Community rallies to save Freeman Station

Historic Freeman Station is safe from the wrecking ball – for now. Council unanimously supported my staff direction in January to put the demolition on hold to allow councillor Blair Lancaster and myself to form an ad hoc citizen’s committee to find a location, use and funding.

The committee cannot consider any locations previously voted on by council (Spencer Smith Park, Ireland House grounds and behind the Burlington Art Centre), and must find independent funding. The city has previously committed to paying relocation fees, which are about the same as the what the city would have to pay to demolish the station.

Already, many residents have stepped forward to get involved, pledging time, skills and money to the project.

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Ihirt: Hello Marianne, how about the beach area between the lift bridge and Maple intersection. This area is very popular with…
- Egmc1940: then the city would be charging parking fees and we have change rooms showers on the pavilion beach now leave…
Egmc1940: Why do we not put the freeman station in hidden valley park and get all the area model train clubs…
Lianne S.: Hi Marianne, I am pleased to hear about Freeman Station. It is amazing how disillusioned some councillors are in regards…

Churches targetted for property taxes

I have learned from a downtown church leader that the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation is targetting some places of worship to assess their community gathering spaces (eg. parish hall) for the purpose of assessing property tax. This has already been done in churches throughout Ontario to disastrous effect.

Many churches offer their community space to local groups; if places of worship will now have to pay property tax on those spaces, the cost will be prohibitive to the church and the community group, and these important activities in our community places of worship will end.

Jrwkraft: I think churches should pay property taxes just like everyone else. This could help to control property taxes for all.
- Anonymous: You are obviously not a church goer/member.! If you were, you would not make such a statement. You do not…
Dhon MacKinnon: As a member of the Port Nelson United Church group that assists in the Community Dinners at Wellington Square U.C.,…
Ron: I certainly don't favour taxing churches for letting out their premises for free. But what about those who make a…
JDT: Religious groups as a whole engage only a minority of citizens (church attendance is very low) and each specific group…
- Alysha Diane: Exactly my concerns. The community at large should not be required to subsidize churches that exclude members of the community.
Anonymous: I belong to another church, and "part" of our contribution to the community are free weekly suppers to about 130…

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Cycling race proposed for downtown July 1

I’m supportive of bringing sport tourism to downtown Burlington, but I do have concerns about the route up Brant St., which serves as a pedestrian walkway on Canada Day; and down John, through the bus terminal area. I’ve asked whether the route could be shifted to the east, so as to complement, rather than collide, with other activities int he downtown on Canada Day.

Lucille Blaney: Yes, the route should be rerouted away from Brant and Spencer Park. What are they thinking!! Alot of people attend…
Tiernay: I absolutely support your take. We accommodate far too many of these events in our downtown core putting pedestrians and…
Deby: The current route would completely shut down the downtown core on July 1st from 1 to 6pm. Viewing the length…
C Garycampbell: Yes, the downtown route should definitely be reconsidered.
Keith J Sadler: The race should use Guelph Line and not Brant (Ex Racing Cyclist in Europe...Keith J Sadler)

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Pier a costly quagmire

Burlington councillors had our first briefing on the pier in December with legal counsel – and unfortunately without the public allowed. That must change.

But there really wasn’t much we learned that was new. The options before us remain the same: tear out the pier, complete it with the current contractor, or re-tender the project. As to costs, regardless of the option we choose, it will be more than any of us will want to pay for this nice-to-have project.

John Morden: This is an eyesore. It should be scrapped/demolished ASAP. Let's cut our losses and learn an expensive lesson.
John Morden: I doubt if the city is capable of providing services equivalent to those provided by churches; I doubt even more…

A Ticat Pan Am stadium in Burlington?

The Ticats are exploring Paletta-owned lands in Aldershot between King and Waterdown roads for a $130 million, 22,000 seat stadium that would also be used for Pan Am games. Just after Christmas, Ticat officials approached Burlington to partner.

There may be public and private funding of about $100 million, leaving a potential “funding gap” of up to $30m for capital costs.

Staff direction to study night clubs in condos

Residents of the Baxter condo on Elizabeth St have contacted me about noise and other nuisances from the Honey West night club in the first floor of their building.

Downtown Burlington is the only area in the city where nightclubs are allowed to co-exist with residences, and our bylaws don’t differentiate between night clubs with loud music, bands and dancing till the wee hours, and restaurants that close at 11.

Ken Colombo: As we understand it, the condominium Board of Directors have the latitude of 'selecting and sub-contracting' to a Management Board.…

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