Former Mayor Larry Di Ianni and Mr. Ecklund's daughter Erika

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LARRY'S CORNER- Hamilton's Former Mayor Speaks

former Mayor of Hamilton, Larry Di IanniOf Roasts and Toasts And Politics And Such

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted February 17, 2009)

I had the pleasure of attending the Dan McLean roast this past week. Dan is known by all Hamiltonians for his work at CHCH these past 38 years. He was the voice and face of local and global news. We came to like him, respect him and feel comfortable with the messages he was delivering. We also came to respect his love for this community and his many volunteer activities on behalf of the United Way and the Children’s hospital. Dan will have many more years of contributions to make to our community in the years ahead, as he himself pledged the other night.

I also had the pleasure of being seated at the media table, for some reason. The Spectator’s top brass as well as the embattled CHCH senior management were at the table, along with some on air personalities. This would have been a great group of people to have around for interesting discussions, if it weren’t for the format of the evening that had us listen to speakers more than it offered the opportunity to converse at the table. In spite of this, tidbits of conversations were had: what is the state of the newspaper business? What impact has the internet had on print media? Will CHCH find a buyer? How is morale among employees? Should we support the Pan-Am bid? What IS happening at City Hall? Have I finished with politics? What are you doing now? Etc. Etc.

As well, during the breaks, there were lots of questions about local politics from those assembled to honour Dan. More on this subject later.

The roast itself was predictably a mixed bag. It was too long in some cases, but hilariously funny at other moments. There were zingers galore aimed at Dan, CHCH, and the local assembled politicians and media types. All of the programming ceremonies were ably handled by the very funny duo of Matt Hayes and Bill Kelly.

If prizes were given for best performances, the Academy Award would certainly go to Ian Thomas who brought the house down with his irreverent monologue and song tribute to Dan, “When There Were 6 Teams in the NHL”, a nostalgic reminder of the past. Terry Cooke is deadly as a ‘roast’ speaker and had some of the best, if somewhat hard-hitting lines of the night. Mayor Fred and Nick Dixon of CHCH (Dan’s replacement and a former student of mine) took especially hard, and hilarious, jabs. Colin Millar and Charles Juravinsky who delivered their lines via video were especially funny as was Ron Foxcroft. Dana Robins took a few good-natured shots at CHCH T.V. (By the way, Dana, it’s Lesley Stewart, not Lesley Roberts!) The most awkward moment of the night came as one of the MC’s announced that although politicians were present none would speak. There was a brief but fairly loud applause to this announcement. I found this a bizarre decision by organizers. How could the mayors of Hamilton and Burlington and Minister Ted McMeekin and/or Sophia Aggelonitis have added much length to the proceedings given that no one paid attention to the 4 minute speaking rule?

Nevertheless a good time was had by all and money was apparently raised to benefit the United Way and the Hamilton Children’s Hospital. It doesn’t get better than that!

On the political front, I had conversations with many people and saw old friends and supporters. The main buzz asked by a number of different sources was about my own political future in municipal politics.

Will you run again? Are you helping people get organized? Is there a favoured candidate emerging to seek the mayoralty? I smiled and exchanged banter. There seem to be about a dozen scenarios being talked about. Whether it’s a draft this or that person, or which Councillors are not running again, or ‘slates’ running for office, there is great interest in the governance of our city.

For the record, I am personally not ruling anything out. However, I am now concentrating on my consulting business and downtown redevelopment, both of which are taking more time than I anticipated. I have been contacted by a number of sources who have sought my advice on how to improve Council effectiveness and how to strengthen the role of the mayoralty in our city. I have not and will not commit to any candidate until I know who is running. I will then look at the candidates, including the incumbent should he be on the list, and decide who to support. It is much too early; and it would be foolish to do otherwise.

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