Is anyone else sick of Rick Bell?

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I don't get the whole "give it back" line of thinking. Is there something out there for $50 that he really really wants but can't afford?

50 $1 hamburgers?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I don't get the whole "give it back" line of thinking. Is there something out there for $50 that he really really wants but can't afford?

It isn't about the money - it is a philosophical difference in what governments should do in these situations.

[pylon]

I have met Rick and done business with him a few times. He is actually a pretty interesting guy to just talk to, albeit he is pretty opinionated, and loves the sound of his own voice.... however Rick is the first guy that would admit that. He is a good intentioned self deprecating guy, and I think a lot of people take him way more serious, than they should. In fact I am pretty sure he gets a bit of a rise out of how frothing at the mouth he get some readers.

Love him or hate him, you cannot deny the guy has carved out quite the career for himself over the last 20 or so years.

[OldDutch]

I am going to go ahead and say that of any politican I have ever seen, Nenshi is someone I trust to make the right call on this.

And trust me this is not blind, late sipping, man love, for do no wrong Nenshi. I disagree with a lot of things he does that have affected me directly. I just know that he does his homework, and is a smart, well read and hard working guy.

Given the situation we have been in for the last month, I'm going to drop the petty squabbling over who owns what and encourage the city and our mayor to take the money and get to work ASAP. Families are looking to use the parks, roads, and other things that were destroyed. Our family wants assurance that our sewer will properly work. Everyone should benefit from this.

The rest is just a side show, including the fake verbal diarrhea Rick Bell hawks to make a buck.

[GaiJin]

I think one would have to be pretty damned delusional to think that the money would actually be going to required priorities, even without you can bet there will be "fun" spending from council. I know what I would spend the money on , a sump pump.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

It isn't about the money - it is a philosophical difference in what governments should do in these situations.

Really they should give it back and that's not because I wan't the money personally but $150 could mean a lot for a lot of families. My wife is a teacher and there are kids going to school at times with no lunches and not properly clothed in the winter. The federal government will end up footing the bill for the flood recovery at the end of the day so I don't feel using it towards that is fair as the city will get that money back once again.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Really they should give it back and that's not because I wan't the money personally but $150 could mean a lot for a lot of families. My wife is a teacher and there are kids going to school at times with no lunches and not properly clothed in the winter. The federal government will end up footing the bill for the flood recovery at the end of the day so I don't feel using it towards that is fair as the city will get that money back once again.

It's worth pointing out, once again, that the people who really need $150 would be probably getting less than that because they're less likely to own valuable property. If the city uses the $52 million to cut taxes, the greatest benefit goes to people who own expensive properties. If it uses the money to develop our transit infrastructure, then we make it easier for people to get to jobs in various areas of the city - socio-economic mobility requires physical mobility. If this is really about the kids going to school with no lunches or improper clothes, then we should put it into a school lunch or clothing program. But out of the options we have, that are municipal jurdisdiction, improving transit does more for the working poor than a tax cut.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Like 10 years ago. Now I just can't believe he is still employed / alive.

[SebC]

I honour of referring to things with names that rhyme with their actual names, he is hereby to be known exclusively as 'Dick Smell'.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

It isn't about the money - it is a philosophical difference in what governments should do in these situations.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. The money just wasn't/isn't their money to begin with and that's pretty clear. Frankly the dog and pony show with Brett Wilson was ridiculous, and basically grandstanding in preparation for an election campaign that will probably not come.

I recognize the 'spend it on the flood' sentiment, but I remain unconvinced that this is necessary. First, many of these losses are insured. The city has coverage, many of the citizens have coverage and this sure looks like many of the damages will be covered? Then we have both the federal and provincial governments committing aid dollars. So how much of a loss will the city actually see? Sounds like it could well be minimal, but of course the figures aren't in.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Slava

...
I recognize the 'spend it on the flood' sentiment, but I remain unconvinced that this is necessary. ...

This sentiment is exactly what ticks me off. It doesn't matter if it is necessary or not, because it was over-collected to begin with and must be refunded. If a politician thinks that more money is needed and must be raised from property taxes, they should announce that property taxes are going up (5%, 10%, 20%, whatever they think they should) for whatever they think it's needed and then run for election in October based on that platform. Then it's honest and right. If people agree, they will get elected and raise the taxes as promised.

As for Rick Bell, I don't read Sun, it's a tabloid. But I had a chance to hear Rick speak once. Didn't like him at all. For a political columnist, he is too shallow in his views/analysis. For a comedian, he is too "know-it-all" and not that funny.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

If a politician thinks that more money is needed

Find me one that doesn't...

[Northendzone]

so the mules have a spinning wheel?

[The Coppernian One]

Originally Posted by SebC

It's worth pointing out, once again, that the people who really need $150 would be probably getting less than that because they're less likely to own valuable property. If the city uses the $52 million to cut taxes, the greatest benefit goes to people who own expensive properties. If it uses the money to develop our transit infrastructure, then we make it easier for people to get to jobs in various areas of the city - socio-economic mobility requires physical mobility. If this is really about the kids going to school with no lunches or improper clothes, then we should put it into a school lunch or clothing program. But out of the options we have, that are municipal jurdisdiction, improving transit does more for the working poor than a tax cut.

True, and not just people but any property owner who pays taxes, so businesses as well. The education tax is based on property value, so if it was refunded the same way it would go to the tax payer - ie the property owner. Poor who are renting pay for the taxes through their rent, but it's the owner that would actually get the money back.

[CaptainCrunch]

Rick Bell serves a purpose, just like Warren Kinsella or whatever his name is for the sun serves a purpose.

Does Rick Bell bring up valid points? Sure once in a while, is he annoying? absolutely.

But you take the good you take the bad you take them both and there you have . . . absolutely every news paper and news program in the world.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Find me one that doesn't...

None exist, no argument. Irrelevant in this case, though.

[Tyler]

Today's Calgary Sun is an absolute joke. The sooner this guy retires, the better off the collective intelligence of this city is

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Today's Calgary Sun is an absolute joke. Tis

So was yesterday's...and tomorrow's.

[rotten42]

Rick Bell is the media whore on the one side and Nenshi is the media whore on the other side....they both annoy the hell out of me.

[Tinordi]

Rick Bell simply feeds the trolls. Get rid of him and they'll just hire another zookeeper.