The Graham Crawford Show
by Graham Crawford
The Graham Crawford Show is filled with smart, progressive talk from regular panelists, subject matter experts, and personal observations - every week and always focused on issues affecting you and the City of Hamilton. Let’s talk Hamilton.
Episodes
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Graham Crawford Show - Leaders, Hate & Hamilton
A powerful interview with three Hamilton Councillors on the role elected leaders play in combatting hate, racism and bigotry. Ward 1 Councillor Maureen Wilson, Ward 3 Councillor Nrinder Nann and Ward 9 Councillor Brad Clark. ___________________________________________________________________…
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Graham Crawford Show - with Cameron Kroetsch and Lyla Miklos
In an ongoing series discussing Hate in The Hammer, we feature two very special guests, Cameron Kroetsch and Lyla Miklos discussing the relationship between our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and our civic institutions. Both Cameron and Lyla are active and engaged citizens of Hamilton as well as the...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, discussing Cardus
Listen to Graham's audio op-ed on Cardus. Our City Council is about to vote to enter into negotiations with Cardus on their use of Balfour House, and blocking any other groups from consideration. If you haven't looked at some of the content Cardus publishes on their website, you should. Here's...
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Graham Crawford Show - Second Season Premiere
After a hiatus, Producer Alex Zafer and Host Graham Crawford introduce the return of the Graham Crawford Show. Have a listen. Enjoy! Podcast produced by Alex Zafer with your host Graham Crawford
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Graham Crawford Show
YES we are back after a long hiatus. Please listen to Producer Alex Zafer's preview to the upcoming episodes of The Graham Crawford Show, including his insightful perspectives on standing up to hate in Hamilton. Enjoy.
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - Discussing the future of the Discovery Centre
A special edition of the Cityist. Civic Panel regular, Maureen Wilson, joins Graham to discuss the future of the Discovery Centre on our waterfront. City Council is considering selling this public building and the 8 acres on which it sits to a private developer. We think there are ways to...
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Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 13 - Downtown Densification and more
Our Civic Panel sinks their teeth into 3 very current topics on this edition of the podcast. 1. Downtown Densification - High Anxiety Link from The Hamilton Spectator: "Beasley neighbours back development, but not at any price Hamilton's new downtown plan makes arbitrary changes without adequate...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - CITY LEADERSHIP: Step aside ladies, it's a man's world.
There was a time when all members of the senior leadership team at the City of Hamilton were men. What was the most recent year that was true? Was it 1990? 2000? 2005? If you picked any of those years, you'd be wrong. The correct answer is 2018. That's right, the unstoppable City of Hamilton is...
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Graham Crawford Show - Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 14
On this edition of the Graham Crawford Show we talk with Paul Wilson about the bright neon lights of Hamilton, those that once were and those that still light the night sky. Cultural Heritage is defined as an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation…
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Graham Crawford Show - Interview with Jason Thorne, General Manager of Planning and Economic Development at City Of Hamilton
We're very pleased to have Jason Thorne, General Manager of Planning & Economic Development for the City of Hamilton join us for an in-depth, one-on-one discussion about urban design in Hamilton, from how demographics affect planning, to what is excellent urban design, to how the Planning...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist,
On this edition of the Cityist, like many boys and girls throughout Hamilton, I sent Santa a note that began: Dear Santa, I know you're a pretty busy person, but I'd really appreciate it if you could take a look at my list of 8 Civic Gifts I'd love for you to bring to my town….. Listen to what I...
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Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 12 - Driving us Crazy
"Driving us Crazy" - A very lively discussion from several points of views. Our featured panelists Peter Graefe, Maureen Wilson and Tom Flood discuss with Graham the attitudes around urban design and roads. Do drivers in Hamilton own more than the road?...
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Graham Crawford Show, Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 13
Architectural gems on Wentworth sit empty Paul Wilson discusses two boarded up beauties on Wentworth Street South, one a mansion, the other a lovely apartment building. Both in need of some attention. The original link to the Hamilton Spectator article can be found here:...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, #HamAzon, Chasing Rainbows
The City of Hamilton spent half a million dollars on a proposal to Amazon for Hamilton to become the site of its second headquarters for up to 50,000 employees. I hate to be the party pooper, but I think our senior bureaucrats and elected officials need to have a drink of reality. Chasing…
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Graham Crawford Show - Interview with Mark Richardson Ward Boundary Hearing
Mark Richardson joins us to talk about his experience challenging the City of Hamilton about their decision to ignore the recommendations of the consultants they hired to redefine the 15 Ward boundaries to create a more balanced distribution of Wards and population. Problem is, when Watson &...
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The Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 11 - Melange #2
After a long summer break The Graham Crawford Show returns with our regular Civic Panel where we discuss a melange of topics. Our featured panelists include Ryan McGreal, Peter Graefe and Maureen Wilson. Pier 8 Design Competition - The Process & the Results Redefining Ward Boundaries - How we got...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - Council Cohesion, The I of the Storm
Like many others have, I've accused Councillors of being tone deaf on these sorts of issues that are completely within their control to remedy. Why is it that they try to ignore us? I have a theory. I think they ignore us for as long as possible because they don't really want to be seen as…
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - Building Magic at the Westdale Theatre
First of all, a small confession. I'm a member of the Board of Directors of the Westdale Cinema Group, the non-profit organization that has purchased the old Westdale Theatre and that will be restoring it to its 1935 glory. That makes me, and this edition of the Cityist, less than objective. But...
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Graham Crawford Show - Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 12
We talk to Paul about a column he called: New mayor can't sit on this throne that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on October 21, 2014. It's a story about the City of Hamilton's secret warehouse full of Hamilton artifacts the City has been collecting throughout its history that it doesn't have...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - Lord of The Rings
Just when you didn't think it was possible for Councillors to be more tone deaf, they prove us wrong. I'm talking about the recent recommendation by Councillors at a Governance Review Subcommittee to spend $5000 for service rings for themselves. Apparently, rings have been given in the past to...
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Graham Crawford Show - Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 11
This time, we talk to Paul about a column he called: Harmony's proud, but sad, story to be unveiled that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on September 2, 2014. It's about the Harmony Apartments at Bay and Barton. If you haven't been by the building, it's worth taking a look if you're in the…
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Graham Crawford Show - Celebrating our first year
One year, and tens of thousands of downloads after this adventure began, I sit down with the mastermind of The Graham Crawford Show - Executive Producer Alex Zafer to discuss the original vision for the show, what we've accomplished and where we go from here. And we talk about Dave Beatty, the...
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Graham Crawford Show - Interview with cartoonist Graeme MacKay
I'm joined by an artist and satirist I've admired for years. I admire his wit. His artistry. His ability to boil oceans of issues to their essence and to present what he sees in ways that leave us smiling or even, dare I say, LOL'ing. His name is Graeme MacKay and he's the editorial cartoonist…
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Graham Crawford Show - Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 10
We talk to Paul about a column he called: Storied House Amid Highrises Has a Future Again. It appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on May 17, 2016. It's a story about tenacity. In this case, the tenacity of a beautiful house and the tenacity of a dedicated owner. The house was built in 1860, just 7...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - Dithering, Blithering & Slithering
This edition of the Cityist is called Dithering, Blithering & Slithering. It's a three word summary of the last City Council meeting about LRT. We may be relieved and thankful that the LRT Environmental Assessment 2.0 was approved in a 10 to 5 vote by Council. But, there's more to this than…
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Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 10 - Some Counsel for Council
We're calling this edition of the Civic Panel Some Counsel for Council. If you're a regular watcher of Hamilton City Council, you'll probably agree that Council's behaviour is questionable at times. And, at other times, downright appalling. Our panelists each provide some advice to Council based…
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist - Hamilton City Hall, It's Not Pretty
It was telling that Spectator columnist Andrew Dreschel began a recent column by saying, "City Manager Chris Murray's face may not have been sickly green, but he has rarely looked as crestfallen and crushed." Chris Murray was down because an internal audit about how consulting dollars were spent...
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Graham Crawford Show - Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 9
We talk to Paul Wilson about a column he called, "Hamilton is the Town Where Time Stands Still" that appeared in the Hamilton Spectator on March 15, 2016. http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6390115-paul-wilson-hamilton-is-the-town-where-time-stands-still/ It focuses on some of Hamilton's public...
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Graham Crawford Show, The Cityist - Meetings. Expectations
This Cityist is about the most recent LRT meeting at City Hall. A marathon meeting for sure. 12 hours long. But not even nearly 12 hours worth of content. Although, that might be said about many of the meetings that take place at City Hall. If one person was given a dollar for every 15 minutes of...
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Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 9 - Mélange of Hamilton Topics
This is the second edition of our Civic Panel Mélange, where we focus on 3 topics worth discussing. They are: Coleman Broadcasting Resolution - 40 Miles of Bad Road Ahead? Design Review Panel - Now You See It, Now You Don't, Now You See It Downsizing - When You Can't Change the Working Culture,...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, The Sounds of Silence
Gather round your mobile devices dear listeners. I want to tell you a sad story about lost relevance. I want to speak about Ward 8 Councillor Terry Whitehead. It's become very clear that Terry has lost his way. He's flailing about looking for political relevance. His consistently inconsistent...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, The Benchmark Project - an update
Over 6 months ago, I did a Cityist called The Benchmark Project. It was a simple proposal for the City of Hamilton to provide affordable opportunities for Hamiltonians to place a plaque on a city bench honouring a family member or someone else important to them. In that podcast, I included...
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The Graham Crawford Show - Revitalization of the Westdale Theatre
On this show, we talk about a local project that's received a fantastic outpouring of goodwill from Hamiltonians across the city. The project is the revitalization of the Westdale Theatre. A project being called an urban barn raising, Hamilton-style. I'm joined by three members of the Board of…
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The Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 8 - The Role of Civic Protest
Civic engagement takes many forms. Perhaps the oldest form is an old fashioned protest. A public gathering of like-minded people about a specific topic who show up at a specific place at a specific time to make a statement and to listen to the statements of others. A 'demonstration' of our civic...
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The Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, The Yin Yang of Civic Engagement and How Everything Connects
The Yin and Yang of Civic Engagement and How Everything Connects. Yin and yang. The principle that all things exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites. If you've embraced a civic cause it's likely you did so because it meant something to you personally. Often, civic engagement is focused…
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The Graham Crawford Show - Jason Farr, Dale & Roz Mugford - Park The Violence
We were pleased to welcome Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr and two very engaged residents, Roz and Dale Mugford, who started the Park the Violence Campaign related to the planned urban park bounded by King William, John Street North, Rebecca and Catherine. We discuss the challenges facing the...
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, Myth of Fiscal Prudence
This edition of the Cityist is called Debunking the Myth of Fiscal Prudence OR Read Any Good Books Lately? It's an op-ed about a myth of near Shakespearean proportions that happened at, and after, some comments made by Ward 7 Councillor Donna Skelly about the Hamilton Public Library and their...
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Graham Crawford Show - Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 8
Although there may be fewer than there were just a few years ago, there are still boarded up buildings in Hamilton. In this edition of the Paul Wilson interview Series, I talk to Paul about the Auchmar gatehouse, the lightkeeper's cottage on the Beach Strip, and storefronts along Barton Street.…
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Graham Crawford Show - Interview with Matt Jelly - Equal Wards Now
The Graham Crawford Show was pleased to welcome Matt Jelly, engaged and active resident, artist, and one of the sharpest wits in town to talk about a project he is leading. It's called #EqualWardsNow and it is gathering signatures for Hamiltonians who support Ward boundary review. During the...
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Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 7 - Backward Glances. Forward Thoughts.
Our Civic Panelists are Peter Graefe, Maureen Wilson and Ryan McGreal, begin the year by looking back at the previous one. They share their answers to questions in 7 separate categories, all focused on the City of Hamilton in 2016, and with an eye to 2017. All on this Civic Panel edition of The...
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The Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, Wishful Thinking
Whether it really makes any difference or not, many of us use the end of one year and the beginning of the next as a fresh start for new behaviours. Too often, that fresh start often ends with old behaviours. Change, although always possible, is usually difficult. But that truth doesn't seem to...
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The Graham Crawford Show - Interview with Paul Berton, Editor-in-Chief of the Hamilton Spectator
Paul Berton is someone who spends every day on the job thinking about news. About how it's collected, reported, illustrated and distributed. All via Hamilton's oldest operating business. Paul Berton is a lifelong journalist - reporter, columnist, editor, and now Editor-in-Chief of the Hamilton...
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The Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, My First Christmas in Hamilton
Each month, I do a Cityist column for The Graham Crawford Show. It's usually about an issue, or an idea to overcome an issue, or to take advantage of an opportunity. This edition is much more personal. It's about my first Christmas in Hamilton, having arrived from England in the summer of 1959.…
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The Graham Crawford Show - The Paul Wilson Interview Series, Episode 7
The weather outside is frightful, so that must mean it's Christmas time. That's why I asked Paul if he would select a Christmas-themed column to share with us on this seasonal podcast. Paul selected a column he called: Marie's first Canadian Christmas tree. It appeared in the Hamilton Spectator…
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The Graham Crawford Show - An Interview with Brad Clark
He's served at two levels of government, one as a Conservative MPP in Ontario, where he was a cabinet minister of two ministeries (Transportation and Labour), the other as Councillor for Ward 9 in Stoney Creek from 2006 to 2014. He ran for Mayor in 2014 where he placed second to current Mayor…
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, A Visit To Your Neighbourhood
A neighbourhood that's healthy makes the people who live in it healthier - mentally, physically and socially. A neighbourhood, by definition, is more than just the building where you go to sleep each night. A neighbourhood is as much a way of thinking as it is a way of living. If you love your...
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The Graham Crawford Show - Civic Panel, Series 6, The Melange
We're calling this show a Civic Panel Mélange, because rather than focusing on a single topic or theme, we felt that there's just too much going on to limit our discussion. So why don't you pour yourself a coffee, or a tea, or something stronger, and join us for our free flowing, and very...
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The Graham Crawford Show - Mayor Fred Eisenberger Interview
LRT. Affordable housing. Ranked balloting. Ward boundary review. Area rating. Downtown casino. Biggest disappointment this term. Biggest accomplishment this term. Just some of the things I talk about with our special guest, Mayor Fred Eisenberger, on this very lively edition of The Graham…
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, The State of the Ward
You've probably heard of the term "Ward of the State". It refers to a situation where the court takes responsibility for the well-being of an individual. I'd like to turn those words around and redefine them at the same time. Think of it as: State of the Ward. In this case, I'd like it to refer…
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Graham Crawford Show - The Cityist, Affordable Housing on Pier 8 in Hamilton
On this edition of the Cityist - Can We Afford This Kind of Thinking About Affordable Housing? I talk about the decision by Councillors to finally include some affordable housing (of the affordable home ownership variety) on Pier 8. The 5% commitment is too low, but it's a lot higher than what…
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About this show
The Graham Crawford Show is filled with smart, progressive talk from regular panelists, subject matter experts, and personal observations - every week and always focused on issues affecting you and the City of Hamilton. Let’s talk Hamilton.
Hosted by
Graham Crawford
Categories