Hamilton Community News managing editor Mark Cripps brought home a national award from the Canadian Community Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Competition held May 9 in Toronto.

Mr. Cripps received a first place award for Best Local Editorial, circulation 12,500 and over. The winning editorial took Mayor Fred Eisenberger to task over his handling of an incident involving councillor Bernie Morelli in 2007, who was let off the hook after allegedly threatening and berating a taxi inspector.

Entitled 'Morelli must be held accountable', Mr. Cripps wrote, "by refusing to censure or condemn Mr. Morelli's actions, they (council) have basically empowered the councillor and condoned his actions.

"How do these actions 'raise the bar on expectations', or provide residents with 'open, honest and transparent government'?

"In the wake of their unanimous decision to let Mr. Morelli off the hook for his indiscretions two years ago, councillors remain tight lipped about how this decision was reached.

"However, the public deserves an explanation on how council came to the conclusion they should be treated differently than staff when it comes to harassment."

In making his decision, category judge Peter Dyck wrote, "local editorials are one of the best ways of showing what a community newspaper is all about. Mark Cripps was my choice for first place with his well-written challenge for the city's mayor to distance himself from a councillor apparently using his position as a bully pulpit against staff.

"Cripps evidently has solid knowledge of the situation in his community and builds his arguments well. Further, he goes beyond criticism in his editorial, suggesting what the mayor and council must do to restore confidence in the council. Well done."