My Hamilton

I was not born in Hamilton nor was I educated here. Instead, my relationship with Hamilton began early in my employment career. I arrived in the early 1970s with some pessimism. To me Hamilton was famous for its industrial productivity not for its livability. However, as a new Mountain resident, I soon became enamoured of its quiet neighbourhoods, generally friendly populace and its wonderful parks and hiking trails.

Admittedly, the industrial sectors of the city looked and felt more gritty. In those days the air pollution index did not usually need to be announced it was there to be seen and tasted. But my overall impressions of the city and its people were warm and positive.

That early affection has not dissipated but it certainly has been tempered by some stern realities. Community leadership seems more often to be struggling in a quagmire than leading a parade. We seem to have a capacity for making even the more mundane activities of administration complicated and divisive. But, as events have repeatedly demonstrated, the solution is not to be found in finger pointing and critique. Somehow, we have to find ways to work more cooperatively in carving out some new beginnings.

So, I hope to use this blog to celebrate some of the positive things that I see and feel in this community about which I have come to care very deeply. Perhaps I can also encourage the efforts of at least some of the people who are making some good things happen. So, if an explanation is required, that's what "Hamilton Happenings" will be about!

Bob Bernhardt