mayoral – mackaycartoons

Wednesday May 10, 2017

May 10, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 10, 2017

The Spectator’s view: A mayoral veto is just musing, but …

March 24, 2017

You had to know that when Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger used the word veto, hackles would be raised. Not all hackles equally, mind you. Reaction on social media was more mixed, with some actually seeing merit in the mayor’s observation. But in the minds of many — see today’s letters — Eisenberger may as well have suggested doing away with council entirely and running the show himself.

http://www.mackaycartoons.net/yahoo_files/2012/huh2012-01-12.html

January 12, 2012

Let’s be clear: the mayor was musing, no more. The province would have to change the municipal act to enable something like a veto, and there is no appetite for that. Eisenberger knows that and said as much.

He was trying to make a point, and it’s one worth discussing. Hamilton city council, like many others, is a dichotomy in many ways. You have 15 councillors who are elected by citizens of the ward they represent. Then you have the mayor, who is elected by the community at large. In that respect, the mayor has a mandate from the entire city, while councillors have a mandate from their ward constituents only.

March 10, 2011

Ward councillors justifiably feel great responsibility to respect the will of the people who elected them. They zealously guard the interests of their ward. That’s parochial politics, and it’s not always a bad thing. But what happens when what’s best for the city overall butts up against the interests of ward councillors?

LRT is an example. Councillors for the wards most heavily impacted by LRT construction and disruption are solidly behind the project because they see its overall benefit to their wards and eventually the city overall. Citizens in other wards don’t agree. They don’t see any direct benefit so don’t support the project. (Though it’s hard to fathom how some don’t see assessment growth and new commercial tax revenue as overall benefits.)

May 11, 2009

Another example: ward boundaries. Looking at the big picture, it’s hard to argue against redrawing boundaries so all citizens have roughly equitable representation. But such changes are trouble for ward-heeling councillors whose wards might have to change for the greater good. And so, we spent thousands on consultants, ignored their work and ended up kicking the can down the road.

Eisenberger’s point was that there must be a better way. Councillors elected at large instead of by ward? A mix of both? A board of control, or “executive committee” as its called in Toronto? A mayoral veto with appropriate checks and balances to prevent abuse?

October 14, 2003

As noted earlier, the discussion is academic. But maybe it shouldn’t be. The current system certainly has its share of drawbacks, although it generally works. But would it be so bad to study, perhaps even pilot, an experiment in doing local government differently? And why not in Hamilton, a city where challenges are overshadowed by ever-growing potential? (Source: Hamilton Spectator Editorial)

Wednesday October 29, 2014

October 28, 2014 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday October 29, 2014

Where did you go, Hamilton voters?

Not good enough, Hamilton.

That was the consensus among disheartened democracy boosters after voter turnout plummeted to a record low of 34 per cent in Monday’s city election. By contrast, 60 per cent of eligible Toronto voters cast a ballot.

Sure, Hamiltonians weren’t motivated by a world renowned mayoral soap opera — but we did have a three-way battle for the top job, four empty council seats and a polarizing LRT debate.

“People just aren’t interested,” said Larry Pomerantz, chair of the Hamilton Civic League which supported a People’s Platform resident engagement effort this election.

We’re not alone — cities throughout the GTA saw turnout under 40 per cent, with some, like Oshawa, even dropping to 26 per cent.

Pomerantz said the key is to convince residents it’s in their interest to join the civic debate. “Do we really want more voters, or more informed voters?”

Education is essential, says mayor-elect Fred Eisenberger. “Voting is a learned behaviour we need to instill in our children,” he said.

Eisenberger also argued that the city can make it easier to vote. He vowed to “aggressively” pursue online voting options, which the city will study in advance of the 2018 election.

Online voting helped Ajax reach its best turnout in decades — even if it was just 30 per cent.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ted McMeekin also said Tuesday Ontario is “committed to moving ahead” with offering a ranked ballot option to cities — and “quite possibly” a shorter campaign period.

Ranked ballots allow voters to list candidates by preference, with second choices used in a run-off until a candidate earns 50 per cent support.

While Hamilton’s election day had some snafus, they shouldn’t have kept voters away from the polls, said election manager Tony Fallis, who called the vote one of the smoothest he’s seen in the city.

Fallis received five complaints about electioneering at polling stations and a parking problem at a Flamborough school.

Councillor Judi Partridge said she also fielded complaints from upset voters who claimed the station opened late, leading to lineups.

Fallis said he was not aware of any delays in opening of any of the 209 polling stations. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Saturday October 18, 2014

October 17, 2014 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 18, 2014

What’s fair play in an election campaign?

The efforts of purported online hackers to “expose” a Ward 3 candidate as a Freemason just jumped to the top of a list of questionable campaign tactics in Hamilton.

It’s getting to be a long list.

Alleged mass destruction of Marie Robbins signs in Stoney Creek. An anonymous letter disputing how long Sandy Shaw has lived in Ward 1. A suspected “whisper campaign” about the health of mayoral candidate Brad Clark.

Mudslinging

Clark, in turn, was accused of mudslinging after claiming candidate Fred Eisenberger misled the public by withholding rapid transit memos when he was last mayor. Clark then faced criticism when it was revealed he got the memos from outgoing Mayor Bob Bratina, not via a Freedom of Information request, as suggested by his campaign.

The difference between hardball tactics and dirty politics is often in the eye of the beholder, said political pundit Gerry Nicholls, known for creative attack ads during his time with the conservative National Citizens Coalition.

“Attack ads, brawling tactics … it’s kind of par for the course in elections,” said Nicholls, who fondly recalls skewering federal politicians using “farm animals and billboards.”

“Politics really is a blood sport. If you’re not ready for the rough stuff, maybe you’re not ready to run for office.”

Still, Nicholls said every candidate has to respect basic rules, such as libel law. “You don’t call someone a liar … You may hint at it, you may imply it,” he said. Also, do your research. A factually incorrect attack ad “can really come back and bite you.”

Clark rejects the characterization of his campaign as negative. He argued Thursday the vast majority of his announcements have been positive and added it’s fair to criticize the track record of opponents.

“There’s a difference between comparing performance and quite literally name calling,” said Clark in response to a Spectator question at a news conference on improving council relations.

The Stoney Creek councillor has indeed endured some notable barbs from mayoral competitors like Brian McHattie, who has called him “Machiavellian.”

Clark also recently held a news conference to address what he felt was a “whisper campaign” about his rheumatoid arthritis, which he said is in remission and has never interfered with his duties as councillor.

Shaw was irritated to learn about the anonymous pokes at her residency. The rookie candidate said she briefly lived outside the ward for family reasons but is back and has had a home in Ward 1 for 32 years. She describing the letter in field hockey terms: “like a crack at your ankles on a breakaway.”

Ward 3 candidate Matthew Green is the latest victim — or, possibly, beneficiary — of a political attack. A YouTube video ostensibly posted by the online collective of hackers Anonymous warns viewers the rookie candidate is a Freemason who moved his business to Ward 3 to “control” the neighbourhood.

Some online comments noted the video does a good job reminding viewers of Green’s activism and media plaudits for being a “young professional to watch.”

Green said he appreciates the shoutout, if not the “poor production values” and “tinfoil hat stuff.” He declined to say who he thinks is behind the video — but added it isn’t him.

“I don’t know, this election seems to have really brought out the kookiness in some people,” said the candidate, who described himself being “two-for-two” in unwanted election news after being accused of defamation following a heated exchange with a school board trustee.

“Maybe you haven’t arrived until someone makes an Anonymous video about you?” (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Tuesday September 16, 2014

September 15, 2014 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday September 16, 2014

Rob and Doug Ford’s symbiotic relationship and ideological mission behind passing of the baton in election

In a Mount Sinai hospital room in downtown Toronto late Friday afternoon, Doug Ford stood beside his stricken brother, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, with their mother, Diane, other family members and their lawyer and confidante Dennis Morris for a “bittersweet” passing of the baton.

For Rob Ford, who has withdrawn from his controversial and closely scrutinized bid for re-election Friday in a shock move after hospitalization for an abdominal tumour, it was hard to submit to the reality of quitting, said Mr. Morris.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Mr. Morris said as he drove away from the hospital visit. “He’s chomping at the bit. His mind says go but his body says no… He is quite convinced he would have won the election.”

Doug Ford — stepping in and registering as mayoral candidate in Rob’s stead on the last day for candidates to register for the Oct. 27 municipal election — showed “tremendously mixed emotions,” Mr. Morris said.

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“He is very heartbroken that he has to take over for the mayor but on the other hand he’s very doggedly determined to succeed,” he said.

“They both have the same platform… They share the same views in terms of political aim — they want to save money for the taxpayers and basically, that’s the end aim they have.”

It all speaks to the symbiotic relationship Doug Ford has with his brother Rob and to the deep-seated notion of the brothers being on an ideological mission.

As Mr. Morris put it, “they are almost joined at the hip in some way. They are very close in every way humanly possible.”

While Rob is often seen as the affable but problem-plagued personality, Doug is perceived as the tougher, sober sibling who became his younger brother’s advocate, protector, spokesman and surrogate. (Source: Toronto Star)

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Thursday August 14, 2014

August 14, 2014 by Graeme MacKay

By Graeme MacKay – The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 14, 2014

Property tax bite still bigger in Hamilton than surrounding cities

(Revision of a cartoon originally published October 20, 2010)

Hamiltonians still spend more income on higher-than-average property taxes compared to their municipal neighbours — but the gap is shrinking.

The city’s latest tax competitiveness study shows the average residential tax bill in Hamilton is around $3,700, about 9 per cent higher than the average of 16 comparable cities across the province.

We also spend more of what we make on taxes.

Property taxes as a percentage of income is 4.3 per cent in Hamilton, where the average household income is $88,582. Only three cities on the comparator list fared worse, while neighbouring Burlington comes in at the low end at 3.5 per cent.

Property taxes as percentage of income

A selection of cities:

Burlington, Oakville, Toronto: 3.5%
Barrie, Kingston: 4% (average)
Hamilton: 4.3%
Oshawa: 4.5%
Richmond Hill: 4.7%

On the upside, the numbers are improving. The city’s residential tax bill was 15 per cent higher than average 10 years ago, while property taxes as a percentage of income was a whopping 6.2 per cent in 2008.

But voters are clearly looking for better news, said several mayoral candidates.

“We’re moving in the right direction, but not as fast as I’m sure many of us would like,” said Councillor Brad Clark.

He noted successive smaller-than-average tax increases, including the latest 1.5 per cent bump, which ranks Hamilton as one of the stingiest budgeters outside of Windsor over the last four years.

“The issue of property taxes is still huge for people. Yes, we’re doing better, but people still feel overtaxed.”

Both Clark and fellow mayoral candidate Fred Eisenberger pointed to the need to attract new industry as an urgent priority to help spread the property tax pain.

“I’ve said it before: we don’t have a spending problem, we have a revenue problem,” said former mayor Eisenberger, pointing to successive years of lost businesses and an ever-shrinking industrial tax base.

“Priority One is retaining and growing our businesses to recapture that lost revenue.”

Hamilton homeowners carry a disproportionate share of the tax burden, with almost 87 per cent of tax revenue coming from residential properties. It could get worse, depending on the outcome of ongoing tax assessment appeals by large industrial businesses U.S. Steel and ArcelorMittal Dofasco.

A recent reassessment of U.S. Steel’s waterfront property cost the average city taxpayer an extra $9 this year – and pending appeal decisions could claw back millions more from city coffers.

The city also faces looming spending decisions, such as how much to spend upgrading bus service in preparation for a possible light rail or bus rapid transit project.

Council must do more to save or redirect cash for needed infrastructure upgrades, said mayoral candidate Crystal Lavigne. “As a city, we need to set our priorities straight and address our needs before our wants,” she said. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)