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To the…..

To the…

…Senior that said I do not vote because I am too old – You are never too old to vote have you voice heard

… Person that said that I am not interested without have to hear what i had to say.  How can I know your concerns if you are unwilling to let me know.

…  Person that does not vote because they live in an apartment and do not pay property tax. Well you do it is built into your rent

… person that is just a student.. You still live here and are entitle to have a voice

 Come on people please come out to vote..

What have I learned so far while canvassing

1)  Persons with scooters – some of the older ramps are too steep for them to handle without fear of tipping over.

2) Bus service too infrequent

3) The number one reason why people do not like to go downtown is parking and next is that the specialty stores are too expensive.  

You may follow me on Twitter haroldhemberger

Open letter to students

Lately I have been getting a few comments about my postings on student issues mainly related to late night partying.  I am not censoring any of the letters that were posted. I have posted them in there entirety as well as replying to them.  Now what I would like from the student population is to contact me.  I would like to hear ideas on how relationships can be improved between full time residents and the students. Let’s talk and work together

Email me at harold@haroldhemberger.com

Campaign Flyer Released

I have released my campaign flyer. For those of you that would like to look at it before it comes to your house you may see it below.

www.kingstonelection2010.com/flyer-f.pdf

Things are picking up.

I have noticed that traffic has picked up on this site on a daily basis.  It is sooner than expected but that is great.  I am in the process of  planning on of the most important items on my to do list before the election.  That is meeting with you the people.   As part of my commitment it will be personal.   By personal, I mean you will not speak to a volunteer . You will actually get to see me out on the road – working for my vote. No summer holidays for me.  If you want to know which street I will be on just follow me on Twitter “haroldhemberger”.

If you have Twitter you can follow me.  Twitter Name: haroldhemberger

Traffic Calming – Queen Mary Rd / Johnson

The  current traffic calming measures on Queen Mary Rd / Johnson St (between Bath Rd and Portsmouth Ave. do not seem to be working.  I have noticed that vehicles do not tend to slow down on these speed cushions due to the fact that some vehicles wheelbase allows it to go very easily over the edges of the bump. I have also seen people go to the bicycle lane to avoid these bumps.  I may also add that the bumps are smoother that the rest of the road.  The way I will handle this is when I am out campaigning I will ask each person what they would prefer. My ideas are

  • remove the bumps completely
  • extend then the entire width of the road
  • replace with stop signs

UPDATE:  It is my understanding that these speed humps will be extended fully in the fall.  Hopefully the rest of the road will also be smoothed.

Princess St Promenade

The Princess St Promenade is a special event to see how closing a stretch of Princess St from Division to Ontario St will  pan out. If this is a success it could be made an annual event. Lots of merchants in the downtown area were in support of this so let us show them some support. It will be on Saturday July 31st from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Here is a facebook page on the topic.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114123971945133&ref=ts

Downtown

One project that I would like see happen, is to improve the downtown area even more.  In order to improve downtown we first have to determine why someone would not come downtown to shop.  This is a project that does not require out of town consultants.  One of the questions that i will be asking people as i go door to door during my campaign will pertain to why you may not go downtown.  Here are a few of my personal concerns.  I have noticed a number of times ( mainly in the 250-low 400 block of Princess Street) that there is an awful amount of litter all over the sidewalks and roads. In my opinion we need to do two things (1) Replace the ugly used oil barrels with a nice garbage containers that lock. 2) We need recycling containers downtown as well.   Another area that may need attention is parking.  It is unrealistic to say to people to use other modes of transport such as bicycles or the bus.  This would just make people go to where it is more accommodating for them.

So when I come knocking on your door, I will be asking you if  shop  or visit downtown,  and if not , why. I will also ask how would YOU would like it improved. You will be the consultant.

Third Crossing Update

Some things in this article may be a repeat of some others. I will layout why we should build a third bridge.

 1 )I  have had to cross the causeway a number of times for work during various times of the day ( day, evenings and midnight shifts)  so I have seen traffic volumes during different times of day as well as different days of the week.  From the west of the causeway, traffic can be backed up on Queen Street to Clergy as well as some parallel streets such as Princess St.. Adjusting light timings will not help. The lights on Ontario Street are timed OK if you get them just right. One problem is people making turns and then stopping in the intersection. Even if we try and teach people good driving habits this will still be an issue. On the east I have seen traffic backed up on Hwy 15 near the old Base hospital. CFB and RMC does have some staggered time (3:00, 3:15, 3:30, or 4:00). Even without the construction going on, traffic is a problem. In a March 12th  Kingston Whig Standard article, the fire chief ( Harold Tulk”was quoted as saying “It’s common sense that a bridge will be effective,” said Tulk. “In the meantime, we recommend these traffic signals controlled by technology. It could be good for many years, for 10 or 12 years out.”  –  end quote . After 10 years the environmental study will have to be restarted and will more than likely cost even more.

2) The causeway is a major crossing point for ambulance and police. Even though  there are fire departments on both sides of the water, There are fire trucks coming through with lights  I have seen emergency vehicles get delayed because of traffic.

3) when i first arrived in Kingston in 1982, I was posted at CFB Kingston. There was talk for a crossing as well. During this time many subdivisions in this area did not exist.

 4) From my vantage point at work (RMC) as well as getting to and from work, I can see how traffic backs up. It is not just a CFB /RMC problem.

 5) Before I became a resident of Kingston, I lived in St. Catharines. For anyone that does not know, the Welland canal goes to Lake Eire to Lake Ontario passing through St. Catharines.  The Welland canal also has a few bridges exactly like the current causeway bridge.  I remember the bridge getting stuck in the up position a few times. Luckily  St. Catharines has a few  other bridges including on tunnel nearby.

 6)  We also need a by-pass for the 401 in case it is closed due to an accident from Hwy 15 to Montreal St.

( This may even help to argue a case for funding). Navigating  an 18 wheeler through the causeway then downtown may be tricky. Even more challenging would be through Kingston Mills. If  traffic currently  would be diverted through downtown it could create a big problem.

 7) This crossing would also complement the John Counter widening.

 In conclusion, I believe that this bridge is a requirement to reduce traffic, increase public safety and reducing pollution from cars stuck in traffic. I would encourage  the city to seek out Federal funding  through such programs such as ” The Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund” as well as similar Provincial funding.

Campaign Commitment

Here is my campaign commitment. “I will personally try and attempt to visit every single resident in the Portsmouth District.”  I know that you would rather talk to me than a volunteer. That is why I will commit to walking  the streets by myself.  need to know if there are any other common issues that my possible constituents are concerned about . I look forward to speaking with you.

Harold Hemberger

Portsmouth – Student Housing Issue

While talking to some full-time residences in the St. Lawrence College area there was a great concern about houses being converted to house students.  The homeowners  do not want Calderwood Dr. to become another Aberdeen St. Those not familiar with Aberdeen St. it is the site of an unsanctioned event that use to coincide with Queen’s Homecoming.  Here is a link to a partial listing of what happened in this area last year   http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1224962 . The last non-student house on this street was just sold a few years ago because it was getting to much for him.  (As a side note: Even though last years party had less people, There were more arrest per 1,000 people and also there was lots of rain that day so i think it is too soon to label it a success). Another concerns is late night parties, public drunkenness, loud music late at night, etc. This is a very valid concern.  If you are a resident in this area, and you have some concerns ( and that includes students) , I would like to hear from you. You can contact me via email at feedback@kingstonelection2010.com . I can also be reached at (613) 877-4540.

Update – I do track where hits on my website come from. – I have noticed that i was referred to from Craigslist. Someone was asking if I am against student housing. The answer is no.  The problem is in one neighbourhood is public drunkenness, and i hate to be graphic but, urination and defecation outside on other people property and loud parties way past midnight. Nobody is against having  students. It is always the behaviour of a small group that ruins it.   I do not believe the poster on Craiglist contacted me, so if you are concerned about what i have written, I welcome for you to contact me.  Lets Talk

Harold

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