2014 Mayoral Election

[mattgrande]

Ivana Nosic (@IvanaNosic on Twitter), is a Croatia-born Hamiltonian country singer, that is currently the only candidate for Ward 2.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by HillStreetBlues

But Crystal's the prejudiced one, right?

Haha...yeah, sure, I'm prejudiced against people with names like Crystal, Misty and Darlene - it's true - but I'm OK with race and religion, so pick your poison. I'm no saint.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

I'm really intrigued to see who fills the void left my Morelli. I'm expecting a long line of interesting names to queue up.

[HillStreetBlues]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

Haha...yeah, sure, I'm prejudiced against people with names like Crystal, Misty and Darlene - it's true - but I'm OK with race and religion, so pick your poison. I'm no saint.

You're "OK" with race and religion, huh? Sure, I bet. I'm not sure I'm understanding the difference between making assumptions about someone because she's named Darlene and making assumptions about someone because he's named Mohammed or Joshua. It seems to be that anyone who will pre-judge one will pre-judge the other as well. I only find it amusing when someone accuses someone else of being a bigot because he thinks he knows everything there is to know based on that person's name...

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Wow. Sorry to have offended you on such a personal level. I'm just not a fan of racist, white trash types. However, as I previously suggested, I too am a d*ck and I have no problem wearing that label.

[HillStreetBlues]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

Wow. Sorry to have offended you on such a personal level. I'm just not a fan of racist, white trash types. However, as I previously suggested, I too am a d*ck and I have no problem wearing that label.

I’m not offended on a personal level: I don’t happen to have any of the names that you’ve mentioned. I just happen to think people deserve to be given a fair shake and shouldn’t be judged because of their colour or class.

I’m not really sure what this individual might have said, so I have no idea if she’s a racist. You’ve said things like “white trash,” though. I don’t think you’re a “d*ck.” You’re a bigot. That’s the label you wear, and I wouldn’t give it to you just because you have a certain name or were born in a certain place.

[Crystal Lavigne]

Originally Posted by HillStreetBlues

I just happen to think people deserve to be given a fair shake

Thanks HillStreetBlues! For the record, I'm far from being racist. I'm sure those who have been driving this around the internet would feel very silly doing so if they knew me personally.
I've not thrown my name in the ring for Mayor however, to get into a "mud-slinging" battle with anyone. I personally don't play those games.
The city of Hamilton needs a complete change of leadership in my humble opinion. If elected, I would stand up for the every day citizens of Hamilton. You know the type, their everywhere! They aren't defined by age, financial status, race, religion, colour, etc. They are simply defined as people like you and me. People who do our best to make a living. To raise our families, take care of our loved ones, look after ourselves, better our futures. Every day I watch the city of Hamilton squander away hard-earned tax payers dollars. Every day I shake my head in utter amazement at the large sums of money that is being wasted, when that money can be re-directed elsewhere.
I hope to be able to convey my messages of the changes I would like to try to implement as Mayor, if elected, in a loud and clear voice soon.
Currently, I am looking to build a team to help me in this avenue (if anyone is interested that is reading, feel free to PM me, contact me on Facebook -Crystal Lavigne, through e-mail: [email protected], or follow me on Twiiter @Crystal4Mayor).

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Well, don't I feel foolish - damned Internet. Things got a little out of hand there and I apologise for any offense I may have caused.

So, there was the suggestion that you might take issue with immigration and multiculturalism. Such rhetoric seems more fitting for an election in Quebec, non? Is that something you'd like comment on? If not, I suppose that's your prerogative.

Bonne chance!

[Crystal Lavigne]

Originally Posted by Dr Awesomesauce

Well, don't I feel foolish - damned Internet. Things got a little out of hand there and I apologise for any offense I may have caused.

So, there was the suggestion that you might take issue with immigration and multiculturalism. Such rhetoric seems more fitting for an election in Quebec, non? Is that something you'd like comment on? If not, I suppose that's your prerogative.

Bonne chance!

Right, there was a suggestion made by an ill-informed or perhaps a misinterpretation by an individual? Not sure which, but that's all it is/was, a suggestion.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Well played - spoken like a true politician. Good luck with your goal to clean up government waste and whatever else it is that keeps you up at night.

[bigguy1231]

Crystal, unfortunately for you, you will be lucky if you garner a thousand votes. You probably should have considered running for ward councillor before throwing your hat into the mayoral race. Unknown's never get elected mayor in this city.

The mayor is just one vote on council, just like a ward councilor. It's easier for an unknown, underfunded person to make a mark on a ward level than it would be to put the organization together needed to run city wide.

[Crystal Lavigne]

You're right Bigguy1231, unknown's never get elected in this city. It's always the same old, same old, same OLD.
We need a CHANGE.

[Pearlstreet]

Your heart is in the right place Crystal. Unfortunately being a socialist only doesn't win, despite other odds. Start with conveying your experience and education (I mean that in the least douchey way possible).

[mattgrande]

Hi Crystal,

I do agree that we need a change in a lot of seats in City Hall... I hope you don't mind my asking, but do you have any budgetting experience? Have you ever done any "business" type stuff before? In your interview with The Hamiltonian, you said that you were a mother of five when asked about your experience. Do you believe managing a family budget is enough to jump into a $1.3 billon budget?

Are you involved with your ward association or neighbourhood association? Have you headed a committee? Have you worked with your councillor on any issues?

I don't mean to come across too harshly, but it sounds like you're trying to go from 0 to mayor with no steps in between.

[durandy]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

Councillor continues to mull mayoral bid
(Ancaster News, Kevin Werner, Jan 14 2014)

Lloyd Ferguson will be seeking re-election as Ancaster’s councillor.
But not if he decides to run for mayor, instead.

“I’m keeping my powder dry,” said Ferguson. “I’m listening to the community, listening to my constituents.”

But what a sizable number of people in Ancaster have been telling the businessman-turned-politician is to remain a councillor.

“I’m getting that (response),” acknowledged Ferguson. “I got it at Tim Hortons. Somebody said, ‘Stay where you are.’ The problem is when you run for mayor (and) lose, you’re out. But that is a calculated risk I will have to give consideration to.”

Ferguson said he expects to make a decision on his political future by the spring.

Residents will be able to talk to Ferguson about what he should do, and other issues, at his New Year’s levee scheduled to be held Jan. 19 from 1-4 p.m. at Ancaster’s Old Town Hall.


Read it in full here.

Lloyd Ferguson does this every time, my theory is he does it only to solidify his chances in his ward, as in 'I could be mayor if I wanted to, instead I'll continue to serve my ward'. Tom Jackson will say the same thing next. Ward politics is like minor league baseball, either you're just waiting to get called up to a provincial spot or you're happy to plod along doing the same thing, except in this case you stay around forever.

[mattgrande]

I don't want to harp on Ms Lavigne too much, but stuff like this isn't going to win her many votes: https://twitter.com/Crystal4Mayor/st...24864436039680

[Crystal Lavigne]

Originally Posted by mattgrande

I don't want to harp on Ms Lavigne too much, but stuff like this isn't going to win her many votes: https://twitter.com/Crystal4Mayor/st...24864436039680

Once again Matt, here is the response I gave to you on Facebook regarding it:

You and your group, find it a joke to try to attack me. I have no use for that. In fact, the exact words from your group are " i don't think she's prepared for what the dissident community in hamilton is going to throw at her. only the strong will survive!" Also. "that is why bob is not on fb or twitter..he could not handle it". I have no use for those who want to abuse others. Abuse is a abuse- no matter the form. Yourself told a blatant lie "Matt Grande- She wants to remove a bike lane because she personally hasn't seen anyone on it..." I don't need to respond to people who want to attack (and lie)...because they think it's funny. You and your fellow friends have a good day, Matt!

You guys almost had me in your trap of cat and mouse. I have Zero use for those who find it their goal to try to beat and batter someone down for the "fun of it". I have every right to run in this election- just the same as you. We truly do need new faces at City Hall. City Hall needs more "real" people. Not those who come from power and money (or name recognition alone). It should be someone who sees a real vision for our future.

No, I have never run for office before. So politically, this is my first time. Why didn't I run for councillor at first?
I didn't run for councillor first because I couldn't make the biggest impact that way. I run for mayor now, I start getting that name recognition, and hopefully 4 or 8 years down the road, Hamiltonians will realize that all these people that they keep voting in over and over again, aren't the people for the job. It's okay to let the younger generations have a voice!
No one can budget 1.5 billion dollars without the help of council, I don't expect to either, but I bet I can do a better job than now. I would draw strict attention to the wasteful spending. I believe that all spending should be made easily available for the PUBLIC to view. After all, everyone on council is employed by the public, they have a right to know where every last cent was spent. They have a right to know if they feel as though their TAXPAYING dollars went to good use or not.
I believe that Hamilton needs to look into other options when it coems to generating a large amount of taxes, while keeping the taxes of the people down.
Stop clogging our arteries downtown. No to the LRT- we should be looking underground.
No casino in our downtown Hamilton- but I do support a well thought out, well planned casino in another area.
Bike lanes, let's plan them out properly, so they can be utilized to their maximum. Not placed down the middle of a street (only on one side) and then not even the entire stretch of street!
Hamilton needs leadership!
Hamilton needs someone (people) that can actually MAKE decisions!
Hamilton needs a change!

[CaptainKirk]

Originally Posted by Crystal Lavigne

Stop clogging our arteries downtown. No to the LRT- we should be looking underground.

What arteries are clogged?

Why no LRT?

"Underground"? Can you elaborate? That would be prohibitively expensive, no?

[coalminecanary]

Wow. Starting a rant with what boils down to "you people" is a good way to get most readers to tune out after one sentence.

[mattgrande]

Originally Posted by coalminecanary

Wow. Starting a rant with what boils down to "you people" is a good way to get most readers to tune out after one sentence.

If it's not clear from her post, the group she's referring to is the Dissidents Hamilton Chapter group. I believe she thought I was "attacking" her as part of that group, when I'm just an asshole all on my own