Thanks to the 2,339 residents who turned out Oct. 1 in the pouring rain at Spencer Smith Park to Join the J and attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the number of people forming a human letter. We may not have broken the record, just set by Queen’s University in September at 3,373 […]
NOTE: Community Meeting to organize a community response to the proposal to close Central Oct.11, 7pm, Wellington Square United Church, 2121 Caroline Street I’ve recently learned through the newsletter from our Halton District School Board trustee Leah Reynolds (Ward 1&2) that Director of Education is recommending that trustees undertake a Program Accommodation Review (PAR) in every Burlington high school. […]
The goal of the comment feature of Ward2News.ca is to encourage dialogue in the community on important issues, by allowing residents to share ideas with others, see how others think about an issue, express a range of perspectives, or even ask questions of me so answers can be shared with the community. Diversity of perspective is welcome; […]
This just in: from the most recent newsletter from our Ward 1&2 HDSB Trustee Leah Reynolds. More to come on this. Note: Community Meeting to organize a community response to the proposal Oct.11, 7pm, Wellington Square United Church, 2121 Caroline Street Director recommends closure of two Burlington High Schools (Wards 2 & 4) in recommendation […]
Cheryl Colby: Cheryl Colby It would be a great dis-service to the children of Burlington if this school were in fact to…
Taylar Marr: Burlington Central should not close, I am enrolled at the school currently and it's a wonderful place. Not to mention…
Mike Matich: What ever happened to transparency? As a parent I receive e-mails from the board for matters like hearing various speakers,…
Lori Flemons Memme: I absolutely dont want to see this happen to Central. It would be a devastating decision for our children and…
Analysis & Opinion On Oct. 3, city council is poised to endorse “interim” tall building guidelines and send them out for public consultation. You need to make your voice heard, because Burlington’s future will be shaped by these guidelines. I didn’t endorse the guidelines at committee and won’t at council. The guidelines are more than […]
Jerry Fairbridge: Allow highrises only if you ban the residents from having cars. I know that won't happen but no one apparently…
Tessa House: I object to these tall buildings, block out views of the lake,block out the sun. Do not fit in with…
Dave Adeney: I believe that the push for tall buildings in Burlington is too rushed and that other options should be more…
Dorothy Allsop: I love the tall buildings. Bring em all here. Put businesses in the ground floor and grow up.
Penny Hersh: Is there not a made in Ontario solution? Why does this city continually bring in consultants from Vancouver, or Portland,…
City planning staff don’t support the revised 26-storey building proposal for Martha & Lakeshore Road, stating the changes made don’t resolve or address all of the concerns originally raised about the proposal. In staff’s view, the revised proposal does not achieve compatible intensification, represents overdevelopment of the site and does not represent good planning. Though […]
Kathleen Szoke: From eight to 26 stories? Ridiculous. And it will lead all other developers to think they can squish these monster…
Marilyn Ansley: I live in downtown Burlington and have been a resident for almost 60 years! I have reviewed all concerns and…
CY MILLS: Marianne. I agree with your thoughts and recommendations, however the real decision will be made by the bad guys at…
Angela De Beyer: Like Mississauga we are starting to overdevelop cut off open space and narrow and crowd streets making driving and walking…
Bruce Edwards: So crucial that this proposal be firmly rejected for all the above reasons. Quite apart from the fact that this…
The Halton Seniors Helpline is a resource for seniors seeking information, guidance, support and referrals on a wide range of issues and concerns, including: Sorting out problems Local seniors’ support services Assisting in the care of an older adult Physical, emotional and/or financial abuse or neglect The toll-free number is 1-866-457-8252. Trained senior volunteers are […]
Valerie Woods: Hi Marianne: I read all the remarks on the temporary New St. Lane change (bicycle lanes, turning lane) coming to…
The city will be temporarily closing 7 parking spots on Pearl St, opposite 360 Pearl St, plus 2 spots at the North West corner of Pearl & Pine for tree installation. The work will take place Oct. 6-7, after which time the parking spaces will be reopened.
Dennis Hurst: Anything to get more trees planted is fine with me.
Bob Prociuk: Another example of the anti car culture at city hall? And by the way before taking out parking spaces to…
Marianne Meed Ward: Thanks for the comment Bob. I realized I wasn't clear. The spots are being temporarily closed while the trees are…
Automatic, electronic vote recording is coming to Burlington – if council approves it Oct. 3. The cost is an estimated $9,392 one-time cost, plus $2,392 annually. The equipment could be installed within weeks. The Halton school board has had vote recording technology for some time. My Take: I’ve been advocating automatic vote recording since my […]
Peter Goddard: Why is there an annual fee for this system? Please forgive me for this opinion, but a system to record…
Marianne Meed Ward: Thanks Pete, Those were estimated quotes provided to us, but I don't have full details until there is a formal…
John Was: For those who believe this is progress, they owe a thank you to Councilor Paul Sharman for bringing it foreword…
I’ve heard from many residents upset about the lane narrowing on New Street for bike lanes, and asking why I supported the pilot project. Here’s My Take – but know that I am listening to all the feedback and if the project proves a nightmare for drivers without increasing cycling, I’ll be voting to change […]
Joseph Worcester: One thing that is kind of weird about this trial is the choice of location. I don't really expect a…
Ian Coney: I have driven New St. in both directions at least a dozen return trips between Guelph Line and Walkers Line…
Kevin Ross: I fully agree... and I have to wonder what kind of investigation was done to find out the cycling volume…
Marianne Meed Ward: Ian, Good points. To clarify, the cost does include returning the lanes to 4. There is still a top layer…
Ken Medland: My take? It should have never been approved! It has created a very dangerous situation and should be reversed as…
Steve Garganis: Hi Marianne, I respect your views and opinions.. You've been a voice for the residents.. many times, the lone voice.…
Kevin Ross: I agree with Steve. The paved trail was what I was referring to in my post. Much safer and more…
Kevin Ross: I rarely see cyclists on New Street or anywhere in downtown Burlington, for that matter. The cycle/walking path that travels…
Residents in Seneca/Delaware and elsewhere in Ward 2 have been waiting for the results from three Character Area studies to learn what zoning changes might be applied to all low-density residential areas. Staff have now released their recommended changes, detailed below. The changes address size, depth and massing of buildings, balconies, garage width and some […]
Peter Goddard: One question. Do these zoning changes prohibit anyone from making an application for a zoning amendment overturning any or all…
Marianne Meed Ward: Good question, and no. The option to apply for a zoning change, Official Plan change, or minor variance still exists.…
I recently spent an informative and eye opening morning at Burlington Transit, winners of the “bid it to win it” auction to have a councillor spend a morning learning what you do, in support of City Hall’s Syrian Refugee family. First stop was to the Handivan Booking call centre, pictured here with Cathy. Listened in […]
The city has received an application to amend the Zoning By-law to permit 2 street townhouse units at 514 Pearl St, a lot which borders Caroline St. A neighbourhood meeting has been scheduled to review the application and answer questions: Date: Tues., October 4, 2016 Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Location: City Hall, 426 Brant St., […]
John Was: I have followed this application from the beginning and have been impressed with the Wellens family, their patients and thoughtful…
Stephanie Wellens: Hello, I’m Stephanie Wellens, my husband (Morgan Wellens) and I are the homeowners of 514 Pearl Street. We have received…
Heather Cuthbertson: We are starting to lose the integrity of downtown Burlington.....the lovely older homes that make Burlington what it is. Yes…
An estimated 12,000 people joined together to watch the CBC simulcast of The Tragically Hip’s final concert at Spencer Smith Park on Saturday, Aug. 20. Event organizers, the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) and the City of Burlington, partnered with The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, Halton to collect donations for […]
craig gardner: We had a similar event same night of course at the Purple Heather Pub and raised almost $3000 for the…
Resident B.I. asks: Does this real estate sign on Locust Street conform to our bylaws? Response: No this sign does not conform. Real estate signs are limited in size to 3msq; this sign is 9msq. The owner has been notified to remove the sign. Resident J.C. asks: My neighbour has a small boat stored […]
Nita Farquharson: Please Marianne, would you explain the rules regarding litter on public streets ? We live at Forest Heights on Upper…
Marianne Meed Ward: Nita, We have similar issues in the downtown. That said, if the designated drop off spot for garbage is the…
As you get ready to close your pool for the summer, keep in mind that there is a right place and a wrong place to drain your pool water. A recent Take Action Burlington article clearly explains the do’s and don’ts here: https://takeactionburlington.ca/2016/08/03/empty-your-pool-spa-or-hot-tub-the-right-way/.
Jennifer Earle: Don't know if you will reach the people that matter. I have already seen pool discharge out on the street…
Burlington’s city manager is proposing to retain outside consultants at a cost of $150,000 to conduct a review of the LaSalle Park marina proposed permanent wavebreak and expansion, including more cost effective alternatives. The recommendation comes after a review by the city’s finance staff of the LaSalle Park Marina Association’s (LPMA) finances determined that the […]
Mozelle Cole: I remember trying to walk out on the jetty at Lasalle, just to look into the water for fish, and…
Dave Daniels: Over the years the city has build swimming pools, tennis courts, ice rinks, etc. At no time did these participants…
Glenda Dodd: You must be dreaming, there is no way a few hundred boaters boat purchase, maintenance and slip rentals makes up…
Marianne Meed Ward: The city has paid for initial construction of community centres, however it is standard practise for user groups to pay…
James M Young: I don't understand why the city would consider subsidising a few wealthy boaters many of whom don't even live in…
Charlie Schwartz: Enough already! Taxpayers have already out out $363,000 & now more? No, its time organizations in this city found their…
Doug Campbell: To put it succinctly, the city has made one costly mistake on the lake. We don't need another one on…
You are invited to “Join the J!” Oct. 2 and be part of Joseph Brant Hospital’s attempt to break a Guinness World Records for most people forming a human letter. The fun begins at noon in Spencer Smith Park in downtown Burlington this Sunday, as we try to form a human “J.” You will get […]
Work is currently underway around the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park and the gazebo was recently removed. The work includes an upgraded gazebo at a new location; hard surfaced walkway, pedestrian lighting and benches; tree and perennial planting; grading and drainage improvements. Construction will continue until spring 2017. For more information and to view a […]
CY MILLS: where do visitors park ?
Marianne Meed Ward: Parking is available for a fee at the Discovery Landing, or for free evenings and weekends across the street from…
An estimated 12,000 people joined together to watch the CBC simulcast of The Tragically Hip’s final concert at Spencer Smith Park on Saturday, Aug. 20. Event organizers, the Burlington Downtown Business Association (BDBA) and the City of Burlington, partnered with The Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, Halton to collect donations for […]
Katie McGrath: Also they are both should be historical buildings... you have already torn down old buildings and landmarks in the downtown…
Katie McGrath: There are a lot of generations that went to this school me included and the high school. You take all…
Ryan Williamson: Don't close the school if your just gonna build a bunch more houses that aren't really needed, even if the…
Penny Hersh: Once again it seems that different levels of government do not communicate. With all the new condo developments, both high-rise…
John Was: This is a starting point for the board to review not only Aldershot and Central but all the high schools…