MF YYC Politics - there, I mega did it

[RandyHolt]

In Ward 4, I'll be voting for DJ Kelly but the big joint signs he has with Brian Thiessen make me want to vote for him less. He's run before and has a good background and experience so I'll vote for him anyway but I'm not sure who thought those signs were a great idea.

As a plug for Laura Hack, I've contacted her with a school issue before and she was incredibly responsive and provided great information so she'll get my vote.

For Mayor I'm still lost. Pretty disappointed overall in the choices available.

[Red Slinger]

I spoke to Nathanial Schmidt (Ward 8 council candidate) the other day and came away pretty impressed. Plus his signage game is on point.

Like many others, I feel I may have to vote for Gondek since Thiessen is in a party.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Ward 6er here. I am generally with you on this. I don't trust Farkas, either. The Thiessen thing is interesting, as I have known him for a while and he is a decent guy and could be a decent choice. Not sure if he thought everyone was going to form a party, so he needed to do so as well? I don't like the party idea either, but I am not sure I should hold that against him as well. Gondek has been pretty underwhelming, but with this slate of candidates, she might still have a shot.

School trustee is not something I normally focus on, but I'll need to figure it out. Bolger seems ok, but I don't really know any of the candidates.

Same boat. Gondek was a bust and I dont trust the villain from 'A Christmas Story' but I also am hesitant to vote for a 'Party Candidate.'

[corporatejay]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

That's why we elect politicians though, to make decisions that are best for the city overall, not just the ones who have time and effort to write letters. Nobody does direct democracy, because it wouldn't work for a society to function. It would be like letting Libertarians decide everything.

I didn't ask for direct democracy. The passed a very unpopular blanket rezoning policy by effectively saying "we know you hate this but we know better than you".

That's just not for me.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

That's why we elect politicians though, to make decisions that are best for the city overall, not just the ones who have time and effort to write letters. Nobody does direct democracy, because it wouldn't work for a society to function. It would be like letting Libertarians decide everything.

Sure. The risk for politicians is that when they take actions that the majority disagrees with, they face the electorate to retain their jobs. I suppose they can try that "we know better" angle with that electorate and see how it goes, though.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

Ward 6er here. I am generally with you on this. I don't trust Farkas, either. The Thiessen thing is interesting, as I have known him for a while and he is a decent guy and could be a decent choice. Not sure if he thought everyone was going to form a party, so he needed to do so as well? I don't like the party idea either, but I am not sure I should hold that against him as well. Gondek has been pretty underwhelming, but with this slate of candidates, she might still have a shot.

School trustee is not something I normally focus on, but I'll need to figure it out. Bolger seems ok, but I don't really know any of the candidates.

avoid Jennifer Steward, one of several ucp friendly plants in the trustee candidate pool

[Red Slinger]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I didn't ask for direct democracy. The passed a very unpopular blanket rezoning policy by effectively saying "we know you hate this but we know better than you".

That's just not for me.

So what's the alternative? Ignore people who have thoroughly researched an issue to appease a bunch of NIMBYs? We elect our government to make decisions for us as the average citizen is not in a position to be an expert on everything (or in many cases anything).

If governments never did anything that was unpopular we would have little to no taxes and we would have little to no services to show for it. Sounds like a Libertarians wet-dream but I think most reasonable people would not be in favour.

[PepsiFree]

“I don’t want direct democracy, I just believe passing policies that the majority are not in favour of is disqualifying.”

Makes total sense. I mean I’m not in favour of banning orange juice, I just think it should be illegal to juice an orange. These are very different things as normal people would agree.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

It's pretty simple. Three independents who are all conservative and Inam Teja with the Calgary Party.

It'll be great if we continue with a moderate/progressive here. Pootman was pretty moderate and tended to vote progressive more often than not, so if this flips back to conservative we could be in for a con majority

Also Patricia Bulger is a great option for trustee

Thank you for this - I'm not voting conservative in the slightest (at least these days), so I appreciate the insight. Looks like Teja will get my vote for Ward 6 (fully recognizing he's in a party, but his platforms looks reasonable and he has a public policy degree from Oxford), and Bulger I'll likely vote for if you're recommending her (I've got no real skin in the trustee game); the mayor's race will require a bit more thought for now. I'm pro development and infrastructure (both public and private), so that will factor into my decision.

[WideReceiver]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm just going to write myself in and see what happens.

Nothing; nothing happens. That’s a spoiled ballot.

[Roughneck]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I can't understand how Gondek is polling as well as she is (although maybe the polls themselves are flawed).

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I suppose, but Gondek has already demonstrated that she will pass exceptionally unpopular policies in the face of staunch opposition. I just can't support that.

Originally Posted by corporatejay

I didn't ask for direct democracy. The passed a very unpopular blanket rezoning policy by effectively saying "we know you hate this but we know better than you".

That's just not for me.

Perhaps her polling is an indication of blanket rezoning not being as universally unpopular as you perceive it to be?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It seems like the only issue with real traction is the blanket rezoning issue. Are there any non-Gondek candidates in favour of blanket rezoning? (Looking at the Farkas website, that looks and sounds like the old Farkas. Staying far away from that).

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Slava

Sure. The risk for politicians is that when they take actions that the majority disagrees with, they face the electorate to retain their jobs. I suppose they can try that "we know better" angle with that electorate and see how it goes, though.

Sure, at that happens all the time with politicians. Most people aren't one issue voters. I'm saying using them looking out for what they see as the best interests of the city and not doing exactly what busybodies want isn't necessarily a failure of our form of democracy. It's precisely how it's supposed to work.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

Perhaps her polling is an indication of blanket rezoning not being as universally unpopular as you perceive it to be?

I'd love to see a poll on that issue. Clearly, the submissions to council were opposed, but things could've changed over the past year.

[sketchyt]

I had no idea who Landon Johnston was when he knocked on my door a week ago. His leading selling point was 'bringing common sense to city hall'.
I'm thinking, 'sorry, I'm more looking for a smart and qualified person.'

[Regorium]

Originally Posted by Slava

I'd love to see a poll on that issue. Clearly, the submissions to council were opposed, but things could've changed over the past year.

Submissions to anything are always biased towards the negative as that's standard behavior.

It would be interesting to see a real poll on it.

My guess is that it'd be a lot closer to 50/50 than some folks believe.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Muta

Thank you for this - I'm not voting conservative in the slightest (at least these days), so I appreciate the insight. Looks like Teja will get my vote for Ward 6 (fully recognizing he's in a party, but his platforms looks reasonable and he has a public policy degree from Oxford), and Bulger I'll likely vote for if you're recommending her (I've got no real skin in the trustee game); the mayor's race will require a bit more thought for now. I'm pro development and infrastructure (both public and private), so that will factor into my decision.

Yes, my assessment was the same as PJ's. Teja's platform looks good and I had a great chat with him when he came by. I do not think any of the other candidates in 6 really match up with my views.

Patricia Bolger looks like the best choice for CBE and hopefully with some more progressives on the board of trustees, the CBE can pull their heads out of their ...

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Sure, at that happens all the time with politicians. Most people aren't one issue voters. I'm saying using them looking out for what they see as the best interests of the city and not doing exactly what busybodies want isn't necessarily a failure of our form of democracy. It's precisely how it's supposed to work.

Ya, I am not a fan of the blanket rezoning (well documented here) but I am still likely to vote Gondek. I think with a stronger council around her there is a chance that they deliver more for the people of Calgary.

I haven't ruled out Thiessen but I am nervous about giving any slate/party too much influence.