LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

Forecasts for the Year 2009

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted January 2, 2009)

2008 is done like dinner! And many of the people I reveled with New Year’s Eve were just as happy to see the back of this ‘annus horribilis’ as the venerable English monarch so aptly declared a very bad year some time ago.

2008 has brought the world natural disasters, political scandals and blunders, global stock market crashes, economic ruin, multi-billion dollar fraudulent, ‘ponzi’ schemes, industrial melt-downs, wars, continuing environmental degradation, globally-tolerated genocide, resurgent pirate activities, tainted toys, political assassinations, and even the manipulation of milk products to name just a few reasons why the year has been so bad.

Locally 2008 hasn’t been kind to our community either. Hamilton’s job-base has continued to struggle, anti-business lobbies have been alive and well at City Hall, Council seemed to be individually well-intentioned but collectively adrift, the local media, already weakened, was curtailed by further cut-backs, de-amalgamation was given a boost when taxes were allowed to spike uncontrollably in part of our city, major downtown projects were still in a state of paralysis, US Steel continued its worker reductions and Arcelor Mittal cancelled expansion, job-creating plans, soot still fell on some of our neighbourhoods, the city’s waterfront plans made no significant progress, the airport lands were still embroiled in bickering and the north Glanbrook Industrial Park just inched along. The Province did upload social services costs but over a longer period of time than anticipated leaving the yearly hand-out in doubt.

No wonder we welcome with bated breath a new beginning! The question of course is, now that it’s here what do we expect from 2009? Here are 20 prognostications. Bookmark the list for accuracy next time this year:

1. Barack Obama will invest trillions in economic stimuli. The U.S. will lead the way in global economic resurgence because of this fact, dragging the world, Canada included, along with it.

2. The Iraqi war will end, but Afghanistan’s will deepen, creating political problems for the new president. Hamid Karzai will be replaced as President.

3. Osama Bin Laden will be killed by a military surge in Afghanistan. Pakistan will take credit for this blow to terrorism. This will suit the U.S. just fine because it will help stabilize the Indo-Pakistani problem.

4. Hillary Clinton will visit Ottawa in March leading the way for an Obama visit later in the year. He will get along with the Prime Minister but really like Michael Ignatieff, whom he probably knows from their academic years.

5. Oil prices will stabilize at about $50 per barrel for 2009.

6. Prince Charles and Camilla, who has a connection to Hamilton, will visit the city before the end of the year.

7. Stock markets will rebound but not until the last quarter of the year.

8. Unemployment will still plague most of the developed world in spite of improving economic situations. This will be a problem for Canada especially.

9. There will not be a Federal election in 2009 but there will be one in 2010. Can you say Prime Minister Iggy?

10. The Ontario Liberal government will appoint one more cabinet minister from Hamilton; the Federal Tories will finally give Hamilton a cabinet seat, but not until late 2009 to get ready for the election in ’10.

11. The province will come through with a loan for the city. Our tax hike will be just under 3%.

12. Light rail will be approved for the city of Hamilton. The Feds will come through with a major funding announcement to support the city’s and province’s money.

13. There will be a huge backlash by some communities once they understand the implications of trains running in front of their businesses and homes. Some councillors will balk at the political heat.

14. The race for Mayor will heat up in 2009 with a major City Hall ‘outsider’ making a move. Fred will get some political wins this year.

15. There will be more changes to Hamilton’s senior bureaucracy. Chris Murray will build tremendous strength in the organization.

16. There will be a major shake-up in all the local media with changing roles in a number of key places.

17. Hamilton’s philanthropists will bring their giving to an even higher level this year with significant, city-changing projects.

18. Via Rail and GO Transit will announce an east end location this year.

19. The Pan Am games will come to Ontario. Hamilton will get prized sports facility.

20. The Ticats will win the Grey Cup this year with a new quarterback at the helm.

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