Raise the Hammer

Aaron Newman is the proprietor of Newman's Menswear on King Street East, a family business that has been in operation since 1927.

Abdallah Al-Hakim has a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Dundee, Scotland. Currently he is a research fellow at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto where his research focuses on understanding how cells respond to the damage caused to DNA by radiation, chemicals and other factors. He maintains a personal website.

Abra Bergen is an art model, aerialist, and performer, and previously was the founder of The Hammer Active Alternative Transportation, a local, sustainable human-powered delivery business in Hamilton.

Adam Chiaravalle is a a research assistant for Dr. Chad Harvey in the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences at McMaster University.

Adam Sobolak is an executive of the Toronto Architectural Conservancy, but writes here as an individual, so as not to make undue claims.

Adele Konyndyk is a freelance writer living in Hamilton, a city she first explored while pursuing a BA in English at Redeemer University College. After completing a MFA in creative writing through Seattle Pacific University, Adele made Hamilton her home. She adores books, Chilean wine, and almost any cheese in the world. Her blog can be found at adelekonyndyk.wordpress.com.

Adrian Duyzer is an entrepreneur, business owner, and Associate Editor of Raise the Hammer. He lives in downtown Hamilton with his family. On Twitter: adriandz

Adrienne Havercroft is a Ward 3 resident, HWDSB teacher, licensed Realtor, wife, and mother to two humans and two cats, taking time out of her busy schedule to be an actively engaged citizen.

Aidan Cooper is 12 years old. She lives at home with her Mom and Dad, four brothers, and beloved dog Molly. She is currently homeschooled.

Ainsley Lishman is currently a starving student, finishing her Journalism course at Mohawk College this summer, and then off to Carleton University in Ottawa. She likes Buddy Holly, aerosol whipped cream, and traveling.

Al Cormier is the President and CEO of the Centre for Sustainable Transportation, based in Mississauga.

Alasdair Rathbone is a first year McMaster University Kinesiology student. Although he lives on the Mountain he still maintains an interest in the lower city where he spent his early years. He follows politics at all levels and likes to comment to anyone that will listen.

Albert DeSantis watches a lot of movies and TV and has been since childhood. More recently, he has written movie reviews for View Magazine in Hamilton for a few years (This may have warped his mind). The two best flicks ever are The Empire Strikes Back and Aliens. Both are sequels. Go Cats!

Alex Bishop works with businesses and people in political worlds to improve their marketing and fundraising processes. He is a serial entrepreneur and partner in a Private Capital Company. A volunteer, advocate, registered lobbyist and in love with his city, Hamilton. He is a proud father of two amazing children who teach him how to be a better man. He can be reached on Twitter @alexbishopcan.

Alexandria Anderson and Michael Borrelli are co-chairs of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association for 2017.

Alexandria Anderson is Public Relations Consultant that specializes in writing, strategy and digital communications. Born and raised in Hamilton, she is a proud Hamilton community member currently living in the Beasley Neighbourhood. Follow her https://twitter.com/Alexmegan_.

Michael Borrelli is a social researcher living with his family in Hamilton's North End. He tweets @BaysideBadger.

Alison recently wrote and performed, "Love, Loss and the shit in between" for Mind Play at the Staircase, Main Stage and has performed stand-up sketches for the Hammer First Timers at 'Zylas'. Acting credits include; "The Importance of Being Ernest," "Cakewalk," "Top Girls," "She Stoops to Conquer," "The Maids," and directed; "The Rivals," and "The House of Bernarda Alba." Alison directed "Der Zug" for the Hamilton Fringe written by Valerie Kay. The Pearl produced Alison's first original play "A Certain Slant of Light," directed by Annalee Flint. Alison reviewed the Fringe Gallery performances for the Hub in 2018. Alison's first Fringe experience was in Edinburgh, as lighting tech for the San Quentin Drama Workshop from the US. A graduate of McMaster University, Drama, Emmanuel College, U of T, and Niagara College school of technical theatre.

Alistair Morton is co-founder and creative director at Wise and Hammer, a Hamilton business that employs 12 people.

Allison Chewter is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo's undergraduate planning program, where she specialized in land development and urban design. She is a born-and-raised resident of Hamilton (downtown and up) and is eager to put her newly honed planning skills to work in her community. She is currently the co-chair of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association's Planning and Development Sub-committee.

Allison Chewter is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo's undergraduate planning program, where she specialized in land development and urban design. She is a born-and-raised resident of Hamilton (downtown and up) and is eager to put her newly honed planning skills to work in her community. She is currently the co-chair of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association's Planning and Development Sub-committee.

John Neary lives in Beasley Neighbourhood and practices general internal medicine at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. He would like Hamilton to develop an urban environment that creates less gainful employment for his profession.

Allison Chewter is a recent graduate of the University of Waterloo's undergraduate planning program, where she specialized in land development and urban design. She is a born-and-raised resident of Hamilton (downtown and up) and is eager to put her newly honed planning skills to work in her community. She is currently the co-chair of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association's Planning and Development Sub-committee.

Michael Borrelli is a social researcher living with his family in the Hamilton's North End. He tweets @BaysideBadger.

Allison Maxted has recently completed an MA in Planning: Urban Development at the University of British Columbia’s School of Community and Regional Planning (SCARP). She has acted as a Coordinator for Kitchener's Festival of Neighbourhoods and a volunteer for the Collingwood
Neighbourhood House in Vancouver. Allison is currently working with a team of volunteers to develop a Community Land Trust that will aid the equitable revitalization of downtown Hamilton.

Michael Borrelli is a social researcher living with his family in the Hamilton's North End. He tweets @BaysideBadger.

Alton Byrne is a writer and researcher studying the far-right in Hamilton. He writes under a pseudonym for reasons of personal safety, in order to avoid situations like this or this. Alton has a personal website.

Amanda Kleinhuis was born and raised in Lindsay Ontario, but moved to Hamilton to attend Redeemer University in 1995. After falling in love with her husband Mike, she also fell in love with Hamilton and now spends most of her time as an at-home mom to their three children in the North End of Hamilton.

Amanda N. Nesbitt is a McMaster graudate with a double major in English/History and a minor in Theatre and Film Studies. An avid writer/photographer, she thrives being a part of Hamilton's theatre/arts movement and has been very active in the theatre community since 2003. Writing for the Fringe marks her third year participating with this amazing group of people that make up the festival and she hopes you enjoy the shows. Thank you for promoting the arts!

Amos Crawley is an actor, director and acting instructor who lives in East Hamilton with his wife, actor and director Cadence Allen, and their young son.

Amy Gringhuis and Christopher Godwaldt are the owners of Café Oranje, a Dutch-styled coffee house planned to open in Hamilton.

Amy Kenny graduated from Ryerson University's journalism program in 2004. She is currently a Hamilton-based freelance writer who loves the arts and the outdoors. In addition to Raise the Hammer, she writes for H Magazine, The Corktown Crier and TorontoPlus. She cycles everywhere, all the time and urges you to do the same.

Andrae Griffith has extensive experience in the sustainable transportation and transit profession, and was an Advisory Committee member for the original Metrolinx "Big Move" regional transportation plan. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Ryerson University and will complete an Advanced Diploma in Transportation Engineering Technology from Mohawk College (with Dean's Honours Graduate designation) in April, 2016. To get in touch with him please email andrae.griffith(at)gmail.com. He tweets at @gttavisions about sustainable transportation, traffic safety and his travels.

Andrew Allen is a Hamilton resident and student at Mohawk College in his final year studying to be Biotechnology Technician.

Andrew C. Bome is a lawyer practicing in Hamilton with McQuesten Legal & Community Services. He is a self-described trivia and political geek. He traveled to New Hampshire to observe the 2008 Presidential Primary taking place in the 'Granite State'.

Andrew Cech graduated in graphic design at Mohawk College. He enjoys drawing and lives in Hamilton.

Jonathan Lambert is a returnee to Hamilton, Ontario. In between studies at the University of Toronto and stellar pick-up soccer, he enjoys taking in Monday night Hamilton Red Wing home games.

Andrew Hughes has been living in the downtown area for over 20 years. He lives with this wife and two daughters.

Andrew Iler is a Hamilton lawyer, practising in the areas of litigation, administrative law and family law. He is the former President of the National Cycling Centre Hamilton. Andrew is also presently working towards his Level 4 National Coaching Certification at the National Coaching Institute in Toronto.

Andrew McKillop is a writer and consultant on oil and energy economics. Since 1975 he has worked in energy, economic and scientific organizations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These include the Canada Science Council, the ILO, European Commission, Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and South Pacific, and the World Bank. He is a founding member of the Asian chapter of the International Association of Energy Economics. He is also the editor, with Sheila Newman, of The Final Energy Crisis (Pluto Press, 2005).

Andrew Muller is a retired Professor of Economics, having taught at McMaster from 1972 to 2008. Professionally he specialized in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics and in Experimental Economics. Since retiring he has pursued many other interests. He lives in Dundas.

Andrew Pettit grew up in Toronto before migrating to Hamilton to study at McMaster. Back in 2006 he noticed a change in his long-standing response when asked "Where are you from?" - Toronto was out, and Hamilton has been home since. Follow Andrew on Twitter at @4Pettit.

Andrew Richardson is a public affairs and communications professional with grassroots organizing experience and was born, raised, and lived in Hamilton for 30 years. He is a graduate of both McMaster and Queen's Universities. Andrew has helped organize successful political campaigns in Hamilton and Toronto.

Anna Davey is an amateur loudmouth, professional good with words person, and proud co-parent of Incipe Cooperative. She can infrequently be found on Twitter @DaveyWithEY.

Anna Greenspan holds a doctorate in philosophy and cybernetic culture. Her current research interests include urbanism, digital technology, street markets, futurism and the philosophy of time. Her book Shanghai Future: Modernity Remade is forthcoming in December 2013. Anna lives for most of the year in Shanghai, China. She guides walks for Context Travel and works as an adjunct professor at NYU Shanghai. Anna is a founder of the Shanghai Studies Society.

Anne Bokma is an award-winning journalist in Hamilton. She writes the "Spiritual But Secular" monthly column for the United Church Observer, reporting on the spiritual practices of the growing spiritual-but-not-religious demographic. Her blog, "My Year of Living Spiritually," is hosted on the Observer website.

Anne Tennier is the President of Anne Tennier Consulting, Ltd. She is a registered professional engineer in Ontario and Alberta and is one of a handful of Certified Environmental Professionals in the food and beverage industry in Canada. Anne has more than 35 years’ experience in managing environmental issues in industry, most notably for Maple Leaf Foods, McCain Foods, Boise Cascade Pulp and Paper and Canadian Pacific Railway.

Anne Van Dyk earned her Professional Writer's Certificate at Mohawk College and is currently working on two non-fiction books. One is a biography on the life of her godmother, and the other is a history of the last high school she attended in England, of which she is also the Alumni Secretary.

Anthony Marco is the President of Hamilton and District Labour Council.

Anton Lodder is a Masters Student in Electrical Engineering at University of Toronto. He previously worked at McMaster University in Hamilton.

Arthur Bullock is a graduate of Communication Studies at McMaster University. As a reviewer, he combines his two favourite hobbies: theatre and writing.

Ashleigh Bell is a designer, project manager and historic property consultant. She will graduate in April 2013 from the acclaimed Heritage Conservation program at Willowbank. Ashleigh has been working on various restoration and adaptive reuse projects in Hamilton since June 2012 and has a background in contemporary design and development, which led her to work in the cities of Toronto, Halifax and Calgary before she committed to an education in conservation. After a few idyllic years of the country life in Niagara, she has found herself a sunny spot in a grand old building of the North End and looks forward to working with businesses and property owners, creating articulate contemporary spaces within reimagined historic settings. She has a profound respect for traditional craftwork and materials, and sustainability, authenticity and local motives are at the core of her design philosophy. Follow her on twitter @AshleighMBell.

Ashleigh Patterson is a student in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences at McMaster University. She lives in Crown Point West with her husband and preschooler. Follow her on twitter @theashleighp.

Azher lives in Hamilton's east end with his wife and four small children.

Barbara Milne is co-owner, with Gary Santucci, of The Pearl Company.

Barry Magrill holds a doctoral degree from UBC and he is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Victoria studying Muslim architecture. He specializes in architectural and cultural history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko is a member of the dedicated team at Environment Hamilton.

Ben Babcock lives in Hamilton's Stinson Neighbourhood.

Ben Bull lives in downtown Toronto. He's been working on a book of short stories for about 10 years now and hopes to be finished tomorrow. He also has a movie blog.

Betsy Agar, B.Eng., M.A.Sc., P.Eng. is a research engineer and sessional lecturer at McMaster University who has a passion for the environment and concern for socioeconomic inequalities.

Biljana loves strawberries, dark chocolate, all things caffeinated, and living in downtown Hamilton. She likes shopping for groceries without fearing for her life.

Bob Berberick has lived in Hamilton for all of his 65 years. For most of that time he lived on the mountain. Since moving to the core five years ago he has a newfound love of his city. Walking and cycling was re-started and he can only hope that the conditions improve so he can continue to explore the hidden beauty here.

Bob Bratina is the Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario.

Bob Green Innes is a retired engineer and resident of Ward 4. His interests include blogging, roof gardening, solar energy, material and political sustainability, politics and enjoying the life of a curmudgeon.

Bob Leach is the lead pastor at Living Hope Christian Assembly. You can follow him on Twitter @bobwleach.

Bob Manoljovich is a retired lifelong Hamiltonian who is grateful to have had the privilege to be a public servant in the city he loves.

Bob Robertson, Ph.D. is a consultant and professor of international business. He was the City Manager for the City of Hamilton from 2002 to 2004.

Bob Wood is a community worker at the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic where he works on the clinic website. He is also a freelance writer who has worked with youth, in housing and served as a municipal councillor in Burlington/Halton from 1991-97 and in 2006.

Brendan Simons is a member of Hammer City Makers, a mentor for “Celt-X”, Bishop Ryan Robotics Team 5406, an engineer at a Hamilton firm, and a hopeless idealist. He is lucky to have a generous wife who supports an excess of volunteer commitments.

Brent Patterson is the political director of the Council of Canadians.

Brian Hatch was was born at St. Joe's and raised in Hamilton, first in the north end and then on the mountain. He went to Hill Park, then graduated from MacMaster with a B.Eng. (Mechanical). He worked in various management positions at Stelco for 30 years until his retirement in 2002.

Brian McHattie is the Councillor for Ward 1.

Brian Morton is a director and playwright, and was the recipient of the 2013 Hamilton Arts Award for Theatre. In 1988, after two years training in Montreal at the National Theatre School of Canada, Morton was the founder and first artistic director of Theatre Terra Nova, which operated out of a 100 seat theatre on Dundurn Street. Three years after that, he was a partner with Guy Sprung in the Evelyn Group, which reopened the historic 750 seat Tivoli Theatre, as a venue for live performance with a production of Douglas Rodger’s play “How Could You, Mrs Dick?”, which dramatized the story of Hamilton’s notorious Evelyn Dick. With Theatre Erebus, he produced the UK premieres of four Canadian plays for the 1990 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His stage adaptation of Sylvia Fraser’s “My Father’s House”, has had five productions, since it debuted in in 1992, at the Dundas Centre for the Arts. Morton’s “New Talent” was the highest grossing show in the 2008 Hamilton Fringe Festival, and in 2010, it toured to the London and Toronto Fringe Festivals. Brian’s original musical, “Under the Apple Tree”, about a shooting that happened backstage, at the Lyric theatre on Mary street in November 1921, debuted in the 2018 Hamilton Fringe Festival, and was presented at the 300-seat Zoetic Theatre; it got a second run at the Pearl Company, this past November. Brian was also the producer of the 2012 Hamilton Fringe Festival. He is currently a drama critic, and arts journalist for "VIEW Magazine", and has also published articles in the “Hamilton Spectator” and the “McMaster Silhouette”.

Brittany Horodecki is a Hamiltonian, currently studying for a Master in Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Brittney Borowiec is a PhD Candidate at McMaster University, researching the environmental physiology of killifish. She is a Social Media Coordinator for the McMaster Water Network Student Chapter.

Brodie Chree is a local Hamilton bon vivant and boulevardier. You can catch him head banging at rock shows, scanning negatives and stamping envelopes at the library as well as encouraging you to please place the item in the bag at Fortinos.

Brother Richard MacPhee, OH is Executive Director of Good Shepherd Centres.

Bryan Boodhoo is a Hamilton-based playwright, director, short fiction writer and lawyer. His plays have been produced in Edmonton, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo and Hamilton. He is also part of the Theatre Aquarius Playwright's Unit. His most recent play, "G-Star Live's Notes from IKEA Burlington" is playing at Evergreen Hamilton Community Storefront (294 James St. North) as part of the 2018 Hamilton Fringe Gallery series.

Brydie Huffman is former stage performer who now spends her time fondling artifacts in museums for a living.

Brynn Horley grew up in rural Brigden, ON, and moved on to Toronto where she studied Architecture. After working in that field for several years she is now a Grad Student at Dalhousie University, studying her Masters of Planning. Brynn has had the pleasure of working for the summer on food issues in Hamilton, and has had an incredible time with the art, culture, food, nature and sailing it this amazing place! Brynn is very passionate about environmental issues as well as community and culture building. You can follow her on Twitter @Urban_Leaves.

Cameron Kroetsch (he/him) moved to Hamilton in 2014. He's a proud resident of Ward 2 and cares deeply about accountability and transparency in municipal government. He loves the sparrows at City Hall, his cats and dog, and his partner Derek.

Cameron Kroetsch moved to Hamilton in 2014. He's a labour relations professional, sometimes writer, and a passionate non-profit sector volunteer who cares about democracy in government and community advocacy.

Shawn Selway is a Stelco trained millwright who runs a consultancy in the interpretation and conservation of historic machinery. He lives in the North End with his family.

Candace Iron is a PhD student at York University, Toronto. Malcolm Thurlby, PhD, FSA, is Professor of Visual Arts at York University, Toronto.

Candy Venni is a landscape designer with visions of a more sustainable existence for humanity. You can follow her on Twitter @candyvenni.

Carolyn Boutin BA BED OCT is the Founder and Head Tutor, Carolyn Boutin Tutoring.

Chantal Mancini is a secondary school teacher in Hamilton and a Ph.D. candidate in the McMaster University School of Labour Studies. Chantal studies teachers and their unions. Parent. Lover of #Hamont. Gardener. Allegedly bakes the best banana bread in the world. She/her.

Chelsea Lowes is the 2017 Street Tree Project Coordinator for OPIRG McMaster.

Cherise Burda directs research and implementation strategies for transportation solutions in Canada, including policy initiatives for urban form. In addition to her role as transportation director, Cherise leads the Pembina Institute's Ontario policy program, focusing on research to advance renewable energy solutions, and is a regular spokesperson on transportation, renewable energy and Ontario policy issues.

Since joining the Institute in 2007, Cherise has written dozens of energy, transportation and urban development publications, including: Behind the Wheel, Live Where You Go, Making Tracks to Torontonians, the RBC-Pembina Home Location Survey, and Plugging Ontario into a Green Future.

Cherise's 17-year career as a policy specialist and senior manager includes past experience as a program director with the David Suzuki Foundation and a senior researcher with the Polis Institute at University of Victoria's Faculty of Law.

Follow her on twitter @CheriseBurda.

Cheryl Hills is the owner of a graphic design business that specializes in providing complete graphic design solutions to the fitness industry in Hamilton.

Cheryl Hobbins lives in Hamilton with her family.

Chris is 38 years old and married with one child. While he lived in Hamilton/Stoney Creek very early on, he now lives in Burlington and commutes to work in Toronto daily.

Chris Chiu is a Masters student at McMaster University studying in the department of Cultural Studies and Critical Theory. His hopes are to create dialogue on tough social issues and to make complicated ideas digestible through writing and other artistic formats. He is interested in how arts and culture can be used to tell stories and bridge communities together. His current work looks at how hip-hop culture is helping to de-stigmatize mental illness in various communities. You can find him on Twitter @Yung_Spectacle

Chris Drew is co-founder of Fight Gridlock in Brampton, a citizen advocacy group that supports transit and complete streets in Brampton.

Chris Erl, a born and raised Hamiltonian, has wanted to change the world ever since becoming the Westwood Elementary School Chief Returning Officer in Grade 5. After receiving both a B.A. (Honours) and M.A. from McMaster, Chris decided to purse his passion and study urban planning.

In addition to serving on the City of Hamilton’s LGBTQ Advisory Committee, Chris is also a registered candidate for Public School Board trustee in Wards 1 & 2.

Chris Erskine is a labour and community activist. He is also a print artist, exploring historic landscapes and building themes using lino-cut and woodblock printing methods. You can visit his website.

Chris Farias is an artist, graphic designer and activist. You can visit his website or follow him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Chris Healey is an artist and online publishing professional living in Hamilton, Ontario. He has had an interesting 20 years in the art and media scenes of Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. http://chrishealey.me/

Chris Higgins is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the McMaster Institute for Transportation and Logistics. His full departmental profile is available here.

Chris is currently a copywriter at Burlington ad-agency JAN Kelley Marketing. He has worked in the Canadian advertising industry for over 10 years, providing communications for blue-chip brands such as Labatt Breweries, Toronto Blue Jays, Johnson & Johnson, Navistar/ International Truck & Engine, H&R Block, Firkin Group of Pubs, among others. Chris was born in Hamilton, spent his childhood living in Dundas, has lived downtown and currently resides in Lloyd Ferguson-land.

Christine Bingham is a parent of a Parkview Secondary School student. She is also a candidate for Public School Trustee for Wards 1 and 2 in the 2014 Municipal Election.

Christine Nicole grew up on the outskirts of Hamilton. She works as a software developer in the downtown core. She's proud to live in the neighbourhood along Barton Street, where her ancestors lived and raised their families.

Christopher Cutler is a community activist and disability advocate. He is Managing Director of Accessibility Edge. Christopher is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). He is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors of the St Leonard's Society of Hamilton.

Christopher and his husband, Kevin, live in downtown Hamilton. Chris co-owns Cafe Oranje, a small coffee shop in the International Village, and is passionate about seeing Hamilton progress at the hands of entrepreneurs and citizens all over the great city.

Christopher Kiely is a "middle class white guy" who was raised to believe certain things and has watched the world do the complete opposite for 30+ years. He attended Mohawk College in the 1990s, has traveled around some since and now lives with his family in Hamilton.

Christopher R.G. Redmond is pursing a PhD in public policy at Ryerson University. He has lived in downtown Hamilton for the last ten years and is an active member in the Durand neighbourhood. You can follow him on twitter @introspect_red.

Ciaran Taylor-McGreal is an aspiring writing and sleep deprivation specialist. He is 22 and spends too much time procrastinating.

Claudia Spadafora is an emerging theatre-maker, multimedia artist, and Hamilton native. She has performed / written / directed / designed / produced more than 25 shows in the area and is ecstatic to put words to her favourite 11 days of the year.

Connie Kidd is a retired educational researcher who lives in downtown Hamilton.

Connie Stefanson was born in Hamilton and has spent most of her life here, having collected a dozen diverse addresses within the City boundaries. She and her family recently moved to the Strathcona neighbourhood and have fallen in love with everything that their new 120-year-old home and historic, vibrant location offers.

Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace is the Programme Officer (Water and Human Development) at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, based at the McMaster Innovation Park.

Craig Burley is a tax lawyer in Hamilton. You can follow him on twitter @craig_burley. Comments here are not legal advice.

Craig is a staff lawyer at McQuesten Legal & Community Services in Hamilton. In 2006, Craig reprsented Hamilton's Income Security Working Group in presenting a brief to the United Nations Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights in Geneva on the right to an adequate standard of living. Craig lives in central Hamilton with his wife and daughter.

Craig Hermanson is the president of Concrescence Design and the editor of LockeStreet.com. He lives in Kirkendall Neighbourhood and is involved in community development.

Dan Botham is a long-time Hamilton resident with an interest in advancing state of cycling in Hamilton. He is a member of the Hamilton Cycling Committee.

Dan Chiras is a leading authority on green building and renewable energy options for home construction. He paid his last electric bill in June of 1996, and is has written 21 books, including Superbia! 31 Ways to Create Sustainable Suburbs, co-authored with Dave Wann. He currently is a Melon Visiting Professor at Colorado College where he teaches courses on renewable energy, ecological design, and sustainable development. He lives in Evergreen, Colorado.

Daniel Gariépy is an ardent advocate of the arts.

Daniel Hyams, PhD is the host and community producer of Coming To Hamilton on Cable 14. Episodes air Monday evenings at 5:30 PM an 9:30 PM. Twitter: @DanielAHyams

Daniel O.W. Smith is a writer and editor who lives in Hamilton and comes from Maine. Feel free to get in touch via email.

Dan Rodrigues was born and raised in London, Ontario, where he was an active community member in East London. He moved to Hamilton in late 1996, residing on the East Mountain. He has been married for 27 years, with a son who works with adults with physical and mental disabilities, and a daughter completing her degree in Chemistry at Western University this coming year. He is an active community volunteer, sitting on a number of committees and Boards, as well as coaching soccer. His professional life includes food and beverage industry sales and consulting, building industry sales, human resources consulting, and transportation consulting. Dan's diverse skills inventory allows for fuller discussion and better understanding of individual and community concerns. Currently, Dan is campaigning to be the Ward Six Councillor.

Many of us have our own take on what it means to be green. For Darren, "green" goes beyond just the mechanics of living lightly on the earth, to a more soulful understanding of ourselves as part of nature. He authors a weekly blog, Raise a Little Green, where he highlights the "mis-adventures of turning green," challenges our cultural ideologies and assumptions, and asks the deeper questions of purpose and fulfillment. Darren is a TV director and filmmaker who lives in downtown Hamilton with his wife and two children.

Dave Harrison is a Canada Post letter carrier and part-time personal trainer who lives, and occasionally works, in Kirkendall North area.

Dave Heidebrecht is the Manager of McMaster University’s Office of Community Engagement.

Dave Heidebrecht and Johanna Bleecker are collaborators with Cycle Hamilton.

Dave Kuruc is co-owner of Mixed Media, an art shop on James North. He is also publisher of H Magazine, a monthly magazine dedicated to celebrating Hamilton's beauty and charm.

Dave Serafini was born and raised in Hamilton. He lived in some other places, but returned to Hamilton for family and friends. Traditionally, his extracurricular activities have been sport related, but recently, he has been looking for ways to get involved with broader civic issues.

David Appleyard is an aspiring music journalist and musician, attempting to chronicle some of the more experimental acts in Hamilton. Whether crafting his next review or intently focused on the coda of his next song, he puts his all into the loves of his life. David has written for Newscliptv.com and hopes to become a mainstay in the Hamilton music scene.

David Brace is an artist who lives and works in Hamilton.

David Cohen is a freelance writer and a part-time teacher. He has worked as a journalist and a communications officer (promoting workplace health and safety). He served on the Dundas Town Council from 1991 to 1994.

David Crosbie is a journalist from Hamilton, most recently a web editor and podcast producer at The Hamilton Spectator.

Architect and urbanist David Greusel is committed to the restoration of American cities. With over 25 years experience in architecture, David has had the opportunity to help design many of the buildings that make up a city, from schools and supermarkets to ballparks and office buildings. Some of those projects have contributed to suburban sprawl, while others have helped to heal the wounds of central cities. A project David worked on of which he is particularly fond was helping to design PNC Park, the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, which has been rated the best ballpark in America by several publications and websites.

Over the years, David has come to value the "messy vitality" of cities, and has focused his work on projects that help restore the urban fabric. When he is not practicing architecture, David performs in a syndicated radio comedy program "Right Between The Ears," which is produced by Kansas Public Radio. He is the author of the book Architect's Essentials of Presentation Skills, published by Wiley. David and his family live in the Kansas City area.

David Harvey is a retired lawyer living in Burlington. For 20 years, he represented people who had become infected with HIV and hepatitis C through blood and blood products in Canada. He represented patient groups at the Commission of Inquiry into the Blood System in Canada (the Krever Commission). He won damages for people infected with HIV, including precedent setting cases at the Supreme Court of Canada, and negotiated a $1 billion compensation package from the federal government for people infected with hepatitis C. Follow him on Twitter @davidharvey.

David Holmgren, co-originator with Bill Mollison of the Permaculture concept, is an innovative environmental design consultant based at Hepburn Springs in central Victoria, where he maintains one of Australia's best-known permaculture demonstration sites. David has written several books, conducted numerous workshops and courses on sustainable living, and developed several properties himself using permaculture principles. The following feature is adapted from a public lecture given at the Aldinga Arts EcoVillage in Adelaide in January 2005. You can check David's website: http://www.holmgren.com.au.

David Steele is an award-winning architect currently practicing in Chicago, Illinois. He is a graduate of both Buffalo State College and The State University of New York at Buffalo. While these fine institutions provided him with the professional tools necessary to excel in the architectural field it was the city's rich history, manifested in its treasure trove of great buildings, that fed and informed an early interest in the built environment.

As a kid, David endlessly wandered the city streets soaking up architecture with each step. Although life's unpredictable paths have led him away from Buffalo, this city remains as a major influence on his life. Many of David's Buffalo Rising stories highlight the city's architecture and urbanism, shining a light on this often under appreciated and fragile asset.

He recently published a photo book on Buffalo architecture titled Buffalo: Architecture in the American Forgotten Land. It can be seen in its entirety online at www.buffbuildings.com. It is available for purchase online at www.blurb.com, search word "Buffalo".

David Thompson is an independent consultant specializing in environmental and energy policy and organizational development. His clients include research organizations, corporations, government, First Nations and non-profits.

David Van Beveren is a Hamilton native. He grew up in Ancaster and now lives in Ward 1.

David-James Fernandes is a filmmaker, small business owner, driver, pedestrian and cyclist.

Dawn Cattapan is the editor of Beyond James, a blog focusing on news and reviews in Hamilton's performing arts and creative community.

Dawn Danko is a candidate for Public School Trustee in Ward 7, Hamilton Central Mountain.

Debbie Chamberlain is a resident of Dundas.

Deborah Grace is a Hamilton resident who just wants city council to be better. Follow her on Twitter @editablankpage.

Debra Hughes is a special needs stay-at-home mom with a home-based business called Little Treasures by Debbie for knit and crochet items. She enjoys writing editorials on occasion.

Derrick Jensen is an activist, author, small farmer, bee-keeper, teacher, and philosopher whose speaking engagements in recent years have packed university auditoriums, conferences and bookstores nationwide. He has authored or co-authored a number of books that examine western civilization, including The Culture of Make Believe, a finalist for the 2003 J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize, A Language Older than Words, and Walking on Water: Reading, Writing and Revolution. Visit his website: http://www.derrickjensen.org

Don McLean is chair of Friends of Red Hill Valley and coordinator of Citizens at City Hall, a volunteer group that has monitored city affairs since 2004 and distributes free news articles via email. The group can be contacted at info@hamiltoncatch.org.

Doreen Nicoll is a feminist and a member of several community organizations working diligently to end poverty, hunger and gendered violence.

Douglas E. Morris is the author of five books, a magazine columnist, and an international entrepreneur who has lived for 14 years outside the US in a variety of safe, community-oriented urban areas in seven different countries. His newest book, Its a Sprawl World After All, has just ben published by New Society Publishers. Visit his website: http://www.ItsaSprawlWorld.com.

Duncan O'Dell lives on Flatt Avenue in the Kirkendall neighbourhood with his wife and their 2.5 year old son. He has lived in many other countries including England, Israel, the Netherlands, Qatar and Scotland. He moved to Hamilton from Toronto in 2007. He works at McMaster University where he teaches and does research in physics.

Dwayne Ali recently completed an MA at McMaster University in Communication and New Media with a focus on the convergence of online and real space through "urban interface design".

twitter: @interestica

Ed Sculthorpe is a father, veteran, small business owner, and candidate for Public School Trustee in Wards 1 and 2. www.edsculthorpe.com

Eleanor McMahon is a cycling advocate, senior executive and former legislator. Her career has included senior roles in business, government and the not-for-profit sector. She spent the early part of her career on Parliament Hill where she held a number of positions, including Press Secretary to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Her experience also includes time with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Petro-Canada, the United Way Ottawa, the Ontario Medical Association, and the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women.

The tragic death of Eleanor’s husband, Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Greg Stobbart - killed in June 2006 while cycling, by a driver with several convictions for driving under suspension - led her life in an entirely new direction. In response to this unthinkable loss, Eleanor began a campaign to improve road safety in Ontario. In 2008, she launched the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, a provincial cycling policy and advocacy organization that brought together cycling groups from across Ontario to work with municipalities to make their communities more bicycle-friendly.

Eleanor also lobbied for enhanced penalties for suspended drivers in Ontario. As a result of her advocacy, “Greg’s Law” was passed on April 22, 2009 and became law in September 2010, making our communities safer by reducing the number of suspended drivers and repeat offenders on Ontario’s roads.

In 2014 Eleanor decided to seek elected office in order to further the work she started at Share the Road, and was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Burlington, Ontario. While there, her work included legislative change, enhanced infrastructure funding as well as education and awareness initiatives. She was appointed to the Cabinet in 2016.

Eleanor’s advocacy led to significant changes to Legislator Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA), the legislation that governs motorists and cyclists. In 2015, Ontario became the second province in Canada to pass a one metre “Safe Passing Law”. In 2016, she tabled a Bill creating two new sections of the HTA: Careless Driving Cause Death and Careless Driving Cause Bodily Harm. The Bill, which passed in December 2017 also contained important Vulnerable Road User provisions.

In 2017 Premier Kathleen Wynne asked Eleanor to co-lead the cycling file as Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. During her tenure important advancements included: the first Cycling Tourism strategy for Ontario, leveraging existing tourism assets and advancing development of an 8,000 km (5,000 mile) cycling travel and tourism route in Canada’s largest province. In December 2017, Eleanor announced $100M in cycling infrastructure funding for communities across the province, the largest in Ontario’s history.

Elise Desjardins is a project manager for Cycle Hamilton who is working on the Friendly Streets Hamilton project, which is a collaborative initiative with Environment Hamilton.

Elise Desjardins is a project manager for Cycle Hamilton who is working on the Friendly Streets Hamilton project, which is a collaborative initiative with Environment Hamilton.

Kevin Love is a professional accountant and a retired infantry officer with the Canadian Forces. Kevin keeps encountering people who were students of his father, Dr. Robert Love, who was a professor at MacMaster University from 1977-2008. He lives near Durand Park in Hamilton and is currently Vice-Chair of the Hamilton Cycling Committee.

Elizabeth King is a writer in Hamilton.

Elizabeth Parker moved to Hamilton permanently in 2000. She grew up in Toronto's west end, then went to McMaster University and studied English, Religious Studies and Psychology. She worked for over ten years in the film industry as a locations scout before moving to Hamilton fulltime. She is currently a real estate agent living a short walk from Downtown with her husband and two boys.

Emily Foster, OCT is an education coordinator with No.9: Contemporary Art and the Environment.

Emma lives in downtown Hamilton in a historic 700 square foot house with her husband, Graham. As an Architect and Principal with the Hamilton firm Invizij Architects, the majority of her work in the past decade have been affordable projects for Indwell and other non-profits. She loves the challenge of transforming the dark corners our city into places of restoration & healing. In recent years, her focus has been on Passive House design, or ultra-low energy buildings to help our community lead the way towards a low carbon future.

Environment Hamilton (EH) was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in 2001 with a central mandate to facilitate the ability of people in the Hamilton area to develop the knowledge and skills they need to protect and enhance the environment around them. Visit the Environment Hamilton website.

Eric Britton was the founder of EcoPlan in 1966, formed to create an effective forum of international collaboration and independent counsel on issues regarding the management of technology as it affects people in their daily lives. In recent years he has turned his attention to sustainability, land use and urban planning, particularly in response to the challenges of climate change.

Eric Coleman is a chef, artist, and writer who has lived and worked across Ontario, from Stratford, to Toronto, Hamilton, Muskoka, and further afield.

Eric Gillis is a born-and-raised Hamiltonian, and a student at McMaster University who is very passionate about politics.

Eric McGuinness was a writer and editor who worked for many years at the Hamilton Spectator. He died in 2014 after a long struggle with cancer.

Eric Tarquinio is a fourth year student at McMaster University in the H. English/CSCT and History program. He currently resides in Hamilton ON, enjoys music and literature, and is patiently awaiting pond-hockey season.

Eric Tuck is the president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 107, the union that represents HSR employees.

Erich Nolan Bertussi is a spirit in a physical human being living on a rock in the vacuum of outer space. He photographs/videographs things too. 647 529 5259 PiN:2A646426 BBM ENFJ

Erika Parente is the Community Development Coordinator for Mission Services of Hamilton. She works to develop strong community relations and manages outreach programs focusing on community engagement.

Erin Kennedy is a member of Cycle Hamilton’s Advocacy Committee. Erin started riding for recreation and transportation while growing up in Northern Ontario. She still loves to cycle in her current hometown of Dundas and beyond, especially with her two young children. Erin is dedicated to encouraging the City of Hamilton to shift gears and become a leader in cycling friendliness among North American cities.

Frances was born in Toronto and has lived in various places since that time returning to her urban roots in 2010 by moving to downtown Hamilton. She is developing a keen interest in urban issues with a focus on improved walkability and bikeability.

Frances Murray and Yonatan Rozenszajn serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Durand Neighbourhood Association.

Francie O'Flynn is a Hamilton writer with a degree in Fine Art from University of Toronto. A collector and art aficionado for most of her life, she is now taking classes at Dundas Valley School of Art. As a child, she lived in pre-revolutionary Havana with her parents. She is no stranger to the country and its people, although it took them 47 years to find each other again. Since returning from her first visit, Francie has designed a Cuban art tour with Tom Robertson of Cuba 1 Tours, a pioneer of specialized small-group tours for ten years.

Frank Borger is an engineering technologist who lives in Stoney Creek. He moved to Hamilton when he was 18 and has lived in East Hamilton, the West Mountain and Downtown. He grew up in Beamsville.

Fraser Pollock is an independent urban planning consultant, navy veteran and father of three, who grew up in Toronto, worked on projects across Canada and the UK. He currently lives in Ottawa.

Fred Eisenberger is Mayor of the City of Hamilton.

Gary Santucci is the co-owner, with Barbara Milne, of The Pearl Company theatre and arts centre.

Gavin Schulz is an open data activist and entrepreneur. He is the creator of Bus Ticker. You can follow him on tumblr and twitter.

Geoff Roche is the vice president of the Durand Neighbourhood Association.

George Patrick is a retired civil servant living in Oakville. He is firmly of the opinion that most people are wrong most of the time, and tends to question his own judgment when too many people agree with him.

George Sweetman has been a civil engineer for 30 years working in land development and renewable energy, as well as teaching university students. He volunteers at various organizations focused on food security and affordable housing.

Gerard V. Middleton is a retired professor of geology, who taught at McMaster from 1955 to 1996, his field of specialization being sedimentary rocks. Since 2005 he has been compiling a set of notes on the sources of building stones using in the nineteenth century in southern Ontario. For a more complete bio, see his entry in Wikipedia.

Gerry Balt is a retired professional accountant who has made Hamilton has home for over 40 years. He resides in the Ainslie Wood neighbourhood with his wife.

Giuliana Casimirri, PhD, is an environmental sociologist, intercultural negotiation and community forest researcher, kid and nature connector and organic gardener.

Glenna Jones is a retired dancer, choreographer and actress. She has lived and worked in numerous countries, starting in 1953 with CBC TV Toronto and including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Sydney Australia. She came home to CBC in the 1960s and spent many years as a resident choreographer and performer for the Wayne and Shuster Shows, as well as many Norman Campbell specials as a dancer and numerous guest appearances as an actress. She moved to Hamilton nine years ago and lives in a super old Victorian house with attached studio near Sanford School. Her husband is visual artist Robert Carley.

Gord Stephan is a resident of Ward 8 in Hamilton.

Graeme Douglas is an Associate with Civicplan, which provides innovative land use planning, community engagement, and research services to the public, non-profit, and private sectors. For more information, go to civicplan.ca.

Graham Crawford was raised in Hamilton, moving to Toronto in 1980 where he spent 25 years as the owner of a successful management consulting firm that he sold in 2000. He retired and moved back to Hamilton in 2005 and became involved in heritage and neighbourhood issues. He opened Hamilton HIStory + HERitage on James North in 2007, a multi-media exhibition space (aka a storefront museum) celebrating the lives of the men and women who have helped to shape the City of Hamilton.

Graham is a partner in the firm, Toms + McNally Design. In addition to his firm's work, he has a particular interest in Hamilton's urban design and issues.

Grant Ranalli lives in Hamilton and works as an elementary school teacher.

Greg Cowell is a life-long fan of anything two-wheeled and it's his passion to ride anything that is. He resides in Hamilton with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter @GC48.

Greg Galante is 46 years old, a life long Hamilton resident, and business owner. He is also a 22-year member of the Toronto Fire Service and holds the rank of Acting Captain.

Greg Smith and his family moved to Hamilton in March of 2008 from Toronto. His wife was working at McMaster and they were attracted to the Locke Street area due to its "village like" feel and very affordable real estate. Coming from Toronto, a city of many villages, it had the same atmosphere that they strongly identify with. Unfortunately his wife has returned to working in Toronto. Greg works in central Hamilton and is considering opening a business himself in the city.

Greg Tedesco is a proud Hamiltonian for the past ten years. He is interested in issues around health, equity, inclusion & social justice. Connect with Greg on twitter @greg_tedesco.

Gregory Ciupka was born and raised in Toronto, but has been firmly rooted in Hamilton for the past 20 years. He enjoys our spectacular road cycling and finds it doesn't get any better than riding Wilson, Mineral Springs, Sydenham, Snake and King.

The Hamilton 350 Committee is the local chapter of 350.org, a global campaign to reduce the level of CO2 in the atmosphere from 400 parts per million to below 350 ppm.

Hamilton 4 Transit is an organization of Hamiltonians working together for improvements to transit across all of Hamilton.

• Website: http://hamilton4transit.ca/
• Twitter: @HamOnt4Transit
• Facebook: Hamilton for Transit

The Hamilton Tenants Solidarity Network is a volunteer, grassroots network linking tenants across Hamilton to build working-class tenant power and fight against the fores of displacement in our city.

Harold Stebbe is a Chartered Accountant. He spent 21 years working for the Office of the Auditor General in Ottawa. After leaving the OAG, he worked as controller for a small business in Ottawa before retiring to Vancouver Island in 1993.

Harry Stinson is a real estate developer whose projects include the Candy Factory Lofts and One King West in Toronto. In 2008, Stinson relocated his business and family to Hamilton. His current projects include Stinson School Lofts at 200 Stinson Street.

Herman Turkstra practises environmental and planning law in Hamilton. He has represented land developers, municipalities, neighbourhood associations and other parties active in land use planning in many parts of Ontario. He represents clients regularly at the Ontario Municipal Board. He has been active in Hamilton municipal affairs for many years including a short time as a member of Hamilton City Council a long time ago.

Herman van Barneveld is editor of The Wood Duck, the magazine of the Hamilton Naturalists' Club. Herman teaches Science (and students) at Guido de Bres High School near Upper Wentworth and Stonechurch Road.

Hollie Pocsai is co-owner of White Elephant Boutique on James Street North.

Hugh Tye is the Executive Director of Hamilton Community Legal Clinic.

HWDSB students and community members concerned with the rights of students in Hamilton.

Ian Borsuk is a young community organizer and activist. He is a Climate Campaign Coordinator at Environment Hamilton.

Ian Graham is a community chaplain, activist, retired entrepreneur and resident of Burlington. He had 25 years in business up to 2000, then steered himself into a religious education masters degree, asking, What is the future of community and role of religion in that? He is a Quaker, with strong social activist tendencies.

Ian Reynolds is a sound recordist in the film industry. You can visit his website: www.ianreynolds.ca

Ira Rosen is a candidate for Ward 1 Councillor in the 2014 municipal election. You can visit his website: www.irarosen.ca.

Isabella Lopes is a third-year Ryerson Journalism student who was born and raised in the Hammer.

Jack Santa-Barbara is a retired business executive, and former Co-Chair of Action 2020. He is the co-director of Hamiltonians for Progressive Development, an organization dedicated to articulating and supporing a progressive approach to city planning.

Jacob Matthan is a writer, activist, and retired technology consultant who lives in Oulu, Finland with Anniki, his wife of 39 years. He maintains a political blog at http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com/.

Jaimie Rizzo is a graduate of McMaster Univeristy and the University of Windsor, currently working in the non-profit sector. Once a country girl, she now works, lives and plays in downtown core. She has a bad habit of staying up well past her bedtime, listening to music too loud, and not filtering her thoughts before putting them out into the world. You can follow her ramblings on Twitter @jaimie_rizzo.

James Arlen, CISA, is a senior consultant at Leviathan Security Group providing security consulting services to the utility and financial verticals. He has been involved with implementing a practical level of information security in Fortune 500, TSE 100, and major public-sector corporations for 18+ years. James is also a contributing analyst with Securosis and has a recurring column on Liquidmatrix Security Digest. Best described as: "Infosec geek, hacker, social activist, author, speaker, and parent." His areas of interest include organizational change, social engineering, blinky lights and shiny things. http://jamesarlen.net/ * Note: his RTH username is "Myrcurial" *

James Collura is a human being doing his best to contribute to happier, healthier world. He went to University and has a degree and some credentials and whatever, but you really just have to read what he has to say to get a feel for what he's all about.

James Howard Kunstler was born in New York City in 1948. He moved to the Long Island suburbs in 1954, and in 1957 he returned to the city where he spent most of his childhood. He graduated from the State University of New York’s Brockport campus, worked as a reporter and feature writer for a number of newspapers, and finally as a staff writer for Rolling Stone Magazine. In 1975, he turned to writing books on a full-time basis, writing nine published novels. In 1994 Kunstler published The Geography of Nowhere, a landmark book that traced America's evolution from a nation of coherent communities to a wasteland of placeless architecture and parking lots. He continued his exploration of American architecture with Home from Nowhere and The City in Mind: Notes on the Urban Condition. His most recent non-fiction book, The Long Emergency: Surviving the Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-First Century, describes the changes that American society faces in the 21st century.

Jan Wolf is a long-term wildlife advocate and a nonprofit admin who wants to open a small educational animal facility in 2015.

Janet MacLeod is the operations coordinator of Grand River Carshare and Hamilton Carshare.

Jason Allen is a chronic hive whacker in the Kirkendall Neighbourhood.

Jason Farr is the councillor for Ward 2.

Jason Leach was born and raised in the Hammer and currently lives downtown with his wife and children. You can follow him on twitter.

Jason Morse is a graphics industry professional brimming with good will for his adopted home city of Hamilton. He lives in Strathcona with his family.

Jason Thorne is General Manager of the City of Hamilton's Planning and Economic Development Department.

Jay Krause and Chelsea Cox are Co-Chairs of Cycle Hamilton. Formed as a registered non-profit organization in 2015, Cycle Hamilton is a member-supported group of individuals, communities, and organizations that work together to make Hamilton a place where people of all ages and abilities can safely get around by bike to all parts of the city. We strive to inspire people to ride their bikes in a growing network of connected and safe bike lanes and to create a culture of bike riding in Hamilton.

Jay Robb lives and works in Hamilton.

Jeff Griffiths lives in the north end of Hamilton with his wife and two young children. He instructs the Workshops with Local Writers continuing education course at Mohawk College. His short fiction, poetry, and book reviews have appeared in Front and Centre, Hammered Out, The Puritan, Qwerty, The Nashwaak Review and various on-line journals. He also received the Arts Hamilton award for short fiction in 2007 and 2008.

Jeff Mahoney is a columnist for the Hamilton Spectator and an all-around great guy. We paid him a lot of money to write nice things about us.

Jeff Reid attended Humber College for journalism before starting an internet development firm in the 90s. As a proud Ward 3 homeowner, Jeff lives, works and has three children in school on Wentworth St with his wife Heather, in the city of Hamilton, ON, Canada. In 2010, launched Hamilton-ON.ca to expand mobile news coverage.

Jeff Strong is a pastor at Grindstone Church in Waterdown Ontario. He’s a graduate of Redeemer University College and McMaster Divinity College. A Hamiltonian for 15 years, Jeff and his wife Heather live with their four children in Westdale.

A low-key Hamiltonian who has been amassing poetry since about the age of 15, Mr. Stewart has worked in various careers including managing the classical department at the downtown Sam the Record Man, operating a catering company, and managing an out-of-print bookstore. Mr. Stewart enjoys life with his wife and family of cats.

Jen Dawson is a local community activist and freelance writer. She is a volunteer with the Hamilton 350 Committee.

Jenn Nelson is an experienced public historian and museum professional. She is the owner of The Social Studio and can be found at jennnelson.com.

Jennifer Brasch is the President of the Hamilton Academy of Medicine and a psychiatrist practicing at St. Joe's, West 5th site. Her practice focuses on people with concurrent disorders - both psychiatric illness and addictions. She is also an Associate Professor at McMaster University.

Jenny Dunlop is an Oakville housewife and mother to three teenagers. Her favourite past job involved dressing up in a pioneer costume and teaching children how people used to live in the early nineteenth century.

Jenny Gladish is the Communications and Brand Lead at Cobalt Connects, a Hamilton-based arts service organization committed to advancing the creative sector, and which is currently leading the cultural planning research project Expressing Vibrancy. Her favourite place to experience Hamilton’s unique culture is the Chedoke stairs, which provide a non-vehicle means of transportation between upper and lower city, promote health and exercise, and allow for a natural respite from urban life.

Jeremy Compton is a father and husband, and has been a Hamilton resident for five years. He enjoys gardening, motorcycling and working with his hands and is interested in urban farming and self sustainability. He is a manager in the warehousing/distribution industry.

Jeremy Parsons is a recent graduate of McMaster University's School of Geography and Earth Sciences. He is interested in urban planning, heritage preservation, and the protection of viable agricultural land. Connect with Jeremy on Twitter @JeremyEParsons.

Jeremy Wilkins lives with his family in Hamilton's Landsdown neighbourhood, Ward 3. Before Hamilton he lived in eleven other cities, including Hong Kong, Tokyo, St Louis, Toronto, Boston, and Houston. He is here now and loves it. He plans to stick around.

Jessica Mace is a PhD candidate at York University in Toronto, specializing in nineteenth-century architecture in Canada.

Jessica Maurice lives in downtown Hamilton and is one of the owners of Gameopolis. When she is not playing board games, she can be found out enjoying the city.

Jessica Ramsay is the owner of Finch Espresso Bar and a die-hard idealist. She first came to Hamilton to study Theology at Redeemer University College but left before finishing her program to study accounting at Mohawk College. Before opening the cafe, she worked as a corporate accounting specialist in Grimsby but the coffee calling was much stronger.

Since earning a degree in journalism from Carleton University, Jessica Rose has written for publications in Hamilton and across Canada. Her book reviews have appeared in many magazines, including Quill and Quire, Room, Ricepaper, This, the Humber Literary Review, and on rabble.ca. Jessica sits on the board of gritLIT: Hamilton's Readers and Writers Festival. She writes "Shelf Life," Hamilton Magazine's books column and she's also a senior editor for the upcoming Hamilton Review of Books. You can find her blogging on her website, Not My Typewriter, and the Hamilton Arts Council.

Jill McKenzie lives on the West Mountain and works downtown.

Dr. Jill Wiwcharuk is the Lead Physician at the Shelter Health Network.

Jim Ruxton is an electronics engineer and media artist. He is director of programs for Subtle Technologies Festival.

Jim is involved with a number of local food and community service organizations. He is a retired engineer living in Dundas.

Joachim Brouwer is a member at large of the City of Hamilton's plaquing sub-committee of the Hamilton Historical Board and the Municipal Heritage Council. Joachim also belongs to the Gibson Landsdale Neighbourhood Hub and the Head-of-the-Lake Historical Society.

Joachim Brouwer is a local history advocate, the secretary of The Friends of St John Place Tenants Association (where the old St John church used to be) and the Co-secretary of the Gibson-Landsdale Planning Team.

Joe Minor is a biologist and lives in Westdale. Both of his children attended GR Allan.

Joel Pierce is the father of five children. He and his family currently reside in an old farmhouse in Bloomfield, New Brunswick on the border with Maine. Mr. Pierce has been a forest-thinner, a farm-hand on a religious commune, a carpenter, and, recently, a teacher's assistant at McMaster University. He hopes to return with his family to live in Hamilton.

Joel S. Hirschhorn, Ph.D., is the author of Sprawl Kills - How Blandburbs Steal Your Time, Health, and Money. He can be reached through his website: www.sprawlkills.com. Check out Joel's new book at www.delusionaldemocracy.com.

Joey Coleman covers Hamilton Civic Affairs.

Read more of his work at The Public Record, or follow him on Twitter @JoeyColeman.

Johanna Bleecker is the Education and Community Outreach Coordinator for New Hope Community Bikes and the Vice-Chair of Cycle Hamilton.

A Hamiltonian and passionate local historian, John A. McCurdy is the owner of Vintage Histories and Stories, which provides Organization, Community, Family and Personal History services in the Hamilton region. He can be contacted through his website at www.vintagehistoriesandstories.ca, or can be found digging through the archives in support of his next project.

John Bacher is the Chair of the Sierra Club, Ontario Chapter. He is a member of the Preservation of Agricultural Lands Society (PALS) and sits on the steering committee of the Ontario Greenbelt Alliance.

John Bandler is a professor, engineer, entrepreneur, innovator, researcher, speaker, artist, and author of fiction and non-fiction. Four of his plays have been performed at Hamilton Fringe Festivals. Some of his talks and clips of his plays are available on the internet. See www.bandler.com.

John Loukidelis is a Hamilton lawyer who resides in Ward 1. He cycles to work every day and takes the bus when it's too cold or wet outside.

John Loukidelis is a Hamilton lawyer who resides in Ward 1. He cycles to work every day and takes the bus when it's too cold or wet outside.

Thomas Cassidy has called Hamilton home from childhood to engineering school and beyond. He lives in a shared house in Ward 1 not far from a bike lane and green space.

John Milton a local writer and activist. He is the administrator of Hamilton Indymedia.

John Neary lives in Beasley Neighbourhood and practices general internal medicine at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. He would like Hamilton to develop an urban environment that creates less gainful employment for his profession.

John Rawlins is a retired nuclear physicist who lives in Washington with his wife (a psychologist). He teaches physics at Whatcom Community College. They live on ten acres of mostly wooded land about sixteen kilometres (ten miles) northeast of Bellingham and enjoy bicycle trips on the islands, skiing (near Mt. BGaker), sea-kayaking in the Sound, and occasionally some river kayaking. Prior to his retirement, Rawlins worked for 19 years for Westinghouse-Hanford Co, but took early retirement because he wanted his work to make a difference. Visit his website: http://faculty.whatcom.ctc.edu/jrawlins/.

John Thompson was born and grew up in Toronto, the city that, in the 1950s, bucked the trend and kept its streetcars. After high school, he took various courses in journalism and writing at the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and Centennial College. In 1974 he joined a community newspaper in the Collingwood area as a reporter/photographer, subsequently being promoted to News Editor. Returning to Toronto in 1975, he worked for two years for a government agency as a Public Relations Officer. John's goal of working for the Toronto Transit Commission was reached in early 1977, when he joined the staff as Assistant Editor of the Commission's employee magazine, Coupler. Now retired and living in Hamilton, John is pursuing a career as a freelance writer, concentrating on transit subjects for trade publications.

John-Paul Danko is a professional engineer and small business owner.

Jonathan Dalton runs a small music shop on a two way street in downtown Hamilton. He is a board member of the Durand Neighbourhood Association, and volunteers with Transportation for Livable Communities.

Jonathan Lambert is a returnee to Hamilton, Ontario. In between studies at the University of Toronto and stellar pick-up soccer, he enjoys taking in Monday night Hamilton Red Wing home games.

Jonathon David White grew up in the Hamilton area, living in West Hamilton for ten years while attending McMaster University (from undergrad to PhD in Engineering). Upon graduation he moved to Asia working in Japan, China, Malaysia and Taiwan. Since 2011, he has split his time between his home in Hamilton (Wentworth Street North) and Taiwan where he serves as a professor in the faculty of engineering at Yuan Ze University. Jon has one wife and four children ranging in ages from 5 to 17 years old. Website: www.aiyouliliang.com

Joseph Sneep is currently finishing his Masters of Arts in Philosophy at McMaster University. He is the former gardener for the Dundas Butterfly Gardens, where he was equally inspired by two very different forces of nature: lepidoptera and Joanna Chapman.

Joshua Weresch lives in the neighbourhood of Centremount with his wife and daughters. He tends vegetables, writes songs and sings, and is only beginning to care about community.

Joy Jones is learning to remember that in Hamilton, the lake is to the North. She particularly likes the street in the top photo on page 38 of Hamilton: Brutal Beauty, Hidden Heritage Guide.

Joy Liu is a Hamiltonian studying environmental engineering at UWaterloo. She is working as a summer intern at Environment Hamilton working on gaining public support for local improvement charges.

Judi Partridge is the City Councillor for Ward 15 - Flamborough.

Judith Bishop is the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board Trustee for Wards 1 and 2.

Judith Sandiford is a theatre designer, a visual artist, and Managing Director of Artword Theatre. With partner playwright and director Ronald Weihs, she created and operated a performance facility in Toronto, where, for over 12 years, they created, fostered and presented many original works of theatre and dance. In 2008, Artword relocated to Hamilton where it has just completed its season of four original works with a Hamilton theme. Artword is currently working on its plans for its 2009-2010 season here.

Julia Kollek lives in Dundas and considers herself one of our city's environmental guardians. For more info visit www.juliakollek.ca.

Julian Nicholson is an actor, writer, and director and has participated in the Hamilton Fringe for many years. Julian has been acting since he attended McMaster in the 1980s, and has extensive experience in professional, alternative, and little theatre. He is also a full member of ACTRA.

Julie Cole is a co-founder of Mabel's Labels. She blogs at www.mabelhood.com/JulieCole, and you can follow her on twitter @juliecole.

Justin Jones is the Manager, Bicycle Friendly Ontario at the Share the Road Cycling Coalition. Justin is a project manager, sustainability professional and rabble rouser with nearly a decade of experience in the sustainability field. His work with student groups, municipal governments and NGOs has taken him all over the country. He is passionate about civic engagement, with a special focus on active transportation issues and the creation of liveable cities through better infrastructure and education.

Kabir is a Toronto area activist organizing with the Toronto Haiti Action Committee and other anti-war and community outreach projects. Kabir also co-hosts the radio program "Voices of the Movement" on CIUT, University of Toronto community radio. He just started his first year of high school.

Kara Weiler is a teaching assistant at McMaster University.

Since 2002 Karen Burson has worked in a wide range of food and community development environments and in an impressive variety of roles. Among them: as an award-winning chef/caterer, event and conference planner, food writer, and as a cooking demonstrator both in community settings and on local radio and cable television. She has worked as a manager and board member for The Sky Dragon Community Development Cooperative and as the lead facilitator for Hamilton’s Ward 2 Participatory Budgeting Process. Karen served for several years as the environmental representative on City of Hamilton’s Community Food Security Stakeholder Committee (CFSSC).

Karen is most proud of her work at Environment Hamilton, where she co-founded Hamilton’s affordable food program called the Good Food Box Network, which also led to a major collaborative food access pilot project with staff and management at City of Hamilton. She is now the owner of Henry Brown’s Small Batch Ice Cream. Located at the amazing Hamilton Farmers’ Market, Karen takes pride in turning her love of community-building and locally grown food into unique handmade products, while putting her values and expertise into action.

Kari Dalnoki-Veress is a Physicist at McMaster University living in downtown Hamilton. Follow Kari on Twitter @KDalnokiVeress.

Karl Andrus has returned to his hometown of Hamilton after attending Brock University majoring in History. He is a proud son of journalist and local activist the late Kate Andrus. He lives in Stinson, loves the vibrant and growing city, is former Co-Chair of the Stinson Community Association, VP and of Community atthe Hamilton Community Benefits Network and is active in many local groups and initiatives.

Kathleen Pereira is studying mechanical engineering at McMaster University.

Katie Stoneman is currently in her first year of journalism at Mohawk College after transferring out of UWO. She was born but not raised in Hamilton and has since come back to the city to which she has a connection.

Katrina Simmons is a freelance journalist in Dundas, with a background in horticulture. She grows flowers and vegetables organically, has taught other gardeners to do the same, and is an active member of Canadian Organic Growers. Visit her website: http://www.2020studios.com/.

Kayla Jonas is a graduate from the University of Waterloo in Environment and Resource Studies with a joint major in Anthropology. Kayla works as a Heritage Planning Specialist at the Heritage Resources Centre, a research centre that specializes in built, cultural and natural heritage.

Her professional experience has focused on the documentation of historic places including individual sites, heritage conservation districts and cultural heritage landscapes.

Her blog Adventures in Heritage can be found at: www.kaylajonas.wordpress.com.

Keanin is the President and CEO of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

Keith Beck is a candidate for Ward 7 Councillor in the 2014 Municipal Election.

Kelly Foyle and Simon Kiss have recently moved to downtown Hamilton. Kelly is an astrophysicist at McMaster and Simon is a political scientist at Wilfrid Laurier. They've enjoyed watching Hamilton grow even in the short time they've been here.

Kelly Hilton is a local writer, publicist and yoga teacher.

Kelly Scott is a physical activity specialist with the City of Hamilton department of Public Health Services.

Ken Sills is a physicist and engineer who works and studies at McMaster University. He also is the bass player and singer for the Hamilton band Wednesday's Engine. He served as member-at-large representing Wards 1 and 2 on the Citizens' Forum on Area Rating.

Ken Stone is a veteran trade unionist, environmentalist, and an anti-racist and anti-war activist, resident in Hamilton. Currently, he is the Chair of the Community Coalition Against Racism (Hamilton) and Treasurer of the Hamilton Coalition To Stop The War. He is also active in Environment Hamilton, the 350 Committee, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, and Independent Jewish Voices. He is a retired teacher and postal worker and father of four children.

Kenneth Kelbrook is a seasoned theatre director who has worked all across the nation. Shows in Hamilton include: Doctor Faustus in October of last year at the Pearl Company with Make Art Theatre, The Two Row Wampum performed at Pier Four Park, The Boiler Room Suite with Theatre Terra Nova and many, many years ago, I Ought to be in Pictures at Caesar's Dinner Theatre.

Kenneth Moyle is an analyst at McMaster University, sometime photographer and occasional writer. He has come to love Hamilton. His website is http://kenneth.moyle.ca.

Kent Lee is a urban planning technician currently living in Toronto, but with intentions to return to Hamilton.

Kevin Browne organizes events to connect and help grow Hamilton's technology community such as DemoCampHamilton and StartupDrinks. He is currently a PhD Candidate in computer science at McMaster University researching user interface design for educational tablet software.

Kevin Carmona-Murphy is currently pursuing his Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering at McMaster University. A Toronto native, Kevin came to Hamilton not only for the excellent educational opportunity, but because the city beckoned him in a seductive way. The waterfalls, the red brick houses, the burgeoning arts sector, and numerous brown-field redevelopment sites screamed come to the Hammer! One of his goals in life is to make Hamilton a more recognized and appreciated city.

Kevin Hollingworth is a young Professional Engineer currently employed in the Land Development industry working as a consulting engineer. He studied at McMaster and originally set up shop in the downtown core where he fell in love with the City of Hamilton but eventually drifted out to the suburbs to begin a family.

Kevin is a professional accountant and a retired infantry officer with the Canadian Forces. Kevin keeps encountering people who were students of his father, Dr. Robert Love, who was a professor at MacMaster University from 1977-2008. He lives near Durand Park in Hamilton and is currently Vice-Chair of the Hamilton Cycling Committee.

Kevin Somers is a Hamilton writer.

Kevin Wiens is an engineer by day, an amateur filmmaker and a resident of the Strathcona Neighbourhood in Hamilton. He recently moved back to the Hammer after a few years living in Vancouver. The move seems to be suiting him well.

Kieran C. Dickson is a partner with the downtown Hamilton law firm Evans, Philp LLP. He is the Vice President, External Affairs and Government Relations, of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and has carried out his own heritage property redevelopment projects in the downtown core.

Korry Garvey is a fifth year student in McMaster University's Arts & Science Program. She is an active volunteer at the YWCA, and is passionate about addressing and finding solutions to issues that affect women in Hamilton.

Krista Kruja studies at McMaster and since moving to Hamilton has been falling ever-more-deeply in love with the city. This summer she is working through OPIRG McMaster as a coordinator for the Hamilton Street Tree Project. Follow @TREEs4sTREEts on Twitter for more info.

Kristine Hammill is a native Hamiltonian and M.Sc. candidate at McMaster University studying Aquatic Toxicology. Amongst her many hats, she is currently the Social Media Coordinator for the McMaster Water Network Student Chapter.

Kyle Slote lives in Hamilton with his wife and three children. He works as an architect at TCA Architects and is past Chair of Young Architects Hamilton. He loves his city deeply and will champion its virtues to anyone who will listen. His infrequent tweets are found @kyleslote.

Lakis Polycarpou writes about energy depletion and society on his blog at http://www.nea-polis.net. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Larry Di Ianni is an educator and politician. He was the Mayor of Hamilton from 2003 to 2006, after serving as a Stoney Creek town councillor and a city councillor in the amalgamated City of Hamilton. In recent years he has hosted several programs on Cable 14.

Larry Pattison is a local blogger, life-long resident of Hamilton, and father to two amazing girls. Larry is a former HWDSB Trustees for Ward 3.

Larry Pomerantz is the Chair of Hamilton Civic League.

Larry Strung was trained as a mechanical engineer, and worked in that field for 20 years before following his heart and launching a second career as a commercial photographer. Originally from Toronto, Strung and his family moved to Hamilton in the fall of 2006 following a four-year stint in Liverpool, UK. Best known for his Hamilton 365 project, where he created a portrait of a different individual in this city each day throughout the 2008 calendar year, Strung remains passionate about the revitalization of his adopted city.

Laura Babcock is President and Owner of POWERGROUP Communications Inc, a national communications firm providing branding strategies, corporate communications, professional development training, and multimedia products since 1999.

Laura Babcock is President and Owner of POWERGROUP Communications Inc, a national communications firm providing branding strategies, corporate communications, professional development training, and multimedia products since 1999.

Graham Crawford was raised in Hamilton, moving to Toronto in 1980 where he spent 25 years as the owner of a successful management consulting firm that he sold in 2000. He retired and moved back to Hamilton in 2005 and became involved in heritage and neighbourhood issues. He opened Hamilton HIStory + HERitage on James North in 2007, a multi-media exhibition space (aka a storefront museum) celebrating the lives of the men and women who have helped to shape the City of Hamilton.

Laura Cattari is a Hamiltonian by choice for 24 years, and an advocate specializing in social policy, human rights and poverty. These are her personal thoughts which she is certain will anger everyone, please no one, which suits her just fine.

Laura Farr was born and raised in Hamilton, and loves her city. She has worked for all of the Elected Officials (pretty much) since 2008 at City Hall, and is an engaged citizen who ethically and professionally walks the line between employee and citizen every day. Most recently, she was a candidate in the 2018 municipal election in Ward 3, coming in second place. She is not related to Councillor Jason Farr, and has a Venn diagram to explain to anyone asking.

Entrepreneur by day, waitress by night, passionate Hamiltonian at any hour. Loves old books, small dogs and Dundurn Castle.

Lauren Stephen has a BA in English with a minor in Economics. His PhD dissertation looked to cybernetics and theories of evolution to consider what a post-humanist economics might look like. He is a writer, editor, software developer, and an adjunct professor at Mohawk College.

Leanne Pluthero is a cofounder of Save the Hermitage, a citizens group to protect the Hermitage ruins from demolition.

Lee Edward McIlmoyle writes fiction, songs and reviews. He designs commercial graphics and dabbles in creating comics and video games. You can visit his website.

Les Szamosvari was born and raised in Hamilton. He has held down many jobs, from lumberjack to massage therapist, across Canada. Presently, Les works as a chef and as a musician/songwriter and has used writing to promote businesses and in a role as socialist activist. Les returned to Hamilton in 2005 and has been exploring this peaceful, active city as well as lobbying for a Hamilton CarShare network since returning.

We welcome feedback from our readers and invite you to send a letter to the editor. Please read our submissions policy for details.

Liberty Laine enjoys telling stories of interest and weaving them into current events from a unique perspective and a life lived less ordinary. She understands the value of words and how we choose to use them; to inform, entertain, and to share. She believes that progressiveness and change is a good thing, and knows how to take the fear of change away from others.

Lil Blume is a communication consultant and trainer.

Stephen Dale has written for a range of Canadian and international newspapers and magazines, and is a former documentary maker for CBC Radio.

Lindsay Soomet is a Hamilton-based freelance writer who enjoys dog-walking, latté-sipping, magazine-flipping and more. She holds a joint B.A. in Cultural Anthropology/Philosophy as well as a Certificate in Magazine Publishing.

Lisa Marie DiLiberto is a professional actress and clown and the Artistic Director of FIXT POINT, a theatre company with a mandate to inspire audiences to imagine change. FIXT POINT has a home studio in Parkdale, Toronto but the company has toured original work across Canada, (Toronto, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver) to Graz and Vienna in Austria, to the Prague International Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe and the Isle of Whyte (UK). Lisa Marie is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School, an alumus of Second City and has trained in character, mask, vaudeville and clown with Philippe Gaulier in Paris, France. Lisa Marie animates neighbourhoods through her work in community arts where she is Associate Artistic Director for Jumblies Theatre, and the Artistic Director of Arts4All. This fall, FIXT POINT will be producing THE TALE OF A TOWN in studio and then in association with Theatre Passe Muraille in May 2010. FIXT POINT: DREAM BIG, start small...

Lisa Marie Williams is a research assistant at the Wellesley Institute, a research and policy think tank that focuses on issues of urban health.

Lisa McGlade grew up in Ottawa and has lived in Toronto for the last ten years. She currently works at the Royal Conservatory of Music to pay for her writing habit.

Liz Buchanan is an Ontario Certified Teacher and Public Educator. She leads classroom sessions on Healthy Relationships and Gender-based Violence. Liz is also a theatrical performer and director in Hamilton, and runs the independent theatre company 9M Theatre.

Liz Duval and Walter Furlan live in Ward 3 and operate a business on Barton Street.

Liz is an adventurer, researcher and social media maven. When she isn't researching Hamilton's labour market and working to promote women in skilled trades, she's hiking on the beautiful trails the city has to offer. Liz loves Hamilton and recognizes the businesses and citizens of the city on social media under Shoutouts Hamilton. [Twitter](https://www.instagram.com/sohamont/](https://twitter.com/sohamont). Instagram. LinkedIn.

Lloyd Alter is managing editor of TreeHugger and editor of the Design section. He has been an architect, developer, inventor and prefab promoter. He now writes for green websites TreeHugger and Planet Green, and teaches sustainable design at Ryerson University School of Interior Design. Lloyd is also a Past President of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario.

You can follow Lloyd on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Loren King is an associate professor in the Faculty of Arts at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Lorenzo is a former COO and co-founder of Pownz Games Center Inc, a youth oriented business formally located in downtown Hamilton, Ontario. He is passionate about inspiring leadership and resilience in others and using purpose driven strategic planning to achieve goals. Lorenzo advocates that the entrepreneur will be the labour force of the new economy, with creativity being the new bottom line. Lorenzo has served individuals and organizations as an intrapreneur and business coach over the last several years.

Be awesome.

Lorne Opler is a freelance writer on the side, and has recently moved to Hamilton from Toronto. Coming from a city where anonymity is a way of life, Lorne is amazed by how friendly and approachable people are in Hamilton, and finds himself always telling people from Toronto (who don't know better) what a great place Hamilton is.

Lorne Warwick is a retired high school teacher who spends his time reading, traveling, doing crosswords, volunteering, and becoming increasingly concerned about the state of democracy in Canada.

Lorraine Johnson's most recent book is 100 Easy to Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens, published by Whitecap Books. Contact the yard improvement helpline at garden@greenventure.ca or (905) 540-8787 x18 for answers to your lawn and garden questions. Take a natural approach. With simple steps, you too can transition your yard into an attractive pesticide-free landscape.

Lucas Mascotto-Carbone is an honours history student at McMaster University, an urban activist and a public servant.

Lucien Steil, Nikos A. Salingaros, and Michael W. Mehaffy are the President, Vice-President, and Secretary, respectively, of Katarxis Urban Workshops. Visit the website: http://luciensteil.tripod.com/katarxis/. Nikos A. Salingaros is also a Professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Texas at San Antonio. Visit his website: http://www.math.utsa.edu/~salingar/

Lyla Miklos is an award winning activist, broadcast journalist, creative, education worker, lay chaplain, publicist, and special events organizer.

Lynn Watkins is a beginner writer. She started writing in 2012 and has been writing ever since. Lynn attended Parkview Secondary School. Her favorite subjects were English, sewing and baking. She has her diploma thanks to her Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course Teacher. She graduated High School in 2013 and hopes to have a career in writing.

She Loves writing from her heart and speaking when others can't. She got into writing because of her grandmother, Betty, as she is one of Lynn's major writing influences: Her Grandmother was always writing lyrics. Also her Mom, April, and her Uncle Greg, are two of her major musical influences. When she isn't writing she is often taking photos and she loves photography.

Lynn volunteers at a Church Choir, basically doing whatever is asked of her. You can find her singing in the Choir, and she also has a Scholarship for her Music Classes, which take place every Wednesday at 3:15 pm on Beechwood Avenue in Hamilton, Ontario.

Lynn is currently working on her first book, hopefully to be published in 2014 or 2015. Lynn lives in Hamilton.

M Adrian Brassington is a Hamilton writer.

Mackenzie Kristjon is an Icelandic-Canadian singer-songwriter and all around creative force. He has published numerous books including the award-winning Culinary Saga of New Iceland. He also has roots in community radio at CFRU 93.3 FM in Guelph. To hear/see/download his music, you can visit thismaddesire.bandcamp.com.

Madeleine Verhovsek lives in Kirkendall neighbourhood. She works as a physician at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Maggie Fox lives and works in Dundas. Co-owner of a small custom publications firm specializing in print and web content, she's new to the activist game, and hopes she can make a positive difference in her neighbourhood.

Maggie Hughes hosted The Other Side, a weekly independent podcast. The Other Side looked at the issues that mainstream media tends to downplay or ignore, using interviews and lectures to show the effects that economic, corporate and political policies have on society. Maggie died in November 2012 after a long struggle with multiple sclerosis. The Hamilton Independent Media Awards were established in her honour.

Mahesh P. Butani is a non-architect, and a developer by default. He is involved in re-developing properties in downtown Hamilton; and has an MA in Arts Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC (1986), and bachelors in Architecture from Bombay, India (1982). Currently he is not an architect in Ontario on account of not having enough Canadian Experience; and does not qualify to teach as he carries too much baggage to fit into the Canadian education system. He refuses to be re-trained to fit in, on a matter of principle, and is a passionate disbeliever of icons and self-regulation of professions in Canada - but still maintains his belief in collective self-organizing behavior; and feels that the large swath of intellectual brownfields across Ontario are far more harmful to the economy than the brownfields left over from deindustrialization - and in response has set up a social network called Metropolitan Hamilton. http://metrohamilton.ning.com/

Professor Malcolm Thurlby. PhD, FRHist.S, FSA, teaches art and architectural history at York University, Toronto. His research focuses on Romanesque and Gothic architecture and sculpture in Europe, and 19th- and early 20th-century architecture in Canada. He concurs with John Medley (1804-92), Bishop of Fredericton and champion of the Gothic Revival in New Brunswick, that "some knowledge of Church Architecture ought, surely, to be a part of every liberal education."

Mara McHaffie is an undergraduate student at the University of Guelph, studying wildlife biology and conservation. She was born and raised in Hamilton and is the Hamilton Naturalists' Club Trees Count Technician for 2014.

Marc Risdale is a candidate for Ward 13 (Dundas) in the October 29, 2014 municipal election.

Margaret Ferizis lives in Hamilton.

A mid-career Golden Horseshoe artist and author, Lindsay is available for commissions and assignments via 'mlhpro' at 'hotmail' dot 'com'. See samples at http://canadadaPHOTOGRAPHY.blogspot.com.

Maria Topalovic lives in Hamilton and works as an environmental specialist. She completed a Masters of Engineering and Public Policy at McMaster University where she focused her studies on healthy communities and complete streets. She is an avid runner, part-time cyclist and all around nature lover. She is the Chair of the Hamilton Sustainability Professionals Network and a board member with the Hamilton Conservation Authority. Maria is an optimist about what the future of Hamilton holds - she's hoping for more Complete Streets!

Marianne Daly is a writer, storyteller and retired high school teacher.

Marie Robbins is a candidate for Ward 9 - Heritage Stoney Creek in the 2014 municipal election.

Mark Coakley is a writer, activist and parent in Hamilton's Ward 1.

Mark Fenton lives in Hamilton and works in transportation logistics. He is the author Pim, a children's book for all ages. The eponymous Pim tweets daily @PIMSLIM_. A physical copy of Pim will be published soon and in the meantime Pim is available as a Kindle e-book which you can buy. Mark maintains a website at www.markfenton.ca.

Mark Rejhon lives in Hamilton Ward 3. An IT software developer, home-owner, car-owner, bike-owner, SoBi bike-share user, public transit user, and GO user, he is a big-time advocate for improved transit. Mark frequently tweets about #hamont and transportation at @MDRejhon and leads the Hamilton LRT Advocacy run by local residents. Spouse of Alain Bureau, candidate for Ward 3 city councillor in the 2018 Hamilton municipal election, @ABureauWard3.

Mark Richardson has lived in Hamilton since 1993. He is a Stationary Engineer and is one of Hamilton's many Industrial Nomads. He currently is employed at US Steel.

Mark Robbins is a PhD student in political science at the University of Toronto and a proud resident of downtown Hamilton. You can follow him on Twitter @RoboRobbins.

Martin Hering is a political scientist and preservationist who is interested in architecture and Hamilton's heritage buildings.

Martin Zarate is a software developer who lives in Westdale with his wife and three children.

Marvin Caplan is a former member of Hamilton Council where he served Ward One for nine years. Prior to his election to City Council he was a retailer of fine men's clothing in downtown Hamilton. He was a founding member and past chair of the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area (BIA), president of the Social Planning and Research Council, while on Council he served as Chair of the Public Health Committee, member of the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Chair of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), member of the board of directors of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), member of the board of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, he founded the Immigrant and Refugee Advisory Committee and the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee (GLBT)and was active on the Status of Women Committee, the Disabled Advisory Committee and the Race Relations Committees. He currently practices as a Real Estate Sales Person for Coldwell Banker Pinnacle Real Estate.

Mary Lou Reiman is the chair of the [Kirkendall Neighbourhood Association(http://kirkendallhood.ca/) (KNA)'s Development Review Committee.

Mary Louise Pigott is an armchair urbanist and founding member of the Useful Knowledge Society, whose passion for urban neighbourhoods and public spaces occasionally moves her to write.

You can follow her on twitter at @mlhpigott.

Mary Love is a Hamilton transit rider, writer, bird watcher and hiker who respects the land and Indigenous rights.

Matt Jackson lives and works in downtown Hamilton. He enjoys biking around this great city and hanging out with friends and family. Matt writes a regular bike blog at www.realmenhamilton.tv and helps run bike ride meet-ups around Hamilton.

Jelly is a local artist, graphic designer and map maker living in Downtown Hamilton, Ontario in the Central Neighbourhood. Matt is an advocate for built heritage, toxic waste eradication and the revitalization of downtown Hamilton. www.mattjelly.com

Matt McPeak is the Art Director at factor[e] design initiative, a local design, strategy and technology. He lives and works in downtown Hamilton. On Twitter: https://twitter.com/matt_mcpeak.

Matt Moir is a teacher and journalism student at Sheridan College.

Matt Pinder is a cyclist, driver, transit user, and proud graduate from McMaster University. Currently working as a transportation researcher, he is passionate about the future of mobility.

Matt Pinder is a recent graduate of Mechanical Engineering and Management from McMaster University. He is a passionate believer in https://mattpinderblog.wordpress.com/ and currently lives car-free in Hamilton, where he has quickly become an avid SoBi rider.

Matthew Green is the City Councillor for Ward 3 in Hamilton.

Matthew Sweet is a graduate of Mohawk's Transportation Engineering Technology program and is also a McMaster alumnus. He currently works in Cambridge and lives in Hamilton. If you run into him in public at various transportation related events, please don't bring up his ramblings on RTH comment threads, everyone knows such things don't count in real life.

Matthew is the RTH film and culture critic. He runs The In Between: Moving Pictures and Culture, which you can find inside Sky Dragon at 27 King William Street.

Maureen Wilson is the Councillor for Ward 1 in Hamilton.

Maxine Kendall is a very busy stay at home Mom of three, plus husband, dog, hedgehog and bearded dragon. Too many years ago, she was in the fashion business, but put it aside to take care of her family. She kept my creative side busy making clothes for the children and creating artsy stuff for the house. A couple of years ago, Maxine discovered writing and never looked back. She writes poetry and short fiction, and has almost completed a children's novel.

Meg Smith works as a senior designer at Factor[e] in Hamilton.

Megan and Mike host myboytheriotgirl, a weekly indie/alternative radio show on McMaster University radio station 93.3 CFMU. Megan began hosting myboytheriotgirl as a student in 2003, and in 2004 Mike came to McMaster and joined her on-air. They have been (happily) collaborating ever since.

You can email them at: megan@myboytheriotgirl.com or michael@myboytheriotgirl.com.

Meghan Greaves is a Content and Marketing Strategist in Hamilton. She recently completed her studies at Conestoga College and the University of Guelph where she earned a marketing diploma and degree.

Meredith Broughton is a pastor to students and board member of the Hamilton Civic League. She is completing two graduate programs, one in theology at McMaster Divinity, another in echocardiography at Mohawk. Meredith lives downtown with her husband Jarod and loves showing visitors and newcomers all the good things Hamilton has to offer.

Born at Little Current, Manitoulin Island, May 23, 1949. Resettled to Hamilton in 1949. Schooled at St. John The Baptist, De la Salle Oak lands (Camp), Delta High School and Universe University. Worked as an Operating Engineer, since 1967, Family Construction Business, Baldasaro & MacGregor Ltd. (General Contractors) and with the International Union of Operating Engineers as an out-side Contractor in Stelco, Dofasco, Westinghouse, International Harvester, McCoy and other Foundries. Experienced in road, sewer, water main, tunnel, building construction and demolition. Minister Plenipotentiary, Church of the Universe since 1979. Professor Legal Self Defence, Universe University. Civil, Criminal, Constitutional Litigation. Human Rights Activist since 1967 and an aspiring servant to my fellow human beings, all my life.

Michael Black is a print and media journalist and a soon to be graduate of the Mohawk College 3-year Print and Broadcast Journalism program. You can visit his website.

Michael Borrelli is a social researcher living with his family in Hamilton's North End. He tweets @BaysideBadger.

Michael Canton's passion is to combine writing, drawing, photography and video to tell stories. He is the creator of Tech Talk X, a web-series dedicated to highlighting tech and creative startups in the Hamilton region. He is also the new social media manager for the Independent Webseries Creators of Canada. You can visit his website and follow him on Twitter @MichaelCantonVM.

Michael Cumming is a designer, writer and photographer concerned about sustainable design and urban development. He has training in Architecture and Computational Design and has lived in several cities in Canada, the US and Europe. He is delighted to have settled with his wife and two children in the Strathcona neighbourhood of Hamilton. You can view his website or follow him on Twitter.

Michael Desnoyers is co-chair of Hamiltonians for Progressive Development. He is also the founder, president and CEO of Etratech, a successful high tech business.

Michael Desnoyers and Jack Santa-Barbara are the Chair and Co-chair, respectively, of Hamiltonians for Progressive Development, an organization dedicated to a progressive approach to city planning and development with an emphasis on Vision 2020.

Michael Druker is from the US, but now makes his home in Kitchener-Waterloo after completing two degrees at the University of Waterloo. He is active on urban issues in Waterloo Region, including as part of the Tri-Cities Transport Action Group (TriTAG) and as a co-founder of Open Data Waterloo Region. Michael has served on the board of Community CarShare since 2010, and currently is Treasurer as well as chair of the Kitchener-Waterloo Action Committee.

Writer Michael Nabert has been a dedicated environmentalist for three decades, won an environmentalist of the year award for it, and reached an audience of millions online. He doesn't care whether you believe him personally, but if you don't believe the consensus of the world's experts, you might want to ask yourself why that is.

Michael P. Clarke is a lawyer in Hamilton. He has been involved in several successful renovation projects on James Street North, including the redevelopment of the Hotel Hamilton into artists studios and a thriving coffee shop.

Michelle Hruschka is a member of the CAWDB (Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits) co-chair of the sub committee, Food Security Issues, and involved with the Income Security Working Group. She has been actively trying to organize temp workers and is the chair for the Temp Workers Rghts/Action Group. Her dream is to have a Workers' Centre here in the city.

Michelle Martin lives in Hamilton. The opinions she expresses in Raise the Hammer are her own.

Myke Hutchings is a musician, writer, photographer, foodie and coffee addict.

Nada Bunjevac is a Burlington native who is attending McMaster University in Hamilton.

Narayan Donaldson is a fourth-year Urban Planning student at the University of Waterloo, currently working in Hamilton for a four month work term. Originally from the suburbs of Toronto, he became active in his adopted community of Waterloo, campaigning for Dutch-quality bicycle infrastructure along with the group WaterlooBikes. You can read a more detailed bio.

Natalie Bull is the Executive Director of the Heritage Canada Foundation. She is happiest when doing porch repairs or glazing windows at her 1840s farmhouse in New Brunswick, which was saved from demolition by her first act of heritage activism.

Ned Nolan lives with his family near the Pearl Street bridge and is a lawyer with the downtown firm Nolan Ciarlo, LLP.

Nicholas Kevlahan was born and raised in Vancouver, and then spent eight years in England and France before returning to Canada in 1998. He has been a Hamiltonian since then, and is a strong believer in the potential of this city. Although he spends most of his time as a mathematician, he is also a passionate amateur urbanist and a fan of good design. You can often spot him strolling the streets of the downtown, shopping at the Market. Nicholas is the spokesperson for Hamilton Light Rail.

Nick Tomkin is a web developer who works and lives in Hamilton with his wife, a few cute pets and a robot or two.

Nick Tsergas is a Registered Nurse in the areas of Community Health and Sexual Health. He is an active community volunteer and has also worked as a political consultant across the partisan spectrum. His author bio is jealous of John Neary's. You can follow Nick on Twitter @nicktsergas_af.

Nicole Smith is the Director at Hamilton West End Kumon, as well as the president of the independent North American Kumon franchisee association, IAKF.

Nik Garkusha is an open data and open source geek, technology evangelist and consultant. He is the founder of OpenHalton.ca. He is also the Open Source Strategy Lead at Microsoft (Port25.ca).

Nikos A. Salingaros is a professor of mathematics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, as well as a noted urbanist and architectural theorist. You may visit his website.

Noelle Allen is the publisher of Wolsak and Wynn and the chair of the board for gritLIT: Hamilton's Literary Festival.

Norma LaForme is a person with disability who lives on Hamilton Mountain. Norma works with people with disabilities and is a trained counsellor. Norma is involved in the Chamber of Commerce.

Nrinder Nann is Councillor for Ward 3 in Hamilton. Maureen Wilson is Councillor for Ward 1 in Hamilton.

An avid cyclist with an interest in human transportation, Oliver Veit lives and works in Hamilton's Ward 3.

Paige Louter is a recent graduate of Redeemer University College, where she received a BA in Theatre and Writing. In the fall, she is heading to the National University of Ireland to pursue an MA in Theatre.

Paris Rutherford IV, AICP is the Vice President of Planning and Urban Design at RTKL Associates, an architecture firm based on New Urbanist principles.

Patrick Brennan is the artistic director of Public Utility Performance. Public Utility Performance wishes to support a broad variety of performance in Hamilton, Ontario and the surrounding area. PUP grew out of Patrick Brennan technical, managerial and design practice. Recent projects span theatre, film and dance in the professional, community and educational arenas. A need for support of site specific and community arts has arisen out of his involvement with the Downtown Arts Centre. PUP hopes to provide dance and performance artists in Hamilton with both the opportunity to develop new skills and explore new areas of expression and design.

Patti Encinas is a single mom of two teenagers living and working in the ward 3 neighbourhood of Hamilton. Patti was born in New Brunswick but has largely called Hamilton home since 1971. She has been working in hospital support services for 18 years.

Patti Turnbull grew up in Binbrook. After traveling the world and living in the USA and Europe, decided to come home and again become a resident of Ward 11. She's actively involved in the Right to Play Charity, Hamilton's Chamber of Commerce and Solar Renewable Energy.

Paul J. Bedford FCIP, RPP is the Chief City Planner Emeritus for the City of Toronto and a passionate advocate of transit and city building throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Paul Bedford is an Adjunct Professor of City Planning at the University of Toronto and Ryerson University and an Urban Mentor with Paul Bedford & Associates in Toronto, which includes proactive involvement in a wide variety of public planning issues in numerous capacities primarily within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

He is a member of the Waterfront Toronto Urban Design Review Panel, a member of the National Capital Commission Planning Advisory Committee in Ottawa, and a futures columnist in the Ontario Planning Journal and a Senior Associate of the Canadian Urban Institute. He is also a member of the CAMH Property Committee guiding the long-term redevelopment of the Queen Street Mental Health and Addiction Facility.

He is a member of the Metrolinx Board of Directors.

Paul Glendenning is a Hamilton writer and activist.

Paul Johnson is the Chair of the Steering Committee for the Citizens' Forum on Area Rating. In his day job, he is the executive director of Wesley Urban Ministries.

Paul Shaker is an urban planner and a co-founder of the Centre for Community Study, a Hamilton-based urban research organization.

Paul is the founder of Ward 3 Residents Association, Parade of the Pumpkins and other community-based events. He lives in Ward 3 close to Ivor Wynne Stadium/Scott Park and ran in the 2010 Hamilton Municipal Election, finishing second to incumbent Councillor Bernie Morelli.

Paul Vicari lives in Hamilton with his family and works as a web developer in Toronto.

Paul Weinberg is a Hamilton-based freelance journalist and the editor of an upcoming collection, Reclaiming Hamilton: Essays from the Ambitious City. He is also a member of Environment Hamilton.

Paul Wilson wrote for The Spectator for a long time and CBC Hamilton for a short time. Twitter: @PaulWilsonInHam

Peter Hill has served on the Boards of Hamilton Children's Aid Society, Amity Goodwill Industries, Haldimand & Area Woodlot Owners' Association, Ontario Woodlot Association, and many other community committees. He was inducted into the McMaster Alumni Gallery of Distinction in 1991. He is a Past-President of the Durand Neighbourhood Association, Hamilton Public Relations Society, Lupus Society of Hamilton and was the founding Business Co-chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth Training Board. He served as President of the Dundas Valley Orchestra in 2009-2010 and 2012-2013. He has served on the city's Urban Advisory Committee and was a member of Hamilton's Rapid Transit Citizens' Advisory Committee (2010-2012). He holds a Master's degree in Geography. Now retired, he was Associate Registrar at McMaster University where he initiated its student recruitment activity and, subsequently, Director of Public Relations at the Hamilton Civic Hospitals where he initiated its community communications programs.

Among his many contributions to social justice and environmental sustainability, Peter Hutton represents the Hamilton Social Justice Coalition at the Hamilton Roundtable on Poverty Reduction, is the treasurer of Hamiltonians for Progressive Development and the Hamilton Transit Users Group, serves as a member of the city's Transit Steering Committee, volunteers with Hamilton Light Rail and is also involved with the city's low-income transit subsidy program.

Peter lives near Bayfront Park in Hamilton's historic North End. He enjoys writing about sustainable possibilities and the local benefits that result. Peter is the Green Party of Ontario Candidate for Hamilton Centre.

Praesto Presto is a political analyst working in the non-profit sector at the federal level. Formerly residing in Ottawa, she has returned to Hamilton, where municipal affairs are once again grabbing her attention. She understands the minefield of federal politics well enough to prefer a pseudonym.

R. (Rob) William Patry is a published author (Pinnacle of Vandalism (A selection of thoughts, feelings and musings) ­ISBN 978-0-9918166-7-5), blogger and consultant. A passionate writer with a biting sense of humour. His work includes broadcasting and freelance. You can visit his website or follow him on Twitter @rwilliampatry.

Ramzy Baroud is an author and editor of www.palestinechronicle.com. His work has been published in many newspapers and journals worldwide. His latest book is The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People's Struggle (Pluto Press, London).

Randy Kay is a volunteer with OPIRG McMaster's Transportation for Liveable Communities (TLC) working group. http://www.tlchamilton.org/

Ray Fullerton is a Hamiltonian for life. Educated at Barton S.S. and McMaster University, he enjoyed a life-long learning career at Dofasco as a Research Engineer. Ray has recently retired and become an engaged citizen in civic politics.

Ray Lawlor is a professional student living in downtown Toronto who follows urban and particularly transit issues in his free time. He is also an avid cyclist, environmentalist, reader and film fan.

Reg Beaudry was the owner of THREE 16 lounge in downtown Hamilton. He was the creator, editor, publisher and design artist of the original urbanicity magazine.

Toronto-born, Hamilton-raised, Rene has been a Hamilton and area resident for over 35 years. He has been politically engaged for over 20 years and is continually looking at the world around him. The Mohawk College graduate currently works as an independent IT consultant. Visit his blog.

Rev Ian Sloan is minister of New Vision United Church, and a resident of Ward 3.

Rich Gelder is an educator who lives in Dundas with his partner, Catherine, and two sons, Liam and Jamie. He commutes by bicycle and cares passionately about bicycles, track and field and all things Hamilton.

Richard Joy is the executive director of the Urban Land Institute Toronto District Council.

Richard Register is an internationally-recognized urban design specialist and activist. He is the founder and President of Ecocity Builders, a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmentally-responsible urban development through public education and consulting with governments and planners.

Richard White is an experienced everyday tourist. Over the past 30 years, his "day job" has taken him from scientist to director/curator of a public art gallery to executive director of downtown business association to director of 3D animation studio to consultant. All the while – when travelling for work or pleasure – he honed his flaneuring skills. He writes for Everyday Tourist, and you can follow him on Twitter @everydaytourist.

Rob Fiedler is a member of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association executive. Expresses himself in a 280 characters or less @rsfiedler.

Rob Fiedler is a member of the Beasley Neighbourhood Association executive. Expresses himself in a 280 characters or less @rsfiedler.

Shawn Selway is a Stelco trained millwright who runs a consultancy in the interpretation and conservation of historic machinery. He lives in the North End with his family.

Rob Porter is the Field Events Director with the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, an avid birder, and is also Co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Weever Apps. You can follow him on Twitter @rgeraldporter.

Rob Rombouts lives in Ward 3 and works in Ward 2, as a marketing professional. He is committed to active transport, through all sorts of weather.

Robert Fick is a local health and social economics/policy researcher and author.

Robert Yates is an artist living in Hamilton. His website: robertclarkyates.weebly.com.

Robin De Danann is a hobbyist writer, born and raised in Hamilton. Local history is one of her favourite topics of study.

Roger Lambert was born in Hamilton in 1947 and lived most of his childhood years in the north end. Six years after high school, he was hired nto the Woodward Ave. wastewater treatment plant. He completed a certificate program for environmental studies at Mohawk College and passed the fourth class operator's exam from the Ministry of the Environment and Energy. He is presently retired, but still active in the environmental field, particularly, wastewater treatment.

Roland Dube is married with two children. He was born and raised in Hamilton. He has lived in the North End, East End, and Mountain, and now resides in Stoney Creek Mountain. He attended St Jean de Brebeuf High School and attended a professional "Organizational Behaviour" program at McMaster University. Professionally he has worked most of his adult life in sales, marketing and business develompent, and worked as VP of business develompent with an international health care recruiting firm. His last job before starting Rolly Rockets BBQ was with a development company researching and negotiating the purchases of developable property in Ontario, so he is somewhat familiar with the business practices of various municipalities in Southern Ontario.

Roland Tanner lives and works in Burlington, where he has been a community volunteer for municipal and provincial causes for over a decade. You can visit his website.

Ron Marini is a life-long resident of Hamilton and he spent his early years in Ward 4. He is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and a seasoned urban planner. He is the former Director of Planning for the City of Stoney Creek where he served for 23 years. After amalgamation in 2001, Ron was appointed the Director of Downtown and Community Renewal for the new City of Hamilton where, over a 10 year period, he developed the suite of financial incentives designed to spur development within Downtown Hamilton, the Community Downtowns, and 13 Business Improvement Areas across the city. Ron views LRT as the future as it will make Hamilton an even better place to attract knowledge workers and the creative class. Ron is married and lives in Ward 6.

Rosario Marchese is the MPP for Trinity-Spadina and the Ontario NDP Critic for Urban Transportation. You can follow him on Twitter @RMarcheseMPP.

Roy J. Adams, McMaster University Emeritus Professor, is Executive Director of the Hamilton Civic Coalition a group of community leaders dedicated to realizing the city's potential.

You can read about Raise the Hammer.

Rudo de Ruijter is an independent analyst based in The Netherlands.

Ryan Barath is the Community Outreach Coordinator at PATH Employment and proud Hamiltonian focused on community and economic growth.

Ryan Danks is a Project Engineer for a wind engineering consulting company. After living in Stoney Creek for many years he and his fiancée are now enjoying all Ward 2 has to offer.

Ryan Janssen was born and raised here in Hamilton - living first in Dundas, then in Westdale, and now in the downtown core. He is currently finishing a Masters degree in Toronto, working in Mississauga, and living in Hamilton.

Ryan Klamot is a lifelong Hamiltonian, recent university graduate, and entrepreneur and business owner. His company, Klamot Global, in partnership with Netfuel, a Toronto design agency, recently launched RateMyGovernment.ca across Canada.

Ryan McGreal, the editor of Raise the Hammer, lives in Hamilton with his family and works as a programmer, writer and consultant. Ryan volunteers with Hamilton Light Rail, a citizen group dedicated to bringing light rail transit to Hamilton. Ryan wrote a city affairs column in Hamilton Magazine, and several of his articles have been published in the Hamilton Spectator. His articles have also been published in The Walrus, HuffPost and Behind the Numbers. He maintains a personal website, has been known to share passing thoughts on Twitter and Facebook, and posts the occasional cat photo on Instagram.

Ryan McInally currently works full-time for the Peel District School supporting at risk and troubled youth. Ryan has a formal education in Journalism and Special Education. He's a technology enthusiast, writer, educator, perpetual student, traveller, politically interested, whiskey drinker, and lover of cinema. You can connect with him at @ryancancreate on Instagram or @ryanmcinally_ on Twitter. Originally from Mississauga, he now calls Hamilton his home.

Ryan Moran was born and raised in Hamilton's Strathcona neighbourhood. After obtaining an MBA in strategic marketing at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University, where he also did a Bachelors of Arts in a combined major of Political Science and Theatre & Film, he joined the staff of factor[e] design initiative as their Marketing Communications Specialist.

Professionally, Ryan has been engaged with a number of consulting projects, particularly pertaining to topics of youth community development, marketing and social engagement, through both electronic and interpersonal means. He has previously worked for the McMaster Students Union, and ArcelorMittal Dofasco, and is a former chair of Hamilton Hive.

Ryan M. Sero is a playwright, actor, and artistic director of Make Art Theatre. He lives in the North End with his wife Jody and daughter Pippa.

Saira Peesker is an ace reporter who covers politics, business and current events. Her work has appeared on YourHamiltonBiz, OpenFile and CTVNews.ca, among others. When not snooping for scoops, she skates in counter-clockwise circles with Toronto Roller Derby's all-star team, CN Power. You can follow her on Twitter @SairaPeesker.

Sajid Pathan, is a member of "The Escarpment Project" team, lives in Ancaster with his family, passionate about nature and loves exploring the trails along the beautifully diverse Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton. He is the Co-founder of Business Analytics Consulting Group, a focused data analytics service provider located at McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton.

Sam Merulla is the City Councillor for Ward 4 in Hamilton.

Sam Nabi is studying Planning and International Development at the University of Waterloo. He has researched transportation, housing, and civic engagement issues in Hamilton and Toronto. An occasional Hamilton resident, he loves biking the escarpment trails.

Santo Barbieri is a stay home dad and long time resident of the Strathcona neighbourhood.

Sara Mayo is a Social Planner, Geographic Information Systems with the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton.

Sarah Wayland is a Hamiltonian, mother, and part-time civil servant. She moved to Canada to marry her husband John, whom she met at the University of Maryland while pursuing a PhD in political science.

Sarah Warry-Poljanski is a local education, political, and social activist and ran in the 2014 election for public trustee. She is the mother of two school-aged children. You can follow her on twitter @sarahwpoljanski.

Scott Koblyk has been a member of the BARC Board of Directors for nine years and is currently serving his sixth year as BARC president. A lifelong Hamiltonian, Scott is a writer and consultant.

Sean Burak was born in Hamilton but raised elsewhere in Ontario. He returned to his birth town at the turn of the century and has never looked back. Sean is the owner of Downtown Bike Hounds.

Sean Marshall is a geographer, writer, and an active transportation activist living in Toronto (but a frequent visitor to Hamilton.) He's an occasional contributor to Spacing and Torontoist an a co-founder of Walk Toronto. His personal blog can be found at seanmarshall.ca.

Shahzi Bokhari, a bachelor of social work graduate from McMaster University, is a grassroots community organizer who is a co-organizer of the Women's March Hamilton as well as a social justice and racial equity advocate.

Shannon Kyles runs ontarioarchitecture.com, is an executive member of Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, has taught History of Architecture at Mohawk College for 32 years, does the architecture column on CBC's Fresh Air and has written for Arabella and Acrorn magazines.

Shawn Selway is a Stelco trained millwright who runs a consultancy in the interpretation and conservation of historic machinery. He lives in the North End with his family.

Sheena Sharp is the president of the Ontario Association of Architects. She is a principal at Coolearth Architecture Inc, specializing in environmentally sustainable design.

Shekar Chandrashekar is a Canadian of Indian decent and has lived in Hamilton for over 50 years. For over 34 years he worked in local Government. He has been married to his Canadian wife for over 43 years. They have two daughters. Shekar continues to be very interested in local, national and international politics, literature and art.

Sheri Crawford, ARIDO, IDC, NCIDQ, BCIN is an interior designer based in Hamilton. Her area of expertise ranges from corporate/commercial office design, medical clinics, and adaptive re-use designs, the latter for which she was awarded a Hamilton Architecture and Design Award of Merit in 2007. In addition to practice, she is a part time professor at Sheridan College in the Interior Design Degree & Interior Decorating Diploma programs.

Sheri Selway is a long time resident of the North End and current President of North End Neighbours. A retired elementary public school teacher in central Hamilton, Sheri currently is a fitness instructor at the YWCA Hamilton.

Shiona Mackenzie is a communications professional with 17 years of international experience and a lifelong love of music.

Simon Carroll is a husband, father and singer, living and playing in the Hammer.

Simon Geoghegan lives in Hamilton with his wife and three sons. In addition to being active in the community with Hamilton CarShare and Hamilton Out of the Cold, Simon is also a Leadership Coach and Partner in Epiphany Coaches Inc. He is also a member and volunteer with the Green Party of Canada.

Simon Kiss is a political science professor at Wilfrid Laurier University.

Simon Orpana is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of English and Film Studies, University of Alberta. He is the co-author of Showdown!: Making Modern Unions.

Entrepreneur, urbanist, tech community organizer.

Sonja Macdonald is co-founder and research director at the Centre for Community Study. Sonja coordinates the Hamilton Media Project, which seeks to expand the local media diversity in the Hamilton region.

Sonja Macdonald and Paul Shaker are Co-Directors of the Centre for Community Study, a Hamilton-based, not-for-profit organization focused on the research, development, and implementation of public policy.

Sophie Geffros is a researcher in Health and Aging at McMaster University, and a longtime housing and transit advocate. Sophie ran for Hamilton Council for Ward 1 in 2018.

The Southwest Ad-hoc Bike Committee is a committee of residents and stakeholders from Durand and Kirkendall neighbourhoods formed to work with the City to support better cycling infrastructure.

Stavros Rougas lives in Hamilton and works in media.

Stephanie Bertolo Bertolo is the Vice President (Education) of the McMaster Students Union. She is a graduate of McMaster University and holds a B.Arts Sc. (Honours). Stephanie is lifelong resident of Hamilton.

Stephanie Shuster is the Creative Manager at Innovation Factory, heading up their marketing, communications, design, social media, and events. Before coming to iF, she was manager of the marketing and communications department at Theatre Aquarius, wrote op/ed for The Province newspaper, and directed plays for Black Box Fire. Stephanie came Hamilton from Vancouver to study at McMaster University, where she earned a Combined Honours BA in Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Communication Studies, and is proud to have made Hamilton her home, residing downtown where she lives with her husband and her espresso machine.

Stephanie Trendocher is the Co-founder of Beaux Mondes, Marketing Coordinator at the provincial transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, member of the Tourism Hamilton Advisory Committee, transit geek, nostalgist, lover of print, scribbler of thoughts and day dream believer.

Stephanie Vegh is the executive director of the Hamilton Arts Council.

Stephen Barath works at the CanmetMATERIALS laboratory on the McMaster Innovation Park campus, and lives in Kirkendall North. He is a newcomer to Hamilton, having moved here with his wife Jen from Kitchener in 2012.

Stephen Dale's latest book is Noble Illusions: Young Canada Goes to War (Fernwood Books, 2014). He has written for a range of Canadian and international newspapers and magazines, and is a former documentary maker for CBC Radio.

Stephen Otto is a Toronto-based historian who once lived in Hamilton and retains a great interest in its history. A former head of Ontario's heritage conservation programs, he has written widely on biographical and architectural subjects, notably in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, and as revising editor of Eric Arthur's Toronto: No Mean City. His most recent book, Robert Wetherell and Dundurn: An Architect in Early Hamilton, was published by Heritage Hamilton in 2004. The preceding piece on F.J. Rastrick is based on a slide lecture he gave to a meeting of the Head of the Lake Historical Society in March, 2003.

Steven Toth lives in Hamilton.

Steven Watts is a local environmentalist who is attempting to raise awareness about ecological issues in the city. His goal it to highlight environmental initiatives around the city and expose ecological concerns that deserve attention.

Stewart Klazinga is a Vincent neighbourhood resident and was a crossing guard for the 2017-2018 school year. He has also been nominated for City Councillor of Ward 5 for the upcoming municipal election in Hamilton. You can visit his website.

Stuart Trew is the Trade campaigner for the Council of Canadians. He lives in Hamilton.

Sue Yarwood is a mother of two amazing girls, is prone to wandering the streets of Hamilton sticking things in boxes and is a huge fan of Fringe.

S. J. Creer. B.A. Susan has been volunteering since she was a teen. She is a community advocate with a focus on disability and poverty concerns. Her background includes professional speaking, theatre (professional and community), writing (op/ed, blogging, Linkedin), teaching, event planning.

Susana is a former Hamiltonian, mother of four kids, living in downtown Toronto. She is married to regular RTH contributer Ben Bull.

Sylvia Nickerson is an artist and illustrator. You can visit her personal website.

T.S. Ritchie was born, raised and educated in Hamilton, Ontario. Over the past 35 years I have become involved in owning and renovating properties in the lower city. I have been quite sad with the state of my city and urban core rotting away. A recent upsurge of creative interest has shown a glimmer of hope; it needs to be nurtured.

Tanya Ritchie is an immigrant who moved to Hamilton ten years ago and lives in Ward 3. She is the co-owner of Hamilton Guest House, Hamilton's only backpackers' hostel.

Taylor Sutherland is a resident of Ward 2.

Ted Mitchell is a Hamilton resident, emergency physician and sometimes agitator who recently completed a BEng at McMaster University. He is fascinated by aspects of our culture that are harmful, but avoid serious public discussion.

Ted Trainer is a professor in the School of Social Work, University of New South Wales. His main interests have been global problems, sustainability issues, radical critiques of the economy, alternative social forms and the transition to them. He has written numerous books and articles on these topics, including, The Conserver Society: Alternatives for Sustainability, Saving the Environment: What It Will Take, and What Should We Do?. He is also developing Pigface Point, an alternative lifestyle educational site near Sydney. Visit his website: http://www.arts.unsw.edu.au/tsw/

Lived in Hamilton’s Ward 2 for over 14 years. Almost 30 years experience in politics, including: eight years on Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities and its Sub-Committees; seven years on Accessibility Advisory Committee for Metrolinx; and other committees.

Terry Cooke is the President and CEO of Hamilton Community Foundation.

Terry Leach is Chair of the Political Action Committee of the Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits, Hamilton.

Terry Whitehead is the Councillor for Ward 8 (West Mountain).

Theresa Nicholson lives in the Central neighbourhood of Hamilton. She's been a home based caregiver for the past 10 years and has been President of Central Neighbourhood Association for three years. Before that, she was an active participant in the group.

Thom Oommen is passionate about building truly sustainable communities. But far from technological solutions and other flights of fancy, he believes that the only way to build a just and ecologically responsible community is to embrace frugality and simplicity. He is currently focusing on actively learning the skills that will enable him and his community to face an unknown future with a measure of confidence. Check out his blog.

Thomas Bernacki was born and raised in Hamilton, and is now raising his family in the city he loves. He is a McMaster graduate, a professional engineer, and a daily bike-commuter between his home in the Strathcona neighbourhood and his downtown workplace. As a car driver, a cyclist and a pedestrian – and especially as a father of two young sons – he hopes to see some intelligent changes to our transportation network, so that all users of our public spaces have an equal opportunity to safely explore and enjoy our city.

Bio: Thomas Wilson is songwriter in Hamilton. He released a CD in 2007 with his wife Sarah, entitled Long Songs and Sinner Ballads. His music can be heard on his MySpace page. He also runs a songwriting workshop in downtown Hamilton called Forge.

Tim O'Shea is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at McMaster University and a member of the Hamilton Social Medicine Support Team (HAMSMaRT).

Timothy R. Trebilcock has been living and writing on Canada's West Coast for 25 years. He has written articles for newspapers and magazines. He currently lives between Hamilton, Ontario and Victoria, British Columbia.

Toby Yull is a consulting interior designer in Dundas. Prior to her design career, she was a municipal employee in three cities. A candidate for city council in the 2014 election and a longtime Spec freelancer, Toby finds it difficult not to comment on civic affairs.

Todd Litman is founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute, an independent research organization dedicated to developing innovative solutions to transport problems. His work helps to expand the range of impacts and options considered in transportation decision-making, improve evaluation techniques, and make specialized technical concepts accessible to a larger audience. His research is used worldwide in transport planning and policy analysis.

Mr. Litman is author of the Online TDM Encyclopedia, a comprehensive Internet resource for identifying and evaluating mobility management strategies. He has worked on numerous studies that evaluate the costs and benefits of various transportation services and activities. He authored Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis: Techniques, Estimates and Implications, a comprehensive study of transport impacts, which provides cost and benefit information in an easy-to-apply format.

Todd is active in several professional organizations, including the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Transportation Research Board (a section of U.S. National Academy of Sciences) and the Centre for Sustainable Transportation. He is a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of Transportation Research A, a professional journal.

Tom Cooper is the Director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction.

Tom Mackan is Publisher and editor of NEWZY BITZ, an online Community Theatre newsletter in the GHA, with over 200 subscribers. He is a Member of the Board, Theatre Burlington; an actor and director in GHA Community Theatre for fifty years; winner of over 25 awards and citations in the Western Ontario region and beyond; recipient of 2007 City of Hamilton Arts Award (Theatre); a Graduate of Canadian Theatre School (Sterndale Bennett) Toronto, 1955; and a retired teacher of English and Drama in public and private schools in the GHA and abroad.

Tom Shea is a lifelong Hamiltonian. He is a teacher with the HWDSB, and spends his evenings writing music, poetry, and essays on how to improve things.

Tomasz Wiercioch is a Project Coordinator with the Burlington Green Environmental Association.

Tony Turrittin is the Vice President of Transport Action Ontario and the Secretary of Transport Action Canada. He is an Associate Professor Emeritus in the Department of Sociology at York University.

Toon Dreessen Architect, OAA, MRAIC, AIA, LEED AP is the president of the Ontario Association of Architects. He is committed to cultivating an engaging dialogue with the public about the value of architecture to society. President of the Ottawa-based firm Farrow Dreessen Architects Inc, based in Ottawa, Mr. Dreessen has spearheaded the execution of a wide variety projects in commercial, retail, office, industrial and institutional settings throughout his career.

Transportation for Liveable Communities is an all-volunteer Sustainable Transportation advocacy group, founded in Hamilton in 2000. TLC supports walking, cycling, transit and other alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle use.

Trey lives in Williamsville NY via Hamilton. He is a Marketing Manager for Tourism and Destination Marketing in the Buffalo-Niagara Metro.

His essays have appeared in The Energy Bulletin, Post Carbon Institute, Peak Oil Survival, and Tree Hugger.

And can't wait for the day he stops hearing "on facebook".

Tyler Collins moved to Hamilton in 2011. He lives in the West End and works downtown.

Tyler Pearson is managing partner and co-founder of Malleum Partners, a private equity fund based in Hamilton.

Ulduz Maschaykh is an art/urban historian with an interest in architecture, design and the impact of cities on people’s lives. Through her international studies in Bonn (Germany), Vancouver (Canada) and Auckland (New Zealand) she has gained a diverse and intercultural understanding of cultures and cities. She is the author of the book—The Changing Image of Affordable Housing: Design, Gentrification and Community in Canada and Europe.

Undustrial is a writer, tinkerer, activist and father who lives in Hamilton's North End. He chooses to remain pseudonymous as he frequently works with much of Hamilton's Development industry.

Ute Schmid-Jones is a candidate for mayor in the 2018 Hamilton municipal election.

Victor North was raised in a small village outside of Ottawa. Since then, he has spent significant time in Windsor Ontario, Gumi South Korea, and Toronto Ontario before settling down in Hamilton. He lives in Corktown with his wife and son where he enjoys craft beer and long boards.

Viv Saunders has loved living in six different wards of Hamilton. She is a Chartered Life Underwriter, Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant, wife, mother of two and has recently been utilizing her life experiences to become an informed and actively engaged citizen.

Walter Furlan is a lifelong cyclist and has ridden his bike in many capacities throughout the world. He was born and raised in Hamilton's east end, where he began to work in the steel mills alongside his father. He attended McMaster part-time in the evening and received a BA in social science. He is now a heritage conservation restorer, assessing and restoring historic buildings and landscapes. He is in training at The School of Restoration Arts at Willowbank in Niagara on the Lake. Walter advocates for those who cycle in this city because of choice or circumstance. He believes in the 8-80 idea: that our streets should be safe for an eight- or eighty-year-old to navigate. He is a former member of the Hamilton Cycling Committee and has served as its chair.

Wayne MacPhail has been involved in creating online community, collaboration, conversation since the early 1980s when he created the first hypermedia journalism in Canada. He is a former photographer and managing editor for Hamilton Magazine and a reporter and editor with the Hamilton Spectator. He went on to lead Southam Inc’s exploration of future information products at Southam InfoLab, and helped to design the first polypublishing toolset for newspapers in Canada. He then co-created a comedy site for AOL Canada that had a robust international community and fanbase.

Since then he has created online content for major online network players in Canada (including AOL, CANOE, MSN and Bell-Emergis). As Director of Content for Sympatico-Lycos he introduced rich content and powerful discussion forums for the cross-Canada site. Wayne has also launched discussion forums internal and externally for York University, Centennial College and the Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario (ASO). He teaches online journalism at the University of Western Ontario and Ryerson University and is a published playwright and book author.

Wayne is also an avid runner, cyclist, photographer, videographer and gardener and lives with his wife, Barb, on Ray Street North in Hamilton. He has his own emerging media consultancy, w8nc inc., whose clients include University of Toronto, McMaster University, Random House, The Association of Science and Technology Centres and the Association of Ontario Health Centres.

Born in 1903, Wentworth Stairs has seen a number of advancements over the past century. From its original wooden steps, the stairs were improved in 1983 by replacing the original material with metal. Beginning with 570 steps, Wentworth Stairs now boasts a mighty and efficient 498 steps, and even has its own independently run Twitter account @WentworthStairs. This quirky, upbeat staircase loves to champion your activity and wants to see you invest some time in sharing what you think its next improvement should be. After all, what's good for the citizen is good for the city.

William Guyatt is a Hepatitis C Peer Support Worker.

Yen Graham came to Canada as a Vietnamese refugee in the 1980s.

Yvonne Woodley is a writer, researcher, editor and broadcaster as well as a passionate advocate for her adopted hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.

Zachary Spicer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Brock University. He lives in Hamilton and golfs regularly (but is still pretty bad at it). You can follow him on twitter @ZacSpicer.

Zachary Strong is a lifelong Hamilton resident, and an Engineering Physics & Management graduate from McMaster University. He is a marketer, entrepreneur, and writer who is passionate about good design and education. His Twitter handle is @BusiestBrain.

Zena Hagerty is a filmmaker at HamiltonSeen and a singer-songwriter in Sublimatus.