Marvin Caplan

Wednesday February 5, 2003

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday February 5, 2003

Dipping into the Sacred Trust Funds

The idea of dipping into the Hamilton Future Fund to offset a major property tax increase is understandably tempting to some city councillors. But if council keeps the long-term interests of the city in mind, as opposed to a quick fix, it will leave the fund intact and explore more prudent ways to ease this year’s tax bite.

Glorious architecture gallery

The city is currently wrestling with a projected municipal residential tax increase of 7.2 per cent — well above its 5.8 per cent guideline.

In the end, there may be no alternative to a significant tax hike if services are to remain at a decent level. But we wonder if some councillors are ready to make the tough choice in an election year.

The current environment at City Hall is tailor-made for political expediency. That’s how we view the idea of reducing taxes by using money made available to the city in proceeds from the privatization of Hamilton Hydro. (From a Spectator Editorial)

 

Thursday January 23, 2003

January 23, 2003‘To his credit, then Ward 1 Councillor Marvin Caplan was the only council member to show up at the devastating flood on Locke Street in February. His moral support for residents seemed of little consolation once the cameras rolled. The image of a warmly dressed gentlemen wearing a fur hat, among a group of angry residents, was the perfect stuff for ridicule.’ - Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 23, 2003

The Great Flood of 2003

Graeme’s Gallery 2003

The old pipe couldn’t take the pressure anymore and blew just before 5 a.m. For 76 years, it had ferried water from the city’s main trunk line up Locke Street to fill the Beaumont Reservoir, which in turn quenches west Hamilton’s thirst. But yesterday, after days of bitter cold, frost worked its way under the 30-inch cast iron pipe, right where one section connects the next under the intersection of Herkimer and Locke streets.

The frost pushed the ground up until the big feeder pipe shattered like a poorly fired clay vase, blowing out a one-metre-square piece of metal.

It released a geyser of water so powerful it blasted straight up through concrete roadbed and asphalt and spewed three metres into the air.

Within minutes, it sped down streets into more than 100 homes and businesses, completely flooding some basements and reducing water pressure across large parts of west Hamilton. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)