Based on my knowledge, I kinda prefer Keanin as someone who's been successful unifying local cons + local libs + local ndp. I prefer a politics-unifier mayor, personally. If you look at his tweets, he's a moderate-progressive style in action speak.
(After all, he did kick @fordnation out of the Chamber when LRT was cancelled, but IIRC welcomed back some of the constituents when it was resurrected. Go figure)
My business has been part of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, and was able to see Keanin in action successfully negotiating agreements in today's uber-polarized world. That is a cargo starship's full of cred to me.
Horwarth, while I'm a progressive myself, I worry about polarized/populist moves that turn other voters away from her, I wonder what the polling (Keanin vs Horwarth) looks like. I could be persuaded either way.
Historically I've voted almost all Canadian party colors except blue -- neither a hardcore Liberal nor a hardcore NDP -- those who are close to me know me already on my leaning-progressive moderate-left stance but willing to politely have coffee/apple pie with moderate con neighbours. I'm not for populist or polarized politics, ala the 5-letter curseword that became US prez in 2016 -- and even my Canadian cons friends are aghast.
I wish there was more diplomacy between red and blue, like there was during my younger years. So that's why I am kind of leaning Keanin, just because (as a Canadian Business who has been a Hamilton Chamber member) of actually witnessing his deal-making abilities between the sides, in a far less polarized manner than many others.
Hopefully municipal politics don't get as dirty as higher-level governments are -- it's getting there -- even the dumpster fire shaped building we call Hamilton City Hall.is a beacon of responsibility compared to what I witnessed many other city halls (e.g. in several USA cities) become. You don't want to know.
You've heard of Keanin's housing promises. I do have some concerns about some potentially misdirected housing policies (possible sprawl quid-pro-quo vs LRT corridor densification), but this is a very legitimate area of concern for Hamilton to add more affordable housing -- but I know he has been pro-densification too, even if I'm not too gung-ho about his willingness to trade a little of what I don't want for some concurrent of stuff I want. But if he can pull off an agreement from a blue province and a progressive parliament, to get some funding for housing (especially permanent rent-affordable housing too, in conjunction), I could certainly be wooed over. Just don't expand the Urban Boundary, when converting fair-game mountain brownfields to townhomes.
And you've even heard of Loomis' road promises. The war cry of "FIX-THE-ROADS"
My social media feed is full of ads that are currently marketing to #noLRT people (despite Loomis being unabashedly #yesLRT)
See... fair game unifying.
That's a unifier if he appeals to both road drivers (who hate LRT) and transit-upgrade fans (Loomis is #yesLRT).and developers (build new housing). We need excellent upgraded roads to handle the detour traffic (both buses and cars and bikes), and part of the LRT fund includes road spending (new York car lane, new Longwood bridge, new Frid St extension, etc), so he can play that message to
calm the #noLRT-#yesLRT divide.
Deal-making is going to be important for the LRT to happen successfully, and more likely to curry backroom calm-downs necessary to prevent LRT cancellation games at the provincial level ("Too bad, we're cancelling all Ontario transit funding" type of actions), especially if Feds level go more populist than Ontario in the next Fed election (heaven forbid).
Regardless, I agree with Allandale25, I have a gut feeling Keanin is indeed a net positive. Not much "outsider candidate" choice unfortunately. He's got my vote over Horwarth (at the moment) unless Horwarth can bring some more unifier magic pixie powder to the table. It's still early, mind you. But Horwarth is far better than The Brat(ina). You win some, you lose some with your vote -- and abstainment shouldn't be an option in this election if you're a resident of Hamilton.
Regardless, I will take any #yesLRT mayor for Hamilton! Either brings lots of good to the table.
I hope there's not too much vote-splitting.
I don't want
The Brat(ina) to win <TheBatman.mp3>
www.thepublicrecord.ca
