Thanks to local artist Kinga Zak for applying to the City’s Placemaking Grant program to fund the painting of this beautiful mural at 185 Ferguson Avenue North in Ward 2. Had a great time celebrating with the community this afternoon. Vibrancy matters. #HamOnt

Reminder that the Supie program is happening again this summer in Beasley, Corktown, Durand, and Eastwood Parks in Ward 2. Programs run Monday through Friday from 10am to 3pm until August 28. If you have questions about the program, visit hamilton.ca/supie. #HamOnt

Tomorrow, July 30, there will be a local neighbourhood cleanup at Pier 4 Park from 4pm to 7pm led by A Greener Future and their Love Your Lakes program to celebrate International Friendship Day. If you can make it out, please consider joining in. #HamOnt

Hamilton is stepping up to help First Nations wildfire evacuees who have been directly impacted in Ontario this summer. If you can help, please consider donating any of the requested items at one of the collection locations below during their operating hours until July 29. #HamOnt

The vote against passing the Interim Control Bylaw to pause applications on AI data centres for a year only achieved one thing - keeping the public out of the decision making process. Here’s why I supported it, seconded it, and think Council made the wrong decision. #HamOnt

Here's the screenshot from the official Lobbyist Registry so you can see this information for yourself.

Sometimes it's the little things. Vehicles have been illegally driving over the sidewalk and parking in this spot for many years. Thanks to City staff for working with me to find a solution and installing bollards recently to stop vehicles and make it safer for pedestrians. It matters. #HamOnt

Great day in Ward 2 yesterday listening to Indigenous leaders at the AI data centre rally at City Hall and young musicians at the North End Block Party - one of the first recipients of a Ward 2 Community Grant, now a neighbourhood tradition. Love my city. #HamOnt

Great time at World Cup Day at Hess Elementary School. The play space I created with the help of the school board is being put to excellent use. This is the kind of thing the City can do with SJAM and I’m really grateful for Council’s support to make this a reality. #HamOnt

Many residents have asked what Council is doing to stop the data centres. Here's the motion Councillor Nann and I have been working on with staff in the Planning Division. This is unprecedented territory for cities and we need a clear path forward. This gets us there, together. #HamOnt

In Toronto today attending the alPHa conference for Public Health in Ontario, representing Hamilton as Chair of the Board of Health. Here’s a short update on today’s agenda. #HamOnt

Open Streets is on today in downtown Hamilton from John Street to Gage Avenue until 4pm. I’ll be out walking and cycling and enjoying this beautiful day. Hope to see you! #HamOnt

Important read in today's Spec from Kojo Damptey. There's a disproportionate amount of police force impacting Black, Indigenous, and other racialized communities in our city, and across the Province. The evidence is clear and I deeply appreciate Kojo leading with the facts. It matters. #HamOnt

Thanks to Mark Chamberlain for his article in today's Spec. He raises important points about the Provincial government's priorities and why their lack of serious investment in housing continues to impact our local communities. It's an important reminder of who holds the power and the money. #HamOnt

I haven't been at a protest at City Hall that large and well organized in a long time. The mere suggestion of an AI data centre coming to our city had Hamiltonians up in arms. Love it. I'm so proud of my city and the many downtowners who showed up yesterday. I'm glad the Committee listened. #HamOnt

Quick update on what’s happening with Eastwood Arena. Great news for the community and everyone who uses it - Eastwood will reopen in September. #HamOnt

Great time celebrating the International Village BIA’s 50th birthday today. Congrats to Executive Director Susie Braithwaite on this important milestone and the work she does every day to support local small businesses downtown. Come down to the Village today to join in the celebration! #HamOnt

Eastwood Arena will reopen for community use this fall. I’ll continue to fight to ensure there will be a home for non ice sports in Eastwood Park and plans for a new arena are implemented as quickly as possible. Thank you for your advocacy, Hamilton. It matters. #HamOnt

Appreciate the leadership of Councillor Nann on this. Her message is clear and I agree with her. Council cannot comment on an application that is still actively before the Committee of Adjustment, a tribunal legally established by the Planning Act (the Province) and independent from Council. #HamOnt

Update on the decision by the Committee of Adjustment and the path forward. It’s now up to the applicants to decide whether or not they want to appeal the decision of the Committee. More when I know it. #HamOnt

This week, at James Street North and York Boulevard, crews are out starting the process of reconstructing this intersection to make it safer and more accessible. This is the result of a safety review I asked to be done earlier in the term. Sidewalk detours are in place so please be careful. #HamOnt

Art Crawling tonight! Hope to see you out #HamOnt. It’s the first one of the year and it’s already full of life.

On the weekend, white supremacists in black masks held a demonstration on James Street North. Nearly 100 years ago, the KKK, in white hoods, did the same. If you don't think this is an issue in our city, I hope this is the wake up call you need. Here's my motion on this from yesterday. #HamOnt

Today, Hess Village is home to a vibrant and diverse array of small businesses. If you haven't visited lately, I hope this post will give you a new perspective on its history and another reason to appreciate it.

Through the mid and late 70s, the Village developed into a trendy retail, restaurant, and residential mix. Vegetarian food, "mod" clothing stores, denim related shops, and other "hodgepodge" boutiques filled the streets. They created a casual “Parisian flavour" that defined Hess Village.

Hess Village became the model for revitalization. In 1975, the International Village Committee cited it as proof a pedestrian cultural shopping area could work. By 1976, its mix of restored buildings and small businesses was the inspiration for Bold Street’s redevelopment.

In 1975, the idea of closing George Street to create a pedestrian mall had gained much traction as a way to encourage and continue building on the cozy village atmosphere. Though cancelled due to budget constraints, the concept returned in 1977 as a pilot project that won the hearts of Hamiltonians.

By November of 1972, a bookshop, art gallery, and boutiques had moved into the ancient homes. Activity surged along Hess Street South and George Street as buildings were restored and occupied. Businesses were opening faster than zoning could be changed, giving the area new life seemingly overnight.

In April of 1972, a law firm moved into a large house on Hess Street South that was "honeycombed with rooms". Very soon after, they quietly purchased and restored nearby properties. "The buildings were stripped of antiquated wiring and fittings and the process of rebirth was started."

Hess Village has gone through some ups and downs. This area wasn't always designated a “village”, however, and before the 1970s, it had "been run-down and dilapidated for years" frequented nightly by boisterous and dangerous motorcycle gangs.