 By Staff
BURLINGTON ON June 20, 2012 The city of Burlington has extended the pool hours for the following locations. :
 The best way to keep cool - in a public pool. Hours for city pools extended. LaSalle Wading Pool
11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nelson Wading Pool
4 to 8 p.m.
 Beats the heat doesn't it? Your tax dollars at work. Tansley Woods Pool
4 to 9 p.m.
This extreme heat can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke and even death. The public is asked to take precautions to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and to keep a lookout for the most vulnerable in your community.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 20, 2012 The Region of Halton is responsible for supplying water to the residents of Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills. When the supply of water is limited due to a lack of rain or due to extreme heat the region will issue a water use alert which advises citizens how they can use water on their property.
There are three levels – set out below.
 The amount of water you can use to fill the pool or water your lawn is determined by the water use alert issued by the Region. Our Burlington will publish the alert level daily. During the extreme heat we are currently experiencing Our Burlington will publish the alert in force each day. We will also publish a report on the safety on the water on public beaches in the Region once each week.
Level 1 (Blue) – Careful Use. Voluntary odd/even lawn watering between 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock in the morning and evening on days that correspond with your house number (if your house number starts with an odd number, water on any odd numbered calendar day and similarly for even numbered addresses). Car washing and watering of trees, shrubs and gardens is allowed on those days. Although level one is voluntary, resident cooperation to reduce regular outdoor water use is important.
Residents are asked to be mindful of their outdoor water use by following the odd/even watering rule to help prevent entering into mandatory water restrictions especially as higher temperatures are forecasted.
Level 2 (Yellow) – Limited Use. Mandatory odd/even lawn watering between 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock in the morning and evening on days that correspond with your house number. Watering of trees, shrubs and gardens should be done using a hand held device such as a watering can.
Level 3 (Red) – Stop Use. No outdoor lawn watering or car washing is permitted in order to conserve water for emergency and essential services. Watering of trees, shrubs and gardens can be done using a hand held device following the odd/even watering rule.
The Region is currently on Level 1 – Blue.
If you want or need additional information call the Region by dialing 311 or 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-442-5866, TTY 905-827-9833 or visit www.halton.ca/waterconservation
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 19, 2012 Michael Yakimchuk, Director, BrightSky Power Renewable Energy Co-operative, an organization that has been trying to get a roof on the building of some city owned property on which to set up solar panels to generate electricity that will raise revenue for the BrightSky shareholders. He hasn’t been able to generate much interest at the Burlington Hydro level and the city isn’t exactly making his objective easy.
BrightSky is all for anything that will generate power without using fossil fuels. As strong environmentalists they have been following the story of the turbine that was to be part of the pier.
Yakimchuk says that when the story on the decision to kill the turbine part of the Pier, broke, I “was working for Hydro One Networks and part of my job was to determine the capacity available for renewable generation projects on Hydro One’s grid. That’s why I was surprised when I watched the City Council proceedings and heard that the turbine was being cancelled because the electrical system couldn’t take the power generated. I knew this was not true and I notified BurlingtonGreen immediately.”
 Is the vibration this turbine will create the real reason council doesn't want to see it as part of the pier? “It turns out that there was some miscommunication between Hydro One & Burlington Hydro – I don’t believe the misinformation was deliberate. Most everyone should now be aware that there is indeed capacity available on the electrical system for this project. There is no need for batteries (this is a red herring) and the assertions that the project could end up costing taxpayers money or affecting the stability of the pier are completely unsubstantiated – this is a dead simple project.
I know that Burlington Hydro is not asking for their money back but I also know how the money was originally approved for the project (by Burlington Hydro) and how it was funded by the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
It was funded out of the OPA’s energy conservation fund and there are specific rules around how that money can be spent. If the project ends up being cancelled, Burlington Hydro will have to fund the project out of net income which means less revenue for the city. In the end, Burlington tax payers will be burdened with the cost that should have been picked up by all Ontario electricity ratepayers.”
More and more of this story creeps to the surface.
Late in May, Yakimchuk wrote the Mayor asking that the turbine part of the project not be jettisoned but no one on Council seems to want to listen to the advice now available to them from people who know the turbine business inside out.
The plans being used to build the pier show a dual mode meter. The device is in the building – all it needs is a hook up to the appropriate electrical cables once the turbine is in place.
 Steel beams that were deemed to be deficinet were trucked away late in December. Six months later, the beams to replace these are still not on the sconstruction site. Lots of questions as to why. What is coming to the surface now are the problems with metal fatigue that will result from the vibrations from the turbine. There are informed engineers who think that one of two things has to happen to the design: either the base on which the turbine is going to rest is beefed up with additional concrete (and some suggest that the pier itself could not handle the additional weight from that concrete OR that the base for the observation deck and the turbine go right down into the bedrock. THAT would be a design change.
Still a lot of questions around this issue. Is there something some members of Council know that the rest of the city doesn’t know? The pier has been a series of problems that can be overcome – but Council is going to have to be candid and transparent with the people who are paying the freight on this one.
All this confusion comes at a time when the city’s legal people begin the process of what they call “examination for Discovery.” This process is expected to last about six months with the first 90 days used to exchange documents. Each side asks the other for specific documents, and then each side gets to examine the other on the contents of the documents.
It is near the end of that process that the lawyers for each side take a hard look at the facts that have come to the surface and decide if it is worth going to trial and let a judge hear the case or if this is the time to make an offer and try to settle before any trial.
While there are more than half a dozen organizations who are a party to this mess – and each has their own agenda; there appears to be a consensus developing that suggests the city may not have the case it thinks it has. Too early to be sure. We will know before the end of the year.
Nothing happens in isolation. The city still talks in terms of the Pier’s official opening being part of the 2013 Sound of Music Festival. That would appear to be a very optimistic target date and one Council members would want to edge away from – if the date isn’t met they will wear that one. The lead up to the 2014 municipal election will begin late in 2013 and having the sour taste of a pier that wasn’t ready yet is not something any council member wants to have to explain. Watch for some council members beginning to distance themselves from the June 2013 date.
 Was she rtight all along? Turbine information is coming form all kinds of people - ciouncil seems to have plus in their ears. Ward two Councillor Marianne Meed Ward will of course come out of the pier mess smelling like a bunch of roses. She has always maintained that the city should have negotiated with the original contractor. Had we done that – we just might have had a pier and we would probably have gotten the finished product for less than we are going to pay for the latest version.
If the city has to shell out additional dollars based on a court settlement the lawyers agree upon – all hell will break loose.
The unfortunate part is that if there is a legal settlement that impacts negatively on the city it will have a gag order attached to it and you might never know what the true cost of the pier was.
So much for transparency.
Yakimchuk, in his letter to the Mayor points to “some important economic considerations.” He may not realize just how devastating those economic considerations could become.
Stay tuned – this isn’t over yet.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 19, 2012 Last Sunday evening as the last of the Sound of Music fans were heading home, at 12:40 a.m., a 14-year-old male victim and a friend were walking north on Brant Street near Caroline Street.
A lone female approached the victim, brandished a knife, held it against the victim’s stomach and demanded his property. The victim complied and gave up his knapsack and cell phone.
 Writing up another report, not that many during the Sound of Music Festival The suspect is described as a white female, 15 – 17 years, medium build, approximately 5’3” to 5’5”, fare skin with shoulder length brown hair. The suspect was wearing a grey or black beanie style hat.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2343, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 18, 2012 There were 70,000 copies of City Talk delivered to Burlington homes the week of June 4th, 2012 This is the first time the city has used a magazine format for the publication which requires six weeks to get through the various approval levels at city hall.
My question to those 70,000 households was this: – how many of you still have your copy of City Talk?
 Cover of the most recent issue of City Talk -how many people kept the magazine My follow up question was: – is the just shy of $20,000 in direct costs plus 105 hours of staff time writing, editing and putting the graphics in place and getting City Talk to the printers worth that much of your tax money?
In a very preliminary survey of Burlington residents a few said there was some use to the publication but when pressed other than saying “it is nice to know” we didn’t get one reason for keeping the publication.
The vast majority of the people we talked to said the publication was of no use to them. It was admittedly a very small sample. We will in the next few weeks formalize the questions And then do a typical grid type survey of 100 households and another 50 people in the two shopping malls.
We will have a copy of the publication in hand so that people can identify what it is we are asking questions about.
Week 52 – The Pier countdown
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 18, 2012 BurlingtonGreen, a community advocacy group that tends to ask questions and not take brush offs all that nicely has come out publicly and stated that city council has made decisions without all the information in their hands and when given an opportunity to lay their hands on all the information available – they take a pass.
Here is what BurlingtonGreen had to say to day in a letter to media about the state of the wind turbine that was to be built as part of the pier at the foot of Brant Street:
In order for Council to make an informed decision, respectful of the interests of the citizens of Burlington they serve, they require an accurate, thorough presentation of issue facts. They were not provided with this on the pier wind turbine issue. Consistent with our solution focused mandate, BurlingtonGreen stepped up and brought critical facts to the discussion which included bringing two renewable energy experts to Council to address their questions about the environmental and financial facts in regard to the pier wind turbine. The presentations confirmed that the interests of the taxpayer and the environment would be better served by installing the turbine versus scrapping it.
The turbine was not only an approved feature by the former Council but it remained as a pier component up until this April. It was explained that had staff not proposed unnecessary, overpriced battery packs, the project would have proceeded as planned. Now there appears to be new barriers preventing the project from proceeding and critical questions unanswered.
Has money been spent to beef up the pier to support the beacon and turbine already? Was an Ontario energy conservation grant of $100,000 provided years ago to pay for the wind turbine feature? Will there be costs to cancel the turbine that was already ordered? Will Burlington now be left with a large unfinished beacon with no turbine to serve as the profile symbol of our city? Will taxpayers be on the hook to pay annual energy costs to light the pier and beacon that could have been avoided by employing wind energy? We understand that the answer to all of these questions is yes, and therefore argue the turbine should be installed as previously approved and planned.
This Council has the ability and responsibility to assess all the facts and can reverse their decision to cancel the project. There need be no concerns about delaying the pier construction schedule as they could install the turbine after the pier is built. Thus far, we have received no response from Council regarding this proposed solution.
If they don’t reverse their decision, we are confident it will be a regret we will be reminded of every time we look at the $15 million dollar pier with an unfinished beacon and a pile of hydro bills.
Sincerely,
Amy Schnurr, Executive Director, BurlingtonGreen
Some of the answers to the questions Amy Schnurr asks are already answered.
Has money been spent on beefing up the beacon tower? Yes, but that beefing up may have been part of the redesign that was done. It is clear from the set of plans that are being used for the completion of the pier that some very significant changes have been made in the way “beefing up” is being done to the tower/beacon portion of the pier.
While there could have been costs to cancel the turbine order there will not be any based on comments Debra Power made at a Council meeting. Power is with Niagara Wind Power, the company that had been sub-contracted to source and install the wind turbine.
The city is certainly going to be left with a tower that will have LED lights on it and that city will have to pay for the energy that is used to keep those lights up at night.
The curved design feature will not have a cap on it, partly because Councillor Taylor though it looked like Champagne flute and he liked that look – that’s what he said, I don’t make this stuff up. The reality will be that a cap will have to be put on the top of the curved design feature.
There are some serious concerns about the strength of the tower/beacon and whether or not the vibration that would have occurred with the turbine operating would have caused metal fatigue over time. The question should have been on the table but was not asked and now that Council has decided – no turbine – who cares about possible metal fatigue.
In order for the turbine matter to be brought back to a Council committee several things have to happen. A council member has to serve notice that they want to matter re-opened – that decision to reopen has to be voted on.
Then if that vote is passed and it is debated at a Council meeting the vote to rescind the decision to take the turbine out has to have a 2/3rds majority – which means 5 of the seven council members have to vote to add the turbine.
BurlingtonGreen is saying ‘never say never” – the opera is not over until the fat lady sings. They just want Council to keep an open mind, ask all the questions and be sensible and responsible with the information they are given. And above all – listen.
 The observation deck and the beacon tower rising out of it will still be part of the pier when it is completed. What will not be in place is the turbine  The turbine part of the pier at this point has been scrapped. Besides making a statement about Burlington's commitment to the environment the turbine would have provided the energy needed to keep the lights on at night forever - at no cost the the city. BurlingtonGreen thinks the city should reconsider the decision they made and hear all the facts and then make an informed decision. On the actual construction front -things are quiet. The steel is now in the shops of the people who will be doing the cutting, the welding and then the galvanizing. These are time consuming jobs that the city is demanding be done right the first time.
The Quality Program and the Quality Control are doing their work each step of the process.
Sometime during the second half of July we can expect to see flatbed trucks rolling down to the pier apron and off loading galvanized steel that will be bolted into place.
The Quality Program is developed to ensure the quality of the work, thus protect the interest of the City of Burlington. It essentially involves two parts, the Quality Control (QC) Program which is implemented by the Contractor and the Quality Assurance (QA) Program which is implemented by the Consultant. The QC Program is specified in the Contract Document, while the QA Program is developed by the Consultant based on industry standards and experience.
The Turbine discussion that is taking place clouds the design issue about the tower/beacon part of the pier. The tower with the beacon are going to be built. The only thing that will not be in place is the wind turbine that was to whirl away at the top of the tower/beacon.
 There were going to be cool drinks for this lad and his family. He was one of more than 1000 people who took in the Festival Parade Saturday morning. By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 18, 2012 Near perfect weather for the Sound of Music Festival. Later in the month we will get the figures, but it looked to us like another record breaking event with some top flight entertainment, no major police problems and pods on the side streets that worked very well.
The Festival parade was a highlight for many with New Street lined with residents who enjoyed the bands and children who were taken in by it all.
There was one gentleman who put his ear plugs in each time a pipe band went by – he explained that pipes were an acquired taste.
 Mayor and one of Burlington's biggest benefactors Mr ccc xxx There was one feature that few will have fully appreciated and that was the car with Mayor Rick Goldring in the front seat and a small Japanese man in the back seat wearing white gloves and waving his hand. There was no signage on the car to indicate who he was. The passenger, along with an interpreter was Mr. Nakazawa who was the donator of the cherry blossom trees at Spencer Smith Park and the giver of more than $100,000 to the city. Mr. Nakazawa doesn’t speak a word of English but, as Mayor Goldring explained “he just loves Burlington”.
 It was close to a solid wall of blue as the Korean band paraded along New Street.  Antique fire trucks - odd by today's standards but they worked very well.  Well over 1000 people clustered in smal groups along New Street and parts of Drury Lane to watch and wave as band after band and dozens of different groups went by on their floats. The parade was a great display of the diversity that is now such a large part of Burlington.
 No lack of energy from this bunch.  M.M. Robinson band - both popular and energetic.  We haven`t seen this many curls since the days of Shirley Temple  Much of the parade music was tradsitional band music - the steel band was a refreshing difference.  Stepping out would be a good description of these fine gentleman.
 Proud band leader. By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 18, 2012 While the Sound of Music Festival keeps four stages and four pods busy with entertainers – the parade draws the biggest crowd that spread itself along New Street as it works its way on to Brant Street.
 The plumes and the sashes set this band apart  We should be seeing fresh Niagara peaches in the stores soon. Interesting float.  The people of the Philippines with their band  St. Andrews`Pipe  It was the green rimmed sun glasses that did it for this young man.  This man is a Regimental Sergeant Major - they don`t make them like this anymore.  The music got to this lady - she just bounced along new street - even the trombone player couldn`t keep up with her. The story of the parade is best told in pictures.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 16, 2012 It is watchful citizens that catch the criminals..
There was a series of daytime house break in in the Francis Road community. Word got out – Our Burlington was a large part of getting that word out – and when a resident saw what they thought was suspicious behaviour they called police.
Here is how the police tell the story:
On June 13th at 10:00 a.m. alert citizens reported suspicious activity of two men possibly casing homes in the area of Francis Road and Marley Crescent in Burlington. There were also some reports of these same men going door-to-door offering gardening services.
Police responded to the area and located one man seated in his parked vehicle. A second man was seen exiting from between two houses, the man ran when he spotted police.
Both men were arrested and suspected of breaking into homes. Investigation discovered that a break and enter did occur at a Francis Road home, but nothing had been taken.
The suspect had entered the unlocked home while the resident was outside doing yard work. The resident happened to return indoors and interrupted the crime in progress.
This incident is similar in pattern to other recent Burlington residential break-ins that occur while homeowners are focused on outdoor activities. Halton Regional Police Service continues to investigate a possible connection.
ACCUSED: Denis PARCZEWSKI, 26 years of Toronto; CHARGES: Break and Enter, Possession of Burglary Tools
ACCUSED: Hubert ZMIJEWSKI, 23 years of Toronto, CHARGES: Break and Enter, Possession of Burglary Tools
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 16, 2012 Three new exhibits will take up a temporary home at the Burlington Art Centre filling two of its galleries and its beautiful courtyard.
Opening reception is on June 24 from 2 to 4 pm. Everyone is welcome to come and mingle with the artists and experience their work.
The Courtyard will be filled with Hamilton-based artist Colleen O’Reilly’s Garden Spirits until September 23. Known for her bright and colourful function ware, in this exhibition, she ventures into the realm of sculpture with her charming porcelain totems.
Ann Mortimer – In Series will be in the Lee-Chin Gallery from June 23 to August 26. The exhibition examines the artist’s past serial work, with emphasis placed on her latest series of porcelain umbrellas which explore the relationship between form and pattern.
 Ann Mortimer'S Tree Peonies - new material will be exhibited at the BAC from June 23 to August 26TH. The paintings and collage works by Dundas artist Marla Panko in the F.R. Perry Gallery also are celebrated during the reception. Marla Panko: Meaning and Order (June 16 – August 7) explores the notion of modernism and evokes the pure abstraction which developed in the first half of the twentieth century.
Admission to all exhibitions and related events is free. The Burlington Art Centre is located at 1333 Lakeshore Road. For more information, visit the BAC.ca or call 905-632-7796. Follow the BAC on Facebook.
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 14, 2012 The city we live in and enjoy today wasn’t always what we see as we walk the streets.
We all ooh and ahh about the Burlington Performing Arts Centre – and it is a very well designed building. It could use a little warmth here and there but the Family Room was a great idea that is working out very well.
There was a time when the site of the BPAC was once the Regional Police service Burlington detachment. In the picture set out below you can see the parking lot that is now a multi-storey structure with the Tourism office, Pane Fresca, the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development people along with a five level garage.
It wasn’t always that way.
 The old police station is shown in the upper left - now the location of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Poor Joe Brant – his house got torn down and then a replica built and then the replica got moved. When you’re in the Museum there, which is a bit on the shabby side, truth to tell, appreciate that it’s a remembrance of what used to be. It got shifted to the east about 400 yards so the hospital could have a larger parking lot. The actual ownership of the land to the east of the hospital has all kinds of strings attached to it.
 Brant House on wheels traveling east about 400 yards to provide space for a parking lot. The city’s legal department are probably the only people who fully understand the intricacies of the property that was given to Brant by the British for his service during the American Revolutionary War.
Later this month the Conservation Authority will be holding a design event for the Beachway which is now a long stretch of land from the western end of Spencer Smith Park to the Canal. They want to decide what should be done with that part of the city.
There was a time when a very vibrant community existed in that area. The houses, which were on land that was owned by the Canadian National Railway, were leased to people who built cottages on the lots. There was no street address as such for the property on the lake side of the railway line. Les Armstrong, a member of the Waterfront Advisory Committee and the Burlington Historical Society as well as the friends of Freeman Station explains to people that you would tell your visitors that you live by the “first tower” or the “second tower” which was a reference to the hydro towers that snake along the waterfront and then up through the city.
There is a small community – less than 30 homes – in the area now and they are fighting to remain there and ideally see the community built up now that the railway no longer runs along the edge of the lake.
 There was a time when Beachway was populated with hundreds of homes. All kinds of development talk – but a look at this aerial view of the downtown core on a late winter afternoon when everything is covered with a dusting of snow and the sun is getting ready to set. This was in 2000 – not much in the way of change since them.
 Downtown core area, winter of 2000 How many reports have there been about “economic development” and bringing in those high tech, high paying jobs that everyone talks about. The Simms Building, frequently known as City Hall South because of the number of city departments in the building: Legal, Human Resources and Purchasing are there now. Might be better to buy the place. Others are looking beyond adding to the space the city used in the downtown core. All kinds of discussion and city council workshops on putting parking lots # 4 and # 5 to better use. Councillor Jack Dennison was talking about this kind of change in 2000, didn’t get very far. Development change takes time.
We are indebted to Joseph Hollick for the photographs used in this story.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 14, 2012 The city wants its citizens to take to the streets – get out on the road and meet the neighbours during Front Yard Barbecue Week, June 23 to July 1.
 It takes organization and some planning to hold a successful street party - Burlington is calling them Front Yard BBQ's. Properly done they pull people out of their back yards and into streets, where they can meet neighbours they have lived beside for years but never got to meet. “Hosting social events like neighbourhood barbecues help residents get to know one another, creating a strong sense of community,” said Councillor Blair Lancaster, council representative for Burlington’s inclusivity advisory committee. “This is a great opportunity to bring our neighbourhoods to life and celebrate Burlington as an inclusive, vibrant city.”
For residents who live in apartment buildings, a similar event can take place in the common courtyard. Community barbecues can range in size from two or three families, involving a small amount of planning, to larger scale events requiring such city permits as street party permits.
Not a word on how to actually get a permit or some detail on when you need a permit and what the cost is? Just a link to a city web site.
The city recently held a Car Free Sunday that had months of planning put into it with the resources of the Parks and Recreation department behind it as well as support from the Regional Police and the fire departments. Not to mention the money spent by the city getting T-shirts made up and funds to pay for a neat band.
There were pony rides that probably had to be paid for. The turnout wasn’t bad for a first time effort. But there was a lot of effort put in by city staff.
Then along comes an idea to get people out of their back yards and meet their neighbours. It already happens in some parts of the city. You see people who live on streets that run into New Street out with their BBQ’s enjoying a nosh and a beer with their neighbours.
In a correction to the original press release there was an update on street party permits.
These press releases tend to go out to the media who then have to re-work the material (what comes out of city hall is pretty bare bones and tends to lack in terms of detail).
 There is probably a law saying I can't drink my glass of wine as I cross the street to meet my neighbour who is having his Front Yard BBQ.. Can I wander around my street chatting up my neighbours with a glass of wine in hand while the kids scoot about on a skate board and the younger ones whistle around on their three wheelers? Not a word about that in the city hall press release.
No encouragement from any of the Councillors. Could the Mayor not have come up with a prize to be given to the Council member whose ward had the best street party – and the prize would be a BBQ given by the Mayor for the winners from each Ward?
Things like this don’t just happen because the city issued a press release with some instructions on what I can and can’t do with the propane tank that fuels my BBQ.
The idea came up at a council committee meeting about a month ago. We expected to see some almost immediate follow up from the Ward councillors and an ongoing stream of information.
The next thing the media saw – a couple of weeks later – was a press release, which in this case was followed up within the hour with a correction.
All this comes in the day before Sound of Music Festival starts. The first of the Front Yard BBQ’s could be on the 23rd.
This idea is headed for the tank – which is unfortunate because Burlingtonians do need to get out and meet their neighbours – getting the BBQ’s out of the back yard is a really good idea – 2012 is not likely to be the time for this in Burlington. Better planning and some budget for this would help.
 A Street Party could have a theme that focuses on the kids - here we have a couple of "princesses" setting up their table. If you do decide to try something like this on your street – here is what the city is passing out in terms of helpful information.
Here are some tips on how to host your own front yard barbecue this summer:
Plan your barbecue in advance to ensure you have the necessary city permits, and that your local community knows your street will be closed for the night.
Send out invitations to create awareness and a sense of who will be coming.
Designate groceries to different families. For example, one family will bring appetizers, another buns and bread.
Get creative. Select a cultural dish to share or ask everyone to bring their favourite food or beverage or organize games that are fun for all ages, such as road hockey or basketball.
Budget for the cost of food and permits.
When barbecuing, the Burlington fire department recommends keeping grills at least one metre away from your house, fence, deck, or other combustible material. Additional fire safety tips for barbecuing include:
Grills should not be used in enclosed areas such as garages or balconies.
Always use and store propane barbecues and tanks outside.
Make sure burner ports are free of rust and openings are clear of dust and cobwebs.
Check cylinder connection and hoses for leaks by brushing a 50/50 mix of liquid soap and water. If bubbles appear when valve is opened, tighten connections. (Is there a breathing human being in Burlington, who doesn’t know how to handle a BBQ propane tank?)
Remember when firing up your BBQ, open the lid first and strike match or lighter before turning on the gas.
Transport propane cylinders safely in an upright position in vehicles and keep windows open.
We can do better than this – can’t we?
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 14, 2012 The opening night will be great. The weather is going to be close to perfect and the sound that will come from the Dofasco stage where Of Gentleman and Cowards will pluck their strings to get the four day event rolling. Described as a band, made up of four friends from McMaster with an energetic sound that is melodic and youthful. They took hone first place in the Ontario finals of the Campus Music Explosion. They take to the stage at 7:00 pm
 The day before the Sound of Music kick off - possible to longe about the edge of the Lake. At the other end of Spencer Smith Park, on the OLG stage, the Glory Days will perform. This six piece ensemble is a tribute to American music icon Bruce Springsteen, and is made up of experienced concert musicians able to recreate some of the classic songs and performances that are Springsteen trademarks. Expect an unforgettable night of pure passion and energy from this bunch.
The action moves back and forth between each end of the park.
Born Ruffians at the Dofasco Stage at 8:15
Keeping the Faith on the OLG stage at 8:30
Back to the Dofasco Stage to catch the Arkells at 9:45
And end the evening taking in the Rear View Mirror at 10 pm on the OLG stage.
What a way to start the weekend – and this is only Thursday.
The Sound of Music Festival is a series of events that is anchored at Spencer Smith Park but also works its way up Brant Street and spreads out amongst the side streets as well.
 Hundreds of volunteers make the Sound of Music Festival work - two of them mark the location for a vendor. The park action is focused on three stages. The OLG Stage (your lottery gambles working for you) at the west end; the Dofasco Stage (known officially as the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Stage – remember the corporate tag line Our product is steel; our strength is our people – Arcelor laid many of them off) at the east end. Then there is the Burlington Hyundai Stage south of the Waterfront Hotel and the Cogeco Stage set up outside City Hall.
The Classical Stage is set up behind the Arts Centre on the North side of Lakeshore across from Spencer’s Restaurant.
There are also four Pods; one on Ontario Street tucked in close to the War Memorial; the Elgin Street Pod opposite the Queen’s Head; the Pine Street Pod just a short block north of Lakeshore on Brant and the John Street Pod across from the front of the Waterfront Hotel.
For Thursday – it’s just the two stages at each end of the park strutting the talent from six groups. Then it is a fast and furious Saturday and Sunday.
By Lake Ontario Waterkeeper
BURLINGTON, ON June 14, 2012 “No Fishing” signs popped up across Toronto’s waterfront recently. Will we see signs like this in Burlington?
The public backlash in Toronto was immediate and fierce and city Councillors quickly voted to have the signs removed.
Lake Ontario is a vibrant and historic fishing location, even in Toronto’s borders. There are at least 10,000 anglers within the city’s borders, part of the community of 7.5-million fishing Canadians.
 These signs went up in Toronto on Tuesday with no news announcements. Will this happen in Burlington? The timing of Toronto’s “No Fishing” experiment sent chills up our spines. As the signs went up, Members of Parliament gathered in Ottawa to debate the omnibus budget bill that will dismantle protection for fish and fish habitats across the country. Sure, the government says that the new Fisheries Act will still protect fish of commercial, cultural, or recreational value. But Toronto, with one small action, demonstrated the meaninglessness of that approach to environmental protection.
One of the reasons Waterkeeper has been so concerned about the changes to the Fisheries Act is because the new legalese actually creates incentives not to protect the act of fishing. It encourages the disenfranchisement of anglers rather than encouraging the protection of fish, fish habitat, and the restoration of fisheries.
If you live in a place like Toronto where the commercial fishery has already been wiped out, there are no fish of “commercial value”. The Fisheries Act won’t protect your fish.
If you live in a place where traditional fishing practices have been eliminated, there are no fish of “cultural value”. The Fisheries Act won’t protect your fish.
If you live in a place where a city can simply erect a “No Fishing” sign to keep recreational anglers away, fish of “recreational value” can disappear overnight. The Fisheries Act won’t protect your fish.
See how easy it is?
 The environmental changes tucked into the budget bill being debated in the House of Commons today is going to be more painful than that hook in that finger. The federal Fisheries Act rollbacks are crammed into an 800-page bill that affects every Canadian in dozens of different ways. It is hard to predict exactly what it will all mean for Canadians or when the impacts will first be felt. The one thing we know for certain is that none of the changes are intended to improve protections for fish, habitat, or the people who enjoy those resources.
It is too late to tell your MP how you feel. In this city our guy in the capital is voting for the bill. Don’t think he fishes – but he will fish for your votes at some point in the future. Remember that. This is going to be more painful for people who like to fish than getting a fishing hook stuck in your finger.
Toronto reversed the fishing ban decision they made – but the total lack of notice was not a good sign.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 14, 2012 The Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital held their Annual General Meeting and instead of being a real yawner – turned out to be a bit of a fun event with the newly elected chair, Stephen Friday showing not only a tie with vivid colours, something not normally seen in the medical community but also displaying a rich sense of humour. Thus guy might be fun to work with.
 Incoming JBMH chair Stephen Friday - with ties like that, you just have to like this guy.  A relaxed for chair, Susan Busby on the right talks to Board member Brenda Hunter. Susan Busby, a woman who has served the community for more than 17 years at JBMH, turned the gavel over to Friday but not before the hospital treasurer told the audience that there was a surplus of $22,000 for the fiscal year that ended March 31st.
Financially the hospital is one firm footing. The Foundation has $12 million of their $60 million in hand; they raised $295,000 at the Crystal Ball. The Hospital Auxiliary committed to raising $5 million which is a record for this city and probably for any other city near the size of Burlington.
The audience did everything but give President and CEO Eric Vandewall a group hug – can you see him handling that – and went on to hear what Mayor Rick Goldring had to say as their guest speaker.
Before the Mayor got going someone leaned toward me and said “Busby would make a very good Council member”. Wonder which ward she lives in?
The city and the Hospital are almost at the “sign the agreement” stage on how the $60 million the taxpayers are going to contribute to the re-development will be spent. Mayor Goldring in his comments pointed out just how big an expenditure that amount is for the city. “It represents about 50% of the annual tax levy. We will have to borrow to meet the commitment. Our current total debt for the city is approximately $90 million and this will have to be increased.” So for Burlington – this is not small potatoes.
There was a very nice letter from the provincial Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Deb Matthews to outgoing Chair Susan Busby that was framed and presented to her.
While the dollars are important Goldring was in the room to talk about a “healthy community” and didn’t limit his definition to health to how big are stomachs were or how we felt but saw healthy community as one where everyone was pulling together in the same direction.
The past year has been awkward for the city. Council didn’t like the idea of being asked to pay for a parking garage and also didn’t feel it was in any sense a partner with the hospital board. There was tension which Goldring doesn’t feel is part of a healthy community.
He pointed out that Burlington” residents identified the hospital as their number 1 priority by almost 70%. Residents are clearly willing to contribute, and if need be, see spending controlled in other areas of the municipality.”
Council however is responsible to its taxpayers and they are going to be diligent and ensure that funds are spent wisely. In other words the city wasn’t going to just write a cheque and leave it at that.
“The hospital and city staff, have been working towards a contribution agreement for about six months now and I believe we have found a way to make this work for all parties.”
“The agreement that we are working to finalize, will see the city contributing $60 million for equipment purchases for the hospital. This gives the residents transparency as to how their tax dollars are being spent.”
“The i’s are being dotted and t’s crossed and we are hopeful that the final contribution agreement will be brought to Committee the week of July 9th with approval anticipated at Council on July 16.”
 Burlington MPP Jane McKenna yukking it up with the girls at the JBMH annual general meeting. While the McMaster University decision to designate Joseph Brant as a teaching facility came as a bit of a surprise to the city Goldring pointed out that the McMaster Halton Family Medicine Centre will add significantly to the level of service at the hospital and provide additional accessibility to care for our community.
Goldring pointed out that the city is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in Canada and he wants the hospital to reflect that.
Goldring went on to define his idea of a healthy community as being about more than the healthcare system. Using Canadian Senate Sub-committee on Population Health data he said about 25% of health outcomes can be contributed to our healthcare system.
The other major contributors are education and income, which together are estimated to account for 50% of health outcomes, and the physical environment which accounts for 10% of outcomes. Biology and genetics are thought to contribute the balance. Municipal government plays a significant role in the overall health of a community.
There was a time when municipalities owned and ran their hospitals; then the provincial government took over that responsibility and we appear to be going back a bit and looking to the municipality to be a bigger player, which the Mayor appears to welcome. And to be a player the city needs to be at the table.
Average household income in Burlington is $115,000 per year, which is 25% above the provincial average. 40% of Burlington households have an income over $100,000 .
However, poverty is a challenge. Although not fully evident to everyone in Burlington, we have almost 10% of the population living at or below the poverty line. We have over 3500 families living in poverty in our community. Our food banks have become a growth business in Burlington. Over the last two years demand at the food banks has grown by 20% per year.
The City provides affordable opportunities for all. Seniors centers’, libraries, public transit, recreation and cultural events all help to level the playing field and provide an improved and affordable quality of life leading to positive health outcomes. Municipal Government operates long-term care facilities and supports or provides certain mental health services. We work with the LHIN to fund and coordinate some of these activities, but perhaps not to the level that we each could. These all dramatically impact the health of our community.
With the City and Region involved in so many of the important areas that impact the overall health outcomes of the community, how should we be working better together?
And that was the critical question – because the hospital and the city have not been able to work together all that well. When it takes six months to work out how the city’s $60 million contribution is going to be spent – you know there are problems.
Goldring wants the hospital to think aloud with him asking
1. How do we define a healthy Community? What would it look like?
2. How would we measure it? What critical measurements would we focus on?
3. What objectives would we set? How would we establish objectives that were meaningful?
4. How would we prioritize and fund these objectives within our individual areas of responsibility? Would we be willing to give up anything within our silo for the greater good?
5. Could we work together, share information and be more effective and efficient?
6. Understanding all the bureaucratic roadblocks that exist, would we be willing to pilot solutions that make Burlington a Healthier Community?
The city and the hospital haven’t been able to do this so far.
 The hospital is now working flat out to get shovels in the ground by the end of the year and will take a site development plan to city council in the fall. The overall layout for the site is shown above. The near completion of the Redevelopment Memorandum of Understanding is a significant milestone”, said Goldring. “All of us need to be united 100% behind the work of the foundation and the campaign cabinet and be advocates and contributors in order for us to reach our local share target.
“Let us look at the redevelopment process as the beginning of a much bigger conversation within which we can leverage the positive goodwill in the community and the great work the city and region do so that Burlington will be not only the best city to live in Canada but the Healthiest City.
“That is the question I want to leave with all of us.”
Did they hear the question? Will they head the question? Time only will tell. There is a new chair that Goldring knows well and has worked with in the past. Stephen Friday certainly sounded as if he was open to a new working relationship. Hopefully he can bring about a better working relationship.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON – June 14, 2012 BurlingtonGreen in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada is thrilled to announce that Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) & UN Messenger of Peace, will be the keynote speaker at both the Imprints youth environmental conference and the BurlingtonGreen Eco Awards evening celebration to be held on September 19, 2012 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre.
” We had the privilege of meeting Jane Goodall at the screening of her film “Jane’s Journey” and we’re incredibly inspired by her powerful messages of hope and how each of us can make a difference. She is the perfect fit for both of these events and we are truly honoured that she has agreed to include Burlington in her week long Canadian tour”, said Amy Schnurr , Executive Director of BurlingtonGreen.
Dr. Jane Goodall will be speaking at both events with the youth event focusing on JGI’s global Roots & Shoots program that empowers youth to take action for people, animals and the environment.
 Jane Goodall studied the behavior of chimpanzees in Kenya and became one of the foremost expert in the behavior of the free-ranging chimpanzee.
The Eco Awards celebration will include a keynote presentation by Dr. Goodall, an audience Q & A and the presentation of awards to Halton’s greenest achievers by Dr. Jane Goodall herself!
BurlingtonGreen and the Halton Learning Foundation are grateful to the Burlington Community Foundation for their generous support as a platinum sponsor in addition to the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their gold level of support. More sponsorship opportunities are available to support the events that will be promoted widely throughout Halton and beyond. Contact info@burlingtongreen.org or 905-466-2171
Schools can register Youth for Imprints at no cost starting June 12 on a first come first serve basis. The general public will be able to purchase tickets for the evening Eco Awards event later in June. A limited supply of VIP exclusive tickets will be available where guests will be treated to a special reception with Dr. Jane Goodall.
Both events are expected to sell out. Information for Eco Awards and the VIP Reception will be available at www.burlingtongreen.org and tickets will be available for purchase at www.burlingtonpac.com
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 13, 2012 Some Council members expected something quite different in the way of staff changes that were released after the Council meeting Monday night.
The City Clerk quietly distributed a notice announcing that the position of General Manager for Development and Infrastructure was vacant and that Steve Zorbas would move from Acting General Manager of Development and Infrastructure and return to his former position as Executive Director of Finance.
There was no discussion or debate during the Council meeting on the changes. There was however, a very lengthy Closed Session discussion during the Budget and Corporate Services meeting previously, during which Jeff Fielding, the City Manager would have set out the changes he wanted to make and the direction he was going with his staff development.
Some Council members, two at least, were expecting even larger changes to be announced and were disappointed with the scope of what was released Monday evening. We are advised that Council is expecting to hear more in the not too distant future.
 Some of the staff changes city Manager Fielding has put into place got their start back when Tim Dobbie, on the right, was city manager. Coming into an organization, assessing the talent and then deciding who is living up to the standard you expect is never an easy task for a new chief executive officer, which is what the city manager is. It takes time to determine just what you have in the way of a team and where the changes have to be made.
It’s not an easy job – but it has to be done.
A look at the existing staff and the structure and the “top 60” as they are being called by the City Manager, reveals a number of places where change is needed – not the least of which is the way some of the people got the positions they now have in the first place.
 Roy Make, current head of Human Resources Human Resource management is both an art and a science that hasn’t been seen around city hall south in the last number of years. Errors made as far back as ten years ago have to be corrected; Council was expecting to see more of those corrections made last week.
We – and those Council members look forward to hearing more.
It needs to be said that there are some very, very talented people doing fine work and growing in the job they do. There are staff reports with excellent municipal administrative work being shown. We don’t intend to be chintzy here when we say “some” we are talking about a lot of people, not just a handful.
City Council recently approved removing the “acting” from the title of Director, Parks and Recreation that Chris Glenn holds. That removal was earned and deserved.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 12, 2012 Art in Action awarded two scholarships at their annual silent fundraising auction at Rayoon –Persian Fare in Burlington’s Village Square.
Ten Burlington public and catholic schools participated. Each school put forth an applicant that was pursuing a post-secondary fine arts program. Each student completed an application and included three digital images of their artwork.
 From left to right: Olivia Hashka - Nelson H. S. Winner • Honorary Chairperson for our 10th Anniversary. Rick Goldring, Mayor, Michelle Friesen - Robert Bateman H. S, Stephanie Moore - L. B. Pearson H. S. Darlene Throop, Art in Action Scholarship Chair. Missing Jessica Gneth - M. M. Robinson H. S. - Winner, Sara Fackrell - Aldershot H. S., Ashley Jean-Gilles - Assumption H. S. The jury process consisted of six Art in Action artists representing various art mediums. Two winners were selected.
Congratulations to Jessica Gneth of M.M. Robinson high school and Olivia Hashka of Nelson High.
Other applicants were Sara Fackrell of Aldershot high, Ashley Jean-Gilles of Assumption catholic secondary, Stephanie Moore of L. B. Pearson High school and Michelle Friesen of Robert Bateman high school.
The winners received a scholarship of $1000.00 each as well as free admission to participate in this November’s studio tour .
Art in Action celebrates it’s tenth anniversary this year and will put on an especially robust Studio Tour this fall.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 12, 2012 This was a big one. A total of nine people charged with multiple offences during what the police called project “Commute”.
Police had an undercover officer make multiple purchases of cocaine from a trafficker in Halton Region. Subsequent investigation revealed this illegal activity was supported by an organized network of individuals.
Monday June 11, Halton Police arrested a number of people and exercised search warrants at several residences in Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton and Toronto. The police have been at this one for more than eleven months, following leads and getting at everyone they saw as part of what they now describe as an organized ring of drug traffickers that covered the Region of Halton, City of Hamilton and City of Toronto.
 Numerous police units were involved in Operation Commute; an 11 month investigation that resulted in the seizure of three kilos of drugs and $45,000 in cash plus nine arrests. Drug and Morality officers were assisted by members of the Halton Guns & Gangs Unit, PAVIS (Provincial Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy), PWEU (Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit), Halton RIS (Regional Investigative Services), Halton and Hamilton uniformed members, Halton TRU (Tactical Rescue Unit), Hamilton ERU (Emergency Response Unit), and Toronto ETF (Emergency Task Force).
The accused are:
Steven BAKER, 25 yrs, Hamilton
-Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
-Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine and crack cocaine)
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (cocaine)
-Possession of proceeds of crime (over $5000)
Glen THOMAS, 32 yrs, Pickering
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (oxycodone)
-Possession of proceeds of crime (over $5000)
Goun IM, 20 yrs, Oakville
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (oxycodone)
-Possession of proceeds of crime (over $5000)
Brook TENN, 28 yrs, Hamilton
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (cocaine and crack cocaine)
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (oxycodone)
-Produce a controlled substance (crack cocaine)
-Careless storage of a firearm (contravention of regulations)
-Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
-Possession of a prohibited firearm knowing that its possession is unauthorized
Pierre KALATA, 30 yrs, Oakville
-Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (cocaine)
-Conspiracy to import a controlled substance (cocaine)
-Breach of recognizance of bail (3 counts)
Joseph SANSONE, 22 yrs, Toronto
-Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (cocaine)
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (ecstasy)
-Possession of proceeds of crime (over $5000)
-Conspiracy to import a controlled substance (cocaine)
-Careless storage of a firearm (contravention of regulations) two counts
-Unauthorized possession of a firearm
-Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
-Possession of a prohibited firearm knowing that its possession is unauthorized
-Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
Lindsay COUTTS, 23 yrs, Toronto
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (cocaine)
-Possession for the purposes of trafficking (ecstasy)
-Possession of proceeds of crime (over $5000)
-Conspiracy to import a controlled substance (cocaine)
-Careless storage of a firearm (contravention of regulations) two counts
-Unauthorized possession of a firearm
-Unauthorized possession of a prohibited firearm
-Possession of a prohibited firearm knowing that its possession is unauthorized
-Possession of a firearm knowing that its possession is unauthorized
These accused persons are scheduled to appear in Milton bail court on the 12th of June 2012.
Two additional people were added to the list of those arrested:
Sausha JEFFERSON, 33 yrs, Mississauga
-Conspiracy to import a controlled substance (cocaine)
Romina PISANI, 28 yrs, Concord
-Conspiracy to import a controlled substance (cocaine)
These accused persons will appear in Milton court on the 31st of July 2012.
 During a drug raid police assume there are weapons inside the residence - they go in fully prepared. This is a major multi-level police investigation. Seized was three kilograms of cocaine, quantities of oxycodone, ecstasy and marihuana. All of these are dangerous, mind altering drugs that result in addictions. The people in this business also had three illegal handguns, ammunition, a bulletproof vest, approximately $45,000.00 in Canadian currency and equipment used in the production of crack cocaine.
The number of police units involved indicates how serious the drug problem is in the region. The people arrested were selling the drugs – who was buying the stuff?
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 12, 2012 She does it every time – she’s consistent and while she drives her fellow Council members bananas – she strives to get to the point – and the point of cancelling the turbine on the Pier was not at all clear to Ward 2 Councillor Marianne Meed Ward and she had questions.
 Mayor may have a lot of explaining to do if Councillor Meed Ward can build a case about why the turbine for the Pier was really cancelled. Mayor Goldring wasn’t at all sure there was anything to discuss but Meed Ward advised him that she was referring to a document that had been received and filed and that she had a right to comment at length – which she did.
Meed Ward started her comments by saying she was “feeling very unsettled” and the decision made was “not sitting well with her’. Her sense was that the decision was made for the wrong reasons – she said she was hard pressed to know why the decision was made at all and she wanted to see the dialogue about the turbine on the pier continue.
If each of the reasons we were given is not the reason for cancelling the turbine on the pier – then what is the reason she asked. All her colleagues sat on their hands. Councillor Sharman didn’t bring up his usual canard about the “return on investment”. There wasn’t a peep from the council members.
Meed Ward said she met with the city manager and Craig Stevens of the engineering department but still didn’t feel she had answers that made sense.
To recap the steps that led up to the cancellation.
 Contractor says he could install the turbine in half a day whenever the city is ready and that the meters for the net metering program are already in place. But Council didn't want to hear a word of it. The city was told that electricity from the turbine could not be fed into the electrical grid. That there was something called the MicroFIT program for which there was a long list of applicants, that included Councillor Dennison who wants to put solar panels on the roof of his health club
Director of Engineering misled staff and council when he suggested that a battery pack – at a cost of $70,000 would solve the problem. City Council wouldn’t touch that idea and voted at committee to cancel the turbine.
It got a through airing at the Council meeting that approves all the decisions made at Committee. However, at Council the city learned two things:
That the MicroFIT program was not the preferred choice but that something called net metering was the better solution and that was available the next day if the city was ready.
 There was the sound of a jack hammer coming from the pier. Good sign? At the same meeting Council heard that there were numerous problems with getting the steel that was needed to fabricate the base structure for the pier. They were also told that the delay with the steel might mean the city would be unable to pour the concrete that would form the deck of the pier if there is an early winter
That sent a shiver up the spines of every council member and they were not going to even think about something that had the potential to delay this project.
Meed Ward thought the council did not have all the facts or they weren’t paying attention to the facts they had.
She again asked: What is the real reason? Her view was that the dialogue about the turbine should continue but no one on this Council was picking up on that idea.
Meed Ward said the new contractor has changed much. `
There is supposed to be more oversight. “Where was the oversight on the ordering of the steel?
“What assurance are there that we won’t see further challenges.`
Meed Ward was relentless
“I wish I could tell you that we will deliver this on time – I am confident that we can”, which was the best answer city manager Jeff Fielding had.
 The matter of re-opening the decision to cancel the turbine on the pier might come down to who knows the Procedural By-law best. Meed Ward wanted to get this out on the table and continue the dialogue but she wasn’t getting anywhere. In order for the subject to be opened she had to put forward a motion, get a seconder and then get five of the seven members of Council to vote to just re-open the discussion.
It`s worse than that actually. Meed Ward would have to serve notice of her motion and then get it on the floor. Her fellow council members were not going to let that happen
Her only recourse is to bring the matter up again at the next Community Services committee when the next Pier Update will be delivered, which will be June 20th.
This is messy but “Little Miss Sunshine” isn’t going to let this one get away. She has in the past forced council to go through a recorded vote on six different questions. She did it once and she will do it again if she has to.
We are rounding the turn at the halfway mark of this council term of office. Is Meed Ward building election points? Heaven help them if there is a significant delay in completing the pier – the voters will never forgive them – and they will remember Little Miss Sunshine who stick to her guns like Annie Oakley.
Meed Ward has always believed that the city should have tried to work something out with the original contractor who walked off the job, when he said he could not build a pier based on the design he was given.
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