By Staff
May 28th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
A statement, jointly released by Lisa Kearns, Councillor for ward 2 and a candidate for the Burlington Provincial Liberal Association and Andrea Grebenc, Chair of the Halton District School Board and also a candidate for the Liberal nomination, said:
Burlington is the best place to live, raise a family, start a business or age in place. Ontario’s general election is just over a year away. It will be an election focused on fighting to strengthen public health care, deliver quality education, grow our economy, and protect our environment for generations to come.
Burlington needs an exceptionally strong candidate to go on the ballot for the June 2022 provincial election. There were two elected officials for the Ontario Liberal nomination: Lisa Kearns, City and Regional Councillor Ward 2 and Andrea Grebenc, Halton District School Board Chair and Trustee for Wards 3 & 6.
Ward 2 city councilor Lisa Kearns announces decision to withdraw from seeking the Liberal nomination.
Lisa Kearns has withdrawn her nomination after due consideration and will seek municipal re-election. She states, “when Ms Grenbenc put forth her interest in running I was happy that there was another candidate that I felt that was a good strong choice for this position, which would allow me to stay in my role as Ward 2 Councillor and continue my passionate work for the ward that I work and live in. There is still so much work to be done here, especially on matters of planning and development. All the recent advancements we have achieved could become undone without the continued watch of a seasoned councillor who is up to date and understands planning matters. I am happy to work alongside Ms Grebenc and give her my support in solidly positioning Burlington for community supported growth, not over-development.”
As a life-long Burlington resident, Ms Grebenc has successfully competed in two municipal elections for Halton District School Board Trustee and runs an IT consultation business. The second-largest area of provincial oversight is education.
By the time the provincial election is called she will have been working directly for that sector – approving budgets, advocating, and setting policy for nearly 8 years.
Burlington is fortunate to have nomination candidates truly focused on serving constituents so we can make a better tomorrow for Burlington residents and the citizens of Ontario.
Andrea Grebenc, Chair of the Halton District School Board chairing a meeting virtually.
Grebenc, speaking about Kearns said: “Lisa’s work as a councillor both at the city and regional level is impactful and shows a deep concern for the future of the City of Burlington. The conversations I’ve had with Lisa surrounding municipal issues where she has advocated for critical changes at the provincial level include the Land Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and policies that prioritize the health & well-being of our families and loved ones.
“These are issues I am happy to carry forward into the candidacy and ultimately to Queens Park as MPP for Burlington.” .
Kearns who didn’t know Grebenc previously said: “Andrea’s proven leadership and tenacity for advancing provincial matters are widely recognized. Her elected and professional roles demonstrate a keen interest in community well-being and navigating complex issues with political acuity. She will be a strong champion for Burlington’s values as we seek greater autonomy at the provincial level.”
Mr. Barker,
Your desire to continue this conversation says more about you than the issue. I will not be replying to any more of your comments. I have better things to do with my life.
You have just proven my point correct. My point being you make unsubstantiated assertions. Then when challenged you divert. I think that and the “I have better things to do with my life” speaks volumes about you.
Enjoy that life.
Mr. Barker,
The rules are quite different for someone who is holding a public office.
Ms Hersh.
I must say you woukd make an excellent politician. Never directly answering a question put to you. Throwing out a response that does not answer the question at all but raises another question.
Please, what rules are those. Where can we find these rules and read them?
Please explain “To indicate that she was putting her support for Ms. Grebenc only is wrong on so many levels.”
What are the levels? What is wrong with her taking a position? What rules has she broken? Where can we review those rules?
Direct, specific answers please, Ms Hersh.
Mr. Barker,
Under the circumstances where the Councillor knew little about either of the proposed candidates, I would have thought that she would have taken the time to reach out to both not just one.
I question if it was her place to indicate that she was in support of Ms. Grebenc?
Why would it not be her place. Surely she has just the same right as you to speak up or against a candidate
I 100% agree with Lynn Crosby and George Ward.
Ms Hersh
Would you please explain your comment “To indicate that she was putting her support for Ms. Grebenc only is wrong on so many levels.”
Why do you think it to be wrong ?
Perry,
No one puts their reputation and commitment to their ward residents in question to act as a “stalking horse”.
Steven, I certainly agree with you, as I also believe, there was party interference. One candidate supports by the provincial folks and the other supported by the local riding association. Sadly the door is now open for the return of McKenna.
As most who follow us know we believe the best candidate for MPP in 2022 is the incumbent. That being said we would like to encourage Mariam Manaa to believe she has as much of a chance to win the Liberal nomination as does Grebenc. We need a candidate like Mariam running in the municipal election. Keep your head high and let the community know who you are, what you stand for and you are not a drop out, no matter how tough the race. Every loss can be turned into a springboard into success if you let it,. Who knows you could some day make a hat trick of mayors who lost their first run for politics then won a council seat and went on to be mayor!. What a proud day for Burlington that would be.
Regardless of the opinions being expressed here, the best candidate to put forward to defeat Jane McKenna will be selected by Liberal party members rather than the usual collection of nay-sayers. Lisa may have come forward just because no one else did, or maybe she was a stalking horse to bring others onto the field. In either case it will be a win-win for Burlington.
As predicted.
Lisa has nothing in common with the Liberals and their housing strategies. Keeping her on board would have resulted in an embarrassing situation for the Liberals. Getting rid of her didn’t take long after a couple of new bodies floated to the surface. She must have felt like the last kid that gets picked to play on a hockey team.
Blair, I too, was curious that Mariam Manaa was not mentioned in the joint statement. Also Councillor Kearns according the article had telephone conversations with Ms. Grebenc and decided that she was a strong candidate for the Liberal Nomination for Burlington. To indicate that she was putting her support for Ms. Grebenc only is wrong on so many levels
For some of those living in Ward 2 I question the following:
“I was happy that there was another candidate that I felt that was a good strong choice for this position, which would allow me to stay in my role as Ward 2 Councillor and continue my passionate work for the ward that I work and live in. There is still so much work to be done here, especially on matters of planning and development. All the recent advancements we have achieved could become undone without the continued watch of a seasoned councillor who is up to date and understands planning matters. I am happy to work alongside Ms Grebenc and give her my support in solidly positioning Burlington for community supported growth, especially on matters of planning and development”.
Who is she try to convince – herself or the residents of Ward 2?
“To indicate that she was putting her support for Ms. Grebenc only is wrong on so many levels”.
Ms Hersh, as is your way yo make a statement but do not back it up with any reasoning. What is wrong with the councilor withdrawing to make way for what she takes to be a better positioned candidate, who it appears shares the same philosophies ?
Please illuminate us.
Burlington citizens should remember that Andrea Grebenc voted to close two Burlington High Schools, Lester B Pearson and Robert Bateman.
So what if she voted for those closures ? I did not read the reports or know the arguments for & against those closures. Maybe it was the right move. I do not know. I’m sure though others voted for the closures too. I’m sure it was a tough decision to make. We need leaders who can make those tough decisions without emotion.
With all due respect, George followed the PAR extremely closely as did I. There is no way we could possibly explain all that went on during the PAR in this comment section. I was one who worked to help to save Central from closure and was glad it stayed open. George was very upset at the closure of Pearson and Bateman. Both of us and many others remember all too well the process, the actions of the Director and the trustees during that long painful period, as well as what we learned went on before the PAR process which contributed to the closures. We remember attending PAR meetings and other board meetings and watching and listening. I too wouldn’t ever support any of those particular people for public office.
If you and Mr Ward believe that the actions of the candidate for the Provincial Liberal Party nomination whilst as a school trustee were short of being above board or were in someway dishonorable, I would say it is incumbent upon you to speak up and make those actions public. To insuate malfeasance is not acceptable and leave it hanging is not right.
Editor’s note: There was never any malfeasance. Differences of opinion – yes. Nothing more.
What is very sad Lynn is that most people are totally unaware of the character, strengths and weaknesses of anyone putting themselves up for public office. Most go on what the candidate/supporters/media say about them, all of whom may well have a conflict of interest. Then when those who have spent countless hours at meetings etc. watching how they operate offer up an opinion, they are cricized because there is not possibly enough room in a comments column to write what you have personally observed . You can only do what you have done and state you would not ever support any of those particular people despite you being successful in keeping Central open – as you have done..
I have read and reread this “joint statement”, from two previously unassociated ‘politicians’, with increasing interest and some confusion. Why the joint statement? Why is there no mention of Mariam Manaa, the third candidate for the Liberal nomination, who has ‘bona fides’ that at least match those of Ms. Grebenc. Is her candidacy of no interest? Is she considered to be a lesser candidate because she does not represent the prevalent ‘image’ of Tory, staid, white Burlington? I will say no more on that but it is disappointing at the very least. I will note that Ms. Kearns was more than willing to abandon her “role as Ward 2 Councillor and continue [her] passionate work for the ward that [she] work(s) and live(s) in.” when there appeared to be no challenge to her provincial candidacy. When faced with solid and healthy competition she retreated. It speaks volumes and should be remembered. What a very disappointing day for the Liberals – they continue to eat their young.
Sorry I just don’t accept the councillor’s reason for stepping away or her commitment to Ward 2 Residents.
Guess the “colleague she was mentoring”for her ward 2 seat goes “back in the shadows”.
How sad. Now Jane McKenna may have a shot to return. This kinda smells like party interference. Should be the best candidate nominated but guess not.