TPR Email Edition for May 22, 2018: Hamilton LRT Project Facing Public Opinion Challenges

Public Opinion Shifting Against The LRT Project
Hamilton’s LRT project is looking to be facing a crisis of public confidence, with even Mayor Fred Eisenberger seeking to not talk about the project in his re-election campaign. Long-time project supporter Ward 12 Councillor Lloyd Ferguson is willing to reconsider if Council can use the money for other projects, and last week Hamilton Centre MPP Andrea Horwath stated Council can use the LRT money for other transit projects.
In my latest Coleman’s Note, I write why the LRT project is facing serious risk as the HSR Transit Crisis and rising housing prices are turning public opinion against LRT.
Full Story on The Public Record
Preparing for a Lame Duck Council
Under new Municipal Elections rules, Hamilton City Council could become Lame Duck on July 27 and restricted from making any major spending decisions until the new Council Term in December.
I look at what City Hall needs to do before July 27
Full Story on The Public Record

The latest updates from The Public Record’s municipal election desk, visit our website for the latest updates, calendar of debates, and more.
Mayor Eisenberger Officially Registers for Re-Election
Mayor Fred Eisenberger officially registered on Monday for re-election; issuing a press statement to selected media. Eisenberger is not releasing his statement to the public, and there is no video of his media scrum. Bill Kelly, who has access to a recording of the scrum, wrote that Mayor Eisenberger “mused that the proposed LRT probably won’t be the key issue in the upcoming municipal election” and Kelly says it will be.
What could become an issue post-election is Mayor Eisenberger using his official Mayor’s Office /MayorFredEisenberger Facebook page for his re-election announcement. This follows a $30,000 spend on delivering 230,000 flyers promoting the Mayor’s now-election campaign accounts that was paid for using City of Hamilton funds.
Until someone files a complaint against a municipal candidate, and the Ontario Courts rule on an
The flyer, which Mayor Eisenberger says is in no way related to the election, and just happened to be produced for the first time in an election year, promotes the achievements of Mayor Eisenberger. The front cover (above) features Eisenberger’s name five times.
The domain Fred2018.ca was registered last year, it is not presently active. Eisenberger’s 2014 campaign used Fred2014.ca as the campaign domain.
New Candidates and Campaigning Updates
With the provincial election receiving nearly almost all political energy and attention, which should expect not to see many new municipal candidate registrations until after June 18th.
This past week the following candidates registered:

• Fred Eisenberger for re-election as Mayor
• Doug Conley for re-election as Ward 9 City Councillor
• Anthony Simpson for Ward 8 City Councillor

Of note, television broadcaster Steve Ruddick – who ran for the Liberal Party in 2007 – was at City Hall on Monday where he left with a candidate package after looking intently at the new Ward 14 map.
Ward 2 Council candidate Cameron Kroetsch launched his campaign website, with including a lengthy list of supporters, including 2010 runner-up Matt Jelly and 2014 runner-up Terri Wallis. Both Jelly and Wallis live in Ward 2. Incumbent Jason Farr is not yet registered, he is running his primary initiative of each year Participatory Budgeting until June 28. It is not likely he’ll register until after this initiative is complete. (Nicole Smith launched her website earlier in May.) Kroetsch also sent out a campaign newsletter last week.
 
Candidate Promises to Make Dundas Its Own Ward Again
Ward 13 City Council candidate John Mykytyshyn says he’ll “work tirelessly to have Dundas have its own ward again”
Is this promise something he can do, or just pandering? The Public Record dives deep into the issue to find out how to implement the promise.
Ward Polling Division Maps now on The Public Record
I’m sure at least a few of you will have an interest in seeing the new polling divisions in great detail. Now on The Public Record for viewing and download.
Note that voting locations are scheduled to be released on September 4th, and that polling divisions usually share voting locations.
Join The Public Record’s Coverage: Send Us What the Candidates are Sending You!
Be part of The Public Record’s Election Team, send up photos and scans of candidate materials, screencap Facebook ads that you see in your social media feed, and help all Hamiltonians know what the candiates are staying. Email them to electiondesk@thepublicrecord.ca, we’ll post all candidate materials to our website.

The Future of Copps, Hamilton Place, and Convention Centre
The behind the scenes lobbying by private companies seeking to secure long term contracts to manage Hamilton’s publicly owned entertainment facilities is spilling into the public with both sides speaking to The Spectator’s Andrew Dreschel in the hopes of improving their positions.
On one hand, we have Carmen’s Group – Carmen’s already runs the Convention Centre – partnering with Oak View Group, on the other hand, SMG is looking to bid again. They bid in 2013, partnering with Supercrawl Productions.
Current private manager Spectra won in 2013, and Council can renew their contract for another five years.
Here’s where it gets even more interesting, under the current contract Council has until August 3rd to let Spectra know if there is a renewal or if the City will open competitive bids. However, the real deadline for Council to decide could be the first week of July. If less than 12 members of Council choose to seek re-election, Council will become “Lame Duck” on July 27, and under Section 275 of the Municipal Act, restricted from approving any new spending or contracts with values greater than $50,000. I explain the Lame Duck provisions on The Public Record here.

Hamilton Tory Nomination Scandal in The Globe and Mail
In an absolutely stunning, and heavily researched report, The Globe and Mail reports of the Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Tory nomination meeting “Behind the scenes, The Globe has learned, a printer was cranking out fake Rogers utility bills and Scotiabank statements in a classroom, according to multiple sources.”
The printing was creating alleged fake identifications for nomination voters, and was found out when officials became suspicious of similiarites in the alleged fake documents.
This comes days after a Tory candidate resigned following the revelation that information on 60,000 407ETR customers was stolen.
Mayor Eisenberger Makes Election Year Promise of HSR Event Service
Mayor Fred Eisenberger is promising that he “will work to ensure” Hamilton’s public transit agency, the Hamilton Street Railway, provides service to major events starting this summer.
This follows City Hall failing to plan for the Dundas Victoria Day fireworks by not providing HSR service.
Twitter user Bradley Vinette brought this to the City’s attention on May 15, without response. On May 18, he tweeted again, with the City responding they would not be providing service, except for an hourly regular service.
After HSR riders called out this position, City Hall scrambled and announced at the last minute that bus service will be provided.