Raise the Hammer

"Meanwhile, planning and economic development adviser Chris Phillips has been appointed to run a staff team that will "aggressively pursue all-day GO service" to James North and Centennial Parkway".

What about the proposed stops in Stoney Creek?

LOL

Well...I guess that depends on how you define 'Stoney Creek'.

To me, Centennial Parkway is at the border of The Old City of Hamilton and Stoney Creek. So this chosen spot qualifies.

But then, 'Stoney Creek' shouldn't include Fruitland (the proposed Fruitland Road stop) nor should it include Winona (proposed Fifty Road stop).

So then what stops would you be referring to 'in Stoney Creek'...?

Comment edited by mystoneycreek on 2011-07-20 12:45:54

Sorry for my error. I thought the huge signs along the QEW at the Fruitland exit which read "Stoney Creek" were a pretty good indicator of where Stoney Creek is. Another good indicator are people's addresses around Fruitland and 50 Rd North of the QEW which read "Stoney Creek"

Perhaps you can clarify what your Stoney Creek includes.

To answer your question, I was referring to the Fruitland and 50 Rd stops (as if it wasn't clear before).

Actually, I don't acknowledge Fruitland and Winona as being part of Stoney Creek. I spent part of my youth in Winona and don't know anyone who lives there and says 'I live in Stoney Creek.'

Just as someone who lives in Ancaster or Dundas doesn't refer to themselves as 'living in Hamilton'.

Arbitrary? Yup. Semantical gymnastics? Perhaps. But as the saying goes, 'The Devil is in the details.'

I covered the brouhaha about the Go Transit Fruitland Road and Fifty Road stops here: http://mystoneycreek.blogspot.com/2010/1...

Comment edited by mystoneycreek on 2011-07-20 14:44:42

No matter if someone says they live in Winona or Stoney Creek, I don't understand your need to LOL at someone for saying "the stops in Stoney Creek" (especially when what they said is technically correct). I wasn't trying to make an argument about what is or isn't Stoney Creek... just looking for some guidance as to what happened to those two stops.

Oh, I'm not arguing, either. It's no biggee...just reflective of the whole GO issue...and local governance in general. Lots of faffing about, lots of inaccuracies...business as usual.

I'm just glad we've clarified that the Stoney Creek stop is at Centennial.

: )

(And did I mention that the whole conflation of 'Stoney Creek/Fruitland/Winona' is a great example of our sprawl problems? http://www.stoneycreeknews.com/news/arti... )

Comment edited by mystoneycreek on 2011-07-20 15:24:28

Thanks for that link to the S. Creek article from a Former Fruitlander. This sounds like it is going to be an ugly crappy mess of BET (Boston Pizza/Esso/Tim Hortons) where farms used to be. Btw, what is with that stucco abomination on the former Chandelier Place at the intersection in question. How does stucco ever look better than red brick?

If you check out the Metrolinx Environmental Assessment, you'll see there are TWO stops planned in Hamilton: James St. and Confederation.

Fifty Road is listed as a "future station" (i.e. not one they will build initially), SUBJECT TO THE CITY OF HAMILTON EXTENDING LRT TO THE AREA.

Centennial and Fruitland Road are not recommended station locations.

See page 48:

http://www.gotransit.com/public/en/improve/Niagara%20docs/Niagara_Rail_Expansion_ESR.pdf

Note: To all those who think we're getting a stop for the TI-CAT stadium, there is no mention of same as even a possibilty that was considered for the Environmental Assessment, so my guess is, it's not happening.

"Note: To all those who think we're getting a stop for the TI-CAT stadium, there is no mention of same as even a possibilty that was considered for the Environmental Assessment, so my guess is, it's not happening. "

But Bratina SAID it would happen (somewhere between stating that championing something is a sure not to get re-elected and blaming downtown's trouble on the Delta Bingo).

I also remember about month ago that he was positive that the stadium would be done in time for the 2013 season even though Infrastructure Ontario, Hostco and the Ticats all say 2014. LOL

Comment edited by Vod_Kann on 2011-07-20 17:44:54

Thanks Robert.. appreciate the info.

Sorry, it's actually page 49, not 48 that I should have referred to above.

Also one clarification on the Confederation/Centennial parkway issue: Confederation Station was also called "Centennial Parkway West" to differentiate it from the Proposed Centennial Parkway stop, which was to be on the Smart Centre lands.

See page III for description of the proposed stations.

Why would anyone want to work for these buffoons? Between the stadium fiasco and LRT, staff morale under Bratina/Murray must be at an all time low. I guess the rule at City Hall is: You may enjoy what you're working on, and be spending lots of time (taxpayers money) doing excellent work on it, but don't get too attached because the mayor might have a pastrami sandwich before bed and dream up something new for you to work on.

Odour Detector

I agree. Recently, at a GIC meeting, Human Resources was presenting the results of their findings about employee absenteeism, short term disability and long term disability. The trends in all three categories are not good. All up. Some way up.

The question you have to ask yourself is, of course, why?

They can talk all they want about an aging and out-of-shape workforce, but one of the key factors as it relates to these numbers trending up or down is both the employee working environment and a personal sense of purpose and contribution.

On both these fronts, the organizational culture of the City of Hamilton gets low marks. There is no compelling vision. There is no sense of personal contribution. The HR systems are anchored to nothing except generic forms. There is no inspirational leadership, neither from Chris Murray and his SMT, nor from Council. No wonder people phone in sick, or actually get sick. they can hold all the "Living and Eating Well" workshops they want. They will have little or no effect. This is bad news both socially and economically. the costs are staggering.

Agreed. I work in the public sector at an organization not dissimilar in size and scope to the City of Hamilton. My current position is more project-oriented than task- or service-oriented. If I were constantly being diverted from my work or my projects were cancelled outright by what looks like the whims of somebody's ego, I would likely just say 'screw it' and quit, or better yet, go on stress leave.

Guaranteed we lose Jill Stephen, one of the city's brightest and most talented staff, to another municipality in a matter of months.