Reasonable growth not overintensification

The Burlington we all love is at risk of overdevelopment through the new Official Plan that was supported by the current mayor, with up to 30 towers coming downtown, plans for 30+ storey buildings at the GO stations and overdevelopment in established neighbourhoods across the city. 

The current mayor is ducking responsibility, blaming the province, immigration and past councils for tying his hands.  What he doesn’t say is we are already on track to meet our provincial growth targets 13 years ahead of schedule.  Instead, he along with most of council, are voting for 2 to 4 times more than what the Official Plan or the Province requires. The rural half of the city has been protected since 2006.

With a new mayor and three new councilors, let’s amend the Official Plan to scale back overdevelopment downtown, GO stations and established neighbourhoods.

Why I’m Running

This election is about the changes happening in our city, and where we are headed. What kind of city do we want to leave for future generations? The people who came before us gave us parks, trees, beautiful neighbourhoods, heritage character, thriving farmland, and so much more. They also had to fight to save these things along the way. Did you know residents protected the north-east end of Central Park from development? Saved Freeman Station from demolition, not once, but twice? Built Spencer Smith waterfront park from a breakwall inlet? Protected the rural area from a quarry expansion? Saved massive trees along Lakeshore Road from a planned road expansion (and delivered the city’s first female mayor, Mary Munro, in 1977)? Those who came before us worked with their elected representatives to deliver the best mid-sized city in Canada to live in. What future are we delivering to those who come after us? The Burlington we all love and chose to make our home to live, work, play, raise our families and retire, is at risk: from overdevelopment; congestion; poor transit; disappearing trees and greenspace; flooding; shiny glass towers replacing local businesses and community character, rising costs – because growth doesn’t pay for itself – and lack of community amenities for families, millennials and seniors.

Trust

There’s a growing lack of trust in City Hall decisions, and too often you’re ignored, or dismissed as NIMBYs or special interests. A Hamilton Spectator columnist and former municipal politician observed that she hasn’t seen such sweeping citizen unrest in her 45 years of watching and participating in city affairs. She says, ‘There is so much anger in the community right now’. Burlington has a leadership vacuum filled by private interest agendas. We need to fill City Hall with your voices, and ensure our decisions reflect your aspirations for the future of our community.

Getting Involved in the Tough Issues

You know me as someone who will go to bat for residents, against all odds, to protect what we all love even when the deck is stacked.  I don’t win every vote – those are usually the ones that make the papers – but you may not have heard about everything we’ve accomplished together. Far more of my motions have passed than not. I will make sure you feel this is your city again and you can count on that promise because it’s what we’ve been doing together for eight years Changing times call for a change of leadership.  That’s why I’m running for election on Oct. 22 to serve as your next mayor, of the great city of Burlington. We may all have different views on the best way forward. We may not always agree. But you will always know where I stand – and why. And I’ll keep an open door, and an open mind, to hear different perspectives. By encouraging healthy debate and dialogue – as I’ve done on A Better Burlington website and monthly newsletter – the best solutions will emerge and the best actions will result. I invite you to join our campaign for change, for citizen leadership, for responsible development, for a strong voice for our community as mayor, to get Burlington back on track, to protect the Burlington we love, and deliver a better city for future generations.

Everyone’s City

Noted urbanist Jane Jacobs said cities are created for everyone, when they are created by everyone. We believe Burlington is Everyone’s City. Your city. Join us, and build a Better Burlington by putting Residents First. Sincerely, Marianne

Find out what’s really happening in our city before, not after, decisions are made.

City hall plans will change the city we love, but the current mayor isn’t telling you about major changes in advance. He didn’t alert you or seek your input on many important decisions including:

• the 23 storey Brant Street condo across from city hall;
• his motion to approve the second 18-storey tower across from city hall;
• selling off public waterfront;
• making you pay 100% of the marina wavebreak;
• and the proposed 30 downtown highrises.

I do the research beyond the staff reports, alerting you in advance through my newsletter, email, social media.  I ask for your input and give you my take so you know where I stand. Join the thousands of residents who have signed up for my newsletter, getting the information on what’s really happening in our city.