Matthew Van Dongen

Hamilton Spectator reporter. Talk to me about LRT and transportation in #HamOnt! You can reach me at 905-526-3241 or [email protected]

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Hi @SMerulla40195 do you have a minute to chat with The Spec about the City Motor Hotel site and sign? 905-971-5069

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Bus drivers on strike and looking to speak to someone in particular about it #HSRstrike #hamont

[Gary Yokoyama @Yokoatthespec]

@moriyamateshima My Dad,the late Jack Yokoyama and Raymond Moriyama were good friends when they met up in #HamOnt just after end of WW2. I had the opportunity of taking photos of him 2x for @thespec A Canadian icon!

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Thanks for keeping 'bus barn' alive! It's a public service

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

@CHRISTINEBAL6 @HamiltonPolice @SaltfleetHWDSB @HWDSB Hi Christine, so sorry to hear this happened to your nephew. Do you feel up to sharing your concerns with The Spec? If so, you can get us at 905-971-5069

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Hundreds out so far at anti-sprawl rally at #hamont city hall. They have signs for folks, but you have to grow your own costume.

[Keanin Loomis @keaninloomis]

I had a chance to speak with @AndreaHorwath this morning and congratulate her on making history as the first woman mayor of #HamOnt, an achievement we should all celebrate. I pledged to help her in any way I can to improve this incredible city.

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Ya, there is a cake. Talk about a birthday celebration.

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
- crowd

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

“I will be transparent… we deserve to have that sort of transparency, that accountability”

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

“Hamiltonians deserve to have a city that they know they can trust what’s happening at city hall”

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Andrea shouts out “smart, passionate” council and urges them to bring constit concerns to the table.

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Horwath thanks Keanin Loomis, Bob Bratina, other candidates. “We do not agree on everything, but we all love this city.”

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

“WELCOME HOOOOME”
- somebody in the crowd

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Andrea thanks voters. “We all believe in the same thing: we believe in Hamilton.”

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

So @AndreaHorwath being hugged and high-fives to stage as crowd at spice factory chants her name. “We made history,” screams … someone in an awfully big crowd.

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

So, a few* officers left over to dissuade returning HoCo street partygoers…
* estimated count

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

Dispersal was going slowly at fake HoCo until a couple of helpful idiots launched a few smoke flares into the crowd. Police hustled them out and are now more actively urging everyone off the street. #Hamont

[Matthew Van Dongen @Mattatthespec]

So it’s been relatively friendly here at fake homecoming so far. But still hundreds, maybe still 1,000+ left to be asked to “disperse”

[Hamilton Police @HamiltonPolice]

A nuisance party has been declared on Dalewood Avenue between Westwood Avenue and Haddon Avenue South. Attendees are hereby ordered to disperse or be subject to fines under the Nuisance Party Bylaw.