Gazette Comments Section Open Again

By Pepper Parr

July 26th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

So far the fix to the comments is holding.

It took some binder twine and duct tape and there is no guarantee that it will hold all that long – but the comments section has been reopened.

The re-design, using a different design theme, is a work in progress.

Our techie spent hours trying to figure out where the issues were – thinks he has found them. We did trial runs late Sunday and this morning – they are holding.

Thank you for your patience.

Return to the Front page

Is a height of 35 stories for the Waterfront Hotel site redevelopment on the table?

By Pepper Parr

July 26th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Revisions have been made to this story since it was first published.

There appear to be two Facebook based news outlets – both with the name Burlington News.

There also appears to be some significant hearings taking place at what we used to know as Local Planning Act Tribunal now called the OLT – Ontario Land Tribunal.

The Burlington News logo has a green logo and is the site we have drawn material from. It is popular.  WE have not been able to identify the owners of this site.

The Burlington News with the red logo has been around a long time – no one knows who is behind that one but there are members of Council who follow what they publish.

There is yet another web site that was set up by former Mayor Rick Goldring.  Former Councillor Craven writes for this site along with former city general manager Kim Phillips.

During an OLT  meeting that was focused on the Carnacelli development on the corner of Pearl and Lakeshore Road the argument was over the 29 storeys the developer wanted and the 17 storeys most people believed the city could live with.

The Waterfront Hotel stands at six storeys – plans have been in the works for more than a decade to replace it with a series of structures that would be closer to the water’s edge and more to the east.

During that meeting in July, David Bronskill, speaking for the Waterfront Hotel owners is reported to have said the following:

“… our client has concerns with the proposed implementation of this intensification potential. In particular, the ongoing delay in planning for the Property is of serious concern and can no longer be accepted by our client. The Property has not been included within the scope of review related to the new official plan, despite our client having invested approximately two hundred and fifty thousand dollars over five years ago to assist the City in determining the appropriate form of redevelopment for the Property. It would appear that this study is now further delayed with a report on a proposed revise action plan suggested for Q4 2020.”

“During a discussion about height in the downtown, a pending application for the redevelopment of the Waterfront Hotel was revealed. The acknowledgment of a proposed 35 storey development on the Waterfront Hotel site was surprising as there is no information available on the City’s web site, and the lack of transparency regarding the possible future of our waterfront is astounding.

“This proposal will not be a surprise to City staff, the Mayor or Council as they would have known about a pending application as far back as Sept. 2020 when a letter from the landowners representative, David Bronskill advised them of their client’s concerns regarding the City’s delay and their intentions to seek approval of their proposal were made clear.

Bronskill said: “This is unacceptable to our client. We can no longer wait for the City and our client’s intention is to proceed to finalize the study on its own and submit an application to secure approvals for the Property in an expedited fashion.”

“As the city learned with the Interim Control By law, (ICBL) planning and development does not stop and wait for the Mayor and Council. It continues and is considered within the approved policy framework that is in force at the time of the submission of the applications.

” It is not clear if this application has been submitted yet or if it will be in the next few weeks however, there is clearly very little, if any, transparency regarding the status of the Waterfront Hotel redevelopment.”

What would a 35 storey building on the edge of the Lake look like?  The Bridgewater condominium is 22 storeys high.

To give you a sense of the height we took a photograph of the Harbour Commission building in Hamilton that is six storeys with a 17 storey building beside it.

Hamilton Harbour Commission on the left – six storeys; apartment building to the right – 17 storeys. The proposal for the waterfront is 35 storeys -twice the height of the apartment building.

What is being talked about is 35 storeys where the current Waterfront Hotel is located.

What the Burlington Local News does not tell is the working arrangement that has been in place for close to a decade, one that had the developer putting up a significant amount of money to pay for a study on how any replacement of the Waterfront would relate to the Naval Promenade.

The lawyers do what they are paid to do at OLT hearings – what is surprising is that the Waterfront Hotel re-development is not before the Planning department yet – there is no word on just where the study is – but legal counsel for the developer has gotten their number on the table.

Related news stories:

Plan B

Is Plan B getting the attention it deserves?

 

Return to the Front page

The target is to have 90% of us vaccinated. Do your bit

By Staff

July 26th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Given that a picture is said to be worth 1000 words – let the picture do the talking.

If you, or anyone you know is not part of the graphic above urge them to roll up their sleeves.

Getting to that 90% vaccinated level is what will prevent a possible fourth wave. The only people who can prevent that are you and me.

Return to the Front page

Child admitted to hospital after swimming incident

By Staff

July 26th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

At 1:48 pm on Sunday 25th July, 2021, the Halton Regional Police Service responded to a resident reporting a child having drowned in a swimming pool.

Police and Paramedics were quickly on scene. Lifesaving measures were performed. The child was transported to hospital where he/she remains in a critical condition.

An investigation at the scene continues in an effort to determine the circumstances.

Anyone with information regarding this incident who has not yet spoken with Police are asked to contact the Duty Staff Sergeant at Burlington Police Station on 905-825-4747 ext: 2310.

Return to the Front page

Rivers: A Premier for the Lobbyists and Developers?

By Ray Rivers

July 24th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

OPINION

“Despite being the epicentre of the COVID pandemic in Ontario, for-profit nursing homes, from a business point of view, did incredibly well over the past 15 months. The Ford government indemnified them against liability from lawsuits, paid them out at full capacity no matter how many residents they had, and even offered them subsidies for other lost revenues.

The profitability of the long term care sector is astonishing.

In fact, many of the investment-backed, corporate players in the nursing home industry will emerge from COVID-19 in better shape than they entered it, thanks in large part to the province’s aggressive and generous plan to refurbish old homes and build new ones.” (Toronto Star July 2021)

The authors of this in-depth report (link below) concluded that throughout Ontario’s COVID crisis, premier Doug Ford simply followed the advice of the last person he had met with, and those were all too often corporate lobbyists or his friends in the development sector. Apparently when it comes to COVID Ford has one rule for the lobbyists and another for all the rest of ‘his people’.

Construction hours have been extended at the request of the developers.

Why for example, was construction allowed to continue pretty much business-as-usual when so many other businesses with lower COVID transmission rates were forced to shutter? Construction is known to have one of the highest transmission rates of all industries, and yet, curiously, residential construction was declared an essential service.

Meanwhile, in an attempt to appear to be acting tough on public health measures, recreational golf and tennis, which had no previous record of COVID transmission, were banned. Small non-grocery business owners, with a tiny public footprint, were outraged that their big box competition at Walmart and Costco could continue to operate while they had to close.

And despite being among the hottest spots for viral transmission in the province, meat packing, the Post Office and Amazon, were allowed to continue unabated. In the end it took the local medical officers of health, not the province, to shut them down.

The way Mr. Ford has tailored his priorities helps explain why it has taken Ontario so long to get our COVID infection rates down. This policy of allowing high risk activities to continue while curtailing safer options is not just unfair, it’s also negligent.

The opening up of the hospitality sector too soon brought about a third wave from which we are just emerging.

“….since Ontario first declared a state of emergency in March of 2020 the government has made decisions that align with the interests of lobbyists — many of whom have close ties to the premier, his party or both — and the businesses they represent. Those decisions have often favoured certain sectors over others and have, at key moments in the pandemic, gone against public health advice, delaying or fracturing lockdowns. Those decisions have often favoured certain sectors over others and have, at key moments in the pandemic, gone against public health advice, delaying or fracturing lockdowns.?” (Toronto Star July 2021)

If only a lobbyist for vaccine passports or mandatory vaccination for health care workers could make their way over the premier’s office?

Background links

Star Report –   Construction Sector –   Building Trades –  Retaining and Big Box

Return to the Front page

The Hurley Burly of the political arena.

By Staff

July 23rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Burlington’s Mayor makes major use of social media and every other form of communications. Her journalism degree from Carleton University put her into the world of media where the worked at newspapers, as a columnist (she has never worked as a reporter), as an editor of a magazine and on television where she was very effective. The camera liked her and she liked the camera.

As a citizen using the Save our Waterfront banner Marianne Meed Ward was effective. When she got elected to Council she was described as divisive but she changed the way that Council did business.

A painful Ward 1 election loss in 2006 against Rick Craven led to her moving into the downtown core and setting herself up to run for that council seat.

She won in 2010, was elected Mayor in 2018 and was seen as the Mayor that would make the big difference – and she did make a difference.

The decision to drop an Interim Control Bylaw on the developers was not popular with that cohort.  What was to be a one year hold on development has stretched into what is pretty close to three years.  The reason for the stretch – there are dozens of appeals which have to be heard before the Interim Control Bylaw can be lifted.

The moving of the Urban Growth Centre north and away from the Downtown Core and getting the ridiculous MTSA designation taken off a bus terminal that couldn’t hold ten people were also wins for this Mayor.  And make no mistake about it – she was the driving force.

Political positioning at its very best.

Unfortunately for the Mayor’s image, something she and her husband cultivate and groom with great care, her goof  with the Rainbow Crosswalks issue has drawn blood.

Many politically informed observers think Marianne Meed Ward threw three of her council colleagues under the bus when they voted against the Mayor to have six additional crosswalks done as soon as possible rather than the more fiscally prudent approach to adding one each year.

The Mayor wanted to again raid reserve funds to pay for the additional six – Kearns, Stolte and Sharman had no problem with the crosswalks – just not all at the same time.

With that as background it was surprising to see the Mayor with Councillor Stolte at the Poacher enjoying a cool one.

In a social media posting with the photograph the Mayors said: “Great to step out with Shawna Stolte last night at The Poacher for food, conversation and supporting local business. Friday + sun = patio weather. So many great Burlington restaurants to choose from! Where are you headed this weekend?”

Mayor Meed Ward with Councillor Shawna Stolte. Is this what damage control mode looks like? Who paid for the beer?

One Gazette reader, who misses the comments section, wrote us to say: “How ignorant does this mayor think the residents of Burlington are?

“Making nice with the Councillors she threw under the bus a few weeks ago.

“First a joint statement with Lisa,

“Now drinks etc. with Shawna.

“Let’s see if Paul Sharman either gets an invite or decides not to play the mayor’s game.”

 

Related news stories:

Mayor tries to torpedo three of her colleagues.

The three fight back.

Both sides of the story

Return to the Front page

Summer - great time for picnics - how about twelve of them? Check the Councillor Stolte calendar

By Staff

July 23rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

In a normal world members of Council would be in full vacation mode with most of the seven out of town, maybe out of the province or out of the country.

This is not yet a normal world.

Councillor Sharman has two major events in his riding; Councillor Bentivegna has a number of back yard meetings planned.

Mayor wasn’t specific but she will be out there meeting and greeting and accepting the adulation from her tribe.

Ward 4 Councillor Shawna Stolte stunned us when she released her summer plans: twelve pop up events in parks within her ward where she will be waiting for people who want to talk to her.

They will ask: Is she running again?  She is.
The pop ups run from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm There will be signage in place – you won’t be able to miss her.

Return to the Front page

The push is on to help prevent a fourth Covid19 wave in the Fall.

By Staff

July 23rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

As vaccine supply increases, many appointments available in July and August

Halton Region Public Health is encouraging all residents 12 years of age and up to get both doses of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible in order to gain full protection against COVID-19 and help prevent a fourth wave in the Fall.

“We are making great progress with our vaccine rollout, with 81 per cent of residents with one dose and 60 per cent of residents fully vaccinated,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “With a more steady and predictable supply of vaccine from the Federal and Provincial governments, there are many options to get the COVID-19 vaccine in Halton and make it a two dose summer.”

Here are the many ways to get first and second doses in Halton:

• New! Walk-in vaccinations now available at Gary Allan Learning Centre clinic (3250 New Street in Burlington). Daily, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for individuals 18+.

• New! More clinic options in Milton – appointments can now be booked online for the St. Francis Xavier Secondary School clinic – appointments available in July!

• Quickly and easily book online at one of Halton’s community clinics, located across Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville – appointments available in July and early August!

o All residents are eligible to get a second dose at a minimum 28 days. Anyone who has appointments booked in September and October, are urged to reschedule to an earlier date as soon as possible.

o Same day or “last minute” appointments available based on cancellations. Anyone with a booked appointment can check daily.

• The Province continues to host local pop-up clinics, with one happening July 24 and 25 at Holy Trinity Secondary School in Oakville.

• More than 100 Pharmacies in Halton are offering walk-in or booked appointments.

• Select Primary Care Offices are offering booked appointments.

Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health.

“We are in a race against COVID-19 and its variants. We need to get everyone fully vaccinated to avoid a fourth wave in the Fall,” said Dr. Hamidah Meghani, Halton Region Medical Officer of Health. “Make it a two dose summer – get your second dose to gain better protection against COVID-19 and the Delta variant as soon as possible. We need 90 per cent fully vaccinated and every dose counts. Be part of the community level protection we need to get back to normal…and stay there. Now is the time to #RollUpYourSleevesHalton!”

Important information & instructions
• All individuals 12 years of age and older who have received their first dose can get their second dose at a minimum 28 day interval.

All new appointments are booked at a minimum 28 day interval.

o Anyone who has appointments booked in September and October, are urged to reschedule to an earlier date as soon as possible.

o Anyone who has found earlier appointments elsewhere (e.g., through a pharmacy) or has completed both doses must cancel their existing appointment at a Halton clinic.

• The quickest and easiest way to manage appointments, including booking or rescheduling an appointment at a Halton clinic, is online. Residents are asked to avoid calling 311 unless they need immediate booking or rescheduling support.

• Individuals requiring additional assistance, language supports or other accommodations can contact 311 prior to their appointment to arrange for additional supports.

o Transportation services to and from appointments are available, free of charge, for those who require it. Parking is free at all clinic locations.

• To maintain physical distancing and safety measures, please:

o arrive 10 minutes prior to your appointment (not earlier);
o wear a mask;
o complete a wellness check before entering a clinic, using Halton’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Screening Tool; and
o attend appointments alone if possible. You may bring one support person, if required (for example, a caregiver or interpreter).

To learn more about Halton Region’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program, including how to book an appointment, please visit halton.ca/COVIDvaccines.

Return to the Front page

Library transformed into a space for community support, equity and inclusivity to cope with pandemic

By Maddy Van Clieaf, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

 July 23rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Burlington Public Library, BPL, has served as a community hub for information, engagement and literacy since 1872. With the unprecedented events of the pandemic, the library has transformed into a space for community support, equity and inclusivity.

Lita Barrie, CEO and President of BPL

Lita Barrie, CEO and President of BPL, and her team of librarians and staff have been working throughout the pandemic with other community groups and libraries to establish comprehensive services that capture the community’s needs.

The library worked in two ways to accommodate the community. Barrie explained that “it was about what we could do in our capacity as the library to help keep our community safe and our staff safe.”

Just as Burlington shifted online, the library closed its doors on March 13, 2020. Staff and patrons alike adapted to the digital format, with the library seeing a 103% increase in eCheckouts.

This might be social distancing to the extreme.

To respond to the increased demand for online services, BPL transformed their website into a ‘virtual branch’ offering a wide variety of staff picks eBooklists, online learning resources and activities for children at home, as well as a list of community resources for those in need.

As well, a partnership with the Mississauga, Hamilton, London and Ottawa Public Libraries boosted BPL’s digital book collection, expanding the total digital collections to 330,000+ titles.

All the pandemic did for the library was increase the demand for something to read.

Barrie continued, “The second way BPL accommodated the community was in trying to adapt to whatever constraints the pandemic was presenting at one time or another to provide meaningful library service. Part of what we tried to reimagine through the pandemic is how we could continue to be open to the community while our physical branches couldn’t be.”

Reimagining the way a library works and functions in the community means the services provided by the library are constantly changing to adapt. They provide for a broad demographic; young kids learning to read, students, and senior citizens.

Maddy Van Clieaf is a second year journalism student at Carleton University.  She is with the Gazette as part of the federal governments Local Journalism initiative.

Return to the Front page

Peculiarities of Gambling in Canada

By Kate Elder

July 23rd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Although Canada is not considered to be the gambling capital, there are many good casinos, bookmakers, and other gambling establishments operating here. Online casinos are also available to residents of the country. However, you should be aware of the fact that different areas of Canada have their own legislation driving the gambling market. And you need to adhere to your local rules to be 100% sure that you are not breaking the law.

Key Features of the Local Business
The fact the different legislative acts are driving the industry in different states complicates the life of a gambler. You may be legally allowed to make bets in one province but have serious problems because of playing your favourite casino game in a different state. For example, in Alberta, you can participate in gambling if you are 18 years old or older. In British Columbia, it is allowed to make bets at a casino only if you are not younger than 19.

The situation is completely different in the northwestern regions of the country, where only the government lottery is legal. To stay on the safe side, you need to check local gambling laws and stick to them. The same refers to playing online slots here — you either need to clarify the legal status of online gambling or start the game on the offshore casino site.

The situation is somehow stable for casino owners. In states where casinos are allowed, you can legally become a gambling business owner if you purchase a license. Many new gambling businessmen start their business from scratch. The gaming license is issued by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission  of Ontario. Besides that, the government of each Canadian province determines the type of permitted gambling business on its territory. So you should check it out as well.

Local Casinos

In Canada, most casinos and gambling venues offer a decent level of service. Of course, it is difficult to name the best ones since it is rather a subjective matter. However, the below casinos are considered to be the most popular gambling halls in the country:

Northlands Park — The most popular luxury game complex is located in Edmonton. The casino is called Northlands Park. For all visitors, it offers numerous slot machines, table games, and sports betting options;

Medicine Hat Lodge Resort casino — You can find the establishment in Montreal. The casino hosts over a hundred tables and three thousand machines under its roof. Players can place virtual bets at the racetrack and have a great time playing other games of chance. The Medicine Hat Lodge Resort casino operates on the territory of Alberta and is considered one of the largest gambling establishments in Canada;

Casino de Mont-Tremblant — The luxurious Casino de Mont-Tremblant is located in Quebec. This club is renowned for its high level of service and many great deals available for players. The two-level establishment occupies a vast area and includes a thousand slot machines, as well as isolated areas for playing poker.

Of course, Canadian casinos are not as famous all over the world as the establishments in the neighbouring USA. However, each province of the country offers its residents and tourists good gambling clubs. All in all, gambling fans will hardly get bored in Canada.

Industry Level as a Whole
The gambling business in Canada is a huge industry with a massive turnover of 13 billion a year. The development of gaming clubs is actively supported by the state. There is a positive image of gambling here, and the Canadian government follows the successful example of the neighbouring United States in its loyalty to the gambling business. More than 60 casinos in Canada are licensed and equipped with the latest gaming technology. The owners of gambling clubs pay great attention to the quality of customer service and gameplay level delivered.

According to industry experts, the gambling business in Canada can gradually achieve American gambling success. Today, the country’s gambling industry regularly receives investments from foreign businessmen who confidently invest their finances in Canadian gambling establishments.

Return to the Front page

Technology is wonderful - assuming you can make all the parts work with one another

By Staff

July 22nd, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

We don’t know at this point how long it will be before the comments section is available for use. Our apologies.

Return to the Front page

Council will come back from their break and dig into what will be tough budget discussions - the number on the table now is 5.47% increase

By Staff

July 21, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Budget time – and this is going to be a defining period of time for this council.

Traditionally politicians put forward a budget that lowers taxes in an election year.

That is going to be very very difficult for this Mayor; she has yet to learn budget discipline.

Will the Mayor learn to listen to and hear what some of her council members and the public are saying. The Finance department will do their best to make a case for some fiscal prudence.

Her council will learn to clamp down – when staff finishes telling them what the city is really up against fiscal prudence will kick in.

Insurance costs have sky-rocketed. Repairing the covid19 damage to the local economy is going to take time.

Burlington is fortunate in having a Finance department that knows what they are facing – and while council lauds their efforts they don’t pay enough attention to the advice that Treasurer Joan Ford puts forward.

The city will be doing another survey – that’s all part of the process. The complexity of municipal budgets is difficult for people to get a grip on. There isn’t a balance sheet or a profit and loss statement – municipalities are not in place to make money – they are there to deliver services and hold funds for those unforeseen situations.

Take the budget survey and tell the finance people s which City services are important to you.

You are encouraged to complete an online survey at www.getinvolvedburlington.ca. All the feedback captured through the survey will be shared with Burlington City Council. The survey will remain open until Sept. 30, 2021.

Key meeting dates for the 2022 budget include:

Sept 22, 23, 28, and 30
City Council workshops with presentations from each City service area

There used to be public budget meetings that filled the main room at the Art Gallery

Nov. 3
Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee Meeting: 2022 Budget overview report

Nov. 4
2022 Budget Virtual Town Hall

Nov. 30 and Dec. 2
Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee Meeting: 2022 Budget review and approval

Dec. 14
Meeting of Burlington City Council: City Council to consider approval of the proposed 2022 budget

Changes in how Council meetings will take place as the Region works its way through Step 3 of the Re-Open Plan.  It might be possible to hold real public meetings with perhaps limited public participation.

Does this Council really want the public in the room looking them in the eye and asking some hard questions?

Return to the Front page

Two members of Council issue a Joint Statement and then put it on their Facebook pages

By Staff

July 21st, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Sometime after we were advised of the Facebook posting the Office of the Mayor issued a document

It is a different way of communicating.

Mayor Meed Ward and Councillor Lisa Kearns released a Joint Statement today on the Holland Park development proposed for Fairview and Drury Lane.

Basically they said there wasn’t all that much they can do about a development that has literally nothing in the way of caps on the height.

There is a drawing of what the developers are proposing set out below.

Our question is:  Was posting the Joint Statement on Facebook pages an attempt to slip something past the public?

The proposal is for seven buildings with heights ranging from 29 to 37 storeys. .

Related news stories:

It is going to be the biggest residential development the city has ever seen – with no height controls.

Return to the Front page

Jazz on the Patio - great line up, four shows and a unique seating set up. Kudos to BPAC for pulling this off

By Staff

July 20th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Jazz on the Patio at the Performing Arts centre has been one of those rare summer treats. The music was always fine, when they put in a cash bar it became an opportunity to enjoy a rather decent Chardonnay – in a Styrofoam cup – can’t have everything.

We missed the event last year.

A much different setting this year – two performances each day.

 

It is back this year – runs from Saturday, August 14 & Sunday, August 15, 2021 with two performances each day.  Rain or Shine – BPAC Outdoor Plaza.

The Downtown Jazz Festival will be a ticketed event this year.

COVID guidelines require all outdoor events to be ticketed for contact-tracing and self-screening purposes.

The 2021 Jazz Festival will also be a paid event this year, both because we are just beginning to emerge from the financial challenges of the pandemic, including 15 months without our usual sources of revenue being available to us, and because current capacity restrictions are only permitting us to accommodate a maximum of 120 patrons, rather than the pre-pandemic audiences of 300 – 400 that we typically see for these performances.

The ticket prices are nominal. The event is being staged as a very intimate (while physically-distanced!) environment, which will not be visible from the street. Together with the BDBA they will be offering prize draws to patrons; local restaurants will also be selling special meals onsite.

It’s going to be a very special event; exciting, and a long-overdue return to live entertainment in downtown Burlington!

Elise LeGrow.

Lydia Persaud

The Festival will feature Kellylee Evans, Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Lydia Persaud, and Elise LeGrow.

Members pre-sale started on Monday, July 19 at noon.

Public on-sale starts Monday, July 26 at noon.

Single performance tickets are available for table seats (minimum 3 tickets for a table) and stool seating. Or, grab a 2-show pass for Saturday and/or or Sunday. See ticket pricing below.

Kellylee Evans

Saturday August 14th – two performances:
Juno Award winner Kellylee Evans at 4:00 pm
And Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar at 6pm</span

Sunday August 15th two performances:
Lydia Persaud at 2pm
Elise LeGrow at 4pm

Single Performance Tickets

Table Seats – Upper Plaza:
Regular: $35 (All-in, minimum purchase of 3 seats)
Members: $30 (All-in, minimum purchase of 3 seats)

Stool Seats – Lower Plaza:
Regular: $25 (All-in)
Members: $20 (All-in)

Return to the Front page

Twenty plus demonstrators protest outside Quarry gates - passing trucks drown out the sound

By Ryan O’Dowd

July 20th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

This morning CORE Burlington (Conserving our Rural Ecosystems) hosted their first event since the start of the pandemic to oppose Nelson Aggregate’s Mount Nemo quarry expansion application. According to the citizen groups united against Nelson, the proposal is anything but new.

The messaging from the speakers at today’s event was clear, this is the same proposal dismissed in 2012, CORE founder Gord Pinard, calls it the “zombie quarry.” Singer and activist Sarah Harmer enforced this message.

“This quarry proposal was a terrible idea in 2004 and is still a terrible idea in 2021,” Harmer said, “every level of government opposed this project.

“It’s an unfair process that the citizens of this area have to mount another opposition and it speaks to governance issues at the provincial level.”

Nelson’s previous attempt to expand the Mount Nemo quarry was denied in 2012 after failing to include protections for the endangered Jefferson Salamander.

The resulting legal battle cost 2.1 million dollars of Burlington tax-payer money.

The Jefferson Salamander is accommodated for this time with Nelson claiming their native wetlands will be strengthened by the development.

When asked about Nelson’s proposed differences Harmer said the current project and the dismissed proposal were, “materially the same.”

Nelson has suggested sourcing aggregate from other locations will be worse environmentally in the long run due to C02 transportation issues.

“You can’t balance greenhouse gas with permanent destruction,” Janet Turpin Myers, of CORE, told the Gazette. Adding, despite their transportation concerns Nelson already ships fill and asphalt from as far as Toronto and Oshawa.

Shane Phillips, leading the Ear to the Groundwater campaign which fights threats to groundwater, spoke of systemic issues with governance on environmental issues.

“We’re not talking about political parties; it doesn’t matter what parties are involved it’s the same policy. Corporations are driving policy-making, lobbying is driving policy-making. And so, I’m trying to say ‘connect the dots,’ so that people understand this is everyone’s backyard. You can’t say ‘well we need [aggregate] but not in my backyard,’” said Phillips.

The community speaks.

While Phillips was indifferent to party others evoked Premier Doug Ford as a potential factor in Nelson’s new proposal.

“Maybe it’s political; they think they can sneak the quarry in with a construction-friendly [provincial] government,” said protest attendee, Doug Annette.

CORE suggested the environmental impact projections in Nelson’s proposal are incomplete.

Janet Turpin Meyers was opposed to the idea of a quarry expansion the moment she heard about it 15 years ago. A published author who might yet write a book on rural Burlington.

“They’re slanting the proposal [through omission] to their agenda,” Myers said.

In a December 2020 objection letter, the community group cited an overly rosy outlook including claims Nelson’s application treated global warming trends as anomalies, used dated emission factors from the EPA (some 30 years old), and sourced background data from distant communities when the Mount Nemo information was unavailable.

Sarah Harmer performs Escarpment Blues; a piece she wrote 15 years ago when she and others opposed the Nelson application. A truck hauling aggregate passes by in the background.

Today’s speakers raised their voices to be heard over the roaring trucks going to and from Nelson’s existing site. Harmer performed Escarpment Blues, and the audience snapped and swayed along, to a song they knew very well – it was written for their 2005 fight against Nelson.

Harmer spoke about how it felt to have a song from fifteen years ago every bit as relevant today, she cited vigilance.

 

 

 

Ryan O’Dowd is a Sheridan College journalism student who is part of a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative that will have him reporting for the Gazette well into 2022.  He is a Burlington native who plays the guitar.

Return to the Front page

Police parking lot offered as a safe place to transact business. Really!

By Staff

July 20, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

 

The Halton Regional Police Service is pleased to announce the launch of our first Buy & Sell Exchange Zone.

A zone is an area the police set up that they deem to be a safe place.  Right outside police headquarters is probably as safe as you are going to get.

Why such a zone?  The Halton Regional Police explain:

Many people have become victims of crimes like robberies, frauds and thefts when attempting to buy or sell property online. The purpose of the Buy & Sell Exchange Zone is to provide some additional peace of mind to those who are buying, selling, or trading property online. If you are meeting new people while finalizing online transactions, we encourage you to use our Exchange Zone.

You can expect to be safe outside Police headquarters

The clearly-signed Exchange Zone is situated in the visitor parking lot of our 20 Division facility, which is located at:
95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville, Ontario L6H 0G6 – Phone: 905-825-4777 ext. 2

If you are unable to meet at our Buy & Sell Exchange Zone, please consider completing your transactions in well-lit, public and popular locations to avoid being a victim of crime.

Tips to protect yourself during a buy and sell exchange:
• Complete your transaction during daytime hours only.
• Use the buddy system when possible. Bring a family or friend with you, or at the very least, let someone know who you will be meeting, the time, and the location of the exchange.
• To reduce the potential of falling victim to fraud, never complete a buy and sell transaction by mail.
• When meeting in person, always inspect goods you wish to purchase before giving money to the seller.
• Limit the amount of personal information you provide.
• Stop. Pause. Think. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Return to the Front page

Pole in the main walkway at Village Square precarious - could topple very easily.

By Staff

July 20th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

There is a pole in the Village Square that is very dangerous – its condition is such that it wouldn’t take much of a push to bring it crashing down.

Right in the middle of the main passageway – where anyone pushing a cart could bump into the pole. Looks as if someone has done just that at some point.

Close up of just where the flaw is.

No one seems to know who is responsible for the pole. The ward councillor has been alerted
Given that city council is on a six week summer break it will be interesting to see what gets done and how quickly the serious safety concern gets tended to.
We will keep you posted on this one.
To get a sense as to just how dangerous this is check out the short short video – couple of seconds.

Return to the Front page

Shift in the make up of the real estate market requires sellers to understand the new dynamic

By Rob Golfi

July 20, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The pandemic era housing market has continued to climb to an all-time high over the past two years with the average selling price of $688,208 recorded this May, according to WOWA. The intense demand of homes during the pandemic has made prices skyrocket, creating a seller’s market. While the market activity was up 103.6% year-over-year, The Canadian Real Estate Association has noted a decline in national home sales by 7.4% on a month-over-month basis in May.

Data – Canadian Real Estate Association

With the high demand of homes and a shortage of properties, frantic bidding wars on low valued homes have become out of control. In March 2021, the peak of the pandemic market, out of 1304 homes sold 1116 sold at asking price or higher and in April 2021 sales were up 245% since April 2020. However, sale prices were down 11% in June with the inventory available at the end of the month dropping to 0.8% which was lower than May. I have noticed that seller expectations are being impacted from how things were in previous months” resulting in pandemic tunnel vision which is preventing people from being able to sell their homes.

Unfortunately, sellers are getting caught up in the previous numbers of the market or hear about a neighbour who sold their house for X amount of money a few months ago, and believe their house is worth the same or more. Many agents in the area are having trouble coaching and supporting both buyers and sellers. Although the market isn’t retreating to a stable level, it isn’t continuing to rise to the previous caliber of March and April. As a result many are realizing weeks later that they botched a great offer and regret becoming overly confident and unsatisfied with the offers they declined. It is difficult for sellers to understand that we are now in an adjustment phase of the market”. Ultimately, sellers need to disregard previous numbers from the peak of the market and realize that it is beginning to settle down.

All things considered, the market earlier this year is a great memory for those who sold, and for buyers it will catch up in 12 months and you will see your equity begin to flourish. However, in this moment it is crucial for sellers to comprehend the shift the market is taking to successfully sell their home, and refrain from being fixated on numbers that are no longer applicable.

Rob Golfi is the founder of RE/MAX Escarpment Golfi Realty Inc. A Real Estate Brokerage operating in Hamilton, Halton, Brantford, and Niagara. The firm has over 200 years of combined experience with more than 1000 five-star reviews on Google, Facebook, and Zillow. The Golfi Team is rated the 7th best RE/MAX team worldwide. The have being en in the top 100 Real Estate Teams for RE/MAX Canada since 2003.

Return to the Front page

Ace wheel chair basket ball player going to Tokyo Paralympics

By Staff

July 20th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

We first met Melanie Hawtin when she was playing wheel chair basketball at the Haber Recreational Centre.

What impressed us was not only the skill but her competitive nature.  When she wanted the ball – she went after it and usually got the ball.

We didn’t know all that much about the woman – we just liked what we saw. She was once on the fast track to a promising career as a wheelchair racer. A native of Oakville, Hawtin started racing as a child and quickly became a decorated athlete within the sport with hopes of representing Canada at the Paralympic Games.

Melanie is part of the Canadian Team representing Canada at the Tokyo 2021 Paralympics. We will report on how the Canadian Team does.

That dream was put on hold after surgery forced her to take a hiatus from the track. It was during that hiatus that Hawtin started playing wheelchair basketball. She began competing with the Burlington Vipers club before going on to represent Ontario at the women’s national championship in 2013.

As a former competitive track athlete, speed is Hawtin’s greatest asset and she quickly outmanoeuvres her opponents up and down the basketball court. She ultimately drew the attention of the National Team program and made the Senior Women’s National Team in 2014. She made her Paralympic debut two years later at Rio 2016, where Canada finished fifth.

In 2019, Hawtin underwent shoulder surgery and did not compete at the 2019 Parapan American Games.

When she is not training with the National Team, Hawtin is busy honing her skills at the wheelchair basketball National Academy in Toronto.

Off the basketball court, Hawtin spends time with family and has a genuine love for fashion.

Return to the Front page

Online registration for indoor summer recreation programs opens July 24

By Staff

July 20, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Burlington will open online registration for indoor summer recreation programs for adults 19+ and adults 55+ beginning Saturday, July 24 at 9 a.m.

Registration for swimming programs at Tansley Woods, Aldershot, Centennial and Angela Coughlan pools will also open on Saturday, July 24 at 11 a.m.
A complete listing of indoor summer programming can be found online at Burlington.ca/recreation.< Drop-in programs
Registration for drop-in recreational swimming and skating programs at indoor City facilities is required 25 hours in advance of the program start time. Drop-in swimming programs start today, Monday, July 19, and skating programs will resume Tuesday, July 20.
New self-serve option for withdrawing from drop-in programs

New this season, participants have the ability to withdraw from drop-in programs online by logging into their Live & Play account. More information about the new feature is available online at Burlington.ca/recreation.

All City programs will continue to follow public health guidance when required, including physical distancing, capacity limits and wearing masks or face coverings. Individuals participating in an in-person program will be required to fill out the mandatory health screening form at Burlington.ca/screening before each session.

Individuals who have questions or require assistance can email live&play@burlington.ca or call 905-335-7738 between 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekends.

• Recreation fee assistance funding is available to resident individuals or families who require assistance with the cost of City of Burlington recreation programs. For more information or to apply, visit burlington.ca/feeassistance. You can also leave a confidential voicemail message at 905-335-7738, ext. 8501 and staff will return your call to assist you.

Return to the Front page