Raise the Hammer
Dave Kuruc exemplifies what's good about this city.
By Ben Bull
Jan. 10, 2007
It seems that whenever anyone laments the lack of progress in Hamilton, they feel compelled to talk about the town's potential. One thing I have realized about Hamilton's potential is that this is not limited to its geographical location, its natural features or it's concentration of industry.
It's also about the people.
I first met Dave Kuric during a Yard Sale in the east end. I was sitting on a friends' lawn, helping him fence an assortment of stolen goods to his unsuspecting neighbours.
"How much for this car radio that, er...looks a lot like mine?"
"One dollar."
"How much for this bike with my name on it?"
"One dollar."
Dave wandered by with a box full of books and some scratched LPs and plonked them on the grass. "Mind if I use your lawn?"
Instead of lazing around like the rest of us and insulting the customers, he began running up and down, manhandling the buyers and hawking his wares like an old fashioned mountebank. "I'm not asking five dollars! I'm not asking four dollars!"
After fleecing half the street Dave sat down and told me he was a graphic designer at the Hamilton Spectator. "For now..."
About a year later I bumped into him again, at a function in Dundas, and he told me all about his soon to be launched publication, H Magazine.
"I hope people like it."
They did, and two years later, they still do.
Next thing I hear, on Raise the Hammer's Downtown Update, is that Dave has ditched his job at the Spec and opened up an arts supply shop, Mixed Media on James Street North.
What next? I wondered.
Well, just last month came the announcement that Dave Kuric's design for the new fleet of Hamilton Hybrid buses has been selected. Kuric's logo expertly captures the very essence of Hamilton's own unique potential - the escarpment, the core, and the waterfront.
But that's the thing about potential. It's a great thing to have, but it's a far better thing to realize.
Just ask Dave.
RTH would like to congratulate Dave Kuric on his wonderful new HSR design. We look forward to seeing this sweeping past us when the new fleet hits the road in 2007.
Fossil fuels resemble capital in the bank. A prudent and responsible parent will use his [sic] capital sparingly in order to pass on to his children as much as possible of his inheritance. A selfish and irresponsible parent will squander it in riotous living and care not one whit how his offspring will fare." -- Admiral Hyman Rickover, 1957
NewsfeedsISSN: 1715-1554
Civic Monument or Big Box: Your Call (Oct. 10, 2008) - Mayor Fred has posted a survey on his website asking for public input on how to proceed with the renovations of city hall.
Go check it out and make your opinion count.
For those who don't
Sad But Funny (Oct. 9, 2008) - We'll need to file this one in the 'sad but funny' file at RTH - Toronto City Council voted on Tuesday to name their newest North York street, 'OMB Folly'.
This after the OM
Letter to Council: City Hall Deserves Better (Oct. 6, 2008) - Dear Mayor and Members of Council,
I've been following the ongoing discussions regarding the renovations of Hamilton City Hall.
As a resident and taxpayer in Hamilton, I certainly apprec
Authoritarianism Meets Stylishness (Oct. 6, 2008) - A couple of interesting articles in this weekend's Toronto Star. First off there's Thomas Walkhom's analysis of free market economics versus 'authoritarian capitalism'. Citing
Mayor: 'Stars Aligning' for Light Rail, Gore Plaza Moving Forward (Oct. 3, 2008) - I spoke this morning with Mayor Fred Eisenberger about light rail, economic development and the Gore Master Plan Study. He was understandably excited about the gathering momentum on light rail in
Sooner or Loiter (Oct. 3, 2008) -
An article in today's Spectator about the city's plan to revitalize Gore Park confused me:
Vendors. Entertainment. A peace memorial. Less loitering. A friendlier climate.
V