Questions and Answers

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

Herb Neher: Everything possible should be done to protect our groundwater. Strong enforceable regulations must be in place!

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

Herb Neher: Living in the country I personally do not subscribe to cosmetic pesticides.

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.)

Herb Neher: Expand existing one if feasible. I cannot see commuter trains or bus transit distracting people from using their vehicles.

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

Herb Neher: I love the thought of expanding these modes of transportation. Much more education is required and many roads would have to be altered to encourage safe biking.

5. What are your solutions for gridlock?

Herb Neher: ?

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

Herb Neher: Yes. We are putting too much workable farmland under concrete and destroying the pastoral, small community concept in the name of progress.

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

Herb Neher: Most definitely. Bigger has never proven to be better. Toronto is an example as is Kitchener proper.

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

Herb Neher: Be more selective and ensure that future businesses are environmentally friendly and directly serve the immediate community.

9. How do you envision reaching zero waste?

Herb Neher: Education! Packaging. Minimizing the tremendous amount of useless paper advertising that pollutes our mailboxes. A controlled, balanced community that has the guts to say HALT to urban sprawl.

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

Herb Neher: A controlled, balanced community that has the guts to say HALT to urban sprawl.

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

Herb Neher: ?

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

Herb Neher: Encourage tree growth whenever possible. Discourage the desecration of existing woodlands.

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

Herb Neher: Listen to what people have to say on the issues, and elect people and government that are committed to environmental issues.

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

Herb Neher: Control urban sprawl by restricting available land for developments/industries, encourage more organic farming, convince governments that bigger and more is not better, educate people that bigger is not progress but most often destructive and higher taxes.

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