KCI Debate

- Candidate for: Mayor of Kitchener
1 (a). What will you do to ensure and improve a predictably frequent and reliable ION and iXpress network so that it becomes more convenient to use?
-There will need to be traffic studies at both tiers of municipal government. Without this there will be accidents with cars, pedestrians and people on bicycles with light rail.
-How does light rail and the express buses connect to other transit buses; not everyone can bike or walk. You do not seem to be concerned about about people with a disability?
-What will happen to the Charles Street Station? It is staffed with people who can answer questions. It has washrooms and they can easily made accessible to people in need of wheel chars. It is one of the few places that still has pay phones. It has indoor facilities where a person can see buses come and go. What buses that come to this station will need to be studied/ or should it be housing.
-Ambassadors will be needed to help people get around and navigate the new systems. Whether these people will be volunteers or staff I don't know. Even if they are volunteers there will need to be some paid staff to coordinate the volunteers.
1 (b). What will you do to advance light rail into Cambridge?
= I don't know. Light rail perhaps should have extended into Cambridge from day one? Why do you not ask about Grand River Transit extensions to rural townships?
1 (c). Given the 50% increase in transit fares over the last decade, will you commit to ensure GRT fare increases do not exceed the rate of property tax increases over the next four years?
-For starters I would advocate an increase in length of time for each fare from 90 minutes to two hours.
-Why do shopping centres not pay for some of the cost of transit...it seems we service the shopping centres, but neglect other services like access to hospitals.
-You want money for bike paths etc in a later question; where do you propose this money come from? Increase in property taxes?
-I am committed to public dialogue between elections.
-Some segments of society get treated differently. For example I believe students get a 50% reduction in transit costs. We need to think outside the box.
2. Have you signed the #CycleWR "I Bike I Vote" pledge? If not, why? No -By the way not everyone can safely ride a ride a bicycle. Bikers and pedestrians can use the same trails and pathways, although there may need to be further education. Your pledge does not recognize other pathway users, or a space for comments like this does it?
-I am hesitating because of your proposed increase to property taxes. I need to study this more. I am getting tired. I have already spent a of of time of your survey and am getting fatigued... I certainly agree in principle with what you are saying.
-"Bike paths" for example can also be wildlife corridors..
3 (a). What will you do to ensure sidewalks are accessible and consistently cleared of snow in winter? -I believe we also need to have a discussion how pathways and trails will be cleared of snow. I would start there with the City taking on this responsibility for clearing snow.
-We need to be creative and think outside the box. There is a hierarchy with road clearing. If the City were to take on the responsibility for clearing sidewalks there may also be a hierarchy; this may not work. We need to think outside the box.
-I believe those without cars subsidize those people with cars.
3 (b). Few gaps in the sidewalk network were closed between 2014-18. What will you do to expedite sidewalk infill on streets that lack sidewalks on both sides? It is fine with me where there is opposition from residents to sidewalks, to have sidewalks on only one side of the street. But then who will be responsible for cleaning the sidewalk has to be decided, if the City and Region do not take on this responsibility (If there is a sidewalk on only one side of the street) Who will take responsibility for clearing the sidewalk on only one side of the street? Do you have any suggestions?
4 (a). What will you do to ensure new development helps to build walkable communities, encouraging walking, cycling, and taking transit to schools, jobs, and amenities?
-For starters lets have pathways to the essentials like schools, doctor and health clinics, hospitals, and plow them in wintertime.
4 (b). Will you reduce or eliminate parking minimums from zoning bylaws and Official Plans?
I believe parking needs to be looked at a neighbourbood to neighbourhood level. City planners need to work with residents, and their local elected official and think outside the box. This does not need to dominate the time at City Council meetings. There needs to be a place to repeal and dialogue about decisions at a City level, within the City structure.
5. Will you change street and intersection design to prioritize a reduction in the number of traffic deaths? If so, how will you accomplish this? -For starters I would start to record traffic deaths like we track suicides for example.
-I was an early opponent to roundabouts because they were unsafe to pedestrians. Now with modifications they may be safer than many traffic lights. I have spoke to this elsewhere.
-Studies need to be done. Some streets may be for only cyclists and emergency vehicles
Whew! Surveys do not, or should not replace face to face interaction--but then I don't like the word should....I have not tried to be comprehensive in my answers...it is an ongoing process eh.

KCI Debate

10/7/2018

Opening Remarks
I would like to thank the students of KCI for hosting this debate.

Hi. My name is Myron Daniel Steinman. On the ballet, if you are able to vote, you will see my name as Myron Steinman. Candidate: Mayor of the City of Kitchener

I would like to start by acknowledging we are guests with this land.

I was born in Stratford, Ontario; the hometown of Justin Bieber. I have lived in the City of Kitchener for over 25 years, and the Region of Waterloo for close to 40 years. I have lived experience with new Canadians and children of new Canadians.

I began my post-secondary studies at the University of Waterloo with the School of Urban and Regional Planning. Unable to concentrate on my studies I began an apprenticeship as a General Carpenter. Since the early 1990s I have worked with persons age 16 to 80 in the field of community mental health as a peer support worker.

Thank-you. I look forward to your questions with fear and trembling. For more information about me go to Google.ca and ask, “Who is Myron Steinman”.

Closing Remarks

The precipitating factor that radicalized me to become an engaged citizen in public dialogue was over 35 years ago. I still remember listening to the radio when the then President of the United States of America said he could win—could win a nuclear war—a nuclear war with the then Soviet Union.

Since then, the world has become much more complex, and just as dangerous.

It is you the young who will need to change the habits of middle age men and women like myself.

I encourage you to form relationships with people of all ages, especially the older adults.

For you, the young, it is your future to create.
If the older adults could embrace a new vision. The elderly have lived a long life, and will soon no longer be physically with us. If only the older adults could embrace a new vision.

In a political system where each person is entitled to one vote, an alliance between the young people of today and older adults could change the world in positive ways.

Thank you. My name is Myron Steinman.
I speak from our privileged position in Canada. I am running for Mayor of Kitchener

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