Power restoration well under way with small pockets still without hydro.

December 24, 2013

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  The city opened three locations where people could go to for warmth and shelter while power in residences was out if they were unable to find any other place to go to.

Burlington Fire Station No. 5, at 2241 Kilbride St., in North Burlington.  The Seniors’ Centre on New St., – Central Park adjacent to the Central Library and Arena and the Haber Recreation Centre in Alton Village at Tim Dobbie Dr., just north of Dundas were originally set up but by Monday evening the city was able to cut that back to just the one location – the Haber Recreation Centre.

Residents of North Burlington met at Kilbride Fire Station Monday afternoon for an update from the City,  Burlington Hydro and Halton Region about post-ice storm cleanup and power restoration efforts.

Power has been restored to most homes in Burlington, but there are still small pockets across the city without electricity.

Haber Recreation Centre gymnasium: Is this to be “home” for anyone in Burlington on Christmas Day?

Haber is now the city’s primary warming station. Residents from across the city who still lack electricity are encouraged to visit Haber Recreation Centre to warm up or stay overnight.

Those heading to the evacuation centre to stay overnight should bring the following items: sleeping bags, extra blankets, toiletries, medication, money, identification and warm clothes. Also consider books, board games, playing cards, electronic devices with chargers and extra batteries.

Domestic pets are also welcome at the evacuation centre and will be housed in a separate area. Please bring pet crates, food and pet dishes.

Kilbride Fire Station No. 5 will remain open overnight and tomorrow as a warming centre and as place for residents to pick up drinking water.

Now that the Haber evacuation centre is operational, the warming station at the Seniors’ Centre has been closed.

For more details:

See city updates at www.Burlington.ca  or directly at the city’s Ice Storm link

To report power outages and to hear the latest hydro updates,  call Burlington Hydro at 1-877-310-4937

To report fallen trees or branches call 905-333-6166 or email  rpm@burlington.ca

Halton Region will be picking up brush in the coming weeks in both urban and rural areas of the city.

Public inquiries can be directed tonight, Monday the 23rd  from 5 to 10 p.m. to 905-467-0135 and tomorrow, Tuesday the 24th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

 

Return to the Front page

The power outage and retail politics. Who was on the front line and who wasn’t?

December 23, 2013.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  We were away for three days and missed the havoc the weather wreaked on Burlington.  Tucked away safely in Huntsville for a family pre-Christmas we watched as Toronto struggled to get a grip on their problems.  CHCH didn’t have all that much on Burlington so when we headed back Monday afternoon we weren’t at all sure what we were going to find.  Did the pipes freeze and burst.  Did a tree fall on the house?

The drive down Hwy 11 and the 400 then 407 was all but perfect.  Cruising down Guelph Line everything looked fine and as we turned into Palmer Drive we didn’t see any damage worth noting.

Damaging but beautiful to observe in the late afternoon sunshine

We did marvel at how beautiful those trees in the fields along Hwy 11 and 400 covered in ice looked as they glistened in the afternoon sunshine.  Sheer beauty.

Eventually got a sense of the Burlington situation when we went on-line and got caught up.  Our power never did go out – the clocks were right on in terms of time and other than some branch damage in the back yard we were fine – but many others were not.

We read of the Warming Centre set up by the city and the Region – who didn’t always seem to be on the same page.  There was a solid stream of media releases from the city as well where Helen Wallahura appeared to be the only person speaking for the city.

We understand the Mayor was at city hall but there was nothing from him – unless he was tweeting or putting everything up on his blog.

What was interesting and revealing was the way the ward Councillors used or didn’t use social media.  Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was all over the place and seemed to be putting out more information that city hall and Burlington Hydro combined.  Her output was retail politics at its best.

In one email the thread read like this:

There wasn’t all that much need to see who was behind you – you probably weren’t going anywhere anyway.

As of 5:30 pm tonight, power is out in 12 of the city’s 28 transformers, affecting about 4800 customers. Hardest hit are areas in North Burlington where falling trees have brought down power lines, creating serious safety issues. Those areas will be brought back up first.

 Once individual transformers are up, there will be several days of tree clearing and re-hanging power lines, radiating from the transformer out. Therefore, the further you live from a transformer, the longer you could be without power.

 Ward 2 areas affected

  Pockets of streets in Ward 2 are still without power, including parts of Martha St, Wellington, Caroline, Emerald Cresc. Ghent, Drury Lane, Bridgeman, Lorne and more. This isn’t a full list, but what I know about right now.

 Let me know if you have power, or are out of power. I’ll provide updates on social media throughout the night.

 Ward 2 may be without power for 36 or more hours.

  What to do if you are without power

 If you are without power, there are several options:

 ?? Call a friend to stay with

  ?? Can’t get out? Call my cell at 905-220-5749 and I’ll arrange for fire department pickup.

  ?? Know someone who is a shut in? Let me know and we’ll check on them.

Part of Meed Ward’s Facebook page read like this:

Councillor Meed Ward was everywhere – with very specific and detailed information.  The only thing she didn’t tell people was which pizza delivery services had power.

Councillor Meed Ward kept the pace up and was getting great response from her readers.

Councillor Blair Lancaster did have an entry on her Facebook page but there was some splash back she certainly didn’t appreciate.  There is only so much damage a franchise can take – the Miss Canada story may have run its course in Burlington.

 

Social media has its plus side – but being a two-way pipeline – the blow-back can be – unsettling.

There were situations like this across the province – that may keep some people out of their homes Christmas Day.

Based purely on what we were able to see on social media there was never the sense that the Mayor was in charge; that he was in regular touch with the people who were driving the response on the ground.  Did the Mayor tour the city at all with either the fire chief or some of the EMS people.  If he did there was no mention of that on social media.

Councillor Meed Ward understand retail politics better than anyone else in this city – that became abundantly evident during the power outages.  Expect to see her out checking on things Christmas Day as well.

Do people turn to the city website for information?  Or do they rely on people they have confidence in and trust?

 

Many people did get a generic Christmas message from Jeff Fielding, the city manager who apologized for not getting a thank you note out to individual people but explained the combination of the snow storm and the rain that turned into ice – there just wasn’t any time.

At least we knew he was there.

 

 

 

Return to the Front page

Rivers plans his Christmas shopping: it could have been worse.

December 24, 2013

By Ray Rivers

BURLINGTON, ON.   Ray Rivers usually writes for us the last part of each week – but his material has a best before date that happens to be Christmas Day – so – from the pen – or keyboard of the Ridiculous Ray River we give you:  A dialogue:

So come on sweetie, you seemed to manage every other year – how many is it now? 

“Yeah I know, but this year it’s seems like I have to deliver more coal than candy, if you know what I mean.”  “What is the problem dearie, its your job.  Do I have to do all the thinking around here?  “ Ok – you’re right – but do you think you could help me with this, honey bunch”?  Fire away, Santa Baby.

The old pitchman trying to sell a Judge on a golf ball scheme. Chretien at the Gomery Inquiry

 “Jean Chretien?”  Golf balls. “Again?”

 “And Mulroney?”  Has he been good?  “I think so – let me see – yeah he kept his head down this year”  What did he ask for?  “An envelope of unmarked bills… again”. “Why not give some more shoes for Mila and a cheque made out to that disgusting Karl Heinz guy ?

 “Ah, here’s a tough one – Rob Ford”?   I know were supposed to give and not take – but lets do him a favour and take away his recreational drugs.

 

He was born to be different -just how different is something we will have to wait for.

“And Justin Trudeau”?  “Give him Fords drugs.

 “Wow, you’re good at this – so for Stephen Harper some new music so we won’t have to listen to him ruining the Beatles – besides it’s so yesterday… get it, Yesterday.  Oh and some anti-depressants to lighten him up little”. Yes, thats the spirit you ole flying-sleigh driver – and maybe do something to stop his nose from growing every time he opens his mouth

 “By Jove, I think I’m on a roll.  For Pamela Wallin a new board directorship.  She no longer has to pretend she is doing Senate work.  I’ll put it conveniently in Saskatchewan.  Mike Duffy’ll get a subscription to weight watchers and Nigel Wright a cheque for $90,000.  I’ll drop off some boxing lessons for Patrick Brazeau, so he won’t get whipped so pathetically by Trudeau next time around.

 “Dont forget to give Joe Oliver and the NEB a lump of coal for pushing so hard for those pipelines“Better still, I’ll give him a pot full of tar smack dab from the tar sands – Brer’ Oliver.  For Jim Flaherty I’ll just wrap up the Ford brothers, he likes them so much – and sending them to Whitby-Oshawa will be Jason Kenny’s gift as well.”

“For Tom Mulcair I have a shaving kit – you’d think he was competing with me with that hideous looking beard.”  I do hate the whisker burn I end up with after our annual get-it-on whether we need it or not, you old red-coated devil.  “Oh – I can’t leave out Elizabeth May.  How about one of those old classic two-seat Honda hybrids, now that she has finally got another Green Party member to fill the second seat.”

Is this the Whitehorse Post Office?

 “There, youre almost done.  What about that CEO, Chopra, from the Post Office? “Oh yeah I’ll help him get some exercise… a ‘group mail box’ of his very own in Whitehorse.  That man really cares about seniors staying fit.  Oh and I’ll give his gold-plated pension to the Salvation Army.”

 “Let’s not forget Mike Wallace.”  How about a column of his own in the Burlington Gazette?  “Right, but does he have anything to say?  And since you mention that, how about a printing press for Pepper Par so he can give people the feel of a real newspaper.?  There youre all done.  I told you it wouldt be that hard. 

 “Except for that Ray Rivers character.”  Well I know hed be happy if we just wished all the readers a very merry Christmas.

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 against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.

Return to the Front page

Target stores get hit with credit card breach – data stolen on thousands of cards.

December 20, 2013

By Staff.

BURLINGTON, ON.  You will have heard about the 40 million credit and debit cards that were stolen from Target store computers.  That theft is going to do as yet untold damage to the Target corporation.

And it is likely to impact a lot of individuals.  There are several ways you can protect yourself.

This type of card is dangerous.  The data on the magnetic strip is easily stole.

First – never use your debit or credit card on a machine that swipes the magnetic stripe on the back of the card.  If the device at the place you are doing a transaction does not have a pin feature – that’s where you push the card into the device – don’t use it and tell the operator of the location that you will not use the level of technology.

High school students now know how to steal the data from your card on machines that rely on the magnetic stripe.  It is very unsafe.

The second thing you can do is get a credit card that has a predetermined limit.  Something in the $500 range and use that for your on line purchases.  There are a number of organizations that offer these cards – Home Trust in Canada has this kind of card.  While it is called a credit card – it is really a Visa card that you load your money on.  Because it has a small limit – your full line of credit on another card is not exposed.

The data on this type of card is within that gold square – very hard to breach that kind of technology.

When Target announced the computer breach they advised that thieves had accessed data stored on the magnetic stripe on the back of credit and debit cards during the Black Friday weekend through card swiping machines that could have been tampered with at the retailer’s stores, a practice known as card skimming.

The data could have been used to create counterfeit cards that could even be used to withdraw money at an ATM, according to the reports.

Target said it “is working closely with law enforcement and financial institutions, and has identified and resolved the issue.” It also said it was working with an outside forensics firm. 

The data that was stolen was sold within hours of its theft and was being used the next day.

Security news writer Brian Krebs reported Wednesday that it was first thought that the breach extended from just after Thanksgiving 2013 to Dec. 6. But investigators found evidence that the breach may have lasted up to Dec. 15, which has now been confirmed by Target.

The Target store computers were the target for data thieves.  Someone took a big bite out of them.

Millions of cardholder accounts may have been vulnerable after the breach that is believed to have affected about 40,000 card machines at store registers, The Wall Street Journal said, quoting people familiar with the situation. Sources at two of the top 10 card issuers told Krebs that the breach had affected nearly all Target locations in the U.S.  They make no direct mention of Canadian locations – we have two of them in Burlington.

Return to the Front page

No coal for these Christmas stockings – the Significant Seven are not forgotten.

 December 19, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  We wish each and every one of the significant seven that set policy at city hall the Merriest of Christmases.  .  We have watched you; perhaps more than anyone else in the city, as you have done the job you were each elected to do.  On this your last Christmas this term we want to put our wish for you in that Christmas stocking you have hung.  No pieces of coal from us in your Christmas stockings. 

We have watched you for every meeting you have held – well not for those that you chose to go into a CLOSED session for – there were far too many of those by the way.

Has anyone ever done a count as to how many times you have gone into a CLOSED session on the city’s legal travails with the pier?   When you do get someone to count you will shudder.  It didn’t have to be that way.

Let us run through the seven and tell you what we wish for them.  It would not be fair to start with Ward 1 – everyone has been dumping on Councillor Craven recently, so let’s start with the Dean of Council – John Taylor.

John Taylor, Ward 3: Thoughtful, emotional always come out for the little guy.

We would wish John two things – more time at home with his wife and some time to think before he lets his emotions get to his tongue before his brain does.  John knows as much as anyone as to how the city works.  He struggles a bit to pull some of that information off the shelves in his head and pass the information along. 

Would that there were a Senate for municipal politicians – a place people like John could be sent to and where we could call upon them for sober second thought and some refection as to what municipal government is all about.

Jack Dennison, Ward 4  – Still athletic, still breaking he boundaries

For Councillor Jack Dennison in Ward 4 we would wish a membership in the Roseland Community Organization – they chose not to accept his membership cheque and so he is for the most part on the outs with some of the people who make things happen in this city.

We would wish as well,  an Ontario Municipal Board decision that is deserved, one that reflects the best for the community he was elected to represent.

Blair Lancaster, Ward 5:  Picture perfect

For Blair Lancaster, the ward six Councillor,  we wish a clear understanding as to just what a conflict of interest is and to understand as well the difference between the people she was elected to represent and those that have strong vested interests and want to exploit their relationship with her.

As well, we wish her the wisdom to reflect and fully understand the agendas set out for the Standing Committees she now chairs.  There are many watching her performance very closely; this is her chance to show those that wonder if she has what it takes.  And perhaps a can of tiara polish – might be needed to get her over the finish line come October.

Finally, an appreciation for those voters north of the 407.  They basically represent the number of votes Lancaster won by last time out.

Paul Sharman, Ward 5:  Focused, data driven.

For Paul Sharman – the Ward 5 council member who came on so strong during his first year and now seems to have gotten his wheels  spinning in a thing called the data rut.  The art of politics – and it is an art Councillor, not a science, is about people not strategies we wish a biography of Fiorello LaGuardia, the famous Mayor of New York city who loved every constituent he had and often took city buses just to be with them. Irascible, energetic, and charismatic, he craved publicity and is acclaimed as one of the three or four greatest mayors in American history.

We would add to the list of gifts for you, a Friends of Freeman Station – the one you could wear when you apologize for doubting their ability to pull of the magnificent job they have done.  Add to that T-shirt the grace to do the smart thing when they delegate next and thank them and ask how you can help.

But that touch of arrogance, just a bit, wouldn’t let you do that. So add a velvet bag you can put some of that arrogance into and then toss it out.

We would add for you a PRESTO pass that you can wave at campaign meetings to show that you are ready to take the bus.

Rick Craven, Ward 1: Plains Road, Plains Road and Plains Road.

Our wish for Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven is for someone to give the man a good tickle along with a train set he can play with.  Craven has a bad case of serious, serious, serious.  The boy in him needs to be allowed to come out.  We don`t think Councillor Craven has bad manners but we do think he needs to use the ones he was given.  Politics is not a game for the thin-skinned.

A Dear Abbey book on manners will do the trick here.

So for Councillor Craven – the ability to laugh, have fun, engage people, like the people he   represents (not always easy)  Set aside your well-marked copy of the Procedural bylaw and accept the gift of Dale Carnegie’s How to win friends and influence people.   Politics is about people – ya gotta like them and you have to like yourself before you can like others.  Time for some deep reflection – there is a hill on the horizon Craven may not manage to get over.

Then there is His Worship.  He wants to do a good job, and desperately wants to do the right thing – and to be liked at the same time.  Leadership is being able to figure out what the right thing is for the community you lead.  That chain of office can be very heavy at times.  Each time you put on that chain of office – you need to also take on the strength of character voters thought they saw in you when they marked an X beside your name.

Mayor Rick Goldring: Compassionate, still looking for the right direction for him.

Many describe you as a weak Mayor.  Your reasons for running in 2010 were more emotional, with that worked out of your system you can now show the city who you really are with a thoroughly thought out plan.  Losing your senior advisor hasn’t helped.  There is a very good chance you will be acclaimed – which would not be good for Burlington nor for you.  You need to be challenged and further tested and given the opportunity to come through a hard fight and be the Mayor you could be – but that is going to call for you to be stronger, more forthright and more deliberate.  Were a strong well focused candidate to come forward – you can be beaten.

So for you Your Worship a good Churchill biography to gain some sense of how great leaders handle crisis and lead their people – the one done by Roy Jenkins is a perfect place to start.   We can promise that we will not have put another book by Lance Secretan in your stocking.

We wish you time to spend with the people in this city who raised you, perhaps a long talk with a high school teacher.  We wish you time to reach out and find people who can help you shape a second term.  Do something that is well outside your comfort zone –  be bold.

We wish as well, the smarts to better understand how Meed Ward has defined herself and the introspection to determine how you want to define yourself in the months ahead.

Finally, we wish a candidate that will test your mettle and force you to defend all the decisions you made during your first term.  You will be a better Mayor for it – and Burlington will be a better city if you win.

And finally Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward we wish a dictionary with fewer words.  Of the three new Councillors she has grown the most and extended her reach far beyond the boundaries of her ward.  She is the go to person for many people in every ward – but she talks too much.

Marianne Meed Ward, Ward 2:  She has it figured out – now can she pull it off.

Meed Ward no longer has to says she might run for the office of Mayor – other people, many of them, say it for her.  She has changed the way all council members communicate with their constituents.  Her ward “council” is a close to perfect example of how a Councillor should interact with constituents.

Meed Ward may well run for the office of Mayor at some point in the future – but in the world of politics the future is a long, long way off.

She may well be acclaimed in 2014 – the chances of anyone beating her are slim to none.  There is no one on the horizon that comes even close to threatening her.

In the event that she is acclaimed that will keep her out of the 2014 municipal election race – which will drive her bananas.  She loves the game; she loves the job she has and she loves working for people.

While Meed Ward has certainly grown there are some lessons to be learned.  We wish several large colourful pictures for Meed Ward – each picture will save her 1000 words.

We wish her the opportunity to attract advisors who can guide her as she grows.  We wish her the time to take a summer course on economics and finance and how assets can be used as leverage.

There was a time when she had few supporters within staff – that is changing.  She has work to do at the senior levels – she is never going to get to the point where she will be exchanging Christmas cards with the city’s planner.

Burlington’s Significant Seven.

The Season is about to settle upon us.  Home, family, friends and time to relax and reflect are gift we wish for each and every one of you.

Return to city hall in January and meet with the Clerk to file your nomination papers.

Return to the Front page

Two children say no – police now looking for older man carrying a small pink backpack.

December 19, 2013

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  Police are asking the public for the public’s assistance in identifying a man who interacted with two children on Spruce Avenue near Goodram Drive, on  December 17, 2013 at 3:20 p.m.  Two children were walking home from school when a man approached on foot and engaged them in conversation.  During the brief interaction the man offered to give them a ride home, which they refused. 

During the brief interaction the man offered to give them a ride home, which they refused.  The man was described as:  white, 55-60 years of age, 5’10”, average build and short greyish hair.  He wore a toque, dark puffy waist-length jacket, brown pants and was carrying a small pink backpack with black zippers over his shoulder.

 Anyone with information concerning the identity of the individual involved is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2315, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the website   or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).

 


 


 

 

Return to the Front page

Is a sole source contract the only option for delivery of a service? Apparently so. More transparency from the contractor perhaps?

December 19, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  Does a sole source contract fit in with the values of an organization like BurlingtonGreen?  Would one not expect a higher degree of transparency from leaders with a strong moral ethic?

Should one expect to see a fully detailed financial statements of the funds BurlingtonGreen (BG) gets and has on hand?  And should the public they ask to support them financially get a better look at their financial statements?  How much of the BurlingtonGreen funding actually comes from dues paying citizens?

The city is negotiating a two-year sole provider contract with BurlingtonGreen bu the public knows nothing about the finances. 

We expect our city Councillors to tell us how they spend the expense allowance they are given and to post the receipts on the city website – but we don’t call for BurlingtonGreen to do the same.  Why not?

This issue came to the surface when, at a Standing Committee meeting, Councillor Craven was talking about the plans to add additional community gardens to the existing, and very successful Central Park operation one might add, run by Burlington Green.

The staff report being discussed has BurlingtonGreen as the sole provider for services that could reach $50,000 a year; Councilor Craven commented that he wasn’t all that comfortable with just the one provider being considered.

BurlingtonGreen is the strongest advocacy group in the city. They have put Burlington on the may environmentally.

A number of years ago BurlingtonGreen applied for a provincial grant to open a community garden that is  now tucked in behind the Seniors’ Centre north of New Street.  In order to get the grant BG needed the city with them as a partner.  It took some fast footwork but BG eventually go the city to make the needed contribution as an in-kind offering – the city put in the fences and did the early prep work on the plot of land that has 29  individual garden sites that are rented out for $50 a year.

The city is committed to the idea of community gardens.  It had to decide which of several delivery models it would use.  The possibilities were: Community based operations; operations handled by a service provider and operations run and delivered by the city.  The BG community garden program was designed to be a resource for other community groups that wanted to start a garden.

The official opening of the Central Park community garden. It was a pivotal point for BurlingtonGreen that wasn’t evident at the time.

The provincial grant covered the administration costs and an individual was hired to do the work.  We don’t recall ever seeing a “public” call for someone to do the job.  It was just given to the person that did all the work to get the grant.  Were city hall to do something like that – there would be howls of derision – some of which would come from BurlingtonGreen.

BG has an Executive Director; a very competent individual.  We assume this is a paid position but the public has no idea how much the Executive Director is paid.  That figure should be a public number and the public should know as well the length of any contract in place.

We don’t have a problem with BurlingtonGreen as an organization.  But we do have a problem with the level of transparency they have chosen to settle for.

We covered the BurlingtonGreen AGM recently.  They had a very good speaker.  We did not hear anyone talk about the financial affairs of the organization nor did we see any financial statements set out on the information table.  We covered the previous AGM and was told later that the financial information was not public

There is a cardinal rule for organizations that accept as much as a dime in the way of public funding – the kimono is thrown wide open; the public gets to see everything.  It’s called accountability.

The Central Park community garden has been so successful that the city decided to look for ways to do more of them.  It developed several models to meet the different situations that were presented.

A group in the Francis Road part of the city wanted a garden but there was a problem getting access to the water needed.  Rather than installing a municipal water source at a cost of between $25,000 and $30,000, the city is working with RealStar Property Management who have offered a water source for the community garden. The cost to design and construct the community garden will be $21,500.

 In September 2013, ward 3 Councilor John Taylor provided Parks and Recreation staff with correspondence from residents, along with 64 signatures, requesting consideration for a community garden in Amherst Park. Preliminary discussion with the Taylor suggests the group doesn’t wish to form as an organization to administer and operate the garden.

It is becoming clear that there is an interest in community gardens and that the Community Development policy that includes leisure services has merit.  Determining how best to actually deliver on the policy is where some thinking has to be done.

City staff along with significant input from BurlingtonGreen has resulted in three different models.

Michelle Bennett checking out a community group model garden in the east end of the city.

Community Group based: An identified group willing to deliver a community gardens leisure service as guided by the Community Development Policy. This model has the group handling the administration and operation of a Community Garden.

The group would work directly with city hall for any help they might need in getting started.  There are groups within the city that have been around for some time and operating quite well.   The city’s Community Development/Leisure Services Policy  was designed to encourage additional groups to come forward and develop new gardens.  The objective is to have community gardens in every ward in the city – at least in the urban parts of the city.

The Service Provider model is considered when there is an identified group or organization willing to deliver a community gardens leisure service as guided by the Leisure Services Policy. This approach would be considered when the local community just isn’t able to take on the administrative tasks, may not have the expertise or local leadership to get a project off the ground.  At this point in time there is just the one service provider – BurlingtonGreen.

City Direct Operation is an approach used when there isn’t an identified group or service provider willing to deliver a community gardens leisure service as guided by the Community Development Policy or Leisure Services Policy.

This is a situation where the city finds itself in the business of delivering a service that can often best be done by others.  It is not likely to be a service we will see much of, especially at a time when the city is looking at everything they do and asking the question: Is this a service we should be providing?  The answer to the question will be heavily impacted by where the money to pay for the service is going to come from.

BurlingtonGreen has done much of the early stage work; were it not for their initiative in getting the provincial grant and convincing the city to work with them – there wouldn’t be much, if anything, in the way of a community harden program.   That was the purpose of the provincial grant they were given. They developed an on-line registration process to receive gardener’s requests and conduct a lottery to award garden plots then manage the waiting lists.  Many of those people became volunteers.

The city reports they did not receive any negative feedback from the 118 applications for the 29 plots that were available in the first year.

BG collected the fees and provided the city with revenues which was used to offset the cost of municipal water. They recruited and trained volunteers. In the first year: 41 adults and 7 children volunteered an estimated 274 hours of time to garden operations.  They also pulled in approximately $3,690 was provided through gifts in kind and funding.

BurlingtonGreen provided day to day oversight of the Central Park community garden ensuring adherence to the user agreements and regulations. No reported incidents of conflict were reported, suggesting BG were effective in conflict resolution. They were the primary contact with gardeners handling day to day inquiries, conducted gardeners meetings and website updates. BG proved they could be successful in establishing effective communications with the gardeners.

As the moves forward with its Community Development/Leisure Services Policy the costs have to be considered.  Working with the three models it has been estimated that the costs for various numbers of sites would break out as follows:

OptionsPresented

(2- sites)

(3-sites)

(4-sites)

(5-sites)

(6-sites)

Option 1-CommunityGroup Based

$3,410

$5,500

$6,800

$8,900

$10,200

Option 2-Service Provider

$31,610

$36,075

$40,175

$45,575

$49,425

Option 3-City Direct Operation

$17,660

$20,378

$22,306

$25,536

$26,967

 BurlingtonGreen’s responsibility for the Central Park community garden concludes at the end of 2013. The current budget and capital impacts of continuing to administer, operate and build new community gardens will be part of the 2014 budget.

That pilot was a success, primarily attributed to the administrative efforts, oversight and program provided by BurlingtonGreen. In particular staff believes a presence on site made a significant contribution to the success.

Considering the options in the context of the Community Development/Leisure Services Policies, the following were considered in providing the recommendation:

A group is currently not identified to operate the Central Park garden as a Community Based model

The Warwick-Surrey Community organization have indicated they don’t have the capacity to operate the proposed Francis Road garden under the Community Based model

There is a service provider (BurlingtonGreen) that is interested in providing the service of community gardens

The BurlingtonGreen proposal includes program elements that may not be considered necessary to administer and operate the community garden

There is merit in negotiating the scope of the tasks and costs of working under the Service Provider model with BurlingtonGreen to meet the city’s requirements

The city now wants to consider BurlingtonGreen as a sole source provider within the Strategic Alliances Policy that is in place to establish, maintain, or enhance partnerships with external agencies to ensure a cooperative approach to service delivery.

Does the city want to continue with this model?

City staff  recommended the  Service Provider model for administering and operating the existing and future Francis Road community gardens for the next two years. They did so for the following reasons:  The model is consistent with Community Development/Leisure Services policy; it provides oversight that limits staff requirements along with guidance and customer service.  Staff was confident that an appropriate scope of tasks and costs could be negotiated with BurlingtonGreen and that any agreement provides an opportunity to work with other groups who might want to operate under the community based model

Right now BurlingtonGreen is the only known group that can provide the service.The recommendation had BurlingtonGreen as a single source provider, which is where Councilor Craven voiced his concern.  Right now BurlingtonGreen is the only known group that can provide the service the city is looking for and so city staff asked that Council authorize the Director of Parks & Recreation, Manager of Purchasing and City Solicitor to negotiate and sign a sole source agreement with BurlingtonGreen to provide a service to administer and operate city community gardens for the 2014 and 2015 seasons with an option to extend the term of BurlingtonGreen’s services.

If acceptable terms cannot be reached with BurlingtonGreen, staff will request Council authorize them to administer and operate the Central Park and Francis Road community gardens for 2014 and 2015 season, through the  City Direct Operation model for the 2014 and 2015 current budgets.

This allows staff to operate the existing garden and undertake the process of Community Development to increase the opportunity of community groups coming forward to operate community gardens. If community interest is not evident, Parks and Recreation will conduct a Request for expressions of interest to provide the service of community gardens for the 2016 season.

What is also needed is an organization with a commitment to transparency. The Central Park community garden was a success because of the site oversight of BurlingtonGreen. It is now clear that an organization with the experience and commitment to community gardens is needed.  What is also needed is an organization with a commitment to transparency. BurlingtonGreen has yet to show that kind of a commitment.

Background:

The seed of an idea is planted.

Community garden opens.


 

Return to the Front page

That pier of ours just might become an election issue after all. And they thought it had gone away – silly people.

December 18. 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  Been awhile since we’ve heard anything on the pier.  Like children – when there is no noise you want to look in on them.

That mediation many thought was going to take place in January is not likely to take place for a number of months.  Why?

It was a great day in the history of the city.  The official opening of the Brant Street Pier – now the problems its construction created have to be cleaned up.  Looks like a Court room is the only place we can get this done.

Well turns out some “realizations” have brought about a shift in the thinking of several of the players in this rather expensive game.  You’ve heard the phrase – “there is an elephant in the room” – those involved in the pier litigation are realizing that the contractor was not the problem.

And the company that is the problem has recently realized they have a problem on their hands and they didn’t have their homework done and now they need time to dig through the mounds of paper and be ready for a trial.

Mediation is a step that must be taken before a trial can take place.  There is at least one player in the game that doesn’t see mediation as a solution to the grief they have had to go through – so mediation, when it does take place, might be very short.

We actually built the pier twice. First time it was built a crane toppled over ad revealed problems with the steel being used – it was all taken out. They ordered new steel and built it again. Now all the parties squabble over who is going to pay for the mistakes.

Getting trial dates set with so many companies involved is never easy.  Having a trial start in the middle of the summer would certainly tighten up things in the municipal election. 

What is clear is this:  there is a bit of a mess to clean up.  Under normal circumstances this would come under the normal day-to-day business of a municipal government but the pier became such a defining issue that took on a life of its own.

It became part of the agenda for three different mayors; each handled it quite differently.  For Mayor MacIsaac it was part of a dream that he left in decent shape as he turned over the chain of office.  For Mayor Jackson it was a problem he had hoped to ride all the way to the top – until the crane accident took place. Then it became an issue that gave a freshman candidate an issue to get elected on.  It wasn’t the pier and its problems that cost Jackson the election.

That young man will return to the pier for many years to see his hand print. At some point he will read about and understand how convoluted an exercise it was to get that pier built.

The Goldring administration thought their task was to clean up the mess and get the pier opened but along the way they missed several opportunities to keep the city out of a court room.  Those failures, when combined with the city’s significant and serious financial problems, are like chickens coming home to roost.  And coming home during an election year isn’t the kind of good news story people running for office like to tell.

Some distraction might take place in the Spring should the provincial government decide they need to get a majority and Kathleen Wynne decides to ask the Lieutenant Governor to call an election.

Much of January will be taken up with budget deliberations.  The 10% increase over the four-year term that Mayor Goldring tied himself to will weigh him down a bit – it will be interesting to see what this Council decides it is prepared to give up.

Once the budget for the next year is cast – the election race will take on energy of its own.  And that is just about the time that the whole story behind the pier might come to the surface.

Background:

Pier legal problems always discussed behind closed doors.

Pier gets a soft opening.

New steel girders begin to arrive – progress.

New pier tender opening delayed.

Return to the Front page

If pensions are a problem for the post office – what are they to the rest of us?

December 19, 2013

By Ray Rivers

BURLINGTON, ON.  First it was the milk man and now its the letter carrier.  The post office is losing money, again, and will be shedding eight thousand letter carriers as it brings an end to an era of time-honoured service. Losing money is not a novelty for Canada Post Office.  This organization, originally created as a government department at the time of Confederation, last spent 32 years in the red (1957 to 1989) only to get out of that hole by lifting the price of stamps.  And I presume it hopes that strategy will work again this time.

I examined alternate-day mail delivery while at Canada Post back in the seventies and discovered that cutting delivery in-half wouldnt automatically cut labour costs in-half.  Even worse, valuable customers like Time Magazine might have been lost with such a radical service change.  I suspect the current postal management will experience some of that.  For example, installing and servicing group boxes in built-up areas may end up being more costly than originally imagined by the bean counters at Canada Post.   And watch the movement to e-mail accelerate.

Another study, I reviewed, demonstrated the potential cost-effectiveness of Canada Post installing facsimile machines in every Canadian household, as an alternative to letter mail.  This was before Al Gore had been credited with inventing the internet.  Isnt that what is happening now?  I already receive and pay most of my bills via the internet, and next year my Christmas cards will all be electronic.  Mailing is becoming too expensive.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Isnt Canada Post heading in the wrong direction?   Buy anything on the internet and its delivered to your door pronto, sometimes by the Canada Post owned Purolator.  There will always be a demand for to-the-door delivery; for the junk-mail distributors, political pamphlets and for all those on-line purchases.  Perhaps their strategy is to make letter mail so pricey and unattractive that you decide to choose their premium Express Post service rather than lick a stamp. Its called up-selling. 

There was a time when a penny got the letter mailed.  Today – $1.

But Business 101 tells us that increasing your price while simultaneously reducing the quality of service is a mugs game.  Only a mad man would do this, unless he/she wanted to go out of business.  If that is Mr. Harpers strategy, then why not just privatize mail delivery while there is still market share and value, as other nations have done and some pundits are demanding?

Its hard not to be suspicious that something else is in the soup, as we hear more and more about how pensions are imperiling the profitability of Canada Post.  That seems to be the flavour of the month for a government that has no truck with enhancing the nations pensions.  The federal finance minister just shut the door on expanding the miserly Canada Pension Plan (CPP), at a meeting this week with his provincial counterparts. 

Better pensions – for everyone?

He called it a payroll tax and mumbled something about not wanting to raise taxes.  But he is only partly right since half of the CPP contribution is paid by the employee, as a kind of forced saving in order to be able retire with dignity.  You see Flaherty knows that we either consume stuff or we save our money.  And this government wants us to spend more on consumption in the run up to the 2015 election, so his GDP numbers will look healthy as we go to the polls.   Retirement issues are too far off in the future for a government determined to win a second majority mandate, and complete its transformation of Canada from that liberal society Mr. Harper inherited

Flaherty either doesnt know or doesnt care that two-thirds of Canadians dont have a workplace pension scheme, and a third of Canadians have no savings at all.  Today’s CPP is a light-age away from what it was originally intended to be.  At about $12,000 a year it is pathetic.  Yet, for the first time in over a decade Canadians have started saving more of their own money, so wouldnt this be the perfect time for an expanded CPP program to lock in those savings?

Finance Minister Flaherty – the man with the answers.

The irony is that instead of enhancing CPP so people can live on their savings, the Harper government would prefer that the federal government keep on handing out Old Age Security (OAS) payments.  OAS is a kind-of seniors welfare program – where the working generation subsidizes those retired.  How could that make any sense to a government that claims to be big on fiscal responsibility?  Why would saving so you can live off your own money, instead of the governments, be anathema for a government that believes in personal responsibility?  It makes no sense. 

Chopping 8000 letter carriers as early as possible will save the mismanaged Post Office pension scheme some money, no doubt.  And Deepak Chopra, the CEO of the Crown Corporation. is also asking postal employees to allow him to cut their pension entitlements. But I have to ask why Mr Chopra, a passionate, modern executive with a very impressive biography, doesnt offer to lead by example.  For that matter, what about the minister responsible for the Post Office, Lisa Raitt , Mr. Flaherty or Mr. Harper.  Why dont they offer to cut their gold-plated pensions if they really feel public sector pensions are too generous.

Background:

Canada Post Changes   History of Canada Post Privatization  Privatization 2  Privatization 3   Pensions   CEO Canada Post

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 against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.  While employed as a civil servant Rivers worked at Canada Post.


Return to the Front page

Finally a reason to go to the Farmer’s Market in the downtown core. Province wants you to buy Ontario wines at these markets.

December 16, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  The provincial government has been popping out media releases faster than most rabbits give birth to little bunnies.  The latest has some interesting potential for the small but growing Farmers’ Market that operates during the warm weather on John Street just in behind Centro.

Imagine – maybe a couple of Ontario wine tasting tables set out at the Downtown Farmer’s Market. Province says it could happen.

The province wants to make it easier for consumers to choose Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Ontario wine by expanding the LCBO’s new “Our Wine Country” destination boutiques and allowing VQA wines to be sold at farmers’ markets through the renewed Wine and Grape Strategy.

I’m certainly on for easier access to provincially grown grapes and I really like the idea of a couple of those wine tasting stations being set up at an outdoor market.

Is that man on the right about to become the chief sommelier at the Downtown Farmer’s Market next Spring. That would be an achievement.

The province is throwing $75 million at a Wine and Grape Strategy to help the sector grow.  That chunk of change is spread out over five years.  There is going to be a  Wine Secretariat to be a one window point for discussions between the province and industry and identifying ways to reduce red tape to help make grape growers and wineries more competitive.

The winery’s would certainly like the LCBO to be at that window and make their lives a little easier.

Ontario has significant winery developments in the Niagara Peninsula, Prince Edward County and Lake Erie North Shore.

Ontario’s wine and grape industry contributed an estimated $3.3 billion to the province’s economy in 2011.

Background

Chef’s battle it out at Farmer’s Market.

Farmer’s Market move to a Sunday schedule.

Return to the Front page

City and Burlington Hydro announce joint project and new board chair – not a lot of detail on what the joint project is going to achieve.

December 16, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.   Hydro, the guys that keep the lights on and send you a bill every second month that never gets smaller – unless you are in Florida for the winter,  wants to “find some efficiencies” and get more out the company’s assets.

Burlington Hydro has one shareholder – YOU; the company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the city of Burlington and pays the city dividends on a regular basis.  There are times when Hydro looks like either a rich uncle the city begs money from or a  piggy bank that gets raided frequently.

The City of Burlington and Burlington Hydro Electric Inc., jointly  announced the appointment of Archie Bennett as director and chair of the Burlington Hydro Electric Board following the resignation of Charles Keizer. 

Charles Keizer leaves Hydro board to consult for the organization.

Keizer, a partner and co-head of Torys’ Infrastructure and Energy Practice, (Torys is a leading Ontario law firm with probably the bluest pedigree in the province) resigned as Burlington Hydro Electric Board Chair to provide legal services  to Burlington Electricity Services Inc. and BHEI in partnership with the City of Burlington.

 “As lead counsel on a number of generation and transmission projects, Keizer has provided solid strategic advice and has a strong understanding of project development,” said City Manager Jeff Fielding. “On behalf of the city, BESI and Burlington Hydro Electric, Charles will lead the charge in finding efficiencies and cost-saving opportunities that will help benefit ratepayers and taxpayers.”  

Keizer brings considerable depth in hydro transmission and grid operations to his new consulting assignment.  It should be interesting to see what he comes up with.

Keizer had to resign from the Hydro Board if he was going to provide services for which he will be paid.  In the energy business payment for services is very healthy.

 In addition to Bennett, a former BHEI board director and chair, the BHEI board also includes Darla Youldon, a former executive at John Deere & Co.; City Manager Jeff Fielding; Phil Nanavati, vice-president at FENGATE Capital Management; Don Dalicandro, CEO of Azertech Inc.; John Maheu, Association of Ontario Road Supervisors; and Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring.

“We’re very pleased that Charles Keizer will put his extensive industry experience into play as he undertakes the task to assess potential service delivery opportunities between the City of Burlington and Burlington Hydro Electric,” said Gerry Smallegange, President and CEO of BHEI. “In the interim, and until further notice, Archie Bennett has agreed to step in as chair of the company, providing his very capable and experienced leadership on the BHEI board.”

Bennett returns to an old stomping ground after retiring in 2007 completing  a 45-year career in senior management, engineering and construction including  leading the Burlington-based Zeton group of companies since 1989 to become the global leader in its field. He continues to serve on the parent and Dutch subsidiary boards of Zeton, and provides consulting services on management matters.

Bennett has the look of a place holder until Burlington Hydro has a sense as to what Keizer suggests the corporation can ger into to dig out those “efficiencies”.

Can Hydro be more than an energy transmission company. They should have kept the fibre optic network they once owned.

City manager Jeff Fielding has always believed that Hydro can and should play a bigger role in the financial evolution of the city; he has cast a covetous eye on the head office Hydro property on Brant street and wondered aloud if the city could not get more out of that asset.

Burlington is beginning to realize that we have a city manager who while good on the administrative side happens to be very good on the thinking side and has in the short time he has been at city hall managed to completely shake up the way the city puts together its budget and has everyone in every department taking a much closer look at the service they deliver.  He is asking them to ask themselves: Is this a service the city should be delivering?  This is radical within the municipal sector.

Fielding has permission from city council to explore the idea of “enterprise corporations” that will be like Burlington Hydro, stand alone, wholly owned subsidiaries that have the potential to generate revenue and perhaps even find a cheaper way to deliver services.

Hydro has been paying the city significant dividends over the years. That spike is the year the fibre optic network was sold.

Fielding knows better than anyone, except for Joan Ford who knows every number in every account of the city budget, how desperate the city’s Industrial, Commercial and Institutional (ICI) tax revenue situation is.  The Economic Development Corporation has done such a terrible job of both attracting new companies to the city and positioning the city as a place corporations want to locate.

Jeff Fielding – proving to be a very strong conceptual thinker as well as a decent administrator.

The ICI side of the tax revenue stream for 2013 is going to be a negative number when measured against 2012 – and things right now don’t look a lot better for 2015.  If the funds don’t come from the ICI side then they have to come from the residential side or spending has to be cut.  In an election year?  Financially the city is not in a healthy situation even thought our reserves are in very good shape.

Given a five or six snow storms like the one late last week and we just might have to dip into the snow removal reserves.

The Burlington Hydro announcements are good news in that they show some movement.  Task now is to see which direction they actually move in.  Hydro is one of those fat calves with all kinds of revenue and not a lot in the way of transparency.

 

Return to the Front page

More community presentations at Performing Arts Centre – public has been waiting for this.

December 16, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  The city is having a little difficulty attracting some of those new high-tech, high paying jobs.  The arts community has found a way to help – they are going to move a theatrical production along the QEW from Oakville to Burlington and bring a truck load of Leading Ladies to the city

The Burl-Oak Theatre Group (BOTG), which is presenting Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig,  at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, January 23 and Friday, 24 – show time for both days is 8:00 pm.

Fun, light hearted comedy – great way to start the New Year.

This is a new venture for BOTG, they tended to like the climate in Oakville but the digs at the Performing Arts Centre were just too good to pass up.  Now of course they need to sell tickets for each performance. 

Jim Clemens, who usually spends his spare time on Heritage matters explains this production as a  “hilarious comedy, in which we meet an elderly lady on her deathbed who is looking for two relatives, Max and Steve, whom she has not seen since they were children.  She plans to bestow her fortune upon them, to be shared with her one remaining niece, Meg.” 

Clemens goes on to explain: “Enter Jack and Leo, two down-on-their-luck Shakespearian actors who plot to pose as the missing nephews and arrive in time to claim their inheritance.”

For the rest of the story – you need a ticket and Clemens has come up with an angle that he believes can’t miss.  He wants to see a full house and explains that BOTG has a special Yuletide ticket price for  their friends and colleagues. You can purchase any number of tickets to Leading Ladies at $18.00 each directly from Clemens who will look after the box office hassles.

Here is how it works. Jim Clemens has figured out a way to let his vast circle of friends in on a bit of a deal.  There is a group discount available.  Clemens had a brain storm and came up with the idea of forming a group, buying the tickets for that group and giving them all the benefit of the group discount.  Jim’s price is $18 per ticket.  The Box Office price is $25 – the difference will get you a decent glass of wine at the theatre which will put you in just the frame of mind you want to be in to fully enjoy a lark of a play.

You have to let Clemens know that you want in.  Email him by December 30, 2013, Email Me and tell him which date you wish to attend and the number of tickets you wish to purchase.    He will order the tickets and send you an e-mail confirming the order.

You  have to pay Clemens – make your cheques payable to Jim Clemens, and not the Burl-Oak Theatre Group or the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.  Mail cheques to 1296 Knights Bridge Court, Burlington,  or pay either Miki or Jim when you see either of them. Clemens adds that he knows where his vast circle of friends lives and doesn’t expect to have any problems collecting.

BOTG has taken a huge leap of faith in the Burlington market.  They have arranged for billboard ad signs in four locations in Burlington in the next few weeks along with a mail drop to selected postal code locations around town. 

Jim Clemens has a deal for his vast circle of friends – take him up on the offer and use the money he saves you for a decent glass of wine at the Performing Arts Centre to watch the Leading Ladies.

Clemens has found the new administration at the Performing Arts Centre to be more than accommodating.  A number of months ago there was to be a BOTG production mounted in Burlington that just couldn’t get off the ground.  Brian McCurdy, Executive Director at the Performing Arts Centre, used his experience and understanding of the problems small theatre groups have and found a work around some of the problems the group was having and for them into the Centre for the January dates.

We are seeing much more community use of the Performing Arts Centre.  A church group is going to be holding a Christmas Eve Candle Light service in the Main theatre, in January Tony Bewick is going to produce the first Poetry Slam to be held at the Centre and now the news that the Leading Ladies are going to be on stage as well.

One of the complaints many people had, was that the Centre was not catering to the local needs – that all we were seeing was groups who were passing through the city, and while Roseanne Cash was nice, the public thought there would be more local material.  We appear to be seeing that change – refreshing.

Keith Strong had his guiding hand behind much of the Magic Moments event that added to the Halton Heros fund.

The re-establishing of relationships between the Centre and some of the people who did that “in the trenches work’ when the place was not much more than an idea are coming along just fine.  Keith Strong, who was a major player in getting many of the early donation cheques in, has had a chance to meet with Brian McCurdy; those two should get along very well.  The Mayor, city manager, Strong and McCurdy had a meet which we are told went very well.

While Strong doesn’t always get it right – when he does – it is both right and strong.  The kind of guy the Performing Arts Centre wants on its side.  

The BOTG appears to be going all out on this their first event at the Performing Arts Centre; like every smart marketer – there is a clip on YouTube.  Go for it.

 

Return to the Front page

City puts first snowstorm behind it – roads cleared within promised timelines.

December 16, 2013

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON. The city’s promise to its citizens is to have the roads cleared within 24 hours AFTER the end of a snow storm which, according to the Roads and Parks Maintenance people, the  target is to have all roads cleared by 3:00 am tomorrow (Monday) for this storm. We currently have the following equipment deployed, with each section consisting of a mix of City and contractor units:

One of 46 road units that cleared city streets

– 46 road units

– 14 sidewalk units

– 5 smaller specialized units.

Return to the Front page

Changes in flow direction and capacity of pipeline in north Burlington prove to be an issue at NEB hearings.

December 15, 2013

By Staff

CATCH (Citizens at City Hall) is a citizens organization in Hamilton that documents Hamilton city council meetings.  The organization has a strong environmental bent to it and has watched the Enbridge Line # 9 and the National Energy Board proceedings which are relevant to Burlington because Line #9 runs right through the city just north of Side Road #1. This report is from CATCH – we pass it along because of its relevance.

BURLINGTON, ON.  Controversy continues to swirl around both the National Energy Board and Enbridge Inc’s Line 9 proposals that the NEB is expected to rule on in January. Revelations this week include a large Line 9 spill that the company failed to report to the affected municipality and evidence that an association representing Enbridge and other energy corporations virtually dictated federal changes to the NEB that restricted public input into the regulator’s decision-making process. Those changes were among problems cited last month by “Ontario’s voice on public policy” in a remarkably frank discussion of the pluses and minuses – mostly the latter – of the effect of tar sands pipeline proposals on Canada’s largest province.

The Mowat Centre was set up at the University of Toronto five years ago by the Ontario government. Its pipeline review co-authored by founder and director Matthew Mendelsohn points to severe climatic impacts, safety concerns, damage to the manufacturing sector and the minimal economic benefits of oil sands expansion as reasons for the province to demand a different approach by Alberta and the federal government.

One of the pipeline station control points is located on Walkers Line. Thousands drive by it every month.

While noting Ontario’s support for “Alberta’s continued prosperity” and inclination to therefore support pipelines, the Mowat review points to “legitimate concerns regarding environmental safety” that are “real and should be treated as such”. It also contends that “new oil pipeline infrastructure is only needed if expansion in the oil sands is envisioned” which it says is completely undermining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“For nearly a decade, Ontario has confronted a federal government that refuses to recognize the contribution that Ontarians are making to reducing emissions while allowing the emissions from the oil sands to continue increasing unabated. So long as the federal government – and the government of Alberta – support a climate change policy that asks Ontarians – and other Canadians – to carry the largest burden and pay the biggest financial cost for reducing emissions, there are good reasons for Ontario to oppose pipeline development that will only exacerbate climate change.”

The review is equally blunt about the direct economic impact of tar sands expansion where “almost all of the economic benefits flow to Alberta” – 94% by some estimates” while Ontario industry pays a steep price in lost exports and jobs.

“There is a wide consensus that developments in Canada’s resource sector, particularly in oil and gas, have contributed to a rapid escalation in Canadian exchange rates, and that these have had a negative impact on the Ontario manufacturing sector.”

The Mowat Centre also believes “unreasonable restrictions on public input” to the NEB “do not serve the interests of Ontarians.” New restrictions imposed by the Harper government last year required individuals and groups concerned about Line 9 to fill out an application form to get permission to even send a letter to the NEB.

Those changes and similar ones introduced to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act “were taken directly from an August 2012 oil industry report” according to an analysis completed by Forest Ethics Advocacy Association.

“The energy industry told the government what to do, and the government did it.  It’s as simple as that,” says their chair Clayton Ruby in a media release from the organization. The group’s spokesperson Tzeporah Berman charges that “Enbridge and the industry lobbied aggressively to get these rules put in place because they don’t want Canadians getting in the way of their profits.”

The City of Hamilton was one of 175 organizations and individuals that applied to submit comments to this fall’s NEB hearings on Line 9, and like other Ontario municipalities it particularly pushed Enbridge to provide much more information to local emergency response personnel. Revelations this week at provincial hearings underway in Quebec indicate municipalities have reason to worry about the company’s transparency.

Few people in Burlington are even aware that one of the most controversial National Energy Board hearings concerns a pipeline that runs through the northern part of our city.

The city of Terrebonne has only now learned about a 4000-litre spill from Line 9 that took place within its municipal boundaries more than two years ago. It was reported to federal and provincial authorities but not to the municipality.

“We are of the opinion that a 4,000-litre oil spill, even if it was contained within your facilities, is not an insignificant event,” Terrebonne’s director general, Denis Lévesque, wrote in a letter sent to Enbridge last week. “In our opinion, a spill like that should have been officially reported by Enbridge to our municipal services, all the more at this time when citizens are rightly concerned about ecological risks associated with oil transportation.”

And while Enbridge continues to promise that the Line 9 changes are not to facilitate export of tar sands bitumen, there are more indications to the contrary in Portland, Maine – the ocean export port that Enbridge identified in its 2008 Trailbreaker plan. In the latest developments, the American Petroleum Institute is threatening to sue Portland’s municipal council if it imposes a moratorium on “development proposals involving the loading of unrefined oil sands onto marine tank vessels docking in South Portland.”

The council move responds to a citizens’ ballot initiative that was narrowly defeated in Portland’s elections last month. It sought to block plans by the Portland to Montreal Pipeline Company to bring Canadian bitumen to the port.

Background:

Ontario’s voice on public policy” in a remarkably frank discussion.

The energy industry told the government what to do, and the government did it.

Burlington tells National Energy Board that an Enbridge pipeline leak would be “catastrophic” for the city.

 

Enbridge donates $7500 to Burlington fire department.



Return to the Front page

Citizens take to the streets pushing shovels, snowblowers or driving equipment. Are they marching on city hall?

December 15, 2015

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  The city got the main roads cleared – those trucks roared by our front door – and they were not doing the posted 40 kph.  We heard them going by throughout the night.

They call it quality time.

This isn’t a city worker – this is a neighbour being a good neighbour.

The city doesn’t give all that much information on its website – just that they are out there.

A copy of the map showing the order in which streets get cleared in set out below.

The Mrs. get to put her vehicle in the garage.

This morning the part of our driveway that didn’t get done before I called it a day, had a little schnapps to ease the aching bones, had been done by my neighbor.  Thanks Rob – there’s a 12 pack on the way to you – just as soon as I can get the snow off the car and drive the thing.

Meanwhile people are out on the street with their own equipment doing what you do in the suburbs when there is a heavy snowfall.

Return to the Front page

First major snow fall give roads department a chance to see how much they remember from last year. So far so good.

December 14, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON. The snow plow roared by our driveway – it looks like it is going to need another touch from the new snow shovel my wife bought.  I have to add that she was the one who tested the shovel.

The city has a full fleet out clearing primary roads, parking lots and walkways and adding extra buses to meet public transit needs.

They move at quite a clip – full fleet of city trucks is out this evening.

As of 4 p.m. today, all facilities remain open, except for Rotary Centennial Pond. The outdoor ice skating surface in Spencer Smith Park is snow-covered and subject to high winds. It will reopen on Sunday.

The city has received about 20 centimetres of snow as of 3 p.m. today, with another seven to 10 centimetres predicted by early tomorrow.

Updates on snow clearing are posted three times daily on the city’s website at 9 a.m., 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. during winter control operations.

Burlington Transit has added extra buses and maintenance staff to keep buses on schedule. Nice little bit of overtime for the boys at transit.

Birds aren’t going to be out much today.

 “City staff has been working hard around the clock since yesterday to make travel safe in Burlington,” said Cathy Robertson, director of roads and parks maintenance. “While the storm continues, most of our resources are focused on clearing primary and secondary roads. Please be patient if your road has not been reached. The city aims to have all roads plowed within 24 hours following the end of a storm.”

 The city asks residents to:

Drive safely, if you must drive

Avoid shoveling snow from driveways onto the roads

Clear fire hydrants near your home

Keep parked vehicles off the roadways so snow plows can get through

The Gazette learned earlier in the day that the library was closing for the afternoon. We passed that information along to the city’s media people.  If you’re aware of anything else you think they should know – send the information our way and we will get it to them.

Return to the Front page

Personal Support Workers used as a reason for changing marathon route. They have a bigger problem; getting a decent wage.

In an earlier edition of the paper we incorrectly named the PSW’s.  Our apologies.

December 14, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  During the several debates at city council last week mention was made frequently of the difficulties Personal Support  Workers had in getting to some of their clients in the east end of Lakeshore Road during the Chilly Half Marathon race that takes place in March of each year with some 4000+ runners on the road.

The Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) work to very, very tight schedules.  If you have a 10:30 appointment it takes place at 10:30 – there is next to no wiggle room in their schedules.  The problems the Personal Support Workers run into were brought up by a number of the delegations that didn’t want the race run on the route it is run on.

Personal Service Workers strike for decent wages.

Turns out that getting to their clients isn’t the only problem the Personal Support Workers have – they want a decent wage as well and have walked of the job effective Friday.

According to their union the 4,500 personal support workers walked off the job yesterday to support their demands for justice and a living wage.

“These workers are tired of being pushed around and taken for granted,” said Sharleen Stewart, president of SEIU Healthcare. “They are paid poverty-level wages of $15 an hour and are expected to pay for gas out-of-pocket when they drive long distances to make home visits.”

Ontario’s Minister of Health spent a day with a PSW worker to see first hand what they do – so the government knows that the issues are.

In the last two years PSW earnings have been reduced by about 7% as a result of a wage freeze combined with inflation and a massive increase in the price of gas.

The Canadian Reed Cross created a new home care agency and merged that operation with Care Partners in 2012. 

“We estimate 50 cents of every dollar given to Red Cross ($143 million this year) is skimmed off for bureaucracy, excessive executive pay and profit. Where is the accountability in this system for delivering quality care to seniors and vulnerable clients?”

Last year the CEO of the Red Cross Society was given a 9% pay increase, bringing his salary to $297 thousand, which is 11 times the average salary of a PSW.

A couple of dozen PSW’s were out on the street on one of the coldest days of the year.  A hundred or so people in Burlington who needed care on Friday just didn’t get it.

Return to the Front page

The police want to engage you – which is probably better than having them arrest you.

December 14, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON. The Halton Regional Police Services board has released the Draft of the 2014-2020.  The Police Service, in cooperation with the Police Services Board is in the process of undertaking a review of its goals and objectives for the next three years. These goals are important as they guide the service in the delivery of services that are vital in maintaining the safety of the residents of Halton.

The the public are encouraged to have a say on what they feel is important by contacting Keith Moore, Senior Planner at 905-825-4747 ext. 4830 or by email at Keith.Moore@haltonpolice.ca

The material is organized into four themes with a series of points listed under each theme.  Unfortunately, there is no comment on any of the points.  The draft consists of a list of things the police plan to do during the next four years.

Community safety, Outreach and collaboration, Organizational capacity and Organizational excellence

Under Community Safety the Board lists:

Identity theft and bank scams are a continuing public threat.  HAlton Regional Police have led a number of successful multi-jurisdictional investigations. 

Ensure that Halton maintains the lowest overall crime rate and Crime Severity Index of any comparable-sized community in Canada.

Deter criminal activity— strengthen crime prevention, community policing and safety initiatives – and relentlessly pursue criminals.

Improve crime clearance rates.

Focus on key areas of concern to the community;  traffic safety and enforcement, growth in illegal drug activity, gangs and organized crime,assaults and sexual assaults, domestic violence,  youth and young adult crime, victimization of seniors/youth/children, technology-based crimes (e.g. Cyber-bullying; internet financial crimes and fraud). , monitoring and tracking of offenders, hate crimes and human trafficking.

Engage and mobilize the community to collaboratively share responsibility for keeping our region safe.

Establish and practice leading-edge emergency preparedness measures, including ongoing business continuity during emergencies and special events.

Under Outreach and Collaboration the board lists:

The  police are out at hundreds of community events.

Build public awareness of and trust/confidence in the Halton Regional Police Service and policing in general.

Educate the public about safety and security issues through an inclusive approach that respects the diverse composition of our community.

Reduce the fear of crime — help those who live, work and play in Halton to feel even safer.

Define and clearly communicate the areas for which the Halton Regional Police Service is responsible.

Strengthen communication and community dialogue (e.g. using social and other media).

Collaborate with our communities in the prevention and solving of crime – and contribute to overall safety and wellbeing.

Strengthen relationships with youth and diverse communities to establish a solid foundation leading to improved understanding of policing, recruitment opportunities and other policing initiatives.

Continue to strengthen working relationships and information exchange with other law enforcement agencies.

Under Organizational Capacity the Board lists:

There are community police stations throughout the Region.  Police appear to want a new headquarters building as well.

Ensure that police resources and funding responsibly address operational requirements and changing demographics.

Enhance the use of police analytics to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization.

Be the leaders in the application of new technologies and maximize innovation, responsiveness, outreach and service delivery.

Ensure that all employees are well-trained and well equipped in accordance with provincial requirements and in areas of emerging concern — and that support of the front line remains paramount.

Strengthen police ability to effectively address situations of elevated risk (e.g. mental health-related incidents).

Embrace human resource best practices and customize them in support of: employee recruitment/retention, diversity, career development, succession planning, performance management, and positive labour relations.

Strengthen employee understanding of the Halton Regional Police Service and its initiatives, and secure support for future strategic directions.

 Ensure that police facilities adequately meet current and future needs.

Under Organizational Excellence the Board lists:

Do the police deliver the service the public needs?  The RIDE program is a proven service.

Ensure that the Halton Regional Police Service demonstrates the highest levels of ethical and professional standards.

Strengthen service delivery and positive interactions with the community.

Ensure that our Police Service is an employer of choice for both uniform and civilian positions.

Strengthen employee motivation and engagement — foster a sense of employee pride and high job satisfaction, and a belief in the value of individual contribution.

Ensure that our police service culture emphasizes respect, responsibility, accountability,relationships and results.

Meet or exceed all current and future provincially mandated police service requirements.

Be the leader in identifying and implementing innovative policing practice

What is the Police Services Board telling us?  Is this list a collection of clichés and self-serving statements?  Is the Board, which oversees policing in the Region, calling the people who police the community to account?

Government services employ people to communicate with the public.  Major corporations have public relations departments that are in place to tell their story to the public.  These are companies that are in business – they are there for the most part to make a profit for their shareholders which are often large pension groups.

Public services are considerably different.  They are in place to SERVE the public and to seek the advice of the public they serve.

This DRAFT plan for the next three years is the first step in the process of making their plans public.

Let us see how the public reacts to the document.

The following data for the fiscal year 2011 puts who the police serve and what the public pays for that service into perspective.

There are 178,232 households in the Region

The police budget for 2011 amounted to $116.4 million.

There were 629 men and women in uniform .

There were 282 civilian people working  for the police service.

Calls to the police for service amounted to: (2009): 124,503; (2010): 129,971; (2011): 128,202.

The annual cost to each person in the Region for the police service we get amounted to: (2009): $224.66;(2010): $225.83 and (2011): $236.08

Return to the Front page

King Road grade separation opens, no more waiting for barriers to open while trains pass by on the busiest line in the country.

December 13, 2013,

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  The Region had issued a cold weather alert but that didn’t seem to deter the small crowd that showed up to stand underneath a railway grade separation and watch ward 1 council member Rick Craven wave his hands and shout: “Yeah, we did it”.

This is a view that thousands of drivers are going to enjoy from this moment forward – no more waiting for the rail barrier to go up and the flashing lights to go off.  Waiting for the trains to go by is a thing of the past on King Road.

 

And did it they most certainly did.  It was last Thanksgiving when after 96 straight hours of work, and the removal of nearly 800 trucks of fill, this five million pound concrete tunnel we are standing under was hydraulically pushed into place while freight trains rumbled overhead throughout that weekend.

Mayor Goldring cranks the siren on the antique fire engine that was the first vehicle to drive the the King Road grade separation.  In the rear waving to the crowd is Councillor Craven pleased as punch with the completion of a project he has championed ever since he got himself elected.

Once the structure was in place construction crews started building the aqueduct that  allows Indian Creek to flow over the realigned road. That aqueduct was about twenty feet above those of us standing in the cold weather.  

When the aqueduct work was done construction crews were able to start the road and then asphalt n was laid down.  There is still some sidewalk work to be done but today you can peddle a bicycle underneath multiple sets of railway tracks on what was described as the busiest railway line in the country.

No more waiting for the flashing red lights to stop and for the traffic barrier to rise on King Road – it’s now non-stop from Plains Road up to the North Service Road.

Scott Stewart, General Manager for Development and Infrastructure paid a compliment to what he called “our funding partner” CN – “this project would not have been possible without your commitment.”

How cold was it?  Cold enough for the pastries on the reception to freeze.  The significance of this picture is the large concrete piece at the top to the rear.  That is the aqueduct that was built to allow fish to swim over the road that was built.  Sound fishy?  Next to the aqueduct is the bridging that carries the train tracks.

It wasn’t a commitment willingly made by the railway – the city had to take CN to the Transportation Safety  Board to get the funds needed to build the grade separation.  Perhaps that is why the railway people had the crossing bells ringing throughout much of the ceremony.

For the most part these events are photo ops for the politicians but this event was a milestone.  A major traffic bottleneck was fixed and the opportunity to open up the development of some major employments lands on the west side of King Road south of the QEW was more feasible.  Getting the developer to the table will not be as difficult as it was to get CN to pay for the building of the grade separation.

There were no developers in the audience this afternoon.

There were however a number of staff people who deserved to be both mentioned and applauded for the construction of the underpass.

General manager Scott Stewart made a point of recognizing the individuals and groups who were instrumental the project done.  Finishing the job within that 96 hour window was a very significant feat.

Staff from various city departments included: Tom Eichenbaum, Scott Hamilton, Bob Jurk, Derek McGaghey, Genevieve Jane, Jason Forde – from Engineering, Ron Steiginga, from legal, Helen Walihura from Community Relations, and Steve Vrakela from Roads and Parks Maintenance.

Cutting the official ribbon is, from the left,  General Manger Scott Stewart ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven, Mayor Goldring and Director of Engineering Tom Eichenbaum.

The Ontario Public Works Association advised the city earlier in the day  that the King Road / CN Grade Separation Project received  the 2013 OPWA Project of the Year Award in the Transportation, in the $10 – $50 Million Category.

In a perfect world the Mayor and the General manager would have taken that list out to a local pub and hoisted a few and charged it all the ward Councillor’s expense budget.  Rick Craven will be telling anyone with even just one ear how significant this project is – it is certainly one he has pushed since the day he was elected ten years ago.

Background:

Mammoth construction task underway on King Road

Graphic representation of construction task.

Web cast of construction site didn’t please US security types.

Return to the Front page

Who knew? Weren’t they just massage parlours where you went to get the kinks taken out?

December 13, 2013

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  As part of the mandate of the Human Trafficking and Vice Unit and in partnership with the Canadian Border Services Agency and By-Law Enforcement Officers from Burlington, Oakville and Milton, several Halton businesses were visited on December 11, 2013 and inspected for municipal By-law infractions.

It’s certainly not show business.

The following businesses were found to be in violation of by-laws specific to their industry and as a result received Provincial Offences Notices and/or had the business licence revoked:

Accu Green Health – 774 Brant Street, Burlington – licence revoked

Cara Studio – 4180 Morris Drive, Burlington – Notice of Violation to be served on owner and charges pending

Body & Sole – 550 Ontario Street, Milton – closed operating no valid licence

Mary Gold – 43 Main Street South, Campbellville – Closed operating unlicenced, charge issued

Tai Chi – 2544 Speers Road, Oakville – issued zoning notice for closure, charge issued

Ivy Spa – 119 North Service Road East, Oakville – issued zoning notice for closure, 2 charges issued

The Human Trafficking and Vice Unit is responsible for all human trafficking investigations (both domestic and international – including but not limited to the sex trade, forced labour or domestic servitude), all prostitution investigation (including street prostitution, escort services and disorderly houses – common-bawdy houses), all adult entertainment premises investigations (including commercial massage parlours), all gaming related investigations and all liquor license premises investigations.

Anyone wanting to provide confidential information or tips related to suspected human trafficking is asked to contact 905 825-4747 x8723, via email at HTVICE@haltonpolice.ca or anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com.

If you are a victim of human trafficking, dial 9-1-1 or contact the Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network for free, confidential telephone trauma counselling and referrals for anyone who has been trafficked or exploited at 1-866-528-7109.

 

Return to the Front page