more money to help these people.”
The Committee is very pleased to announce that both Fortinos and Longo’s are getting involved raising funds in a big way. Each company has announced it will donate $25,000 for a total of $50,000 to flood relief and collect donations at their checkouts.
The Fortinos fundraising efforts will be held from October 17-30 and customers will be asked to consider contributing $2-5 when paying for their groceries.
The Longo’s fundraising efforts will be held from October 17-24 and customers will be asked to consider contributing $2 or more at checkout.
Grassroots fundraising efforts are also continuing in the community:
A Nine and Dine at Crosswinds Golf on October 5th raised $7,600; The Lion’s Club of Burlington donated $8,000; a Burlington couple donated $13,500 in securities to assist in the relief.
Sheil Patel, an 11 year old Burlington resident approached numerous local retailers for prizes and is selling tickets to raffle off the prizes. So far he has raised $400 and an anonymous donor has stepped up to match all proceeds.
The Bank of Montreal donated $20,000, the Insurance Bureau of Canada donated $5,000
 This total does not include the $100,000 Cogeco is reported to have given by way of in-kind services. This might be an embarrassing question but that$100,000 in-kind donation comes from Cogeco which is a corporation that has the sole right to offer its cable services in protected markets. Part of the deal Cogeco has with the government is that they will provide a community content channel that covers local community events. Cogeco does a lot of this kind of broadcasting. They never cover anything that is the least bit controversial – they don’t want to offend anything – so they tend towards “fluff” pieces that keep the customers smiling.
A key role for the broadcast media is to not only entertain but to inform; that seems to have fallen off the Cogeco radar screen.
For Cogeco to be described as a company that donated $100,000 as in-kind services is quite a stretch. That is there job, that is why they were given a license and a protected territory.
 By Pepper Parr
October 7, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The amounts donated to the Burlington Flood Relief fund increase each day. Small amounts get donated via the web site which is at; other amounts get a red carpet treatment.
Last week the Bank of Montreal donated $20,000. The presentation took place at a BMO branch with most of the branch managers in Burlington in attendance along with the federal and provincial political representatives on hand for the photo-op.
 Insurance Bureau of Canada donates $5000 to the Flood Relief program. Mayor Burlington and Burlington Community Foundation president Collen Mulholland accept the donation from an Insurance Bureau representative. Yesterday there was a $5000 donation from the Insurance Bureau of Canada – that amount gets you the Mayor and the President of the Burlington Community Foundation.
There are people who will gulp when they learn of the Insurance Bureau donation.
The grant programs the BCF is administering fall into two categories: a sum of up to $1000 for those who were in a desperate situation and needed some cash to cover immediate costs – motel accommodation for those that had to live in a motel.
The second program is for those who are un-insured or under insured.
One might ask – and many people have – why the public is being asked to support those who did not buy insurance. Are these people not responsible enough to by the insurance they need?
They are responsible – they are just not able to buy the insurance they would like. There are homes in this city that have been flooded up to four times – the insurance companies are just not giving them the coverage they would like to buy.
Mayor Goldring was flooded – the water rose above the main floor in his home. MP Mike Wallace was flooded – it took weeks to get the dumpster off his front lawn. They probably don’t expect to get flood insurance when their policy comes up for renewal. They both had insurance. Will their policies cover everything they lost. Fat chance of that happening.
Collen Mulholland, president of the BCF was flooded – she was talking in terms of $80,000 to cover the loss – that isn’t going to be covered by the policy that family has.
 Premier Wynne has visited Burlington a number of times. Let’s let her know we need some help – soon would be nice. These are not irresponsible people. They had insurance – they probably weren’t under insured. These three people will not be seeking financial support. Those that have filled in the forms seeking assistance are decent responsible people who have come up against the damage that nature can do.
Ron Foxcroft, the man who was asked to head up the fund raising drive, cannot buy flood insurance – few people can; it has gone the way of the dodo bird.
For those who have had to ask for help, and it wasn’t easy for any of them to fill in and sign those forms, some compassion would be nice just about now.
The province has yet to tell the BCF that it will add to what the community has already raised. Burlington’s MPP. Eleanor McMahon is doing what she can do to get the province to help.
We can give our MPP some help by emailing the premier directly and asking her to provide Burlington residents with the financial support they need. The community is doing it’s part.
The Premier, Hon Kathleen O. Wynne can be reached by email at:
kwynne.mpp@liberal.ola.org
We would like to track the people who choose to email the Premier. If you BCC publisher@bgzt.ca we will be able to get a count of how many people ask the Premier to help out. With that kind of information we can continually remind that Burlingtonians are asking for help.
You can write the Premier at: Queen’s Park, Room 281, Main Legislative Building, Toronto, ON M7A 1A1
The Premier won’t be picking up the phone should you call but they will take a message. 416-325-1941
Make a point of putting Help Burlington in the subject line of your email.
 By Pepper Parr
October 6, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There are Rusin for Mayor popping up around town – maybe as many as a dozen.
Peter Rusin does his second debate against Mayor Rick Goldring and Anne Marsden Tuesday evening at the Paletta Mansion on Lakeshore Road. Start time is 7 pm.
 Peter Rusin with his first election sign – his daughter put it up. The format will be much like the Lion’s debate last week where the Regional candidates, the Mayoral candidates and the candidates for ward four were all at the front of the room.
Rusin has his work cut out for him. He certainly scored some points during the first debate but failing to say who he was at the start of the debate suggested this is a politician who has a lot to learn.
Ward four carries a lot of clout in Burlington and there will be some people watching his performance very carefully. Last week when Rusin took part in an Ontario Poverty Roundtable it became evident that he didn’t know what Ontario Works was all about.
Not knowing what Ontario Works is about won’t make a pinch of difference to the Roseland crowd but it is a glimpse of the short comings in the Rusin attempt to get that Chain of Office around his neck.
Rusin will have to land a sold knockout punch or Goldring will have to stumble badly if Rusin is to advance his candidacy. Neither is likely – we have seen Mayor Goldring stand up to some of the Rusin challenges. What has been useful is a candidate who has forced to Mayor to move out of the lazy stroll he was taking to a return trip to the office of Mayor.
 The Regional government has some explaining to do about the storm water and sewage systems. The battle for the Region Chair has already been determined. Gary Carr has done a good job and will be returned. He could be held more accountable; all for municipalities that make up the Regional government are in for both a surprise and a shock when the Regional budget comes down in the Spring. .
Burlington is due much, much more in the way of explanations as to what went wrong with the storm water sewer and sewage systems.
 Councillor Jack Dennison faces an incumbent who is nipping at his heels – too early to tell is she will manage a decent bite, Dennison is out walking door to door handing our his brochure. Some truth in advertising issues with that brochure. A key part of the evening is watching how well first time candidate Carol Gottlob does when she goes up against long term incumbent Jack Dennison. Gottlob doesn`t have any political experience but she certainly sounds good. Someone younger with new ideas and a different level of energy might be what ward four needs.
It will be interesting to see how well she holds her own.
Maureen Tilson-Dyment will moderate; Joan Little, Hamilton Spectator columnist, Tina Depko-Denver, city hall reporter for the Post and Pepper Parr, publisher of the Burlington Gazette will be on a panel putting questions to the candidates.
The event is being sponsored by the Roseland Community Organization and the Roseland Heights Community Organization.
 By Pepper Parr
October 6, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
We haven`t got the municipal election behind us – yet and it looks as if there is yet another one looming out there.
 Burlington MP Mike Wallace appeared at the Bank of Montreal Flood relief cheque presentation last Friday – even though the federal government has done nothing so far for Burlington. So why was Wallace in the room? Photo – op for Mike and he now needs all the exposure he can get. The next federal election is scheduled for October 2015 – but that is something the Prime Minister can change any time he wishes – and the signs suggest that he may be wishing for something sooner.
When Burlington goes to the polls for the next federal election there will be two ridings – Mike Wallace will stay in Burlington which has been re-shaped but not by all that much. A new riding Oakville – North Burlington has been created. That one is a bit of a mess organizationally. The two candidates seeking the nomination in that riding both withdrew – one quit before she was told to leave.
Quite when Wallace has to get out his campaign boots and start knocking on doors isn`t certain – but if his bringing the Minister of Defence into town for a fund raiser is any indication – things might be heating up in the Conservative election planning offices.
And, ever since Eleanor McMahon took Burlington for the Liberals provincially – the Conservatives realize they are going to have to invest more politically in Burlington.
Problem for Mike Wallace is that the fund raiser “was a bit of a flop”, which is how on long time Tory put it earlier this week.
How bad a flop? “Bad”, was as far as our source would go. And this is a guy who has been writing cheques for the Conservatives for many many years.
What else could move the Prime Minister to advance on the scheduled October 2015 date? We are going to be officially at war with ISIS by the end of the week. The Prime Minister is rattling his sabre and saying we are not side line players – but when the first Canadian CF -18 is shot down, the pilot captured and beheaded – watch for a change in what the public feels about being at war.
 Mike Duffy in better days The criminal trial of Senator Mike Duffy is scheduled for April 2015 – the Prime Minister does not want to 24 hour news cycle bleating that story 24/7. And should the courts find Senator Duffy guilty – is a trail for Pamela Wallin that far behind. And if Duffy is sent to jail – will that mean Wallin will go to jail as well? And how will that ride with the public who will realize that the Prime Minister appointed the two of them?
Smart minds would tell the Prime Minister – get the election behind you as soon as you can. And this Prime Minister is one smart cookie when it comes to political strategy. However – he may be about to over play his hand.
Best move would be for the Prime Minister to step aside – call a leadership race and then go to the polls with a new look.
None of these scenarios offer Burlington’s Mike Wallace much solace. He has his work cut out for him and the base he has relied on for so long might be getting a little soft in the middle.
 Expect to see a lot more of this face once the municipal election is over. Karina Gould is the federal Liberal candidate for Burlington. The Liberals have nominated Karina Gould, a smart young woman who will have a much better grip on the issues than Wallace – and she will have Eleanor McMahon in her corner as well. McMahon is one of the most natural election campaigners we have seen in some time.
Gould expects to begin pulling her campaign team together fairly early in the New Year.
Can you imagine – Liberal’s representing Burlington in the House of Commons and Queen’s Park?
 By Pepper Parr
October 6, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is far from over.
The bigger corporations are writing cheques and the photo ops get taken while people like Catherine Brady trudge from retail location to retail location collecting the coin boxes that have been put out in more than 60 locations in the city. `They are in the McDonalds locations, there is one at Mary Lou`s which has done surprisingly well for us.
 “We were delighted when we opened some of the coins boxes and took out paper money – orange bills” – which amount to $50
There are discussions taking place with some well-known retail operations; there is a food chain that is in discussions with the fund raisers and there are plans being put together for a concert. “We thought we might be able to get Walk off the Earth onto a stage but they were traveling “ said a source who added that someone is looking into talking to Sara Harmer who has been a strong supporter of environmental issues in the past.” Our source is working away with a small group developing different fund raising ideas.
So it is far from over. That $2 million from the community is not yet within striking distance but it is very much THE target for the people raising the dollars.
If the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) has heard anything from the province on where they are with the application to be seen as a disaster area and subject to the Ontario Disaster Relief and Assistance Program (ODRAP) – the rest of the city would like to hear about it.
It is almost as if everyone thinks Burlington is deaf – we aren’t hearing from the province and we aren’t hearing from the Region.
The Region seems to be trying to use the excuse that there is an election going on and they can’t talk to either the Mayor or council members. The seven people that represent us are all drawing pay cheques – let them do their jobs and get the information the public needs.
The province is apparently now in possession of all the numbers they need. They now know how many homes there are that were uninsured or under-insured – these are the only two classes of people that will see any funding from the province and then only for the necessities.
An insurance adjuster has been brought in to analyze every claim – there are not going to be any wind falls for the people who had more water in their basements than they wanted.
Ted McMeekin, Minister of Community and Social Services and the man who will sign off on this file, is apparently not keeping as in touch with his political cohorts in Burlington as they would like.
McMeekin is leaving Eleanor McMahon blowing in the wind – we understand as well, that the relationship that used to exist between McMeekin and the Premier is not what it once was.
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon – wondering if her government is going to come through for the city? While Burlington didn’t expect to be showered with goodies from the government for electing a Liberal – many felt that there would be more in the way of communication from the province.
One well-placed business person in the city said “if the Liberal government doesn’t come through for Burlington it will amount to political suicide for McMahon.”
Previously the Gazette said the fund raising campaign was to end December 15th – we got that wrong. The campaign will end November 15th. When Ron Foxcroft took on the job of heading up the fund raising drive he said it was going to take 100 days to raise the $2 million from the public. While we are some distance from that total there are organizations coming to the table with decent sized cheques.
Monday morning the Insurance Bureau will be getting their photo op with the BCF people.
Matters within the BCF are not quite as good as many had hoped. The BCF manages a significant amount of money that it holds for the various programs it runs. On Friday the Bank of Montreal donated $20,000 – other banks are expected to make their contributions in due course. We are told that the bank the BCF uses is not going to be at the table with a cheque. Time to change banks?
By Carol Gottlob, Candidate Ward 4
October 6, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Each week, until the ballots are cast on October 27th, we are going to follow the tales and travails of a single candidate. We have chosen Carol Gottlob, running in ward 4 against a well entrenched incumbent. Gottlob has no experience in civic government, has never campaigned before. Following this candidate is not an endorsement; Gottlob will win on her own merit.
I’m continuing to knock on doors this week, and several residents are asking questions about the type of Councillor I will be if elected to office. How accessible will I be, whose voice will I represent inside City Hall and how accountable will I be to commitments made, and will I give up my current employment if elected Oct 27th? I am hearing residents struggling with disappointments they’ve witnessed over various commitments to their issues: Gaps in community engagement, or the morality conflicts they have seen over private interest representation instead of what they feel is the community’s interests. Why does this gap exist and what I am going to do to change it?
 The pier is something we paid too much for it – but we are stuck with it – lets make the best of what we have. Candidate Do I believe our council candidates to be well intentioned good people? I do. I believe everyone enters into public service with an honest intent to serve the people of their community. Do I believe public office is easy to serve? I do not. I believe there are many challenges to bridging the gaps between opposing interests. But what I also believe is today our City Officials who are elected public servants are operating in the absence of a more specific and a more defined set of rules for their conduct. This absence of an effective policy and procedure is, I believe, to the elected Officials’ own detriment and to that of the citizens who elect them.
I believe our publicly elected officials should have these defined rules of expectation to which they can refer to as guidance for what the city residents expect of them; a defined boundary of where their roles as private citizens and their position as elected official meets. Residents want to know when elected officials are working on behalf of their constituents, or representing their private rights. When in the case of potential conflict, how is this resolved, which role supersedes the other, or which role must be abdicated? This is not happening effectively today and I am hearing from various residents that this absence of definition and formalized process is no longer acceptable. Simply stated, there needs to be clear decisive separation of the role of City Official versus that of private citizen and private business.
As a result of compensation at both the regional and municipal level, Councillors today make just less than $100,000, plus expenses. I believe this compensation should entitle citizens to some clear expectations of their elected officials such as: full time dedication to the role while serving, and a clear separation between their private business and the proposals before City Hall. If and when these two should collide, a declaration of conflict of interest should be made, followed by the removal of the Official from participating on the matter and any others related to it. I don’t believe public Officials should be allowed to use private facilities, time, or materials for personal benefit, which would affect their financial interest. There should be no opportunity for personal gain be it by the elected official, or family members, and be it through personal financial gain or converted into personal projects. I believe all votes should be recorded, and easily searchable by residents. Councillors make impactful decisions to our community and their constituents have the right to know not just what they believe are important considerations prior to a decision but also how their council representative voted on the decision.
 I believe in the need for an Ethics Commissioner. More than the existence of these rules under a code of conduct I believe every seated council official should go through a mandatory training program. This program would not be limited to the code of conduct regulations but include as well expense reporting and more stringent fundraising regulations. So that there should no longer exist inconsistencies of reporting on any of these matters, as may be the case today. Finally if these rules are to have their wanted effect, then they must be enforceable by an objective third party, which is why I believe in the need for an Ethics Commissioner. In order for this role to be effective, I believe this individual can have no formal ties to ongoing work or projects with the body that it is currently regulating, otherwise we risk the ability to maintain sound objectivity.
Our City has grown and matured over the years from a once small town to a larger developed city with more mature and diverse needs from its municipal government. It’s time Burlington’s government starts putting in place these types of policies and procedures in order to continue to nurture our engaged citizen model; a model intended to reflect our mutual respect of our residents and elected Officials. In having these clear delineations between citizen and elected Officials we as a community can continue to build upon our successes without the appearance of conflict.
By Pepper Parr
October 5, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
We dropped by Mayor Goldring’s campaign office on Fairview – he was holding an open house. We wanted to get a sense of what he was getting in the way of traffic. It wasn’t standing room only but there was a respectable flow of people in and out, many of them taking a lawn sign with them.
Clearly, the Mayor’s re-election campaign was in gear. The need to even have a campaign sort of snuck up on His Worship when Peter Rusin jumped into the race at close to the last minute. The Mayor didn’t even have a campaign office at that point.
 Is Mayor Goldring checking out a possible council member? He did say he likes the guy. One of the people that dropped in was Jivan Sanghera, one of the nine people running against incumbent Blair Lancaster. Sanghera did very well in the ward six council candidates debate sponsored by the Gazette.
Vanessa Warren, another ward six candidate is reported to have said to Sanghera that if she had known he was going to run she may not have gotten into the race herself. Warren was adamant about there being a candidate to run against Blair Lancaster and in the earlier stages of this campaign there weren’t a lot of people wanting to be on the ballot.
The South East Asian community was nowhere to be seen until sometime in September when four people from that community popped out of the woodwork.
Sanghera is finding it difficult to become the “front runner” with four South East Asians in the race. There are tribal and family loyalties that have to be dealt with. This is a tight knit community with all the problems and foibles that can produce. Smear campaign abound – there is some pretty nasty stuff coming out of one campaign and another that seems to feel she can put up signs wherever she pleases.
Sanghera who is Indian culturally was raised in Canada and has prospered. He chose to get into politics despite the comments from his father, who is reported to have asked his son why he would choose to try and become a member of council. Sanghera, who is in the mortgage business, will tell you without as much as a blink of an eye that he loves his city and wants to serve.
The job you have said his father is equivalent to doctor money – why would you want to take such a huge pay cut? Same reply – this is something I want to do.
So – off Sanghera went to meet the Mayor – thinking that this is the man I might be working with. Here is how Sanghera explains his “Moment with the Mayor”.
Having had the pleasure of attending Rick Goldring’s open house I was amazed to walk through the door to him saying “Jivan” with an out stretched hand.
By having spoken to him I gleaned one thing. This man really cares about Burlington. We spoke of how long he has been serving the city in one capacity or another. Whether via his previous work in Financial Planning, the Chamber of Commerce, or through Council.
The advice he gave me was quite simple. Serve for the right reasons and everything else will fall into place. I believe that he works to make Burlington a better place. I may not agree with all of his decisions to date but i know that he must have believed it was the best move for the city. The fact that he is very much a proponent of the new style of performance based budgeting is a point that we definitely agree on. He also agreed that Councillors represent all of Burlington not just one section and its interests.
It may or may not be my time to take a seat in the council chamber. But one thing is for sure Mayor Goldring is a guy I’d be happy to work with.”
 Jivan Sanghera left Mayor Goldring’s open house with a Goldring lawn sign which he added to the one he uses to win the ward six seat. Can Sanghera ride the Mayor’s coat tails into office? Jivan Sanghera left the campaign office with a sign tucked under his arm which he planted on his lawn when he got home. Goldring has the votes from that household.
By Staff
October 6, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Life in the Alton Village seems to be about on-line voting and robo-calls. The natives up there are not happy.
 The phones are ringing in these homes. One ward six resident said: “The newest addition to the Burlington community is front and centre in the election. Alton Village, part of ward 6, residents have their phone ringing off the hook with robo calls right up until the 9:00p.m. hour .
Mayoral candidate and Councillor questions are the mainstream. If you are not home, they will keep phoning back, hang-up because you are putting your baby to bed, they will phone back. Has the incumbent finally realized there is a fresh voter pool? Alton Village, like most of Ward 6, has been vastly ignored in the past four years by the City.
“People are getting pummeled with nonstop robo calls. I felt bad – I have only had one” said our source. “The people in the Village are the new voting group… so they have a huge role to play in the election.
One resident said she got four calls one evening “when I am putting my newborn down, unreal. Sick and tired of the calls. Do they not understand we are commuters and don’t get home at 5?”
City hall became concerned that people would think the robo-calls were being paid for by the city and they put out a statement saying it wasn’t them.
 New community and new voters – candidates are trying to figure out what they want and are using robocalls as a research tool. Residents are not too happy. A little bit of thinking and one can narrow down the source of the calls to three possible candidates. One has used this type of service before and has a lot of experience; another is looking at a campaign that is in trouble and needs to find a way to get out of the hole the campaign is in and a third is part of the race for the office of mayor – however this is not much more than informed speculation.
We are getting reports as well that when registering to vote on line some get their email advising them of their PIN right away, while others after a successful register are made to wait, wait and wait. It appears however that people are eventually getting their pin numbers and are able to vote.
 By Staff
October 4, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
 Police are seeking help from the public to locate 50 year old Janis OZOLLAPA who was last at his work place on Weeping Willow Drive in Oakville on September 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
OZOLLAPA left in his vehicle, a 2002 black Chevrolet Avalanche with a personalized Ontario licence plate “OZOLLAPA”. He has not made contact with his family or friends and police are concerned for his well-being.
 OZOLLAPA is described as male/white, 6’0”, 170 lbs, medium build, grey eyes, bald, goatee and speaks with a heavy Latvian accent. He was wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans, brown Crocs and had a black laptop briefcase.
Anyone with information that would assist in locating Janis OZOLLAPA and/or his vehicle are urged to contact the on-duty Burlington Staff Sergeant at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2310.
 By Staff
October 3, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
You might have heard the howls at some kitchen tables this morning when the 11 men and woman running for a seat on the Halton District Public School Board (HDPS) read in the Globe and Mail that the province had ordered all the school boards in the province to forget any plans they had to increase the honorarium paid to school board trustees.
Burlington has 11 school board trustees who are paid x$13,158. . That was to increase to $16,770.
At a school board meeting on September 3rd, the Trustees approved a new rate for trustee honoraria that takes effect December 1, 2014 when the 2014-2018 Board begins its term. Trustees will receive annual honoraria of $16,770.35 while the Chair will receive a total of $24,738.95 and the Vice-chair a total of $20,754.65.
And that was the picture until yesterday when the Premier, Kathleen Wynne told her Minister of Education that any increases in honoraria to trustees that were to take effect in December 2014 were to be cancelled.
Running as school board trustees are: Mary Dilly, Leah Reynolds, Andrea Grebenc, Michael Kukhta, Denise Nacev, Timothy Timar, Kristen Lockhead, Richelle Papin, Margo Shuttleworth and Amy Collard. Ms Collard was acclaimed.
So trustees that get elected on October 27 will get the old rate of Honoraria which is made up of a base amount $5,900 and an enrollment amount of $7285 for a total of $13,158 each year. There are no benefits nor is there a pension plan for trustees – teachers apparently don’t want to share a good thing.
Link:
The job of a school board trustee.
 By Lana Kamaric
October 3, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Traditional ballroom dancing involves a man leading and a woman following. So what happens when the dance is performed with two men? Who leads and who follows? Trevor Copp, founder of Burlington’s Tottering Biped Theatre, and Jeff Fox, professional ballroom instructor and choreographer, seem to have successfully resolved this issue with their piece First Dance.
 Now playing at the Burlington Performing Art Centre, First Dance tells the story of Ted, played by Copp, and Aaron, played by Fox. Ted is determined to create a meaningful first dance for his wedding, one that he can proudly perform with his future husband in front of his entire family. For help he turns to Aaron, a competitive dancer and his former lover. As the characters interact through dance we learn the story of their past relationship, their struggles through adolescence and their search for identity in a world of designated gender roles.
With traditional ballroom dance the roles are specifically outlined for male and female partners – the male instigates the dance and the female follows. Outside of the ballroom this notion of male dominance is completely outdated in a society that strives for gender equality and presents an obvious challenge for same sex couples performing a traditional ballroom dance.
As Ted and Aaron compete to take turns leading and following their bodies create a visual dialogue. They struggle to find a balance between Aaron’s classic textbook perfection and Ted’s desire to break free from tradition and create a dance that makes sense when performed with two men. The characters strive to create a harmony between both partners, each having the opportunity to lead and follow, each having the opportunity to start.  While their characters wrestle for control of who leads and who follows, Copp and Fox alternate between the roles with seamless fluidity. Gliding in and out of each other’s arms, they create a stunning balance of strength and grace.
The piece is not performed on an elaborate set – instead the dancers paint the space with their movement. A simple backdrop spills onto the floor with a black and white checkerboard pattern mirroring the contrast between male and female dance roles. While this piece focuses on the relationship between two gay men, the struggle with identity is an issue we can all relate to at one time or another. First Dance demonstrates a personal journey with a universal concept. As Aaron and Ted share their final steps and the dance reaches its end all the pieces fall into place and leave you with a quiet sense of resolution.
October 2 through to the 5th and from the 9th to the 11th. Matinee performances are included. Moderately priced. Tickets can be booked on the Performing Arts web site. Box office 905-681-6000
 By Staff
October 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
On Friday September 26th 2014 shortly before 3:30 pm police responded to a residential break-in on Vancouver Crescent in Burlington.
The owner returned home after a 30 minute absence and observed the front door ajar and could hear someone fleeing out the rear patio door.
Entry was gained through a rear second floor window with the use of a ladder which was stored in the backyard. Inspection of the home revealed articles of jewellery was taken from several bedrooms. Those articles were recovered in a neighbouring backyard.
Police also identified a break-in to a shed on Heathfield Drive where articles of clothing worn by the suspect were discarded.
After an investigation by members of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau, the person responsible was arrested at 10:40 PM last night (October 1st) outside a Niagara Falls Motel. Upon arrest, he was found to be in possession of property stolen from a break-in at a home on Emery Street in Niagara Falls earlier in the day.
Albert Edward KING (46 yrs) of Hamilton was returned to Halton and held for bail on the following charges:
• Break, Enter & Theft X 3
• Obstruct Police X 2
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Fail to Comply with Recognizance X 2
Police are still investigating other daytime residential break-ins in Burlington with the possibility of further charges being laid.
Anyone with information on this investigation can contact Det. Bale – 3 Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Crime Team at (905)825-4747 ext. 2312
Police also remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal activity at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).
For additional information about community concerns in Burlington, follow us on Twitter @HRPSBurl or for the latest crime data, news releases and general information, visit the Service’s website www.haltonpolice.ca
By Pepper Parr
October 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
For the record, said ward two Councillor Marianne Meed Ward 22 businesses have joined the downtown business family between January and September 2014. Some of these “new businesses” are lateral in that they are replacing an “exiting business” with the same address.
 Ward two city council candidate accused of spreading “shameful half truths”. Meed Ward maintains candidate Kelly Arnott had this information “but chose only to share the closures, not the new businesses – a half truth to deliberately mislead. This is unethical, untruthful, and shameful behavior, unfit for someone running for public office.”
“It’s shockingly brazen to stand up in a room full of residents looking for honest information and to knowingly give them a half truth, and at the same time disparage a part of the ward, the downtown, that she is running to represent! Shameful.
Listed are the names and the month they opened in the core.
January 2014
Heavenly Gourmet
Test Kitchen
Pearl & Pine Retirement
Sante Day Spa & Boutique
March, 2014
Lingerie D’amour
Private Matters Psychotherapy
May 2014
Son of a Peach Pizzeria
Tim L. Consulting Ltd.
June 2014
Cold Turkey Vapor Bar
Dynasties Churrasqueira
Beauty Destination Spa n Esthetics
Nail Candy
Tammy M. Alpe Professional Corporation
Kinetic Yoga & Pilates
Dr. Paulette Laidlaw
Britannia Dental Centre
August 2014
Waters Edge Salon and Spa
Dr. Paulette Laidlaw, Psychologist
September 2014
Blyth Academy Burlington
The Corned Beef Hut
Irina’s Shoe Paradise
Brant Street Butcher & Market
Rawlicious
You can add another one to that; the Gazette expects to open an office in the Downtown core in the near future
 By Ray Rivers
October 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
It seems everybody wants to have a referendum these days. I’m in Italy visiting Venice this week and it turns out the folks out here are planning a ‘Scotland-style’ plebiscite for independence from Italy.
Some separation enthusiasts ran an on-line poll last March and claimed that an overwhelming number of respondents wanted to separate from Italy. Interestingly, like the Scots, they still wanted to stay in the EU and be a part of NATO.
 Gazette columnist cover Venetian plans to secede from Italy. That survey has encouraged Veneto, the regional entity of five million people, which includes the cities of Venice and Verona, to hold a more formal referendum. In fact a referendum was the basis for this north-eastern region to join Italy in the first place. Veneto has a colourful history. It was occupied by, among others, Attila the Hun, the Romans, the French and the Austrians. And as we know from reading Shakespeare, there was also a long period of self-government as well.
I wasn’t the only one visiting Venice. Besides the usual early autumn tourist hordes, it turns out that George Clooney, the actor, chose Venice for his wedding with British human-rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin last weekend. No, I wasn’t invited to the wedding, but I still admire Clooney as an actor, and I like the way he speaks out on the things he stands for, especially global climate change.
The city of Venice had been sinking for ages, partly from all the building on the islands and partly from the depression caused by pumping out too much ground water. Government has taken measures to eliminate that sinking feeling, but its still going to be a wet future for this ‘city of bridges’. Global climate change has already raised water levels and the future will see the Adriatic blanketing a wide swath of coastal north-eastern Italy. Fish will swim where mankind used to walk.
 New Yorkers march in the streets to save the planet. Burlington had a smaller crowd. A huge crowd demonstrated in New York last week, as world leaders met to decide what to do about climate change. Over three hundred thousand people came out to demand action, but all they got from the government leaders present, were the usual well-intentioned but meaningless speeches. President Obama got up to the podium to tell the rest of the world that it should do as he says – not as he does (or doesn’t). But at least his sentiments sounded sincere.
Canada, on the other hand, ganged up with Australia and Japan to make sure that the Kyoto Treaty was dead and could never be used to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, our Harper, who was in New York at the time of the climate change meeting, didn’t even show his face. And that was probably just as well, since the last thing anybody needs to hear is another speech with more promises that his government has no intention of keeping.
China, now the world’s largest polluter did promise to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions a tad – but not nearly enough. And Russia is too busy selling its vast fossil fuel reserves, or threatening its neighbours, to even think about reducing its carbon footprint. Europe is still optimistic that it can make progress. Munich, for example, is promising to eventually become carbon-free, but their biggest worry today is ensuring a good supply of Russian natural gas.
It was Peter Drucker who characterized management as the science of doing things right – and leadership, the art of doing the right thing. Many world leaders came to New York last week to talk about mitigating an ever-worsening global climate change. Sadly, there was little evidence of good management and no sign of leadership whatsoever.
The locals in Venice told me that the worst floods come in November and December. I was in Venice at the end of November a few years back, while attending one of those climate change conference. Water, water everywhere, and raised wooden platforms set on top of the sidewalks to avoid getting one’s feet too wet. It does really kind of takes away from the romance of it all.
 George Clooney marries in Venice. Gazette columnist wasn’t invited. But there was a lot of romance at the Clooney wedding party, I heard. A hundred people, movie stars and other friends, added their weight onto the sunken ground of Venice. George Clooney, Willie Nelson, Neil Young have been outspoken on climate change and they have been attacked in return. But the way I look at it – if not them, then who will take the moral high ground – certainly not Canada’s PM.
Heading back to the train to take me from Venice to Florence, I took the Vaporetto (ferry service) and couldn’t help wondering about the amount of carbon emissions pouring out of the stacks of these boats as thy feverishly criss-crossed the canals. And I couldn’t help feeling guilty at having come here and adding to the carbon footprint of Venice and Italy. But then it is good that I am aware, at least, and I suppose I’m going to have to get used to that feeling or do something about it.
 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 against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
Links
Venice Referendum Veneto Issues Venice
Clooney Wedding Clooney
Obama climate Change Harper and the Climate Conference Climate Change Demonstration
Canada and Climate Change Renewable Energy Optimistic Energy
Peter Drucker
By Susan Lewis
October 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There is trouble in paradise – Burlington Transit staff received more than 300 complaints within the first month or two after the drastic changes to the bus routes last November 3rd.
It would be fair to say that since then, there have been a few hundred more calls and e-mails to staff regarding these changes. People want the base network, that took almost 40 years to establish, to be restored.
 Transit transfer point in the downtown core. Before the new base system was implemented, it appears there was no analysis done by any outside consultants nor was there any input asked for from the public or from the bus users.
Obviously, the new base network is not working. City Staff reported that since November, there has been an overall decrease in ridership of 100,000 passengers in the first six months of the new schedule (from 1.7m riders to 1.6m).
The loss of 100,000 passengers equals a loss of approximately $300,000.00 in bus fares to the City’s coffers and it also means the addition of 100,000 more car trips adding to our traffic congestion.
The response to these complaints from our City Councillors has been disappointing. One example: Mayor Goldring saying, “… we have to give people, who may have been inconvenienced somewhat, (time) to get used to the new changes. Hear the man for yourself: Scroll through the web cast to 01:07:02 +/-
Some people completely lost the service they had depended on for years. Some we know of bought their house because of the proximity of transit. To refer to their plight as being “inconvenienced somewhat” and to be told they would get used a lower quality of life in time is insulting and heartless.
The City is planning to add two new Community Buses and the addition of 13,000 hours of additional service on several routes. The changes would cost $1.2m in annual operating expenses and $1.3m for capital. This was proposed during the June 30 Community and Corporate Services Committee meeting, agenda Item #5, Transit Report Card.
 Community buses are cheaper to operate – but Burlington Transit hasn’t got the bugs in scheduling worked out yet, The purpose of a Community Bus is to improve accessibility for people who have mobility limitations, but whose limitations are not severe enough to allow them to qualify for Handi-Van. They’re also intended to reduce demand from more expensive Handi-Van door-to-door services by providing an alternative, more spontaneous travel option.
The existing Community Connection Bus will have service increased from 2 days a week to 5 days. The new hours will be from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. The problem with this bus is that it only goes in one direction. If you were at the Seniors Centre and wanted to visit the hospital, you would have to go to Tansley Woods first to get there.
After being in use for less than a year, the City will make a major change to the Route 300. Instead of going across Upper Middle to Brant, it will turn south at Walkers Line and Upper Middle. When routes are changing every few months, a person cannot count on the bus and must therefore find another way of getting around. Your bus could be here today and gone tomorrow.
The City is planning to add two more Community Connection buses to run 5 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and they will service the South East and South West end of Burlington. All three routes will connect at the Burlington Seniors Centre downtown.
 Handi-vans are expensive to operate and difficult to schedule. Repairing roads is cheaper? We do need to address the needs of our seniors living in retirement communities. A lot of the areas covered by the Community Buses were serviced by the Handi-Van and by the Taxi Scrip program. We ended the Taxi Scrip Service two years ago, it was costing the City $27,000 per year. Many Community Groups have requested that the City bring back the Taxi Scrip program, to no avail.
With the heavy investment in two new Community Buses, it appears that the City is trying to build a brand new system from scratch. The ridership on the current Community Bus has been dismal. To put so much money into this new system proves that the idea of “build it and they will come” doesn’t always work.
During this current City Council’s reign, so many people lives have been affected in a negative way. They had a reliable service and suddenly they didn’t or worse yet, they completely lost a service they had depended on for years and they lost it with very little notice. People often buy their houses based on where the bus service is. The location of the bus routes is important to a community and it’s an important detail in Real Estate ads. Real Estate Agents often advertise “Walk Score” of a City or a neighbourhood.
 The downtown core was going to be defined as a mobility hub – city talked about closing the transit depot at the same time. “Walkable neighborhoods with access to public transit, better commutes, and proximity to the people and places you love are the key to a happier, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.” Burlington has Walk Score of 54 out of 100. (A score of 25 – 49 is a car dependent city.)
I’ve often heard it said, it’s easier and less expensive to keep a customer than to find a new customer. To quote a former Burlington Councillor, this is a city where you need to “get a car or get out of town.”
How is Burlington going to explain the loss of approximately $300,000.00 in bus fares and the addition of 100,000 more car trips adding to our traffic congestion? It’s not about buses, it’s about people.
So far, the City isn’t listening to the hundreds of complaints from the people of this city.
 By Staff
October 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
We have been politely corrected; our headline originally read 24 businesses when it should have been 23 – and that the list we provided lists just 22 businesses.
Kelly Arnott, candidate for the ward two council street let loose an interesting fact at the all candidates meeting sponsored by the Lions Club last night.
Some 23 businesses have left downtown Burlington said Ms Arnott. She added that that wasn’t what she would describe as a growing vital, viable downtown.
 Tough part of town to do retail in? Consultants will tell the city just what it costs to do business in the downtown core and what it costs elsewhere in the city – and why. Ms Arnott has operated a retail establishment in Village Square and has a keen understanding about just what it means to operate a commercial outlet.
There are new businesses opening up – a Butcher is going to open at the corner of Lakeshore and Brant and what was the Pier restaurant is now being renovated to become Table 34.
In the retail and restaurant world hope springs eternal.
But the record of 23 businesses moving out of the downtown core is disturbing. For the record, since January 2014, the following closed or moved out of downtown
Burlington Blooms
Nancy Brewer, accountant
Ya Man Caribbean Cuisine
Peaceful Intuition
Pearl St. Fine Shoes
Saltridges
My Girlfriend’s Closet
OTT Legal Services
Dr. Stevens
Lakeview Bakery
Girgnenti Window Treatments
My Closet
The Pier Cafe
Red Canoe
Massage One
Tryst Hair
PK1Studio
HiLite of My Day
Ontario Ministry of Community & Social Services–Disability Support Program, moved
ViewIT Technologies
MasterPlan Magnetics
Tweed & Hickory
Ouch!
By Pepper Parr
October 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Word is that there are some professional pollsters taking the temperature of the voters in Burlington.
We weren`t one of the people called but a number of city hall staff were on the list of those automatic calls – sometimes referred to as Robo-calls – where you are asked a question and told to press a specific key on your telephone
 City Clerk Angela Morgan oversees the municipal election. She signs the document that makes the winners official. City hall became concerned that people would think it was the city doing the polling – Not us said the city Clerk. “In the City Clerk’s office, our goal is to run a fair and open election” said Angela Morgan, city clerk, and election lead for the city. “We would never ask voters to identify who they are supporting in the upcoming election.”
Some Burlington residents, including several city employees, have received a telephone call asking who they are voting for and asking them to identify issues.
Someone out there has money to spend – we might be able to identify who they are when the financial returns are filed.
One need only think about who could be in trouble and would want to test the waters. It isn`t in ward one or ward two – that`s for certain.
Care to guess who might be doing the polling?
By Staff
October 1, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The Burlington Community Foundation (BCF)is thrilled to announce the “Pioneer Pledge Challenge”. Pioneer Energy announced it will match the next $25,000 donation to the BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee.
 Tim Hogarth, CEO Pioneer Energy “We strongly believe it is important for successful businesses to give back to the communities in which we live, work and raise our families,” says Tim Hogarth, Chairman and CEO, Pioneer Energy. “The flood in Burlington was an unforeseen disaster that requires the entire community to rally together and support those in greatest need. We hope the Pioneer Pledge Challenge inspires others to join our efforts.”
As of noon today, the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee has raised $665,000 – 33% of the $2 million target.
 “The potential of this creative gift by Pioneer Energy is simply outstanding,” says Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee. “We are so grateful that the Hogarth family is supporting our efforts with such leadership and hope it inspires others to take the Pioneer Pledge Challenge and pay it forward.”
By Pepper Parr
October 1, 0214
BURLINGTON, ON.
Perception is often more relevant than reality – and that would appear to apply to the campaign Blair Lancaster is running in ward six where the Air Park issue is front and center for many.
 How many people are going to see this sign? Is it more of a political statement than a device to inform electors? Residents north of Dundas have for some time felt that Ms Lancaster is closer to representing the interest of the air park owners than she is the interests of the residents who have to live with the air park.
During the ward six debate the Gazette sponsored, Ms Lancaster did say that the development of the air park was important and that the interests of the people who owned the air park mattered as well. She took the position that she was in office to represent everyone – which is certainly not the way many of the people in rural Burlington saw her behaviour.
 Vince Rossi in the red shirt with Blair Lancaster to his left at a community meeting in the Warren barn on Bell School Line. When a community meeting took place in the barn of the Warren family property, which is one field away from the end of the air park runway, Ms Lancaster sat beside Vince Rossi, the owner of the Air Park. Ms Lancaster explained at the time that she had been in a minor car accident earlier in the day and needed a chair with a back – and the only one available was next to Vince Rossi. Several people suggested Ms Lancaster could have moved the chair she was sitting in.
During the court case at Superior Court in Burlington Ms Lancaster sat in the row directly behind Vince Rossi which many saw as quite inappropriate.
When that hearing ended Ms Lancaster was seen leaving the Court house with Mr. Rossi as they walked towards their cars in the parking lot.
 The Lancaster election signs are all around the air park site and on the air park site. Are small craft pilots funding the Lancaster election campaign? For many people this perception is so totally wrong – to their eyes they see Ms Lancaster as being in the Rossi camp and they can’t wait to see her election financial return to learn how much Rossi donated to her campaign.
The last straw for many was the Lancaster election signs spread around the air park. “What in heaven’s name is she doing” was the comment from a political operative, who does not live in Burlington and is not aligned with any Burlington candidates. “Pretty dumb thing to do” he added “unless Lancaster has data that indicates most of the people south of Dundas don’t care all that much about what happens at the air park.
 If you have a small plane at the air park – you are going to know that Lancaster wants your vote. The city itself certainly cares and has committed a significant amount of dollars and staff time – first trying to get Vince Rossi to comply with the city bylaws and then ensuring that he provides all the information the city believes it needs to approve any changes to the air park site that are not related to aviation and the operation of an air park.
The biggest problem has been getting a site plan from the air park. The city also wants to see something in the way of a business plan which many believe does not even exist
So far the city hasn’t gotten much from Vince Rossi. Ms Lancaster has gotten a place to put her re-election signs.
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