Hall Marks with Emma Reilly

2010 - the year of the Stadium

2010 was truly the year of the stadium in Hamilton. I can't even count how many stories, blog posts and tweets I wrote about the stadium this year.

So, it seems only fitting that my last Hall Marks post of 2010 is all about the Pan Am debacle. Rookie councillor Judi Partridge has written an interesting explanation of her position on the Pan Am stadium, which I've included below. It's significant that she's taken this stand because she was one of the the councillors who voted against Confed last week, but was rumoured to be waffling. Remember -- last week's emergency vote to abandon Confed wasn't ratified, and it could be reversed when council meets on Jan. 12. However, Partridge doesn't seem like she's backing down.

On another note, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who commented and read Hall Marks in 2010. I've really appreciated all your insight and knowledge this year and am looking forward to 2011!

Pan Am Games Stadium

If I heard nothing else going door to door during the election campaign, it was to get spending and wages under control, reduce taxes and attract new jobs - everyone of us around the council table heard the same messages loud and clear from taxpayers and I will tell you we are working very well together toward shared values and common goals. We are listening to our taxpayers – It is a different council.

The previous council put us in a difficult position – frankly we were boxed into a corner – As stewards of taxpayers dollars, we needed to get the taxpayers back in the drivers seat to find the best solution for this stadium. The taxpayer should not be the primary funder of any private business – that is not responsible governance.  The new stadium being built in Winnipeg has $88 million contribution from their football team and the private sector, $12.5 from their taxpayers – that is quite different from what Hamilton taxpayers are being asked to pay at 70 million from taxpayers and $10 mil from TiCats – .we need more private business to step up. If the TiCats choose to move to Burlington, it is their choice as a private business.

It may appear on the surface that the stadium would work at Confederation Park – the reality when real facts are presented is much clearer that it would not. We cannot do assessments on the fly, making last second decisions of this magnitude.

Confederation Park

Council also heard that there was not enough time to properly evaluate Confederation Park by January 14th – with Christmas holidays, many consultants and ministry staff needed, were away until Jan. 5th. There are significant issues that staff were already aware of and would not have adequate time to review. The deadline of Feb. 1 for Hostco also requires a final detailed cost analysis and budget to be submitted for the site selected. We also heard there would be no extension. The Confed evaluation would have to include analysis from federal Ministry of Fisheries, conservation authorities, provincial ministry’s and include significant set-backs due to the lake front location.

Opportunity:

The responsible thing to do was spend the next few weeks toward Feb. 1 deadline working with our partners, including the TiCats on what would be acceptable short-term and long-term solutions that would include private sector partners. The West Harbour stadium site is still the only council approved site on the table. Bob Young walked away from the Mountain site as a possible location.

Hamilton is still a participant in the Pan Am games and will receive infrastructure dollars to host soccer, cycling, swim competitions and more.  I believe strongly that we will find a solution and the Ti-Cats will remain Hamilton Tiger Cats.

Here we go again

A few months ago, Councillor Sam Merulla compared the Pan Am debate to the movie "Groundhog Day" -- the one where Bill Murray wakes up only to realize he's doomed to repeat the same day over and over.

So, here we are, almost a year after council chose the West Harbour as the site of the new stadium in February 2010, and things are feeling very Groundhog Day-ish.  Yet another Pan Am stadium site is too expensive. The Ticats still say they won't play at the west harbour. Council's having a meeting tomorrow in the hopes of working out some sort of deal.

The only difference is that this time, HostCo is running out of patience. Whereas in the past, they have been willing to grant Hamilton more time to get our act together, this time, they're holding firm to their Feb. 1 deadline. That leaves Hamilton six weeks to come up with a solution.

I know there are a lot of people out there who are questioning whether it's responsible of council to make a decision about where to spend $60 million in that short timeframe. Yes, we all want this stadium situation to be resolved one way or another, but one could argue that rushing to approve a brand new site like Confederation Park may not be wise or prudent.

One factor for all of you city hall watchers to consider is that council does not need a two-thirds majority vote to reopen Confederation Park. Since the vote to take it off the table was held during the last term, the newly elected council is not bound by that decision in any way. That means someone could introduce a motion for Confed at tomorrow's meeting and it could pass with a majority.

But regardless of whether council chooses Confederation Park tomorrow, I wonder at Hamilton's appetite to go through another chapter of this saga. The reaction I'm starting to get from colleagues, friends, and acquaintances about Pan Am is one of fatigue. Just like our friend Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, many people are sick of going through the same debates, the same drama, and the same roadblocks over and over again.

What do you think? Are you fed up? Or can we still make this happen?

Colour him purple

Purple -- it's the colour of wealth, power, and now, the walls our new mayor's office.

According to Peggy Chapman, the mayor's right hand, Bob Bratina has painted his office in various shades of dark purple. It's a big change from the pale yellow walls of Fred Eisenberger's office and the neutral walls of nearly every other surface at City Hall.

Peggy says Bratina has also removed the privacy film on his windows to symbolize open and transparent government.

 “There’s a whole process and theology behind what he’s doing,” Chapman said.

I haven't yet seen , but I'm hoping to get a picture and post it to Hall Marks sometime soon. Stay tuned.

PS - We're still in the middle of shaping a plan for Hall Marks 2.0. I'm hoping to introduce a few new elements of the blog over the next several weeks. Thanks for everyone who has made suggestions.

Evolution

Some of you out there may be wondering where the heck I've been over the past little while. Hall Marks has been on pause recently because it's undergoing a bit of an evolution. I'd like your help with figuring out what that will look like.

As you all know, the Spec website now enables comments on every story. While that's been great for inciting conversations, it's sort of stolen some of Hall Marks' thunder. As a result, we think it's time for a change around these Halls.

My question for you is what YOU would like to see in a city hall blog. Would you like more chances for your voices to be heard? Would you be interested in more of an online op-ed forum? What would you like to see more/less of? You can leave your thoughts in the comments or email me at ereilly@thespec.com.

And for those of you jonesing for some City Hall action, I'll leave you with a few tidbits about the transition from Mayor Fred to Mayor Bob. One is Andrew Dreschel's story about Bratina's lean, mean office staff. The other is Mayor Fred's last thank-you that he sent out to City Hall staff before he left. Enjoy!

From: Office of the Mayor
Sent: Friday, November 26, 2010 10:28 AM
Subject: THANK YOU CITY STAFF!

Dear City Staff:

For the past four years, it has been my honour to serve as Mayor of Hamilton and to work closely with such a talented staff compliment who are so very passionate and professional in their work life.

I sincerely believe that being Mayor of Hamilton is the best job in the world simply because we have the best community in the world.  A prime reason for that is each and everyone of you - our terrific city staff.  I have found, without exception, all members of Hamilton city staff to be professional, courteous, and hard working. I have come to know many of you as friends over the years.  It has been my privilege to work with everyone in the city, including my own office staff who will be dearly missed.

Together, we have enjoyed some significant achievements since 2006 such as the newly-renovated City Hall, the soon-to-be completed renovations at the Main Public Library and Farmers' Market, the new businesses locating in our business parks, and the winning bid for the Pan Am Games. 

While significant challenges lie ahead for staff and the new City Council, it is fair to say that we have laid down the necessary precursors for success. It will now be up to our new Mayor and Councillors, assisted by staff, to achieve these future successes. To them, I have pledged every assistance and my full support.

Hamilton is indeed the greatest community because we have the greatest people. Quite simply, it has been my honour and privilege to serve as your Mayor and to have worked with each of you - I have loved every minute and I will take with me many fond and proud memories.  I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to all City Staff and best wishes in all your endeavours. 

Cheers,

Fred Eisenberger