Charlie Pipe, Candidate for Ward 2 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2010 - Raise the Hammer Elections

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Candidate Details
Responses to Questions

Candidate Details (top)

Name	Pipe, Charlie
Election	Hamilton Municipal Election 2010
Area	Ward 02
Party	N/A
Votes	135
Email	charlie.pipe@hotmail.com
Website	http://www.charliepipe.com/
Home	905-741-8275
Business
Fax
Bio	I was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in 1965 and raised, along with my siblings, by my father and grandmother in rural Hamilton-Wentworth County. While attending Hamilton public schools, I worked on farms and orchards. After high school, I pursued my artistic passion by enrolling full-time in the Dundas Valley School of Art. The responsibilities of parenthood, however, interrupted my studies but blessed me with a daughter, Kate, of whom I am very proud. Kate is currently attending the University of Guelph. I worked for over 6 years at Proctor and Gamble, advancing to the positions of Line Operator, Team Leader and Shift Safety Coordinator. Since the closure of P&G I have worked in the construction, restoration and disaster relief industry. Those who have done this type of job will understand the satisfaction of hard, hands-on work that also stimulates one's planning and artistic abilities. In leaner times I have learned about this City by driving cab. This experience has provided me the opportunity to meet and talk to the best and sometimes the worst that the City of Hamilton has has to offer, enabling me to meet and converse with a broad demographic cross-section of the city. Some of these people include politicians, Lieutenant Governors General, single parents, lawyers, street workers, addicts, steel workers, bartenders, and special needs individuals. People have asked why I have decided to run in this election. I have deep feelings for this community. I have lived in Ward 2 for the better part of 25 years. When walking the streets and talking to people I feel a sense of optimism and pride. The resurgence of James Street North, the Augusta Street area and restaurants and shops throughout the Ward is remarkable and energizing. Ward 2 needs a person that understands its people, places and neighbourhoods. We need a Councilor who works every day to ensure that municipal government supports the efforts of it's citizens, businesses and community organizations. We need a Councilor that understands that tax breaks and business incentives are only a small part of fostering a successful community. I believe that I can be the Councilor that Ward 2 needs. My goal is that families, seniors and working people can live, work, and play in a safe, convenient, walkable and accessible Ward 2. I will work to ensure that we continue to enjoy the pride that comes from this City's architecture, mature trees, beautiful clean parks, entertainment and diverse food. These are just some of many things that Ward 2 and the rest of Hamilton has to offer.

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Responses to Questions (top)

Question	Brief Response	Full Response
Should we spend the Future Fund to build a Pan Am / Ticat stadium on the CP Rail Yard lands? Why or why not?	No	The legacy the Pan Am games will leave is one of tremendous debt for our city. Enough money has been wasted exploring the options for a stadium we don't need. My stadium has always been Ivor Wynne. Any money needed to update Ivor Wynne Stadium should be raised privately. The Future Fund should be spent on improving city infrastructure. How many more homes need to be flooded in this city?
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	I fully support the Cycling Master Plan. The plan can only benefit both the environment and the health of our population.
For your campaign, will you be accepting donations from corporations or unions? If so, why? If not, why not?	No	My campaign has not accepted any donations from corporations or unions. It has been funded solely by donations from individuals.
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?	Yes	I support the Airport Employment Growth District. Hamilton is at the heart of the Golden Horseshoe and has for years wasted this geographical advantage by not having lands available for industrial, warehouse, and transport growth. The AEGD provides the necessary land which will allow us to compete with other Southern Ontario cities. As someone who grew up in rural Wentworth County, I understand the importance of farmlands, particularly those passed down through generations, growing food to feed our city. The majority of farmlands in the AEGD produce sod or cash crops (ie corn) which are harmful to our environment and do little to nourish our city. The AEGD will create jobs and increase our tax revenues.
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	I believe Council meetings can be passionate and heated debates. However, long-winded grandstanding that wastes so much time has no place in City Council.
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?	Yes	I support the LRT proposal. This is a great long-term plan - it will increase the ease of transportation across the Golden Horseshoe area and reduce dependency on cars.
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	Transparency is the key to City Council integrity.
Is Hamilton doing enough to support and encourage new investment in our older neighbourhoods? If not, what should the City be doing?	No	The city has not done enough to encourage new investment in our older neighbourhoods. The advantages Hamilton offers should be intensively marketed beyond our city. Also, a focus on redeveloping brownfields for new residential, commercial and recreational use is essential.