ISSUES & PRIORITIES

"These priorities are about building a vibrant, healthy community for all citizens. This requires a team effort from everyone - government, business, service groups, social agencies, police, schools, healthcare workers, volunteers and the people of Ward 2."

Honesty and Integrity

* Support the appointment of an integrity commissioner
* Demand transparency and due process at City Hall
* Ensure responsible spending of our taxpayer $$ (living within our means)


Community Involvement

* Encourage more direct citizen participation at City Hall
* Create a neighbourhoods networking organization
* Establish a Ward 2 interactive website highlighting issues and events

"My routine includes regularly walking the streets and neighbourhoods of this ward, observing problems firsthand, talking to people directly, and listening to their concerns. Meeting people face to face, individually or with community groups, is the most effective way to understand the issues. I also want everyone to feel welcome at City Hall. You have the right to be heard at committees and other public meetings."

Transit Links

* Continue to work for the return of Via Rail service to the Downtown
* Help develop a new bus rapid transit plan
* Make Hamilton more bicycle friendly with dedicated lanes, bike racks on buses

"Getting around Hamilton should be easy, convenient and affordable. I am a strong advocate for low cost and environmentally friendly public transit that provides an alternative to the family car. We need to work with the taxi industry to make sure that we have a safe, efficient service for both passengers and drivers."

Safety and Security

* Bring greater police presence to the street (foot patrols), while encouraging citizen 'eyes and ears' reports
* Work with police on response time to calls for service
* Oversee stricter enforcement of property, by-law and licensing standards

"I want to regularly see officers in uniform on the streets. Residents have to play a role in looking out for one another and reporting problems when they happen. People need to feel that if they do contact the police, they will get a timely response."

Future Growth

* Make Downtown a priority for economic revitalization
* Foster the growth of the arts and culture sector through financial incentives
* Rejuvenate the historic Farmer's Market and strengthen ties with farms and the rural community

"We have to create a diversity of job opportunities that offer people a living wage. People need to have access to training and skills development to better their chances of employment. We must retain jobs and provide incentives to owners to expand their businesses to hire more people. Our fastest growing sector is arts and culture, and we need to nurture that as well."

Infrastructure

* Develop a partnership between city, business, service groups and the school boards to best address the needs of the ward
* Create new parks and green space while revitalizing existing parks and recreational facilities
* Ensure the maintenance of road, sewer and water services.



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