[thistleclub]

Table is set for more citizen engagement
(Hamilton Spectator, Howard elliott, Oct 29 2013)

The ingredients are all on the table for an exhilarating degree of citizen engagement in next fall's municipal election.

Even a year out, we have the makings of a vigorous race for the mayor's chair. Former mayor Fred Eisenberger has signalled he will run, as has Ward 1 Councillor Brian McHattie. Incumbent Bob Bratina is probably in, and respected suburban councillor Lloyd Ferguson is apparently leaning that way. If only those four run, there should be enough competing visions to spark public interest.

There is encouraging grassroots interest, even this far out. The Hamilton Civic League is conducting an exhaustive poll trying to ascertain what matters to Hamilton voters. If enough respondents give it critical mass, it could be an important democratic tool leading up to and during the campaign. (To complete the survey, go to civicleague.ca)

McHattie's early entrance to the mayor's race already has potential successors musing about running in Ward 1. An incumbent stepping aside isn't that common in Hamilton, and it's good in the sense that new blood and ideas surface and get attention.

The power of incumbency is on many minds. It's a force to be reckoned with in any jurisdiction, but more so in Hamilton simply because we have so many long-term councillors. That has led to calls for term limits, which is an issue that deserves wide discussion. Because a change in provincial legislation is required to impose term limits, it won't happen for the 2014 election. But it could for the next one.

On one hand, term limits would address the issue of the incumbency juggernaut. But others argue the electorate will impose term limits when it's appropriate — it's called voting day — and inflexible legislation isn't the answer. Vigorous debate, and perhaps even a question on the election ballot, are appropriate.

Transportation and related issues — walkable neighbourhoods and two-way street conversions are examples — could well be ground zero for the battle of competing visions in the election. LRT will continue to be pushed by progressive forces, including a robust urbanist contingent, the chamber of commerce and the development community, but opposed by a sizeable contingent that thinks it unnecessary and unaffordable. How that debate plays out will say a lot about Hamilton's vision and confidence going forward.

Downtown renewal is already well under way, so doesn't need as much focus during this election as in the past, but the type of development is bound to remain controversial. The casino debate is not dead by any stretch, so expect that to resurface.

A year is a long time to build and maintain citizen engagement. Let's hope the current encouraging signs continue to bear fruit.