Statement by Vince Franco

I've been a downtown resident for 14 years and to pass up an opportunity like $3.4B of gifted money would be a great mistake and shameful for generations to come. The municipal government should be working for the majority of citizens, not just groups of anti-LRT ward constituents because they want the votes. The last election proved that the majority of Hamiltonians want and need an LRT for the future. Successful cities with a growing population need a track system to carry more people and spur development. Need proof? Look it up... LRTs are successful almost everywhere they are built. It's also more environmentally friendly. Without that, you have major transportation issues when the city's population hits 750,000+ people. Not to mention that construction costs escalate over time - 12 years ago a Hamilton LRT would've cost only a $1B to construct. Imagine if Hamilton waits longer and in 2030, the cost is now $6B! With a working LRT, the operation costs will balance out quickly, so that shouldn't be a deterrent. Finally, if city council decides to pass on this, I'm passing on living in Hamilton. I know that's a moot point, but why would I put anymore of my dollars into a city that would turn away $3.4B?! I'd rather live in Brantford, Burlington or Beamsville - they seem to have their act together. So, please do the right thing and vote "YES to LRT." Let's get this shovel-ready project started!

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