WARD 9 CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF ON CABLE 14

Incumbent Ward 9 Coun. Brad Clark and challenger Peter Lanza renewed their political rivalry during the Cable 14 debate Sept. 20, exchanging barbs over the urban boundary and whether there was a dereliction of council duty.

Lanza, who finished third in the 2018 municipal election against Clark and has said in an interview he is looking to upset Clark in the fall election, hammered at the veteran politician over his decision to declare a conflict of interest on various planning issues that involved Urban Solutions.

"We ask our residents to elect a councillor to represent our interests," said Lanza during the open forum section of the at times intense hour-long debate moderated by Mike Fortune. "Why does this keeping happening?"

Clark defended his decision to declare a conflict of interest whenever a planning issue involves the Hamilton-based planning consultant Urban Solutions. He said his son, Brandon, has a business arrangement with the principal of the company, Sergio Manchia, and Clark took the advice of the integrity commissioner to disqualify himself when there is an application before the planning committee.

"To not comply with that, the integrity commissioner would put me in jeopardy," he said.

Clark said if he ignored the integrity commissioner's advice, he would face criticisms from residents, including Lanza, "for not complying with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act."

Yet, Lanza pushed hard that Clark declared a conflict of interest 24 times during the last four years, essentially removing himself from the debate of important ward issues.

"This has affected your ability to govern effectively," said Lanza.

Walt Juchniewicz, a high-tech businessman, said he has always been "open and transparent" when serving the public especially when he was a member of the Hamilton Police Services Board. "I will do my very best and engage the citizens of Ward 9."

Lanza, who has been endorsed by Doug Conley, the former Ward 9 councillor, also hit Clark hard when the integrity commissioner agreed in a 11-page report in 2021 that he violated the city's code of conduct. Clark was recorded by a former undercover police officer in 2020, making disparaging remarks about city building staff.

The integrity commissioner stated Clark "did damage or injure" city employees' reputation by alleging corruption.

Clark defended his response. He filed a complaint on himself to the integrity commissioner, issued "repeated genuine and heartfelt apologies," and removed himself from leadership roles on three city committee.

"I take my integrity seriously," said Clark. "I have complied every single time.

Mr. Lanza can twist the words and dance around all he wants."

Clark, though, bore down on Lanza's support to develop the Elfrida Growth District, even though that would mean expanding the urban boundary.

Lanza said Hamilton is growing "exponentially" and residents are fearful of experiencing development, along with more parking and traffic problems within their neighbourhoods.

"I believe that we should have expansion," he said.

Hamilton councillors in the fall of 2021 rejected expanding the urban boundary by 1,310 hectares.

Clark said over 1,800 Hamilton residents "overwhelmingly" were opposed to expanding the urban boundary, which would include developing the Elfrida Growth District.

"You came in here tonight and said yes to an urban boundary expansion," said Clark. "That's not what the residents' said."