 By Staff
December 1st, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
In what was the longest city council meeting the Gazette can remember – just short of three hours, council decided that internet voting is in and ranked ballots will be looked at after the 2018 municipal election.
The Gazette has watched city council meeting start and end in less than 20 minutes – and these were not council meetings with just the one item on the agenda.
There was quite a bit of “informed” opinion put before council on the possible security problems with using the internet to cast a ballot.
 Gareth Williams, a delegator to city council where it became evident that he knew a lot more than anyone on city council about internet security. They decided that convenience was more important than the safety of the vote. The city of Toronto is having serious considerations about continuing to use the internet – the city of Waterloo has decided this isn’t something they want to do. Given that Kitchener- Waterloo is tech central for this country – there may be some wisdom we are not availing ourselves of in Burlington.
During the debate, at which delegator Gareth Williams gave as good as he got from members of Council who wanted this question to just go away. Councillor Sharman wanted the motion that was to be voted on deferred to the next Council meeting. He was supported by Councillor Taylor but that vote lost 5-2.
 Councillor Sharman was the only Councillor who wanted to know more about what the real problems were with the security of the internet. City Clerk Angela Morgan explained that she had some contracts that needed to be signed for tabulating equipment and time was running out. Sharman pushed it to a vote – lost that vote but did get a Staff Direction in place asking that they fully research the matter for the next election – that is the one after 2018.
Williams did point out that sometimes the hacking of a site is done by smart students more as a prank. He failed to remind city council that the web site students were to use to write exams on was hacked and the testing had to be cancelled. There was no back up in place.
Ranked balloting also got punted. No one on this council wants to have to face a ranked ballot. In the 2011 election thee was just the one candidate that was at any risk had the ballots cast been ranked to choose a winner.
Ranking the ballots means that if a candidate does not have more than 50% of the vote cast then the bottom ballots get distributed amongst the other candidates.
Voters would have listed their first choice, second choice and perhaps even third choice. The first person to get a pure 50% become the person elected.
Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was at one point a strong advocate for ranked balloting – she appears to have lost her appetite for that approach. She had very little to say on the subject at the council meeting.
The system we use now – known as first past the post – means that the person with the most votes wins – even if the total of all the other voters is the higher number.
By Pepper Parr
November 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Thursday morning a relatively large group of people will gather under the direction of Scott Podrebarac, who is the Halton District School Board Superintendent of Education selected to chair the Program Accommodation Committee that was formed by the school board trustees to study the recommendation that came from the Director of Education Stuart Miller to close two of Burlington’s seven high schools.
 Scott Podrebarac, a Halton District School Board Superintendent who will chair the PARC that holds its orientation meeting on Thursday. The Thursday meeting will be an orientation meeting that will be facilitated by a representative from Ipsos Reid, a company that described itself as “committed to working with clients to identify the right solutions for their specific challenges.” The Halton District School Board and the parents who have children in the seven high schools certainly have a challenge.
When the planners at the HDSB realized they had more than 1800 empty seats in the high schools they knew and were required to take some form of action. The province just doesn’t let a school board continue to operate that much excessive high school capacity.
It is fair to ask why the HDSB has waited until this late date to come forward with a recommendation – the data available to them has made it pretty clear that there was going to be a problem. But that is another issue – the HDSB appointed a new Director of Education and that problem has fallen in his lap. That Stuart Miller has spent all of his academic career with the Halton Board does raise the question: How did this happen?
The school board trustees – at least those who have been there for the past six years – have to share the responsibility for this situation – which is now spilt milk.
The problem is now on the table and it has to be dealt with – which is why the PARC was created
 Director of Education Stuart Miller What is this committee, known as a PARC going to do? The PARC does not write a “public” report; they will make suggestions or recommendations that are forwarded to the Director of Education for his consideration in his Final Director’s Report which will be a public document.
The work of the PARC is captured in the Community Consultation part of the Final Director’s report.
Podrebarac points out that “There is no document or procedure that speaks directly to the reporting of the PARC to the Director other than those outlined in our Program and Accommodation Review procedure.”
 Donna Danielli – Halton District School Board trustee for Milton They have their work cut out for them. Along with Burlington City Manager James Ridge and Milton school board trustee Donna Danielli the following people will serve on the committee that will meet frequently between now and May of 2017.
Each of the seven high schools in Burlington gets to have two representatives on the PARC; one of the two is chosen by the parent council for the school, the other is selected from a list of people who expressed an interest in serving on the PARC.
 Marianne Meed Ward, member of city council for ward 2 where Central high school is located. Steve Cussons, Aldershot High School
Eric Szyiko, Aldershot High School
Ian Farwell, Burlington Central High School
Marianne Meed Ward, Burlington Central High School
Tricia Hammill, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School
Nawaz Noormohamed, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School
Steve Armstrong. L. B. Pearson High School
Cheryl De Lugt, L. B. Pearson High School
Dianna Bower, M. M. Robinson High School
Marie Madenzides, M. M. Robinson High School
Rebecca Collier, Nelson High School
Kate Nazar, Nelson High School
Lisa Bull, Robert Bateman High School
Sharon Picken, Robert Bateman High School
Included in the PARC are the principals from each high school.
 Mark Dudley, principal at Robert Bateman high school Maria McLellan, Aldershot High School
Kelli Pfeiffer, Burlington Central High School
Nick Varricchio, Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School
Loraine Fedurco, L. B. Pearson High School
Andrea Taylor, M. M. Robinson High School
Karen Hartmann, Nelson High School
Mark Duley, Robert Bateman High School
There is no remuneration for those participating on the PARC.
 By Jim Young
November 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is always easy to lift the pen or get on the keyboard to complain about and criticize council members. I’m often thoughtful of how thick their skins must become or how difficult it must be not to internalize or personalize the criticism. So it is with some pleasure that I write to congratulate them for a thoughtful and well considered reversal on Monday night.
City Staff and a Council Subcommittee had voted 3 to 3 (with one member absent) to change a bylaw and limit delegations to council to 5 minutes from the existing 10.
On Monday council members, listened, questioned and debated several citizen delegations who came to ask that council reverse that part of the bylaw change.
At the end of the debate, Councilors Sharman and Taylor courageously and very graciously reversed their positions on the issue and Councilor Lancaster (who had missed the original vote but sat on the recommending subcommittee) sided with the delegates to support an amendment by councilors Meed-Ward and Dennison to revert to the 10 minute allotment. Mayor Goldring had always supported maintaining the 10 minute allotment.
The amendment carried 6 votes to 1 proving two things:
Contrary to popular opinion, some councilors do listen and act accordingly.
 The delegation system proved its worth and earned the support of the majority of council by virtue of the respectful and informed delegates who argued the case intelligently and succinctly.
A victory for common sense, civic engagement and a democratic principle; Well done City Council and thank you to the delegates who gave their time and voice in support of Burlington citizens.
 By Pepper Parr
November 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t a hill worth dying on was the way Councillor John Taylor put it as city council debated a staff report that suggested delegation time be reduced from 10 minutes to five minutes.
The vote to not reduce the time allocation was a 6-1 with Councillor Craven voting against.
It wasn’t the hill these seven people were focused on – it was the ballot box.
The debate, which was one of the lengthiest this council has experienced – actual city council meetings have been as short as 15 minutes, was also an occasion when citizens made their voices heard in some of the best language this reporter has ever heard at city hall.
Jim Young, John Searle, Gareth Williams and Tom Muir did the city proud when they spoke up for your rights.
 Councillors Dennison, Sharman and Lancaster during the time allocation for delegations debate. There are some serious time management concerns that were brought to the attention of council. There are 26 different development proposals on their way to city council and planning staff are concerned there may be problems getting the reports through Standing Committee in time to ensure the city doesn’t run into that hard 180 day wall that allows a developer to scoot over to the Ontario Municipal Board if their request isn’t dealt with within that time frame. The city currently has such a situation on hand – and it is costing a pretty penny.
Much of the debate was focused on how this council manages its time. Councillor Meed Ward made one of the more important points: the problem is not with how long the citizens take to speak – it is the amount of time council members take up as they shilly shally all over the place and tend to work at making debating points rather than ask well thought out questions.
During the debate one Councillor made a little Burlington history when he uttered one of those “fuddle duddle” phrases.
Councillor Lancaster said that if citizens could think through what it is they want to say and discipline themselves they should be able to keep their delegations down to five minutes – the Mayor had to bring the Council member to order pointing out that Lancaster had gone over her five minute allocation.
For a period of time it looked as if council was going to set the length of time at five minutes and give people ten if they asked for additional time.
Lancaster said this council would never refuse a citizen the additional time if they needed it.
What a bunch of hypocrites. Anne Marsden, a long time delegator to city council, asked for additional time and was denied – and she had information council should have heard.
 City Clerk Angela Morgan It was suggested that people approach the Clerk requesting additional time when they filed their notice of wanting to delegate. Was the thought that the Clerk would be seen as fair and favourable to citizens? There are more than a handful of fine people who have delegated to city council and have few kind words about this Clerk and how she treats citizens.
John Searle, who is a citizen representative on a group called CHAT – something you have probably not heard much about; partly because while they exist you don’t hear much from them pointed out to Council that what they proposed to do was contrary to the purpose of the charter.
Searle, a lawyer by profession made a very important point when he said: “it is not about you” to the council members, it is about a principle and those principles are set out in the city’s charter.
The Burlington Community Engagement Charter is an agreement between and among Burlington City Council and the citizens of Burlington concerning citizen engagement with city government that establishes the commitments, responsibilities, and fundamental concepts of this relationship.
At the core of democratic government are two pillars that also form the basis of effective citizen engagement:
• That government belongs to the citizens within its political boundaries, and
• That the inhabitants of a city are “citizens” with the rights and responsibilities of citizenship based on justice, human rights, fundamental freedoms and rule of law.
Engaging people on issues that affect their lives and their city is a key component of democratic society. Public involvement encourages participation, actions and personal responsibility. The goal of community engagement is to lead to more informed and, therefore, better decision-making.
People are going to want to get their point across and five minutes is just not long enough. Searle went on to point out that what council was proposing to do was against the very charter they had approved. “What you are doing here today flies in the face of the charter.”
 The body language kind of says it all – doesn’t it. Councillors Craven, Meed Ward and Taylor during the time allocation for delegations debate. The Charter Searle referred to makes it pretty clear what is expected:
Citizen: For the purposes of this Charter, the word citizen refers to a resident of the City, entitled to its rights and services and with a responsibility to take an active part in community decision-making. The words citizen and resident can be used interchangeably.
Citizen engagement: The right and responsibility of citizens to have an informed say in the decisions that affect their lives though a dialogue of mutual respect between government and citizen.
Community engagement: The process by which citizens, organizations, and government work collaboratively. It includes information sharing, consultation, and active involvement in decision- making.
Decision-making: The process followed by the City of Burlington‟s City Council to reach decisions on those items that are presented in staff reports.
Meaningful engagement: Citizens and stakeholders have the opportunity to access information on the engagement topic that is timely, relevant, constructive and substantive. Their resulting input to decision-makers is expected to meet similar standards and is intended to ensure that a balance and range of public perspectives is available for consideration in the decision-making process.
Tom Muir made, as he inevitably does, points worth remembering.
 Tom Muir, a citizen who has been delegating for more than 25 years. “I would hope that Council votes in favor of the 10 minutes unanimously, as a show of good faith. I will say that a vote to reduce to 5 minutes is something I see as an insult to citizens and their possible contribution to what we do as a city – our city.”
“Further, if Councillors still want to vote down the 10 minutes, I say this. If you are so tired of and frustrated by, listening to the views of the people that elected you, then maybe you have been doing this job too long and should quit. I mean that, and will not forget how this vote goes tonight. “
“This Council is not your Council; it is the people’s Council.
“And these Council Chambers are not your Chambers, but are equally, the people’s Chambers. All the Councillors and Councils hold these offices and chambers in trust.
“So to vote to reduce the people’s time to speak in these chambers is to fail in that trust, in my opinion.
I ask therefore; herein fail not.”
The vote went 6-1 with Councillor Craven voting against ten minutes for Standing Committee delegations.
It was a good day for the citizens of the city.
Jim Young laid it out for them.
 By Staff
November 29th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
There are hundreds of thousands of them out there – people looking for a way to separate you from your money without giving you anything in return.
And the more gullible amongst us fall for the alluring offer.
The following came across our screen today.
 This was really an invitation to begin a process that would track all your identity information. For someone who thought that just perhaps an error had been made and that a device was being sent to you – and you were going to take advantage of that opportunity.
You would have been in for a rude awakening.
If it looks too good to be true – it is probably not true.
Be vigilant.
 By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a time when the city had three General Managers and three Standing Committees.
That has been slimmed down to one Standing Committee with everything else being stuffed into the Committee of the Whole
Development & Infrastructure will now become Planning and Development Committee.
Reporting to this committee will be Planning & Building department, Transportation department and at the discretion of the City Solicitor the Legal department.
 The picture, taken from a webcast seems to be out of focus. The slimming down of how city council reports to its citizens would also appear to be out of focus. The city communications people explain that City solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol Legal reports generally go to the city’s Committee of the Whole meetings but has the discretion to take reports to the Development and Infrastructure Committee meetings, as required.
Planning & Building generate a number of reports annually as a result of several development applications that require statutory public meetings.
As a result the number of departments has been limited and the proposed schedule includes one additional evening meeting in the week following regular committee meetings to allow for statutory public meetings only.
This additional evening will allow for increased engagement and will provide efficiencies for agenda management. It will only be utilized if the regular Planning & Development meeting is full.
Community & Corporate Services will become Committee of the Whole, all other departments will report to Committee of the Whole. The Committee of the Whole that currently exists for workshops will continue to be scheduled for the purpose of workshops when required but should there be additional time required for addressing items this time can be used for effective meeting management.
Budget meetings – additional meeting times have been scheduled into the calendar for the budget approval process. These are scheduled into the regular non-meeting weeks to ensure there is adequate time to address all of the material. If these meetings are not required for the budget they will be cancelled.
There was a time when the Committee of the Whole was used for more open wide ranging meetings where there was much more interaction and less formality. Some of the best information came out of those meetings
 That doesn’t appear to be the way James Ridge wants to run the city.
Lessening the occasions when citizens get to see what city hall is doing and then limiting the time for a citizen to delegate to five minutes from ten is not a step in the direction that produces accountability and transparency.
The Chair and vice chair of each of these committees will become significant as this city council begins the second half of this term of office. The opportunity to shine as a chair will be limited to just two people. Will this city council shut Meed Ward out again? Does Meed Ward have any interest in chairing either of the Standing committees?
Pay attention to what they are doing to you – there is a trend here.
By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
City council and the few that attend city council meetings along with the even fewer who watch what council does on the Cogeco live broadcast are in for a treat this evening.
Hearing a true democrat (note the small D) explain the rudiments of what it means to live in a democracy.
Jim Young will explain to members of city council (hopefully the staff will have their ears open as well) when he explains that:
Sometimes democracy frustrates us. Sometimes it completely fails us. Democracy is messy and unpredictable. But its inherent frustrations are still preferable to its failure.
Yes, it grinds ever so slowly through elections; committees; consultations, delegations, votes, amendments then back through the whole messy, frustrating process again.
 Jim Young delegating. And yes, those slow, tangled procedures can tempt us to short circuit the process in the name of speed in the name of efficiency to get the good works we have in mind into action.
The democratic processes of our city demand that qualified, talented professionals like the city staffs and managers, we are fortunate to have in Burlington, apply themselves to a certain vision of the city.
That they nurse that vision through the often tortuous process to council for approval and implementation, only to have someone like me, a citizens delegate, put a flea in council’s ear, a spoke in staff’s well-oiled wheel and force a review all of their efforts and the inevitable delay that brings.
Democracy is indeed frustrating and the temptation to limit those small interferences, those small interruptions is great.
Sometimes it may seem as if we delegates are the enemy of the process. That we somehow stand in the way of the great works and plans you all have in mind for the city.
 Marianne Meed Ward delegating. But that begs the question, for whom are these great works and plans intended? Are they for the benefit of council? I prefer to believe council is bigger, nobler and above that self-interest. Are they for the benefit of Staff, I think not, indeed with all due respect many very dedicated staff members are citizens of other municipalities and even then their professionalism puts them above that.
No, the big plans and great works are for the citizens, those very same people who come here to delegate to advise council, to say please consider me, my family and my neighbours when you contemplate these great plans and great works for the future of my city, the future of our city.
We live in a time when even the best efforts and endeavors of all levels of government are looked upon as “elitist”; are perceived to serve special interest groups and appear to ignore Jane/Joe Public until election time rolls around.
 Vanessa Warren delegating. Limiting the input of citizens only feeds that perception, gives voice to the unreasonable because the reasonable voices feel stifled, limited, ignored.
We live in a time when the Rob Fords and Donald Trumps of this world lend false voice to the anger and frustration of those ignored and overlooked voters. Those brash populist voices, who defying common sense and reason somehow hold sway over electorates.
Not with wisdom, not with policy, not with vision but with the false promise that they will listen while whispering that the “Elitist, Mainstream Incumbents will not”.
When those voices hold sway, democracy fails us.
I urge council: Do not open that door to those small minds and loud voices.
We live in a city rated the best place to live in Canada, the best country in the world. That makes Burlington truly special. That enviable place in the world has been was achieved not just by the excellence of our city staffs, the guidance of dedicated councilors, of every political stripe, but also by a citizenry who love their city and who have participated in its plans and success over many years.
Our 25 year strategic plan very boldly calls for a city that engages its people, I urge council not to let that ambitious goal be tripped up at this, its first hurdle.
When you deny constituents the reasonable opportunity to advise you during council term at meetings such as this, you leave them no other option but to voice their frustrations through the ballot box at election time.
 Monte Dennis delegating. Look at recent election results, where voters vented their frustration at the perception that politicians are not listening, do not provide the opportunity for citizens to be heard, a perception that has given voice to the Fords, the Trumps and the Brexiteers who, bereft of policy or vision or even civil discourse, at least pretend to listen, pretend they will be the voice of the people.
Then proceed to undo all the good that has been done, the community that has been built by that slow and frustrating democratic process.
So far this delegation has taken about 5 minutes, and with more to say, I hope you can understand how limiting 5 minutes can be.
I will finish by challenging each of you who wish to limit the participation of citizens in the affairs of our city:
Will you please explain to this gathering tonight how limiting delegations to 5 minutes is good for our democracy, good for our city?
Will you then publish that explanation in your Newsletter for all your constituents to see and to judge for themselves?
Will you stand at your regular town hall gatherings and tell the people of your wards why you want to silence their voice?
Because you will stand before them in 2018 and they will demand to know.
If you cannot, in conscience, address your constituents on this issue, then you have accept an amendment to rescind that decision and restore the full 10 minute allotment for citizen delegations, or better still do the right thing and propose such an amendment yourself.
Your constituents will thank you for it. Burlington will thank you for it.
By Pepper Parr
November 28th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects held their awards event last Thursday – some decent work – just not enough of it in Burlington.
The work that architects do is what determines how the communities we live in work. Are they pleasant places do be? Does the building relate to the street? Does the feel of the street make you want to return?
 It was an evening for conversation and celebration. If any of these feelings speak to you – an architect has done his or her job. The design of the MTO building makes people want to go into the building. What a great place to go to work in.
The architect has to work very hard on several fronts to get a good design to the point where construction crews are on the site. They have to deal with planners that aren’t always open to bold design, they have to work within building codes and they have to work within the budgets given to them.
Burlington has some incredibly boring buildings as well as some monster structures on lots that were not intended for something that big.
It is quite amazing to see some of the plans that get trotted out at city council meetings with some really ridiculous justifications given by planners pleading on behalf of a property owner or a developer.
Mistakes made at a council meeting hang around for decades – there is a condominium development on New Street that was a conversion from an apartment for rent dwelling that should have never been allowed to happen.
The architects have to battle developers who want to keep their costs down and at the same time have a structure that is attractive and something people want to live in
 It was a younger crowd – there were a couple of “old lions” in the room. Burlington has seen a few designs that break out of the boring mold. The ADI Development Group did a very nice job with the Moder’n on Guelph line and their Lynx on Dundas in the morth west part of the city is very different – quite a risk on the part of the developer.
The Paradigm going up on Fairview is a lot different from the condominiums they put up along Lakeshore Road.
The building on the city’s main thoroughfare are important – they give the roadway a sense of scale and if done properly last a long time.
Ten awards were given out on Thursday evening. There was one that was stunning; the MTO building in St. Catharines. When will Burlington see something like this?
The HBSA raised what looked like $7500 that was handed over to the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton. The event is held on a bi-annual basis to honour projects presented in a range of categories.
A five member jury consisted of:
Toon Dreessen, President, Ontario Architect Association
Mitchell Hall, Principal, KPMB Architects
Alex Lukachko, Principal, Sr. Building Science Specialist, RDH Building Science Inc.
Mary Lou Tanner, Director of Planning and Building, City of Burlington
Gerarda (Geri) Tino, Associate Architect, ATA Architects Inc.
Ken Coit, Program manager, public arts and projects City of Hamilton
Burlington Director of Planning, Mary Lou Tanner made a few remarks – she missed an opportunity to make some tough comments – like “I was expecting something better” but she chose to be polite. Tanner recently convinced city council to go along with a slogan for her department: GO BOLD; GO SMART; GO BEAUTIFUL! One had to squint to see much of any of these last Thursday.
To be fair, the jury members were architects and if architects aren’t going to take care of their own – who will?
The jurors independently selected the recipients of the Awards of Excellence in four categories:
The HBSA Board also handed out two special awards as part of a program that was established in 2014, and are given every two years to projects that set new standards of excellence in architecture, with consideration for form, function, innovation and sustainability.
Award of Excellence – Templar Flats
 Architect firm: Lintack Architects Inc. Client: Core Urban Inc. The Jury recognizes the significant clever decisions that are evident in melding the new construction with two existing and very different buildings. There are extensive challenges of the site conditions and connecting the new building to the existing heritage buildings. The architect has worked with the fabric of the street and, rather than simply preserve the facades, has integrated the buildings with the street and the community.
Award of Merit – The Cotton Factory
 Architect firm: mcCallumSather Client: The Cotton Factory The Jury recognizes the achievement of solving the difficult architectural problem of dividing a large space into smaller workable spaces. The budget for this project was extremely limited and the design choices respect the history of the building and site. Specific choices include sensitivity to the patina of the finishes and the use of the building in a non-traditional office area in Hamilton.
Award of Excellence – Hambly House
 Architect firms: DPAI Architecture Inc. with Toms + McNally Design Inc. Client: Tina Fetner & Lane Dunlop
The Jury recognizes this project for its excellence in expanding this small Art Deco cottage. The addition is sensitive and modern, detailed to fit in with the existing house design, and acts as a lantern on the roof of the existing house. The juxtaposition of the lantern to the solid base of the house marries the two elements that highlight the original house in an elegant way.
Award of Merit (Small Project) Waterdown Skate Park
 Architect firm: Toms + McNally Design Client: City of Hamilton The Jury recognizes the project for its context and opportunity in what was previously a traditional edge city park. The building is light filled and maximizes use by patrons of the building. The placement of the building program achieves access to the skate loop with functionality of the mechanical works. The overall skate loop recognizes historical skating patterns and brings activity and focus to the park. The project signifies ambitious place making that is needed for this community.
Award of Merit (Large Project) – Boris Clinic
 Architect firm: mcCallumSather Client: McMaster University Medical Centre The Jury recognizes the introduction of strategic glazing to connect light and nature to the hospital, linking nature to healing. The original building design anticipated modular change and future modifications based on its modular grid; the architects capitalized on this opportunity. The views to the Niagara Escarpment are of particular note in recognizing this project.
Award of Merit (Large Project) – Hamilton District Christian High School
 Architect firm: mcCallumSather Client: Hamilton District Christian High School The Jury recognizes the interior of this addition to the high school. The architect has maximized access to light and views, connecting interior spaces to the landscape. There is an honesty of expression in the materials which is bold in its use in a high school. The design provides a variety of opportunities for students to study in comfortable light filled space.
Award of Excellence – Rudy Hulst Commons
 Architect Firm: Invizij Architects Client: Indwell The Jury recognizes this project for setting the tone as a prominent and significant precedent for redevelopment for this area of Hamilton. The ground floor plane with commercial at the front and the offices at the rear helps reinforce the streetscape and connection to a vibrant active street life. The views to the Niagara Escarpment from the upper floors are very well done. The composition of the east elevation as it faces the existing neighbourhood is particularly noteworthy. The use of light and interior finishes is skillfully addressed by the architect. The use of windows to bring light to the basement level is a well-crafted refinement that reflects a high quality of design language.
Award of Merit – Milton Traffic Operations Centre
 Architect Firm: KNYMH Inc. Client: Indwell The Jury recognizes this project for design excellence; the utilitarian nature of the building is dignified with skillful detailing of the placement of windows and functions, linking the building design to its function. The building must perform in a utilitarian way given its operational function yet there is good composition of planes and forms that is well handled. Without the skill of the architect, this building could have been monotonous. Instead it creates tranquil and soothing spaces.
Award of Excellence– MTO Traffic Operations Centre
 Architect Firm: mcCallumSather Client: Infrastructure Ontario The Jury recognizes that what could have been a potentially utilitarian architectural solution was transformed into a simple and elegant composition of volumes. The linear box speaks to the nature of movement along the highway. Specific design highlights include the proportions and use of fenestrations which are elegant and the large box on the front which is a bold move at an appropriate scale. The use of the building and the interior design establish the sense of purpose for those who work in the building and those who visit the building.
Special Award of Merit.
North End Free Library & Public Bench
 Architect Firm: TCA/Thier + Curran Architects Inc. Client: Maryanne Scime & William J. E. Curran The Jury was pleased to receive this unique submission. We note that there is a proliferation of small free libraries in many cities. This project receives a Special Award of Merit for contributions to the North End community through design excellence for the library and the bench and contributing to the love of reading. The architect is commended for community building for a community whose library has been closed.
Except for the stunning design and the risk taken by the architect on the Ministry of Transportation there was nothing in the awards handed out that will be remembered for very long.
That lovely little Free Library was a very nice touch and suggests there is hope yet.
What is needed are tougher juries – they set the bar and need to try raising it.
 By Staff
November 28, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The long, long, long term plans for the Beachway Park in the west end of the city are still on the drawing boards – the park planned for the east end of the city is much closer to reality.
Halton Region, the City of Burlington, the Town of Oakville and Conservation Halton are starting work on Burloak Regional Waterfront Park. This is the first phase of the park’s master plan, approved in 2014.
 Architects conceptual drawing of where the pathways in the Burloak Park will be located. The park improve-ments for phase one, include:
• a new accessible pathway along the waterfront,
• a shade structure (gazebo),
• a small performance area with seating and
• a guard rail.
 Rob Peachey, manager of parks and open spaces with the City of Burlington. “One of the first steps in achieving these improvements is to restore the natural ecosystem along the shoreline by removing invasive trees and shrubs, which are mostly Siberian elms and Norway Maples,” said Rob Peachey, manager of parks and open spaces with the City of Burlington. “Invasive trees have a harmful effect on the ability of native tree species to take hold. Removing these invasive trees is critical for the ecological restoration of the shoreline, including the function the area plays as a resting area for many migratory birds.”
City arborists and environmental experts are involved in identifying which trees and shrubs need to be removed. They will also help choose native replacement trees to be planted in the spring of 2017.
 A rendering of the gazebo that will be part of the park. Residents are invited to join the City of Burlington, Councillor Paul Sharman and Halton Region for an informal information session on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Hearthstone by the Lake, Pig and Whistle building, 100 Burloak Dr., Burlington, at the northwest corner of Burloak Drive and Lakeshore Road.
The park is just one significant change planned for the east end. The Skyway Plaza renovation – they are calling it the Skyway Village.
Cynthia Zahorak, the architect on the project has put all kinds of trees in what was a parking lot.
 The light yellow portion is where the current plaza is locate. To the north of that is the Skyway arena. The arrows show the flow of traffic from the arena to the Burloak Park that will see the light of day in 2017. No dates yet on when this project might get to the point where shovels are in the ground – it was planned to tie into a serious upgrade to the Skyway arena – that is in the 2017 capital budget – yet to be approved.
By Gareth Williams
November 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It has certainly been an interesting month in politics, especially south of the border. Many were surprised by the victory of the Republican candidate despite polling results showing his opponent with a strong lead. Mrs. Clinton conceded once it was clear to most that her path to victory was closed, something Mr. Trump long refused to say he would do.
 Burlington does allow on-line voting – a small proportion of citizens used that service. The voting machines the city uses are not on-line. This past week however, a few media outlets published an alarming story based on comments attributed to computer scientists from some of the nation’s leading academic institutions. They urged candidates to request audits of the election in a handful of states. Their reason being that it appeared results in counties which rely solely on computerized voting machines demonstrated a statistically different result as compared to counties where paper ballots alone were used. Had the election been ‘hacked’?
Further analysis of the data revealed that there were other explanations for the statistical differences. Those computer scientists – cautious as most scientists are – clarified their position. There was no proof the election machines had been tampered with, but they maintained their push to have an audit performed to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
Thanks to an 11th hour fundraising effort by US Green Party Candidate Jill Stein, a recount is now underway in Wisconsin. However, major concerns have been raised based on the fact that in those counties where computerized voting machines were used, there is nothing to count. The only recourse is a computer forensics audit of the equipment.
Internationally renowned computer security expert Bruce Schneier commented on the situation this week. He pointed out that “computer forensics investigations are not easy, and they’re not quick. And in the end, we might not even get a definitive answer.”
On Thursday CBC Radio’s As It Happens featured an interview on the subject with former IBM researcher Dr. Barbara Simons, an expert on election security. Dr. Simons recently testified before the Special Committee on Electoral Reform (ERRE) in Ottawa. In her interview Dr. Simons warned “if you want to have the elections hacked in Canada, the best thing to do is have internet voting.” Internet voting is basically computerized voting machines on steroids.
A few weeks ago I wrote an opinion piece on an upcoming decision by Burlington City Council on the use of internet voting. The comments in the Gazette confirmed I was not alone in my concern. At Standing Committee, the recommendation was put forward (with a 6-0 vote) to accept the staff recommendation and continue to offer internet voting in Burlington in the 2018 Municipal Election. Staff defended their position based partly on the specious argument that “everyone else is doing it.” Convenience had won the day over concerns surrounding ballot secrecy and security.
Last week two other Ontario municipalities considered this issue. The City of Waterloo, home to one of the country’s leading University computer science programs, decided (once again) that internet voting was not worth the risk. Their decision was guided by advice from one of the University’s computer science professors, as well as an engineer with a leading technology security company based in the region. On Twitter Regional Councillor Jane Mitchell thanked Waterloo Council for “showing that you are really tech savvy”. Which is to say, rejecting Internet voting doesn’t show that you are backward-looking, it shows that you actually understand the technology, and the risks.
The Clerk for the City of Toronto also put forward a damning report on internet voting, and recommended not to proceed. The report cited among a myriad of issues a lack of liability on the part of third-party internet voting system vendors. They highlighted the fact that “the internet was designed to share information, not to secure it”. They rightly observed that voting is a unique service, very unlike other services offered by a municipality. It is not the same thing as paying a parking ticket and should not be looked at from the same perspective. This recommendation will be considered by Council there in the coming weeks.
 If these voting machines were connected to the internet the belief among many experts is that the results they give could be tampered with. Back to that US contest for a moment; the result of the election has been called into question, thanks in part to electronic voting machines. Mr. Trump has decried the audit process now underway a ‘scam’, despite months of claiming the system was ‘rigged’ – when it looked like he would lose. To quote Mr. Schneir again, “Elections serve two purposes. First, and most obvious, they are how we choose a winner. But second, and equally important, they convince the loser - and all the supporters - that he or she lost. If the election system fails to do the second, we risk undermining the legitimacy of our democratic process.”
This situation is likely only to further deepen divisions and polarize the electorate. Do we really want the potential for a situation like this here in Burlington, or in Canada for that matter?
Hopefully our Council will reconsider their earlier decision and give this direction some sober second thought.
 Gareth Williams is a graduate of the Political Science program at McMaster University. He works in Information Technology in Hamilton with 18 years in the field. Gareth lives in Brant Hills with his wife and their dog Misty.’
Background links:
Simons, an expert on election security
Experts urge Clinton to challenge the us presidential race results
Williams told Council he thought they were making a mistake – they went ahead and made it anyway.
By Pepper Parr
November 27, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Update: We have been advised that the Progressive Conservative nomination meeting for the Burlington association held yesterday was managed by the party offices. While Jane Michaels said she did have scrutineers in the count she was not advised as to how many votes were actually cast. Why the secret?
There were two Janes running for the provincial Progressive Conservative nomination. Jane McKenna won the nomination – this is the third time she has been the nominee. In DATE she was basically given the nomination and went on to win the seat defeating Burlington lawyer Karmel Sakran.
 Jane McKenna with her new look. In 2014 McKenna had to defend her seat against first time Liberal candidate Eleanor McMahon and was defeated.
She entered the ring for a third time Saturday and defeated that other Jane – Jane Michael, who is the chair of the Halton District Catholic school board by 41 votes.
Michael said she had a “good honest run with a stellar team that did everything possible to get out the vote.”
A person in a position to know said Michael ran into a number of obstacles getting herself recognized as a candidate claiming that she was interviewed by the PC party as a candidate just three days prior to the nomination meeting and was approved just 12 hours before the nomination meeting took place.
According to this source Michael received the membership list less than 12 hours before the voting took place and that 15 of the members she had signed up were challenged as members.
This source also claims that 25 of the McKenna voters all lived at the same address.
It appears to have been messy.
The Gazette was not able to reach anyone in the McKenna campaign team.
The next provincial election takes place on June 7, 2018 when McKenna will have to run against McMahon who has been made a member of the Wynne cabinet as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and a member of the Ontario government Treasury Board.
Background links:
McKenna’s first nomination.
By Pepper Parr
November 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The city has a number of Advisory committees made up of people appointed by city council.
Those appointed are, for the most part, made up of people who apply to sit on the committee.
Some of the advisory committees are very effective and play a significant role in developing policy that city council eventually adopts. The Heritage Advisory committee is one example as is the Cycling committee (BCC)
 The green bike lanes are intended to help highlight the bike lane portion of the road, reminding motorists and cyclists to be aware of each other and drive with caution. This is especially important at intersections where cars must cross over the bike lane to make a right-hand turn. The new road markings are being installed as part of the resurfacing project on Guelph Line and Fairview Street. That committee met Tuesday, September 27, 2016 with the following members present: Don Thorpe (Chair), Chris Ariens, Brad Slade, Jackie Lodder, Glenn Cockfield, Jeff Brooks, James Schofield, Brett Moore, Teresa Baerg. Also attending were: Councillor Jack Dennison, Dan Ozimkovic, Kendra Willard and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)
Dan Thorpe advised that the Cycling Committee was requesting $150,000 in 2017 Capital budget to update Cycling Master Plan.
To the surprise of some- the committee has started working on a road diet for Maple Avenue from Lakeshore Road to just south of Mapleview Mall – a pilot project for next spring. The last pilot project on New Street was a total disaster – not because it was a bad idea but due to the terrible communications issues.
The Cycling Committee has also started working on a road diet for Lakeshore Road from water treatment plant to Eastport Drive. That part of the city is part of a very detailed and involved plan to turn the Beachway Park into a significant outdoor destination that might actually see the light of day – but that is at least a decade away.
The committee purchased four more bike repair stations which will be installed next year. One location will be the Elgin Street promenade. – looking for suggestions on other locations from committee.
 The Burlington Cycling Advisory Committee is talking to the folks in Hamilton about creating a bike share program for the city. The committee is talking with Hamilton to extend their BikeShare program to Burlington. Metrolinx is apparently willing to cover approximately half the cost. Need to determine strategy for balance of cost and get Council’s buy-in.
The committee has seven bike racks left for that can be given to any business that meets the criteria.
The committee reported in its minutes that the New Street road diet opened on August 23 – “very negative feedback was received at the beginning but is reducing. Collecting traffic and length of time data via Bluetooth technology which has shown that there hasn’t been a huge increase in travel delay. Will be going out with a drone to collect additional data. No issues have been received from police, fire, ambulance or Transit.”
What proved to be close at an albatross around the neck of the Mayor hasn’t really been given a chance. The New Street Road diet was an idea that seemed like a good one at the time. Shortly after the roads were marked with the sharrows the Region began digging up part of New Street for water pipes.
 Special lanes for bicycles are marked with painted sharrows on city streets. Sharing the road is part of Burlington’s future – and is proving to be difficult for a city that is addicted it its cars – partly because transit is so inconvenient. It seemed as if one level of government didn’t talk to or know what the other level of government was doing – when there is a committee that meets monthly to review who is constructing what where so that there is no overlap. Someone appears to have forgotten to send that meeting memo to Burlington’s Transportation department.
The Cycling committee is doing its job – they just don’t seem to be able to get aligned with what the Transportation department is doing.
Councillor Dennison provided his perspective on opening day and noted that traffic was moving well. He said he had received positive comments from residents and that it is safer to cross New Street and the speed of traffic is reduced.
In a test drive the Gazette did on New Street during rush hour traffic in the evening we didn’t experience anything in the way of delays worth mentioning. We saw just the one rider using the cycling lanes.
The Regional Health Department has $1,000 the BCC can use for an event or communication. Use it for communication and clear up the communication story quickly before they lose all their credibility.
Committee discussed and felt that although the data they appear to have is important information, now was not the right time for a communication on sidewalk cycling, given the current negative feedback for New Street.
What is one to make of all that?
 By Merron Vermeer
November 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
I think we can all agree that this is a much more urgent issue than hydro bills or housing prices. Let’s put some effort into protecting our most vulnerable.
Right now, if an adult has sex with a child, the minimum sentence is 1 year in jail. For “less serious” sexual crimes against children, six months is a possibility. These sexual predators can get out early on good behaviour. Nobody who violates the sanctity of a child’s body deserves to be rewarded for good behaviour. They have demonstrated behaviour that destroys a child’s trust in adults, a child’s right to be safe, a child’s sense of belonging in a just community. There are many addictions that hurt the addict.
But the sexual exploitation of children traumatizes the innocent with wounds that never heal. No one who uses a child to satisfy a physical urge and then walk away without remorse should get any free pass for good behaviour. The behaviour is abhorrent. Unfortunately, it is easier than ever for this depravity to continue. There is a growing community of child abusers who work together to satisfy their destructive urges.
 A pedophile is mentally ill. They are a danger to the public, especially vulnerable children. Jail is not the only solution. I know bad things happen in this world, and I can usually read about it, worry about it, and then hold my own children close, while trying to move on. But this? This is too absurd to me. How is this not the MOST punishable crime in Canada? The longest jail sentence. Right alongside murder. Have you ever talked to a victim of sexual abuse? It’s a life long sentence. A struggle to rise above the despicable acts that were performed on them in their most vulnerable stage of life. Trust in humanity is broken.
Those images and feelings of violation and helplessness never leave them. There is unwarranted guilt. Embarrassment. But most painfully, abandonment of community. We, as a society, allow their predators back out, to walk the streets, enjoying a freedom that victims will never feel.
As well, since most of these crimes are perpetrated by men, women start to distrust all men. It’s not fair to the good men that are just as passionate about the safety and well-being of children as any woman. My dad. My husband. My son. But sadly, when the media reports the details of yet another pedophile, it weakens the trust we have in men. Human decency demands that men and women work together to strengthen the laws that protect our most vulnerable.
Currently, the Canadian courts can offer a lighter sentence to pedophiles who agree to medication or chemical castration that will help to manage their sexual impulses. But they cannot force them to continue treatments indefinitely once the sentence has been completed. Physical castration is considered the most severe and controversial response to sex crimes. But, you know what? It would be a pretty effective deterrent!
I am a mother and a kindergarten teacher. I am particularly invested in, and connected to our most innocent community members. I will take every one of these stories of twisted, self-indulgent pedophiles to my grave. I will n.e.v.e.r understand how a human being could take pleasure in the sexual violation of babies. It is brutal and cruel and there is NO excuse.
With the increase in demand for child pornography, child prostitution, and other forms of child exploitation, I hope there will be appropriate consequences that send the message to pedophiles that they are NOT okay. Their actions will be punished. They will be judged harshly. No second or third or fourth chances. I get it that they are sick. Most times they ADMIT this in court. They’re mentally ill. But in these cases, they must be held criminally responsible. If that means castration, so be it. I need to know that the children on my watch can play in the park without fear. That, as a community, we will judge sexual predators harshly and demand the kind of punishment that will deter them.
Speak out against this insidious behaviour before it threatens even one more innocent life. Children trust us to keep them safe. I want the legal system to reflect this by getting tougher on sexual crimes against children.
Merron Vermeer is a mother and a kindergarten teacher with the Halton Board of Education. She shares her personal views.
 Editor’s note: Every pedophile was at some point in their early lives abused. It becomes a self-perpetuating circle. There is a way to break that process: Circles of Support and Accountability – a process that allows the community to take responsibility for the damage that was done. No one was born a pedophile – the society they were raised in got them to the point where they damage others.
By Staff
November 26th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
She is back.
 Jane McKenna will refine her attack and begin her campaign to get herself re-elected the member of the provincial legislature for Burlington.
Congratulations Ms McKenna.
 By Staff
November 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Road Closure
Due to a broken water main, Harvester Road will be temporarily closed between Appleby Line and Walkers Line, Burlington.
 By Staff
November 25, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Ontario is helping seniors across the province continue to connect with and contribute to their communities by supporting local programs that help them stay involved, learn new skills and lead active lives.
Organizations can now apply for support for local projects through the Seniors Community Grant program. Applications will be open until March 3, 2017 and can be accessed online.
Link to the applications forms: https://www.seniors.gov.on.ca/en/index.php
 It didn’t require funding from anyone for this group of seniors to put their ideas and transit needs. Successful projects will reflect the diversity of Ontario’s seniors and encourage seniors’ community involvement through volunteerism, learning, social inclusion and physical activity. Projects funded in past years have ranged from music therapy programs, to social media classes, to mentor-ship programs linking seniors with young people.
This year, projects focusing on raising public awareness and prevention of elder abuse will be given priority. This is part of the government’s commitment to help stop elder abuse by supporting a secure and supportive environment for Ontario’s seniors.
Supporting our seniors is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
The Seniors Community Grant Program, the first grant program in Ontario dedicated solely to seniors, is designed to give seniors more opportunities to participate in their communities by providing funding to not-for-profit community groups for projects that encourage greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement for seniors.
 Seniors taking in an afternoon concert. This grant program will make $2 million available for projects across Ontario that will help more seniors become socially engaged and feel part of their communities. Grants range from $1000 to $8,000.
Read the program guidelines and use this application form.
Contact points:
Email: seniorscommunitygrant@ontario.ca
Toll Free: 1-866-SCG-2017 (1-866-724-2017)
TTY (for the hearing impaired): 1-800-387-5559
Applications will be accepted between November 25, 2016 and March 3, 2017. Projects must not start prior to June 15, 2017 and be completed by March 31, 2018.
By Staff
November 25th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The police know your house was robbed – they’ve found your stuff and they have the criminals in custody – now they have to find you.
The Halton Regional Police Service, Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau is appealing to residents to come forward to identify property following the November 3, 2016 arrest of two individuals in connection with multiple break and enters in the Burlington area.
 Is this missing from your garage? Investigation by officers has determined that the duo was active in the early evening and overnight hours, targeting property in driveways and garages.
Numerous items, which police believe to be stolen, were seized following the recent execution of a search warrant at a storage locker. Recovered property includes tools, bicycles and trailers.
In an effort to identify the rightful owners of the items, the Halton Regional Police Service has established a web page with photos for members of the public who may have been victims of theft fitting this description to visit and review.
The link to that site is:
https://www.haltonpolice.ca/crimefiles/property/index.php
A note of caution – the pages don’t always load very quickly
Any questions about the items shown should be directed to Detective Constable Mark Urie at 905-825-4747 ext. 2338 or mark.urie@haltonpolice.ca.
In the meantime, residents are reminded to always keep a record of property owned with serial numbers and/or something identifiable such as etching.
Karen ZABOLOTNY , 36, of Burlington and Ugo MAURO , 47, of Mississauga have been charged with several property related offences including Theft Under $5000, Break and Enter – Commit Theft, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime.
 By Staff
November 25th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington will be doing some I.T. maintenance. As a result, the following services will be unavailable from Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at 10 p.m. until 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 27:
• GIS services
• Mapping page and services
• Open Data page
 By Pepper Parr
November 25th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
There is now a little bit more to tell about the conversations that have taken place between people at City Hall, the Art Gallery of Burlington and Brock University.
In a previous article we said: “Turns out that Brock University, headquartered in St. Catharines, has been sniffing around the Art Gallery of Burlington to see if some kind of a deal can be put together.”
There are a number of different pieces that need to be pulled together to get a clearer picture of what might be taking place.
We know that Brock University people have been talking to people in Burlington. At the time we didn’t know quite what the Brock agenda was. Nor did we know who at City hall was having the conversations with Brock – was it on the administrative side or the political side?
We do know that the discussions put the president of the Art Gallery of Burlington in an awkward position.
We are now pretty sure those conversations were with the Office of the Mayor.
What was the connection between Brock, the AGB – that we did not know.
Some context.
 Martin von Zan and his daughter Kayla of Interkom Smart Marketing Martin van Zon of Burlington based Interkom Smart Marketing prides himself on the work he has done for the St. Catharines Performing Art Centre where we understand he has helped them with fund raising. Van Zon was always disappointed that the Burlington Performing arts centre didn’t avail themselves of his services.
We know that Martin van Zon has had discussions with Mayor Goldring about being involved in the Mayor’s re-election campaign. We suspect he has asked von Zon to play a major role in his 2018 re-election campaign.
We know that Kayla , Martin’s van Zon’s daughter, is deeply embedded in the Mayors Millennial Advisory Committee. she was part of the committee, along with a Kimberly Calderbank, Christopher Reuse and Tyler Freeman who presented their subcommittees co-created critical success factors for the work plan at the May meeting of the Millennial Advisory Committee.
We know as well that Martin van Zon has been hired by Brock University as a consultant to help the University decide what it wants to do with the Rodman Collection.
How do all these pieces come together?
 Rodman Hall Art Centre – part of Brock University in St. Catharines has a highly rated collection. In 2003 Brock University bought the Rodman Hall Arts Centre for the token fee of two dollars, and the agreement that no assets or holdings would be sold off for 20 years.
In 2015, Brock University VP Finance and Administration Brian Hutchings said Brock is “looking to reduce its subsidy to the Rodman Hall Arts Centre by 50%”. He is reported to have added that they needed to determine where Rodman fits in Brock’s orbit which was something to be studied. The university then went looking for an external consultant.
They ended up hiring van Zon for a reported $50,000 to hold four discussion meetings in St. Catharines about the Rodman Hall Arts Centre.
Those meetings did not go all that well. We will return to them
A little more background.
In 1955, St. Catharine’s residents began to develop an interest in a cultural centre. They saw many advantages from the coordination of activities among the cultural groups active in St. Catharines and region and decided to hold a conference to explore some ideas.
From that meeting came the idea that an arts council be formed. With that objective set – the group set out to find a building and facilities to provide workshop and studio space for activities of the member groups and a gallery for art exhibitions. They did that during 1957-58.
In early 1959, the nascent Arts Council approached Mr. T. R. Merritt, then the owner of Rodman Hall, and learned that Mr. Merritt was not only willing to sell his property, but was pleased at the prospect of his family home becoming a civic cultural centre. An agreement was reached quickly, on price and conditions, and the Arts Council was ready to proceed with property purchase and arts centre establishment.
 St, Catharines is bisected by the Welland Canal. The Rodman home was built for one of the sons of the man who built the first canal. St. Catharines is bisected by the Welland Canal – the route that let ships pass from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. William Hamilton Merritt (1793-1862) built the first Welland Canal. The accomplishments of the various members of the Merritt family are so significant to St. Catharine’s that the city declared November 27th a “Merritt Day.” which marks the anniversary of the first passage of a vessel through the Welland canal.
Rodman Hall became Rodman Hall Arts Centre on September 17, 1960
From 1960 through to 1975 the Hall grew adding to its collection and to the size of the property. It was seen as one of the best preservation efforts in the province.
New facilities provided by the 1975 expansion qualified Rodman Hall as a “National Exhibition Centre” with the principal function of providing exhibitions of fine art which may be seen by the people of St. Catharines and Niagara Region. Being designated a National Exhibition Centres was significant; it meant that quality work could be displayed from the most important galleries in Canada including the National Museums of Canada International Exhibition Programme.
 An installation at Rodman Hall From 1975 until the end of 1981, 125 exhibitions have been presented. Attendance has increased 50 per cent in the last ten years. By the end of 1981 the collection numbered 375 works valued at $550,000.
Rodman Hall flourished.
By the end of the 1990s however accessing public funds was becoming increasingly difficult for the Rodman administration
Brock University stepped in and bought the place in 2003 when they were flush. Rodman Hall continued to operate as a public entity distinct from the university.
Brock’s financial contributions toward running the facility and maintaining the building and property rose considerably over the past decade. The university calls the costs for ongoing operations and needed capital upgrades “a growing concern.”
A recent Rodman Hall budget of $840,000 Brock kicked in $576,000.
Brock needed a way to cut its contribution in half, and asked Rodman Hall’s citizen advisory committee to offer suggestions by early summer on how to achieve that goal.
When Brock University bought Rodman Hall for two bucks, the sales agreement stipulated Brock couldn’t sell off any property or assets for at least 20 years.
The flush days of 2003 had clearly come to an end.
 Rodman Hall Art Centre – outdoor art classes. All other facets of the university’s operation have been recently scrutinized, said Brock’s top finance official Brian Hutchings, and Rodman Hall is no exception.
Many thought Rodman should be self-sufficient. Those of us who look at the cost of running the art Gallery of Burlington and the Performing Arts centre know better.
This is where van Zon enters the picture. He has a $50,000 contract from the university to hold discussions with the St. Catharines community. He reports to the Brock University board of trustees.
The meetings van Zon held didn’t go very well – in fact they went rather badly.
The buzz in St. Catharines is that Rodman will be “given” to a “newly formed non-profit” in the summer of 2016, whose mandate will be to then sell the parkland and building. This money will then be the base of a larger fundraising campaign to build a new public gallery in downtown St. Catharines.
Interkom Smart Marketing was said to be “re-evaluating Brock’s relationship to Rodman Hall Arts Centre”. This was not going down very well with the St. Catharines arts community. van Zon was getting a very rough ride.
van Zon appears to have come up with a solution – make a deal with the Art Gallery of Burlington that has them taking on the Rodman collection with perhaps some of the funding coming along with it.
 Did Brock University want to convince the Art Gallery to take their collection. What a feather that would be in the Mayor’s cap – nice wave to ride an election win on.
The Rodman collection has a far superior reputation than the Art Gallery of Burlington collection.
Would it be less than logical to conclude that Martin Van Zon believes he can deliver a big one for the Mayor by having the Art Gallery of Burlington accept the Rodman collection? Are we certain? No – for the most part this is speculation. But if you look at the record and all that has taken place, it is not too far from a logical conclusion.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for a statement from the Office of the Mayor
What got this story started?
 By Ray Rivers
November 25th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It is said that in order to know where you want to go, you need to know where you’ve been. In political life that is called experience and education. So what makes a 19 year old first-year university student think he has the qualifications to represent a provincial riding at Queen’s Park? And why would the electors put someone with so few qualifications into office.
 Sam Oosterhoff elected to serve as the Member of the provincial parliament for Niagara West- Glanbrook. That is what voters in the recent by-election of Niagara West-Glanbrook (NWG) did. Sam Oosterhoff is the youngest MPP to grace the halls of Queen’s Park, ever. It might be an age thing though. The voters in that area first elected former PC leader Tim Hudak at age 27 making him one of the youngest MPP’s at that time. And if this trend continues we could expect the next member from there to take up office at the ripe old age of eleven. Perhaps this is a brilliant strategy by the voters to engage youth in the political process. If we can’t get them to turn out to vote, then we’ll just have to elect them into office.
Or perhaps it is the fashion these days – electing unqualified candidates. People are fed up with those professional politicians who have worked their way up – you know the ones the rabble refer to as the elites. US president-elect Donald Trump is more than 50 years older than Sam, but has neither worked in government, nor sought, let alone been elected to, any political office. But that didn’t stop almost half of voting Americans from putting the ignoramus into the highest office in the land. Some Americans would rather have Sam as their president, I’m sure.
There is something about democracy ensuring that you get the government you deserve. And maybe experience doesn’t matter anymore. If that is the case then why do our MPP’s get six figure salaries? If experience counts for nothing what is this nonsense about having to pay the big bucks to attract good candidates, when any Joe can do the job? Not many of Sam’s peers at university will be pulling in that kind of dough as they finish off their degrees.
Isn’t it about respect in the end? How can we claim to respect our electoral system when almost anybody can be elected? Well anybody should be able to get elected, but wouldn’t it behoove them to at least have a little experience under their belt? There are few tests for candidates, though the political parties have a screening process. Did young Sam slip though the cracks or was this some kind of joke the Tories were playing on the electors.
The truth is that the only qualification that matters in politics is that you have been elected. Looking back to the US election, while everyone concedes that Hillary Clinton was the most qualified candidate to contest that position in years, that alone didn’t get her elected. Sometimes it’s style, charisma, star quality or sympathy that wins the hearts of the voters – nothing to do with the candidates actual experience.
 Progressive Conservative candidate Sam Oosterhoff, for Niagara-West Glanbrook, speaks to members of the media after casting his vote in the byelection at Spring Creek Church in Vineland, Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett Some might say that electing Sam was a protest vote against the Wynne government, but NWG had been a Tory riding for over two decades – and re-electing a Tory is hardly a protest. That would be an even greater insult to Sam, who was likely running for what he could do, rather than trying to keep the government from doing what they do.
And while the Liberals may be stuck at the bottom of the polls, they had no trouble retaining the other by-election seat up for grabs last week in Ottawa-Vanier. So we can only wish Sam the best as he embraces his new job. It will be a full-time learning curve – and with his MPP salary, a very expensive education.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington in 1995. He was the founder of the Burlington citizen committee on sustainability at a time when climate warming was a hotly debated subject. Tweet @rayzrivers
Background links:
Niagara West-Glanbrook – Sam Oosterhoff – More Oosterhoff –
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