MF YYC Politics - there, I mega did it

[Red Slinger]

Many of us complain about the state of politics as being too much gamesmanship and not enough getting about the business of getting stuff done, especially at the municipal level. I don't really know what Farkas will be but I do know he is continuing his trend of mostly style over substance, politicking over leading. That can certainly be useful in certain situations but I think less so at the municipal level. The UCP wants cities to be politicized. It fits their long-term agenda for making Alberta into a more American-like state (if not actually American).

I don't know if I'm going to vote for Gondek or Thiessen at this point but I do know that Farkas is not an option.

[FacePaint]

Mayor's debate on Ryan Jespersen Real Talk this morning if anyone interested. Gondek and Thiessen seem like the clear winners so far.

[RandyHolt]

I ended up voting for Thiessen in the end. It seems from the debates to date, as well as the platform that he's the most competent even if he has some flaws. I hope it'll end up being a situation where he comes from behind and wins as all the other candidates have larger warts than him. Quite honestly any vote that isn't for Sharp is probably a good one.

I also voted for DJ Kelly, so not happy with voting for two people in the same "party" but I truly believe in discussions with DJ that there won't be any party line and he'll vote and do what is best for ward 4.

Also obviously voted for and even donated to Laura Hack, but am worried that "Dr." Joanny is going to win with how many signs she has in comparison to Hack where people will just vote for the name they know.

[Torture]

I know everyone hates parties, but really, if you want to send a message to Smith, the most effective way to do so is to vote in the Calgary Party because she'd be fuming mad about a slate of centrists/progressives instead of the right wing slate.

Looks like Thiessen is finally getting some late attention, I wonder if it will be enough but realistically think it's too late. I'm torn between him and Gondek. Don't fully buy the Farkas transformation.

[Inglewood Jack]

we're gonna split everything between Gondek and Thiessen and end up with Farkas/Sharp aren't we

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Inglewood Jack

we're gonna split everything between Gondek and Thiessen and end up with Farkas/Sharp aren't we

Probably. That's why I'm leaning Gondek.

[craigwd]

Wouldn't they be splitting based on the same thinking?
Vote for whomever best reflects your values and give that person a push through your network.

[Reggie Dunlop]

What happened to Gondek during the covid restrictions was truly despicable -- people camped outside her residence harassing her family and neighbours. Add in the vicious "Recall" smear campaign that wasn't even legitimate and mysteriously funded.

I give her a lot of credit for not backing down and running again. You may have some policy quibbles but essentially a mayor is one vote on council.

[Jaws]

Latest poll from Janet Brown Opinion Research for CBC News (Oct 1-8)


34% undecided

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...poll-9.6934010

[Bigtime]

Janet Brown is usually very reliable polling wise, based on that why even bother voting for Thiessen if you don't want Sharp or Farkas. You gotta go Gondek.

He's not going to pull off a 2010 Nenshi scenario, by this time in 2010 Nenshi was already well in the mix and building momentum. I just don't see it happening with Thiessen.

[SportsJunky]

Yeah, based on those poll numbers, if you were trying to decide between Gondek or Thiessen, you probably should cast your ballot for Gondek. Hopefully Thiessen runs and gets more support next election.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jaws

Latest poll from Janet Brown Opinion Research for CBC News (Oct 1-8)


34% undecided

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calga...poll-9.6934010

That pretty much solidifies me for Farkas this time around - I really don't want Sharp.

[Wormius]

Thiessen needs a bit more air time, I think. This election is the first I had heard of him. Not sure if I should have before?

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Wormius

Thiessen needs a bit more air time, I think. This election is the first I had heard of him. Not sure if I should have before?

I have known Brian for a long time. He was always politically involved, and if I recall correctly, ran as a liberal candidate (federally?) a while back when there was a zero percent chance of winning. I think some may knock him for being middle-of-the-road, but I do think politically, he really is a centrist liberal.

I have no insider knowledge, but I suspect that him starting the Calgary Party was a response to a veiled UCP municipal party running, rather than endorsing this form of politics. As it turns out, I don't think the party aspect of this years' campaign really made any (positive) difference.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

That pretty much solidifies me for Farkas this time around - I really don't want Sharp.

That’s exactly where I’m at too. I’m not happy with Gondek’s performance as mayor, and I really don’t want Sharp.
Considered voting for Thiessen but he’s polling too low.
I’m willing to give Farkas a chance. I do think he has changed and grown since losing the mayoral race 4 years ago, though I know many are skeptical. I voted Gondek last time as the anti-Farkas option.

Some reasons why I’m not voting for Gondek:

• Let the 2019 arena agreement collapse due to $10M road/sidewalk and climate mitigation costs. New deal is much worse for taxpayers
• Poor / confusing communications during water main crisis
• Declaring climate emergency as first major priority after getting elected
• Supported pitching up to $100,000 of City money toward the legal fight against Quebec’s Bill 21
• Along with council, passed Single-use items bylaw which was then repealed due to massive unpopularity
• Marda Loop businesses have been struggling for a couple of years due to prolonged “Main Streets” construction. This past summer (with construction almost complete) another business announced it was shutting down, and only then did she publicly announce that she wanted to meet with affected businesses to hear their concerns

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Jaws

That’s exactly where I’m at too. I’m not happy with Gondek’s performance as mayor, and I really don’t want Sharp.
Considered voting for Thiessen but he’s polling too low.
I’m willing to give Farkas a chance. I do think he has changed and grown since losing the mayoral race 4 years ago, though I know many are skeptical. I voted Gondek last time as the anti-Farkas option.

Some reasons why I’m not voting for Gondek:

• Let the 2019 arena agreement collapse due to $10M road/sidewalk and climate mitigation costs. New deal is much worse for taxpayers
• Poor / confusing communications during water main crisis
• Declaring climate emergency as first major priority after getting elected
• Supported pitching up to $100,000 of City money toward the legal fight against Quebec’s Bill 21
• Along with council, passed Single-use items bylaw which was then repealed due to massive unpopularity

The biggest issue for me is she got absolutely steamrolled by the province on the Green Line. We need someone with more backbone to stand up to the UCP going forward.

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

The biggest issue for me is she got absolutely steamrolled by the province on the Green Line. We need someone with more backbone to stand up to the UCP going forward.

I agree with you on that.
Do you think Farkas can stand up to the UCP?

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

The biggest issue for me is she got absolutely steamrolled by the province on the Green Line. We need someone with more backbone to stand up to the UCP going forward.

Curious what you think the City or Gondek could have done to change what the ucp did...and are doing?

[woob]

Yeah, if people on the more "moderate" or "progressive" side are all putting their votes in the 3 bucks of Gondek, Farkas, or Thiessen, then we could wind up with Sharp due to that spread. Though I do know a considerable amount of business owner type individuals who have been pushing hard for Davison.

I think I'm going Gondek (Mayor), Joey (councillor), and Jenny Regal (trustee) for Ward 1.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

The biggest issue for me is she got absolutely steamrolled by the province on the Green Line. We need someone with more backbone to stand up to the UCP going forward.

I'm in the minority where I'm actually on the pronvince's side in regards to the green line. After over a decade of back and forth in new plans that are more expensive, and provide less track just to accommodate the downtown subway, enough was enough and the pivot to Plan B had to happen. The value wasn't there for the last subway iteration in comparison to alternatives (same alignment but elevated) that were never truly considered.

I'm not a fan of how we got to that point, and Smith/UCP bullied the city into it, but ultimately the city ignored the red flags that have been popping up over the duration of this project, and not prepare for an alternative plan if the value of the subway could no longer be deemed feasible.

They had tunnel vision (pun intended). It was that or nothing.