2013 Calgary Municipal Election Thread

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

That is a terrible response to a terrible idea you and the hubby cooked up.

Once again, you are in essence taking all the hard work, goodwill, and effort of people that have worked on the real Civic Camp since 2009 and take a big sh*t on it. It's pathetic, nothing more, nothing less.

As a non-involved, external observer, that's some dirty pool they are cooking up.

Shameful.

[King Hippo]

what's even more sad is the blatant rip off of the logo

the real one:


President Morgan's

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

After spending a good bit of the morning reading everything I could find on all the ward 2 candidates, Bernie Dowhan seems like the most reasonable, thoughful, and is likely to best represent the ward. I'll be voting for him, and suggest others do the same. My second choice would be Terry Wong.

I live in ward 2 and like Bernie as well after looking into it. It seems like Joe seems to think that all he needs to do is out-sign everyone and he'll win.

Your views on Shawn Ripley are exactly how I percieve him as well. It seems to me that he was being opportunistic when he ran for ward 2. I imagine a term with him in office would be more about being city hall's voice to talk to you, as opposed to your voice to city hall.

[NuclearPizzaMan]

Originally Posted by King Hippo

what's even more sad is the blatant rip off of the logo

the real one:


President Morgan's

Wow, this Morgan character is a real scumbag.

[Slava]

As some of you may have seen if you follow me on twitter, I sent a questionnaire to all of the trustee candidates in the city. Its hard to cast a ballot for these positions. Often there is very little information, and these ballots are sometimes forgotten until you walk in and have it handed to you! Fear not CPers....I present 10 questions with all of the candidates, broken down by ward.

I asked candidates to be brief and try not to exceed 3 sentences....some were better than others at following this directive. I decided not to edit answers as I feel that quite a few people won't read the novel-type answers anyway, so its works to their disadvantage.
(I debated making a separate thread for this, but wasn't sure....)

Wards 1 & 2: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/1...ee-candidates/

Wards 3 & 4: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/14/651/

Wards 5 & 10: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/1...ee-candidates/

Wards 6 & 7: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/14/653/

Wards 8 & 9: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/1...ee-candidates/

Wards 11 & 13: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/1...ee-candidates/

Wards 12 & 14: http://calgarypolitics.com/2013/10/1...ee-candidates/

Hopefully this helps some people get some information on what these people think about various issues before you head to the polls!

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

Shawn Ripley
He works as a consultant for land developers, and has been on the Calgary Planning Commission. This suggests he is knowledgeable about land use issues, but may find it hard to say no to former developer clients if elected. He seems qualified to be a councillor, but doesn't live in or have any connection to ward 2. He strikes me as an opportunist who only selected this riding because of no incumbent, and I don't think he'd be an effective representative for ward issues. His website is the most professionally designed aesthetically speaking, but some of the links don't work. Never contacted me back when I phoned the campaign about it. Platform is short on detail and long on platitudes.
Don't recommend. http://shawnripley.ca/

A lot of the detailed stuff is in the "practical solutions" section of his site, rather than the higher level "vision"

For instance, his solution for the Evanston traffic debacle is a good one for the interim - Dowhan just says 'we need a solution!' without offering much on how. That said, Bernie seems like a solid guy. Amongst all the candidates Wong and Ripley seem the most qualified.

The Issue:

Evanston is a Community in NW Calgary, currently under development. The community was planned with primary access points at Symons Valley Road (via Symons Valley Parkway), 144th Avenue, and 14th Street NW. However, at this phase in development only the Symons Valley Road is complete, leaving one paved access. With a current population of 8,274 and being the fastest growing community (1680 additional residents from 2012 to 2013) the obvious result is severe traffic congestion during peak hours, particularly the morning commute. Residents nickname the Symons Valley Parkway the “Symons Valley Parking lot”, and it can take 15-20 minutes simply to exit the community.

Temporary Solution:

Creating a lane reversal on portions of Symons Valley Parkway and Symons Valley Road to increase capacity and reduce congestion during peak hours.

Both Roads are four lane divided. Leaving the community Westbound, several hundred metres from Symons Valley Road on Symons Valley Parkway, you could create a crossover to middle Eastbound lane. Pylons or barriers could be placed during the morning rush to create one reversed lane Westbound and one normal Eastbound lane. At the intersection, you could accommodate 3 left turning lanes onto Symons Valley Road. This would require the car on the reversed lane, to enter Symons Valley Road on another lane reversed segment Southbound. Again, pylons would separate normal Northbound traffic on the curb lane, from the reversed Southbound lane in the middle. A few hundred metres along, you could create a crossover on the median (perhaps temporary asphalt) to merge into the two normal Southbound lanes before they reach the Stoney Trail interchange. This would create 50% greater capacity at the intersection, dramatically reducing congestion and the amount of time to exit the community. It would cost relatively little (in the tens of thousands) to execute in any capital costs of temporary asphalt, as well as operating cost putting up signage and placing/removing traffic pylons.

Creating a lane reversal allows a cost effective temporary solution to moving people in and out of their community while construction on the other access points moves ahead. The lane reversal in Kensington on Memorial Drive, a very busy area during the rush periods, has proven very effective, and the infrastructure costs of a similar solution on Symons Valley Road and Parkway are not excessive.

It is my belief that a this kind of creativity may be able to make a significant difference, and is worth exploring in a variety of new communities in Ward 2 and across Calgary with access issues.

[Ozy_Flame]

FFWD already on the phony CivicCamp debacle . . .

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/calgary-bl...vic-camp-1393/

[King Hippo]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

FFWD already on the phony CivicCamp debacle . . .

http://www.ffwdweekly.com/calgary-bl...vic-camp-1393/

for anyone too lazy to open that link...

With the municipal election just around the corner, some well known trolls have put up a fake Civic Camp website and registered Civic Camp Society as a not-for-profit in Alberta.
Cory Morgan, Jane Morgan, Richard Evans, Robert N Connon and Jamie Buchan registered the society and erected the site with fake letter grades assigned to aldermen and candidates. The apparent goal to discredit and harrass a group they dislike.
Those wishing to find the excellent information and insight provided by Civic Camp, which is a non-partisan municipal watchdog, should go to civiccamp.org. Those wishing to see a juvenile prank can google it.
Here's to misinformation during an election!

[MrMastodonFarm]

That's some real low level dirty stuff right there. I always knew Cory was a bit of a scum bag but I though First Lady was atleast a little above it, I guess not. Everyone involved should be 100% ashamed of themselves. Shame on you Jane, I don't have any idea how you look yourself in the mirror playing dirt like that.

I don't have the words.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Bunk

A lot of the detailed stuff is in the "practical solutions" section of his site, rather than the higher level "vision"

I've tried "Practical Solutions" on two different browsers and its been giving a "not found" error all day. I didn't want to delay my summary post any further.

You've had a couple of pro-Ripley comments in this thread. Would you consider him an ally of the mayor? I couldn't find any detail of how he's voted on the Calgary Planning Commission.

I know Ripley is following this thread, since he found me on Linked-In after I discussed him up thread. Shawn, if you're reading this, feel free to post, we'd love to hear from you.

I will comment that his team hasn't responded to a couple of requests with questions, and that he seems like a parachute candidate. I have a hard time voting for someone with no prior connection to the area. It feels like an opportunistic thing to do. If he cared about the area so much he could have moved here two years ago. If he doesn't, and just wants to be on council, then he should run where he lives, imo.

A councillor who doesn't respond to constituents and doesn't live in the ward doesn't seem like a good choice to me...

[MrMastodonFarm]

I like that First Lady actually put her name on the site though, she isn't going to be able to pull the whole babe of the woods and hide behind her husband routine that she is famous for.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by fotze

I think they get a kick out of it.

Political fame whores.

[Freeway]

Voted on Sunday. Nobody was there.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I've tried "Practical Solutions" on two different browsers and its been giving a "not found" error all day. I didn't want to delay my summary post any further.

You've had a couple of pro-Ripley comments in this thread. Would you consider him an ally of the mayor? I couldn't find any detail of how he's voted on the Calgary Planning Commission.

Ah, his website completely changed 4-5 days ago so maybe you're having issues with a cached browser (I'm not very knowledgable about that kind of stuff), it seems to be working fine for me.

I like Ripley - I tend to be biased toward people with a really good understanding of planning and development matters, which he does (my background is urban planning) but I understand some people's wariness of someone not residing in the Ward. As for the Mayor (I couldn't speak for him on this) I'd say he's probably fairly aligned philisophically on some key issues, but I haven't heard him state a preference for one particular candidate in this race.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Political fame whores.

Sociopaths.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

That's some real low level dirty stuff right there. I always knew Cory was a bit of a scum bag but I though First Lady was atleast a little above it, I guess not. Everyone involved should be 100% ashamed of themselves. Shame on you Jane, I don't have any idea how you look yourself in the mirror playing dirt like that.

I don't have the words.

What has surprised me is no one has suggested working collaboratively.

The first reaction has been to attack, name call, etc.

I remain optimistic.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by First Lady

What has surprised me is no one has suggested working collaboratively.

The first reaction has been to attack, name call, etc.

I remain optimistic.

I don't find it surprising that anyone wants to work with you "collaboratively" on this at all.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by First Lady

What has surprised me is no one has suggested working collaboratively.

The first reaction has been to attack, name call, etc.

I remain optimistic.

Has it really surprised you?

I can smell your disingenuity from Vancouver.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by First Lady

What has surprised me is no one has suggested working collaboratively.

The first reaction has been to attack, name call, etc.

I remain optimistic.

Really, really?

You're such a dirt bag.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I don't find it surprising that anyone wants to work with you "collaboratively" on this at all.

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Has it really surprised you?

I can smell your disingenuity from Vancouver.

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Really, really?

You're such a dirt bag.

So much love here.


Mergers, acquisitions, takeovers happen all the time. Many of those in CC.org have already experience on that front.

So yes, I'm optimistic - once they get over their initial shock - they will find a way for this to work and be a positive for them.