Esther Pauls

Two city-wide priorities, and how to achieve them

• Responsible financial stewardship: set clear priorities, find efficiencies, measure results, and push for multi-year financial planning, stronger financial controls and well-timed reporting. She says reserves are “not a substitute for revenue.”
• Public safety and reliable infrastructure: prioritize maintaining existing roads, sidewalks, parks and facilities, and support the Hamilton Police Service and other core services.

Two changes to improve City services

• Improve initial contact and follow-up: residents should reach a person quickly, know their concern was received, who is responsible and what has been done.
• Measure and report service performance (e.g. potholes, missed garbage collection, permits, maintenance requests) so residents can see how quickly the City responds.

Two changes to improve quality of life in Hamilton

• Safer, cleaner neighbourhoods: well-maintained streets, sidewalks, parks and public spaces where residents feel safe.
• Better community spaces: keep building on her work improving Ward 7 parks, including support for the Inch Park all-ability playground, plus playgrounds, trails and recreation facilities.

Two priorities for Ward 7

• Neighbourhood safety and infrastructure: work with City staff on sidewalk, traffic-safety and road concerns, and use her seat on the Hamilton Police Service Board to build partnerships and advocate for improvements. (Only the first priority was captured in the interview.)

Three words for a four-year term (looking back from September 2030)

Respectful, practical, present.