Statement by David Wootton

Even though I do not live in the city, my son and grandsons do. For almost my entire life of 77 years, I have witnesses Hamilton on the decline from being an ambitious city to a rustbelt town. Hamilton is my hometown since I was born there and I want to be proud of it before I pass on. I know that Hamilton would be perceived to be a stupid city if this golden opportunity were to be turned down and business and head offices would think the same. Almost every city in the world would grasp this opportunity. If Hamilton declines, then I an sure that the Region of Waterloo would jump at the chance to extend theirs to Cambridge. Do people like Bob Bratina who in my estimation has done nothing but harm to Hamilton ( he wanted to give away part of the city to surrounding municipalities, I recall ) really believe that their taxes would go up significantly and have no foresight to realize that an L R T would attract more than enough business etc that would offset any tax increases. Do they not realize that this is just the first leg of a system that eventually would stretch to all parts of the city and benefit everyone? I cannot think of another catalyst to attract badly- needed well-paying jobs to Hamilton. I had to leave the country twice to find suitable employment in the seventies and eighties because of so-called free trade. I would never want my grand children to have to do the same. Like it or not, big business with well-paying jobs want the amenities of rapid transit. They do not want to come to a down-on-the-luck town with a loser attitude as Hamilton has been for 60 years. This is Hamilton's chance to turn things around.

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