Wondering what my thoughts are! This section is to list any questions that is presented to me related to local issues.
Portsmouth District 2010
Wondering what my thoughts are! This section is to list any questions that is presented to me related to local issues.
#1 by L.M. on December 28, 2009 - 6:07 pm
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This is absolutely magnificant. I like this site and I am going to ask the Moderator of Kingston Electors to place your link on our site.
My Comment
Thanks Harold.
#2 by N.R. on January 8, 2010 - 8:53 pm
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Thiis reply is not a question , but a readers comment
I just wanted to say that I appreciate your position on the third crossing (which is really a second crossing since I don’t think that it’s right to count a provincial freeway as the equivalent of a city street). This is an issue which requires the support of a majority of councillors for progress to be made. Not many seem to have the vision or courage to support such a city-wide initiative, when they listen to those who question why the city should spend their tax dollars on something which they perceive will not benefit them personally. We need people on council who can think beyond the concerns of just their own riding and make the right decisions for the city as a whole. Good luck Harold!
My comments
Thanks. If elected I will respresent Portsmouth district AND the city as a whole. Good point on calling it a second crossing. Why don’t we call it a 4th crossing ( Kingston MIlls). Regardless of what number we attach to it, i we need another crossing.
Thanks Harold Hemberger
#3 by D T on May 17, 2010 - 3:26 pm
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Two questions, Harold…
First, what is your position on bike lanes, and a “pedestrian friendly” downtown? For the record, I oppose both, as a waste of money, impractical, a surefire invitation to more gridlock and less parking, and as blatant left-wing pandering to the vocal “Green at all costs” minority in this city…
Second, what is your ideas to improve life for those of us who do not live in Portsmouth Village? That is all the incumbent talks about, as if the rest of us don’t exist…
Hope to see you during your campaign…
My Reply.
Bike Lanes. I support a person’s choice on how they want to travel whether it is by bike or car and get from place to place in a sage manner. Rather than dedicated bike lane we should be able to make the lanes a little bit wider to accommodate bicycles. This would make it safe for both motorist and the cyclist ( potholes aside) If it is a 4 lane road than just the right lane could be made wider. I have heard some cyclist do not like the bike lanes as they tend to be confusing. One thing that really bothers me is there are cyclists that disregard the rules of the road. ( And yes motorized vehicle drivers are guilty as well but to a much lesser degree). We need enforcement to increase for cyclist going through stop signs and red lights at a high rate of speed. Although technically illegal, I could accept a bit of leeway if the cyclist comes to a stop first. I realise that you may not of asked about road rules but I decided to include it since they are both safety issues.
Pedestrian Friendly Downtown . – I am assuming you mean closing of blocks of downtown to traffic. I would support this only for special events such as Buskers Rendezvous not on a permanent basis. You are correct regarding taking away parking. We are losing one of the most important elements to down town and that is ample parking. If we tell people to take the bus, walk or ride your bike it will make people feel less welcome and shop elsewhere. I notice there is a sign for development at the parking lot at Brock and Ontario. Even without this being developed we still need parking. When I go canvassing in the Portsmouth District, there are three questions I will ask. One of the questions will be to determine why people do not come downtown ( or what needs to be improved). One thing I have noticed that parts of downtown looks atrocious ( Mainly the 300-400 block of Princess). I would like to do away with the ugly oil drum garbage cans and replace them with a nicer lockable garbage can. I would also like to see more recycling containers.
Improving life – This can be a broad topic . Do you mean in terms of jobs , the arts, infrastructure, affordable housing . ( I may of missed a few things) I will give a quick rundown. If you meant something else let me know
Jobs. Let me say that we cannot create jobs. We can only create an environment where businesses would want to set up their business . We have to welcome business opportunities. Although I do not like using the 4 pillars catch phrase. If we do not build the economic pillar than the social pillar will collapse.
Arts – Currently believe we have plenty of arts that are in the works so this may not be an issue
Infrastructure – I am a firm believer of a third crossing. Infrastructure has to looked at on a priority basis. I am not sure why some streets that have a very small crack gets resurfaced while some rough roads like Queen St, Rideau, Montreal , parts of Princess , Queen Mary Rd ( my district) and many others make for an uncomfortable ride.
Affordable Housing – First according to an US real estate group . – affordable housing does not affect housing values. Kingston does need more affordable housing . Perhaps we can learn from organizations like Habitat for Humanity for providing affordable ownership. As well co-op housing can be a partial solution.
Whoever is in council should represent their constituents. That being said, they should also represent the city as a whole.
#4 by Lydia MacPherson on August 18, 2010 - 4:25 pm
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Excellent job Harold, You are indeed very interested in being a real councilor for your district. They are luck to have you wanting to represent them.
#5 by M.H. on August 18, 2010 - 6:26 pm
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Question
Perhaps i didn’t give you a chance and i was rude. I am also not a City of Kingston employee, i was at a library on the City network, I’m actually a student at Queens living in Portsmouth district
I’ll give you a chance. Give me 3 reasons why i should vote for you and what changes you want to bring to council.
My Reply
Wow. This is an interesting letter. I do admit that spelling and grammar are not my greatest strength. Don’t worry about it Mike, you made a few mistakes as well.
Here is your unedited quote “I was genuinely interested in your campaign as a resident of Portsmouth District, but then I relaized you’re just the village idot with no real campaign objective.” Note the word relaized and idot. I can not be an expert at everything. I do have pretty good knowledge with computers. I have excelled with mechanical aptitude test to a level to be accepted in the military as an Air Traffic Controller or Meteorological Technician ( first and second choices) so I do have some good skills . OK. You asked for 3 reasons.
1) I have worked for others and have been self employed. I do understand that the most important thing for any community is for the continuous introduction to new business. Businesses come and go. My very first business was in 1985. It was a video rental business. I sold it 2 years later because I realized the changing trend. You may say “So what. “ Because I was in a trend business I realized that there are times you have to get out while you can. I sold this business before it became a loss. As I said before businesses come and go. I worked for a well know outsourcing company providing tech support for a well know line of digital cameras. I was called Mr Negative because I said that they will not have the contact forever. I stated that the Cdn dollar was too high and made them non- competitive. They said we keep on getting good reports and the client would never switch. About three months after I quit they lost the contract due to … “Canada being to expensive”. Here is more prophetic news. I doubt this company will be in Kingston much longer. Here is why 1) Canadian dollar to close to parity 2) Possible tax in the US on any calls leaving the US that are outsourced. 3) This company is expanding in Asia. This is public information. I just hope I am wrong on this because lots of people will lose their jobs. I try and look at things from a realistic analysis, not emotional. So the short answer to this is that I will work to support business coming here. I want to make Kingston the first choice Not Bellville. We had first choice for the Casino. We blew it. Now another community is getting the tax benefits.
2) I believe the community makes better consultants than someone 5 hrs away . Granted there are projects that do need professionals, but I can not think of any reason why a consulting company in Fort Eire, need to tell people in Kingston what they want in a park ( Lake Ontario Park). I believe even the concept drawings can be completed locally. Is this a project that St. Lawrence students can do. Question: Do we not have the expertise in house?
3) Downtown. I am asking people why they do not go downtown (if applicable) The number one answer by a large margin is parking. I noticed four lots that have signs for development on them. If they do get developed, what happens to parking. I understand that some people would like to get others to take the bus. Realistically, if you tell people to take the bus instead of their car they will just ignore you and take their car else where. So I suggest that we have a serious local study on what prevents people from going downtown.
4) Bonus Answer : I do listen and answer to all comments – see previous comments