Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

My tweet on Dale Hodges' lack of appearance at a Twitter debate tonight:

"Didn't see any tweets from Dale Hodges at the Twibate. I guess it's hard to hook the Internet up to a typewriter."

Hahhaa Speaking of technology and candidates, how the heck did Bob Hawkesworth talk to 20,000 people at a town telephone hall. All I can picture is plumes of smoke coming out of his robodialer...

[Wooster]

Nenshi Podcast on Mobility issues:

http://www.buzzsprout.com/2383/16056-nenshi-for-mayor-podcast-4-mobility

[shogged]

We should see if we can set up a forum get together and have nenshi come out and talk to us, maybe we can influence his infrastructure policies

but seriously, I've had emails regarding "coffee gatherings" and he is willing to spend 2 hours or so with groups of people!

[srperrycgy]

Now that the candidates list has been finalized, it might be time for another poll.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by shogged

We should see if we can set up a forum get together and have nenshi come out and talk to us, maybe we can influence his infrastructure policies

but seriously, I've had emails regarding "coffee gatherings" and he is willing to spend 2 hours or so with groups of people!

Some of us already have.

But I would totally be up for a coffee gathering.

[MalcolmTucker]

Guys, not to give offence, but unless you're willing to meet at an odd hour, or after volunteering for him doing knocking, lit drop, or phoning, if you already support a candidate, and you're meeting with him, and not giving him a cheque, you aren't really helping the campaign. You think these great ideas for the most part weren't drafted and in the can by the end of June?

Not to burst a bubble from afar, but the writ period is very short, and unless you're each going to bring undecided friends, it is pretty much bad news bears for a campaign to arrange a meeting like this.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by srperrycgy

Now that the candidates list has been finalized, it might be time for another poll.

Agreed. One now, and then one maybe... a week before the election?

[Bigtime]

Sir Appleby brings up a very good point, and Nenshi is quite familiar with us on SSP. I think it is safe to assume he has gotten quite a bit of citizen input from our membership that posts here.

[Bigtime]

Spotted this sweet minimalist Zak Pashak billboard on 12th avenue just east of Hotel Arts last night:

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

Guys, not to give offence, but unless you're willing to meet at an odd hour, or after volunteering for him doing knocking, lit drop, or phoning, if you already support a candidate, and you're meeting with him, and not giving him a cheque, you aren't really helping the campaign. You think these great ideas for the most part weren't drafted and in the can by the end of June?

Not to burst a bubble from afar, but the writ period is very short, and unless you're each going to bring undecided friends, it is pretty much bad news bears for a campaign to arrange a meeting like this.

I agree, that a coffee meeting with Naheed from this group would not be the most productive. Instead, if you're intersted in meeting him or helping his campaign, sign up as a volunteer - there's much people can do.

Regarding his policies, I can tell you with certainty that his platform has very much been developed as they are released. In particular, three of his Better Ideas have been developed with a great amount of input from at least one or more SSPers.

[Spring2008]

Nenshi sure knows his stuff. Rarely have I seen a political candidate release so many detailed plans/ideas during a campaign.

It's great he can think out of the box rather than just build a campaign around being an ultra-conservative saviour who just has to say how council has it all wroing without coming up much substance to state new ways to approach current issues.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Nenshi sure knows his stuff. Rarely have I seen a political candidate release so many detailed plans/ideas during a campaign.

It's great he can think out of the box rather than just build a campaign around being an ultra-conservative saviour who just has to say how council has it all wroing without coming up much substance to state new ways to approach current issues.

It's not really that. It is that Nenshi attracts and encourages others to do work developing and vetting ideas for him. While he has the last say in policy matters, he is very receptive to others contributing ideas. In this way, his policies are very "open source."

[suburb]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

Nenshi sure knows his stuff. Rarely have I seen a political candidate release so many detailed plans/ideas during a campaign.

It's great he can think out of the box rather than just build a campaign around being an ultra-conservative saviour who just has to say how council has it all wroing without coming up much substance to state new ways to approach current issues.

That's why he did so well at the world debating championships and with the university business school competitions. No one was ever as prepared as he - and the guy has an amazing memory to boot!

When there are mayoralty races, they often focus on internal issues and the mayor dealing with council and the civic staff. An important aspect that is often missed and is a hallmark of a city coming of age is the role a mayor plays in the bigger arena. With the political government, the federal government, with other mayors on the international scene. Heck, major global conferences such as on the environment or what have you now quite often include engaging the top tier of municipalities. I want a mayor that will represent there and be looked at with respect and as a go to guy that heads a city that has a lot to offer as embodied by his own strengths. In my view, Naheed has no equals amongst the others in this race on that front.

Originally Posted by fusili

It's not really that. It is that Nenshi attracts and encourages others to do work developing and vetting ideas for him. While he has the last say in policy matters, he is very receptive to others contributing ideas. In this way, his policies are very "open source."

And that doesn't hurt either. The best are most often the humblest. Willing to listen and knowing that surrounding oneself with experts in the topics of discussion will almost always bring the best results.

[Bigtime]

Looks like Nenshi has pissed off Chief Hanson:

http://newsroom.calgary.ca/pr/calgary/statement-from-chief-of-police-172109.aspx

Interesting to note that he doesn't actually refute anything Nenshi has said, but instead says they will be more than happy to discuss all this with the elected mayor.

[mooky]

^^^ Kind of a dick move on Chief Hanson's part referencing Naheed's questions, but then deflecting and not directly answering them while still trying to defend his budget.

I think Naheed's inquires are more then valid and deserve an answer. Naheed needs to release a statement or get on the tube and stick by his figures if they are correct and challenge the police administration to answer them.

[Bigtime]

I'm sure he will, but of course from this point on I guarantee the CPS will be silent on the matter.

Edit: Some other thoughts, Hanson knows he'll get no trouble from McIver (who blindly voted through their budget) or Higgins, but he is concerned that Nenshi could actually force them to change and find efficiencies.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I'm sure he will, but of course from this point on I guarantee the CPS will be silent on the matter.

Edit: Some other thoughts, Hanson knows he'll get no trouble from McIver (who blindly voted through their budget) or Higgins, but he is concerned that Nenshi could actually force them to change and find efficiencies.

Thing is, Nenshi is actually incorrect on this one. Calgary is right about where it should be for police/capita @ 154 officers per 100K people. Toronto and Vancouver have more, as they should (the larger the city, the greater the # of police per capita). Here be's the link

[fusili]

Problem is, because Hanson doesn't give the numbers Nenshi refers to, or a link to the press release, we can't be sure what Nenshi actually said. Maybe he was referring to number of police employee's per capita, and thus criticizing the ratio of police on the street to administrative personnel. At this point it is all speculation until we can see Nenshi's press release.

[O-tacular]

[mooky]

Fusili,

Naheed's query isn't about officers / capita .... if you read close its about:

1) cost per officer as it relates to the total CPD budget
2) percentage increase in total officers on the street when compared to the percentage increase in CPD budget

Apples and oranges, and that's exactly how easy it is for and how easily Chief Hanson deflected the issue by knowing that a lot of people wouldn't know or make the distinction.