Hamilton Think Tank

[crhayes]

Is there anyway we, members of this forum, can come up with some comprehensive plans for the city together and have them recognized by city council? It seems as though our voices are never heard, and that is part of the reason why nothing is done.

Maybe together we can form a strong enough team to actually have our voice heard and our ideas taken into consideration, and possibly even put into action!

It seems like most of us are very compassionate about Hamilton, and I know it bugs me that nothing ever changes here!

[ryan_mcgreal]

Here's my two cents (and I'll try to keep my comments brief for a change): if you want to effect change, you need to go beyond posting comments to a forum. You need to form real relationships in an actual organization of people who meet in person and hash out strategies to make their case in the community, the local media, city staff, and politicians.

As an example of what I mean, I humbly offer Hamilton Light Rail. When we formed a year ago, LRT was off the radar. We started holding monthly planning meetings open to anyone, and put together a strategy of reaching out to community groups, business associations, city staff, councillors, etc. to make our case for light rail.

In combination with a few dedicated people inside government (including the Mayor), we managed to convince public works staff to start a feasibility study. By the time they released their initial report in April, the media had noticed and were starting to cover it.

We organized a public presentation and panel discussion for May 1 with a spokesperson from HLR, a public works manager and a planner from Waterloo Region. To our delight and amazement, it was attended by over 120 people.

Since then we've kept at it with monthly meetings, more community outreach, op-eds, letters, media interviews, reporting, and so on. We're probably going to organize another public presentation some time in the near future as the Metrolinx budget shapes up.

Anyway, the internet is a good way to make contacts and share information, but if you want to change things you need to organize.

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

Here's my two cents (and I'll try to keep my comments brief): if you want to effect change, you need to go beyond posting comments to a forum and forming real relationships in an actual organization of people who meet in person and hash out strategies to make their case in the community, the local media, city staff, and politicians.

As an example of what I mean, I humbly offer Hamilton Light Rail. When we formed a year ago, LRT was off the radar. We started holding monthly planning meetings open to anyone, and put together a strategy of reaching out to community groups, business association, city staff, councillors, etc. to make our case for light rail.

In combination with a few dedicated people inside government (including the Mayor), we managed to convince public works staff to start a feasibility study. By the time they released their initial report in April, the media had noticed and were starting to cover it.

We organized a public presentation and panel discussion for May 1 with a spokesperson from HLR, a public works manager and a planner from Waterloo Region. To our delight and amazement, it was attended by over 120 people.

Since then we've kept at it with monthly meetings, more community outreach, op-eds, letters, media interviews, reporting, and so on. We're probably going to organize another public presentation some time in the near future as the Metrolinx budget shapes up.

Anyway, the internet is a good way to make contacts and share information, but if you want to change things you need to organize.

I agree, and that is what I am talking about. I am wondering if there is any one on this forum that would be dedicated to what you described above. I would like to help with planning/ideas, but unfortunately I don't have any connections so I don't even know where to begin.

[Jon Dalton]

I'm reading the Durand Neighbourhood Association's history and it has several examples of such groups. In fact the DNA was quite ground-breaking in terms of citizen involvement in planning. I just read about the Central Area Plan Advisory Committee, formed in the late 70's or early 80's with the purpose being just what you described. It's amazing, how many city hall endorsed groups and outside consultants have advised against such things as one-way streets, even since the 1970's. There have been gains but by and large the ideas fail in implementation, running into a brick wall with public works.

[highwater]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

I'm reading the Durand Neighbourhood Association's history and it has several examples of such groups. In fact the DNA was quite ground-breaking in terms of citizen involvement in planning. I just read about the Central Area Plan Advisory Committee, formed in the late 70's or early 80's with the purpose being just what you described. It's amazing, how many city hall endorsed groups and outside consultants have advised against such things as one-way streets, even since the 1970's. There have been gains but by and large the ideas fail in implementation, running into a brick wall with public works.

Yes. Getting involved with your neighbourhood association is the first thing that came to mind. (Great to see you getting involved, Jon.)

Is Hmag still having his civic drinks nights? That might be a way to meet face to face with other pro-Hamilton types.

If you don't have a neighbourhood association you could start one, although I can see how that might be a little daunting if you're young and don't feel like you have many connections to like-minded souls. If I were you, I would try to focus on one or two things and see if there are established groups focusing on them - LRT is a great example. Check out the Central Library and H magazine for listings of meetings and events. Check out the CATCH website and sign up for their newsletters.

Are you a student? Does your school/university have any student organizations concerned with the environment or poverty?

Don't forget, it doesn't have to be a huge amorphous project like LRT, or two-way conversions or whatever. It could be something small and simple. Is there an unkempt park or abandoned lot in your neighbourhood? Get some friends and neighbours together and pick up litter or do a little guerilla gardening. There's a group in my neighbourhood that adopts mailboxes and cleans off the grafitti. These are little things, but accumulations of small acts can effect change. Caring for our public spaces is something we're not very good at in this town, but it can be transformative.

Join an organization. Start small. Make connections. Build experience and confidence. I'll be watching!

[highwater]

One more thing. If you do start something, be sure to follow through. This gives you the credibility you need if you ever need help from people in positions of authority.

Good luck!

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by highwater

Yes. Getting involved with your neighbourhood association is the first thing that came to mind. (Great to see you getting involved, Jon.)

Is Hmag still having his civic drinks nights? That might be a way to meet face to face with other pro-Hamilton types.

If you don't have a neighbourhood association you could start one, although I can see how that might be a little daunting if you're young and don't feel like you have many connections to like-minded souls. If I were you, I would try to focus on one or two things and see if there are established groups focusing on them - LRT is a great example. Check out the Central Library and H magazine for listings of meetings and events. Check out the CATCH website and sign up for their newsletters.

Are you a student? Does your school/university have any student organizations concerned with the environment or poverty?

Don't forget, it doesn't have to be a huge amorphous project like LRT, or two-way conversions or whatever. It could be something small and simple. Is there an unkempt park or abandoned lot in your neighbourhood? Get some friends and neighbours together and pick up litter or do a little guerilla gardening. There's a group in my neighbourhood that adopts mailboxes and cleans off the grafitti. These are little things, but accumulations of small acts can effect change. Caring for our public spaces is something we're not very good at in this town, but it can be transformative.

Join an organization. Start small. Make connections. Build experience and confidence. I'll be watching!

I think I met the guy who does HMag - Is he the owner of Mixed Media on James?

[highwater]

Yup.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by highwater

Don't forget, it doesn't have to be a huge amorphous project like LRT

In fact, I think one of the reasons for our relative success is that we have remained very specific and focused in what we advocate. On occasions when we have been tempted by mission creep, we have managed to stay on message by going back to our mandate: to build community and political support or light rail as a powerful engine of economic development.

Originally Posted by highwater

Join an organization. Start small. Make connections. Build experience and confidence. I'll be watching!

Just be prepared to transition very quickly from "I don't know what to do" to "I've got more to do than I can handle". :-)

[highwater]

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

In fact, I think one of the reasons for our relative success is that we have remained very specific and focused in what we advocate.

You're right. Amorphous wasn't the right word. I was just thinking that to someone who is just becoming active, something on the scale of LRT might be a little huge and open-ended. What you guys have done is amazing.

[thistleclub]

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

In fact, I think one of the reasons for our relative success is that we have remained very specific and focused in what we advocate. On occasions when we have been tempted by mission creep, we have managed to stay on message by going back to our mandate: to build community and political support or light rail as a powerful engine of economic development.

I think therein is a bit of the rub. HLR has made some great inroads in its short life, but the economic development angle is arguably what drove the message home. Politicians (and people more broadly) will generally embrace sustainable solutions to the extent that they are either a cost-efficiency or a moneymaker. Civic-minded organizations whose goals aren't so easily expressed as monetizable benefits may need to be prepared for an endurance test. The city doesn't seem to make a habit of doing things on principle. Of course, you may also choose to work around the city apparatus.

[adam]

There is definitely a growing number of us young(-ish) people who want to improve the city and call Hamilton home.

The Gore Park thread has sparked a lot of controversy. Some want to sweep the homeless under the carpet and others want to attract other types of people downtown.

Here's an idea: There are cool little shops and restaurants that pop up downtown here and there.. problem is a lot of people don't know about them... the THREE16 Lounge is one that comes to mind. I think McMaster students can really help out the downtown. They are a good consistent source of young, educated people willing to spend money on a night out.. Also those from neighbouring suburbs provide a population of those who want to go out to dinner at a restaurant. A lot of them go to Toronto though.
Maybe a website or similar that showcases a particular restaurant or place each week or month?