Comments on: City’s waterfront info leaves you in the dark

By: Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:02:09 +0000

Pier fiasco likely an election issue

http://www.thespec.com/article/630391

“The meeting drew a standing-room crowd of about 200. Four councillors attended, two sent regrets, and to laughter, it was announced that Mayor Cam Jackson was out of town.”

It’s positively shameful the mayor did not attend, or give a reason for his absence.

Joan Little’s perceptions are correct.
There will be more issues than just Burlington Pier at next election. Chief among my concerns is the apparent lack of transparency.

“This prompted an outburst from Jackson, who tried to squelch comparisons, citing confidentiality. Taylor wasn’t buying and said supporting Goldring’s motion would be wrong, wrong, wrong.”

Source:

Circumventing planning process 07-16-08

http://www.thespec.com/article/403744

By: Dave Adeney

Dave Adeney — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 16:32:20 +0000

A mistake in the La Salle Park redevelopment was including a commercial restaurant. It has taken away space that used to be open to the public for free.

I would support eliminating the pier, which has become a boondoggle. Let’s just have a beautiful, natural park.

I support the savethewaterfront campaign 100%. I suggest everyone write the mayor and or alderman/woman and state they will not vote for him/her next time unless the representative supports a motion to freeze all current development until new, extensive public consultations have taken place.

By: Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 14:07:14 +0000

Burlington Council Work Ethic

COUNTRY CLUB CASUAL …. BURLINGTON PIER

“He and other city officials would not reveal the amount of the contingency fund, but Martiuk said he would make a report to council later this month on how much the experts have cost Burlington.

About 200 people attended the meeting on the troubled project at the Lion’s Club Hall. Many seemed clearly miffed at the project’s delay and the city’s handling of it. Rounds of applause greeted caustic remarks or jokes about the project’s delays.

Joe Lamb spoke about how the city had made a beautiful forecast for the city’s waterfront, but that the general feeling with the pier problems is that “engineering oversight by the city has not taken place.”

The pier, a year behind schedule when construction began in 2006, was delayed twice last year due to the crane accident and complications following a concrete pour.”

http://www.thespec.com/article/627739

By: Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:45:30 +0000

It seems Mayor Jackson cannot avoid expense account abuse situations. Fresh from his controversy at Queen’s Park, where he spent $104,000 over 28 months under lax rules, he jumps on the expense bandwagon at city council.

Newly elected in December ’06, he decided to send Christmas cards to all his ‘friends’ presumably in celebration of his electoral victory.

“Council banned city-funded cards as a result of Mayor Jackson’s excessive 11,000 family-photo cards last year, with a city message on the back (postage alone, $5,610). Former Mayor Rob MacIsaac had sent no city-funded cards in 2005.”

Why did Burlington council not ask for repayment from Jackson? Was Jackson pleading ignorance of the rules?

By: Helen & Ivan Gauthier

Helen & Ivan Gauthier — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:06:52 +0000

We don’t need all this wasted time and money on this project. JUST SAVE THE WATER FRONT. IMPROVE IT CLEAN IT UP. AND SAVE AS MUCH OF OUR HERITAGE AS POSSIBLE.

By: Kevin Ryan

Kevin Ryan — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:09:03 +0000

The current council has been nothing less than a disaster … under the ‘questionable leadership’ of Mayor Jackson. In his previous incarnation as MPP, he was notorious for ducking contentious issues … and then holding meetings for ‘interested parties.’ He will never have a steak [ sic ] in my future!

By: Elizabeth Lachance

Elizabeth Lachance — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:28:34 +0000

LEAVE OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKESHORE-LINE ALONE. LET US GET THE BREEZE OFF THE LAKE,THE VIEW AND THE SPACE DON’T OVER CROWD BEAUTIFUL BURLINGTON,

By: John Altoft

John Altoft — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:04:12 +0000

Past councils insisted the city would never develop above Dundas Highway. They are doing currently, and multi-storey too. The waterfront downtown will be afforded the same consideration, unless vigorous objections are forwarded. There are no second chances. Once approved, we will of sold our heritage buildings, our view to the lake, our quaint downtown and that decision would never ever be rescinded, ‘nor the land reclaimed. I don’t want either high rise or medium rise,concrete or steel. Leave well alone!

By: John Froggatt

John Froggatt — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 16:16:28 +0000

From the history of this council I fear the Lakeshore issue is a done deal. This council needs to be changed before they do any more damage

By: Betty Coombs

Betty Coombs — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:51:49 +0000

Burlington is fortunate to have a beautiful waterfront. Why on earth would we choose to block it from view by highrises? Or to lose heritage buildings which are a part of our history and are lovely in their own right.
Let’s not create a concrete tunnel which will ruin something which many cities would envy.