After studying Communism intensely for the last couple years, I firmly believe it is the best and most humane form of government. Thus, I fully support Nenshi's bid for mayor.
Give me something to make me comfortable that taxes won't be going up 6-15% if Nenshi is elected?
He is the only of the top three that is demanding that ALL departments be subject to scrutiny and incure cost savings in order to balance the budget, which is currently $60 million defecit. McIver voted to give the City's largest department a free pass (the police). Higgins said the police and fire are a "special case"
Also, would the penny-pincher conservatives at the Calgary Sun have officially endorsed Nenshi if they really thought his election would translate into large tax increases? There's a reason Nenshi appeals to many hard core fiscal conservatives.
Chances are that I'll vote for Nenshi, I still can't vote for Ric, because I'm still hoping that all members of the old guard are punished by the voters and washed away.
I can't vote for Barb because she's been the candidate with very little substance, and strikes me as the Hillary Clinton of Calgary politics in that I don't see her as a Mayor.
But I have to admit that the conduct and over preaching of Nenshi has kind of turned me off of him, I'm still of the Obama school of thought, that he's run a great campaign, but I'm unsure of what he's going to do after he wins.
Since there has been some attempted bribing even in this thread, my vote is completely up for sale.
He is the only of the top three that is demanding that ALL departments be subject to scrutiny and incure cost savings in order to balance the budget, which is currently $60 million defecit. McIver voted to give the City's largest department a free pass (the police). Higgins said the police and fire are a "special case"
Also, would the penny-pincher conservatives at the Calgary Sun have officially endorsed Nenshi if they really thought his election would translate into large tax increases? There's a reason Nenshi appeals to many hard core fiscal conservatives.
I also believe he will do his best to change the subsidies the city gives to new neighborhoods which are a leading cause of the 60 million defecit this budget faces. Please correct me if am wrong on this issue.
Give me something to make me comfortable that taxes won't be going up 6-15% if Nenshi is elected?
Even McIvor is campaigning on a 6% tax increase and some time to figure out where to shave 60 million from the budget (or he'll have to raise taxes more as well). We'll likely see some plenty of things getting chopped from the budget AND a further tax increase to make up the shortfall regardless of whether McIvor or Nenshi are elected. This is simply the egg that was laid for one of these two to deal with when it hatches.
Give me something to make me comfortable that taxes won't be going up 6-15% if Nenshi is elected?
If he's sincere about making developers more responsible for the cost of new developments, rather than having new infrastructure paid-for equally by all taxpayers, that alone eliminates the biggest need for tax increases.
This is the factor that makes him, and not McIver - who would prefer that the city continue to subsidize suburban expansion - the fiscal conservative in the race.
I'm not anti-suburban when I say this: the city will continue to grow and housing prices will continue to follow what the market dictates, but it will force developers to designer smarter, more efficient suburban neighbourhoods.
The Following User Says Thank You to octothorp For This Useful Post:
After studying Communism intensely for the last couple years, I firmly believe it is the best and most humane form of government. Thus, I fully support Nenshi's bid for mayor.
Why not vote Bonnie Devine then. She's the commie candidate.
At least in this situation both Nenshi and McIver have the experience and knowledge to be comfortable acting right away to address the budget issue (McIver approving the police budget noted). Someone like Higgins is going to need massive prep and explanation of how it all works, and the budget is due I believe 3 weeks after this new council is going. No time for inexperience in the big chair with such a large issue on the line.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bigtime For This Useful Post:
Give me something to make me comfortable that taxes won't be going up 6-15% if Nenshi is elected?
Everything else said already is true. I will also add, Nenshi is the only one with a business degree and REAL business experience. As someone who is studying for an MBA right now, I can attest that knowing things like Finance and Economics is essential to avoiding cost overruns like we have seen. It's not something a layman can get a full grasp of (It's harder than I though it would be) and I don't think Mciver or Higgins have the intellectual horsepower to learn on the job, let alone even know how to properly read and understand something as simple as a balance sheet. They will have to rely on what they are told, and that has lead to problem before, and will again if either of them are elected.
Maybe someone else with a business degree can chime in.
A business degree doesn't neccessarily mean that your well suited to run a business or a major municipality. I could say the McIvor has a ton of experience in city politics and probably has a good idea about the levers of power in city hall, but I don't want to promote Ric.
I always get a twinge of resentment when people tell me that a degree from any school instantly = savior and uber qualified.
I would expect if Nenshi wins that we are going to see some tremendous missteps on his part for the first quarter at least of his term.
__________________
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to CaptainCrunch For This Useful Post:
If he's sincere about making developers more responsible for the cost of new developments, rather than having new infrastructure paid-for equally by all taxpayers, that alone eliminates the biggest need for tax increases.
This is the factor that makes him, and not McIver - who would prefer that the city continue to subsidize suburban expansion - the fiscal conservative in the race.
I'm not anti-suburban when I say this: the city will continue to grow and housing prices will continue to follow what the market dictates, but it will force developers to designer smarter, more efficient suburban neighbourhoods.
Absolutely. Limiting urban sprawl is so crucial to maintaining a fiscally sustainable municipal government. We simply can't afford to keep paying for the infrastructure (roads, transit, utilities, policing, snow removal, etc) required as the city keeps expanding. We put ourselves into a perma-deficit if we can't come up with ways to limit our sprawl. Nenshi definitely has put forth the most detailed plan to do so.
Quite simply, a win for Nenshi would be a win for substance over style. Naheed has run an issues-based campaign from the start, releasing his “better ideas” throughout the summer. The man has been writing about how to make Calgary a better city for years and he may finally get a chance to do that. He understands city council and city planning better than most of the current councilors, yet at the same time he’d be coming in as an outsider, ready and willing to shake things up and break Calgary free of the NIMBY mindset that has plagued City Hall for years.
Exactly, I am sure you could find an NDP'er with a Phd in finance. If you don't think keeping taxes low is important then you don't think keeping taxes low is important.
I disagree, I bet you can't find a NDPer with a PHd in Finance, you will find some with soft degrees like social sciences and art. People with business degrees tend to be on the conservative side of the financial spectrum.
Well, vote has been cast. On one hand I feel fine with either Nenshi or McIver, but I have concerns with both as well. On Nenshi, I like many things he says, but am definitely concerned he is your typical idealistic liberal--great intentions, but believes the path to utopia is via spending and more gummint.
McIver strikes me as pragmatic, not the flavour du jour that Nenshi is, but very capable. On the other hand, he has more background in council which can be picked apart easier than someone with no municipal experience. Support from developers and the issues that arise from that is a concern.
I am still waffling, still unsure. Went hesitantly with Nenshi, and am hoping I don't regret it for the next 4 years. Would not be dissappointed with either though honestly.
The Following User Says Thank You to Ryan Coke For This Useful Post:
