Hamilton was abuzz last weekend after a Toronto Star columnist slammed our beloved city as a “dump” and not worthy of an NHL franchise.

Many people were up in arms, firing off emails to Ms. DiManno and fueling her fire to write another column slamming our fine city.

Two slams in one week – I guess the creative well was dry.

Personally, my response to the controversy surrounding her columns was who the hell cares what a Toronto-centric columnist thinks?

I don’t.

I don’t harbour any anger or resentment towards Ms. DiManno.

Doing so only gives her offside rants meaning and validity.

I was even hesitant to write about this issue. That’s what Rosie wants. She wants us to talk about her. She wants us to hate her. She’s a columnist, and this issue gives her the notoriety every opinionator desires.

Why did so many people take the bait? She tossed out the shiny ‘I hate Hamilton’ lure from her rusty old tackle box, and the suckers swam right after it.

One of the biggest suckers was Ward 4 councillor Sam Merulla.

“I believe it would be appropriate to ask for Ms. Rossie Di Mann's resignation,” wrote Mr. Merulla in the first salvo fired from his office over the weekend.

Making fun of her name? Now that’s childish.

His second email was an attempt to reach out to Ms. DiManno.

“Councillor Sam Merulla (Ward 4 -East Hamilton) is extending a personal invitation to Toronto Star columnist Rosie DiManno to tour the City of Hamilton. In responses to a recent column she wrote in the Toronto Star, Ms. DiManno made disparaging remarks about Hamilton by referring to our city as a ‘dump’. As a proud elected representative of the City of Hamilton, I would be pleased to expose Ms. DiManno to the best Hamilton has to offer," said Mr. Merulla. Hamilton is strategically located in the Golden Horseshoe with multi-modal transportation access. Hamilton is also home to many natural assets, including 100-plus waterfalls, several walking trails and an expansive natural West Harbourfront.”

I would never question Mr. Merulla’s love of Hamilton. I may not agree with him on numerous issues, but I know he is passionate about our city and his constituents.

However, offering an olive branch to someone as raspy as a rose bush is simply legitimizing the hurtful remarks.

Those of us who live in Hamilton – who are proud to call this community home, and who appreciate the surroundings we have been fortunate to inherit – don’t need to convince anyone how much we love this city. The negative response by some to Ms. DiManno’s columns makes it appear as if her literary stings actually hurt.

I was born in Toronto, raised in Kitchener, and have spent the past 10 years of my life as a resident of Hamilton. This is my home, and every day I wake up, I thank my good fortune to have the opportunity to live in a special place like Hamilton.

I don’t have an inferiority complex about living here. None of us should. I have been a longtime reader of Ms. DiManno’s columns, and often find myself on the same side of many issues that she writes about. I will forgive Rosie for her recent musings on Hamilton.

This is obviously not the place for her, and that’s probably better for the rest of us.