 By Pepper Parr
March 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a very nice drawing. Architects and planner call them renderings. They are used by the real estate agents selling property and frequently they don’t reflect what the end product is going to look like.
The Gazette has used the drawings on a number of occasions.
 A rendering out of the fertile mind of someone in the city’s planning department? It didn’t come from the developer that owns the land. Corner of Lakeshore Road and Brant Street. We were both surprised and a little stunned when we learned that while the property at the north east corner of Brant and Lakeshore is owned by the Molinaro Group – the rendering wasn’t produced by the Molinaro’s.
What? – you might ask.
Apparently the city planning department didn’t ask the Molinaro people for permission to put together a rendering – they just did it.
During a recent city council meeting there was considerable discussion on how high a building on that site should be? The debate had the height swinging from 23 then down to 17 then down to 15 and then down to 12 and then back up to 17.
The Molinaro Group owns the land but they say they haven’t even decided who the architect on the project might be.
 The rendering that reflects the thinking of the planning department – the owner of the property knows nothing about it and didn’t authorize it creation or use. They are busy completing the Paradigm on Fairview and getting ready to start work on Brock 2 and continuing their discussions with the planners on their Brant/Ghent development that is working its way through the planning department.
When that fellow to the south of us (the American President) told some of his supporters that he just made up the international trade figures he gave to our Prime Minister we shrugged – that what he does; tells lies because he doesn’t know what the truth is.
 Has that habit worked its way across the border and into the Burlington Planning department?
Just asking.
Salt with Pepper are the opinions, musings and reflections of the Publisher of the Burlington Gazette
 By Staff
March 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The easiest way to get this story out is to report that after deciding to close two of Burlington’s seven high schools the trustees will decide on Wednesday if they want to go forward with the building of a new administrative building at a cost of $23 million plus some ongoing financing that will have to be taken on.
The recommendation the trustees are going to debate is:
Be it resolved that the Halton District School Board direct the Director of Education to initiate the construction of a new administrative building on the J.W. Singleton Education Centre property, pending Ministry approval.
 Director of Education Stuart Miller has put forward a staff recommendation to construct a new Board administration building. In a report to the trustees Director of Education Stuart Miller set out the conclusion that he and his Superintendents arrive at goes like this:
The Halton District School Board is the largest single employer in the entire Halton region. With more than 8000 full and part time employees serving 65,000 students and their families, it is clear the Halton District School Board is a very significant part of the Region of Halton. Moreover, dozens of Halton-based businesses employing a multitude of Halton residents do business with and provide services to the Board, its students and its staff. With a budget of more than $760 million, it is also apparent the Board and its employees contribute greatly to the local economy.
 If the trustees follow the staff recommendation Burlington will see a new multi storey structure at the north west intersection of Upper Middle Road and Guelph Line. The staff who currently work in the J.W. Singleton Education Centre, New Street Education Centre and the Milton Learning Centre are vital to the work of the schools. Halton students and graduates are served very well by their teachers, educational assistants, school administrators and all school- based support staff. Indeed, Halton District School Board students perform consistently at or near the top when compared to other boards across the province.
This cannot occur without the support of those who work in the various Board offices. Vital operations such as information technology, payroll, human resources, purchasing, facility services, library services, academic consulting, student services (special education), financial services, senior management and the functions of the Board of Trustees all occur centrally. Each of these services, and more, provide essential support for both the achievement and well-being of the Halton District School Board’s students. The role of all central support staff is crucial to the continued success of all Halton District School Board students.
 Photographs of current administrative offices at the Singleton Centre on Guelph Line. The current facilities that accommodate these staff are inadequate. There is insufficient space and the condition of the current buildings are found wanting. To meet the current needs, including AODA compliance, would require a significant investment of millions of dollars. In addition, retrofitting or renovations would result in the displacement of hundreds of personnel and several school operations.
The need for an administrative centre that provides a modern, efficient building that is fully accessible and adaptable to future needs, will have a positive impact on professional relationships, operations and ultimately student learning and well-being.
In the fall of 2017 the Halton Regional Police Services moved into a new headquarters on North Service Road. The building itself cost $54 million and was built on Region-owned land. This new headquarters will serve the police services and ultimately the citizens of Halton well into the future.
A new Halton District School Board education centre will serve the same purpose for the tens of thousands of students we serve, well into the future.
 New Regional Police HQ – due to be opened in the very near future. Like the Halton Regional Police Services headquarters, which was situated on regional land, the new HDSB administrative centre would be placed on Board property. This will result in a savings of approximately $5.6 to $8.8 million dollars, as land would not have to be purchased. It is also more efficient and would allow the project to be started and completed in a shorter time period.
It is for these reasons staff are recommending a new education centre be constructed on the site of the current administrative centre, subject to the required approvals.
How did the Board get to this point and have you heard anything about it from your school board trustee?
The Halton District School Board has grown to 65,000 students, an increase of 35% in student population during the past 10 years. This has resulted in a corresponding increase in staff across the system. There are currently 388 staff assigned to both the J.W. Singleton Centre and New Street Education Centre. This number has increased during the years and will continue to increase, as enrolment grows, in order to provide support and oversight to ensure schools operate effectively.
Because of this growth, staff have been engaged in a study of accommodation needs of central administrative Board staff.
 Architects schematic of what would go where in a new School Board administrative building. A February 4, 2015 initiated a review to determine if the Board offices are adequate to carry out the current and future functions of the Board. This report identified Snyder and Associates Inc. as the consultant to lead this study. Two phases were outlined. Phase one was a comprehensive needs assessment followed by phase two which provided options for consideration to address the needs identified in phase one.
A report to the Board in June 24, 2015 outlined the results of phase one, confirming that the current administrative spaces are inadequate to accommodate the current and growing needs of central staff and the functions they perform.
The second phase was a February 17, 2017 report that highlighted ideal proximity of departments for optimal synergies and the importance of centralizing all administrative functions of the Board at one site, ideally geographically central in the Board. The report confirmed the current practice of accommodating staff through reorganization and/or minor modifications/ renovations of current space is not a long term solution. Spaces are cramped, lacking privacy, meeting space is inappropriate, building systems are outdated and accessibility remains an issue.
The report identified the need for a facility that:
• is flexible and adaptable to future needs
• encourages collaboration and innovation
• provides a safe and inclusive environment
• is fully accessible for staff and the public
• enhances employee well-being to improve employee performance
• enhances community and board wide engagement
The report also outlined general specifications including square footage, cost and the number of staff to be accommodated.
An October 16, 2016 to the reported staff had been in contact with municipalities and a joint facility was not a likely option. Staff had also investigated available vacant land geographically central to the Board and determined there is no readily available vacant land.
The facility would require approximately eight acres of land. The report also outlined possible concept plans for two currently owned administrative centre lands: Gary Allan High School/New Street Education Centre and M.M. Robinson/J.W. Singleton Centre.
E.C. Drury Campus
During the course of the past 14 months, staff have investigated the potential use of the E.C. Drury site. This site is geographically located centrally within the Board which has some obvious advantages. The E.C. Drury site, however, is owned and operated by Provincial Schools. This is a complicating factor and to date staff have not been able to engage in the necessary discussions with the Province (Infrastructure Ontario) that would result in this piece of property being considered a viable option. Any further discussions would likely be long and arduous making this option less than ideal.
Land Availability
The consultants have suggested for a new location, eight acres would be sufficient to accommodate a new administration building. This site size would allow for unknowns such as site configuration, setbacks, easements, and future expansion. The Planning Department, supported by consultants Cushman & Wakefield, has confirmed there is currently very little available land central to the Board, including north Oakville or Milton that would meet the size and configuration requirements of a Board administrative office.
Potential Costs
Building a new facility would cost approximately $32 million (tender portion). The Ministry does not fund new administrative centres nor the acquisition of land for a new administrative facility. The Board must finance the construction and, if desired, land acquisition. The acquisition of property for school sites in North Oakville and Milton range in the $1.4 to $2.0 million per acre range. More specific to the Board’s needs for office/employment land, values in north Oakville or Milton are between $700,000 and $1,100,000 per acre, making the cost to purchase the land alone to be approximately $5.6-$8.8 million.
All options presented to the Board will result in a requirement to finance the construction of the new facility. In recognition that funds required to construct a facility would take several years to compile, the following recommendations to allocate funds to the Future Administrative Facility have been approved:
Allocation from Year-end Surplus:
December 2013) $ 1,125,291
November 2015) $2,500,000 Transfers within Accumulated Surplus:
November 2016) $8,919,579
Total $12,544,870
November 2016) $11,100,000
Total Funds Available for Future Administrative Facility $ 23,644,870
The balance of funds required to construct the new administrative facility would be secured through long-term financing. The principal and interest payments would be budgeted through the Board administration and governance funding envelope.
Ontario Regulation 193/10 restricts the amount of funds that can be used for the purposes of constructing administrative facilities. Under this regulation, the Board can only use proceeds of disposition which have been generated through the sale of a former administrative facility. Therefore, the Board cannot use proceeds of disposition generated from the sale of school sites.
Existing Administrative Office Sites
The utilization of existing Board property, either the J.W. Singleton Centre or New St. Education Centre site, would substantially reduce the total cost of the new administrative centre. The Board already owns both potential properties.
Renovating either existing building has been deemed to be problematic for the following reasons:
a. cost of retrofitting and updating the existing building
b. ongoing maintenance and operating costs of existing building
c. accessibility issues within the existing building
The M.M. Robinson H.S. property is approximately 33.6 acres in size, which includes J.W. Singleton Centre (see attachment). Although it is not identified as a separate piece of land, it is estimated the J.W. Singleton Centre site is approximately 5.7 acres in size. The New Street Education Centre/Gary Allan property consists of approximately of 14.67 acres, although the property is fragmented given the previous acquisitions of portions of the site to the City of Burlington.
The consultants have prepared schematic facility fit drawings confirming a 95,000 square foot admin centre could be placed on either property. If the Board were to move forward with building on either the J.W. Singleton Centre site or the New Street Education Centre site, an Official Plan Amendment and rezoning would be required. The Board’s Planning Department has identified the undertaking of an Official Plan Amendment and zoning amendment for the New Street Education Centre/Gary Allan site would likely be problematic, given the residential nature of the surrounding neighbourhood and the concerns related to a use that may not be compatible with the area.
 If approved the building would be built on the north west corner of the Upper Middle Road – Guelph Line intersection in Burlington. The location of the new administration centre on the existing J.W. Singleton Centre site would likely be less cause for concern from area residents. Locating a building at the northwest corner of Guelph Line and Upper Middle Road, would be more compatible to the adjacent land uses (i.e., retail malls to the east and southeast) and M.M. Robinson H.S., located to the west. Also, the location of a new administration centre on the current site, would allow for enhanced building exposure and street presence to ensure the Halton District School Board remains visible in the community.
 The Halton District School Board trustees will decide if they want the administration to proceed with the construction of a new administrative building The current location also offers better transportation/transit access due to its proximity to a major transportation corridors (Guelph Line/Upper Middle Road) as well as the QEW/403 and Highway 407, as compared to the New Street Education Centre/Gary Allan location. Planning staff believes the potential development of a new administrative centre at this location could provide for other office/retail opportunities that potentially could assist in the reducing the operating costs for the new administration centre.
 Does that sound like there will be a Tim Hortons included in the design.
Lastly, the location of the new administration centre at the existing location would ensure the current J.W. Singleton Centre workforce would be minimally impacted.
Get ready for the Burlington reaction to this one.
 By Staff
March 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 The governments of Canada and Ontario are working together to make long-term infrastructure investments to create economic growth, build inclusive communities and support a low carbon, green economy–leading to a higher quality of life for all Canadians.
Translation – this is how the government is going to use the taxes they collect – Over $18 million available in federal funding for local public transit projects in Burlington
These investments will help transform Canada in four priority areas: public transit; green infrastructure; community, culture and recreation infrastructure; and rural and northern community infrastructure.
Under the public transit stream, Burlington will receive over $18 million federally and $15 million provincially to build new urban transit networks and service extensions that will transform the way Canadians live, move and work.
One of the levels of government (it certainly wasn’t Burlington) provided a neat interactive map that lets you see where the funds are going and what the money will be spent on. Click here to check it out.
 By Staff
March 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Our home opener is on SATURDAY, May 12th at 1:05 p.m. vs. KITCHENER PANTHERS.
It is going to have to get a little bit warmer before the mind thinks it has just heard the crack of a bat. Not too far off – unless there is one more snow fall for us out there.
The Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) published their 2018 Schedule recognizing and celebrating its 100th anniversary.
 Each team will again play a 36-game schedule. Weekends comprise a large majority of the schedule as 68% of the games will be played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (99 of the 144 games).
Burlington’s The Herd will host their first game when they meet the Kitchener Panthers on May 12th.
The schedule for Herd home games is: Kitchener Panthers on May 12 and July 14, Barrie Baycats (2017 IBL Champions) May 17, June 17, July 12, rival Hamilton Cardinals May 19, June 7, July 7, Toronto Maple Leafs May 26, June 23, Brantford Red Sox, May 31, June 9, July 28, and London Majors June 2, July 5, July 21.
 By Staff
March 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Entrepreneurship, networking and jazz – will they work together?
 Wendel Clark’s Classic Grill and Sports Lounge, 380 Brant Street Silicon Halton is holding a MeetUp 101 on Wednesday – 7:00 to 10:00 pm at Wendel Clark’s Classic Grill and Sports Lounge, 380 Brant Street
The invite is for those who own a business or work in one or the public sector and have an innovation and entrepreneurial mindset.
In environments characterized by uncertainty and continuous change, the success of our enterprises will depend on our capacity for innovation; figuring out stuff on the fly. To put it in other words, we will need to develop a capacity for improvisation. The essence of jazz is collective improvisation and depends on the spontaneous, dynamic and creative interplay of the performing artists. But improvising isn’t winging it! The freedom so essential for its performance, however, is grounded in a rigorous individual and collective discipline.
The makers of jazz music figured out a long time ago how a diverse but highly interdependent collection of individuals can perform collaboratively and put the theory of synergy into practice.
To the extent that improvisation is about experimentation and exploration, an innovative culture which fosters entrepreneurialism and inventiveness is essential.
Added to the program is a short talk on: It is possible to be an entrepreneur and keep you “day job”. In fact, it’s possibly one of the most rewarding things you can do. We’ll show you why you should consider becoming a 10% entrepreneur and why it’s important in today’s day and age.
Already an entrepreneur? We’ll cover what it means to be a 110% entrepreneur too.
Tickets at Eventbrite.
By Pepper Parr
March 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The most impressive community development event in the city has to have been the saving of the Freeman train station.
The 1906 era railway station that served Burlington for ages was due to become scrap until a dedicated group of citizens pleaded with city council to be given an opportunity to save the structure. The members of the current council, with two exceptions, didn’t make it easy.
We are asked if we have to always bring this up – and yes we do. Because the day that a ribbon is cut to celebrate an Official opening of the station to recognize the financial support the city finally gave the Friends of Freeman Station(FoF) – you can bet the farm that every member of Council will be in the photo op, including those that didn’t support the idea.
 They had every reason to be smiling. Councillors Meed Ward and Lancaster pose with five members of the Friends of Freeman Station after the Council meeting that approved the entering into of a Joint Venture that would have the Friends moving the station and taking on the task of renovating the building. The people that deserve the credit are those that put in weekend after weekend painting, sanding, sawing and moving things around the station.
The Freeman Station now has a very extensive collection of artifacts – most from citizens who remember the occasions when they caught a train from that station that used to be on the CN line off Brant just north of Fairview. Of course Fairview hasn’t always been a Burlington Street.
 The basement space will house a computer control system fora historic model railway. The interactive, museum-quality model railway diorama will depict life in the village of Freeman (now part of Burlington) in the early 1900’s. The transformed Freeman Station is close to being completed – the final drive to finish the basement level that will have model railway that will replicate what Burlington looked like when the railway station was a major mode of transportation.
There is still some work to be done on the flooring and some display case issues that need to be worked out.
One of the bigger problems is where to put everything – there is far too much to put everything on display at the same time.
The focus – and the big push at this point – is to make the best of the offer the city made: Raise $50,000 and the city will match it dollar for dollar. .
The FoF have had much success selling Whinstones. About 100 are sold and there are about 100 more available.
About 80 of the Whinstones are reserved for soldiers whose names are written on the Burlington Cenotaph. We know many soldiers left from the Freeman Station to go to war and we want to remember them in granite as well.
 That pile of stones are a big part of the city’s history. They used to be used as ballast in ships that tied up at Burlington wharves. They are being sold as part of the fund raising program. The fund raising committee wants to sell the remaining 100 Whinstones at $100 each that will generate $10,000 that will be matched by the city. Those who purchase a Whinstone also get a tax receipt for the full $100 amount for their 2018 tax year. Once we sell the last one later this year – the donor’s names will go on the north wall of the Station.
The FoF have received over $10,000 in donations since January 1, 2018. That $200,000 target is very real – so there is a lot of work to do.
A Spaghetti Dinner night is an idea that is being thought about. One of the biggest problems on the fund raising side is getting people to take on the organizing of these events. The FoF volunteers tend to be people who are good at woodworking and refurbishing stuff. They need help on event management.
There are about 3 T-shirts in Blue size XL for $25 each and a dozen mugs at $40 each which includes a mug (with a picture of the Station on it) +$10 Tim Card (with a picture of the Station on it) plus a 1 year membership card (with a picture of the Station on it).
This is a project that has brought out the best in the city. They need a bit of a boost to get over this last hump.
 The Freeman Station just before sunset. What happens when the work is done and the station is ready for the public on a regular basis? What will the hours be? What will the station need in terms of staffing? The building belongs to the city even though the volunteers have made it as valuable as it is.
Could – should the Freeman station become part of the Museums of Burlington operation?
 By Staff
March 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Approximately 900 Halton District School Board Grade 7 and 8 music students representing 24 elementary schools, will be convening for two special days of music collaboration, called Band Extravaganza on Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday March 28, 2018.
 The event will be held each day at the Burlington Music Centre (2311 New Street) and Burlington Seniors’ Centre (2285 New Street).
Students will start each day with a concert by the Halton Junior Jazz Band. Afterward, students will travel to breakout clinics specifically for their instrument and will later convene for a massed band rehearsal with guest conductors both days.
This should work out to be a great opportunity for the seniors.
This year, the Board has commissioned two original concert band compositions for this event: The Call to Adventure, by composer David Marlatt, and The Conquest by Ryan Meeboer, a teacher at Alexander’s Public School in Burlington.
These pieces will be directed by the composers and played for the first time by Halton students.
“The students are looking forward to rehearsing and performing in this massed band as it is inspirational and grandiose,” said Rebecca MacRae, the Board’s Instructional Program Leader (The Arts, K-12). “Music performance is the major curriculum connection during Band Extravanagza, as the students learn and perform two brand new pieces in one day.”
Long and McQuade of Burlington is generously providing music equipment and clinicians. Halton Board music teachers will also be directing instrumental workshops with students.
 By Staff
March 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Mike Quackenbush advised the Gazette earlier today that he has “made the decision not to run in this year’s municipal election.”
 Mike Quackenbush decides the time isn’t right for him in municipal politics. “Instead, I will be using the next four years to clear a couple tasks off of my to-do list, while remaining involved and working towards our collective ambition – a better city.
“At 27 years old, I know already that public service is in my future. I need to make sure that the various organizations which I hold a leadership role with are continued to be setup for long-term success, before I refocus my energy on the city as a whole.
“You can believe that my name will be on the ballot in 2022.”
Probably a wise move on Mike Quackenbush’s part. There are two admirable candidates in the race plus the incumbent. There is also two candidates who ran in 2014 and appeared to express some interest in the 2018 election. Lisa Cooper has a bit of a profile in the ward having run on at least four past elections.
 He has been a consistent advocate for the rural part of the city. Has been treated quite shabbily at times by his council colleagues.  Taylor in full campaign mode during an election many years ago greeting a voter. John Taylor, the incumbent is understood to have met with a number of those who intend to challenge the seat he has held for close to 25 years.
Based on what the Gazette is picking up as it makes the rounds of events, Taylor is at risk. Even some of his Lowville loyalists think he might want to consider getting out of politics at the top of his game – a defeat at this point in a career during which he has served the people if his ward very well would be hard to swallow.
 By Pepper Parr
March 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Ruth Coverdale played drums and Joan Fox played the Guitar.
It was an Irish event without the Guinness.
A healthy little crowd gathered at the Lowville United Church for a Lowville Festival fundraiser that celebrated the Irish in the community.
 Joan Fox played the Guitar. The music was fine; they sang every Irish song you’ve ever heard and closed with wen Irish eyes are smiling, done by Rob Missen Loretta Baily and Bronwyn, the daughter of Minister Daryl Weber who wasn’t able to attend – flu.
Stuart Laughton, a musician who plays a number of instruments did a really cute little piece on what he called a tin whistle and then added a number of ballads that were very nicely done. Someone named George told stories which gave the evening a nice local feeling.
 Ruth Coverdale, marking up the music during the Irish eyes are smiling concert in Lowville. She played the drums The music was the draw – the health of the community church is what people in the foyer wanted to talk about after the concert – the size of the congregation is the challenges they are facing.
 Bob Missen and Loretta Bailey doing Irish eyes are smiling – the closing piece for a really enjoyable community concert. The pastor has what is known as a two point parish – he handled two churches. The Nelson United Congregation decided some time ago to sell their property and join the Tansley congregation which meant the cost of running the church fell on Lowville. It isn’t something they are going to be able to do for very long.
Like almost every church in Burlington, the congregation is made up of seniors’ who are looking for a way to keep their church alive. They are not without ideas but it is a serious challenge.
More on that story as it evolves.
 Rory Nisan, a yet to be announced candidate for the Ward 3 seat at the Lowville United Church on Saturday. Ward Councillor John Taylor didn’t make an appearance – the church is often ground zero for Taylor. Two of the numerous people who have their eye on the council seat Taylor has held for more than 20 years were in attendance, shaking hands and making themselves known.
 Gareth Williams, on the left attended the Irish eyes are Smiling concert at the Lowville United Church. We got a good look at the campaigning skills of Rory Nisan and Gareth Williams; one of the two was much much better than the other.
There are three other people who are understood to be interested in the ward 3 council seat. It should prove to be a lively election in that ward.
During the chit chat with people after the concert it became clear that the congregation doesn’t expect to see much support from the city even though they feel they deserve some help.
The good news announced that evening was the dates for the fourth annual Lowville Festival – June 8th to 10th – with two top name performers on the program.
Bob Missen who handles some of the talent was keeping the names close to his chest and has asked that we not announce who they are quite yet. Both will take the Festival one more step to becoming an event that people will plan to attend.
Leona Boyd was on the stage last year – the Festival organizers have improved on that; they expect to announce the program for next June very soon.
 By Staff
March 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
An 11 year old girl riding a bicycle east on Dundas Street east of Sutton Drive was struck by an east bound minivan at just before 6:30 pm. The girl was transported to McMaster Children’s Hospital by Halton Regional Paramedic Services where she remains in critical condition.
 The Halton Regional Police are investigating.
Due to the life threatening nature of her injuries, the Collision Reconstruction Unit has taken carriage of the investigation.
Any witnesses who have not spoken to police are asked to contact the Collision Reconstruction Unit at (905)825-4747 ext: 5065.
By Pepper Parr
March 17th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Planning for Spring Break – what are the options for parents?
Is it just part of the school year when parents have to find something else for the kids to do outside the classroom? Is it a time for a holiday break?
Time to go skiing or go south and frolic on a beach?
It can get expensive but households that have both parents working need to do something – the last thing a parent wants is to have kids wandering around aimlessly.
At some point someone or somebody is going to have to come up with programmes for parents of moderate means that keeps the kids out of trouble and harms way.
Gina Faubert is a “personal coach” who has a string of initials after her name that certifies her to work with people on their health and their life issues – and we all have those don’t we.
 Some of the food donations in the background – the four girls raised $1500 in cash – the balance of the $5000 raised was in food and Cash Card donations. Along with the career that includes a very robust coaching practice she has a sideline that is a special project for her; she calls it Radiant Girls where the focus is on working with girls on their leadership skills and their personal sense of self-worth.
After watching Faubert take four girls through the last day of a Spring Break session one comes away with the sense that this for her is a personal passion. She lets the group set their own pace but is there to remind them of just what the objective is. The experience gained through the full time coaching practice is used to work with girls that are going to grow up in a world a lot different than their parents.
 Cashelmara in the background, Nina and Zoe prepare the LEGO for the traditional 23 foot walk that they stretched to 41 feet.. The March Break program this year started out with 11 students but got cut back to four with last minute decision changes. So, while the class was smaller – it was what it was supposed to be – an opportunity for a group of girls who didn’t know each other when the week started to set out with an objective and make it happen.
 Nina, Dana Sperling and Gina Faubert setting up the cell phones to broadcast the LEGO walk live to a Facebook page. Faubert describes the program as one where girls will develop self-love, self-expression and emotional intelligence skills. Girls will learn the importance of being brave and kind; discover the power of gratitude and the meaning of empathy. It is all this as well as a leadership camp designed to teach girls between 11-15 how to make a difference in their community which they do by designing and implementing a charity fundraiser for underprivileged youth in Burlington.
 Nina and Hayley do the LEGO walk on the 41 foot pathway they laid out. The program adds in a physical challenge – a 25 foot LEGO walk – yup – they set out 25 feet (turned out to be 41 feet) of LEGO in a pathway which the walk over in the bare feet. It isn’t as painful as it sounds but these girls didn’t know that when they started.
The organization the fund raising was going to be done for was determined beforehand. What the girls had to do was design and then execute the program.
Funds were going to be raised for the community homes unit of the ROCK – the Reach Out Centre for Kids. The group getting whatever was raised was the EarlyON Program.
The girls first had to learn about who they were raising funds for and then figure out how they were going to do it. These were girls who had no idea that there were people who weren’t as fortunate as they were. Food challenged households were just not a part of the world they lived in.
The four girls did a remarkable job of raising $5000 in cash, food donations and toys. The manager of the Michael’s No Frills on Guelph south of Dundas made a donation and added to that the donation of a $100 Cash Card every month for the balance of the year.
They did this by cold calling on people and making phone calls asking for donations. This too was not the world they lived in day to day.
 When everyone had done the 41 foot LEGO walk there is a celebration: Nina, Gina and Hayley share high fives. All they had was the five days to get to know each other, make the accommodation and adjustments for the different personalities and learn to work together. There were significant differences in where each girl was on in their physical and emotional development with one girl bringing significant learning ability issues to the group.
While our time with the group was limited – it wasn’t hard to see how they worked through the challenges with Faubert reminding them of what they had been taught earlier in the week.
We live in a world where #metoo and #timesup are part of the language we use. Faubert wants to ensure that these girls have a strong sense of who they are and that they have real potential and will never experience #metoo.
The week long session ended with the girls gathered around an outdoor fire to review what they had learned and enjoy some S’mores, a delicacy I had never heard of – chocolate melted on Graham crackers with marshmallows. These were Halal marshmallows. We do live in changing times.
 Hayley writes out personal thank you notes to everyone who helped raise the finds for the EarlyON provincial program run by the ROCK people. Did it work? Hard to say but the four girls that started the session on the Monday were different girls on the Friday. Besides doing something that made a difference for someone else they came away with skills they didn’t have when they started.
I wondered what the hashtag they create might be.
 By Staff
March 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
In the lead up to the June 7th election in Ontario, the minimum wage continues to be a hot button issue.
Both the provincial Liberals and the NDP have committed to increase the minimum wage from $14 this year to $15 an hour on January 1, 2019.
But the new leader of the Ontario PC party, Doug Ford, is now saying that he would freeze the minimum wage at $14 an hour and remove everyone earning less than $30,000 a year from the income tax rolls.
Two different scenarios with very different implications for low-wage workers in Ontario.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) an independent think tank, looked at the most recent Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) data from 2015 and found that 4.9 million Ontarians who had a total income of less than $30,000 per year filed taxes.
In a recent report the CCPA had this to say about not going forward with the minimum wage increases:
Two-thirds of those (3.2 million people) paid no income tax, due to a combination of existing tax deductions and tax credits. For those low-income Ontarians, the promise of no taxes offers nothing new.
The 34 per cent of Ontarians with incomes less than $30,000 who paid tax had an average provincial income tax bill of $485 in 2015.
The average Ontario tax rate for those with incomes below $30,000 a year was 0.9 per cent of their total income.
 Minimum wage demand. So is a $485 tax cut better than increasing the minimum wage from $14 to $15 an hour? The simple answer is: no.
Assuming Ontario minimum wage earners work 37.5 hours per week, a one dollar an hour increase in their wages would be worth $1,950 a year, before taxes.
These workers would be further ahead with an increase in wages rather than having their wages frozen and getting a tax cut.
But it doesn’t stop there.
We know that low-income people rely on public services. They can’t send their kids to private school, they rely on subsidized child care in order to work, they are more likely to take public transit.
Freezing the minimum wage and offering a tax cut in its place would not only reduce low-wage workers’ direct income, it would also reduce the amount of revenue that the province has to pay for the public services that they need to rely on: like public education, subsidized child care, and public transit.
This is simply a bad trade off for low-income Ontarians. And it’s an approach that would create a host of other problems.
Eliminating Ontario income tax on the first $30,000 of income for all Ontarians would be prohibitively expensive.
Removing anyone with less than $30,000 of income from the income tax rolls would mean that only half of the population (53 per cent) would be paying income taxes in Ontario.
Those who are paying income taxes could feel that they are carrying too much of the burden, further eroding our trust in government and public services. As public economist Armine Yalnizyan tweeted: “Can you spell tax revolt?”
 Is this rate of minimum wage growth inflationary? This tax reduction could be targeted to low-income workers through a tax credit as Lindsey Tedds pointed out.
However, economists also worry about the impact on the incentive to work when you face a sharp increase in the taxes you pay on the next dollar of income. This was widely debated and called the “welfare wall” in the 1990s. As economist Mike Moffatt tweeted: “Anyone making $30,001 would face one hell of a marginal tax bill.”
Tax policy is complex and can have unintended consequences.
That’s why we need to know what the impact of such a proposal would be on low-income Ontarians, the public coffers, tax fairness, and incentives. Canning the minimum wage increase in favour of a tax cut would either be expensive or have a number of negative unintended consequences, and ultimately leaves low-wage workers no farther ahead.
 Sheila Block is a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives’ Ontario office.
 By Pepper Parr
March 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Revised
Doug Ford is out there getting on every TV and radio station that will give him ten minutes to explain what he will do differently. We get an idea of what he has planned in bits and pieces; he wants to see the private sector involved in the sale of cannabis and he wants to cut out the waste in government spending. He has said he will scrap the Cap and Trade carbon tax – even though the federal government has made it clear that if a province does not have a cap and trade tax then the federal plan will be imposed on them
 Doug Ford announcing his intention to run for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party in Ontario. Ford wants the government out of business; he believes the market is the best approach to controlling prices and wants to see much less regulation.
One wonders what the tens of thousands of people who got those $25 Gift Cards from Loblaws who are trying to put their decades long price fixing on bread prices behind then think about less government regulation.
 Great campaign literature – it will become part of Ontario’s political folk lore. The Progressive Conservatives had an election platform that had the former PC party leader all over it. There were a lot of good things in the plan but it was scrapped and the hundred thousand copies of that plan that were printed were recycled. They got rid of the magazines – then they got rid of Brown.
The Premier of the province can list all the changes she has made since the last election in 2014. She too needs a way to get her platform in front of the voting public.
Premier Kathleen Wynne found a neat way to get a lot of attention and put her platform in front of the public.
She is going to use all the pomp and ceremony that is part of a Throne Speech.
On Thursday Wynne advised the Lieutenant Governor to prorogue the Legislature, which she did and on Monday she will read out a Throne Speech that will set out what the government plans to get done in the election that will take place June 7th.
 Tough to beat a Throne Speech for visual effect on television.
The government will reintroduce government bills that were before the legislature prior to prorogation so that debate on them can continue. This includes proposed legislation aimed at eliminating the gender pay gap and increasing pay transparency for workers, as well as legislation that would transform Ontario’s corrections system, and protect consumers by improving access to elevators and giving people more control over their credit information.
No sitting days will be lost due to prorogation, as the legislature is convening for the 3rd session on March 19, 2018, consistent with the Parliamentary Calendar established in the 1st session.
The prorogation of the Legislature was within parliamentary rules – neat move on the part of the Premier.
By Staff
March 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Sound of Music Festival announced today that the “All-American Rejects” and “Everclear” will be playing the Saturday, June 9th Kick Off to Sound of Music Festival.
 Sound of Music – pulls more people into the city than any other annual event. Kick Off weekend is a ticketed event that launches a week of free music on Burlington’s Waterfront. The concert offers a two day, one stage show with more bands to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Kick Off Concert will be held on Saturday, June 9th and Sunday, June 10th with gates opening at 1:00 pm on both days, show ending at 11:00 pm on Saturday and 9:30 pm on Sunday.
Tickets for Saturday are $65, tickets for Sunday are $55 and the 2 Day Pass is $110 + fees/tax, purchase at soundofmusic.ca now. Prices will go up.
 All-American Rejects Since the start of their career, alt-rock/power pop titans The All-American Rejects have sold over 10 million albums worldwide and helped define a post-emo sound that was the soundtrack of a decade. With smash hits “Gives You Hell”, “Dirty Little Secret”, “Move Along”, “Swing, Swing” and “It Ends Tonight”, their songs have become an indelible slice of the era.
It’s been 20 years since Everclear released their 1997 multi-platinum smash So Much For The Afterglow, yet the album remains a beloved fan favorite, and continues to inspire new generations of musicians & fans today.
 Everclear performing live at the Saban Theatre Los Angeles Photo by Alex Huggan. The free Father’s Day Weekend concert lineup for June 14-17 will be announced April 25, 2018.
By Staff
March 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A multiple jurisdiction police investigative team was set up to solve the numerous residential break and enters that were taking place in the Region – mostly Burlington and Oakville.
The Halton Regional Police Service and the York Regional Police Service have concluded a lengthy break and enter investigation which spanned multiple jurisdictions and have arrested four people, who, between December 19, 2017 and January 8th 2017, were involved in a total of 13 residential break and enters.
In each incident the suspects knocked on the front door to determine whether or not a resident was home. After confirming the homes were empty, the culprits forced entry to the front doors ransacking bedrooms in search of money or jewellery.
 The cross jurisdictional investigation used a comprehensive menu of investigative techniques, inter agency collaboration, and community awareness. The combination of those ingredients resulted in the identification of the accused.
Early in March the Halton Regional Police and the York Regional Police arrested three of the culprits (Rai Teixeira, Lincoln Samuels, and Cesar Montenero). At the time the accused failed to escape arrest by colliding with another vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot. The last of the 4 accused was arrested on March 8, 2018.
Search warrants supporting the offences were executed at the accused’s residences and resulted in the recovery of large amounts of jewellery and evidence linking the culprits to the entries in the Halton Region.
 Deputy Police Chief Nick Duraiappah Halton Region Deputy Police Chief Nick Duraiappah said: “Residential break and enters are a clear priority for our service.” He wanted people impacted by these crimes “to know that the persons responsible will be held accountable.”
The accused face a total of 48 criminal charges.
CHARGED:
Rai Teixeira (22) of Brampton was charged with Break and Enter – Commit (10 Counts), Break and Enter – Intent (3 Counts)
Lincoln Samuels (22) of Tottenham was charged with Break and Enter – Commit (6 Counts), Fail to Comply Probation (4 Counts)
Cesar Montesdeoca (22) of Brampton was charged with Break and Enter – Commit (8 Counts), Break and Enter – Intent (2 Counts), Fail to Comply Probation (2 Counts), Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
Vincent Vassel (23) of Brampton was charged with Break and Enter – Commit (5 Counts), Break and Enter – Intent (2 Counts), Fail to Comply Probation (6 Counts)
Anyone who may have additional information concerning this investigation can contact Halton Regional Police Detective Ron Strauch at 905-825-4747 ext. 2255. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
People charged with a criminal offence are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
 By Staff
March 14th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Transit is in the process of developing a multi-year Transit Plan that will guide new investment in the city’s transit system.
Improving Burlington’s transit service is a priority for the City of Burlington. That has not always been the case; the service has been under funded for close to a decade with constant changes to the routes and the level of service. People who need transit just gave up and looked for some other way to get around town.
 City manager James Ridge told council members that the transit service was crappy – then got $1.5 million into the budget. It was a report by a new transit staff member that was presented to a council committee last September that brought about a change within the city administration. City manager James Ridge said at that time that transit was a “crappy” service that was on the wrong side of the regulations that govern how staff has to be supported with a work environment that is safe.
Ridge was blunt and direct and got $1.5 million put into the budget for immediate changes.
Now the city has to determine just what is needed in the way of public transit in a city where the bulk of the residents want to use cars to get around and city council members just don’t want to push for public transit.
 Doug Brown, a transit advocate watches as Mayor Goldring looks for a transit route on his Smart phone. Joey Edwardh looks on. All this despite passing a Strategic Plan that calls for increased use of transit and an Official Plan that makes frequent mention of the need to get people on public transit and out of their cars.
The elected council are certainly not taking the lead on this one – it is the city administration that is leading the change.
On a media release the city said: “As our population grows, providing a variety of convenient, reliable options to help people get around the city is essential. The Transit Plan, along with other city plans like the Transportation Plan and the Cycling Plan, will help to bring this vision to life.”
The city wants to hear from Burlington Transit riders to learn more about how they currently use public transit and from people who do not ride the bus to find out what might encourage them to consider transit. They created an online survey to gather input – the survey is open until March 26. The information gathered will be used to help build a better transit service. The survey can be accessed HERE
Whenever the city has to remind the public of the survey it is usually because not very many people have responded.
 A public meeting, put on by Bfast, (Burlington for accessible, sustainable transit) filled the meeting room at the Library. The city knew then that there were problems with transit. The Gazette has not seen much in the way of enthusiasm from most of the members of city council.
By Staff
March 14th, 20918
BURLINGTON, ON
A Burlington resident has been arrested by the Halton Regional Police Service as a result of an investigation into fraud-related allegation.
 The Halton Regional Police Service Fraud Unit have today wrapped up a three-month long investigation into allegations that a Burlington resident has been defrauding Syrian refugees currently living in Qatar with promises of getting them sponsorship into Canada.
A search warrant was executed on the suspect’s residence and the accused was arrested at that time.
Charged with 8 counts of Fraud Over $5,000 dollars and money laundering is Bashar ABDULAHAD (49yrs) of Burlington.
The allegations came to the attention of the police through a community volunteer group in Toronto who had victims come forward to them through relatives now living in Canada.
Working with this group and a contact in Qatar, police were able to identify eight victim families who had all sent funds to the suspect with total losses in excess of $200,000 dollars. The police believe there are many more victims however given the logistical issues of victims who are currently living overseas, officers have had to rely upon a local volunteer in the affected country to spread the word on the investigation and locate other victims. Given the victims’ current status, police believe some are reluctant to come forward.
The suspect claimed he could bring the victims into Canada through a local church under an immigration sponsorship program. The church has cooperated with police and has no involvement in the fraud.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is asked to contact the Halton Regional Police Service Fraud Unit, Det. Cst. Jon Williams at 905-825-4747 ext. 8737.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something, Hear Something, Know Something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Anyone charged with a criminal offense is presumed to be innocent until a court of law decides otherwise.
By Staff
March 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The April 4th meeting of the Planning and Development Committee that was to accept a report recommending adoption of Burlington’s proposed new Official Plan has been moved to April 24 at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. and, if required, Wednesday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers.
 The meeting date for the recommendation report has been moved to allow for new provincial maps to be added to Burlington’s proposed new Official Plan. The updated natural heritage and agricultural systems mapping was released by The Province of Ontario on Feb. 9, 2018 as part of its Places to Grow program.
The Official Plan (April 2018) that is recommended for adoption will be released the week of March 26th.
As a result of further discussions with the Province and the Region of Halton a number of refinements to policies and mapping have been required to clearly demonstrate conformity with senior plans. Two main areas are highlighted below.
The Province of Ontario recently released new mapping that relates to the Natural Heritage System and Agricultural System in Burlington. As a result, the City is now adding maps to its proposed new Official Plan to incorporate this new provincial mapping.
Background:
On July 1, 2017, the Province of Ontario approved a revised Provincial Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH), which outlines policies for planning and managing growth in the GGH to the year 2041, and which includes the City of Burlington.
The revised Growth Plan policies recognize the importance of both a Natural Heritage System and an Agricultural System to the GGH. The protection of these resources is vitally important to the Plan’s long term vision for the GGH.
The revised Plan states that the Province will map a Natural Heritage System for the GGH to support a comprehensive, integrated, and long-term approach to planning for the protection of the GGH’s natural heritage and biodiversity. Municipalities are required to incorporate the Natural Heritage System as an overlay in their Official Plans, and apply appropriate policies to maintain, restore, or enhance the diversity and connectivity of the system and the long-term ecological or hydrologic functions of these features and areas.
The revised Plan also states that the Province will identify an Agricultural System for the GGH. Prime agricultural areas, including specialty crop areas, are to be designated in official plans in accordance with mapping identified by the Province and these areas must be protected for long-term use for agriculture in municipal Official Plans.
On Feb. 9, 2018, the Province announced the release of the final mapping for both the Natural Heritage System and the Agricultural System for the GGH to support the Growth Plan. It is now in full force and effect, as of the date of its release. It therefore applies in the consideration of all planning matters, including development applications, within municipalities in the GGH, including the City of Burlington.
 Provincial agriculture land base map released February 9th, 2018 (The resolution of the maps available is very low. The Gazette will work at getting higher resolution and a subset map for just the Region of Halton and then Burlington,)
The City of Burlington will now be incorporating the Provincial Natural Heritage System and Agricultural System mapping as released by the Province into the mapping of its proposed new Official Plan, in order to conform to the Provincial Growth Plan.
In implementing the Natural Heritage System and Agricultural System, the Province permits municipalities to refine provincial mapping with greater precision in a manner that is consistent with the Growth Plan.
However, this is only permitted as part of a “municipal comprehensive review,” which is a new official plan or an official plan amendment initiated by the upper-tier or single-tier municipality, in this case Halton Region, that comprehensively applies the policies and Schedules of the Growth Plan.
The refinement of the Natural Heritage System and Agricultural System mapping will be undertaken on a Regional basis as part of the Region of Halton’s next Regional Official Plan Review. The City cannot make refinements to the mapping in the Burlington Official Plan until the Region completes its municipal comprehensive review through its Official Plan Review process.
By Staff
March 13, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The number of Ontario workers contacting the Minister of Labour’s Employment Standards hotline to ask about the minimum wage has doubled since the rate was increased to $14 an hour on January 1, 2018.
 Data from the Ministry of Labour shows the total number of calls specifically about the minimum wage more than doubled in January 2018 — after the new minimum wage took effect — compared to January of last year.
In January 2018, the Employment Standards Contact Centre answered to a total of 26,704 calls, a 60% increase from the previous month, December 2017, when 16,742 calls were received.
The number of calls in January 2018 was 26,704, an increase of 29% over the 20,633 January 2017 calls.
In a media release the Ministry of Labour said: “The increase in calls to the Employment Standards line demonstrates that the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act is having its intended effect and that there is a need for government to stand up for workers who are not receiving the fair treatment now mandated by law under Bill 148.
That legislation became law in November and brought in improvements for workers including:
 Employment Standards in Ontario A plan to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour on January 1, 2019
Up to 17 weeks leave after a worker or their child has survived domestic or sexual violence, with the first five days being paid days of leave
Ten days of personal emergency leave per calendar year for all workers, including two paid days
A required three weeks annual paid vacation for all workers who have been with the same employer for five or more years
Equal pay for part-time workers who do the same job as full-time workers.
By Pepper Parr
March 13th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
My looking for a baby sitter days ended a long time ago – and taking care of grandchildren isn’t even on the horizon yet. A news release on an app that helps parents find a reliable baby sitter did remind me of the time we needed a baby sitter – I don’t know where we got the name of the person that showed up. She was an older woman.
We explained what was where – this was well before cell phones. We said we would check in during the evening; said what time we expected to get back and headed out. As we were walking to the car I turned to my daughter’s Mother and said – “I don’t feel very comfortable about the women we have left our child with. The Mother said: “neither do I – what should we do?”
Mommy got a headache and we returned to the house apologized to the baby sitter agreed to pay her for the four hours and then drove her home.
 Finding the right baby sitter is a problem – a lot of people have horror stories.
Elize Shirdel, a Mother of two boys and a Ph.D. in Computational Biology from the University of Toronto, figured there had to be a better way to find the baby sitting help parents are looking for – she created an app called Datenight Babysitting.
The rationale behind the app was to help parents find the time to focus on the glue that holds the family together; their relationship.
Datenight is a mom-founded, parent-built app that was created to simplify the process of finding a reliable babysitter. It’s a platform that connects parents to experienced babysitters in their area. With Datenight and a few clicks, spouses can easily find a babysitter, interview them, chat and pay… but most importantly, they can feel comfortable enough to relax and spend some time together.
The Datenight Babysitting app eliminates the straining process of finding a babysitter by providing a platform for parents and experienced babysitters to connect. Launched in 2014, this leading web and mobile app screens and qualifies a roster of babysitters that live throughout the GTA. So far, Datenight has successfully booked 30,000 hours of babysitting.
Burlington is one of the markets they cover. The sign up process is pretty simple
 There doesn’t appear to be any risk. Depends on the supply of baby sitters. The reality is, parents just don’t have the time to jump through all the hoops required to find a few great babysitters for their family.
It’s simple – really. Within 10 minutes of registering, parents can request interviews with experienced babysitters from the Datenight roster, who have previously been interviewed by a team of moms. Once the parents are registered, they can view a list of babysitters in their area, along with their information including their experience and credentials. Parents can choose who they wish to interview for themselves; after all, no one will pick a better babysitter for their family than the parents themselves.
Once the parent and babysitter have met and approved the match – they’re connected and parents can book and pay through the app.
Pay through the app? That’s right! Payment details can be awkward and that’s why Datenight handles all that! No last minute dash to the bank, no uncomfortable cash handover. From that point on, babysitters get to control their own hours and parents finally get a night out, to reconnect and focus on their relationship.
Could be worth looking into: www.weneeddatenight.com
Salt with Pepper are the views, observations and opinions of the Gazette Publisher.
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