Who said what on LRT: Highlights from Wednesday's critical city council meeting
The vote carried with 10 in favour and five against
After Wednesday's vote approving an environmental assessment for LRT, the project's future is looking much brighter than it did a week ago.
- Hamilton LRT clears a major council hurdle, will move ahead
- Province supports extension of LRT line to Eastgate Square but offers no new money
Ultimately, the vote was carried with 10 in favour and five against. The councillors who voted against the project were Donna Skelly (ward 7), Doug Conley (ward 9), Maria Pearson (ward 10), Brenda Johnson (ward 11), and Judi Partridge (ward 15).
Here's what some of those in attendance had to say at Wednesday's critical LRT council meeting and below that a sampling of social media reaction from citizens, advocates and others.
Coun. Terry Whitehead, Ward 8
Terry Whitehead, a critic of LRT in Hamilton, was an unlikely champion of the plan Wednesday introducing the motion to approve the environmental assessment, with the major caveat that the B-line would continue to Eastgate Square as originally intended.
Coun. Chad Collins, Ward 5
Chad Collins, a long-time opponent of the project, said that he's still worried about it and still against it, but wants to cooperate with council and move forward.
Coun. Sam Merulla Ward 4
Sam Merulla, an outspoken advocate of the project, said he's very pleased with the result, and credited community engagement with getting LRT through this crucial vote. Several councillors said they believe if the vote had been held last Wednesday as originally intended, it would have been the death of the project.
Those opposed
There were also several members of the public who oppose LRT attending Wednesday's meeting. Based on the amount of applause, there were many more supporter of the LRT plan. CBC Hamilton interviewed two of those opposed. Here's what they had to say.
Following Wednesday's vote, there are still questions about how the project will move forward and it may face more hurdles in the future. But for now, those in favour are breathing a sigh of relief.
Here's a sampling of reaction and comments from social media:
It's been said that "fear and hope eat off the same plate". Tonight, a very respectful LRT City Council meeting chose hope. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hamont?src=hash">#hamont</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/onpoli?src=hash">#onpoli</a>
—@TedMcMeekinNow that LRT is a go, let's shift our focus to showing support for the businesses along the corridor throughout this project. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hamont?src=hash">#hamont</a>
—@S_Braithwaite1<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoLRT?src=hash">#NoLRT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yesLRT?src=hash">#yesLRT</a> a 1B$ project for 10% of the city how can that be good? How does it help the NEnd,Dundas,St.Creek,HamMnt,Ancastr<br>It doesn't
—@10PinHackWe felt inspired by <a href="https://twitter.com/arlenevandrbeek">@arlenevandrbeek</a>'s remarks from yesterday's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/yesLRT?src=hash">#yesLRT</a> vote! Ambitious <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThursdayThoughts?src=hash">#ThursdayThoughts</a> fit for an Ambitious City. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamOnt?src=hash">#HamOnt</a> <a href="https://t.co/vYlVgKHv4L">pic.twitter.com/vYlVgKHv4L</a>
—@AmbitiousRealty