Hamilton council appointee Russ Powers sets Ward 5 priorities
Russ Powers says the conversion of the former R.L. Hyslop school into a neighbourhood park and finding a location for a new library branch in downtown Stoney Creek will be among his priorities as he takes over as Ward 5's new councillor.
Appointed by council on Nov. 12, the former Dundas councillor said he's met with predecessor Chad Collins, elected as Liberal MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek in the Oct. 18 federal election, to familiarize himself with ward issues.
Powers said he plans to do likewise with the Stoney Creek Chamber of Commerce and downtown Business Improvement Area as he represents Ward 5 until next October's municipal election.
He said one of the reasons he applied for the council vacancy is many of the issues facing Stoney Creek's downtown parallel those in Dundas.
With the pandemic, everybody's been impacted by the downturns in the markets and businesses are closing down and renewal is needed," he said.
I've dined, I've walked around (downtown Stoney Creek), but knowing the individual businesses, that's what I'm focusing my attention on."
Powers said he's been briefed by city staff on plans for the Hyslop property, recently acquired from the public school board, and will be meeting with the area's very active neighbourhood group" on a project expected to be completed no later than 2023.
We're going to make major inroads into it next year," he said. The plans are to demolish the school, remove the hard surfaces, the parking lots and things like that, and work with them for trails, the placement of playground equipment."
Powers said he will continue Collins' work with the Hamilton Public Library Board to find a spot in the downtown for a branch.
He said a review of the Stoney Creek Arena will consider the 48-year-old King Street rink as a potential location as part of a possible redevelopment plan.
Right now the old arena is tended to be used by out-of-towners or rental groups, so there's no planned programming that takes place," he said.
Other Ward 5 priorities on Powers' agenda include the official opening next year of the Jennie Parker Sports Complex on the former campgrounds at Confederation Beach Park, and ensuring continued public access to the pier at the Burlington Canal.
Powers, 72, represented Dundas for three terms on Hamilton council between December 2000 and November 2014, a stretch interrupted by his brief stint as Liberal MP for the area from October 2004 to January 2006.
A medical lab technician at McMaster until his retirement in 2007, he also served on the former Dundas town council for 18 years prior to the forced amalgamation with Hamilton.
Powers said he's still adjusting to his new role, including council's virtual meetings, but expects to be totally up to speed" by the end of December, helped by budget deliberations.
That gives me a good understanding of where we are presently and where we are going," he said.