Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

^ You have a very skewed view of people, I have to wonder where you work and what your social circle is like to hold that view. Not saying that it is wrong to hold the positions that you do, just that to transpose them onto the majority of Calgarians is quite a stretch.

Huh? You're saying this based on my comments about user fees? I'm sure what I said about user fees is quite accurate.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by mooky

Yup, its official, you make my shit list for stupidity. I've been here 15 years this summer, and I for one actually like the urban fabric of this city more now then I did back 10 years. I guess in your view I'm allowed to vote thought so hey.... that's good.

Perhaps you should revise your time frame out 20 years now, eh?

That's what I love about this forum. Someone says something that doesn't fit in with what you guys proclaim to be the gospel and they are labeled stupid. Maybe I should add you to my shit list for stupidity for thinking that the history of this city didn't start until the day you arrived. And it's too bad you didn't catch my smiley icon at the end.

[Bigtime]

I am born and raised here, 29 years as of Friday. I grew up in suburbia and over time my view has changed to a more urban lifestyle, so I don't count as a Calgarian now in your view? Ditto for my wife.

I'm not a hardcore everyone must live in the inner-city person either, I just want to make it more accessible and affordable for those that want to raise a family there.

[korzym]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

"Real" or long-term Calgarians tend to be very against government intervention in their lives in terms of being told what to do and how to do it. The people pushing urbanism in this city are so prescriptive that they actually do come across as not being real Calgarians. Most people don't like to be told how they live and what they value is wrong. Especially when it most of it seems to be coming from people who have recently moved her and have no intentions of staying. Maybe it's time we only allow those that have lived here for at least 10 consecutive years to vote. :-)

Amen

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I am born and raised here, 29 years as of Friday. I grew up in suburbia and over time my view has changed to a more urban lifestyle, so I don't count as a Calgarian now in your view? Ditto for my wife.

I'm not a hardcore everyone must live in the inner-city person either, I just want to make it more accessible and affordable for those that want to raise a family there.

26 years living in Calgary myself, apart from 7 months spent living abroad. I guess I qualify to vote, but my views for some reason are "anti-Calgarian." You are allowed to be proud of a city, but still be critical of it.

[korzym]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I am born and raised here, 29 years as of Friday. I grew up in suburbia and over time my view has changed to a more urban lifestyle, so I don't count as a Calgarian now in your view? Ditto for my wife.

I'm not a hardcore everyone must live in the inner-city person either, I just want to make it more accessible and affordable for those that want to raise a family there.

I hope by more affordable you mean the market will shake these issues out. Economies of scale are more powerful than the gov. Just wondering what you mean by make it affordable? No man has a right to another man's fruits of labour, i.e. I hope your not asking for a bail-out, tax dollars committed to make inner-city housing affordable..

[korzym]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

That's what I love about this forum. Someone says something that doesn't fit in with what you guys proclaim to be the gospel and they are labeled stupid. Maybe I should add you to my shit list for stupidity for thinking that the history of this city didn't start until the day you arrived. And it's too bad you didn't catch my smiley icon at the end.

I don't think mooky should have taken your post personally. Corndogger, if they can't beat you on ideas, they get defensive and even pick fights. What can you do..

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by korzym

I hope by more affordable you mean the market will shake these issues out. Economies of scale are more powerful than the gov. Just wondering what you mean by make it affordable? No man has a right to another man's fruits of labour, i.e. I hope your not asking for a bail-out, tax dollars committed to make inner-city housing affordable..

Of course I mean the market will shake it out, but it is up to the city to make it possible for inner-city developers to make projects that include more then 2 bedrooms easier to get through approvals and development permit process'.

It's also up to them to make sure proper infrastructure and facilities are in place to help foster more than singles and D.I.N.K.'s in the inner-city, just look at the lack of greenspace in east Beltline.

No bailouts here, just streamlining the process so the economics are there for developers so that if you are looking for 3 bedrooms your starting price isn't near the million dollar mark.

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

No personal offense Corndogger, but Sir Humphrey Appleby has put so eloquently and simply what I think to myself almost every time (and there are a lot) you use the words "the majority of Calgarians." Everyone has a skewed view of people to some extent. I do, and so does everyone I know.

What is it that makes you think you somehow have your finger on the pulse of people so well as to confidently (and often) claim to know what people want?

No offense taken. I actually base my views on a large number of sources unlike some of you folks who seem to clearly just feed off of each other. I also seem to recall telling you guys awhile back that I'm involved in the "survey" industry so I do have some confidence in what I'm saying. I also seem to recall saying more than once that big changes were coming politically in 2010 and being told that I didn't know what I'm talking about. I'm really sensing that a number of you are going into panic mode over Bronco's announcement and what it means to projects and proposals that you hold dear. I'm just saying don't be too surprised if there is a backlash toward much of what has happened over the last few years and what has been proposed. We'll have to see who decides to run before we have a better idea of what might happen but I do find it interesting that so far (since the announcement) none of the Bronco supporters have made any comments to indicate that they are interested in running. Joe Connelly has clearly said today that he's heard people are not pleased with the current state of affairs which essentially matches what I've heard. If someone like Connelly or McIver can get those who didn't vote last time to vote in Oct. my sense is that there will be massive changes.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[jeffwhit]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

That's what I love about this forum. Someone says something that doesn't fit in with what you guys proclaim to be the gospel and they are labeled stupid. Maybe I should add you to my shit list for stupidity for thinking that the history of this city didn't start until the day you arrived. And it's too bad you didn't catch my smiley icon at the end.

You're the one who thinks he gets to anoint who's a "real" Calgarian and who, despite being born, raised and educated in Calgary, isn't.

Also, you claim to use "a large number of sources" but never provide them, you just claim to have them. By the way, "some people say" isn't a source.

[korzym]

^oh boy..somebody put up that "i like where this thread is going" pic

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I am born and raised here, 29 years as of Friday. I grew up in suburbia and over time my view has changed to a more urban lifestyle, so I don't count as a Calgarian now in your view? Ditto for my wife.

I'm not a hardcore everyone must live in the inner-city person either, I just want to make it more accessible and affordable for those that want to raise a family there.

I'm sensing you guys are going into attack mode again. I've clearly said in the past that there is a segment of the population that supports and wants an urban lifestyle and that the market will provide that to them. Also don't forget that I've said that I live in the inner city so I'm obviously not against an urban lifestyle. I just realize that for the vast majority of people it's something that they don't want for numerous reasons. If you and your wife are happy where you live that is great. The main thing is that you came to that decision on your own and that is what everyone deserves. It's part of the history of this city and something which I doubt many people would like to see change.

Don't take all of this political stuff personal. I'll be happy if we get a good slate of candidates that tell us what they want to accomplish over the next three years and who are willing to listen to the majority while respecting the rights of everyone.

[korzym]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Of course I mean the market will shake it out, but it is up to the city to make it possible for inner-city developers to make projects that include more then 2 bedrooms easier to get through approvals and development permit process'.

It's also up to them to make sure proper infrastructure and facilities are in place to help foster more than singles and D.I.N.K.'s in the inner-city, just look at the lack of greenspace in east Beltline.

No bailouts here, just streamlining the process so the economics are there for developers so that if you are looking for 3 bedrooms your starting price isn't near the million dollar mark.

10-4...red tape, too much gov isn't a good thing sometimes I suppose you might attest to. I never really considered the green space issue. Can't something be done along the elbow river? There's that baseball field, the transit bus garage..surely that underpass that will be built by your home will give access to the fort calgary greenspace..

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by fusili

26 years living in Calgary myself, apart from 7 months spent living abroad. I guess I qualify to vote, but my views for some reason are "anti-Calgarian." You are allowed to be proud of a city, but still be critical of it.

I guess you guys missed my smiley after the voting comment.

Of course you are allowed to be critical of the city. We'd never improve if everyone was complacent.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

I'm sensing you guys are going into attack mode again. I've clearly said in the past that there is a segment of the population that supports and wants an urban lifestyle and that the market will provide that to them. Also don't forget that I've said that I live in the inner city so I'm obviously not against an urban lifestyle. I just realize that for the vast majority of people it's something that they don't want for numerous reasons. If you and your wife are happy where you live that is great. The main thing is that you came to that decision on your own and that is what everyone deserves. It's part of the history of this city and something which I doubt many people would like to see change.

Don't take all of this political stuff personal. I'll be happy if we get a good slate of candidates that tell us what they want to accomplish over the next three years and who are willing to listen to the majority while respecting the rights of everyone.

I agree with everything you have said here. I by no means want to force my views onto anyone else, my friends and every other Calgarian have the right to live where they want. However I don't think that everyone has that ability currently, I hope we can make all forms of housing more accessible in the future.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by korzym

10-4...red tape, too much gov isn't a good thing sometimes I suppose you might attest to. I never really considered the green space issue. Can't something be done along the elbow river? There's that baseball field, the transit bus garage..surely that underpass that will be built by your home will give access to the fort calgary greenspace..

The baseball field is the closest big green space we have, unfortunately in the summer the Stampede marching band takes it over as their personal practice space (and I guess with it being on Stampede land we are SOL).

The Elbow river shoreline is pretty shoddy in this area, no real riverbank at all, usually just a steep drop to the river. I believe long term the east village riverwalk will be built up along this area also, improving it greatly.

As for the Fort Calgary greenspace that would be the best, hopefully the EV will start to build out and we can get a concentration of people around to make the area safer for everyone.

Of course the family and I won't be in arriVa forever, we have been starting a pretty casual search of inner city neighbourhoods we'd move to with an eye towards 3 bedrooms. Ramsay, Bridgeland, Mission, Cliff Bungalow, Mount Royal, Erlton, Beltline and a few others are on that list.

[MalcolmTucker]

That a subset (or even most) of the population is pissy doesn't always cause change at the ballot box. See: Alberta Election, 2008. It would be interesting to see right track wrong track numbers for the city right now however.

The bigger problem is are there any issues to catalyze voters around that can turn the 20% pissed off population into lets say the minimum 35% of voters you need to win. Especially with the election financing rules it is going to be hard. The bridge is a done deal, and a PlanIt roll back is not in the cards (nor does the UDI want that to happen). What is the lightening rod? An amorphous call for freedom?

If you can't make the populace angry enough you need to pull the positive platform thing. An interesting issue to play with would be selling Enmax for enough capital to pay a P3 for the SE LRT including a subway up to 16th Ave N. Could probably raise around $2.5 billion then get a big private contribution. Might raise enough to throw in the airport tunnel and the Crowchild freeway project as well. (covering off three quadrants)

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Of course I mean the market will shake it out, but it is up to the city to make it possible for inner-city developers to make projects that include more then 2 bedrooms easier to get through approvals and development permit process'.

It's also up to them to make sure proper infrastructure and facilities are in place to help foster more than singles and D.I.N.K.'s in the inner-city, just look at the lack of greenspace in east Beltline.

No bailouts here, just streamlining the process so the economics are there for developers so that if you are looking for 3 bedrooms your starting price isn't near the million dollar mark.

I agree that the City has to do a better job with it's approvals and development permit process. The secondary suite issue is a joke. Such matters shouldn't be going to council for approval.

As for lack of greenspace I'd like to see a compromise. Let developers build more parking (preferrably underground) in exchange for them building more parks.