An excerpt of a lengthy email from the Mayor, Bob Bratina, to Hamilton Spectator managers and made public in an Andrew Dreschel column:

"...unrelenting and in many cases completely false or misleading news coverage, editorial comments, and ignorant attacks on my character, and that of my chief of staff through immoral and unethical use of editorial cartoons."

"I hope some day your wives and family experience the unhappiness you have caused my wife and family, destroying our enjoyment of this past Christmas with the unfounded attacks on my employee's compensation..."