Placeline Hamilton

Jason Farr isn't technically a new councillor. He's previously served three terms as representative for Ward 2.

But after being defeated in 2022, he threw his name back into the mix, pivoted to a new ward (Ward 4) and then made his political comeback complete when he knocked Tammy Hwang from her seat.

Is the Jason Farr who will be sitting around the horseshoe the same person and same politician we last saw have the last four years changed him?

He talks about that and more in this discussion with Spectator columnist Scott Radley.

Before he decided to run for office – and eventually win in Ward 13 – Rick Kunc says a city councillor sat down with him and had a heart-to-heart about why he had to run.

Who was that councillor?

The former school principal answers that and tells the story of how he decided he had to get involved – and what he hopes to achieve over the next term – in a conversation with Spectator columnist Scott Radley.

Fred Bennink would love it if you never heard much about him over the next four years. Not just him, either. He'd be fine if the entire Hamilton city council largely flew under the radar.

Why does the newly elected Ward 12 councillor say this?

He explains his thinking to Spectator columnist Scott Radley in this special episode of Placeline Hamilton.

When Mark Daly is sworn in as a city councillor, he will make a bit of history. The new Ward 7 councillor has done something no other councillor ever has.

What is it?

He answers that and talks about what he hopes to contribute over the next four years in a chat with Spectator columnist Scott Radley.

Jonathan Stathakos may be just 27 and the youngest member of Hamilton's new council. But that shouldn't bring any unusual challenges, he says.

Why not?

He explains in a conversation with Spectator columnist Scott Radley while also outlining some of the things he hopes to help achieve over the next four years.

Nicole Trombetta isn't just the new councillor for Ward 10. She's also a mother of four children between the ages of three and 11.

When she tells her kids what mom is about to be doing for a living now, how does she explain the role of city councillor? What is it that such a person does?

She shares that intriguing answer in a conversation with Spectator columnist Scott Radley here on Placeline Hamilton.

There are times – too many, some would argue – that change at city hall moves slowly. But new Ward 8 Councillor Dawn Danko says that doesn't have to be the case.

In a conversation with Spectator columnist Scott Radley, she explains why she and the rest of the newly elected group around the table should be able to make things happen more quickly than in the past.

And why a big part of this council's mandate is to rebuild peoples' faith and confidence in city hall.

For years now, Ward 15's new councillor has run a company working as a storytelling consultant. What is that?

Colleen Stewart explains the unique position to Spectator columnist Scott Radley in this conversation about running for office and her hopes for what can be done over the next four years.

She also talks about how that job could change how people understand what's going on at city hall. If some of her skills rub off on those around her.

Hamilton is going from having zero professional hockey teams playing at TD Coliseum to two.

That's a fantastic addition to to the local sports landscape. It seems most everyone is excited about the possibilities, the boost to the market and the jolt to the downtown. But it's also raised some questions about whether both teams will have the same level of success.

Bubba O'Neil from CHCH Sports joins Placeline Hamilton to talk about this unique situation and some of the benefits and challenges that'll come from this sudden surge in pucks.

For four decades — including years now as co-host of the morning show — Annette Hamm has worked at CHCH in Hamilton. But the other day she announced she was retiring this summer.

A career that long gives someone a chance to see a whole lot of changes within the company and the industry as a whole. It also allows for some insight about where things might be going. Particularly with local TV.

She talks about the past, the present and the future on this episode of Placeline Hamilton.

And, yes, she is looking forward to sleeping in.