Working Together for Better Transit
"It is true that Councillor Whitehead and I have disagreed, at times, on the implementation of Light Rail Transit LRT in the City. Nevertheless, we have long been committed to working together for the betterment of our transit system in Hamilton. We both agree on the fundamental importance of an improved HSR to the economic and social wellbeing of our city. We recognize the tremendous spur to economic development a strong transit system represents to the city. We both agree on the environmental benefits derived from increased use of our city’s transit system. All in all, there is far more that we agree on then disagree in our vision for a modern, efficient and accessible transit system for the City of Hamilton."
Mayor Fred Eisenberger
Councillor Terry Whitehead
Glad to see the mayor and clr have come together to share this. Encouraging.
ReplyDeleteInteresting script."...working together for the betterment of our transit system..."(not necessarily LRT) "....fundamental importance of an improved HSR..." (could be BRT) "transit system,.. transit system,.. transit system" The only area they disagree is on LRT.
ReplyDeleteIt almost looks as if a memo may have been circulated."Unable to seize the moment, or stay on point, we will control the message from this point forward. Radio silence comrade, forward any requests for comment to my home email account. Miss K"
Terry is in a bad spot. As a champion of sober second thought, he runs the risk of becoming the "donkey" Fred and the fascist 4 will try to pin for undermining this disaster in the making. Interesting theater.
"Fascist four" is another way of saying "one quarter of council" or "under half the votes required to secure passage of policy initiatives." The oft-advanced notion that there is a cabal of socialist schemers in the lower city advancing their agenda by pulling puppet strings attached to mountain and suburban colleagues is more than interesting theatre.
DeleteGodwin
"LRT reversal needs two-thirds Council support: City's Legal Opinion"
Delete"Mayor Fred Eisenberger, Councilor's Matthew Green, Aiden Johnson, Jason Farr, and Sam Merulla voted against" The Hamilton Spectator, 9/30/2016.
Some see this as a happy coincidence. All must agree it is fact.
I think this place is the little engine that could. I think the Mayor and Terry are very smart to not ignore The Hamiltonian. It is a taste maker.
ReplyDeleteKL
This is very typical of politicians. The questions remain unanswered. I wonder if they could even articulate their respective visions? Also, it is very typical for politicians to hold hands when they feel they are getting bad press- which means bad exposure- which means potential impact on electability.
ReplyDeleteTerm limits is the only answer. Where is Term limits Now?
Sorce
the subjective nature of our local press should be a concern to all.
DeleteMerulla is quoted in the Spec as describing the Queenston neighborhood as "a problem area,...with derelict storefronts...in desperate need of rejuvenation" He get's a pass from Berton, and a wink from his buddy Matthew.
Whitehead describes the same area as "nowhere" in reference to a destination for a billion dollar investment and he gets trashed. Front page editorial (which forces the need for a retraction and apology) So much for objective, unbiased journalism.
Cronkite
I think Terry has become the target of the LRT lobby and the rest are not thinking.
DeleteSorce
Well, that was clear as mud.
ReplyDeleteOracle Bill
I have come to conclude that all social media inevitably sinks to personal attacks and venom rather than useful analysis and discourse. Most of today's comments seem not to rise above name calling. Why is that? These are serious issues.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of that going around. I try to be helpful, although sometimes laced with somber sarcasm. The value of TH is its independence and the interviews. I read the comments but with a grain of salt.
DeleteIntelligent commentary is the best way to offset that whole dynamic.
Sorce
why would the Mayor find it necessary to insult Whitehead using his City Twitter feed? Is this leadership? Respect? Commiserating with his pal Peewee while decrying Terry's opinions "Exactly Ryan, it is a constant cry for attention" reveals how Fred's nest is feathered.
ReplyDeleteWhen scrutiny or opposition pose such a threat, the argument in support is forever maligned
Francis