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Your wishes, councillor?
The Spectator asked city council members to name their top three holiday wishes for the city. Here's what tops their lists.
December 24, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
(Dec 24, 2009)
Mayor Fred Eisenberger
1. That all Hamiltonians have a wonderful new year, good health and happy families.
2. That those of us at council continue to work well together, as well as collaborate more closely with our MPs and MPPs, to fulfil our city's developmental goals.
3. I hope that during this difficult economic downturn, those of us who are a little bit better off will support the food banks and continue to volunteer towards helping those in need.
Brian McHattie, Ward 1
1. An undergraduate university campus downtown.
2. Community gardens in each neighbourhood.
3. A 50 per cent reduction in poverty levels by December 2010.
Bob Bratina, Ward 2
1. That the current special interest groups who now direct our decisions be replaced by a new one -- the taxpayer.
2. That the Connaught come back to life as a hotel.
3. That McMaster Innovation Park stop poaching tenants from our downtown core.
Bernie Morelli, Ward 3
1. The safe return of our military personnel abroad.
2. That all citizens of our community be blessed with much love, joy, peace and good health throughout the holiday season and the new year, especially our seniors and those who face extraordinary challenges.
3. That the city and the province continue working together to assure that the needs of the Hamilton community and its people are fairly and properly met.
Sam Merulla, Ward 4
1. That infrastructure redevelopment budgeted by city council will eliminate flooding.
2. That the provincial government upload the downloaded services to Hamilton taxpayers, freeing up approximately $60 million in operating pressures and decreasing taxes by 8 per cent.
3. That each resident of Hamilton experiences the best Christmas of their life!
Chad Collins, Ward 5
Just one wish: I wish our Canadian troops, at home and abroad, a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.
Tom Jackson, Ward 6
1. That each of our citizens would realize prosperity within their own circumstances.
2. That the metamorphosis of our city's image would continue to evolve in a positive way.
3. That four of our prominent sports teams win championships; namely, the Tiger-Cats, the Bulldogs, the Marauders and the Thunderbirds!
Scott Duvall, Ward 7
1. Roads, sidewalks and jobs.
2. Roads, sidewalks and jobs.
3. Roads, sidewalks and jobs.
Terry Whitehead, Ward 8
1. Poverty to be eradicated.
2. An NHL hockey team in Hamilton.
3. No tax increases.
Maria Pearson, Ward 10
1. Peace on earth -- real peace -- no more wars.
2. For Hamilton to be a wealthy, clean, safe city that everyone wants to live in.
3. That everyone has an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends.
Dave Mitchell, Ward 11
1. That we, as a whole city, do not have any serious flooding or health pandemics that can affect our well-being and property taxes in 2010.
2. That we get the infrastructure in place so we can have more jobs in Hamilton, so we can be known for being a preferred place to raise our children and grandchildren.
3. Paying fairly for costs of services received needs to be addressed so everyone's volunteerism is appreciated.
Lloyd Ferguson, Ward 12
1. A quick start to our preparations to host the Pam Am Games so we can exceed expectations on the cost, the schedule and finished product, similar to City Hall.
2. A budget that reflects our current economic times.
3. A start in the spring to the twinning of Morgan Firestone Arena, the renovations to the Hammill House, the reconstruction of McNiven Road and the new indoor soccer facility.
Russ Powers, Ward 13
1. A fully-funded LRT (light rail transit) on all main streets.
2. An even-keeled city council with correspondingly less rambunctious council meetings.
3. That every street in Hamilton is rebuilt ... Come on, feds and province!
Robert Pasuta, Ward 14
1. A city council that works as a winning team for the betterment of our future ... It can be done!
2. Less electronic communication. I like to shake hands and look people in the eye when I talk to them. It has a true sense of caring.
3. More hours in the day and more days in the week to take care of my duties as a councillor, and to spend more time with my two loves: my wife Elaine and our farm operation.
Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark and Ward 15 Councillor Margaret McCarthy didn't respond to a request to list their wishes.
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The jobs, stupid!
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