1994 Hamilton, Ontario, municipal election

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Hamilton Municipal Election, 1994
Flag of Hamilton.svg
  1991 November 14, 1994 1997  
  MayorRobertMorrow (cropped).png
Candidate Bob Morrow
Popular vote69,638
Percentage87.3%

Mayor before election

Bob Morrow

Elected mayor

Bob Morrow

The 1994 Hamilton municipal election was a municipal election held on November 14, 1994, [1] to elect municipal officials for the City of Hamilton. Hamiltonions selected one mayor, one regional chairman, and sixteen alderman to the Hamilton City Council (two from each Ward), as well as members of both English and French Public and Catholic School Boards. Voters in the municipality also had the opportunity to cast a ballot for the Regional Chairman of the Hamilton-Wentworth region.

Contents

Regional Chairman Election

Candidates

Campaign

Following the retirement of Reg Whynott, three candidates entered the race to succeed him. Sitting Hamilton Alderman Terry Cooke faced off against former Stoney Creek mayor and regional chairman Bill Sears, and high school teacher Janice Wilson.

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Regional Chairman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Terry Cooke59,74050.02%n/a
Bill Sears48,14340.18%n/a
Janice Wilson11,5599.8%n/a
Total Votes119,442100%
Registered Votersn/an/an/a
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:Poling, Jim. "Policing, reform are top priorities, Cooke vows; 'There's a lot of work ahead,' jubilant victor
tells supporters," Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 1994, News, A1.

Mayoral Election

Candidates

Campaign

Results

A poll released by the Hamilton Spectator and CHCH News days before the vote showed that 69% percent of respondents supported Mayor Morrow, while Baldasaro, Decker and Bunn each received 1% support. 27% were undecided or refused to answer. [4] Skedden received no support in the pre-election poll and, despite Mayor Morrow's high support rating, his approval rating sat at only 45%. [5]

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Robert Morrow69,63887.3%n/a
Paul Decker3,5994.5%n/a
Michael Baldasaro3,5214.4%n/a
Allen Robert Skedden1,5691.9%n/a
Steve Bunn1,5181.9%n/a
Total votes79,845100%
Registered voters233,00034.27%n/a
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources:Sumi, Craig. "Nice guys do finish first; Morrow back for fifth term after convincing victory",
The Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 2010, Metro Section, B1.

City Council election

Ward One (West Hamilton-McMaster)

Incumbent Alderman Mary Kiss sought a fifth term, which would have made her the longest-serving female councillor in the city's history. Kiss made public safety her priority, seeking to put at least 60 new officers on the streets. She told the Spectator that, "Public safety and security is the No. 1 issue out there." [6]

The ward's other incumbent alderman, Terry Cooke, gave up his seat to seek the office of Regional Chairman, sparking a race between seven other challengers to fill the vacancy. [7]

Local businessman Marvin Caplan decided to run in the election to try to reverse some of the negative perceptions people had about municipal politicians and stayed away from making specific promises in the election. [6] Where he did provide specifics was on the issue of McMaster University students, who make up a large portion of the renters in the area. He wanted to bring students and residents of the area together to pressure university administration to crack down on absentee landlords. [7]

Cam Nolan took the step of drawing up position papers on different issues, placing fiscal prudence at the top of the list. He also put a priority on municipal reform, telling the Spectator, "I support a reduction in the number of aldermen because that shows leadership and responds to the needs of residents." [7]

Charles Renaud, a local Liberal activist and candidate in the 1991 municipal election, ran to encourage more participation among citizens in municipal government. [8]

Among the other candidates, Evelyn Myrie, a social activist, focused on policing. [8] Myrie was a notable member of the community at the time, raising money for the local St. Joseph's Hospital by running the 1993 London Marathon and was the chairwoman of the city's Status of Women subcommittee. [9] Ray Paquette wanted to encourage more business development in the city, Pat Ielasi advocated fiscal responsibility and slimming the size of local government, and social worker Emmy Weisz campaigned on long-term planning. [7]

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward One Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Mary Kiss(incumbent)5,16850%-1.93%
Marvin Caplan3,70635.84%n/a
Cam Nolan2,50024.18%n/a
Charles (Chuck) Renaud2,89221.35%-2.19%
Evelyn Myrie1,40613.6%n/a
Ray Paquette1,07010.35%n/a
Pat Ielasi8308.03%-1.07%
Emmy Weisz3793.67%n/a
Total votes10,340Note 1
Registered voters25,47340.59%-1.59%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Herron, Shaun. "Only one new face elected to city council; Marvin Caplan is the new kid in town",
The Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 1994, Metro, B1.

Ward Two (Downtown)

Sitting Alderman Vince Agro made an issue of parking in the downtown core following a parking ticket he received prior to the campaign's start at the corner of Augusta Street and James Street South. Agro told the Hamilton Spectator that, "Free parking won't solve our downtown woes, but it's a small measure of help. Parking meters were originally installed as a way of turning that space over. We've lost sight of that." [10] The issue of parking was tied into the overall theme of downtown revitalization that was a major issue during the campaign.

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Two Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Vince Agro(incumbent)3,34644.5%±0%
Bill McCulloch(incumbent)2,60534.63%+0.9%
Helaine Ortmann1,62121.55%n/a
Peter Hill1,46519.48%-9.68%
Joel Luke85711.3%n/a
Daniel Ribeiro6698.9%n/a
Jeffrey Peller5186.9%n/a
Robert Clark3484.6%n/a
Tim A. Yates1722.3%n/a
Total votes7,522Note 1
Registered voters26,59828.8%-1.08%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Herron, Shaun. "Only one new face elected to city council; Marvin Caplan is the new kid in town",
The Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 1994, Metro, B1.

Ward Three (East Hamilton-Stipley)

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Three Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Bernie Morelli(incumbent)4,84960.63%+24.83%
Don Drury(incumbent)4,67358.63%+6.63%
Ron Monahan7929.94%n/a
John Crawford7589.51%+2.11%
Ted Grizzly6267.85%n/a
Roger Lavoie2693.38%+0.48
James Steven Faner1592%+0.78
Total votes7,971Note 1
Registered voters28,99427.5%-5.85%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Longbottom, Ross. "Grizzly growls but results bear out winners' popularity",
The Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 1994, Metro, B2.

Ward Four (East Hamilton-Barton)

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Geraldine Copps(incumbent)5,53565.5%-0.61%
Dave Wilson(incumbent)4,27250.5%+0.44%
Murray Kilgour1,65219.5%+2.7%
Sheldon Taylor1,16513.77%n/a
Total votes8,456Note 1
Registered voters27,50230.7%-4.55%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Dehart, Nancy. "Ward 4: Hard to find signs of a vote", The Hamilton Spectator,
November 7, 1997, Election Review, S10.

Ward Five (Red Hill-Rosedale)

In early October, Chad Collins, the son of one of the ward's former aldermen announced he would be seeking his mother's former seat. Shirley Collins held the seat from 1982 until being elected to the provincial legislature in 1987. She served as the Liberal MPP for the riding of Wentworth East until being defeated in 1990. A 23-year-old student at the time, Collins made completing the Red Hill Creek Expressway, restructuring the municipal government and providing support for community-based policing his top priorities. [11]

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Five Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Dominic Agostino(incumbent)7,80470.43%+8.03%
Fred Eisenberger(incumbent)4,80343.35%+17.5%
Chad Collins3,66133.04%n/a
Total votes11,080Note 1
Registered voters28,26539.2%-3.67%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Wells, Jon. "Ward 5: A silence over the valley", The Hamilton Spectator, November 7,
1997, Election Review, S11.

Ward Six (East Mountain)

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Six Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Tom Jackson(incumbent)7,95665.1%+6.55%
Bob Charters(incumbent)5,76647.2%+19.6%
John Smith4,13033.8%n/a
Charles Eleveld1,36011.13%+1.33%
Frederick Charles White3963.2%n/a
Edward Findlay3422.8%n/a
Total votes12,221Note 1
Registered voters29,11041.9%-4.55%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Wheeler, Carolynne. "Ward 6: Hot to finish expressway", The Hamilton Spectator, November
7, 1997, Election Review, S11.

Ward Seven (Central Mountain)

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Seven Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Henry Merling(incumbent)8,09156.12%+5.46%
Terry Anderson(incumbent)6,99148.5%+3.5%
John Gallagher3,01920.94%-4.44%
Carol O'Hagen1,89613.15%-5.39%
Warren Ellis1,70111.8%n/a
Alex Lolua9786.8%n/a
Mark Bulbrook9696.7%n/a
Mark Alan Whittle3822.7%n/a
Total votes14,418Note 1
Registered voters36,31939.7%+-%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Mentek, John. "Mixed concerns: Urban, rural issues go hand in hand for many Ward 7
voters", The Hamilton Spectator, November
6, 1997, Local News, A6.

Ward Eight (West Mountain)

Summary of the November 14, 1994 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Eight Alderman Election
CandidatePopular vote
Votes%±%
Don Ross(incumbent)7,17150.4%-5.27%
Frank D'Amico(incumbent)5,89041.4%+1.8%
Tom Murray4,42231.07%-0.8%
Ron Bowman2,64118.6%n/a
Mike Oddi1,81312.7%-3.44%
Janice Tomkins1,2698.9%n/a
Chris Kiriakopoulos8035.6%n/a
Total votes14,233Note 1
Registered voters31,27945.5%+-%
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Oosthoek, Sharon. "Ward 8 voters wield a big stick: There'll be one new alderman for sure,
so candidates have to pay attention", The Hamilton Spectator, November
7, 1997, Local News, A6.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Poling, Jim. "Five in race for top job; If Bob Morrow is successful, he'll become the longest serving mayor in the city's 148-year history," The Hamilton Spectator, October 19, 1994, Metro Section, B3
  2. 1 2 3 Poling, Jim. "Policing, reform are top priorities, Cooke vows; 'There's a lot of work ahead,' jubilant victor tells supporters." Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 1994, News, A1.
  3. Sumi, Craig. "Nice guys do finish first; Morrow back for fifth term after convincing victory," The Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 2010, Metro Section, B1.
  4. Spectator News Staff. "The Spectator; CHCH Election Poll," The Hamilton Spectator, November 8, 1994, Metro Section, B1.
  5. Peters, Ken. "Election '94; Morrow set for easy win; New poll suggests he will become Hamilton's longest-serving mayor," The Hamilton Spectator, November 8, 1994, Metro Section, B1.
  6. 1 2 Herron, Shaun. "Only one new face elected to city council; Marvin Caplan is the new kid in town", The Hamilton Spectator, November 15, 1994, Metro, B1.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Herron, Shaun. "Ward One; Race to replace Cooke", The Hamilton Spectator, October 22, 1994, Metro, B4.
  8. 1 2 Davidson, Mike. "There are not enough women on Hamilton council," The Hamilton Spectator November 5, 1994, News, A11.
  9. "Myrie out of blocks in race for Ward 1," The Hamilton Spectator, September 6, 1994, Metro, C3.
  10. Poling, Jim. "Alderman wants parking to be free in downtown core," Hamilton Spectator, October 7, 1994, Metro, B7.
  11. "'94 Election," Hamilton Spectator, October 7, 1994, Metro, B2