Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by kw5150

Rob Ford......wow. The downfall of toronto. Dont speak too soon......McIver has a very similar demeanor and he could very well be mayor as well. I guess Torontonians are tired of University Educated people running their city. Calgary seems like it is on the same path.

Bronconnier never finished university I believe. Judge people by the content of their character and their actions, not the letters after their names.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by mooky

I still think though the YYC Airport authority doesn't answer to the city, if the city can get the airport tunnel funded "quickly" and i do emphasize quickly, that it would be bad form for the authority to not be flexible instead of giving the citizens of this city the middle finger.

Are not the airport authority board members Calgarians as well, and is not doing whats right in regards to the airport tunnel also in the best interest of the authority?

There is a major issue with Airport capacity if a runway construction is delayed. Based upon an April 2011 construction start, the runway completion is fall 2014. By spring/summer 2015, the international terminal gets completed. If the runway does not get completed on time, there will be insufficient runway capacity for the available terminal/gate space. This will hinder the growth of both AC and Westjet, each of which has increased service at YYC by 50% since 2003. By 2015 Westjet has 110 737s plus will likely have a longhaul option to provide service to LHR, CDG, HNL, OGG, etc on their own metal. Current terminal and runway capacity is insufficient to meet Westjet's future growth, so if the runway and international terminal does not get built then Westjet will expand elsewhere (likely YEG and YVR).

For examples as to where YYC is at, compare the expansion YVR undertook in the mid 90s. new runway proceeded by new international terminal, proceeded by large increase in international and transborder flights, proceeded by passenger traffic increase from 12 million to 16 million.

[Boris2k7]

Better Idea: Calgary will be a City where its citizens are enriched by outstanding libraries, recreation amenities, and a vibrant cultural scene

Naheed understands that a great city must be a great place to live. Calgarians want easier access to libraries and sports and recreation facilities. They also want a city with a diverse and vibrant arts scene. Naheed will focus on expanding library services and recreational centres in underserved regions of the City and will implement policies that make it easier for artists to create, perform, and display their works. That’s how this Better Idea will lead to a Better Calgary.

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[MalcolmTucker]

Delaying by 6 months, or changing the project phasing isn't the end of the world. Sure, I wouldn't want 6 months to turn into two years but if the city had the money i don't doubt for a second the airport authority would be ok with a delay. They just can't say it really because people will ask for a delay so they can ask for more money, leading no where.

If a billionaire offered to build it in the first week of November (first council meeting where this will likely have to be forced through like the LRT projects were last go round), you're telling me the airport would say no?

[mooky]

I don't disagree we need a new runway, not at all, but short term pain for long term gain.

Chicago O'Hare runs way over the capacity we do .. just comes to mind as a place that "makes do" .. and YYC would only be short term. Yes there will be inconveniences, but a few months delay versus potentially an extra $500+ million for a TBM tunnel after the fact, for a piece of infrastructure that will be around for 100+ years is a small sacrifice. Everybody needs to play nice on the playground and not throw sand.

Yes, the city dropped the ball on this over successive administrations, but aren't we all working for the greater good of Calgary?

Originally Posted by Cage

There is a major issue with Airport capacity if a runway construction is delayed. Based upon an April 2011 construction start, the runway completion is fall 2014. By spring/summer 2015, the international terminal gets completed. If the runway does not get completed on time, there will be insufficient runway capacity for the available terminal/gate space. This will hinder the growth of both AC and Westjet, each of which has increased service at YYC by 50% since 2003. By 2015 Westjet has 110 737s plus will likely have a longhaul option to provide service to LHR, CDG, HNL, OGG, etc on their own metal. Current terminal and runway capacity is insufficient to meet Westjet's future growth, so if the runway and international terminal does not get built then Westjet will expand elsewhere (likely YEG and YVR).

For examples as to where YYC is at, compare the expansion YVR undertook in the mid 90s. new runway proceeded by new international terminal, proceeded by large increase in international and transborder flights, proceeded by passenger traffic increase from 12 million to 16 million.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by Cage

The point of no return for the Airport Tunnel occured in February 2010.

In March 2010 the CAA and City of Calgary concluded an agreement to preserve the option to build a tunnel after runway completion.

Here is the Marhc 8, 2010 press release from CAA:
http://www.calgaryairport.com/Default.aspx?cid=621&lang=1




First paragraph explains that only option left to City of Calgary is to build the tunnel after runway completion. The CAA has agreed they will no put up a building where the tunnel will be located or take other action that would preclude the tunnel being built.

That is the fact portion of my arguement.

The opinion portion of my arguement is that Tunnel supporters are hoping for a "Hail Mary pass" whereby the City forces the airport authority to delay runway construction while plans are reconfigured to construct the tunnel during runway construction.

I am also of the opinion thsat Nenshi all ready knows the Tunnel is past the point of no return. This is why Better Idea #4 includes the proposal to engage CAA and if the CAA will not cooperate, then move to replace the CAA board with puppets of City Council.

The runway is supposed to take about 4 years to build. The tunnel would not take 4 years to build, and would only affect a very small portion of the runway construction zone, perhaps about a section about 100m wide, when the whole runway is what, 4km long? So the tunnel would affect about 1/40th of the construction zone. Sure, it might affect haul routes and things like that, but that shouldn't affect the construction schedule.

I'm in the construction industry, and I can't see how building the tunnel simultaneously with the runway would affect the completion date of the runway in any way.

Even if the start building the runway from one end, the tunnel should be done by the time the runway construction gets to it, if they start at the south end.

Sure, the tunnel would have to start soon, but the deadline given by the airport to have it done was mostly just pressure by the airport I think to get it done, not that is was a hard deadline, IMO.

The tunnel, after all, is a relatively simple project. One of the larger construction companies in Calgary could probably get the shell done next year. Its a simple box with straight walls, lots of repatition in the construction sequence, and its in the middle of an undeveloped field, with no space issues. Engineering the runnel is not really a difficult proposition either, Even if the go ahead was given to construct the tunnel today, the engineering could be done (at least the detailsaffecting the actual tunnel) before the contractor could even get mobilized. The design of the roadway and the other smaller details could almost be done by then as well.

It's really a simple project, it costs a larger chunk of money simply because it is large.

[O-tacular]

My in-laws sort of work in the construction industry (kitchen renos) and their company mailed out a news letter informing employees of which candidates are most supportive of their industry. Much to my surprise they recommended Nenshi for mayor.

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

Bronconnier never finished university I believe. Judge people by the content of their character and their actions, not the letters after their names.

At the risk of sounding elitist, I respectfully disagree. We should judge candidates by their entire set of skills and attributes, both experience and education. While there's no substitute for experience (I found this out as soon as I entered the work force), there's a lot to be said for the macro-outlook that one can develop in post-secondary institutions.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

With housing affordability being an issue, I can't see if somehow CRA is able to track secondary suites, and is somehow able to calculate the marginal increase in capital gains the suite causes to the property, and that is ordered to start enforcing this at a bureaucratic level, that the Minister, cabinet, or Parliament wouldn't stop it. Now, they might issue guidelines on percentage of squarefootage or what not can still qualify as a secondary suite vs turning your house into a duplex, but come on.

Arguing that the policy is pointless because of a theoretical tax rule that isn't enforced on any legal suite in the entire country is pretty thin.

Start adding up the additional costs for property taxes, income taxes, capital gain taxes, structural modifications for building code, etc. and the Tennant cost differential between secondary suite and regular multi-residence apartment is almost nil. E.g. if a secondary suite is $500 per month and equivalent apartment is $750 per month, the additional costs imposed on the homeowner will increase secondary suite to about $700-$750 per month.

[fusili]

What the hell is DCU doing?

It isn't very politically astute to endorse a candidate for mayor when you yourself are running for a different position. It kinda says "I am not going to work well with anyone who isn't him." She is an idiot anyways. After Chabot and Fox-Mellway, she is the worst councillor.

[Aegis]

Deleted because I had wrong information.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Cage

Start adding up the additional costs for property taxes, income taxes, capital gain taxes, structural modifications for building code, etc. and the Tennant cost differential between secondary suite and regular multi-residence apartment is almost nil. E.g. if a secondary suite is $500 per month and equivalent apartment is $750 per month, the additional costs imposed on the homeowner will increase secondary suite to about $700-$750 per month.

If the secondary suite will cost 700-$750 per month, who cares? It still adds to the housing stock, doesn't it? And a secondary suite is typically much better than an apartment because you get your own entrance and usually a lot more space.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by Sir.Humphrey.Appleby

Bronconnier never finished university I believe. Judge people by the content of their character and their actions, not the letters after their names.

I fully endorse people with adequate training and life skills. I also applaud them for their hard work and dedication in reaching the final goal of a University Degree.

[fusili]

Oh and Naomi Lakritz just endorsed McIver as well. Which only makes sense. She is an idiot. A huge, huge idiot.

[kw5150]

Originally Posted by Aegis

At the risk of sounding elitist, I respectfully disagree. We should judge candidates by their entire set of skills and attributes, both experience and education. While there's no substitute for experience (I found this out as soon as I entered the work force), there's a lot to be said for the macro-outlook that one can develop in post-secondary institutions.

Yes, macro outlook. While going to University, it was amazing to see people break out of their little high school boxes and transform into real people with constructive thoughts and the ability to reason. From high school jocks to well rounded, accepting people.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by fusili

Oh and Naomi Lakritz just endorsed McIver as well. Which only makes sense. She is an idiot. A huge, huge idiot.

It's no secret that the Herald editorial board has it bad for McIver.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by fusili

Oh and Naomi Lakritz just endorsed McIver as well. Which only makes sense. She is an idiot. A huge, huge idiot.

Wow, that windbag is still around? She's one of the few "journalists" (not sure exactly what to call her) that I've just about universally disagreed with on everything. I can't even play Devil's Advocate for her positions, she's just that stupid.

[fusili]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Wow, that windbag is still around? She's one of the few "journalists" (not sure exactly what to call her) that I've just about universally disagreed with on everything. I can't even play Devil's Advocate for her positions, she's just that stupid.

The worst article she ever wrote IMO, was to do with some woman in Victoria winning an award for "most sustainable person" or something. The woman composted, grew all her own food, only rode a bike or walked, generated her own electricity or something and did about 100 other things in the same vein. Lakritz berated her for making "all the rest of us" who "can't ride a bike up a hill" feel bad. I almost lost it. I responded to the herald (not published) that when I hear about people like her I don't feel "unworthy" but rather, I feel inspired. I don't get mad at people like Michael Jordan, because they are so dedicated to their goals. Lakritz's response was just petty and pessimistic. She is the kind of person who wants us to hate motivated people because they make us lazy people feel bad. Her outlook on life is so defeatist it is saddening.

Worst writer for the Herald, hands down, and that is saying a lot.

[Aegis]

Originally Posted by fusili

Worst writer for the Herald, hands down, and that is saying a lot.

Danielle Smith was pretty bad too.

[Cage]

Originally Posted by fusili

If the secondary suite will cost 700-$750 per month, who cares? It still adds to the housing stock, doesn't it? And a secondary suite is typically much better than an apartment because you get your own entrance and usually a lot more space.

The ultimate goal of Nenshi's Better Idea #1 was to have safe, affordable, legal housing for all Calgarians. However better idea #1 falls apart on detailed examination.

Safety runs in direct competition with the other two reasons for BI#1, increase the safety factor and affordability decreases, the landlord/homeowner must increase rent to cover their additional costs. Legal contrasts with safety as its cheaper to remain illegal secondary suite.

Legal housing would require more than just removing the redtape barriers. Current illegal secondary suite landlords will not convert to legal suites if the costs are too high, no matter how much the administrative burden is reduced. Similarly, new secondary suite homeowners will not go the legal route if costs are too high.

Affordability is where BI#1 really falls apart, for all the reasons I have highlighted above. Everything BI#1 increases the cost of secondary suites, to the point where costs for secondary suites would be equivalent to regular apartments. This really points to Nenshi's weak spot, he is very intelligent policy wonk but cannot cost out his proposal or minimize the unintended consequences. Result is that Mayor Nenshi will get a great secondary suite policy framework enacted that will do nothing to improve affordable housing, increase public safety, or provide a tangible benefit to Calgarians.