Andrew Lawton will represent the new riding of Elgin-St. Thomas-London South as the Conservative Party of Canada candidate for the next federal election. Lawton defeated Central Elgin resident Anthony Shields at the nomination meeting Saturday afternoon at St. Anne’s Centre. As the media was not allowed to attend, we have no indication of how close the vote was or the contents of their five-minute speeches to attending party members.

 

Kevin Jones of Paradigm Transportation Solutions attended the Nov. 4 meeting of city council to provide an update on the status of the Transportation Master Plan refresh project.
His report offers a sweeping overview of the current transportation picture in St. Thomas and what the road ahead should look like.
He is recommending an aggressive shift in the operation of Railway City Transit that would see a six-fold increase in annual service hours involving 26 buses in service operating 17 hours every weekday.
These figures are based on a city population of 79,500, a couple of decades distant.
We’ll come back to that scenario in a moment.

A public information centre was held back in June and attended by 33 people.
What those residents would like to see is a “strong network of pedestrian and cycling routes separated from traffic.”
They also called for the city to explore ‘rail-to-trail’ opportunities.
However, with an increase in rail traffic projected in the coming years, there will not be much in the way of out-of-use trackage and the only right-of-way is the abandoned CASO line that parallels Talbot Street.
The attendees would like more strategic investments in road improvements to include: less road widening; more operational improvements and protection of future corridors.
As to transit, there is a “need to fund transit that provides an affordable alternative, enables access to all areas of the city and gives residents choice in how they travel.”
A public survey was undertaken involving 190 respondents, with 84 per cent noting they primarily reach their destination by driving.
Only 12 per cent use public transit for some trips.
The biggest concern about getting around in St. Thomas was driver behaviour (59 per cent of respondents).
That was closely followed by safety for cycling at 51 per cent.
When asked about what prevents them from cycling more, 61 per cent of respondents cited safety and 59 per cent noted a lack of a complete cycling network.
As for opportunities to improve cycling, 77 per cent said education for both motorists and cyclists.
And 71 per cent added secure bike parking.
When it comes to improving walking as a mode of transportation, 77 per cent of respondents replied accessibility upgrades.
Interestingly, 58 per cent were in favour of encouraging children to walk to school.
So why don’t more people use public transit?

The service is too infrequent and wait times at stops are too long according to 47 per cent of respondents.
A lack of real-time information on schedules was a complaint of 31 per cent.
How can transit be improved?
Almost half of respondents stressed the need for more frequent service on existing routes, while 48 per cent sought more routes.
A similar number would like to see service outside the limits of St. Thomas.
What would an aggressive shift in transit look like?
It would include eliminating transit coverage gaps, service to new growth areas, adding routes to reduce journey time, extending service hours on evenings and weekends and an expanded trail/sidewalk network.
Additionally, there would be an increase in bus service during peak hours and a broad network of cycling facilities.
This aggressive shift in transit could see an annual ridership of about two million trips, compared to 147,000 currently.
Keep in mind the projected population of almost 80,000 in a couple of decades.
The net operating cost of the transit system would be in the $7 million range annually versus $1.44 million today.
The Paradigm report concludes the city should adopt this aggressive shift to sustainable travel modes because it “aligns with input from the public for improved transit.”
In addition, future land use plans are transit-supportive and, by adopting this aggressive shift, it could lead to a reduction in road widening needs in the downtown core and other constrained areas.
The aggressive shift would lead to a significant reduction in annual auto travel and “reduced emissions.”
What about the increased appearance of electric vehicles in the coming years?
Nowhere in the report is there any reference to motorists weaning themselves off internal combustion engines.
Which, on a grander scale, would lead to significantly reduced emissions.
A significant oversight in the document.
A second public information centre is planned for early in the new year.

WILL IT BE A FAIR VOTE?

The Conservative Party of Canada local candidate nomination meeting is this (Nov. 9) afternoon at St. Anne’s Centre.
The two approved nominees are Central Elgin resident Anthony Shields and Londoner Andrew Lawton.

The media is not welcome for the vote but we have learned some of what is planned.
Each candidate is limited to a five-minute speech, no brochures can be distributed or any marketing on-site.
Other than that, everything appears to be above board and transparent.
Right.
A point to ponder.
Will Aylmer’s Church of God be a factor in the outcome?
Just wondering.

“We need to have a strong representation in the newly established riding of Elgin- St Thomas- London South. My home, your home, our home.”

Earlier this week Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Karen Vecchio announced she is supporting Shields.
She noted after nine years in office, leadership, compassion and integrity are essential in serving the riding and its constituents.
Here is her full statement.

“Over the last nine years, it has been an honour and privilege to serve my community as the Member of Parliament for Elgin-Middlesex-London.
Canada is going through a very difficult time.
After nine years, Canadians have seen the worst decline in our living standards in over 40 years.
We have seen the worst housing inflation.
And the worst economic growth in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).
The carbon tax is crushing Canadian families, businesses and industry.
We need to have a strong representation in the newly established riding of Elgin- St Thomas- London South.
My home, your home, our home.
As I prepare to step down from my role as M.P., I am proud to endorse Anthony Shields.
If my time has taught me anything, leadership, compassion and integrity are essential to serve your community and your fellow citizens.
Anthony has the integrity necessary to do the job and has exemplified leadership and a love for his country through his 22-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces.
I know I will be leaving my community in good hands as Anthony has the integrity and upstanding character that you deserve in a representative that will unite our community.”

A statement from Mike Vecchio is included in the comment section.
The result of the vote will be posted here later today.

Related post:

So what will Conservative values look like in Elgin-St. Thomas-London South moving forward?

REMEMBERING THE INDIGENOUS CONTRIBUTIONS

Monday is Remembrance Day and the city will hold its Service of Remembrance at Veterans Memorial Garden on Moore Street beginning around 10:45 a.m.
But with Friday (Nov. 8) being National Indigenous Veterans Day, we spoke with Chief Todd Cornelius Oneida Nation of the Thames about the significance of the day and their Service of Remembrance on Monday.

He advised it will be a time to acknowledge our First Nations veterans and Oneida’s veterans and honour the soldiers who lost their lives but also serve to educate the public about inadequate veteran benefits and rights of First Nations survivors.
Cornelius continued, “Additionally, it is time to acknowledge the remarkable skills and services contributed by First Nations Peoples.
“First Nations Veterans Day is in recognition of the contribution to military service, particularly during the First World War, Second World War and Korean War.
“I would like to start the day by thanking all of those above us who, despite the risk and sacrifice, raised their hand to serve and defend this beautiful country.
“And to acknowledge their contributions to our national security are appreciated.
“I would like to say yaw^ko, thank you in our language for the bravery of doing what you were called to do so we can safely do what we are free to do.
“Yaw^ko for serving our nation, yaw^ko for defending our freedom.
“The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedom we enjoy.

“Despite serving on the front line together, Indigenous veterans were left behind compared to their non-Indigenous comrades. Second-class treatment made this transition to life back home even harder.”

“They have dedicated their lives to their country and being recognized for their commitment.”
Cornelius went on to talk about the unfair treatment “of some of our Indigenous veterans. Thousands of our Indigenous People who served in uniform during the war years and many Indigenous communities also contributed to this country’s war efforts.
“However, there is a dark side to the way the Canadian government treated these communities.
“They expropriated hundreds of thousands of acres of reserve land during this era. Some of the land was taken from Indigenous Peoples as part of the program that granted farmland to returning veterans.

“This discrimination had a negative impact on many brave Indigenous People who had given so much in the cause of peace and freedom.”

“The government typically denied this re-establishment program to Indigenous veterans and also treated them unfairly in other ways.
“Many Indigenous People had hoped that war-time service and sacrifice would increase their rights in Canadian society.
“Often they were denied access to full veteran benefits and support programs.
“Despite serving on the front line together, Indigenous veterans were left behind compared to their non-Indigenous comrades.
“Second-class treatment made this transition to life back home even harder.
“This discrimination had a negative impact on many brave Indigenous People who had given so much in the cause of peace and freedom.”
“It has been estimated that as many as 12,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit People served in the great conflicts in the 20th century with at least 500, sadly, losing their lives.”
Details of Monday’s service can be found in the poster included in this item.

THE ECHO CHAMBER

To follow up on our Oct. 26 item on the public information centre held to update residents on the Fairview Avenue project, Louis Vandermark passed along this thought starter.

“I just had a thought as an alternative to narrowing Fairview Ave to accommodate bicycle lanes, widen the sidewalks on each side to the width of walking paths.
“There’s room and it’s cheap.
“Just sayin.”
Louis Vandermark, driver and bike rider.

Mike Vecchio posted this comment to clarify who he is not supporting in the Conservative Party of Canada candidate nomination meeting this afternoon.

“I’m not normally the political commentator, but the number of questions I am personally getting about whether I support Andrew Lawton in the Conservative nomination to replace my wife Karen as MP for our riding is alarming.
“Let me be perfectly clear. I do NOT support Andrew Lawton in this nomination.
“I’m tired of my name being used in phone calls saying I am a friend and supporter.
“Once again, I categorically do not support Andrew Lawton.
“No comments needed, just wanted to clear the air. Feel free to share!”

Questions and comments may be emailed to City Scope

Visit us on Facebook

And a reminder, I can be heard weekday afternoons as news anchor and reporter on 94.1 myFM in St. Thomas. As always, your comments and input are appreciated.