(Table is courtesy of Ryan @ Raise the Hammer, and Joey Coleman)
The initiative to reform ward boundaries shouldn't be about anything other than math.
Simple numbers.
There are inequities in our current setup...revolving around Ward 7's 62,000+ residents...that need to be addressed.
There are many ways to do this. Some are more drastic than others. I don't happen to feel that the state of Hamilton's 'id' is healthy enough to consider something drastic. (Besides the fact that I don't believe that we have the level of sophistication civic engagement-wise to be able to proceed with the required fervor and confidence.) Which is why I took the approach I did in my initial stab at re-drawing the boundaries. (But even mine will be seen as 'drastic' to some. I'd venture a guess and say that these people...given where they're situated on the map...probably aren't that interested in any changes.)
Twice in the past few years, Council has 'deferred' doing anything about ward boundary reform. It's time for we, the people, to push on. Not just for the actual re-drawing and its inevitable results in producing a more equitable table of representation at City Hall, but as an exercise to improve awareness, involvement...and ownership of our own local governance.
M Adrian Brassington
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I'm always interested in feedback, differing opinions, even contrarian blasts...as long as they're delivered with decorum...with panache and flair always helping.