 By Pepper Parr
May 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Question period in the House of Commons is that occasion when Members of Parliament get to hold the government accountable by asking questions.
Each party is allocated a specific amount of time – the Leader of the Opposition party asks the first question and then the Speaker of the House recognized different members.
 Burlington MP Mike Wallace has a piece of art explained to him by AGB Curator of Education Leslie Page during one of his weekend trips to Burlington. Last week Burlington’s MP Mike Wallace asked a question and presented two reports.
The question was to the Minister of Finance of his own government. These are basically set up questions where a member of the government party asks a question of a Minister who then gets to stand up and tout the government line
Wallace asked:
Mr. Speaker, the strong leadership of this Conservative government has steered Canada out of the global recession. It has created over 1.2 million new jobs. They are overwhelmingly full-time private-sector jobs, in high-wage industries.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance please tell the House the next steps that this government will take in this year’s budget to create more jobs?
Someone needs to have a chat with Wallace – the jobs created were not “overwhelmingly full-time private-sector jobs, in high-wage industries.”
Questions like this then allow the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance to add to what is basically an exercise in parliamentary
 Burlington MP Mike Wallace preparing for a funding announcement at Memex Automation. Wallace later presented two Standing Committee reports. On this occasion he was speaking as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. This is an important Standing Committee and while there have been occasions in the past when Wallace was a little more partisan than he perhaps should have been – the committee does some very good work.
On this occasion Wallace was presenting the report on Bill C-35, an act to amend the Criminal Code (law enforcement animals, military animals and service animals).
The committee has studied the bill said Wallace and has agreed to report it back to the House without amendment.
Wallace continued: I also have the honour to present, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to the study on the subject matter of Bill C-583, an act to amend the Criminal Code (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder).
All in all a good days work for the Member for Burlington.
 By Staff
May 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The officers at the Burlington detachment of the Halton Regional Police want to thank the public for contacting us with information and tips on last weeks, fugitive, Curtis KOMP.
KOMP was located and arrested in the City of Ottawa.
It is week #3 of the Burlington detachment of the Halton Region Police Service Fugitive Friday initiative tnhat has the police reaching out to the public to help locate wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions.
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place.
Every Friday, the Burlington Offender Management Unit shares information on a wanted person – hoping the public can assist in locating the individual.
This Fugitive Friday the 3 Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for:
 Kenneth Lorne MOODIE, 56 years old, of Canfield, ON. Kenneth Lorne MOODIE, 56 years old, of Canfield, ON.
– In December of 2013 the accused was located operating a Motor Vehicle while impaired after a citizen observed him stumbling out of the driver’s seat at a gas station in Halton Region
– The accused was located and arrested near the scene for Impaired Driving, the accused was also charged with Driving with over 80mgs
– Through further investigation it was determined the accused was also a suspended driver with suspensions that date back to 2002 and was charged accordingly
– The accused has amassed over 65 convictions in his Criminal Career thus far, 13 of which are drunk driving related offences
– The accused was released on a Undertaking and was required to attend court on April 30th, 2014 in Milton which he failed to do; the accused was also required to Re-Attend court in Milton on September 23rd, 2014 at which time he failed to attend again and a warrant was issued for his arrest
He is now wanted for:
Impaired Driving
Driving with more than 80mgs
Driving while Disqualified
Fail to Re-Attend Court
The accused is known to frequent the areas of Hamilton, Dunnville, Cayuga and Haldimand Region. The accused also has ties to Saskatchewan.
Kenneth MOODIE is described as 5’11”, 170 lbs, blue eyes and blonde greying hair. Kenneth has a scar on his chin and along his eyebrow.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist investigators in identifying him are encouraged to contact D/C. Bulbrook – Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Offender Management Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2305 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 Staff
May 8, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Operation RISC (Reducing Intersection Safety Concerns) is a Burlington Police detachment initiative that began in February and has had some successful results since it’s inception.
The operation focuses on intersection traffic safety which, through an increased police presence, and both education and enforcement work, the number of motor vehicle collisions has been reduced.
 A strong police presence makes a difference. In a three month period, (February to April), Burlington officers conducted 1,812 traffic stops in and around intersections throughout the City of Burlington.
They issued 1,435 Provincial Offence Notices and delivered 375 verbal warnings.
In total, 886 hours has been spent patrolling Burlington intersections.
The purpose of the project is to increase awareness for intersection traffic safety and in turn reduce collisions.
Between April 28 and May 4 of last year, 2014, the Halton Regional Police responded to 1049 motor vehicle collisions and 131 personal injury collisions.
During the same time period in 2015, after two months of Operation RISC, the motor vehicle collisions dropped to 960 and the personal injury collisions also dropped to 109.
The number one infraction continues to be distracted driving followed by speeding through intersections and red light violations. (Distracted driving tends to be people using their cell phones.)
Officers will continue to be a presence in and around intersections throughout the City in hopes they serve as a gentle reminder to pay attention when driving.
By Pepper Parr
May 8, 2015
BURLINGTON ON
Part 3 of a multi-part series
The west end of the Beachway Park does not get a lot of pedestrian traffic. Lakeshore Road ends and curves into Eastport; Lakeshore Court is home to a dismal looking cinder block building and a house that was once a grand structure. Times have changed for both structures which are now defined as priority properties that have to be acquired if the park plan is ever to proceed.
The planned park is five different parks rolled into one and if the financial hurdles and finding a way to acquire the homes that are in the way can be found – construction on the park will begin sometime in 2018 – once the re-development of the Joseph Brant Hospital is complete.
The people who did the draft version of the park that was presented to slightly less than 100 people at a public meeting in April have changed much of the west end and turned it into a very active part of the planned park.
They created a section they call the Commons and another section they call Skyway/Federal pier. Both parts border on the Burlington canal which itself is rich in local history. While the canal is not Regional property nor does it belong to the city – it’s federal government property with all kinds of rules and regulations surrounding a vital waterway for Hamilton – the park planners have included it
The Commons and the Skyway/Federal Pier are part of a much bigger picture.
 The Beachway Park- from the Canal to the west end of Spencer Smith Park The plan is very large in scope and while there are no times lines announced yet and there is no budget allocated, the development of the park is seen by the Region as a major development for their parks program.
The plan calls for some changes to the west end of Spencer Smith Park as it merges into the new park at the point where the Joseph Brant Museum is located and Lakeshore curves and leads towards what will be the new entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital will be located.
Lakeshore Road will be raised as much as one metre at this point and taper down to a new height of half a metre at about where the water treatment plant is today. At this point Lakeshore Road will be realigned and take a 90 degree turn to the right and run closer to the QEW.
 There are five distinct areas within the Beachway Park – each will have its own theme. These are the draft plans – the properties needed to make the part happen have yet to be acquired by the Regional government – residents say they have no plans to sell. There are essentially five parks, each with different purposes and orientations. The upgrades to the western end of Spencer Smith make it six parks.
The Living Shoreline will be much different than what people see now – today it is just something people walk past. The Strand will continue to be the aquatic area where the Pump House stands.
The Wind Beach will see quite a bit of change.
The Commons is a completely new idea and represents the biggest changes to both the landscape and the homes that are in place now.
 The Commons is at the extreme west end of the park and will undergo the most significant change in terms of the number of activities brought to the area. The jetty on the Burlington side of the canal will be incorporated into the park and there will be both shipping and naval interpetation stations.
 These homes are on the lakeside of Lakeshore Road and are considered priority homes by the park planners. The portion of Lakeshore Road in the picture will be moved to the left and align with the QEW. Lakeshore Road, which currently runs down the middle of the land – will be shifted closer to the QEW so that what is now road will become recreational area.
That recreation will include volley ball courts, lawn courts and Food Trucks.
There is some very environmentally sensitive dunes in this area – they will be protected.
 This is a cinder block garage at the end of Lakeshore Court steps from the canal There will be a couple of shaded areas with a structure that will have benches. There will be a few very small parking lots: 30 space size, along with a number of landscape enhancements to keep any traffic noise the Eastport Road from filtering in.
There will be a lot of activity: an artisan/market; washrooms and a play area along with 28 spaces of on street parking.
There will be a festival park – small in size.
There will be a pond park, additional interpretive stations as well as a Storm Water management pond with a open edge.
There will be a Pond Pavilion as well.
This is the part of the park that has many, perhaps most of the “priority homes” that the park designers have said must be torn down if the design of the park as they see it is to be completed.
 Definitely the most magnificent looking house in the Beachway; it backs onto what was once the railway line which suggests that it was built before the rail line was put in. It too is amongst the “priority homes” that the planners want taken out. This home could be moved and restored. The current residents fall into several categories: those who say they will fight to the bitter end and are never going to move; those that are resigned to having to move eventually and hope that eventuality can be pushed well off into the future. There are a few angling for the best price they can get from the Region. So far just three properties have been sold; two of those were an Estate sale.
Part 1
Part 2
By Pepper Parr
May 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The sun rises in the East.
Is that sun going to shine on the Skyway Plaza in the east end of the city?
 A plaza that has a very run down at the heals look to it just might be getting the kind of attention it needs – if the location does get re-developed will it be the kind of mixed use that many want to see?  The place isn’t quite derelict but there are more retail locations empty than occupied and the place just doesn’t look very busy.
The city has been trying for some time to work with the owners of the property but ward 5 councillor Paul Sharman couldn’t get his phone calls answered.
Former city manager Jeff Fielding was prepared to do a deal that would involve the Skyway arena just behind the plaza – but there was no buzz.
There are changes coming – the Economic development Corporation has been able to do what Sharman couldn’t do – and there are now reported conversations taking place with architectural renderings being prepared.
It is now very clear that the new team at Economic Development are able to make things happen.
Can we expect an announcement in the near future?
By Way of background:
Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman has been doing everything he can since he was first elected to get something going with the Skyway Plaza, but has gotten absolutely no traction with the absentee owner of the property.
Sharman has made phone calls – dropped into offices in Toronto – nothing.
 Frank McKeown, then the Mayors Chief of Staff explains a concept to Ward 5 Councillor Paul Sharman. McKeown is now the Executive Director of the Economic Development Corporation and seems to have revived the hopes of re-developing the Skyway Plaza in the east end of the city. At one Standing Committee meeting in 2014, then city manager, Jeff Fielding suggested the city could pool the property it has to the rear of the plaza and come up with a major development opportunity. What would it take to get to that point, asked Sharman? A staff direction would get us started, replied Fielding.
The city began looking at what are called Community Improvement Programs (CIP). At the city council meeting back in July of 2014 Councillor Sharman put forward a motion that few saw before it was actually presented but it got passed and resulted in the following Staff Direction:
DIRECTION REGARDING LAKESIDE PLAZA
Direct the Director of Planning and Building and request the Executive Director of the Burlington Economic Development Corporation as follows:
Prepare a series of re-development options for the site based on intensive mixed use re-development and approach the owners of the property with the redevelopment plans; and
Investigate and report on the authority available to permit the use of incentives for re-developing the site, and
Provide an estimate of the resources needed to prepare and implement a Community Improvement Plan.
 If the arena just behind the Skyway Plaza were rolled into any re-development of the area there is the potential to create the kind of community modern planners are advocating. No one in Halton has done a CIP in more than 20 years; no one seemed to know all that much about the things – until Councillor Meed Ward informed Council that the downtown development group knew all about how they worked.
Back in the 70’s and 80’s the provincial government made some money available for CIP type projects – but that tap got turned off.
All this looks like it is now coming together – and the east end of the city might see some sorely needed development. The city does need a win.
 By Ray Rivers
May 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
They used to say that Ontario would only vote Liberal provincially if the government in Ottawa was Conservative. What does that portend for the upcoming federal election, reviewing the results of this week’s provincial elections in PEI and especially Alberta where the voters turned everything upside down.
PEI wasn’t really much of a surprise and the Liberals barely worked up a sweat, sweeping in to a third majority government in Canada’s tiny province. But Alberta, with over four decades of continuous Conservative government was a ground shaker. It seemed like only yesterday that newly anointed (former) Premier Redford held onto her majority in an election the pollsters said she would surely lose to the Wild Rose Party.
 The voters decide – and in Alberta they did so dramatically. Now to figure out what the Alberta change is going to mean to the rest of the country. So when these same pollsters started talking about the NDP winning this time, nobody believed them. But chickens do come home to roost, and partisan loyalty only lasts so long before the people have had enough. Expense scandals, failed economic policies, a deteriorating environment, cuts to health and social services, new taxes, rising unemployment, an arrogant leader (Prentice) and a miserable election campaign brought down this once unassailable dynasty. And in so doing restored our faith in the polls, the pollsters and voters of Albertans.
Nobody likes being lied to. And there was this big lie, that you can have it all. Perpetual wealth with no consequences. Albertans were told to trust their government and it would build a sustainable petroleum-based economy that was going to fuel the greatest boom in Canadian history. An impossible dream, Albertans now realize.
The rewards from all the oil extracted from the ground had been squandered. The big oil corporations and the wealthiest Albertans got theirs, alright. And the rest? Well the premier told Albertans, complaining about its dismal fiscal state, to look in the mirror if they wanted someone to blame.
There may be federal repercussions from this provincial NDP zinger. For one thing, the federal NDP can no longer be discounted as a one-hit-wonder- a flash-in-the-pan – as they show off their official opposition hat. The party with roots in Saskatchewan has held government in several provinces now. And Tom Mulcair has proven a tireless and credible political leader.
 Justin Trudeau on a tour through Burlington – will the charisma hold during the next federal election? And that could mean troubles for Mr. Trudeau’s Liberals, hoping to win a majority government this time around. Two respected parties competing for the same votes in the middle-left may be one party too many to keep Mr. Harper from coming up the middle for another Tory victory, albeit one that is unlikely to be a majority.
Trudeau has dismissed talk of a coalition with the NDP. Despite many common values between the parties there are fundamental philosophical differences, including Jack Layton’s Sherbrooke Declaration, which would allow Quebec to leave on a 51% vote. So it is not a slam-dunk should the votes come in that way. And the last time there was an agreement on a working coalition, some Canadians felt uneasy about any such marriage of convenience.
The Canadian economy is facing tough times ahead. While the federal finance minister was able to scramble together a balanced budget by fire-selling government assets and raiding the unemployment and contingency funds. He’d have trouble the next time around. The reality is that the cash-cow from Alberta has stopped milking and any future Tory budget would have to go back into the ‘red’ unless somebody reforms our tax system.
To that point Mr. Trudeau has just proposed the first significant reform of our income tax system since Brian Mulroney gutted it back in the 1980’s. The one percent (1%) of Canadians, those earning over $200,000, will see their federal rates rise by four percentage points to 33% – a significant rise, though still lower than in the immediate post war period.
This would free up an estimated $3 million of new federal revenue to be re-distributed through tax breaks for the middle class – those with incomes between $40, 000 and $90,000 a year. Re-distribution isn’t a bad word, even though it is multisyllabic and sometimes hyphenated.
 Re-distributing the way Trudeau would do it, rather than the way Harper has been doing it will mean new economic growth, driven by the middle class as opposed to being left in the Tax Free Savings Accounts of the one-per-cent crowd. And that makes us all better off. Recall US President Harry Truman’s notable saying that if you want to live like a Republican you’d better vote for a Democrat.
The upcoming federal election is still a crap shoot, but becoming more interesting every day as October draws near. Few people are expecting the NDP to pull another rabbit out the hat and actually form the national government, let alone with a majority.
But look at Alberta.
Background:
Alberta Election Issues How Albertans Felt Trudeau Tax Plan PEI Results Federal Raids
Election Background NDP Sweep Alberta Premiers A Timely Change
 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 where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
 By Staff
May 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the most gifted and at times controversial writers on important public issues, Jeff Rubin returns to Burlington to mark a major event in publishing and in fiscal and environmental analysis–the release of his new book The Carbon Bubble.
 A compelling, forthright author and speaker, recipient of the National Business Book Award and author of two momentous works of economic forecasting, Why Your World is About to Get a Lot Smaller and The End of Growth, Jeff Rubin is in great demand in all media for his cautionary insights and startling predictions.
“If the world is changing, those willing and able to change with it will be rewarded. For a high-latitude country like Canada, whose average temperature is expected to rise a multiple of the global average that change points to a fundamental rethink of our national economic priorities.” –from The Carbon Bubble
 The Diffeent Drummer, is hosting Jeff Rubin in partnership with Burlington Public Library on Monday May 25 at 7pm in Centennial Hall at Burlington Central Library, 2331 New Street.
Tickets are $10, available at the bookstore and at the third floor Information Desk at the Library.
To reserve seats in advance, please contact us at (905) 639 0925 or diffdrum@mac.com.
By Staff
May 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Burlington 48 Hour Film Challenge is a weekend film making competition where teams of up to 10 cast and crew members set out to create films within the span of 48 hours.
The clock starts clicking the moment the teams receive their packages: will have no more than 48 hours to write, shoot and edit their short films.
All films are screened the weekend later and those eligible will be critiqued by a chosen set of judges putting them in a position to win a prize package.
The Challenge is open to filmmakers of all skill levels as well as newbies who would like to take a stab at film making.
The shoot gets done May 29th to the 31st. Entry fee is $65
The event is presented by the Filmmaker’s Alliance of Burlington and is currently in it’s first year. This is one of many events held by the Filmmaker’s Alliance in their mission to promote and support the film making industry in and around the Burlington area.
Click to see more
 By Staff
May 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The Rocca Sisters, a noted Burlington Real Estate agency, has provided us with a review of the first quarter of 2015 real estate sales broken down by area, along with thier latest forecasts for the year ahead.
It would appear that, for the first quarter at least, some neighborhoods in Burlington are achieving a more balanced market condition than others. Aldershot south being a terrific example. Sales are up significantly, values are stable with a moderate increase and days on market have increased suggesting that buyers are unwilling to pay a premium given the availability of inventory.
Parts of south Burlington are seeing unusually high days on market as compared to the same period last year which suggests that while there are more buyers than sellers, hence the increase in values, asking prices have been somewhat inflated and have had to in many cases, reduce before selling.
Headon Forest, Tyandaga and Palmer continue to outstrip the Orchard and Millcroft in terms of increases in values year over year. Buyers are seeing these comparably moderately priced neighborhoods as viable alternatives to these incredibly unbalanced markets. Millcroft continued it’s skyrocketing increase in value while the Orchard cooled a little in the first quarter due mainly to significantly reduced inventories and a natural ceiling on what buyers will/can pay for a family home in this neighborhood.
Central Burlington saw a huge increase in values due mainly to the concentration of sales being in the actual core as opposed to the same period last year when the majority of sales were the outer limits of downtown Burlington.
Alton Village saw a significant increase in value but when you drill down, it appears to be more a case of the type of home that has predominantly sold in 2015 which was the 3000+ sq.ft. homes.
Finally and notably, Roseland has now achieved an average price of over one million dollars.
Here is what the numbers – Courtesy of the Rocca Sisters – look like by neighbourhood:
 By Staff
May 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Jane Mulkewich, a full-time career as a lawyer for the Ontario Nurses Association and daughter of former Burlington Mayor Walter Mulkewich, spends her free time researching, writing and speaking about an American slave girl named Sophia Pooley.
 Jane Mulkewich practices law and will be speaking to the American Women’s Club about a salve once owned by Joseph Brant Sophia was the first non-native resident of the Halton area, and was stolen and brought to Canada from New York in the late 1700’s, and belonged to the Joseph Brant family. Mulkewich will be telling this fascinating story to the American Women’s Club who will be holding their 38th Annual May Luncheon at Paletta Mansion,on May 14th at 4250 Lakeshore Rd in Burlington. The event is from 11am until 2 pm, and will include the Annual General Meeting for the AWCO,
Founded in 1977, the American Women’s Club of Oakville is a non-profit organization, and membership includes U.S. born and naturalized citizens, both men and women, with the majority residing in the Halton, Hamilton and Peel regions of Ontario. The purpose of the club is to provide fellowship and social activities among Americans living in the area, and to encourage participation in service to the community, both civic and philanthropic.
 By Pepper Parr
May 7, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward has always believed that citizens should be engaged much earlier in the decision making process than the city’s current policies require.
When changes are being made many people feel that the die has been cast and the politicians just want the voters to say they like what has already been decided upon.
 Councillors Sharman and Lancaster: both part of the Shape Burlington committee who seem to have forgotten what the report was all about – civic engagement That is the style we see from Councillors Craven, Sharman and Lancaster. Councillors Taylor and Dennison tend to show some flexibility.
The Mayor tends to sit between the two groups. He gets keen on an idea and sticks with it – but when there is significant blow back – he backs away. Bicycle lanes on Lakeshore Road is perhaps his worst example – taking the wind turbine was another.
Burlington’s approach to civic engagement hasn’t gotten far beyond approving, unanimously, the Shape Burlington report and putting an “in principle” community engagement document in place but then never acting on it.
 Vanessa Warren on the right wanted to know why residents were not permitted to have real input on the creation on the city budget – she didn’t like the idea of reading through a document with decisions already made set out for her. During the public budget deliberations in 2013, Vanessa Warren, who was just beginning to come to the attention of the public, asked at a meeting at the Art Gallery, why the public wasn’t seeing the numbers when they were being put together. She objected to having to look at numbers and get to make a comment and then go home – with nothing changing.
Meed Ward wants to do it differently. Her first reference is usually to her constituents – who meet almost as community council. She listens, is frequently surprised at what she hears from her constituents and then makes changes.
Attend a ward 1 or a ward 6 community meeting and watch the flow of information and ideas – they go in just the one direction. These are the fundamental differences in how Councillors Sharman, Meed Ward and Craven see their jobs.
The older members of the population are content with leaving everything in the hands of the politicians – that was their experience and they are comfortable with that approach.
There is a younger generation that doesn’t buy into that top down approach. They are comfortable with searching out their own information and will debate with their council member.
The two groups in ward 5 who were very unhappy with the way their Council member represented them with the sewer back up problems that did serious damage to their homes made their views known frequently. They didn’t believe they were being heard and went off on their own.
Sharman for his part was very sincere in his efforts to do something for his constituents – it was a matter of very different operational styles. Sharman prefers command – the residents prefer collaboration – not Mr. Sharman’s strong point.
Meed Ward has invited residents to participate in a series of workshops that will see major downtown land owners, city staff, businesses and residents meet to discuss the future of their downtown.
 Meed Ward used up her postage budget for the year in her first three months as a Council member. Her style is to get information out to people. What Meed Ward has managed to do is pull the people who own the land into the discussion – let them hear what residents would like to see. The smarter developers listen to residents and bring them on side – it does away with loud, noisy contentious public meetings.
The Molinaro’s learned the hard way with their Brock Street condominium that it is better to work with residents than fight them. When they moved forward with their Fairview Road – five tower – Paradigm project they worked with the community and with the residents – guess what – no noisy contentious public meetings.
The ADI Development Group decided from the GetGo that they would bull their way through the city planning department and city council and get themselves before the OMB where they think they have a better chance of getting a 28 storey tower on a plot of land less than an acre in size approved. They just might be right.
Meed Ward arranged for a public meeting on the expansion and significant upgrade to Brant Square Plaza. The project met all the zoning requirements; they could have asked for more height but chose not to.
Meed Ward takes the view that all the decisions and as much information as possible should be run by the citizens. Petty power politics isn’t her game.
The workshops will allow participants to provide input into what they think the downtown should look like in the future.
The first workshop takes place on May 13 at Burlington Lion’s Club Hall beginning at 7 p.m. and will have city planners sharing information about existing city policies and what’s up for review.
Participants will also start to map out principles around design, compatibility, height, density, heritage, jobs, and more.
 Citizens at a public budget meeting – they get to comment – they don’t get to demand that changes be made. The meetings are more of a public relations exercise. “Residents want to be involved in downtown development early on,” said Meed Ward. “This approach brings together all stakeholders to collectively and collaboratively shape the future of our downtown.”
Seating is limited for the May 13 workshop. For more information and to register, please contact Georgie Gartside, Assistant to Councillors, at georgie.gartside@burlington.ca or 905-335-7600, ext. 7368.
This is an approach that most of Burlington doesn’t benefit from – with the exception of Councillor Taylor who has a long standing working relationship with his community.
 By Walter Byj
May 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Although by the usual standards, it was a quick meeting with the public adjournment at 8:35 pm., the potential fireworks was announce by Director of Education David Eaule near the end.
He stated that he was in possession of a copy of a letter that was sent to the Minister of Education, Liz Sandals and Michael Barrett, (President of the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association) that was sent by the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario.
The letter stated that EFTO was giving 5 days notice for a possible strike in Halton elementary schools beginning May 11th.
At this time there is no indication of the type of strike, possibility a work to rule or walkout. Director Euale stated that there would more substantial information either on Thursday or Friday.board
By Pepper Parr
May 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s always close to the same number – something around the 35% plus number. That being the percentage of the trucks pulled over for safety inspection.
 When more than a third of those pulled over fail the tests and 15 trucks are actually taken off the road – those roads are not safe.
 Lots of paper work when a truck gets taken off the road – money well spent. Get tougher. Yesterday the Halton Regional Police Service in partnership with Peel Regional Police, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of the Environment and the Region of Halton conducted a Commercial Vehicle Safety Initiative.
The focus of the blitz was to identify vehicles that may not be properly maintained and could pose a danger on our roads.
In total 40 commercial vehicles were inspected resulting in:
• 70 provincial offence notices issued
• 15 vehicles removed from service
• 38% failure rate
Tougher crackdown on these people – raise the stakes – impound the trucks for a week. Let the carriers unload the products they are hauling and send a warning letter and a liability notice to the company that hired the truck – make it clear – this is not going to be tolerated.
The association of police chiefs are not shy when it comes to getting their message out. Get this message out – our roads are going to be safe.
 When police catch this – take the car off the road and send the driver home in a cab. Don’t get me going on the nut cases that drive with the cell phone in their hands. $2500 fine and they have to call a taxi to get home; impound the car and if there are children in it – call Child Services.
The police want anyone who kills a police officer in jail for life – that issue is important to them. Safe roads are important to the people who drive them. Crack down
Day two of Operation Tag and Tow will take place in Oakville on May 7th, 2015.
By Pepper Parr
May 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It has been a mammoth job with hour upon hour of paper work and telephone calls explaining the awkward process of getting funds into the hands of people whose homes were flooded last August – but that process is close to complete.
 The Bank of Montreal, like most of the major banks in the city opened the vaults and made donations to the disaster relief fund. From the left are MPP Eleanor McMahon, Ron Foxcroft, Mayor Goldring, BMO manager Jose Lozano and area VP for BMO Lee Velardo The little lady in the front who kept the community foundation is Colleen Mulholland Colleen Mulholland announced yesterday that the Burlington Community Foundation (BCF) has completed the review and assessment of the 310 claims that were made: 268 of those claims were approved and partial payments have been made or are in the process of being made to the home owners.
The BCF was asked by Mayor Goldring to create a Disaster Relief Claims Committee (DRC) within days of the flooding. Mulholland spearheaded that effort and pulled in newly appointed BCF Board member Ron Foxcroft to help with the fundraising the community had to do to qualify for provincial government support.
 There was a time when Ron Foxcroft was a force to be contended with on the basketball court. He became a force that one had to pay attention to when he started calling the banks in the city for flood relief donations. Foxcroft drove in just short of $1 million in 100 days.
With the hard work done Mulholland explains that the next step for the Claims Committee is to determine final payment amounts. The City of Burlington will disburse the final cheques and the entire program will be wrapped up by the end of May.
“The Flood Relief efforts have been challenging for all and after months of hard work the DRC is pleased that victims in greatest need will soon receive all of the much awaited financial assistance to put the devastation of the August 4, 2014 flood in the rear view mirror,” said Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO, Burlington Community Foundation.
There are many kudos to be handed out for this magnificent effort.
Joe Gaetan is a Burlington resident with no political affiliation that we can find but he does have an issue with what the provincial government wants to do with Hydro One.
He wrote a letter to the editor of the Spectator and asked if we would also publish it. Given that more Burlingtonians read the Gazette than they do the Spectator we are pleased to let you hear what Mr. Gaetan thinks.
 By Joe Gaetan
May 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
If I am not mistaken, the government of Ontario is the sole shareholder of Hydro One. In the 13 years the Liberal Party has been in power, the government has been the benefactor of $6.2 billion of income generated by Hydro One.
My problem with that is, the government could have taken less income to reduce the debt load imposed on the taxpayers and it could have provided a more reasonable cost of electricity to consumers. Our electricity cost is among the highest in North America and that is hurting our ability to attract business.
Instead, Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli’s government chose to spend it otherwise. We don’t know where it all went, but it seems about $1 billion was wasted to save two Liberal seats in Mississauga and Oakville. The government has been spending more than it earns for 13 years, to the point where Ontario is $267 billion dollars in the hole. Now the government is selling a valuable asset.
Hydro One is a jewel, it is fabulous, drool-worthy, net income generator, in part thanks to the exorbitant electricity costs that have been passed on to ratepayers. Perhaps it could generate more income under a different ownership arrangement, but that’s not the point. The point is, the Liberals did not campaign on selling Hydro One and, therefore, do not have a mandate to do so.
The Rule of Law, among other things, is there to deter individuals or groups and government from assuming or exercising powers they do not legitimately possess. That is what this is about.
By Pepper Parr
March 6, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When we did a report on the reception for the publication of Janet Turpin Myer’s first book Nightswimming we said that “Burlington may have just witnessed the introduction of a major new writer.”
Meyer’s has just published her second title: The Last Year of Confusion
 Janet Turpin Myers works in a bright, sunlit room filled with the smell of cedar trees when the windows are open. Her publisher, Maureen Whyte said of Meyers: “I believe it demonstrates a true ability to write well when an emerging writer doesn’t merely copy a previous storyline. Janet has written an engaging, funny, yet thought-provoking book that takes readers on a wild – but rewarding – journey.”
A story brimming with satire, dark humour and truth, the book follows Villis, a cranky retired anthropologist and survivor of Stalin’s gulag work prisons, as he works vigilantly with his long-time pacifist friend, Bipin, to protect the unspoiled forest they call The Pearl.
There are no coincidences, Bipin believes – so when a young man on an obnoxious all-terrain vehicle begins chewing up forest trails and squashing amphibians, Bipin seeks the cosmic meaning inherent in this assault. But Villis wants to wage war.
The two friends’ naïve efforts to dispel the ATV-man from their beloved woodland haven spiral into a rollicking chaos of confusion, involving celebrity impersonators, visions of cavemen, and a time portal swirling from within the vibrating heart of The Pearl. Mingling pathos and tragedy with humour and a keen perception of the superficiality of current pop culture, The Last Year of Confusion conveys profound ideas regarding peace, faith and love.
 Janet Turpin Meyers, local author launches her first title. Her second title will be released later this month. “I have used satire and, yes, shock features, in this story for an important reason,” says Myers. “I want to encourage readers to think about how pop culture, TV reality shows and celebrity personalities have lured our attention away from not only the environmental crisis our planet is in, but also from the abiding threat to human freedom by oppressive political and state forces.”
Book Launch will be at – the Cedar Springs Community clubhouse on May 24th – 2081 Grand Blvd., North Burlington- , starting at 2:00 p.m. The author will give a talk about the book, along with a short reading. Refreshments will be served.
 By Staff
May 5, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There was no shortage of suspense and excitement as the winners were chosen at the 3rd annual Pythons’ Pit competition in Burlington last night.
 Cory Hudson – Ambient Audio Canada (Open Category Winner – $20,000) Developed by the Rotary Clubs of Halton, it is the region’s most exciting entrepreneurial event. Finalists in the Open and High School categories had the opportunity to pitch their business concepts and product ideas in front of a live audience and “The Pythons”, a panel of business moguls from the community. At stake: cash awards and range of in-kind professional services and mentoring to help them launch their businesses.
A large crowd of supporters were on the edge of their seats at Performing Arts Centre as the Pythons made their difficult decisions in the annual competition, which is supported by presenting sponsors RBC Royal Bank and MNP LLP along with several groups and community partners.
In the Open Category, Cory Hudson, a 5th year Biology student at the Wilfrid Laurier University (originally from Oakville) took home a $20,000 cheque for his handmade and engineered Bluetooth speakers with unique lighting features. Hudson believes his Ambient Audio Canada initiative “will help people create a deeper connection with their music” and the Pythons agreed. A surprise 3-month $7,000-worth free lease offer from RioCan sweetened the winning pot! Hudson was one of five finalists in the Open Category.
 Jennifer Palfi (High School Winner – $1,500) First Place in the High School Category went to a group of bright and energetic Grade 12 students from Burlington’s Nelson High School. David Vanderberg, Ben Mallory, Jassim Moslim and Megan Long impressed the Pythons with ‘Coffee Run’, a unique app that facilitates a more organized and systematic way to ease the ordering experience. They’ll share $2,500 in prize money.
 Robert Omer Carriere (Open Category Contestant) Other cash prizes in the six-finalist high school category went to Jennifer Palfi, a Grade 11 student at Bishop P.F. Reding High School in Milton for ‘PeraCards’, a unique app for sending handwritten cards from a mobile device and Kush Yegnaswami, a Grade 12 student at Garth Webb Secondary School in Oakville whose ‘Aquaponics’ food production invention captured the imagination of the Pythons.
 David Woolford (Python), John Stix (Python), Megan Long (High School Winner – $2,500), Ben Mallory (High School Winner – $2,500), Jassim Moslim (High School Winner – $2,500), Michele Bailey (Python) In the spirit of Dragons’ Den and Shark Tank, Pythons’ Pit attracts the best and brightest of Halton’s budding entrepreneurs. The event, emceed by veteran broadcaster Connie Smith was recorded live by TVCogeco and will be the subject of a multi-part mini-series in the fall of this year.
 By Staff
May 5, 2015
MILTON, ON
Crawford Lake Conservation Area is featuring the artwork and writings of talented Tuscarora artist Raymond R. Skye. The exhibit, titled Haudenosaunee Clans…Extended Families of the Iroquois opens today, Tuesday, May 5 and will be on display 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until June 30, 2015 in the newly built Deer Clan Longhouse.
 Raymond Skye The exhibit will engage guests in a rich experience combining art, video, and hands-on elements to build understanding of the heritage and clans of the Haudenosaunee people. Imagine standing in a modern longhouse, listening to the lyrical poetry of the book The Great Law Kayaneren’ko:wa as written and narrated in English by Metis author David Bouchard, and in Mohawk by Six Nations of the Grand River community member, Frank Miller. The powerful words are accompanied by the visual feast of Raymond’s artworks.
Tim Johnson, Associate Director for Museum Programs, National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington and New York had this to say about Skyes’s work:
“The value of Raymond Skye’s artistry is immeasurable. In an information age where ideas and influences are transferred around the globe at the speed of light, it is vitally important that distinct cultures and nations have in place powerful and sustainable mechanisms for their preservation. As an earnest and life-long student and teacher of Haudenosaunee culture, Ray’s contributions to his heritage are numerous and exceptional.
His art documents the primary narratives of Haudenosaunee origin, emergence, and history, enveloping substance within imagery that informs cultural awareness and inspires the people to forever remember. The presence of an artist like Raymond Skye in our community and nation is not only invaluable, it is essential!”
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By Staff
May 5, 2015
BURLINGTON. ON
The high fives are being handed out over at the Burlington detachment of the Halton Regional Police.
Last Friday the detachment published the second of their Fugitive Friday reports. That time they were looking for Curtis Komp.
 Curtis Henry Komp now in custody As a result of their tweeting they got a tip that Komp was seen in Ottawa.
Burlington police called the Ottawa police and it didn’t take long before Komp was found and arrested.
On Tuesday May 5, was located in the City of Ottawa and arrested on the charges listed below.
Curtis Henry KOMP was wanted for:
Fraud under $5000 (5 counts)
Fail to Comply Probation (2 counts)
False Representation
Fail to Re-Attend Court
The accused is also wanted by Hamilton Police Service for Fail to Comply Probation
D/Constable Calvin Bulbrook brought the idea with him when he transferred from the Toronto Police Service to Halton.
By Staff
May 5, 2015
BURLINGTON,ON
It is now official – James Ridge the new city manager is going to keep the job.
 James Ridge – City Manager He and his wife were seen at the provincial license office getting their Ontario drivers licences earlier today.
Now if the city gives him a decent car he might stay a little longer than the last guy.
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