PROMISE CHECK

FRED EISENBERGER

Hamilton’s incumbent didn’t make many specific promises last campaign. But here is how some of them turned out: Taxpayer Bill of Rights: council signed off on this largely motherhood-and-apple-pie philosophical pledge early in the term, said Eisenberger. That specific wording does not show up on the city’s website.

Citizens jury on transit: the city did indeed gather citizens from across the city to study transit and LRT and report recommendations to council. But some indignant residents rightly note Eisenberger campaigned on using the panel to help make a decision for or against LRT. Instead, the new mayor got an early LRT funding pledge from then-premier Kathleen Wynne before the citizen transit panel was even put together. Eisenberger bristles at the idea that he broke a promise, arguing residents were fairly chosen by lottery, participated and reported their findings “which happened to recommend in favour of LRT, as it turned out.” Work with community partners on poverty strategy: this effort went ahead and contributed to a $50 million, decade-long commitment to build more affordable housing.

Online voting: this didn’t happen. Council asked for a report on the idea, but a relatively brief staff response recommended against online voting for security reasons. That didn’t stop Burlington from giving it a try this year, however. Eisenberger said he wants to look at the idea again.