Quote:
Originally Posted by burn_this_city
Trashy. Looks like I'll be voting for Keating over Browne now. (both support race city, my key issue)
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AGREED. Having met (and been belittled by) Browne, meeting Keating in person yesterday, and going back and forth with Sim and Crowe, I can say with certainty that Browne is not the person who should be representing the Ward. The thing I've learned about Browne is that the only person important to Browne is Browne. He does not have the interests of Calgarians and Ward 12 in mind. He's just looking for a feather in his cap.
I passed this story around my office this morning and my boss remembered Browne when he owned the Red Carpet up on Elbow and said he was always an egomaniac and a bit of a nutter. I really don't think he represents the core values of any Calgarian, let along the entire Ward.
I don't think you'll do poorly with any of the other candidates. They're all class acts and real characters. I haven't heard from Rory yet, but I really like Keating, Crowe and Sim as people. I endorse Keating because not only is he in touch, but I think he's the only one with enough support to unhitch the "Browne Money Train".
I stand by my assertion that Browne is mean spirited, xenophobic, old fashioned and out of touch. He's "Old School". Is that really what we want after 9 years of a guy like McIver? Ric may have had his faults, but we know he's a human. Keating is cut from the same cloth. Keating also has a great relationship with McIver, yet refuses to ride on his coat tails like Browne is so desperately trying to do.
Speaking of McIver, look at how Browne tries to paint himself with the McIver brush:
CalgaryBeacon.com article.
I was interviewed yesterday by the same reporter and this was an earlier story he did with Browne. Interestingly, Browne won't return his calls now. He's been trying to get Browne's take on "Signgate" (as my wife puts it). Keating not only commented, but showed up to my home to grant the interview. He came clean about the errors in judgment he made on Saturday afternoon, pretty much consistent with the written apology he gave me on Sunday.
I listened to a live interview with Keating this morning and he really "gets it". He showed me this weekend that he's a person first and politician second. I've had more stories shared with me about Browne and his attempts to win the Provincial nomination for the PCs and he really counts his chickens before they hatch and really thinks about himself. He's got money behind him and he really thinks that will get him into power.
After going toe to toe Browne and not backing down, I've been told that really would have got his hackles up because he's used to getting what he wants. I hear the words "intimidation" and "belitting" used often when people familiar with Al Browne describe him. I think it's clear from my run-in with him on Saturday that it pretty much nails it.
I especially like Point 20 in the "
survey" Browne did with the Calgary Sun:
20) What are your words to live by?
Always be honest. That way you never have to worry about anything coming back on you.
How ironic that his
lies about his knowledge of the sign Bylaw and that I'd be "visited" by Bill Berg (Sign Bylaw Enforcement) could come back to haunt him. I hope it does. Keep in mind that right after the incident, Browne called Keating and tried to get him to gang up with Browne and get me "charged" by the City for tearing down the signs in a malicious fashion. Keating knew he best get my side of the story before being so dramatic as Browne wanted.
FWIW, I sent all this information to Bill Berg to try and get his take on things too.
EDIT: I'd love to know why there is an Oiler's logo on top of this post when it wasn't there before (was a "thumbs down" icon).
