Rally For Rails | December 5, 2010

[UrbanWaterloo]

Rally For Rails

Some of you may have noticed in the Light Rail Transit thread an idea was floated to hold a rally to show support for LRT. I'm pleased to announce we'll be holding a rally at the Waterloo Public Square from 12-1PM on Sunday December 5, 2010. A new tab (Rally For Rails) has been added to the toolbar to enable quick access to this section.

How Can You Help The Rally?

1. Write letters to the editor (letters@therecord.com).
2. Send e-mails to politicians & members of the community.
3. Talk to your friends and bring them out on December 5th!

Included below are tickets that you can print and hand out to supporters. I hope to see everyone at the square!

Colour Tickets (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/rallyforrails/Tickets/R4R-ticketConcept6a.pdf)
Greyscale Tickets (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/rallyforrails/Tickets/R4R-ticketConcept6a-grey.pdf)

http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/rallyforrails/Tickets/RallyForRailsTicketConcept6a.jpg

[markster]

Facebook event?

[taylortbb]

Facebook event?

Coming very soon.

[taylortbb]

Little later than planned, but the Facebook event is live: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165886033433531 .

Today is also the launch of the TriTAG media campaign, so the rally site at http://LRTrally.ca is now also live. Additionally, the TriTAG e-mail form at http://www.tritag.ca/localemail/ is live.

[UrbanWaterloo]

10 Days Until Rally For Rails!

DID YOU KNOW? (http://www.railways.incanada.net/candate/candate.htm)

February 25, 1832 - Incorporation of the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad to build from Dorchester, now St-Jean, to a point on the St. Lawrence River at or near Laprairie. This is the first Canadian railroad charter.

[UrbanWaterloo]

1 Week Until Rally For Rails!

DID YOU KNOW? (http://www.railways.incanada.net/candate/candate.htm)

May 16, 1853 - The first train in Ontario runs between Toronto and Aurora on the Ontario Simcoe and Huron Railroad Union Company. The name was changed to Northern Railway of Canada on August 16, 1858 and it became part of the Northern and Northwestern Railway on June 6, 1879, now part of Canadian National. The first train was driven by W.T. Hackett who also took the first locomotive into Kansas City.

[IEFBR14]

http://news.therecord.com/App_Themes/TheStar/images/recordlogo_print.jpg

Light-rail transit supporters organize rally (http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/822039)
A rally in support of light-rail transit is being organized to bolster support among elected officials for the project.

Fearing a slacking commitment for the $790 million undertaking the Tri-cities Transport Action Group, the Waterloo Students Planning Advisory and Wonderful Waterloo have pooled their resources to stage what they call Rally for Rails on Sunday, Dec. 5 from noon to 1 p.m. in the public square in downtown Waterloo.

“This rally is to show Waterloo’s incoming city council and incoming city councils across the region as well as the incoming regional council that there still is support for this project,” Tim Mollison, of the transport action group, said.

In June 2009 regional councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of the plans for a light-rail system from Conestoga Mall in the north to Fairview Park Mall in the south that also has rapid buses through Cambridge.

During the campaigns for the Oct. 25 municipal elections support for the light-rail project appeared to soften among some local politicians.

Many campaigning politicians said the project has little support among voters. Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran went from voting in favour of light rail at regional council in June 2009 to vocally questioning the costs and routes.

“I think the whole reason we kind of came together to organize this kind of collaborative demonstration in support of the LRT is a lot of the rhetoric leading up to October’s elections,” Mackenzie Keast, of the student planning advisory, said.

“There is a lot of negativity toward the LRT, a lot of outspoken members of the community had expressed their anti-LRT position and a lot of the local councillors were publicly speaking out against the LRT,” Keast said.

In June 2009 regional council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the light-rail plans. Then the provincial government committed $300 million to the project and the federal government announced $265 million.

That leaves $225 million in costs the region must cover. Regional planners are preparing a report that will be tabled in January with options to reduce costs.

The Sunday rally was deliberately scheduled to occur the day before the first meeting of the new city council in Waterloo and elsewhere.

“So we are hoping it’s going to be kind of fresh on their minds and show them, hey: ‘Yes you have spoken to a lot of people that are against the LRT, there have been a lot of very vocal opponents to the LRT, but look at all these people who have come out to show that they are in favour,” Keast said.

Halloran said Waterloo city council will not be passing a motion to oppose the planned light-rail system.

“But we have to look at all the options,” Halloran said. “To me it’s about the costs and how much taxpayers can bear.”

But Halloran said she does not want to be characterized as being opposed to the light-rail plans either.

“I don’t want to present it that: ‘Oh she’s against it,’ and then I will get all this hate mail from the LRT guys, which I am starting to get anyway,” Halloran said.

“We have to be open to the possibilities of new options based on the funding that we have in place now,” Halloran said.

Coun. Mark Whaley, who represented the City of Waterloo on the region’s transportation master plan committee where he supported the light-rail plans, said he is rethinking that position because of the short fall in capital funding.

“And what I mean by rethinking is unclear even in my mind, but I don’t think based on the fact that there is a quarter-of-a-billion dollar shortfall on the money that we can just go blindly forward with the plan we had before without some kind of consultation with the public again,” Whaley said.

Whaley said he has no intentions at this time to introduce a motion at Waterloo city council in opposition to the region’s plans for light rail.
Sigh... :RpS_sad:

[DHLawrence]

Could have been worse; at least Outhit didn't write it.

[benjaminbach]

Out of curiosity, whats the specific objection to what Brenda and Mark said in the article?

One can be in favour of better & expanded transit while still thinking the current plan is too expensive/not innovative enough (note: I'm not trying to put words in Brenda or Mark's mouth)

[IEFBR14]

Out of curiosity, whats the specific objection to what Brenda and Mark said in the article?
Brenda's speaking out of both sides of her mouth as she did during the election campaign. If I can mix metaphors, on the one hand she's not opposed to the LRT but on the other hand she's not in favour either. She's trying to pander to both sides. What we need are some one-handed politicians (a) so we know who to vote for and (b) so they'll make some decisions. (Her position on fluoridation was similarly two-sided.)

To continue the metaphor, Mark seems to have lost both of his hands. He doesn't know what to think. He doesn't know what to rethink either. So he wants to pass the buck back to the public. What was his position on LRT during the election?

Meanwhile, as I understand it, the feds and the province have money on the table for an LRT. If our politicians now don't think the LRT is the best solution then why did they lobby so hard to both senior governments for funding it in the first place?

At least Outhit can try to argue that he's being balanced. (Note that I said, "try to argue.")

[bcwessel]

Brenda's speaking out of both sides of her mouth as she did during the election campaign. If I can mix metaphors, on the one hand she's not opposed to the LRT but on the other hand she's not in favour either. She's trying to pander to both sides. What we need are some one-handed politicians (a) so we know who to vote for and (b) so they'll make some decisions. (Her position on fluoridation was similarly two-sided.)

To continue the metaphor, Mark seems to have lost both of his hands. He doesn't know what to think. He doesn't know what to rethink either. So he wants to pass the buck back to the public. What was his position on LRT during the election?

Meanwhile, as I understand it, the feds and the province have money on the table for an LRT. If our politicians now don't think the LRT is the best solution then why did they lobby so hard to both senior governments for funding it in the first place?

At least Outhit can try to argue that he's being balanced. (Note that I said, "try to argue.")

I believe that it was revealed not too long ago that the funding applications referred to the project as simply some form of rapid transit, meaning that the funding will not be contingent upon the finalized technology. This may, in part, explain the Federal commitment of 1/3 of the total cost, as opposed to any fixed dollar amount. It would be very interesting to view those documents. Where's a local wikileaks when you need one.

[garthdanlor]

Is anyone daring to speculate on the turnout for the rally?

[KevinL]

Is anyone daring to speculate on the turnout for the rally?

The Facebook event is up to 225 confirmed, if you want something of a baseline.

I'm sure weather will be a big factor.

[garthdanlor]

The Facebook event is up to 225 confirmed, if you want something of a baseline.

I'm sure weather will be a big factor.

Not too bad. I avoid Facebook so add 2 more to that. If we can get at least 200-300 people that should fill the square nicely, or at least have enough people to drown out the "anti" protesters. Speaking of which, has there been any word of any contra rallies being organized to answer the Rally for Rails?

[KLM]

Since I work for company with HQ in Portland, Oregon, I asked one of employees what she thinks about LRT. Pretty interesting stuff.

“We have had LRT (called MAX) for many years. They estimate 122,000 people use it everyday for commuting to work, shopping, etc.
We have a very extensive rail system now which spreads out into the suburbs. It follows our interstate highways and most times during rush hour, the traffic is at a stop but the train is passing everyone. It is a very good system here and it pretty much pays for itself. I think there is some tax money involved but I don't think it is much. Also, our federal government covered a large portion of the original funding to get it started.

We have had some crime on MAX, but not too bad for a large city. The system has it's own security officers and they do a good job of watching out for everyone. I have ridden MAX for years and I like it much better when I need to go downtown, because you don't need to drive around trying to find parking and then pay for parking (which is very expensive). I don't ride MAX by myself if it's very late at night. I don't feel comfortable doing that because that is most times when the bad people come out but when Richard is with me, we always take MAX to hockey games and events at the convention center.

Overall, I think it is a good thing for a city and I'm sure your city would benefit from it.”

Have a wonderful day.

[BuildingScout]

Since I work for company with HQ in Portland, Oregon, I asked one of employees what she thinks about LRT. Pretty interesting stuff.

“We have had LRT (called MAX) for many years. They estimate 122,000 people use it everyday for commuting to work, shopping, etc.
We have a very extensive rail system now which spreads out into the suburbs. It follows our interstate highways and most times during rush hour, the traffic is at a stop but the train is passing everyone. It is a very good system here and it pretty much pays for itself. I think there is some tax money involved but I don't think it is much. Also, our federal government covered a large portion of the original funding to get it started.

We have had some crime on MAX, but not too bad for a large city. The system has it's own security officers and they do a good job of watching out for everyone. I have ridden MAX for years and I like it much better when I need to go downtown, because you don't need to drive around trying to find parking and then pay for parking (which is very expensive). I don't ride MAX by myself if it's very late at night. I don't feel comfortable doing that because that is most times when the bad people come out but when Richard is with me, we always take MAX to hockey games and events at the convention center.

Overall, I think it is a good thing for a city and I'm sure your city would benefit from it.”

Have a wonderful day.

You should send this to the record as part of a letter to the Editor.

[KLM]

You should send this to the record as part of a letter to the Editor.

I agree. Even though I have never been in Portland , but if given opprotunity I would like to check out their LRT.
According to comments seems it works well, with minor flaws ( i.e. crime).

[bentonite]

I agree. Even though I have never been in Portland , but if given opprotunity I would like to check out their LRT.
According to comments seems it works well, with minor flaws ( i.e. crime).

I've spent a fair amount of time on the MAX in Portland. They've been pretty aggressively upgrading it over the past decade (3 new lines) and I'm quite enamoured with it. :RpS_love: Crime was never a concern for me. One time I bought an iMac new in box downtown and was never scared that someone was going to run off with it or try to rob me. (Keep in mind, Multnomah county has 3x the reported per-capita crime rate of Waterloo region) I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about it.

[IEFBR14]

One time I bought an iMac new in box downtown and was never scared that someone was going to run off with it or try to rob me...
How does the preference by criminals in Multnomah county for WinTels over Macs compare to Waterloo? :RpS_tongue: :RpS_lol:

[Sorry, couldn't resist.]

[UrbanWaterloo]

2 Days Until Rally For Rails!

DID YOU KNOW? (http://www.railways.incanada.net/candate/candate.htm)

October 3-4, 1873 - The Grand Trunk Railway converts the gauge of its line between Stratford and Montreal, 421 miles together with 60 miles of sidings, from 5' 6" to the standard gauge of 4' 8 1/2". The track work was completed in 24 hours and occasioned but 16 hours interruption in the use of the main line.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Rally For Rails Is Tomorrow!

It looks like the weather is going to co-operate (a bit chilly, but at least it won't be raining!):



Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Wind northwest 30 km/h. High minus 2.

[jay]

Glad to hear that the weather will be co-operating. Should be a fun day tomorrow!

[UrbanWaterloo]

The Rally Starts 2 Hours From Now @ Waterloo Public Square!

[Waterlooer]

Getting ready for the rally, let's have our voices be heard!

[benjaminbach]

Great turnout and speakers - thanks to everyone who came out to support Transit !

[markster]

Using my amazing powers, I counted roughly 300 people at the peak.

[fin2limb]

Great turnout and speakers - thanks to everyone who came out to support Transit !

Agreed. :RpS_biggrin:

Looking forward to the media coverage.

[Trogdor]

Awesome job guys!

[IEFBR14]

Yes that was quite a turnout on what was a cold and windy day. (I walked to Waterloo Square with a bitter wind in my face.) As one of the speakers pointed out, right on schedule at noon the clouds opened up and the sun shone on us. Kudos to the organizers who made this possible, including the appeal to divine intervention :RpS_thumbup:

The arguments presented by the speakers were all cogently presented :RpS_thumbup:

Sadly neither Waterloo's mayor nor the new councillor for the Uptown ward could be bothered to deliver so much as a few words of support, even if only some weak ambivalent political bafflegab :RpS_thumbdn:

[jamesbow]

I arrived a little late and brought my two toddlers. I think it's important that they know what a positive demonstration looks like, and they weren't disappointed. We weren't able to stay the whole time (demonstrating in winter is cold and a little hard for a 5 year old and a 2 year old), but they enjoyed themselves, as did I. I think the turnout was good, and as we went into Waterloo Town Square, I made sure to thank the politicians for coming out. Having representatives from the cities and the regions and the province is as good a signal as any that this project still has life in it.

A big thank you to the organizers for putting this together.

...James

[Waterlooer]

This was a huge success and I am so glad we got our voices heard! I was happy to see some Waterloo councilors there, as well as Ken Seiling and the Kitchener mayor. There was 1 protester giving out information on why LRT is not good and lots of the information on it was false, I saw one lady crumple up the paper infront of the "protester" which was nice to see. Great job to all the organizers it was a lovely event and we had great weather!!

[DHLawrence]

I was approached by him, but when the TriTAG rep came up to me a moment later I asked him if he had somewhere I could "put this trash".

Cold but worthwhile! I hope we get other supporters and fence-sitters to break their silences.

Have any dates been posted for the next sessions? I'm working in TO so I might have to give my opinions by remote control.

[IEFBR14]

There was 1 protester giving out information on why LRT is not good and lots of the information on it was false



Bus is Best – downtown is (and will be) too small for LRT
• LRT will cost over 1 billion, local taxpayers will put up 500 million – for example grade separation at tracks in Kitchener is estimated at under 10 million – will be 30-40 million
• Bus Rapid Transit will be about half the cost of LRT and have lower operating costs
• LRT is a commuter rail system to bring commuters from Elmira – park at mall then go to downtown Kitchener – LRT will not intensify development in the existing cities
• BRT will intensify land use with more stops, will serve Sun Life (LRT has no stop there)
• BRT will serve Bauer Lofts (that’s right LRT has no stop at Bauer Lofts, 144 Park and new Red condos) Where LRT will have one stop, existing King St. Bus has 10.
• UpTown is one of three “Region and Provincial Growth Centers” but it will reach target population and employment before the LRT could be built
• LRT, a commuter rail system, has one stop between UpTown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener –LRT can not intensify development in the prime 2.5 km redevelopment area
• BRT is flexible, if there is an accident it can go around the accident, LRT sits there. Santa Clause Parade and Buskers only possible with BRT not LRT
• If a station is in the wrong place or more stations are needed (they will be needed), BRT can change cheaply as no tracks, curbs, LRT involves major expense.
• BRT would not have curbs and left turns into businesses on King would be possible, with LRT no left turns into Adult Rec Center from King St. north, or the 2 Funeral Parlors.
• BRT can be integrated into some Cross town routes without transfers, while all LRT connections are transfers
• Region’s ridership estimates are 2 to 3 times higher than ridership in Buffalo which has a better system, double the population and more than double the downtown employment
• With realistic ridership the annual LRT subsidy will be at least 10 million more than forecast and few ways to reduce it other than stop running the trains
• Transit expenditures have been increasing by almost 10% a year and revenue by about 2% with most of the new riders being University Students with passes (which is good)
• In 2011 Transit expenditures will be about 80 million per year (operating plus capital), with about 20 million revenue – overall return on investment is 20%.
• And by 2031 cars will be more energy efficient than the LRT.

Google for more about Shortreed. See also Yappa Dingbat Dingbat • Rally for Rails (http://yappadingding.blogspot.com/search/label/Waterloo%20Region%20LRT%20proposal)

[YKF]

^ Wow, what bull sh!t

[UrbanWaterloo]

Thanks to the two dozen organizers, 13 speakers & 200+ attendees. It was a great rally!

Did anyone happen to snap photos? Normally I love taking a lot of photographs at events, but it's hard when you're also one of the organizers. Feel free to send full size images to: photos@wonderfulwaterloo.com and we'll try to make a nice collage.

[Shawn]

Rally For Rails | December 5th, 2010 | 12 - 1PM @ Waterloo Public Square

The Speakers

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0694.jpg

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0701.jpg

The Media

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0695.jpg

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0692.jpg

The Supporters!

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0697.jpg

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0698.jpg

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0693.jpg

http://i1018.photobucket.com/albums/af306/shawnwm/Rally%20For%20Rails/CIMG0691.jpg

[Waterlooer]

Thanks for the pics!

[isUsername]

I was approached by him, but when the TriTAG rep came up to me a moment later I asked him if he had somewhere I could "put this trash".

When John Shortreed (the protester (http://news.therecord.com/search?t=&q=john%20shortreed&r=&ll=&type=&dp=&PageNumber=&OrderBy=sPublishDate%20DESC)) came up to me, I was quite happy to pull out the crumpled up paper you gave me and tell him "already got one". :RpS_laugh:

[DHLawrence]

Good to meet you then! :) I stayed in the background so I didn't get names for everyone.

[Brenden]

Using my amazing powers, I counted roughly 300 people at the peak.

<Glenn Beck> there were no less then 100,000 people there, and I wont belive any other number</Glenn Beck>

[Brenden]

We are on CTV right now, good job guys

[IEFBR14]

When John Shortreed (the protester (http://news.therecord.com/search?t=&q=john%20shortreed&r=&ll=&type=&dp=&PageNumber=&OrderBy=sPublishDate%20DESC)) came up to me, I was quite happy to pull out the crumpled up paper you gave me and tell him "already got one". :RpS_laugh:
You should have taken an extra copy. That way there'd be one less copy left to confuse the skeptics.

[KevinL]

We are on CTV right now, good job guys

Apparently me and my sign are photogenic enough for the opening bumper, but not for the story itself. Ah well, at least the articulate people got their words in...

[IEFBR14]

We are on CTV right now, good job guys
We're on the Internet tubes as well as the boob tube. The reporter is highly innumerate (even if he meant x'80' that's still way too few.)

CTV Southwestern Ontario - Rally for Rails (http://swo.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101205/lrt-rally-support-101205/20101205/?hub=SWOHome)

http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20101205/470_matos_rally_101205.jpg?2


Despite the cold weather, there was quite a big turn out for Rally for Rails.

About 80 people gathered in Waterloo Uptown Square for the Sunday afternoon event. It was for a rally in favor of light rail trains. Organizers say there is no coincidence about it being held a day before city councils around Waterloo region are sworn in.

"We want to make sure that Waterloo city council, Kitchener city council, and the incoming regional council are well aware that light rail is still supported," says Tim Mollison, Tri-Cities Transportation Action Group.

The event was organized by the Tri-Cities Transportation Action Group, The Waterloo Students Planning Advisory, and a blog called Wonderful Waterloo.

The LRT has been approved by regional councilors. Both federal and provincial governments have come forward with financial help. But $225 million is needed to cover the rest of the LRT project.

Those in opposition of the LRT project believe it is too expensive.

Regional planners are looking for ways to tweak the budget, and to find options to save tax payers money. The report is expected to be tabled in January.

[bcwessel]

"Those in opposition of the LRT project believe it is too expensive."

I think it says a lot about the poverty of good reporting on this issue. Proposing that something is "too expensive" is completely meaningless if it is not placed in its proper context. This line may as well read: "Those in opposition of the LRT project believe $800 million dollars is a lot of dollars." At least that would be a true statement. It's no wonder that people are confused about the pros and cons of LRT when this is what passes as reporting.

[isUsername]

We're on the Internet tubes as well as the boob tube. The reporter is highly innumerate (even if he meant x'80' that's still way too few.)

CTV Southwestern Ontario - Rally for Rails (http://swo.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101205/lrt-rally-support-101205/20101205/?hub=SWOHome)

http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20101205/470_matos_rally_101205.jpg?2

I just emailed them this:



Subject: Incorrect attendance numbers

The article states that "about 80 people gathered". In the article image I counted 76 faces visible, with the centre and right signs in the image covering up a good portion of the crowd. Additionally, there were a few dozen people on the steps and ramps not in the shot, and a number of people to the left of the image. It appears that this image was used to count attendance, despite a limited camera angle and visual obstacles.

The photo available here:
http://imgur.com/CRhuo
shows over 100 people in it (I counted 107), with the bulk of the crowd at the front only having the rear row visible.

Based on the empirical information of the CTV and above linked shots, there at least 150 people in it, nearly double the CTV estimate.

Please correct your article.

[isUsername]

I just emailed them this:

Forgot to proof read that second last sentence. :RpS_unsure:

[Spokes]

You can also tell them we're not a blog ;)

Just want to say thanks for everyone that showed up, thanks to everyone that spoke, and thanks to everyone that helped organize this thing. Today was a huge success and I appreciate everything everyone's done to make it a success.

[markster]

I did a count of the crowd, and I can guarantee you that there were at least 200 people.

I have a part-time job as an usher at the Humanities Theatre, and part of our job is to count the crowd at shows. So you could say I'm a bit of an 'expert' at counting heads. My "300" earlier may be a misremember, but even if it is, 200 is fact.

[benjaminbach]

Sadly neither Waterloo's mayor nor the new councillor for the Uptown ward could be bothered to deliver so much as a few words of support

I spoke to Mayor Halloran tonight, she wished she could have attended the event but was at a family function.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Melissa Tait of The Record estimated at least 200 in the crowd as well. You could probably count another 50 people who were only able to attend a portion of the rally.

[isUsername]

If anyone else wants to email them as well, it will probably help the article get updated quicker, before the incorrect info gets propagated.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Sent in a correction. Here's the piece (sorry benjamin, I only caught a second of the intro to the newscast where you were featured, perhaps it will be replayed at 11:30):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bueAjEYaN7o

[benjaminbach]

no prob - great video !

[bcwessel]

Hundreds rally in support of light-rail transit

December 05, 2010
BY MELISSA TAIT, RECORD STAFF

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/825694

[KevinL]

Around 200 people

Well, at least one of our local media outlets has the ability to count, it seems. :RpS_rolleyes:

[IEFBR14]

I spoke to Mayor Halloran tonight, she wished she could have attended the event but was at a family function.
She could have asked a council colleague or Carl Zehr or Ken Seiling to acknowledge the rally and express her regrets. Considering that this rally was held in Uptown Waterloo, her absence, including the absence of any mention of her absence, demonstrated her lack of interest in the interests of Waterloo residents.

Someone told me that Melissa Durell was there too, although I didn't see her. If she was, she should have spoken, given that Uptown is her ward. If she wasn't, then my comments re Halloran apply equally to her. (Added: I see from the Record article that she wasn't in attendance either.)

[jamesbow]

You guys are all to be commended for pulling this together on such short notice. It was a positive event that drew a lot of positive attention and should shake up the perception that the LRT has no support in the region. I think we surprised a few people. But another question to ask is where we go from here.

Over in Toronto, where their Transit City plan is under threat, I saw some interesting political activity. On Saturday, organizers wanting to Save Transit City met at Yonge and Eglinton for a "canvas". Over a couple of hundred people, I'm told, gathered, not to demonstrate, but to fan out among the community, knocking on doors and drumming up support for Transit City. The community, incidentally, happened to be in Councillor Karen Stintz's ward -- the current nominee for TTC Chair.

I wonder if we can't do something similar here. This level of engagement takes things to a new level. I'm told that, in total, over 1000 Torontonians were talked to, and many more supporters for Transit City were discovered or generated, and they were told how they could help push council to save the plan.

If over 200 people showed up at the Rally for Rails demonstration, what if we could count on 50 individuals to show up for a canvas. If pairs of these people knocked on ten doors each, that's 250 additional people or households that we can engage on the LRT.

Of course, this probably requires some training so that the discussions are nuanced and positive, but the event that just took place on Saturday looks worth looking into, don't you think?

...James

[UrbanWaterloo]

But another question to ask is where we go from here.

I'm not opposed to door-to-door knocking, in fact that was part of the original plan, although we didn't have much time after covering community places (King Street businesses, events, farmer's markets, etc..). However, we'll be getting too close to Christmas by next weekend and by the time the holidays are over we'll be in the dead of winter (too cold to be outside).

Here's where I think we go from here as a group:


In the next few weeks the organizers will get together and prepare a presentation referencing the rally for a January council meeting. LRT supporters will be encouraged to show up for the presentation.
As we get closer to council's final vote on the project, a 2nd rally might be planned for the weekend immediately prior to the vote. This would be proceeded by a "canvas" of local neighborhoods.

In the meantime, continue to talk to people about the benefits of the project. If you're getting together with family/friends over the holidays, make sure they know why you support trains for Waterloo Region.

[mpd618]

Keep in mind that the conversation will likely change drastically once staff return with their report in January.

[benjaminbach]

She could have asked a council colleague or Carl Zehr or Ken Seiling to acknowledge the rally and express her regrets. Considering that this rally was held in Uptown Waterloo, her absence, including the absence of any mention of her absence, demonstrated her lack of interest in the interests of Waterloo residents.

From The Record:

"Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran missed the rally for a family Christmas celebration out of town. In an interview afterwards she said it was good the rally was held, and that having the community engaged in the discussion is important."

[KLM]

any pictures from rally?

[IEFBR14]

"Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran missed the rally for a family Christmas celebration out of town. In an interview afterwards she said it was good the rally was held, and that having the community engaged in the discussion is important."
If she sincerely felt that way would it have been so hard to ask Zehr or Seiling to tell that to the crowd at the rally? The rally was held in her city. Her [in]actions speak louder than her words.

Besides, not everyone who was at the rally also reads The Record. She left a bad impression that I for one won't soon forget.

N.B that she in no way endorses the objectives of the rally. She only thinks it's good that it was held. She'd probably have said the same thing if T4ST had held a rally against the LRT.

[Shawn]

I think for the rest of the month, canvassing could possibly be viewed negatively. People are busy now and having door knockers might be met with the same regard as other seasonal door knockers ie: charities canvassing & religion peddlers. Even the TV networks cease their programming over the holidays because they know people's minds are focused on other things.

Maybe another rally should be tentatively planned for after the Regional Report comes out. Perhaps this time and in either Cambridge or Kitchener. A short rally seems to work GREAT. This one wrapped up in about 45 mins. Everyone appeared on time, speakers were brief and effective and it was just long enough for people to stand out in the cold. The skating in the back ground helped which makes me thing one at Kitchener City Hall would be good. haha

In the mean time I agree with the other suggestions to keep up pressure with emails, letters to the editors, attending and/or speaking at council meetings, chatting it up with uptown & downtown and even Conestoga & Fairview Mall merchants, family members. YES! Be that person at all your Christmas parties! ;)

[isUsername]

Does anyone know where the rally made it in the print edition of the Record? I haven't seen a copy yet.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Front Page of The Record! That's right, A1! There's the photo of Carl Zehr speaking to the crowd.

[Waterlooer]

awesome!

[Greg Moore]

As a citizen of Waterloo Region who is in support of LRT, I want to thank every one of you who helped organize or attended the rally. I spent my weekend in Grand River Hospital. In a few years if I have to return, maybe I can take the LRT home, in part, thanks to your efforts.

[mpd618]

The Waterloo Chronicle also did a rally write-up (http://waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/225354). And this is what Mark Whaley (councillor for Waterloo Ward 5) thinks of all of you who attended:


“It took a lot of audacity for three Kitchener politicans to get up there and push the agenda,” Whaley said, referring to Kitchener MPP John Milloy, Kitchener regional councillor Jean Haalboom and Zehr. “It was quite a show.” The rally was little more than a PR stunt, Whaley contends.

“If I had to hazard a guess, there were more Region of Waterloo public relations staff at the rally than there were Waterloo ratepayers,” he said.

[IEFBR14]

The Waterloo ChronicLie's version featuring off-the-Mark Whaley's negative spin: Rail rally draws hundreds (http://waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/225354)
Looking to demolish the “myth” that no one in the region wants Light Rail Transit, hundreds of people turned out to the Waterloo public square in support of rapid rails.

“What do we want?” event organizer Tim Mollison yelled to the crowd.

“LRT!” responded to the 200 assembled in front of Waterloo Town Square.

Residents from across the region gathered with students and politicians to call for an LRT system to be built.

They held signs that read “Tech Workers Love Trains” “Roads are not free” and “Buses are a band-aid solution.” The Region of Waterloo has proposed a rail system that will run from Conestoga Mall to Fairview Park Mall, mainly along King Street.

The estimated cost is $790 million. The federal and provincial governments have committed $565 million, leaving a $235- million tab for the region.

Face with growing opposition, many regional politicians distanced themselves from the plan during the October election.

Sunday’s rally was organized by Tri-Cities Transport Action Group, the website Wonderful Waterloo and the University of Waterloo Students Planning Advisory.

“(We) chose to organize the Rally for Rails to get over a lot of the fear, uncertainty and doubt that’s being spread by the opposition,” said Mollison, an executive member of the Tri-Cities Transport Action Group.

“We want to make sure that the lies about LRT are really righted.” T h o s e “ l i e s ” include the claim that rail transit is more expensive in the l o n g - r u n , Mo l l i s o n said.

“The most expensive alternative is to build more roads and to buy buses — the vehicles don’t last as long, you use more drivers to move the same amount of people,” he said.

“What you end up with is congestion.” According to pamphlets TriTAG handed out during the rally, the cost of building roads to accommodate the same number of motorists that the LRT hopes to get in ridership will cost a billion dollars more than the LRT system’s impact on regional taxpayers.

It’s part of a concerted effort to get rid of the perception that most people are opposed to LRT, said Andrew Hilliard of Wonderful Waterloo.

“After the election, there were a number of politicians who were questioning the cost of the system,” Hilliard said.

“We decided to hold a rally to show local councils there is support.” Support for the project is high among students, said Mackenzie Keast, president of the University of Waterloo Students Planning Advisory.

With the growth expected in the region, a rapid transit system will be vital, the fourth-year UW planning student said.

“We have 300,000 more people moving to this region before 2031,” Keast said.

Transit riders are already experiencing packed buses on the routes around the universities, he said.

“Can you imagine the No. 7 or the iXpress 10 years from now?” “If those people aren’t coming to the cores of our region, if economic development isn’t stimulated around a spine of LRT, they’re going to move out to the suburban areas.

“Twenty-five new Hespeler Roads are going to have to be built by 2031 if we don’t have LRT.” L o c a l politicians who support rapid transit also took the opportunity to push the LRT during the rally.

The LRT isn’t just about the state of the region right now, but the future, Seiling said.

“We took a look at what was going on around us in the GTA and we decided we wanted to leave a better legacy for our children,” Seiling said.

Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr was more blunt.

“Light rail transit is coming,” he said.

That didn’t sit well with Waterloo city councillor Mark Whaley, who attended the rally.

“It took a lot of audacity for three Kitchener politicans to get up there and push the agenda,” Whaley said, referring to Kitchener MPP John Milloy, Kitchener regional councillor Jean Haalboom and Zehr. “It was quite a show.” The rally was little more than a PR stunt, Whaley contends.

“If I had to hazard a guess, there were more Region of Waterloo public relations staff at the rally than there were Waterloo ratepayers,” he said.

Whaley said he talked to 5,000 people on the campaign trail and not one person spoke in favour of LRT.

One Waterloo politician did speak in support of the LRT at the rally — city councillor Angela Vieth.

“I think it’s the best option for the environment,” she said.

Mayor Brenda Halloran did not attend the rally.

Regional council will hold open houses and public input sessions for the LRT in January.

Added re: "Whaley said he talked to 5,000 people on the campaign trail and not one person spoke in favour of LRT."

He probably didn't see or hear the proponents at the door, just as he didn't see or hear them at the rally.

[Newgrad]

“If I had to hazard a guess, there were more Region of Waterloo public relations staff at the rally than there were Waterloo ratepayers,” he said.

That really irks me. I'm upset. What an ignorant and flat out lie. Does he actually believe what he's saying or is he just trying to spin out some lies?

I'm really disappointed in the public discourse presented by the anti-LRT crowd. I suppose its because they don`t have much else to go on but they are really playing up the fear and trying to stick giant wedges in the cracks between our communities of K, W & C. I especially loved how he attacked some Kitchener politicians for showing up in his city. Give me a break.

[IEFBR14]

The Waterloo Chronicle also did a rally write-up (http://waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/225354). And this is what Mark Whaley (councillor for Waterloo Ward 5) thinks of all of you who attended:
We cross-posted: The Waterloo ChronicLie's version featuring off-the-Mark Whaley's negative spin (http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/219-Light-Rail-Transit?p=20576#post20576)

Perhaps the Mods could close the Rally thread and point everyone to the regular LRT thread.

[UrbanWaterloo]

Ridiculous comments by Whaley. There were community members from the arts, communications, non-profit, politics, public sector, real estate, retailers, retirees, technology sector & universities. There were children, teenagers, students, young professionals, middle-aged and seniors. Make no mistake, we had broad community support at the rally.


Perhaps the Mods could close the Rally thread and point everyone to the regular LRT thread.

Once all the rally coverage is out, we'll move discussion over to the LRT thread.

[UrbanWaterloo]

I'm really disappointed in the public discourse presented by the anti-LRT crowd. I suppose its because they don`t have much else to go on but they are really playing up the fear and trying to stick giant wedges in the cracks between our communities of K, W & C. I especially loved how he attacked some Kitchener politicians for showing up in his city. Give me a break.

Agreed, does he also think Waterloo politicians shouldn't show up at events in Kitchener? Below is Waterloo Mayor Brenda Halloran @ Kitchener Civic Square for "Bring Ellen To Oktoberfest" back on June 24th. What kind of divisions is Whaley trying to create in this community?

We should also note that Carl Zehr & Jean Haalboom are Regional Councillors, and John Milloy represents the entire region at the provincial cabinet table.


http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa262/AndrewEH/Oktoberfest%202007/Oktoberfest%202010/BringEllenToOktoberfest-June2420-9.jpg

[UrbanWaterloo]

Large crowd gathers for pro LRT rally in Waterloo
The Cord | http://www.thecord.ca/articles/39262

http://www.thecord.ca/system/cord/images/000/018/661/Rally_for_Rail-slider-Nick_Lachance_large.jpg?1291646929

...

“We have a choice. We can continue with urban sprawl like so many other communities have done or we can plan smart for the future,” [MPP John Milloy] said.

[UrbanWaterloo]

519 Online News for Dec 7, 2010
Conestoga College School of Media and Design

Fast Forward to 1:51 for coverage of the Rally.

http://vimeo.com/17583359

[UrbanWaterloo]

Region’s residents “Rally for Rails”
Conestoga College School of Media and Design
http://www.519onlinenews.com/?p=549 | http://vimeo.com/17566014


http://vimeo.com/17566014

[panamaniac]

Any plans out there for another rally in Kitchener?

[Spokes]

Wow, Whaley really comes off as a piece of work in that doesn't he. Really showing a lot of class. Good thing he's not an elected representative of the city....oh wait.

[YKF]

I emailed Mark Whaley Today:Hello Mark,
As a resident of Waterloo, I'm disgusted with the misinformation that you're spreading. You're quoted as saying “If I had to hazard a guess, there were more Region of Waterloo public relations staff at the rally than there were Waterloo ratepayers.” As someone who was at the rally, I'd like to say that your comments are completely false. There were certainly more ratepayers at the rally who actually care about the future of the Region as a whole, rather than short-term thinking politicians.
Politicians are the ones who have to make important and tough decisions about the future of our communities. They should be educated on issues. Most councillors, including yourself, seem to have hopped on the opposition bandwagon simply because the public has voiced opposition to the project. I'm hoping that you will educate yourself on the issue of LRT in Waterloo Region, and make an informed decision, rather than listening solely to the largely uneducated public.
I hope that you will stop spreading false information.
Waterloo Ratepayer



His Response:
I don't normally respond to unsigned notes but I'll make an exception in your case John Z.

For the past four years I was Waterloo's representative on the Regional Transportation Master Plan Committee and attended most meetings as we laid out a plan for the future transportation needs of this Region to 2031. No Waterloo member of Regional Council attended any of the meetings as I recall. I voted in favour of the plan as adopted which moves this area towards a transit oriented future.

In my personal life our family has scaled down to using one car and we most frequently use our bikes in summertime. I often walk to work year round. We don't use transit because we choose to live in the core of the city within walking distance of most of our needs. I have been an environmental and social activist in this community for many decades and have received such recognition as the Waterloo Award, Canadian Urban Leadership Award and the June Callwood Award for Volunteerism among other accolades that have punctuated my commitment to quality of life issues in my community.

The article in the newspaper was an honest response to the questions that were posed by the reporter. It was not false information in my opinion. My own position on LRT has shifted from qualified support, (when other levels of government promised capital funding,) to a wait and see attitude as the Region devises a new strategy based on the new funding model that presents itself. Local reporters who have interviewed me are aware of my stance on this issue but do not include it in their stories.


As I said John, I do not usually rise to the bait of unsigned emails. But I appreciate the opportunity to give clarity to my position with respect to the article you found so offensive.

Respectfully,



Mark Whaley

Councillor Ward 5

City of Waterloo

t: (519) 747-8784

c: (519) 635-9436

www.waterloo.ca

[KevinL]

Typical politician, says how nice and informed he is but does not answer the key question about the 'PR stunt' jibe. Does he realize how snide he's appearing?

[bcwessel]

Typical politician, says how nice and informed he is but does not answer the key question about the 'PR stunt' jibe. Does he realize how snide he's appearing?

Be wary of anyone -- politician or otherwise -- who lists their credentials in place of an honest response to a legitimate question.

[zanate]

You're right, he didn't specifically address the comment he was quoted on, but he gave you a polite and well thought out response. I would venture that you're not going to get far with attacking him. You might even paint yourself as someone unwilling to listen-- and therefore someone who shouldn't be listened to.

Consider the possibility that he made a regretful off-the-cuff remark that got printed by the Chronicle reporter. I mean, it's the frickin' Chronicle. It may be Greg MacDonald with the axe to grind, and not Mark Whaley.

Might I suggest an (undersigned) response to his email? One that takes a more conciliatory tone, and ask him if he really meant the comment he said, and if so why?

The guy is basically saying that he's on the fence, and I don't think he's getting a fair shake here. He strikes me as someone we would want to reach out to, not attack.

[IEFBR14]

Consider the possibility that he made a regretful off-the-cuff remark that got printed by the Chronicle reporter. I mean, it's the frickin' Chronicle. It may be Greg MacDonald with the axe to grind, and not Mark Whaley.
He was quoted directly, “It took a lot of audacity for three Kitchener politicans to get up there and push the agenda... It was quite a show... If I had to hazard a guess, there were more Region of Waterloo public relations staff at the rally than there were Waterloo ratepayers.”

If that's not what he actually said, then he should write a letter to the Chronicle to clarify. If those were off-the-cuff remarks then that says a lot about his judgement that he needs to deal with ASAP.


Might I suggest an (undersigned) response to his email? One that takes a more conciliatory tone, and ask him if he really meant the comment he said, and if so why?+1

[KevinL]

Light-rail transit supporters hold rally
Kitchener Citizen, West Edition, Wednesday, December 8, 2010 (http://kitchenercitizen.com/uploads/KCWDec2010lr.pdf) (12MB PDF, article on page 2)

by Helen Hall
Afraid that local politicians are backing away from the proposed light-rail transit (LRT) system for Waterloo Region, supporters of rapid transit staged a rally at Waterloo Town Square December 5.
Tim Mollison, a rally organizer from the Tri-Cities Transport Action Group said his organization wanted to help get the rapid transit system through its “post election hangover.”
Other organizers included Waterloo Students Planning Advisory and the online forum Wonderful Waterloo.
Many politicians canvassing for the October 25 municipal election heard negative comments from voters about the proposed $790-million transit project.
While the federal and provincial governments have committed money to pay for the system, it will still leave local taxpapers with an estimated $225-million shortfall to fund.
Mollison said that rally organizers wanted politicians to know that there was “strong, stable support” for the rapid transit system.
Several hundred people attended the rally, including some local politicians who are in favour of the LRT, Kitchener Mayor Carol Zehr, Regional Chair Ken Seiling and Member of Provincial Parliament John Milloy.
Transportation problems in the region seem to be on everyone’s mind, and numerous projects are currently being developed to ease the strain.
In an announcement on November 12, the provincial government pledged $18-million to expand the GO train service. The Georgetown line is being expanded to Kitchener with stops in Acton and Guelph. The inaugural service will include two morning trains to Toronto Union Station, and two return afternoon trains.
GO will commence construction of a layover facility to store the GO trains in the evening in Kitchener, between King Street West and Park Street, near where the tracks cross King.
In addition, the Region of Waterloo recently announced that it has purchased two blocks of land on Victoria Street North, between King and Duke Streets to build a central transit hub in downtown Kitchener.
The approximately three acres of land cost the region $6-million.
If it reaches final approval, this transit hub will bring together the GO Transit commuter trains and buses, Via Rail passenger trains, Greyhound buses and some Grand River Transit buses in one area.
The LRT system would also pass through the hub if it is approved.
The region has been acquiring the properties in this block since 2008.

Might also be in the East edition, that's also on their website (http://kitchenercitizen.com/).

[isUsername]

I just emailed them this:

FYI: Article was never updated and I didn't even get a response. I doubt many people go to SWO CTV's website to read the news, but it would have been nice if they responded to reader concerns.