MEET SCOTT DUVALL, COUNCIL CANDIDATE FOR WARD 7

Hamilton Community News has reached out to both Ward 7 council candidates and asked them to fill out the questionnaire below. This is how candidate Scott Duvall responded.

NAME: Scott Duvall

OCCUPATION: Retired

ADDRESS/WARD: Ward 7 resident over 25 years

CONTACT INFO: sduvallward7@gmail.com, 289-7889996, Facebook: Scott Duvall Politician — Candidate for Councillor Ward 7

POSITION YOU ARE RUNNING FOR: Ward 7 councillor

PREVIOUS POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Former steelworker union president, former councillor, Ward 7 and former member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain

WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN?

I am running because a simple drive around Ward 7 shows the crumbling infrastructure, garbage in parks, weeds and potholes. Little, if any, improvements to transit, beautification, enhancements to our city housing, or new accessibility initiatives anywhere. Safety on our arterial roads has not been addressed and there seems to be no vision for the future.

HOW WILL YOU EMBRACE AND CHAMPION DIVERSITY IN THIS ROLE?

Championing diversity and inclusion means acknowledging privilege and reaching out to equity seekers. Listen and collaborate with all people, because everyone has something to say, something to offer, something they need and something to teach. Our community can only grow and improve by embracing the ideas of all who live here.

HOW WILL YOU DEAL WITH THE HOUSING CRISIS?

Everyone needs a home to call their own, but this has become unaffordable for many, especially those with limited income. We need to renovate our city owned assets, improve bylaws for renters and add rent caps, build geared-toincome housing, possibly using tiny homes or co-ops on city land.

HOW WILL YOU ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF UNSAFE STREETS?

We can address the problem of unsafe streets by lowering the speed around schools and parks, add sidewalks and bump outs, make changes to stoplight synchronization and add advanced greens for cars turning left. Scramble crossings at major intersections will help keep pedestrians safe.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP 3 ISSUES?

The top three priorities that I will get to work on immediately if elected: road repair and safety; city housing renovations; and restructuring of our parks and play structures to encourage inclusion and accessibility for all.

IF ELECTED, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ACHIEVE YOUR PRIORITIES?

These priorities are achievable by working together with communities and stakeholders, by advocating at city council for the necessary funding, and working with city staff to get it done.