In January 2019, I announced the launch of a new Key to the City program for the City of Burlington to honour individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to the community.
The recipient of the inaugural Key was announced to be, posthumously, Mike Taylor of Walk of the Earth (WOTE) for the impact he made on Burlington’s arts and culture scene with his talent, music and community involvement.
Mike passed away in December 2018. It was a devastating loss for his family, bandmates, fans and our city. Thousands of people from far and wide attended the tribute concert outside of city hall in his honour this past January to pay their respects and celebrate his talents.
Mike and WOTE helped put Burlington on the map and he will be truly missed. Acting as a musical ambassador, Mike not only advanced Burlington’s local culture across the country with his band, but right here in our own community. Mike made Burlington his home and we are grateful to him for his contribution to music both locally and around the world. His legacy lives on in his bandmates, his fans, his friends, and his loving family.
I presented a second key to Mayor Takeshi Sakamoto and the City of Itabashi, Japan in October 2019 during a trip by an Official Delegation from the City of Burlington. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the twinning agreement between Burlington and Itabashi. As part of the dual exchanges that occur in our twinning relationship, both of our cities send reciprocal official delegations to each other every five years as a way of fostering world peace and global understanding.
We are thrilled that the key can now finally be unveiled. Designed and created by local stained-glass artist Teresa Seaton, the multi-coloured glass key incorporates elements of our natural landscape and city crest, all within the shape of our well-known blue city clock that stands proudly outside city hall as a gift from our twin city, Itabashi, Japan. The key is housed in a textured glass box that adds to the timeless beauty of this work of art.
For more information, please visit the Key to the City webpage online at burlington.ca/keytothecity.
