After 8- with Ward 8 Councillor Candidate Glenn Davies

In keeping with The Hamiltonian’s commitment to fairness, we reached out to every candidate running for Ward 8 Councillor and invited them to share their perspectives. Each candidate was asked the same four questions, and we will publish their responses as they are received.

We begin our series with candidate Glenn Davies. We invite you to read and enjoy our chat with him.

1. What do you believe are the greatest challenges that face Ward 8, and what will you do to address them?

Many people in Ward 8 have complained about the state of the roads, the people want them fixed. While this is a City wide problem the roads situation does impact Ward 8. I would like to cancel the change of Main Street into 2 way traffic freeing up millions of dollars to fix roads. There are inexpensive ways to achieve the same safety results.

The older part of Ward 8 has the problem that it was built before the current lot standards were in place. As a result, residents are unable to tear down an old house if they want to replace it with a new home. The result is they are forced to do a fake renovation that gives them a new house on top of the worst part of the old house. I want to change the development rules regarding lot setbacks and other restrictions allowing people to replace their houses.

2. Beyond the needs of Ward 8, what are some city wide initiatives or problems the city is facing more broadly, that you hope to help address? How would you contribute to the resolution to those problems?

The biggest problem that I am championing is to return Council to taking responsibility for what the City is doing. For many years, Council has just rubber stamped whatever staff put in front of them. Council does not think through the ramifications of what staff asks them to approve.

Staff gave us the so called "rain tax" to upgrade the storm water system. A fee that unfairly taxes those without storm sewers. It will tax shopping centers for their parking lots resulting in the stores raising prices to cover the extra costs. It will raise property taxes to pay for the staff to run the tax.

Staff gave us the Vacant Unit Tax (VUT). For no good reason this forces 99% of Hamiltonians, every year, to declare by phone or web that they live in their house. Staff claim to know where the vacant units are. Short term rentals will just raise their prices. Developers will just charge more when they eventually build on those sites. VUT will not increase the number of homes available for residents. The VUT will increase property taxes to pay for more staff.

Staff have over the years built up many development rules that may work for new subdivisions. But don't work when replacing the old building stock. These development rules also make it difficult for developers to design and get approval for multi-family towers. Council needs to completely review the development rules to clean them up and make them work in the present reality.

Staff have been writing By-laws that they only plan to enforce when someone has a grumpy neighbour. Many of these By-laws don't make sense with the language preventing what the By-Law pretends to allow. I want to review and change or delete many of these By-laws. The By-laws should respect the rights of the property owner to decide how to use their property.

3. There are many people running for the position of Ward 8 Councillor. What do you offer that makes you the best pick?

As a retired Systems Analyst, I will be reading and understanding everything that staff put before Council. I will challenge staff when they present recommendations, reports, By-laws that don't make sense or have errors. I will lead an effort to change the way the Council operates, rather than give more of the same.

4. Is there anything else you would like people to know about you , your campaign and how to reach you?

I believe that substantial change can be made to the way this Council operates in the one year left in the term. My goal is to cause that change, and not need to run in the general election in 2026.

More information about my campaign, and I can be reached through my webpage: daviesward8.ca


Note:The Hamiltonian sent its request for participation to all candidates listed on the City’s official candidate roster at the time of our outreach. If you have since registered to run and did not receive an invitation, please contact us at admin@thehamiltonian.info.  We will be pleased to provide you with the same opportunity to share your views.

We extend our best wishes to all candidates in the upcoming election.