Municipal Election 2010 Candidate Surveys

[smably]

Candidate Surveys
Click The Logo For Each Survey


http://www.tritag.ca/wordpress/wp-content/themes/tritag-1.1/static/images/logo.png (http://www.tritag.ca/election2010/) |
http://www.teammcneil.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/kwreb_logo.gif (http://www.kwreb.on.ca/meet-the-candidates/)


http://www.waterloovotes.com/sites/default/files/pictures/picture-1.png (http://www.waterloovotes.com/candidate_questionnaire) |
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Politics/Election%202010/Waterloo%20Region%20Crime%20Prevention%20Council%2 0Logo.jpg (http://www.preventingcrime.ca/main.cfm?id=636BA155-BC3B-57DC-1D5459558A69FE8C)


Waterloo Region Votes (http://www.waterlooregionvotes.ca/candidates/) |
http://www.cambridgechamber.com/_graphics/mast-logo.gif (http://www.cambridgechamber.com/cambridge-elections.php?epID=36)


http://news.therecord.com/App_Themes/TheStar/images/recordlogo.jpg (http://news.therecord.com/article/774006) |
http://www.t4st.com/skins/common/images/t4stlogb.png (http://www.t4st.com/index.php?title=Individual_Responses)


http://uwspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WSPA-Logo-final-version-1.png (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/702-Candidate-Surveys?p=16407#post16407) |
http://vote.feds.ca/sites/vote.feds.ca/themes/vote/feds_logo.png (http://vote.feds.ca/municipal)


http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Politics/Election%202010/ACOLogo.jpg (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/forumdisplay.php/39-Heritage-Preservation-Questionnaire) |
http://519onlinenews.com/yourvote2010/wp-content/themes/cleanr/images/logo_yourVote.gif (http://519onlinenews.com/yourvote2010/)

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Politics/Election%202010/KClogoResized.jpg (http://www.kitchenercitizen.com/uploads/KitchenerCitizen_October2010lr.pdf) |
http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Politics/Election%202010/GKWChamber.JPG (http://www.greaterkwchamber.com/MunElectionQuestionnaire.aspx) |

[smably]

I know some local groups have been conducting election surveys, so here's a thread to discuss them!

TriTAG released the results of their municipal candidate questionnaire today. (Disclosure: I am a TriTAG member and helped write, distribute, and collect answers to the questionnaire.) Responses are posted on our web site:
http://www.tritag.ca/election2010/

Our questions covered topics such as light rail, cycling infrastructure, parking, and transit-supportive development. There seemed to be consensus (or near-consensus) on certain issues, such as adoption of mixed-use zoning and improvements to inter-city transportation. There was also wide support for physically separated cycling infrastructure, bike sharing, and reduced parking requirements.

We've received responses for most races, and we will continue to accept and publish them right up to the election. If candidates in your city or ward haven't responded, please do call or send an email encouraging them to contact us and share their views.

[KWREB]

On behalf of its REALTOR® members The Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board sent a questionnaire to the candidates running within its communities.

The responses were posted today here:
http://www.kwreb.on.ca/meet-the-candidates/

Questions centered around a theme of "Quality of Life" and ranged from very general in nature, to more specific: traffic, transportation, property standards, and amalgamation. The responses are very interesting, and we thank all those who took the time to respond.

On October 25, 2010, don't forget to vote!

[ElmiraGuy]

Both were very informative.

Thank you very much for designing and posting them!

[DKsan]

The Federation of Students that represents the undergraduate population of the University of Waterloo sent a survey out as well, but haven't released their results yet.

[smably]

Here's one for Waterloo: http://www.waterloovotes.com/candidate_questionnaire

[Greg Moore]

As a voter in ward 8, I don't know how anybody could conscientiously vote for candidate Zyg Janecki with this response: "What do you feel are the three most significant successes of the current council? I really can’t identify one success."

If you can't identify for example the King Street streetscaping project as a success, you have zero vision and shouldn't be allowed to represent me or my neighbours.

[David]

Just a note: I have submitted my response to the TriTAG survey, I believe that it will be up soon.

Thanks

[DHLawrence]

Well, at least one of the people on my ballot is supportive of light rail.

[David]

Just a note: I have submitted my response to the TriTAG survey, I believe that it will be up soon.

Thanks


My response to TriTAG is now up.

http://www.tritag.ca/election2010/?ward=209

So far 4/6 candidates in Ward 9 have responded.

[Spokes]

As a voter in ward 8, I don't know how anybody could conscientiously vote for candidate Zyg Janecki with this response: "What do you feel are the three most significant successes of the current council? I really can’t identify one success."

If you can't identify for example the King Street streetscaping project as a success, you have zero vision and shouldn't be allowed to represent me or my neighbours.

The one mayoral candidate said it was a huge mistake haha.

[Ktown4ever]

All four candidates in my ward (10 Kitchener) responded to both these surveys. Thanks for posting, as they've been very helpful in determining who will get my vote!

[juanitametzger]

Greetings all - thanks for opening this thread. Candidates get a ton of surveys, and it's great to see when the results are being made available to the public.

The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) also sent a questionnaire to all regional and municipal candidates. We had a 60% return rate and all responses are now posted, without editing, commentary or endorsement, on our website: www.preventingcrime.ca (www.preventingcrime.ca).
(Disclosure: I am Community Engagement staff with WRCPC and helped write, edit and communicate the questionnaire results).
In an effort to keep crime prevention through social development front and centre during the 2010 Municipal Election, we invited candidates to participate in a survey about their priorities for local crime prevention. As with previous elections, the questionnaire was developed by our Municipal Task Force of the WRCPC in an effort to provide the public with information about candidate’s priorities in preventing and reducing crime and victimization. Candidates were asked:
• Which areas of responsibility play a key role in building safer communities?
• How would you prioritize spending for crime prevention?
• How would you integrate smart approaches to crime prevention?
• How can the WRCPC further support you in your municipal role, if elected?

This survey is part of our ongoing commitment to bring opportunities for community engagement to the residents of Waterloo Region.

If you dont' see a response from your candidate - contact them to ask the questions that were originally provided. People are also welcome to take these questions to candidate roundtables and debates.

Any questions - you are more than welcome to contact me directly. Cheers!

[David]

MODS: You may need to edit the above post to fix the links

[UrbanWaterloo]

Fixed the link.

Thanks for the survey juanitametzger. I've started to redo the first post with a logo from each of the questionnaires.

There's also a heritage survey that went out from the ACO-Waterloo North Branch. I'm just waiting for the results to be posted.

[pnijjar]

Here are a few more I have found:

- http://www.waterlooregionvotes.ca/candidates/ : there are two questionnaires about poverty reduction
- http://www.cambridgechamber.com/cambridge-elections.php?epID=36 : The Cambridge Chamber of Commerce has videotaped individual candidate responses to questions
- http://news.therecord.com/article/774006 : The Record's candidate profiles page (which I linked to earlier in another thread)

The Waterloo Region Labour Council has something as well, but I can't find it online.

[xmarc]

The Waterloo Regional Labour Council has endorsed 23 candidates in Waterloo Region. The candidates were chosen based on their answers to questionnaires we sent them in late summer. We looked for a commitment to investing in public infrastructure and services, demanding adequate revenues from senior governments to pay for them, support for Made-in-Canada purchasing policies, support for a living wage, and a serious interest in environmental sustainability.

We think our endorsed candidates are the Better Choices for Waterloo Region, and hope people who agree with us will get out and support them!

See our website at www.betterchoiceswaterlooregion.com.

[KevinL]

Just wanted to say thanks for posting these, I've been able to clarify my positions on several candidates.

[RangersFan]

Hey everyone, I have been reading the candidate surveys for my future ward (9, I am moving during election week). 4/6 candidates for ward 9 have answered the survey (http://www.kwreb.on.ca/meet-the-candidates/) and all 4 do not support LRT directly + one of the others that did not respond. Does anyone know if John Schill supports LRT? If he does not who do you believe is the best countil option for ward 9 from the transit angle?

[mpd618]

Hey everyone, I have been reading the candidate surveys for my future ward (9, I am moving during election week). 4/6 candidates for ward 9 have answered the survey (http://www.kwreb.on.ca/meet-the-candidates/) and all 4 do not support LRT directly + one of the others that did not respond. Does anyone know if John Schill supports LRT? If he does not who do you believe is the best countil option for ward 9 from the transit angle?

Here are the TriTAG survey responses for Ward 9 (http://www.tritag.ca/election2010/?ward=209). Since LRT is not a city council issue, I would suggest looking at the issues they do have direct influence over -- pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and policy, and approach to land use in relation to transit.

[pnijjar]

I realize that this will be an unpopular survey in this group, but I think it is important to include. It's from the Taxpayers for Sensible Transit.

http://www.t4st.com/index.php?title=Individual_Responses

[RangersFan]

Here are the TriTAG survey responses for Ward 9 (http://www.tritag.ca/election2010/?ward=209). Since LRT is not a city council issue, I would suggest looking at the issues they do have direct influence over -- pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and policy, and approach to land use in relation to transit.

Thanks man, alot of great information there.

[Ktown4ever]

Here are the TriTAG survey responses for Ward 9 (http://www.tritag.ca/election2010/?ward=209). Since LRT is not a city council issue, I would suggest looking at the issues they do have direct influence over -- pedestrian and cycling infrastructure and policy, and approach to land use in relation to transit.

But if as a voter the LRT issue is important to you ---It is relevant to know where your future city councillor stands on the issue. They are not without influence...and there are moves they could make down the road that could impact how and if LRT gets developed.

[Ktown4ever]

I realize that this will be an unpopular survey in this group, but I think it is important to include. It's from the Taxpayers for Sensible Transit.

http://www.t4st.com/index.php?title=Individual_Responses

Thanks for posting. I particularly enjoyed the email exchange with Ken Seiling and T4ST.

[KevinL]

I realize that this will be an unpopular survey in this group, but I think it is important to include. It's from the Taxpayers for Sensible Transit.

Oh, the resposes there are just as useful! It seems people are more honest with some special interests than with others, I've learned a few things from this that I might not have otherwise...

[UrbanWaterloo]

Ken Seiling T4ST Response (http://www.t4st.com/index.php?title=Ken_Seiling_T4ST_Response)


It is strange that you do not speak of the impacts or costs that must be faced by not proceeding. It is estimated that up to 500 lane kilometres of road will have to be built to deal with the growth expected in the next 20 years. I understand that by building the LRT and creating a better modal shift it is estimated to reduce that by more than 40%. We would be able to reduce the road building requirement by approximately 213 lane ilometre. Depending on the complexity of the work, a lane ilometre of urban road can cost between $700,000 to $1,200,000. At the low end, that would save more than $149 million – at the high end up to $256 million, much of which would be raised on property taxes. Not only would the financial impacts be severe and the traffic issues horrendous, there would the impact of destroying neighbourhoods to try to widen roads where possible.


>> T4ST: We are agreed that transit needs to be improved. We do not believe that LRT will improve transit.

What a ridiculous response from T4ST. :crazy:

[Spokes]

But if as a voter the LRT issue is important to you ---It is relevant to know where your future city councillor stands on the issue. They are not without influence...and there are moves they could make down the road that could impact how and if LRT gets developed.

Like what?

[UrbanWaterloo]

http://uwspa.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/WSPA-Logo-final-version-1.png

The Waterloo Students Planning Advisory (WSPA) Releases the 2010 Municipal Election Candidate Questionnaire for Kitchener/Waterloo

WATERLOO - October 15, 2010 - The Waterloo Students Planning Advisory (WSPA) has released their 2010 Municipal Election Candidate Questionnaire for Kitchener/Waterloo. The questionnaire is aimed at issues related to urban planning, urban design, environmental sustainability, transportation, heritage, and land use and urban growth pressures facing the two cities.

In total, the WSPA received a 49% response rate between Kitchener and Waterloo mayoral and councillor candidates. In Kitchener alone, the response rate was 36%. Within Waterloo, the response rate was 70%.

Responses were subjected to a grade-based ranking system, with candidates receiving a grade between 'D' and 'A' for each of the nine questions offered through the questionnaire.

The Waterloo Students Planning Advisory is an independent, non-profit advisory organization formed in early 2010 by local post-secondary Urban Planning students. The WSPA aims to facilitate increased dialogue between the community's student population and planning staff within the municipal and regional governments. Students interested in urban planning are offered an opportunity to apply their education and experience in a professional environment through the development approvals and land-use planning review process. Meanwhile, planning authorities are offered a new perspective on urban issues from engaged youth and young civic leaders.

For further information, please contact Mackenzie Keast, President, at 519.616.1380, or through email at mkeast@uwspa.com. The WSPA can be found on the web at www.uwspa.com.


39422851&access_key=key-t4hh4bf2wfp1tcx7vgs&page

[mpd618]

Responses were subjected to a grade-based ranking system, with candidates receiving a grade between 'D' and 'A' for each of the nine questions offered through the questionnaire.

I can't help but be skeptical of a group grading candidates without providing a way to confirm the reasoning. This goes for both the WSPA survey and the Waterloo Region Labour Council one.

[smably]

I also really hope they publish the answers to each question so we can judge for ourselves.

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

I can't help but be skeptical of a group grading candidates without providing a way to confirm the reasoning. This goes for both the WSPA survey and the Waterloo Region Labour Council one.

For the WSPA survey, page 14 explains how the grades were assigned. What do you mean by "confirm the reasoning"? In this survey, the association was looking for certain points to be addressed in the candidates' responses. How well the candidates aligned with the points WSPA was looking for is which grade they were assigned. This is a very similar system to how short/long answer questions on university midterms, exams, etc. are marked and graded.

[DKsan]

Feds Survey is out (http://vote.feds.ca/municipal)
They sent out questionnaires to every candidate. The responses are on the bottom of each city page. Interesting that more people responded from Kitchener, then Cambridge, and then only five from Waterloo...

[David]

Feds Survey is out (http://vote.feds.ca/municipal)
They sent out questionnaires to every candidate. The responses are on the bottom of each city page. Interesting that more people responded from Kitchener, then Cambridge, and then only five from Waterloo...

I have made an effort to try and respond to EVERY email that I have received since filing in April. This includes surveys, questionnaires and constituent concerns. I would like to note that I never received an email from anyone from the Federation of Students. The email listed on their site is incorrect - Just so people are aware.

[Scott Piatkowski]

I can categorically state that I was never sent a survey by the Federation of Students, and was not even aware of its existence until the results were published here.

If they want to send me the survey now, I will happily provide a response within 48 hours, providing they assure me that it will be published (along with a disclaimer indicating the survey was actually provided to me).

[Jamie Vasey]

I was never send a survey by the Federation of Students, and was not even aware of it until the results were published here.

If they want to send me the survey now, I will happily provide a response within 48 hours, providing they assure me that it will be published (along with a disclaimer indicating the survey was actually provided to me).

I also never received a survey from the Federation of Students. Like David, I have made a point of responding to every survey I received. And like Scott, I would still happily complete it if they wish to forward it to me.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Here's the Heritage Preservation Questionnaire (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/forumdisplay.php/39-Heritage-Preservation-Questionnaire) done by the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario - North Waterloo Region Branch.

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/wdrive/Politics/Election%202010/ACOLogo.jpg (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/forumdisplay.php/39-Heritage-Preservation-Questionnaire)

[Mackenzie Keast]

I can't help but be skeptical of a group grading candidates without providing a way to confirm the reasoning. This goes for both the WSPA survey and the Waterloo Region Labour Council one.

Our reasoning is provided on Page 14 of the report.

The decision to publish the results as 'grades' rather than answers themselves was primarily to maximize accessibility for students. They represent a cohort in the region that has historically very low voter turnout rates. Every opportunity should be made to provide them with readily-accessible information on electoral candidates that is accurate, fair, and easy to interpret. I believe we accomplished those goals in this report by identifying the responses we were looking for, providing very clear criteria for how grades were applied to candidate’s responses, and subsequently making the results available as a very legible and easy to understand chart.

Other groups offered full responses by each candidate to their questionnaires, and I understand the logic behind doing so. However, to expect a student to dig through that amount of information in order to participate in an election that they most likely have never taken an interest in before is somewhat unreasonable. I hope that our report can serve at least as a jumping off point for those students to get them more active and interested in municipal politics and the planning decision-making that is going on around them.

[pnijjar]

Wow that's terrible reasoning. This is the Internet. You can provide both your report card and the full responses.

[KevinL]

Wow that's terrible reasoning. This is the Internet. You can provide both your report card and the full responses.

Precisely. Give your 'grades' in an easy-to-read chart on one page, but then just add a link to 'full candidate responses' at the bottom. It would not be read as much, probably, but would allow those who DO have that level of interest to fully evaluate the responses to these questions, and also see the full methodology behind your evaluations.

An open process is always appreciated, especially when it comes to the funcioning of democracy.

[Ktown4ever]

Like what?

Not sure. But someone with a better imagination than me could probably think of a few ways...

[smably]

Yes, please provide an appendix, or a second report, or something, so we can read the actual responses. I like the grading system, but it's no substitute for being able to read candidates' actual answers.

[David]

In fairness to Mackenzie, the interviews weren't recorded. For my interview at least, the responses to questions were taken via shorthand. Exact responses may be hard to get as things do tend to get written differently in relation to what was actually said.

[pnijjar]

That's fine, but it is a different justification than the one offered before. Mackenzie's justification was from the point of the poor student who can't be bothered to read through a bunch of responses. Your justification is that the questionnaire was oral and that the notetakers did an inadequate job of recording responses, which is a justification from the questioner's point of view.

Having said that I don't want to make a big deal of this. Some questionnaires have been done better than others; we can read the good ones.

[theknitter]

Some Candidate write-ups that I found in the Kitchener Citizen Newspaper:

http://www.kitchenercitizen.com/uploads/KitchenerCitizen_October2010lr.pdf

[smably]

I like how the Kitchener Citizen has an article promoting T4ST's candidate survey, but not even a single mention of TriTAG. Funny how there's also a giant half-page ad for T4ST two pages later. Stay classy, Kitchener Citizen.

[isUsername]

I like how the Kitchener Citizen has an article promoting T4ST's candidate survey, but not even a single mention of TriTAG. Funny how there's also a giant half-page ad for T4ST two pages later. Stay classy, Kitchener Citizen.

According to TriTAG's survey, what do the numbers look like for candidates in favour of an LRT system, if not exactly the proposed plan?

The reason that I ask is that T4ST's survey poised questions in a way that even pro-LRT candidates had to respond in a way that seemed anti-LRT.

[smably]

I don't think we've tallied the responses for and against. To be honest, I'm not sure how useful that number is, or why it's even worthy of a news story.

[David]

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce circulated questionnaires to municipal candidates across Waterloo Region which asked for their positions and comments related to issues of concern for local employers.
http://www.greaterkwchamber.com/MunElectionQuestionnaire.aspx

[Scott Piatkowski]

I can categorically state that I was never sent a survey by the Federation of Students, and was not even aware of its existence until the results were published here.

If they want to send me the survey now, I will happily provide a response within 48 hours, providing they assure me that it will be published (along with a disclaimer indicating the survey was actually provided to me).

At my request, they sent me the survey and I responded to it. I believe that I am correct in stating that I am the only candidate in Ward 8 who has responded to every survey that we were sent.

[Jamie Vasey]

At my request, they sent me the survey and I responded to it. I believe that I am correct in stating that I am the only candidate in Ward 8 who has responded to every survey that we were sent.

For what it is worth, I believe I can make the same claim in Ward 6. For myself (and I believe Scott as well) this speaks to the dedication a candidate has to engaging and responding to the community they wish to represent. Ultimately, it's up to you, the voter, to determine how that weighs into your decision making.

[theknitter]

I'm confused...I thought I read on here that some of you candidates weren't getting all of the surveys that were circulating? How many questionairres do you guys have to do??

Good Luck to all of you tomorrow, it's great to have learned so much about Municipal Politics this election and thanks to this site for helping to inform us voters...I look forward to casting my ballot tomorrow.

[Jamie Vasey]

I'm confused...I thought I read on here that some of you candidates weren't getting all of the surveys that were circulating? How many questionairres do you guys have to do??

Good Luck to all of you tomorrow, it's great to have learned so much about Municipal Politics this election and thanks to this site for helping to inform us voters...I look forward to casting my ballot tomorrow.


From Sept. 9th to Oct. 1st, it felt like we were getting one a day. In reality it was closer to 12-15 different questionnaires/surveys, varying in length. It's one of those "hidden" parts of campaigning. You don't always see how much time is involved in it, or who actually bothers to respond unless the survey came from a group that is of personal interest to you as a voter. But, its all part of being accessible to people.

I wish all my fellow candidate luck tonight. We can all be proud of the efforts we put forward. By all indications, voter turnout should be up, and that is something we can be celebrate together.

I also want to thank the mods, and people who participated on this board. I know my website saw a great deal of click through from it. So you obviously helped a great deal in raising voter awareness.

[David]

I have to echo Jamie here. Thanks to all the Admins and Mods for giving the membership and readers a venue to express themselves and have many different conversations. I have one suggestion:

When the new councillors take office, send them a note and invite them here. I think it would be great to have subforums for every ward in the region or at least a place for council members to post information.

[Daev]

Hello everyone, I am new to Wonderful Waterloo and have been a dedicated lurker for the past several months.

I am particularly interested in this election and the effect it will have on the planned LRT system.

I am looking for opinions on the Cambridge Regional Councillor in specific. I am very pro-LRT and have plans to cast a vote for Atinuke Bankole; however I am particularly stuck when it comes to my 2nd choice. Mostly because based on the surveys by T4ST and TriTAG, it appears that 3 of the 4 choices are anti-LRT.

Atinuke seems to be the least against the system. Even as a Cambridge resident, I want to see this system come into our region.

Anyone have inside information on the other 3 candidates? I suppose I could just tick off the one candidate, but I would like to be sure that I am supporting the people who are most likely to support this project.

Thanks everyone. :RpS_thumbup:

[Shawn]

Welcome to Wonderful Waterloo Daev.

I hope someone can help you with your request for guidance on which Cambridge Regional Councillor to vote for. I was reading over many of the candidates websites over the weekend and was surprised to find how many of them don't spell out a clear position on the LRT - which, in my opinion should be one of the top items/issues for a Regional Candidate. Many talk about rapid transit and how important it is, but don't specify what vision & form that rapid transit should take.

[mpd618]

I am looking for opinions on the Cambridge Regional Councillor in specific. I am very pro-LRT and have plans to cast a vote for Atinuke Bankole; however I am particularly stuck when it comes to my 2nd choice. Mostly because based on the surveys by T4ST and TriTAG, it appears that 3 of the 4 choices are anti-LRT.

Welcome to the forums!

First, there's five candidates, though I don't know anything about Glen Whetham, and Robert Ross is very clearly out of the running for your question. As for Jane Brewer and Claudette Millar, I believe they're both supporters of using light rail technology and of prioritizing transit - though they would like to know that it will extend to Cambridge. See here (http://region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8ef02c0fded0c82a85256e590071a3ce/ef33a68e5ae71703852576120061165d!OpenDocument) for the minutes of last year's final council meeting on LRT.

[Daev]

Welcome to the forums!

First, there's five candidates, though I don't know anything about Glen Whetham, and Robert Ross is very clearly out of the running for your question. As for Jane Brewer and Claudette Millar, I believe they're both supporters of using light rail technology and of prioritizing transit - though they would like to know that it will extend to Cambridge. See here (http://region.waterloo.on.ca/web/region.nsf/8ef02c0fded0c82a85256e590071a3ce/ef33a68e5ae71703852576120061165d!OpenDocument) for the minutes of last year's final council meeting on LRT.

Thanks for the Welcome's!

I appreciate this information mdp618. Of course, you are right ... there are 5 candidates, my mistake.

Based on a choice between the surveys:

Jane Brewer:

It has never been "right" that Cambridge has to wait till 2031 for LRT - but by regional rules we pay for Waterloo and Kitchener. We should only pay for the iXpress we are to get. -T4ST

Claudette Millar:

Until such time as the population warrents and Cambridge is included in project this should never happen as planned at this time. At no time should the Region have any project on the books that results in a 9% increase in taxes, especially when one city is left out. I ask for fareness. -T4ST

And now that I have seen those minutes ... this is really becoming a tougher decision.

Jane Brewer:

J. Brewer advised she attended all of the workshops held in Cambridge and is disappointed that brt was not talked about, just lrt. She supports lrt as the Region needs to be visionary but she cannot support brt to Cambridge.

Claudette Millar:

C. Millar stated she can support clause a) of the recommendation. She expressed concern with specific parts of the report, noting she has never asked for a specific date for lrt to go to Cambridge but rather an event, for example the day the first train is running in the north end. She stated without having the full information related to the costs and design details she cannot support portions of the recommendation.

Hmmmm ... gonna have to look at more responses from these two women. :RpS_confused:

[Daev]

b) Approve the Light Rail Transit route and stations shown in Appendix D in report E-09-073 and as follows:
From Fairview Park Mall the route then takes the CPR rail line, Eagle Street, Hespeler Road and Water Street into Downtown Cambridge to the Ainslie Street transit terminal, subject to further consultation with the City of Cambridge.

CARRIED

Yeas: J. Brewer, D. Craig, T. Galloway, J. Haalboom, B. Halloran, R. Kelterborn, J. Mitchell, W. Roth, K. Seiling, J. Smola, B. Strauss, S. Strickland, J. Wideman, C. Zehr.

Nays: K. Denouden, C. Millar


c) Recognizing that the Region’s ultimate goal is to implement the full LRT system identified in (b), but also recognizing that the ridership, development potential and capital and operating costs vary along the route, Endorse implementing the project in stages as follows:
Stage 1 – Implementation of LRT north of Fairview Park Mall and adapted Bus Rapid Transit south of Fairview Park Mall as described in E-09-073 including.
LRT from Conestoga Mall in Waterloo to Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener;
Adapted Bus Rapid Transit (aBRT) from Fairview Park Mall in Kitchener to Ainslie Street Terminal in downtown Cambridge
Re-aligned Grand River Transit (GRT) bus service to provide an expanded level of service to the rapid transit stations along primary feeder corridors;
Express bus service, modeled after the current iXpress service, to high ridership centres throughout the Region (i.e. Wilfrid Laurier,Conestoga College etc.); and
Connections to intercity transit such as GO Bus, GO Train, Greyhound and VIA.
Stage 2 – Completion of a light rail transit system from Fairview Park Mall to the Ainslie Street transit terminal in downtown Cambridge. Commencement of Stage 2 to follow completion of Stage 1 as closely as possible.

CARRIED

Yeas: T. Galloway, J. Haalboom, B. Halloran, R. Kelterborn, J. Mitchell, W. Roth, K. Seiling, J. Smola, B. Strauss, S. Strickland, J. Wideman, C. Zehr.

Nays: J. Brewer, D. Craig, K. Denouden, C. Millar


e) Direct staff to undertake measures to encourage transit supportive development, to enhance transit ridership, and to expedite the development of LRT in Cambridge, including (but not limited to) the following:
Develop Incentives for Transit Oriented Developments
Support and develop Transportation Demand Management strategies for new and existing business and residents.

Yeas: J. Brewer, K. Denouden, T. Galloway, J. Haalboom, B. Halloran, R. Kelterborn, J. Mitchell, W. Roth, K. Seiling, J. Smola, B. Strauss, S. Strickland, J. Wideman, C. Zehr.

Nays: D. Craig, C. Millar

Then again ... when you look at the way Claudette voted, you can clearly see she voted 'Nay' 3 times to LRT, whereas Jane Brewer only voted 'Nay' to the planned implementation of the system.

I think Brewer is getting my vote based on the way Claudette has voted. What is this Ms. Millar ... you don't support improving transit ridership in Cambridge? How can you then be in favour of any Rapid Transit System?

[Spokes]

I have to echo Jamie here. Thanks to all the Admins and Mods for giving the membership and readers a venue to express themselves and have many different conversations. I have one suggestion:

When the new councillors take office, send them a note and invite them here. I think it would be great to have subforums for every ward in the region or at least a place for council members to post information.

I'd love for that to happen.

To all of the candidates who get elected tonight, and those that don't, please continue to visit Wonderful Waterloo

[Scott Piatkowski]

I'm confused...I thought I read on here that some of you candidates weren't getting all of the surveys that were circulating? How many questionairres do you guys have to do??

Sorry, I just noticed this post now.

First, I believe that it was only the Federation of Students survey that failed to make it to every candidate. That was rectified when candidates brought the oversight to their attention.

I responded to surveys from the following interest groups

Waterloo Regional Labour Council
Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board
Tri-Cities Transportation Action Group (TriTag)
Conestoga Heavy Construction Association
Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
Kitchener Professional Firefighters Association
University of Waterloo Federation of Students
Taxpayers for Sensible Transit
Architecture Conservancy of Ontario
Waterloo Regional Crime Prevention Council

and the following media organizations

Waterloo Region Record
Kitchener Citizen

I was interviewed by

Waterloo Students Planning Advisory
Conestoga College Journalism Program

I also responded to 36 e-mails from voters wanting to know my position on various issues.