The polls close tonight at 8pm
Retailer Mia Chambray and tech consultant Michael Branco have today been contesting a city councillor position for the Corporation of Hamilton.
They were busy greeting voters at the municipal election polling site at St. Paul’s AME church Centennial Hall on Victoria Street this afternoon.
The seat was left vacant by the death of the lawyer and councillor Larry Scott in early June.
City retailer Mia Chambray, owner of Cassine on Reid Street, is looking to take the next step up into public service.
Mrs. Chambray, who is carrying the family torch as a Hamilton based entrepreneur, says the City needs more boutiques, cafes, more opportunities for vendors markets especially around Christmas plus greater collaboration between city businesses.
She said, “I’ve really appreciated everybody’s time to come [spend] 2 to 5 minutes to speak with me. Tell me their concerns, tell me positive and negative things they love about the city or would like to see improved.
“The general consensus is people want more parking always – more parking. More draw to offices; people renting office space – bring people in.
More residents in the City and generally more vibrancy in the City…”
Business owner and tech consultant Michael Branco is returning a second time to run for a seat having lost by five votes to Mr. Scott in the last city council general election in 2019.
“I’m actually quite happy to see that between my efforts and Mia’s efforts that we’ve had a steady stream of voters come out. So it may not be low voter turnout and I’m up against a really good candidate. So, I think it could go either way.
Mr. Branco is seeking to continue the work of addressing homelessness in the city and finding ways to help business grow.
He added, “On one hand, if I’m successful then the city gets a techy and finance person with a lot of business experience. And if I’m not successful, they get Mia who has retail and small business experience and she’s a fresh face; a fresh voice.
“Either way I think its good for the City.”
Around 378 business ratepayers are registered to vote in today’s by-election.
The polls close tonight at 8pm.
