[thistleclub]

McHattie makes 2014 mayoral run official
(Hamilton Spectator, Jan 2 2014)

It's already a race for mayor in Hamilton just halfway through the first day of registrations for the 2014 municipal election.

Ward 1 Councillor Brian McHattie made official his long-expected run at the mayor's chair Tuesday morning, promising to be a more activist and co-operative mayor than incumbent Bob Bratina.

McHattie suggested the current mayor has alienated council colleagues and been largely sidelined as a result.

"It needs to be a much more collaborative approach," he said. "It's not really clear to us at council what he's doing at Queen's Park or in Ottawa."

McHattie said he'll consult citywide with residents before releasing a formal platform, but he highlighted jobs, air quality and transparency at city hall as areas in need of improvement.

Bratina is expected to run again but wouldn't confirm that plan Tuesday.

He argued his relationship with councillors, most of whom voted to censure him in 2012, has been good when it mattered.

"I had support for issues that I championed, that were close to me," he said, pointing to all-day GO transit and the controversial Pan Am stadium compromise location.

The day's second mayoral race registrant dismissed both council veterans out of hand.

"They're the same-old same-old," said Michael Baldasaro, himself an election fixture in Hamilton.

Would-be councillor Matthew Green lined up at City Hall before 8 a.m. on Thursday, to get a head-start on the long march to voting day.

To be fair, it's been a long wait already.

"I've been thinking about it since Grade 4," said the grinning Ward 3 candidate, the first to register for the Oct. 27 municipal election.

The 33-year-old community organizer was followed quickly Ward 1 candidate Jason Allen.

The 41-year-old Metrolinx employee was the first to throw his hat in the ring to replace incumbent McHattie.