Decision 2010: Calgary Municipal Election

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

I'm curious, what's a ball-park property tax estimate on a 300k house in a middle-class area of Calgary these days?

$1500, very ballpark. That's property and school tax (I don't separate the 2, I have to pay both and they're on the same bill).

[CorporateWhore]

Hah, wow, even if thats on the lower end of things, that's not that much. Just as anecdotal reference, on a 300k house in Long Island, NY, you're probably going to be paying around $7000-$8000 on property taxes.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by fusili

In fact, I think my opinion of McIver has changed a bit over the election period. Although I don't think he would make a good mayor, he was a voice for fiscal conservatism (although I think he got carried away sometimes), which I see as a good balance to people like Druh Farrell, who I do see as a bit frivolous at times.

That's a very good term, and yes I agree with this completely.
I didn't want McIver setting the tone, but I think he would be useful on council, assuming he's not voting No just for the cameras.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by CorporateWhore

Hah, wow, even if thats on the lower end of things, that's not that much. Just as anecdotal reference, on a 300k house in Long Island, NY, you're probably going to be paying around $7000-$8000 on property taxes.

Um - ouch. I thought Canadians were always taxed higher on everything, etc (sarcasm). I know of other cities in Canada that are maybe 2-3 times what Calgary pays, but that's just insane.

Incidentally, a 300k house here is on the lower end of "middle class". So plenty of average people pay a lot more than that. I might have lowballed but it's definitely under $2000 for a 300k house here.

This is why the "I say no to property tax increases" crowd flabbergasts me. Our property taxes are just stupidly low considering the services we receive here. Not that I personally feel like shelling out another $1000 next spring, but it's certainly within the realm of reasonable, presuming it isn't being pissed away.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by freeweed

$1500, very ballpark. That's property and school tax (I don't separate the 2, I have to pay both and they're on the same bill).

Mine is valued at approx 315k and I pay 152 / month

[CorporateWhore]

I agree about McIver. The dude was a total pain in the dick, and a killer of dreams, but in the grand scheme of things, it's always nice to have a financial policeman. Just like I think it's beneficial to have someone like Druh Farrel, who represents an element of Calgary that is often forgotten in the land of accountants and engineers.

[mooky]

Since no one saw my question in the original war of words....

How many votes separation triggers an automatic recount? I'm wondering if any of these races are getting recounted, or if they are all far enough apart to be unofficially official.

[DizzyEdge]

I could be wrong but I thought it was 0.1%

[fusili]

Originally Posted by Strongbow

...fixed it for ya, ....seeing Taylor in second this morning ruined my breakfast

Hey, give Druh a little credit. I think she is well intentioned, but on policy side of things she needs work.

I think this council is going to be pretty good. Both "camps" have been weakened-

On the right: McIver is gone, Connelly is gone and the rest are leaderless (Chabot doesn't feel like a leader to me, neither does Jones).

On the left: Both Farrell and Pincott won by narrow margins and so will have to accept they can't be as partisan and Ceci and Hawkesworth are out. More importantly Bronco is out and he was very much someone who took advantage of the split council.

What I would love to see is a very pragmatic council led by Nenshi which is less ideologically divided on issues. I like the fact that new aldermen, such as Gael MacLeod, disagree with Nenshi on things like the airport tunnel, which to me might mean a better solution. I also think it would be positive that aldermen like Farrell and Pincott see the need to cut spending. This is going to be a tough job for council, but I am positive for now.

[freeweed]

Serious question: the mayor does only receive one vote - so why does the position even exist? What "extra" powers does he/she have? There must be something there, or else why not just have 15 Aldermen?

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Serious question: the mayor does only receive one vote - so why does the position even exist? What "extra" powers does he/she have? There must be something there, or else why not just have 15 Aldermen?

I believe the power to set the agenda, and call meetings. But I could be wrong. Of course if enough of council rebel, the Mayor basically becomes an alderman. But the Mayor has a wider mandate, and the bully pulpit.

[You Need A Thneed]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Serious question: the mayor does only receive one vote - so why does the position even exist? What "extra" powers does he/she have? There must be something there, or else why not just have 15 Aldermen?

The mayor represents the whole city, is the face of the city, and the Mayor's vote breaks ties (in the event that there is a tie vote, the mayor's votes counts as two votes).

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

The mayor represents the whole city, is the face of the city, and the Mayor's vote breaks ties (in the event that there is a tie vote, the mayor's votes counts as two votes).

I'm pretty sure the Mayor only votes if there is a tie, because he would be chairing. That is another power, the power of a chair under whatever rules of order they use.

[Policy Wonk]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Random question: is Nenshi married? I swore I heard "his wife" being mentioned on the news last night, but for some reason today "that rumour" is going around, if you know what I mean.

I am fairly sure I know who his female companion is, also Mount Royal faculty.

[MichaelS]

Originally Posted by TallDrinkofWater

you all seem to believe the mayor position in Calgary is an almighty position - Nenshi made a hell of a lot of promises...

It is not that we think Nenshi is suddenly all powerful and can make all of these decisions on his own. It is the fact that of all the visions and promises of the future for Calgary made by candidates, it was his vision more than any other that the most Calgarians wanted. It is the fact that his policies and ideologies line up with more Calgarians wants than the other candidates, that has so many people here excited.

True he is only one vote, but his vote represents the wishes of more Calgarians than any other alderman. And, the other 14 people who make up council haven't been discussed in detail on this thread (so we don't know how cooperative or uncooperative they will be), but is it not safe to assume that if majority of Calgarians elected a mayor with the values of Mr. Nenshi, they would also vote for aldermanic candidates with the same leaning? I mean, why would you vote for a candidate with one ideology, and then vote for another one at the opposite end of the spectrum? So is it not logical that most of the aldermen elected will share a common vision with him (albeit not an exact match, but with similar goals and objectives) and will therefore be easy for him to work with? He has stated all along how important it will be to work with the entire council to come together on all issues.

And granted there may be a few aldermen who completely disagree with him on everything. There voice of dissention will be heard, and probably welcomed by all (provided it is voiced with reason and fact) as it will bring a different perspective and perhaps lead to an even better solution for the issue being discussed.

Obviously Nenshi can't do it all on his own. But, the fact that he was chosen as mayor means he represents the wishes of more Calgarians than anyone else, and any elected official (be them mayor or alderman) has to recognize that and take it into consideration when they are voting for what they feel is best for this city.

[Bassic Lab]

Originally Posted by fusili

Hey, give Druh a little credit. I think she is well intentioned, but on policy side of things she needs work.

I think this council is going to be pretty good. Both "camps" have been weakened-

On the right: McIver is gone, Connelly is gone and the rest are leaderless (Chabot doesn't feel like a leader to me, neither does Jones).

On the left: Both Farrell and Pincott won by narrow margins and so will have to accept they can't be as partisan and Ceci and Hawkesworth are out. More importantly Bronco is out and he was very much someone who took advantage of the split council.

What I would love to see is a very pragmatic council led by Nenshi which is less ideologically divided on issues. I like the fact that new aldermen, such as Gael MacLeod, disagree with Nenshi on things like the airport tunnel, which to me might mean a better solution. I also think it would be positive that aldermen like Farrell and Pincott see the need to cut spending. This is going to be a tough job for council, but I am positive for now.

As I understand it, there were two main issues in Ward 11. The first was Pincott's views on the SWRR, which essentially match Nenshi's and really don't matter unless the Province decides it wants to bulldoze Lakeview. The second was his support of a methadone clinic. The opposition to the clinic was one of the worst examples of Nimbyism in recent memory. People were not arguing against the concept of methadone treatment; they were arguing against it being near them. The implicit message was, "doesn't that really belong in Forest Lawn, with those people." A close election against a Liberal candidate really should not tell Pincott to radically change. If McCutcheon had nearly won it would be a different matter. As it is, I think Pincott will work quite well with Mayor Nenshi and form an effective relationship. Their views on transportation and urban sprawl sync up better than most.

[Riise]

Originally Posted by fusili

Hey, give Druh a little credit. I think she is well intentioned, but on policy side of things she needs work.

+1

She needs to work on implementation.

[gammell]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

I mean, why would you vote for a candidate with one ideology, and then vote for another one at the opposite end of the spectrum?

I don't think there were that many serious candidates on opposite ends of the spectrum. Most of the major candidates were fairly centrist. But I would gladly vote for a mayor on one end of the center and an alderman on the other end even just to keep the mayor in check. I'm interested to see what Nenshi will do, but I want him kept on a short leash as it were. I wouldn't want anybody to be able to make significant changes to this city without somebody else able to exercise questioning and restraint (though not to the point of obstructionism.)

[Xelebes]

Folks, don't chub the waters and don't eat the chub.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Folks, don't chub the waters and don't eat the chub.

We're gonna need a bigger boat.