'Monstrous': Ward 7 candidates say they'll fight 4 new Mountain condo buildings

Several Ward 7 candidates are putting a developer on notice: if they're elected, they'll fight a planned 489-unit Sonoma Towers development on the central Mountain.

Dan MacIntyre issued a media release last week saying the development "doesn't fit the neighbourhood or this area of the mountain at all." Business owner Adam Dirani called it a "monstrous development."

And Geraldine McMullen said after talking to residents, it would be "impossible" to vote for it. There are too many drawbacks for nearby single-family homes.

"With the huge increase in vehicular traffic, there will be impacts on safety, noise, parking and other quality of life concerns," she said.

"Some will lose their sunrises, their sunsets, and all will lose some privacy."

The development is four towers – two 11 storeys, one eight and one nine – at Upper Sherman and Acadia. Part of the property is surplus land the city sold to the developer. Opponents, including Neighbours Against Sonoma Towers, fear it will worsen traffic congestion and clash with the Butler neighbourhood.

The matter will be one of the first major votes for the next Ward 7 councillor.

For Sonoma Towers to move ahead, city council has to rezone the land. The matter is headed to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) on Oct. 23.

Sonoma Homes hopes that hearing isn't necessary. It's working with city staff and will submit a revised plan, likely by the end of the year.

"It remains our hope that this matter can be resolved without the need for a contested board hearing," said Denise Baker, Sonoma's lawyer, in a May letter to council.

Baker also said the development fits the location. It's on the Rymal transit corridor. It promotes intensification rather than urban sprawl. It even aligns with the Butler Neighbourhood Plan of 1976, which promotes "higher density housing" near public facilities.

But of the 11 people running in Ward 7, only Roland Schneider — who's still opposed — had anything good to say about it. He's pro development in general, he said, if it includes some affordable housing.

Hamilton city council appointed Terry Anderson as temporary councillor after Donna Skelly became PC MPP for Flamborough-Glanbrook. His term ends Nov. 30.

Jim McColl, Joseph Kazubek, Karen Grice-Uggenti, Adam Dirani, Steve Clarke, Kristopher Clowater,​ Geraldine McMullen, Esther Pauls, Steve Benson, Dan MacIntyre and Roland Schneider are running. The election is Oct. 22.

Steve Benson

Age: 47.

Occupation: Self employed – Virtual Advertising.

Where do you live?: Hamilton.

Past experience: I believe that the most relevant work I have done that would cement my qualifications, would be the 20 plus years I have spent as a broadcast/television producer. Dealing with multi-million dollar projects and completing them on-time and on-budget was of primary concern.

The most important aspect of that job was dealing with people from all walks of life, whether staff, freelancers, company owners, government agencies and/or clients formed a primary aspect of the job. Caring about people's concerns and listening to their ideas and suggestions and incorporating them within the framework of the production was a vital aspect in achieving our common goal.

What are the top issues facing your ward?:

Talking to hundreds of people face to face, an underlying thread emerged. With young families, for instance, safety on our streets and in our city parks is on top of the list.

The disturbing facts that vagrants are roaming our streets and parks, leaving used needles and debris scattered about., as well as drug deals taking place on major street corners, are alarming and must be dealt with.

Residents feel that increased police presence is necessary in dealing with these problems.  

Older citizens stress, for instance, the need for accessible transit to allow easier access for doctor appointments, shopping, or recreation. There are a number of minor and major issues that need to be looked into, such as housing, seniors' centres, recreational facilities, etc. The list seems endless but the concerns are not impossible to solve.

Do you support LRT?: If the LRT is to be built, we have to look to the future, not to the past. There are technologies being tested around the world, called "Trackless Trains", systems that are fully electric.

With no need for pricey rail tracks and overhead wires, the LRT system can be implemented at a reasonable cost and quickly expanded which would allow it to finally connect a train system for mountain access. It could efficiently be built from Dundas to upper Stoney Creek.

It is also of great importance to address the need for "park and ride" stops if we want to reduce congestion in the downtown core. At present, no park and ride locations are in the planning.

Why are you the right person for the job?

I know that I am the right person for the job because, by nature, I am calm but passionate and I will bring much needed common sense and new ideas to city hall. I will ensure that city hall is accountable and transparent when it comes to their decision making and that the information is readily available to all Hamiltonians.

I am fully committed to any project, large or small, and I have a strong work ethic which, combined with my people skills and dedication and commitment to my home town will make me a valuable asset on the Hamilton political scene.

And — I will always be available to my constituents. The bottom line is, I am here to make life better in Hamilton … for each and everyone of us.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

I was born and raised in Hamilton, I have lived here all of my life. I grew up here … went to school here … played sports here … and raised my family here.

I'm a father of three children and have 4 grandchildren. My wife and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this year.

Kristopher Clowater

Age: 25.

Occupation: Security guard and contractor.

Where do you live?: Ward 7, beside Lime Ridge Mall.

Past experience: Ran for student government at Mohawk College in 2015.

What are the top issues facing your ward?: The top issues in Ward 7 are the lack of senior and youth recreational spaces, as well as the lack of mid-density housing — also known as the "missing middle." 

Do you support the LRT?: Yes, I support the LRT — pending that there is a drastic increase in public education to reduce residents' indifference and confusion surrounding it.

Why are you the right person for this job?: I'm the right person because I'm not here for myself — I'm here for the City. I'm empathic to residents' needs and will put their best interests before mine. I will also advocate for their rights as citizens and will ensure their voices are heard and treated with respect.

Something you'd like the voters to know about you: I've lived in Ward 7 for 15 years (2003) and I truly care about residents' opinions. No project or initiative in Ward 7 will be approved without their feedback.

Steve Clarke

Age: 52.

Occupation: Semi-retired management, Environmental Services.

Where do you live: I continue to live in Ward 7 where I have resided for the past 21 years.

Past experience: I spent 30 years working for the City of Hamilton. I spent 17 years in the traffic department and 13 years in environmental services. 24 plus of those years were in management. I was responsible for the allocation of resources, both financial and staff, to provide the expected services required through legislation and council direction. I have a proven record of being very successful in providing excellent value to our residents for their invested tax dollars. I have also held several leadership roles in my 28 years as a CUPE union member such as president, vice president, grievance chairman, negotiation team leader, human rights consultant, treasurer and area rep.

What are the top issues facing your Ward?:

• High property taxes and not receiving appropriate or fair return on those taxes.
• Poorly maintained and neglected infrastructure of our roads, sidewalks and parks.
• The proposed housing intensification ( condos) that are not in keeping with the style and uniqueness of the neighbourhoods.
• The closing of schools and the potential loss of community centres, youth programs and existing green spaces.
• Speeding within our local streets and the lack of enforcement by the police.
• The existence of cannabis shops that are too close to schools, residents and parks.

Do you support LRT?: I personally do not support LRT and as the advocate for Ward 7 I can attest that the vast majority of Ward 7 residents do not support the LRT. We should not be building a transportation system that will not help the residents of this city and the legacy costs associated with the LRT is something the residents do not wish to have their children and grand children continue to have to pay for through increased property taxes.

Why are you the right person for the job?

I am the right choice to represent the residents of Ward 7 because I am the only candidate that is fully qualified to make an immediate positive impact from day one without a long learning period. With my proven skills, leadership and knowledge of municipal affairs combined with the networks I have compiled with 24 years as part of the city's management team I will be able to attend to the residents needs and expectations quickly and with favourable results. I will be able to work with community groups to resolve community issues. As a resident of Ward 7 I will be working hard for my neighbours, my local businesses and my community. The vast majority of residents of Ward 7 have made it clear that they only want a councillor representing them that lives in the ward.

Something you would like voters to know about you:

Ward 7 will not find a more qualified, more dedicated, more resourceful or harder worker than Steve Clarke. For the next four years they will be able to depend on quick action to resolve issues, easy access to voice their concerns, immediate responses from myself, community involvement and the assurance that on October 22 they made the right choice.

Adam Dirani

Age: 44.

Occupation: Small business owner of automotive business.

Where do you live: Own a home next to my business in the ward.

Past experience: I am not a professional politician. I am a business owner who was born in the ward and work in the ward. I am interested in giving back and representing the best interests of the community.

Do you support LRT?: I do NOT support LRT. We can spend a billion on one part of the city or use the money to assist other parts. Ward 7 has many infrastructure needs.

Why are you the right person for the job? I own a business, employ people and respect the bottom line. I will focus on basic needs (infrastructure, affordable housing, seniors) and not on someone's expensive wants.

Something you'd like voters to know: I want to be the voice or reason and responsibility. I believe this is the time to give back to the community and focus on tax fairness and basic services. I am a person of action and want to work for citizens in Ward 7.

Karen Grice-Uggenti

Age: 53.

Occupation: Professor, McKeil School of Business, Mohawk College.

Where do you live?: Upper Gage and Mohawk.

Past experience: I have 25+ years in management and leadership with pharmaceutical and medical device companies leading teams to excellence.

I serve my community as a director on various boards and committees with extensive community engagement and volunteerism. These include Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice; Hamilton Burlington SPCA; Hamilton Mountain Rotary, supporting CYO Marydale Park and Children's Aid Society; and St. Joseph's Joint Board of Governors, among others.

What are the top issues facing your ward?:

Effective transit that includes express bus service to our ward; expanding our current DARTS system for seniors and persons with disabilities; and ensuring we have adequate seniors' centres with room to expand. Ward 7 needs improved accessible areas for all buildings and streets; increase and utilize traffic calming in priority areas; and ensure our tax dollars are spent wisely in addressing our infrastructure needs.

Do you support LRT?: I advocate for citizens of Ward 7 and in speaking with voters generally we do not support LRT.

Why are you the right person for the job?:

I am the right person to be councillor for Ward 7. I am and will continue to be a leader that is tuned in and engaged within the community. I will represent our ward by providing leadership with trust, unity and strong governance. I will ensure we have a focus on community engagement, drive the needs of our ward for transit, seniors and disabled, spending our tax dollars wisely, infrastructure and economic development. I am an effective leader, reasonable and dependable. I have experienced know-how and will work hard for our future.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

I want voters to know that I was born and raised here on Hamilton Mountain and currently reside here with my husband. I attended Highview, Sherwood Secondary and Mohawk College. I have obtained my MBA from the University of Guelph. I have a strong business management background and high ethics that I want to bring to council table.

Joe Kazubek

Age: 31.

Occupation: Paralegal. 

Where do you live?: Upper Paradise Road.

Past experience: As a paralegal, I advocate for my clients daily, in and out of court, I mostly handle civil litigation, and tenant displacement. I have also advocated for poverty reduction, affordable housing, and spoke to the passing of Bill 148 and the benefits it would have for the working class people.

What are the top issues facing your ward?: Affordability, lack of policing and enforcement. Finally our transit system needs updating.

Do you support LRT?: I do support enhancements to the transit system, I am not an expert in transit so I would like to speak to some consultants and local groups to ensure that the LRT will be suffice to correct the transit issues. 

Why are you the right person for the job?

Firstly, I have to say is that every candidate that is running for Ward 7 is in some way right for the job. We all have personal and professional experience. But what sets me above the rest is that I am well experience in negotiations and advocating for people. The one thing that I tell all of my clients and is my biggest campaign promise, is that my opinion do not matter, I'm here for you, you are my boss and I will ensure your voice is heard. I'm nonpartisan, and will stay that way my entire term if elected.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

I believe that I am right choice to advocate for the residence of this ward because I have struggled just like so many people from Ward 7 and the Hamilton itself. I personally know what it's like going to food banks, I know what it's like trying to find a good job, or finding affordable housing, I am the right choice because I'm not sympathetic to poverty because I was given stats or seen a newspaper article, I am the right pick because I lived it, so I understand it. I will advocate for affordable housing, safer streets, and breaking down the barriers that are preventing residents from being involved in city hall.

Dan MacIntyre

Age: 29.

Occupation: Autoworker, Ford Oakville Assembly Complex.

Where do you live?: Lilacside Drive.

Past experience: Hamilton HIVE, Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Hamilton Police Service Community Policing Centre. I'm a member of UNIFOR Local 707 and McMaster graduate.

What are the top issues facing your ward?: Property taxes, infrastructure enhancements, transit.

Do you support LRT?: Yes.

Why are you the right person for the job?

I live in the ward and have a history of community building. We need a champion in Ward 7 who will fight for an urgent care centre in the ward,  accelerate the progress Concession Street is making, and secure a GO bus terminal at Limeridge Mall just a few of the many things I will fight for.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

After four years of ineffective representation, it's time for consistency and care. Not someone coming in from another ward, or wanting to collect a salary on top of their pension. I'm here to do the work, I'm not looking for work. I don't pretend to be an expert but I have surrounded myself with them and that is a value I'm bringing that no other candidate can match.

Geraldine McMullen

Age: 52.

Occupation: Outreach officer, Legislative Assembly of Ontario – Ontario NDP Caucus Services.

Where do you live? I live my life in Ward 7; the heart of Hamilton Mountain. I am the only returning candidate (of 22) from the 2016 byelection. The boundaries have changed this year; however, my qualifications and community contributions that have earned me a position as a candidate to be your councillor, have not. I am mere meters from the border and I count Ward 7 as my community.

Past experience: I have spent a lifetime contributing to the growth of Hamilton, from my early days as an army cadet instructor to today, including board directorship with:

• United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton.
• Hamilton and District Labour Council.
• Workforce Planning Hamilton.
• Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion.
• Cantabal Health and Education, providing Guatemalan children access to education.

I believe in servant leadership and have contributed to our community through many additional roles, including:

• Soccer referee and coach for almost 20 years in greater Hamilton.
• First woman to serve on the Executive of the Canadian Soccer Referees' Association.
• Hamilton Soccer Referees' Association.
• Ontario Referees' Association.
• Food for Families, benefitting Neighbour 2 Neighbour.
• St. Patrick's Church folk group; lecture.

Your perspective matters and I would be honoured to be working for you to bring stability back to Ward 7.

What are the top issues facing your ward?

Healthier and sustainable neighbourhoods. This includes enhanced availability of affordable housing, especially for young families and seniors and the necessary supports to help them achieve independent and meaningful living standards.

Roland Schneider

Age: 49.

Occupation: Caregiver.

Where do you live?: Ward 7.

Past experience: Managerial, administrative, government liaison, accounting.

What are the top issues facing your ward?:

Affordable housing, infrastructure, transportation, constant tax increases.

Do you support LRT?:

No, I'm not going to get into specifics here as to why we as a city are not ready for it. Of the thousands of people I have asked in Ward 7 if they like the LRT project, the answer was a resounding No LRT. Improved and expanded bus service and BLAST corridors are more beneficial to the whole city. The voice of the ward must convey the people's sentiments and act on it, so for Ward 7 no LRT.

Why are you the right person for the job?

I am a working class man who shares your struggles and i want to introduce prudent thinking, fiscal responsibility and progressive ideas to city council. I have lived here my whole life and want to be certain the needs of all Ward 7 residents are well represented, protected even. I have always been an active citizen and will continue to advocate for a better quality of life for everyone. The seniors that we owe everything too, the youth who are our future and the hard working people who drive our economy all deserve and will get all the help and assistance possible from our government to enhance their lives if i am elected. I truly have faith in society and embrace my whole community as extended family. The old cliche "it takes a community to raise a child" rings true for me. Let's work together. Vote Roland Schneider. 

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

I'm honest, diligent, caring and relentless in my pursuit of fairness, equality, opportunity and prosperity for all. To that end I have helped my community save big money while competing against corporate greed during my sales years in the electrical, heating and cooling industry. I will not accept donations for my campaign because I want to help people not cost people. In short, I fight for and represent the people not corporate greed.

I have volunteered for the Hamilton district school board, Highview Baseball Council, S.C. Alemmania Soccer Club, Pawz n the Park (service dogs for veterans with PTSD).  For many years I have been care giving for my parents. My father Gunther Schneider (Local 1005 member and soccer hall of famer) sadly passed away in 2013. My mom Karen Schneider is doing great. So stop in and say hi! It's been too long and she loves the company.

Jim McColl and Esther Pauls have not submitted answers.