Run for 2010 city council

[run2010]

Hello:
My name is Harold Hemberger.

This is a short note to say that I am considering running for city council in 2010. My main focus is an effort to try and reverse the trend of chasing buisiness away. In any community business is the backbone as increases tax revenue, increases employment and standard of living. I welcome questions and I will answer honestly. I will enter this race understanding that i can not be fore everybody ( This is impossible for anyone). I will do my best to answer withen a few days. Even though i will be running in Portsmouth District I know i have to look after concerns for all of Kingston.
I look forward to your questions

Thanks

Harold Hemberger

[Lydia]

Hi Harold,

Happy to see you here on our website. How that you have informed people that you will be running in the Portsmouth District. I would like to ask you a few questions.

1: Name several issues that people in your area are concerned about and how would you solve them

2: What do you believe the present representative failed to do in your district to assist the people in your district.

3: Can you name some goals that you would wish to accomplish should you become councilor?

[run2010]

1: Name several issues that people in your area are concerned about and how would you solve them.

i) Queen Mary Rd has two issues which each can be solved at the same time. Speed cushions(humps) that can easily be straddled by some cars need to be changed. Also the road is in bad condition. Ironically the speed cushions/ humps tend to be a smoother ride than the main street. The solution to this is first strip the asphalt if any underground work is not required and repave with a new layer(s). For traffic calming we could relook at this and perhaps use a system like the following link
http://www.trafficlogix.com/speed-tables.asp
ii) Lake Ontario Park - I do not see why we could not put aside an area of the park that would allow dogs to go leash free. As I do not have a dog, this is no conflict with me. I would push to reopen this issue.
iii) King St W and Mowat. Tim Horton's Property - The barriers that are used now have been destroyed a few times.( NOTE: Currently as of the date of this writing there are none) I propose re- designing the King St W entrance that would only allow an entrance from the west. This could be done by curving the entrance that would make westbound traffic much trickier to enter. This development was not a good idea for this area, but it is too late now and we have to look at a way to improve it.

2: What do you believe the present representative failed to do in your district to assist the people in your district.

I admit that I have to do more research on this. However, as I look out my window on to Queen Mary Rd, I see the street calming techniques that are not working. As pointed out previously, people are centreing their vehicle with these bumps. These bumps are also putting some cyclist in danger because of how the low part of these humps are situated.


3: Can you name some goals that you would wish to accomplish should you become councilor?

i) attract more business rather than chase them down the 401
ii) third crossing - How many more studies do we need
iii) reduce consultants and if consultants really are required have local consultants
iv) make special interest groups prove their numbers. Example - SPLASH vs Poker Run
I do believe in recycling and putting litter in its place and that we should conserve whenever possible. However, I will not be pressured by certain environmental agendas. Remember Ethanol and recently Wolf Island's windmills.

[Lydia]

1: Traffic Light at the bottom of Old Colony Road and Taylor Kidd. This has been an issue for over 10 years to MY understanding.

2: Graffiti, Apparently the City is more than happy to charge home and business owners a fine if this graffiti is left on their buildings. However, Any Graffiti that is placed on Garbage Cans that the City ownes and any Mail Boxes that Canada Post owns are exempt from that fine.

3: Dog Parks are not available in our District to my understanding

4: Residents in the Cataraqui district wanted to be able to have a bulletin posting board set up or at least allowed to put neighbourhood annoucements of community get-to-togethers on Bus Stands. However, I have not seen that being allowed so far

There are too many more concerns yet to get mentioned.:mad::mad:

[run2010]

1: Traffic Light at the bottom of Old Colony Road and Taylor Kidd. This has been an issue for over 10 years to MY understanding

I can understand why traffic lights are needed here. You have to be quick sometimes to go from Old Coloney to Taylor Kidd. I would want to add sensors to these lights based on traffic volume

2: Graffiti, Apparently the City is more than happy to charge home and business owners a fine if this graffiti is left on their buildings. However, Any Graffiti that is placed on Garbage Cans that the City ownes and any Mail Boxes that Canada Post owns are except from that fine

This is just wrong in so many levels. Mr/Mrs. home/business owner has to pay because of some vandal. I would like this as part of community service sentence if these kids (young adults in rare instances) get caught

3: Dog Parks are not available in our District to my understanding

Will have to reserach

4: Residents in the Cataraqui district wanted to be able to have a bulletin posting board set up or at least allowed to put neighbourhood annoucements of community get-to-togethers on Bus Stands. However, I have not seen that being allowed so far

Why just Cataraqui? This could be a nice city wide concept
A few concerns . Weather proofing and expired ads
How will they be posted (tape, thumb tacks, staples)
Would it be similar to what is on University Ave / or Confederation park (circular post a fw feet in diameter for events)

[Lydia]

I agree this is a great idea that one couple from the Cataraqui area actually suggested but nothing ever came of it.

Concerns is an issue. However, I believe that this would be a great place to inform others about sidewalks sales, Group fitness get togethers. and a ton of other issues to chat about. House Parties inviting neighbours to come together and where. It would be a place where someone in the neighbourhood could ask for help from another resident in the district. etc etc.

No tacks, Just scotch tape. The reason they wanted the bus shelters is so that rain would not bother the notices.

[run2010]

One reason i was questioning the bus shelters is that most of the new ones that are appearing appear to be the plastic bench type, rather than an enclosed shelter type.

BTW - I would be interested on feedback on my replies


Harold Hemberger

[Florence]

Could you please be more specific on this issue.

[Lydia]

Florence, two years ago or around that, a wonderful couple from Cataraqui Woods wanted the opportunity to place EVENT postings in their DISTRICT to let their neighbours learn about happy events. i.e. Maybe an opportunity to join the neighbours for a picnic, a party, a meeting, an opportunity to discuss issues that affect them. The reason being is so that the neighbours can feel more like neighbours and friends and not isolated people. It would give people a chance to MEET their neighbours without having to just wave a hello.

I agree with Harold, this idea should NOT just be in Cataraqui. I personally like the idea and maybe it should be available to all neighbourhoods and districts.:) Happy New Year