Councillor Craig's Current

Hello, Ward 12!

The first 3 months in office have been a whirlwind of orientation, onboarding, and meetings. From the outset, we knew that communication was important to you and we hope that you have found this newsletter and our social media content helpful.  But we know that communication is a two-way street, so inviting you to share your thoughts and concerns has been at the forefront of our efforts and we want to thank everyone for their feedback so far. We track each contact and in this month's newsletter, we have summarized the topics we have heard about from you.

Please continue to reach out to us at [email protected]. If the nature of your inquiry might require involving City staff for assistance, please indicate if you grant us permission for us to share your email with the relevant department 😉 

                                               ANCASTER FOOD DRIVE

Way to go everyone! Only TEN food pick up routes and TWO sign pick up routes are still available for Saturday! Please sign up as an individual, a group or a family to be sure donations are not left on doorsteps and Food Drive signs are not left on street corners!  

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR FOOD DONATION IS ON THE PORCH BY 9AM ON SATURDAY

Please sign up online to volunteer and find contact details HERE 

Visit the website HERE for more information.

 We've been listening carefully to the thoughts and concerns you have shared with us and the chart above is a summary of what we have heard so far. The topics have been wide-ranging, with the largest number of messages falling into the category of road safety/roundabouts/bike lanes. This is an area of focus for us and will most certainly be covered in future updates from us. 

Did you know that you can explore local conservation areas by borrowing a Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) pass from Hamilton Public Library? Enjoy free admission to Christie Lake, Tiffany Falls, Valens Lake and 10 other sites. The one-week pass allows free entry for up to six people per vehicle, year-round, seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.

How do I borrow a HCA Pass? Place a hold for a HCA pass through Hamilton Public Library’s catalogue.

How long can I use it? The free pass is valid for one week. Please return it to any HPL branch upon expiry.

To help the community stay on top of active development applications in Ward 12, our office has dedicated a page on our website to information about applications as we become aware of them. This page will be expanded and updated as we receive information about incoming applications, and we will let you know when community meetings with the developers and Planning Staff are scheduled.

View some of the current proposals in Ward 12 on our website under the "Ward 12 Development" tab at:  CraigCassar.ca 

All are welcome! Highgate Holdings and Wellings Planning Consultants will be hosting an in-person community meeting to discuss the proposed expansion of Highgate Retirement Residence on Fiddlers Green Road, Ancaster. The meeting will be held at the existing Highgate building at 299 Fiddlers Green Road. Please share with interested neighbours. The venue is fully accessible. I hope to see you there. 

Questions prior to the event can be directed to Sarah Burjaw at [email protected]

Starting last spring, the Griffin House, designated a National Historic Site in 2007, has been undergoing a multi-year restoration project funded by the federal government with an anticipated reopening date of spring 2026.

Built in 1827, this home is associated with Black settlement in British North America during the first half of the 19th century. Purchased in 1834 by Enerals Griffin, a Black immigrant from Virginia, it remained in his family for 154 years. More elaborate than most residences of Black settlers in this period and situated within a predominantly Euro-Canadian area rather than in an organized refugee community in southwestern Ontario, this house conveys the diversity of the Black settler experience. Griffin House is also a rare surviving example of residential vernacular architecture typical of Upper Canada in the early 19th century. 

Read about the project in the Spectator, paywall free using Pressreader HERE 

Learn more about Griffin House on the Ancaster Historical Society website HERE

Do you want to be involved in the decisions being made at City Hall? Recruitment for citizen members to serve on a City of Hamilton agency, board or sub-committee started February 24, 2023 and will be open until April 6, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

For the full list of positions available and more information on how to apply:

Go online at hamilton.ca/Committees

Call 905 546-2424 ext 260

Email [email protected]

Attend the in-person Open House on March 8, 2023 from 6-8pm at City Hall, 2nd Floor

Committees and Local Boards should reflect the diversity of Hamilton’s growing and vibrant population. With this in mind, we strongly encourage applications from women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Black, Indigenous, people of colour and those from equity-deserving groups. All interested individuals are invited to consider these opportunities so that diverse perspectives and lived experiences can help inform municipal government.

Individuals interested can apply to a maximum of two (2) Committees.

A citizens group in Greensville and Dundas has formed to raise awareness about a forthcoming proposal by Carmeuse Lime to burn garbage as an alternate fuel source at its Flamborough location on Highway 5 in the Lafarge quarry. Virtual meetings held in the Fall by the project proponent were limited in their participation. As a result, a community meeting is being co-hosted by Member of Parliament Dan Muys, Ward 13 Councillor Alex Wilson, and Ward 13 School Board Trustee Paul Tut to allow the community the opportunity to meet and discuss. Everyone is welcome because everyone is potentially downwind. 

Read more about the issue HERE

Calling all residents of Sulphur Springs Road! The deadline to complete the traffic safety survey for your road has been extended. Every residence would have received a survey in January asking if you would like traffic calming measures installed. The city must receive at least a 60% response rate in order to act, so please return your survey by March 8. If you are a resident of Sulphur Springs Road and did not receive one or have misplaced it, email [email protected] with your address and we will assist. Please share!                                                                   Thank you

Thank you to everyone in the community for reaching out to our office with feedback, comments and questions. Hearing from the community is crucial and we strive to keep the lines of communication open and respond to residents within 48 business hours. Please enjoy the final weeks of winter and stay safe.