- Taking Ownership of the Downtown Core
- The city needs to stop mulling about it and start getting to work in planning the downtown core. Since the inception of this incarnation, no mayor has shown any vision at all in the future look and feel of the downtown core. Furthermore, it seems that we're waiting for buildings to be on the verge of collapse before something is done. The city needs to run building inspection blitzes all over the downtown core and start expropriating properties that are horribly neglected so we can get some new buildings in their place.
- Repair Infrastructure Before Things Fall Apart
- Do we really need to wait until water mains break before we get them fixed? We need some sort of a way to determine at what point some preventative maintenance is necessary, rather than waiting for the water main to break. We have sidewalks to fix, roads that need potholes filled and some roads even need a complete overhaul. The city needs to start becoming proactive with its infrastructure.
- Economic Development - Get some New Businesses in Town!
- Currently, the downtown core has a vacancy rate that is staggering. We need to lure businesses into the downtown core and the city needs to start flexing their downtown stewardship muscles to help businesses have a downtown core that they can be proud to do business in. Has the city ever tried to convince a bank to move their head offices here?
- Debate the Transit Plan and Consider all Configurations
- It's nice to know that we're talking about it and we're thinking about it, but we really haven't had a good debate on not just the LRT and BRT plans, but other rapid transit options. An elevated system could have more value than a street level LRT system, but as we've learned from the stadium debate, it is better to go in with the knowledge that you have looked and weighed all the options and are prepared to explain why one option is better than the other. Sure everybody's doing LRT's. But wouldn't it be nice to have someone thinking outside the box on this one?
- Get the West Harbour Developed
- Now that we know that there won't be a stadium there, we need to move forward in planning the waterfront. After all, the city has spent considerable money already in expropriations so they have to do something there.
By the way: I will be rolling out some lessons the city should have learned when the stadium debate started going south one year ago. Perhaps future councilors will learn these lessons so the city can actually move forward for a change.
Since the elections I have not been one to blow my own horn,as the job of Mayor is a difficult one,and I like too follow through on what I talk about or promise.Bob Brattina was ward 2 councilor before taking his new role as Mayor and did nothing, I mean very little for the issues that are your top five picks because the issues where not a issue to him and still are not.In the last election 15 people ran for office and it was very trying to voice your concerns and platform,but it was the responsibility of the candidates to do it and complaining about the elections now and after the fact is of little benefit,but I would have and could have achieved each and every five points that have been of concern in your posting.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff, Rene. Hats off to you for accepting the challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt would be intriguing to hear what our Councillors feel the Top 5 Priorities for the City are.
Moreover...how Hamiltonians see things.
(And I'm looking forward to you conducting your 'What Should Have Happened' tutorial.)
"2: Repair Infrastructure Before Things Fall Apart"
ReplyDeleteHave you seen this?
I read it. (H/T) When I was pondering a run for the top job, I started to consider the challenges ahead. One of them was infrastructure. When watermains start bursting all around us, it's just a question of when others start bursting. I guess somebody thought that they'd last forever. Or perhaps they got something cheap when they installed these, to pass the problem to a future council. One can only speculate at this point, but one thing is for sure. The city needs to start taking stock so they can plan future maintenance and replacement projects. It reflects poorly on the city when they wait for them to fail before doing anything.
ReplyDelete"One can only speculate at this point, but one thing is for sure. The city needs to start taking stock so they can plan future maintenance and replacement projects. It reflects poorly on the city when they wait for them to fail before doing anything."
ReplyDeleteThis, unfortunately, is a typical assumption made by Hamiltonians. Have you asked your Councillor? Have you pursued an actual response?
This assumption is precisely what I heard from candidates during the last election. So it's not just in the electorate where such flabbiness exists.
I'd be very interested in hearing responses to your thoughts from Council. Might make for an intriguing post right here, don't you think?