Larry di Ianni

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Saturday, April 12, 2014By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, April 12, 2014

Larry Di Ianni not running for Hamilton mayor

For SaleFormer Hamilton mayor Larry Di Ianni says staying out of the race for the city’s top job has been, “in some respects, the hardest decision that I’ve made.”

It will be the first time since 1982 that the former school teacher and principal has not been on a political ballot. He says after his loss to Mayor Bob Bratina in 2010, he figured he was done in local politics.

Monday, March 24, 2014“But politics is a bit of a drug. Whenever there’s an election, the urge comes back.”

Di Ianni made the announcement Friday morning on Twitter. He also posted a statement on his Facebook page that outlined what he considers his political achievements, including the Red Hill Parkway, airport employment lands, the city’s poverty round table and Randle Reef cleanup.

Speculation had swirled about whether Di Ianni, who has remained outspoken on civic issues, would join fellow former mayor Fred Eisenberger in the eight-candidate race.

Di Ianni says he was “leaned on very heavily by responsible people who think I have something to contribute.”

He expects to throw his support behind a candidate but hasn’t decided who that will be.

Di Ianni started his political life as a Stoney Creek councillor and served one term on Hamilton council after amalgamation before becoming mayor by defeating political heavyweight David Christopherson.

He then took an unsuccessful run as a Liberal candidate in the 2008 federal election, losing to the NDP’s Wayne Marston in Hamilton East-Stoney Creek.

“It will be a different experience not being on the ballot, but I expect to be involved,” said Di Ianni. “Most of the nominated candidates have reached out to me. There are good candidates stepping forward and I expect more will come.”

Both he and his wife were surprised by her support for another run for mayor, says Di Ianni, who has spent his time away from politics volunteering and operating a government relations consulting business.

“She was advocating most strongly that I go for it. … She sees how I light up around political issues. But she’s happy with my decision.”

Di Ianni was mayor from 2003 to 2006. He lost to Eisenberger in an election campaign clouded by Di Ianni’s violations of election expenses laws.

The Stoney Creek father of three says he had already made his decision when he heard of the sudden death of just-retired federal finance minister Jim Flaherty on Thursday.

“It drove home the point that there is a start to one’s life and an end to one’s life. If you continue the hurly-burly activities and push the limits, it doesn’t extend your life. The end point is always there,” said Di Ianni.

“Everyone in that 60 age range thinks about it.” – Larry D (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Saturday May 15, 2010

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday May 15, 2010 Di Ianni ponders run to reclaim mayor's seat Former mayor Larry Di Ianni is considering a rematch bout with Mayor Fred Eisenberger in the October municipal election.Di Ianni, who lost to Eisenberger in the 2006 campaign, says he's thinking of stepping up because he believes Hamilton needs to have a serious mayor's race. "Obviously if I ran, it's because I think I could do a better job than Fred," Di Ianni said. He points to several issues tempting him to take the plunge, including lack of leadership and council cohesion over taxation and the city's handling of the Ticats and Pan Am stadium controversy. His comments come fast on the heels of Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson's decision not to throw his hat in the mayoral ring after mulling it over for months. Ferguson says he intends to seek re-election as Ward 12 councillor on the advice of family members and supporters who were afraid of losing him as a community voice. Ferguson's decision to opt out follows those of potential high-profile contenders Teresa Cascioli and Councillor Tom Jackson. That leaves pot advocate Michael Baldasaro and Mahesh Butani, a boutique property developer and blogger, as the only registered candidates, which virtually gift-wraps a second four-year term for Eisenberger. If Di Ianni does enter the race, however, that cakewalk could turn into an unpredictable slugfest. (Continued: Hamilton Spectator) http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/769206> Hamilton, Michael Baldasaro, marijuana, pot, Mahesh Butani, Fred Eisenberger, Larry di Ianni, boxing

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 15, 2010

Di Ianni ponders run to reclaim mayor’s seat

Former mayor Larry Di Ianni is considering a rematch bout with Mayor Fred Eisenberger in the October municipal election.Di Ianni, who lost to Eisenberger in the 2006 campaign, says he’s thinking of stepping up because he believes Hamilton needs to have a serious mayor’s race.

“Obviously if I ran, it’s because I think I could do a better job than Fred,” Di Ianni said.

He points to several issues tempting him to take the plunge, including lack of leadership and council cohesion over taxation and the city’s handling of the Ticats and Pan Am stadium controversy.

His comments come fast on the heels of Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson’s decision not to throw his hat in the mayoral ring after mulling it over for months.

Ferguson says he intends to seek re-election as Ward 12 councillor on the advice of family members and supporters who were afraid of losing him as a community voice.

Ferguson’s decision to opt out follows those of potential high-profile contenders Teresa Cascioli and Councillor Tom Jackson.

That leaves pot advocate Michael Baldasaro and Mahesh Butani, a boutique property developer and blogger, as the only registered candidates, which virtually gift-wraps a second four-year term for Eisenberger.

If Di Ianni does enter the race, however, that cakewalk could turn into an unpredictable slugfest. (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Saturday May 15, 2010

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 15, 2010

Di Ianni ponders run to reclaim mayor’s seat

Former mayor Larry Di Ianni is considering a rematch bout with Mayor Fred Eisenberger in the October municipal election.Di Ianni, who lost to Eisenberger in the 2006 campaign, says he’s thinking of stepping up because he believes Hamilton needs to have a serious mayor’s race.

“Obviously if I ran, it’s because I think I could do a better job than Fred,” Di Ianni said.

He points to several issues tempting him to take the plunge, including lack of leadership and council cohesion over taxation and the city’s handling of the Ticats and Pan Am stadium controversy.

His comments come fast on the heels of Ancaster Councillor Lloyd Ferguson’s decision not to throw his hat in the mayoral ring after mulling it over for months.

Ferguson says he intends to seek re-election as Ward 12 councillor on the advice of family members and supporters who were afraid of losing him as a community voice.

Ferguson’s decision to opt out follows those of potential high-profile contenders Teresa Cascioli and Councillor Tom Jackson.

That leaves pot advocate Michael Baldasaro and Mahesh Butani, a boutique property developer and blogger, as the only registered candidates, which virtually gift-wraps a second four-year term for Eisenberger.

If Di Ianni does enter the race, however, that cakewalk could turn into an unpredictable slugfest. (Continued: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

Saturday November 11, 2006

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday November 11, 2006 2006 Mayoral Race Of the seven candidates in Hamilton's mayoral race, fully five are fringe, leaving only Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Fred Eisenberger in the credible mainstream. Steve Leach is so fringe, he's out of sight. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has even clapped eyes on him during the campaign. Martin Zuliniak and Michael Baldasaro are clearly in the contest for attention-getting laughs. Though, to be fair to Baldasaro, who is making his sixth run at the mayor's chair, over the years he's learned to temper his low satire with off-kilter but witty political commentary. The remaining two candidates are also peripheral players, but in a slightly different way. Both Diane Elms and Gino Speziale are visible enough and take themselves seriously indeed. But there's no depth beneath the political platitudes they sprinkle like fish food. They have no campaign organizations to speak of, no identifiable support base, no comprehensive platforms and policy positions. Elms and Speziale give the impression their thin playbooks are based on movies where populist rhetoric is enough to sway voters rather than substance and a real understanding of how things work. (Source: Hamilton spectator) Hamilton, Michael Baldasaro, marijuana, pot, Larry Di Ianni, Fred Eisenberger, Steve Leach, Martin Zuliniak, Gino Speziale, Diane Elms, race, track

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 11, 2006

2006 Mayoral Race

Of the seven candidates in Hamilton’s mayoral race, fully five are fringe, leaving only Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Fred Eisenberger in the credible mainstream. Steve Leach is so fringe, he’s out of sight. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has even clapped eyes on him during the campaign.

Martin Zuliniak and Michael Baldasaro are clearly in the contest for attention-getting laughs. Though, to be fair to Baldasaro, who is making his sixth run at the mayor’s chair, over the years he’s learned to temper his low satire with off-kilter but witty political commentary.

The remaining two candidates are also peripheral players, but in a slightly different way. Both Diane Elms and Gino Speziale are visible enough and take themselves seriously indeed. But there’s no depth beneath the political platitudes they sprinkle like fish food.

They have no campaign organizations to speak of, no identifiable support base, no comprehensive platforms and policy positions. Elms and Speziale give the impression their thin playbooks are based on movies where populist rhetoric is enough to sway voters rather than substance and a real understanding of how things work. (Source: Hamilton spectator)

 

Saturday November 11, 2006

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 11, 2006

2006 Mayoral Race

Of the seven candidates in Hamilton’s mayoral race, fully five are fringe, leaving only Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Fred Eisenberger in the credible mainstream. Steve Leach is so fringe, he’s out of sight. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has even clapped eyes on him during the campaign.

Martin Zuliniak and Michael Baldasaro are clearly in the contest for attention-getting laughs. Though, to be fair to Baldasaro, who is making his sixth run at the mayor’s chair, over the years he’s learned to temper his low satire with off-kilter but witty political commentary.

The remaining two candidates are also peripheral players, but in a slightly different way. Both Diane Elms and Gino Speziale are visible enough and take themselves seriously indeed. But there’s no depth beneath the political platitudes they sprinkle like fish food.

They have no campaign organizations to speak of, no identifiable support base, no comprehensive platforms and policy positions. Elms and Speziale give the impression their thin playbooks are based on movies where populist rhetoric is enough to sway voters rather than substance and a real understanding of how things work. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)