Mayor-elect Bratina will need to find a way to win his colleagues over- at least with his ideas and policies. As a councilor he was many times outspoken and not shy to call out errors or points of disagreement. As Mayor Elect and eventually as Mayor, the reception he receives may be quite telling of how functional or dysfunctional this new council will be. More telling might be, how Bratina reacts to it. Will some of his peers be vying to "teach the new mayor a lesson"? Or will they be professional enough to support Mayor Elect Bratina?
In the face of disruption, will Bob be able to control or regulate decorum? Or are the archers gearing up?
For what it's worth, The Hamiltonian is hopeful that council will find greater harmony going forward, keep the best interests of Hamilton in mind, and support themselves and our new mayor.
Your predictions?
I hate being negative but quite frankly my forecast for Bratina mayoralty is one disaster after another.
ReplyDeleteCompromise, leadership, team building are simply qualities that are not in his DNA. Nor is there any ability to learn from mistakes and grow.
I sense that there will be continual outbursts of conflict and Bratina will not only be unable to control them, he'll make them worse.
Finally, any new policies and initiatives coming from this mayor's office will be continually challenged, not on their merits but on their source.
A rocky road ahead is inevitable in my view.
Nothing has really changed we are still dealing with pretty well all the same players! I am not overly optomistic that we wont have another four years of dysfunction @ City Hall!
ReplyDeleteMuch of the same Councillors looking out for the interests of their business friends. Not much change.
ReplyDeleteThis City continues to lose and I think that Bob has some great ideas, but the ego's at Council will get in the way and vote everything that he brings to the table.
He will have problems with Chad Collins who, I think has way too much influence.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who attended the many debates or any council meetings in recent years (to be clear -- I have) already know that Mr. Bratina cannot take even an ounce of criticism or non-conformity. During the debates, to disagree with him, one was met with childish body language where he would cross his legs, turn to one side, cross his arms, pout his lips and turn red, snorting through his nose in rage. Having an opinion during a bid for mayor was not acceptable to him, what will he do with his councillors?? For anyone to see that in a human being let alone a man who has been elected to Mayor, it is a frightening sight and does not bode well for his ability to negotiate, be a statesman or represent Hamilton on any level in the international arena in future. He does NOT have the emotional composition to handle the downside to leadership which is confrontation, disagreement, criticism or malcontent which will surely be generated when an already stagnant council sees him enter and take top seat in an arena where they all barely got along to begin with. It's like the biggest bully with the least self-esteem has been granted a bout as leader. Just watch for the childish displays. They did't end at the candidates debates. It's who he is. He's going to find that he cannot change Hamilton any more than he can change that. Trying to change the minds of all his councillors, they would have to respect him. It's going to be almost impossible for him to accomplish anything. I give him till February before he starts crying.
ReplyDeleteI do not feel Hamilton will move forward with our new Mayor. Hamilton needed someone new, someone with a vision, someone who will take a stand and not be afraid to make decisions. So I guess we will have to wait another four years to make this happen. Bratina may be a good man, but he does not have what it takes to be Mayor. It would of been better off to have Mayor Fred continue running our City. As for DiIanni, he made too many unforgivable mistakes. Lets hope the next election we see the light and vote for someone who will can carry the Mayoral Name.
ReplyDeleteSteven
I for one am going to give Mr. Bratina a chance. Shame on the rest of you for being so ruthless. Let's see what he can do as mayor. If he blows it, then we can criticize. Sure, knock down the Mayor before he even tries. That's Hamilton.
ReplyDeletePoint well taken about criticism before Mayor Bratina chairs his first meeting as mayor. Granted anyone deserves a chance.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately in this case, Bratina has already shown, again and again, his unfitness for the job.
Leopards can't change their spots.
Exactly, JBH. He's had a chance. We know this man. We've seen what he can do. The only people who think this is some kind of 'fresh start' are people who haven't paid much attention to local politics until now. Unless Bratina can do a complete 180 in his behaviour, we are going to see the worst mayoralty in a generation.
ReplyDeleteTo whom it may concern:
ReplyDeleteRe: No surprise only 39% of Hamiltons' voted in 2010.
It was no surprise that only 39% of Hamiltons' citizens voted in the last municipal election...nothing new there. It is my belief that one reason for this low voter participation are the difficulties experienced by those who DO vote.
I witnessed this while working as an Election Assistant in this last election. The issue of proper identification was particularly frustrating for many people. Voters were expected to show the voting card mailed from City Hall as well as personal identification with a picture, signature and address. Many people that had been on the voters list for years did not receive their voting card in the mail. Others that phoned City Hall prior to voting, were informed that a health card was sufficient identification to vote. This was not true for those with new health cards which do not have an address on them. So, some people ended up not having enough identification to vote and were forced to fill out forms to rectify the situation.
It is very demeaning being singled out in such a manner...especially to the people that vote faithfully in every election. I experienced this same degradation in the last Provincial election when my citizenship card was deemed insufficient for voting because it had no address. I have been a Canadian citizen for well over 40 years and felt so insulted that I ended up not voting. I saw similar reactions from other voters in this election...people who chose not to vote, disgusted with having their identity questioned.
Every citizen that files a tax return has the pertinent information on government records so, why are we being subjected to this abuse? People that are homeless, without a drivers' license, or that have lost their identification are particularly vulnerable and end up being marginalized.
I would think that because, everyone has a S.I.N. number, including the homeless, that everyone would be quite easily identifiable with that, entitled, registered and encouraged to vote. If you don’t vote you give up the right to government assistance of any kind and the right to partake in Democracy.
Mayor-elect Bob Bratina's honeymoon with the electorate will be short, but I'm willing to give him a chance, starting with the Stadium issue. If he can close that deal and freeze property taxes to find savings, more power to him. One thing for sure, he's under the microscope for the next six months, maybe longer if Hamilton continues to tread water, or decline.
ReplyDeleteA $10 million deficit is projected by the end of the year, 2011 will already have an Elephant in the room, more accumulated debt approaching $400 million. Ouch.
I had to go to three polling stations before anyone let me vote. At the second one I ran into candidate Mahesh Butani who himself had not received a voting card!! I found that incredulous, and I also found it interesting that more people of colour in Beasley had not received their voting cards than white people if that is a fair assessment to make?
ReplyDeleteMayor Bratina, I would also like to know, since you took full credit for the re-build of Dr. Davey School, how you managed to ignore the health and welfare of all those innocent little children and built the school on the site of a hydro generator? You and I both know the cancer-related implications of being a few yards away from something that powerful; and when you say you "cleaned up that park" is it only to the point you think the people in THAT neighbourhood deserve or to the level you think people like yourself deserve? The park's a mess right now and it needs more than the pat on the head you gave it already. You've taken credit for a LOT of things which were done half-assed. Fix them please, SIR.
Mayor Bob will now have to be a TEAM PLAYER which is a new concept for him. Good luck Bob with mending the relationships with Council that you have alienated during your last term as a Ward 2 councillor. Clean slate for now, review status of collaboration early next year!
ReplyDeleteMayor Bratina will have to show them who is boss and not let council disrespect him like they disrespect Mayor Fred. At least Bratina wasn't one of the dysfunctional ones. I have a glimmer of hope that he will do good for the city. It's just unfortunate that he has bring with him the baggage (councillors from the last term). In my opinion, they all should have been turfed with the exception of Brad and Sam. Those two guys are much like Bratina, they have guts. These "career councillors" have to go!
ReplyDeleteI for one, am an internal optimist with a realistic mindset...
ReplyDeleteMayor Bob may just 'let go' of some of his past negative traits simply because he now is in the 'power position'...That will be my optimistic side and I have seen it work beautifully !
Now, the 'flip' side of that coin is that because of his new found power, it puts him over the edge...
I am going to go with my heart on this one and sincerely wish that everyone learned more from the Constituents and will use this knowledge wisely.
If we truley have Councillors that are secure, confident leaders, they will rise above the negative past and move forward towards a positive future.
This is my wish for City Hall and all of us that so much wanted change !
Have a great day everyone !!!
If we look at the motions that were passed most recently by council,you will find a couple of interesting facts, that may explain the disorganization at the polling stations.
ReplyDeleteFirst we introduced several advance polling stations, and special advanced polls. This cost was about 20,000 plus for each. No time for training on these new electronic tabulators.
The date of the election was moved up too October 25th - two weeks early.
I dont think other municipalities did this, maybe a few. The time frame with which to make these decisions and implement them was very little and constituted in organized chaos.
The advanced polls constituted for over 50 percent of the votes,in most wards if not all. Advanced Poll dates, approved by council, were open in some cases 18 days prior to election.
It stands to reason the incumbents, the councillors who passed these motions to increase polling stations and move the push the time back over three weeks in some cases, surely explains why they had a great advantage over new running candidates.
Many of the candidates campaigns kicked off at the end of September, not to mention the advanced polls had already occurred when Cable 14 aired many of the Wards All Candidates Question and Answer Debate.
These issues that surround this election need to addressed and fixed. We are still in a pilot project state, and knowing how these tabulators are working and properly is worth investigating.
Only time will tell how well he can perform in position of Mayor as the official shepard of the flock.
ReplyDeleteSomeone mentioned cost savings, be careful how this phrase is used, as it could imply cost cutting and reduction in services. A more appropriate term Hamilton needs to embrace and is measurable is Value for Money.
One thing I'll say about Bratina- he blogs. That automatically makes him cool!
ReplyDeleteModern day constituent
Marty I believe the tabulators you refer to are based on simple electronic algorhythms which can be altered simply by a pre-programmed electromagnetic device operating almost like a garage opener. If the city were to do a manual audit we would probably find that some of the winners did not actually win. I'm a physicist at McMaster. Missing voters cards are not an error. THAT MANY has to be intentional.
ReplyDeleteThey work just like signs, they remind people to vote. Without the card, some people, especially those new to the country, do not feel as though they "get a turn" to vote this time! It's a simple psychological trick. It's like not receiving a paper invitation to a wedding even though you have a verbal one. Something about it reeks of impropriety so you don't show up until and unless the paper one comes in the mail! For the same reason they send them out (to let you know your vote is due in an upcoming election), their absence will cause the loss of this. 39% voter turnout? You'll find at least 30% of the people didn't receive their card. I don't think Bratina and all the incumbents would have won. Nice job Mayor Bob. (I'd like to think he and his secret union buddies had something to do with it?) LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR DONORS LIST MAYOR BOB!
About power, a person in power must respect the people around him. In Bratina's case, he could not even show the two past mayors any respect at the time he won and he ran because he no longer wanted to be just one of the councillors. Do you really think he's going to respect any of them now? haha and so he cannot expect any of them to respect him back.
Let's all move to Burlington.
It is the sign of the times that candidates blog.
ReplyDeleteIn Ward 13, there were only two candidates that blogged giving a two way dialogue with the people if required. It was very frustrating too listen to contradictions from encumbents, what they say as a quote in the paper, and what they actually do for their community.
One dimentional ... constitutents felt like they were in a vacumn.. Unless you hung in the circles of the status quo ... you only heard his side of the story..
The more social media the better... we re starving for information to make better choices... The choice made in Dundas, a person who has sat and sat and sat on council since the 80's was based on people not wanting to take a real look at the change that is happening in Dundas!! Statu Quo in all their fear of change, is going to keep us from moving forward.. the natural evolution of humankind!!
Based on the interview that the Spec did with the Mayor Elect today, I can say, expectantly, that the media and the rest of Council are in for a well deserved rough ride.
ReplyDeleteI don't know this Bratina guy, but I have developed an instant respect and admiration for him. He wants to restore Hamilton's Pride and he wants to stand up for Hamilton. He stands up well for himself so I have faith he will stand up for Hamilton with federal and provincial people, with developers, with councillors, and also the Spectator. He owes no favours to anybody other than the people!
The Spec endorsed Eisenburger not him so he owes them nothing but well earned spite.
This was evident in the interview.
Bratina has a bully pulpit.
He does not have to "work" with councillors. They have to work with Him.
We have a new tough guy in Hamilton and woe betide those who think it will be business as usual.
LabRat
ReplyDeleteI think I understood for the most part what you were referring too...people were supposed to get cards in the mail.. or not..or were we supposed to just show up with ID.. this was very unclear to many folks here in Dundas.. never mind where they were to vote and often distances that were not common sense to where they lived.
However, I have to disagree with you on Mayor Bob. I like him. I think he will be bulldozed over by this new council nor the media.
He has been around for a long time, and knows their dance, knows the tricks.. and well I think he is darn sick of it all.
He will strive to keep this council accountable and transparent. He is not after friends. He is after teamplayers..
We have some great players on council. Strong and deeply committed too their Wards..nothing wrong with this.. what is wrong is they fail to see the whole picture ... the Greater Hamilton Area. Bob is already reminding everyone of this and I think he will be a welcome change ..
He is going to be the captain of this team. If people were to play as a team, to keep the ball moving in the right direction... this city can finally reach and move toward its great potential.. cuz its awesome..!!!
If Bob Bratina offers respect he might get some back. I don't think I've ever seen him offer anyone any real respect in the eight years I've come to know him. Let's see.
ReplyDeleteThe New Mayor polled almost 53,000 votes city wide. If you add up all of the votes that the winning councilors polled in 13 out of the 15 wards, it is less than 52,000 ( 7 and 8 polled around 17,000)
ReplyDeleteThe unfortunate fact that the Mayor has only the one vote and although he speaks for the majority of citzens who took the time to vote,The power brokers on council will force the issue and the citizens may loose unless there is comprontation. Look out, and watch how your councilor votes.
A coach or leader is only as good as the players he has to work with! Mayor Bob is facing an uphill battle, as this team will make the Ti-Cats of four years ago look like Grey Cup Campions!
ReplyDeleteToday I read that the Hamilton Tiger Cats are putting forward a proposal to support the current Stadium site on the CP rail yards and they should be commended for their support, instead I hear the negative views and that is a shame.
ReplyDeletePractically the CP site is far too expensive to bring to reality,Chris Murray and staff are working their tails off at the direction of Mayor Fred and his council that will result in a report that will not be conclusive to the total cost of developing the CP site. Estimated at $170 million.
The new council under the leadership of the new Mayor should look at all 5 sites that were addressed at the Fenn Fiasco and all of the costs and analysis made available to all council for an educated decision, this was never done.
There is enough funding in place at present and locations that are affordable and viable to complete this project without asking for another penny from Federal, Provincial or local governments (WE THE PEOPLE) Here's to sense!