Questions and Answers
1. Does the City/Region need more regulations for new and future businesses to protect groundwater?
Sharon Chapman: Yes
2. Do you support a bylaw restricting the non-essential, cosmetic use of pesticides (for lawn and garden care)?
Sharon Chapman: Yes I do
3. The issue of a new Highway 7 between Kitchener and Guelph is still simmering. What is your preferred solution? (ie leave existing road as is? widen existing highway? put in commuter train between K/W and Guelph? build new highway, etc.)
Sharon Chapman: I believe that this route requires examination for current and future needs for both communities. Commuter trains may be the best alternative, however, I'm not sure if sufficient cost/benefit analysis has been done to justify the expense.
4. What are your recommendations for alternate transportation (ie bike/hike trails, buses, LRT, GO train)
Sharon Chapman: As with my comments above - LRT has significant benefits for this Region, however we need to ensure that we have adequate funding and support to make this a successful venture. (ie; provincial funding, communities embracing the concept, etc.)
5. What are your solutions for gridlock?
Sharon Chapman: Continue to educate citizens on the benefits of alternative transportation. Perhaps there is more opportunity for local businesses to provide "flex hours" as a means of reducing congestion. Where possible, workers who can work remotely should be encouraged to do so. This will not only help to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads, but will help reduce vehicle emissions with the positive effect on air quality. Looking to our neighbouring cities (Toronto, Mississauga) to determine what types of solutions are viable for this region.
6. Do you support defining an urban border that puts an end to urban sprawl to protect farmland and natural areas?
Sharon Chapman: I do support defining an urban border - our natural resources in this region are a precious commodity. I believe we need to find a balance between responsible growth and preservation.
7. Do you believe that our size should be limited to our carrying capacity (ie groundwater resources, geographical barriers, impact on natural environment)
Sharon Chapman: As stated in #6, I believe we must be very conscious of our resources and their limits. I want to ensure that the quality of life we enjoy today in Waterloo Region is there for our children and our children's children.
8. What measurable initiatives can you take to improve air quality locally?
Sharon Chapman: Continue to educate citizens of this community and beyond, starting at a very young age. Encourage alternative means of transportation for the community, provide assistance (education/financial, planning, etc) to businesses that are contributors to poor air quality - perhaps we need to be tougher on offending businesses?.
9. How do you envision reaching zero waste?
Sharon Chapman: Education continues to play a big part in this goal - again starting at a very young age. We also need to work with the region to ensure that the infrastructure is there to promote and manage recycling programs.
10. How do you see the City/Region 20 years from now?
Sharon Chapman: My vision of Kitchener and Waterloo Region as a whole is a strong, vibrant community that has so much to offer. I believe the region needs to balance growth with preservation of our natural resources to ensure sustainability into the future. I envision a healthy, vibrant downtown core that offers unique shopping, theatre and cultural activities as well as family-oriented events and programs. Bringing main Library to the centre block is, in my opinion, plays an important part in this vision. This city (and region) has so much to offer and should be promoted as not only a wonderful place to work and raise a family but also as a tourist destination. I believe that the region needs to develop an integrated tourism strategy that will allow the city and the region to maximize the resources and activities we have to offer.
11. Should Cambridge fit into the Region's future? If yes, how?
Sharon Chapman: Cambridge is a big part of Waterloo Region, however I believe that the community within would prefer to remain independent.
12. How do you propose to obtain the maximum level of forest coverage for this area?
Sharon Chapman: Manage growth in the region, ensure that significant green space is maintained, develop areas as green space.
13. How can you best work with community groups and concerned citizens to achieve environmental sustainability?
Sharon Chapman: My main objective as Councillor in Ward 2 is to be accessible. Developing two-way communication with my constituents as well as concerned citizens within the city is the best way to work towards achieving and maintaining a strong and vibrant community. This encompasses not only health and welfare of the community but also growth and prosperity throughout the region.
14. How would you support and develop lifelong environmental education in the City/Region?