The Ward boundaries for the 2010 Election. The Mayor and French School Board trustees are elected across the city, Councillors in their respective wards, and English Public and Catholic Trustees on a ward or dual-ward basis.
The next Hamilton municipal election will be held on October 25, 2010[1] to select one Mayor, fifteen members of the Hamilton City Council and members of both English and French Public and Catholic School Boards[2]. Nominations opened January 4, 2010 and will run until September 10, 2010.
New measures
Council backed a measure to elect the boards of Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs),[3][4][5], a move that was in response to the LHIN affair,[6][7] though this will not occur in time for the 2010 Election.
Also, this election was to include a brand new 16th Council seat, that would encompass southern portions of Wards 6,7 and 8 and the northern portion of Ward 11[8][9]. The new Ward would have included the area to be developed as part of the controversial "Aerotropolis" industrial development plan[10][11], though this plan has been abandoned in favour of a study of all ward boundaries following the election.[12]
As per Bill 212, municipal elections in Ontario are now moved up from the first Monday in November to the third Monday in October, shortening the campaign period by two weeks and moving close of nominations to September 10, 2010.[13]
Mayoral Election
Mayor Eisenberger's upset victory in 2006 and his perceived 'weak governing' style[14][15][16][17][18] sparked early discussion in Hamilton as to who will challenge him in the 2010 Election.
Michael Baldasaro is a perennial candidate and the Leader of the Church of the Universe. He stood for Parliament in 1984, 2000 and 2004 on a number of different party tickets. In addition, he has stood for Mayor on many occasions, the most recent being the 2006 Election, when he received 4,520 and finished in 4th place. Baldasaro's most recent campaign focuses on rejecting proposed sites for Hamilton's Pan Am Stadium and revitalizing the existing Ivor Wynne Stadium in the city's east-end.[19]
Mahesh Butani is, according to his profile on raisethehammer.org, "a non-architect, and a developer by default".[20]
Fred Eisenberger, the current Mayor of Hamilton, announced he will be seeking a second term in 2010 and officially filed for re-election on May 31, 2010.[21]
Pasquale Filice is a local photographer and lawyer, who specializes in e-business and corporate law. He filed on August 18.[22]
Edward Graydon is a blogger who maintains three sites chronicling his trips to China[23], financial affairs[24] and his interest in ceramics[25]
Andrew Haines is a local marijuana activist and the director of 420 Graphics.[26]
Glenn Hamilton, 53, is a self-described businessman and property manager.[27]
Marty Zuliniak is standing for mayor again in 2010 after receiving 968 votes and placing last in a field of seven candidates in the 2006 Mayoral race.
Speculated
Sitting Councillor Bob Bratina has been rumoured to be interested in the seat, and though he has not yet re-filed to run in Ward Two, has made no comments on the validity of this claim.[28]
Sheila Copps, former Liberal MP and daughter of Mayor Victor Copps, has been speculated to consider following in the footsteps of her father[29], recently stating that, if she were to return to politics, "it would be in [Copps'] hometown and nowhere else."[30]
Not running
Ward Six Councillor Tom Jackson, despite being named in a series of Hamilton Spectator articles discussing potential opponents to Mayor Eisenberger and giving mayoral campaign "serious consideration"[31], he declined to run for Mayor, stating that it was simply "not the right time."[32]
Former CEO of Lakeport Brewing Co., Teresa Cascioli was approached to run for Mayor, in late January, but decided against such a venture a month later, stating she would rather help the city through her philanthropic ventures than politically.[33]
Ward Twelve Councillor Lloyd Ferguson announced “I’m getting — and I have for a while now — incredible pressure to run,” though decided to seek re-election in his Ancaster ward, rather than challenge Mayor Fred.[34][35]
Ward Eight Councillor Terry Whitehead was named in 2008 Spectator article as a potential candidate because of his connections to former Mayor Larry Di Ianni and the Liberal Party[36], though he decided to seek re-election as a councillor because, as he stated in a January interview with the Mountain News, he's "got a few checks to mark off [his] list still."[37]
Businessman Mark Chamberlain, long speculated as an 'outsider' candidate, declined to run.[38]
Businessman Chris Ecklund, a friend and supporter of former Mayor Larry DiIanni, was considering running for the city's top office if former Mayor DiIanni decided against a comeback, but recently announced his intention to promote his military family support fund, 'Canadian Heros', rather than dabble in local politics.[39].
Somali-Canadian Liban Abdi, an employee with Settlement and Integration Services Ontario (SISO), is seeking election in the downtown ward.[40]
Shane Coleman is the son of a stall-holder at the Hamilton Farmer's Market, who has lobbied the city in the past for subsidized parking for market patrons.[41]
Martinus Geleynse is a young entrepreneur and the director of the Hamilton24, a large arts festival.[42] Geleynse is also a key organizer in the Our City, Our Future campaign, promoting the proposed West Harbour stadium for the 2015 Pan-Am Games.[43]
HooJung Jones is a Korean-Canadian author, whose most recent book is Canadians Our Heros, 1950-1953 Korean War. She graduated from McMaster'sCommerce program in 1999.HooJung Jones is a dedicated volunteer, a community leader, a special events organizer, a published author, an advocate for veterans, and a business woman. [44]HooJung Jones Campaign Web Site.(Accessed June 22, 2010)]
Kevin Wright is a volunteer with the Hamilton Naturalists' Club, and sits on their Board of Directors.[45]
Ward Three (East Hamilton-Stipley)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 3
Mark DiMillo
Sean Gibson
Wilamina McGrimmond
Paul Tetley
Mark DiMillo ran in Ward 7 during in the 2006 Election, capturing 1,179 votes, losing to incumbent Scott Duvall.
Sean Gibson ran in the 2006 Election, gaining 27% to incumbent councillor Bernie Morelli's 73%.
Paul Tetley is a Ward 3 homeowner and a businessman, whose campaign slogan is "Get Ready for Change" and focus is on "Vision, Leadership and Change".[47]
Ward Four (East Hamilton-Barton)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 4
Sam Merulla (incumbent)
Sam Merulla is the ward's two-term incumbent councillor, with close affiliations with the New Democrats[48]. In 2006, he collected 5005 votes and won over closest challenger Dave Wilson.
Ward Five (Red Hill-Rosedale)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 5
Chad Collins (incumbent)
Incumbent councillor Chad Collins has served on City Council since 1994 and is seeking re-election in his east Hamilton ward.[2]
Ward Six (East Mountain)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 6
Chris Behrens
Michelle Febers
Tom Jackson (incumbent)
Steven Knowles
Nathalie Xian Yi Yan
Chris Behrens, who filed on July 27, is an Ontario Certified Teacher who teaches highschool level Automotive and Transportation technology. He is also a local Certified Automotive Technician. [49]
Michelle Febers was the co-chair of the Hamilton Make It Seven Day rally, an event in support of RIMCEO Jim Balsillie's attempt to relocate the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton.[50]
22-year council veteran Tom Jackson is seeking another term in Ward 6. Jackson is currently one of the longest serving members of council, having completed seven terms as Ward 6's representative.[51]
Challenger Steven Knowles stepped up on August 18, bringing the number of candidates in Ward 6 to five.[52] Steven Knowles, growing up in ward 6, attending Sherwood Secondary School, and currently working with a local wholesale produce company, looks to be a positive voice for the residences of ward 6 through the upcoming election.
Dr. Nathalie Xian Yi Yan has decided to run in Ward 6 again, after receiving 2,160 votes and losing to councillor Tom Jackson in the 2006 Election.
Ward Seven (Central Mountain)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 7
Scott Duvall (incumbent)
First-term Councillor Scott Duvall announced that he will be seeking a second term in the Mountain News on January 1, 2010.[53] He officially filed to run in Ward 7 again on the first day nominations opened, January 4.[54]
Ward Eight (West Mountain)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 8
Jeff Bonner
Terry Whitehead (Incumbent)
Bruce Whitelaw
Realtor and Mohawk College alumni Jeff Bonner filed to run for council on July 8.[55]
Incumbent Councillor Terry Whitehead filed for re-election on July 21, 2010.
A pipe fitter currently on disability, Bruce Whitelaw says his focus will be on senior care. "It lit my fire...We’re not maintaining their dignity." [56]
Ward Nine (Upper Stoney Creek)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 9
Brad Clark (incumbent)
Geraldine McMullen
Andrew Mowatt
Brad Clark is the first-term incumbent councillor and will be seeking a second term.[2]
Former Olympian and police officer, Andrew Mowatt, is running for the first time.[58]
Ward Ten (Lower Stoney Creek)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 10
Jose Pablo Bustamante
Bernard Josipovic
Maria Pearson (incumbent)
IT entrepreneur Jose Pablo Bustamante filed papers to run in Ward 10, saying "New people need to come to city council and new ideas have to flow." [54]
Bernard Josipovic, a former employee for local radio station Y108, as well as both of Hamilton's steel manufacturers, Stelco and Dofasco, filed on June 3.[59]
Maria Pearson, two term Ward 10 councillor is seeking a third mandate.[2]
Ward Eleven (Glanbrook-Winona)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 11
Ken Chartrand
Brenda Johnson
David Mitchell (incumbent)
Ken Chartrand is a first time candidate, who recently said in an interview with The Hamiltonian, "It is time for a new representative with a strong ear who listens and has vast knowledge of all the communities and will represent all the people." [60]
Brenda Johnson, a Winona resident and member of Environment Hamilton notable for her activism in persuading the city to avoid a Wal-Martpower centre development in her town, is standing in Ward 11.[61]
Controversial councillor Dave Mitchell is seeking another term on city council in the wake of his censure by his peers last year.[62]
Ward Twelve (Ancaster)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 12
Brenda Cox-Graham
Lloyd Ferguson (incumbent)
Brenda Cox-Graham is an Ancaster based laywer, who has contributed to major international legal journals.[63]
Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson, despite considering a mayoral run, has decided to run for a second term[35].
First-term incumbent councillor Robert Pasuta is seeking a second term.[2]
Ward Fifteen (Flambrough)
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 15
Brian Gaspar
Judi Partridge
Brian Gaspar is the chairman of the Newalta/Hamilton Landfill Liaison Committee, an organization dedicated to opening dialogue concerning the area's local landfill.[64]
Judi Partridge, who ran in the 2006 Election, is the current chair of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.
Veteran trustee Laura Peddle is running for another term.[2]
Contesting the Ward 6 race is Kathy Archer, who ran a very close second to Trustee Peddle in the 2006 election.
Jeannie Martel is the director of the Hamilton Injured Workers Group board.[68]
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 7 Public School Trustee
Lillian Orban (incumbent)
Marlon Picken
Current trustee Lillian Orban is seeking re-election.[2]
Marlon Picken is a local New Democratic activist and member of the Hamilton District Labour Council's Peace and Human Rights Commission.[69]
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 8 Public School Trustee
Wes Hicks (incumbent)
Incumbent Wes Hicks will be standing for re-election.[2]
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 9 & 10 Public School Trustee
Robert Barlow (incumbent)
Sitting trustee, Robert Barlow, is seeking re-election.[2]
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 11 & 12 Public School Trustee
Ying Chan
Alex Johnstone
Ying Chan is an Ancaster resident and co-founder of "Ancaster Parents for French Immersion", a group dedicated to expanding French immersion courses in area schools.[70]
Raymond Bartolotti is the current trustee who seeking another term as one of two representatives for Wards 9, 10 and 11.[2]
Paul DiFrancesco was a principal with the Catholic School Board for 31 years before retiring in July 2010.[75]
Anthony DiBrizzi is a Stoney Creek resident who filed on July 21, 2010.
Newcomer Dan Lohin is currently in the race to represent Wards 9, 10 and 11.[2]
The last two-tier seat left in Hamilton, is also represented by trustee Mary Nardini, who is seeking re-election.[2]
Candidate
Votes
%
Ward 12, 13, 14 & 15 Catholic School Trustee
Carolyn Cornale (incumbent)
Trustee Carolyn Cornale has filed to run for re-election for the suburban Wards 12, 13, 14 and 15.[2]
French Public School Board Election
Candidate
Votes
%
French Catholic Trustee
Marcel Levesque
Marcel Levesque is the incumbent trustee.
French Catholic School Board Election
Candidate
Votes
%
French Public Trustee
no candidates
Incumbents not seeking election
The only incumbent councillor to confirm they will not be seeking re-election is Ward 15 representative Margaret McCarthy, who will not stand for re-election after serving on regional and Hamilton councils since 1994. She has cited family commitment as her reasoning for leaving politics after 16 years[76].
Wards 11 and 12 Public School Board Trustee Shirley Glauser announced she would not be seeking re-election following the completion of her first term in office. Glauser is currently the only Public trustee to not seek another mandate in 2010.[77]
Withdrawn Candidates
Despite placing second in the 2006 Election and filing early in 2010 to run against Councillor Russ Powers in Ward 13, Julia Kollek withdrew her candidacy on June 3, 2010, stating that she wanted to help her community in ways other than as an elected representative. During an interview with the Dundas Star, she commented that “You can’t take the activist out of me!” [78]
Ward Three candidate and member of the Mohawk College faculty,[79] Frank Bedek pulled out of the 5 person race on July 20, 2010.
Public School Board Trustee candidate for Ward 4, Ryan Sparrow, withdrew from that race in June. Sparrow had been a School Board candidate in Ward 3 during the 2006 Election, taking 17% of the vote, and was a candidate in the 2008 Federal Election for Hamilton Centre.[80]
Ward Two candidate, Keith Beck, dropped out of the race on August 4. Previously, he had received 507 votes in the 2006 Election, though as a candidate for Ward 10. Prior to the close of nominations, he had filed papers to run for mayor, but withdrew from that race to pursue a councillor's position.
Incumbents speculated to not seek re-election
In August 2007, Terry Cooke, former regional chairman and Spectator columnist, wrote that Bernie Morelli, councillor for Ward 3, was not expected to seek re-election in 2010. Though Morelli has not confirmed or denied the rumors, he has stepped down from many of the committee positions he held and has become less vocal on municipal issues[81].
Numerous councillors have expressed interest in standing in the 41st Canadian Federal Election, specifically for the Liberal Party of Canada. Councillor Bob Bratina (Ward 2) and Maria Pearson (Ward 10) have both been courted by the party, and have, according to local media, given the issue considerable thought[82]. Councillor Pearson's candidacy is unlikely as she has filed for re-election in Ward 10. Councillor Bratina has not yet filed for re-election.
Timeline
November 13, 2006: 2006 Election
January 25, 2007: Shortly after the election, Councillor Morelli is accused of harassment, but council votes to stop proceedings[83].
April 11, 2007: After weeks of unruliness, Councillor Bratina throws a pen across the council chamber, leading Hamiltonians to believe that Mayor Eisenberger no longer has control of council [84]
November 28, 2007: Councillors are unaware of what they are voting on, as they vote to limit the number of garbage bags that will be collected during curbside pick ups to one[85].
February 5, 2008: Councillor Pasuta alleges Councillor Mitchell illegally lobbies him to support a land severance ruling on Mitchell's farm in Glanbrook[86]. Mitchell denies any wrongdoing.
February 13, 2008: Council votes to censure Councillor Mitchell for the second time in three years. This means he will no longer be able to hold a committee chair or vice chair position for the rest of his term[62] .
February 15, 2008: The Hamilton Spectator's editorial board calls for Councillor Mitchell to resign after the land-severance scandal[87]. As of December 2008, he remains on council.
July 11, 2008: Former MP, Ian Deans, announces he is considering seeking election in any of the cities wards in the 2010 election if his Parkinson's has not incapacitated him[88].
April 11, 2009: Sam Merulla, in a Hamilton Spectator article about his career, announces his intentions to run for re-election in Ward 4.
November 30, 2009: Councillor Ferguson becomes the first councillor to say he is considering a run against Fred Eisenberger for Mayor.
January 1, 2010: Councillor Tom Jackson openly muses about running for Mayor while fellow Mountain Councillors Scott Duvall and Terry Whitehead announce their intent to seek re-election in Wards 7 and 8 respectively.
January 4, 2010: Jose Bustamante and Scott Duvall file their nomination papers to run for City Council in Wards 10 and 7 respectively, on the first day nominations open.
January 8, 2010: Michael Baldasaro becomes the first candidate to register in the Mayoral race.
May 18, 2010: Andrew Hines files to run for mayor.
June 3, 2010: Julia Kollek, after filing to run in Ward 13 earlier in the year, withdraws her candidacy, leaving Councillor Russ Powers the only candidate in Dundas.
June 7, 2010: Glenn Hamilton files for the Mayoral race, bringing the number of candidates to five.
June 22, 2010: Ryan Sparrow, Public School Board Trustee candidate for Ward 4, withdraws from the race. Sparrow had been a School Board candidate in Ward 3 during the 2006 Election, taking 17% of the vote, and was a candidate in the 2008 Federal Election for Hamilton Centre.[80]
July 20, 2010: Blogger Edward Graydon files to run for mayor, bringing the total number of candidates to six. Former Mayor Larry DiIanni is widely speculated to announce his intention later in the week.[89]
July 26, 2010: Former Mayor Larry DiIanni announces his candidacy for the position of Mayor. In an interview with the Spectator, he said that he "has learned some political lessons, but also has seen the community, and the importance of council, from a different perspective."[90]
July 30, 2010: Joke candidate from 2006, Marty Zulinack, files to run for Mayor. Eight candidates now vie for the seat.
August 10, 2010: Earl Basse, the city's Integrity Commissioner, clears Ward 8 councillor Terry Whitehead of all harassment allegations brought against him by a former employee.[91]In response to the investigation, Basse provided recommendations for the hiring of administrative assistants that included "developing minimum standards of education and experience for executive assistants; that an orientation package be provided for new assistants; and that a management training program for new councillors be included in their training."[92] Later in the day, after a marathon council session, City Council votes 12 - 3 in favour of the West Harbour location for the city's Pan Am Games stadium.[93]
August 18, 2010: Local lawyer Pasquale Filice is the ninth local resident to file for the mayor's race. With just over two weeks before the end of nominations, 6 sitting councillors, 6 sitting Public School Board trustees and 5 Catholic School Board trustees remain without challengers.
^Macintyre, Nicole. "Councillor's conduct part of complaint", The Hamilton Spectator, January 25, 2007, Local News (A10).
^Macintyre, Nicole. "City councillors are behaving badly and some claim that lack of leadership is to blame", The Hamilton Spectator, April 13, 2007, Local News (A1)
^Macintyre, Nicole. "What did we just do?; New trash bylaw approved after a messy debate that left some council members befuddled", The Hamilton Spectator November 30, 2007, Local News (A1)
^Macintyre, Nicole. "Allegations against Mitchell; Councillor accused of lobbying for land severance", The Hamilton Spectator, February 7, 2008, Local News (A1)
^Howard, Robert. "Mitchell needs to step down", The Hamilton Spectator, February 15, 2008, Opinion (A16)
Activist Mahesh Butani
Current Mayor Fred Eisenberger
Municipal Elections in Hamilton, Ontario