Raise the Hammer
According to this Spectator article, Mayor Fred Eisenberger has sent a strongly worded letter to CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon in response to Cohon's earlier letter suggesting that if the Ti Cats don't get their East Mountain stadium, they will leave, and the CFL will never give Hamilton a team again.
The Spec hasn't published the full text of the letter yet but according to them, Eisenberger is frustrated with the threats and wants Cohen to pressure the Cats to come forward with their alleged proof that the West Harbour Stadium is financially unworkable. He writes, "Rather than point out that Hamilton may be on the verge of losing the Ticats, you could perform a valuable public service if you would use your position to encourage the Ticats to put this important financial information forward."
Eisenberger goes on to point out that the Cats have never given the city specific financial requirements they need to survive, nor have the two sides discussed any form of subsidy (like from parking in the surrounding areas) to boost Tiger-Cat revenues if they play in the West Harbour.
The article also cites several "sources within the CFL" claiming that Cohon's threat is hollow simply because there's no other city in the country with a CFL ready stadium, leaving the Cats nowhere to move to. The only exception is Ottawa, but a rep from Ottawa Sports and Entertainment is saying that they are "sticking with their plans for an expansion team."
Eisenberger also responded to the claims that the West Harbour site isn't zoned correctly for a stadium, writing, "The football club's planning consultant missed a key provision of the city's official plan that permits any government operation on publicly owned park and open spaces."
By jason (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 14:39:22
Shocking that a money losing CFL team and commish improperly interpreted municipal zoning laws. Stick to football and beer fellas. You're embarrassing yourselves.
By truth? (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 15:43:34
Truthteller you call Fred greedy?
Is it not the TiCats that want to take $100M+ of taxpayers money for 'their' stadium that doesn't benefit anyone else except them? Then they have the audacity to tell us how to spend our future fund? More like Ticats the greedy.
Ticatssuck.ca is still available as a URL. Go Argos!
By F. Ward Cleat (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 16:36:58
Mute point. Both locations are sure to face challenges on various levels. Some examples might be employment lands, hydro right of way, places to grow policy, setting sail etc., etc.. I applaud the Mayor for calling Mr. Cohon out.
By Tybalt (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 16:55:25
"Ticatssuck.ca is still available as a URL. Go Argos!"
I can't believe I'm hearing this, on RTH of all places. Go troll somewhere else.
By TheLastStraw (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 17:12:42
Good for Mayor Fred! It's's about time we pushed back on Cohon and his bizarre letter of threat to the Mayor and citizens of Hamilton...and I'm glad his letter has gone public (probably by design).
By Cityjoe (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 17:19:04
Thanks Mayor Fred!! It's about time somebody stood up to Cohon & the Ti-Cats!
By TD (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 17:26:01
Yeah, I don't see any reason to blame the team for the embarrassing behaviour of their ownership.
By jason (registered) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 17:47:33
this letter is awesome. Great job by Mayor Fred.
If anyone is looking for a true leader in the next election you may have just found it. It's been a loooooooong time since we had a mayor who put Hamilton first. Period.
We're so used to mayors who are bought out and are puppets for fringe groups of the elite, this is ultra refreshing to see a mayor willing to do what is right. Even if the hijacked process doesn't work out in the end, Mayor Fred will be remembered as having stood up to the bullies and those with selfish motivations and simply fought for Hamilton.
Imagine an entire council willing to put Hamilton first, all the time? Our city would turn around before you know it.
By Robbie K (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 17:47:46
I always wondering why someone hasen't come forward with the idea that TiCats can get some extra cash from nearby parking lots in WH. Obviously that is not an IDEAL situation, but this is the first time anyone involved in the process has brought it up. Perhaps on gameday, parking is a little more expensive, with anything above the normal rate going to the TiCats. Afterall, 4-5$ parking is peanuts, try going to a Jays game. So, charge the 8 bucks, pass the 3 bucks onto the football team. I know they would charge more on EM, but this is straight profit, no upkeep.
By Concern (anonymous) | Posted August 05, 2010 at 22:08:57
It has been some time since I have written on this blog. I feel compelled to write though. I can't believe what a three ring circus this whole issue has turned into.........only here in the hammer would this happen. Good for Fred, funny how Dianni is sitting there taking pot shots, he's pathetic. One way or the other, Fred has my support....this is a tough town. I can hardly wait to see what happens next week. I wouldn't be surprised if we lost the whole thing from the Pan Am Games group. Not a big deal to me, no matter where the stadium goes it will not be a saviour for the City. These types of investments have little spin off. Just look at the Convention Centre and Copps. White elephants.
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