Raise the Hammer
Rolled Over
What is Tim Hortons but a very, very hot cup of coffee and kids going to camp? Smiling soldiers and snowplow drivers? Winter, spring, summer, and fall?
by Anders Knudsen
Published March 15, 2010 in Commentary (7 comments)
Getting to the Bottom of Toyota's Sudden Acceleration Problem
Instead of analyzing vehicles with identified failures, the firm hired by Toyota tested several ordinary vehicles and components - like testing healthy people to identify an illness.
by Joel S. Hirschhorn
Published March 09, 2010 in Commentary (7 comments)
Don't Weaken Cycle Plan
Despite the strong correlation between the density and connectivity of cycling infrastructure to increasing the number of cyclists, council ignores these data, erring on the side of nervous ward parochialism.
by Randy Kay
Published March 08, 2010 in Commentary (7 comments)
Last Call at the Gladstone Hotel
The closing of a rooming house forces us to deal with the terrible conditions single occupants often live in. The argument is not whether or not these hotels should remain in existence, but what we are doing and should be doing for residents of this type
by Anders Knudsen
Published March 08, 2010 in Commentary (3 comments)
Laurier Brantford: You've Come A Long Way, Baby!
Humour staves off depression, and maybe satire can ward against intellectual bankruptcy in the Crisis on Colborne.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published March 01, 2010 in Commentary (11 comments)
The Youth are Starting to Change
In the face of asinine, narrow-minded, alienating legislation, the youth are starting to mobilize.
by Chris Erl
Published February 27, 2010 in Commentary (37 comments)
Memo to Brantford: Hamilton Heritage Demolition 101
The process of decimating heritage, though it appears to be swift and easy, is a long-drawn and rigorous affair. We should know; after all, we wrote the manual on this.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published February 22, 2010 in Commentary (20 comments)
Regional Hopes
A Family Day Special: Let's take this opportunity to think about how we can expand our circle of family to think of Hamilton as a region, not a collection of separate, squabbling units.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published February 15, 2010 in Commentary (6 comments)
Evaluate LRT on Facts, Not Irrational Fears
LRT has been proven again and again to spur development, attract new taxpaying businesses, increase property values (and tax assessments), and lure residents to the line.
by Sean Burak
Published February 01, 2010 in Commentary (28 comments)
Hand-wringing Over Spike in Pedestrian Deaths Avoids Effective Solutions
If we are serious about eliminating pedestrian deaths and injuries, we need to re-engineer our urban streets to make it difficult or physically impossible to drive at high speeds.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published January 27, 2010 in Commentary (43 comments)
Hamilton Demands our Collective Best
Speech to the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Awards Dinner, January 25, 2010.
by Terry Cooke
Published January 26, 2010 in Commentary (16 comments)
The Fall of The Century: The Cinema History Factor
If you've rented a VHS or DVD movie, or watched a broadcast of a film, or gone the Pay-Per-View route, or purchased movies to add to your library, then you're part of the reason that the film business changed.
by M Adrian Brassington
Published January 20, 2010 in Commentary (4 comments)
To Prevent the Next Century Collapse, Understand the Bigger Picture
It was possible for The Century to be left to its slow, painful, inexorable demise not just because its owners didn't give a damn but also because the environment allowed for it to happen.
by M Adrian Brassington
Published January 19, 2010 in Commentary (2 comments)
20 Years Later, Roomers and Boarders Still Vulnerable
There is an assumption that there is a legal structure protecting rooming house tenants, but a legal grey area and lack of policy focus leaves them vulnerable.
by Bob Wood
Published December 23, 2009 in Commentary (19 comments)
Pittsburgh and its Golden Triangle
In Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle, the remnants of previous eras when Pittsburgh was incredibly prosperous are everywhere to be seen.
by Michael Cumming
Published December 09, 2009 in Commentary (19 comments)
Bill Strickland: Start Believing in This City
By doing something good for your community, however small, you are transforming your environment for the better, and a better environment drives better behavior.
by Lorne Opler
Published December 02, 2009 in Commentary (7 comments)
Power Shift in Singapore, Yet APEC Offers No Clear Answers
The APEC Summit delineated a shift in power toward China, but it also presented a new set of priorities in which the environment didn't seem to top the list.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 25, 2009 in Commentary (0 comments)
Pan Am Games Highlight Need for Hotel Space
If Hamilton wants to be taken seriously, it must build a showcase hotel, one that stands on par with any of the top-flight name brands
by Lorne Opler
Published November 24, 2009 in Commentary (15 comments)
Affordable, accessible public transit: Keys to poverty reduction and a vibrant community
Presentation to Committee of the Whole, Transit Budget Hearings: October 29, 2009.
by Tom Cooper
Published October 30, 2009 in Commentary (61 comments)
McMaster Innovation Park Open House
In academic settings and in industry innovation is not always encouraged, but combining academic research with industrial production can be a potent combination.
by Michael Cumming
Published October 28, 2009 in Commentary (5 comments)
Letter to Council: Flawed Transit Funding Process Needs Public Input, Accountability
In the absence of any meaningful process of engagement, and given how information is kept secret until the last minute, we have a sure recipe to breed conflict, confrontation, and poor transit decisions.
by Peter Hutton
Published October 26, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hamilton Civic League off to a Good Start
Their leadership acumen suggests that achievement of the group's public goals is possible and makes it a valuable addition to the local civic landscape.
by David Van Beveren
Published October 08, 2009 in Commentary (2 comments)
Hamilton and Burlington: A Tale of Two Cities
Burlington is presented as a modern solution to a traditional Victorian city like Hamilton: in order to build the modern city it was necessary to escape the burdens of the past.
by Michael Cumming
Published October 07, 2009 in Commentary (47 comments)
Hamilton to Buffalo
These two economically and geographically similar cities have followed sharply divergent trajectories over the past thirty years.
by Michael Cumming
Published October 02, 2009 in Commentary (8 comments)
Myth and Reality of Cycling and Safety
Too much of the car-vs-bicycle debate is overrun by myths and rank misinformation.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published October 01, 2009 in Commentary (45 comments)
Derision Towards Poor Taints Connaught Debate
There are legitimate reasons to be opposed to the Connaught proposal, but they are getting lost among unacceptable attitudes towards economically disadvantaged people.
by Adrian Duyzer
Published September 16, 2009 in Commentary (77 comments)
Hamilton CarShare to Launch Fleet of Cars
The Hamilton CarShare Advisory Committee members and their fellow members at Grand River CarShare form a non-profit cooperative of ambitious, enthusiastic, and, hardworking volunteers who know that carsharing works.
by Les Szamosvari
Published August 31, 2009 in Commentary (1 comment)
Pirate Party Manifesto: Reform Intellectual Property Laws to Protect Freedoms
The Pirates are the kind of party our old guard could take pointers from: new image, in-touch and bluntly honest.
by Chris Erl
Published August 31, 2009 in Commentary (10 comments)
Hounds Hunt for Hamilton Off-Leash Parks
It doesn't seem like too much to ask that all Hammer-folk can walk to a park and let their dogs off-leash legally.
by Lindsay Soomet
Published August 31, 2009 in Commentary (27 comments)
Convince Me to Be Car Free
Some simple ideas on how we can achieve the City's goal of 100 rides per person per year by 2020 (or at least in my lifetime).
by Alasdair Rathbone
Published August 30, 2009 in Commentary (14 comments)
Jacked! Connecting Crime with Poor Planning
Upper James has all the characteristics that attract criminals: poor lighting, fast-moving traffic, wide-open spaces with few permanent residents and a very feeble sense of community.
by Chris Erl
Published August 15, 2009 in Commentary (18 comments)
High Speed Rail Opposition Based on False Claims
When Wendell Cox claims that "intercity roads are self-financing", this is both untrue on its face and disingenuous with respect to public transit such as LRT.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 10, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Paying Lip Service to Provincial Growth Plans
A developer hopes to get council approval to convert highway accessible employment lands to a new big box complex on a technicality.
by Don McLean
Published May 26, 2009 in Commentary (14 comments)
Don't Just Blame Council
How might our advocacy differ if we treated government not as an entity in and of itself, but rather as the platform on which the struggle between different community interests takes place?
by David Van Beveren
Published May 18, 2009 in Commentary (4 comments)
Transportation Summit: Tension Between Sustainability Language and Status Quo Priorities
A significant shift in the city's thinking is that a focus on moving people and goods efficiently, not moving vehicles efficiently; yet staff highlighted the fact that decisions are still constrained by the need to maximize traffic flow.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 28, 2009 in Commentary (18 comments)
The Land of the "Meadow": A Look at the Predicament of Suburban Ancaster
If we really want to renew Ancaster's beauty and character, we have to think critically and act decisively to change things for the better.
by Jeremy Parsons
Published April 24, 2009 in Commentary (28 comments)
Moving Hamilton Up the Ladder of Citizen Participation
What would plans such as GRIDS, the Cycling Master Plan or the downtown urban plan look like if they if they had been designed and, most importantly, implemented, using a Citizen Power model?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published April 23, 2009 in Commentary (2 comments)
Lessons on Cycling Infrastructure from Holland's Most Progressive City
Hamilton can't become Groningen and it shouldn't try to be, but it could benefit by considering some of the sensible policy choices that have been employed here.
by David Van Beveren
Published April 22, 2009 in Commentary (16 comments)
Streetcars: A Brief History and a Bright Future
What an idea - take advantage of Hamilton's skilled labour, its industrial heritage and resilience to design and build a new fleet of radials right here.
by Brian Quinn
Published March 23, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hamilton Civic Coalition: A Retrospective
A history of the Hamilton Civic Coalition, an informal gathering of community leaders working together to develop a new direction in city development.
by Roy Adams
Published January 08, 2009 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hello, I'm over Here
When will society view people in terms of their skills, gifts and abilities instead of their differences?
by Norma LaForme
Published November 04, 2008 in Commentary (3 comments)
Moving Forward on Hamilton's LRT Initiative
The City cannot reasonably expect the province to pay 100 percent of the capital costs for light rail. Why is LRT important, and yet not important enough to warrant any City contribution?
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published November 04, 2008 in Commentary (16 comments)
The Social Costs of CARnage
Putting a dollar figure on a transportation-related injury or death may seem hard-hearted, but it can be done. It should be done, if only to underline the enormous human costs of our car/truck dominated transportation system.
by David Cohen
Published October 02, 2008 in Commentary (14 comments)
Take B-Line Off-Campus for Better Rapid Transit
Moving the B-line to Main Street West saves time on the B-line route. This time should be filled by stops at Wellington / Victoria and Gage.
by Thom Oommen
Published September 11, 2008 in Commentary (47 comments)
To Believe in Our Cities Again
An ambitious platform calls for the creation of a Ministry of Urban Affairs, the establishment of three new national holidays, and setting clear limits on sprawl.
by Chris Erl
Published September 11, 2008 in Commentary (4 comments)
Ethics and the City of Hamilton: A Retrospective
An Ethics Commissioner will help, but the City must get back to the business of governance as opposed to petty politics.
by Bob Robertson
Published July 07, 2008 in Commentary (8 comments)
Aerotropolis Secrecy Leaves Citizens and Councillors in the Dark
If our governments don't tell us what the debate is about, how can we reasonably be expected even to know what questions to ask?
by Don McLean
Published July 07, 2008 in Commentary (20 comments)
All-Day GO Trains: Good for Local Commuters?
Rail service improvements are crucial, but GO needs to maintain all-day flexibility for it riders.
by Stavros Rougas
Published June 05, 2008 in Commentary (2 comments)
Missing Link to Toronto Commute?
GO to add additional morning train to Hamilton.
by Stavros Rougas
Published April 30, 2008 in Commentary (20 comments)
Parents - Free HSR is a No Brainer
Free transit is actually financially advantageous to one large group of Hamiltonians: parents.
by Thom Oommen
Published March 24, 2008 in Commentary (4 comments)
The Green Standard on User Fees
A look at three recent major environmental issues dealt with by council sheds some light on whether user pay is a principle or just a convenient debating tool.
by Don McLean
Published March 24, 2008 in Commentary (47 comments)
Social Housing in Ontario: Picking Up the Pieces
New provincial investments are a start, but certainly more will need to be done to protect Ontario's aging social housing stock.
by Tom Cooper
Published March 24, 2008 in Commentary (4 comments)
Puncturing Dreschel's Presumptions
Andrew Dreschel admits that suburban sprawl leads to increased car use – a breathtaking statement from one who supported Red Hill all the way, every way.
by David Cohen
Published February 14, 2008 in Commentary (19 comments)
Why Punish Monthly HSR Pass Holders?
With the dramatic hikes to monthly transit passes, it may be cheaper simply to buy tickets.
by Thom Oommen
Published January 18, 2008 in Commentary (31 comments)
Tom D'Aquino's Environmental Blind Spot
Ignoring the environmental damage of unrestricted commerce, Tom D'Aquino argues that business and money are are the only solutions to saving the current climatic crisis.
by Maggie Hughes
Published January 18, 2008 in Commentary (10 comments)
Pro and Con: Trinity Proposal on MIP Employment Lands
This is a very important issue to which everyone within Southwest, Westdale, and even Dundas should pay attention.
by Betsy Agar
Published January 18, 2008 in Commentary (18 comments)
Lies, Damned Lies and Poverty Statistics
Statistics can be useful for measuring progress or identifying areas of improvement, but real poverty reduction efforts will continue to rely on community-wide investments and action.
by Tom Cooper
Published December 20, 2007 in Commentary (2 comments)
Upper James Rapid Transit a Dumb Idea
It is disturbing that our transit officials are now being told to put the aerotropolis scheme ahead of providing service to those who want and need it.
by Don McLean
Published December 20, 2007 in Commentary (74 comments)
We Need Better than Seat-of-the-Pants Transit Planning
Do city staff have the technology to make accurate assessments of ridership change or is it just guesstimating shaded on the positive side to quell the voices of protest?
by Roy Adams
Published November 27, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Urbanism for Life: Let Children Help Design our Cities
Here is a simple criterion for human design: Shape a city around our children.
by Nikos A. Salingaros
Published November 27, 2007 in Commentary (16 comments)
Enjoy the Holidays Sustainably
Celebrating the festive season by limiting over-consumption is a way to honour the special people in your life and the Earth they live on. Buy less, love more.
by Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko
Published November 27, 2007 in Commentary (0 comments)
Money, Interest and Inflation
The policy of most central banks is based on permanent growth of the money stock. Can the world survive this policy much longer?
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published November 08, 2007 in Commentary (3 comments)
Terry Cooke, Red Hill, and the Politics of Division
Far from 'redundant', the environmental assessment Terry Cooke helped squash would have revealed major problems with the planned expressway and given opponents a fair hearing.
by Don McLean
Published November 08, 2007 in Commentary (25 comments)
A Transit Free Day in Paris France
One terrific learning opportunity that we all seem to rush by is what happens when parts of the system go down.
by Eric Britton
Published October 22, 2007 in Commentary (8 comments)
Revitalization from the Inside Out
We need to stop throwing money at developers on the fringes of the city and instead get serious about economic development in the core.
by Sean Burak
Published September 28, 2007 in Commentary (8 comments)
Social Assistance Reform Needed Now
Ontario needs to adopt an evidence-based system for determining social assistance rates.
by Craig Foye
Published September 28, 2007 in Commentary (3 comments)
Hamilton Short-Changed in GO Improvements
The residents of Hamilton, our civic leaders, GO Transit, CP Rail and the government of Ontario need to co-operate and move our transportation network into the 21st century.
by Jon Dalton
Published September 09, 2007 in Commentary (13 comments)
A Lucky Break?
A recent altercation on the road highlights the uphill struggle to support and promote cycling in Hamilton.
by Grant Ranalli
Published June 07, 2007 in Commentary (22 comments)
Tenants and Taxes
Hamilton's lowest income earners are renters, but they pay among the highest property tax rates.
by Tom Cooper
Published May 18, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Fuel Efficiency is Not the Answer
Increasing fuel efficiency in vehicles by itself simply lowers the cost of driving and encourages more sprawl development.
by Don McLean
Published March 19, 2007 in Commentary (11 comments)
Bus-Fare Increase: A Lose-Lose-Lose Proposition
Increasing bus fares goes against Hamilton's efforts to address poverty, reduce pollution, and ameliorate gridlock.
by Roy Adams
Published February 26, 2007 in Commentary (7 comments)
Dollar Contributions, Wars and Collapse
Well camoflaged, the US dollar is at the centre of several conflicts.
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published February 26, 2007 in Commentary (1 comment)
Quick Guide to the New Residential Tenancies Act
The new Ontario tenancy legislation is a mixed bag, ending default evictions but retaining vacancy decontrol.
by Tom Cooper
Published February 09, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Driving Blind into an Uncertain Future
Climate Change has finally won worldwide consensus, yet Hamilton still digs away at a destructive environmental hole.
by Paul Glendenning
Published February 09, 2007 in Commentary (0 comments)
No Need to Idle in Winter
Winter idling is bad for the environment and is even bad for your car.
by Thom Oommen
Published February 09, 2007 in Commentary (7 comments)
Eisenberger Must Stand Firm on Ending Red Hill Lawsuit
Mayor Eisenberger needs strong backing from the community to fend off those who want him to shake down Canadian taxpayers for cash.
by Don McLean
Published January 24, 2007 in Commentary (4 comments)
Rebalancing Our Transportation Network: A Case Study
Hamiltonians often talk about how much they enjoy spending time in Europe, but we could have a European quality of urban life here as well.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published January 10, 2007 in Commentary (2 comments)
Why We Should Have Seen This Coming All Along, but Didn't
One of my Myspace buddies won the municipal election. Can you guess which one?
by Matt Jelly
Published November 23, 2006 in Commentary (2 comments)
A Hallowe'en Brush With Death
A late-night collision leaves a haunting reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
by John Milton
Published November 08, 2006 in Commentary (0 comments)
Community Economic Development is Everyone's Business
Community economic development has a lot to offer to Hamilton, and Hamilton has a lot it can give back.
by Jack Santa-Barbara
Published October 06, 2006 in Commentary (0 comments)
Take a Walk on the Glenside
The single use fetish of city planners has all the maturity of children who freak out at dinner time when the potatoes touch the corn on the same plate.
by Ted Mitchell
Published May 26, 2006 in Commentary (4 comments)
Oh, the Struggles Ahead
Sometimes we can almost believe that the wheel of historical necessity within the invisible logic of events is turning, and turning the right way.
by Jeff Mahoney
Published December 14, 2005 in Commentary (0 comments)
Why I am a Hamilton Optimist
Anyone who buys even a bit of the idea that history is dialectical knows that, sometimes, the quicker and more utterly you hit rock bottom, the sooner the cycle turns.
by Jeff Mahoney
Published December 14, 2004 in Commentary (14 comments)
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