Raise the Hammer
Mississauga Leads on LRT While Hamilton Dithers
Does Mayor Bratina really believe that languid take-it-or-leave-it passivity is a winning political strategy?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published January 31, 2013 in Special Report: Light Rail (55 comments)
2013 State of the City
The text of Mayor Bob Bratina's third state of the city address.
by Bob Bratina
Published January 30, 2013 in Feature (17 comments)
Portland Bureau of Transportation on Traffic Management
Portland doesn't have 'best place to raise a child' as its official slogan, but they are light years ahead of us in achieving that goal.
by Jason Leach
Published January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (31 comments)
Hamilton's Car-Centric Infrastructure Strikes Again
Each one of these deadly automobile-centric intersections represents negligence on behalf of the city, putting road users at risk with a benefit to no one.
by Sean Burak
Published January 25, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (89 comments)
Failed Cafe Oranje Bid for Lister Space Highlights Process Issues
We hope that by shining a light on the issues that we had, we can prevent another small business from going through what we did, by encouraging City staff to develop procedures, deadlines and accountability to those procedures.
by Amy Gringhuis and Christopher Godwaldt
Published January 25, 2013 in Commentary (37 comments)
Community Engagement Missing from Sanford Decision
It is blatantly obvious that the decision to demolish Sanford School was already a done deal and the people of ward 3 had not been informed and certainly not part of process.
by Glenna Jones
Published January 24, 2013 in Special Report: Education (15 comments)
Architecture Conservancy Calls on Province to Protect Gore Buildings
The Architecture Conservancy of Ontario has formally asked the Province to stop the demolition of 24 and 28 King Street East and to designate the buildings under the Ontario Heritage Act.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 21, 2013 in Special Report: Heritage (73 comments)
The Truth About Sanford Avenue School
We can destroy this school and remain the same kind of people. Or we can preserve it and become the kind of people we have always aspired to be.
by Gary Santucci
Published January 19, 2013 in Special Report: Education (92 comments)
I Want to Believe
Advocates for downtown revitalization may be forgiven for feeling at times like Charlie Brown trying to kick the perennial field goal, our hopes raised again and again, only to be dashed by disappointment and betrayal.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 18, 2013 in Special Report: Heritage (31 comments)
Taxing my Moral Compass
There is something inherently wrong with a government exploiting a weakness of its most vulnerable citizens for revenues.
by Sean Hurley
Published January 17, 2013 in Special Report: Casino (30 comments)
2012 City Building Permits Total $1.5 Billion
Building Permit Activity in Hamilton more than doubled its 2011 total to $1.5 billion in 2012, riding on strong growth in permits across all five categories of building.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 16, 2013 in Special Report (23 comments)
Saving Health Care: Increasing System Capacity
A reasonable approach to health care involves targeted injections of resources. This is a complex problem, best solved with a combination of methods.
by Ted Mitchell
Published January 16, 2013 in Special Report: Health Care (6 comments)
Scant Heritage Protection in Gore Plan
The back of 18-22 King Street East is not the only thing getting ripped off in this so-called preservation victory.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 16, 2013 in Special Report: Heritage (14 comments)
Wilson Blanchard to Preserve Part of Gore Streetwall
Wilson Blanchard has just announced that they will withdraw their demolition permit application and instead preserve the existing facade of its buildings at 18-28 King Street East.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 15, 2013 in Special Report: Heritage (23 comments)
Dialogue Partners Apologizes for Mistakes, Defends Qualifications
The company behind last week's public engagement fiasco apologizes for its missteps and defends its qualifications as an internationally recognized communications facilitator.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 14, 2013 in Media (15 comments)
Hamilton's Plan for Bold Engagement Derailed but not Diminished
Hamiltonians should focus upcoming discussions on how to move forward in reforming the local budget process without losing sight of the values on which this engagement project was built.
by Lisa Marie Williams
Published January 14, 2013 in Media (4 comments)
The Silver Linings of a PR Fiasco
In the wake of the Our Voice, Our Hamilton debacle, silver linings are already starting to show. We've seen the power of social media wake up an entire city to demand better from our representatives.
by Dave Heidebrecht
Published January 10, 2013 in Media (37 comments)
City Orders Consultant to Pull Down Our Hamilton Website
The City just announced it has ordered Dialogue Partners to take down the 'Our Voice, Our Hamilton' website over offensive content.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 09, 2013 in Media (35 comments)
More Consultant Crap vs. Change By Us
If Council decides that civic engagement in the modern era requires people willing to learn new ways and do things differently, they will get the support of people who can do the work: quickly, cheaply, efficiently and locally.
by James Arlen
Published January 09, 2013 in Special Report: Open Public Data (37 comments)
Heritage Preservation Bonds Could Save Hamilton's Historic Buildings
Why not float a 'Heritage Preservation Bond' in Hamilton so that those who are passionate about preserving Hamilton's architectural heritage can invest at a competitive rate of interest payable upon the bond's maturity?
by Jason Allen
Published January 09, 2013 in Special Report: Heritage (14 comments)
Does Your Outrage Feel Managed Yet?
A real apology explicitly acknowledges the nature and severity of the error, expresses real regret for causing harm, asks for forgiveness, and offers to make amends. The Dialogue Partners statement fails on all counts.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 09, 2013 in Media (16 comments)
City Public Engagement Initiative Triggers PR Fiasco
A brand-new initiative by the City of Hamilton to engage the public on public infrastructure funding has already drawn sharp criticism and ridicule.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 08, 2013 in Media (104 comments)
The Deconstruction of Crestwood School
Think about it: tools used for building are depicted on the side of a building that's being destroyed.
by Mark Fenton
Published January 03, 2013 in Photo Essay (6 comments)
OMB Rejects North End Speed Limit Appeal on James, Burlington
The Ontario Municipal Board rejected a proposal to impose a 30 km/h speed limit on every North End street including James and Burlington, arguing that the City's transportation plan will increase pedestrian safety without sacrificing flexibility.
by Ryan McGreal
Published January 02, 2013 in Special Report: Walkable Streets (57 comments)
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