I work for Mayor Nenshi, ask me anything!

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Rathji

...I know some people in subsidized housing, I can't imagine the kind of idiot someone would have to be to continue living there while earning over 100k a year.

Don't underestimate greed.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

To be fair, I have one and I'm a complete narcissist.

You just repainted a Ryan Nugent-Hopkins bobblehead, didn't you?

[CaptainYooh]

Bunk, I have a question. As you know from my previous posts, while I give Nenshi a lot of credit for being very intelligent and entertaining, I am not a fan of Nenshi as our Mayor for the reasons I've stated a few times. But you offered your services here as a conduit to him and I would like to take you up on this offer.

Question is about Shawnee Slopes: Two "gamblers" without any meaningful land development or homebuilding experience buy the 50-yer old established golf course as a land speculation game and re-zone it to a massive 1,700-unit new district against all odds. Flipping it practically next day after the third reading of the by-law to Cardel Homes for a huge profit. I sat through the two days of the public hearing listening to hundreds of people pleading their case to Council and asking not to take away what it had not given. Not to reap the heart out of the community they lived in and loved for so long. Not to allow 1,200 (!) new condos on the land where an adjacent 80-unit Highbury project is struggling to sell-out for 7 years now. Not to destroy a mature, majestic and precious urban green space. Not to add to already horrible traffic issues at James McKevitt/Bannister/Macleod.

Throughout the hearing, Mayor was all ears, understanding, encouraging and compassionate to the concerns. Nobody spoke in favour of this approval (except for the developer). And yet Nenshi supported it anyway. None of the community concerns have been acknowledged in the resulting amendment other then some meaningless lip service.

How does the Mayor explain his position on supporting this application against the will of the entire community? I am really interested in his response and would appreciate if you can convey the question to him directly. Thank you very much.

[Bunk]

The Mayor voted against the Shawnee Slopes redesignation. It was a complicated set of multiple by-laws and amendments, but almost all were 10-4 with the Mayor, Colley-Urquhart, Demong and Hodges on the opposed side.

http://agendaminutes.calgary.ca/sire...octype=MINUTES

[CaptainYooh]

Thanks for clarifying this. I left the hearing late but before the voting happened.

We had the feeling that most aldermen made their decision on this application prior to hearing, so it was a done deal. Then, if the Mayor was personally opposed to this major re-designation, why did he not try to convince four other Council members to vote against it? As much as I disliked Bronconnier's leadership style, he would have ensured that he had eight votes going in.

[MissTeeks]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Where do you get these ?? I want some.

I think they make them at the Super Store photolabs as well.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Thanks for clarifying this. I left the hearing late but before the voting happened.

We had the feeling that most aldermen made their decision on this application prior to hearing, so it was a done deal. Then, if the Mayor was personally opposed to this major re-designation, why did he not try to convince four other Council members to vote against it? As much as I disliked Bronconnier's leadership style, he would have ensured that he had eight votes going in.

Not sure if I quite understand this sentiment. Was Bronco on the winning side of every vote that went through city council? Why even have a council then?

[CaptainYooh]

I don't think he has lost many motions that he personally wanted to succeed or fail during his time as a Mayor.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I don't think he has lost many motions that he personally wanted to succeed or fail during his time as a Mayor.

Not that I can really remember one way or the other, but perhaps this is because the motions he wanted passed were less ambitious?

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I don't think he has lost many motions that he personally wanted to succeed or fail during his time as a Mayor.

This screams of NIMBY-ism colouring your opinion... The project is small compared to what they could have done.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Bunk, it appears you can get Bobbleheads at any ol' Superstore photo lab. Do you know where Stay Golden got his 1000 quote from?

[BigNumbers]

I have a question - Does the mayor get any racially charged attacks? I thought after he was sworn into office that the hillbilly section of town would have a field day with him... Has the mayor had any problems with bigots?

[mustache ride]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

the hillbilly section

Oh hi there racist! Must have missed you at the meeting.

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

Oh hi there racist! Must have missed you at the meeting.

I have reported your post - I didn't know you were the AMA police?

Seeing as how you're mocking me for asking a question I (and many others) have wondered, I suggest you think about editing your childish post.

I am sure many folks want to know if "redneck Calgary" has attacked our visible-minority in any way, or if his experience has been, as I hope, a reflection of society moving beyond the cover of the book.

[mustache ride]

So you ask about prejudice by displaying prejudice! Good for you. Embrace the hate and let it make you stronger.

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by mustache ride

So you ask about prejudice by displaying prejudice! Good for you. Embrace the hate and let it make you stronger.

Calling racists hillbillies is not racist - or else calling a racist a racist is then bigotry...

So... Hi bigot!

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Thanks for clarifying this. I left the hearing late but before the voting happened.

We had the feeling that most aldermen made their decision on this application prior to hearing, so it was a done deal. Then, if the Mayor was personally opposed to this major re-designation, why did he not try to convince four other Council members to vote against it? As much as I disliked Bronconnier's leadership style, he would have ensured that he had eight votes going in.

The Mayor rarely attempts to count votes prior to Council - and particularly prior to public hearing items almost never lobbies support. That does occur on some issues though.

One of the interesting things about this Council (I'd argue a very good thing) is that although you have contentious debate and plenty of 8-7 or 9-6 votes it's rarely the same 8 and same 7. You have strange bedfellows on many issues. For example Shane Keating and Druh Farrell co-sponsoring a Notice of Motion together recently - and that's indicative of members of Council thoughtfully considering each issue on its merit. And that's what the Mayor has been trying to encourage. The last Council had become a divided one (8-7) along ideological lines in almost a quasi-party system. To me, ugly.

On Shawnee, the Mayor genuinely did not have his mind made up going into the public hearing. He saw both sides of this

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by fotze

Why the hell have the ripped up the road next to Eau Claire Market on 2nd street between 2nd and 1st Ave SW? What a pain in the ass that is now.

Hmmm, don't see it on any City roadworks schedules. Perhaps could be utilities work (Enmax or ATCO).

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by BigNumbers

I have a question - Does the mayor get any racially charged attacks? I thought after he was sworn into office that the hillbilly section of town would have a field day with him... Has the mayor had any problems with bigots?

Can't really say anything on matters of security.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

How come the HOV lane down the Centre Street bridge isn't enforced? Has it ever been? Will it ever be?

Bunk -- any thoughts on this? No worries if you can't get an answer -- just wanted to double-check