Conley a veteran Stoney Creek politician

We’re learning more about some of our new members of council in the city of Hamilton.
Tonight, we’re looking at ward nine and the person that will be taking over for former councillor and mayoral candidate Brad Clark.

Ward nine includes a portion of the East Hamilton Mountain and historic Stoney Creek area, which is home to Battlefield Park and the Devil’s Punch Bowl.

While Doug Conley may be one of the newest members of Hamilton city council, he’s no stranger to the politics of Stoney Creek.

Doug Conley was born and raised in Hamilton. The 69-year old father and grandfather brings years of business and political experience to his new job at Hamilton city hall.

For the past 25 years, Conley has worked in the private sector for a pharmaceutical manufacturer based in Asia Pacific. Prior to that he served nine years on Stoney Creek council.

Conley believes his age and experience will help bring a sense of calm and unity during heated debates: “Once we make a decision, even if I voted against it, I will support that decision if it’s passed. It’s very important we can’t have any infighting on council and councillors talking we have to show unity and I hope I can bring some of that to council.”

Conley believes the key to a healthy city is a strong economic base and solid planning: “I want to look at the planning for the city cause I’ve always said even when I was on Stoney Creek council, you get to plan a community once not twice or three times, do it right the first time.”

As for the LRT, Conley likes the money, but not the project: “We need a transit plan for the whole city. And we have to look outside our vision. We have to get new ideas in place. I still want the money, the 800 million or whatever they are saying, but I think it could be used a lot better to serve a lot more people.

Doug Conley replaces Brad Clark who resigned his seat in an unsuccessful bid for Hamilton mayor.