 By Staff
October 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Anishinaabe speaker, educator, and musician Eddy Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the national conversation about Indigenous communities in Canada. He will be speaking at the Crawford Lake Conservation Area on Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Increasing media coverage of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Canada leaves many of us with questions about how such disparity can exist in our own country. Eddy will use his remarkable gift as a storyteller and teacher to bring this workshop to life and make the issues engaging for workshop participants.
 Crawford Lake, it is a meromictic lake meaning that it does not receive the same atmospheric disturbances as other bodies of water, so the water remains calm almost all the time. And this makes for some great photos and clear water to take a look at fish and other interesting features. A boardwalk surrounds the lake, so it is quite accessible to almost everyone. Come early for this remarkable workshop and you can explore the 15th century reconstructed Iroquoian Village and rare meromictic lake located onsite. Explore the past and then learn about our collective present, so we can make a more inclusive future.
“Through stories and song, Eddy works towards a day when the power of knowledge, inclusiveness and sharing of First Nations cultures helps our nation and all its’ people become connected and stronger.”
Tickets for the October 15 workshop at Crawford Lake are $25 per person (plus HST), you can purchase tickets online through the event listing at www.conservationhalton.ca/events.
Eddy Robinson, Indigenous Speaker, Artist, Musician & Activist was born to the Missanabie Cree First Nation, but born and raised in Toronto. Eddy didn’t enjoy an easy childhood as an Anishinaabe youth in the big city. His father, a Residential School survivor, left the family when he was just three years old and he subsequently endured years of abuse from an alcoholic parent. It was during these early years that he was first exposed to a heritage that he now credits with saving his life.
 Eddy Robinson, Indigenous Speaker, Artist, Musician & Activist was born to the Missanabie Cree First Nation. Eventually ending up in the care of his grandparents, Eddy found himself on the same path of violence and addiction that dominated his childhood. He credits a Catholic priest at the Native Peoples Parish in Toronto for first encouraging him to seek out his roots. He pointed Robinson to a traditional Anishinaabe Vision Quest/Fasting ceremony that would begin his journey towards sobriety.
The power of the Dewegun (Drum) has opened the door to other aspects of his culture. A member of the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business (CCAB) Eddy established his First Nations owned and operated business Morningstar River in 2007 to address the societal need for Indigenous education and displays of authentic culture. Eddy is a noted Anishinaabe artist, musician, activist and educator, and is a member of the National Speakers Bureau.
Crawford Lake is located at the corner of Guelph Line and Conservation Road (formerly Steeles Avenue) 15 km north of the QEW, and 5 km south of the 401 in Milton. The pristine waters of Crawford Lake have drawn people to its shores for hundreds of years. The rare lake, with surrounding boardwalk, is nestled in lush forests atop the stunning Niagara Escarpment where visitors can watch soaring turkey vultures glide through the Nassagaweya Canyon.
You can step back in time and explore the 15th century Iroquoian Village that has been reconstructed on its original site at Crawford Lake. The spirits still sing in the longhouses where tools, animal hides and the smell of smoke let you experience the rich history of Ontario’s First Peoples. Crawford Lake’s Customer Service staff can be reached by telephone at 905-854-0234, ext. 221, or by e-mail, crawlake@hrca.on.ca.
 By Pepper Parr
October 4th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There was a time when everyone walked to school – you met up with friends at the end of your street and you walked as a small group with your friends and learned what real gossip was all about.
 Bikes parked at the Beaudoin school. This doesn’t happen every day. When that practice came to an end – and why it came to an end is something the Gazette would invite some comment on.
Why do we insist in doing everything for our children? Are the streets of Burlington not safe?
The media release sent out by the school board uses the phrase “the need for safe places to walk”. Which streets to which schools in Burlington are unsafe?
“International Walk to School Day, October 5, began as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk.”
“Suzanne Burwell, the Board’s Environmental Sustainability Coordinator says “Being active on the trip to school has a measurable effect on concentration levels”. She added that “Incorporating activity into morning routines is beneficial to the whole family, so if walking all the way isn’t feasible, consider connecting with other families to take turns walking with students, having students walk in groups or park legally a few blocks from the school, walk the rest, and start your day stress free.”
Do you get the sense that is a serious, significant commitment to convincing parents not to drive the kids to school?
I didn’t.
 By Staff
October 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two persons of interest (POI). It’s believed that these two persons are connected to a series of distraction type purse thefts throughout the region of Halton since mid-June.
 One of two “persons of interest” the Halton Regional Police would like to talk to – whenever they are around hotel lobbies purses seem to disappear. Better quality cameras would have these suspects in handcuffs by now. Suspects have been attending hotel restaurants during the breakfast hour and stealing purses left on chairs while patrons are distracted and/or getting food from buffet tables. Many of the victims are females visiting from other countries. As such, they are often carrying passports, jewelry and large sums in cash needed for travel.
 Is this someone you think you recognize? Crime Stoppers would like to hear from you. In one incident in Oakville, it was reported that suspects stole a purse containing approximately $25,000.00 worth of jewelry and $8,000.00 in cash. Police believe that this large amount has motivated those responsible to target additional hotels. Eight similar thefts have occurred in Halton since July 1.
Residents are reminded that anyone can become a victim of a crime of opportunity and the best safeguard is to remain vigilant of your surroundings and keep valuables directly on your person at all times.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Detective Tom Hockney at 905-825-4747 ext. 2491 (Milton and Halton Hills), Detective Mick Leighton at 905-825-4747 ext. 2218 (Oakville), or Detective Phil Vandenbeukel at 905-825-4747 ext. 2343 (Burlington).
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Pepper Parr
October 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
What does 2334 people gathered together in the shape of a J in Spencer Smith Park look like?
You saw it here first in the Gazette.
 An additional 1039 people could have filled those empty patches. There is an opportunity for those who didn’t take part to do the right thing with the Paletta Matching $5 million campaign goes into high gear. Was the reason for falling short of that 3373 + 1 target because of the weather?
There were a number of hearty souls who braved the rain – and it was raining when the first 700 people showed up,
Or was there some other reason – it would be useful for the hospital to fully understand why we didn’t exceed the target.
Is support for the hospital a mile while but just an inch thick?
They will say of course it isn’t – it’s a mile wide and a mile deep. The Gazette doesn’t share that view. It could be and should be a mile wide and a mile deep.
That it does not appear to be so is a serious issue for this community.
Medicine is science; science is based on facts and evidence. It would be worth the while to look at the evidence.
The 2334 total was nothing to sneeze at – but when you look at that magnificent J – there are a lot of empty patches aren’t there?
Why?
 The objective was to get 3373 + 1 people inside that yellow rope so the person in the cherry picker could verify the count – we have no idea how they did that. In a media release the hospital Foundation said:
The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation kicked off its “Join the J” fundraising campaign yesterday in Spencer Smith Park with over 2,334 people forming a giant J. In large part due to significant rain, the attempt fell just short of the goal of breaking a Guinness world record for creating the largest human letter.
However, the Foundation’s primary goal of raising awareness for the start of its fundraising campaign was met and those in attendance had a good time, learned about the campaign, and the new Joseph Brant Hospital.
“We were on track and expected to set the Guinness record today, but not surprisingly the weather kept a number of community participants away,” says Anissa Hilborn, president, Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation. “The real goal of engaging people from across our community to launch “Join the J” in a unique way was definitely met. We are encouraged by the support from so many members of our community.”
The “Join the J” campaign will run until the goal of $60 Million is raised. The Foundation recently announced they have raised $50 Million to date, and with the Pasquale & Anita Paletta Family Match Challenge hope to raise the remaining $10M before the new Hospital opens in 2018-2019.
 It was a great time for the kids – rain and rubber boots plus a nifty poncho – that was all they needed to make a day of it. “We had planned for a number of factors, including the weather, but you can’t always anticipate how people will respond in these situations,” adds Hilborn. “The event was still fun, and we want to thank all those who made the effort, and our sponsors and partners including TD, Hill’s Video, Access Storage, City of Burlington, Super Save Group, Bell Media, Burlington Mall, Kernels Mapleview Mall, Access Printing and Attridge Transportation. Everyone has been very supportive and we look forward to their continued support as we have many more events and initiatives planned for the months ahead.”
 By Pepper Parr
October 3, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
When David Vollick was accepted by city council in 2011 as the Town Crier there was just the one condition – that he not look to the city for financial support.
 Glenn Gillespie, a Beachway resident meets Town Crier David Vollick. Vollick wasn’t asking Council to pay him to do the job but he did point at that the people getting the benefit of the Crier usually pay a small stipend to cover the cost of cleaning the elaborate uniform he wears. As Dave pointed out ”it costs $50 to have this uniform cleaned and pressed.”
It continues that way. The city will frequently ask Vollock to appear – which he does. Doesn’t get a dime.
Last Sunday Vollick appeared once again as the Town Crier at the “Join the J” event at Spencer Smith Park. It was raining a bit and the grounds were muddy.
 Town Crier David Vollick reading a message to Council in December of 2011. We bumped into Glenn Gillespie, a Beachway resident who intends to stay in the home he owns despite the desire of the Regional government to buy it.
While introducing Glenn to David mention was made of the cost of cleaning the Town Crier Uniform. It took Glenn all of 10 seconds to offer to pay for the cleaning.
“I will arrange for my company to pay the cleaning bill for you” offered Glenn – which David willingly accepted.
Finally, someone has done the decent thing.
By Pepper Parr
October 2, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The weather didn’t help.
Despite pouring rain – hundreds showed up and waited for a process to be counted.
 It was raining steadily as people began to enter the park – the sun did make an appearance – it could have shown itself earlier. The grass at Spencer Smith Park was squishy and had begun to turn muddy – that didn’t prevent those hundreds from growing into 1000, then into 2000 and finally into 2334.
But it wasn’t enough.
 Anissa Hilbourn, president of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, When Anissa Hilbourn, president of the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, came up with the idea, the record – 2165 – was held by Dell Technologies
As the hospital Foundation was doing all the prep week for the event – which was to fill the shape of a J with at least 2166 people, Queen’s University, which was celebrating its 175th anniversary decided to go for the record and put thousands of people inside the shape of a Q.
They did that at Richardson stadium in Kingston – 3373 people formed in the shape of a Q
The hospital Foundation had a much different challenge in front of them – 2166 was really do-able for Burlington – 3373 was a much different situation.
 The curl of the J started in the east and worked its way westward in Spencer Smith Park.  The length of the line of people was impressive and …  … and it kept on going and going and going.  2334 people who will be wearing an orange armband – they did their best to make history. They didn’t because you were not there. The crowd began to assemble before noon even though it was raining – not a downpour but certainly a steady falling of rain.
 The challenge was to text, to tweet and to telephone and drag your friends out. At about 12:15 the sun broke through and it looked as if it just might be possible. The Master of ceremonies kept encouraging the crowd to text everyone they knew. “Get the message out” he implored people to do. He called out to those living in the condominiums across the street from the park to “come out – the sun is shining” – but it wasn’t enough.
 The end of a disappointing day but only in terms of the numbers. The people who were there didn’t see the day as a failure. The hospital they were supporting was a km or more to the west. The Guinness World Book of Records official announced that the number of people inside the J that stretched almost the full length of Spencer Smith Park was 2334.
By Pepper Parr
October 1, 2016
BURLINGTON. ON
We told you about the changes being made at the eastern end of Spencer Smith Park that included the destruction of the existing gazebo and the creation of a walking path.
The drawing set out below wasn’t available to us at the time – with that drawing we can give you a bigger picture of the change that is being made.
 The Naval Memorial will be at the left side with a new gazebo that will be a bit bigger and accessible in the centre. The stairway from Lakeshore Road will be right behind the gazebo. The land on the right hand side was a bit of a bowl that collected too much water – that will be leveled out It’s quite comprehensive and all things being equal it will leave us all with a more functional park that will pull the pier, that neat little mini beach tucked in at the base of the pier and the Naval monument plus the new gazebo into one grouping.
Fine work on the part of city landscape planner Ingrid Vanderbrug and those she worked with.
We won’t get to see the finished look until the spring but it should work well.
What isn’t clear is how this upgrade to the east end of the park will fit into the plans being talked through for increased development on the land the Waterfront Hotel currently sit on.
 If there is ever a new Waterfront Hotel built you can bet it will have a more attractive design on the street side – and that it will reach a lot higher into the sky. There were discussions about tearing down the existing hotel and putting up something in the 30 storey range and adding one and perhaps two structures to the south of the hotel on land that Conservation Halton has a lot of control over.
The last we heard was that the thinking was to orient new development on that land so that it looked west along the Naval Promenade.
Should such a development take place the upgrade to the park and the setting for the new gazebo becomes almost an extension of any hotel development.
 A view of the east end of Spencer smith Park looking west – before the gazebo was torn down and the willow trees removed. This is the view that guests in a new Waterfront Hotel would have – if that development ever takes place. What a break for the developer.
And what a much different downtown Burlington.
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Will it be a day to be remembered in the history of the city?
They are building a new addition to the hospital and upgrading all of the old hospital.
When the announcement was made a few years ago that our hospital was going to get a badly needed upgrade we also learned that we were going to have to cough up $120 million of the $300 plus million it was going to cost to get the job done.
The city learned created a special tax levy to raise $60 million and the hospital Foundation took on the task of raising an additional $60 million.
The hospital Foundation has raised fifty of the $60 million – all they have to do now id raise that last $10 million. The last part is always the hardest part.
 Angelo Paletta on the left standing proudly with his father Pasquelle (Pat) Paletta The Paletta family came forward and said it would contribute up to $5 million on a dollar for dollar basis – that is for every dollar that citizens donate – the Paletta Family would donate a dollar up to a total of $5 million.
The hospital Foundation now has to dig out that last $5 million. Not an easy task.
When they do that – and they will – the citizens of Burlington will have paid their share of their new hospital. $120 million – all in the past four years. Brilliant!
It was not easy. The city had to add a new layer of taxes on citizens already burdened with annual tax increases that have been running in excess of 3% for the past five years.
The hospital Foundation had to make visit after visit asking people to contribute on the corporate side and from people who were in a position to write large cheques.
The last $10 million was going to be the hardest.
 Annisa Hilborn – Waiting at the Foundation office door for donours to arrive. Anissa Hilborn, president of the hospital Foundation knew that when she took on the job. Being the superb fund raiser she is – she went looking for a really good idea – something that would involve the people of the city.
How to get the ordinary people to come up with that last $10 million.
When the Paletta family said they would contribute $5 million Ms Hilbourn then had to raise just $5 million. Just!
That sort of broke down to about $75 from each family in the city – not a lot of money but how do you get people to actually do that?
That is when Ms Hilborn got brilliant. She and her staff came up with the idea of holding an event that would involve as many people as possible in a single record breaking event.
How do you do that?
Go after a record – the kind of thing that goes into the Guinness Book of Records. The hospital Foundation did their research and learned how one goes about getting an event into the Guinness Book of Records – no small matter by the way.
The found a category they were certain they could create a new record in which was getting a large number of people in a space that was shaped like a letter of the alphabet.
Dell Computers held the record – 2165 people, which they set in Round Rock, Texas, on June 22, 2016 when they gathered people into the shape of an E.
 These were the record number up to the point where Dell Technology set the record in June. The Foundation people felt they could beat that number. In their minds they set their target at 3500 but knew that all they needed was 2166 to claim the record.
Then the hospital Foundation learned that Queen’s University looking for a way to celebrate their 175th anniversary by filling a large Q with people and they set a new record – they achieved 3373 – which meant the Foundation had to come up with at least 3373 +1 to claim the record.
That record was becoming both a fast moving and a growing target.
Kevin Klein, Associate Director, Communications & Stewardship for the Foundation said they were always been looking at a target of 3500. When they saw the Queen’s University number they upped that to 4000.
So the game is in – Sunday October 2, the Foundation is asking people to gather at Spencer Smith Park and set a new record.
That 4000 is sort of the top number possible – there just wasn’t enough space in Spencer Smith Park, in the areas they were going to be able to use, for much more than that.
 Queen’s University set a new record a few weeks after Dell Technologies. The Foundation chose the letter J – and the race was on to hold their event and beat the Queen’s University record – and hope that no one snuck in with a higher number before they set their record.
The count will take place on Sunday October 2, beginning at noon.
Parking is going to be a problem. There is no designated parking for this event.
Parking is free throughout Downtown Burlington, including the Parking Garage on Locust Street.
The Joseph Brant Hospital Parking Garage attached to the Halton McMaster Family Health Centre will also be free between 11 am and 4 pm.
Shuttles will be available at the following locations on a first come, first serve basis.
Corpus Christi Catholic Secondary School – 5150 Upper Middle Road (Upper Middle and Appleby Line – Buses leave at 11:30 am.
Burlington Mall – 777 Guelph Line (Guelph Line and Fairview Street) – Buses leave from the former Target parking lot, light pole #1 at 11:30 am, 11:45 am and 12 pm
Getting to the event in the Park:
Use the entrance at the foot of Burlington Street. The rest of the Park area where the event is to take place will be fenced in
There will be markers on the ground in the Park creating the shape of the letter J.
People will be asked to enter Spencer Smith Park at the gate opposite the bottom of Burlington Street. The area will be fenced off – the only entrance will be at that Burlington Street gate.
 Kevin Klein and Amanda Martin, Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation staffers, showing off one of the ponchos that will be given to participants at the I joined the J event at Spencer smith Park on Sunday. As people enter the park they will be given an orange wrist band, an orange plastic poncho and have a rubber stamp mark placed on their hand – the kind of thing the teenagers get at dances.
There will be music, there will be speeches – blessedly short we are assured.
There will be one single registration entrance located in the centre of Spencer Smith Park (opposite Burlington Ave). This gate will open at 12 noon.
Upon entry to the park, all participants will receive an orange poncho, have their hand stamped and receive a commemorative orange bracelet.
In order to guarantee your participation in the Guinness Worlds Record title attempt, you must be one of the first 4,000 people through the registration gates. Your Eventbrite registration does not guarantee your participation.
There will be Halton Regional Police Service officers and security on site. Security reserves the right to search bags, etc. upon entering the event.
Large bags and backpacks, umbrellas are discouraged. This event is unfortunately not pet-friendly and other than service dogs we are not able to allow pets into the park.
At the appointed time everyone will be told to step inside the outline of that J. The official from the Guinness Book of Records will be hoisted up in a cherry picker to see the size of the crowd and that they are all within that huge outline of a J.
 All it takes i doe 4000 people to show up at Spencer Smith Park on Sunday afternoon – hang around for an hour and become part of the city’s history – and we will be in the Guinness World Book of Records and be able to say – I joined the J. When the Guinness official is satisfied – he signs a certificate and the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation will be the holders of the record – and hopefully, 4000 Burlingtonians will proudly wear their orange ponchos and show everyone their orange wrist band.
There will be food trucks on site which will be open after the “J” is formed.
There will also be complimentary McCafe coffee, light snacks and refreshments available while supplies last
A water bottle refill station will be available and we encourage participants to bring a reusable bottle.
Can we do it? Of course we can – you just have to show up. For those in the east end of the city – ride your bikes along New Street – the cycling enthusiasts need your support.
The hospital Foundation adds the following useful information:
An official Guinness World Records attempt requires that everyone be wearing one solid colour. We will be giving a FREE orange rain ponchos to the first 4,000 participants (one size fits all).
There will be controlled access into Spencer Smith Park to accurately track our participant numbers. There will be one official registration entry point for counting participants and receiving your poncho. Please only use the official entrance so we can verify numbers.
This event is rain or shine – we are wearing rain ponchos after all! The event will only be cancelled in the case of lightning, thunderstorms or unsafe weather.
Please dress for the weather. Bring along a hat, water bottle to help you stay cool and protected from the sun.
We are hoping to get everyone in formation and break the record as quickly as possible but there will not be seating in the park, so expect to stand for approximately an hour until we break that record! Please remember to wear comfortable shoes!
The “J” formation will be outlined in the grass. Please follow the volunteers instructions on where to go to ensure we get the right formation.
We will be capturing this event through photography and videography, etc. By participating, you automatically consent to appear in photos and videos.
In order to break the Guinness World Records Title, once we have are in the “J” formation, we need to hold it for 5 minutes! So of course we are going to make it a great five minutes with a countdown and music!
Baby strollers are not allowed in the “J” formation. All babies must be held to participate.
If we break the record, there will an official certificate presentation so we ask everyone to remain in the “J” formation for the presentation.
By Pepper Parr
September 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
A number of the articles we publish draw comments from readers – where the debate can continue for some time. The cycling lanes on New Street is one of those debates that isn’t over yet.
 Will we see the Mayor on his bike driving to city hall along New Street? We usually leave the debates in the comment section however a comment from Chris Amiens, a cyclist for whom we have a lot of respect, is one we decided to pull from the comments section and put it into the ongoing news category.
Responding to a short piece I wrote about the traffic I experienced on New Street during a rush hour earlier this week Amiens said:
“Not one of your best articles, Pepper. Did you ask anyone from the city what they are doing to measure? More investigative journalism and less supposition is required.
He went on to say: “ At Tuesday’s (September 27) Cycling Committee meeting, the Transportation department shared an update on the New Street pilot.
“One of the recommendations we made to Council was to “measure everything”. I came away from this update encouraged that the city’s Staff are doing just that.
“They aren’t using the tubes in the road, because those are less effective. They are using Bluetooth technology to measure travel times and installing cameras that will count vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians 24/7 (including both the street and the sidewalks). They will be installing the tubes on parallel and side streets like Spruce to measure traffic impacts there. They are even having drones capture video of rush hour traffic. They are getting feedback from not only the public, but transit, police and emergency services to measure the impacts.
“Whatever your position on the New Street project, it is clear to me that staff are doing their utmost to capture all of the relevant metrics so that the City can make the most informed decision.”
This is great stuff – but why is the public learning about it in a comment made by a member of the Cycling Advisory committee?
I am impressed with the lengths the city is going to – what’s it going to cost?
However, I want to know why there hasn’t been a single word from the Transportation department on what they plan to do.
 Mayor Goldring: Thinking it over? Given that the cycling lanes are one of the hotter issues for a number of people. Given that the Mayor said he is approached by citizens on this issue constantly – is this not an issue that the city’s communications staff could get something out on?
It is an issue – not all that big when compared to others – think budget, Strategic Plan and the Transportation New Directions that have been put on the table, but it has people agitated.
What is particularly telling is the city’s inability to get in front of a story and just tell people what they are going to do.
Could they not just talk about being accountable and transparent and actually ‘walk their talk’ rather than continually being reactive ?
Peter Paul and Mary made the point in their song: “When will they ever learn?”
 By Ray Rivers
September 30th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Mr. Trudeau went to the Big Apple, to the UN that is, and made another speech and made another splash. Come on, even those who didn’t vote for him have to be proud of Canada’s new PM capturing the hearts of the international crowd. But the Canadian media are getting a little bored with this international walk of fame.
 Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ban Ki Moon, Secretary of the United Nations, showing the world the way. Platitudes – that was the best they’d say about his speech. Canada promised something like 600 peacekeepers for Africa? But where in Africa? And did he seriously adapt Ronald Reagan’s sarcastic quip – I’m from Canada and I’m here to help? But the UN crowd soaked it up. After all with Canada being MIA at the UN for most of the last decade, a PM just showing up and offering support for the organization is worthy of their applause.
During last year’s campaign he made a habit of dropping bombshells. Legalizing weed, taxing the rich, transparent government, running a deficit, lifting the lot of First Nations, (finally) doing something about climate change and re-engaging with the global community. All of this has just whet the appetite of the media for even more sexy stuff, not platitudes. So Trudeau has only himself to blame.
 Try as he might Prime Minister Justin Trudeau just wasn’t able to bring Prince George around to a hand shake or a high five. Honeymoons don’t last forever. It hasn’t been a year since the election, but everybody wants their piece of the action in its entirety now, thank you very much. Grand Chief Stewart Philip, the leader of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, refused to participate in a ceremony with the PM and the visiting royal family in a not-so-subtle protest. Undoubtedly, he has a point, and his are genuine grievances, including a concern that the federal government would approve a new natural gas pipeline to transport BC gas to Asian markets.
And sure enough that is exactly what has happened. Despite Mr. Trudeau’s public position on global climate change; despite his advocacy for Canada’s First Nations’ rights; and despite placing a moratorium on oil tanker traffic to help kill the highly controversial Northern Gateway oil sands pipeline, he has rubber-stamped a new natural gas pipeline, the Pacific Northwest LNG project.
 BC Premier Christy Clark just might prove to be the ally the Prime Minister needs and at the same time deliver real economic benefits to her people. damage to the environment – that’s a different issue – isn’t it? Oil is bad but gas is good? Well at least this gas project causes no heartburn to B.C. Premier Clark, as she anticipates the economic benefit from the scores of jobs it is promising. They used to call it clean energy. didn’t they? Some would argue that gas is a less damaging alternative, if used to replace coal for electricity generation. But it is a fossil fuel and therefore a greenhouse gas in either its raw state or during combustion.
So is Trudeau trying to have his cake and eat it as well? More than likely this is one of these grand compromises he sees in the general national interest. To get the energy-rich western part of this country onside with climate change plans he needs to give as well as take. He knows that inflexibility leads to deadlock. That is realpolitik.
 Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper was never able to get a pipeline into the ground – it just wasn’t the right time or was it a political inability to bring the right people together? And the pipeline, which is slated to be on-line by 2020, may never get built anyway, given the glut of gas on the markets, cheaper alternative sources, and the hoops and hurdles the government has placed on this project. One item on that list includes a limit on greenhouse gases, intended to force the most environmentally efficient delivery of the gas.
It’s a win-win for Trudeau. If the pipeline doesn’t get built, it won’t be his fault. And not having to account for all those greenhouse gases will give him great bragging rights the next time he goes before the UN crowd. He’ll be able to claim global leadership without any critics crying… platitudes.
Unlike Mr. Harper’s oil pipeline, there was substantial sign-on among many indigenous folks, though as noted above, not all. And the irony of it all is that, if the pipeline actually goes into action, Trudeau, the environmentalist, will have built more pipeline in his first year than Mr. Harper did in his entire nine years in office.
 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 the 1995 provincial election
Background links:
When You Say Nothing at All – Trudeau at the UN –
More UN –
BC Chief and the Royals –
Trudeau Answers –
Transparent Supreme Court –
Pacific Northwest LNG –
Northern Gateway –
LNG Pipeline in Doubt –
By Pepper Parr
September 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The New Street bike lanes and the impact they are having on traffic.
Drove west on New Street Wednesday evening at just after 5:00 pm.
Had to come to a full stop at Dynes and Woodview – the stop didn’t last more than 15 seconds, not long enough for the blood pressure to rise.
Did not see a single cyclist on either side of the street on the trip west.
I doubled back and saw one cyclist on the south side of the street as I drove east.
 Device that counts the number of cars that pass by – same thing can be used for bicycles. What I didn’t see at all was those little boxes with a thick wire coming out of it to count the number of cars and or cyclists that pass and wondered ….
How is the city going to know if the pilot is a success or not if they don’t do constant counts?
Wasn’t the success of the pilot going to be based on evidence and not just the rants and raves of those who think the pilot was a travesty?
The pilot project was a decent idea – bu if data isn’t collected regularly – then it is just plain dumb.
Our poor Mayor at times feels he is being accosted by his peers at the Y where he exercises – they, according to the Mayor, gang up on him asking why the bike lanes were installed.
The time to gang up on the man is when ballots get cast in 2018.
By Pepper Parr
September 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Finally, work has begun on the two Windows on the Lake – one at the foot of Market Street and the other at the foot of St. Paul.
 St. Paul window – workers putting in posts that will be part of the barrier system. These two delightful little locations were an opportunity for people to sit at the edge of the like and enjoy some peace and quiet.
 View if the Market Street window seen from the foot of the street. The two pieces of land were always city property but for the longest period of time they weren’t all that accessible and there was no seating.
 St. Paul Window seen from the foot of the Street.  View of the Market street Window – it is the smaller of the two but will be a really pleasant place to sit quietly and talk with friends. Getting them set up as Windows on the Lake was a long arduous process that stretches back more than four years when a now disbanded Waterfront Advisory Committee did a survey of just how many windows to the lake existed.
 Location of the Market Street and St. Paul Street windows on the Lake. The property in between the two was sold the abutting land owners. At least they are under construction – not much opportunity to make use of them this year – next spring people can sit on property that the city neglected for the longest time.
There is an additional window to the lake at the bottom of Green Street that has yet to be given some attention.
By Staff
September 29th, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Well, that didn’t last very long did it.
She started September 1, 2015 and was on her way out the door September 26th, 2016.
 Suzanne Haines Suzanne Haines is no longer the Executive Director of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
The Board of the theatre has not released a statement on the departure of Ms Haines who came to Burlington via Richmond British Columbia.
She is the third Executive Director of the organization that will celebrate its fifth year of operation on October 5th when Royal Wood will take to the stage just the way he did five years ago when he was the first act to perform to a paying public.
It is not clear at this point exactly who is running the operation on a day to day basis.
By Staff
September 28, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Member of Parliament Karina Gould, suggested to the Speaker of the House of Commons yesterday that Parliament Hill follow the practice our city has of men wearing high heels as part of a statement to end violence against women.
 “Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday, Halton Women’s Place held its seventh annual Hope in High Heels event in my riding of Burlington. Boys and men of all ages from 8 to 82, including our mayor, fire chief, Halton police, labour, business, and sports leaders, and my husband and my brother all slipped into a pair of hot-pink heels and strutted in solidarity with Halton Women’s Place to fight to end violence against women.
“The message is simple: we will not end violence against women and children if boys and men are not included in the conversation and part of the solution. I thank all the boys and men for their leadership and their positive role modelling to help raise awareness and funds for a heroic organization in my community that provides vital support for our most vulnerable in their time of need.
“I was thinking that the event was such a success this weekend in Burlington that maybe we should organize a Hope in High Heels on the Hill.
“Are you up for it, Mr. Speaker?”
 By Pepper Parr
September 28, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
There isn’t a day of the week that you don’t hear about a scam of some sort that took place on-line. The crooks that do this to us are getting better at it – and our law enforcement people aren’t keeping up.
If you want to get a sense as to just how much the security people know about us – make a point of taking in the movie “Snowden”. Fascinating and frightening at the same time.
 Where does the little guy fit into this graph? The fact is we shop on-line. Just how often do we go on line to make purchases?
Look at the data set out above and below collected by Comscore – an organization that collects data on shopping patterns online.
Does this data mean the small retailer doesn’t have a chance?
Not necessarily – the creative marketer can make excellent use of the internet by offering superb service and being more than a colourless web site. Online support makes all the difference in the world. We heard of a Burlington retailer who sold a line of top of the line goose-down filled coats. She placed the order at a store she could walk into – they arranged for the delivery of the coat to an address in Denmark. The retailer didn’t have to cover the cost of inventory – the client got to purchase a gift locally and have it delivered half way around the world.
Furniture purchases are easily bought on line; the technology lets you look at the furniture from any number of angles. If you are dealing with a local operation they can offer you a discounted price – if they want to keep you as a customer.
The advantage the local retailer has is you know them – you can walk into their store. They have the connections to suppliers you need.
It can be made to work – it requires ingenuity and creativity.
 The data tells us that Canadians are shopping on-line.
A colleague wanted to buy some underwear. He knew the bran he favoured but couldn’t find it on the shelves of the department store he was in so bought a brand name he knew but not a specific product he had worn before. He bought a package of six pairs of shorts. They were terrible, the design was wrong – did work for his body. Problem was he had opened the package and wasn’t interested in taking the time to return the purchase – and what was he going to do with the air he had tried on? He washed the set of shorts he had worn and dropped the purchase off at a charity who will make sure the clothing gets to someone who can use it and went on line to order what he wanted in the first place form Amazon.
They will now remind him for the rest of his life that they can ship him another package of six any time he wishes.
What the public needs now is to be assured that internet purchases are safe – and once you’ve watch the “Snowden” film you will understand just how deep the security people can reach into your personal life. Am I worried about how much they can know about me if they bother to look? Having the information isn’t my concern – what I would be concerned about is how they use – or abuse that information.
It is the abuse we need to worry about. Make the penalties for abuse strong enough and it will come to an end. Some nerd with brains galore will think more than twice about spending a full five years of their lives in prison with nothing to do but sew mail bags and never even see a computer screen. The technology that exists is mind boggling – put it to a positive use.
Did you know that Apple has a technology that will prevent you from using your cell phone to text while you are driving? They don’t want to invoke it because they fear losing customers.
Isn’t capitalism great!
 By Pepper Parr
September 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
Correction: There are no dairy operations in Burlington – there are two in Milton and 10 in Halton Hills! We thank Milton Councillor Colin Best for the correction.
There isn’t a single dairy herd in Burlington – but there are some very interesting agricultural organization north of Highway 5 in Burlington and elsewhere in the Region.
Each year the Halton Agriculture; Advisory Committee (HAAC) organizes a tour to showcase just what is being done agriculturally in the Region – the tour this year highlighted three operations and gave us a peek at a development at the Country Heritage Museum that could be very significant.
 Not a very pretty piece of equipment but it get the broccoli into crates ready for delivery. One of the farm operations we visited had just two customers – but they employ more than 25 seasonal workers who harvest cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli and have a piece of equipment that gets broccoli out of the ground and into packing crates. It is the most ungainly thing you can imagine but it works.
 Councillor John Taylor on an agricultural tour sampling lavender flavoured ice cream – it was pretty good. Another operation is part farming and part agri-tourism that has been so successful with social media that Facebook executives visited the operation to get a closer look at just how they make it work.
The operation, a lavender farm pulls in 20,000 visitors a year at an entrance fee ranging between $5 and $20. And sells them high end products that have lavender in them.
A third farm operation is run by a couple that are into everything: pigs, chickens, lambs, beef cattle and a curiosity that has them experimenting with all kinds of grasses they think can be effectively marketed.
 Red Angus beef cattle on the Mabel May Farm – fresh meats available at the farm gate. This couple, Norman and Meaghan Richardson are close to being pioneers.
While it may not be all that big – there is a rich and interesting agricultural heritage in the Region that is productive, profitable and doing some incredibly interesting things.
Over the next few days we will tell you more about just what the farmers are doing in the fields
By Pepper Parr
September 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
So – you’ve been in business for a reasonable period of time and you now need to expand your reach into your market. Or you are climbing the corporate ladder and you want to grow your personal network.
Keith Hoey, president of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce told an audience of new members that people buy things from people they know” and added – “so get to know people – network, that is what the Chamber of Commerce can help you do.”
 If you had a question: Keith Hooey had an answer for you. All part of his regular new member orientation sessions. You know that networking is the key to it all – but where do you go to begin creating that all important personal network? Ask that question of Hooey, and he will whip out an application form faster than you can pull out a business card.
Hoey is passionate about the work he does. He is unrelenting and is also a very funny guy.
Last week, the Gazette sat in on an orientation session for new Chamber of Commerce members – there were about 35 people gathered at the Burlington Golf and Country Club.
 As interesting as Keith Hooey, president of the Chamber of Commerce was – there was business to be done. Hoey wasn’t selling memberships – the people in the room were already members – what Hooey was doing was explaining just how good a deal they had gotten themselves into.
The benefits were impressive – Hoey almost made it sound as if you could end up making money on a Chamber of Commerce membership. The 3.5% discount on gas purchases will certainly get you started on the savings side.
If you are a small business operator there is the opportunity to sign your staff up to a health benefits plan. The opportunities to meet people are abundant. There is he Before 9 crowd and the Business After 5 crowd that were described by Hooey as the best networking opportunities in the city.
The selling features that Hoey focused on were the Chamber’s three prime purposes: Networking, Education and Advocacy. The organization has over 1,000 corporate members, ran 103 events last year and has eight committees advocating on behalf of their membership.
How effective is the Burlington Chamber of Commerce in advocating or its members? Hoey gives on sterling example. There was a time when Burlington was short 22 doctors which was hurting companies that wanted to attract talent to the city. A committee was put together and after a period of time – these things do take time – a program was put in place that attracted doctors to the city – Burlington is now just two doctors short of what it should have the size of its population.
Hoey had one word of caution for the new members he was orienting – “I hope you joined because you are interested”. An uninterested member was a person Hooey would chat up and give them reasons to become interested.
One critical comment: Hoey will tell people to “get out there and make money”. One doesn’t hear him say – and “give back to your community”. Other than that he does a great job.
He gave the new members all the time they needed and answered all the questions they asked – and kept looking at the clock – checking the time.
Hoey was leaving for a Chamber trip to India – a part of the world he had not been to before. And he had yet to pack for his afternoon flight.
 By Staff
September 27, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
The Phase II Road Closure is expected to remain in effect until October 16, 2016.
For access to the Joseph Brant Museum, Joseph Brant Hospitalloading dock and hospital construction site trailer, use North Shore Blvd/Maple Avenue.
For access to the following locations, use the Eastport Drive detour route:
• Skyway Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Ministry of Transportation – Maintenance
• Halton McMaster Family Health Centre
• Joseph Brant Hospital Parking Garage
• Joseph Brant Hospital Construction Site
• Burlington Beach
 Map with detours that will be in place until October 16th, 2016 On October 17, 2016 Lakeshore Road, south of the Maple Avenue / North Shore Boulevard
intersection, is scheduled to be fully opened to traffic, weather permitting.
Lakeshore Road will be open to traffic, but will remain a construction site, with the following works scheduled to take place:
• Completion of traffic signal and street light installation
• Tree planting
• Site restoration
2016 Construction works are scheduled to be completed by mid November 2016 with toplift asphalt
and final landscaping works planned for the spring of 2017.
Changes to Hamilton Street Railway Company (HSR)
During Construction HSR service will be returning to Lakeshore Road. The date is yet to be finalized. For more
information please visit https://www.hamilton.ca/hsr-bus-schedules-fares/schedule-routesmaps/
detours-and-service-updates.
Lakeshore Road was raised about one metre to align with the hospital. The raised portion of the road extends to the water treatment plant.
 The Region purchased this property for a reported $550,000 – and then tore it down. Longer term, the road is expected to take a sharp turn to the right to accommodate the Regional Plans for a much larger Beachway recreation area, The longer term plan includes buying up the more than 25 homes still in he area on a willing seller – willing buyer basis. The Regional government is the willing buyer and has been offering good prices and a number of sweetheart deal initiatives.
 Longer term the Beachway we know now will be a much different place – all that green in the photograph will be parkland with different themes for different sections of the property – and all the home will eventually be gone – IF the current plan comes to full fruition. If you have any questions about this project, please call Jeff Thompson at 905 335-7600, ext. 7669 or
Janine Yaromich at 905 335-7600, ext. 7421.
By Pepper Parr
September 26th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
The debate on the installing of dedicated bike lanes on New Street was the thin edge of the wedge that is leading the city into a full blown review of both the way land is used in the city and how we transport ourselves.
Sometime ago the city hired Brent Toderian to consult with the planning and transportation departments. Set out below is the “reporting letter” Toderian sent the city before the Committee of the While meeting last week that set out what Toderian described as a bold new move.
Toderian UrbanWORKS (TUW), the corporate name this consultant uses explains that the reporting letter is what is behind the support for Council consideration of a proposed launch of a public engagement exercise for a new City of Burlington Transportation Plan.
 Burlington as it was in 2013 – before the pier was completed. Council has decided it needs to grow up rther than out. How are they going to do that? TUW has been providing city planning, transportation and general operational and culture change advisory services to the City of Burlington since November, 2015. The engagement with the City has been strategically and deliberately broad/flexible, including advice on the City’s proposed new official plan, various transit – oriented development considerations, and more general city planning, urban design, communications, cultural, and capacity – building aspirations. The most specific and “deep” example of TUW’s consulting services to the City has been in the creation of a new Transportation Plan, the subject of this RL.
The following is what Toderian wrote in his “reporting letter”
Intended transportation plan, nature and structure:
Informed by extensive discussions with city staff, the intention for the Transportation Plan work program is to prepare a plan document organized around a new central transportation vision, eight powerful “new directions,” and a series of new implementing policies and actions under each new direction. Actions will include, among other things, new work programs that will extend from the transportation plan, and be guided by it.
The intention is NOT to make any detailed transportation alignment or design decisions as part of the Transportation Plan that would require processes such as environmental assessment – these would come later. Before any such detailed work is undertaken, and indeed before it CAN be properly undertaken, it is critically important for the City to consider and decide on a significant new direction for the city’s transportation.
Our working title for the Transportation Plan, which should have a dynamic and engaging brand, is
“GO BOLD in a City Growing Up: City of Burlington Transportation Plan.”
This working title reflects the critical relationship between the Transportation Plan and the Official Plan, which has already been branded “GROW BOLD.”
How we got here:
The City of Burlington is at a turning point. We would say that we’ve reached a “fork in the road,” but frankly that is left – over language from a car – first transportation era.
Building on decades of evolution in transportation thinking over many plans, policies & initiatives, two
significant recent events have sparked a game – changing new conversation about mobility in Burlington.
The first is the April 11, 2016 Council adoption of Burlington’s Strategic Plan 2015–2040. The bold new Strategic Plan contains unprecedented aspiration and commitments regarding both “A City That Grows” and “A City That Moves” — and to be more specific, a city that will move in a fundamentally different way in the future than it has in the past, as it grows in a different way than it has in the past.
 Alton Village was a prime example of urban sprawl – the type of construction the city wants to see less of – the last of the new development in Alton is currently underway at the intersection of Walkers Line and Dundas. The second is the significant declaration by Mayor Goldring and City Council in 2015 that Burlington is the first Greater Toronto Hamilton Area (GTHA) municipality to “stop urban sprawl” and become a city that is “growing up rather than out.” City leaders realize that for such a transformation to be successful, with resulting greater livability, quality of life, sustainability, equity, & healthy living, our city’s mobility and accessibility will need to be fundamentally rethought and rebuilt. The way we’ve been visioning, planning and designing our transportation networks as the city has grown outward has fundamentally focused on moving cars to such an extent that other mobility options are either not present, or at best are not practical.
This approach will not succeed if we are to be a city growing upward and inward.
Following these two big events, Council made two related critical decisions on July 7th of this year:
1. Council supported a new urban structure for the City with growth focused in downtown.
 The city created four mobility hubs. Aldershot once appeared to be the one the city planned on starting with – that idea may have changed. The hub at the Burlington GO station linked to the hub in the downtown core may become the first to be developed. Burlington, at our GO Stations (Mobility Hubs), and along the connecting corridors of Brant Street (between hubs) and the Plains Fairview Corridor (connecting all three GO hubs).
This smart, strategic land use facilitates, and is facilitated by, a different approach to mobility than Burlington has focused on in the past.
2. Council approved strategic and unprecedented funding for the detailed planning and implementation of growth in the planned Mobility Hubs. To further facilitate this turning point, and to begin the process of creating a new Transportation Plan for the City, we have prepared a DRAFT vision statement for Burlington’s new era of transportation. This Draft Vision draws from, and is inspired and directed by, existing policy, the new Strategic Plan, and recent community conversations about the future of our city. This Draft is not intended to be finished, but rather to start a conversation about what an ultimate new vision should include.
Since beginning this work, the City has released a new communications strategy relative to the preparation to a new Official Plan and Transportation Plan for Burlington. The key message in this strategy is the need for us to “Grow Bold.”
This message – this NEED – is in keeping with and is further inspiring our changing thinking around transportation. We will indeed need to grow bold in our thinking and building, and we will need to GO BOLDLY toward a better, more successful city as we grow.
 Citizens meting with planners and developers to talk about how they want to see development taking place. The two meetings were held by ward 2 Councillor Marie Anne Med Ward. Her final report has yet to be released. The meetings were classic public engagement. A plan with almost perfect vision, aspiration and policy can still fail in the “buy-in,” implementation and follow through. Indeed, disconnects between vision and implementation are the most common reason for failure of plan achievement. Failure can occur when plans aren’t given significant weight and value by Council, staff, and/or the community, and thus “sit on a shelf collecting dust.” Plans also often frequently fail when there are disconnects between plan vision/aspiration and actual budget decisions.
The goal of this Direction is to dedicate significant corporate energy and attention to ensuring that every level of follow-through, from culture change and capacity – building, to detailed levels of implementation & budgeting; is considered, and has been strategically positioned for success. This Plan will be a powerful catalyst for real change, and will not sit on a shelf collecting dust.
Next steps.
After the Council Workshop in September, the intention is to share this draft vision and 8 draft new directions with the public as a public “launch” for the new Transportation Plan. City transportation staff have coordinated closely with staff from other departments so that public engagement opportunities and efforts between the new transportation plan and the new official plan can be “piggy-backed” as much as possible.
 Citizens talking amongst themselves about the kind of development they would like to see take place in their ward. It continues to be TUW’s advice to the city that all opportunities for less formal/”traditional” engagement contact with the public should be taken advantage of. The bedrock of this way of thinking is to “go where the people already are, rather than expecting the public to come to you.” Shopping centres, schools, events, fairs & festivals, markets, “pop-up” street installations and churches should all be considered to ensure that engagement reaches the broadest possible community, including those who would not normally engage with city participation processes.
In addition to face-to -face connections, TUW recommends that individual transportation plan – related social media accounts be created (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc) ASAP , bolstered by the existing citywide accounts, to help create a new brand and specialized on – line conversation for the Transportation Plan.
These will continue to be an asset after the Plan is approved, over years of implementation and review.
Our intention is to take a very proactive approach to explaining to the public the “origin story” of this draft Vision and these 8 draft New Directions. In particular, it needs to be clearly explained how they seek to “make real” the commitments in the already Council – approved Strategic Plan. In that sense, it is not our intention to ask the public for comment on whether we are generally “on the right general track.” The truth is that Council’s existing approvals have already put us on that general track. We would be honest and transparent about that.
 Can the city learn how real citizen engagement is done – or will they continue with the practice of showing the citizens what they plan to do and asking for approval? Having said that, we WOULD be communicating to the public that the draft text is considered far from finished, and for that matter far from perfect, and thus we invite comment on whether we’ve taken the right approaches & have the right language, with the intention of using such input to produce a final version of the Vision and eight New Directions. Based on this input , New Directions may be added, removed, revised or consolidated. Further, and very importantly, we would be inviting the public to comment on/recommend specific policies, actions or changes that the city should undertake in order to realize this vision and facilitate these New Directions.
Conclusions.
We eagerly await our opportunity to workshop these challenging and dynamic New Directions for Burlington transportation. They are inspired by, and hope to further inspire, the ambitious and bold thinking that Council has already been showing.
This is a critical and significant step for the city. While city hall feels it has done a good job of explaining its Strategic Plan to the population – we would be hard pressed to find more than 2 out of every 100 people in the city who knows what the document says and what its implications really are.
That inability to communicate is not just the fault of the city – communication is a two way street – speakers and listeners – most of Burlington hasn’t been listening – and the city doesn’t really know how to communicate with its citizens. Many suggest that the majority of this city council don’t want to communicate – they just want to decide what should be done and then go ahead and do it.
 There is a construction crew working diligently on the south side of Lakeshore Road pouring concrete at an incredible rate to put up a 22 storey condominium along with a seven storey condominium and an eight story hotel. Getting that project to the point where there is a hole in the ground began back in 1985. It was approved when Walter Mulkewich was Mayor of the city.
One wonders if such a project would be approved today.
By Staff
September 26, 2016
BURLINGTON, ON
It was a perfect fall day – sunshine and fresh breezes with a glimpse of fall colour appearing in the trees. Several hundred people showed up at the tarmac at the John C. Munro airport in Hamilton to pull a 200,000 pound A300 airplane a distance of 50 yards.
 An Airbus A300 was pulled 50 yards by teams of 15 people. This is the same model of airplane that Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger ditched in the Hudson river several years ago – that story is now a feature movie. “Sully” It was the kick-off event for the Burlington Hamilton United Way fund raising campaign.
Over 200 community partners joined UPS and United Way to rally around this fall’s fundraising campaign for the community impact organization. Hundreds of observers watched as teams of 15 pulled with all their strength to move the 200,000 plane across the finish line.
 United Way CEO, Jeff Vallentin “We are so grateful for the support and dedication of partners like UPS and so many of you who continue to stay committed to making our community great for everyone”, said United Way CEO, Jeff Vallentin during his opening remarks at the Hamilton Airport. “This year we are asking the community and all of you here today to strive for five. That could be a five percent increase over last year’s investment, or it could be an investment of $500 more. United Way is committed to doing 5% better overall in many of our initiatives and, most importantly, we are striving for 5 new initiatives of community impact”, said Vallentin.
 They actually moved that air plane 50 yards. The organization is putting a call out to all community members to get involved in a way that is meaningful for them. The ultimate goal is to increase revenue for the organization that does so much to support social service programs and initiatives in the Burlington and Hamilton community. Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair Shirley Thomas-Weir said “this means that everyone can get involved. We are asking all of our donors to give 5 more of whatever they can. For those that cannot give dollars, we are asking for them to consider giving 5 hours of community service, or to have 5 conversations with friends and family about the important work of United Way”. During her remarks, Thomas-Weir spoke of people like Don and Barbara, a couple in their eighties who are able to live safely in their home in Burlington thanks to United Way.
Joe Vanderbeck, Vice-president of Operations at UPS Canada spoke about the importance of giving back to our neighbours, family and friends and their over three-decade long partnership with the community organization. “Last year, UPS Canada donated $1.2 million to the United Way…but we didn’t stop there. Our employees also gave over 84,000 volunteer hours to various charities; investing their time in communities across the country”, said Vanderbeck.
This year UPS hosted 4 plane pulls across Canada, in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Hamilton to raise awareness and funds for the national organization.
In addition to UPS, organizations that registered teams for the pull were RBC, State Farm Insurance, Canada Bread, CUMIS, Community Living Hamilton and Canada Revenue Agency.
 Burlington’s Blair Lancaster, on the left, representing Mayor Goldring at the pull for the United Way with former Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina. Burlington city Councillor Blair Lancaster spoke on behalf of the Mayor’s office. “The City of Burlington is proud to be a long-time supporter of United Way with a relationship that dates back to the 1960s’s. Social needs in a community like Burlington are sometimes hard to see but there are residents in our community who need a helping hand. According to the 2011 census, almost 8% of the population in Burlington lives in poverty. United Way is committed to building a strong and resilient community, but they cannot do it alone” said Lancaster.
 Little people – little plane. The United Way is stepping away from setting a hard target they want to reach each year. Jeff Vallentin said “We have historically raised around six and a half million from our generous community and we are looking to accomplish that, if not more, this year. We can always use more money than what we set out to achieve at the beginning of our campaign as the need is great. We are dealing with pervasive social issues that are resistant to change, but if we work together, I believe we can create a community that’s great for everyone.”
Last year, United Way helped 19,195 kids get school ready, 15,989 individuals and families access safe and nutritious food, and 39,328 people access community mental health initiatives.
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