Hamilton's expressway just got a lot more expensive

Hamilton tax payers are set to be legally "fleeced" or in this case "clowned" to the tune of $1.8 million. That's right folks, the corporate mafia rolled over city council recently leaving them covered in tar and powdered sugar. Large welts left by floppy shoes where also visible. Their lawyers had no comment. If you see any of the culprits, immediately halt all contact with them.

Funny aside, the already dry city coffers are about to get even drier. All because some of the cities largest corporations haven't picked up a paper in forty years and realized a portion of the Red Hill Expressway was set to be built in their neck of the woods.

Council has voted to pay out nearly $1.8 million to a number of businesses who claim they suffered damages from road closures associated with the construction of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway. The cost of the legal settlement with the McDonald’s hamburger chain and other businesses apparently isn’t covered by expressway reserves.

According to the resolution approved at Tuesday's council meeting, $1,795,000 will be paid out to “Arrowline Gas Ltd, MCGW Properties Corporation and Q Lube Ontario Inc, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited, Vinnefield Trading Inc, Avondale Stores Limited, Donut Diners Inc and 1136075 Ontario Limited” to resolve claims “arising from the closure of Limeridge Road East at Upper Wentworth”.

The money will come out of the expressway accounts. But under questioning from downtown councillor Bob Bratina, the head of public works, Scott Stewart, said the account “doesn’t have that sort of money in it now.”

Council decided to payout instead of fighting it because, according to councillor Lloyd Ferguson,

“Our legal counsel and outside counsel advised us that if we lose, it will cost us in the order for $4.5 or $5 million, and if they win it will cost us a $1 million. The million dollars is professional fees to walk us through the litigation process because we’re up against a corporate giant like McDonald’s who will take it through to the Supreme Court, and courts have demonstrated in the past that when it involves a government agency like the City of Hamilton, they will not assign our costs if we win.”

I agree with Chad Collins who challenged the claims of the businesses, said he was “sickened” by the payment and asked if the city’s policy of not doing business with people who sue it could be applied to them.

“For us to be compensating someone who knowingly knew what the municipalities plans were as it related to the expressway, I think is wrong,” he declared, asking that staff report to a future meeting what steps might be taken to exclude the businesses from city contracts."

I watched the debate on Cable 14 last Tuesday night and it sickened me to watch how much these corporate vultures can get away with. Thanks to hamiltoncatch.org for the minutes of the meeting.

Later,
Kenaz

Asinine comment shows Councillor Terry Whitehead's true character

as·i·nine [as-uh-nahyn]–adjective 1.foolish, unintelligent, or silly; stupid.

"I will not apologize"

It is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statement. Councillor Terry Whitehead drew gasps around Hamilton this week when he accused Joanna Chapman of not being objective in her role as a member of the integrity and transparency subcommittee. Chapman was not present in the gallery at the time.

The heated exchange started when Brad Clark objected to comments Whitehead made Wednesday morning. Clark said it’s highly inappropriate to criticize citizen volunteers who are giving up their time to help the city develop an integrity commissioner proposal. Whitehead shot back, naming Chapman as the person he doesn’t think is objective. Councillor Bob Bratina asked Whitehead to apologize. He refused, arguing he has a right to an opinion. Eisenberger again stopped Whitehead, explaining he was out of order. Chapman, who pursued charges against former mayor Larry Di Ianni for violating election was once again cheap shotted by a public official because they don't like the idea of a private citizen taking charge and voicing their given right to an intelligent opinion.

Whitehead and his supporters have been accused of trying to derail the integrity commissioner proposal. He denies the allegations, arguing he’s only trying to fight for the best model for taxpayers. The only thing he's fighting for is the continuance of "cronyism" at city hall. A regime that Mr. Whitehead vainly defends against crusaders like Joanna Chapman who only wish to hold the Mayor to his word and bring transparency back to this city.

You are errornous Mr. Whitehead when you claim this was not your election promise. You represent your constituents and it is your job to bring their wishes to the council floor. The people of Hamilton spoke loud and clear in the last election, they want transparency. Your petty wishes do not circumvent the wishes of the masses, sir. It is your duty to provide those, who's tax dollars provide you with a rather healthy living, their just desserts.

The proper resolution to this matter would be for Councillor Whitehead to be a man and offer an apology to Joanna Chapman.

Later,
Kenaz