2010 Mayors Race

[Muta]

Originally Posted by troutman

Yes, it was bums. I talked to the police. They have much more work in the inner city than the suburbs. That's a fact.

I choose to live with it, because the pros outweigh the cons (pun intended).

Aside from murders, it is the drug dealing and related theft/prostitution/assaults that are concentrated in the inner city.

And in the inner city, you typically get more diverse neighbourhoods with a higher concentration of co-existing property types (ie. residential, commerical, institutional) mixed with higher structural densities in general.

If the trade-off for that is crime, so be it. That's the nature of the beast of living in a city of this size. But the amenities that I have available to me, combined with the institutional, cultural and recreational facilities all within my grasp, and work, fars outweighs the negatives that crime could potentially influence my standard of living.

And the types of crime you listed... that happens everywhere, even if it's not publicily in sight. I bet there's more grow-ops in the suburbs and just as much drug usage as there is in the inner city. Assaults, well, I'm not sure of the stats, but when you have alot more people living closer together, they're bound to happen. You just have to make sure you don't get into a situation where you're involved. You just gotta use street smarts.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Tyler

If they want to accept my taxes as a citizen of their city, then provide me with infrastructure.

Whether I live across the street from city hall, or out here in Cranston, I'm a Calgarian. I deserve the same amenities as you whiney, self-righteous inner city people, who do nothing but bitch about people who live in the 'burbs.

Yeah, you should have the same commute time, and less people should get more service for less taxes. You should get what your pay for so that our city runs in an economically efficient and sustainable manner.

If it were up to me, your community would have to pay for itself the way CRLs do.

Originally Posted by Tyler

Some people prefer a larger yard, and the bountiful amenities provided by large conglomerate housing development companies!

Fine. Then pay your fair share and accept the trade-offs.

Originally Posted by Tyler

Just because Johnny Inner-City doesn't come out the boonies and use my powerlines doesn't mean I should be penalized for it.

Having worse transit options is a logical consequence of choosing to live in a low density community far from downtown. Having a higher tax rate downtown is an artificial and arbitrary consequence that promotes artificial and unsustainable sprawl. If we had a better tax model, maybe you'd live closer downtown, and it would be cheaper.

Originally Posted by Tyler

I don't think you understand how a contemporary municipal government taxes its citizens.

I do. I don't understand how it works, because it doesn't work. I don't think you understand the consequences of the current tax model.

Also: Bunk for mayor!

[_Q_]

Here's a question for everyone that is pro-sprawl:

Why do you need to live in the "City of Calgary"? If Calgary's borders remained at the same location that they are right now, but the demand to expand out of city limits remained high, wouldn't the outlying towns just expand to Calgary's city limits and kind of create a defacto urban sprawl? For example, what's wrong with living in Chestermere if demand to live there is so high that Chestermere expands to Calgary's city limits as opposed to living in "Calgary" in an area that was once called Chestermere?

[Bill Bumface]

^ People need to be taxed based on the address of their place of work.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Here's a question for everyone that is pro-sprawl:

Why do you need to live in the "City of Calgary"? If Calgary's borders remained at the same location that they are right now, but the demand to expand out of city limits remained high, wouldn't the outlying towns just expand to Calgary's city limits and kind of create a defacto urban sprawl? For example, what's wrong with living in Chestermere if demand to live there is so high that Chestermere expands to Calgary's city limits as opposed to living in "Calgary" in an area that was once called Chestermere?

Tried a couple times to figure out what you're getting at. Maybe rephrase?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

^ People need to be taxed based on the address of their place of work.

Exactly, if say, 50% of workers live outside of Calgary (ie Chestermere etc), then right off the bat you're losing a huge chunk of your residential property taxes; yet still having to pay for these people to use the infrastructure and services as they work in the City. (See: Cochrane, Crowchild Tr. and NW C-train usage)

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Exactly, if say, 50% of workers live outside of Calgary (ie Chestermere etc), then right off the bat you're losing a huge chunk of your residential property taxes; yet still having to pay for these people to use the infrastructure and services as they work in the City. (See: Cochrane, Crowchild Tr. and NW C-train usage)

I see. That makes a lot of sense actually. However, maybe the city of Calgary should get the outlying bedroom communities to pitch in on infrastructure costs that would affect them.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I see. That makes a lot of sense actually. However, maybe the city of Calgary should get the outlying bedroom communities to pitch in on infrastructure costs that would affect them.

And how are you going to do that? The bedroom communities have their own infrastructure to worry about.

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I see. That makes a lot of sense actually. However, maybe the city of Calgary should get the outlying bedroom communities to pitch in on infrastructure costs that would affect them.

This is the domain of the Calgary Regional Partnership. http://www.calgaryregion.ca/crp/

They are currently pushing to get funding for a regional transit program that will see buses from the exurban communities into Calgary, and eventually commuter rail lines. The City of Airdrie's bus service into Calgary starts this fall.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Tried a couple times to figure out what you're getting at. Maybe rephrase?

Just guessing but if you dont like higher density living then GTFO of Calgary and go live somewhere else.

This is one of the oldest debates (non flames) on this board. A few months ago a poster reasoned the reason people like living in the burbs was because he was used to farm life in Riderville.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Just guessing but if you dont like higher density living then GTFO of Calgary and go live somewhere else.

This is one of the oldest debates (non flames) on this board. A few months ago a poster reasoned the reason people like living in the burbs was because he was used to farm life in Riderville.

The problem is though these people do "GTFO". However they commute in and rape the infrastructure.

[algernon]

Anyone heave insight on Kent Hehr's buddies? I admit I know nothing about him, just wondering what the repercussions may be.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

The problem is though these people do "GTFO". However they commute in and rape the infrastructure.

That might be an issue in Calgary, but its not a problem. If you want to see a problem like that look about 300km north.

For me using general city tax revenue to build fire halls, police stations, and rec centers in burbs is what is the real expense. It will take decades of tax revenue from those places to recoup the costs, hence why there should be a tax on all new home developments imo.

Toll roads is how you fix the commutor problem with a 100% refund to those with a calgary address.

[algernon]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

That might be an issue in Calgary, but its not a problem. If you want to see a problem like that look about 300km north.

For me using general city tax revenue to build fire halls, police stations, and rec centers in burbs is what is the real expense. It will take decades of tax revenue from those places to recoup the costs, hence why there should be a tax on all new home developments imo.

Toll roads is how you fix the commutor problem with a 100% refund to those with a calgary address.

I am on the side of spending tax money on the inner city, but, how do you put a toll road on the number 2? The toll roads I've seen provide a shortcut, how could we shorten the drive times of the suburbanites? Their bedroom community towns are pretty much in a straight line to the DT core.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Ducay

Exactly, if say, 50% of workers live outside of Calgary (ie Chestermere etc), then right off the bat you're losing a huge chunk of your residential property taxes; yet still having to pay for these people to use the infrastructure and services as they work in the City. (See: Cochrane, Crowchild Tr. and NW C-train usage)

I wasn't aware that the people of Cochrane got to use the C-train for free. Neat!

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

I wasn't aware that the people of Cochrane got to use the C-train for free. Neat!

They sure get to use the roads for free though.

As for the C-Train, you're only counting the fare. The train network also has to be built in the first place....a good chunk of that was paid by the Calgary tax payer.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Muta

But there are much better transit systems in North America and around the world, IMO.

In similar sized cities?

Sure, when compared to New York, London, Boston, Toronto, Paris, etc, Calgary's Transit system isn't as good or extensive, but those cities are all significantly older and larger than Calgary.

When compared to Edmonton or Ottawa, both approximately the same size as Calgary, Calgary Transit blows them out of the water.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by algernon

Anyone heave insight on Kent Hehr's buddies? I admit I know nothing about him, just wondering what the repercussions may be.

I know the person in question here and I know Kent as well. I don't really see any relation to Kent at all though, save for the fact that they knew each other and were both lawyers at one time though.

[mykalberta]

Can anyone answer the question, is naheed neshi actually running for mayor and does anyone know what his website is?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Can anyone answer the question, is naheed neshi actually running for mayor and does anyone know what his website is?

www.nenshi.ca

I don't know for sure on what his plans are, but if I was betting I would say that he will not run for mayor, but will likely run for alderman.