Mayor says Terry Whitehead LRT letter to premier is 'disrespectful'

The Hamilton Mountain councillor sent a letter on his own to Ontario's transportation minister this week with questions about LRT. Other councillors didn't know about it.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger calls it the latest 'attention getting' tactic

Samantha Craggs CBC News Posted: Oct 20, 2016 5:26 PM EDT | Last Updated: October 21, 2016

Coun. Terry Whitehead wrote to the Ontario transportation minister with his questions about LRT this week. Some councillors don't have a problem with that, but the mayor calls it "disrespectful." (Samantha Craggs/CBC)

A Hamilton Mountain city councillor has unilaterally asked to meet with the Ontario premier over light rail transit (LRT) in Hamilton a move the mayor is calling "disrespectful."

I guess he wants publicly to understand why he's supported the project for the last 10 years.- Sam Merulla, Ward 4 councillor

Terry Whitehead of Ward 8wrote to Transportation Minister Steven Del Ducathis week with LRTquestions.In the letter, he references a May request to meet with Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Somecouncillorsdon't have an issue with that. ButMayor Fred Eisenbergersaid Whitehead should have consulted council.

Whitehead's LRT opposition tactics, the mayorsaid, are "unusual" and"attention getting."

"It's disrespectful to council to not have informed council this was potentially happening, or running it through the appropriate process," Eisenbergersaid.

Terry Whitehead releases 58-page LRT report to mixed reviews

"I have no doubt the minister and the premier probably get a few messages from rogue council members across the province. I'm sure they'll know exactly how to deal with it."

Any citizen has a right to ask to meet with the premier.- Aidan Johnson, Ward 1 councillor

In the letter, Whitehead saidhe appreciates the province pledging $1 billion to build the Metrolinx system here.But"there are a number of questions that I wish to gain clarity on."

Whitehead asked if council could modify theLRT route and still get the money. He also asked if the city would have to "go back to the end of the line" for transit funding if it doesn't accept this LRTproject.

"Is the province willing to not fund the transit needs of one of the largest cities in the province because it chooses a different route/mode that it feels will serve its citizens better?" he wrote.

He also asked what happens if the project costs more than $1 billion.

'Everyone has the right to ask to meet with the premier, I guess'

Coun. Sam Merulla ofWard 4,who is pro-LRT, saidhe's fine with Whitehead's letter.

"Everyone has the right to ask to meet with the premier, I guess," he said, "as long as he's not meeting on behalf of council."

"I guess he wants publicly to understand why he's supported the project for the last 10 years."

Aidan Johnson,Ward 1 councillor, said he's fine with it as long as Whiteheaddoesn't misrepresent council's position."Any citizen has a right to ask to meet with the premier."

Whitehead is a vocal skeptic of LRT. In July, he released a 58-page report based on his own research into the subject.

Councillor questions will be included in the Oct. 25 meeting

Jason Farr, Ward 2 councillor, called Whitehead's letter"just yet another effort, among so many others in the last four to six months, from a councillor who sits on the (LRT)committee and who has a lot of the answers already."

And if Whitehead needs more answers, Farr said, he can get them.Paul Johnson, the city's head of LRT, is meeting with councillors ahead of a special LRT meeting Oct. 25, Farr said. Johnson will incorporate the answers into that day's presentation.

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Fergusonwasn't happy with the letter, calling it "not right."Coun. Brenda Johnson of Ward 11, meanwhile, hasn't read it yet.

But nearly every councillorhas talked to a provincial minister one on one at some point, she said, "even if it's just at a get together."

Whitehead isn't the first councillor in recent memory to write to the premier on his own.

In 2014, then-Ward 1 councillor Brian McHattie wrote to the premier in favour of LRT, raising the ire of Mayor Bob Bratina.Some councillors didn't mind because McHattie was reaffirming city council's pro-LRTposition. Others said he should have sent the letter as a mayoral candidate.

Terry Whitehead's letter to Steven Del Duca

Dear Minister Steven DelDuca,

On May 25th, 2016 I requested a meeting with the Premier to discuss the growing discourse in the Hamilton community regarding LRT. I certainly appreciate the government's commitment towards implementing rapid transit in the City of Hamilton and the commitment to improving transit for all. I also want to make clear that I am grateful for the promise of an investment in the City of Hamilton of over a billion dollars and your overall progressive agenda on this file.

There are a number of questions that I wish to gain clarity on. I believe that my council colleagues and the residents of Hamilton are entitled to this information. Your response to these questions will be helpful in moving the city forward to address the significant challenge we currently face in our community. Can you please respond to the following questions:

1.) In October 4th, 2016'sHamilton Spectator,Liberal M.P.P. Ted McMeekin, implied that the $1 billion amount earmarked for the City of Hamilton's transit needs was tied directly on it being used for an LRT line through downtown Hamilton. This is in contradiction to what PremierWynnetold CBC Hamilton on May 25th, 2016 when she stated "It's never been LRT or nothing. I really want to hear what council's decision is. I really want to put this to bed."

Does the City of Hamilton have to use the promised $1 billion for this LRT line or can it use the money for what council deems proper for the city's transit needs?

2.) The aboveHamilton Spectatorstory also implied that any deviation from this line will cause the City of Hamilton to forfeit the allocated money and "go back to the end of the line" for transit. Is the province willing to not fund the transit needs of one of the largest cities in the province because it chooses a different route/mode that it feels will serve its citizens better?

3.) What is considered a "deviation"? If the route is changed on the current proposal is that a "deviation" that will need a whole new process started? What happens if the city decides that it wants only LRT from McMaster to downtown and the rest of the money for rapid bus throughout the city, for example?

4.) Understanding the province's procurement system, in that once a contract is signed, any amount over budget will be the Consortium's responsibility, what happens if before an RFP goes out the cost to the current proposal is over the $1 billion promised? Will the route/mode change or will the City be expected to contribute money to the project?

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely Yours,

Terry Whitehead

CouncillorWard 8

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Mayor says Terry Whitehead LRT letter to premier is 'disrespectful'

Mayor Fred Eisenberger calls it the latest 'attention getting' tactic

'Everyone has the right to ask to meet with the premier, I guess'

Councillor questions will be included in the Oct. 25 meeting

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