Term Limits Tweet

Ontario Ombudsman Andre Marin, retweeted The Hamiltonian's thoughts on term limits, to his 20,040 followers. 

Food for Thought with Alex Bielak - Sips and Bites – Coming Attractions, March 2014

Chef Tobias & Louise Sherwood
at Red Canoe

Sips and Bites – Coming Attractions, March 2014 

Coming soon. Spring. We hope and pray.

I’ll admit to feeling overwhelmed with matters culinary: I simply have too many ideas on the go to focus on just one this time around. So, I’ll alert readers to some neat opportunities both locally and a bit further “afield” (Ahem, almost a pun there, as you’ll see below). I’ll also share how stories can evolve organically and how inter-connected our culinary scene really is.

First off a reminder: the 9th Annual Food and Drink Fest at the Careport Centre on Longwood Rd., Hamilton is nearly upon us. On March 21 – 23, it is truly a wonderful event and draws good crowds. However don’t expect to see it featured much by either the Spec or our Community newspapers: They’re conflicted as parent company Metroland Media, organizes its own event later in spring.

Over the phone, Jay Higgins, the Fest Manager, told me the Careport event again has a “stellar line up” of restaurants and (VQA and International) wineries... There are lots of gourmet coffees and teas as well as sauces, spices, rubs and marinades: more than any year before.”

Local restaurants will be doing demos including TWISTED LEMON (talented and returning Cayuga chef, Dan Megna), NELLIE JAMES (used to be “Chef and Wife”, in Dundas) My-THAI Restaurant (one of my favourites with several outlets locally), and Copetown Woods 4th-COURSE BISTRO chef, Nina Ruelens.

Higgins told me they’ve come to focus on local talent rather than “celebrity chefs from gimmicky shows.” That way, visitors to the Fest can see the demo, and easily eat at the participating restaurants. Experience has shown people find that more interesting, he said.

Close to (my) home, the Flamborough Review has launched a “Recipe Challenge.” Local residents can win a gift certificate by submitting a favourite recipe that uses a given ingredient: Asparagus is first on the menu (as selected by afore-mentioned Chef Nina from Copetown Woods) and entries, accompanied by a photo of the dish, will be accepted to Friday March 21st. Mmm, pan roasted asparagus, asparagus quiche, soup…

In Toronto, CBC Metro Morning host, Matt Galloway, hosts “Food on Film” beginning March 12th through to July 9th at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. The series “brings together chefs, food experts and film lovers to enjoy the best of culinary cinema and conversation.” (And there’s yet another idea for a story: some of the best food and wine related films… Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Sideways, Babette’s feast etc.)

For something different, and with St. Paddy’s day in the offing, Fielding Estate Winery in Beamsville is

Link of the Moment- Bratina on LRT

Click on pic to enlarge it

Mayor Bratina on LRT. Click here to go there....

Click here for details.  Further Information can be found at hamiltonlandtrust.wordpress.com.
RSVPs should be sent to allison@hamiltonclt.org.

"Early Birds" - Meet Bobby Assadourian

Can you tell us why you chose to run in this election? What do you hope to accomplish?

I have chosen to run in this election because one way or another I have been advocating for change and helping people my entire life, becoming a councillor just makes it official and broadens the scope of the people that I can reach and help in a Ward that I work in as a contractor that is very dear to me as it holds fond childhood memories.

My goal will be to bring the peoples concerns to council in a passionate and loud voice. Work hand in hand with community groups to achieve my platforms objectives, in protecting and enhancing the lives of senior citizens by keeping them happy and healthy in their own homes proud and independent as they age, empowering women for equality and advocate for single mothers challenged by the current system which paralyzes them from seeking independence, develop programs for our youth to have better career opportunities, educate and welcome newcomers into our society as they struggle to integrate, safer cleaner streets, new business development programs, more accessible transportation, revitalizing the ward to a thriving community, work with landlords on how to better their investment while offering safe tenant living conditions

Can you briefly describe your experience, and/or what you believe you have to offer as a candidate.

Passion & Integrity, as I pound the pavement in my steel toe boots the entire four year term, making my face a permanent part of the ward’s landscaping! As a successful small business owner, it is truly all about communication, being accessible, and winning the hearts of your customers or in this case my constituents. By being accessible, I have now automatically become the eyes and ears of the ward as I take their wishes and hopes to council. I am a people person who easily makes friends and forms alliances, these alliances I forge with the various community groups within ward 3 will ultimately make it a better place to live, work and play for everyone.

Where or how can constituents learn more about you and/or contact you?

Bob Assadourian
www.forabetterward3.com
(905) 929-8511

Thanks Bobby for your submission to The Hamiltonian. 

Media Release- McHattie Launches Online Campaign Platform Survey

McHattie Launches Online Campaign Platform Survey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 6, 2014

HAMILTON - The Brian McHattie for Mayor Campaign officially launched its online Platform Survey today. The survey had a ‘soft’ launch on Monday of this week and within less than 24 hours, over 100 responses were received.

According to McHattie, “I made a commitment at my campaign launch that I would be reaching out to all residents of Hamilton to hear about their issues and their ideas about Hamilton’s future. This survey is an important part of that process. We’re already off to a good start.”

McHattie says, “We’re already seeing issues from respondents right across the city such as enhanced transit, safer streets, better snow clearing, more jobs, to name a few.”

The survey asks participants to provide comments about things they would like to see improved on their street, in their neighbourhood or Ward, and in their city as a whole.

“I’m very excited about the survey. While I’ve already identified a framework consisting of 5 themes, I want to build the details of my platform based on input from citizens. I also plan on using the survey results to help shape the face-to-face conversations I’ll be having throughout the city in the coming months. Many of those meetings are already booked, and there are many more to come.” says McHattie.

The survey is open to all Hamiltonians who access the McHattie for Mayor website at www.mchattie2014.ca

Deferred Development Charges

Further to this article in today's Spec (Click here or purchase today's print copy), we asked Neil Everson,  Director of Economic Development & Real Estate Planning & Economic Development Department, the following:

We understand that a renewal of incentives related to deferred development charges is under review. It is our understanding that the current structure, which has been deemed successful, allows that development charges be deferred provided the company pays the borrowing costs and a 1 % admin fee. In exchange, development charges can be deferred for up to 5 years. Are there any safeguards in place in the event that a company becomes insolvent prior to the fees coming due?

Let me clarify - the rate is the City's cost of borrowing (our interest rate) plus a 1/4 percent for an administration fee. Yes there are safeguards - there is a legal agreement that must be signed by the company and the city.  Any amount owing from the DC deferral agreement (because it is registered on title) can be added to the property taxes payable if a company becomes insolvent.

Thanks to Neil and his staff for the reply. 

"Early Birds"- Meet Todd White

Can you tell us why you chose to run in this election? What do you hope to accomplish?

HWDSB has generated a lot of attention this term for a variety of controversial decisions. This has sometimes resulted in a disconnect between the School Board and its communities. This has not been the case in Ward 5. I am running for re-election to maintain our strong voice in the boardroom and our school communities.

The next four years may see a review of Ward 5 schools. We need a Trustee that isn’t asleep at the switch. I am committed to open and transparent dialogue that encourages full community participation. Past successes have shown that we accomplish more for our students when we work together.

Can you briefly describe your experience, and/or what you believe you have to offer as a candidate?

Navigating government bureaucracy isn’t always easy. I have worked my way through the Board’s governance structure, first as a member of each Trustee Special Committee and now as Chair of the Policy Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board. I am prepared to assist families through any challenging circumstance at the school or Board level. I am also proud to serve Hamilton East–Stoney Creek through my full-time job as MPP Paul Miller’s lead community assistant. I’m always available for a quick phone call or visit in the community.

Q3. Where or how can constituents learn more about you and/or contact you?

I welcome your questions or concerns 24/7 at 289-237-1644 or twhite@hwdsb.on.ca. If your inquiry is campaign related, please e-mail me at toddrwhite@hotmail.com. To view my HWDSB responsibilities, please visit www.hwdsb.on.ca/board/trustees/todd-white. Stay tuned for further information about my re-election campaign.