Questions and Answers
1. Does the City/Region need more regulations for new and future businesses to protect groundwater?
David Brohman: Clean water is a basic human need, without it nothing else matters. Any community must have an infrastructure that supports the people who live in that community and the businesses that operate there. Without proper regulation of groundwater resources there will be other costs that will certainly occur, usually in the area of health care. To answer the question more directly, we must strictly enforce the regulations that are in place currently and push for provincial regulations that are strictly enforced for all communities, including Kitchener.
2. Do you support a bylaw restricting the non-essential, cosmetic use of pesticides (for lawn and garden care)?
David Brohman: Absolutely, without question yes. We have not used chemicals on our property for over twenty years and interestingly, the small amount of lawn we have left looks a lot like all the others in the neighbourhood. My wife and I are in the midst of a ten to fifteen year project to get rid of our whole lawn, without spending any money to do it.
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.)
David Brohman: I believe that we need to do two things. In the short term, widen the existing Highway 7. In the longer term we need a commuter train from Guelph to Kitchener that runs regularly enough that people will use it.
4. What are your recommendations for alternate transportation (ie bike/hike trails, buses, LRT, GO train)
David Brohman: All of these initiatives are good ideas. However, bus, LRT and GO Trains must be frequent enough that people will use them. If service is irregular, people simply will not use any of them. There will have to be an initial period where service is subsidized as people switch from cars to other means of transport. Bike trails and walking trails are a good idea for exercise. I have been using the Grand River Trail which took some vision for people like Doug Letson to bring about.
5. What are your solutions for gridlock?
David Brohman: We need to have people of various incomes live in the downtown. Shuttle buses could move people on 'short runs'. For example there could be a Saturday morning shuttle from the Kitchener Market to Highland and Belmont to Ottawa and Westmount (this is an example).
6. Do you support defining an urban border that puts an end to urban sprawl to protect farmland and natural areas?
David Brohman: Absolutely yes. We must find ways to develop areas within the city that are already developed. There is a limited amount of good farmland and we cannot continue to pave it. I am a member of PALS which is trying to protect farmland in the Niagara Region. We need to do the same thing in Kitchener (Waterloo Region).
7. Do you believe that our size should be limited to our carrying capacity (ie groundwater resources, geographical barriers, impact on natural environment)
David Brohman: Absolutely, yes.
8. What measurable initiatives can you take to improve air quality locally?
David Brohman: We must reduce the dependence on cars as described above as well as insisting the provincial laws are enforced.
9. How do you envision reaching zero waste?
David Brohman: We need to work to have a backyard composter in every home. As a municipality we could provide a rebate for returnable items like bottles. This is a long term objective.
10. How do you see the City/Region 20 years from now?
David Brohman: I am running for city council and as such I will respond regarding Kitchener. I see a downtown that is thriving with a mix of housing from very expensive to moderate to affordable. I see a variety of businesses in the downtown. I see more communities within the city where people shop in their own smaller community. Kitchener is a great place to live and people do and will see that.
11. Should Cambridge fit into the Region's future? If yes, how?
David Brohman: Yes, as it does now.
12. How do you propose to obtain the maximum level of forest coverage for this area?
David Brohman: Urban forests are essential. We need a broad mix of trees to avoid diseases that kill off an entire species of trees, such as Dutch Elm and currently Maple trees. We can provide free trees to citizens who will plant trees.
13. How can you best work with community groups and concerned citizens to achieve environmental sustainability?
David Brohman: Every politician brings interests to the position. I am very aware of environmental issues. First and foremost I want to work on environmental concerns. I cannot promise to be all things to all people but environmentalists will have a receptive ear if I am elected.
14. How would you support and develop lifelong environmental education in the City/Region?