Rapid Transit

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Where are the Bobra supporters now?

It used to be that you couldn't question Bratina in the slightest without somebody on this forum labelling you hysterical.

I'm not going to rip him too seriously because I think he must suffer from some sort of undiagnosed form of dementia. Seek help and please, for the love of God, don't run for public office ever again.

BTW, what are the ramifications of accusing a newspaper of fabricating a story? I wonder if there will be any fall out from that.

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by durandy

He's actually acting a lot like Rob Ford but minus an agenda.

In light of the increasingly Ford-like cast of the mayor's comments since the story broke, I am inclined to agree.

[thistleclub]

Bratina off the rails with LRT
(Hamilton Spectator, Andrew Dreschel, April 19 2013)

It’s an open secret at City Hall that councillors often refer to Mayor Bob Bratina being either on or off “his meds,” depending upon his mood of the moment.

I’ve largely interpreted the references to be a metaphor for Bratina’s sometimes erratic temperament and behaviour.

But after hearing his strenuous denials that he said Hamilton has to choose between LRT or extending all-day GO to Stoney Creek, now I’m starting to wonder if there’s something more at play than a figure of speech.

For the record, Bratina told CHML’s Bill Kelly that The Spectator fabricated the story that’s landed him in hot water with councillors and elicited a speedy denial from the premier’s office.

He said he didn’t tell Spectator business reporter Meredith MacLeod that Premier Kathleen Wynne made it clear that Hamilton was facing an either/or choice.

“It’s not true. It’s a complete Giller Prize for fiction,” Bratina said.

The Spec isn’t apologizing, retracting or correcting anything.

“We stand by the story and the reporter,” said editor-in-chief Paul Berton.

Perhaps some context is in order. Councillor Sam Merulla is arguably the most quoted politician in Hamilton.

He says he may disagree with The Spec on issues, but he’s never been misquoted, hence “the probability is that Bob is in the wrong.”

Having watched Bratina in action for some five years as a councillor and for more than two years as mayor, there’s no doubt in my mind that’s the case.

It fits a pattern. When he gets in political trouble, his first response is to blame shift. He never accepts immediate responsibility for his own actions or words.

That appears to be what’s happening here.

Fortunately, a couple of things are clear and beyond dispute.

First, Wynne never said Hamilton is facing an either/or transit choice during a recent political fundraising event. We know that from multiple sources.

Second, Bratina wasn’t at the event.

Third, his chief of staff, Peggy Chapman, was there.

Chapman was also present and chiming in during MacLeod’s interview with Bratina at a Toronto transit forum Wednesday.

Is it possible Chapman passed on a garbled version of Wynne’s comments to Bratina or that he misinterpreted what she told him?

The problem with that reading is anyone who’s been following transit issues in Hamilton knows that the province has never linked all-day GO and light-rail funding. Surely both Bratina and Chapman must know that.

That brings us to Councillor Brian McHattie’s theory that Bratina is being “wilfully stupid” on the issue because he doesn’t support LRT.

There’s no question that during his time as mayor, Bratina has intermittently waged an active, snide and shifty campaign against light rail.

But in February, he also went along with the rest of council and endorsed the so-called light-rail B-line from McMaster University to Eastgate Square and a request to the province for 100 per cent funding.

Somewhat disturbingly, McHattie told The Spec that during a private meeting with Bratina and several councillors last week, Bratina then denied that endorsement had taken place.

If you don’t buy McHattie’s theory that Bratina is playing dumb on purpose so he can continue to politically undermine the proposal, what other explanation is there?

Frankly, this incident brings to mind the queasy feeling I had last year watching Bratina’s denials and disordered explanations for why he was once again evading responsibility for the $30,000 raise he had given Chapman, the very thing that landed him in unholy trouble some three months earlier.

Council ended up censuring him the second time.

Three months later, Bratina was denying responsibility yet again.

[Innsertnamehere]

Hudak not convinced Hamilton needs LRT

Mayor’s comment on LRT takes wrong turn
Apr 18, 2013
Bob Bratina muddles premier’s message on light-rail transit and all-day GO train service.
The Spectator’s View: Clearing the air on LRT — yet again
Toronto LRT starts with giant Hamilton-made vault
Better rail transportation for Hamilton is a priority for Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak — just not light rail.

The provincial Opposition leader told a Spectator editorial board Wednesday improved regional transportation is critical to job creation in Hamilton and the GTA.

Hudak said he supports better highway links to Hamilton and beefed-up GO Transit service, options he called “the spines of future development.”

But he questioned whether the proposed $1-billion, 14-kilometre LRT line that would connect McMaster University to Eastgate Square is good value for provincial money.

http://www.thespec.com/news/business...lton-needs-lrt

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

http://www.thespec.com/news/business...lton-needs-lrt

So he wants Hamilton to be a suburb?

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Perhaps Bratina will start wearing blue to council meetings now.

As per the comments that BoBra is like Ford without the agenda, we're probably all being naive if we think Bratina isn't angling towards something. There's definitely an agenda there, we just have to figure out what it is. He obviously has something to gain personally/ politically by stifling LRT in Hamilton.

[thistleclub]

Excerpt from a 1981 magazine feature on the "Intermediate Capacity Transit System" proposed for Hamilton back in the day.

[Jon Dalton]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Excerpt from a 1981 magazine feature on the "Intermediate Capacity Transit System" proposed for Hamilton back in the day.

That's awesome, thanks for that.

Here is a quote about viable alternatives to the ICTS:

Moreover, former manager Frank Cooke
wisely retained and rebuilt the electric trolleybus routes which
now provide basic trunk service along the east-west axis of the
City. They form the foundation of the system for the heavy Barton
and King-Main routes supplemented by the Cannon line.
The trolleybus, with its good acceleration, lower maintenance
costs and pollution-free operation is now being recognized as a
sound transit tool throughout North America and in Europe.

Though the route and technology were not ideal, part of me wishes we had said yes to the ICTS. 30 years later, we're still a bus - only transit system, only minus the trolley buses.

[Pearlstreet]

"Ham Chamber expects to release statement on The Big Move next week." - Lisa Marr (Spec Hamilton Business Writer via Twitter)

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

That's awesome, thanks for that.

Here is a quote about viable alternatives to the ICTS:



Though the route and technology were not ideal, part of me wishes we had said yes to the ICTS. 30 years later, we're still a bus - only transit system, only minus the trolley buses.

What a great thing it would have been if we'd gone ahead with the ICTS system and kept/ expanded trolley bus service.

I like LRT. I like rails in the ground at street level. But an elevated rapid transit network and trolley buses would have been great, too. Very Vancouvery.

[SteelTown]

Tonight's council session was one of the worst, yelling, bullying and Farr stormed out.

Ultimately council passed a motion stating B-Line LRT is the city's top transit priority. But eventually the motion was sent back to clerks for further reviewing.

[SteelTown]

Merulla and Farr is accusing Bratina bullying Chris Murray, City Manager. There may be an integrity investigation against Bratina.

You can see before the vote for the motion Bratina walked over to Chris Murray, apparently he said something and passed a note to Murray. Merulla and Farr was standing right behind Bratina so they said he was bullying Murray.

I think what happened was that Brenda Johnson asked Murray if the motion would in any way hinder the Rapid plan council approved a few weeks ago. Eventually Murray said no the motion would not and you can see that ticked off Bratina. Right after answering Johnson's question it was time to vote for the motion. All those agreed to the motion stood up and Bratina got up and talked to Murray and handed him a note.

[durandy]

Originally Posted by pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce

Perhaps Bratina will start wearing blue to council meetings now.

As per the comments that BoBra is like Ford without the agenda, we're probably all being naive if we think Bratina isn't angling towards something. There's definitely an agenda there, we just have to figure out what it is. He obviously has something to gain personally/ politically by stifling LRT in Hamilton.

I'd say it's ego not agenda. The man has simply convinced himself LRT is a bad idea. He spent the whole meeting complaining that McHattie called him stupid. Right now I bet the likes of Whitehead, Jackson, Clark and Ferguson are just laughing in the back corridors at city hall.

[bluevue]

something really needs to be done about this council. I don't know how or what, but every single person in this city is worse off with this dysfunctional, ego centric council. It is absurd. Why do we put up with this?

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by durandy

I'd say it's ego not agenda. The man has simply convinced himself LRT is a bad idea. He spent the whole meeting complaining that McHattie called him stupid. Right now I bet the likes of Whitehead, Jackson, Clark and Ferguson are just laughing in the back corridors at city hall.

His ego is shocking, it's true. Perhaps it's as simple as that.

[SteelTown]

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...ts-accusations

[movingtohamilton]

Is it too cynical to say that voters get the mayor they deserve?

Surely there is someone with abundant intelligence, critical thinking skills, and leadership abilities who could step forward for the 2014 election.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

^I certainly won't argue with you there.

For a little reference, here's a breakdown of the 2010 municipal election:

i) Bratina - 37.32%
ii) Di Ianni (charged under the Provincial Offences Act of Ontario in 2006 for violating the Municipal Elections Act of Ontario) - 28.4%
iii) Fred Eisenberger - 27.43%
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamilto...election,_2010

I'm sorry to bore people to tears with my 'I love Fred/ I miss Fred' nonsense again but he was a good mayor. Aside from being intelligent and thoughtful, he seemed to have a good idea of where he wanted Hamilton to be - he was a great spokesman for the city. Some people seemed to think he was weak but I couldn't care less about that kind of bullsh*te. A corrupt and divisive politician and a pencil-thrower got more votes than him - that says it all, Hamilton.

[durandy]

anyway, if we're seeing this kind of conflict before the funding has even been announced, and the motion was for unanimous funding, what does that say for when Metrolinx comes out and says Hamilton you have to pay $250 million for this. I'm thinking LRT is dead. The Metrolinx money will go to other Rapid Ready projects.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Excerpt from a 1981 magazine feature on the "Intermediate Capacity Transit System" proposed for Hamilton back in the day.

A great collection of articles - some very familiar themes.

A recent fact sheet from Metro Canada states, "Rapid
Transit is a proven tool to attract new development to support
economic growth and to increase the commercial tax base to
relieve the tax burden on homeowners."

^We've certainly heard that before.

------

A recommendation to add dedicated transit lanes in lieu of the proposed elevated transit line:
Bus lanes: As an immediate step, opening bus lanes on King,
Main, the Jolley Cut, James, John, Hughson and around Gore
Park would vastly facilitate the movement of H.S.R. vehicles.
Although bus lanes are especially effective in congested core
areas, their provision along the one-way street sections of the
King-Main route would vastly improve transit service along this
important axis.

------

Earlier, in 1969, the Ontario government...picked Krauss-Maffei AG,
a West German heavy transportation vehicle company, as having a
system with the most promise for future development.

Unfortunately, in December of 1974, shortly after the province picked
the mag-lev system and had begun preliminary work on the
project, the West German government which had been funding
Krauss-Maffei's research into mag-lev technology, withdrew its support.

I love the reference to West Germany (haven't heard that in a while) and
'mag-lev' - interesting. Krauss-Maffei AG, incidentally, now specialises in
the manufacturing of tanks, artillery and the like.

------

There's also a great map in one of the articles that shows the proposed
route - I'd never seen that before. The line was to run from Mohawk and
Upper James north to Fennel where it would move underground popping
out from the escarpment at James. From there it would continue north on
Hughson to the TH&B where it would loop around downtown via Catharine,
King William, McNab, then back to the TH&B. Fascinating.

------

Anyway, what I gleaned from these articles is that UTDC
(Urban Transit Development Corporation) wanted to use Hamilton as a
guinea pig/ springboard for its ICTS system (Intermediate Capacity
Transit System). I wonder what effect it would have had on the city.
Would we have embraced it and continued to invest in it like in Vancouver,
for example? Or would it have been an embarrassment and a failure like
Detroit's system? We'll never know.