<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Neil,<div><br></div><div>Thanks for letting us know about this meeting. As Susan wrote an op-ed pro light rail article and as most members support it, it is to GREN's advantage to hear <b>constructive criticism</b> even when its likelihood is remote. However, when their concerns appear to be valid & significant -- or a large # of people think they are -- then they should be given serious consideration. Unaddressed angry "taxpayers" can be very disruptive of necessary social & environmental advancement -- as the "tea baggers" in the US demonstrate.</div><div><br></div><div>As my previous email on Light Rail said, I agree with members of T4ST -- most of whom will likely never use any form of transit -- unless they lose their job &/or have to work in the GTA -- who say that Light Rail as currently designed can cause some "grave problems". However, I differ with their implied exaggerated conception of a "grave problem". For example, their co-chair has a business on King St. between the K&W downtowns. His "grave problem" is that taxpayers -- including he, his wife & their clients -- will be inconvenienced by the new equivalent one-wayness of King street & a raised track. To me this is a very minor sacrifice that some taxpayer-drivers will be asked to make for the sake of LRT speed & safety (exclusive car dominance has existed for too long). In fact, to enhance these 2 LRT benefits, I would prefer to see a protecting fence on either side of the tracks -- especially for the sake of children, animals and poor-thinking tax-paying cheaters!</div><div><br></div><div>A "grave problem" for me would be for foresightless planning to make -- on key arteries -- unnecessarily decreases in road capacity (King: 4 lanes to 2) or necessary road capacity increases difficult (Ottawa: 2 lanes to 4). And this with new environmentally-neutral car propulsion systems & growing core-populations! Being more future-sensitive, we will need all the road space we can muster in order to avoid developing local traffic jams (making this area less desirable to live -- with attendant property value decreases [but resulting lower property taxes?] -- & visit). A very successful LRT will both attract more higher-level people as users but also not anger drivers in their green vehicles from transit-caused insufficient road capacity. Then we will beter signify to the World that Waterloo Region has arrived as a modern municipal player on the World Stage. (I agree with T4ST on 1 thing though: using the name Golden Triangle.)</div><div><br></div><div>This group certainly merits watching especially as they want to have a Rapid Transit referendum as part of the 2010 municipal elections. Maybe we should invite them to address GREN? Try to attend their meeting this evening & speak your thoughts.</div><div><br></div><div>Best wishes,</div><div>Robert M. </div><div> </div><div><div><br></div><div>PS: Further, I have learned of an underlying involvement of a local murky bad actor and his newly morphed ideological mushroom house. To elaborate, T4ST's own implied lack of general community & environmental goodwill positioned them to be gullible targets for seduction by this Region's most powerful agent of extreme personal & corporate selfishness. For them he has donned has rarely used nice face. More specifically, their work has been supported by anti-environmentalist and corporate anarchist (corporations must be given a free "hand" to ravage society & the environment -- which they have been very successful at) retired UofW philos. prof. Jan Narveson. He has been meeting with T4ST in his musical concert room for over a year -- a sort of anti-environmental "accelerator center". Jan, an American import, also has been a long-time supporter of big oil and a critic of efforts to recognize fossil-fuel-related climate instability (& potential destruction such as by H2S from degraded World Oceans). In line with this position -- and complementary to GM & EXXON led very successful, sneaky & disgraceful efforts to remove streetcars from North American streets -- Jan is doing his best to ensure that streetcars aren't reborn here as the very World-popular LRTs.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div>On 5-Nov-09, at 11:16 AM, Neil E. Taylor wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="Street"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="address"><div class="Section1"><div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="3" color="navy" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: navy; ">I am unsure where I stand on all of this, but I had this sent to me by a person in our community who thought I’d be interested. Unfortunately, I am unable to make it.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="3" color="navy" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: navy; ">NT<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="3" color="navy" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: navy; "><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="3" face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">Greetings from Taxpayers for Sensible Transit,<o:p></o:p></span></font></div></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">I am writing to you because you have previously expressed concerns regarding Waterloo Region’s plans for </span></font><font size="2" color="blue"><span style="font-size: 10pt; color: blue; "> spending money foolishly. The current LRT proposal is just that!</span></font> <o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">Our group, Taxpayers for Sensible Transit, will be holding a free public forum on this important topic next week and you are invited to attend.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">On Thursday November 5, 2009 at 7 pm at the Delta Hotel, Downtown Kitchener, Taxpayers for Sensible Transit is pleased to present an informative evening with Andy Haydon, former regional chair of Ottawa-Carleton and architect of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ottawa</st1:place></st1:city>’s internationally recognized Bus Transitway. (Free parking off<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Charles St</st1:address></st1:street>.)<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">Mr. Haydon will be speaking about his many years of experience running a transit system much larger than that in Waterloo Region.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ottawa</st1:place></st1:city>’s innovative system has proven that buses are far cheaper, more flexible and more efficient than the expensive rail system proposed by regional council. I think you will find his talk of great significance. Other speakers will provide additional detail on the specifics of Waterloo Region’s situation. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">Taxpayers for Sensible Transit is a local group with a broad representation from across the spectrum – business people, professionals, taxpayers – who believe an $800 million LRT system is the wrong choice for Waterloo Region. We are concerned about the high cost and damage that will be done to<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">King Street</st1:address></st1:street><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>as well as the fact a massive LRT system is inappropriate for our region. Improved bus service would be a far better choice.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">If you want further information, please visit our website at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.t4st.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">www.t4st.com</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or reply to this email and I will be happy to answer any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">Best wishes and hope to see you on November 5<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> <o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; ">Please RSVP to 519-748-2301 or email at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:info@T4STgroup.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">info@T4STgroup.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></div><div style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; "><font size="2" face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><o:p> </o:p></span></font></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>All mailing list<br><a href="mailto:All@gren.ca" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">All@gren.ca</a><br><a href="http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline; ">http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca</a><br></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></o:smarttagtype></div></span></blockquote></div><br></div></div></body></html>