Ward 14: Safe streets is dominant issue among candidates vying for Hamilton Mountain's open seat

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 light editing 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.

Most of the candidates fighting to be councillor of Ward 14 say street safety istheir top concern.

Some candidates advocate for reduced speed limits and red light cameras while others suggest more protected bike lanes and more policing.

The ward, which is comprised of Hamilton Mountain's west side, is bordered by the escarpment to the north, hydro corridor to the south, Garth Street to the east, and the city of Hamilton municipal border to the west, extending beyond Scenic Drive into Ancaster to the 403 and the Lincoln M. Alexander Parkway.

Ward 14 has lots of residential land as well as park space.

The city website says the ward, which has 34,230 residents, has an older population compared to the municipality.

According to 2016 Statistics Canada, 25.6 per cent of residents identify as a visible minority. The ridingalso has a slightly higher income, $95,966,compared to the municipality, $87,775.

The racehas the potential for a lot of change.Terry Whitehead, thelong-time Mountain politician, is not running for re-election. Earlier this year,Whitehead wasdocked payover allegations of bullying cited inanintegrity commissioner report.At the time, Whitehead said he rejected the findings of the report.

Here's more about thecandidates running to replace him:

Kojo Damptey

Damptey, 39, is the executive director of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion and a sessional instructor at McMaster University.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it: The issue of street safety, pedestrian safety and cycling safety is of major concern to Ward 14 residents, whether its pedestrians, young families, seniors/older adults, cyclists and drivers. There are a majority of streets in Ward 14 that need to be redesigned to reduce speeding and enhance safety. These streets include Bendamere, Guildwood Drive, Clifton Downs and Cranbrook to mention a few.In 2021, a complete streets review was done for Ward 14 with over 10 recommendations. If elected councillor, I plan on implementing the recommendations in the report. The recommendations include automated speed enforcement, leading pedestrian intervals at all traffic light intersections, raised intersections and protected intersections at problematic intersections like Upper Paradise and Mohawk, Garth and Limeridge.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected: If elected I will put forward motions related to declaring a housing crisis in Hamilton, green roofs on new builds, and implementing a voter's rebate. The full motions can be read here.

Brian Lewis

Lewis, 62, says he spent the last 30 years working in logistics, from operations manager for a major North American carrier to driving a truck.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it: Reckless driving/speeding in residential neighbourhoods.Reduce speed limits, more 'speed calming measures' and enforcement.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected: First, reduce the red-tape and development fees for non-profit housing developments to get the shovels in the ground to help clear up the backlog of people waiting for affordable housing. Second, motions to improve transparency/accountability of council. Restricting the number of "in camera" meetings. Mandating council meets in the council chambers rather than online, unless there are specific reasons why the councillor can't attend in person. If council continues with the virtual meetings, financially penalize councillors who fail to show up to council meetings without cause.The amount deducted would be given to a food bank that services the councillor's ward. Third,make sure that the Hamilton Police Service has the proper funding to bring the number of officers up to the appropriate levels of similar cities of our size in Canada and make sure all members of the HPS are properly trained in areas of de-escalation and a better understanding of visible minorities and marginalized groups.

Christopher Poole

Christopher Poole did not respond to CBC Hamilton's election survey and does not appear to have a website.

Don Ross

Don Ross did not respond to CBC Hamilton's election survey.

Ross was elected to Hamilton and Hamilton-Wentworth councils for four terms, between 1985 and 1997, worked on a "transition board" for the province of Ontario in 1999 to 2001, and served on the federal Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Security review tribunal from 2012 to 2014.

Ross's campaign website lists the following priorities, among others:

• Lighting in Olympic Park, safety patrols on trails, and enhanced accessibility at community spaces.
• Build a seniors centre with a library.
• Add spots for healthcare professionals on the Hamilton Board of Health.

Christine Seketa

Seketa, 51, describes herself asa freelance communications consultant.

Describe one pressing issue facing your ward and what you'd do about it: Public and roadway safety. Increase bike lanes by 30 per cent and bollard-protected, including Rymal and Mohawk roads at Upper Paradise and Garth, and Scenic Drive. Examine the Chedoke Secondary Plan to improve Scenic Drive. Bridge Scenic Woods by a pedestrian crossover. Apply Vision Zero tactics from Rymal Road to Scenic Drive.

Name up to 3 policies you'd put forward or support if elected:

Public and roadway safety. Managing infill and new development congruent with neighbourhoods it directly has an impact on. More housing, affordable and dignified.

Michael Spadafora

Michael Spadafora describes himself on his campaign website as a small business owner.

His LinkedIn profile says he is the president of Hamilton Kilty Bs Junior Hockey Club and Director of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Hamilton Huskies Hockey Club.

He ran as the Progressive Conservative member of provincial parliament candidate for Hamilton Mountain this year.

Spadafora's campaign website lists the following priorities, among others:

• Keeping taxes low;
• Support for local law enforcement to keep neighborhoods safe; and
• Regular Ward 14 community meetings.

Colleen Wicken

Colleen Wicken did not respond to CBC Hamilton's election survey and does not appear to have a website.

She worked as Ward 14 councillor Terry Whitehead's chief of staff for 10 years while he was councillor of Ward 8.

He later accused her of using mailing lists that had been stolen from him.

In this year's Cable 14 debate for Ward 14, Wicken said, "I am intimately familiar with the issues in Ward 14," from her years working at city hall. "As councillor, the learning curve would be avoided."

She listed in following issues as among her priorities in the opening statement for that debate:

• Addressing hate and racism.
• Homelessness.
• Trust and transparency at city hall.

School trustee candidates

Public school board:

• Behrouz Bakhtiari
• Becky Buck (incumbent)
• Ben O'Reilly
• Ahona Mehdi

Catholic school board:

• Francesco Capisciolto
• Wieslawa Chrapka
• John Valvasori (incumbent)

For more of CBC Hamilton's election coverage:

• Hamilton mayoral candidate interview: Solomon Ikhuiwu
• Hamilton mayoral candidate interview: Bob Bratina
• Opinion: Hamilton candidates set a new bar for community engagement. I hope that's a sign of what's to come
• How to vote in Hamilton's 2022 municipal election