Mike Spadafora: “Work Hard for You, Ward 14” | 23% Tax Hikes, Parks Wins & Hard Truths on City Hall

Hamilton Ward 14 Councillor Mike Spadafora on 23% tax increases, taxpayer dollars, parks and roads, vacant unit tax, homelessness spending, and what he hopes his kids will say he delivered.Born and raised on the West Mountain, he won by 79 votes in 2022. In this Chin Podcast interview with Daniel P. Chin, he talks about City Hall accountability (“taxpayer dollars are not your money”), why he voted against city budgets, almost $2 million in Ward 14 park work, the vacant unit tax’s gross vs. net numbers, about $150 million on homelessness, neighbouring cities, Mike Spadafora 2.0, and making people proud to say they live in Hamilton.In this episodeThe weight of winning by 79 votesBusiness background vs. City Hall accountability23% tax increases and “we didn’t deliver”Parks, roads, and sidewalks paid with Ward 14 area-rating moneyVacant unit tax: gross vs. netHomelessness spending and neighbouring citiesWhat a second term would look likeCivic pride — proud to say you’re from HamiltonMessage to residents, and what he hopes his kids will sayTimestamps00:00 – Intro: roots, 79-vote win01:29 – Growing up in Ward 1409:00 – Family16:00 – Taxpayer dollars are not your money31:20 – Election night37:48 – What surprised him at City Hall44:14 – 23% tax increases50:53 – Parks, roads, sidewalks1:18:50 – Vacant unit tax1:23:58 – Homelessness spending1:43:55 – Mike Spadafora 2.01:52:44 – Civic pride2:01:24 – Unfinished business2:07:16 – Message to residents2:10:17 – What he hopes his kids will say2:12:22 – ClosingFull videohttps://youtu.be/G-ghIfHoc6wMike SpadaforaWebsite: https://www.reelectspadafora14.com/City page: https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/Email: [email protected]: 905-546-2712The Chin PodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechinpodcastWebsite: https://thechinpodcast.com/If this conversation was useful, subscribe and share it with someone who follows Hamilton city issues.