I work for Mayor Nenshi, ask me anything!

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Muta

This isn't about the event. You implied Nenshi helped secure that Board position for that individual... but you don't know how that appointment happened and how it was decided upon. But boy, you sure like to think you do. I'm just telling you to have ALL the facts before making assumptions like this, and it is clear that you don't.

But none of the facts are wrong? Gotcha.

So the guy who organized this $100,000 lunch for Nenshi was appointed by City Council.

There's something called perceive conflict of interest. Bill might be by far the best person for the job, I don't know him. I still don't want him organizing $100,000 luncheons for the same people who are going to be appointing him. That's seems reasonable to me, why is not to you? Let's put it another way, let's say someone organized a 100 person lunch for Chabot for $5000 a plate, would you be alright if Chabot pushed for his appointment as the Chair of the Calgary Subdivision and Development Board if he became mayor? I wouldn't want him to do that either. Even if Nenshi has no involvement, made no promises, when it comes time to vote it's hard to vote against the guy who secured you $100,000. It's going to create a bias no matter what.

Of course it happens. That's politics, maybe life, you help me, I help you. But let's not pretend that what is happening isn't the least bit concerning.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by Muta

This isn't about the event. You implied Nenshi helped secure that Board position for that individual... but you don't know how that appointment happened and how it was decided upon. But boy, you sure like to think you do. I'm just telling you to have ALL the facts before making assumptions like this, and it is clear that you don't.

It's a clear conflict of interest to have the appointed chairman of a board engaging in fundraising activities for a member of the council that appointed him, wouldn't you agree?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

But none of the facts are wrong? Gotcha.

So the guy who organized this $100,000 lunch for Nenshi was appointed by City Council.

There's something called perceive conflict of interest. Bill might be by far the best person for the job, I don't know him. I still don't want him organizing $100,000 luncheons for the same people who are going to be appointing him. That's seems reasonable to me, why is not to you? Let's put it another way, let's say someone organized a 100 person lunch for Chabot for $5000 a plate, would you be alright if Chabot pushed for his appointment as the Chair of the Calgary Subdivision and Development Board if he became mayor? I wouldn't want him to do that either. Even if Nenshi has no involvement, made no promises, when it comes time to vote it's hard to vote against the guy who secured you $100,000. It's going to create a bias no matter what.

Of course it happens. That's politics, maybe life, you help me, I help you. But let's not pretend that what is happening isn't the least bit concerning.

Geezus, I didn't question you on the event. I called you on your assumptions of the appointment of that position, which you made some shady assumptions about. That's where your facts are wrong, and trust me, they are.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Muta

Geezus, I didn't question you on the event. I called you on your assumptions of the appointment of that position, which you made some shady assumptions about. That's where your facts are wrong, and trust me, they are.

Again. Perceived conflict of interest. He should never have organized a $100,000 lunch with the mayor, the same mayor who votes for his appointment, and Nenshi never should have reached out to him to organize that lunch. Whether there was anything shady or not, there's a clear perception of bias. Just because you don't want to admit that it isn't okay, doesn't make it so. We can only speculate how he got on the board and why he organized this $100,000 event and leave it at that.

It is funny though, I bet Nenshi would be the first person to put his foot in his mouth if he saw someone organizing a $100,000 fundraising event for an opponent and that opponent voted in favour of the organizer (and I would be totally cool with Nenshi for doing that).

At least, I think, we can agree and say that a chair of a board should not be hosting fundraisers for the same people that vote for him and the mayor should absolutely under all certainty not be reaching out to a chair of a city board to host a fundraising event, correct? But it happened. Nenshi goofed up, badly, and I'm actually surprised how easy he's getting off on this aspect, but if you can't see that because of who and not why, then no point in discussing further.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by Muta

Geezus, I didn't question you on the event. I called you on your assumptions of the appointment of that position, which you made some shady assumptions about. That's where your facts are wrong, and trust me, they are.

Based on the facts currently available to the public, it seems like a logical and reasonable assumption.

Fact: Kasian hosted a similar fundraising dinner for the Mayor's re-election campaign in 2013.

Fact: Bill Chomik was appointed to the SDAB in 2016 on the advice of city council.

I'm not sure how much influence the mayor has over these appointments, but it's a reasonable assumption to suggest that Chomik's fundraising activities on behalf of the mayor may have influenced the decision to some extent, based on what we know right now.

If you have any proof to the contrary, please share it with us. I'm interested to hear it.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Zarley did a better job, but I was writing up the same thing.
.......
I get somewhat where you're coming from Muta, but again you need to account for perception. Here's the facts:

Bill Chomik is the Vice President of Kasian

In 2013, Kasian hosted a fundraising lunch for Nenshi's campaign. The details are scarce, Nenshi at first didn't "recall" it when asked about it recently, but it was confirmed by his staff that the event took place.

In 2016, Bill Chomik is appointed the Chair of the Calgary Subdivision and Development Board.

In 2017, Nenshi approaches Kasian to once again to host an event. Bill Chomik, as Vice President of Kasina, organizes the event and invites 20 individuals to the event strongly "encouraging" a donation of $5000 per person.

The invitation gets into the hands of a reporter, and a government accountability watchdog slams the event.

Nenshi calls us and the watchdog stupid but cancels the events to be "fair to Kasian."

I think Muta, if you removed Nenshi's name from that and placed in someone like Trump, you would understand where others are coming from.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

In 2013, Kasian hosted a fundraising lunch for Nenshi's campaign. The details are scarce, Nenshi at first didn't "recall" it when asked about it recently, but it was confirmed by his staff that the event took place.

See, this right here is just so obviously exposing of your agenda. There's absolutely no reason to suggest that Nenshi was lying about this, yet you put "recall" in quotes, because you want to immediately assume the worst about him. I'm not sure why people waste time even discussing these events, it's obvious that they make no difference to your support (or rather lack thereof) of the guy.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

See, this right here is just so obviously exposing of your agenda. There's absolutely no reason to suggest that Nenshi was lying about this, yet you put "recall" in quotes, because you want to immediately assume the worst about him. I'm not sure why people waste time even discussing these events, it's obvious that they make no difference to your support (or rather lack thereof) of the guy.

Attempting to deflect the topic of discussion is no better than misrepresenting Nenshi's lack of memory as a lie.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

See, this right here is just so obviously exposing of your agenda. There's absolutely no reason to suggest that Nenshi was lying about this, yet you put "recall" in quotes, because you want to immediately assume the worst about him. I'm not sure why people waste time even discussing these events, it's obvious that they make no difference to your support (or rather lack thereof) of the guy.

LMAO. I put in quotes because it was his quote. He said he couldn't recall.

[Muta]

Guys - I'm not commenting on the event. There's no point anymore, most people have made their minds up about it and won't be swayed from that opinion. But I have talked to people in the know, and do believe this story has less baggage then it's being made out to have. But I digress.

My main issue is not to come to conclusions about the appointment of that board position until you know the entire facts for yourself. I get that you could perceive it that way given this story... but that's about where it dies.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Muta

Guys - I'm not commenting on the event. There's no point anymore, most people have made their minds up about it and won't be swayed from that opinion. But I have talked to people in the know, and do believe this story has less baggage then it's being made out to have. But I digress.

Uh yes "people in the know." Here, do us a favour and let us know what these "people in the know" know...Help us make informed decisions. I'd appreciate it. It's easy to pretend that everyone who doesn't agree with Nenshi is wrong and malicious in their beliefs about Nenshi but you can go back to my posts and see that I was once a Nenshi supporter. In 2010, no one had a bigger hard-on for the guy. But now when he's having these secret lunch meetings for $5000 put on by someone just appointed to a cushy job as a chair of a city board, and he's telling me I'm stupid because I think that's wrong...well yeah, I guess my mind has changed on him.

It's easy to say someone's wrong and that the event is a non-issue. But as a private citizen, I'm being told by that evil mainstream media that Nenshi approached his pal, who was newly appointed to a nice city job as a chair, and told him to host an exclusive access event to people who could afford to donate thousands of dollars. I'm not the only one concerned, at least one watchdog jumped on this as well. So if you know something I don't, and maybe this was all a misunderstanding, let us know. Help us out.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Uh yes "people in the know." Here, do us a favour and let us know what these "people in the know" know...Help us make informed decisions. I'd appreciate it. It's easy to pretend that everyone who doesn't agree with Nenshi is wrong and malicious in their beliefs about Nenshi but you can go back to my posts and see that I was once a Nenshi supporter. In 2010, no one had a bigger hard-on for the guy. But now when he's having these secret lunch meetings for $5000 put on by someone just appointed to a cushy job as a chair of a city board, and he's telling me I'm stupid because I think that's wrong...well yeah, I guess my mind has changed on him.

It's easy to say someone's wrong and that the event is a non-issue. But as a private citizen, I'm being told by that evil mainstream media that Nenshi approached his pal, who was newly appointed to a nice city job as a chair, and told him to host an exclusive access event to people who could afford to donate thousands of dollars. I'm not the only one concerned, at least one watchdog jumped on this as well. So if you know something I don't, and maybe this was all a misunderstanding, let us know. Help us out.

If you know all this (you've described a sarcastic scenario with hyperbole for effect), then you would also know to take what the media says with a side of caution, since they have an agenda as well. Almost all media outlets do. Or do you just buy into this stuff hook, line and sinker without a personal, critical analysis?

I don't need to divulge info on this matter on a public message board, and if you don't like that, I couldn't care any less. The point is for you to be more mindful in the future about what you assume to be true, versus what the facts actually are. You think you have all the answers, but I actually know you don't.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Muta

I don't need to divulge info on this matter on a public message board, and if you don't like that, I couldn't care any less. The point is for you to be more mindful in the future about what you assume to be true, versus what the facts actually are. You think you have all the answers, but I actually know you don't.

This sounds like "I know something you don't know" that you hear children say on the playground.

If you're not going to divulge it on a message board, don't bring it up at all. Right now I guess I'll have to use only the facts that I am entitled to, because apparently Nenshi's not transparent enough. Maybe one day I will be able to know the truth, heck if me and 19 others can just get $100,000 together we could ask Nenshi ourselves in an exclusive meeting.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

This sounds like "I know something you don't know" that you hear children say on the playground.

If you're not going to divulge it on a message board, don't bring it up at all. Right now I guess I'll have to use only the facts that I am entitled to, because apparently Nenshi's not transparent enough. Maybe one day I will be able to know the truth, heck if me and 19 others can just get $100,000 together we could ask Nenshi ourselves in an exclusive meeting.

Don't let your dreams be dreams, dude!

[CaptainCrunch]

Come on Muta

to be honest, if you were basically going to argue that Oleg's facts are wrong but you know people that have the facts, but you don't want to disclose the facts for whatever the reason, then you shouldn't have opened the door in the first place.

It actually to me makes the situation look worse and more secretive.

The I know something you don't know defense rarely wins hearts and minds to be honest.

[Zarley]

Originally Posted by Muta

Don't let your dreams be dreams, dude!

You still haven't answered my question, Muta. Do you think there's a conflict of interest in having the appointed chairman of a board engaging in fundraising activities for a member of the council that appointed him?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Come on Muta

to be honest, if you were basically going to argue that Oleg's facts are wrong but you know people that have the facts, but you don't want to disclose the facts for whatever the reason, then you shouldn't have opened the door in the first place.

It actually to me makes the situation look worse and more secretive.

The I know something you don't know defense rarely wins hearts and minds to be honest.

Sorry Cap, I definitely get what you're saying, but I don't need to divulge that info to strangers on a message board. Mods can verify me if they want, but it's just not hockey-related and not a priority. I don't care if I don't win people over, I just want people like OR to be mindful that they may not have all the facts when assuming things like he was. That's all.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Muta

...I have talked to people in the know, and do believe this story has less baggage then it's being made out to have...

Are people in Auckland, NZ that much interested in Calgary municipal affairs???

[Muta]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Are people in Auckland, NZ that much interested in Calgary municipal affairs???

Hahaha, I haven't updated that info in many, many years.

[Bunk]

I have to chuckle a bit at the notion that being a member or chair of SDAB is some sort of cushy appointment. It's more like be slowly tortured.

In any event, everything around this event was not handled well.