Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[jeffwhit]

Although I've really had enough of the Higgins schadenfreude today, is there anywhere to hear the QR77 interview?

Also, it's a fucking shame that DJ Kelly had to work hiss ass off just to get a televised TV debate in the first place. The local TV media is being irresponsible, they should have put out the invitations, and shown the debate regardless of who agreed. The idea of an empty lectern with Higgins name on it would have been too much and she would have agreed, just as she did with her donor list.

[Aegis]

Just watched the McCourt interview and listened to the X92.9 FM interview.

The X92.9 interview was fair, the participants asked valid questions and Barb failed to respond in a way that inspires confidence.

The McCourt interview, on the other hand, was ridiculous. He should apologize to Barb as it appears he had a chip on his shoulder right from the start. He was out to attack her, and nothing else.

[freeweed]

The McCourt interview is a bit strong, but wow, is the media ever overblowing this. I finally watched it and I really don't see the big deal here. Watching the nightly TV news, you'd think McCourt was implying Higgins and her helper were having an affair or something.

Typical media making a story out of nothing. To be honest, she composed herself very well considering - this guy seems like quite the ass. I have a fair bit of newfound respect for her after watching that.

[Robert in Calgary]

Like Aegis, I've just finished the McCourt/X92.9 combo.

I'm rather surprised this is all about the words "political screw up".

My only criticisms of McCourt would be.....

1 - for such a short interview, don't be so wordy with the questions.
2- I would have liked a follow-up about the "non-political" people who drafted her.

Barb had a meltdown for no real good reason.

She can't handle any tough questions and she does seem quite thin-skinned.

My first main career was working in TV for ten years. "New Anchor" would not be in the Top 1000 of professions I would want as a stepping stone to Mayor presiding over a $2.5 Billion budget.

...not to be confused with news reporter

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by jeffwhit

Although I've really had enough of the Higgins schadenfreude today, is there anywhere to hear the QR77 interview?

Also, it's a fucking shame that DJ Kelly had to work hiss ass off just to get a televised TV debate in the first place. The local TV media is being irresponsible, they should have put out the invitations, and shown the debate regardless of who agreed. The idea of an empty lectern with Higgins name on it would have been too much and she would have agreed, just as she did with her donor list.

http://www.am770chqr.com/elections/civic/audio.aspx

[Boris2k7]

I suppose if one reduces the office of the mayor to ten-second civic promotion clips played mostly at conferences in hotel lobbies, then a news anchor does seem fit for the job...

[jeffwhit]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

http://www.am770chqr.com/elections/civic/audio.aspx

tanks muchly

[mooky]

Global News said just a little while ago Burrows is suspending his campaign. That's all I have....

[MMMBeer]

Another no-hoper bites the dust. Calgary Herald says that Craig Burrows is out and is rumoured to be endorsing McIver.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Candidate+Craig+Burrows+drops+mayor+race/3674050/story.html

[Surferguy]

I think barb has had a really tough day in general, but one that could haunt her. First admitting that it was not her idea to run for mayor. The lashing out at arts vote after the rough ride on BT was misdireted anger. I do think that the interview was unfair and she handled herself well, but the bad press that is spilling out in the herald, sun and online could hurt you this close to election day, people have short memories and this is not what you want them to remember going to the polls.

Second I think x92 did a good interview and managed to bring out a couple of things that have been floating around amoungst informed people for a while, ie why did you not release your policy on day one of your announcement. Another thing, I found it odd that she said she didn't know who was on her donor list. Like rodger stated 'would that not be part of transparency?' Rodger then got her to admit that other people were getting the donations for her. That coupled with the admission on BT and she does not make a strong case for not being a Marionette.

She again went on defence and seemed to be getting worked up, maybe she felt she was getting attacked but if she plans on getting into the top chair this type of scrutiny will not end. A honest question - can she handle this position and the constant questioning of her actions.

Then latter on QR77 in regards to questions about the debate - no real hard eveidence that she quashed the 3 way debate but on the defense she went again for the third time. Bad PR really. Anybody listening to those three interviews will remember her reactions and maybe see a personal trend and not her policy. It is possible that it could turn into lost votes. I know i listened to all three of the candidates interviews this afternoon and I all I can recall from hers was the debate with the caller about the debate! I have no idea of what her ideas were, they were completely over shadowed.

Her policy is finally out to be viewed but the damage may be done. Now people my only remember her inability to take tough questions about her and her experiance, motives etc. in stride. This is politics and in order to be succesful you need to be able to duck and weave and she did not do well today at all...

the hindeburg is on fire.

I honestly think she cooked herself today and anybody sitting on the fence may be looking other directions, which ever way that may be.

[Ferreth]

Originally Posted by Robert in Calgary

Like Aegis, I've just finished the McCourt/X92.9 combo.

I'm rather surprised this is all about the words "political screw up".

My only criticisms of McCourt would be.....

1 - for such a short interview, don't be so wordy with the questions.
2- I would have liked a follow-up about the "non-political" people who drafted her.

Barb had a meltdown for no real good reason.

She can't handle any tough questions and she does seem quite thin-skinned.

My first main career was working in TV for ten years. "New Anchor" would not be in the Top 1000 of professions I would want as a stepping stone to Mayor presiding over a $2.5 Billion budget.

...not to be confused with news reporter

Agreed - one of her big jobs as Mayor would be dealing with a critical media, with questions that sometimes are going to be out of line. I have no previous experience with McCourt, but based on watching the ones with Barb and Naheed, I don't find him particulary confrontational, but I'm used to the "60 Minutes" Mike Wallace style of confrontational interview. If Barb can't handle McCourt, she has no business being a media rep for this city, much less Mayor.

McCourt brought up two good questions (paraphrased):

- Who got you to run for Mayor and what influence do they have on your platform?

Barb's answer was shaky at best, and frankly she should not have been surprised that someone would accuse her of being controlled by a background team.

- He questions her "political intuition" in picking a campaign manager. While everyone seems to focus on the term "screw up", the question is really about challenging Barb to show that her previous poor choice (if it was hers) would not be carried forward into poor choices as Mayor.

She never even touched the question, focusing on the "screw up" label instead, and accusing McCourt of bias. Sorry, but I see no "bias" in a question that focuses on one of the few pieces of track record we have on Barb to date.

Should Barb become Mayor, we are in big trouble as a City should the day come when Council has to defend some contentious issue to the media - this interview will seem like a cake walk then.

[bob1954]

"Not her idea to run for mayor"! She's done!

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by bob1954

"Not her idea to run for mayor"! She's done!

I'm really surprised the Herald article leaves that out, I think that is more important than her losing her temper.

[Riise]

I'm watching the Florida feed for the Flames game tonight and I'm pretty sure I just saw Bigtime and his companion reppin' the cause in their Nenshi shirts.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Riise

I'm watching the Florida feed for the Flames game tonight and I'm pretty sure I just saw Bigtime and his companion reppin' the cause in their Nenshi shirts.

Are they the only purple shirts?

[Surferguy]

Originally Posted by Riise

I'm watching the Florida feed for the Flames game tonight and I'm pretty sure I just saw Bigtime and his companion reppin' the cause in their Nenshi shirts.

you sound a lot llike someone on CP

[mooky]

Originally Posted by Riise

I'm watching the Florida feed for the Flames game tonight and I'm pretty sure I just saw Bigtime and his companion reppin' the cause in their Nenshi shirts.

Do you ever sleep, its like 4am in London!

[Robert in Calgary]

Barb Higgins Diary Excerpts.....

Dear Diary,

The parade of non-political Calgarians begging me to run for Mayor and save Calgary is relentless.
I’m going to flip a coin to make up my mind……
Diary, I’m going to do it! I’m going to run for Mayor and save Calgary.
Everyone loves me!! This should be pretty easy.


Dear Diary,

Some people are suggesting I should show up in person at every city council meeting between now and the election.
I don’t see why. Watching on TV should be okay. I’m a great people person, I’m even-tempered and I can handle all the tough questions.


Dear Diary,

Some people are saying that Bob Hawkesworth will jinx my campaign. They say his campaign was a complete disaster and that it was based on lies and smears.

I don’t see the problem. It’s only a few days to the election, what could go wrong?

I need to get a good nights sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow starting at City TV. I’m sure Mike McCourt will appreciate my innate ability to lead.

[TallDrinkofWater]

Originally Posted by Cage

So there appears (from reading this thread) there are many Nenshi supporters on this forum and a lot of you guys n gals are early Nenshi supporters.

I think Nenshi is a very smart person, well spoken, with great (overall) policies. That said I won't vote for the guy based 2 of his Better Idea policies, namely Airport Tunnel and Secondary Suites.

His views on the airport tunnel are just not feasible and too late in the game. The runway and associated infrastructure is well past the design stage where the tunnel could be efficiently built into the runway design. My deep concern is that a Mayor Nenshi will engage CAA (Calgary Airport Authority) to get the Tunnel built. When CAA responds saying "Sorry but previous council turned down the Tunnel and runway planning and construction is too far along for the tunnel to be included. Turned down Nenshi will then start a fight with CAA to get the board elected by City officials rather than Chamber of Commerce. Great idea but the fight will take at least 2 years to get federal government to transfer land title (lease) to new city appointed authority. During this time of airport authority governance crisis all construction and planning will grind to halt. No new international terminal (badly needed for peak traffic periods) and no new runway (which is needed to support the traffic for the new terminal).

I will toss an open question to this forum of Nenshi supporters. How does Nenshi Better Idea vision get implemented while concurrently constructing the runway and terminal? Follow up question, if Mayor Nenshi becomes a reality, how does he implement Better Idea #4 without starting a fight with CAA and Federal Government?

Second issue with Nenshi is the Secondary Suites. Nenshi wants secondary suites to bring more affordable housing for Calgary. A great goal but in order for affordability to be attained two things not currently in the policy must happen.
1) Policy must not increase property taxes. If secondary suites are legal, then market value of the property increases as in relation to surrounding properties, therefore increasing property taxes for secondary suite home owner. If affordable housing is the goal Nenshi must include a policy statement that secondary suite home owners would receive a tax break, a controversial stance that would be opposed by most Calgarians since they would not receive preferential property tax breaks.
2) Legalizing secondary suites will result in large capital gain on sale of the home. The legal secondary suite homeowner would lose primary residence status on the home they must occupy under Better Idea #1. As a tax accountant I can conservatively estimate this would increase homeowner income taxes by $15,000 for each $100,000 increase in market value. Example, Buy home for $250,000, convert the home to include a secondary suite, sell couple years later for $350,000 result in a capital gain of $100,000. Capital gains include into income a 50% for a taxable capital gain of $50,000. Effective tax rate of 29% for Alberta (average tax rate, highest is 37% lowest 0 for those under basic exemption) yields an April tax bill of $14,500. City of Edmonton warns about loss of primary residence status at the following webpage http://www.edmonton.ca/city_government/planning_development/secondary-suites-faq.aspx#9758

So question to the Nenshi Secondary Suite supporters, how does Better Idea #1 get implemented while maintaining affordability, balancing property tax "fair share" for all Calgarians, and not forcing secondary suite home owners into a crushing capital tax bill on sale of home?

Apparently you posted something that's too intelligent and too thought out for anyone to reply to..funny how they ignore you - quite revealing IMO

[mooky]

His views on the airport tunnel are just not feasible and too late in the game. The runway and associated infrastructure is well past the design stage where the tunnel could be efficiently built into the runway design.

Opinion, not fact.

Originally Posted by TallDrinkofWater

Apparently you posted something that's too intelligent and too thought out for anyone to reply to..funny how they ignore you - quite revealing IMO

To the idea of secondary suites, all I'll say is the status-quo of turning a blind eye to the issue isn't the correct answer at all. It happens, probably ten thousands times in this city (hard numbers on something illegal are difficult to pin down) .. Yes there are ramifications of legalizing them, but doing nothing is just asking for more crispy corpses in the future.