All Statements of Support
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Mohamed-Mutasim Mohamed says,
While I support Hamilton's light-rail transit (LRT) project, in my view it must be coupled with bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors linking various communities, i.e. Hamilton Mountain-Burlington, Hamilton Downtown-Stoney Creek Mountain.
I have lived in Edmonton during recent studies. Edmonton not only has an LRT system, but Edmonton is contemplating reducing the number of regular bus routes by consolidate them into BRT routes which complement the LRT system. The goal is to increase commute time by reducing number of stops.
Hamilton should share this vision; it should have a BRT system with dedicated bus lanes running alongside the LRT and through dense corridors. A BRT system which complements the LRT system would make commuting efficient and timely; these are essential if Ontario's economic powerhouse--namely, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area--is to continue to churn and increase its productivity (stress caused by commutes, I venture, probably reduce employee productivity).
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Michele Morren says,
I proudly support LRT!
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Andrew Ferrara says,
An lrt can be an important tool in spuring the urban renewal and growth of Hamilton.
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Jacob Downs says,
The lrt is a good idea because it will calm down the busy ness on the B-Line and the King route. Go lrt
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Jacob Downs says,
The lrt is a good idea because it will calm down the busy ness on the B-Line and the King route. Go lrt
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donald wong says,
Hi, We purchased home in Caledonia area. we 100 per cent accept build in LRT. It can support many many good thing. Thank you!
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Nicholas Adams says,
Hamilton is growing.
It can grow badly, or it can grow nicely. Doing nothing causes any community to grow badly, because the pressure of investment never relents, and concessions eventually have their day (an amenable council, an influential developer, and a crooked approval will eventually have an opening).
Fighting every single change means we can't put in the sensible, community orientated changes that we want while we are still ahead of the powerful players. They are always waiting on the periphery for the public to drop their guard, at which point they shove their projects through at the expense of the common citizen (some cheesy exclusive condo/mall monstrosity).
A light rail system is a quiet, high-density, high capacity, accessible system for the people of Hamilton. It serves those who don't want or can't have cars. It is far more quiet that the bus (for the benefit of the residents near Main). It is more comfortable than the bus. It won't get held up by traffic (it will be bad in ten years). Seeing as Ontario has already made the expensive commitment to nuclear energy, why not transport ourselves with carbon free energy? Goodness knows, we're paying for it!
The downtown houses are all already converted or converting to duplexes and triplexes. Downtown Hamilton is densifying because it is a beautiful place to live, but this means less room for cars, traffic, and more potential for noise. How about making a decision that allows Hamilton to densify with LESS noise and LESS traffic? How about we get ahead and make MORE of Hamilton nice and accessible BEFORE it gets dense, so that it doesn't become an expensive , over-crowded mess like Toronto?
Like any city these days, Hamilton needs good industrial jobs. Heavy manufacturing has been suffering for decades, and interest rates are not budging because there is no broad income growth. Modern, advanced, infrastructure projects are the best way to get everybody back into good employment where they can put their skills and experience to full use.
My grandparents lament the Ontario of the 50s and the 60s, when the public built first and asked questions later. Infrastructure led settlement, it didn't pander to settlement or respond to crises. Infrastructure wasn't held up by fighting and whining. Infrastructure was for the public, not for some corporation. If somebody wanted to get ahead and came from nothing, all they needed to do was show up and be a team player, and they could build a future. There was plenty of work to do. "The Future" was supposed to clean, advanced, safe cities (infrastructure, amenities), not stupid useless apps, riches for real-estate investors/lawyers/lenders/coder-bros and unemployment for everyone else!
There is a need (modern transit), there is a solution (LRT), there is money (federal funding) and there are benefits. Please, let's grab this opportunity!
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Robert Feeney says,
I am totally behind the building of the LRT in Hamilton. Given that the funding provided by the province is already promised, there is no better time to move forward.
This is a huge opportunity for the City of Hamilton to have the beginnings of a surface rapid transit system that will quickly and conveniently connect East to West (initially) unhindered by traffic congestion.Finally breaking ground on the long proposed LRT project will send a strong message to the business and industrial community that Hamilton is a City with its eye on the future.
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Enamul Huque says,
I am with you. There are many European and American cities are having LRT. Why not us? I have used them and they are great! I do not want to use my car.
Thanks. -
Chris Bocz says,
This is a brief note, as a concerned citizen on Hamilton, to request that you vote to support the LRT. It will bring such clear benefits across the city, from Ward 1 to Ward 15, andachieve numerous social and development goals. LRT is clearly the most environmentally friendly alternative to bring rapid transit to the city and support the City’s targets on greenhouse gases.
I don’t understand why we are considering turning down an opportunity to develop our city center and free us from the current situation wherein we are continually faced to pay increasing levels of municipal taxes to support city infrastructure. Not only does the project give us a huge infusion of upfront investment – much of which will be used to upgrade infrastructure on the LRT corridor – but it will generate much needed development downtown that will more than offset the operating costs.
Our inner core is a wasteland of vacant lots and surface parking, in large part because it can only be accessed by car. The development of those areas that comes out of this program represents several tens of millions of dollars of lost tax revenue. For example, when 40 Bay St S and 150 Main St W were developed, they went from paying $56,000 to $900,000 a year in property taxes. Those are development fees and tax dollars that could absorb Hamilton’s next tax hike, instead of continuous increases to those in the outlying areas.
Many Hamiltonians in their twenties, still living with their parents in the suburbs, cannot afford cars, and need an efficient transit system to get downtown to work. Likewise, we have a large and growing population of seniors across the city, whose transportation options are too limited. How will we ever get rapid transit out to the suburbs without first bringing it out to McMaster?
The combined LRT/Bus/Go depot sounds like a great resource, especially to those who either can’t - or choose not to – drive. We’d love to be able to access downtown, the airport, the GO Station, and the amenities of the city without having to drive everywhere, but for this we need a fast, dedicated transit corridors that link the city with the outskirts. The B and A lines are already provincially funded - why are we giving this up so that that money can be spent in another city?
This is a one-time opportunity to do the right thing for Hamilton and for Dundas. Please support the rapid approval and staffing of the LRT Environmental Assessment on 19 April and use your influence in council to support this critical program.
Thanks for your consideration and support -
Henrique Fernandes says,
Let's avoid history repeating itself by having a short sited view of Hamilton's future. LRT will support Hamilton's development for decades to come.
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Jacqui Tondreau says,
LRT is what this city needs to reduce traffic and pollution and to increase the ease with which transit riders can get around the city. Please move forward with this important long term initiative.
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William Warnock says,
Please don't let history repeat itself. Vote YES for the LRT so that we can keep this city moving in the future., and draw in a new thriving commerce which will help revitalize the eyesore in our downtown's core. Lets plan for our kids and their children and not for ourselves.
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Deanna Tondreau says,
Let's get this LRT process moving forward, please! It would serve so much benefit to our city residents and economy, and at the same time it would prove that we're serious -- and leading by example -- that we're committed to responsible earth stewardship and reducing our emissions. There is NO GOOD REASON to turn this down!!
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laura palumbo says,
The LRT will have a substantial economic benefit for our city--with the growing number of youth and elderly in Hamilton, their needs must be considered and protected in an environmentally and economically sound way. LRT all the way!
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Yael Greenberg says,
The LRT will be a fabulous,environmentally sound addition to the city, that will great spur development, in fill, + transportation connection with
Stoney Creek, Dundas, and help ALL areas.
Thanks for listening. -
Dieter Staudinger says,
Hamilton is at risk missing a crucial step forward to becoming a city of innovation and importance. Name one great city around the world that doesn't have a form of LRT. According to Wikipedia, over 400 cities around the world have a form of LRT. Hamilton should as well!
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Allison Jack says,
To whom it may concern:
I am writing as a resident of Hamilton, a public-transit-user, a parent, and a human being. Please, I urge you, vote YES for LRT in Hamilton.We simply cannot afford to say no to LRT.
Thank you for your time.
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Jackson Hudecki says,
Let's be trend setters instead of embarrassing fizzlepots.
For the future!
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Harjot Atwal says,
Please say yes to this important decision. As a Hamiltonian, I feel this is a necessary step toward progress and bringing the city together.
Thanks!
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Eric Windhorst says,
Quite simply, rejecting LRT is a foolish decision for all Hamiltonians, now and in the future. Please, councillors, don't be fools.
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Annette Paiement says,
As a person who spent 10 of my 11 years living in Hamilton using public transit, I recommend saying YES to the City's LRT plan and accept the provincial funding.
Sincerely,
Annette -
Magdalene Sulzycki says,
Having lived in a number of cities across the province of Ontario, I can't help but think that my hometown's development is impeded by its antiquated public transport system. Introducing an LRT in Hamilton makes good economic, environmental, and social sense; it's a forward-thinking move that I believe will significantly support healthy and sustainable growth within the city. I hope that officials will take the time to evaluate the long term gains of the LRT. Think how different our city might have looked has council introduced such a system when it was initially proposed in the 80s!
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Beatrice Ekoko says,
We want to be proud of our city and our city councillors. Please make the right decision and go down in history as politicians who had the city's best interest at heart, a vision for the common good of ALL its residents, real leadership for the future including the health of the environment and economic development of this hella ambitious city!
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George Ferguson says,
I am a graduate from McMaster who was hoping to move to Hamilton because it's prospects. Without the LRT, I am going to reconsider moving to Hamilton and possibly move to Waterloo instead.
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Heather Bocz says,
It's incredibly short-sighted to deny ourselves this opportunity to improve Hamilton as a city, and fight global climate change. The next 5 years matter tremendously in determining the future of our planet. It is essential that we don't stagnate and fester in a stubborn misguided stand against change.
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Thomas Piggott says,
As a resident of Hamilton and environmentalist I would like to support the LRT initiative. I think increasing the effectiveness of public transit in Hamilton is a critical component to improving the wellness and future prospects of our community. Having seen LRT in numerous cities around the world I know it can have a tremendously positive impact. If we want Hamilton to grow into a sustainable community this is a clear step.
Thanks for your consideration. -
Kelli Scarfone says,
Reminder:
City Council wasted too much time about the Red Hill Parkway, which ultimately cost us multi millions MORE when they finally built it!
Wake up, everyone is watching, this is embarrassing!
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Trieu Nguyen says,
As a resident and business owner in hamilton, I hopeful that Hamilton council decides to invest in our future. Our taxes are amongst the highest in the country and our infrastructure is aging. We need this investment. We should build on the momentum that our great city has achieved over the past few years.
Great cities have great transit and
With this investment we can ensure the right foundation is in place to serve hamiltonians for generations to come whether or not they are transit riders or taxpayers.Please, we deserve it. We live in a wonderful city and I would like to see it get even better.
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Deanne MacRae says,
sustainable transportation must be a priority for a city with a growing, young population. Any alternatives such as RBT are outdated and unreliable. A vote for the LRT is a vote for our bright and growing future.
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