<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Paul,<div><br></div><div>I am writing this email because you asked me to communicate by email. But I would also really like to have an exploratory (and more interactive) telephone conversation with you. (519-696-2288)<br><div><br></div><div>Let me say how very much I appreciate citizens who are thinking about our Region's potential LRT then expressing their concerns in assertive, well-written letters to the editor.</div><div><br></div><div>As a person who has likely invested more time and effort in this Rapid Transit project (and earlier in Regional roads) than any other 10 people -- and who lobbied for the integration of KT and CT -- I see the need for more citizens to do the necessary transit research so as to optimize their constructive feedback and IDEAS.</div><div><br></div><div>As I have had many LRT (or RTI) discussions with Doug Craig -- and even more with Ken Seiling -- I am in a good position (especially as I live in the "neutral territory" of New Dundee) to interpret their views (and those of other Councillors and staff).</div><div><br></div><div>And I fear that the Region's and K-W's unfair treatment of Cambridge over the years -- which seems to be too motivated (even unconsciously) by trying to keep an "uppity" "second class" community in its place -- could have dire consequences for the integrity and reputation of our Region.</div><div><br></div><div>A worst outcome could be that Cambridge soon seeks successfully -- after a plebiscite -- to become geographically part of Wellington County and forms close ties with Guelph aided by a GC LRT along the underutilized GEXR/CN tracks (20km x $5M/km = $100M including the LRT vehicles). </div><div><br></div><div>The University of Waterloo models to all the Region and beyond the keystone values of Innovation & Collaboration. "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; ">In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing <b>innovation and collaboration</b> to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow.</span>"</div><div><a href="http://www.uwaterloo.ca/aboutuw/">http://www.uwaterloo.ca/aboutuw/</a></div><div><br></div><div>The practice of many Regional Councillors -- and some staff -- seem to imply contrary values. </div><div><br></div><div>This is demonstrated by the great inability of these councillors and staff to collaborate with Cambridge -- to the Region's advantage in so many ways. (Councillor Jane Brewer's Cinderella comment about Cambridge was viciously irresponsible -- and probably orchestrated by somebody else! Shame on you Jane and ... !)</div><div><br></div><div>Further indication comes from their lack of support for an Innovative -- and more cost-effective -- LRT system design, Instead, they blindly-support an excessive tax-money-wasting and likely poorly-used white elephant LRT plan.</div><div><br></div><div>Such unproductive values and actions surely will diminish our Region's Pioneering Innovation image around the World.</div><div><br></div><div>To be more specific, the Regional & K-W modus operandi seems to be, " Stop complaining about your unfair treatment or we will punish you!". (Carl Zehr's talk a few months ago to the Cambridge CofC in support of a Cambridge GO-Train was a welcomed exception -- good for you Carl.) </div><div><br></div><div>(And I look forward to Ken Seiling speaking similarly such as by supporting a more cost-effective LRT to Cambridge now! Perhaps God will whisper such a suggestion in his ear soon perhaps as Ken plays his heavenly music at Waterloo's First United Church. I fear that once Ken gets angry at a person or community, only God can change that anger in his heart to forgiveness and love!) </div><div><br></div><div>In a July 2010 letter the Record, Claudette detailed many of these mal-treatments by the Region (and Province), <a href="http://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters/article/296207--cambridge-deserves-a-fair-share">http://www.therecord.com/opinion/letters/article/296207--cambridge-deserves-a-fair-share</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>As I end this email, let me say that my LRT research -- involving mostly proven transit and</div><div>renewable energy IDEAS -- suggests that a more thoughtful type of staging (I might call it Smart LRT as opposed to ... ) would enable us to extend the LRT along a shorter, faster, safer, much less expensive, ,,, route (& of greater capacity) to the Ainslie Terminal. </div><div><br></div><div>Such an extended and truly rapid routing (with express bus cross connections) would attract significant numbers of working middle-class drivers from their cars to lessen traffic congestion.</div><div>And intensification goals would be better met -- but more slowly realized because of the Provinces (necessary) -- and affected Federal -- funding shortfall.</div><div><br></div><div>We could have a more functionally more successful LRT at a very livable cost -- and treat Cambridge more fairly in the process. But unfortunately Ken will lead the attack against such an approach as he did before, during and now after the election -- and for reasons irrational !</div><div><br></div><div>My next LRT Report will detail such an approach -- and I would hope for feedback from you on the draft.</div><div><br></div><div>Regards,</div><div>Robert</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>PS: </div><div><br></div><div>!, The pro-LRT group is meeting in dowmtowm Waterloo 6;30 tonight at the restaurant, </div><div><a href="http://www.wholelotagelata.com/" style="text-decoration: none; ">Whole Lot-A Gelata</a> near (south of) Wordsworth Bookstore.</div><div><br></div><div>2. Here is a copy of a year-old RT Report of mine:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></body></html>