Ward 9: Transparency and safe streets among key issues as incumbent faces 3 competitors

CBC Hamilton asked all candidates running for Hamilton city council to share their priorities and speak to an issue that stands out to them as needing to be addressed in their ward. Their answers are left here in full, with lightediting only for spelling/grammar. For the candidates who did not answer the CBC Hamilton questionnaire, information has been drawn from their websites, when possible.All of CBC Hamilton'selection coverage can be found here.

Transparency and safe streets are among the top issues brought up byWard 9's councillor candidates.

The Upper Stoney Creek area is borderedby the hydro corridor and South Townline Road to the south, the Niagara Escarpment to the north, the municipal city limits to the east just past 11th Roadand Upper Red Hill ValleyParkway to the west.

The ward is home to lots of nature and rural land includingthe Eramosa Karst region and Felker's Falls Conservation Area. It's also where you can findHeritage Green Sports Park.

The Upper Centennial Parkway cuts through the ward.

The city website says there are 28,760 residents in the ward. There are more people new to Hamilton in the ward compared to the rest of the municipality.

There's ahigher proportion of people of colour,especially South Asian people.

The average total household income is$108,602 $20,827 higher than Hamilton's average.

The voter turnout in the ward was34.3 per cent compared to the city average of 38.4 per cent in 2018.

There are three candidates trying to beat incumbent Brad Clark, who's been in politics for over 20 years.

Clark was aProgressive Conservative member of provincial parliamentin the Stoney Creek riding from 1999 to 2003, with stints as ministerof transportation and minister of labour.

Then he served asWard 9 councillor from 2006 to 2014. He ran for mayor, but lost to outgoing mayor Fred Eisenberger. Clarkbecame councillor again in 2018.

He supported light-rail transit,freezing the urban boundaryand initially supportedof the city's vaccine mandate for staff. He also put forward a motion to have the city implement a process to hear concerns and questions about shelter system services and care.

He alsoresigned asas chair or vice-chair onthree council committees after a constituent posted a private conversation on YouTubewhere he seemed to implyissues with the city's building department.

Here's more about him and the other candidates competing to represent the ward.

Brad Clark (incumbent)

Clark, 62, is a veteran politician, having been a councillor for three terms and being an MPP for one term.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:Community safety remains a priority as I continue to address break-ins, aggressive driving, and pedestrian safety. We must address these matters through a collaborative approach with residents, traffic management, school councils and the police. The issue of distracted driving and speeding has become much more acute. Our most recent traffic calming initiatives such as redesigned streets and speed cushions are having a positive effect.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:I still oppose the elimination of area rating for transit. It is a myth that eliminating area rating will generate new revenue. It is simply a tax shift. If it is eliminated, taxes will most definitely increase in the suburbs. I'll continue improving public transit and other services that will benefit the residents of Ward 9. I believe strongly in the public's right to know. I will advocate for more transparency in government through the active dissemination of public records and ensuring legal advice is separated from public staff reports. I will continue to lead by example with civility, respect & dignity. The infrastructure deficit remains a challenge but much was accomplished in Ward 9 during my previous term on council. I am committed to continue improving the state of repair of our roads, bridges, sidewalks, sewers, facilities, and parks including our aging playground equipment.

Walt Juchniewicz

Juchniewiczhas previously been on theHamilton Police Services Board.

He also ran as theOntario Party candidate forMember of Provincial Parliament in FlamboroughGlanbrook.

The Ontario Party is one that opposes public health measures related to COVID-19, opposes abortion and believes there are only two genders.

On the party website,Juchniewicz, says he'sasemi-retired as a telecom internet executive, after working for more than 40years in the satellite IT business.

His goal was to bring affordable internet to everyone.

Peter Lanza

Lanza, 54, describes himself asworking in sales and new business development forMD Charlton Co Ltd.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it:Integrity:I am not happy with the way our current councillor is managing our ward. The lack of transparency in Sewergate, chastised by the Integrity Commissioner, squandering of millions of tax dollars. He fails on all points. I am new, not a tired politico, and want a chance to serve my ward.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:Housing costs are out of this world. Youth cannot afford to buy homes. High taxes, delayed approvals, not enough available land all contribute to this situation. We need a council that will create opportunity and reduce costs by eliminating red tape. I will be that councillor. Provide incentives to builders building affordable housing, not putting the public on the hook for council mistakes by raisingtaxes, responsible spending.

Muhammad Naeem

Naeemdescribes himself as a tenant andactivist and a "leading position holder" in multiple organizations in the Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area.

He says some of the top issues include affordable housing, a lack of communication with elected leaders and the slow pace of infrastructure developments.

School board trustees

The candidates for school board trustees in the area are:

Public school candidates:

• Kathy Archer (incumbent)
• Jay Edington

Catholic school candidates:

• Louis Agro (incumbent)
• Jeanie Corner
• Tyler Iorio

For more of CBC Hamilton's electioncoverage:

• How to vote in Hamilton's 2022 municipal election
• OPINION | In Hamilton, real estate is the new art
• Here's why Hamilton's mayoral candidates think you should vote for them
• Here's the final list of who's running for mayor and council in Hamilton this year