Elections

Mark DiMillo, Candidate for Ward 3 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2014

Details page for this candidate.

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Candidate Details (top)

NameDiMillo, Mark
ElectionHamilton Municipal Election 2014
AreaWard 03
PartyN/A
Votes0
Email info@markdward3.ca
Website http://www.markdward3.ca
Home905-521-5555
Business905-777-8086
Fax
BioMark’s Message:

It’s Time for A New Beginning in Ward 3. This moment is real!

October 27th will not just be another day in time, but a day in history.

We have some tough challenges and decisions to make that will affect our Ward and City.

In the face of these challenges before us is myself, a candidate who will Represent the ideas, shared views, and values of the residents of Ward 3.

The Era of absolute leadership in ward 3 is no longer the norm. We are All Stakeholders and Leaders. Together we take ownership of our streets, Our neighbourhoods, and our ward.

I care more about Doing Something, than Being Something.

I see myself positioned as a transitional figure for Ward 3.
I see myself as being young enough to relate to the younger modern Generation, helping them lay the foundation for future generations and future Leaders of Ward 3.

I Believe In Term Limits

I see myself also as being old enough to relate and respect those that served our Great City and our Ward, as well the ones who laid the foundation here long before I was present.

I grew up beside my grandfather, a sheep herder from Italy, who instilled in me Traditional Values of hard work, integrity, respect for others, and appreciation for What I have.

As you get to know me, you will get to know these values are not preached only, but lived by me. My values, my experience are the foundation of my Campaign for City Council, and will be what measures the success of its outcome.

On October 27th, I am asking you to align yourself with the Candidate who shares the same values as you. I am asking for your trust, I am asking for your Vote.

Thank you,

Mark DiMillo
Dedicated To Community

Political Activity

2006 – Municipal Election
1,179 votes

2010 Municipal Election
723 votes

Community Work

Current
Member of Barton Revitalization Team

Past Chair
Barton Village

Business Improvement Area

Past Chair
Gibson Landsdale

Neibourhood Association

Haitian Assocation of Hamilton
Committee Liasion

Ato Ato Filipino Group
In Association with Hamilton Filipino Community Centre
Active Member

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Responses to Questions (top)

QuestionBrief ResponseFull Response
The Province plans to allow municipalities to use ranked ballots in future elections. If so, will you vote to adopt ranked ballots in Hamilton? Maybe I don't like to speculate on the future. If ranked ballots is the way of the future and Hamiltonian's embrace that system then why not. As a City Builder looking to do what is right for Hamilton, one who believes in term limits, and is not looking to become a career politician, it wouldn't affect me either way, and should be decided by the voters.
Do you support the city's plan to build an east-west light rail transit (LRT) line with full capital funding from the Province? No LRT should not be an election issue, it should be a planning issue. Furthermore, it is not a stand alone issue with a yes or no answer. We keep talking about it like we are going to wake up the day after Christmas and it is going to be there as a gift from the province. The reality is that the earliest, if everything lined up perfectly, and given the existing projects underway that have funding commitments from the province we are 7-10 yrs away from LRT as a reality even if it was supported by Hamiltonian's. The Premiere herself said in early August that major infrastructure spending is vulnerable. If the province said they were going to put the shovel in the ground next week, my answer is no. The province has set growth targets for both employment and population. We need to monitor our growth, and use benchmarks so that at the appropriate time LRT or rapid transit will be a matter of when not if. We cannot sustain it now, and I wouldn't want to build it now and by the time we need it, and it could be sustainable, it is already 25 yrs old and needs a lot maintenance or replacing. On the other hand to grow jobs and attract good employers, two of the key factors employers look at are cities with good infrastructure which includes transit, and secondly quality of life. In short there needs to be some good planning, some balance, and not just the let's build it and they will come approach, or take the money and run. As taxpayers we will no doubt pay for infrastructure projects that don't affect our city because there is only one taxpayer. If that means we have to pay for other projects in the province now, then eventually the taxpayers outside our region will have to pay for infrastructure and transit projects for us when the time is right. We cannot accept the full funding without comprehensive planning initiatives that complement the province's investment in Hamilton.
Do you believe City Hall should be more accessible to Hamilton residents? If so, what steps would you take to achieve this? Yes As mentioned the new style of leadership that is prevalent today, is that we are all leaders. As such we need to invite, and be inviting to all community, and neighbourhood leaders that serve our city well. This means being accessible at City Hall. Organizing more events on the plaza, and bringing City Hall to the people with more engagement, with meetings scheduled in neighbourhoods where specific issues, concerns, and problems can be the focus. The perception of City Hall being a place that intimidates people must be replaced with creating a place (actual city hall) is more inviting, social, and entertaining. It should not just be a place for formal presentations and protests. Have it as a tourist attraction, to be entertaining with mid-day buskers in the summer or some theatre, or whatever draws people to visit city hall, and not just for the purpose of paying for permits or property taxes.
Do you believe Hamilton should do more to protect and enhance its built heritage? Maybe Protecting built heritage is important. We travel across the world to what we call old world countries and we marvel at the heritage and architecture from many years ago. However, let's not assume that just because it was built 100 years ago that every building is worth preserving. Like most things it requires a balanced approach. After all there is no sense in not tearing something down or designating a building to be of heritage significance, and then sit back and watch it decay due to budgeting constraints. Everything in moderation and with consideration. Also, encouraging new developments to achieve design elements that will be a foundation for future generations to look upon as being of heritage significance worth preserving is also a welcoming pursuit.
The City's Cycling Master Plan is up for review. Do you support improving the plan to speed the installation of cycling facilities and provide more high-quality protected infrastructure like the new Cannon Street cycle track? No I don't know if your reference to the Cannon street cycle track is a typo, I don't see the Cannon street bike lanes as a track but as lanes of traffic for cyclists. I have heard the safety concerns with respect to the current installation of the Cannon street bike lanes, and there are some logistics and problem areas that need to be addressed. I think we should plan for future bike lanes, but use the pilot project on Cannon as a basis to learn, eliminate risks in future designs, and in the implementation of bike lanes moving forward. There is no need to fast track any installations at this time.
Do you support implementing a Vision Zero for Hamilton, with a goal of eliminating all pedestrian and cyclist deaths on our streets? If so, what specific actions would you take to implement this policy, and if not, why? Maybe No one wants to see deaths to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists on our roadways. Having reviewed the recent reports from police services it appears we are on the right track and there have been fewer deaths on our roadways overall. I believe we need to implement some traffic calming measures first and foremost to help reduce then eliminate the deaths referenced in the Vision Zero proposal. I would need to undertake to review all the recommendations, and together with community engagement find a balanced approach that may include aspects of the vision zero policy.
Do you support the use of participatory budgeting to allow ward residents to propose and vote on local capital projects? Yes I support participatory budgeting. The ward 2 Councillor did a good job managing the same in his ward and I heard positive feedback and encouragement from ward 3 residents to do the same. Something to look forward to in ward 3.
Do you support an expanded role for Hamilton to provide more affordable housing? If so, what should Hamilton do? Yes I support more affordable housing. The City earlier this year adopted the new Housing and Homelessness Action plan which includes more housing in mixed neighbourhoods that is affordable. If we start with trying to meet these targets in the Action plan and look to find creative ways with community partners in achieving more affordable housing stock, then I believe we are laying a good foundation for expanding our role as a City with affordable housing as one of its priorities.
Do you support converting more of Hamilton's one-way thoroughfares into complete, two-way streets that support walking, cycling and transit? Maybe The conversion of one way streets to two way is something that needs to be supported by the community and the complete streets planning initiatives. If affected residents are in agreement, and willing then yes I would support the same. The structure of the questions asked by the editor implies that my personal opinion is the basis for the correct answer. The style of leadership has changed, and the days of absolute leadership by the ward Councillor is no longer the norm. As a progressive city trying to break away from the political status quo will require continuous engagement from community stakeholders, leaders, and residents.
The Province has shelved a proposal to build a mid-peninsula highway from Niagara Falls or Fort Erie around Hamilton to connect with Hwy 401 or 407 north of Burlington. Do you agree with the Province's decision to put its development on hold? Maybe When the mid-peninsula highway was first proposed I thought it was a good idea. I don't know if it was shelved for financial reasons or environmental concerns. I would need to look into the reports and reasons for not pursuing the idea. Frankly, having been engaged in ward issues and on the campaign trail, the focus has been on issues that concern voters and residents in the ward. A mid-peninsula highway hasn't made any traction on the campaign trail locally. As a city builder it is always worth investigating major infrastructure projects, especially if there is potential benefits to our City, like attracting employers and residents alike. If all the employment lands around our airport get filled with employers who need to transport goods, combine that with increased traffic with the new Windsor-Detroit bridge, at the right time it may be necessary and make sense to revisit the project.