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A powerful interview with three Hamilton Councillors on the role elected leaders play in combatting hate, racism and bigotry. Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson, Ward 3 Councillor Nrinder Nann and Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark. ___________________________________________________________________ Host, Graham Crawford Alex Zafer, producer

In an ongoing series discussing Hate in The Hammer, we feature two very special guests, Cameron Kroetsch and Lyla Miklos discussing the relationship between our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and our civic institutions. Both Cameron and Lyla are active and engaged citizens of Hamilton as well as the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Police, Power, Politics are on the agenda. Graham asks who wields the power, and are we being well served by it? This is an episode you don't want to miss. Bio's about our guests: Lyla Miklos is an award winning activist, administrator, broadcast journalist. Born in Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, North West Territories (now Iqaluit, Baffin Island, Nunavut) in 1974, Lyla has called Hamilton, Ontario her home since 1982. Lyla is a graduate of Mohawk College's Media Studies program and a Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction. She has been working in the media and communications industry for over two decades and is a self-identified queer, feminist, activist for over two decades. She helped create and served as President of Mohawk Pride, Mohawk College's first official club for two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and more (2SLGBTQIA+) students. She was instrumental in forming the GLBT Advisory Committee for the City of Hamilton, later sitting on it as a member and Interim Chair. Lyla was a part of the organizing committee of Hamilton Pride for over a decade, chairing it in 2005 and 2002. Cameron Kroetsch moved to Hamilton in 2014 and is a 2SLGBTQIA+ activist and advocate. He is a member of LGBTQ Advisory Committee, a board member of Hamilton Pride dedicated to bringing the LGBTQ community and the city of Hamilton and surrounding areas together. His background includes bing a labour relations professional, sometimes writer, and a passionate non-profit sector volunteer who cares about democracy in government and community advocacy. Hamilton as a growing city, 2SLBGTQIA+ issues, as well as the Ward 2 community continues to be the focus of Cameron’s ongoing advocacy. Cameron has deep ties in each of the neighbourhoods and is passionate about rebuilding the relationships between those neighbourhoods and the City by tapping into the existing expertise of the many Ward 2 residents that he’s met and worked with. Cameron joined the Corktown Neighbourhood Association’s Executive Committee when he saw the opportunity to engage residents about ongoing development. He also co-organized the People’s Plan for Downtown campaign that helped to dramatically improve the City’s “Downtown Secondary Plan”. He worked with over 20 other community leaders to advocate for progressive changes to the plan. The campaign was successful in lobbying for changes to affordable housing, tenant displacement, heritage preservation, and community consultation – all things that are central to Cameron’s vision for a better Ward 2. He lives in Ward 2 with his partner Derek. :: Produced and edited by Alex Zafer ::

Listen to Graham's audio op-ed on Cardus. Our City Council is about to vote to enter into negotiations with Cardus on their use of Balfour House, and blocking any other groups from consideration. If you haven't looked at some of the content Cardus publishes on their website, you should. Here's Graham's thoughts on what he found. The Graham Crawford Show is produced by Alex Zafer, with your host Graham Crawford.  

After a hiatus, Producer Alex Zafer and Host Graham Crawford introduce the return of the Graham Crawford Show. Have a listen. Enjoy! Podcast produced by Alex Zafer with your host Graham Crawford

YES we are back after a long hiatus. Please listen to Producer Alex Zafer's preview to the upcoming episodes of The Graham Crawford Show, including his insightful perspectives on standing up to hate in Hamilton. Enjoy.

A special edition of the Cityist. Civic Panel regular, Maureen Wilson, joins Graham to discuss the future of the Discovery Centre on our waterfront. City Council is considering selling this public building and the 8 acres on which it sits to a private developer. We think there are ways to re-imagine the building’s use and keep it in public hands. Join us for our discussion. _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

Our Civic Panel sinks their teeth into 3 very current topics on this edition of the podcast. 1. Downtown Densification - High Anxiety Link from The Hamilton Spectator: "Beasley neighbours back development, but not at any price Hamilton’s new downtown plan makes arbitrary changes without adequate consultation" https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/8122667-beasley-neighbours-back-development-but-not-at-any-price/ 2. Municipal Elections 2018 - What lies ahead and why does it matter? 3. It’s a Man’s World - What message does an all male Senior Leadership Team send to the community?   _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

There was a time when all members of the senior leadership team at the City of Hamilton were men. What was the most recent year that was true? Was it 1990? 2000? 2005? If you picked any of those years, you’d be wrong. The correct answer is 2018. That’s right, the unstoppable City of Hamilton is once again run by men. Next to the City Manager, the most senior title in the City is General Manager. We have 4 of them. Dan McKinnon is General Manager of Public Works. Jason Thorne is General Manager of Planning & Economic Development. Mike Zegarac is General Manager of Finance & Corporate Services. And Paul Johnson is the new General Manager of Healthy & Safe Communities. All other personnel report to these GM’s or to the City Manager. All men. All white. All chosen by City Manager Chris Murray. Can’t you just feel the diversity? _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

On this edition of the Graham Crawford Show we talk with Paul Wilson about the bright neon lights of Hamilton, those that once were and those that still light the night sky. Cultural Heritage is defined as an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Hamilton’s neon signs fit into that definition. From the Pagoda to the Capri Restaurant to Cheapies to the Westdale Theatre. All in this lively discussion on the Graham Crawford Show. _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

We’re very pleased to have Jason Thorne, General Manager of Planning & Economic Development for the City of Hamilton join us for an in-depth, one-on-one discussion about urban design in Hamilton, from how demographics affect planning, to what is excellent urban design, to how the Planning Department contributes to the achievement of our Vision, to how engaging community engagement really is, and much, much more. All on this edition of The Graham Crawford Show. _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

  On this edition of the Cityist, like many boys and girls throughout Hamilton, I sent Santa a note that began: Dear Santa, I know you’re a pretty busy person, but I’d really appreciate it if you could take a look at my list of 8 Civic Gifts I’d love for you to bring to my town….. Listen to what I asked for from Santa for Hamilton. _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

"Driving us Crazy" - A very lively discussion from several points of views. Our featured panelists Peter Graefe, Maureen Wilson and Tom Flood discuss with Graham the attitudes around urban design and roads. Do drivers in Hamilton own more than the road? _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

Architectural gems on Wentworth sit empty   Paul Wilson discusses two boarded up beauties on Wentworth Street South, one a mansion, the other a lovely apartment building. Both in need of some attention.   The original link to the Hamilton Spectator article can be found here: https://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/7563034-paul-wilson-architectural-gems-on-wentworth-sit-empty/ _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

The City of Hamilton spent half a million dollars on a proposal to Amazon for Hamilton to become the site of its second headquarters for up to 50,000 employees. I hate to be the party pooper, but I think our senior bureaucrats and elected officials need to have a drink of reality. Chasing expensive rainbows is one way to spend our money and our energy. The question I’m asking myself is, “Are there other, better ways to spend it?” I think yes. On this edition of the Cityist on The Graham Crawford Show _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

Mark Richardson joins us to talk about his experience challenging the City of Hamilton about their decision to ignore the recommendations of the consultants they hired to redefine the 15 Ward boundaries to create a more balanced distribution of Wards and population. Problem is, when Watson & Associates presented their findings and their recommendations, City Council decided to redraw the Ward boundaries themselves - literally. Crayons came out and maps were marked, the results of which were voted on by Council. Mark Richardson felt a need to challenge that decision, so he invested his time and his own money to challenge Council’s decision at the Ontario Municipal Board. We talk in detail with Mark about what motivated him to take this action, as well as what happened during his hearing. _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

After a long summer break The Graham Crawford Show returns with our regular Civic Panel where we discuss a melange of topics. Our featured panelists include Ryan McGreal, Peter Graefe and Maureen Wilson. Pier 8 Design Competition - The Process & the Results Redefining Ward Boundaries - How we got to where we are now Assigning resources (time, money, people) to chasing Amazon HQ for Hamilton Thank you to all our listeners. Keep talking Hamilton! _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

Like many others have, I’ve accused Councillors of being tone deaf on these sorts of issues that are completely within their control to remedy. Why is it that they try to ignore us?   I have a theory.   I think they ignore us for as long as possible because they don’t really want to be seen as reacting to feedback about their own behaviours. You got a problem with people in Public Works or the HSR or the Planning Department, bring it on. We’re all ears. You got a problem with me, keep it to yourself.   So, fellow Hamiltonians, here’s the lesson we’re supposed to learn. Feedback about issues related to people other than Councillors is welcomed. Feedback on changes you’d like Councillors to make themselves. Put it in a letter and leave off the postage. That way it’ll be like you never really said it.   _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton.

First of all, a small confession. I’m a member of the Board of Directors of the Westdale Cinema Group, the non-profit organization that has purchased the old Westdale Theatre and that will be restoring it to its 1935 glory. That makes me, and this edition of the Cityist, less than objective. But this project is so exciting that I feel more than comfortable, as does my Executive Producer, Alex Zafer, talking about an upcoming event in front of and inside the Westdale Theatre. It’s on June 25th and we’d love to see you there. Be sure to check it out on the Events page of the Westdale Cinema page on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter and keep up to date: @WestdaleCinema _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton.

We talk to Paul about a column he called: New mayor can’t sit on this throne that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on October 21, 2014.It’s a story about the City of Hamilton’s secret warehouse full of Hamilton artifacts the City has been collecting throughout its history that it doesn’t have the space to put on permanent display. While Paul doesn’t reveal its location, he does reveal what’s inside. _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website

Just when you didn’t think it was possible for Councillors to be more tone deaf, they prove us wrong.   I’m talking about the recent recommendation by Councillors at a Governance Review Subcommittee to spend $5000 for service rings for themselves.   Apparently, rings have been given in the past to Councillors who are either retiring or who have died. Now, we’re also adding Councillors who are defeated in an election. Yep, we reward the losers. And by we, I mean all of us. Instead of the other Councillors chipping in to buy a departing colleague a gift, like most people do in the real world, they want us to pay them to say thanks.   On this edition of The Cityist called Lords of the Rings.   _________________________________________________ The Graham Crawford Show, with your host Graham Crawford Executive Producer: Alex Zafer All shows are produced and recorded by Dave Beatty at Q.E.D. Media in downtown Hamilton. Visit the official Graham Crawford Show website