LETTER: Save money, let Skelly's able assistants run ward for rest of term

Re: The disenfranchisement of Hamilton's Ward 7 (Editorial, July 5)

After reading this editorial about the disenfranchisement of Ward 7, I had to chuckle a little as I have lived in the ward for decades and seen many councillors come and go.
Donna Skelly represented the ward well and managed to spend infrastructure money wisely, repaving and repairing roads, sidewalks and sewer relining, assets that other wards ignore — such as spending their infrastructure cash on other expenditures, like $220,000 given to a private sector theatre.
During the summer, local politics grinds to a halt. Most councillors are in holiday mode until the fall election cycle.
Perhaps the Ward 7 executive assistants that worked in Skelly's office can continue fielding constituents calls and directing them to the right department or person until the fall election, saving the city $50,000.
Mark-Alan Whittle, Hamilton Mountain

Federal Liberals leave Hamilton out in the cold

After watching Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appoint cabinet Ministers in a gender equal fashion I was left wondering why The city of Hamilton was left out in the cold despite electing two Liberals, a woman and a previous Mayor of this fine city. All we have been left with is a Liberal back bencher, at the Prime Ministers beck and call for votes, and a previous city councilor, who will be a member of the third party NDP, same as the last person who held the position. Nobody seems to care that it will cost local taxpayer $100,000 to run a by-election in the dead of winter. Someone could actually win with about 1,500 votes. That's Hamilton, get used to it.

Mark-Alan Whittle, Hamilton mountain

LETTER: Fewer councillors would be better for city

When the Hamilton council of the day botched amalgamation, I figured this city would be in for a rough ride.

Fast forward over a decade and Hamilton still has too many politicians and all the pet-project agenda’s they bring.

As far as costs go, the fewer politicians the better.                       

For instance for the federal and provincial Hamilton Mountain riding we have one politician each for the upper levels of government, yet locally we have three or four councillors to represent approximately the same number of electors.                       

As far as costs go, the fewer politicians the better.

If city council had some political will and a backbone, we could have five politicians representing the whole city, with about the same number of electors (100,000) in each new ward.                       

To ensure equality, a mayor would be elected at large. A tie vote is always a loss. This would be a strong mayoral system of governance.                       

Further savings might be had by all levels of representation sharing office space and other workers. At least they would all know what the other is doing. That’s called transparency.

Perhaps I should start a petition. I’m sure 500 Hamiltonians would like to have lower property taxes while getting the same services we get now.
 

Mark-Alan Whittle                       

Hamilton Mountain                  

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Registry better late than never

Public comments sought before decision on lobbyist registry (thespec.com, April 9)

Back in 2004, a client came to me asking that I set up meetings with city staff in order to put forth an idea for property the client owned near Flamboro Downs.

After consulting with staff of the federal and provincial lobbyists registrars, they suggested I approach the city clerk's office and suggest they start a voluntary lobbyists registry. The clerk's office staff made it happen and the registry became active in 2004.

I was the first lobbyist on the list, and 10 years later, I'm still listed at the top. Over the years, the clerk's department has refined and improved the present voluntary lobbyist registry, and I hope they will continue to do so once this registry becomes mandatory.

Any violations could be forwarded to the integrity commissioner for adjudication. The history of the registry has been long and tortured once the accountability and transparency subcommittee took ownership of the policy. I tried numerous times to help this committee move things along, but I was ignored. I was never invited to speak, or to suggest ways to capture lobbyists to keep the system open and transparent. I'm happy to hear the public will be consulted, and a decision made by July of this year. Better late than never.

Mark-Alan Whittle, Hamilton

Maddie’s got it

Re “So, what do you stand for, Justin?” (Sept. 1): Maddie Di Muccio is one of my favorite columnists, as she reflects my values and has a wonderful way with words. Newmarket’s municipal council is lucky to have such a gifted politician and a mother sitting at the table. This column reminds us all why young Trudeau won’t be prime minister any time soon. He’s as shallow as a dug-out canoe. I’m sticking with Stephen Harper, he gets results.

Mark-Alan Whittle
Hamilton

(Maddie thanks you for your support)