Almost a year in Nenshi's job approval at 86% - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Bunk · 09-26-2011, 06:58 PM

The highest of any mayor in Canada by a good 14%. Calgarians also quite optimistic about the future of their city based on their Mayor and Council.

Global Survey.
http://www.globaltvcalgary.com/pages...?id=6442489786

Thoughts?

As someone that works in the Mayor's Office this is obviously gratifying that people seem to think we're going in the right direction - but a lot of work to be done.

Moving forward where do you think the Mayor's and Council's priorities should lie?

FlamesAddiction · 09-26-2011, 07:00 PM

That's pretty impressive for any politician after holding office for a while. The nature of the work almost ensures that you are going to piss people off... so good job.

Bigtime · 09-26-2011, 07:09 PM

Even as a Nenshi supporter I am surprised to see the number so high, especially since he hasn't had as many "victories" as he would like. Specifically the secondary suite issue, however things like the airport tunnel, transit initiatives, and just being a very accessible mayor probably help him out in immense ways.

Oh and hiring Bunk on was probably part of the approval rating jump.

bomba · 09-26-2011, 07:10 PM

I was skepitcal of him in the beginning, but have been pleasantly surprised. He seems to be pragmatic as it relates to business and wants to clear the roadblocks of progress which plagues city council. I like that he is unabashed about constantly promoting Calgary wherever he goes.

Kybosh · 09-26-2011, 07:14 PM

Stay the course Nenshi.

nik- · 09-26-2011, 07:16 PM

Fire Bunk for 90% Nenshi .... 90%.

Rathji · 09-26-2011, 07:23 PM

That is an absolutely absurd approval rating. If it wasn't Nenshi and I didn't see the stuff he has accomplished so far, and is clearly on track for, I would totally think those numbers were wrong.

Joborule · 09-26-2011, 07:24 PM

Calgary is in good hands with Nenshi and a cooperative council. Glad he won over McIver or Higgins (*shudder*).

underGRADFlame · 09-26-2011, 07:37 PM

Well count me in the 14% that disapprove. Essential services should not be cut, for that reason he has lost my support.

Tyler · 09-26-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Well count me in the 14% that disapprove. Essential services should not be cut, for that reason he has lost my support.

You're right. We should just write a blank check to them and be held hostage every time we need to find efficiencies in tough budgetary times. That's the way to run a government. Kudos. You should run for mayor.

kirant · 09-26-2011, 07:52 PM

I think that number is a little inflated as the borderline supporters certainly fall closer to him because he's an eloquent, well spoken man who really hasn't had any major trip ups yet.

That being said, I'm fine with him at the moment. Not sure he's better suited for the job than the McIver yet, but no real reason to disapprove of his work so far.

Shasta Beast · 09-26-2011, 07:56 PM

Chea Nenshi. Always makes me laugh every time I see a bitter McIver opinion article in the Calgary Herald.

WhiteTiger · 09-26-2011, 07:59 PM

I'm happy with what I see Nenshi doing so far. I'd prefer he work faster at getting things done, but I also realize the nature of "government committee".

underGRADFlame · 09-26-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

You're right. We should just write a blank check to them and be held hostage every time we need to find efficiencies in tough budgetary times. That's the way to run a government. Kudos. You should run for mayor.

Thats not what I said. Should a department be asked to look for efficiencies, yes for sure. But and its a big but, when departments are under-funded to begin with, as both CPS and CFD are, I take issue with it.

The CPS is running computer systems from the early 90's, its basically dos, something that would cost over 8 million to upgrade, but now they have to put off this upgrade again. This is just one of the many many things that will suffer with the reduction of the budget.

frinkprof · 09-26-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Thats not what I said. Should a department be asked to look for efficiencies, yes for sure. But and its a big but, when departments are under-funded to begin with, as both CPS and CFD are, I take issue with it.

The CPS is running computer systems from the early 90's, its basically dos, something that would cost over 8 million to upgrade, but now they have to put off this upgrade again. This is just one of the many many things that will suffer with the reduction of the budget.

I realize you haven't said this outright, but may I ask if, given a budget shortfall, should certain departments be exempt from cuts that need to be made, placing a disproportionate burden on other departments?

Bunk · 09-26-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

Well count me in the 14% that disapprove. Essential services should not be cut, for that reason he has lost my support.

No essential services have been cut - overall many services have grown including transit and snow removal for instance. Police, fire, arts, recreation and all sorts of other services have all been maintained.

The City is however facing a budget shortfall - and so the mayor and Council have asked for about $140 million in efficiences. Like always, levels of service will have to be balanced against tax rates. Municipalities have only two financial tools to raise revenues - property taxes (of which the City only gets 50%) and user fees. So if for instance overall wages rise 2.5% to pay for that increase with property taxes, that means a 5% increase in taxes.

But the Mayor has promised to have a much more open and honest discussion about the budget and citizens' priorities. Budget consultation has been going on much of this year.

http://ourcity-ourbudget-ourfuture.blogspot.com/

Jacks · 09-26-2011, 08:23 PM

I was never a Nenshi supporter and I'm pretty much a solid Conservative but Nenshi has been a pleasant surprise. After that idiot Bronco almost anyone would be an improvement. I am really impressed that Nenshi gets on the radio (QR77) each week and takes unscripted questions, he gained my respect by not dodging the common folk. It's impossible for a politician to keep everyone happy, I'm just happy to see some improvement and no big waste/scandal.

I should add that I hate seeing our mayor going begging to the province 3 times a year, even when they are in deficit, like Bronco used to do. We should clean up our own house first.

Bend it like Bourgeois · 09-26-2011, 08:26 PM

He should be riding high. He's still a novelty and the most controversial thing he's had to worry about is the gay pride parade.

But he's for sure a likeable guy who seems genuine and at least a bit practical. I think most people can roll with all sorts of compromises if that's the case.

We'll see if he can (or wants to) manage a very slippery and seasoned administration the same way around the budget issues.

Maritime Q-Scout · 09-26-2011, 08:37 PM

What's truly amazing and mind blowing about that article is not that Nenshi has an approval rating of an unheard of 86%, but the fact that Peter Kelley of Halifax has an approval rating of 61% and last year it was 73%. It makes me think the good people at Ipsos picked random numbers.

Regardless, congrats to Nenshi as an outsider looking in, it appears that he is doing a great job

c.t.ner · 09-26-2011, 08:40 PM

Pretty impressive ratings for Nenshi and that's great to see.

From an outsiders perspective, I like what he's done so far as mayor and because of it there has been some great buzz building around the city. Even from a distance it seams that many Calgarians are really pleased with how things are going in the city. I know my in-laws were really impressed with the city's work with snow removal this year.

I also think his overall image is really being helped by the Toronto Media's love affair with Nenshi. It helps that they seem to spend at least one article a month comparing him to the disaster that is the Fords. (Also when was the last time that a western mayor appeared on The Hour) Having a mayor that Torontoians fawn over is always going to make Calgarians happy.

So far he's done a pretty stand up job of not only keeping things in Calgary in check, but by representing the city in a way that we haven't seen from our last string of Mayors.

I like that he's also been able to shake off any of the troubles he's run into so far. In particular he seams to have escaped the secondary suites fiasco, the Peace Bridge delays (albeit far from his fault) and of course the Plane ticket gate (or what ever the local media called it).

So far he's done a great job and Calgary is definitely lucky to have him as mayor.