Comment 39620

By Kiely (registered) | Posted April 09, 2010 at 10:54:45

Conclusion: There are things we can do to ensure we get LRT. Some of them require political will and some require money (yes, you have to spend it to make it). What they all require is people who have the time and dedication to make it happen. - Robert D

This is an important point, there are things that can be done. My family is from St. Louis, a city that has similar and arguably bigger problems than Hamilton but the one thing they have had going for them is philanthropy and mass public involvement in ensuring the city is maintained in the face of dire fiscal challenges. St Louis has been maintained by the public for years, not solely, but without the involvement of the public the city would be in much worse shape. The renewal of Forest Park is a perfect example, nearly $50 million in private funds were collected (in a city with a core population of ~300K). There is a tremendous amount of local pride in St. Louis, something Hamilton could certainly use more of.

It is not a coincidence that the projects moving ahead in this city such as the Grand Hotel have local private funding behind them. But from what I have seen, too often in this city, the people in the best position to help (i.e., the wealthy and local corporations) are often the ones looking for the hand out or seek to stifle plans from moving ahead. That leaves the burden on the predominantly working class people of Hamilton to step up, but time and money are two things the working class often lack. Until the people with deep pockets seek to help and not hinder local development I'm afraid it will be more of the same-old same-old.

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