LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

Sundry Thoughts: On Local, Provincial and Federal Issues

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted December 10, 2008)

The Local Scene: Municipal

Chris Murray has apparently been offered the job of City Manager. He is a very good choice, although as I stated in an earlier essay, the city has a blessing of leadership, staff riches within its ranks. Chris' choice is a forward thinking one. He is young enough to be in administrative charge for the long haul, provided he gets Council support. A unanimous vote would be a godsend were that to happen. His choice also signals to staff that internal promotions are possible, if one works hard. Chris has shown a Trojan work-ethic in spades. This internal selection will boost morale and productivity. Now that Chris has earned the respect of Council through his appointment, he will need to earn it among the senior managers at city hall, some of whom were competent and able competitors for this position. I have no doubt he can succeed, especially if he adopts the Barack Obama model of relying on 'rivals' to advance the cause of the city. Good luck, Chris.

Of interest, as well, are the Council dynamics in arriving at the choice. I was not pleased with the way things began because it had started out being a very political process, one with different candidates being supported even before the formal interviewing began. Camps were almost immediately being set up, quite apart from the official process that was undertaken. I caught wind of this because I was bizarrely asked to participate in the lobbying for an external candidate some months ago. I declined. I am glad that Council, through its committee, kept its focus on the best selection, not the best-connected selection. I understand the Mayor played a role in this effort, even though he favoured earlier candidates. At first it seemed Fred was going to become partisan in choosing the Manager, even to the point of being foolishly seen with a potential applicant at a Burlington restaurant where the two were overheard, job posting in hand, speaking of the selection process. It speaks well of him that he willingly (or otherwise) actually helped steer Council towards the best selection for the city, rather than one made for purely political reasons.

The Local Scene: Provincial NDP Politics

I see that Paul Miller has gone public with his non-support of Andrea Howarth's NDP leadership aspirations. This dynamic has been a not-so-secret whisper in the community ever since Andrea mused about running for the position. Paul's recent public comments of non-support for Andrea were guarded, but revealing. He stated that he and Andrea have a 'history' on this matter. One can only assume that his lack of support is pay back for Andrea not supporting Paul for the NDP nomination in Hamilton East Stoney Creek. Andrea supported Sam Merulla whom Paul beat handily on his way to a narrow victory in the Provincial election. Andrea and Sam are friends and were colleagues. It is presumed to be the basis of her support for him. MPP Miller's lack of support for Andrea can only be interpreted as a kind of parochialism which will come back to hurt him. I have worked with Paul on Stoney Creek Council and found him to be tenacious in pursuing issues of interest to him. However, on this one, his good senses seem to have left him. Rather than paying Andrea back, he should have supported, at least on the first ballot, the home town person. No one would have faulted him for that; and he would have shown that he could put pettiness behind him. Instead, he is prolonging a feud. Andrea has a chance of winning the leadership or, at least, earning the respect of the new leader and having a major say in NDP fortunes in our region. In either case, she is not likely to forget Paul's lack of support.

The Local Scene: Provincial Liberal Politics

Ted McMeekin and Sophia Aggelonitis will come to the rescue, I predict, of the city's request for a $21M loan from the province in place of a grant. This money is needed to lower the city's tax increase by at least 3%. Fred and Council should be very thankful to have two competent members (one of them in Cabinet) of the provincial government, helping them out. Hamiltonians need to remember in the next provincial election, that electing NDP'ers may be what Hamilton seems to like doing, but when it comes to real help for all of us, only the government can provide it.

The Federal Scene:

The Liberal party is finally ready to select Michael Ignatieff as leader. He will be a welcome change from the intelligent and decent, but difficult to understand Stephane Dion. Michael Ignatieff has a solid political pedigree. He is the son of a notable Trudeau-era diplomatic star. He is an author of fiction as well as scholarly works. He is internationally highly regarded as an expert in human rights and is extremely well known internationally by authors, business and politicians. He is brainy but also understands the real issues affecting people. He visited my riding during my campaign on a number of occasions both to help with fund-raising but also to assist in getting the Liberal message out. On more than one occasion those who came to these functions came to me privately to suggest that "He", pointing to Dr. Ignatieff, should be our leader. Well, it is happening. I know he will do an excellent job.

I should also add that Bob Rae, who was equally magnanimous with his time, was a class act in bowing out of the race, making room for Michael. Bob is a great Canadian and a great leader who will have a lot to say in supporting the right policies for Canada.

I was/am involved in the candidate selection process for the May convention. Most of Hamilton was lining up behind Michael Ignatieff. The role now changes from a leadership contest to a recruiting process for the party and the Convention. I am looking forward to it.

Finally, who says Canadian Politics is Dull?

Even John Stewart's "The Daily Show" spoofed the Prime Minister's proroguing of parliament. It was a hilarious take on this third-world tactic for avoiding democracy. No one can call the events at all levels of government boring these past few weeks. We don't need American comics to tell us that, but in a weird way, whenever Americans notice us, it makes us smile. Mr. Harper? It probably made him cringe a bit! Let's put it this way, though, Mr. Prime Minister, thankfully no one is suggesting that Senate seats are for sale here in Canada! And I think that is good because, if memory serves me correctly, the PM has 18 of them at his disposal. Think what allegedly rogue American Governors might do with that largesse!!!

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