Response from Rosalie Chalmers, Ward 6 Candidate, Election 2006

1) This issue of express transit to downtown would be a top issue on my agenda.

However, the timeline for this installation of the express bus would depend on our presentation to the Transit Commission and how quickly they would act. These obstacles would be overcome because this proposal makes sense. Transit use by your residents would take some of the strain off our Gardiner.

This would be one of three top issues I would tackle in the first days of my term.

2) Again, another common sense proposal you have made. When construction of a new development begins it is the time of increase in traffic volumes.  So therefore the traffic lights, which are part of the plans should be first. My first days in office would be to meet with the planning department to convince them of the need to plan the traffic lights accordingly.

3) The significant gaps in services that you are going through are wide spread throughout our community of ward 6.

The reasons are many; however, the main culprit is the overall direction of our ward.

Our representative and local industry are in the process of reindustrialization. Large truck companies are leasing the prime vacant land in our ward. Furthermore cement companies and other assorted polluters are lining up to grab this prime land.

This land should be developed under different bylaws. Thus ensuring a bright future for our community and attract good investment in our ward.

My direction for our ward will eliminate gaps in our services.

The present direction for our ward will mean a depressed area, higher crime rates, low real estate values, gridlock on our street owing to the increase of heavy truck traffic, foul air and significant gaps in our services.

New ideas are required. Mel Lastman Square and Dundas Square are both located in areas that once suffered the same problems as our ward. The Squares solved these problems.

We need to start our Square in order to begin a Renaissance of our ward.  Schools, libraries, police etc will all follow.

We have the assets and location for this change in direction to be a great success for all.

Provided we all work towards a common goal.

A boulevard stretching from Humber Bay to Long Branch would be the envy of the Beach and the Port Credit areas.