Quote:
Originally Posted by MegaErtz
I think most people would say that Mayor Nenshi was a successful mayor, especially early on in his eleven year tenure, but if you were listening closely to what his goals were back in the summer of 2010, he's been successful in achieving almost none of them, despite being incredibly popular. He just couldn't seem to get seven other votes for any of the big stuff.
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Really? I wrote 3 of his "twelve better ideas for Calgary" and it seems to me as soon as campaign finance changes were made, he achieved to a pretty high degree, all twelve original platform items.
Better Idea #1 Calgary will be a city where secondary suites provide a safe and legal option for affordable housing
Took until 2017, but done. Thousands of units have been converted to legal and brought to code since.
Better Idea #2 Improve the audit system and bring more transparency to City Hall
Inarguably, the audit system is way, way stronger at the City now due to his leadership.
Better Idea #3 Calgary will be the best place in Canada to start and grow a business
Did the cut red tape initiative, we have the Business and Local Economy Team embedded in the City Manager's Office, which is having good effect. Business Advisory Committee, etc. Soooo many processes are better, including supply/procurement, planning and building approvals. We've gone from achieving approval timelines only about 35% of the time, to over 85%, for instance.
Better Idea #4 Convenient and quick access to the airport
This was about Airport Tunnel and a BRT to Airport, both of which happened.
Better Idea #5 Calgary Transit must be a preferred choice for Calgarians
This included promise to remove the $3 park-and-ride charge, create a Transit Riders Advisory Group, and leveraging technology to improve (real time arrival, etc) to improve rider experience.
Also promised a new long term plan for Transit, which happened through RouteAhead. He also talked about the need for cross town and more BRT (MAX BRT system) and realigning North LRT to Centre Street from Nose Creek, which also happened.
Better Idea #6 Political campaigns should be about the best ideas and not the most money
He lobbied every Premier to change Campaign Finance Rules. Finally Kenney's did (but unfortunately did leave door open to third party money).
Better Idea #7 Calgary will be a city of sustainable, walkable, livable, complete communities
A lot of this one was about increasing suburban development levies and reducing subsidy, complete community design, increased intensification - steady progress in the last 11 years. In 2010, more than 100% of growth was happening in greenfield, existing communities were dropping population, now we've had steady growth in downtown and the inner city (though older 70s-90s burbs are still offsetting that gain with population loss, though a much more difficult issue to resolve given their designs).
Better Idea #8 City Council will be more transparent, more efficient, and easier for citizens to access and engage
This one included video minutes, alternative ways to conduct public hearings and publishing council expenses. All of which has happened.
Better Idea #9 Calgarians will be able to get around easily by any mode of transportation
Got a new transit strategy, BRT and Green Line underway, Cycling Strategy and Cycle Tracks and commensurate increase in cycling, Pedestrian Strategy and increased investment into the mode. Helped enable SWRR, built a lot of transportation infrastructure, including Crow/Bow improvements, 162nd, Glenmore/Ogden, North Stoney Interchanges, Bowfort Interchange, Airport Trail Interchanges, etc. Doubled the snow removal budget, and implemented things like restricted parking policies for snow events.
Better Idea #10 Calgary will reduce the number of people living in poverty and ensure opportunity for all
Achieved getting the poverty reduction strategy and working with provincial and federal partners on poverty reduction. Low income transit pass, Fair entry. All big steps.
Better Idea #11 Calgary will be a city where every neighbourhood is a safe neighbourhood
Increasing community policing strategies, partnership models. Recent example of this is Stephen Ave Safety Hub.
Better Idea #12 Calgary will be a City where its citizens are enriched by outstanding libraries, recreation amenities, and a vibrant cultural scene
Getting Central Library and more branches was central to this promise. Generational investments in libraries and major rec centres, cultural facilities like National Music Centre and Arts Commons and others like arena and BMO
I mean you can argue the degree to which he achieved each of these, but from first hand experience I know he was laser focused on trying to live up to all twelve (and the new challenges that came along during the tumultuous decade).