Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election - Page 55

Wooster · #**1081** Posted **Jul 26, 2010, 10:26 PM**

Higgins does other things other than read the news. She's been heavily involved in the community through participation of boards of charitable organizations and the like. Hospice Calgary and CMHA are two of them if I recall correctly. It would be unfair to dismiss her out of hand based on her day job. Reserve judgement until she comes forward with her platform.

CorporateWhore · #**1082** Posted **Jul 26, 2010, 10:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigcanuck

If I recall, there was a journalist in Calgary several years ago who ran for Mayor and won - I think his name was Klein or something...

Sorry, just because Calgary got lucky once with a journalist, it doesn't mean it will happen again.

Like I said, I wouldn't disregard her because she's popular or a news anchor, but I definitely wouldn't vote for her just because I know the pretty face. I need to see a platform and ideas first....a mayoral win has too many consequence for Calgary's citizens to just decide on superficialities.

Not that it matters, since I won't vote!

wild wild west · #**1083** Posted **Jul 27, 2010, 2:43 AM**

I'm not at all surprised to see McIver leading in the polls and I personally expect him to win. People who don't follow politics have heard of him. He has the name recognition, and most of the press has been positive (some would argue, unfairly so). That said, I think when all is said and done he will be remembered Calgary's own Paul Martin, a big disappointment.

re: Nenshi - at least his platform goes beyond simplistic Calgary Sun-like statements like "no more pedestrian bridges" and "cowboy ethics". unfortunately, because he actually has complex, well thought out ideas, I doubt he'll win.

bob1954 · #**1084** Posted **Jul 27, 2010, 6:44 AM**

I'm so damn tired of hearing "Cowboy ethics" crap! In this day and age it doesn't mean a thing... if it ever did! I used to hear the "MIdwest Values" garbage growing up in the Midwest US. Just get's old hearing it, after you realize it is'nt any better here than any other place!

Bigtime · #**1085** Posted **Jul 27, 2010, 4:21 PM**

Barb Higgins has a presser tomorrow at 9:30am.

halifaxboyns · #**1086** Posted **Jul 27, 2010, 4:36 PM**

I have to give cudos to the Mayor and council yesterday. I was curious to see what they would do at the end; since it's the last meeting for this council.

Alderman Ceci made a very nice speach. Alderman Mar and Farrell did nice speaches about the mayor and then they all voted not to adjourn as a joke. It forced the mayor to do a roll call vote. It was quite funny - but still a good sign that despite their clashes, they respected each other.

Wooster · #**1087** Posted **Jul 27, 2010, 4:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

I have to give cudos to the Mayor and council yesterday. I was curious to see what they would do at the end; since it's the last meeting for this council.

Alderman Ceci made a very nice speach. Alderman Mar and Farrell did nice speaches about the mayor and then they all voted not to adjourn as a joke. It forced the mayor to do a roll call vote. It was quite funny - but still a good sign that despite their clashes, they respected each other.

That's clever, I like that.

Bigtime · #**1088** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 3:50 PM**

Higgins is officially in the race for mayor.

halifaxboyns · #**1089** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 4:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Higgins is officially in the race for mayor.

I'm still not going to throw my support behind her until I know her full platform; which according to CTV she's not revealing until September.

But I do wish her the best of luck.

Wooster · #**1090** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 4:34 PM**

from barbhiggins.ca

Quote:

A message from Barb

It's early days but I want to tell you why I've joined the Calgary Mayor's race and I want to thank Calgarians so much for all the emails and notes.

After 21 years of covering the issues from Calgary streets and boardrooms, I simply could not sit on the sidelines any longer. I am deeply aware of the issues we face as Calgarians. I want the best for our city.

People asked me to expand my leadership role. Why did I step up to run for Mayor? Because I want to lead this city forward. There are windows in life when we know we can make a big difference and this is one of those windows for me.

And yes, I'm action-oriented.

You already know me from the nightly news. I've been honoured to be named, along with Darrel Janz, as Calgary's most trusted news personality. But what you may not know is that I didn't just read the news. I've written the news on municipal politics for 21 years. And I've been a catalyst for change.

I'm a fiscal conservative. I studied Business Administration at NAIT and I'm itching to put my ideas to work for a better Calgary – a Calgary that works, for all of us, and allows businesses to work without excessive red tape, allows people to get to work without snowdrifts or garbage impeding their way and judges the work of the city by its efficiency and sound economics.

I care for people - and I've lived that, through all the charities I've been involved with for over 20 years!

Finally, Calgarians have been saying loud and clear that they want someone new as their mayor. They want someone who can balance the budget and bring a fresh approach to City Hall. I'm committed to making the City work for you, and I pledge to Think Big – beyond the minutia of the politics inside City Hall.

I know Calgarians want someone they can believe and trust in. I hope you will see that in me.

I've worked hard to earn your trust as a news reporter and anchor for 20 years. I will work harder yet to earn your trust as mayor.

Wooster · #**1091** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:07 PM**

Speaking of actual ideas - Nenshi released his 6th campaign plank today.

On the topic campaign finance and accountability
http://www.nenshi.ca/new/2010/153

halifaxboyns · #**1092** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wooster

Speaking of actual ideas - Nenshi released his 6th campaign plank today.

On the topic campaign finance and accountability
http://www.nenshi.ca/new/2010/153

While I'm all for everyone having their own campaigns and platforms; I really think everyone else should've held off and let Barb have her day. I think it's a matter of respect to do that. If I had been Nenshi's campaign manager; I'd have released it tomorrow.

I just think it's a matter of respect, even though it was the worst kept political secret. It just shows some class, don't you think? Either way; I'm firmly supporting no one right now.

But I will say this - Barb's entering the race...that is a game changer. I'm looking forward to see them all react to this. McIver may just be in for a real fight now and I will enjoy watching it.

Bigtime · #**1093** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:24 PM**

Class? He's the only one releasing ACTUAL POLICIES and not just the usual generic "lead this city forward" rhetoric.

The rest could at least take a page from his book and do that much.

halifaxboyns · #**1094** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Class? He's the only one releasing ACTUAL POLICIES and not just the usual generic "lead this city forward" rhetoric.

The rest could at least take a page from his book and do that much.

I guess class would be the wrong word.
What I'm trying to say is that if it were me - I would let her have her day to announce and enjoy it.
I wouldn't say anything other than welcoming her to the race and I look forward to the campaign.
I'd save any announcements for another day. I'd so the same for any other canadidate too - just so that they could have their own day.

gantenbein · #**1095** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by halifaxboyns

While I'm all for everyone having their own campaigns and platforms; I really think everyone else should've held off and let Barb have her day. I think it's a matter of respect to do that. If I had been Nenshi's campaign manager; I'd have released it tomorrow.

I just think it's a matter of respect, even though it was the worst kept political secret. It just shows some class, don't you think? Either way; I'm firmly supporting no one right now.

Yeah, got to say I don't understand what you're getting at here. I don't think there's anything disrespectful about continuing one's campaign just because a new person is entering the race.

Perhaps it's poor strategy to release a new plank on a day where another candidate will doubtless get all the attention. But 'disrespectful' definitely doesn't apply.

jeffwhit · #**1096** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:52 PM**

^^I hardly think it's going to cause Nenshi's campaign to come crashing down. It's not like he held a press conference at the same time, it's was an email/twitter/facebook release.

I watched the Barb Higgins presser, and she really is going to be a game changer in this election. Not to be condescending, but people who aren't issues based voters, who are a lot of them, are going to shift to her, most likely from Dr. No.

Calling herself a fiscal conservative isn't an indicator of anything. Most of the candidates have self-applied that description, even the communistical radical Naheed Nenshi.

gantenbein · #**1097** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:52 PM**

I think if a long-serving member of council had died or had just announced their retirement, then you pay them respect and refrain from campaigning. But in a race with this many candidates, going silent every time someone else makes an announcement would be practically just quitting the race.

srperrycgy · #**1098** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:52 PM**

You can't wait one day to be polite when there are less than 90 days to Election Day.

halifaxboyns · #**1099** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 5:55 PM**

Guess that's true - I guess it's just my take on it.
Definately agree about if someone passed though - that would just be in poor taste!

Either way; I think her entry is going to be a real game changer. Perfect strategy to keep her campaign quiet until September. Keeps them on their toes.

I can't wait to see the next tracking poll and see how much it changes.

Wooster · #**1100** Posted **Jul 28, 2010, 6:05 PM**

Yes it is somewhat unfortunate that her and most others in this campaign are holding their policy cards so close to their chest, but if you watch her announcement and Q and A she does actually reveal some important things about herself and her viewpoints. Certainly they aren't detailed policies, but she set the tone on her 'collaborative approach' to decision making with council, empowering city staff, distinguishing the mayor's role as that of 'leader rather than manager', also expressing her opinion on Bronconnier's tenure, particularly his role in getting lots of infrastructure built, her social issue background but fiscal conservatism.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/07/28/calgary-higgins-barb-mayor-race-announcement.html