Elections
Jason Farr, Candidate for Ward 2 in Hamilton Municipal Election 2010
Details page for this candidate.
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Candidate Details (top)
| Name | Farr, Jason |
|---|---|
| Election | Hamilton Municipal Election 2010 |
| Area | Ward 02 |
| Party | N/A |
| Votes | 1607 |
| jasonfarrward2@gmail.com | |
| Website | http://www.jasonfarr.com/ |
| Home | |
| Business | 289-426-5170 |
| Fax | |
| Bio | Jason was born in December of 1968 at Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Hospital.
He’s lived his whole life in and around downtown Hamilton. His love affair with Ward 2 started as a small boy, when every weekend, Grandma Ellen would take his brother Greg and him to Kresge’s, Robinsons and a host of other great downtown shops. Then, as a student of Delta High School (where he was not only a football and basketball captain, but also valedictorian) every Saturday and Sunday for five years, rain or shine, Jason was up at 5am to make his way to work at the Hamilton Thistle Club on Robinson Street. After Delta, Jason went on to study broadcasting at Niagara College, then urban geography at McMaster. While at Mac, Jason would DJ weekends in his hometown. His first professional broadcast in Hamilton was on CKOC in 1991. His connection to the Hamilton community flourished from there. With his friendly presence in the local media, Jason began to establish himself among Hamilton charity groups as the event MC who never shied away from a volunteer hosting offer. He took great pride in representing any organization that was thoughtful enough to ask. He’s worked on air in Hamilton at CKOC, CHAM, Y108, CHML, the latter half as a morning man. And, from the start, he volunteered as a host on many different community driven programs at Cable 14. Jason is currently stadium announcer for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, part-time host for Sportsline on CHCH, and host of For the Record, Cable 14′s daily public affairs show. He’s also Honorary Chair of an initiative he established with Banyan Community Services in 1998 called Committted For Kids sending hundreds of area kids to Camp Maple Leaf. To date, that campaign has raised over $700,000.00 Jason’s reputation as a reliable, good-natured, and educated community leader continues to grow. He has always been dedicated to the Core. |
Responses to Questions (top)
| Question | Brief Response | Full Response |
|---|---|---|
| Do you believe that poverty is the most critical issue facing Hamilton today? If so, please outline your solutions. If not, please explain your reasons. | Yes | Poverty is #1 in the hearts and minds of Hamilton. I have spent five week marching through 41% of poverty - I have lived it - survived, even thrived from it. My single mom was on social assistance - she (like almost everone else on welfare) did not want to be in that spot - but, in the best interest of her boys - was. My Brother and I had a great childhood - why? Well, ours was a working class nieghbourhood - and guess what - nobody (well. few) cared that we hadn't any money. So what did I learn from this - what do I take with me to a council spot in one of the nations poorest areas.. experience in knowing that we can no longer concentrate poverty. This great city should share and care for our poor - from every community. If it's all around you - it's all you know. If we (and my brother and me did) assimilate, we realise our potential.
And sadly, the poor (in tooo great a number) downtown, have wiithout any fault of their own, played a part in the prevaling negative image of our beautiful core by those outside it. Those who sy they will never go down there anymore. It sucks - but it's true. The haves wil better understand, and I am confident imbrace this problem - if they share, in their community, in helping to solve it. |
| Some cities have committed recently to publishing their public data in an open format that citizens can directly access. Should Hamilton pledge to become an "open source city"? Why or why not? | Yes | Wherever possible. Clearly some in-camera issues are in-camera for good reason (subjects may involve confidential real-estate, development, or investment matters, etc.)
However, I do believe accountability in government starts with transparency. It is encouraging to see groups like CATCH taking matters in hand, making notes, and analyzing each topic in council chambers. Open source city? Sure, whenever/wherever possible. |
| Hamilton's Cycling Master Plan has Council approval. However, the implementation timeline is very long and ward councillors can block individual bike lane projects. Do you support accelerating the completion of a continuous bicycle network and other initiatives like a bike sharing program and better access up and down the Escarpment? Why or why not? | Yes | Bike all the time - anyway to make it easier and get more people on two wheels - works for me. |
| For your campaign, will you be accepting donations from corporations or unions? If so, why? If not, why not? | Yes | Both - only from those I know well - have worked with in the past - and who are well aware, I am nobody's "man" on council.. we have had great support from many familiar friend (from decades of community work) and the team is very greatfull. |
| Will your term change people's first impression of Hamilton, and make that first impression more attractive to visitors, students, commuters and newcomers? If so, how? | Yes | I hope so - that's the point. If I work hard, listen and appreciate and respect the process... great things can fall into place. |
| Many observers argue that Council meetings could be more respectful and professional. Do you agree? If so, what will you do to change this? | Yes | My whole campaign has been about bringing coucil together and stopping the fighting.. time to fess up to the fact we have not acted in the best interests of those we represent - every incumbent is hearing that loud and clear and I expect a new attitudde - and hope greater solidariity (with the Hamiltons best interest at heart) |
| Council is poised to vote on the Airport Employment Growth District, a 3,000 acre plan to expand the urban boundary around Hamilton International Airport for employment lands. Do you support this plan? Why or why not? | Yes | Hate driving by Wayne GretzKy Parkway and seeing all that we could have had - WE NEED JOBS - we MUST attract investment (LARGE) and that the best spot - lets celebrate what will still be a billion dollar ag. industry too. And lets welcome new jobs and industry with the most prudent and appropriate measures |
| Do you support Hamilton's LRT proposal? If so, what will you do to ensure Hamilton's success in building LRT? If not, why do you oppose it? | Yes | Yes - all day GO first though. I like the end result of LRT - as a former Urban Geography student (Mac - 91 - 94) I am well aware of the bennifits to rejuvination and tax base growth and LRT will provide |
| The City of Hamilton has committed to doubling transit ridership by 2020. Do you support this goal? If so, how would you realize it? | Yes | Easy - gas will be through the roof in no time.. it's a welcome option - especially if we grow jobs and livability in the core. Also, the Green theme grows like corn in the summer of 2010, the youth are much wiser than we give them credit for - they are our future, and they are already respecting this planet at a level greater than any generation before |
| Should we spend the Future Fund to build a Pan Am / Ticat stadium on the CP Rail Yard lands? Why or why not? | Yes | YES - Cats employe over 350 in downtown Hamilton - over 50 live downtown - do NOT want to loose 141 years of football (beloved across the nation are or Cats) or the chance at a stadium for one thrird the cost - Do yoou want it to be built (with our Prov and Fed. tax dollars in some other community?) |
| Is Hamilton doing enough to support and encourage new investment in our older neighbourhoods? If not, what should the City be doing? | Yes | Like the new bylaw that goes after those owners who neglect property.. suppport it - plan on calling out those who care little about the core, and it's appearance |
