Race for councillor in Ward 1

With two weeks to go — municipal election campaigns are getting more attention from voters. City council in Hamilton is certain to see some changes — as four of fifteen ridings have no incumbent vying for the job. In ward one, it’s a battle between six contenders who want Brian McHattie’s old job.

Some lawns in ward one have more than one councillor election sign.

A lot of voters in this ward say it’s hard for them to pick a new councillor because the last one, Brian McHattie, was so popular. But now that he’s running for mayor, they’re not voting for change, they’re voting to find more of the same.

“He seemed to be very driven by his values which you want, but there wasn’t a confrontational piece.” Ira Rosen worked for McHattie, and is now running to take his place on council: “He’s been a very good councillor as far as being available to his constituents and organizations. I think that’s key to the job. Personal commitment to the people and the ward and the streets.”

Ward issues range from rental housing headaches in Westdale to traffic problems on Locke Street.

“It’s a place to be. And a lot of residents are moving from all over the place to Locke Street. It’s a place everyone is talking about.” His barbershop is an institution there and Tony Greco says he helped transform Locke Street, starting the local Business Improvement Association. This is his third time running: “Blood, sweat and tears.”

Jason Allen is an award-winning Metrolinx manager: “I plan to create a culture of customer service at city hall, encourage responsible development, and ensure streets are safe for walking driving cycling and transit.”

Sandy Shaw’s whole family are “ward one’rs” and have been for decades. Her priority would be to put people first: “People have always cared about others in this community, they’ve always wanted to step up when it matters. It hasn’t changed, it’s just getting stronger and stronger.”

Brian Lewis says he’d be the best at connecting the community with council: “That’s how we built the Hamilton Bulldogs. All the community work resulted in greater sales. I’ve applied that on a practical level with small businesses in the area. And it seems to work.”

“I am a staff lawyer with Legal Aid Ontario.” Aidan Johnson started his campaign day at Camelot Towers, one of the largest apartment complexes in the ward: “It’s a big, huge challenge, but we have to fight poverty and create economic growth and protect the environment at the same time. It’s big, but it can be done.

His team has planted 750 signs on people’s lawns so far. Hundreds more than the others. But it’s a tough race in a community full of passionately involved voters.