Two Way Streets Downtown

Changing Colborne and Dalhousie Streets into two way streets has to be one of the dumbest ideas floated recently. Although the idea has been around for a while, Chris Friel has made it part of his election platform. These streets have been one way for over forty years and have helped traffic to flow more smoothly in the downtown since the change was made. And back when this change was made Colborne was a wider street and now has been narrowed considerably between Queen and Charlotte Streets. On the few times that I have actually bothered to go downtown often there is a car or truck blocking one of the lanes on Colborne Street. Can you imagine what a traffic headache this will be if this change is made. And will this change affect all of length of these streets or will some parts still be one way? Is so, major confusion could ensue and if not, how will the merge point east of Stanley Street be handled?

Chris Friel is touting himself as a "Man of Vision". Looking back into the murky past hardly seems like being a visionary to me. Maybe he should turn around and face the other way.

Four Year Council Terms

I think that four year terms for the Mayor and City Council are too long. Four year terms might be appropriate for Federal and Provincial governments but not at the local level. It wasn't that long ago that municipal elections were held every year and then went to two, three and now every four years. Decisions by local elected officials have more of a direct impact on the average citizen and their pocketbook then the other levels of government and thus should be held accountable more often.

But Premier McGuinty in his wisdom (?) decided with little notice or consultation to impose his will on the municipalities of Ontario. Too bad the didn't bring this up when he seeking election. If it had been included as one of his 200+ promises it would never have seen the light of day like most of those other broken promises.

The Street With Five Names

Only in Brantford, with its screwed up way of doing things would one street change names every few blocks so that it ends up with five names when you drive along its length. It starts out as Hardy Road, then changes to Tolgate Road, then becomes Fairview Drive, changing to Lynden Road and now finally turns into Garden Ave. It's no wonder that visitors get confused trying to find places along this street and just try giving someone directions. Utterly amazing.

Trash Talkin'

The one good thing about the coming snow cover is that it will help to hide all the trash that litters the streets of Brantford. Most of the streets seem to be strewn with various types of trash , be it thrown from cars or by careless pedestrians or dropped by the garbagemen. The worst places are near fast food restaurants, convience stores , and schools. So much for young people having more regard for the environment. And a lot of this trash is recyclable cans and bottles.

The street sweepers make regular rounds but they only get a small per centage of this litter and miss what is on boulevards, lawns and parking lots. Maybe instead of spending so much on the downtown, the city could hire several people to go around and pick up this trash. Best Bloomin' City? Only if there is a prize for the most colourful trash.