An expensive parking ticket

RE: Parking fines

My daughter was visiting Hamilton and McMaster University campus. She was considering this school and the city for what was likely at least a four- to six-year stay. She received a ticket. The multiple McMaster University students in the vehicle with her could not believe that a ticket was issued for an unmarked "but apparent" area.

As a person from outside your city, I went to the location. I was also shocked by the ticketing.

She will not be going to McMaster because of this. Just so you know what your city and school are missing ... my other daughter got the highest marks in the world on her MCAT testing for medical school admission.

While I will pay the ticket, I also guarantee that I will be the least supportive person in Canada for the City of Hamilton, the citizens of Hamilton, McMaster University and the graduates of that institution. If your institutions cannot curb the unjust abuse of power, I do not trust them to fulfil higher functions. Your institutions have a history of tolerating absolutely horrible corruption, a.k.a. the pothole fillers scandal, and apparently have learned nothing for the experience.

David O'Brien, Belleville

Happily, police board problems are worked out

RE: Levy says 'sorry' but community wary (Nov. 22)

What a relief it was to read that two of our prominent community leaders, Madeleine Levy and Walter Juchniewicz, have found a way to move past their personal conflict. I would have expected nothing less from two individuals that give so much to this community.

Madeleine has been recognized for her stewardship of social justice and Walter for his business accomplishments. Both were appointed to the Police Services Board for their sound judgment.

This was an opportunity to remind us that words matter and impact people differently. Leadership is difficult, and especially difficult in the policing arena. What I have learned after almost 30 years in policing is that the best leaders are the ones who take responsibility for the clarity of their communications. It is also a good thing to resolve internal schisms quickly before they impact the broader community.

Chris John Kiriakopoulos, Hamilton

'Incremental suffocation' strikes again

RE: I'm not shopping downtown any more (Nov. 22)

In response to this letter, this is the kind of thing I have been saying for over 10 years now after the conversion of John Street and James Street to two-way traffic. Has it made the huge difference that was forecast? Doubt it. There are still empty storefronts on both streets, and just look at the vacant lot at the corner of Main and John.

Has it backed up traffic? No doubt. This was just the beginning of making travel downtown more difficult. And as Mr. Welsh points out, the new bike lanes on Bay Street suddenly removes another lane of car traffic. I found the timing of these lanes questionable, as well. You might not notice it now, Bay Street residents, but come spring when you open your windows, don't be surprised to be overwhelmed by auto emissions from cars idling all the way up to Aberdeen.

I am an avid cyclist and ride downtown a fair bit, but as Mr. Welsh states, and I'm willing to bet thousands of others concur, if you want to make it hard to get to and drive around downtown, for most it just won't be worth the trouble. Remove the cars and you remove the people. Incremental suffocation rides again!

Carl W. Ambridge, Hamilton

Councillors should try living on meagre pensions

RE: I'm not shopping downtown any more (Nov. 22)

I am glad to see that our city councillors don't have a problem with water and sewer rates increasing by 4.85 per cent. I guess none of them are retired with limited funds. Registered pensions, CPP and OAS went up 1.45 per cent in 2016, the same as the inflation rate, and it is expected to go up 1.7 per cent for 2017. Common sense tells you that you can't keep increasing the water rate and city taxes by more than the inflation rate or our net incomes will diminish and, as result, we will be have to reduce spending to balance our personal budgets, which will have repercussions for businesses and the local economy. It's like living beyond our means through no fault of our own.

Maybe it is time we elected new councillors who know how to do simple math and can direct our tax money effectively to deliver balanced budgets without raising water rates and city taxes beyond the inflation rate. Perhaps they should do their jobs and find more cost effective ways of running the city without the use of outside consultants.

Tom Hammill, Hamilton

We need more referees like Wayne

RE: Wayne's stars in stripes (Nov. 22)

I read the article with tears in my eyes. I knew Wayne when my boys played hockey for Saltfleet and later Stoney Creek. I ran rep hockey tournaments, so I got to really know "my refs." Wayne was always a gentleman. He was one of the best!

I am sorry I did not attend the recent fundraiser as I did not know about the event. I want him to stay strong and continue teaching. We need great referees like him. Good luck.

Doris Clipston, Hamilton

Vote out the cancerous Liberals

RE: Remember the NDP at election time (Nov. 22)

I can't believe what this author said about remembering the NDP at election time. They are the only defenders of the working class. If you want to slam a political party, then slam the outrageously huge debt that the Liberals are creating. Billions upon billions of your tax dollars are being wasted and pocketed by these unscrupulous and silver spoon smirking Liberals. If you don't want this country bankrupted, wake up give your heads a shake and vote out this cancer chewing on our legs.