 By Pepper Parr
October 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The sale of a house on Tyandaga Park Drive is an illustration of what a real estate investment can do for you.
 Tyandaga Park Drive Built in 1975 it sold in August for $1,635,000 when the asking price was $1,699,000 after 17 days on the market.
The previous selling price in October of 2019 was $1,265,000
Prior to that, in July 2017 the property was sold for $965,000
Prior to that the house sold for $255,000 in 1988
Is this kind of price growth sustainable?
 By Stephen Webster
October 28th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
Though poker is often seen as a game of chance, the truth is that it’s actually a game of skill. And while luck may play a role in any given hand, the better players are those who can make the most informed decisions based on the cards they are dealt.
That’s why poker has become such a popular pastime for celebrities. Not only does it require strategy and cunning, but it also provides an opportunity for them to socialize and relax in a setting that is both competitive and fun. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have been known to enjoy a good game of poker from time to time, whether it’s together in some dingy backroom or playing sponsored online poker games.
Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire is a poker player who has earned serious cash. In 2005, he organized a series of poker games and won millions of dollars. However, in 2007, he was accused of cheating and had to give back some of his winnings.
This caused a huge controversy for him, and people began to question his reputation. Despite this, Tobey Maguire is still considered one of the best poker players in Hollywood.
 Ben Affleck – is he holding a strong hand? Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck is one of the most famous actors in Hollywood, and he has been playing poker for years. He has won a lot of money playing this game and even won the California State Poker Championship. Ben has been involved in many poker tournaments and is a frequent presence at casinos and poker tournaments. He has taken poker lessons from high-level players, including Daniel Negreanu and Amir Vahedi.
In 2004, Ben Affleck won the California State Poker Championship, taking home $356,400 at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles. He has won several awards, including Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting in 1997 and Best Picture for his directing work in 2012, Argo. Ben Affleck has starred in many movies, including Batman Versus Superman: Dawn of Justice, Gone Girl, and Triple Frontier. He has also impressed poker and blackjack players by winning over $350,000 at a poker tournament.
 Shannon Elizabeth – acts and has a collection of poker chips Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth is a multi-talented actress. She started her career as a model in New York and later turned to acting and conservationism. Her first acting role was in the 1999 comedy American Pie, and she has appeared in a number of other films. She also played poker professionally for a few years and won many cash prizes. In 2010, she finished second in the World Series of Poker and won almost $80,000 in a charity event in Africa.
Her poker career started in 2005 when she won the Hollywood Home Game tournament. Shannon Elizabeth has also appeared in many magazines, including Playboy and Maxim. In 2009, she was named one of the most beautiful women in the world by People magazine.
Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson is a versatile actor who is equally comfortable playing manic psychopaths and existentially-wracked lawmen. In his upcoming movie Triangle of Sadness, the actor will play a Marxist cruise ship captain. He will also appear in Kevin Hart’s buddy comedy The Man From Toronto as an assassin. Another movie in the works is The Man With the Miraculous Hands, which stars Woody Harrelson and Johnny Depp as a couple of friends.
 Woody Harrelson, an Oscar nominee and well-known poker player who has made appearances in televised poker tournaments Harrelson has been making films for a long time. He has won an Oscar for his role in The People vs. Larry Flynt, a biopic of the founder of the notorious Hustler magazine. The movie’s success led to him getting an Oscar nomination. But he has also had a rocky time. He spent most of the 1990s in “semi-retirement,” a period when he focused on environmental activism and family. However, this did not prevent him from working on his acting career, and he still appeared in films for directors he admired.
In terms of poker, Woody Harrelson has not been as successful as some of the other actors on this list. However, he is a well-known player and has made some appearances in televised poker tournaments. He also played in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, where he finished 734th out of 6,494 players.
Owen Wilson
Owen Wilson plays a strange version of poker in the film Hall Pass, which wasn’t very well received critically. However, the scene provided a glimpse behind the scenes of poker night. The scene is set in a fictional bar and is made possible through an accident. While playing poker with a friend, Owen Wilson’s character, Rick, accidentally listens to an inappropriate conversation and steps on a landmine.
While not as prolific as some on the list, Wilson has told stories of playing poker with the likes of Ben Affleck, Tom Cruise, and Matt Damon. He has also been known to play in some of the high-stakes games in Los Angeles. In 2009, he participated in a $100,000 buy-in tournament at the Bellagio casino in Las Vegas.
Jamey Johnson
The actor was one of the inspirations for the movie Poker Face. He recently tweeted that the Netflix dark comedy inspired him to write the movie. Despite the sexy title, Johnson’s poker skills are far from amateurish.
Johnson was born in 1975. He’s an actor and a singer. His most popular films include “Made in America” and “The Poker Game.” His greatest fans include country music singers George Strait and Willie Nelson, and he has released several singles.
 Denis Quaid is no stranger to playing poker. In 2009, he participated in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Dennis Quaid
The actor has been in the business for over 40 years. He has starred in some classic films, such as The Right Stuff and The Big Easy. In 2010, he had a role in the poker film Lucky You, which starred Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore. He played the part of Hank Gambini, a professional poker player.
Quaid is no stranger to playing poker. In 2009, he participated in the World Series of Poker Main Event, where he finished 594th out of 6,494 players. He has also played in some high-stakes home games with celebrities like Tobey Maguire and Ben Affleck.
Conclusion
Poker is a popular game among celebrities. It provides a way for them to blow off steam and have some fun. Many of them are also very skilled at the game. While it is possible to make some money playing poker, for most celebrities, it is simply a way to relax and have fun.
 By Pepper Parr
October 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The provincial government is currently debate a bill that they believe will make it possible for the building of tens of thousands of more homes.
Within the legislation they are debating are changes to existing legalization; one of which is the ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL ACT, 2021
The following are some of the changes being made to the Act
The bold type is our doing
Subsection 19 (1) is amended to expand the Tribunal’s powers to dismiss a proceeding without a hearing, on the basis that the party who brought the proceeding has contributed to undue delay. Section 19 of the Act is also amended to give the Tribunal the power to dismiss a proceeding entirely, if the Tribunal is of the opinion that a party has failed to comply with a Tribunal order. Section 20 is amended to give the Tribunal the power to order an unsuccessful party to pay a successful party’s costs.
The regulation-making authority in section 29 is also amended. The Lieutenant Governor in Council is given authority to make regulations requiring the Tribunal to prioritize the resolution of specified classes of proceedings. The Minister is given authority to make regulations prescribing timelines that would apply to specified steps taken by the Tribunal in specified classes of proceedings. The implications of a failure of the Tribunal to comply with the timelines prescribed by the Minister are addressed, and the Minister is given authority to require the Tribunal to report on its compliance with the timelines.
A consequential amendment is made to subsection 13 (4).
 By Pepper Parr
October 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Few line ups at the polling stations Of the 142,218 eligible voters in Burlington, 39,217, or 27.6 per cent, voted in the 2022 election.
Guess that pulls the rug from under that claim that the city is fully engaged.
In the 2018 municipal election, 39.79 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot.
As to what the numbers tell us more time and consideration is going to be required.
It is certainly not something to be proud of – there is some hard work to be done to get a very complacent society to take up their responsibility.
Kevin Arjoon, City Clerk said: “I am honoured to announce the names of those elected for the 2022-2026 term of office.”
Actually he is required to do just that.
 By Pepper Parr
October 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
After an election there are often hurts to be dealt with.
In order to run as a candidate you have to put everything you have into the contest – you can never waver.
Believe as you might that you are going to win – someone has to lose.
Media play a part in this. At times opinion pieces are written – and given that it is an opinion someone is going to disagree with you.
On the matter of the Integrity Commissioner and the decision they made before the elections – the following has come our way from Kwab Ako-Adjei, the Director, Corporate Communications & Engagement
In response to the Burlington Gazette article issued Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, titled “Shawna Stolte and the Integrity Commissioner” there is an inaccuracy in the article that requires correction.
The Integrity Commissioner (IC) conducted an independent and thorough investigation of a Code of Good Governance complaint made by a City employee against a member of City Council.
With regard to the question of whether a public apology was warranted, the Integrity Commissioner in their written report on the complaint stated the following:
In the circumstances of all of the facts in this case, we believe that a public acknowledgement and apology by the Councillor at Council would reflect a reasonable and proportionate resolution.
An apology serves to publicly confirm to Council and staff that over-sharing of the private conversation, which may have unfairly been seen as a slight to your (Georgie Gartside) dedication and commitment, is a matter that should be acknowledged.
In our view, a public apology would place appropriate focus on the Councillor’s acknowledgement and remorse and it would serve as a remedy proportionate to the transgression”
The above excerpt from the IC report is shared with permission by the employee to set the record straight and correct your reporting on this matter.
While I acknowledge you are entitled to you opinions as publisher of the Burlington Gazette, your comments about a long-serving and highly respected City employee, Georgie Gartside, are misinformed and totally unwarranted. Ms. Gartside accepted the public apology provided by Councilor Stolte and I am satisfied this matter has been dealt with fully in keeping with our Procedural By-law related to reporting on Code of Good Governance complaints.
I appreciate your attention to this matter. Feel free to post this exact message, you have permission.
My response to the note from Kwab was as follows:
My view of Ms Gartside is the result of conversations that go back ten years when she was an assistant to Rick Goldring before he was elected Mayor and when she was assigned to Marianne Meed Ward as an assistant. The full story about how that came about was interesting
There have been many many conversations with Ms Gartside over that period of time, many of them very pleasant
What I believe I am seeing is an attempt to manipulate the public perception of what actually happened.
That is part of the communications mandate.
I will publish the comments you sent – quite what the context will be is something I need a bit of time to think through.
Kwab got back to me with the following:
This has nothing to do with an ‘attempt’ to manipulate the public perception of what actually happened,’ this is about setting the record straight and responding to you article.
In the article you say, “When Stolte learned of Gartside’s concern she immediately offered to apologize. Quite why she would apologize is beyond me,” and “They did say that there was no breach of the Code of Good Conduct and they should have left it at that.” Again, as we indicated below the Integrity Commissioner in their written report on the complaint stated that an apology was appropriate. So, the record needs to be corrected and facts reported, no manipulation at all. This is straight from the Integrity Commissioner.
That is true – what is also true is that the Integrity Commissioner decided that there was not a breach of the Code, which Kwab fails to mention.
My thought was: Is saying an apology was appropriate mean it is required?
The Director, Corporate Communications & Engagement for the city has the right to ask that we set the record straight.
The opinion still stands – we will add this article to the opinion and draw the attention of readers.
I find myself wondering why the manner in which the Mayor attempted to coerce Councillor Stolte to read out her apology at a point in the meeting where it could become a debatable event is not being made part of the record?
The Mayor’s behaviour was disturbing – which is putting it mildly.
Related news:
Stolte and the Integrity Commissioner.
The interview that started it all
The changes Stolte brought about and interviews she gave.
By Staff
October 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
That coyote who appears to have made a location at Central Park home for itself, has drawn the attention of the Animal Control people.
 They were on location and appear to have had police with them.
The animal tends to stand 20 to 25 feet away just looking at people. When it moves there is a limp. Its hide has patched where the fur no longer grows.
Clearly very unhealthy.
Looking for a report from Animal Control on what action they have taken
 By Scarlet Hobler
October 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s okay to believe that every casino in the country has one advantage over the majority. That’s often not true, as there are fake and unlicensed e-gaming platforms out there. To avoid getting scammed of your betting points, you need a guide to help you make the right choice. We’d share some pro-tips and hints to look out for when selecting your preferred betting platform.
Have you tried a few e-gaming sites and somehow didn’t feel comfortable with the graphics? Did their excessive promotional packages turn you off? Would you love to know how to select the right website like a professional? Read until the end to understand why it’s possible not to fall victim to scams in such an overpopulated sector. Let’s get started!
 Verify their Licenses
A casino’s legitimacy is everything in the online gambling Industry, and we aren’t talking about referrals here. Licensed online casinos have higher chances of operating under fair gameplay policies. In some cases, it goes beyond acquiring their license to practice gambling. Online gambling sites need to be regulated and vetted frequently to ensure they still play by the rules. Licensing is an essential criterion in your quest to choose an online casino as a Canadian.
Trustworthy Canadian online casinos must be licensed by the respected gambling authorities in the country. While at it, stop to verify that their licenses are indeed as valid as they claim. Slots, roulette, and blackjack players in Canada visit only legit online casinos that have been accredited by the gaming commission and reviewed by trustworthy experts. This list of legit e-gaming platforms in Canada is mostly trusted by thousands of Canadians to play casino games without worries.
Double-Check their Banking Options
Making presumptions depending on how popular a Canadian online casino is on social media wouldn’t do the trick. Players ought to be concerned about how they intend to get their real money after playing and winning. It is important to skim through the payment methods outlined on a gambling site when choosing an online casino. You can easily miss out on a good opportunity to win more money if you fail to get your deposits credited to your profile on time.
Check that they have a good lineup of payment options, credit/debit card methods, e-wallet services, and cryptocurrencies. Gambling becomes more fun and interesting when you can easily make deposits and withdrawal transactions without delays. Read through online casino reviews about the operator to see what active users have to say about payments. Platforms with one or two payment options are huge red flags. Try to avoid them as much as possible.
Preview the Games the Casinos Offer
Never choose a betting website without confirming they have real money casino games. Many often complain about playing online casino games without getting cash rewards. This is because not all card or table games come with money rewards. You have to check the game selection of a site before registering. A casino’s gaming library determines how financially buoyant they are, enough to offer multiple games.
Canadian casinos are always known to have good game selections in their libraries. Choosing the best online casino here wouldn’t be that difficult. Players looking for the best online casinos for Canadians with a wide range of games would get a nice pick if they consult with the reliable reviews. Some of the top e-gaming platforms in the country have at least 400+ games in their library to choose from. A good way to get a preview of what games online casinos offer is to read through reviews.
Gifts, Bonuses, & Promotional Offers
Bonus offers and promotions mean a lot to players that choose to make money from e-gaming. Bonuses like free spins can double your betting strength for more wins. Platforms offering higher welcome packages and bonus credits are more likely to have the finance to bankroll huge jackpot wins. They might not have the best wagering requirements for when you intend to withdraw, but you’d get your money guaranteed.
The wagering terms that come with every bonus package should be of great concern to players. Only choose websites with fair wagering conditions after reading their withdrawal policy sections. In our experience, most e-gaming promotions attract stricter wagering conditions than most people realize. We have users spend weeks on long calls with the customer support team over misinterpreting the wagering terms. You can avoid this by picking carefully.
 Ask about the Casino’s Reputation
After all is said and done, you need concrete proof that the operator truly does what it claims. One of the best ways to clear this doubt is by reading a review on the website. This would grant you access to an expert view of the operations and added features of the website. It’s like sitting back to watch a hyped movie’s trailer and film review before streaming it on your device. Another way to get ahead of this is by reading feedback from active users.
When you visit review sites, some actual users have played a few games on the website. They’ve tested first-hand how their promotional packages, games, payments, and withdrawals work. Watch out for their ratings and feedback on certain aspects of the e-gaming platform. You’d get other information on the live chat feature of the casino, and withdrawal limits, amongst others. A casino without a convincing reputation isn’t worth trying at all.
Conclusion
Before choosing a casino, there are several factors to put into consideration. There are lots of casino choices for gamers in Canada today. Most of them offer a high-performance e-gaming experience, while others do not. It’d be difficult to achieve if you do not know what factors to look out for before making a choice.
We’ve listed some hints professionals use in selecting a reputable and trusted e-gaming platform. Every casino is unique in one way or another, but reputable ones share similar qualities. Master the tips mentioned above for a much easier way to select a platform that guarantees fun and secure e-gaming. Do not forget to make available the necessary information needed for the KYC verification to get your account running.
By Scarlet Hobler
October 27th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s okay to believe that every casino in the country has one advantage over the majority. That’s often not true, as there are fake and unlicensed e-gaming platforms out there. To avoid getting scammed of your betting points, you need a guide to help you make the right choice. We’d share some pro-tips and hints to look out for when selecting your preferred betting platform.
Have you tried a few e-gaming sites and somehow didn’t feel comfortable with the graphics? Did their excessive promotional packages turn you off? Would you love to know how to select the right website like a professional? Read until the end to understand why it’s possible not to fall victim to scams in such an overpopulated sector. Let’s get started!
 Verify their Licenses
A casino’s legitimacy is everything in the online gambling Industry, and we aren’t talking about referrals here. Licensed online casinos have higher chances of operating under fair gameplay policies. In some cases, it goes beyond acquiring their license to practice gambling. Online gambling sites need to be regulated and vetted frequently to ensure they still play by the rules. Licensing is an essential criterion in your quest to choose an online casino as a Canadian.
Trustworthy Canadian online casinos must be licensed by the respected gambling authorities in the country. While at it, stop to verify that their licenses are indeed as valid as they claim. Slots, roulette, and blackjack players in Canada visit only legit online casinos that have been accredited by the gaming commission and reviewed by trustworthy experts. This list of legit e-gaming platforms in Canada is mostly trusted by thousands of Canadians to play casino games without worries.
Double-Check their Banking Options
Making presumptions depending on how popular a Canadian online casino is on social media wouldn’t do the trick. Players ought to be concerned about how they intend to get their real money after playing and winning. It is important to skim through the payment methods outlined on a gambling site when choosing an online casino. You can easily miss out on a good opportunity to win more money if you fail to get your deposits credited to your profile on time.
Check that they have a good lineup of payment options, credit/debit card methods, e-wallet services, and cryptocurrencies. Gambling becomes more fun and interesting when you can easily make deposits and withdrawal transactions without delays. Read through online casino reviews about the operator to see what active users have to say about payments. Platforms with one or two payment options are huge red flags. Try to avoid them as much as possible.
Preview the Games the Casinos Offer
Never choose a betting website without confirming they have real money casino games. Many often complain about playing online casino games without getting cash rewards. This is because not all card or table games come with money rewards. You have to check the game selection of a site before registering. A casino’s gaming library determines how financially buoyant they are, enough to offer multiple games.
Canadian casinos are always known to have good game selections in their libraries. Choosing the best online casino here wouldn’t be that difficult. Players looking for the best online casinos for Canadians with a wide range of games would get a nice pick if they consult with the reliable reviews. Some of the top e-gaming platforms in the country have at least 400+ games in their library to choose from. A good way to get a preview of what games online casinos offer is to read through reviews.
Gifts, Bonuses, & Promotional Offers
Bonus offers and promotions mean a lot to players that choose to make money from e-gaming. Bonuses like free spins can double your betting strength for more wins. Platforms offering higher welcome packages and bonus credits are more likely to have the finance to bankroll huge jackpot wins. They might not have the best wagering requirements for when you intend to withdraw, but you’d get your money guaranteed.
The wagering terms that come with every bonus package should be of great concern to players. Only choose websites with fair wagering conditions after reading their withdrawal policy sections. In our experience, most e-gaming promotions attract stricter wagering conditions than most people realize. We have users spend weeks on long calls with the customer support team over misinterpreting the wagering terms. You can avoid this by picking carefully.
 Ask about the Casino’s Reputation
After all is said and done, you need concrete proof that the operator truly does what it claims. One of the best ways to clear this doubt is by reading a review on the website. This would grant you access to an expert view of the operations and added features of the website. It’s like sitting back to watch a hyped movie’s trailer and film review before streaming it on your device. Another way to get ahead of this is by reading feedback from active users.
When you visit review sites, some actual users have played a few games on the website. They’ve tested first-hand how their promotional packages, games, payments, and withdrawals work. Watch out for their ratings and feedback on certain aspects of the e-gaming platform. You’d get other information on the live chat feature of the casino, and withdrawal limits, amongst others. A casino without a convincing reputation isn’t worth trying at all.
Conclusion
Before choosing a casino, there are several factors to put into consideration. There are lots of casino choices for gamers in Canada today. Most of them offer a high-performance e-gaming experience, while others do not. It’d be difficult to achieve if you do not know what factors to look out for before making a choice.
We’ve listed some hints professionals use in selecting a reputable and trusted e-gaming platform. Every casino is unique in one way or another, but reputable ones share similar qualities. Master the tips mentioned above for a much easier way to select a platform that guarantees fun and secure e-gaming. Do not forget to make available the necessary information needed for the KYC verification to get your account
By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
During a meeting with the Toronto Board of Trade yesterday the Premier and the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs talked about what a new piece of legislation is going to do to get more homes built.
The following are short excerpts from the 45 minute session.
 Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Steve Clarke and Premier Doug Ford talking to member of the Toronto Board of Trade The Premier said:
“So I’ll just expand upon a bit on the gentle density. So we feel as a government that another way to unlock more housing is to allow more gentle density. And one of the ways that we propose to do this is by expanding what’s allowed to be built without further planning applications.
“Our plan would permit up to three additional residential units on most pieces of urban land, right including up to three in the main dwelling or two in the main dwelling and then one in an associated building.
“These would be as of right. That’s to say they’re not going to need a bylaw amendments, they’re not going to need any additional permits. This is going to create a broader mix of rental housing that could help homeowners pay their mortgages.
“There’s more that we’re also going to be putting some protections in for new home buyers.
“We the doubling of those maximum fines for those builders and vendors who try to make money on the backs of new homeowners. By unfairly cancelling those contracts. We have to come down hard on them. We have to allow the home construction regulatory authority to be able to use those fines to compensate those homeowners who have been treated unethically.
The Premier added:
“We need to stop doing things that aren’t working. We need to start doing things that get shovels in the ground faster.
“We need to speed up the approval process and work with partners for the first time.
“We’ve heard the municipalities as well. They have challenges as well if you don’t give them the tools to to get the permits done because it nothing’s more frustrating to a developer. And I’m sure it’s frustrating. When I was down there. I got frustrated. And I’m not telling you something that these developers if you’re out there don’t know already.
“You put your application into what I called the carousel. It gets on the carousel and it goes around for comments. It goes to transportation, it goes to parks, it goes to heritage and goes around and then it comes off the carousel. God knows when and guess what? They look at it and it goes back on the carousel again, and it just keeps going around so we have to make sure that we call it the shot clock, the shot clock, be it in football or being in basketball.
“You know we have a certain time frame for the municipalities to get an answer back because when we look around the world this becomes our number issue with our number one trading partner – the United States. We do approximately $400 billion of two way trade every year with them.
“So I like using them as an example. No matter if it’s a commercial sit,e industrial site, or housing. I’ll use Ohio for example. You can get a permanent in six months. That’s what we need to do.”
There is more – we will double back to that event and pass on what the Premier is telling the municipalities.
By Rick Greenspoon
October 26th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
 Rick Greenspoon: candidate for the ward 6 Council seat. I want to say that my experience in running for city council was extremely rewarding and I want to thank all the people I encountered at their doors, who took the time to ask questions about the issues of our city, what issues were important to me, and how we would be able to make our city even better as we grow.
I want to challenge all of our Councillors and the Mayor, to live up to the promises that they made during the campaigns, and continue to make Burlington one of the best cities in our country to live in.
I now have a new perspective on how our City Councillors can retain their seats on council. I was told before I started that an incumbent starts with a 20% advantage over any new challenger. In Burlington in 2022, this advantage was even more evident. All six Councillors and the Mayor retained their seats with a very high percentage of the votes.
This does not necessarily reflect the calibre of the candidates who chose to run against the incumbents. After going out and knocking on almost 95% of the homes in my ward, I am disappointed at the incredibly low voter turnout. I have to wonder what can be done to get more people out to vote.
 Unofficial election results There seems to be a very large portion of our community that do not know what a city councillor does, and why it is so important for their voices to be heard through the voting process. There needs to be a way to reach all of our citizens and educate them on the incredible importance of our municipal officials.
I want to say thank you to all the wonderful volunteers and campaign contributors that helped all the candidates run their campaigns. You all have helped maintain the excellent democracy that we live in.
By Pepper Parr
October 26, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The chicken are on their way home – and about to roost on Mayor Meed Ward’s desk
Former Mayor Rick Goldring and the President of the Chamber of Commerce want Mayor Meed Ward to ease up on her current approach to handling development challenges.
We are advised that there are “currently 111 buildings within the city’s development pipeline. How those properties are managed will have a drastic effect on what Burlington will look like and how it functions in the future.”
 Former Mayor Rick Goldring has some advice for Mayor Meed Ward: “embrace” development. Former Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring (2010-2018) said getting development right will continue to be this council’s greatest challenge and that they should consider taking a new approach.
“I firmly believe that council, after fighting development for four years, needs to embrace it. And I understand the political challenge of doing that, but we’d rather embrace it and shape it and form it than fight it at the Ontario Land Tribunal and lose. And our residents will be a winner if they take that approach,” Goldring said.
A city staff report released in July revealed the city has spent $219,735 since 2019 on external legal and expert witness fees. These fees were paid in respect of each individual appeal that has been concluded during this term of Council to the Ontario Land Tribunal and its predecessors, the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT) and Ontario Municipal Board.
The ward 2 Councillor “inadvertently” told a BDBA meeting that the city has budgeted $500,000 to fight the Waterfront Hotel site re-development.
Getting people to return to work has been easier said than done. Attitudes on life style and work have changed; people don’t want to drive long distances and they want to be able to work from home when it suits them.
The commercial world has yet to fully understand and adapt to this change. The hospitality sector can’t convince their servers to work under the conditions they had to cope with before the pandemic.
There is a labour crisis, with many businesses unable to find enough qualified employees. A recent symposium hosted by the Burlington Chamber of Commerce brought local business leaders together to discuss and hear solutions to the issue.
 Chamber of Commerce President Terry Caddo Terry Caddo, president and CEO of the Chamber, said workforce development will be a challenge in the future. The roots of that problem result from numerous factors, including congested roads and a lack of affordable housing options. Those baby boomers are finding they are content to retire taking a significant part of the middle management demographic out of the labour pool.
The challenge is going to be to find a way to deal with this situation and at the same time understand that Covid19 is still with us and likely to be around for some time.
Challenging times indeed.
Portions of this article were first reported in other media
By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The newly elected Mayor get serenaded by her election team and announces that she is going to make the ownership of the LaSalle Park property a major mission for her. we will follow her efforts with much interest.
 The city rent the property from Hamilton – lease is about to expire. So far Hamilton hasn’t liked what Burlington is offering. Of even more interest is – has the deal to purchase the Bateman High School site a “done” deal?
The public was told that it was scheduled to close on September 30th – which was too close to an election to announce that $50 million was going to be spent. In real estate deal as large as this there are often technical things that crop up.
When public money is being spent the practice in most municipalities is for the people doing the spending to tell the people who are doing the paying.
So far nothing on the closing of the sale.
 So far – it is just a concept. There is a deal in the making but nothing official yet Related news stories:
Background on LaSalle Park
The Bateman purchase city manager to lead the process
Could the Bateman deal fail – Sharman said it could
By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton District Catholic School Board heads into another year with a lot of issues still unresolved.
 Students: Let the flag fly The student readiness to ensure that inclusiveness reigns keeps bumping up against trustee that are a little more doctrinaire.
The flag will fly but not as often as many think it should.
The following are the Catholic trustees elected on Monday:
By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
While they don’t get as much attention as they deserve – the school boards certainly impact the way we live. If there is any doubt in your mind about that – let your memory go backl to when the Halton District School Board announced that it was going to close two of the city’s seven high schools.
The following were elected as trustee for the public school board:
 Amy Collard, ward 5 School Board trustee  Margo Shuttleworth – Chair last year – will her peers want her to serve as Chair again? The Board of trustees will elect their Chair for the year. Will Margo Shuttleworth get re-elected? Her peers decide if she has done the job they felt was needed.
It was nice to see Amy Collard returned in ward 5. She once expressed an interest in running for city council. She would be a solid choice.
 By Staff
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON,ON
We asked the candidates that didn’t win their wards for comments on the results.
Ward 1 candidate Robert Radway and Ward 2 candidate Keith Demoe got back to us
Here is what they had to say.
Robert Radway said: “would like to congratulate Mr. Galbraith and his team on the election.
“I am very proud of what the Radway Team has accomplished in this campaign. We certainly look forward to the next election and especially speaking to more constituents about the concerns they have in Ward One.
 Robert Radway: Sitting at his table in a Tom Hortons coffee shop. “I was very pleased that many Ward One residents felt it was important to vote and earning 2,404 votes was a wonderful feeling. Thank you for all of your support.
Development is still on the minds of many Ward One residents and Mr Galbraith will be on notice when deciding on matters for all residents concerning his conflict of interest.
I hope the council truly takes into consideration what residents want for their neighbourhoods and the city for our future.
Thank you
Keith Demoe who ran a very lean campaign had this to say:
 Keith Demoe holding what was perhaps the biggest hand held sign used in the election. He plans to roll it up for another day. “I’d like to thank those who voted for me and those that assisted me in delivering postcards to most doors.
“This was my first time and plan to jump back in, whether it’s local, provincial, or federal. I am still happy with my results…I worked for those votes as did Tim O’Brien. I can share that I underestimated the amount of time involved in canvassing…this is something one must start early.
“You cannot meet everyone and must plan different events to get people out. I was an unknown and looking back would say that an open debate with crossfire is a much needed.
“From city view, the public spoke and are not looking for change at this time. I’d also like to thank Pepper Parr for getting my name out there with his readership.”
By Staff
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
We will know later today just what the Minister is going to table in the Legislature at 3:00 pm.
Early comment has the government planning to Overrule Municipal Zoning Regulations to Permit More Housing: Report
A confidential cabinet document obtained by the Toronto Star shows that the Progressive Conservatives want to remove restrictions and zoning laws that favour single-family homes over “missing middle” housing — such as duplexes and triplexes — and is not too different than what soon-to-be Premier of British Columbia David Eby has previously suggested for BC.
This is reported to be only one part of a sweeping new set of legislation on housing.
Additionally, in an effort towards “streamlining approvals and removing barriers,” the legislation hones in on cutting the role of conservation authorities (CAs), which have been used to stall development.
 To what degree will the role of the Conservation authorities be changed ? The new legislation would “review and re-scope their role to streamline permitting, freeze fees, and direct CAs to make land available for housing”, as well as reduce them to “commenting agencies” focused solely on preventing floods and other natural hazards.
The new legislation would also allow the Tories to eliminate “unnecessary approvals and inhibiting rules, such as waiving site plan control for smaller developments, limiting third party appeals, and removing unnecessary public meetings.”
 It looks like Inclusionary zoning is going to be possible – will it be everything its advocates want? The internal document also supposedly shows that the government would provide “municipal targets and seek pledges to align municipal work with the province’s 1.5M home goals,” alluding to Ford’s promise to build 150,000 new homes every year for the next decade.
This comes only a few weeks after it was revealed that Ford’s government is also planning on eliminating development charges on “inclusionary zoning” projects. These charges — which can range from $25,470 all the way to $93,978, according to the City of Toronto — are usually rerouted towards funding civic infrastructure, and many argued that doing this could damage the government’s financials.
Inclusionary zoning allows municipal governments to mandate lower-cost housing units, creating more affordable housing for a city and province that desperately needs it.
We will know more later this afternoon – Stand by.
 By Daintry Klein
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
First, Congratulations to the entire Council for achieving re-election. Their work on the challenges of the pandemic and their extensive initiatives and policies which set a framework for our great City should be commended. The continuation of this Council allows them to own their plans and initiatives.
The benefits of an election, whether it is status quo or not, allows the community through candidacies and investigations, to bring areas for improvement to light.
Perhaps the seclusion of the pandemic contributed to the issues surrounding transparency, but we have heard the Mayor commit to improvements highlighted in the Aird & Berlis report.
 The Millcroft residents want to keep the community that was created and not change the layout of the golf course and tamper with the storm water management system that is in place. The return to in-person meetings will also facilitate more genuine discussion.
The benefits of an election, whether it is status quo or not, allows the community through candidacies and investigations, to bring areas for improvement to light. Perhaps the seclusion of the pandemic contributed to the issues surrounding transparency, but we have heard the Mayor commit to improvements highlighted in the Aird & Berlis report. The return to in-person meetings will also facilitate more genuine discussion. Millcroft Greenspace Alliance looks forward to collaborating with the Council to contribute ideas and possible solutions to keep Burlington as the best City in Canada.
In the Municipal government, there is no “opposition party” which highlights the importance of engaged taxpayer Citizens and independent press to provide the forum for accountability.
The Gazette asked a number of people to comment on the 2022 election. Daintry Klein is part of the Millcroft Greenspace Alliance that wants to ensure that the Millcroft community does not have to experience changes that will alter the original design or tamper with the storm water management system in place.
 By Joe Gaetan
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
OPINION
Winston Churchill once said,” The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.”
If 2018 was the year of the upset and the season for a sea change in the political landscape of Burlington the election of 2022 was the season of the status-quo. According to the unofficial results, approximately 23,000 fewer people decided the 2022 municipal election in Burlington was not worth the effort.
 ECOB: a grass roots organization formed by citizens who were not happy with the Mayor and the direction he was taking the city. They organized debates in every ward of the city that were exceptionally well attended. Their success was the result of one person who did the bulk of the work. The organization failed to attract membership that would continue the work of representing public interests
The political landscape in 2018 was such that the electorate was angry with what was happening at council and in particular with how our city was being overrun with tall buildings in the wrong places. At the time, most incumbents had been in place for a number of years, two-decade long incumbents decided it was time to quit municipal political life and one council member decided now was the time to take a run at the top job. This set the stage for a barnburner and exciting election cycle. As well at the time a grass roots organization called ECOB decided Burlington deserved and needed a better format for debates and put in place a rigorous format that all residents in Burlington were able to take advantage of, should they choose to do so. That was clearly not the case in 2022 as the will of the electorate and therefore, the democratic machinery at the grassroots level was non-existent.
To the people who chose to run but were not elected this time, do not give up. Rome was not built in a day. If you were not truly satisfied with the outcome and think you should have won, then now is the time to start your plan to run again in 2026.
If the 2022 election is a “more of the same” election, is the message to council, you did a great job over the past four years? If so, hopefully that will not include more closed meetings, slow starts on issues like the Coyote file, backbiting, more red tape and how council chooses to spend taxpayers’ money, especially out of the reserve fund.
Having said that, I respect anyone who chooses to run for office and wish to congratulate the Mayor and Council for offering their services and wish them the best over the next years.
To the successful candidates, please remember,” A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation.” —James Freeman Clarke
The Gazette asked a number of people to comment on the 2022 election. Joe Gaetan is a ward 2 resident who comments on civic affairs frequently
By Staff
October 25th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
In a release to media earlier today the West End Home Builders Association sais:
On behalf of our 300 member companies representing over 20,000 people in the residential construction sector, we are looking forward to continued collaboration with the City and Council on the Burlington Housing Strategy that was approved in the last term of Council.
 Bianca Bruzzese: WEHBA president From our WE HBA President, Bianca Bruzzese, “Our membership appreciates Marianne’s continued willingness to meet with the industry, including meetings with our members and leadership team, and we look forward to future collaboration with the Mayor and Council.” WE HBA CEO Mike Collins-Williams also shared that “The residential construction industry is looking forward to helping increase housing supply across the City of Burlington and continuing to streamline the development approvals process.”
The West End Home Builders’ Association is eager to work with the Mayor and Council to significantly increase housing supply and make Burlington a welcoming, inclusive City that can offer housing of all types and tenures.
Congratulations Marianne Meed Ward!
By Santi Tranquillo
October 24th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
VDR is already changing the business. Can you imagine what the future holds for this technology? No? Then find out here.
 Those that get hacked seldom talk about – it costs a small fortune to clear up the mess left by a hacker. Virtual data rooms have completely transformed every business, large and small. The coronavirus pandemic simply showed entrepreneurs the power of this software in a way they had never known before. These are not all business benefits. Automating the most complex processes like M&A, having ultra-secure storage, and providing literally the best protection against hacking and data leakage are just a few of them. Let’s find out what online data room software is and how it works.
How VDR Changed the Concept of Business
Businesses want a more secure approach to managing sensitive information in the digital age, where everything is accessible online. Data storage was formerly limited to physical storage before best virtual data room providers.
Just the notion of substantially depending on paper documents causes security and human error worries. Fortunately, an electronic data room addresses a lot of the issues with safe data storage. Many businesses attest that after switching to virtual data rooms, the number of hacking incidents has greatly dropped, if not completely ceased.
To summarize, every business has become virtually invulnerable to external and internal attacks because VDR provides redundant protections like encryption or activity tracking within the storage.
It’s also worth remembering the constant evolution of the software and the addition of exclusive features that cannot be found in any other file storage or its counterparts. For the sake of research, you can also compare virtual data rooms in order to find the best features that are only available on the market.
What Does the Future Hold?
Advanced researchers predict that VDR will have a $3.6 billion annual market share in digital technology. The projected changes will affect:
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 Now everything can be under lock and key – and you hold the key The introduction of a more modern generation of data. This will allow both data to be stored in a more secure manner and data to be handled in a faster manner. Right now, data is the backbone on which VDR works. Not surprisingly, developers will pay excessive attention to it.
- Implementing ever more advanced security systems. This will most likely be done with artificial intelligence and blockchain technology. Some providers are already implementing this, but so far it works rather poorly. Given the rapid growth of these two technologies, by 2025 we may already see exceptional opportunities that will be available within the virtual data room providers.
- Continuous improvement and automation of M&A processes. Perhaps the availability of artificial intelligence will allow this process to be automated to such an extent that employees themselves will not need to do anything other than check documentation. This is not practically possible at the moment, but predictions of the development of machine intelligence suggest that it will be.
As we can see, the changes will mostly affect artificial intelligence. This is not surprising, because this is the very technology that has been missing in modernity. It will cover all areas of life in general, and a virtual data room, as one of the most important technologies in the entrepreneurial sector, will definitely be no exception. Already now, vendors are working on developing their own assistants for document analysis and activity tracking, but it looks weak from a technical point of view. The main thing is that they are working on it, and time will put everything in its place.
What Does the Future Hold for the VDR Consumer Market?
Many businesses of all sizes are experiencing considerable revenue growth as a result of VDRs. Given the numbers, medium and small organizations will still have a considerable need for data rooms even if major firms make up a tiny portion of their user base. This is due to their wide range of specialized solutions and ongoing relevance. Each year, vendor growth will rise by roughly 15%. Such an influx of developers will weed out the non-functional for the market, so always keep a data room comparison of new proposals.
 The high level of security and the ability to have instant access to any document a corporation has and put it in front of people is seen as a very useful feature – expected to become the norm in the not too distant future. The market is predicted to grow positively since large and medium-sized businesses are still interested in investing in data room software. Additionally, it seems to be in a stronger position than the others, as virtual data rooms keep expanding despite ongoing changes in technological needs.
Vendors of data room services are always trying to improve their products and introduce new, cutting-edge features. This method of conducting business must be rewarded. As a result, it is anticipated that virtual data rooms will have a significantly greater influence on business going forward. They will continue to expand and improve as they firmly establish themselves in the current corporate structure.
The overall demand for private development in entrepreneurial action will definitely grow. This will increase not only the total number of vendors who provide off-the-shelf solutions, but also the number of individual developers who provide only the technology itself for implementation, but do not provide a whole finished virtual data rooms product for business.
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