ANSWERS TO ERIN SHACKLETTE’S SURVEY OF MUNICIPAL ISSUES IN HAMILTON
Good morning mayoral and ward candidates. As we get ready to vote for our new council in October, I need to know where each of you stand on certain issues that are important to me. I’m not looking for retoric or to hear what you think I want to hear. If you have a website that outlines your platform, I will be happy to peruse that if you can provide me the url.
Do you support LRT? If yes, why? If no, why not? I oppose the LRT, It will basically take a major artery out of commission (the Main/King corridor). This will add to traffic congestion. The Blue Line already provides excellent service along this route.
Do you support the removal of area ratings? If yes, why remove? If no, why keep it?
What are your thoughts on Ford’s decision to cancel the Basic Income Pilot project? How can Hamilton council provide support to those affected? Ford is correct in cancelling this costly programme which, while not the intent, provides an attractive subsidy to avoid working, although this may not have been its intention nor the way it has been used in every case. Hamilton should do more to attract jobs.
Do you support a fully dedicated cycling network that connects cyclists east to west and north to south? The bicycle in the Great Lakes Region is a vehicle largely for sport and recreation. I support bicycle routes that do not conflict with roads. I oppose more bicycle lanes that cut into roads. I am the motorists’ friend and want our roads to be as automobile friendly and efficient as possible.
Would you prefer to see alleyways sold off to developers or private property owners, or used in a way that supports the cycling network, laneway housing and a place for children to play? Surely, it is possible to do all of these.
Do you support accepting refugees and immigrants into Hamilton? I oppose Hamilton being self-designated as a “sanctuary city”> We should uphold laws against illegals and should not enable them. There is much poverty and homelessness in parts of Hamilton. City taxpayers’ money is being used to house illegals while some of our own poor remain homeless. The City has no power not to accept immigrants. However, I endorse a five year moratorium on ALL immigration. With 5.4 per cent official unemployment (the true figures are much higher), there simply aren’t jobs for newcomers. If the succeed, they take a job and a Canadian remains unemployed. So, Canada loses. If the newcomer does not get a job, they become dependent on welfare. So, Canada loses. High immigration levels in times of unemployment helps keep wages down for ALL workers.
Would you support updating our Official Plan to make it mandatory for all developers of multi unit buildings to set aside a min of 10% of units for low income housing(ie, not social housing but below market value for those who are low to low middle class). NO
Our tree canopy in Hamilton has been decimated. We lack green space in the lower city. What type of programs would you put in place to encourage an agressive regrowth of our canopy? Encourage and offer a subsidy to property owners who plant trees.
Kitchener has a program that rewards home owners and businesses(a stormwater credit policy) to encourage them to design development or retrofit their properties in a way thst reduces run off into the City’s stormwater system. Would you support such a program in Hamilton and be willing to have staff research the pros and cons of such a program? Here is the link to their page. YES, this looks like an interesting proposal.
Those are my questions for now. I loom forward to your responses.
Kind regards,
Erin Shacklette