Special Report: Light Rail Letter: Past Mayors, Regional Chairs Support Light Rail An open letter signed by seven former Hamilton Mayors and Wentworth Regional Chairs calls on Council to continue supporting Hamilton's LRT plan. By RTH Staff

Published June 14, 2016

A distinguished coalition of former Mayors and Regional Chairs has signed an open letter calling on the current Hamilton City Council to "re-affirm its commitment to continue working with Metrolinx" on the city's light rail transit (LRT) plan. That plan has full capital funding from the Province and is currently being implemented by Metrolinx in cooperation with City staff.

The letter is signed by: Anne Bain, Stoney Creek Mayor from 1997-2000; Terry Cooke, Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Chair from 1994-2000; Larry Di Ianni, Hamilton Mayor from 2003-2006; Don Granger, Flamborough Mayor from 1991-1994; Bob Morrow, Hamilton Mayor from 1982-2000; Bill Sears, Regional Chair from 1986-1988; and Bob Wade, Hamilton Mayor from 2000-2003.

Following is the text of the letter:

June 14, 2016 Open Letter from Past Mayors and Regional Chairpersons We, the undersigned former mayors and regional chairs, believe that Light Rail Transit will be a great benefit and building it is the right thing to do for our community. LRT will attract new investment and new jobs. It will mean rising property values and assessment and create significant economic uplift, not only for the downtown, but for the entire city. In short, LRT will accelerate increasing energy and vitality in Hamilton. It should be noted that city infrastructure updates, such as new water pipes that will be done as the project goes forward, will be covered by the $1-billion LRT project, and would otherwise have to be paid for by the city directly. People might wish to consider that if the $1-billion in provincial spending goes to another city, we as provincial taxpayers would still be paying for it, but getting no direct benefit for our city. Council naturally has legitimate questions - and will continue to throughout the life of this initiative - since not every question can be answered immediately due to its scope and necessarily complex implementation. We appreciate its vigilance. We urge Council to re-affirm its commitment to continue working with Metrolinx on the $1-billion, fully-funded-by-the-province, LRT initiative. Yours truly, Anne Bain

Mayor of Stoney Creek (1997 - 2000), Stoney Creek Councillor, Regional Council (1994-2000) Terry Cooke

Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Chair (1994 - 2000), Ward 1 Councillor (1985 - 1994) Larry Di Ianni

Hamilton Mayor (2003 - 2006), Stoney Creek Councillor (1982 - 2000) Don Granger

Mayor of Flamborough (1991 - 1994) Bob Morrow

Hamilton Mayor (1982 - 2000), Board of Control (1970 - 1980), Alderman, Ward 1 (1971-2), Councillor Ward 3 (2014) Bill Sears

Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Chair (1986 - 1988), Stoney Creek Mayor (1980-1985) Bob Wade

Hamilton Mayor (2000 - 2003), Mayor of Ancaster (1984-2000), Regional Council (1978 -2000), Ancaster Councillor (1978-1984)

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