So, after numerous requests in this thread for someone to research the ward 2 candidates and report back (with no results, thanks a lot guys), I decided I'd have to actually research them myself. I've attached my summary notes on each candidate below, in order of how many lawn signs I've seen. All the research was done from the candidates websites and online news sources (Herald, etc).
Joe Maglioca
I see his giant face on signs every day, and thought his comments reported from the forum regarding trains to outlying communities were foolish and demonstrated a lack of understanding. He has the most fiscally conservative rhetoric on his website, but his platform is generally short on detail and of low quality. He lives in the ward, and was endorsed by TJ Galiardi. He sells charter flights for a living. Although I'm generally a fiscal conservative, his platform and background don't engender any confidence. Don't recommend.
http://www.ward2.ca/site/
Shawn Ripley
He works as a consultant for land developers, and has been on the Calgary Planning Commission. This suggests he is knowledgeable about land use issues, but may find it hard to say no to former developer clients if elected. He seems qualified to be a councillor, but doesn't live in or have any connection to ward 2. He strikes me as an opportunist who only selected this riding because of no incumbent, and I don't think he'd be an effective representative for ward issues. His website is the most professionally designed aesthetically speaking, but some of the links don't work. Never contacted me back when I phoned the campaign about it. Platform is short on detail and long on platitudes.
Don't recommend.
http://shawnripley.ca/
Terry Wong
Works for the city, has held various operations management roles for decades. Consummate city insider, probably would be successful in dealing with administration representing ward issues. Doesn't live in the ward, but does live nearby in Edgemont. Has a reasonably detailed platform, including things that are highly specific (eg community centre for Hawkwood).
http://vote4terrywong.com/
Bernie Dowhan
A teacher who lives in the Ward, Dowhan has the most detailed platform, down to specific traffic improvements. He is also a daily transit user, and had the best comments regarding Crowchild Trail. He was also the most balanced of the candidates, with reasonable and measured approaches to both taxes and secondary suites.
http://berniedowhan.ca/ (Much of the information is linked through his blog)
Richard Poon
Works in IT, has a website with reasonable detail. Is opposed to city regulation (bans of pestisides/shark fin soup) but doesn't want secondary suites. I couldn't find any indication of where he lives, may be from outside the ward.
http://74.123.69.19/PoonWeb/meet.aspx
After spending a good bit of the morning reading everything I could find on all the ward 2 candidates, Bernie Dowhan seems like the most reasonable, thoughful, and is likely to best represent the ward. I'll be voting for him, and suggest others do the same. My second choice would be Terry Wong.