Pearson faces strong challengers in newly drawn Stoney Creek/Winona ward

Long-time incumbent Maria Pearson is running in lower Stoney Creekagain, buttwo strong candidates with political pedigreeare making her work for it.

Pearson is running against Jeff Beattie,Louie Milojevicand Ian Thompson in Ward 10, a newly redrawn ward that now includes Winona.

That's exactly the area where the Beattie name has a long political and philanthropic history.

Beattie owns WinonaGardens and is a Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) trustee. His parents, Stuart and Georgina, have been involved in the Winona Peach Festivalfor about 40 years.

Georgina Beattiewas a Stoney Creek councillor in the 1990s, and served on the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Stuart Beattieis a Hamilton rep on the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Beattie says this pedigree was influential, but he's done his own thing too.

"Over the past 22 years as a volunteer, community leader, business owner and most recently an elected official, I've made my own path, and have established my own track record," he said. "That's what I am running on this election."

Thompson, a teacher, has political experience too. He'sworked for former MPPs Judy Marsales (Liberal, Hamilton West) and Dominic Agostino(Liberal, Hamilton East). He's also been an HWDSBtrustee.

He's proposed severalideas this election, such as council term limits (maximum: two),more policing, building a minor sports complex and pressing Alectra Utilities to address power outages in the area.

"Our electricity goes out way too often," Thompson said in July.

"With the thousands of home built in the past several years, and the thousands projected to be built in the coming years along with development like COSTCO, power outages will get worse. Our electrical infrastructure cannot handle the growth we are seeing in Stoney Creek, Winona, and Fruitland."

Louie Milojevic is a former Stoney Creek News reporter and Hamilton Spectator columnist. He owns an investment company. His campaign site says he'll also advocate for more police and rec facilities.

He also weighed in on the issue of term limits this month. He's in favour, he said, but it has to be done right, or it will be "ill fated" and "immediately dismissed."

The province would have to impose by amending the Municipal Act, he said.

"I will work with the public and with various levels of government to garner the necessary support."

Pearson said despite the challengers, she's confident.

"Every election there have been worthy candidates who have challenged me," she said."I do not see this election or the caliber of candidates being any different."

Here's a rundown of the candidates.The election is Oct. 22.

Jeff Beattie

Occupation: Third generation garden centre owner andHWDSBschool board trustee.

Where do you live?: Winona (Stoney Creek).

Past experience:I've served as the elected school trustee for Stoney Creek for the past four years, two of which I was chosen to serve as vice-chair of the board.During this time, our community benefited from over $25 million in new investment in our schools, and from the establishment of new programs such as French Immersion.I've also served on various community boards and committees as both a director and committee chair, as well as over twenty-two years as community volunteer.These groups include the Winona Peach Festival, Winona Halloween parade and Fifty United Church.For the past 10 years, I've owned and operated my own business and farm, and made great strides to use my business as a platform to help improve my community.

What are the topissuesfacing yourward?:

I would put delivery of city programs and services, the renewal and completion of city infrastructure, and availability of city-owned recreation facilities at the top.These issues are the foundation of our communities.This is everything from programs for families and seniors, to transit, police, fire and emergency services, as well as road, sidewalk, and cycling infrastructure.With regards to services, I believe that over the past 18 years, our community has received only the bare minimum as compared to the rest of the city.Residents are tired of paying high taxes and receiving less service in return. Most recently, the sale of a private indoor soccer facility and the possible sale of a nearby privately owned ice rink has highlighted the lack of available city-owned recreation space in the Ward. All city services in our ward need review, and plans need to be developed to bring them to the same standard as other communities enjoy.Maintaining the status-quo will mean that as the rest of the city moves forward, Ward 10 will actual fall behind.With Stoney Creek and Winona leading growth and development in the city, I believe that our community deserves better.

Do you support LRT?:

It's more complicated than being 'for' or 'against'.

With the LRT project as planned, nearly half-a-billion dollars is intended for Infrastructure upgrades and improvements. This is new provincial money that will allow us to divert our city's own limited funds into new projects across Hamilton including Stoney Creek.The remainder of the funding is to expand transit, which again help to improve transit in areas where they are badly needed, again, like Stoney Creek. Over the past four years, as an elected official I've seen the importance of seeking investment from other levels of government to getmoredone, as it allowed our Board to re-direct over $55 million into other renewal projects around the city.Maintaining the investment is a priority. I can speak from experience at the board, that if you try to modify the plan the province has in mind for its investment you're likely to lose it.However, in this politically turbulent time, it's important to be ready to respond to the fast changing direction of the province to keep the money in Hamilton.

Why are you the right person for the job?

As an elected school board trustee, a local business owner, a long-time community volunteer and leader, workingwithpeople to make things better, has always been a top priority. I try to listen deeply, and understand the broader context of the issue.When faced with a problem, I don't rush to judgment, instead, I seek to learn all perspectives and collaborate with all involved to find a solution.I love working through problems to get the best possible results, and making plans that are sustainable over the long-term. This has been my approach for over 22 years. With the changed configuration of Ward 10, I believe I can offer the best perspective as an elected official.I have lived in and served the Winona community my entire life, and have both lived in the current Ward 10 (for about fiveyears in the early 2000s) and served as an elected official there for the past four years.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

I'm a fifth-generation farmer, a cancer survivor and parent of four children.I've never shied away from hard work or tough situations I just roll up my sleeves and get to work. It's my hope that I can use the experience I've gained over the past 22 years as an active community volunteer and leader, to help prepare us for the future, and offer perspective when making critical decisions for our community.

LouieMilojevic

Age: 37.

Occupation: Investor/professor.

Where do you live?: Stoney Creek.

Experience: Ran in 2003 for ward councillor finishing a respectable third in a six-personperson race.I write regularly for the Hamilton Spectator and other outlets on the topic of leadership and other issues affecting our great city. I'm a university professor by trade, with a background in political science, history, diplomacy and military studies.

What are the top issues facing your ward?: Inadequate transit, traffic/speeding, developments that do not fit within the community and that residents were not properly and meaningfully engaged.

Do you support LRT?: No, I do not.

Why are you the right person for the job?

I have the necessary skills, background and drive to raise the profile of Ward 10 and provide strategic guidance and decision making on a city and ward level.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

I come from a humble background. My parents worked very hard to make something of themselves. I thus have tremendous respect for those who pursue their dreams. To learn more about me, please visit votelouie.ca

Maria Pearson

Age:62.

Occupation: Councillor Ward 10 Stoney Creek for the past 15 years and councillor Ward 3 inStoney Creek for nineyears.

Where do you live? 207 Margaret Ave., Stoney Creek, Ont.for 34 years!

Past experience: I believe my experience is reflected in the 24 years that I have represented Stoney Creek

What are the top issues facing the ward? Traffic/speeding, safety, transit and development and local amenities

Do you support LRT? No. I am on record opposing the LRT.

Why are you the right person for the job?

Having an exceptional knowledge and history of the community and issues has allowed me to work diligently to accomplish many enhancements in the ward over the past 15 years and address many resident issues. Having a vast knowledge of by-laws has further allowed me to effectively mediate and resolve many complex issues with residents and staff.

I am honest, hardworking and dedicated to the residents of Ward 10 and Hamilton. Just as I was passionate about our community in 1991 when I first ran as a Stoney Creek councillor, I continue to be just as passionate. We live in a beautiful area of the city between the escarpment and the waterfront. I want to continue to work with the residents to shape the community we all want to live in. I have always made one promise to the residents and that is that 'As your councillor, mypromise is to continue to represent residents the way they expect and deserve to be represented'.

Ian Thompson

Age: 43.

Occupation: Teacher.

Where do you live?: Ward 10.

Experience:

• Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Trustee 2000-2005.
• Served as a constituency assistant, special assistant, legislative assistant, and senior advisor to Dominic Agostino MPP Hamilton East 1996 - 2004.
• Constituency assistant to Judy Marsales MPP Hamilton West 2005.

What are the topissuesfacing yourward?:

Safer Communities:

Hiring twonew police officers per ward whose primary responsibility is to enforce our laws involving speeding, running of stop signs, and vehicle break-ins.

Power Outages:

Our mayor sits on the board of directors of Alectra Utilities as Hamilton's representative; I will introduce a motion instructing our mayor to address power outages immediately in Stoney Creek, Winona, and Fruitland.

Snow Removal and Maintenance of City Spaces:

Snow removal has been lacking in both Stoney Creek and Winona. I will demand a full review of city contracts with private snow clearing companies.

Do you support LRT?:

With many figures being thrown about, I cannot consciously commit to any reasonable position until real, actual numbers are known. Taxpayers still do not know how much money has been spent, how much money has been committed in contracts and how much it would cost to break those contracts. If we look at the cancellation of the gas plants, it cost almost as much to cancel them than to build them. I am committed to what is financially best for the taxpayers. It would be irresponsible for any candidate to do otherwise.

Why are you the right person for the job?

I am running because I know I can help people. This election is about our residents their issues, ideas and concerns, not what the media or candidates are saying they are. That is why I'm running on issues that matter to the residents of Ward 10.

Something you'd like voters to know about you:

At the age of two, my son was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy resulting in over 20 seizures a day for almost a year. Through treatment from the pediatric team at McMaster Children's Hospital, his seizures stopped. My wife and I have raised over $220,000 for the McMaster Children's Hospital 2G Clinic Paediatric Neurology to give back and help other children and families fighting this terrible disorder.