 By Pepper Parr
November 2nd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
So – there is a deal.
For reason that are not clear at this point the information was posted on the Get Involved portion of the city web site – where you could stumble upon it.
We will come back to that.
The city has signed a deal with the Halton District School Board to purchase the Bateman High School site.
 The Bateman site is now owned by the city. What will it be named? The transaction with the HDSB would see the City transfer ownership of approximately five acres of City owned land to the HDSB as a component of a land exchange for the Robert Bateman site. The City owned land in question is located near Central High School and includes the high school football field and running track.
The City has completed a purchase agreement and land exchange transaction with the Halton District School Board (HDSB) involving the Robert Bateman High School property. In the agreement, the City purchased the Bateman property for $29.6 million, while the HDSB purchased a City owned property near Burlington Central High School, which includes the high school football field and running track, for $21.7 million. The difference in price of $7.9 million will be debt financed, with annual debt payments recovered from the City’s capital reserve funds.
Both leases at Bateman are expected to be long term leases not to exceed 25 years.
This acquisition would push forward key objectives laid out in the City of Burlington’s 25-year strategic plan. Key pillars of this Plan include making Burlington a City that grows through attracting talent, good jobs and economic opportunity to the community.
Within the Bateman space, the HDSB will retain a long-term interest at the school to accommodate the Gary Allan Learning Centre. And as previously announced, Brock University will offer their Teachers Education and Applied Disabilities Studies Programs and will be developing professional and continuing studies specifically to the needs of Burlington.
In addition to the partnership with the HDSB and Brock University, the City has partnered with other institutions, ensuring that there is an adaptive reuse strategy for the Bateman site and to create a sustainable community hub which will include community rooms, a triple gym and the existing City pool.
The Burlington Public Library will relocate its Appleby Line branch to this location to develop a place for learning and education.
TechPlace will be located to the site.
 How far beyond the concept has the thinking gone? The city is now looking for residents’ feedback on a proposed land transaction with the Halton District School Board (HDSB) and leasing arrangements with the HDSB and Brock University for the City’s planned acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School building and property.
Public engagement will take place in early 2023 to seek community feedback on possible uses for the remaining space.
Feedback will also be sought on securing leases with the HDSB and Brock University for portions of the Bateman Site. The HDSB intends on leasing space back at Bateman for educational purposes. Brock University also seeks to lease space at Bateman for their long-term educational needs.
The Halton District School Board said in a media release that: “Securing the lands near Central High School in HDSB ownership has been consistent with the HDSB’s long term intention to continue operating Central as a school. This land exchange component will advance the City’s efforts to secure the Robert Bateman site in continued public ownership, ensuring that the Robert Bateman site is available for continued educational and community-oriented us
Back to the way the information was released to the public. Normally the city issues a media release and within hours the Mayor has a Statement lauding the decision that was made.
Recall that the decision to purchase the site was to be made public on September 30th. Why the delay to today? Because it might become an election issue?
There are some questions:
How much of the gymnasiums and the swimming pool time will be made available to the Brock University students?
Are the sports/recreational facilities going to be operated by the Parks, Recreation and Culture department?
Where did the $50 million price tag that Councillor Stolte revealed come from? The media release states that the difference after the land swaps is $7.9 million. Did Stolte just make up the $50 million number. Highly unlikely.
Which of the city’s capital reserve funds is going to be raided to get the $7.9 million. All we know is that taxpayers will replace the money.
And why was the news announced on the Get Involved portion of the city web site.
Now that the properties have changed hands – when do the renovations start – will the work be done in time to get the Brock University students in classrooms on the planned schedule. And by the way – what is that schedule?
 By Michael Leach
November 2nd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Canada’s overdose crisis is fueled by fentanyl. It worsened during the pandemic and continues to create a wave of post-pandemic destruction.
The problem is directly connected to a toxic drug supply as fentanyl finds its way into Canada through illegal imports, local production within illegal labs, and the theft of medical fentanyl products.
Fentanyl is cheap for drug dealers to produce, yet they have no way of knowing how much fentanyl ends up in each illegally produced pill or powder.
 The pandemic and the lockdowns were the cause for the increased toxic drug supply as it impacted regular supply routes, and addicts were left using whatever they could find. “There was a significant increase in the number of people needing help over the pandemic,” said Marcel Gemme of drugrehab.ca. “Drug rehab providers were struggling to keep up with the increased demand, and overdoses were killing people before they could get help.”
Unfortunately, drug dealers add fentanyl to other illicit drugs to maximize profits, which is why drug overdose has spiked.
According to most law firms, finding a fentanyl drug dealer criminally responsible for an overdose death is complicated. Yet, it has occurred where drug dealers have been found guilty of criminal negligence, causing death.
Most fentanyl drug dealers in Canadian cities are not large-scale drug traffickers. Many of these individuals are addicts, suffer from mental health issues, and sell drugs to fuel an addiction. It can also be challenging to trace the sources of drugs to which one caused the overdose.
Finally, punishing people who lack criminal intent or mens rea (guilty mind) is not always appropriate, which refers to the mental state that must generally accompany a prohibited act before it can legally be considered a crime.
The primary reason why charges are not always pursued is the difficulty of making a charge of manslaughter stick and getting a conviction. Yet, it has happened; in 2021, for the first time in London, ON, a fentanyl dealer was charged with manslaughter.
Police are constantly exploring new strategic ways to achieve stricter sentences for the people selling deadly drugs, but the results are mixed. The complexity of cases makes it difficult to prosecute drug dealers.
 Opioid overdose deaths continue to increase. The fentanyl crisis continues to be a tidal wave of destruction across the country. Health Canada says street drugs have become tainted with potent opioids like fentanyl. Fake pills are being produced using unknown amounts of fentanyl, and some drugs become contaminated with fentanyl unknowingly.
Moreover, prescription opioids also contribute to this crisis, as high rates of opioid prescribing mean more people are exposed to a drug that creates a dangerous physical dependence.
In 2018, almost one in eight people were prescribed opioids, and as of 2020, prescription opioid pain medication is used by 11.8% of the population, which has remained unchanged for some time. Opioid overdose deaths continue to increase.
During the first two years of the pandemic, there was a 91% increase in opioid-related toxicity deaths. Between January 2016 and March 2022, 30,843 opioid overdose deaths occurred.
Early intervention and drug rehabilitation remain the best options to help people. This includes more access to substance use treatment and programs designed to treat opioid addiction. In addition, long-term aftercare support helps people maintain sobriety and learn to live a life without drugs.
 Michael Leach has spent most of his career as a healthcare professional specializing in Substance Use Disorder and addiction recovery. He is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, and contributor to the healthcare website Recovery Begins.
 By Staff
November 2nd, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a time when the sound from big big bands floated across the lake from the Brant Inn.
Big name stars would arrive by train, spend a day, sometimes a full weekend in town.
At the time the community was dry – no alcohol was sold.
The Gazette once heard from a reader who put himself through university selling liquor from the trunk of his car.
It was certainly a different town then.
The big band sound will return for a day later in November
By Pepper Parr
November 1, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional government wants to know what you think about the idea of a potential vacant homes tax
The survey for feedback will be in place until the end of November.
 Link to the survey is HERE
If you have any questions or require this survey in an alternate format, please email accesshalton@halton.ca or call 311, 905-825-6000, toll-free 1-866-442-5866 or TTY 905-827-9833.
Regional Council directed staff to develop a proposed framework for a potential tax on vacant homes as a way to encourage owners to sell or rent out unoccupied homes, helping to increase the number of homes available in Halton.
“Finding a home can be challenging for individuals and families who want to live in our growing community,” said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. “One way we’re addressing this issue is by studying how a vacant homes tax could help increase housing supply. If you currently own or rent a home in Halton, or if you hope to do so one day, I encourage you to take our survey or attend a virtual public meeting to tell us what you think.”
A potential vacant homes tax would only affect unoccupied homes in Halton, and the cost would be based on a percentage of the home’s current value assessment (CVA). This type of tax is commonly implemented in communities with high housing prices and a low supply of homes for sale or rent.
There will be Zoom meetings on the following dates where people can learn more.
• Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 23, 2022 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.mZoom link data:
The community input will help inform key features of a potential vacant homes tax, such as how long a home must be vacant before it is taxed, the level of taxation, how to identify vacant homes and exemptions, as well as the overall level of public support. The Region is conducting this study in partnership with the City of Burlington and the Towns of Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
By Staff
November 2, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Remembrance Day Service at 11 a.m. is in-person and will also be broadcast online. Everyone is welcome to attend the events.
Burl-Oak Naval Veterans Remembrance Day Service, 9 a.m.
This 30-minute ceremony takes place at the Naval Ships Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park. For more information, contact the Burl-Oak Veterans at 905-318-0236 or visit burloaknavalveterans.org.
 Remembrance Day Procession, 10:30 a.m.
The procession will begin at Central School on Baldwin Street, travelling down Brant Street to Elgin Street, Locust Street, Ontario Street and ending at the Cenotaph in Veteran Square, 426 Brant St.
The streets noted above will be closed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60, Remembrance Day Service, 11 a.m.
This 45-60-minute ceremony will be held at the Cenotaph in Veteran Square, on the north side of City Hall and will be live-streamed for those who cannot physically attend.
The ceremony will include a colour guard, two minutes of silence, music performed by some members of the Burlington Teen Tour Band, reading of In Flanders Fields along with the laying of the wreaths.
For more information or to access the live-stream link, please visit Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 website burlingtonlegion.com.
The photo graph below is of troops marching four abreast from Niagara to different parts of the province. It came from an article in the Historical Society Newsletter. Close to 10,000 men made the march – some went as far as Toronto.
 The Thirty-Seventh regiment of about twelve hundred men left Niagara Camp on Monday, October 25, 1915 and passed though Nelson Township at noon on Thursday, October 28. Apparently they were tired and down-hearted. On Friday, October 29 the Fifty-Eighth Regiment of eleven hundred and sixty men, an educated, refined, well-trained battalion, with an excellent band, passed here. On Saturday, October 29 the Seventy-Fourth Battalion of more than eleven hundred men marched through. On November 1, the Seventy Fifth Battalion of more than a thousand, the majority elderly men, passed. On November 2 the Artillery of the Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Fortieth Battalions of nearly nine hundred men passed. These were accompanied by bodies of September’s Recruits and a Company of Highlanders. November 3, the Eighty Third Battalion, consisting of about eleven hundred men passed. Rain delayed all the soldiers on Thursday, November 4. November 5 about a thousand of the Ninety-Second Highlanders and some of the Forty Eighth passed. We had more music that day. November 6th the Eighty-First Battalion of twelve hundred men passed. Monday, November 8, the Eighty-Fourth Battalion was divided in Hamilton and only 400 went to Toronto. The Eighty-Sixth Battalion came to Hamilton to winter there. Wednesday November 10 a train load of about twelve hundred went to Orillia.
By Staff
November 1st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Haber Recreation is expected to be impacted if the unions strike On the off chance that CUPE, a union, takes strike action school facilities may not be available.
The City has received notice that some evening and weekend community rentals for HDSB and HCDSB school gyms and rooms may be cancelled until further notice.
Impacted organizations are being contacted by City staff as soon as the schools notify us of their plans. All City-run programs and community rentals at school board shared facilities will run as scheduled.
School board shared facilities include Aldershot Pool, Angela Coughlan Pool, Haber Community Centre.
 By Tom Muir
November 1st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Rick Goldring, living in the past, is telling the landslide re-elected Mayor Meed Ward, that she and City residents are doing development all wrong. He says the Mayor should ease up, and take a new approach. Council should not fight development anymore, but “embrace” it. And if we do that our residents will be winners.
 Nautique: A controversial project from its start. This is coming from the man, who, when Mayor himself, introduced us to Grow Bold, and the Growth Plan. Its entry into Burlington came with a bungled development at the Martha St. – Lakeshore Road intersection: The Adi Group Nautique project.
Mr. Goldring and Senior staff seemed to purposely mismanage the mandated timeline to make a recommendation on the Adi development. The staff refusal report was a couple of days late which was enough for Adi to appeal the city decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) – where they won. The development is currently under construction.
That really worked great don’t you think? This looks like a Premier Ford plan supported by Mr. Goldring who is now calling for more of the same.
The Nautique development has been controversial from the beginning. Adi recently began cancelling early buyer purchase agreements and were asking for an additional $200,000 to $300,000 more from those early buyers.
Those residents are real winners right? This is what Mr. Goldring thinks the Mayor and Council should embrace.
The City lost the Adi appeal at OLT, appealed to the Courts and lost at that level as well. Those results alerted developers that the Province was going to make it even easier to get developments approved without City planning, and empowered at the OLT who would deliver decisions for whatever they wanted – anything, anywhere; the City has to accept any and every application and respond to it.
The developers want a decision that gives them property rights, and don’t always care if they build anything. The property, with the new rights gets flipped to another developer
 Marianne Meed Ward while she was a Council member; Goldring was Mayor She beat him in the 2018 election – he is now telling her she has it all wrong. The cheek! . This is what Mayor Meed Ward inherited. She did make mistakes, and peed off some former supporters, but I can tell you that the Mayor did try to shape it and form it, from what I saw and read repeatedly. This meant there was an empowered Growth Plan with OLT as the enforcement agency giving developers the opportunity to cripple the City and Mayor.
Meed Ward wants to get rid of or reform OLT, and work collaboratively on solutions with planning and technical staff, and Council, who know best what is needed and where. That approach has to date been in vain.
What has happened is the OLT became a dagger in the heart of planning. When an appeal goes to OLT, City planning and public participation ceases, it all goes to the legal people leading the process that is funnelled through the OLT system.
Everything proposed now takes years to get through the OLT process. Burlington is not responsible for this, Ford is, confusing Plans with Planning. The result is that planning itself is confused with the Growth Plan and is subverted.
The developers not only crippled the New adopted but not in force Official Plan with 48 appeals, so we can’t use it. That gave the developers an incentive to submit applications everywhere they wanted that were designed to go to OLT. So now we have stalled building, creating long costly delays and it certainly does not work.
No one, not even the Mayor, with her perceived strength in the defeat of Goldring, and in 2018 an almost full new Council, could have anticipated what the Ford government had in store in its increasing war on independent Planning in Ontario. It has seemed that Burlington was targeted.
Mr. Ford and Mr Clarke, Minister of Housing, are taking this far beyond even the steady crippling. What they want to do is give the OLT absolute power to dismiss proceedings, and making regulations requiring the Tribunal to prioritize the resolution of certain proceedings chosen by the Minister.
Planning will be eliminated in many cases – no need for planning applications; arbitrary setting of higher density; no by-law amendments needed; give more by-right permissions; shorten decision/permission timelines, eliminate Development Charges in some cases. All this elimination of good planning is being sold under the rubric of “stop doing things that aren’t working.”
There is no mention of eliminating OLT or revisions to their span of power. The OLT appeal process puts results years away, and meantime nothing gets done, and nothing gets built. How does this stop doing things that aren’t working?
In the last six years in Aldershot (Ward 1), projects appealed and settled at OLT include:
 2100 Brant: Construction has started.
 1085 Clearview: Working its way through the OLT process.
35 Plains Rd E (72 units);
92 Plains Rd. E (50 units);
484 Plains RD E (386 units);
1084 Clearview Ave (164 units);
and 2100 Brant St (212 units).
Despite these 884 units being approved over the last six years, there have been no shovels in the ground for four of them, and little sign of imminent construction for another. Nothing has been built despite the dire need for “affordable housing” that is politically trashing planning in Burlington.
Rather than housing units built we have a speculative gain in property value and density rights that is just growing as prices inflate. It is possible that no housing at all will be built by the applicant developers who can reap gains by flipping the building rights.
 Premier Ford and Minister Clarke telling the Toronto Board of Trade about new legislation. The bill was tabled right after the meeting. Ford, Clarke, and Goldring seem to have forgotten the difference between Plans and Planning. Churchill once said: “Plans are useless, but planning is invaluable”.
The Growth Plan’s latest version is another insane attempt at doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Now Ford ups the Plan that is not working, and wants to gut the planning need and controls.
 Mayor Meed Ward with what is believed to have been her first formal meeting with the Premier. They met at the Joseph Brant Hospital. Instead we have provincial marching orders and a central control Growth Plan for 1.5 million “homes” in 10 years. This is not much different than a plan for climbing Everest where you stupidly cripple the only work force and leadership authority that is capable of organizing and fixing the route needed to get to the top, and then to maintain the feasibility of the route as things change.
What possible workable Growth Plan would tell the Region and municipalities that it has to spend the next 30 years effectively doubling their population, adding all the accoutrements of life to support the needs of 500,000 people? It’s telling us that we have to focus our community to serve this goal without exception, so it will become the most important thing we have to do, regardless, with the cost ignored.
This will not work. Guess who gets blamed when it fails?
Tom Muir, an Aldershot resident who has been described as an acerbic personality, writes frequently on development issues.
 By Staff
November 1st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The online casino world is a multi-billion dollar industry that has grown enormously in the past few years and it only keeps on growing. But with the growth of online gambling, there is a need for greater security in the industry, that is where the blockchain comes in. What the blockchain does is offer a more secure way to store data, which is one of the most important things when gambling online, and casinos can use that data to analyze players’ behavior and preferences.
Furthermore, with the information the data provides, they can make promotional campaigns. A Casino welcome bonus is one form of those promotions to attract new players.
 The security level with Block Chain is unsurpassed The Changes and The Benefits
The first change and benefit that comes with this new era of iGaming is that the blockchain gives more transparency to online gambling. Most casinos operate with a system that randomly generates numbers to ensure that there are fair odds for everyone involved. This transparency that comes with the blockchain means that you can see the way that the transactions are processed and you can also see where your money is going. This means that players don’t have to worry about a casino being rigged or whether it is fair or not.
One of the biggest benefits for the player is that they are able to access their winnings much sooner. Often you have to wait a couple of days to be able to access your winnings because they have to go through a bank, but with the blockchain, this process is sped up. And another thing that comes with banks not being involved is that you do not have any additional fees once you receive your winnings.
 The privacy is absolute with Block Chain – fewer people are involved in the transaction. Another benefit is the privacy that comes with the incorporation of the blockchain into online casinos. One of the most important things when playing at a casino is privacy, and with crypto wallets being anonymous you have the full benefit of privacy.
The most important thing when gambling online is security and this is exactly what blockchain technology is offering. Blockchains are anonymous and they are decentralized and that is what has started making the technology appealing as the fact that it is so secure. The entire transaction between the casino and the player is encrypted and that means that nobody can get a hold of the data and it can not be compromised. This security and anonymity are what benefit both the player and the casino.
Is it The Future?
The blockchain has changed the way the internet operates and this is just the start, there are many places where this technology could be incorporated and it is exciting to see how it will evolve in the future.
With all the benefits that come with blockchain technology, it could be the future of online gambling. With this new technology different types of games could be introduced. It also makes the world of online gambling more accessible with the fact that there is nobody in the middle, it is a direct transaction between you and the casinos. This makes the entire transaction cheaper for the player and more secure.
 The fundamentals behind Block Chain delivery a level of security that is unsurpassed. The main reason that this technology could be the future of iGaming is that it is more beneficial to both the player and the casino. It is a much more efficient way of online gambling, and the fact is that with the evolution and growth of the crypto market, the online casino industry grows with it. It is amazing to see how much the world can change in just a couple of years. Every industry advances or stays where it is and the same goes for the online casino industry, it has advanced massively in a short amount of time and it will keep advancing as the technology advances. It is early to say for certain if the blockchain is the future, but it sure points toward it and it is an exciting thing to see what will happen in the future.
 By Staff
October 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s annual Local Artist Program has once again commissioned six local artists to create a collection of small-scale artworks throughout the community.
The City has just installed their designs on traffic control signal boxes throughout the city.
Artists were encouraged to submit thought-provoking artwork that focused on inspiring and uplifting the Burlington community. This artwork forms an urban art gallery that can be experienced by residents while they go about their day.
The locations are:
| New Street & Shoreacres Road |
| New Street & Appleby Line |
| Lakeshore Road at the entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital Parking Garage |
| Prospect Street & Pearson Street |
| Upper Middle Road & Cavendish Drive |
| Walkers Line & Thomas Alton Boulevard |
Artwork Descriptions
 Teadio, Love is everywhere (Beware)
“Love is everywhere (Beware)” is based on street artist Bansky’s work. It is construed as a comradely comeback to his “Love is in the bin” intervention art, which in turn is based on another piece of his own art, “Girl with balloon.” In my work, by filling the scene with balloons (some sprouting out of soil, others already released). I want to strengthen the “there is always hope” thought and help downhearted onlookers visualize hope and its rhythm. The girl in my image borrows Canadian attributes, wearing a winter jacket as opposed to a summer dress. She looks down, focused on the new hope that germinates out of ground, as opposed to looking up to balloons take wing.
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Lara Kirschner, Energized
Staying focused on the positive these days can be easier said than done. Every time I get out for a walk in the forest there is something about the smells of cedars and forest vegetation, the light and the fresh air in my lungs that makes it so much easier to see things with a healthier perspective. It’s so inspiring I often come home full of artistic energy and paint something I’ve seen on a walk. My design reflects the importance of having accessible natural settings for the community to reset, reflect and recharge emotionally. Forests well represent community support and teamwork, which we need to thrive right now.
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Hope Flynn, Summer Breeze
When you think of Burlington, the first thing that pops into most people’s minds is the Burlington Waterfront. In my opinion one of the most beautiful sceneries in Ontario. The dog exploring the park represents people exploring Burlington events such as Sound of Music, Ribfest, etc. There is always something new to explore in Burlington. Summer Breeze represents the hope that we can explore the beauty of Burlington, enjoy life and appreciate the moment we have on earth.
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Elizabeth Videka-Beaulieu, Kindness 
The last few years have been trying for both individuals and communities. While it can become blindingly overwhelming at times to focus on the strife, I have found it crucial to recognize and celebrate the ways in which we have come together. “Kindness” is a visual representation of some of the quiet moments of unity I have witnessed in the Burlington community. The hope is that the images throughout the mural will remind those who view it, that no act of kindness is ever too small.
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Darlene Duncan, Always on the Lookout
The mural concept stems from my love of birdwatching, bird photography and painting and sketching birds. For many years, especially the last 2 years during the pandemic, I’ve been watching birds around my neighbourhood. In the winter months birdwatching is something I can do from inside my home and during the rest of the year it can be done in my own neighbourhood. In Burlington we’re fortunate to have many parks and easy access to green space.
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Andres Soto, Equilibrium
The bicycle is part of the road and of our city, it is not just a vehicle, it is a way of life. Equilibrium is the relationship that balance has as a fundamental axis to move forward – not only on the bicycle but also in life. Balance as a way of life.
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 By Pepper Parr
October 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The election in wards 2, 4 and 5 were somewhat different than they were in 1, 3 and 6 – where there was thought to be a turnover.
Turned out that not one of them turned over – the incumbents got back with solid pluralities.
In wards 2 and five there was little doubt that the incumbent would hold the seat.
 Lisa Kearns, Councillor for ward 2. Don’t ask what she is handing out. One of the photo ops – that’s all you need to know. Despite Lisa Kearns’ “inadvertent” blurting out of information that was seen as highly confidential she did very well. Paul Sharman was never in doubt – he should have been acclaimed and saved everyone the bother.
The candidates that ran against him were poorly organized and didn’t manage to get any traction.
Ward 4 was a different situation. The incumbent was at risk but the polling numbers show that the three candidates did not catch any of the public imagination in the ward.
Stolte is back as the ward Councillor. The dynamics of future council meetings will be different. The shameful behaviour on the part of the Mayor and the way the rest of Council lost their tongues is not something that is going to be forgotten.
This last year of their term of office for the outgoing council was nothing to be proud of. There were failures at several levels on the administrative side – this is just not the way a civilized city council operates.
The little bit that has been heard about what might have changed is not encouraging.
The Gazette has said all it has to say about Stolte and the Integrity issues. The degree to which is impacted the opinion of those who voted.
The 73% of the voters that decided not to bother voting is not healthy; the result is they now have a council they may not have wanted once they see what things look like in a year.
 Mayor Meed Ward with what is probably the last diesel bus the city will take delivery of – the future is not known yet – electrical or hydrogen? There will be a lot of bad news, some expensive news. It is going to take a council that works as a team to get through the changes the provincial government threw at them the day after the election. It is going to take a lot of faith when the public learns how big an increase they are going to have to bear.
Transit faces some major issues. Diesel is out; is it going to be electric or hydrogen.
All the public has heard from the Mayor is that she wants to work a deal with Hamilton over the LaSalle Park property. Just extend the lease and wait for a better day to resolve an issue that isn’t going to make as much as a pinch of difference to anyone in the city.
Dealing with an Ontario Land Tribunal that is going to be given a different set of rules – none appear to offer any benefit to the municipal sector.
The beating the Conservation Authorities are taking is troubling. Does Burlington face the risk of seeing the urban boundary moved north of Hwy 5 (Dundas) and the 407?
The 25 year Strategic Plan is due for an update as well
 There was never any doubt that Lisa Kearns was going to be returned. The question is – will it be a new and improved Lisa or the same old.  The vote that Shawna Stolte had held. Olivia Duke could have done much better, perhaps run, if she had started more than a year ago. Why Burlington is made up of people who think they can put together a campaign six months before an election and win defies understanding. What is going to be carefully watched is how the relationship between the Mayor and Stolte works out.  How do you explain the results: The candidates didn’t stand a chance. Sharman can be beaten by not by last minute candidates who put up a poor campaign with no team in place. Related new story
What were the numbers like at the Mayoralty level
By Pepper Parr
October 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Where did the votes come from at the ward level.
With just over 27% of the xx voters showing up to vote at one of the 24 polling stations one has to wonder, first where did the ballots get cast and why was the turnout so low.
Weather wasn’t a factor; the concern over the Mayoralty level race – there really weren’t candidates who were up to the job other than the current Mayor.
The breakdown of the results for wards 1, 3 and 6 are set out below.
The results for 2, 4 and 5 will follow in a separate article.
 Some thought that Robert Radway had at least a chance. A small group were fed up with the poor engagement with the community but they didn’t have all that much in the way of traction. It wasn’t until that the incumbent Kelvin Galbraith’s meetings with the Integrity Commissioner became public that the nature of the race changed,. The publication of that news became public seven days before election day – it wasn’t enough time for Radway to capitalize on the news. Galbraith took it in a walk – now he has to deal with the Integrity Commissioner.
 Incumbent Rory Nisan was seen as unpopular. Some felt that the ward needed a better council member. Jennifer Hounslow had a solid pedigree and was thought to have an experienced campaign team. They apparently didn’t deliver. Hounslow id said to be dedicated and committed to a run in 2026.  For a guy who won the seat by less than 50 votes in 2018 Angelo Bentivegna has come a long way. His win can only be called a landslide. Bentivegna has clearly done what had to be done at the constituency level – they liked him and they returned him. Asking Bentivegna to tell the public just what he had accomplished – we were referred to his Facebook page. However, with numbers like this – Bentivegna can do whatever he wants Can one blame the incumbents for the poor voter turn out ?
If new candidates didn’t put in the work needed to run a decent campaign; if they waited too long before they went to the public – they have only themselves to blame.
Municipal politics is as close to the public as a candidate can get. Bentivegna certainly made that point. He wasn’t and is never going to be the most effective Councillor but he asks solid questions frequently and has learned that he doesn’t have to be a puppet for the Mayor. It will be interesting to see how he handles himself this term.
Don’t expect any change from Nisan. He may never show up at a Council meeting, preferring to take part virtually from his home. He has all the support he is ever going to get from the Mayor and that appears to be enough for him. That he didn’t really deliver all that much – does a splash pad count – but if that was enough for his constituents then they have what they wanted.
Luke McEachern came into the ward 3 race very late and much of what he had to say did not appear to align with the voters.
Mr Galbraith now has to deal with whatever the Integrity Commissioner decides to do with the complaints that are being sent to him. One has been delivered, another is in the works and a third is believed to be underway.
Our reading of the role Integrity Commissioners is that they do have the power to declare a seat vacant
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday’s and Friday the Regional Medical Officer of Health releases a report on the status of the Covid19 cases in the Region.
People are behaving as if the virus is no longer a major health issue.
No one wants to wear a mask and at some of the larger gatherings the masks are hardly in site.
 Even if you look hard – you’re not likely to see any masks. More than 500 people took part in a Chamber of Commerce event. Mayor was on hand – days later she announced that she had been infected. She either picked it up at the Chamber event or shared it with people she met. But it is still be passed from person to person – the Mayor told the public that she was infected and had to isolate herself on the night she was reelected.
The Medical Officer of Health data is consistent – the number of infections are down but they are not gone.
Staffing is now a problem. The nurses and the care givers are exhausted – they need now to care for themselves. Many have decided to leave the health sector which exacerbates the problem.
The new outbreaks are taking place at retirement homes and long term care centres.
 The infections get taken to these locations. The most vulnerable.
The hospital stay levels keep bouncing back up – with the cold weather almost upon us there is every reason to believe that infections will increase.
The continuing evolution of the Covid19 virus doesn’t help.
While many have convinced themselves that the pandemic is over – and no one has said it is – the personal protection we have to take wavers. That’s what caught the Mayor off-guard.
By Pepper Parr
October 31st, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
National Geographic’s touring speaker series, and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre have joined hands to present live on stage the “View from Above” with Terry Virts, a celebrated NASA astronaut and National Geographic author.
Virts will share his unique stories and stunning photographs taken from a place many will never visit—space. The event will take place at 7:00pm, Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Main Stage.
As a NASA astronaut, pilot of the space shuttle Endeavour, flight engineer on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and International Space Station Commander, Virts spent more than seven months in space, one of the longest continuous space missions of any NASA astronaut.
More recently, Virts directed his first film, One More Orbit (2020), a full-length documentary chronicling the 2019 mission in which he broke the world record for any aircraft circumnavigating the planet over the North and South poles. He also appeared in the 2016 IMAX film A Beautiful Planet, a breathtaking portrait of Earth from space that features stunning footage—much of it shot by Virts while aboard (and outside) the International Space Station—of our magnificent blue planet and humanity’s impact on it.
His photography, which provides incredible aerial views of Earth and the vast space that surrounds it, is featured in the National Geographic book, VIEW FROM ABOVE: An Astronaut Photographs the World (2017). His most recent book, How to Astronaut (2020), takes the reader through all aspects of space travel, both expected and unexpected.
Virts’ engaging, one-of-a-kind presentation is part of National Geographic Live’s amazing collection of events happening throughout the United States and Canada. National Geographic’s broad roster of talent, including renowned photographers, scientists, authors, filmmakers, and adventurers, share their behind-the-scenes stories from the front lines of exploration alongside stunning imagery and gripping footage.
For tickets and information, please call 905-681-000 or visit https://burlingtonpac.ca/events/view-from- above/
 By Staff
October 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Goblins and the Ghouls are put away for a year and the dash to the commercial side of Christmas begins.
The Port Nelson United Church in Burlington will be hosting its annual Mistletoe Mart on Saturday, November 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
They would like you to experience a true Christmas Bazaar atmosphere: artisans, jewelry, knitting, sewing, baking, crafts, books, silent auction, collectibles and more.
Adding you not miss the best Christmas lunch in town at our in-house restaurant!
If you play your cards right, you can get your Christmas shopping done without ever needing a mall, a big box store or an online delivery.
By Staff
October 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Conservative Electoral District Association (BCEDA) is hosting a second fund-raising and awareness event in support of the people of the Ukraine. You are invited; they welcome your attendance.
A war that is demolishing communities in Ukraine, ruining an economy and creating tensions that are reverberating throughout Europe and to some degree North America.
The Western world has been supporting Ukraine and its people since the terrible beginning
The Burlington Electoral District of the Conservatives is holding a fund raising event on November 19th at 2:30 – 4:30 pm pm at the Mainway Recreation Centre.
 This is not a political event; it is an event being put on by a group with a political affiliation.
The situation in Ukraine is beyond local politics.
Support is needed for a cause that impacts every one of us.
By Pepper Parr
October 30th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Where did the votes come from?
There were four polling stations in each ward. A voter could vote at any one of the four locations.
The first release of voting data on Monday evening old the story. All seven incumbents were leading with just the internet voting data available.
The data set out below is final as confirmed by the City Clerk
A poll by poll breakout of where the votes were cast for the Mayoralty candidates is set out below. The data for the six wards will follow in separate articles.
The first four lines show the internet and advance poll results. For a candidate who really didn’t campaign Jim Kerr did surprisingly well with the internet vote. Had he gotten into the race a year ago and created a campaign team and had a platform, 2022 would have been a different election; it would at the least have forced Meed Ward to do more than photo ops.
The mythical Marsden vote, which she did get in her race for the office of Regional chair in 2028 didn’t show up when she was running for Mayor this year.
Anyone can run for any office – why Tuck or Rieck spent $200 to be nominated is something only they know.
Meed Ward was elected because there was no other choice. The 27% voter turn out reflected just that.
Elected members of council should not be using the word landslide to describe their win. To be elected by just over a quarter of the people who were on the voters list isn’t much of a win – and it certainly isn’t isn’t what true champions would produce.
This council has a number of huge problems to face: the changes brought forward by the Premier the day after the election; a budget that is going to hurt; legal problems that look to be insurmountable are just the beginning.
The one issue that will not crop up will be time for council members to get through a learning curve. They have all been through it and we at least know where the strengths and the weaknesses are with the seven you reelected.
There is no room for any more of the smugness that has been seen.
 Back for a second round – will the behavior between the members of council improve; it couldn’t be much worse. 
By Staff
October 29th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Many People are thinking through the way they will manage the Christmas season.
While Covid19 may not be rampant and we are not in a lockdown, the virus is still there and threatens to return with yet another new strain.
For the people at the Drury Lane Theatre it is one week away from the opening of She Loves Me which opens on November 4th and will run through to November 27th.
Tickets are on sale now and reported to be selling fast. ! Get your tickets HERE
Evening shows include November 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th all at 8:00 pm.
Matinee shows include November 13th, 20th, and 27th all at 2:00 pm
 By Anne Marsden
October 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
When I read the advanced poll numbers on election night I knew every Burlington incumbent would be returned and I would not take second place in the Mayor’s race. Just like that the 17,000 minimum electorate support base I hoped and in many cases was assured was there, disappeared into thin air.
I immediately contacted my brother in Australia who was 12 hours ahead of us and following the results while having breakfast, to alert him these were not the results we had been expecting. Next came a call to my 14 year old grand-daughter who was more excited than me that Election Day was finally here. I told her there would be no ticker tape confetti event that evening.
 Anne and Dave Marsden: the gave it all they had – the public support she once had didn’t appear this time Dave and I went into this election with eyes fully opened that the discontent regarding issues Joe Gaeten has already well described in his Gazette encouragement article that we heard personally and through our “friends of democracy” would not necessarily mean any change in the current Burlington council.
However, neither of us expected the results we saw in that first advance poll which we knew, despite my brother’s encouragement otherwise; set the order of the final results.
Joe Gaeten’s advice is well taken. It is our hope that we can bring together all candidates who heard the unaddressed issues that resonated so loudly during the campaign. We can and will support working together to prioritize a list of family and business well-being issues and present them one at a time through the Procedure By-law petition process to ensure what we heard during the campaign does not remain unaddressed.
 Marsden is not going to go quietly into the night. She wants the city to celebrate its 150 anniversary in 2023 – the Public Library did that earlier this year . Picture is of the first public library in Burlington. This city belongs to those who live, work and play here. Twenty-twenty-three is our 150th anniversary, a very special year that we hope will see the change we expected to see at the Council table emanate from the hard work of the last six months for those who care enough about the families and businesses of this city to carry on the battle from outside the council table.
“Work for the well-being of the city to which I have sent you.” Jeremiah 29:7 remains the Marsden mandate and will until we take our dying breathe.
Anne Marsden has been a candidate for both the office of Mayor and for the Regional Chair, In the past she pulled in some remarkable numbers but this year a shift in public sentiment and shameful low turnout worked against her. Don’t expect Marsden to drop out of sight.
By Pepper Parr
October 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
When there is a media release late on a Friday – traditionally it is bad news that governments or corporations in trouble like to slip in before the weekend – hoping it is gone by Monday.
 Another home for The Cultured B – biotechnology company. Today, the Burlington Economic Development people announced that the L3Harris site on the North Service Road will be occupied by The Cultivated B; who are making the location its Canadian Manufacturing Facility and Innovation Hub.
The 130,000sf facility looked like it was going to be difficult to find a tenant for the building. It will become the global hub for cellular agriculture and bio-technology.
This investment will create 200 jobs in Burlington over the next two years. These jobs will be highly skilled workers, including Biotechnologists, plant scientists, chemical engineers, and others.
Burlington Economic Development looks forward to furthering the relationship with Hamid, Raphael and the rest of the team at The Cultivated B to ensure their move to Burlington is as smooth as possible, and help them become an integrated part of our community.
By Pepper Parr
October 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
National Geographic and the Burlington Performing Arts Centre have joined hands and will be featuring the “View from Above” with Terry Virts, a celebrated NASA astronaut and National Geographic author.
Virts will share his unique stories and stunning photographs taken from a place many will never visit—space. The event will take place at 7:00pm, Thursday, November 17, 2022, at Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Main Stage.
 Virts taking pictures from space. As a NASA astronaut, pilot of the space shuttle Endeavour, flight engineer on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft, and International Space Station Commander, Virts spent more than seven months in space, one of the longest continuous space missions of any NASA astronaut.
If your children have any interest in space – this is an event for them. The photography is stunning and Virts delivers an “I was there” story.
Virts chronicles the 2019 mission in which he broke the world record for any aircraft circumnavigating the planet over the North and South poles. He also appeared in the 2016 IMAX film A Beautiful Planet, a breathtaking portrait of Earth from space that features stunning footage—much of it shot by Virts while aboard (and outside) the International Space Station.
His photography, which provides incredible aerial views of Earth and the vast space that surrounds it, is featured in the National Geographic book, VIEW FROM ABOVE: An Astronaut Photographs the World (2017). His most recent book, How to Astronaut (2020), takes the reader through all aspects of space travel, both expected and unexpected.
The Burlington Performing Arts Centre presents NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE: View from Above Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Main Theatre
440 Locust Street, Burlington, Ontario Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone:
905-681-6000 | https://burlingtonpac.ca/events/view-from-above/ Tickets: Regular $59.50 / Members $54.50
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