“I don’t think Fred has made any major mistakes,” said Political Science professor Mark Sproule-Jones. “He has kept the ship afloat. There have been no major gaffes. He still has a lot of credibility. It will still be an uphill fight for Larry.”

Di Ianni, who served as mayor from 2003 to 2006, kicked off his campaign earlier this week at TERRA greenhouses in Flamborough. It’s the same area where in 2006 he lost every poll to Eisenberger.

“Becoming mayor again will help me chart a new course towards breaking down the barriers that are keeping people from doing well,” said Di Ianni.

Surrounded by over 50 family members and friends, the former Stoney Creek councillor for 18 years said Hamilton needs to “get back to basics” and concentrate on cutting taxes, especially in the suburban areas, improving city streets, enforcing bylaw standards, mowing the grass and removing snow, and fixing the annual summertime storms that have flooded out homeowners and closed the Red Hill Valley Parkway.

“There is a lack of leadership,” said Di Ianni, 62.

“Hamilton is drifting,” he continued. “There is an anxiety about the future.”

Di Ianni emphasized his attempt to reclaim the mayor’s chair isn’t about seeking any political revenge against Mayor Fred Eisenberger, who edged Di Ianni by over 400 votes in the 2006 campaign. Di Ianni did not refer to Eisenberger by name during his speech.

“This is not about a rematch,” he said.

But, he said, this election is about protecting the suburban taxpayer from ever higher taxes by keeping in place the area-rating system, creating jobs to keep youths from moving away, and making sure Hamilton is looked upon with respect by the rest of the country.

Sproule-Jones pointed out in 2006 Di Ianni may have lost the election by over 400 votes, but his vote total in 2006 fell short of his 2003 votes.

“A lot of people voted against Larry,” he said.

Sproule-Jones, though, says the division between suburban and urban voters still remains from amalgamation nearly 10 years later. And he says Di Ianni is trying to capitalize on that simmering anger.

“There are splits all over the place,” he said.

Di Ianni pointed to the on-going controversy over where to locate the Pan Am stadium as emblematic of the dysfunction within the current political leadership that has polarized Hamilton for the last four years. Despite the honour of hosting a part of the 2015 Pan Am Games, Hamilton could very well lose the stadium because of inept leadership and bickering, he said.

Di Ianni refused to say which location he preferred either the west mountain or the waterfront. Instead, he talked about how the selection process should have been developed that involved the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the public.

Di Ianni said he will not take any corporate or union donations, saying in answer to a reporter’s question that “it was the right thing to do.”

“This is a grass roots campaign,” he said. Eisenberger in 2006 swore off taking corporate and union donations when he launched his campaign. Eisenberger also promised four years ago to create an integrity commissioner, and revamp councillors’ code of conduct, both of which councillors approved.

Di Ianni, a former principal, acknowledged during his prepared remarks that in 2003 “he made mistakes” and broke the Municipal Elections Act rules. During his tenure he was dogged by Dundas resident Joanna Chapman to admit he received campaign donations he shouldn’t. Eventually he pled guilty in court.

Di Ianni called himself an “activist” mayor, and pointed to his many accomplishments, including renovating city hall, building the Red Hill Valley Parkway, initiating the airport and employment lands.

Since his defeat in 2006, Di Ianni, a father of four children, and grandfather to two children, lost to Hamilton East-Stoney Creek NDP MP Wayne Marston in the 2008 federal election. He has also become something of a local political pundit, on the web, radio and television.

When asked about his two losses, Di Ianni joked that it is three strikes then you’re out.

Michael Baldasaro, who attended the Stoney Creek politician’s kickoff, applauded Di Ianni’s entrance into the race.

“I like Larry. We get along great. If I lived in Stoney Creek I would vote for him,” he said.

Eric Cunningham, a former Liberal MPP, who backed Di Ianni in 2006, says this election campaign will be different.

“People can now compare Larry and now Fred for the last four years,” he said. “The last four years have seen a lack of leadership. This will be a campaign of ideas and vision.”

Di Ianni’s decision to jump into the race has electrified what had been a staid mayoral campaign. Eisenberger has already registered, while the other contestants registered include Glenn Hamilton, Mahesh Butani, Michael Baldasaro, Edward Graydon, and Andrew Haines. Other names that have been floated that may decide to take a run include councillor Bob Bratina, and former Flamborough councillor Dave Braden. The deadline for candidates to register is Sept. 10 for the Oct. 25 election.

For more about Di Ianni’s election team, see Page 6