Though it may be grasping at straws, this could be interpreted one of two ways...either Whitehead is just trying to make a name for himself, or he's trying to add more wins to his resume so that he looks good for a mayoral run?
Dreschel has mused about Whitehead taking a stab at the seat before...
Political spat over NHL bragging rights
May 11, 2009
ANDREW DRESCHEL
THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR
(May 11, 2009)
Bettman versus Balsillie isn't the only NHL feud raging right now.
Check out the Eisenberger and Whitehead rivalry.
As Hamilton waits with bated breath for the outcome of Jim Balsillie's attempts to bring an NHL team to Copps, Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Councillor Terry Whitehead are locked in a tug-of- war over potential bragging rights for making it happen.
For more than five years, Whitehead has been the principal puck-carrier for bringing the NHL to Hamilton.
Now, with the city arguably closer than ever before, Eisenberger has deftly elbowed Whitehead off the puck and appointed himself the go-to media guy.
Unfortunately, that's setting the stage for the kind of political infighting that plays into the stereotype of council as a refugee camp for circus clowns.
And that's the last thing we need as hockey czars from across North America turn their gaze our way.
Eisenberger took the unusual step of staking out his position as NHL pointman at last week's media conference.
At first, Whitehead seemed to accept the new arrangement by telling local news media that "for the time being" all NHL questions should be directed to the mayor.
But you didn't have to be a detective to figure out Whitehead's "for the time being" meant his nose was seriously out of joint.
That became clear last Friday when Whitehead hastily tried to convene the dormant NHL steering committee, which he chairs, in order to get a briefing from the city's legal department on the proposed agreement with Balsillie.
Besides Whitehead and Eisenberger, the committee is made up of Tom Jackson, Lloyd Ferguson, Bob Bratina and Scott Duvall.
Because of logistical difficulties, that meeting is now expected to take place tomorrow.
Whitehead says he has no problem with Eisenberger taking over the spokesperson role, he just wants the mayor to follow proper process.
And that means bringing the proposed agreement to his committee for vetting and recommendations before sending it on to council.
"I'm not getting into a pissing contest nor do I plan to with the mayor at this point in time," says Whitehead.
"No one's ego should be put in front of important issues like this."
Wise words.
But they fly in the face of what is plainly a nasty continuation of the personalty clashes and sniping that characterizes Eisenberger's and Whitehead's relationship at the best of times.
By asserting the authority of his NHL committee, Whitehead is catapulting himself back into a spokesperson role and making sure Eisenberger doesn't hog the limelight on what could be a huge political win.
All in all, it's not surprising Whitehead is feeling shafted.
He stayed on top of the NHL file when most councillors wrote it off as a forlorn hope.
He stickhandled the initial 2004 agreement that gave Balsillie exclusive rights to Copps and he played a key role in activating subsequent extensions.
And it's no secret that in 2007, when Balsillie was trying to bring the Nashville Predators to Hamilton, Eisenberger unsuccessfully tried to usurp Whitehead's position as NHL committee chair.
Still, let's not forget that this time Balsillie's people contacted the mayor's office first.
And, as mayor, Eisenberger has a rightful claim to be the primary voice for the city and council.
Frankly, he also makes a better spokesperson than Whitehead.
The fact is, though, if Hamilton does land an NHL team this time out, it won't be because of anything either Eisenberger or Whitehead did or said.
It will be because Balsillie pulled off a coup and dropped the spoils in their laps.
Andrew Dreschel's commentary appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
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