Bob Bratina makes bid to be Hamilton’s next mayor official

Bob Bratina has officially entered the race to become Hamilton's next mayor.

Bratina registered his nomination papers at city hall Tuesday morning after initially announcing his intention to run in late March.

The former mayor and ex-Liberal MP said affordability, city governance and the ongoing controversy" of Hamilton's LRT project compelled him to seek the chain of office.

I feel like I have something to contribute to all of those things," Bratina, 77, told reporters at city hall.

One of Hamilton's big challenges is an imbalance in property tax ratios," he said, referring to the heavier burden residents carry compared to industry. So we really need to build the economic development side."

Last year, Bratina announced he wouldn't seek federal re-election for a third term as MP for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek because of the Liberal government's $1.7-billion capital contribution to the once-cancelled LRT.

The province has also committed $1.7 billion with early work planned for this year, but major construction not expected before 2024.

Bratina said the project would live and die on its own merits," but argued LRT's operating costs were still uncertain. Moreover, he argued, $3.4 billion in capital funds would be better spent on existing infrastructure needs, including crumbling roads.

Do you want these roads fixed now? Or in seven years do you want to ride a street car?"

On LRT, Bratina runs counter to mayoral candidate Keanin Loomis, a light-rail fan who advocated for the project during his tenure as chamber of commerce CEO.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger, also a staunch LRT supporter, has yet to say whether he'll seek re-election in the Oct. 24 municipal contest. In an email Tuesday, Eisenberger said he'd announce his plans Monday.

Ejaz Butt, an ex-taxi union official, is also an official mayoral candidate.

Bratina, a former radio personality, was a city councillor in Ward 2 before he became mayor from 2010 to 2014.

His term as mayor was punctuated by conflict, including a council vote in 2012 to censure him over his role in a $30,000 raise for his chief of staff.

As councillor in 2007, amid heightened tensions, he hurled a pen across the chambers after then-mayor Eisenberger told him to wrap up a speech. Bratina later apologized and volunteered to give up a week's pay.

On Tuesday, he dismissed manufactured scandals" of the past and pointed to achievements, including the West Harbour GO station, McMaster's downtown medical campus and Tim Hortons Field.

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com