Before the Ballot with Ward 15 Councillor Candidate and Incumbent Ted McMeekin

Welcome to this instalment of Before the Ballot, with Ward 15 Councillor Candidate and Incumbent Ted McMeekin.

Looking back on your current term, what accomplishments are you most proud of in your Ward? Please elaborate.

"What we think, what we know, and what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. It's what we do that matters." (John Ruskin, historian).

When I ran for City Council four years ago, I wasn't looking for something to do but rather to do something. The plan was simple, the Flamborough Waterdown Carlisle Millgrove communities would no longer be ignored by our city. Some good things have happened. I'm proud to have focused on critical infrastructure investments that make our community stronger.

• the District 3 Police/Fire/Dispatch Compound will house 40 police officers and 14 new firefighters.
• a first commununity Recreation Centre, moved from endless study to firm commitment.
• the desperately needed new elementary school our community lobbied so hard for is currently under construction.
• partnering with the Province and the Region of Halton to tackle necessary major road works that have lanquished for years, and
• a complete rebuild and widening of the iconic but unsafe Grindstone Creek Bridge on Dundas Street.

The projected Capital investment of current and committed works in 2025 and the next four years will in excess of $350 million, more than the cumulative total of capital investment over the past 20 years.

I was proud to create a 40-member Community Council to engage in identifying community needs and priorities. The group is made up of leaders from the Legion, service agencies and involved community members (no request to join the group is refused). The Community Council has acted to provide over $450,000 in Non-tax revenue support and seed money to 30 community groups and projects, including:

• Flamborough Food Bank (working out of Carlisle United Church).
• Food with Grace (out of Grace Angican)
• The Flamborough Santa Claus Parade (at risk of financial collapse at the start of this term of City Council).
• The Mountainview Neighbourhood community safety pilot.
• Waterdown District High School's Tastebuds Nutrition Program and student led Museum of Hope.
• The Flamborough Connects seniors service tax filing and anti-scam project.
• The 60 acre Souharissen Natural Area in Waterdown which celebrated its 10th. Anniversary in 2024. A WDHS student led initiative.
• Migrants Matter Flamborough supporting hundreds of agricultural workers in our community.
• Flamborough Archives, investing in the preservation of our history.
• Eagles Nest, to support youth and personal mental health programmong in Flamborough/Waterdown.
• Flamborough Women's Resource Centre, providing the only rural outreach and support for victims of domestic gender-based violence lving in the Flamborough/Waterdown area.

At City Council:

By working collaboratively and building issue-based Councillor coalitions, I have presented and seen passed, motions on food security, housing, the need for a National Basic Income Program, Interval House's work to combate gender-based violence, a call for the Province to create an Ontario Food Belt and over 30 local Ward 15 community grants.

With Strong Mayor powers and divergent visions for the city on Council, experienced political negotiation skills have been vital to delivering funding and services to Ward 15.

Further, I may be the only Coucillor in the history of our city to present a motion to actually BIND Council to a cap on property tax increases.

Resident Communication:

Keeping in touch matters. Listening and learning matters. Over this term of Council, my office and I have responded to constituent emails and phone calls within 24 hours or sooner, 94.2% of the time, a 2022 campaign promise kept. We also opened a first local constituency office at the Waterdown Library - open Thursday's from 2:00pm. to 8:00pm. and by appointment.

Looking back on your term, what things do you wish had gone differently. Please elaborate.

There were four things I wish had gone differently:

the signing of an engineering contract by the city to rebuild the Grindstone Creek bridge came without community consultation. This created both confusion and frustration. We overcame this challenge through constant daily advocacy to transportation and engineering staff. A community meeting was quickly organized. It was attended by 20 traffic and engineering staff and 250 concerned residents. The consensus from the meeting was to change the proposed travel protocol of east only travel over the bridge in year one and west only in year two, to the 12-hour east and 12-hour west protocol that currently prevails. We are now working with our third Director of Transportation in this term of Council. He has toured Ward 15 hotspots with me to advance common sense signalling, lane designations and a number of safety and road related issues. I also took the two previous Directors on an informative Ward tour.

the infamous 'Rain Tax' stormwater fee rollout, a sensible program to charge for water management, was supposed to be simple, fair and equitable. It wasn't! Instead, it turned into an anti-rural debacle charging farmers for rainfall falling off of large barns onto open fields and into streams. Both the Provincial Minister of Agriculture and Environment Hamilton requested that 'working farms' be exempt from this fee. I convened a trusted group of local agricultural stakeholders to guide a strategic response and proceeded to work closely with several Council colleagues (and especially Councillor Mark Tadison who took the lead at Council) to defend our rural intersts. All further study of this issue was deferred by Council to 2027. Going forward, I will not support any stormwater fee that unfairly targets our farmers and rural residents.

the Provincial imposition of SuperMayor powers that tended to undermine the importance of Council collaboration.

the Tiffany/Barton encampment fiscal fiasco. This has become a case study on how mis-manage an issue deemed by the city to be a 'crisis.' There were alternatives, like the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters, (HATS) that could have been a more responsible option. As the Hamilton Auditor pointed out in his scathing report, this Tiffany/Barton project was launched through the Mayor's directive and was kept away from Council.

the unfortunate cyber attack on our city, brought on, in part, by senior management not following direction requiring double authentication of our data system by all staff. The next term of Council must see increased scrutiny of municipal bureaucracy with enhanced and responsible oversight.

Residents across Hamilton continue to express concerns about affordability, infrastructure and public safety. What specific prioities would define your next term if re-elected?

The answer, if courageous enough to embrace it, is a relentless focus on ensuring value for every tax dollar. The City of Hamilton delivers 72 core services. As our city grows, demand for those services has predictably increased.

Our city controls 60% of its budget with the rest consisting of mandated services. Over half of that 60% the city controls is dedicated to staffing costs.

Unlike our two senior levels of government, municipalities, by law, cannot run a deficit. Access to revenue sources is also limited. Ensuring value can be best achieved by maximizing citizen engagement to identify core services in need of support from those that can be streamlined.

From my perspective the city must focus on public safety, including better maintenance of our roads, bridges and neighbourhood parks. While $150 million has been placed in the city budget for road upgrades and maintenance, we likely need to do more. We also will need to be more focused on efforts to build stronger partnerships with senior levels of government, as our city cannot resolve all of the challenges we face by ourselves. An inter-governmental 'shared sense of purpose', one that can more appropriately fund the costs of mental health, housing, domestic gender violence and food security concerns would be an important start.

What distinquishes you from potential challengers seeking to represent your Ward in this election?

For 35 years, Dr. Barb and I lived, worked and raised our young family in the Waterdown and Carlisle communities. I know and care about every corner of this community, from Campbellville Road to Mallard Trail to Grindstone Way.

I was owner of the award-winning CHAPTERS bookstore in Waterdown. My background in business has given me a good understanding of what our local businesses go through to balance the books and to create employment opportunities for our neighbours and teens.

Serving two terms as Mayor of the Town of Flamborough, followed by five terms as the MPP for Ancaster Dundas Flamborough and Westdale has been the privilege of a lifetime. My years serving as Parliamentary Assistant to three Ministers of Education and the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities, and later as the Minister of four Ministries: Government and Consumer Services, Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, Community and Social Services and Municipal Affairs and Housing, has provided a unique experiential backdrop to the important work of our city. Simply put, I know how government and bureaucracies are supposed to work and how to get things done.

My life journey has included factory work at Internnational Harvester, completion of four post-secondary degrees, work experience as Executive Director of the Burlington Social Planning and Research Council, Chairman of Part-time Studies at Mohwak College, Mission and Stewardship Officer with the United Church of Canada, and Wilfrid Laurier University Supervising professor (over an 11 year period) of 11 WLU graduate school MSW students.

In 2025 I was humbled to receive the Flamborough Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

If re-elected what would success look like for your ward by the end of your next term?

A great question. If given the privilege of re-election, I see success, in large part, as having completed the important work we've already started, while securing core services and bringing a major upgrade to the playground and recreational facilities in Memorial Park, Waterdown.

I'm a dreamer and perpetual optimist. In 2030 our community will celebtate a more efficient road and transportation system; a Dundas Street bridge that is a pleasure to cross on foot, by car, bike and even a wheel chair; a multi-use trail from the Mountainview community, all the way to our new recreation centre; a caring and diverse Community Council working together to build a caring and sustainable community; new neighbourhood schools and parks; the growth of new jobs and business opportunities as our community grows and commits more fully to a 'buy local' strategy; a BIA that continues to serve the expanded growth of local business; thriving Waterdown and area farm markets emphasizing the strong agricultural economy that feeds our city and beyond; a recognition of an expanding local tourism industry; children able to safely cross the bridge over #6 Highway by bike or on foot to access the our new community recreation centre adjacent to the Harry Howell Arena and, PWHL and AHL professional hockey players working to mentor potential young hockey stars. Finally, I envision a complete community that transitions parts of our ward, through thoughtful professional planning, from our village roots to modern infrastructure accomodating a growing population while maintaining and honouring our sense of a village community.

How can voters contact you to learn more about you, in the context of the election?

Voters can make contact on line:

• www.tedmcmeekin4ward15.com OR
• Ted@tedmcmeekin4ward15.com
• You may also catch me at the Waterdown Farmers Market on Saturday mornings or at the Jitterbug Cafe in Waterdown, 35 Main St. North, where I frequently hang out and meet constituents for coffee and conversation.

Thank-you Ted for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian!

New- Before the Ballot- School Trustees Political Intelligence Dossier

 
Here is our new Before the Ballot- School Trustees Political Intelligence Dossier. Click here to go there. 

Before the Ballot- School Trustee Edition with Andrea Di Nicola, Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee (Separate) – Ward 10

Enjoy this instalment of Before the Ballot- School Trustee Edition with Andrea Di Nicola, Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee (Separate)  – Ward 10.

Please tell our readers a little about yourself and what motivated you to seek election as a School Board Trustee.

My name is Andrea Di Nicola, and I have proudly called Ward 10 home for many years. My husband and I are raising our three children in our Catholic school system, giving me firsthand experience as a parent who understands both the opportunities and the challenges facing our schools today.

I have dedicated more than a decade to serving as Chair of the Catholic School Council at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Elementary School also being apart of Catholic School council for St. John Henry Newman Highschool and currently serve as President of the Catholic Women's League at St. Francis Xavier Parish. Through these roles, I have worked closely with families, educators, parish members, and community volunteers to strengthen the partnership between home, school, and parish.

In 2022, I ran for School Board Trustee because I believed our community deserved a stronger voice. Although I was not elected, the experience reinforced something I heard repeatedly from parents: they want a trustee who is visible, approachable, and actively engaged.

That commitment has only grown stronger. I am running again because I believe it is time for a change, one that brings renewed leadership, greater transparency, stronger communication, and a trustee who truly represents the families of Ward 10 while protecting and strengthening our Catholic identity.

In your view, what are the three most important issues currently facing students, parents, educators, and the school board, and how would you help address them?

The first priority is strengthening our Catholic identity. Catholic education is about far more than academics. It is about forming compassionate, faith-filled leaders rooted in Gospel values. We must continue to ensure that our Catholic faith remains at the heart of every decision while strengthening the vital connection between school, parish, and home.

Second is improving communication and accountability. Parents deserve timely information, meaningful opportunities to provide input, and confidence that their voices matter. Trustees should not only attend board meetings, they should be visible in their schools, attend community events, and actively engage with families throughout their term.

Third is supporting student success and well-being. Students continue to face challenges with mental health, learning recovery, inclusion, and preparing for future opportunities. Supporting educators with the resources they need while ensuring students receive both academic excellence and emotional support must remain a priority. 

A trustee's role is one of governance rather than day-to-day management. How do you see the relationship between trustees, board administration, and school principals?

A successful school board depends on mutual respect and clearly defined responsibilities.

Trustees establish the vision, policies, strategic priorities, and accountability for the board. The Director of Education and administration are responsible for implementing those policies, while principals provide the day-to-day leadership within their schools.

A trustee should never interfere with operational decisions. Instead, they should listen to their communities, advocate for families, ask thoughtful questions, and ensure that decisions made at the board level reflect the needs and values of the communities they serve.

When each group fulfills its role effectively and communicates openly, everyone benefits, especially students.

What changes or improvements, if any, would you like to see in the delivery of education within our local school system over the next four years?

I would like to see stronger partnerships between schools, parishes, and families. Catholic education is strongest when these three pillars work together, and I believe there is tremendous opportunity to rebuild and strengthen those relationships.

I would also like to see trustees become much more visible and accessible within their communities. Many parents have little understanding of what a trustee does or how to reach them. That needs to change. Trustees should regularly communicate with constituents, attend school events, host community conversations, and actively seek feedback before important decisions are made.

Finally, I want to ensure that every student has access to safe schools, strong academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and the supports they need to thrive spiritually, emotionally, and academically.

Why should voters place their trust in you? What qualities, experience, or perspective would you bring to the role of School Board Trustee that distinguish you from the other candidates?

I have spent years serving our Catholic school community, not just talking about change but actively volunteering and leading.

My experience as a parent, Catholic School Council Chair, parish volunteer, and community leader has allowed me to build relationships with families, educators, clergy, and community organizations. I understand the realities facing our schools because I have been actively involved in them.

Running in 2022 also gave me valuable insight into what residents expect from their trustee. Since then, I have continued listening, learning, and advocating.

I am approachable, accountable, and committed to being a trustee who is present in our schools and communities, not just during election season.

Most importantly, I believe it is time for a change. Ward 10 deserves a trustee who will strengthen our Catholic identity, improve communication, and ensure families always have a voice in the decisions that affect their children.

What would you like parents, students and the broader public to know about the role of a Trustee? 

Many people believe a trustee's role begins and ends with attending monthly board meetings. In reality, trustees play a vital role in shaping the future of Catholic education.

Trustees set the strategic direction of the board, approve budgets, establish policies, advocate for students and families, and hold the Director of Education accountable for achieving board goals.

Equally important, trustees are the connection between the community and the board. That role has not been utilized to its full potential. Trustees should actively engage with parents, school councils, parishes, and community organizations throughout their term, again not only during elections.

Families deserve a trustee who listens, communicates openly, and ensures their voices are heard when important decisions are being made.

How can voters contact you and/or learn more about you?

I encourage residents to connect with me and become part of the conversation.

Please follow my campaign page on Facebook for updates, community events, and information about my platform. You can also email me at andreadinicola06@gmail.com. I welcome questions, ideas, and conversations with parents, students, educators, parish members, and residents throughout the campaign.

I believe the best trustee is one who listens first, communicates often, and remains accessible long after Election Day.

Thank-you Andrea for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian and thank-you as well for suggesting to The Hamiltonian that we include Trustees in the Before the Ballot series!

The Missing Business Conversation

At today's General Issues Committee meeting, Council heard a delegation regarding the Festival of Friends. It is a discussion worth following—not because of the festival itself, but because of the broader questions it raises about public spending.

Let us be clear. The Hamiltonian supports the arts. Our current and former publishers are both musicians, and we have long admired the Festival of Friends, which has brought outstanding music and community spirit to Hamilton for decades. This is not a criticism of the festival.

It is about Hamilton taxpayers and the financial burdens they continue to shoulder.

The Festival's spokesperson made it clear that the organization is not in financial difficulty. The festival described its financial position as sound and did not present itself as an organization seeking assistance simply to survive.

Instead, the request was for an additional $50,000.

The explanation was straightforward. The Festival had already secured several high-profile performers and budgeted to cover their travel and related expenses, while many, if not all of the artists themselves would perform without charging appearance fees.

As news spread, agents representing other artists reportedly began contacting the Festival, asking whether their clients could also perform. Many, we were told, are Juno nominees . These artists would likewise perform without charging a fee, provided their travel and associated costs were covered. The requested $50,000 would make those additional performances possible.

Council members and the Mayor engaged in a cordial discussion.

When agents are actively approaching a festival seeking opportunities for their clients to perform—without demanding performance fees—that should immediately raise a business question. Exposure has real commercial value. Artists and their representatives understand that appearing before thousands of people can translate into future ticket sales, streaming revenue, merchandise purchases, new fans, and additional bookings. That exposure is part of the value proposition.

If the performers themselves stand to gain commercially from appearing at the Festival, an important question follows:

Why should Hamilton taxpayers underwrite that opportunity?

That is not an argument against supporting the arts. It is an argument for ensuring that every public dollar is subjected to the same level of scrutiny as any other municipal expenditure.

In a city still grappling with one of the largest property tax increases in recent memory, asking taxpayers to contribute another $50,000—even for a worthy cultural event—deserves rigorous business discussion.

Let's hope stewardship of public funds kicks in.

The Hamiltonian

Before the Ballot- with Ward 8 Councillor Candidate Dawn Danko

Welcome to this instalment of Before the Ballot, with Ward 8 Councillor Candidate Dawn Danko.

What motivated you to run for council, and why do you believe now is the right time for new leadership in your ward?

I live, work and I’m raising my family here in Ward 8. Like you, I care deeply about our community. I am running for Hamilton City Council because I believe we need collaborative, experienced leadership at City Hall who listens to residents, leads on Ward and city issues, and is willing to take action to improve our city.

The incumbent councillor is not seeking to run in Ward 8. My experience as a professional and school board trustee, including serving as Chair of the Board, will allow me to effectively jump into the role as a strong, connected leader who can champion our priorities for Ward 8 and Hamilton.

Every ward has its own unique challenges. What do you believe are the top three issues facing residents in your ward today, and how would you address them?

The three issues I hear about most often when talking to people in Ward 8 are community safety, affordability, and the congestion and conditions along Upper James.

First, residents want to feel safe in their neighbourhoods. That means improving traffic safety around schools, continued investment in traffic calming, maintaining clean, safe parks and public spaces, and working with police and other services to address safety concerns before they become larger problems.

Second, affordability is affecting every household. Property taxes and household costs continue to rise while wages aren’t keeping pace. I will advocate for responsible budgeting, evaluate spending patterns and focus city spending on core municipal services, improve accountability, and support economic development that expands our commercial and industrial tax base to reduce pressure on residential taxpayers. Access to affordable housing is significant concern. I will work in partnership with housing providers and leverage provincial and federal funding to build affordable housing in a sustainable way.

Third, residents have shared concerns about the Upper James corridor in Ward 8, specifically road maintenance, traffic congestion, transit reliability, and safety concerns. I will complete an evaluation of the pain points along the route to identify immediate interventions that may include signal timing and separate pedestrian signals. We also need to develop a strategic plan for the future of Upper James, so that as redevelopment occurs, we adjust the road to a modernized design that works for all users, with improved transit options.

Municipal government often requires balancing competing interests and difficult budget decisions. How would you approach making tough decisions at City Hall?

As a Public School Board Trustee, I’ve had to balance the needs of individual families, schools, neighbourhoods and the system, with consideration for funding constraints, legislation and collective agreements. I have experience critically reviewing complex information, evaluating evidence, and considering input from impacted parties to make difficult decisions. I am also committed to tracking outcomes following implementation of a decision to determine what works as intended and where we continue to have issues or gaps.

City budgeting is a cyclical process with significant portions locked in due to multi-year plans or staffing agreements. I believe we need to do a thorough evaluation of all city spending to ensure there is accountability for all funds.

I will approach difficult decisions with transparency, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility. When decisions are challenging, residents deserve clear communication about why they are being made and how they benefit the community.

What experience, skills, or perspective do you bring that distinguishes you from other candidates seeking the same council seat?

I bring a unique combination of public service, professional leadership and community involvement in Ward 8.

For nearly 12 years I have served as an elected Public School Board Trustee on the Hamilton Mountain, including three years as Chair of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. During that time, I gained extensive experience in governance, budgeting, strategic planning, policy development, public accountability, and working collaboratively to solve complex challenges.

Professionally, I have worked as a Radiation Therapist, caring for patients through treatments. I now work in higher education as a College Professor and Curriculum Consultant, supporting the high-quality programs that prepare students for future careers. These experiences have strengthened my ability to listen, communicate, form partnerships, and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions.

Most importantly, I live, work and volunteer in Ward 8. I understand our neighbourhoods because I experience them every day. My commitment is to be an accessible councillor who listens, communicates openly, and delivers practical results for residents.

What is the best way for voters to contact you and/or learn more about you?

Voters can visit my website to learn more about me, my priorities, volunteer or contact me directly.
Website: DawnDanko.ca (Note- Ms. Danko advises that her website will be online soon) 
Email: campaign@dawndanko.ca
Phone: 905-807-745
I'll continue meeting residents in our neighbourhoods – at the park, at events, neighbourhood meetings, local businesses, and while going door-to-door throughout the campaign. I want to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most to you.

Thank-you Dawn for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian! 

 

Media Release: City of Hamilton launches new online system for faster, easier permit and licence applications

HAMILTON, ON – Hamilton residents and businesses can now apply for permits, licences and approvals faster and more easily through the City’s new online Planning, Permitting, Licensing and By-law System.

The new online platform allows users to submit applications anytime, track progress in real time and receive updates throughout the process, improving access to City services and reducing the need for paperwork and in-person visits.

The launch is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to improving customer service and modernizing service delivery.

“Making it easier to submit and track development applications and business permits has been a priority of mine from day one. These improvements benefit everyone, from homeowners planning renovations to businesses and developers looking to grow and invest in Hamilton," said Mayor Andrea Horwath. "This new online system will simplify the application process, improve transparency and help get information to applicants more quickly. It's another major step forward in delivering on our ongoing commitment to modernizing our services and ensuring Hamiltonians have a more efficient, customer-focused experience when interacting with their local government. I want to thank City staff for their ongoing dedication to this important work, and their results-focused efforts."

Until now, Hamilton residents and businesses had to submit applications manually or through multiple channels, including email, which could be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Following the 2024 cybersecurity incident, City staff relied on temporary systems and manual processes to maintain services while a long-term replacement was developed.

The new system modernizes how permits, licences and approvals are accessed and processed, creating a more reliable and streamlined experience for users. Residents, businesses and industry users will find it easier and quicker to apply for permits, licences and approvals through a new online system available 24/7.

The new self-service online customer portal, available through my.hamilton.ca, will allow users to:Apply for building permits
Submit planning applications
Apply for business licences
Submit by-law requests or complaints
Track applications and requests online

“The feedback we have received from the community shows there are opportunities to make City services easier to access and navigate. Launching this portal is an important milestone in the City’s ongoing work to strengthen systems, modernize services and improve customer experience,” said Marnie Cluckie, City Manager. “This work reflects our commitment to putting people first, delivering public service excellence and continuously improving how residents and businesses access City services.”

The new system will be introduced in phases, launching with core features and expanding over time. This approach allows staff and users to build confidence, supports a smooth transition and helps the City respond to feedback while continuously improving the system.

Support will be available during the transition. Step-by-step guides, tutorials and online resources will be available at hamilton.ca/pplb. Staff will also be available at City service counters during regular business hours to assist users in person.

Additional Resources: Web page: my.hamilton.ca
Web page: Planning, Permitting, Licensing & By-Law System 

Before the Ballot- with Wards 5 and 10, School Trustee Candidate Anthony Caputo

Enjoy our first instalment of Before the Ballot- School Trustee Edition with Anthony Caputo, Candidate for Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board Trustee – Wards 5 & 10. 

Please tell our readers a little about yourself and what motivated you to seek election as a School Board Trustee.

My name is Anthony Caputo, and I am a husband, father, entrepreneur, published author, international mental health speaker, Chair of the Winona Parent Council, and a longtime community volunteer. Everything I've done throughout my life has been guided by one simple belief: when we take the time to truly listen, show empathy, and help others, we can change lives. For many years, I've had the privilege of speaking about mental health, resilience, and hope while supporting anti-bullying initiatives. Through that work, I've connected with and supported thousands of people from around the world. Those conversations have taught me that every person—whether it's a student, parent, educator, or community member—wants to feel heard, understood, and valued.

I've learned that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply listen with compassion and without judgment. As a parent, and as Chair of the Winona Parent Council, I've also witnessed firsthand the incredible impact a caring teacher and supportive school community can have on a child's confidence, well-being, and future. Those experiences strengthened my desire to serve in a greater capacity. That's what inspired me to seek election as a School Board Trustee. I believe every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and inspired to reach their full potential. Every parent deserves to know their voice matters. Every educator deserves the respect and support needed to help students succeed. For me, this campaign isn't about politics or holding a title. It's about giving back to the community that

Keep it Clean

In a previous article published in The Hamiltonian After Dark (click here to read it), our Publisher examined the less admirable side of election campaigns and some of the tactics that bad actors may employ in an effort to influence the outcome of an election.

If you witness or become the victim of conduct that appears to contravene municipal election rules or campaign-related by-laws, it is important to report those concerns to the City of Hamilton's Election Office. To assist readers in understanding the appropriate process, The Hamiltonian contacted the City's Election Office for guidance. The Office kindly provided the following link (click here to go there) , which outlines how election-related concerns may be reported and the procedures that apply should you need to pursue the matter.

A piece of advice from The Hamiltonian? Keep your campaign clean and set that tone for your team. You can launch a viable bid without resorting to bad tactics.