Comment 86618

By erskinec (registered) - website | Posted February 22, 2013 at 07:53:48

Good article Joey.

This is a partial victory for those who oppose this project. it is a victory because city hall has kicked the issue down the road. The problem is the pro-casino forces have a structural advantage; they are more organized, better funded, and more connected to staff and politicians. They are thus better prepared to play the long game in any development battle.

For the past few days, I been reviewing the past issues of Raise the Hammer and I have read many great comments over the Century, the School Board, and the Gore Park buildings. I have also been contacting people and seeing if we can do something more organized. So far I am having limited success.

We have interested people. We have interested organizations. What we don't have is an effective coalition. In the United States, some regions have put together coalitions called Creative Cities - we need something similar here. A coalition of individuals: artists, performers, musicians, architects, heritage supporters, arts institutions, neighborhood associations, galleries and small businesses. A coalition that can quickly raise the alarm and generate visits to city meetings, phone calls to the politicians and emails to key decision makers. Staff and politicians will not resist the influence of the build environment forces without a strong and effective counter balance.

If you want history to stop repeating itself then this is what I believe we must do.

If this is something you would be interested in talking more about then please contact me by email at proworker04@yahoo.ca or at twitter @erskinec or via my website Fat Cats and Starving Dogs (http://chriserskine.wordpress.com).

Comment edited by erskinec on 2013-02-22 08:07:29

Artist and film-maker with a focus on the Hamilton. The Erskine family has either worked or lived in Hamilton for over 100 years.

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