Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[Bigtime]

This morning on CBC Radio's 'Eyeopener' they have the final mayoral debate, featuring none other than Nenshi, Higgins, and McIver. I believe it is scheduled to start around 7:45, tune in or look for the audio on the website later in the day.

Edit: The start time is 7:35 according to a tweet from Nenshi this am.

[MalcolmTucker]

'Naheed will destroy all single family neighborhoods' - McIver

[Wooster]

Wow, did not expect Nenshi to now be in a statistical tie with the other two. He's carrying some serious momentum.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

'Naheed will destroy all single family neighborhoods' - McIver

McIver was extremely nervous in that interview IMO. He is worried, and for good cause. Spouting off rubbish like the quote above (right out of the UDI playbook) proves that.

[floobie]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

'Naheed will destroy all single family neighborhoods' - McIver

In order to do that, he'd basically have to drop a nuke on a huge chunk of Calgary.

It's very good news to see Nenshi gaining so much ground in the polls.

[Wooster]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

I think Nenshi is going to win this. It's going to be close but he's going to win.

Deep down I didn't really believe it - until this morning.

They key now is getting out the vote, which should be easier for him now that he's in a dead heat.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Wooster

Deep down I didn't really believe it - until this morning.

They key now is getting out the vote, which should be easier for him now that he's in a dead heat.

Ye of little faith. The two things I'm worried about is Barb's and Blinky's deep pockets letting them do a media blitz from now to election day. My other worry is their ability to bus seniors to the polls.

[mooky]

Is there a good site that gives a general overview of the candidates for mayor?

A coworker of mine will be leading ESL students in a discussion this lunch time to help make them better presenters when talking to clients in presentations, but they want to discuss the election and most have never voted before. Really what he does it help with grammar and pronunciation mostly as the students are mainly ethnically Chinese born and raised there before immigrating, and have problems with certain English words as is to be expected.

Off the top of my head I can't find any that really give all three of the main candidates any head to head comparison.

Thanks.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by mooky

Is there a good site that gives a general overview of the candidates for mayor?

A coworker of mine will be leading ESL students in a discussion this lunch time to help make them better presenters when talking to clients in presentations, but they want to discuss the election and most have never voted before. Really what he does it help with grammar and pronunciation mostly as the students are mainly ethnically Chinese born and raised there before immigrating, and have problems with certain English words as is to be expected.

Off the top of my head I can't find any that really give all three of the main candidates any head to head comparison.

Thanks.

Contact Nenshi's campaign, they have translated his policies and brochures into 23 different languages.

http://www.nenshi.ca/new/info-in-other-languages

[mooky]

Bigtime,

Thanks and I knew that, but I was more looking for a website. All these people speak English ok, they just have grammar issues that become embarrassing when presenting to large clients on million dollar contracts and want to better there presentation skills to avoid awkward mistakes. This is a white collar oil industry shop. They want to debate the candidates, and I was hoping for a "fair and balanced" review of candidate policies, even though I personally am a Nenshi supporter.

That said, I will suggest to my coworker to let them know about that very fact and urge them to contact Nenshi if they are interested in literature in Chinese.

Go Nenshi!

[Radley77]

This is my post on why I think Higgins is fully entitled to lead on the 'smart' vote:

One of the issues I have with Nenshi is his plans to dismantle the Nose Creek alignment for the LRT and the solution that Bob Hawkesworth in consultation with administration transportation have worked on and championed most of his life. I have already expressed that my experience in the oil and gas industry, and future energy concerns is my rationale why I am more supportive of growth that will have a future of relying more on energy-efficient transportation with less reliance on oil and gas. I love Calgary and want an exceptional quality of life to continue here and 25 years from now. Energy problems will become even more acute over this time frame and will cause a re-evaluation in the development path of cities.

If every new council was to go to city hall and dismantle the previous long range transportation plans, the LRT would never have been built. There needs to plan long term for right of ways and alignment which I think at least two plans were approved for right of ways last year including by Harvest Hills as well as by the new science centre. Also, at risk by Nenshi is the LRT connection to the airport via the Nose Creek alignment. It also has the most potential for TOD and to address inner city sprawl (golf courses et al that actually have more development potential).

The bad thing is the City of Calgary only has so much money, so it needs to focus on capital-efficient projects (note there is a huge difference between being cheap and capital-efficient as that one approach considers both the cost and value involved).

Academic people need to look at what there candidate is standing for, and ask tough questions. Don't take it on face value that having a university degree means that it is okay to stop asking questions about what a candidates priorities.

There is a clear distinction on how each of these candidates gather information to make a decision. My preference is someone who engages experts instead of relying on an intuitive process.

Barb Higgins will be the first to admit she is not a transportation engineer or chief of police. She will speak to experts when formulating best practice policies. Not unlike her approach to addressing the budget deficit by engaging an economist from the U of C School of Public Policy.

This is why I think Barb Higgins is fully entitled to lead on the 'smart' vote. Not entitlement based on a educational attainment, but her focus on engaging experts on the issues.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by mersar

Herald has a new poll by Leger Marketing this morning. Numbers are Nenshi and Higgins at 30%, McIver at 33%. So a dead heat (sample size of 500 gives a 4.4% margin of error)

I've been reading the comments on that latest article and the majority of them are pro-Nenshi. The few anti-Nenshi comments are your typical response.

[Radley77]

The CBC radio eyeopener debate with McIver, Nenshi and Higgins was released:

http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/

McIver's stance on secondary suites is awful. It has the ability to have less positive outcomes for low income seniors on a fixed income, and students. Both Higgins and Nenshi support this initiative, could not believe McIver used the argument that Nenshi would destroy these neighbourhoods. WTF?!

I agree with Nenshi's points about Detroit; it's cheap, but noone wants to live there and there is no economic future. Key to this is building a more sustainable transportation network with the relative low cost energy of today. Detroit is an example of what not to do.

[suburb]

Irrespective of who wins in this election, I think the citizens have already made it a success by getting themselves engaged in the process! I don't know what the final turnout numbers will be, but I'm hoping for over 45%. While I'd love to see 75%, relatively speaking, 45% or more would be absolutely fantastic. And whomever wins, take nothing away from Naheed Nenshi, as more than anyone in the history of this beloved city, he has inspired youth and young adults - made them feel like their voices are not only counted, but matter. If anything, the voices of the youth matter more - as it is they and their children that will inherit the city. The following letter to the Calgary Herald sums it up for me and explains why Nenshi is the King ...

First time voting
Calgary Herald October 13, 2010

I believe that a large percentage of Calgary's voters on Monday will be college students. For people like me, this will be our first, or one of our first opportunities to have a say in an election. I know that the majority of my peers, myself included, are eager to vote for the first time.

SAIT recently hosted a mayoral debate, and of the front runners in the election, Naheed Nenshi was the only one to show. Barb Higgins and Ric McIver were both absent.

Hats off to Nenshi for understanding how important it is to appeal to the young, and remembering they are a major part of this election.

Lindsay Goss,

Calgary

This is why Calgary is the City of Tomorrow and not of Yesterday.

Be proud! Vote loud!

[Radley77]

Originally Posted by suburb

Irrespective of who wins in this election, I think the citizens have already made it a success by getting themselves engaged in the process! I don't know what the final turnout numbers will be, but I'm hoping for over 45%. While I'd love to see 75%, relatively speaking, 45% or more would be absolutely fantastic. And whomever wins, take nothing away from Naheed Nenshi, as more than anyone in the history of this beloved city, he has inspired youth and young adults - made them feel like their voices are not only counted, but matter. If anything, the voices of the youth matter more - as it is they and their children that will inherit the city. The following letter to the Calgary Herald sums it up for me and explains why Nenshi is the King ...



This is why Calgary is the City of Tomorrow and not of Yesterday.

Be proud! Vote loud!

As for the youth: Barb has proposed a discounted student UPASS to all post-secondary students including SAIT, as well as other initiatives like increasing the number of bicycle racks on city buses, as well as saying yes to secondary suites. These are all issues that could improve the quality of life for students. She has also attended the U of C students union forum, as well as a youtube video that speaks directly to those who can't vote yet. She also includes support for construction of minor hockey faicilities as well as support for industrial zoning for artists. These two issues impact arts and cultural opportunities for the youth.

Ms. Higgins has formulated some good policies concerning students issues. But what I like about her is that she is also in touch and respectful of the much wider context of Calgarian society. I am 30 years old so fall within a youngish ?lol demographic yet I recognize that a great city is built by people with experience as well as helping empower and create opportunities for youth.

[shogged]

Originally Posted by mersar

Herald has a new poll by Leger Marketing this morning. Numbers are Nenshi and Higgins at 30%, McIver at 33%. So a dead heat (sample size of 500 gives a 4.4% margin of error)

This is huge. Everyone who was thinking of voting nenshi but was reluctant because they didn't want to "waste a vote" HAS to see these numbers!

[suburb]

Radley - you missed quoting this part of my post:
"SAIT recently hosted a mayoral debate, and of the front runners in the election, Naheed Nenshi was the only one to show. Barb Higgins and Ric McIver were both absent."

Here is a nice recent blog post for all to consider ...

Calgary Votes 2010: Why I Voted For Nenshi
October 12th, 2010 in calgary / news

It’s election time in Calgary and I thought by walking you through my decision process for voting, it might give you inspiration to do your own research and get out to vote on October 18.

NENSHI FOR MAYOR

Being new to Calgary, the legendary “brand” status of Ric McIver and Barb Higgins had no effect on me. I didnt know that Ric’s been a strong “Dr No” voice in council for years, nor did I care that Barb Higgins was really good at reading off a teleprompter.

Being new to town lets me come at the issues without bias, and I voted for Naheed Nenshi. Which is curious, because the one big city issue of building an airport tunnel finds Nenshi and I on opposite sides. I think it’s unnecessary, he wants to borrow $500M to build it.

There are 12 other candidates I didnt properly sort through because I believe in strategic voting. Polling shows that 12 candidates are muddled with less than 3% support.

Without any big breakout statements or strategies from the also rans, my vote needs to stay with the contenders to block someone I don’t like as much as to get someone in that I do like.

Still, I voted for Naheed. I voted for him because he speaks his mind. He doesn’t talk in political rhetoric or convenient cloudy soundbites. He says what he thinks should be done, not what we want to hear. It’s a refreshing blast of honesty from a politician that deserves to be acknowledged.

The fact he is fully versed in social media and exchanges with voters via Twitter, Facebook and blogs making him accessible to the rank and file voter doesn’t hurt either. He’s 38, I’m 40 and it’s about time this generation took a turn at the top.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ You can't do UPass style rates without mandatory fees for all students - there is no discount to the amount students pay as a group, it is just spread amongst drivers, cyclists and transit users. Unless schools have a mechanism for coercion, and students endorse, they can't do UPass.

As for an airport spur off of the nose creek LRT, seeing as the line would already be interlined, the frequencies would likely be so bad ,as to make the line pretty useless (not only that, but the usage would be so low to necessitate low frequency). Most likely scenario is still a bus to the LRT . Not fancy but still much more effective. As for being close to the Science Centre, it is pretty unlikely that a station would be built there when the Zoo is within walking distance. As for Harvest Hills, it will have stations no matter the alignment.

There are already bike racks on all the buses that can take them I believe, so unless she has a plan for fleet renewal... As for secondary suites, good on her. The allowing residential in light industrial has neat potential.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by Radley77

If every new council was to go to city hall and dismantle the previous long range transportation plans, the LRT would never have been built. There needs to plan long term for right of ways and alignment which I think at least two plans were approved for right of ways last year including by Harvest Hills as well as by the new science centre. Also, at risk by Nenshi is the LRT connection to the airport via the Nose Creek alignment. It also has the most potential for TOD and to address inner city sprawl (golf courses et al that actually have more development potential).

Nenshi has only mentioned re-aligning one of two future LRT lines and has left other long range plans untouched, that is well wide of dismantling the City's long range transportation plans. I find it rather contradictory that you mention having a strong green concious yet balk Nenshi's NCLRT plan which would ensure the proper action is taken the first time of asking. Further, in the past you mention that you are an advocate for Plan It yet you support an idea that is included in the plan over an idea that more closely adheres to the principles behind the plan. The current NCLRT alignment would continue to see the CTrain act as a commuter rail system rather than fully utilize its potential to work as a metro system, which the Centre Street alignment has more potential to do. Finally, I think you should further explore the concept of TOD as nodal green/grey-field developments are just one form of TOD.

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

As for being close to the Science Centre, it is pretty unlikely that a station would be built there when the Zoo is within walking distance.

the plans show a station to be built at the 8 ave flyover. this has been consistent with every plan i have seen for the nclrt.