Chad Collins

Wednesday November 27, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 27, 2019

City probes who leaked secret reports to The Spec

November 26, 2019

As if leaking sewage wasn’t enough, now Hamilton council is targeting information leaks.

According to sources, councillors have directed staff to launch an investigation into who gave The Hamilton Spectator confidential city reports on the massive discharge of untreated sewage into Chedoke Creek.

City spokesperson Jasmine Graham declined to comment.

“Conversations with respect to the Chedoke Creek issue were held in closed session. With that, unfortunately we’re not able to share what if anything was discussed.”

But reliable sources say directions given in camera to staff include conducting an internal probe plus the option of consulting Hamilton police.

The secret reports obtained by The Spec revealed that the provincial government is investigating the spill of 24-billion litres of sewage over more than four years, which could lead to charges and significant fines against the city.

November 29, 2019

The media previously reported on the July 2018 spill. But council, based on strategic legal advice, withheld the two reports detailing the full extent of the disaster from the public.

When The Spec informed city officials on Wednesday that it had obtained the January and September reports, councillors discussed the issue behind closed doors.

During those discussions, senior staff was told to try to find out who breached the rules which prohibit members of council and employees from disclosing confidential information without proper authorization.

Coun. Terry Whitehead wasn’t at the meeting but he strongly supports an investigation.

“Conversations with respect to the Chedoke Creek issue were held in closed session. With that, unfortunately we’re not able to share what if anything was discussed.”

But reliable sources say directions given in camera to staff include conducting an internal probe plus the option of consulting Hamilton police.

The secret reports obtained by The Spec revealed that the provincial government is investigating the spill of 24-billion litres of sewage over more than four years, which could lead to charges and significant fines against the city.

The media previously reported on the July 2018 spill. But council, based on strategic legal advice, withheld the two reports detailing the full extent of the disaster from the public.

When The Spec informed city officials on Wednesday that it had obtained the January and September reports, councillors discussed the issue behind closed doors.

During those discussions, senior staff was told to try to find out who breached the rules which prohibit members of council and employees from disclosing confidential information without proper authorization.

Coun. Terry Whitehead wasn’t at the meeting but he strongly supports an investigation. (Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Wednesday November 27, 2019

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 27, 2019

City probes who leaked secret reports to The Spec

As if leaking sewage wasn’t enough, now Hamilton council is targeting information leaks.

November 26, 2019

According to sources, councillors have directed staff to launch an investigation into who gave The Hamilton Spectator confidential city reports on the massive discharge of untreated sewage into Chedoke Creek.

City spokesperson Jasmine Graham declined to comment.

“Conversations with respect to the Chedoke Creek issue were held in closed session. With that, unfortunately we’re not able to share what if anything was discussed.”

But reliable sources say directions given in camera to staff include conducting an internal probe plus the option of consulting Hamilton police.

The secret reports obtained by The Spec revealed that the provincial government is investigating the spill of 24-billion litres of sewage over more than four years, which could lead to charges and significant fines against the city.

The media previously reported on the July 2018 spill. But council, based on strategic legal advice, withheld the two reports detailing the full extent of the disaster from the public.

When The Spec informed city officials on Wednesday that it had obtained the January and September reports, councillors discussed the issue behind closed doors.

During those discussions, senior staff was told to try to find out who breached the rules which prohibit members of council and employees from disclosing confidential information without proper authorization.

Coun. Terry Whitehead wasn’t at the meeting but he strongly supports an investigation.

“Conversations with respect to the Chedoke Creek issue were held in closed session. With that, unfortunately we’re not able to share what if anything was discussed.”

But reliable sources say directions given in camera to staff include conducting an internal probe plus the option of consulting Hamilton police.

The secret reports obtained by The Spec revealed that the provincial government is investigating the spill of 24-billion litres of sewage over more than four years, which could lead to charges and significant fines against the city.

The media previously reported on the July 2018 spill. But council, based on strategic legal advice, withheld the two reports detailing the full extent of the disaster from the public.

When The Spec informed city officials on Wednesday that it had obtained the January and September reports, councillors discussed the issue behind closed doors.

During those discussions, senior staff was told to try to find out who breached the rules which prohibit members of council and employees from disclosing confidential information without proper authorization.

Coun. Terry Whitehead wasn’t at the meeting but he strongly supports an investigation. (Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Saturday January 20, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 20, 2018

Councillors back 5 minute speech limit

The days of long-winded repetitive council speeches may be numbered.

After a vigorous 30-minute debate, Hamilton councillors have voted to restrict their statements and questions during meetings to a five-minute time limit.

Donna Skelly, who proposed the speaking cap, said the idea is to impose some discipline on talkative councillors and to be more respectful of time constraints and tying up valuable staff hours.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger called the proposal “music to my ears.”

Eisenberger has previously groused that some councillors waste too much time by running off at the mouth with scant regard for time management.

“I think it’s a good thing to institute some discipline in this process,” said Eisenberger. “We tend on too many occasions to hear the same thing over and over and over again.”

Matthew Green agreed. “If you can’t say something in 500 words (it) probably doesn’t need to be said.”

But the proposal, approved 8-7 at this week’s general issues committee, ran into strong headwinds.

Here’s how the committee vote went. For: Aidan Johnson, Farr, Green, Skelly, Brenda Johnson, Eisenberger, Arlene VanderBeek, Lloyd Ferguson. Against: Merulla, Chad Collins, Jackson, Terry Whitehead, Judi Partridge, Maria Pearson, Conley.

Although Robert Pasuta was absent, the vote is unlikely to be overturned when it goes to council for approval next Wednesday. Pasuta, himself a man of few words, says he’ll support the cap. After all, it reflects his own philosophy: “Think about what you’re going to say and don’t blabber on because who listens?” (Source: Andrew Dreschel, Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Thursday June 1, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 1, 2017

Hamilton councillors offer civic rings to former colleagues

Should former Hamilton councillors Brad Clark and Scott Duvall be recognized for their political service to the community?

Mountain councillor Tom Jackson said he “felt bad” those former politicians didn’t receive some acknowledgment for their years of sacrifice from the city and council.

It was one of the reasons why Jackson supported a city staff recommendation to update a policy to give departing, retiring or deceased councillors a civic ring.

March 10, 2011

Rose Caterina, city clerk, said the policy wasn’t updated for council’s 2010-to-2014 term, which meant Clark, who didn’t run for re-election in Ward 9 in 2014 but instead ran for mayor and lost to Mayor Fred Eisenberger, didn’t receive a ring.

Duvall, who was re-elected in Ward 7 but resigned after becoming the Hamilton Mountain NDP MP, also didn’t receive a ring.

Jackson defended the city providing civic rings to former councillors, saying it is some form of recognition of their hard work on behalf of the community.

“This is nothing ostentatious at all,” said Jackson, who spoke on behalf of issuing civic rings during the May 30 governance review subcommittee. “This is just a small way of saying thanks for the many years of service.”

The subcommittee approved the recommendation to provide civic rings to outgoing, retiring and deceased councillors. About $5,000 per term would be allocated to purchase the rings. Councillors Maria Pearson and Ancaster councillor Lloyd Ferguson both supported the idea. (Source: Hamilton News)

 

Saturday October 1, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday October 1, 2016 Eisenberger takes on 'foolish' LRT critics Mayor Fred Eisenberger has come out swinging against surging opposition to LRT among city councillors, which now includes a referendum pledge and "informal discussions" about approaching the province for a new transit deal. "I think it's unfortunate and foolish to go down this road," said Eisenberger, vowing to do everything "humanly possible" to get council to stay the course on the $1-billion provincially-funded project. Eisenberger warns that if council votes for a referendum it will stop the LRT implementation process dead in its tracks and possibly kill the project. Additionally, he says it's "foolhardy" for councillors to believe there's an alternative deal to be had with the province to redirect money earmarked for transit into infrastructure repairs. "I think the province will take a pretty dim view of coming back with some alternate plans to what we've supported, nurtured and asked for.Ó The mayor was responding to Coun. Chad Collins' promise to bring forward a motion next spring to include the contentious LRT issue as a referendum question on the October 2018 municipal election ballot. Eisenberger says if councillors oppose LRT they shouldn't be "hiding behind" a plebiscite. "If they really want to kill LRT then they should own it and they should put a motion forward to do exactly that and stand up and be counted.Ó Eisenberger was also taking issue with backroom talks about exploring alternatives to the project, which will run from McMaster University to Queenston traffic circle, with a spur line on James North. Coun. Donna Skelly told The Spectator she hopes that "informal discussions" currently taking place will result in the city approaching the province for a new deal. The outspoken LRT critic says a number of councillors are looking at options of how to secure the provincial funding for some other form of rapid

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 1, 2016

Eisenberger takes on ‘foolish’ LRT critics

Mayor Fred Eisenberger has come out swinging against surging opposition to LRT among city councillors, which now includes a referendum pledge and “informal discussions” about approaching the province for a new transit deal.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday July 27, 2016 LRT report not about Ôus-and-themÕ says Whitehead A Mountain councillor says a report his office authored to challenge Hamilton's plan for a $1-billion light rail line in the lower city is meant to offer "sober second thought" as the project moves forward. "What is the best net benefit to the community at large?" Coun. Terry Whitehead told The Spectator's editorial board Monday. But just hours after Whitehead released his report, Christopher Higgins, one of its key sources, released viaÊTwitterÊscathing feedback of the Ward 8 councillor's 58-page effort. Higgins publicized an annotated version of Whitehead's report early Monday, discrediting it for using study material "cherry-picked for maximum effect rather than to present a balanced analysis." That, Whitehead said, was "unprofessional." "Who does a peer review on Twitter for all to see?" Whitehead said he and assistant Howard Rabb, who co-authored the report, had asked for Higgins' feedback before publication, but that the researcher said he was pressed for time and heading to China. Higgins, a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University's Institute for Transportation and Logistics, said a "role for MITL as peer reviewer was mentioned, but never acted upon." Whitehead rejected the report lacks context, saying links to PDFs of full studies it cites are just a click away on its host microsite.Ê The work isn't meant to be scientific, but an attempt to find answers, he added: "I'm not doing a scientific study, let's be clear." During the editorial board meeting, Whitehead said the report isn't about ward politics, either. "This is not an us-and-them thing, as much as people want to pigeonhole me on that." Rather, theÊreportÊÑ which questions projections for ridership, land values, development spinoff and system efficiency Ñ is meant to foster a more "fulsome" take on the project. Whitehead argues staff has presente

 July 27, 2016

“I think it’s unfortunate and foolish to go down this road,” said Eisenberger, vowing to do everything “humanly possible” to get council to stay the course on the $1-billion provincially-funded project.

Eisenberger warns that if council votes for a referendum it will stop the LRT implementation process dead in its tracks and possibly kill the project.

Additionally, he says it’s “foolhardy” for councillors to believe there’s an alternative deal to be had with the province to redirect money earmarked for transit into infrastructure repairs.

“I think the province will take a pretty dim view of coming back with some alternate plans to what we’ve supported, nurtured and asked for.”

Wednesday May 27, 2015

May 27, 2015

The mayor was responding to Coun. Chad Collins’ promise to bring forward a motion next spring to include the contentious LRT issue as a referendum question on the October 2018 municipal election ballot.

Eisenberger says if councillors oppose LRT they shouldn’t be “hiding behind” a plebiscite.

“If they really want to kill LRT then they should own it and they should put a motion forward to do exactly that and stand up and be counted.”

October 28, 2014

October 28, 2014

Eisenberger was also taking issue with backroom talks about exploring alternatives to the project, which will run from McMaster University to Queenston traffic circle, with a spur line on James North.

Coun. Donna Skelly told The Spectator she hopes that “informal discussions” currently taking place will result in the city approaching the province for a new deal.

The outspoken LRT critic says a number of councillors are looking at options of how to secure the provincial funding for some other form of rapid transit but also put money toward the city’s $3.5 billion infrastructure deficit.  (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)