 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 12, 2013. Early in the afternoon of Mother’s day an ambulance traveling south on Appleby Line collided with a vehicle at the intersection of 1 Side Road in Burlington.
The Emergency Services (EMS) ambulance collided with an eastbound Buick.
 A Halton EMS ambulance traveling south on Appleby Line collided with a Buick turning into the traffic. The driver of the Buick, a 93-year-old Burlington man, was seriously injured in the collision and remains in hospital in serious condition. The 2 Halton Region EMS paramedics involved in the collision received minor injuries and were also transported to hospital.
The collision occurred as the driver of the Buick attempted to make a left hand turn onto Appleby Line. The ambulance was driving southbound on Appleby Line and was not responding to any priority calls, it did not have its emergency lights or siren activated, and there were no patients aboard the ambulance.
Due to the injuries sustained by the Burlington man, the Halton Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) attended and took carriage of the investigation. The intersection was closed for approximately 5 hours for the scene investigation.
Speed does not appear to be a contributing factor in the collision. Any witnesses to the collision are asked to contact Detective Constable Oliver Caves at 905 825-7474 extension 5124.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 13, 2013 What might turn out to be a sunny Sunday afternoon is also a chance to spend a bit of time soaking up the sounds of what “bookmeister” Ian Elliott, over at the Different Drummer calls, “ marvelous, captivating music of many eras in a sublime performance”.
 Frances Cohen, Paul Burnip and Shiori Kobayashi of Grenadilla Winds
Grenadilla Winds–the brilliant, nationally renowned clarinettists Frances Cohen, Shiori Kobayashi and Paul Burnip–render their generous program in exquisite style, Sunday, May 26 3pm, at a Different Drummer Books, 513 Locust Street
GRENADILLA WINDS present THE VIRTUOSIC CLARINET
Refreshments, and a chance to meet the performers, are offered right after the performance. Tickets are $15, $10 for students.
To reserve seats, please contact us at (905) 639 0925 or diffdrum@mac.com.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. May 10, 2013. The Beachway Master Plan – one of those projects that has been going on forever, finally got to Burlington’s city council. It didn’t get a round of applause but it did get a thorough trouncing with more questions from Council than the three people presenting the report were able to answer.
Many of the questions were tabled giving staff time to dig out the answers.
 The area studied in the Beachway report is on the left. A prime focus is the residential properties show in red – there are 30 homes in the area Reality took a bit of a hit during the lengthy meeting at which the public and city council went through a report that was biased at best and lacked any imagination whatsoever. It seemed to focus on getting the residents out of the parkland and, as Councillor Meed Ward put it “create space for parking cars”.
It was a long report, a complex report; one that required more than the five or six days the residents of the Beachway Park community had to read it and digest the contents.
It wasn’t clear if the Region, which produced the report, had made an early draft available to Burlington for comment.
Wednesday evening was a meeting to receive the report from the Region and to give the public an opportunity to comment. In the past the Beachway residents have been very vocal, close to disruptive at times, with good reason- the report talked about their homes and there are people at the Region who want to put them out on the street. There was a previous public meeting, a workshop that was looking for ideas and views on what might be done with the Beachway.
There are some in that community who are prepared to sell their property to the Region but they want a decent price – which is something the Region claims it has not been able to do. More on that below.
The Beachway falls in Councillor Rick Craven’s ward and he hand delivered copies to the 30 homes in the community.
 Residents on the Beachway have spent thousands of dollars to upgrade their properties – this is where they live and where they want to stay. One of the better examples of improved properties is this house on Lakeshore Road Wednesday evening they were ably represented by Glen Gillespie who gave council a passionate view of the community, the parkland and what could be done. He entertained them and to some degree informed them as well, but it isn’t the city that is driving this agenda – and the community does not appear to have been able to get through to the Regional people.
At the end of the meeting Council made it clear to the Regional people that they had a lot of questions and didn’t see this as being anywhere near a done deal. Problem is the city doesn’t have all that much clout on this one and there isn’t a clear vision from the city as to what it wants to do – at least not yet.
There is no clear leadership from this Council on the issue. Craven seems to lack any imagination on the file and is more concerned about encroachment of public property by the residents – he has a point on that one – than he has about the bigger picture which is what does Burlington want to see done with the parkland?
Craven has a habit of asking “incisive questions” in an almost prosecutorial manner that usually results in a ‘no’ from the person being questioned and then sits back looking as if he has made a major point. Wednesday evening he asked each of the Beachway residents if they were aware of the provincial policy related to properties on the Beachway. Did you ask your lawyer or your real estate agents about any provincial policy, Craven asked. Get real Councillor – real estate agents tell you about the granite counter tops, the “ensuite” bathrooms and the hardwood floors.
Acting General Manager Chris Glenn directed the meeting. After two hours of presentations, delegations and some questions Glenn broke the discussion into four areas and did his best to channel the flow of conversation along those paths.
 While the focus of the Beachway report was on flooding, the dynamic beach and the residential housing there are three other very large users of the area. Joseph Brant Hospital will face Lakeshore Road when it completes its re-build, the Ministry of transportation has a large equipment yard on the west side of Lakeshore and the Waste water treatment plant, currently undergoing a massive upgrade is also in the area. Land use – what use was the land that is owned by the Conservation Authority, leased to the city and comes under policy created at the Region, going to be put to?
 Much is made of the flooding hazard – and there have been very significant floods in the past. The focus of the Beachway Review report has been on what flooding will do to the residential homes – much less said about the impact flooding will have on the waste water treatment plant and the hospital – both of which are in the flood plain. Flooding: what is the flooding issue? There are a lot of misconceptions in the minds of many; some outright fear mongering on the part of Regional staff; data that is true one week but not true the next and a bit of a “not telling the whole story” on the part of the bureaucrats. The residents deserve better and Burlington has to press the Region and the Conservation Authority quite a bit harder to get the truth out on the table about the flooding threat.
Servicing the community and the park in general. The Region states that it is parkland and therefore cannot be serviced but there is a Pavilion that has water and waste service; a Pump House the city would love to lease out to someone, that has water and waste service and then there is a waste water treatment plant right smack in the middle of the community. The residents feel, quite legitimately, that they are being had.
 A layout showing the location of the private homes in the Beachway Park. The Region appears to want to want to buy the properties – the residents say that if the Region is going to purchase they want a fair price. Some think the Region wants the property for future parking when use of the park expands.  Examples of some of the homes in the Beachway that residents want to keep. The last subject areas was “acquisition” – how is the Region going to acquire the homes if that is what this all comes down to, then the practice they have followed the past five years has been a total failure. Of the eight properties that came up for sale – the Region managed to get just the one. All the others sold privately – one for double what the Region offered.
The report, it actually has the word “comprehensive” in its title – chose to be selective in what it put its spotlight on. There were a number of critical decisions made in previous reports that go back to the 70’s, that got brushed over. The writers of the report chose to pick parts of previous document that supported their viewpoint.
There is much more delving into to be done on the file. However, there is a clock ticking – the Region has put a schedule in place that has the report going to the Planning and Public works committee in October.
There were four delegations before Council; three from people who had homes in the Beachway and a third from the Burlington Waterfront Committee, the eye on the waterfront created by Councillor Marianne Meed Ward when the Waterfront Access Protection and Advisory Committee was sunset by city Council.
The three residents were crystal clear on what they wanted – either give us a fair price for our homes or clear up the zoning mess and let us remain where we want to be.
The Waterfront group came out very strongly for keeping the community on the Beachway.
Based on the “pie in the sky” view the Region has put forward and the fear mongering they did Burlington is going to have to get its act together and form a plan that it wants to advance.
Spencer Smith Park, which is the eastern part of our Waterfront, is nicely developed and works for everyone. Time now to decide what the city would like to see done with the western end. Time may be the one thing the city and the residents don’t have.
There was a time when the Beachway part of Burlington was a small but robust community with its own stores and police service. That time is part of the city’s history – which got precious little mention in the report received by city council last Wednesday.
The roll out schedule for this is:
Presentation to the Regional Waterfront Parks Advisory Committee: June 26 and August 21, 2013
Presentation to Conservation Halton Board on June 27, 2013
Back to the Burlington Community Services Committee Sept 11, 2013
Region of Halton Planning and Public works committee October 3, 2013,
The October meeting is where the direction to be taken will be determined and the actual creation of the Master Plan will begin.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 9, 2013. A former employee of Royal Botanical Gardens was arrested today for a series of fraudulent transactions committed during her tenure.
 What do you do with a 70 year old who used a corporate credit card for their own use over a period of five years? Jail? Between May 2007 and May 2012, over $350,000.00 in unauthorized cash advance transactions were drawn on Royal Botanical Gardens – Corporate Credit Card.
Ethel GALLANT, 70 yrs, of Hamilton faces three counts of Fraud over $5000 and will appear in Milton Court on June 5th.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. May 9, 2013, All those pennies they told you were now close to worthless turn out to be worth a decent dollar – just as long as the copper in those coins is smelted out and rolled out into sheets or pressed into ingots.
Someone figured this out and between May 4th and May 6th broke into Tallman Bronze on Industrial Road and made off with copper valued at $250,000.
 We were all savings our pennies – thieves didn’t want to save – they just stole a truck load of copper – worth a cool quarter of a million dollars. Burlington detectives are seeking public assistance with their investigation into the break-in. Investigators believe a large truck would have been needed to transport the copper from the site.
Police are appealing to area businesses and local residents who may have noticed any suspicious activity occurring in the area of 2220 Industrial Street over the weekend of May 4th to May 6th.
Anyone with information pertaining to this matter is asked to call Detective Andy Forde of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825 4747 x2385, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).
 By Ray Rivers
BURLINGTON, ON. May 9th, 2013. You know the feeling. You have just ordered fish and chips and the waiter sets down a juicy hamburger for the guy at the next table. You recall the price was the same and wish you’d ordered differently – then your fish arrives and you want to ask the waiter to change it for the burger. That’s Andrea Horwath. She demanded poorly from Kathleen Wynne, in the provincial budget, and now she’d like to order again.
Take the 15% cut in insurance rates. I didn’t think that could happen. Aren’t the rates set on the basis of claims, as they’ve always told us? Are we going to have 15% fewer accidents this year? Possible, but I doubt it. So that means we’ve been paying at least 15% more a year than we should have. And look at your insurance bill. Why are we paying for accident health coverage in a province with universal OHIP? Talk about being over-insured.
New Zealanders have true no-fault auto insurance. They understand nothing is risk-free. So if you are on the highway and have an accident, the biggest insurance pool in the country, the government, takes care of you – but you can’t sue a third-party for personal injuries. I bought a used car there and my yearly insurance bill was $99.00. Why can’t we do that here?
The NDP platform on car insurance, when Bob Rae became the first Dipper Premier, was to nationalize it. But he chickened out – wouldn’t do it then. Has the NDP dropped the idea entirely, or did Andrea think it was too much to ask, and wishes she had now? I mean BC, Quebec and Manitoba – all have variations of public auto insurance for their people – and they pay lower premiums. Why are we fattening the big insurance companies? Keeping that money in our pockets would be like a tax cut. A good way to stimulate the economy.
But the best we can do is fifteen percent, this time. Horwath made her play and now she’s not so sure. She’s hiding in her office, waiting to hear from… who? You’d think she would have done that before she made her ask on the budget. Now it is just about stalling, checking if the chips, which came with her fish, are salty enough before she slips one into her mouth. But they are getting cold as she hesitates, pretending she’s not really all that hungry.
Horwath is in a pickle. The Liberals need her far more badly than she ever thought, and Andrea now wishes she’d asked for more – because she probably would have got it. But she didn’t – so it’s time to lift her knife and fork and dig into that plate she ordered. Act like the adult you want people to think you are, if you expect them to make you Premier some day. Take the deal you demanded and make it work – then maybe, next time, be a little more careful about what you order up.
Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat after which he decided to write and has become a political animator. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran against Cam Jackson.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 9, 2013 The weekly Mountain Bike series at Kelso Conservation Area is back this summer with races starting on May 21 and running every Tuesday until the Finale Event on August 27 (last series race August 20).
With 14 races in total and multiple distances/categories this is a great addition to your training program with some of the best climbs in southern Ontario, or a fun way to challenge yourself to achieve a personal best.
 Great trails for many different ability levels on some of the best climbs in southern Ontario. The series is now in its fifth season and often sees over 200 riders of all ability levels from all over southern Ontario and beyond. The staff at Kelso keeps the focus on fun, and has nurtured a strong and supportive community of riders over the years.
Registration is now available online, and in the Visitor Services Centre at Kelso, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riders can also come out on May 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. to preview the trails and register on-site for the series.
Riders can pick up a discount coupon to save an extra $10 on your series registration from one of our many great sponsors, who are listed on the race webpage. Sign up for the series (14 races and the finale event) and choose to race as many as you want; or sign up for individual races whenever you want.
We encourage everyone to sign up for the series as it’s such a great value. Once again a safe, fun, challenging and free kids course will be offered at the base of the hill, so be sure to bring the little ones out for a taste of the action.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON May 8, 2013. It took four months but the members of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau were able to arrest a suspect who would target vehicles left for repairs at auto body shops, smashing out the windows of the vehicle and removing property from within.
The accused, Mark TRAVIS, 44 yrs, of Burlington was arrested and held for a bail hearing.
Next the police can focus on the series of thefts from the contents of vehicles in the Alton Village and Orchard Park communities. That people have left their cars unlocked has made it easier for the bandits but police will eventually catch these guys as well.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. May 8, 2013 If the city grants Graham Infrastructure “Substantial Performance” people will be able to walk out onto the pier – just like that.
Graham is the company that built the pier – actually they tore down the first version of the pier and then started all over again – but that’s another story. Everyone now wants to move on and hold the opening ceremonies with balloons and fireworks and speeches and pretend that all the problems were not our problems. We will all become Jamaicans for a few hours and tell ourselves there are “No problems”
This “substantial performance is one of two conditions that have to be met before the pier can be opened to the public.
During debate at a council committee when city staff was giving council their FINAL pier update Councillor Dennison wanted to know just when the public was going to walk out on that concrete deck. Staff had said that the Burlington Teen Tour Band would be the first “public” to use the pier which they thought was fitting and would certainly gladden the hearts of many in this city.
 There was almost a cheer when city staff advised council they were making their FINAL project update on the Brant Street Pier. Dennison poked away a bit and referred to the FINAL Pier Update and noted that once the city has granted Substantial Performance the pier can be used.
Substantial Performance means that in the eyes of the city the work on the pier is complete and the contractor turns it over to the city. During construction the pier is in the hands of the contractor.
With “substantial performance” the contractor gets a significant payment – so you know they want to see this done. Liability for the pier becomes the city’s problem and a deficiency list gets drawn up.
Every project has a deficiency list – some take years t get done. They are usually always very small and it is the city that keeps after the contractor to ensure they are fixed.
All this leads up to – when will the pier be open to the public? We know it will be open on the 14th – every dignitary in the Region will be out there. It will be fun to watch former Mayor’s Cam Jackson and Rob McIsaac share the platform – not much love lost between those two.
McIsaac struggled to get the pier built and when the crane topped during construction Jackson wanted to blow the whole thing up. The current administration moved heaven and earth to find a contractor to complete the job and sent millions more than anyone expected to see the job done.
The “mistake on the lake” will finally shed its lousy public image.
There are two big public events: June 14th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm which will be the plaque unveiling, recognition of the dignitaries and thanking them for giving us back our own money to build the pier. This is when the Burlington Teen Tour Band will march smartly out to the end of the pier and then in a grand fashion march from the end forward to the front where the public will have gathered.
After all the speeches and the photo opportunities everyone retires to the Sound of Music VIP tent for a reception.
 The beacon atop the node – cross braces have yet to go in and all the LED lights have yet to be put in place. Looks kind of nice as it is. The day after – Saturday June 15th is the Community Opening. This event will run from noon to 3:00 pm during which there will be “animation activities” for the public. Details are still be worked out by two different city departments. The “big shot” event is being handled by the city’s communications department and the Community Opening is being run by the city’s Special Events people.
They put on the Children’s Festival – a two-day event that is hugely popular and know how to make something work. It will be interesting to see how well they do – and interesting as well to see how the two different departments do their jobs.
 Looks cold and lonely out there? In a couple of weeks the railings will be in place and the public will strut out to the end of the pier and marvel at it all – and the cost as well. But the really interesting thing is: WHEN WILL THE PUBLIC BE ABLE O WALK OUT ON THAT PIER? Dennison isn’t on for waiting until the dignitaries are on hand. If it safe and complete – then let the public out onto the thing is the view Dennison took at the last council committee meeting.
Will he be as insistent at Council later this month and will he have the support of his fellow council members? Dennison could use a win on this one. He got close to black- balled by his community over his plans to apply for a severance of his Lakeshore Road property and he took a shellacking over his view that Lakeshore Road should have separate bicycle lanes.
If he manages to get the public out on the pier during the first week of June – will all be forgiven?
 By Staff
HAMILTON, ON May 7, 2013. Tim Bosma was selling his truck.
Two people showed up at his door to look at the truck. They wanted to take it for a test drive. Bosma decided to go with the two men. That was on May 6th. Bosma hasn’t been seen since.
 Friends created a Facebook page and are using social media to get the word out and find Tim Bosma The truck, a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 with license plates 726-7ZW has not been seen. Hamilton police Detective Steve Pacey is leading the investigation
A source told Our Burlington that Bosma was a little suspicious about the men who showed up to buy the truck and decided to go with them.
Family and friends are using social media to get the word out and to spread the license number far and wide.
If you see the plates on a black pick up call 905-546-4930
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON May 7, 2013 The natives in St. Luke’s Precinct are getting restless – they don’t like the look of a development that is going to chew up a whole block of Caroline from Hager to Burlington Streets.
Barry Imber, a Hager resident explains: “Myself and a bunch of downtown neighbours are amassing to say no to a new housing development that’s proposed for Caroline
 The St. Luke’s Precinct is bordered on four sides roughly between Brant Street and Maple Avenue at the sides and Central High School to Lakeshore Road top to bottom. Street between Burlington Ave. and Hager Ave. The developer wants to tear down a number of homes and replace with higher density town homes which local Councillor Marianne Meed-Ward insists are semi-detached structures.
The neighbourhood has been dealing with this for some time – early meetings took place sometime in 2012.
Meed Ward has arranged for a meeting at city hall – on a Saturday – in the late Spring no less – that tells how restless the natives are. Takes place at City Hall — 10am – Room 305 with developer Maurice Desrochers in attendance. Locals understand that the developer wishes to show new drawings. The neighbours wish to speak to him about the impact of his proposal on the way they live downtown.
 Caroline looking East from Hager: community wants to retain the single family home zoning fr the precinct. The developer is seeking different zoning for the site: Imber says the problem is, as we all know, change one zone and the dominos fall and you stand to lose the zoning for our unique little core area.
The developer is believed to have changed architects – leaving John Williams of Burlington and taking his business down the road to a Toronto Architectural firm. The developer is also reported to have
Changed the drawings to get a more period historical look — between late 1800’s to early 1900’s
The city is reported to have impressed the developer that the goal of the St. Luke’s Precinct is to preserve the Single Family Home zoning as established character — not simply an aesthetic.
The St. Luke’s Precinct is bordered on four sides roughly between Brant Street and Maple Avenue at the sides and Central High School to Lakeshore Road top to bottom.
Social media lets anyone with a keyboard and internet access the opportunity to put together a blog and get their story out. There are loads of smart people in the precinct who have their site up and created a space for the developer to get his side of the story out – which is what Desrochers did with this comment:
“I appreciate your concern. You are totally misinformed and misinforming your neighbours. This is a site specific zoning change and does not affect the zoning in the rest of the neighbourhood, nor does it affect the neighbourhood in a negative way.
 Residents believe the developer has focused solely on the positive nature of the aesthetic – they are concerned about density and the intrusion of anything other than single family homes. You have not even seen what the new proposal is. Its leading edge and a great example of good positive change .I trust that you will be impressed when you see the new proposal. Even some of the new single homes in the core are not a good example of tying in with the neighbourhood. I look forward to seeing you on the 11th.
The community has come right back and responded:
Your effort to connect is much appreciated as is making yourself available to discuss the project with residents on Saturday May 11th at the city.
In response to your note we understand that the city grants zone changes site specific. However, we all know that they consider the zoning of an area or neighbourhood by the type of zoning around it. This raises a number of concerns:
1. “The city worked with the province’s mandate of intensification to conclude that the St. Luke’s Precinct was a unique and cohesively zoned area that should be protected from changes that could effect character — concluding that the Precinct should keep it’s contiguous zoning. This means they recognize the significance of site specific zoning as it effects the broader area. Therefore, a change of zone in one lot will effect all lots and tear apart the precinct’s status.
2. “Area residents have seen how site specific zone changes in their neighbourhoods have come back to haunt them when developments have applied and were granted site specific zoning and character changes. Recent examples can be cited. The reality is that a single zone change is significant as it heavily influences the future decision-making of council when they consider impact of change on each site by site occasion.
“For these reasons we believe there is no misrepresentation. We are being clear that the zoning change will effect the entire Precinct. Anyone who suggests otherwise is being naive or hiding the reality of the precedent that is set by site specific changes.
“In the end your new proposal, if still requiring a zone change to a higher density away from single family dwellings, is the first disastrous destabilizing step for the neighbourhood that will be irreversible. It will invite future developers to speculate by buying groups of homes for dense developments and leave us with no defence as we will have lost our precinct’s unique cohesive zoning as currently recognized by the city.
“Lastly you address aesthetic. In your initial meeting with residents you focused solely on the positive nature of your aesthetic and believe it is a fit. I’m certain this next proposal will be aesthetically well-considered too.
“The challenge is that though you believe your aesthetic to be superior to others and that there should be an ideal — citing that there is infill that doesn’t meet your standards — the reality is that this neighbourhood consists of many looks and home sizes; a diverse aesthetic that has evolved over time. This is a natural process that is central to the beauty of the area and a direct result of the single family home zoning.
“The single family home zoning influences the process by maintaining a graceful influx of home buyers that purchase because they love the Precinct and appreciate the nature of the place. Then some renovate, some replace — but all one home at a time to an outcome that though eclectic, is importantly slow and to scale with the neighbourhood. A scale both in the size of the homes but more importantly the scale of disruption. One home on one street being renovated or rebuilt is limited in its disruption — in all senses. One home at a time upsets a minimal in terms of traffic, emotions, neighbourhood people’s relationships and families. One home at a time is not divisive to the people.
“A development of a number of homes — a whole street block — that hopes to change the zoning tears a hole in a neighbourhood. It is destabilizing. It changes character. It divides people. It disrupts daily lives and flow and demands all people accommodate and change for the needs of the development.
“Your proposed development, and any similar future development that needs zone changes, will do more than change the look of the street. It will divide the neighbourhood and force everyone to change the way they live, and the way they relate to each other. It will erase what generations have loved about the downtown core’s neighbourhoods.
“This is why a growing number of neighbours have concluded that this type of development is destructive and misguided.”
 Desrochers has been in the business of buying up historical properties and rental them out as executive accommodation for short periods of time and in doing so has kept some very important buildings in use. Has his decision to move into development going to damage the reputation he had. Above is a fine example of a structure Desrochers has on his properties list. Desrochers operates Burlington Furnished Rentals, which owns a number of very distinctive looking structures which it rents out as short-term executive suites. Among these rental residences are approximately 6 homes on adjacent detached single family lots along the north side of Caroline which are the focus of their redevelopment. The group has presented a plan to tear down the homes and build multi-level townhouses and increase the dwelling density to 8 or more units on this land.
Is this application going to be seen as just a necessary part of downtown intensification or will the concept of a distinct look to a Precinct be something that prevails?
The community will get some sense as to where the city’s planning department is coming from when there report is completed and sent along to council.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON May 3, 2013 INCITE, A Single Moms Support Group, a non-profit organization, based out of Burlington, that raises up single moms and their children in our community by offering support, encouragement, guidance, direction and opportunities for empowerment.
Mother’s Day is quite a bit different when there is just the one parent in the house which leaves the Mother’s Day thinking in the hands of the kids.
INCITE is holding an event on Sunday May 12 at the Burlington Baptist Church, 2225 New St, Downtown Burlington from 12:30-4 pm. Tickets are $10 and includes lunch, bevies, dessert, pampering for the Moms, children make a Mother’s Day gift, a family photo, live music, silent auction, vendors, 50/50 draw, door prizes and more!
Pass this one around to those you think might be interested.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. May 6, 2013 A Mississauga man faces multiple charges for his involvement in a series of recent break and enters in both Burlington and Oakville.
During the night of May 3, 2013 the accused and other suspects stood in front of Appleby Opticals, 2180 Itabashi Way, Burlington, smashed through the front door and stole a quantity of glasses frames.
Later, at 2:19 a.m., the accused and associates broke into the Walkers Medical Centre, 1821 Walkers Line, Burlington, and stole a quantity of medicinal items.
At 2:35 a.m., a break and enter occurred at the Bell Store, 2475 Appleby Line, Burlington. The accused and other suspects smashed through the front door and stole cash.
At 2:45 a.m., a break and enter occurred at the Telus Mobility Store, 2501 Third Line, Oakville. Again, the accused and associates smashed through the front door and removed tools and cash from within.
It was a uniformed police officer, in a marked police cruiser, conducting commercial premise checks who came across the incident. An interaction took place between the lone officer and multiple suspects who drove their vehicle towards the officer, and colliding with it. During the life-threatening encounter, the officer discharged his firearm.
One individual was arrested at the scene while the accused and the other suspect fled on foot. The vehicle utilized by the suspects had been previously stolen from Oakville in April.
The accused, Jonathan MARUCIO was arrested in Peel Region and additional investigation to date has implicated him in at least two prior Oakville entries on April 25th:
Bell Store – 2525 Hampshire Gate and Telus Mobility Store – 2501 Third Line in Oakville
ACCUSED: Jonathan MARUCIO, 31 yrs, of Mississauga has been charged with:
Break, Enter & Theft (six counts)
Theft of Motor Vehicle (two counts)
Breach of Recognizance (two counts)
Wear Disguise While Committing Offence (two counts)
Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
Possession of Break and Enter Tools
The individual arrested at the scene of this incident, a 25-year-old female, has been released unconditionally.
After investigating further the police had a suspect they very much wanted to talk to whom they identified as Jesse RIGO, 21 yrs, of Mississauga
Mid afternoon on Saturday Rigo surrendered himself to police at #20 Division, Oakville Police Station with his lawyer at his side.
He has been charged with:
Aggravated Assault, Endangering the Life of a Peace Officer
Dangerous Driving
Break, Enter & Theft (six counts)
Theft of Motor Vehicle (two counts)
Wear Disguise While Committing Offence (two counts)
Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
Possession of Break and Enter Tools
Breach of Probation (two counts)
Breach of Recognizance (two counts)
The accused was accompanied by his lawyer at that time. The police report that the accused did not suffer any injuries as a result of the original incident when the car the thieves were using rammed into the police cruiser. Rigo was held for a bail hearing and will be appear at the Ontario Provincial Court in Milton.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. May 3, 2013 We are not hearing very much from the folks over at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. They advertised for people interested in serving on the Board – the closing date for that was March 15th. The Board has not said how many seats they need to fill.
We have heard of at least one very qualified individual who has served the city with distinction in the past. Our understanding is that the initial interview has yet to take place but when it does the applicant intends to interview the Board as much as be interviewed for a Board seat.
 In the world of show business they are called “dark night” – those occasions when there is nothing going on in the building. The Performing Arts Centre has too many of these. Sometime later this month the Brenda Heatherington, the Executive Director who has given notice to her Board that she will leave her position in July, will announce the fall line-up – which we understand is pretty strong.
No word from the Board on how they intend to search for her replacement. There is some buzz in the community that it should be someone from within the community, which could be a mistake.
The position to be filled needs considerable clarification before it is advertised.  Does BPAC want an artistic director? Does it want an administrator who has a sense of what the community wants in the way of entertainment? Doe it want someone who puts on the type of programming that is profitable or does it want someone who is going to grow the appetite and interest level of the community for performing arts?
Burlington has next to no experience in growing the appetite for performing arts. Heatherington brought a strong reputation for being able to build an audience but “appears” to have lacked the business acumen the Board felt was needed. Finding someone who can develop audiences and find the kind of entertaining talent to do that and get them to this city at a reasonable cost and then also have the business smarts to keep the revenue line where everyone would like it to be is no small task. There are very few of those available in this country. Should we find one – that person will probably be able to walk on water as well.
There are some tough days ahead for the Performing Arts Centre as it builds a board of directors that can make the decisions that have to be made and learn more about public responsibility and transparency.
Getting a beefed up Board in place is the first critical step and then creating a search team to find the new Executive Director follows. In the meantime someone has to run the place on a day-to-day basis. We are going to see another whopper of a deficit next year.
Burlingtonians can be understanding and tolerant but they insist on being informed. Hopefully there will be at least one champion on the revitalized board that will insist on telling the people paying for the place what is going on.
Your city council has two of its members on the Board. Mayor Goldring and Councillor Craven have been close to mute when it comes to informing the other council members in public as to what is going on. They are failing to do their jobs .
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. May 2, 2013. The Premier of the province Kathleen Wynne got her Minister of Finance to produce a budget that might keep the leader of the NDP happy enough to not vote against it later this week but that really isn’t the problem we are going to have with this government.
When Kathleen Wynne told a Legislative committee that she didn’t know the cost of closing the gas plant in Oakville was $310 million she lost me. For her to have sat at the Cabinet table where the decision to close the plant was made and tell us now that she believed the cost was just $40 million tells me the same games are still being played.
 We had trouble believing Kathleen Wynne when she was Minister of Transportation and in town to convince us the government would never pout a road through the Escarpment. Even harder to believe that she didn’t know the cost of closing the Oakville gas plant project was going to cost just $40 million when the true cost was $310 million. Wynne is going to wear that rubber tire around her neck until it eventually brings her down and that is going to be close to tragic for the province.
I don’t believe Andrea Horwath and her New Democrats can govern. And to have Tim Hudak as Premier of the province takes us back to the Mike Harris era – we are still struggling to get out from under the damage he did.
Hudak carries the same Harris blood line; one that is limited, simplistic and basically mean-spirited. Hudak does not seem to be able to see anything majestic in the human condition. . Horwath hasn’t grown to the point where she can serve as Premier – and if she were elected – where would her Cabinet come from? Wynne just doesn’t know how or want to tell the truth.
The budget will probably pass and then get reduced to a mess in committee that will slow us down for years to come.
The mistake the Ontario Liberals made was choosing Wynne and not Sandra Pupatello.
We would be in the middle of an election now had Pupatello been chosen as leader. Pupatello would have cleaned Tim Hudak’s clock and we would have a majority government.
Premier Wynne is correct when she says the people of Ontario don’t want an election. Having an election with Wynne as leader certainly doesn’t guarantee her a win. It won’t put the New Democrats in office and it is doubtful that the Progressive Conservatives would win a majority.
It is not our view that Ontario wants what Tim Hudak wants for us. What a mess
 By Ray Rivers
BURLINGTON, ON May 2, 2013. Give the people what they want. Dalton McGuinty transformed Ontario’s health care system from mediocre to one of the best in the country. He was the education Premier who brought peace and productivity to the class room. He banned cosmetic pesticides, driving with a hand-held cell phone and smoking while children are in your car. He brought in the HOV lanes, the Greenbelt, and helped keep the auto industry alive during the 2008 recession. But one of his biggest achievements was the Green Energy Act.
Generating energy with coal is dirty, speeds up climate change and impairs our health. So the Premier set up the Ontario Power Authority to make a plan – to phase-out coal but make sure the lights didn’t go out. Solar and wind are the path to the future but they only work when the sun shines and the wind blows – so you need a backup and that is natural gas. And gas, the utilities have been saying for years, is clean.
 One of two gas plant the provincial government chose not to complete – cost to quit – close to half a billion dollars But don’t tell that to the voters in Oakville and Mississauga. When they heard about the plans for new gas plants, they weren’t going to let Dalton put one in their back yard. So on the eve of the last election the Liberal government, hoping to get its third majority, killed the partially constructed gas plants in those communities.
It turns out the cost of that decision is now known to be over a half billion dollars – compensation for the private entities building the plants – and new power plants will still have to be built somewhere.
The provincial budget came down this week, but it will have to compete for newspaper space with the gas plant fiasco. The pundits expect the NDP will support this budget and continue to support the Liberals for at least a while – till they are ready to pull the plug.
It is said that voters have short memories, but will the teachers support the government which declared war on them? Will the ORNGE, E-health and the Caledonia crises fade in the voters‘ minds? And on the budget, will the public register its concern that Ontario has been in deficit for the last decade and its debt doubled over that time? And, yes, don’t forget the gas plants.
Despite all the good that Premier McGuinty did for Ontario, his legacy will likely be tarnished by this one avoidable blunder. Who would have advised him to pander to a handful of vocal constituents and to reverse himself on a sound energy plan? That was an expensive lesson for all of us, and Dalton paid a huge price, falling on his sword and giving up his leadership. This is also Political Science 101: Be careful with the advice you get from the kids surrounding you in the heat of an election campaign The honey they are pouring into your ears may well turn out to be hemlock.
Next week I will be exploring the new Ontario budget. If the NDP does indeed support the budget on first reading, the question is whether they will see it through committee and onto final reading. Andrea must be asking herself why she would want to climb into bed with a Liberal government so shaken by something as destructive as the gas plant fiasco? There are interesting times ahead.
 Ray Rivers will write weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat after which he decided to write and has become a political animator. Rivers was a candidate in Burlington where he ran against Cam Jackson.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 2, 2013. Mother’s Day – weekend after this one. Time together is a great gift. Crawford Lake is hosting two special events on Mother’s Day weekend.
Pajama Night – On Saturday, May 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. little ones are invited to bring mom to a pajama party in the longhouse! This will be a memorable evening featuring storytelling in the reconstructed 15th century Iroquoian Village, a guided night creature hike and cozy gathering around the campfire with a tasty snack. Wear your cosiest pajamas and kids can give mom a real gift by heading straight to bed when they get home.
 Could there be a nicer way to spend the day with Mom? Wildflower Walk for Mom – On Sunday, May 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. take mom on a guided hike through the spectacular spring woodlands at Crawford Lake Conservation Area. Leaves are just starting to bud on the trees and the spring wildflowers are taking advantage of the sun. Trout lilies, bloodroot, may apple and many more spring flowers are in the midst of their ever so brief annual appearance. One of our experienced guides will help you and mom discover the beauty of these spring ephemerals and then take you back to the park for some well-deserved tea and scones.
Pajama Night and Wildflower Walk for Mom are both pre-registered events. REGISTER HERE
Tickets cost is $15/adult and $10/child (ages 5 to 14 years) or seniors (ages 65 years and over), applicable taxes extra.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 2, 2013. BBQ time. Fill the tank and look for deals on burgers and buns.
If you haven’t used your barbecue in a while, now is a good time for a quick safety check. Of course you know all this stuff – but the teenager doesn’t – so get him or her to read this stuff over – then give them a quick quiz; let them know whose boss.
 At this point you have cleared the area and called 911. Test for leaks: Check gas tank hose on propane and natural gas barbecues for leaks. Use a 50/50 mix of soap and water on the hose. If you see bubbles, tighten the connections and check again
Check for spiders: Spider webs and insect nests can clog tubes and cause a fire
Transporting propane cylinder: Ensure all valves are closed and plugs or caps are in place. Transport the fuel cylinder in an upright position and secure it in vehicle.
Keep it outside: Keep at least one metre away from the house or cottage. Never store propane tanks in the house or in an attached garage. This includes tanks that are attached to a barbecue
Barbecues on apartment balconies: Propane or charcoal barbecues should not be used on apartment balconies. Fire that starts on the balcony can rapidly spread into an apartment and is often difficult for firefighters to reach. Most leases, agreements or condominium rules prohibit the use of barbecues on apartment balconies.
Safe use of your barbecue: Always open the lid to the barbecue prior to lighting; Always fully open the tank valve during use and fully close it when you’re finished; Always barbecue outdoors in a well-ventilated area and never in a garage or shed
If a fire starts: If the fire is near the tank shut-off, do not try to put out the fire. Get everyone away from the area and call 911. Only close the tank valve if it can be done safely. If you are unsure, call 911.
Pretty sure we have seen the last of the snow – Great grillin!
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. May 2, 2013. Friday May, 3, starting at 9:30 a.m. King Road will be closed from north of Enfield Road to 1135 King Rd. (IKEA Parcel Pick Up). The road will be closed until Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 3:30 p.m. The closure is required so that track levelling work can be completed by CN.
 Rail leveling work as part of the grade separation project will shut down King Road from 9:00 am on May 3 to 3:30 pm on May 6th There will be no pedestrian access (across the CN Rail) during the closure. Motorists and pedestrians should use Brant Street or Waterdown Road as a detour during the closure.
During the construction of the King Road Grade Separation and this closure businesses located along King Road will remain open to serve their patrons.
 By James Smith
BURLINGTON, ON. May 2, 2013. This past weekend yet another young man, 27, died on the railway tracks near Dixie Road in Mississauga. Another family is now linked with Burlington’s Denise Davy and her family by grief over the loss of a loved one on the Lakeshore rail corridor. More than just sad, this news is devastating because when someone dies like this, a family is left not only with the ache in their heart over the loss, but also left with so many unanswered questions. How and why did this happen? Is it misadventure, suicide or is there something else at work? What are we missing in this picture that motivates people so they feel they have to cut across tracks in the first place?
I’ve never met Ms Davy, but I’ve been impressed with her commitment to attempting to get action on preventing other deaths on the tracks in Burlington. Ms Davy has successfully brought this issue to the front of mind, not only of Burlington City council, a success in its own right; Ms Davy has moved council to direct staff to act.
 A couple of really inadequate signs alongside a path that leads up to the railway tracks – crossing is a snap until one realizes there is a train that you didn’t see or hear when you started crossing. As I write this, I’m sitting on a GO Train making my way into Toronto and I can see how very easy it is for one to make it onto the tracks. Pulling into Bronte station, I saw two men walking away from the tracks. (Did they just cross them?) They likely didn’t give the train and the tracks a second thought. Just something to get around. One does not need to be an expert to see what danger lurk on the Lakeshore corridor. Just look out from the seat of a GO train as I’ve just done to see the trails and paths, the tree forts, BMX jumps and graffiti. Pretty quickly one can get the idea of where people regularly walk, play, lurk and take shortcuts. With GO moving to half hour service in June the peril on the tracks is about to become far greater. To mitigate the danger, I notice more brush being cleared and new fences on the rail corridor throughout Mississauga. Will this project carry on to cover Burlington and the rest of the GO network? I hope so – and I hope it happens soon.
Fences are only part of the answer, the spot where the latest death occurred happened on a section of track already with new fences installed. To improve rail track safety Burlington and other cities need not so much better city planning around railways, but better transportation vision. Being hived off into four parts by railways and highways Burlington has created a neat two kilometer grid that isolates pockets of development as little land-locked islands ironically surrounded by transportation corridors. How do people get in and out of these islands? By car, or for the foolhardy, taking a chance crossing the tracks on foot. This is a result of the dominant planning regimes of the mid-20th century where land use was neatly divided up into its own little planning ghettos.
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