Election notebook for Thursday

Baldarsaro wants medical grow-ops in city; Ward 11 candidate in hot water for using dead man’s endorsement; Hagersville to host all-candidates meeting

Source: TheSpec.com

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Website: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/263457--election-notebook-for-thursday

By: Daniel Nolan

Published: September 30, 2010

Grow jobs with medical grow-ops: Baldasaro

Mayoral candidate Michael Baldasaro is advocating the establishment of medical marijuana grow operations in the city’s industrial core as a way to create local jobs and use vacant buildings.

The follower of the pot-worshipping Church of the Universe unveiled his plan after candidate Bob Bratina announced a scheme to list 1,500 hectares of vacant industrial properties not connected to a brownfield list. Bratina believes that land could help attract or expand Hamilton industries. Mayor Fred Eisenberger says the land is already on a city list.

"We could be selling medicinal marijuana to McMaster," says Baldasaro, one of 15 men running for the mayor’s job. "Marijuana grow operations are quiet. All you have to do is keep the doors closed."

He also says the marijuana could be converted into hemp and used to make clothes and food. "Have your ever tried hemp pancakes? I have and they’re great," Baldasaro added.

Dead man’s endorsement creates controversy

A Ward 11 candidate has run into some criticism for using an endorsement from Jerry Smith, a local community booster and columnist who died earlier this year.

Patti Turnbull complained to The Glanbrook Gazette it was insensitive for Ken Chartrand to use an endorsement from Smith because he cannot confirm it and using it "without proof is not right." The Smith endorsement is included in a testimonial from Binbrook resident Deb Murphy, who says Smith told her before he died he had met Chartrand and he is "a man who would be just what we needed at City Hall."

Turnbull asked Chartrand to remove the endorsement from his website, but he has refused. Smith’s widow Lynn said she has no problem with Murphy’s statement and said she plans to write a testimonial herself for Chartrand.

Also running in Ward 11 are incumbent David Mitchell and Brenda Johnson from Environment Hamilton.

Hagersville all-candidates meeting Oct. 20

The Hagersville Chamber of Commerce is holding an all-candidates meeting Oct. 20 at the Hagersville Community Centre. It will feature Haldimand County mayoral candidates Ken Hewitt, Buck Slot and incumbent Marie Trainer, plus Ward 4 candidates Wilrik Banda, incumbent Tony Dalimonte, Jack Esselment and law and order activist Doug Fleming. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be moderated by local lawyer Ed McCarthy.

Municipal election day is Oct. 25.