Raise the Hammer
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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
Email: adrianduyzer@gmail.com
Uninspired, Unspecific and Uninformed: Vito Sgro's Mayoral Platform - Every serious mayoral candidate must put forward a detailed and thoughtful outline of their ideas, plans and objectives. By this measure, Vito Sgro's platform is woefully inadequate. Published October 15, 2018 in Municipal Election 2018
The Burden to Prevent Needless Traffic Fatalities - When Council delays action on pedestrian safety, Council is accepting the burden of needless, preventable deaths. Published June 06, 2017 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
A Hamilton Technology Company Co-Owner's Perspective on Light Rail - The promise of Hamilton as a dense, progressive, fun, interesting city is an incredibly important part of helping us attract and retain a highly educated, highly mobile work force. Published October 25, 2016 in Special Report: Light Rail
Embracing Our Hero - The woman whose son was abducted from EK has released this emotional statement of gratitude. Published October 31, 2014 in Local News
Abduction Attempt Sends Shockwaves Through Earl Kitchener Community - Yesterday's snatching of a child from a playground is being dubbed an "attempted abduction", but it was essentially a successful abduction, followed by a fortuitous rescue a few minutes later. Published October 24, 2014 in Local News
Collision - When you're cycling you generally try to avoid actually flying through the air, especially if you're no longer attached to your bicycle. That's where things went wrong for me yesterday. Published April 04, 2014 in Special Report: Cycling
Hamilton's Future As A Tech City Threatened By Lack Of Leadership - Together we share the dream of making Hamilton a successful technology city. But to truly succeed in realizing this dream we need leaders who understand the benefits of achieving it. Published February 06, 2014 in Municipal Election 2014
Integrity Commissioner Report Fails To Consider Crucial Question - Integrity Commissioner Earl Basse's report clears Mayor Bratina of bullying City Manager Chris Murray, but it fails to address the heart of the matter. Published November 13, 2013 in Special Report: Integrity Commissioner
An Unnecessary Evil: Transportation in the GTHA - The situation on the GTHA's highways is ridiculous, unsustainable and a terribly stupid waste of everyone's time. Published June 06, 2013 in Opinion
Ontario NDP Turns Its Back On Transit - I've traditionally considered the Ontario NDP to be progressive in their views on transit and sustainability, but NDP leader Andrea Horwath has decided to attack the Liberal transit plan instead of supporting it, a stance I find deeply disappointing. Published April 17, 2013 in Commentary
Repositioning Hamilton As The Gateway To The Niagara Region - As we seek to establish our place and identity, Hamilton tends to orient itself with relation to Toronto - but if we chose to, we could look east to the Niagara Region instead. Published February 17, 2013 in Ideas
Deconstructing PJ Mercanti's Argument For A Casino - PJ Mercanti promises to reveal "the truth" behind his quest to create a downtown casino in this month's Urbanicity. The result is disappointing. Published February 13, 2013 in Special Report: Casino
The Great Stadium Disappointment - The new stadium is an uninspired, boring, half-assed waste of money. Published October 14, 2012 in Special Report: Pan Am
Full Service Supermarket Opening In Jackson Square - A new 55,000 square foot full service supermarket is opening in Jackson Square in the spring of 2013. Published August 17, 2012 in Downtown Bureau
A New Vision For Main Street West - These illustrations demonstrate what Main Street could be like, what it should be like, and perhaps what it will be like if City Council - and the City's traffic engineers - heed the growing clamour for balanced streets. Published June 01, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
Walkability and Transit Are Key To Hamilton's Economy - A report commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce finds that "walkable environments should be viewed as economic infrastructure that attract employment and should be invested in accordingly." Published May 16, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
Hamilton's Problem Is Not Ignorance - No matter how many times we hear from experts, no matter how many pleas we hear from the people who actually live downtown, and no matter how many cities we observe engaging in successful processes of transformation, we don't change. Published May 07, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
Hamilton: Succeeding And Failing At The Same Time - "On The Cusp", an event recently held in Hamilton, turned a spotlight on Hamilton's ongoing inability to engage in the fundamental transformation it needs. Published May 06, 2012 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
Can The Bicycle Save Ontario? - An aging and increasingly unhealthy population is propelling Ontario's growing health care expenditures, but a systematic shift to active, human-powered travel would make us all healthier - and fix Ontario's deficit in the process. Published April 29, 2012 in Special Report: Cycling
Slowly Jeopardizing Hamilton's Future - Our sluggish progress towards the ultimate goal of creating a continuous, integrated bicycle network is just one example of a paralytic culture of inaction. Published December 06, 2011 in Special Report: Cycling
The 'Idaho Stop' and Why Some Cyclists Disobey Stop Signs - There's a good reason cyclists want to conserve momentum, particularly when there are no other vehicles around. Published November 16, 2011 in Ideas
Enjoy The Present Golden Age - You are living a life that future generations may greatly envy. Published October 29, 2011 in Ideas
No Excuse For Hamilton's Pedestrian Deaths - If a dozen people were randomly shot and killed in Hamilton, the community would go nuts. So why are we so complacent about pedestrians dying on our streets? Published October 22, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
Our Unbelievable Mayor - Not only does Bratina change positions as quickly as the wind changes direction but his position appears to change depending on the day's circumstances or the audience to whom he is speaking. Published October 17, 2011 in Politics
Liberals Win Ontario Election - The Liberals have won the 2011 Ontario election, but their loss of 17 seats has turned them into a minority government, and there is no question that their political mandate has been substantially weakened. Published October 06, 2011 in Ontario Election 2011
Where Is Our Champion? - The transformation of Indianapolis from rust belt city to gem of the mid-west demonstrates the importance of civic leadership. Published August 09, 2011 in Commentary
Bridging The Gap Between The City And Its Citizens - There is a fundamental disconnect between how Public Works views the city and how residents view the city. To Public Works, the city is infrastructure, but to citizens, it's living space. Published June 05, 2011 in Ideas
Lessons From The Summit, Lessons From The Past - As we hear from urban experts about what Hamilton must do, I wonder: are we prepared to take their advice even if it means major, possibly even painful change? Published May 25, 2011 in Commentary
King Street East: Hamilton's Shabby, Neglected Gateway To Downtown - King Street East is just another example of the way our city's traffic engineering department is killing neighbourhoods across the city. Published May 08, 2011 in Special Report: Walkable Streets
Conservatives Win Majority Government - Canadians redraw the electoral map as Canada returns to majority government rule for the first time in seven years. Published May 02, 2011 in Federal Election 2011
Garbage Collection Decision Is A Missed Opportunity To Engage Citizens - We're rarely if ever asked to engage in a common purpose. Many decisions that affect constituents are seen as being done to constituents, instead of being done on behalf of constituents. Published April 20, 2011 in Special Report: Waste Management
Area Rating Presents Opportunity For Leadership And Consensus-Building - Conclusions of citizens' forum presents City Council and Mayor Bratina with an opportunity to heal the community by resolving a difficult issue. Published February 27, 2011 in Special Report
Anti-Urban Outlook Drives LRT Opponents - It's time to develop a narrative around LRT that speaks to its great potential for Hamilton and that portrays Hamilton as the city it is and the city it can be, a narrative that revolves around hope, determination, ambition and vision. Published November 30, 2010 in Special Report
Eisenberger Stumbles In Race For Mayor - The large number of undecided voters indicates that many have yet to find any mayoral candidate particularly appealing. This is a straightforward failure of Eisenberger's campaign. Published October 16, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
Responsiveness To Questions Varies Widely Among Candidates - In spite of the fact that the questions are important and the answers are being read by voters, not all candidates are as responsive as others. Published October 06, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
Ward 3 Candidates Respond To Pearl Company Situation - All of the candidates running against Bernie Morelli in Ward 3 who responded to Raise the Hammer say they would actively work to keep the Pearl Company open. Published September 23, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
Bob Bratina's West Harbour Support Timeline - We've created an interactive chart that allows you to explore the positions of Bob Bratina on the Pan Am Games stadium location. Published September 08, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
A Tale of Two Summits - It's absolutely insane that our civic leaders have largely ignored the voices in our community who have been saying the same things for years as experts like Cunningham. Published May 20, 2010 in Special Report: Creative City
The Potential of New, High-Growth Companies - If Hamilton wants jobs, it needs to support the creation of high-growth companies and foster the conditions that lead to them. Published April 27, 2010 in Special Report: Creative City
A Cinema Treasure Is Destroyed - The loss of the Century Theatre is just another chapter in a long and tragic saga: the destruction of our historical treasures and collective architectural memory. Published January 09, 2010 in Architecture
Defining Hamilton's Creative Industries - Hamilton's Planning & Economic Development Department must take care not to define creative industries too narrowly. The good news is, they're listening. Published November 24, 2009 in Special Report: Creative City
Derision Towards Poor Taints Connaught Debate - There are legitimate reasons to be opposed to the Connaught proposal, but they are getting lost among unacceptable attitudes towards economically disadvantaged people. Published September 16, 2009 in Commentary
A Proposal for Good Copyright Legislation - Creating truly inspired legislation will not be easy, but Canadians deserve nothing less on this crucial issue. We need bold legislation and a made-in-Canada approach. Published September 11, 2009 in Digital Kayak
Seeking Balance in Canadian Copyright Law - We need a new copyright model. Artists, musicians, film-makers, all deserve to be compensated for their work, but the public's rights must also be respected. Published August 20, 2009 in Digital Kayak
On America's Historic Opportunity for Universal Health Coverage - One day, if you or someone you love needs unaffordable medical care, you'll look back at this opportunity to get universal health care and remember either pushing for it, doing nothing or even actively opposing it. Published July 21, 2009 in Digital Kayak
Similarity Breeds Dislike: or The Narcissism of Small Differences Online - When we're online, we often disagree the most with the people who are just like us. Published June 12, 2009 in Digital Kayak
What Makes You Interesting? - Twitter: Why you might like it, and what its popularity says about the future of online social media. Published February 11, 2009 in Digital Kayak
Canada Needs a Progressive Majority Government - A majority of Canadians want a left-leaning party in power, but our votes split between the Liberals, the NDP, the Bloc, and the Green Party. Published September 11, 2008 in Digital Kayak
A Legacy to Celebrate? - The former mayor's bleak vision may haunt us for a long time to come. Published November 08, 2007 in Digital Kayak
Ontario Tories Putting Fund in Fundamentalism - John Tory's pledge to fund private religious schools would have a serious, negative long-term impact on Hamilton. Published September 28, 2007 in Digital Kayak
Vanishing into the American Gulag - Does Canada transfer detainees to the United States, and if so, what happens to them? Published May 18, 2007 in Digital Kayak
As Spring Arrives, Perennial Issues and Guerilla Gardeners Resurface - Perennials are everywhere, it seems, except in the city's gardens. Published April 10, 2007 in Gardening
Anti-Science: The National Post on Climate Change - Eventually, even the most committed ideologues are forced to face the facts. Published March 19, 2007 in Digital Kayak
Rare Items from the Classifieds of February 2028 - Extinct floor coverings and death-defying snack foods. Published February 09, 2007 in Digital Kayak
iProducts vs. weProducts - The stark contrast between two remarkable devices reaches beyond mere dollars and into the realm of technological philosophy. Published January 24, 2007 in Digital Kayak
Time for Strong Leadership on the Environment - Changing consumer behaviour will help the environment, but without strong leadership from business and government we won't get far. Published January 24, 2007 in Digital Kayak
Raise the Hammer on January 27 - Raise the Hammer turns two. It's time to throw a party. Published January 24, 2007 in Anniversary Party
Raise the Hammer Second Anniversary Party - Raise the Hammer is marking two years of independent journalism and we'd like to celebrate with you. Published January 10, 2007 in Anniversary Party
The Digital City - It's time we built a Hamilton-wide wireless network. Published December 13, 2006 in Digital Kayak
Have Guilt, Will Travel - I wonder how many trees it would take to absorb the carbon I've burned in my trip to Europe. Published November 23, 2006 in Digital Kayak
Platitudes Don't Fill Plates - We spend hundreds of millions of dollars blasting through rock and building massive concrete overpasses but cannot afford to feed the hungry. Published October 20, 2006 in Digital Kayak
Why We Act, Part II - It's time sensible people made the decisions. Published October 06, 2006 in Digital Kayak
High Interest: Protecting the Illegitimate Profits of Payday Lenders - The payday loan industry is booming, but the interest they charge is against the law. Now they want the law changed - or they'll be out of business. Published October 06, 2006 in Cover
Why We Act - What do our children see when they look out at their neighbourhoods: flowering trees and vegetable gardens, or concrete walls and asphalt parking spaces? Published August 30, 2006 in Digital Kayak
No Crepes on Locke? - A local business owner on Locke Street plans to expand his business, but some neighbouring residents are concerned. Published June 16, 2006 in Local News
Will the Highways on the Internet Become More Few? - Big business and intrusive government want to control and monitor what you read, watch and listen to. Published May 26, 2006 in Digital Kayak
I'd Like a Second Opinion - No matter what you believe, you'll find other people to back you up, but feeling safe isn't the same as being safe. Published April 21, 2006 in Digital Kayak
Data Insecurity - Communicating through screens puts distance between people. The people you deal with become less real as a result. Published March 18, 2006 in Digital Kayak
Free Won't - Video games become a powerful weapon in the hands of those for whom a disenfranchised citizenry is a benefit. Published February 15, 2006 in Digital Kayak
The Truthiness Hurts - Legions of determined amateurs are challenging the safe unreality manufactured by the purveyors of professional news and entertainment. Published January 09, 2006 in Digital Kayak
Our Silicon Idolatry - Instead of finding facts and getting answers, perhaps we should be asking questions. Published December 14, 2005 in Digital Kayak
Council Has A Moral, Ethical And Professional Obligation To Fix Queen Street, Published March 28, 2014 in Transportation
Dear Jim Gillatly, I Need Personal Reasons To Visit Ancaster, Published December 07, 2013 in Transportation
Will It Be 'Baby Steps' or 'Risk-Taking' for Transportation in Hamilton?, Published May 31, 2013 in Transportation
Call For Letters Re. Bike Share Program, Published March 15, 2013 in Transportation
Ex-Mayor's Legacy Ruined By Gambling Addiction, Published February 15, 2013 in Casino
Mercantis Already Promised Luxury Hotel, Published February 13, 2013 in Casino
Gavel: Fast, Mobile-Optimized City Of Hamilton Bylaw Complaints, Published February 08, 2013 in News
Kitty MacLeod Died For Lack Of A Crosswalk, Published December 10, 2012 in Walkability Fail
City's Lack Of Pedestrian Infrastructure Claims Another Life, Published December 04, 2012 in Walkability Fail
Gross Contempt For Pedestrians, Published November 13, 2012 in Walkability Fail
Happy Canada Day, Published July 01, 2012 in News
One-Way Streets Found To Be More Dangerous For Children, Published May 23, 2012 in Transportation
Biking Saves U.S. Riders Billions, Published May 22, 2012 in Transportation
The Thrill Of The Open Road Belongs To The Bicycle, Published May 21, 2012 in Transportation
Walkable Neighbourhoods Are Vital Infrastructure For Creative Industries, Published May 11, 2012 in Revitalization
Towards Understanding The $1.2 Million Decision, Published May 04, 2012 in News
Struggling With Decision To Give $1.2 Million To Sex Offender, Published May 03, 2012 in News
"Tiger Town" At The Economic Summit? Ugh., Published April 25, 2012 in News
Bratina Blames Pen-throwing Incident On Eisenberger, Published November 24, 2011 in News
Pedestrian Deaths and Blaming the Victim, Published November 15, 2011 in News
Toronto Looks To Hamiltonians For Strategic Vision And Co-opts 'Our City, Our Future' , Published September 23, 2011 in News
Indianapolis vs. Hamilton Population, Published August 09, 2011 in History
Suspension Of LRT Initiative Activities Is Undemocratic, Published July 18, 2011 in Light Rail
Bratina: 'No Solid Interest' from Developers for LRT; 'Eerie Similarities' to Red Hill, Published July 11, 2011 in Light Rail
Traffic Engineering Denies Stoplight Request; McHattie Counters With Motion, Published May 28, 2011 in Neighbourhoods
Options For Terry, Published May 21, 2011 in Politics
Whitehead Loses Defamation Suit, City To Foot Bill, Published May 17, 2011 in News
New Companies And New Developments Downtown, Published May 13, 2011 in News
Hamilton's Streets Claim Another Life, Published May 09, 2011 in News
Not A Bedroom Community, Published May 06, 2011 in Revitalization
Main Street Walkability Fail, Published February 27, 2011 in Walkability Fail
The Shoveler's Dilemma, Published February 08, 2011 in Neighbourhoods
Don't Be Afraid To Toboggan, Published February 06, 2011 in Health
City Manager Chris Murray Should Recommend Scalable West Harbour Stadium , Published January 07, 2011 in Sports
Ticats Started Plan to Move to Burlington In Summer 2010, Published January 05, 2011 in Sports
Walkability Fail On Fennell Avenue West, Published January 02, 2011 in Walkability Fail
A Kinder, Gentler Extraordinary Rendition, Published December 02, 2010 in Politics
Letters To Editor Should Be Factual, Published December 01, 2010 in Media
QR, Published November 10, 2010 in Media
Taxes, Economy, Poverty And Jobs More Important Than Stadium, Published October 19, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
Polls And Rumours Of Polls Have Eisenberger Trailing, Published October 13, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
Few Women Running In Municipal Election, Published September 29, 2010 in Municipal Election 2010
Ryan McGreal Announces Candidacy, Published September 24, 2010 in Humour
Open Thread: Letters To Bernie Morelli, Published September 21, 2010 in Revitalization
The Unpleasant Calculus Of The MIP Site, Published August 31, 2010 in Sports
Kitchener Approves 114 Kilometres Of Bike Lanes, Published August 24, 2010 in Transportation
Modern Infrastructure Transformed, Published August 20, 2010 in Arts
The Myth Of The Inaccessible Stadium, Published August 17, 2010 in Sports
Only In Hamilton, Published August 14, 2010 in People
Brad's Buble Bumble, Published August 12, 2010 in People
Ron Foxcroft: 'I'm Distraught, Confused...I Could Cry', Published August 11, 2010 in Sports
Federal Government Reverses Position: Stadium Funding "Not Contingent" On Location, Published August 07, 2010 in Sports
Rumour Emerges That Province, Feds, Will Only Support East Mountain, Published August 06, 2010 in Sports
Major League Soccer's Future: Not In the Suburbs, Published August 05, 2010 in Sports
Aerotropolis Draft Report Released, Published July 05, 2010 in Aerotropolis
Ticat Fans Split on Stadium Location, Published June 21, 2010 in Sports
City Renames Glanbrook Industrial Park, Published February 18, 2010 in Humour
The Spec Publishes A Compelling Editorial In Favour Of LRT, Published February 04, 2010 in Activism
Keep Hamilton On The Rails: The Campaign Starts Now, Published February 02, 2010 in Light Rail
Hamilton's Downtown: A Nowhere Full Of Nobodies, Published January 19, 2010 in Light Rail
NHL Bid Dies - What Do You Think?, Published October 01, 2009 in Sports
Comment Deadline for Carcinogenic Pollution Standards is Tomorrow, Published September 28, 2009 in Environment
Saving Entrepreneurs Money and Heartache, Web 2.0 Style, Published July 06, 2009 in Business
Rosie DiManno Dumps on Hamilton, Again, Published June 22, 2009 in Media
CRTC gets it right on Internet and wireless policy, Published June 11, 2009 in Policy
What, You've Never Heard of Manny Schwartz?, Published June 02, 2009 in Philosophy
An Interesting Start to Hamilton Cultural Industries Strategy, Published May 26, 2009 in Arts
CRTC Fails To Understand Wireless New Media Issues, Published March 11, 2009 in Policy
Wireless carriers cripple Canadian innovation in critical industry, Published March 10, 2009 in Policy
Green Energy Act for Home Resales: Unfair and Unwise, Published February 25, 2009 in Environment
The CRTC's Very Narrow View, Published February 19, 2009 in Media
Harper crosses the line in speech to nation, Published December 04, 2008 in Politics - Federal
McMaster ruffles some feathers with child ward renaming, Published December 03, 2008 in Public Health
The Seven Hundred Billion Dollar Swindle, Published September 22, 2008 in Politics - Federal
Free HSR Fares Not The Way To Go, Published July 16, 2008 in Transportation
Lister: Reasons for Optimism, Published June 27, 2008 in Lister Block
Food Is Not Just Another Commodity, Published April 29, 2008 in Politics
Neglect of Downtown Buildings Could Carry More Than Just Economic Costs, Published April 18, 2008 in Revitalization
Hazardous Waste: Don't Chuck It or Flush It!, Published March 27, 2008 in Green City
Gypsy Moths and Area Rating, Published March 20, 2008 in Politics
Hamilton Politicians: Live and Don't Learn, Published March 13, 2008 in Peak Oil
Grim Future v. Buy More Stuff?, Published January 23, 2008 in Climate Change
Imagining the Future of Hamilton, Online, Published January 22, 2008 in Media
Highway Tolls Down the Road?, Published January 21, 2008 in Transportation
LIUNA Still Obstructing Progress, Published January 07, 2008 in Lister Block
Dreschel dumps on pedestrian piazza proposal, Published October 05, 2007 in Revitalization
Wrong Again: The National Post on Climate Change, Part 2, Published July 11, 2007 in Climate Change
$17 Billion for Ontario Transit, Published June 15, 2007 in Light Rail
A Fair and Balanced Look at Climate Change?, Published May 09, 2007 in Media
Police Pinch Perforating Prowler, Published April 18, 2007 in News
A Futile Search for Answers at Virginia Tech Begins, Published April 17, 2007 in Media
McHattie Tries to Limit HSR Fare Increase, Published April 13, 2007 in Transportation
Brian Mchattie Explains Support for Fare Increase, Published March 28, 2007 in Transportation
Destroying the HSR to Save it, Published March 08, 2007 in Transportation
Canadians Take a Look at Dion, Grow Fonder of Harper, Published February 20, 2007 in Politics - Federal
The Perils of Marketing, Published February 15, 2007 in Politics
On the Futility of Challenging Big Business, Published February 02, 2007 in Business
Going Green, Published January 07, 2007 in Green City
An Excerpt from "Hiroshima", Published December 27, 2006 in Politics
This is how they treat Americans, Published December 04, 2006 in Geopolitics
Three weeks after winning Congress, the Democrats turn their backs on Americans, Published December 01, 2006 in Geopolitics
Fire and Blood: the Iraqi conflagration is beyond American intervention, Published November 29, 2006 in Geopolitics
The Hipness Battle, Published November 27, 2006 in Revitalization
NATO Kills 60 Civilians in Afghanistan, Published October 26, 2006 in Geopolitics
Nuclear Hypocrisy, Published October 10, 2006 in Geopolitics
Another Turn Towards Tyranny, Published September 29, 2006 in Geopolitics
The Great Lakes: America's Shooting Range, Published September 28, 2006 in Politics
Maher Arar is Vindicated, Published September 20, 2006 in Geopolitics
More to Remember from 9/11, Published September 12, 2006 in Geopolitics
Polls, Conspiracies, Denials, Admissions & Crimes, Published September 08, 2006 in Geopolitics
One tankful of ethanol could feed a person for a year, Published August 21, 2006 in Energy
Plenty of Blame to Go Around, Published July 25, 2006 in Politics
Forbidden Fruit, Published June 28, 2006 in Green City
Welcome to the Future, Published April 25, 2006 in Transportation
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