Questions and Answers

1. Does the City/Region need more regulations for new and future businesses to protect groundwater?

Angela Vieth: I am not up on the existing regulations. I would need to learn and understand current regulations and be sure that they are being enforced before I would want to impose more regulations.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Yes. The times have changed and so must practices to ensure a healthier future and lessen long term impacts of today's decisions.

2. Do you support a bylaw restricting the non-essential, cosmetic use of pesticides (for lawn and garden care)?

Angela Vieth: Yes

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Yes. I have been active and political on this topic for several years and have made it part of my election platform. As a member of GROUP and co-founder of 7 Generations Network, I plan to continue this work until completion.

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.)

Angela Vieth: I would prefer the most environmentally friendly solution for highway 7. Commuter train and express buses would be the best solution. Carpool parking lots could work too. I am annoyed when I see so many vehicles on the highways with only the driver.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: The answers are multifaceted and not just one. As a cofounder of H7ALT Highway 7 Alternatives, we see widening of the existing highway as part of the answer, improved inter city rail availability, right through to Toronto and back to London as well, increase car pooling and frequent and accessible bus service that is affordable, including direct links to the 3 universities and the college campuses, in addition bike lanes are also part of the solution. A 4 lane controlled access highway north of the existing one is a boondoggle and will not meet the needs of the future without great impact and high cost and will be short lived even as a solution.

4. What are your recommendations for alternate transportation (ie bike/hike trails, buses, LRT, GO train)

Angela Vieth: I am in support of the LRT. I will promote bike lanes and a coherent series of trails throughout the region.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: I have made proposals over the years to all levels of government on these issues and both on street and bike trails are part of what needs to be incorporated into transportation plans, as well as Internet linking of bus services that facilitate and connect with other cities to simply the usage at both ends of the destination, as well as intra-city. Go transit that is fast, frequent and affordable is also formula for GRT in town. In addition, a call for proposals for new solutions to in town transit is needed, to assess solutions that will bring us better into the 21st century.

5. What are your solutions for gridlock?

Angela Vieth: Efficient LRT and buses, encouraging development in the Uptown core.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Improved rail use, bus service and car pooling as well as working at home via technology when possible.

6. Do you support defining an urban border that puts an end to urban sprawl to protect farmland and natural areas?

Angela Vieth: Yes

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Absolutely. It needs to be a Hard Boarder, not a 'can be changed in the future' as is now the case.

7. Do you believe that our size should be limited to our carrying capacity (ie groundwater resources, geographical barriers, impact on natural environment)

Angela Vieth: Yes

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Yes. It is the only sustainable approach.

8. What measurable initiatives can you take to improve air quality locally?

Angela Vieth: Using a push mower to cut the grass, cutting the grass less often, using less grass, and turning the vehicle off instead of letting it idle. Planting trees…………………

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Aggressively improve transit with new solutions that can compete or beat the car as the primary transportation mode, including bike paths and lanes, state of the art transit modes, assessed by a call for proposals and then presented to the community for input. Funding and by-law support for anti idling initiatives ie media budget and education info.

9. How do you envision reaching zero waste?

Angela Vieth: New technology for packaging, and waste disintegration.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Expansion of recycling capability and wet/dry options especially for those that are not home owners. In addition, lobbying Provincial government to assess deposit charges and full cost accounting practices to production methods used by industry.

10. How do you see the City/Region 20 years from now?

Angela Vieth: Green. Busy. Thriving. Vibrant. Lovely diverse neighbourhoods. Great neighbourhood schools. Satisfied visitors. High tech leader

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Without serious changes, we are in danger of becoming a second Mississauga, a maze of sprawl and roads and without community spirit. With adoption of sustainable practices and long term planning that spans 100 years and more, we can be the Jewel of Ontario and the model for other communities to aspire to. Surrounded by farmland, with state of the art transit that diminishes the need even for private vehicle ownership, a safe and cleaner air community than what we now live in and with housing that can be accessed by all of our citizens related to their income and desire.

11. Should Cambridge fit into the Region's future? If yes, how?

Angela Vieth: Yes. I know that there is a movement in Cambridge for separation. If Cambridge can convince the community that it can thrive and survive without the umbrella of the Region then so be it. I think it makes sense for the cities and townships to work together on projects that affect the Region.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Cambridge should be a part of the Region, but not as a reluctant bride. The political culture at the region has worked against Cambridge on many points and must become more sensitive to the needs of this city and its people. For example, GRT mobility plus for the challenged still will not cross from Cambridge to Kitchener with out it being for a medical appointment, effectively denying the citizens social contacts and vice versa. This is a REGIONAL program, yet isolating.

12. How do you propose to obtain the maximum level of forest coverage for this area?

Angela Vieth: The 10,000 Trees Project has already planted thousands of trees throughout the City of Waterloo. This is a program that can be mimicked in other communities. It is a great example of partnerships between businesses, volunteers and the City.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Stopping of cutting of wood lots and sponsorship of reforestation projects ie available trees for the home owner that will plant more than 2 including free compost material.

13. How can you best work with community groups and concerned citizens to achieve environmental sustainability?

Angela Vieth: I know that there are some amazing community groups in the City of Waterloo that have a wealth of knowledge to share. The local governments should listen to them and use their expertise instead of spending money on expensive studies and programs. G.R.O.U.P. , Horticultural Societies, Communities in Bloom, 10,000 Trees to name a few.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: By listening and taking advice into full account and implementing it when possible rather than just facilitate development.

14. How would you support and develop lifelong environmental education in the City/Region?

Angela Vieth: I would like to see environmental workshops throughout the city on a regular basis featuring local experts who would speak about pertinent environmental issues, similar to the one that the Laurelwood Neighbourhood Association sponsored last month.

Judy Greenwood-Speers: Make open and free access to all City/Regional lands for education purposes to children and school boards. Encourage partnerships in agriculture through land plots for those who wish to garden and pairing of seniors with younger people, to share the wisdom, experience and workload. Provide educational information on a regular basis to help improve access to understanding how we can impact the environment, both positively and negatively, to increase awareness and social conscience.

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