 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 15, 2013 City council meets in its committee setting this week. Monday they meet in the afternoon as the Community Services Committee and in the evening they meet as the Development and Infrastructure Committee. Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward is neither the Chair or the vice Chair of either of these committees – so she gets to talk as a normal member of council.
The last time city council met – as a full Council the Mayor had a problem with the amount of time Meed Ward was talking and, after being alerted by the Clerk, interrupted Meed Ward to tell her she was basically talking too much and outside the time limit permitted by the city’s Procedural Bylaw – the Bible on what council members can and cannot do.
At the time Meed Ward was stunned.
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward works the phone the way few Councillors do; manages to overspend on her postage budget, filled her voice mail box the first week she was at city hall and has now been found to have over spent on the amount of time she speaks. There is just no end to this woman. We asked her after the Council meeting if she had any comment and she replied she would be following up on what the Mayor and the city Clerk had done.
Burlington’s city council and committee hold what they call “pre-meeting” at which they go over the agenda and discuss the likely flow of events. If you thought everything happened naturally at either Council or committee meetings – you are indeed gullible. Every politician prefers to control the agenda – which to some degree is what the pre-meets as they are called are about.
We asked Meed Ward a few questions via email and got the following responses:
Was there a pre-meet before the Council meeting?
Yes. There is a pre-meeting for every committee & council meeting to discuss the flow of the agenda. Only the chair/vice-chair, clerk and senior staff attend those meetings. In the case of council, the mayor, clerk (Angela) city manager (Jeff fielding) at minimum would be there and perhaps others.
If there was did you attend?
No. Council members do not attend any pre-meeting except one in which they serve as a chair/vice-chair. So, for example, I attend the Budget and Corporate Services committee pre-meeting with chair Councillor Taylor, but not any of the other committee or council pre-meetings. Raises a good point though – there is technically no “vice chair” of council. There is the rotating deputy mayor. In theory the D.M. could attend the pre-meeting. Hasn’t come up before. I’m deputy mayor for April. Interesting.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 15, 2013 The people behind the Save the Escarpment Highway Coalition (SEHC) would have been dancing around their chairs had they been at the Transportation Futures Conference in Toronto last week when Minister of Infrastructure, Glenn Murray said “We’re still very focused on highway development. We’re still very focused in Canada on last century kinds of infrastructure” and later added that “If we think we’re going to do this on a model of build it and they will come we will be spending a lot of money to get poor results. If we go to the model of build it where they want to go, we’ll have a very financially sustainable system.
 Probably no need to do another print run of these signs but keep the inventory you have – Tim Hudak might come out of the woodwork. Back during the last provincial election current Premier Kathleen Wynne, who was the Minister of Transportation then, said the MOT had to begin thinking of something other than roads when they thought of transportation. Ontario might just have a minister who is overseeing the building of our transportation systems who is going to change the way we think about transportation and how we move people from place to place.
Glenn Murray, formerly Mayor of Winnipeg for six years, understand cities and the problems related to moving people from where they live to where they work. When he was made Minister of Infrastructure in the Wynne government he had to tackle the problem that is $34 billion short of its funding needs.
 The province has $50 billion worth of transit and transportation plans it believes we need – just $16 billion of that is funded. Transit is not free but will we re-elect a government that insists we pay for it? The province has plans that will cost $50 billion to complete with $16 billion of that amount funded – they are looking for a way to raise the balance of $34 billion. Murray adds that transit is not free and that without the right mix of land use and transportation the economy Ontario needs isn’t going to happen. He points to Pittsburgh, which is not unlike Hamilton – just on a smaller scale. Murray explained to his audience that “The pace of change is sometimes hard to understand. I always suggest that people look at Pittsburgh, which is during the first stage of going through the major economic transformation and gives you a little sense of what’s coming at us in the not too distant future. Pittsburgh in the 1983 and 1984 saw 104 steel mills close in 24 months. As a result of that the city dropped from a population of just over 700,000 to about 360,000.
 By Staff
MILTON – Hilton Falls Conservation Area is getting ready to kick off the 2013 Mountain Biking season with its 14th Annual Spokes and Slopes All-Weather Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, April 21.
There are a variety of categories including, ages 10 and under, teen, and adult, with a choice of long or short courses. Stick around after the race for a BBQ lunch and some great prizes!
Race sign-in starts at 8 a.m. on the day of the Spokes and Slopes All-Weather Challenge and the first race gets underway at approximately 9:30 a.m.
 Hilton Falls Mountain Bike All-Weather Challenge – April 21st Participants can register for the All-Weather Challenge online through the Conservation Halton Events Calendar, www.conservationhalton.ca/events, and clicking on All-Weather Challenge. You can also call Hilton Falls Conservation Area at 905-854-0262 for more information or to register.
Participants looking to practice can come out and test the track for the All-Weather Challenge in a pre-race ride from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Course maps will be available at the Hilton Falls gatehouse. The pre-race ride will be held as long as Trail Conditions permit.
Hilton Falls Conservation Area will be closed to the public during the All-Weather Challenge on Sunday, April 21 until 1:30 p.m.
 Hockey players at the Atom A level erupting when Becky Kellar, the speaker for the event, told the crowd that she “hated the Canadiens”. The young players appear to have shared her view. By Staff
Picture of the week is a banquet hall full of boys and girls at a hockey banquet with parents on hand to at least try and keep some of the noise down and they succeeded until Becky Kellar, an Olympic level hockey player who won 3 Gold and one Silver medals between 1998 and 2010 told her audience: “I hate the Montreal Canadiens” – and the room erupted.
The energy and the enthusiasm was electric as players who were taking part in the hockey season finals banquet for which Burlington was the host community.
Kellar was telling the boys and girls that a true athlete never gives up and that they also get up off the ground when they fall and push forward.
She was there to give one of those motivational speeches that only proven athletes can give – because they have been there and understand what it takes to get up and give more to whatever the sport happens to be. The room with teams that were in the Ontario Hockey Federation Provincial Atom A finals and were in Burlington to play over the weekend came from:
West London Hawks
Cobourg Cougars
Credit Valley Wolves
Temiskaming Puckhounds
The Burlington Bulldogs were the host team.
Unfortunately Burlington was knocked out in the semis but it could have gone either way. It was a tie at the end of the third and they lost to West London 4-3 in overtime.
The practice now at these events is to have a “loot bag” for all the participants which this year included a copy of The Hockey Sweater by Roch Carrier, paid for by local dentist Berta Bacic.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON April 13, 2013. People across the province and the province itself are gearing up for the National Energy Board (NEB) hearings that are expected to take place sometime in August, to hear an application from Enbridge Pipelines to both reverse the direction of the flow in their pipeline and to be allowed to transport diluted bitumen through Line 9 which runs from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal for a length of 836 km. The portion of that line, known as Line 9b, runs from the Westover, Hamilton terminal, crosses the Beverly wetlands and enters Burlington at the Medad Valley, and continues across the crest of the Burlington Escarpment between Side Roads No. 1 and 2, and flanks the north side of the 407 and 401 highways through Oakville and into the GTA.
Nicole Goodman, a mother and Burlington resident is heading up a group of Burlington citizens that want to invite other residents interested in collaborating or supporting an application to express local concerns at NEB hearings.
 The 407 is about all there is to protect many of the Burlington communities from any oil spill. Residents want to be assured that the pipeline is safe enough to carry dilbit oil and that there are plans in place to handle a spill. The NEB has a policy on who can attend the hearings. People can take part as “interveners” or they can apply to be able to submit a letter. The province has announced that it intends to take part as an “intervener” while the city of Burlington has decided it will submit a letter setting out its concerns.
While submitting a letter might not appear to be very much those letters become part of the record that will be used by the NEB to decide if they will grant the permit Enbridge needs to reverse the flow of the pipeline and transport oil from Alberta.
The NED has not made the process very easy. The application you have to send in to get permission to send a letter runs ten pages long, but it is not as tough as it sounds according to Emily Ferguson, a McMaster University geography student who has been following this issue for some time.
 Emily Ferguson, a McMaster University graduate (last exam next week) has been covering the National Energy Board process and the Enbridge Pipeline public hearings for some time. Expect to hear more from her on this subject. Ferguson’s home town is Kingston but her Hamilton residence gives her a look at the bigger picture and she can understand the damage to Burlington and its Escarpment and the potential for serious damage whether that pipe line crosses the Moira River in Belleville and the Cataraqui river or the Ottawa river
Her studies as a geography student certainly don’t hurt either but most effective is the way she digs down a little deeper to see what is happening at the ground level. Ferguson is applying for intervener status and Our Burlington is getting her media credentials so she can cover all the hearings.
By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. April 13, 2013. Love of community and heartfelt appreciation of their fellow employees was a constant theme by winners at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala that was held on Thursday April 11th. From third generation Burlingtonians to more recent arrivals, the theme of Burlington being a great place to work and live was genuinely repeated throughout the evening. With over 425 people in attendance, the event was widely enjoyed by all present. The nominees and winners in each category follows: .
Service Award for companies with more than 25 employees
Finalist
Ampersand Group
Neelands Refrigeration Limited
The Idea Factor Inc.
Winner
Neelands Refrigeration Limited.
 Neelands Refrigeration: a move from 10,000 sq feet to 43,000 made them a bigger and more proactive company. Improvement enough to garner them an award The company recently moved from a 10,000 to 43,000 square foot facility in North Burlington; a reflection of the growth this privately owned 55-year-old company has experienced. Working closely with their customers, this distributor of refrigeration units helps in the design and location of a variety of refrigeration units within a store and then gets the equipment into place. Offering one stop shopping and being in the forefront of technology has been one of the main reasons for the growth said Noel Neelands as he accepted the award on behalf of the company. Neelands use LED lighting and CO2 natural refrigerant which are both environmentally friendly, and more economical.
Service Award for Companies under 25 Employees
Finalists
AIS Solutions
Pat’s Party Rentals
Seferian Design Group
Winner
Seferian Design Group
 Staff from Seferian Design admire the award that will be displayed in their lobby and get mentioned in all the sales literature. These awards do make a difference. A collective shout of elation was heard as this company was announced as the winner of this award. Seferian was established in 1992 and now has a client list of well of a 100. The company excels at landscape architecture and design and has been beautifying residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the GTA and beyond. “Our small staff, with input from everyone and the use of 3D simulation, has been the key to our success” said Haig Seferian while accepting the award.
 By Pepper Parr
While it might be Toronto doing all the howling about transit and grid lock, Premier Kathleen Wynne understands that it is people from Burlington and surrounding communities that clog the QEW – and it is no longer just during the rush hours.
As part of a reach out program the Premier held a conference call with area media and took questions from about ten of us – the focus was to be on HGTA – Hamilton Greater Toronto Area, and its transit issues.
During the last provincial election Wynne, who was Minister of Transportation at the time, told the political Pooh-Bahs that she wanted her transportation thinkers to see beyond roads – a view shared by many in the community. At the time the focus on the community activists was to ensure that there was no road through the Escarpment and they have succeeded in putting a stop to the development of any actual plans to build a road.
 There didn’t appear to be much attraction in this photo taken during the provincial election. Wynne, on the right, went on to become Premier of the province and Burlington wants to know now more than ever what her transit priorities really are. The thinking at the MOT was always conceptual but that kind of thinking tends to end up with a surveyor out in a field with instruments measuring where a road might go. We won’t see anything like that for the next five years but that infamous map with that green arrow in it is still in one of their files somewhere and it is still in the Region’s Official Plan. And as long as that arrow is there – it’s a real option.
 That yellow arrow pointing to where an Escarpment highway could go is still in the Region’s Official Plan. During the conference call this morning the Premier said that studies were still taking place at the Ministry – we already knew that – and that she wants her people to look at all the options. There are people in the community who are not yet convinced that all the options are being looked at – and that what in now the Ministry of Transportation – was once the Ministry of Highways – has not yet gotten beyond seeing the problem as roads and the solution as more roads.
Wynne said her commitment to transit was “rock solid” and mentioned her time in Holland where it was more convenient to ride a bike that drive a car. “Change will take place” she said “when it is convenient to take public transit.” Throughout the conference call the Premier talked about how all the needs are going to be paid for and added that the government has not been consistent in providing funds for the ongoing needs. “We are playing catch up now” she said.
How we pay for that “catching up” is a major concern for this government. “My fear” said the Premier “is that we have a lot of projects out there but we don’t have the funding for them in place yet.
Road tolls have been mentioned, parking at the GO stations – these are now called “tools” that can be used to raise funds to pay for projects. One reporter asked if an increase to the provincial income tax was in the works and went on to suggest this was a more progressive way to raise the funds as opposed to the more regressive fees and flat taxes that have been discussed.
 By Walter Byj
BURLINGTON, ON. April 11, 2013. As with all organizations, there is a time to work and a time to celebrate. The movies have the Oscars, music has the Grammys” and sports have their all-star games and in some cases, award banquets.
Although they may be self congratulating and cliquish, there is sense and reason to pat yourself and your competitor on the back.
 Members of the commercial community gather at the Burlington Convention Centre to celebrate and recognize each other during the Chamber of Commerce Awards evening.
And so, on a cold and wintry spring evening, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce held its’ business Excellence Awards and recognized those companies that excelled in Burlington over the past year. The awards and the corresponding winners are as the following:
Mayor’s Community Service Award- Not for Profit –
Burlington Green Environmental Association
Burlington Economic Development Corporation
First Award for Business Investment
Fusenet Inc.
Burlington Economic Development Corporation
First Award for Business Expansion – Global Mobility Products Inc.
Burlington Economic Development Corporation and Export Development Corporation First Business Export Award –
Etratech
Tourism Ambassador Award –
Burlington Eagles
Service Award (25 or more employees)
Neelands Refrigeration
Service Award (fewer than 25 employees)
Seferian Design Group
Manufacturer (25 or more employees)
Apex Composites Inc.
Manufacturer (fewer than 25 employees)
MarShield Radiation Protection and Storage Products.
Retail/Wholesale (25 or more employees)
Throat Threads Apparel
Retail/Wholesale (fewer than 25 employees)
The UPS Store #89
Employer of the Year –
O.C. Tanner Recognition Company Limited
It was a long evening, the business people had a fine time – the awards were both merited and it was interesting to watch the reaction at the different corporate tables.
I will file a more detailed piece in the morning.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. April 11, 2013 Just a little after midnight on Wednesday April 10, 2013 a Halton officer was driving a police cruiser southbound on Walkers Line just south of Upper Middle Road when a vehicle sped westbound out of a townhouse complex, across three lanes of traffic and nearly struck the officer’s vehicle.
The officer took evasive action to avoid a collision and eventually managed to stop the vehicle just north of Country Club Drive, after the vehicle mounted a curb and came to rest against a pole. That sounds as if the pole stopped the car.
Kassandra OSBORNE, 22 yrs, faces charges of Impaired Driving and Over 80 mgs.
Ms Osborne will have some explaining to do, won’t she?
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 11, 2013 – Conservation Halton issued the following Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook today at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday April 10th
Conservation Halton advises that Environment Canada is forecasting rain for the Greater Toronto Area for the next few days. Rainfall amounts are predicted to be between 25 to 40mm starting this evening and throughout tomorrow. Thursday and Friday are also predicted to be wet in nature with a mix of rain and snow. Precipitation values are forecasted to be approximately 40mm.
The majority of the creeks in the watershed are running at near seasonal levels but are expected to increase with the forecasted rainfall. These conditions will result in increased flows and water levels rising to near bankfull in our creeks and will result in dangerous conditions along all watercourses. Widespread flooding is not anticipated however localized flooding can be expected in low-lying and flood prone areas.
Conservation Halton’s reservoirs are still in range of seasonal levels and have storage capacity available.
Conservation Halton is asking all residents and children to stay away from all watercourses and structures such as bridges, culverts and dams. Elevated water levels, fast flowing water, and slippery conditions along stream banks continue to make these locations extremely dangerous. Please alert children in your care of these imminent dangers.
Conservation Halton will continue to monitor stream and weather conditions and will issue further messages as necessary.
Conservation Halton will issue an update to this Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook message only if significant changes in the forecasts occur. This Watershed Condition Statement will be in effect through to Sunday, April 14, 2013.
The Region, in their media release titled: “Take steps to be prepared for the severe weather” had this to say:
 How many people sit in the Regional offices writing media releases that do not get read and are probably not needed. Environment Canada has issued a winter storm watch for Halton Region with the risk of rain changing to ice pellets mixed with freezing rain before morning. Conservation Halton has issued a flood watch and is asking residents to stay away from streams, rivers, bridges, culverts and dams.
“Halton Region’s Emergency Management team is closely monitoring the storm and Environment Canada forecasts and is in contact with partner agencies,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Residents can take steps to be prepared, like having emergency kits ready, ensuring downspouts are clear and sump pumps are working properly.”
Flooding, freezing rain and ice pellets can make driving hazardous, residents are advised to be cautious and avoid unnecessary travel.
Prior to the storm residents can take the following steps:
Check the radio, television or halton.ca/beprepared for updates, information or instructions.
Stock up on water and ready-to-eat food, as well as battery-powered or wind-up flashlights and radios – and extra batteries. In other words, have an Emergency Go-Kit and a Shelter-in-Place/Stay at Home Kit in your home. Keep an Emergency Car Survival Kit in your car and your gas tank filled above halfway.
During the storm residents can follow these tips:
If you must travel, be sure to allow extra time and let someone know your route and expected arrival time. Check weather and road reports before you leave.
Stay at least 10 metres away from a fallen power line, even if it doesn’t appear to be live and report it to your local utility. If you experience a power outage, contact your local utility.
 Will one of these fine faces stand up at the next meeting of the Regional Council and ask if a weather advisory is really necessary? During storms, the Halton Regional Police Service frequently receives 911 calls reporting damage to trees or property. Unless the storm has caused immediate danger or risk to someone’s personal safety, dial 311 rather than 911.
You can stay up to date on the storm by checking www.halton.ca/beprepared, by monitoring Halton’s Twitter feed @BPreparedHaltonExternal Link or by listening for the latest warnings and advisories on radio or television, or dialing 311.
How much of this is actually read? Do people not get this information on radio?
Is there a “public service case” for having this kind of information written and distributed?
People get paid with taxpayers dollars to put these releases together. Is the public getting value for money or is this just another way for the Regional Chair to get his name in print and be seen as doing his job? Just asking.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON April 11, 2013 The weekend of April 20th BurlingtonGreen hopes to have 10,000 people out on the streets, the ravines and the vacant lots picking up trash that has accumulated or been left on the ground by irresponsible people.
They call the event their CleanUp, GreenUp and this year they have added a new, interesting twist that gives the GreenUp part of the event real oomph. BurlingtonGreen, in partnership with the City of Burlington and Conservation Halton will be hosting a Green Up event at Beachway Park thanks to the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund.
 Part of the team that is going to be out on the Beachway planting shrubs and native plants Saturday April 20th. Up to 100 people can sign up to participate in this rewarding stewardship event to improve the coastal environment of Lake Ontario’s shoreline by picking up litter, removing invasive species and planting native grasses, shrubs and trees. Those interested in participating are asked to register.
Why Green-up? The removal of invasive species is important because they compromise the ecological balance of the region and put native species that exist in the area at risk. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, invasive species move into ecosystems and take over, killing some native species. They disrupt food webs, degrade habitat, introduce parasites and disease and lead to species at risk. Globally, only habitat loss is a bigger threat to biodiversity.
Advantages of planting native trees, shrubs and grasses will help to restore the area by providing food and habitat for native wildlife, protecting water quality by controlling soil erosion and they add beauty to the landscape while preserving our natural heritage.
 It is locations like this at Beachway Park where the vegetation is sparse and the sands constantly shift that shrubs and flora native to the sands will be planted Saturday April 20th. Beachway Park is a special place, sometimes referred to as the jewel of the city. It is a popular spot for walking, beach activities and special events. The beach itself is part of a formation called a Baymouth Bar, which is a pure sand feature, formed through natural processes of erosion and deposition.
The Beachway community is currently the focus of a study being done by the Region along with Conservation Halton to determine what kind of a community people want in that part of the city. It’s clear what BurlingtonGreen wants – a place that is as natural as it can be with flora that works with the land mass.
If you have what it takes to bend over and plant shrubs – put your name down for this one – and let the family know that you will be in the tub for an hour or so after you’ve done your shift.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 11, 2013. The people on Indian Point want the trees they have kept. The residents in the Orchard wanted their trees kept but the bulldozer got to them before the citizens could do very much. The people in Roseland are determined to keep their trees and Councillor Lancaster says she was once prepared to stand in front of the heavy piece of equipment that was taking the trees out – all 5 feet 3 inches of her.
 This is what people want in Burlington. Most of these trees are on city property. Should there be a bylaw to protect trees like this on public property? Burlington, on the surface at least – wants to keep its trees, but there really isn’t a passionate advocate – at least not on city council. Say Escarpment and the name John Taylor jumps out at you. Say downtown core and Councillor Marianne Meed Ward is all over you with Councillor Jack Dennison mumbling that the trees are important but – business is business. Mayor Goldring, who positions himself as an environmentalist, certainly doesn’t come across as a champion you do not want to trifle with.
We say nice things about trees – but we have yet to see significant action – except for the work the bureaucrats at city hall have begun.
Did you know that unlike Oakville and Toronto, Burlington has no bylaw to protect trees located on private properties?
As our City approaches growth capacity, development pressures continue to climb and more trees are being cut down. BurlingtonGreen is advocating for the establishment of an effective private property tree bylaw – they are the strongest tree advocates the city has.
The City of Burlington has embarked on an ambitious Private Tree By-law feasibility review. It is an ambitious project and they want to hear from the public – I should hope so.
The review will explore options that provide a balance between allowing for the reasonable use and enjoyment of private property, while addressing public concerns about tree cutting and the need to protect trees citywide.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON April 10, 2013 In just over a month, the umpire at the Nelson High ball park will bark out – “play ball” and the third season of Burlington’s InterCounty Baseball League (IBL) in Burlington will begin.
 Is Burlington going to see some “bad guy” baseball this summer. Bandits open at home May 11th. The team now has new owners, a new name and a whole new approach to promoting semi-pro baseball in the city.
The team has announced an agreement with Cogeco Cable that will have TVCOGECO broadcast select games during the 2013 season.
Robinson explains that he became the majority owner the original group felt the team needed more local, hands on direction and he certainly has some big plans. His opening day line-up of not only player but of special events will both surprise and delight many in this city.
“The Bandits, were known as the Twins in their first two years of IBL play in Burlington before being bought and renamed by Scott Robinson during the off-season. The team opens their 42-game season 2013 schedule in Guelph on Saturday, May 4. The home opener will be played Saturday, May 11 at Nelson Park at 2 p.m. against the London Majors.
 Thursday and Saturday’s – baseball nights at Nelson High park. The IBL was established in 1919 and has proven to be a great league for younger players to develop their skills and move on up into the majors. For the many mid-size communities it offers good sports at very attractive prices – a great affordable way to get the family out for an afternoon of good clean fun.
All the rain we’ve had this past two days doesn’t make one think baseball, but if you listen closely and let your imagination work for you – you can hear the crack of a maple baseball bat smacking the ball and watch that ball arc into the air – and who knows if it will be caught – a double play perhaps?
“Play ball!”
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 10, 2013 It was 33 years ago this Friday that a young man dipped his foot into the Atlantic Ocean and starting off on his remarkable Marathon of Hope.
A short 143 days and 5,373 kilometres (3,339 mi), after wetting that one good foot we lost Terry Fox but today have one of the greatest examples of what hope and the human spirit can achieve.
 Terry Fox, dipping the one foot he had into the Atlantic ocean. He died 143 days later and taught us what hope could achieve. The annual Terry Fox Run, first held in 1981, has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries and is now the world’s largest one-day fundraiser for cancer research; over C$500 million has been raised in his name.
 Can’t say much more than that – can we? Burlington holds its annual Terry Fox run where hundreds of people show up. Fine event.
The Terry Fox organization that raises funds for a cancer cure is encouraging all Canadians to mark April 12th with a Terry Fox inspired activity – go for a walk with your family, help someone out, share your feelings about Terry on social media.
Let them know what you did by posting a story and/or a picture on the Terry Fox Facebook page on Friday.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 9, 2013. There is something about Jack Dennison that makes one shake their heads. He is a proven businessman, runs the Cedar Springs Health and Raquet Club and likes to do business deals. He gets a kick out of putting together small property developments.
He knows as much about every building in the city’s inventory as anyone at city hall – and then some.
He lives his beliefs. And he lives in a home that he is proud to tell anyone who will listen that his home is designated as an historic property.
Dennison is physically fit. He blades to places, rides his bike with his partner on three and four-day events. Come election time – Jack goes through his ward on his bike.
During the 2008 recession and the years that followed,  those were tough times and Dennison needed all the cash available to keep Cedar Springs afloat. In not paying his taxes he was basically borrowing money from the city – which has got to be a bit of a conflict of interest when you sit as a council member but there was nothing illegal about what he did. Good business actually; not usually good politics but it didn’t seem to hurt Dennison at the polls the following election.
 Ward 4 Councillor Jack Dennison has always been a strong advocate of roads being built for both bikes and cars. Many of his constituents didn’t share his viewpoint. Dennison is a strong believer in bicycles and cars sharing the road – and when there was a movement to put dedicated bicycle lanes on Lakeshore Road, which is where Dennison lives, he had a fight on his hands with his neighbours. Dennison lost that fight but history, we believe, will show that he has been right on this issue.
 This is where the rubber hits the road for the BurlingtonGreen people. Get your supplies, get registered and add to the CleanUp-GreenUp collection.  By Staff
BURLINGTON,ON. April 9, 2013 BurlingtonGreen, this city’s award winning community organization wants this year’s GreenUp Clean Up event to be the best one yet.
The event will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2013. Schools and businesses can participate anytime from April 15 – 20th . This annual city-wide event is a terrific, rewarding opportunity to get out and meet your neighbours, make new friends and make a difference to help the planet locally. We will provide free supplies for your clean up and all participants are invited to attend a Thank You Celebration at City Hall afterwards from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. where there will be a complimentary BBQ and refreshments, a free raffle, various eco-displays and activities for children.
100 lucky volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in a Beachway Park “Green Up” event as part of the April 20, Community Clean Up Green Up day! Thanks to the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund, we are working with Conservation Halton and the City of Burlington to acquire native plants to put in the hands of volunteers to improve the coastal habitat of Lake Ontario right here in Burlington.
All schools and groups that register to participate and send in a photo of their clean up “in action” will be entered into a draw for a chance to win great prizes courtesy of Tim Horton’s. After the event, the action photos will be displayed on our popular Green Wall of Fame on the BurlingtonGreen website for all to enjoy.
There are a couple of hoops you have to go through to get yourself or your group registered – but once you get the hang of the BurlingtonGreen website everything you need or want to know is set out there for you: supplies and where you can do the GreenUp-CleanUp. It is all there in almost exhaustive detail.
 The get together at city hall is very close to the best attended citizen’s event in the city – even when it’s raining – people show up.
This event is Burlington at it’s very best – we don’t need any magazine to tell us how good we can be. See it all at city hall – after you’ve done the Clean up so that the city can Green Up.
Ray Rivers was seen pontificating with a bunch of Burlington Liberals Saturday morning before he headed into Toronto for the Liberal Party of Canada Showcase where the six candidates running for the leadership of the party were giving their final speeches. We asked Ray to give us a first person report on the event. Ray, still with a belly full of fire for politics, reports:
 By Ray Rivers.
TORONTO,ON. April 9, 2013 I could feel the mood as I descended the stairs from old Union Station to the near vacuous bowel of a structure, that is the Toronto Convention Centre. Trudeau volunteers were everywhere, waving their skinny balloons, and making rallying noises. They were mostly young people, which was so delightful to see. The woman on the TV the night before, told us the Liberals would have trouble filling the seats at this event, and she was right. The rows of seats were dispersed as best they could to disguise that the attendance was not what had been hoped.
At $150. per ticket, for which didn’t even get a bottle of water, let alone coffee and a doughnut, the low turnout was not a surprise but a disappointment. There was this overly lengthy tribute to departing interim leader Bob Rae – sure, he deserves recognition, but hey, I thought we were coming to listen to the candidates. Then the organizers allowed twenty-five minutes for each of the butt-numbing speeches. They were all good, of course, though I have to admit that I ran off to an ad hoc meeting and missed the last two speeches. But then, like the rest of the crowd there, I was pretty sure that it wouldn’t matter. Somebody in the Party needs to take a serious look at how they plan these events.
Joyce Murray had the most effective video and gave a very good speech. She cautiously and slowly walked the crowd through her vision of co-operating with the NDP and Greens in order to beat Harper at the polls next time. But it is a complicated matter, and so innovative, that I doubt some of the regular folks got it – or felt comfortable with it. Joyce spoke of her commitment to small business and the environment and I couldn’t help thinking what a brilliant environment minister she would make in the next Liberal government.
 The country watched as another Trudeau headed towards the leadership of a political party Then came Justin, with a huge gaggle of groupies, Trudeau scarves casually around their necks, clapping their skinny balloons and chanting, as their hopeful gracefully climbed onto the stage and proceeded to inspire everyone with his speech. He was confident and positive and delivered his well-written speech with passion and power. Knowing the question was in everyone’s mind he commented about his father, saying that his campaign was about Pierre, then added just as it was about all of the parents (of the younger of us, I guess) – that it was about restoring Canada to the glory days before Stephen Harper screwed it up. Perhaps he was just anticipating the Tory attack-ads coming the Monday following the vote count, but it certainly struck a chord with me – nice twist on a theme.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 8, 2013 It was a rambunctious meeting. City Council was preparing to vote on a decision made in committee to approve the Ghent Avenue development that will have 58 townhouses going into a space that formerly had 8 houses on it. More than 100 well-developed trees would be cut down
It was controversial when it was discussed in the community; it was controversial when it was discussed at council committee and it was no less controversial last night – it still passed – but not before council went into one of its longest closed sessions.
 Several of the houses that were bought up for the development that has 8 such homes being replaced by a townhouse project with 58 residences. Council knew this was not going to be a popular decision. At the committee level it had asked for a legal opinion on the chances of this matter being appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). If Council decided to go against the Staff recommendation the city was certain the developer would take the matter to the OMB. If Council approved the development the city felt the residents might appeal to the OMB.
 Rambo Creek, which runs along the eastern edge of the properties assembled, was a point of considerable discussion as to how flooding would be controlled – the city was never quite on top of that issue either.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. April 9, 2013. It was almost slick – if a little underhanded – the kind of thing we used to see with a previous Mayor.
While Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward was talking about one of the finer points of the Ghent Avenue development the Mayor looked directly at the Clerk, nodded his head and the Clerk nodded back at which point the Mayor interrupted Councillor Meed Ward and brought to her attention that she had gone beyond the 15 minutes of discussion she was permitted under the city’s procedural by-law.
Meed Ward was a little stunned and I don’t think she was fully aware of what had just been done to her.
At full Council meetings the Mayor presides and recognizes different speakers. The city manager is in attendance and he is there to address Council on how the administration would handle an issue.
The Clerk plays a vital, semi-judicial and administrative role. If Council passes a bylaw it isn’t in force until the Clerk signs the document.
 Angela Morgan, Clerk, city of Burlington; powerful position. She runs the municipal elections, she has the power to tell the Mayor what he is doing is wrong and advise him publicly not to do so. She made the mistake on Monday of letting her Mayor mislead her. The Clerk is the person the Mayor, or any member of Council for that matter, turns to for an interpretation of the rules. The Clerk has an assistant who takes the minutes but it is the Clerk who has final say on almost anything and everything.
Angela Morgan, Clerk for the city of Burlington; is an attentive, polite, informed bureaucrat. But Monday evening, April 8th 2013 – she did nothing to advance the civility of debate and discussion at Council meetings. This is not something she did on her own – the Mayor put her up to it.
One must admit that Meed Ward does run on – frequently. She has no friends at Council. Her Ward 2 colleague Rick Craven has absolutely no time for her. Councillor Taylor puts up with Meed Ward because he sees a lot of himself when he was a younger man in Meed Ward today.
Councillor Dennison and the Mayor treat her with the mildest respect possible or with total disdain – depending on the issue.
Monday evening there was a very divisive debate on the Ghent Avenue development, which is in Meed Ward’s ward and she wasn’t backing down.
 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 It isn’t a very pretty development and there are all kinds of issues surrounding the pre-sale of the 58 properties and the way the city chose to let the developer’s consultants provide much of the technical opinion.
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