 By Staff
September 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The U.S. Steel request to be relieved from paying pension supplements and health benefits to retired Hamilton-area steelworkers demonstrates the Conservative government’s failure to stand up for Canadian workers and how far they’ve let the Canadian steel industry slip away at least that’s the way Liberal candidate Karina Gould sees it.
 Conservative incumbent Mike Wallace, who served as chair of the parliamentary steel caucus which was formed in the late 1970s and has strong Burlington roots, welcomed U.S. Steel’s acquisition of Stelco Inc. and at the time “shrugged off concerns about the loss of Canadian ownership in the sector” in 2007.
That shrug has come back to haunt Wallace who has yet to make any comment on what he thinks should be done for the workers in Hamilton –many who live in Burlington.
Liberals support foreign investment in Canada but also believe in the protection of vital Canadian industrial sectors and in putting community-based economic development back on the agenda.
Gould, who understand the economic investment file wants to see the “Investment Canada Act amended to introduce new transparency and enforceability measures to ensure clear and long-term benefits are achieved for Canadians when a foreign takeover takes place.”
“I have spoken with too many people in this community” said Gould “who are frightened about the future of their pension.” Gould added: “The silence of the current Member of Parliament and secret dealings of the Harper government on an issue that could negatively impact thousands of people in our region is simply unacceptable.”
 Liberal candidate Karina Gould wraps Mike Wallace’s knuckles over the attempt on the part of US Steel to change pension benefits “Liberals believe in the principle that employers must honour the commitments made to retirees, and that pensioners must be included in any consultation and planning process to make changes to their existing plans. We have a collective legacy of valuing the long-term pension security of Canadians; a belief upheld in both words and deeds.”
“The Conservative government’s lack of action to protect pensioners in the Statutory Review of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act was completely unacceptable, and is yet another example of them ignoring the concerns of Canadian pensioners.”
There is an election going on and every issue that can be used to gain some mileage will get highlighted. Many thought it was pretty brassy on the part of US Steel to ask that they be permitted to not pay pension benefits and get a waiver on municipal taxes as well.
The pension issue is scary for a lot of people.
 By Staff
September 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police have concluded an investigation and have charged a Burlington man with sexual assault.
On Wednesday September 23, 2015, the accused, a client at a tanning salon in Burlington, offered a 17-year-old female a ride home after finishing her shift working in the same salon.
The accused drove to his apartment to pick something up and the victim used the washroom.
While in the apartment, the accused made sexual advances towards the victim which were refused. After attempts to prevent the victim from leaving, she was able to get out and wait outside.
The accused continued to drive the victim to her friend’s and made further advances towards her in the vehicle. The accused sexually assaulted the victim.
On Sunday, September 27, 2105, the accused was arrested and charged.
Richard SHAMOON, 35 years, from Burlington has been charged with:
Sexual Assault and Forcible Confinement
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
September 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Have we seen this before or as the late Yogi Berra put it – “It’s like deja-vu, all over again.
On Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the West Plains United Church there was a community meeting at which the city’s planning staff set out a proposal that had been submitted by the ADI Development Group for the development of land that was south of the rail line, east of Waterdown Road and immediately north of Masonry Road
 Some site preparation works seems to be taking place on that part of the property that will be stacked townhouse along with back to back townhouses. It was a staff presentation and the first time the community got a look at what the developer had in mind. Using the language of the planner it was an application to subdivide a 5.09 hectare parcel of land located south of the CN Rail tracks on the east side of Waterdown Road.
The subdivision design includes a road running north/south, extending north from Cooke Boulevard, and a 3.08 hectare development block on the east side of the proposed road.
Proposed development for the development block includes 200 stacked townhouses, 64 standard townhouses and 60 back-to-back townhouses.
The ADI Development group put the plan forward. At the time they were looking for site plan approval and a plan of sub-division.
At that time people in the audience expressed some concern over the lack of amenities – that same concern existed within the planning department and additional discussions were expected to take place.
 Just to the west of the stacked townhouses is the land on which the ADI Development groups is believed to want to build apartments in the future. The apartments would be close to the new re-build and widened Waterdown Road. Since that public meeting took place ADI withdrew their plan of sub-division. City planners issued comments for the developer – those comments are not public – they are comments made by the planners setting out the concerns they have and what it will take to ameliorate those concerns.
The planning department is expecting a revised site plan and perhaps a plan of condominium.
 The content of the sign is perfectly legal – putting them up around the community without a permit on the weekend when the city tends not to enforce the bylaw isn’t kosher. Sprouting up like weeds in the Aldershot community are A frame signs marketing the site – five of these signs were seen along Plains Road on Sunday. Is a project that has yet to be approved being offered for sale? No – all ADI is doing is letting people register their interest in a possible purchase when the project has been approved.
It is an excellent way to gauge buyer interest in both the layout and design and the price point. All good marketing. The people in ward 2 where the Nautique project is now before the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) take heart with the Yogi Berra quote “It’s like deja-vu, all over again.”
To date there have been no revisions to the proposal and a Statutory Public Meeting has yet to be scheduled.
Stay tuned!
By Staff
September 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police responded to a report of a distraught female that led officers to the Burloak Drive and QEW overpass in the City of Burlington.
 BurlOak where it passes over the QEW – scene of an incident that required the Special Investigations Unit to be called in. This morning, Monday September 28, 2015 at approximately 6:20am, officers arrived on scene. The woman was transported to hospital in stable condition.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was notified and has invoked its mandate. As a result the Halton Regional Police will not be able to provide any further information. Any inquiries should be directed to the SIU Communications.
The SIU is brought in when there is need for an investigation of police conduct.
 By Ray Rivers
September 28, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Ray Rivers has been writing a column on political issues in the province and across the country. The Gazette asked Rivers to drop his regular column and write instead on what took place during the week. This is his third column on the federal election and what has transpired to date.
Since the beginning of this election campaign the NDP have held the lead. This is the first week that polls show their numbers dropping and the party falling into third place. Support for the once-socialist entity seems to be vaporizing across the entire country, including in Quebec. But never say never in an election this close.
In contrast, the Harper Conservatives have picked up steam mid-campaign, making it seem like a Tory minority is in the works, come Oct 19th. And the polls may actually be underestimating the number of seats Mr. Harper will ultimately win.
 Burlington MPP Mike Wallace, second from the left, taking part in the handing out of federal funds to Burlington industry. For one thing he has more money than the other parties combined, and given the extended election period will assail the other party leaders with a ton of attack ads, which we know work. Then, there is this orgy of recent spending for pre-election goodies in Tory ridings, to showcase, promote and help profile Tory candidates.
Further, Mr. Harper’s government has changed the electoral map to his advantage. With 30 new seats in Parliament it is expected that the Conservatives could win 22 of them, based on the results of the last election. It’s called the ‘gerrymandering’, what his party’s Republican cousins south of the border have perfected, configuring the geography of ridings so the demographics favour the election of Tory candidates.
For example, my riding of Flamborough-Glanbrook was configured by segregating the rural areas from Tory-hostile urban Hamilton. Since rural folks are typically expected to favour Conservatives candidates, the strategy is for the ‘big blue team’ to hold at least one seat in red/orange Hamilton. The riding configuration makes no sense otherwise. It would take longer to drive from one end of the new riding to the other than a trip to downtown Toronto in rush hour.
 The Flamborough – Glanbrook constituenmcy is a classic example of “gerrymandering” – a form of boundary setting that has little to do with the voters as a community – more to do with putting like minded voters in the same riding to ensure a win for the governing party. Holding the most seats in the House, and unlikely to improve on that, Mr. Harper’s strategy is strictly defensive. So, in an effort to discourage voters who aren’t likely to vote Tory, the government enacted its “Fair Elections Act”. Another idea borrowed from southern Republicans, this legislation sees election rules and responsibilities altered so as to restrict the ability of marginal voters to cast a ballot. And it sure looks like some kind of revenge, that Elections Canada’s powers to police cheating have been curbed.
Speaking of cheating, recall that in 2006 Mr. Harper’s back-room boys broke the election financing rules, enabling them to illegally move money around to expand their campaign. The Conservative party ultimately pleaded guilty to exceeding election spending limits and submitting fraudulent election records, and agreed to repay $230,198.00 for its role in violating Canadian election spending laws.
In the 2011 election a Conservative Party staffer blitzed over 6000 non-conservative voters in Guelph with robocall mis-information in an attempt to keep them from casting ballots. It is thought that as many as 200 voters went to the wrong polling places as a result. There were over 800 complaints to Canada’s election commission over this, and seven ridings sought to have their results overturned.
It’s not that the other parties are always squeaky clean. The NDP recently tried to use public money to mail political flyers. More recently, a provincial Liberal campaign worker was charged by police in connection with last February’s by-election in Sudbury.
 Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien using a golf ball to make a point during an inquiry into federal spending – several senior bureaucrats went to jail for that one. It was not one of Chretien’s finest hours – and Burlington’s Paddy Torsney lost her federal seat over that issue. And then there was the Liberal ‘Sponsorship’ scandal, the consequence of which has seen the federal party lose its place in Quebec politics for the last decade. No other scandal in modern Canadian history has resulted in this kind of rebuff. By comparison, robocalls, a flagrant attempt to prevent voters from casting their ballot, has apparently been forgotten/forgiven.
I watched this week’s debate, in French, since the English language version was virtually unintelligent – with the leaders and moderators talking over each other in both official languages. Mr. Harper joined the Bloc in playing to Quebec’s social conservative base in discussing the Niqab ban, and both parties rose in the polls as a result. Quebecers, and most Canadians apparently agree with the PM on this issue.
Mr. Harper’s self-defence strategy has him feeding his party’s base, hoping to give them enough religion that they will return the faith – showing up on Election Day. To that end he has now added another unenforceable economic policy with the ridiculous name of ‘tax lock’. He is promising no federal tax increases of any kind for the next four years if he wins. This is the second silly shoe, given he’s already passed a balanced budget law – which most experts believe will be broken come year end.
And finally this week, it seems that at least one Hamilton area NDP candidate has reduced her chances of winning over the voters. Alex Johnstone, when
 Hamilton Ontario, Sept 22, 2015 Alex Jonstone NDP candidate for Westdale, Dundas, Ancaster at debate Tuesday night in Dundas. Cathie Coward / Hamilton Spectator confronted with an improper remark about Auschwitz she’d made years ago on social media, apologized by claiming she didn’t know it was a concentration camp. I guess this school board official must have skipped that class in candidate college.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province. Rivers is no longer active with any political party.
Background links:
Seat Projections Redistribution Rural Votes Gerrymandering USA
Fair Elections Act In and Out Scandal
Tory Winning Harper Winning
Spending Money Robocalls
Niqab
By Staff
September 27, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
For just one week (October 18th to 24th) during Ontario Public Library Week, you can pay outstanding fines with food. We accept *unexpired* canned and dry food items. All food collected goes to Burlington Food Share to help local community members in need. So, clear up your fines and help others at the same time. One food item = $1 in fines, 2 items = $2 in fines, up to $10/card.
 Use food to pay your library fine. Nice policy – but if you don’t play the game the way they want you to – they get nasty and send your fine odd to a collection agency.
The Library will send your account to a collection agency and adds a $15 administration fee when:
• you have items overdue 60 days with an outstanding balance of $35 (formerly $50) or more, or,
• you have an outstanding balance of $35 (formerly $50) or more on your account for 60 days.
I have an overdue fine – but the notice from the library doesn’t tell anyone how to find out what you owe them. Do I take in several jars of peanut butter and a couple of bags of rice? Don’t even know what I owe them
 By Pepper Parr
September 26, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It takes the EllisDon Construction Team an average of three weeks to pour concrete and form the columns for one level of the new patient tower.
 The view of the construction site as seem from the Earth Cam Saturday September 26th. There is a link to the camera in this story. Bookmark it and drop in to see how the construction is doing, This means that in just a few months we can expect to see the slab for Level 7 completed, before the winter weather is upon us. The before and after photos show how fast the tower continues to rise.
The construction of the Level 4 deck has started and will continue over the next couple of weeks.
Level 4 is a double-height space there is no Level 3.
Eight elevator shafts from Level 1 to 2 are finished and shafts from Levels 2 to 4 are in the process of being built.
Three main stairways have been completed up to Level 2. The stairways from Level 2 to 4 are being constructed over the next couple of weeks.
The micro piles for the bridge that will connect the parking garage to the main hospital building will be installed by the end of this week. A micro pile is a mini version of a caisson (a structure that is drilled down to bedrock to support the bridge).
A new ramp on the Level 1 balcony in the courtyard area of the hospital has been completed.
Masonry work and roofing continues on the loading dock.
A new bulk oxygen tank arrived last Friday and will be installed in the loading dock area.
 There are many people in this city who remember hospital rooms that looked like this. The move to four patients in a room was seen as a huge advancement. The hospitals of today are eons away from what a hospital used to look like. People will be taken aback when they see just how attractive and modern looking the new hospital rooms are going to look like.
The hospital administration decided they would create mock-ups of what a Patient Room, Emergency Department Exam Room, Trauma Room, Intensive Care Unit Room and an Operating Room will look like
The mock-up rooms are being built in a warehouse off-site and are nearing completion.
 This is where the construction crews had gotten to on September 10th. The construction site has a camera that is live all the team showing the new patient tower as it rises. The photograph shows where the site was on September 10, they are certainly growing.
How are they doing so far – Click here.
 By Pepper Parr
September 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington is about to enjoy a small part of the Brian McCurdy legacy – his decision to make space for local groups that have significant artistic merit and reflect one of the original purposes for the building of a Performing Arts centre in the city is what got the Form Contemporary Dance Theatre (FCDT) into the Studio Theatre for a three day dance program that knows where the edge of the envelope is and heads straight for it.
 The FORM Contemporary Dance Theatre company in rehearsal for the two day – three performance of Blue on October 9th and 10th at the Performing Arts Centre. (FCDT) is presenting their Reflective/Vulnerable which makes strong use of physically raw movements. The Reflective/Vulnerable performance guides, pushes and pulls audiences through emotional extremes.
 Developing the form and feel of a dance production takes time and practice. The Form Contemporary Dance Theatre will be at the Performing Arts Centre October 9th and 10th Reflective/Vulnerable is a mixed program featuring an interactive video installation from guest artists from The Burlington Wholeshebang and several other works of choreography each exploring different worlds of everyday experiences. Some of these worlds are filled with joyful and quirky movement; others examine the wandering rambling thoughts of our mind; and still others offer an intense exploration of control, power, and the individuals who challenge and overthrow.
 A member of the Form Contemporary Dance Theatre in rehearsal. The company will perform in Burlington in October. Reflective/Vulnerable offers audiences a variety of movement styles, themes, and emotions. With the support of ArtHouse and Michelle Hopkins Dance Studio we are thrilled to provide children from the Halton region professional dance experience as part of Reflective/Vulnerable. We are very excited for you to experience all that Reflective/Vulnerable has to offer.
FCDT sets out to create art that is inviting for audiences, art that combines extremes in its emotional content and art that is informed by human experiences. We aim to create works of art that have a raw and vulnerable essence.
Mateo Galindo Torres, artistic advisor explains: “Nothing should be absolute or immobile; everything needs to be challenged to allow for growth and evolution.”
The performances take place in the Studio Theatre:
OCT 9th 7:30pm (pre-show talk 7:00pm)
OCT 10th 2:00pm (pre-show talk 1:30pm)
OCT 10th 7:30pm (pre-show talk 7:00pm)
Tickets are available at The Centre Box office 905-681-6000 or online at www.burlingtonpac.ca.
 The Form Contemporary Dance Theatre does excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite each year with a Cambridge orchestra. The company is very strong on costume – something very evident in these photographs. Top ticket price $20
Form CDT is a Hamilton/Burlington based company founded in February 2014. Within Burlington and Hamilton they have been part of Flounder Festival, Burlington Culture Days, Hamilton Fringe Festival 14/15 and have collaborated with the The Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts, Burlington Student Theatre and Art House. They have participated in Series 808 (Take Two) in Toronto, FRESH BLOOD in Toronto, Dance Matters in Toronto, and 2014’s Hemispheric Encuentro: Manifest in Montreal.
Most recently Form CDT has been commissioned by UNU-INWEH to choreograph and perform at their 20th Anniversary Celebrations in the Fall of 2016. Form CDT is very active in dance and movement education and to facilitate this passion we founded a sister company called Transform CDT.
By Pepper Parr
September 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
During the municipal election the Gazette followed a candidate who was running for the first time to give readers a sense of what running for office is all about. We track the candidates experience and document their trials and tribulations.
We don’t endorse the candidate however we do sprinkle some of their thinking and what motivated them to run in the first place through the articles we will write. We chose a candidate in this federal election who was serious and committed and didn’t seek the nomination.
Vince Fiorito, the Green Party candidate in the October 19th federal election, approved the layout and content of his election flyer yesterday – his business cards were approved the day before. .
On Monday of next week he expects to be at the GO Station platform handing out his flyers and chatting with people while they wait for the GO train to whisk them off to work.
 Vince Fiorito lives beside the Sheldon Creeks and spends hours and hours with friends hauling garbage out of land that the city actually owns. This is his first election campaign. He didn’t see himself as a political candidate – he didn’t seek the nomination – he was asked to run and thought it was another way to talk about his concern for the environment.
Getting through the organizational hassles was not something he was prepared for – finding the people he would need to make a decent showing has taken more effort than he expected.
The close to total lack of support from BurlingtonGreen stunned him. “I got more support and advice from Mayor Goldring than I did from BurlingtonGreen” he said.
Getting the 100 names on the nomination form proved to be a bit of a challenge as well. Fiorito found that he did quite well walking up and down Brant Street and asking people if they would sign his nomination papers was an experience he isn’t likely to forget.
I pushed a little too hard with one lady and wanted to find out who she was so I could apologize. He eventually got his 100 signatures and all the forms the Returning Officer hands out. The bank account was opened and he got a piece of paper saying he was the Green party candidate and his name would be on the ballot.
His wife is looking askance at what her husband has decided to do – she supports him but wonders what in heavens name he is doing. The two have been married for more than 30 years and she has come to expect her husband to do things differently. The couple bought the home they live in because Vince wanted to be beside the Sheldon Creek – a stretch of land for which he is now the “steward”.
Fiorito has some well thought out views on what we human beings are doing to the environment and explains to anyone who will listen that the planet is going to kill all of us if we don’t change the way we treat the planet.
 Part of the haul for on Saturday of cleaning up ravines in the city. Fiorito is no nut case – his just looks at the available evidence and comes to the conclusion that most of us don’t really get it yet.
Global warming is just part of the problem that we created. We are losing millions of different species says an exasperated Fiorito, and for the most part few people even know that is happening.
The steward of Sheldon Creek takes thing environmental seriously. While looking for the headwaters of the handful of creeks that run from south of Side Road 1 down the Escarpment and through the city into the lake, Fiorito spots a rather well kept lawn on a property beside the Bronte Creek. “Do you know what that guy is doing to the environment” asks Fiorito. “He is killing the creek and doing great harm to the Lake. All the pesticides he needs to put on the grass to make it as green as it is – is doing a lot of harm.” Fiorito doesn’t think people should have the right to do that to the environment – statements like that are not going to make him popular in Burlington.
Popularity is not his concern – matters of principal are and for those matters he will tilt at every windmill he encounters
Election signs: You can have one – well actually you will not get a Fiorito election sign given to you – but you can rent one from the campaign. The cost is $20 for a small lawn sign and $100 for a large sign.
Fiorito will install and pick up any signs that are rented. He wants the people of Burlington to know that when they see a Fiorito election sign – the use of the sign has put their money where there mouth is.
There isn’t going to be a campaign office – the campaign will be run from the kitchen table of the Fiorito home
If you haven’t heard of the Rights of Nature – listen up – Fiorito will explain to you that the creatures and critters we share this planet with have the same rights as you and I – that includes the mosquitoes that want to suck the blood out of us.
 The amount of trash people toss into the ravines amazes Vince Fiorito – this in a city in which close to 1000 people show up for a GreenUp/CleanUp day each year. Fiorito will tell you everything you might want to know about invasive species and why they are a problem.
Fiorito will not have a web site – he does have a Facebook page and he is looking forward to the two debates scheduled for Burlington.
Fiorito talks in terms of winning and believes that ideas will win out.
Well watch his progress with interest.
By Staff
September 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Given the way the federal candidates are throwing money around the Region must have concluded that they shoud make their wished known as well.
Earlier this week, Halton Region sent local federal election candidates a questionnaire that profiles five of the community’s growth-related issues and asks how they would address these challenges if elected. The Region has asked candidates to complete the questionnaire by October 7, allowing residents enough time to review the responses before visiting the polls on Election Day.
 Regional Chair Gary Carr at a Burlington event – he wants to know just what each political party is prepared to give the Region in the way of financial and legislative support. “To protect tax payers from the cost of growth and maintain our strong financial position, we require support from all levels of government to address the increasing demand on our local services and infrastructure,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “By sharing the candidate responses with residents, we help voters make an informed decision about Halton’s future when they visit the polls.”
The Region asked candidates to outline their position on the following top five growth-related issues:
• meeting our community’s infrastructure needs;
• adapting and responding to climate change;
• creating real and affordable housing solutions;
• building a strong economy; and
• ensuring adequate, high-quality child care and early learning options.
This outreach is part of the Region’s ongoing advocacy efforts to address the need for increased funding and legislative changes in order to meet provincially-mandated growth targets. The issues highlighted in the questionnaire, as well as the importance of support from all levels of government, have been identified as priorities by Regional Council.
The Region will post candidate responses, as they are received, to halton.ca/election2015.
The Region may have been more wisely advised to add a slash and the word pablum to the web site identifier.
It would have been nice to see Chair Carr attend one of the debates and rise to ask a question.
 By Staff
September 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
 The Gazette received the following from a friend who is a real estate broker:
“I have a glossy pamphlet you should have. ADI sent out invites for an exclusive broker luncheon Tuesday October 6th; “be the first to receive floor plans and advanced price list; see scale model, tour the stunning model suite”……”valet parking provided……”.
The Gazette didn’t get an invitation.
There is no stopping the ADI team
 By Staff
September 25, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It is week 23 of the Halton Regional Police “Fugitive Friday” initiative. That is used to reach out to the public for help locating wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions.
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live out in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place.
 Trevor Grant ADAMS 29 years old, of Burlington, ON. #3 District- Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for Trevor Grant ADAMS 29 years old, of Burlington, ON.
It is alleged:
– In September, 2015, the accused and the victim got into an argument. The accused assaulted the victim and damaged personal property.
– The accused fled prior to police arrival and it was learned he has a prior court ordered condition to keep the peace.
– A warrant has been issued his arrest.
He is now wanted by Halton Regional Police Service for:
Assault with a Weapon
Assault
Mischief under $5000
Breach of Probation
ADAMS is described as 5’11”, 200 lbs, blue eyes and brown hair. ADAMS has numerous Tattoos that include; “Adams” abdomen, “Scottish Lion” right arm, “Thicker than Water” chest, “Wings” on each side of his chest, “Skull & Highway Sign” right forearm, “What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Stronger” right forearm, “5150” abdomen and a “Revolver” left abdomen. ADAMS has ties to Burlington, Hamilton and the surrounding areas.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist investigators in locating him are encouraged to contact D/Cst. Bulbrook – Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Offender Management Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2346 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Today the Ontario Secondary School Teachers` Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) Provincial announced that teachers in District 20, Halton, will be adding additional sanctions to their job action as of Tuesday, September 29 unless a local collective agreement is reached by that date.
 Secondary school teachers union threatens to ramp up the pressure on the school board – high schools brace for any action. This makes things awkward for the Halton District School Board who are questioning the announcement by the OSSTF Provincial Office in light of the mutually agreed upon local negotiation dates of September 30 and October 1.
The Halton District School Board say they remain committed to continuing negotiations with the local union and want to reach a negotiated settlement as soon as possible.
Some of the trust needed to make negotiations work seems to have eroded
By Pepper Parr
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Why are there all these rules and bylaws? Every time you turn around the city is standing there telling you – you can’t do that.
It isn’t always easy to understand the reasons for a bylaw but there is a situation brewing in the city that points up why there are rules.
 ADI Development called it hoarding; the ward Councillor didn’t see it that way – its a billboard. The ADI Development Group decided they wanted to put up a great big honking sign along Lakeshore at the corner of Martha – they told the bylaw people that it was hoarding to keep people off the property. Fine – but the sign was on just two corners of the lot – it was clearly advertising but ADI thought they had found a loophole and they were going to exploit it.
Problem with this kind of thinking is that if ADI development gets away with this – everyone will want to put up bill boards and call them hoardings and point to the ADI example.
 Is this hoarding or pieces of plywood waiting to become a billboard? Located at the corner of Brant and Blairholme – great visibility. There is a lot on the corner of Brant and Blairholme that wants to do just that – the boards are up now – painted black – doing just what isn’t clear. They look like a ground level bill board waiting for an advertising message.
How will city council handle this latest curve ball that ADI Development has thrown?
  By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Sunday is the last of the three day cultural spree in the city. The Burlington event is part of a nation-wide celebration of the arts.
The event coincides with Doors Open, another annual activity which opens up a number of the City’s heritage sites to the public.
Sunday 27th
Music Lessons for all Ages
Time: 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Burlington Music Centre, 2311 New St., in Central Park, Burlington, Ont.
Description: Music is for all ages – you can learn to play an instrument at any age! Speak with music teachers, test out instruments, learn some more about the effects music has on the human brain and how it improves learning, social skills, ability to multi-task and more.
Organizer: Rob Bennett, Rob.bennett@burlington.ca, www.burlington.ca/en/live-and-play/music-lessons.asp, 905-335-7807
Celebrating Burlington through Photos
Time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Tourism Burlington Visitor Information Centre, 414 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Celebrating 30 years of tourism in Burlington through photos, featuring local attractions and famous Burlingtonians from the past and present. Activities include interactive displays, hands-on activities, a scavenger hunt, and more!
Organizer: Tourism Burlington, info@tourismburlington.com, www.tourismburlington.com, 905-634-5594,
Breathe with Planet Earth (outdoors meditation on live music)
Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon
Location: Burlington City Hall, Civic Square, 426 brant St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Participate in a guided collective meditation with live flute and drum music. Learn balancing techniques and connect through inner energy. Apply simple chakra cleansing techniques specific to sahaja yoga meditation, based on ancient Indian knowledge of yoga and kundalini energy.
Activity Contact: Sahaja Yoga Meditation, contact@free-meditation.ca, www.free-meditation.ca, 416-628-0355,
Volunteer Coordinator/Organizer: Ioana Popa, ioanayoga@yahoo.ca, 905-484-2068
Applefest Fall Fair
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 Ireland House, a part of the Museums Burlington operation, is the only example of a farming property that is publicly view-able in the city south of Dundas, It is an excellent example of its period. Worth as visit Location: Ireland House Museum, 2168 Guelph Line, Burlington, Ont.
Description: “If you enjoy a taste of the country, you will love Applefest Fall Fair.” It’s a fun event for the whole family with the exciting activities and attractions of a country fair. Biggger and better than ever, Applefest will celebrate the changing of the seasons with fantastic games, crafts, FREE live musical entertainment and delicious “Harvest Fare” food such as country-style BBQ and delicious apple treats, including apple blossoms, apple cider and apple pie. Admission is FREE!
Organizer: Museums of Burlington, Valerie.amaral@burlington.ca, www.museumsofburlington.com, 905-332-9888
KooGle Theatre Company Dance event
Time: 1 to 1:15 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Plaza, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Bringing the community together through dance. Christopher and Leslie, co-artistic directors of KooGle Theatre Company will be hosting this surprise event outside in the courtyard of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
Organizer: KooGle Theatre Company, Leslie Gray, www.koogletheatre.com, info@koogletheatre.com, 905-633-8788
Creative Hub
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Free drop-in family activities in the GWD Foundation for Kids’ Creative Hub.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, 905-632-7796, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, www.artgalleryofburlington.com
Guild Demonstrations
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Free demonstrations by our 7 guilds in their studios. Participating guilds include the Burlington Fine Arts Association, Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild, Burlington Fibre Arts Guild, Burlington Rug Hooking Guild, Latow Photographers Guild, Burlington Sculptors & Woodcarvers Guild, and the Burlington Potters’ Guild.
Organizer: Art Gallery of Burlington, 905-632-7796, info@artgalleryofburlington.com, www.artgalleryofburlington.com
Stained Glass Demonstration – Copper Foiling Method
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
 Teresa Seaton, centre, discusses where her cultural hot spots are with Donna Grandin – both are participants in the city’s Culture Days.in the city are located. Location: 654 Spring Gardens Rd., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Teresa Seaton, a fifteen-year veteran of stained glass, will be demonstrating her copper foiling techniques as she completes a stained glass panel. Teresa’s gallery features a large selection of her latest works and now exhibits the work of established and emerging Canadian artists.
Organizer: Teresa Seaton, tmseaton@cogeco.ca, www.teresaseaton.ca, 905-510-5030
Art in Action Demonstration
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Lobby, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Come and meet some of the best artists and artisans Burlington has to offer as they demonstrate their skills. The Art in Action Studio Tour is a not-for-profit annual community event on the first weekend of November. We will be demonstrating and promoting the upcoming tour.
Organizer: Teresa Seaton, Chair Art in Action, tmseaton@cogeco.ca, www.artinaction.ca, 905-510-5030
Celebrate Burlington
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Lobby, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Join us for Celebrate Burlington – a Culture Days artist showcase at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Meet local artists and artisans as they demonstrate their skills, showcase their latest work and engage the family in a variety of interactive activities. The showcase will feature live performances by Burlington talent, allow for public engagement with citizen committees, artistic guilds, musicians photographers, fine artists, new media arts and more.
Organizer: Adam Belovari, adam.belovari@burlington.ca, www.burlington.ca/culturedays, 905-335-7600 ext. 7335
And All Was Bright: Multimedia Performance Art Installation
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Studio Theatre, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: And All Was bright (Ben Robertson) is a musician and multimedia installation artist from Burlington, ON, Canada. His sound arrangements are progressive, emotive and strongly driven by concept – they span the spectrum of melodic drone scapes, noise, and heavy distortion. His video arrangements are abstract yet convey the underlying concepts behind the work. With installations that are fully immersive, Robertson fills the performance space with heavily-processed sound, projected visuals and controlled lighting, occupying the viewers’ auditory, visual and physical senses.
As part of Culture Days 2015, Robertson will perform his latest installation, entitled “Hope”, at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. The performance piece is inspired by the unsteady balance of the natural environment and industry.
Organizer: And All Was Bright, Ben Robertson, andallwasbright@live.ca, andallwasbright.com, 289-259-0400
Twin City Celebration
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Lobby – 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Come and experience a bit of Japanese and Dutch culture as the Burlington Mundialization Committee celebrates Burlington’s twinning relationships with the cities of Itabashi, Japan and Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
Organizer: Lisa Palermo, Lisa.Palermo@burlington.ca, https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/burlington-mundialization-committee.asp, 905-335-7600 ext. 7492
Peacock Feather Drawing and Donna Grandin Art Display at BPAC
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Lobby, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Grandin was born and raised in the Carribean, and has been living in Burlington since 1998. She exhibits and sells her art in both the Carribean and Canada. Locally, her work can be found at Art Etc., the Art Gallery of Burlington or Blue Roots Art Studio.
Organizer: Donna Grandin, fine artist, Blue Roots Art Studio, donna@bluerootsartstudio.com, 905-639-3419
Be a Conductor for the Moment
Time: 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.
 Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Main Theatre, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: Symphony on the Bay invites members of the community to be a ‘conductor for the moment’ at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. This is your chance to join local celebrities in conducting a full orchestra on a concert stage. You will receive helpful coaching tips before your performance, and will be performing in front of a potential audience of 700. Bring your family and friends to this free performance and experience the power of a full symphony orchestra obeying your every command.
Anyone from age six and up is invited to submit their name to the below email.
Organizer: Andrea Battista, abattista1@cogeco.ca, www.symphonyonthebay.com, 905-331-8701
 Trevor Copp will be performing during the Burlington Resounds part of Culture Day on Sunday. Burlington Resounds: Culture Days Grand Finale
Time: 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Location: Burlington Performing Arts Centre Main Theatre, 440 Locust St., Burlington, Ont.
Description: The Grand Finale for this year’s Culture Days festivities will be another fantastic showcase of the City’s performing artists. This time Burlington Resounds will be presented in the Main Theatre of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Superlative artists and ensembles from music, theatre, dance and spoken word, professional and amateur, will each present a five-minute showcase. This will truly be a night to remember! Admission is free.
 Hayley Verrall sang O’Canada during the inauguration of the current city council – did a splendid job. Look for her on Sunday – worth the effort. Artists to Include:
Tottering Bipeds Dance Theatre, Jude Johnson, Stuart Laughton,
Symphony by the Bay, Jason Hales and Charlene Santoni, Lorretta Bailey, Burlington Slam Poets, Hayley Verrall, Burlington Teen Tour Band, Andy Griffiths, Renew and Steve Barabash, Melissa Bel, Janet Turpin Myers, Burlington Student Theatre, Charles Cozens and Janet Horn, McKenzie Small, KooGle Theatre.
The only act Missens missed was Mayor Goldring at the keyboard and MP Mike Wallace dancing with a broom trying to convince an audience he was Gene Kelly.
BURLINGTON RESOUNDS BRINGS CULTURE DAYS 2015 TO A RESOUNDING CONCLUSION AT THE BURLINGTON PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
At 4:30 pm some fifteen of the City’s finest performers and performing arts organizations will take over the Main Theatre (see list attached). These include a number of the City’s leading professionals, such as musician Stuart Laughton, pianist Renee Barabash, singers Charlene Santoni and Jason Hales, singer-songwriter Andy Griffiths, conductor-composer Charles Cozens and violinist Janet Horn, as well as a number of up and coming performers such as Hayley Verrall and members of Burlington Student Theatre. Participating organizations include the legendary Burlington Teen Tour Band, KooGle Theatre, Form Contemporary Dance Theatre and Tottering Biped Theatre. The Grand Finale will also feature a massed choir of local community and church singers, as well as the new Lowville Festival Choir, under the direction of Wayne Strongman.
Named Burlington Resonds will mark the conclusion of three days of cultural celebration.
 By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
There may be no free lunch – but you can charge up free at the electric charge station on level 1 of the Lotus Street parking lot next to the Performing Arts Centre.
There was one vehicle in the two car set up with the hose plugged into the hood and the flow of electricity humming along when we visited the location.
 Best energy deal in town – charge your car free at the charging station at the Locust Street parking lot. While there is no sign saying the service is free and there is nothing about it being free in the media release – the communications people tell us that it is free – they just weren’t able to tell us how long that deal is going to last.
The Gazette didn’t participate in the “launch” – we saw it as another photo op for the politicians so we took a pass. We did slip over and have a look see.
At some point the freebie will end – the instructions we saw suggest that all a user will have to do is tap with the choice of payment card – and the energy begins to flow.
When you are in the charging station you do have to pay for your parking – there is a limit as to just how free something can be.
By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
At a special Board meeting on September 23, 2015, Halton District School Board trustees voted unanimously to appoint Stuart Miller as the new Director of Education for the Board. Miller assumes the role October 1, replacing David Euale who announced his retirement in February 2015.
 Stuart Miller appointed as new Director of Education for Halton District School Board In April, Halton District School Board Trustees enlisted the assistance of an executive search firm to initiate an extensive search for a new Director. The comprehensive search process resulted in the Board of Trustees interviewing a number of candidates before naming Miller as the Board’s new Director of Education.
Miller’s teaching career has been predominantly Halton-based, with the exception of a year in Scotland, and a year teaching in Malawi, East Africa. His teaching responsibilities included Science, Biology and Mathematics, and he also coached hockey and soccer, coordinated science fairs, and initiated and organized social justice conferences for students.
Miller has climbed the senior administrative ladder at the school board very rapidly, In 2009 he was appointed to the position of Superintendent of Education, and moved into the role of Associate Director in 2014.
Miller has been instrumental in creating the Welcome Centre for students new to Canada and implementing an expansion of the international student program within the Board. He is also credited with advancing the work of the Board’s Research and Accountability team, a department that plays a crucial role for schools by providing student data as a resource support for students.
“Positive and supportive relationships with students, staff and the community are essential for the success of our students, and those attributes are evident in Halton,” says Miller. “Education, teaching and learning are rapidly changing and moving into a new paradigm. It is the emphasis on relationships that will sustain and support the Board’s forward movement toward this paradigm.”
Kelly Amos, Chair of the Board said trustees are excited to welcome Stuart Miller to the role of Director. She added: “Our extensive executive search resulted in several excellent candidates. The Board selected Stuart Miller for his passion and commitment to student achievement and his vision for the HDSB.
We have not heard anything yet about just what that vision is.
By Pepper Parr
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
“So what about that sign?” asks ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward.
“Unfortunately,” she explains “the city has no legal grounds to govern the content of signs. These types of signs that appear before an application is approved have occurred before on other development sites in the city, and we cannot stop them.”
 This is the side of what ADI Development calls “hoarding” along Lakeshore Road where there is very high viability. The city describes this as a commercial sign. “We do, however, govern the size and installation of signs. At my request, by law enforcement looked into this sign and have confirmed the sign is too large. However, ADI is arguing that the sign is hoarding to secure the vacant lot. Our bylaw is apparently silent on messages appearing on hoarding. So for now the sign remains.
 The side of the same sign that traffic does not see – hoarding is usually used to contain a lot. Battling this one out is going to consumer a lot of city staff time. Councillor Meed Ward sees this practice as an abuse of the sign bylaw and something that will detract from the look of the city if it is allowed to continue. It will be interesting to see what kind of support she gets from her fellow council members. “This seems to me to be a significant gap in our sign regulations. There is hoarding at the corner of Brant and Blairholm, currently painted black; the owner has been asking to place a billboard here for years. How long do you think it will be before we see a sign replacing the black paint on this hoarding, or elsewhere in the city? We don’t want a billboard-as-hoarding free-for-all.
“I have asked for a meeting with our bylaw staff to discuss how we might revise our bylaws to address the issue of oversize signs masquerading as hoarding.
Meed Ward adds that “Any sign or advertisement suggesting the imminent arrival of a development project that has not been approved is misleading and confusing. These signs create concern around whether a deal has been struck behind closed doors without the public’s knowledge in the dog days of summer. Emphatically, no. Such signs also require an exasperating expenditure of time and resources to correct the facts.
Meed Ward adds that she is not persuaded the sign is “hoarding.” The sign is only in one corner of the lot – the part facing traffic; the other sides are open, with wide gaps between boards and caution tape. Most hoarding runs the perimeter of a property. This construction effort is not securing the site. I’m concerned about public safety and the security and installation of this massive billboard. I will be doing some further investigating with staff.
“I will be sending correspondence to the developer asking that they show more respect for the community, remove the existing sign, and state in any future communication that this project is proposed only and subject to an OMB decision next year” said Meed Ward
“I will also ask that they not to use hoarding as an opportunity for an oversize billboard, but erect a sign more in keeping with our sign bylaw.”
By Staff
September 24, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
A fourth GO station for Burlington? It is in the works.
Metrolinx has identified the area between Walkers Line and Cumberland as one of a number of areas on the Lakeshore \West corridor that are under consideration
 A fourth GO station for Burlington – near Walkers Line? Metrolinx plans to hold municipal meetings in the fall o gather local knowledge of the specific sites and provide background to stakeholders. Public meetings will follow.
Metrolinx clearly understands there is a need for an additional GO station capacity. Where do they get their information?
In a statement Metrolinx said they “identified station sites based on station spacing, transportation connectivity and ridership, available space for a station along with technical and operational concerns.”
Meanwhile, Mayor Goldring would like to know when Metrolinx will complete the work they started at the Burlington GO station. The Molinaro people may well have their five structure project next to the Burlington GO station built and occupied before all the GO station upgrades are done.
The key words in the Metrolinx announcement were “transportation connectivity”. The city needs to find a way to get people to use transit to get to the GO stations – they’ve yet to come up with an idea the public will buy into.
There is a serious need for some creative thinking and more in the way of public education – what we are doing now just isn’t sustainable.
By Staff
September 23, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Most parents want to be involved in their children’s education and school community. The
province is providing 24 Parents Reaching Out (PRO) grants to school councils in Burlington’s three local school boards to help more parents connect and engage with their children’s learning.
The grants will support projects that help parents respond to important issues in their local communities, such as bullying, student nutrition, literacy and math. They also help address barriers parents may face to participate in their child’s education, such as language and transportation.
 The plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills. Burlington MPP Eleanor McMahon says “The Parents Reaching Out grants are important investments to help Burlington parents get more involved in their children’s learning, helping our students succeed and our communities thrive. Each recipient school has identified a project based on their own interests and need. These grants will support projects like family math nights, online safety presentations and health and wellness sessions for parents.”
The province says studies show that when parents are more engaged in their children’s education, students are more likely to earn higher grades, develop better behaviour and social skills, and achieve higher levels of education. The province has provided more than 17,000 PRO grants to school councils.
The following schools in Burlington and the program they will offer received grants that averaged $1000.
 Bateman High School among Burlington schools that gets grant for parent involvement Information Evening for Parents, Canadian Martyrs School
Family Fitness, Holy Rosary Separate School
Descriptive Feedback Prompts, Lumen Christi Catholic Elementary School
Social Media Information Session, Brant Hills Public School
We all Belong, Clarksdale Public School
Online Safety Presentation, Glenview Public School
Parent Technology Initiative, Tom Thomson Public School
Everyone Can Succeed in Math with a Growth Mindset!, St. Patrick Separate School
Speaker Nights Topics for Parents Chosen by Parents, Bruce T. Lindley
Mental Health and Wellness, Dr. Charles Best Public School
Family Math Night, Frontenac Public School
Parent Engagement Presentations, John T. Tuck Public School
Welcoming New Families and Engaging All Families, Lakeshore Public School
Engaging Parents, Lester B. Pearson High School
Health and Wellness Sessions for Parents, Mohawk Gardens Public School
Reducing Stress and Anxiety in our Children, Pauline Johnson Public School
Individual Education Plans: Support and Education for Parents, Robert Bateman High School
Promoting an Inclusive and Safe School: The Role of Parent Engagement, Rolling Meadows Public School
Family Workshop Creating Healthy Schools, Tecumseh Public School
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