Posted Aug 27, 2008, 11:03 AM
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It's Hammer Time
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Hamilton
Posts: 19,884
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The $48-million question
How councillors would like it spent
August 27, 2008
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
There's $48 million burning a hole in Hamilton's pocket.
The province handed over the cash this week. It can be used for any capital project.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger has already stated he'd like to use the funds to catch up on hard services, such as roads, sewer and water. The Spectator asked councillors to list their spending priorities.
Here's the edited responses from councillors who replied.
Brian McHattie
I'd like to see the funding go to bike lanes and pedestrian improvements, including the Locke Street pedestrian bridge. Also parks and recreation facilities, such as completion of the Victoria Park Master Plan, new soccer facilities at Churchill Park, upgrades to Ryerson and Dalewood recreation facilities and fix the tennis courts at Westdale High School. Plus more affordable housing and fix local streets.
Bob Bratina
A number of my residents are facing a crisis because of flooding, which is directly related to infrastructure problems, either inadequate sewer capacity or disrepair.
Many of our infrastructure issues can be worked out over time but, in these particular cases, something has to be done immediately.
Bernie Morelli
We clearly need to address our immediate infrastructure needs, such as water and sewer. In addition to investing in our strategic areas, I would like to see redevelopment and cleanup of our east harbour. It serves as a major gateway to the city, which is exposed to millions of people annually and is one of our most valuable pieces of land.
Sam Merulla
In limiting our continual exposure to liability coupled with the horrendous number of times residents have been subjected to flooding, most, if not all, these moneys must be allocated to eliminate Hamilton's flooding crisis.
Chad Collins
The funds need to be allocated toward those areas where we have identified infrastructure deficiencies, such as roads, sidewalks, sewers and water pipes and parkland acquisition. These investments could prospectively "free up" funding for other projects such as waterfront and downtown development.
Tom Jackson
We need to focus on hard infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks and sewers. Plus, I want to use this money to target the list of local neighbourhood streets that are in dire straits.
Scott Duvall
I would certainly support this money going towards many of our sewers, side streets and sidewalks.
Terry Whitehead
I would like to fund any infrastructure deficits found in the South Mountain storm water management study. Also we have roads that are in bad, bad shape. I would like to see a strategic plan to fix local roads in neighbourhoods.
Brad Clark
I would encourage moving up the rebuild on Centennial Parkway as well as Lake Avenue and installing the Stoney Creek Gateway on Centennial and King, since the 200th commemoration of the Battle of Stoney Creek is only a few years away.
Lloyd Ferguson
Resurface roads in the Spring Valley community in Ancaster. Twin the Morgan Firestone Arena -- the population of Ancaster has almost doubled since the first ice pad was opened. Build a water feature with ice pad at the renovated City Hall. Fix the various flooding problems in the city.
Russ Powers
Make necessary upgrades to our social housing and recreational facilities. Optimize the city's tree-planting program. Identify and alleviate flooding problem areas. Randle Reef cleanup. Appropriate development of the forecourt in the City Hall retrofit. Repair King Street in Dundas.
Robert Pasuta
Hamilton needs this money to fix its deteriorating roads and sewers. I would like to see the rural areas get a fair share to go towards our infrastructure problems. The biggest complaint I hear is about the roads in my ward. Putting some money toward their rehabilitation would go a long way toward lessening the ill feelings of my residents.
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