 By Staff
October 29, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Prime Minister was in town.
He spent a couple of hours at the YMCA meeting with people who are taking part in a YMCA Employment Services program and then making an announcement that has national implications.
Burlington is now a Liberal friendly city and the crowds were adoring.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau being greeted at the Burlington YMCA These Prime Ministerial tours are major productions with support teams that that amount to more than 25 people.
Security is thick – but not obtrusive.
For the first time in my experience I saw RCMP officers carrying rifles in special back backs that don’t give away what is inside them – these men are sharp shooters.
Easily ten plain clothes police – they are ranked by how close they can get to the Prime Minister. Each wear a button – a pin in their lapel – red ones mean they get close – they surround the PM – you have to get past them to get near the PM. The black ones are at the rear of the room.
There is always one, usually a nervous looking young man standing right beside the PM. It is a well-orchestrated event.
The first part of the visit had the Prime Minister in the lower level of the YMCA talking one on one with people taking part in the YMCA Employment Services program
As structured as the event itself was the Prime Minister didn’t seem to be WORD – he walked into the room – no one said a word – there was no applause. He was greeted by the head of the YMCA and asked a few questions and then began talking to the dozen or so people who were enrolled in the Employment Services program. Each was sitting in front of a computer monitor so the Prime Minister dropped to a squat and was able to talk directly – eye to eye to each person.
 He spent a good fifteen minutes going from person to person – asking what they were looking for in the way of work and the kind of help they were getting.
It was quiet – the only thing that made it a bit unreal was the dozens of photographers and television camera operators hovering.
There was no grandstanding on the part of the PM – he was just in the room talking to people. His communications support people – there were easily six – maybe eight of them – were everywhere paying attention to the details – there had to be a glass of water at the podium and it had to be in a clear glass. .
When all the students had been talked to the PM said a few words and headed for another room where there was a group of about 75 people, all invited, in a room that had Canadian Flags and a backdrop of Canadian flags and a podium for the Prime Minister to speak from.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meeting and greeting at the Burlington YMCA Television cameras from every network in the country were lined up. The PM announced a 2019 federal investment of $500 million toward the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB).
Trudeau also announced a 2019 federal investment of $500 million toward the Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB). The Working Income Tax Benefit (WITB) will help those folks who are working hard to make ends meet and who are still struggling at the lower end of the income scale.”
With the speeches done the Prime Minister chatted with the invited guests then headed into the foyer of the YMCA where there were close to 100 people waiting to see him. Babies were held up for a Prime Ministerial kiss – two that we saw – and then out into the street where vehicles were waiting.
To ensure that this was a truly Burlington event there was one lone protester holding up a Save Bateman sign.
 By Staff
October 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Toronto Dominion Bank on Brant Street at Caroline was robbed this afternoon when a lone male suspect entered the bank at 12:40 pm and approached the teller.
The suspect provided a note demanding cash and indicated he had a weapon. The teller complied with his request and an undisclosed amount of cash was provided to the suspect.
The suspect fled the bank and was last observed running westbound on Eileen Drive.
No weapon was observed during the robbery, nor was anyone injured.
The suspect is described as:
• Male white
• 35-40 years old
• No facial hair
• 5’8″ to 5’9″ tall
• Medium build 170-185 Ibs
• Black touque
• Yellow and black rain jacket
• Blue jeans
• Black running shoes with white trim
Anyone with information regarding this robbery is asked to contact Detective Phil Vandenbeukel of Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Robbery Team at 905-825-4747 ext 2343. Tips can be forwarded to Crime Stoppers; “See Something, Hear Something, Say Something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.crimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
________________________________________
By Staff
October 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service began releasing the names of those who have been charged with the offence of driving while under the influence of both alcohol and drugs.
A number of Gazette readers took offence to this information being made public arguing that a person arrested for driving while DUI is not guilty until found guilty by a Judge.
 Charges being written up. When asked an HRPS spokesperson said: “The decision to release the names of those charged with DUI offences was not made lightly by the Halton Regional Police Service.”
While the number of charges laid nationally is getting smaller “ impaired driving still remains one of the most frequent criminal offences and is among the leading criminal causes of death in Canada. In addition, while alcohol-impaired driving is down over the past several decades, drug-impaired driving is on the rise”.
“In an effort to bring more attention to the risk of driving while impaired, assist in identifying witnesses, and reduce continued offences, the Service will continue to issue a media release publishing the name, age and municipality of motorists charged with impaired driving.”
The Police Services Act permits this disclosure for individuals charged with a Criminal Offence.
Related news stories:
Two arrested for driving while under the influence
Region police now releasing names
 By Ray Rivers
October 27, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
If Kathleen Wynne’s Liberals are not re-elected come the provincial election next year, it will partly be because of how the Liberals have managed and mismanaged the energy file. True enough there has never been a power blackout or even a brownout over their period of governance – as there had been regularly during the previous Harris/Eves government. But the price of electricity had been dramatically rising, at least until this past summer when it tumbled by a whopping 25%.
There are a number of reasons that account for why our hydro bills had been rising:
1. Neglected maintenance – During the Rae and Harris years electricity infrastructure, transmission in particular, had been sacrificed resulting in brown and black outs;
2. Privatization – New generation, whether renewable or conventional energy required long term contracts with fixed prices and guaranteed purchases;
3. Labour Costs – The utilities’ employees are among the best paid in the province, senior executives with Ontario Power Generator (OPG) and Hydro One in particular; and
4. Waste – Most memorable is the billion or so spent to cancel new gas plants still under construction, allegedly to save electoral seats in the GTA.
 Maintaining the system has not always been the top priority – we end up paying for it eventually. For a generation Ontario Hydro had typically debt-financed its operations, even before the Davis government. In fact when Mike Harris dissolved Ontario Hydro at the turn of the millennium he discovered an accumulated debt load of almost $40 billion, some $20 billion greater than the value of all of the utilities’ then current assets.
This stranded debt had been placed on our utility bills until more recently when the Liberal government eliminated it.
As rates started rising over the McGuinty/Wynne years, lower income families complained about how they couldn’t afford to pay their hydro bills, some businesses threatened to move out of the province, and even the left wing media were doing an almost daily grind on electricity prices. So early this spring the Premier responded to the criticism by taking out a mortgage, the way someone looking to renovate their house might do. She is using the borrowed money to cut electricity bills for small business and residential customers by 25%.
In a way it’s just turning the clock back. And it’s fair game for opposition politicians to call this a political pre-election move. It sure looks that way – trying to win votes by lowering hydro bills today and paying the piper tomorrow. It’s OK for the political parties to do that – call her out – but not Ontario’s Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk who is supposed to be an independent officer of the legislative assembly. Instead she is acting like the king-maker James Comey did in the last US election.
The nub of her report is that it would have been less costly to finance the 25% rate cut by adding to the provincial debt rather than piling it onto OPG and its financing agency, because Ontario’s credit rating is better than OPG’s and the interest rate is lower. She is right to point that out but not to assign motive on behalf of the government – that is my job and the job of the opposition parties. And the government would likely respond that the debt should go to the rate payers rather than the general public – something she fails to note.
 Former Premier Mike Harris was no friend of a “Best in the Business” hydro system. The Ontario AG delivered another scathing report almost two years ago in which she decried the use of long-term fixed-price electricity supply contracts, but failed to offer any alternative as to how the system would work otherwise. It has been the provincial policy since the time of Mike Harris to bring on new energy sources through the private sector using long term supply contracts. And the private sector needs the security of a contract to ensure that it receives a fair return on its investments.
Again, she was right in pointing out that privatization had been a costly exercise. But somebody on her staff needed to take a course in micro-economics 101. She presented an imaginary $37 billion number, a purely hypothetical figure which might as well have been pulled from the air. But it is a complicated file, her strength is accounting not economics, and so her report then, as now, was only partly helpful.
Over the last decade Ontario’s energy costs climbed to be the highest in Canada – though still much lower than those in the major North American centres in California and New York. With the 25% reduction Ontario has fallen more in line with the other provinces. But of course it will never be able to compete with Quebec, Manitoba or BC. These jurisdictions have a tremendous advantage with their low cost water power endowment, and they have also retained their provincial monopolies to generate and distribute electricity reliably and cheaply.
 Leader of the Opposition at Queen’s Ark – Patrick Brown New Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown claims he’d tear up the province’s long term supply contracts, much as Dalton McGuinty promised to tear up the 407 lease Harris had signed years before him. It was simply not possible, the lawyers had sealed it well. And even if Brown were legally able to do that, how would he replace these contracts – how would he keep the electrons flowing and the lights on? I am one of the hundreds of Ontario residents who operate a small solar energy project under Ontario’s MicroFIT energy program. Without a reasonable assurance of market access and price no reasonable business entity is going to take a gamble investing in a public sector electricity system.
Brown is not someone to be underestimated. Over the relatively short period of time he has been provincial Tory leader, the former Harper disciple and MP, has moderated and adapted. In fact he has boldly reversed his view and position on abortion, same sex marriage and sex education in schools. And it has worked for him, he is now leading in provincial popularity with almost half those polled saying they would vote for him. He has been a strong and vocal critic of the Liberal government at Queens Park and on the electricity file in particular.
But if he is to become our next Premier he has to do more than just criticize – to tell us what he wouldn’t do. Brown, who had been promising to release his party’s long term energy plan several months ago, almost immediately pulled back from that promise until next year and the election. Indeed it would be very helpful for Mr. Brown to present a coherent alternative. After all it was his party who created this chaos in the first place by dissolving our relatively stable and low cost provincial electricity monopoly. He might want to look to Quebec, Manitoba or B.C. for inspiration.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington in 1995. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Ontario 2003 Black-out – Bruce Nuclear Deal – Stranded Debt – Auditor General Report –
More AG – Large Renewable Suspended – MicroFit Valuation – Patrick Brown Energy Plan –
Ontario Polling –
 By Staff
October 27, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s city manager got a letter from the province today – they want to talk to him about just where those cannabis stores the federal government is going to make legal should be located.
The province is preparing for the federal government’s plan to legalize cannabis by July 2018 and is now working with municipalities to identify possible store locations.
 A retail cannabis operation in Colorado – is this what Burlington has coming its way? In September, the province announced a safe and sensible framework to govern the lawful use and retail distribution of cannabis as a carefully controlled substance. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) will be doing the actual retail sales through new stand-alone stores and online ordering.
In accordance with the province’s safe and sensible approach, two primary considerations will be used to guide the identification of municipalities where stores will be located:
• To achieve geographic distribution of stores across the province
• To reduce the number of illegal stores, including dispensaries, currently in operation
The LCBO will utilize guidelines to identify specific store locations with the objective of ensuring that youth are protected and the illegal market is addressed. This includes ensuring stores are not located in close proximity to schools.
Once a prospective store site has been identified by the LCBO, a notice will be posted online and at the location to let the public know that a space has been selected for a proposed storefront. Before any decisions are made, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide feedback on the proposed location.
Under the proposed approach, approximately 150 standalone stores will be opened by 2020, including 40 stores by July 2018 and rising to 80 by July 2019. Online distribution will also be available to service all regions of the province.
The government will evaluate how this approach is working throughout the rollout to ensure that the goals of safe, responsible sales of cannabis and elimination of the illegal market are achieved.
 By Staff
October 27, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The southbound lane on Brant Street, just south of Victoria Avenue, will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for road paving.
 One side of Brant Street to be paved on Saturday Southbound traffic will be detoured to the west, down Locust Street.
Northbound traffic will be maintained.
Signs and barricades will be up and Halton Regional Police Services will be on site to help with the detour.
Access to properties along Brant Street will be maintained at all times.
For more information, contact Florin Patrau at 905-335-7671
By Staff
October 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Beginning school is a big step for parents and children. The Halton District School Board wants to make that transition as smooth as possible.
 Inquiring minds Throughout November, three-year olds and their parents/guardians are invited to attend one of four Kindergarten Open Houses to learn about starting school next year.
Drop by any one of the following open houses between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Georgetown Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 — Park PS (6 Hyde Park Dr.)
Burlington Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017 – Bruce T. Lindley PS (2510 Cavendish Dr.)
Milton Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 – Tiger Jeet Singh PS (650 Yates Dr.)
Oakville Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 – West Oak PS (2071 Fourth Line)
At the Open House, families will:
• Explore a Kindergarten classroom
• Learn about play-based learning
• Pick up information and resource material in a free backpack
• Access information about community agencies and resources in Halton
• Get information about before and after school care
• Connect with special education staff to discuss any developmental concerns
Children born in 2014 can start Kindergarten in September 2018.
Registration for Kindergarten begins in January 2018 and takes place at the school your child will attend.
By Staff
October 27th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Yesterday, members of the Burlington Street Crime Unit concluded a drug investigation resulting in the arrest of a Burlington man.
Investigators executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrant at the mans residence on Castleguard Crescent that resulted in the seizure of the following: (See included photo)
• Cocaine (1 gram)
• Marihuana (123 grams),
• Percocet pills (51)
• Pill press
• White powder believed to be a cutting agent
• 2 Digital scales
• 2 Cellphones
• $800 in cash
• Machete
• 2 throwing knives.
Estimated street value of drugs seized is $1500.
Emanuel DaSilva THOMAS (25 yrs) of Burlington is charged with trafficking marihuana, possession of marihuana for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of Percocet for the purpose of trafficking and three counts of breaching probation. He was held pending a bail hearing.
Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gun or gang activity at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes). “See something, Hear something, Say something”.
 By Pepper Parr
October 26th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of people were as upset as we were over the way the Petition made to the Ontario Legislature by parents from Lester B. Pearson high school.
The MPP who read the Petition into the record really bungled the job.
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon didn’t read the Pearson high school parent’s Petition into the record in the Legislature because she was not allowed to do so. She is a member of the Cabinet and as such isn’t permitted to speak. The Government Whip does that job on her behalf. McMahon would have done a better job. Many people wanted to know why Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon didn’t read the Petition into the record.
Because she was not permitted to do so.
The rules for the Presentation of a Petition are pretty detailed
It is the responsibility of the petitioner(s) to arrange for a Member of the Legislative Assembly to present a petition.
Any Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, other than a Cabinet Minister or the Speaker of the House may present a petition.
The Chief Government Whip may present petitions on behalf of Cabinet Ministers.
If a petition meets all of the requirements for admissibility, it may be presented to the Legislature in one of two ways:
Presentation directly to the House
During any regular daytime meeting of the Legislative Assembly, MPPs are given the opportunity to present petitions by reading them aloud to the Members assembled. Such presentation will be recorded in the official record of debates (Hansard) as well as in the official record of proceedings (Votes and Proceedings).
Tabling a petition with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
At any time during a Parliamentary Session, an MPP may file a petition with the Clerk of the House. Such presentation will only be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
 The Pearson high school parents are leaving “no stone unturned” in their effort to keep their school open. The Pearson high school parents worked with the Ontario Alliance Against School Closures who directed them to the MPP from St. Catharines who also happens to be the Government Whip. The Whip’s job is to make sure all the members are in the Legislature when a vote is being taken.
Once a Petition is read into the record the government is required to respond.
The rules for that are:
Within 24 sitting days of the day on which the presentation of the petition is recorded, the government is required to file a response.
The response is delivered to the Clerk of the House and to the MPP who presented the petition.
The Clerk maintains an index of all petitions that have been presented to the Legislative Assembly during a given Parliamentary Session. This index contains the following information:
A brief description of the subject of the petition
The date the petition was presented
The name of the MPP who submitted the petition
The date upon which a response to the petition was received by the Clerk.
 Margaret Wilson is the Facilitator doing the PAR Administrative Review Assuming the Minister of Education does respond – expect her to tell us that a Facilitator has been appointed and that the Minister is waiting for that report.
It is complex and riddled with rules.
There was a time when citizens were not permitted to Petition their government.
Let’s see how this plays out.
Related article:
Pearson parents Petition the provincial government – feel they got stiffed.
By Staff
October 26th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite years of awareness campaigns illustrating why driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs is dangerous, impaired driving remains the top criminal cause of death in Canada. The Halton Regional Police Service remains committed to road safety through prevention, education and enforcement initiatives.
 Members of the public are reminded that driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is a crime in progress and to call 9-1-1 immediately to report a suspected impaired driver.
The Service’s Twitter and Facebook accounts should not be used for this purpose as they are not monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Offences:
On Tuesday, October 24, 2017, just after 8:00pm, Halton Police officers investigated a collision involving an impaired driver in Burlington. Police charged Sarah Duggan (42) of Milton with impaired operation of a motor vehicle and driving over 80mgs.
On Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at approximately 10:45pm, a traffic stop was initiated at Brant Street and Fairview Road in Burlington. As a result of an investigation, Edward Lee (43) of Burlington was charged with impaired operation of a motor vehicle, driving over 80mgs and refuse breath sample.
 By Staff
October 26, 2027
BURLINGTON, ON
Attempts to trick you into responding to a message you get in an electronic piece of mail are never ending.
The thieves out there see this as an easy way to steal – they seldom get caught – for the most part they live on the other side of the world.
For those of you who are Scotia Bank customers it might have been tempting to respond to the following:
 An email attempt to get information on your bank account. One of the first clues that this is an attempt to steal from you is the quality of the graphics – a bank would never send out something as crude as this.
Second – look at the address line. Doesn’t say it comes from a bank.
Third – what is it you are being asked to verify? Banks never do things like this by email – they will telephone you
 By Staff
October 25, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Hydro One crews will be conducting maintenance along Burlington Beach from Monday, November 6 to Sunday, November 12.
The overhead shield wire between towers 20 and 22, as shown below, is damaged and must be repaired to ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the power line. Shield wire is in place to protect equipment from lightning strikes and allows for the monitoring and control of the infrastructure; it does not carry electricity. Hydro One crews will be repairing the damaged shield wire each day until the work is complete on November 12.
Crews will be using all-terrain vehicles and some small pieces of construction equipment to complete this work.
For worker and public safety, pedestrian access to the area between towers 20 and 22 will be restricted while work is taking place. We recognize that this area is used by members of the community, and Hydro One staff will use signage, barriers and flaggers to ensure that the area is safe and secured.
Typical work hours will run from approximately 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. In addition, on Saturday, November 11, crews will be working from 8:00 p.m. into the night while the infrastructure is de-energized. To ensure safety, proper lighting will be used during all evening work. Your local electricity service will not be interrupted as a result of this maintenance work.
By Staff
October 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
 George Ward has a problem – and he is really, really ticked off with the way a Petition sent to Queen’s Park was handled.
The people behind the Save Lester B. Pearson high school – which is scheduled to be closed in June of 2018 – sent a Petition to the Legislature.
A petition is a request that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario take some specific action (or refrain from taking some action) to redress a public grievance. The action requested must be within the scope of jurisdiction of the Legislative Assembly, and the request must be clear, temperate, proper and respectful.
A petition must be addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.
If all that is done properly – and they are sticklers about the form a Petition is presented in – then the Petition is read out during the time allocated for the Reading of Petitions.
One would have liked to see that Petition read into the record by the Member for Burlington.
Click to see how badly this was done.
 The Pearson high school parents believe that the opening of Hayden high school and the changing of the feeder schools that served Pearson resulted in the need to close that school. They think they were short changed – to have their Petition bungled when it was read into the Legislative record just added insult to injury. Ward wants to know “if the petition was scheduled to be read by this MPP from St. Catharines at the last minute because it was known that he is totally inept or because it is a plot to avoid announcing our petition on purpose.
Ward sketches out his thoughts on both scenarios.
Was the Member for St. Catharines totally inept?
The MPP from St. Catharines stumbles on his introduction and states “I see I am almost out of time” – why waste time with this statement?
It is fairly obvious that the MPP has not preread or prepared in any way to read the petition – evidenced by the stumbling, fumbling and reading while looking at the floor and being soft in his speech.
The MMP from St. Catharines also is the one to state at the end “I see that I am out of time” – why stop and sit down rather than carry on.
The Speaker of the House states “You can finish if you wish” to which the MPP from St. Catharines refuses.
 Cheryl de Lught and Steve Armstrong, the Pearson high school members of the PAR Committee. Or was it a plot to stop the Save LBP?
Why was such an inept MPP from St. Catharines chosen to present our petition?
Why did the MPP from St. Catharines not prepare himself and read the petition ahead of time?
Why was our petition not read until the end of the session and ran out of time?
Why did the MPP from St. Catharines end his presentation with “I see I am out of time” and sit down?
Why did the MPP from St. Catharines refuse to continue with the petition when the Speaker of the House granted him the time to do so?
Ward thinks he will get a better response if he takes his complaint to Patrick Brown – Leader of the Opposition for his comment and corrective action.
 By Staff
October 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Those folks in the west end that have a quarry in their back yards are ramping up for their next community meeting.
Meridian Brick has a license to operate a quarry – it was given to them in 1972.
Since that time a number of rather high end homes have been built yards away from the back yards of these homes.
 The two pink patches are existing quarries that are close to mined out. The green space to the left of the marker is where the brick company wants to quarry next – all the trees would have to go. The residents believe they have been poorly served by the city and the real estate industry in the way they weren’t properly advised that the quarry did have the right to start digging.
Tyandaga Environmental Community is going to meet on November 16, 2017, 7pm-9:30pm at the Crossroads Centre, 1295 North Service Road.
Gord Miller,former Environmental Commissioner of Ontario and David Donnelly, Environmental Lawyer, former executive director of the Canadian Environmental Defence Fund will be speaking
Meridian Brick has announced that they will be holding a follow up community meeting at the same location on November 29th – starts at 7:00 pm.
 By Pepper Parr
October 25th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It is called Flora Hominis.
It stands at one end of the Dalglish Family Garden which is part of the revitalized Rock Garden at the Royal Botanical Garden.
 The first permanent sculpture commissioned by the RBG in decades commemorates the legacy of Thomas McQuesten in a bold, imaginative work of art by Hamilton artist Brandon Vickerd. It is the first permanent sculpture commissioned by the RBG in decades and was done to “commemorate the legacy of Thomas McQuesten and RBG’s long-standing commitment to the stewardship of our land.”
The sculpture was done by Brandon Vickerd, a Hamilton based artist and Professor of Sculpture at York University.
There are two stories being told – that of a bold, imaginative work of art that will take some getting used to for some people and the story of Thomas McQuesten, a man who did more to build the province of Ontario than anyone else in his time or since.
Today we celebrate the work of the artist. Vickerd serves as Chair of the Department of Visual Arts and Art History. He received his BFA from Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (1999) and his MFA from University of Victoria (2001).
The work was funded in part by the Ontario 150 Fund, and RBG donors Peter and Camilla Dalglish.
 Close up of the head of Flora Hominis The statue, cast in bronze, is a life-sized figure weighing approximately 350 lbs. that appears to be Thomas McQuesten from a distance; but on closer inspection, the sculpture is composed of a collection of local flora and native plants.
The artwork is intended to connect the representation of McQuesten to the rich and vibrant ecosystem of Royal Botanical Garden that he was pivotal in creating. Flora Hominis addresses the interconnected ecosystem that humans inhabit along with all other forms of organic life.
The title of the work, Flora Hominis, is the Latin translation of the words plant and human, and is intended to encapsulate the interdependency of both.
By presenting a figurative work that marries plant and man, the sculpture addresses the interdependency of both elements of the natural world. McQuesten referred to park spaces as the “lungs of the city,” a vital organ that by its very nature makes civilization possible.
Flora Hominis calls for an alternate understanding of what it means to be human – that humanity can only realize its full potential when it accepts that it is part of the natural world.
In other words, we are not stewards of all things natural, but subjects of the complex ecosystem that surrounds us.
 Camilla Dalglish Camilla Dalglish explained how the work of art came to be. She said that she had her husband Peter “visited Whitehern, Thomas McQuesten’s family home in Hamilton and became fascinated by the story of this remarkable man”, who became obsessed with city planning. He worked with lawyers, politicians, engineers, architects, artists, and horticulturalists and within a decade created a city park system that is the largest acreage of parkland in any Canadian city.
It includes Cootes Paradise, Gage Park, The High Level Bridge, the Royal Botanical Gardens Rock Garden, the Niagara Parks Commission, the Queen Elizabeth Highway as well as the once glorious grounds around McMaster University.
The Dalglish’s “felt this incredible man deserved much more recognition”. Mark Runciman and the Board of the Royal Botanical Gardens agreed. Today we are thrilled that Thomas McQuesten is immortalized in The Dalglish Family Courtyard.”
 Brandon Vickerd, the artist who created the statue. The process Vickerd used to complete the statue was complex; it included both traditional and innovative Vacuum Assisted Organic Burnout (VAOB) bronze casting methods. Flora Hominis will be the first public sculptural work using the VOAB process in which a ceramic mold is constructed directly around organic material. The ceramic mold is then fired at a high temperature that strengthens the mold while incinerating the organic material, leaving a cavity.
Next, the ceramic mold (which is porous by nature) is placed on a high capacity vacuum so that when the bronze is poured into the mold the vacuum forces the molten bronze into the miniscule cavity of the mold creating a highly-detailed rendering that exceeds the detail of any traditional bronze casting process.
 Mark Runciman, President and CEO of the Royal Botanical Gardens The selection jury included Tobi Bruce (Art Gallery of Hamilton), Mark Runciman (RBG CEO), John Best (author of Thomas Baker McQuesten: Public Works, Politics, and Imagination), Camilla and Peter Dalglish (RBG supporters), and Maryella Leggat (RBG supporter). They considered over 45 submissions from across the country before settling on 4 short-listed artists.
By Staff
October 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Where does all the money come from?
 Burlington MP Karina Gould with a constituent. The federal government is pumping a lot of money into Burlington – which means our Member of Parliament is doing her job.
A new list of transit projects has been approved under the Canada-Ontario Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) agreement, which is designed to address key infrastructure priorities with a focus on repairing and upgrading existing facilities and assets.
The Government of Canada is providing Ontario with over $1.48 billion under PTIF, and will fund up to 50 per cent of the eligible project costs.
 $75,000 for a Bus Rapid Transit on Plains Road – Fairview – where does that fit in? As part of the bilateral agreement with Ontario, the following projects in 28 municipalities have now been approved for federal funding amounting to more than $202 million.
By Staff
October 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The land that the latest piece of public art sits on has a sad story behind it but the soaring aluminum rods that artist Lilly Otasevic created is stunning.
 It is a sculpture that needs some time to be fully appreciated. The sculpture, Crescendo (Rising Wave), was created to represent the contemporary and historic Aldershot Village.
Located at the intersection of Plains Road and Waterdown the theme of Crescendo links together the past, present and future of the neighbourhood. The term crescendo in music represents a gradual increase in loudness: a buildup to reach a point of great intensity.
This aligns with the change that has occurred in Aldershot Village over the years and is continuing today. The sculpture’s shape represents a hub of activity in the community. The wave shape reflects connection to the lake in the neighbourhood.
 Artist Lilly Otasevic Lilly Otasevic was born and raised in Serbia, (then) Yugoslavia. She completed program at High School of Industrial Design in Belgrade, and studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade. Lilly moved to Canada in 1994, and since then has exhibited in Canada, USA and the Middle East.
A trained painter Otasevic’s main body of work consists of sculptural work. Her art is driven by her interests in nature and higher order of things in the universe. Her growing up in a society with recycling practices in the early 80s, has influenced Lilly’s interest in ecology and environment since childhood. She is using various materials presently focusing on reclaimed bricks. Lilly has successfully completed several large-scale public art sculptural, as well as industrial design projects in Ontario, Canada.
 Walking around the tubes and you see something different each time. Crescendo in music represents a gradual increase in loudness. In general terms, it refers to a build up to reach a point of great intensity, force, or volume. The angled tubes gradually increase in length and height and follow a twisting motion to create a rising and culminating wave.
 All that is missing is a small marker identifying the artist. It is a very impressive addition to the intersection. The design of a rising wave was motivated by the desire to create a sculpture that demands attention and has a dynamic appearance, appearing as though it is moving, even though it is not.
Aldershot was once a thriving farming community and Plains Road all gravel. In time the road was THE road to Niagara Falls.
The community created a Village Vision that changed the character of the Plains Road.
Significant residential and commercial development is taking place.
In 2014 the city expropriated the land on which Murrays Convenience was located. It was needed to widen Waterdown Road where a large residential development is now under construction.
The city, and more particularly, the ward Councillor Rick Craven did nothing to protect the interests of the property owners.
 There was once a busy, bustling convenience store at the intersection. The city expropriated the land to widen Waterdown Road – took far more land then they needed and cheated the property owners. Full story is worth reading.
 By Staff
October 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a program that was brought to city Council by Michelle Bennett and Amy Schnurr. They found a provincial program that would support the creation of garden plots in urban environments.
The only catch was that there had to be some financial support from the municipality before the province would grant funds.
 Michelle Bennett And the city didn’t have a budget for this type of thing.
That didn’t deter the two woman from finding a way to get the city on board. Five years later and the city has announced its fifth garden to be located at Ireland Park that will have 39 garden plots, with three of those being accessible.
Applications to rent a garden plot for the 2018 garden season will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2017.
The five community gardens residents can apply to are:
• Amherst Park
• Central Park
• Francis Road Bikeway
• Ireland Park or
• Maple Park
 The Community garden lots were laid out waiting for clients with seeds. Next year’s planting season will run from May to October. There are a total of 164 plots available, which includes 13 raised, accessible plots suitable for persons with limited mobility.
Applicants may indicate a preferred garden location and plot style on the application.
The cost to rent a plot for the season is $51. Water, soil and compost are supplied and all plots have full sun. Plots will be allocated by lottery at the close of the application period. All applicants will be notified of their lottery result by early December 2017.
Community garden applications are available online at www.burlington.ca/communitygardens, at the Burlington Seniors’ Centre, 2285 New St., or at City Hall, 426 Brant St., at the Service Burlington counter. Completed applications must be received by the city no later than Nov. 30, 2017 for the 2018 planting season. Applications received after Nov. 30 will be entered into the draw for 2019 garden plots.
The Canada 150 TD Friends of the Environment Foundation provided a grant to make a greater area of the community garden amenities in Ireland Park accessible to all.
Michelle Bennett, one of the women who took the idea to city council went on to become the community garden co-ordinator for the city.
By Staff
October 23rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
As Halloween approaches, Halton Crime Stoppers wants everyone, young and old, to have a happy and safe celebration.
It’s a time for fun, but sadly crime doesn’t take a holiday and in previous years there have been reports of Halloween candy stolen from youngsters as well as tampered treats handed out to unsuspecting ghosts and goblins going door to door through their neighborhood.
At this time children have also been injured when struck by a vehicle or through falls while running from home to home.
Detective Constable Jodi Richmond, police coordinator of the Halton Crime Stoppers program, said adults are the key to keeping kids safe at Halloween.
“You must take every possible step to ensure youngsters are protected from any possible harm during the Halloween period,” she said. “Adults must be extra vigilant to ensure children remain safe.”
The following is a comprehensive list of safety suggestion from Halton Crime Stoppers to keep everyone safe.
 Mom’s get to dress up too.  That little guy is just gob-smacked with what he sees on his street. • Parents should always accompany younger children as they go trick or treating.
• Have children wear face make-up instead of masks whenever possible.
• Make sure costumes are non-flammable and short enough so youngsters won’t trip.
• Stay on one side of the street so children aren’t darting back and forth across the road. Also walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks and only cross at an intersection.
• Place reflective tape on costumes and make sure young people going door to door are carrying flashlights or glow sticks to make sure they are visible.
• Stay in groups and have one person carrying a cell phone to get emergency assistance if necessary.
• No one should use electronic devices while going door to door at Halloween. They could be a dangerous distraction.
• Homeowners should check their property to make sure sidewalks are not obstructed and nothing that will cause anyone to trip if taking a shortcut across lawns.
• Use battery operated lights instead or candles to illuminate pumpkins around the porch or entranceway.
• Tell trick or treaters to avoid homes that do not have porch lights on.
• Set a curfew for older children who may not be accompanied by an adult and define the area where they are allowed to go in the neighborhood. Also make sure they are carrying identification so parents are quickly notified in the event of an accident.
• Start visiting homes in the early evening hours and don’t stay out too late.
• Make sure children are appropriately dressed during inclement weather and return home immediately in the event of lightning or other dangerous conditions.
• Caution youngsters never to enter the home of strangers or people they don’t know well under any circumstances.
• Make sure all candy is inspected before youngsters are allowed to eat it and discard any homemade treats or items that are unwrapped or partly unwrapped. Don’t take any chances.
• Motorists must drive with care at all times, but it’s particularly important at Halloween when children might forget safety rules.
Halloween is a fun time of year and Detective Constable Richmond said by taking a bit of time to review these rules will help keep everyone safe.
Later in the week we might just learn what Detective Constable Richmond is going to wear. Maybe she will be the police hound.
-30-
By Staff
October 23rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There is additional information on the way to us from city hall. We will update when it arrives.
 Now the biggest park the city has – and the furthest from the bulk of the population. It’s not the next installment of Star Wars, but the training and skill development equivalent to a Jedi for Snow Fighter training will take place at City View Park from Oct. 24 to Oct. 26, with the park closed to the public from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on those days.
 Drivers to get training on rigs like this. Snow Fighters, which include those who operate snow plows, sanders, salters and brine trucks, will be training and practicing their skills throughout the park’s roads and parking lots to ensure the Snow Fighters are ready for the first snowfall.
|
|
