Hamilton Community News

Drummond strings high wire for McGuinty

rjerred — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:03:34 +0000

Economist Don Drummond has strung a political tight rope that will require more skill for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty to traverse than it will for daredevil Nik Wallenda to walk across a high wire crossing the Niagara Gorge.
On Feb. 15, Drummond, a former TD Bank chief economist and chair of the commission on public-service reform, delivered his long awaited report on cutting public services.
The 668-page report contained 362 recommendations including scrapping full-day kindergarten, increasing class sizes, higher hydro and water bills, cancelling tuition grants for university and colleges, capping health care spending, and increasing revenue sources through toll roads and parking fees at GO Train stations.
While the media has discussed at length many of the report’s recommendations, the big question remains unanswered: “What will Premier McGuinty and his Liberal government do with it?”
The overwhelming message of the report is that Ontario is in bad fiscal shape.
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath reacted quickly in criticizing the report for placing the burden of eliminating the deficit on working families rather than the corporate elite.
Ontario PC leader Tim Hudak applauded the report for pointing out the failings of the free-spending Liberals. The Tories have demanded Finance Minister Dwight Duncan to deliver a budget as soon as possible.
So where does that leave McGuinty and his vulnerable minority Liberal government?
If they decide to follow the recommendations to the letter, they run the risk of alienating the public employees and teachers unions which have propped up the Liberal government. And the general public won’t be too pleased to dig into their pockets for higher utility bills and more user fees.
Does McGuinty, who has been accused of breaking political promises in the past, follow Drummond’s advice and cancel full-day kindergarten, roll back reductions in class sizes and cancel the university and college grants?
These are three expensive election platforms which have earned the Liberals support from parents and college and university students.
Turning their backs on those promises could drive many of their supporters into the waiting arms of the NDP.
However, not doing so will play into the hands of the Tories, who can argue the Liberals don’t have the stomach and will power to follow Drummond’s recommendations and bring Ontario’s spiralling deficit under control.
The Tories may be in the best political position. They have a ready-made platform for the next election. And it won’t have cost them a cent.
On the other hand, the Liberals might have some explaining as to why they would pay a consultant $1,500 a day to provide a report and ignore its findings.
Then again, maybe the Drummond Report was just a taxpayer-funded exercise to gather the public’s opinion on tough cost-cutting measures.
Or, an apologetic McGuinty can enforce the recommendations and flip-flop on his election promises saying he is just following Drummond’s advice.
Regardless, McGuinty’s response to the Drummond report over the next few months could determine the fate of the Ontario Liberal minority government and how soon we have another provincial election.
Hamilton Community News Managing Editor Rod Jerred can be reached at rjerred@hamiltonnews.com or follow him on Twitter @HCN_editor.

Silence of the lambs

rjerred — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:53:53 +0000

For the last 10 years the city has created a specific opportunity for Hamilton residents to voice their opinion on how to spend their money in each year’s budget.
But despite calls by homeowners, activists and taxpayers demanding the city give them even more time to appear before politicians to talk about a budgetary issue, there has been minimal interest by the public in taking part in the process.
In 2002, a year after amalgamation was established, the city, prompted by residents, established a public outreach strategy for the 2003 budget process so they could have a say in where their money went. It included holding various workshops, opportunities to talk to staff during public meetings held across the city, allowing residents to submit ideas, or express concerns through the internet about where to spend or don’t spend tax dollars.
About 180 people turned out for those meetings. Topping their issues was stopping the Red Hill Valley Parkway construction. Other issues involved more spending on infrastructure, downtown renewal, halting urban sprawl, capping salaries, the need for affordable housing, higher development charges, user fees, and performance measurements for staff.
A few years later, then-mayor Larry Di Ianni introduced a strategy to get the public involved in the budget debate, holding a series of budget workshops, overseen by the city manager and a consultant, to discover what the average Hamiltonian wanted from council. In some respects it was a public relations disaster. While people did attend the events, for the most part, it was criticized for its expense, and for not truly listening to the people’s needs. The results were ignored, corrupted by what the public considered a biased process.
Councillors and staff then decided to simply have a day to allow people to address council unfiltered by any bureaucratic obstacles. Some Hamiltonians did take the time to present their ideas to politicians, especially those folks in Flamborough, who adamantly demanded politicians cut their high taxes and do something about the city’s soaring debt.
But as the years went on, the public portion of the budget deliberations degenerated into special interest organizations asking council to protect their slice of the taxpayers’ pie, while the average Hamilton homeowner ignored the process entirely.
This year’s public session on the budget was, simply put, a waste of time. About six people showed up between the 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. allocated time. But for the most part, the gallery was bereft of people. From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. councillors were left waiting to see if anybody would even show up to offer an idea about how their money is being spent.
The reasons for the public’s lack of interest in the budget process vary. Maybe citizens are satisfied that council is looking at a zero per cent budget increase this year, after last year’s record 0.8 per cent tax hike. Maybe homeowners are certain their taxes are being properly spent by city hall. Maybe people don’t like going to downtown Hamilton at night to talk to politicians, and are more comfortable voicing their anger, frustration, and making snide comments on social media sites. Or maybe they don’t care what happens at city hall.
Whatever the reason, it’s a failure on citizens’ behalf to determine the direction of each year’s budget path, leaving staff and councillors alone to craft the city’s financial road map.
To watch politicians patiently waiting for people who will never show up and talk to them about vital services, essential programs, or even to fix a damn pothole on a street, is disconcerting, and shows the disconnect that exists between who governs this city, and the residents who pay the taxes to run it.

UPDATE- Upbound Claremont Access reopens

rjerred — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:56:44 +0000

Traffic has resumed upbound on the Claremont Access about one hour after a mud slide crashed through a retaining wall and caused police to shut down traffic going in both directions.

Staff Sergeant Greg Doerr said downbound traffic remains shut off the Claremont and the closure could remain in place “for days.”

The City of Hamilton’s Public Works Department is responding to a retaining wall failure along the embankment of the downbound Claremont Access.

Hamilton Police had closed the Access at the top and bottom as a safety precaution.

City staff are onsite and consulting with structural and geotechnical engineers to determine next steps.

More updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

BT celebrates achievement of Youth Olympic gold medalist

mpearson — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:29:24 +0000

By Mike Pearson, News Staff

When Youth Olympian Mikey Ciccarelli was honoured by his school this week, the champion snowboarder strode through the aisles sporting a new set of crutches.

Hometown fans need not be concerned. Injuries are nothing new for Mikey, who at 15 has seen more than his fare share of sports-related bumps, bruises and broken bones.

After a recent mishap during training at Mount St. Louis Moonstone, Mikey will focus on qualifying for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia.

“I landed a jump weird and my leg twisted,” Mikey explained. “It’s almost healed. Two more weeks and I’ll be back at it.”

At the 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, Mikey won gold in the slopestyle snowboarding event and finished fourth in the halfpipe. In slopestyle, Mikey was the only competitor to successfully execute a backside 1080 leg cork. The jump includes three full aerial rotations. It was also the first time Mikey had successfully landed the trick in competition.

On Feb. 22 a gym full of students and staff at Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School watched highlights from Mikey’s gold medal run. A loud roar was generated each time Mikey’s name was mentioned. Despite the fanfare, Mikey said he doesn’t want to dwell in the spotlight.

“It’s just another thing, you know. “You just have to shoot for the next thing,” he said.

Once he recovers from the leg injury, Mikey plans to compete in Whistler. Later this summer, when other kids are enjoying the heat, Mikey will travel to a cooler destination to begin Olympic qualifying in New Zealand.

“We try to be on the snow as much as possible,” said Mikey.

As for his signature backside 1080 leg cork, fans should expect to see more of the trick in future competitions. Mikey isn’t deterred by the high degree of difficulty, nor the chance of injury when a trick doesn’t quite turn out as planned.

“That was the first time I’ve done it in competition,” said Mikey, speaking about his Youth Olympic performance. “But I’ve done it in practice like every time.”

Celebrity chef coming to Ancaster

mpearson — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:19:37 +0000

TV chef Anna Olson is coming to Ancaster next month for a fundraiser benefitting the Canadian Federation of University Women scholarship fund.

Olson will offer a presentation at the Ancaster High School auditorium on March 21, called: In Good Taste: A Culinary Journey.
Olson is the host of Fresh with Anna Olson on Food Network Canada. She also hosted Sugar, which airs on Food Network Canada and is broadcast internationally.
Olson is the author of seven cookbooks, including Fresh, Sugar, In the Kitchen with Anna and the award-winning Inn on the Twenty Cookbook, which she co-authored with her husband Michael Olson. Her latest book is Back to Baking: 200 Timeless Recipes to Bake, Share and Enjoy.
Olson’s March 21st appearance will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Ancaster High School auditorium, 374 Jerseyville Rd. W. Tickets are $10.00, and are available by calling 905-304-5448 or 905-627-3295.

Red Wings look to next season

mnewman — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:01:04 +0000

Short-handed junior club swept from playoffs by Buffalo

By Mark Newman, News Staff

The Hamilton Red Wings season is over, mercifully.

With only 13 skaters (10 or 11 of which saw regular ice time) and one goaltender, the Red Wings battled hard for two periods on home ice against the Buffalo Junior Sabres Feb. 16. before falling 4-1 to the visitors.

The loss eliminated the Red Wings from the first round of the playoffs in the minimum three games.

Buffalo beat the Red Wings 5-0 and 5-2 in the first two games of the series.

Buffalo moves on to face Oakville, while Burlington meets Georgetown in the OJHL West Division semi finals.

“We did the best (with what) we had and we just came up short,” said a tearful Red Wings captain Dalton Jay, who was still coming to grips with having played his last game of junior hockey. “It is emotional. It’s something you’re not going to do any more.”

Jay, who turns 20 in May, was acquired in a trade with Trenton last November and was named the team’s third captain of the season in January.

He quickly developed a reputation as a fast-skating forward with a good shot who worked hard every shift

Jay finished the season 12 goals and 20 assists, 10 of those goals and 19 helpers were picked up with the Red Wings.

He plans to accept a hockey scholarship to Northland College, an NCAA Division 3 school in Wisconsin.

Hamilton’s roster has been decimated by illness and injury since mid January and head coach Scott Elliott noted no midget call-ups from the Toronto Marlies AAA midget club were available for last Thursday’s game.

Back-up goalie Paul Orlando got the start in net for the Red Wings after starter Dalton McGrath was diagnosed with mononucleosis.

Andrew Poturalski, scored his first of two goals on the night at the 7:30 mark of the first period to give the Junior Sabres a 1-0 lead.

Following a scoreless second period, the Red Wings tied the game at one on a short-handed goal by Luke Laidlaw at the 7:05 mark of the third period.

But the short bench caught up with the home side in the final frame as Kollin Schultz (power play) and Poturalski scored less than two minutes apart near the midway mark of the period.

With Orlando pulled for an extra skater, the Junior Sabres put the game on ice with 46 seconds remaining to play with an empty net goal by Ryan Schmelzer.

The Red Wings outshot Buffalo 32-30.

Parker Gahagen had a strong game in goal for the visitors.

Elliot said he was proud of the effort his troops turned in.

“These kids came to the rink tonight with a decimated line-up and one goaltender,” he said. “They competed and they proved to me and showed me that all the time and effort I put in and spent this year was well worth it.”

Elliot said he had been hoping for a better record and a much longer playoff run during a tumultuous season that saw a franchise low 11 wins, several player trades and three different team captains.

“Some of the decisions that were made not necessarily were decisions that I liked, but I still had to support it because that’s my job,” he said.

The Red Wings will lose McGrath and Jay to age and possibly a few others to scholarships.

Elliot said he planned to speak with each player individually this week.

Then planning for next season will begin.

Mohawk duo captures silver at provincial championships

mnewman — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 16:56:46 +0000

For the second straight year the Mohawk College team of Chris Hong and Mohammed Nazimuddin won the silver medal in mens doubles at the OCAA badminton championships.

The Mountaineer team defeated the Humber tandem of Dustin Mitchell and Johnny Truong in semi final play last Saturday.

They then had to face the only team to beat them in this year’s championship, top seeded Dayvon Reid and Mark Wong and the George Brown pair defeated them again for the gold medal.

The Mohawk pair scored four wins in the prelims.

Mohawk was shutout of the medals at this year’s OCAA curling championships in Sault Ste. Marie.

The Mountaineers were defeated 6-5 by host and eventual champion Sault College in a tie-breaker last Saturday.

The Mountaineer women, whose highlight came in game one when they rallied from a 6-1 deficit to nip Confederation College 7-6 in an extra end, wound up regulation play with a 2-2 record.

Members of the team included skip Sandy Toole, vice Jennifer Montgomery, second Christine Moore and lead Sarah McFarlane, who was named second team all-star at her position.

The Mohawk men, skipped by Wesley Steen, finished with a 2-6 record in the round robin.

The Mountaineers won the Ron Fearon Fair Play Award.

Other members of the Steen foursome included vice Cody Strong, second James Maslen and lead Jordan Crockett. Luc Seguin is also with the rink as a spare.

Justin Scapinello led Mohawk to a 25-20, 25-21, 25-19 sweep of La Cite Coyotes in a men’s volleyball playoff qualifier at the Fennell gym on Saturday.

Scapinello had 11 kills, three service aces and one stuff block, while teammate Ian Cameron had 11 kills, one ace and one block for 13 points.

With the victory the Mountaineers advanced to the OCAA championship at Nipissing University in North Bay February this weekend.

Mohawk completed its regular season at 13-5, with an exciting 22-25, 17-25, 27-25, 25-21, 15-13 decision over Fanshawe on Feb. 15.

The Mohawk women turned in a strong effort but bowed 19-25, 12-25, 25-23, 23-25 to Fanshawe in their season finale.

Kristin VanHartingsveldt led the way for Mohawk with five kills, three service aces and three stuff blocks. Liz Pollock made her first start of the season at Rightside and scored seven kills and two aces.

The Mountaineers finished with a 3-15 record.

Aminu Bello scored 37 points to power Mohawk over Redeemer 97-58 in men’s basketball on Feb. 16 at the Fennell gym. No one else on the Mountaineers reached double figures but every player in the lineup got at least one point, as the team improved to 12-5.

Rachelle Abella hooped 32 points as the women ripped Redeemer 81-58. Marina Ciannavei scored 12 points for the Mountaineers, who won their second in a row to go to 8-9.

Masked men rob Mountain variety store at knifepoint

rleitner — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:13:40 +0000

Hamilton police are on the lookout for two masked men who robbed a Mountain variety store at knifepoint late Tuesday night.

Sgt. Terri-Lynn Collings said the thieves entered the Big Bee Food Mart at the corner of Concession and East 32^nd streets at about 11 p.m. and grabbed the cash till from the store’s register.

The pair ran off west along Concession.

Collings said a store employee suffered a minor injury during the robbery but didn’t require medical treatment.

Both suspects are described as skinny males wearing white and black balaclavas, dark gloves and dark clothing. One was black and about five feet 11 inches tall.

The other was white, about five feet 10 inches tall and had short dark hair.

MPP COLUMN: Our seniors need a seamless system of care

gordbowes — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:03:24 +0000

By Monique Taylor, special to the News

The number of seniors in Ontario will increase by almost 50 per cent over the next decade. Since 2005, wait times for long-term care beds have tripled.
Ontario has 77,000 long-term care beds and 24,000 seniors are waiting to be admitted, while an additional 10,000 seniors are waiting for home care.
These are sobering statistics. Yet, the most shocking stories are the ones we hear every day from family members, friends and community groups in Hamilton who experience the difficulties of finding long-term care or other appropriate support for seniors.
Most of us know someone who is struggling to find a place in a long-term care home for themselves or for a parent or grandparent. Many of us have a relative who is finding it harder to cope with everyday tasks, but who’s quite understandably reluctant to give up their independence.
Our seniors have paid their fair share and we must ensure they receive the kind of support they deserve.
If we’re serious about improving the quality of life for our senior citizens we must firstly make life easier for those who want to stay in their homes.
Secondly we must make sure those who need the support of long-term care are not forced to stay in unsuitable hospital wards.
Too many of our hospital beds are being used by those who are on the waiting list to get into a nursing home.
A hospital is not the right place for them and it’s costing the taxpayer far more than a suitable residential care environment.
Providing care for these patients in a hospital costs $1,200 a day. Alternatively, nursing home care could be provided for $130 a day, or home care could be provided for as little as $50 a day.
The Liberal minority government has recently announced a series of health-care proposals, including promises to improve care for seniors.
Yet for the tens of thousands of seniors waiting for care, they have heard many of these promises before.
Meeting the needs of Ontario’s seniors is a huge challenge, but it’s one that I am dedicated to addressing on behalf of my constituents.
Along with my New Democrat colleagues at Queen’s Park, I will continue to advocate for a seamless system of care that places the needs of seniors and their families first, ahead of government bureaucracy and political promises.
Monique Taylor is MPP for Hamilton Mountain. Columns from the Mountain’s elected provincial and federal representatives appear monthly.

Mountain Kidz Klub turns 13 with bowling party at Sherwood Centre

gordbowes — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:01:13 +0000

Mountain Kidz Klub is inviting everyone to come out and celebrate its 13th anniversary. The non-profit group is inviting everyone to come bowling and have some birthday cake March 3, 4:30-7 p.m. at Sherwood Centre, 1095 Fennell Ave. East. The event is also a fundraiser for a passenger van to help shuttle children to and from Mountain Kidz Klub programming. The club is based at Eastmount Community Centre, 115 East 26th St. Sherwood Centre is offering free shoe rentals and a discount price of $3.75 per game.