Elections
Bob Black, Candidate for Ward 3 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2010
Details page for this candidate.
In This Page:
Candidate Details (top)
| Name | Black, Bob |
|---|---|
| Election | Hamilton Municipal Election 2010 |
| Area | Ward 03 |
| Party | N/A |
| Votes | 373 |
| bblack4@cogeco.ca | |
| Website | (no website listed) |
| Home | |
| Business | 905-741-6543 |
| Fax |
Responses to Questions (top)
| Question | Brief Response | Full Response |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton's Cycling Master Plan has Council approval. However, the implementation timeline is very long and ward councillors can block individual bike lane projects. Do you support accelerating the completion of a continuous bicycle network and other initiatives like a bike sharing program and better access up and down the Escarpment? Why or why not? | Yes | Yes indeed I do support this initiative better and safer bike paths will only encourage less cars on the road which in turn will help to reduce pollution and it should also make a difference in the rush hour traffic jams. In addition, the health benefits are a great bonus. |
| For your campaign, will you be accepting donations from corporations or unions? If so, why? If not, why not? | Yes | Yes I have accepted donations from unions, as well as individuals I have been endorsed by the Canadian Labour Congress as well as the Hamilton District Labour Council, I have accepted these donations because it has proven to be expensive. |
| Should we spend the Future Fund to build a Pan Am / Ticat stadium on the CP Rail Yard lands? Why or why not? | Yes | No, how does a new stadium gain greater importance than the issues we have already in Hamilton, we have poverty, we have too many children who go to school and even to bed hungry, serious infrastructure problems and I could go on.. I have always enjoyed the Tiger Cats and I realize the Tiger Cat players do a lot for Hamilton. If there was no talk of building a new stadium or they leave, then the real question should be, Should we spend the Future Fund to build a Pan Am Stadium or not, why or why not? and again I say no, the Pan Am games will only be here a for a short period and I don't see a lot of business being generated from them since they will be in Toronto for the most part. |
| Council is poised to vote on the Airport Employment Growth District, a 3,000 acre plan to expand the urban boundary around Hamilton International Airport for employment lands. Do you support this plan? Why or why not? | No | Unfortunately I do not support this plan. I recommend those funds be applied to re-vamp much of wards 1,2 and most importantly ward 3. These wards have been neglected and forgotten for so long that the city is no longer aware of the potential in store fronts and businesses as well as housing projects for more affordable housing, if you look at the way the statistics add up we need to start to take care of the people who do the labour and let the farmers take care of their farms. |
| Many observers argue that Council meetings could be more respectful and professional. Do you agree? If so, what will you do to change this? | Yes | Yes I agree that Council meetings should be held in a professional, respectful manner ,we are the REPRESENTATIVES of the people of Hamilton so it would appear that we they are okay with acting in a childish fashion, I don't think most people would accept that kind of behaviour from their children why should they have to see it from their REPRESENTATIVES? |
| Do you support Hamilton's LRT proposal? If so, what will you do to ensure Hamilton's success in building LRT? If not, why do you oppose it? | No | No I do not support the Hamilton LTR proposal, we have an infrastructure that is causing problem after problem and we already have a bus system that could be better utilized. It is time to start to take care of the people who are struggling day after day before we start to make multi million dollar changes to have faster access to an airport that is not ready yet to expand due to a lack of participation. |
| Do you believe that poverty is the most critical issue facing Hamilton today? If so, please outline your solutions. If not, please explain your reasons. | Yes | I have not only first-hand knowledge but also in working with the City Kidz, St Mathews House and a number of organizations while helping as Santa Claus each year, I have experienced poverty in the most innocent of all, our children. I intend to pursue the breakfast program and hopefully implement a lunch program as well, in the schools not only for Ward 3 but throughout Hamilton. I will still be a very strong advocate for St Mathews House and the Local Food Banks. This is just a start but it will give all of council an opportunity to expand on the initiative and create more and more programs. |
| The City of Hamilton has committed to doubling transit ridership by 2020. Do you support this goal? If so, how would you realize it? | Yes | I feel that doubling the riders by 2020 is an excellent goal and if the new council is able to work together this is an attainable goal., but it will take working together in an honest and respectful manner. As well as strong promotion and lowering fairs to a more affordable rate. |
| Is Hamilton doing enough to support and encourage new investment in our older neighbourhoods? If not, what should the City be doing? | No | No the city is not doing enough to encourage new investment in older neighbourhoods. Something needs to be done to shake up this hive of potential. Initiative and resources need to be put into this part of our city I would not be at all surprised to find one of my constituents has already come up with a viable solution. In addition, I intend to look for it. |
| Some cities have committed recently to publishing their public data in an open format that citizens can directly access. Should Hamilton pledge to become an "open source city"? Why or why not? | Yes | I think that because we are there to serve the public the public has a right to see what we are doing, so yes I think Hamilton should pledge to become an "open source city" |
| Will your term change people's first impression of Hamilton, and make that first impression more attractive to visitors, students, commuters and newcomers? If so, how? | Yes | When elected it is my intention to put every effort I possibly can into cleaning up Ward 3 because Ward 3 is my ward, my home. We need to change the look of the Ward and clean up the parks, derelict buildings and maintain/improve the beautiful green spaces within our ward. One idea to this end it to utilize our current assets, to get the gardeners of the ward who would like to show off their skills, to volunteer to work on the greenery. It is also my intention to approach the Boy Scouts/Girl Guides and possibly the City Kidz to pitch in with the clean up some of the streets as well.
I have already started to work with some of the residents of the ward in an initial effort to start the clean up of the ward. I have no issue with rolling up my sleeves and pitching in, it brings back memories of working on the farm as a young man. If even a few start, in time many will follow as they see the progress and enjoy the beauty it brings out. |
