 By Staff
November 9th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
LaSalle Park is back in the news.
The land is owned by the city of Hamilton.
Burlington has a 40 year ($1 a year) lease that ends in December 2022.
Someone is going to have to make a decision – soon. The people who have the agreement with the city to host private events at the Pavilion want to be able to take reservations into 2022
 When it came to negotiating a deal for the sale or long term lease renewal Neither James Ridge of Hamilton city manager Chris Murray were able to settle on anything. In 2017 Burlington’s then City Manager James Ridge met with the then Hamilton city manager Chris Murray to talk about purchasing the land. An agreement couldn’t be reached. There wasn’t much in the way of public information at the time other than that Hamilton wanted more than Burlington was prepared to or able to pay.
The park is a wonderful place that gets well used. There is a joint venture and licensing agreement with the Burlington Boating and Sailing Club and LaSalle Park Marina Association.
The city recently pumped more than $4 million to upgrading the wave breaks at the marina.
The report that goes to Council on Thursday is one of those Receive and File that no action is taken on. It will be interesting to hear where Ward 1 Councillor Kelvin Galbraith stands on this one. His predecessor Rick Craven was a very strong advocate for the park.
 The 51.5 acre park has kilometers of trail both inland and along the shore, picnic areas, bocce courts, an accessible playground, a wading pool, 2 baseball diamonds, a boat launch, a marina, toboggan hill and public washrooms.
The park was built in 1915 by the Hamilton Parks Board and the pavilion was built shortly after in 1917 at a time when Aldershot was part of Hamilton. The park name commemorates prominent French explorer Rene-Robert Cavalier, Sir de LaSalle who is believed to have landed on this site in 1669.
The location served as an amusement park and entertainment venue. In its heyday and there was swimming on the shore. Hamilton residents would take a ferry boat to enjoy a day in the park. The LaSalle Pavilion had a restaurant on the main floor and ballroom on the second floor that would accommodate many elegant dinners, dances and musical performances.
 The Pavilion was structurally restored in 1995 only to be destroyed by a fire in the same year. The entire building was reconstructed in 1997 to its original heritage design.
Running the park is not cheap – the cost of replacing what is here now and the cost of operating the site are set out below.
 The 2019 replacement value of park assets is $19.59 million.  The 2019 replacement value of assets associated with these two organizations, totaling $8.48 million. $4 million of that was the result of a raid on a Hydro Reserve fund used to pay for the replacement of the wave break without which the Marina may not have been able to survive. It is going to take some astute negotiating to get a new arrangement in place by December of 2022. It will perhaps be a different city on that date.
Former Mayor Walter Mulkewich explains the role he played. “My recollection is that Council authorized myself and Councillor Brechin to negotiate with the Parks Committee of Hamilton re LaSalle. I then knew many of the Hamilton Councillors.. We were able to negotiate a 40 year lease which both Hamilton and Burlington Councils endorsed. ”
City hall might want to give him a call.
 By Pepper Parr
November 8th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
We wrote last week asking where have all the good delegators gone – those men and women who pay attention to what is taking place at city council and then make the time to put their thoughts and observations on paper and speak to Council.
We wondered aloud if the issue was the limitations put in place by Covid19 or was there something else?
The something else is a change in the way the Clerk’s office handles requests for delegations.
You have to let the Clerk know that you wish to delegate – which isn’t unreasonable; the Clerk has to know how many delegations there are going to be in order to get a sense as to just how long a meeting might last.
What is new is the requirement that a delegate submit a copy of the delegation before they are told they can actually delegate.
The Chair of the meeting explains that this is done so that members of Council can think about what they are going to hear and be able to ask questions of the delegation.
On those occasions when there are no questions from council, the Chair of the meeting will tell the delegate that there point was so clear there was no reason for any questions.
 Jim Young That is so slick as to be just a little sickening.
It is the open sharing of ideas and the willingness to not only listen but to hear what is being said that keep a society stable.
Jim Young, a frequent delegator in the past, put it so well when he told council during a delegation: “the power they have was given to them by the electorate “in trust” and that they were expected to use the power they were given wisely.”
Council seems to have tired of listening to the people that elected them.
Related article.
When was the last time …
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
By Pepper Parr
November 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a Special meeting of City Council.
 Mayor has the right to call a Special meeting of Council any time she wishes. The Mayor has the right to call a Special meeting of Council.
The meeting had several items on the agenda.
Amendments to the Temporary Use By-law and By-law Regulating Temporary Outdoor Patios In All Seasons
The focus of this news report is the Outdoor Patio issue.
Council met on November 2nd at 1:00 pm.
There were a number of procedural matters, including the singing of the National Anthem and the Roll Call to ensure that every member of Council was attending virtually.
There was one delegation that pertained to the Amendments to the Temporary Use By-Law.
Brian Dean and the owner of Gator Teds spoke and explained how desperate things were for the restaurant sector.
 Brian Dean represents the interests of the downtown business community. Dean spoke on behalf of those restaurateurs who were interested in tenting some outdoor space adjacent to the premises
At 1:48 pm Council went into a Closed Session.
The Motion to go into Closed Session which read:
Move into closed session in accordance with the following provisions under the Municipal Act, sections 239 (2)(f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, with respect to Community Planning Department report PL-60-20 regarding Amendments to Temporary Use By-law and By-law Regulating Temporary Outdoor Patios In All Seasons (PL-60-20)
Closed Session End time: 3:02 pm
When they came out of that Closed Session they passed a motion to:
Authorize Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility, working in consultation with Director of Transportation, to approve extension of temporary restaurant patios and/or temporary retail space permissions on public property in connection with COVID-19 recovery to October 31, 2021, subject to such criteria and conditions staff deem appropriate; and
Authorize the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility, working in consultation with the Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry and the Director of Transportation to undertake a case by case consideration of winter patios on public property and/or rights of way in downtown Burlington and to permit winter patios on public property and rights of way, where feasible, having regard to relevant operational considerations including winter control and winter maintenance of sidewalks and roads and general public safety;
There was quite bit more to the motion. We have set that out at the end of this article.
I could not see anything in the motion that was passed that related to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, with respect to Community Planning Department report unless the city’s counsel was there to tell the Planning people where they might be offside.
This is really very bad politics – a city council debating internally about which streets might be made impassable because a restaurant wanted to edge out into public space.
There are a reported seven restaurants who want to talk to the city about being able to have exclusive use of public space. I could live with that – just make the decision in a public setting
I have no problem with the restaurants getting a break – they certainly need all the help we can give them.
Every restaurant will have to meet with a Winter Patio Task Force that will meet with the restaurateur and go through all the details to protect the public interest. The Medical Officer of Health, Dr Hamidah Meghani, will be involved.
The issue seemed to be about snow removal and the problems the city would have removing snow. Brian Dean, speaking for the restaurateurs, said they would be prepared to take on the task of removing the snow by hand. That was nice of them wasn’t it?
Both Dean and the restaurateurs wanted clarity on the amount of insurance that had to be provided
What this amounted to was a debate about letting some restaurants take up public space and preventing you from using that space (sidewalks are an example) that the public was not permitted to listen to.
Lisa Kearns was bleating away about how good this is for the restaurants adding that “this is a dedicated and committed Council” adding that Council knows how to work fast. The Mayor went her one better. “This is the Help and Solutions Council”.
The public has no idea what individual Council members had to say during the hour and 14 minutes. Was it appropriate for the discussion to be in cl0sed session in the first place? And that should be a concern.
The balance of the motion the city passed is set out below.
Authorize the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility, working in consultation with the Director of Transportation, to approve extension of temporary outdoor patios and/or temporary retail space on private property to October 31, 2021 subject to such criteria and conditions as staff deem appropriate; and
Authorize the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility to grant or revoke such approvals, consents, agreements or other authorizations and take such other steps as may be required to give effect to the recommendations herein; and
Authorize the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility to execute any documents and agreements necessary to implement the recommendations herein; and
Amend By-law 2020.422, a By-law to amend Zoning By-law 2020 of the City of Burlington to permit temporary outdoor patios as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery efforts until October 31, 2021, attached as Appendix “A” to Report PL-60-20; and
Amend By-law 39-2020, a By-law to delegate authority to temporarily restrict the common law right of passage in connection with on-street restaurant patios and other on-street retail uses in Downtown Burlington to allow for temporary outdoor patios in Burlington until October 31, 2021, attached as Appendix “B” to Report PL-60-20; and
That the Director of Government Relations and Corporate Communications be directed to develop a landing site on the City of Burlington’s webpage as a resource for Operators to support consumer confidence in outdoor patios that are in compliance with municipal by-laws (SD-21-20); and
That the Mayor be directed to communicate to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), and local MPPs to request a review of provincial regulations requiring 3m setback from buildings for patio tents, and other aspects of the building code that may be an impediment to business during COVID19 (SD-22-20); and
That the City of Burlington implement a grant program to reimburse the costs of Building permit fees in the estimated amount of $5,000 from the Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund for outdoor patio’s and tent structures when a building permit is required, with an expiry date of October 31, 2021 (SD-23-20)
 By Staff
November 7th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s New Official Plan is sailing through the Regional government bureaucracy at quite a clip
After being endorsed by Burlington City Council on October 26th, the Official Plan was bundled up in a bright new binder and sent to the Regional government.
As the approval authority, Halton Region is reviewing the City’s adopted Official Plan (2018).
City staff have collaborated extensively with Regional staff to:
• address issues of Regional and Provincial conformity,
• respond to Provincial policy updates occurring post-plan adoption,
• identify opportunities to enhance structure and readability, and
• incorporate housekeeping changes.
City staff have also requested that the Region consider the proposed modifications endorsed by City Council through the Scoped Re-examination of the adopted Official Plan in its decision.
The staff report and draft Notice of Decision will be posted to the Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility agenda on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
The draft Notice of Decision is the Region’s way of telling Burlington what they plan to do – Burlington gets a chance to review the draft and comment.
Assuming all the ducks line up the right way the city will be well on its way to being bale to give the final approval to the Official Plan that has been in the works for some time.
As soon as it is made final the developers can file their appeals
Progress
 By Pepper Parr
November 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The sun had yet to set but the dogs were barking loudly and whimpering from time to time.
Jan glanced out the window and called out to me to come quickly.
We stepped onto the back deck and watched the dogs jumping up and down and running back and forth.
There in the sky above and in front of them was this magnificent orange hot air balloon sailing by without making a sound.
 The dogs were going crazy – they had never seen anything like this before. I thought it was going to land and dashed inside to grab a bottle of wine and welcome them.
 It floated away – the wine was not enticement enough for them to land in our field. Then there was that sound when air is heated and the balloon began to rise.
Perhaps the wine we were offering wasn’t to their taste.
It sailed away.
What a great way to end a wonderful late summer day.
The dogs stopped barking – they sat there with their ears pricked up wondering what had happened.
 By Staff
November 6th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Local entertainment producer Robert Missen has teamed up with Trevor Copp and Valerie Tryon to put on a new multidisciplinary family attraction at Port Nelson United Church on November 21st.
 Trevor Copp miming to Saint-Saens’ delightful classic, Carnival of the Animals is not to be missed Mirth & Music is a one-hour celebration of music, poetry and mime featuring Trevor Copp, Burlington’s award-winning theatre and mime performer, playwright and producer, and the world-renowned concert pianist Valerie Tryon. The program will include a new version of French composer Camille Saint-Saens’ delightful classic, Carnival of the Animals. Trevor will impersonate the various animals that Saint-Saens’ has set to music, many of them very amusing.
This work has been staged by Robin Patterson, a Founding Member of Theatre Beyond Words, the acclaimed mime company which resided in Niagara on the Lake for many years. Robert Missen, a long-time Burlington resident and producer of the concert, will narrate the new verses that Trevor has created to introduce the various segments.
 Valerie Tryon will be at the keyboard while Copp animates. This work will be followed by a selection of classical piano works played by Miss Tryon, including music by Chopin, Ravel, Mozart and Bach. Hamilton-based Valerie Tryon has had a major international career as a concert pianist and chamber music player. She has performed frequently with both the Hamilton Philharmonic and Boris Brott Academy Orchestra, just to mention a couple of local presenters.
Mirth & Music will take place in the Sanctuary at Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Drive at Spruce Avenue, at 7 pm on Saturday November 21, 2020. Tickets, which are limited to forty patrons, are free and are available through Robert Missen at 905-632-6047 or by writing to rmissen@sympatico.ca.
This event is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Burlington through its Community Support Fund, a special initiative to support local community and cultural organizations during the pandemic.
 By Nicole Ramberg
November 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
When the word “sustainability” is mentioned, what comes to mind? Maybe the battle that is climate change, or on a smaller scale, deciding to bring coffee to work in a reusable mug instead of buying one on the way. A connection that may not be as quickly drawn is how sustainability relates to business operations. This may be attributed to the fact that incorporating sustainability principles into business processes can be difficult and confusing for many reasons. A local organization, Sustainable Hamilton Burlington, recently launched their new Sustainability Leadership Program that helps businesses navigate the process, providing a clear path forward.
 The journey to becoming a more sustainable business is usually not an easy one. There are various challenges that can present themselves along the way, hindering or even halting the process. For businesses either thinking about, or just starting on their path to more sustainable practices, the process can seem daunting:
• Sustainability focuses on the triple bottom line, including economic, social and environmental sustainability – where do you even begin?
• How do you determine your performance indicators, and measure changes to identify when improvements occur?
• When you decide to take action, how can you ensure your actions are credible, and gain recognition for your efforts from your stakeholders and the public?
These challenges can be especially hard for smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). “It really comes down to resources. SMEs often lack the human, technological, and financial resources to implement sustainable change, and quickly. It’s also higher risk because there needs to be obvious returns on their investments – financially and otherwise – to warrant these changes being made,” says Jordyn Divok, Program Manager. “Another challenge is recognizing these successes in a credible way, which is achieved through third-party recognition.”
With these challenges to becoming a sustainable business, it’s important to seek guidance, support and resources to help you on this journey. Sustainable Hamilton Burlington (SHB) is a non-profit social enterprise dedicated to inspiring sustainability leadership in business organizations for healthier environments and thriving communities. From retail to energy providers, from architectural firms to local airports – sustainability can be built into any business. Business Sustainability 101 is a course offered by SHB to introduce businesses to the vast benefits of sustainability, including increased profits, efficient operations and employee satisfaction – to name a few. This starting point allows for any business to better understand the potential that sustainability has to offer for their triple-bottom line.
When the organization is ready to take the first step on its sustainability journey, the Sustainability Leadership Program guides businesses towards becoming truly sustainable. The membership-based program helps businesses to identify and overcome challenges along the path to becoming a more sustainable operation, building brand recognition and business resiliency in doing so. The program consists of a sequential four-step approach, each of which accomplishes new objectives that help organizations address different aspects of sustainability, while developing the systems and support needed to drive these changes forward.
Outcomes from the steps involve learning about how to calculate the organization’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, expanding the understanding of sustainability to include social and economic pillars, the use of globally recognized standards in sustainability reporting, and ultimately embedding sustainability into policies and work culture as a core value.
Sustainable Hamilton Burlington publishes an Annual Impact Report to highlight the impacts that members have made over the past calendar year. Conservation Halton recently won the Social Initiative Award 2019 presented by SHB for their initiative which positively impacted the Burlington community. Ash trees on Conservation Halton’s properties were removed. Rather than disposing of the wood, they decided to partner with Notre Dame High School to donate the lumber. The wood shop students used the material to create items like live-edge wood tables, in turn auctioning them off to fund raise for their school programs and activities. By incorporating a social sustainability guideline into their organization, and developing initiatives like this one, Conservation Halton was able to increase their brand value and recognition within the communities they serve.
Though this year has been a roller-coaster to say the least, excellent examples of sustainability in business have emerged, which have helped businesses become resilient and able to adapt in a changing economy. With sustainability as the guiding force, the future of business is about more than just the money they make; it’s about the impact they can leave behind.
 Nicole Ramberg is a graduate of McMaster University where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences. She is currently a student at Fleming College in Lindsay ON, where she is studying Ecosystem Management Technology.
By Pepper Parr
November 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Where have all the good ones gone?
Where are the dozen or so people who could be relied upon to delegate responsibly, to keep the members of Council on their toes?
Where is Gary Scobie, where is Tom Muir, where is Greg Woodruff, Blair Smith, Jim Young, Roland Tanner and Hunter Lawson?
 Jim Young  Roland Tanner  Gary Scobie  Lawson Hunter Dee Dee Davies always spoke in a measured deliberate tone abd had that ability to pause when she felt she wasn’t being listened to.
These are the people who did their homework and had the courage of their convictions to stand before council and speak on behalf of their communities.
Some say that people are going through burn-out.
Some say that the people who were always available to speak no longer believe that they were heard, worse they don’t believe they are being heard now.
Is the awkwardness of delegating under the conditions that the pandemic imposes what is keeping them away from Cit Hall?
Do delegators find they don’t feel there is any real connection with the members of council when they are speaking ?
 There is more than enough room for the members of Council to attend in person. Staff would have to take part virtually. Could this council find a way to have at least some of the Councillors in the Council Chamber? There is more than enough room in the Chamber for at least half of the Council members be in place with the delegator at the podium.
The Halton District School Board has 4 trustees in the room.
What we aren’t seeing is any effort to make the process of citizens speaking to the elected
When a delegator has finished there is, frequently, all too frequently, a statement read by the Chair that there were no questions because the delegator made their point very clear.
Balderdash – the Chair just blew the delegator off.
What City Council is doing now is not healthy for the democracy we are all so proud of – it actually stinks.
Salt with Pepper is the musings, reflections and opinions of the publisher of the Burlington Gazette, an online newspaper that was formed in 2010 and is a member of the National Newsmedia Council.
 By Staff
November 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The following came from a CBC News broadcast.
Canada has quietly revised its guidelines on how COVID-19 spreads to include the risk of aerosol transmission, weeks after other countries and international health organizations acknowledged the airborne threat of the coronavirus.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) updated its guidance without notice this week, making mention of the risk of transmission from aerosols — or microscopic airborne particles — for the first time.
“SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks,” the updated guidance said.
“The droplets vary in size from large droplets that fall to the ground rapidly (within seconds or minutes) near the infected person, to smaller droplets, sometimes called aerosols, which linger in the air under some circumstances.”
The federal agency’s guidelines previously said the virus spreads only through breathing in respiratory droplets, touching contaminated surfaces and common greetings like handshakes and hugs.
“We are continually reviewing new evidence and research as it emerges during the pandemic, and this new evidence guides our response to Canadians,” a spokesperson for PHAC said in a statement to CBC News late Wednesday.
 Understanding what happens when people sneeze and what an infected person is spreading is now more important tan ever. “We are committed to continuing to keep Canadians informed of the latest available scientific evidence and expert opinion, so they can make informed decisions to keep themselves and their family safe and healthy.”
‘Pretty major’ change
“This is pretty major,” said Linsey Marr, one of the top aerosol scientists in the world and an expert on the airborne transmission of viruses at Virginia Tech. “The big difference now is that ventilation is important — distancing alone is not enough.”
Related background information:
Droplets and aerosol transmission
 By Andrew Walker
November 5th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Casino games are becoming increasingly popular in Canada – especially during the corona-crisis. They promise pure excitement and entertainment. For this reason it is no wonder that there are numerous casino streamers on the World Wide Web. The Casino Streamer Guide explains and shows all important information about casino streaming.
After all, live casino streaming requires more than just a camera that is held on the screen or on the slot. Successful casino streaming means above all that it is about good entertainment. Successful casino streamers are ultimately real entertainers.
 A Guide explains and shows all important information about casino streaming. How Casino Streaming works
The idea of casino streaming is to broadcast your gaming activities live on the Internet. Which game is shown here depends on the respective streamer. Mainly slot games are played. But there are also some streamers, which stream roulette and blackjack.
Above all, however, the focus here is on the slot machines, because these games in particular are very fast and furious.
Table and card games are a bit different. Especially in Blackjack it is important to proceed with strategy and sophistication. For this reason, the losses are often pre-programmed when streaming at the same time. It is almost impossible to concentrate on your own game and at the same time entertain the audience on the Internet.
 Poker and Roulette – two very different games The casino streamers on the one hand show the image on the screen and on the other hand you can see them yourself while they explain the game. Of course, you can also experience the emotions live. The casino streamers are becoming more and more popular in Canada because the viewer can simply sit back and relax. Here it has tension, play, thrill and fun, and everything also only a cent to invest itself. This means that the casino streamers provide the perfect entertainment and you do not have to invest anything yourself.
Exciting events provide a lot of variety
It is certainly not boring to watch other players playing. Here the spectator is immediately seized by the game fever. Good casino streamers usually provide a lot of variety, for example via the “bonus hunt”. Here the slots are only played until the free play mode is reached. After that the streamer immediately changes the game. Then it tries to trigger the special rounds at another slot.
Later the free games are taken at all machines one after the other. Often this procedure results in huge winnings.
Especially in the free rounds the top profits are thrown out, that is well known. Often even additional bonus rounds are activated. This often results in an unbelievable winning run.
For the passive spectator this causes great enthusiasm.
Are there only live broadcasts of slot games?
As already mentioned, slots are predominant in the casino live streaming world. This is mainly because here profits and losses are very close together. How popular the online slots are, can also be seen in the views. Thousands of users follow the live streamings. The situation is different with the classics, where there is only a small fan community. Nevertheless, fans of roulette, poker or blackjack will also find a suitable streaming on YouTube or Twitch.
What equipment is necessary for live broadcasts?
For casino streamers the required equipment is not very special. What is needed here is the hardware, the PC. But it should already be a newer model. Above all, the PC should have a modern graphics card. Just as important is a fast Internet connection, otherwise it can come to breaks during the transfer.
Also the camera plays an important role, so that the casino streamer can interact with the audience. Casino streamers that are able to moderate a game with wit and good humor can be sure to soon have a large fan base.
These platforms are used for the casino streams
The number one in the World Wide Web in terms of streaming platforms is Twitch. This live streaming portal is specialized in video games. Twitch has been available since 2011. Over time, new features have been added. In the meantime it is possible to profit from the sales of the portal operator via the advertising. Twitch can be used without registration to try out the platform first. But if you want to stream yourself, you have to register first.
In order to benefit from the official affiliate program as a casino streamer at Twitch, there are a few requirements to be met:
● You must have a total of at least 500 broadcasted minutes in the last 30 days
● In addition, at least seven individual broadcast days in the last 30 days are required
● You must have an average of three simultaneous viewers or more in the last 30 days
● You must have at least 50 followers
 By Staff
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has completed its 2020 Project #Noisemaker strategic enforcement campaign. The region-wide project ran from June 10, 2020 to October 31, 2020.
The campaign resulted in more than 1400 charges being laid.
The HRPS launched this campaign in response to complaints from residents across the region about loud and unnecessary noise from vehicles which have been altered by removing mufflers, or modifying exhaust systems. Project #Noisemaker took aim at illegal modifications, unsafe motor vehicles, and aggressive driving.
 Police break up an illegal car rally in Wasaga Beach. Enforcement through Project #Noisemaker resulted in the following:
• More than 1420 charges laid region-wide
• 574 charges for no/improper muffler
• 396 charges for unnecessary noise
• 12 racing/stunt driving charges
The remaining charges were primarily vehicle defects, moving violations, licence violations, licence plate violations, violations of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, and violations of the Environmental Protection Act (removal of vehicle emissions components).
During the project, more than 40 vehicles were removed from the roadway for various reasons including defects (causing the vehicle to be unfit), improper licences and stunt driving legislation.
Project #Noisemaker was also successful in interrupting an unsanctioned “Mega Meet” of an estimated 800 vehicles which was to occur on private property in the town of Oakville without approval of the landowner.
In addition to the previously mentioned region-wide efforts, project #Noisemaker also engaged in a partnership with the town of Oakville Municipal Enforcement Service (MES). HRPS and MES officers conducted enforcement on motorcycles creating unacceptable noise in contravention of Oakville’s motorcycle noise bylaws. In total, MES officers completed 56 motorcycle inspections and issued 17 provincial offence notices for motorcycles causing noise in excess of the town bylaws.
Illegal and unsafe vehicle modifications are a concern beyond the roadways of Halton. The HRPS would like to thank our policing and enforcement partners across the province that assisted in various #Noisemaker projects. These efforts contribute to safer roadways for us all.
While Project #Noisemaker has officially concluded for 2020, enforcement will not cease. HRPS officers will remain vigilant in addressing these issues on our roadways every day.
Residents are reminded that they can file driving complaints or request enforcement of a particular area online at www.haltonpolice.ca
 By Staff
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Hydro One will be conducting a maintenance project at Beachway Park and Hamilton Beach this fall.
 Ongoing maintenance will put hydro works atop the towers along the Beachway. The proposed project involves the replacement of glass/ceramic insulators on the tower arms which insulates the electricity from reaching the tower itself. This is considered to be standard maintenance with the following equipment necessary: pickup trucks, utility terrain vehicles, Bronto Skylift, crane and bucket truck.
 Great view for the people doing this work. Construction is scheduled to begin in early November with all works completed by mid-December 2020. All towers must be cleared to a 15m radius during this work for the setup of equipment and safety. Hydro One staff will block the areas required prior to the start of work to ensure no public access within the work zone.
For more information regarding the specifics of the project, please contact Mr. James Dalton – James.Dalton@HydroOne.com.
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By Staff
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
 Heather Rath. Ligonier Valley Writers began in 1986 as the Friends of Ligonier, who were searching for a way to enhance residents’ lives and generate income for local businesses. One of their first projects was a writers’ conference. It was so successful that the Friends became the Ligonier Valley Writers.
The Flash Fiction Contest began in 2005. Winning stories are performed at Halloween events, so the subjects are always scary. The first year called for ghost stories, the next year vampire stories, and later stories about everything from witches to dragons to haunted objects. Dozens of entries come in from all over the United States and Europe.
The first prize winner this year was Burlington resident Heather Rath.
This is the story she wrote.
I love reptiles.
My parents hate them.
They warned me—repeatedly—no snakes, frogs, or other reptiles in this house … ever!
If I brought one home, I’m sure my parents would kill me.
I’m allergic to fur. As a developing artist at 15, I need to study—and draw—real, live animals and people. Only it’s hard to find people to pose. They don’t like sitting or standing still for a long time.
Was hanging around a pet shop in our neighborhood. I spy this sign speaking directly to me: “Allergic to fur? We have the right pet for you!”
Donning my facemask against germs, I enter. Masked salesman quickly approaches. Toady- looking guy with a croaky throat. Waves me over to a small section of the shop by the fish.
Points out a large aquarium. Home to various scaly, creepy-looking creatures doing nothing much but hanging out on a hot rock.
Salamanders, bug-eyed red toads, fancy-bearded dragon, leopard gecko, veiled chameleon, Bahaman anole, Pacman frog, long-tailed lizard.
And then, this beauty. In an aquarium all by himself. Caught my eye with just the slightest move. A green iguana from some tropical forest.
Depending on where you looked, his green skin changed different shades. Awesome. You’d never find any magnificent creature like this in Ohio.
Fell in love immediately. Called him Drako. Stunning. With his long tail, he easily measured three feet. Flicked his tongue while I looked him over carefully.
“What’s he eat?” I ask the toady guy.
“He’s a vegetarian, kid. Likes to nibble on lettuce, grapes, even houseplant leaves … easy to feed him. Jist gotta watch he won’t escape. Fast like lightning.” He pauses. “Thinkin’ of getting’ him?”
“Ah, man, love to. Gotta check my finances first. Only have a part-time job at Food Basics.
Need an aquarium, too?”
“Yep. And them’s expensive, kid. Gotta get one large enough for the critter. And a hot rock, too. These fellas need heat. Specially here up north.”
I nod. “Expect to sell him fast?”
“Ya never know these days. What with this virus and all, people are doin’ strange things. We can’t keep puppies in stock. Gone as soon’s we get ‘em. But this here iguana? Somehow don’t think too many folks are lookin’ for this green guy. Can’t cuddle him. But he’s neat to watch.”
“And he’s beautiful,” I add. “Look at the different colours of green on his skin.” “Uh-huh,” says Toady-man. Not convinced, I can tell.
How much?”
“One hundred dollars. Plus his aquarium.”
“Look, man, I’ve been lookin’ all over for a pet like this. I can afford him. Take good care of him, too.”
“Ya want I should mark him sold?” “Uh-huh.” I nod.
Jog home. My two bros are on screens. Dad not home yet. Mom in kitchen. I’ll work on her first.
“Just found this neatest pet. A mini-dragon.”
No reaction. She’s watching the small countertop TV. Looking at ingredients for a Mexican recipe. Eating South of the Border for some reason lately.
“Hmmmm?” she says, pulling her head in my direction. Cigarette hangs out of her red lipstick mouth.
“Found a non-consequential pet for me. No trouble for you. He’s even vegetarian.” “Sounds good to me, Rory-kins. He big?” She turns back to the mini-TV.
“No. He fits in an aquarium, and I’ll clean it.” “Can’t be too big, then.”
“He’s not.”
“Uh-huh.” Still concentrating on the TV recipe.
I go through a similar conversation with my dad. When he comes home, he’s tired of wearing a mask all day, mixes a cocktail of some kind, sinks in a stupor into his favorite living room chair.
“What’s your mom say?” He squints through his glasses at his smartphone as he half listens to me.
“As long as I clean the aquarium, she says no problem.” “Okay, then. What is it? A fish?”
Just then his smartphone rings. I disappear.
Jog back to the pet shop. Tell Toadman. “Help me choose the right aquarium for him.”
That night I hop with excitement in my bedroom. Find a suitable place atop my desk and sit there thinking … wow! Tomorrow! Finally! A pet! Of my own choosing! Sooo excited.
Next day everyone’s busy doing whatever it is they do each day. No one’s paying attention to me. This time bike to the pet shop with my backpack and a carrier. Bike home again with the goods.
Haul the extra-large aquarium with the hot rock and the Drako container to my bedroom. Set up the tank. Plug in the hot rock. Close my bedroom door.
Carefully carry the Drako box to the tank. Coax him gently into the aquarium. Watch him flick his tongue. Explore.
Am ecstatic. He fascinates.
Sometime later, I decide to slowly remove the aquarium top. Touch his cool skin and marvel.
Like lightning, Drako leaps from the hot rock to the log in the aquarium to the top of the tank. He’s out!
I know he’s arboreal, so I look up.
Scan top of the curtained windows. He’s there! Thinks he’s hiding but his long tail hangs down. Already I love his personality.
He scurries along the wooden curtain rod. Sudden steps on the stairs. Panic!
Mom enters my room.
“Rory … what the hell?” she raises her voice. Sees the aquarium. Looks up. Sees Drako.
Screams.
Mom still screaming. Dad rushes in. “What the ….?”
Looks up. Spies Drako. Mouth opens wide. Grabs my baseball bat in the corner. Raises his arm and takes aim.
“No!” I yell.
He swings the bat with great force. Misses Drako. Hits me bull’s-eye on the head. More screaming.
Told you my parents would kill me.
Author Bio: An award-winning writer, Heather Rath edited a weekly newspaper and monthly business magazine before heading communications at a multinational company.
By Staff
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health released a statement yesterday afternoon.
To the Halton community,
On November 3, 2020, the provincial government announced the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework.
 Burlington is at the PROTECT level of the five level Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. The framework takes a graduated approach that allows for additional public health measures to be introduced and removed incrementally. Each public health unit is placed in one of five levels (Prevent, Protect, Restrict, Control, and Lockdown) based on defined criteria, including weekly incidence rate and % positivity. The framework outlines public health and workplace safety measures for businesses and organizations, for each level.
Halton Region is currently listed in the Protect level within the framework, based on data for the week of October 26, 2020.
Levels will be confirmed by the province on Friday, November 6, 2020 and become effective on Saturday, November 7, 2020 at 12:01 a.m.
Halton residents and organizations will need to follow the public health measures outlined in the framework, effective November 7, 2020. Please note that the framework includes public health measures for fitness classes and team sports, and that the measures in the framework will replace the recommendations I provided on October 19, 2020 in my letter to the Halton community.
 Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health I continue to recommend:
• Limiting close contact to household members, and
• Limiting non-essential activities outside of the home.
Thank you again to everyone for taking public health measures seriously, and above all for being kind to one another. It is important to stay vigilant, and to consider the risks to yourself and your household as you plan your daily activities.
 By Staff
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Hamilton Aerial Group will be putting on free performance/parade this Friday in Spencer Smith Park at 6:30.
 All the performers are on stilts – dancing to Samba music They will light up their costumes and be led by a Samba band.
This is supported by The City of Burlington Community Fund. We just finished a show this past Saturday at Dundurn Park.
We will be dressed in costume and be on stilts.
They appeared in Hamilton ast week. Will dig out where in Spencer Smith Park they will perform
By Pepper Parr
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
What now?
 The vast majority of our production goes south. Photo by Jason Kryk/The Canadian Press/File That is our best customer. In 2016 we were stunned with the US presidential results.
Stunned again this morning even though it isn’t over yet.
But if Donald Trump is returned we know what to expect.
And how do you deal with that?
By Andre Malt
November 4th, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is creating new challenges and opportunities for Canada’s gambling industry. While many of the country’s land casinos were closed, a growing number of Canadians engaged in online gambling — at home.
This is an exciting time for casino enthusiasts and for an online casino like Betnero, a licensed offshore site positioned to leverage its loyalty programs and welcome bonuses and attract new players.
Online Gambling and Social Gaming
Revenue gained by online casino gambling has helped to offset revenue lost by the decrease in offline gambling. With increased website traffic comes increased marketing data, growth and a younger demographic of casino customers.
 Pandemic issues have resulted in most casinos in Canada being shut down. When the pandemic forced 114 land casinos in Canada to close over a 72-hour period in March, online gambling was a popular component of the global social gaming market.
The availability of online games and use of smartphones, improved advanced technology and skilled game developers are contributing to an industry of innovators.
Among the many challenges faced by land and online casinos is responsibility and sustainability.
From Crisis to Innovation and Sustainability
Research shows that because more people are at home, they’re spending more time playing games. However, the highest numbers point towards the youngest demographic: Generation Z.
Largely unemployed and living with their parents, Gen Z is an extremely active online customer who enjoys adding new streaming services to access new digital content, trying new media options that are now free as a result of the pandemic.
 Younger people are very comfortable wagering on line. Younger players demand ethical business practices. Moving forward, the competitive advantage of an online casino will depend on delivering on its promise to put player health first.
It makes sense that business has been particularly good for large companies within the online gaming industry.
With operating revenues showing increase by 48 percent, reports of global expansion and “major new initiatives” to be launched in the near future, the pressure is on for other companies to up the ante.
Online Gambling with Enhanced User Experience?
The online gambling market is highly competitive. Success in the long term will come to those companies who embrace change and invest in enhanced user experience.
The uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 play a huge role in the health of the country and its economy. If the pandemic were to last another year, what will the land casinos and online casinos do for their customers?
The response of the gaming industry towards the increase in revenue now may determine its success in the long run.
By Pepper Parr
November 3rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he will ease restrictions on the province’s COVID-19 hot spots, hours after health authorities reported a single-day record (1050) in new cases and in contrast with Quebec’s recent extension of “red-zone” measures.
Ontario rolled out a new colour-coded system Tuesday that will determine when and to what extent coronavirus restrictions are placed on parts of the province.
 This five part colour coded template may help the provincial get out a consistent message. Up until now the messaging has been to broad in its application. Time will tell if it can be put to effective use. Areas with the lowest case counts, positivity rates and community transmission levels will fall into a green category, with the most permissive rules. The system then moves upward through yellow, orange and red categories, with increasingly strict measures, topped off by a grey “lockdown” level where maximum measures would be implemented.
The framework goes into effect this weekend, allowing restrictions previously placed on hot spots including Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa to lighten. The softer rules mean gyms and cinemas can reopen and indoor dining will resume — with capacity limits — following closures under “modified Stage 2” measures imposed on Oct. 10.
About 80 per cent of the new 1050 cases were in the hot spots of Toronto and the surrounding regions of Peel, Halton, York and Durham.
The numbers for Burlington, which are collected by the Public Heath Unit for Halton Region stand at 53 active cases with 15 death to date.
 The numbers began to climb when students went back to school and some people began to return to work. The colder weather has increased the infections – and the really cold weather is not yet upon us. In other new: The town of Aylmer, Ont., has declared a state of emergency ahead of a planned demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions this weekend.
Mayor Mary French moved the town of nearly 7,500 people to high alert this week in anticipation of what local police described as an “anti-masking freedom march” on Saturday.
Whatever the message is today – it doesn’t appear to be getting through,
 By David Barker
November 3rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
On October 14th, I attended via Zoom as a member a meeting of the City’s Heritage Advisory Committee; a meeting that is open to the public and whose activities are published on the City’s website. One of the topics on the agenda for discussion pertained to the almost certain removal of a monument located in LaSalle Park which commemorates the first landing of a non-indigenous person (LaSalle) in this area.
A number of what I call “spoof” reasons were provided by staff to the committee to justify its removal. Here for your review is the written information provided by staff to the committee along with these three pictures.
 A plaque put in place in 1923 tells part of the story about how LaSalle Park got its name. The language used represents the time – someone apparently has a problem with the word “white man”. LaSalle Park Plaque Removal
• Heritage Burlington is advised that a plaque is to be removed from LaSalle Park.
• LaSalle Park is owned by the City of Hamilton and is operated by the City of Burlington. The plaque in question was erected in 1923 by the Wentworth Historical Society, when Aldershot was still in East Flamborough Township, several decades before Burlington assumed operational responsibility for the park.
 The provincial plaque tells more of the story. • The 1923 plaque does not add much value or significance to the park, namely as it does not provide much detail, and there is a provincial plaque in the parking lot near the North Shore Blvd East driveway entrance to the park. The provincial plaque is in a more prominent area, provides greater detail, and uses more inclusive language.
• Further, the 1923 plaque is in an inaccessible low-traffic area of the park. For accessibility reasons, this is not an area where Burlington staff would recommend putting any new plaque or interpretive display.
• Following formal contact with Hamilton, the City intends to proceed with the removal of this plaque. The plaque will be documented before it is removed
So you can see it looks to be pretty much a done deal.
The second plaque at LaSalle Park providing information about the park and its origins is at the entrance of North Shore Boulevard. That plaque in my view is awful in that a number of words are hyphenated due to poor layout of the text. You judge from the picture provided.
Tucked away at the end of the third bullet point given by staff is in my view the real reason for the plaque’s removal manifested in the words extolling the virtues of the plaque at the entrance specifically “and uses more inclusive language”. It seems the issue with the original plaque and monument has absolutely nothing to do with its location but has everything to do with the fact that it describes the Frenchman who set foot there as being a “white man”.
 Tough to find fault with the wording. Not “politically correct” by today’s skewered standards but certainly not offensive. Other than the fact that the plaque and monument was installed in 1923, almost one hundred years ago, when times were different and society was different, what on earth is wrong with referring to a Caucasian as a white man. I am a white man and proud of it. Just as black people are proud of being black (Black Lives Matter). It would seem the City has received a complaint (we were let to believe just one person complaining) suggesting the verbiage is non-inclusive. In my view, that is, as probably a white Anglo Saxon protestants from the UK might likely say, “a load of old cobblers!”.
This to me is an example of history cancellation. If you feel that way too, please let your councilor know how you feel.”
 David Barker, a retired insurance executive, is a member of the Heritage Advisory Board and a frequent commentator on public issues
By Pepper Parr
November 3rd, 2020
BURLINGTON, ON
The Joseph Brant Hospital is making changes to its COVID-19 testing operations to better serve the Burlington community in colder weather.
 This is the entrance for Covid testing appointments. Starting November 3, drive-through testing will be discontinued due to the cold weather and all COVID-19 testing will be conducted indoors at our Assessment Centre. This will help protect the health and safety of both the public and our staff as we continue to provide this important service over the winter months.
The Assessment Centre is easily accessed from the entrance on North Shore Boulevard, with signs directing visitors to the orange entrance doors and designated parking area. We ask that you arrive at your schedule time as parking is limited, and wait in your vehicle until the time of your appointment.
If you arrive without a vehicle, we ask that you approach the door at the time of your scheduled appointment and wait outside until a staff member greets you.
Please bring your Ontario health card and the heath cards of any family members who will be tested. You must wear a mask indoors that covers your nose and mouth, clean your hands and physically distance (2 metres or 6 feet) from others when waiting for your test.
Testing is by appointment only, and only for individuals who meet the provincial testing criteria. Please visit covid-19.ontario.ca for more information. Children under one year should go to their family health-care provider for COVID-19 testing.
Appointments can be made by visiting covidtesting.josephbranthospital.ca. Individuals using our online booking platform can now schedule their appointment from the available dates and times, as well as booking appointments for up to 3 family members who meet the provincial criteria. Instructions on how to access the Assessment Centre will be provided in a confirmation email. Please note that you will not be able to schedule appointments from 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 3 as we transition to our new online platform.
Appointments can also be made by calling 905-632-3737, extension 6550. We ask those individuals with accessibility needs to make their appointments by phone, so we can understand their specific needs and plan their visit accordingly. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Some pharmacies are also providing COVID-19 testing for individuals who are not showing symptoms and are eligible for testing as part of a targeted initiative as determined by the government or public health, such as residents, workers or visitors of long-term care homes.
About Joseph Brant Hospital
 It is the hospital the city waited years to to begin – then the citizens had to pay half of the cost which is normally a provincial responsibility. Joseph Brant Hospital (JBH) is a full service community teaching hospital serving more than 185,000 residents in the communities of Halton and Hamilton, including Burlington, Waterdown, Flamborough, Milton and Stoney Creek, with a skilled staff of 194 physicians, 1,911 full- and part-time staff and more than 700 volunteers.
In conjunction with McMaster University, JBH is a Clinical Education site, and designated as an Academic Community Teaching Hospital with an expanded campus which includes the seven-storey state-of-art Michael Lee-Chin & Family Patient Tower which features a new Emergency Department, 172 acute inpatient beds, 9 new Operating Rooms and post-anaesthetic care unit to support expanded medical, surgical and outpatient services. JBH is also a partner member of the Burlington Ontario Health Team.
orporate Communications
905-632-3737 ext. 2157
corporatecommunications@josephbranthospital.ca
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