Exile list leads to policy changes at Ottawa St BIA

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Hamilton’s Ottawa Street Business Improvement Area could see some big changes in the near future, after the organization was dogged by controversy in the summer over the existence of an ‘exile’ list.

It all started with that list: a list of 11 businesses that were not supposed to be promoted, as punishment for their actions. That created a petition asking for the resignation of the board. Now there is a proposal to add 5 new board members, bringing the total up to 17.

There were about 50 people inside the office of the BIA this morning, including councillors Sam Merulla and Matthew Green.

The issue that was still hanging over everyone’s head is the exile list. The list of 11 which the board denies is an exile list was never fully addressed. In previous meetings there had been calls to disband the board, and a petition was created asking for that very thing.

But today members of the BIA, fronted by councillor Merulla tabled the idea of expanding the board from 12 members to 17. That will be decided at the next board meeting on Thursday.