My name is Erik Hess.  I stand for being financially responsible, socially accountable, and environmentally sustainable.  I am committed and promise to deliver the type of leadership and decisiveness Hamilton needs.  I am a professional landscape architect that has worked on ward 2 projects over the last 16 years.  I work in Ward 2 and live at Queen and Herkimer.  I have already had a direct hand in designing, building, and managing many of the iconic structures in Hamilton that have added to the beautification of our city. These projects include gore park fountain restoration, our ward 2 recreational waterfront parks, trails, trolley, and coffee pub, the gateways for downtown and Hess Village, Lakeland Community Centre, and the list goes on... How many other candidates have this type of proven track record?

Where you take an idea, make a plan, stick to the budget and carry it out to completion. I have excellent leadership qualities, I am able to make things happen, and the honesty and integrity to do it right. When these projects were done we did not hire consultant after consultant, we designed and implemented these in house.  The city currently hires consultants as a standard policy and adds 30% to the city’s project costs.  The city is not efficient in what they do and are not allocating our stretched resources where it will do the most good for the city and that is in job creation. 

I have run my own business employing a staff of over 50 people for 15 years, worked in municipal park development for 6 years, 10 years as a private consultant for waterfront planning, am currently a board member of Bay Area Restoration Council, and chair of King West BIA.  I believe in smart planning that takes into account the costs, benefits, and what ultimately leads to job creation, city beautification, and improved quality of life.

There are a number of social determinants that lead to poverty and we need to address these.  However, of all the social determinants; “jobs” is the game changer.  There was a time when Hamilton’s industry was booming and there were jobs, and our downtown prospered.  These derelict, vacant, factory properties called brownfields need to be redeveloped to bring back jobs to the heart of Hamilton, so we are able to live, work and play in our ward that has so much potential. This needs the input at all levels of government and input from you, the people who live in ward 2.  We are all aware of the high poverty level in Ward 2 and this is something we cannot ignore.  Hamilton, as an old industrial city, that has built the wealth and prosperity of this province and country and as a result, now the federal and provincial government need to help pay for that legacy.
I believe in a government that has transparency.  Planning is a team effort and should not be done behind closed doors away from the public.

Increasing economic activity will benefit our downtown and neighbourhoods.  This will also put less pressure on our social services and health services.  Ideally, our quality of life will be maintained with a balanced approach and a balanced budget. I am focussed on cleaning up the downtown, having safe, family-friendly neighbourhoods, fair taxation, smart planning and making myself available.  Say “YES” to HESS.