YYCVotes: Ward 12 Discussion

[psicodude]

Back to the OP -

I think the issues in these ridings all pretty much stem from the massive growth in a short amount of time. City services are desperately needed in many areas. While some progress is being made (hospital, fire, schools, etc.) there is till a huge need for transit, arenas, pools, clinics, and the like.

I will be looking for innovative ways of paying for it all. Maybe P3's are the answer? I dunno.

[frinkprof]

This ward, along with 10 and 14 is the most disappointing to me as far as good candidates go. As I see it now, whoever the aldermen are that come from these wards will end up being the sore spots on council.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by psicodude

Back to the OP -

I think the issues in these ridings all pretty much stem from the massive growth in a short amount of time. City services are desperately needed in many areas. While some progress is being made (hospital, fire, schools, etc.) there is till a huge need for transit, arenas, pools, clinics, and the like.

I will be looking for innovative ways of paying for it all. Maybe P3's are the answer? I dunno.

P3s are really just another form of borrowing money. We need to solve the real issue, which is that we give developers incentives to build communities that don't generate sufficient tax revenues to build the services they need or want.

[celly]

I tell you one thing....I became a very interested member of the Ward 12 Electorate this long weekend. A few days ago, I didn't know one candidate from another and only recognized their names from the many signs in the ward. I was a bit apathetic about the election, but that changed suddenly.

I've always liked this site and lurked often. I am a rabid Flames fan (my current avatar is a scan of some Playoff tickets from 1989...."If Necessary" for Game 4 at the Dome). Of course, it wasn't necessary.

Anyhow, hope to get involved more with this site. Should be an interesting year for the boys.

Back to Ward 12, I met Al Browne and Shane Keating in person. I have also gone back and forth with Roger Crowe and Ben Sim on many occasions now. I am supporting Keating. He showed me that he's a man of scruples and integrity. I get good vibes from Crowe and Sim too.

Let's just say that Browne didn't make a good "first impression".

Read on here. Make sure to read the comments after the blog. Start at the bottom and read up.

Needless to say, Al "The Bully" Browne doesn't have my vote.

I look forward to being a part of the CalgaryPuck community.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by celly

I tell you one thing....I became a very interested member of the Ward 12 Electorate this long weekend. A few days ago, I didn't know one candidate from another and only recognized their names from the many signs in the ward. I was a bit apathetic about the election, but that changed suddenly.

I've always liked this site and lurked often. I am a rabid Flames fan (my current avatar is a scan of some Playoff tickets from 1989...."If Necessary" for Game 4 at the Dome). Of course, it wasn't necessary.

Anyhow, hope to get involved more with this site. Should be an interesting year for the boys.

Back to Ward 12, I met Al Browne and Shane Keating in person. I have also gone back and forth with Roger Crowe and Ben Sim on many occasions now. I am supporting Keating. He showed me that he's a man of scruples and integrity. I get good vibes from Crowe and Sim too.

Let's just say that Browne didn't make a good "first impression".

Read on here. Make sure to read the comments after the blog. Start at the bottom and read up.

Needless to say, Al "The Bully" Browne doesn't have my vote.

I look forward to being a part of the CalgaryPuck community.

Trashy. Looks like I'll be voting for Keating over Browne now. (both support race city, my key issue)

[celly]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Trashy. Looks like I'll be voting for Keating over Browne now. (both support race city, my key issue)

AGREED. Having met (and been belittled by) Browne, meeting Keating in person yesterday, and going back and forth with Sim and Crowe, I can say with certainty that Browne is not the person who should be representing the Ward. The thing I've learned about Browne is that the only person important to Browne is Browne. He does not have the interests of Calgarians and Ward 12 in mind. He's just looking for a feather in his cap.

I passed this story around my office this morning and my boss remembered Browne when he owned the Red Carpet up on Elbow and said he was always an egomaniac and a bit of a nutter. I really don't think he represents the core values of any Calgarian, let along the entire Ward.

I don't think you'll do poorly with any of the other candidates. They're all class acts and real characters. I haven't heard from Rory yet, but I really like Keating, Crowe and Sim as people. I endorse Keating because not only is he in touch, but I think he's the only one with enough support to unhitch the "Browne Money Train".

I stand by my assertion that Browne is mean spirited, xenophobic, old fashioned and out of touch. He's "Old School". Is that really what we want after 9 years of a guy like McIver? Ric may have had his faults, but we know he's a human. Keating is cut from the same cloth. Keating also has a great relationship with McIver, yet refuses to ride on his coat tails like Browne is so desperately trying to do.

Speaking of McIver, look at how Browne tries to paint himself with the McIver brush:

CalgaryBeacon.com article.


I was interviewed yesterday by the same reporter and this was an earlier story he did with Browne. Interestingly, Browne won't return his calls now. He's been trying to get Browne's take on "Signgate" (as my wife puts it). Keating not only commented, but showed up to my home to grant the interview. He came clean about the errors in judgment he made on Saturday afternoon, pretty much consistent with the written apology he gave me on Sunday.

I listened to a live interview with Keating this morning and he really "gets it". He showed me this weekend that he's a person first and politician second. I've had more stories shared with me about Browne and his attempts to win the Provincial nomination for the PCs and he really counts his chickens before they hatch and really thinks about himself. He's got money behind him and he really thinks that will get him into power.

After going toe to toe Browne and not backing down, I've been told that really would have got his hackles up because he's used to getting what he wants. I hear the words "intimidation" and "belitting" used often when people familiar with Al Browne describe him. I think it's clear from my run-in with him on Saturday that it pretty much nails it.

I especially like Point 20 in the "survey" Browne did with the Calgary Sun:

20) What are your words to live by?
Always be honest. That way you never have to worry about anything coming back on you.

How ironic that his lies about his knowledge of the sign Bylaw and that I'd be "visited" by Bill Berg (Sign Bylaw Enforcement) could come back to haunt him. I hope it does. Keep in mind that right after the incident, Browne called Keating and tried to get him to gang up with Browne and get me "charged" by the City for tearing down the signs in a malicious fashion. Keating knew he best get my side of the story before being so dramatic as Browne wanted.

FWIW, I sent all this information to Bill Berg to try and get his take on things too.

EDIT: I'd love to know why there is an Oiler's logo on top of this post when it wasn't there before (was a "thumbs down" icon).

[celly]

UPDATE

Heard back from Mr. Bruce and he said he was "very disappointed" to hear about this and all the other shenanigans most candidates have been playing since the election began. Didn't sound like Mr. Bruce was in Mr. Browne's back pocket like Browne tried to imply either. Imagine that.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

(both support race city, my key issue)

Just curious, why is this your key issue? I'm not trying to slam you; just trying to understand why it's important to you.

[firebug]

My weekend was far too busy to do a proper write up of all of the Ward 12 candidates.

That being said from the review I have done of the candidates websites, I will be voting for Keating.

[Kjesse]

Celly,

I know Al Browne, and he's a very nice guy. I'd vote for him were I in that ward.

Signing up on a hockey forum with the specific intent to smear a particular person says more about you than him.

[celly]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Celly,

I know Al Browne, and he's a very nice guy. I'd vote for him were I in that ward.

Signing up on a hockey forum with the specific intent to smear a particular person says more about you than him.

Delgar, I am a HUGE Flames fan and have been since they moved from Atlanta in 1980. I live and die the Flames and much to the chagrin of my wife, will be watching all games this season thanks to Sportsnet. I have friends that think my official wardrobe is Red and Gold.

I've got a signed photo of Iggy with the Gold Medal around his neck from Vancouver on my office wall and an Olympic jersey replica hanging on the coat rack behind me as I type this. I'm as big of a Flames fan as they come. I was given two choice tix for the Flames/Oilers games on the 26th by one of my suppliers because they know how much I love the Flames. Two other suppliers took me to games in recent years.

I've been lurking on this site for years and now is as good a time as any to join. I plan on being an active contributor for years to come.

Need I say more?

Now that we got that out of the way, we all make choices in life; who we wish to associate with and who we don't. Al Browne is not my kind of person. He knows what happened and how it played out. That's why he ran to Keating of all people to try and make me out to be the bad guy. My wife told these guys a few hours earlier that I don't like signs on my boulevard and that I'd tear down the signs when I saw them. I did just that when I got home and your pal Al was on me within seconds. Anyone who has heard this story (and there are lots) has come to the same conclusion. Al and his unnamed associate were waiting close by for me to tear down the signs. Sort of stalkerish behaviour actually.

Instead of accepting responsibility for his actions and taking the high road, it was him that make snap value judgements and make personal comments about my appearance. No one put a gun to his head and made him do that. It was his choice. If the truth hurts, so be it.

I am posting in an off-topic forum and the thread itself is specifically dealing with Ward 12 issues and candidates. What happened to me is relevant and people should know about it. I'm sorry if you don't see it that way.

I'm sticking around this forum. It's the best Flames resource on the web and I've known that for years. I'm happy to be a part of it. I'm not a troll and I'm not a shill for Keating. I didn't even know one candidate for another before 6:30 PM on Saturday. I did find this thread on Google and it was as good a time as any to join the forum, so don't think this is a hit and run attempt to slam your buddy Al like you seem to imply.

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Just curious, why is this your key issue? I'm not trying to slam you; just trying to understand why it's important to you.

If the track disappears we won't see another one open again. It helps keep street racing down. I hate to see facilities disappear when the cost to keep them open is a fraction of the cost of building a new one.

[celly]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

If the track disappears we won't see another one open again. It helps keep street racing down. I hate to see facilities disappear when the cost to keep them open is a fraction of the cost of building a new one.

I'm with you. I live close by Race City and I hope they keep it around. It's not the major issue for me, but it's an important issue.

I'm most concerned about traffic problems, transportation and infrastructure when it comes down to it. The 52nd St. widening between 130th and 114th is finally completed so I won't have too many traffic issues now (that's a good chunk of my 5 minute commute taken care of).

[fundmark19]

Guys im torn between crowe and keating. My major like most peoples is transportation. I want more express bus dt or ones that are actually express and not 100 stops like current. Wouldn't mind HOV lanes either.

Who would support that most between the two?

[jdso]

fundmark19: Keating specifically mentions the number of stops on BRT and buses if you look at my notes from above.

fwiw, between the two I like Keating. Crowe doesn't live in the ward (due to the redrawn wards), and I think it's an important factor to live in the ward.

[firebug]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Guys im torn between crowe and keating. My major like most peoples is transportation. I want more express bus dt or ones that are actually express and not 100 stops like current. Wouldn't mind HOV lanes either.

Who would support that most between the two?

My concern/confusion with Crowe is his positions regarding TOD development.

I am pro-TOD and his statements on it seem to be that he is against them in their current form. It was unclear to me however what exactly is the problem and what his proposed solutions would be.

I am an express bus user (117) and would love to see more of them switch back to the deerfoot alignment.

Also, any candidate that would put pressure on the provincial government to institute HOV lanes on Deerfoot (eg. SB Deerfoot between Memorial and Southland 1500 to 1800 hrs M-F) would get an 'x' next to their name on the 18th.

[celly]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

Guys im torn between crowe and keating. My major like most peoples is transportation. I want more express bus dt or ones that are actually express and not 100 stops like current. Wouldn't mind HOV lanes either.

Who would support that most between the two?

I tell you, after getting to know both of these candidates on a more personal level over the past few days, I think you will be fine with either candidate. I know people are focusing on where he lives, but I understand he used to live in Ward 12 and a re-drawing of boundaries put him outside. He lives "close enough" and most likely understands our issues.

I'm with Keating because not only is if of high moral character like Crowe, he lives in the riding AND I think he's better organized to win the Ward.

I'm a Keating supporter because how he he dealt with the problems I had with the sign issue. I view Browne and Keating as the frontrunners so ANYONE but Browne is a good choice, but I want to be on the side that can win this election. If Roger does win, I won't be disappointed in the outcome.

Roger knows I'm supporting Keating now and he was very gracious about it. He gave me a lot of encouragement in my recent foray into the process. He's a quality human being as well.

On the transportation front, I listed to a live interview with Keating this morning and he doesn't like the current format of the BRT at all. He thinks it's too inefficient and not very cost effective because so many times in the day, it runs empty. The online station that inteviewed him (beaverfm.com) put their interview with McIver on Youtube, so maybe they'll do the same with Keating. I liked what he had to say on the transportation front.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by firebug

Also, any candidate that would put pressure on the provincial government to institute HOV lanes on Deerfoot (eg. SB Deerfoot between Memorial and Southland 1500 to 1800 hrs M-F) would get an 'x' next to their name on the 18th.

There is no possible way that could happen unless Deerfoot was expanded to at least four lanes all the way through. That area is enough of a fustercluck without removing one of the lanes from general service.

[celly]

I look forward to using the SE Stoney TRail Extension as an alternative to Deerfoot. I already use it to avoid Deerfoot from time to time. Too bad it doesn't go past 17th yet. At least the construction has begun.

My wife dug up this website. It shows the plan. It will pretty much parallel to Deerfoot so it will alleviate a lot of the strain on Deerfoot, IMHO.

[celly]

No fat jokes please.