Comments for Mayor Karen Farbridge's Blog

Comment on We want to hear from you! by KFarbridge

KFarbridge — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:29:01 +0000

Thank you very much for taking time to raise your concerns with regards to transit connections. Our staff have looked into your concerns and will communicate with you directly.

We are committed to providing better service to all riders as part of our Transit Growth Strategy.

Comment on We want to hear from you! by Brian M.

Brian M. — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:34:21 +0000

City staff have responded with form replies like “we appreciate your feedback” or “Guelph has recently undergone some changes to transit”.
What the public needs is for you,council,and transit to actually address the problems,we have had 17 months of lack of service to the square,lack of stops,missed connections and far too many people running for and missing buses.
The city needs to make a statement to both newspapers asking the public how we feel about this system.You should be very concerned about the problems.
We deserve and have a right to have a say in this and we have not gotten that.

Comment on We want to hear from you! by KFarbridge

KFarbridge — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:35:46 +0000

Thank you for your e-mail. I understand that our staff have responded to you with regards to your concerns.

Comment on We want to hear from you! by Brian M.

Brian M. — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:20:25 +0000

I don’t see why we are worrying about shelters right now when we have all the loop buses missing their connection at the GCS.I have been walking for 20 to 25 minutes every day since Feb3 just to make sure I can get the 20 Ind. bus I need.
For me to use the 2A loop I would have to be on an earlier bus and wait around for 20 minutes for the #20,this wastes 30 minutes of my time in total before I even get on the #20.
Karen,you have a statement on this blog about cutting commute times as much as possible,and you make frequent statements about how important it is for kids to have a proper breakfast and how important family is,transit has a slogan that “they are working harder to get us on our way”
All the people using the loop routes are forced to be on earlier buses,adding commute time,not in any way cutting it.Any parent using these loop routes and having to leave earlier in the morning are losing at least 20 minutes with their kids.
We need to restore routes like the Woolwich run which actually served its area very well and made its connections,we cannot have an 80 minute perimeter route that touches both Woodlawn and Stone road being the only one serving the Woolwich area.

Comment on We want to hear from you! by Anita Warley

Anita Warley — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:42:43 +0000

The first priority is to provide adequate shelter at the Carden St. Depot — i.e. enclosed structures like that.portrayed at the blog.

Comment on No applause please by kfarbridge

kfarbridge — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:56:37 +0000

I am absolutely not encouraging what you have suggested.

Comment on No applause please by Dave Sills

Dave Sills — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 16:47:03 +0000

Thanks for responding. What you are encouraging then is for citizens to provide comments during ‘the process’ and stay home for votes – since just sitting in the gallery really affords zero opportunity to show support for anything. While I understand your concern, I don’t agree with this approach and would rather see respectful democratic participation from the gallery during Council meetings, especially for important votes. I think a full gallery is a good indication of an engaged citizenry and a healthy local democracy – and thus should be encouraged. London City Council apparently agrees (see link above).

Comment on Noise complaints by Dr. Tim Toolman

Dr. Tim Toolman — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:14:57 +0000

It’s just noise. Grow up. Seriously.
You’re all doing that thing where you’re turning into your parents.

Comment on No applause please by kfarbridge

kfarbridge — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:23:16 +0000

There are many opportunities to have a voice in local decision making and it continues to grow as we move to implement open government and further enhance community engagement. In this case, there was the consultation process which included a Telephone Town Hall and World Café as opportunities to have a voice. All correspondence received from members of the public is part of the consultation process. Some members of the public voiced their opinion directly to members of Council. Some wrote letters to the editor. Others voiced their concerns or support on social media. All of these represent opportunities for freedom of expression and having voice on a local decision.

Speaking to Council is also an important opportunity – and often the most intimidating. In this moment, I believe it is important to balance our our right to freedom of expression with providing a supportive environment that encourages as many voices to be heard as possible in that moment.

Comment on No applause please by Dave Sills

Dave Sills — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:06:01 +0000

Mayor Farbridge,

I certainly understand your perspective on this. But it is only one aspect of the issue – albeit an important aspect. Other aspects need to be considered.

It is pretty frustrating when you come out to a Council meeting and sit in the gallery to support a certain position but have no way to show that you support that position. How are councillors to know what the citizens in the gallery are concerned about if the audience can’t express their opinion in any way – not through clapping, booing, holding up cards, or otherwise? Those in the gallery are effectively voiceless. Why bother showing up?

I’m sure Council is happy to see a packed gallery – it’s a sign of a healthy democracy. And I would think that Council would want to know why those in the gallery have taken the time to come out.

Maybe there’s a creative compromise possible?

Here’s an alternative take on the issue from London:

http://www.lfpress.com/news/london/2012/04/16/19639171.html

Thanks for sharing your views on this – both here and at Council on Monday.

Dave Sills