[SeeGeeWhy]

Some things about calgary that bug me off the top of my head.

1. Crime - gang related violence needs to be eliminated, period.

2. Urban planning - Calgary is severely impacted by Alberta's boom and bust economy. City planners should have a flexible plan that anticipates what can be done to take advantage of the next boom, and then improve the model as we learn from it. Simply ignoring this force of economic nature and allowing sprawl upon sprawl is not an effective or sustainable response to boom/bust environment, and it will kill our city if it continues.

3. Education - schools are moving out to the edge of the city along with the clusters of affordable starter homes. It puts a strain on CBE resources and just creates a spiral effect that encourages the sprawl model of growth. Not sure there is a solution to this other than making it easier for starter homes to exist somewhere other than the edge of the city limits.

4. Support for Small business - continue to use economic development zones to create "common thread" retail areas (shopping meccas) that encourage growth in trendy and/or developing areas, apply similar concept to industrial type businesses.

5. More City participation in Public Private Partnerships - encourage inner city gentrification by taking an equity position in "risky" developments that traditional model developers refuse to take on. Creates the right incentive for city to write by-laws that allow for gentrification and allows for profit opportunity for the city when projects are completed.

6. Secondary suite regulation - higher density needs to be encouraged, no question. Just put the proposed changes through already.

7. Cultural development - More parks, incentives to establish festivals in the summer/more co-operation to expand existing events (salsa fest, lilac fest). Continue doing good things with Stampede.

8. Environmental remediation - There are many environmental time bombs in our city, right under our noses. Why are they swept under the rug? Landfills are a problem in Calgary. The recycling program is finally getting legs going, but could be expanded. Continue to strive for high quality water infrastructure.

9. Revenue model - property tax system is busted and again contributes to the sprawl model of growth.

10. Civic disengagement - there is a very low level of participation in civic matters in calgary... why is this? I think it is because people are very much set up to just work, then drive home and not enjoy this place we call home with one another. There has to be a solution to this apathy... do I want riots on the street about every little thing? No, but Calgary is sort of a faceless place and people just come here to make money then go back to where ever "home" is. That attitude is written all over the culture here and it is tragic.