Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

I noticed 2 cars from some small developer whose name I didn't recognize and have already forgotten. The crowd seems to be evenly divided between suits, bed-shitters and immigrants. I was hoping to get a few photos of the swells, but they've covered up the windows with what looks like whiteboards.

Well they wouldn't want us to see their secret costumes. Sounds like a meeting of James Bond super-villains to me.

[O-tacular]

I was shocked to read Rick Bell less than supportive of blinky. Even he had to admit Dr. No doesn't have any real platform but opposing things. How does one build and lead a city when their defining role is that of opposition?

My prediction of McIver's platform:

1) no spending on anything that you couldn't get a guy on cash corner to do for a lighter and a stick of gum

2) ship all the bums into a ghetto (a nice up and coming central community like Bridgeland)

3) Build more roads!!! Roads everywhere! Single person occupancy vehicles get preferential treatment!

4) Destroy the legacy of the LRT by making parking DT cheap and ubiquitous. Tear down any useless people buildings and replace with car garages.

5) Support working class Calgarians' opinions by always choosing the mediocre, committee approved middle of the road option that no one can oppose because it has the substance of cardboard. Oh, and only suburban dwellers from the south with 1.3 children, and who drive SUV's count as working class citizens. No one else, especially that latte sipping, urban, commie riffraff DT and in the Beltline.

6) Run the city like you would a sinking ship. No provisions for future occupants, rations for the privileged and veteran only, and any dead weight gets tossed overboard.

7) tear down the already completed Calatrava bridge, even though it'll cost more money, because it's a symbol of wasted money

[mr.steevo]

Hi,

I wonder if it is a mistake entering this mayoralty race with so many months away from Election Day. A lot of dirt can be dug up and mistakes be made between now and the Fall.

s

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Well they wouldn't want us to see their secret costumes. Sounds like a meeting of James Bond super-villains to me.

I jumped the gun about the whiteboads. I was at Cafe Rossa this morning and it looks like Headplay has taken over that space, so it was their whiteboards covering the windows, not Dr. No's.

[LFRENCH]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

2) ship all the bums into a ghetto (a nice up and coming central community like Bridgeland)

How about Manchester?

[Deepstar]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

I actually don't think McIver, or anyone else sitting as mayor, will have that big of an affect. It wouldn't be the end of the world. What's more important is the overall makeup of council, since the mayor is only one of 15 votes.

Thankfully that's the case. I still worry though, because a mayor does represent the city, and can have alot of influence in steering the city in the direction it goes.

I don't know much about Jon Lord. Where does he stand on the issues?

[Wooster]

A recap of mayor Bronconnier's accomplishments during his 9 years as mayor.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgDhsSPvZ2o

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Thankfully that's the case. I still worry though, because a mayor does represent the city, and can have alot of influence in steering the city in the direction it goes.

Point and case mayor Al Duer (or Do-nothing as he's also known).

Even my dad, a staunch conservative who's tired of Bronconnier is afraid fo the fallout of a McIver victory. Nothing will get done. Pennies will be pinched at every possible turn, resulting in sub par development. Good bye SSP forum... I'll miss you.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[Riise]

Thanks for sharing that Frink! I loved this comment:

Originally Posted by Kevin In Comments Section @ Calgaryherald.com

The poll highlights what mainstream Calgarians think, not how angry posters of newspaper comments section feel (which seem to attract very cynical and negative people. Let's just say that "Hank H" or "JoeConservative" do not accurately represent the general electorate of Calgary, even though they purport to.

[wild wild west]

yep, that poll was a ray of sunshine. Hopefully the opinons of Dinger Bell don't reflect those of the masses.

The only consolation is that if McIver wins, at least it's not Connelly. I would prefer a McIver-led government to one led by consensus of Community Associations.

Really disappointed to hear Ceci is leaving. One of the best guys on Council. And Gian-Carlo's unrealistic idealism isn't the answer IMO, I've heard bad things from both the public and private sectors.

[Wooster]

^ I'd like to know what is "unrealistic" about Carra's idealism? Any specific examples? There are lots that dismiss progressive urban views such as Druh Farrell's as unrealistic too. In my mind, we could use a lot more idealism, rather than the half-heartedness and mediocrity that often pervades when it comes to urban issues in Calgary.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[DavidKuitunen]

Originally Posted by LFRENCH

http://vimeo.com/channels/joeformayor

Watch this if you guys dare

Haha. I like @ 1:54 the one girl has an iphone in between her tits. They probably have no idea who Joe Connelly is. JOE FOR MAYOR!

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Not to get overly semantic about it, but isn't idealism unrealistic by definition?

lol. No, utupia is entirely achievable!

[wild wild west]

Originally Posted by Wooster

^ I'd like to know what is "unrealistic" about Carra's idealism? Any specific examples? There are lots that dismiss progressive urban views such as Druh Farrell's as unrealistic too. In my mind, we could use a lot more idealism, rather than the half-heartedness and mediocrity that often pervades when it comes to urban issues in Calgary.

Mainly that (as he does consulting work) he's a dreamer whose concepts never actually get implemented on the ground. Any half-decent planner can come up with designs for plazas and grand boulevards, but taking it to the next level and making it work on the ground is the real challenge. Maybe you're right and idealism will serve him more effectively as an Alderman than as a planner, but we'll have to see, assuming he wins/is acclaimed. Aside from that I've heard stuff in planning circles that don't inspire me with confidence, as well as regarding his work on the Community Association - I don't want to give credence to heresay, but in my experience where there's smoke there is at least some fire. Regardless, I'm not keen on losing one of the best guys on Council regardless of who is replacing him. If Carra were to replace, say, Hodges or Chabot, I'd be fine with that.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by wild wild west

Mainly that (as he does consulting work) he's a dreamer whose concepts never actually get implemented on the ground.

However, he is not trying to join Council to promote or propose any of his conceptual plans. In fact, I think he is moving aside the creation of ideal goals (e.g. density thresholds and design principles) and is instead focusing on changing the regulatory system. In my mind he is being quite realistic as he is proposing structural changes to the planning system that would allow those who want their ideals to be realized to more easily do so. If you are questioning whether or not such change is possible fair play to you but I don't think it is fair to call this guy a dreamer in this regard. If anything he is putting those dreams on hold in order to do some of the necessary dirty work.

[charper]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Does anyone know why Ceci is calling it quits in the first place?

Also, I have read a couple snippets in articles alluding to Hodges considering another run. Surely this guy doesn't have another one in him. Does anyone know for sure?

It does appear Dale is running again. I was doing door knocking in the NW and have had people tell me he has been out doing the same. That said, no way to know for sure until Nomination Day on Sept 20!

We're running the campaign as though the incumbent is running as well.

[mr.steevo]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Does anyone know why Ceci is calling it quits in the first place?

Hi,

I heard he was just "done". He's been around for a while.

s.