Service Burlington counter is closed - too much construction noise - but marriage license appointments are still taking place.

By Staff

May 6th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Service Burlington counter that was on the main floor of city hall was moved to the second floor due to main level construction has now been closed ass of noon today.

Too much noise from the construction work.

The city does have a heart – Service Burlington appointments booked today for marriage licenses will take place. If you have any questions, please call 905-335-7777.

A reminder that many service payments are available online at burlington.ca/onlineservices.

More information about the temporary closure to walk-in customers will be provided early next week.
City Hall Modernization Project

The construction at City Hall is happening as part of the City Hall modernization project. The project is one of 22 recommendations from the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force report and will create a more open, customer-facing area on the first floor of City Hall.

 

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Property tax payment dates - and what the taxes amount to

By Staff

May 6th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

After a decent day in a Standing Committee during which the city DID WHAt Council moved into a Special meeting of Council during which they passed a motion setting out the 2022 Tax Levy Bylaw

The bylaw allows the city to bill 2022 property taxes and set payment due dates for final tax bills on June 22 and Sept. 22, 2022.

Final tax bills will be mailed in late May.

The 2022 Tax Levy Bylaw reflects the budget processes of both the city and Halton Region. The province provides the education tax rates. The overall property tax increase is 2.84 per cent or $22.17 for each $100,000 of urban residential assessment.

COVID-19 Property Tax Relief
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic impact, on Jan. 11, 2022, Council approved a 2022 COVID-19 Property Tax Deferral Payment Plan program to provide relief to residents and businesses that continue to face financial hardship due to the pandemic. The application-based program allows eligible property owners who are unable to pay property taxes by the regularly scheduled tax due dates, to defer taxes under a pre-authorized payment plan.

Eligible property owners may include unpaid balances from March 1, 2020 onward in the deferral plan and they can choose which month they would like to start the monthly payments. The remaining options for start dates are June 1, or July 1.

Equal monthly withdrawals will be made that will allow for the property taxes to be paid in full by Dec. 1, 2022. Property owners enrolled in this payment plan will not be subject to penalty and interest charges as long as payments are made.

Quick Facts
• The City of Burlington collects property taxes for the city, Halton Region and the Halton district school boards. The total combined tax levy for all three entities is approximately $452.3 million. The city’s levy is $191.6 million; the city collects $144.6 million on behalf of Halton Region; and $116.1 million on behalf of the Halton district school boards. The taxes levied for Halton Region and the Halton district school boards are remitted to them.

• Customers who use the drop box at City Hall (426 Brant St.) to drop off their tax payments should note the drop box has moved to 390 Brant St. at the corner of Brant Street and Elgin Street– this is the same building where Coffee Culture is located. Residents can find the blue drop box at the Elgin Street entrance to 390 Brant St. Please see map attached.

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Who was Patrick McNally and where did the money come from?

By Pepper Parr

May 6th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington has been given a gift of more than $1 million that will be spent on improving, adding to and upgrading parks in the city.

This grant is not the first the city has received from the Patrick J. McNally Foundation.

So who was Patrick McNally and where did the money come from?

Patrick Jessett McNally

Born in 1915 in Hamilton, Patrick was the benefactor of a small legacy that enabled him to attend Queen’s University where he studied mining engineering.

add in from the obit

Pat lived by the theme that anything is possible if you are lucky enough to have family to support you and education to guide you.

He was lucky himself: an ancestor left a small legacy that sent him to Queens’ University in the depth of the great depression . As a mining engineer, and drawing on his family’s background as home builders, he had a highly successful professional life, first in the hard rock mines of Northern Ontario, then in general construction in Montreal and the Maritimes, and ultimately as partner and chief engineer of S. McNally & Sons with his brothers.

He was a pioneering contractor who helped build the infrastructure of Southern Ontario, especially below ground, where his innovative mining techniques created the region’s most prominent tunnelling contractor.

Astute investment by the Foundation has resulted in benefits for both Hamilton, Waterdown and Burlington.

Pat retired in 1979 and spent the balance of his life as a successful investor, incessant benefactor to young people, and supporter of community needs. He was broadly generous but responded especially well to young people whose goals might pay back: business startups, growing families, and higher education were recurrent themes. He paid tuition for many young people and helped young families afford their first homes.

He was in various ways indispensable in the startups of Clappison Veterinary, C&M McNally Engineering, McNally Robinson Booksellers, QNX Software Systems and McNally Jackson Booksellers.

He was a long-time benefactor and volunteer with The Royal Botanical Gardens, Queen’s University, the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Rotary Club. In 2015 he set up a foundation to provide recreation for families, starting with a new skating oval in Memorial Park in Waterdown.

Patrick McNally lived to the age of 101

Patrick married Anne Elizabeth (Libby) Powell in Montreal and together they raised four sons and a daughter. He was predeceased by Libby, by his second wife, Stewart Cranston, and by his six siblings.

He is remembered by sons John, Michael, , Paul, Christopher and daughter Joyce; 19 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

 

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City to receive $1 million plus donation for park improvements

By Staff

May 6th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington is about to receive a very generous donation in the way of funding for  us recreation and park infrastructure amenities that will be managed by the Parks and Recreation department.

The gift to the city is from the  Patrick J McNally Foundation,.

The McNally Foundation contributed to the development of this parkette.

The City of Burlington and the Patrick J McNally Foundation  have worked together  in recent years  and have partnered on the design and construction of various recreational facilities throughout the City.

In 2018, the Foundation funded a water service and splash pad for Bolus Park as part of the KABOOM! community project. They also financed a new water service for the Francis Road community garden.

Most recently the Foundation financed the reconstruction of Valley Inn pedestrian bridge and 100 sheets of artificial ice. Both contributions support year-round outdoor recreational opportunities. The artificial ice provided a much-needed outdoor activity during the pandemic.

The Foundation has now committed to donating $1.125 million over 2022 and 2023 for the design and construction of new park amenities.

2022 Projects
Central Park

$150,000 Accessible multi-user swing This multi-user swing will accommodate mobility devices and up to four people at once. No wheelchair transfer will be required. This will be the first in Ontario.

Sweetgrass Park
$60,000 Medicine Wheel/Healing Garden To coincide with the renaming of the park, work will include a park identification sign and interpretive signage. Details and scope of this project will be determined in consultation with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Leighland Park
$450,000 Ball hockey/basketball combination court
Fitness equipment loop
Shade structure w/picnic tables

The park amenities included here will be added to the larger park renewal project that is currently underway.

All these additions are requests from the public but could not be accommodated within the park capital program.

2023 Projects
Lansdown Park
$400,000 Splash pad
New water service This splash pad will be a new feature to the park and designed/constructed as part of the larger park renewal.

Port Nelson Park

Port Nelson Park
$65,000 New water service
Drinking fountain with bottle filler This feature will support this lake-side park and users of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, supporting active transportation.

 

The Foundation’s wanted to have the work done within the next 6 to 15 months. Current staff workload and the risk of building new park amenities without associated operating budget, the approach for the current funding is to enhance already active park revitalization projects. The new park amenities will have a positive community impact and associated operating budget can be captured in the 2023 budget process.

Staff considered other parks and needs in the community but given timing and existing workloads, it was decided to focus efforts on park projects currently underway to have most opportunity for success.

Staff also considered the option to not accept the donation. However, with a willing donor and strong community interest in parks and park amenities, staff felt it was important to pursue this opportunity.

Total donation to the City is:

• $660,000 in 2022
• $465,000 in 2023

Except for the proposed work at Sweetgrass Park, all of the proposed donations will be included in the larger capital revitalization projects currently underway.

Human Resources
Additional staffing is required to operate and maintain these amenities; particularly, the expansion of assets at Leighland Park. This work will require two seasonal staff, one temp and one student, which amounts to $46,500.

Utilities
The $30,000 listed for utilities is specifically related to the splash pad at Lansdown Park to cover this service.

Labour/Materials/Purchased Services
With new assets being installed, additional costs to maintain these items through the year are required. This includes work such as required inspections, litter/debris pickup, infrastructure repairs, keeping surfaces clean/safe, grass cutting/trimming and regular annual seasonal-specific maintenance.

Source of Funding
These estimated operating impacts will be phased in over the 2023 and 2024 budgets as the associated assets are slated to be completed. The City’s multi-year budget simulation will be updated to reflect these estimated impacts.

So who was Patrick McNally and where did the money come from? That is a separate and remarkable story that you can read HERE

 

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Freeman schedule

By Staff

May 6th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

With life getting back to normal you will want to know what is open and what the hours are.

The Freeman Station on Fairview has become a go to place, especially for parents with children who want to take them to places that are fun.

The display in the basement of the building, called a diorama, tells the story and the roll rail played in the city’s growth.

Parents will learn even more than the kids.

Related articles:
The model set up in the basement of Freeman Station

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Marina may not be able to open this season - insurance issues

By Staff

May 5th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

This is not a good news story.

After using more than $4 million of Hydro reserve funds to complete the installation of the floating wave break.

The Marina operation has learned that they cannot get the insurance they need to open their operations.

The options are not all that good.

The option the LaSalle Park Marina Association hopes is chosen through the Environmental Assessment due March 2013.

Community Marina.
Both LaSalle Park Marina Association (LPMA) and Burlington Sailing and Boating Club (BS&BC) have advised their members that LPMA is unable to get insurance for the upcoming boating season and that the opening of the Marina will be delayed as they look for options.

These boats may not be able to use the marina as there base this season.

Since the boat storage area takes up the parking spaces reserved for boat trailers, the public boat launch will remain closed for trailered boats until this situation is resolved.

Canoes, kayaks, and other smaller portable items can still be launched.
Strategy/process

Staff are assessing a short-term option to open the Marina this summer which will allow staff and other stakeholders time to develop a long-term sustainable operating model for the Marina in the future.

Short-term options are high level and general in nature as staff are in the process of refining them. Staff will provide members of Council with a verbal update at the Committee meeting on May 5, 2022.

Options Considered

1. LPMA Operates the Marina:

If LPMA’s broker can secure insurance, the Marina will operate as usual. To date, the broker has not been able to secure coverage for the operation of the Marina.

2. BS&BC Operates the Marina:
Staff approached BS&BC about this option. BS&BC’s current insurance provider did not offer extended coverage for the operation of the Marina.

3. Other Marina Operators:
Staff reached out to the Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority and Town of Oakville to see if they would consider taking over the operation of the Marina as part of their current marina operation. Staff have not heard back at this time.

Boats may not be hoisted into the water and be able to operate out of the Burlington marina. They will have to look for another place to dock their boats,

4. City Operated:
Staff had initial discussions about taking over the operation of the Marina for this year and spoke to both LPMA and BS&BC to get an understanding of the operation. The City’s insurer has confirmed that insurance for the Marina can be included in our coverage.

5. Marina Closed for Season:
If LPMA is unable to secure insurance or another viable option cannot be found, the Marina will not open this season.

Related news story:

That hydro money used to complete the marina upgrade

Construction of wave brake to start

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Anne Marsden: 'never been so excited about something in a long time'

By Pepper Parr

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

There are some things that were meant to be shared.

This came to us from Anne Marsden, who is an yet to be nominated for the Office of Mayor.

She want to delegate at Council in person tomorrow and is waiting for a response from the City Clerk.

Anne and Dave Marsden

Mr. Arjoon, a very pleasant clerk who I have never met or talked to before told me I would receive a confirmation of my inhouse delegation tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at around 11:30 a.m. today. I have never been so excited about something in a long time.

H said first she would be checking it to see if there were any questions. Have not received confirmation yet at 4:30 p.m. Wondering if it is the old excuse of you put two dd’s in our email address which you promised to correct years ago now. In case you did please confirm to anneandave@gmail.com that the Marsdens are delegating inhouse tomorrow at 9:30 am and let us know how we get into city hall with Anne’s mobility scooter as we understand there is construction underway. Thank you for a prompt reply before 6:00 pm if possible as we don’t want to prepare for a delegation we do not have.

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City decides to challenge an appeal to the OLT in the proposed development for the eastern end of the football

By Pepper Parr

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

While it may be that the battle for saving the land that the Waterfront Hotel sits on the area that is known as the “football” is still very much at risk.

Nick Carnicelli put together plans for a structure that is nice enough from an architectural point of view – some just thought it was inappropriate for that space.

The site is at the eastern end of the football and would become the entrance to the downtown core – not something this council is prepared to do at this point.

The city doesn’t feel design is appropriate for the location and they have not had a chance to prepare a staff report. Good arguments but will they be heard at the OLT

The Carnicelli development went to the Ontario Land Tribunal for lack of a decision from the city.  At the time the Urban Growth centre was put under an Interim Control bylaw which put a halt to all development in the UGC.

Council went into a Closed Session this afternoon to discuss this and then came out and delivered not only the address of the property they were talking about but what some of the issues were.

After that some of the council members chose to clap themselves on the back for making the change in the way they report out on Closed sessions.

The big big issue on how this development is treated at the OLT is the impact it will have on the football.

Ignore the subject site notation. The development in question is at the right hand side of that football shape – where Old Lakeshore Road and Lakeshore Road meet.

That land has not had the benefit of any really progressive thinking – the developers spotted the opportunity six years ago – bought up the land and came back with incredible developments.  That use of the word incredible was not meant as a positive statement.

This is a model of what the CORE Development Group wanted to build. There development is to the immediate west of the Carnicelli site – which is not shown in this model.

Meed Ward based her first campaign on saving the waterfront. She hasn’t done all that well with Spencer Smith Park and the Waterfront Hotel site – perhaps she will pivot to the football and set out to save that.

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The public person and the real person - which version of Rory Nisan do you like?

By Pepper Parr

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

The one thing a politician cannot and should not even try to do is position themselves as an open, honest person and then do things that do not measure up to the image they set out.

Rory Nisan described himself as a diplomat during his campaign. He was not a diplomat. He was around diplomatic events and worked with very senior members of the government setting up meetings that involved senior people from other counties.

He had a good blue suit, took order and was polite.

The blue suit might still exist but the rest of the traits aren’t being seen these days.

Nisan decided that the health of his new child was at some risk if he attended council meetings.

He has chosen to work from home.

I personally disagree with the position he took – the Council Chamber is probably the safest place in town to be – but – if Rory Nisan thinks his child might be at risk he has the right to work from home – and to be fair, as a responsible parent he is doing the right thing.

What wasn’t so right however was an event that took place on May 2nd.

Nisan used some of the time to meet with his campaign team in an outdoor setting

Rory Nisan with his campaign team on May 2nd, 2022  The optics don’t fit the image.

Most of his team is unmasked, as is Nisan.

That picture just does not jibe with the way Nisan has worked to portray himself.

Going to be interesting to hear what he has to say on some of the positions he has taken on matter of city business.

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.

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Resident spends $80 for a scary experience that he didn't think was really necessary

By Staff

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

A Burlington resident who is as solid as they gety when it comes to being fully informed sent me a long note.

Let me pass it along to you.

He called it “scary”.

Because we were at a border crossing community for medical reasons and because we were so close to the border, yours truly and his spouse thought we would slip over to have lunch and buy a few items at one of our favorite stores, “Trader Joes”. As well we were more than happy to be able to fill up with $1.20 C a litre gas.

The border crossing – entering the US

As required and prior to our return we completed the “ArriveCan” process. Upon returning we proceeded to the border where we were advised by the agent to proceed. Nothing was said to either of us about having to take a random molecular test.

Except on Monday May 2, three whole days later I received an email message from the Government of Canada (that I first thought was a scam) that indicated I had been chosen for random testing and was directed to a local supplier located in Mississauga ON.

As you will hopefully appreciate, I was taken aback as I had heard nothing about this at the border or in my email until this point. I immediately took an in-house test which indicated I was negative for COVID. I then went on to the Switch Health website (which is a disaster in the making) and arranged to have my test within the hour. I then jumped into my car and proceeded to travel to Mississauga.

As an aside Switch Health is the only testing company listed for Ontario. The email that I received from the Federal Government indicates they have 7 locations in all of Ontario (a complete joke and worthy of another story). The results of the Molecular test also indicated I was negative for COVID. As mentioned earlier I was not advised nor was I given a home test kit by the border agent. The test cost me $180 and the results were delivered within 30 minutes.

This gets you home.

We are avid mask wears and have had 4 vaccines so far. We could have attended a Raptor, Jays or Leaf’s Game along with tens of thousands of other un-masked residents and would not be required to take a random or any other molecular COVID test. But apparently the Government of Canada feels that spending an hour and a half in the United states with minimal exposure requires us to do so.

Here is the spooky part. As I was preparing to write this, I checked my e-mail folder for the email from the Government of Canada and it was nowhere to be found. I then checked my deleted items folder and the email in question was again nowhere to be found. My advice to anyone who receives such an email is to immediately print a copy.

The article in a local American newspaper speaks to these random tests and we as citizens should seriously question what on earth is going on where testing is concerned and is their use backed-up by science. Does this mean the protests in Ottawa, while poorly executed, and included some nutbars, may have been onto something? Perhaps Karina Gould should be asked to account for and to justify the governments approach on random testing.

I thought I would attach the news article from the Buffalo News outlet as well.

https://buffalonews.com/news/local/extra-random-covid-test-rankles-travelers-to-canada/article_ee505a72-4d3b-11ec-8ee5-778889e0f36b.html

 

 

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Council is now hearing delegations in an in person format - not all members of Council are in the Chamber to listen

By Pepper Parr

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

City Council is now meeting in a hybrid format – for the first time in years real people are able to appear in person to delegate.

This is what a hybrid meeting of Council looks like. The delegator is shown in the upper left, the chair of the meeting in the lower left and the members of Council shown in the two panels on the right. Awkward – but it works.

While the public can be in Chambers – not all members of Council make a point of showing up.

They choose to work from home – why?  Except  for ward 3 Councillor Rory Nisan, none of the Councillor s have made a point of explaining why they were not at work.

Councillor Nisan manages to chair a Standing Committee meeting from the comfort of home.

Nisan’s issue is the health safety of his child – who is not yet a year old and cannot be vaccinated.  He isn’t prepared to take what he sees as a significant risk.

They will say they are at work even if they are not in Council Chambers.

Delegations expect to be able to speak to the members of Council – doing so via the equivalent of Zoom is like getting a kiss without a hug.

It just isn’t the same.

 

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Pam Damoff speaking in the House of Commons - this is who she is

By Pepper Parr

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Pam Damoff: During one of her early elections

This is pure Pam Damoff.

She is the member of parliament for Oakville North Burlington.

She rose in the House of Commons yesterday and said the following.

This is who she is – this is what she is – and it doesn’t get much better than that.

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member that Canadians are weary, and I am happy to speak tonight about lowering the rhetoric. I do not think the member will be surprised to find out that I agree with most of what she has said. I find that we Canadians have forgotten how to be kind to each other, and how to listen and how to disagree in a respectful way.

The two of us were sent to this place from different provinces and with different priorities, but we were sent here with a shared calling. That calling prioritizes public service and collaboration. While it will surprise none of the hon. members in this place that we often disagree, it is really important that we disagree in a respectful and kind way. I want to thank the member for Calgary Nose Hill for always coming to this place in good faith with an eagerness to work with members of all parties and with a steadfast commitment to representing the interests of her constituents and Canadians.

Pam Damoff speaking in the House of Commons

I know that, like me, the hon. member has been subjected to threats and harassment due to the rising rhetoric, and that is just wrong.

 The hon. member has told me before that our constituents have much more in common than they have differences, and she is right. It is why, on a day like today when news has broken about the United States rolling back a woman’s right to abortion, it is important that members from all parties stand up proudly to affirm that Canadian women have the right to choice, and that when access to reproductive health care is rolled back we are telling women their health and safety is less important than men’s health and safety. It is why I was happy to second the bill introduced by the member for Calgary Confederation to make it easier for all Canadians to become organ donors, and why I am happy to see that the member for St.

Albert—Edmonton has reintroduced his bill that would ensure that Canadians who serve on a jury can speak about the trauma associated with the experience when seeking mental health care. All of us who have the honour of being elected to this place have a responsibility to treat it with the reverence that it deserves.

 We certainly saw things bubble to the surface in late January and early February, with protests in Ottawa, at the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, in Coutts, Alberta, and eventually at crossings and other cities across the country. It is something that none of us wanted to see in Canada.

Pam Damoff: speaking at a community event

 It is critical that we continue to speak to each other in a respectful way.

I agree with the hon. member that we need to be listening to each other and not just talking. I have had the pleasure of having conversations with the hon. member where we do disagree, and we disagree quite strongly.

How do we lower the temperature and the rhetoric in Canada and restore faith in democratic institutions? We need to show Canadians that we can work together on shared priorities. We need to condemn what we know is wrong, and when we work together to accomplish a shared goal, we need to do a much better job of sharing credit and telling Canadians about how, together, we were able to pass laws that will make our country a better and fairer place to live.

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Bingo returns - games will take place at the Polish Hall

By Pepper Parr

May 4th, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Things are definitely getting back to normal.

Bingo is coming back.

The games will be played at the Polish Hall.

Polish Hall – new home for regular bingo games

It took city council hours of listening to deletions from two bingo game operators, who both wanted the Burlington market, which was described as prime by one of the bingo game operators.

When there is more time to write we will explain the complexities of bingo game operations – which are charity based.

A bingo operator must have sponsors from the charitable sector.

How much do they charities get – they get 45% of the proceeds.

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Mountainside is going to get some public art to brighten up the pool. The facility has undergone significant upgrades - a long time dream of former Councillor John Taylor

By Staff

May 3rd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Community members needed to join the Mountainside Pool Revitalization Public Art Steering Committee

The city’s public art program is looking for community members to join the Steering Committee for the Mountainside Pool Revitalization Project public art mural.

Rendering of what the pool and the shade area would look like

The Steering Committee will provide input into project goals and themes, create a shortlist from the applicants and the winning artist.

The public art program is commissioning a professional artist to paint a mural as part of this project. This revitalization will create a new attractive, fun and welcoming multi-use outdoor swimming pool. The goal is to revitalize the Mountainside Pool so it is inviting and encourages participation through swimming and water play while fostering an active and healthy lifestyle.

Three artists will be shortlisted to create preliminary design concepts for the public review and comment. The community Steering Committee will evaluate the public feedback plus the technical proposal to select the winning artist.

The pool is heavily used.

Steering Committee Roles & Responsibilities
• Attend a project start-up meeting (online) to brainstorm project goals and themes
• Review and score artist proposals to select a shortlist of three artists
• Review design proposals and public feedback of three short-listed artists to select winning artist
• All scoring can be done remotely using an online submission system. Jury meetings will be held via videoconference

Honorarium
Steering Committee members will be given an honorarium of $200 as a token of appreciation for their time commitment and participation in the project.

Time Commitment
• Three meetings via videoconference
o Project Start-up: one hour
o Select Shortlist: two hours
o Select Winning Proposal: two hours
• Review and score artist submissions: this task can be done remotely using an online review system (approximately five hours)

Project Timeline
Deadline Activity

May/June 2022 Meeting #1: project start-up meeting (videoconference)
September 2022 Review and score artist proposals (online)
October 2022 Meeting #2: Select shortlist (videoconference)
January 2023 Public consultation
February 2023 Review and score shortlisted design proposals and public feedback (online)
March 2023 Meeting #3: Select winning artist (videoconference)
May/June 2023 Artwork installation and unveiling

Some art work would certainly help this entrance

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send:

1. Their name
2. Contact Information
1. address
2. phone
3. email
3. And a brief statement outlining why they are interested in joining the Steering Committee (250 words maximum)

Applications should be submitted to Kim Selman at kim@cobaltconnects.ca or at burlingtonpublicart.com/get-involved/jury-roster/ before Friday, May 6.

For more information, please visit www.burlington.ca/publicart.

Councillor Sharman speaking to Angela Paparazzo

Angela Paparizo, Manager of Arts and Culture explains what this initiative is all about.

“Not only is this a great opportunity for an artist to design and create a beautiful mural for the revitalized Mountainside Pool, it is also an exciting opportunity for residents to join the steering committee to help us select the right artist for this project. I welcome anyone who is thinking about applying to contact us with any questions.

Residents are encouraged to submit their applications before May 6. It is my hope that Burlington residents will get involved in this opportunity to choose an artist and evaluate the mural submissions for Mountainside.”

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It is much more than a model railroad in the basement of the Freeman Station. It is a significant look at the early years of the city.

By Denis Gibbons

May 3rd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Folks in the Bay Area remember Bob Chambers as a superb photographer with The Hamilton Spectator, who covered world events like the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981.

Few, though, know of another of his many talents – creating miniature displays, sometimes known as dioramas.

A steam locomotive pulls up in front of the miniature Burlington Junction station. Photo by DENIS GIBBONS

A huge replica of the hamlet of Freeman in the 1920s, and specifically the old Burlington Junction railway station, now occupies the basement of the historical Freeman Station on Fairview Street.

Freeman was located at about the intersection of Brant Street and Old Plains Road.

Retired Teachers of Ontario members presented the Friends of Freeman Station with a grant of $4000. Left to Right: Ron Danielsen, FOFS President; Ruth Miller, RTO Project Sponsor; Penny Hambly, RTO Awards Committee; Carolyn Hilton, RTO Awards Committee; and Claudia Stewart, RTO-District 15 President.

Retired Teachers of Ontario (RTO) provided $4000  to fund a computer control system for its historic model railway educational exhibit. The money was used to purchase the central “brains” of the museum-quality model railway diorama depicting life in the village of Freeman.

Chambers constructed the model in the basement of his home. Gates Bisson contributed other items like a replica of the old fruit-processing plant and Supertest gas station and historian Bob Miller created a cattle pen.

Gary Thompson also donated a circus train, which will be used when children start arriving on field trips. The train often passed through Burlington many years ago on its way to set up in Hamilton.

Miller and KenTaylor, members of the Friends of Freeman Station, operate the model railway setup, which covers 660 square feet.

Miller recalls that before the layout was set up in the basement, the group set up a smaller model railway display at the library and included a Thomas the Train engine, from the popular TV show for children.

“Thomas’ headlights showed up as little eyes,” Miller said. “The kids just loved that.”

Two miniature locomotives approach the junction carefully. Photo by DENIS GIBBONS

The focus is the illuminated Burlington Junction station, which until 1988 stood on the railway line just to the southwest of the intersection of Brant Street and Old Plains Road.

Near the station is the actual junction of two lines – one which ran all the way from Montreal through Toronto and Burlington, then split at Hamilton allowing passengers to travel as far as either Chicago or New York.

Visitors took lots of photos of the miniature layout. Photo by DENIS GIBBONS

The other line, which started at the village of Allandale near Barrie, ran south to Burlington, then down the Beach Strip to service cooling units for frozen fruit grown in the area.

Because it eventually re-connected with the main line at Stoney Creek, it also was a quick bypass of the clogged lines in Hamilton.

The display includes a video describing how a steam locomotive works.

Burlington was once known as the fruit basket of Canada.

Dried fruit, particularly melons grown in farms along Plains Road, were shipped from the station around the world. Later canneries opened in this area.

A child in period costume was part of the crown on the re-opening of Freeman Station. Photo by Denis Gibbons

Queen Elizabeth and Canadian Prime Ministers from Sr. John A. MacDonald to Lester B. Pearson travelled along the main line, as did NHL teams moving from Montreal and Toronto to Detroit, Chicago and New York.

More than 1.000 service men left the station to defend their country in times of war and peace. Marching bands and hundreds of their fellow citizens walked with them to the station to bid them farewell.

After the Second World War, many emigrants from Europe arrived at this station to make a new life in Burlington.

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Ukraine needs our help now; take part in a fund raising event on May 14th.

By Staff

May 3rd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

One Burlington, the group that celebrates faith, culture and embraces diversity. is hosting a fund raising concert for Ukraine

The event will take place at St. Christopher’s Anglican Church on Saturday, May 14, 2022 – 2:00 pm

The funds raised will go to the Canada Ukraine Foundation.

Members of the Ukrainian community filled Civic Square awhile ago – things in their country have not gotten any better. Continued support is badly needed.

A suggested donation of $20 per person would be appreciated. For those who might want to donate in advance the CU Foundation website  A tax-receipt will be issued.

Several professional artists are donating their talents for this important cause.

Charles Cozens  has more than 150 CD’s in circulation.

Jeff Madden, tenor, will be performing uplifting material from the American musical theatre songbook. Mr. Madden starred as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and Kevin in the ensemble cast of Come From Away.

Charles Cozens and Colin Maier are the duo, JoyRide.

Cozens is a renown accordionist, Maier plays numerous instruments in this dynamic duo.

Andrea Battista is a violinist with the Burlington Symphony Orchestra and Chair of the Burlington Arts and Culture Council of Burlington. She will accompany Jeff Madden and entertain us with a solo performance on the piano.

There are several performances by local groups as well

GuZheng Group presents young people on the Chinese Zither, a harpsichord-like instrument. Dressed in traditional costumes, this ensemble is amazing to watch.

Several Ukrainian churches have pulled together a choir to perform. .

A Bandura duo will perform on this traditional Ukrainian lute-like instrument. The closing act will be a presentation by the young company of the Tyrsa Ukrainian Dancers.

Tyrsa Ukrainian Dancers.

Fabulously dressed in embroidered shirts, bright red skirts and pants and ribboned caps, these young people will raise spirits and smiles as well as funds!

One Burlington is organizing this event in co-operation with the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God.

One Burlington has been presenting events since 2017. It is dedicated to bringing people together to learn more about each other to create understanding and acceptance.  Their website is at  oneburlington.net

There is a desperate situation in Ukraine – they need our help now – be as generous as you can.

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Nominations for city council opened today 7 have signed up.

By Pepper Parr

May 2nd, 2022

BURLINGTON.

 

Beginning to get interesting.

The following trotted along to the office of the City Clerk and put the passport on the table and handed over the filing fee.

 

Tony Brecknock, centre: video expert

Some interesting new names.  Tony Brecknock hasn’t seen the inside of the Council Chamber in a decade.  He was a major player in the school closing issue and he ran a candidate as a school board trustee.

Robert Radway

Robert Radway, a high school teacher (20 years in) teaches history.  Wasn’t sure he would resign as a teacher – he wants to clear up that issue very quickly.

Councillor Paul Sharman: Thinking it over very carefully

The other are current members of Council.  Sharman has his nomination papers ready for filing.  He was soliciting people at the Chamber of Commerce event recently.  Expect Paul to be very cautious – there is a brass ring for the taking if he is careful.

Needs to build a credible organization to pull this one off.  He should be looking for a cracker jack campaign manager that he will listen to.

Stick around – this crowd is not going to wait for the election of a new Premier get in the way of raising funds and building a team.

A report that has some credibility was the ward that even if she is acclaimed – Mayor Meed Ward will still run a campaign.  Has she not learned that Ann Marsden is planning on running.  Expect her name to appear on the list soon.

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Battle of the Atlantic Sunday

Was it the weather?

Was it because May 1 is traditionally a day for the working people – a time when the men and woman who do the hard work that leaves muscles sore and backs aching.

May 1st turned out to be the first Sunday in May; a time when Canada celebrate and remember those lost in the Battle of the Atlantic

Canadians commemorated the 77th anniversary of the end of action in the Battle of the Atlantic and the sacrifices of the thousands of Canadians who fought valiantly from 1939-1945 during the longest campaign of the Second World War.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest Second World War campaign.  Vice-Admiral Craig Baines, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, put it all too well when he described it as “cold, wet, dangerous. Fought with courage, dedication and honour. Our world today – who they were then, and who we are now is forever connected by their sacrifice.”

These were the ships that fought the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest naval battle in history. Shown here is HMCS Haida, currently tied up in Hamilton.

The Battle of the Atlantic began on September 3, 1939, with the sinking of the SS Athenia by German submarine U-30. Allied forces fought for control of the North Atlantic Ocean to supply the war effort from 1939 to 1945, making this the longest campaign of the Second World War

The RCN grew from a mere 6 destroyers and 3,500 personnel in 1939, to 373 fighting ships and more than 100,000 sailors by War’s end – one of the largest navies in the world.

Our sailors and airmen sank or shared in the destruction of some 50 U-boats while they escorted some 25 thousand merchant ships during the war to deliver more than 165 million tonnes of life & war-sustaining cargo to Europe in a merchant navy that became the world’s fourth largest.

Rick Wilson isn’t certain as to exactly where the battle for control of Lake Ontario took place but believes it was just offshore from the Naval monument.

These accomplishments were fueled by an impressive shipbuilding effort that saw more than 400 merchant ships built in Canadian shipyards that also churned-out 281 destroyers/corvettes & frigates, 206 minesweepers, over 250 tugs and over 3,000 landing craft.

In 1943, Rear-Admiral Leonard Murray was put in charge of the Allied Air and Naval forces in the Northwest Atlantic; the only Canadian to command an Allied theatre of conflict in either World War.

Throughout the Battle of the Atlantic, 24 Canadian of the 175 Allied warships were lost. 2,600 merchant ships including 62 Canadian vessels also met the same fate.

The human cost: more than 2,700 RCN/RCAF and 1,600 Canadian Merchant Navy personnel died.

Just weeks before the end of hostilities, HMCS Esquimalt was sunk and 44 died in the Halifax approaches, in April 1945.

Fought largely by reservists in small ships built in Canada and operating from Canadian bases, the defence of North Atlantic trade against the submarine menace defined a naval role for Canada within a much larger alliance. After 1945, the RCN became one of the best anti-submarine warfare navies in the world.

lmost 7,000 women served their country in a wide variety of crucial roles during the War.

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Freeman Station, closed during the pandemic has re-opened - lots of painting and upgrading done to the station

By DENIS GIBBONS

May 2nd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Freeman Station, Burlington’s historical gem, was celebrated Saturday at a Grand Reopening following a lengthy restoration by volunteers with the help of an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, resulting in a sparkling new edifice.

New panels were installed, as well as new flooring, painting was done, the ceiling restored and the original windows, including the distinctive Jane Irwin oval window at the end of the room, reconstructed.

Ed Keenleyside, president of the Friends of Freeman Station,

Ed Keenleyside, president of the Friends of Freeman Station, said the Grand Trunk Railway Station is 100 per cent operated by volunteers. He outlined a three-way, five-year legal agreement which has made the project possible.

“Solenis Chemicals (an adjacent plant) has been very good to allow us to use this land,” he said. “The building is owned by the City and all artifacts by the Friends of Freeman Station.”

The wooden station, named after Freeman village founder Joshua Freeman, was originally located on the CN rail line near the corner of Brant Street and Plains Road. In 2005, it was moved, in order to save it from demolition, when a third track was installed.

Lifted off the blocks it had perched on for a couple of years the station got hoisted by a crane and lowered into it new home that had a full basement.

It’s the only building in the city whose historical and architectural significance has been recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Culture and the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

This station was built in 1906 to replace a previous one destroyed by fire.

While it looked like a taxi – it was a full time inspection vehicle that could use railway tracks to inspect the condition of the rail bed,

Motorists driving by might have noticed a bright yellow old-time car in the front of the station. It’s a Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo rail inspection car. Currently, it’s in a shed but will be brought out again as soon as necessary adjustments are made.

Roger Ryan, whose wife is the niece of Stan Roskovich, the last person to work as station agent before it closed in 1988, showed up with a bag of memorabilia.

VIA Rail and GO Transit trains still were using the station up until then.

R. Paul Johnson, 88, plays the role of station agent. Photo by DENIS GIBBONS

Eighty-eight-year-old R. Paul Johnson, whose grandfather Alfred Johnson once operated the swing bridge for the railway over the Burlington Canal, posed as station agent for the day.

There are 12 tour stops at the Freeman Station. Among them are the station master’s office, baggage room, waiting room, a giant caboose and boxcar and a memorial to Burlington’s fallen military heroes who left from the station to defend their country in war. Some never returned and are buried in European cemeteries.

The waiting room will be available as meeting space for use by small groups.

Sitting on some “cribbing” with a sign badly in need of several coats of paint, the Freeman Station gets ready for its big move.

Before the location beside Burlington Fire Department headquarters on Fairview Street, between Brant and Maple Avenue, was settled on, Burlingtonians listed Beachway Park directly across from the Joseph Brant Museum as their first choice.

It has a significant historical context because the Hamilton Radial Railway and Hamilton & Northern Railway used to run right past it parallel to Burlington Beach.

Passengers from Toronto used to disembark at a nearby station for dinner and dancing at the old Brant Inn.

The Freeman station got moved around a number of times while the city figured out what it wanted to do with the thing. When city council failed to come up with a solution citizens did.

Central Park and Maple Park also were considered and Aldershot resident Bill Fasullo recommended Hidden Valley Park where it could be rented by the local model railroad club and second to move it close to the Aldershot GO train station, which is on the same rail line it used to service.

The Burlington Sports Hall of Fame had earlier indicated an interest in using the building. The City of Toronto also had asked about using the old station as a gift shop at its Toronto Rail Heritage Centre.

Future open house dates include May 21, June 11, July 1 (Canada Day), August 8, September 10 and October 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

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Ward 1 now has a new candidate for the council seat

By Pepper Parr

May 2nd, 2022

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Robert Radway, an Aldershot resident who has been a teacher at Burlington Central has announced that he will be a candidate for the ward 1 city council seat.

He and his wife have raised three children ages 12, 14 and 17. All three boys attend Aldershot High School.

His priorities if elected are:

1. Community Engagement
2. Environment
3. Development

The Radway nomination comes at an awkward time for incumbent Kelven Galbraith who is getting significant blow-back on his decision to file a complaint with the Integrity Commissioner who recommended a five day pay docking for a fellow council member.

In the 2018 election there were 11 candidates in the race,

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