Raise the Hammer

Hi, Jason:

What an interesting comment. You are right, what good is a city with no clear leadership. There certainly seems to be no direction at the political level and generally with senior staff also. Perhaps with less government it would be better. More citizen committees, so when things turn bad we can just blame ourselves as opposed to the elected politicians.

Maybe we should have voted Larry back in? I wonder what his take is on the issue.

Slogan Idea:

Hamilton does not have a City Hall. Hamilton has never had a City Hall.

I think they should just change city centre to city hall. blow some windows in the side and dress it up. the inside can be built with offices to the railings and a public atrium in the middle. similar to the student centre at mac if you've ever been in there.

isnt that where city hall used to be anyway?

THIS CITY IS GOING BACKWARDS 100 YEARS

SELL OFF THE CURRENT CITY HALL, COPPS COLISEUM, CONVENTION CENTRE, & ALL
CITY OWNED PROPERTIES TO PRIVATE INVESTORS.
LEAVE THE INVESTORS ALONE, LOW TAXES

GIVE BIG COMPANYS TAX FREE INDUSTRIAL LANDS


GET RID OF THE ANTI BUSINESS MENTALLITY IN THE CITY, GET RID OF THE B.S. BEAUCRACY, COMMITEES FIRE THE THE TROUBLE MAKERS COUNCILLORS.
LOWER HOUSE TAXES BY 50 %
CALL LARRY DIANNI BACK IN OFFICE
YOU WILL SEE HOW FAST THE CITY WILL BOOM

HAVE A GREAT DAY HAMMER.ORG

certainly some interesting ideas there....couple questions though: - find me another city that sold off ALL city-owned properties. Talk about a recipe for a quick bankruptcy. Owning properties is a huge asset (much like you or I owning a home) and a huge boost to a city's credit rating. - give industry tax free land AND lower residential tax by 50%??? Hamilton would be bankrupt in a heartbeat. How are we going to offset the 50% reduction in residential taxes AND complete elimination of industrial taxes??
We'd be bankrupt and own nothing at the same time. Not a recipe for seeing the city "boom". Ka-boom maybe.

This is sad. This is a city with no direction or vision. Why can't they make a decision and move in that direction. This is pathetic. I think I'll have to move. There is no leadership here.

For once, Balance, I agree! And no, not on the part about you moving. My comment was totally snark-free. :)

I do have some opinions on the city hall debate. If you are interested please go to www.chrisecklund.com and go to my link.
Thanks for asking.

It could be worse; I am originally from Sault Ste. Marie. The municipal stories are mindnumbing. Council created negative media coverage and financial backlash for the residents. Two infamous incidents are the English only by-law and the ex-mayor being covered in a W5 story.

On the positive note, this is the first time that I can look at city hall at night and notice that all the lights are off.

The "old" city hall building is nothing special. Take a good look at it. Sure some elements are interesting, and we can preserve them in another place, but the building was designed and constructed poorly. The Eaton's Centre has so much potential, and is actually an amazing office space! In fact, the entirety of Jackson Square is woefully underused.

Save the money that would be wasted on trying to bring the building on Bay between Hunter and Main up to code, and instead invest it in Jackson Square. We could finally have the entire City Staff under one roof. Additionally, all the market space in Jackson Square could receive increased foot traffic. Those businesses need the money, and need their rent costs reduced.
And if you're one of those people who don't go downtown because of all the "street filth" . . . get a grip! The more downtown is used by people who care about appearances, the better the appearance of downtown will be. You'll rub your "clean" off on those "dirty" downtown people.

And then, on the property where "old" city hall would be torn down, plant a park! Extend the art gallery and make that area a significant place, with memorials and sculptures that really add to the Hammer.

There's so much wasted potential in Hamilton, and trying to save buildings like "old" city hall, instead of actual heritage buildings like Lister, is just money out the window.

this city has drifted so far off path that itis certainly lost . things like the new/reconstructed city hall, the new rail buses/rapid transit? ( isnt the a & b line already rapid transit?)Maybe we could get a real person like dave wilson to run for mayor or hey we should just let michael baldasarro give it a shot? can't be any worse than mayor fred(dy kruger) eisenberger

VOTE LARRY Di Ianni!

HE WILL GET US JOBS AND MORE BUSINESS IN THE CITY>> DOWNTOWN 4 DI IANNI!!!

BRUAAAHHHH!!!!!! GO LARRY!!!!! BOB THE WADDLER IS GOING NO WHERE and FREDDY GOT FINGERED>>>> SIMPLE AS THAT