Raise the Hammer
Here's a summary of some of the significant activist happenings from this past month.
By Ben Bull
Mar. 14, 2005
Here's a summary of some of the significant activist happenings from this past month.
The tentatively named Hamilton Coalition of Progressive Electors held their first policy group meeting on February 17, followed by their second Committee of the Whole meeting the next day. This group is being formed to help plan for the next municipal election. Incumbent councilors will be evaluated to assess their performance and their alignment with the progressive policies that this group is now formulating. If they don't measure up, the group plans to find someone else who will and get them elected. Ward committees and a policy committee have now been formed, and work is well underway. Getting well qualified and progressive-thinking councilors into City Hall is essential for our town's success. Look out for future bulletins from this group, and a survey coming your way very soon.
The newly formed and tentatively named Downtown Revitalization Group met on March 3 at City Hall and moved closer to establishing their group's aims and strategic approach to revitalizing our city. A lively discussion took place with some common themes emerging. The group has already brought together folks from existing activist associations, as well as many individual disconnected and disaffected citizens. This group plans to finalize its mission statement, objectives and strategic approach - and name - in late Spring. Watch this space for further updates.
A presentation on The Successful and Unsuccessful Downtowns of Mid-Size Cities by Dr. Pierre Filion received a standing room only turnout at the Hamilton Central Library on March 9. Dr. Filion presented the results from his survey of mid-sized North American cities. The survey attempted to identify the common components of successful cities. Go to http://www.environmenthamilton.org for further info.
Environment Hamilton's Tonnes for Trees program has broken the 100 Tonne barrier! Their initial target of 50 Tonnes has been shattered, and more conservation commitments are on the way. Why not make yours? Go to http://www.environmenthamilton.org/tonnes/ and find out how to save a Tonne of environmental pollution every year. If you commit, you can get two free trees!
The new 'H' Magazine preview edition is sold out! This small but perfectly formed little mag, created by madcap music promoter and designer Dave Kurik, takes a look at the town around us and explores our wonderful architecture, history and things to do in town. It is printed every two months and can be picked up at downtown Art galleries and Staircase Café - the usual cool hangouts.
Raise The Hammer - everywhere! Since our launch in December, RTH has reached as far afield as Virginia in the US and Victoria BC. Our link has surfaced on Urban Studies study guides and even the City of Hamilton's own web-site! Click on these links to find out who's checking us out, and please - keep spreading the word.
Hamilton Committee of Progressive Electors: next meeting is on April 4th - time and place TBD. The draft policy will be discussed, survey results reviewed, and a tentative strategy outlined. If you are keen to see some progressive councilors elected to Hamilton City Council please come along and help out. The campaign starts now! Contact Alice Smith at civics@hotmail.com for further info.
Downtown Revitalization Group: next meeting tentatively slated for April 8th - time and place TBD. Mission statement will be finalized and policy discussed. A strategic approach will also be in the works: How can we help Hamilton realize its potential? How can we revitalize out city? What can you do to help? Come along and find out. Watch this space for final meeting details.
CATCH fundraiser: the final details are still to be defined, but look out for information on the upcoming CATCH fundraiser. I have suggested a 'drink till you drop' event during which everyone drinks copious amounts of alcohol and the last person left standing gets to foot the bill. It doesn't really make any sense, and I doubt it would raise any money, but it would certainly be a lot of fun. If you are interested, or have any suggestions on a suitable fundraising event, contact them at CATCH@cogeco.ca.
'H' Magazine: First issue out April 8! Dave Kurik is busily putting the final touches to his upbeat artsy farsty little zine. If it's anything like the last one, it should be great. It's free, and can be picked up at all good art galleries and coffee shops, mostly in the downtown area.
Seeking Submissions: 'H' mag and Raise the Hammer are seeking submissions for their next issues. Check out H magazine and Raise the Hammer for submission guidelines and share your passion!
Tivoli rebuilding: ex-Mayoral candidate Michael Peters is looking to get in touch with other locals who are interested in saving the Tiv auditorium. You can contact Michael through the RTH web site.
VIA committee members needed! The Center for Community Studies is looking for two citizen volunteers to join the VIA Rail committee looking into finding a suitable location for a VIA station in Hamilton. Please contact Sonja or Dave at http://www.communitystudy.ca
Calling all disaffected Hamiltonians! Activist groups all over our city are looking for volunteers. The two newest groups - the Hamilton Committee of Progressive Electors, and the Downtown Revitalization group - are especially keen to enlist your support. This is grassroots at its best. Get in at the ground level - before everyone goes all weird, develops an ego and runs for office. These are exciting times - so don't stand on the sidelines and then complain when nothing changes - get involved! And help make a difference.
To submit an activist update, please e-mail us at activist@raisethehammer.org
Janice Brown of the Durand Neighbourhood Association had a chance meeting with Ward 2 Councilor and CHML morning host Bob Bratina. She told him about great new mag that some bloke called Dave 'H' Kurik had just launched and - Presto! A week later Dave is on CHML spreading the word. It's all in the networks, folks...
Rumours are the the Lister Block may have its first tenants in, erm, a long time. Ever-alert RTH downtown bureau chief Jason Leach saw people milling around inside, and started asking questions. Unconfirmed reports suggest that an announcement is imminent. We'll keep you posted.
Is Hamilton's new VIA Rail station going to be in Stoney Creek? A speech by Tony Valeri to the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce indicated that "it is not a matter of if - but where and when." Hmmm, sounds like something afoot to me. Check out Jason's article in this issue of RTH for further info.
Is there something in the air? No, not more pollution - word is that Hamilton is going Wi-Fi! Rumours are circulating that the city is already in talks with Wi-Fi vendors and is seriously considering hooking up the entire metropolitan area to a wireless network.
And finally - what's going up in our downtown? RTH has looked into a number of on-going downtown projects. However, we are still unable to work out what's going on with some. What's with the 21 storey condos at Main and Hughson? Or the new office building at Main and Bay? Check out the links below, and please, if you know anything about these projects - drop us a line!
Two 21-story condo towers at Main and Hughson
http://www.cianfronearchitect.com/R-HR.shtml
15 story office building at Main and Bay
http://www.graffarchitect.com/commercial.html
15 story Mac residence also at Main and Hughson (again
http://www.rflintack.com/portfolio.php?portfolio_id=18
New loft building at Walnut and Augusta
http://www.rflintack.com/portfolio.php?portfolio_id=30&category=Residential&project_name=Augusta%20&%20Walnut
Got any rumours? Send them to us at rumours@raisethehammer.org and we'll try and sort the fact from the fiction (and probably print it regardless [just kidding! -Ed]).
The Lister rumour is not related to filming. I've heard from a couple of folks 'in the know' that an announcement should come in the next few months, and that space has already been leased.
Read the Hamilton Spectator yesterday and well it's not a rumor anymore. Just wonder if Lister Block will be an office complex, condo or a mixture.
I want to tell you today, it isn't about whether to restore passenger service - it's about where and when we restore that service." -- Tony Valeri, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East/Stoney Creek on VIA Rail service in Hamilton - or maybe not
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I read in the Hamilton Spectator awhile ago where it mentioned there's a film production taking place at Lister Block so that might explain why there's people milling around inside. Other then that I really hope a developer will make an announcement soon.
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