Who are you choosing for mayor this election?

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by roman

Sorry I did not mean that the city should build infrastructure for the oil and gas industry. I meant that we should be looking to build city infrastructure projects and amenities for the citizens of Calgary. I am definitely for diversification and bringing new different businesses to Calgary, but we also have to work in harmony with our existing business leaders to ensure that they are still invested in the local economy and to keep them invested in the local economy and welcome their ideas and ensure that Calgary is once again a business friendly environment.

I agree. We desperately need to further diversify our economy but at the same time it's ridiculous to abandon the oil & gas industry. Despite what certain elements want us to believe, it is nowhere near being a sunset industry. If the City can get its costs under control and streamline its processes that will help to attract more business and hopefully new industries. This happened during the 1990s and there's no reason why it can't happen again. At the same time we must continue investing in infrastructure. Strong economies need strong infrastructure especially when it comes to transportation.

[CrossedTheTracks]

Originally Posted by roman

Sorry I did not mean that the city should build infrastructure for the oil and gas industry. I meant that we should be looking to build city infrastructure projects and amenities for the citizens of Calgary. I am definitely for diversification and bringing new different businesses to Calgary, but we also have to work in harmony with our existing business leaders to ensure that they are still invested in the local economy and to keep them invested in the local economy and welcome their ideas and ensure that Calgary is once again a business friendly environment.

Lovely sentiments, in the abstract.

Do you mind being more specific? I feel like you're referencing arena/stadium, or Olympics, or both, but honestly can't tell. Arguably, strong civic financial support for either of these could result in driving away businesses, because funding them probably results in higher property taxes in the long run. And I'm certainly hearing from many corners that increased property taxes are a problem for many businesses in the city.

If you mean something other than arena/stadium/Olympics, I don't think you'll get much argument out of most people that we should reduce red tape, make it easier to guide business through regulatory processes, etc. But if you really want to have a large change, it's hard to ignore the question of, "are business property taxes too high, proportionately, compared to residential?" I honestly don't know what the correct proportion is, but if you change that proportion, residential tax payers aren't going to love that either. Does any candidate have the courage to admit this is what they're going to have to do, unless they merely want to tinker at the edges?

[Corndogger]

"Calgary Election 2017: New poll pegs Bill Smith to take over mayor’s office"

Lots of new numbers in the latest Mainstreet poll conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Sounds like taxes are the key issue and the arena is a bit of a fringe one. Nenshi's approval ratings are killing him if this poll is accurate.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3801042/calga...s-bill-smith-to-take-over-mayors-office/

[roman]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

I agree. We desperately need to further diversify our economy but at the same time it's ridiculous to abandon the oil & gas industry. Despite what certain elements want us to believe, it is nowhere near being a sunset industry. If the City can get its costs under control and streamline its processes that will help to attract more business and hopefully new industries. This happened during the 1990s and there's no reason why it can't happen again. At the same time we must continue investing in infrastructure. Strong economies need strong infrastructure especially when it comes to transportation.

Fully agree with you that the Oil and Gas industry is still very far from being a sunset industry and I do believe that it will become an energy industry adapting to the changes in the business environment. On the City front, I feel optimistic that with a new mayor and new city council that they will find ways to ensure that we do attract new businesses, but they definitely need to cut the red tape and do whatever is necessary to find ways to get things moving.

[patm]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

"Calgary Election 2017: New poll pegs Bill Smith to take over mayor’s office"

Lots of new numbers in the latest Mainstreet poll conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Sounds like taxes are the key issue and the arena is a bit of a fringe one. Nenshi's approval ratings are killing him if this poll is accurate.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3801042/calga...s-bill-smith-to-take-over-mayors-office/

People who thinks their taxes will go down with a new mayor need to stay home on Monday.

City can't run a deficit so unless you want to cut services or major projects, your taxes are at best, staying the same.

Huge mistake to vote for Bill Smith based on empty, ambigious promises.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Northern

If Nenshi wins, it won't be because because of Smith's brilliance, it'll be people's way of saying a hearty F-U to all the liberal mouth pieces.

So Smith voters are on the same intellectual level as Trump voters? Thought so.

I'm not sure what Nenshi has even done which makes him such a 'Liberal Mouthpiece'. What is it, he hasn't been an asshole to any minority groups?

[Corndogger]

Originally Posted by milomilo

So Smith voters are on the same intellectual level as Trump voters? Thought so.

I'm not sure what Nenshi has even done which makes him such a 'Liberal Mouthpiece'. What is it, he hasn't been an asshole to any minority groups?

What do minority groups have to do with it? Nenshi's arrogance and condescending attitude have turned off a lot of people. He was on QR77 about an hour or so ago and I thought one of the callers nailed it when she said something to the effect that he lives in a different city than the rest of us. He also did a lot of lecturing when he should have been doing a lot of listening. I'm not saying Smith would be any better and don't forget that I've already said I'm not voting for him. I think I'll be doing a lot of praying the next four years. lol

[patm]

Jesus, people are voting based on how they believe someone they have most likely never had a conversation with carries themselves.

#Democracy

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by milomilo

So Smith voters are on the same intellectual level as Trump voters? Thought so.

I'm not sure what Nenshi has even done which makes him such a 'Liberal Mouthpiece'. What is it, he hasn't been an asshole to any minority groups?

Not sure why you think the statement was pointed at Nenshi alone? The post said 'all of the liberal mouthpieces' There are plenty of them on social media.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by patm

Jesus, people are voting based on how they believe someone they have most likely never had a conversation with carries themselves.

#Democracy

So you've never seen any tweets, or interviews with Nenshi where he comes across as arrogant or thin skinned?

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by Corndogger

What do minority groups have to do with it? Nenshi's arrogance and condescending attitude have turned off a lot of people. He was on QR77 about an hour or so ago and I thought one of the callers nailed it when she said something to the effect that he lives in a different city than the rest of us. He also did a lot of lecturing when he should have been doing a lot of listening. I'm not saying Smith would be any better and don't forget that I've already said I'm not voting for him. I think I'll be doing a lot of praying the next four years. lol

Originally Posted by SteveP

Not sure why you think the statement was pointed at Nenshi alone? The post said 'all of the liberal mouthpieces' There are plenty of them on social media.

Well that is even more nonsensical if people are voting against someone because of what other people think of that person, rather than anything that person has done.

I have still yet to see it explained why it's a 'fact' now that Nenshi is arrogant and can't deal with people, or why it even matters so much. The only thing I can see is that media outlets and opposition politicians are upset with him disagreeing and have managed to successfully spread the word that he is arrogant. And the populace has ran with it.

[patm]

No I don't follow useless twitter posts. The only ones I have seen have been hilarious. (re: what is the point of the peace bridge - "I think they use it to cross the river" lol)

Only time I read or hear what the mayor says is when it's regarding a specific action. He does a pretty good job in that context.

I've spoken to him once, it was a brief conversation at a fundraiser and he acted like a normal guy. Not going to pretend that he was being himself around that crowd but I'm also not going to base my vote on someones personality as if this was a vote for prom king.

So far no candidate has offered any real reason to vote for someone else. Honestly. Think of things that Smith or Chabot have proposed (with a plan) or done that makes you want to vote for them. That's what you should be basing your votes on.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by milomilo

Well that is even more nonsensical if people are voting against someone because of what other people think of that person, rather than anything that person has done.

I have still yet to see it explained why it's a 'fact' now that Nenshi is arrogant and can't deal with people, or why it even matters so much. The only thing I can see is that media outlets and opposition politicians are upset with him disagreeing and have managed to successfully spread the word that he is arrogant. And the populace has ran with it.

Dude, it's pointless trying to argue this out. You and others here who keep insisting he's not arrogant, obviously don't understand how public perception works, and obviously haven't watched enough or listened enough to Nenshi. Many people think he's arrogant, and it's not by accident, or by some grand conspiracy... if you think they're wrong so be it.
Nobody needs to waste time explaining the reasons to you, if you haven't caught onto this yourself already. In the end it doesn't matter, people will vote how they feel like voting.

#democracy

Whether Nenshi wins or loses, it'll be a lesson for him. Learn to portray yourself better, and you won't get that rap to start with. I think he'll win with about 40% of the vote edging out Smith who will get about 36%. We'll see how things go after that.

[patm]

Really? Cause I'm willing to bet that 70% of the people voting against Nenshi will be voting CPC at the next federal election and Nenshi simply hasn't really screwed up anything enough to give these people a reason to justify their vote against him so they go with "He's arrogant". The other 30% don't understand how municipal taxes work and think Smith will actually be able to miraculously find this "low hanging fruit" that the current, pretty fiscally conservative council has for some reason ignored.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by SteveP

Dude, it's pointless trying to argue this out. You and others here who keep insisting he's not arrogant, obviously don't understand how public perception works, and obviously haven't watched enough or listened enough to Nenshi. Many people think he's arrogant, and it's not by accident, or by some grand conspiracy... if you think they're wrong so be it.
Nobody needs to waste time explaining the reasons to you, if you haven't caught onto this yourself already. In the end it doesn't matter, people will vote how they feel like voting.

#democracy

Whether Nenshi wins or loses, it'll be a lesson for him. Learn to portray yourself better, and you won't get that rap to start with. I think he'll win with about 40% of the vote edging out Smith who will get about 36%. We'll see how things go after that.

OK you think he is arrogant. Why the hell does it even matter to you?

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by patm

Really? Cause I'm willing to bet that 90% of the people voting against Nenshi will be voting CPC at the next federal election and Nenshi simply hasn't really screwed up anything enough to give these people a reason to justify their vote against him so they go with "He's arrogant".

And that's important because?

I'm also willing to bet that 70% of the people voting for Nenshi will be voting Liberal next election. I'm also willing to be that 90% of the local Muslim population will be voting for Nenshi, and their reason for justifying their vote is "He's Muslim".

[patm]

Originally Posted by SteveP

And that's important because?

I'm also willing to bet that 70% of the people voting for Nenshi will be voting Liberal next election. I'm also willing to be that 90% of the local Muslim population will be voting for Nenshi, and their reason for justifying their vote is "He's Muslim".

It matters because petty partisanship will be the death of this fucking country just like you're seeing in the States.

Stop voting based on political spectrum BS and vote on what matters. ESPECIALLY in a municipal election where your daily life will be affected by who wins.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by milomilo

OK you think he is arrogant. Why the hell does it even matter to you?

I normally wouldn't answer this as it's none of your business, but I might as well. I don't like arrogant people, and I'm not voting for one. If you don't like that answer too bad.

[milomilo]

Originally Posted by patm

It matters because petty partisanship will be the death of this fucking country just like you're seeing in the States.

Stop voting based on political spectrum BS and vote on what matters. ESPECIALLY in a municipal election where your daily life will be affected by who wins.

This, well said.

Originally Posted by SteveP

I normally wouldn't answer this as it's none of your business, but I might as well. I don't like arrogant people, and I'm not voting for one. If you don't like that answer too bad.

Oh well. Hopefully enough of this city will vote based on things that actually matter.

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by patm

It matters because petty partisanship will be the death of this fucking country just like you're seeing in the States.

Stop voting based on political spectrum BS and vote on what matters. ESPECIALLY in a municipal election where your daily life will be affected by who wins.

Maybe stop telling people who to vote for. I was on the fence about who to vote for until reading this thread the last few days, you've made me decide 100%.