 By Pepper Parr
November 21st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It might have been a little confusing to Martha Street residents who attended a proposed development meeting at the Lions Hall earlier this week.
The room was full; representatives for the developer were on hand to explain what they proposed and get feedback from the area residents.
 Lisa Kearns – not waiting until she is sworn in to represent ward 2. Where it might have been confusing was: who was the ward council member? Lisa Kearns, elected to that job in October gets sworn in on December 3rd. She stood up and introduced herself to the audience as the council member and she was there to work for them.
Sitting on the other side of the room was the real ward Councillor, Marianne Meed Ward, who was also the Mayor Elect. Marianne was able to chuckle at the confusion.
In the past Meed Ward has called meetings when there was a new development being proposed in her ward.
 Marianne Meed Ward, current Councillor for ward 2 gets up-staged by Councillor elect at a ward meeting. Meed Ward did get to speak as the Mayor Elect. She would invite the community and the developer and chair the meeting.
The rules have changed. Meed Ward’s practice was made part of the development process. The Planning department will not accept an application until the developer has met with the community – that requires a developer to hold a public meeting. The developer chairs the meeting.
That left Meed Ward who is the ward Councillor and the Mayor Elect sitting at the back of the room waving her hand in the air to get heard.
At the end of the meeting Kearns stood by the exit door shaking people’s hands and thanking them for coming. Nothing shy about this woman.
 By Pepper Parr
November 21st, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
On Jan. 29, 2018, Burlington City Council approved the 2018 Operating Budget with a 4.36% city tax increase, resulting in a 2.64% overall tax increase.
Everything about that statement which appears on the city website is true.
However, the only number that the newly elected city council can do anything about is the city’s budget.
 Newly elected city Councillors Shawna Stolte (ward 4) and Lisa Kearns (ward 2) look over the budget book for 2018. They will get the budget book for 2019 later this year. The tax bill residents receive includes the city’s tax, the Board of Education tax and the tax levied by the Regional Council.
The city has absolutely no impact on the tax levy from the school board. All the city does is collect the money for the Boards of Education.
At the Regional level Burlington has 7 votes out of a total of 21 votes. We have influence but the Regional tax level which covers waste collection, social services, police, part of the water system and health services to name some of what the Region does are not decisions Burlington Regional Councillors make in isolation.
Something many people don’t realize is that half of a Burlington council member’s income comes from the Region.
That 2.64% that the city makes mention of is the result of averaging the three – Boards of Education, Region and the city tax levy.
It is convenient for the politicians to use the average number – it is lower, makes them look better.
Burlington has had annual increases that were either more than 4% or just under that level in each of the past seven years. It was only in the first year of the council that served from 2018 to 2014 when the tax increase over the previous year was 0%.
That feat was achieved for the most part by then newcomer to city council Paul Sharman who just pushed and pushed and pushed and made it happen.
It will be interesting to see if the five people elected to council for the first time will be honest, open and transparent about how much of your money they are going to collect
 By Staff
November 20th,2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington’s online forms are scheduled for maintenance on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, starting at 9 p.m.
The following online forms will not be available during the maintenance:
• Business License Renewal
• Property Information Requests
• Marriage Licenses
• Senior Rebates application
• Dog Licenses
• Tax Assessment Lookup
These forms will be available again starting on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018 at 9 a.m.
 By Staff
November 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington Fire Department recognized the aquatic staff at Tansley Woods Pool who responded to the near drowning incident in September.
Fire Chief David Lazenby yesterday, acknowledged the team work of seven Tansley Woods lifeguards for their life saving efforts made on Sept. 24, 2018 at Tansley Woods Pool.
Mr Breedveld, a swimmer was without vital signs when City of Burlington lifeguards pulled him from the water. They performed lifesaving efforts until emergency services arrived and could take over.
Mr. Breedveld attended the event with his wife and personally thanked the lifeguards and first responders for saving his life.
 Front from left to right: Burlington Fire Captain Dan Udovc, Acting Captain Adam Cioruch, Mr. Breedveld, Firefighter Jenny Blain and Firefighter Brett Turner. Back: Heather Kress – Supervisor of Aquatics, Lifeguards Diane Selman, Stephanie Judd, Julia Watson, Kevin Dawley, Chantelle Andree, Meagan Laking, Stephanie Armstrong, Burlington Fire Chief David Lazenby  Fire Chief David Lazenby in conversation with Mr. Breedveld The seven lifeguards: Stephanie Armstrong, Diane Selman, Kevin Dawley, Stephanie Judd, Chantelle Andree, Julia Watson and Meagan Laking, were presented with certificates from the Burlington Fire Department, the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department and the Lifesaving Society.
Fire Chief David Lazenby said ““It is an honour to recognize the Tansley Woods lifeguards for their excellent team work and lifesaving skills. They are heroes and we are proud to serve our community along side them.”
 By Staff
November 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Performing Arts Centre is a place where performances take place – it is not a production theatre – the don’t create and produce plays or dance events except on rare occasions when they partner with a local group that has produced a play that they want to put on stage.
Part of the mandate of the Performing Arts Centre is to encourage small local, sometimes experimental groups to bring their productions to the theatre.
 Twenty five six foot artificial Christmas trees will be raffled off to raise funds for local performance groups. The problem is someone has to pay for the space that is used – the local groups seldom have the funds – and space at the theatre is not cheap. Many groups take a pass on the chance to use the Community Studio Theatre.
ACCOB – Arts and Cultural Council of Burlington found a way to work with the Performing Arts Centre to raise funds that would be dedicated to paying for space rentals.
They came up with the idea of Festival of Trees – these are artificial trees that are decorated and set out in the Family Lobby.
This year there will be 25 artificial trees each six feet tall. They were donated by Canadian Tire – Burlington stores and will be raffled off about a week before Christmas.
Each of the trees is sponsored by a local organization as well.
Raffle Tickets can be purchased in person in the BPAC Family Lobby: 1 ticket for $2, 3 tickets for $5, 7 tickets for $10
The raffle ticket proceeds and the tree sponsorship money goes to ACCOB. Last year the initiative was able to raise $3000 that paid for dour days of Community Studio space.
The Performing Arts Centre will be open daily from 12pm to 4pm, and prior to evening performances, throughout the Festival, with extended hours based on Lobby activity.
 The LightsUp production of Run for your Wife one of the local productions that benefited from the 2017 Festival of Trees fund raiser.. ACCOB decides who will be given the space for a production. ACCOB members have an opportunity to submit their ideas.
The 2018 recipients were Lights Up! Theatre; Koogle Theatre and Andrea Battista.
For those who want to see innovate, ground breaking theatre and dance in the city, find a way to spend some time in the Performing Arts Centre Family Room and buy a handful of raffle tickets.
Buffy St. Marie, and all the other headliners are good for those looking for entertainment. Bringing in a Russian dance group for a production of the Nutcracker Suite is also part of what a Performing Theatre should be doing.
 BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox Now that BPAC Executive Director Tammy Fox has found her footing she can now perhaps get more innovative. She is known to be trying to put something together with the Sound of Music people.
Something that might get taken up by the new city council that will be sworn in early in December – at the Performing Arts Centre (will this count as local entertainment?) is – how can more in the way of funds be funneled into local original works.
 By Ray Rivers
November 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
They’re calling it an ‘economic outlook and fiscal review’. After all it’s been less than six months since Ford rode his big blue machine into the premier’s office. But it’s clear from this economic statement that his team hasn’t yet sorted out all its priorities, even as the brain trust tries to deliver on some of the promises from the election campaign.
The deficit was just one of Ford’s prime promises, and the PC’s s have managed to wrestle it down by a whacking half billion dollars to a mere $14.5 billion. Of course the deficit would be even lower had Ford just accepted the auditor general’s estimate rather than creating his own numbers. But it makes better politics if you can claim you inherited a huge deficit.
And what we are seeing of the accounting is a little confusing because Ford’s finance minister, Vic Fedeli, insists that they actually saved the taxpayers over three billion dollars. He is obviously referring to the price of the environmental programs his government killed. But getting rid of ‘cap and trade’ also killed the goose that laid the golden egg which funded those green initiatives.
 The statement is pretty clear. Is it the direction the Ontario economy should be going in? Conservatives are about nothing if not cutting taxes. And Ford, true to his word, has run up half billion dollars of new debt by providing a tax credit for those earning less than $30,000. This credit, called LIFT, is being sold as an alternative to allowing the minimum wage to rise to $15. But nobody is buying that since two thirds of workers in that income range already don’t pay any taxes. And allowing minimum wages to rise wouldn’t have increased the deficit.
He is also dabbling in trickle down economics by killing the income surtax for the wealthiest in Ontario – those earning more than $300,000. Tax cuts at the top and bottom mean that the middle class will need to make up the difference eventually – subsidizing everyone else.
And while the government may take credit for a four cent gas pump price drop, that should be kept in context. Market forces alone have reduced prices by over 25 cents from earlier this year, and those forces may just as easily reverse direction into the future. And then an imminent federal carbon tax will cost at least another four more cents.
 A program that will last less than a year. Very tough on those that lose the benefit. Perhaps the biggest cost saving in this mini-budget actually comes from dropping the universality of the ‘OHIP plus’ drug plan, excluding those with an existing private health plan. Clearly this was something the previous Liberal government could have done and it is a good example of the kind of efficiency Ford had presumably been talking about. Education spending appears to not have been touched and health spending has increased ever so slightly, helping Ford keep his promise of providing more beds.
The government is taking heat for terminating three oversight agencies which monitored francophone rights, child care and the environment. Despite promises to continue to deliver this oversight through the auditor general or ombudsman offices, it is unlikely the Environmental Bill of Rights will survive. And there is a double whammy for Franco-Ontario residents as a French language university proposed for Toronto is also canned. That is on top of the three satellite university campuses Ford has already chopped.
 Is never cutting costs good financial stewardship? Overall this mini-budget is about austerity as the government looks into the nooks and crannies of its programs to save some tax payer dollars. Of course much of those saving will end up funding the PCs own priorities, like the tax cuts and the senseless fight with the federal government over the carbon tax – which legal experts expect them to lose. A hiring freeze has also helped keep the cost of government down, although Ontario already had the lowest provincial public sector costs per capita in Canada.
And the overall effect of the budget will be contractionary at a time when Ontario is likely nearing the end of its economic boom cycle. Cutting the renewable energy and energy retro-fit programs, formerly a key growth area, will hurt all the working people that Ford keeps promising to help. Trickle down tax cuts for the rich never pay for themselves in increased economic activity and serve more as drain than an economic pump. Finally, the lower income tax cuts pale compared to the economic spending power of a $15 minimum wage for those who spend everything they earn.
But, Ford did deliver on his Buck a Beer promise – sort of.
If this budget was intended to stimulate growth and employment it is a failure. And despite the rhetoric and hype, Ford is pretty much retaining most of the previous government’s initiatives, even if that means turning what he called a Liberal mess into a PC mess.
Except when it comes to the environment! The often promised new climate change plan is nowhere in evidence and if it ever does arrive may likely surface as a piece of tokenism – like a page from the former Harper federal government’s playbook on the environment. But we should remain optimistic.
 Catastrophic fires in California are now an annual thing.  Flooding on the east coasts and hurricanes that demolish communities are now part of the hurricane season. For a budget which does so little, especially even it comes to the deficit, its pictorial presentation as a comic book almost seems appropriate. But there are serious issues facing the province and one of the most critical is nowhere to be seen, not even in the closing statement… “We gladly tighten our own belts now, knowing that it will provide this generation and future ones with the secure, prosperous future they deserve.”
What good is it to balance the books when the very planet our lives and livelihood depend on is in peril?
Notably absent from Ford’s mini-budget is any attempt to mitigate the province’s contribution to global warming. That is no less serious a public concern than the debt, especially for Ontario’s youth. But at least we can take comfort from the immediate extension of liquor store hours and the upcoming whacky weed stores next year.
 Ray Rivers writes regularly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was once a candidate for provincial office in Burlington. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Ray has a post graduate degree in economics that he earned at the University of Ottawa. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Mini-Budget – Cutting Oversight – More Cutting –
Even More Cuts – Environmental Commissioner –
 By Pepper Parr
November 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
When we are told that an event is being curated we usually think of an art or craft exhibit; a situation when experts have reviewed and determined what will be in the exhibit.
A curated shopping event is something new. Stephanie Finn thinks curating shopping events is the kind of thing that is efficient and smart – a good business opportunity as well.
 Burlington MADE is the corporate name – the focus is on craft items made by Burlington artisans.
Finn looks for items that will interest a demographic she has focused on; younger people who has better than average disposable income and
 Stephanie Finn Stephanie is a marketer.
She identifies market niches and develops them into events and then looks for artisans that have product that she thinks will attract her market.
She then finds a location that is several cuts above a church basement and has free parking.
Her next event will be at the Ron Joyce Centre at the McMaster University School of business on the South Service Road.
Saturday, November 24th – 10am to 4pm
Meet 55+ of the best local makers.
Enjoy live music and gourmet food and drinks.
 Perogies and toques – about as Canadian as you are going to get. VIP Tickets are now on sale! Your VIP Pass grants you access to an express check-in lane anytime during the market (especially valuable in the morning!). It also comes with a coffee, tea or hot chocolate at the show, a sweet treat, and a keepsake tote bag filled with surprise goodies and exclusive deals from our artisans and favourite local businesses. Get one before they’re gone!
There is a $5 entrance fee.
The items will have been juried by a group of three people. Stephanie said she has “thousands” of applications from people who want to be part of the Burlington MADE event.
It’s worth taking a look at – she attracts a younger, discriminating crowd.
 We asked Burlington residents that we know and have communicated with in our seven years of operation what they think the new city council needs to do in its first 100 days.
There are a lot of people unhappy with transit; unhappy with the thinking that is coming out of the Planning department and worried about annual tax increases of around 4% annually. Here is what Vince Fiorito thought.
By Vince Fiorito
November 20th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Congratulations to Burlington’s elected City Councillors and Mayor! May you govern wisely for our community’s benefit!
 These were the rules Mayor Elect used at her ward meetings. The city adopted them for city wide use. Your First 100 Days sets the tone with constituents, city staff and various interest groups. Please treat everyone with dignity and respect to foster a cooperative, collaborative environment at city hall. You never know who can help or hurt you, including former political rivals, their supporters and the person who waters the plants in your office? Why the plant person? They overhear conversations as they water plants and know much more than they let on; same with the person who empties the trash. I recommend you get to know “everyone” at city hall.
We need a Mayor at the helm with all Councillors rowing in the same direction to make progress on important issues. I recommend all Councillors fly their ideas by the Mayor first before making public pronouncements.
Within the first 100 days, everyone must have a firm understanding of how the city collects and spends our money. I recommend an independent audit of city finances to establish baselines to measure improvements, as well as identify past poor decisions, waste and mismanagement.
You have a mandate to change the city Official Plan and solve traffic congestion problems. Please design our city to accommodate walking, biking, taxis (fleet owned autonomous vehicles), public transit and delivery vehicles. Make developers accommodate and pay for their fair share of improvements which increase property values.
All new development must prioritize creating affordable, accessible housing for seniors living on fixed incomes and millennials moving out of their parent’s basement.
We need to reform our electoral system to make every vote count, even when 11 candidates run against each other.
 Vince Fiorito with a piece of equipment that got dumped into the Sheldon Creek ravine. On the environmental front we need:
• lids on Blue Boxes
• a city wide tree by-law
• a plan to relocate the Aldershot Quarry
• a ravine management policy
• a biodiversity and endangered species management policy
• an invasive species management policy
• a recognized right to know about local pollution sources
• a program that makes polluters pay for improvements to the ecological systems that clean our air, purify our water and producing uncontaminated food
 Vince Fiorito, a ward 5 resident and an acknowledged expert on invasive species and local environmental issues. He was named the Sheldon Creek Steward by Conservation Halton
 By Staff
November 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington New Millennium Orchestra conducted by maestro Charles Cozens, is performing at Compass Point Bible Church, 1500 Kerns Road, on Saturday, November 24th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m.
 Tickets are $49 Premium, $39 Adult and $22 Youth 18 and under.
Available through our website or call 416.616.1098
https://www.burlingtonnewmillenniumorchestra.com
The Burlington New Millennium Orchestra (BNMO) is a professional orchestra comprised of highly respected musicians and talented soloists whose performances are comparable to those of the Canadian Opera Company, the Metropolitan Opera and other leading orchestras.
Charles Cozens: arranger, composer and orchestrator
Charles Cozens is the driving force of the Burlington New Millennium Orchestra a contemporary chamber orchestra specializing in a broad based non-classical repertoire. Highly acclaimed as an arranger, composer and orchestrator he is best known for his compelling symphony shows, featuring arrangements for full orchestra performed by artists that include Sir Elton John, Randy Bachman, The Nylons, Mark Masri and more. He is also an accomplished orchestral and theatrical conductor, pianist, accordionist, and CD producer.
Family Holiday Concert
The evening also includes celebrated guests Lindsay Barrett, Soprano; Peter Barrett, Baritone; Internationally acclaimed Hamilton Children’s Choir and Simone Caruso, Soprano plus a special appearance from Santa Claus!
Lindsay Barrett – Soprano
Lindsay Barrett attended the University of Toronto’s Opera School receiving the Tecumseh Sherman Rogers Graduating Scholarship. Her credits include performances with Off Centre Music; Saskatoon Opera; Highlands Opera Studio; and U of T Orchestra. Lindsay is currently an artist with the Canadian Opera Company.
Peter Barrett – Baritone
Recipient of the Ian Rosenblatt Bursary at the Wexford Festival in Ireland and a top prize winner in the Montreal International Music Competition, baritone Peter Barrett is one of Canada’s most important new faces on the opera and concert stage.
Peter Barrett has performed with the Canadian Opera Company, Newfoundland Symphony, Brooklyn Academy, Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Opera, Opera Hamilton, Newfoundland Symphony and Vancouver Opera.
Hamilton Children’s Choir
Hamilton Children’s Choir, enjoys its reputation for being one of the leading children’s choral programs in the world. Going far beyond technical excellence, the choir lead by Music Director, Zimfira Poloz, consistently dazzles audiences with its focused sound, brilliant repertoire, and captivating stage presence.
Celebrating over 40 years of choral singing, the Hamilton Children’s Choir has grown to include six choral groups and approximately 200 young singers aged 3 to 18. The HCC’s Ilumini choir has shared the stage with world renowned international artists, including Celine Dion at the 1999 Juno Awards and more recently, internationally acclaimed a capella group, Rajaton.
In addition, HCC is an active part of the thriving local arts community, performing with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, the Bach Elgar Choir, the Toronto Northern Lights, TorQ, Chorus Niagara, Young Voices Toronto and the Canadian Male Orpheus Male Choir.
The HCC has also performed at the Choirs & Organ Concert at Roy Thomson Hall, enjoyed special performances at the Haida Celebration, Ontario Sings, and at Hamilton TiCats games.
Simone Caruso
Simone Caruso, started singing, dancing and playing piano at the age of nine. She then went on to achieve all her Royal Conservatory of Music certifications, performed for five years with the Hamilton Children’s Choir, beat out more than 130 competitors for a spot at the 2009 Canadian Youth Talent Competition and become a finalist for Hamilton Teen Idol.
In 2017, Simone Caruso launched her debut album. Described as a “classical crossover,” Only Love is a mix of both original and previously recorded songs, compiled with the assistance of Juno nominated arranger/composer Charles T. Cozens.
 Don’t Miss this amazing concert!
The concert is at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 24th, 2018 at Compass Point Bible Church, 1500 Kerns Road, Burlington, Ontario L7P 3A7.
Tickets are $49 Premium, $39 Adult and $22 Youth 18 and under.
Available through our website or call 416.616.1098
BurlingtonNewMilleniumOrchestra.com
BURLINGTON NEW MILLENNIUM ORCHESTRA
Burlington New Millennium Orchestra present unique concerts featuring talented professional performing artists from the local, national and international arts communities. BNMO present a fusion of cutting-edge digital music technology integrated with traditional instrumentation that redefines the concert going experience.
By Staff
November 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Holiday magic returns Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) with Holiday Traditions, RBG’s annual seasonal celebration, entertaining visitors from Saturday, November 17th to January 6th.
North Pole adventures at Hendrie Park include Visits with Santa (drop-in, Wednesdays, November 21 to December 19, Fridays November 23 and December 7), and Santa’s Signature Experience (November 17 to December 23), a separately ticketed event including an hour of programming, and a return trip on the RBG Express train experience.
 Escarpment Train Exhibit takes place in the old Tea House at the Rock Garden. At the picturesque David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden, Winter Lights at the Rock leads visitors through a winter wonderland with thousands of festive lights, Christmas melodies, food and drink around the firepit and the Escarpment Train Exhibit. This unique holiday experience provides a special evening to capture those perfect holiday memories.
Holiday Traditions is also home to three train experiences. In addition to the RBG Express ride-on train, Canada’s largest botanical train show at RBG Centre features numerous Canadian landmarks constructed from over seven tons of cedar slabs, 3,000 pounds of rock and 250 feet of track, and nestled amongst hundreds of live plants.
The Escarpment Train Exhibit at Rock Garden is the newest locomotive attraction, a “G scale” model set that illustrates three eras of locomotion history. The Escarpment Train Exhibit is available as part of general admission on weekends, or as part of Winter Lights at the Rock.
Weekends are filled with seasonal activities, children’s entertainment and local school and adult choirs. Special events include two evenings of Fest of Ales, a unique celebration of craft beer (December 6 and 7), Brunch with Santa (December 8, 9 and 16), and evening entertainment as part of Winter Lights at the Rock. Winter Lights at the Rock is sponsored by Colliers Project Leaders.
Winter Lights at the Rock
Thursdays to Sundays*, November 17 to December 30 (*some date restrictions apply)
6 to 9 p.m.; Rock Garden
Tickets required: rbg.ca/winterlights
Botanical Train Display
November 17 to January 6
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; RBG Centre
Included in general admission or membership. rbg.ca/trains
 Escarpment Train Exhibit Escarpment Train Exhibit
Weekends, November 17 to December 24
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rock Garden
Included in general admission or membership. rbg.ca/trains
Entertainment: Cartoon Bob
Saturday and Sunday
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; RBG Centre
Included in general admission or membership.
See weekend entertainment schedule at rbg.ca/holiday-entertainment
Storytime
Saturday and Sunday
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; RBG Centre
Included in general admission or membership.
See weekend activity schedule at rbg.ca/holiday-activities
 Winter Walks Winter Walks
Saturday and Sunday
11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Hendrie Park
Included in general admission or membership.
Train Scavenger Hunts / Activity Book
Daily
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; RBG Centre
Included in general admission or membership.
 By Staff
November 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Festival of Trees is going to light up the Family Lobby of the Performing Arts Centre from November 22 through to December 20
The lobby will be lit up with a colourful and festive display of trees that is sure to spark some yuletide enthusiasm in anyone that visits. This is the 2nd Annual joint community fundraising initiative by The Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) and the Arts & Culture Council of Burlington (ACCOB).
The twenty five – 6-foot, pre-lit artificial Christmas trees are all generously donated by Canadian Tire – Burlington Stores.
Raffle Tickets can be purchased in person in the BPAC Family Lobby: 1 ticket for $2, 3 tickets for $5, 7 tickets for $10
Each Christmas Tree is sponsored and decorated by a local business or organization within the Burlington community. Patrons and visitors to BPAC will have the opportunity to take one of these trees home by purchasing raffle tickets for the Festival of Trees draw.
 An Andy Kim Christmas December 20th.
All trees will be raffled off and winners announced during intermission on Thursday, December 20 at The Andy Kim Christmas show. Proceeds benefit the BPAC/ACCOB Community Studio Theatre Initiative, which provides greater access to BPAC for local community performing arts organizations. The proceeds will be used to cover the base rent of the Community Studio Theatre at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre for 4 days in 2019.
Stop by BPAC to take a stroll through the Festival of Trees and light up your holidays. There will be feature surprise performances and fun activities for the whole family.
The Performing Arts Centre will be open daily from 12pm to 4pm, and prior to evening performances, throughout the Festival, with extended hours based on Lobby activity.
BPAC and the Arts & Culture Council of Burlington extend their sincere appreciation and special thanks to Canadian Tire – Burlington Stores for their generous donation of all of the Christmas Trees in the Festival and to the following community businesses and organizations for their generous sponsorship of the trees: 27th Orchard Scout Troup, A Different Drummer Books, Aldershot Village BIA, Members of the Burlington Network Group, Bodhi Bar, Burlington Beach Rentals, Museums of Burlington, Century 21 Dreams Inc. – Rebecca Keddy, Conservation Halton, Cori Arthurs Floral Design, Harmony Jewellers, Hayley Verrall Music and Artist Leah Verrall, Holland Park Garden Nursery, Joelle’s & Jeff’s Guyshop, Long & McQuade Burlington, Mirella’s Ladies Boutique, Molly Cake, Mrs. B’s Gifthouse, Nancy Brewer Professional Corporation, S. Taylor Jewellery Appraisal & Consultation, Ti Vesto and Tourism Burlington.
The Holiday programming at the Performing Arts Centre includes:
John McDermott Christmas with Special Guests Dala December 2,
 Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas December 5, Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas December 5,
National Ballet Theatre of Odessa’s The Nutcracker December 7 & 8,
A Next Generation Leahy Christmas December 13, and
The Andy Kim Christmas December 20.
All BPAC Presents Holiday performances are generously sponsored by Cogeco.
By Pepper Parr
November 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
She describes herself as a “provocative Golden Horseshoe artist and author,and is inviting people for a ‘MEET & GREET’ book signing of her new novel, Trillium, at A Different Drummer Books, in downtown Burlington, at 513 Locust Street, on FRIDAY, December 7th, from 7 to 8pm. There will be cider & cookies on hand too!
 Margaret Lindsay Holton Margaret Lindsay Holton, tackles a number of timely issues in this latest work under the guise of an adult hybrid historical novel. This epic family saga spans 250 years, from the 1750s to 2001 and follows three families as they arrive, strive and survive in the Niagara wine-making region of Ontario.
It all starts with nineteen year old Tom Hartford clings for his life to a boulder halfway down the Niagara Falls gorge.
An award-winning writer of two other ‘Canadian manners’ novels, ‘Economic Sex’ (1985, Coach House Press) and ‘The Gilded Beaver’ (1999, Acorn Press Canada), Holton uses the dialogue of a multitude of characters to demonstrate the enduring influence that ancestors have on future generations. The author describes the work as a “memorable sweep of local history that includes, as example, unsavory aspects of WW2 when Italian-Canadians fought at the European front but were also incarcerated in Canada.
 “Nuanced yet deliberate, Holton’s sub-text also invites contemplation about our changing social habits, manners and mores as a result of manufacturing innovation. When automobiles, TVs and the birth control pill became household commodities, they irrevocably altered how we interact.
“This epic story comes to a conclusion just as the internet and the new digital age is taking off within campus environments in the early 2000s. It’s worth remembering that Facebook, Twitter, and the internet as we know it, now so commonplace, did not exist a mere two decades ago.
Long an active artist of the area, born and raised on a North Burlington sheep farm, Holton’s main studio is now on the Hamilton Beach strip.
 Holton has very strong views on the artificial turf put in the City View Park Holton is also a political activist who tackles environmental issues mercilessly. She foresees a political reckoning when the artificial grass in the City View park has to be ripped out. The park, located on Kerns road near Dundas St, west of Brant St, is a 165-acres of both active and passive park amenities including 3 artificial turf sports fields.
The park is within walking distance of the Holton family homestead.
If unable to attend the ‘MEET & GREET’ on December 7th, an epub edition, and an alternate US-made print edition, will be available in early Spring 2019 via Amazon.ca.
By Pepper Parr
November 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
 It took a little while but the Sound of Music (SoM) Board has selected and hired a new Executive Director to replace David Miller who got dropped like a stone last July.
The SoM Board announces that after an “extensive search with the assistance of leading recruitment professionals HR- Fusion. The Sound of Music Festival is excited to announce Myles D. Rusak as the new Executive Director.
Myles brings over 15 years’ experience in the not-for-profit industry along with a lifetime of musical passion as a musician and champion of Arts & Culture.
 Myles D. Rusak, the new Executive Director of the Sound of Music Festival. Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Myles attended the Lakehead University Fine Arts Music program where he studied Jazz & Vocal. His Not-For-Profit career has brought him to leadership positions with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Southern Alberta; James Allan’s Girls’ School in the United Kingdom, Alberta Theatre Projects, Parkinson Alberta and most recently as the Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grand Erie.
Myles maintains his Musical passions as a board member and volunteer (past and present) for the Brantford Symphony Orchestra, Magnus Theatre, Thunder Bay Blues Festival, and various Fringe Festivals across Ontario.
He is also an avid musician who can be found playing guitar, drums or keyboard at various times throughout Southern Ontario.
 Myles Rusak, centre, is the newly appointed Executive Director of the Sound of Music Festival. He appears to have a touch of show business in him. Board President, Peter Martin said: “Myles’ addition to the Sound of Music provides a fresh perspective on building relationships throughout the Burlington Community. This is an ongoing priority for the festival as we continue to engage the people of Burlington and surrounding area and create an artistic space which is of benefit to the entire community.”
He added that Myles’ experience in strategic planning and leadership will be invaluable to the success of our Festival. We are most excited to have him at the helm and look forward too many years of continued success under his guidance.
Rusak ran as a ward level candidate for the County of Brant; placed sixth out of seven candidates.
 Myles Rusak with wife and daughter in the Paris Apothecary He and his wife ran the Paris Apothecary in Paris Ontario
That is certainly an eclectic background.
The SoM is an organization with a volunteer base that is to die for. It is both extensive in size and impressive in terms of the way they show up year after year to make the Festival the continuing success it has been. When former Executive Director David Miller was shown the door the volunteers took the decision personally and many basically quit the organization.
When the Myles Rusak appointment was announced one Gazette source wanted to know if “ this fellow is full time this year or watching and learning as he has no festival experience.”
The source went on to say that “ a lot of the volunteers are walking including committee chairs based on not replacing any of the other paid staff accept for chair.
“Apparently Rian Malloch got a bigger contract to do much more”.
Malloch was the “spin doctor” the SoM Board used to tell the Miller firing story when things were a little chaotic at the SoM. He has a strong music background.
There appears to still be some dissension in the ranks. The upside however is that the Board did send the media release to the Gazette. We just might be able to kiss and make up with that Board after all.
Related new story:
The SoM without Dave Miller
 By Pepper Parr
November 19th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
With Thanksgiving and Halloween behind us the next holiday Season has to be Christmas.
How do you know it is here? Check out the mall parking lots. Or look for the community Christmas trees that are going up.
 It looks as if Aldershot was the first community to erect a ward level Christmas tree. Aldershot appears to be the first ward in the city to put up a tree. Mayor Elect is doing the right thing early in the game – getting out with people in Aldershot, wrapping her arms around the shoulders of the ward election winner and the second place candidate – the job now is to pull the community together and show them how people can work collaboratively and cooperate.
 Mayor Elect Marianne Meed Ward with Kelvin Galbraith, elected to represent ward 1 and Judy Worsley who placed second. Hopefully Worsley will stay in with the Aldershot BIA. Some questions that come to mind?
The new council will be sworn in on Monday December 3rd at 6:30 pm at the Performing Arts Centre. When the event took place in 2014 there was a motivational speaker – Ron Foxcroft did the honours then.
Does the Mayor Elect have any say in who that speaker should be? And if she does who should Marianne Meed Ward choose to address the audience? Who is there out that that has the kind of public profile needed to attract attention and who has a message that will represent what Meed Ward wants her council to stand for and someone who will resonant with the audience.
Ken Greenberg was in Burlington a couple of years ago with a strong message on how municipal governments can build community. He is one the better recognized planners in the country – speaks around the world.
If Jane Jacobs were alive she would have been a natural.
The decisions Meed Ward makes in this first hundred days are vital to both bridge the gaps that exist between those who won and those who lost and at the same time send a message – this is who we are and this is what we want to do.
Deliver that message with strength, humility and a tablespoon of kindness.
Outgoing Mayor Rick Goldring made it clear that if called upon for advice he would be available; Meed Ward would be wise to lunch with him several times during at least her first year in office.
Sometime in the near future she will announce who will staff her office. The person she chooses as Chief of Staff, assuming she retains that position, will be interesting.
Meed Ward set out a part of her agenda when she used a point of privilege at the final meeting of the current municipal government to make it clear that personal attacks were no longer going to be tolerated.
She said:
 It started at the Polish Hall on election night: where it goes – only time will tell. There were a lot of high hopes in that hall. Meed Ward said “it was very unfortunate that a member made comments that were a personal attack. .
“We have seen enough of that.
“We saw it during the election
“We see it around this table
“It is a new day
“This stops here
“It stops tonight
“The new council will have respect for each other.
“Respect for the people and respect for staff”
Meed Ward has let the city know some of what she stands for; she has been applauded for not letting this slide by.
Related news story:
A strong statement was made: This stops now.
We asked Burlington residents that we know and have communicated with in our seven years of operation what they think the new city council needs to do in its first 100 days.
They get sworn in on December 3rd. There are a lot of people unhappy with transit; with the thinking coming out of the Planning department and worried about 4% tax increases. People voted for a new path to get the city out of the rut many feel it is in.
By Don Fletcher
November 18th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
“What a great initiative!
Asking for engaged citizens’ ideas, prior to the swearing in of our new Council.
While not original, I think the primary objective of the new Council has to be to “fix” our proposed Official Plan.
 By “fix”, I mean to retract from the Halton Region’s inbox our current proposal, and in particular, modify and resubmit a downtown plan (with community support) to be a mid-rise (4-8 storey) community, as opposed to the proposed high-rise ( 14- 25 storey) alternative.
Why?
Because:
1) This is what our Mayor-elect Marianne Meed Ward campaigned on. Trust needs to be restored.
2) The urgency of the submission was self-imposed and the Region will understand, given the “sea change” based on this issue at City Hall.
3) It’s what most engaged citizens want, because they felt that they were being ignored with its’ hasty approval. It became an “election issue”, maybe the central one.
4) It will unquestionably be the “elephant in the room” with all other matters. Deal with it upfront!
5) The developers need certainty with what is permissible in making future investments.
6) LPAT, unlike its’ predecessor OMB, treats the Official Plan as an enforceable criterion (I.e. teeth).
7) The Official Plan has longevity, unlike many of us.
 Planning staff put together charts and posters to advise, educate and inform the public. Okay. So nothing radically new there!
I would like to add a “how” we could do this..
Relationship is the medium for results and accomplishments.
I learned this as an executive of a $5B successful Canadian public corporation.
We have a largely new Council with a current understanding of what the residents want, and a staff that mistakenly thought they did.
I’m not a big fan of the one employee of Council, City Manager construct, with all of its’ implications. It feels as though we, the citizens through their representatives, are having our input constricted through a straw.
I recommend that the new Council convene an offsite (3-day) planning session, with all the functional heads in the administration (including the City Manager) at City Hall, to work through the City’s values, objectives and plans. A derivative benefit of such a meeting would be to begin developing those relationships needed to move the City forward and in a positive direction.
I know of a few very capable facilitators who could help.
What should I be paid for this idea?
A seat at the offsite meeting table. After all, I am a management consultant.”
Don Fletcher is a downtown Burlington resident who has been a city council watcher for some time. Before retirement he was a senior vice president with a public Canadian company in the communications and entertainment field.
 By Staff
November 17th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service is investigating a robbery which occurred on New Street on Friday afternoon when a pm, a lone male suspect attended Luxe Jewellery located at 5111 New Street in Burlington.
 The male was armed with a black handgun and confronted the lone employee of the store. The suspect then stole several pieces of jewelry from display cases, before leaving the area on foot.
The suspect is described as a male with a light complexion, approximately 25-35 years of age, 5’10” with an average build and scruffy facial hair. The suspect was wearing red Adidas pants, a dark jacket, black gloves, and white running shoes. The jewellery that was stolen was placed into a black backpack.
Anyone who may have any additional information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Dave Griffiths of the Halton Regional Police at 905-825-4747 ext. 2350.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
By Pepper Parr
November 16th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
It was the last meeting of a city council first elected eight years ago.
It took place in make-shift space while a refurbished council chamber was being completed next door. Seen as a “lame duck” municipal government with a mandate that had mere weeks left, it was still fractional, and unable to work as a cohesive whole.
Council meetings traditionally end with members of Council speaking to concerns in their wards. In this instance they all chose to speak of their achievements during the eight years they served the public.
The Strategic Plans, which up until this council was first elected, were traditionally the plan that a Council was set for the four year term.
In 2011 city council decided to create a 25 year Strategic Plan that they expected other councils to follow. New city councils are not obliged to stick to that Plan created in 2011.
The Official Plan got sent off to the Region where it has to be approved to ensure that the city’s OP fits with the Regional OP. The problem with that is most of the newly elected council didn’t buy into the OP that was passed against the objections of the vast majority of the 30 + people who delegated before city council earlier in the year. That story isn’t over yet.
City manager James Ridge was absent; the city staff position, delivered by Deputy City Manager Mary Lou Tanner, was that council and staff had worked very well together.
If one were to define the issues that motivated many of those who elected a new municipal government, the disrespect many people felt the council had for the people who were delegating and the degree to which council relied on Staff reports that. Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and now Mayor Elect consistently pushed staff for answers. The other members of Council, for the most part, accepted the reports. Mayor Goldring did get better at asking questions during his second term.
It was clear to anyone watching the web cast that John Taylor is going to miss being a city Councillor. It had become the focus of his life – he is literally counting the days until he has to give up his parking spot and turn in his security pass – they will probably let him keep the one he has. Expect him to be on the phone on December 3rd, trying to resolve an issue for someone. He said that being a city councillor was the :“Best job I ever had.”
Councillor Lancaster told her colleagues that the event she will remember most is the occasion when she repelled down the side of a 26 story tower.
Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison wasn’t quite ready to give up his job or accept the fact that he lost his election.
He had the temerity to say that: “A portion of my traditional support was taken away by the vote Marianne Team and my opponent with non-factual information with the result that the enjoyable honour I have had of serving my constituents and the city is over. I guess I am not too young to retire. See you around.”
It was a stunning, totally ungracious comment made at the last sitting of the current council at city hall.
The Dennison comments were followed by a few words from Councillor Lancaster who said the event she remembers most fondly was the day she repelled down the side of a 26 story building. Not sure where the value to the public was in that event.
Mayor Goldring closed out the comments by talking about what he felt had been achieved during the eight years he was the Chief Magistrate.
Mayor elect Meed Ward began to respond to the Dennison comment when the Mayor pointed out that comments were not debatable. Meed Ward replied that she wanted to make a”point of privilege” which the Mayor didn’t fully understand and turned to the Clerk for direction.
Meed Ward said she could help the Clerk and read out the section of the Procedural by law that states when the integrity, character or reputation of a member is made a “point of privilege” allows the member to draw attention to the remarks and the member has the right to respond.
She then proceeded to make the point that was really what the election was all about.
Meed Ward said “it was very unfortunate that a member made comments that were a personal attack. .
“We have seen enough of that.
“We saw it during the election
“We see it around this table
“It is a new day
“This stops here
“It stops tonight
“The new council will have respect for each other.
“Respect for the people and respect for staff”
It was a blunt direct statement from a woman who had to put up with at times disgraceful behavior on the part of every member of council.
No more.
By Pepper Parr
November 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
Some of the newly elected members of city council have taken a holiday, others have buckled down and gotten into what is going on in their wards.
Kelvin Galbraith, the Councillor elect for ward 1 is discovering just how much there is going on in his ward.
The largest housing re-development in the city will be taking place in Aldershot when a British Columbia pension fund begin what is going to be a re-build of the Georgian Court community at Plans Road and King.
 The Georgian Court community is to be re=developed; it is the largest residential development the city has experienced. That isn’t the only project. There are three developments along Plains Road that are before the Ontario Municipal Board – they got there before the LPAT Local Planning Authority Tribunal was in operation. Some of the developers filed appeals before the projects got to city council.
 Kelvin Galbraith likes what he sees on the Adi development site.  Kelvin Galbraith understands that the King Paving site on the west side of Waterdown, right across the Adi site will be developed earlier than many expect. The Adi development just south and a little west of the Aldershot GO station is now underway. It will butt up against Waterdown Road. On the west side of Waterdown, the current King Paving site, is said to be in talks with a buyer for the property. Galbraith thinks there might be a decision on that site much sooner than most people realize.
We walked through the streets at the Waterdown – Plains Road intersection where Galbraith pointed out the commercial operations along Cooke Blvd that had either been sold or were in talks with possible buyers.
Sold Gold, the adult entertainment site, has a development application before the Planning department. Galbraith thinks this is the best place for the long desired supermarket the residents wants. The developer wants to put up two 11 storey buildings which Galbraith say fit with the new Official Plan.
Galbraith, who runs a fitness operation close to the intersection of Plains Road and Waterdown knows that at some point he will find a buyer for the land at his door. And he acknowledges that when that happens he will be in a conflict of interest and has said that he will report any sale of his property (he has owned the building for more than 15 years) to his colleagues and not take part in the debate or discussion.
The property to the north of his building on the west side of Waterdown is now owned by the Emshie interests.
 The sculpture put up at the Waterdown -Plains Road intersection frames the Councillor Elect Kelvin Galbraith. Aldershot currently has much more in the way of local development taking place than ward 2 where much of the concern about the rate of growth is taking place.
Galbraith thinks what is taking place in Aldershot is healthy and he is currently meeting with residents to listen and answer their questions.
The Gazette found Kelvin to be open, as transparent as they get and just a little naïve (that was meant as a compliment – this isn’t a man too full of himself – he is well grounded and confident) on the role he now plays in the way his part of the city is going to grow.
He wants to see more in the way of restaurants. The Tim Hortons and the McDonalds are where people tend to gather – he wants more options.
 Galbraith meets with residents at a local Tim Hortons. During our walk about we met at Tim Hortons and talked about where we would be going. While sitting at the table a couple of residents, who didn’t recognize Galbraith until he was pointed out to them, immediately struck up a conversation. Earlier in the day Kelvin had met with some of the more politically active residents who wanted to get the measure of the man. He met with people at the coffee shop three times that day.
During our conversation Kelvin asked how formal the swearing in that is to take place on December 3rd was. I said a suit and a tie would be expected. Kelvin said he didn’t own a suit. He will be going shopping.
Kelvin is more of a hands on guy – he wears gym clothing – casual, casual is more his style.
He is going to be one to watch. There is a solid practical streak to the man. He understands what a business is and doesn’t shy away from growth.
 Kelvin Galbraith – His DNA is pure Aldershot. His DNA is pure Aldershot – what you see is what you get. No pretenses. He does his homework. He has been working hand in hand with Rick Craven the retiring ward 1 Councillor and with Mayor Elect Marianne Meed Ward. Not at the same time mind you.
We suspect she will find Kelvin to be the kind of Councillor she is going to need during the first year. While the learning curve for all five newcomers is going to be steep we expect Kelvin Galbraith to be more adept than the other on working his way up that curve.
So far, those who have met him, seem pleased with who they elected.
By Pepper Parr
November 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
A patient at what is now Roseland Dental learned that the offices were being moved and asked what would happen to all the equipment. She was told that it would probably get sent to a dump somewhere – there was no market in Canada for dated and used dental equipment.
Some may have known of the dental office as Dr. Dave Dental
The patient mentioned to the dental staff that she knew of an organization, Sew on Fire, that could put the equipment to very good use somewhere else in the world.
That’s how a connection was made that has the dental equipment in a container on its way to the Philippines where it will be set up and put to very good use.
There is quite a bit more depth to this good news story.
Wendy Hager, the woman who leads Sew on Fire, is one of those people that is hard to stop.
 From the left: Michelle Bennett Environment, Sam Kawazoye Community Service, Trevor Copp Arts , Mayor Goldring, Wendy Hager, Citizen of the Year, Dan Taylor Junior Citizen and Jim Frizzle, Senior of the year.
When she sees an opportunity she moves quickly and manages to move or get around the obstacles.
She has been running Sew on Fire for 18 years. She was the city’s choice for the Citizen of the Year in 2011.
In February, 2000, after a 40 day fast and hearing of the work of a missionary working with orphans in Russia after the fall of communism and the support system of that country, Wendy wanted to do more than just put money in the offering plate. She purposed to sew 100 gift bags, pajamas, mittens and fill those gift bags with hygiene and school supplies for an orphanage in Russia. Her passion was contagious and soon people were arriving at her home to help. 100 quickly multiplied into 1725 gift bags.
But things did not stop there.
After 3 years working from her home, Wendy and Sew on Fire were able to share space with Crossroads Global Activity Centre in Burlington. In 2007 Sew on Fire moved to its own facility, a 3,000 sq ft unit.
In 2011 doubled its space to 6,000 square feet with room for 15 activity centres, more storage, more volunteers and more gift bags to bless those in need.
 A perfectly functional dental chair is on the way to the Philippines because a local organization and a dental group found each other. Dr. David Robertson and Dr. Stephen Brooks had merged their dental practices and had purchased new equipment for the new location in the Roseland Plaza. They had hoped they could find a home for the older equipment that was functional – they were using it up until the day they moved.
 The second dental chair with x-ray equipment was part of the donation. When she was told that the dental equipment was available and was she interested and could she do anything with perfectly functional dental equipment she said: . “My first response was to just say yes! I wanted the whole donation, but she checked first with her mission partner who works in Philippines.
She put in a call to Dick Deviries asking if he knew of anyone that could use the equipment. Devries and his wife Liz had worked in the Philippines doing missionary work there for a number of years.
Dick Devries said he needed a day or two and would get back to Wendy. Dick Devries was thrilled. Said it was “an answer to prayer” and asked her to “please say yes and accept this donation”.
A home had been found for the equipment.
On a very hot August day, Wendy Hager reports “my husband Jeff and I, Dick Devries and his team we dismantled the whole office that was being used up to the day before. We accepted two dental chairs and all of equipment and all the additional furniture, three X-ray machines. Everything necessary to run a dental office.
It was later put into a container along with other goods that were going to the Philippines.
This is a story that is still unfolding” said Hager who added “I’m hopeful that other dentists will one day be inspired and take the opportunity to go and share their gifts and talents and do the free dental care in the Philippines.
Dr. Bob Peeling, one of the Rotarians who got the annual Rotary RibFest off the ground 25 years ago, is a retired dentist.
He has some ideas on how dentists in Burlington just might be able to deliver on the Wendy Hager idea.
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 By Staff
November 15th, 2018
BURLINGTON, ON
While they are frequently incorrect the weather people are predicting the first significant snowfall of the season.
People are being asked to drive more carefully.
Spencer Smith Park may be reflecting the end of that period of time when the fall weather and the leaves on the ground get covered in snow.
 Seasons aren’t what they used to be – are they?
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