Cal Wenzel suing Mayor Nenshi for $6M

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Oh the irony. Cal Wenzel's using this defamation lawsuit to defame Nenshi. But had he not sued Nenshi, many probably wouldn't have even remembered his name (at least I wouldn't... nor would I have learned that he founded Shame homes), since the secret video story had almost passed the public eye. So in turn, his defamation lawsuit against Nenshi to defame Nenshi is defaming himself.

What a tangled web we weave.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

...

You're being extremely disingenious if you really believe that is the only reason companies like Shane Homes and other builders donate money.

Businesses are generally concerned about what generates profits. Nenshi's policies are cutting into those profits, so trying to derail his policies by getting other candidates elected or discredit him is the best way to accomplish that agenda.

You are taking my post out of context. The remark about donations was in response to an idiotic comment wishing Wenzel to die of heart attack.

Charitable donations are an effective way for businesses and individuals to give back to the community and, yes, raise their public profile. It is recognized as such by all developed countries. Questioning the motives of donations is pointless. The net effect is money to worthy causes that otherwise would not have it.

Note that I don't try defending what Wenzel said on tape during that meeting. For the record, I do believe it was politically nearsighted and borderline childish (which shows how inexperienced even the largest Calgary homebuilders are when it comes to municipal politics). But he did express his disappointment with the political direction openly and he proposed a legal course of action to deal with his disappointment to people that felt the same way about it. He is not suing Nenshi for disagreeing with him politically but for statements he finds insulting that are made by a public figure.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by getbak

When he was giving his Ward by Ward evaluation of each of the Aldermen, this is what he said in reference to Druh Farrell:

He admits to donating his employees' time (which has "in kind" value as a political contribution) in addition to giving $5000 to Taylor's campaign, which technically violates the contribution limits (although, I'm sure this sort of thing happens a lot).

It's not exactly a confession to murder.

That's addressed in the lawsuit as well.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

That's addressed in the lawsuit as well.

I am getting the impression you have not read the letter Nenshi's counsel sent to counsel for Wenzel. If you haven't, check it out. It clarifies a lot of these issues, and makes a pretty compelling case for why Wenzel has completely pantsed himself with this lawsuit.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

I am getting the impression you have not read the letter Nenshi's counsel sent to counsel for Wenzel. If you haven't, check it out. It clarifies a lot of these issues, and makes a pretty compelling case for why Wenzel has completely pantsed himself with this lawsuit.

Thanked for using the word 'pantsed'.

[Smartcar]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

That's addressed in the lawsuit as well.

No it isn't. The reference to paying for the volunteers' use of the Shane Homes trucks by issuing gas cards doesn't cut it. As previously mentioned on this thread, you don't rent a vehicle and just pay for gas. And the employees get to use the company vehicles personally all the time, without limit, when they are not on the job? If they could show that was the case and not a special exception for the election period while working on specific campaigns, maybe. Otherwise it looks like a contribution over what is allowed.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Note that I don't try defending what Wenzel said on tape during that meeting. For the record, I do believe it was politically nearsighted and borderline childish (which shows how inexperienced even the largest Calgary homebuilders are when it comes to municipal politics). But he did express his disappointment with the political direction openly and he proposed a legal course of action to deal with his disappointment to people that felt the same way about it. He is not suing Nenshi for disagreeing with him politically but for statements he finds insulting that are made by a public figure.

In respect to the bolded, isn't it equally likely that he/they have had similar meetings with similar comments in the past, that never got captured on video. (Phones with quality video recording are a relatively new thing, after all, and he would have presumed the members of his little gathering were trustworthy)

He could be experienced bringing venal tactics to politics, but unused to getting called on it.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Smartcar

And the employees get to use the company vehicles personally all the time, without limit, when they are not on the job?

That would be a taxable benefit if they did, so it still would mean the use of the vehicle has value. The argument that allowing use of company vehicles shouldn't count as a political contribution is pretty weak and relies on trying to get around the law, which is where the weaselly part comes in.

[GaiJin]

Originally Posted by jammies

That would be a taxable benefit if they did, so it still would mean the use of the vehicle has value. The argument that allowing use of company vehicles shouldn't count as a political contribution is pretty weak and relies on trying to get around the law, which is where the weaselly part comes in.

Unless you are on call 24 hours a day. My employer, a mutli national company, added that to our business cards for that very exemption,

[jammies]

Originally Posted by GaiJin

Unless you are on call 24 hours a day. My employer, a mutli national company, added that to our business cards for that very exemption,

Interesting, I did not know that. Maybe Cal's plan is to shower the judge with business cards: "Making it rain, Your Honour! Making it rain!"

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Smartcar

No it isn't. The reference to paying for the volunteers' use of the Shane Homes trucks by issuing gas cards doesn't cut it. As previously mentioned on this thread, you don't rent a vehicle and just pay for gas. And the employees get to use the company vehicles personally all the time, without limit, when they are not on the job? If they could show that was the case and not a special exception for the election period while working on specific campaigns, maybe. Otherwise it looks like a contribution over what is allowed.

The real problem there is Wenzel stating that he has the vehicles out doing this work. The statements in the video are very clearly that he has authorized Shane Homes' property to be donated toward candidate's cause, on top of a maximum cash donation. Ergo, Wenzel has admitted that he (through his company) exceeded said contribution limits. It is rather hard to see where Wenzel's lawsuit is anything but frivolous given his own statements in the video defeat his statements in his lawsuit.

[Luongo52]

I am glad. Nenshi hasn't done anything for this city since he was first elected.

-Raised taxes like nobodies business and tries to sell we have lower tax rates than any large city in Canada which is not true. Vancouver has a lower property tax rate and they have more included in their taxes.

-Stopped yard waste pick up to save money now my 74 year old Grandmother has to pay a company to come and pick up her yard trimmings.

-Spouts off a bunch of nonsense that has always bordered on slander/defamation and he is finally being held accountable for it!

-He did nothing during the floods except show Redford and Harper around the city. He made a couple witty comments, that's it. Did he do anything to physically help the city? no? Jon Mar did - lesson learned; don't actually help or you lose your job.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Luongo52

I am glad. Nenshi hasn't done anything for this city since he was first elected.

-Raised taxes like nobodies business and tries to sell we have lower tax rates than any large city in Canada which is not true. Vancouver has a lower property tax rate and they have more included in their taxes.

-Stopped yard waste pick up to save money now my 74 year old Grandmother has to pay a company to come and pick up her yard trimmings.

-Spouts off a bunch of nonsense that has always bordered on slander/defamation and he is finally being held accountable for it!

-He did nothing during the floods except show Redford and Harper around the city. He made a couple witty comments, that's it. Did he do anything to physically help the city? no? Jon Mar did - lesson learned; don't actually help or you lose your job.

Welcome to CP.

How you can say he did nothing during the floods is beyond me and to top it off with "don't actually help or you lose your job" is very childish. Im willing to go on the record and say I do not believe he lost his job for helping with the floods.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Luongo52

-Stopped yard waste pick up to save money now my 74 year old Grandmother has to pay a company to come and pick up her yard trimmings.

I saw the garbage man pick up the 3 large orange bags of leaves I left on the ground beside my black bin. You're grandma should call 311 instead of getting pissed at Nenshi.

Jon Mar did - lesson learned; don't actually help or you lose your job.

Jon Mar, who aligned himself with a charity, was on it's board, then they tweeted everyone on their list of flood victims to vote for him, and he denied knowing about it?

Yup, his intentions were totally pure with the flood...

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Luongo52

I am glad. Nenshi hasn't done anything for this city since he was first elected.

-Raised taxes like nobodies business and tries to sell we have lower tax rates than any large city in Canada which is not true. Vancouver has a lower property tax rate and they have more included in their taxes.

-Stopped yard waste pick up to save money now my 74 year old Grandmother has to pay a company to come and pick up her yard trimmings.

-Spouts off a bunch of nonsense that has always bordered on slander/defamation and he is finally being held accountable for it!

-He did nothing during the floods except show Redford and Harper around the city. He made a couple witty comments, that's it. Did he do anything to physically help the city? no? Jon Mar did - lesson learned; don't actually help or you lose your job.

Awesome, you are going to do great here.

[Table 5]

Hey Nenshi. Take leaves, not jerbs.

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Luongo52

I am glad. Nenshi hasn't done anything for this city since he was first elected.

-Raised taxes like nobodies business and tries to sell we have lower tax rates than any large city in Canada which is not true. Vancouver has a lower property tax rate and they have more included in their taxes.

-Stopped yard waste pick up to save money now my 74 year old Grandmother has to pay a company to come and pick up her yard trimmings.

-Spouts off a bunch of nonsense that has always bordered on slander/defamation and he is finally being held accountable for it!

-He did nothing during the floods except show Redford and Harper around the city. He made a couple witty comments, that's it. Did he do anything to physically help the city? no? Jon Mar did - lesson learned; don't actually help or you lose your job.

Your grandmother should really be composting.

[Tyler]

I'm glad he's no longer representing this city as a councillor

[para transit fellow]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Jon Mar, who aligned himself with a charity, was on it's board, then they tweeted everyone on their list of flood victims to vote for him, and he denied knowing about it?

Yup, his intentions were totally pure with the flood...

Mar's non-profit is not yet a charity and still crossed a line by endorsing a particular candidate (something charities aren't allowed to do)

In my neighborhood ( Mission AKA flood central) Mar lost because of his policies regarding development and secondary suites...

Note: Your mileage may vary

[SebC]

Mar lost because he positioned himself as a centrist, and thus left the door open to flanked by by a more progressive candidate.