Our Burlington reporter graduates to TV production – does footage on Burlington golf courses for WNED.

By Walter Byj

BURLINGTON, ON April 16, 2013  Over the past number of years, the PBS station in Buffalo ,WNED, has run a series called Our Town, highlighting communities in northwest New York and southern Ontario. These  hour-long broadcasts were the result of volunteers putting on film the way they saw their city.

WNED producer Lynne Bader previews the Burlington production for the videographers who took part. Bader on the left with Joe Veitch in the centre. Our Burlington’s reporter Walter Byj was one of the participants.

The project started September 5th and 6th last year  at the Central Library when a number of volunteers from Burlington met with senior producer Lynne Bader of WNED TV. After discussing various program ideas and receiving tips for video shooting, each individual was given two weeks in which to submit  their unique story with at least 55 minutes of raw data.

On September 21st and 22nd, the volunteers submitted their recordings and gave a quick on camera interview about their topic.

The project is now finished and I was able to view the finished product on Tuesday night; the tone of the stories reflects Burlington. With the short window we had to film some of the major Burlington events were not covered.  However, the overall show does reflect well on Burlington.

Golf was covered in some detail – I did a segment on the golf courses in Burlington – waiting now for Hollywood to call me.

It all goes on air Tuesday April 23rd at 9:00 pm on WNED TV channel 31 on the Cogeco dial.

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Two Burlington men face charges after a sharp-eyed citizen took notice of suspicious behaviour.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 16, 2013.  A citizen out for a walk on Headon Forest Drive noticed two males entering driveways along the street and peeking into parked vehicles.

She walked to the nearby police station and reported her observations to officers and a detailed description of the men.  Officers responded to the immediate area and located two men in a driveway on Maderna Road.  The pair ran in between some homes and were found hiding under some stairs.

 Once arrested, both were found to be in possession of stolen items.

 Jason BAIRD (36 yrs) and Michael TRUMPER (30 yrs) face charges of Possession of Stolen Property (four counts), Theft Under $5000 (three counts) and Prowl by Night. 

TRUMPER faces an additional charge of Possession of Break-in Instruments.

 Burlington Detectives are investigating to see if these two  suspects were involved in  other related incidents.

 Any additional witnesses or potential victims are asked to contact Detective Jared McLeod at 905 825-4747 x2307.

 The police didn’t name the citizen but at the next Police Services Bard meeting perhaps there could be a quiet recognition of the citizen’s service.

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Is this just a little too much? Now a Special badge presentation for city’s new fire chief.

 

 

By Pepper Parr.

BURLINGTON, ON April 16, 2013.   Firemen and women are vital to the safety of any community and Burlington has a fire department that has been recognized in the past for their bravery and service as well as being on hand to get that cat out of a tree and take part in civic events.  Great guys.

But to hold a special photo-op to take a picture of the Fire Chief being given his badge – is that not a little much?  Have the city communications people not got anything better to do?  Did the Mayor have an opening in his Day Timer that was looking for something to do?

Burlington’s recently appointed fire chief, Tony Bavota

On April 22 members of council; Kim Phillips, general manager of corporate and community services; Fire Chief Tony Bavota; deputy fire chiefs Dave Beatty and Jeff Weber; city officials; retired Burlington Fire Chief Shayne Mintz; regional emergency services personnel; family and friends will gather in celebration of Burlington’s new fire chief.

Burlington firefighters have been cited for their bravery in the past.  This photograph has several of them being recognized by the Lieutenant General.

A special badge presentation and ceremony will take place in recognition of Tony Bavota, Burlington’s recently named Fire Chief.

 And it’s all going to take place at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre, Community Studio Theatre with a  reception to follow in lobby immediately following the formal presentation.

Mercy!

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Is Justin a New Deal for Canada? First day on the job and the attack ads start – is this their best shot?

 By Ray Rivers.

BURLINGTON, ON. April 16, 2013  Sometimes we Liberals can feel like Goldilocks.  First, the leadership vote kickoff in Toronto last Saturday felt… too empty.  Then the concluding meeting in Ottawa…well, it was so full they sold out the $20 dollar tickets in a flash.   The event was packed with big-name Liberals, including one-time opponents Jean Chretien and Paul Martin who sat on opposite sides of the room. It was a big deal.

The victory was conclusive and Justin Trudeau graciously took the podium to thank one and all.  The Party had opened voting to members and non-members alike, and over a hundred-thousand Canadians participated, picking Trudeau with eighty percent of the votes – a new deal  for political leadership.  Polished, humble and almost boyish, he delivered his first speech as leader of the third party - but now what?

Justin kicked off his leadership campaign by promising to rebuild the middle-class (by which he really meant middle-income Canadians).  But what does that mean?  Franklin D Roosevelt is credited with building the modern middle-class in America, a consequence of his New Deal in the 1940‘s.  Five factors played together for FDR; 1. a sheltered union movement to lift the pay of workers, 2. massive public investment to create jobs for the unemployed, 3. the break-up of corporate conglomerates, 4. progressive income taxation, and 5. trade protectionism.

 Chretien, in his remarks at the podium, noted that his Team Canada had landed significant deals in their excursions into China, while the best Harper could do was to bring back a couple of rented Panda bears.  And Trudeau, who has supported the Chinese buy-up of the tar sands and the Keystone pipeline, seems unwavering on business-as-usual for global trade, the kind that ensures we Canadians remain the hewers of wood and drawers of water we were at confederation.  Not much of a new deal here, I’m afraid.

 Trudeau has not yet spoken, perhaps wisely, on the other elements of how he plans to re-build the middle class.  He and the party’s policy wonks have their work cut out, developing options to restore and promote the middle-class, if he is to be believed.   Of course, Justin is not PM yet, just the leader of the third-party.  But if the polls are any indication, he might very well be in position to lead a Trudeau Liberal government after the next election. 

 Well thought-out and pronounced policy options to restore a more balanced Canadian society and a healthy economy would be a big deal, even if it not exactly FDR’s new deal.

 Ray Rivers is a retired civil servant, a former Burlington candidate for the provincial legislature and an author.  His book, The End of September focuses on how things could have been different during the Quebec crisis in 1983.  Rivers will write for Our Burlington on a regular basis – about twice a month.

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Another early morning home entry – Oak Grove this time. Sooner or later someone is going to be hurt. Is it time for increased police patrols?

 

 

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 16, 2013.  An Oak Grove residence was entered on April 16, 2013 at 1:45 a.m.

A young girl awoke to see a man standing in her bedroom doorway and, assuming it was her father, asked what he was doing.  The man did not respond, but promptly descended a nearby staircase.

 The young girl went to her parent’s room and explained what had occurred.  The father began checking the home and discovered the rear patio sliding door ajar and a small amount of coins missing from the kitchen area.

 The homeowner spent considerable time looking for the suspect within the residence and the surrounding neighbourhood prior to contacting the police for assistance at 2:40 a.m.

 Police attended the area, but were unable to locate the suspect involved.

 Police really need to be called the moment there is a problem – that’s what the 911 service is there for.  Police can respond very promptly but they need to be called.

 The suspect is described as 5’11”, average build with short dark hair.  He was wearing a black t-shirt and dark coloured pants and holding an unknown object in his left hand.

 Police offer the following tips to homeowners as a means of reducing the risk of their homes to being broken into:

  Securely lock all windows/doors to home

• Have an alarm/video surveillance system installed

• Utilize exterior lighting

• Use locks on gates to backyard

• If you suspect your home has been entered and/or an intruder is still present within or nearby, contact 9-1-1 immediately for police assistance.

 

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A whopping number – and it isn’t a tax increase. BurlingtonGreen goes right over the top. Kudos.

 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 16, 2013 Sometimes there is only one way to tell a story – let the story tell itself. BurlingtonGreen has been running a GreenUp-CleanUp campaign in this city for a number of years.

Last year’s numbers were very good – 6,000 people showed up. That emboldened BurlingtonGreen to set 10,000 as a target and – well let’s let them tell the story. In a media release here is what BurlingtonGreen had to say:
Wow! Never underestimate the enthusiasm and commitment of the people of Burlington to help keep their city beautiful! HUGE kudos to Burlington schools who are “sweeping” the city all week-long cleaning up their school yards and neighbouring communities.

Currently a whopping 12,800 people are signed up to participate and it’s not too late for you to register. We have about a dozen spots left in our Green Up habitat restoration event and unlimited space for you and your group to clean up wherever you choose in Burlington.

It takes a committed community to get out every year and clean up the trash – more than 12,000 Burlingtonians will be doing that this Saturday.

You can use your own bags and gloves or we can provide them for free if you register right away. All participants are invited to attend a Thank You Celebration at City Hall afterwards on Saturday, April 20th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. where there will be a complimentary BBQ and refreshments, a free raffle, various eco-displays and activities for children.

Enter to Win: All schools and groups that register to participate and send in a photo of their clean up “in action” will be entered into a draw for a chance to win great prizes courtesy of Tim Horton’s. After the event, the action photos will be displayed on our popular Green Wall of Fame on the BurlingtonGreen website for all to enjoy.

Don’t delay ~ Register Today & check out the long list of the groups that have registered so far! HERE

You can feel the enthusiasm – which is just great. Good on you folks – you did it and everyone in the city will be better for your efforts.


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City hall staff are in the process of learning how to herd cats: squabbling with council member over pier opening plans.

 

 

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 16. 2013  I guess we should have expected this.  The pier will be open for the Sound of Music festival and the city is going to muscle in on their event to hold the opening.  There are going to be several openings- an Official one – which appears to have been cast in stone because the Pooh-Bahs have to get their Day Timers tuned up.

Councillor Craven wants every former Mayor drawing breath to be on hand.  This Official Opening is planned for the Friday, June 14th and then another opening on Saturday in the afternoon for the taxpayers that have to pay for the massive over run on the public purse to get the thing built.

We can see no word other than massive when you take something from $6.9 million up to more than $19 million – and it ain’t over yet.  But that’s an issue your city council is prepared to bury for as long as they can.

Right now they want to talk about fireworks, speeches and balloons and who gets to get their picture taken when.

The promenade leading to the pier entrance is getting a new surface. In the upper left you can see the mini-beach that got formed naturally – probably the only bonus citizens are going to get out of a very expensive project. It will look nice when it is done though.

You can hear the squabbling beginning.  When Councillor Dennison heard the schedule it didn’t take him long to tell staff that he “respectfully disagreed” with not allowing the public out on the pier on the Thursday – which is when the Sound of Music are going to do their kick off.

There is going to be a fireworks display and the pyrotechnics people have to be on the pier setting out the “explosives” they will use to get those fireworks into the air to ooh and aaah everyone.

That wasn’t going to stop Dennison – he wanted the public to be allowed to walk out on that pier just as soon as the ribbon was cut.

Dennison wasn’t going to let this one go – he kept at it and questioned staff on the details which are in that sort of coming together stage.

A newly installed light standard at the very end of the pier. The structure underneath the pier deck is a construction trestle that is now being taken out.

The Burlington Teen Tour Band is going to march out onto the pier and it looks as if they will be the “first” people that will actually be out over the water.  One can only wonder what will be going through their minds –  it is going to be a magnificent structure.

If the BTTB isn’t the first then the Sound of Music parade might be the first – staff were skinny on the details at a council committee meeting on Monday..

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If you’re a tweep – the Chief wants to talk to you – if you’re a creep – he can arrange to have you arrested.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  April 15, 2013  The people who count these things say that 66% if Canadians actively use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

 If you want to impress your friends –make the Halton Regional Police Service “Chief” a friend and then tweet with him.  Police services worldwide – and, by extension, many police chiefs – are proactively using various social media platforms as a new method to actively engage the public in crime prevention and policing.

Halton’s Chief Steve Tanner, has a degree in psychology and is usually abreast of the changes in the way the public thinks.  Many police types don’t trust social media but Tanner has decided to jump in and see how it can be made to work for his police service.  He can be read on Twitter at:  @ChiefTanner.

Halton Regional Police Services Chief Tanner wants to tweet with you.

“I am a self-admitted newbie to Twitter, but see its tremendous potential to enhance my connection with people who live and work in Halton, and across Ontario and beyond, so that we can engage in meaningful dialogue about public safety, crime prevention and community policing issues,”  said Chief Tanner, adding, “Through shared tweets, I am also looking forward to being able to put a human face on the Chief of Police title, and get to know active Twitter users in our community in return.”

Chief Tanner’s presence on Twitter compliments the official @HaltonPolice Twitter account, so that the public can have quick and easy access to the latest Halton police news, crime prevention information and safety tips, and receive answers to any general questions about policing in Halton that they may have.

Chief Tanner emphasized that neither his account, @ChiefTanner, nor the official Service account @HaltonPolice, are monitored 24/7, which is an important factor the public needs to keep in mind if following them on Twitter.

“For emergencies or crimes in progress, the public should still call 9-1-1 and to report non-emergencies, call 905-825-4777,” said Chief Tanner. “Twitter is not a crime reporting tool.  The public can report certain types of crime online at our website, www.haltonpolice.ca, but when in doubt, call us.”

Chief Tanner and the Halton Regional Police Service are focused on building the Service’s base of local Twitter followers who reside or do business within Halton Hills, Milton, Burlington, and Oakville, and encourages local Tweeps to follow or add the service to one of their public safety lists.

“Certainly everyone is invited and welcome to follow me or the Service on Twitter, but my priority is engaging with the local community first and foremost, so please be sure to follow us and say hello,” said Chief Tanner.

To connect with the Halton Regional Police Service, follow @HaltonPolice on Twitter and to connect with Chief Tanner follow @ChiefTanner. 

To follow Our Burlington – check out our Facebook page and tweet what we produce to people you think might be interested.

Couple of questions to the Chief:  Is the tweet I get from you – tell you anything about me.

Does my being your friend on Facebook compromise my identity in any way?  will I be dropped into a data base somewhere?

The Halton Police recently put up a map that will tell you where crimes take place in the Region.  That crime data does not belong to the police – it gets given to the people who provided the service to the police.  They don’t tell you that when you use the service.

The city of Hamilton took exception to their police service using those crime maps – not a word of comment or dissent from Burlington’s member of the Police Service Board.  why not?

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Fun and games and a city council rule book with a rule that is far from clear; will Meed Ward really be shut down?

 By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON. April 15, 2013   City council meets in its committee setting this week.  Monday they meet in the afternoon as the Community Services Committee and in the evening they meet as the Development and Infrastructure Committee.  Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward is neither the Chair or the vice Chair of either of these committees – so she gets to talk as a normal member of council.

The last time city council met – as a full Council the Mayor had a problem with the amount of time Meed Ward was talking and, after being alerted by the Clerk, interrupted Meed Ward to tell her she was basically talking too much and outside the time limit permitted by the city’s Procedural Bylaw – the Bible on what council members can and cannot do.

At the time Meed Ward was stunned.

Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward works the phone the way few Councillors do; manages to overspend on her postage budget, filled her voice mail box the first week she was at city hall and has now been found to have over spent on the amount of time she speaks. There is just no end to this woman.

We asked her after the Council meeting if she had any comment and she replied she would be following up on what the Mayor and the city Clerk had done.

Burlington’s city council and committee hold what they call “pre-meeting” at which they go over the agenda and discuss the likely flow of events.  If you thought everything happened naturally at either Council or committee meetings – you are indeed gullible.  Every politician prefers to control the agenda – which to some degree is what the pre-meets as they are called are about.

We asked Meed Ward a few questions via email and got the following responses:

Was there a pre-meet before the Council meeting?

Yes. There is a pre-meeting for every committee & council meeting to discuss the flow of the agenda. Only the chair/vice-chair, clerk and senior staff attend those meetings. In the case of council, the mayor, clerk (Angela) city manager (Jeff fielding) at minimum would be there and perhaps others.

If there was did you attend?

No. Council members do not attend any pre-meeting except one in which they serve as a chair/vice-chair. So, for example, I attend the Budget and Corporate Services committee pre-meeting with chair Councillor Taylor, but not any of the other committee or council pre-meetings. Raises a good point though – there is technically no “vice chair” of council. There is the rotating deputy mayor. In theory the D.M. could attend the pre-meeting. Hasn’t come up before. I’m deputy mayor for April. Interesting.

 

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Current Minister of Transportation appears to have suggested a Niagara GTA highway doesn’t make sense – hooray! GO is a better deal.

 

 

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 15, 2013  The people behind the Save the Escarpment Highway Coalition (SEHC) would have been dancing around their chairs had they been at the Transportation Futures Conference in Toronto last week when Minister of Infrastructure, Glenn Murray said “We’re still very focused on highway development. We’re still very focused in Canada on last century kinds of infrastructure” and later added that “If we think we’re going to do this on a model of build it and they will come we will be spending a lot of money to get poor results. If we go to the model of build it where they want to go, we’ll have a very financially sustainable system.

Probably no need to do another print run of these signs but keep the inventory you have – Tim Hudak might come out of the woodwork.

Back during the last provincial election current Premier Kathleen Wynne, who was the Minister of  Transportation then, said the MOT had to begin thinking of something other than roads when they thought of transportation.  Ontario might just have a minister who is overseeing the building of our transportation systems who is going to change the way we think about transportation and how we move people from place to place.

Glenn Murray, formerly Mayor of Winnipeg for six years, understand cities and the problems related to moving people from where they live to where they work.  When he was made Minister of Infrastructure in the Wynne government he had to tackle the problem that is $34 billion short of its funding needs. 

The province has $50 billion worth of transit and transportation plans it believes we need – just $16 billion of that is funded. Transit is not free but will we re-elect a government that insists we pay for it?

The province has plans that will cost $50 billion to complete with $16 billion of that amount funded – they are looking for a way to raise the balance of $34 billion. Murray adds that transit is not free and that without the right mix of land use and transportation the economy Ontario needs isn’t going to happen.  He points to Pittsburgh, which is not unlike Hamilton – just on a smaller scale. Murray explained to his audience that “The pace of change is sometimes hard to understand. I always suggest that people look at Pittsburgh, which is during the first stage of going through the major economic transformation and gives you a little sense of what’s coming at us in the not too distant future. Pittsburgh in the 1983 and 1984 saw 104 steel mills close in 24 months. As a result of that the city dropped from a population of just over 700,000 to about 360,000.

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Time to grease that bicycle chain and get ready for the first chance this season to race around outdoors on your mountain bike.

By Staff

MILTON – Hilton Falls Conservation Area is getting ready to kick off the 2013 Mountain Biking season with its 14th Annual Spokes and Slopes All-Weather Challenge,  which takes place on Sunday, April 21.

There are a variety of categories including, ages 10 and under, teen, and adult, with a choice of long or short courses. Stick around after the race for a BBQ lunch and some great prizes!

Race sign-in starts at 8 a.m. on the day of the Spokes and Slopes All-Weather Challenge and the first race gets underway at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Hilton Falls  Mountain Bike All-Weather Challenge – April 21st

Participants can register for the All-Weather Challenge online through the Conservation Halton Events Calendar, www.conservationhalton.ca/events, and clicking on All-Weather Challenge. You can also call Hilton Falls Conservation Area at 905-854-0262 for more information or to register.

Participants looking to practice can come out and test the track for the All-Weather Challenge in a pre-race ride from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Course maps will be available at the Hilton Falls gatehouse. The pre-race ride will be held as long as Trail Conditions permit.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area will be closed to the public during the All-Weather Challenge on Sunday, April 21 until 1:30 p.m.

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Burlington Bulldogs Atom A’s host provincial Ontario Hockey Federation finalists.

 

 

Hockey players at the Atom A level erupting when Becky Kellar, the speaker for the event,  told the crowd that she “hated the Canadiens”.  The young players appear to have shared her view.

By Staff

Picture of the week is a banquet hall full of boys and girls at a hockey banquet with parents on hand to at least try and keep some of the noise down and they succeeded until Becky Kellar, an Olympic level hockey player who won 3 Gold and one Silver medals between 1998 and 2010 told her audience:  “I hate the Montreal Canadiens” – and the room erupted.

The energy and the enthusiasm was electric as players who were taking part in the hockey season finals banquet for which Burlington was the host community.

Kellar was telling the boys and girls that a true athlete never gives up and that they also get up off the ground when they fall and push forward.

She was there to give one of those motivational speeches that only proven athletes can give – because they have been there and understand what it takes to get up and give more to whatever the sport happens to be.  The room with teams that were in the Ontario Hockey Federation Provincial Atom A finals and were in Burlington to play over the weekend came from:

West London Hawks

Cobourg Cougars

Credit Valley Wolves

Temiskaming Puckhounds

The Burlington Bulldogs were the host team.

Unfortunately Burlington was knocked out in the semis but it could have gone either way.  It was a tie at the end of the third and they lost to West London 4-3 in overtime.

 The practice now at these events is to have a “loot bag” for all the participants which this year included a copy of The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier, paid for by local dentist Berta Bacic.

 

 

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City activists seek support to oppose allowing tar sands oil to cross the Escarpment.

 

 

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON April 13, 2013.  People across the province and the province itself are gearing up for the National Energy Board (NEB) hearings that are expected to take place sometime in August, to hear an application from Enbridge Pipelines to both reverse the direction of the flow in their pipeline and to be allowed to transport diluted bitumen  through Line 9 which runs from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal for a length of 836 km.  The portion of that line, known as Line 9b, runs from the Westover, Hamilton terminal, crosses the Beverly wetlands and enters Burlington at the Medad Valley, and continues across the crest of the Burlington Escarpment between Side Roads No. 1 and 2, and flanks the north side of the 407 and 401 highways through Oakville and into the GTA.

Nicole Goodman, a mother and Burlington resident is heading up a group of Burlington citizens that want to invite other residents interested in collaborating or supporting an application to express local concerns at NEB hearings.

The 407 is about all there is to protect many of the Burlington communities from any oil spill.  Residents want to be assured that the pipeline is safe enough to carry dilbit oil and that there are plans in place to handle a spill.

The NEB has a policy on who can attend the hearings.  People can take part as “interveners” or they can apply to be able to submit a letter.  The province has announced that it intends to take part as an “intervener” while the city of Burlington has decided it will submit a letter setting out its concerns.

While submitting a letter might not appear to be very much those letters become part of the record that will be used by the NEB to decide if they will grant the permit Enbridge needs to reverse the flow of the pipeline and transport oil from Alberta.

The NED has not made the process very easy.  The application you have to send in to get permission to send a letter runs ten pages long, but it is not as tough as it sounds according to Emily Ferguson, a McMaster University geography student who has been following this issue for some time.

Emily Ferguson, a McMaster University graduate (last exam next week) has been covering the National Energy Board process and the Enbridge Pipeline public hearings for some time. Expect to hear more from her on this subject.

Ferguson’s home town is Kingston but her Hamilton residence gives her a look at the bigger picture and she can understand the damage to Burlington and its Escarpment and the potential for serious damage whether that pipe line crosses the Moira River in Belleville and the Cataraqui river  or the Ottawa river

Her studies as a geography student certainly don’t hurt either  but most effective is the way she digs down a little deeper to see what is happening at the ground level.  Ferguson is applying for intervener status and Our Burlington is getting her media credentials so she can cover all the hearings.

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Chamber adapts to changes in the commercial sector and creates awards for both large and small companies.

By Walter Byj

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 13, 2013.  Love of community and heartfelt appreciation of their fellow employees was a constant theme by winners at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala that was held on Thursday April 11th. From third generation Burlingtonians to more recent arrivals, the theme of Burlington being a great place to work and live was genuinely repeated throughout the evening. With over 425 people in attendance, the event was widely enjoyed by all present.  The nominees and winners in each category follows: .

Service Award for companies with more than 25 employees

Finalist

Ampersand Group

Neelands Refrigeration Limited

The Idea  Factor Inc.

Winner

Neelands Refrigeration Limited.

Neelands Refrigeration: a move from 10,000 sq feet to 43,000 made them a bigger and more proactive company.  Improvement enough to garner them an award

The company recently moved from a 10,000 to 43,000 square foot facility in North Burlington; a  reflection of the growth this privately owned 55-year-old company has experienced.  Working closely with their customers, this distributor of refrigeration units helps in the design and  location of a variety of refrigeration units within a store and then gets the equipment into place.  Offering one stop shopping and being in the forefront of technology has been one of the main reasons for the growth said Noel Neelands as he accepted the award on behalf of the company. Neelands use LED lighting and CO2 natural refrigerant which are both environmentally friendly, and more economical.

Service Award for Companies under 25 Employees

Finalists

AIS Solutions

Pat’s Party Rentals

Seferian Design Group

 Winner

Seferian Design Group

Staff from Seferian Design admire the award that will be displayed in their lobby and get mentioned in all the sales literature.  These awards do make a difference.

A collective shout of elation was heard as this company was announced as the winner of this award. Seferian was established in 1992 and now has a client list of well of a 100.  The company excels at landscape architecture and design and has been beautifying residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the GTA and beyond. “Our small staff, with input from everyone and the use of 3D simulation, has been the key to our success” said Haig Seferian while accepting the award.

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In conference with Premier: Any Escarpment road is on hold – while they continue to study. Is the public going to be in on those studies?

By Pepper Parr

While it might be Toronto doing all the howling about transit and grid lock, Premier Kathleen Wynne understands that it is people from Burlington and surrounding communities that clog the QEW – and it is no longer just during the rush hours.

As part of a reach out program the Premier held a conference call with area media and took questions from about ten of us – the focus was to be on HGTA – Hamilton Greater Toronto Area, and its transit issues.

During the last provincial election Wynne, who was Minister of Transportation at the time,  told the political Pooh-Bahs that she wanted her transportation thinkers to see beyond roads – a view shared by many in the community.  At the time the focus on the community activists was to ensure that there was no road through the Escarpment and they have succeeded in putting a stop to the development of any actual plans to build a road.

There didn’t appear to be much attraction in this photo taken during the provincial election. Wynne, on the right, went on to become Premier of the province and Burlington wants to know now more than ever what her transit priorities really are.

The thinking at the MOT was always conceptual but that kind of thinking tends to end up with a surveyor out in a field with instruments measuring where a road might go.  We won’t see anything like that for the next five years but that infamous map with that green arrow in it is still in one of their files somewhere and it is still in the Region’s  Official Plan.  And as long as that arrow is there – it’s a real option.

That yellow arrow pointing to where an Escarpment highway could go is still in the Region’s Official Plan.

During the conference call this morning the Premier said that studies were still taking place at the Ministry – we already knew that – and that she wants her people to look at all the options.  There are people in the community who are not yet convinced that all the options are being looked at – and that what in now the Ministry of Transportation –  was once the Ministry of Highways – has not yet gotten beyond seeing the problem as roads and the solution as more roads.

Wynne said her commitment to transit was “rock solid” and mentioned her time in Holland where it was more convenient to ride a bike that drive a car.  “Change will take place” she said “when it is convenient to take public transit.”  Throughout the conference call the Premier talked about how all the needs are going to be paid for and added that the government has not been consistent in providing funds for the ongoing needs. “We are playing catch up now” she said.

How we pay for that “catching up” is a major concern for this government.  “My fear” said the Premier “is that we have a lot of projects out there but we don’t have the funding for them in place yet.

Road tolls have been mentioned, parking at the GO stations – these are now called “tools” that can be used to raise funds to pay for projects.  One reporter asked if an increase to the provincial income tax was in the works and went on to suggest this was a more progressive way to raise the funds as opposed to the more regressive fees and flat taxes that have been discussed.

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Chamber 0f Commerce fetes its finest.

By Walter Byj

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 11, 2013.  As with all organizations, there is a time to work and a time to celebrate.  The movies have the Oscars, music has the Grammys” and sports have their all-star games and in some cases, award banquets.

Although they may be self congratulating and cliquish, there is sense and reason to pat yourself and your competitor on the back.

Members of the commercial community gather at the Burlington Convention Centre to celebrate and recognize each other during the Chamber of Commerce Awards evening. 

And so, on a cold and wintry spring evening, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce held its’ business Excellence Awards and recognized those companies that excelled in Burlington over the past year.  The awards and the corresponding winners are as the following:

Mayor’s Community Service Award- Not for Profit –

Burlington Green Environmental Association

Burlington Economic Development Corporation

First Award for Business Investment

Fusenet Inc.

 Burlington Economic Development Corporation

First Award for Business Expansion – Global Mobility Products Inc.

Burlington Economic Development Corporation and Export Development Corporation First Business Export Award –

Etratech

Tourism Ambassador Award –

Burlington Eagles

 Service Award (25 or more employees)

Neelands Refrigeration

Service Award (fewer than 25 employees)

Seferian Design Group

Manufacturer (25 or more employees)

Apex Composites Inc.

 Manufacturer (fewer than 25 employees)

MarShield Radiation Protection and Storage Products.

Retail/Wholesale (25 or more employees)

Throat Threads Apparel

 Retail/Wholesale (fewer than 25 employees)

The UPS Store #89

 Employer of the Year –

O.C. Tanner Recognition Company Limited

 

It was a long evening, the business people had a fine time – the awards were both merited and it was interesting to watch the reaction at the different corporate tables.

I will file a more detailed piece in the morning.


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That evasive action training police officers get came in handy; avoids accident and snags a driver with more than 80 mgs

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 11, 2013  Just a little after  midnight on Wednesday April 10, 2013 a Halton officer was driving a police cruiser southbound on Walkers Line just south of Upper Middle Road when a vehicle sped westbound out of a townhouse complex, across three lanes of traffic and nearly struck the officer’s vehicle.

The officer took evasive action to avoid a collision and eventually managed to stop the vehicle just north of Country Club Drive, after the vehicle mounted a curb and came to rest against a pole.  That sounds as if the pole stopped the car.

Kassandra OSBORNE, 22 yrs, faces charges of Impaired Driving and Over 80 mgs.

Ms Osborne will have some explaining to do, won’t she?


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There is nothing more to say – except to mourn the loss.

 

 


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Do we need two flood reports? Conservation Halton produces a report and the Region produces a report. Why two?

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  April 11, 2013   – Conservation Halton issued the following Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook today at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 10th

Conservation Halton advises that Environment Canada is forecasting rain for the Greater Toronto Area for the next few days. Rainfall amounts are predicted to be between 25 to 40mm starting this evening and throughout tomorrow. Thursday and Friday are also predicted to be wet in nature with a mix of rain and snow. Precipitation values are forecasted to be approximately 40mm.

The majority of the creeks in the watershed are running at near seasonal levels but are expected to increase with the forecasted rainfall. These conditions will result in increased flows and water levels rising to near bankfull in our creeks and will result in dangerous conditions along all watercourses. Widespread flooding is not anticipated however localized flooding can be expected in low-lying and flood prone areas.

Conservation Halton’s reservoirs are still in range of seasonal levels and have storage capacity available.

Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay away from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.

Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue further messages as necessary.

Conservation Halton will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook message only if significant changes in the forecasts occur. This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through to Sunday, April 14, 2013.

The Region, in their media release titled: “Take steps to be prepared for the severe weather” had this to say:

How many people sit in the Regional offices writing media releases that do not get read and are probably not needed.

Environment Canada has issued a winter storm watch for Halton Region with the risk of rain changing to ice pellets mixed with freezing rain before morning. Conservation Halton has issued a flood watch and is asking residents to stay away from streams, rivers, bridges, culverts and dams.

“Halton Region’s Emergency Management team is closely monitoring the storm and Environment Canada forecasts and is in contact with partner agencies,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Residents can take steps to be prepared, like having emergency kits ready, ensuring downspouts are clear and sump pumps are working properly.”

Flooding, freezing rain and ice pellets can make driving hazardous, residents are advised to be cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.

Prior to the storm residents can take the following steps:

Check the radio, television or halton.ca/beprepared for updates, information or instructions.

Stock up on water and ready-to-eat food, as well as battery-powered or wind-up flashlights and radios – and extra batteries. In other words, have an Emergency Go-Kit and a Shelter-in-Place/Stay at Home Kit in your home. Keep an Emergency Car Survival Kit in your car and your gas tank filled above halfway.

During the storm residents can follow these tips:

If you must travel, be sure to allow extra time and let someone know your route and expected arrival time. Check weather and road reports before you leave.

Stay at least 10 metres away from a fallen power line, even if it doesn’t appear to be live and report it to your local utility. If you experience a power outage, contact your local utility.

Will one of these fine faces stand up at the next meeting of the Regional Council and ask if a weather advisory is really necessary?

During storms, the Halton Regional Police Service frequently receives 911 calls reporting damage to trees or property. Unless the storm has caused immediate danger or risk to someone’s personal safety, dial 311 rather than 911.

You can stay up to date on the storm by checking www.halton.ca/beprepared, by monitoring Halton’s Twitter feed @BPreparedHaltonExternal Link or by listening for the latest warnings and advisories on radio or television, or dialing 311.

How much of this is actually read?  Do people not get this information on radio? 

Is there a “public service case” for having this kind of information written and distributed?

People get paid with taxpayers dollars to put these releases together.  Is the public getting value for money or is this just another way for the Regional Chair to get his name in print and be seen as doing his job?  Just asking.


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Plant shrubs on the 20th, come back in 2020 and see them still growing: BurlingtonGreen looking for real environmentalists.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  April 11, 2013  The weekend of April 20th BurlingtonGreen hopes to have 10,000 people out on the streets, the ravines and the vacant lots picking up trash that has accumulated or been left on the ground by irresponsible people.

They call the event their CleanUp, GreenUp  and this year they have added a new, interesting twist that gives the GreenUp part of the event real oomph. BurlingtonGreen, in partnership with the City of Burlington and Conservation Halton will be hosting a Green Up event at Beachway Park thanks to the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund.

Part of the team that is going to be out on the Beachway planting shrubs and native plants Saturday April 20th.

Up to 100 people can sign up to participate in this rewarding stewardship event to improve the coastal environment of Lake Ontario’s shoreline by picking up litter, removing invasive species and planting native grasses, shrubs and trees. Those interested in participating are asked to register.

Why Green-up? The removal of invasive species is important because they compromise the ecological balance of the region and put native species that exist in the area at risk. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, invasive species move into ecosystems and take over, killing some native species. They disrupt food webs, degrade habitat, introduce parasites and disease and lead to species at risk. Globally, only habitat loss is a bigger threat to biodiversity.

Advantages of planting native trees, shrubs and grasses will help to restore the area by providing food and habitat for native wildlife, protecting water quality by controlling soil erosion and they add beauty to the landscape while preserving our natural heritage.

It is locations like this at Beachway Park where the vegetation is sparse and the sands constantly shift that shrubs and flora native to the sands will be planted Saturday April 20th.

Beachway Park is a special place, sometimes referred to as the jewel of the city. It is a popular spot for walking, beach activities and special events. The beach itself is part of a formation called a Baymouth Bar, which is a pure sand feature, formed through natural processes of erosion and deposition.

The Beachway community is currently the focus of a study being done by the Region along with Conservation Halton to determine what kind of a community people want in that part of the city.  It’s clear what BurlingtonGreen wants – a place that is as natural as it can be with flora that works with the land mass.

If you have what it takes to bend over and plant shrubs – put your name down for this one – and let the family know that you will be in the tub for an hour or so after you’ve done your shift.

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