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2022 Municipal Election
Well, Sam Merulla announced he will not run in the next election for Ward 4 councilor. Finally, after 20 years as councilor the ward will get a fresh face.
Sam Merulla calling it quits: ‘I’m implementing my own term limits’ Controversial councillor vows not to seek re-election in 2022 https://www.thespec.com/opinion-stor...-term-limits-/ |
Hamilton residents could face double-digit tax increases because of pandemic spending
(Hamilton Community News, Kevin Werner, June 16 2020) Hamilton homeowners could see potentially double-digit tax increases within two years, capital projects delayed, the city’s reserved funds depleted and cutbacks in all services because of the coronavirus pandemic. The troubling scenario was presented by Mike Zegarac, corporate finance general manager, at the June 15 general issues committee virtual meeting. He outlined a potential $60-million to $122-million deficit depending upon how long the city is forced to keep adhering to the province’s emergency orders. Hamilton’s financial problems could extend well into 2021 and even 2022 with tax increases anywhere from seven to nearly 14 per cent. “I’m feeling anxious given there isn’t a commitment from (the federal government to help municipalities),” said Zegarac, as he fielded questions from concerned councillors during the June 15 general issues committee meeting.… “Not only are we facing an immediate fiscal challenge,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger, “but we are facing 2021, and 2022 as challenges because transit is not going to come flying back the way it has in the past; the economy is not going to turn on a dime.” Read it in full here. Double-digit tax increases heading into a municipal election will help unseat incumbents. |
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IMO the wards that really need fresh faces are 12 and 14 (especially 14) |
After being oh-so-impressed :rolleyes: with him as mayor the first time around, of course I'd *LOVE* to see what he can do in an encore. :haha:
I wonder if he's thrown any pens in Ottawa... Liberal MP Bob Bratina eyes Hamilton mayoral bid after split with party By Richard Leitner Stoney Creek News via the Hamilton Spectator Thu., Aug. 12, 2021 https://www.thespec.com/local-stoney...ith-party.html https://images.thestar.com/n5nyqujcD...ratinaEmma.JPG Hamilton East—Stoney Creek Liberal MP Bob Bratina says he may yet run for mayor next year now that he won't seek re-election because he opposes his government’s funding of the city’s light-rail transit line. “I’m not ruling it out,” he said in an interview at his constituency office in downtown Stoney Creek. “I have lots of options, including fully retiring, but I don’t feel like I’m done yet. I feel good and I have a lot of concerns about the city, the vision around its growth.” Bratina, 77, who stepped down as mayor after a single term to run for the federal Liberals in 2015, said he still believes the shared $3.4 billion that Ottawa and the province will spend on the LRT has many better uses. They include fixing “bedbug ridden” public housing units and addressing the city’s $3 billion in infrastructure repair needs. But he said he is also following the current debate on whether to expand Hamilton’s urban boundary and sides with opponents who favour building more multiple-unit dwellings over urban sprawl. Bratina said he pushed for the west harbour GO station while mayor because he realized the all-day service it now offers could spur housing intensification in the downtown core and turn it into “a powerhouse.” “There’s lots of things that I’m proud of that I was a part of (as mayor) and they’re bearing fruit as we speak,” he said. “I’ve got a few more good ideas that may get to be exploited, but we’ll see what happens.” ... “It kind of gives a sense of how unimportant Bob Bratina was to that government.” Full story here |
My sense, 10 years ago, was that Bobra was starting to lose his marbles a bit. I don't recall what it was exactly (maybe I'm losing mine); perhaps it was the outbursts, or his inability to respond directly to questions, etc. Did anyone else have those thoughts or was it my imagination?
Anyway, not excited about the prospect of another octogenarian taking over... |
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I had the same impression about him. We need a fresh face leading the city. Preferably someone younger who hasn't been on council for years and years, with some spunk in him or her and an ability to cut through the BS while working constructively with the other kids. Too much to ask? |
Looks like we're bound to have at least one new councillor. Collins will be running for the Liberals in the next federal election, and given his name recognition and the Grits traditional strength in that part of the city, I'll be surprised if he does not win.
Coun. Chad Collins running for federal Liberals in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek Teviah Moro The Hamilton Spectator Fri., Aug. 13, 2021 https://www.thespec.com/news/council...ney-creek.html Coun. Chad Collins is the federal Liberals’ candidate in Hamilton East—Stoney Creek. The longtime Ward 5 councillor won the candidature by acclamation Thursday. Collins, who was first elected to council in 1995, hopes to replace outgoing Liberal MP Bob Bratina in the riding. ... Collins similarly has been a steady opponent of the McMaster-to-Eastgate Square light-rail line in favour of bus rapid transit and says he won’t change his mind despite the Liberals’ position. “For me, it’s always about representing my constituents,” he said. Collins said he “respects the fact” that the Liberals have committed $1.7 billion to the project (the provincial share is $1.7 billion) but it’s up to council to decide how LRT unfolds. “If someone’s expecting some sort of robot in Ottawa, they haven’t come to the right person in that regard.” Collins said he’ll carry his “passion” for the housing, transit and infrastructure files to Parliament should be elected. If an election is called, Collins said he’ll take an unpaid leave of absence, still handling constituency matters but not attending council meetings. Should he win, council can opt to appoint a Ward 5 replacement or hold a byelection. The next municipal election is October 2022. full story here |
I live in the ward and plan on voting Liberal.. not too happy about his nomination. I guess the consolation is that he will be a backbencher much like Bratina was with no real power or say. Good to see an establishment councillor gone, hopefully a fresh new face replaces him.
I'm a little concerned about Bratina's rumblings of running for mayor again trying to derail LRT yet again... but hopefully that won't come to fruition. |
BOOOoourns to Bratina all the WAY!!!
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Collins being away from council meetings and big decisions is good news for anything LRT-related. They'll probably be voting on the MOU in September, and if he does become a MP I doubt the city will replace him quickly enough for any final LRT votes. If they do, hopefully it's with a supporter. |
My grandparents went to a house party in Ancaster... oh jeez, 50 years ago? With a lot of guests in attendance, including Bratina. From the brief conversations they had with him they could tell he was the definition of pompous and arrogant :haha: He's absolutely just doing this for attention, and I HOPE it doesn't go anywhere.
How he became my MP I couldn't tell you :yuck: |
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Bob obviously has very different politics from Trump, but do they ever share an ego. |
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Can we please just have a single realistic candidate that's under the age of 100?
If my quick search is right, the last time we had a candidate with any sort of shot under the age of 50, it was Christopherson in 2003. |
I'd love to run for municipal, but I still don't know if you have to reside in said Ward or not. I like Nann (and live in Ward 3 but close to the border of Ward 2), and if Farr runs for mayor, then there would be an opportunity! I'm not even half of 100!
Bratina can take a space flight with Bezos and hopefully not come back. |
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Jagmeet Singh lives in Brampton but represents Burnaby South in Vancouver, for example. I don't believe you even need to live in the same municipality that you want to run for council for either. There were long rumours that a Toronto City Councillor lived in Brampton, for example (he's no longer on council), albeit basically across the street from his ward in Toronto. |
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Looks like we'll have a new face for Ward 5 now that Collins won his retirement federal seat. Who's going to run to fill the Ws 4 and 5 vacancies?
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Oh great, my riding is replacing one bum of an MP for another. :yuck:
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Two Down…
Glanbrook councillor Brenda Johnson won't be seeking re-election this fall
(Hamilton Spectator, Tamara Botting, Jan 5 2022) Come the fall, Glanbrook will have a new councillor at city hall as Brenda Johnson has announced that she won’t be running in the upcoming municipal election. “I think it’s time for fresh eyes. I think it’s time for a change,” said Glanbrook’s councillor. While Hamilton council has been facing public backlash in recent years for its handling of situations such as the sewage spill into Chedoke Creek, or the Red Hill Valley Parkway asphalt study that suggested the surface of the road was more slippery than it should be, Johnson said that’s not what motivated her retirement… Johnson said she’s making the announcement about her retirement now, “because I really wanted to allow good candidates an opportunity to review and find whether or not they would like to run. I don’t want people scrambling in August.” Read it in full here. |
Keanin Loomis@keaninloomis
Yesterday I informed my Board of my intention to resign from hamilton chamber. Serving the #HamOnt business community for 9 years has been such a privilege, but I have so much more leadership to provide our community. As such, I am announcing that I will be a candidate for Mayor. |
Interesting. At first blush he seems to be an excellent, progressive candidate. I'm looking forward to seeing his platform.
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This is huge news. I'd heard a few rumours that this was coming, but it doesn't take away from the immensity of this news. This really makes the next election more exciting, and shows that Hamilton is truly on the up and up.
While I don't agree with all of Loomis' opinions, he's not an idiot and knows the power and strength of advocacy groups. I hadn't heard of his support for sprawl, but seeing the immense outpouring against sprawl, I suspect he will change his tune as he recognizes that's a huge voting block. For many, sprawl is one of the most important issues of our time, including myself. Regardless, Loomis would be a far better option than Fred, Vito, or Bob. Loomis is someone I and many other involved residents and community at large respect, while Bob is disgraced and disliked my many and would be running on ego and name recognition alone, while Fred is on ego, if he even runs which I feel like is a 50/50 chance since he seems so tired of this role. |
Would imagine Farr will enter the race too? He's Deputy Mayor and if Fred doesn't run, seems likely to run.
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This was good to see. Time for some fresh thinking!
Note that Loomis's private perspectives may differ from the positions he supported at the Chamber of Commerce. He was representing a range of businesses, so for something like urban boundary changes he would have been echoing the membership's consensus opinion (and I imagine there are a number of developers and real-estate companies who are chamber members, that have skin in that game) I'd love to see Andrea Horwath run for mayor. It's pretty clear she's gone as far as she can go provincially, and I don't see that changing in a spring election. She'd be a great voice for Hamilton at the provincial and federal levels, and wouldn't take any crap from the problem children on council. I've had no problem with Fred, but aside from the positive turn in the ongoing LRT drama his tenure has been associated with some backslides (not his fault, but on his watch) and has otherwise been rather sleepy. The changes we're seeing in Hamilton now are less due to leadership, and more to economic forces. |
Since he has been MIA for most of this council session, we can hope to assume Terry won't run for re-election?
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Freddy says not to count him out.
Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger says 'don't bet against' him seeking another term https://www.thespec.com/local-ancast...ther-term.html Quote:
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Not necessarily, Graham. ;) But new voices eager to do new things, or do old things in fresher ways, does make for a better council I think. Quote:
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If it’s Eisenbeger vs Loomis than Fred will win hands down. A good looking, downtown candidate with strong connections to corporate business will lose most of the rural, suburban and urban union vote. It’s what killed McHattie. Loomis better hope it ends up being a lower city race if they want to win.
If a higher profile conservative candidate enters the race, like Bratina, than we could have a 2014 election along over again, where Centrist Fred may or may not be or to squeak out a win. That where things get wild with strategic voting and higher turnout in suburban/rural wards that may not have an incumbent and have higher turnout. Who wants to take bets that if Loomis doesn’t win he’ll pull a McHattie and leave town? |
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I feel like most don't know the outside politics of people in Hamilton. I do feel like Keanin against Fred, Keanin would have a solid chance. He has a lot of connections, and allies in the business and city community. Esther Paul's won in part because of her business support. Fred has alienated everyone, and everyone is tired of him.
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Just in the same way Whitehead keeps musing a run for provincial or federal Liberal parties, Partridges run as a Liberal, or down the road in TO, Giorgio Mammoliti who was one of Fords right hand men on Council despite being a former NDP MPP. |
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The business ties can help bring in money but it’s off putting to a lot of segments of the community, and in reality, most of the deep pocket business owners and staff tend to live in Burlington, Niagara or Haldimand. All that matters to winning an election is votes, and the people who show up and vote regardless of there being a competitive race are in the former suburban/rural municipalities, and Loomis has baggage with rural voters after the boundary expansion vote. |
Whitehead and Bratina can open a chain of grumpy old men bakeries for all I care.
If Bratina enters this race, he better not win or Hamilton's progress is going in the dumpster. He literally left the Liberals because of the LRT involvement and so he wouldn't be seen as a hypocrite. His only MO is winning the Mayorship so he can sink the LRT. He's a smug sac of you know what. |
Not sure how this will sit with some people but Loomis confirmed he's in favour of the sprawl. That just eliminated him from my votetential (not a word, but should be).
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If it's any consolation the province will almost certainly over-ride the vote in a few months prior to the election. "The sprawl" Will likely occur regardless of mayoral candidates positions.
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You're probably right sadly and especially if Dougie wins again. He will just force it on us. Developers will keep crying if they can't build out million dollar+ homes in Elfrida and stress our infrastructure more for the benefit of a few versus the many.
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Bratina will take more time to decide on mayoral run
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...mended_for_you |
I wonder how much support he's actually received about the idea. Probably a lot from his old base, but the city has changed, even in the relatively short time since he was elected mayor in 2010. There are probably a lot of new residents who say "Bob who?" :haha:
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The old shoe has dropped:
Bob Bratina says he’d be ‘veteran hand at the till’ if elected mayor Former Liberal MP, mayor and broadcaster says he’s running https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...b-bratina.html Teviah Moro The Hamilton Spectator Mon., March 28, 2022 Bob Bratina is jumping into the race to become Hamilton’s next mayor. The former Liberal MP, who was mayor before entering federal politics, announced his plan to run for the top municipal job Monday. He told CHML he’d be a “veteran hand at the till” for what’s shaping up to be a council with at least a few fresh faces after the Oct. 24 election. Bratina, who was mayor from 2010 to 2014, said the “instability” that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused, including soaring gas prices, compelled him to make his announcement. “So there are a whole lot of issues with affordability that are confronting Hamiltonians,” he told radio host and Spectator columnist Scott Radley. Bratina touted low tax hikes during his time in local office, while landing benefits, such as the new West Harbour GO Station and new football stadium. “If you apply the basic principles of running a household to a city, you can make sure that the money that you are spending is well spent — value for tax money.” Bratina announces his intention to enter the race after another well-known contender, former chamber of commerce head Keanin Loomis, publicized his campaign in January. Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who is serving the final months of his second consecutive term, has yet to say whether he’ll seek re-election. “I have not decided at this time but I would not bet against it!” he told The Spectator via email in January. Eisenberger, who was also mayor from 2006 to 2010, has been a steady proponent of Hamilton’s long-planned LRT project, which has $3.4 billion in federal-provincial construction dollars committed to it. Bratina, on the other hand, announced last May he wouldn’t seek federal re-election because of the Liberal government’s decision to contribute $1.7 billion to help reboot the once-cancelled light-rail initiative. “Well, the LRT discussion is in the hands of city council, and, as the mayor under our system, I have one vote,” he told Radley during Monday’s broadcast. But he added, “we need to look at a Plan B in case” pressures like inflation and rising interest rates “force the government to make other decisions.” The former broadcaster’s time as mayor was punctuated by conflict, including a council vote in 2012 to censure him over his role in a $30,000 raise for his chief of staff. “It was a time on council of personal attacks,” he told Radley. “When we stuck to the business of the city, things worked very well.” The first day candidates can submit nomination papers is May 2. The nomination period ends Aug. 19. |
:doh: Go enjoy that platinum government retirement pension Bob.
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I found this to be a very odd comment. But there are some who will eat it up with spoons:
"Bratina, who was mayor from 2010 to 2014, said the “instability” that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused, including soaring gas prices, compelled him to make his announcement." If we do apply the basic principles of running a household to this case, we would be helping him downsize and look for living space where future assistance will be available. :cheers: |
CBC's version. Includes some stuff about Loomis and Partridge.
Bob Bratina announces plans to run for Hamilton mayor, says he offers 'veteran knowledge' https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...ayor-1.6400868 Dan Taekema CBC News Mar 29, 2022 https://i.cbc.ca/1.5329986.164856933...ob-bratina.jpg Bob Bratina says he suspects there will be new faces around the council table come October and is making the pitch it would help to have a familiar one too — his. The veteran politician said he plans to run for mayor when nominations open in May, promising a positive, forward-looking campaign. "There needs to be a little bit of stability in terms of veteran knowledge of how a city council works," he told CBC Hamilton Tuesday morning, the day after announcing his intentions to run during an interview on CHML. "I think it's hard to disagree with the fact that you can't just completely throw everybody out and start all over again. There are ramifications to that." Bratina, a former broadcaster, previously served as Hamilton's mayor from 2010 to 2014. He was elected as MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek for the Liberals in 2015 and again in 2019, but broke with the party over its support of Hamilton's light-rail transit (LRT) project. Bratina has been a vocal critic of LRT since his time on council. In May last year, he announced he wouldn't run federally again, and teased then about the possibility of throwing his hat back in the ring for mayor. Loomis calls himself an 'unpolitician' On Tuesday Bratina said he thinks people are "tired" of hearing about LRT, noting it's "on a course of its own" and in the hands of councillors. "If I were to become mayor, with the council, I would have one of 16 votes." Bratina joins Keanin Loomis, who stepped down from his role as the CEO of Hamilton's Chamber of Commerce in January to run for the top job on city council. Loomis said he'll work to get LRT built and has described himself as an "unpolitician," having never run for office before. "Change isn't just what I'm looking for, it's what everybody I talk to seems to be looking for," Loomis previously told CBC. "I know I have a lot more to give this community and I'm ready to do that." Bratina said he views himself as a bit of an "unpolitician" too, saying he's applied term limits of his own throughout his times in office. He said he has no interest in being a career politician, before acknowledging that may sound funny coming from someone who's held elected office since 2004. The mayoral hopeful also said he believes there's a learning curve to municipal politics and suggested Loomis should have tried for a council seat before setting his sights on mayor. Fred Eisenberger, Hamilton's current mayor, said Tuesday that he hasn't made a final decision on whether to run again, but "I would not bet against it." He added the window for nominations runs from May to August and he will make a decision during that time. Coun. Judi Partridge not running for re-election Monday brought other news in municipal politics, with longtime Ward 15 councillor Judi Partridge announcing she won't be running for re-election. Partridge was first elected to council in 2010 and has held onto the role since. A media release announcing she's leaving described her as a "no-nonsense advocate" for residents of Waterdown and Flamborough. "There are very few communities like ours, and I feel very blessed to live here and to serve you as councillor," she was quoted as saying. Three other council seats may be up for grabs in the fall. Sam Merulla (Ward 4) has announced he will retire later this year, Brenda Johnson (Ward 11) also posted on her website in January she is ready for a change, and Ward 5 councillor Russ Powers has said he won't run. Powers was selected as councillor in November after Chad Collins was elected as MP in September. Bratina said he's coming back to municipal politics in hopes of helping Hamiltonians. "I'm seeing concerns for affordability, for families continuing to live and prosper and young people to buy houses," he said. Bratina says 'past is for memoirs' His term as mayor included arguments with councillors, a censure vote and an integrity commissioner investigation. On Tuesday he declined to speak about it in depth, saying "the past is for memoirs" and adding that he believes that council at that time functioned well. He did say most of the "antagonists of the past" have moved on, describing the municipal officials of those days as "an old boys group who were around since roughly the beginning of the century." Now, Bratina said, he's focused on the future. He's 77, but said he views any suggestion that could preclude him from running as "ageism," noting with a laugh that he's healthy and even considered running Around the Bay this year. "The main thing I have … is the passion for it," he said. "If the electorate decides it's time for me to go, that's fine. It's up to them. But it's not up to pundits to say what I should or shouldn't do." Municipal elections will be held on Oct. 24. All potential candidates have until Aug. 19 to file nomination papers. |
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Please no.
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Farr out, man :cool:
(though I assume he'll slide back into being a paid councillor and be running in the fall municipal election should he not become an MPP) Competition for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek heating up as Coun. Farr joins the race NDP set to announce Zaigham Butt, 28, as their candidate to keep the riding orange https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamil...butt-1.6422572 Coun. Jason Farr has decided to try his hand at provincial politics. The former broadcaster has represented Hamilton's Ward 2 for 12 years, but has announced plans to run for the Ontario Liberals in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek. Party leader Steven Del Duca introduced Farr as a candidate during a media conference on Monday. Farr described his decision as a "return to his roots" and the next step in his evolution as an elected official. "It's more than a homecoming for myself, it's an affirmation that my decades of public service and city-building as a local councillor," he said, adding he can't imagine not being in a position where he can give back to the community. "It's a very, very rewarding career in public service and one that I don't take for granted." Del Duca pointed to Farr's track record as a councillor and thanked him for bringing "all of your experience, all of your talent, all of your dedication" to the party. The seat in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek has been held by NDP MPP Paul Miller since 2007, but it may be up for grabs after the party abruptly announced last month that he had been kicked out. The NDP said Miller was a member of a Facebook group Worldwide Coalition Against Islam and that he was removed following a "pattern of troubling behaviour" that indicated he may "harbour Islamophobic, homophobic and racist views." Miller previously told CBC that the allegations were "totally fabricated and false," saying the "truth will rise to the top … and once again the NDP will be embarrassed." He has also reportedly said he did not write his own Facebook posts, and that he plans to run as an independent. NDP candidate says campaign about people, not profit The NDP is set to announce Zaigham Butt as their candidate in the riding on Tuesday evening. "The riding has been an NDP riding and we will ensure that it stays orange," the 28-year-old told CBC Monday afternoon. The first-time candidate grew up in the riding, attending both elementary and high school in the area. He pointed to his "extensive relationships" in the community and said he's already receiving lots of support. He was named to the Order of Hamilton earlier this year, with the citation stating he was being recognized for his contributions to the community, including leading teams that cleaned up Wagner Beach Park and graffiti downtown as well as his work with the Pakistan Business Association, which included delivering food hampers to families struggling during the pandemic. Butt said his campaign will be about "people and not profit," saying he'll focus on affordability and improving long-term care. "As a first-generation immigrant whose family struggled at various times to make ends meet, I know the challenges with trying to grow a family in a society where too many people fall behind," he said. Neil Lumsden, a former CFL player, Brock University athletic director and manager of sports marketing agency, is running for the Ontario PC Party in the riding. "If we've learned anything from the health care and economic challenges of past few years, it's that the world is unpredictable – no single person and no political party has all the answers in a binder," reads a quote on Lumsden's website. "I know from my own experience that teams can accomplish things that individuals cannot and I'll bring this passion to Queen's Park for the people of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek." The Green Party of Ontario has yet to announce who will represent it in Hamilton East–Stoney Creek. Farr will go without council pay Farr said friends, including former mayors Bob Bratina and Larry Di Ianni, encouraged him to run for a spot at Queen's Park. The idea has been on the "hot burner" for months, he explained, adding he was also inspired while helping fellow former council member Chad Collins and in his successful run for the federal Liberals last year. The main message he heard while knocking on doors during that election was a rising concern about political polarization and decisive views, said Farr, adding that's part of what drew him to the Liberals. Farr said he would be forgoing his council pay during his campaign, as other councillors have done in the past. "That said," he wrote in a text message to CBC. "I know there will be occasions where I may be needed and certainly our office is highly capable of supporting constituents during the month." |
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