 August 18, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Burlington’s Children Festival is a two-day event. The first at Beachway Park takes place at the water’s edge. The second day is at Spencer Smith Park and is a little more commercial and has dozens of activities for the little guys.
As we strolled around here is the picture we saw.
 It was Mommys and babies and Dads and kids – and sunscreen for this little guy.  These two knew what to do when they got tired.  This young lad was surprised when he made the bell on the sledge-hammer attraction actually ring.  Working off the energy on the treadmill.  There were lineups for some of the attractions – but they were free and the lines moved quickly and smoothly.  As they get a little older – they are ready for bigger challenges. This group works their way through a children’s obstacle course. 
 August 19, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. They have been holding the event every year for the past 20 years. It’s a two-day event, usually during the second half of August. One day on the Beachway Park where the sand castle contest was the big deal – as well as some impressive face painting.
 This little girl likes what she sees but the boy behind her isn’t so sure.  Beach tents were a new addition to the Festival. They were available for rental this year.  It was people, people, people – for almost as far as the eye could see along the Beachway.  Some people knew how to get in on the event and stay cool at the same time. Not sure how much reading got done..  These sand castle competitors were clearly a family effort.  Lots of plots for sand castle competitors – there didn’t seem to be as many this years as there were last. The city did make it possible for people to register on line for a space. Perhaps more promotion is needed.  Mom getting ready to pass the football. Day two was at Spencer Smith Park where there was dozens upon dozens of things for kids to do..
A family can get out for the day and spend less than $3 per child and have a healthy, full, fun day. The $3 gets the child an ice-cream.
The event is put on by the city’s Festivals and Events department and is actually a profit centre. The city looks for sponsors for everything – and for the most part they get the sponsorship they need.
It’s not a news story; it is a great picture-taking occasion. There are no speeches given. We didn’t see one single politician – but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there.
How many people showed up? Very hard to tell. Certainly in the thousands – perhaps as high as 4000 on the Sunday at Spencer Smith.
If you weren’t there – the pictures tell the story.
If you were there – are you in the picture.
Sunday at Spencer Smith was just as interesting and clearly as much fun for those who got out for the day.
 August 19, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. Stella is moving from New Brunswick to the corner of Locust and Elgin, perched on the edge of the plaza outside the Performing Arts Centre.
Stella is a beauty – her full name is Spiral Stella and she came out of Peter Powning’s studio in New Brunswick. Her pedigree? Pure Burlington – with several centuries of history all over her.
Spiral Stella is the most recent piece of public art set up in the city. This latest effort is the result of a generous donation from Dan Lawrie, a Burlington businessman who, besides being a successful insurance company owner is also an artist in his own right.
 Dan Lawrie, an artist in his own right and also collector sits with a piece of art that is part of his collection. It was the Lawrie donation that got the city to He approached the city and offered to donate $37,500 for a major piece of public art. The city went to Jeremy Freiburger, head honcho over at Cobalt Connects, its managing partner for the Public Art Program and he set up a volunteer committee that would judge the submissions that came in
And come in they did. There were 119 submissions from artists from across North America.
 Olympian Melanie Booth brought her medal to have an impression made and hopefully have it become part of the Spiral Stella sculpture. Jeremy Freiburger, on the right, the city’s managing partner for the Public Art Program, admires the medal. Trevor Copp, one of the members of the jury that chose Powning’s submission is beside Ms Booth. The committee narrowed the 119 down to five and asked the public for comment: more than 500 people responded and out of those comments came the decision to select Powning’s Spiral Stella.
Powning was not a newcomer to Burlington. He has five pieces of his work in the permanent collection at the Burlington Art Centre. Link to first stage
 Powning made impressions in artist’s clay which he took back to his studio in New Brunswick and made bronze castings that will be affixed to the Spiral Stella. Shown here is one of the early castings. See anything that you recognize?  Boy who just cannot keep his eyes off the work artist Peter Powning does as he makes impressions in clay – the first stage of the creation of the Spiral Stella that will sit outside the Performing Arts Centre. Powning uses artifacts that come from the community to tell its story. Hundreds trooped over to the Burlington Art Centre to have an impression made of their artifacts. No one knew exactly where there object was going to appear on the Spiral – Powning didn’t know either when he was making the impressions. What would go where was the creative part of the project. Next Sunday we will get to see what Powning decided to do.
It should be quite stunning.
 Work crew prepares the base for Peter Powning’s Spiral Stella that will arrive in town later this week and be unveiled on Sunday, Originally the sculpture was going to be to the north of the walkway leading into the Performing Arts Centre but besides being open to a street where a vehicle could run into it, the location was too close to an oil pipeline that runs underneath Elgin Street. The sculpture will not sit to the left of the walkway and be part of the Performing Arts plaza. Much better location for this art.
Burlington is clearly on a roll. The pier was successfully opened, the public loves the place and now we are going to see an exceptional piece of art in a location where thousands can see the work.
The last piece of public art the city put up was nice enough but it got plunked down in the middle of a high traffic road where care zoomed by as they slipped through a railway grade separation on Upper Middle Road.
Nice art, wrong location.
Stella will be in a great location.
 August 17, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, O. Scott Robertson, owner of the Burlington Bandits, did say there would be a comeback, as people were leaving Nelson Ball Park Thursday evening where the Burlington Bandits were playing the London Majors in what looked like the last game for the Bandits – they were down 3 and 0 in a seven game play-off round.
 Scott Robertson – in full array, is the owner of the Burlington Bandits and also co-chair of the This Magic Moment event. We left the game at the top of the 4th and wished Robertson well. He assured us we go could on-line and see the turn around. As we were walking to our car there was a roar from the stands and I turned to my wife and said: “Gosh, do you think they are going to actually win the game?” Bandits crossed the plate three times in the 4th inning.
Win it they did not but they did give the London Majors a bit of a run for their money adding a run in the 8th inning and two in the nine to end their last game of the season with a 9-6 loss. Not too shabby. London was a far better team with much more depth and more experienced players.
Robertson explained that the Bandits are younger and they are still learning to work together as a team. That was obvious from what we saw – but what we also saw was a team with a fan base that got excited when the players on the field were doing well. That roar of the crowd we heard as we walked to the car was genuine.
For Robertson the task is now to get a better stadium. “We need more space; we need a field with real dugouts for the team. There is just the one washroom for men and one for women added Richardson. “If we had huge crowds we’d have a problem.”
Richardson maintains that his players are treated better than any other players in the league; all of whom are volunteers; young athletes picking up experience. “If we had even one paid player on the team explained Richardson, all the players would lose their National College Athletic Association eligibility.” If players are paid they are deemed to be professionals.
The task now is to review the year, figure out which players have grown, which players they want to call back and whether or not the team wants to go looking for players elsewhere – maybe some imports.
Training staff will get a review as well.
What was attendance like? Bandits’ management doesn’t release actual figures but they do ay that the numbers this year were 25% higher than they were last year. Great number – but was last year abysmal and is the 25% real growth?
What Richardson and his staff have done is made the league look more professional. The program they put out was very good. They had all kinds of promotional gimmicks and shared the love with other organizations in the city. Each game there was a 50/50 ticket draw – with the half that wasn’t given a way as prize money passed along to the United Way.
Richardson says the Bandits will be back next year. Lots of room for growth – it takes time to develop a franchise. Sponsorship was good – lots of banners around the ball park.
 The objective has always been to make the ball games a family event – winning more games and making it past the first round of the finals would be nice too. Scott Robertson would like to see a better playing field with upgraded public facilities – but for now he is happy to see fathers, sons and Mom out at the ball park. What we saw were a number of families out for the evening. A fair number of seniors as well. A lot of people gathered around the refreshment stand and beer sales looked decent.
It was a 23 game season for the bandits – let’s see how they do next year.
Ticket prices for the next season were announced.
$100 for the season; $70 for adults and students. A FlexPak of ten tickets is $55 for adults; $35 for seniors – that’s $3.50 a game – probably the best entertainment deal in town.
 August 17, 2013.
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. The city, finally, put out a media release on the renting of the Paletta Mansion to a restaurant operation.
City Council approved the renting of the property after running advertisements looking for someone who could do something with a property that had all kinds of prestige but they couldn’t turn on a profit on the place. There was a time when the sales and rental numbers for Paletta were mixed in with the numbers for Geraldo’s at LaSalle Park. When one of the bean counters at city hall took the numbers apart – Paletta didn’t look very good.
 This could become the front entrance to an upscale, fine dining high end restaurant. Would the grounds still be available to the public? It looked so bad that the city decided to look for a professional operator to do something with the place. All the history and the fine restoration work were nice to look at but the space just wasn’t used enough and it was clear the city didn’t have the capacity to run it.
It took more than one Expression of Interest advertisement to bring in the kind of operator the city had hoped would come forward. But they did get a bite and this time there was something well worth reeling in. In a media release the city announced that it “will soon sign a contract with Radius restaurant group, a Hamilton-based company, which will become the service operator at the city’s historic Paletta Mansion starting in January 2014.
They appear to have attracted someone who has the experience and the reputation to make the site work as a very high-end, fine dining location.
The grounds are exceptional, the setting is picture perfect. There is all the parking that one can ask for. Look for valet parking once the place opens.
There hasn’t been a lot of detail available from the city on the lease agreement. City hall wasn’t prepared to release details until the fine print on the lease agreement had been worked out. The questions to be asked before the ink dries on the lease is: just what is being rented? Just the Mansion? The grounds surrounding it? The sweeping lawn south of the wide stone deck that give a great view of the lake?
Will the grounds become a private enclave? Birders will tell you that some of the best pictures they get are on the Paletta grounds.
Early attempt to reach the company that was going to lease the property proved futile. When we finally managed to get someone from the company on the phone – we got disconnected.
City council approved Radius after the city received four bids as part of a request for proposal process. They add that details “of the agreement will be made public once the contract is signed later this month.” The existing vendor will stay in place until December 2013. Until then, all bookings for Paletta Mansion will continue as usual.
Paletta Lakefront Park and Mansion is located on 14 acres of waterfront parkland. It offers community space, a lakeside park with walking trails, a beautifully restored heritage mansion and breathtaking views.
The mansion is used for corporate and public meetings, weddings and social functions. It is considered one of the finest representations of great estate homes designed and built in Burlington between 1912 and 1932.
The property at one time was actually owned by Laura Secord. There is nothing recorded that suggests she ever visited the property. Flipping land was apparently one of the ways to turn some cash back in those days.
There are some questions that need to be asked as the city wades into a deal with a new operator. The city didn’t provide any details when it announced the company it would lease the location to. Radius. When the tender for the pier was announced the city provided numbers.
Radius hasn’t been at all forthcoming with information.
The Mansion is a gem, the setting is superb and there is an opportunity to put a very high-end dining establishment in the buildings.
We will dig about a bit and see what else we can come up with.
 By Staff.
August 17, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. It was a knock on the door that wasn’t welcomed but for police in the Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang Unit the raid at a house at 4319 Lakeshore Road, Burlington was well worth the effort.
 Police evidence taken from a LAkeshore home is set out for display. This wasn’t a small street level dealer. Police have moved up the food chain on this one. Found in the house, which was entered under the authority of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant:
Approximately seven pounds of cannabis marihuana,
three ounces of cocaine,
110 grams of cannabis resin,
$4000 CDN funds,
Carl COLLETT (47 years of age) has been charged with the following offences;
Possession for the purpose of trafficking to wit: cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession for the purpose of trafficking to wit: cannabis marihuana (exceeding three kilograms), contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession for the purpose of trafficking to wit: cannabis resin (not exceeding three kilograms), contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Production of a controlled substance to wit; cannabis resin, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Collett has been held for a bail hearing and will appear in court on August 17th 2013 in the City of Hamilton.
 By Staff
August 15, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. It is usually the foot of Brant Street that has the high E.coli count but this weekend it is the Beachway Park that has the higher count.
During the summer months, the Regional Health Department monitors water quality at selected recreational beaches. Beaches are selected for testing based on their use for swimming and other water sports. Monitoring is done once a week or more if necessary.
 Beachway – the biggest waterfront beach in Burlington is reported to have a high E.coli count A pilot project is being undertaken at Beachway Park for the 2013 beach sampling season to examine potential factors influencing water quality. Therefore, Beachway Park will be sampled more frequently.
 Sign at foot of Brant Street: Not the clearest sign you’ll ever read – but the water has been tested. Swimmers are still advised to swim at their own risk. A beach is considered unsafe to swim if water tests show high amounts of E. coli bacteria. Conditions posted are based on samples taken from the previous day.
The posting of a not safe notice for the Beachway is really unfortunate – this is the weekend that the Beachway Park will be flooded with people – the Children’s Festival is taking place.
 By Staff
August 15, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. Burlington’s Annual Children’s Festival, now celebrating its 20th year is a festival that’s all about kids having FREE fun – circus style!
This two day event takes place on the waterfront with Day 1 focused on the Beachway Park and Day 2 focused on Spencer Smith Park.
 Lots that were registered are marked out – waiting for keen competitors to show up. The Sand Castle competition is one of the most popular events. So popular that the city put together a process that allows people to reserve a space to build their sand castles. For years families have been gather along the Beachway and building their castle – with a keen eye on what their neighbours were doing.
This competition fills up fast! Great prizes in all four categories including a sandcastle trophy and participation gifts for child and family categories! Pre-register to compete as only pre-registered entrants are guaranteed a spot. Those interested in participating on event day are first come, first served and spaces are limited.
 This was a family event and these people were serious competitors. Close out Day 1 by returning to the Beachway with your lawn chair and blankets and take part in the outdoor screening of a circus movie! Cozy up afterwards in front of a 25 ft. outdoor screen on the beach. Movie starts at 8:30 p.m!
The Day 1 schedule:
 Vote for your favourite creation in the People’s Choice Award. Judging begins at 4 p.m followed by an award ceremony on the beach at 5 p.m.
Day 2 schedule:
 Day 2 takes place at Spender Smith Park where it is usually packed – but great fun. Starts at 10:00 am end at 6 p.m. The park will be overrun by circus performers and animals, themed around circus fun. Children will enjoy great activities: Live Entertainment; Play Zones; Circus Inflatables; Character Meet & Greet; Themed Shows and a Kids’ Marketplace.
 By Pepper Parr
August 15, 2013.
BURLINGTON, ON. Two people had a chat one evening. It came about when one of the two telephoned the other. One of the two was as far right on the political spectrum as Attila the Hun while the other was on the left side of the political spectrum – sort of where Tommy Douglas stood.
The lefty didn’t have a clue as to why the right-winger wanted to meet – and knew even less when the meeting was over.
Sometime after that a woman of a certain age was having a friendly drink in an Elizabeth Street establishment and happened upon a man who was quite well into his cups and informed the woman of a certain age that the Conservatives in this city were going to put up a slate of candidates that would fix things at city hall.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward. Unbeatable? Some Tory’s seem to think so. The well-informed individual did admit that there would be problems with Ward 2 where Marianne Meed Ward could probably not be beaten but he was confident that the Tories were in for life in Ward 6 where they believed Blair Lancaster could not be beaten.
 Miss Photo Op – never misses a camera opportunity – but then so do most of the other Council members. Councillor Blair Lancaster in the center with Burlington Olympians in red. Ms Lancaster husband is on the far left. The lady of a certain age asked why, given the dis-satisfaction expressed by many of the north Burlington residents, they felt the Beauty Queen could not be beaten? “She was Miss Canada in 1970 you know” was the response. That tiara may have something to do with Lancaster’s 2010 win – but, truth be told she won by 125 votes against a candidate who didn’t live in the ward. If Phil Buck, who shouldn’t have been in the race to begin with, were not on the ballot Mark Carr would be the council member for Ward 6. Carr by the way will not run in 2014.
So where is this Tory sweep going to come from?
Is there a Tory in Ward 1 that can beat Craven?
Can anyone beat Taylor in Ward 3?
There is a very credible candidate in the wings who will run in ward 4 – don’t expect Dennison to run again.
 Is Paul Sharman safe in Ward 5? Is he a Tory – and if he is, do the Tory’s want him? They didn’t want Brian Heagle provincially.
Is the Mayor vulnerable? Is there anyone on the horizon that could come in out of the cold and beat Rick Goldring? It certainly isn’t going to be Carol D’Amelio. Philip Papadopoulos might find he has money he doesn’t need and mount yet another mayoralty campaign.
Perhaps the man in his cups, who has served as President of Burlington Conservative riding associations in the past, was engaged in wishful thinking. Or is there really a cabal out there wanting to fix city hall?
 By Ray Rivers.
August 15th, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. Still in the news and not going away. Senator Wallin blew all the goodwill she earned from her interview with Mansbridge when she jumped to the microphones to preempt the formal release of her expenses audit. She claimed the audit was flawed and unfair, but then announced that she is going to pay what they have assessed anyway. So if it was flawed, why pay it?
 Her file has now been forwarded to the RCMP along with fellow Conservative senators Patrick Brazeau and Mike Duffy. And then there is a Liberal, Mac Harb, who is sitting with a huge repayable expenses bill to his name. Harb apparently claimed a permanent residence which was uninhabitable – without water and under construction.
Oh, and Harb also accepted loans from a numbered company doing big business with the feds – something he must have known to be a no-no.
 Senator Mac Harb – thinking it over? Mac Harb, was a good loyal Chretien trooper, an Ottawa MP, whose reward for service was a Senate seat. He has a web page that lays out the things he is fighting for. He is apparently engaged in some laudable activities but where does he get his mandate? Are these activities official Senate business or just his pet peeves?
When Stephen Harper was elected in 2006 he swore not to appoint any senators until the Senate was reformed. Of course he did. Then in December 2008, when it looked like the NDP and Liberals were forming a coalition to take over government, Harper panicked, prorogued Parliament and decided to stack the Senate. He appointed 18, the most ever named on a single day. Wallin and Duffy were among the appointments that day. It is pretty clear their roles were to support the PM and the Conservative party, doing what both parties had been doing for years.
The NDP has never been in power or they too would have stacked the Senate with supporters. Instead, they sit on the side lines and complain about the unfairness of it all. And they are right! They point out that senators have no constituents, few responsibilities and no serious job description. They are only required to pop-in to the Red Chamber occasionally to show they are still breathing and pick up their pay and expenses cheques. For the most part they do politics, sit on corporate boards or live la vida loca.
Wouldn’t we all like a job like that? Do we remember former Liberal Senator Andrew Thompson? Now there was someone with an original perspective on his job. Vacation in Mexico and show up in Ottawa for a total of two weeks in seven years. You could just see him sauntering up to the Red Chamber on his burro and clearing the cobwebs from his Senate seat with his poncho.
 Mike Duffy, toasting – on the public’s dime? Not all senators are this delinquent, of course, but many are totally embedded in their party’s politics. For example, Liberal David Smith has co-chaired national political campaigns and Wallin and Duffy were clearly appointed as fundraisers. Which explains all those partisan political expenses rejected by the independent auditors for that pair. Let’s get this straight, we are willingly paying senators over $130,000 a year so they can work for their political party as volunteers.
 Senator Brazeau, being escorted from the Parliament buildings. Brazeau, is another case. He had been arrested on a domestic matter and is also under investigation for his expenses claims by the RCMP – not your upstanding public official. Even so, he is unlikely to lose his seat unless he goes to prison. In which case he will have another 37 years left to draw pay as senator, earning $5 million in salary over that time, plus travel and living expenses – and his pension.
The Conservatives and Liberals don’t want to get rid of the Senate. They’ll tell you how we need this, so-called, Chamber of Sober Second Thought. But the evidence is in. It is just a place to reward the politically faithful with a patronage appointment and give them a salary while they do their party’s bidding.
 Ray Rivers was born in Ontario; earned an economics degree at the University of Western Ontario. He taught in New Zealand and earned a Master’s degree in economics at the University of Ottawa. His 25 year stint with the federal government included time with Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Agriculture and the Post office. Rivers left the federal government to consult for private sector and government clients. He completed his first historical novel The End of September in 2012; a story about what might have happened had Quebecers voted for sovereignty association in the 1980 referendum. Rivers is active with ratepayers groups, a food bank, environmental organizations, community journalism and policing. He has run for municipal and provincial government offices and held executive positions with Liberal Party riding associations. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
August 15th, 2013
Our Town Crier, Dave Vollick, took himself to Kingston recently to compete with Criers from around the world, and was judged to be 11th of 17 competitors. That’s not all that good a position but then there were seven people tied for the 11th spot.
 Dave Vollick, on the left, took his interest in history, particularly local history and found himself wanting to be a Town Crier. There were two tied for fifth place; two tied for 8th place and two for tenth place; three for twelfth place and six for the 13th place.
Clearly a different approach to scoring competitors.
There were 17 contestants in the World Invitational Town Crier Competition 2013 that took place in Kingston. The event marked the first year that the championships have taken place in Canada.
Kingston, originally the first capital of Canada, is a city rich with history. The Criers were brought into town by that city’s Business Improvement Association.
Vollick has served the city as a volunteer Crier and has performed admirably. On the one occasion when this reporter was unable to attend a city Council meeting, the last that took place in 2011, we engaged Vollick to explain out absence which he did when he said:
Oyez Oyez Oyez
Your Worship Mayor Goldring, gentle lady and gentlemen of the council, esteemed city administrators, members of the public gallery; I appear before you tonight at the request of, and on behalf of, that epitome of Burlington’s political reporting and punditry – Mr. Pepper Parr.
To his despair he finds that he is unable, not only to attend, to but to document, and disseminate the momentous deliberations and decisions of this the penultimate council meeting of the year of our Lord two thousand, ought ,and eleven.
He bids you to persevere in his absence, and to carry on as sagely, judiciously, and with all due prudence, albeit with the caution, that he has come to expect of this august body.
Why you may ask has Mr. Parr sent a young stripling in his stead, and an answer you shall receive.
This very day, yea, but a few short hours past, Mr. Parr, did in the precinct of Aldershot in that most noble of wards (Number 1) in this our crown jewel of a city Burlington, pledge his troth to his beloved Pia. Yes indeed he has chosen to splice his life line, join in nuptial bliss, to become as one, to slip on that golden ring, in short to join the ranks of married men.
So while it is with regret that he cannot be with you tonight; let it be known to one all that he is in the throes of rejoicing, rapture, possibly stupefaction, bliss, and / or terror as befits a gentleman of mature years as he is about to embark on the good ship “Married Life”
To one and all whom inhabit this hall he sends his true best wishes, but don’t despair he will be here as 2012 commences.
He had members of Council rolling in their seats.
Our Town Crier does engagements for individuals and organizations. Worth thinking about when you want to do something different.
 By Pepper Parr, BURLINGTON, ON.
August 13th, 2013.
All the committees were in place, the organizational part of the This Magic Moment events were coming along fine – but the organizers felt is needed just a bit of a push and so they held a press conference at the Waterfront Hotel.
 Getting those hula hoops to whirl around ones waist wasn’t quite as easy as Connie Smith, shown in the upper right, thought it was going to be. Everyone involved in the event was on hand to do an update. To give the occasion a little pizzaz someone brought in three hula hoops which they wanted people to use. Expecting people like Keith Strong and Wayne Brown to be able to manage a hula hoop was a stretch. One needs a waist to make hula hoops whirl around your body and you also need to be able to move your hips. Except for Connie Smith and J. Scott Robertson, few of the others had waists. That was a hoot to watch.
While the event is all about having a lot of fun and giving those who are collecting or about to collect pensions, a reason to get out of the house and maybe give husbands and wives an opportunity to look at each other in a way they’ve not looked at them for a while. But there is a bigger purpose and that is to do what Burlington does very well – giving back to the community.
This all got going in September of 2012, when a group led by Keith Strong, called the Halton Cares Community, organized an event that would raise funds to support police officer who may have been seriously injured or lost their lives while serving the community. They called the event: Halton Heros. They chose the tried and true Burlington route which is to hold a gala. The first was held last September and raised $140,000.
Wayne Brown and his wife attended that evening and bought a table for 12 which they auctioned off to raise funds for the event. That auction went so well that Strong convinced Brown to put up two tables. After the event Brown came up with an idea he thought could be run for five, maybe seven or ten years that would also raise funds for the Halton Heros.
 Scott Robertson on the left and Wayne Brown, center, serve as Co-chairs of the Magic Moment event. Keith Strong, on the right heads up the Halton Community Cares organization that Magic Moment proceeds will support. Wayne Brown and Scott Robertson felt there was an opportunity to hold an event that would really appeal to Burlington`s older demographic – the music from the 50`s, 60`s and 70`s.
Hold it in a place where thousands could attend. Charge a really affordable price. Promote the daylights out of it – and see what happens.
Strong liked the idea and everyone hit the phones. It didn’t take them long – and they scored a real coup when Reg Titian managed to get the Drifters to travel to Burlington to perform.
 Robbie Lane, a 60’s heart throb, will co-host the Magic Moment with Connie Smith at Nelson Park September 14th With Connie Smith on board that meant Robbie Lane was going to be available – heck they worked almost side by side for a period of time. Wherever Lane goes the Disciples aren’t far behind. Smith started going through her list of contacts and that brought them Stuart MacDonald, the singing cop – and it just kept growing from there.
For Wayne Brown and Scott Robertson it looked like the event was going to be a major success. They saw the project as a way for the community to show their appreciation to local law enforcement. Both Brown and Robertson, serving as co-chairs, feel fortunate to live in Halton and are grateful for the success that they have experienced in this community.
 By Staff.
BURLINGTON, ON. August 14, 2013.
Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation inched itself a little closer to their $60 million goal to complete the redevelopment and expansion of the hospital.
The Burlington Lions Club has committed $75,000 over the next 5 years towards getting the job done.
Burlington was told by the provincial government that it has to come up with $120 million of the $300 million + it will cost to upgrade the hospital. The project is the first major upgrade to our hospital in over 40 years.
The city took on half of the $120 million – that part is shown on your tax bill. The rest has to be raised by subscriptions from the community.
 Burlington Lions showing their support for the redevelopment and expansion of the Joseph Brant Hospital – $75,000 over five years. First installment ready for deposit. The Burlington Lions Club is one of over 45,000 Lions Clubs throughout the world. All clubs are members of Lions Club International, a non-profit organization made up of men and woman who volunteer their time for fundraising activities to benefit their communities. Chartered as the Lions Club of Burlington on April 27th, 1925, the group is currently known as the Burlington Lions Club; a group of passionate service people, 36 members strong.
The Burlington Mall Farmers Market, operated by Burlington Lions Club members began in 1960. The Market is open from May to October, Wednesdays (8am-2pm), Fridays (8am-4pm) and Saturdays (8am-2pm). The vendors carry a variety of locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheese, eggs even some small craft items. Shopping at the Farmer’s Market lets you get fresh food and support your community at the same time.
 When completed, the hospital will take on the look and feel of a campus with its entrance re-oriented to LAkeshore Road. The first phase is the construction of the new McMaster Family Medicine facility that will bring 10 new family practitioners to the city. Three levels of parking will be built above the medical offices. Anissa Hilborn, JBHF President explained that the hospital foundations “ partnership with the Burlington Lions Club is an excellent example of how Community members and organizations can engage and contribute to our Hospital’s fundraising goals. The Burlington Lions Club holds an excellent weekly Community event, and has shown their passion and philanthropic commitment by donating funds back to our Community.”
 By Staff.
Burlington, ON. August 14th, 2013.
The Halton Region Health Department has been notified by the Public Health Ontario – Toronto Laboratory of Halton’s first probable human case of West Nile virus (WNV) illness for 2013: a female in her fifties from Oakville.
Exposure to WNV was possibly local, but it may have been during travel outside Ontario. At the same time, Health Department staff report a batch of mosquitoes trapped last week in Milton tested positive for WNV, the first batch for Milton this year. WNV has now been detected in all four Halton local municipalities – Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.
“This case of human illness and the additional positive mosquito trap underscore the need to protect yourself from mosquito bites from now until the hard frosts of fall set in,” said Dr. Monir Taha, Halton Region’s Associate Medical Officer of Health. “This message is particularly important for older adults or those with underlying illnesses because they are at higher risk for more serious West Nile virus illness.”
In Halton, the months of highest risk for human WNV illness are August and September. About 80% of people who become infected with WNV do not experience any illness, while about 20% will develop West Nile fever. Less than 1% will develop inflammation of the brain or its lining, or a type of paralysis.
 This is how West Nile virus is transferred to human beings. Mosquitoes are the transfer agent for the virus.
A batch of mosquitoes trapped last week in Burlington has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV). This is the first batch of WNV positive mosquitoes for Burlington this year, the third positive batch for Halton including two batches previously found in Oakville. Additionally, an animal in Halton Hills tested positive for WNV.
The following are steps that residents can take to protect themselves and their families from mosquitoes:
Cover up. Wear light-coloured, long-sleeved shirts and pants with tightly woven fabric.
Avoid being outdoors from early evening to morning when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, as well as at any time in shady, wooded areas.
Reduce mosquito breeding sites around your home by getting rid of all water-filled containers and objects. Change the water in bird baths at least once per week.
Use an approved insect repellent, such as one containing DEET.
Make sure your window and door screens are tight and in good repair.
For people in north Burlington close to the Air Park construction work the West Nile Virus is a very serious concern because there are large pools of open water due to the construction that was taking place. In a report to an Appleby Line resident the Region advised that the mosquito larvae collected on July 12, 2013 from the Burlington Airpark property located next to 5199 Appleby Line in Burlington were identified as vector species (species that can potentially carry West Nile Virus). This means that the standing water sites must be treated with larvicide or remediated to reduce the risk of WNV.
According to residents in north Burlington – that remediation work had not been done by sunset of August 13th.
 By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. August 14th, 2013 Robbie Lane, he of Robbie Lane and the Disciples fame, said he was excited to be both performing and co-hosting the This Magic Moment event with Connie Smith. Recounting the many years he has been associated with music, performing as a band back in 1963 and once playing with Ronnie Hawkins, he mentioned that his current band does not have any of the originals, but some current members have been with him for over 20 years.
This is the Robbie Lane they remember. He will be on stage with his Disciples at the This Magic Moment event in Nelson Park September 14th.
When not spinning records and talking rock and roll on Zoomer Radio AM 740, Robbie performs on a regular basis throughout the GTA. Asked why this strong attachment to the music of the 60’s and 70’s, he said he feels that “the older generation seems to be drawn to a time where life was simple and a lot slower”.
Perhaps there is some truth to that. For those who grew up in the 60’s their youth represented a time where the sky was the limit and there was nothing physical they could not do. Not so any more, their goals have come and gone and while sometimes not achieved the dreams and the experiences are fondly remembered.
But that music is still in their souls and on September 14th, sitting in a lawn chair they brought with them, they will close their eyes and listen to Robbie and the Disciples take them back to a different time – those Magic Moments.
Tickets are going quickly – they can be purchased on-line.
 By Staff.
BURLINGTON, ON. August 12th, 2013. It hasn’t gone well. The Burlington Bandits were matched up against the London Majors for the first round, best of seven games in the Intercounty League baseball season.
Game four is scheduled to take place Thursday night, 7:30 pm in Burlington at Nelson Park.
The team wants to go out on a high note and announced their first annual Burlington Bandits Fans Choice Player Awards.
Starting today, August 12th, Bandits fans will have an opportunity to vote for their favourite players for Top Pitcher, Top Hitter, Rookie of the Year, Player of the Year and Fan Favorite awards
Polls will close on Thursday, August 15th at noon Awards will be presented that night when the Bandits take on the London Majors for game four.
To vote, click for the link.
The London Majors led 5-0 after four innings in the second of seven in the first playoff round, and were never threatened by the host Bandits, as Burlington committed four errors and fell to the Majors 6-2.That gave them a two
That gave London a two game lead in the first round playoff. Jordan Townshend was the starter and winner for the Majors, allowing nine hits and just two earned runs with three walks and five strikeouts over six innings pitched. Josh Palmer picked up the save, allowing only one hit and one walk with two strikeouts over three shutout innings.
Cleveland Brownlee singled and homered for the visiting Majors, registering a pair of RBI while Chris Stewart also homered and scored twice. Ryan Lapensee singled and doubled while driving in a run, and Larry Balkwill added a pair of doubles with a run batted in. Adwin Springer and Derrik Strzalkowski each singled and scored, while Paul LaMantia singled to round out the ten-hit London attack.
The Bandits also had ten hits on the day, which included four by Connor Panas who also drove in a run. Daniel Peake and Brian Sewell each singled, doubled and scored a run, while Jeff Kosta and Jeff MacLeod each registered a hit apiece. Nick Studer drove in a run to pace the Bandits in the loss.
Jason Rubenstein took the loss for Burlington, allowing seven hits and five runs – four earned – with four strikeouts over the first five innings.
On Sunday, when the third game was played, it didn’t get much better. Larry Balkwill opened the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off home run to lead the London Majors to a 5-4 win over the Burlington Bandits. That gave the Majors a stranglehold on the best of seven series.
It was a back and forth affair which saw the Majors rebound from a 2-0 deficit after two innings and down 4-3 after five. The Majors tied the game with a single run scored in the seventh, before Balkwill’s heroics in the bottom of the ninth.
Chris Hammond started for London and pitched six innings but it was reliever Mike DeLong who picked up the win, allowing just two hits over three shutout innings with four strikeouts.
The Majors outhit the Bandits 11-9 including three by Paul LaMantia who singled twice and doubled. Parris Austin and Paul Young each singled and doubled with a run scored while Young added a pair of RBI. Chris Stewart singled, tripled and scored, while Adwin Springer singled and drove in a run. Cleveland Brownlee added an RBI and Ryan Lapensee came in to score to round out the London attack.
Michael Vanderlaan came on to replace Alex Gale with one out in the seventh inning and took the loss for the Bandits, allowing the home run to Balkwill plus one other walk and strikeout over his 1 2/3 innings of work.
Phil Steer and Jeff Kosta each had a pair of hits with Steer driving in a run and Kosta coming in to score, while Brian Sewell singled and drove in a pair. Jeff MacLeod and Nick Studer each had a hit and a run scored, while Connor Panas and Daniel Peake each added singles in the loss. Dan Franceschetti had a run scored to pace the Burlington offence.
Can the home team squeeze in at least one win? It will be an exciting game – Nelson Park – Thursday at 7:30 pm.
 By Anna Leidreiter, Policy Officer, World Future Council
Sustainable development is now like a rubber band; it can be stretched in all directions. Its meaning is vague and open to wide interpretation.
The classic definition for sustainable development was put forward in 1987 : “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” If we accept this interpretation, one thing is clear. Sustainable development is no longer enough. “The ability of future generations to meet their own needs” is already compromised. When we consider how degraded our ecosystems already are, there is far less to sustain today than there was 20 years ago.
 This is certainly intensification. Is it sustainable? How different it is from some of what Burlington has done recently? Not surprisingly, cities and urban areas are major contributors to this trend. Since the Industrial Revolution, disregard for resource generation and use has significantly contributed to climate change and the loss of soil carbon, natural fertility of farmland, and biodiversity all over the world. Though urban areas constitute 3-4 percent of the world’s surface, their ecological footprints cover most of the productive land surface of the globe. Apart from holding a near monopoly on the demand for fossil fuels, metals, and concrete, our urbanising humanity now consumes nearly 40 percent of nature’s annual primary production.
 What’s wrong with this picture? Under current trends, humans will require the biocapacity of two earths by 2030. This can’t continue — there is only one Earth, after all. We must find ways to significantly reduce the giant ecological footprints of cities.
The solution lies in thinking beyond the vague and unambitious notion of sustainability and working instead toward regenerating soils, forests, and watercourses and aiming to improve, rather than merely sustain, their degraded condition. And cities must lead the way in embracing regeneration over sustainability.
Regenerative urban development means comprehensive strategies to re-establish an enhancing, restorative relationship between a rapidly urbanising humanity and the ecosystems from which it draws resources for sustenance. This means more than becoming resource efficient and emitting few carbons. To regenerate is to enhance, rather than undermine, the ecosystems on which we depend. Regenerative cities dramatically reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, boost deployment of renewable energies, reintroduce water to the hydrology cycle, rely on local and regional food production, and make sewage reprocessing and nutrient capture a central plank of waste management.
 Which of Burlington’s seven member municipal council have their heads in the sand when it comes to fully understanding our sustainability issues, and which of them are working at doing something about it? Burlington has begun to look seriously at a Community Energy Plan that has significant potential – does it have a hope of getting approved by city council where they can’t go along with even a mild private tree bylaw that would prevent the rapacious cutting of trees for developments that aren’t all that sustainable to begin with.
In Wilhelmsburg, one of Hamburg’s former working-class districts and home to 55,000 residents, research shows that local renewable energy can meet the electricity requirements of all buildings in this district by 2025. By 2050, almost all heating demands can also be met this way. The International Building Exhibition (IBA) Hamburg has initiated projects for new energy-efficient buildings, renovation of other buildings, and the generation of renewable energy. This is a step-by-step conversion to 100 percent renewable energy for a climate-neutral Wilhelmsburg. In the meantime, any energy imports into the city (for industrial needs, for example) are to come from the region, rather than distant sources, to ensure that income and jobs remain in the area.
 Are there solutions to problems like these? The transformations required to replicate these successes call for far-reaching strategic choices and long-term planning, as compared to the short-term compromises and patchwork solutions that characterise most of our political decision-making systems in all spheres of government.
Creating the parameters for appropriate action involves political and business decisions on a spectrum ranging from transnational and national to urban levels. It involves drawing up novel legal and governance frameworks and addressing the profit logic of companies that are involved in natural resource extraction. The right policies can set parameters for and foster regenerative urbanisation.
 Is this what we did with the Alton Village? Is this what we will do with Eagle Heights? Does it work? Is it sustainable? What if it isn’t? What happens then? To develop these parameters and concrete policy recommendations, the World Future Council and the City of Hamburg, together with international partners from the private sector, academia, and international organisations, will host the 3rd Future of Cities Forum this September. The forum seeks to catalyse a multi-stakeholder dialogue about opportunities and barriers in and for cities to become future-just and regenerative habitats.
Where would Burlington fit into something like this? Our Sustainable development committee and its followers speak frequently about the need for what we do to be sustainable – does the city practice what it preaches?
 By Ray Rivers
BURLINGTON, ON. August 9, 2013. She only held onto two of the five former Liberal ridings in the Aug 1st by-elections, but I’d have to say Kathleen Wynn was the big winner. By-elections often go the other way for a governing party, especially after a ten year stretch in office. And given the smell around the cancelled gas plants and a couple of other legacy issues, she did better than I expected. The NDP’s Andrea Howarth picked up a couple of seats, no doubt reflective of her party having constructively worked with the minority Liberals to deliver a better budget this year.
 There are many who believe the Conservative win in Etobicoke was a personal win for Doug Holyday and not a win for the party. And the big loser was Tim Hudak. Yes, Doug Holyday took Etobicoke-Lakeshore in a no-surprise victory for the popular former mayor, but Holyday won despite, rather than because of, Hudak. The knives are coming out among the Conservative faithful, tired of Hudak and his Tea Party political platform. After eight years of Mike Harris Ontario residents are not going to buy that extremist right-wing snake oil again. And electors don’t have much time for obstructionist and uncooperative leaders, as US Republicans will likely find out in congressional races next year.
A few weeks ago I did an article on legalizing marijuana; that subject is in the news – again. I had criticized the policies of further criminalizing (2006) and requiring mandatory sentences (2012). And I provided a link to a YouTube clip showing our PM gob-smacked, unable to coherently explain his reincarnation of this failed policy. Then Justin Trudeau promised, only a few days ago, to legalize ‘the weed’, confirming a policy endorsed by his party last year, if his third-placed Liberals could form the next government.
Besides Harper there are others who disagree with legalization. The NDP’s Mr Mulcair, is only promising decriminalization, if he makes PM, though I’ll bet some of his younger caucus members would go further. And the Toronto Star columnist Rosie Dimanno argues that legalizing cannabis would be a stupid idea, in an article full of inconsistencies, thus giving the word dope a whole new meaning. OK, maybe it’s just reefer madness, and she does make a good point about the Mexican model of decriminalizing small quantities of all recreational drugs.
Presumably Harper’s drug policy is about public safety. But how safe are we in other ways? What about the floods that hit Alberta and Toronto – and the hurt that, after all this time, is still ongoing in High River? What about the railway disaster at Lac-Mégantic when we realize that this could have happened to any number of other railway towns? And what about the two sleeping children, discovered asphyxiated by an exotic African snake, kept illegally above a pet shop in New Brunswick? With all we have learned about the dangers of introducing exotic species, why did our federal government allow someone to bring this snake into the country?
A one year minimum mandatory sentence for possessing six marijuana plants seems a severe punishment, hardly fitting that insignificant crime. Yet, what should be the punishment for a reckless federal minister who made the fateful decision to allow the MMA railway to run with a single operator, knowing full well that the train would have to be unattended at night, while he slept? Talk about a teflon-coated government.
And finally, there is the threat of global climate change. It’s true that the PM can’t stop the progress of climate change – it has been developing for far too long and Canada is not a huge emitter of global greenhouse gases (GHG) anyway. But we are vulnerable because of our geography, and we need to plan how to deal with the next big event.
It is incumbent on our political leaders to do more than hide from reality, like the proverbial ostrich with its head in the sand. Stephen Harper needs to put his ideology behind him and have an honest conversation with Canadians about our future climate challenges, and what he is doing to help us adapt to them. And, further, he needs to take steps to restore Canada’s one-time leadership on this issue by promoting global GHG reduction initiatives and embracing home-grown local action – the way the government he replaced was, at least, trying to do.
Ontario has shown national leadership by significantly reducing its greenhouse gas emissions over the last decade. Perhaps that is one of the reasons that enough voters were attracted to the provincial Liberals on August 1st, and an electoral wipe-out was avoided. This could be a winning issue for Mr. Harper as well. It’s better late than never.
Editors note: We think our columnist may be stretching a bit here. He is one opinion – there are others.
 Ray Rivers was born in Ontario; earned an economics degree at the University of Western Ontario. He taught in New Zealand and earned a Master’s degree in economics at the University of Ottawa. His 25 year stint with the federal government included time with Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Agriculture and the Post office. Rivers left the federal government to consult for private sector and government clients. He completed his first historical novel The End of September in 2012; a story about what might have happened had Quebecers voted for sovereignty association in the 1980 referendum. Rivers is active with ratepayers groups, a food bank, environmental organizations, community journalism and policing. He has run for municipal and provincial government offices and held executive positions with Liberal Party riding associations. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 10, 2013. There was an accident at the intersection of Plains Road and Hillsdale Avenue in Burlington early in August between a car and a motorcycle. The driver of the car fled the scene. The motorcyclist, a Dundas resident, was seriously injured and taken to an “area hospital.”
Just another hit and run accident? Apparently not. The car that struck the motorcyclist was being followed by the OPP.
The car was located in the City of Hamilton. It was unoccupied when found and police have “strongly urged” the driver of the car “to seek legal counsel and arrange to turn themselves in.” The police used the word “themselves” suggesting that there was more than one person in the car when it struck the motorcyclist.
The discovery of the vehicle in Hamilton was the result of a keen-eyed area resident, police reported.
The Halton Regional Police have said “There will be no further comment from the Halton Regional Police Service pending the conclusion of the SIU investigation.
 By Staff.
BURLINGTON, ON. August 10, 2013 It wasn’t the start
fans were hoping for when the London Majors took the first game in the playoff rounds with the Burlington Bandits.
The Bandits can redeem themselves when they play the Majors in Burlington this afternoon at Nelson Park at 1:00 pm.
It’s going to be an uphill battle for the Bandits in this best of seven first playoff round.
The Majors took the game with a 6-2 win.
 Andrew Marck earned the win for London, hanging in for 8 2/3 innings allowing just six hits and two earned runs with four walks and seven strikeouts. Jacob Raffaele picked up the final out of the game to earn the save.
The Majors outhit the Bandits 8-6, including two hits apiece from Ryan Lapensee and Paul Young who both singled and doubled, drove in a run and scored. Cleveland Brownlee and Larry Balkwill each had a hit and drove in one and two runs, respectively.
Adwin Springer and Derrik Strzalkowski each singled for the home side while Parris Austin and Paul LaMantia both added a run scored. Chris Stewart registered a pair of runs scored for London in the win.
Matthew St. Kitts pitched a complete game eight innings but took the loss, allowing eight hits and six runs – four earned with five walks and five strikeouts for Burlington.
Connor Panas was the lone Burlington player with a multi-hit night hitting a single and double, while Nick Studer singled and scored a run. Jeff Kosta, Dan Franceschetti and Tyler Fata each singled while Brian Sewell drove in a run in the loss.
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