 By Ray Rivers
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
When things go off the rails who do you call? Lisa Raitt, of course. Canada’s transport minister, was the woman on the job at the annual parliamentary press gallery dinner, as she rescued Green Party leader Elizabeth May from herself.
 Fortunately MP Elizabeth May has a good government pension which she will need because she will never make a living as a stand up comic. May, suffering from lack of sleep, had been at the microphone ranting about the sorry state of the fourth (fifth?) political party in Canada. Then she experienced a Rob Ford moment, trying to make something humorous out of Canada’s mistreatment and neglect of native son Omar Khadr. She had planned to play the theme song from a ’70’s sitcom – “Welcome Back Kotter”, and was hauled off the stage while screaming that Khadr had more integrity than the whole ‘f**king’ Harper Cabinet.
It was a dumb trick – no wonder it didn’t work for her. There is absolutely no connection between the fictional teacher Kotter and our child-soldier Khadr. The names are spelled differently and they don’t even sound the same. The crowd watched in disbelief as May’s little stunt collapsed like a deflated balloon. And May then had to be ushered off the stage by fellow east-coaster and parliamentary buddy, Raitt.
The parliamentary press gallery dinners have been troublesome and ofttimes embarrassing for Canada’s leaders over the years since the 1870’s when they first started. The idea of a forum for some good fun involving self-depreciation and ‘roasting’ of political leaders is similar to the US White House Correspondence Dinner, which it pre-dates by almost half a century.
William Lyon MacKenzie King used the event to announce his resignation. Pierre Trudeau apparently hated attending the dinners. Stephen Harper used to attend while in opposition, appearing once as a convincing Darth Vader, perhaps foretelling where he planned to take the nation if elected But he is AWOL now, as PM.
Elizabeth May has had an impressive record as a champion of the environment, even before she came to lead the two-seat Green Party. A one-time advisor to Mulroney’s environment minister Tom McMillan, she was instrumental in the creation of several national parks. May was awarded the the Order of Canada in 2005 and Newsweek magazine named her “one of the world’s most influential women” in 2010.
 Minister of Transportation Lisa Raitt, got fellow MP Elizabeth May off the stage at a Press Gallery dinner where her speech stunt flopped badly. Her buddy, Lisa Raitt, on the other hand has a more mixed biography, clouded by actions during her time as head of Toronto’s Port Authority. Her tenure as natural resources minister in the Harper Cabinet was awkward, given her unfortunate outburst during the shut down of the reactor at Chalk River. As Labour Minister she is credited with causing an airport workers’ wildcat strike when she called for the RCMP to arrest the workers.
Harper moved Raitt to the transport ministry following the Lac Mégantic train disaster, to give the appearance that his government was doing something. And the government is finally doing something about banning those unsafe tank cars, knowingly used for decades for this dangerous cargo; informing communities when these oil trains pass though; and re-confirming no exemptions for minimum train crews – to help ensure that trains would be properly braked, unlike the one that broke free and crashed, causing the Lac Mégantic tragedy.
Omar Khadr, is the Canadian-born child soldier, shot and captured by American soldiers in Afghanistan, before growing up as an inmate at the US torture academy at Guantanamo Bay. His release on bail was followed by a media conference where he appeared humbled, promising Canadians he’d be a better person. He had been well primed and appeared credible, if not cuddly. Was that the welcome back moment May was championing?
 A boy of 15 on a battlefield where everyone was shooting at everyone gets charged with murder when someone was killed as the result of a grenade the 15 year old boy threw – for this the Canadian government wants to keep him in jail? This one-time child-soldier, born into a politically activist family with roots in the middle east, had spent most of his life somewhere other than Canada. I don’t know if tossing a grenade in self-defence at a gun-fight with American invaders in a lawless country like Afghanistan is much of a crime. But holding children as extra-judicial military prisoners sure is.
In retrospect he probably shouldn’t have been there (Afghanistan), but history will show that neither should the Americans who shot and then held him prisoner for as long as they did. Omar Khadr has had a tough life growing up and had been poorly treated – by the Americans and his own parents – but he is hardly a hero worthy of praise. And while he is now in the country of his birth, Canada is barely his home. No wonder May’s skit flopped.
Background links:
Elizabeth May May and Khadr Lisa Raitt Omar Khadr
Welcome Back Kotter White House Correspondents
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat to his thinking. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran as a Liberal against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
 By Pepper Parr
May 14 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
We asked staff at MPP Eleanor McMahon’s office to provide us with some background material on the Health and Physical Education curriculum – referred by many as the “sex ed” course and were given and referred to the following material that clarifies some common misconceptions about what the curriculum will be teaching our children – including addressing concerns about the age-appropriateness of the content.
It also serves to explain that many parts of the curriculum are currently being taught as part of the 1998 curriculum.
 McMahon comes from a family with strong core values and social convictions – she believes government has a role to play in ensuring our young are given the information they need to make informed decisions. The safety and wellbeing of Ontario’s students is our government’s top priority, and we believe that students need to have the best information possible so they can make informed decisions.
The revised curriculum documents for Health and Physical Education, Grades 1 to 8, 2015 and Health and Physical Education, Grades 9 to 12, 2015, are available on the Ministry of Education website and can be accessed by the public (www.edu.gov.on.ca)
Most parents don’t have the time or the inclination to spend hours wading through at times turgid government reports. They want to know, in simple language they can understand and easily grasp – ‘what are teachers telling my children’.
Well-being is a core component of the government’s renewed vision for education and we are committed to the success, safety and well-being of every student and child. The Health and Physical Education curriculum that is currently being used has not been updated since 1998 – this is over 15 years old – and the world has changed. Technology concepts such as Smartphones, “Snapchat” and sexting were not familiar to anyone, let alone children and teenagers.
In our increasingly interconnected world, students often get information from unreliable and inaccurate sources. The classroom is a safe place for children to learn, and Ontario teachers are professional trained to teach sensitive material. Our students deserve a curriculum that is current, relevant and age-appropriate to give them the best information possible to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
 McMahon: a capacity to listen. The revision of these curriculum documents is the result of work done through an extensive review process. This process was guided by research on current instructional approaches specific to this discipline, expert advice from academics, benchmarking and comparisons of the curriculum with that of other national and international jurisdictions.
It involved extensive consultation with parents, students, teachers, faculties of education, universities, colleges and numerous stakeholder groups including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the Ontario Public Health Association and the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition. More than 70 health-related organizations submitted reports for consideration, and thousands of parents provided their input.
That means a parent in every elementary school across Ontario, representing all four publically funded school boards, was provided with an opportunity to provide input.
Parents and educators play critical and complementary roles to support student safety and well-being. Recognizing this, our government has begun developing a series of resources for parents, which provide information on the Health and Physical Education curriculum and ideas for supporting learning at home.
 McMahon is in the community and of the community where she has to stick handle some awkward issues – how is she doing so far? Eleanor McMahon believes that parents should still have their own conversations about sexual health with their children, particularly when it comes to personal values. Nothing can replace the love, care and concern of a parent. But she also believes the best way to ensure our children are getting the most accurate, fact-based, up-to-date and age-appropriate information is through a Health and Physical Education curriculum that has been informed by experts, research, educators and parents together.
 By Staff
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Burlington, Ont.—May 14, 2015—The City of Burlington is saddened today to share news about an incident that took place this morning involving city employees.
A vehicle struck three Roads and Parks Maintenance employees while they were working outside on Walkers Line near Dundas Street. Two staff have been taken to Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries and a third was taken to Joseph Brant Hospital with minor injuries.
The city is not sharing the names of the employees until the families have been informed.
“This is heartbreaking news,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the employees who have been injured and with their families.”
Mayor Goldring and Ward 6 Councillor Blair Lancaster visited the injured workers at the hospital. Other Roads and Parks Maintenance staff have been called back to their offices where two crisis counsellors will be available. Counselling is also available to any city staff person who needs support.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
 By Pepper Parr
May 14, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The only thing they didn’t have at the Art Gallery of Burlington Annual General Meeting last night was a hat check person – and they needed one.
Anne Swarbrick, changed hats so often that it was difficult to tell just what her title was at any one point in time.
 Anne Swarbrick, back to being chair of the Art Gallery Burlington Foundation During the past year the AGB has gone through significant changes along with the realization that the balance sheet was a little lop sided with the revenue part of that document nowhere near as high as it needed to be.
Swarbrick who was the Chair of the AGB Foundation had to be brought in as the interim Executive Director to run the AGB on a day to day basis while the chair of the AGB itself Sandra Edrupt kept things on an even keel.
Former Executive Director Ian Ross left the organization and Treasurer Paul MacDiarmid worked with the gallery staff to re-align some of those numbers.
 Sandra Edrupt, Chair of the Art Gallery Burlington Swarbrick and Edrupt worked as one of the most effective tag teams this city has seen in some time and convinced city council to make available the funds needed to cover the short fall for the next couple of years.
Council literally poured funds – more than $100,000 a year for two years into the bucket Swarbrick and Edrupt had brought with them. It was an impressive performance.
Newly anointed Executive Director Robert Steven learned that the woodworking guild was in the process of building him a new desk.
 Robert Steven, newly appointed Executive Director Art Gallery Burlington The meeting was one of the best run the Gazette has seen – the procedures they followed covered all the bases.
We will report further on just where the Art |Gallery needs and wants to go in the next three to five years.
Is there anything the Board or the city wants to say about the city owned property the art gallery sits on?
By Staff
May 13, 2015
BURLINGTON,ON
North America will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope on July 13, 2015. Terry Fox visited Burlington during that first event.
 The Terry Fox Run to Cure Cancer has been a Burlington event from the beginning 35 years ago. Last year the organizers of the event set up a booth in the Car Free Sunday in Alton. The city has been approached by the Burlington Terry Fox organization requesting a plaque or monument be installed along the waterfront, on the border between Wards 1 and 2, to mark the 35th anniversary.
Terry Fox ran along Spencer Smith Park during his cross Canada run, and the annual race takes place in Spencer Smith/Beachway Parks.
The city is exploring the idea further, and will be presented the following staff direction at the May 12, 2015 Community & Corporate Services Committee meeting:
Direct the Manager of Arts and Culture to consult with the Burlington Terry Fox Foundation in the design of a monument to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run with funding provided by the Terry Fox Foundation for implementation;
Direct the Executive Director of Capital Works to consult with Halton Region on a location of the monument in alignment with the Beach Master Plan; and
Direct the City Clerk to write a letter of support for the project to the Burlington Terry Fox Foundation.
 The tension between Councillors Meed Ward and Craven is close to measurable at times. It will be interesting to see how they manage to cooperate at the unveiling of the plaque the city is considering. , It will be interesting to see how the Councillors for wards 1 and 2 manage to co=operate on this event. They are not known for the conviviality of their relationship.
The plaque itself is a wonderful idea – Burlington has been a consistent supporter of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope since its earliest days.
 By Pepper Parr
May 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Large parts of this article were first published in a blog Mayor Goldring contributes to from time to time
The group that spent close to a week in Holland representing Burlington in one of the most politically and historically significant events for the western world are all back in town.
 Burlington and Apeldoorn residents touring the Kasteel Cannenburch in Vaassen. Mayor Rick Goldring and Councillor Blair Lancaster represented the city officially. Staff members Scott Stewart and Rob Peachy took part in the trip along with members of Burlington’s Dutch Community and the Burlington Teen Tour Band.
The event was the 70th year celebration of the end of the Second World War. The remaining members of the armed forces who fought that war are in their 90’s – the chances of them taking part in the next celebration ten years from now is remote.
 Brian Bourne, Mayors John Berends and Rick Goldring, Scott Stewart, Councillor Blair Lancaster, Ed Dorr, Jan Koorenhof and Charles Minken come together with the Burlington Teen Tour Band and visiting Burlington residents for the preview of Burlington Park in Apeldoorn. The occasion was an opportunity for Burlington to further cement its relationship with Apeldoorn, the city was twinned with ten years ago.
Mayor Goldring called the trip “the experience of a lifetime”.
The celebrations were multi-faceted. In April, 21 Burlington students from participating high schools travelled to Apeldoorn for a week-long exchange. There was also an art exchange and pen pal program between participating Grade 4 and 5 students.
 Cycling is a key mode of transportation in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. Ideas for encouraging cycling in Burlington were shared. Apeldoorn is a city of approximately 150,000, while Burlington has about 180,000 residents. We have many similarities despite our physical distance.
The Burlington delegation met with municipal officials on several occasions to share ideas and best practices, with discussions around infrastructure, sustainability, fleet, efficiencies, greenspace management and council procedure, among others.
There were also discussions about possible economic development opportunities. Economic development is a priority for both Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and myself.
The close ties between the Canadian and Dutch people date back 70 years when the Canadian Forces liberated Apledoorn in April 1945 and the rest of the country by May 5, 1945.
Today, both Canada and the Netherlands are highly regarded in the international community for our strong open democracies with enduring traditions of tolerance and respect for human rights and the rule of law. We are natural friends and partners in so many ways.
 Mayors Rick Goldring and John Berends lay a wreath at Loenen, the Netherlands. Mayor Goldring said the visit to Holten Cemetery to honour our Canadian soldiers “touched my heart, as did the veteran’s parades in Apeldoorn and Wageningen.” Apeldoorn Mayor John Berends and Mayor Goldring laid a wreath at Loenen.
“I have always been proud to be Canadian” said Mayor Golddring. “This past week, observing thousands of Dutch citizens waving Canadian flags and seeing young Dutch children run up and hand our veterans homemade cards and fresh flowers during the parade deepened my patriotism.”
 Canadian veteran and Burlington resident Mr. Jim Warford meets with Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring.  Councillor Blair Lancaster and Mayor Rick Goldring with Canadian veteran and Burlington resident Mr. Stan Egerton. “Last week”, while in Holland, “ I also had the opportunity to connect with Burlington veterans Mr. Jim Warford and Mr. Stan Egerton in Apeldoorn. Words are not enough to describe the honour of shaking their hands.”
“It is so very important to teach our young people about the importance of freedom and the relationship between Canada and the Netherlands. Everywhere I went, people spoke about the talent, precision and dedication of our young people in the band. They truly are the pride of Burlington and Canada’s Musical Ambassadors.”
 Princess Margriet of the Netherlands meets members of the City of Burlington delegation in Apeldoorn. Goldring reminded us that: “It is special to note that during the Second World War, the Dutch Flag was flown over the Parliament Buildings and Peace Tower in Ottawa when Princess Margriet was born in Canada. She is a beloved daughter of Canada.”
The Burlington delegation to Holland had an opportunity to meet Princess Margriet during their visit. “She was gracious and very complimentary of Canada and the relationship with Burlington.” Said the Mayor.
Goldring spoke during the preview of the Burlington Garden in Apeldoorn and said:
“I would like to extend warm greetings to Mayor John Berends, Apeldoorn Burlington Committee Chair Jan Koorenhof, Burlington Apeldoorn Committee Chair Charles Minken, Burlington Mundialization Chair Ed Dorr, our citizens, the Burlington Teen Tour Band and our friends in attendance.
 A bench embossed with maple leaves in Burlington Garden in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The park was a mundialization initiative. “What a glorious occasion it is to be here today at the preview of Burlington Garden during the 10th anniversary of the official twinning of Burlington and Apeldoorn.
“The Burlington Garden is a meaningful initiative for both the City of Apeldoorn and the City of Burlington.
“Two years ago, Mayor Berends and I celebrated the ground-breaking for Apeldoorn Park in downtown Burlington. How quickly time has passed, my friend.
“Apeldoorn Park officially opened in Burlington in September 2014. It was a special occasion as Apeldoorn high school students were present at the opening.
“It has many Dutch features, with orange play equipment, benches engraved with tulips, and hundreds of Apeldoorn tulips.
 Burlington Teen Tour Band members line a street in Apeldoorn for the walk of silence on the Day of Remembrance on Monday, May 4. “Every time I drive or walk by Apeldoorn Park, I see children playing or seniors sitting enjoying the scenery. Apeldoorn Park is a park that holds a special place in the hearts of our residents. It is an honour to be here today at the opening of Burlington Garden.
“This garden embodies the friendship and close bond between the people of Burlington and Apeldoorn. It is also symbolic of city council’s dedication to the welfare of the people of Apeldoorn, as the garden will be maintained by area citizens and residents of Heeren Loo.
“It is beautiful to think that children will be playing in Burlington Garden at the same time as children in Apeldoorn Park. Although we are separated by a vast ocean and hundreds of miles, we are family.
By Pepper Parr
May 13, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The route for the Pan Am Torch run has been determined. It will go through Burlington on Friday June 19 and start at Brant and Leighland and proceed south to Caroline where it will turn west along Caroline to Locust.
South on Locust to Elgin
West on Elgin to Maple and south on Maple into Spencer Smith Park.
The Torch Route will start at 17:40 (5:40 pm) arriving at the stage at Spencer Smith Park at 18:25. (6:25) pm These times need to finalized with TO2015, which we anticipate shortly.
 Pan Am Torch route – Friday June 19, The 19th of June is Sound of Music time of year – so the Torch run will somehow become part of the Sound of Music.
There are hordes of people involved in the Pan Am event. Corporations are being asked to think in terms of possible staggered hours for their employees or have them work from home.
Traffic is expected to be a bit of a mess for the whole of the Pan Am and the Para Am games.
 This is the torch Burlington’s representative will carry June 19th Burlington has what the bureaucrats are calling “non-event” status – which is a polite way of saying nothing is going to take place in Burlington other than the practice soccer games that will take place at City View park – but the public will not be allowed to watch those games.
All these decisions were made before Burlington was recognized as the best mid-sized city in Canada to live in.
 Dr. Ashley Worobec will carry the Pan Am Torch through Burlington and into Spencer Smith Park. Dr. Ashley Worobec will carry the Torch for the Burlington portion of the run into Hamilton.
Worobec is a Burlington based chiropractor at the Burlington Sports and Spine Clinic. She is also an avid Crossfit practitioner.
A mother of two young children, she is actively engaged in numerous community activities and blogs about her community, her practice, parenting and staying fit and healthy.
By Pepper Parr
May 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 5 of a multi part series
It is difficult to get a full sense of the size and scope of the Beachway Park that the designers have put together.
It amounts to five different parks all rolled into one – with more than enough to do for any family.
 Three kilometres in length from the |Pier to the Canal – a good healthy walk The distance from the Pier to the Canal is 3 km with all kinds of trails and places to rest. One of the problems with the park in its present form was the lack of food options – and restrooms. Slim pickings with both.
 Throughout much of the park’s environment there are dunes that are sensitive and need to be protected from any kind of vehicle and heavy pedestrian traffic. The west end of the park has space for bacchii ball, Beach Volley Ball, a soccer pitch. There was no mention of a horse shoe pitch – but that could get added.
 Those purple splotches are destinations; places to go to swim, play a sport, take part in a small festival; shop at a market garden or look at art that will be for sale. There are shelter areas for festivals and market and arts and craft sales.
 Beacons will be spread throughout the park telling you where you are. Each will have some form of illustration.  Parts of the park will have space to set up tents for short term events.
It will be difficult to get lost. The park designers have come up with a system of markers which they call beacons. They will have both names and number and as you can see from the graphic above – they will be spread throughout the park.
This is going to be a walking park – there will be paths galore that are well marked. What hasn’t been explained is how well lit the paths and trails will be. without lights at night the park would become a dangerous place.
When the plans for a park were first put out in 2012 the argument went that houses were going to be torn down to make space for parking lots. The design that is on the table today does have parking lots but they are not in places where houses exist.
The houses are being taken out so that park facilities can be built and Lakeshore Road re-aligned.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
 By Staff
May 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It looks like it could come from the Bank of Montreal – and we all make little goofs logging in. Did I make that many I might ask.
 It might look legitimate – it isn’t. This kind of scam is an attempt to get you to click on the link they want you to go to – then they begin to gather information. It doesn’t take them very long to get to the point where they have enough information to begin sucking money out of your bank account; your credit card or any number of places where you have funds that are accessible on line.
The sent from address used is a little confusing – this isn’t from a bank.
The basic rule is always be vigilant and if in doubt – don’t.
 By Staff
May 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was almost like a game of cops and robbers with one chasing the other.
The Halton Regional Police Service is investigating an incident involving an attempt residential break and enter to a residence and the theft of motor vehicles in the City of Burlington.
 Halton Regional Police have learned when not to engage in a pursuit – they back off rather than endanger the public. They eventually catch the people they were going after. On May 11, 2015, at approximately 3:00 pm, a citizen who resides on Foxwood Drive interrupted culprits attempting to break into his residence. The homeowner confronted the culprits and was threatened. A male and female culprit fled the scene in a grey GMC Envoy type motor vehicle.
The Halton Regional Police Service was notified of the incident and located the motor vehicle driving a short distance away. The GMC Envoy motor vehicle drove northbound on Walkers Line and failed to stop for the police. The GMC Envoy became stopped in traffic on Walkers Line at Upper Middle Road and then began driving in a dangerous manner by driving on the sidewalk to get away. Police discontinued attempting to stop this motor vehicle due to the risk to public safety. It was determined that the GMC Envoy motor vehicle had been reported stolen from the Toronto area.
A short time later the police was notified by a citizen that two persons were attempting to steal a parked motor vehicle in the area of Corporate Drive and Mainway Drive. The motor vehicle was parked in an industrial complex building. The culprits then stopped attempting to steal this motor vehicle and got back into the grey GMC Envoy motor vehicle. The culprits then drove at a high rate of speed through a locked gate to exit out of a driveway of the industrial complex. Police observed the GMC Envoy motor vehicle for a second time moments later on Walkers Line but elected to not pursue for public safety reasons.
The motor vehicle was later observed abandoned on Country Club Drive near Walkers Line. Police observed a suspicious white GMC pickup truck with two occupants leaving the area. The white GMC pickup truck became stuck in traffic at Walkers Line at Dundas Street. An unmarked police vehicle attempted to block its path to prevent it from driving from its stopped position. The driver of the white GMC pickup truck deliberately drove into the unmarked police motor vehicle and also into a civilian motor vehicle at this location. No persons were injured in this series of incidents.
Police discontinued attempting to stop this motor vehicle due to the risk to public safety. The culprits then drove away eastbound along Dundas Street to Appleby Line. It is believed they may have entered onto the 407 highway at that location. It is believed that the second vehicle involved namely a white GMC pickup truck was also stolen. It was recovered by police several hours later abandoned in the City of Hamilton.
One male culprit is described as a white male about 25 to 30 years of age, with short dark hair. One female culprit is described as a white female, about 25 to 30 years of age, with long dark hair.
Not much to go on – how long before they are caught?
The Halton Regional Police Service is requesting assistance from the public that would assist in this investigation is asked to call the Criminal Investigation Bureau -Burlington at 905-825 4747 ext. 2316 or 2312 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 222 8477 (TIPS), or through the internet at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Pepper Parr
May 12, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Each term of office city council has some opinion research done on what the citizens think of the way their city is governed and how good or bad the delivery of services is.
The Gazette will report on that document in some detail – it is a little on the complex side.
Politicians being politicians they are interested in knowing how they are doing in their wards.
  The research provided an interesting glimpse at what you the public felt about how services were being delivered in your ward.
The chart, explained the researchers, presents top two box satisfaction ratings (excellent/good) for each service offered by the City of Burlington by Ward.
The data in the ward comparison table highlights the extent to whichthe differences between the wards on each service are statistically higher or lower than each other. The sample size for the opinions at the ward level was 125 people.
Ward 1 Councillor Rick Craven showed that once again his residents see him as delivering for them – those in the Beachway take exception to that view but the people in Aldershot see their Councillor as coming through for them. Craven understands fully that you take care of your people and they will take care of you.
On the other extreme the folks in ward 5 where Paul Sharman is the council member have nothing they are happy with and a number of things they are unhappy about. The August 2014 flood impacted the opinions of people but that flood wasn’t in just ward 4; Councillor Dennison did much better in terms of the way his constituents saw him working for them.
Marianne Meed Ward, in ward 2. had two areas of concern: transit and the way the community is designed. Many tend to see Meed Ward as a very strong advocate on how the community is designed – the opinion poll suggests otherwise.
 Dennison seemed pleased with how his residents ranked the delivery of services in his ward. Councillor Dennison seemed both surprised and pleased wit the rankings he got; a private tree bylaw still isn’t a go for his ward. Given his views on spending on the arts his ranking there was a bit of a surprise. Ward 4 seems to have decided to live with how Dennison has decided which of the city’s bylaws and zoning provisions apply to him. The public is waiting for the Ontario Municipal Board decision of his appeal against a Committee of Adjustment decision to nor permit the severing of his Lakeshore Road property.
 Blair Lancaster’s constituents seemed happy with what they are getting. Everything is coming up roses for the Council member who now wants to ride off to Ottawa to continue serving the people. The responses Blair Lancaster got for the work she does in ward 6 will serve her well in her quest for the federal Conservative nomination in the newly created riding of Oakville North Burlington.
Quite why the people in ward 3, where John Taylor reigns, are unhappy about cemetery service is something he might want to explain.
Interesting data. They all did get re-elected.
By Staff
May 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
In September 2014, Halton Regional Police recovered a stolen Freightliner tractor cab that was reported stolen from within the Region of Peel. The cab was located in the Walmart parking lot at 2065 Fairview Street in the City of Burlington.
 Shoplifter drives to Walmart in a tractor cab – police at first unaware of his mode of transportation Milton officers investigating tractor thefts in Halton continued their investigation into the stolen truck a couple days after its recovery and learned a suspect had driven the stolen truck to the Walmart parking lot in Burlington and entered the store.
The suspect was arrested that day and charged with shoplifting offences. What police didn’t know at the time was that his trip to the Walmart Store was by the truck tractor.
On May 6, 2015, the accused was located by Halton Regional Police investigators in Milton and charged with the theft of the truck.
The police don’t say how long the accused was driving the truck.
Accused:
Harjeet SINGH, 29 years, from Brampton has been charged with:
• Possession of Stolen Property
• Failing to comply with his Recognizance x 3
Anyone with any information about cargo theft is asked to contact Detective Constable Candido Moniz of the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at (905)825-4747 ext. 2416 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com; or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
For additional information about community concerns in Milton and Halton Hills, follow us on Twitter @HRPSMiltHH. Additional tips for securing your home and other property can be found in the Community Policing section of the Service’s website at www.haltonpolice.ca.
By Pepper Parr
May 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Part 4 of a multi-part series
The Beachway Park could turn out to be a stunning addition to the city. All they have to do to get to that point is get the funding needed – there isn’t even a guestimate as to what it will cost and the resolve the issue of the houses that are within the park boundary.
The draft plan the public was shown at a meeting early in April, where less than 100 people got to actually look at the plans, didn’t reveal a lot of the detail.
The Beachway Park Plan is close to mammoth in scale. The Gazette was able to obtain a document with more detail which we have been sharing through this multi-part series on the plans for the park.
Spencer Smith Park will have some features added to the west end. Once the redevelopment of the hospital is close to completion Lakeshore Road is to be raised as much as a metre where is curves towards the Waterfront Trail and slopes westward towards the Water Sewage Treatment plant at which point it will turn 90 degrees towards the QEW and the proceed west again.
 The plan is for six distinct park areas – each with its own character and serving different needs of a larger population. There are basically five parks all rolled into one with different themes and activities. The Living Shoreline, which will probably be the first part to be developed, will include a boardwalk MORE HERE
To the west of the Shoreline park there will be a park that has been named The Strand which is where most of the aquatic activity will take place. Further west will be The Wind Park area and just to the north of that The Commons.
 The Skyway/Federal Pier part of the Beachway Park plan pulls in parts of the western end of the city most people know very little about. Then there will be what is being called Skyway/Federal Pier which is a part of the Beachway that few people ever see. It is getting into what many see as Hamilton territory and indeed it is just a couple of yards to the bridge that crosses the canal.
The early drawings call for a meadow area along the edge of the canal that is inside Hamilton Harbour.
There is some very rich Burlington history tied to the canal. At one point there were two bridges – one just for the railway line.
There was once an accident that had a ship colliding with a bridge – that was a problem that had to be dealt with.
Touring ships used to tie up at the canal pier where crowds would gather when important shipping events took place.
The canal today is a pretty lonely place – that just might change if the plans for the Beachway Park get past the draft stage.
 A close up view of the 30 homes that are currently located in the Beachway. There are a number of hurdles to overcome – gaining possession of the 29 homes that are still in private hands – a significant number of the people living in the Beachway don’t want to be bought out; others might be waiting until the price is right.
The current plan isn’t the first for the park area that has been trotted out for the public.
What is driving the plan at this point is the need to provide public space for the significant increases in population that Burlington is going to see between now and 2041.
The city knows now how much it is expected to accommodate in terms of additional population. The Regional Municipality of Halton serves more than 500,000 residents in the City of Burlington, the Town of Halton Hills, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Oakville.
That number is going to grow substantially by 2041. The Regional government already knows how many people it is going to have to absorb – what it hasn’t worked out yet is how much of the growth is going to be sent to Burlington.
Milton has seen phenomenal growth in the past decade – Halton Hills has not seen as much.
 There will be changes to a trail used by thousands of people every week – for the better – probably. Some long range planning has to be done now in order to be ready for the population growth. Anyone who thinks Burlington is going to remain the way it has been for the past 10 years is smoking stuff that is not yet legal.
In the meantime – there is a park to be built and if the plans shown to the public are an example of what to look forward to – this could be something very interesting and attractive.
There are several phases set out in the development plan. Don’t expect to see anything started in the near future.
There is an Environmental management and restoration plan that informs the Master Plan and provides direction for:
RESTORATION AND PROTECTION OF NATURAL HERITAGE
INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL
LONG-TERM MONITORING
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE
Then there is an Implementation and phasing Strategies plan that will focus on
CONTINUED PROPERTY ACQUISITION
FUTURE PARTNERSHIPS
EDUCATION AND AWARENESS
PROGRAMMING AND MAINTENANCE
FUTURE REPORTS AND STUDIES
PLAN REVIEW
The phasing at this point is:
PHASE 1
SPENCER SMITH PARK + THE LIVING SHORELINE + THE STRAND + THE WIND BEACH
PHASE 2
PRIORITY PROPERTIES; + ADDITIONAL ACQUISITIONS.
PHASE 3
THE COMMONS + THE SKYWAY + THE FEDERAL PIER
Part 1 of a multi part series
Part 2 of a multi part series
Part 3 of a multi part series
 By Staff
May 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Ouch – 10 to 1 – for the other guys.
The Burlington Bandits, this city’s entry into the Inter County Baseball League held took part in a game on Saturday and took a drubbing.
 The Majors just hit too many of the balls Perego was throwing. The London Majors pounded out 15 hits and took advantage of five Burlington errors in a season-opening 10-1 win over the Bandits Saturday aMajors third baseman Alex Martinez went 3-for-5 with a run scored, as five London batters had multi-hit games.
Cody Mombourquette, Larry Gonzalez, Brett Sabourin and Argenis Vargas each had two hits.
Majors leadoff hitter Humberto Ruiz had a double and scored three runs.
London starter Oscar Perez went five innings, giving up one run on two hits. He walked three and struck out three.
For Burlington, starting pitcher Dylan Perego was tagged for four runs (three earned) on eight hits in six innings.
He struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.
Adam Odd had the lone RBI, a sacrifice fly that scored Brad Bedford in the bottom of the first.
London (1-0) will host Hamilton May 15 at 7:35 p.m. at Labatt Park, while Burlington (0-1) hosts Brantford May 16 at 1 p.m. as it opens the season with four games at Nelson Park.
By Staff
May 11, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
This downtown vibrancy that gets talked about may get upped a notch or two.
The movie theatre that used to be at 460 Brant Street might get revived and the old Regus operation that rented small office space to people that didn’t need more than an office might be coming back to life.
George Matt, who runs DTR Solutions in Burlington is looking at the third floor space and doing some market research to see if there is enough demand to make it a viable venture.
He wants to add additional services – accounting, web site development, not much on the specifics however.
Matt says the DTR Business Centre is going to be catalyst for the SME market place in Burlington. The objective is to provide not just an office space for small business owners but also the proper resources to help facilitate their growth.
Some of the additional services we will be providing for the tenants will be:
– Accounting and Financial Services
– Technology Services (Web Design, IT Support, Computer Hardware/Software, etc.)
– Event Planning Services
 Lino A. Fera, a seasoned executive who focuses on the vision of a business, will speak to prospective clients for a new downtown business centre. On May 22nd and 23rd DTR will be hosting a 2 day ‘Open Office Event’ at 460 Brant Street – 3rd floor – to showcase the amenities and commercial office space to potential tenants. On Saturday, May 23rd at 11:00 am all attendees will have an opportunity to take in a one hour complimentary Entrepreneurship Seminar with keynote speaker Lino A. Fera, a seasoned executive who focuses on the vision of a business.
The Seminar will take place in the Theatre on the ground floor.
To book an open office viewing or to attend the seminar fill out the form at this link:
Regus, an International company that has hundreds of serviced offices around the world, wasn’t able to make a go of it in Burlington – even though there are a number of serviced offices in Burlington, especially along the Service Roads.
The HiVe set up a very well appointed clutch of offices on Elizabeth Street and held one of the better opening parties this city has seen – but it didn’t translate into enough revenue to cover all the costs.
The HiVe has moved to Guelph Line and Harvester Road where they certainly won’t run out of space.
By Pepper Parr
May 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
It was described as a Role Call – a standard armed forces event when they check to ensure everyone is accounted for.
Saturday morning at Civic square there was a different Role Call – it was for the men and women who served in a war that ended seventy years ago.
 Cadets salute as the Colour Party marches into the Civic square for the beginning of the Roll call The event took place in Burlington while the Mayor and city Councillor Blair Lancaster were in Apeldoorn, one of our twin cities, representing the citizens of Burlington and most particular the veterans of that war who are still alive
There was a healthy contingent of Burlington Dutch citizens in Apeldoorn as well; we have a very strong Dutch community that had played a large part in making Burlington the city it is today.
The event at Civic Square was for those who wanted to remember members of their family that served.
It was an incredibly moving event; some of the speakers didn’t make it through their remarks. Other told Burlingtonians stories we had no heard before.
 Citizens line the Civic Square to both witness and participate in the Roll Call of those who served. Councillor Rick Craven, in very moving comments told of a relative who lied about his age and joined up at the age of 15.
In his remarks Craven talked of standing on the beach at Dieppe and wondering how those men managed to race across what was then a stony beach and remain alive while German gunners in the bluffs above them were raking the grounds with machine gun fire.
There was hardly an army regiment, or an air force wing that didn’t get mentioned or a naval squadron that wasn’t mentioned.
Individuals walked to the podium holding pictures of their relative and talked about the way they served. Some, too many, spoke of people who did not return.
Mention was made of the Murmansk run through the frigid Atlantic and into northern Russia with badly needed supplies.
 More than 100 Burlingtonians stood quietly waiting for their turn to remember their relatives during the incredibly moving Roll call that took place in Civic Square. The Desert Rats – nick name for the British 8th Army, were heard of as well as the the VanDooz – Royal 22nd Regiment out of Montreal.
Mention was made of a man who was killed at the Somme and awarded the Victoria Cross; a Davey who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for missions in the 405th and the 408th squadrons.
Another spoke of a unit that raced the Russians into Berlin during the closing months of the war; another who was killed in France on Black Friday.
The Queen’s Own Rifles, the Princess Pats, and the Black Watch – there were so many of them – too many.
We sent tens of thousands of our young people away, many to not return.
 Five veterans who served in the Second World War stand during the prayer that was read at the closing of the Role Call Today more than 100 people in Burlington got to stand before their fellow citizens and speak proudly of the sacrifices while five veterans sat and listened quietly while their minds floated back to those times.
In his remarks Craven talked of standing on the beach at Dieppe and wondering how those men managed to race across what was then a stony beach and remain alive while German gunners in the bluffs above them were raking the grounds with machine guns.
The organizers of the Roll call had no idea how many people were going to show up. We got five time the number that RSVP’d said one Legion member.
The individuals walked quietly to the podium, there was no applause, they just held their picture before them and spoke for a few moments and then left as quietly as they came – proud that they had had that moment.
By Pepper Parr
May 9, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
Question period in the House of Commons is that occasion when Members of Parliament get to hold the government accountable by asking questions.
Each party is allocated a specific amount of time – the Leader of the Opposition party asks the first question and then the Speaker of the House recognized different members.
 Burlington MP Mike Wallace has a piece of art explained to him by AGB Curator of Education Leslie Page during one of his weekend trips to Burlington. Last week Burlington’s MP Mike Wallace asked a question and presented two reports.
The question was to the Minister of Finance of his own government. These are basically set up questions where a member of the government party asks a question of a Minister who then gets to stand up and tout the government line
Wallace asked:
Mr. Speaker, the strong leadership of this Conservative government has steered Canada out of the global recession. It has created over 1.2 million new jobs. They are overwhelmingly full-time private-sector jobs, in high-wage industries.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance please tell the House the next steps that this government will take in this year’s budget to create more jobs?
Someone needs to have a chat with Wallace – the jobs created were not “overwhelmingly full-time private-sector jobs, in high-wage industries.”
Questions like this then allow the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance to add to what is basically an exercise in parliamentary
 Burlington MP Mike Wallace preparing for a funding announcement at Memex Automation. Wallace later presented two Standing Committee reports. On this occasion he was speaking as the Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. This is an important Standing Committee and while there have been occasions in the past when Wallace was a little more partisan than he perhaps should have been – the committee does some very good work.
On this occasion Wallace was presenting the report on Bill C-35, an act to amend the Criminal Code (law enforcement animals, military animals and service animals).
The committee has studied the bill said Wallace and has agreed to report it back to the House without amendment.
Wallace continued: I also have the honour to present, the 19th report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights in relation to the study on the subject matter of Bill C-583, an act to amend the Criminal Code (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder).
All in all a good days work for the Member for Burlington.
By Staff
May 8, 2015
BURLINGTON, ON
The officers at the Burlington detachment of the Halton Regional Police want to thank the public for contacting us with information and tips on last weeks, fugitive, Curtis KOMP.
KOMP was located and arrested in the City of Ottawa.
It is week #3 of the Burlington detachment of the Halton Region Police Service Fugitive Friday initiative tnhat has the police reaching out to the public to help locate wanted persons and hold them accountable for their actions.
There are numerous people who continue to evade the police and the court system and continue to live in our communities while having a warrant for their arrest in place.
Every Friday, the Burlington Offender Management Unit shares information on a wanted person – hoping the public can assist in locating the individual.
This Fugitive Friday the 3 Burlington Offender Management Unit is searching for:
 Kenneth Lorne MOODIE, 56 years old, of Canfield, ON. Kenneth Lorne MOODIE, 56 years old, of Canfield, ON.
– In December of 2013 the accused was located operating a Motor Vehicle while impaired after a citizen observed him stumbling out of the driver’s seat at a gas station in Halton Region
– The accused was located and arrested near the scene for Impaired Driving, the accused was also charged with Driving with over 80mgs
– Through further investigation it was determined the accused was also a suspended driver with suspensions that date back to 2002 and was charged accordingly
– The accused has amassed over 65 convictions in his Criminal Career thus far, 13 of which are drunk driving related offences
– The accused was released on a Undertaking and was required to attend court on April 30th, 2014 in Milton which he failed to do; the accused was also required to Re-Attend court in Milton on September 23rd, 2014 at which time he failed to attend again and a warrant was issued for his arrest
He is now wanted for:
Impaired Driving
Driving with more than 80mgs
Driving while Disqualified
Fail to Re-Attend Court
The accused is known to frequent the areas of Hamilton, Dunnville, Cayuga and Haldimand Region. The accused also has ties to Saskatchewan.
Kenneth MOODIE is described as 5’11”, 170 lbs, blue eyes and blonde greying hair. Kenneth has a scar on his chin and along his eyebrow.
Anyone who may have witnessed this male or has information that would assist investigators in identifying him are encouraged to contact D/C. Bulbrook – Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Offender Management Team at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2305 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Staff
May 8, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Operation RISC (Reducing Intersection Safety Concerns) is a Burlington Police detachment initiative that began in February and has had some successful results since it’s inception.
The operation focuses on intersection traffic safety which, through an increased police presence, and both education and enforcement work, the number of motor vehicle collisions has been reduced.
 A strong police presence makes a difference. In a three month period, (February to April), Burlington officers conducted 1,812 traffic stops in and around intersections throughout the City of Burlington.
They issued 1,435 Provincial Offence Notices and delivered 375 verbal warnings.
In total, 886 hours has been spent patrolling Burlington intersections.
The purpose of the project is to increase awareness for intersection traffic safety and in turn reduce collisions.
Between April 28 and May 4 of last year, 2014, the Halton Regional Police responded to 1049 motor vehicle collisions and 131 personal injury collisions.
During the same time period in 2015, after two months of Operation RISC, the motor vehicle collisions dropped to 960 and the personal injury collisions also dropped to 109.
The number one infraction continues to be distracted driving followed by speeding through intersections and red light violations. (Distracted driving tends to be people using their cell phones.)
Officers will continue to be a presence in and around intersections throughout the City in hopes they serve as a gentle reminder to pay attention when driving.
By Pepper Parr
May 8, 2015
BURLINGTON ON
Part 3 of a multi-part series
The west end of the Beachway Park does not get a lot of pedestrian traffic. Lakeshore Road ends and curves into Eastport; Lakeshore Court is home to a dismal looking cinder block building and a house that was once a grand structure. Times have changed for both structures which are now defined as priority properties that have to be acquired if the park plan is ever to proceed.
The planned park is five different parks rolled into one and if the financial hurdles and finding a way to acquire the homes that are in the way can be found – construction on the park will begin sometime in 2018 – once the re-development of the Joseph Brant Hospital is complete.
The people who did the draft version of the park that was presented to slightly less than 100 people at a public meeting in April have changed much of the west end and turned it into a very active part of the planned park.
They created a section they call the Commons and another section they call Skyway/Federal pier. Both parts border on the Burlington canal which itself is rich in local history. While the canal is not Regional property nor does it belong to the city – it’s federal government property with all kinds of rules and regulations surrounding a vital waterway for Hamilton – the park planners have included it
The Commons and the Skyway/Federal Pier are part of a much bigger picture.
The Beachway Park- from the Canal to the west end of Spencer Smith Park The plan is very large in scope and while there are no times lines announced yet and there is no budget allocated, the development of the park is seen by the Region as a major development for their parks program.
The plan calls for some changes to the west end of Spencer Smith Park as it merges into the new park at the point where the Joseph Brant Museum is located and Lakeshore curves and leads towards what will be the new entrance to the Joseph Brant Hospital will be located.
Lakeshore Road will be raised as much as one metre at this point and taper down to a new height of half a metre at about where the water treatment plant is today. At this point Lakeshore Road will be realigned and take a 90 degree turn to the right and run closer to the QEW.
There are five distinct areas within the Beachway Park – each will have its own theme. These are the draft plans – the properties needed to make the part happen have yet to be acquired by the Regional government – residents say they have no plans to sell. There are essentially five parks, each with different purposes and orientations. The upgrades to the western end of Spencer Smith make it six parks.
The Living Shoreline will be much different than what people see now – today it is just something people walk past. The Strand will continue to be the aquatic area where the Pump House stands.
The Wind Beach will see quite a bit of change.
The Commons is a completely new idea and represents the biggest changes to both the landscape and the homes that are in place now.
 The Commons is at the extreme west end of the park and will undergo the most significant change in terms of the number of activities brought to the area. The jetty on the Burlington side of the canal will be incorporated into the park and there will be both shipping and naval interpetation stations.
 These homes are on the lakeside of Lakeshore Road and are considered priority homes by the park planners. The portion of Lakeshore Road in the picture will be moved to the left and align with the QEW. Lakeshore Road, which currently runs down the middle of the land – will be shifted closer to the QEW so that what is now road will become recreational area.
That recreation will include volley ball courts, lawn courts and Food Trucks.
There is some very environmentally sensitive dunes in this area – they will be protected.
 This is a cinder block garage at the end of Lakeshore Court steps from the canal There will be a couple of shaded areas with a structure that will have benches. There will be a few very small parking lots: 30 space size, along with a number of landscape enhancements to keep any traffic noise the Eastport Road from filtering in.
There will be a lot of activity: an artisan/market; washrooms and a play area along with 28 spaces of on street parking.
There will be a festival park – small in size.
There will be a pond park, additional interpretive stations as well as a Storm Water management pond with a open edge.
There will be a Pond Pavilion as well.
This is the part of the park that has many, perhaps most of the “priority homes” that the park designers have said must be torn down if the design of the park as they see it is to be completed.
 Definitely the most magnificent looking house in the Beachway; it backs onto what was once the railway line which suggests that it was built before the rail line was put in. It too is amongst the “priority homes” that the planners want taken out. This home could be moved and restored. The current residents fall into several categories: those who say they will fight to the bitter end and are never going to move; those that are resigned to having to move eventually and hope that eventuality can be pushed well off into the future. There are a few angling for the best price they can get from the Region. So far just three properties have been sold; two of those were an Estate sale.
Part 1
Part 2
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