Elections

Sam Merulla, Candidate for Ward 4 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2018

Details page for this candidate.

In This Page:

Candidate Details (top)

NameMerulla, Sam
ElectionHamilton Municipal Election 2018
AreaWard 04
PartyN/A
Votes0
Email sam.merulla@cogeco.ca
Website (no website listed)
Home289-812-4322
Business
Fax

← Back to Candidates

Responses to Questions (top)

QuestionBrief ResponseFull Response
Bonus question: If LRT goes ahead, what will you do to ensure Hamilton receives the maximum benefit? Yes Yes
Hamilton has been experiencing a slow-motion crisis in housing affordability. Do you support an expanded role for the City to provide more affordable housing? If so, what should Hamilton do? If not, why not? Yes I have led the charge in affordable housing and I have worked to establish nearly 500 units accordingly, in partnership with Indwell, YWCA, City Housing and private developers at the Roxbourough redevelopment.
Do you support improved public transit in Hamilton? If so, what changes do you propose? If not, why not? Yes Yes, and I have sponsored the most progressive initiatives accordingly from free fares for all, to senior and youth discounts and fought against fare increases.
Hamilton has a legacy of multi-lane, one-way arterial streets dating back to the 1950s. Do you support accelerating the conversion of these streets to two-way? Why or why not? Yes Yes, to accomplish the goal of safer streets for all modes of transportation.
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act mandates that cities must be completely accessible by 2025. What changes would you make to ensure Hamilton complies with this mandate? Yes I led the charge to have the first special GIC related to AODA and I have worked on this file since the 90's prior to being elected. The legislation is great but unaffordable without provincial and federal support; hence the motion I sponsored accordingly that was unanimously supported.
Do you support phasing out area rating for transit? Why or why not? Yes Yes, and I have been formally bringing the issue up for nearly two decades to no avail and I have a pending motion accordingly.
Since the 1950s, most new residential and commercial development in Hamilton has been single-use suburban sprawl. Do you believe Hamilton needs to concentrate new development within the already-built area? Why or why not? Yes Yes, in order to facilitate sustainability. Hence, my leadership on inner city redevelopment for nearly 2 decades.
Global warming is an existential challenge facing humanity. Do you think Hamilton should play a role in addressing climate change? If so, what should the city be doing? If not, why not? Yes Again, since the early 2000's I have sponsored infrastructure renewal that eliminated the flooding crisis in East Hamilton and facilitated the creation of the Storm Emergency Response Group to study climate change issues and recommend changes to accommodate accordingly.
Should Hamilton be trying to attract more young people to live, work and start businesses here, including the 60,000 students studying at Mohawk College, McMaster University and Redeemer University? If so, what should we be doing? If not, why not? Yes We are already attracting young urban professionals; the vast majority of new East Hamilton residents are from the GTA which is as a result of the Red Hill Creek Expressway and the easy access to the GTA opening the City Of Hamilton for business and to be a great place to live work and play.
Council has voted dozens of times since 2008 to advance Hamilton's light rail transit (LRT) project, including voting to submit the plan with a full funding request to the Province in 2013, and voting to accept full funding and implementation from the Province in 2015. Do you support completing the LRT plan? Why or why not? Yes Yes, and it is well documented
Do you support the "Vision Zero" goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Hamilton? If so, what specific actions would you take to implement this policy? If not, why not? Yes I have been a strong supporter of complete streets and cycling lanes with a documented proven track record.