Hopefully everyone was able to enjoy Thanksgiving this year and like many holidays during this pandemic, we must make the best of our own situations. The next occasion will be Halloween and we are receiving many inquiries about safety concerns with regards to the way this special occasion typically operates. We have included some guidelines in this newsletter for you that have been suggested by our Regional Medical Officer of Health. Please use precautions that have been suggested and I would encourage you to try something different this year with your family that is virtual.

As a Region, we have so far avoided the Province moving us into a modified stage 2, but we are very cautious as our new Covid 19 case numbers may push them to the decision at any moment. The modified stage 2 would require restaurants to close indoor dining again and all fitness centers to close amongst some other non-essential businesses. Many of our neigbouring Regions have been moved into stage 2 due to their increasing Covid 19 numbers. We have made some decisions as a City and Region in the past week to both assist us in reducing transmissions of Covid 19 and show the Province that we can reduce our numbers independently of their influence. Please do your part by listening to the advise of our Medical Officer of Health. We do not want to close more businesses and put more strain on our already fragile economy at this time.

We recently voted on approving the Official Plan at City Council. This was a long 10-year process that is still not complete until the Region approves our Plan. The Region needs to review the Plan and ensure that it conforms to all Regional and Provincial policy before approval can be granted. There would then be an appeal period for those that object to the proposal and this would delay its approval but allow certain sections of the Plan to be in force. I am thankful for this work to be complete so that our policy team at the City of Burlington can get back to work on some issues that really affect Ward 1 such as the completion of the Major Transit Station Area plan ( Aldershot Go Station ). With applications and land assemblies currently happening surrounding the Go Stations, we need to ensure that there is a good plan for complete communities as has been the City’s vision for these important growth areas.  

Lastly, Remembrance Day is approaching and the city has decided, based on veterans' input that all celebrations be held virtually. As many veterans are in the most vulnerable age category with Covid 19 we do not wish to risk the transmission of the virus to these special people. Please consider additional methods to show your support to veterans by displaying poppies in your windows of your home, and perhaps a standing moment of silence from your porches or homes. Here is a link to a downloadable poppy colouring page to get you started: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/images/activities/poppy.pdf

** PLEASE NOTE, I and my staff are working remotely - we are online every weekday and ready to take your questions and concerns. If you are unable to reach me, you can contact my assistant Tara at tara.thorp@burlington.ca or for service requests such as potholes or street light maintenance etc, you can contact city@burlington.ca

There is much information in this newsletter but if you feel that I have missed something or you would like an update on anything else in Ward 1, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

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