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August 3 - August 10,2003 |
Di Ianni in the conquest of Hamilton
Mayoral hopeful is first Italian-Canadian candidate in the race to lead the city of iron
By Angelo Persichilli
Originally Published: 2003-07-27
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Larry Di Ianni
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Even the megacity of Hamilton has major problems with respect to its amalgamation with neighbouring cities, but to resolve them "all that is needed is for Queen's Park to treat the city like it treats Toronto," affirms Hamilton mayoral candidate Larry Di Ianni in a presentation to Tandem about his electoral campaign.
We often hear many Toronto councilors accusing the provincial government of discrimination, but this sentiment is not shared by the residents of surrounding areas, where many council administrators believe that the situation is much worse and who view Toronto as "the government's preferred son."
AMALGAMATION
The merging of the municipalities of Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Glanbrook and Flamborough has provoked a series of repercussions to the city's budgets because of the so-called "downloading", that is, the province's decision to absorb financial costs of the public instruction, But at the same time, the province has decided to rid itself of some important social services, such as popular buildings, social and transportation services, placing them instead on the municipalities ("downloading"). According to the communal administrations that which the province has absorbed - the schools - is decidedly inferior to the financial burden placed on the community.
"And so," points out Di Ianni, who is currently the councilor of the megacity, "it puts us in a position where we must cut services or even raise taxes." And property taxes being the only ones regulated, there have been many problems in keeping such levels within acceptable limits. "Certainly, it is a very big problem," says Di Ianni, emphasizing the fact that they "must be lowered or at least stabilized. In order for this to be accomplished we need the province's help as the 'downloading' has created much unease as a community." According to the candidate "the province must recover the costs of social services, or do as they have in Toronto, creating some sort of agreement with neighbouring cities to reduce costs."
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