Rant time.
Some people said I looked awfully sombre last night at the “On the Cusp” session at the Board of Education building. They were correct. I’m getting very impatient about being asked to be patient.
Last night, after attending the standing-room-only session “On the Cusp”, sponsored by the Hamilton Burlington Society of Architects and at which international urban planning expert Ken Greenberg was the keynote speaker, yet another expert asked why Hamilton still had 5 lane highways cutting through the centre of our city. Sadly, once again, not a single Councillor was present. It’s time the “BBQ and Banquets Councillors” started to educate themselves on urban planning matters, especially when experts are in town. I realize they have competing commitments, but given that they’re getting along so well couldn’t they have agreed amongst them to send two Councillors to this event?
Indeed, why do we still have 5 lane highways? Why aren’t we making plans and changes right now?
We own the streets. We don’t need to get provincial permission. Or money. We have the financial and human resources to complete this transformation in less than 12 months. Instead, creeping incrementalism is our chosen strategy. Enough of this nonsense. Let’s get on with revitalizing this city. Grassroots-driven improvements are all well and good, but the fast, big impact stuff can only come from our elected officials, both in terms of the policies they put in place to attract and support investment, as well as the actions they implement to attract and to compliment investment. Quality of life has two parts. Quality. Life. We need to start showing we’re serious about both.
OK, rant over. At least for now : )
(Above is) my poster that captures some of my thoughts.
(Content used without permission.)
Except the vast majority of Hamilton residents want Main and King left as one ways. The roads are too narrow to convert without offering an alternate east west corridor. Sadly that ship sailed with the rejection of creating one linking the 403 and the QEW via Burlington Stree
ReplyDeleteWell, firstly, I'm not ready to put absolute value on what 'the majority of Hamilton residents want'. (I don't believe in 'direct democracy'.) Especially given that King and Main weren't always the way they are now. Secondly, LRT, should it ever go through, will change the situation, anyway. Thirdly, traffic would adjust to the new configuration. Finally, I don't think that Graham was talking just about one-way streets. : )
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