Comment 106977

By ASing (anonymous) | Posted December 12, 2014 at 11:42:23

I think Conley is waste of effort as he is opposed to all progressive issues not based on evidence but on ideology. He could prove me wrong with showing more sense than I give him credit. He doesn't support the LRT or participatory budgeting. On other progressive issues he had given a firm "maybe" including one-way conversions and Cannon Cycle Track. For Cannon, what's worrisome is that he indicated that he needed more information on this and other projects but his media statements show an ideological bias not conclusions reached upon weighing facts. He is against LRT but favours the Mid-Peninsula Highway. I believe it's difficult to convince ideologues such as Conley but we need to try because he has been out of politics for decades. His views of our City are old and he may need to be reminded of how our City as a whole has changed.

On a positive note, the 2014 Municipal Election showed that people did not vote for divisive politics pitting urban and suburban voters. Our Mayor was elected by the entire City moving Hamilton past post-amalgamation divides that politicians themselves created around wedge issues. We need City council that will work for the good of all Hamiltonians not just narrow interests of their Ward to the exclusion of what's best for the growth of our City as a whole. Unfortunately Eisenberger had been a quiet candidate and I am unsure if he can move issues that he has publicly supported.

Another plus is the election of new, young candidates such as Aidan Johnson and Matthew Green. While Arlene VanderBeek has expressed opposition to LRT, she is generally supportive of a number of progressive issues and she will consider evidence in making decisions. Conley won Ward 9 but by only a slim margin. So he will be under pressure during this term to perform. Apart from these Councillors, the main story is that Hamiltonians liked the direction of previous Council by re-electing incumbents. Many of whom have supported LRT, Cannon Cycle Track and other projects.

Instead of focusing our energies on convincing Conley who might be an outlier in terms of general opinion on the new council, we need to solidify our support and reach out to moderate councillors who are more likely to listen to evidence.

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