Last night I attended the Ward 1 Aldermanic forum. First I don’t live in ward 1 so I am not 100% familiar with the issues that affect the ward 1. I was only doing a favor and taking notes for my parents who could not attend.
Firstly just a quick observation that the crowd at the ward 1 forum was very quiet and reserved compared to the ward 8 crowd forum, also the ward 1 crowd was older, strange considering that this ward consists of the many communities that surround the university.
Major topics discussed:
· Secondary suites
· Cycling infrastructure
· Transit
· NW rec center
· Aldermanic accountability
First impression that all the candidates were very community focused and wanted the best for the area. No real fringe candidates or one issue candidates.
Here is my impression of each candidate:
Dale Hodges
· Very old school, talked a lot about the past, like 30yrs past.
· His campaign material was printed out newspaper unlike the others high gloss print outs.
· Knows a lot about how the city works
· Very conservative, really no new visions on how to do anything.
Norm Perrault
· Very nice person with lots of passion
· Wants change
· Just not educated enough in the issues, no real vision
· Great leader for a small town just not a large city.
Judi Vandenbrink
· Main platform runs on the environment, but does understand the other issues.
· Supports secondary suites but not in all areas, almost felt NIMBYish when she said it.
· Hard to remember anything else, just played it safe, positive things, nothing spectacular
Ric Lockhart
· Someone who wants change, knows the issues, just doesn’t know how to implement.
· Multiple times is answers to questions was community involvement, that is good but are you going to have a ward vote on every issue
· Family oriented.
Bill Scott
· Very good public speaker
· Very business oriented
· Rehashed points other candidates made many times
Chris Harper
· Very good speaker
· Very engaged in ward issues, NW Rec Center & University
· Had some great quotes,” Won’t support PlanIt, he will implement it”
· Very accountable with the citizens, says they have the power, only aldermanic candidate in any ward I think to release donor list.
· Had a chance to speak with him during the intermission, very aware of all issues in Calgary, has a Vision similar to Nenshi, and ideas to back them up.
Chris
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