 By Staff
July 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington detachment of the Halton Regional Police are giving each other high fives these days over the success of their Friday Fugitive initiative that has the police sending out information on people who are evading their date with the justice system in a court room.
The program has proven to be so successful that criminals wanted by the police are calling and saying they will turn themselves into the police before there picture gets published in different media.
 Ahmad ALAMI, 34 years old, of St. Catharines, ON Last week the police were asking for help in placing Ahmad ALAMI, 34 years old, of St. Catharines, ON in custody for his forging documents – he wasn’t cooperating and police were not able to locate him.
With the unwanted publicity it was difficult for the construction worker to find a job – he is now in conversations with the police.
The Friday Fugitive initiative is a little like the way sheriffs in small western town put up wanted posters – with electronic media their reach is much further than the local post office.
Detective Constable Calvin Bulbrook deserves kudos for bring the idea to Burlington.
 By Staff
July 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington’s MPP Eleanor McMahon is holding her first annual summer BBQ: August 16th
 Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon will hold her first BBQ in August Is she aware as to just how high the bar is for her?
Does she realize that her Premier set a pretty stiff standard when she was in town a few years ago flipping ribs at the Rib Fest?
 Premier Kathleen Wynne shows the locals how Ribs are flipped at the annual Rotary RibFest McMahon is going to hone her skills over the BBQ in Hidden Valley – probably a good idea – and when she is at the Master flipper level she can hold the event closer to town
The invite to the event went out on the MPP’s email blast. While there was a map on how to get to the location – it wasn’t easy to find.
We’ve shown the map below.
The event takes place Sunday August 16 (rain or shine) from Noon – 3:00 pm
 Location: Hidden Valley Park (Zone 6) in Aldershot
 By Staff
July 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change announced last week they will not seek further environmental assessments at this stage for a controversial LaSalle Park Marina expansion proposal that includes building a permanent breakwall and doubling the marina’s boat capacity.
The report, released July 21, does not rule out potential harm to the recovering Trumpeter Swan population that overwinters in the area and imposes tighter protection measures for the project.
 The Trumpeter Swan has always had a strong emotional tie to the public – they are beautiful birds. Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Glen Murray required the City of Burlington and the LaSalle Park Marina Association (LPMA) to include Trumpeter Swan supporters in the design process if the project does go forward.
The advisory committee is proposed to include representatives from Conservation Halton, the Hamilton Conservation Authority, and the Trumpeter Swan Coalition, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan Stakeholder Group, Environment Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The much-anticipated report is the response to calls for an advanced Part II Environmental Assessment that would have further examined the proposed breakwall’s impact on wildlife who call LaSalle home – including the Trumpeter Swans, a bird that had previously been completely wiped out in Ontario.
 Sun shining on boats at the LaSalle Marina Three requests for deeper study were made in the summer of 2013 including submissions by Conservation Halton and the Trumpeter Swan Coalition, of which BurlingtonGreen is a member. The requests cited concerns for the Trumpeter Swans’ survival and numerous flaws and unanswered questions in the proposal’s initial environmental review.
Despite the Part II study denial, the Ministry decision orders the creation of a Stakeholder Advisory Committee that would include representatives from the environmental watchdogs who first raised the concerns.
The expansion initiative can only move forward with the committee’s participation in the creation of what the Minister called an Aquatic and Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plan to “address any potential impacts from the project on the aquatic environment and/or overwintering Trumpeter Swans in the vicinity.”
The imposed conditions do not exclude the possibility of denying further environmental approvals if the project does prove harmful to the swan population and their habitat. The committee’s involvement will be crucial in highlighting those potential issues and ensuring appropriate actions are taken.
BurlingtonGreen is pleased the Environmental Ministry is insisting on the inclusion of a Stakeholders Advisory Committee to provide input on habitat and wildlife protection and believe we are an important voice in that process.
However, some concerns remain about the effectiveness of even the best- intended mitigation efforts at the LaSalle site. As an organization, we are committed to protecting natural habitats.
Trumpeter Swans are native to North America and are the largest swans in the world. The birds were wiped out in Ontario in the late 1800’s; by 1935, there were only an estimated 69 Trumpeter Swans left in all of North America.
 The LaSalle members with their boats up on blocks. In 1982, retired Ministry of Natural Resources biologist Harry Lumsden made it his mission to bring them back. After 30 years of efforts, there are close to 900 Trumpeter Swans in Ontario – roughly one quarter of the entire provincial flock calls LaSalle Park home.
The Trumpeters first chose LaSalle as their wintering grounds in 1993, making it an established habitat for more than 20 years. Habitat loss, especially of wintering areas, has a significant negative impact on recovery efforts
In kits media release the LaSalle Marina Association had the following to say:
“The Board of Directors of the LaSalle Park Marina Association are pleased to announce that the Hon Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment & Climate Change, after due and careful consideration of the City of Burlington’s LaSalle Park Marina Wavebreaker Environmental Assessment / Environmental Study Report (ESR) tabled July of 2013, has on Tuesday (July 21, 2015) made a decision with respect to the Study Report and the Part II Order Requests for an even more detailed Environmental Assessment.
 The LaSalle Park Marina is using its own environmental creds – they earned Blue Flag ECO Award. Sown is John Birch on the left of the flag along with Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven and Floyd Doctor “The Minister has signed off on the LaSalle Park Marina Wavebreaker Environmental Assessment / Environmental Study Report (ESR), declined the Part II Order Requests for a more extensive Environmental Assessment, and issued workable conditions which will allow the proposed project to move forward to the detailed construction level engineered design phase.
“As we go forward, LPMA is committed to working with agencies and stakeholders to ensure compliance with the Minister’s wishes in furtherance of the goal of a true Safe Harbour for Burlington, boaters, the community, fish, birds, wildlife and the environment.
“We thank the Minister for his learned decision, Eleanor McMahon MPP, Ward Councilor Rick Craven, the City of Burlington staff and council, the consultants, agencies and stakeholders involved as well as those who have expressed concerns.
“The proposed project will bring benefit to all. We are committed to following process.”
Trouble in paradise for sure.
By Staff
July 29th, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Poor old Joseph Brant – at least he will be at the day we celebrate his name and what he did for the city in spirit. And there will be WORDS
This year, the Joseph Brant Day Festival is an official partner of the Toronto 2015 PanAm / Parapan Am Games and is taking on a significantly different tone.
It will be a lively day at LaSalle Park where events start at 11 am and run through to 5 pm.
The captivating Beshano Bike Trials will be featured Burlington Soccer Club field games and a slew of music, art and cultural performances of the “Americas” will be featured.
The day will have an Americas flavour to it recognizing the diversity that the PanAm games brought to the Region.
 The Beshano Bike Trials will be something to watch – expect crowds larger than those in this picture. Beshano Bike Trials – 3 shows complete with incredible bicycle stuntmanship!
Musicians from the official band of the Toronto FC Major League Soccer accompanying dancers choreographed by the dance instructor and performer who opens the Mas Band launches for Carnival!
 Saúl Torres has emerged as one of the most singular talents of Spanish Rock on the continent, capable of seamlessly tying together Latin, Funk, Rock, and Flamenco! Saúl Torres has emerged as one of the most singular talents of Spanish Rock on the continent, capable of seamlessly tying together Latin, Funk, Rock, and Flamenco!
 White Pine First Nations Drum and Dance participant Dan Secord. White Pine First Nations Drum and Dance!
Dancescapes Studio with Salsa and Latin dance demonstrations and lessons!
 Laura Spada Farrucas – a Latin Fusion Duo of Laura Spada and Jorge Cuama hailing from Ecuador!
Throughout the day the Children’s Area, Museum Educational Crafts & Activities, Giveaways, PanAm Sports Challenges, Games and Obstacles, Interactive participant events including: Crossfit Altitude, Oakville Fencing Academy, Burlington Youth Soccer Club, Monkeynastic Gymnastics, Bradbury, Splitsville Entertainment & Better State Crew! Splash Park for Kids available, Hands-on Activities, Artisans and Vendors, the Famous Brant Day Silent Auction will be part of an event filled day.
And this year the food offering will be going far beyond the traditional hot dogs and burgers. Sylvia Hentz, Special Events Programmer has arranged for a food truck rally with delicious offerings from gourmet food trucks!
 Taste buds will be in for a real treat given the selection of Food Trucks that are being brought in for the Brant Day Festival at LaSalle Park The rally includes
LUCHADOR – Mexican Fusion / International Cuisine
DOBRO JESTI – Slovenian / German-inspired Cuisine
NUDULZ – Italian Food
MANGO CHUTNEY – Indian Food
URBAN EXPRESS- North American & European-style Steakery
CAFE DU MONDE – French-Parisian & International Crepes
PAPPAS GREEK—Greek Food
TROPICAL TEMPTATIONS –Premium drinks & desserts
Burlington’s taste buds are in for a treat.
Parking is always a challenge at LaSalle Park on Brant Day. Shuttle buses will be available to transport visitors from Aldershot GO Station once limited onsite parking at LaSalle Park is filled.
First shuttle bus run leaves the Aldershot Go Station at 10:00 a.m. Last bus will leave La Salle Park at 5:00 p.m.
Staff
July 29, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
A suspect in the robbery of the Comfort Inn on the South Service Road last June has not yet been found and the Halton Regional Police Service is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a robbery suspect.
On June 17, 2015, at approximately 10:50 p.m. a lone male suspect entered the Comfort Inn Hotel located at 3290 South Service Road in Burlington.
 It was certainly high speed; the bandit was in and out in a flash with cash in his hands. Police are still looking for this one. The male was masked in order to conceal his identity and made a demand of money from the victim. He received an undisclosed amount of money prior to making good his escape. He was last seen running south bound on Cumberland Avenue. The male was described as male white, six feet tall, wearing a black pullover sweater, black sweatpants and a black scarf covering his face.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Erin Cooper of 3 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at (905) 825-4747 ext 2313 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com; or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The playoff seeding for the Intercounty Baseball League hasn’t been confirmed yet; there are two games tonight that could change who would play who.
 The Bandits whoop it up after a win – going into the playoffs might we see this more often?
If Toronto wins their game against London tonight then Burlington would play Brantford in the playoffs.
If Toronto loses their game then Burlington would play London.
It looks like the Playoffs will start Thursday August 6th with Burlington having their first playoff game on the 7th
The Bandits might want to pull for Toronto this evening – their record with London hasn’t been that strong.
 By Pepper Parr
July 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Most of the problems we have as a city don’t go away.
In April of 2013 city council got into a major sweat over fatalities at railway crossings.
 It took a while but the city came up with a solution when there was an unsafe opening to railway tracks on city property. Staff were told to get fences up so that young people could not scoot across the railway tracks easily. And appropriate fencing was put up. As a result of the issue of people running across very busy railway tracks a committee was created to meet annually and keep track of where there were problems and ensure that the public was kept safe.
 Before a citizen brought this unsafe path at the end of a city street this opening existed and was used regularly by people – including Councillor Jack Dennison who said it was a quick way to get over to Harvest Road. When the fatalities were taking place in 2013 a parent who lost a child to a track crossing fatality delegated to City council, Regional council and met with the Minister of Transportation and they spoke to a group of people that had everyone who had anything to do with the rail lines sitting at the table
There was a lot of buck passing going on and then the energy that had been poured into the problem began to dissipate and the public interest moved on to the next problem.
There was another rail crossing fatality recently in the eastern end of the city – it didn’t get all that much publicity. People learned about the incident when the GO train they were on was delayed.
When there isn’t much said publicly people assume that the death was the result of a person with mental health issues – we don’t say it was a suicide – for some reason that isn’t a word the public wants to see. We know it happens – we just don’t want to talk about it.
 Graffiti on the walls beneath the railway bridge is bright and colourful – the wonder is how in blazes the artists managed to climb up and do the painting. Did they levitate? During a tour of the Sheldon Creek area where it runs through Sherwood Forest Park we came across some bold, colourful graffiti on the walks of the railway bridge – we wondered how they artist managed to get up that high.
The tour was to get a sense as to just how high the water had risen during the flood last August.
 GO train traffic is now much more frequent. This section of the tracks is not adequately fenced. The problem is not with the railway or the city – it is with the property owner – not yet identified. We made our way up the embankment to the level where the railway tracks ran over the creek and noticed that there were no barriers. The fence that was in place had been pushed down making it a snap to get to the railway tracks and cross over.
In the space along the creek there was evidence of small fires being lit; we bumped into some people sitting under the bridge, two males and one females – with one of the males on crutches walking along ground that was far from even.
We didn’t have to ask what they were doing there. The concern was the fence and how easy it was to get to the railway tracks.
 Vince Fiorito pulls pf a section of fencing along the edge of a property that borders the rail line used by both GO and Via. The racks are in the background – yards away from a part of the Sheldon Creek where younger people hang out. The small field was clearly a place where young people hang out – it is out of the way – they can make all the noise they want – no residential in the immediate area.
Drugs are used by young people – behaviour gets a little irresponsible and that’s when stupid things are done.
It’s a fence that needs repair and perhaps a little beefing up. It was clear that the fence had been down for some time which suggests there isn’t an active program on the part of either the city, the railways or the property owner to inspect the fences and ensure that they are doing what they were meant to do – keep people out of places that are dangerous.
Senior staff at city hall point out that “the responsibility for keeping fences in good repair is usually the responsibility of the property owner” – and added that “few companies walk their property line to check on the fences.
“When the media does their job and reports on these issues the vast majority of the property owners do the right thing and fix the fence.”
Background links:
The path that was the problem
The solution the city came up with
Cine Starz Upper Canada Place
460 Brant Street
WWW CINESTARZ.CA
SHOWTIMES July 31 to August 6 , 2015
AMY 14A
Fri to Thur 11:00 1:00 3:00 5:20 7:15 9:30
I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS PG
Fri to Thur 11:40 1:30 3:30 5:20 7:10 9:00
TED 2 14A
Fri to Thur 5:15 7:15 9:20
SELF/LESS 14A
Fri to Thur 1:20 3:05 5:15 7:25 9:30
SAN ANDREAS PG
Fri to Thur 1:00 7:40 9:40
MAX PG
Fri to Thur 11:20 1:25 3:30 5:30
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL PG
Fri to Thur 11:00 3:20 5:20
WATER DIVINER 14A
Fri to Thur 11:00 7:30 9:30
HOME G
Fri to Thur 11:30 1:20 3:30
—
 By Staff
July 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The KooGle Theatre has had a busy couple of months.
 Christopher Gray After completing a successful two week run at the Performing |Arts Centre where their “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. They then did an afternoon performance of A Couple of Swells which was part of their Summer Lunchtime Concert Series held in the Centennial Hall at the Burlington Central Library
 Leslie Kay KooGle is now gearing up for the auditions they want to hold in August for the event they will be putting on during Culture week in September
If you want to dance – touch base – they will be holding auditions for local dancers for their upcoming Culture Days Event (Sunday Sept 27 at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre).
 SUNDAY AUGUST 9, 2015 – 2pm KooGle Theatre Company will be holding auditions for local dancers for our upcoming Culture Days Event (Sunday Sept 27 at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre). Contact us for more details (info@koogletheatre.com)
KooGle Theatre Company is a Burlington based professional musical and dramatic performing arts company founded in 2007 by Equity artists and husband and wife team, Leslie and Christopher Gray; they believe in employing a range of talent from up and coming to professional and always utilizing as much local talent as possible.
By Pepper Parr
July 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Not sure what one does with a piece like this – it does have a character of its own doesn’t it.
 Christina MacEwan’s, Horned Curmudgen Jar, circa 1985 Christina MacEwan’s, Horned Curmudgen Jar, circa 1985 is part of an exhibit with the title Gothic, which opened late in June at the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The exhibit brings a new extension to the word Gothic. As times change, the meaning of our language changes with it.
 Janet MacPherson’s – Monk (2014) Three artists – Christina MacEwen, Janet MacPherson, and Mary Philpott, all create work that could be described as ‘gothic’, but each has developed a unique style that has tapped into an original source.
Each has put their personal stamp on their inspiration. From sculpture, architecture and literature, these sources have each touched these artists’ visions.
Curated by Jonathan Smith, this AGB permanent collection exhibition will run from June 27, 2015 to September 6, 2015.
The Art Gallery of Burlington is located at 1333 Lakeshore Rd, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9 Gallery Hours:
Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday – Thursday: 9:00 am – 10:00 pm Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday: 12 noon – 5:00 pm
 By Staff
July 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington Transit is conducting ridership surveys on various bus routes, at the downtown transit terminal and online at www.burlingtontransit.ca to help develop new service standards.
“We are gathering information from our riders to determine what is important to them,” said Mike Spicer, director of Burlington Transit. “These findings will be part of a report presented to City Council later this fall to help shape the future of Burlington’s public transportation.”
 A transit users conference held in Burlington had everyone who cared about transit in the room – except anyone from Burlington Transit. Now they are holding surveys to find out what people want. Go figure! On-route surveying has been completed on Routes 1, 2/3, 10/20 and 80/81.
Remaining on-route survey schedule
Tuesday, July 28, 4:40 to 6:45 p.m. – Route 15
Downtown Terminal schedule
July 27 to July 31, 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.
Online Survey
The online survey (click here) will be available until Aug. 10, 2015 at
Burlington has always been chintzy about transit;
intensification is going to add to traffic congestion;
transit is seen by the politicians as the answer.
Now they have to convince the public to use it.
While the city figures out what transit users want there is a Transportation Master Plan that is being created that makes it very, very clear that transit is going to play a very big part in how the city handles its intensification.
The Region of Halton is going to have to absorb a million additional residents – just how many of that million Burlington is going to have to take in has not yet been determined.
More people usually means more cars which in the past has been translated into more roads. But those days are over. Burlington cannot widen its roads nor can it afford to build any more roads and add to the traffic congestion we are already dealing with.
In the near future you will hear the words “complete streets” working its way into the language used by the planners – how the politicians get that message across to you will be something to watch.
The province has decided that it will try using tolls to change public behaviour on how they use the QEW. Burlington is going to make transit better and convince the public that transit is the more convenient way to get around town.
Smart Transit System has been in the works for
a couple of years. Costing millions it will give transit
users up to date data on bus arrivals.
Burlington Transit will be launching a Smart Transit System (STS) in phases starting late Fall this year. The STS will improve how customers access transit information. Conventional transit users will be able to use an on-line trip planner which will provide detailed bus location information in real-time. As well, all bus stops are being replaced with new signs which will include information on the routes that service each stop and have a numerical code allowing passengers to access next bus arrivals in real-time through their mobile devices.
 Mayor Goldring getting the hang of reading the bus schedule from his Smart Phone. New electronic visual and audio displays will be installed on all buses to allow passengers to read and hear each bus stop location as it approaches.
Handi-Van passengers will no longer have to rely only on contacting dispatch during hours of operation to book their trips as they will have access to a new on-line feature and phone system allowing them to book and manage their trips 24/7. In addition, they will receive a programmed automatic call-out to let them know when their van is about to arrive.
Real-time bus data will also be available through the City’s Open Data feed allowing app developers to access this information.
 The Mayor of the city took a “selfie” on one of the days he took the bus to work – it wasn’t one of his better moments – was it. Of note is that Burlington Transit didn’t use the Insight Survey the city bought and paid a pretty penny for – which has all kinds of flexibility and allows for good follow up questions. Transit is using the Survey Monkey service – the software that high school students use for their projects.
When the results are out we will have some idea as to how good the transit people are at asking questions and actually mining the data they collect.
By Staff
July 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If they caught you Red Handed – you were lucky – you were probably given a gift certificate and asked a lot of questions as to why you shopped downtown.
The Saturday before last was the Burlington Downtown Business Association’s (BDBA) annual Red Bag day.
 Centro went all out with their window – there was no doubt what the display was about. It worked – the majority of the retailers were onside and several stores featured the event in their windows. There were more retailers involved this year than last.
 Facebook painting always draws the kids – which means the parents are close to a captive customer. Brian Dean, General Manager of the BDBA was delighted when retailers on the street other than Brant got in on the game. “This is the third year we have run the program and it has grown. My retailers are finding it to be a very productive marketing tool.”
 The good people at Scriveners made the best of the opportunity. There were about 50 gift certificates given out – people were delighted to be asked questions as to why they were downtown and what worked for them.
Those retailers that bought into the program are delighted. Several used the word “fantastic” to describe the response they got.
The BDBA is still working through different marketing tools to get the right mix. The telephone directory people sponsored a Yellow Bag program with a contest element to it which Burlington won two years in a row – they are doing something right to make that “vibrant downtown” feel real and effective.
The Test Kitchen’s Pop Up is doing just fine; CineStarz is building their audience and the outdoor patios are very close to full much of the time.
Photographs provided by Jon Root
By Pepper Parr
July 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday we get back the use of the HOV traffic lanes on the QEW. Then we learn that the province is looking at the idea of turning those lanes into a stretch of road they can collect tolls on.
Looks like that is going to become our PanAm Games legacy from the province.
 Will drivers pay a toll to use a special lane? Those making the big bucks will – and of course the politicians who will get that feature as a perk. The HOV lanes didn’t always get a lot of traffic during the Pan Am games The two-occupant requirement, explains the province, will let more carpoolers and families access the lanes, and help Parapan Am Games athletes and officials get to and from competitions, training sessions and the airport. In addition to high occupancy vehicles, the lanes continue to be open to: emergency vehicles, public transit, licensed taxis, airport limousines, electric vehicles with green licence plates (on provincial 400-series highways only) and motorcycles (on City of Toronto roads only–Don Valley Parkway, Gardiner Expressway, Lake Shore Blvd.)
Starting this weekend, road signs will be converted to reflect the change from three or more occupants to two or more occupants. However, drivers are reminded that the new two-occupant requirement does not come into effect until Tuesday July 28, 2015.
Work to convert the signs will take place overnight to avoid traffic disruptions. The temporary HOV lanes will be in place until August 18, 2015.
Temporary HOV lanes operate from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. When not in operation, the lanes function as general purpose lanes.
The Parapan Am Games will be held from August 7 – 15 and feature 1,600 athletes from 28 countries.
Games event ticket holders can ride public transit for free on the day of the event across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (excluding UP Express).
All nice – everyone experienced some inconvenience but the PanAm games were a success – so much so that Toronto now wants to take a shot at bringing the 2024 Summer Olympics to Toronto. The city just might be ready for an event that size.
Then the news that the HOV lanes are going to become HOT lanes – the T standing for tolls
 A city worker, Robert Collins carries away one of the automatic toll-takers. The electric devices were removed from the Burlington Skyway because motorist tossing coins were too often off the target. That was back in September 30, 1964 Premier Kathleen Wynne says lessons learned from the Pan Am HOV lanes will make it easier for the province to roll out high occupancy toll lanes announced in the previous two budgets.
“What’s important is that we take the lessons from the HOV lanes,” Wynne told reporters last week.
“I have heard people talking about how they’ve noticed behaviour changes and that’s what putting in place HOV lanes is meant to do,” she said after a meeting with Toronto Mayor John Tory.
“It’s meant to change people’s behaviour and it’s why we have committed to HOT lanes, because we believe the revenue from high occupancy toll lanes put into a fund to fund public transit is an important source of revenue and we will be working to implement those,” Wynne said.
The premier said her government has been clear about its intention to implement HOT lanes.
“Whether the configurations that have been put in place on provincial roads for the Pan Am Games are exactly what will transpire when we put in place the HOT lanes, that’s not our plan at this moment,” Wynne said.
High occupancy toll (HOT) lanes are similar to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, except drivers can use them with only one person in the car if they pay.
Progressive Conservative critic Michael Harris said HOT lanes are just a way to gouge drivers.
“Let’s be clear, taxpayers of Ontario have already paid for these roads where HOT lane tolls will be levied, now the Wynne Liberals want us to pay again for the privilege of driving on our own roads,” Harris said.
“This is just one more way to feed the Liberal spending addiction. It seems each week the Wynne Liberals think of another way to make it more expensive to live and work in Ontario — from job-killing carbon taxes, to Hydro One sell-offs to the new beer tax and now HOT lanes.”
We hope the Premier understands that behavior change also includes deciding to vote for someone else to lead the province.
 By Pepper Parr
July 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The campaign has begun for the federal Liberals in Burlington.
 Mile Wallace was a happy camper when he retrained his seat during the xxx election. There was a lot of Tory Blue on that map. Mike Wallace, the Conservative incumbent faces Liberal Karina Gould who opened her campaign office on Saturday and Dan Laird who has been nominated for the New Democrats.
The opening of a campaign office is for the party faithful – a time to cheer the candidate and tell the troops that now is the time to buckle down and slog through the next 90 + days and win the election.
The candidate speaks and tells her team why they are running for public office and what matters to them.
 Gould sees herself this far ahead of the other guy. Could be – far too early to tell. Karina Gould is running in her first campaign. She is young, articulate, very well educated and has an open face and engages with people easily.
There are always the political zingers aimed at the other candidates during these partisan events and Gould has acquired the ability to aim her arrows. There will be a local debate – it could be something to watch.
“Their advertising about Justin seems to be focused on his hair: said Gould “Is that all they’ve got” she responded. Her audience loved it.
Gould told the story of going door to door and talking to people – “many told me they would vote Liberal but didn’t want to put a sign on their lawns because most of her neighbours were Conservatives.
“This happened at a lot of doors” explained Gould. “When I got to the end of the street I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted out – You’re all Liberals”. It is of course quite possible that all those people were just wanting to be polite and not hurt the woman’s feelings.
And that of course is the hope for the Liberal campaign in Burlington. Can they do what provincial MP Eleanor McMahon did when she took the seat as a Liberal after more than 70 years of Conservative rule?
Time will tell.
 “I’ve never cut a ribbon before” said Liberal candidate Karina Gould when she opened her campaign office. Gould did point to a significant issue that affects everyone and that is the rules that are now in place to be able to cast a ballot on election day.
The Gazette will report on these new rules in a separate article.
For the Liberals in Burlington it is now “game on”. The first of the pre-writ debates will take place August 6th – the Liberals plan on projecting the debate on a wall and making it a “movie” night. No mention was made of any popcorn.
By Pepper Parr
July 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Arts are often seen by people as something that is nice to have but when there are budgets to be cut – the arts get cut.
Those within the arts community will argue that entertainment is an economic engine that brings in more in the way of revenue and business that its costs.
There is hardly an arts organization that can get by without some form of subsidy – that’s just an economic fact.
Are the subsidies worth what we spend? Is the half a million given to the Performing Arts Centre each year a worthwhile expenditure.
The Sound of Music gets grant from the city – they argue that they pump a solid $6 million into the local economy and buy services from the city that equals or exceeds the grant they are given.
It’s a debate that goes back and forth and one that the politicians have to deal with every budget – having said all that – the Art Gallery, the Performing Arts Centre and Royal Botanical Gardens have a WORDS program for the week we are going into – check it out!
 Mary Poppins – A perennial favourite for the kids. Things are a little on the quiet side at the Performing Arts Centre – The Mary Poppins Student Theatre Summer Camp takes place at the PAC on Thursday at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $18.
Seems a bit of a shame that the space isn’t put to some use – Shaw and Stratford make the summer season real revenue opportunities.
PAC Executive Director, Brian McCurdy, who got the Centre on a solid footing after a bit of a shaky start, has advised the board that he will be retiring in October. The Centre now has a new board chair: Ilene Elkaim.
Perhaps a new expanded direction will be put forward.
The PAC does have an excellent Friday evening Jazz program that will be held throughout August.
The Art Gallery of Burlington has a recently appointed President in place. Robert Stephen brought an excellent track record with him – now that he has a sense of the place and knows much more about Burlington we should soon see where Steven takes the gallery. He is fortunate to have a well led board that will urge him to break new ground,
 Taking ten minutes or so to just sit and contemplate the sculpture – is time well spent. The week ahead has the Jordi Alfaro, abstract nature of the design in the Courtyard. It is a series of monolithic forms that complement the straight horizontal and vertical lines of both the architecture and the plantings of the space. His single large sculptures and his stacked round forms have the evocative sense of prehistoric monuments like Stonehenge in England,
Alfaro is originally from Spain but now a resident of Dundas, Ontario.
 The craft community is streaming into Burlington for this exhibit – if crafts matter to you – get to see it. The Naked Crafts Exhibit continues in the Lee-Chin Family Gallery. This international project brings together the best of contemporary Canadian and Scottish crafts. Makers from these two countries are united in this exhibition to celebrate the shared sense of northern resilience as both of them rest to the north of a southern powerhouse. People in Scotland and Canada have a tendency to identify themselves by what they are not; Not English, Not American, and our countries appear to struggle to retain our freedom from those southern neighbours. Contemporary craft builds upon traditions and heritage that are place holders that aid in defining our identity and cultures.
The exhibition strips ideas of craft back down to four themes that bridge the past and the present, traditional and changing ideas:
 Reid Flock – his work will give you a whole new perspective on ceramics. The Permanent Hallway collection has drawn pieces from the Permanent Collection of Canadian Ceramics. The current offering traces the history of ceramics in Ontario over the last forty years.
Starting with the refined functional ware of Ruth Gowdy McKinley and her effect on the program at Sheridan College and elsewhere, this exhibition looks at the development of the more sculptural approach by younger artists such as Reid Flock and Mary Philpott.
Flock is one of the most exciting ceramic artists in the country. His use of colour and the shapes he uses are not what you think of when you go to look at ceramics – an artist not to be missed.
The Royal Botanical Gardens have just completed their very successful Panorama and are a little on the quiet side except for their Red Hot Jazz and Cool Blues Wednesdays offerings.
 Jack de Keyzer – a jazz guitarist that you won’t forget. Jack de Keyzer plays on Wednesday the 29th – 6:00PM – 8:30PM in Hendrie Park. A two time Juno and seven time Maple Blues Award winning guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer De Keyzer is always very pleasing
Country Tuesdays will have Ally Howatt playing Hendrie Park from 6:00PM – 8:30PM. Ally has shared the stage with top artists Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, and Tim McGraw.”
 Ally Howatt brings her Caledonia roots to Burlington at the RBG No one doubts that Howatt grew up country. She loves the music and honours it with every show she plays. Her passion to share country music with every audience is evident as she sings from the heart and draws a crowd on the dance floor. “I want the fans to enjoy the music as much as I love playing it.” The crowd finds her inspiring, just as she finds inspiration in the songs that she plays.
 Aboriginal dancers have traditionally been a part of the annual Joseph Brant Day held at LaSalle Park Late in the week we will move into the beginning of a long weekend when the annual Joseph Brant Day Festival takes place. This year the event is an official partner of the Toronto 2015 PanAm / Parapan Am Games.
The the captivating Beshano Bike Trials and the Burlington Soccer Club field games will be added to the music, art and cultural performances of the “Americas” will be part of the program.
 By Justin Lethbridge
July 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Despite stretches of great play, the Bandits were handily beaten by 2nd place Kitchener 9-3 in their final home game of the season. While both teams struggled with the gusty conditions at Nelson Park, Kitchener stuck to hard, ground hits to get players on base and wear the Bandits down.
 The Bandits were swinging – they just weren’t hitting the ball. Kitchener got off to a quick start in the 1st inning thanks to four earned runs. Despite a poor first, Bandits pitcher Brandon Nemeti upped his play and allowed only three hits and one run over the next six innings to finish the game with a 9.82 ERA in seven innings of work.
 The home town crowd would have liked to see a win at the last home game of the season – it wasn’t to be. Last game of the regular season is against Toronto in Toronto The Bandits would score off a wild pitch in the 3rd inning before the teams went scoreless through the next two innings. Although Kitchener increased their lead to 5-1 in the 6th, a Justin Gideon two-run blast in bottom of the inning narrowed the lead to 5-3.
That was as close as Burlington would get as the Panthers would add two runs in the 8th and hit back-to-back home runs to the exact same spot in the 9th.
Panthers First baseman Sean Reilly was especially potent with three runs and two RBI’s in five AB’s.
Burlington’s last game of the season on Monday night at 7:30pm as they hope to break a three game losing streak in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
By Staff
July 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 The crack of the bat hitting the ball during a cool quiet evening when the game is played under lights is about as nice as it can get. Whatever wind the Burlington Bandits had in their sails that carried them through a six game winning streak seems to have gotten away from them, – they lost 6 – 1 to the Majors In London Friday night
Luis Pina threw a complete game five-hitter to shut down the Bandits in a game that saw the London lefty improve to 7-2 this season after allowing one run – striking out five and walking four.
At the plate, first baseman Cleveland Brownlee had two hits and drove in four, while shortstop Paul Lytwynec added three hits and scored a run.
Third baseman Kenta Nishii hit a solo home run.
London improved to 18-15 after its third straight victory.
Burlington shortstop Keith Kandel had two of the Bandits’ five hits, and first baseman Kevin Hussey singled and scored the Bandits’ run.
Matthew St. Kitts (1-2) went 6.2 innings in the loss, allowing four earned runs on eight hits, striking out eight and walking two.
Burlington dropped to 15-19.
 By Pepper Parr
July 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is difficult to find a developer in the Burlington area who will say great things about the city. It is easy to find developers, particularly the smaller ones, who do not have a complaint they are quite ready to share with you.
The “counter” – that’s the place developers first go to when they want to talk to people in the planning department, is often the focus of the complaints.
Developers will complain that they can never get a straight answer from the planning department and that just when they think they have everything the city needs in the way of reports – they find that yet another report is needed.
The planning department doesn’t see it quite that way – but they didn’t want to talk for attribution.
 Scott Stewart loves that sweater – has he had it since 1967? Scott Stewart, the General Manager for Infrastructure and Development is serving as the Interim Director of Planning – and he is a lot different from the recently retired Director of that department.
Stewart wants to see a culture change within the department and has moved some people around and adds “there are some noses out-of-place” in the department but there will be a change”.
The bringing in of a new director for planning is a Stewart hire to make and he is pretty clear in his mind what the city needs.
James Ridge, city manager, has some planning experience in his background – he and Stewart should be on the same page on this one.
Burlington’s city council members don’t, at times, fully appreciate the command structure at city hall. Council hires the city manager and he runs the city for them. Council creates policy and issues Staff Directions – the city manager follows those directions.
The city manager is there to advise and guide council – but the marching orders come from Council. Decisions get made by city council based on policy and specific votes made by the seven council members.
They don’t do the actual hiring – a source has suggested to the Gazette that the Mayor wanted to be in on the actual interviewing of the short list for the director of planning – that shouldn’t happen.
The story is told, from a sterling source, of the Council member who said he thought Council should be involved in the hiring of everyone down to the Director level. The person who told the story said to the council member: ‘You clearly have no concept of what staff accountability is all about.’ With this Council it is referred to as “getting into the weeds”.
Most municipal governments have well qualified, committed professional staff. They do have a pension that is not available to most people and it might seem as if they get a lot of time off. When senior staff are taking part at public meetings in the evening – are they required to be at their desks first thing the next day? Many people in Burlington think they should.
When the budget is going through its final phases – the team that creates that document, based on instructions from city council, work well into the night frequently to complete the budget.
Whoever the city hires as its next Director of Planning, hopefully will be with the city for several terms of office. The elected officials come and go – in Burlington they don’t seem to go very often which is unhealthy but until the voters in town decide they want different leadership we’ve got what we elected.
There is a bit of a leadership crisis at city hall; there are culture changes that need to be made in several of the departments.
 Scott Stewart on the left,and former city manager Jeff Fielding, put a number of major changes in place – but then Fielding saw a greener pasture and headed west for Calgary. Burlington has had three city managers in five years plus an interim filling the chair until a new city manager was hired.
Every management leader needs time to create the kind of work force and working environment that results in the kind of service delivery the public wants. Some good people have left the city for other jurisdictions because the lack of solid consistent leadership that would allow them to grow as civil servants wasn’t in place.
Burlington now has a city manager who has yet to make his mark. James Ridge isn’t a Jeff Fielding, his predecessor. He is more cautious and quite a bit quieter and appears to be a stickler for the rules. A deal maker he isn’t.
We need another year of observing Ridge to get a clearer sense as to what kind of a staff he wants to have in place to deliver the program he understands the city council wants.
We have watched Ridge admonish this Council ever so slightly when they appeared to be resisting the making of a decision. Ridge will, in his quiet way, hold their feet to the flames.
Ridge is not a big believer in the concept of Master Plans – Burlington has been in love with the things for years.
Ridge thinks they create silos and he seems to want a more homogenous approach to the way staff think through their problems. It is going to take him some time to determine where staff changes have to be made and then implement those changes.
Fielding was exceptional at getting out and talking to people; you always knew when he was in the room. Ridge is a quieter person – we are only beginning to get a sense of his decision making process.
Council has handed him a hot one – the Code of Conduct that has been kicking around for far too long and should have been agreed upon by this Council at its last meeting. Some fancy procedural foot work on the part of Councillor Sharman, aided and abetted by Councillors Craven and Lancaster, to reverse a change that had been agreed upon at Standing Committee preciously resulted in the whole matter being referred to the city manager who would work with it as part of the governance section of the Strategic Plan.
Strategic Plan sessions are frequently, if not always, done off site or in a room at city hall where there is no web casting capacity.
The scallywags on this council like it that way. It’s going to be messy.
Staff observes these changes and turn to their city manager to save them from this kind of unprofessional behaviour.
 James Ridge the day he was introduced to the public at a council meeting – he didn’t say a word. Is Ridge up to the job – can he manage the Mayor and the rest of |Council and hold a draw a clear line or will he choose to become “friendly” with council and fetch water for them rather than pour cold water on silly, expensive ideas that they come up with and expect him to find the money to pay for
James Ridge has the summer to work this one out. How he resolves this will tell what kind of a city manager we have; what kind of a culture will prevail at city and what kind of a city we end up being. This assumes that he completes his five-year contract.
By Staff
July 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Work to resurface Dundas Street will take place near the 407 ETR west ramp starting July 27 to Aug. 12, 2015. The work will be completed at night.
By Staff
July 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 Karina Gould, federal Liberal candidate for the Burlington seat in the House of Commons. Perhaps the Gould Liberal campaign for the Burlington seat in the House of Commons thinks the Prime Minister might pull a quickie and call the election before the October 18th date – or maybe they got a great deal on the office space – whichever Karina Gould will open her campaign office at 3350 Fairview Street, Unit 2
The ribbon cutting will take place this Saturday – the 25th between 11:00 am and noon.
Gould has had teams of volunteers doing the door to door thing for the several months. She has a young team, people full of energy and the ongoing support of Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon who took the Burlington provincial seat after more than 70 years of Conservative representation.
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