I received this email from Yvonne Williams, President of Total Confidence Renovations, Training and Tool Rentals Company Website.
Yvonne wrote to me in response to an opinion article that I wrote that appeared in the Hamiltion Spectator. The article was entitled "Who Are We Anyway?" It can be found here Who Are We Anyway?
Yvonne confirms what I suspect that many Hamiltonian's are feeling and what I expressed in the article. Let's examine her email.
Yvonne writes:
I loved your article and I would like to take this on the crusade to help rebrand Hamilton . I used to live in T.O and often get the "bad" look when I say that I am from Hamilton and people are amazed when I say that I moved back here ..
I am proud of this city . one of the ideas for rebranding could be " simple .. because we are nice" Torontonians are generally considered to be stuck up and I find that even though people here may be "rough around the edges compared to Toronto standards" that we are friendlier and we would help you out in a heartbeat.
or Hamilton, the real town (as people are very real here), we don't pretend to be someone else, nor do we strive to impress people with fancy things that we may not be able to afford, we accept people for who they are, not for what they may or may not have
Please let me know how I can get involved
I suggested to Yvonne that I feature her email as a topic on the blog and she kindly agreed.
What do you think of her comments and the need to rebrand Hamilton? Anyone in for a crusade?
(Thanks Yvonne for your contribution to The Hamiltonian)
I would definitely agree with Ms. Williams regarding the "nice" and "real" aspects of Hamilton's collective nature. Just this very week, my mother-in-law stayed with us for a visit. She remarked strongly on just this thing. Having lived in Newfoundland, she felt that Hamiltonians had a friendliness, an openess, a no frills and no B.S. aspect to the character of people who live her, things that reminded her of many down east communities. I also think our heritage aspects are important, as is our natural areas such Coote's Paradise, the Bay, the Escarpment etc. are vital to our identity as well. AND as an aside hopefully taken in good spirts by those involved, but our maverick, ocasionally outrageous, local politicians, currently and historically, are a definite part of our character. Rebranding ? Sure, but it must not be an artificial exercise.
ReplyDeleteHello Nicole, er...I mean Cal and thanks for the invite...
ReplyDeleteHaving lived first 40 years of my life in Hamilton and now currently living here in Toronto I feel I have something to add to this discussion.
First off, whatever problems they have in Hamilton multiply by ten and that's what they have here in Toronto because Toronto is ten times the size of Hamilton. Having said that there's also ten times more "nice people" here in Toronto for the exact same reason. (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).
Secondly, the point made by Yvonne regarding Toronto being a city of "Big Fakers" I have to take issue with. Plus, the idea of "Rebranding the City" is great idea on the surface HOWEVER when we get certain individual(s) trying to rebrand the City of Hamilton as "City of Waterfalls" then that's when Hamilton becomes the city of "Big Fakers" to me...I mean, it's one thing to convince some people that the city is in fact "City of Waterfalls" but the question one must ask themselves is, "How many of the out-of-towners will actually buy into this claim?" ...especially when you consider Hamilton is next door to Niagara Falls???Personally, I think it's pretty ridiculous to try and rebrand Hamilton as "City of Waterfalls" and it's not just me who thinks this many Hamiltonians think it's pretty silly idea too...and even many of the Torontonians that I've talked to as well.
Some will even say that "it's not the size of the waterfalls that matter here it's the quantity of waterfalls that we have that matters"...Oh really? Let's take a look at some of the facts regarding the Hamilton waterfalls shall we:
(1) There are over 100 waterfalls in Hamilton. (last count by some, 125)
(2) 30 of these waterfalls you cannot get too because they lie on private property...and most of these are owned by C.N. (Canadian National).
(3) After you eliminate these first 30 waterfalls half of the waterfalls you can't get too because they are too dangerous to get to. We all rememember the story in the Spec not too long ago about the lady who twisted her ankle while visiting the waterfalls? AND it happened on Mother's Day too.
(4) Only 18 of these waterfalls are taller than 18-metres (60-feet) in height....and again half of these are too dangerous to get too so what we're left with are about 8 or 9 waterfalls like Webster's, Tews and Albion Falls.
Rebranding Hamilton is great idea that I fully support 100% but to try and rebrand it as the "City of Waterfalls" is where I draw the line...because the last thing I want to see happen is people calling Hamilton "The City of Big Fakers."
Best Regards!
Rick Cordeiro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Nhl4hamilton
Crusades, much like top down city planning, are problematic. Is not our current disjointed reality a direct result of the re-branding and re-inventing zeal of the seventies?
ReplyDelete'Value' and 'Brand' can reconnect once again quite easily in our times - if only we can stop searching for magic bullets to solve our many problems.
Our City is not the only one caught in this futile reinventing tango. There are many cities across the world rushing to re-brand themselves with a few quick broad brush-strokes.
David Sucher's book "City Comfort - How to Build an Urban Village", is about building Value brick by brick - and a must read to guide the Hamiltonian passions to re-brand.
Alain de Botton's book "The Architecture of Happiness" is another must read to understand - that where we are, heavily influences who we can be.
People in most cities are real and big fakers at the same time! That is the duality of human existence.
Hi Rick:
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to respond to your comments re: The City of Waterfalls idea. I preface my comments by saying that I have no particular allegiance to anyone. My allegiance is to our city and its people. Thus, please take my
comments in that spirit.
The tendency to defeat new ideas is a self fulfilling prophecy. While I admitted that I had mixed feelings at first about the waterfalls idea, I stepped back and had the following internal dialogue:
What is wrong with trying something new?
This is completely unique- a local philanthropist doing this with his own
money and with good intention.
The fact is, we do have many waterfalls. Why not showcase that?
It can be seen as a plank supporting the notion of The Best Place to Raise
a Child
It doesn't have to be the only thing we are known for.
You can't deny that there is a great deal of interest from people.
It's uplifting for communities.
Unless we allow ourselves to envision a different way of presenting ourselves, we continue to reinforce the same rut we are in.
Frankly, I am somewhat disappointed that council has not lent any tangible degree of support to the idea. Billboards are up, cars are wrapped, a bus is wrapped, radio ads were launched, www.cityofwaterfalls.ca is getting a lot of hits as well as the YouTube channel. It's out there.
In terms of our proximity to Niagara Falls, it can be an opportunity rather than a barrier. It's hard to experience such a world wonder in an intimate way, unless of course, you have an extra barrel and don't mind risking your life and imprisonment, if you survive ;-)
You can use the concept into the marketing. IE: The City of Hamilton, An essential stop on your way to or from Niagara. Have a more intimate experience with natural waterfalls. I'm not a marketing person, so I am sure someone can finesse the concept much better than I.
The point is, that unless we adopt a "can do " attitude, the default is more of the same, which leads to more of nothing.
In terms of hurting oneself seeing waterfalls, most people can hurt themselves getting on a bus, jogging, or any other everyday activity. I
didn't find that point compelling.
In terms of how many out of towners will buy into this claim, as far as I have come to understand, many have. The waterfalls tours apparently have attracted outsiders.
In terms of being the subject of ridicule, I think that's a cowardly posture. Break throughs are never easy, by virtue of the
fact that they challenge the status quo, which is often times so entrenched that we allow it to become our fabric.
It terms of the number of waterfalls that can be readily operationalized, I am sure it is a sub set, but I think there are enough to provide the necessary foundation to move forward. In fact, the evidence confirms that.
These tours are happening frequently.
Rick- at one point I thought you were for the idea. What caused this turnaround?
I'll end by saying that we have a tremendous opportunity to turn our city around and that there are so many ways we can approach it, and some already have been doing it. Look at Ecklund's efforts. Look at some of the downtown
projects that are happening.
We're not there yet, but people are trying. What's missing is the orchestration and leadership needed to align the efforts. Until that happens, it is only natural that some efforts may take effect as one offs. These one offs are opportunities, and not something to be struck down.
I may sound like I am defending the idea, but I'm not. I am defending the idea of having new ideas.
By the way.I'll take the "Hi Nicole.err Cal" greeting, as a compliment ;-)
Nicole has certainly done great work.
Cal
caldifalco@cogeco.ca
Cal, good evening....
ReplyDeleteI don't mind if someone in town wants to spend their own money to promote the waterfalls. Promoting waterfalls in Hamilton is one thing but when you go around and start preaching to everyone that "Hamilton is the Waterfall Capital of the world" I think that's pushing it. How can we go from almost no one from out side of the city not knowing we have waterfalls in Hamilton to being "the Waterfall Capital of the World?" ...it's like it happened overnight and there's no proof for it. Hamilton is not the "Waterfall Capital of the workld" Cal. This is false advertising. Furthermore, on whose authority is Hamilton "waterfall caital of the world?" The philanthropist promoting the idea?
There's a web site online called "The World Waterfall Database" and these are the guys who are the leading authority when it comes to waterfalls on the Planet Cal. Skim through their web site and you'll find THOUSANDS of waterfalls from around the world listed there BUT interestingly enough not even one PEEP about the waterfalls in Hamilton. I mean, if Hamilton was really the "Waterfall Capital of the World" surely, there would be a mention in there about the Hamilton waterfalls? :)
http://www.world-waterfalls.com/
Branding or Rebranding the ciy is good. Never said that was a bad thing. Trying something new is also a good thing. Never said that was a bad thing either. Telling the world we have waterfalls is one thing but when you go parading around and tell everyone that we are the "Waterfall Capital of the World" that to me is pushing it my friend. It's like "ya, ok Mr. Philanthropist, we hear you but deep down inside we don't believe it for a second."
Hamilton has great opportunity to turn things around yes but there are a great number of factors and stumbling blocks holding the city back and they being the following:
(1) Too many people who have served city council for too long. These people need to be replaced immediately, all of them, with fresh minds and new energy. New people with no affiliations whatsoever with individuals who are currently pulling the strings of the current cast of politicians down at City Hall.
(2) The city itself doesn't do a good enough job of promoting itself. Actully, they do a lousy job of it. This is why I took it upon myself to do all the work I did on wikipedia to promote Hamilton...even though I never even got an official thank you from the city but that's o.k. I didn't do the work for Eisenberger or Economic Development, I did the work for the people of Hamilton....this one here is a fine feather in my cap and work that I'm damn proud of and this is also something that no one can ever take away from me.
(3) Too many people down at Hamilton's Economic Development Department riding the "gravy train" and not earning their keep. I can get into greater detail regarding this third point if you'd like my friend.
(4) The city looks like a DUMP in the downtown core...as well as major sections of Barton Street. Any smart city would use the downtown core as a show piece and make it the crown jewel but with Hamilton the downtown is a joke. We've seen the pictures you posted last year on Nicole's blog to prove my point here with this one.
Someone wants to spend their money to promote waterfalls be my guest. Someone wants to go around and tell everyone that Hamiltom is
the "Waterfall Capital of the World" to me, that is when Hamilton becomes the "City of Big Fakers."
Best Regards!
Rick Cordeiro
Crusaders United?
ReplyDeleteI have seen the new billboard ad, at the end of the back
alley near DQ, which is positioned at the corner of Main
Street East and Ottawa Street. Beneath this billboard at
BBQ Pizza & Wings you will find a daily deposit of trash
from the revolving door residents living a stone's throw
from the sign. Across the street used to be an ad-hoc
farmer's market which has disintegrated into a
storage lot for dead flowers. Around the corner,
at the gateway to the Ottawa Street North BIA,
on the signature pole, the letter W has been
burned out for weeks.
It's gonna take a lot more than a few bill-
bored ads to re-brand this city. The current
advert will likely be replaced by another
bumping uglies stamina drug, personal in-
jury law firm or the next vogue time-wasting
minute-saving phony cellular endorsement.
I admire Chris Ecklund's passionate approach
but he is only one man with a visionary brand.
Hamiltonians need more WITS
A competitive edge in stats
Winning In Team Spirits
Let's Go Tiger Cats!
Hi Rick:
ReplyDeleteI think we can agree on some, if not, all of the barriers you listed.
I don't totally agree on 3.
On 4, I plan to re-publish those pictures along with what the city looks like now (or closer to end of term), to see if there is any noticeable difference. I think we are improving the core, but I continue to be concerned. I think we have a long way to go. It's nice to see that Hamiltonians are taking it upon themselves to buy up places and start new projects.
In terms of the Waterfalls idea, big and bold advertising happens all the time.
I'm still not clear on why you are suddenly against the idea? I thought you were helping to develop the content on the wikipedia site that dealt with the Hamilton Waterfalls?
Cal
Cal, I've already said all that I needed to say on this subject matter. I have nothing else to add here when it comes to the waterfalls. "Waterfall Capital of the World" is false advertising for Hamilton. As far as disagreeing with my point #3 I will elaborate some more at a future date regarding it.
ReplyDeleteAgain Cal, thanks for the invite and glad I was able to make a positive contribution.
Cheers!
www.rickcordeiro.actorsite.com
Doesn't anybody find it a bit weird that about 50 minutes east of Hamilton is a City, tourist destination and international landmark known the world over for its waterfalls? Yeah it even has "Falls" in its name...
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody seriously think Hamilton can compete with the Honeymoon capital of the world on an equal footing? Our numerous waterfalls are great, but lets put it into perspective.
Eklund. Keep going. Nver mind the negative drains on society. They cant lead themselves out of a paper bag. Keep going sir!
ReplyDeleteElvis P
I'd like to challenge one point and add another.
ReplyDeleteFirst, putting down others is not the best way to get ahead. To achieve excellence, an entity (city/person/etc.) must conquer themselves. I'm from Toronto, I have always had an affection for Hamilton. I am now moving to your fine city, but it's not because you are nicer. My friends and family in Toronto are as welcoming and compassionate as they come.
Second, it's impossible to 'brand' a city. Like people, places get nicknames they don't choose. Nobody will start using this waterfall thing. We must stop looking at our cities from the outside. Take pride in what we earn and have, and perhaps a worthy nickname will appear. Something like "Hamilton the Proud"!