Responses to Sault Cycling Club survey

Robin Thibault, Ward 2

Are you in support of developing bike routes in this City? - Yes.

Would you support the establishment of an annual funding forumla to implement the cycling component of the City's Trail Master Plan? If so, what amount would you want allocated? - From what I gather, city council has yet to contribute financially for developing bike routes. I would start a process to include bike routes as a budget item (with a master plan in mind) and do what I could to convince council to begin funding the project.

What bike priorities would you recommend for development? - I would consult with the Cycling Club on how they wish to proceed - and incorporate their ideas into an acceptable master plan - a plan that would allow both funding and stages of development acceptable and achievable.

Do you have any additional comments that you would like to provide? - Feel free to call me any time if you wish to discuss this very worthwhile project in more details. I will do some homework on my own in hopes of strengthening both desire and need for such development.

John Wieczor, Ward 2

Are you in support of developing bike routes in this City? - Personally in favour, not only for the safety of cyclists but for the promotion of better and healthier life styles and the resultant reduction in carbon monoxide from vehicles.

Would you support the establishment of an annual funding forumla to implement the cycling component of the City's Trail Master Plan? If so, what amount would you want allocated? - I’m not sure at this point in time that the City’s budget would allow for funding to all clubs. If there was funding available for your club, I would ensure that you be informed of this and we would work together to get the best possible package.

What bike priorities would you recommend for development? - No answer given.

Do you have any additional comments that you would like to provide? - Thank you for your questionnaire, but I am not familiar with the Sault Cycling Club.

Bryan Hayes, Ward 3

Are you in support of developing bike routes in this City? - Yes.

Would you support the establishment of an annual funding forumla to implement the cycling component of the City's Trail Master Plan? If so, what amount would you want allocated? - I would support it in principle but I cannot establish an amount that I would want allocated. This would have to be done in consultation with city staff and council. I am sure you appreciate that reallocating scarce funds for the bequest of the cycling component of the Master Trails Plan will take funds from elsewhere and thus impact would to be considered.

What bike priorities would you recommend for development? - I think you have to appreciate that there are numerous "priorities" in this city and as a councillor I don’t profess to be an expert in any one area, especially in terms of bike routes. The onus has to be on clubs such as the Sault cycling Club to bring forth recommendations of their priority routes and then we as a council can determine how this fits into the Master Trails Plan we are moving forward.

Do you have any additional comments that you would like to provide? - I sincerely believe implementation of the Master Trails Plan should be a high priority. It will add significantly to the "Quality of Life" in SSM. This quality of life is one of our greatest marketing opportunities and I believe something we can really sell to not only bring people here but to keep them here.

Kelly Marshall Are you in support of developing bike routes in this City? - Yes - in favour of bike routes throughout the city constructed similar to the boardwalk path.

Would you support the establishment of an annual funding forumla to implement the cycling component of the City's Trail Master Plan? If so, what amount would you want allocated? - I would not support annual funding formula for such a component. I would support, however, looking at yearly donation by the city to the cycling club. This donation would not be the same amount each year and other years the city might not be able to give any.

What bike priorities would you recommend for development? - I would like to see bike routes on major streets like McNabb, Wellington, Bay, Queen, as well as some more scenic routes like northern areas of the city such as 5th and 6th line, as well as Landslide Road.

Do you have any additional comments that you would like to provide? - Than you for letting me express my views with you and if elected I will do my best to putting this forward and coming up with more details in order to get this off the ground.

Pat Mick, Ward 3

Are you in support of developing bike routes in this City? - Yes.

Would you support the establishment of an annual funding forumla to implement the cycling component of the City's Trail Master Plan? If so, what amount would you want allocated? - Councillors have a financial responsibility to the community so the amount would depend on availability and the funds being matched by other funding (NOHF, Capital, etc.)

What bike priorities would you recommend for development? - 2nd Line: land acquisition is under way for widening remaining portions so that 2nd Line should become safer. The game plan was to widen most streets when reconstruction occurred. Wellington was made a metre wider and Great Northern from 3rd to 4th Line was widened at city’s expense. Off-road connection of Finn Hill with Hiawatha provides a connection to the Voyageur Trail.

Do you have any additional comments that you would like to provide? - The city also spent $21,000 on the closed portion of Shannon. The other closed portion is in Ontario Realty hands and should the city purchase that part, it could be an opportunity for further expansion. There was also an extra metre built on each side of Black Rd. At a recent neighbourhood meeting at Sault college, planners and EDC again affirmed that a pedestrian/cycling route would be accommodated at the MTO/IT centre side. I am sure that when it comes to very young cyclists, most people prefer to see more off-road routes.

**************************************************************** To read more ward candidate responses, please click here.