Sports

Eisenberger Asks MPs, MPPs To State Which Site They Prefer

By RTH Staff
Published August 08, 2010

Mayor Eisenberger has called on Hamilton's representatives at the federal and provincial levels to state for the record which site they prefer for Hamilton's new stadium. The text of his statement follows.

I wish to thank Minister Gary Lunn, MP for his statement of August 7, 2010 clarifying that the location of the Hamilton Pan Am stadium is still a decision for Hamilton to make and that funding from the Government of Canada is not contingent on any specific location. Mr. Lunn's intervention was timely and welcome. Minister Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP and Ted McMeekin, MPP subsequently likewise clarified that provincial funding is not contingent on any specific location.

Today I am calling on all of Hamilton's federal government representatives - David Sweet, MP; Dean Allison, MP; and provincial government representatives Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP, and Ted McMeekin, MPP -- to clearly state for the record which site location they prefer for the Pan Am stadium.

These federal and provincial members are Hamilton's representatives in Ottawa and at Queen's Park, not Ottawa and Queen's Park's representatives to Hamilton. Respectfully, I would like these government representatives to answer one question: Where do they stand on the stadium issue, and do they support the West Harbour site or the East Mountain site? Hamiltonians deserve an answer.

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By Tybalt (registered) | Posted August 08, 2010 at 22:00:42

The Mayor is doubling down here, and I'm not sure I like it. It seems an easy out for these guys to say "well, we like the East Mountain" - and kneecap the West Harbour which is popular in Hamilton, but much less popular in Toronto or Ottawa...

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By Robert D (anonymous) | Posted August 08, 2010 at 23:01:03

Tybalt, that's fine, at least we have it down. Then when we're voting in the next provincial and federal election, at least we know where our representatives stood, and we can similarly kneecap them.

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By jason (registered) | Posted August 08, 2010 at 23:19:41

behind the scenes, Sweet, Sophia and McMeekin have all indicated to council that they support the West Harbour. I think the mayor just wants them to go public with it so that flunky Troop or any other unelected stiffs at Hostco can't try to pull off any fast ones this week.

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By realfreeenterpriser (registered) | Posted August 08, 2010 at 23:21:03

Tybalt - Possibly, but it would require a rationale and $50-80 million in increased costs over the West Harbour site doesn't sell well anywhere in Hamilton especially when it essentially benefits only one individual/private corporation. Maybe we should ask Larry DiIanni. Oh that's right, somebody already did, but he's running on a platform of "leadership" so wouldn't take a position. Lead on Larry!

The Mayor should also ask Bob Young the, as yet, unanswered question posed previously in these pages; "exactly which city is it that has the welcome mat out for the Tiger-Cats should they make good on their commitment to leave?". That's c-o-m-m-i-t-m-e-n-t, as in "we're committed to work with the city no matter where you build it"

Comment edited by realfreeenterpriser on 2010-08-08 22:24:46

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By F. Ward Cleat (anonymous) | Posted August 08, 2010 at 23:46:02

'Places to Grow' Provincial policy. MPP's hang themselves if they vote EM. Look for some 'Spin' to avoid an answer.

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By damonallan (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 00:18:33

THIS should be interesting and very welcoming. Let the drama continue to unfold.

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By Cityjoe (anonymous) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 02:39:43

This could be REALLY INTERESTING!! (if they don't find a way to avoid it.)

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By Pxtl (registered) - website | Posted August 09, 2010 at 07:23:50

"These federal and provincial members are Hamilton's representatives in Ottawa and at Queen's Park, not Ottawa and Queen's Park's representatives to Hamilton"

well said, Fred.

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By jason (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 08:10:15

"These federal and provincial members are Hamilton's representatives in Ottawa and at Queen's Park, not Ottawa and Queen's Park's representatives to Hamilton"

They're probably all reading that quote, scratching their heads and saying "what planet is he from?"

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By cityfan (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 10:36:04

I wonder what would have happened if The Ticats had said Yes to the West or the East where would everyone stand on the issue. Pleaeeese this is Brownfield revitalization vs help us save the Tiger Cats. If we have this much passion we would have a NHL team by boycotting the Leafs! ;)

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By Undustrial (registered) - website | Posted August 09, 2010 at 11:54:22

They asked for it. When you put "vetoed" in big letters across the front page of the Saturday Spectator, then retract that position hours later, you can expect to be asked to be CLEAR about your position from then on. It's not too much to ask - we're paying these idiots fairly handsomely to be clear about public policy.

There's about a hundred million dollars on the line here. It's not a game or a contest. Nobody's asking any of these people to "win", we're asking them to do what's right for our city. Bob Young hit the nail on the head - the Ti-Cats have gone bust six times in the last 3 decades. None of Bob Young's little football empire is possible without massive and constant public funding. For him to "take his ball and go home" on a team which requires perpetual life support is an empty and pointless threat. The only thing he'd leave with was the rights for a franchise at all. If that's what being a CFL city means, then good riddance.

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By jonathan dalton (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 12:27:29

Does anyone else think this is bullshit? We don't need anyone else's opinion, we need to vote.

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By Kiely (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 12:53:11

Maybe we should ask Larry DiIanni. Oh that's right, somebody already did, but he's running on a platform of "leadership" so wouldn't take a position. Lead on Larry! - realfreeenterpriser

I watched Larry DiIanni on CHCH get served up a bunch of softball questions that basically allowed him to spew uncontested nonsense (you know, typical "hard hitting" MSM fair). I got motion sickness just watching Larry spin this issue to suit his agenda.

This city has no lack of political opportunists willing to lie, cheat and frequently change their stripes to keep their heads above water. I was at the rally on Saturday and saw how Bob Bratina sure changed his mind PDQ when he saw the ground swell of West Harbour support. He may have changed his shirt for the rally but his website still has the proof of his, shall we say, "non-support" for a West Harbour location. A tip for Bob Bratina - next time you may want to change your website to match your shirt.

Some will say Bob Bratina has made a wise and informed reversal of opinion but I'm a little too cynical to believe that. Politicians change their minds when votes are at stake, that is it.

None of Bob Young's little football empire is possible without massive and constant public funding. For him to "take his ball and go home" on a team which requires perpetual life support is an empty and pointless threat. The only thing he'd leave with was the rights for a franchise at all. If that's what being a CFL city means, then good riddance. - Undustrial

Hear, hear, Undustrial!!!

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By jason (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 15:20:33

statements coming soon, but rumours have the Cats moving to Quebec City next year. Feel free to leave today. This is where we call their bluff. If some other city is that dumb, then go ahead. But like most sports teams who make that ridiculous threat as a thug method of negotiation, odds are it's not true.

Comment edited by jason on 2010-08-09 14:22:10

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By jason (registered) | Posted August 09, 2010 at 15:37:25

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By Cityjoe (anonymous) | Posted August 10, 2010 at 15:34:20

Has anyone else who emailed their Fed. Rep, or Liberal M.P.P., Harper or McGuinty received anything back yet?

I emailed them all on Saturday, & have not gotten a reply back from any of them.

(This is odd since Premier McGuinty usually has his 'One Size Fits All' email reply generating machine on 24/7)
This might be a good sign.

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