1991 Hamilton, Ontario municipal election

The Hamilton municipal election, 1991, was held on November 12, 1994,[1] to select one Regional Chairman, one Mayor, two alderman for each of the city's eight wards for a total of sixteen members of the Hamilton, Ontario City Council, and members of both English and French Public and Catholic School Boards. This election marked one of the most stunning turnovers in local history, with four incumbent aldermen being defeated by political newcomers and Ward 3 Alderman Brian Hinkley being soundly defeated in his bid for the mayoralty against incumbent Mayor Bob Morrow.[1][2]

Hamilton Municipal Election, 1991
November 12, 1991
 
Candidate Bob Morrow Brian Hinkley Bill Jones
Party Independent Independent Independent
Popular vote 68,374 17,143 2,723
Percentage 87.3% 4.5% 4.4%
 
Candidate Michael Baldasaro
Party Independent
Popular vote 2,507
Percentage 4.4%
Mayor before election

Bob Morrow

 Elected Mayor

Bob Morrow

Regional Chairman Election
 Summary of the November 12, 1991, Hamilton, Ontario Regional Chairman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Reg Whynott (Incumbent) 54,464 64.77% +29.74%
Janice Wilson 12,139 14.44% n/a
Julie Tozzi 9,340 11.11% n/a
Eiflon Ivor Wynne 4,632 5.51% n/a
Gerard Marchildon 3,516 4.18% n/a
Total Votes 84,091 100%
Registered Voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Poling, Jim. "Whynott strolls to easy win in race for chair," Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, November 13,
1991, Metro, B1.

Mayoral Election

In late October, an article ran in the Hamilton Spectator critiquing the mayor for what was perceived as political self-aggrandizing while noting that his 1988–1991 term was marked by successes for the city. In the piece, Morrow noted that he felt his strongest competition would come from Ward 3 Alderman Brian Hinkley, a New Democrat with an extensive record at city hall.[3]

In early debates, most notably one hosted by Hamilton's Junior Chamber of Commerce, Hinkley was an aggressive opponent of Morrow's leadership style, accusing the mayor of "over-promising and under-delivering to the community."[4] Morrow attacked Hinkley for his ties to the New Democrats and his stance on the Red Hill Valley Parkway.[4]

Hinkley focused his campaign on the lack of real choice offered to Hamiltonian voters in past elections, even running with the slogan, "This time you have a real choice."[5] Widely critiqued in local media for leading what was known as the "Gang of Four" New Democratic caucus on council, Hinkley gained a reputation as a strong worker with community-based issues, relating well with constituents and ensuring that Hamilton's marginalized people had a voice at the decision making table.[5]

For his part in the race, Michael Baldasaro attempted to repeat his 1988 success, garnering over 7,500 votes against Morrow. Baldasaro announced he would be creating political trading cards for his campaign, though there was no follow-up as to the status of the project. Though he was contesting the mayoral election, a disciple of his Church of the Universe sought election in Ward 6, dividing Baldasro and campaign manager Walter Tucker's attention.[6]

Political newcomer Bill Jones as, at the time, a 30-year-old employee of Dofasco, was less than enthusiastic about his chances, telling the Spectator he did not expect to win, rather make a statement about the state of Hamilton's politics at the time. Jones was not affiliated with any political party, and had not sought elected office before entering the race for mayor. An advocate of more direct democracy, Jones wanted to cut the mayor's salary and put constituent needs ahead of political goals. When asked why he did not seek the open aldermanic seat in Ward 3 where he lived, Jones said that he felt the mayor would have more say.[7]

 Summary of the November 11, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Mayoral Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Robert Morrow (Incumbent) 68,374 75.35% n/a
Brian Hinkley 17,143 18.89% n/a
Bill Jones 2,723 3.0% n/a
Michael Baldasaro 2,507 2.8% n/a
Total votes 90,747 100%
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Peters, Ken. "Morrow took freeway to victory",
Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, November 13, 1991, Metro, B1.

City Council election

Ward One (West Hamilton-McMaster)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward One Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Terry Cooke (incumbent) 6,969 64.53% +21.44%
Mary Kiss (incumbent) 5,608 49.15% +12.51%
Charles Renauld 2,542 23.54% n/a
Joyce Lowe 1,409 13.05% n/a
Pat Ielasi 983 9.1% n/a
Total votes 10,799 Note 1
Registered voters n/a   n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Morrison, Suzanne. "Incumbents win in a cakewalk", Hamilton Spectator,
Wednesday, November 13, 1991, Metro, B1.

Ward Two (Downtown)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Two Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Vince Agro (incumbent) 3,643 44.15% -5.63%
Bill McCulloch (incumbent) 2,851 34.55% -13.61%
Peter Hill 2,408 29.18% n/a
William Laidlaw 1,938 23.49% -11.92%
Brian Morris 763 9.25% n/a
Dolores Marks 617 7.48% n/a
Bob Mann 505 6.12% n/a
Total votes 8,252 Note 1
Registered voters 28,848 30.44% n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: MacPhail, Wayne. "Veteran savours 'last' victory", Hamilton Spectator,
Wednesday, November 13, 1991, Metro, B2.

Ward Three (East Hamilton-Stipley)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Three Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Don Drury (incumbent) 5,123 51.98% n/a
Bernie Morelli 3,505 35.56% n/a
Doreen Johnson 1,868 18.95% n/a
Alan Whittle 1,271 12.90% n/a
Fabio Chiapetta 906 9.51% n/a
John Crawford 731 9.20% n/a
Edward Partito 668 6.78% n/a
Danny Stanidis 525 5.33% n/a
Roger Lavoie 290 2.94% n/a
James Steven Faner 120 1.22% n/a
Total votes 9,856 Note 1
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Lefaive, Doug. "Newcomer pledges 'vitality, teamwork"
Hamilton Spectator, November 13, 1991, Metro, B1.

Ward Four (East Hamilton-Barton)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Four Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Geraldine Copps (incumbent) 6,554 66.20% -3.15%
Dave Wilson (incumbent) 4,964 50.14% (Note 2) n/a
Murray Kilgour 1,669 16.86% n/a
James Monahan 1,453 14.68% n/a
Total votes 9,900 Note 1
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: Wilson was elected in a 1990 by-election.
Note 3: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 4: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Holt, Jim. ""Copps, Wilson sweep back into office", Hamilton Spectator,
November 13, 1991, Metro, B2.

Ward Five (Red Hill-Rosedale)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Five Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Dominic Agostino (Incumbent) 7,697 62.35% +1.46%
Fred Eisenberger 3,191 25.85% n/a
Reg Wheeler 3,159 25.59% n/a
Fred Lombardo (Incumbent) 2,984 24.17% -8.56%
Tommy Tarpos 2,178 17.64% n/a
Fiore Manganiello 347 2.81% n/a
Total votes 12,344 Note 1
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Elliot, James. "Newcomer Eisenberger wins squeaker", Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday,
November 13, 1991, Metro, B2.

Ward Six (East Mountain)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Six Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Tom Jackson (Incumbent) 7,916 58.55% +4.83%
Bob Charters 3,733 27.61% (Note 2) n/a
Vince Formosi (Incumbent) 3,519 26.03% (Note 2) n/a
Don Clarke 2,894 21.40% n/a
Greg Peitchinis 2,224 16.45% n/a
Charles Eleveld 1,355 10.02%% (Note 2) n/a
Peter O'Hagan 686 5.07% -7.11%
Daniel Henry Morgan 191 1.41% n/a
Total votes 13,521 Note 1
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2:Formosi, Charters, and Eleveid all contested a 1990 November by-election.
Note 3: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 4: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Humphreys, Adrian. "Jackson sweeps field in landslide win", The Hamilton Spectator,
November 13, 1991, Metro, B2.

Ward Seven (Central Mountain)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Seven Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Henry Merling (incumbent) 8,218 50.66% -15.23%
Terry Anderson 7,298 45.00% n/a
John Gallagher (incumbent) 4,118 25.38% -25.04%
Michael Ecker 3,609 22.25% n/a
Carol O'Hagan 3,008 18.54% n/a
Total votes 16,223 Note 1
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Morison, Jill. "'Gallagher blames media for humbling defeat", The Hamilton Spectator,
November 13, 1991, Metro, B2.

Ward Eight (West Mountain)
 Summary of the November 12, 1991 Hamilton, Ontario Ward Eight Alderman Election
Candidate Popular vote
Votes % ±%
Don Ross (incumbent) 8,407 55.67% +9.06%
Frank D'Amico 6,524 43.20% n/a
Tom Murray (incumbent) 4,813 31.87% -13.17%
Mike Oddi 2,438 16.14% -2.16%
John Ross 2,128 14.09% n/a
John Lewis 546 3.62% -6.08%
Total votes 15,102 Note 1
Registered voters n/a n/a n/a
Note 1: Each ward elected two aldermen and percentages are specific to each candidate, not for the overall total.
Note 2: All Hamilton Municipal Elections are officially non-partisan.
Note 3: Candidate campaign colours are based on the prominent colour used in campaign items (signs, literature, etc.)
and are used as a visual differentiation between candidates.
Sources: Benedetti, Paul. "'Political bully' gets a sound thrashing", The Hamilton Spectator,
November 13, 1991, Metro, B2.
gollark: Alternatively, the machine breaks, if it prefers simple changes - so I guess make it STUPIDLY redundant.
gollark: * didn't happen
gollark: Idea: what if you make a machine which will automatically open the box if an XK-class scenario occurs/is imminent?]
gollark: Probability fuses or something.
gollark: Although you could have a cool name for it.

See also

References
  1. Emila Casella, "Heads Roll", Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, November 13, 1991, News, A1.
  2. Jim Poling. "Voters performed selective surgery at ballot box", Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, November 13, 1991.
  3. Ken Peters. "Ribbon cutting belies backroom boosterism", Hamilton Spectator, Monday, October 21, 1991, Metro, B1/B2.
  4. Ken Peters. "First shots fired in municipal campaign battles", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, October 22, 1991, B1.
  5. Ken Peters. "Candidate would be a 'working' mayor", Hamilton Spectator, Tuesday, October 22, 1991, Metro, B1.
  6. Ken Peters. "Pot-puffing candidate could be a spoiler", Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, October 23, 1991, Metro, B1.
  7. Ken Peters. "Steelworker banking on blue-collar image", Hamilton Spectator, Thursday, October 24, 1991, Metro, B1.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.