Who should represent Hamilton at the Grey Cup? - Action News
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Hamilton

Who should represent Hamilton at the Grey Cup?

Hamilton faces the possibility of not having a mayor to represent it this weekend as it takes its second trip to the Grey Cup in two years.

Bob Bratina's last day in office is Grey Cup Sunday

Mayor Bob Bratina wore a Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey during a Hamilton city council meeting last year to fulfil his part of a Grey Cup bet. (Samantha Craggs/CBC)

Hamilton likely won't havea mayor to represent it this weekend in Vancouver as the Tiger-Catstaketheirsecond trip to the Grey Cup in two years.

Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshihas already announced he will be in Vancouver on Sunday as his city'sStampederstakeon the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

But as it stands, Hamilton sandwiched between two council terms won'thave the same.

The last day of Mayor Bob Bratinas term is Nov. 30, the same day as the Grey Cup. Bratinais not planning to make the trip to Vancouver, and mayor-elect Fred Eisenberger is on vacation.

Bratina will represent Hamilton at the Vanier Cup on Saturday as the McMaster Marauders take on the Montreal Carabins.

Then the avid train fanwill spend his last night as mayor at the CP Holiday Train ceremonies in Gage Park. Bratina will take part in the ceremonies, which drum up donations for Hamilton Food Share.

Bratina may change his mind about attending and will weigh his options, said Peggy Chapman, hischief of staff. But it would be difficult for him to back out of the holiday train ceremonies.

As it stands, "hell be back in Hamilton in time to watch the Grey Cup, and then he is committed to the holiday train."

Eisenberger, who becomes Hamiltons mayor on Dec. 1, is not due back in Canada until Saturday.

The politicaltiming also makes for an awkward situation around the traditional bet between competing city's mayors.Nenshitold CBC Calgary he expects to tweet later this week about a bet with Hamilton's mayor. But which mayor?

If he makes a bet with Bratina, it will be Eisenberger who who would have to live up the terms, should the Ticats lose.

Bratina attended last years Grey Cup in Saskatchewan, where he was photographed with Martin Short and Tom Hanks. He also wore a Saskatchewan Roughriders jersey in the council chambers after the Ticats lost as part of a bet with Reginas mayor.

The mayor's trip cost taxpayers$2,733.91, including $971 for the plane ticket and $105.95 in food.

The city is finalizing its Grey Cup plans, including who will represent Hamilton in Vancouver, spokesperson Mike Kirkopoulos said.

That includes, he said, "how we can support and energize the community as we head into Grey Cup weekend."