Graham Crawford
@grahamcrawford.bsky.social
A critical optimist who likes to discuss issues and opportunities affecting Hamilton, Ontario.
Thanks to Kojo Damptey for his op ed in today’s Hamilton Spectator about the Mayor’s decision to step away from the Hamilton Police Service Board.
October 4, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Thanks to Kojo Damptey for his op ed in today’s Hamilton Spectator about the Mayor’s decision to step away from the Hamilton Police Service Board.
Scheduling is hard.
October 2, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Scheduling is hard.
The timelines and sequence of events raise concerns about how the Hamilton Police Service handles legitimate complaints of racism.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
October 1, 2025 at 1:35 PM
The timelines and sequence of events raise concerns about how the Hamilton Police Service handles legitimate complaints of racism.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
The article suggests the HPS knew there was a problem, yet it appears months passed before any action was taken.
Time to speak up Frank Bergen.
Horwath tells The Hamilton Spectator "I want to make sure that if I'm going to be on the board of directors of an organization that I'm able to give it the time, the thoughtfulness, the preparation, the engagement that it deserves. I have not been able to do that from Day 1.”
We already knew that.
We already knew that.
September 29, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Horwath tells The Hamilton Spectator "I want to make sure that if I'm going to be on the board of directors of an organization that I'm able to give it the time, the thoughtfulness, the preparation, the engagement that it deserves. I have not been able to do that from Day 1.”
We already knew that.
We already knew that.
I had lunch on Friday afternoon in downtown Hamilton with my good friend Laura Babcock at The French.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
September 27, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I had lunch on Friday afternoon in downtown Hamilton with my good friend Laura Babcock at The French.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
An absolutely beautiful afternoon. Lots of pedestrians. Blue skies. Good food. Good friendship.
Yes, we have our challenges downtown, but in no way am I giving up on the place I call home.
So Mayor Horwath resigns from the Hamilton Police Service Board just as the 2026 police budget gets reviewed at the HPS Board meetings. She couldn’t even bother to show up,in person at yesterday’s HPS Board meeting to do so.
September 26, 2025 at 12:13 PM
So Mayor Horwath resigns from the Hamilton Police Service Board just as the 2026 police budget gets reviewed at the HPS Board meetings. She couldn’t even bother to show up,in person at yesterday’s HPS Board meeting to do so.
Some food for thought, even from Google AI.
August 31, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Some food for thought, even from Google AI.
Recommended reading Andrew. Just for another perspective (and some research). Enjoy.
August 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Recommended reading Andrew. Just for another perspective (and some research). Enjoy.
I wonder if,after 37 years in the same seat, Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson might want to read this article?
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
July 26, 2025 at 1:47 PM
I wonder if,after 37 years in the same seat, Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson might want to read this article?
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
IMO, it isn’t about whether or not you can get reelected, it’s about creating room for others to try making a difference.
Thanks to Hamilton Spectator for a story on the facts and feelings about downtown (and citywide) safety. As someone who lives downtown, be wary of those who push a fear mongering narrative. It’s an urban environment, for sure, but it’s hardly the hellscape some are pushing. Again, IMO.
July 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Thanks to Hamilton Spectator for a story on the facts and feelings about downtown (and citywide) safety. As someone who lives downtown, be wary of those who push a fear mongering narrative. It’s an urban environment, for sure, but it’s hardly the hellscape some are pushing. Again, IMO.
Wow, look at that headline Andrew!
July 16, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Wow, look at that headline Andrew!
Happy to see this coverage in @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social regarding @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social vindication and reappointment to the Hamilton Police Service Board.
July 16, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Happy to see this coverage in @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social regarding @cameronkroetsch.bsky.social vindication and reappointment to the Hamilton Police Service Board.
Might be worth your time to read Andrew.
July 16, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Might be worth your time to read Andrew.
Always worth remembering. Progress has been made in my lifetime, yet the struggle continues. From today’s Globe & Mail.
June 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Always worth remembering. Progress has been made in my lifetime, yet the struggle continues. From today’s Globe & Mail.
Glad to see more transparency & accountability on the Police Service Board. They’re supposed to provide oversight on behalf of the public, not be glorified rubber stampers. Why is it Councillors who complain most about increased taxes ask the fewest questions about $250 million annual HPS budget?
June 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Glad to see more transparency & accountability on the Police Service Board. They’re supposed to provide oversight on behalf of the public, not be glorified rubber stampers. Why is it Councillors who complain most about increased taxes ask the fewest questions about $250 million annual HPS budget?
Glad to see some light being shed on the Hamilton Police Services Board and their refusal to even discuss member Anjali Menezes motion regarding Charter violations by police officers and the Board’s subsequent and confusing responses.
Thanks to @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social
Thanks to @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social
June 25, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Glad to see some light being shed on the Hamilton Police Services Board and their refusal to even discuss member Anjali Menezes motion regarding Charter violations by police officers and the Board’s subsequent and confusing responses.
Thanks to @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social
Thanks to @hamiltonspectator.bsky.social
This is a very good change IMO. Having community expertise at the table participating in public health decisions is definitely an improvement over just Councillors making those decisions, regardless of what Dr. Tom Jackson says about the change. He can still sit on the Board.
June 7, 2025 at 11:52 AM
This is a very good change IMO. Having community expertise at the table participating in public health decisions is definitely an improvement over just Councillors making those decisions, regardless of what Dr. Tom Jackson says about the change. He can still sit on the Board.
Thanks to Steve Buist for today’s The Hamilton Spectator editorial about the HPS Board’s irresponsible actions. I hope Andrea Horwath is paying attention. You know, the Mayor who tells us she wants greater transparency and accountability in government. Please show up and vote next time Andrea.
June 4, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Thanks to Steve Buist for today’s The Hamilton Spectator editorial about the HPS Board’s irresponsible actions. I hope Andrea Horwath is paying attention. You know, the Mayor who tells us she wants greater transparency and accountability in government. Please show up and vote next time Andrea.
The Hamilton Police Service Board wouldn’t even agree to discuss a motion by Board member Anjali Menezes regarding HPS actions re the Charter of Rights. Once again @AndreaHorwath was not present to cast a vote - a far too common occurrence. This isn’t oversight. It’s abdication.
June 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
The Hamilton Police Service Board wouldn’t even agree to discuss a motion by Board member Anjali Menezes regarding HPS actions re the Charter of Rights. Once again @AndreaHorwath was not present to cast a vote - a far too common occurrence. This isn’t oversight. It’s abdication.
Thanks for this Cameron Kroetsch. I think it helps for us to understand the clear division between Council and the Hamilton Police Service.
I know the tendency is to call your Councillor, but it’s helpful to know we should be directing safety & security issues to the Chief.
I know the tendency is to call your Councillor, but it’s helpful to know we should be directing safety & security issues to the Chief.
April 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Thanks for this Cameron Kroetsch. I think it helps for us to understand the clear division between Council and the Hamilton Police Service.
I know the tendency is to call your Councillor, but it’s helpful to know we should be directing safety & security issues to the Chief.
I know the tendency is to call your Councillor, but it’s helpful to know we should be directing safety & security issues to the Chief.
The best news in this story is that people are being housed in the City’s Barton and Tiffany tiny shelters site, I think it also highlights that we might need increase resources and priority in terms of cleaning up abandoned encampment sites immediately.
April 4, 2025 at 12:55 PM
The best news in this story is that people are being housed in the City’s Barton and Tiffany tiny shelters site, I think it also highlights that we might need increase resources and priority in terms of cleaning up abandoned encampment sites immediately.