It's hard to believe that 10 years ago, Westjet began operating from Hamilton, making the Munro International Airport the eastern hub for the discount airline. Two years later, the airline became a success, but they longed for something bigger. It seemed that Hamilton wasn't enough for them.
Forget that Hamilton had the fastest turnaround time among the airports and forget that operating from Hamilton saved money. Hamilton was an airport on the cusp of becoming more than just a cargo hub to UPS, Purolator, Cargojet and DHL. The city had big plans for the airport and Westjet was on the forefront.
Westjet was great, until they smelled blood coming from Toronto. It seemed that they were tipped off that Air Canada and Canadian were going down the tubes and what better way would there be to take advantage of such a situation than to move their primary operations to Toronto? So off to ol'YYZ they went, leaving an awful void, which was filled by Canjet, for about a year, until Air Canada announced that they were offering Jazz service to Ottawa and Montreal.
So here we are now. Westjet pulled all but just a handful of flights throughout the week starting earlier this month and now Hamilton Airport is back where it started. It seems that the Toronto mentality that has plagued Hamilton, since its inception is taking hold, because no other airline since FlyGlobeSpan left has come to the city.
So now Westjet wants to offer more flights to Orlando from Hamilton. They've already ran away and people have accepted that Westjet has betrayed Hamilton and now Westjet wants to offer more flights.
How do people choose an airline to deal with? They base it on not just the experience during the flight, but the experience before takeoff and after landing. Loyalty as easy as it is to build, is difficult to rebuild when you've betrayed your customers.
Westjet betrayed Hamilton and destroyed its loyalty base to score cheap points against an already struggling airline. People in Burlington and Oakville would like to have an alternative to the already chaotic Pearson International Airport and people in the Hamilton/Brantford/Niagara area would like to have an airline they can use, which is reasonable, with less hassle and offers a solid alternative to Buffalo and Toronto.
So now that Westjet has destroyed what little goodwill remains, perhaps another airline would like to come to Hamilton and finally give Westjet a taste of its own medicine.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
A Glaring Lack of Discipline
How else can you explain the season ending meltdown that the Tiger-Cats experienced over the last three weeks filled with losses and what-could-have-beens? From stupid penalties (failure to control emotion) to bone-headed plays (two fumbled punt returns), the Tiger-Cats let themselves down and the fans with them.
So yes, our team made the playoffs. So how about winning a playoff game next year?
So yes, our team made the playoffs. So how about winning a playoff game next year?
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Begging for a Playoff System!
As we begin to reflect on our Tiger Cats suffering another heart-breaking elimination from the CFL playoffs, our attention turns to NCAA football, the most unpredictable, intense, exciting and entertaining football of its kind. The NFL for all the flawlessness they show can't be as entertaining and riveting as College football and this season has become probably the most exciting in a long time, as two non-AQ schools and a certain PAC-10 team are all redefining conventional wisdom.
Right from the get-go, the BCS system of ranking and seeding is still taking a hit and with good reason. There is no objective method to rank teams other than having a playoff system in place to actually give it legitimacy. The problem with the BCS system lies in its inability to truly gauge how one team would truly play the other on a neutral field. Furthermore, there are conferences that get a free pass to the bigger bowl games, and also get a bigger chunk of the money, regardless of the outcome. And in the end the BCS system is more about the money than it is about finding the undisputed champion.
It's an exclusive club, which unlike March Madness, has a well-defined criteria. The seeding system for the national tournament is performance based and not subscriber/conference based. After all, the bowl game is the game that determines not just the victor, but who gets the pie and how much of it. It's the moment that assess your program and the bigger the bowl, the bigger the payout. Once again, it's the money.
There really is only one way to determine which is the better team. Put them on the field and see what happens. There is no alternative and no system of speculative statistics will be able to substitute that.
The BCS is really a poor attempt at hiding the most prevalent weakness with the college football system itself. There are so many teams and such diverse levels and forms of play and even worse, not enough time to truly find the champion. There are leagues that have a defined championship format in which conference finalists and champions are crowned, advancing to represent their conferences all the way to the final. Of course I won't be completely disingenuous, dismissing the fact that there are more than 20 conferences, each having a certain level of play. The only solution to this problem is to promote and relegate teams to higher and lower level conferences, which means having a affiliation system.
In the end, there should be at least 16 or 32 teams to start the playoffs and they are the ones who should be guaranteed a berth in a bowl game. The conference championship game is played starting in December and from that point, we have a ladder. The defeated teams go to the smaller bowl games and the winning teams advance to the bigger bowl games. And in the end, there should be a draw to determine what role the respective bowl games will play. So the Citrus, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, Cotton and Rose Bowls would be used to host the four quarterfinals and two semi-finals, leading up to the National Championship.
So what will this mean? For one thing, it means that a certain college that thinks they're too good to be in a conference should start considering joining one, especially one that espouses the level of play they delude themselves to believe they can perform. It means a lot of work in putting the colleges into conferences they belong in. It could even bring up a level of intensity that people have been crying out for. It is more likely that it will start with 32 conference finalists, leading to regional playoffs, to have one undisputed East champion and one undisputed West champion facing each other for the national championship. It may not be perfect, but it will certainly be better than the monopolistic, exclusive and subjective system already in place.
Right from the get-go, the BCS system of ranking and seeding is still taking a hit and with good reason. There is no objective method to rank teams other than having a playoff system in place to actually give it legitimacy. The problem with the BCS system lies in its inability to truly gauge how one team would truly play the other on a neutral field. Furthermore, there are conferences that get a free pass to the bigger bowl games, and also get a bigger chunk of the money, regardless of the outcome. And in the end the BCS system is more about the money than it is about finding the undisputed champion.
It's an exclusive club, which unlike March Madness, has a well-defined criteria. The seeding system for the national tournament is performance based and not subscriber/conference based. After all, the bowl game is the game that determines not just the victor, but who gets the pie and how much of it. It's the moment that assess your program and the bigger the bowl, the bigger the payout. Once again, it's the money.
There really is only one way to determine which is the better team. Put them on the field and see what happens. There is no alternative and no system of speculative statistics will be able to substitute that.
The BCS is really a poor attempt at hiding the most prevalent weakness with the college football system itself. There are so many teams and such diverse levels and forms of play and even worse, not enough time to truly find the champion. There are leagues that have a defined championship format in which conference finalists and champions are crowned, advancing to represent their conferences all the way to the final. Of course I won't be completely disingenuous, dismissing the fact that there are more than 20 conferences, each having a certain level of play. The only solution to this problem is to promote and relegate teams to higher and lower level conferences, which means having a affiliation system.
In the end, there should be at least 16 or 32 teams to start the playoffs and they are the ones who should be guaranteed a berth in a bowl game. The conference championship game is played starting in December and from that point, we have a ladder. The defeated teams go to the smaller bowl games and the winning teams advance to the bigger bowl games. And in the end, there should be a draw to determine what role the respective bowl games will play. So the Citrus, Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, Cotton and Rose Bowls would be used to host the four quarterfinals and two semi-finals, leading up to the National Championship.
So what will this mean? For one thing, it means that a certain college that thinks they're too good to be in a conference should start considering joining one, especially one that espouses the level of play they delude themselves to believe they can perform. It means a lot of work in putting the colleges into conferences they belong in. It could even bring up a level of intensity that people have been crying out for. It is more likely that it will start with 32 conference finalists, leading to regional playoffs, to have one undisputed East champion and one undisputed West champion facing each other for the national championship. It may not be perfect, but it will certainly be better than the monopolistic, exclusive and subjective system already in place.
The Tea Party Hangover - What Happened?
So now it's sunk in...
The astroturf "Tea Party" movement has taken the House of Representatives and luckily the Senate majority remains intact for the Democrats. And we're back where we started from 1994. So what will happen next?
Why don't we start with what happened first? So yes, the Republicans took control over the House of Representatives and will continue to do Wall Street's bidding and a lot more Republicans will go unpunished, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sam Alito, both of whom lied to congress during their confirmation process and were determined to allow corporate money to be used to fund election campaigns, paving the way to this. And we could also go into how people appointed by GWB were parachuted into positions within government agencies, with intent on sabotaging the Obama presidency. Nobody discussed that. Then we could even go into how news has been replaced with spin and facts have been replaced with opinion. And we could go into how television stations played 25 minute commercials on election day to compel people to vote against their own interests, which will never be fulfilled by the GOP, let alone a con man.
One thing is for sure. The natives are restless. They are angry and they don't know who to direct their anger to. They conveniently forgot that two years ago, the bottom fell out of the economy, banks fell and people lost their retirement savings. They forgot who made this all possible. They even forgot how this started and now we know that it may never end if the Republicans have their way with all three branches. And when one channel continuously broadcasts propoganda favouring one partisan ideology over another and reports the news with that same partisan slant, ensuring that any news that could reveal flaws in that ideology of choice is supressed, what is the populace to do? When you are told what and how to think, what are you to do?
Yes, Obama didn't make many friends, but unlike his predecessor, he tried to get both parties on board. His opposition didn't do anything constructive, but block anything that came from the Democrats. They became the party of No. They didn't share their ideas on how healthcare could be reformed there. They brought out snazzy labels like "Socialized Medicine" and even characterized the president to be a Nazi. They began spreading lies about "death panels" and anything else to ensure that the Democrats lose the midterms.
The Democrats were once criticized for being a party of No without providing alternatives on how they would do things. The Republicans got a free pass from the media this time around. And this is what bothers a lot of us the most here. Democrats are now continuously scrutinized and even shunned, while Republicans keep coming back. It was the Republicans who ran their country into the ground and the Democrats who had to clean up their mess. And so the Republicans have been granted another opportunity to destroy the country even more.
I suppose the question is how much longer will it be before the American people wake up, especially when it is taxpayers money going into the banks' coffers, rather than the taxpayers. Our neighbour to the south is inching closer to a fascist plutocracy, under the guise of a populist movement, orchestrated by the wealthy and affluent and the corporate money flowing into the Republican coffers is the confirmation. Unless something is done, we could be seeing the beginning of the end of the American Empire.
The astroturf "Tea Party" movement has taken the House of Representatives and luckily the Senate majority remains intact for the Democrats. And we're back where we started from 1994. So what will happen next?
Why don't we start with what happened first? So yes, the Republicans took control over the House of Representatives and will continue to do Wall Street's bidding and a lot more Republicans will go unpunished, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sam Alito, both of whom lied to congress during their confirmation process and were determined to allow corporate money to be used to fund election campaigns, paving the way to this. And we could also go into how people appointed by GWB were parachuted into positions within government agencies, with intent on sabotaging the Obama presidency. Nobody discussed that. Then we could even go into how news has been replaced with spin and facts have been replaced with opinion. And we could go into how television stations played 25 minute commercials on election day to compel people to vote against their own interests, which will never be fulfilled by the GOP, let alone a con man.
One thing is for sure. The natives are restless. They are angry and they don't know who to direct their anger to. They conveniently forgot that two years ago, the bottom fell out of the economy, banks fell and people lost their retirement savings. They forgot who made this all possible. They even forgot how this started and now we know that it may never end if the Republicans have their way with all three branches. And when one channel continuously broadcasts propoganda favouring one partisan ideology over another and reports the news with that same partisan slant, ensuring that any news that could reveal flaws in that ideology of choice is supressed, what is the populace to do? When you are told what and how to think, what are you to do?
Yes, Obama didn't make many friends, but unlike his predecessor, he tried to get both parties on board. His opposition didn't do anything constructive, but block anything that came from the Democrats. They became the party of No. They didn't share their ideas on how healthcare could be reformed there. They brought out snazzy labels like "Socialized Medicine" and even characterized the president to be a Nazi. They began spreading lies about "death panels" and anything else to ensure that the Democrats lose the midterms.
The Democrats were once criticized for being a party of No without providing alternatives on how they would do things. The Republicans got a free pass from the media this time around. And this is what bothers a lot of us the most here. Democrats are now continuously scrutinized and even shunned, while Republicans keep coming back. It was the Republicans who ran their country into the ground and the Democrats who had to clean up their mess. And so the Republicans have been granted another opportunity to destroy the country even more.
I suppose the question is how much longer will it be before the American people wake up, especially when it is taxpayers money going into the banks' coffers, rather than the taxpayers. Our neighbour to the south is inching closer to a fascist plutocracy, under the guise of a populist movement, orchestrated by the wealthy and affluent and the corporate money flowing into the Republican coffers is the confirmation. Unless something is done, we could be seeing the beginning of the end of the American Empire.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
What is the Chamber's Purpose Anyway?
It's been on my mind for a long time now...
As some of you know already, I've been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 2003, as the prinicpal owner of the IT consulting and personnel firm, RGX Systems. I've always had some concerns about the Chamber as a whole. And a lot of it starting to be well founded.
My biggest concern about the Chamber of Commerce is simply the thought that the organization is turning into a one-trick pony, constantly complaining about corporate taxes and any form of tax. The Chamber has continuously avoided opportunity after opportunity to take the lead in advising their members to invest their profits into continuous improvement.
What's their cure for the need to update production equipment and improve productivity? They don't encourage investment in R&D. They don't encourage companies to use their profits to buy new equipment. They don't encourage them to retrain their employees to improve productivity. They don't do any of this. They simply lobby the feds for more tax cuts. This is hardly a sustainable solution and only plays into the neo-con hands in their anarchistic vision of every man for himself, an antithesis to their phony espousing of Christian values.
The Globe and Mail declares that this apparently is our time to lead, but how does one lead without taking action or even taking risks. You can't lead from behind and we certainly can't wait for others to act if we are to take the lead in anything. And you certainly can't lead without taking some risks. It's all about doing something different, unheard of. It's about finding a greater challenge and overcoming it despite the odds. By nature, Canadians have an aversion to risk, making it difficult to show the way, because nobody wants to assume the risks associated with taking a new direction.
Which brings to the question that has been on my mind for a long long time: When will the Chamber start looking beyond taxation and start inspiring so-called business leaders to actually lead for a change? Taxes are only part of it. We need to have an adult discussion on the need to take some risks, to invest in us for a change and we need to start talking about how we can stop just doing it and start learning to do it better.
I would hate to think that the Chamber is a one-trick pony. But in the end, when they do speak to the public, this is all we hear.
As some of you know already, I've been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since 2003, as the prinicpal owner of the IT consulting and personnel firm, RGX Systems. I've always had some concerns about the Chamber as a whole. And a lot of it starting to be well founded.
My biggest concern about the Chamber of Commerce is simply the thought that the organization is turning into a one-trick pony, constantly complaining about corporate taxes and any form of tax. The Chamber has continuously avoided opportunity after opportunity to take the lead in advising their members to invest their profits into continuous improvement.
What's their cure for the need to update production equipment and improve productivity? They don't encourage investment in R&D. They don't encourage companies to use their profits to buy new equipment. They don't encourage them to retrain their employees to improve productivity. They don't do any of this. They simply lobby the feds for more tax cuts. This is hardly a sustainable solution and only plays into the neo-con hands in their anarchistic vision of every man for himself, an antithesis to their phony espousing of Christian values.
The Globe and Mail declares that this apparently is our time to lead, but how does one lead without taking action or even taking risks. You can't lead from behind and we certainly can't wait for others to act if we are to take the lead in anything. And you certainly can't lead without taking some risks. It's all about doing something different, unheard of. It's about finding a greater challenge and overcoming it despite the odds. By nature, Canadians have an aversion to risk, making it difficult to show the way, because nobody wants to assume the risks associated with taking a new direction.
Which brings to the question that has been on my mind for a long long time: When will the Chamber start looking beyond taxation and start inspiring so-called business leaders to actually lead for a change? Taxes are only part of it. We need to have an adult discussion on the need to take some risks, to invest in us for a change and we need to start talking about how we can stop just doing it and start learning to do it better.
I would hate to think that the Chamber is a one-trick pony. But in the end, when they do speak to the public, this is all we hear.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Victory Lap! The Third Man Won!
There are times when I would prefer to be proven wrong, but not this time. Your favourite freelance writer in city affairs said this on May 15th about the possibility of Larry DiIanni entering the race:
Bratina had support from the rural areas along with the elder Hamiltonians. He got support from disaffected supporters from both the Eisenberger and DiIanni camps. From that point, he sailed away.
So what does this mean for the stadium? The word is out that Confederation Park is coming back to the table. We will have to see if that's the case.
So what can expect to happen as we head to the new year? All that I hope is that Merulla and Bratina do not end up in a duelling e-mail game as they have recently done twice. And will things get any better at City Hall? That's too soon to say. That would depend on the behaviour before the new session begins.
Did the right guys get in? Perhaps. Both Eisenberger and DiIanni were damaged goods and so the votes came as expected. Unfortunately, no mayoralty challenger could get past Michael Baldassaro who got the fourth most votes. While Edward Graydon has no regrets with the campaign he ran, bumps, bruises and all, perhaps Mr. Butani could let us know of his reaction to the results.
And now the question that really needed to be asked: Was Eisenberger's endorsement from the Spec the kiss of death? Not necessarily. The early polling indicated intent and people had their minds made up before the vote anyway.
So in the end, things went as expected, but only where the mayoralty was concerned. Challengers for the Ward Councillor seats had a tough time making any head way. It did become the incumbents advatage where there were many horses in the race, especially Ward 3 and Ward 6, where Bernie Morelli and Tom Jackson won in their repective wards. But things didn't work out for both Juan Pablo Bustamante and Bernard Josipovic, who couldn't even split their votes with Maria Pearson. Not really a surprise, considering the ward they lived in. The Fruitland vote just didn't come through for the two challengers.
So all in all, some laughed, some cried and hopefully we all won...
...it could be a good opportunity for a wild card candidate to step into the scene and pull votes away from the both of them.Votes were certainly pulled from the incumbent Eisenberger, who finished 3rd with 26% of the vote, while Larry DiIanni was 2nd with 28%. Walking away with 37% of the vote is not the strongest mandate, but considering the quality of the candidates in the race, it will do. So how did it happen?
Bratina had support from the rural areas along with the elder Hamiltonians. He got support from disaffected supporters from both the Eisenberger and DiIanni camps. From that point, he sailed away.
So what does this mean for the stadium? The word is out that Confederation Park is coming back to the table. We will have to see if that's the case.
So what can expect to happen as we head to the new year? All that I hope is that Merulla and Bratina do not end up in a duelling e-mail game as they have recently done twice. And will things get any better at City Hall? That's too soon to say. That would depend on the behaviour before the new session begins.
Did the right guys get in? Perhaps. Both Eisenberger and DiIanni were damaged goods and so the votes came as expected. Unfortunately, no mayoralty challenger could get past Michael Baldassaro who got the fourth most votes. While Edward Graydon has no regrets with the campaign he ran, bumps, bruises and all, perhaps Mr. Butani could let us know of his reaction to the results.
And now the question that really needed to be asked: Was Eisenberger's endorsement from the Spec the kiss of death? Not necessarily. The early polling indicated intent and people had their minds made up before the vote anyway.
So in the end, things went as expected, but only where the mayoralty was concerned. Challengers for the Ward Councillor seats had a tough time making any head way. It did become the incumbents advatage where there were many horses in the race, especially Ward 3 and Ward 6, where Bernie Morelli and Tom Jackson won in their repective wards. But things didn't work out for both Juan Pablo Bustamante and Bernard Josipovic, who couldn't even split their votes with Maria Pearson. Not really a surprise, considering the ward they lived in. The Fruitland vote just didn't come through for the two challengers.
So all in all, some laughed, some cried and hopefully we all won...
Monday, October 25, 2010
CHCH is back...
...but could you please hire people that know how to spell???
So here I am watching the news at 11pm last night and what do I see? I am watching a report on a cholera outbreak in Haiti and how things are going to contain this. So what's the problem?
How about spelling? Right there on the character generator, it says "CHORELA" and not "CHOLERA"!
It's great that the folks at Channel Zero have picked up this wonderful and unique television station that is CHCH. But is it too much to ask you people to ensure that you remove some of the CanWest deadwood still lying around?
So here I am watching the news at 11pm last night and what do I see? I am watching a report on a cholera outbreak in Haiti and how things are going to contain this. So what's the problem?
How about spelling? Right there on the character generator, it says "CHORELA" and not "CHOLERA"!
It's great that the folks at Channel Zero have picked up this wonderful and unique television station that is CHCH. But is it too much to ask you people to ensure that you remove some of the CanWest deadwood still lying around?
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Ward 2 Race is getting nasty!
...and guess who was in the crossfire. It was none other than regular R4M reader, Edward Graydon.
That is the only possible explanation for what happened that Monday night when he was attacked by a volunteer apparently working for Shane Coleman, over of all things the guy riding his bike on a sidewalk in the dark without a headlight. All this happened before the Mayoral debate which took place in the North End.
Undaunted, he showed up for the debate and it is now up to the voters to decide.
While such occurances are thankfully rarities, we all know how tempers flare when passion and exuberance can be easily mistaken for beligerance. And with a race with 20 candidates, it's a crowded house there and a decisive victory is all but assured. And that's why it is important for one of those candidates to stand out in that crowd, otherwise we will have a very messy election in Ward 2. One thing is for sure. The trash talking between Matt Jelly and James Novak was completely uncalled for and it's good that they mutually made amends. Now the question will be how the voters will look at that incident.
It's crunch time and with less than a week to go, it's starting to look like Bob Bratina, with the support of the elderly and rural communities, is poised to become the next mayor of Hamilton. But like they say in the NFL, you can predict the outcome of the game before it's played, but the win isn't awarded until the game is over.
I wish all the candidates the best of luck in the election and appreciation for having participated in the democratic process. It's not necessarily rewarding to have lost, but having fought the good fight, you are all to be saluted!
In retrospect, I have no regrets for having backed out of this election, but I will be watching Wards 6 and 7, along with the next mayor and if I am not happy with what I have seen, I will run in 2014 most likely for councillor. And being close to Upper Gage, I will seriously consider either ward, depending on who I want to challenge the most.
That is the only possible explanation for what happened that Monday night when he was attacked by a volunteer apparently working for Shane Coleman, over of all things the guy riding his bike on a sidewalk in the dark without a headlight. All this happened before the Mayoral debate which took place in the North End.
Undaunted, he showed up for the debate and it is now up to the voters to decide.
While such occurances are thankfully rarities, we all know how tempers flare when passion and exuberance can be easily mistaken for beligerance. And with a race with 20 candidates, it's a crowded house there and a decisive victory is all but assured. And that's why it is important for one of those candidates to stand out in that crowd, otherwise we will have a very messy election in Ward 2. One thing is for sure. The trash talking between Matt Jelly and James Novak was completely uncalled for and it's good that they mutually made amends. Now the question will be how the voters will look at that incident.
It's crunch time and with less than a week to go, it's starting to look like Bob Bratina, with the support of the elderly and rural communities, is poised to become the next mayor of Hamilton. But like they say in the NFL, you can predict the outcome of the game before it's played, but the win isn't awarded until the game is over.
I wish all the candidates the best of luck in the election and appreciation for having participated in the democratic process. It's not necessarily rewarding to have lost, but having fought the good fight, you are all to be saluted!
In retrospect, I have no regrets for having backed out of this election, but I will be watching Wards 6 and 7, along with the next mayor and if I am not happy with what I have seen, I will run in 2014 most likely for councillor. And being close to Upper Gage, I will seriously consider either ward, depending on who I want to challenge the most.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Another fine mess brought to you by the Conservative Party of Canada!
As our city finally agrees on the stadium location and now they have a couple of months to solidify the funding needed to purchase the land from CP and build the stadium there, we can move on to bigger things, like national politics...
Unless you've been under a rock over the last 48 hours, you know that the UN for the first time ever has denied Canada a seat at the Security Council table when it was on the ballot. Every time our country has appeared on the ballot, our country has been elected until now. So how serious is this? Very.
What was even more puzzling was watching Harper having to beg and plead for a place at the security council. I don't recall there ever being a time when a PM has ever done so. To stand there and remind the UN of Canada's contributions, none of which his government has provided, was disingenuous and rightfully rebuked.
And I for one don't really like the idea of the Conservatives spreading their pogrom on the world, as they have done in Canada. This is not the same Canada that stood under the watch of all our great prime ministers since William Lyon Mackenzie King. This is a more hated country and with plenty good reason. The people in charge have alienated us from the world and our reputation continues to slide every single day this government sits. The Conservatives only want impose their ideology on the world, with a simplistic view that makes us less worldly than we once were.
There was a time when being a Canadian meant being a citizen of the world, but Conservative government with its continuous stoking of nationalism and endless echoing of jingoist views have made us a little more alien to the world. It's as if they don't recognize us anymore. We are now perceived to be a different country altogether because of actions taken by the Conservative government.
There's something about changing a country that once fought to keep the peace and acted as an honest broker internationally, to a militarist country led by a confirmed chickenhawk with delusional visions of an old Christian-dominated, Islamophobic world order. Getting in late in the game, cutting aid to African countries, criticizing the UN as a corrupt organization and taking more of an isolationist approach for the country doesn't help sell yourself either. This debacle is owned by Harper's Conservatives, who epically failed to pin their loss on oppostion leader Michael Ignatieff, who rightfully observed that we really didn't deserve the non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
And perhaps all this was a set-up for something else. After all, they need to score some cheap points as another apparent reason to deny Mr. Ignatieff a mandate to govern. But let's just ignore Mr. Harper's own tinkering with a sitting government when he expressed his disappointment that Canada rightfully refused to participate in Bush's Iraq war to remove a Republican operative and bring chaos to the Middle East for years to come. He expressed his disappointment in the Wall Street Journal. So as the pot calls the kettle black, we are caught in the crossfire as usual, wondering whether or not we will return to the UN Security Council.
Of course we will be back at the table, but not with our current government holding the reins. The time for reckoning is coming. Let's hope it will be sooner rather than later.
Unless you've been under a rock over the last 48 hours, you know that the UN for the first time ever has denied Canada a seat at the Security Council table when it was on the ballot. Every time our country has appeared on the ballot, our country has been elected until now. So how serious is this? Very.
What was even more puzzling was watching Harper having to beg and plead for a place at the security council. I don't recall there ever being a time when a PM has ever done so. To stand there and remind the UN of Canada's contributions, none of which his government has provided, was disingenuous and rightfully rebuked.
And I for one don't really like the idea of the Conservatives spreading their pogrom on the world, as they have done in Canada. This is not the same Canada that stood under the watch of all our great prime ministers since William Lyon Mackenzie King. This is a more hated country and with plenty good reason. The people in charge have alienated us from the world and our reputation continues to slide every single day this government sits. The Conservatives only want impose their ideology on the world, with a simplistic view that makes us less worldly than we once were.
There was a time when being a Canadian meant being a citizen of the world, but Conservative government with its continuous stoking of nationalism and endless echoing of jingoist views have made us a little more alien to the world. It's as if they don't recognize us anymore. We are now perceived to be a different country altogether because of actions taken by the Conservative government.
There's something about changing a country that once fought to keep the peace and acted as an honest broker internationally, to a militarist country led by a confirmed chickenhawk with delusional visions of an old Christian-dominated, Islamophobic world order. Getting in late in the game, cutting aid to African countries, criticizing the UN as a corrupt organization and taking more of an isolationist approach for the country doesn't help sell yourself either. This debacle is owned by Harper's Conservatives, who epically failed to pin their loss on oppostion leader Michael Ignatieff, who rightfully observed that we really didn't deserve the non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council.
And perhaps all this was a set-up for something else. After all, they need to score some cheap points as another apparent reason to deny Mr. Ignatieff a mandate to govern. But let's just ignore Mr. Harper's own tinkering with a sitting government when he expressed his disappointment that Canada rightfully refused to participate in Bush's Iraq war to remove a Republican operative and bring chaos to the Middle East for years to come. He expressed his disappointment in the Wall Street Journal. So as the pot calls the kettle black, we are caught in the crossfire as usual, wondering whether or not we will return to the UN Security Council.
Of course we will be back at the table, but not with our current government holding the reins. The time for reckoning is coming. Let's hope it will be sooner rather than later.
Friday, September 17, 2010
LRT is the future, but let's also respect the past
We don't need to know the significance of September 11. It has become the stuff of legends and folklore. And September 11th, 2010 will remembered by some to be the ninth anniversary of that great event which has become a modern-day metaphor for Pearl Harbor. That's to some, but not to me.
Unlike the metal monsters maintained at the Warplane Heritage Museum, the majority of these cars are made of wood and are subjected to the natural processes of decomposition that comes with it. But when they are fully restored, they are beautiful things. And the trip up and down their rail line makes one think back to the days when such services were quite common. It's rather sad to know that a lot of these railway lines are gone, probably to never come back.
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| Unless otherwise stated, all photos by Rene Gauthier |
We really picked the right day to visit the place, as the Sir Adam Beck Centre, barn #4, opened its doors to the public for the first time. This was their new indoor facility, a vision realized after a decade and a half. This building will allow the facility to get more exhibits, especially one of the soon to be retiring streetcars from the TTC. But that's not really what got my attention.
First when you come into the parking lot, you see four of Hamilton's trolleybuses, 7801, 7802, 765, and 732. These in themselves were a part of our daily fabric when taking the bus along the King, Barton and Cannon routes. And I know that I've taken many a ride on at least three of these vehicles. Living around Reid and Dunsmure, I would pass the Cannon trolleybuses as I was walked to my school, Sir Winston Churchill. At one point we were relieved to see that the HSR were continuing the trolleybus service as they set up the original Eastgate Square terminal with the double wires. That was until I started seeing that the Cannon buses were no longer trolleybuses, but diesel buses.
And so began the end...
At one point, we were encouraged by the testing of an articulated bus that used both trolley wires and a diesel engine, but that was short-lived. The King and Barton routes eventually followed the Cannon's fate and those double wires we were so accustomed to seeing above the streets just disappeared. Then there was the ill-fated project to install diesel engines in the trolleybuses. By that time, the writing was on the wall.
So why did they do away with them? I got some perspective from my father-in-law who used to work in the maintenance department before retiring in 1996. He told me that the problem with the trolleybuses was in having to replace the poles when they came off the wires, which was quite inconvenient, especially to the drivers. There are several ways the poles could lose contact with the wires, and that's largely because the buses were not on a fixed track so even sudden movements could move the poles off if the driver didn't know what he was doing. They finally came to the conclusion that they were too much of an inconvenience to the drivers and maintenance personnel alike so they decided to remove them altogether. And the rest is history.
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| Courtesy: Halton County Radial Railway Museum |
We gave up streetcars for buses and trolleybuses. The city buried those tracks along Main Street, to remove them once and for all in the 90's. Other than #521, we are not sure where the other streetcars are. As I'm sure that the Warplane Heritage folks can concur with their planes, this is the typical fate of old buses and streetcars everywhere. They end up on some sort of farm for storage or accomodations. Yes folks, that's our heritage wasting away at some obsure place in the country, because the city would rather get rid of them rather than preserve a piece of history.
And now here we are, considering the installation of an LRT system. And now I'm wondering why after all this time, we want to bring this back. Isn't that what this idea is? Sure it may not necessarily share its tracks with the cars. We don't know that plan yet. But consider the fact that we are actually bringing an old idea back no matter what part of the road it sits on.
Such things make me ask why in the world did the city remove it in the first place and wouldn't it have saved us trouble if we just kept it in the first place? I mean this is a very expensive lesson that has just been passed onto us. And it is indicative of the short-sightedness that we have come to know and despise about living in Hamilton.
I look at this wonderfully restored Peter Witt, that the city of Toronto chipped in and helped rebuild, to find the last relic of our transit system past, languishing in the neglect of its original owner and I have to wonder why would we want to go back to this.
I say this because we made a commitment to this system for about four decades before finally doing away with it, so what's to stop the city from doing the same 40 years later? If we are headed in this direction, it should be a permanent, longer-term commitment, beginning with the city immediately funding the restoration of this wonderful machine.
We have spent the last year arguing about a legacy of another kind. We currently have a series of places that maintain a legacy in sports. How about bringing back one that travelled along our streets before a lot of us were born? That's the challenge I make to the next mayor of Hamilton.
Friday, September 10, 2010
So what's wrong with the West Harbour?
We've heard so much about what's wrong with whatever location the Ti-Cats want that we really don't talk about what's wrong with the West Harbour location. And don't get me wrong here. In the right hands it could be a beautiful thing, but there are still disadvantages to the location.
Here's what I think is wrong with the West Harbour as a location for the new stadium:
We look to the wisdom of those in charge to do what needs to be done to get all the parties to agree on a deal that works for the stakeholders.
Here's what I think is wrong with the West Harbour as a location for the new stadium:
- Visibility - The stadium would not be visible at all from any major highway because it's too far away from the QEW and it is completely hidden from view on the 403 because it's on the wrong side of the Burlington Heights. The contention of visibility is naive at best.
- No Direct Highway Access - Burlington Street in that area is no highway, Bay Street doesn't have enough lanes and since the Parimeter Road project is dead in the water, there won't be any direct highway access any time soon. The location is tucked away.
- Parking - Yes, parking is everywhere but where it needs to be. So there's parking a walk away from site. And will the Tiger-Cats get the money for that? Didn't think so. But the city will apparently bend over backwards for the NHL. So bend over backwards for something that may never come and screw the guys who are here already. Not a good idea.
- Nice Spot but... - We see visions of stadia on a lakeshore or by a major river. What's wrong with the West Harbour? What's the major feature of the harbour? It's an inland harbour. Nobody's going to see from the lake. All the other waterfront stadiums can be seen on a river, at the bayshore of San Francisco, or even at the shore of the lake, but an inland harbour is a different story. It is only visible from Burlington and nowhere else. What's the point in having a nice jewel if you don't have something to show it off with?
- RESIDENTIAL LANDS! - People's home are getting torn down over this. Is it worth it? Furthermore, why are we building a stadium in a residential area anyway??? Do we need another Ivor Wynne Stadium? The problems with Ivor Wynne Stadium are not just with its age, but with its location. A stadium in a residential area will not enhance their property value.
We look to the wisdom of those in charge to do what needs to be done to get all the parties to agree on a deal that works for the stakeholders.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Shut Up and Let's Get a Deal Done!
Now that the city will study and determine how a stadium could be built at the Longwood location and they will try in earnest, having learned from city manager Glen Murray what we all should have known all along: no Ti-Cats, no stadium.
Fred Eisenberger didn't listen the first time around so he was told again just in case he forgot. The urban planning/city building fetishists didn't listen, claiming that they were "standing up to a bully." I am still trying to figure out this logic, because what we all know is that Bob Young was basically told that the west harbour was where the stadium would be and for that reason the Ti-Cats just walked away from the talks, because there was nothing to talk about. That's not where they wanted to be and with no alternative offered, why bother talking? After all, there's lost revenue in parking and other incidentals that the Ti-Cats could use to get more money from people who drive. And those who were gasping about this "cash grab" probably never drove to the games, to play that famous game of parking roulette which has been such a pain for the regional goers that they finally decided that enough was enough. But once again, I digress.
So the Ti-Cats and the city are talking again about building a stadium at the McMaster Innovation Park. While there is some merit to it, there's some concerns.
One of them is noise, which is silly. There is a freeway beside the site and no residential property within a half a kilometre, including the newly developed homes around the Chedoke golf course. Perhaps they should try living on Balsam, Melrose, Beechwood or the other roads around there to get a taste of what the neighbours have been putting up with for decades. The stadium won't be that close to them so they should just quit while they still have some credibility.
Traffic is another issue and one which has always been an issue no matter what site it is. West Harbour claims to have better access, but the roads are hardly multi-lane so you could beat that dead horse for a while, but nothing changes the facts. And of course there's parking to contend with as well.
It just seems that when there is a spot, somebody is always whining in some way. But it's not because it's promoting sprawl and it's not because it isn't in a downtown location. It's not because houses will get torn down to make way for it. It's not because it isn't directly accessible from a major freeway. It's not because it's a greenfield. Now it's because it's supposedly prime employment land. But haven't we figured this out already? If you build it, they may not come at all. While there is a plan to build an automotive innovation laboratory, they are still waiting for the grant to come so it may not get built at all.
Then comes an explosive allegation from Bob Bratina that a lot of the businesses that are at MIP actually moved from downtown. So rather than bring new businesses into town as MIP was expected to do, they actually had businesses move in from the downtown core, increasing the vacancy rate there. So as Coucillor Bratina has said, MIP hasn't really fulfilled its mandate so by that token, there is an opportunity to relieve the group of some land so they can avoid the pressure in having to get more empty buildings over there.
Councillor Ferguson brought this initiative forward and is to be commended for bringing the Ti-Cats back to the table. He did this because he got word that MIP was willing to help the city keep the Ti-Cats in Hamilton so I am not sure what the West Harbour crowd is screaming about, because the MIP people are willing to discuss this.
It's as if they are trying to ensure that the MIP are not being taken for a ride by "Big Bad Bob Young" who is really incapable of hurting a fly, but apparently can really hurt your feelings. Yes, the whole thing is pathetic, but what were we expecting?
Honestly, I am expecting people to shut up for the next couple of weeks and let the big boys sort it out. That's why they get our big bucks. And I expect Fred Eisenberger to be an honest player in this because it is through his doing that the stadium project was at the edge of the cliff. And I also expect people to quit whining about Mark Cohon approaching the feds about the stadium matter. You had to know that he was going to approach someone in a matter regarding a member team. The CFL is a cultural organization and anything matter than involves federal funding and the CFL becomes a national matter. Deal with it people.
There's enough sour grapes in this matter to drive us all off a cliff, so let's just take a step back and let things settle for all our sakes.
Fred Eisenberger didn't listen the first time around so he was told again just in case he forgot. The urban planning/city building fetishists didn't listen, claiming that they were "standing up to a bully." I am still trying to figure out this logic, because what we all know is that Bob Young was basically told that the west harbour was where the stadium would be and for that reason the Ti-Cats just walked away from the talks, because there was nothing to talk about. That's not where they wanted to be and with no alternative offered, why bother talking? After all, there's lost revenue in parking and other incidentals that the Ti-Cats could use to get more money from people who drive. And those who were gasping about this "cash grab" probably never drove to the games, to play that famous game of parking roulette which has been such a pain for the regional goers that they finally decided that enough was enough. But once again, I digress.
So the Ti-Cats and the city are talking again about building a stadium at the McMaster Innovation Park. While there is some merit to it, there's some concerns.
One of them is noise, which is silly. There is a freeway beside the site and no residential property within a half a kilometre, including the newly developed homes around the Chedoke golf course. Perhaps they should try living on Balsam, Melrose, Beechwood or the other roads around there to get a taste of what the neighbours have been putting up with for decades. The stadium won't be that close to them so they should just quit while they still have some credibility.
Traffic is another issue and one which has always been an issue no matter what site it is. West Harbour claims to have better access, but the roads are hardly multi-lane so you could beat that dead horse for a while, but nothing changes the facts. And of course there's parking to contend with as well.
It just seems that when there is a spot, somebody is always whining in some way. But it's not because it's promoting sprawl and it's not because it isn't in a downtown location. It's not because houses will get torn down to make way for it. It's not because it isn't directly accessible from a major freeway. It's not because it's a greenfield. Now it's because it's supposedly prime employment land. But haven't we figured this out already? If you build it, they may not come at all. While there is a plan to build an automotive innovation laboratory, they are still waiting for the grant to come so it may not get built at all.
Then comes an explosive allegation from Bob Bratina that a lot of the businesses that are at MIP actually moved from downtown. So rather than bring new businesses into town as MIP was expected to do, they actually had businesses move in from the downtown core, increasing the vacancy rate there. So as Coucillor Bratina has said, MIP hasn't really fulfilled its mandate so by that token, there is an opportunity to relieve the group of some land so they can avoid the pressure in having to get more empty buildings over there.
Councillor Ferguson brought this initiative forward and is to be commended for bringing the Ti-Cats back to the table. He did this because he got word that MIP was willing to help the city keep the Ti-Cats in Hamilton so I am not sure what the West Harbour crowd is screaming about, because the MIP people are willing to discuss this.
It's as if they are trying to ensure that the MIP are not being taken for a ride by "Big Bad Bob Young" who is really incapable of hurting a fly, but apparently can really hurt your feelings. Yes, the whole thing is pathetic, but what were we expecting?
Honestly, I am expecting people to shut up for the next couple of weeks and let the big boys sort it out. That's why they get our big bucks. And I expect Fred Eisenberger to be an honest player in this because it is through his doing that the stadium project was at the edge of the cliff. And I also expect people to quit whining about Mark Cohon approaching the feds about the stadium matter. You had to know that he was going to approach someone in a matter regarding a member team. The CFL is a cultural organization and anything matter than involves federal funding and the CFL becomes a national matter. Deal with it people.
There's enough sour grapes in this matter to drive us all off a cliff, so let's just take a step back and let things settle for all our sakes.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
At Last, There is Hope!
The city has finally come to their senses and decided to start pursuing other sites. In a 13-2 vote, the city has moved forward in looking at the possibility of the McMaster Innovation Park as a possible location for the new stadium. It is the best news we've heard in months.
Should they continue development and remediation at the West Harbour site? Of course they should and perhaps the Ti-Cats can provide a little help in that way, although I kind of like the idea of putting in a 5000 seat soccer stadium in place of the ones lost in Burlington. It could fit in alongside the velodrome. And it could be the solution that everyone goes home happy with.
But no so fast there Jack! We have another problem. It's the issue with "prime employment" lands at MIP. Some believe that putting a stadium over there will ruin that area. I'm not so sure because, with the right structure, it could really be something special. Then comes the revelation from Bob Bratina that the MIP site is currently underused and in some cases, it's not being used as it was meant to be. In fact businesses have moved from their downtown offices over to the MIP. If the stadium will have a retractible roof, it could even be used all year round, especially for trade shows and other great events. The potential is there. We just have to use it.
There is hope, allbeit a faint one, but there is hope.
Should they continue development and remediation at the West Harbour site? Of course they should and perhaps the Ti-Cats can provide a little help in that way, although I kind of like the idea of putting in a 5000 seat soccer stadium in place of the ones lost in Burlington. It could fit in alongside the velodrome. And it could be the solution that everyone goes home happy with.
But no so fast there Jack! We have another problem. It's the issue with "prime employment" lands at MIP. Some believe that putting a stadium over there will ruin that area. I'm not so sure because, with the right structure, it could really be something special. Then comes the revelation from Bob Bratina that the MIP site is currently underused and in some cases, it's not being used as it was meant to be. In fact businesses have moved from their downtown offices over to the MIP. If the stadium will have a retractible roof, it could even be used all year round, especially for trade shows and other great events. The potential is there. We just have to use it.
There is hope, allbeit a faint one, but there is hope.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
The Unravelling Continues...
To be honest, it's not really a surprise that Mayor Fred decided not to divulge his discussion with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Mayor Fred's modus operandi of late, until it can be proven otherwise, has been to pull all the stops to ensure that the West Harbour is the only site selected for the Pan-Am Stadium. How that works out for better or worse is anybody's guess.
But why has he gone full bore into this? It's tough to say why, but I have a good idea of why. In June, Cal DiFalco featured me in a segment called "10 Tough Questions". And one of those questions was "How would you size up Mayor Eisenberger's performance?" And this was my answer:
So as the Tiger-Cats continue to stay off the train, the light at the end of the tunnel fades and seems more distant than ever. And the WH proponents continue to savage Bob Young's character, the man who invested millions of dollars in upgrades at IWS and its facilities, almost as if the man hasn't paid his "debt to society".
Perhaps he could spend his money in better places. In light of this lunacy, I'm going to suggest that Mr. Young make a substantial donation to the St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation and they could then change the Mental Health Centre on West 5th to the "Bob Young Mental Health Centre". Dedicated to a man who may have lost his mind in trying to do the one thing no other previous owner of the Tiger-Cats could do - get the city to build a new stadium for the team.
That being said, the ship has hit an iceberg, but not because they didn't see it coming. They didn't think that the ship could sink. Sound familiar? Now they have to do something to ensure that cooler heads can prevail and a stubborn mayor can't understand that if he builds it, nobody's coming.
And all the urbanists and city building/planning fetishists will probably be up in arms about it, while continously making Bob Young eat his own words taken out of context. You can't even put in a lucid factual argument to the contrary over at Raise the Hammer without someone trying to suppress it. I don't know if that was really how you envisioned it, Ryan, but don't expect me to make any more contributions if that's the kind of reception I'm going to get.
The city needs to stop imposing their decisions on their tenant, especially one made to its detriment, and start doing what they should have done in the first place. They should have allowed the Tiger-Cats to do their due diligence on the site and when they found out what they knew, they should have said, "okay, let's figure out the best location that will address both our concerns and maybe you can help us with the Rheem site." Was that so tough? When you bring a partner in on a deal you do what works for both partners otherwise it's not a partnership at all.
But why has he gone full bore into this? It's tough to say why, but I have a good idea of why. In June, Cal DiFalco featured me in a segment called "10 Tough Questions". And one of those questions was "How would you size up Mayor Eisenberger's performance?" And this was my answer:
Compared with Larry Di Ianni’s term, it has been a quiet one. However, I think Eisenberger has been too quiet. He leaves the impression that he has done little to attract new businesses to the city. He leaves an impression that he is content to leave things as they are. Simply put, he has done nothing. So now he is offering Hamiltonians another 4 years of nothing. And unless we have a good candidate to challenge him, that’s what we will get.
The city needs someone with great creative energy ready to take the city into the future. Our city needs a visible leader who can challenge the next generation to initiate a brand new process of growth. Our city needs a face who can sell the city, not just run it. Above all our city needs someone who can commit the next 10 years to realizing a great vision for the future of our city. Fred doesn’t do radical. He’s hardly inspiring. He just doesn’t excite anyone at all. If he is re-elected, I am concerned that this city could be more rudderless than ever.That was what I said. Co-incidence? Yeah, I know better, but sometimes things happen for a reason. But I digress...
So as the Tiger-Cats continue to stay off the train, the light at the end of the tunnel fades and seems more distant than ever. And the WH proponents continue to savage Bob Young's character, the man who invested millions of dollars in upgrades at IWS and its facilities, almost as if the man hasn't paid his "debt to society".
Perhaps he could spend his money in better places. In light of this lunacy, I'm going to suggest that Mr. Young make a substantial donation to the St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation and they could then change the Mental Health Centre on West 5th to the "Bob Young Mental Health Centre". Dedicated to a man who may have lost his mind in trying to do the one thing no other previous owner of the Tiger-Cats could do - get the city to build a new stadium for the team.
That being said, the ship has hit an iceberg, but not because they didn't see it coming. They didn't think that the ship could sink. Sound familiar? Now they have to do something to ensure that cooler heads can prevail and a stubborn mayor can't understand that if he builds it, nobody's coming.
And all the urbanists and city building/planning fetishists will probably be up in arms about it, while continously making Bob Young eat his own words taken out of context. You can't even put in a lucid factual argument to the contrary over at Raise the Hammer without someone trying to suppress it. I don't know if that was really how you envisioned it, Ryan, but don't expect me to make any more contributions if that's the kind of reception I'm going to get.
The city needs to stop imposing their decisions on their tenant, especially one made to its detriment, and start doing what they should have done in the first place. They should have allowed the Tiger-Cats to do their due diligence on the site and when they found out what they knew, they should have said, "okay, let's figure out the best location that will address both our concerns and maybe you can help us with the Rheem site." Was that so tough? When you bring a partner in on a deal you do what works for both partners otherwise it's not a partnership at all.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Why do the Tiger-Cats Matter?
Mayoral candidate Edward Graydon made some interesting remarks to me to the tone that he really doesn't care for football. Fair enough. This is a democracy and just as we stand with the people who support us, we also need to look to the people who didn't. After all, they vote too and conciliatory gestures go a long way for voters in general. It shows that you stand for everyone and not just those who support you.
That being said, Mr. Graydon does question the need to support the Tiger-Cats and is wondering why it is that Hamilton hasn't gone full bore into building the stadium now, concerned that the lingering of this issue is only making things worse. And yes, it's true. The lingering of this issue is really making things worse, people are more tense than ever and there is a lot of despair when faced with the prospect of losing the Tiger-Cats.
So why does this 141 year old institution matter? It is a good question and I will answer it for one of my regular readers.
That takes care of one question and the other question is why the delay in breaking the ground? The city hasn't received funding from the games hosting committee to begin the build and without that money, nothing's going to be built. The city is still required to partner with an anchor tenant to get the mandate for a new stadium and the city was hoping that the Ti-Cats would get involved. Because of their concerns, the Tiger-Cats have decided that they will not invest in a stadium that doesn't address their economic concerns and puts them in position that would make them dependent on the city to survive.
Mayor Fred is hoping Bob Young would sell the team before he officially moves. But I don't think Bob Young is interested in selling a business that has the same problems it had before he bought them. And that's where we are now. If Mayor Fred wants Young back to the table, he will need to give him the means to break-even and it could mean the city and the Ti-Cats would have to share parking revenues. It could mean Bob would get management rights to host events.
Either way, he needs to get another revenue stream so he is not completely dependent on ticket sales and television royalties. That's his economic concern. And that's why the West Harbour doesn't work for him. He wants to leave the franchise in better shape than when he got it in the first place. Is that wrong?
And now do you understand why the Tiger-Cats are important to this city?
That being said, Mr. Graydon does question the need to support the Tiger-Cats and is wondering why it is that Hamilton hasn't gone full bore into building the stadium now, concerned that the lingering of this issue is only making things worse. And yes, it's true. The lingering of this issue is really making things worse, people are more tense than ever and there is a lot of despair when faced with the prospect of losing the Tiger-Cats.
So why does this 141 year old institution matter? It is a good question and I will answer it for one of my regular readers.
- Identity - Our city has embraced the Tiger as its symbol, because it is a part of our military and sporting history. We had the Hamilton Tigers of the NHL in the 20's, which we lost in 1925 due to a labour dispute just before the playoffs began. The irony of this one? The team of that season had the best record in the NHL and was a major Stanley Cup contender. Of course we had the Hamilton Tigers of football, which merged with the Hamilton Flying Wildcats to form, you guessed it, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. (if your NFL buddies want an equivalent, talk about the Steagles, a temporary merger between the Steelers and Eagles during WW II) And speaking of World War II, our training squadron at Mount Hope was called the Hamilton Tiger Squadron, whose name has been carried to an Air Cadet corps 150, based at the James Street Armoury.
- Community Services - Our players often go to hospitals to see children, sign autographs and encourage them to hang in there. They participate in athletic events and fundraisers for charities. They also make it possible to raise funds for other community groups through 50/50 draws at the stadiums.
- Jobs - The Tiger-Cats mean almost 300 jobs in the community. From hawkers in the stands to the president, there are jobs for these people who may not have another job for a while.
- Diversion - The time you spend in the stands cheering our team to victory is time spent away from your own troubles. Sometimes we need to forget about our troubles for a few hours so we can refresh, recalibrate and hopefully overcome that problem.
- Entertainment - A game isn't all gratification from a big touchdown or what not. There's dancing, singing and sometimes a band playing. The halftime show is a chance to watch our children in sport or even a moment to see something amazing like a magic show or concert.
- The Grey Cup - Hosting a Grey Cup game is big money. Everybody from everywhere in the country comes to town to celebrate the sport and all other things Canadian. It's our own Super Bowl and the one single annual event more people in Canada watch. And above all, it means money for local businesses and tourism.
- Argos (Suck!) - Yes the Argos, who do suck (did I just mention that?), come to town every Labour Day. It's the one great day in which Toronto bashing becomes a great pastime. Our football season is never complete without a win over the Argos on labour day.
- Tradition - We have been doing this over the last 140 years. Why not make it more special and see if we will have bicentennial to celebrate, after our sesquicentennial celebration, of course. It's been a part of our city since early in its mutual establishment.
That takes care of one question and the other question is why the delay in breaking the ground? The city hasn't received funding from the games hosting committee to begin the build and without that money, nothing's going to be built. The city is still required to partner with an anchor tenant to get the mandate for a new stadium and the city was hoping that the Ti-Cats would get involved. Because of their concerns, the Tiger-Cats have decided that they will not invest in a stadium that doesn't address their economic concerns and puts them in position that would make them dependent on the city to survive.
Mayor Fred is hoping Bob Young would sell the team before he officially moves. But I don't think Bob Young is interested in selling a business that has the same problems it had before he bought them. And that's where we are now. If Mayor Fred wants Young back to the table, he will need to give him the means to break-even and it could mean the city and the Ti-Cats would have to share parking revenues. It could mean Bob would get management rights to host events.
Either way, he needs to get another revenue stream so he is not completely dependent on ticket sales and television royalties. That's his economic concern. And that's why the West Harbour doesn't work for him. He wants to leave the franchise in better shape than when he got it in the first place. Is that wrong?
And now do you understand why the Tiger-Cats are important to this city?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Nothing to See Here!
Mayor Fred says that talk about the Aberdeen/Longwood site possibly being an alternative is unfounded and such discussion is not helpful.
You know what also isn't helpful? Deciding to build a stadium at a site which makes no economical sense to your anchor tenant and needlessly driving him out of your town just because you're too pigheaded to understand the need for a compromise, because for some idiotic reason you think somehow that you are right and everyone else is wrong.
But the way, Fred, time's running out on you. I suppose you don't want to have the legacy as the guy who ran the Tiger-Cats out of town, right?
You know what also isn't helpful? Deciding to build a stadium at a site which makes no economical sense to your anchor tenant and needlessly driving him out of your town just because you're too pigheaded to understand the need for a compromise, because for some idiotic reason you think somehow that you are right and everyone else is wrong.
But the way, Fred, time's running out on you. I suppose you don't want to have the legacy as the guy who ran the Tiger-Cats out of town, right?
The Eleventh Hour Approaches...
...and another option comes.
It's not the East Mountain so no urban sprawl to bitch and moan about. It's not the West Harbour so no one to complain about or debunk "myths" on lack of accesibility. It's situated right by the 403, the gateway to downtown, located close to a GO bus stop from the Toronto corridor and right beside a brand spanking new bridge! It's accessible by transit and currently served by several routes in the area (King/Delaware/Aberdeen/B-Line/University). It also will be adjacent to a possble LRT station. No homes have to be torn down. And above all, it's a brownfield ready for remediation.
So what is this great location, you ask? It's Chedoke! As reported in The Spec this morning, a location at Aberdeen and Longwood is to be brought before the city to look at. It has some of the ingredients the city was looking at and the Tiger-Cats have been looking for all along.
One thing is for sure, the Spec is buzzing with activity and a lot of it is feelgood. Could this be the compromise that brings everyone back to the table or is this just a false hope?
One can only hope that this is what keeps the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, because nobody honestly wants the city to lose 250 jobs, and the community services that the team brings to the city, including the 50/50 draws that help fund our community groups.
It's not the East Mountain so no urban sprawl to bitch and moan about. It's not the West Harbour so no one to complain about or debunk "myths" on lack of accesibility. It's situated right by the 403, the gateway to downtown, located close to a GO bus stop from the Toronto corridor and right beside a brand spanking new bridge! It's accessible by transit and currently served by several routes in the area (King/Delaware/Aberdeen/B-Line/University). It also will be adjacent to a possble LRT station. No homes have to be torn down. And above all, it's a brownfield ready for remediation.
So what is this great location, you ask? It's Chedoke! As reported in The Spec this morning, a location at Aberdeen and Longwood is to be brought before the city to look at. It has some of the ingredients the city was looking at and the Tiger-Cats have been looking for all along.
One thing is for sure, the Spec is buzzing with activity and a lot of it is feelgood. Could this be the compromise that brings everyone back to the table or is this just a false hope?
One can only hope that this is what keeps the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton, because nobody honestly wants the city to lose 250 jobs, and the community services that the team brings to the city, including the 50/50 draws that help fund our community groups.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Still Stirring the Pot - Stadiums and Revitalization
Where do I start?
This brave commentator has been embroiled in the great stadium debate and I'm making a lot more enemies than friends these days. It seems to be the price I'm paying in trying to make reasonable arguments for trying to work with the Tiger Cats. People continuously think that the city can go it alone and that they will get some other sports franchise and that they will revitalize the downtown core. For the three weeks the complex is in use, it probably will. But what about after that?
How will a 15000 seat stadium attract any franchise? One debate I ran into during a Twitter duel was that one guy insisted that there would be a soccer team playing there. That's when I pointed out that there was one person who owned the rights to have a recognized franchise for the CONCACAF Champions League and that he also owned the Tiger-Cats, so when he leaves the prospect would be gone.
To that he replied asking, how can a league not take on such a city with the right business plan? That's when I pointed out that when he currently is a part owner in an existing NASL franchise so if the city disses him, how will they handle someone who did that to one of their own? I mean the NHL punished Hamilton again through Jim Balsillie. And who runs the NHL? The owners. So who runs the sports leagues all around us? The owners do. So if a city chases out a current owner, what makes you think they will not turn away that same city wanting the said franchise after what you already did?
I am not gaining friends with this, because for all the sentimentality that exists, people are denying the truth that the moving of the Tiger-Cats can and might happen. The city created this poisonous atmosphere and used the people of this city to try to shame Bob Young into returning to the table. There was no point in him doing so, because he was expecting a partnership and it turned into a proprietorship in the city's favour. But they are the landlords, you say?
Ok, let's take that tack for a second. Let's say you are the prospective tenant of a unit and that you were expected to move in. Then you realize that you can't live in the conditions provided by your soon-to-be landlord. What do you do? You air your grievance to the landlord, who says "tough," and you are told to deal with it. Then what do you do? You don't move in and you tell the landlord that the deal's off. That's classic "Landlord/Tenant Act" stuff, kids. And that's exactly what Bob Young did. So what does he get for his trouble? Grief and lots if it! And for pointing that out, I'm the bad guy.
So then I get grief from an expert in city planning who is saying that this stadium will revitalize downtown, without knowing that the West Harbour location is away from the downtown core and that old tired argument of urban sprawl on the East Mountain, where it's happening whether one likes it or not. Some are congratulating Mr. Eisenberger's vision of city building, while either forgetting or being unaware of the fact that there were four buildings in trouble under his watch, namely Lister Block, a James Street North building almost condemned, a St. Joesph's Drive apartment building with its retaining wall and foundation faltering, and the now razed old Century Theatre on Mary St. And forget that other old argument that because I was against the city going it alone against the Tiger-Cats that I must be siding with the East Mountain crowd, which at best obfuscates the whole argument to begin with. As one of many sitting on the fence, there are people knocking us off.
My position is simple. The city cannot afford to go it alone on a new stadium without the Tiger Cats to occupy it. Without the economic spin-off associated with them, the stadium will just sit as a white elephant. It will be another Copps Coliseum, which is now on the road to losing the Bulldogs to another city in Quebec. With the Tiger-Cats moving out, 250 jobs leave town and several local community organizations lose the support that the 50/50 draws get for them. The community services provided by the players would be gone and the city will have lost its soul. And that's another unpopular argument.
And of course there are people claiming that the team will not move because they can't. They hold on to this one eventhough the CFL has said so while there were two franchises that faltered in the nations capital. The original was there since the inception of the CFL and the other was the expansion in its place. The CFL let them go as surely as they allow will this team to go to greener pastures.
People are willing to let our team go away so they can have a stadium on the waterfront that will not attract anything more than high school sports and other obscure events. So they satisfy the city building and urban planning crowd, while alienating those passionate fans who are livid about losing their team, who are being told to let it go and that they are not worth it.
So it's turning into a hot summer, boiling with passions in both the downtown revitalization and the Tiger Cat fans camps. And it is dividing this city in such a horrible way. If this is the leadership of Fred Eisenberger, who would rather divide than unite, who would rather alienate than reconcile, and who would rather obfuscate than reason, then I will take someone else.
I don't know how this will all unravel, but there remains one more week to bring the Tiger-Cats back to the table or lose them, possibly along with the stadium, forever. And I am not feeling very optimistic right now.
This brave commentator has been embroiled in the great stadium debate and I'm making a lot more enemies than friends these days. It seems to be the price I'm paying in trying to make reasonable arguments for trying to work with the Tiger Cats. People continuously think that the city can go it alone and that they will get some other sports franchise and that they will revitalize the downtown core. For the three weeks the complex is in use, it probably will. But what about after that?
How will a 15000 seat stadium attract any franchise? One debate I ran into during a Twitter duel was that one guy insisted that there would be a soccer team playing there. That's when I pointed out that there was one person who owned the rights to have a recognized franchise for the CONCACAF Champions League and that he also owned the Tiger-Cats, so when he leaves the prospect would be gone.
To that he replied asking, how can a league not take on such a city with the right business plan? That's when I pointed out that when he currently is a part owner in an existing NASL franchise so if the city disses him, how will they handle someone who did that to one of their own? I mean the NHL punished Hamilton again through Jim Balsillie. And who runs the NHL? The owners. So who runs the sports leagues all around us? The owners do. So if a city chases out a current owner, what makes you think they will not turn away that same city wanting the said franchise after what you already did?
I am not gaining friends with this, because for all the sentimentality that exists, people are denying the truth that the moving of the Tiger-Cats can and might happen. The city created this poisonous atmosphere and used the people of this city to try to shame Bob Young into returning to the table. There was no point in him doing so, because he was expecting a partnership and it turned into a proprietorship in the city's favour. But they are the landlords, you say?
Ok, let's take that tack for a second. Let's say you are the prospective tenant of a unit and that you were expected to move in. Then you realize that you can't live in the conditions provided by your soon-to-be landlord. What do you do? You air your grievance to the landlord, who says "tough," and you are told to deal with it. Then what do you do? You don't move in and you tell the landlord that the deal's off. That's classic "Landlord/Tenant Act" stuff, kids. And that's exactly what Bob Young did. So what does he get for his trouble? Grief and lots if it! And for pointing that out, I'm the bad guy.
So then I get grief from an expert in city planning who is saying that this stadium will revitalize downtown, without knowing that the West Harbour location is away from the downtown core and that old tired argument of urban sprawl on the East Mountain, where it's happening whether one likes it or not. Some are congratulating Mr. Eisenberger's vision of city building, while either forgetting or being unaware of the fact that there were four buildings in trouble under his watch, namely Lister Block, a James Street North building almost condemned, a St. Joesph's Drive apartment building with its retaining wall and foundation faltering, and the now razed old Century Theatre on Mary St. And forget that other old argument that because I was against the city going it alone against the Tiger-Cats that I must be siding with the East Mountain crowd, which at best obfuscates the whole argument to begin with. As one of many sitting on the fence, there are people knocking us off.
My position is simple. The city cannot afford to go it alone on a new stadium without the Tiger Cats to occupy it. Without the economic spin-off associated with them, the stadium will just sit as a white elephant. It will be another Copps Coliseum, which is now on the road to losing the Bulldogs to another city in Quebec. With the Tiger-Cats moving out, 250 jobs leave town and several local community organizations lose the support that the 50/50 draws get for them. The community services provided by the players would be gone and the city will have lost its soul. And that's another unpopular argument.
And of course there are people claiming that the team will not move because they can't. They hold on to this one eventhough the CFL has said so while there were two franchises that faltered in the nations capital. The original was there since the inception of the CFL and the other was the expansion in its place. The CFL let them go as surely as they allow will this team to go to greener pastures.
People are willing to let our team go away so they can have a stadium on the waterfront that will not attract anything more than high school sports and other obscure events. So they satisfy the city building and urban planning crowd, while alienating those passionate fans who are livid about losing their team, who are being told to let it go and that they are not worth it.
So it's turning into a hot summer, boiling with passions in both the downtown revitalization and the Tiger Cat fans camps. And it is dividing this city in such a horrible way. If this is the leadership of Fred Eisenberger, who would rather divide than unite, who would rather alienate than reconcile, and who would rather obfuscate than reason, then I will take someone else.
I don't know how this will all unravel, but there remains one more week to bring the Tiger-Cats back to the table or lose them, possibly along with the stadium, forever. And I am not feeling very optimistic right now.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
What Were They Expecting?
Our city has become the laughing stock of this country, because our city made an esthetic decision rather than a business one. They voted with their hearts instead of their heads. And they will have to see Mr. Troop alone.
They reached out to Bob Young to come back to the table after shutting him out of the discussion, ignoring his concerns, telling him that the location has been decided and that he has no say in where it goes. Oh yeah, and they want his money too. So I understand where our Caretaker is coming from.
Our city is more divided than ever. We are split down the middle between a site that has limited access, requires updated roads and could potentially drive away homeowners in the North End, doing little other than "beautifying the harbour," and choosing a site that makes more sense like Confederation Park or East Mountain. We know why Chad Collins voted the way he did. He is the one who pulled the CP option. But why Pearson, Ferguson and Duvall voted for this I don't know. But this could have reprecussions as they try to reach out to an already battered and bruised, not to mention millions short, Bob Young, who has wrongfully been called everything in the book.
Bob Young didn't want another Ivor Wynne Stadium, but that's what he's being offered and unless they stop clenching their fists and start holding their hand out to him, Hamilton will have lost its soul while holding on to its heart.
The Toronto Sun quoted legend Angelo Mosca, "I bleed black and gold, and this mayor is full of shit". When the heart of the team you want back to the table says stuff like this, you know it's going to be a long couple of weeks. And it will cost the taxpayers dearly.
So as the title says, what were they expecting?
They reached out to Bob Young to come back to the table after shutting him out of the discussion, ignoring his concerns, telling him that the location has been decided and that he has no say in where it goes. Oh yeah, and they want his money too. So I understand where our Caretaker is coming from.
Our city is more divided than ever. We are split down the middle between a site that has limited access, requires updated roads and could potentially drive away homeowners in the North End, doing little other than "beautifying the harbour," and choosing a site that makes more sense like Confederation Park or East Mountain. We know why Chad Collins voted the way he did. He is the one who pulled the CP option. But why Pearson, Ferguson and Duvall voted for this I don't know. But this could have reprecussions as they try to reach out to an already battered and bruised, not to mention millions short, Bob Young, who has wrongfully been called everything in the book.
Bob Young didn't want another Ivor Wynne Stadium, but that's what he's being offered and unless they stop clenching their fists and start holding their hand out to him, Hamilton will have lost its soul while holding on to its heart.
The Toronto Sun quoted legend Angelo Mosca, "I bleed black and gold, and this mayor is full of shit". When the heart of the team you want back to the table says stuff like this, you know it's going to be a long couple of weeks. And it will cost the taxpayers dearly.
So as the title says, what were they expecting?
WTF?!?
Where do I start on this roller coaster ride?
So now we know that the committee of the whole endorsed the West Harbour as the site of the "stadium". So the next step is to formally adopt the option in council during the next week. And we also know that there will not be an anchor tenant, as specified by the HostCo as condition for funding. And now a new allegation about fudged numbers to wrongly influence councillors on the committee of the whole was announced by Brad Clark on CHML?
Obviously Mayor Fred has some explaining to do. If building it will not have the Tiger-Cats there, what makes him think that it will be built in the first place? While my friends at Raise the Hammer are cheering as if this was some big victory, the euphoria should be wearing off soon, because the fact still is that this stadium may not be built at all.
There are also allegations of bad faith bargaining on both sides, but here's what I know:
And is Brad Clark's allegation a red herring? I can't say. I didn't see these reports, but it does bring a lot of questions to the table. We'd have to see all the numbers before we can say beyond a doubt that some deception to meet an end has been in the works.
And what about the lack of an anchor tenant? Does Fred actually think he can go it alone? Is a professional soccer team coming out of the blue? There is a person that has the right to put a decently levelled team in Hamilton and that's the guy Fred just dissed.
I keep hearing west harbour proponents calling Bob Young a bully and he's been bargaining in bad faith. So let's mash this one up. Who signalled a concern and was shoved away for it? Who took a compromise and tried to make the best of it? Who was shut out of the inital discussions? And who figured out that this never a conversation from the start and just decided to walk away? Wouldn't you? And after you just got slapped around some more and they ask you to come back and talk, would you?
This is where the problem lies. When one was trying to have a conversation, the other never listened and also decided to talk with someone else about managing the facility at the west harbour. There was never a conversation. There was never dialogue and Fred expects the Cats to come back to the table after giving them the Heisman?
Something stinks here and it isn't coming from Jarvis or Wake Forest.
And that's what bothers me here. There was no dialogue. And to bring this about on Raise the Hammer is just asking to get faded out by people who disagree with you despite the lucidity of the argument. I could Twitter about this all day and it wouldn't change a thing because first of all it's not a good place to have a debate on and it's the same garbage over again.
What I'm sure of, but I don't know, is that the majority of those who support the West Harbour are the same ones who don't care about the financial viability of the Tiger-Cats, the heart and soul of this city, and would rather see them leave, potentially losing the prospect of an NHL franchise and the Bulldogs with them. And with nothing substantial going on at the west harbour after the games, does Fred really want to be in this crowd?
Oh to be a fly on the wall when Mayor Fred and Ian Troop meet...
So now we know that the committee of the whole endorsed the West Harbour as the site of the "stadium". So the next step is to formally adopt the option in council during the next week. And we also know that there will not be an anchor tenant, as specified by the HostCo as condition for funding. And now a new allegation about fudged numbers to wrongly influence councillors on the committee of the whole was announced by Brad Clark on CHML?
Obviously Mayor Fred has some explaining to do. If building it will not have the Tiger-Cats there, what makes him think that it will be built in the first place? While my friends at Raise the Hammer are cheering as if this was some big victory, the euphoria should be wearing off soon, because the fact still is that this stadium may not be built at all.
There are also allegations of bad faith bargaining on both sides, but here's what I know:
- Bob Young rightfully preferred Confederation Park as the site for the new stadium. And Chad Collins somehow got that option removed, despite the fact that the HCA has been calling for some commerical interest to develop there. Football is played in the summer and Confederation Park is always hopping with activity during the summer. It is a major meeting place in the city during the summer. So it does seem to be a logical place for the stadium. Now that's logic at work, folks. So why wasn't it one of the options? That's a question that Mr. Collins will need to answer while he still has the job.
- Fred Eisenberger took a hard line stance on the West Harbour since day one. And during mediation with Michael Fenn, he did an end-around and began talks with AEG to possibly manage the new facility. That's when Bob Young knew that he wasn't listening to anyone.
- Knowing that Bob's business case wouldn't even be looked at or even considered, he did the one thing he knew he could do - he pulled out of the discussion and with it his funding.
- Let's face facts here. Ivor Wynne Stadium never had the facilities to handle the number of people that go in and out of it. Parking in people's yards, walking 5, 10 even 15 minutes to and from parking if you're not lucky enough to get a spot at Scott Park. Let's stop pretending that this creates a great game experience, because to a lot of regional supporters, it doesn't.
- The East Mountain was a compromise. And people who are using words like "urban sprawl" and "big box" obviously haven't been up there lately.
- The West Harbour still has traffic management and mobility issues to contend with, along with indirect parking arrangements. Ivor Wynne Stadium all over again.
- Apparently there is more to lose with the East Mountain facility than the West Harbour in property taxes.
- Brad Clark, fresh from his Michael Buble concert began a new firestorm about fudged numbers to make the West Harbour the only viable choice, but that could have been to deflect his own problem with him not being there to vote on the stadium recommendation. Obviously, his vote wouldn't changed a thing anyway, but emotions are running high and the city is in a volatile state as it is.
And is Brad Clark's allegation a red herring? I can't say. I didn't see these reports, but it does bring a lot of questions to the table. We'd have to see all the numbers before we can say beyond a doubt that some deception to meet an end has been in the works.
And what about the lack of an anchor tenant? Does Fred actually think he can go it alone? Is a professional soccer team coming out of the blue? There is a person that has the right to put a decently levelled team in Hamilton and that's the guy Fred just dissed.
I keep hearing west harbour proponents calling Bob Young a bully and he's been bargaining in bad faith. So let's mash this one up. Who signalled a concern and was shoved away for it? Who took a compromise and tried to make the best of it? Who was shut out of the inital discussions? And who figured out that this never a conversation from the start and just decided to walk away? Wouldn't you? And after you just got slapped around some more and they ask you to come back and talk, would you?
This is where the problem lies. When one was trying to have a conversation, the other never listened and also decided to talk with someone else about managing the facility at the west harbour. There was never a conversation. There was never dialogue and Fred expects the Cats to come back to the table after giving them the Heisman?
Something stinks here and it isn't coming from Jarvis or Wake Forest.
And that's what bothers me here. There was no dialogue. And to bring this about on Raise the Hammer is just asking to get faded out by people who disagree with you despite the lucidity of the argument. I could Twitter about this all day and it wouldn't change a thing because first of all it's not a good place to have a debate on and it's the same garbage over again.
What I'm sure of, but I don't know, is that the majority of those who support the West Harbour are the same ones who don't care about the financial viability of the Tiger-Cats, the heart and soul of this city, and would rather see them leave, potentially losing the prospect of an NHL franchise and the Bulldogs with them. And with nothing substantial going on at the west harbour after the games, does Fred really want to be in this crowd?
Oh to be a fly on the wall when Mayor Fred and Ian Troop meet...
Thursday, July 29, 2010
From the Jaws of Victory...
...defeat is snatched!
If there is anything that tells you that we live in Hamilton, it's knowing that we almost had an opportunity to have a great stadium for the world to see. And there are plenty of mistakes that Fred Eisenberger et al will have to pay for:
So thank you city council and thank you Hamilton Tiger-Cats for allowing us to lose what could have been a magnificent stadium. They can redeem themselves here and now if they take those designs that the Whitestar Group have been kind to bring to us and build that on the East Mountain. The Whitestar design is still the best possible outcome for our new stadium.
For now, I don't want to see any lame design of some stupid park. I don't want to hear anyone talking about the East Mountain. I don't want to hear anyone talking about the West Harbour. I don't want to hear anyone talking about community building or urban sprawl. I don't want to hear any noise at all. I don't want to hear any legacy BS or some sustainability BS or parking spaces or anything else about the stadium. The worst part about this three day weekend, is the fact that I won't be working during that time so I will have this on my mind all weekend long. This whole thing was a debacle from the beginning and so as a debacle it ends.
Now excuse me while I go get drunk. This is too damn depressing.
If there is anything that tells you that we live in Hamilton, it's knowing that we almost had an opportunity to have a great stadium for the world to see. And there are plenty of mistakes that Fred Eisenberger et al will have to pay for:
- Minimizing the role of the Tiger-Cats and classifying them a minor stakeholder
- Planning a stadium site without due diligence
- Planning a stadium without a design
- Failing to consider all possible locations to the point that the location of choice is one that has been in the works since 2003
- Allowing Chad Collins to get away with removing the Confederation Park option. I hope your voters are in a cranky mood in October, Chad.
So thank you city council and thank you Hamilton Tiger-Cats for allowing us to lose what could have been a magnificent stadium. They can redeem themselves here and now if they take those designs that the Whitestar Group have been kind to bring to us and build that on the East Mountain. The Whitestar design is still the best possible outcome for our new stadium.
For now, I don't want to see any lame design of some stupid park. I don't want to hear anyone talking about the East Mountain. I don't want to hear anyone talking about the West Harbour. I don't want to hear anyone talking about community building or urban sprawl. I don't want to hear any noise at all. I don't want to hear any legacy BS or some sustainability BS or parking spaces or anything else about the stadium. The worst part about this three day weekend, is the fact that I won't be working during that time so I will have this on my mind all weekend long. This whole thing was a debacle from the beginning and so as a debacle it ends.
Now excuse me while I go get drunk. This is too damn depressing.
Di I(ce)-Man Cometh...
...and more candidates emerge!
First of all as of last week, there were two more mayoral candidates from when I last did some commentary on the mayor's race. Glenn Hamilton, a downtown resident, threw his hat a few weeks ago and just recently a gentleman by the name of Edward Graydon has also emerged as a candidate. The city has yet to post his information. I will be cautious on this one, learning from a mistake I made with Ward 10 candidate Bernard Josipovic. Hopefully we'll get some more detail on Mr. Graydon and his platform.
At this point, the only challenging candidate that's making noise on the 'net these days is Mahesh Butani. The man has made some of his views known and they weren't without some controversy, but that's what this guy does best. He at least gets you talking and that's the one thing none of the challengers have done up to now. I just hope that can bring it to the mainstream media, otherwise his chances will diminish. He is the only challenger with a known website and he's not afraid to use it! One question that remains is who other than Mr. Butani will step up and at least try to stand out in this crowd, especially one that is growing to 7 candidates.
Especially when that seventh entry is none other than previous mayor Larry DiIanni. While he has his excess baggage lingering from the funding for his successful mayoral campaign in 2003, Fred's baggage is not from his campaign, but from his job record, which has not been very good. I previously said to Cal DiFalco that DiIanni was damaged goods and that he'd make a better kingmaker than a king. In 2006, justice was done. Larry DiIanni paid for his indiscretions through an electoral defeat. The reason why I said what I said was because for a previous mayor to come back and run for the job again is not exactly heard of. I can't recall a civic election in which a predecessor ran against an incumbent so this could make some interesting news in the months to come. And I will make an entry discussing how DiIanni got himself in trouble in the first place sometime in the next month.
But could this be the scenario that Mahesh Butani was looking for? We don't know. I did muse about a scenario in which two of the strongest candidates are so busy duking it out that a third guy comes in and takes it from under their noses. But for that to happen, Mahesh needs to step up and shift gears in his campaign while keeping a firm hand on that little idea valve of his. He has so many ideas that to roll them all out would overwhelm the voters. So I think he needs to fine tune his campaign to get his message out on a larger volume. And I hate to say this again, but he needs the media to help him. He needs to get on the radio or get on CHCH or Cable 14.
Eventually people will narrow this race down to two or three people. Eisenberger is already there and now DiIanni is there as well. Butani has an opportunity to get himself in that pack and unless he can position himself among the two or at least above Baldassaro, he has no chance of winning this.
DISCLAIMER
While I do make opinions about the election campaigns and their strengths, I am not endorsing any candidates at this time. It is too soon to determine the best candidates for the job. This blog's intention is to be a catalyst for needed change in our city, be it from an incumbent or a challenger. One thing is for sure. This city cannot operate under the current conditions.
First of all as of last week, there were two more mayoral candidates from when I last did some commentary on the mayor's race. Glenn Hamilton, a downtown resident, threw his hat a few weeks ago and just recently a gentleman by the name of Edward Graydon has also emerged as a candidate. The city has yet to post his information. I will be cautious on this one, learning from a mistake I made with Ward 10 candidate Bernard Josipovic. Hopefully we'll get some more detail on Mr. Graydon and his platform.
At this point, the only challenging candidate that's making noise on the 'net these days is Mahesh Butani. The man has made some of his views known and they weren't without some controversy, but that's what this guy does best. He at least gets you talking and that's the one thing none of the challengers have done up to now. I just hope that can bring it to the mainstream media, otherwise his chances will diminish. He is the only challenger with a known website and he's not afraid to use it! One question that remains is who other than Mr. Butani will step up and at least try to stand out in this crowd, especially one that is growing to 7 candidates.
Especially when that seventh entry is none other than previous mayor Larry DiIanni. While he has his excess baggage lingering from the funding for his successful mayoral campaign in 2003, Fred's baggage is not from his campaign, but from his job record, which has not been very good. I previously said to Cal DiFalco that DiIanni was damaged goods and that he'd make a better kingmaker than a king. In 2006, justice was done. Larry DiIanni paid for his indiscretions through an electoral defeat. The reason why I said what I said was because for a previous mayor to come back and run for the job again is not exactly heard of. I can't recall a civic election in which a predecessor ran against an incumbent so this could make some interesting news in the months to come. And I will make an entry discussing how DiIanni got himself in trouble in the first place sometime in the next month.
But could this be the scenario that Mahesh Butani was looking for? We don't know. I did muse about a scenario in which two of the strongest candidates are so busy duking it out that a third guy comes in and takes it from under their noses. But for that to happen, Mahesh needs to step up and shift gears in his campaign while keeping a firm hand on that little idea valve of his. He has so many ideas that to roll them all out would overwhelm the voters. So I think he needs to fine tune his campaign to get his message out on a larger volume. And I hate to say this again, but he needs the media to help him. He needs to get on the radio or get on CHCH or Cable 14.
Eventually people will narrow this race down to two or three people. Eisenberger is already there and now DiIanni is there as well. Butani has an opportunity to get himself in that pack and unless he can position himself among the two or at least above Baldassaro, he has no chance of winning this.
DISCLAIMER
While I do make opinions about the election campaigns and their strengths, I am not endorsing any candidates at this time. It is too soon to determine the best candidates for the job. This blog's intention is to be a catalyst for needed change in our city, be it from an incumbent or a challenger. One thing is for sure. This city cannot operate under the current conditions.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
An Intriguing Notion, But...
Count me behind this plan, with caution of course. The Spec's Emma Reilly reports on a most intriging plan for the West Harbour, which even Bob Young could get behind. The full plan created by Marino Rakovac is presented on his blog. It features in full detail, his vision for a West Harbour stadium, so comprehensive that you are going to have to see this one for yourself.
Of course there are challenges to this vision, the foremost being whether or not CN would allow this to happen. CN doesn't want any homes within 300 metres of their tracks, eventhough the city would probably be very enthusiastic about this plan which will use the sale of condos to help pay for this venture and could create an interesting scenario for those who want to buy into this.
After all, how would you love a stadium on your condo? And what would you want for it? How about a view of the game? Office buildings, relocation of the Football Hall of Fame (a long time coming!), a recreation center and a RETRACTABLE ROOF to do things all year round! Woo hoo! It's an ultrasonic technicolour climax baby! (PWEI said so.) Anybody want to say no?
Okay, how about "not so fast"? Well that's the case here. Matt Jelly, a regular contributor to Raise the Hammer, has inadvertently done that without even knowing. You see, we need an adult conversation about the real cost of building on the West Harbour and the biggest one will be that clean up! And let's face it folks. It's a mess! Knowing what's there right now, can you blame Bob Young now? The clean-up will be expensive, there's no doubt, but at the same time, there won't be anyone living there as long as it's on ground level.
Now the Bayfront Park, was a triumph in itself, considering it was built on industrial land too and I think they can do something substantial and I have to say that this is the most vision I have seen throughout the whole debate. There would have to be a geological survey to map out the solid underlying layers underground to determine the viability and the cost associated with such an undertaking.
The vision shown by Mr. Rakovac is something significant and something potentially exciting to sports and entertainment fans in the GHA, especially those who would like to see a quality Monster Jam show somewhere other than the Rogers Centre. We could even host some major sporting events. This vision shows the way. This has legacy potential written all over it. This is the best vision of a stadium I have seen in a long time. This is one that can outdo Toronto's Rogers Centre.
To say the least this is an intriguing notion, but will the businesses and the potential condo buyers pony up or will this be another Hamiltonian case of "if you build it, they will come" gone wrong? There is only one thing that can make this happen: the right people in the right places at the right time. Once that happens, how can Bob Young say no then?
Of course there are challenges to this vision, the foremost being whether or not CN would allow this to happen. CN doesn't want any homes within 300 metres of their tracks, eventhough the city would probably be very enthusiastic about this plan which will use the sale of condos to help pay for this venture and could create an interesting scenario for those who want to buy into this.
After all, how would you love a stadium on your condo? And what would you want for it? How about a view of the game? Office buildings, relocation of the Football Hall of Fame (a long time coming!), a recreation center and a RETRACTABLE ROOF to do things all year round! Woo hoo! It's an ultrasonic technicolour climax baby! (PWEI said so.) Anybody want to say no?
Okay, how about "not so fast"? Well that's the case here. Matt Jelly, a regular contributor to Raise the Hammer, has inadvertently done that without even knowing. You see, we need an adult conversation about the real cost of building on the West Harbour and the biggest one will be that clean up! And let's face it folks. It's a mess! Knowing what's there right now, can you blame Bob Young now? The clean-up will be expensive, there's no doubt, but at the same time, there won't be anyone living there as long as it's on ground level.
Now the Bayfront Park, was a triumph in itself, considering it was built on industrial land too and I think they can do something substantial and I have to say that this is the most vision I have seen throughout the whole debate. There would have to be a geological survey to map out the solid underlying layers underground to determine the viability and the cost associated with such an undertaking.
The vision shown by Mr. Rakovac is something significant and something potentially exciting to sports and entertainment fans in the GHA, especially those who would like to see a quality Monster Jam show somewhere other than the Rogers Centre. We could even host some major sporting events. This vision shows the way. This has legacy potential written all over it. This is the best vision of a stadium I have seen in a long time. This is one that can outdo Toronto's Rogers Centre.
To say the least this is an intriguing notion, but will the businesses and the potential condo buyers pony up or will this be another Hamiltonian case of "if you build it, they will come" gone wrong? There is only one thing that can make this happen: the right people in the right places at the right time. Once that happens, how can Bob Young say no then?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Bernard Steps Up!
As some of you have been following on this site lately, I've been watching the Ward 10 race, mainly because of the splash made by Juan Pablo Bustamante. However, at the same time, I've been razzing a fellow challenging candidate, mostly for lack of visibility. I suppose it got rather too much for Bernard Josipovic who rightfully let me know of his displeasure in my neglect. I explained myself and asked him some questions to get to know him. I probably know more about Bernard than I know about Pablo. The one thing you learn when covering election campaigns is how easy it is to jump on a bandwagon and it's just as easy as getting off. While there is no bandwagon for me to jump on in Ward 10, there seems to be some quality choices to be made and that says a lot about the candidates and hopefully the people who live there.
I would like to congratulate Bernard, with whom I've been rather harsh and neglectful, and I wish him all the best in the fall elections. His press release follows:
Fresh Ideas, Fresh Face, Fresh Start
HAMILTON, ONTARIO, 9 July 2010—It is with great pleasure that we welcome and formally introduce Mr. Bernard Josipovic, the newest candidate running for Ward 10 Councillor in Hamilton. With his “Fresh face, fresh ideas, fresh start” campaign under way, Bernard is ready to listen, understand, and give a voice to his residents in order to address the issues that matter most.
Bernard joins the candidacy with a professional, academic and personal background in the communications field, both in journalism and public relations. Having lived in Stoney Creek for over 22 years, Bernard knows firsthand the issues that residents face, and is ready to take on the challenge of addressing and solving these problems.
The main agenda of the “Fresh face, fresh ideas, fresh start” campaign is to bring much needed change to Ward 10 through regular open dialogue and a representative that is prepared to listen to the residents and their ideas and concerns. Bernard is ready to take on that challenge with a political platform agenda including—but not limited to—solving traffic issues (Highway 8 and Fruitland Road), making sure every resident enjoys the City of Hamilton's services, cleaning up local parks, noise complaints, loitering, to name a few.
Achieving a Diploma in Journalism and Broadcasting from Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, and a Post-graduate Certificate in Public Relations, Bernard brings to the table a passion to listen, communicate and tackle problems head on. Fluent in Croatian, Bernard has also travelled extensively and studied abroad in Munich, Germany to strengthen his understanding of other cultures, while also learning a new language.
Having previously worked for Stelco (U.S. Steel), Dofasco and Y108—where many in Ward 10 have and/or continue to work—has enabled Bernard to work with a wide array of hardworking men and women who want their concerns to be heard and their tax money spent responsibly. “I see myself as an 'everyday' guy who has worked in the arts and manufacturing industry, and I really want to bring that 'everyday' voice to City Hall so we, in Ward 10, can be heard,” stated Bernard Josipovic when asked why he chose to run for office. “Bi-weekly meetings are crucial, whether there are issues or not. I believe that being in contact with residents consistently enables a councillor to get a clear idea of what is going on in the hearts and minds of our residents. It is our money, our tax dollars, and we all deserve a voice.”
Bernard believes in giving back to his community, and has volunteered for several organizations, such as Canadian Blood Services and Artists at the Center. As an active volunteer with Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO), Bernard leads cultural orientation group circles, to ease newcomers to our city in both language and customs. As an immigrant himself, Bernard knows the importance of acceptance and integration at this crucial stage of resettlement, and has devoted his time to helping newcomers ease into their new country.
An active member of recreational sports in his city, Bernard is involved in both the baseball and soccer. Bernard believes that sports bring our community and families together and motivate us, and our children to be active and healthy. “Quality parks and sports centers are crucial for any community and encourage our children to be more active, and have fun in a safe environment” stated Bernard.
Bernard is in the running against Mrs. Maria Pearson and Mr. Pablo Bustamante.
For more information regarding Bernard Josipovic's campaign goals and political platform please contact: josipovicforward10@gmail.com and visit:
http://josipovicforward10.blogspot.com/
I would like to congratulate Bernard, with whom I've been rather harsh and neglectful, and I wish him all the best in the fall elections. His press release follows:
Fresh Ideas, Fresh Face, Fresh Start
HAMILTON, ONTARIO, 9 July 2010—It is with great pleasure that we welcome and formally introduce Mr. Bernard Josipovic, the newest candidate running for Ward 10 Councillor in Hamilton. With his “Fresh face, fresh ideas, fresh start” campaign under way, Bernard is ready to listen, understand, and give a voice to his residents in order to address the issues that matter most.
Bernard joins the candidacy with a professional, academic and personal background in the communications field, both in journalism and public relations. Having lived in Stoney Creek for over 22 years, Bernard knows firsthand the issues that residents face, and is ready to take on the challenge of addressing and solving these problems.
The main agenda of the “Fresh face, fresh ideas, fresh start” campaign is to bring much needed change to Ward 10 through regular open dialogue and a representative that is prepared to listen to the residents and their ideas and concerns. Bernard is ready to take on that challenge with a political platform agenda including—but not limited to—solving traffic issues (Highway 8 and Fruitland Road), making sure every resident enjoys the City of Hamilton's services, cleaning up local parks, noise complaints, loitering, to name a few.
Achieving a Diploma in Journalism and Broadcasting from Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, and a Post-graduate Certificate in Public Relations, Bernard brings to the table a passion to listen, communicate and tackle problems head on. Fluent in Croatian, Bernard has also travelled extensively and studied abroad in Munich, Germany to strengthen his understanding of other cultures, while also learning a new language.
Having previously worked for Stelco (U.S. Steel), Dofasco and Y108—where many in Ward 10 have and/or continue to work—has enabled Bernard to work with a wide array of hardworking men and women who want their concerns to be heard and their tax money spent responsibly. “I see myself as an 'everyday' guy who has worked in the arts and manufacturing industry, and I really want to bring that 'everyday' voice to City Hall so we, in Ward 10, can be heard,” stated Bernard Josipovic when asked why he chose to run for office. “Bi-weekly meetings are crucial, whether there are issues or not. I believe that being in contact with residents consistently enables a councillor to get a clear idea of what is going on in the hearts and minds of our residents. It is our money, our tax dollars, and we all deserve a voice.”
Bernard believes in giving back to his community, and has volunteered for several organizations, such as Canadian Blood Services and Artists at the Center. As an active volunteer with Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO), Bernard leads cultural orientation group circles, to ease newcomers to our city in both language and customs. As an immigrant himself, Bernard knows the importance of acceptance and integration at this crucial stage of resettlement, and has devoted his time to helping newcomers ease into their new country.
An active member of recreational sports in his city, Bernard is involved in both the baseball and soccer. Bernard believes that sports bring our community and families together and motivate us, and our children to be active and healthy. “Quality parks and sports centers are crucial for any community and encourage our children to be more active, and have fun in a safe environment” stated Bernard.
Bernard is in the running against Mrs. Maria Pearson and Mr. Pablo Bustamante.
For more information regarding Bernard Josipovic's campaign goals and political platform please contact: josipovicforward10@gmail.com and visit:
http://josipovicforward10.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Calling all candidates! Calling all residents!
I want to hear from all of you. I want to know where you stand. I want to know about you and pass that information onto my readers and followers here. If you have any special ideas which you want me to critique or what you're hearing out there, I want to know.
I want to hear your stories and try to paraphrase your positions the best way I can.
And candidates, if you want to be heard, let me know! My line of communication is open. Go to my profile and e-mail me!
I want to hear your stories and try to paraphrase your positions the best way I can.
And candidates, if you want to be heard, let me know! My line of communication is open. Go to my profile and e-mail me!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Let's Get to Know What I Do Here!
While a lot of you will not admit it, you like coming to see me and I appreciate that! But I do need to clarify some things about what I do here. Here I am part reporter, part critic, but all in all, I am a commentator.
In a Hockey Night in Canada metaphor, I am not Bob Cole here. I am Harry Neale. Yes I report what's happened, but I try to give the best possible explanation to why things are the way they are. While I seem prophetic here, I am no prophet.
A lot of what I observe, I wish wasn't true, because I for one do not like the idea of voting for someone that one likes as opposed to someone who can actually do the job or is fresh with new ideas and creativity.
This city needs new ideas and creative energy, because the old ideas don't work. They never did and they never will.
Above all, I want to help candidates succeed and if any of those I have criticized here have won their election as the result of something I said, then I did my job here.
This blog gives me some opportunity to tune up my analytical skills and keep the gears well oiled. But understand that a lot of my observations come from experience and a general understanding of the psychlogical make-up of the human being and his or her surroundings. So enjoy reading and understand that I don't know everything. I am learning something new every day. That's the commitment I make to myself.
I thank you all for reading!
In a Hockey Night in Canada metaphor, I am not Bob Cole here. I am Harry Neale. Yes I report what's happened, but I try to give the best possible explanation to why things are the way they are. While I seem prophetic here, I am no prophet.
A lot of what I observe, I wish wasn't true, because I for one do not like the idea of voting for someone that one likes as opposed to someone who can actually do the job or is fresh with new ideas and creativity.
This city needs new ideas and creative energy, because the old ideas don't work. They never did and they never will.
Above all, I want to help candidates succeed and if any of those I have criticized here have won their election as the result of something I said, then I did my job here.
This blog gives me some opportunity to tune up my analytical skills and keep the gears well oiled. But understand that a lot of my observations come from experience and a general understanding of the psychlogical make-up of the human being and his or her surroundings. So enjoy reading and understand that I don't know everything. I am learning something new every day. That's the commitment I make to myself.
I thank you all for reading!
The Incumbents Come to the Table...
It's not like it was expected. Three incumbents have recently submitted their candidacies for re-election. And they have storylines to boot!
Tom Jackson has submitted his candidacy for re-election as Ward 6 councillor, setting the stage for a rematch with 2006 rival Dr. Natalie Xian Yi Yan. Because I just moved to Ward 6, I don't know what else the good doctor has done to promote herself. Now becoming the longshot candidate, I see this as her last chance to win this, because if she doesn't do it this time around, I just don't see how she will win in the future. This observation is not a reflection of her abilities or any lack thereof, but one of public sentiment. You can be the best person for the job and still not get it at all. It just seems that those who win these seem to deserve it the least.
And speaking of those who deserve it the least, Maria Pearson has a long way to go to show why she should be re-elected and with a strong challenge from Pablo Bustamante, she will have her work cut out for her. At this point, her only advantage is demographics. When you consider the fact that people in that ward have a quasi-rural attitude, you would have to say that Maria has a slight advantage. Now I'm not saying that Pablo's nationality is an issue, it's the general attitude of the suburban communities. Once again, this is an observation. I think Pablo can pull it off because he has general support in the Fruitland community and he just needs to overcome Maria's advantage, which he has been chipping away at for the last couple of months. At this point, he is doing a great job of it.
Finally, Dave Mitchell recently submitted his papers to fight for his re-election. Ken Chartrand has some support in such a way that he could really give Mitchell a run for his money. But once again, we have a demographic issue here. Ken Chartrand has some partisan support with him, but it's not clear if the rural residents in the Glanbrook area are looking for some sort of change in representation. Perhaps someone from that area can give us some perspective. At this point, things have been eerily quiet in the southeast.
So the incumbents have begun submitting their candidacies for re-election and so the real fight begins for the challengers. Right now, only one of these incumbents has a significant advantage.
Tom Jackson has submitted his candidacy for re-election as Ward 6 councillor, setting the stage for a rematch with 2006 rival Dr. Natalie Xian Yi Yan. Because I just moved to Ward 6, I don't know what else the good doctor has done to promote herself. Now becoming the longshot candidate, I see this as her last chance to win this, because if she doesn't do it this time around, I just don't see how she will win in the future. This observation is not a reflection of her abilities or any lack thereof, but one of public sentiment. You can be the best person for the job and still not get it at all. It just seems that those who win these seem to deserve it the least.
And speaking of those who deserve it the least, Maria Pearson has a long way to go to show why she should be re-elected and with a strong challenge from Pablo Bustamante, she will have her work cut out for her. At this point, her only advantage is demographics. When you consider the fact that people in that ward have a quasi-rural attitude, you would have to say that Maria has a slight advantage. Now I'm not saying that Pablo's nationality is an issue, it's the general attitude of the suburban communities. Once again, this is an observation. I think Pablo can pull it off because he has general support in the Fruitland community and he just needs to overcome Maria's advantage, which he has been chipping away at for the last couple of months. At this point, he is doing a great job of it.
Finally, Dave Mitchell recently submitted his papers to fight for his re-election. Ken Chartrand has some support in such a way that he could really give Mitchell a run for his money. But once again, we have a demographic issue here. Ken Chartrand has some partisan support with him, but it's not clear if the rural residents in the Glanbrook area are looking for some sort of change in representation. Perhaps someone from that area can give us some perspective. At this point, things have been eerily quiet in the southeast.
So the incumbents have begun submitting their candidacies for re-election and so the real fight begins for the challengers. Right now, only one of these incumbents has a significant advantage.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Change and New Beginnings
As the Gauthier household reflects on the time we've spent at our home in the east Gage Park community, up to our move to the Templemead community, we come to an opportunity to reflect on something that discussed many times, but not really thought on: change and its necessity.
It was Sir Isaac Newton who outlined the term "inertia" which says that an object at rest tends to stay at rest, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion and anything that changes the nature of these states involve some level of force. So in the case of politics, there are several types of forces that come into play, but either way the result is the same. Something needs to get your attention to the point where you are forced to decide on the necessity of remaining in that state you are in right now.
So what is your force? What is it that makes you want change? Is it the job you lost? Is it a broken promise? Is it some form of a tragedy? Is it a concern that has disrupted your harmonious state? And knowing that force, what will it take to make you desire change? And what is really getting your attention these days with city hall?
These are questions being asked by the challenging candidates, because just like me, they are concerned with the recent direction this city has taken and to those like me who care, city hall has been a major source of frustration.
And to our misfortune, the people of this city are used to disappointment. It's been a way of life since the late 80's, when the decline of the downtown core began. In places where office buildings once stood, parking lots are there. Parking lots even sit on places where department stores once sat. We've settled for second best for decades to the point where we've come to accept that no matter what happens, it will always end in disappointment.
At what point do we stop settling for second best and start taking our place as one of the more populous cities in this country? At what point do we stop playing to not lose and start playing to win? We have to stop acting like losers and start playing like winners. We need to change!
The Gauthier family moved from their home in the Gage Park community to a newer, more vibrant neighbourhood, because we don't want to settle for second best anymore. We want to move forward. But to achieve that desire, we have to desire some level of change.
You see in the end, change happens and there is nothing wrong with it. All you need is the desire. So what will it take for you to desire change? And what will it take for you to give these people your vote?
Just like the Gauthier family, our city needs a new beginning, because as it stands, this council has lost its shelf life and the majority of those sitting in council deserve to be replaced.
It was Sir Isaac Newton who outlined the term "inertia" which says that an object at rest tends to stay at rest, while an object in motion tends to stay in motion and anything that changes the nature of these states involve some level of force. So in the case of politics, there are several types of forces that come into play, but either way the result is the same. Something needs to get your attention to the point where you are forced to decide on the necessity of remaining in that state you are in right now.
So what is your force? What is it that makes you want change? Is it the job you lost? Is it a broken promise? Is it some form of a tragedy? Is it a concern that has disrupted your harmonious state? And knowing that force, what will it take to make you desire change? And what is really getting your attention these days with city hall?
These are questions being asked by the challenging candidates, because just like me, they are concerned with the recent direction this city has taken and to those like me who care, city hall has been a major source of frustration.
And to our misfortune, the people of this city are used to disappointment. It's been a way of life since the late 80's, when the decline of the downtown core began. In places where office buildings once stood, parking lots are there. Parking lots even sit on places where department stores once sat. We've settled for second best for decades to the point where we've come to accept that no matter what happens, it will always end in disappointment.
At what point do we stop settling for second best and start taking our place as one of the more populous cities in this country? At what point do we stop playing to not lose and start playing to win? We have to stop acting like losers and start playing like winners. We need to change!
The Gauthier family moved from their home in the Gage Park community to a newer, more vibrant neighbourhood, because we don't want to settle for second best anymore. We want to move forward. But to achieve that desire, we have to desire some level of change.
You see in the end, change happens and there is nothing wrong with it. All you need is the desire. So what will it take for you to desire change? And what will it take for you to give these people your vote?
Just like the Gauthier family, our city needs a new beginning, because as it stands, this council has lost its shelf life and the majority of those sitting in council deserve to be replaced.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Taking a break...
It's been a crazy month in the Gauthier household and now it's time to concentrate on the final push towards our moving day. So for the time being, I'm going to be doing more reading and less writing. There are some changes to the blog on the horizon as well, but all in time. My friends will be informed when the changes are solidified.
Candidates should start sending those flyers out introducing yourselves as Ward 3 Candidate Paul Tetley has done with us already. Those who want to satiate the voters' need for someone who can bring change should be introducing themselves at least a month ago. Now people in Stoney Creek know who Pablo Bustamante is because he participated in Stoney Creek's Canada Flag Day Parade.
And most of all, stay civil and make yourself available. And please, at least leave your e-mail address on the Municipal Election website.
Good luck to all and we'll be ready to do some more next weekend!
Candidates should start sending those flyers out introducing yourselves as Ward 3 Candidate Paul Tetley has done with us already. Those who want to satiate the voters' need for someone who can bring change should be introducing themselves at least a month ago. Now people in Stoney Creek know who Pablo Bustamante is because he participated in Stoney Creek's Canada Flag Day Parade.
And most of all, stay civil and make yourself available. And please, at least leave your e-mail address on the Municipal Election website.
Good luck to all and we'll be ready to do some more next weekend!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Fred Eisenberger and Opportunity - They don't mix!
Emma Reilly at the Spec has an interesting report from this morning's paper. Obviously, the Chamber of Commerce is unhappy, especially when a big decision as planning a center of economic activity is being deferred. Not a big surprise there on both fronts. Typical council move, followed by typical outrage on the part of the Chamber.
"So Ren," you ask. "What's the kicker?"
Well here it is. Here are a couple of passages in the story.
So Fred is not just boring. He's clueless. Oh but when money comes to their table to pork-barrel, they waste no time!
I have another idea of why this was deferred. The Aerotropolis plan by the nature of it, is controversial. Just like Copps Coliseum, they are planning on making land available for commercial use around the airport, little knowing whether or not a major player would take on the opportunity.
And there have been plenty of arguments for and against it. One group is concerned with the loss of farming land. Understandable, but tell that to the developers who have already started building homes around the airport.
Another is concerned with who will even come to the table if the opportunity showed itself. It's a point I made and I have said on other blogs that the plan should be looked at for what it is - a plan to manage growth should the need arise. The little understood thing about plans like these are that this is what is done at City Hall on a daily basis. They plan growth and zoning to facilitate growth in certain areas and the area around the airport is no different. A lot of this is psychological really.
And of course the other point that we have to ponder is how much longer will air travel be around? As oil sources are getting more difficult to find to the point we're taking dumb risks, à la BP, we have to wonder if there will be some sort of fuel to do what jet fuel is doing right now. A lot can happen over a while. There are other forms of fuel out there and we just need to find it, but for the time being jets are the way to go and they are doing everything they can to prevent this multi-billion dollar industry from going down the tubes.
The Aerotropolis if used correctly will manage the growth, should a need arise, but let's at least ensure that the horse is in front of the cart.
But here's my point altogether. The city has squandered five years on this and the fact that this is being deferred yet again is not a good indication. It's more than a sign that it won't happen, to the delight of some. It's a sign that the city hasn't changed a bit.
"So Ren," you ask. "What's the kicker?"
Well here it is. Here are a couple of passages in the story.
Hamilton businessperson Ron Foxcroft said the delays are rooted in a council full of career politicians.So what did Fred say about this?
"That's their only job. That is maybe not always a healthy thing," he said.
"When it's your livelihood, sometimes the vote doesn't go for the betterment of the city."
Eisenberger also doesn't believe the city has a pattern of waffling on controversial decisions.Well ain't that a knee-slapper? When I did 10 tough questions with Cal DiFalco, he asked me what made me upset about Hamilton and here's a couple of excerpts.
"Council is pretty decisive on most issues," he said. "I haven't seen anything that suggests that there's been dithering."
When great things happen, they take too long and great visionaries are dead before they’ve realized their visions coming to fruition. Victor Copps may not have seen the NHL come to Hamilton, but he wasn’t around to see the cool new facility with his name on it. Jack McDonald was lucky. It took almost a half a century to once and for all finish the Red Hill Valley Parkway.
...
The city has a history of deferring major challenges, including the downtown core, to future councils. It frustrates people like me who care about the direction this city is taking, because either it seems that they don’t care or they don’t want to be the one who makes the decision to see it end up in failure. They just don’t seem to want to try to do something. And the problem will not take care of itself.
So Fred is not just boring. He's clueless. Oh but when money comes to their table to pork-barrel, they waste no time!
I have another idea of why this was deferred. The Aerotropolis plan by the nature of it, is controversial. Just like Copps Coliseum, they are planning on making land available for commercial use around the airport, little knowing whether or not a major player would take on the opportunity.
And there have been plenty of arguments for and against it. One group is concerned with the loss of farming land. Understandable, but tell that to the developers who have already started building homes around the airport.
Another is concerned with who will even come to the table if the opportunity showed itself. It's a point I made and I have said on other blogs that the plan should be looked at for what it is - a plan to manage growth should the need arise. The little understood thing about plans like these are that this is what is done at City Hall on a daily basis. They plan growth and zoning to facilitate growth in certain areas and the area around the airport is no different. A lot of this is psychological really.
And of course the other point that we have to ponder is how much longer will air travel be around? As oil sources are getting more difficult to find to the point we're taking dumb risks, à la BP, we have to wonder if there will be some sort of fuel to do what jet fuel is doing right now. A lot can happen over a while. There are other forms of fuel out there and we just need to find it, but for the time being jets are the way to go and they are doing everything they can to prevent this multi-billion dollar industry from going down the tubes.
The Aerotropolis if used correctly will manage the growth, should a need arise, but let's at least ensure that the horse is in front of the cart.
But here's my point altogether. The city has squandered five years on this and the fact that this is being deferred yet again is not a good indication. It's more than a sign that it won't happen, to the delight of some. It's a sign that the city hasn't changed a bit.
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