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Young group inherits issues on City Council

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By Richard Wilson, Staff Writer 1:08 AM Sunday, November 8, 2009

HAMILTON — The change in leadership that’s about to occur on Hamilton City Council may set a precedent in the city’s long history of governance.

While there have been six elections that resulted in four new council members, the last in 1983, there has never been a time when four new council members and a new mayor were elected, according to historian Jim Blount, who has amassed an extensive archive of local elections results.

So, what will this new council be like?

A bit younger and less experienced, for starters. Combined ages of outgoing members Jim Noonan, Ed Shelton and Kathy Becker — 197; their combined years of experience on council — 24. The combined ages of the newly elected members (according to unofficial election results) Robert Wile, Robert Brown and Timothy Naab — 163; their years of experience as elected officials — zero. However, the new members are familiar with serving on boards and committees.

Naab is chairman of the Civil Service Commission. Both he and Wile are members of the Vision 2020 Commission, and Brown is a member of the Greater Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Construction Advisory Committee.

“They are not total strangers to the city,” said Mayor-elect Pat Moeller, who said he got to know the trio better during the campaign. “I don’t think there’s going to be much of a learning curve for anybody. That’s a positive.”

Moeller said small business ownership will continue to be represented, adding that it will be hard to replace “the soul of council” — Becker, who works with poor and marginalized residents as executive director of Transitional Living.

Issues that will demand attention from the new council haven’t changed much in the last few years. Downtown revitalization, reducing general fund expenses and finding new revenue streams will continue to dominate the city’s agenda.

During their campaigns, Wile, Brown and Naab talked about finding ways to retain businesses and discussed the need to improve attitudes among employees, restore trust and improve communications with administrators, employees and the public.

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Tom is right. The Fire Dept. uses fear mongering to scare you that cuts will be disasterous for the city, but what they won't tell you is that they are ridiculously overstaffed. No overstaffed person (or their family) will ever say that their job isn't needed due to overstaffing. Remember, a Union wants MORE members in order to receive MORE money from each member. So, NO Union is goint to say that the jobs are overstaffed. Firefighters are great and respected, but the overstaffing isn't needed!

Granny
5:34 PM, 11/8/2009

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I urge the new Council members to take on the Fire Division overstaffing (28% per the Kramer Report) first thing out. You will never have the funds to fix Hamilton's roads or downtown area until they take on the Fire Union and Management. There are $3,000,000 dollars of savings to be had her with no reduction in ambulance coverage at all.

Tom Peters
12:12 PM, 11/8/2009

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We will miss Kathy B. She was often the only voice for the everyday folks here. Who will speak up for us now?

We'll miss you Kathy
9:27 AM, 11/8/2009

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At least the right people were elected for council.

d
5:22 AM, 11/8/2009

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