We lost him 14 years ago.

By Pepper Parr

March 15^th, 2025

BURLINGTON, ON

We lost him 14 years ago.

John Boich with the little sweetheart who lived across the street.

I wonder what he would think about the way the city of Burlington is being run today?

John Willian Boich was 77 when he left this earth – taking one of the biggest hearts in the city with him.

John Boich would rage at the idea of a 51st state.

Boich wasn’t elected to office, but he had an impact larger than some of those who were.  The biggest thing he did for the city was co-author the Shape Burlington report.  Former Mayor Walter Mulkewich worked with Boich on the document that shook up city hall that initially asked for a re-write when the report came out.  That didn’t happen.

The report was unanimously supported by Council; it just hasn’t been adhered to.

Purpose:

The “Shape Burlington” initiative, as presented to City Council in 2010, aimed to gather community input and foster a sense of ownership in shaping the future of Burlington.

Citizen Engagement:

The initiative emphasized citizen engagement and transparency in municipal decision-making, using methods like discussion forums on the website and social media to communicate with residents.

Impact:

The engagement contributed to high citizen expectations of interaction with Burlington municipal government, particularly in comparison to other municipalities.

Key Themes:

The initiative focused on key areas for the city’s future, including:

Designing and delivering complete communities that balance economic, social, and community benefits.

Affordable and Attainable Housing: Ensuring access to affordable and attainable housing options.

Parks and Open Greenspaces: Prioritizing the creation and maintenance of parks and open spaces.

Recreation and Cultural Amenities: Investing in recreation and cultural amenities to enhance the quality of life.

Modern, Eco-Friendly Transportation: Promoting modern and eco-friendly modes of transportation.

Long-Term Vision:

The initiative aimed to enable complete communities where people want to live over the next seven generations, and it served as a foundation for Burlington’s long-term 25-year strategic plan.

Link to the Shape Burlington report is HERE