 By Pepper Parr
November 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
This story took place in Milton but it is relevant to Burlington – what do we do in the event of an emergency?
Who takes the lead and what does each different part of the civic administration do? And where does the public fit into all this?
In 2014 when Burlington experienced an unprecedented flood there were people who were up to their knees in water and people a couple of streets away who were grilling burgers totally unaware that there was a major catastrophe taking place.
 The 2014 flood saw 199 mm of water dumped on part of the city over a four hour period – but it was so local that many people were not aware of what had happened until it was over. The different public services were not immediately fully aware as to just how bad the situation was. At the time every senior civic official save one was out of town.
The flooding was so local that few people knew what was going on.
In an effort to be better prepared the Region took on the task of doing annual exercises to practice what might happen and how the municipality would respond.
 Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr and Halton CAO Jane MacCaskill review the tornado’s path. On November 9, 2016, Halton Region and the Town of Milton staged a joint emergency exercise to evaluate their respective emergency response plans. The exercise included response and recovery activities related to a fictional tornado that damaged homes, businesses and community infrastructure in Milton.
 Halton Region Paramedic Services Superintendent Tom Stirling oversees EMS support for affected residents. “Testing our emergency preparedness strategies helps ensure that we are ready to respond,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We work with local partners to minimize the risks, coordinate response efforts and reduce the impact of emergency situations. By training, rehearsing and preparing together, we improve our ability to keep residents safe and increase the resilience of our entire community.”
The exercise engaged Town and Regional staff, as well as representatives from the Halton Regional Police Service, Halton Paramedic Services, Burlington Fire Department and Milton Fire Department. This collaboration provided a realistic image of how community agencies would work together in the event of a real emergency.
“We know the potential for weather-related emergencies is very real and it is important that we come together with local partners to practice our response,” said Milton Mayor Gord Krantz. “This emergency exercise serves as a reminder that we all need to be prepared for the unexpected.”
 Town of Milton CAO Bill Mann and Fire Chief Brian Ellsworth assess the tornado’s impact. Exercise “Vortex” activated a wide range of resources and procedures established by the Region and Town to address emergency situations. Participants coordinated search and rescue, evacuation, temporary shelter and service restoration, directing simulated response workers to support residents affected by the tornado. Staff from all agencies identified strengths, challenges and areas for improvement immediately following the simulation.
Halton’s annual exercises simulate severe weather events and significant crises that could occur based on the community’s environmental features and hazards. Emergencies can happen anytime, and emergency preparedness is a joint responsibility—the Region reminds residents to plan today so they are protected tomorrow.
What the really disturbs the Gazette is that, to the best of our knowledge there was no media involved in this exercise.
 By Pepper Parr
November 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington tends to get defined by its relationship to the lake and the Escarpment. Try tinkering with either in a major way and the citizens descend on city hall.
Everyone have their own relationship to Spencer Smith Park and the Pier and most people tend to feel they are aware of what’s going on.
Burlington Waterfront, a small volunteer group of citizens dedicating their efforts to promote the protection of and enhance access to our waterfront have planned a meeting on Monday December 5th at 7pm. to share with you what’s happening
And just what is happening?
 Bridgewater development on Lakeshore – rendering of the project from the lake.  One of many Windows on the Lake. Windows to the Lake
Burlington Beach Park
LPMA wave break
Burloak Park
Martha St Adi tower
Water pollution at Brant St beach
Blue Water Place townhouses
Willow tree pieces
Bridgewater development
Waterfront Hotel master plan
Cootes to Escarpment Eco-Park System
The group has members from Wards 2, 4, and 6 currently – so not just downtown or along the waterfront. They are interested in expanding their membership but that is no the purpose of the meeting.
The Gazette has reported on all of these developments; what we haven’t done, and what the Waterfront group is doing is holding an event at which all the developments are talked about and reviewed at the same time.
Done properly – it would be the first time anyone has done something publicly that looks at the bigger picture. Kudos to Dee Dee Davies and the Burlington Waterfront committee.
 The bigger picture is something that has never really been explained to the public – a citizens group has taken up that challenge. This group came about when the city shut down the Waterfront advisory Group established by former Mayor Cam Jackson when the pier was the hot topic. The group wasn’t able to get much done – they do deserve credit for putting the Pump House to some use – many had hoped for something a little more imaginative.
When the city created Advisory group was shut down both Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and the Mayor said they were going to form a group to keep the public aware of what was taking place.
Meed Ward actually got an organization going – the Mayor either lost interest or gave up when Meed Ward filled the need.
This is a citizen’s event – we don’t know if city hall people are going to be at the meeting; they have been invited.
The meeting takes place at the Brant Hills Community Centre, Mountainside Room. 2255 Brant Street, between Upper Middle Rd and Dundas Street.
In addition to the group doing the presentation, there will be some community groups who will be present with a poster to advertise their relationship to the waterfront.
By Pepper Parr
November 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
We gathered in the hundreds fifty yards or so north of Civic Square where more than a hundred wreaths were laid at the cenotaph that recently underwent a clean-up and some refurbishing.
Some of the men who were there last year were not with us this year.
We do know that William (Bill) Basil McConnell was there. Earlier this year McConnell was made a member of the French Legion of Honour. This is an award given by the President of France.
 Retired Chief Petty Officer William (Bill) Basil McConnell being congratulated by Colonel Roger Vandomm during the awarding of the French Legion of Honour medal. This is no small measure – the recognition given by the President of France was presented to McConnell aboard HMCS Haida, a retired Tribal Class destroyer that is tied up at HMCS Star in Hamilton.
McConnell is a hero in the largest sense of that word. He was what were called boy seamen – signed up at 16 and served in the Royal Navy until 1953 after 15 years of service.
He was aboard the battleship HMS Ramillies on D Day supporting the troops that were being rushed to the shores of France to begin the liberation of Europe.
Battleships were in a class of their own. The Ramillies had four 16 inch guns forward.
A sixteen inch gun means the bullet that comes roaring out of the barrel is 16 inches in diameter.
Ramillies was part of the D Day landing in June of 1944. She was to use her big guns to take out a German battery with six 6” guns at Beneville, France to the east end of Sword Beach. The Ramillies took out four of those gun batteries in 80 minutes. The British shells coming in meant the Germans had to do their best to return fire and were not able to train their guns on the troops landing on the beaches.
It was during this battle that Bill had to go aloft to the Aloft Director to repair some electrical equipment. The Aloft Director is the station high up on the ship that was used for observation.
With his electrical tool kit in one hand and the other reaching from one rung of the ladder to the next to get to the location where repairs were necessary the guns of the Ramillies roared deafening McConnell instantly.
McConnell was not able to put his hands over his ears because, as he put it, “you can’t cover both ears, hold the ladder and your tool kit at the same time”. He was deafened completely in on ear and seriously in the other.
 Legion d’Honneur awarded by the President of the Republic of France to William (Bill) Basil McConnell. In a small, dignified ceremony on a lovely sunny summer afternoon at HMCS Star aboard the retired Tribal Class destroyer HMCS Haida, the Legion d’Honneur awarded by the President of the republic of France was awarded to that William (Bill) Basil McConnell
Colonel Roger Vandomm, of the French Consulate pinned a medal on the chest of McConnell. He read out a message from the government of France: “By order of the President of the Republic of France, you have been awarded the rank of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.
“This distinction, the highest national order of France, illustrates the profound gratitude France would like to express to you in recognition of your personal involvement of the liberation of our country during World War II.”
Had you been there you would have seen a retired naval hero look into the eyes of a serving French Colonel and exchange an understanding of what war is all about and the terrible price that is paid.
Today in Burlington – its citizens lined the street and recognized again those who fought.
 By Jim Young
November 11th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Following the outrage over the New Street “road diet” and the introduction of bike lanes to the disadvantage of drivers, transit users and residents; one might have hoped that Burlington City Council would waken up to the fact that communication and consultation, before a decision, is preferable to acrimony and bitterness in its aftermath.
In the New Street aftermath every Councillor I heard from agreed that, no matter how well intentioned, the implementation was a communications disaster. They vowed the road diet will be monitored, measured and the data reviewed and debated by the public to gain their input before permanent adoption.
 Jim Young delegating at city council. He had ten minutes on this occasion. In their rush to calm outraged citizens, Councillors assured their constituents that next time around their actions will be more open, transparent and attentive to public input. So far so good; ruffled feathers have been smoothed, angry voices calmed and all the proper civic engagement boxes ticked. A veneer of local democracy survives and maybe they will all get re-elected next year. Sighs of relief all round.
So how, mere weeks later, you may ask, can this same group of Councillors who have sworn transparency, openness and engagement now vote to limit public delegations to council on matters of community interest and concern?
Until last week any issue before council was open to public input via delegation to council when the issue was discussed and voted on. Interested advocacy groups or individual citizens were allowed ten minutes to present their thoughts, concerns or their support for the matter at hand. Now council’s Community and Corporate Services Committee, which comprises all of city council, have decided that citizens will be limited to five minutes for individual presentations while advocacy and special interest groups will still be allowed ten minutes.
 Just how democratic are the city Councillors? I am at a loss to understand how this promotes or advances engagement and community involvement. Indeed it is an affront to the whole notion of local democracy. Perhaps Councilors Craven, Sharman and Taylor who voted in favour of the new limit will grace their constituents with an explanation. Perhaps they were looking ahead to when the New Street issue comes back before council next year and trying to silence critics who will doubtless be lining up for their full ten minutes to vent on that subject.
 Councillor Dennison defended the ten minute time limit on delegations.  Mayor Goldring defended the ten minute time limit for delegations. Kudos to Mayor Goldring, Councillors Dennison and Meed Ward who opposed the five minute limit; Defending our right as citizens to speak truth to power. (Councillor Lancaster was absent.)
The matter will come before the full council on November 28th for final ratification. Hopefully Councillor Lancaster will be in attendance and vote some sanity back into the issue or, perhaps, our three errant Councillors will regain their professed love of citizen engagement and vote more wisely on that date.
Members of the public who wish to make their feelings known about this issue at the Nov. 28 meeting can register to speak at the meeting on.
I urge my fellow Burlingtonians to do so. It may be your last chance to get a ten minute hearing with your council members.
 By Ray Rivers
November 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
They’re red and blue, plastered across the map of America, the divided states representing the divided state of America. And it hasn’t changed much over the years – the reds and blues are pretty constant from election to election, except for a handful of battleground states.
 Yes I called the election result but that wasn’t my preferred outcome. Now it seems that the glass ceiling will have to wait. And if Hillary was doing this for womankind, it didn’t work since nearly half of all female voters chose Trump anyway. But then this contest should never have been about gender… or sex. It should have been about the next four years. There was this entitlement thing. Again, Clinton and her cronies believed it was her turn, that she deserved to be president because she got beaten out by an African-American in 2008.
Trump’s folks called her an elite though she, and not her opponent, had pulled themselves up from a humble beginning. But she acted the part, perhaps overconfident in the knowledge that she was the the only qualified candidate. So she went high when he went low and allowed herself to be branded as corrupt and crooked by someone much closer to that description.
For at least a couple of generations now we have been conditioned by the television set. And when we get bored watching a re-run we change the channel to a reality show – its easy to do. Perhaps Clinton didn’t understand that the people wanted change, and not that phoney ‘yes we can’ change they were handed back in 2008. Even if unemployment has fallen to historic lows under Obama, slinging burgers is not the pathway to becoming part of a dwindling middle-class. The American dream just wasn’t working out for all those angry white voters who ended up propelling Trump into the White House.
 Trump went rogue. End free trade! Build a wall! Kick out illegals! Tear up the climate change deal! Ban Muslim immigrants! Drop out of NATO! Make love with Putin! Plain speak so nobody could accuse the real estate magnate of mincing words. And when the pollsters and the media prematurely pronounced his imminent defeat, the voters thought what the hell? What have we got to lose? It was a Brexit echo, and it sure looks like Trump played that card from the beginning.
It should have been Hillary. Not because of some sexist reason, but because she was qualified and had some very progressive policies, which she rarely even got to talk about. Baggage drags you down, and she had too much, the flip side of all that experience. And then there was how she got be the nominee. Yesterday’s candidate won her party’s nomination with a stacked hand.
Nobody can say that Bernie Sanders would have performed better, but he was at least liked and respected for his years of experience, his ideals and his ethics. Perhaps the millennial crowd would have come out for him, because they sure didn’t for Hillary. And Bernie and Trump would have at least been fun to watch in debate.
 Still, had it not been for the FBI intervention at the eleventh hour, which reinforced doubts about her character, Clinton might have won. And the FBI will likely get off scot-free, since the Republicans are in control now. Isn’t that’s how politics works – the winners get it all?
America was a nation divided before this election, those perennial red and blue states. And it won’t get any less divided over the next four years. Because people don’t always vote in their own self-interest, and they keep voting like they always did. And there can only be two parties in that very imperfect democracy south of the border, where check and balance has transitioned to confrontation and obstruction.
 Hillary Clinton graciously wished Trump a successful presidency, whatever that means. One should expect he will be as divisive in governing as he was in campaigning – and big league. Some politicians focus on what unites us… ‘stronger together’. Others use racism and sexism to drive a wedge between the people, and pit one against another. It’s called divide and conquer. And it worked in the Divided States of America.
There were protests on the first two days following the election. Wouldn’t it have been more effective for those young people to simply have voted? After all, it won’t be long before governing America will be the responsibility of their generation.
 Ray Rivers is an economist and author who writes weekly on federal and provincial issues, applying his 25 years of involvement with federal and provincial ministries. Rivers’ involvement in city matters led to his appointment as founding chair of Burlington’s Sustainable Development Committee. He was also a candidate in a past provincial election.
Background links:
Hillary’s Concession – Trump’s Lies – Bernie and Donald – What Happens Next –
Lest we forget.
 A veteran on the reviewing stand during a Remembrance Day parade Let we forget. A veteran on the reviewing stand during a Remembrance Day parade.
Let we forget. A veteran on the reviewing stand during a Remembrance Day parade.
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By Pepper Parr
November 11th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It takes months of planning and dozens of meetings to put together the Annual Junior League Holiday House Tour – and the woman who do all the work get a small treat – touring the homes before they are opened to the public.
Dianne Brown, co-chair of this year’s tour sent along some early snapshots of the Burlington Hampton Court home and the home in Ancaster.
The Junior League looks for three to four homes each year that are decorated for the Holiday Season by decorators that are a combination of companies who have volunteered their services for a number of years while others are new to the event.
 Peacock feathers on a Christmas tree fit in very well with a home that had a very open modem look that the Interior Design/Build people put together. Marnie Warner and her team from the Interior Design House in Burlington did the Hampton Court house which her firm also renovated and added a large master bedroom above the garage.
 Whimsical art provided by the Interior Design House was placed in a corner with lots of light changed the feel of the room. Work was being done on the renovation, that was very extensive, while the Interior Design House people were bringing in furniture. It go a little hectic the final day.
 A more traditional approach taken to a Christmas tree in the Ancaster home. The Ancaster home was decorated by a team of designer/decorators that included Holland Park, Alto Interiors, Toth Interior Design, Green with Envy and Images Staged with Flair – each are doing different parts of the four bedroom, four bathrooms home.
A third home in eastern Burlington is included in the tour. That home was decorated by Hudson Interiors, Details Interior Design, Welcome Home Interiors, Megan and Megan, House of Fraser Décor and Marquis Cavalier Dream Store.
 From left to right: Dianne Brown, Fonda Loft, Jackie Cracknell,Liz Vandenberg, Annette Hamm, Cate Banfield, Karyn Glibbery, Roseanne Grego-Venneri, Sarai Spzak, Barb Oliver, Jane Tynan-Byrd, Iris Hughes. Middle: Anne-Louise Watts, Kathy North-Ross, Wendy Powell Front: Rachel Griffiths, Emily Stewart The group of woman who enjoyed a well-earned glass of wine before the set out on their pre-tour tour are set out below in their group photo.
 A formal dinning room set up in the Ancaster home. The Junior League Holiday Home Tour is the organization’s annual fund raiser. The Tour takes place from Friday through to Sunday: The event hours for this the 34th Annual House Tour are: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available on-line – cost $25 for the three house tour; $30 if you are paying cash at the door
 By Pepper Parr
November 11, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
James Burchill, the guy that beavers away creating a network for those commercial services operators and budding entrepreneurs who don’t fit in at the Chamber of Commerce and aren’t comfortable at the service club level but who nevertheless want to be part of a network, is back.
Burchill created the Social Fusion Network that went through several toothing experiences. He has put on two mini trade shows that out shone, significantly, what the Chamber of Commerce put on recently at the Holiday Inn.
Burchill is a shameless self-promoter – who understands social media and uses it to great effect for both his own interests and those of his clients.
He is also as up to date as anyone can be on the almost hourly changes in the high tech field.
He needed to take some time off for personal family matters – life tends to get in the way of business – and is now able to give his networking operation the time and attention it needs.
What do my people really want asked Burchill. So he did what anyone with the initiative would do – sent out a survey. He had to send it out several times (there were no repeats in the responders) to get a statistically valid return. Here is what he knows – and it was enough to decide there would be another trade show at the Performing Arts Centre – but that won’t be until April 6, 2017
Here is what Burchill knows – and what you now know:    
So it will be a 5 pm start – run for two hours and probably be at the same location each time. The Beaver and the Bulldog at the Waterfront was popular – but parking was a perennial complaint.   
What did the repondes have to say? While they may have said maybe to several of the questions – they had comments.
Having to pay for parking sucks. They (the B&B) really should compensate for that I think. Sometimes you get the same people out every week….need new blood!
Speed dating like encounters with frenetic networker’s. Also, should have members take an oath to be honest in their engagement practices.
Location requires parking costs, just a minor annoyance. Tend to see the same people, however that makes it easier to spot and connect with the new ones.
Not long enough
Too many changes with this group. It’s not exciting like it used to be to attend. I used to look forward to this meetup in Burlington..
I get three copies of each message you send and at times I feel a little badgered. paying for parking
People who throw their cards in your face before saying hello! Timing. Clear theme and goals.
They are always welldone! Thank you
Sometimes there are too many people that are just running around handing out business cards. A lot of members really push their products/services
Always in downtown Burlington. How about a location at the mall off Burloak or something closer for Oakville folks?
So many realtors, insurance people and investment people many of which only want to pass out as many business cards as possible in the evening without making any real connections with others
No focus.
Start time should be 6pm 8pm
Perhaps that it may not be the best demographic for my particular service. Too many financial planners. Need new people to join.
People trying too hard to sell their services and not interested in your own
Always the same people from very small service businesses providing mostly consumer type products hanging out with each other need more business to business members
It lost it’s local flavour long ago. It needs to be a Burlington group with Burlington business. Far too many people coming from way out of town for a “quick hit”. Successful networking is about building comfort & confidence in a relationship. These were previously quick encounters, like speed dating!
We have to give Burchill credit for letting it ll hang out. Those doing the objectionable stuff – take notice. The Trade Show is GO!
 By Pepper Parr
November 10th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
We know a little bit more about how your city council got to the point where they could approve a Staff recommendation to reduce time for delegations to city Standing Committees to five minutes from ten.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward manged to delegate often enough to build a profile and get herself elected to Council where she is reported to be preparing to run for Mayor in 2018. Delegating does have its advantages. According to Marianne Meed Ward, who was responding to a resident, the Community and Corporate Services committee was considering a staff report to “make changes to the procedural bylaw. The report was produced by staff and a subcommittee of council that included Taylor, Craven and Lancaster.
“One of those changes to the procedure bylaw included in the report was a recommendation to change delegation speaking time from the current 10 minutes to 5 minutes.
“Jack Dennison moved the staff report with a change to the report to keep delegation speaking time at 10 minutes.
“Votes were taken in parts.
“First we voted on this section, to keep speaking time at 10 minutes. That failed 3-3 with one member of council absent.
“Then a vote taken on the entire report, which included the recommendation that delegations be limited to 5 minutes. That passed 5-1 – I did not support” said Meed Ward.
By Pepper Parr
November 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Just days away from the Junior League Annual Holiday House tour when you will get to see what professional interior designers can do to give a home that festive look.
One of the Premier designers in the city, Marnie Warman, was given the task of decorating a home for the season that she renovated for her client.
Located in Roseland the 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom – 6000 sq. ft. house was gutted and rebuilt and is now getting a holiday season festive touch added.
 The stairway to the second level doesn’t make a grand statement. The lower level is wide open – that;s the statement. You have to see it to appreciate it. “When we were given the renovation assignment” said Warman “ we began to go over the house – there are always problems. This house still had live knob and tube electrical service and parts of the house were really not properly supported.”
“There was a lot of basic structural work to be done. The house was broken up into a bunch of small rooms with walls everywhere.”
 What will a designer do with a sun room like this to make it festive? “The client wanted a more open concept and we were able to do that. The result is a large area that could easily hold a party of sixty people who could mill around form the kitchen at one end to a nice sun room on the other end.”
In between there is a fire place that can be accessed from both the inside of the house and from the outdoor patio.
“We added a master bedroom above the garage that has as much privacy as anyone could want.”
The 76 year old house had a radiator along one wall that was so big it had to be cut into two pieces just to get it out of the building.
There are some situations said Warman, where it is probably better to tear down and re-build but this home was on a double lot and had good bones. The end result is certainly worth seeing.
 A before picture of one of the two islands in the kitchen. Can you imagine what a designer will do with this space. You can get to see for yourself during the Holiday Tour that begins on Friday. A new stairway to the upper floor was included in the renovation. There is nothing grand about the stairway – it doesn’t make a statement but it is a very attractive access point to the upper level of the house.
Warman has been doing design work for more than 26 years. She studied design at Sheridan College and has done a number of total renovations in the Oakville Burlington market. She has watched the change in the way people want to use space.
“Most of the time people aren’t exactly certain as to what they want. Living rooms have become obsolete; family/recreation rooms have become media centers.”
“The kitchen has become the hub. The home, being decorated this year for the Junior League event, has two islands in the kitchen area that is close to the side entrance where the two car parking garage is located.
The houses in the more mature neighbourhoods in Burlington and Oakville were built at a different time explains Warman when the needs and desires for space were quite different. People now want things to be open with lots of light.
The Hampton Court house was turned over to Warman and her crew in September of last year when they basically gutted the structure down to the studs. “This isn’t for the faint of heart” Warman will tell you.
Her operations is made up of two corporations. The Interior Design House is a retail operation with more than 9,000 item on the sales floor – this is eye candy for the furniture freaks.
The other side of her operation is the IDH Build Group – these are the people that renovate and rebuild. Warman will tell you that the only thing they don’t sell in the store is mattresses and appliances.
The homes that the Junior League includes in their annual tours usually involve several different designers with each doing a different part of the house.
 A cozy corner TV space just beside the open kitchen. When the designers are done that lone Christmas tree will have company. The other two homes in the tour, a second home in Burlington and a home in Ancaster are being decorated for the Holiday Season by a number of different firms.
In Ancaster Holland Park, Alto Interiors, Toth Interior Design. Green with Envy and Images Staged with Fair are doing different parts of the four bedroom, four bathrooms home.
The second home in the east end of Burlington is getting the touch from Hudson Interiors, Details Interior Design, Welcome Home Interiors, Megan and Megan, House of Fraser Décor and Marquis Cavalier Dream Store.
Warman who has all but lived in the Hampton Court house for the past week working feverishly with her team to get the house completed – she flies to Peru on Wednesday to take part in her son Trevor’s wedding. That was cutting it close.
The Junior League Tour take place from Friday through to Sunday: The event hours for this the 34th Annual House Tour are: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Friday, 10:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets are available on-line – cost $25 for the three house tour; $30 if you are paying cash at the door
 By Staff
November 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
We now know what the City Solicitor told members of city council when they went into closed session yesterday afternoon.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has ordered Burlington Airpark Inc. to pay City of Burlington court costs in the amount of $118,327.53.
 The Air Park corporation dumped tons of land fill on their property to level out the land and in the process earned thousands of dollars in fees collected for permitting the land fill on the property without an approved site plan, The black line indicates the boundary of the Air Park property. The cost award is related to the June 30, 2016 decision of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in favour of the City of Burlington’s application to compel Burlington Airpark Inc. to submit an application for a site alteration permit to comply with the city’s bylaw.
With the court ruling, the Airpark was required to file an application for a site alteration permit for the fill deposited between 2008 and 2013 before Aug. 31, 2016 and has now been ordered to pay the city’s court costs on a substantial indemnity basis.
 Heavy construction equipment parked on a 30 foot + hill 50 yards from the kitchen window of the Sheldon property on Appleby Line next door to the Air Park landfill operation. Many thought the overnight parking of the equipment overnight was intimidating An appeal by Burlington Airpark Inc. to the June 30, 2016 judgement in favour of the City of Burlington is scheduled to be heard by the Ontario Court of Appeal on March 28, 2017 at Osgoode Hall, 130 Queen St. West in Toronto.
The City of Burlington site alteration bylaw 64-2014 regulates the placing, dumping, cutting and removal of fill or the alteration of grades or drainage on a piece of land. Individuals doing this type of work must first submit an application to the city for a site alteration permit.
This is getting to be a very expensive experience for the Air Park and almost a profit center for the city. This is not the first time a Court has ordered the Air Park to pay the city very substantial costs.
By Pepper Parr
November 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
City council spent a full four hours on Monday making changes to the way the public gets to interact with them.
Marianne Meed Ward delegating at city hall.  Vanessa Warren delegating at city hall. One of the biggest changes is the amount of time you will get to delegate. It used to be 10 minutes – on a tie vote the Standing Committee voted to cut that back to five.
Councillor Blair Lancaster was not present at the meeting – so when the recommendation gets to council it might be different.
 Monte Dennis delegating before city council, The Gazette was not in the Council chamber on Monday and cannot tell you who voted for the reduction in delegation time and who voted against it.
We have noticed that the cameras that record the web cast did not pan to the members of Council as they voted which means those viewing the city’s business on the web cast don’t get to see how members of council sitting as a Standing Committee.
This city council has in the past voted against their votes at Standing Committee being recorded.
It looked as if this was deliberate. If it was that is a very unhealthy sign.
If you value the time you used to have delegating – get on the telephone and let your elected member of Council know that you aren’t too happy with the recommendation.
This is what citizen involvement is all about and they are about to take away half of the time you used to get.
To be fair – a Standing Committee can extend the time a speaker has or a member of Council can engage the delegation and give them the chance to complete their point.
Things are being tightened up at city hall – a better word might be squeezed.
 By Staff
November 8th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The police would like to know if you got stung by this one.
A male was at the cash register of a Shoppers Drug Mart store and purchased a package of Halls cough candy. Total cost was $1.46
The suspect handed the cashier a Canadian $20.00 bill. While the cashier was making change the male said he would pay with coins instead.
 Through distraction and the exchange of money the cashier did not realize that the male received an extra $20.00. The male exited the store and entered a newer model black Infinti Q5S.
A similar incident occurred at a variety store in Burlington involving the same male.
Through investigation the male was identified, arrested and charged with two counts of fraud. Police believe there are additional victims who are either unaware they have been scammed or who declined to report the incident at the time. The police would like to hear from them
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Michael Garvey at 30 Division in Burlington at 905-825-4747 ext. 2305, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
November 8th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
Something is up with the Air Park and its legal battle with the city.
City Council went into a 22 minute closed session for an update from city solicitor Nancy Shea Nicol on what was described as an Air Park matter.
The Air Park has filed a site plan with the city’s planning department but that plan has not come before council yet.
 Vince Rossi, president of the Burlington Executive Air Park and believed to be the sole shareholder of the private company. The Air Park is in a very delicate situation. They have to file a site plan and the city gets to approve that plan. The city is believed to want quite a bit of the land fill that was dumped on the property removed – that would prove to be very expensive for the Air Park
The Air Park was sued by the city for not filing a site plan – they lost that court case but have appealed the decision.
The appeal is to be heard in March of 2017
 This is not the view the Appleby Line property owner had when she bought the property. She doesn’t believe the Air Park had the right to dump all that landfill next to her property line. While all this legal arm wrestling takes place there is a property owner on Appleby Line who has to look at piles of landfill in excess of 30 feet high on either side of her property.
No one at city hall is doing anything for this taxpayer.
This is an ongoing saga not only for the residents who live in the rural part of Burlington but for two residents who were sued for libel by the Air Park. The Burlington Gazette was also sued – but that court case doesn’t appear to be going anywhere.
 By Pepper Parr
November 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Dania Thurman made her first delegation to city council yesterday. It was not that pleasant an experience for her – even though she gave a strong, informed presentation.
Council didn’t ask her a single question about what is perhaps one of the most important issues about the kind of downtown the city is going to have in the future.
Thurman argued that closing the Central High school would damage the downtown core community.
 Dania Thurman – vice chair of the Central High School parent group. Thurman is the Vice-Chair of the parent group opposing the closing of the high school. She was delegating along with another parents the same time that Halton District School Board, Director of Education Stuart Miller was explaining to council the why behind why high schools had to be closed.
 The T-shirt tells it all – for the parents – it is about the community. Central Strong, the working name of the parent committee, was formed to organize and inform the downtown core residents, parents, alumni and business owners who will be impacted by the Halton District School Board’s proposal to close Burlington Central High School explained Thurman.
They have 2000 people a week going to their Facebook page and the 500 lawn sighs printed have been snapped up
Thurman said: “Burlington Central High School is the heart and soul of our downtown community and generations of students have attended and excelled there. Our Central Strong team is committed to keeping our school open so the students can benefit from the true community spirit of our school. This includes everything from dedicated staff (many of whom are also alumni), unique programs (like robotics, theatre and theatre tech), and the joy of walking or biking to school every day (which has also been proven to increase student focus and overall success).
“We truly hope that the recommendation to close the Central and Pearson schools is indeed only a starting point for discussion as was indicated by the Director of Education and the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
 Central High school corridor – the place reeks of local history. “Our group’s mission is to provide as much accurate information as we can to aid in finding alternative solutions. Our opinion is that Burlington Central is not the right choice to close and we will work as a community to find creative alternatives to the issues the board may face that don’t involve the closure of Burlington Central High School. We believe that alternatives exist and would be healthier for the students, families and the community than a school closure.
“In addition to this, the Central Strong Community group has officially aligned itself with the growing uproar from the Ontario Alliance Against School Closures, who are calling on the government for an immediate moratorium on school closures. The Ontario Alliance Against School Closures represents 27 school groups across the province. It also has the support of “The Community Schools Alliance” which represents 33 municipalities and approximately 350,000 residents.
Thurman argues that the Ministry’s Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline, as it is currently written, is both damaging and undemocratic. It fails to take into consideration, the value of a school to its community, municipality and local economy. Close to the entire student population at Burlington central can currently walk to school. The physical and mental health of our students impacted by these closures and consolidations is completely disregarded. The municipality should also be concerned as this will ultimately result in increased busing.
“Our environment and an already congested infrastructure will only further deteriorate. You should also be deeply concerned about the narrow vision of the Pupil Accommodation Review process and how it will affect our city and Burlington’s Strategic Plan.”
Thurman was direct, brought up strong arguments but didn’t get a single question from city council.
Michael Kukhta, also a member of the parent group delegated. He was asked a lot of questions which we will cover in a seperate story.
By Staff
November 7, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Province of Ontario announced the Ontario Senior Achievement Awards that recognize men and women who have made outstanding contributions to their communities through voluntary or professional activities after the age of 65.
There were 20 Ontarians who were recognized – none from Burlington.
Not a healthy sign for a city that is reputed to have the fastest growing senior’s population.
 The Seniors table at a Bfast transit meeting. These people know how to mobilize themselves. A comment from a reader suggests the may be a change in priorities at city hall. Phillip Wooster wrote “I really believe that this mayor and council, including Meed Ward, have made seniors a very low priority. Not only is the Seniors Centre symptomatic of this, but seniors should note how the City Hall elites have put public transit on the back-burner. Most telling is the email I received from the Mayor publicizing the Todarian PR Event on November the 14–all kinds of committees were listed–except……you guessed it–SENIORS.”
By Staff
November 7, 2107
BURLINGTON, ON
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By Pepper Parr
November 7th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Everyone appears to still be in the dark as to just what is going on at the Seniors’ Centre.
One source said “I went on the Centre web site there was only a notice of what has happened and the Board would be meeting in November and the results of that meeting would be posted on that site, so like everyone else I am in the dark.
“There is a general notice at the Centre of what has happened issued by the city you could call and pick one up they are on the front counter.”
The Board seems to be hiding behind their web site.
The city has just moved in and taken over – so much for citizen participation.
The Seniors will get angry and at some point elect a new board.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward serves as the city representative on the Seniors Advisory Council. The city council representative on the Seniors Advisory Board, Marianne Meed Ward has said she “was hoping the discussions the city and board were having over the past year would lead toward a new MOU that would benefit both parties.”
At the same time she said: “The BSCI now has an opportunity to chart a new role for itself serving seniors in Burlington, and I have committed to stay on the board to assist them in this transition for as long as they would like.”
This is very unlike Meed Ward. Every battle she has taken on – the Pier, the different developments during her six years as a city councillor, the sale of waterfront property – you name it – she has been at the front of the parade.
The Beachway was not in her ward and it drives Councillor Craven crazy when she involves herself in that issue. There has never been anything shy about Marianne Meed Ward in the past – so why the backing away now?
This was the organization with the potential to be a large part of what was going to propel her into the Office of the Mayor.
To say that the BSCI “now has an opportunity to chart a new role for itself” is so completely disingenuous.
It would appear that she too has left them to their own devices and with the leadership the BCSI has at the moment it is going to be slim pickings for the over 55 set.
For the first time in a very long time Meed Ward’s political instincts appear to have deserted her.
Everyone loses.
 By Pepper Parr
November 6th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
What would Spencer Smith think if he could see what they have done to the park he created?
The willow trees that he planted 70 years ago are gone.
 This is the Gazebo that was. The Gazebo that used to be on the waterfront is gone too.
Come the Spring the eastern end of the park will have a much different look. There will be a new concrete pathway that will wind from the beginning of the Naval Promenade to the back of the new Gazebo and loop back to the Promenade
 This is the |Gazebo your city i in the process of constructing for you. New trees have been planted. In a couple of years we will have forgotten what it used to look like and the trunks of those willow will have been turned into table tops. Maybe some of the wood carvers at the Art Gallery will fashion a desk that will sit in the office of the Mayor.
 This is where the new Gazebo is gong to be built – it looks like it will be quite a bit bigger. Spencer Smith would probably approve of that.
There are a couple of hundreds clippings taken from the willow trees that were cut down – they will be handed out to people in the Spring.
All good stuff – but where was the public input in all this. Remember – this government was going to be transparent – they were going to include you the tax payer.
We didn’t see any drawings for the new east end of the park with different ideas the public could comment on.
The landscape architects just went ahead and did it because they could.
 This is one of the scenes you get to enjoy from the park. while Burlington isn’t a port city – Hamilton is a large inland port and everything that sails into Hamilton sails by Burlington. That is not healthy civic government.
Related articles:
Who was Spencer Smith?
 Where will the willows go?
By Staff
November 6th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There is someone else out there who asks the question the Gazette has been asking for some time.
 Why is gas always a couple of pennies higher in Burlington than it is in Hamilton?
The best I can come up with is – the owners of the gas stations know they can get away with it. They see Burlington as a wealthy community that they can suck extra dollars out of.
If you want it to change – walk with your wallets.
A couple of years ago we did a piece on this. Nothing has changed.
The prices were higher but the differences we basically the same – you pay more in Burlington. Why – because we have a better civic government?
 Burlington Esso on Guelph Line $1.249  Regular gas at the Hamilton Esso station $1.226  Shell station on Guelph line $1.249 per litre  At the Shell station on Main West in Hamilton – $1.219 per litre of regular gas
Related article:
It has always been this way.
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