All Statements of Support
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Robert King says,
The community I live in needs better public transportation service and the street I live on and the surrounding area will be served by the Kenilworth and Queenston/Main Traffic Circle stations on the LRT line which will greatly improve the area's access to downtown Hamilton, the two Go stations, and McMaster University as well as all the other areas along the length of the line.
Many cities I've been to in Europe and the United States have built and benefitted from light rail lines and Hamilton needs to do the same in order to enhance mobility and livability and be competitive with other jurisdictions that are investing in their infrastructure in order to support business and residential growth or else risk see businesses and people choosing to locate in other municipalities nearby that are like Mississauga or Kitchener-Waterloo, which are building LRT lines.
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Alison Currie says,
Dear Colleagues,
I am writing you to ask for your whole-hearted support for LRT in Hamilton. The opportunity to make a substantial change in how people move through the city of Hamilton is one that comes along very rarely. We’ve been offered funding from the provincial government to support this specific project, and to lose it would be to squander a once in a generation opportunity to initiate long-term positive change.
As you know, Hamilton has encountered many challenges over the years: practical, economic and social. As more people move into the city and as neighbourhoods regenerate, we return to the crucial question of how to help people move around the city. Like many others, I believe that LRT is the best way forward. Buses are yesterday’s technology; they struggle with weather, the ride isn’t smooth, and they aren’t built for optimal use of space; neither are they built to support the numbers and needs of parents with strollers and citizens who use walkers and wheelchairs. Most of all, buses don’t improve traffic flow because they ARE traffic. We need something that moves more people quickly, efficiently and smoothly.
In Hamilton we are part of a community of learning and innovation; that means we want and need transportation that is just as forward-looking as our universities and businesses. Building for the future is an investment. It will take time but we have to start soon - to continue to delay simply hinders the potential for development. We all recognize that construction will cause challenges, and I urge each and every one of you to be part of an inventive planning process that helps businesses find ways to function during construction. It won’t be easy, but Hamilton needs this to happen if we are to take our place among Ontario’s cities that are equipped for the future. We can’t afford to be left behind again.
I urge you to put aside partisan politics and support LRT as something that will benefit our entire city for decades to come. Even if some people currently decry LRT, their children and grandchildren will benefit from it. Like you, I recognize that there are other parts of Hamilton that need transportation support and infrastructure. We have the funding for LRT, let’s build it and then let’s continue on to improve other areas that need it.
This doesn’t have to be slated as a question of one part of the city versus another; this is about one significant step forward that will then enable us to take further steps in other directions. It will take time and patience and vision, and I believe that if we choose, we can start to make a difference NOW. If we choose not to, we can watch our city wallow in division and become a backwater, as other cities become destinations of choice. I do use public transportation and I can tell you that buses aren’t working. I have lived and worked in cities on three continents and I have seen the difference that a good transit system makes.
With transportation as with government, there is no perfect system. I am asking you to support the plans for LRT, a good plan to dramatically improve the city’s transportation requirements. I urge you to think of the future so that Hamilton can use this opportunity to become a more successful, more viable and more modern city. I urge you to choose vision over division.
And can I leave you with one last quotation?There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.
On such a full sea are we now afloat,
And we must take the current when it serves,
Or lose our ventures. William Shakespeare, from Julius CaesarSincerely,
Alison Currie
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Chris Lucas says,
I SUPPORT LRT!!!
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Mmabatho Seete says,
LRT = economic progress we say we want. No- brainer.
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Danielle Hitchcock-Welsh says,
If we want to be a world class city, we need to invest in transportation.
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Bob Manojlovich says,
I am a retired, lifelong Hamiltonian, residing in ward 5 for the past 27 years. My wife and I have owned a home in Hamilton for 29 years. We are drivers, and we drive everywhere. WE BOTH STRONGLY SUPPORT LRT.
Yes, there are concerns regarding disruption during construction, and revenue from the fares, but let's not be distracted from the HUGE benefits that far out weigh these concerns that can be addressed during implementation.
There are ten of millions of dollars of infrastructure upgrades that will be covered. A huge saving for us city tax payers. Then there are hundreds of permanent jobs that LRT will bring as well as thousands of construction jobs. (as per city of Hamilton sources)
We are also firm believers of the economic up lift that will come, especially because of the new land planning being adopted along the corridor. In fact, my wife and I have been investing in rental properties along the line and our 26 year old son has bought a new condo at the Royal Connaught largely because of LRT.
So, we are a strong Hamilton boosting family that has invested significant amounts of our own money because we believe in our city and its transformation.
We believe that LRT and GO will catapult t is city into becoming a modern economic engine, and it is for these reasons that we strongly urge council to focus on making LRT the best it can be, by mitigating construction disruption, and looking forward to extending B-line past Eastgate to the new Centennial GO station, and extending the A-line up the mountain to Mohawk College and beyond to Lime Ridge mall producing stronger city connections.
We've notice the residential tax burden has increased this year, and we believe that LRT will make Hamilton a MUCH more attractive location for employers that will help reduce residential tax burdens.
There are so many huge wins with LRT. I've never seen such and significant investment be offered to out city ever.
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Daniel Roos says,
Please don't waste this opportunity.
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Alexander Young says,
When I was younger, I never imagined moving to Hamilton. In fact, it was the exact opposite of what I wanted to do. As someone born in the city but raised outside of it, I had an ingrained, negative opinion of Hamilton instilled in me; in my mind it was gritty, rough, and stagnant - particularly when compared to it's neighbour Toronto. Regardless of my opinion, I eventually ended up here because I found my place at McMaster University. With some trepidation I consigned myself to living in the gritty city I thought I knew because it was worth it academically, but it wasn't long until I realized how misguided I was. It wasn't just worth it academically - it was worth it for everything else Hamilton had to offer. Hamilton is an incredibly livable city. Seeped in an industrial history that speaks to the city's resilience, Hamilton is finding it's place again, becoming a hub for arts and culture in Ontario, a place with big city opportunities and offerings that still has a close knit community that supports itself. LRT is the next logical step to ensure that progression continue, to ensure that people continue to come downtown and explore what the city has to offer. Councillors and members of the community who oppose LRT need to understand that success and positive change in the downtown core will only benefit the entire city in the long-term. As a student turned resident of Hamilton, I want to stay in this city and make a life here, and while I do I want the city to continue progressing. I don't want to see it become stagnant like I once believed it to be.
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KELLY KERR says,
I have witnessed the growth LRT triggers in communities. Driving to KW for work has made me aware of this. I understand there will be some pain at the beginning but longterm gain will be significant. It is for the future health of our community.
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Stephanie Ross says,
Hamilton is on the brink of a vital new stage in its history and in our collective life. LRT is an essential part of Hamilton's renewed economic development and its ability to deliver a high quality of life to its residents that is also environmentally sustainable. We cannot afford to throw away this opportunity to make high quality transit a real alternative for thousands more of our neighbours, and to release the economic dynamics that will have positive spill-over effects for the entire city. Our city council must have the vision to lead, to make this the best LRT system we can devise. The time to debate whether we want LRT or not is over: we need it, and we need to put all our energies into ensuring its benefits are realized. Councillors: Please don't let us down.
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Janis Topp says,
I fully support the LRT for Hamilton. As we move forward, public transit is key to our progress as a successful city. LRT is integral to our public transit system. As it replaces buses on our busiest transit corridor, they are freed for other areas. In travelling many other countries I have seen the positive impact of similar systems. For our future, we must join them!
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Vincent Zingaro says,
Let's get this LRT built.
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Brian H says,
Please move forward on this project. There are more compelling arguments for this project than there are against. This is the future of city-building...up and intensifying instead of out and sprawling.
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Kathy Pipe says,
Both my husband and I are strong supporters of the LRT system to be built in Hamilton. If this city wants to move into the future successfully it must take part in this type of public transit project. We cannot continue to let the people whose only concern is their driving patterns being disrupted or the speed at which they can race through the city delay or stop this project. It is time for those councillors who have thrown up road blocks to start to consider what is best for the entire city and not for the chronic complainers in their own ward.
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Biljana Vasilevska says,
I support quality transit as a public good, and feel that LRT in Hamilton will go a long way to improving the service that is currently available. I am research professional at McMaster University, live downtown, and choose not to own a car. I have lived in cities in North America and Europe, and know that there are many cities of comparable size to Hamilton that have quality public transit, including surface light rail. By choosing LRT, Hamilton's elected leaders would be demonstrating inclusivity and forethought.
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Anita Kuehn says,
Hello - I would like to express my support for the LRT. Hamilton needs the LRT for future growth & prosperity, & we can't go wrong by investing in better public transit.
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Gordon Burt says,
Let us get on with LRT to help boost Hamilton into a world class city.
City councillors have to work for the benefit of the city and not act as if your ward is your little fiefdom.
Don't let Hamilton City council appear to the rest of the world as "The gang that couldn't shoot straight".
Stay on topic and don't let Whitehead hijack the meeting. -
Sarah Wayland says,
Hamilton is a great city with challenges in terms of transit, air pollution, poverty, brownfields, empty storefronts and more. LRT is part of the solution as it will reduce air pollution, generate economic uplift, and create densification along the route. Please support LRT
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Dan Evans says,
In preparation for the LRT meeting tomorrow at council, I would like to emplore all involved to look beyond the short term disruption of construction to the long term benefit of a vibrant city. Though the route only passes through the lower city, a strong city core benefits the suburban areas as well by making Hamilton a more valuable and healthy city.
I stand in firm support of LRT and urge all councillors to support this city building project as well..
Thanks you,
Dan -
helga sultano says,
I support the LRT for Hamilton.
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Khusheed JEEJEEBHOY says,
This is money handed on a plate
We need the LRT so don't drag your feet say YES! -
Bennett Racher says,
This needs to get done or it will be another classic case of councillors and others wasting everyones time. Its seven years in the making, it would be ridiculous to stop now.
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Noel Fraser says,
I support the Hamilton LRT project. Let's get on with it. Thank you.
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Brett Mitchell says,
LRT will be one of the best things to happen to Hamilton, it will help complete the transformation the city is undergoing.
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Steve Hopkins says,
Let's get moving! We have been distracted by the naysayers long enough. Hamilton needs to embrace this opportunity and get on with the business of city-building for the 21st century.
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Simon Woodside says,
I commute regularly to Waterloo where my office is near the LRT line. There has been some disruption but it's worth it. We are going to harvest a major reward when the line is finished in terms of ease of access to our door for our customers.
I can't wait for the Hamilton LRT.
simon
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MARGERY/JAMES MUNN says,
WE SUPPORT THE LRT
--WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REDUCTION IN AUTOMOBILES ON OUR STREETS AND CITIZENS (YOUNG AND OLD )DEPENDENCE ON CARS DOWNTOWN HAMILTON NEEDS PEOPLE -IT IS BECOMING A GIANT PARKING LOT
WE COULD HAVE A HEALTHIER CITY WITH FAR LESS POLUTION AND A POPULATION THAT GETS A LITTLE MORE EXERCISECITIES BIG AND SMALL IN EUROPE HAVE LEARNED TO MOVE PEOPLE WITH EFFICIENCY BY USING LRT-- AND HAVE REDUCED POLUTION AS WELL
WE IN HAMILTON NEED TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE AS OTHER ONTARIO CITIES NEARBY HAVE DONE AND STOP DRAGGING OUR FEET--STUDYING AND INCREASING COSTS--AND GET ON WITH BEING THE "AMBITIOUS" CITY WE ONCQ)E WERE
CITY COUNCIL IN RECENT YEARS HAS STOPPED MANY EXCELLENT PROPOSALS THAT WOULD HAVE HELPED PUT HAMILTON BACK ON THE MAP
MAYBE WE NEED SOME NEW COUNCILLORS WITH FRESH NEW APPROACHES -
Trevor Westerhoff says,
I ask that Hamilton City Council follow through with what they repeatedly voted for and graciously accept the funding provided by the Provincial Government for LRT. Further, I ask that Council and all Hamiltonians support the businesses affected by the construction.
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Paul McAlister says,
Make the LRT the anchor project for the revitalisation of Hamilton. The other peieces will fall in round it!
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Deborrah Sherman says,
Council already made the decision. It was the right decision. Act on it, and stop wasting valuable time and money on the second-guessing and progress blocking by a couple of self serving council members. Councilors come and go - LRT will be there long after they are gone, moving people through the city and improving our business and residential tax base. Aging mountain dwelling citizens like myself will probably never have occasion to use LRT, but my own addiction to car culture should not prevent current and future younger people from accessing affordable, efficient transit through the city. Times have changed - I know so many young people who have never had any interest in getting a driver's license or owning a car. They pay their taxes and they deserve an infrastructure that is relevant to their needs.
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