 By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Grade 9 month doing fine ‘’’
The province might be having problems with the mathematics scores for grade 6 students but the Halton District School Board is pleased with the scores for the grade 9 math.
Today the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) released results showing Halton District School Board students well outperforming the province in Grade 9 Academic and Applied Mathematics, and on the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Secondary students must write the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) as a requirement of graduation.
 There is clearly a lot of work to be done on the Applied side. For Grade 9 Math, there are different assessments for students in the academic and applied courses. On the Grade 9 Academic Math assessment, 90% of students achieved the provincial standard, unchanged from the previous year’s result. The provincial average decreased by two percentage points to 83% of students achieving the provincial standard. In total, there were 3,302 students enrolled in the Academic Math course in 2015-2016.
For the 655 HDSB students in the Applied Math course, 55% attained the provincial standard in 2015-2016, a one percentage point increase from the previous year. The provincial average decreased by two percentage points from 47% to 45% from the previous year.
 Literacy results are strong – are we seeing much in the way of creative writing at the high school level? The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) results for 2015-2016 were also released today. The Halton District School Board’s success rate for students writing the test for the first time remained unchanged at 88%, while the provincial average was 81%, a drop of one percentage point from last year. The overall results for the OSSLT in Halton continue to demonstrate remarkable consistency.
This year, the OSSLT participation rate was 97% and the success rate was 88%. Both of these Halton results are above the provincial average, showing Halton students continue to demonstrate strong literacy skills.
 By Staff
September 21, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
 Regional chair Gary Carr tasting honey on a farm tour. “Agriculture is important to Halton, and Harvest Halton and the Pumpkins to Pastries Trail provide us with wonderful opportunities to showcase our local farmers, retailers, restaurants and attractions,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “These events are a great way to bring family and friends together to enjoy locally-grown food and help us support our local agricultural community and our regional economy.”
The preview Harvest Halton event kicks off the start of Halton’s popular Pumpkins to Pastries Trail, running from September 12 to October 31, 2016. Join the Trail and experience the best local cuisine, on-farm markets, specialty shops, events and attractions in Halton.
Click on the LINK to see just how many stops there are along the trail or visit: www.halton.ca/p2ptrail for the interactive online guide
 Click on the LINK above and play with this map interactively. Lots to do – and don’t forget the selfie contest. This year’s Trail participants can also snap and win with Halton Region’s Selfie Contest. Simply snap a selfie on the Trail and post the picture on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #p2ptrail to enter for a chance to win a prize basket of fantastic local offerings.
Prizes will be awarded weekly and your picture could be featured on Halton’s trail gallery. Visit halton.ca/p2ptrail for contest rules and to view the gallery.
 By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
How did Halton Regional Police officers get involved in a shooting near Avenue Road and Bloor Street in the City of Toronto?
 The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked their mandate. No further information will be released at this time. Please contact the SIU for further information.
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after two people were injured when gunfire erupted on Bedford Road on Tuesday afternoon.
The SIU investigates any incident involving death or serious injury involving a police officer, though it’s unclear how police were involved in the incident. One witness said he saw at least two men open fire.
Halton Regional Police officers were involved in the incident, a police source told CBC News.
Chief Tanner will be asking a lot of questions.
 By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Order of Merit was created in 2000, to honour a career of exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of Canadian police forces. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing, and community development.
Last Friday the Governor General of Canada made Halton Deputy Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah a member of that Order.
 His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, presided over an Order of Merit of the Police Forces investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall on Friday, September 16, 2016. During the ceremony, the Governor General, who is chancellor of the Order, bestowed the honour on 1 Commander, 4 Officers and 46 Members including Deputy Chief Nishan J. Duraiappah
Credit: MCpl Vincent Carbonneau, Rideau Hall Deputy Chief Nishan J. Duraiappah
Deputy Chief Nishan (Nish) Duraiappah was introduced to the Halton Regional Police Service as high school student in its inaugural Police Ethnic and Cultural Education Program (P.E.A.C.E.) in 1991. The experience inspired him to pursue a career in policing, and he was sworn in as a constable assigned to uniform patrol in Halton Hills in December, 1995.
Since then, Deputy Chief Duraiappah has amassed considerable operational expertise as a member of the Regional Drug & Morality Bureau, Guns & Gangs Unit, District Criminal Investigations, and with the RCMP Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit. He has also served as Operations Commander for Milton and Halton Hills, the Commander of the Office of Continuous Improvement and Strategic Management (OCISM), and the Superintendent in charge of the Chief’s Executive Office.
Duraiappah was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief in October, 2015 and now leads District Operations for all our municipalities as well as the Regional Community Mobilization Bureau, Information Technology and OCISM.
Throughout the course of his career, Deputy Chief Duraiappah has remained committed to proactive, innovative policing, and to maintaining strong relationships with the Region’s diverse, cultural and faith communities. He is also involved with several sports and hobbies, and is a volunteer board member for the Milton United Way, and a South Asian Autism Awareness Centre in the Greater Toronto Area.
Deputy Chief Duraiappah holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Criminology from the University of Toronto, and a Diploma of Public Administration from the University of Western Ontario.
Halton Regional Police Service Chief Stephen Tanner, himself a former recipient of the Order of Merit said “Deputy Chief Duraiappah is an exceptional leader and tireless community advocate who is a most deserving recipient of this prestigious award. It is my honour and pleasure to extend my congratulations to him on behalf of our Service and the people of Halton.”
Governor General David Johnston awarded the Order of Merit during a ceremony at Rideau Hall.
At the risk of being critical – could the Governor General not have buttoned up his suit jacket?
By Staff
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service arrested Joseph Stanley DREXLER (44 yrs) of Hamilton in connection with a fraud investigation into his company operated both as “Be the Game” and “Kind Every Time”.
DREXLER has been charged with one count of Fraud Over $5000 and will appear in Milton Court of October 5th 2016.
In the spring of 2015 Joseph DREXLER attended a Burlington, Ontario business and obtained sponsorship in excess of $40,000 to present his anti-bullying program at over 30 schools in Halton Region and Hamilton.
Joseph DREXLER failed to present this program at the sponsored schools and in several cases did not even attempt to contact the sponsored schools to try to arrange the presentation.
Despite the lack of presentations being arranged, DREXLER continued to mislead the sponsoring business that several presentations were arranged and about to go ahead.
Should anyone have information that may assist in this investigation please contact D/Cst Lorena Mallinson #5852 of the Halton Regional Police Service Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825 4747 Ext 2334 or by email at Lorena.mallinson@haltonpolice.ca
By Pepper Parr
September 20, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The original target was 2166 to beat the previous record holder. The Hospital Foundation went for 3,500 people, which they figured they would need to get their name into the Guinness World Book of Records. Then Queen’s University came up with a plan of their own and set a new record of 3,373.
The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation found they had to up their number to 3374 from the original target if they were to make it into the Guinness Book. To be on the safe side the Foundation is aiming for 4000.
 The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation plans to put 4,000 people into that orange J that starts at the pier and works its way west along the edge of Spencer Smith Park. The record for this category in the Guinness Book of Records when the Hospital Foundation announced their plans was held by Dell Computers, who formed the slanted E in their logo with 2,166 people. “We required 2,167 people to break that record” said the Foundation in one of its initial releases.
For the safety of all participants, the first 4,000 people to register at Spencer Smith Park will be permitted to be a part of the Guinness World Records Official Attempt.
Getting that number into a single place for the ultimate photo op shouldn’t be a problem for this city . Gosh we put 12,000 into Spencer Smith Park for the Tragically Hip concert this summer and the Art Gallery of Burlington attracted 3,000 (some say the number was more than 3,500) to the fourth annual No Vacancy event.
“Join 4,000 of your closest friends and neighbours and set a Guinness World Records title” (GWR) bugled the Hospital Foundation.
 Anissa Hilborn, president of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, finds herself continually changing her target number to get into the Guinness Book of World records. What started out as 2166 has risen to 4000 people gathered together in Spencer Smith Park. “We’re trying to set the Guinness World Records title for the largest human letter, in the shape of the letter “J” — for Joseph Brant Hospital — to show support for the expansion and renovation project” said Anissa Hilborn, president of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation
The current record is held by Queen’s University, which formed a ‘Q’ with 3,373 people earlier this month, on September 6th. Burlington decided to up their target to 4000. And that is where they are going to have to top out they can only accommodate 4000 in the formation for safety reasons.
This all happens Sunday, October 2, 2016 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EDT) at Spencer Smith Park. There will be all kinds of sign showing you where to go.
This event is free; participants DO NOT need a ticket. They need to register to ensure we capture their name as a participant in the world record attempt.
The Foundation decided they would not be scanning tickets, so it is a ticket-less event.
When you arrive at the park you will be able to join the formation in any area. There will NOT be assigned sections, people will be asked to enter the formation upon arrival, and will remain there until the record attempt is complete and verified by the Guinness World Records judge on site.
Water and snacks will be provided, and there will be live entertainment throughout the day including a DJ and emcee on stage to keep participants informed. There will also be food trucks and once the record is broken. All participants will get an official Guinness World Records Title Holder keepsake.
 An aerial perspective of the renovation/rebuild of the Joseph Brant Hospital scheduled to open in 2018 Can Burlington do it – BEFORE someone sets an even higher record?
By Staff
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service would like to make the public aware of an arrest in a sexual assault investigation in effort to identify any other possible victims.
 Sexual assault took place Sunday afternoon at Spencer smith Park. Police looking for possible additional victims. The incident took place on September 18th, 2016 at approximately 8:30 pm, along the shores of Spencer Smith Park in south Burlington where the adult female victim was attacked by a male stranger. After the female made her escape, police were contacted, and with the assistance of tactical and canine officers the accused was located in the area and arrested.
Charged and held for a bail hearing with the following offences is Vezio CARDULLO, 34 years of No Fixed Address:
• Robbery
• Utter Threats to Cause Death
• Forcible Confinement, Sexual Assault
• Overcoming Resistance to Commission of an Offence
• Sexual Assault with a Weapon
• Sexual Assault – threats to a Third party
• Assault
The police apparently believe there might be more victims and encourage anyone who may have been assaulted to be in touch with the police.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Alanda Prescod or Detective Dan Ciardullo of the Child Abuse Sexual Assault Unit at 905 825-4747 ext 8970, or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222 TIPS, or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Staff
September 19, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The Gazette slipped a little on this one – the city issued a media release early in August; it took a little time to get caught up.
Here they go again – the Airpark has decided to appeal the Judgement handed down by Justice M. R, Gibson who, on June 30th sided with the city that asked the Court to compel the Airpark to comply with a city bylaw that required them to file a site plan.
The Airpark has dumped tonnes of landfill on the 200 acre air park property as part of a process to level out the land for future development.
The city had been battling this situation since 2013 when the Gazette first brought to city halls attention that trucks were rattling up and down Appleby Line with loads of landfill that was being spread on the property.
 Trucks loaded with land fill that no one really knew where it came from worked for months without any intervention from the city. A Gazette story put the issue on the front burner. At the time the Air Park argued that they came under federal jurisdiction and did not have to comply with municipal bylaws. That argument got shot down when Justice Murphy said that the Airpark did have to comply with city bylaws on those part of the Airpark that were not runway or taxiway features.
The Airpark appealed the Justice Murphy decision – that appeal lasted less than an hour – the Airpark appeal was dismissed and they were required to pay the city’s legal costs.
 Heavy construction equipment parked on a 30 foot + hill 50 yards from the kitchen window of the Sheldon property on Appleby Line next door to the Air Park landfill operation. The next step was for the city to chase the Airpark to have them file a site plan. The Airpark hired consultants to prepare the document but they never did file what Justice Murphy and the Court of Appeal said they were required to file.
Many months later the court case asking the court to compel the Airpark to file took place in one of the smallest court rooms one can imagine. Members of the north Burlington community and just about the complete executive of the Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition, squeezed into the room where lawyer Ian Blue, acting for the city, marshalled all kinds of court decisions – most which, it appeared, counsel for the Airpark didn’t appear to know anything about.
Justice Gibson handed down a decision that wasn’t quite as clear cut as the Justice Murphy decision. It was complex.
That appears to have been enough for the Airpark to appeal that decision as well.
 This Regional government map shows what the plans were for the Airpark. The Region had bought into the Vince Rossi argument that the Airpark was federally regulated. The City of Burlington is now going to discuss next steps. We looking at another 18 to 24 months for a decision from the Appeal Court.
The appeal, asks that the Gibson judgment be set aside and judgment be granted declaring City of Burlington By-Law 64-2014 to be ultra vires, or inapplicable to the operations of the Appellant, Burlington Airpark Inc., and in particular to the placement of soils in and about aircraft runways and aircraft taxiways at the Burlington Airpark (the “Airpark”) prior to April 27, 2013.”
The City of Burlington site alteration bylaw 64-2014 regulates the placing, dumping, cutting and removal of fill or the alteration of grades or drainage on a piece of land. Individuals doing this type of work must first submit an application to the city for a site alteration permit.
 Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Airpark and believed to be the sole shareholder of the private company, met with north Burlington residents. He took all the comments made “under advisement”.. On June 30, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice ruled in favour of the City of Burlington’s application to compel Burlington Airpark Inc. to submit an application for a site alteration permit to comply with the bylaw. With the court ruling, the Airpark was required to file an application for a site alteration permit for the fill deposited between 2008 and 2013 before Aug. 31, 2016. The court has also ordered the Airpark to pay the city’s court costs.
It is that decision that is now being appealed.
“The city will be looking at its options, and will update the community as soon as more information is available, “said Nancy Shea-Nicol, the city’s solicitor and director of Legal Services. No date has yet been set for the appeal.
A favourable Appeal Court decision is vital to the Airpark. Once all the appeal option are exhausted the air park is expected to have to file a site plan – and that is when their fate is in the hands of the planning department.
There was no love lost between the Airpark and the Planning department who feel they have been jerked around by the Airpark.
 Airpark dumped more than 30 feet of landfill without a Site Plan. Owner of the adjacent property stands on her property line and wonders why anyone can build a “small mountain” next to her property without getting approval. She is also terrified over what the hill is doing to the value of her property and what the leaching out of the landfill is going to do to her well water. One possibility is for the city to demand that some, if not all of the land fill – some of which is believed to be below the required standards – be removed.
That has the potential to put the Airpark out of business – at which point investors who are believed to be waiting in the wings will make an offer for the property.
 By Staff
September 19, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
It was put together in 2102 to provide support for police officers who were killed or injured during the line of duty and whose families needed bridging support until pension and other benefits kicked in.
When a police service member is injured or killed in the line of duty, his or her family often requires immediate financial assistance, and cannot wait for insurance and other benefits to kick in.
 Keith Strong; the driving force behind the creation of the Halton Heroes Fund. It was discovering this gap between the timing of a serious incident and receipt of funds that inspired Keith Strong to lead a group of like-minded philanthropists, including Jim Frizzle, Cheryl Goldring, Dorothy Borovich, Les Vass and a community-based board of directors to act.
They provided their own resources and encouraged others to donate money, products and services to create The Halton Heroes Gala.
 From the left: Deputy Nishan Duraiappah, Tiger Ali Singh Jr., Tiger Jeet Singh Sr. and Chief Stephen Tanner (Photo by Halton Regional Police Service). The purpose of the event was two-fold: to raise awareness of the selfless work done every day by members our Halton Regional Police Service, and to generate money for an endowed fund, called the Halton Heroes Fund, that is held in trust by the Burlington Foundation.
The annual Gala was held last Friday
By Staff
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The numbers were nothing to be proud of – dismal is perhaps the best description for the 2,299 Provincial Offence Notices handed out by the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Traffic Services Unit during the week long Project Safe Start road safety initiative.
Now in its tenth year, Project Safe Start is a highly visible reminder to drivers that children are back in school and they need to slow down in and around school zones, watch for pedestrians, and pay attention to school crossing guards escorting children across busy intersections.
Over the course of the week long campaign, which ran from September 7 to 13, officers focused a number of dangerous driving behaviours, the top four of which were:
 Missed that stop sign – didn’t see it.
- 1: speeding,
2: disobeying stop signs,
3: distracted driving and
4: administrative offences.
Provincial Offence Notices were issued for these and other violations.
“Traffic safety is a Service and community priority in Halton Region,” said Sergeant Ryan Snow, Traffic Services Unit. “While Project Safe Start formally ends, officers will continue to enforce the rules of the road in a bid to make ours safer for everyone.”
Half of 1% of the Region’s population chose to put the lives of children going to school at significant risk.
Residents are reminded that they can file driving complaints or request enforcement of a particular area online at www.haltonpolice.ca under Most Requested Information -> Roadwatch or Traffic Complaints respectively.
Criminal/dangerous driving should be reported immediately by calling 9-1-1.
Related article:
Stories people tell police when they get pulled over – and the language they use.
 By Staff
September 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
You are going to have to hold it for just a little longer if you are out for a stroll at Ireland Park –
the Washrooms and Concession closed until further notice –
 This is not Ireland Park – yet. due to a water main break.
 By Pepper Parr
September 19th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
An interesting idea cropped up during our interview with Tim Cestnick, the newest member of the Burlington Foundation, which most of you will remember as the former Burlington community Foundation.
New members of any board need to take a little time to settle in and get a sense as to how the board has run in the past. Tim Cestnick and Tim Hogarth go back some time – both are polished senior executive types that know how to think through problems and take a strategic look at what the objective is. And both are now board members of the Foundation. Hogarth has been on the board for a period of time.
 The Foundation recently went through a re-branding and is well into the roll out of their Mental Health Awareness work they have been doing the past two years. They have a major speaker. Michael Landsberg, in town in October.
The number of Endowments they manage grows steadily as does the assets under administration – $10.7 million now.
The organization is readying itself for its Annual Gala that is being chaired by Rick Burgess this year. The event will be held at the Performing Arts centre on October 22nd.
  The Gala is a major fund raising event that covers the operational costs of the Foundation.
Every organization that relies on the public needs to constantly refresh itself and while a brand change perhaps perks things up a little, the meat is in the ideas they come forward with. And this is where Cestnick’s thoughts on just what philanthropy is all about are very relevant.
The vast majority of the people out there would say that people with a lot of money can become philanthropists – Cestnick doesn’t see it that way. He thinks we can tech people at the high school level to think in terms of being philanthropists.
“Why can’t a high school student can’t set aside a small sum each year and make that their philanthropic donation – something that would be built on each year?
We have United Way for that might be a response – and it is a good one.
If one looks at the annual Terry Fox run that takes place in Burlington every year you get a sense of how a public will take to an idea; how they will respond to something that changed the way they see the world.
 Others are already involving their youth in philanthropic ventures. Philanthropy allows that kind of thing. The United Way seeks funds to provide services. The Burlington Foundation came to the realization that we need to look at Mental Health differently and bring it in out of the cold where it wasn’t talked about – we just felt sorry for those who were experiencing bad mental health.
The Foundation now has a program in place that has people talking about mental health and what has to change in the way we deal with this now growing social problem. That hasn’t been the kind of work that organizations like the United Way are doing. This is not to take anything away from what the United Way does – we could not survived as a caring society if we did not have the United Way in place.
 Tim Cestnick newest Burlington Foundation Board member. Tim Cestnick talks in terms of people needing to “feel” it when they are donating money. You give something up, you do without something you enjoy when you choose to make a philanthropic donation.
If I understood Tim Cestnick correctly he is interested in introducing people to the idea that there is something biblical about philanthropy and I got the impression it was something he might try to get on the Foundation agenda.
It will be interesting to see if this goes anywhere – it should.
Related article:
Cestnick appointed to Burlington Foundation board.
 By Pepper Parr
September 19, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It went well, it went very well.
The MoonGlade event put on by No Vacancy in partnership with the Art Gallery of Burlington was a huge improvement over the event last year. Shows what a curated event can be.
When Denis Longchamps, Chief Curator, added his skill set to No Vacancy’s organizational talents the city ended up with an event that can only grow. We are all winners with this one.
 The tunnel portion of Kune Hua’s installation It is an event Burlingtonians are going to have to grow into. Among the 17 “installations” pieces the one put on by Kune Hua was by far the most popular. While it wasn’t “art” per se, it certainly attracted a lot of people.
There was a line up outside the installation even though most people didn’t know what it was until they got inside and had a conversation with Kune who talked to everyone who passed through.
 Part of the Kune Hua installation consisted of a number of tents set up – people went in and just talked to the person inside. About what? We didn’t ask – hundreds lined up. It was described by one arts professional as something that was more philosophical than installation art – but it appealed to people.
Kune was on a high when the event came to a close; he sent a thank you out to all those involved and said: “What an incredible night! 🌸🌝 Feeling so much love 💗 and the light ✨ was certainly bright tonight. The LOVE garden was in full bloom and hundreds of people picked up the fragrance. Thank you so so much to everyone who helped make this happen from creating it, supporting it and experiencing it! It truly was a magical night.”
Jim Riley was given the space he needed for his visual installation.
One person who attended said the Art Gallery had probably never seen this many people in the place at one time before.
An added bonus for the people who went to take part in MoonGlade was the “stitched art” exhibit that was on at the same time. Unfortunately many, if not most people didn’t realize that the work was unique and one of the best shows of stitching, which is an offshoot of quilting, that will be seen in this province.
Kelly Bruton of Newfoundland had an excellent installation that called for some interaction to be fully appreciated.
 Shevon Madden’s installation. Shevnon Madden’s installation of a wire sculpture of a horse head with all the musculature of the neck clearly delineated was quite stunning. Her visual and vocal commentary made a telling point on how we train animals.
Longchamps wanted a much more hands on approach and art that was both interactive and made a social comment. For the most part he got much of what he wanted.
What was missing was public interaction.
 The Deconstruction table – created by Kelly Bruton Kelly Bruton had difficulty getting people to spend any time at either her destruct or reconstruct tables. The object was cut up T-shirts into strips of cloth and use the strips to make rugs.
 The reconstruction table. What we noticed was that people flitted from one installation to another and didn’t quite know what to do when they got there.
The exception was the Kune Hua installation. No one was able to say quit why it worked – just that it did. And that can be said for everything about MoonGlade.
 It was mediation and music – which is what many wanted. The Beer Garden went well; the Food Trucks met the need and the music was just fine.
Look for this event to be repeated next year. Kune Hua hasn’t a clue as to what he will do for a repeat. He has a full year to think that through.
By Pepper Parr
September 19th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Tempers flare, fists fly and suddenly there is a Mother with two children looking for a safe place to say. Another family is in the process of destroying itself and the net that we call out social network has to be brought in to prevent things from getting any worse.
Diane Beaulieu, Executive Director of Halton Woman’s Place knows the way these things are going to roll out – and she doesn’t have anywhere near the resources she needs to handle the problems that come her way.
 Reception area – designed to put women in crisis at ease and assure them they are in a safe place. My job is a 24/7 operation” she said. And all she has to meet the need is 52 beds and it just isn’t enough; the 30 beds in Burlington and another 22 in Milton are always in use. Beds is making it sound like a flop house – rooms is the better term – but no matter what name you place on them – there aren’t enough to meet the needs.
The woman in the shelter stay there until they can find affordable housing in a safe place. “We plan on having the women with us for six weeks but it often turns into a six month stay” adds Beaulieu. “There just isn’t enough affordable housing in the Regional system and the market for affordable housing in Burlington is priced beyond the reach of most single parents.
Women in crisis go to the top of the list for affordable housing but that still means many months – years in some cases.
The shelter in Burlington was purpose built in 2001 – it is located in a nice setting, tucked away from the mainstream.
As part of a pilot project the province has put up $875,000 in funds into a program that will give funds to women to pay their first and last month rent in private sector housing.
The program is being run by the Region’s Employment Housing & Social Services Division, located at 690 Dorval Drive, 7th Floor, Oakville.
Many feel the solution is to work with the developers who are working close to flat out on more than five different projects in Burlington that are condominium developments for the most part and look for ways to involve them in the creation of housing space that is affordable. This is a complex social issue and solutions are not going to be easy to find. Hard to get elected on doing something for the disadvantaged.
Beaulieu has a staff of 52 people who do case work management and operate what is a very tight security system at the Burlington location.
 Purpose built in 2001 the 30 room residence is a safe haven for women while they re-orient their lives. The Region could use five more like this tomorrow. Violence against women is serious stuff – there are women who have lost their lives as a result of physical abuse. The emotional damage to women who are abused and their children is incalculable and it is expensive.
Included in the staffing compliment are four people who do educational work in the high school system
There is a senior police official assigned as the liaison for the shelters.
Along with public education and the need for more affordable housing there is a need for a stronger buy into the needs from the general public.
“We aren’t all that high on the top of mind scale” said Beaulieu. “And we need to be.”
By Staff
September 18, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Something in the order of 1000 British motor cars covered the grassy fields at Bronte Provincial Park today as the Toronto Triumph Club hosted their 33rd annual British Car Day.
 This MG was an 80 year old model – running like a charm. Millions of pounds of machinery from a low-end 1950 Morris Series MM to “the Rolls Royce of cars”, the Rolls Royce. And more if price is no object.
There Jaguars (or Jag-u-ars depending upon your pronunciation), Triumph, Lotus, Sunbeam, MG and Land Rovers.
 The close-up photo of the engine that drives the Morgan Three wheeler.  Alan Harrington got behind the wheel of the Morgan Three Wheeler. The oldest car was a 1933 Morgan 3 wheeler painted a very light sky-blue.
The owner has had the car for 50 years. It seats two but the passenger on the left has to help with left/right hand signals.
 Fords Yellow 1994 TVR Griffith 500 Getting in and out of this “no-door” three wheeler is a minor task even for a yoga master.
There were Marcos, Bentley, Hillman, Daimler, BMW’s and Fords Yellow 1994 TVR Griffith 500 (lic UK)
At the back of the field are a dozen DeLoreans lined up gull-wing to gull-wing. DMC was the star of the Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux capacitor. DeLoreans were made in Northern Ireland that allows them to join all the other British made vehicles.
 The Rolls Royce with a table in the rear Harrington was quite taken with the Grey Poupon mustard.  The trusty Land Rover that really didn’t need the Union Jack to show its British pedigree. Alan Harrington, who is a regular at this annual event, managed to get himself behind the wheel of the Morgan; getting out was apparently a bit of a challenge.
Cars on display with anniversary years included MG TA Midget and Triumph Vitesse (80 years) the RED one in the photo and Morris Minor 1000 (60 years), cream coloured in the background of the photo with the gentleman with fancy hosiery.
 The DeLorean was used in the Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux capacitor. Comment from a reader: “Land Rover that didn’t need the British flag…” was really a second world war Willys MB made in Toledo, Ohio. The Land Rover and the Austin Gypsy were England’s answer to the Willys Jeep, which was the original. The role it played in defending England from Nazi tyranny is apparently good enough to allow it into this all-British event, and I enjoy seeing them displayed. Incidentally, the Land Rover display was the largest I have ever seen and also very enjoyable.
The music played during the event was was all 60’s British Invasion music; the treat for the nose was the faint whiff of incomplete gasoline combustion.
Food was available for the other senses.
All the photographs were taken by Harrington, except for the one of him in the Morgan – that was taken by Dave smith, the owner of the vehicle.
Back to the Future film and one was decked out with the flux
The show is an annual event – takes place the third Sunday of September – website –
https://www.torontotriumph.com/BCD/
By Pepper Parr
September 16, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Tim Cestnick is an account; FCPA, FCA, CPA(IL), CFP, TEP, that kind of an accountant.
When he came a Chartered account his father bought him a set of license plates with Tim CA on them. But he is no run of the mill bean counter.
 Tim Cestnick: FCPA, FCA, CPA(IL), CFP, TEP, He is a tax specialist with 16 book titles to his name and a reputation as one of the better tax specialists in the country. He writes a regular column in the Globe and Mail which resulted from his first book, which he self-published when he left one of the big five accounting firms in Toronto and joined Bateman McKay in Burlington where he felt he was able to be his own person.
He called Chapters and asked if they would sell copies of his book – they ordered 50 copies, which didn’t impress Tim at all. Chapters eventually sold 8,000 copies, which in the Canadian market is close to being a best seller.
Tim likes to explain things to people – take the complex and make it understandable – and if anything deserves the description complex it is the tax act.
 Cestnick has a passion for the “not for profit” sector to which he brings a set of values that one doesn’t see in the accounting field all that often.
Cestnick was asked to give a presentation to an annual meeting of what was then the Burlington Community Foundation. Little did he know that Colleen Mulholland, president of that organization, was in the process of grooming him as a future Director.
Tim took a year and a half to decide if the Foundation was a good place for him to serve his community. Philanthropy is big stuff for Tim. He frequently advises people on what they should give and what the tax implications are.
But giving isn’t a tax advantage. Tim believes people should “feel it” when they give. For him giving is biblical.
“Use the tax rules to your advantage but realize that giving, real giving, is a chance to change your life” says Cestnick. And he means it
Making a donation is really a person setting a limit on what they are willing to do. And he believes that if you don’t “feel” it when you give, the gift for the giver is lost.
 Time management is probably Tim’s highest priority. He thinks about where he donates his time. He serves on the board of the Christian Academy where the work is very much hands on. The tasks he will have at the Foundation are more strategic where he will work with Ron Foxcroft and Tim Hogarth along with the other board members. The two Tims will manage to keep Foxcroft, who is the current chair, on the agenda.
The Burlington Foundation uses the same funds management organization as the Hamilton Foundation. Cestnick expects to be involved in some of the oversight work.
What he will bring to the Foundation is a set of values; the kind that don’t fit in all that well with “old boy networks”, which is not to suggest that the Foundation is anywhere near being an old boys network but it is where people with loads of money are made welcome and expect a level of treatment others don’t get.
Entitlement and philanthropy tend to get joined at the hip – I came away from my interview with Tim Cestnick feeling that entitlement isn’t something he places a lot of emphasis on.
 Tim likes the idea of growing the idea of philanthropy – younger people can become philanthropists by donating a small sum every year he suggests. Philanthropy has gotten known as a big money game; Tim think it could be something different. Will that idea hold away at the board? Time will tell.
The Foundation has become known as a leader in the development of changes in the way citizens in Burlington look at Mental Health.
In 2014 they were the lead on organizing the flood fund raising and with Ron Foxcroft badgering the banks they way few people can badger – the Foundation managed to raise just shy of $1 million in 100 days.
 That was a herculean effort and not something Mulholland wants to do again – but the results were a testament to just what they can do when called upon to serve.
Tim, if asked, would probably tell you ‘we are here to serve’.
The Burlington Foundation is lucky to have him.
Now let’s see what they get done.
The Foundation holds their annual Gala event which will take place at the Performing Arts Centre on October 22nd.
By Pepper Parr
September 15, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Mark Mulholland was 24 the day Terry Fox ran through the streets of Burlington. Fox was on his way to a reception at Royal Botanical Gardens but “I wanted to see the man while he was running and I decided to watch from the side walk on Lakeshore Road.”
 Terry Fox captured on film by Mark Mulholland as Terry ran along Lakeshore Road on July 13th, 1980. ”I used a small 35mm Vivitar camera I was given as a graduation gift – it was pretty automatic – all I had to do was point and click.
“I remember saying hello to Terry as he passed by – I don’t remember if he said anything back to me.
“I had the sense that I was watching someone heroic. It was an incredible feeling. I felt I was there alone with him.”
The picture was taken at a spot almost opposite to where there is a monument put up by citizens who understand how important an occasion that run was.
Terry Fox started something – high school kids who weren’t born when he made his run get out there every year and relate to a courageous young man.
Mulholland made a revealing comment when he said Terry Fox wasn’t a celebrity and added “we didn’t have celebrities then. We had heros.”
 A group of citizens collected the funds, oversaw the design and made sure that an historic occasion for the city and the county was properly commemorated. Mulholland said he kept the picture on his desk for years, it faded after a while. Then he had it enlarged – remember those were the days of film – not digital. When the web site for the Fox run was created he knew the picture had to be there as well.
“What I remember most” said Mulholland “was that he didn’t have any airs about him. The feeling I had that day has never left me.”
 By Staff
September 15, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
After nearly 25 years in business, the Reuse Centre is closing its doors for good. As the final day approaches, the Reuse Centre urges the public to visit their one-stop shop and take away whatever they can carry – free!
For the past eight weeks, the community has done their part by taking home a significant amount of inventory.
Now, the Reuse Centre invites anyone and everyone from the surrounding area to help clear out the final stock.
 Any and all remaining items at the Centre are FREE. Shoppers are encouraged to come and take whatever they can carry – Reuse Centre volunteers are also happy to lend a hand or two! There are still plenty of household goods available as well as some Christmas merchandise.
If you’re a bargain hunter, do-it-yourself home renovator, shabby chic enthusiast, crafting connoisseur, repurposed furniture maker, fashion designer, or collector of unique antiquities, do not miss your chance to score FREE supplies for your projects and collections before the Reuse Centre closes on Friday, September 30, 2016.
Business owners and developers are also urged to take advantage of the remaining fixtures, which include a cash register and store shelving.
The Reuse Centre and its many dedicated volunteers would also like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their continued support and enthusiasm for waste reduction.
The Reuse Centre is open Wednesday through Friday, from noon until 4pm, Saturdays 10am until 5pm and Sundays noon to 4pm.
By Staff
September 15, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Hearing that – Starting today, the shingles vaccine will be available across the province for people 65 to 70 years of age might get little more than a shrug from most people.
For those who have experienced shingles it is no laughing matter.
 Shingles is a very painful condition – it isn’t limited to people over 65. “Shingles is a painful illness caused by the chickenpox virus that can reactivate without warning later in life. The shingles vaccine lowers the risk of getting shingles significantly and reduces the chance of complications from this disease for people without medical contraindications.
The government is investing $68 million over three years in order to publicly fund the vaccine, which will reduce the likelihood of Ontario seniors developing the painful infection, and reduce visits to emergency rooms and hospitals.
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, affects more than 42,000 people every year in Ontario and can cause complications such as loss of vision and debilitating nerve pain. Studies show that the vaccine is highly effective when seniors are vaccinated between the ages of 65 – 70, and this new program aligns with scientific and expert recommendations from Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization and Ontario’s Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Those who are eligible for the shingles vaccine should contact their primary care doctor or nurse practitioner to receive the vaccination.
Approximately 850,000 seniors between the ages of 65 and 70 years are expected to be eligible to receive the publicly funded shingles vaccine.
By Pepper Parr
September 15, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
How would you describe getting the kids to drink water and give up sugar-sweetened beverages?
Some would call that a “challenge” which is exactly what city staff and Community Development Halton are going to try to do at the Healthy Kids Community Challenge that will take place Tuesday, September 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mountainside Recreation Centre.
Residents are invited to a community workshop to share ideas on how to encourage children and families to drink water as a healthy alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages.
 Mayor Goldring was on hand for the launch of the Healthy Initiatives program. He didn’t try the hoola hoop but he did draw in chalk on the sidewalk. “Having a city that is healthy and green is one of the four key objectives in Burlington’s 25 year strategic plan,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “We want to help motivate kids to drink water when they are thirsty and make choices that will lead to good health.”
Ideas generated from the community brainstorming event will be used to support the second theme of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, Water Does Wonders.
Burlington is one of 45 communities selected to take part in the Province of Ontario’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge program, created to support healthy and active lifestyles in children zero to 12 years old.
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will launch a new theme related to physical activity or healthy eating about every nine months and Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington will work together with local organizations to develop programs, policies and initiatives that promote and enable healthy behaviours.
 The program started out as a provincial Healthy Kids Community Challenge, created to support healthy and active lifestyles in children zero to 12 years old. Millions were to be put into the program which the city outsourced partially to Community Development Halton. “Children need a lot of water to stay hydrated and healthy,” said Jennifer Spence, the co-project lead for Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington. “Water makes up more than half of a child’s weight, and a steady supply is necessary to keep bodies working properly.”
When members of city council are deliberating and are in their seats for a couple of hours – they have a small fridge that holds cool beverages. In the five years the Gazette has covered this city council we have yet to see anyone of them come out with a container of water.
The Mayor does bring in his personal water bottle.
City council chambers might be a good place to start this change.
There is more information about the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington, visit www.healthykidsburlon.ca or like Healthy Kids Community Challenge Burlington on Facebook, follow @HeathlyKidsBurl on Twitter and @HealthyKidsBurlON on Instagram.
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