Eisenberger/Whitehead Issue Joint Statement to The Hamiltonian re: LRT

On the heels of The Hamiltonian and our readers expressing a sense of disappointment as to Mayor Eisenberger's and Clr. Whitehead's refusal to engage and respond to questions we posed to them re: LRT, (see them here) they have issued a joint statement which is written below. We appreciate receiving this statement, which addresses some of the questions.

Working Together for Better Transit

"It is true that Councillor Whitehead and I have disagreed, at times, on the implementation of Light Rail Transit LRT in the City. Nevertheless, we have long been committed to working together for the betterment of our transit system in Hamilton. We both agree on the fundamental importance of an improved HSR to the economic and social wellbeing of our city. We recognize the tremendous spur to economic development a strong transit system represents to the city. We both agree on the environmental benefits derived from increased use of our city’s transit system. All in all, there is far more that we agree on then disagree in our vision for a modern, efficient and accessible transit system for the City of Hamilton."

Mayor Fred Eisenberger

Councillor Terry Whitehead

Food for Thought with Alex Bielak- The Best of Taste of Burlington – A view from the Kitchens

Click on pic to enlarge it

The Best of Taste of Burlington – A view from the Kitchens 

As I mentioned in my 2016 year-end column the Taste of Burlington has morphed into a once-a-year promotion. The sold-out launch took place earlier this week, and saw a hard-fought contest among 20 or so restaurants for Best Taste and People’s Choice honours. The prix-fixe event actually runs February 20 – March 12, 2017 at 25 of Burlington’s restaurants, including some not present at the launch. It’s a great opportunity to sample their offerings at modest cost.

This year Ivy Bar and Kitchen won both Best Taste and People’s Choice awards, with a tasty crab & blue cheese crusted flat iron steak, honey-glazed Brussel sprouts, grilled pepper, fingerling potatoes fried in duck fat, and roasted garlic and rosemary jus. They unseated The Queen’s Head Pub, who won both awards last

Media Release: Opioid Response Summit brings together cross sector partners to coordinate collective response

HAMILTON, ON – Yesterday Mayor Fred Eisenberger, and Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Associate Medical Officer of Health convened a broad representation of community partner organizations discuss opioid misuse. The meeting was convened in response to growing concern about opioid misuse, rising overdose deaths, and the presence of high potency opioids like carfentanil in Hamilton.

Eisenberger, Whitehead- a No Show on LRT Questions

With differing opinions on the value of, and implementation strategy for LRT, and with Mayor Eisenberger and Clr. Whitehead disagreeing on many aspects of the issue, thus adding to the controversy, we reached out to both of them in an attempt to have them enunciate, amongst other things, their vision for Hamilton as it relates to transit.

It is with a sense of disappointment that we report to our readers that both the Mayor and the Clr. refused to engage. While atypical of both, The Hamiltonian sees this as a mis-step and a failed opportunity to respect the interests of Hamiltonians. If they have a change of heart, we will reconsider their positions.

Here are the questions we posed:

 It is clear that you share differing views on LRT and its planned implementation in Hamilton. The Hamiltonian believes that with a complex project such as LRT, all views regardless of perspective, are poised to add value to the LRT decision and its potential implementation. It is in that spirit that we asking you both to reply to the following questions for publication purposes in The Hamiltonian. 

1. Specific to the future of Hamilton which would include a refreshed transit system, what is your vision for Hamilton in this regard. Said another way, if we get it right, what would it look like in the short, medium and long term?

2. Switching now to the current plans for LRT, what are the major questions that give you pause. Conversely, what is it about the current plans that provide you with assurance that we are proceeding down the right path?

3. Taking the politics out of it, how will you work to ensure that the politics do not degrade your obligation to Hamiltonians to champion the right solutions, and have frank and honest, respectful  discussions about the strengths and vulnerabilities of any given plan. 

4. You both seem to have a different perspective as to the value of LRT as it is presently being planned.  Do you allow that there is value in your differing views and arguments?

5. Is there anything else you’d like Hamiltonians to know about your perspectives on the LRT issue.

Media Release:Mayor Eisenberger, Public Health Convene Opioid Response Summit

HAMILTON, ON – January 10, 2017 – Mayor Fred Eisenberger and City of Hamilton Public Health Services convenes Opioid Response Summit scheduled for Thursday, January 26, 2017 to discuss opioids and the emergence of high potency opioids, such as carfentanil, in Hamilton. Invitees include representatives from the Coroner's Office, Hamilton Police Service, Hamilton Paramedic Service, Hamilton Fire Service, emergency departments, primary care, community health organizations, addictions and harm reduction services, and housing, along with those with lived experience.

“All opioid misuse is a concern as it harms individuals, families, communities, and also puts pressure on first responders, the health care system, and community services” says Dr. Jessica Hopkins, City of Hamilton Associate Medical Officer of Health, “this summit is about mobilizing key institutions to better understand our collective challenges and opportunities to effectively prevent and respond to increased overdoses.”

“This is an issue we take very seriously. Ultimately we want to prevent overdoses and deaths, and promote health in the community” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “I had the opportunity this past November 18, 2016 to listen in on the day long Opioid Conference held in Ottawa. This has been characterized as a crisis in Canada, with dire warnings and predictions for the situation worsening in the Eastern Provinces.

I am proud to champion this issue and continue to lend my support in convening a table of local leaders and stakeholders to forge a partnership to deal with this together. Additionally, I will be participating in an observation with the Van Needle Syringe program in the next couple of weeks to observe firsthand the situation in our community at street-level.”

City of Hamilton Comprehensive Approach to Drug and Substance Misuse

Locally Public Health Services uses the Four Pillar approach to guide work to decrease the risks of drug and substance misuse in Hamilton and optimize health in the community. The Four Pillar approach involves: Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Enforcement.

Harm Reduction acknowledges that people do use drugs and is about preventing the harms caused by drug use through interventions to decrease the health effects and keep individuals, families, and the community safer. Immediate goals of harm reduction include saving lives, decreasing disease, and improving public spaces; while longer-term goals may help clients to better engage in the health or social service system leading to the potential to decrease or stop drug misuse.