 By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
He’s calling the first four years of his time as Mayor the “cleanup/set up” phase for what one might assume is going to be the new beginning for Burlington. The phrase was used in an interview the Mayor gave recently.
 What was there to “clean up? The city certainly has its problems but is there a load of stuff that had to be cleaned up?
Infrastructure needs money, transit needs attention, the advances made with the arts and cultural file have been good.
We still don’t have an Economic Development Corporation that is going to do great things for us. Yes, they do need time to put the new story together but we said the same thing about the Executive Director that it took more than a year to get rid of.
On the surface all the public is seeing is an organization that holds networking events. The next biggie that will speak to the commercial elite is our own hometown girl Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Canada.
We hear precious little from this Mayor on what could be done with the Air Park. Staff have carried this one – what the public is going to gulp at it how much money has been spent on legal fees. Is that clean up or has the public been set up?
Mayor Goldring has taken the position that he put the pier problem to bed – and except for a few minor details that file is closed: what the Mayor will not live up to or taken responsibility for are the several mistakes that added a couple of million to the cost of the thing.
This city managed to go through two city managers while Rick Goldring was Mayor. They pretty well fired the one that was in place when Goldring took office – the second one took a hike to a greener pasture – and if anyone thinks the council Jeff Fielding had to work with was not a part of his decision to change addresses – then they have the same limited vision our Mayor has.
When Goldring was elected there were some questions asked about his work as a financial planner/wealth manager. At the time we were told that Goldring had given up the various licenses he was required to have and that he would be a full time Mayor. We now learn that he “owns” a local branch of Assante Wealth Management from which he has taken a leave of absence – not quite the same thing as getting out of the business.
The public has heard nothing about what Rick Goldring’s vision is for the city. We do know that he is “not on” for the 28 storey tower the Adi Development people want to put up at the corner of Lakeshore and Martha but we know nothing about what he thinks that part of the city should look like.
There are parking lots in a large part of that area. Private and corporate property owners don’t operate parking lots – they hold land until they are ready to develop. Burlington needs to decide what it wants to see in an area that is going to have a 22 story condominium tower and an eight storey hotel just a block away from the proposed 28 storey tower.
Saying that Burlington already has the legacy tower it wanted (that was back in 1985) it a pretty weak argument for not permitting a 28 story tower.
The “set up” here is our Mayor failing to really fight for what he thinks is best for the city he is supposed to be leading.
At the recent Chamber of Commerce debate Rick Goldring, in an aside to candidate Peter Rusin, the Mayor is reported to have said he agreed with Rusin’s views on any NGTA highway but couldn’t say anything for political reasons.
How’s that for leadership?
 By Staff
October 19, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
 A loose leaf collection service is provided to Burlington residents in the fall, typically beginning the first week in November of each year. This program is in addition to the Yard Waste Collection Service provided by Halton Region Waste Services.
Please follow the guidelines below to help ensure a timely and cost-effective leaf collection program:
Please have your loose leaves raked and ready for pickup just prior to the start date for your collection area.
Be mindful of collection dates and avoid raking leaves to the road too early.
Place leaves up to the edge of the curb or roadway (but not on the road) in a loose pile so city equipment can reach them.
Ensure loose leaves are not over catch basins or in the ditches in front of your home .
Please make sure leaves do not contain branches or other debris. Leaves mixed with other waste cannot be collected.
Avoid placing leaves on sidewalks and walkways.
Remove basketball nets, parked vehicles and other obstructions from the road to allow city crews clear access to leaf piles.
Do not place garbage bags, garbage bins, Blue Boxes or GreenCarts on top of loose-leaf piles.
Bagged Leaf and Yard Waste Collection
Halton Region continues to provide collection of bagged leaves and yard waste on the same day as your garbage pick-up. This program is a separate program from Burlington’s Loose Leaf Collection.
Leaf Disposal Alternatives.
• Mulch leaves to use in gardens, flowerbeds, or leave them on your yard.
• Compost leaves in your backyard composter.
• Deliver leaves to the to the Halton Waste Management Site in paper bags or in bulk for composting
 By Pepper Parr, Publisher, Burlington Gazette
October 19th, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Early next week all of the homes south of Dundas in Burlington will see a small flyer in their mail boxes. It will be the first piece of direct promotion the Gazette has done since its inception four years ago.
The flyer announces the posting of real time election results on the front page of the Gazette on October 27th just as soon as the polls close.
 Gazette’s first piece of promotional material. Burlingtonians will be able to go to the Gazette web site and see what the most recent results are for the office of Mayor and the six council members.
We will not be posting the results for the Regional chair – while there are other people running for that office – it is evident that Gary Carr will be returned.
We will not be posting the results of the trustees for either the Halton District School Board or the Halton Catholic District School Board.
The Gazette is a not for profit organization – w do not have a revenue stream. The expenses to date have come out of our pockets and there is only so much time and financial resources available to us.
We will be doing on going news coverage and the results will be available once the school board trustee winners are known.
Our flyer – which measures 6 x 9 inches has, like every other piece of paper, two sides. We didn’t need both sides of the flyer – so we sold side two. Because our part of the flyer is about election results we had no problem with an individual running for office using side two.
 Sharing the space on a piece of promotional material should not be seen as an endorsement of the candidate. Our accepting an advertisement from a candidate for the office of Mayor is certainly not an endorsement. If Peter Rusin should win the mayors chair it will be because he did it on merit.
Rusin needed name exposure – the flyer is going to get to every home south of Dundas – that’s exposure.
Why not north of Dundas? There wasn’t enough time to get the flyers into production and into the hands of the distribution company in time for the scheduled delivery.
 By Pepper Parr
October 18, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The matter of economic development for Burlington came up during the Chamber of Commerce debate at the Gold and Country Club. Peter Rusin a candidate for the office of Mayor wanted to see the city get more of a wiggle on and work with the province to make something happen.
 That faint yellow arrow is where provincial road planners thought an Escarpment highway could go. Rusin maintains an NGTA highway is inevitable and the Mayor, in an offside remark to Rusin, said he agrees with Rusin but politically can’t say anything.
Rusin in a statement said: The Niagara GTA Corridor Study is a well advanced, significant provincial integrated transportation infrastructure initiative which will have a significant impact on this city. It is imperative that we engage the province in a proactive and collaborative spirit to ensure that we do not compromise the preservation of the escarpment and greenland areas.
“At the same time, however, the need for easing of traffic congestion and enhancement of economic development potential must be recognized and the city’s elected representatives must be honest about this.
“This council has misled people by leading everybody to falsely believe that the Niagara highway issue has been put to rest, and that the city can actually neutralize provincial plans that are designed for the benefit of regional economic well-being.
 Is there a road in there somewhere? Is the Escarpment an inevitable location for a new highway? “Nothing is further from the truth. The truth is, if we fail to take an active participatory role, we may very well see an alignment of a highway extension which will not be favourable to the overall vision of the city and the rural areas north of the 407 highway.
“It is my intention to preserve our rural areas, including villages and settlement areas such as Kilbride, Lowville, and Mount Nemo, and also not have the Urban Boundary reinstated to Number 1 Side Road as in the past.
“The provincial environmental assessment process has identified several proposed routes that would have significant adverse impacts on the escarpment; that is why this city needs to take blinders off, deal with the issue in a responsible manner, ensure a route that does not affect the escarpment and rural areas is successful, and not continue misleading the people of Burlington.”
Mayoral Goldring was asked for a statement but did not respond.
 Sue McMaster, co-chair of the Citizens Opposed to Paving the Escarpment (COPE) said: “With climate change impacts (very costly)and gridlock in the GTA, why this highway would be linked to critical economic development is interesting.
McMaster went on to say: “Studies on transportation planning clearly link economic development to transit lines which is why it is so important that the provincial government invest in Metrolinx’ Big Move. It targets congestion where it is. The location of the Mid Pen Hwy is out in left field – it’s the wrong solution in the wrong location.” She added “… the much bigger issue is climate change. We are only just starting to feel the impact. Not only is it important not to contribute to the problem by building more highways, it important to preserve our rural land for food production from the predictable development.
McMaster pointed to the Lincoln Alexander highway and pointed out that: “It is unfortunate that outdated ideology prevails in some minds on sustainable transportation planning. Jobs and economic develop aren’t contingent on building a highway. The Link in Hamilton is a wonderful example of the fallacy of highways as economic drivers. The thousands of jobs promised with the Link never materialized.”
There is a lot of fuzzy thinking going on about just what it is going to take to make the right kind of economic development happen.
 Peter Rusin, candidate for the office of Mayor said a new highway in or real close to Burlington is inevitable. Rusin has some significant on the ground experience with land use planning and has been involved in resolving land use problems related to a number of major highway developments. Rusin and McMaster, a leader in the Citizens Opposed to Paving the Escarpment (COPE) might want to get together and exchange some thoughts. Add Geoff Brock, COPE spokesperson to that get together, he has some very sound views on what is needed.
The Mayor of Burlington probably hasn’t had a long talk with the COPE people recently either.
One wishes Peter Rusin had decided to run for the office of Mayor at least three months ago – Burlington is missing out on a level of political energy and ideas about how Burlington can be grown and at the same time keep what it has that makes it the really nice place it is. If we don’t do something with what we have the province might just decide to merge us with Oakville – they’ve done things like that before.
 By Lana Kameric
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
I didn’t know what to expect when I walked into Black Bull Tavern last night. My publisher told me that Burlington had a slam poetry group that hosts an event every month.
As someone who has been writing poems for many years – not that I have ever dared to recite them in front of a live audience – naturally I was inclined to attend the Burlington Slam to see what it was all about. What I found was an open minded, supportive audience and a talented, confident group of artists gathering in the Fireside Lounge of Black Bull Tavern and sharing their words with all those willing to listen.
 Dia Davina at the Black Bull poetry slam Most of the guests, including myself, were attending the slam for the first time. However, you would never have guessed it from the group dynamic. The engagement between the host, the audience and the performers felt familiar, comfortable, more like a gathering of friends sharing their artwork than a group of strangers. Hosted by Bassam, former satanic rapper now a performance poet and member of the Burlington Slam Project Team, the slam encourages audience participation – hissing at the poems they dislike and cheering for the poems they do like. The conversation created between the performer and the audience, while remaining respectful, leaves more room for an honest response. After all, an artist needs more than polite applause to grow in their craft.
The slam usually begins with open mic performances, which anyone may sign up for. However, since no one signed up for the open mic portion of the evening the slam was focused on the poets alone, and they did not disappoint.
Five poets competed in two rounds for a cash prize donated by the Black Bull Tavern. Dia Davina, the featured artist of the night, performed a few of her original pieces between the competitive rounds. Judges were selected from the audience to score each performance, which would determine the first, second and third place winners of the evening. Don Murray, not only a poet but also the archivist and webmaster for the Burlington Slam Project, won first place after receiving the highest score on his two original pieces.
We were warned in the beginning that is not a family friendly show, there is swearing, controversy and uncomfortable topics – my kind of art. The poems performed last night were personal, moving and at times shocking leaving the audience speechless and paralyzed before bursting into applause and cheers.
 The Slammers – Tommy Bewick second from the right got this show on the road in Burlington. As an artist who prefers to paint my feelings I was blown away with the courage of these artists, sharing their deepest thoughts and experiences, telling us the stories that have shaped them into the brave poets that they are today. Davina’s poems in particular reminded me of painting. The way she flows from word to word, creating imagery that triggers a memory and feeling from each person in the room, resembles the way that a painter moves colour on a canvas to form symbolism that the viewer can relate to. Listening to each poem was like taking a walk through the artist’s thoughts guided by familiar ideas that exist inside my own mind. Each time I heard that pleased sigh coming from the audience I knew that I was not the only one able to relate to the poets’ words. The Burlington Slam Project was a truly inspiring experience.
The Burlington Slam Project hosts poetry slam nights every month on the third Thursday in the Fireside Lounge of the Black Bull Tavern unless noted otherwise.
Lana Kamarić is a contemporary surrealist artist and a self-taught painter. Born in Sarajevo, Bosnia Lana arrived in Canada at the age of five. After moving to Burlington she attended Robert Bateman High school and graduated from York University with a degree in Art History. Lana has worked with the Museums of Burlington, the Art Gallery of Burlington and is currently working as a full-time artist. Lana was a participant in Cirque, the 2014 No Vacancy installation event in the Village Square. Her last show was Art in the Workplace at McMaster Innovation Park.
By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It was a “sold out” event.
It was also an embarrassing occasion when the Chamber of Commerce was not able to provide a way for mayoralty candidate Anne Marsden to join Mayor Goldring and Peter Rusin on the stage. She had to sit at the side of the raised platform because of a disability that makes it very difficult for her to mount steps.
One would have expected the Chamber of Commerce to realize that Marsden needed access to the platform – they invited her to the event. This lack of understanding, appreciation and concern for those who have a disability and need different access than the rest of us has been Anne Marsden point for years. Shameful that the Chamber of Commerce would fail at this level.
 Possible routes for an NGTA highway – the blue one put a shiver into the bones of Burlington and the Region. Rusin repeated his concern with the Mayor’s approach to economic development and said a new highway was an inevitability which moved Councillor Taylor to send out an email saying: “ Mayoral Candidate Peter Rusin today, at the Chamber of Commerce debate, called for the divisive Niagara to GTA Highway process to begin again with the support of City Council.
That faint yellow arrow heads straight for the heart of Burlington’s Escarpment country. “Please spread the word to all Rural residents. We need strong continued leadership on this issue and the Mayor and I need your continued support to send a strong message to Council.
Mayor Goldring is reported to have said to Rusin after the debate that he shared Rusin’s view but that there was no way he could say that politically.
Rusin’s position appears to be that the city needs to work with the province and work out a solution that resolves the provinces problem of moving traffic and gives the city the economic development resources it needs.
Rusin point out that there was a time when the #1 side road was the rural boundary but that that changed when highway 407 was built. Rusin appears to want to see commercial development on the north side of that highway.
Rusin said after the debate that he could not see a highway ever coming through Kilbride and Lowville and while the province has put any development work on hold – that road is the major one on the table.
This is the first time anyone has heard that the Mayor has an opinion on what Burlington needs in terms of roads and the economic development needs.
 By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Why didn’t council stop the sale of public waterfront land?
Council votes 6-1 to sell waterfront land.
 Many people want a public path along the edge of the lake between Market and St. Paul streets; the property owners want nothing of that idea. Jennifer Hlusko, a candidate for the ward six seat on city council uses social media to communicate. A day isn’t complete without at least one, usually several links that she passes along. We never get to hear what Hlusko’s view is on the issue she is covering – she is just passing along good information.
Hlusko is a very intelligent woman; a little on the brittle side at times but this woman is on top of the facts.
She recently did a piece on the decision city council made to sell a small strip of land on the waterfront which, if completed, will put an end for a long, long time to any hope for a waterfront trail that this city could have.
We wondered just what kind of coverage this story had been given by the print media and are grateful to Hlusko for pulling all the local coverage together.
 Will the average Tom, Dick or Harry keep the right to walk this piece of land. City owns part of it – but have decided to sell it. Other print media
• Oct 16, 2013: Burlington Post: Burlington council decides to sell waterfront property
• Oct 3, 2013: Burlington Post: Burlington considering selling public waterfront land to private hands
• Oct 24, 2013: Hamilton Spectator: Little: Waterfront public land up for sale
Burlington Gazette
• Jul 28, 2014: Waterfront Property for Public Use – it can happen if the public makes enough noise
• May 26, 2014: The sale of that waterfront land isn’t a done deal yet – a citizens group will be delegating against any extension at council this week
• Nov 2, 2013: Citizens speak – hundreds of them. Not all disagree with Council – but majority do. Was Council wrong?
• Oct 16, 2013: City Council votes 6:1 to sell waterfront. Public may never know what the selling price will be
• Oct 8, 2013: How city council managed to vote to sell waterfront lands and what some people want to do about that
• Oct 7, 2013: Part II Why does your City Council want to sell waterfront property rather than create a stunning lake front parkette?
• Oct 5, 2013: Part I Is your city council about to sell your birthright? Waterfront land just east of the downtown core may be sold
• Jan 1, 2013: Waterfront Advisory Committee sinks slowly into the setting sun
• Jun 6, 2011: Access to the Waterfront? Not everything you might think it is
The deal to actually sell the land has not closed. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is involved in this as is one of the candidates for the office of Mayor.
 Janice Connell spoke for herself and her neighbours at the council committee meeting where the sale of the land was discusses. The neighbours are seated behind Ms Connell Peter Rusin served as an adviser to one of the property owners – there are three of them with Janice Connell serving as the public face at city council meetings. It was her husband, Mike Swartz who issued a veiled threat to council about a law suit. Statements like that always send a chill up the spines of council members who see a large legal bill that they have to explain to voters.
Rusin has said he served as an advisor to Swartz and that the file is closed. If Rusin is to serve as Mayor – he will have to be much more transparent than that.
The Mayor`s decision to sell the property doesn`t square with the concept of a waterfront that is accessible to the public or as a resource to be shared by the public. Burlington is still of the view that wealthy private interests can get what they want from this Council.
It is a very complicated matter but the people of Burlington aren’t stupid – tell them the whole story and they will let you know what they want you to do on their behalf.
 By Staff
October 18, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Earlier in the life of the current council an agreement was signed with Metrolinx and 12 other Ontario municipalities to put together a buying group for transit related equipment.
Burlington residents will benefit from enhanced transit when nine new buses will be delivered to Burlington; they are part of a purchase of 203 buses.
 New buses will be on the streets in 2015 – replacing vehicles that are 12 years old. Each 12-meter bus will carry up to 70 passengers and be fully accessible, helping people better access jobs, family, friends and community services. The buses will also meet the latest emission standards and be equipped with electrical accessories, such as electrically powered oil radiators, to improve fuel efficiency and help reduce costs.
In a statement put out by the province they said: “Building smarter, more integrated transit is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives, and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.”
Nice political rhetoric there – now for the reality check.
Doug Brown, chair of Bfast, a local transit advocacy group that pushes the city to improve transit said: “No real news here, as the 10 year capital plan included 9 replacement buses in 2015.
 “Since these are replacement vehicles, there will be no increase in the overall Burlington Transit capacity and the city will continue to be underserved in terms of bus capacity and transit service hours.
The retirement of older (12 years) buses will reduce maintenance costs, and increase reliability.
Funding for these replacement buses comes not from the City, but from the Provincial Gas Tax. Burlington reduced transit’s share of these Gas Tax funds from 30% to 20% in 2013.
Burlington has been part of the group buying process with Metrolinx and other municipalities for a number of years. The large orders resulting from group buying allows the participating agencies to leverage better prices.
Burlington’s MPP, Eleanor McMahon said: “This is great news for transit riders in Burlington. With this partnership, Burlington will save money and provide better service, making transit better for the environment and for the entire community.”
The next time you see our MPP on a bus – let us know – that will be news.
By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
If you are a loyal Burlington Gazette reader and you are using an Android based tablet – you may not get through to us. Someone has hacked into our site and installed a bug of some sort that re-directs people who use an Android device to reach us.
 This is not what we are about. Someone wants us off the air. Libel suits didn’t work. We have people working on the problem. One reader was kind enough to suggest a particular piece of clean-up software that will fix this particular problem and do continual sweeps to catch future attempts to interrupt the flow of news.
We are clearly ticking off someone somewhere. It used to be that people would sue us for libel hoping that would shut us down. Now they are resorting to really sneaky dirty tricks – we must be doing something right.
Legal counsel for the Burlington Air Park has asked us to clarify our comment on who might have hacked into our site. We don’t think the Air Park did this – we have no evidence that they did so.
One reader said: “Since yesterday when I try to open www.burlingtongazette.ca on my Android powered tablet, I’m re-directed to any number of porn sites not your newspaper.
 Someone is using malicious software to re-direct people who use Android driven devices to filthy web sites. “I uninstalled and re-installed Chrome (my browser on the tablet) and still got the same result. I installed a completely different browser (Mozilla Foxfire) and got the same unfortunate redirect result.
This is not happening on my PC computer version of Chrome. When I enter your URL on my computer I get to the Gazette.”
We are grateful for the comments and the alerts. We note that no one has commented on the porn sites they were re-directed to.
We are on top of it – it just takes longer than we expected to source the appropriate software; install it and then give the people who operate the software the permissions they need to get into our server and do their clean up.
By Pepper Parr
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The only thing I am worried about” said city Clerk Angela Morgan “is possible line ups at the polling stations on election day”.
 City Clerk Angela Morgan signing the 2010 election returns. Morgan is the staff member who oversees the running of the election. She has an experienced staff but when push comes to shove it is Morgan who calls the shots. She has had a couple of awkward calls to make but because her role is close to judicial – her word is the last word.
In 2010 there were five or six places where the line ups were far too long and people had to wait’ said Morgan. We found that a poll should not have more than 3500 people in it – 4000 tops.
In 2010 the voter turn out was 35.6% of those eligible to vote – one of the highest Burlington has had for a municipal election. If that turnout were to reach the 50% + level there would be line-ups
“So we revised many of the polling boundaries and added polling clerks at several of the polling stations – so I am pretty sure we are OK” said Morgan.
Advance polls opened yesterday and will close on Saturday.
Internet voting has been open for a few days – that too closes on Saturday.
Two interesting piece of information. Internet voting is up substantially over last year. Advance polls are up as well.
 Why, many people have asked, does internet voting and advance polls end on the 18th? Because the city then has to prepare the voters list for the election on the 27th. All those people who voted at the Advance poll and on-line have their names taken out of the list that the polling clerks work from.
Could the amount of time be shorter so that more people get to vote on line; perhaps and there are a number of work arounds that can be put in place but on-line voting is new to Burlington and the one thing about what the Clerk’s office does is this – they are cautious because when they rush things and things go wrong – they go really wrong.
Angela Morgan is a cautious woman who gets a lot of complaints about what candidates are doing. “The election starts far too early: said Morgan “but there is nothing we can do about that – the Municipal Act sets out when a person can file papers to be a candidate” and for those who want to create a profile and name recognition – they have close to a year to do that
 Will these seven become lame ducks on October 27th? If just one of them loses their seat – we have a lame duck council. As city Clerk everything Council does has to be signed by her before it is legal. Morgan plays a critical role in the administration of the work council does. On the morning of October 28th she will know what kind of a Council she has for the month of November. Six of the seven members of the current council have to be returned to office or the Clerk is faced with a “lame duck” council that cannot spend more than $50,000 that is not already budgeted for nor can Council hire or fire any of the senior staff.
That lame duck status holds for just a month – when the new Council is sworn in. Is it reasonable to assume that the significant seven will not all be returned? There are two council members who are at risk and a third that is in trouble.
Determining what a candidate can do with what are known as city resources is a problem the clerk has to contend with. “Some are more decent than others” Morgan explained. Some see the rules as something that have to be strictly adhered to – others will stretch the rules as far as they can.
During the campaign a Save the Planet event took place with more than 2,500 cities around the world holding demonstrations. New York city had more than 175,000 people out on the streets. Burlington had about 40 people waving their signs and placards.
The organization that held the event invited the Mayor, a known environmentalist to speak. The original intention was to start the event at the Gazebo in Spencer Smith Park but that is city owned property and Mayor Goldring was not going to speak at that location during an election.
 Mayor Goldring has taken to wearing his chain of office outside the Council chamber recently. That we think was making too literal an interpretation of the rules. Goldring should have put on his chain of office – talked about the environment and what global warming means to all of us and not say a word about the election and the city’s Energy Management Plan.
Ward 2 Councillor Marie Anne Meed Ward rented the Shoreline Room at the Art Gallery of Burlington for her campaign kick-off. The AGB is an arm’s length operation with its own board and while the city owns the building it is run by the AGB board.
 No photo ops for election candidates on this site. Morgan had a conversation with then AGB president Ian Ross but as Morgan put it “I always struggle with situations like this.” Another candidate running against Meed Ward wanted to film some footage at the entrance to the AGB and was told they could not do that; where does one draw the line?
For Angela Morgan – it is all about both enforcing and interpreting the rules – she seems to get it right most of the time.
Morgan, who lives in Hamilton has voted – online
By Staff
October 17, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
 Angela Paparizo and Trevor Copp. He got the ball rolling in the arts world – she now coordinates arts and cultural events for the city.
It was in 2012 I think when Trevor Copp appeared before city council saying as an artist he wanted to be able to ply his trade in the city he lived in. That was the shot across the bow that resulted in the creation of the Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington (ACCOB) and the hiring of a cultural co-coordinator.
It led to the holding of the critically acclaimed No Vacancy in 2013 and the follow up event at the Village Square that showed the public how vibrant the place could be.
Art and culture got out of the shadows of the newly branded Art Gallery of Burlington and placed artists we had never heard of on the public agenda. Members of Council took a new interest in the arts and were prepared to push some taxpayer dollars in that direction. Burlington has come a long way since the last election
It is useful therefore to know what the candidates had to say about how they see the arts and culture in Burlington. The material comes from the ACCOB.
The mission of the Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington is to advocate for the arts and culture of Burlington, ON and to increase appreciation, support and involvement with arts and culture in the community.
Our organization was founded to bring the voices of the Arts and Culture in our city to be heard in City Hall. We are aiming to help shape the Cultural Action Plan, and receive budgets and execute the ‘Action’ in the Plan. In order to keep moving forward with this plan, we requested responses to these four questions from all registered candidates. They had the opportunity to respond and responses were published to our Collective. Their replies were distributed throughout the contacts and social media membership of the Arts & Culture Collective (over 360 local members).
QUESTIONS:
1. What is your platform on Arts & Culture in Burlington?
2. The Cultural Action Planned passed unanimously in Council in 2013, yet the first new budget item called for by the plan – establishing a City Cultural Manager – was defeated. Please comment on this vote and state your intention moving into the next term on the role of a City Cultural Manager.
3. A funded external body (for example, an Arts Council) is the second item called for in the approved Cultural Action Plan. If such an organization is properly researched and consulted on, would you vote to fund this external body in the next term?
4. Grants is the third major budget item in the Cultural Action Plan. Would y…
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
RICK GOLDRING (INCUMBENT)
 1. I want to continue with the arts and culture investments that the city currently makes. The Art Gallery of Burlington, Burlington Performing Arts Centre, the Museums, Student Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Theatre Burlington, the Teen Tour Band along with investment in the Sound of Music Festival and our twinning relationships with Appledorn, The Netherlands and Itabashi, Japan all contribute to making Burlington a culturally vibrant city. We need to leverage our investment with the objective of broadening the reach of our various cultural programs and proceed with thoughtful implementation of the Cultural Action Plan.
2. I did not support the Cultural Manager as I want to see how we make out this year now that we have a full time cultural planner. Council will revisit this during the 2015 budget discussion.
3. I am definitely interested in exploring the idea of an Arts Council type of structure. We need to be very clear about the purpose and how the organization will fill its mandate.
4. I know Oakville has a granting program. I need to understand more how a granting program would work. What type of artists would be eligible? What is the objective of the grants program? Would the grants be for new artists or emerging artists?
PETER RUSIN
 1. Arts and culture are an integral part of any strong and diverse community. Enhanced quality of life for the people of Burlington is the reason I am running for Mayor, and underlies all elements of my platform. With smart growth comes enhanced arts and culture opportunities. When we build upon our already diverse and rich community, when we attract new revenue, when we recognize the importance of arts and culture and fund it accordingly, we further enrich our city and the people who call it home. We can and should capitalize on Section 37 to provide arts and culture funding within a defined radius of any new development, together with council input and desired priorities.
2. I don’t understand the defeat for a cultural manager position after having conducted all that consultation and study work, but,
I would have to review the job description and how that position would fit into the overall organizational structure at the city before committing to
supporting a full time staff position. Also, it may be that more than one position would be required to satisfy the intent of the cultural action
plan. However, if the city was managed in a more fiscally responsible fashion, then perhaps the funding of such a position and/or department would not be such an issue. Overall, I support the continued efforts at raising the relevance of Arts and Culture in this city.
3. My support would depend on the role of an Arts Council relative to the roles and responsibilities of a City Cultural Manager. It depends on what the funding demands would be, who would be made accountable for the management of the arts and culture department. It would be ideal if there was a plan that could make the department self sustainable with the support of the city. It would also be helpful if the Performing Arts Centre which is a big part of the issue, an entity that could generate profit to assist in further funding the arts and culture initiatives in this city. This city needs to stop spending money on further studies and simply get on with letting arts and culture flourish.
4. This city has a lot of urgent need priorities dealing with pressing issues like healthcare, poverty, and housing, that may promote stronger
justification for funding allocations from the community than for arts and culture. I would like to provide grants, but, it may require a stronger
relationship working with private sector funding sources. There are many provincial and federal grants available to artists; the city may be better focused helping to direct local artists to existing grants.
WARD ONE:
RICK CRAVEN (incumbent)
 Rick Craven: Best committee chair the city has; not big on the warm fuzzy stuff through. Needs a hug badly. 1. I support proper funding and implementation of the Cultural Action Plan.
2. I was the only member of Council to vote in favour of the Cultural Manager as part of the 2014 budget and will do so again when the issues comes forward in 2015.
3. Yes.
4. I accept that we need a lot more discussion about how this will work, but in theory I agree we must move in this direction.
MARGARET STEISS
To the Arts and Culture Collective of Burlington
As an artist myself I have a strong interest in supporting and promoting arts and culture in Burlington. Art and culture enhance our lives on many levels and a strong arts community helps to make Burlington a more enjoyable place to live. We cannot however be blind to reality. This past year has shown us that we have some major challenges ahead, particularly with infrastructure. The way we handle arts and culture needs to be done in the most fiscally responsible way possible. What I would like to see is an easily accessible website that lists all arts, culture, recreation and leisure groups in one place so people can find groups they are interested in quickly and easily.
Before I could agree on a paid General Manager I would need to look carefully at what supports are already in place at city hall and to make sure we are not duplicating services.
While a paid arts council would be nice I think we would be better served right now by a volunteer arts advisory committee such as we have for other interests such as heritage. The money saved on salaries could then be put towards grants which would directly help those in the arts.
I do believe in grants in particular towards helping groups become self-sustaining.
JASON BOELHOUWER
 1. I believe that the City has some valuable Artistic and Cultural physical assets (ie: drama centre, Art Centre, Performing Arts Centre) The City is also blessed with some wonderful groups (Teen Tour Band, various Guilds and Performance organizations etc.), I think that these groups are best left to manage themselves without interference or oversight from the City. I would also like to see them be as self sufficient as possible.
2. I assume that there was a reason for this, without knowing the behind the scenes efforts on both sides I have no idea why it was defeated. At first blush it would seem that if the Plan was approved, then funding considerations should have been part and parcel in the decision making process.
3. The previous question sounds like it puts the entire CAP on hold. If the Plan is in place but the funding is being defeated by the current City Council, the question is what is wrong with the overall picture ? Logic suggests that if there is a problem getting funding for the first item then the same problem will exist for subsequent items.
4. See answer to item #3
PATRICK ALLEN
1. Arts & Culture is an essential part of the health & vibrancy of this city. The development and implementation of a viable, sustainable Arts & Culture community is something I fully support and would encourage all council members to support vigorously.
2. A. I couldn’t comment on what motivated people to vote one way or another. I think that sometimes council may make decisions based on their personal choices rather than the evidence in front of them or what their constituents may
want. My intention would be to support the hiring of a person who could deliver on the objectives through a variety of means. All I would ask for is to see several viable options on the table prior to casting a vote.
b. There are several comparisons made throughout the documentation to other cities. Other cities have 4,5 6, 12 employees and X amount of funding. This sounds like a Rick Goldring thing. Lets think outside the box and collaborate on an idea or ideas that will have an impact that is visible. I want to support a proposition that is different than other cities, one where something unique is happening. Wouldn’t it be great to be known as the Arts & Culture centre of Canada?
3. Again, with a variety of options presented that are sound, viable, sustainable, I could get behind the project. Perhaps a graduated pilot project might be the answer to the negative council vote. Show me something different that doesn’t take tax dollars away from essential services. We are a rich community and need the Arts but we also need to be able to generate revenue for the city on a cost recovery basis through these activities.
4.. Government grants are great and I would be looking to the province or the federal government for those grants. Endowments, scholarships, small business initiatives are all great ways to support the Arts. My voting would support some sort of creative initiative in terms of funding; one where the taxpayer does not carry the full load.
WARD TWO
Marianne Meed Ward (incumbent)
 Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward. Unbeatable? Some Tory’s seem to think so. 1. Vibrant local arts and culture contributes to our city’s quality of life, economic prosperity, social inclusion and vibrancy. The majority of the city’s cultural investment has been in buildings; we need now to focus on people who provide culture. I support a citizen’s committee on culture to foster collaboration and oversee grants; expanded criteria for facility grants; and single oversight of grants for festivals and events with clear criteria. The downtown has a unique role to play in culture, and as the councillor for downtown I’m committed to exploring a cultural district downtown, as recommended by the Downtown Task Group.
2. The Plan did not call for the manager position in the first year. Staff advised council that through staff realignment they can find the additional cultural manager position within the existing staff complement. I support that approach as council’s goal city-wide has been to find new positions by staff realignment. I did support the increase in cultural staffing from half to full time. My first priority for additional cultural investment is directly to artists to defray performance space cost (See item 4).
3. I am open to exploring options for an external granting body, for example a citizen’s committee on culture, with budget and staffing support. This committee could do for culture what Heritage Burlington has done for heritage – overseeing grants, loans and rebates to heritage owners, fostering heritage appreciation and awards, collaborating with heritage owners on preservation and more. This group is citizen-led with staff support and a budget over $100,000. This model could work for culture, bringing all the city’s grants to groups and events under single oversight with transparent criteria and budget, and fostering cultural collaboration.
4. Yes, subject to further definition of eligibility. The focus should be on venue space for local groups and events. Culture is already happening in Burlington, but artists have told me it’s difficult to find affordable, appropriate space, whether it’s a venue for a play or film festival, space to display art, or a venue for modern art. The Burlington Performing Art Centre is cost-prohibitive for some local groups. The city’s existing facility fee waiver program excludes city buildings operated by an independent board, like the BPAC, Art Gallery of Burlington or libraries/museums. Facility grants must change to include these buildings.
Philip Papadopoulos
1. I am a whole-hearted supporter of the arts and have been my entire life. The arts are a core building block of any community and like all special interest groups in the city, it deserves a fair share of attention.
2. As with any issue faced by council, there are a number of factors that determine whether a plan is moved forward in a timely manner. These factors need to be carefully considered at the proper time. Just because a budget item is defeated does not mean that it will not surface again in the future to be looked at. If the conditions are right, a motion will pass. I cannot comment on specifics as to why each councillor voted the way they did and their reasoning.
3. The prudent thing to do would be to see what the results of the research are before making a decision on this. Proper research and consultation does not equal a positive result. The research may find a positive result but it also may find a negative or indifferent result. What the city needs are leaders who are open minded and willing to listen before making an informed, responsible decision about how taxpayer’s money will be spent. Recklessly agreeing to something without considering the ramifications would be irresponsible.
4. As with the second and third questions, there is more to consider about an issue before lending your support to it. I am willing to listen to what people have to say, I will meet with them to discuss issues and try my best to educate myself on each topic to make an informed decision.
Kelly Arnott
 werv 1. Arts and culture is more than a “nice to have”. A vibrant arts scene contributes to the quality of life of all residents, helps to retain our youth, and bring people and businesses here. Evidence of creative expression throughout a city is one of the indicators of a healthy, thriving community. Fostering an environment that allows arts and culture to thrive is especially important in our downtown. A lot of time, research, and expertise has been put into the Cultural Action Plan, and it’s time to start implementing and funding some of the recommendations, on a gradual basis.
2. Burlington’s investment in human resources specific to culture is lower than other municipalities, so the recommendation that we hire a Cultural Manager is not unreasonable. I will support it. I would however, due to budget constraints, consider the possibility of the position being something less than full-time, especially since a position for an Arts Coordinator has also just been posted with the City. If an external body is formed and funded, I think a Cultural Manager and Planner working together with this arts council would be most effective, in helping our arts community to move forward.
3. Yes. I think this is important. From what I understand the Arts Council in Hamilton is very effective and would be a great example to follow. I’d like to see a variety of funding sources though—not only the City of Burlington. The Province and the Ontario Arts Council should also contribute to funding.
4. Yes, although we’d still need to discuss how this will work and how much the City can afford. If and when an arts council is created, it would seem to make the most sense for that council to include someone who is experienced and qualified in applying for grants from various levels of government. If there are opportunities to work with the business community, those should be explored. (i.e. funding of arts scholarships, sponsorships of special events like Cirque etc).
Andy Porecki
I have been a strong advocate for arts and culture in Burlington as a direct participant as well as a supporter. Volunteering for the Sound of Music Festival for more than 7 years, (currently I am the festival President), has given me a greater appreciation and understanding for the need and value of arts and culture.
1.I believe that Arts & Culture in Burlington helps to form the bedrock of a vibrant community. It’s through Arts & Culture initiative that Burlington has become known for it’s community feel. With new arts organizations choosing Burlington as a home, I intend to foster and grow these relationships.
2. As I was not a sitting council member during these deliberations I cannot comment in detail on why this motion was defeated. However, moving forward I would support a critically considered arts council or cultural manager. This is not a simple process, and as was mentioned in public articles previously, the decision cannot be made lightly. The right person, and the right volunteers would need to come together in harmony to create a sustainable future for this aspect of our city.
3. A question in broad terms is difficult to answer simply yes or no. Based on a viable fiscal plan, involving the right people, and sensible budgets, I would absolutely support such a committee. However I will not support it without a diligent plan to create something that’s sustainable, and garners a viable return to our city.
4. Again, based on research and a plan, I will always support the artists of our city. Whether that involves granting, or other potential incentives, I’m willing to work with my fellow council members to promote and foster arts in our community.
WARD THREE
John Taylor (incumbent)
 Ward 3 Councillor John Taylor will want to have his mitts all over who is on the committee that selects the artist chosen to do the public art for the Mountainside recreational centre. While infrastructure repair and renewal and economic development are the two top needs in Burlington, I believe it is important to start to implement the City’s Cultural Plan. Therefore I am committed to establishing the position of Cultural Manager and an Arts Council in the next term. However, a substantive business case would have to be presented before I would consider grants to individual artists. The City has many financial challenges due to declining development plus commitments to a new 20 year infrastructure repair and renewal programme and a renewed emphasis on economic development. Not all needs can be met by our present financial plan, so they must be prioritized and partially funded from corporate restructuring savings and redeployments.
WARD FOUR
Jack Dennison (incumbent)
 “I don’t want to hear anymore delegations” said Councillor Jack Dennison. 1.I certainly attend arts and culture events in Burlington on a regular basis, including the recently completed Sound of Music Festival, AGB and the BPAC (a favourite is the Burlington Concert Band) and Drury Lane Theatre (where I have been an advertiser for decades).
Burlington is a community with significant infrastructure needs; in particular, road, sidewalk and curb repairs and as long as that is the case, then I will continue to not support arts expenditures like $100,000 for the orchids on Upper Middle Road, the artists benches on the Centennial Bike Path at approximately $10,000 each in comparison to standard benches for $1,000 each, the artists bike racks instead of standard racks that hold more bicycles more securely.
2. The 2014 budget was a challenging budget trying to balance all of our community needs and wants and still maintain a budget increase even close to inflation which is what the majority of our constituents want us to maintain as an upset limit.
The manager of Cultural Services proposed position included an expense of $136,000. I believe that having the current cultural planner in Parks & Recreation is an appropriate start to improving our Arts & Culture program and that we should reevaluate as part of the 2015 budget, the need for the addition of Manager of Cultural Services. I am supportive of such a position as long as it can be funded within the existing staff complement.
3. Assuming in 2015 Budget we are again struggling with a realistic budget increase, I would be looking for budget reductions in other areas in order to have funds available for this incentive. Council’s history shows that new programs get added in but underutilized programs do not get dropped. There are activities that are included in the city budget that are not required. I will continue to look to balance demonstrated needs versus underutilized wants.
4. I think we should be going through a logical, balanced and sustainable progression. First the dedicated staff position approved in 2014 followed by the cultural Manager, followed by a funded Arts Council and finally by a grant program while always coming forward with a responsible budget that balances our community needs and wants with fair, taxation.
Doug Wilcox
1. I have always supported the Arts and Cultural community. When I was on Municipal Council in Orangeville I secured a $750,000 Provincial grant to fully restore the 100 year old upstairs theatre in the Town Hall, we hired Jim Bettes to start up and run what is now known as Theatre Orangeville, I sat on the board for many years.
2.As mentioned above Orangeville Council hired a full time person to run Theatre Orangeville.
3.Yes I would.
4. Yes I would.
Carol Gottlob
 When I moved to Burlington in 1995, I wasn’t entirely familiar with the arts and cultural scene, and to be honest, I wasn’t even expecting it. What a pleasant surprise! At the first opportunity I became a volunteer at the Burlington Art Centre. Art and culture are the hallmarks of a living city. Why else would I be visiting New York City right now, if not to take in a Broadway show, visit the museums and galleries, stop in at a jazz club and delight in the street life? I think over the years, Burlington has quietly demonstrated that art lives here. The Burlington Art Centre (now the Art Gallery of Burlington), the Sound of Music Festival, the Teen Tour Band are all hallmarks of this community. Therefore, they deserve to be supported by patrons, business and the C.O.B. alike.
Historically, I believe the community artists and historians took care of the “business” of art and culture, and did so in a very fine way with very little government support. It is now, only after being widely recognized as a creative centre in the province of Ontario that we need to look for ways to sustain the success of Burlington art and culture.
So, in answer to the second part, regarding the position of City Cultural Manager, it is my belief that perhaps the time for that is yet to come. It is apparent that other cities such as Kingston and Mississauga spend considerably more on support of the arts and culture in their communities, but again, this begs the question, if we have been doing so well, why do we need a City Cultural Manager? The answer is in the ever increasing expansion of the art world in the city. Not only that, but the nature of art is changing by virtue of technology. So, a City Cultural Manager? Yes. When? Not sure, but in the not too distant future. In the meantime, we have existing people in place to look after the needs of the city, so we are not abandoning the cause.
Meanwhile, an Arts Council makes a lot of sense to me. I also very much like the idea of a spokesperson for each ward. It is important that the activities across the city be coordinated, and a spokesperson in each ward would guarantee that no party is left out. I would vote in favour of a grants program, as long as it is monitored to evaluate the success/failure, and limited to a period of assessment.
So, in closing, I would say that art/culture is equally important to the life of a community as business is, and that they are not mutually exclusive. If there are programs in place to support business, there should be programs in place to support Art/Culture in whatever way possible because human expression through music, dance, film, theatre and visual art has proven itself unstoppable.
I thrive on change. It is essentially the reason I am running for office. I don’t believe in change simply for the sake of change, but change as a channel for improvement and development. The question I ask myself when considering changes to existing policies, programs or delivery of programs is this: “Is this
progress?” If so, let’s give it our support. If not, let’s reconsider. Which is why I’m hoping the people of Ward 4 will chose to change the existing leadership, and explore other possibilities with me.
WARD FIVE
Paul Sharman (incumbent)
 Paul Sharman served on the Shape Burlington Committee along with Lancaster. He was a bit of a “bull in a china shop” with that organization and brought the trait along with him when he got electd to Council. 1. I HAVE BEEN AN ACTIVE SUPPORTER OF ARTS AND CULTURE SINCE I STARTED ON COUNCIL. I ORGANIZED A NUMBER OF MEETINGS WITH TREVOR COPP, AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF THE BAC, BPAC, BPL, TOURISM, MUSEUM AND RBG TO ACHIEVE A LEVEL OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN STAFF. THE RESULT WAS A COMBINATION OF DOORS OPEN WITH CULTURE WEEK AND AN ONGOING DIALOGUE DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CULTURAL ACTION PLAN. I CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ART AND CULTURE IN THE CITY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING SURE WE HAVE A PROPERLY FUNDED AND STAFFED PROGRAM.
2. I AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A CULTURAL MANAGER; IN FACT, WE ALREADY HAVE SOMEONE ACTING IN THAT ROLE WHO IS DOING GREAT WORK. DURING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS I WAS NOT IN FAVOUR OF BRINGING SOMEONE IN IMMEDIATELY FROM OUTSIDE CITY STAFF THAT WOULD HAVE INCREASED THE OVERALL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES. THE CITY MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE ROLE OF CULTURAL MANAGER CAN BE FILLED AS WORK FROM OTHER PROGRAMS IS REDISTRIBUTED. I STILL EXPECT THE ROLE TO BE FILLED IN SOME WAY.
3. I AGREE THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF EXTERNAL GUIDING BODY. MY PREREFENCE IS THAT IT SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED WITH A COMBINATION OF SUCCESSFUL, EXPERIENCED MEMBERS OF A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ARTS AND CULTURE CATEGORIES. BURLINGTON DESERVES SUCCESSFUL AND PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMING ACROSS ALL VENUES. FURTHER, I DO NOT BELEIVE IT SHOULD BE AN “OFFICIAL” CITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE BECAUSE THEY TEND TO GET TIED UP IN BUROCRATIC RED TAPE AND HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY CITY STAFF AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
4. I DO SUPPORT FUNDING BECAUSE I BELIEVE ARTS AND CULTURE ARE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF BURLINGTON AND OUR VISION “WHERE PEOPLE, NATURE AND BUSINESS THRIVE”. TO THAT END, THE CITY HAS TO MANAGE ITS FUNDING PRIORITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CITY’S OVERALL STRATEGIC GOALS AND FISCAL SUSTAINABILITY. LIKE STAFFING, THE CITY HAS TO BALANCE FUNDING DECISIONS.
James Smith
 1. – “Challenging” is a tired and cliche expression too often used in contemporary art & culture. I want the Arts & Culture in Burlington to “Challenge” us with BBFD projects
(Bold, Beautiful, Fun, Delightful) so more members of the community actively support Arts and Culture
– As a Design Consultant, I want Burlington to mean something to the wider world or Art, Design and Culture – when I tell clients this where I’m based I want this to
mean something so I want to see the more accessible, BBFD Arts and Cultural events and we need to tell the region, the province and the world Burlington is a place practice, show
and learn about the arts and culture
– The cultural Action Plan (I participated in one of the sessions at the Art Gallery) is a baby step in the right direction; my one criticism is it’s too general and the call to action needs to be bigger – ie More Action, less Plan
– Arts Community needs to get out and connect more and directly with everyone in Burlington
– Arts & Culture Pitch night in February – think TED Talk meets Dragon’s den – 3 minutes to pitch one’s Arts and Culture ideas; here are my five pitches:
– A kid’s chalk art festival
– Self playing Musical devices (Singing Roads, Whistling Break Wall, Pedestrian Carillon Steps)
– Art Installations on the Bike Paths
– A prize to make the Hydro Towers on the beach COOL
– Tens of Thousands of people will be coming to the GTHA for PAN AM. We are on the main route from the USA to Toronto,
we are also on the main route to one of the largest tourist attractions in the world, Niagara Falls, the Arts & Cultural community
in Burlington should promote temporary Art & Cultural installations in time for PAN AM this will take some quick action by the city of Burlington For Burlington to attract the best and brightest citizens and businesses we have to have cultural activities throughout the city and not just centred in the downtown. My Vision East idea would encourage those involved in the cultural community to spread the wealth in our East End neighbourhoods.
2. – While I support the creation of a CEO or Cultural Pooh-bah position I don’t think this should be a city staff position but be head of an arms length organization with a board and funded (in part) by the city
– Rejecting the position is a far too typical technique at Burlington City Hall; agree on a direction, then don’t act when the resources are asked for. If I support a direction, like the Cultural Action Plan, then I’ll support the recommendations, and in this case the creation of a Cultural Manager
– If elected, I’ll work with the Arts & Cultural community to put to city council a more focused plan with more clear goals and objectives to prove to council the benefits for the city of a Cultural Pooh-bah.
-This position should be willing and able to work with, and help co-ordinate efforts with the CEO’s of the Museums, Art Gallery, Festivals, and Performing Arts Centre
3. – This should be the first priority for Arts & Culture – set up the council – it should be a citizens committee or not for profit, run under a Joint Venture Agreement with the city (City Staff can assist in setting this organization up & should help fund it)
– In principal, I support this, however; I see an Arts Council having a marketing, management and evangelizing function for Arts and Culture
– Not just a cheque writers we need cool kids shaking you and me & my neighbours up and out of our work-a-day malaise
4. – Again, in principal yes, perhaps a hybrid model is called for say a cross between the Toronto Arts Council The Burlington Community Foundation and ARTSCAPE so it is partially self funding
WARD SIX
Blair Lancaster (incumbent)
 A delightful work of art – but you may never see it – sitting as it does in the middle of Upper Middle Road yards away from a railway underpass. 1. During my term on Council I have been excited to participate in the successful projects that have been approved so far. I am actively involved in engaging Ward 6 in the creation of the Mural at Haber and was very proud to find a home at Haber for the Art that I located at Hansen Brick. Arts and Culture is extremely important to me as I feel it contributes greatly to the vibrancy of our community. I would like to develop a program that not only celebrates arts but promotes the Artist.
2. A solution to advancing arts and culture in our community is not as simple as hiring someone. We have been down this road before with little to show for it. I would prefer to spend the money on projects that would provide visual results and net community benefits. The proposal to hire for this position left a lot to be desired as there was no money allotted for projects. We need a more comprehensive solution to advancing the Arts.
3. In our discussions regarding the Cultural Manager Position, I clearly articulated that a committee could easily manage a plan to promote Arts and Culture in our community. I would prefer to see funding going to actual projects rather than to a salary. Allowing Artists to participate in this funding would offer an opportunity for them to perform, showcase their Art and help them build their portfolios and therefore promote their artist talent.
4. In my view we must find a way to overcome prohibitive legislation that currently prevents us from limiting fund participation to local groups. Currently when a request for proposal is issued, it must be extended to anyone in the World and cannot be exclusive to Burlington. I would like to enter into discussions with staff, legal and the Arts community to find funding solutions that will promote local artists.
Angelo Bentivegna
 werv Thanks for the opportunity to have my voice heard on the Cultural Action Plan and my vision on the future planning and management of this very important program that will give our City distinct character and attitude.
1-As a 30 year resident of Burlington and a local business owner here in our city for over 25 years, I believe it is time to move forward to create and implement a unique and dynamic Cultural plan in our City. I have raised four children, all of whom have had many positive experiences with the arts, theater, at local events, and sports. We now have grandchildren…and the time has come to step it up.
2-I completely support a position of a City Cultural Manager. Our neighbourhoods are all maturing and we need to take a leadership role in molding the approved Cultural Action Plan. Our goal is to keep our residents connected in our City, wanting more and having fun in our City.
3-I support the need to hire a qualified consultant to explore and guide us with the knowledge and help us drive this bus. Staff and Council can then take appropriate action and direct energies to bring this plan to fruition.
4- I will collaborate with my council colleagues to solicit all levels of government, including our municipality,as well as local industry and build partnerships to generate granting funds. I would also suggest creating an annual awards program/evening (gala) to highlight accomplishments of Burlington’s most creative achievers and acknowledge excellence. Scholarships can be awarded to young local artists or contributors to the Cultural environment with funds going toward continuing their education in their field.
Jennifer Hlusko
 1. Cultural development has been a top priority for me, as evidenced by all the years of music lessons, rehearsals, summer camps, and the musical instruments etc we have had has gone towards the cultural development of my children. Chamber music, ballet, opera, symphony, these are the ways my family spent time together, but these events were nearly always found outside of Burlington. I really believe that the future of the arts is dependent on building an audience. I understand first hand that if you don’t build the audience with children, by making it accessible to families, you lose the arts. There are so many opportunities for more arts here, but people have to be exposed to it. It is so disappointing that Burlington institutions have been so negligent in hiring and highlighting local talent. As soon as you involve local residents, you instantly have access to their network of audience. People are less likely to invest in something they have had no exposure to. Additionally, as the owner and restorer of a heritage home, I value the cultural heritage of Burlington architecture. I am also passionate about the horticultural arts. My gardens are a celebration of Ontario’s diversity with a focus on less common native plants and trees. I have invested myself fully in designing and growing my gardens and I view them as my art.
I believe that I am the perfect advocate for Arts & Culture in Burlington, as I have seen the lasting impact the arts have had on my family. The Cultural Action Plan report is very well written and logical. I completely support the strategy.
2. Having thoroughly read the Cultural Action Plan, I do not feel like the roll out needs to include a Manager at this time. Had the City staff made a more compelling business case for the strategic need for the role this year, I would have supported it. The cost benefit needs to ensure that a large salary, such as the one indicated in the budget proposal, has concrete and measurable deliverables in year one. Going forward, I would support a Manager role that is phased in at the recommendation of the Cultural Plan. I think the money would have been better spent on initiating a granting program. Spreading that money amongst 20 arts groups would create more art experiences and develop a greater audience.
3. Yes, there has to be a council. I would look to municipalities that have done it well, to see how they run it. Certainly in music, a performing musician would not have the time or necessarily the strengths required to carry out the critical administrative duties required to access the grant dollars and keep the organization running smoothly. There are lots of great arts lovers and advocates, many of whom have been artists themselves, who would have the skills required to run such a council.
4. Yes. Without a grant, there isn’t any point following a Cultural Action Plan. Grants are how you support the local little guy. There are so many exciting ways to build and develop the arts in Burlington that need grants to execute. Imagine funding a group of world-class local musicians to do unique ensemble music for ten year olds, pairing unusual instruments, like the guitar, the harp, and the piccolo! Grants are essential to creation and experimentation. I would vote to fund a grants program, especially with a strategic focus of offering grants aimed at building an arts appreciative Burlington audience.
Jim Curran
 Burlington has a rich and diverse arts and cultural community. All three of my children are involved in the Arts in one way or another. Even my five year old takes classes at AGB throughout the year.
As an elected Councillor for Ward 6 I will Endeavour to assist in sustaining worthy initiatives within a framework of fiscal responsibility.
 By Staff
October 16, 2104
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service is reaching out to the public for possible witnesses in the disappearance of Janis Ozollapa who has been missing since September 30th.
 Janis Ozollapa – missing since September 30th On October 10th 2014 the Halton Regional Police, acting on information received from a member of the public Police discovered his vehicle with vanity plates in a parking lot behind a business at 157 Cross Avenue, Oakville, opposite the Oakville GO station.
From video surveillance seized, on Wednesday October 1st, 2014, at approximately 5:25am, an unidentified male was seen running westbound on Cross Avenue from The Lighting Centre.
Also seen on the video surveillance were three separate vehicles travelling eastbound at the same time the unidentified male was running westbound. Police are reaching out to speak with the drivers of these vehicles.
One vehicle was a motorcycle, the second, a pickup truck and the third, a taxi cab.
Police investigators have no indication of foul play and remain concerned for Mr. Ozollapa as his disappearance is extremely out of character.
Fifty year old Janis OZOLLAPA was last at his work place on Weeping Willow Drive in Oakville on September 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. He has not made contact with his family or friends and police are concerned for his well-being.
 Ozollapa’s vehicle was discovered parked close to the Oakville GO station. Ozollapa is described as male/white, 6’0”, 170 lbs, medium build, grey eyes, bald, goatee and speaks with a heavy Latvian accent. He was wearing a t-shirt, blue jeans, brown Crocs and had a black laptop briefcase.
Anyone with information is asked to contact D/Sergeant Ron Hansen, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2315, or,
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call 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).
There is more to this than a missing person event.
By Pepper Parr
October 16, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The Flood Relief fund got boosted by $25,000 last week when Longos came through with a cheque for $25,000. That took the total to the 38% point of the $2 million target that fund raising director Ron Foxcroft said he wanted collected within 100 days which is November 15.
The Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee announced it has selected Cunningham Lindsay Canada Claims Services Ltd. as the insurance adjuster to coordinate the claims disbursement process. Since the Application for Losses and Damages became available on September 30th, approximately 20 claims have been filed with the Committee.
 From the left: Gus Longo, Laurie-Ann Correia, Colleen Mulholland, , Rosanne Longo, Eleanor McMahon, Burlington MP and Liz Volk “We are moving forward with our efforts to coordinate the claims process to ensure we can soon start dispersing funds to flood victims who need it most,” says Colleen Mulholland, President and CEO of the Burlington Community Foundation. “In addition we are highly focused on seeking clarity regarding the Ontario government’s position on the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program (ODRAP) and continuing our efforts to raise funds for the remainder of the 100 day fundraising campaign.”
Put another way Ms Mulholland is asking: Where’s your part of this effort Minister McMeekin ?
The provincial ODRAP program allows the province to give $2 for every dollar raised locally – and much of Burlington has come through in a major way.
 The Claims Committee will work closely with Cunningham Lindsay to assist those who need help completing the Application for Losses and Damages paperwork. Flood victims who are uninsured or under-insured need to fill out the appropriate forms and submit them to the Claims Committee for review.
“We are committed to helping anyone who needs assistance completing the forms and encourage those folks to connect with the BCF office by phone or email,” says Mulholland. “We are also planning Town Hall meetings in early November to offer assistance and answer any questions that flood victims may have.”
As of noon today, the Burlington Community Foundation Flood Disaster Relief Committee has raised $760,000 in cash.
“Our 100 day fundraising campaign is running until November 14th and the Committee and countless dedicated volunteers are leaving no stone unturned,” says Ron Foxcroft, Chair, BCF Flood Disaster Relief Committee. ”We also hope to fully understand how the Ontario government will support the tremendous efforts of our community who have opened their wallets and hearts to sup port those victims who are still suffering from the August 4th flood.”
Burlingtonians can expect to be asked to make a small donation to flood relief when they shop at Fortinos and Longo’s in the coming weeks. About 75 other retailers throughout the city also have coin boxes at their cash. The Burlington Sports Alliance is also organizing fundraising efforts and has established a Burlington Flood Relief Fund bank account which can be accessed at any CIBC branch.
“While we still have a lot of fundraising activities on the go we also recognize there are many other important fundraising initiatives competing for much needed charitable donations,” says Foxcroft. “Our team is working tremendously hard and the good residents and businesses of Burlington continue to step up.”
For those who want a copy of the Application for Losses and Damages CLICK Here,
or call: (905) 639-0744 ext 221
More donors are encouraged to continue supporting the campaign by:
Cheque – make cheques out to “Burlington Community Foundation” with a memo reference to Flood Relief Campaign – mail or drop off at Burlington Community Foundation, 3380 South Service Road, Unit 107, Burlington, Ontario, L7N 3J5
On-line donations – Go to and click on the DONATE NOW button.
 By Staff
October 15, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Dr. Eric Hoskins and Dr. David Mowat, Interim Chief Medical Officer of Health, said in a statement: ““We know that Ontarians may have concerns related to the ongoing challenges in West Africa and recent events in the United States regarding the spread of the Ebola virus.
“Let us assure you that the safety of Ontario’s health care workers, patients and the public are our top priority.
 A “new” Joseph Brant will be easier to keep clean – but cleanliness is an attitude. “We are confident that Ontario is prepared and ready to contain and treat any potential case of Ebola virus in our province — protocols are in place and we’ve seen the system work well in Ontario hospitals.
With the experience and lessons learned from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, our health care facilities now have sophisticated infection control systems and procedures to protect health care providers, patients and all Ontarians. They are fully equipped to deal with any potential cases of Ebola.
“But all health care workers, especially those providing care to patients, must be safe and protected. This is why we are working with health care employers to ensure they are providing appropriate training for their staff on the proper use of personal protective equipment and other occupational health and safety measures. We are also continuing to work with health care workers and employers to further strengthen protective measures and ensure they’re in place at all times.
“Our health care workers are on the front lines and it is times like these when we are all reminded of how critical their work is in protecting the public. We want them to feel safe.
“We will be reaching out to our health care partners to ensure they have the maximum protection possible and plan to release revised guidelines by the end of the week.
“The government, in collaboration with our health system partners, is monitoring the Ebola situation and is continually assessing our state of readiness should a case of Ebola ever occur in Ontario.
Burlington has experience with communicable diseases.
 A Class Action suit was settled for $9 million – $4860,453 went to the people who died or suffered from Clostridium difficile. Between May 1, 2006 to and including December 31, 2007, more than 90 people died while at the Joseph Brant Hospital from Clostridium difficile. A class action suit was filed that resulted in a settlement of $9 million.
Of that amount just $4,860,453 went to the survivors and those who suffered from the virus but did not die and family members.
Confidence in the public health system is vital – but it takes more than statements from Ministers and senior public officials to instill that confidence.
The Joseph Brant hospital is in the process of being basically completely re-built. It will be easier to keep a new building clean – but – cleanliness is an attitude which the hospital is going to have to instil in every staff member. That wasn’t the case in the second half of 2006.
Ebola is also a much different disease.
 By Ray Rivers
October 16, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
In less than three weeks Canadian CF-18s will be bombing ISIS targets in Iraq. It seems like only yesterday we got out of Afghanistan, and now we’re back at it again. The US wants partners and Mr. Harper is only too happy to oblige, and add our jets to those of France, the UK and some of the neighbouring Arab states. Something we also did in Libya as well… and hasn’t that turned out well?
 Does this model sit on the Prime Minister’s Desk? This engagement is fraught with even more challenges. First of all, we are only hitting Iraqi targets yet much of the ISIS organization is in Syria. Second, the US has already cherry-picked the best targets, such that US pilots are complaining that they are running out of things to bomb. Third, with no opposing ground troops ISIS will not be defeated, everyone concedes that. Fourth, this military action is not a UN mission and is therefore, arguably, illegal.
And it doesn’t even qualify as a NATO mission for the obvious reason that it is neither in the North Atlantic nor a response to an attack on a member nation. So who are we defending? Turkey, with the second largest army in NATO, is just sitting on the sidelines watching the Syrian Kurds get annihilated by ISIS, while simultaneously repressing its own Kurdish population. Recalling Turkey’s historical genocide of the Greeks and Armenians, should anyone be surprised?
Israel is perfectly mum on ISIS and is keeping its powder dry in the event it feels the need to pulverize Gaza again, and kill off another thousand or so innocent people. Iran is officially sitting on its hands, waiting for its neighbour to completely disintegrate, so it can absorb the southern Shia areas.
The bordering Arab states, including those that helped create ISIS, are doing little more than Canada is planning to do. And Russia, for which ISIS poses an eventual and legitimate threat is too busy sponsoring war in Ukraine. The point is that if the nations in the region, where ISIS is in play, can’t get worked-up enough to take the ISIS threat seriously, why are we going there?
 Canadian pilots will get useful air time – what else is there in this “war” for Canadians? Another medal will get created and issued. Mr. Harper has always had a bee-in-his-bonnet about Iraq, wanting Canada to pitch in with GW Bush’s ‘Shock and Awe’ adventure back then. So this was an easy decision for him. Besides the plan is that our CG-18s will be running target practice, not that much different from what they do at CFB Cold Lake. Except Iraq has a warmer climate and the targets are real people.
The US is testing two new planes in this conflict, the F-22 and the F-35, the latter of which Mr. Harper had wanted to buy, despite its many warts. So this is a good opportunity to see these planes in action before the PM lays down our cash. And if we lose one of our old CF-18s, well… what better justification do we need to replace it with a new stealth F-35.
Except, losing planes might bring our involvement into question, especially if a captured pilot is beheaded by one of those ISIS nut-bars. There would be no way of mounting a rescue without a ground component and that is just not in the cards. The fact is if Harper really believed ISIS was a threat to Canada he would have sent in ground troops, as well as the jets, since that is the only way to destroy the movement.
America used to command a certain moral authority among nations. It could be counted on to do the right thing most of the time. But then along came Dubya Bush. And now peace Nobelist Obama is unable or unwilling to change course. So when he asked other nations to join his coalition all who showed up were the usual suspects, and a spattering of local Arab states – those he supplies with war-toys.
The USA is Canada’s closest trading partner, ally and friend – and friends should help friends. No doubt that was behind Harper’s offer of CF-18s. Yet our six planes will be no more that a drop in the bucket when it comes to dousing the flames of Islamic jihadism. And even if we hurt them, they’ll be back. Haven’t we already seen this movie? Why does anyone think it’ll work out better this time?
 Most observers argue that “boots on the ground” are what is needed to beat ISIS – will any of those boots be Canadian. Sometimes the best help you can give a friend is to say no. After all, the Americans have already accomplished some key objectives.
They have slowed down the ISIS advance on the capital city, prevented the over-running of Kurdish areas and had a chance to test out new fighter jets. Still, without combat forces on the ground ISIS cannot be defeated.
But Harper wasn’t going to say no. The critics who opposed this, the NDP, Greens and Liberals, argued that Canada’s contribution should be limited to humanitarian aid.
They were overridden by a PM determined to go to war, probably convinced that this was just another bit of target practice for the fly-boys. We should all hope that the PM was right and our pilots come home safe and sound at the end of our commitment.
 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 against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
Background links:
Illegal War Limits of Air Strikes Kobani Kurds Air Strikes
Canada’s Jets ISIS Threat Turkish Genocide Air War
F-35 Jet
 By Staff
October 15, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
A ring of sophisticated car thieves is being rounded up with additional charges being laid.
Back in June a male was arrested and charged with several counts of theft of motor vehicle relating to his involvement in a sophisticated and organized auto theft group operating in the Halton Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
The continuing investigation has resulted in additional charges against the accused.
Yusuf OMER (22 years of Toronto)
Charged with:
Theft of Motor Vehicle (2 counts)
Possession of Instruments of Forgery
Possession of Identity Documents
OMER has been in custody since his arrest on June 30th, 2014. He now faces a total of 30 criminal charges, including 23 counts of theft of motor vehicle. The value of the stolen vehicles related to the charges is approximately $750 000.
In the fall of 2013 Halton Police identified a trend in auto thefts that were occurring within the Towns of Milton and Oakville within Halton Region. During these incidents, a number of vehicles had been stolen from residential driveways during the night.
In each instance, there was no apparent forced entry to the stolen vehicles while the keys remained in the possession of the rightful owners. An extensive investigation into these vehicle thefts was started that involved members of the Milton and Oakville Criminal Investigations Bureau along with several external partnering agencies. The investigation into these thefts identified a number of high-end vehicles that had vanished from driveways in Milton, Oakville, York Region, Peel Region and Toronto.
Over the course of this lengthy investigation, officers worked in cooperation with representatives from Toyota Canada, local car dealerships within the community, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (I.B.C.) and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (N.I.C.B.) in the United States. Auto Theft Investigators from the Peel, York and Toronto Police Services also assisted in the case. This collaborative investigation eventually led to the identification of several suspects alleged to be involved in an organized network of auto thieves from across the GTA. Halton Police estimate the total approximate value of the stolen vehicles related to the charges against these individuals to be in excess of $700,000.00.
Four Toronto men have been arrested and charged in connection with a series of vehicle thefts that occurred in Oakville, Peel Region and the City of Toronto from December 2013 to March 2014.
Yusuf OMER (22 years) of Toronto
Charges: Theft of Motor Vehicle (21 counts), Attempt Theft of Motor Vehicle, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Break In Instruments, Breach of an Undertaking, Fail to Appear Court
Yusuf MUSE (21 years) of Toronto
Charges: Theft of Motor Vehicle (Attempt), Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Break In Instruments, Breach of Probation
Abdulkadir ABDIRASHID (21 years) of Toronto
Charges: Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000 (2 Counts), Breach of Probation
Manuel BOADU-TWUN (35 years) of Toronto
Charges: Theft of Motor Vehicle, Attempt Theft of Motor Vehicle, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Break In Instruments.
Do you want to guess where the stolen vehicles were going?
The accused males were arrested in March and April and have made appearances in Milton Court.
On June 30th Yusuf OMER was arrested for additional offences including 21 counts motor vehicle theft.
Halton Police are continuing to investigate this matter and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Bob Lester, 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2455.
Police remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal activity at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477), 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. Additionally, for the latest crime data, news releases and general information, visit the Service’s website www.haltonpolice.ca.
By Pepper Parr
October 15, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
What happens at city hall when all the politicians are out asking voters to re-elect them?
 Pat Moyle – got put back in harness after retiring as CAO for the Region of Halton. Serving as the interim city manager until February. “Well the business of running a city still goes on” explains interim city manager Pat Moyle. The budget for next year is being put together and the early work on the Strategic Plan the new council will use for the next four years is being worked up” added Moyle.
The biggest task of course is finding the replacement for Moyle who leaves in February. “We have being renting a place in Florida for the past three years and we are planning on heading our very early in February.
Given that Pat Moyle got the Burlington gig when he took a phone call in his car while his wife was giving him hard looks – there is no way Pat is going to move on that getting away date. One can hear his wife saying: “You are retired now you know.”
Movement on the new city manager hire will begin just as soon as the new Council is sworn in – which will be December 1. Between now and then Burlington has what is sometimes called a “lame duck” council. The council whose term is coming to a close cannot make any major decisions. It cannot hire or fire and it cannot spend more than $75,000 that has not already been budgeted for.
Moyle has already thought through the process he plans to use. “There is a lot of interest in this job” he said. “Burlington has a really good reputation” (even though the city has gone through two city managers in the last four years) and there will be quite a few applications both internally and externally.
Whoever gets the job will have to hit the ground running.
Burlington is adopting a Results Based approach to the budget where there is a budget for every service as opposed to a budget for a department. Each service will have an owner, that is someone at city hall, who will be responsible for delivering what the budget promised.
All the business cases have been completed” said Moyle. They are now ready to go to Council where they get approved.
What isn’t known is – who will be returning to office. There are at least two council seats that are at risk with a possible third.
Moyle plans on having the workup on the Strategic Plan look at some adjustments to what is in place now. “I want to recommend that the 2014-2018 Strategic Plan be more specific and more task oriented.
The 2010-2014 Strategic Plan was a huge improvement on what had been done previously. In the past the document consisted of a lot of pictures and nice sounding platitudes. The 2010 document was the result of a lot of hard work over 11 half days of meeting with a highly qualified facilitator who took a group that consisted of staff and all members of council.
 Georgina Black took the current city council through an extensive Strategic Plan development. Georgina Black of KPMG started out by telling the group they needed to identify their BHAG – an acronym that few understood. That was when Black knew she had her work cut out for her.
BHAG stood for Big Hairy Audacious Goal – and Burlington didn’t have one. There were a lot of individual ideas but even at the end of the Strategic Plan exercise there was no crystal clear goal.
They ended up with three guiding principles that have led the thinking of the current Council.
Vibrant Neighbourhoods – Neighbourhoods are at the heart of what makes a city great. They are where we live. Where children play. Where we return after a long day. Where we connect most closely with other citizens.
Prosperity – Prosperity is more than the absence of poverty. Our vision of a prosperous city has sustainability built into it, so that we’re not just planning for today or tomorrow, but for years to come.
Excellence in Government – We want Burlington residents to be proud of their local government. To be confident that the city is well managed, forward-looking and responsible.
A reasonable question from a reasonable person would be: How have we done so far?
Moyle wants to recommend to Council that they re-visit those three guiding principles and then attach specific objectives to each and work those objectives back into the budgets for the next four years. A tall order.
Pat Moyle took on the task of serving as interim city manager when the previous occupant of that job re-interpreted a 60 month contract into one that lasted 26 months.
 That guy on the right is the last man standing. Former city manager Jeff Fielding, on the left, moved on to Calgary, Kim Phillips, centre, retired. What’s next for Scott Stewart? At the time the city had just two General Managers with one due to retire. It was felt that some additional bench strength was needed.
“Moyle sees Burlington as a great city with good people in place at city hall” but adds “there has been quite a bit of churn at the staff level.”
Moyle wants to improve on the level of citizen engagement in the creating of the Strategic Plan. There was precious little citizen engagement when the 2010-2014 Strategic Plan was created. Council was still struggling with the concept of citizen engagement and had not approved that policy when they were working on the Strategic Plan.
The city has not done all that much in the way of engaging people – but that is another story. It will be the new city manager who will have to determine the will of Council and then direct staff on just what level of citizen engagement they want.
Pat Moyle likes working with and being around politicians. “It is the level of government that is closest to people; it is the purest form of government we have” said Moyle who has been in municipal government most of his career. “I have learned more from them than they learned from me. These are very human men and woman who have to listen to conflicting views and find a solution that will keep most of them happy.”
 Mayor Rick Goldring explaining to Kilbride residents,during the ice storm last December, what was being done and the time frames the repair crews were working to in their community. “They aren’t perfect – they are there because they reflect the wishes of the community.”
An interesting lesson from the August flood is the state of readiness on the part of the city. Moyle thinks there should be some changes and will recommend a shift that puts the Fire Chief in charge of the hour by hour tasks.
 Fire chief Tony Bavota handing out cards during the ice storm with direct line telephone numbers and ensuring that people got the help they needed. Bavota said he wasn’t going to worry about lines of authority – if they need help – Bavota did everything he could to get it to them. “The politicians certainly have a role to play: said Moyle; but having people in uniform in charge is important. It is the fire, police and emergency measures people who have to carry out instructions. Moyle thinks having people with experience in emergency situations is a better way of managing things.
One would like to think that a city would have strong political leadership that would speak to and for the citizens when there is an emergency. It will be interesting to hear what people think of a new and different approach.
An interesting side note to the swearing in of the new council December 1st. The city always brings in a local judge – local in this case means a Judge from the Superior Court which sits in Milton. It would be ironic if Justice Murray were asked to swear in the new Council – he was the Judge who found in favour of Burlington when the city sued the Air Park for not adhering to the city’s Site Plan bylaw.
 By Staff
October 15, 2104
BURLINGTON, ON
They just never quit.
This one crossed our desk. There are occasions when your bank will send you a note saying there is a problem but those occasions are rare – and when they do send you a note they ask you to go to a branch of the bank or call someone at a number they give you.
When you get something like the following – delete it and move on.
One of the reasons the fraudsters continue to do this is because some people respond – and that often proves to be very expensive.
Dear Scotia OnLine Customer,
For your protection, you must verify and update your Scotia card online,
before you can use it!
We will verify that the update has been performed and remove the restrictions placed on your Scotia card.
If you choose to ignore this message does not leave us no choice but to temporarily block your card Visa / Mastercard for your safety!
Sincere greetings from Scotia Bank Online
Background links:
Her is how they do it – identity theft.
By Staff
October 14, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service will be hosting its first regional Firearms and Weapons Amnesty from October 15th to November 15th 2014. Members of the public are encouraged to surrender their unregistered or unwanted firearms and weapons to the Halton Regional Police.
This amnesty is an opportunity for members of the community to hand in firearms and/or weapons and ammunition that are unused, inherited or illegal, without the fear of being charged for having them.
 The Halton Regional Police Service aims to create a safer community by removing these firearms and weapons from locations such as homes, businesses and schools to prevent their use in violent crimes.
Currently, in Ontario there are 550,000 citizens who hold valid Possession Licenses (POL) and Possession and Acquisition licenses (PAL). There are 325,465 restricted and prohibited firearms registered in Ontario, not including non-restricted firearms (long guns).
In some circumstances, POL and PAL licensees no longer wish to keep their firearms due to age, ability and residential location.
Some POL and PAL holders often omit or forget to renew their license and/or are deceased, leaving the firearms unregistered or in the possession of unlicensed family members. This amnesty is an opportunity to have the police come and safely take these weapons away.
During this amnesty, we encourage people to turn in illegally held guns and ammunition and any other unwanted firearms, imitation firearms and air guns. In addition, any weapon that may pose a threat to public safety such as switchblades, butterfly knives, pepper spray, nunchuks, shurikens, push daggers, knife-combs, crossbows, spiked wristbands, batons and/or blowguns.
Please call and arrange for pick up:
Between October 15th and November 15th, 2014, a dedicated telephone line will be available to arrange a firearm or weapon pick up. (905) 465-8733 will be monitored from Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm during the first two weeks. During the remaining two weeks the phone line will be monitored Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm .
DO NOT BRING ANY WEAPONS OR FIREARMS TO A POLICE STATION.
DO NOT TRANSPORT FIREARMS OR WEAPONS IN YOUR VEHICLE.
DO NOT GREET OFFICERS AT THE DOOR WITH FIREARMS/WEAPONS.
Officers assigned to pick up the weapons will provide police identification and will require a signature for destruction.
This Amnesty is an opportunity for everyone to take part in removing these firearms and weapons from the community, reducing the risk of them falling into the hands of criminals.
By Pepper Parr
October 13, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It wasn’t exactly a full house but those who were in the room at the Art Gallery of Burlington to hear what ADI Developments was proposing for the parking lot at the corner of Martha and Lakeshore Road got an ear full. Most of them didn’t like what they heard.
The proposal is for a structure that will reach 28 stories into the sky and be directly opposite Emma’s Back Porch on the Old Lakeshore Road.
 Rendering of the ADI Development project from the south east. The architect described the angle of the building as resembling a “billowing sail”. The neighbourhood meeting was the first in a process that runs for 180 days after which the developer can take his plans to the Ontario Municipal Board and ask them to approve their project.
The meeting consisted of three parts:
The city planners explaining the process, the developer presenting their proposal and then people asking their questions and having a look at the proposal.
The process is important – all too often residents fail to understand the process and miss opportunities to get their views on the record. This particular development, if approved as proposed, will change for the next 50 years what downtown Burlington is going to look like.
The proposed 28 storey structure will join the already approved and now in the early construction stage the 22 storey condominium, the eight storey Delta four star hotel that will front on Lakeshore Road and the additional seven storey condominium that will sit to the south of the hotel close the lakes’ edge.
Combined – and realize that the 22 storey condominium along with the hotel and the seven storey condominium are done deals and the proposed 28 storeys that will be a couple of hundred yards from the proposed 28 storeys, will have a massive physical and psychological change on the downtown core.
Before we look at the ADI Development proposal – let’s take a close look at the process and how the average citizen is going to be able to impact the proposal. The developer has invested a significant amount of money into the purchase of the property – they bought the property.
 That lot with 380 on it will be less valuable if this project proceeds. Of note is the fact that they didn’t buy the lot to the north east – which means the owner of that location is dwarfed with little opportunity to develop. The ADI planner avoided making any comment on what will happen to the 380 Martha lot.
Rosa Bustamante, the city planner on this file did an excellent job of explaining the process that will be followed and because there were perhaps 80+ people in the room the Gazette is setting out that process in some detail for others that will want to follow this development.
 The graphic sets out the process the ADI Development will go through in order to get the Official Plan and zoning by-law changes it want to ask Council to approve. Bustamante set out the context within which the ADI development application is taking place:
The Planning Act provides authority for applicants to submit development applications to amend the Official Plan or the Zoning By-law.
The City is required to process applications.
If Council does not make a decision on an application within a prescribed time-frame, the application can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Pre-consultation takes place between the applicant and City staff before a development application is submitted. This is intended to identify what applications are required and what technical studies are needed to support an application
There is no evaluation of a development proposal at the pre-consultation stage.
That pre-consultation has taken place and the developer has filed all the reports the city required as well as paid the appropriate fees.
Application is submitted along with the required fees and background studies/information
A sign is posted on the property describing the proposed development and providing a web link and phone number to contact for further information
The planner sends a letter describing the application to external agencies and City departments that may have an interest in the proposal. The technical studies are reviewed by these agencies.
Agencies are asked for their comments and any conditions that must be imposed on the development
A City planner sends a letter to neighbouring property owners. The letter describes the proposal and asks for written comments to the Planner. The public may send Comments by mail, fax, or e-mail.
This part is critical. If a resident has an objection – they need to put it in writing. Should this application go to the OMB (and you can expect that it will) the OMB will not consider anything that is not in writing – so do your homework and prepare your thoughts. Meet with neighbours and form groups. If you have any legal talent amongst you – pull that person into your group – think of asking for Standing at an OMB hearing. The OMB Commissioner is there to listen – but you have to make your case. Saying I don`t like it and I don`t want it – is not an argument.
At the Thursday evening meeting the Planner described the planning process and provides background information about the site. The Planner for ADI Developments presented the proposal and the architects explained the details of the project.
There were some good questions – but for the most part it was just people saying they didn’t like it ; didn`t want it and it was going to screw up their city.
Traffic along Lakeshore Road was going to be a mess they claimed – they are probably right. The Traffic study provided by the planner needs to be gone through with a fine tooth comb. There will be four traffic entrances on Martha Street – all within 25 yards of each other: two to the ADI Development, the lane-way to the 395 Martha apartment building and the lane way to the Martha`s Landing parking spaces.
Bustamante explained that:
The Planner writes an information report to Council for the statutory public meeting.
Public comments received to date are attached to the report.
 Your city council members: The Significant Seven. How many of them will be returned to office October 27th. Are these the people you want in office to decide if the ADI project is a good thing for the city? The Statutory meeting is the first time city council and the public are in the same room to exchange views on the project.
And this is where the process in Burlington tends to fall short. People can make delegations; they put forward a point of view and Council members can ask questions – but there is no real dialogue. Frequently, all too frequently a delegation is made and not a single question is asked. Members of the public leave feeling they have not been listened to and have not been heard.
Those opposed to the development need to organize themselves. Marianne Meed Ward has come out against the project as has Mayor Goldring who has said publicly that he is not on for 28 storeys. He points out that the city already has a legacy building –the 22 storey Bridgewater condominium project that was first approved back in 1985 when the Mayor was still a student.
 Councillors Sharman and Lancaster: both part of the Shape Burlington committee that was to change the way council interacted with the public. Both are in tough re-election races. We don`t yet know where the other five members of Council stand on this project. Three of the five cannot say with any certainty that they will be back at Council after October 27th. Lancaster and Sharman are facing very stiff opposition – particularly Lancaster. Dennison is running against a significant degree of dis-satisfaction from his constituents over his appeal to the OMB of a Committee of Adjustment decision not to allow a severance of his Lakeshore Road property. Dennison has yet to see a development proposal he didn`t almost immediately fall in love with.
It isn`t known yet just where Councillors Taylor and Craven stand on the development. Taylor did attend the Neighbourhood meeting. We didn`t see Councillor Craven but he usually ducks the Gazette.
Citizens opposed to the development have to do their homework and then wait to see what they have in the way of a Council once the election results are in.
The developer has a case – and if that case is not refuted it will go to the Ontario Municipal Board where they will probably prevail.
Many people feel that the Official Plan is a static document – it isn’t. It can be changed and has been changed in the past. A home owner can ask for a change to the Official Plan – they have in the past and the change they asked for has been approved.
 The policy sets out how many housing units have to be created and how many jobs the city has to create as well – that policy statement over rides the Official Plan. Developers use the Provincial Policy Statement in their justification arguments.
What city council gets to decide is if a project fits in with the kind of city they believe the residents want. In order to do that a city council has to have a clearly defined vision that is supported by the citizens.
This council has not brought forward a vision – not yet. What you get to decide in the next 14 days is if the current council is made up of the people you want to make this decision.
Major developments are complex matters. They often put citizens up against corporations with significant resources. A council that is a cohesive group, creatively led, can find ways to help citizens. Burlington isn’t there yet either.
 But in the next two weeks they are going to elect seven people to be the members of a city council. Are there people out there asking for your vote that reflect your views?
With a voter turnout that is too low – it is clear that not enough people really care. Then you put up with what those who do get elected.
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