ECoB sets out its agenda and direction going forward after being badly shaken by the surprise resignation of its president.

News 100 blueBy Pepper Parr

June 25th, 2018

BURLINGTON, ON

 

With the application to appeal the city council decision to approve a 23 storey tower across the street from city hall in tatters the Engaged Citizens of Burlington organization set out a list of just what it has achieved in its short life.

What has ECoB accomplished since December 2017?

ECOB Dec 13 #3

An early public meeting was well attended – financial support was good. The problems were at the leadership level.

– ECoB held a community meeting to bring residents together in December.
– ECoB has delegated at Committee and Council Meetings
– ECoB held a rally at City Hall, with reporters from the Hamilton Spectator, The Burlington Post and The Bay Observer present and got good media coverage.
– ECoB held a very successful potential candidate workshop in February at Tansley Woods
– ECoB was featured twice on Your TV – The Issue – to bring residents issues about the proposed Official Plan to the public.
– ECoB was instrumental in having a story not only in The Hamilton Spectator, but also the Toronto Star.
– ECoB met with Mary-Lou Tanner and members of her staff to suggest ways of making residents a more integral part in the planning process. This did result in some minor changes.
– ECoB met with Eleanor McMahon to encourage Provincial involvement.
– ECoB met with the Downtown BIA and the Chamber of Commerce.
– ECoB met with the Mayor and some of the Councillors who were prepared to hear our concerns.
– ECoB has requested an investigation into what we consider “the closed meeting” when Council adopted the new official plan.
– ECoB has sent this request to the Ontario Ombudsman as well.

Jim Young

The sudden and surprising resignation of Jim Young as President of ECoB has set back the organization. Their plans for all candidate public meetings in September and October are a sign that the organization still has some life left.

MOVING FORWARD:
“We have rented venues for Ward Candidate Meetings that will be held the last two weeks of September and the 1st week of October. We want residents to be able to make an informed decision when they enter the polling booth in October.

“Any donations received have and will continue to be used to help the residents of Burlington have a voice. Donations were used to incorporate, pay for director’s liability insurance, flyers, workshops. As an incorporated body, we are mandated to follow the regulations set out by the province of Ontario. We are required by law to have an Annual AGM as well as our books have to be reviewed by an auditor.”

ECoB created a Gofundme site and to date has raised $2,575 from that source. A number of people and organizations wrote cheques and a fair amount of cash was raised. ECoB could and should issue an interim financial statement to provide some stability and uncertainty to a badly shaken organization.

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