Global reveals developer’s plan to control CGY city council

[SebC]

Am I just not finding it, or has the Calgary Sun ignored this story completely?

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by SebC

Am I just not finding it, or has the Calgary Sun ignored this story completely?

The Herald buried it in section B page 5 (and tweeted a link to it a few times), and the Sun has not acknowledged it at all. Nothing in print, web, twitter, or even a tweet from their many writers on twitter.

[GrrlGoalie33]

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

And she was a horrible Alderman. She was turfed after one term and then failed again in the subsequent election.

She was absolutely useless. So useless that she lost all of her union support.

My ex went to one of the debates the year she was elected, and any time someone disagreed with her, she crossed her arms and acted like a child. I can't imagine how that tactic worked in council.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by SebC

Am I just not finding it, or has the Calgary Sun ignored this story completely?

If so, they're the type of paper that would rather not address it. Their buddies are being outed, and they probably refuse to acknowledge anything. I'm sure they'll find a way to bash Nenshi though, so that shouldn't be surprising in the slightest.

[Tyler]

The Sun? Bash Nenshi?

You mean they affix the most unflattering pictures of the mayor blinking or opening his mouth to each story on him on purpose???

[Reaper]

This town needs an enema!

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Where can I find specific information on what Nenshi and/or the City is proposing to change with how new developments happen?

All I read anywhere is "no more sprawl" and "make the suburbs pay"... blah blah blah. Somehow I think stopping any further development is a terrible idea.

There is not any notion of stopping further development.

The single most important initiative is the Growth Management Framework

http://www.calgary.ca/PDA/DBA/Pages/...anagement.aspx

It's a complex project, but essentially what it's doing is figuring out the best sequence to grow communities to optimize infrastructure and operating costs. It uses agreed to principles, and ranking criteria to prioritize growth areas, both established and greenfield. In the old way, it was basically a bit of a free-for-all. If you were effective at lobbying, if you had a strong Alderman, you could get your new community built, whether it made sense to go ahead with that community now or not (from an efficiency perspective). Case in point, Silverado had to truck its sewage out because it was detached from servicing - or Skyview Ranch, which is contiguous with the existing built up area.

Some in the industry may be nervous because it picks winners and losers. Well, yes that's true, but the old system picked winners and losers too - but did so in an opaque way. Growth Management makes the whole decision making process very, very transparent. In a sense, it neutralizes political power with regard to growth, which I think some out there are perhaps nervous about.

The Municipal Development Plan (Our city-wide plan) is the other key piece of policy. It sets out the pattern of desired growth - to intensify particular areas (usually next to transit infrastructure) and to grow new communities with more thoughtful design, greater mixes of uses, more variety in housing types, easier choices to walk or take transit, lower operating costs to provide services etc. Some have categorized these directions as "social engineering", which is silly. It could be argued that it's social engineering to build communities where driving is the only realistic choice, or where it's difficult or impossible to stay in your community as you age if you need a different housing type. I think this is where some of the deep philosophical differences lie between some in the building industry (I emphasize some because I'd say many don't align with the points of view of the Cal Wenzel's of the industry), various members of Council, and many in the public.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Tyler

The Sun? Bash Nenshi?

You mean they affix the most unflattering pictures of the mayor blinking or opening his mouth to each story on him on purpose???

I remember how I felt like I was living in bizarro world when they endorsed him for mayor in 2010 and the Herald wasn't. Glad to see everything is right with the world again.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

The Herald buried it in section B page 5 (and tweeted a link to it a few times), and the Sun has not acknowledged it at all. Nothing in print, web, twitter, or even a tweet from their many writers on twitter.

The problem of objective reporting of this probably has to do with the advertising dollars the Real Estate industry pumps into publications like the Herald and the Calgary Sun. I'm willing to bet that home builders, developers, etc. probably comprise like a third of their ad revenue. That and the Sun makes their hay from bashing Nenshi.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Bunk

The single most important initiative is the Growth Management Framework.

I'm gonna disagree with you here. In the context of the upcoming elections, the renegotiation of the Standard Development Agreement (when it expires in two three years) is the single most important initiative.

[Bigtime]

Absolutely Cowboy89, the Homes editor in the Sun is such a greenfield development fanboy that I wouldn't doubt your theory for a second.

Someone posted on twitter this morning the front page of the Sun website, nothing about this issue and approximately 40% of the page was an ad for...Shane Homes.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by SebC

I'm gonna disagree with you here. In the context of the upcoming elections, the renegotiation of the Standard Development Agreement (when it expires in two years) is the single most important initiative.

Yeah, certainly in two years certainly that will be a big deal. Wow, is it coming up that soon?

The Growth Management work on Financing and Funding is actually setting up the principles under which that Standard Development Agreement will be negotiated. In addition, it's looking at how to establish a workable redevelopment levy that helps support some of the costs of growth in established areas. Of course the idea is not to dis-insensitive redevelopment - and to ensure that it's clear what that money would be used for to support that redevelopment (i.e. that it just doesn't go into the black-hole of general revenue).

[Nage Waza]

What happened to the ask Nenshi anything thread? I specifically asked why they are going to cut of 85 st sw from Lower Springbank Road which is used by thousands of people. Clearly they are doing this to maximize the property values for a developer. Sounds about 100% correct now, this is pure corruption if an elected member provided something for a business in return for money.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Yeah, certainly in two years certainly that will be a big deal. Wow, is it coming up that soon?

Sorry, it's three years I think... 5-year deal signed 2011?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by SebC

Am I just not finding it, or has the Calgary Sun ignored this story completely?

When you can't spin it, ignore it!

Canada's least-read big city newspaper didn't get that way by reporting on things that people want to read.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Someone posted on twitter this morning the front page of the Sun website, nothing about this issue and approximately 40% of the page was an ad for...Shane Homes.

Sun's top story online is still is a relatively minor Notice of Motion (co-signed by the Mayor, Druh Farrell and Shane Keating) asking Administration to explore solutions for mitigating air conditioning noise - particularly for those that are hypersensitive to it. Even if it's a relatively small group of people it's important to at least look into addressing the concern rather than be dismissive of it. There are people out there where the low frequency noise/vibration is quite seriously affecting their health and quality of life.

[Bertuzzied]

I'm so happy we went for the biggest piece of crap mayor in Calgary history in Bronnconier to one of the best in Nenshi.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Frankster

She was absolutely useless. So useless that she lost all of her union support.

My ex went to one of the debates the year she was elected, and any time someone disagreed with her, she crossed her arms and acted like a child. I can't imagine how that tactic worked in council.

Not only did she not get reelected in the 2007 election, she placed dead last.

[Bertuzzied]

So whats the next course of action for these corrupt alderman? are they going to resign?

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

So whats the next course of action for these corrupt alderman? are they going to resign?

Which councillors are you referring to?