Hamilton, Ontario municipal election, 1994
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Bob Morrow
Bob Morrow
The Hamilton municipal election, 1994, was held on November 14, 1994, to select one Regional Chairman, one Mayor, sixteen alderman to the Hamilton, Ontario City Council (two from each Ward), and members of both English and French Public and Catholic School Boards. Voters in the municipality also had the opportunity to cast a ballot for the Regional Chairman of the Hamilton-Wentworth region.
Following the retirement of Reg Whynott, three candidates entered the race to succeed him. Sitting Hamilton Alderman Terry Cooke faced off against former Stoney Creek mayor and regional chairman Bill Sears, and high school teacher Janice Wilson.
Church of the Universe leader Michael Baldasaro
Pest Exterminator Steve Bunn
Retail Manager Paul Decker
Sitting Mayor Robert Morrow
Disability recipient Allen Robert Skedden
A poll released by the Hamilton Spectator and CHCH News days before the vote showed that 69% percent of respondents supported Mayor Morrow, while Baldasaro, Decker and Bunn each received 1% support. 27% were undecided or refused to answer. Skedden received no support in the pre-election poll and, despite Mayor Morrow's high support rating, his approval rating sat at only 45%.
Incumbent Alderman Mary Kiss sought a fifth-term, which would have made her the longest-serving female councillor in the city's history. Kiss made public safety her priority, seeking to put at least 60 new officers on the streets. She told the Spectator that, "Public safety and security is the No. 1 issue out there."
The ward's other incumbent alderman, Terry Cooke, gave up his seat to seek the office of Regional Chairman, sparking a race between seven other challengers to fill the vacancy.
Local businessman Marvin Caplan decided to run in the election to try and reverse some of the negative perceptions people had about municipal politicians and stayed away from making specific promises in the election. Where he did provide specifics was on the issue of McMaster University students who make up a large portion of the renters in the area. He wanted to bring students and residents of the area together to pressure university administration to crack down on absentee landlords.
Cam Nolan took the step of drawing up position papers on different issues, placing fiscal prudence at the top of the list. He also put a priority on municipal reform, telling the Spectator, "I support a reduction in the number of aldermen because that shows leadership and responds to the needs of residents."
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