Hello all, as my name indicates, I am Rob Ward. I am running in Ward 11.
I was told about this thread by a friend and thought I would post just to give a little info on myself and what is being said.
In the last comment, I was labelled as "cookie-cutter copy of Bertram, DeFraine, and Jamieson". I just want to explain how I am actually quite different from the others.
Bertram has told residents, at their doors, that he is pro-gun. I am definitely not that.
Defraine is running a campaign of basically saying he is "Farkas 2.0", including even copying Farkas and the UCP's signs. Farkas himself won't endorse him. As my webpage explains, I am not affiliated with any political parties, unions, special interest groups, or other candidates. I work for the residents, and that's it.
Jamieson is quite self-explanatory based on what people have already discussed in this thread. See these two links:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/com...e_for_ward_11/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Calgary/com...il_candidates/
So you're thinking, "great Rob, but how are YOU different?"
I base everything on feedback, data, and facts from people. For example, I talk about finding efficiencies with the city. Why do I say this? Because I have sat down and talked with numerous employees, managers, and department heads at the city. The common thing I hear back is, "we know there is waste, I have ideas on how to improve, but nobody listens or wants to hear about it." THAT is what I want to help change. I want to champion these ideas and innovative thinkers to improve our city and deliver our core services better.
I am not running a campaign of brainless "lower taxes for all!" catchlines. That is overly simple and used by people that don't actually know the inner workings of the city, budgets, and service lines and are simply looking for a job and will say whatever it takes to get elected.
Yes, City Council does need change. This thread title proves that the argumentative, divisive, clique-filled council we currently have needs to improve. I am about working together collaboratively to get things done on time, on budget, and without the distractions of arguing, cliques, and division within Council.
I talk about YOU the resident a lot, because that is who I would be working for, YOU. We have seen it so much in Council, members working for the interests of parties, special interest groups, unions, or other political candidates. People have said they are sick of Council working for the needs of others and not the residents. That is why I am not aligning with outside groups and that is why I put emphasis on working for YOU, the resident.
I talk about fiscal responsibility because the employees themselves have told me there is room for improvement. I am sure you yourself have seen examples of wasted money at City Hall. Many departments are currently run on a "spend it or lose it" budget mentality. This needs to change. I want to reward innovative thinkers who come up with ways to save money and do things more efficiently.
Lastly, yes, it is time to end the divisiveness and cliques at City Hall. I have watched many Council meetings over the last two years and it can be downright embarrassing to see the grandstanding and arguing amongst members of Council. Growing up my dad always said, "sometimes you have to work with people you don't get along with or you don't agree with. It doesn't matter, you have a job to do, get it done."
That is how I will operate at City Council. I want to get things done on time, and on budget. My job is to be a professional and represent the residents of my Ward, and that is what I will do.
Simply put, I can assure you I am much different than the other candidates and I invite you to check out my differences here:
https://www.robward11.ca/whyrob
To anyone who actually read all of this, thank you! If you have questions I would love to answer them. GO FLAMES GO!