Hall Marks with Emma Reilly

Loose lips sink ships

Last week when I was reviewing the mayor and council's expenses for 2009, I stumbled upon a very interesting tidbit. Turns out the mayor took a trip down to New York City for a private meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman last December. Read the full story here.

To me, the most interesting part of this meeting is how the meeting was kept a secret. If you look at page 2 of this report, which details the mayor and councillors' expenses for 2009, you'll notice it lists a trip to New York under Eisenberger's expenses but doesn't specify the purpose of the meeting. It took a Freedom of Information request to reveal that Eisenberger met with Bettman.

I also looked back into our archives and found that I had tried to contact Eisenberger that day for comment about the Terry Whitehead harassment allegations. His office told me he was out of town for personal reasons. However, the mayor says was "partly true" as he combined the business trip with a day of sightseeing in New York with his wife.

When I asked the mayor why this meeting was kept so quiet, he said it was never intended to remain a secret and he knew he may have to answer questions about it eventually. He also told me that "loose lips sink ships."

I'd like to hear what you think -- both about the Mayor's meeting with Bettman and the way it was kept under wraps.
 

Burning questions

Should the city ban smoking in all outdoor recreational areas?

That's the proposal on the table at this morning's board of health meeting. The public health department says most Hamilton residents are in favour of banning or regulating smoking at municipal parks, playgrounds, outdoor pools and beaches.

But two councillors who smoke say the proposed bylaw goes too far.

Here's an excerpt from today's story:

City councillor Sam Merulla, who smokes, said he supports a pilot project for new rules, but smokers may end up feeling alienated. The real question, he said, is whether governments should keep tobacco legal.

"They're cheering revenue they get from taxes, (but) limit use within the community. It's the mother of all hypocrisy," he said. "They can't continue targeting it as if it's a pariah."

Councillor and smoker Scott Duvall said he supports a smoking ban in children's areas only.

"Playground areas I agree with, but other than that I think we're stepping on someone's toes."

(FYI - Terry Whitehead is also a smoker, but didn't comment for this article).

What do you think about the proposed ban on smoking in outdoor areas? Is it too much? Too little? Just right?

A shocking City Hall experience

An interesting thing happened to me yesterday during my first visit to the newly reopened City Hall.

I was in the Clerk's office reviewing some paperwork when I suddenly heard some hubbub coming from one of the cubicles. Apparently an employee was plugging in her cellphone and was mildly electrocuted.

The woman wasn't seriously injured -- she was talking and alert -- 
but as I was leaving the building, paramedics were rolling in a stretcher to take her to the hospital.

City Hall spokesperson Kelly Anderson said yesterday that the woman is "perfectly ok" and was taken to hospital only as a precaution. An electrician tested all of the outlets in the area and didn't find any problems.

Hopefully any future shocks taking place in City Hall will be political - not literal.

Angry amendment

The Pan Am stadium debate seems to be fraying the nerves and tempers of city council members.

Yesterday's meeting to name Michael Fenn as the new facilitator got a little testy on several occasions. Councillors were interrupting each other, speaking out of turn, and seemed generally aggravated. Councillor Terry Whitehead captured the  mood of the meeting when Councillor Maria suggested the deadline for facilitation should fall on an existing council meeting date -- something that could be changed by a "friendly amendment."  That prompted Whitehead to quip, "Shouldn't we call it an "angry amendment?"

Councillor Sam Merulla has suggested several times over the past few days that council is getting sidetracked by the Pan Am Stadium issue. "We are a council that is so distracted," he said earlier this week.  "We should be focusing on governing for what the people of this city need."

Do you agree with Merulla? Is this issue attracting too much of council's attention? Or is it worth the time to sort out the stadium location?"

Diversity and the Economic Summit

Just a thought about today's Economic Summit. I don't think anyone would disagree with the fact that it's very positive to see Hamilton's movers and shakers collaborating about the city's future.

However, it's hard not to notice the lack of diversity among the panelists. The one female representative, Jeanne Mell, was from Pensylvania. There was not one local woman or person of colour included on any panel.

My colleague Meredith MacLeod wrote a story in today's paper that mentioned how the Economic Summit events "have largely been about talk." I don't pretend to have all the answers here, but perhaps turning that talk into action may involve a broader cross-section of the community.

Thoughts?

Rematch?

This could get interesting.

Former Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni is considering another run for mayor. He says Mayor Fred Eisenberger needs a serious competitor, and he's willing to step up if no other strong candidates come forward. Read the full story by Andrew Dreschel here.

This is especially interesting considering Lloyd Ferguson formally announced today that he's decided not to run against Eisenberger and will instead run again in Ancaster. I've included the full text of his release at the bottom of this email.

What do you think? Who would you vote for - Larry or Fred?

Lloyd Ferguson's press release:

Councillor Lloyd Ferguson today announced his intention to seek re-election in the suburban-rural ward of Ancaster in the October 25 Municipal Election.

 “I truly enjoy representing the people of Ancaster and bringing a business perspective to Council that serves the best interests of all Hamiltonians,” Mr. Ferguson said today. “I believe Ancaster has achieved a lot in recent years to preserve its unique character as well as contributing significantly to building a sustainable community.

 First elected in November 2006, Mr. Ferguson is a lifetime resident of Ancaster and has been a passionate supporter of the area through his involvement and commitment with various community organizations and industry groups.

For 32 years, Mr. Ferguson, 60, was with Dufferin Construction, the last 13 as General Manager. He cites that business background as having been a major factor in helping guide the City of Hamilton through tough economic times in recent years and, for bringing municipal spending and infrastructure projects in line. As head of the committee overseeing renovations to City Hall, for example, he’s proud of the fact the project is slated to finish next month – six months ahead of the original target date of December – and about $1.8 million under budget.

“I want to continue to provide the citizens of with a business perspective as we emerge from the recession and look to build the tax base and attract new business and new jobs to our City,” Mr. Ferguson said. While always looking beyond the boundaries of his hometown to make a difference for people, Mr. Ferguson said Ancaster too has been fortunate in the last four years to benefit from a resurgence in capital spending on sports, recreation and culture – all factors in driving the decision-making process for people to re-locate to this area.

 While admitting he considered a run for Mayor – and thanks the hundreds of supporters who’ve been encouraging him to do so – Mr. Ferguson is focused for the next four years on providing his leadership skills as a municipal Councillor representing the residents of Ancaster.

“An overwhelming number of Ancaster residents have encouraged me to stay on as their representative of Ancaster on Hamilton City Council,” said Mr. Ferguson. “With the Pan-Am Games on the horizon and several major projects on the books, there will be opportunities over the next four years for me to take a leadership role on Council.”

 Mayor Fred Eisenberger, he said, has repeatedly declared his interest in serving only two terms in the top job, leaving the door open to Mr. Ferguson to decide then if the time is right to throw his hat into the ring for Mayor of Hamilton.

 “Ancaster needs Lloyd Ferguson at the table representing residents from this community but also to bring a broader perspective on business and economic issues throughout the region,” says former Hamilton Mayor Bob Wade. “Lloyd is a trusted business professional who knows what’s needed to get the job done – on time and on budget.”

 Those comments are echoed by many, including local businessman and sports celebrity Don Robertson.

“Lloyd Ferguson has successfully managed some of the biggest infrastructure projects in Canada  – roads and bridges and things that matter to folks,” Mr. Robertson says. “He spends our tax dollars like you would want him to – like they’re his own. He won’t part with a buck unless he’s sure he’s getting the best deal for his hard-earned money. That’s the way everybody in politics should treat our money.”

 At the municipal level, Mr. Ferguson serves on 28 boards and committees, including the Economic Development and Planning Committee – which he currently chairs – and the Public Works Committee. In addition, he represents the community by serving on the Board of Directors of Hamilton Health Sciences. Prior to his election to Hamilton City Council in 2006, Mr. Ferguson was for 10 years a Councillor on then Ancaster Town Council; was an elected Trustee on the Wentworth County Board of Education; and served on the Board of Directors of the Hamilton Utilities Corporation.

A graduate of Mohawk Colllege in the Industrial Management Program, as well as the McMaster University CIM Program, Mr. Ferguson and his wife Martha have three grown daughters: Jennifer, Leigh and Erin.

 

Oxymoron alert

“This will be the most pedestrian friendly drive-thru that the city of Hamilton has ever seen.”

-Councillor Dave Mitchell, speaking about the new Tim Hortons drive-thru in downtown Binbrook at tonight's council meeting.

Development charge dent

Everybody has to make tough decisions in a recession. For the city, that meant freezing development charges.

Yesterday, council learned their decision to freeze development fees will cost almost $9 million by July. The freeze also forced he city to stall $3.5 million in infrastructure projects last year and delay another $6 million or so this year. Council lifted the freeze yesterday and raised the cost of building a new home by about $7,000.

Development charges are pretty important to the city as they help pay for the sewers and roads to service new development. Without them, taxpayers are left to cover the cost of the city's expansion.

Bernice Flegg, the president of the Hamilton Halton Homebuilders Association, got a little heat from Councillor Brad Clark yesterday when she asked councillors to be cautious about removing the freeze. She warned the HST and rising interest rates were going to be tough for the industry and cautioned against "blind optimism."

Clark wasn't having any of that. He asked Flegg if the HHBA would ever want to see development charges climb and dismissed her concerns about HST and interest rates. He added that he was "frustrated" with HHBA -- and he sounded like it, too.

Councillor Lloyd Ferguson unsuccessfully asked if it was possible to institute the hike in two doses - half in July, and the other half in December. He argued a phase-in would make the transition easier for the homebuilders. However, that would cost the city another $2.6 million and cause more infrastructure delays.

What do you think? Do you think the development charge freeze was a good move? Did council do the right thing in removing it, or should they have phased it in?