 By Pepper Parr
September 25,2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There aren’t many opportunities to say that you don’t like something without going to a lot of effort or offending someone.
There is a word out there that is offensive but it is still in use. The moment I write the word I give it currency and I’m reluctant to do that – so let me say it begins with R end in D and has four letters in between.
 In the soccer world the yellow card is a caution – it is being used to caution people who choose to use a really repugnant word. It’s a repugnant word, filled with hurt and harm and not in the least bit funny.
There is a group that wants to extinguish the word and they’ve come up with a program to get us to the point where the word isn’t used.
They call it they yellow card program and it is tied into the Special Olympics Canada and Canadians living with intellectual disabilities.
Motionball is a national charity that raises funds and awareness for Special Olympics Canada year-round. There is #nogoodway to use the “R-word,” and Canadians are asked to take the pledge to stop using the “R-word” and raise a proverbial yellow card when others use it socially.
In soccer, a yellow card is shown to offending players as a warning that they have crossed a line; in the same way, the Yellow Card Campaign aims to inform Canadians that using the “R-word” is offensive to those living with intellectual disabilities even if used in a way that seems harmless.
By informing and engaging without being punitive or threatening, the Yellow Card Campaign hopes to invite and inspire change, not force it.
The campaign hopes to see 36,000 Canadians take the pledge online to stop using the “R-word” – a figure that reflects the number of registered Special Olympics athletes across Canada.
In addition to the social change the campaign hopes to inspire, the Yellow Card Campaign’s corporate sponsors and private donors have come together to donate $1 to motionball for each supporter who takes the pledge online at www.motionball.com/yellowcard on Yellow CardDay which will be recognized in Halton when Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton will be taking the pledge and helping to kick off the event in the Rotunda at the Halton Regional offices on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at 10:00am
By taking the pledge on behalf of the almost one million Canadians living with an intellectual disability, supporters not only promise to stop using the “R-word”, but also to raise a proverbial yellow card when others use it casually.
 By Pepper Parr
September 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The spin at the Art Gallery of Burlington has begun.
The announcement that he had left the Art Gallery was made by Ian Ross on his Facebook page.
Sandra Edrup, Chair of the AGB said this morning that Ian Ross and the board met last week and mutually agreed that Ian Ross’s 20 years at the gallery would come to an end.
That was last week – but there was no announcement until the Gazette broke the story earlier this morning.
 Ian Ross in better days at the Art Gallery of Burlington Kim Varian, Doug Niven and Denis Longchamps are serving as a sort of triumvirate to run the gallery on a day to day basis while Anne Swarbrick serves as a volunteer temporary Executive Director.
A search team will be put together said Ms. Edrup that will be inclusive and include all the stake holders and the wider community to find a new President and CEO
The phrase “support for success” has entered the language the senior AGB people are using and there was mention of confidentiality and Ian’s career future.
Was the parting of ways the result of philosophical differences over how the new branding was to be put into play? Or was there a clash of wills between some of the newly appointed senior staff?
Ross has not been available for comment.
The AGB is an important part of the cultural tapestry of Burlington – it matters and the public that pays a large part of the tab deserves as much transparency as possible. They didn’t get it today.
By Staff
September 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
As of noon today, the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee has raised $600,000 in cash.
“Each week we learn of new efforts to help raise funds and awareness for flood relief in Burlington and we are very thankful for these efforts,” says Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee. “With shorter days and cooler temperatures the need for financial assistance is becoming even more urgent. We still need to raise more funds.”
Over the last week the BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee received numerous generous donations from businesses and the community. Retailers are displaying cash boxes, schools are organizing events to engage students and community organizations like the Burlington Sport Alliance are rallying together to help raise much needed funds. The Flood Relief Donations Centre which has been open for a few weeks continues to accept clothing and household items.
 The second phase of the claims and disbursement process is The Assistance for Losses and Damages funding. It is designed to assist victims in greatest need with more extensive losses and damages, and who were either uninsured or underinsured for their building and/or contents.
Homeowners and tenants, small businesses, non-profit organizations and farms can apply. Applicants will be required to fill out a more complete form that will be made available at LINK by September 30th. At that time, more information outlining what expenses are eligible will also be provided.
There are a reported 40 plus homes in the city that do not have furnaces that operate in their homes. The need is serious.
Banks in the community are expected to become donours in the near future.
 The furnace in this basement is not likely to work. Donors are encouraged to continue supporting the campaign by:
Cheque – make cheques out to “Burlington Community Foundation” with a memo reference to Flood Relief Campaign – mail or drop off at Burlington Community Foundation, 3380 South Service Road, Unit 107, Burlington, Ontario, L7N 3J5
On-line donations – Click on the DONATE NOW button at www.burlingtonfoundation.org
 By Pepper Parr
September 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
 Ann Swarbrick, former MPP in the Bob Rae government, then the executive Director of Habitat for Humanity , then the Chair f the Art Gallery of Burlington and and now in place as the Executive Director. Anne Swarbrick, chair of the Art Gallery of Burlington Foundation has been appointed as the Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Burlington.
The appointment follows on the heals of the very sudden and surprising departure of long time leader of the Art Gallery operations Ian Ross.
 By Pepper Parr
September 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
“Yesterday was my last day as President & CEO of the Art Gallery of Burlington” said Ian Ross on his Facebook page
That was a stunning statement.
No one apparently saw that coming
 Ian Ross, former President & CEO of the Art Gallery of Burlington – taking a bid by telephone at the most recent Art Auction. Was this planned. Did he jump? Was he pushed?
Nothing from the board of the AGB – that’s not good news.
In a statement Ross said: “I want to thank all of you for your great contribution to making our Gallery such a tremendous success. These past few years have been ones of positive change and evolution, and 2015 is full of great promise and potential. Thank you for all of your planning and vision.
“The AGB has been an inspirational part of my life and I am proud to have helped grow it and make it a better place for all. Together we have won awards for excellence from Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor and the Mayor of Burlington.
“Thank you all for your friendship and the warmth and kindness that you have shown to me and my family. We have all been positively ‘marked’ by our experience of living and working at the AGB.
“I wish you all continued success in moving culture forward in Burlington.”
 Denis Longchamps Dennis Longchamps was brought in more than a year ago to head up the curating and operational side of what was recently re-named and re-branded as the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Links:
Art Centre re-named and re-branded.
Director of programs appointed at Art Centre
By Pepper Parr
September 24, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Burlington is going to elect four school board trustees to the 11 member Halton District School Board. Of the four, incumbent Jennifer Hlusko has decided to run as a city Councillor and Diane Bower has retired.
Amy Collard was acclaimed and Kristen Lockhead is running for re-election.
There will be a trustee that will represent wards 1 and 2
Mary Dilly, Leah Reynolds and Judy Worsley are going after that seat. Dilly has been a candidate for public office in the past; Leah Reynolds got a very strong endorsement from Ward two Councillor Marianne Meed Ward.
There will be a trustee that will represent wards 3 and 6
Andrea Grebenc, Michael Kukhta, Denise Nacev and Timothy Timar are in the race for the trustee seat for wards three and six.
There will be a trustee that will represent ward 4, Kristen Lockhead is seeking re-election, Richelle Papin and Margo Shuttleworth are challenging the incumbent.
The trustee that will represent ward 5 was acclaimed. Amy Collard was also acclaimed in 2010. She has served as Chair of the Board in the past
 Getting students to school safely is a major task; the Burlington schools still need crossing guards. Current chair Kelly Amos informs us that the Trustees of the HDSB are responsible for the public school system covering all of Halton (Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills), which is made up of 103 schools, over 60,000 students and approximately 5,500 employees. Those numbers increase every year. One of the responsibilities of Trustees is the approval and making sure of the compliance of the operating and capital budgets. The 2014 -15 operating budget for the HDSB totals $664.3 million and the capital budget totals just over $50 million.
She adds: As a basis of comparison, from their respective websites, the City of Burlington whose capital and operating budgets combined are $204.8 Million. The Councillors’ salaries are $51,000 for local and $48,700 for regional, for a combined salary of $99,700 and the mayor’s is a combined salary of $122,594. The Town of Oakville’s combined capital and operating budget is $264.1 million and for salary the local councillor’s is $45,737, the local regional Councillors is $88,514 and the Mayor’s is $116,693. Milton’s combined budgets are $162.2 million and the salaries for the members of council are $28,966 each and for the mayor is $69,954. The Town of Halton Hills combined budgets are $112.4 million and the councillors’ salaries for the next term will be $29,995 each and the mayor’s will be $73,008.
As a bit of history, courtesy of Ms Amos; in March 2006 the Liberal Government issued a paper Ontario Excellence for All – Respect for Ontario School Trustees and in it states;
 The Alton Village public school is a recent addition to the more than 100 schools in the public system. “School board trustees are the oldest forms of elected representation in Ontario. Since 1807, generations of community-minded citizens have made decisions on behalf of local publicly funded schools, building the foundation of the system we have today. Despite this longevity and contribution, the trustee role is widely under-appreciated and misunderstood.” As well it said “While many trustees volunteer considerable amounts of their time, the importance of informed participation requires a more realistic honorarium to ensure sufficient time is available. Since 1997, the honorarium has been limited to $5000 per year, with chairs and vice-chairs eligible to receive up to $5000 more per year.”
An Ontario Regulation required the formation of a Citizens’ Advisory Committee, which was to recommend to the Board a base amount as well as an attendance amount and distance amount for each member of the Board of Trustees for each year of their term of office. This committee was comprised of parents from all across Halton and decided;
For the period starting December 1, 2006 and ending November 2010, trustee honoraria would be:
Base Amount, Enrolment Amount, Total Amount
Member $ 5,900.00 $ 7,285,59 $ 13,158.59
Chair 10,900.00 9,575.35 20,475.35
Vice-Chair 8,400.00 8,430.27 16,830.47
The current motion that is before the Board to be voted on in September WAS THIS PASSED? is dealing with an amount that was set in 2006 and there has been no increase since then. This motion if approved by the Board will come into effect at the beginning of the next elected Board of Trustees effective December 1, 2014.
Base Amount, Enrolment Amount, Attendance Total Amount
Member $ 6,324.80 $ 9,445.55 1,000.00 $ 16,770.35
Chair 11,324.80 12,414.15 1,000.00 24,738.95
Vice-Chair 8,824.80 10,929.85 1,000.00 20,754.65
At a school board meeting on September 3rd, the Trustees approved a new rate for trustee honoraria that takes effect December 1, 2014 when the 2014-2018 Board begins its term. Trustees will receive an annual honoraria of $16,770.35 while the Chair will receive a total of $24,738.95 and the Vice-chair a total of $20,754.65.
The base amounts have been increased by the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the period between July 1, 2010 and April 30, 2014 and the enrollment amounts are based on the 2013/2014 ADE (Average Daily Enrolment) of the Halton District School Board.
 Amy Collard has been acclaimed for the ward five public school board seat Trustees’ salaries come from an enveloped amount of money from the Ministry which is designated for Board Administration and Governance. This means this money is only used for Board Administration and Governance and cannot be used for anything else, and does not take away from any funding for students or program use.
 Jennifer Hlusko will be giving up her public school board seat – she is running for the ward six municipal council seat – running against incumbent Blair Lancaster. Each Trustee can spend a different amount of time on being a trustee. Current Chair Kelly Amos said she typically puts in a 30 – 40 hour week depending on what is going on and what needs to be done.
In the weeks ahead the Gazette will endeavour to interview all the candidates for the public school board. Time just doesn’t permit our covering the Catholic school board.
 By Pepper Parr
September 22, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There were four people at the city council meeting last night who are running for municipal office. Three, Peter Rusin, Jeff Brooks and Angelo Bentivegna are very new to the political process in Burlington. The fourth, Vanessa Warren, has attended many council meetings and delegated frequently.
We asked these people to comment on what they experienced as they watched council during the 90 minutes meeting.
 Peter Rusin said: “The room is too small; the air is dry and dirty and the lighting went off partially during the meeting. There were no young people; attendance was low. Goldring spent more time on arguing procedure re: a third comment with Sharman than letting him speak. There was way too much deferral and reliance on the clerk in keeping the meeting moving along. The city manager Scott Stewart did not get the respect he deserved regarding the fill issues.
Overall, the most coherent of the council members were Craven, Meed-Ward and Dennison. Goldring seemed a bit edgy with an undertone of arrogance.
“I would have spent time and energy more effectively on addressing and resolving the agenda items and issues than trying to impress my colleagues on procedural technicalities; this is not some sort of trial.
And, I would have led the meeting in a more pleasant and engaging manner and left with more tangible results.”
 Jeff Brooks said: “I was surprised how much some councillors seemed to walk in stride on a lot of issues.
All in general seemed very cosy except for Meed Ward.
I tweeted last night wondering why city just putting out letter now to MP Wallace asking to see what Federal $ might be available for homeowners effected by the flood. Aug 4th was the flood, I know our flood wasn’t a national crisis but the optics of just sending letter now, seems slow. I think Wallace’s own home was effected, sympathetic ear?
At end of meeting Taylor didn’t announce any Ward 3 weekend events, instead suggested to drive to Kilbride to look at a restored heritage home (it is a beautiful restoration). Very nice if you have a car, last time I checked no public transit to Kilbride.
Angelo Bentivegna was not able to respond in time for this article.
Vanessa Warren said: “Last night had a great outcome, and I’m pleased that Councillor Lancaster voted in favour of what I believe to be a strong Site Alteration Bylaw; as you’ll recall, I delegated in May of 2013 requesting a review of this bylaw and have watched its development right up until I delegated in favour of it at the September 8th D&I committee.
 As I said then, the bylaw has gone through a public and industry consultation process that I think we should be very proud of, and I believe it’s a model bylaw in the Province.
I was frustrated, however, with once again not knowing what my Ward Councillor’s position was until it was time to stand up and be counted. Frankly, I’m not even certain how she would have voted had Marianne Meed Ward not asked for a recorded vote.
It would be impossible and unfair to ask for a Councillor with whom I always agreed, but I think it IS fair to want to be represented by someone who takes researched, reasoned, and principled stances on issues that I can both understand and foresee. “
Vanessa Ward is a candidate for the ward six seat that Blair Lancaster now holds.
Not much in the way of insight from any of them was there?
 By Staff
September 22, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Anyone giving any thought to a life of crime wants to read on remember that security people have good memories and they remember faces. They are trained as well to look for the way people walk and look around.
On Saturday September 20th 2014 at approximately 3:20 PM, Mapleview Mall security contacted police after they observed a man in the mall believed to be responsible for exposing himself to children at the Starbucks on two occasions in July 2014.
Mapleview Mall security officers maintained observations of the man until police arrived at which time it was confirmed that this man was the one responsible for the two incidents at Mapleview Mall as well as another incident that occurred on July 25th 2014 at the Starbucks on Appleby Line in Burlington.
Joseph Ralph BEESLEY (55 yrs) of Eastwood Crescent in Niagara Falls will appear for a bail hearing at the Milton Court on Tuesday September 23rd 2014 charged with the following offences
Indecent Exposure to persons under 16 yrs (3 counts)
Indecent Act in a Public Place ( 2 counts)
Criminal Harassment
All the security people at Mapleview Mall had to go on was this description:
Male white,
approximately 5’8”,
large build, 230-250 lbs,
bald head,
wearing baggy grey track short pants,
green t-shirt,
white and black running shoes,
wearing black sunglasses and carrying a small black bag.
That was enough – Beesley will be in court tomorrow afternoon for a bail hearing.
By Pepper Parr
September 22, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The Burlington Gazette will host its first ever candidate debate in ward 6 on Wednesday September 24th at 7 pm in the theatre at the Hayden High school in Alton
There is something appropriate about our holding this debate. It was the Gazette that first told the story of the trucks that were taking loads of fill into the Air Park property. That story was the result of a call from a Lowville resident.
The north Burlington community formed the Rural Burlington Greenbelt Coalition and we came to know Vanessa Warren who has proven to be a superb delegator and a fine researcher as well. Ms Warren decided to run for the ward six council seat because she could not tolerate the way the incumbent, Blair Lancaster was doing her job.
 Councillor Blair Lancaster. As it turns out, eight other people thought Lancaster was doing a poor job and they filed nomination papers. The expectation is that there will be 10 candidates on the theatre stage.
We have received confirmations from all the candidates except for Lancaster and Jennifer Hlusko who is not sure if she is going to be able to get away from a Board of Education meeting; Hlusko is a school board trustee.
During the past week there has been considerable communication on the approach and format the Gazette is going to use in this debate.
We got a call from a Brenda McKinley who wanted to talk about the format and the role I was to play as moderator – she didn’t want me to be the moderator; she wanted someone from the Chamber of Commerce to moderate.
We declined that opportunity partly because we did not know who McKinley was representing – she would not reveal that information.
 Miss Photo Op – never misses a camera opportunity – but then so do most of the other Council members. Councillor Blair Lancaster in the center with Burlington Olympians. Her husband is on the left McKinley called a number of the other candidates asking them to support her position. Several of those candidates called the Gazette to say they supported the approach we were taking.
It didn’t take all that much effort to learn who McKinley was calling on behalf of – what we didn’t know, until a reader sent us along the information below, was why she was calling.
Here is what we found in our mail box last week:
You probably already know this, but Brenda has been tied to Breast Cancer Support Services for a number of years according to her LinkedIn account she is
Chairman and director of Breast Cancer Support Services from January 2002 – November 2004 (2 years 11 months)
Moved the organization from a small group of employees operating in donated premises to a viable entity which owns its own building in a thriving commercial area of the city. Was instrumental in hiring a full time Executive Director.
Not surprised by her attempt to maneuver the setup for the debate. This is typical Blair Lancaster who seems to want to control everything she gets involved in.
Keep up the great work; I’m very impressed with your support for the Flood Relief efforts. They are benefiting significantly from your publicity and promoting!
Blair Lancaster is listed as the Executive Director of Breast Cancer Support Services in Burlington.
There you have it! Puts the Breast Cancer Support Services people in a very poor light doesn’t it? That organization provides a vital service for people going through a very difficult time in their lives – it should not have been abused this way.
 By Staff
September 22, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Sunday didn’t have much in the way of promise at around 9:30 but by 11 am the rain had stopped and the “beds” were lined up on Brant Street like racing cars in pit.
There was a buzz in the air and the “judges”, representing the four Rotary Clubs in Burlington, were looking over the entry papers.
The chief money counter for Scotiabank in Burlington announced that $20,100 had been raised for the Joseph Brant Foundation.
 Accura on Brant takes it again. The rules for the 5th Annual Amazing Bed Race were explained. Every team got two times trials and the 16 teams with the shortest times on the course up Brant Street would make it to the finals.
With a provincial election behind us, a municipal election almost upon us and a federal election in their air – it was not surprising that there was a strong political flavour to the event.
Politics however didn’t play in the results – it was, for the second year in a row a run off between the car dealerships.
 The Judges scrutinize the entries – all were found to be in order. The fasted speed was clocked at 28 kph and the shortest time was 13 seconds.
There were no accidents, providing the one runner who had the bed run over his foot.
Prize for the best decorated “bed” went to Burlington Taxi.
By Pepper Parr
September 20, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
There are all kinds of leadership. Some lead from the front, they take charge and there is little doubt over who is at the front of the parade. Some lead from the rear while others immerse themselves in the middle of a situation and lead that way.
 Mayor Goldring tends to prepare for events carefully. One’s leadership style comes out of a person’s personality; however people always know when they are being well led or poorly led. It is something a community feels and something they take confidence from.
Leaders cannot lose touch with their community. Leaders have to know and be able to interact with every level of that community. Leadership takes insight and patience.
While a Mayor has just the one vote at Council the good ones nevertheless lead and lead well.
Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie, who has a real soft spot for Burlington, led instinctively. He has been to Burlington on many occasions – at times to express his disappointment with the city. He once told the now defunct Waterfront Access and Protection Advisory Committee( WAPA) that Burlington was once a leader in the protection of the waterfront and then admonished WAPA for losing that level of leadership.
Crombie would experience severe indigestion if he knew that Mayor Goldring supported the selling of a stretch of land south of Lakeshore Road between Market and St. Paul streets. There wasn’t as much as a whisper from the Mayor on his decision to support the selling of waterfront property between Market and St. Paul Streets to private interests.
 Former Toronto Mayor David Crombie always had a soft spot for Burlington and was a resource Rick Goldring failed to develop. A vision for the city is something that doesn’t appear to come naturally to Mayor Goldring. During the Gazettes’ exclusive interview with Mayor Goldring we asked what his thoughts were for a second term as Mayor.
Where would he want to lead Council; what ideas would he bring to the table and how would he promote those ideas and build a constituency for them in the city?
In his first term Mayor Goldring pulled together a group to work on what he called One Vision. He brought people in from different sectors of the city for a two day workshop that got off to a bad start and didn’t get any better before it ended.
There was never a report – it was just $50,000 spent to bring in a consultant, Lance Secretan, who had written a book the maker liked. His reading of Lance Secretan’s The Spark, the Flame, and the Torch, a book about how to become a more inspired person and leader and how to change the world for a brighter future. It was this book that moved the Mayor to hold the One Vision event.
We left it to the Mayor to say what he would do during the interview. We deliberately chose not to challenge the Mayor on any of his achievements during his first term and we didn’t push him on his thoughts for his now possible second term. The Mayor didn’t offer very much; the Gazette had decided before the interview that we were not going to lead with a lot of questions.
The Mayor made absolutely no mention of community engagement.
He did say that he was looking forward to the development of the mobility hoods that are planned for John Street and another for the Burlington GO station.
The Mayor made no mention of what taxes could be in the next four years. The flood is going to take quite a chunk out of our hides.
 Rick Goldring take part in the commemoration of a tree that is believed to mark part of the boundary for the land grant given Joseph Brant. He spoke almost glowingly of the Molinaro development on Fairview next to the GO station but surprisingly didn’t have much to say about how the properties east of the GO station could be developed.
The city held a Work Shop on downtown commercial development a number of months ago and there was quite a discussion on different ways to locate car dealerships. The Mayor doesn’t appear to have picked up any of the ideas that came out of what was one of the best Workshops the Planning department has held in the four years we have been listening to them.
The Mayor thought there was significant opportunity for the “service corporations” that were boldly put forward by former city manager Jeff Fielding, but the Mayor didn’t go beyond saying there was an opportunity.
Mayor Goldring made mention of the Official Plan Review that probably won’t be completed before the end of 2015; he appears to be a champion of the Service Based Budgeting approach to our finances that the city is doing some focus group research on now.
The Mayor didn’t elaborate on the kinds of differences this new approach to budgeting is going to make.
The Mayor did say that the Transportation Master Plan has had the Cycling Master Plan rolled into it and that he thought that made sense, but he made no mention of his flip flop on dedicated lanes on Lakeshore for bicycles.
There was not a word either about what the city is managing to get done at the Region. The only Councillor talking about what members of council get done at the Region is Paul Sharman, who the Mayor is reported to have said is the best strategic thinker on Council.
 Rick Goldring is for the most part a team player – the team however doesn’t play all that well. Burlington has had three city managers during the first Goldring term. Goldring commented that “city managers now last four to six years and then they move on.” There was no suggestion that more highly developed human resources practices might be used to incentivise these people to stick around a little longer.
Goldring commented on how the community had stepped up and donated to the Flood Crisis Fund that is being managed by the Burlington Community Foundation. He seems to have removed himself from the day to day part of the flood.
Councillors Dennison and Sharman have almost made the disaster a platform they are running their re-election on. Both are providing a level of service their constituents have not seen before. Dennison’s staff say he has been in more than 1000 basements – the math doesn’t support that claim.
Mayor Goldring seems to have outsourced the community response to the flood and is content to leave it at that.
Goldring does deserve credit for making those early phone calls to the Burlington Community Foundation and Linda Davies at the Lakeshore Rotary club. But he hasn’t turned himself into a Cam Jackson by being anywhere and everywhere helping people.
 The Mayor we have now never misses a photo opportunity. The Mayor we started out with in 2010 had hoped to communicate differently. Early in his mandate the Gazette asked Rick Goldring if he was going to become the camera hog Cam Jackson was. At the time Goldring said he hoped to but at the cheque presentation for the $25,000 Branthaven Development donated to flood relief Goldring posed with everyone else with the big cardboard cheque and commented that he understands now why Cam Jackson got his picture taken every chance he could. “I get it now” said Goldring.
I always thought people wanted to hear what a politician had to say; I can’t imagine former Mayor Walter Mulkewich posing for the camera in quite the same way.
Mayor Goldring wants the city to do more to attract and keep “the millennials” in Burlington. Millennials are people between the ages of 20 and 30. Goldring didn’t expand on what he meant or get specific about what he would do or to attract this demographic and how he would keep them in the city.
The Molinaro’s, a local developer, understand what has to be done and are putting up five buildings to house these people.
 Rick Goldring is a much better speaker today than he was in 2010. His vision and leadership style need some work. Mayor Goldring is a better speaker today than he was in his first year as Mayor. He no longer strives as hard to make his point; he is more relaxed and has taken to wearing his chain of office outside the Council chamber. During his first two years he was uncomfortable with the “bling”.
There were a few telling moments during the first term that gave us a look at the Mayor that were bothersome. When the Via Rail train left the tracks a few years ago – there was a media briefing the Mayor couldn’t handle. Then city manager Jeff Fielding moved in and took charge. It was a situation Mayor Goldring was not up to at the time.
There was an evening when Glenn Grenier got permission to speak as an unregistered delegation to tout on behalf of the small airport constituency. Traditionally delegations get five minutes; at well past 10 minutes city manager Jeff Fielding suggested to the Mayor that Mr. Grenier could be excused. Fielding had to make comments three times before the Mayor picked up the cue and thanked Mr. Grenier for his comments.
Grenier had clearly outworn his welcome – but the Mayor was not able to execute the power of his office and send the delegation packing.
 Mayor Rick Goldring explaining to Kilbride area residents what was being done and the time frames the repair crews were working to in their community. At the ice storm meeting at the Kilbride fire station in December, the Mayor was much better. He seemed more in charge and spoke with confidence and assurance.
Rick Goldring is one of the most decent people you will meet. The last occasion the late John Boich appeared at a Council meeting to be given a commendation Rick Goldring came very close to losing it. The lump in his throat was palpable. Everyone knew John’s days were numbered and that there were very few of them left. Goldring’s decency and his humanity is there, most of the time, for all to see.
In the coming weeks he is going to challenged in a way he did not expect – the city will now get a chance to see how he defends his first term and hear what he would like to achieve in a second term.
There is now a second credible candidate which means there will be public debates during which the Mayor can be challenged on his record and have an opportunity to defend what he has done and expand on his ideas and vision for the city of Burlington and the role we play in the Region..
It is tough to beat an incumbent Mayor – but Goldring did defeat Cam Jackson in 2010. Peter Rusin will bring some solid experience and an understanding of how growth takes place in Ontario to the debates.
Expect some hard direct questions from Rusin. We don’t know yet what to expect from Mayor Golding – the race is his to win – but he has to run faster than he has in the past to get more votes than the other guy.
Related article:
Mayor’s first term.
 By Pepper Parr
September 21, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
She pulled it off. With the help of her husband Dean and one of the most impressive collections of volunteers we have ever seen in this city, Selina Jane Eckersall held her second No Vacancy event, this time at the Village Square.
Jack Friedman, the man who built the Village Square, must have smiled when he learned that the space he created was being used the way he wanted it to be used.
Eckersall held her first No Vacancy at the Waterfront Hotel in 2013. It was a critical success and drove her to growing the concept and worked out an arrangement with the property owners at the Village Square to use the empty space.
Eckersall estimates there were between 2,000 and 5,000 people at the event – that is too wide a spread – the real number was somewhere above 3,500 based on what we observed.
Eckersall wasn’t prepared to say which was the best of the 30 installation but she did say that Appollonia Vanova and the Grand Connection were very popular.
 Lovely colours  The volunteers were superb. The volunteers were exceptional. If you had a question – they had an answer or they got you an answer quite quickly.
There were times when the space around the gazebo was packed so tightly you could hardly move. It was a friendly crowd – not a hooligan in sight.
In a city the size of Burlington most people know someone and the chance to meet up was just fun. Patrick Bermingham one of the artists, decided to rent one of the empty spaces for his own purposes and held a private party. He was able to invite all his friends, offer them a drink and have people get out to see some of the installations and come back to chat about what they had seen. Expect to see more of that next year.
 Dream catchers. And there will be a next year. Eckersall was going through what worked and what didn’t work. The installations at the Gym on Pearl didn’t get the traffic they should have gotten; the beer garden didn’t produce the revenue that was expected and Eckersall isn’t sure that she will use a portion of Pine Street next year.
Eckersall knows now that she needs to tweak the business model. The event cost about $10,000 to put on – revenue didn’t quite reach that level.
 The Juggler Sponsorship was good – but ways have to be found to increase the revenue. Selena Eckersall and her husband spent more than six months on this project and are not likely to see as much as a dime personally for their efforts. They might even have to dip into the cookie jar to make up the loss.
 Student Theatre mannequins It was an exciting event; it left all those who attended fully appreciating their community and the sense of community that was created in the Village Square.
It was a delight to see Angelo Bentivegna working the crowd and chatting with his friends. He was in full election mode and it seemed perfectly natural.
When asked: What was the biggest thrill for you? Eckersall didn’t need a second to respond – “Seeing all those people – the excitement of the artists and how inspired they were.”
What was the biggest disappointment?
Beer sales were much lower than we expected. We need to re-think the beer garden”, said Eckersall. All the activity was inside the Village.
Despite the low beer sales “the city is hungry for this kind of stuff and that was certainly evident” Eckersall added. The challenge now is to keep the content fresh and relevant.
The Cirque was different, it wasn’t as “scrappy” as the Art Crawl in Hamilton. There was more money in the space – Burlington is a wealthier city and that was clearly evident in the traffic – no one was wearing furs but there was a sense of satisfaction in the crowds – a crowd doesn’t seem to be the right word. There were a lot of people but it was more like a community getting together.
The mannequins located throughout the Village were all courtesy of the Student Theatre. The make up on a few was close to astounding.
 This took all the seniors back to the 60’s The juggler was close to a carnival pitchman – she moved beautifully and talked about her art. The belly dancers had nice costumes.
 Suspended illusions Eckersall is now looking for operational funding and working on writing for a Trillium grant. She might want to have lunch with Kelly Arnott of the Chilly Half Marathon fame, and talk about how one finds long term sponsors.
By Carol Gottlob, Candidate for Ward 4 Councillor
September 22, 2104
BURLINGTON, ON.
Each week, until the ballots are cast on October 27th, we are going to follow the tales and travails of a single candidate. We have chosen Carol Gottlob, running in ward 4 against a well entrenched incumbent. Gottlob has no experience in civic government, has never campaigned before and neglects to mention that she is also running as a member of the Regional council. Following this candidate is not an endorsement; Gottlob will win on her own merit.
Five weeks remaining in the election campaign. I’ve been knocking on doors, talking to constituents, informing some about municipal government and being informed by others.
There are those who are extremely knowledgeable, and will tell you all that is right and wrong at city hall. I spent at least 25 minutes on one gentleman’s doorstep, learning all about the right way and the wrong way to go about development.
 Ward 4 candidate Carol Gottlob has signs along LAkeshore Road. This collection is either side of incumbent Jack Dennison’s driveway. Others look stunned upon my arrival, particularly north of the QEW in my ward. They’ve never seen anyone from “city hall” come to their doorstep. And somewhere in between are those who are somewhat aware, but not quite sure what to do.
They ask me if I’m running against Kelly Arnott. Kelly is running in Ward 2, but has a large sign placed on Lakeshore Road in Ward 4.
Marianne Meed Ward, who is the Ward 2 incumbent, has one on Walker’s Line, smack dab in the middle of Ward 4.
 Ward 4 incumbent Jack Dennison has a large sign on New Street. Jack Dennison, I’m told, has one at Walker’s Line and Dundas, which is Ward 6. He’s running in Ward 4.
This only adds to the confusion. Then there are signs for school trustees and soon we may see signs for Mayor.
It’s no wonder people don’t come out and vote. They don’t know who they are voting for! If only there was a better way.
By Pepper Parr
September 20, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Money talks.
Last week envelopes appeared on the desks of each council member, and we believe on the desk of the Mayor as well. Inside there was a cheque for $750, the maximum that can be donated to an election campaign in a municipal election.
The funds came from a developer; a good developer actually – a company that has done some excellent work in the downtown core.
Councillor Marianne Meed Ward returned the donation. Her view is that members of council running for re-election should not accept donations from corporations that have or can be expected to have business before the city.
Does this make sense?
Candidates are required to file financial statements setting out how much money they spent and where it came from.
Peter Rusin, running against Mayor Goldring has said he will fund his on campaign and not accept donations. When former Chief of Staff to Mayor Goldring was thinking about running for office he said that he would probably pay for his own campaign. But most people are not in a position to spend $5,000 – maybe $10,000 or as much as $15,000 to get themselves elected.
Running an election campaign is expensive. Is a cheque for $750 really going to sway a member of council?
When everyday people have business before the city – say a Committee of Adjustment application or a proposal to sell services to the city – should they refrain from donating to campaigns?
What if they made their donations via personal cheque?
It will be interesting to see what, if any debate there is on this issue.
What do you think?
 By Peter Rusin
September 20, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
From time to time during the municipal election the Gazette will run items in which candidates put forward their thoughts and view on the election campaign.
We are not interested in running your platform but do want to hear from you if you have something to say on the way the city is run and how you would try and do things differently. This feature is limited to those people who are not currently on city council.
It has been a week now since I registered as candidate for mayor. In that time we have been receiving only positive support which is somewhat interesting; nobody has said anything negative or unjustifiably critical. We have received invitations to meet with people, groups, other political candidates, etc. There has been a refreshing tone of curiosity, and the process we hope is at least engaging the electorate and elevating issues. People are taking this seriously.
 Rusin walks his dog regularly in Spencer Smith Park. I would like to share four notable and very distinct inquiries from a sampling of regular citizens, and some personal opinions:
The first was from a long time city employee concerned about being without a contract now since June and worried about the future. We discussed an assortment of issues important to him and his union brother and sisters. I think he felt better after our chat, because he had a chance to voice his opinions, and perhaps he felt that there was some hope in the future to be treated with a bit more respect than under the current regime at city hall.
The second was from a homeowner completely frustrated by the treatment from the mayor’s office; she felt like being treated with disrespect dealing with what she considered relatively minor issues resulting from the impacts of the flood; all this person wanted was a feeling of respect and not simply receiving template responses from junior mayoral staff.
“Try calling city hall and get a live voice on the other end of the phone” was another concern. According to this individual, a variety of staff attended the property to review the complaints, but, then asked her to come in person to pick up a blah-blah letter from the mayor’s office. It probably would have taken less city staff time and resources if she was treated with a bit of respect, instead of seventy unanswered emails.
Two different people, one from the inside and one from the outside; asking to be treated with a little bit of respect. So, is this city functioning in a caring and inviting way like the mayor proclaims, or, is that not quite how this city hall regime conducts its civil service duties?
Does city hall have a duty to provide service like a government or conduct itself in the style of some sort of exclusive private country club?
The third was a series of questions from a person asking: “are you for the gay community? I realize this is a divisive issue for some in the community but it is extremely important to me that our leaders are not afraid to be transparent about their loyalties and honest about what they will actually effectively stand for”. Answer: 100% in favour of the gay and LGBTQIA community; don’t really understand why this would be an issue.
I remember when I was a victim of discrimination as an immigrant child and the feeling of being a lesser person; but that actually helped shape who I am today. All people are equal. I have enjoyed some of the best dinner parties and conversation with my gay friends; definitely not boring, unlike some of my friends who are straight. I hope I am clear and transparent on this topic.
 Peter Rusin is very hard on crime – and particularly on drugs. Another question from the same person: “is the city planning to promote any programs to help decrease the amount of drug activity apparent around our streets and parks? Answer: Part of the Rusin Quality of Life Enhancement platform is the prohibition of the sale of drug paraphernalia in retail and convenience stores across the city. This will help protect our children, police, justice system, and also keep our streets and neighbourhoods safer and free from drug related activity. The current council has ignored this topic for the past eight years under Goldring’s watch. I will be facing this head on and will see to fighting the drug problem; whatever it takes.
 St. Paul Street residents wants to see Waterfront Trail extended through lakeshore property the city already owns. Rusin has yet to form a view on this situation. City council voted to sell the land to private interests. The fourth was a lengthy email I received from a former childhood neighbour of mine, and it made me pause a little bit more than usual: “how does your platform of preservation of green space relate to our food and preservation of farmlands or planning for affordable healthy food”; “ever since that house next door to your parents and my parents has been built, my dad and I have observed a few trees taken down, robins did not return this year, sparrows are gone”; “I have huge concerns about the waterfront and the access for all in Burlington”. “I felt that since you took a proactive stance in running for mayor I would be proactive in letting you know”.
I have not answered her yet, but, I will form my answer to her questions into the platform on these topics soon.
These people now have their voices heard and their right to vote restored. I am so proud and humbled to be a part of this process.
 By Pepper Parr
September 20, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It was a small group of people – not much more than a cluster actually, but it was part of the largest climate march in history involving more than 2500 cities around the world and will culminate in a march on New York city, where people will peacefully flood the streets in historic numbers, both in New York City and in solidarity events around the world.
World leaders will be gathered in NYC for a landmark U.N. climate meeting — just the right moment for big public pressure. UN Secretary, General Ban Ki-moon is urging governments to support an ambitious global agreement to dramatically reduce global warming pollution.
 These Save the Planet marchers met with Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring on a street corner; they were not allowed to set foot on city property because the mayor is in election mode. Can you believe that? “With our future on the line and the whole world watching, we’ll take a stand to bend the course of history. We’ll take to the streets to demand the world we know is within our reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities” announced the march organizers.
The event is billed as the largest climate march in history to be happening worldwide and Burlington was a part of it.
The Burlington event was marred just a little by what can only be called “bureaucratic nonsense”. The March was planned as an event that was to start and end at the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park, where the Mayor was to speak.
Mayor Rick Goldring is a serious environmentalist and it was an appropriate place for him to speak. But – Burlington is in the middle of its election for a new council and the Mayor now has two people running against him – and he can’t make use of any city owned facility. And the Gazebo in Spencer Smith Park is city property – so the event had to march up Brant street and pause on a street corner, where Goldring talked to people about the environment.
 Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring stands on a street corner explaining his environmental views to Save the Planet march organizer Alanna Antrobus. “Can we go to city hall” asked one participant. “No “said the Mayor, “Civic Square is out of bounds as well”.
To get some idea as to just how silly this became; earlier in the week Ward two councillor Marianne Meed Ward rented space at the Art Gallery of Burlington for her campaign kick off. She was told that her people could not walk the corridors of the building wearing buttons or T-shirts – which meant anyone wanting to go to the bathroom, had to take their T-shirt off.
Ian Ross, president of the Art Gallery apparently got a call from City Clerk Angela Morgan bringing him up to date on the rules as she saw them. Hopefully Ross brought the Clerk up to date on how he runs his shop.
One hopes that Ross explained to the city Clerk that the Art Gallery of Burlington was an arm’s length organization which ran its own affairs. The city does own the property – the Art Gallery runs the place.
The Burlington march was organized by Alanna Antrobus
By Staff
September 20, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
There is something about a church fund raiser.
While the event is for the local people – anyone is welcome – you just have to show up and be ready to be social and talk to people.
 They are always very welcoming – I’ve been to events like this where people invite you back to their homes for a drink.
Thursday, the 25th the Lowville United Church is hosting a pig roast with all the trimmings. The Chef on hand will be making cuts from 5 to 7 pm.
It’s a short drive up Guelph Line – the church is at the corner of Guelph and Britannia. Chow down a good meal, chat with the folks and if you’re interested in what Lowville is like, drive on up to the Lowville Bistro for a glass of decent wine and a dessert you don’t need.
If you really want to make a day of it – head for Lowville an hour or two early and watch the salmon run in the Bronte Creek that runs through Lowville.
Tickets are $18 for adults – reserve one at 905-335-5099
New feature:
 Early in October readers of the Gazette will be able to use a new feature for announcing community events. Anyone will be able to go on line and post their event. Our editorial team will be moderating the posts to ensure they are appropriate. Watch for the notice.
By Staff
September 19, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON –
With Rainer Noack you always get more than you see. He is generous, colourful, creative and one of the most loving people you will ever come across.
 The Burlington Performing Arts Centre has announced Rainer will be the 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee. Rainer Noack is the Founder and Program Director of Burlington Student Theatre.
Through Student Theatre, Rainer has been providing training, camps, and arts opportunities for children and youth in the Burlington area since 1978. Having also taught for the Halton District Catholic School Board, it is clear that educating is close at heart for Noack.
With his love of the arts and his incredible commitment and contribution to the city of Burlington, Rainer Noack received Burlington’s Arts Person of the Year in both 1995 and 2009.
 The Hall of Fame award will be presented to Rainer Noack at the 2014 Cabaret: Escape to The Mediterranean at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, November 8. This year’s special guest performer is PAVLO. Proceeds from this fundraising event support the education programs at The Centre.
Rainer joins Gordie Tapp, a television performer of some renown as well as a member of the Hall of Fame.
By Pepper Parr
September 19, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Ten days ago Mayor Rick Goldring was strolling towards an acclamation; it was in the bag. He didn’t have a campaign office, he was attending events for other candidates – he didn’t attend the kick off for the Meed Ward campaign in ward two.
By noon of Wednesday this week it was a much different picture; a campaign office was being set up and the campaign committee was coming out of its country club state of mind; suddenly there was a contender and while Burlington didn’t know that much about the guy – he was real.
 Mayor Goldring read the Procedural Bylaw carefully and found a way to collude with the city Clerk to shut down a member of his council. The days of innocence for this Council came to an end Monday April 8th, 2013 The Gazette had made plans to interview the Mayor to talk about what he felt he had achieved the first term and what he wanted to achieve during his second term which, at the time, seemed like a sure thing.
Goldring won the office of Mayor handily against former Ontario cabinet minister and then Mayor Cam Jackson. In the 2010 election he was angry with what he thought Jackson was doing to his city and while there were a number of position papers – the 2010 election didn’t have that sharp a focus.
Burlington knew Goldring as the guy who had been on Cogeco cable TV for years and was the council member for Ward 5 where he didn’t get into any trouble. There was an opportunity to do more with the PanAm Games in Sherwood Forest Park, but that opportunity got away on both Goldring and the city.
The 2010 election was one that Jackson lost more than it was Goldring winning.
 Margaret Lindsay Holton keeps the Mayor on his toes. Goldring was stiff during the first three years of his term. He didn’t seem to have a grip on the job and was often directionless. His relationship with staff at city hall during the first six months was terrible; there was little respect for the man – some of the comments made reflected very poorly on staff.
Goldring was fortunate in having Frank McKeown as his Chief of Staff – without him at that time Goldring would have been a total failure. McKeown gave Goldring the psychological base he needed to grow into the job.
The Goldring we are seeing now is a man who is much more in control of his job. There weren’t very many people who saw Goldring as a strong leader but some of his more recent decisions suggest he is growing into the job. He is going to grow a lot more in the next 45 days now that he is being seriously challenged.
The Gazette asked Mayor Goldring to talk about his achievements during his first term and then what he would like to see achieved during his second term.
His first four years is set out below. His thoughts on the future will follow in a day.
The re-elect Goldring web site sets out Goldring’s commitment and priorities to the electorate:
My Commitment to You:
• Provide open, accountable and effective decision-making.
• Respect your tax dollar.
• Keep residents informed and engaged.
• Provide leadership through collaboration.
My Priorities:
• Cultivate a prosperous and sustainable economy.
• Protect and enhance greenspace.
• Foster vibrant and safe neighbourhoods.
• Continue to build a healthy, sustainable and prosperous community.
Not all that much in the way of specifics, but it is early in the campaign and when the above was written Goldring didn’t think he had a campaign to wage.
Goldring said he is proud of the change in the relationship between council and city staff. Former Mayor Cam Jackson took an approach to staff that was seen as disruptive. Goldring feels he has mended that relationship.
Goldring mentioned that the city had given the hospital the first $5 million of the $60 million it had undertaken to provide.
Goldring is pleased with his performance on the pier and the way that matter was settled. He didn’t actually say the city won the dispute, but he appears to want to take credit for getting that file closed. Not as sure the public feels this file was properly closed.
 When council decided not to put the turbine atop the observation deck – was there any reason for constructing an observation deck? The pier was to have a turbine at the top of the observation deck that would produce energy that would be fed into the electricity grid. The city would not get any money for that electricity but it would not have to pay for the electricity it used.
A mammoth screw up within the Engineering department led to a situation that had BurlingtonGreen asking – pleading actually, that the turbine be maintained. Mayor Goldring thought the time for this type of energy initiative had come and gone and said at the time there might be some way to put something solar beside the pier – but that thought came to nothing.
If there was not going to be a turbine on the pier then there was no need for the observation deck either. There was a missed opportunity to cut a significant chunk out of the construction cost; the observation deck doesn’t add all that much to the pier.
Goldring is pleased with the re-launch of the Economic Development Corporation. It took far too long to dismiss the former Executive Director and get a new crew in place. Frank McKeown, the Mayor’s former chief of staff, was appointed to the position last June and there hasn’t been a single media release other than to announce a luncheon/networking event that had been scheduled before McKeown was appointed. (We stand partly corrected on this one – the BEDC did release the September Newsletter this morning.)
Senior staff and city council realize it has a lot of work to do to bring new business to the city. In 2012, 2013 – and probably the numbers for 2014 will show net negative growth in the tax revenue from the industrial, commercial and institutional sector of the tax base.
 The Mayor knows the city needs more commercial and industrial development – getting it is proving to be the tough part. Is the Mayor out there selling hard enough? The city cannot cover its costs from the residential sector – it must get more from the commercial side – and while there is some construction taking place – it doesn’t appear to be enough.
There doesn’t seem to be any sense of urgency; there is what Deborah Pickfield, head of Thinkspot, calls a “high level of complacency”. But the Mayor is happy with the way things are going.
When he came to office Mayor Goldring said he would keep tax increases to 10% and he did that – thank goodness Ward five Councillor Paul Sharman forced a 0% increase during the first year of this council’s term. Had he not done that the city would have experienced something in the order of 15% increase over the four year term.
 Mayor Goldring took out one of those fancy pocket calculators that gives you whatever number you want and said during our interview that “over the four years the city experienced tax increases that were 15% less than inflation. And if you add up the numbers the way Goldring did – he is not wrong.
To get that 15% Goldring adds all the levels of government that tax you. The Region of Halton did not increase their tax level – which made the Burlington numbers look quite good.
Goldring takes credit for how well he has communicated with the community – and on that level he has done very well. He has taken to social media in a big way – not sure how many people are actually getting the message, but he is certainly sending out the signal.
His Inspire Burlington series of speakers was a very good idea. Goldring brought people like Ken Greenberg, a noted planner and Andre Picard, the best public health thinker we have in this country to Burlington. Goldring didn’t say if he was going to continue the program in the next term.
 Mayor Goldring chats with then Minister of Transportation Kathleen Wynne. He wasn’t buying what she was selling then. Now that Wynne is Premier can the Mayor develop the relationship? One time provincial Liberal candidate Karmel Sakran, stands between Goldring and Wynne. Rick Goldring has always been an environmentalist. He once ran as a candidate for the Green party.
He takes more credit than he deserves for stopping the HGTA highway the province was thinking about ramming through the Escarpment from Kilbride into Lowville. John Taylor, Councillor for Ward three, was the stronger player on that file. During that period of time the Mayor was still getting the feel for the job.
Goldring takes the position that he was the person, who did all the talking to the province.
He wants credit as well for the decision not to allow a Nelson quarry expansion. That magnificent community response was due more to the PERL (Preserving the Escarpment and Rural Lands) crowd. The city did spend a lot of money on the legal side of that dispute.
 When Mayor Goldring first saw the small mountain of earth on this Appleby Line property he was reported to have said he was “appalled”. Is the city going to be able to resolve the problem or are they looking at yet another court case? The site plan problems with the Air Park is something Goldring wants credit for as well. The city did a great job on that file, but as I sat through council meetings I never got the sense that the mayor was leading that parade. City staff found themselves with a serious problem that, truth be told, they should have been on top of – but when north Burlington residents made enough noise the then city manager Jeff Fielding directed general manager Scott Stewart to make things happen – and things did happen.
City hall and the Region bought into the Vince Rossi Kool Aid and drank heavily from that bottle, believing that the Air Park was federally regulated and there was nothing the city could do. It was Ward six candidate for Council Vanessa Warren, who did the research and made it clear to the city that the Air Park ownership was wrong.
 Mayor Goldring feels now that not accepting the pay raises that were due in 2010 and 2011 was “perhaps a mistake”. A Mayor truly in touch with his community would have had his ear closer to the ground and seen this one coming. However, once informed the city did move on the file and won the two court cases.
Burlington has achieved a result that will benefit every municipality in the country – which is a much more laudable thing to have said of us than that “best medium sized city in the country”.
Mayor Goldring was very effective in working with the other municipalities to develop a revised site plan by law that should go into effect next week.
While the Mayor wasn’t tuned in enough with the residents of north Burlington, he is now on top of that file and expects to work with people at the federal and provincial levels to come up with plans that have the city at the table, when whatever development is going to be done at the air park is decided.
Mayor Goldring is proud of the new City View Park which will be the location for soccer team practices during the PanAm games. Burlington was/will be paid $1 million for the use of the park while training takes place. But the public will not be allowed on the grounds while the teams practice.
It is a sterling park and over time the city will become very proud of it – the work up there isn’t completed yet.
 The Cootes Paradise and the Randall Reef are two projects dear to the Mayor’s heart. The Randall Reef, while actually in Hamilton, has been polluting Burlington Bay water for years. It is the second worst toxic site in Canada. The huge glob of toxic sludge is to be capped with a massive concrete box that will seal everything. “Over time” said the Mayor “the water Burlington uses will be much cleaner and safer.” The Region’s water treatment facilities ensure that our water is safe – so there isn’t a problem. The sealing of that toxic sludge ensure that it won’t work its way into the water system.
 The Goldring family whoops it up the night of the 2010 election. Same scene for 2014? Mayor Goldring is proud of the Community Energy Plan and he has every right to be proud. Did you know that Burlington has a community energy plan and do you have any idea as to what it is going to do for you? Didn’t think so.
That plan is a solid initiative that came about because some very smart people put their minds to a serious problem. It is very good forward thinking – but nothing seems to be happening. On the energy front what Burlingtonians did see happen was a request by Burlington Hydro for a rate increase to cover the cost of cleaning up from the ice storm last December.
Tomorrow we will write about what the Mayor has in mind for the next four years – assuming he wins more votes than the other two candidates.
Rick Goldring’s re-election web site.
Links:
That turbine on the pier.
 By Staff
September 19, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
On Wednesday September 17th 2014, members of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau investigated a reported $10,000 credit card fraud that had occurred at the Arctic Spa’s on Fraser Drive in Burlington. The company deals in hot tubs and high end outdoor and indoor saunas.
The investigation led police to a storage locker in Niagara Falls where three men were arrested for fraud and a quantity of fraudulently obtained merchandise along with counterfeit credit cards were seized.
Police later executed search warrants on two rooms at a Niagara Falls motel and a quantity of gift cards, receipts, laptop and a card reader were among some of the items seized.
The three men arrested and charged are from Quebec and all were held for bail.
Arrested/Charged:
Mouhammad SAID (22 yrs) of Valleyfield Quebec
Hassan SAID (24 yrs) of Valleyfield Quebec
Dominic GAUTHIER (24 yrs) of Montreal Quebec
Charges:
Fraud Over $5000
Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data
Possession of Instruments of Forgery
Possession of credit card obtained by Crime (3 counts)
Unauthorized possession of credit card data (10 counts)
Fail to Comply with Recognizance (2 counts – GAUTHIER only)
The police expect to lay more charges.
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