CalgaryNEXT Discussion pt. 2

[Southside]

I fail to see the harm in Nenshi meeting with him. Really take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and meet with the man instead of issuing a statement that reflects badly on the whole city. Why insult the man?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Southside

I fail to see the harm in Nenshi meeting with him. Really take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and meet with the man instead of issuing a statement that reflects badly on the whole city. Why insult the man?

Yup. Classless and dickish move by Nenshi. Embarrassing.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Southside

I fail to see the harm in Nenshi meeting with him. Really take a few minutes out of your busy schedule and meet with the man instead of issuing a statement that reflects badly on the whole city. Why insult the man?

What's the benefit?

Nenshi said there was no information on the proposal so he said no thanks.

Most people hate Bettman so I'm sure it is not reflecting badly on the voters

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Cappy

What's the benefit?

Nenshi said there was no information on the proposal so he said no thanks.

Most people hate Bettman so I'm sure it is not reflecting badly on the voters

Nothing says leadership like assuming others have nothing to add, and declining discussions on that basis.

And then following it up with juvenile insults.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Nothing says leadership like assuming others have nothing to add, and declining discussions on that basis.

And then following it up with juvenile insults.

Nenshi said himself in the scrum that he told Bettman, if there is nothing different that you would like to say since the last time we met then it would be a waste of (Bettman's) time to meet.

What's the issue?

Did Bettman have anything productive to add today in his scrum? no. So why would he have anything new to add to Nenshi.

Who cares if the mayor doesn't meet with Bettman! why are you so insulted by this?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Nenshi said himself in the scrum that he told Bettman, if there is nothing different that you would like to say since the last time we met then it would be a waste of (Bettman's) time to meet.

Uh, meeting with people and keeping channels of communication open even when there's nothing concrete to negotiate is about 70 per cent of what a mayor does. It's the job.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Uh, meeting with people and keeping channels of communication open even when there's nothing concrete to negotiate is about 70 per cent of what a mayor does. It's the job.

Nenshi has no obligation to Bettman. Is Gary paying for a new arena? No. Did he have anything new to add? No. Does Nenshi have better people to answer to? Yes.

Bettman can't come in here and start making threats to a hot Canadian hockey market, especially when he's not in charge of who pays for CalgaryNext.

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Nenshi said himself in the scrum that he told Bettman, if there is nothing different that you would like to say since the last time we met then it would be a waste of (Bettman's) time to meet.

What's the issue?

Did Bettman have anything productive to add today in his scrum? no. So why would he have anything new to add to Nenshi.

Who cares if the mayor doesn't meet with Bettman! why are you so insulted by this?

It's called being a professional. I like my mayor to show some class when he voices an opinion, no matter what side it is.

Otherwise he's just going into Rob Ford territory - rants and condescending comments becoming the message

[Bunk]

The Mayor has met with Bettman previously.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Southside

I fail to see the harm in Nenshi meeting with him.

It's a Council day and his job is to be the head of Council. In terms of importance, dealing with local stakeholders presenting their final proposals should be ahead of meeting with a third party associated with the potential applicants of a substantially incomplete proposal.

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Addick

It's a Council day and his job is to be the head of Council. In terms of importance, dealing with local stakeholders presenting their final proposals should be ahead of meeting with a third party associated with the potential applicants of a substantially incomplete proposal.

I love nenshi but the above would have been better than "#### you rich guy".

How about "I've previously met with Gary and I don't think there's anything new to discuss until we get our environmental study. Today is a council day and as head of council I thought it was a better use of my time to meet with local stakeholders than a third party on a substantially incomplete proposal. I look forward to meeting with the flames and Gary in the future to come up with the best solution for all Calgarians, whatever that might be"

[CliffFletcher]

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to miss the even-keeled decorum of Ralph Klein.

[curves2000]

Posted this message in the other thread regarding the project so might as well post it here too since it's a Calgary Next thread.

You got to love some of the media spin and corporate BS being involved with this project and or Bettman/Flames media tour.

Just now on the broadcast Roger Millions interviewed Bettman and he started with a phrase "I am not going to talk to you about money and dollars, I want to talk to you about community, vision etc" I am paraphrasing the previous comments.

So if the issue isn't money, then what's the #1 issue?? If the Flames were coming with a 100 % fully funded arena, stadium and land purchase deal, would there be the same level of negativity associated with this?? I don't think so.

Arenas like Vancouver, Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal etc were all funded by their respective owners.

Even massive projects like the proposed NFL stadiums being talked about for the relocation of teams like Oakland, San Diego and St. Louis don't have a super high level of negativity. Stadiums like the NY Giants, NY Jets combined stadium, The NE Patriots stadium were all privately funded.

If you look at scenarios like the Edmonton, Calgary and more recent Arizona Coyotes debacle the issue usually becomes taxpayers money going to private business.

At the end of the day I am not against this particular project but certain aspects need to be improved. With the way the 2 sides are sticking in their heels I have a feeling this is going to get ugly.

Also before anyone flags me for my comparison of NFL stadiums vs the Calgary Next project, I am aware of the different economics. What I am trying to nail down is that the #1 issues facing this project is money, cost, subsidies and taxpayer money.

If the Flames were paying for this 100% on their own dime then the conversation would generally be towards items such as infrastructure needs in the area, contamination and clean up etc which is understandable.

Anyhow, rant over. Just hate getting fed BS when it's apparent #1 issue is money. Everybody wants something new, better and shiner. Who doesn't???

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I love nenshi but the above would have been better than "#### you rich guy".

How about "I've previously met with Gary and I don't think there's anything new to discuss until we get our environmental study. Today is a council day and as head of council I thought it was a better use of my time to meet with local stakeholders than a third party on a substantially incomplete proposal. I look forward to meeting with the flames and Gary in the future to come up with the best solution for all Calgarians, whatever that might be"

I think Nenshi is probably smart enough to know how he could make a good PR response to the situation similar to what you wrote, so I think there are two possible things to infer from what he actually did say:

1) He knows which way the wind is blowing in terms of this project as it currently stands (unpopular) and taking a hard stance against it will look better to the vast majority of people.

2) He knows more than we do about the circumstances leading to this possible meeting - did Bettman's office get in touch a few weeks ago and try to find a good time, or was it a phone call late on Friday afternoon? I'm guessing it's closer to the latter, which IMO would be presumptious and somewhat disrespectful, so I have no issue with the tone of his response.

[Bunk]

Frankly, I think it's ridiculous that Bettman should make a statement that City Council should have more urgency about the proposal. Considering the Mayor has responded and created a framework to evaluate the proposal even though it's half-baked. The City is reporting back on feasibility of a billion $ plus proposal on an incredibly complicated site by April. How much more urgency should we have?

[powderjunkie]

It's been mentioned more recently in the Bettman thread, but since it doesn't have anything to do with ranting about the mayor, I figure it's better to discuss here. The threat of relocation to me is insane. Unless you are the lucky duck that gets to take another team to Toronto, there is no sound business argument to moving a very profitable team to a new market. They will never recover what they would lose from local and national TV deals and having an established fan base to have a better arena deal and perhaps more revenue from other events? Better off continuing in a crumbling Saddledome.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Addick

It's a Council day and his job is to be the head of Council. In terms of importance, dealing with local stakeholders presenting their final proposals should be ahead of meeting with a third party associated with the potential applicants of a substantially incomplete proposal.

Don't you come swinging by with your drive-by comments stating fact with reason, and expect it to be met with understanding.

[InglewoodFan]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Frankly, I think it's ridiculous that Bettman should make a statement that City Council should have more urgency about the proposal. Considering the Mayor has responded and created a framework to evaluate the proposal even though it's half-baked. The City is reporting back on feasibility of a billion $ plus proposal on an incredibly complicated site by April. How much more urgency should we have?

"Urgency" cracks me up in this context. How many years was KK promising to release the plans any day now? This whole proposal is so amateur hour. Murray Edwards was smart enough to pay the right people to build a multi-billion dollar upgrader that dwarfs this project in complexity, but on this project there is so much bumbling around.



And Eric Francis continues to be clownshoes.

[MelBridgeman]

Stay classy Nenshi.

[Zarley]

Childish statement from Nenshi but not entirely surprising given his antics in recent years.