 By Pepper Parr
January 30, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The public got their first chance to see real detail on the proposed 2014 budget. It wasn’t that they didn’t like what they saw – they said they didn’t see enough data and they wanted a chance to talk about the budget before numbers were put out.
A packed room of about 70 people went through a workbook and talked about what they liked and didn’t like. On balance they were prepared to live with the proposed budget – there were the usual few who didn’t want the city taking another dime out of their pockets.
The LaSalle Park Marina Association tried to tilt the scales and had one of their advocates at each of the discussion tables.
Vanessa Warren of the Rural Coalition went to the front of the room and asked the “special interests” refrain from that practice.
In her summation she pointed out that none of the remarks made at the only public meeting being held on the budget would be available before delegations were made. The sense seemed to be that they wanted more information and they wanted it sooner so they could have a real impact.
By Ray Rivers
January 30, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Last week two passengers flying from Toronto to Halifax got carried away and joined the Mile High Club (MHC). On landing the police detained them, and the female ended up getting arrested – which as you can imagine would kind of ruin the moment. Perhaps the most celebrated case of making your own in-flight entertainment was Ralph Fiennes and a very eager-to-please attendant, on route to Bombay from Darwin. Australia. Somebody caught her fixing her skirt as she left the toilet cubicle shortly after Fiennes did.
 Part of the growing up stages? These are the stories of fancy – how many of us secretly wish it were us? And seriously, why would they arrest somebody for doing what comes naturally, providing it was in the confines of a plane’s tiny toilet compartment or discretely in one of those horribly uncomfortable seats. Perhaps the lucky couple should qualify for a medal for having the chutzpah to engage in that kind of near-gymnastic activity, rather than being arrested. Maybe this could be another Olympic event?
Anything to escape from the boredom of listening to those whining jet engines and that annoying intercom. Richard Branson once bragged that he got initiated into the MHC at a very young age – but then what would you expect from a guy who named his airline ‘Virgin’? I once saw an advert for an hour-long MHC private flight for under $500, and our own Justin Bieber reportedly has joined the club, though the HIGH may be just the kind one gets from smoking Rob Ford’s favourite herb.
Then there is the other mile-high club – the one where Canada’s prime minister flies hundreds of business people to foreign lands to expand Canada’s trade opportunities. Jean Chretien first created the Team Canada concept. And last week Stephen Harper flew 200 people to Israel. though I’m not sure why, since we already have a free trade deal with them – one Chretien negotiated back in the 90’s. And our business with that tiny nation will only ever amount to a mere fraction of our total exports.
So what was Harper doing in Israel and why did he bring over so many delegates? The fact is that this excursion wasn’t about trade, it was about politics. Harper apparently believes that if you profess your love enough times you’ll get loved in return. Though, it’s really the votes he wants – enough to give him another ten or so ridings in vote-rich Ontario.
Is it working? The pollsters and pundits will tell you it is, but my friends of Jewish background always seem more insulted than impressed with this kind of deliberate over-the-top pandering. After all, the PM’s love extends shamelessly to any minority group which can return his love at the ballot box. We recall how he performed a masterful grandstand for the Tamil community, refusing to attend an annual commonwealth meeting in Sri Lanka last year.
And there is never a shortage of client groups to love. The recent Ukrainian disturbance, for example, has provided him with a plum opportunity to play up to Canadians of Ukrainian origin. For Mr. Harper and his party all politics is local – and Canada’s foreign policy gets determined by what will win votes back home. That isn’t new and he isn’t the first politician to play politics with international relations, but Harper has turned this kind of pandering into a new art form.
In one of his speeches he talked about Canada’s unquestioning support for Israel as being the right thing to do. But is it? The roadmap to the future for Israel and the Palestinians is either a two-state solution or a one-state solution. Of course a form of occupied single-state is what they have right now. But this situation is unsustainable – a time bomb ticking until violence once again brings chaos and calamity to this part of the middle east.
 Close to 200 people trekked to Israel with the Prime Minister – the public paid for a lot of those airplane seats. And time is also against a two-state solution, which is partly our fault, since Canada’s international posture has helped mitigate against that outcome. John Baird voted against a Palestinian state at the UN and we intervened at the G8 to avoid criticizing Israel’s occupation beyond the 1967 borders. Our recent role in the Middle East has helped enable Israel to flaunt international law, including construction of a barrier through occupied territory, violating UN resolutions and creating new settlements in the occupied territories.
Stephen Harper may claim he is doing the right thing – but his unquestioning support for the status quo in that nation is wrong. While his motives may be genuine, this is not the kind of love that Israel needs. If there is no two-state solution there will be a one-state solution and that will mean the end of the Jewish nation. Israel will not be able to avoid integrating its Palestinian population into an evolved secular democratic state. South Africa, Israel’s one time ally, can provide a working blueprint of how to proceed.
Being a mile above the earth is supposed to provide greater perspective, but our PM was missing the big picture as he and the rest of his 200 mile-high delegates flew in to Israel last week. Just like that couple on the flight to Halifax he is confusing passion for love. What they were doing may have felt like love but it was really just going through a motion.
 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. He developed the current policy process for the Ontario Liberal Party.
Background links:
Stephen Harper and Israel
A Matter of Principle
Jewish Voters
Harper’s Zeal
Mile High Club
Justin Bieber
Halifax Flight
Two State solution
 By Pepper Parr
January 29, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
“We would like to invite you to join Insight Burlington – an online, interactive community panel that will give participants an opportunity to engage and connect on a variety of issues. You will be invited to share your thoughts, ideas and insights on a variety of issues that are important to you and the City of Burlington”, said the email.
Sounded pretty straightforward.
“To get started please click on the link below and complete the short survey. It should take you no more than 6 minutes” took less.
You can be part of this Insight panel the city is setting up. Click on the link below and answer the questions and you’re in.
 Knowing what people think helps a city provide the services the city can afford. City manager Jeff Fielding had hoped to have several thousand people signed up and ready to answer whatever questions the city wanted to ask. When there is an issue being considered the city wanted to be able to turn this Insight panel – run a couple of questions by them and factor that “public opinion” into their decision.
The city does not own the software that runs the program and all the background technology that makes the service work is owned and operated by the son of one of the best public opinion polling expert this country has. Angus Reid, basically retired now, serves as a thinker for Vision Critical – the name of the service Burlington bought into.
Who you are is none of the city’s business. They will, for example, know you are 55 years of age, live in L7M 1T5, own your home and have a household income of $119,000. The WHO you are by name – the city will never know – all that information stays on the Vision Critical computers which happen to be located in Vancouver.
The Insight panel is something the city manager has control of – members of council don’t get to put their sticky fingers anywhere near it. They may be asked if there are questions they would like to see posed – but the service is in place for the city administration. It is a tool to help them make decisions.
The Insight Burlington panel is open to anyone 16 years of age and older who is a resident, taxpayer or business owner/operator in the City of Burlington. The goal is to create a panel that reflects the community. It is an opportunity to voice your opinions on a variety of topics and issues related to the city and the services it provides.
The service is described as a part of the Engagement Charter – now there’s something we haven’t heard about for some time.
What fascinates the people at city hall is the granularity the service will give them. Suppose you said you never used transit – they could ask you why and focus on people in specific parts of the community based on the postal code that was captured.
If there is an issue related to parents in the northern part of the city – the postal codes allow survey questions to be directed to people they are relevant to.
If you want to join click on the link below and answer the questions. The system will get back to you letting you know that you are one of the chosen – actually you choose yourself.
The system can’t be gamed, you can’t flood it by having all your buddies, people who think the way you do, register. The software was designed to provide the city administration with a balanced view.
The city manager is starting this with a soft launch – they want to see how well it works. Early thinking had them taking a look at transit but that may have changed.
Leah Bisutti, administrative assistant in City Manager’s Office has what is called “ownership” of the service. Bisutti along with four other people at city hall have been trained on how to set up a questionnaire. The intention is to send out questions frequently but keep them short. And for those with Smart phones – you will be able to respond on the GO train.
Bisutti is excited about the project. Burlington is the first city in Ontario to take this approach to community engagement. The question staff ask is: Will it work, will people take us up on this.
If you registered to become part of the panel – you can expect to see the first set of question within three to five days. I’m excited, Leah is excited and the city manager is hoping that the investment pays off – he doesn’t want to have to tell council that he blew $100,000 on an idea.
 Checking in – being heard. If you didn’t get one; accept this invitation from the Gazette. Join Now
Got questions? Bisutti has an electronic help line – pop her a note and ask your questions. insight@burlington.ca
If you are unable to click on the link above, please copy and paste the full URL below into your browser:
www.insightburlington.com
Background:
City reveals public opinion polling plans, not cheap.
City hall recruits public for opinions
 By Pepper Parr
January 29, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Brian Ferguson brings a very personal point of view to what the United Way means to the community. For many it is a charity that helps people less fortunate that we may happen to be.
We have extra money and we give it to the United Way or other organizations – because we want to help. (Why do we call this charity – it’s a social responsibility.) Ferguson makes the point that the United Way isn’t an organization that helps the less fortunate – it helps people who need help.
 Greg Jones, communications advisor with Newalta and Burlington United Way Chair Brian Ferguson go over a few points at a Campaign Cabinet meeting Ferguson’s mother was dealing with cancer; a terrible disease that strikes many homes and families. He was 15 years of age when his Mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Just after his 16th birthday his Mother’s cancer was so bad that she became bed ridden at home, that is when Brian’s family was referred to the Red Cross who would drop off medical supplies and equipment to the house weekly.
Ferguson didn’t know at the time that this portion of the Red Cross was supported by the United Way. “It wasn’t until I started running the United Way Campaign at VMware as the Employee Campaign Chair that I started to learn who the United Way supports, this is when I found out the Red Cross program we relied on was supported by the United Way.”
 Tara Brewer on the right keeps in touch with her co-workers during a meeting while Jason Lemaich gets a bit of work done during a break in a Campaign Cabinet meeting. This wasn’t the last time Ferguson was aided by the United Way. Years later Brian and his wife turned to ROCK for counselling for his family. To help them learn how to co-exist as a blended family while also learning how to deal with his wife having MS and the strain it puts on everyone. ROCK – Reach Out Centre for Kids – is a UW funded agency.
Brian Ferguson isn’t a poor man. He is gainfully employed by one of the sharpest Canadian companies in the high tech field. He travels frequently to California seeking out the best talent there is as a recruiter for VMWare. Are we going to call Brian Ferguson a charity case? He was a man with a problem he couldn’t manage on his own and sought the help he needed.
“From a young age”, Brian will tell you, “my mother taught me the importance of giving back and being an active member in my community. I see my role in the United Way as a way to live my Mother’s legacy while also teaching my children (almost 3-year-old girl and 15-year-old son) the importance of giving back. The motto I live by running the United Way is – our community is not truly great until it is great for EVERYONE.
The theme my United Way Cabinet runs under is: TWW (Together We Win).
 United Way president Len Lifchus appears to be trying to convince Lesley Allison (UW Campaign Director)
that an idea will work: she doesn’t appear to be buying that one. The United Way that Ferguson raises funds for is there in the blink of an eye when you need it the most. The focus this past campaign had three beams of light: From poverty to possibility; Healthy People build strong communities and All that kids can be.
One in three people will use a United Way funded service/program in their lifetime…mostly of the time not even knowing it. “This was me”, adds Brian Ferguson.
Now you know why he was asked to serve for a second year as chair of the 2014 Burlington campaign.
Background:
Fund raising in bits and pieces around the community.
Creating the team that brought in more than $2.1 million for 2013.
 By Pepper Parr
January 29th, 2014
BURLINGTON.ON
She is different – in a pleasant direct way. Her “stage name” nerdy socialite” is perhaps best left for her social set – it isn’t going to take her very far with the smart ward 4 set – but Alexandra Kubrak doesn’t live south of New Street.
She is a marketing and client relationship manager with several successful small business operation notches on her pistol.
 Ward 4 city council candidate Alexandra Kubrak would have one of these juke boxes in her bedroom if she could find one at a decent price. The daughter of second generation Polish people who adopted Alexandra 15 years into their marriage. Alexandra was “Raised as the little girl but disciplined as a boy”. Solid Catholic school background and a graduate of University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus.
After graduating she spent three months trying to find a job – didn’t find what she wanted so set out on her own and created a business she could run.
This young woman does not wait – she figure out what she wants – quickly – and moves out to take the target. Her focus at university was “cultural communications”. She is hep, clued in, knows a city that is a lot different from the people who currently sit on city council.
She thinks things through. She doesn’t have a platform – yet. She wants to listen to people first and then put together the plan she would work from to represent the ward.
She had no brave “here is what’s wrong with this city” statements. She intends to go door to door, introducing herself and listening. That platform will come later.
There is no sense of “entitlement” to this woman. “If you want something you have to fight for it”, she said “If I get elected it will be because I worked my butt off, she added, then said she would wait until the weather was a bit warmer before she took to the streets.
She will get described as the “youth” candidate: that would be a mistake. Alexandra Kubrak is young but don’t mistake her for a token that represents a demographic that usually doesn’t vote and for the most part is self-centered. This woman is no nerd. Smart, focused, a sense of humour and a pretty good idea as to who she is.
 The first step to getting elected is to listen – which is what Kubrak intend to do as she goes door to door – she wants to meet every voter – just wants weather that is a little warmer before she starts. There was a time when she felt a little less than an equal but the woman you meet now comes across as proud of herself, more than confident but not cocky. She realizes she is an unknown – doesn’t bother her a bit.
For Alexandra Kubrak the next six months is a lot of hard work, listening and then pulling together what she has learned and figuring out what people want. Then she will make some decisions. No agenda for this candidate.
Ward 4 is going to be a tough fight for this candidate but don’t count her out. Much will depend on who else gets into the race.
Background”
There is another candidate.
 By Pepper Parr
January 28, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
It started as a pilot project in North Burlington during 20131 that proved to be a remarkable success. At that time the city gave Community Development Halton (CDH) $86,000 to strengthen community at the neighbourhood level by actively engaging community members and agencies and to continue increasing access to recreation and culture within neighbourhood spaces.
The measurables are remarkable. CDH took the money and leveraged it to bring in $40,000 in kind and recorded 3130 in volunteer hours. Few organization can talk in terms of that number of volunteer time.
The pilot did more than that – it brought out a response from the faith communities who have opened their doors and their arms and hosted events. One of the early offerings was community dinners which irked some because they felt city money was being used to feed people dinner – that’s not where the dollars went.
How does a social planner explain what they do? Listen to Rishia
The dollars went to fund a community social planner who managed to convince a sports team from Hayden High in Alton to prepare and serve one of those dinners. The socioeconomic differences between these two groups – North Burlington residents and Hayden high students creates an understanding, a tolerance and an appreciation of each other.
 Community Development Halton Executive Director Joey Edwardh at an AGM Joey Edwardh, CDH Executive Director, explains that neighbourhood development is not a social service. Vibrant neighborhoods is a formative pillar in the city’s Strategic Plan. The social planner that was hired is on the ground working with people in the community to “connect the dots”. A city is more than bike paths and roads that are in good repair – the city is its people says Edwardh with some gusto.
The pilot project now has many of its dis-advantaged people serving lunches to seniors in faith community settings.
Neighbourhoods are the first point of contact for members of council – and this city has neighbourhoods that are not visible – much the way it took city council some time to become aware of the vibrant art and culture groups in the city – few knew they were even there.
One of the harder realizations for people who work in disadvantaged communities is spotting the lack of aspirations on the part of these young people. Their parents cannot afford to put their children into hockey programs, they can’t pay for tickets to Performing Arts events – lunch money is a stretch most of the time. Joining the Burlington Teen Tour Band is totally out of the question.
Each of these would be said to be what defines Burlington and that wouldn’t be a false statement – but for many, far more than most of us realize, being part of these defining groups is a hard reality for the disadvantage.
Is community development a city responsibility? If the city is to be “vibrant” development has to be done at the community level and that is easier to do in some communities that it is in others.
Some feel this kind of service gets done by the Regional government. The Region delivers and over sees services mandated by the province and includes services that are more effectively and economically delivered by the Region.
Community Development Halton has a rich history in the field of community development. It grew out of social councils that were operational back when Roly Bird and Walter Mulkewich were Mayors and current provincial Minister of Community Services Ted McMeekin was employed as the Executive Director of the original social council in Burlington.
Some ground breaking reports came out of CDH and some now very successful community organizations were incubated at went on to become a part of the fabric that keeps the city together. Food for Thought – a program that ensures students who are not being fed properly get the meals and the nutrition they need. Today we wouldn’t think of not having Food for Thought.
 What do you get for $86,000 – what do you think of this for a process. Can you see your city in there?  Shuffling the papers as she prepares to speak Community Development HAlton Executive Director Joey Edwardh delivers the message With the funding Edwardh is seeking for 2014 community development at the neighbourhood level could begin in South East and Central Burlington.
The business case submitted to council’s budget review process fits well with the city’s Leisure Services Policy and Community Development Policy. It is similar to the approach taken regarding Community Gardens. This business case is based on a 1% increase over the city’s investment in the pilot project in 2013. Mid year and end of year reporting to the City of Burlington will be expected.
There is some additional work to be done at the city/Regional level clarifying a “place based” neighbourhood strategy that meets the needs of the City of Burlington and the Region of Halton, considering each level of government’s service responsibilities. The City will have completed service business plans and will be ready for service based budgets in the 2015 budget.
Community is eclectic, chaotic and doesn’t grow with constraints. Community is people – they come in all sizes shapes and colours.
The argument for funding this program will be delegated on February 4th – the decision will say a lot about the kind of city we really are.
 By Staff
January 28, 2014
BURLINGTON. ON.
Between Jan 14 – 21, 2014, the Halton Regional Police Service conducted an organized high school drug initiative in the City of Burlington, named Project Impact.
Officers from the Burlington Strategic Support Team, High School Liaison, uniform patrol and the Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang unit worked in partnership to crackdown on drug trafficking in and around Burlington Catholic and Public high schools.
As a result of the investigation, quantities of marihuana, cocaine, oxycontin powder and pills, and clonazepam with a combined estimated street value of $6010.00 were seized.
As part of the investigation, officers also executed seven Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA) search warrants on six residences and one vehicle throughout the City of Burlington.
Investigators arrested 27 people in connection with the investigation, with 22 of those being young offenders. A total of 27 criminal charges were laid. Six of the young offenders were forwarded to our Diversion program, Youth Drug Awareness Program, which is an opportunity for first time young offenders to re-evaluate the path they have chosen and provide these youth with a second chance at making the right decision.
Three adults were also charged in connection with the investigation:
Travis ARSENEAULT, 18, of Burlington, is charged with Trafficking, Possession for Purpose x 2, Possession and Breach.
John ARSENEAULT, 47, of Burlington is charged with Possession.
Ryan BLAINEY, 18, of Burlington is charged with Possession and Possession for Purpose x 2.
“Project Impact was a well-organized, team oriented proactive initiative that served not only as an enforcement blitz but an educational opportunity for students, school officials and the community as a whole,” said Superintendent Al Albano of 3 District.
“Parents need to be aware that there are drugs in all high schools, so we encourage them to be aware of what their children are doing, and ask appropriate questions. Be it a parent, a teacher, a sibling, or a friend, we can all help to stop the distribution and use of drugs in our youth community before they make lasting life decisions,” said Supt. Albano.
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
January 28, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Whenever the Mayor adjourns a meeting of Council he closes by saying this Council is adjourned until the next scheduled meeting or at the call of the Mayor.
Mayor Rick Goldring as Mayor can call a Special meeting of council at very short notice.
Late Monday evening (yesterday) council decided it would have the city manager hold a press conference and tell the public the whole story about the pier. That was voted on – unanimously.
Later that evening Councillor Marianne Meed Ward realized that Council had not waived its privilege, by which we mean, information Council had been given in confidence (in Closed sessions) and not passed along to the public could not be discussed in public by the city manager.
Meed Ward talked to people at Legal and got the wording she needed to take to the Mayor and ask that he hold a Special meeting of Council – which took place at 1:00 pm Tuesday the 28th of January.
 City Clerk Angela Morgan fails to ensure media alerted to Special Council meeting. Her communications people dropped the ball as well. Unfortunately, the city Clerk who handles the paper work for things like this, did not ensure that media was advised. The city’s manager of communications either failed to advise media or didn’t know the meeting was being called. The communications manager reports to the Clerk.
The communications manager commented to us in an email that: We have not advised media directly of Council meetings in the past but it sounds like this would be something we should do going forward.
 Mayor Goldring’s Chief Of Staff didn’t think it was her job to advise media that the Mayor had called a Special meeting of council. Given that the decision to call a special meeting of Council is one that only the Mayor can make his chief of Staff should have ensured that media was advised. In a short, testy conversation with the Chief of Staff she commented that was not her job. One wonders if she really knows what her job is.
Having said all that – the meeting took place and had one purpose. For Council to waive its privileges and authorize the city manager to tell the public how much the city has spent on legal fees related to the Brant Street Pier.
The city manager was not authorized to say any more than that. He is limited to talking about what is already on the public record.
One of the reasons the city has gone public with the matter of legal fees is the result of pressure created by the Post’s application to the Commissioner for Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy.
Meed Ward had to remind both her council colleagues, the city manager and the Clerk’s office that it wasn’t that simple.
In her comments at the Special Council meeting Meed Ward said the following:
I want to thank mayor and city manager for honouring to my request for a special council meeting to vote on this matter.
This vote is important for two reasons:
1- It follows our own process; only council, though a public vote, has the authority to release confidential information. We can’t download that responsibility to the city manager.
2-More important it is about accountability – we are elected representative of the people and as such we are directly accountable to the public for the decisions we make, including release of the pier legal fees and any other pier related information. We have a duty to the public we serve to have that discussion and vote in public, so the public know where their representatives stand. We can’t assign that public responsibility to the city manager.
I fully support the release of the legal fees; I have never believed releasing the total amount would compromise our legal position, and recent decisions from the Information and Privacy Commissioner in similar cases have also made that case, and have ordered the release of this information. We have been aware of those decisions for several years, because those decisions were on the public record.
I want to commend the Post for filing the FOI and keeping our feet to the fire on this. That is true public service journalism. It shouldn’t have taken that request for us to the do the right thing, but here we are and I thank the Post for pursuing this in the public interest.
The bigger issue here is the total cost to the taxpayer of the pier including the legal fees.
The public deserves to know all the costs and options that were considered to complete the project, including multiple offers from the contractor to complete the pier. That story has yet to be told, but it will be.
Residents will make their own judgments about whether we have been good stewards of the money and decisions you entrust to us.
We have an opportunity to learn from this experience in the life of our city, and use those learnings to make the best decisions for residents in the future.
The motion Meed Ward brought to Council read:
That Council waive solicitor client privilege over the total aggregate external legal fees paid by the City of Burlington to McLauchlin & Associates since 2008 to present in respect of the Brant Street Pier matter. The privilege is waived solely to allow the City Manager to disclose the legal fees to the public at a press conference to be held by the City Manager on January 30, 2014. Solicitor-client privilege is waived for this expressed purpose only, and the privilege continues in effect with respect to all other aspects relating to the matter.
 It is so cold that the city decided to tell you how much it has paid lawyers to defend some of the decisions they made. That will add some heat to things. That doesn’t leave much room for the city manager to tell us anything but media conferences are funny things – the right question asked often reveals details that just sort of pop out.
Meed Ward asked for a recorded vote on her motion – it went 6-1 with Councilor Dennison voting against the waiving of privilege.
Back in March of 2013 the city manager asked Council to allocate $10,000 to pay media specialists – hopefully some of that money is left – it’s going to be needed to get through the media conference.
Background:
What can a spin doctor do for you at a media event?
 By Pepper Parr
January 27, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The big news out of the city council meeting Monday night is that the city is going to go public on the Brant Street Pier.
A Standing Committee met earlier in the day and had what Councillor Sharman referred to as a full exchange of view – but those views were certainly not unanimous. While Council members had the opportunity to make comments on the meeting Councillor Meed Ward was the only one to speak at any length and she pushed at the city manager who we learned is going to hold a press conference on Thursday to: Cover the past, give the public an update on where things are and talk about what the city plans to do going forward.
 City manager Jeff Fielding once had his toe nails painted at a London, Ontario event when he was city manager there He will be doing some pretty fancy foot work next Thursday as he explains the situation with the city and the Pier. Meed Ward had to push to get city manager Jeff Fielding to add that he will be addressing the matter of just how much the city has spent on legal fees. Buy Band-Aids today – you’re going to want them on Thursday – we will all be bleeding a bit.
We are advised that Justice Fitzpatrick who is hearing the case has scheduled a meeting in May for the mediation attempt that must take place and that a possible trial date has been pencilled in for the month of June.
 Councillor Meed Ward wants the public to have all the information available on the pier and its legal problems. Wants the other council members to be accountable for their part in the mess. Meed Ward said that the information the public was to be given is “less than what could be offered” and added that each council member has to give an account of their position and not leave that task to the city manager.
Press conferences of this nature are traditionally given by the Mayor as the Chief Magistrate but if you recall how Mayor Goldring handled the press conference during the CN derailment a number of years ago – we know why the city manager has been instructed to be the mouth piece.
Time and place for the press conference were not announced. It should be a hot event.
 By Staff
January 27, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
We have a fascination about quilts. Long a household staple in the rural community – it gets cold out there they eventually became an art form with some very traditional patterns.
 Quilt sales and exhibitions draw consistently strong audiences. In southwestern Ontario quilt designs were once painted in the sides of barns. Over time many of those traditional patterns were challenged by new artists . John Willard was one of those who challenged the traditional; a 40 Year Retrospective of his work will take place at the Burlington Art Centre from February 15, 2014 – March 30, 2014. The quilts will be hung in the Lee Chin Family Gallery
Denis Longchamps is curating this exhibit and will lead the Reception & Artist Talk on February : 23, 2-4pm at the BAC
Armed with scissors, needles, threads and fabrics John Willard has been making quilts for 40 years. Not one to follow the rules of tradition, he creates his own designs. Sometimes inspired by traditional patterns he has deconstructed, others by historical events, Willard creates quilts that are beautiful and turn the craft of quilting into an art form.
 Willard working on a quilt. A 40 year retrospective of his work will be shown at the BAC in February. John Willard is a basically self-taught quilt maker. He came to quilt making via set and costume design, photography, display and collecting, and created his first quilt in 1975 after amassing a sizeable collection of antique ones. Although his first quilts were very traditional he soon branched out into his own designs, which have evolved into bravura works of intense colour and complex patterns. He is especially noted for his daring combinations of varying and disparate fabric prints. John’s quilts have been exhibited internationally in Britain, Denmark, Japan, France, Taiwan and the West Indies as well as Canada and the US. His works are in numerous private, corporate and public collections.
 There is a level of precision seen in Willard’s quilts that is not seen in some traditional patterns. This Clair de Lune, done in 2002 was well received. John teaches the art of quilt making, specializing in contemporary design for those who wish to break away from the traditional. He and his works have been featured in many books such as A Fine Line: Studio Crafts in Ontario; Design Through Discovery: An Introduction to Art and Design and magazines including City and Country Home Magazine, Select Homes Magazine, Quilters’ Newsletter Magazine, American Quilter, Embroidery Magazine, Ontario Craft and West of the City Magazine. As a photographer he published a very successful book on Victorian houses, The Gaiety of Gables in 1974.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 25th, 2014
He’s green – no doubt about that and we’re not talking about the colour of his political stripe. But John Sweeny brings an engaging naiveté to municipal politics.
He doesn’t represent a vested interest. He doesn’t have a huge “I gotta do this” approach and he certainly has a lot to learn but he clearly has the smarts and the past experience to learn – and learn quickly.
He brings much more than a dozen years of relationship development between sectors in the high tech field where the relationship is critical if each of the partners is to survive and prosper. Sweeny worked with Deloitte in their Business Development Consulting side where smart, aggressive successful start-up operations need the support of other like-minded companies to work together and complete a project.
 John Sweeney, ward 4 candidate and his wife Gwyneth Intson. The field Sweeny was in is now the model that the private sector relies upon – where collaboration and not hierarchical structures are what gets things done. And that isn’t the way the public sector works – Burlington can’t get the Ministry of the Environment to work with them on the soil contamination at the Air Park on what has a more than passing potential to become a serious public health problem.
Sweeny certainly has a lot to learn about just how municipal politics works but Councillors Sharman, Lancaster and Meed Ward had a lot to learn and this reporter well remembers some real “doozers” of goofs by each of them. What is important is the capacity to learn – along with a willingness to listen – which is something those on Council will ten years plus of experience and contributions to one of the best pension plans you will ever see have yet to master.
One looks for an openness which you see in Sweeny. He talks of perspectives rather than opinions. He doesn’t appear to have overly strong opinions but does talk about attaining a perspective based on the data. He tends to want to know what has happened before and why a problem exists. If elected John Sweeny will experience quite a bit of indigestion when he reads some of the staff reports that get put in front of him.
He is big on communication and talks of both “push” and “pull” approaches. He sees it very much as a two-way process: you listen and you explain – refreshing indeed.
Sweeny doesn’t come to this opportunity in his life with a strong record of community service. He isn’t tainted with alliances that limit. He isn’t a Rotarian, hasn’t coached any teams, does play hockey.
His Dad was a doctor who made house calls. He did get involved with other parents when it looked as if the school board was going to shut down Ryerson Public School on Woodview, a school his children were attending. He was also directly involved as a coach, manager and trainer within the Burlington rep hockey associations both, Burlington Lions Optimist Hockey Association(BLOMHA) and Burlington City Rep Hockey (the “Eagles).
Sweeny describes the job of Mayor as that of the CEO – would that it were; every Mayor ever elected in this city would love to have some real executive authority. John Sweeny will learn that the Mayor is just another vote; a person with ceremonial and public function responsibilities but also the holder of a “bully pit” that if used well can be very effective in growing public acceptance for new ideas, new approaches and a platform from which he can explain why more tax payer dollars have to be spent on a project.
John Sweeny will not be calling on you for financial support to run his campaign. He doesn’t expect to have to raise any money. His will be a grass-roots campaign that has him going from door to door talking to people.
He has a website that is “in progress”. “It is almost ready” he said in a note to us “it is a little trickier than I thought”. Click on the link for the web site: web site address
Sweeny found himself at a point in life where he is able to work as a politician. He doesn’t use the word “serve”; he doesn’t talk about the job being an “honour” and understanding the trust he is being given. It is a job that has to be done; one that will pay him half of what he was earning but his situation is such that he can manage that.
His higher level thoughts and what needs to be done?
Growth and sustainability. Sweeny understands the dynamics Burlington has to work with. He fully understand that the money has to come in to pay for the services the city has to deliver and he is aware of the problems the city is dealing with on the economic development side. He doesn’t have solutions; he doesn’t have a five point plan. He does have the capacity to think through problems and the experience in working with others to find solutions hat work for as many people as possible.
Governance is another concern. How things work matters to Sweeny. Is there a process that is delivering what is needed efficiently and effectively? Are the right people in the right places doing what needs to be done?
Infrastructure: A Hart Street in Roseland resident Sweeny is not a part of the “smart set”. He didn’t appear to know all that many people; he hasn’t been the kind of guy that got out to every community meeting.
He doesn’t have a position on incumbent Jack Dennison’s current Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) appeal of a Committee of Adjustment decision that went against him.
There is a lot about the community that John Sweeny doesn’t know. He brings an open, disciplined mind that is capable of focusing on a problem and using the data available to find a solution.
It will be interesting to see how Sweeny develops as a candidate. You can reach him at john_sweeny@sympatico.ca if you want to join his parade.
 January 27, 2014
By James Smith.
BURLINGTON, ON..
This past Friday Burlington lost another giant as my friend and predecessor Les Armstrong passed away at the age of 80. I say predecessor as Les was the first member, and the first president of The Friends of Freeman station.
 Les Armstrong and James Smith. To say Les was the first President sounds so administrative; so matter of fact – it doesn’t really do his work saving the station justice. For me it’s like saying Sir John A was a politician, or Joseph Brant was a farmer. As our first President Les made saving our old Grand Trunk Station possible. Being part of the first board of directors of Friends of Freeman Station with community leaders such as George Curran, the late Jane Irwin and Les Armstrong as our President, made our goal of saving the old Burlington Junction Station at Freeman that much more easy. Not that saving the station has been easy, but with a profile and standing that only comes from having spent many years working for causes in our community,
 Burlington has lost two of its strongest advocates for preserving the history of the city. Jane Irwin, who died last February and Les Armstrong who passed away on Friday. Les’ reputation, skill and influence opened doors and gave The Friends of Freeman Station a certain dignity that we might not have otherwise had. Les earned respect in Burlington not just by his long & deep roots in our town but by working to make this a place to be proud of.
When I joined the board of Friends of Freeman Station, I knew of, and had met Les over the years for several of the projects he was involved in, such as Aldershot Village Vision and the Historical Society. I have to admit, I was more than a little intimidated, Les seemed larger than life with a knowledge and passion for the station. After about two meetings I found Les’ passion for saving the station not only infections but also inspiring. Les had a way of speaking to our board in such a way that we never lost sight of our goal, and encouraged all of us not to give up even when things looked bleak.
Many times after some long meetings Les and I would spend time talking. We’d talk about the station, about his memories and connection to the station in particular and to Burlington in general. We also talked about radio and TV and shared some stories about that industry as he and my late father were contemporaries in South West Ontario many years ago. Les also told me about his father’s hardware store & how much life in Burlington has changes, and how, in some strange ways, it is very much the same place. Les loved the town he was born in and he was happy to share that love with any and all, in an easy-going manner that was really quite disarming.
 He probably sold more of the Freeman T-shirts than any other member. Les Armstrong first President of the Friends of Freeman Station. As many people know, Les was an avid sailor, and he used to end his EMail messages with the line: “Anyone can steer a boat in calm waters”, this simple line is so very true of so many things in life and especially true of my friend Les. I truly believe that Les is docked now in much calmer waters, but we should all take Les’s motto to heart and weather what ever the seas of life may throw at us. Sail on in peace my friend, sail on to calmer waters.
The funeral for Les Armstrong will take place at the Smith Funeral Home on Guelph Line at 1:00 pm.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 27 , 2014
It was one of those 8 in the morning meetings – and all hands were expected to be on deck – and except for one who was out of town – the full team was in the room.
Burlington’s United Way team was getting an update on the 2013 campaign, tying up the loose ends and planning for 2014.
 Brian Ferguson, 2013 Burlington Chair of the United Way campaign smiles as he looks back on a very successful campaign. Heads into 2014 with bigger plans. Brian Ferguson, chair of the Burlington campaign and charged with raising $2.1 million as his city’s part of the objective, runs a brisk operation. Burlington works with Hamilton n sharing the administration and overhead of running the United Way campaign in the two cities.
Burlington more than achieved its $2.1 million target – which Ferguson saw as “lower than it needs to be”.
Burlington missed its 2012 target by a disappointing $90,000 – Ferguson, a recruiter for VMWare in Burlington, who is out of the country frequently, runs a tight, focused, fun group that relies heavily on electronic communications. They tried to work with Google DOCs, software that allows for collaboration of a document but, as Ferguson put it “we need some training on that”.
The United Way team he has put together is more techie in terms of its content. It has an energy, a buzz, a “we are working at something that is important and we are going to get it done”, attitude that pervades everything.
The donours are the focus and are broken out by sector with Divisional managers in place and sector specialists working their client lists.
The team this year has many of the same people – but the drive is much different. With the target for 2013 basically met the focus now is on next year during which Ferguson will lead the charge again – not something that is done all that often. Rarely do chairs get asked to put in a second term. Ferguson felt his job wasn’t done yet and wants to double the size of his campaign cabinet and he is reaching out in some very interesting and significant way. There is a small team of MBA students from the DeGroote McMaster campus in the Cabinet.
 Laura Evans and Mark Evans representing the DeGroote campus of McMaster University where the graduate students have become active participants of the United Way drive. Ferguson is pleased with what the Cabinet has been able to achieve in 2013 but knows that if the targets he has in mind are to be reached in 2014 he will need a bigger team. He says he would like to double what he had in 2013 – which would be awesome – but he will need a bigger meeting room. The Cabinet meeting that I observed was spread over two large meeting rooms at the VMware offices.
The Cabinet that made the 2013 target happen consisted of:
2013 Co Vice Chairs: Jamie Edwards and Sheila Jaggard
2013 MBA Program Lead – Joe Burnham – Mark Evans will take this over in 2014; students do graduate and move on.
Business Division Chair – Jason Lemaich
Business Sector Chair – Bryan Chew
Education Division Chair – Lorrie Naar
Finance Division Chair– Samantha Shetty
Government Division Chair – Kim Phillips
Healthcare Division Chair – Sheila Jaggard
Manufacturing Division Chair – Greg Jones
Manufacturing Sector Chairs – Sam Ro & Tara Brewer
Legal / Professionals Division Chair – Chantel Goldsmith
Legal / Professionals Sector Chair – Carolyn McCarney
Sports & Recreation Division Chair – Kaylan Danton
Real Estate Division Chair – Mike Hyatt
Events Division Chair – Ryan Harrison
New Business Division Chair – Scott Robinson
Cabinet Marketing Chair – Laura Evans
 This is the million dollar team – make that the $2.1 million dollar team. The Burlingtom arm of the Burlington Hamilton United Way drive for 2013 Does doubling an organization this size make sense? The full organization doesn’t meet all that often; only to brief each other on what has been achieved and then to plan for the next level – and this group thinks in terms of new levels.
Jamie Edwards, a well-known realtor in town who has been around as long as the clock has been outside city hall will tell you – “ this is a young people’s game” and adds that they are doing it differently than we did years ago and they are making a difference.
For this crew it is all business. They have fun, the work hard at what they do because they are hard workers. Everything for them is about communicating and they all hover over their Smart phones; well perhaps not Jim Frizzle, who brings wisdom, as lower approach and a “ let’s think this through thoroughly” style to his contribution.
The Cabinet Brian Ferguson has developed, and remember he is one of the senior recruiters for a very successful high-tech organization, is there to get the job done. This isn’t a social club – they are in the room to deliver and for 2013 they did deliver.
They tend to keep their numbers close to their chests but they will have surpassed the $2.1 million they were expected to raise for 2013 by a substantial margin.
 Len Lifchus, the man who oversees both the Burlington and the Hamilton campaigns and then ensures that the funds raised go to where they are needed and can do the most for the community. The final tally for the 2013 campaign will get read out loud at the Evening of Celebration and Spirit of Community Awards that takes place late in February in Hamilton. That’s when this team will let their hair down and celebrate a magnificent achievement. It will be interesting to see if these people party as hard as they work.
The Evening of Celebration and Spirit of Community Awards will be both a celebration and an adieu – United Way CEO Len Lifchus announced his retirement a number of months ago. The evening will be a thank you for all you’ve done and all the best as you move on to your next challenge – which we are told is a step into retirement – hard to even imagine Len Lifchus retiring. Managing a little theatre group perhaps – but retirement – unlikely.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 24, 2014
It is winter – we are Canadians – we can handle it – right?
The Lowville Winter Games take place Sunday – 11 to 4 and this year there is going to be snow.
The lineup is solid; the weather is supposed to be good and the Bistro will be open with hot chocolate.
The human gyroscope
The Body Zorbs race track
A pancake-eating contest – provided by the Sunset Grill.
Log-sawing contest
Winter crafts courtesy of Momstown
Photos in the Burlington Events photo booth
Three-time Olympic gold medalist, women’s hockey champion Becky Kellar (noon to 2 p.m.) in the school house
TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games: Find out how to get involved in the games, try playing a sports activity and learn about record-holding achievements by athletes
Conservation Halton’s birds of prey exhibit
Bur Bear frisbee golf course
Horse-drawn wagon rides
Skating and tobogganing
 Oliver Hannak,a Niagara College photography student came across this situation and like any good photographer pulled over, got his gear out and started taking pictures.
The hope is the Sunday weather will be sunshine and clear skies as hundreds head up to Lowville Park to enjoy the day. Solid winter fun. Get out and enjoy it and use the occasion to forget the really poopy weather some people have had to cope with.
Drive safely up Guelph Line – keep it between the ditches.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 24, 2014
It was a bit of a sweep – the Regional police hit three Burlington residences, a motor vehicle and a Hamilton area storage unit as they executed five Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants earlier today and yesterday.
The Halton Regional Police, Burlington Strategic Support Team (SST) seized”
$1605.00 in cash
9292 grams of marihuana (approximately 327.79 ounces/ 20.49 pounds ),
1.5 grams of Cocaine,
22 grams cannabis resin
a digital scale,
cellular phones,
and packaging material
The drugs have an estimated street value of over $53,000.00.
The following persons have been charged:
Jason MUSCAT-TYLER (20 yrs) of Peter Street in Burlington (Held for Bail)
Trafficking in a controlled substance (marihuana)
Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)( for the purpose of trafficking
Possession of a controlled substance (cannabis resin)
Shane RYAN (19 yrs) of Duncaster Drive in Burlington. (Held for Bail)
Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the purpose of trafficking
Breach Probation
Sarah STRAGAOEDE (19 yrs) of Meadowbrook Road in Burlington
(Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on February 18th 2014)
Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine)
Unnamed Young Offender
(Released on an Appearance Notice)
Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gun or gang activity at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes)
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 24, 2014
Getting interesting in Ward 4 with a “nerdy socialite”, Lexi K and a Hart Street resident, John Sweeny, who doesn’t want to commute to Toronto anymore, filing nomination papers. Still waiting for a couple of other names in this ward – there could be five people on the ballot for that ward. THAT would be interesting.
Lisa Cooper has decided to have a go at it again and filed her nomination papers in Ward 3 which means no acclamation for Taylor, the incumbent.
In 2010 Lisa was some distance behind John Taylor but if you combined her vote with what Cory Judson picked up – she would have become the Council member. Judson is not expected to run again – understood to have moved to Stoney Creek.
We will come back to you with more on Lisa Cooper – what can be said at this point is that while she certainly lives within the ward boundary she is well south of the Dundas divide and certainly not a rural Burlington resident. While Councillor Taylor has done a good job representing that part of the city – he doesn’t live in rural Burlington and you really have to be “one of them” to effectively represent them.
The time may have come for at least one of the Wards 3 and 6 Council members to be represented by someone from north of the Dundas/407 line.
Ward 1 has a race for sure. Rick Craven the incumbent has yet to file nomination papers. He missed the Mayor’s State of the City address – was reported to be vacationing in a warmer climate
 City Clerk will oversee the municipal election and sign the document that makes the winners official. The lineup at this point as we near the end of the first month of the count down to the municipal election in October is:
For Mayor Burlington: Rick Goldring
Ward 1:Katherine Henshell and Jason Boelhouwer. Incumbent Rick Craven has yet to file nomination papers
Ward 2: No one yet; the incumbent Marianne Meed Ward has yet to file nomination papers
Ward 3: Lisa Cooper – the incumbent John Taylor has yet to file nomination papers.
Ward 4: John Sweeny and Alexandra Kubrak. Incumbent Jack Dennison traditionally does not file nomination papers until sometime in June and then spends the summer cycling through the ward knocking on every door possible
Ward 5: Ian Simpson. Incumbent Paul Sharman has yet to file nomination papers. A third candidate is expected to come forward in March. Ward 5 has traditionally have a large field of candidates.
Ward 6: No one yet. Blair Lancaster the incumbent has yet to file nomination papers.
Regional Chair. Incumbent Gary Carr has filed nomination papers.
 There will be a bunch of people who want to call this place “home” for four years. The Burlington Gazette will publish profiles on each of the candidates and follow their campaigns.
Background links:
Runners in the race – those not yet at the starting gate.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON.
January 24, 2014
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week the Police Service Human Trafficking and Vice Unit participated in a National initiative to identify victims of human trafficking and to provide information and support to those working in the sex trade industry.
Through investigative means, during the two-day blitz, police officers identified and met with over 20 sex trade workers operating in local hotels.
There are a lot of people who will be stunned when they learn there are that many sex trade workers in the city.
During the course of one of these meetings investigators identified a victim being exploited to participate in the sex trade industry at a hotel in the City of Burlington. The Halton Regional Police Service laid human trafficking charges against a 22-year-old woman and rescued a 15-year-old victim as a result of the human trafficking awareness initiative.
The accused, a 22-year-old female was exercising control over the 15-year-old victim and facilitating her exploitation. Police apprehended and rescued the victim and have subsequently brought her to a place of safety.
Amie McIntyre (22 years of age) of Angus, Ontario is charged with the following offences:
Trafficking of a person under the age of 18.
Procuring a person to become a prostitute.
Exercise and control a person to engage in prostitution.
Living off the avails of person under the age of 18.
McIntyre has been remanded into custody until January 27th, 2013.
The Halton Regional Police Service are informing workers in the sex trade industry that Police Services and local organizations such as “Walk with Me” and Chrysalis (Click on the links) exist to provide first response care and support to victims of human trafficking.
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 or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON
January 24, 2014
There is some movement with the Brant Street pier and its legal problems. A special meeting of the Community and Corporate services Standing Committee will take place on Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm.
 The sign told the story – hell didn’t freeze over and the pier did open. Now city council has to clean up the mess they created. Try as they might this council is not going to be able to lay the blame on previous council’s. Don’t rush downtown to get a seat – this is going to be another of those closed sessions. The city uses a Section of the Municipal Act to close the doors when there is a confidential issue to be discussed – and the pier’s legal problems are treated as confidential – they are also critical to the credibility of the city.
The meeting announcement has a Confidential legal department report L-4-14 regarding Brant Street Pier litigation. (L-4-14) It runs 15 pages long.
So – why the meeting and why so rush rush?
Here is what we can tell you.
There are people within the city administration that want this settled but they get their marching orders from city council and so far – there obviously is not a majority of Council that is prepared to settle this matter.
Based on what we have heard publicly, one of the strongest voices for not settling has been that of Paul Sharman who has convinced himself the city has a case and they should fight it.
 The Cheshire Cat is a fictional cat popularised by Lewis Carroll in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and known for its distinctive mischievous grin. Councillor Meed Ward must be wearing her best Cheshire Cat grin – she has believed this issue was settle-able before she was even elected.
Some think that if they settle with Harm Schilthuis and Sons Ltd., (HSS) then they have to settle with AECOM and the other litigants.
Something shifted at city hall and the city’s lawyers reached out to the HSS lawyers and said “we should talk”. It is not known yet if any talks have taken place – the lawyers can’t arrive at anything definitive until they have instructions from the city council.
The Community and Corporate Affairs Committee will meet Monday afternoon in a closed session – they traditionally don’t report on what they talk about other than to say they talked.
Their report – perhaps with a recommendation will go to Council Monday evening – again it maybe to just report that talks took place.
Will Council issue instructions to settle this matter? If they do will they say what they are prepared to settle for? That’s not the way this game is played.
This Council had at least two opportunities to settle this matter in a way that was fair. There was an opportunity to go with a solution that was put on the table by the insurance company. The city had called the performance bond and seemed to think the cheque would be in the mail.
The insurance company came back with a solution to complete the project – albeit at a higher cost – that City Council rejected, almost out of hand and certainly didn’t tell the public about.
That failure, a close to colossal one, is what has kept the city in litigation for more than two years.
 There was a second opportunity to settle that may not have gotten to Council. It was certainly discussed and may have been debated at another one of those closed sessions. An appalling lack of transparency is the one thing that has been consistent with this situation.
The city is now reaching out to the lawyers for at least one of the five litigants and having conversations. The chances are better than even that the basics of a settlement agreement are in draft form and the Community and Corporate services Committee will consider the options.
Clearly some movement; about time.
This wouldn’t be because there is an election in the fall and this council wants to get this mess and their mistakes off the table and under the rug?
Background links:
Sad story, expensive story that a dash of transparency could have prevented.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON
January 23, 2014
The email said:
Your credit card has been successfully processed.
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ELECTRONIC 7841615249
DATE & TIME / JANUARY 26, 2014, 20:15
ARRIVING / Washington
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I didn’t fly to Washington. There was nothing on my credit card.
 With enough information identity thieves can pretend they are you. And I did not respond to the email. Had I responded these thieves would have had way too much information about me and would have – could have, used it to take my money out of my bank account.
This is another example of the continuing Identity theft problem. Be vigilant and if it looks too good to be true it usually isn’t true.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON
January 23, 2014
We were advised that thee were some problems with city hall’s web site and were told:
We are working to resolve this issue with our service provider and will provide you with more information as soon as I have it. Will most likely be tomorrow morning. Thank you for your patience.
The problem is with the material for 2014, particularly the webcasts. The city has cut over to a new form and there appear to be some problems. The new software for the 2014 data is going through some teething problems. It does take some getting used to but we are told that it will be much better when it is working properly.
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