News « Burlington Gazette - Local News, Politics, Community

The Regional Children's Water Festival is back on - on-site for the grade 5 students - virtual for grade 2

By Staff

September 26th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

The 16th annual Halton Children’s Water Festival takes place at Kelso Conversation Area in Milton from Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday, September 29.

The festival is fully booked, after a two-year hiatus from the in-person events due to the pandemic. This year, the event offers a scaled down festival for grade five students with virtual offerings available to grade two students.

The Beach is just one part of the Kelso operation.

When: Wednesday, September 28, 2022

• 10 a.m. Remarks from Hassan Basit, CAO, Conservation Halton and Kiyoshi Oka, Director of Water and Wastewater Systems Services, Halton Region
• 11 a.m. Guided tour of the Halton Children’s Water Festival

Where: Kelso Conservation Area, by Boat Rentals 5234 Kelso Road, Milton, ON L9T 2X7

Parking is located at the Boat Rental Lot. Assistance is available to get up the hill from the parking lot to the event area.

What: The annual Halton Children’s Water Festival was first held in 2006 and has educated more than 50,000 students between grades two and five about the importance of water through fun, outdoor educational activities.

The festival is co-hosted by Conservation Halton and Halton Region, in partnership with the Halton District School Board, the Halton Catholic District School Board, the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills and the Town of Oakville.

More squabbles over upgrades to properties on Lakeshore Road

By Pepper Parr

September 26th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Is there a permit for what appears to be a significant change to the grading of the driveway at 2414 Lakeshore Road?

The work being done is certainly not minor.

Neighbours are not happy with changes being made to a prominent Lakeshore Road home.

An area resident was concerned and had asked the ward Councillor Lisa Kearns to look into the matter.

Kearns is reported to have told the resident that she could not tell him what was being done.

The owners of the property were part of a group that managed to take possession of what was once public land – a part of the waterfront that was public but at the same time not available to the public.

Certainly a story to be looked into.

This is what the property at the rear of 2421 Lakeshore was to look like – the city gave the three properties the deal of the century when they sold the property in the centre labelled parkette to the property owners.

A newer face becomes part of the picture - is this what the next Mayor is going to look like

By Pepper Parr

September 25^th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

James Kerr. has thrown his hat into the ring. Now the hard part begins.

The race for the Office of Mayor for Burlington is about to get a little more exciting.

The Gazette interviewed James Kerr; while a little late to the game he does bring a lot to the table.

Personal family issues kept him out of the race for a few months.

It will take a little time to go through the notes; touch base with the people involved with the campaign and do the background work.

Getting into an election this late in the game against an incumbent with a very high profile is a challenge. However, Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has challenges of her own that are not easily overcome.

Kerr has certainly touched on all the hot buttons – the challenge for him is to tell the public how he can turn things around.

Not much yet on who is advising Kerr.

Burlington has a lot of challenges – how they can be addressed and coped with is what will occupy whoever the Mayor is during the next term of office.

The election would appear to be hers to lose at this point in the game – but elections are volatile events. Kerr deserves a closer look

Police raid in Burlington finds vehicle engines, transmissions and car doors - $25 million in insurance losses

By Staff

September 23rd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

On Tuesday September 20, 2022, officers with the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau executed a search warrant at Empire Auto Parts on Brant Street in Burlington. Investigators with the assistance of Equite Association (formerly Insurance Bureau of Canada) have spent three days combing through the large two-story warehouse to identify stolen parts and vehicles.

Approximately 70 stolen vehicles have been identified through engines, transmissions, hoods and doors.

All identifiable vehicle parts have been seized and transported to a secure location.

The estimated value of parts seized is $350,000 and the value of the original stolen vehicles is more than $2.5 million.

High end car engines seized in a raid

Police seized the following stolen property

28 fully intact, high end vehicle engines
15 vehicle transmissions
16 sets of vehicle doors
19 vehicle hoods
A stolen skid steer

Ismet Bajcinca (43) of Hamilton was arrested and has been charged with:

Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (4 counts)
Tampering with Vehicle Identification Number
Possession of a Controlled Substance

Bajcinca was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

Fourth coyote killed this afternoon.

By Staff

September 23^rd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

There was a fourth coyote killed earlier today.

No mention as to where the killing took place just that it was “·stalking and chasing people. It has been eliminated because it was aggressive, not afraid of humans or showing normal coyote behaviour.”

The good news is that there are now people in place and able to move quickly to solve the problems.

The question is – how many more are there behaving aggressively?

We apparently don’t know.

Community Living will be out on the Pier with the annual Walk & Role event on Saturday

By Staff

September 23rd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

If you have been holding an event for 42 years and people continue to show up – you must be doing something right.

Community Living, the organization that exists to enrich the quality of life and to promote full and meaningful inclusion in our community of people who have a developmental disability will hold the Walk & Role event on Saturday.

Community Living operates a number of programs including a residential, Employment and Virtual. They serve those people who need the help – this is an opportunity to help them.

Their Life Share program, also known as host family, is so much more than providing a room in your home. Being a home provider means you’re giving someone with a developmental disability “a place in your heart, a place in your home”.

People who have a developmental disability are active participants in their communities. They are athletes, artists, students, employees, advocates, community volunteers, neighbours and friends. They’re an important part of the community and contribute to the strength of our province.

They don’t draw a crowd but they do create an opportunity for their supporters to meet and enjoy a day with the people they serve.

The event takes place on Saturday – Itinerary:

9:30am – Registration opens
10:30am – Opening remarks and performances
11:00am – 1KM & 2KM walks begin around Spencer Smith Pier
11:30am – BBQ and live entertainment

A record for Burlington: four Statutory meetings in a single day heralding major developments that are close to putting shovels in the ground

By Staff

September 23, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Statutory meetings that signal the kind of development that is in the pipe line

During the Community Planning Standing Committee meeting earlier this month there were four Statutory meetings.

These are meetings that the Planning Act requires a developer to hold where city planners give a brief technical description of the proposed development after which anyone can approach the podium to talk about the development and ask questions.

The developer usually take part in the event explaining what they are setting out to do.
City Staff are on hand to ask questions from the Councillors.

Some of the meetings are pretty dry and technical.

Others are very robust with a lot of back and forth. When the developer eventually files their application they are required to report on what they heard at the Statutory meeting and how they responded to the communities concerns.

Burlingtonians know that significant intensification will take place – they tend to see what is being done in the downtown core and complain about the change those developments are going to make on the kind of city Burlington is going to become.

We will publish an article on each of the developments – for the moment we want to set out just how much development is in the pipeline – in the 11 years we have covered city hall and the development sector we have never seen four Statutory meetings at Standing Committee in a single day.

The four that were the object of Statutory meetings are

Guelph Line – south of Upper Middle Road in the decommissioned postal sorting station – at the intersection of Palmer Drive

Appleby Line – major residential.

South Service Road where Mother Tuckers was once located. Not a residential development – offices for a com[any that is in the pet services field that may partner with the university of Guelph.

Palladium Way – a site that will have a retirement residence and a long term care facility

City Clerk gives a request to delegate 'further review' after first denying what many see as a fundamental right.

By Pepper Parr

September 23, 2022

BURLINGTON,, ON

OPINION

This is a story that somehow just got worse and worse.

There is an old army adage that goes like this.

When you are already in a hole – stop digging.

Ward 2 candidate for a seat on city Council Keith Demoe had sent in the required application forms to delegate.

City Clerk Kevin Arjoon

The City Clerk denied the request saying:

Hi Keith – Thank you for expressing an interest in delegating at Council. Due to the nature of this item (a breach) and that it is to be discussed in closed and is subject to solicitor client privilege your delegation request is denied.

In my decision I am using rule 46.10 of the Procedure By-law to deny your request.

Section 46.10 reads: Where the City Manager or the Clerk determines that a person requesting to delegate is likely to engage in unreasonable or offensive conduct, make unreasonable or offensive statements or demands, repeatedly speak on a subject matter that is not within the City’s jurisdiction, or otherwise misuse the privilege of addressing Committee or Council, the person will not be permitted to appear as a delegate at the meeting.

Before the ink was dry on the refusal the City Clerk sent Demoe a second email saying he had reconsidered the request and Demoe could now delegate.

Unfortunately Demoe did not get the email saying he could show up and delegate – but there were conditions: Here is the email the City Clerk sent candidate Keith Demoe:

From: Arjoon, Kevin <Kevin.Arjoon@burlington.ca>
Sent: September 20, 2022 11:14 AM
To: Hordyk, Debbie <Debbie.Hordyk@burlington.ca>; kdemoe@hotmail.com <kdemoe@hotmail.com>
Cc: Meed Ward, Marianne <Marianne.MeedWard@burlington.ca>; Shea-Nicol, Nancy <Nancy.Shea-Nicol@burlington.ca>; Commisso, Tim <Tim.Commisso@burlington.ca>
Subject: Accepted: New Request to Appear as a Delegate Submitted for 9/20/2022 City Council (*New Information Only)

Hi Keith – Upon further review at Agenda Review your request to delegate has been accepted. Please advise if you are coming to delegate in person or via zoom.

Due to the sensitivity of this issue I am requesting a copy of your notes to review.

Please note that our Council meetings are administered in accordance with our Procedure By-law 031-21 as amended.

Where does the City Clerk get the authority to require a delegate to submit what they plan to say before they say it?

Does the authority to do this even exist?

Ward 2 candidate Keith Demoe

Demoe’s concern is that the person that denied him the opportunity to speak to Council is the guy that counts the votes.

Demoe is very direct, he knows what he is doing and he knows whee he wants to go. He points out that the Clerk may not like his approach but that shouldn’t be the criteria for deciding who gets to delegate.

The Gazette is of the view that this is a matter that should be investigated by the Ontario Ombudsman and will in due course will file a complaint

Related news stories.

Candidate denied a request to delegate at city council

What a fabulous idea - check it out if playing in an orchestra is what you see in your life

By Staff

September 22, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

This looks both interesting and fun – if you play an instrument and have technical requirements.

City will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 as a holiday

By Staff

September 22, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

A beaded hood used by Cree women during ceremonies and special occasions will be permanently returned to Eeyou Istchee from the Lachine Museum where it has been since 1948.

A beaded hood used by Cree women during ceremonies and special occasions will be permanently returned to Eeyou Istchee from the Lachine Museum where it has been since 1948.

The City of Burlington will observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Friday, September 30 as a holiday.

To mark the importance of the day, City of Burlington administration buildings will be closed.

Sept. 30 is also recognized as Orange Shirt Day, an Indigenous-led grassroots commemorative day inspired by the story of Indian Residential School Survivor Phyllis Webstad.

In June 2021, the federal government passed legislation proclaiming Sept. 30 a public holiday. The holiday is one of 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is intended to honour and commemorate Indian Residential School survivors and those children that did not make it home.

As part of Orange Shirt Day, residents can come to Spencer Smith Park where local Indigenous people and support groups will have a public display or ceremonial gathering between 4 and 7 p.m.

A reflective walk will start at the Pier at 4 p.m. and end at the Lift Bridge lighthouse where a ceremony will take place before heading back to Spencer Smith Park. Participants wishing to join are encouraged to wear orange shirts and moccasins.

We encourage residents to visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website for educational materials and resources.

A canoe that was brought back to Canada and returned to the Indigenous Community.

City Services open and closed on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022:
City Service Holiday Closure Information

Animal Services

The Animal Shelter at 2424 Industrial St. will be closed to appointments on Friday, Sept. 30.
To report an animal control-related emergency, call 905-335-3030 or visit www.burlington.ca/animal.

Burlington Transit will operate on a regular weekday schedule on Sept. 30. For real-time bus information and schedules visit myride.burlingtontransit.ca.
The downtown terminal at 430 John St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Specialized Dispatch will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Halton Court Services

Court administration counter services at 4085 Palladium Way will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30.
With the exception of the closure on Sept. 30, telephone payments are available at 905-637-1274, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. All in-person services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Many services are also available by email at burlingtoncourt@burlington.ca or online at Halton Court Services.

Parking

Paid parking will be in effect on Sept. 30.
Free parking is available downtown, on the street, in municipal lots and in the parking garage (414 Locust St.) on weekends and after 6 p.m. Monday to Friday.

NOTE:
• The Waterfront parking lots (east and west at 1286 Lakeshore Rd) do not provide free parking on statutory holidays.
• Please make an online reservation using Park Pass to visit Lowville Park. Reservations are free and available in three-hour time slots. There are no opportunities to extend reservations at this time.

Parking exemptions are required to park overnight on city streets and for longer than five hours. Visit burlington.ca/parkingexemptions.

Recreation Programs and Facilities Recreation facilities are open for scheduled programs and rentals on Sept 30.

All registered programs (e.g. swimming lessons) and all drop-in recreation programs, will run on Sept 30. Drop-in recreation program schedules are available at burlington.ca/dropinandplay.

Residents are encouraged to check with the rental organization directly for any changes to their schedule for the holiday.

Roads, Parks and Forestry The administrative office will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30. Essential services will be provided as required.

The Service Burlington counter, temporarily located on the third floor at 390 Brant St., south of City Hall, will be closed to all appointments and walk-in service on Friday, Sept. 30.

Many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.

Kearns said her breach on a confidential matter was inadvertent - is that enough to get away with it?

By Pepper Parr

September 21st, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Now that the public knows what the budget is to defend the appeal that is now before the Ontario Land Tribunal the city is opening its kimono as wide as it can; they can’t wait to tell you everything.

You can thank ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns for that. After blabbing away about a matter that was discussed in CLOSED session and therefore confidential Kearns ran to the city manager saying she was sorry.

She then read a Statement at the Council meeting on Tuesday and said it was an inadvertent mistake. What is the definition of inadvertent? “not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning”

While Kearns may not, and probably did not set out to reveal how much money was being budgeted, how did she manage to convince herself that it was Ok to tell the BDBA Board members ? Was it because everything they did was confidential. We trust Council members to be responsible and safeguard the interests of the taxpayer. We will return to that Statement and how Council chose to handle the breach later in the week.

The city communications department put out the following:

At the Sept. 20, 2022 Burlington City Council Meeting, City Staff brought forward report L-46 -22 for Council’s consideration to waive solicitor-client privilege in order to release the initial legal budget approved by Council earlier this year related to ongoing litigation involving the appeals to the Ontario Lands Tribunal for the development applications for 2020 Lakeshore Rd.

Director of Communications Kwab Ako-Adjei

City Council voted earlier this year to refuse the applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment submitted by Burlington 2020 Lakeshore Inc., proposing a mixed-use development at the site of the current Waterfront Hotel. This decision by Council led the applicant to appeal to the Ontario Lands Tribunal.

Council accepted the Staff recommendation to waive solicitor-client privilege and release the initial legal budget due to an inadvertent disclosure by Councillor Lisa Kearns of the legal budget.

The initial legal budget for this litigation has been set at $500,000. In all other respects, solicitor-client privilege continues to apply to the legal strategy concerning 2020 Lakeshore Rd.

Upon learning of the inadvertent disclosure, Councillor Kearns took immediate and proactive steps to notify City staff and Council of the breach. Councillor Kearns directly contacted the Integrity Commissioner regarding this matter.

Councillor Kearns also offered an apology to Council for the inadvertent release of this information.

City Council accepted the apology offered by Councillor Kearns.

That’s it – the communications people had nothing more to say.

While her Council colleagues may not care about what Kearns did, her constituents may see it a little differently and the Integrity Commissioner may weigh in on the breach once the election is over. The rules in place on matters of councillor integrity prevent the Integrity Commissioner from investigating the behaviour of Council members during an election. After the election – they can and should hold an investigation. The only thing that will prevent an investigation is if Kearns loses her seat.

Not over yet Ms Kearns.

Three coyote's have been killed; trackers believe they have eliminated all the members of that pack

By Pepper Parr

September 21st, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

The people hired to eliminate the coyotes that were biting residents in the south east section of the city have killed the three that were believed to be attacking people.

Three coyotes have been killed to date.

At a city Council meeting last night the public was told that the experts hired had tracked and killed three coyotes – adding that no one was certain that there were no other coyote’s out there that might harm people.

Council also approved an increase in the fine for anyone caught feeding coyotes.

It had become clear to the people tracking the animals that the coyote behaviour was the direct result of some people feeding the animals.

Council increased the ticket for feeding the animals to $300 from $150.

They also approved the ability to take people to court rather than just issue a ticket. The fines sought at court will range from a minimum of $5000 to a maximum of $100,000

City Clerk denies a candidate the right to delegate to Council; then changes his mind

By Pepper Parr

September 21st, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Keith Demoe is a candidate for the ward 2 council seat. He is a pretty direct guy.

As a candidate for a council seat he was invited to attend a Board meeting of the BDBA.

Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns: spoke when she should not have spoken

During that meeting he asked a question related to the $500,000 the city had budgeted to appear at Ontario Land Tribunal related to the redevelopment plans for the Waterfront Hotel site.
He published a comment in the Burlington Gazette where he made public, information that was in fact confidential.

Lisa Kearns, the ward Councillor had made the amount public.

Realizing that she had broken the rules related to business discussed in a CLOSED session.

Keith Demoe, had learned that Kearns had drafted a Statement that she planned to read at the 20th of September Council meeting. He sent is a request to delegate – which is the process Burlington uses.

The following is the response Demoe got from the Clerk.

From: Arjoon, Kevin <Kevin.Arjoon@burlington.ca>
Sent: September 20, 2022 9:51 AM
To: Hordyk, Debbie <Debbie.Hordyk@burlington.ca>; kdemoe@hotmail.com <kdemoe@hotmail.com>
Cc: Meed Ward, Marianne <Marianne.MeedWard@burlington.ca>; Shea-Nicol, Nancy <Nancy.Shea-Nicol@burlington.ca>; Commisso, Tim <Tim.Commisso@burlington.ca>
Subject: Denied: New Request to Appear as a Delegate Submitted for 9/20/2022 City Council (*New Information Only)

In my decision I am using rule 46.10 of the Procedure By-law to deny your request.

In a quick survey of news media colleagues – none had ever heard of anything like this being done anywhere before.

Demoe was stunned – what bothered him most was that the Clerk is the person who over sees the election and certifies the vote count.

Councillor Stolte was aware that the Clerk had denied the Demoe request to delegate and asked the Clerk at the Council meeting on Tuesday and was told that the decision to deny the request was reviewed; the Clerk told Council that he had decided to reverse the original decision and permit Demoe to delegate.

Demoe was advised of the change at 11:14. He had left his office at 11:00 to canvas and was not aware of the change and that he was permitted to delegate/

City Clerk Kevin Arjoon

While some will think that there was no problem; Demoe was permitted to delegate. But he didn’t know that he could delegate which meant there was no opportunity for any member of Council to ask what actually took place at the BDBA meeting. What caused ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns to blurt out that the city had budgeted $500,000 to cover the legal fees that would accrue once the hearing started.

Demoe who is busy campaigning and working on his election organization told the Gazette that he did not receive the notice that the decision had been reversed. Demoe added that he uses several email and the notice to reverse the denial decision may have gone to a different address.

This matter hasn’t come to an end yet.

Demoe, and the Gazette, would like to know what it was that caused City Clerk Kevin Arjoon to change his mind? Did he arrive at a new decision after reviewing the details – or did someone tell him to change his mind.

Who said what when about that $500,000 budgeted for the Ontario Land Tribunal appeal over the Waterfront Hotel site development

By Pepper Parr

September 20th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Last week there was a meeting of the Burlington Downtown Business Association Board. Brian Dean, Executive Director of the BDBA had invited the candidates for the ward 2 Council see to observe the meeting.

Lisa Kearns was there as both a candidate and the city liaison to the BDBA.

Lisa Kearns before she was elected to City Council

During the meeting Lisa Kearns said that the city had budgeted $500,000 to defend the development application appeal made to the Ontario Land Tribunal by the owners of the Waterfront Hotel.

The information was confidential and Kearns new full well that it was confidential. Quite why she brought the mater up at all is not clear. The event was a virtual meeting and it is not clear if the BDBA has a copy.

What is nevertheless very very clear is that Kearns made public information that had been discussed in a CLOSED portion of a council meeting.

This matter is on the City Council agenda for tomorrow, Tuesday September 20th under the Urgent Business category.

It is important for the public what took place between the BDBA meeting and the Council meeting is to take place on Tuesday.

The following is the email traffic between Pepper Parr and Lisa Kearns on Thursday, September 16th, 2022

Lisa to Parr
Can you please NOT print anything right now about 2020 Lakeshore. Or take it down asap.
I will explain.

From: Lisa Kearns [mailto:kearns_
Sent: September 15, 2022 11:55 AM
To: Pepper Parr <publisher@bgzt.ca> Subject: KEITHS COMMENTS PEASE TAKE IT DOWN
Parr:
Keith who?

Parr to Lisa
Hey hey hey.

You can’t ask me to take down a comment made by someone running against you.

I need something in the way of a reason,
‘
I am here for the next while

905-462-1948

Keith Demoe, candidate for ward 2 council seat

Lisa to Parr
From: Lisa Kearns @hotmail.com]
Sent: September 15, 2022 12:00 PM
To: Pepper Parr <publisher@bgzt.ca> Subject: URGENT

There is a comment published under the Keith Demoe article by him
PLEASE remove it.
I swear i will explain everything just please take it down.

This email was sent after a conversation with Keith Demoe a candidate for the ward 2 council seat
The ward 2 Councillor is Lisa Kearns.

Pepper Parr to Lisa Kearns
Thursday, September 15th, 2022 12:53
My understanding is that KD attended a meeting
He was there as an observer
He heard someone say (turns out it was you) that the amount of money the city is spending on a legal matter

He wrote a comment in the gazette which I approved.

You have asked that I remove the comment because you feel that the information being public will harm the city or that the information will harm a legal situation.

I don’t think that is enough to remove a comment the man made. If the information were false – it could be removed. But it apparently isn’t false.

You want it removed because you have broken a rule. That is unfortunate but the information relates to a public matter and the public is entitled to know the information.

Counsel for us (RossMcBride) is not available – he will get back to me as soon as he is available.

I don’t understand where the damage is being done.

I don’t understand why you have not reached out to KD and explained what he has done.
Pepper

During a telephone call with Lisa Kearns that took place after her frantic emails were sent Lisa said she was with City Manager Tim Commisso. Kearns said City Solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol was also in the conversation. I did hear Commisso make a couple of remarks

From Pepper Parr to Lisa Kearns
Friday September 15th

The following is written and conveyed to you WITHOUT PREJUDICE

I have not had a chance to speak to counsel.

I am not a party to sharing information that you claim is confidential.
I published a comment made by someone who participated in a Zoom call that you were in on.

It was not a private meeting

During that call, you are reported to have said, when asked, how much of the $500k has been spent – you replied that the number is confidential.

You apparently did not say that the $500k was confidential.

We will obtain an affidavit to that effect later this week.

The wording in this most recent email from you, which is in this thread smacks of support you have received from either the City Solicitor or the City Manager.

Pepper Parr
Publisher
Burlington Gazette
publisher@bgzt.ca

From: Lisa Kearns
Sent: September 15, 2022 1:11 PM
To: Pepper Parr <publisher@bgzt.ca> Subject: Clarity.

I asked you to not be a party to sharing information that is confidential and was obtained in a confidential environment.

The other matters will be dealt with in the appropriate forums in due course.

There was nothing else – other than the mention of a candidate (Ward 3 Jennifer Hounslow) attending a council standing committee.

Brian Dean

After talking to Keith Demoe and Lisa Kearns, the Gazette called Brian Dean, Executive Director of the Burlington Downtown Business Association and learned that the meeting at which the $500,000 comments was made was a meeting of the BDBA board.

Dean explained that it was the practice of the BDBA bard to invite all the ward 2 Council candidates to take part in the meeting. They were there as observers in what was a Zoom call.

Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns was also taking part as the city liaison person with the BDBA

Dean said that those taking part in the virtual meeting were not cautioned that the discussions were confidential. Dean explained that the members of the Board knew that the meetings were confidential – the observers would not have known that.

Shortly after the close of the meeting, BDBA Chair of the Board Bill Wodhams, who happens to practice law at Stoner & Company Family Law Associates sent the following to Keith Demoe and Tim O’Brien.

It read:

On behalf of the Board I would like to thank all copied for attending our meeting of Wednesday September 14th, 2022.

Mr. DeMoe and Mr. O’Brien, as observers to this morning’s meeting I want to extend to you both an appreciation of the rules that govern our conduct as Board Directors. Guided by both our BDBA Constitution and Code of Conduct each Director acknowledges that the content of our Board meetings is deemed confidential until which time an approved set of meeting minutes make it a matter of public record. In other words, each Director agrees that “all discussion, presentations, motions and business before the Board as set out in the Agenda is to remain confidential until meeting minutes are ratified”.

As observers to our meeting we ascribe these same expectations to you.

None of the contents from the meeting of September 14th, 2022 are to be shared with the broader public in any way. The official meeting minutes are the sole record of board deliberations. Our Executive Director will share them with all copied as a courtesy once approved.

If you have any questions about Board policy and procedure please contact our Executive Director, Brian Dean: brian@burlingtondowntown.ca
Thank you Respectfully,
BW, Chair
BDBA Board of Directors

Both Demoe and O’Brien thought they were getting a letter from a law firm representing either the BDBA or the City of Burlington. It caused them some concern for a short period of time,

The Gazette found that there is now an item, Under Urgent Business on the Council agenda and believes it is important the citizens understand what did take place and the manner in which Councillor Kearns wanted information kept from the public that she had foolishly made public.

The Genie doesn’t get put back in the bottle.

Related news stories.

Urgent business

Ward 2 candidate Keith Demoe

Is There Now Another Integrity Commissioner Matter Being Discussed by Council in a CLOSED Session

Why is this item on the Tuesday Council meeting:

Breach of Solicitor-Client Privileged Information involving an On-going Litigation Matter.

Does the Breach have anything to do with the the remarks ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns made during a Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) regular Board meeting?

Lisa Kearns, Councillor ward 2

Tim O’Brien, candidate ward 2

Keith Demoe, candidate ward 2

The Gazette is aware that Kearns reported what she had done to the Integrity Commissioner. The Gazette is also aware that Keith Demoe, a candidate for the ward 2 seat spoke to the Integrity Commissioner inquiring about how he could file a complaint about confidential information being made public by Kearns.

Demoe told the Gazette that he was told by the Integrity Commissioner that nothing could or would be done by his office until the election was over.

That being the case – why is this matter before city Council as urgent business. Any urgency was destroyed the moment Kearns opened her mouth.

Is the city going to see a performance similar to the one done by the Mayor when she decided she needed to re-order the Agenda of a Council meeting.

That event has become a part of Burlington’s political history. If you missed it – click HERE to see just how vindictive our Mayor can be. She is asking to be re-elected.

Guy D'Alesio: liked city hall when he applied to replace Mike Wallace in 2006 - has decided he wants to move in - running in ward 5

By Pepper Parr

September 19th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Running for public office in these times means a web site, a social media presence, some money that isn’t already committed to something else, a couple of good pairs of shoes and the ability to go from door to door and convince people you have their best interests at heart and you know enough to be able to make wise decisions about a sector that you know relatively little about.
During our interview with Guy D’Alesio, a department head with the Halton District School Board, who has committed to resigning as a teacher at the end of December we learned two things:

Guy D’Alesio: Don’t tell me no – tell me why.

This man can get quite emotional about some things – students and the unmet needs they have and a statement he said he uses often: Don’t tell me no – tell me why.

He sees his strength as his ability to pull a group together and achieve an objective. Talking it through until the objective is clear and everyone is on board.

He wants to see more of the cultural events spread out through the city – asking does everything have to be downtown. He wants at least a part of the major events held in the northern, eastern and western parts of the city.

How he gets Sound of Music out of Spencer Smith Park is something many people want to hear about – Rib Fest has the same problem.

Transit – he likes what Uber can offer to resolving at least some of the getting around the city issues.

D’Alesio is a big supporter of the redevelopment of the Skyway arena but didn’t have a solution on how the $39 million undertaking is going to be met. He sees the walking track that will be part of the new structure is a must. Other than ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte who voted against spending every member of Council saw this as something the city was going to do.

D’Alesio sees Burlington as two cities – north and south of the QEW – few would disagree with him – but no one has put forward much in the way of viable solutions.

He leaves people with the impression that he has a solution but there wasn’t much of it put on the table during the extensive interview other than new solutions.

When Mike Wallace gave up his council seat to run for federal office Council decided to interview people to replace Wallace for the balance of the term of office. D’Alesio was interviewed by Rob MacIssacc. Guy appeared to like the look of city some time ago.

The D’Alesio family came out of Hamilton where his parents ran a grocery store. He has lived in the east end of the city for more than 32 years and claims that the worst traffic jams are in the Burloak area; he might get some argument from fellow citizens on that.

Ward 5 boundaries

After high school (Assumption and Aldershot HS) Guy D’Alesio attended Ryerson where he studied Mechanical Engineering, decided that was not a sector he wanted to work in and enrolled at the University of Guelph where his focus was on philosophy and history. He then attended Brock University where he earned his Teaching certificate.

D’Alesio was in no rush to file nomination papers. He was one of three people who showed up on the list of candidates on the day nominations closed. He had made the appoint back in July but was away for much of August.

The team that is going to get him elected is made up of family, friends and people from his football past. He was always involved in school sports events as a teacher
There are three children in the family: a girl and two boys.

Still an employee of the school Board, D’Alesio will need to take quite a bit of time off, should he be elected, if he is to take part in the orientation meetings that will begin the minute he is sworn in – some of the orientation will take place before that date.

Guy D’Alesio is one of three candidates running against incumbent Paul Sharman. Andrew Hall, one of the three, is a former student of D’Alesio.

Second coyote killed by professional hunters - third is still being tracked

By Staff

September 19th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

The City of Burlington, with the expertise of a Certified Wildlife Control Professional, have eliminated a second coyote identified by its victims in recent unprovoked attacks on humans in south central Burlington.

The City would like to thank the support of the Halton Regional Police Services (HRPS) who were present to ensure public safety and were ready to assist, if needed.

A third coyote of concern is still at-large.

In the past several weeks, there has been seven unprovoked attacks on humans reported to the City. Animal Services staff have played a key role in tracking the coyotes identified as being responsible for all of the attacks.

The coyote is described as having the same characteristics, a smaller sandy colored coyote, as the sixth and seventh coyote attacks on Sept. 10 and Sept. 17. The City is asking residents to continue to be vigilant in and around the areas noted on the updated map attached below and report coyote sightings using the form at burlington.ca/coyotes.

City of Burlington Animal Services staff have been conducting ongoing joint operations with the HRPS and the Certified Wildlife Control Professional in the areas of attack to track down and eliminate the coyotes. Residents may see this multi agency taskforce in their neighbourhood and it is critical that residents do not interfere with these operations.

Map of coyote sightings and where rogue animals were killed

The public viewing of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II at the Performing Arts Centre was a total bust - ten people showed up

By Pepper Parr

September 19^th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

Not what I expected.

I really thought every one of the 730 seats in the Performing Arts Centre would be filled and that after the viewing of the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, they would all flood into the large Family Room and mingle and chit chat.

The camera man from Cogeco thought the same thing.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was the first to arrive and for a good fifteen minutes she was by herself tending to her email.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was the first person to arrive at the Performing Arts Centre to watch the funeral for Queen Elizabeth II – she was one of ten people to do so. She is sitting – upper right corner.

By the time the funeral started there was a total of ten people in the audience.

Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte was the only other member of Council.

Meed Ward, who is an American by birth, is believed to have come to Canada at about the age of ten.

The funeral was quite something. It reminded all those who watched what a Christian nation the Monarchy sees itself as.

The quality of the image was as good as it gets – there was one glitch when the signal was lost – lasted a couple of seconds.

The service itself was quite formal.

For the first time since Henry the VIII there was a Roam Catholic taking part in the numerous prayers that were recited. The Archbishop of Canterbury pointed out that Westminster Abbey is where Elizabeth was baptized, Confirmed, Married, Crowned, attended her husband’s funeral, spoke to the Nation about overcoming the Covid 19 lockdown – and today she was celebrated as the Monarch who was no longer with us.

The almost last event of the funeral was the singing of God Save the King. In my time, when we went to the movies the practice was for the audience to stand up when the Anthem was sung.

Not a single person stood to sing that Anthem this morning. I did, my Oath to the Crown at the age of 17 when I was made a part of the Royal Canadian Navy required me to do so and I did so proudly.

The last item was a Lament played by the Queen’s Piper who stood in a gallery high up in Westminster Abbey.

The pall bearers then lifted the casket, slowed marched it to the gun carriage where it was transported to the next event.

What does the total failure on the part of the citizens of Burlington to show up mean?

There were two rows reserved for the dignitaries. Someone thought they were going to show up.

Is this a sign of what the municipal election turn out is going to be?

7 TH CITIZEN ATTACHED BY A COYOTE YESTERDAY: Mayor: 'This is the news we were hoping we would never hear again.'

By Staff

September 18th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

There has been another unprovoked coyote attack was reported to the City of Burlington from a personal residence on Lakeshore Rd. near Tuck Creek.

The unprovoked coyote attack occurred Saturday, Sept. 17 around 12 p.m. at a residence on Lakeshore Road east of the Roseland area. The victim was resting in the rear yard when a coyote bit her in the knee.

The victim was taken to hospital and treated.

The coyote is described as having the same characteristics, a smaller sandy colored coyote, as the sixth coyote attack on an elderly resident at a local retirement home on Sept. 10.
The City is asking residents to continue to be vigilant in and around the areas noted on the updated map attached below and report coyote sightings using the form at burlington.ca/coyotes.

City of Burlington Animal Services staff have been conducting ongoing joint operations with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) and the Certified Wildlife Control Professional in the areas of attack to track down and eliminate the coyotes.

Residents may see this multi agency taskforce in their neighbourhood and it is critical that residents do not interfere with these operations.

Due to the fluidity of the situation, it may not always be possible for residents to be notified of the operations occurring in the surrounding community. It is important that crowds not gather during these operations. This is important for both the safety of residents and so crowds do not scare off the coyotes being tracked. The increasing challenge is that coyotes are no longer denning at this time of year and are more mobile.

The priority of this multi agency taskforce is to eliminate the aggressive coyotes based on our approved City of Burlington Coyote Response Strategy protocol.

The City of Burlington met with senior officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Provincial Services Division this week to gain expert advice on the current situation and confirm further immediate steps to deal with a family of aggressive coyotes in south central Burlington. MNRF staff experts shared that under no circumstances should coyotes be fed by humans. When people feed coyotes, intentionally or unintentionally, coyotes become familiar with humans, are no longer afraid of humans and show more and more aggressive behaviour, as is happening now in south central Burlington.

From what City staff shared with MNRF scientific and veterinary experts, the experts are convinced these localized attacks are coming from coyotes who have been conditioned to see humans as providing a food source. This learned behaviour creates an environment where wildlife is conditioned to be comfortable with direct human interaction and may come to depend on humans for food. Once a coyote crosses the boundary of acceptable interaction with humans, the coyote must be eliminated for public safety reasons, due to a situation they did not initiate.

Anyone attacked by a coyote is advised to seek immediate medical attention and report the attack to the Halton Region Health Department and to the City of Burlington Animal Services at animalservices@burlington.ca or 905-335-3030.

Municipalities are responsible for taking appropriate actions to manage resident coyote sightings, encounters and attacks and take appropriate action. If a coyote attacks a person, the City has a Council approved Coyote Response Strategy in place that is currently being followed to prioritize and deal with this situation.

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward in prepared remarks said: “This is the news we were hoping we would never hear again. Our hearts go out to this 7th victim of a coyote attack. We are pulling in every resource we have with help from the Ministry to locate and eliminate the coyotes responsible for these attacks. We won’t rest until public safety is restored.”

Millcroft residents keeping the focus on their opposition to plans a developer has to significantly alter the character of the community

By Staff

September 18th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

October 4th, 6:30 pm

Virtual meeting to be led by MAD along with the City of Burlington (Mayor Marianne Meed-Ward, Councillors Angelo Bentivegna and Rory Nisan) have arranged a virtual meeting on October 4th at 6:30 P.M. with all MAD supporters to cover the following:

1. Expected Ontario Land Tribunal Process and how MAD is going to participate

2. What the City is now doing on this application and how they will participate in the Ontario Land Tribunal Process

3. What MAD has done to date

4. MAD Call to Action

5. Questions from Supporters to MAD or the City

Designed and sold to residents as a community built around a golf course. Developer saw a way to squeeze in 98 new houses and a mid rise tower – took the case to the Ontario Land Tribunal

The organizers of the event want as many people as are able to participate in this call to both get the update as well show their support.

Details in respect of how to participate will be provided to everyone closer to the call.

This is a major issue: maintaining the integrity of a community matters.

Related news stories:

Last of a 4 part series on what the issue really is: flooding

The first three parts are appended to the 4th part.

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